The European Commission has put forward a proposal modifying the provisions and extending the scope of the 2001 Regulation on cross-border euro payments, under which cross-border bank transfers in euro within the EU cost the same as domestic transfers.
R&D investment by EU companies has increased by 8.8% compared to the increased R&D investment by US companies of 8.6%, according to the 2008 edition of the European Commission's annual Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard.
The European Commission adopted a Green Paper to open the debate on how to help European farmers make the most of the quality of the food and drinks they produce. As globalisation spreads, pressure increases from low cost products from overseas and consumer demands evolve, Europe's most potent weapon is "quality".
Euro area annual inflation was 3.6% in September 2008, down from 3.8% in August. A year earlier the rate was 2.1%. Monthly inflation was 0.2% in September 2008.
Fitch Ratings says the record fall in oil price of almost 50% since July 2008 will considerably impact the European refining and marketing (R&M) sector's profitability and working capital needs.
A new survey released by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs shows Americans are increasingly anxious about the worsening U.S. economy and America's relations with the rest of the world.
Mortgage rates remained steady over the past week, with rates for 30-year fixed mortgages decreasing slightly to 5.95 percent, down from 5.97 percent the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor.
The Monster Employment Index France dipped five points, settling at a level of 155 in September. However, year-on-year growth was largely unchanged at eight points, indicating continued resilience in underlying online job demand.
