cafebabel.com

Polish, Czech, Finnish and German media on Euro 2012 boycott

('euro topics',) — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:22:24 -0000

On 30 April EU Commission president José Manuel Barroso announced that he will stay away from the Euro 2012 in Ukraine as long as constitutional principles are violated there. Many politicians of European countries have rejected the idea, finding a boycott ineffectual and the discussion surrounding it hypocritical

Pan-Slavism, Slovio and Polish the 'status symbol'

('Francesca Reinhardt',) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:00:00 -0000

The Slavic languages all have their roots in Proto-Slavic. Since the twelfth century, however, they have drifted apart. One of them reached its zenith in the seventeenth century: Polish

Dear granddad, for Christmas I'd like a Eurasian union

('Virag Gulyas',) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:23:46 -0000

In October Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin proposed a 'Eurasian union' of former soviet nations that could be a major global player competing for influence with the US, the EU and Asia, creating instant headlines about the threat of Russian expansionism. Is Putin mastering geopolitics? Where are the limits of his modernisation strategy?

Odessa to Vilkova: Ukraine's Venice

('Annie Rutherford',) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:41:24 -0000

Inspired by British website 'Nerdy Day Trips', we should say that cafebabel.com isn’t just about metropolises and life in the big city, but also Europe’s far-flung corners. A German correspondent discovers pelicans, tortoises and old believers in a sleepy fishing village in Ukraine

Yulia Tymoshenko: Ukraine’s absurd two-month old trial

('Annie Rutherford',) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:00:00 -0000

On 24 August 2011 Ukraine celebrated 20 years of independence. Preparations for the festivities were accompanied by a performance on the political stage, with the lead role taken by the 60-year-old. The country is revolting the lawsuit which the former prime minister and heroine of the orange revolution is facing, and which has been ‘postponed’ until October

Ukraine, Belarus, Egypt...free the online activist in you

('Ilona Nuk\xc5\xa1evica',) — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:03:17 -0000

Ukraine’s ‘Day of Wrath’ against its president on 14 May has been organised online. Belarus’ internet is the only escape from regime propaganda. The Arab world reported its transitions online. Amidst these examples, Peter Ludlow, cyber rights activist and philosophy professor at Northwestern University in Illinois, emphasies that politics can be influenced in bottom-up solutions. Interview

Ukraine and Europe on 9 May 2011: tying ribbons

('Singing Foot',) — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:21:25 -0000

On 9 May 'Europe Day' marks the 61st anniversary of the European Union, but in Ukraine we will celebrate Victory Day. This time it will be special, because our MPs bound local authorities to hang red flags (‘Victory Flags’) alongside national yellow-blue flags. It has already aroused indignation amongst not only intellectuals, but all men of good sense too

Self-identification, multiculturalism and erasmus in the EU

('Alexandra Belopolsky',) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:24:20 -0000

In a world where the physical borders are a blur, no wonder the mental ones are blurring as well. With nationalists turning to the 'protection of Europe' rather than the 'protection of the homeland', it is fair to say that the erasmus generation is the face of future Europe. United within itself, far past the division to Germans, French, Poles, or Italians, it's an identity in its own right - even for me

Ukraine feminists ‘Femen’: topless a political weapon

("Miriam O'Brien",) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:05:00 -0000

At first the 300 members of the feminist community came to the streets to protest against the expansion of sex tourism in the Ukraine. The 12, 000 active 'sex pats' are growing under the indifferent gaze of the authorities. Femen has been organising nude performances as a political weapon for three years now. After a run-in at the Italian embassy, Inna Shevechenko vents her anger

Yuriy Gurzhy: 'Achtung! The party is Russian-rock-free'

('Alexandra Belopolsky',) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:21:24 -0000

The legendary 'Russendisko' organiser is a notorious DJ and producer in Berlin. The Ukrainian-born musician co-created the club dance event in 1999 and his band Rotfront in 2003 with fellow Jewish Russian and Hungarian 'emigrantskis'. Time for some tea in Cologne

Ukrainian students fight uncertain future

('Delphine Reuter',) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:15:04 -0000

Like many other Ukrainian students, Varvara Shmygalyova hopes her country can one day integrate the European Union. The government’s recent education policies made her turn her hopeful wishes into a fight for her future, writes Delphine Reuter

Highest European HIV rate Ukraine: threat of Lavra clinic closure

('Annie Rutherford',) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:00:00 -0000

1.6% of Ukraine's population are infected with HIV, though people ignore or remain silent about the problem. In Kiev one of the most important treatment centres for Aids patients is to be closed - in order to make place for a luxury hotel. The decision gave rise to protests and demonstrations across the country

Euro 2012 in Warsaw: hanging around the stadium

('Emilie Prattico',) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:00:28 -0000

The UEFA football championship kicks off in Warsaw’s brand new national stadium on 8 June 2012. While it prepares to host over 100, 000 fans and tourists, the Polish capital is abuzz with excitement about revealing how far it’s come to the rest of the world

EU press react: Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine's new president

('euro topics',) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:08:31 -0000

Five years after he was deposed by the Orange Revolution, the opposition leader won Ukraine's presidential elections on 7 February, narrowly edging out prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko in a runoff vote. The Swiss, Czech, Polish and Portuguese press bemoan the rise to power of a politician who is widely regarded as pro-Russian, but believes that Ukraine has now finally proven that it is truly democratic

Ukraine elections: EU press reacts as Tymoshenko trails Yanukovich

('euro topics',) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:36:12 -0000

Early exit polls suggest that pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych has a clear lead in Ukraine's presidential elections, followed closely by head of government Yulia Tymoshenko. But according to the Latvian, Swedish and German press, no matter who wins the runoff vote on 7 February 7, Ukraine will be more oriented towards Russia in the future, albeit as a sovereign democratic state

Michael Jackson dies aged 50: eastern EU grab their crotch in tribute

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:48:42 -0000

On 25 June, the king of pop died after a cardiac arrest in LA. He remains a firm musical reference for the 'eurogeneration’ growing up in the seventies and eighties. Ukrainian folk rock, Lithuania’s late MJ and Bulgaria’s Wacko Jacko wannabe – soundtrack tribute in videos

Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia: domino game of governmental crash

('Astrid vW',) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:15:20 -0000

On 22 March, Hungary’s socialist prime minister, businessman Ferenc Gyurcsany, announced his resignation for 14 April. There is a huge amount of strategy beneath his move and it reveals a trend appearing in central and eastern Europe. Today, the Czech Republic establishes a new chapter

Poland to salvage chances of hosting Euro 2012

('Sarah Pybus',) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

With Grzegorz Lato elected the new director of the Polish football association, the government has an eye out on combatting corruption in the upcomign games and troubled co-host Ukraine

Media faces are candidates for Sakharov prize

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0000

The EU parliament is preparing its annual human rights prize with a list of media faces – this and more from the latest in Brussels. Weekly edition

Ukraine 'don't want to be Europe's neighbours'

('Daiva Repe\xc4\x8dkait\xc4\x97',) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:16:09 -0000

Ukraine accepts the aid it receives from the EU, but does not want to be considered a country merely situated 'close' to Europe. After events in South Ossetia and the EU-Ukraine summit on 10 September, the EU should give Ukraine a clear perspective of membership. Perspective

Strasbourg moves to Brussels temporarily

('Kate Stansfield',) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:36:05 -0000

Those in favour of the European parliament remaining in Brussels will be happy in September. The latest weekly news from Brussels

Poland's 10, 000 border guards

('Natasha Doff',) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0000

Since 21 December 2007 there have been no border controls between Poland and Portugal. In Germany there have been fears that the Polish authorities aren’t ready to take on the security of the entire EU

Meru - new Second Life

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:00 -0000

The alternative to Second Life has Europe in its sights, according to Vladlen Koltun, a 27 year old professor from Stanford

Don't laugh. It's (video) politics

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0000

European politicans occasionally star in dramatically hilarious or simply grotesque scenes - are ETA terrorists a great nation? Was the Russian Breznev actually the president of the United States?

Feminism in Europe

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Long a part of the mainstream, but women have not gained ground since the eighties. Many dismiss the feminist concept completely, others see 'new feminism' taking a step backwards

Ukraine crisis and a passive Europe

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The fifth elections in three years, the latest by presidential fiat, take place on 30 September. Europe needs to sit up and pay more attention for the country to be an effective stabile democracy

Ars Electronica: when Second Life becomes First Life

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0000

From 5 to the 11 September Linz will host one of the most important digital arts festivals. For the occasion one of the main streets in the city centre will be transformed into its virtual alter ego

Hands off Greek universities!

('Kate Martin',) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0000

The Greek government has approved a series of reforms intended to modernise its university system, including the opening of private institutions and placing a limit on the maximum study period. However, the students are protesting

Sergii Oleksiuk: 'It's like a Yanykovich-Yushchenko soap opera'

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Three years on, a 23-year-old key figure in the youth movement during the Orange Revolution considers his country's latest stalemate

Pink revolution

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Over 200,000 people flooded Independence Square on 16 June to see British singer Elton John's AIDS-awareness free concert - publicising a dark aspect of Ukrainian society, with estimated adult HIV prevalence of 1.4%

Spluttering clockwork orange engine

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:00:00 -0000

As Ukraine faces a political crisis, Europe follows its neighbour's events with interest, conscious of the former Soviet Republic’s strategic importance for her energy supply

'Gas-Opec': alarm bells for Europe

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:00:00 -0000

EU President Barroso calls for a common European energy policy, as Russian president Putin amongst others propose a gas cartel

Ukrainian bohemia

('G. Ring',) — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0000

Leonid Kantier is a pragmatic troubadour. Both entrepreneur and actor, the Ukrainian has travelled all over the world with his wooden tabouret under his arm

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?

“Crises help the EU move forward”

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 10:40:00 -0000

One of Poland’s best known personalities is the politician, writer and journalist Tadeusz Mazowiecki. In an interview with cafebabel.com, he considers the effect of Polish accession and how Europe can move forward.

Opium, the green gold of Afghanistan

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 16:00:00 -0000

Despite the efforts of the United Nations and the government, the production of opium continues to grow, inundating Europe with tonnes of heroin.

Operation Environmental Espionage

('Morag Young',) — Mon, 08 Mar 2004 02:00:00 -0000

Yes, GMES is Galileo’s poor relation. But thanks to its implementation, forecasting natural disasters could become more precise than a Swiss clock.