http://www.mail.com/organizations/34-european-union.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/organizations/34-european-union.html http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1765160-europe-takes-step-toward-stable-banks.html FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Union has taken its big first step toward keeping busted banks from costing taxpayers billions and dragging down government finances. After another marathon meeting, finance ministers from the 27 EU member countries agreed Thursday to give the European Central Bank the power to act as a banking watchdog for the 17 EU... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1765160-europe-takes-step-toward-stable-banks.html 2012-12-13T20:27:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1765178-imfs-lagarde-praises-euro-deal-bank-oversight.html SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — IMF chief Christine Lagarde is praising a deal signed by European Union governments to create a single supervisor for their banks. The managing director of the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that "very significant progress" has been made toward creating banking unity and reinforcing the Euro zone. She spoke at a news c... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:20:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1765178-imfs-lagarde-praises-euro-deal-bank-oversight.html 2012-12-13T20:20:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763806-german-real-estate-booms-people-seek-security.html BERLIN (AP) — Buying a home in Berlin is widely viewed as one of the safest investments a German, or any European, can make. That is why some real-estate experts are worried the market could get overheated. Home prices in Germany's largest cities are booming. Building permits and home ownership rates are climbing fast. And the percentage of foreigners sna... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:12:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763806-german-real-estate-booms-people-seek-security.html 2012-12-13T17:12:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763892-top-central-banks-extend-dollar-lending-program.html FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Major central banks acted Thursday to try to shore up confidence in the global financial system by extending a program that makes it easier for banks to borrow U.S. dollars. Thursday's move renews for a year a program that was expanded in November 2011 in response to Europe's debt crisis. It had been set to expire in February. Th... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763892-top-central-banks-extend-dollar-lending-program.html 2012-12-13T16:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764616-glance-eus-key-decisions-2012.html In a whirlwind of decision-making, ministers from the European Union's 27 countries agreed Thursday on the foundation of a fully-fledged banking union and approved billions of euros in bailout loans for Greece that will prevent it from going bankrupt. Both decisions are vital in bringing calm to crisis-hit Europe and strengthening the region against any further financial sho... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:15:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764616-glance-eus-key-decisions-2012.html 2012-12-13T16:15:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760584-eu-backs-banking-supervisor-greece-bailout.html BRUSSELS (AP) — In one whirlwind morning, the European Union nations agreed Thursday to two key measures vital to the financial security of the region. As well as laying the groundwork for a full-fledged banking union, Greece's euro partners approved billions in bailout loans that will prevent the country from going bankrupt. The measures, approved by Eur... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760584-eu-backs-banking-supervisor-greece-bailout.html 2012-12-13T16:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764522-integration-ideas-eu-leaders-mulling.html European Union leaders, seeking to avoid a repeat of the crisis that has dogged the 27-country bloc for the past three years, are debating plans for an unprecedented shift of national financial policy powers to the EU. Here are the main points they are discussing: — The broad terms of a banking union: This will provide a single rulebook for banks and set ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:01:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764522-integration-ideas-eu-leaders-mulling.html 2012-12-13T16:01:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763660-ukraine-parliament-speaker-elected-amid-brawls.html KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's newly elected parliament on Thursday approved two presidential allies for the posts of prime minister and parliament speaker, but the vote was nearly overshadowed by a violent brawl between government supporters and opposition lawmakers. The Party of Regions led by President Viktor Yanukovych and its allies secured a majorit... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763660-ukraine-parliament-speaker-elected-amid-brawls.html 2012-12-13T15:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1763992-apple-e-book-publishers-eu-find-competition-deal.html BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's competition watchdog has accepted proposals by four publishers and Apple to end agreements that set retail prices for e-books — a practice the EU feared violated competition rules. The decision reached Thursday is legally binding on Hachette Livre; Harper Collins; Simon & Schuster; and Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrin... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1763992-apple-e-book-publishers-eu-find-competition-deal.html 2012-12-13T14:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763554-italy-raises-cash-easily-berlusconi-vacillates.html MILAN (AP) — Silvio Berlusconi's vacillations over whether or not to run for Prime Minister of Italy failed to dent investor demand for the country's debt, leaving borrowing costs steadfastly low in a bond auction on Thursday. Italy easily raised €3.5 billion ($4.5 billion) in the sale of 3-year bonds Thursday that saw interest rates, or yields, drop to t... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:31:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763554-italy-raises-cash-easily-berlusconi-vacillates.html 2012-12-13T11:31:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1760880-un-international-efforts-to-engage-iran.html VIENNA (AP) — International officials pursued a two-pronged effort Wednesday to engage Iran over concerns the country may have worked on nuclear weapons, with a U.N. team seeking access to a site linked to such suspected activity and European Union negotiators looking to restart talks with Tehran meant to ease such fears. Preparing to depart Vienna for Te... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:35:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1760880-un-international-efforts-to-engage-iran.html 2012-12-12T20:35:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761576-ap-interview-romanian-pm-reappointment.html BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta should feel like his political battles will become much easier, after his center-left alliance won a sweeping majority in last weekend's parliamentary elections. With 68 percent of seats in Parliament, the alliance could expect the president to quickly reappoint Ponta, letting the government g... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:30:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761576-ap-interview-romanian-pm-reappointment.html 2012-12-12T16:30:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1761360-polish-energy-advisor-using-coal-energy.html WARSAW, Poland (AP) — An advisor to the Polish government says the country should keep using its coal for decades to come, despite a European Union policy of replacing the polluting fossil fuel with cleaner sources. Krzysztof Zmijewski, an expert on carbon gas emissions, said Wednesday that as global demand for energy rises, Poland should continue to use ... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:38:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1761360-polish-energy-advisor-using-coal-energy.html 2012-12-12T15:38:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760884-serbias-billionaire-retail-tycoon-detained.html BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia's billionaire retail tycoon and one of the Balkan country's most influential figures was detained Wednesday in what the nationalist government said is a major anti-corruption sweep. Miroslav Miskovic, one of the richest people in impoverished Serbia, is the owner of Delta Holding company which deals with retail, real estate,... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760884-serbias-billionaire-retail-tycoon-detained.html 2012-12-12T12:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760578-eurozone-industrial-output-surprise-slump.html LONDON (AP) — Industrial production across the 17 European Union countries that use the euro unexpectedly slumped in October, official figures showed Wednesday, in another sign that the region's recession is getting worse and weighing on big economies like Germany. Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, said industrial production fell by a monthly 1.4 perc... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:19:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760578-eurozone-industrial-output-surprise-slump.html 2012-12-12T11:19:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1760534-bank-aid-money-arrives-spain.html MADRID (AP) — The Spanish government said Wednesday that the €39.5 billion ($51.3 billion) in bailout funds approved by European authorities for the country's troubled banks has arrived. A spokeswoman for the Economy Ministry said the money is now in the hands of a state-run fund set up to help those banks worst hit by the property market collapse in 200... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:49:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1760534-bank-aid-money-arrives-spain.html 2012-12-12T10:49:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1757830-greece-to-bond-buyback-wednesday.html ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece will reveal the results of a key debt buyback deal Wednesday, after an extended deadline for private investors to decide whether they will sell back their Greek bond holdings at a discount expired without any official announcements. Finance ministers from the 17 European Union countries that use the euro held a conference call... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1757830-greece-to-bond-buyback-wednesday.html 2012-12-11T22:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1758364-eu-approves-common-patent-rules.html BRUSSELS (AP) — BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union approved a new common patent system on Tuesday designed to cut red tape and streamline patent procedures across much of Europe. The European Parliament concluded the drawn-out decision-making process, backing a cluster of packages by a wide majority to end nearly four decades of fighting and negotiating o... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1758364-eu-approves-common-patent-rules.html 2012-12-11T15:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1758284-angry-bank-clients-push-way-cyprus-parliament.html NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cypriot police say a group of investors and savers protesting outside parliament shoved their way past security and entered the building. The protesters claim the Cypriot banks sold them investment products under false pretenses to raise desperately-needed cash. Cypriot banks lost billions on their holdings of Greek debt during the ... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1758284-angry-bank-clients-push-way-cyprus-parliament.html 2012-12-11T15:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1757674-italian-premier-defends-austerity-measures.html ROME (AP) — Premier Mario Monti on Tuesday defended his government's austerity measures as necessary to restore confidence in Italy's financial future, and warned voters to beware "magic solutions" promised by candidates in upcoming elections. Monti has said he will resign as soon as the country's budget is approved, spreading anxiety in the markets that ... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:57:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1757674-italian-premier-defends-austerity-measures.html 2012-12-11T13:57:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1757790-german-investor-optimism-up-than-expected.html FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — An index of German investor optimism rose more than expected in December, suggesting market professionals think Europe's largest economy will avoid an outright recession. The ZEW indicator of economic sentiment rose to plus 6.9 points, from minus 15.7 in November. Markets had expected the index to rise only to minus 11.5. Wolfgan... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:06:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1757790-german-investor-optimism-up-than-expected.html 2012-12-11T11:06:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1756020-israels-netanyahu-world-double-standards.html JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's prime minister on Monday accused the international community of "deafening silence" in response to recent vows by the head of the Hamas militant group to fight on until the Jewish state is destroyed, and appeared unmoved by the gathering storm of global condemnation of his government's plans to continue settling the West Bank. Be... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1756020-israels-netanyahu-world-double-standards.html 2012-12-10T21:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755492-eu-condemns-israel-settlements.html BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union warned Israel of unspecified consequences Monday if it goes through with plans to build thousands of new settler homes in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The bloc's 27 foreign ministers said they were "deeply dismayed" by Israeli plans to expand settlements in East Jerusalem and particularly the E1 project, which would sepa... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755492-eu-condemns-israel-settlements.html 2012-12-10T18:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1755936-italian-election-stress-eurozone.html FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Until last weekend, Europe seemed headed for a quiet Christmas and New Year's. Then Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti unexpectedly announced he was going to resign, pulling the plug on a government that had boosted confidence in the country's ability to manage its debts. The prospect of a return to a shaky government and finance... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1755936-italian-election-stress-eurozone.html 2012-12-10T18:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755368-syrian-rebels-capture-parts-army-base-north.html BEIRUT (AP) — Rebels captured part of a sprawling Syrian army base outside the embattled northern city of Aleppo, tightening the opposition's grip on areas close to the Turkish border, activists said Monday. The gains by rebel forces came as the European Union denounced the Syrian conflict, which activists say has killed more than 40,000 people. "The curr... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755368-syrian-rebels-capture-parts-army-base-north.html 2012-12-10T18:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1755612-monti-seeks-to-calm-market-concerns-italy.html ROME (AP) — Seeking to calm financial markets, Premier Mario Monti said Monday he will lead Italy until the next government takes power, insisting there will be "no decision-making vacuum" despite his intention to resign ahead of time. What happens after the election, however, kept markets on edge, sending stocks and bonds plunging. Monti announced Saturd... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:01:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1755612-monti-seeks-to-calm-market-concerns-italy.html 2012-12-10T18:01:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755350-european-union-receives-nobel-peace-prize.html OSLO, Norway (AP) — The EU received the Nobel Peace Prize on Monday for promoting peace and human rights in Europe following the devastation of World War II, and the bloc was urged to use that unity in its battle with an economic crisis that is causing suffering for many of its citizens. About 20 European government leaders, including German Chancellor An... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755350-european-union-receives-nobel-peace-prize.html 2012-12-10T16:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755282-romania-govt-easily-wins-parliamentary-elections.html BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania's government has swept to victory in a parliamentary election but even that convincing win may not defuse the rancorous rivalry between the country's two top politicians. The center-left alliance led by Prime Minister Victor Ponta won nearly 60 percent of the vote, trouncing President Traian Basescu's center-right allies,... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:29:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755282-romania-govt-easily-wins-parliamentary-elections.html 2012-12-10T15:29:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1755328-spanish-universities-protest-cutbacks.html MADRID (AP) — Rectors from about 50 state-run universities across Spain protested Monday that government spending cuts were choking third-level education and would set back the country's recovery. The academic leaders each read out a statement simultaneously saying the university system was under threat and cutbacks in research would lead to an "irreparab... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:11:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1755328-spanish-universities-protest-cutbacks.html 2012-12-10T15:11:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1755604-russia-promises-tit-for-tat-response-to-us-bill.html MOSCOW (AP) — Russia will quickly retaliate against U.S. officials after the U.S. Congress approved a bill imposing sanctions on Russian officials accused of human rights violations, the lower house's speaker said Monday. The legislation passed last week primarily aimed to end Cold War-era trade restrictions that have held back American businesses which w... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:47:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1755604-russia-promises-tit-for-tat-response-to-us-bill.html 2012-12-10T11:47:00Z