Monthly Archives: November 2011

Syria and Turkey continue at loggerheads

While there has been a degree of strain in relations between Syria and Turkey for decades, recent events have created additional stress on an already tenuous relationship. Thanks to Turkish support of a change in the current regime leading Syria, a great deal of unrest has been added to the situation. While, at one point,…

Grand US deficit-cutting effort ends with whimper

The Republican and Democratic leaders of a 12-member congressional “super committee” are set to declare defeat in a joint statement to be released after three months of talks failed to bridge deep divides over taxes and spending. After a year of bruising budget battles, it is another sign that U.S. lawmakers are too entrenched to…

German unemployment rockets

For the first time since 2009, unemployment in Germany is on the increase. While the increase was minimal, the upward shift was enough to raise concerns about what will happen in the coming months. With internal factors within Germany’s economy, as well as issues that have to do with what is happening in the Eurozone,…

Abdel Rahim al-Keeb and the new Libya

On October 31, Libya gained a new interim president that has proven to be a surprise for those watching the elections. Dr. Abel Rahim al-Keeb, a 61-year old professional with a background in education, electronics and politics was named as interim prime minister by the National Transitional Council. Born to parents living in Sabratha, al-Keeb…

Virgin Money buys Northern Rock for £747m

Northern Rock, the nationalised British bank, has become on Thursday the first bailed out lender in the UK to be sold back to the private sector, according to the treasury. The British government has given the go-ahead for the £747m loss-making deal with Richard Branson’s Virgin Money almost four years after Northern Rock’s near collapse….

Eurozone growth lagging behind

Growth in Europe almost came to a halt in the 3Q11 with a weak 0.2 percent increase, the same pace as in 2Q11, according to data released by Eurostat late on Tuesday. GDP growth was driven by Germany, Europe’s largest economy, which rose 0.5 percent in the third quarter due to stronger company and consumer…

UBS names Ermotti CEO

UBS on Tuesday confirmed Swiss-national Sergio Ermotti as permanent CEO with immediate effect. The appointment comes just two months after Ermotti was named interim CEO when Oswald Grübel stepped down in September following an alleged $2.3bn rogue trading incident at the bank. The group announced that chairman Kaspar Villiger will stand aside a year earlier…