Search Results for: Spain

BY PAUL COCHRANE, IN BEIRUT

THE SYRIAN economy is in bad shape: sanctions have been slapped on the country by the United States and the European Union (EU), and the uprisings that began in March last year continue unabated. But while one of Syria’s main revenue earners – fossil fuel oil – has been affected by instability and international sanctions, its olive oil sector has had its best year ever harvest, estimated at 200,000 tonnes.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE FUTURE of the natural gas sector is guaranteed in any viable European Union (EU) energy mix, the European Commission has said in a major policy paper. In its ‘Energy Road Map 2050’, Brussels argues that gas is the relatively clean fuel that will buy the EU time to adopt new energy technologies.…

BY ALAN OSBORN

Tobacco stocks have long been regarded as a safe haven for small investors. But they are currently so stable, speculators shy away. In the long term, however, American investment advisors are warning that tobacco companies may not be such a great bet.…

BY ROBERT STOKES, IN MALAGA

The Spanish language Kindle was the bestselling product on the recently launched Amazon.es website throughout the holidays culminating on January 6, the main day for gift giving in Spain. Customers ordered more EUROS EUR 99 Kindles than any other product on its site, Amazon said.…

BY LEAH GERMAIN

THE EUROPEAN Commission is taking legal action against 14 European Union (EU) member states, it thinks are failing to protect egg laying hens against animal welfare abuses. According to the Commission, the countries have failed to comply with EU legislation that prohibits farmers from keeping egg-laying hens in confined, tiny cages smaller than 750 square centimetres.…

BY ROBERT STOKES

THIS is a watershed year for futures and options trading in commodities, including bio-based oils and fats. In America, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the official watchdog, has just been implementing new rules intended to make it harder for the system to be exploited by financial speculators driven solely by short-term profit motives.…

BY ROBERT STOKES

The Commission action was welcomed in Spain by the Federación de Gremios de Editores de España (FGEE), the Spanish publishers association: "In whatever case, we would like the Commission to investigate positions of market dominance and abuses by certain operators," said Antonio María Ávila, FGEE’s executive director.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

EUROPEAN Union (EU) researchers have overcome a major challenge in assessing the toxicity of nanoparticles to humans by identifying individual nanoparticles in cells. Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles – used in some sunscreens – are being assessed by the EU’s Hinamox project.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

RETAIL – WINNERS AND LOSERS

WINNERS

MARKS & SPENCER

Times may still be tough in its home British market, but M&S showed forward-thinking foresight in 2011- on sourcing transparency and the environment: potential key issues for future consumers.…

BY MEGAN DETRIE and KACI RACELMA

THE IMPACT of the Arab Spring revolution has rattled though North Africa, leaving no economic sector unscathed – including the personal care products industry. Despite the fact that the growth of the cosmetics markets in countries like Tunisia, Egypt and Libya remains limited in lieu of the year of demonstrations and political upheaval, efforts are currently being made to boost the industry.…