The European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) and Elster today announced that they will collaborate with leading Dutch energy network provider, Alliander, to provide a proof-of-concept pilot project to demonstrate advanced Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PET) for Smart Metering networks. Responsible for the regional distribution of electricity and gas to 3.3 million customers in the Netherlands, Alliander is currently developing and implementing Smart Metering and Smart Grid infrastructures. Elster will be supplying an end-to-end, market-ready solution for the PET pilot, which forms part of Alliander’s small-scale Smart Meter rollout that commenced in the first half of 2012. [Read more…]
Cargo Ship Faces Detention
The International Transport Workers Federation co-ordinator for Ireland and Britain, Ken Fleming, has warned a Dutch based company, Transship Management, that its vessel, the mv Julia, faces arrest if it does not immediately pay $102,700 owed to the crew in unpaid wages. Mr Fleming received a request to assist the crew from the ITF in The Netherlands earlier today after it received a distress call. [Read more…]
Spanish Paella made in Russia?
The discussion of Olympic kits has again come to the fore, this time in the shape of Spain’s Russian made kit.
We know that the Spanish like their paella but some say that this takes the cake
This follows closely on the debacle created about the USA kit made in China.
IMF to assist Cyprus
Washington – The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday that the global lender was ready to join European countries in providing a financial aid package for Cyprus. [Read more…]
Outfoxing the Greeks
Outfoxing the Greeks
There are times when it pays to be hard-assed, get good legal advice – and never trust any government’s promises.
When Eurozone governments restructured Greece’s government debt a few months ago, they tried to force all private-sector investors to accept a big “haircut,” or loss of interest and capital, by exchanging their original bonds for new paper worth much less. [Read more…]
The Future Of The Auto Industry In Europe
Vehicle makers urge EU to act upon CARS21 recommendations on strengthening the future of the auto industry in Europe
The European automobile manufacturers welcome the main recommendations of the final report adopted, today, by the CARS21 High-level Group but warn that these proposals now need to be executed urgently. The report, produced by a coalition of EU Commissioners, various ministers, automobile industry CEOs, suppliers, trade unions and civil society, lists ways and means of strengthening the future of the automobile industry in Europe. [Read more…]
Chondrokoukis has high Helsinki hopes
Greek high jumper Dimítrios Chondrokoúkis has been dreaming about this summer’s European Athletics Championships for several years.
“A few years ago, I was at a small meeting elsewhere in Finland and we went to look at the Olympic stadium where this summer’s Europeans will be held. I just sat there and took in the surrounds and thought how beautiful it was and knew that I wanted to compete there one day,” explained the 24-year-old who won at the World Indoor Championships last month. [Read more…]
President Shows His Colours
The Club Med President Shows His Colours
Despite the stern, father-like posturing of the new Italian president of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, it’s clear that he is going to be much more amenable to pressure from governments of the 17 Eurozone member-nations to implement loose-money policies than his predecessor. [Read more…]
Northern Lights by Christian Mulhauser
This is the work of Christian Mulhauser
“Last week I was again in Norway for shooting northern lights. This time I was very lucky, there was a lot of activity on the sky especially on the 24 January. The scenes are from Ravnastua, Skoganvarre and Lakselv. The first two days I had a lot of trouble with frozen Cameras. It was -25°C (-13°F) and after 1-2 hours of shooting the lens was frozen.” [Read more…]
Spain Still Reigns For FX
Whilst Spain remains the most popular destination in terms of volume of currency transactions in 2011, interestingly, the UK takes second place with 18% of transactions according to the latest data compiled by FX specialist, Currency Index.
Almost a quarter of all FX transactions in 2011 (24.99%) were sent to Spain, unsurprising given the country’s appeal as a top holiday and second home destination. However, while France took the third spot with 14.83% of all transactions followed by the US in fourth place at 9.01%, one of the most surprising results was the volume of transactions sent to the UK last year. [Read more…]