europe

LONDON - 15 October, 2009 - Europe's transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure is more than 50 years old and in urgent need of an upgrade, especially with the increasing share of electricity generation from renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass. Further, these transmission networks were built without considering the impact of generation from renewable sources, and there is mounting pressure to build new lines as well as upgrade old ones.    » read more »

Statement by David Wright, co-director of UCS's Global Security Program

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (September 17, 2009) — President Obama's announcement today that his administration is scrapping plans to deploy a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic was seen as a "victory for common sense" by experts at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). As noted by leading scientists in a letter to the president in July, the missile defense system slated for Eastern Europe "has not been proven and does not merit deployment. It would offer little or no defensive capability, even in principle."

Below is a statement by Dr. David Wright, a physicist and co-director of UCS's Global Security Program:    » read more »

June 24, 2009 -- The President spoke with President Adamkus on Tuesday morning, June 23. The two Presidents discussed a range of issues of common concern, including NATO issues and our shared commitment to collective defense.

President Obama expressed appreciation to President Adamkus for Lithuania’s important contributions to alliance operations and affirmed the commitment of the United States to Lithuania’s security.

The President also updated President Adamkus on our plans for the upcoming July Summit in Moscow between President Obama and President Medvedev.

Source: White House

June 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON--As part of the Obama Administration's aggressive efforts to enforce U.S. tax laws and reduce offshore tax evasion, the U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced the conclusion of negotiations with Switzerland to amend the U.S.-Switzerland income tax treaty to provide for increased tax information exchange. Official signing of the protocol is expected in the next few months.

"This Administration is committed to reducing off shore tax evasion to help ensure that all U.S. taxpayers are playing by the same rules," said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. "This treaty will increase our ability to enforce our tax laws and will help bring an end to an era of offshore accounts and investments being used for tax evasion."    » read more »

GE's Jenbacher Cogeneration Units to Power 30.4-MWel Project, Helping to Save up to About 185,000 Tons of CO2 per Year

JENBACH, AUSTRIA -- May 19, 2009 -- Macedonia Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski today formally opened the country’s first natural gas-cogeneration plant certified for international carbon credit financing in the capital city of Skopje.

The plant, powered by GE’s Jenbacher gas engines, is Macedonia’s first commercial natural gas-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) project completed within the international “Clean Development Mechanism” (CDM). Established under the Kyoto Protocol, this climate protection program provides global financial support for alternative energy projects that reduce CO2 emissions in developing economies.    » read more »

April Ford sales down by 7.4 per cent versus 16.5 per cent industry decline

COLOGNE, May 12, 2009 – Ford continued to increase its European market share last month, both for the month of April and for the year-to-date, further consolidating its position as the No.2 best-selling car brand in Europe.

With 120,000 vehicles sold, Ford's total vehicle market share in April rose by 0.9 percentage points to 9.0 per cent. April year-to-date share was 9.3 per cent, up from 8.7 per cent in the same period last year.

The industry overall declined by 16.5 per cent in April (19 main European markets). In contrast, Ford sales decreased by only 7.4 per cent, with 9,600 fewer units sold than in April 2008.    » read more »

Ford of Europe takes further action to bring production capacity in line with declining industry demand, and adjusts sourcing plans to meet future business needs

COLOGNE, Germany, March 16, 2009 – Ford of Europe today confirmed that, due to the unprecedented decline in the European new car market and the continuing negative economic outlook, it is taking further decisive actions to bring its production capacity in line with significantly decreased industry demand.

In addition, Ford of Europe is realigning its sourcing plans to meet its future business needs, given that demand is unlikely to improve significantly in the European market for some considerable time.    » read more »

Fiesta best-selling Ford car year-to-date across Europe's main 19 markets (Euro 19)

COLOGNE, March 12, 2009 – Ford of Europe increased its market share in February across the company's 19 main markets (Euro 19) by 0.8 percentage points to 8.5 per cent versus the same month last year.

While overall industry Euro 19 sales declined by 20.1 per cent, Ford sales in February were down by 14.2 per cent, or 15,000 units, compared to the same month in 2008.

Ford of Europe sold 91,100 vehicles in its Euro 19 markets in February, including 27,900 new Fiestas, making it the best-selling Ford car again this month, and the second-best selling car in the industry.    » read more »

President Obama Should Reverse Bush Policy on European Deployment

March 4, 2009 -- President Obama is reconsidering the Bush administration's decision to deploy an untested missile defense system in Europe, indicating that he is taking a more realistic, technically grounded approach to missile defense. Given Russia's strong negative reaction to the planned deployment, experts at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) say it makes sense to reconsider this policy on strategic as well as technical grounds. They say U.S. security would be undermined by deploying an ineffective missile defense system that impedes U.S.-Russian nuclear weapons reductions and collaboration on key security issues.    » read more »

8 May 2008 -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today launched the tender process for the sale of the broadcast and exhibition rights for all territories within Europe for the XXII Olympic Winter Games (2014) in Sochi, Russia, and the Games of the XXXI Olympiad (2016).

The Invitation to Tender issued by the IOC provides organisations interested in acquiring the rights with specific guidelines relating to bid submissions. The IOC has asked for bids to be submitted by 5 p.m. (CET) on 1 July 2008.    » read more »

Deal With InFront AMS Brings Top European Basketball League to U.S. Broadband Sports Net

May 7, 2008 -- ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband sports network, and InFront AMS, the Digital Media Company of the InFront Group, announced a new agreement today that will make ESPN360.com the exclusive U.S. home for Euroleague Basketball over the next two seasons.

Beginning next October, the broadband network will deliver more than 40 games in each of the next two seasons (2008-2009, 2009-2010). Additionally, ESPN.com will feature video highlights of the Euroleague. Games not carried by ESPN360.com will be available on a pay-per-view basis on Euroleague.tv. For U.S. fans, Euroleague games are available only via ESPN360.com and on a pay-per-view basis on euroleague.tv.    » read more »

LONDON/BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, D.C./NEW ORLEANS, 4/8/2008 – The cable industry’s main trade bodies in the US and Europe are pleased to announce a wide-ranging partnership providing preferential rates to their members and delegates attending their respective industry conferences.

Cable Congress 08, organised by Cable Europe, and The Cable Show ’08, organised by the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), offer the most exciting networking opportunities for cable professionals on either side of the Atlantic, as well as providing exclusive insights into the future of the cable industry.    » read more »

London and Burbank, 21 February 2008 -- Disney Channels Worldwide has named six key executive appointments to support it expansion plans in Europe, including the maximizing of its global content, growing franchise business and increased investment in European production. The announcement was made today by John Hardie, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Disney Channels Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).    » read more »

Munich, October 19, 2007 -- Top artists, big names from showbiz, business, media and politics, and SONY BMG managers from Germany and around the world will be getting together to celebrate the presentation of the MTV Europe Music Awards in Munich on November 1. The SONY BMG After Show Party is supported by Premium Sponsors MINI and Sony Ericsson.    » read more »

NBA to Stage Exhibition Game in London

09 October 2007, London (By Tom Rivers) -- In an effort to the increase basketball's international popularity, the National Basketball Association will hold a game Wednesday in London. For VOA, Tom Rivers says it will be a rare opportunity for British fans to catch live NBA action when the Boston Celtics face the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ten days ago, London was treated to NHL professional hockey. In just under three weeks, American football will take center stage here when the NFL hosts a game.    » read more »