#Afrin operation roundup: “Turkey’s Worst Day Yet in Syria Offensive: At Least 7 Soldiers Killed…

Turkey’s Worst Day Yet in Syria Offensive: At Least 7 Soldiers Killed NYT > Turkey by By ROD NORDLAND Syrian rebels in the northern city of Afrin also destroyed at least one tank, a day after other rebels shot down a Russian warplane. Turkey has no aim to invade Syria during Afrin operation: Erdoğan Turkey has no aim … Read more

#Eurosphere -An Al Jazeera piece on Israeli diplomats and UK politicians stirs some tension…

Israelis parliamentary plot against UK politicians  AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (IN DEPTH)   Al Jazeera reveals discussions of Israel diplomat and British civil servant to ‘take down’ anti-settlement politicians. Deadly icy spell grips much of Europe, including Greek islands  BBC News | Europe | World Edition   Plunging temperatures in Europe claim 20 lives, as even the … Read more

Journalism agenda: Fake News drama continues.. Google’s financial initiative on Digital News…

Digital News Initiative: second funding brings €24M to 124 projects across Europe The Official Google Blog by Ludovic BlecherHeadDNI Innovation Fund   We are thrilled to announce the second round of funding of the Digital News Initiative Innovation Fund, Google’s €150m commitment to spark new thinking and give European news organisations of all sizes the space … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Once asylum beneficiaries in 1956, Hungarians now reject migrants”

Once asylum beneficiaries in 1956, Hungarians now reject migrants EurActiv.com Sixty years ago, Soviet tanks crushed an anti-communist uprising in Budapest, sending 200,000 Hungarians – men women and children – fleeing across the border into Austrian refugee camps, then onwards into a welcoming Western world. A Progressive Political Alliance for Europe  Project Syndicate by Kemal Derviş If … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “The European Commission’s new anti-leak strategy has been leaked…

The Brief: Commission’s anti-leak strategy leaks EurActiv.com by James Crisp It’s almost too perfect. The European Commission’s new anti-leak strategy has been leaked. European refugees and Twitter open Democracy News Analysis – by Francisco Núñez, Román Martín and Aurora Labio The political parties, professions and media that were registered as the most active in the Twitter storm … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Bratislava EU meeting”

Bratislava EU meeting: Merkel says bloc in ‘critical situation’  BBC News | Europe | World Edition The EU is in a “critical situation”, the German chancellor says, as leaders meet to discuss ways to regain trust after the UK’s vote to leave the bloc. Debate: Can the Bratislava summit mend the EU? euro|topics The leaders of the … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “French terror investigators grapple with Telegram app… “Hungarian camerawoman who kicked refugees charged…

French terror investigators grapple with Telegram app  EurActiv.com Smartphone app Telegram, favoured by the Islamic State group thanks to the encrypted messaging it offers, is proving a headache for French anti-terror investigators. Hungarian camerawoman who kicked refugees charged  BBC News | Europe | World Edition A camerawoman who was filmed kicking and tripping up refugees near the … Read more

“International organisations condemn crackdown on freedom of expression in Turkey…

International organisations condemn crackdown on freedom of expression in Turkey A delegation of international civil society organisations visited Istanbul to demonstrate solidarity with writers, journalists and media outlets in Turkey. The failed coup of 15 July, in which at least 265 people were killed, has traumatised the Turkish population and the government must bring those responsible … Read more

Meanwhile in the EU front; “Turkey will accept end-of-2016 delay in EU visa liberalisatio

Turkey will accept end-of-2016 delay in EU visa liberalisation  EurActiv.com by Georgi Gotev Turkey is now willing to accept the liberalisation of travel visa rules with the European Union by the end of the year instead of October, as previously targeted, the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag wrote yesterday (4 September), citing senior Turkish government sources. … Read more

In the mean time in Europe: “Costume drama”

Costume drama  BBC News | Europe | World Edition The BBC’s Pakistan correspondent asks why some object to seeing women in burkinis on the beach. German minister proposes partial Burqa ban  AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (IN DEPTH) Interior minister says ban on face veils would apply to “places where it is necessary for society’s coexistence”. Swedish King and Queen … Read more

Cyberculture Agenda: “Big data meets politics”

Big data meets politics EurActiv.com by Davide Patteri Politicians across Europe often look suspiciously at the “big data” revolution as a trend imported from the US, which encroaches on their privacy. Europe’s rude awakening to big data politics EurActiv.com by Frédéric Simon To many in the Brussels bubble, the big data revolution came as a rude awakening, … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Fact-checking and Facebook Live on covering EU Referendum…

What if? Security consequences of Brexit and Trident renewal open Democracy News Analysis – by Rebecca Johnson If David Cameron survives the result of the EU referendum, he may try to rush Parliament into a vote on Trident renewal in July. What is at stake for Britain’s security? Fact-checking and Facebook Live: How publishers are covering the … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: Protests paralyse France…

The role of the EU in the Syrian conflict  open Democracy News Analysis – by Rim Turkmani As a new round of Geneva talks is under way, the EU should ensure that the outcome is not merely the result of US and Russian talks. VIDEO: Hollande and Merkel remember war dead BBC News | Europe | World … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Europe’s Destructive Spirals of Distrust by Thomas Hylland Eriksen

German churches get wi-fi ‘Godspots’ BBC News | Europe | World Edition Wi-fi hotspots will be installed at 220 Protestant churches across the Berlin and Brandenburg region. Europe’s Destructive Spirals of Distrust SAPIENS by Thomas Hylland Eriksen On February 6, 2016, thousands of people protested the immigration of Muslims, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and other cities across Europe. … Read more

EU was ‘unsure’ what Davutoğlu exit means for Turkey migrant deal BUT Erdoğan was CLEAR: “We Go Our Way, You Go Yours

Erdoğan to EU: We Go Our Way, You Go Yours Bianet :: English In his speech held in Eyüp, President Erdoğan has made statements as to EU visa liberalisation, Prime Minister Davutoğlu, rising tension in parliament and the presidential system. EU ‘unsure’ what Davutoğlu exit means for Turkey migrant deal Hurriyet Daily News The European Union is … Read more