You are currently browsing the EU Australia Online archives for November, 2012.
The United Nations General Assembly was close to consensus in its vote on Thursday to give observer status to Palestine.
The resolution was supported by 138 member states, with nine against (including Israel itself and the United States), and 41 abstentions (including Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom). … Read More »
Not for the first time computer hackers from Romania have broken into small business credit card systems to go on a large-scale spending spree; on this occasion, in Australia. … Read More »
The European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to tighten its laws against shark-finning for the Asian trade – cutting off the fins of sharks while alive, and dumping the rest of the body in the sea.
 
 
  
The incident renews attention to a by-product of the “Asian Centuryâ€: exponential economic growth in China and other countries of its region has put up incomes, and exacerbated demand for very rare, often bizarre animal products.
It has conservation agencies very alarmed about threats, to extinction, of species including sharks, tigers and elephants, as well as issues of gross cruelty — as in the case of caged bears. … Read More »
Heads of government debating the EU’s next seven-year budget have ended their summit in Brussels talking about a “first-step†on agreement – the process now extended into the New Year. … Read More »
“The good things about surfing are that it’s good for you, it’s good fun – and it’s for free”. … Read More »
“Somebody has to buy all those socks they make in Chinaâ€, says Anna Siko, Hungarian Ambassador to Australia. … Read More »
COMMENTARY: Hints of change had emerged a fortnight after the re-election of President Barack Obama (6.11.12), with reports of “constructive†budget talks between the administration and a conservative Congress. … Read More »