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World affairs
Signing 2012 off with a cosmophobic touch
The story of the end of the world started with the planet Nibiru. It collided with earth and almost provoked its destruction in 2003, before being re-prophecised for December 2012. Nasa scientists assured citizens well in advance of the insignificance of the date, but some Europeans more than others are susceptible to the bad news
world affairs, poverty, europe, youth, unemployment, society
London university: license to sponsor non-EU students killed
In 2011, the home office curbed the intake of non-EU students by 25% by 2015. On 29 August, the UK border agency announced that one London university had lost its right to authorise student visas. Here’s the latest move by the British government to cut down the number of student immigrants
world affairs, university, education system, london, border control, united kingdom, students
Pan-Slavism, Slovio and Polish the 'status symbol'
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
world affairs, tower of babel, esperanto, poland, russian federation, slovakia, slovenia
Seven (wonder) tips to visit post-revolution Egypt
A halt in tourism, which constitutes 11% of the country's GDP and allows over a half of Egypt's employed population to have service sector jobs, badly harmed the quality of life for many ordinary Egyptians. Scared of the turmoil following the 18-day revolution in late January, the usual number of 14 million tourists avoided Egypt for weeks - but that should change
world affairs, money, practical information, shopping, arab spring, tourism, economy
Finnish, German, Italian reaction to islamist murder in Pakistan
Shabbaz Bhatti, minister of minorities, was murdered by islamists in Islamabad on 2 March. Pakistan's only christian cabinet minister, the 42-year-old was one of the few to oppose abuses of the country's blasphemy laws. European commentators fear the forces of radical islam could gain in strength, and call on the international community to take action
world affairs, radical islam, pakistan, islamic terrorism, minority, extremism, euweek
Huzun, bourgeois, opposites: what is Orhan Pamuk’s Turkey?
Negotiations over Turkey’s accession to the European union began in 2006 but Europeans remain on their guard; the fear of the unknown is well known. The nobel literature prizewinner is one of Turkey’s main figureheads though he was accused of insulting Turkish identity. View from Poland
world affairs, culture calendar, stamboul, culture, turkey, integration
Li Kequiang's in Europe, and Europe knows it
The Chinese vice-premier is in Europe. He has signed billion-dollar business agreements and promised to purchase the government bonds of ailing EU countries like Portugal. Does this cheque book politics conceal the dictatorship's true motives? The Iberian and Austro-German press have raised the alert
world affairs, economical crisis, piigs, globalisation, global europe, china, politics
Moldava youth: one year after riots, we vote!
Moldavans are called to vote this Sunday for crucial parliamentary elections. For 18 months, this small country - the poorest in Europe – has been functioning without a president, blocking any ambitious political initiative. Two days before the election, it is impossible to know who has the best chance to win. The only certainty is that young people have played and will play a decisive role. This major political force which has become indispensable and wishes to make itself heard is back on the rise
world affairs, mayor, activism, youth, moldova republic of, politics, chisinau
Nokia, suicide and murder: Finland world's top country?
A 27-year-old Finnish social sciences and economics postgraduate takes our challenge to skim the surface and paint a portrait of the country she was born in, and which US magazine Newsweek has voted the 'world's best country'. The pros outweigh the cons, she assures us
world affairs, tampere, technology, suicide, finland, society
Young African footballers thrive in Europe
There may be football academies and Fifa regulations aplenty in Europe, but talented African minors haven't always had the best experiences in the promised land
world affairs, world cup, sport, poverty, senegal, africa, corruption
Almost 50 journalists behind bars: 'all young Iranians are potential journalists'
On 11 February 2010, both opponents and supporters of Ahmadinejad were in the streets to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. We speak to the Iranian lawyer and 2003 nobel peace prize laureate Shirin Ebadi
world affairs, internet, shirin ebadi, human rights, iran islamic republic of, journalism, freedom of expression
The world in an Eau de Cologne bottle
It’s no lucky mistake; Eau de Cologne, or Cologne, world renowned for centuries, has benefitted from the ideal geographical location of the city that has given the perfume its name. At the heart of Europe, Cologne is putting the finishing touches to its strategy to form international links
world affairs, industry, architecture, tourism, cities, europe on the ground, cologne
Notes: mid-twenties crisis of a journalist going round the world
The day that I turned 25, I decided to just leave everything - work, my family, the flat I rented with some friends. I bought a round the world ticket and embarked on a year-long journey. Summary of a blog recognised by as 'the best non-English language blog' at the 'Lonely Planet travel bloggers’ awards
world affairs, travel writing, blogs, india, journalism, citizen journalism, japan
EU reactions: Russian human rights activist murdered
On 15 July Natalya Estemirova, 50, was kidnapped and murdered by unknown assailants in the Chechen capital Grozny. The mother-of-one worked for the human rights organisation Memorial and was a close friend of the journalist Anna Politkovskaya, also murdered in 2006. Pressbites from Poland, Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland and Spain
world affairs, reaction, natalya estemirova, press, anna politkovskaya, death, assassination
Vjollca Dibra on being a young poetess in pre-war Kosovo
The thirtysomething works at OSCE logistics in Pristina when I meet her in late 2007, four months before Kosovo declares independence from Serbia. Who you might brand your average blonde, bespectacled working mother-of-two is also one of Kosovo's youngest recognised female poets
world affairs, literature, pristina, independence, serbia, refugee, poetry
