Matteo Renzi is the most tweeted about of all EU leaders

Only 1 month after his appointment, Matteo Renzi, Italy’s new Prime Minister, is already Europe’s most tweeted-on politician, surpassing all the other EU leaders on social media. Data released by TNS opinion this month reveal that the Italian Prime Minister currently holds the pole position in the “European Leader Watch” index which monitors the social media debate about Europe’s political decision-makers. He is followed by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and the French President François Hollande. With the launch of this new social media monitoring tool, TNS opinion, the European leader in political and social research, aims to provide an unfiltered picture of public opinion in real time. Please find attached a press release as well as a graphic presenting the results of the most tweeted EU leaders during the period 1st to 18th of March 2014.

Complimentary Web Conference on the Future of Global Powertrain and Electric Vehicle Market

London. The global passenger vehicle powertrain market promises dynamic shifts and interesting changes this year. While 2013 focused on 3-cylinder engines and breakthroughs in hybrid technologies, 2014 is expected to be the year of high-speed automatic transmissions (8-, 9-, 10-speeds) and OEM (original equipment manufacturers) powertrain strategy plans for post 2018. As the European Union (EU) gears up for the adoption of the Euro 6 emission norms, a discussion of immense interest is that of Diesel Powertrains.What does the future hold? In an upcoming complimentary web conference, entitled Future of the Global Powertrain and Electric Vehicles Market – 2014 Outlook, taking place on Wednesday, 2nd April 2014, at 4.00 pm BST,Frost & Sullivan will provide a global outlook of the passenger vehicle powertrain and electric vehicle landscape in 2014. Industry Analyst, Yeswant Abhimanyu, together with Principal Consultant, Edward Hanawalt, will reveal how the overall diesel market share in Europe is to decline by about 0.5–2.0 percent in 2014.To participate in this complimentary web conference, please email Katja Feick at katja.feick@frost.com

Miami Home Prices Continue to Experience Increases in February

Miami, FL – The performance of the Miami real estate market remained strong in February, as prices continue to rise while properties sell rapidly and near asking price, according to the 31,000-member MIAMI Association of REALTORS and the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system.Median Sale Prices Continue to IncreaseMedian sale prices again increased significantly for both single-family homes and condominiums in February. The median sales price for single-family homes jumped 17 percent, up to $227,000 from $194,000 in February 2013, marking 27 straight months of growth. The average sale price for single-family homes increased 6.7 percent from $389,368 in February 2013 to $415,312 last month.The median sales price for condominiums has increased for 32 consecutive months. Compared to February 2013, the median sales price for condominiums increased by 7.3 percent to $177,000 from $165,000 a year prior. The average sale price for condominiums increased 10.8 percent to $337,382 from $304,472 in February 2013.

Energy experts open New Energy Husum

Husum. Exhibition boss Peter Becker and experts from the fields of politics, science and industry associations opened the leading renewables trade fair, New Energy Husum, today with a critical keynote speech about the impact of the planned amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). Exhibitors will be showing the complete range of products and services for renewable energy generation and storage in three halls and an open-air exhibition space until 23 March. The tenth New Energy Husum is also focusing on alternative transport in the shape of electric vehicles, and on green building and renovation.In his keynote speech, Professor Volker Quaschning from the HTW University of Applied Sciences in Berlin has criticised the plans of the federal government to further restrict the increase in renewable energy sources: “Capping the rise in electricity prices is meant to justify the emergency stop in energy transition. And in return we are sacrificing climate protection and Germany’s position as the leading pioneer of future technology”, said Quaschning.“New Energy Husum clearly shows that the ordinary citizens have already taken the reins of energy transition into their own hands”, said Peter Becker at the opening press conference. “When the parliament in Berlin votes on the amendment to the EEG, we expect to see a clear commitment to energy transition!“
At the press conference, Dr Harald Binder, managing director of the German Energy Storage Association, spoke out for a fundamental reorganisation of the energy supply system: “In future we will generate and use our energy locally. And for this we need intelligent storage solutions and the corresponding framework

Civil Liberties Committee delegation to observe situation of prisons in Italy

A delegation from the Civil Liberties Committee will visit Rome and Naples on 26-28 March to gather information on the functioning of the prisons system in Italy. The delegation will focus its work on detainees’ rights and conditions, pre-trial and prison regime for foreigners and the execution of sentences. MEPs will meet, among others, the Italian Justice Minister, Andrea Orlando, members of the Italian Parliament, staff of Rebibbia (Rome) and Poggioreale (Naples) prisons, detainees and regional and national authorities, as well as NGO and trade union representatives.Swedish brand SeaSam prawns certified Friend of the Sea sustainable
SeaSam Food AB, a Swedish company leader in the frozen food market, positively concluded Friend of the Sea audit for greasy back shrimps, Indian white and giant tiger prawns. Derived products can now display the international sustainability seal of approval.SeaSam is equipped with a batch system which guarantees traceability from producer to customer. All catch zones and fishing vessels are well documented. A well-functioning database records all purchases and sales.SeaSam is sourced in Indonesia. Prawns stocks are compliant with Friend of the Sea strict status requirements. Prawns are caught with selective trammel nets and artisanal fisheries.“We are proud to have obtained the Friend of the Sea certification”, says Petter Rönnqvist, CEO of SeaSam Food AS. “This is a recognition which highlights our efforts towards the preservation of the marine habitat.

Industry leaders to gather in London in May for Frost & Sullivan’s annual congress

LONDON The UK is projected by the Bank of England to be the fastest growing economy in the West by the end of 2014. How can industry leaders leverage this growth and make their businesses successful?The key trends driving growth will be analysed during Frost & Sullivan’sGIL 2014: Europe that returns to London for its sixth consecutive year on Wednesday 14th May at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington. Frost & Sullivan’s Growth, Innovation and Leadership (GIL) Community of business leaders from all over Europe will gather to share ideas and strategies. This year’s congress will explore the very latest in business thinking, including an inspiring keynote by EIA Partner & Director Dorman Followwill. Innovation continues to be at the core of Frost & Sullivan’s philosophy and strategic thinking. Mr Followwill’s keynote will also focus on why innovation is critical to success, where innovation comes from, how to become a visionary innovator and what the next steps should be. “Whether you are inspired about future prospects or anxious about the impact the future may have, this research-based talk will bring some valuable insights to your life and future strategy,” adds Dorman Followwill.
Frost & Sullivan will also present its multi Award-winning consultative sales and management development programme, Helix, that enabled a major European company to deliver an 18.5 percent increase in gross margin through a re-energised sales force focused on selling value.

No ai tagli lineari della spesa pubblica si alla modifica urgente del titolo V della costituzione

I tagli alla spesa pubblica dichiara Pietro Giordano Presidente Nazionale Adiconsum vanno fatti ma non tagliando linearmente la stessa ma operando chirurgicamente sulle spese parassitarie clientelari e fondi di corruzione diffusa.Non si può continuare ad immaginare di operare tagliando orizzontalmente le pensione e magari coprire i buchi dei bilanci comunali e regionali aumentando la tassazione in diretta.Si faccia per legge una norma che obblighi tutte le amministrazioni pubbliche ad acquisti centralizzati, dalla carta per fotocopiatrici alla siringa per gli ospedali.Si proceda da subito alla riforma del titolo V della costituzione che ha prodotto anch’esso disperazione, sprechi e corruzione nella gran parte delle amministrazioni regioni del paese indebolendo la capacità di coordinamento e di offerta del ” prodotto Italia” a livello internazionale.Il punto non è tagliate gli organici della pubblica amministrazione ma rendere questa efficienti e sempre di più al servizio dei cittadini. si taglino invece le spese improduttive e si punti alla qualità della spese indirizzandola verso servizi più efficienti per i cittadini. Non si risolvono i problemi tagliando gli autisti degli autobus ma colpendo gli sprechi di milioni e milioni di euro che le singole municipalizzate da anni operano.

Commissione Europea. Tariffe di roming abolite e telefonate all’estero entro il 2015 senza costi aggiuntivi?

ìDal 15 dicembre 2015 non saranno riconosciuti oneri per il roaming nell’Unione europea, e nessun costo supplementare per chiamate, inviare sms e navigare sul suo cellulare dall’estero, secondo un progetto approvato martedì dall’industria della Commissione europea.
La Commissione ha votato pacchetto il proposto dal Commissario per le telecomunicazioni Neelie Kroes, anche per rendere effettive le garanzie per la neutralità di internet.
I verdi e i socialdemocratici tedeschi hanno messo in guardia contro il fatto che è ancora possibile la discriminazione nell’uso di internet. Le tariffe per l’uso di un telefono cellulare o do uno smartphone all’estero erano già state oggetto di attenzione.
La Commissione competente del Parlamento europeo ha deliberato, quindi, che le tariffe di roaming dovrebbero essere eliminate. Ciò significa che le tariffe dovranno essere le stesse sia che ci si trovi nel proprio paese che all’estero entro il 2015. Contestualmente la Commissione ha anche votato il principio della neutralità della rete. Ciò significa che i fornitori di internet non potranno dare la preferenza al contenuto di alcuni inserzionisti. Attuando tale principio, quindi, si eviterà che le società di telecomunicazione non potranno più condizionare la rete rallentando o bloccando i servizi e le applicazioni dei loro concorrenti.Si tratta di notizie certamente positive che riguarda il campo delle telecomunicazioni per i consumatori europei per Giovanni D’Agata, presidente dello “Sportello dei Diritti”, che si augura che le proposte della commissione siano rapidamente rese effettive affinché per la data prevista, appunto il 2015, ciascuno stato membro si adegui unitamente alle compagnie telefoniche e ai fornitori di servizi internet.