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Italian spritz aperol: the future’s orange
The Italian-born spritz aperol has gained official international recognition, being classed as a ‘new drink’ by the international bartenders’ association. We took this as an excuse to try out the sparkling brew, which the Italians will tell us is anything but new
united states, paris, wine, best of cafebabel.com, beverages, aperitif, society
Megaupload, FBI, anonymous: internet battle over copyright
After a vast legal process in the American courts, the internet platform megaupload was closed down on 19 January. Is it a copyright struggle or the start of a third world war? One Frenchie looks for a more differentiated approach
united states, techno-media, internet, privacy, downloads, media
Steve James: 'In the 80s, I can’t imagine anyone wanted a documentary-making career'
The American director perhaps best known for his 1994 film Hoop Dreams is in Amsterdam for the city’s international documentary film festival. We talk 'new media', starting out in the eighties and why an oscars snub doesn't matter when you've got good old Europe to fall back on
united states, cinema, netherlands, documentary, brunch, culture, film festival
Brooklyn-based pop band Chairlift: once 'music for haunted houses'
Patrick Wimberly and Caroline Polachek probably never thought their music would end up on a commercial for an apple product. After meeting the duo in Paris, we are advised to go back to the future, turn the sound down on a silent film and crank up our headphones to their fresh electronic pop offering
How an Italian boy became a ‘happiness coach’
Born in the land of ‘la dolce vita’, Bergamo-born Frank Ra, 32, travelled Europe before publishing a book on happiness. He offers his thoughts on spiritual scepticism, being a former erasmus student or ex-pat and how ‘no place is perfect unless we accept it with all its features’
united states, depression, canada, happiness, website, erasmus, books
The rise of divorce parties in Europe
Inspired by a trend from the United States, an increasing number of companies and services are being established in the UK, France and Germany. Amongst the European Union member states, divorce was not possible until 1970 in Italy, 1981 in Spain 1995 in Ireland and, most recently, 2011 in Malta
united states, money, divorce, germany, eurostat, austria, spain
'Hitler in Hollywood': American European cinema conspiracy
Everyone knows it deep down inside; there's no way you can overshadow a Hollywood motion picture, it's pure utopia. But once upon a time European cinema had a glorious and prosperous future. So what happened? This Franco-Belgian docu-fiction tackles the question of a conspiracy
united states, cinema, complot, pedro almodovar, actors, los angeles, hitler
Environment: the maggot in Steve Jobs’ apple
While tributes to its CEO Steve Jobs flood the web, don't forget Apple’s lack of green credentials
united states, techno-media, internet, consumers, revolution, ecology, laptop
Twitter feed: reactions to Steve Jobs death
The CEO of Apple was without a doubt the biggest genius of the last decade. He passed away after suffering from pancreatic cancer at the age of 56 over the night of 6 October. Social networks such as facebook and twitter have overflooded with 2.0 tributes
united states, consumers, technology, lifestyle, revolution, capitalism, death
REM ‘call it a day as a band’ after 31 years and 15 albums: editors pick
The American rock group are as old as the most sprightliest of us here at cafebabel.com HQ in Paris. They formed in Athens (Georgia!) in 1980 and announced their split on 22 September. Here’s a video ode to some of our favourite songs for today’s soundtrack
united states, nostalgia, culture calendar, video, youth, music, children
Stalking Obama in Detroit: getting all 1930s French socialist on us?
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
united states, labour, barack obama, america, civil society, politics, elections
Libya after Gaddafi: Europe’s Iraq?
The post-Gaddafi era is taking shape around the national transition council, which is currently in control of Tripoli. Uncertainty about the future is already taking hold though, with fears that Libya could become a new Iraq. This time it falls to Europe to avoid repeating the post-Saddam disaster
united states, libya, muammar al-gaddafi, italy, united nations, libya upraising, saif al-islam gaddafi
French-American folk musician Redeye: 'I was a bit unsure about country music'
Guillaume Fresneau is relatively unknown except for his outing as part of French band Dahlia. Moving on from the rock direction, he exclaims why it's good to be independent, travel and find yourself. His five-track EP 'Be The One' was released in February 2011
united states, paris, brunch, best of cafebabel.com, festivals, texas, music
Poland, Lithuania, Romania: inside Europe's Guantanamo Bays
A white horse struggles to drag itself along after abandoning the exhausted body of Vincent Gallo through the snow. The animal is soiled with human blood. Such is the breathtaking epilogue of Essential Killing, the latest feature length film from Jerzy Skolimowski, where the American actor portrays a Taliban deported to a secret CIA base hidden in a forest in Mazovie, Poland. In the screenplay by the Polish writer, the prisoner still has the possibility to escape. Terrorist suspects who land in total secrecy in the airport of Szymany in Poland do not have such luck. An investigation ensues.
united states, cia flights, abuses, poland, romania, guantánamo, human rights
China's rise and Europe's decline
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
united states, barack obama, spain, europe, economy, china, politics
Obituary: US diplomat Richard C Holbrooke, Bosnia’s broker
The young aspiring journalist, eighties banker and current US ‘Af-Pak’ (Afghanistan and Pakistan) special envoy has died aged 69 in Washington on 13 December. Snapshot of a man who helps us trace American interest in Europe through his time working with four democrat presidents. For young Europe it's the passing of a man who was a part of so many lives but yet not at all
united states, diplomacy, foreign policy, hillary clinton, bosnia and herzegovina, obituary, politics
Assange arrest: Swedish, Swiss, Spanish and German reactions
WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange was arrested in London on 6 December on charges of rape. Commentators suspect US pressure behind the arrest, as punishment for Assange's publishing of secret US documents. European press review
united states, censorship, julian assange, freedom of expression, freedom of opinion, euweek, wikileaks
Five questions about the Korean conflict
On 23 November North Korea turned the heat up with the first attack on South Korea civilians since the end of the war in 1953. There were four casualties on Yeonpyeong Island. Spanish journalist Alberto Lebrón explains why diplomacy is working with the weapons loaded
united states, cold war, russian federation, japan, north korea, nuclear plant, china
Get your summit hats on: Lisbon gets translantic
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
united states, economical crisis, barack obama, european commission, nato, lisbon, european union
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