cafebabel.com

Energy in Lithuania: tick A, B or C for 'nuclear', 'renewable' or 'both'

('Kate Stansfield',) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:49:22 -0000

From 88% nuclear energy in 1993, the Baltic country used just 26% in 2007. The intervening 14 years saw its entry into EU and a dramatic increase in energy dependence on Russia. Lithuania is relying on Europe to guarantee its energy security but what is the answer? Nuclear, renewable or both?

Visit to the EHU: Belarusian elite university exiled in Vilnius

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:00:19 -0000

The decision was taken: the European humanities university, created in Minsk, Belarus in 1992, packed up to join Vilnius (and democracy) in 2004. In this oasis of free education, Belarusian youth have been exiled further and further to the west

Eurocorps in Strasbourg: is it really a European military with no UK participation?

('Aatish Pattni',) — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:20:24 -0000

Strasbourg is home to the most European of all HQs; the Eurocorps headquarters. Born 15 years ago, this army corps is the sole military organisation governed by an international treaty. So, are the Eurocorps a sign of Europe’s powerful defence force? Opinions are divided in the Alsatian region capital

‘Vovis' versus ‘gorrillas’: tackling precarity in Seville

('Kate Stansfield',) — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:23:00 -0000

They’ll find you parking spots for a little loose change. This form of begging in disguise allows the poorest members of society to make themselves a few hundred euros a month. Despite its large-scale growth in the Andalusian capital, the phenomenon is becoming a headache for the authorities

Prague: Barack Obama and the giant sleeping radar missile bid

('Catherine Neilan',) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:44:34 -0000

Some construed the president’s 5 April visit to Prague as a promising sign for the future US-Czech relationship. Barack Obama spent a full day - out of a total of eight - in his first visit to Europe since his inauguration on 20 January. Then-prime minster Mirek Topolanek hailed ‘the European speech of the year’ in advance; but others in the capital disagreed

Is Hungary ready for same-sex unions?

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:25:45 -0000

Although four EU countries have already agreed to legalise homosexual marriage, Budapest, despite having initially given it the green light, has rejected the legislation. Now Hungary, and the 10% of its population who live with a long- term partner, are awaiting the national and European elections for an answer

Bulgarian migrants: 'thieves don’t go to prison but become MPs instead'

('Kate Stansfield',) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:39:59 -0000

Between 12 and 15% of Bulgarians are migrants. The 2007 entry of this Balkan country into the EU is encouraging the return of those who at one time decided to leave it. It is also easier to ride out the crisis from home. We speak to three people on the move

Sofia's clubs: what American jazz?

('Annika Thornton',) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:22:10 -0000

Balkan sounds and American influences are in search of space. The jazz scene in particular is in rapid evolution, after the darkness of the communist period. A meeting of several of the major musicians on the Bulgarian music scene - Theodosii Spasov, Elitza Todorova, Stoyan Yankoulov and Anton Duchev

Elections, elections: buy a vote for 50 euros in Bulgaria

('Dave Keating',) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:22:20 -0000

That's how much a vote can be worth in some areas of Bulgaria. Shortly after the country’s entry into the EU, in the 2007 national election, the problem was so prevalent in local elections that Brussels became alarmed

REACH: inflammable regulation on chemical products

('Hayley Worsley-Carter',) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:15:00 -0000

After years of debate, the REACH regulation came into force in June 2007, revolutionising the chemical product market in Europe. It is now up to manufacturers to prove a product is safe prior to its distribution

Twenty years on: why Berlin is not Germany

('Agnes Emri',) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:44:38 -0000

The city buzzes with cultural events to commemorate the reunification of Berlin and the European continent. But how do the protagonists of the change view each other - whether they are born after 1990, are pre-1990 migrants or modern-day visitors?

99% of European businesses are SMEs

('Fiona Herdman Smith',) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:30:00 -0000

The 'enterprise Europe network' (EEN) logo is becoming more familiar to entrepreneurs. It is not a sponsor or a multinational but rather a network created by the European commission

What the fridge is the Comenius programme?

('Jessie L.',) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:38:15 -0000

Since 1995, the Comenius programme has endeavoured to reinforce the European dimension in nursery, primary and secondary education and facilitate the mobility of students as well as teaching staff in Europe

Photos: hanging out with four Roma communities in the French Auvergne

('Astrid vW',) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:00:41 -0000

Generalise all you want; Europe's largest minority are comprised of innumerable different groups - the gypsies, the Sinti, the Manouche, the Calés, the Zíngaro, the Yeniche...snapshot from one camp central France

HandiCAP: freedom-hunting French farmers, as European as Parisians

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:57:25 -0000

Young farmers in the region of Auvergne worry about their future, which is being over-organised by a too liberal Europe. They want to give vent to their anger at the upcoming European elections in June 2009

Madrid's 'Cow Parade', European style

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The famous cows dotted around the great cities of the world will be spending the winter in Madrid. They are affectionately called... Latest titbit news from Brussels

Photos: Paris, transport and fresh air

('Louisa Reichstetter',) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Fancy a fresh-aired adventure in Paris? Since 2007 residents and tourists have been able to rent the public bicycles, the Vélibs, fleeing the dark metros which transport millions in and out of the capital day in, day out. Images of a city in movement

Vincennes detention centre: the restrictions of migratory policies

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0000

The situation for clandestine immigrants in Sarkozy's France is critical: 26, 000 expulsions were made in 2008, and 30,000 are required in 2009. This report is from the Vincennes detention centre in the outskirts of Paris