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27 EUROPEAN MARKETS: BUSINESS, POLITICS, CULTURE & EVENTS

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In this issue:

PORTO - CITY GUIDEFINLAND - COUNTRY REPORTALAIN DUCASSE - PROFILEITALY MILITARY CONTRACT - LAW

FLIRTING WITH MONARCHY

News 4 - 16Features

Porto, Capital of the North 17City Guide

Spain, Finland, Portugal, Estonia 18 - 21Country Reports

Three Flavours of Alain Ducasse 22European Business Profile

Cafe Majestic 23Great Cafes of Europe

The Italian Property Market 24European Investment Property

The Loftlands, Berlin 25 European Investment Property

Public Sector Contract Bidding 26European Law

Brussels Briefing 28European Lobby Report

Lifestyle Brands - Culti 30Innovative Brands Series

Gentlemen, Rogues and Spies, in Black Tie 36

News Briefs by Country 41 - 61

Events - Business & Cultural 62 - 63

In This Edition

European Business Express sources include Bloomberg News (BN), photography and data, Reuters News (RN) and photography, and information provided by additional news wires. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Vermelha Limited. European Business Express is a registered trade mark.

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Issue: April - May 2008

Contents:

Silvio Burlusconi

Jose Zapatero

Alain Ducasse

Fergal Creed

Peter Mandelson

Geoff Fulton

Nicholas Watts

3

COVER STORY:

Europe loves a monarch. Forget Paris. The real story’s in Chicago. Take a talented, ambitious young man, or woman, teach the star how to ‘Razzle, dazzle ‘em’, put them on a stage, cue lights, and you’ve got real po-litical action. Want a monarchy instead of a politician? Take the razzle-dazzle recipe and add foreign policy.

So when Carla Bruni-Sarkozy accompanied her husband to London recently, sat beside the Queen of Eng-land, and addressed a public meeting with the British Prime Minister’s wife, Carla trumped the resilient Roxy with a global display of pomp and new circumstance.

In the 21st Century, our tendency is to glamorise the ascendency of kings. In reality, European kings and queens acquired their thrones through bloody coups, and horrific wars. The Principality of Monaco, for example, was firmly established by the Grimaldis with a swift, ruthless assault on the region’s unfortunate rulers. Little more than a gang of Mafiosi, the Grimaldis created a tidy monarchy, which prospered with the noble trades of obscure finances and gambling – how very Gambino. Even some of the founders of the American constitution favoured a form of monarchy – every family needs a boss!

In France, a new monarchy has been born which could one day rival the Clinton staying power. Carla is the magician’s cloak, obscuring the failings of her prince, Sarko, for a time. Then watch as Sarko reinvigorates his presidency, rebuilds the political programme he set out.

Voltaire, the French philosopher and satirist, who lived close to the Élysée Palace, said: “Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination.” There is no doubt that Sarkozy experienced a natural attraction to Carla Bruni, but with such a canvas they have together begun embroidering the public imagina-tion. It seems that in today’s consumer-driven culture, we allow the creation not just of political dynasties, but of a new-style monarchy, ‘monarchy-lite’.

Europe is Flirting with a New Monarchy

O’Leary Waits in Departure Area

Michael OʼLeary has said his departure date as chief execu-tive officer of Ryanair Holdings Plc, Europeʼs biggest discount airline, is "a moveable feast," seeking to damp speculation that he might leave this year."Iʼve always said Iʼll leave within two or three years," OʼLeary said today at a

news conference in Dublin. "Eventually Iʼll be right." The 47-year-old former tax consul-tant joined the airline in 1988. "There are two things Iʼd like to have addressed before I think itʼs appropriate to go," said OʼLeary, who remarked at one point during the news conference he may go "on and on." "One, Iʼd like to sort out the Dublin airport monopoly,

and two, the regula-tory environment at Stansted airport," Ry-anairʼs main London base.

54

Wizz Air Strengthens Its Leadership in PolandWizz Air remains the largest low cost airline in Poland. In 2007 the airline carried 2.8 million passengers on its Pol-ish routes, 33% more that in 2006. The Company currently holds 35% of the Polish LCC market and its leadership will further strengthen in the course of the summer.

On a press conference in War-saw today the carrier said it was committed to a further growth in Poland and will achieve its goal through open-ing new routes and bases, increasing frequencies on ex-isting routes and putting more

aircraft into its Polish bases. As a matter of fact Wizz Air already committed 3 of its 6 brand new Airbus A320s to Katowice, Gdansk and Poznan. The Company will have 12 aircraft operating in Poland in 2008. By basing an aircraft in Poznan, Wizz Air will be open-ing its newest (7th) base on 31 January. As far as the route de-velopment is concerned, Wizz Air has already announced 14 new routes to be started in the first half of 2008. More news will be announced shortly.

‘Get Corporation Tax Lower’, Hears NI Assembly Committee

T he Institute of Char-tered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) has

called on the Assemblyʼs Fi-nance and Personnel Com-mittee to continue to pres-surise the British Government to grant Northern Ireland a reduced rate of corporation tax.

Giving evidence to the Committee the President of ICAI, Vincent Sheridan, said it was low corporate tax rates that provided the vital stimu-lus for foreign direct invest-ment in the Republic of Ire-land over the past decade and that foreign direct investment will be key in Northern Ire-land if the economy is to grow and reduce itʼs dependency on GB.

Addressing the Commit-tee, Mr Sheridan said: “ICAI contend that there are no sig-nificant legal or fiscal impedi-ments to the introduction of a 12.5% rate and that the Brit-ish Government should move now to provide Northern Ire-land with the means to grow its own economy."

Sharon Stone’s SorbonneUS actress, Sharon Stone delivers a speech during the annual forum cultural, economic, science and politics debates at the Sorbonne University in Paris.

Hogg Robinson Group (HRG), the interna-tional corporate ser-

vices company, has announced that Tunis-based Fides Voyages has joined the HRG worldwide network as its dedicated Partner in Tunisia.

Joining HRGʼs MEWA (Mid-dle East & West Asia) region, Fides Voyages will trade as HRG Tunisia. Founded in 1996

in recognition of the growing need to provide business travel related services in the country, Fides Voyages now focuses ex-clusively on corporate travel and events & meetings manage-ment. Tunisia is now looking to create additional opportunities for growth through broader pri-vatisation and increased foreign investment.

HRG Expands Corporate Services Into Tunisia

Norwegian based firm, Nimsoft, Inc., the “Big 4” alternative for

IT performance and availability monitoring solutions, has an-nounced that it has acquired In-dicative Software to add business service management (BSM) and end-user response time moni-toring capabilities to its widely accepted solutions for network monitoring, server monitoring, database monitoring, applica-tion monitoring and service level management (SLM). “As a cur-rent Indicative customer, we already benefit from a strong service delivery offering. The

m e r g e r brings to-gether two c o m p l e -m e n t a r y t e c h n o l o -gies and offers us the oppor-tunity to draw on a broader IT service delivery portfolio to meet our future requirements. We believe that the combined resources of Nimsoft and In-dicative will continue to deliver value to organizations such as ours and other enterprises,” said David Doherty, IS director of Easynet, an international net-works and hosting company.

Norway’s Nimsoft Acquires Indicative Software

Eamon Donaghy, ICAI

Spanish retail banking leader, Santander, was crowned Best Global

Retail Bank at the prestigious Retail Banker International Global Awards in London. Santander, which was nom-inated in six categories, also won the hotly contested award for M&A Deal of the Year. “Santander's performance as well as activities such as the strategic sale of Banca Anton-veneta in the aftermath of the ABN AMRO deal was truly outstanding in a year where many of its peers posted results ranging from flat to dire,” re-marked Hugh Fasken, Editor of Retail Banker International. Santander's profits were up 19 percent compared with 2006 and its focus on technology and cost controls has allowed it to

reduce its efficiency ratio to 44 percent. JP Morgan Chase, Standard Chartered and UniCredit, each won regional award for retail banking excellence while Ja-mie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase, received the award for CEO/Chairman of the Year. Di-mon was a convincing winner of the category even without the high-profile deal to acquire Bear Stearns, says Fasken. Un-der his stewardship, Fasken points out, Chase has performed well in a difficult year, notably avoiding the need to attract in-fusions of international capital to shore up its Tier 1 capital. The Retail Banker Interna-tional Awards honour innova-tion and leadership in the global retail banking industry.

Santander Crowned Best Global Retail Bank

Spain's 12 Year Inflation High by Ben Sills

Spain’s inflation rate in March rose to the highest in more than 12 years on record oil prices and rising food costs. Consumer prices gained 4.6 percent from a year ago using the European Union’s calculation method, the Madrid-based National Sta-tistics Institute said in an e-mailed statement today.

A surge in oil and food prices is driving up inflation across Europe even as economic growth cools. European Central Bank governing council member Axel We-ber described price gains across the euro region at the beginning of April as "alarm-ing." The price of crude oil touched a record $111.80 a barrel in New York on March 17. Droughts in Australia, Canada and the Ukraine are pushing up the price of food commodities including wheat and soybeans.

Spain’s economic growth is set to slow to 2.7 percent this year from 3.8 percent in 2007, according to the European Commission.

“Did you miss me?”

Silvio’s back, just in case you didn’t know. Following the collapse of Italian Premier, Romano Prodi’s coali-tion, Berlusconi, ‘The Hair Apparent’, con-tinued with his march back to power; not that he’d ever really been out of power.

6

Invest Northern Ireland today welcomed plans by Belfast based shirtmakers Smyth

& Gibson, to expand into new export markets with the help of a new online bespoke shirtmak-ing service developed as part of a £500,000 investment.

The 22 year old firm is al-ready renowned for high quality shirtmaking cen-tred at its store on Bed-ford Street in Belfast. It has now developed a new custom grade shirt facility which will be launched online to cus-tomers around the world on 1st November and is expected to double turn-over by 2009.

Invest NI has been working closely with the company which recently established a specialised Smyth & Gibson shirtmaking facility in the North West, a move that has expanded the firmʼs workforce of highly skilled seamstresses

to meet increasing market de-mand.

Richard Gibson, Founder of Smyth & Gibson said: “The Made-to-Measure and Custom Grade facilities are a new ele-ment of our unique, high qual-ity product offering. It allows customers to enjoy the luxury of

a bespoke product at an afford-able price.

“We take the measurements of each individual customer – often travelling to their home or place

of work. They can then choose the design and fabric as well as cuff and collar options so the shirt is unique to them. The final handmade product is delivered within two weeks, with personal details held on file to facilitate repeat orders.

“Building on the success of these product offerings, the new online ordering system, developed in association with Tibus, will take elements of our custom services to clients around the world.”

www.smythandgib-son.com will open up new export markets particularly in Great Britain and the Repub-lic of Ireland, whilst s t r eng then ing the

Smyth & Gibson brand. In ad-dition, more than 1500 ready to wear products will be available to worldwide customers.

Trampoline Systems launches world’s first organisational intelligence and diagnostics tool

Trampoline Systems, the enter-prise social computing pioneer, today announces SONAR Flight-deck, the worldʼs first organisa-tional intelligence and diagnos-tics tool for managers. SONAR Flightdeck provides strategic intelligence about the informal networks that power organisa-tions so managers can make bet-ter, more informed decisions, faster. It brings groundbreaking network analysis techniques to business managers to expose the

social networks and information flows contained within everyday electronic communications.

Charles Armstrong, Chief Exec-utive Officer of Trampoline Sys-tems, says, “SONAR Flightdeck extends the scope of Enterprise Social Computing by bringing the specialised techniques of or-ganisational network analysis to business users."

"It derives vital intelligence from the millions of fragments of electronic information flow-ing around an organisation and presents it in interactive visu-alisations. SONAR Flightdeck reveals the strategic insight that has long been locked inside ev-eryday communications.”

Smyth & Gibson are one of only a few hand-made shirt makers still manufacturing in the UK

Smyth & Gibson Gets Shirty

Valence Technology has announced it has entered into a contract

with The Tanfield Group Plc (LSE: TAN) to manufacture and supply safe, Lithium Phos-phate energy storage systems to power zero emission, all-electric commercial delivery vehicles. The Valence battery systems will be installed in leading-edge vans and trucks produced by Tanfieldʼs UK-based trad-ing division, Smith Electric Vehicles, the worldʼs largest manufacturer of electric vans and trucks.The company has its headquar-ters in Austin, Texas, and facili-ties in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mal-lusk, Northern Ireland and Su-zhou, China. Under the agree-ment, Tanfield will purchase up to $70 million of Valence products in the contractʼs first

phase and Valence has already received a firm purchase order for the first calendar quarter. The agreement will also result in Tanfield becoming the first volume customer for Valenceʼs third generation Lithium Phos-phate EpochTM technology, a battery system equipped with an advanced management sys-tem that monitors and automati-cally adjusts cell performance so battery packs operate at their optimum performance capacity. Epoch benefits include a fail-soft capability that is designed to eliminate system failure caused by a single cell.

Valence Technology Signs Zero Emission Supply Agreement

The logo for World Trade Centre Belfast was re-vealed recently at an event hosted by Belfast City Council, the license hold-ers for the WTC Belfast brand. Designed by local company Albino Brand-ing and Design, the logo reflects the aspirations of World Trade Centre Belfast to support the growth of world class companies from the region.

New World Trade

Centre Initiative

Launched

8

BlueBiz, KLM’s Corporate Loyalty Program, Welcomes 25,000th Member

KLM BlueBiz program manager Joanne Oram re-cently welcomed JF Prior Consult to the BlueBiz pro-gram - the enrolment of the 25,000th company. More than 2,500 UK companies have now joined the BlueBiz program, which is active in over 60 countries worldwide.

Paul Rombeek, director of KLM Customer Relation-ship Management said: “It really is fantastic to welcome the 25,000th member within five years of BlueBiz ̓launch. More and more companies

that fly regularly with KLM or participating partners are finding their way to BlueBiz, which allows them to earn free flights for their com-pany.”

For more info: www.klm.com/bluebiz

Qualcomm recently announced that it will be integrating state of the art Teliris telepresence technology into its R&D program to help drive employee collaboration, pro-

ductivity and efficiency. The trial program, which will utilise Telirisʼs VirtuaLiveTM

Modular Systems, is designed to foster deeper integration and in-creased communication between engineers at its headquarters and research facilities.

Barbara Noerenberg, vice president of corporate R&D program management, Qualcomm, comments, “Research and development are cornerstones of Qualcommʼs long history of technology inno-vation, and collaboration among our various remote locations has been an important part of our success.

“Teliris ̓ telepresence solutions provide us with a new layer of communications that will help us bridge the geographic gaps and work more closely across our offices.”

Qualcomm Driving Collaboration, Productivity and Efficiency via Telepresence

Frankfurt Airtec Attracts UK Aero-space Delegates

Key players in the aero-space sector will participate in AIRTEC, a major aerospace trade show in Frankfurt on 23-26 October.

Eight firms and represen-tatives from the Northern Ireland Technology Centre

at Queenʼs University Belfast will participate in AIRTEC, a major aerospace trade show in Frankfurt on 23-26 Octo-ber. During the show, local business people and academ-ics will have meetings with key potential customers and industry influencers.

For more information: www.airtec.aero/english/the-airtec/index.html

A New Welcome to George Best

Welcome Centre Travel Advisor Sarah Gibson was

offering a warm welcome to visitors arriving at the George

Best Belfast City Airport at the launch of the airport’s new

tourist information centre along with Kieran Rogan, Chairman

of the Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau, Councillor Michael

Browne, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Development

Committee, Tom McGrath, NITB Chairman and George Best

Belfast City Airport Chief Executive, Brian Ambrose at the

opening of the new tourist information centre.

The new information centre is being run by the Belfast Visitor

and Convention Bureau and is designed to welcome visitors

as soon as they step off the plane with tourist information,

assistance with onward travel arrangements, accommodation

and event bookings and advice on dining out.

Above: KLM BlueBiz, program manager Joanne Oram recently welcomes JF Prior Consult to the BlueBiz program.

The trial program, which will utilise Teliris’s VirtuaLiveTM Modular Systems, is designed to foster deeper integration and increased communication between engineers at its headquarters and research facilities.

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10

Hunt&Palmer, one of the worldʼs leading providers of air charter

solutions is reporting a peak in executive jet bookings, follow-

ing the announcement of £7 bil-lion in bonuses in London City and Canary Wharf. From a weekend heli-skiing in Chamonix combined with a dose of winter sun onboard a luxury yacht in St Tropez, Hunt&Palmer is well positioned to provide bespoke tailor-made

itineraries. This is possible through their unparalleled ac-cess to a huge range of mod-ern wide-bodied luxury jets, private yachts and exclusive villas. “The City Bonus payout pe-riod is always a peak time for us and we are accustomed to dealing with lavish requests as individuals seek to outdo their peers,” commented Jamie Mar-tin, Hunt&Palmer Director of Corporate Development. More information: www.hunt-andpalmer.com

Zapatero Depletes Surplus as Housing Shakeout Reduces EU Growth

Reporting by Ben SillsMiguel Angel Lopez and Vir-

ginia Pardo watched the steady rise of interest rates last year as they expected their first child and wondered whether they would be able to keep up with the mortgage on their two-bed-room Madrid apartment.

Then the government intro-duced a 2,500 euro ($3,947) payment for each newborn, the first in a series of benefits and

tax breaks aimed at cushion-ing the impact as Europeʼs big-gest housing boom shudders to a halt. Permits to build new homes, which peaked in 2006 at 734,978, two-thirds more than Germany and the U.K. together, will drop to 500,000 this year from 675,000 in 2007, accord-ing to Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, Spainʼs No. 2 lender.

"Lots of people may have to stop paying their mortgages if rates keep increasing," says Pardo, a 29-year-old home-maker whose husband makes about 1,000 euros a month as a

warehouse manager. "This will give us room to breathe," she says, cradling their 2-day-old daughter, Ainhoa.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Ro-driguez Zapatero, whose So-cialist Party retained control of parliament in March 9 elec-tions, is increasing government spending to avoid a real estate fire sale. In a country with an 86 percent home ownership rate, highest in the 15-nation euro region, the collapsing housing market is already slowing the economy. Growth will dwindle to 2.5 percent this year from 3.8 percent in 2007.

City Bonus Boost Sees Private Jet Bookings Soar

Number of Property Millionaires Almost Doubled in Three Years

According to the latest re-search from Hamptons Inter-national, one of the UKʼs pre-mier residential estate agents, the number of its UK property millionaires has nearly doubled in the last three years. Figures reveal that 21% of properties were sold in excess of £1mil-lion during 2008 (year to date), compared to just 12% in 2006.

In addition, whilst the num-ber of property millionaires in London remains high overall, a year-on-year comparison across UK regions reveals a lower per-centage rise in the number of new London property million-aires. The West Country has witnessed the greatest increase in the number of applicants seeking properties over £1mil-lion, with almost two and a half times (134%) as many appli-cants in Q1 2008, compared to the first quarter of 2007. The Hamptons research compares the number of millionaires across its network since 2006 year-on-year and identifies the top millionaire ʻhotspotsʼ.

Above: MKB Russells Solicitors has just announced the appointment of Catherine Laird to its senior legal team.Catherine Laird has recently been appointed as a solicitor within the firm’s expanding litigation de-partment. She graduated from the University of Dundee in 2002 with a LLB Honours Degree and was admitted as a solicitor of the Su-preme Court of Judicature in North-ern Ireland in September 2006.

Laird Makes MKB Senior Team

Mimix Wins Satellite SuccessMimix Broadband has se-cured major export success following an investment of almost £700,000 backed by Invest Northern Ireland.

Research and Development support from Invest NI helped the company, formerly known as Celeritek UK, to develop a range of high-tech power amplifiers for use in satellite phones. The company has also secured sales of vari-ous power amplifiers to other major telecoms firms, includ-ing Siemens, Ericsson and Alcatel.

The power amplifiers are small electronic components that enable satellite phones to work in any part of the world, linking them to a network of orbiting satellites. Satellite phones are primarily used in parts of the world where con-ventional mobile phones can-not operate and are used by a diverse range of customers.

More information: www.mimix-broadband.com

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spain’s prime minister, celebrates with sup-porters after winning the general elec-tion in Madrid, Spain, in March. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was reelected Spanish prime minister after promis-ing tax cuts and increased benefits to voters facing rising unemployment and slower economic growth. Photo: Markel Redondo/Bloomberg

12

HRG Report Shows Strong Hotel Growth

Despite difficult market con-ditions and ongoing concerns over the global credit crunch, Hogg Robinson Group (HRG)’s full year hotel survey reports strong rate growth in 2007 across key global cities. Re-flecting the increasing impor-tance of the emerging econo-mies, Moscow was highlighted as the most expensive desti-nation worldwide for the third consecutive year, with the Rus-sian capital posting a stagger-ing 93% rise in average hotel rates since 2004.

Other trends noted by the international corporate services company include:• US market reported mixed results, in part due to weak dollar exchange rate and economic concerns, particu larly in the last quarter. New York retained its position as the second most expensive city worldwide • All international markets outside the US demonstrated steady average room rate growth • India continues to exhibit exceptional growth potential with its financial capital Mumbai achieving a 37% average room rate increase - the highest of any city surveyed • Some companies are adding serviced apartments to their accommodation mix as an option for long stays with the average length of stay standing at 7.25 nights in 2007

Lucid Interactive Limited, a Derry city-based spe-cialist in multi-channel

retail systems, is investing al-most £250,000 in a new business plan to expand sales in export markets. The expansion is be-ing assisted by Invest Northern Ireland.

The investment was an-nounced by Brendan Doherty, Lucid Interactive Managing Di-rector.

The company currently em-ploys five software developers.

Outlining the expansion, Mr Doherty said: "Sellernet is the only system on the market that enables retailers to manage and sell their products in market-places such as eBay, Amazon and Play.com as well as their

own websites and has the added advan-tage of a com-prehensive re-tail system to manage cus-tomers ̓ tradi-tional bricks and mortar re-tail outlets.

"These mar-ketplaces and c u s t o m e r s ̓own websites provide re-tailers with a much needed boost in unit sales, whilst our unique intelligent pricing component automati-cally compares our customers ̓product prices with competitors ̓

prices in multiple marketplaces and re-prices products to ensure the highest sales levels at the op-timal margin."

Ritz-Carlton Launches Short Films At Electric Cinema

In an innovative joint part-nership, The Ritz-Carlton and American Express are

launching a trio of short films to reach a new demographic of Ritz-Carlton consumers. The films are written and filmed by Anonymous Content; the studio that produced hit movies Ba-bel and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The films aim to contemporise and bring rele-vance to The Ritz-Carlton brand by working in the innovative me-dium of film.

The Ritz-Carlton is the first hotel company to debut short films and will tie the movies to unique experiential travel offers and packages from American

Express. Directed by rising star Shyam Madiraju, the first film can be viewed currently online, with the second and third films to be posted on 1st April and 1st June, respectively, with comple-mentary packages synchronized to run for the period over which each film is highlighted on www.ritzcarltonfilms.com.

The films will be shown on in-room televisions, the Ameri-can Express website and through www.ritzcarltonfilms.com. They include: “Heads or Tails” (two very competitive men get into an escalating game of one-up-manships, with an outcome that neither expected) “The Delay” (a woman s̓ delayed flight causes her to miss the concert of favou-rite singer/songwriter, Duncan Sheik. Fate, however, makes it a night to remember). “Last Night” (a manʼs last night before his w e d d i n g i n c l u d e s an encoun-ter with a beautiful, m y s t e r y woman).

Multi-Channel Exports for Lucid Interactive

Italy’s national statistics office said industrial output there de-clined in February as the wors-ening economic outlook choked demand for manufactured prod-ucts.

At the same time, inflation in the euro region will accelerate to 2.8 percent this year before slowing to 1.9 percent next year, just below the European Cen-tral Bank’s 2 percent target, the Washington-based institution also said.

However, Industrial produc-tion in France unexpectedly climbed for a third month in February on higher consumer spending and record exports.

Production at factories and utilities, which accounts for 15 percent of the economy, rose 0.3 percent from January, when it gained a revised 0.6 percent, the national statistics bureau, Insee, said today in Paris. Econ-omists expected no change, the median of 25 forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey showed.

Italy’s Output Slowed

Sellernet is the only system on the market that en-ables retailers to manage and sell their products in marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon and Play.com aswell as their own websites.

14

GE Money Chief Cary Pursues Growth in Poland, India By Rachel Layne

General Electric Co. is divesting consumer-finance businesses in the U.K. and Germany and selling its U.S. corporate credit-card unit to concentrate on higher-margin areas and developing markets, GE Moneyʼs chief executive said. "This is a thoughtful effort to really, aggressively look at where we make money, where we donʼt and where we should have capital re-deployed," said William Cary. GE recently agreed to sell its corporate charge card unit to American Express Co. for $1.1 billion. It also agreed to swap GE Money units in Germany and the U.K. to Spainʼs Banco Santander SA in exchange for Italian commercial lender Interbanca, which is valued at 1 billion euros ($1.58 billion).

Unique healthcare tech-nology is being devel-oped by NovaUCD firm BiancaMed at its new R&D centre in Belfast.

I nvest NI has offered £250,000 towards the set up of the research and

development centre at the Queenʼs University, Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT).

BiancaMedʼs core product is a unique wireless sensor that can detect breathing and heart rate up to a distance of two me-tres. The first application for the technology is a baby mon-itor, but it will be developed further for use in other applica-tions with life-saving potential, such as home health and exer-cise monitors. The technology

will be launched at the 2007 Connected Health Symposium, a major US international life sciences event, organised by Partners Healthcare, Boston, from 22-23 October.

John Thompson Invest NIʼs Director of Innovation, Re-search and Technology, says; “This innovative technology has the potential to add signifi-cant momentum to the drive in modern healthcare towards ef-fective care management for chronic diseases. Through direct application to products as well as licensing it to other companies, BiancaMed has the potential to access a global mar-ket for its unique technology.”

Biancamed is headquartered at NovaUCD the Innovation and Technology Transfer Cen-tre at UCD.

Europe Get Ready! Bartering Set To Boost Bottom Line

Bartercard Australia was, at one stage, pro-cessing more individ-

ual transactions than Ameri-can Express and Diners Card combined – and looks set to take the European market by storm, with a shift in strate-gic direction to concentrate on more familiar shores.

Bartercard International has sold its inaugural Austra-lian operation as a Licence op-eration for $25.5 million, after

building it up to 58 offices and 25,000 businesses as members. New age bartering was first introduced into Australia in 1991, following a recession that hit the country, and Barter-card was established. Within two years it was dubbed the 'Recession Buster'.

Since launching its inter-national license program 10 years ago, Bartercard now op-erates in 12 countries across Asia and the Middle East. The next two license operations to commence are India and South Africa. For more information: www.bartercard.com

Bartercard is used by 250,000 businesses worldwide. It was dubbed the 'Recession Buster'

BiancaMed Develops Unique Healthcare Technology

William Cary, CEO, GE Money

Conjungo Search Engine Launched For Business Technologies

Technology supplier search engine, Conjungo, was of-ficially launched to radically reduce online search times for companies looking for local or specialist suppliers of busi-ness technologies. Conjungo, from the Latin meaning ‘to unite’, already has well over 15,000 technol-ogy suppliers listed. It is set to become the first port of call for anyone trying to find business technology suppliers, particu-larly small and medium-sized business owners .

"Conjungo does exactly what vertical search should do – deliver meaningful results."

The Conjungo Team celebrate the launch of their new supplier search engine

Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Visits NI

1716

D utch Foreign Trade Minister Heemskerk a n d A m b a s s a d o r

Waldeck recently visited North-ern Ireland.

Minister Heemskerk was the first Dutch politician to visit Northern Ireland after the new regional government took of-fice in May 2007 and he was ac-companied by the largest group of Dutch industrialists (25) ever to visit the region.

The Ministerial delegation and Dutch companies availed of the newly launched Aer Lin-

gus direct route between Am-sterdam and Belfast, and were shuttled to Stormont Buildings in a Wrightbus double deck bus – in itself an example of NI-NL cooperation.

The visit to Stormont in-cluded meetings with First Minister Ian Paisley, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuin-ness and counterpart Minister Nigel Dodds of the Department of Economy, Trade and Invest-ment who briefed the delega-tion on economic progress in the province.

Minister Heemskerk was the keynote speaker at the North-ern Ireland Netherlands Trade and Export Society New Years Dinner at Hillsborough Castle which celebrated Trade Partner-ships developed between North-ern Ireland and the Netherlands over the last number of years. The dinner, hosted by Ambas-sador Waldeck, was attended by 70 Dutch and Northern Irish businesses directly involved in bilateral trade between the two regions.

American Express Business Travel’s ‘Loves and Hates’ Survey Despite growing environ-mental concerns and ad-vances in communications technology, American Ex-press Business Travel reveals that for many European

employees, business travel remains an integral part of working life. American Ex-press Business Travelʼs latest ʻLoves and Hates ̓survey re-vealed that 93% of frequent travellers expect to travel on business as frequently, if not more than they did in 2007. Whereas ten years ago business travel was per-haps considered the reserve of board directors and high flying executives, it has now become much less of a status symbol and more a corporate necessity in order to attend training (46%), conferences and seminars (46%) and con-duct client meetings across the globe (43%). The survey further ex-

plores what motivates busi-ness travellers and what they like and dislike about travel-ling in general. It also reveals the truth about corporate travel policy and compliance. The findings are from a sur-vey of 500 European business travellers, conducted by inde-pendent research company, Loudhouse. Travel Broadens The Mind Almost two thirds (63%) of business travellers admit they enjoy travelling on business and interestingly satisfac-tion levels rise amongst those who travel abroad more fre-quently, with 76% of people who fly more than ten times a year claiming to relish the experience.

O nline and mobile payments special-ist, Upaid, has an-

nounced the formation of its Unified Development Group. The new endeavour brings together the companyʼs ex-isting technical development groups, currently based in the UK, France and Brazil. The Brazil-based Unified Development Group will pro-vide streamlined, efficient

and rationalized development operations to customers and business partners worldwide. Account management and customer support operations for Upaidʼs European, Mid-dle East and Africa business will remain centred in the UK or in-country.

For more information: www.upaid.net.

The principal urban centre of north-ern Portugal and the countryʼs sec-ond largest city, Oporto is well-

known for its exquisite cultural heritage. On a daily basis, more than a million people make this bustling “capital of the north” their workplace, which adds a very special vitality and energy to the city. After its year of being designated Euro-pean Capital of Culture, the city of Oporto continues to attract international tourists thanks to its architectural jewel, the Casa da Música, a unique and magnificent concert hall which is part of that privileged circuit of distinguished cultural landmarks that cannot be missed. The brainchild of Rem Koolhaas and erected in the Boavista neighbourhood of the city, this astounding and exceptional mod-ern building is reminiscent of a diamond in the rough, with its large irregular sides and smooth surfaces. Without question, the Casa da Música has become a must for any visitor to the north of Portugal. The space itself will fascinate not only those who love music, but those who are passionate about architecture. The Casa da Música blends together superior technical and acoustical con-ditions and is the heir to the musical traditions of the city of Oporto begun at the end of the 19th century, offering a multifaceted series of programmes of great notoriety. Should you have some time and wish to acquaint yourself with what Porto has to offer, we suggest a one day tour through the Historical Centre.

Begin in the shopping area whose hall-mark is the Rua de Santa Catarina (street). In this area you will find a large and varied selection of shops, some of which are of Art Nouveau architectural style. Of these, be sure to appreciate the greatest achievement of this artistic movement; the Café Mages-tic. Here you can drink a “cimbalino”, the name given a traditional coffee, and taste the cityʼs confectionery. Descend the Avenida dos Aliados (ave-nue) where you should not miss the Câmara Municipal (Municipal Council Hall) of an architectural style dating from the begin-ning of the 20thC. Descend towards the Ribeira (riverbank) by the Escadas das Verdades (The Steps of the Truths) from which you can observe a notable view of the Ponte Dom Luís (bridge). Then walk through the Barredo quarter.

The Casa do Infante, an archaeological cen-tre and museum in a building with mediae-val foundations, is an obligatory stop. It was where the great impeller of the Portuguese Discoveries, Prince Henry the Navigator, was born in 1394. In the Centro Regional de Artes Tradicionais (Regional Centre of Traditional Arts) in the very heart of the Ribeira, you can acquaint yourself with the handicrafts of the north. Then climb up to the Praça Infante Dom Henrique (square) to visit the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace). In Rua Ferreira Borges (street) you will find the old market building, now an exhi-bition hall whose ironwork architecture is worthy of admiration. End your tour by climbing the 240 steps of the Torre dos Clérigos, one of the view-ing points that provides one with a global view of the mediaeval city.

"On a daily basis, more than a million people make this bustling “capital of the north” their workplace."

Porto City Guide

Maria Conway has been appointed to MKB Russells Solicitors senior legal team.Maria Conway has recently been appointed a Partner in the firm. She specialises in all property mat-ters with a particular interest in the acquisition and leasing of licensed premises. A past student of both the University of Ulster and Queens University Belfast, she was admit-ted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Northern Ireland in May 2005 and holds a First Class Honours degree in Law and Government.

Conway Gains Legal Appointment

Upaid Opens New Technical Development Centre

Europe’s Inflation, Labor-Costs AccelerateEuropean consumer prices and wages rose more than econo-mists forecast, leaving the European Central Bank with little room to lower interest rates.

Consumer-price inflation Labor cost indexyear-over-year change year-over-year change

0.0

MF F 4Q 4Q3Q‘07‘07 ‘08 ‘06

2Q1QMA A S O N D JJ J

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5%

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0%

Launched to coincide with the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon by the European Unionʼs 27 member states - this campaign promotes Portugal as a whole, including its tourism and cultural offer, exports, investment attraction, technical capacity, innovation and creative force. Café Savoy

1918

Finland

People shop in a KappAhl store in Helsinki, Finland. KappAhl Holding AB, a Nordic clothes retailer, plans to buy rival Lindex AB for 7.01 billion kronor ($1.03 billion), creating a company with 589 stores across Sweden, Norway and Finland and estab-lishing entry to the Baltic states. Photo: Päivi Väyrynen / Bloomberg

The Ruukki sign hangs out-side the Rautaruukki offices in Helsinki, Finland. Rautaruukki Oyj, Finland's biggest carbon-steel maker, dropped the most in more than two months in Helsinki trading after reporting third-quarter profit below analysts' forecasts. Source: Risto Laine/Ruukki via Bloomberg News

The Nokia 6300 phone displayed at the Nokia news conference in Helsinki, Finland. BYD and rivals including Foxconn International Holdings Ltd. won more orders from Nokia last year, as the Finnish company farms out more production of casings and key-pads. Photo: Henrik Kettunen/Bloomberg News

The newly built ski jump is reflected in the goggles as Finland's Janne Ahonen as he prepares for the first practice jump for the second event of the Four-Hills ski jumping tournament in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Inflation according to the national measure has risen to an esti-mated average of 2.6% in 2006, driven in part by higher housing costs, but economists expect the rate to ease back towards 2%REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Baltic Exchange Steel Yourself Downloading Contracts Slippery Slope

“In Finland, seasons mark the progress of the year with strik-ing conspicuousness. Summer is so important that almost the entire country 'shuts down' for the five or six weeks that follow Midsummer, in late June...”

Forest cover about 75 per cent of Finland, while bodies of water - mainly lakes - cover almost 10 per cent. Finland is the most heavily forested country in Europe, with 23 million hectares under forest cover. There are approximately 190,000 lakes and about 180,000 islands.

Since the start of the 21st cen-tury Finland has topped the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) competitiveness rankings three times. It has also reaped rewards for educational achievement, coming first in the OECD’s PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) rankings of youth learning skills and educa-tional attainment.

The core of the Finnish knowl-edge economy is the Nokia-driv-en ICT cluster. This cluster com-prises about 6000 firms, including 300 first-tier subcontractors of Nokia, responsible for digital content provision and packing via network infrastructure, equipment manufacturing and operation to end-user terminals and portals.

Benecol, the cholesterol-cut-ting margarine produced by the Raisio Group, is an example of successful collaboration between academic and private sector research. Professor Tatu Miettinen and his team developed a plant-derived stanol capable of significantly reducing human cho-lesterol levels.

Geography Competitiveness Knowledge Economy Innovation

Helsinki

"Digital Chocolate has 60% of its developers in Finland where the sun never sets in the summer and there is nothing to do outside in the winter, so we are very productive!" - Trip Hawkins

To contribute to European Business Express, contact our editorial team:Tel: + 44 (0) 28 9043 6677, or Email: [email protected] to European Business Express magazine and supplements: /subscribe.asp

SpainMadrid

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero gives a speech in the southern village of Almonte.

Despite the economy's relative solid footing significant downside risks remain including Spain's continued loss of competitiveness, the potential for a housing market collapse, the country's changing demographic profile, and a decline in EU structural funds.

This year, a decade-long prop-erty boom is coming to an end, which will lead to a more general

economic slowdown and have adverse effects on the public finances. The government ac-counts have been strongly in sur-plus, but are likely to deteriorate because of an expansionary fiscal policy and weaker revenue growth as the economy slows.

Although Spanish companies will continue to be acquisitive abroad, the government will remain inclined to lean on regulatory authorities to impede any further attempts by foreign companies to take over national champions.REUTERS/Javier Barbancho

A program broadcast by the channel Cuatro is shown on tele-visions for sale in an electronics store in Bilbao. Promotora de Informaciones SA, Spain's largest publicly traded media company, offered 2 billion euros ($2.87 bil-lion) for the 53 percent stake it doesn't own in Sogecable SA, the nation's biggest pay-television operator. Photo: Markel Redondo/Bloomberg News.

Fernando Conte, chairman and chief executive officer of Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA reacts during celebrations of Iberia's 80th anniversary, at Cuatro Vientos aerodrome, near Madrid, Spain. Iberia, Spain's biggest airline, said passen-ger traffic rose 5.2 percent in November compared with a year earlier, boosted by services to Latin America. Photo: Daniel Sanchez/Bloomberg News

Positive, And Negative Here's Looking At You Come Fly With Me

Following his election victory, Zapatero lived up to his prom-ise to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq. He also embarked on significant labour and economic reforms, which have led to a drop in unemployment. Social reforms have been no less radical and modernisation of central relations with the autonomous communi-ties continues.

Unemployment fell steadily under the AZNAR administration but remains high at 8.1%. Growth averaging 3% annually during 2003-06 was satisfactory given the background of a faltering European economy.

The Socialist president, Zapatero, has made mixed progress in car-rying out key structural reforms, which need to be accelerated and deepened to sustain Spain's strong economic growth.

Major industries: agriculture, fishing, construction, wine, cement, chemicals, engineer-ing, petroleum refining, for-estry and timber, iron and steel automobiles,textiles, telecommu-nications

Major trading partners: EU, Japan, Latin America.

"In Spain there's the king - and then there's Antonio." Melanie Griffith

“Despite the economy's relative solid footing significant down-side risks remain including Spain's continued loss of competitiveness...”

To advertise with European Business Express, contact our sales team: Tel: + 44 (0) 28 9043 6677, or Email: [email protected] Subscribe to European Business Express magazine and supplements: /subscribe.asp

Reform Unemployment Mixed Progress Risks

2120

Juhan Parts, Estonia's minister of economic affairs and com-munications, speaks in his office in Tallinn, Estonia. Estonia's fast wage growth has erased the Baltic country's competitive edge of low labor costs, and will force it to invest more in education and technology, Parts said earlier this year. Photo: Timur Nisametdinov/Bloomberg

Vladimir Putin, Russia's presi-dent, returns to an official group dialogue sessions on day seven of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Sydney. Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the European Union to crack down on the "glorification of Nazis'' in Estonia and Latvia, two former Soviet republics that joined the bloc in 2004. Photo:Jack Atley/Bloomberg News

IIvari Padar, the Estonian finance minister, poses in his office in Tallinn, Estonia. Estonia's econ-omy expanded an annual 11.2 percent in 2006, the second-fast-est in the European Union, led by private consumption. Photo: Timur Nisametdinov/Bloomberg

John Bennett, investment direc-tor at GAM UK Ltd., poses in London, U.K.. Bennett, who over-sees GAM's $1.1 billion European Equity Hedge Fund, says stock prices in developing economies are rising too quickly and the first markets to burst will be those of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg News

Fast Wage Growth Nazis Glory Condemned Private Consumption Surge

Bubble Bursting Point

“Finland 18.4%, Sweden 12.4%, Latvia 8.9%, Russia 8.1%, US 5.5%, Germany 5.1%, Lithuania 4.8%, Gibraltar 4.7%” - Export Partners, 2006

With a flat-rate income tax, a balanced budget maintained by law, virtually no custom tariffs, a currency board system, 100% profit repatriation and foreign ownership of land, Estonia is one of the most successful, business-friendly and rapidly developing countries not only in all of the Eastern and Central Europe

After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained indepen-dence in 1918. Forcibly incorpo-rated into the USSR in 1940. It regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been economically free. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

Chief of State: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006).

Head of Government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005).

Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament.

The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecom-munications sectors and is great-ly influenced by developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading partners. The current account deficit remains high; however, the state budget is essentially in balance, and public debt is low.

Business Environment History Executive Economy

EstoniaTallinn

"I don't understand those wanna-be Maris Lauris and Hardo Pajulas (fore-most analysts) who say that Estonia is no longer an attractive investment country. That it doesn't pay to invest in Estonia, but it's worth investing in Romania. It makes me scratch my head and ask why they continue invest-ing in Finland and in Luxembourg." Andrus Ansip - current Prime Minister of Estonia


PortugalLisbon

Portugal has been at the forefront of an accord between the EU and African leaders pledging closer cooperation in addressing pover-ty, countering terrorism and pro-moting good governance. In 2007 the government made substantial progress in restructuring minis-tries and departments, although resistance from public-sector trade unions and from within the civil service has meant that public spending is above target, largely because of higher than expected personnel costs.Photo: Suzanne Plunkett/Bloomberg News

Slovenia's Foreign Affairs Minister Dimitrij Rupel (R) receives a European Union flag from his Portuguese counterpart Luis Amado (L) during a ceremony in Funchal on Madeira island. Slovenia heads the European Union presidency from January, until France takes over in July '08. REUTERS/Duarte Sa

Portugal's soccer coach Luis Felipe Scolari of Brazil gestures during an "Aspire Africa. Football Dreams" news conference at the Aspire Academy of Sports Excellence in Doh. "Aspire Africa. Football Dreams" is a football tal-ent search project that provides African students from seven nations with a chance to study and train. REUTERS/ Mohammad Youssef

Portugal's Prime Minister Jose Socrates addresses parliament members about the EU-Treaty at the Portuguese parliament in Lisbon. Portugal will ratify the Treaty of Lisbon to reform EU institutions in parliament and not through a referendum, Prime Minister Socrates.

Jose Socrates, will continue to make some progress with imple-menting a wide-ranging reform programme to raise growth pros-pects and reduce the fiscal deficit.REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Swap Shop I Have One Already Felipe's 'X' Factor "... And The Tiger Said..."

Over the past two decades, suc-cessive governments have priva-tised many state-controlled firms and liberalised key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors.

Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of the 1990s, but fell back in 2001-06. GDP per capita stands at roughly two-thirds of the EU-27 average. A poor educational system, in particular, has been viewed an obstacle to greater productivity and growth.

Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct investment. The budget deficit surged to an all-time high of 6% of GDP in 2005 but was reduced to 4.6% in 2006.

On taking office in 2005 Prime Minister Socrates, outlined his key priorities as promot-ing growth and innovation, and tackling unemployment, social exclusion and poverty. Tough goverment spending decisions were required to keep Portugal with the Eurozone's 3%-of-GDP ceiling. A successful tenure of EU presidency has helped.

Liberalisation Growth and Education Country Country

"This is how everyone has to begin, men who have never known a woman, women who have never known a man, until the day comes for the one who knows to teach the one who does not" - Jose Saramago, Portuguese novelist and man of let-ters, 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature

“When Napoleon's army threatened Portugal, the Royal Family fled to Brazil and ruled from Rio de Janeiro where they remained for 14 years. The French were ex-pelled in 1811, with the help of the English...”


2322

Getting There

Rua Santa Catarina, 112-4000-442 PORTO

Telf. 22 200 3887 / Fax 22 208 7672 E-mail: [email protected]

www.cafemajestic.com

Café Majestic Porto

When one of the most-celebrated names in food opens a restaurant in a luxurious setting, itʼs rea-

sonable to expect memorable dining. Alain Ducasse did that three times in three months, and for the most part, he delivers.

Adour at the St. Regis Hotel in New York is the newest. Located in a 1904 beaux-arts landmark that overlooks Fifth Avenue, it opened in January following Ducasseʼs Lon-don flagship at the Dorchester and Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower, 125 meters (410 feet) above Paris. In each case, the food is modern with luxurious seasonal ingredients. The differences are subtle.

“Itʼs the application of French technique and the constant striving to source good pro-duce, the quality ingredients of the country,” Ducasse, 51, says through an interpreter dur-ing an interview at Adour. “In Paris, itʼs more this; in London, itʼs more that. Itʼs my sensi-bility. If I had that view of all the dishes, only I could know where to place them. And if I scrambled them, no one would know which was associated with which restaurant.”

At Adour, the room is gorgeous, the service friendly, the dishes harmonious and beauti-fully executed. Ducasse has worked with his executive chef, Tony Esnault, and wine director Thomas Combescot to coordinate food and drink. Some of the combinations are unusual. For dessert, pear clafoutis with caramel croustillant and honey ice cream is matched with a pear cider.

The tasting menu, a good value at $110, features dishes such as olive oil-poached Chatham cod with bell pepper-white onion pipérade and duck breast fillet with polenta, shallots, radish, lemon and niçoise olives. Thereʼs a cheaper menu at the bar, where a computerized display guides you through the wine list.

With 15 Michelin stars, Ducasse is second only to fellow Frenchman Joël Robuchon, with 18, according to Jean-Luc Naret, who oversees the restaurant and hotel guides of Clermont-Ferrand, France-based Michelin & Cie. The Ducasse empire spans more than 20 establishments, including Le Louis

XV at the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo and Alain Ducasse at Plaza Athénée in Paris, both with three stars. He pub-lishes cookbooks, and he runs a cook-ing school. The cooking he leaves to his chefs, a practice that Robuchon and Englandʼs Gordon Ramsay also follow. “I have a lot of friends who are in their kitchens every day, and their food isnʼt as good as in my restaurants,” Ducasse says.

While this delegation works well for the most part, something seemed to be miss-ing at the Dorchester. Jocelyn Herland, the former sous-chef at the Plaza Athénée who was brought in as executive chef just before the opening in November, offered a chestnut velouté with foie gras that was gorgeous and rich; a scallop dish was forgettable. When dinner is 75 pounds ($151) for three courses and £95 for four, customers donʼt tend to be forgiving.

That said, peppered Angus beef fillet was perfect, with beautifully soft meat and crunchy peppers. Landes chicken came with an excellent Albufera sauce containing foie gras. Lunch is a good value at £35 for three courses. The 600-bin wine list is expensive, with cheaper options that run about £50.

Jules Verne has to be one of the most excit-ing restaurants to visit. You go to the south pil-lar of the Eiffel Tower, your name is checked and, within a minute, youʼre in a private el-evator heading skyward. Ducasse, who took over Jules Verne last year, completely reno-

vated it before reopening in December. “It s̓ like a childhood dream come true,” he said in a January interview. “It s̓ a great pleasure to come here any time of day or at night.”

A starter of lobster, celeriac and black truf-fles with apple salad was fresh and appetiz-ing, as you might hope at 84 euros ($129). Seared scallops came with a light cauliflower cream and nut-brown butter. A main of pan-cooked venison medallions with winter veg-etables and fruits had the full, gamy flavor that comes with great ingredients perfectly cooked. There s̓ an excellent three- course set lunch for €75 and a four-course dinner for €155. The cheapest wine I spotted was €45.

Ducasse doesnʼt pretend the three new res-taurants--as well as Beige, which opened atop the Chanel tower in Tokyo in 2004--are in the same league with his renowned three-star establishments. “Adour, the Dorchester, Jules Verne and Beige are all luxury prêt- à-porter, whereas Plaza Athénée in Paris and Louis XV in Monaco are haute couture,ʼ̓ he says.

Those whose tastes run to osetra caviar from Iran with langoustines for €175 and €360 tasting menus will want to stick with Plaza Athénée.

The French chef has new restaurants in London, New York, and Paris, each with a taste of his Michelin-star magic. By Richard Vines

Three Flavours of Alain Ducasse

"When one of the most-cele-brated names in food opens a restaurant in a luxurious setting, it’s reasonable to expect memorable dining"

Pascal Feraud, head chef, left, poses with Alain Ducasse, chef and restau-ranter, in the Jules Verne restaurant on the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. There can be few restaurants in the world that are as exciting to visit as Le Jules Verne. You go to the South Pillar of the Eiffel Tower, your name is checked and within a minute you’re in a private elevator heading skywards.

There was a time, when Starbucks was a lowly sailor in a famous novel. Portoʼs fabled Café Ma-

jestic belongs to such a time. Poets and politicians, patriarchs and delicate ladies gathered under Majesticʼs gypsum ceiling and quietly lit chandeliers, to hear ivory press out sonatas, and poets tease with eloquent satire.

Pendant lamps, marble-topped square tables, imposing crystal mirrors and a long rectangular floor laid with Indian green-laced marble; this is the ambience of Café Majestic. Waiters uniformed in white with uncommon-ly fine golden epaulettes discreetly serve, in a reserved manner so seldom found in Western Europe. This is a writers paradise; a tide of customers flow gently through the day, some regulars, some awestruck visitors. Some friends question my devotion to Ma-jestic - each visit to Porto compels my atten-dance in the court of this grand old lady – the food they say is pleasant but not exceptional,

and surely children arenʼt welcome at so dig-nified a dining hall. Majestic is so large that the awkward moments of tired little travel-lers are absorbed in the excited hum of fleet-ing waiters. And the food is not exceptional, it is pleasant; except for the Majestic burger, which quenches most salivary senses, it is al-most unparalleled. I confess, a burger in so grand a hall is an odd choice, though it perhaps captures the true egalitarian spirit of Café Majestic. Sea bass was roundly praised at our table, and I commend the simple pleasure of ice cream for dessert. Espresso ends the event. Café Majestic is a writers ̓café. The test? Can you imagine Hemmingway here? I thought I saw him in the corner, beside the piano, beneath the gilt edged mirror.

Adour Alain Ducasse, St. Regis Hotel:

www.adour-stregis.com

Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester:

www.alainducasse-dorchester.com

Le Jules Verne, Eiffel Tower:

www.lejulesverne-paris.com

With reporting by Alan Katz in Paris.

Our rating out of five:

Food Service

Atmosphere Overall

"Café Majestic is a writers’ café. The test? Can you imagine Hemmingway here?"

24

Tuscany, with its hill-towns, repu-table vineyards and towns brim-ming with outstanding examples

of art and history, is where holidaylet-tings.co.uk has the most holiday homes available to let within Italy. The largest concentrations are in Florence, Siena, Lunigiana and their surrounding areas. With over 1,300 holiday homes to rent and 3,050 to purchase in Italy as a whole, Tuscany attracts a holidaymaker enquiry rate 1.5% above the average enquiry rate

for Italy and proves that Tuscan holi-day homes are still en-joying their widespread popularity.

Cortona is an Etruscan town loftily p o s i t i o n e d wi th v is tas across Lake Trasimeno and Vald ich iana and nest led just inside the Tuscan-Um-brian border;

conjuring images of sunflower fields and olive groves. RightmoveOverseas list prop-erties for sale there starting from €165,000; demonstrating how Tuscany and Umbria are the pricier end of Italyʼs property market.

A week in La Mimosa, a one bedroom apartment just outside of central Cortona, would cost you from £224-£414 per week through holidaylettings.co.uk.

Other popular Italian destinations include Lombardy, whose main tourist attraction is Lake Como and, as such, the area benefits from an enquiry rate 3.4% above the site average. Sharing a border with Switzerland there is much potential here for lengthier holiday seasons; mountains have that year round attraction and appeal to skiers, board-ers, water sport fanatics, walkers and cy-clists alike.

Invest in a ski apartment in Gromo, Ber-gamo from just €90,000 or spend a week at a traditional stone house in the medieval village of Chiavenna that sleeps six guests from just £393 per week.

Venice and the South Tyrol draw in the crowds in North East Italy and Lake Garda is one of the main drawing points. A two bedroom apartment in Riva del Garda will set you back €164,959; while a week at Residence San Michele starts from £240 per week for six guests.

Autonomous Sicily, despite explosive Etna, remains popular with holidaymakers

for its Mediterranean setting and delicious food. There are 109 self catering holiday options to choose from; Casale Mare Monte in Palermo is decorated with typical Sicilian murals and can accommodate eight guests from £152-£434 for a weekʼs holiday. To buy your own Sicilian pad you will need to budget at least €199,000.

Sardinia, however, is the hottest Italian holiday spot. Properties in Sardinia at-tract on average 12.4 enquiries per month – outshining the site average of 3.4. LʼEa di Lavra is a fine example of a one bedroom apartment with enchanting views across to Tavolara and itʼs available to rent from £90-£552 per week. Clearly, with sufficient demand for the holiday home letting market in Sardinia the 233 Sardinian properties for sale on RightmoveOverseas.co.uk are a must see. Prices start from as little as €28,000 for a detached two bedroom old mill and stable in need of renovation in Bonarcado.

If a renovation project is not on your list of priorities, prices for a fully finished property here start from €43,000 for a two bedroom house in Sardegno. A 10 minute walk to the beach and just one hourʼs drive from Alghero Airport offers homeowners and holidaymakers an insight into the laid back lifestyle and temperate climate Sar-dinia has to offer.

The Tuscan dream is never far from peoples ̓minds when think-ing about property investment in Italy, but with no restrictions on non-residents purchasing Italian property, has Tuscany been swamped with interest, are there any renovation projects left and are holidaymakers still being drawn to the hillside to bring in the rental returns?

“However, this is changing. Strategic investments made over many years in re-establishing Berlin as a major city are now paying dividends. The economy is stabilis-ing, consumer confidence is rising, and this together with a number of other factors, is having a positive effect on the German property market. We believe this is an ex-cellent time to invest in the Berlin property market, and there is strong demand for both sales and rented accommodation, particu-larly at the luxury end of the market, and we are confident that there will be strong de-mand for these flats in one of the wealthiest districts of one of Europeʼs largest cities,” he added.

Creed was speaking following the recent

launch buy Berlin Capital Investments, the German property market experts, of a num-ber of exclusive luxury converted loft units in Zehlendorf, Berlin. The development, called Loftland, is situated in Goerzallee, one of Berlinʼs most affluent locations in the Cityʼs green Southwest area of Zehlendorf.

The attractive, refurbished building, built in 1938 is now listed and features spacious high quality loft and penthouse apartments in many different sizes, close to one of Ber-linʼs largest and finest recreational areas.

This is a staged off-plan redevelopment of a historic listed building. A variety of apartments are available to investors. Most other apartments in the building have al-ready been sold to German homeowners. All the apartments have been finished to the highest standards and include high ceilings, solid hardwood flooring, high quality tiles and Grohe mountings. All have flagstoned terraces or balconies.

The Loftland building was originally built in 1938 as a radio factory and was used as the headquarters of the US military after WWII. The expressway guarantees a

fast connection to the inner city in around 15 minutes and S-Bahn and U-Bahn train lines provide direct connections to the city. There are also a number of bus services in the vicinity. Local leisure facilities are excellent, including numerous attractive parks, golf, tennis and sailing facilities as well as museums and excellent shopping. Berlinʼs largest university is in the area as well as a leading medical school.

The apartments range in price from 195,000 euros (71 square metres) for a one-bedroom apartment to 450,000 euros (162 square metres). Anticipated rents are over 10 Euros per square metre. 50% mort-gages are available and no capital gains tax is payable in Germany on property held for more than ten years. As part of an ex-clusive investment package available from Berlin Capital Investments customers ̓ le-gal fees, worth approximately 2,000 euros, are paid. In addition, for units reserved by the end of October free property manage-ment and maintenance costs are available for the first five years of ownership, worth approximately 4-5,000 euros.

The Italian Property Market

“Germany is one of the wealthiest European economies on a per capita basis, but this is not reflected in

a developed property market. The rate of home ownership is only around 15%,” said Fergal Creed, Director, Berlin Capital Investments.

Berlin Is Still A Market

With Property Pace.

Loftland, A Luxury In-

vestment Property Gets

To The Decimal Point

Top Left: Vineyards lead up to the town of Maremma, Italy, in southern Tuscany. Hundred-dol-lar “Super Tuscan” wines may be the stars of the region’s viniculture, yet some of the most interest-ing, well-priced Italian wines are now coming from Maremma. Above:Vineyards are seen in Maremma, Italy, in southern Tuscany.

White truffles from Tuscany. A white truffle weighing 1.5 kilo-grams (3.3 pounds) fetched a record $330,000 last season, at a charity auction across the three cities of London, Florence and Macau.

Investor Insight:

26

Italyʼs policy of awarding helicopter contracts directly to a Finmeccanica SpA unit without competitive bidding

was struck down by the European Unionʼs top court in a case that may change the EUʼs approach to public supply systems.

The European Commission, the EU regu-lator in Brussels, sued Italy over its long-standing practice of granting contracts di-rectly to Finmeccanicaʼs Agusta Spa unit, the only provider of helicopters for its civil-defense system. The court challenge is the first against a governmentʼs entire sup-ply system for one industry, according to Xavier Lewis, a commission lawyer.

Italy breached EU rules "by adopting a procedure, which has been in existence for a long time and is still followed, of directly awarding to Agusta SpA contracts" for he-licopters for mainly civilian use without a competitive tender, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg said today. Italy had argued that national-security concerns justi-fied bypassing competitive bids.

The courtʼs decision could lead to an adjustment in the way European countries ̓public supply systems are assessed by the EU regulator, which traditionally challenges governments over individual contracts.

The ruling "clearly sets out that public-

procurement rules apply across the board in the European Union," Oliver Drewes, a commission spokesman, told reporters in Brussels today. "We will now see how Italy is going to implement this court judg-ment and that itʼs done in an appropriate manner." Defense Ministry

Spokespeople at Italyʼs Defense Minis-try didnʼt return calls seeking comment. Finmeccanica Chief Executive Officer Pier Francesco Guarguaglini told reporters in New York today that the ruling wonʼt have an impact on past contracts and on the com-pany. "In the future the Italian government will have to make a clearer bidding process and weʼll still be able to win."

The Agusta helicopters are mainly for civil use, including for the police, forest agencies and the fire brigade, and possibly for military use, as confirmed by Italy, an

11-judge panel at the court said today. EU rules "cannot properly be invoked by the Italian Republic to justify recourse to the negotiated procedure for the purchase of those helicopters" instead of a competitive tender.

The Agusta contracts are in "flagrant vio-lation" of EU rules because the helicopters are being used only for civil purposes and "at most would be used in support" of mili-tary actions, Donatella Recchia, another commission lawyer, told a 13-judge panel at a hearing last April.

EU law exempts products that are "spe-cifically military in purpose" from the usual public-procurement rules. The EUʼs top court in October 2005 rejected a separate challenge by the commission against Italy over helicopter purchases by the state forest agency, ruling that it was inadmissible.

The commission on Dec. 5 proposed new rules to open more defense contracts to competitive bidding, saying EU-wide pub-lic procurement tenders should be skipped only in "exceptional cases." The rules seek to make equipment purchases more efficient without threatening the sover-eignty of national authorities.

"EU law exempts products that are "specifically mili-tary in purpose" from the usual public-procurement rules."

Italy Ordered to Open Helicopter Contract Bidding by Stephanie Bodoni

The case is C-337/05 Commission v Italy.

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Commission to Recover E83m of CAP Expenditure from Member States

A total of €83 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is claimed back as a result of a decision adopted by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget because of inad-equate control procedures or non-compli-ance with EU rules on agricultural expen-diture. Member States are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use of the funds.

Investment Summit Boosts Regional In-tegration and EU Investment in South-ern Mediterranean

Leaders from the signatories of the Agadir Agreement (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan) recently met senior EU policy-mak-ers and business representatives for talks designed to sharply increase EU investment in the Southern Mediterranean. The forum focuses on improving legal frameworks for investment, encouraging joint partnerships between EU and Southern Mediterranean businesses and boosting EU investment in

the region, which is among the lowest for any such region globally. The Forum was opened by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

Peter Mandelson said: “Although they increasingly trade with the EU, it is just as important to help the countries of the Agadir Agreement to develop their trade with each other. The countries of the Agadir Agreement have taken a big step in creating a free trade agreement. Despite their close-ness to Europe and their promising growth, the countries of the Southern Mediterra-nean have attracted only 1% of EU foreign investment since 2000. We need to change that.”

Micro Enterprises Accounted for 30% of Employed in Non-Financial Economy

In 2005, there were almost 20 million enterprises active within the non-financial business economy (NFBE) in the EU27. Nearly all of these enterprises (99.8%) were either micro, small or medium-sized enter-prises, with up to 249 persons employed. This share varied only marginally between Member States.

Micro, small and medium-sized enter-prises ̓relative importance in terms of con-tribution to jobs and wealth was lower than

their share in the total number of enter-prises, since they accounted for 67% of total employment and 58% of value added in the non-financial business economy in the EU27 in 2005.

Among the Member States, the highest shares of total employment in micro busi-nesses were found in Greece (56%), Italy (47%), Portugal (43%) and Cyprus (40%), while the lowest shares were found in Slo-vakia (13%), Germany (19%), Denmark, Luxembourg and Romania (all 20%).

Commission’s Northern Ireland Task Force See New Leads to Boost Economy

The European Commission has adopted a report from its Northern Ireland Task Force that identifies key EU policy initiatives and programmes which can be mobilised in support of the regionʼs economy. The Task Force, set up by Commission President José Manuel Barroso and led by Commissioner Danuta Hübner, takes stock of Northern Irelandʼs economic development amid peace and stability, and points out leads for new ways in which the region can boost its modernisation. It aims to help the regionʼs authorities to reap maximum benefit from the EU support they can receive from now until 2013.

Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Pol-icy, said; “With peace and stability comes confidence, leading to new investment and new jobs. I am delighted that Northern Ire-landʼs leaders were quick to draw the con-clusion that there is an important European dimension to building prosperity."

A total of €83 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is claimed back as a result of a decision adopted by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget be-cause of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure.

Among the Member States, the highest shares of total em-ployment in micro businesses were found in Greece (56%), Italy (47%), Portugal (43%) and Cyprus (40%), while the lowest shares were found in Slovakia (13%), Germany (19%), Denmark, Luxembourg and Romania (all 20%).

Commission to Recover €83m of CAP Expenditure from Member States

The French Riviera has lost none of its allure for travellers and holidaymakers over the years

when it was mainly known as the play-ground of the rich and famous.

And while the glamour of Cannes and St Tropez still immediately come to mind when we think of the Riviera, the region is much more than starlets and massive yachts.

There are still quintessentially ʻundiscov-ered ̓French villages and towns that deserve to be explored and enjoyed for the perfect short break.

Just 15 minutes drive from Nice airport, driving south down the A8 motorway to Cannes is the coastal town of Cagnes-sur-Mer and there you will find itʼs oldest and most architecturally beautiful district, Haut-de-Cagnes.

The medieval hilltop village is literally steeped in history with its narrow, flowered shaded streets that lead you to usual views of the Mediterranean.

No doubt attracted by the celebrity of the Impressionist Master, a lot of painters also came to settle in this picturesque village. Nicknamed ʻthe Montmartre of the French Rivieraʼ, Haut-de-Cagnes attracted celebri-ties of the arts and show world until the 1960s.

One of its best known places to stay is Villa Estelle, a 14th century mansion that was gracefully transformed into an elegant guesthouse by leading French interior de-

signer Estelle Réale.Villa Estelle has large guestrooms and

personalised suites, each tastefully fur-nished and decorated with both antique and contemporary pieces with the designerʼs flair for detail and comfort.

The Salmon and Ochre guest rooms are all inspired by their individual colours while the three bedroom suites, the Rose, Blue Ju-

nior and Celadon, further benefit from more skilled styling and stunning sea views.

All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, satel-lite TV (sixteen channels), mini bar and air conditioning that would expect from modern high grade accommodation but the comfort and the intimacy of each room and the entire guesthouse is entirely created by a deft personal touch.

In the common areas of the house, a sub-tle mix of valuable objects, contemporary art and older paintings, rich velvet draperies and fine linen curtains co-exist in harmony

to present a guesthouse with a difference to the seasoned traveller.

Estelleʼs daughter-in-law Céline Garcin manages the guesthouse today and ensures that the formerʼs legendary reputation for hospitality is maintained.

“Our visitors to Villa Estelle appreci-ate the comfort and individual style of the house while giving them a perfect base to see the rest of the Côte d ʼAzur.

“Itʼs a special, restful place to visit and one that we know consistently charms our guests.”

The district and town of Cagnes-sur-Mer - a designated historical town - has a lot to offer over and above the range of res-taurants, bars, shops and market days you would expect to find at such an attractive location. With its 3.5kms of beach, the town offers the usual array of sunshine water sports for visitors but the avid fisherman can also cast a line or two.

Culture, both music and visual arts are more than well catered for with a visit to the Renoir Museum to view 11 original paint-ings by the great artists an absolute must. And for those who like a bet, the local ca-sino and Hippodrome race course can pro-vide some of the excitement and glamour of the Cannes set.

With the choice of two airlines running flights departing from Belfast to Nice, Easyjet and Aer Lingus, a weekend break to Cagnes-sur-Mer is not only affordable but recommended, both for its own charms and as a base for visiting Cannes, St Tropez, An-tibes, St Jean Cap Ferrat, even Monte Carlo and Italy is only 45 minutes away.

"Villa Estelle has large guestrooms and personalised suites, each tastefully furnished and decorated with both antique and contemporary pieces with the designer’s flair for detail and comfort."

Class and Comfort on French Riviera

Danuta Hübner Peter Mandelson Manuel Barroso

3130

for Alessandro Agrati, and the design of a kitchen, bedroom or home spa allows him to fulfill the dreams of those who choose Culti.

Pressed by a deep passion for beauty and for the art de vivre, Alessandro Agratiʼs latest addition to the brand is the world of hospitality, embodied by the Day-Spaʼs of Habits Culti in Milan, Culti Spacafè Napoli in Naples – and by the Relais Culti La Som-mità in Ostuni.

To dedicate a few hours of relaxation in a spa, or to take a holiday where every moment of the day is focused on personal pleasure, extends the general concept of

luxury. The Project of The Senses

The journey that leads to explore the world of Culti is a true experience for the senses. It could in fact start with the cloud of scent that envelops those who enter Culti Fashion Flower in Turin, where plants and flowers of every species evoke remote countries; in the showrooms of Milan or St. Moritz, where the air is filled with delicate fragrances of citrus and tuberose; in the Habits Culti Spa in Milan, where skilled hands give moments of extreme relaxation, or in the rarefied atmosphere of the Relais La Sommità in Ostuni, and more: Culti Spacafè in Naples, Crème Cafetheria in Montorfano and Cafèpermare in Sanremo,

where every detail indicates a precise philosophy of life - that of Alessandro Agrati.

The project of the senses, as Alessan-dro Agrati loves to call it, is by definition, boundless, it expands and explores every area, expressing the creativity of its creator but also giving prominence to the personal-ity of those who will enjoy its results. One of the principles on which the philosophy of Culti is based, is to focus on the daily

rituals and habits of the clientele and in the meantime to adopt such a distinctive design as the one conceived by Alessandro. The achievement of well-being, physical and emotional, has always been a priority in Alessandro Agratiʼs decisions. The hedo-nistic and aesthetic aspect of his products is never an end in itself, but always a means to make the consumer feel better and at ease.

"To dedicate a few hours of relaxation in a spa, or to take a holiday where every moment of the day is f ocused on pe r sona l p leasure, extends the general concept of luxury."

The CollectionThe Culti collection, currently boasting

a catalog of over six thousand products, includes textiles and clothes, décor items and accessories for home/garden and of-fice, fragrances and room scenters, gourmet items too – including fine chocolates, cof-fees and teas.

An interior decorator, Agrati, who prefers the term “home designer” to describe him-self, takes a total approach to product devel-opment and design. Always thinking of the person and the place the relative object is

destined for, he ensures that each item under the Culti brand will serve in sparking a mul-tisensory experience in those to ultimately use and enjoy it. It is this passion for beauti-ful things and attention to individual needs which forms the two underlying premises of the Culti project.

Following IntuitionFollowing this intuition, Culti has also

created a series of wellness centers, cof-feehouses, concept-stores, relais resorts and restaurants which ideally comprise a com-plete guidebook in the realm of fine living and interior design. Offering guests both

customized service and a full immersion in the Culti style, all the spaces stand out for utmost attention to quality and detail.

With a multifaceted short-term expansion plan in action, this dynamic company uses various production centers exclusively in the Milan hinterland. It also draws from a capillary network of suppliers chosen with all the care necessary to guarantee top-notch workmanship and style coherence.

The creation of Culti does not represent Agratiʼs debut into the home market. The Agrati family has long been working in the area of fashion and interior decoration, designing and manufacturing a large range of products for third parties. Alessandro founded Culti to create something brand new and completely his own.

Physical, Emotional, EsotericA vehicle allowing him to express an

constant, perhaps inexhaustible inspiration, the search for well-being is the ʻleit-mo-tiv ̓ of this philosophy, a well-being that is intended on a physical, and emotional and esoteric level, one that can be obtained through the contact with a soft fabric, or tasting an exotic chocolate cru, appreci-ating a relaxing massage or enjoying the pleasant atmospheres of a place molded on oneʼs personal taste.

The respect for individuality, particularly while planning a space, is an essential task

"The respect for individual-ity, particularly while plan-ning a space, is an essential task for Alessandro Agrati, and the design of a kitchen, bedroom or home spa allows him to fulfill the dreams of those who choose Culti."

Lifestyle Brands - CultiWith his innovative global lifestyle and wellness project Alessandro Agrati embarked on the Culti adventure in 1990, aspiring to Culti, as in culture of ambiance. Agrati sought, with a simple, direct word, to capture a precise philosphy. This unpolluted ideal has sparked a line of products for the home and individual featuring superior standards of quality and customer enjoyment.

"...the atmosphere of a placed moulded to one's personal taste... the brand is the world of hospitality."

3332

Belfast has experienced phenomenal growth over the past decade. It has had generous funding from the European Union which has helped the expan-sion of the city. Maritime regeneration began in the late 1980s with a major infrastructure programme throughout the 1990s.

Development of the 185 acre site known as the Titanic Quarter is now underway. The Quarter’s Development Framework envisages a ‘city quarter’ grid structure of streets of similar scale to the city centre, together with a mix of land uses including: over 5000 apartments and townhouses, a high quality business quarter and the creation of a ‘Gateway’ hotel at the entrance to Titanic Quarter at Abercorn Basin.

In the last decade there has been over £5billion worth of investment in the city including 35,000 new jobs which has resulted in one of the lowest

unemployment rates in the United Kingdom. New developments are springing up all over the city including the 600 million euro Victoria Square complex, a new retail outlet, one of the biggest in Europe, the Gasworks site on the Lagan River and the redevelop-ment of Cathedral Quarter. The North West and North East retail quarters complement this and provide an integrated approach to regeneration. The Council is leading on a major arterial routes redevelopment programme across the city.

Today, Belfast is one of Europe’s most progressive busi-ness locations. The key growth sectors are the financial and business services market, creative indus-tries, advanced m a n u fa c t u r i n g , information and c o m m u n i c a -tions sector and tourism.

In describing Belfast, The Lonely Planet Guide said ’ Push the Shamrock aside and meet the new Belfast – hip, historical, hap-pening’. In 2006 visitor numbers to Belfast rose to reach a record 6.8 million. Belfast is a unique cultural destination within Europe and this uniqueness has helped to contribute £324 million to the economy last year.

Belfast is no longer the sleeping giant in Europe. As a city it is thriving, and in doing so has an enthusiasm that has captivated the minds of Europe.

Belfast City Council has a long history of working with European partners to develop projects and exchanges in best practice. To date we have worked with over two hundred and fifty European cities and completed thirty different projects totalling over £5 million. Belfast continues to work at a high level in the European arena bringing benefits to both Belfast and the rest of Europe.

Belfast – no longer the sleeping giant in Europe

THE NETWORKOF MAJOREUROPEANCITIES

"Today, Belfast is one of Europe’s most progressive business locations. The key growth sectors are the financial and business services market, creative industries, advanced manufacturing, information and communications sector and tourism."

3534

Imagine a Porsche recast as the Batmobile and youʼve got the look of the new Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1. With swoopy lines enhanced by black-on-black paint, all-black interior and oversized silver wheels, it s̓ the kind of ride the Caped Crusader would love.

This is a limited edition of the mid-engine, two-seater coupe, and my tester is No. 238 out of 777 to be made.

Yes, like you, I get the names of the Cay-man and the Cayenne SUV mixed up (thanks, Porsche marketing!). While Porsche has only four models -- the other two are the Boxster and 911, and it s̓ developing a sports sedan called the Panamera -- its ability to produce so many highly desirable variants is uncanny. The catalogue is chockablock with add-ons, options and wheel choices that you might not need yet are so cool that any fool can see you simply must have them.

The Design Edition is a hyper-extension of this concept. It offers no boost in engine per-formance, yet the extra details and ``limited editionʼ̓ status potentially add up to a gotta-have-it machine.

The Porsche Design Studio has been around since the early 1970s, the brainchild of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designer of the iconic 911. A smart marketer himself, that Ferdinand: These days, you can find any-thing from golf clubs to a luxury speed boat with the Porsche Design imprint on it.

One of the studioʼs first designs was a black wristwatch called the Chronograph 1, which serves as the inspiration for the Cayman Design Edition (though naysayers

might argue it s̓ really the desire for a fatter bottom line). Pocket Knife

Undeniably, buyers will be part of a small club, as only 250 of those 777 will reach the U.S. The limited edition starts at $69,900, and included in the $10,800 premium over the Cayman S is a grab bag of Design Studio stuff, including a briefcase, a chronograph

watch, sunglasses and pocket knife. Who says you canʼt take your car into the office with you?

Sorry, the accessories are just frippery, and we know it. Still, the body of the Cayman, with sensual rounded rear flanks, a beauti-ful sloping roof and a front end that s̓ pure Porsche, looks amazing when dressed in tuxedo black.

Even the door handles and side air intakes are inky dark. There are also matte-black stripes, embossed with the Design Studio logo, running up the hood, back and sides. Some consumers will find them tacky, yet theyʼre only obvious in certain light.

The 19-inch Turbo wheels are simply gor-geous on the car, though you can get them (and, yes, black paint) as an option on regular Caymans. The Design Edition also comes standard with active suspension, which lets drivers alter the firmness of the chassis.

Perhaps the best thing about the Design

Edition is that it got me into the cockpit of the Cayman again. For some reason it s̓ an oft-overlooked model, and I donʼt see a lot of them on the street. Fast, Agile

It s̓ fast, blasting from 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds and hitting a top speed of 171 miles per hour. And the small size and mid- mounted engine, plus a weight under 3,000 pounds, make it extremely agile. Very Batmobile-like.

I first tested it on the incomparably wind-ing lanes of Tuscany and later on a notori-ous road on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina that s̓ dubbed the ̀ `Tail of the Dragon.ʼ̓ With some 300 turns packed into 11 miles, it s̓ a dream road ruled by motorcy-clists. Yet my Cayman S parried with some of the faster sports bikes, and by the end I had guys coming up and shaking my hand.

The Cayman really is a beautiful machine in the Design guise. Still, if you treat it for what itʼs really designed for -- slicing up windy roads in a blinding blur -- people outside the car arenʼt likely to be able to see what options you sprang for anyway.

"Porsche has the ability to produce so many highly de-sirable variants is uncanny. The catalogue is chocka-block with add-ons, options and wheel choices that you might not need yet are so cool that any fool can see you simply must have them."

Located on the site formerly known as Café des Artistes, the popular 1960ʼs and 1970ʼs live music venue

fraternised by The Rolling Stones and Roger Waters, where performers included David Bowie and Queen, The Valmont Club intends to re-introduce the bohe-mian spirit and artistic appeal of its previ-ous incarnation.

The Concept The team behind The Valmont Club,

recognising the need for a refreshing alterna-tive to the often one-dimensional Chelsea nightlife, have married a strong operational team with original design and creative musi-cal programming.

Eschewing the hackneyed VIP Room mentality, The Valmont Club aims to gener-ate an inclusive atmosphere where revellers can enjoy expertly created cocktails and listen to some of Londonʼs best DJʼs and live performers in a comfortably stylish and colourful environment.

The Design The Valmont Club boasts a complete

makeover courtesy of Makilee Design, the creative agency behind a number of leading bars & restaurants across the UK including The Breakfast Club, Soho and Lost Society, Clapham.

Juxtaposing subdued colours and soft, com-fortable furnishings with bright neon state-ment signage, The Valmont Club is split into 4 main areas. Design details of note include a 60ft sheer black glass-topped bar, banquette seating areas separated by gold beaded cur-tains and a series of private velvet-curtained booths with individual music volume control.

The entire venue has been adorned with traditional sculptures, paintings and antique furniture items. Neon, black glass and velvet drapes are recurring themes, and there are several art deco statues and figurines from a private collector in New York. There is origi-nal antique lighting imported from Holland, and gold etched tables imported from Paris.

The Signature General Manager of The Valmont Club

Thierry Brocher has previously consulted for a number of the most celebrated London cocktail bars including Momo and Che. Bro-cher has designed a 60 strong cocktail menu that includes seven signature Champagne cocktails and a number of contemporary vari-

ations on the classics, using seasonal fruits and fresh ingredients throughout the year.

With the exception of the Mojito, each cocktail can be served in a vintage Chambord bottle and customers can choose their glass-ware from a range including shooters, tall, Martini and Dom Perignon Sniffers (for 2 people). Brocher places a strong emphasis on training his barstaff to provide consistently produced cocktails, and implements an in-house training programme for all his team.

The History The Café des Artistes was one of the most

celebrated haunts of Londonʼs creative scene during the 1960ʼs and 1970ʼs. Initially a jazz venue (featuring artists including Chet Baker), Café des Artistes soon began show-casing more alternative music including Queen, Status Quo and Davie Jones & The King Bees – one of David Bowies first bands. Regular guests included Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) and members of the Rolling Stones.

The Valmont Club 266-266a Fulham Road London SW10 9EL Tel + 44 (0)20 7352 6200 www.thevalmontclub.com

Review by Jason H. Harper

Limited-Edition Porsche Cayman Offers Batmobile Looks

THE CAYMAN S PORSCHE DESIGN EDITION 1 AT A GLANCE:

• Engine: 3.4-liter, six-cylinder with 295 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. • Transmission: Six-speed manual (standard) or five-speed Tiptronic S. • Speed: 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds. • Gas mileage per gallon: 18 city, 26 highway. • Price as tested: $77,320 • Best features: Beautiful body looks great in all-black. • Worst features: No engine upgrade. • Target buyer: The Porsche-ophile who wants to make sure he’s got something different.

The Valmont Club - Latest Edition to Chelsea NightlifeThe Valmont Club, a 300 capacity nightclub with striking interior design, an impressive cocktail list and a desirable location opened on the Fulham Road, Chelsea.

Opening soon Just opened in Heathrow Terminal 5, the 5 Tuns boutique pub

3736

I n 1886 at the Autumn Ball of the Tuxedo Park Club in New York, Mr. Griswold Lorillard stunned society

by wearing a short jacket with satin la-pels. This jacket style was adopted by other members of Tuxedo Park and hence the Tuxedo was born.

When Black Tie appears on an invitation it is an indication that the guest is expected to wear formal evening dress.

The kit consists of dinner jacket with matching black trousers. The jacket will have satin lapels to make it distinctive from a lounge jacket which is for daytime. The trousers should have black satin braid down the outer seam of the leg. A dress shirt should present an immaculate white back-ground for wearing a black bow tie worn with a matching cummerbund. An alter-native to the cummerbund is a waistcoat. With a double breasted jacket neither is necessary. Ideally, plain black patent or fine leather shoes should be worn.

White Tie and tails are generally worn to the most formal of occasions. The white

tie outfit consists of black evening tailcoat, black dress trousers with a double braid down the outer seam and a stiff fronted shirt fastened with mother of pearl or gold studs and cufflinks. The bow tie and waistcoat are both white Marcella cotton to match the shirt front and shoes are black patent or fine leather. Those who want to look the full part would don a black top hat and a pair of white gloves.

Morning wear, otherwise known as top hat and tails is commonly worn by male members of a wedding party. It is also worn at other formal, social events such as Royal Ascot, Royal Garden Parties, Trouping of the Colour, Investitures and Court events. It may also be worn at society funerals and memorial services.

Traditionally morning attire consists of black or grey tailcoat worn with striped (for the black) or matching plain (for the grey) trousers. A backless waistcoat should be worn over plain white shirt. In most cases either a tie or cravatte is acceptable, although a cravatte is best worn with a wing collar on the shirt. A black or grey top hat can accessorise the suit, together with light grey gloves.

Certain rules of social etiquette should be observed without exception. Always, al-ways dress according to the recommended dress code.

How A Gentleman DinesCertain rules of social etiquette should al-ways be observed without exception. De-pending on the function there is usually a dress code, however most will involve din-ing and the etiquette for that is universal.

The Invitation:• Always respond to an invitation within one week.• Dress according to the recommended dress code.• Be punctual. If running late, phone and make your hosts aware of the delay.• Never bring an uninvited guest.• It is always polite to bring a small gift.

The Dinner Table:• It is polite to let lady guests be seated first.• Never start eating before all the guests at your table have been served.• If food is served not to your liking, it is polite to at least taste a small amount.• Deserts may be eaten with a fork and spoon or just a fork alone for cake or pas-try.• Never offer your criticism. If you cannot compliment remain silent.• Donʼt talk with your mouth full or lean across the table.• Always thank the hosts for their hospital-ity and send a thank you note.

Black Tie:This consists of a dinner jacket with satin lapels. Matching trousers should have black satin braid the length of the outer seam. The shirt should be a white dress shirt with

the option of a turn down or wing collar. A black bow tie can be worn with matching cummerbund. An alternative to the cum-merbund is to wear a waistcoat. With a

double breasted jacket neither is necessary. Plain black leather or patent shoes should be worn with black socks. For summer events or cruise dining a white tuxedo jacket may be worn instead of the black dinner jacket.

White Tie:This consists of a black evening tailcoat and black dress trousers with a double braid down the outside seam. A stiff fronted shirt, fastened with studs and cufflinks should be worn with a white bow tie and waistcoat in pique (Marcella) fabric.

Black leather or patent shoes and black socks are the necessary footwear. A top hat and white gloves are optional.

Morning Suit:When to wear: at Royal Ascot, Royal Gar-den parties, Trooping the Colour, Investi-tures, Court Events, Weddings, Funerals and Memorial Services.

You should wear a black tailcoat with striped black trousers or a plain grey tailcoat with plain grey trousers. A backless waistcoat should be worn over a plain white shirt. The outfit is finished off with a black or grey top hat and lightweight grey gloves.

Lounge Suit:When to wear: less formal occasions.• This consists of a black, grey or navy jacket and matching trousers with a white shirt and a tie.• If no dress code is specified it is best to check with the organiser.

"Dress suitably for each oc-casion. Meet expectations; surpass them quietly... Carla cut her cloth to suit the moment..."

Gentlemen, Rogues and Spies. The Dark Art of Black Tie

In Victorian times when dining out or attending the theatre in the presence of a lady, a gentleman would always wear formal attire consisting of black evening tail coat, black top hat and white gloves. Only when at his “club” might he relax sufficiently to allow himself to wear a smoking jacket.

Costume Drama: What Carla did next ...

T he extensive remodelling efforts carried out prior to the opening respected the facade of the build-

ing, representative of Madridʼs urban architecture and considered a historic landmark. ME Madrid Reina Victoria is a luxury hotel offering the finest services and facilities for both business and lei-sure travellers.

Built on the site of the palace of the Counts of Teba, where Prosper Merimée began writing “Carmen” and Napoleon IIIʼs wife Eugenia de Montijo was raised, the construction of the Hotel Reina Vic-toria began in 1919. Created by modernist architect Jesús Carrasco y Encina, the hotel is a historic landmark of this movement in Madrid. Since its inauguration in 1923, the Hotel Reina Victoria, so called in honour of the beautiful wife of King Alfonso XIII, was synonymous with luxury and elegance in the Spanish capital. Aristocrats, dip-lomats, and artists made it their meeting point. With the arrival of the Republic in 1931, the Hotel lost its royal title (which it did not regain until it was re-baptized Hotel Tryp Reina Victoria**** in 1989).

This however did not stop the glitterati from coming. Over the last six decades it has been the centre of the bullfighting world. Manolete, the greatest bullfighter

of all time, would reside in room 406 on his visits to Madrid. He was not alone in choosing the hotel to celebrate the rites of dressing for the bull: Luis Miguel Domin-guín, Florentino y Flores, Joselito, Ruiz Miguel, Palomo Linares, Rafael de Paula, Bombita, Pedrés, Mazantini, Arruza, An-toñete, El Viti, Ruiz Miguel and Victor Méndez among others also converted the Hotel into their personal shrine before go-ing to the Plaza de las Ventas.

And where the bullfighters went, their admirers followed. Hemingway spent many nights here, even mentioning it in one of his books, and Ava Gardner was also fascinated by its atmosphere.

From the seventies until 1989, the build-ing was home to the Banco Simeón and the Almacenes Arias department store. It was only with the arrival of the Hotel Tryp Reina Victoria**** that the building re-verted to its original purpose.

During this period Loquillo y los Trogloditas, Seguridad Social and Luz Casal among other Spanish rock musicians stayed at the hotel when they were in Ma-drid on tour or promoting their records. Singer/songwriter Pablo Milanés stayed in room 506 whenever he was in Madrid and was visited by the historic figures of Spanish rock, such as Joaquín Sabina among others.

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The group Jarabe de Palo began visiting the hotel before reaching their first number one and continued coming every time they were in town. The hotelʼs Bar Taurino, filled with memorabilia of its historic rela-tionship to bullfighting, was featured in Pe-dro Almodovarʼs 2002 movie “Hable con ella” (“Talk to her”), winner of the Oscar for best original screenplay.

Vibrant LocationOverlooking the Plaza Santa Ana with

its abundance of bars and restaurants, the former Tryp Reina Victoria is situated in one of Madridʼs most vibrant locations, near the cityʼs creative and media business communities.

ME Madrid Reina Victoria is centrally located with easy access to all major attrac-tions including the Prado, Thyssen-Bor-nemisza and Reina Sofia Museums, Retiro Park, Parliament, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace and the business and shopping districts, with plenty of eat-ing and drinking options. Barajas Airport is only 14 km from the hotel and Atocha Train Station is about 2 km away.

Design and DesignerInternationally-renowned designer Keith

Hobbs and his team at United Designers Ltd. were brought in to redesign and trans-form the historic Gran Hotel Reina Victoria into a plush, urban resort. The project ob-tains a cohesive atmosphere throughout the landmark buildingʼs 192 rooms, restau-rant, bar, lounge and meeting rooms.

Selected because of his timeless, classic and contemporary style as well as his im-pressive roster of commercial projects, in-cluding the Metropolitan Hotel and Nobu

in London, the Clarence Hotel in Dublin and Parrot Cay Resort in Turks & Caicos, Hobbs was sought after to create a seduc-tive, luxurious venue for world-class trav-ellers at ME Madrid Reina Victoria.

Unitedʼs design objective was to pre-serve the beauty and grace of the historic architecture and fuse it with the spirit and edge of ME by Meliá through exclusively

designed and manufactured furniture, eclectic fixtures and innovative artwork.

A similar choice presents itself in the restaurant, where diners may sit amongst alluring, bronze mirror-clad columns or enjoy the intimacy of a personal booth sur-rounded by a curtain of striking champagne and black Missoni cord. Contemporary wall hangings finished with a dramatic black-gloss pattern frame both sides of the open kitchen, drawing the attention of curious diners, while those seeking a more clandestine experience might prefer the pri-vate dining rooms, which are enclosed with luxurious leather-padded walls.

Fifteen globe chandeliers, golden black marble and dining chairs wrapped in lavish cream leather repeat throughout the space, solidifying the effect of cohesion, fluid-

ity and glamour. With a dramatic glossy black lacquer ceiling linking the spaces, the overall jewel-like effect of the dining and lounge areas is eye-catching, yet estab-lishes a natural, muted elegance.

A ride up to the roof in the dedicated private elevator reveals the most exquisite outdoor urban retreat in all of Madrid: ʻThe Penthouseʼ. Flaunting the most spectacular views of the city, The Penthouse is a prime spot for languorous afternoons of relaxing and sunbathing.

Decadent cushion-filled beds, delicately enclosed by floaty fabrics, are hidden amongst lounge areas upholstered in fab-rics that reflect the colours of the sky, and set against Unitedʼs custom-made iroko timber furniture.

The bar itself is set into a split stone wall, imitating the effect of the restaurant and bar below. A vibrant colour scheme of vivid purple glass, set against metallic leather seats, block poufs, custom-designed pendant lights protruding into the space on dramatically elongated polished chrome arms, marble tables and a cream stone floor create a flirty, luxurious atmosphere.

Brand Innovation: The 'ME' Concept, by Melia

"Built on the site of the pal-ace of the Counts of Teba, where Prosper Merimée be-gan writing “Carmen” and Napoleon III’s wife Eugenia de Montijo was raised."

ME Madrid Reina Victoria brings renewed vitality to the historic Gran Hotel Reina Vic-toria, in the heart of Spainʼs capital. The former site of the Hotel Tryp Reina Victoria, ME Madrid Reina Victoria is situ-ated in the western corner of the centrally located Plaza de Santa Ana.

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Investment uncertainty is raging this year. Amidst the many differ-ent opinions with regard to all asset

classes, I thought that I would provide some food for thought on the issue of alternative investments.

I have selected two that vary greatly: fine wines - more particularly fine wines from the Bordeaux region; and farming in Malawi.

People have been drinking wine for many centuries in most parts of the world. But for sheer consistency of quality, the chateaux of Bordeaux must have few equals. So, if you are going to invest in wines in order to make money, it makes sense to buy into top quality.

The problem for investors has always been that their first port of call is the wine merchant, who exists to buy and sell wine only and reacts to these stimuli alone. Fig. 1 shows the difference in cost between a standard wine merchantʼs wine plan cost and the new geared wine investment from Curzon Capital.

Of course the knack, as with any com-modity, is to buy something that has scar-city value not only at the point of purchase but also when you come to sell. With the Bordeaux wines a finite amount, an amount that cannot be increased, is made each year. Some is drunk and the rest is put down as an investment. The key point here is the price step dynamic.

This concerns the point at which a wine first becomes drinkable and it may be six years or even more after the initial harvest. At this point demand increases and so the price rises. But with a limited supply and some always being comsumed, the remain-der becomes more valuable over time.

As with anything in short supply, it is the rich who generally want and can afford it. There are also new markets, such as Rus-sia, driving the demand for quality wine. The fund trades via a specialist market -

Liv-Ex - that provides both liquidity, price transparency, and best bid price. Returns have been above 20% p.a. and look set, via this fund, to continue.

Then thereʼs Africa. Whilst the wealthy Westerner, on average, throws away 25% of their food, there are still parts of Af-rica where the people are unable to feed themselves. No surprise here maybe and traditional solutions have usually in-volved simply giving charity. But what if we could provide jobs instead of giv-ing charity? One UK fund manager has come up with a unique proposition.

"Of course the knack, as with any commodity, is to buy something that has scarcity value not only at the point of purchase but also when you come to sell."

Having received advice on where to start, he settled on Malawi, which is one of the twelfth poorest countries in the world. Here the average annual income is £57 – no, this is not a printing error. I do mean just £57 per annum. 85% of the people live in rural areas where AIDS is rampant, poverty en-demic and there is no private economy. He visited a village called Dwambazi, which sits besides one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.

There was one man already there - a man called Pastor Wilson - who was trying to get some of the starving children, the el-derly and the AIDS sufferers, all of whom were quite unable to feed themselves, onto a regular feeding programme. He had a list of some 260 people. When the fund manager asked the people why they were not farming their reply was that, as it was August and the rains would not come until November, there was no point. Without money for the equipment, pumps and diesel to make an irrigation system work they had to rely on the weather alone.

Struck by the plight of these people and after a great deal of thought about how to help them, what he came up with is as fol-lows. He offered to take a 10- year lease on 120 hectares of land, build a farm with irrigation systems, working capital, roads, storage accommodation and accommoda-

tion for the local farmers. The farm was built and Pastor Wilsonʼs list started to re-duce with a feeding programme that gives the needy just one good meal per day. But would this really succeed in creating a local economy? The answer has been a resound-ing ʻYesʼ.

This same investment manager has, as a result, invented a fund via which he hopes to raise a further £100 million across the UK. By so doing, the money raised will employ 1.4 million Malawians or 9% of the population. The fund will be available for ISAs, pensions or offshore bonds and of course those running a charitable trust of any sort can also invest. The fund comes with a capital guarantee at maturity. Fore-cast returns are 20% per annum. So, if you really want to make a difference put £1,000 into this fund and you will not only have an excellent investment but you will, at the same time, give 14 Malawians a permanent job that is not dependent on further aid.

Two contrasting alternatives then to get your 2008 investing off to an interesting start.

If you need any further information or assistance with this or any other type of investment you can always contact me on 07715174057 or e-mail nicholas [email protected]. Nicholas is an Independent Financial Planner with Positive Solutions (Financial Services) Ltd who are regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Belgium’s outgoing Prime Min-ister Guy Verhofstadt (L) presides over his last Cabinet meeting, before stepping down, with his successor Yves Leterme (R) in Brussels. (RN)

Tibetans shout slo-gans during a protest in support of Tibet, in Brussels. (RN)

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a news confer-ence at the European Council

headquarters on the second day of an EU summit in Brussels. The euro currency’s record strength and financial market turmoil were the big talking points on the sidelines of an EU

summit on Thursday, ahead of a formal discussion on Friday, Eu-ropean leaders said. (RN)

Members of the Belgian Parliament hold banners read-ing “More women in the government” while Belgium’s Prime Minister Yves Leterme launches the work programme of his newly appointed government at the Parliament in Brussels. (RN)

Sheikha Lubna al-Qasimi, foreign trade minister for the United Arab Emir-ates, speaks during a panel dis-cussion on

sovereign wealth funds, during the Brussels Forum, in Brussels, Belgium, on Saturday. The Ger-man Marshall Fund of the United States is a grantmaking and public policy institute dedicated to strenthening transatlantic co-operation. (BN)

Belgian riot police arrest an activist who attempted to enter the NATO head-

quarters in Brussels. Around 100 anti-war protesters were arrested trying to force their way into NATO’s headquarters in Belgium on Saturday, police said. (RN)

European Cen-tral Bank (ECB) President Jean-Claude Trichet arrives to testify before the Euro-pean Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs in Brussels. (RN)

Ryanair Chief Executive Mi-chael O’Leary speaks at a news conference in Brussels. Ryanair

expects to remain unhedged for the rest of 2008 once its current insurance against high fuel prices expires at the end of this month, O’Leary said. (RN)

France’s Sylvain Chavanel of Cofidis celebrates at the fin-ish line as he wins the 63rd Dwars door Vlaanderen (Across the Flanders) cycling race in Waregem. (RN)

Francis Brichet, the father of Elisabeth, one of the victims of French self-confessed serial killer Michel Fourniret, arrives at Charleville-Mezieres courthouse. The trial of Fourniret, charged of murdering at least seven girls in Belgium and France between 1987 and 2001, and his wife Mo-nique Olivier who faces charges of helping him murder at least three of his vic-tims, be-gins on Thurs-day. (RN)

AUSTRIAAfrican artists perform during a dress rehearsal of the show “Afrika-Afrika” produced by Austrian multi-media artist Andre Heller in Vienna. (RN)

Mohammed Al-Aleem, Kuwait’s acting oil minister, gestures to journalists at the opening of the Organization of Petroleum Ex-porting Countries (OPEC) meet-ing in Vienna, Austria. Saudi Ara-bia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, is pro-ducing above its OPEC quota because the market needs more crude, Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said. (BN)

A waiter serves beer at the opening of Vienna’s Sch-weizerhaus, a tradi-tional beer garden at Vienna’s amuse-ment park “Wurstl Prater”. (RN)

A woman joins thou-sands of people lighting candles to represent each Aus-trian killed under Nazi tyranny, including 65,000 Jews, dur-

ing a silent candle-lit vigil on Vienna’s Heldenplatz (Heroes’ Square). Austrian leaders urged their people on Wednesday not to dismiss the Nazi past as no longer relevant 70 years after Hitler took over the country with popular support. (RN)

UEFA Presi-dent Michel Platini listens during a news con-ference on occasion of a UEFA EURO 2008 team workshop in Vienna. (RN)

Austria Vienna’s Hannes Aigner (L) and Rapid Vienna’s Hannes Eder exchange their jerseys af-ter their Austrian league soccer

match in Vienna. (RN)

An urn in the design of a soc-cer ball stands in a glass cabinet among other urns at the “Bestat-tungs-museum der Bestat-tung Wien” (burial museum) in Vienna. (RN)

Maria Happel (R) and Roland Koch perform as Michel and Veronique Houille during a dress rehearsal of Yasmina Reza’s play “Der Gott des Gemetzels” (the god of massacre) on stage of Vienna’s Burtheater. The play is directed by Dieter Giesing. (RN)

Rescue workers help injured people on the site of a crash near Seewalchen in Upper Aus-tria province March 25, 2008. At least one person was killed and several seriously injured in a pile-up of around 100 vehicles on Austria’s main east-west high-way on Tuesday, local authorities said. (RN)

Vienna Insurance Group CEO Guenter Geyer addresses the media during a news conference inVienna. The company said it increased its embedded value to 4.55 billion euros ($7.16 billion) at the end of 2007, up 8.6 percent from a year earlier. (RN)

BELGIUM

Alternative Equity Investments – Bordeaux, Fine Wines, and AfricaBy Nicholas Watts

42

BULGARIA

CYPRUS

Princess Kalina (L), daughter of Bulgaria’s former Tsar Simeon Saxe-Coburg, and her husband Spanish

explorer Kitin Munoz pose with their son Simeon-Hassan Munoz during an official photo session for his first birthday at Saxe-Coburg’s residency of Tsarska Bistritsa, near the town of Samokov, some 60km (37miles) south of capital Sofia. (RN)

A model presents a creation as part of Bulgarian designer Evgenia Zhivkova’s Spring/Summer 2008 collection for Jeny Style fashion house during a show in Sofia. (RN)

A Bulgarian boy rides his horse during a festival marking the tra-ditional holiday of Todorov Den, also known as Horse Easter, in the village of Gorna Banja, near Sofia. Orthodox Bulgarians orga-

nise horse races on Todorov Den as it is believed to keep their farm animals in good health. (RN)

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev arrives for a European sum-mit in Brussels. European Union leaders meet on Thursday for a two-day summit to set a tight time-table for adopting ambitious ener-gy policy reforms and measures to fight climate change, despite some sharp differences over how to achieve those goals. (RN)

A police officer shows a fake 200 euros ($309) banknote

in Sofia. Over 350,000 euros ($541, 426) in fake banknotes were seized late on Thursday during a special police operation. (RN)Nenov

Workers unload the coffin of a Bulgarian sailor of a Bulgarian cargo ship, which sank in rough weather in

the Sea of Azov, at the Black sea port of Varna, some 450km (280 miles) northeast of the capital Sofia March 24, 2008. The bod-ies of seven Bulgarian sailors of the cargo ship, which sank were recovered and sent back to Bulgaria on Monday. The boat’s crew consisted of 10 Bulgarians and one Ukrainian. (RN)

Tottenham Hotspur’s Dimitar Berbatov poses for the media after winning the Bulgarian Soccer Player of the Year 2007 award during an official ceremony in

Sofia. (RN)

Bulgaria’s President Georgi Parvanov lights the eternal flame, com-memorat-ing the six million Jews killed by

the Nazis in the Holocaust, dur-ing a memorial ceremony at Yad Vashem Memorial in Jerusalem. (RN)

Bulgarian national-ist Attack party leader and Member of Parliament Volen Siderov (C) speaks to the media after his party’s members were prevented from protesting against visiting Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan in Sofia. (RN)

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (L) and his Bulgarian counterpart Sergei Stanishev (R) lay a wreath at the monument of

New villas stand in Pyla, near Larnaca, Cyprus. Cyprus’s prop-erty market is booming and mort-gage lending is rising at a very strong pace. (BN)

Cyprus’ President Dimitris Christofias addresses a news conference during a EU summit in Brussels. European Union leaders meet on Thursday for a two-day

summit to set a tight timetable for adopting ambitious energy policy reforms and measures to fight climate change, despite some sharp differences over how to achieve those goals. (RN)

Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias (R) shakes hands with Turkish Cypriot Leader Mehmet Ali Talat (L) after the end of their first meeting in Nicosia. (RN)

A goat walks along the sun-baked bed of Cyprus’s largest reservoir at Kouris, March 20, 2008. Cyprus on Monday ordered emergency water rationing and imports from Greece to cope with

a growing shortage exacerbated by a fourth year of drought. (RN)

United Nations minesweepers check for unexploded ordnance on Nicosia’s Ledra Street. U.N. explosives experts swept a cen-tral Nicosia checkpoint for mines and booby traps on Wednesday, part of a plan to open a pedes-trian crossing point in the divided city for the first time in decades. (RN)

FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin said recently that Cyprus and especially AEL bas-ketball team “has shown not only that it can play basketball, such as qualifying for the final four, but it has also great organisational capabilities.” Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Eurocup

All-Star Game 2008, to be held in the coastal town of Limassol, at the Spyros Kyprianou Arena, Zanolin said “this is the fourth year in a row that we have the All-Star in this wonderful city, in this wonderful country, and each year it is getting better.” (CAN)

44

CZECH REPUBLIC

DENMARK

Alzbeta Chmelarova, 90, from the vil-lage of Vnorovy in southeast-ern Moravia in Czech Republic, decorates Easter eggs with tra-ditional design. Vnorovy’s Easter eggs are famed for their geomet-

rical designs which are applied to cleaned egg shells with the use of wax. (RN)

Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic kisses the men’s over-all trophy at the Cross-Country skiing World Cup finals in Santa Caterina. (RN)

Protesters carry a placard that reads: “No to bases” during a

demonstration against U.S. plans to install missile shields in the Czech Republic, in Prague. They carry figures representing Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, Czech Deputy Minister for Security Policy and Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Vondra, Czech Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanova, U.S. President George W. Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L-R). (RN)

People stand amidst damaged vehicles after a pileup on the main

motorway between Prague and Brno near the town of Humpolec. Around 100 cars collided in a huge pileup in a heavy snow-storm in the Czech Republic on Thursday, completely blocking its main highway, officials said. (RN)

Czech Republic’s Tomas Verner performs during the men’s free skating programme at the World figure Skating Championships in Gothenburg. (RN)

Former Czech President and dissident Vaclav Havel attends a pro-Tibet demonstration as sev-eral hundred activists gathered in front of the Chinese embassy in Prague. (RN)

Canada’s Jennifer Jones (lower) watches the line on the rock as the Czech Republic’s skip Katerina Urbanova looks over her shoulder during the World Women’s Curling Championships in Vernon, British Columbia. (RN)

Czech Republic’s Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek reviews the guard of honor during a welcom-ing ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. (RN)

A newborn baby orang utan rests in the arms of its mother Mona at the zoo in Aalborg. (RN)

U.S. President George W. Bush, left, and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark’s prime minister, place their arms around each other fol-lowing a joint news conference at Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, U.S.. Bush said he will urge allies attending a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Bucharest, Romania, next month to send more troops to fight the insurgency in Afghanistan. (BN)

Per Stig Moeller, the Danish foreign minister, left, gestures to Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the

German foreign minister, before the start of the NATO foreign ministers meet-ing in Brussels, Belgium. A U.S.

radar base planned for the Czech Republic may be built even if an accompanying missile base in Poland is not, Hospodarske Noviny said, citing Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Vondra. (BN)

Shi’ite Muslims burn Danish, U.S. and Israeli flags during a religious procession in Karach. Protesters in Pakistan are demanding for ties with Denmark to be severed over the republica-tion of one of several cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad that led to violence in Muslim countries two years ago. (RN)

Lindsey Tarpley (C) of the U.S. is challenged by Denmark’s

Cathrine Sorensen (L) and Christina Orntoft dur-ing their World Algarve Cup women’s soccer championship final at Vila Real

Santo Antonio stadium. (RN)

European Socialist Party leader Poul Rasmussen of Denmark (L) welcomes Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a meeting of the European Socialist Party in Brussels.. European Union leaders meet on Thursday for a two-day summit to set a tight time-table for adopting ambitious energy policy reforms and measures to fight climate change, despite some sharp differences over how to achieve those goals. (RN)

Denmark’s Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen arrives at the European Council head-quarters on the second day of an EU summit in Brussels. The euro currency’s record strength and financial market turmoil were

the big talk-ing points on the sidelines of an EU summit on Thursday ahead of a formal discussion on Friday,

European leaders said. (RN)

Denmark’s skip Angelina Jensen shouts to team mates dur-ing the World Women’s Curling Championships in Vernon, British Columbia. (RN)

Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard poses in Aarhus. His satirical drawing of the Prophet Mohammad has changed his life, but Westergaard has no regrets, despite the exposure of a plot to kill him. (RN)

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan (R) and his Danish coun-terpart Per Stig Moller (L) meet in Ankara. (RN)

� Do you have strongbusiness experience?

� Have you got skills that wouldbenefit a young entrepreneur?

� Would you like to supporta new business start-up?

If yes, then business mentoringcould be for you.

The Prince’s Trust is looking for volunteer mentors toprovide support and guidance to each of the 220 newbusinesses we will help to set up in Northern Ireland thisyear.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring inNorthern Ireland, or about The Prince’s Trust, pleasecontact Billy Eagleson on 02890 758115 oremail [email protected]

© The Prince’s Trust 2007 – all rights reserved. The Prince’s Trust is a registered charity, number 1079675, incorporated by Royal Charter.

��

A4 NI Advert FINAL.indd 1 3/8/07 09:05:55

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ESTONIA

FINLAND

FRANCE

Estonia’s Kristina Kiudmaa and

Aleksei Trohlev perform dur-

ing the ice dancing compulsory

dance programme at the World

Figure Skating Championships in

Gothenburg. (RN)

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip

Erdogan (L) and his Estonian

counterpart Andrus Ansip pose

for the media during a welcoming

ceremony in Ankara. Ansip is in

Ankara for talks with top Turkish

officials. (RN)

Pedestrians walk in the centre of

Moscow near an election poster

showing Russian President

Vladimir Putin and presidential

candidate Dmitry Medvedev in

Moscow, Russia. Russia may

be heading toward dictatorship

as Germany did in the 1920s,

Estonian President Toomas Ilves

said, less than a week before

Russians elect a successor to

President Vladimir Putin. (BN)

Danil Haustov of Estonia swims

in the men’s 50m freestyle heats

at the European Swimming

Championships in Eindhoven. (RN)

Macedonian Prime Minister

Nikola Gruevski (L) and his

Estonian counterpart Andrus

Ansip inspect a guard of honour

during a welcoming ceremony

in Skopje. Ansip is in Skopje for

talks with top Macedonian offi-

cials. (RN)

Ville Vahtola of Finland dives during the men’s 1m springboard preliminary at the European Swimming Championships in Eindhoven. (RN)

McLaren Formula One driv-er Heikki Kovalainen of Finland smiles as he sits outside his pit at Sepang circuit. (RN)

Viveka Eriksson, premier of Aland, speaks during an inter-view at the Self-Government

Building, in Marieham, Aland Islands, Finland. The Aalanders,

members of Finland’s Swedish-speaking minority, have persisted in selling snus (snuff) on their ferries, which shuttle millions of passengers around the Baltic. The powdered tobacco is illegal everywhere in the EU except Sweden, which loves snus so much that it only joined the EU after getting assurances that snus sales would stay legal. (BN)

Finland’s Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (R) wel-comes British Foreign Secretary David Miliband upon his arrival in Helsinki. Miliband is on a two-day official visit to Finland. (RN)

Finland’s Kiira Korpi performs during the women’s free skat-ing programme at the World Figure Skating Championships in Gothenburg. (RN)

Ferrari Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen (C) of Finland shows his trophy as BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica (L) of Poland and McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen of Finland applaud after Raikkonen won the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit. Kubica finished second and Kovalainen, third. (RN)

Janne Ahonen of Finland greets spectators after he won the Ski Jumping World Cup event on a

flying hill in Harrachov. Five-time Four-hills champion Ahonen announced in Helsinki that he is retiring from ski jumping to spend more time with his family. (RN)

Fire officials extinguish a fire in a two-storey building used as social housing in Espoo, a suburb of Helsinki. At least five people were killed and five others were injured when a fire tore the build-ing, authorities said. (RN)

France’s rogue trader Jerome Kerviel waves at reporters as he walks free from the Sante prison in Paris March 18, 2008 after five weeks in custody. Kerviel left jail after winning a legal battle against detention. Kerviel is accused of causing record losses at French bank Societe Generale. (RN)

Princess Stephanie of Monaco, president of Fight Aids Monaco, smiles before a news confer-ence to announce a show which will pay tribute to French singer Serge Gainsbourg in Monte Carlo. The benefit of the show will go to Stephanie’s association. (RN)

Vintner Christian Moreau, left, poses with his son Fabien in the vineyards of Chablis, France, in this undated handout

photo released to the media on Wednesday. In Chablis, it’s rain-ing and the skies are depressingly gray, yet the 90 wine producers pouring their 2006 whites in a cold stone building in the town centre are all smiles -- their wines are crisp and minerally, with plen-ty of up-front fruit appeal. In other words, 2006 is another vintage in Burgundy snatched from the jaws of total disaster at the last moment. (BN)

French actress Sophie Duez displays her voter registration card before voting in the second round of municipal elections in Nice, southeast-ern France.

Duez is number four on the socialist party list headed by Patrick Allemand. France goes to the polls for the final round of municipal elections which could leave the left in charge of most major French cities and put pressure on President Nicolas Sarkozy to change his style of government. (RN)

Air France-KLM chief executive Jean-Cyril Spinetta attends a news confer-ence in down-town Rome. Spinetta warned Alitalia’s unions on Tuesday that the Franco-Dutch carrier was not “obliged” to buy the Italian carrier despite the weekend deal struck between them, a union official said. (RN)

Members of the Foreign Legion pay respect to the flag-draped coffin of Lazare Ponticelli, aged 110, France’s last surviving WWI veteran at a ceremony to pay tribute to the dead of World War

One in a state funeral at the Invalides in Paris. Ponticelli, an Italian immigrant who joined the Foreign Legion as a 16 year-old at the outbreak of the war with Germany in 1914, died last month. (RN)

France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy delivers a speech during the “International Francophone Day” in Paris.(RN)

Alain Bernard of France reacts after his men’s 50m freestyle semi-final during the European Swimming Championships in Eindhoven. Bernard clocked 21.50 seconds to beat the mark of 21.56 set by Eamon Sullivan of Australia in Sydney on Feb 17 this year. (RN)

Acrobats from Group F of France perform in the play titled “Un poco mas de luz” which means “a little more light” at the closing of the XI Iberoamerican Theater Festival in Bogota. Over

100 theatre companies are pre-senting their shows. (RN)

France’s first lady Carla Bruni listens as her husband French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses members of both Houses of Parliament in the Royal Gallery of the Palace of Westminster in London. (RN)

A court artist drawing shows self-confessed French serial killer Michel Fourniret holding a piece of paper reading “If no closed doors, mouth closed” during his trial at Charleville-Mezieres courthouse. Fourniret, dubbed the “Ogre of the Ardennes”, faces trial on Thursday for raping and murdering seven young women with the help of his wife in one of the worst serial murder cases in recent French history. (RN)

48

GERMANY

Germany’s Gold medallists,

Aliona Savchenko and Robin

Szolkowy, perform during the

pairs free skating programme

at the World Figure Skating

Championships in Gothenburg. (RN)

A handout picture shows polar

bear cub Flocke (Snowflake)

enjoying water sprays at the zoo

in Nuremberg. Flocke was sepa-

rated from her mother Vera after

officials at the Nuremberg zoo

became concerned she might

harm the cub. (RN)

A worker grinds metal as

he helps to renew the fur-

nace, Schwelgern 1 at the

ThyssenKrupp AG steel plant,

in Duisburg, Germany, on

Wednesday. The company is

Germany’s largest steelmaker. (BN)

German Chancellor Angela

Merkel raises a glass in Chagall

hall before addressing the ple-

num in Israel’s parliament in

Jerusalem. Merkel began on

Sunday a highly symbolic visit

to Israel, where she will become

the first German chancellor to

address its parliament more than

60 years after the Nazi Holocaust

that killed 6 million Jews. (RN)

Williams Formula One driver

Nico Rosberg of Germany ges-

tures after getting into an F1

simulator in Singapore. (RN)

Actors Markus Pol, Pia Douwes,

playing the role of Austria’s

Empress Elisabeth and Uwe

Kroeger (LtoR) pose for the

media during a photocall to

promote their musical “Elisabeth”

in Berlin. (RN)

A young woman wearing a tra-

ditional Frankonian wedding hat

smiles during a traditional Georgi

horse riding procession on Easter

Monday in the northern Bavarian

village of Effeltrich. Since early

16th century farmers have taken

part in the pilgrimage to bless

their horses. The roots of this

tradition go back to the legend

of Saint George, the horsemen’s

patron saint. (RN)

Michael Ballack (L) of Germany

fights for the ball with Alexander

Frei (R) and Valon Behrami

(rear) of Switzerland during their

friendly soccer match in Basel.

(RN)

Workers polish a prototype of

the new maglev Transrapid high-

speed train at the ThyssenKrupp

plant in the central German city

of Kassel. A planned high-speed

rail link between the Bavarian

capital Munich and its airport

will probably not be built because

of a cost overrun, a source in

Germany’s ruling coalition said.

(RN)

A protester carries a flag as he

takes part in the “Ostermarsch”

(Easter march) demonstration to

protest against wars in Iraq and

Afghanistan, in Berlin. The sign

on the flag reads “peace”. (RN)

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inches

1

2

3

Europe Retail FallsEuropean retail sales unexpectedly declined in Febuary after food and energy costs rose, curbing household spending.

Retail sales month-over-monthchange in volume

2006 2007 ’08

1.0%

0.5

-0.5

-1.0

-1.5

00 0 0 0 0

50

GREECE

HUNGARY

Striking electricity utility workers march during a demonstration in central Athens. Private and public sector unions launched a 24-hour nationwide strike on Wednesday against the government’s planned pension reforms, grounding flights, confining ships to port and closing schools, ministries and banks. (RN)

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the NATO secre-tary general, gestures dur-ing a press briefing in Brussels, Belgium. Greece threat-

ened to block NATO membership for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, poking a hole in the alliance’s plans to expand into southeastern Europe. (BN)

A model presents a cre-ation by designer Loukia during the fash-ion week in Athens. (RN)

Romanos Iason Alyfantis of Greece swims during the men’s 100m breast-stroke heats at the European Swimming


A Greek protester draped in a Greek flag stands in front of riot police during a demonstration in central Athens. Bank employees,

lawyers and firefighters were on strike on Friday to protest against the government’s pension reform bill. (RN)

Greece’s Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis addresses a news confer-ence after a meet-ing with her Macedonian counterpart in Brussels. The Greek and Macedonian foreign ministers underlined their commitment on Friday to resolve a dispute over Macedonia’s name, a statement issued after talks between the two said. (RN)

The Olympic flame is carried to the torch lighting ceremony by

Greek actress Maria Nafpliotou, playing the role of High Priestess, at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece. (RN)

A demonstrator from the press freedom group “Reporters with-out Borders” is arrested during the speech by Chinese Olympic Committee President Liu Qi at the Olympic flame-lighting ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Games at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece. (RN)

Children wave flags of Serbia, Spain, Greece and Russia dur-ing a protest in the northern part of Mitrovica. Spain, Greece and Russia are among the coun-tries which are not recognizing Kosovo’s independence. (RN)

Nikolett Szepesi of Hungary displays her bronze medal in the women’s 200m backstroke finals at the European Swimming Championships in Eindhoven. (RN)

A protester throws a garbage bin at riot police during an anti-government demonstration in Budapest. (RN)

Dancers perform during celebra-tions marking the 160th anni-

versary of Hungary’s 1848 revolution in Budapest. (RN)

A factory worker unloads sugar from a sack onto a conveyor belt in the Matra Cukor sugar factory in Szerencs, 220 km (137 miles) east of Budapest. Hungary’s sugar sector may soon become history after the European Union’s market reforms shut down anoth-er refinery this week and the last remaining unit is engulfed in a price war with suppliers. (RN)

Members of the Hungarian far-right anti-Roma group Magyar Garda wait in a courtroom at the Budapest Court. The Budapest Chief Prosecutor’s Office wants the group to be dissolved as it believes their operation violates the rights of the Roma commu-nity. (RN)

Serbian ambas-sador to Bulgaria Danilo Vucetic speaks during a news conference in Sofia. Serbia is withdrawing its ambassadors from Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria in response to their recognition of Kosovo as an independent state, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said. (RN)

Men dressed in traditional cos-tumes throw water on a woman as part of traditional Easter cel-ebrations during a presentation to the media in Mezokovesd, 130 km (81 miles) east of Budapest. Locals from northeast Hungary celebrate Easter with a “watering of the girls”, a fertility ritual rooted in Hungary’s tribal pre-Christian past. (RN)

People fight with pillows during the second International Pillow Fighting Day in the centre of Budapest. (RN)

Dancers from Madach Theatre perform a scene from award-win-ning musical “Cats” in Budapest’s Heroes Square. Budapest’s Madach Theatre has been playing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical for 25 years continuously with great success and the open air dance performance commem-orates their 25th anniversary. (RN)

5352

LATVIA

LITHUANIA

Latvia’s Minister of Foreign

Affairs Maris Riekstins (R) shakes

hands with U.S. Secretary of

Homeland Security Michael

Chertoff in Riga. Chertoff and

Riekstins signed an agreement

that will lead to Latvians getting

visa-free travel to the United

States. Earlier in the day, the U.S.

signed a similar agreement with

Estonia, but the European Union

is against such agreements,

believing that they undermine the

E.U.’s powers. (RN)

Singer Rihanna performs

onstage in Riga. (RN)

Men leave Doma Church for a

procession to commemorate

the Latvian Waffen SS unit, also

known as the Legionnaires, in

Riga. The Legionnaires are being

commemorated for fighting

against the Soviet occupation of

Latvia but the Nazi connection

has caused great controversy

abroad, particularly in Russia. (RN)

Latvia’s Prime Minister Ivars

Godmanis arrives at the

European Council headquarters

on the second day of an EU

summit in Brussels. The euro

currency’s record strength and

financial market turmoil were the

big talking points on the sidelines

of an EU summit ahead of a for-

mal discussion, European leaders

said. (RN)

Mikhail Koklyaev of Russia (L)

and Travis Ortmayer of the U.S.

compete during the Strongman

Champions League Riga Grand

Prix competition in Riga. (RN)

Town square at dusk in Riga,

Latvia. Riga's opera festival pic-

tures itself as the Bayreuth of

the East. The dream would seem

absurd if the Latvian company

were not doing so well. Emerging

markets from the Baltic states

to Latin America, awash in over-

seas capital, are paying a price

for their popularity. Residents of

Latvia's capital, Riga, have seen

house prices jump 67 percent in

a year. (BN)

Ioannis Bourousis (L) of

Olympiacos tries to stop Jonas

Maciulis of Zalgiris going for

a basket during their men’s

Euroleague basketball game in

Kaunas. (RN)

Laszlo Cseh of Hungary (C),

Dinko Jukic of Austria (L)

and Vytautas Janusaitis of

Lithuania pose with their med-

als at the podium of the men’s

200m individual medley final



Czech Republic’s Prime Minister

Mirek Topolanek (L) and his

Lithuanian counterpart Gediminas

Kirkilas review the guard of

honour during the welcoming

ceremony at the government

headquarters in Prague. (RN)

Lithuania’s Katherine Copely

and Deividas Stagniunas perform

during the ice dancing original

dance programme at the World

Figure Skating Championships in

Gothenburg. (RN)

Mourners pay their respects at

a make-shift memorial at the site

of a crash that killed three young

school children earlier this month

in Aleksandrija, Lithuania. The

school children were killed by

an off-duty policeman speeding

in his BMW. Lithuania has the

highest rate of road deaths in the

European Union, and Lithuanians

are four times more likely to die

in car accidents than Britons or

Germans. (BN)

Visitors wear gas masks during

a visit to the Soviet Adventure

Park "1984" show in Nemencine

about 25 km (15,5 miles) from

capital Vilnius. (RN)

Union represen-tatives speak to Alitalia workers demonstrating in front of the airline’s head-quarters on the

outskirts of Rome. Italy’s govern-ment said on Tuesday it struck a deal with unions and key players to avoid job and revenue losses at Milan’s Malpensa airport in an effort to clear the way for Alitalia’s sale to Air France-KLM. Italian police clashed with aircraft main-tenance workers protesting out-side Alitalia’s Rome headquarters over possible job losses from the sale. (RN)

Lazio’s coach Delio Rossi celebrates after his player Goran Pandev scored during their Serie A soccer match against AS Roma at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (RN)

Alessia Filippi of Italy reacts with her gold medal in the women’s 400m individual medley final at the European Swimming


A pro-Tibet demonstrator cries as he takes part in a rally out-side China’s embassy in Rome.(RN)

Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano (L) and Chile’s President

Michelle Bachelet shake hands in front of La Moneda Presidential Palace in Santiago. Napolitano is in Chile for a two-day official visit. (RN)

Versace’s Chief Executive Giancarlo di Risio poses near the new AW 109 Power Agusta

Westland, the first helicopter to be fitted with Versace-styled inte-riors, which has been delivered to Romania’s former tennis player turned businessman Ion Tiriac at the Agusta Westland headquar-ters in Vergiate, around 60km (37 miles) north-west of Milan. (RN)

A worker puts labels on bot-tles to be filled with limoncello at the Pallini liqueur and spirits fac-tory in Rome, Italy. Italy’s economy will expand at the

slowest pace in five years as “external shocks’’ such as record oil prices and the euro’s strength against the dollar hurt consumers and businesses, the Isae research institute said. (BN)

A water buffalo, used for the pro-duction of buf-falo mozzarella cheese, stands in a farmyard near the Campania

region village of Castel Volturno. The European Commission has asked Italy for assurances the country’s top mozzarella is safe to eat following reports some of the cheese was made with milk con-taminated with the carcinogenic chemical compound dioxin. (RN)

Italian PDL (Party for Liberty) leader Silvio Berlusconi speaks during an electoral rally in Viterbo, 80 km (50 miles) north of Rome. (RN)

Italy’s Mauro Camoranesi (L) jumps for the ball with Spain’s Joan Capdevila during their friendly soc-cer match at the Martinez valero stadium in Elche. (RN)

IRELANDGraeme McDowell of Northern Ireland is drenched in cham-pagne after winning the EPGA Ballantine’s Championship golf tournament at the Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo on Jeju Island. (RN)

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) receives a bowl of sham-rocks from Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern (L) during a St. Patrick’s Day reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (RN)

A pint of stout is served at a pub in Dublin, Ireland. Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, beer lover, said he wants a curb on alcohol avail-ability to stem a surge in drink-fuelled violence. (BN)

Allan Murray, visiting from Dublin, Ireland, watches marchers participate in the Saint Patrick’s day parade on Fifth Avenue, in New York. (RN)

Irish actress Sarah Bolger attends the premiere of the film “The Spiderwick Chronicles” at the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney. (RN)

Ireland’s coach Eddie O’Sullivan walks off the pitch before their Six Nations rugby union match against England at Twickenham in London. (RN)

Northern Ireland’s Peter Thompson (L) celebrates his goal against Georgia with Warren Feeney during their international friendly soccer match at Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland. (RN)

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth meets with Irish President Mary McAleese (C) and her husband Martin McAleese (L) during their visit to Queen’s University in Belfast. (RN)

ITALY

54

Dancers perform “A Time

to Dance” choreographed by

Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud during

the Dance Workshop’s “Verve

‘08” production in Rabat, outside

Valletta. (RN)

A film crew

member

marshalls the

extras during

the filming of

the Egyptian

epic “Agora”

in Valletta.

The film is

directed by

Academy

Award winner Alejandro

Amenabar and stars Oscar-win-

ning British actress Rachel Weisz.

(RN)

An African immigrant takes part

in a Palm Sunday procession

outside the open centre for refu-

gees organised by Peace Lab, a

non-governmental organisation

working with refugees, in Hal Far

near Valletta. (RN)

Ryan Gambin (top) of Malta lines

up for the men’s 50m butterfly

heats at the European Swimming


Pedestrians pass a traditional

horse and cart in the capital of

Malta, Valletta. With 392,000

inhabitants, Malta will be the EU's

smallest member, taking over the

bottom berth from Luxembourg,

with 437,000. Under the EU's

rules, Malta's vote -- or veto -- on

certain issues, including taxation,

immigration and foreign policy, will

count the same as, say, that of

Poland, another new EU entrant

with a population 100 times big-

ger, a position to be moderated

with the Lisbon Treaty. (BN)

An Armed Forces of Malta soldier

walks near a courtyard before a

news conference by the President

of the European Commission,

Jos Manuel Barroso, and Malta's

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi,

at the Prime Minister's Office at

Auberge de Castille in Valletta.

Barroso was in Malta to take part

in official celebrations marking

Malta's entry into the eurozone.

(RN)

LUXEMBOURG

MALTA

Lakshmi Mittal, president

and chief executive officer of

ArcelorMittal, speaks at the

company’s news conference in

Luxembourg. He was recently

named as one of the world’s rich-

est men in the Forbes magazine’s

annual list of billionaires world-

wide. ArcelorMittal, the world’s

largest steelmaker, said fourth-

quarter profit rose 2.7 percent on

higher prices and expanded Latin

American production. (BN)

Jean-Claude Juncker,

Luxembourg’s prime minister and

finance minister, speaks to the

media as he arrives for the Ecofin

finance ministers meeting in

Brussels, Belgium. Luxembourg

Finance Minister Juncker said

Europe is “much better placed’’

than the U.S. to deal with the

stock-market turbulence. (BN)

Guy Wagner, Banque de

Luxembourg chief economist and

managing director of its asset

management subsidiary, attends

an interview at the Reuters Funds

Summit in Luxembourg. (RN)

Palestinian President Mahmoud

Abbas (R) shakes hands with

Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister

Jean Asselborn during their

meeting in the West Bank city of

Ramallah, in this picture released

by the Palestinian Press Office

(PPO). (RN)

A handout photo, provided to

the media, shows a painting by

Maurice de Vlaminck, entitled

‘’Barge on the Seine, 1906’’.

Vlaminck pretended to be illiter-

ate and boasted that he had

never set foot in the Louvre. He

called Picasso a charlatan and

gladly accepted an invitation

from the Nazi authorities to visit

Germany in 1941. (BN)

Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister

Jean Asselborn lays a wreath in

the Hall of Remembrance at Yad

Vashem Holocaust Memorial in

Jerusalem. (RN)

56

Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg of the U.S. talks with participants of a march marking the 65th anniversary of the liqui-dation of the Krakow ghetto, in Krakow. He was one of 700 Jews from Poland, Israel and other countries who marched from the site of the former ghetto to what had been a Nazi German labour camp in the suburb of Plaszow, many of whose inmates were employed by Oskar Schindler.

French Minister of Defence Herve Morin (L) and his Polish counterpart Bogdan Klich listen to their national anthems dur-

ing a welcoming ceremony in front of the Defence Ministry building in Warsaw. (RN)

U.S. President George W. Bush, right, speaks to reporters follow-ing a meeting with Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday. Bush said conditions for basing a U.S. missile defense system in Poland would respect Polish independence. (BN)

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska returns a shot to Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova during their match at the Pacific Life Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California.

(RN)

Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski with his wife Maria Kaczynska hold traditional Polish “palms” after a Palm Sunday mass in Lyse, northeastern Poland, about 150 km (93 miles) from Warsaw. (RN)

BMW Formula One driver Robert Kubica of Poland shows his trophy after he finished

second of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit. (RN)

Hungary’s President Laszlo Solyom (R) welcomes his Polish counterpart Lech Kaczynski in Budapest. (RN)

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (C), Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (L) and Chief of Prime Ministers Political Cabinet Slawomir Nowak (R) walk out of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw following talks with Polish President.

NETHERLANDS

POLAND

Chantal Groot of the Netherlands displays her gold medal in the women’s 50m butterfly finals at the European Swimming Championships in Eindhoven. (RN)

Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of Netherlands gestures during a news conference on World Water Day at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva. Prince Willem-Alexander is the Chairman of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. (RN)

Afghans burn a Netherlands flag during a protest in Kabul. Some 5,000 Afghans chanted “death to Denmark and “death to the

Netherlands” in the capital Kabul on Friday, protesting the reprint-ing of a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad in Danish news-papers and a Dutch film on the Koran. (RN)

A dem-onstrator reacts dur-ing a pro-test against Dutch politican and film-maker Geert Wilders on Dam square in Amsterdam. About one thousand people protested in central Amsterdam on Saturday against right-wing lawmaker Geert Wilders and the imminent release of his film expected to be critical of the Koran. (RN)

Netherlands’ team play-ers celebrate after scoring during their friendly soc-cer match against Austria in Vienna. (RN)

Future parents learn to relax on a bucket to simulate a birth-chair in a pregnancy class to prepare for a traditional Dutch birth in Amsterdam. The Dutch philoso-phy is that childbirth is a natural physical process that should not be medicalised unless there are complications, and should pri-marily be handled by midwives at home rather than by doctors in a hospital. (RN)

Netherlands’ second-placed Steven De Jongh of Quick Step (L) and France’s winner Sylvain Chavanel of Cofidis celebrate on the podium of the 63rd Dwars door Vlaanderen (Across the Flanders) cycling race in Waregem. (RN)

An 8-metre (26-foot) robot made from electronics trash by Greenpeace activists is pic-tured outside the Okura Hotel in Amsterdam, where a meet-ing of Philips Electronics share-holders is taking place. The activ-ists protested against the com-pany’s stance on waste. (RN)

(L-R) Romania’s President Traian Basescu, France’s President

Nicolas Sarkozy, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso attend a family photo session at a EU summit in Brussels. European Union leaders meet on Thursday for a two-day summit to set a tight timetable for adopting ambitious energy policy reforms and measures to fight climate change, despite some sharp differences over how to achieve those goals. (RN)

A model sits on a Suzuki Intruder motorcycle dur-ing the 6th edition of the Romanian National Motorcycle fair in

Bucharest. (RN)

Hungarian girls participate in celebrations marking the Hungarian National Day, also known as Magyars

Day, in the Transylvanian town of Odorheiu Secuiesc, 330km (205 miles) north of Bucharest. (RN)

The Renault logo is displayed in front of Renault’s Romanian car maker Dacia’s plant in Mioveni, 130 km (81 miles) northwest of Bucharest. Thousands of work-ers at Dacia went on strike to demand average pay rises of 65 percent this year, halting pro-duction at the plant. The plant produces the Renault’s low-cost Logan model. (RN)

A Romanian special forces sol-dier takes part in a security drill at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest. The drill is part of security preparations for the NATO Summit from April 2-4, 2008. (RN)

Fox, a German shepherd dog specialized in explosives detec-tion, is presented to the media in the Constitution Square in front of Romania’s Parliament Palace in Bucharest. The Parliament Palace hosted the NATO Summit 2008 on April 2-4. (RN)

Jan Rohlik (L) of the Czech Republic jumps for the ball in front of Romania’s Mihai Macovei (R) during their European Nations Cup rugby match in Bucharest. (RN)

John Fleming (L), chief executive officer of Ford Europe, receives the key to the Automobile Craiova plant from Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu

in Craiova, 230km (143 miles) west of Bucharest. Ford Motor Co officially took over Romanian carmaker Automobile Craiova on Friday, committing to start pro-ducing Ford cars from mid 2009 and produce an unspecified small car from 2010. (RN)

Workers arrange a banner on the Romanian parliament build-ing as part of preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit on April 2 to 4, 2008 in Bucharest. (RN)

Workers at the Dacia car maker plant, owned by France’s Renault, shout during a protest in Mioveni, 130 km (81 miles) northwest of Bucharest. Thousands of workers at the Dacia factory protested as part of their strike that began to press demands for a 50 percent pay rise. (RN)

PORTUGAL

ROMANIA

Men use public bathrooms deco-rated with female mannequins at a shopping centre in Sao Joao da Madeira, northern Portugal. You might be surprised to come across a scantily clad model in a public bathroom, but shoppers at Portugal’s Eight Avenue mall in Sao Joao da Madeira are begin-ning to like it. Spread across the mens’ and ladies’ bathrooms, mannequins scantily dressed stand in suggestive poses as visi-tors meet them, first with shock, then with a smile. (RN)

Sporting’s Liedson Muniz (L) fights for the ball with Nacional’s

Alonso Matos during their Portuguese Premier League soc-cer match at Alvalade stadium in Lisbon. (RN)

Candles and flowers are seen on the street during a pro-Tibet protest in front of the Chinese embassy in Lisbon. China vowed on Wednesday to take the Olympic torch to Tibet despite deadly riots there and sais it was

in a “life or death struggle” over the Himalayan region with “the Dalai Lama clique”. (RN)

Alastair Forsyth of Scotland holds the trophy after winning the Madeira Islands Open golf tournament at the Santo da Serra Golf Club in Portugal. (RN)

Setubal’s goalkeeper Eduardo (C) celebrates their victory against

Sporting with his team mates at the end of their Portuguese League Cup final soccer match in Faro, southern Portugal. (RN)

Portugal has been at the forefron of an accord between the EU and African leaders pledging closer cooperation in addressing pover-ty, countering terrorism and pro-moting good governance. In 2007 the government made substantial progress in restructuring minis-tries and departments, although resistance from public-sector trade unions and from within the civil service has meant that public spending is above target, largely because of higher than expected personnel costs. (BN)

58

David Miliband, the U.K. foreign sec-retary (cen-tre) speaks with Dimitrij Rupel, the Slovenian foreign min-ister (right) and Per Stig Moeller, the

Danish foreign minister, before the start of the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday. A U.S. radar base planned for the Czech Republic may be built even if an accom-panying missile base in Poland is not, Hospodarske Noviny said, cit-ing Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Vondra. (BN)

Slovenia’s Prime Minister Janez Jansa gives a news conference at an EU summit in Brussels. European Union leaders meet on Thursday for a two-day summit to set a tight timetable for adopting ambitious energy policy reforms and measures to fight climate change, despite some sharp dif-

ferences over how to achieve those goals. (RN)

Slovenia’s Matevz Petek competes during the men’s Snowboard Big Air FIS World Cup Grand Finals 2008 in Chiesa Valmalenco. (RN)

Slovenian President Danilo Tuerk (R) speaks with High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy

Javier Solana during his visit in Ljubljana. (RN)

Sara Isakovic of Slovenia reacts after her women’s 200m free-style final during the European Swimming Championships in Eindhoven. (RN)

Tamas Priskin (L) of Hungary fights for the ball with Marko Suler of Slovenia during their friendly soc-cer match in Zalaegerszeg, 230km (143miles) west of Budapest. (RN)

Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva speaks during a news conference after talks with his Slovenian counterpart Dimitrij Rupel in Ljubljana. (RN)

SLOVAKIA

SLOVENIA

Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova returns a shot against Russia’s Maria Sharapova during their match at the Pacific Life Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California. (RN)

Workers build cars on the assembly line at the Kia Motors Slovakia plant in Zilina,

Slovakia, on Dec. 11, 2007. Output from Slovakia’s three major car plants, Volkswagen, PSA Peugeot Citroen and South Korea’s Kia Motors, was one of the major factors fuelling a rise in industrial output in the last year, with production up 59.8 percent on a 12-month comparison. (BN)

Slovak boys dressed in tradi-tional costumes ride on a wagon pulled by an old tractor to cel-ebrate a traditional Easter Day in the village of Selec, 140 km (87 miles) north of Bratislava. (RN)

Aristeidis Grigoriadis of Greece (C), Flori Lang of Switzerland (L) and Lubos Krizko of Slovakia pose with their medals at the podium of the men’s 50m back-stroke final at the European Swimming Championships in

Eindhoven. Grigoriadis won the event while Lang was placed sec-ond and Krizko third. (RN)

Ivan Sramko, governor of the National Bank of Slovakia, poses during the Central and Eastern European Forum (CEE) in Vienna, Austria. Slovak central bank Governor Sramko said the east-ern European nation will be ready to adopt the euro at the end of the year as economic growth is cool enough to keep inflation within the limits for adoption. (BN)

Slovakia’s Igor Macypura per-forms during the men’s free skat-ing programme at the World figure Skating Championships in Gothenburg. (RN)

A man reads a newspaper in a cafe in Bratislava. All the main Slovak dailies issued white front page on Thursday in protest over a new media law which is expected to pass in the parliament next week and has been a roadblock to the EU Lisbon treaty ratification in Slovakia. The publishers of these papers see this law as curtailing press freedom in Slovakia. The main headline of the paper reads: “Seven sins of the media law”. (RN)

www.solmelia.com

6160

Former drummer for the Swedish pop band ABBA, Ola Brunkert, is seen in his undated file photo. Brunkert has been found dead after an apparent accident in his house in Mallorca, Spanish police said. (RN)

Sweden’s Viktoria Helgesson per-forms during the women’s free skating programme at the World Figure Skating Championships in Gothenburg. (RN)

Magnus Böcker, chief execu-tive officer of OMX AB, poses at the OMX offices in Stockholm,

Sweden. When Magnus Böcker went to work as an accountant at OMX

AB, the Swedish exchange was so small he worked behind a curtain stretched across a larger room. As of March 2008, he has become President of what is now called the Nasdaq OMX Group, the electronic exchange that handles the most shares in the U.S. (BN)

A Swedish soldier, part of the KFOR monitoring force, stands guard outside the orthodox mon-astery in Gracanica, Kosovo. Tensions in the area have risen since the Feb. 3 re-election of pro-Western President Boris Tadic and the EU’s announce-ment of a mission to help smooth the path toward independence by the province of Kosovo. (BN)

Simon Sjoedin, Jonas Andersson, Lars Froelander and Stefan Nystrand of Sweden pose with their bronze med-als of the men’s 100m medley

relay at the European Swimming Championships in Eindhoven. (RN)

While Swedish hospitals rank among the best in the world, the slow pace of care has led many wealthy residents to opt out of the government-funded medical system. This continues to cre-ate tensions in a society where cradle-to-grave welfare programs have traditionally provided equal access to care for everyone. (BN)

Sweden skip Stina Viktorsson shouts to team mates during their World Women’s Curling Championships game against Scotland in Vernon, British Columbia. (RN)

Brazil’s Robinho gets a helping hand from Sweden’s Sebastian

Larsson during their international friendly soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London. (RN)

Hennes & Mauritz CEO Rolf Eriksen presents the company’s earnings for the first quarter of the year at a news con-ference in Stockholm. (RN)

SPAIN

SWEDEN

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spain’s prime minister, cel-ebrates with sup-porters after win-ning the general election in Madrid, Spain. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was reelected Spanish prime minister after promising tax cuts and increased

benefits to voters facing rising unemployment and slower eco-nomic growth. (BN)

A boat is moored in the bay at Saint Vicent in the north of Ibiza, Spain. Ibiza, one-time club capital of the world, is in rehab, reinventing itself as a health and eco destination. (BN)

Josep Maria Paret Planas, lawyer, poses in Barcelona, Spain. Planas rep-resented one of Heinrich Kieber’s victims. (BN)

Effigies burn as the city of Valencia celebrates the finale of its “Fallas” festival, which welcomes spring and honours Saint Joseph’s Day. Fallas are giant elaborate sculp-tures and effigies made of wood and plastic which are burned at the end of the week-long spec-tacle of processions, fireworks, music and dancing. (RN)

Getafe’s Esteban Granero cel-ebrates win-ning against Racing Santander at the end their King’s Cup semi-final second leg soccer match at El Sardinero stadium, in Santander. (RN)

A fireman walks in the site where a bomb exploded in Calahorra. A car bomb exploded close to a police sta-

tion in the northern Spanish town of Calahorra on Friday after a warning from the Basque separat-ist group ETA, but only one person was hurt, the town’s mayor said. (RN)

Spanish actor and director Antonio Banderas (R), his mother Ana Banderas (L) and U.S actress Melanie Griffith watch a proces-sion during Holy Week in the Andalusian capital of Malaga, southern Spain. Hundreds of Easter processions take place around the clock in Spain during Holy Week, drawing thousands of visitors. (RN)

Spain’s Rafael Nadal drops to his knees as he celebrates his victory over James Blake of the U.S. during their match at the Pacific Life Open tennis tour-nament in Indian Wells, California. (RN)

Spain’s Princess Letizia holds her daughter Sofia after arriving for Easter Sunday mass at Palma de Mallorca’s Cathedral on the Spanish island of Mallorca. (RN)

Spanish matador Manuel Jesus ‘El Cid’ performs a pass on a bull during a bullfight in The Maestranza bullring in Seville. (RN)

UNITED KINGDOM

England’s Steve Borthwick (L)

catches the ball during their

Six Nations rugby union match

against Ireland at Twickenham in

London. (RN)

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth smiles

as she leaves a reception at

Queen’s University in Belfast. (RN)

Former British Prime Minister

Tony Blair speaks during a con-

ference on climate change in

New Delhi. (RN)

A sign for

the Halifax

bank is seen

on the wall

of a branch

in London.

Britain’s

financial

authorities

made a rare

public move

to calm jit-

tery markets on Wednesday, say-

ing they were not aware of prob-

lems at any UK bank and would

investigate share price moves

sparked by unfounded rumours.

HBOS, owner of the Halifax

brand, dismissed the specula-

tion, saying it had an “exception-

ally strong balance sheet” and

continued to access wholesale

funding. (RN)

Russian singer Valeriya (L) and

former Bee Gees singer Robin

Gibb attend a news conference in

Moscow. Valeriya, one of Eastern

Europe’s best selling pop art-

ists, recorded with English singer

Robin Gibb the Bee Gees classic

‘Stayin’ Alive’ for her new album

that is due to be released in the

UK next month. (RN)

Captain Ryan Jones of Wales

celebrates with the trophy after

beating France in their Six

Nations rugby union match at

the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff,

Wales. (RN)

A science technician presses

her nose against a leather-bound

“Mummy” skeleton during a

photocall for the Edinburgh

International Science Festival in

Edinburgh, Scotland. (RN)

Director Fred Zinnemann and

actor Paul Scofield (R) are seen

during production of the film “A

Man For All Seasons (1966)” in

this undated handout photo from

1966. Scofield, hailed as one

of the great British actors of his

generation and awarded an Oscar

for his haunting performance in

“A Man For All Seasons”, has

died aged 86 of leukaemia, his

agent said. (RN)

An artist’s impression of the

Jupiter-like extrasolar planet

known as HD 189733b, orbiting

close to its star about 63 light

years from Earth. Astronomers

used the Hubble Space

Telescope to detect methane in

this planet’s atmosphere -- the

first organic molecule found on

a planet outside our solar sys-

tem. Hubble also confirmed the

presence of water vapor in the

planet’s atmosphere, in research

published in the journal Nature.

(RN)

British actress Thandie Newton

arrives to attend a screening of

the film “Run Fat Boy Run” in

New York. (RN)

A member of the Britannia

Coco-nut dancers smiles before

performing on the roadside near

Bacup, northern England. The

group, which can trace its origins

to the mid-1800s, dance along

the town’s roads every Easter

Saturday following a tradition to

mark out the boundaries of the

town. (RN)

Daley, 13, of Great Britain

poses with his gold medal after

the men’s 10m platform final



Upc

omin

g Eve

nts

20

08

BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Tuesday, May 13 (08:00 to 10:00) - Beamish Hall Country House Hotel , North East

Employing People from Overseas Countries - Durham

The British Chamber of Commerce is working in part-nership with UKvisas to raise awareness of the new policies and processes in UK Visas, Work Permits and the Border & Immigration Agency

Friday, June 20 (08:00 to 10:00) - Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, Northern Ireland

National Business Travel Network - Northern Ireland

The British Chambers of Commerce is working in part-nership with National Business Travel Network (NBTN) and ACT Travelwise to increase aware-ness of travel planning and the positive impact it can have ...

Tuesday, July 01 (09:00 to 11:30) - Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, West Midlands

50 PLUS- Planning for later life and work options

The British Chambers of Commerce and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce is working in partnership with The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to develop an engagement and awareness rais-ing programme...

Thursday, September 04 (09:00 to 11:30) - Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, West Midlands

50 PLUS- Planning for later life and work options

The British Chambers of Commerce and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce is working in partnership with The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to develop an engagement and awareness rais-ing programme...

UK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SPAINUK Chamber of Commerce in Spain

May 8th 7:30 PM

European Business Drinks In Barcelona

The British Chamber of Commerce invites you to its European Business Drinks held in collaboration with the

European Council of Chambers in Spain, in Barcelona.

TRADE SHOWS IN ITALY

OMAT Office Management Application & Technology - Voice, Computer & Communication Milan Hotel Executive Milano 01.05 - 02.05 2008

VERONA MINERAL SHOW Exhibition for Precious Hard Decorative Stone, Fossils and Similar, Stone Giftware Verona Verona Exhibition Centre 02.05 - 04.05 2008

CIBUS International Food Exhibition Parma Fiere di Parma Fairgrounds 05.05 - 08.05 2008

DOLCE ITALIA Confectionery Exhibition Parma Fiere di Parma Fairgrounds 05.05 - 08.05 2008

NAONISCON Game card, Role-playing Game, Game Tournament, Comics Trade Show Pordenone Pordenone Fiere 06.05 - 06.05 2008

VOICECOM Office Management Application & Technology - Voice, Computer & Communication Milan Hotel Executive Milano 07.05 - 08.05 2008

FIERA INTERNAZIONALE DEL LIBRO TORINO Turin International Book Fair Torino Lingotto Fiere 08.05 - 12.05 2008

COSMOFARMA EXHIBITION Health, Wellness, Beauty Products and Services sold in Pharmacies Rome Nuova Fiera di Roma 09.05 - 11.05 2008

CIVITAS Exhibition of Solidarity and Social and Civil Economy Padua PadovaFiere 09.05 - 11.05 2008

MIDO Eyewear Exhibition (Optics - Ophthalmology, Optometry) Milan Fiera Milano Nuovo Polo 09.05 - 12.05 2008

CISAP International Conference on Safety and Environment in Process Industry Rome StarHotels Metropole 11.05 - 14.05 2008

LAMIERA Machines, Plants, Tools for Machining Sheets, Tubes, Sections Wires and Steel Structural Work, the Dies, Welding, Heat Treatments, Surface Treatments and Finishing Bologna Bologna Exhibition Centre 14.05 - 17.05 2008

FITNESS FESTIVAL Fitness Festival Florence Fortezza da Basso 14.05 - 18.05 2008

R2B - RESEARCH TO BUSINESS Research Renovates Enterprise. Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Energy, New Materials... Bologna Bologna Exhibition Centre 15.05 - 16.05 2008

MEDIEL International Exhibition of Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Lighting & Security Napoli Mostra d’Oltremare 16.05 - 18.05 2008

LA FIERA CAMPIONARIA International Trade Far of Padua Padua PadovaFiere 17.05 - 25.05 2008

FEST International Science Media Fair Trieste Fiera Trieste 17.05 - 20.05 2008

BAGARRE Great Market of Markets of Old or Antiques Goods Parma Fiere di Parma Fairgrounds 17.05 - 18.05 2008

VICENZA ORO International Show dedicated to Gold and Silverware, Jewellery and Gemology Vicenza Fiera di Vicenza 17.05 - 21.05 2008

PHARMACON MERAN Pharmaceutical Trade Fair Merano 18.05 - 23.05 2008

EXPOFERROVIARIA International Railway Industry Ex Torino Lingotto Fiere 20.05 - 22.05 2008

For a full listing, by country: www.eventseye.com/fairs

Upcom

ing Events 2

008

ITALYAprile Fotografia Various locations, Padova (I)31.05 www.cnf.padovanet.it

Roberto Crippa Dipaoloarte, Bologna (I) 10.05 www.dipaoloarte.it

Benny Dröscher Contemporary Art Blindarte Contemporanea, Napoli (I) 10.05 www.blindarte.it Maja Bajevic Photo Palazzetto Tito, Venezia (I) 27.04 www.bevilacqualamasa.it

Ezio Gribaudo Museo d’arte contemporanea, Lisssone (I) 27.04 www.progettolissone.it

La cura del Bello. Per Corrado Ricci. Fine Arts Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna, Ravenna (I) 22.06 www.museocitta.ra.it

ROSSA Immagine e comu-nicazione del lavoro Video/Installation PalaFuksas, Torino (I) 04.05 www.arthemisia.it

Roma e i Barbari Themed exhibition Palazzo Grassi, Venezia (I) 20.07 ww.palazzograssi.it

La biblioteca di Federico di Montefeltro Themed exhibition Palazzo Ducale, Urbino (I) 27.07 www.bibliotecafederico.it

Pintoricchio Fine arts Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, Perugia (I) 29.06 www.mostrapintoricchio.it

Paris 1900 Themed exhibition Palazzo della Marra, Barletta (I) 20.07 www.pinacotecadenittis.it

SPAINErró: Azulejo a oleo Galeria António Prates, Lisboa (P) 05.05 [email protected]

Madrid en danza FestivalMadrid 29.4 www.madrid.org/madridendanza

Darryl Pottorf IVAM, Valencia 18.5 www.ivam.es

Jacques Honvault Colorida Art Gallery, Lisboa 16.5 www.colorida.pt

El pan de los ángeles CaixaForum, Madrid ( E ) 25.05 http://obrasocial.lacaixa.es

El continente africano... Espacio Cultural CajaCanarias, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (E) 06.05 www.cajacanarias.org

Magdalena Abakanowicz Exposition Palacio de Cristal del Retiro, Madrid (E) 16.06 www.museoreinasofia.es

Cosas del Surrealismo Exposition Museo Guggenheim, Bilbao (E) 07.09 www.guggenheim-bilbao.es

Ivan Grubanov/Ángel de la Rubia MUSAC, León (E) 04.05 www.musac.es

Post-it City. Ciudades oca-sionales Exposition CCCB, Barcelona (E) 25.05 www.cccb.org

The Real Thing. Arte Contemporáneo de China Contemporary art IVAM, Valencia (E) 27.04 www.ivam.es

Cosas del Surrealismo Modern art Museo Guggenheim, Bilbao 7.9 www.guggenheim-bilbao.es

Eduardo Arroyo Contemporary art IVAM, Valencia (E) 13.04 www.ivam.es

H BOX Video art MUSAC, León (E) 04.05 www.musac.org.es

Cerith Wyn Evans Video/ Installation MUSAC, León 04.05 www.musac.org.es

FRANCELouise Bourgeois Centre Pompidou, Paris 02.06 www.centrepompidou.fr

Bernard Piffaretti Musée Matisse, Le Cateau-Cambrésis (F) 15.06 www.cg59.fr

Vlaminck. Un instinct fauve Musée du Luxembourg, Paris (F) 20.07 www.museeduluxembourg.fr

Voyage à Giverny Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris (F) 11.05 www.marmottan.com

Rencontres du 9ème art-Festival Various locations, Aix-en-Provence (F) 26.04 www.bd-aix.com

Van Dyck graveur Fine Arts Musée du Louvre, Paris (F) 05.05 www.louvre.fr

Nicolas Poussin. La fuite en Egypte Fine arts Musée des Beaux Arts, Lyon (F) 19.05 www.mba-lyon.fr

Some of these events and dates are subject to change.

To include your event, please send details to: [email protected]

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