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May 14, 2008
Europe Insider Keep up-to-date with the latest news from Europe

NEWS THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES FROM EUROPE

BW 50
Europe 2008

Inside: This Week In Europe

The annual European BusinessWeek 50 ranking produces surprises every year, and in 2008 the most striking result was how many retail and apparel companies--H&M, Zara, Puma, Next--rose near the top. So did No. 1-ranked Deutsche Boerse, Nokia, miners, telecom stars, and dozens of others. Read the details and play with the table in our special report.

We've also got continuing troubles at Airbus, the inauguration of Dmitri Medvedev, HSBC's woes, a soaring Belfast startup, and Carphone Warehouse's deal with Best Buy. Plus, Alcatel's Pat Russo, Israel's high-tech hot spots, Germany's dying bees, and a rich variety of other tech, autos, design, and policy news. Don't miss Robert Parker on wines from Provence and a slide show of the entire BW 50 Europe. Enjoy!
Andy Reinhardt, Europe Editor
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MORE EUROPEAN NEWS

BW 50 EUROPE 2008
For Now, Deutsche Börse Wears the Crown
Last year the German stock exchange broke its losing streak with a couple of smart mergers, but it's being challenged by cheaper, faster electronic competitors

COMPANIES
Airbus Confirms Further A380 Delay
Airlines are kept waiting once again as the beleaguered p***maker announces production difficulties will keep it from meeting targets

AEROSPACE
Airbus' Cost-Cuts Don't Fly
The überstrong euro, on top of a failed plan to sell factories, means the p***maker may have to take brutal measures that will slash European jobs

RUSSIA
Russia's Medvedev Gets Down to Business
With economic growth roaring, the new President must address inflation, overdependence on oil, entrenched corruption, and crumbling roads

EUROPE • From The Independent
HSBC Predicts More U.S. Woes
The British bank writes down $3.2 billion at its U.S. consumer finance business and warns home prices will keep falling into 2009

TECHNOLOGY
Belfast David Takes On Tech Goliaths
Lagan Technologies, an Ulster firm specializing in public-services software, is beating out rivals such as Oracle as it takes on the U.S. market

EUROPE
Best Buy Barges into Europe
The U.S. electronics giant will get 50% of Carphone Warehouse's retail business, which has stores in nine countries. But the British tieup comes at a risky time

SILICON WADI
High Tech Puts Israel in the Black
Its booming technology sector, both homegrown startups and huge foreign companies, is propelling the Jewish state to rapid economic growth

TELECOM
Alcatel's Russo: There Is No Downturn
The CEO of Alcatel-Lucent, the world's largest telecom equipment maker, says the industry's outlook may be uncertain but growth opportunities remain

TECHNOLOGY • From silicon.com
Carphone Aims to Boost Broadband
The sale of 50% of its retail business to Best Buy will give the British phone warehouse cash to pour into infrastructure

EUROPE • From EUobserver
Brussels Delays Decision on GMO Crops
The EC says more scientific analysis is needed before it can approve one genetically modified strain of potatoes and two of corn

AUTOS
Audi, VW Must Share U.S. Factory
Because of a weak dollar and ambitious sales goals, Audi and VW need to build different cars on common platforms in one U.S. plant

VIEWPOINT
Swedish Meatballs: Saab and Volvo
These U.S.-owned Swedish marques are struggling to reinvent themselves in the quest for buyers

NEWS & FEATURES • From Gizmag.com
The World's Newest, Fastest Car?
The Swiss-made Weber Faster One has a top speed of 260 mph, faster than the Bugatti Veyron or SSC Ultimate Aero

EUROPE • From EUobserver
EU May Tighten Rules on Biofuels
The reputation of these alternative fuels has changed from savior to villain and Europe is considering new regulations

TECHNOLOGY • From silicon.com
The Tech Behind the Beijing Olympics
The world's largest sports IT contract, running from Salt Lake City to London, was won by Atos Origin. Each year's Games has different challenges

EUROPE • From Spiegel Online
German Beehives Hit by Mass Die-Off
Beekeepers are pointing the finger at a Bayer CropScience pesticide marketed under the name Poncho, but government tests aren't conclusive

INNOVATION
Is U.S. Innovation Headed Offshore?
Apparently not, even though more research and development is joining manufacturing in the shift toward low-cost nations

EUROPE • From The Independent
Investment Banks Eye Africa for Growth
Russian investment bank Renaissance Capital followed Citigroup and JPMorgan into Africa by buying stakes in brokerages in Ghana and Zambia

NEWS & FEATURES • From Architectural Record
Jerusalem Bridge Incites Controversy
Opponents said the cost was too much for Israel's poorest city, but Santiago Calatrava's suspension bridge is expected to be complete by the end of May

EUROPE • From Spiegel Online
Europe's Cheapest Holiday Destinations
German motor club ADAC provides a ranking of Europe's summer getaways by cost. This year, Poland is the best value

SLIDE SHOW
Israel's High-Tech Hot Spots
From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the Mideast nation is blanketed with science parks and creativity clusters

BW 50 EUROPE 2008
Europe's Top Performers
Defying the weak dollar and global liquidity crunch, these 50 companies have turned in stellar performances over the past year

PARKER ON WINE
Beating the Heat in Sunny Provence
Sebastian Vicenti's Domaine de Fondreche makes red and white wines that transcend the often-forgotten sun-filled region of Cotes du Ventoux

BW'S PICKS FROM AP NEWS >>

• EADS returns to profit, Airbus deliveries up

• TomTom wins EU OK for Tele Atlas bid

• ING reports 19 pct drop on insurance earns

• EU praises ECB stance on interest rates

• Deutsche Post 1Q net falls 18 percent

MORE BREAKING NEWS FROM AP >

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