ECB Vice President - no intention at all of attending Banif inquiry

baniflogo2The ECB vice president Vítor Constâncio says he has no intention at all in taking part in the Banif inquiry.

In a two page written apologia, Constâncio, a former Portuguese Finance Minister, said he only has to answer questions put to him by the European Parliament so he will not be available to explain the crucial role which the ECB played in Banif’s demise.

Panama Papers Part II to be released on May 9th

panamacanalThe International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) is poised to reveal the second list of names, accounts, companies and trusts from the Panama Papers database.

The first 'Panama Papers' revelations caused panic among many high profile and wealthy people who have been using offshore accounts and financial structures to conceal their wealth and evade taxes.

IKEA complex already nearly full

ikea2The new Ikea shopping centre near Loulé, which the promoters wish us to refer to as MAR Shopping Algarve, has announced a pre-launch occupation rate of 70%.

Names include Zara, Bershka, Stradivarius, Zara Home, Pull & Bear, Oysho, Massimo Dutti, Primark, Mango, C & A, Punt Roma, Sfera, Tiffosi, Aromas and Sephora are some of signings.

EU urges Malta to quit killing turtledoves

turntledoveMalta should place a temporary ban on shooting down turtledoves which are facing extinction due to hunting and other pressures, said the EU’s environment commissioner.

In October, turtledoves were put on the Red List of species threatened with extinction held by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The agency blames a 30% decrease in turtledove populations across Europe on hunting, agricultural intensification and disease, and says that more research is needed.

Last major armed group promises end of terror

flncRespite could be on the way for the people of Corsica as one of the island’s main militant groups has vowed to end “military operations” in October.

The National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC) has been seeking independence from France since 1976.  This group laid down its weapons two years ago.

German right-wing leader guilty of inciting hatred

pegidaThe founder a far-right pressure group has been convicted for inciting hatred.

Lutz Bachmann, the head of the anti-Islamic Pediga group, was found guilty of a court in Dresden on Tuesday. Dresden is the home of the group whose name stands for “Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the West”.

Greenpeace publishes leaked trade agreement papers - US planned to undermine EU environment laws

containersLeaked text shows the objective of the US is to undermine EU environment and health protection laws in pursuits of trade. Greenpeace Netherlands has obtained 248 pages of leaked Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiating texts which will be published in full today.

The documents unveil for the first time the US position and "its deliberate attempts to change the EU democratic legislative process" caims Greenpeace.

Brits in EU-Brexit vote challenge granted leave to appeal

judgeswigThe High Court of Justice of England and Wales has given permission for lawyers acting for two British citizens, fighting a legal battle for the right to vote in the EU 'Brexit' Referendum, to take their case to the Court of Appeal on May 9th.
 
On April 28, 2016 Lord Justice Lloyd Jones, sitting with Mr Justice Blake, rejected the legal challenge taken by 94-year-old Harry Shindler, a WWII veteran who lives in Italy, and lawyer and Belgian resident Jacquelyn MacLennan against the UK Government’s decision to exclude from the June vote those Britons who have lived elsewhere in the European Union for more than 15 years.