The European Union has kept peace among member states, but some are finding the ties that bind are becoming too tight, writes Caroline O’Doherty

The global economic and financial crisis that began in mid-2007 when the US sub-prime crisis burst on to the global agenda has taken many twists and turns and has had many mutations over the past five years.

Greek Premier-elect Costas Caramanlis began the difficult task today of forming a conservative administration that will have to balance pledges of smaller government with promises for generous social spending.