cafebabel.com

Stalking Obama in Detroit: getting all 1930s French socialist on us?

('Helene Bienvenu',) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:04:27 -0000

French photojournalist Helene Bienvenu and filmmaker Nora Mandray recently moved to Detroit from Budapest and Los Angeles to write and direct a documentary. On the way, president Barack Obama visited Michigan’s largest city on the first Monday in September, which is a version of Europe’s 1st May bank holiday

Gaddafi, Tito, UN: Libyan crisis impact on Balkans

('Elaine Jordan',) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:15:00 -0000

Over the past few days many comparisons have been made between the Libyan war and the Balkan crisis of the nineties as western powers come up with the same humanitarian arguments they used then to justify their intervention in Libya now. But what is the connection? A closer look at the double standards and political games played during bombing campaigns

China's rise and Europe's decline

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:59:36 -0000

On 14 February China overtook Japan as the world's second largest economy. Signs and portents of the arrival of a new great power were everywhere from the middle of January 2011

Get your summit hats on: Lisbon gets translantic

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:30:00 -0000

The Nato summit in Lisbon between 19 and 20 November marks ‘one of the most important summits in history', according to the BBC. cafebabel.com Brussels snagged an interview with US ambassador to the EU William E. Kennard

Israeli soldier: 'Arabic language of Middle East'

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:00:00 -0000

He will finish his military service in October aged 22. Daniel from Tel Aviv is sure of his ideas: Obama, peace, politics, Israel-Palestine, Europe-Turkey... A spontaneous voice far from stereotypes which the media reinforce daily. Interview

Bloggers in Romania, hailed by President Terminator

('Caroline Prosser',) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Between fierce entrepreneurs, A-listers, history re-writers and new media journalists, bloggers are thriving in Romania. It's hailed by the president, but not well liked by other media stalwarts. The country, one of three ‘partially free’ medias in the EU (alongside Bulgaria and Italy), ranks a poor 50th on the European press freedom index

Iceland volcano: climate to survive natural, as well as man-made phenomena?

('Sofia Belegrinou',) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:12:47 -0000

When Iceland's Eyjafjoell volcano erupted on 15 April, it halted flights in European airspace but also led to conspiracy theories about reducing CO2 emissions in the atmosphere and cooling off the planet. cafebabel.com Athens blog about the priorities

Happy tax day, Americans: though Europeans get more for their money

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:27:15 -0000

There is a perception that the poor Europeans are overtaxed serfs. But a closer look reveals that this is a myth that prevents Americans from understanding the vast shortcomings of our own system; 15 April is the day that income tax returns are due in the States

EU-US: 'If this was Formula One, Europe would still be working on its motor'

('euro topics',) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:30:00 -0000

US president Barack Obama will not be attending the EU-USA summit planned for May. The official explanation given is that he wishes to devote himself to domestic problems. The German, Belgian and Czech press, however, suspects that he doesn't want to waste time in Europe, which still hasn't found a collective voice

Europe vs the US: seven reflections

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:27:17 -0000

It’s been a year since Barack Obama was inaugurated president of the United States on 20 January. But despite his inspiring speeches, he is no Franklin Roosevelt, and even if he were, he needs 60 out of 100 votes in the US Senate to pass anything. Since the end of world war two, a power has emerged with the real potential to carry the world forward

Full body scanners, Obama and Yemen: terrorism 2010

('euro topics',) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:52:11 -0000

Fears of terrorism are on the rise around the world after the failed christmas day attack on a US airliner. Calls for greater security and tougher anti-terror measures are mounting. Other European papers warn of the threat of war in Yemen, and argue that weapons alone cannot bring a lasting solution.The word from the British, Slovenian, Spanish, Austrian and Danish media

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?

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

Europe's breakfasts: I'll have what Obama's having

("naomi o'leary",) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:08:27 -0000

Russia: Putin feeds Obama whilst a leather boot fans the flames. Italy: whilst Obama becomes president, Berlusconi serves his escort a hot drink. Germany: Merkel cooks brekkie for hubby: a round-up of European politicians' breakfast stories in the news, plus a pancake recipe for the bimonthly gastronomy column

Moby: free Europe concerts for climate change

('Waldemar Ingdahl',) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:33:36 -0000

'Play4Climate.eu' raises awareness among Europe's youth before the December UN summit in Copenhagen. We chat to the American musician/ activist

G8: Obama 'wouldn't hurt a fly'

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:15:00 -0000

When the US president killed a fly in a live CNBC interview on 17 June, it got the whole world buzzing. Will his fellow leaders be all a-tremble when they meet in L'Aquila, Italy, on 8 July? Roundup of the weekly expression and its European counterparts

Alison Smale: 'by learning languages I could escape the boring life I had been living as a child in England'

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:15:00 -0000

The former German and Politics student at Bristol university is the first woman to lead the Paris-based International Herald Tribune. The multilingual managing editor talks European elections, languages and journalism

Run-up to Swedish EU presidency: Turkey-EU blame game

('Anna Patton',) — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:01:12 -0000

Sweden, one of the most pro-Turkey member states, takes over the EU presidency in July 2009. But this may not be enough to kick-start negotiations for Turkey to enter the EU, which began in October 2005. Is there a common interest? Analysis

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

'Historic' G20 in London: a one trillion summit like no other

('c j',) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:44:06 -0000

On 2 April G20 leaders agreed on a mind boggling trillion dollar plan to tackle the global financial crisis. As US president Barack Obama heads to Strasbourg for a Nato summit, a roundup of the juice and conclusions

Martin Schain as Barack Obama sets foot on European soil

('Adriano Farano',) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:30:37 -0000

Why do Americans need Europe in Afghanistan? Why is the new president-elect is like Roosevelt. Interview with Martin Schain, politics professor at New York University

Minute by minute: we stalk Hillary Clinton in Brussels

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0000

What relationship will Barack Obama's new America have with Europe? At a debate at the European parliament in Brussels on 5 March, the new secretary of state will chat to 150 young Europeans - including us. Follow it live from 10 to 11am on cafebabel.com - hit the refresh button as you go!

China reacts to the Guantanamo proposal

('Daiva Repe\xc4\x8dkait\xc4\x97',) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:15:00 -0000

On 11 February the Lithuanian government announced that they were ready to take up to 10 Guantanamo prisoners. US president Barack Obama has said the Cuba-based prison will be closed within a year

The EU: new home for Guantanamo's innocents?

('Lindsey Evans',) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:13:36 -0000

The European Union may soon be welcoming the 62 Guantanamo detainees found innocent in the US. Latest titbit of news from Brussels

Spaniard in Washington DC: Obama remakes America

('eugenie stephenson',) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:30:19 -0000

In America, the word ‘remake’ has two meanings - the simple act of rebuilding or redoing something, but also the creation of a new version of an old film. The storyline doesn’t change, but the characters are different. On 20 January at the Capitol, president Barack Obama wrote the perfect script for a new country. Testimony

Obama election images: once upon a campaign in Atlanta

('fabien campoverde',) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:17:42 -0000

From Georgia to Paris: one of three official photographers at the democrat rally on 4 November 2008, shares his last moments of election history. Barack Obama is inaugurated president of the US on 20 January

Climate change, health, economy: three European tips for Obama

('Steven Hill',) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:18:09 -0000

The inauguration of the 44th president of the US on 20 January is starting to look like the most spectacularly dramatic debut since the Beatles arrived in New York. But soon the buildup and the hype will be over, and it will be time for Team Obama to produce

US warms up to the global climate change consensus

('Gaia Pianigiani',) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:00:26 -0000

As Barack Obama inaugurates his mandate on 20 January, environmental scientists prepare their guidelines for a greener approach to energy production and usage. Is America ready to make the same changes? The word from Union Square farmers market and climatologist Dr. Stephen H. Schneider

Bush's 'very dangerous' Iran one of Obama's 'biggest challenges'

('Kourosh Ziabari',) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:32:36 -0000

Bush and Obama's comments came ahead of Iran's official 'wait and see' statement on 15 January. Cynics boast that the president-elect has not enough authority to fulfill his promise of unconditional talks because of the traditional pattern of politics in US. As 'day one' approaches on 20 January, a young Iranian blogger paints the wider Iran-US picture

Dear Obama administration: Europe’s top five on the Christmas list

('Dave Keating',) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:36:12 -0000

After elections on 4 November, perhaps never before have so many expected so much of one man. But remember: Barack Obama is US president first, and world leader second. Focus on the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo and Russia

Obama vs. Barroso: my tax cut is bigger than yours

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:15:00 -0000

US anti-crisis plans have paralysed Barroso's; whilst Obama announces public investment, the latter merely offers tax cuts

Press review: EU-Russia summit in Nice, friends again?

('euro topics',) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:55:23 -0000

In a 14 November meeting in the southern French city, the EU wants to resume negotiations for a partnership agreement with Russia. Talks had been temporarily broken off after the August conflict in Georgia

Videos: politicians get the last word

('Erin Woycik',) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:00:00 -0000

Brown and the crisis, Johnson versus Schwarzenegger and Berlusconi with John McCain - check out the lastest instalment with the best of Europe's politicians

Europe blogs Barack Obama’s presidency

('Darren Thompson',) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:00:00 -0000

Everything is possible. From waking up to utopia, European bloggers are discussing a black man in charge in the world’s most powerful nation. On 20 January, Barack Obama became president of the USA. But what will happen to him tomorrow?

US election reactions: ‘sleeping a little better’ after the Obama win

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:23:59 -0000

From London to New York on 4 November, a selection of correspondents trace the historic night when Barack Obama became the first black president of the United States

Barack Obama inspires art and fashion in Paris and Barcelona

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:59:45 -0000

Whether it's his face in gravel viewed from the air, or his face in sequins viewed from the catwalk, Cuban artist Jorge Rodríguez Gerada and French Moroccan designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac are inspired by the democratic presidential candidate. Cross-portraits

Europeans can expect a John McCain victory

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:15:33 -0000

Don’t draw parallels between the republican candidate’s political ideals and those of his predecessor George Bush, perceived as largely negative by most

Meanwhile, Obama Hallowe’en masks outsell McCain

('Anna Patton',) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:46:34 -0000

The moment of truth from the US elections, bickering Polish politicians and the return of the Euromed – weekly newsbites from Brussels

Press review: why is Barack Obama so popular in Europe?

('euro topics',) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:15:07 -0000

Are we overly optimistic that the democratic candidate would improve the trans-Atlantic relationship, should he become US president in elections on 4 November?

Climate change conference in December: previewing Poznan

('Dave Keating',) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:09:25 -0000

Delegates will come more than 190 countries at the Poznan conference, but all eyes will be on the major players - the EU and the United States. After elections in the latter and in the midst of a global financial crisis, will the world walk away from committing significant money and energy to solving the problem?

Quotes: US-Europe politicians talk climate change

('Franck Lirzin',) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Poker games and Don Quixotes for Poland and Italy who are sceptical about the EU's package, whilst the US tries to break ground. Quotes

Super Stupid Tuesday

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

On Tuesday 5 February, 24 US states will hold their primaries or caucuses on a single day. But does the current nomination process facilitate the nomination of the best candidates?

Video: Europeans on Super Tuesday

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

On Tuesday 5 February 22 states will hold US presidential primary elections. The result will determine each party's candidate for the final elections on 6 November, 2008. Three young Europeans provide their opinion

Republican return to the White House in 2009?

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

After seven years of waiting for an end to the Bush presidency, Europeans should not wait indefinitely in hope of redefining US interests

Five US candidates, five pledges

('Hanna Sankowska',) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

On 5 February or 'Super Tuesday', 24 US states vote for their Democrat or Republican candidate. Spotlight on what five main leaders of the race for the American presidency are pledging