Economy
French President Hollande’s Plan to Tax Rich Touches Nerve
France’s new president, Socialist Francois Hollande, has just announced a raft of tax hikes, all of them on big companies and the rich. The measures are proving popular among ordinary Frenchmen, but business leaders and the wealthy say squeezing them will hurt everyone.
Can’t use the Olympic Rings? Try a British Flag
The International Olympic Committee doesn’t like businesses using the Olympics logo, or words like gold, to market their products.
Taxes and the Rich: Britain May Name and Shame Biggest Tax Avoiders
Britain is considering a plan to name and shame the country’s biggest tax evaders. While not illegal, the government hopes to generate extra revenue.
British Bank HSBC Allowed Money Laundering
A US Senate report says British bank HSBC had a ‘pervasively polluted’ culture, allowing it to move shady money into the US from Iran, Syria, and Mexico.
Greek Tourism in 108 Degrees
As if they didn’t already have a lot to worry about, residents in Athens had to contend with temperatures in the neighborhood of 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
Coal Miners’ Revolt Gives Frustrated Spaniards a Voice, and Some Rockets
In recent years, in more prosperous times, people in Spain have tended to bad mouth coal. It’s dirty, it’s polluting, it’s unsustainable as an energy source. Coal is an anachronism as we move toward a world of renewable energies. The sooner we wean ourselves off the stuff, the better.
Technology to Barter in Hard Times
People across Europe are struggling to make ends meet these days. British technologist Ken Banks wants to build apps to help those people do things like barter and time-swap.
Austerity Measures Prompt German Battle of Bands
Because of austerity measures, officials plan to merge two publicly funded orchestras in the southwestern part of Germany.
Government vs Greens in Canada
Host Lisa Mullins speaks with reporter Peter O’Neil of the Vancouver Sun about the growing frictions over environmental policy in Canada. The country’s new federal budget includes some big changes to environmental protections for things like fisheries, endangered species and national parks.
Spaniards Trying to Save Illegally-Built Hotel
With its economy in tatters, Span is considering loosening coastline restrictions on homes and hotels.
Bob Diamond Steps Down Over Barclays Scandal
The chief executive of Barclays Bank, Bob Diamond stepped down Tuesday over an interest rate-rigging scandal that threatens financial institutions around the globe.
Barclays Faces Lawsuits in the US
A federal class action lawsuit against Barclays and other banks is already working its way through the court system in the US.
What FATCA Did to American Bank Customers in Switzerland
For the longest time, Swiss Banks were derided as havens for tax cheats. The US recently forced the banks to report on their American customers, which is having some unintended consequences.
Doll Wars: How Barbie Killed Sindy
Wholesome, demure, Sindy was the UK’s most popular doll with about 80 percent of the fashion doll market at her peak in 1985.
Spanish Band Los Fulanos Revive ‘Boogaloo’ to Counter Economic Pessimism
The Barcelona-based music group has revived the upbeat style of music called Boogaloo to counter the gloom brought on by the economic crisis.
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