A remarkably informative set of graphic maps about the eurozone economies comes from the BBC website. This multi-layered snapshot confirms that the eurozone is in crisis, but this generalization is shown to obscure very different case-by-case situations in the 16 EU countries in the “eurozone.” This visual survey drives home how much painful change will be required for the eurozone (and the EU as a whole) to recover its fiscal balance. However, the survey also brings out positive situations in some countries in the single-currency group, demonstrating stability and even recovery.
U.S. Fed - Equivalent of ECB - Emerges Strengthened in Crisis Financial Reform
Despite populist pressures to curtail its powers, the U.S. Federal Reserve System is now certain to remain fully independent of direct political interference in setting U.S. monetary policy. Moreover, its supervisory and regulatory powers will be extended to non-bank financial institutions (although it will have to work more collegially with other Federal regulators in this area).
Human Trafficking: U.S. Applies Global Pressure Alongside EU’s Own Drive
For the first time, the U.S. will publicly scrutinize its record in combating human trafficking on a basis allowing international comparisons and applying the same standards that Washington has been using for 10 years to assess other countries.
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EU Governments Make New Pledge to Common Response in Defending Euro
A closely-watched meeting of EU finance ministers announced agreement Friday on a four-point plan to regain credibility for their countries’ bonds and for the embattled euro.
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EU Announces Broadband Plan to Eliminate “Digital Virgins” and Expand High-Speed Internet Access
An ambitious five-year plan promising universal broadband coverage by 2013 has been announced by the EU. This follows a similar U.S. plan released by the Obama administration. (See article in European Affairs earlier this spring by the Federal Communications Commission.)
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