Australian Manns Mitre 10 hardware store closes after rent dispute

Wednesday, an over-90-year-old Manns Mitre 10 hardware store, run by Alex P Mann Pty Ltd, closed until further notice after a rent dispute in Port Adelaide, South Australia. The rent dispute involved $315,060.70 of rent for months of September 2012 to January 2013 unpaid to the landlord, Fourteen Sails Pty Ltd. The site was distrained. The store had to fire about 40–50 employees without a warning in advance.

The store was closed three days before Australia Day, January 26, Saturday.

The store administrator, Tim Clifton, said they had to ring the workers out of the blue: "I was advised the landlord had distrained for unpaid rent over the business and that left the directors in the position where the business was untenable. I presume at this stage trading was poor and the company just didn't have the money to pay the rent. ... Unfortunately they had to terminate their employment this morning and we've rung them all. We'll do our best to get them their entitlements under the government schemes, and we calculate what they're owed in the next few days and hopefully get that underway for them. ... It's a sad day. It's a sign of the times isn't it. Things are tough out there."

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union state secretary Dave Kirner said workers were not allowed to collect their personal belongings left inside of the store: "I spoke with a worker who said the locks have been changed, they were asked to leave and all their personal belongings are in there".

On Saturday, Wikinews took photos of the documents available at the store entrance. The rent dispute details and an inventory were available for everyone to read. During the ten minutes of taking photos, around seven people visited the closed entrance and read the documents a first time. One of them commented, "oh hey, Bunnings will be stronger".

The store owner, Jarred Spearman, reported negotiations ongoing with the landlord and said he would "hopefully try to work [our] way out of this ... We are pretty lucky to have the customers and staff we had".

Port Adelaide Mayor Gary Johanson said the loss of the store is a significant loss as Port Adelaide is being redeveloped: "Their staff were extremely good, the service levels were high, the store was always well stocked and it was a great example of a family business. That will be a great loss to the Port." "The landlord is not at fault here. The landlord is acting within their rights. ... This is the sort of thing we cannot afford to lose if we're serious about the Port being redeveloped. This is not a multinational company. This is a franchise of a bigger company but it is a family franchise and it employs a lot of staff. The staff that they employ are local people and they're employing large amounts of staff in relation to their turnover. We need to take stock of what local businesses we have left and say, how can we ensure they stay with us?"


В Южной Австралии закрылся 90-летний универмаг после неуплаты ренты за 5 месяцев

27 января 2013 года магазин, которому больше 90 лет, владельцем которого является Alex P. Mann Pty Ltd, закрыли на неопределённый срок после конфликта вокруг ренты в порту Аделаида, Южная Австралия. Вопрос о ренте касался уплаты 315 060.70 австралийских долларов за ренту с сентября 2012 по январь 2013. Владелец территории, Fourteen Sails Pty Ltd, денег не получил. В обеспечение долга на имущество наложили арест. Магазину пришлось уволить около 40-50 работников без предупреждения.

Магазин был закрыт три дня до Дня Австралии, который отмечается 26 января, в субботу.

Администратор магазина, Тим Клифтон, сказал, что они должны были позвонить служащим внезапно: «Мне сказали, что имущество хозяина арестовали за неуплату аренды, что оставило директоров в ситуации, в которой бизнес стал бессмысленным, я полагаю. При текущем состоянии экономики он был беден, и у компаний просто нет денег, чтобы платить за аренду… к сожалению, работники были вынуждены прекратить свою работу сегодня утром, и мы звонили им всем. Мы сделаем всё возможное, чтобы им вернули убытки по государственным схемам, и мы вычислим, чем мы им обязаны в ближайшие несколько дней, и мы надеемся получить, что им нужно… это печальный день. Это показывает, каковы дела в эти дни. Трудные времена.»

Государственный секретарь союза строительной, лесной, горнодобывающей промышленности и энергетики Дэйв Кирнер сказал, что служащим не позволили собрать свои личные вещи, которые они оставили внутри магазина: «Я говорил с работником, который сказал, что замки были заменены. Их попросили уйти, и все их личные вещи находятся там».

В субботу Викиновости сделали фотографии документов, размещённых в магазине у входа. Подробности о споре об аренде и инвентарь были доступны для всеобщего обозрения. За десять минут фотосъёмок около семи человек посетили закрытый вход и читали документы впервые. Один из них заметил: «О, Bunnings будет сильнее».

Владелец магазина, Джарред Спирмена, сообщал о текущих переговорах с арендодателем и сказал, что «мы надеемся, стараемся выработать [наш] выход из этого… Нам очень повезло, что у нас были эти клиенты и сотрудники».

Мэр Порт-Аделаиды Гэри Йохансон сказал, что потеря магазина — серьёзная, так как Порт-Аделаиду в настоящее время реконструируют и развивают: «Их персонал был очень хорош, уровень обслуживания был высоким, магазин всегда был хорошо снабжён, и это был отличный пример семейного бизнеса. Это будет большая потеря для порта… Арендодатель не виноват в этом. Хозяин действует в рамках своих прав… Это такое дело, мы не можем позволить себе так терять, если серьезно относимся к расширению порта. …Работает много сотрудников, персонал, который они используют — местные люди, и они используют большое количество сотрудников на единицу оборота. Нам нужно подвести итоги. Какие местные предприятия остались. Как мы можем убедиться, что они остаются с нами?»

25 февраля 2013 года


Australian Treasurer told to 'try harder on welfare'

A professor from Australia's most prestigious university said yesterday that Australian Treasurer, Peter Costello, "must try harder on welfare." Professor Bob Gregory of the Australian National University and leading economist said, "If people could not hide on disability and sole parent pensions then [Mr Costello] couldn't claim credit for the fall in unemployment."

"In my view, the Treasurer has to come out openly and say that he has not been able to produce full-time jobs at a sufficient rate to get people off welfare. Either he has to wait until the economy generates unskilled jobs or he has to play around with the wage system."

Another report relating to the Australian Social Security system was released yesterday by researchers at the University of Melbourne. It found that care-givers who look after mentally ill dependents claim significantly less stress when they engaged in work outside the home.


2005/04/02: Australiens finansminister uppmanas åtgärda välfärden

Bob Gregory, professor vid Australien mest ansedda universitet Australian National University, sade igår att landets finansminister Peter Costello måste "göra något åt välfärdssystemet" och att "om folk inte kunde gömma sig bakom funktionshinder och ersättning till ensamstående föräldrar skulle han inte kunna göra anspråk på att ha minskat arbetslösheten. [...] Enligt min åsikt borde finansministern öppet medge att han inte lyckats producera ny jobb i tillräckligt hög omfattning för att lyfta ut människor från välfärdssystemet. Antingen får han vänta till dess ekonomin genererar okvalificerade arbetstillfällen eller också måste han ändra lönesystemet."

En annan rapport kom igår från forskare vid University of Melbourne igår. Enligt rapporten ska den upplevda belastningen hos människor som vårdar mentalt sjuka i hemmet avsevärt minska om de får tillfälle att arbete utanför hemmet.


Auto parts maker Delphi plans to cut 8,500 jobs; union contracts

The world's second largest auto parts maker, Delphi Corporation, has announced today that 8,500 salary workers may be out of a job soon as part of a major restructuring plan, which will also include voiding the contract with the UAW union.  The move would also shutdown over a third of its factories worldwide, including twenty one located in the United States.

Eight plants in the U.S. are slated to continue operating.  Those located in Clinton, Mississippi, Brookhaven, Mississippi, Lockport, New York, Rochester, New York, Warren, Ohio, Vandalia, Ohio, Kokomo, Indiana, and Grand Rapids, Michigan will continue to serve as Delphi properties.  The rest of the factories are said to either be sold to other companies, or to be closed entirely.

The plans were brought up to a bankruptcy judge earlier today.  In addition to the proposed closings and layoffs, 34,000 workers may experience cut wages and less benefits.  Hourly workers wages will drop from $27 to $22 an hour soon, and will further decrease to $16.50 in late 2007.

Delphi previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2005.  In the original filing, requests were made to drop the hourly wages down to $12.50 an hour.


Delphi Corporation a annoncé un plan de restructuration

Delphi Corporation, le second plus gros fabricant au monde de pièces détachées automobiles (derrière Bosch) a annoncé un plan de restructuration qui supprimera 8500 emplois et rompra l'accord qu'elle a avec le syndicat UAW. Un tiers des usines serons fermées dans le monde dont 21 aux États-Unis.

Huit usines devraient continuer à fonctionner. Celles qui sont localisées à Clinton, Mississippi, Brookhaven, Mississippi, Lockport, New York, Rochester, New York, Warren, Ohio, Vandalia, Ohio, Kokomo, Indiana, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Les autres usines seront soit vendues soit fermées.

34 000 employés vont voir leur salaire baisser. Le salaire à l'heure devrait passer de 27$ à 22$ pour finir à 15,5$ fin 2007.
Depuis octobre 2005, la société bénéficie de la loi sur la banqueroute.


Bank of America declares 1.2 million account records "lost"

Charlotte, North Carolina — One of the biggest domestic banks in the United States, Bank of America, has admitted to losing computer tapes containing 1.2 million federal employee accounts,  including the accounts of several U.S. senators, in a statement by the bank. According to the Pentagon, most of the accounts belong to  staff and civilians in the Department of Defense. The bank said the tapes were lost in December 2004 as they were being transported to a  data back-up centre by a commercial plane.

Currently, the U.S. Secret Service are looking in to the matter, a federal agency whose brief includes investigations of serious financial crime such as this. All parties concerned are worrying about possible identity theft as it contained valuable information such as bank account numbers, names and addresses.


Bank of America "tappade bort" 1.2 miljoner konton

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA –
Bank of America, en av USA:s största inhemska banker, har medgivit att de förlorat databaser innehållande information om 1.2 miljoner offentliganställdas konton, däribland flera senatorer. Enligt Pentagon hör de flesta kontona till personal och civilanställda vid försvarsdepartementet. Banken uppgav att banden med informationen gick förlorade i december 2004 då de transporterades med ett kommersiellt flyplan till ett back-up center.

Den amerikanska säkerhetpolisen kommer att se över fallet eftersom man fruktar att det kan vara frågan om försök till att använda andras identitet i kriminella syften. Databasen innehöll information om kontonummer, namn och adresser.


Bank of Italy governor, Antonio Fazio, presents resignation today

Bank of Italy Governor Antonio Fazio has resigned today, Monday December 19, after several months of crisis.  He is suspected of malpractice concerning the takeover of the bank Banca Popolare Italiana.  The European Central Bank has raised questions over allegations that Fazio accepted gifts from the Pop Italiana's former CEO, Gianpiero Fiorani.  Fiorani, suspected of embezzlement, was arrested last week.

The news was welcomed by many Italian politics. The European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said he "fully respected" Fazio's decision.


Rücktritt des italienischen Notenbankchef Fazio


Antonio Fazio si è dimesso da governatore della Banca d'Italia

Oggi, lunedì 19 dicembre, Antonio Fazio ha rassegnato le dimissioni da governatore della Banca d'Italia.

Le dimissioni vengono a seguito di una situazione difficile da sostenere, che perdurava oramai da parecchi mesi, legata al suo ruolo avuto in merito alle vicende legate all'OPA e ai tentativi di scalata di alcune banche italiane. Negli ultimi giorni il clima era diventato sempre più rovente a seguito delle indagini e degli arresti legati alla vicenda della Banca Popolare Italiana e della Banca Antonveneta. Il 16 dicembre, infatti, il governatore aveva ricevuto un avviso di garanzia per insider trading.

Anche il governo e l'opposizione stavano pensando ad una misura ad hoc per forzare le dimissioni del governatore della Banca d'Italia, il cui mandato era a vita, ma le dimissioni da parte di Fazio hanno evitato tale provvedimento.

La notizia delle dimissioni è stata accolta con profondo sollievo da molti politici e commenti positivi sono arrivati anche dalla Banca Centrale Europea, guidata da Jean-Claude Trichet. In un comunicato la BCE ha dichiarato che "rispetta pienamente" le dimissioni di Fazio e che sono state date nell'interesse del paese. La commissione etica, guidata da Hans Tietmeyer della Banca Centrale Europea, stava per aprire un'indagine nei confronti di Fazio, in particolare riguardo alcuni regali che sarebbero stati ricevuti dal governatore di Banca d'Italia.
Il presidente del Consiglio, Silvio Berlusconi, ha definito la scelta di Fazio come un gesto di serietà che ha agevolato il compito del Parlamento e del Governo.


Bankruptcy for U.S. automaker GM becomes almost certain after bondholder offers fail

The United States automobile manufacturing firm General Motors announced on Wednesday that most of its bondholders did not exchange GM's US$27 billion debt for a ten percent share in the company's stock.

The automaker, in financial straits, has a June 1 deadline to finish a government restructuring plan that includes plant closures and other debt reduction measures. U.S. President Barack Obama's administration said it would not give more financial aid to the firm unless 90% of GM's bondholders would agree on compromises that would significantly reduce the firm's costs.

"The principal amount of notes tendered was substantially less than the amount required by GM to satisfy the debt reduction requirement," GM said in a statement.

"They said no. That's it. They tried. That's why they're going to have to file for bankruptcy," said a university professor from the University of Michigan who specializes in bankruptcy.


Probable bancarrota de GM luego de que tenedores de bonos no aceptaran oferta

28 de mayo de 2009Nueva York, Estados Unidos —

La empresa automotriz General Motors anunció el miércoles que la mayor parte de sus tenedores de bonos no aceptaron la oferta de GM de canjear 27.000 millones de dólares en deuda por un diez por ciento de las acciones de la empresa.

La automotriz, luchando por no ahogarse financieramente, tiene establecido un plazo hasta el 1 de junio para terminar de llevar a cabo un plan de reestructuración que involucraría cerrar plantas y abaratar costos en gran magnitud.

La administración del Presidente estadounidense Barack Obama declaró que no prestaría más ayuda financiera a la empresa a menos que el 90% de lo tenedores de bonos de GM aceptaran tomar compromisos que puedan reducir dramáticamente los costos de la automotriz.

Por estos motivos, se especula que la empresa se declare en bancarrota al amparo de acreedores, llamada Capítulo 11.

"La cantidad de bonos canjeados fue sustancialmente menor que la cifra requerida por GM para satisfacer el requisito de la reducción de la deuda conforme a su acuerdo crediticio con el Departamento del Tesoro estadounidense", anunció GM en una declaración, publicada el miércoles.

Estudiosos de economía aseguran que la bancarrota es inminente. "Dijeron que no. Eso es todo. Trataron. Por esto tendrán que declararse en bancarrota", declaró un profesor de la Universidad de Michingan que se especializa en quiebras.


BASF makes $4.9 billion hostile bid for Engelhard

BASF has made a $4.9 billion hostile bid for Engelhard Corp.  Engelhard is a US based supplier of pollution control devices such as catalytic converters, which it invented.  Engelhard holds 35% of the world market on such pollution control devices.  The bid is $37 a share in cash and may be increased by $1 a share.

BASF has over $4.79 billion for acquisitions after it sold Basell NV plastics in August.

If the acquisition goes through it will be the biggest ever hostile takeover of a US company by a European firm according to Bloomberg.

Engelhard shares have surged above the offer price on the news to about $38 a share.  Some speculate Dow Chemical Co., the largest US chemical maker, will make a competing offer.

"Dow has an automotive materials business like BASF, and is diversified like BASF so that it could use all the pieces" said John Roberts, a Buckingham Research analyst.

US regulations going into effect in 2007 are tighter on emmissions.  This will increase the demand for Engelhard's catalytic converters.  Limits are getting tighter in the EU and Japan as well.

Dow Chemical declined to comment on the bid or the possibility of the corporation making a bid, stating "it's Dow's policy not to comment on speculation regarding possible investment opportunities".


BASF plant Übernahme des US-Konzerns Engelhard

Ludwigshafen am Rhein (Deutschland), 04.01.2006 – Der deutsche Chemiegigant BASF ist an der Übernahme des US-Unternehmens Engelhard interessiert. Die Engelhard Corporation, ansässig in Iselin im US-Bundesstaat New Jersey, ist ein Spezielanbieter für den Katalysatormarkt und Oberflächenveredelung mit 4,2 Milliarden US-Dollar Umsatz im Jahr 2004.

Es sei beabsichtigt, ein Barangebot zum Erwerb sämtlicher Aktien in Höhe von 37,00 US-Dollar je Aktie abzugeben, teilte BASF am Dienstag in Ludwigshafen mit. Dies entspreche einem Gesamtkaufpreis in Höhe von 4,9 Milliarden US-Dollar und wäre die erste bedeutende feindliche Übernahme eines deutschen Unternehmens in Übersee.

Der Börsenkurs der Engelhard-Papiere legte bereits drastisch zu. Kurz nach dem Bekanntwerden des Übernahmeangebotes stieg der Kurs zeitweise um 28 Prozent auf 38,41 US-Dollar. Zeitgleich büßten BASF-Aktien 1,45 Prozent ein; ihr Wert fiel auf 63,90 Euro.

Vorstandschef  Jürgen Hambrecht hatte dem Aufsichtsrat des amerikanischen Unternehmens, das einen geschätzten Weltmarktanteil von über 30 Prozent hält, kontaktiert und ein Angebot unterbeitet. Hauptanteilseingner von Engelhard sind die Citigroup, die Fondgesellschaft Fidelity Investments und die Wellington Management Company aus Boston.


Belgrade hospital refuses to return baby to mother

The Belgrade Neonatology Institute has refused to hand over a child to her mother, after she was unable to pay her medical bills.

Macedonian Senija Roganovic, who has no health insurance of any kind and cannot come up with the money for the bill, gave birth to the baby two months ago at and owes US$8,290.91 in hospital bills.

20-year old Roganovic has been sedated for the past two months and has lost 30 pounds of weight, possibly due to anxiety over what might happen to her child. During this period the hospital only let her see the baby once and she was not allowed to breast-feed her son.

On the 7th of February, Roganovic told her story to a journalist from the daily paper Kurir. After media reports the following day, the hospital finally let the baby go yesterday.


Belgrad: Krankenhaus behielt Baby als Pfand für offene Rechnung

Belgrad (Serbien), 10.02.2007 – Gestern ging ein Geiseldrama der anderen Art zu Ende. Das Belgrader Neonatologische Institut hatte sich geweigert, einer jungen Mutter ihr Kind zu übergeben, weil diese die Krankenhauskosten für die Behandlung des Frühgeborenen nicht bezahlen konnte und auch nicht versichert war.

Die Mazedonierin Senija Roganovic hat das Baby vor zwei Monaten zur Welt gebracht und schuldet der neonatologischen Klinik nun 6.500 Euro.

Am 27. Dezember hätte ihr kleiner Sohn aus dem Spital entlassen werden sollen, doch ihr wurde nicht erlaubt, das Kind mitzunehmen, solange sie die Kosten nicht bezahlen kann. Die 20-Jährige hat seither vor Kummer 15 Kilo abgenommen und musste mehrmals sediert werden. In dieser Zeit durfte sie das Baby nur einmal sehen, und bei dieser Begegnung wurde ihr verboten, ihr Kind zu stillen.

Am 7. Februar erzählte Senija Roganovic ihre Geschichte der Presse. Das Belgrader Boulevard-Blatt Kurir berichtete über ihre Geschichte. Nach den Medienberichten am nächsten Tag lenkte das Spital ein und Roganovic durfte ihr Kind mit nach Hause nehmen.


Ospedale di Belgrado rifiuta di dare un bimbo alla propria madre

L'Istituto di neonatologia di Belgrado ha rifiutato di dare un bimbo neonato a sua madre, poiché questa non è in grado di pagare le spese mediche.

La donna macedone Senija Roganovic, che non ha assicurazione medica di alcun tipo e non può reperire i soldi per pagare le spese, ha dato alla luce un bimbo due mesi fa e adesso deve 8 290,91  dollari all'ospedale.

La ventenne Roganovic è stata sedata diverse volte negli ultimi due mesi e ha perso 15 chili di peso, probabilmente a causa dell'ansia provocata dal non sapere nulla delle condizioni di suo figlio. In questo periodo l'ospedale le ha concesso di vedere il proprio bambino solo una volta, e non le ha mai consentito di allattarlo.

Il 7 febbraio, la Roganovic ha raccontato la sua storia a un giornalista del quotidiano kurir. Dopo la denuncia dei media il giorno successivo, ieri l'ospedale le ha finalmente concesso di prendere in affidamento il proprio bambino.


Ben Bernanke confirmed as Federal Reserve chairman for second term

In a 70 to 30 vote on Thursday, the United States Senate voted to confirm Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke for a second term.

The vote, which was not split along party lines (11 Democrats and 19 Republicans voted against Bernanke), was the closest vote ever for a Federal Reserve chair appointment. The previous closest vote was in 1983, when Paul A. Volcker was confirmed by the Senate, 84 to 16. Complaints against Bernanke mostly involved his presiding over the major economic downturn, as well as the bailout of AIG. In the case of the latter, Bernanke agreed to the AIG matters being audited by the Government Accountability Office.

The supporters of Bernanke included Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who said in support, "Let us not judge the man or the work prematurely." Conversely, Democrat Barbara Boxer of California questioned his commitment to all economic aspects, stating, "The American people have the right to ask whether the Fed is truly committed to supporting Main Street's economy, not just Wall Street."

Among the opposers included Republican Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky, the lone vote against Bernanke on his original appointment. He said, "a vote for Ben Bernanke is a vote for bailouts." Republican George Voinovich of Ohio voted in support for Bernanke, as did Utah SenatorOrrin Hatch.

Bernanke was originally looking to pass easily, but opposition began rising in the Senate chambers after Ted Kennedy's seat was lost to the Republicans, though Obama began outreach to Democratic Senators after the election, putting the confirmation back on track.


Ben Bernanke est reconduit à la tête de la Réserve fédérale américaine

Le président de la Réserve fédérale des États-Unis (Fed), Ben Bernanke, a obtenu jeudi du Sénat américain un second mandat de quatre ans à la tête de la banque centrale des États-Unis.

Cette reconduction, acquise par 70 voix contre 30, était soutenue par l'administration Obama. Elle a été plutôt laborieuse en raison de l'opposition de certains parlementaires.

Le président Barack Obama s'est félicité du vote du Sénat, évoquant « la sagesse et le leadership sans faille » du président de la banque centrale américaine au pire de la crise financière et économique.

M. Bernanke, dont le premier mandat s'achève dimanche, a été la cible de vives critiques. Certains l'accusent de son inaction pour éviter l'effondrement des banques, ou enrayer la diffusion de la crise dans l'économie réelle. Il lui est également reproché d'avoir négligé les petites entreprises et les propriétaires dans son programme de mitigation de la crise.

En revanche, ses partisans estiment que sans Bernanke, la crise aurait pu être pire. En tant que président de la Fed, il est appelé à déterminer les taux d'intérêt directeurs de la banque centrale. Le défi sera de les fixer de manière à faciliter la reprise économique en évitant la formation d'une autre bulle dans l'immobilier, similaire à celle qui a engendré la crise financière de 2008.


Benin, Nigeria join African Union continental free trade bloc

Leaders of African Union (AU) member states met in Niamey, Niger's capital, for an AU summit where on Sunday Presidents Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and Patrice Talon of Benin signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

Nigeria previously announced it planned to join the AfCFTA in the week leading up to the summit. AU trade and industry commissioner Albert Muchanga announced Benin was to join. The commissioner said, "We haven't yet agreed on rules of origin and tariff con[c]essions, but the framework we have is enough to start trading on July 1, 2020".

Niger's president Mahamadou Issoufou said, "Nigeria is Africa's biggest economy and most populous country. Without Nigeria the free trade zone would've been handicapped."

The agreement seeks to remove tariffs on 90 percent of commodities and better intregrate African economies.

At the opening of the AU summit, AU chairperson President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt said, "The success of the AfCFTA will be the real test to achieve the economic growth that will turn our people's dream of welfare and quality of life into a reality".

With Sunday's signings, all but one of the member states of the 55-member AU have signed on to the agreement, with Eritrea the only state unsigned. African leaders have negotiated the deal over the last four years. While 54 nations have signed onto the AfCFTA, only 27 have ratified the agreement.

While many transactions in Africa occur using U.S. dollars or euros, the AU announced an electronic pan-African payment system.
African Export–Import Bank president Okey Oramah said the use of third-party currencies "costs Africa between $5 and $7 billion," further saying, "Beyond that, it also reduces trade because Africa has a scarcity of foreign exchange."

There are reportedly 1.3 billion people in the free trade area, with the combined economies of the countries worth US$3.4 trillion. One of the stated goals of AfCFTA is to encourage more intra-Africa trade. Currently about 16–17 percent of African trade occurs between African countries. This is in contrast to the European Union members, where intra-European trade accounts for over 60 percent of trade.

The International Monetary Fund said in May the AfCFTA might be for African countries comparable to the European and North American trade blocs as an "economic game changer".

Seven members states had bid to host the AfCFTA secretariat, the operational organ of the free trade agreement, with Ghana winning the bid.


Afrikaanse vrijhandelszone gelanceerd, ook Benin en Nigeria sluiten zich aan

De oprichting van de Afrikaanse vrijhandelszone, (African Continental Free Trade Area (en) ofwel AfCFTA), is sinds afgelopen zondag een feit. Ook Nigeria en Benin hebben het akkoord hierover nu getekend. De top hierover vond plaats in Niamey, de hoofdstad van Niger. De Nigerese president Mahamadou Issoufou benadrukte dat Nigeria de belangrijkste economie van heel Afrika is, en daarmee van essentieel belang om de AfCFTA levensvatbaar te maken.

Daarmee hebben 54 van de 55 Afrikaanse landen het akkoord nu getekend. Eritrea is de enige uitzondering hierop, omdat dit land momenteel nog in oorlog is met buurland Ethiopië. Verwacht wordt echter dat Eritrea op den duur ook zal toetreden.

De AfCFTA is een initiatief van de Afrikaanse Unie, bedoeld om de internationale handel binnen het gehele continent te vereenvoudigen en te versterken. Het is ook meteen de grootste vrijhandelszone ter wereld. Bij elkaar wonen er ruim 1,25 miljard mensen binnen het gebied van AfCFTA.


Bill passed to raise US debt limit

United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed into law a bill that raised the US debt limit, averting a predicted default on the government's bills, among other economic ramifications.

The bill in question was the result of a deal announced by Obama on Sunday. It was approved by the House of Representatives on Monday night 269–161, passed the Senate early Tuesday afternoon 74–26, and was subsequently signed by Obama.

Under the terms of the bill, the debt limit can be raised from its previous level of US$14.3 trillion by $900 billion. An amount of $400 billion can be immediately authorized by the President, while the rest is still subject to Congressional approval. Along with the increase, there will be an immediate budget cut of $917 billion, with total savings of at least $2.1 trillion over the next decade.

In the longer term, the bill allows the establishment of a special bipartisan committee of lawmakers from both the Senate and House to come up with proposals to reduce the federal budget deficit by at least another $1.5 trillion. Those proposals will be voted on no later than December 23, at which point the debt limit can be again increased, by up to $1.5 trillion if the committee's proposals are approved or by $1.2 trillion if they fail.


США в последний момент спаслись от дефолта

Президент США в прямом телеэфире заявил, что участники переговоров все-таки договорились по экономическим вопросам. Достижение компромисса означает, что Соединённым Штатам удастся избежать дефолта. По словам Барака Обамы, по итогам переговоров республиканцев и демократов в Конгрессе, обе стороны пошли на уступки. Документ о повышении порога госдолга ещё не подписан, однако глава Белого дома выразил уверенность, что конгрессмены одобрят предложенный вариант. При этом Обама гарантировал, что дефолта не будет и в ближайшие 8-12 месяцев.

Однако, пишет РБК, американский лидер признался, что это не тот вариант, который ему действительно нравится, но он все равно является серьёзным прогрессом. В соответствии с соглашением, в ближайшие 10 лет расходы федерального бюджета будут сокращены примерно на 2,4 трлн долларов. Кроме того, решено создать специальный комитет из представителей двух основных партий для того, чтобы уже к ноябрю представить конкретные предложения по данному вопросу. Голосование по документу состоится уже сегодня. То есть за день до того, как страна могла погрузиться в дефолт.

Чтобы соглашение стало законом, за него должны проголосовать в Сенате и Палате представителей, после чего соответствующий билль будет подписан президентом. Обама призвал всех законодателей поддержать данный законопроект.

Однако у него по-прежнему есть противники в стане обеих партий. Спикер Палаты представителей Джон Бейнер собирал членов республиканской фракции вечером в воскресенье, чтобы проинформировать их о достигнутом соглашении.

Ожидается, что аналогичную встречу с однопартийцами в понедельник проведет лидер демократического меньшинства этой палаты Нэнси Пелоси.

1 августа 2011 года


Сенат усвојио закон о задуживању

2. август 2011.Вашингтон-  (VOA) - Председник Барак Обама потписао је законски предлог који предвиђа смањење државних трошкова и подизање границе за задуживање, убрзо након његовог усвајања у Сенату. Тим потезом спречено је неминовно банкроство земље и окончана жестока политичка битка у погледу задуживања земље.

Компромисни предлог, о којем су сагласност постигли републикански лидери и председник Барак Обама, претворен је у закон 10 сати пре него што је администрација остала без новца за отплаћивање дугова. Претходно је усвојен у Сенату, са 74 гласа за и 26 против. Председник Обама је, убрзо након гласања, у Белој кући критиковао законодавце, оценивши да је дужничка криза била само још једна препрека неопходном опоравку.

„Неизвесност у погледу подизања граница задуживања је вероватно уздрмала компаније и потрошаче и била само препрека опоравку који нам је потребан и могли смо у потпуности да је избегнемо.“

Обама је такође додао да је усвојени предлог први, али не и једини корак -потребан за опоравак америчке економије.

„С обзиром на то да не можете да смањите дефицит само резањем потрошње, биће нам потребан избалансиранији приступ. Да, то значи уношење одређених измена како би се заштитили здравствени програми попут медикера, како би могле да их користе и будуће генерације. То такође значи реформисање пореског система како би најбогатији Американци и највеће корпорације плаћале свој део. Значи и укидање субвенција нафтним компанијама и затварање рупа у пореском систему које помажу милијардерима да плаћају нижу пореску стопу од наставника и медицинских сестара“.

Законски предлог је синоћ прошао најтежи тест када је усвојен у Представничком дому са 269 гласова за и 161 против. Према одредбама предлога, америчка влада ће моћи да настави да позајмљује новац до краја 2012. године, у замену за постепено смањење државних трошкова током наредних 10 година у укупној вредности од готово хиљаду милијарди долара. Влада је можда је избегла банкротство, али се поставља питање да ли ће успети да избегне снижавање кредитног рејтинга. Секретар за финансије није сигуран.

На питање новинара да ли ће цео процес допринети снижавању рејтинга, Тимоти Гајтнер је рекао: „Не знам. Тешко је рећи. Мислим да је ово добар резултат, али је процес био ужасан“.

Просечни Американци скептични су у погледу усвојеног плана:

Предвиђено је и оснивање двостраначке буџетске комисије чији задатак ће бити да пронађе додатне уштеде од хиљаду и 500 милијарди долара. Ако јој то не пође за руком, аутоматски ће ступити на снагу додатна смањења трошкова.


Blair: G8 leaders announce $50 billion aid increase; talks on trade and climate change

British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced at a press conference today the results of the 31st G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland.

Blair, the seven other leaders of the G8 nations, and the leaders of Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania stood on the step of Gleneagles to address the press. The Prime Minster said "We speak today in the shadow of terrorism but it will not obscure what we came here to achieve."

Among the decisions made was a commitment to another $48 billion (£28.8 billion) per year by 2010 in aid which Blair says can indeed, in time and if properly seen through, will make "very substantial progress" towards "making poverty history". The deal was secured following a last-minute commitment by Japan.

Half of this aid will be sent to Africa. Some analysts have raised fears that African economies will not be able to absorb so much aid so quickly, and that the money could fuel corruption.

Only $20 billion of this deal is new money - the rest has already been pledged on previous occasions.

The US, Germany and Italy rejected a plan by Blair to double aid immediately by borrowing against future aid budgets.

"It isn't the end of poverty in Africa, but it is the hope that it can be ended," Blair said. "It isn't all everyone wanted, but it is progress - real and achievable progress. It is the definitive expression of our collective will to act in the face of death and disease and conflict that is preventable"

There will also be further pushes towards ending the debt of the poorest nations, but only confirmed a earlier deal to cancel the debts of 18 countries.

Campaigners have welcomed the news, but have said that it does not go far enough, falling short of the hopes of the people who had embraced the Live 8 and Make Poverty History drives.

"Today the G8 have chosen not to do all that campaigners insist is necessary to free people trapped in the prison of poverty," the Make Poverty History read this evening. "But more action is urgently needed if they are to play their role in bringing about real change for the world's poorest people."

The leaders also pledged to end farm subsidies - but did not say by when. However, they called for talks on trade liberalisation to reach a conclusion by the end of 2006.

The Prime Minister was cautious not to "over-sell" the decisions that had been made but he was resolute and confident in the possibilities for progress in the future.

Less progress was made in the realm of climate change with countries agreeing that climate change was a problem but without any concrete decisions. Talks will be held on the matter, particularly with China and India, beginning in November.

The G8 have also announced a $3 billion aid package for the Palestinian Authority.


Tony Blair annonce les résultats du sommet du G8 de Gleneagles

Le premier ministre britannique, Tony Blair a annoncé vendredi les résultats du sommet du G8 de Gleneagles (Écosse). Les chefs d'état des huit puissances économiques et ceux de l'Algérie, de l'Éthiopie, du Ghana, du Nigéria, du Sénégal, de l'Afrique du Sud et de la Tanzanie l'entouraient pour la photo officielle précédant le discours du premier ministre.

Et celui-ci a rapidement annoncé le ton combatif face aux attentats de jeudi : « l'ombre du terrorisme a dominé notre réunion, mais elle ne l'éclipsera pas » (We speak today in the shadow of terrorism but it will not obscure what we came here to achieve), « nous offrons aujourd'hui ce contraste entre la politique et la terreur » a-t-il ajouté. Le président français Jacques Chirac a renchéri en affirmant que les terroristes n'avaient « pas réussi à nous empêcher de travailler » (Je ne sais pas si les terroristes avaient l'ambition de nous empêcher de travailler. Si tel était le cas, ils n'ont pas réussi).

Les « huit puissants » ont adopté une augmentation de l'aide aux pays en voie de développement après l'acceptation in extremis du Japon. Chaque année, 50 milliards de dollars (42 milliards d'euros) seront additionnés à l'aide internationale déjà existante. M. Blair a parlé d'un pas important pour « faire disparaître la pauvreté » (making poverty history). Néanmoins, seuls 16,5 milliards d'euros sont réellement nouveaux, le restant avait déjà été décidé lors de rencontres précédentes. L'aide sera en faite augmentée graduellement pour atteindre 0,56% du PNB en 2010, et 0,7% en 2015.

La moitié de cette aide (21 milliards d'euros) sera reversée aux pays africains qui pourraient, selon certains analystes, avoir des problèmes pour absorber de telles sommes, sans alimenter la corruption, déjà largement présente pour la distribution de l'aide. « Ce n'est pas la fin de la pauvreté en Afrique, mais c'est l'espoir qu'il pourra y être mis fin. Tout cela ne changera pas le monde demain, c'est un début, pas une fin » (It isn't the end of poverty in Africa, but it is the hope that it can be ended. It isn't all everyone wanted, but it is progress - real and achievable progress. It is the definitive expression of our collective will to act in the face of death and disease and conflict that is preventable) a conclu Tony Blair.

Une proposition britannique à plus court terme États-Unis, l'Allemagne et l'Italie ; elle consistait en un doublement immédiat de l'aide aux pays pauvres, financé par la diminution de l'aide future.

Le président nigérian de l'Union africaine a considéré la réunion comme un « grand succès » et s'est réjoui des « signes encourageants que le G8 et le premier ministre Tony Blair vont s'attaquer de façon réaliste et efficace aux problèmes du continent ».

D'autres mesures pour réduire la pauvreté dans le monde incluent la libéralisation des échanges, programmée pour 2006 et l'engagement (sans calendrier) de supprimer les subventions agricoles. L'annulation de la dette de 18 pays très pauvres a par ailleurs été confirmée. Malgré
l'absence d'engagements réels et contraignants sur ce terrain, M. Blair s'est dit « confiant »

Les associations qui avaient longuement manifesté en vue du sommet de Gleneagles approuvent ces mesures, mais regrettent qu'elles n'aillent pas assez loin. Ainsi, Kumi Naidoo, porte-parole d'Action Mondiale contre la Pauvreté s'est dit déçu des résultats : « les gens ont crié et le G8 a chuchoté » (The people have roared but the G8 has whispered) [source].

Le communiqué final prévoit également une action sur le réchauffement climatique : les dirigeants se sont mis d'accord pour « agir maintenant afin de commencer à ralentir et, pour autant que la science le justifie, à freiner et à inverser l'augmentation des gaz à effet de serre ». « Nous savons que l'augmentation des besoins et de la consommation d'énergies fossiles, ainsi que celle d'autres activités humaines, contribuent en grande partie à l'accroissement des gaz à effet de serre liés au réchauffement de la surface de la Terre » peut-on également lire dans le texte final.

Les États-Unis, qui avaient rejeté le Protocole de Kyoto ont dû accepter de « prendre des mesures novatrices » pour réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre : « changer notre manière de consommer l'énergie ; agir pour un avenir plus propre ; promouvoir la recherche et le développement ; financer la transition vers une énergie plus propre ; gérer les effets du changement climatique ; lutter contre l'exploitation forestière illégale » sont les six points d'attaque pour réduire le réchauffement de la planète.

Néanmoins, aucune mesure concrète n'a été adoptée et le financement proposée par Tony Blair ne figure pas dans le document final. La Grande-Bretagne devrait entamer prochainement des discussions avec la Chine et l'Inde, puissances émergentes qui pourraient rapidement poser des problèmes de pollution.

En outre, 3 milliards de dollars (2,5 milliards d'euros) ont été accordés à l'Autorité palestinienne pour lui donner les moyens de diminuer le terrorisme.


Dodatkowe 50 miliardów dolarów pomocy dla Afryki

Dodatkowe 50 miliardów dolarów - o taką kwotę zostanie powiększona pomoc krajów G8 dla państw afrykańskich - zapowiedzieli podczas spotkania w szkockim Gleneagles przywódcy siedmiu najbogatszych państw świata i Rosji. Efektem spotkania jest także zwiększenie pomocy dla Autonomii Palestyńskiej o przeszło 3 miliardy dolarów i anulowanie części długów wobec najbiedniejszych państw kontynentu afrykańskiego.

Przywódcy gospodarczych mocarstw chcą także, by upowszechnić w Afryce dostęp do leków na AIDS. Pomoc mają otrzymać głównie te państwa, których rządy nie łamią praw człowieka.

Kolejne spotkanie państw G8 odbędzie się w listopadzie tego roku.


Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" makes maiden flight

Boeing's newest commercial aircraft, the 787 "Dreamliner", made its first test flight Tuesday in Everett, Washington at 18:00 UTC.  Boeing claims that the new 290+ seat wide-body, twin engine jetliner is more fuel efficient than previous Boeing models.

The release of the "Dreamliner" is almost two and a half years behind schedule.  The project has been plagued by various issues, including strike action, parts shortages and design problems. The aircraft is thought to have attracted 840 orders to date, though some have been cancelled due to the delays, making the 787 worth in the region of US$140bn (€96bn, £86bn) for Boeing.

An aerospace analyst, Richard Aboulafia, said that "[The test flight] will provide a badly needed perception that the program is on some kind of schedule again, but it's still a long way from the ultimate result." Boeing's European rival, Airbus, is preparing to release a similar aircraft, the A350, in 2013.


Boeing absolviert erfolgreichen Jungfernflug des „Dreamliner“

Seattle (Vereinigte Staaten), 17.12.2009 – Mit dreijähriger Verspätung startete das neue Flaggschiff des US-Flugzeugbauers Boeing, das Modell 787 – auch „Dreamliner“ genannt –, am Dienstag um 10:28 Uhr Ortszeit Seattle zu seinem Erstflug. Das neue Flugzeug ist das Konkurrenzmodell zum A350 des europäischen Flugzeugherstellers Airbus.

Die Verspätungen in der Entwicklung des Dreamliners kamen vor allem durch schlechte Koordination mit Zulieferern zustande. Am Bau des Boeing-Traums waren viele ausländische Firmen beteiligt. Ganze Rumpfsegmente kamen aus Italien und Japan. Beim Zusammenbau der Teile traten dann immer wieder Probleme zutage, die zu immer neuen Verzögerungen führten.

Boeing wirbt vor allem mit niedrigerem Treibstoffverbrauch des neuen Fliegers bei hoher Reichweite. Das Flugzeug wird in drei verschiedenen Baureihen angeboten. Angefangen beim Modell 787-3 für 290 bis 330 Passagiere mit einer Reichweite zwischen 4.600 und 5.650 Kilometern bis zum Langstreckenflieger 787-9 mit einer Reichweite bis zu 15.200 Kilometern, der 210 bis 250 Personen Platz bietet. Erreicht wird die neue Energieeffizienz durch neue Verbundstoffe, vor allem Kohlefasern, die das schwerere Aluminium ersetzen. Laut Herstellerangaben haben Verbundwerkstoffe beim Dreamliner einen Anteil von 50 Prozent. Aluminium hat nur noch einen Anteil von einem Fünftel an dem verwendeten Material. Der Treibstoff soll laut Herstellerangaben um bis zu einem Fünftel reduziert werden können. Den Passagieren wird eine angenehmere Atemluft im Flugzeug versprochen, ermöglicht durch eine höhere Luftfeuchtigkeit. Neue Triebwerke wurden bei General Electric und Rolls-Royce für den Dreamliner entwickelt, die mit etwa acht Prozent zur Energieeinsparung des Flugzeugs beitragen sollen.

Trotz Stornierungen von Bestellungen vieler Fluggesellschaften wegen der Lieferverzögerungen liegen Boeing immer noch 840 Bestellungen für den Dreamliner vor. Die Verzögerungen bei der Entwicklung des hochmodernen Flugzeugs kosteten Boeing bereits Milliarden Dollar. Vorausgesetzt, die weiteren Tests verlaufen erfolgreich, werden die ersten Modelle des neuen Fliegers ab dem vierten Quartal 2010 an die Kunden ausgeliefert.

Mit einer Länge von 57 Metern und einer Flügelspannweite von 52 Metern ist der neue Dreamliner um einiges kleiner als das Konkurrenzmodell von Airbus – der A350 in der Großraumvariante XWB (Extra Wide-Body), der eine Gesamtlänge von 74 Metern und eine Flügelspannweite von 64,8 Metern aufweist. Der Airbus A350 ist für eine ähnliche Kapazität von Passagieren ausgelegt und soll bis zu 15.380 Kilometer weit entfernte Ziele nonstop anfliegen können. Auch Airbus setzt vor allem auf neue Werkstoffe wie den Kohlefaserverbundwerkstoff CFK. Im Gegensatz zum Dreamliner liegt der Anteil von Verbundwerkstoffen bei der A350 jedoch nur bei etwa 20 Prozent. Airbus will den A350 ab 2013 in Dienst stellen.


Premier vol d'essai du Boeing 787

Le dernier né de Boeing, le 787 Dreamliner[1] a effectué hier son premier vol d'essai. Ce vol devait durer quatre heures. Or, l'avion a dû revenir une heure plus tôt, et ce en raison du mauvais temps sur Seattle, dans le nord-ouest des États-Unis. Les deux pilotes qui effectuaient les tests, notamment du train d'atterrissage, ont expliqué que tout s'était bien déroulé.

Ce premier vol du Boeing 787 était initialement prévu depuis 2007, mais avait déjà été reporté plusieurs fois à cause de problèmes techniques et de grèves.

Cet avion long-courrier, pouvant transporter jusqu'à 330 passagers, est fabriqué essentiellement avec des matériaux composites, plus légers que l'aluminium. Sa masse réduite permet de consommer moins de carburant.

L'avionneur Boeing a déjà reçu plus de 840 commandes. Il faudra encore d'autres tests, puis l'autorisation de l'aviation civile américaine avant de voir le 787 sur les lignes commerciales.


போயிங் டிரிம் லைனர் 787 -ன் முதல் சோதனை ஓட்டம்

போயிங் நிறுவனத்தின் டிரிம் லைனர் 787 முதல் சோதனை ஓட்டம் செவ்வாய் கிழமை நடக்கும் என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த வானூர்தி ஏர் பஸ் நிறுவனத்தின் எ-380 க்கு போட்டியாக போயிங் நிறுவனத்தால் முன்னிருத்தப்படுகிறது.

இந்த சோதனை ஓட்டம் இரண்டரை ஆண்டு காலதாமதுக்குப் பிறகு நடக்கிறது. வடிவமைபு கோளாறு, ஊழியர்களின் வேலை நிறுத்தம், சில பாகங்கள் பற்றாக்குறை போன்றவை இத்தாமதத்துக்கு காரணமாகும். இதன் 840 வானூர்தியை வாங்க பல நிறுவனங்கள் தயாராக இருந்தன, எனினும் கால தாமதத்தால் பல நிறுவனங்கள் விலகிக்கிக்கொண்டன.

இதன் சிறப்பு குறைவான எடையாகும். இதனால் இது குறைவான எரிபொருளையே செலவழிக்கும். இதன் காரணமாக இது நீண்ட தூரம் எரிபொருள் நிரப்பாமல் பறக்க முடியும். இந்த சோதனை ஓட்டத்துக்கு பின் தொடர்ச்சியாக 9 மாதங்களுக்கு இவ்வானூர்தி சோதனை ஓட்டத்தில் இருக்கும் அதாவது ஆறு வானூர்திகள் தொடர்ந்து பறப்பில் இருந்து இச்சோதனை மேற்கொள்ளப்படும்.

இவ்வானூர்தி திட்டத்துக்கு போயிங் நிறுவனம் 10 பில்லியன் அமெரிக்க டாலருக்கு மேல் முதலீடு செய்துள்ளதாக வல்லுனர்கள் கூறியுள்ளார்கள்.

யப்பானின் ஏர் நிப்பான் ஏர்வேஸ் நிறுவனத்துக்கு முதல் வானூர்தி விநியோகப்படும்.

செவ்வாய், திசம்பர் 15, 2009


Bolivian troops told to seize natural gas fields

Bolivian President Evo Morales has ordered that all foreign-owned natural gas fields be turned over to the national government of Bolivia.

President Morales signed a decree that orders troops to seize the fields "immediately" to ensure gas production. The decree also says that companies have 180 days to sign over their fields or leave the country.

The fields are owned by such companies as the United States' Exxon-Mobil Corporation, Brazil's Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Spanish-Argentine Repsol YPF SA, and Great Britain's BG Group PLC and BP PLC.

"The looting by the foreign companies has ended. We are not a government of mere promises, we follow through on what we propose and what the people demand. We want to ask (the Armed Forces) that starting now, they occupy all the energy fields in Bolivia along with battalions of engineers," said Mr Morales after signing the decree.

"The time has come, the awaited day, a historic day in which Bolivia retakes absolute control of our natural resources," added President Morales.

One of Morales' vows in his presidential campaign was to "recover" the country's natural resources by renationalizing them. President Morales explained, on a visit to Brazil in January, that renationalising the industry would not mean expelling foreign companies or expropriating foreign property. "Foreign companies have every right to recover investments and make profits, but profits should be balanced".

Bolivia has the second largest supply of natural gas in South America after Venezuela.


玻利維亞把外資氣田收歸國有

玻利維亞總統莫拉萊斯下令，將全數外資企業在國內擁有的天然氣田收歸國有，這些外資公司包括美國的埃克森美孚、巴西的Petroleo Brasileiro SA、英國的BP等。

莫拉萊斯總統下令軍隊「立即」進駐該等氣田，確保天然氣的產量足夠。又要求這些外資公司在180天內，簽署新合約，或是撤離玻利維亞。

在莫拉萊斯簽署命令後，他隨即在勞動節慶祝儀式上宣佈，外國公司再也不能掠奪本國的自然自源。

以國有化來「恢復」國家的天然資源，是莫拉萊斯總統的政綱之一。他曾於本年一月出訪巴西，就他的國有化問題上，他解釋並非要掠奪外國資產或是排擠外國公司，又表示外國公司有權恢復投資及賺取利潤，但必須取得平衡。

目前，玻利維亞是南美洲第二大天然氣原產國，僅次於委內瑞拉。

【2006年5月2日讯】


Branding professionals in Taiwan promoted on the "Smiling Curve" in the "2007 Taiwan Brands' Trend Forum"

As "Brand International Promotion Association" and "Taiwan Excellent Manufacturers' Association" merged to "Taiwan Excellent Brand Association" (TEBA), "2007 Taiwan Brands' Trend Forum", with the slogan of "Winning Global Economic with Taiwan Brands", held yesterday and invited professionals from governmental, financial, and IT industries to share experiences on marketing MIT (Made in Taiwan) brands and encourage MIT brands market to the world by innovations.

Newly-elected Chairman of TEBA Andy Tzu-jen Hsieh remarked in the opening: "A product with MIT brand didn't mean 'cheap' but 'value' of its good quality." With Hsieh's words, Minister of Economic Affairs of Taiwan Steve Ruey-long Chen echoed and said: "Self-made (MIT) brands were progressively refined with its innovations, R&D, and new ideas. Lots of good MIT brands became notable world-wide in the presence. But it's uncertain to determine success or failure when a company manages its brand because companies with small-business scale were grown up. A brand needs a long-period management to keep it in a good image."

Many participants and local media focused on the keynote speech by the founder of Multitech Stan Shih. He compared brands trend between Taiwan and other world-wide countries with "The World Is Flat" and proved the trend of optimization on global companies with his "Smiling Curve" theory. "We (the public) should determine a brand good or failure by its quality, nature, and notability but not its scale." Shih said and stressed, "Companies with MIT brands (OBMs) can't always be ODMs or OEMs because some (people) often confused on conceptions and basis of 'Branding Taiwan' and 'Taiwan Brands'. If a company need a good brand, it (a brand) should has its (brand owner's) creations and management strategies to mark it into the world in a good position."

"The brand trends in Taiwan is from ODM in the past to OEM commonly in the presence. But after some products by MIT companies were presented to the public, lots of MIT brands became world-class brands such as BenQ, Giant, Acer so that Taiwan can enter into the OBMs' era. If Taiwan can still be in the OBMs' era, the global market competitiveness and world-wide media exposure of MIT brands will be improved. 'OBMs in Taiwan' will help companies from several industries keep their headquarters retain in Taiwan." Tracy Chun-fang Hsu (Vice Director-general of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs of R.O.C.) mentioned in the forum.

Before the Panel Discussion, Jerry Wang (Vice Chairman of BenQ) corrected the difference between "Values" and "Value" with some quotes from Wikipedia. He said: "Value of a brand include values and consumers' value. A factor who determine consumers to buy a product or not is emotion or self-need. A brand's or a product's nature can be known with differences on consumers' population. Of course, in Taiwan or other world-wide countries, every self-made brand or product has its style, nature, and characteristics."

In the final of Panel Discussion, 3 main speakers think that "Smiling Curve" theory is a key factor to determine a company pursue its "brand value" success or failure. If a MIT brands wants to become world-class and notable, a company (brand owner) should not only have its creations, images, and innovations but also consider feelings from consumers.


2007台灣品牌趨勢論壇 品牌專家建議政商界重視「微笑曲線」理論

在中華民國自創品牌協會與台灣精品廠商協會正式合併成「台灣精品品牌協會」的同時，今（20）日在台北六福皇宮的「台灣品牌趨勢論壇」，就邀請了經濟部與商業界的品牌專家，以「用台灣品牌，贏全球經濟」的主題，分享台灣的品牌行銷經驗，鼓勵台灣品牌，藉由創新行銷國際。

開幕中，剛上任台灣精品品牌協會理事長的謝子仁，就開宗明義地說：「台灣製造不代表『便宜』，反而象徵優良品質的『價值』。」隨後，經濟部長陳瑞隆呼應謝理事長的致詞，並表示：「隨著品牌的創新、研究與發展，眾多自創品牌都走入了精緻化路線，優良的品牌甚至世界知名。但是，品牌的經營，不一定會成功，因為中小企業陸續竄出的情況下，要培養好的品牌形象，需要長時間的經營。」

而論壇的焦點，則是宏碁集團創辦人施振榮的開幕演講，除了先以「世界是平的」理論，說明全球與台灣的品牌發展趨勢，他更是利用他自己最得意的「微笑曲線」理論，應證了全球化企業整合的走向，更表示：「一個品牌的好壞，不是看它的規模，而是要看其本質與知名度，」甚至，還強調：「台灣的廠商，不能永遠是代工商！因為，有人會將『品牌台灣』與『台灣品牌』的觀念混淆，好的品牌，不但要好的創意，還要有經營策略，才能將台灣的品牌行銷國際。」

經濟部國貿局徐純芳副局長，在接下來的專題演講中表示：「台灣的品牌走向，從ODM，到普遍所見的OEM，甚至，因為台灣自有品牌所製造的產品陸續問世，也正式進入了重要的OBM時期，更因此，眾多品牌才能在國際上揚名立萬，像是明基、捷安特、瑪吉斯、宏碁等，就是最好的示範。倘若台灣能持續保持在OBM的局面，那麼，可以使得一個品牌在市場上的競爭力、曝光率提升，更可以促進產業『根留台灣』。」

明基電通副董事長王文璨，在演講中，藉由維基百科上的涵義，導正與會者「價值」與「價值觀」的差異性，他表示：「價值包括了價值觀與顧客價值，而消費者採購一項商品的動機，會因為情感因素或自我需求而有所變化，甚至，可以透過消費族群的差異，來瞭解一項產品或品牌的屬性。當然，不只台灣，各國的產品或自有品牌，都會有不同的特性與風格。」

在最終的座談，三位主講者皆認為，要讓台灣品牌成為國際知名的品牌，除了創意、形象之外，還要顧及消費者的需求，而「微笑曲線」的理論，也將是追求「品牌價值」成敗與否的重要關鍵。


Brazil's Embraer plans to cut around 4,200 jobs

Brazilian aerospace conglomerate Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica, S. A. (Embraer) has revealed plans to cut around twenty percent of the company's workforce of 21,362 people. Twenty percent is over 4,200, but Embraer have not revealed exact numbers.

The firm has also scaled back predictions for deliveries and revenue. Estimated delivery figures for 2009 now stand at 242 airliners and corporate jets, compared to the previous number of 270, in the second downwards revision of Embraer of their delivery figures for this year within three months. Revenue for 2009 is now predicted to be US$5.5 billion, down thirteen percent from the previous estimate of US$6.3 billion.

Embraer is the world's fourth-largest airframer, following Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier. Embraer stock fell 1.9% after the announcement, or 16 centavos, to 8.46 reais in São Paulo. Over the last twelve months Embraer stock has fallen 55%. The manufacturer also produces military aircraft, but statistics for these are not published.

In December, the Metalworkers Union of São José dos Campos, claimed the firm planned to cut 4,000 jobs, which Embraer at the time denied. Embraer said they would only take "such a drastic decision if there are risks to the company’s profitability and sustainability." The new statement said that production and administration would take the brunt of the cuts, with engineers retained to continue product development.

The company described the decision as vital given "the new reality of demand for commercial and executive aircraft," and noted that "over 90 percent of its revenues are generated abroad. Therefore, the resiliency that the Brazilian domestic market has been demonstrating through the crisis does not significantly alter this adverse scenario."

The official news agency Agência Brasil reported that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was upset by the layoffs. He will meet with company directors next week and wants Embraer to explain the decision.


Planos da Embraer para cortar cerca de 4.200 empregos no Brasil

O conglomerado aeroespacial brasileiro Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica AS (Embraer) revelou planos para cortar cerca de vinte por cento dos efetivos da empresa de 21.362 pessoas. Vinte por cento é superior a 4200, mas Embraer não revelou números exatos.

A empresa tem igualmente reduzida para previsões de entregas e de receitas. Entrega os valores estimados para 2009 agora se em 242 aeronaves e jatos executivos, em comparação com o anterior número de 270, na segunda revisão para baixo da Embraer entrega dos seus valores para este ano, dentro de três meses. Receitas para 2009 está previsto para ser US$ 5,5 bilhões de doláres, para baixo treze por cento da estimativa anterior de US$ 6,3 bilhões.

A Embraer é a quarta maior do mundo airframer, seguido a Airbus, Boeing e da Bombardier. Embraer caíram 1,9% depois do anúncio, ou 16 centavos, para R$ 8,46 em São Paulo. Ao longo dos últimos doze meses, o estoque da Embraer caiu 55%. O fabricante também produz aeronaves militares, mas as estatísticas para estas não são publicadas.

Em dezembro, do sindicato dos metalúrgicos de São José dos Campos, a empresa alegou planejada para cortar 4.000 empregos, o que na altura a Embraer negou. A Embraer disse que só tomará "uma decisão drástica, se existem riscos para a sustentabilidade e a rentabilidade da empresa". A nova declaração dizia que a produção e administração, terá o peso dos cortes, com engenheiros retida para continuar o desenvolvimento do produto.

A companhia descreveu a decisão como vital dada "a nova realidade da procura de aviões comerciais e executivos", e salientou que "mais de 90 por cento das suas receitas são geradas no exterior. Assim, a resiliência que o mercado interno brasileiro tem sido demonstrado por meio da crise não altera significativamente este cenário adverso".

A agência noticiosa oficial Agência Brasil informou que presidente brasileiro Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva foi rompido pela demissão. Ele se reunirá com os dirigentes da empresa na próxima semana e quer Embraer para explicar a sua decisão.


Brazilian President Lula met Chavez, military and economic cooperation

CARACAS, Venezuela —
The Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on February 14, 2005 in Caracas, Venezuela. Brazil and Venezuela signed agreements of cooperation on many areas. According to the Brazilian government this was a strategical encounteur. This meeting is the first of three meetings that President Lula will have with South American Presidents in three days. The scheduled meetings are with the presidents of: Venezuela (February, 14), Guiana (February, 15) and Suriname (February, 16).

President Lula was accompanied by the following comitiva: the Minister of Development, Industry, and External Trade Luiz Fernando Furlan, the Minister of Finance Antônio Palocci, the Minister of Foreign Relations Celso Amorim, the Minister of Health Humberto Costa, the Minister of Mines and Energy Dilma Roussef, the Minister of  Tourism Walfrido Mares Guia, the President of Petrobras  José Eduardo Dutra, the President of National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES)  Guido Mantega, the President of  Eletrobrás Silas Rondeau Cavalcante Silva and the Special Secretary for Aquaculture and Fisheries José Fritsch. In addition a delegation  of executives representing enterprises from Brazil accompanied the President.

The Brazilian Ministry of External Relations  told the trip aims the construction of a strategical alliance and commercial integration between both countries. The Brazilian Presidential Advisor Marco Aurélio Garcia said:"With this gesture, Brazil will consolidate one of its major political goals, which is the constitution of a South American community of nations". He added: "These agreements with Venezuela are  strategical. We want this agreement as a model for other agreements in the region."

According to President Lula the integration of the Latin America is the priority number one of his government. Days before the arrival in Venezuela and commenting about the trip Lula said: "We're going to do the same thing in Colombia and in other countries in which integration is no longer a campaign speech but part of the way we deal with real things, day to day".

The integration of the Latin America is the politics  repeatedly proposed by Lula during the meetings of the Foro de São Paulo. According to him and the others members of the Foro there must be a integration among all the left parties and governments of Latin America. The union aims to be an alternative and opposing force to the politics and influence of the richest countries, mainly the United States. Among the organizations which are usually participants of the Foro de São Paulo are: Communist Party of Cuba, Colombian Communist Party, Communist Party of Bolivia, Communist Party of Brazil, Workers' Party, Paraguayan Communist Party, Peruvian Communist Party,  Socialist Party of Peru, National Liberation Army, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front, Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity, Tupamaros.

On December 4, 2001 during the 10th edition of the Foro de São Paulo in Havana Lula said:"A shoal  of small fish may mean the finishing of the hungry in our countries, in out continent. We should not think as the History ended on our journey by the Earth. Even it happens just once, or with one gesture, let's effectively  contribute to the improve the life of millions of human beings who live socially excluded by  this neoliberal model."[1]

In Venezuela, once again, he brought out the integration wish:
"This is the biggest dream I am carrying, that we can negotiate collectively, not like one country, but like a set of countries so we can do that our people may have the chance to conquer the full citizenship."

Brazil and Venezuela signed agreements of cooperation in the sectors of  electric energy, mining, exploration of oil and gas, science and technology, fishing and agrarian development, military, communication and Defense of the Amazon. They discussed about the creation of the South Development Bank and collaboration in the audio-visual diffusion.

PDVSA (Venezuelan Petroleum S.A.) and Petrobrás (Brazilian Petroleum S.A.) signed a intention protocol for the building of an oil refinery in Brazil. The investiment will be worth of U$ 2 billion and the expected production is 150 thousand to 200 thousand barrels. Another four agreements were signed covering petroleum exploration and production in Venezuela.

The National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) will liberate U$ 900 million to finance infrastructure projects in Venezuela.

Contracts worth of U$ 235 million were ratified. According to the  superintendent of the BNDES's Area of Foreign Trade  Luiz Antônio Araújo Dantas these U$ 235 million funds will be for the third line of the Caracas subway, the purchase of harvestors and other agricultural machinery and for the La Vueltosa Hydroelectric Plant.

Venezuela will support Brazilian candidacy to the United Nations Security Council.
Brazil and Venezuela signed agreements of  technological and industrial cooperation for aerospace development and  Amazonia monitoring.

Brazil will sell to Venezuela 26 attack airplanes type Super Tucano and 12 airplanes type AMX-T manufactured by EMBRAER (Brazil's Aircraft Company). According to the representant of EMBRAER in Venezuela Joany Kings the program will cost USS 300 million in two years.

The Venezuelan Air Force is using 20 old model Tucanos.
The new model Super Tucano is equipped with last generation technology and can carry up to 1.15 ton of bombs.
The AMX-T model is a two-seat advanced trainer AMX variant which can do strategical attacks from long distance using guided bombs.

Brazil will transfer technology knowledge to Venezuela with the goal to stimulate Venezuelan development in the military field and other areas.


Brasilien und Venezuela besiegeln strategische Partnerschaft

Caracas (Venezuela), 15.02.2005 – Die Präsidenten von Venezuela und Brasilien, Hugo Chávez und Lula da Silva, haben bei ihrem gestrigen Treffen in Caracas eine Vereinbarung über eine „strategische Allianz“ beider Länder unterzeichnet.

Beide Staatschefs waren sich einig, dass die Allianz von entscheidender Bedeutung für beide Länder sei, zudem sei die Partnerschaft vorbildhaft für die Integration Lateinamerikas.

Lula da Silva bezeichnet die Integration Lateinamerikas als ein wichtiges Ziel der Außenpolitik Brasiliens. Von einer verstärkten Einigung und Zusammenarbeit lateinamerikanischer Länder erhofft er sich wirtschaftlichen Aufschwung.

Die „strategische Allianz“ umfasst 20 bilaterale Abkommen, die die Zusammenarbeit in den Bereichen Landwirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Technik, Umwelt sowie Militär betreffen. In einem der Dokumente wird das Ziel bekräftigt, sich für eine Reform der Vereinten Nationen, speziell des UN-Sicherheitsrats, einzusetzen.

Neben dem Treffen der Staatspräsidenten fand auch ein Forum statt, auf dem Wirtschaftsvertreter aus beiden Ländern über verstärkte Zusammenarbeit diskutierten.


Brasil suscribe acuerdos de cooperación económica y militar con Venezuela

El Presidente Brasileño Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva se reunió con el Presidente venezolano Hugo Chávez el 14 de febrero de 2005 en Caracas, Venezuela. Los dos países firmaron acuerdos de la cooperación sobre muchas áreas. Según el gobierno brasileño este encuentro fue estratégico. La visita a Venezuela fue parte de una agenda de visitas por países sudamericanos: Venezuela (14 de febrero), Guyana (15 de febrero) y Surinam (16 de febrero).

El presidente Lula fue acompañado por la siguiente comitiva: el Ministro de Desarrollo, Industria, y Comercio Exterior Luiz Fernando Furlan, el Ministro de finanzas Antônio Palocci, el Ministro de Relaciones Extranjeras Celso Amorim, el Ministro de la Salud Humberto Costa, el Ministro de Minas y Energía Dilma Roussef, el Ministro de Turismo Walfrido Mares Guia, el Presidente de Petrobras José Eduardo Dutra, el Presidente de Banco de Desarrollo Nacional Económico y Social (BNDES) Guido Mantega, el Presidente de Eletrobrás Silas Rondeau Cavalcante Silva y el Secretario Especial para Pesca José Fritsch. Además, una delegación de empresas de representación de ejecutivos brasileños acompañó al Presidente.

El Ministerio brasileño de Relaciones Externas dijo que los objetivos de viaje son la construcción de una alianza estratégica e integración comercial entre ambos países. El consejero brasileño Presidencial Marco Aurélio Garcia dijo: "de este gesto, Brasil consolidará uno de sus objetivos principales políticos, que es la constitución de una comunidad sudamericana de naciones". Él añadió: "estos acuerdos con Venezuela son estratégicos. Queremos este acuerdo como un modelo para otros acuerdos en la región"

Según el Presidente Lula la integración de la América Latina es la prioridad el número uno de su gobierno. Los días antes de la llegada en Venezuela y comentando sobre el viaje Lula dijeron: "vamos a hacer la misma cosa en Colombia y en otros países en los cuales la integración no es más un discurso de campaña, pero la parte del modo que tratamos con verdaderas cosas, día hasta el día".

La integración de la América Latina es la política repetidamente propuesta por Lula durante las reuniones del Foro de São Paulo. Según él y los demás los miembros del Foro allí deben ser una integración entre todos los partidos izquierdos y los gobiernos de la América Latina. La unión pretende ser una alternativa y oponiéndose a la fuerza a la política y la influencia de los países ricos, principalmente los Estados Unidos. Entre las organizaciones que son por lo general participantes del Foro de São Paulo están: Partido Comunista de Cuba, Partido Comunista Colombiano, Partido Comunista de Bolivia, Partido Comunista de Brasil, el Partido de los Trabajadores, Partido Comunista Paraguayo, Partido Comunista Peruano, Partido Socialista de Perú, Ejército Nacional de Liberación, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, Farabundo Martí Frente Nacional de Liberación,Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca y Tupamaros.

El 4 de diciembre de 2001 durante la décima edición del Foro de São Paulo en La Habana, Cuba, Lula dijo: "un bajío del pequeño pescado puede significar el acabamiento del hambriento en nuestros países, en hacia fuera continente. No deberíamos pensar como la Historia terminada sobre nuestro viaje por la Tierra. Incluso pasa solamente una vez, o de un gesto, ir con eficacia a contribuir a mejorar la vida de millones de seres humanos que viven socialmente excluidos por este modelo de neoliberal. "

En Venezuela, otra vez, él sacó el deseo de integración: "este es el sueño más grande que llevo, que podemos negociar colectivamente, no como un país, pero como un juego de países entonces podemos hacer que nuestra gente puede tener la posibilidad para triunfar la ciudadanía llena. "

Brasil y Venezuela firmaron acuerdos de la cooperación en los sectores de energía eléctrica, minería, exploración del aceite y gas, ciencia y tecnología, pescando y desarrollo agrario, militares, comunicación y Defensa del Amazonas. Ellos hablaron sobre la creación del Banco de Desarrollo del Sur y colaboración en la difusión audiovisual.

PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela S.A) y Petrobrás (S.A Brasileño de petróleo.) firmaron un protocolo de intención para la construcción de una refinería de petróleo en Brasil. La inversión será de 2 mil millones de dólares (USA) y la producción esperada es de entre 150 mil y 200 mil barriles. El otro cuarto acuerdo fue firmado cubriendo la exploración de petróleo y la producción en Venezuela.

El Banco de Desarrollo Nacional Económico y Social (BNDES) liberará 900 millones de dólares para financiar proyectos de infraestructura en Venezuela.

El valor de contratos de 235 millones de dólares fue ratificado. Según el superintendente del Área del BNDES del Comercio Exterior Luiz Antônio Araújo Dantas estos 235 millones dólares de fondos serán para la tercera línea del metro de Caracas, la compra de tractotes y otras maquinarias agrícolas y para la central hidroeléctrica La Vueltosa.

Venezuela dijo que apoyará a la candidatura brasileña al Consejo de Seguridad de Naciones Unidas. Brasil y Venezuela firmaron acuerdos de la cooperación tecnológica e industrial para desarrollo aeroespacial y escucha de Amazonia.
Brasil dijó que venderá a Venezuela 26 aviones militares de ataque Super Tucano y 12 aviones AMX-T fabricados por EMBRAER (la Compañía Aérea de Brasil). Según el representante de EMBRAER Joany Kings el programa costará a 300 millones de dólares en dos años.

La Fuerza Aérea Venezolana usa 20 viejos Tucanos. El nuevo modelo Super Tucano viene con equipamiento de última generación y puede llevar hasta 1,15 toneladas de bombas. El modelo de AMX-T es un entrenador avanzado de dos asientos variante de AMX que puede hacer ataques estratégicos de la distancia larga y que usa bombas dirigidas.

Brasil transferirá el conocimiento de tecnología a Venezuela con el objetivo de estimular el desarrollo venezolano en el campo militar y otras áreas.


Britain votes to leave the European Union

On Thursday, the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU) in a referendum.

During the referendum, voters were asked the following question with these options:

Voters across the UK voted in favour of leaving the EU by a margin 52% to 48%. Support for this outcome was strongest across the majority of England and Wales, with London, Scotland, and Northern Ireland the only regions where the majority voted to remain a member of the EU.

Following the results, David Cameron announced his intention to resign as the UK's Prime Minister. It is expected he will remain in his post before the UK Conservative Party choose a new leader ahead of their annual conference in October. He also said he would not invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the process by which a member can leave the EU, leaving that to his successor as Prime Minister. A number of officials at the EU — which would be down to 27 members with the UK gone — in a statement said they would like this process to begin "as soon as possible".

At the start of trading on Friday the markets reacted negatively to the result, with the FTSE 100 falling in value by £120 billion. Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, stated an extra £250 billion will be made available to help stabilise markets.


El Regne Unit decideix sortir de la Unió Europea

Per veure altres notícies sobre el mateix tema, consulteu Brexit.

24 de juny del 2016, Regne Unit
Finalment els ciutadans britànics han decidit optar pel brexit, per un resultat de 52% dels vots enfront d'un 48%.

Els resultats han estat molt desiguals segons les diferents zones del país; mentre a Anglaterra i Gal·les l'opció favorable al brexit (sortir de la Unió Europea) ha estat la majoritària, a Escòcia i Irlanda del Nord l'opció majoritàriament escollida pels ciutadans ha estat la de romandre a l'UE, especialment en el cas d'Escòcia on l'opció de romandre a la UE ha obtingut un 62% dels vots.

El Regne Unit s'havia incorporat a la Unió Europea el 1973.


Großbritannien stimmt für den Brexit

London (Großbritannien), 24.06.2016 – Der Verbleib Großbritanniens in der Europäischen Union (EU) wurde von den britischen Bürgen in einem Referendum am 23. Juni 2016 knapp abgelehnt.

Für einen Austritt Großbritanniens aus der EU stimmten 51,9% der Bürger (entspricht rund 17,41 Mio. Stimmen), dagegen sprachen sich 48,1% aus (entspricht 16,14 Mio. Stimmen).

Die Wahlbeteiligung lag bei 72,2%.

Im Vergleich der Regionen zeigt sich, dass nur England (ohne London) und Wales mehrheitlich für den Austritt gestimmt haben, nämlich jeweils 53% zu 47%. In den weiteren Landesteilen haben die EU-Befürworter gewonnen:

Am Morgen nach dem Referendum kündigte der britische Premierminister David Cameron seinen Rücktritt im Oktober 2016 an. Er hatte sich für den Verbleib Großbritanniens in der EU ausgesprochen.

Die schottische Regionalregierung begann mit den Vorbereitungen für ein zweites  Referendum über die Unabhängigkeit Schottlands. In Schottland stimmte die Mehrheit für einen Verbleib Großbritanniens in der EU.

Aufgrund des sehr deutlichen Ausgangs in Gibraltar, bei einer gleichzeitig deutlich überdurchschnittlichen Wahlbeteiligung von 83%, hat der spanische Außenminister José Manuel García-Margallo einen Verbleib der Enklave in der EU gefordert und möchte langfristig eine Vereinigung mit dem Königreich Spanien erreichen.

Für die Verhandlungen über den Ausstritt Großbritanniens aus der EU ist der belgische Diplomat und Leiter des Ressorts für Verkehr, Telekommunikation und Energie im Europäischen Rat Didier Seeuws zuständig. Er wurde zum Leiter der "Brexit Task Force" ernannt.

Portal:Politik in Europa


Οι Βρετανοί ψήφισαν την έξοδο της χώρας τους από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση

Οι Βρετανοί ψηφοφόροι ψήφισαν χθες την έξοδο του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, σε δημοψήφισμα που έλαβε χώρα από το πρωί μέχρι τα μεσάνυχτα (ώρα Ελλάδος). Το 51.9% των Βρετανών ψήφισε το «Brexit», ενώ το 48.1% ψήφισε την παραμονή της χώρας στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση.

Μετά την ανακοίνωση των αποτελεσμάτων, ο Ντέιβιντ Κάμερον, υποστηρικτής της παραμονής της Μεγάλης Βρετανίας στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, ανακοίνωσε την παραίτηση του από τη θέση του Πρωθυπουργού, δηλώνοντας πως «είναι περήφανος που υπήρξε Πρωθυπουργός της Βρετανίας τα τελευταία έξι χρόνια», τονίζοντας πως «η οικονομία της χώρας είναι ισχυρή» και πως «η χώρα πρέπει να κινηθεί με νέα ηγεσία στην υλοποίηση του αποτελέσματος του δημοψηφίσματος».

Από την πλευρά τους, αρκετοί αξιωματούχοι της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης εξέφρασαν τη θλίψη τους για την απόφαση του βρετανικού λαού. Σύμφωνα με αξιωματούχους, η Βρετανία και η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση πρέπει να προχωρήσουν σε τρεις διαπραγματεύσεις: σχετικά με την έξοδο της Βρετανίας, τη συμβίωση με τα μέλη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και τις συναλλαγές με τις χώρες που χάνει μετά την έξοδο από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση.

24 Ιουνίου 2016


El Reino Unido votó salir de la zona Euro

Luego del conteo de votos del referéndum celebrado el pasado 23 de junio, ganó la opción por la salida de la Unión Europea (Brexit) con un 51,9 % de los votos (17 410 742) frente al 48,1% (16 141 241) que votó por la permanencia.

Salvo en algunas circunscripciones en el sur, en gran parte de Inglaterra ganó la opción del no a la permanencia. Gales tuvo una votación similar, sin embargo, Escocia e Irlanda del Norte votaron favorablemente a permanecer como miembros de la Unión Europea.

El resultado de la votación no tardó en causar repercusiones en las bolsas bursátiles del mundo. Por ejemplo, la libra esterlina descendió a niveles no vistos desde 1985. El índice Nikkei llegó a registrar una caída de 8%, lo que ha hecho que el yen se fortaleciera al ser una moneda de refugio, perjudicando al sector exportador japonés.

En Escocia, en la que en el 2014 ganó la opción por el no a la independencia en su mayoría por el temor de quedar fuera de la zona Euro, ganó la opción de permanecer en la Unión Europea. Al haber ganado el brexit en el Reino Unido, ha hecho que el gobierno escocés considere realizar un segundo referéndum respecto de su independencia del Reino Unido.

Por otra parte, la salida de la UE en Irlanda del Norte ha exacerbado las voces acerca de la reunificación irlandesa, en la que Irlanda (Eire) es miembro de la UE.


Royaume-Uni : les Britanniques choisissent de quitter l'UE

Les résultats tant attendus du vote concernant le « Brexit » (contraction de « Britain » et « Exit », soit la question de la sortie ou non du Royaume-Uni de l'Union européenne), qui s'est clôturé hier soir, ont été annoncés ce matin.

Les Britanniques se sont prononcés à près de 52 % (51,9 % plus exactement) en faveur de la sortie de l'Union.

La participation au scrutin a été forte (72,2 %).

Les résultats en détails sont :

À la suite de ce résultat, les bourses européennes se sont effondrées. Le Premier ministre David Cameron a également annoncé sa démission prochaine, au mois d'octobre.


Il Regno Unito esce dall'Unione Europea

In mattinata è arrivata la conferma. Al quesito referendario intitolato «il Regno Unito dovrebbe continuare a far parte dell'Unione Europea o lasciare l'Unione Europea?» il 51,9% dei britannici ha risposto di voler lasciare l'Unione (Leave) mentre il 48,1% ha votato per rimanere (Remain).

In mattinata il Premier David Cameron ha anche annunciato che ad ottobre si dimetterà. Secondo il Ministro degli Esteri italiano Paolo Gentiloni la volontà degli elettori andrà rispettata e bisognerà attivare le procedure di uscita dall'Unione.

Le borse internazionali hanno intanto risentito della cosiddetta Brexit e sono crollate.


Referendum w Wielkiej Brytanii w 2016 roku

Brytyjczycy zdecydowali w referendum o wyjściu ze Wspólnoty Europejskiej

Zwolennicy opuszczenia Unii Europejskiej przez Wielką Brytanię wygrali referendum przeprowadzone 23 czerwca 2016 (opcja ta funkcjonuje w mediach jako Brexit). Za zachowaniem członkostwa w UE głosowało 16 141 241 wyborców, za opuszczeniem UE 17 410 742 wyborców.

Teraz Wielka Brytania musi ponownie uregulować model swojej współpracy z Unią, co potrwa minimum dwa lata.


Brexit: Великобритания уходит из Евросоюза

Великобритания выходит из Евросоюза.

23 июня 2016 года за Brexit — выход Великобритании из Евросоюза проголосовали 17,4 млн (51.9 %), против 16,1 млн (48.1 %).
Таким образом Великобритания станет первым из 28 нынешних членов Европейского союза, который покинет эту организацию.
Решение британцев вызовет плохо предсказуемые последствия, чревато изменением политической карты Европы, сложившейся экономической ситуации и уже вызвало бурю на финансовых рынках.

Избирательные участки закрылись в четверг по расписанию, несмотря на проливные дожди и наводнения в южной Англии, из-за которых возникли пробки на дорогах и были закрыты некоторые станции лондонского метро, в связи с чем вечером избирателям было сложно добраться до участков.

Из-за наводнения по меньшей мере два избирательных участка в Лондоне пришлось перенести в другие помещения.

Решение британцев стало неожиданным для экспертов. Опросы общественного мнения, проведённые в преддверии голосования, предсказывали, прямо противоположный результат. Они утверждали, что число сторонников выхода из ЕС несколько уменьшилось после убийства противника «Брекзита» депутата парламента Джо Кокс 16 июня.

Убийство, в котором подозревают ультраправого экстремиста, страдавшего психическим расстройством, привело к временному прекращению кампании обеими сторонами и заставило многих британских избирателей задуматься об озлобленности, возникшей вокруг референдума.

Последние перед референдумом опросы свидетельствовали о небольшом перевесе противников выхода, заместитель главы отдела политики The Times Сэм Коатс рассказал в Twitter, что, по последним данным, против выхода из ЕС проголосуют 51 % жителей, аналитик консалтинговой компании Ecstrat, бывший инвестбанкир Эмад Мостак говорил, что «Brexit казался даже менее вероятным, чем победа Дональда Трампа на президентских выборах в США», по данным агрегатора букмекерских котировок Oddschecker, вероятность Brexit оценивалась всего в 29 %.

Всю ночь количество голосов находилось на границе.
Однако около 8:00 мск британское издание The Guardian сообщило со ссылкой на информагентство Press Association, что сторонники кампании за выход из ЕС гарантированно набрали свыше 50 % голосов на общенациональном референдуме.
В 9:00 все бюллетени были обработаны и неожиданные для мира результаты были объявлены.

Как сообщается, явка на референдуме превысила 70 процентов. Решающими факторами для избирателей стали вопросы об иммиграции, суверенитете и экономическом будущем Великобритании.

Вице-канцлер Германии Зигмар Габриэль уже охарактеризовал результаты британского голосования как «плохой день для Европы».

Лидер кампании за выход из ЕС Найджел Фараж провозгласил победу, заявив, что 23 июня войдет в британскую историю как «День независимости».

Он также призвал премьер-министра Дэвида Кэмерона, который активно боролся за сохранение членства Британии в ЕС, уйти в отставку.

Из-за исхода голосования упал курс фунта стерлингов — к трём часам утра по местному времени он потерял более 5 процентов. Специалисты предсказывают падение стоимости акций на фондовых биржах Европы до 7,5 процента. В Токио стоимость ценных биржевых бумаг упала на 7 процентов.

24 июня 2016 года


英國脫歐成功 引發歐洲多國響應

在2016年6月23日舉行的英國脫離歐盟公投中，支持英國退出歐洲聯盟的陣營以近52%的票數勝出，引發歐洲多國開始出現退出歐盟的聲音。

荷蘭自由黨黨魁基爾特·威爾德斯表示，荷蘭亦應舉行公投決定是否退出歐洲聯盟。在英國脫歐公投之前，荷蘭曾舉行民調，顯示過半受訪者希望荷蘭亦可舉行脫離歐洲聯盟的公投。但是，民調亦顯示雖然荷蘭人希望以公投決定是否脫離歐盟，但是並非真的打算退出歐盟。

與此同時，法國國民陣線領袖馬琳·勒龐亦呼籲法國舉行類似公投決定是否退出歐盟。勒龐表示，每一個歐盟的成員國應該通過公投來運用發言權，並形容歐盟極權，認為歐洲各國領袖應該合力建設一個多元國家的歐洲。


British Airways and Iberia sign merger deal

British Airways (BA) and the Spanish airline Iberia have signed a merger deal, which will create one of the largest air carrier groups in the world.

The two announced the merger yesterday, and said that the deal, which has been expected for a long time, is to be implemented by the end of 2010. The move will make a group with a market value of US$8 billion. The deal has been negotiated since July 2008.

Under the plan, both companies keep their own brands and operations, but will be owned by International Airlines Group, a new holding company. It will be listed in London, but taxed in Spain.

The airlines believe the merger will save $530 million annually. In February, BA reported a loss of $102.4 million for the final three quarters of 2009, whilst Iberia posted an operating loss of $629 million.

Meanwhile, investors in BA will receive an IAG share for every BA share they own, and stockholders in Iberia 1.0205 shares for each share in the Spanish airline; thus, BA shareholders will take 55% of IAG.

"The merged company will provide customers with a larger combined network," commented BA chief executive Willie Walsh. "It will also have greater potential for further growth by optimising the dual hubs of London and Madrid and providing continued investment in new products and services."

Meanwhile, Iberia chief executive Antonio Vázquez remarked: "This is an important step in creating one of the world's leading global airlines that will be better equipped to compete with other major airlines and participate in future industry consolidation."

Independent aviation specialist James Halstead said he believed the merger was necessary for BA to remain competitive amongst other European air carriers. "BA's unique position at Heathrow could help it survive for a short while, but in the long run it needs more than just Heathrow. The main point of the Iberia deal is to be able to cut costs and put the combined company in the position that Air France-KLM and Lufthansa are already in," he said, quoted by The Independent.


Egyesül a British Airways és az Iberia

Az angol illetve spanyol légitársaságok tegnapelőtt jelentették be, hogy aláírták egyesülési szerződésüket. Szakmai körökben mindez nem okozott különösebb meglepetést, hiszen a két cég 2008 júliusa óta egyeztetett az ügyben.

A megállapodással létrejövő International Airlines Group (IAG) holding[1] részvényei 55-45 arányban oszlanak meg a British Airways és az Iberia részvényesei között. A konvertálás során az egyes BA részvények után 1, az Iberiások után pedig 1,0205 részvény jár az új vállalatban. Az IAG adózni Spanyolországban fog, de Londonban jegyzik be. A szerződésben foglaltakat a tervek szerint 2010 végére teljesítik.

Az IAG - a pénzügyi bevételeket nézve - a világ harmadik legnagyobb légitársasága lesz. Azonban mind a British Airways, mind az Iberia megtartja saját nevét és a vezetőségük is külön marad: az egyetlen változás, hogy az IAG lesz mindkettő tulajdonosa. Az egyesítéstől viszont így is 530 millió dolláros megtakarítást remélnek éves szinten. A két cég működésének összehangolása továbbá menetrend-optimalizálást tesz lehetővé és jobb növekedési lehetőségeket teremt.

Az Independent James Halstead független szakértőt idézve kiemelte, hogy ugyan a Heathrow repülőtérnek köszönhetően a British Airways helyzeti előnnyel bír, de ez önmagában nem elég a hosszú távú versenyképességhez. Az angol vállalat a szerződéssel a Lufthansa és az Air France-KLM csoport egyenrangú vetélytársává kíván előlépni. Az elsődleges cél azonban a költségek lefaragása: a februári pénzügyi jelentés szerint a BA vesztesége 102,4 millió dollár volt 2009 utolsó három negyedévében. Az Iberia által termelt hiány 629 millió(!) ugyanerre az időszakra.


British Airways announces record losses

British Airways (BA), the flag carrier for the United Kingdom, announced record losses today. For the first quarter of the year ending March 31, the airline reported losses of £401 million before tax, despite revenues which rose to £9 billion over the previous year. The company's finances have suffered from rising fuel costs and a weak pound. The loss also takes into account redundancy-related costs of £78 million: The company laid off 2,500 workers last year.

BA's costs soared due to an unprecedented fuel bill of £3 billion following a 44.5% increase in the price of oil last year. The recent drop in oil prices has led the airline to announce an expected saving of £400 million in fuel by next year.

Company CEO Willie Walsh announced that employees will be offered the option of taking unpaid leave or working part time in order to ease the financial crisis. In order to set an example, he said that he himself would forego pay for the month of July, describing his move as "no stunt," and added that he "saw no signs of recovery anywhere."

Part of BA's troubles over the last year could be due to the company's dependence on the premium travel market. The company saw a drop of 13% in 'Club' and 'First Class' passengers. With two new aircraft on the way to operate a Club-only service from London, the company may struggle to fill the flights.


British Airways anuncia pérdidas sin precedente

24 de mayo de 2009Londres, Inglaterra —

La aerolínea British Airways anunció el viernes sobre pérdidas financieras sin precedentes para el primer trimestre del año. Las pérdidas se situaron en más de 401 millones de libras esterlinas, a pesar de que las ganancias de la empresa habían aumentado a £9.000 millones el año pasado. Las finanzas de la compañía han sufrido por el aumento de los costos del combustible y por la reciente depreciación de la libra.

Las pérdidas también estaban vinculadas a gastos redundates, que sumaron £78 millones: la compañía había despedido a 2.500 empleados el año pasado. Los costos se vieron particularmente afectados por un gasto sin precedentes en combustible, que costó £3.000 millones luego de un incremento del 44,5% en el precio del petróleo el año pasado. Sin embargo, la reciente caída del petróleo hizo que la aerolínea anunciara un esperado ahorro de £400 millones para el próximo año.

El Jefe Ejecutivo de BA, Willie Walsh, declaró que los empleados serán ofrecidos la posibilidad de irse o de trabajar a medio tiempo a favor de calmar la crisis financiera que sufre la aerolínea. "La naturaleza prolongada de la crisis mundial hace que estemos enfrentando el ambiente comercial más adverso que jamás habíamos enfrentado y sin una mejoría visible en lo inmediato, las condiciones del mercado siguen siendo muy difíciles", enunció.

Parte de los problemas financieros de BA se debieron a la dependencia del mercado de viajes premium. La compañía sufrió una caída del 13% en los pasajeros 'Club' y de 'Primera Clase'.


British Airways launches three new weekly flights from Bucharest to London

Due to greater consumer demand, British Airways announced yesterday that it would run a further three flights weekly on the route from Bucharest (Henri Coandă International) to London (Gatwick). The Bucharest-London flights will run on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, while the return flights will run on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The extra flights will mean that British Airways will now fly from Bucharest to London, and back, ten times a week.


Noi zboruri Bucureşti - Londra

15 aprilie 2005 București, România —

British Airways a anuțat ieri că va introduce trei noi zboruri pe săptămână între București și Londra, din cauza cerinței mari pe această rută. Aceste trei servicii vor zbura luni, joi și sâmbătă între București (Henri Coandă) și Londra (Gatwick). Zborurile retur Londra - București vor zbura miercuri, vineri și duminică. Aceste zboruri suplimentare înseamnă că acum British Airways zboară de zece ori pe săptămână de la București la Londra și înapoi.


British Airways strike grounds flights at Heathrow

What began as a ground crew strike on Thursday has escalated into the grounding of all flights from Heathrow's Terminal 4 until at least 8pm Friday.

The row began with a funding crisis of meal provider, Gate Gourmet, which resulted in the axing of 200 full-time staff earlier on Wednesday.  In reaction, unions of ground crews and baggage handlers from British Airways announced a stop work from Friday, which escalated into a full close-down of Terminal 4 on Friday due to overcrowding and backlog.

British Airways grounded more than 100 flights on Thursday evening, and by Friday evening, around 550 flights look to be cancelled.  Other airlines which utilise Terminal 4 are also affected, including Qantas, Sri Lankan Airlines and Finnair, with incoming longhaul flights now being redirected to other European airports, including Frankfurt.

The following hotlines have been set up for people who require more information for flights from Heathrow Terminal 4.


Chaos am Flughafen London-Heathrow

London (Vereinigtes Königreich), 12.08.2005 – Schon seit zwei Tagen sitzen viele tausend Passagiere der britischen Fluggesellschaft British Airways (BA) wegen des Streiks am Flughafen London-Heathrow fest. Bis heute Abend 18:00 Uhr Ortszeit startet keine Maschine der Fluglinie. Etwa 70.000 Passagiere bleiben bis dahin auf dem Boden. Andere Fluggesellschaften, die betroffen sind, sind Qantas, Sri Lankan Airlines und Finnair.

Am Mittwoch wurden 600 Mitarbeiter der amerikanischen Catering-Firma Gate Gourmet entlassen. Diese hatten aus Protest gegen die Einstellung von Saisonkräften gestreikt. Schwierigkeiten bei der Versorgung der Maschinen der BA mit Bordverpflegung waren die Folge. Am gestrigen Donnerstag starteten viele hundert BA-Flugzeuge, sogar Transatlantikflüge ohne Bordverpflegung.

Aus Solidarität legten dann auch noch 1.000 Mitarbeiter der Gepäckabfertigung sowie des Bodenpersonals ihre Arbeit nieder. Viele hundert Passagiere saßen in 19 Maschinen verteilt auf dem Rollfeld fest, da niemand die Gangway an die Flugzeuge heranfuhr. Die Insassen konnten erst nach mehreren Stunden die Maschinen verlassen.

120 Kurz- und Langflüge musste BA absagen, ankommende Flüge wurden auf andere Flughäfen umgeleitet. Der Check-in der BA wurde geschlossen, vor dem Reservierungsschalter für Umbuchungen auf spätere Flüge bildeten sich lange Schlangen.

Der Terminal vier wurde zu einem großen Schlafraum. Jedoch wurden die Fluggäste, die nicht auf einen Flug warteten, per Lautsprecher zum Ausgang gebeten. Die Türen wurden geschlossen um eine Überfüllung zu verhindern. Vor dem Gebäude warteten ebenso viele Menschen. Laut einer BA-Sprecherin in Frankfurt, die sich gegenüber der Nachrichtenagentur Reuters äußerte, sind auch alle deutschen Flüge nach Heathrow betroffen. London-Gatwick und London City sind aber noch funktionierende Flughäfen, eine Umbuchung dorthin wäre also kein großer Umweg. Die Lufthansa rechnet nicht mit Beeinträchtigungen, Air Berlin jedoch fliegt nur London-Stansted an.


Strajk na lotnisku Heathrow

Czwartkowy strajk pracowników firmy cateringowej dostarczającej posiłki do samolotów przerodził się w całkowitą blokadę czwartego terminalu podlondyńskiego lotniska Heathrow. Do protestujących dołączyli pracownicy obsługi naziemnej lotniska, wśród nich obsługa techniczna i kierowcy autobusów. Strajk ma zakończyć się jeszcze dzisiaj. Jednak jak twierdzi szefostwo lotniska utrudnienia w przewozie lotniczym potrwają jeszcze kilka dni.

Strajk rozpoczęli pracownicy dostawcy posiłków, Gate Gourmet. Związki zawodowe działające na lotnisku na znak solidarności ogłosiły całkowite zamknięcie czwartego terminalu.

Do tej pory z lotniska nie odleciało ponad 100 rejsowych samolotów British Airways. Podobny los czeka prawdopodobnie następnych 550 lotów. Czwarty terminal obsługuje także linie lotnicze Qantas, Sri Lanka Airlines, Finnair, GB Airways i British Med Airlines. Samoloty tych firm także nie odleciały dzisiaj z Heathrow. Większość lotów do Wielkiej Brytanii kierowana jest na inne lotniska europejskie, w tym port we Frankfurcie.

Bez przeszkód kursują samoloty rejsowe Polskich Linii Lotniczych LOT.

Według różnych szacunków w wyniku strajku ponad 70 tysięcy pasażerów nie może skorzystać z samolotu.


British Business Secretary Cable stripped of powers after 'totally unacceptable and inappropriate' comments

British Business Secretary Vince Cable has tonight been reprimanded by Prime Minister David Cameron after saying he was "at war" with Rupert Murdoch over News Corporation's attempts to take full control of BSkyB.

Cable will remain in the cabinet, but he will have no further role in the takeover bid. A statement released by officials in Downing Street said Cable's comments were "totally unacceptable and inappropriate". The statement confirmed Cable will no longer have responsibility over matters relating to media and broadcasting.

In a secret recording made by journalists from a British newspaper posing as members of the electorate, Cable said he had already decided to block the takeover bid. "I am picking my fights, some of which you may have seen, some of which you may haven't seen," he said in the recording. "I don't know if you have been following what has been happening with the Murdoch press, where I have declared war on Mr Murdoch and I think we are going to win."

In another extract from the recording, Cable says: "I have blocked it [the takeover bid], using the powers that I have got. And they are legal powers that I have got. I can't politicise it, but for the people who know what is happening, this is a big thing. His whole empire is now under attack. So there are things like that, that being in Government ... All we can do in opposition is protest."

News Corporation, owned by Murdoch, owns 39% of BSkyB, but wishes to purchase the other 61% for £7.8 billion. Cable had pledged to remain impartial in the decision, and had ordered Ofcom to investigate the takeover bid. News Corporation stated they were "shocked and dismayed" at Cable's comments, and said they "raise serious questions about fairness and due process."

A source inside Downing Street said the government took "swift and firm action" in stripping Cable of his powers over the takeover bid. "He will have absolutely nothing to do with media," the source added.

The business secretary apologised for his remarks, saying: "I fully accept the decision of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. I deeply regret the comments I made and apologise for the embarrassment that I have caused the Government." Political commentator Nick Robinson said although he remained in office, Cable is in a "very awkward" position, because the statement from Downing Street was, for Cable, a "humiliating slap in the face." Cable refused to answer journalists' questions as he arrived at his constituency home in Twickenham, London.