cafebabel.com

CIA in Greenland: story about a polar whodunit

('Ja\xc5\xa1a Pipan',) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:45:59 -0000

What’s aboard the CIA aeroplanes that have been illegally flying over Greenland since 2001? That is what the Greenland government wants the Danish authorities to tell them. They, however, seem oddly reluctant to answer

Von Trier, Bier, Mikkelsen: Denmark cleans up at European Film Awards 2011

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:35:40 -0000

On 4 December the 24th edition of the European film academy’s (EFA) annual film awards gave the top prizes to Melancholia and The King’s Speech, as well as an honorary award for Mads Mikkelsen

Liv Holm Andersen: 'Danes like to lose their sense of security'

('Elina Makri',) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:02:04 -0000

She talks and laughs with Mediterranean hand gestures and speaks a bit of Greek, but don't be fooled. The 24-year-old is actually one of Denmark’s youngest politicians, a candidate for the Scandinavian’s country’s second smallest party Radikale Venstre in elections on 15 September. In Athens, we talk Europe, the Balkans and learning from Spain

Eco-architecture in Strasbourg: all hands on the deck

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:09:35 -0000

Reduce, recycle and reuse. The eastern French city sails through the 3Rs of the recycling laws. Hundreds of flowers dot balconies across the city, keeping guard over it night and day as well as over its new urban architecture sensibilities. Eco-sustainability and a collective conscience come together to define this emerging city

Ingenious genitals? Copenhagen’s Kussomat ‘vagina photo booth’

('Madalina Pierseca',) — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:00:00 -0000

Is it the final frontier of Nordic feminism? The photo booth project aims to increase awareness amongst about their own bodies. Promoted by the K. Fond Vinders association, the idea was launched in celebration of international women's day on 8 March at the goethe institute in Copenhagen

Slovakian, Estonian, German and French press on: Denmark's Schengen exit

('euro topics',) — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:12:10 -0000

A conflict over border controls in the Schengen area has broken out in the run-up to today's meeting of EU interior ministers. Denmark passed new controls on 11 May for fear of illegal immigrants from eastern Europe, while France and Italy are apprehensive about migrants from North Africa. The press defends freedom of movement and warns against short-sighted parochialism

Denmark 2011 Oscar for In A Better World - but not a very Danish movie

('Juliane Dybkj\xc3\xa6r',) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:55:15 -0000

Susanne Bier’s ‘Hævnen’ is a story about blood, thirst and justice and the hard realities of life. But how did a movie about such dark subjects come out of Denmark, the country with the happiest people on earth?

Lemon half moon cake for Danish far right party

('Thomas Gam Nielsen',) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:28:08 -0000

In Denmark, the people’s 2010 revolution is lemon. The popular ‘citronhalvmåne’ cake is being sent in the tens to the offices of the far right Danish party, in protest of their immigration policies. Ironically, the crescent shape of the ‘lemon half-moon’ is also a muslim symbol – a perfect gift on the eve of Ramadan?

Film review: terrorist comedy ‘Four Lions’ by Chris Morris

('Louis',) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:08:28 -0000

The Brit’s satirical debut feature film follows a group of jihadists from the northern city of Sheffield, struggling to make an impact. To coincide with its final European release dates, another reflection on how and why Morris pokes fun at the delicate issue just five years after the 7/7 bombings

Emilie Turunen on unpaid interns: ‘we risk losing our generation’

('Andrew Burgess',) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:34:42 -0000

In her soon-to-be-adopted youth unemployment rapport, the 26-year-old Dane has surely rewritten the tune of an infernal chorus. At 26, who better than the youngest member of the current European parliament to discuss a disenchanted population?

Cinema review: Danish documentary Armadillo

('Alison Frank',) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:15:00 -0000

To make this documentary, Danish director Janus Metz Pedersen spent three and a half months at the allied camp on the front lines of southern Afghanistan. There's a tenuous division between fiction and reality in a film which finds the cruel violence of the fighters unbelievable

Porn, drugs and Domenech: a Eurovision of World Cup songs

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:29:04 -0000

As the World Cup moves into the next phase – sixteen of the best battle it out for the second round from 26 June – we follow the 2010-featuring European teams in song. Spain, Holland and Germany are EU favourites as runners-up on 11 July, with Brazil or Argentina to win, according to betting agencies

Concert review: south London band The xx continue European tour

('theroxbox',) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:00:00 -0000

They count Courtney Love as a fan, they're one of the groundbreaking new acts of 2009 and among the most innovative bands of the late decade. As the band of twenties return to their European tour today in Angouleme, one fan remembers how, in spite of wild winds, the Danish hoards flocked to catch a glimpse of the Wandsworth trio

Music in February: The Rumour Said Fire, Corinne Bailey Rae and Jaga Jazzist

('Andrzej K\xc4\x99dzierawski',) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:00:14 -0000

A new British neo-soul album, an old favourite from Denmark's Simon and Garfunkel and five top tracks spanning London via Brooklyn and Oslo - a selection of Europe's music tips of the month

Why Scandinavians do life better

('Sarah Pybus',) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:45:00 -0000

Public spirit, political life, way of life, welfare state...short analysis on why people from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland might be happier with life than the rest of us Europeans

Copenhagen climate: what the EU is being asked to commit billions for

('Chris Coxon',) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:20:51 -0000

Confused by talk of CO2 concentration and parts per million? In the run up to Copenhagen, what is all the fuss about climate change?

Flexicurity is Scandinavian example for European model

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:11:50 -0000

After its official entry into European institutions, the once obscure term is today more clearly defined. The challenge will be the adaptation of this tried and tested Scandinavian model to other member states

University in Denmark is free for EU citizens, plus other fantasy-realities

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0000

The land of Hans Christian Andersen and Hamlet finds a place in the hearts of everyone who lives or studies there

No binding agreement for Copenhagen climate conference in December

('euro topics',) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:35:06 -0000

At an Asia Pacific economic cooperation (Apec) meeting in Singapore, Danish PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced that the agreement has met with opposition from numerous countries. As efforts now focus on a two-phase climate pact, here are some opinions from the Portuguese, Italian, Danish and Swedish press

EU formulates 2050 climate objectives

('euro topics',) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:01:48 -0000

The US and Australia still have a long way to go. China and India could refuse the objectives altogether. The German, Dutch and Luxembourg press fear that the move could come at a heavy cost for Europe and be of little use to the world

Learn how to practice safe sex at the Højskole, Denmark's alternative school

('Andrew Burgess',) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:10:21 -0000

With no examinations, a free timetable and learning-speed unique to each individual, the 'Højskole' proposes an education without competition (and diplomas), allowing each student to freely express their creativity and live within a community

Roskilde festival '09, dionysian mini-version of modern Scandinavian welfare states

('Lass\xc3\xab Jensen',) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:33:30 -0000

I've been to Roskilde many times. Usually I skip most of the concerts and just kind of float around in the unreal reality that magically evolves when you put people on a field and tell them to do as they please. I did however, for the sake of this article, make it to a few concerts

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: why the financial crisis has made Danes more pro-euro

('Matthew Pagett',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:00:00 -0000

The Danish prime minister was the star of the annual European Liberals Congress in Stockholm between 30 - 31 October. They met to prepare their strategy in view of the June 2009 European elections. Exclusive interview

December Copenhagen climate conference: who bets on an agreement being reached?

('Darren Thompson',) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Faced with an American “green team” who present themselves as the epitomy of efficiency in regards to all things green, the experts are asking themselves. Will Europe head the fight against global warming this year?

Greenland: Europe’s arctic window closes up

('laurenthompson',) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:00:00 -0000

On 21 June, Greenland will become yet more independent with regard to Denmark. A new system voted via a referendum will give inhabitants the right to their own energy resources, concerning about thirty domains

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen: ‘conservative ideology is one of political expedience, opportunism and old doctrines’

('Poul Nyrup Rasmussen',) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:06:40 -0000

The president of the party of European socialists and former prime minister of Denmark says that June 2009 will be more about political choice than ever before. A left-wing perspective on the EU election campaign

Lisbon treaty and recession Europe, give us a kiss

('Andrew Christie',) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0000

In these times of economic crisis Europe is able to laugh and is supposedly stronger for it. Even the Lisbon treaty gives a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. 2009 will be a decisive year

Will he or won't he: Poul Nyrup Rasmussen to head European commission?

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:45:00 -0000

The former Danish prime minister has committed the socialists to winning the June 2009 European elections. His strategy is based on the idea of a new social Europe. His objective: to ensure the welfare state retains its place in globalisatio. Interview

Obituary: alphabets, butterflies and Inger Christensen

('Lass\xc3\xab Jensen',) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:35:47 -0000

Why learn Welsh? They all speak English anyway. Why learn unpronounceable Flemish, impossible Finnish, self-assertive Catalan or miniscule Danish? But when the Danish experimental poet died on 2 January 2009 in Copenhagen, a loser language lost its most beautiful voice

Young Europeans would like to be Scandinavian

('Astrid vW',) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:15:00 -0000

How is the step into the job market experienced in Europe? Sociologist Cécile van de Velde has studied and compared this link between university and employment in Spain, France, the UK and Denmark. Interview

Army and Islam makes Turkey lose out to Europe

('Roman Moravcik',) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:36:15 -0000

Slovakian experts have their take on what problems the EU member candidate has

Teen rock bands: the Tokio Hotel phenomenon

('Martyn Hawkins',) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Young, extremely successful - and extremely annoying for some. Why are teen bands like Estonia's 'The Bedwetters' and Denmark's 'Dúné' storming the charts across Europe?

British band The Cure are back

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:52:00 -0000

Plus charming French-Finnish duo 'The Duo', a tasty Swedish morsel of Jens Lekman, chic Danes 'The Fashion' and slightly unusual Italians Avvolte Kristheda - the best bands in March

Björn Lomborg: Europe's sceptical environmentalist

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

The Danish political scientist opposes hype, scaremongering and media coverage about the environment. He tells us whether Europe has got its priorities right for tackling the world’s environmental problems

Turkish love story on Danish shores

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

With 3.8 million Turkish immigrants in the EU, we head to Denmark with the seventh largest Turkish population in Europe. Aydin Ozturk, 50, settled in Odense with a Danish partner and found his place in society

Dan Jorgensen (32): 'I'm lucky to be a politician so early on in my life'

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

MEP of the Socialist party in parliament, the 32-year-old is part of the young generation of elected candidates on a European scale. On the benches of the French National Assembly in Strasbourg, 4% have not yet reached the age of 35

Mobile phones: Eurotariffs

('Erin Woycik',) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0000

To reduce the prices of calls made or received when you are outside your home country, the EU has approved maximum rates that phone companies cannot exceed

Mullet

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:43:00 -0000

Reality TV: so bad it's good?

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:00:00 -0000

More Brits (14.2 million votes, 2002) dialled a premium-rate phone number to voice their opinion in a 'Big Brother' series than voted for the governing Labour Party at the 2005 general election (9.5 million labour voters). The vox populi asserts that reality TV is here to stay

World Press Photo Awards 2007

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 11:00:00 -0000

Bombed Beirut, Paris and Burundi – 2006's most important events captured in images. The annual awards ceremony takes place on April 22 in Amsterdam

Iran: Security Council deadline looms

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0000

February 21 is the United Nations deadline for Resolution 1737 for Iran to stop its uranium-enrichment programme

What’s love got to do with it?

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 14:00:00 -0000

February 14th is a special “day of love” in most places in the world. Do we really need it or is it just a marketing scam?

A cartoon image of enlightenment

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0000

The crisis surrounding the Mohammad cartoons is not only a European media sensation, but it also shows us that the media do not react appropriately. Instead of enlightening us, they are just adding fuel to the fire.

Muhammad cartoons: humour or hate?

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 12:00:00 -0000

This week freedom of expression has taken up an inordinate amount of column inches in the European press. But where do the boundaries lie between freedom of expression and causing offence?

Sidney Corbett, composing for beauty

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 12:00:00 -0000

A renowned composer for the Berlin state opera and a passionate guitarist, 45-year-old Sidney Corbett talks to café babel about his career, which began with his move from his native USA to Europe, and modern European music composition.