Antiques Festival in Taksim Square (to boost declining Taksim area popularity)- Istanbul news roundup…

Antiques Festival to Begin on Taksim Square Still Under Construction Bianet :: English Beyoğlu Municipality has initiated a series of festivals which will continue for 50 days. The events aim at reviving İstanbul’s Beyoğlu district which has become dull and empty following the bombing and the coup attempt. However, not even the construction of Taksim Square, … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: Greeks say No #Grefenderum

Greek voters reject bailout offer  BBC News | Europe | World Edition With almost all the votes from a crucial referendum counted, Greeks overwhelmingly reject bailout terms offered by international creditors. No in Greek referendum marks profound change for Europe no matter what happens next  Open Europe blog by Raoul Ruparel No in Greek referendum marks profound … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: Finnish elections…”Politicians blocking users on Twitter…

Why the Finnish elections matter for Europe  Open Europe blog by Mats Persson Why the Finnish elections matter for Europe The Finnish elections on Sunday are unlikely to lead to a radical change in the country’s Eurozone policy – however, they will still have relevance for the rest of Europe. Mats Persson investigates. Finland elections: Candidate putting … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: Five things about British elections… “Cyber attack on TV5Monde…

Five things you should know about foreign policy this election  open Democracy News Analysis – by Bernard Goyder Half a century ago, the US Secretary of State Dean Acheson said that Britain “has lost its empire, but has yet to find a role”. The same is true today. Are we still stuck in the imperial mindset? … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “How the Pirates in Germany have lost their way… “Milk quotas come to an end…

How the Pirates in Germany have lost their way  open Democracy News Analysis – by Alessio Colonnelli Is there any connection between the decline of the Pirate Party and the rise of the right-wing Alternative for Germany?   MAIN FOCUS: Milk quotas come to an end | 01/04/2015 euro|topics The EU will abolish the milk quota system … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: Anti-corruption parties shake Spain… “Germany ends teacher headscarf ban….

Why we occupy: Dutch universities at the crossroads open Democracy News Analysis – by Enzo Rossi, Johan Hartle, Robin Celikates and Nicholas Vrousalis The Netherlands, a mere 10 years behind the UK, seems eager to catch up. Twin pressures of authoritarianism from above and neoliberalism from below make it necessary to develop the democratic alternative put … Read more

Eurosphere roundup: EU vs. Israel on settlements…

EU hardens stance on Israeli settlements New guidelines will prevent any grants to companies based on occupied land as the EU hardens its opposition to expansion of Israeli settlements Israeli PM Netanyahu rejects EU ‘external dictates’ on borders Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu angrily rejected European Union guidelines barring the bloc’s 28 member states from funding … Read more