European News

Europe has recently celebrated for the winning of Culinary cultures of Europe as the best culinary book in the world by Gourmand World Media Awards in the beautiful land of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Gourmand World Media Awards is compared to the Oscars Awards of Hollywood. It is an organization for the world's culinary literature. And, it's been running for 10 years already. It's a prestigious award that is held annually in different countries across the globe.

65 countries have joined the competition and it garnered almost 6,000 culinary books from around the world. The award, which was established by Mr. Edouard Cointreau, just celebrated its happy 11th year anniversary. And, until today many culinary connoisseurs from different places are publishing their unique recipes along with a spice of culture background on food at the same time wine just to achieve this famous award. It's really an honor for Europe to be given such award because it materializes the richness of European culture.

Culinary cultures of Europe is available in French as well as in English. The Council of Europe published the book to take all readers in a journey through the unique culinary traditions of Europe. It also gives you information about the different cultures and peoples of the 40 members of this exclusive European Council. Like the affluent Spanish culture, British, Germany, and many more. No doubt why the book was awarded because it really raises people's awareness as well as respect for culinary traditions.

Europe is the second smallest continent in the world in terms of land area, yet ranking third in terms of population. It is a vast land rich in natural resources with a very diverse culture and history. But a problem plaguing Europe today is managing its energy, primarily its fuels for vehicle consumption, according to the giant oil company, Total. Heck, I even heard on the news that the prices of oil have gone up in Europe, at such a ridiculously high rate!

Europe is a big exporter of gasoline but also imports diesel from other countries, mainly from Russia and Middle East countries, due to the reason that most vehicles make use of diesel. One of the senior figures in Total, in an interview with Reuters, claimed that the continent needs more alternative forms of fuel like biodiesel in order to keep up with the increasing demand. As such, there is the exigency to bolster the production of biodiesel instead of focusing on ethanol. In addition, the dire situation poses some problem regarding the inevitable importation of oilseeds that are needed to produce biodiesel especially so that EU has set a target to use the fuel source to contribute 5.75% of all transport fuels by the end of the decade.

Migration has never been a problem for Spain but when it is done through illegal means than that could be serious. Over 500 hundred Africans boarded on a boat were intercepted by Spanish police this week. The migrants were attempting to dock at Canary Islands but they're plans were busted. Illegal settlers to the country have been a commonplace in Spain prompting the government to use satellites and other monitoring equipments. But not this huge and it only happened in one day.

Because of the proximity of the Canary Islands to northwest Africa, African destitutes are trying all their luck to settle in Europe for a better life. Boarding in small boats, these migrants some of them women including minors come from sub-Saharan parts of Africa. For this year only, Spain had received over 6,900 Africans, a very significant increase from last year's which is totaling at 4,751 Africans. And it seems that among all the other European countries, Spain has been the target of these estranged Africans. Spanish ambassadors are set to journey to the countries where these migrants originated to settle and iron things out in the hopes that their respective governments can control the illegal migration.

A recent survey done by ADT, a security firm and Jill Dando Institute of Crime in University College London, tells us that the Britons are seen by their fellow Europeans as the most misbehaved in all of Europe. The survey result is said to be due to the excessive drinking among the Brits especially with the young. Seventy-six per cent of those respondents from different European countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Spain and Netherlands gave the same response saying the Brits have a "big to moderate" social behavioral problem.

Even the Brits themselves think that their social behavior is really a big deal giving a 95% response blaming the way home and schools instill discipline. What could this survey result mean? Could it signify that the institutions which should be responsible in the first place to instill proper behavior in public are the ones who lack responsibility? Is there a breakdown in discipline in the British society? Does the country need more stringent punishment for offenders? Or is there a need to revise the moral structure in society altogether? We only know that the answer lies in the Britons themselves.

The CNBC Europe has been the best information channel for many businessmen in Europe. It delivers financial and business information with emphasis on market news, investment information, financial services, and all other information and data analysis for businessmen, investors, and financial consultants in Europe. This business news television also shares interviews with entrepreneurs and other business and financial personalities in the industry.

CBNC Europe renders 24-hour world business updates. From the opening of business doors in Europe, to catching the latest update on Wall Street, and hitting the Asia's last hour financial news.

CBNC Europe provides 12-hour live broadcasting on European trading and market news every day. It opens the day with a program, Squawk Box Europe, and ends with European Closing Bell, which concludes all business happenings across Europe and other parts of globe.

The channel has been a commercial partner of business leaders in Europe and these people remain tuned in anywhere they go. It is the channel that keeps businessmen informed about what's going on in the market, how and where their money have gone, and where they can put their funds for other ventures.

Avis Europe, Europe’s biggest car rental firm, has experienced profit slip in 2005 and is still on the same situation even after the New Year started. As part of its recovery plan, the car rental firm has announced to reduce its work force by terminating 200 jobs over the next 18 months. Avis Europe said that about 180 positions will be transferred from Manchester to the Barcelona call center with some more transfer to the Budapest shared service center. The cost of such a procedure is expected to total to an amount of 40 million euros in 2006 and 7 million euros in 2007.

Although Avis Europe admitted that it has been a difficult decision from them to make, they believe that it is a necessary part of the plan for the company’s recovery. The ongoing re-structuring of the group’s operations together with targeted growth in specific customer groups and a strengthened capital base will help ensure the planned recovery and help the group face the challenges that lie ahead in the future. The reconstruction is expected to save the group some 7m in 2006, €25m next year and €30m in 2008.

A Vatican official recently appeared in a television special documentary about the Inquisition. Reverend Joseph Di Noia, Under-secretary of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, publically admitted that the use of torture and burning at the stake by the Church's Inquisition was a "mistake."

The Inquisition was infamous for using brutal methods permitted by the Church during the the 13th to the 19th century in European countries. Although the reverend admits the error, he was quick to defend the Church's act saying that it was perfectly accepted by everyone that time thus, it is justified.

Cars and engines are usually associated with men being their mechanic; all that is about to change. The Base 34 center, a training center near Montpellie, France opened up recently and is training women to be car mechanics, breaking the mold of the age-old traditional stereotype of men being the machine buffs.

As of this moment, 15 women are going through training course and will graduate June next year. However, this doesn't mean that garages will be exclusive for women. Base 34 director Herve Malige said that as soon as these women open up their own garage, jobs will be offered for men as well so in time the number of male and female staff will be equal.

Bollywood's magic is not only entertaining and attracting the market in India, but apparently, also distant European countries like Ireland. This belief is made evident by the plan of the Prime Minister of Ireland to visit India. Sounds interesting?

Although the itinerary is mostly for the purpose of validating and improving the relationship between more than ninety companies, the Prime Minister wishes to do his part in promoting the entertainment industry through getting in touch with celebrities. He hopes to convince Bollywood filmmakers to create their masterpieces in Ireland during the six days of his stay in India. Would Bollywood agree to that? Let's see.

It seems that some European countries are getting more concerned and attracted to the idea of lessening the habit of smoking in public. At present, there are debates going on regarding the proposal of a limited smoking prohibition in England, which exempts private clubs and taverns not offering food on their menus.

In the event that the smoking ban is approved, Englandwill be following the footsteps of other countries such as Scotland and Northern Ireland, where a similar move is supported.