As a whole, Italian banks have non-performing loans (NPL) worth 198bn euros. Add in so-called “sofferenze”, i.e. debt at risk of non payment, and the total amount rises to 360bn euros. The Italian government has strong-armed the banks into setting up a fund – called “Atlante” – that will act as a backstop for banks that are trying to raise capital and cannot find buyers for their new share issues. Unlike the myth it echoes though, Atlante is not strong enough. And, with Mr Renzi, Italy’s PM, putting his legitimacy at stake with the referendum coming up in October, the government might not have the ability and time to do anything better.
READ MOREAs the world`s population is rapidly extending, the possibility to explore new sources of food is in place. A big potential is in the oceans. Our approach to land, for already 10000 years, has been agriculture. Regarding the oceans, however, we are still hunters and gatherers – and rather inefficient ones. In order to ensure sustainable food production in the future, we should change our hunting strategies and start the sustainable farming.
READ MORERecently the EU and the government of Afghanistan signed a readmission agreement, a deal made ‘migration sensitive’ as it transpires from an EU Restricted Country Fiche proposing possible leverages, dated March 2016. The EU pledges to provide financial aid for development and peace-building in exchange for Afghanistan’s approval to admit back failed asylum seeking nationals. Does this deal align with the principle of ‘non-refoulement’? Is Afghanistan a safe third country?
READ MOREWe are reading about migration to Europe and asylum seekers every day – among them are many Afghans. But who are they? Why do they leave their country? What is the impact of their exodus on their country and the families they leave behind? And what can the Afghan government do to prevent its citizens from taking such a dangerous journey?
READ MOREIn our culture, partly due to deeply ingrained gender stereotypes, it is still somewhat difficult to associate “power” roles with women. These stereotypes extend beyond image to performance, convincing us that men are more capable than women.
READ MOREThe House of Commons is currently reviewing a package of laws, introduced over the last year by Theresa May’s government, which will have a major impact on the post-Brexit future of the United Kingdom. The European Union, the Taxation and the Trade bills will implement the legal framework for exiting the European Union. Trade is one of the key issues the UK is facing – as it leaves the European Union, it will lose the benefits of over 40 trade agreements which account for almost 25% of UK’s exports outside of the EU. This law will ensure the transition out of the European common commercial policy and should minimize the impact of Brexit on UK’s economy. However, the government’s project is inherently flawed and is facing resistance as it passes through the legislative process.
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