Kristalina Georgieva -- Bulgaria's nominee to be the new EU Commissioner for International Co-operation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Prevention -- is expected to be approved for the post following a flawless performance at her confirmation hearing before the European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday (February 3rd). "For those in need around the world, this is the most important portfolio," she said in her opening remarks at the three-hour session. The 56-year-old scholar and economist pledged to become "the voice of the voiceless" within the European Commission (EC). Georgieva has served as vice-president and corporate secretary of the World Bank Group since March 2008. She was nominated to EU commissioner post about three weeks ago, after Bulgaria's original candidate, Rumiana Jeleva, withdrew her candidacy amid allegations concerning personal integrity and competence. Jeleva was later cleared but decided to resign from all government posts
Kristalina Georgieva -- Bulgaria's nominee to be the new EU Commissioner for International Co-operation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Prevention -- is expected to be approved for the post following a flawless performance at her confirmation hearing before the European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday (February 3rd).
"For those in need around the world, this is the most important portfolio," she said in her opening remarks at the three-hour session. The 56-year-old scholar and economist pledged to become "the voice of the voiceless" within the European Commission (EC).
Georgieva has served as vice-president and corporate secretary of the World Bank Group since March 2008. She was nominated to EU commissioner post about three weeks ago, after Bulgaria's original candidate, Rumiana Jeleva, withdrew her candidacy amid allegations concerning personal integrity and competence. Jeleva was later cleared but decided to resign from all government posts
(Jeleva was not the only Commissioner I would have tried to block in MEPs' places. But it seems one is still enough for a demonstration of power, like in Buttiglione's case. At least the hearings were lively.) *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Wind and solar technology made up over half of Europe's new electricity generating capacity in 2009, as the number of new coal and nuclear facilities fell More wind capacity was installed in Europe during 2009 than any other electricity-generating technology, according to statistics released today by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). Wind accounted for 39 per cent of increased European energy capacity, ahead of gas (26 per cent) and solar (16 per cent). In contrast, the nuclear and coal power sectors decommissioned more megawatts of capacity than they installed in 2009, with a total of 1,393 MW of nuclear and 3,200 MW of coal decommissioned.Wind investmentAccording to the EWEA report, €13 billion has been invested in wind farms across the EU in the last year, which are now capable of meeting 4.8 per cent of EU energy demands.
More wind capacity was installed in Europe during 2009 than any other electricity-generating technology, according to statistics released today by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). Wind accounted for 39 per cent of increased European energy capacity, ahead of gas (26 per cent) and solar (16 per cent). In contrast, the nuclear and coal power sectors decommissioned more megawatts of capacity than they installed in 2009, with a total of 1,393 MW of nuclear and 3,200 MW of coal decommissioned.Wind investmentAccording to the EWEA report, €13 billion has been invested in wind farms across the EU in the last year, which are now capable of meeting 4.8 per cent of EU energy demands.
An expert report is demanding urgent action to address chronic skills shortages in Europe's labour market, as unemployment in the euro zone hits 10%. One in three Europeans of working age has few or no formal qualifications, making them 40% less likely to be employed than those with medium-level qualifications, according to figures compiled by an expert group. Nearly a third of Europe's population aged 25-64 have no, or only low, formal qualifications and only one quarter have high-level qualifications, according to the 'New Skills for New Jobs' report. The document, written by an independent panel established by the European Commission, was published yesterday (4 February)and is expected to feed into a new skills strategy due to be launched by the EU executive later this year. Workers who are trained do not always have the right skills that employers are looking for, thus creating mismatches in the labour market.
One in three Europeans of working age has few or no formal qualifications, making them 40% less likely to be employed than those with medium-level qualifications, according to figures compiled by an expert group.
Nearly a third of Europe's population aged 25-64 have no, or only low, formal qualifications and only one quarter have high-level qualifications, according to the 'New Skills for New Jobs' report.
The document, written by an independent panel established by the European Commission, was published yesterday (4 February)and is expected to feed into a new skills strategy due to be launched by the EU executive later this year.
Workers who are trained do not always have the right skills that employers are looking for, thus creating mismatches in the labour market.
Might this be because business haven't been doing any on-the-job training for the better part of the last 30 years? En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
Better to externalise training and then complain that people are not trained in your proprietary super/secret in-house procedures so there is a "skills deficit". En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
Unemployment in the EU 27 has hit 9.6%, but skilled workers are significantly less likely to be out of work. Figures released with the report also show that companies that train their staff are 2.5 times less likely to go out of business compared to firms that do not.However, experts warned the growth in temporary and contract working arrangements could make employers less likely to invest in upgrading skills.
Unemployment in the EU 27 has hit 9.6%, but skilled workers are significantly less likely to be out of work. Figures released with the report also show that companies that train their staff are 2.5 times less likely to go out of business compared to firms that do not.
However, experts warned the growth in temporary and contract working arrangements could make employers less likely to invest in upgrading skills.
We need to do something on training and skills.
Finland has not been immune from this short-term thinking, in spite of free education and relatively high social status for teachers. Education is also free for kids who come to study in Finland, but there is now talk of making these visitors fee-paying. Idiots.
Long term planning with a wider vision would know that Finland, like many other parts of Europe, is facing an aging population and thus a diminishing workforce. You can't be me, I'm taken
Germany supports the creation of a European army in the long term so that the EU can be a "global player," Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. "The long-term goal is the establishment of a European army under full parliamentary control. "The European Union must live up to its political role as a global player. It must be able to manage crises independently. It must be able to respond quickly, flexibly and to take a united stand," he said.
"The long-term goal is the establishment of a European army under full parliamentary control.
"The European Union must live up to its political role as a global player. It must be able to manage crises independently. It must be able to respond quickly, flexibly and to take a united stand," he said.
Share28 Bush, Cheney and the Great Escape Friday 05 February 2010 by: William Rivers Pitt, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed (Photo: phxpma; Edited: Lance Page / t r u t h o u t) With each passing day, it becomes more and more astonishing to encompass the fact that George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and their henchmen from the prior administration have managed thus far to escape any accounting whatsoever for the massive battery of criminal activity committed during their time in office. More than a year has passed since these men had their hands on the levers of power, and evidence of their myriad crimes and frauds is laying all over the countryside, yet nothing has come of it. The British government has been running a wide-ranging inquiry into the manner in which the UK and United States were led to war in Iraq by then-President Bush and then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. An astonishing amount of damning evidence and information has been uncovered and publicly aired, including the following statements delivered by a senior member of Parliament (MP) on Tuesday: A senior Welsh MP said last night he knew "for certain" Tony Blair and George Bush struck a deal to invade Iraq at their notorious Crawford Ranch meeting in 2002 - a year before war was declared. Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, said he had seen a confidential memo to that effect, although he would not divulge its exact contents.
Friday 05 February 2010 by: William Rivers Pitt, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed
by: William Rivers Pitt, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed
(Photo: phxpma; Edited: Lance Page / t r u t h o u t)
With each passing day, it becomes more and more astonishing to encompass the fact that George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and their henchmen from the prior administration have managed thus far to escape any accounting whatsoever for the massive battery of criminal activity committed during their time in office. More than a year has passed since these men had their hands on the levers of power, and evidence of their myriad crimes and frauds is laying all over the countryside, yet nothing has come of it.
The British government has been running a wide-ranging inquiry into the manner in which the UK and United States were led to war in Iraq by then-President Bush and then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. An astonishing amount of damning evidence and information has been uncovered and publicly aired, including the following statements delivered by a senior member of Parliament (MP) on Tuesday:
A senior Welsh MP said last night he knew "for certain" Tony Blair and George Bush struck a deal to invade Iraq at their notorious Crawford Ranch meeting in 2002 - a year before war was declared. Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, said he had seen a confidential memo to that effect, although he would not divulge its exact contents.
Jürgen Rüttgers, the powerful governor of North Rhine-Westphalia, currently holds the reins of German politics. He doesn't want anyone rocking the boat before crucial state elections in May and is hampering much-needed reforms. He could even pose a challenge to Chancellor Angela Merkel. It isn't hard to get the prominent German politician Jürgen Rüttgers angry. In fact, all it takes is a single question, as a recent incident showed. Rüttgers, who is the conservative governor of Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, had just schmoozed his way through his party's New Year's reception in the city of Gelsenkirchen. "Nice to see you," he said enthusiastically to his guests, speaking in the local dialect of German. Rüttgers was playing the role of the patriarchal state governor with gusto, showing that he was ready to listen to anyone, even for the head of the local community garden association.
It isn't hard to get the prominent German politician Jürgen Rüttgers angry. In fact, all it takes is a single question, as a recent incident showed.
Rüttgers, who is the conservative governor of Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, had just schmoozed his way through his party's New Year's reception in the city of Gelsenkirchen. "Nice to see you," he said enthusiastically to his guests, speaking in the local dialect of German. Rüttgers was playing the role of the patriarchal state governor with gusto, showing that he was ready to listen to anyone, even for the head of the local community garden association.
Rüttgers is far from being the brightest light in the chandelier, but he's pretty far left for the CDU (otherwise he'd never have made the grade here in NRW). Plus, as Spiegel noted, he's looking at a reelection battle. So
hampering much-needed reforms
Really means "hampering neolib reforms".
It should be noted that there is a strain of Catholic labor activism in Germany which is rooted in the Rhineland. So Rüttgers is not necessarily entirely insincere in opposing a neolib agenda. The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
On the other hand, this was Rüttgers too.
*Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
There's worse further down.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has made a deal with Rüttgers, based on the following principle: the party comes first, then Germany. Merkel wants to make sure that no unpopular decisions are made before the early summer.
So unpopular decisions mean putting Germany first... Yet another nice illustration for the fact that neoliberal reformism is anti-democratic. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Wilfried Martens, the chair of the largest European party, sheds light on the secretive appointment of `European president' Herman Van Rompuy. Wilfried Martens (73) is a powerful man in Brussels. As the chair of the European People's Party, Europe's largest political party and the former prime minister of Belgium, he played an important behind-the-scenes role in the appointment of his compatriot Herman Van Rompuy to the newly created office of permanent president of the European Council. The appointment process was a backroom affair. The rumour mill was awash with names of potential candidates, including that of the Dutch prime-minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Luxembourg's Jean-Claude Juncker. Now, days before Van Rompuy will host his first European summit, Martens sheds light on the events leading up to the appointment of the most important European politician.
Wilfried Martens (73) is a powerful man in Brussels. As the chair of the European People's Party, Europe's largest political party and the former prime minister of Belgium, he played an important behind-the-scenes role in the appointment of his compatriot Herman Van Rompuy to the newly created office of permanent president of the European Council.
The appointment process was a backroom affair. The rumour mill was awash with names of potential candidates, including that of the Dutch prime-minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Luxembourg's Jean-Claude Juncker. Now, days before Van Rompuy will host his first European summit, Martens sheds light on the events leading up to the appointment of the most important European politician.
The EU's new foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton has called on Brussels to combine its hard and soft power to assume greater international power and responsiblity. In her first major security policy speech since assuming office as the diplomatic director of the European Union, Ashton said the EU should combine its soft and hard power to take responsibility on the international stage. "We must mobilize all our levers of influence - political, economic, plus civil and military crisis management tools - in support of a single political strategy." Ashton made the comments at the Munich Security Conference, a a gathering of the world's top defense officials. "The days when a common EU foreign policy was regarded as mere talk are numbered," she said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
In her first major security policy speech since assuming office as the diplomatic director of the European Union, Ashton said the EU should combine its soft and hard power to take responsibility on the international stage.
"We must mobilize all our levers of influence - political, economic, plus civil and military crisis management tools - in support of a single political strategy."
Ashton made the comments at the Munich Security Conference, a a gathering of the world's top defense officials.
"The days when a common EU foreign policy was regarded as mere talk are numbered," she said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
full of the audacity of hope, or something. ~Government budget deficits are not nearly as dangerous as the deficits we have created in vital and complex natural systems.~ Naomi Klein.
Ukrainians vote Sunday in a close and bitter presidential run-off between Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich.REUTERS - Ukrainian voters choose between Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich in a close presidential run-off on Sunday that could yet disappoint hopes of a swift return to stability. Many commentators predict a narrow victory by opposition leader Yanukovich, but fiery Prime Minister Tymoshenko is threatening to summon protesters in a replay of the 2004 "Orange Revolution" if she deems the second-round election unfair.
REUTERS - Ukrainian voters choose between Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich in a close presidential run-off on Sunday that could yet disappoint hopes of a swift return to stability. Many commentators predict a narrow victory by opposition leader Yanukovich, but fiery Prime Minister Tymoshenko is threatening to summon protesters in a replay of the 2004 "Orange Revolution" if she deems the second-round election unfair.
Portuguese police have uncovered 1.5 tonnes of bomb-making materials in a house used by suspected members of the Basque separatist group ETA. Spanish officials said the discovery could be another major blow to the militant organisation.AFP - Police in Portugal found nearly 1.5 tonnes of bomb-making materials in a house used by suspected militants from armed Basque separatist group ETA, Spain's interior ministry said Saturday. Experts said the raid on the cache -- if confirmed to belong to ETA -- would deal a strategic blow to the armed group's suspected bid to set up a rear base across the Spanish border in Portugal. A Spanish ministry statement said: "Portuguese security forces have seized nearly 1.5 tonnes of explosives in the house used by the terrorist group ETA in Portugal."
AFP - Police in Portugal found nearly 1.5 tonnes of bomb-making materials in a house used by suspected militants from armed Basque separatist group ETA, Spain's interior ministry said Saturday. Experts said the raid on the cache -- if confirmed to belong to ETA -- would deal a strategic blow to the armed group's suspected bid to set up a rear base across the Spanish border in Portugal. A Spanish ministry statement said: "Portuguese security forces have seized nearly 1.5 tonnes of explosives in the house used by the terrorist group ETA in Portugal."
Dominique Strauss-Kahn (pictured) told French radio Thursday he would consider running for the French presidency "in certain circumstances". A CSA poll suggested that the director of the IMF would defeat President Sarkozy by a margin of 52% to 48%. AFP - IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Thursday left open the possibility of quitting his Washington-based job to run for the French presidency. Polls show the former French finance minister is a more popular choice to become the left's candidate in the 2012 presidential race than the current Socialist Party leader Martine Aubry. The managing director of the International Monetary Fund told French radio that he could "in certain circumstances" reconsider whether to stay in Washington.
