When Reality TV Meets Humanitarian Action in Italy RAI 1, the flagship television channel of the national public service broadcaster and the most watched channel in Italy, is developing a humanitarian aid show in reality form. The first episode is planned to be broadcast next 4 December 2013. German elections TV duel produces no winner … Read more
Gibraltar criticises Spain over dive Gibraltar strongly criticises Spanish police for sending divers to inspect an artificial reef in waters claimed by the British territory. Greece ‘may need 10bn euros more’ Greece may need a third bailout worth about about 10bn euros (£8.6bn; $13.4bn) but would not accept new austerity measures, the Greek finance minister … Read more
Q&A: Germany and the third Greek bailout Barely a year after the last Greek rescue, the huge black hole remains as revenue collection lags behind because of tax reforms and chasing evaders Germany finally admits to a third Greek bailout, but what form might it take? It seems the German government has finally publicly accepted … Read more
Czech communists to return in office for first time since 1989 The Czech parliament voted yesterday (20 August) to dissolve itself, triggering an early election that could hand the Communist Party a share of power for the first time since a bloodless revolution ended the party’s totalitarian rule two decades ago. Opinion polls show that … Read more
France’s ‘Devil’s advocate’ lawyer Verges dies at 88 Jacques Verges, the provocative French lawyer died in Paris Germany?s eurosceptics gain traction Alternative for Germany, which is campaigning for the dissolution of the existing 17-member eurozone ? could yet tip the election scales Draft EU Regional Competitiveness Index RCI 2013 Source: European Commission The Regional Competitiveness … Read more
Norwegian PM’s ‘passengers’ paid It emerges that some of the people in a video of Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg posing as a taxi driver were paid for taking part. Norway’s Prime Minister Moonlights as Cabbie, Redefines Political Desperation In an effort to get closer to his people and hear out their concerns, Norwegian … Read more
Who’s accountable for Britain’s Internet censorwall? Jim from the UK Open Rights Group sez, “It seems Cameron and Perry have ignored official government policy, invented their own policy and forced it onto UK ISPs. With no legislation, and no complaints from Lib Dem MPS or the ISPs, we have completely unaccountable “nudge censorship” being forced … Read more
EU nears terror ruling on Hizbollah armed wing A declaration of Hizbollah?s military wing as a terrorist group, which must be backed by all EU member states, has been gaining momentum Burke, Norman and Glasman – ‘post-liberalism’ in Britain today At a Civitas seminar this week, Jesse Norman MP and Maurice Glasman of Blue … Read more
MAIN FOCUS: Greeks protest against job cuts | 17/07/2013 Tens of thousands of Greeks once again brought much of public life to a complete standstill with a general strike on Tuesday. They are protesting against the troika’s demand for job cuts in the public sector, which will be put to vote in parliament today, Wednesday. … Read more
Anonymous Leaks the Accounts of Spain’s Governing Party The global hacktivist group, Anonymous, has leaked the 1990-2011 financial accounts of the governing Partido Popular (PP) [People’s Party] on the internet. Recently, during the investigation, Judge Pablo Ruz asked for access to the documents dated since 1990 on suspicion of illegal financing. The PP refused, claiming … Read more
Gezi detainees start hunger strike as prosecutor extends detention Around 50 people who were detained in accordance with the Gezi Park protests started a hunger strike today #occupygezi, #changebrazil and the new #urbanrevolution #occupygezi and #changebrazil that we witnessed recently are not the beginning, but the continuation of a global phenomenon: the new urban hashtag … Read more
EU takes Russia to WTO for first time EU officials say a levy to cover recycling costs is a protectionist ploy in environmental disguise because it only applies to imported vehicles MAIN FOCUS: Help for Greece in dribs and drabs | 09/07/2013 After the conclusion of the troika’s review the finance ministers of the … Read more
MAIN FOCUS: EU outraged over US spying | 02/07/2013 After media reports about spying activities of the US intelligence services in EU offices, the European Union is checking its facilities for bugging devices. The European Commission has demanded speedy explanations from the US. Some commentators say Europe should stand up to America, while others … Read more
MAIN FOCUS: EU eases taxpayers’ bank bailout burden | 28/06/2013 The EU’s finance ministers agreed on tougher rules for failing banks on Wednesday night. In future shareholders and creditors will be obliged to help cover the cost of their rescue, rather than just the taxpayers. Finally the average man on the street will no longer … Read more
Turkey EU accession ?in member states? hands? Germany is leading the opposition to progressing Turkey?s EU accession bid due to a crackdown on protests Turkey’s PM defends crackdown Turkey’s PM has told a crowd of supporters it was his ‘duty’ to order a crackdown on protests in Istanbul **************** The Impact of EU Membership on … Read more