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Archive for March, 2013

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Easter: Changing Times

  • March 31st, 2013
  • Posted by 7thmin

winter-daffodils.jpgOPINION: Some extreme weather this Easter season is a reminder that climate itself looks to be changing.

TIMES OF HARMONY

The date of the “moving feast” of Easter has to do with the full moon and changing seasons. … Read More »

Saving Cyprus

  • March 26th, 2013
  • Posted by EUEditor

cyprus-flag.jpg eu-flagg-eu.jpgIntense discussions in Brussels throughout the weekend (24-25.3.13) produced a settlement for Cyprus, set to end its time as a financial centre providing a haven for overseas depositors.

The financial crisis is to be managed with the application of a €10-billion (A$12.3-billion; xe.com, 25.3.13) guarantee on loans, and the use of large deposits in the country’s banks to service debt. … Read More »

What Future For Media Reforms?

  • March 25th, 2013
  • Posted by 7thmin

news-of-world-logo2.jpgrupert-murdoch21.jpg leveson-report.jpg stephen-conroy.jpg                                The British government has announced its plan for regulation of the press, with a new complaints procedure; mirrored by far-less successful efforts, and less cooperation among legislators, in Australia.

It followed the media scandals of 2011 and after, which provoked questions on what to do about the London tabloid newspapers. … Read More »

Software Wars: EU, Consumers, Companies …

  • March 24th, 2013
  • Posted by EUEditor

microsoft.jpgSoftware services becoming all-but-indispensable to the world, on the strength of a good idea, have trouble from time to time with the idea of being regulated as businesses.

Microsoft has had a second tussle with the European Commission, reminiscent of the long contest that ended in 2007, which cost the company €497-million (then $A826-million) — while the EU itself now gears up for future challenges in  a “digitised” economy.

See background from 2007, involving objections to such practices as locking-in purchasers of packages, to use only Microsoft products: EUAustralia Online, “Court confirms: Microsoft must share”, 18.9.07; also “EU to probe Google”, 1.12.10.

At the same time this year, an attempt at regulation by customers, instigated by Choice consumer magazine in Australia, has seen Adobe, Microsoft and Apple jumping to justify higher prices being charged for their services in that country. … Read More »

Bettencourt Affair: Sarkozy In Court

  • March 24th, 2013
  • Posted by EUEditor

sarkhozy.jpgThe accusations against the former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy (picture), got to court, in a night session last Thursday at Bordeaux (21.3.13), six years after the alleged offence – misuse of a vulnerable person. … Read More »

Egypt Envoy: EU Ties Are Binding …

  • March 22nd, 2013
  • Posted by EUEditor

egypt-ambresize.jpgEgypt’s Ambassador to Australia, Hassan Hanafy Mahmoud El-Laithy, wants the impact of the “Arab Spring” to further the chances of Middle East peace – and he foresees strengthening relations between his own country and Europe.

He said (20.3.13) the revolution in Egypt should bring a change in relations that would be “nothing except for the better”. … Read More »

Scourge Of Cyber Crime

  • March 18th, 2013
  • Posted by EUEditor

cyber-crime-11.jpgLawmakers in Europe are moving towards requiring enterprises under cyber attack to tell the authorities, as a chance for containing it and averting destruction of social and economic fabric. … Read More »

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