Wednesday, December 14, 2011

France - Credit Agricole 'to cut more jobs' reportedly 2,350 jobs & pulling out of 20 of 50 countries where they operate

Published on Dec 14, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ Credit Agricole is reportedly to cut 2,350 jobs. A union source said most of the layoffs will be at its investment banking division.

The French bank is slashing costs and pushing ahead with a back-to-basics strategy which has been sped up by the eurozone debt crisis.

Banking sources have said Credit Agricole may pull out of up to 20 of the 50 countries where it operates.

Europe - EU Presidency slams "eurosceptic" Britain / Angela Merkel 'regrets' British decision to veto treaty

Published on Dec 14, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ The head of the rotating EU Presidency has rounded on Britain over its refusal to sign up to new tougher fiscal rules.

Speaking in Strasbourg, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticised those who have backed David Cameron's position to stay outside of the deal agreed in Brussels last Friday.

"I've heard the self-satisfied comments which say Britain has become an island again, and that the Channel has become larger over the last few days. Sincerely, I don't understand this satisfaction."
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Angela Merkel 'regrets' British decision to veto treaty

Uploaded by on Dec 14, 2011
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel says Great Britain is still an important partner in the European Union despite its refusal to back fiscal integration plans.

Visa-free travel and financial aid to top EU-Russia summit

Published on Dec 14, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ Financial aid and visa-free travel will dominate talks when EU and Russian leaders meet in Brussels later this week.

Moscow has said it may provide cash, via the IMF, to ease Europe's debt crisis.

An open border deal between the EU and Russia's Baltic territory of Kalingrad, and possibly Russia itself, is also expected but Russia's recently disputed poll will not feature, officials said.

"I don't see any time to discuss the elections, they are already in the past," said Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's Ambassador to the EU.

Russell Grant's Daily Horoscopes for Thursday 15th December 2011

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Aries (Mar21/Apr20) You're in a playful mood, and are intent on enjoying all the festivities Christmas offers. Throwing a party or going to one will be great for you. If you're single, you'll have fun flirting with someone who captures your imagination. Playing hard to get is the best strategy with this heartbreaker. Are you already in a relationship? Do your best to make your partner jealous. It's about time your amour realised what a hot commodity you are on the romance market.
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Taurus (Apr21/May21) Spending time with family is your first priority. You're tired of running around, going to work and doing errands, when all you want is to spend a quiet evening with your nearest and dearest. Fortunately, your schedule will relax just a bit, allowing you to prepare a big home cooked meal for your loved ones. Instruct everyone to turn off their mobiles so you can enjoy some engrossing conversation together. Too often, technology gets in the way of relationships these days.
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Gemini (May22/Jun21) You soak up information like a dry sponge drinks water. This is a wonderful time to learn a new skill, whether it's making a gingerbread house or making a handcrafted gift. A loved one will be touched by your effort to learn something new for their sake. Ordering presents online is easy. Creating a work of art with your own two hands is a wonderful expression of love. You're not an especially sentimental person, but even you become tender hearted during this special season.
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Cancer (Jun22/Jul23) A lucrative job assignment comes in the nick of time. This project will put a little extra money in your pocket, allowing you to purchase something special for a loved one. You're not the type who believes in buying anyone's affection, but this case is a little different. A friend who has experienced a string of terrible disappointments could really use a break, spa treatment, or time saving gadget. Your generous gesture will speed this poor unfortunate's healing process.
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Leo (Jul24/Aug23) Someone has been showering you with affection. It gives you great pleasure to realise your sex appeal is in full effect. If you're already in a relationship, take this opportunity to plan a romantic outing together. These days, everybody is so busy with festive preparations that love becomes a low priority. Don't make that mistake. You're the type who thrives on plenty of physical affection. When you don't get it, you become irritable and short tempered.
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Virgo (Aug24/Sep23) At long last, you're able to get away from the stresses and strains of public life. Take this opportunity to rest, relax, and rejuvenate. Go for a massage, take a hot bath, or enjoy a long nap. A rival will make pointed comments about your break, implying you are lazy. Don't rise to the bait. Everybody knows you do the work of three people. If you don't take the occasional break, you'll burn out and won't be any use at all.
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Libra (Sep24/Oct23) You're able to win people to your side through persuasive words and winning gestures. This is a great time to give a speech or preside over a meeting. Don't be surprised if you're offered a teaching job after making a public appearance. You have the enviable ability of holding people's attention. That's quite a feat, especially when faced with reluctant students. Don't be discouraged if your pupils seem indifferent at first.
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Scorpio (Oct24/Nov22) You'll be able to negotiate a pay rise or land a lucrative job. The key is to emphasise your organisational ability. Your employer needs someone who can keep a lid on all the chaos that is threatening to upset the entire operation. Your ability to keep everyone in line and maintain orderly files is critical to their success. Therefore, you should be paid accordingly. Don't be afraid to drive a hard bargain. You have more power than you realise.
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Sagittarius (Nov23/Dec21) It's up to you to maintain an ethical climate. If people have been cutting corners or creating problems, a confrontation is necessary. You hate telling on anyone, but sometimes it's necessary to stop further abuse happening. Besides, you have very little tolerance for people who take advantage of their power. By insisting everyone follows the rules, the most vulnerable members of your team can work in peace. That will make a tremendous difference to productivity levels.
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Capricorn (Dec22/Jan20) Enjoy an intimate evening for two. Recently, you've been spending all of your time at work, which has made you exhausted and anxious. By enjoying a little tender loving care at the hands of your amour, your zest for life will come soaring back. Are you looking for love? You could find it at a cultural, religious, or educational institution. The two of you will seem like polar opposites to casual observers, but actually, you'll have similar values.
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Aquarius (Jan21/Feb19) Working with a partner is fulfilling. You hate dealing with all the paperwork and annoying details, and prefer focusing on the big picture. Team up with someone who is famous for their thorough work style. Try not to criticise their seemingly petty questions. One of their intense queries will prevent a terrible mistake. If you're single, let friends set you up on a blind date. Your loved ones have good instincts about the kind of lover you need. Trust their judgement.
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Pisces (Feb20/Mar20) Making your environment neat and orderly will be a good use of your time. There are busy times ahead, and you'll have to locate files and materials at a moment's notice. By arranging everything now, while deadlines aren't looming, you'll save yourself a great deal of aggravation. Besides, you always feel more energetic when you enter a clean, welcoming workspace. Clutter has a draining effect. Get rid of anything you haven't used in over a year.

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Ukraine - court drops charge linking Leonid Kuchma to murder of Gerogiy Gongadze

Published on Dec 14, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ A Ukrainian court has dismissed a charge against former President Leonid Kuchma of involvement in the murder of an opposition journalist twelve years ago on the grounds that secretly taped audio recordings were inadmissable.

It ruled the tapes had been acquired by illegal means and could not constitute acceptable evidence.

The prosecution had claimed one of the recordings indicated Kuchma had told officials to "deal with" Gerogiy Gongadze.
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Myroslava Gongadze Fight for Justice in Ukraine

Uploaded by on Oct 26, 2010
Myroslava Gongadze's husband Georgiy Gongadze, an investigative reporter on government corruption, had been kidnapped in September 2000; two months later his decapitated body was found lying in a forest outside Kiev. Leaked secret recordings linked then-President Leonid Kuchma and other top officials to the homicide, who are heard discussing ways to silence the muckraking journalist. But the tapes' authenticity was questioned, and none of the individuals on the recordings were ever brought to court.

This interview is part of Pulitzer Center-sponsored project "Journalism and Censorship in the Caucasus: Revisiting Stories Never Told" http://bit.ly/rQX8e0

France - Deadly fire in Marseille elderly care home: 6 dead and 15 injured

Published on Dec 14, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ Police in the southern French city of Marseille have begun an investigation into a deadly fire at an elderly care home.

Six people were killed and fifteen others injured when the blaze broke out overnight. Three people suffering from smoke inhalation are said to be in a serious condition.

Around 80 firefighters tackled the blaze and removed the victims. Local government officials say the outcome could have been worse without the rapid intervention of the emergency services.

Belgium - Liege gunman Nordine Amrani killed woman before city centre attack

Published on Dec 14, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ As Belgium comes to terms with Tuesday's deadly attack in Liege, prosecutors say the gunman shot dead a woman at a separate location before opening fire on Christmas shoppers in the city centre.

A woman's body was discovered at a warehouse used by Nordine Amrani, who killed three people, including a baby, in a gun and grenade attack before shooting himself. The scale of the tragedy has stunned the city.
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Neighbours of Liege attacker, Nordine Amrani, express their shock at

Uploaded by on Dec 14, 2011
As Belgians mourn the victims of the attack, neighbours of the gunman who killed five and injured at least 123 people before apparently killing himself have expressed their shock.

Canada - Bear gets stuck in a rubbish skip in Vancouver

Uploaded by on Dec 14, 2011
Vancouver residents are being warned to be "bear aware" after a big
bear was found inside a rubbish skip.