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Realignment won’t cure the sick man of Europe

Realignment won't cure the sick man of Europe ROMANO Prodis apparent victory should reverse Italys isolation within Europe. Silvio Berlusconi has made few political friends, apart from Britains Tony Blair. But it will not solve Italys problems, which have made it the new sick man of Europe. Britain managed to shrug off that title in a generation. Germany is doing a good job of it now under Angela Merkel, its own Margaret Thatcher figure. It is easy to see why Italy grasped at Berlusconi, and the Centre-Right, five years ago, hoping he would perform the same trick. The hope that Italys richest

Gold ends firm in Europe after China, dollar moves

Gold ends firm in Europe after China, dollar moves Gold-bugs had a rocky ride in Europe on Thursday, with the market swinging wildly lower when China raised interest rates only for fresh dollar woes to ignite a smart rally, traders said. It has been hectic and volatile -- after it sold off on the China (rate) increase it did not take much to move it back up when the dollar tumbled, a trader said. The U.S. currency slid to fresh seven-month lows against the euro of $1.2547 after Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke hinted at a U.S. rate hike pause. Spot gold rallied strongly

Gas problems worsen as big freeze arrives in southern Europe

Gas problems worsen as big freeze arrives in southern Europe The mercury rose, then came the blizzards. After a record number of deaths from the cold, eastern Europe yesterday saw a relative thaw, only for southern France to get the shivers. Blanketed by 7cms (nearly 3ins) of snow, the city of Toulouse in south-west France closed its airport, leaving shivering passengers curled up on benches under shiny plastic blankets. Dozens of people died in road accidents. Roads were closed in a swathe running from northern Spain, through Provence, to the Italian Alps, and motorways were shut to heavy goods vehicles. Milan's

Europe sees calling prices fall

Europe sees calling prices fall The European Union has given itself a big pat on the back over falling prices in the continent's telecommunications market, but it also warns more regulation will be needed to keep the industry on track. According to the European Commission's European Electronic Communications Regulation and Markets Report, retail telecommunication prices have dropped significantly, while the market is now easier than ever for new companies to enter. Fixed-line services in particular saw prices decreasing, the EC said, with revenues declining 1.6 percent per year and more new players entering the market. "However, the rate of growth of subscribers using

Walkers World: Europe stalls again

Walkers World: Europe stalls again One year to the day after the French voted No to the draft new constitution for the European Union, the foreign ministers of the 15 EU member states have kicked the ball down the road for another three years. Meeting outside Vienna, the foreign ministers were supposed to chart a new way ahead for the EU after the year-long period of reflection that followed the resounding No votes by the French and then the Dutch voters in two referendums on the constitution. They toyed with the idea of re-branding the document, and calling it a basic