RECOMMENDED READING
- Internet Freedom: Will Russia's Bloggers Survive Censorship Push? With so many of their media sources controlled by the state or government-friendly oligarchs, Russians have turned to their bloggers to keep informed and give voice to their grievances and concerns. But many of those in power are now seeking to impose rigid limits on online freedom.(Spiegel)
- EC asks France to explain Roma explusions France's Immigration Minister Eric Besson (pictured) and European Affairs Minister Pierre Lellouche are due in Brussels on Tuesday to answer to European Commission concerns over France's tough policy towards Roma people. (France24)
- Vatican criticises Kadhafi's Islamic Europe call A Vatican official criticised Tuesday Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's reported call for Islam to become the religion of all of Europe, labelling it disrespectful to the Pope and Catholic Italy.(AFP)
- Cuba release 'could lead to US lifting embargo' Cuba's release of all its political prisoners would improve its relations with Europe and United States, and could lead to the lifting of a US embargo, the Spanish foreign minister said on Wednesday. Miguel Angel Moratinos welcomed as "good news" Cuban parliament chief Ricardo Alarcon's announcement to AFP on Tuesday that his "government's wish is to free all the people" not accused of murder.(AFP)
- EU bank stress tests looks at 'sovereign debt shock' scenario Ninety-one banks across the European Union (EU) have been asked to show how much additional capital they would need should economic conditions worsen over the next two years or in the event of a 'sovereign shock'. Banks have handed EU officials details of the amount of money they would need to raise in stressful instances to boost their Tier 1 capital ratios, their main buffer against losses, to a minimum level of 6pc. (Telegraph)
- Romania flagging in fight against corruption, says EU The EU scolded Romania on several scores including its treatment of its National Integrity Agency (ANI), a Brussels-backed body that monitors politicians' financial interests, which was emasculated by a constitutional court ruling and a new law passed by parliament last month.(Irish Times)
- European Union Will Appeal WTO Ruling That Some Aid to Airbus Was Illegal The European Union will today appeal a World Trade Organization ruling that Airbus SAS got illegal subsidies from European governments to build some aircraft.(Bloomberg)
- Freed dissidents urge EU not to soften its Cuba policy Eleven freed Cuban dissidents have urged the European Union not to soften its long-standing demands for democratic change in Cuba. The group, who arrived last week in Spain, said their release was not a gesture of good faith but "a desperate action" by the Cuban government. (BBC)
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