E-Communications Household Survey
Europeans are becoming increasingly “digital” according to a European Commission Eurobarometer survey which questioned 27,000 households throughout the EU on their use of internet, telephones and TV. More Europeans are subscribing to broadband internet and digital television in fixed-cost bundled ‘packages’. Increased broadband take-up means even more Europeans are going online with 35% now using social networking websites. However, they have concerns about cost, quality of service and security, as well as online freedom. One fifth of fixed and mobile internet users reveal that they have experienced problems with blocked content and applications. The Commission’s May 2010 Digital Agenda for Europe not only sets ambitious targets to bring broadband internet to all of Europe’s citizens but also outlines measures to boost competition, trust and security.
Immigrant taboo
Roma MEP sees French row as golden opportunity
from EUobserver.com – Headline News
Interview with Olivier Roy on ‘Islam in Europe’
German Politician Makes Anti-Immigrant Remarks
France gripped by pensions stand-off
MAIN FOCUS: Growing protest against Sarkozy | 13/10/2010
The strikes against the planned pension reform in France continue today, Wednesday. On Tuesday the number of demonstrators reached a new high at roughly two million. According to the press things are getting dangerous for Sarkozy’s government, and people are unhappy about a lot more than the raising of the retirement age.
How much EU law is there? Smart regulation and impact assessments
Quantity and quality are different things, but the European Commission offers an approximate answer to the question how many legal acts there are with European Union origin.
This detail is found in the Report from the Commission:
France to miss EU deadline on Roma
Smart Regulation in the European Union
Yesterday we looked at the number of EU regulations and directives. We also made some general remarks about the benefits of business regulation at EU level, the regulatory burden versus potential benefits, and the better regulation agenda of the European Commission, including the recent evaluation of impact assessments: How much EU law is there? Smart regulation and impact assessments (13 October 2010).
Letter From France: Hamburger chain’s decision sparks tensions over Islam
In a telling measure of the growing Muslim presence in France, Quick, a homegrown hamburger chain trying to compete with McDonald’s, began serving halal hamburgers last month in 22 of its 367 restaurants, producing an outcry among some political leaders.
Marie Antoinette for the 21st Century
Hungary?s unfortunate conservative government never got to bask in the glory of its overwhelming victory in the municipal elections on 3rd October because the very next day marked the beginning of what soon emerged as the country?s worst industrial accident/environmental disaster in a long time, maybe ever.