Eurosphere agenda: Rise of Syriza… Rise of Anti-Muslim sentiments…

People react to mosque attacks in Sweden joyously independent.co.uk – Jan 2 – A Muslim community in Sweden that faced a series of Islamaphobic attacks recently has been taken aback after residents ‘love-bombed’ the local mosque in an outpouring of support. After anti-Muslim rhetoric was scrawled into an Uppsala mosque… One in 8 Germans would join … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: German President says Germans ‘should welcome’ refugees

Germans ‘should welcome’ refugees  BBC News | Europe | World Edition Germany’s President uses his Christmas message to urge Germans to welcome refugees amid growing support for an anti-Islam group. Israel, Palestine and the European Union Ideas on Europe by Jon Danzig This month UCL student and blogger, Lewis Barber, wrote an article for the Jerusalem Post … Read more

More than understandable: “Record anti-Islam rally in Dresden… Eurosphere agenda…

VIDEO: Disquiet in Dresden at anti-Islam rally BBC News | Europe | World Edition A record 17,500 people turn out for the latest “anti-Islamisation” rally in the German city of Dresden, according to police estimates. Record anti-Islam rally in Dresden A record 17,500 people turn out for the latest “anti-Islamisation” rally in the German city of Dresden, … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: [Not in Turkey but] Confidence in the EU on the rise…Greek political crisis

Confidence in the EU on the rise  EurActiv.com Citizens’ confidence in the European Union has grown since the European elections in May 2014. The uncertain economic situation and immigration are among the main issues still causing concern for the electorate. EurActiv France reports.   Greek political crisis: Huge amount at stake BBC News | Europe | World … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: EU court takes Hamas off terror list…Russia’s currency crisis escalates..

EU court takes Hamas off terror list BBC News | Europe | World Edition A European Union court annuls the bloc’s decision to keep Hamas on a list of terrorist groups, but temporarily maintains a funding freeze. VIDEO: Mass tango for Pope’s birthday  BBC News | Europe | World Edition Hundreds of mainly elderly couples have performed … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “The EU’s expensive, empty airports

Anti-Islam march in German city  BBC News | Europe | World Edition A controversial march against “Islamisation of the West”, and a big counter-demonstration, are held in the German city of Dresden. Germany and the eurozone: The view from Paris Centre for European Reform On recent visits to Berlin, I have been surprised at how negative people … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “CIA torture: Europe also implicated…

MAIN FOCUS: CIA torture: Europe also implicated | 11/12/2014  euro|topics The Senator’s report on the CIA’s interrogation tactics could also make waves in Europe. It contains evidence that Poland, Lithuania and Romania allowed the US agency to set up secret prisons on their territory. Some journalists call for rigorous investigations. Others believe these countries cannot be … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “EU reaches deal on 2015 budget… Snap Presidential election in Greece… Uber taxi app banned in Spain…

EU reaches deal on 2015 budget BBC News | Europe | World Edition European Parliament and government negotiators reach a deal on the EU’s 2015 budget – a fraught issue amid national budget cuts. South Stream Abandoned: Who Benefits and Who Loses Ideas on Europe By Dimitrije Tasic Fuels might not draw maps of the world, but … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: Merkel coalition partners’s strange desire…

Merkel coalition partners want immigrants to speak German at home  EurActiv.com Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Bavarian allies have caused outrage by suggesting immigrant families that want to remain in the country should be obliged to speak German at home.   ‘Speak German at home’ row erupts BBC News | Europe | World Edition A call by German conservatives … Read more

Fresh riots in Greece… Government collapse in Sweden… Eurosphere agenda…

Violence erupts at Greece protests  BBC News | Europe | World Edition Protesters in the Greek capital Athens throw rocks and petrol bombs, at a rally marking six years since police killed an unarmed teenager. Juncker says South Stream pipeline can still be built  EurActiv.com European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has insisted the €32 billion South Stream natural … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: Funeral of Tuğçe Albayrak … Viktor Orban of Hungary…

Viktor Orban and the rise of the populist right…right? open Democracy News Analysis – by Joseph Larsen Viktor Orban, like European populists in general, is neither of the right nor the left. He is a child of both. Demotix/Mark Kerrison. All rights reserved. German video reveals fatal attack  BBC News | Europe | World Edition A German … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Elysee shakeup over Hollande photos…”Swiss ‘reject immigration curbs’

  Elysee shakeup over Hollande photos  BBC News | Europe | World Edition Five members of the French president’s staff are reassigned as police investigate photos taken of Francois Hollande with an actress inside the Elysee Palace. Cameron’s speech: The response (so far) from around Europe  Open Europe blog The big speech has been delivered – you … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “EU Parliament takes Google to task… “Finland Becomes an Unlikely Battleground for Same-Sex Marriage Debate

MAIN FOCUS: EU Parliament takes Google to task | 28/11/2014 euro|topics The European Parliament voted on Thursday in a non-binding resolution to separate Internet companies’ search engine business from other commericial activities. This could lead to Google being split up. Some commentators praise the Parliament for countering Google’s abuse of its market dominance. Others call for … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: Juncker presents investment plan…Pope’s Haggard Europe…

  VIDEO: Pope claims Europe appears ‘elderly’ BBC News | Europe | World Edition Pope Francis warns that the world sees Europe as “somewhat elderly and haggard” during a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Pope complains of ‘haggard’ Europe  BBC News | Europe | World Edition Pope Francis warns that Europe appears “somewhat elderly” and … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: One year after Euromaidan… UKIP has another seat in parliament…

One Year Later: Ukrainians Remember Euromaidan Online Global Voices Online by Tetyana Lokot Euromaidan protesters sing the Ukrainian anthem in central Kyiv. Photo from Demotix.   VIDEO: Ukraine uprising: One year on  BBC News | Europe | World Edition Services have been held in Ukraine to mark the anniversary of the mass protests which sparked the downfall … Read more