Focus on Europe | Video Podcast | Deutsche Welle: Recent Episodes
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What drives people in Europe? How do Europeans lead their lives? What are their views, hopes and fears? Fokus Europa provides the answers: up close, exciting and balanced.
The consumption of hard drugs has been legal in Portugal for decades, but now resistance is building. With addicts using in public spaces, even outside schools, many demand more protection for society and less care for addicts.
The Dragon's Heart café in Bosnia employs people with Down syndrome. After a rough start, a successful social media campaign brought in many more guests and saved the café.
Romania received EU funds to close a substandard landfill and implement better waste standards. Since then, little has changed — and no one feels responsible.
Death and dying is something most of us find hard to talk about. That's also true for Regina Ciriack, who is terminally ill. She's receiving care from a death doula — a trained end of life companion.
Floods have devastated two-thirds of Slovenia. Many villages are cut off from the outside world. The Balkan country is struggling with the worst natural disaster in its history.
San Giovani a Teducco in Naples was a neglected and impoverished neighborhood. Now, with the help of EU funding, a digital campus has been built there.
The world's first nuclear waste repository is being built off Finland's west coast on the island of Olkiluoto. Highly radioactive waste will soon be buried deep underground there.
They clean and do laundry, watch children, and take care of the elderly twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. In Spain, tens of thousands of undocumented domestic workers are living in appalling conditions.
New soldiers near the frontlines are not safe from Russian attacks, so Ukraine is training them. Members of a Deutsche Welle camera team were also injured there.
The Spreewald's canals and traditions are a paradise that attracts tourists. But that could change. If Germany stops mining lignite, groundwater will no longer be pumped into the area. This will also have consequences for the German capital, Berlin.
Albania is proud of its long coasts, lagoons and unique biodiversity. But about one-third of the approximately 430-kilometer-long coastline is affected by erosion.
Every weekend, a special train offering various cultural programs runs between Berlin and Wroclaw. It is meant to peak German interest in Poland and vice versa while encouraging people to travel more consciously.
Wildfires are on the rise in Spain due to heat and drought. Prevention teams are trying to head off fires in risky locations by clearing brush and digging ditches.
Musicians in Finland are keeping tradition alive. Their fiddling has put their music onto the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
EU-Hungarian relations are tense. Cohesion fund payments to Hungary have been frozen in a dispute about the government’s right-wing populist stance.
Europe's first rare earths’ magnet factory is going up on the Estonian-Russian border. The project is aimed at integrating Estonia’s ethnic Russians.
Brussels is a city of contrasts: areas are struggling right next to the affluent EU governmental district. But this is meant to change.
The island of Tilos is the first and only island in the entire Mediterranean to be powered solely with wind and solar energy. How does it work?
Residents of a small street in East London want to power their community with solar panels installed on the roofs of their homes. Local artists are raising funds for those who can't afford the investment.
Luxury yachts of oligarchs and wealthy Russians are moored in Montenegro's exclusive Adriatic ports. But the area is also attracting ordinary Russians escaping the war, not always to the delight of the local population.
Gen Y and Z prefer ecofriendly clothing and Italy's textile industry has responded. Prato is considered the Paris of sustainable fashion, with 150 textile companies processing used clothing from all over Europe.
Romania desperately needs skilled workers, whether in the service sector, construction or care industry. Since Romania joined the EU in 2007, hundreds of thousands have left the country. Businesses are looking to Asia to fill the gap.
Italy is arguing over what constitutes a family. Its right-wing government planning to make it even harder for LGBTQ couples with children.
Iceland's geothermal energy is a boon to vegetable and fruit growers, whose produce would not be competitive without it. But the hot water is a finite resource.
Many French oppose President Macron's pension reform delaying retirement until age 64. According to a study, less than half feel valued at work and want to retire sooner to enjoy life.
Ukrainians have been resolutely defending their country for more than a year. Some, like Yehor, return to fight even after serious injury. The soldier is at the front after losing part of his leg in the Donbass.
Following the devastating floods in northern Italy, criticism of authorities has grown louder. Some say years of unchecked construction sealed areas that were already prone to flooding, making the region even more vulnerable.
Fear of a Russian invasion is growing in Moldova—especially in smaller villages located in the region of Transnistria.
Spain has become a gateway for wildlife trafficking into Europe. Spanish customs are discovering more and more protected animals being smuggled alive. The authorities are overwhelmed, and the animals suffer terribly.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu are in a tight race in the elections. Jailed Erdogan critics hope his defeat after nearly 20 years in power will give them their freedom. AKP supporters hope Erdogan will prevail.
Scientists on Gran Canaria hope to combat water shortages by capturing droplets of fog. They use nets in the mountains to trap moisture from clouds. Since 2021, they have collected some 90,000 liters of water.
A student with an anti-war slogan. A vocational school founder who doesn't want to recruit for the military: some people in Russia are still demonstrating opposition to the war in Ukraine. They're taking huge risks in doing so.
Martial arts instructor Isak Džanić runs a small sports club in Srebrenica. He's supposed to receive an award in the United States for his commitment to coaching, but he can't afford the cost of the trip.
The Turkish president is being heavily criticized for his government's response to the earthquake. Many victims are dissatisfied with aid provided by the state. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's crisis management could cost him the election.
As a result of Russia's war in Ukraine, naval mines are now littering the Black Sea. They can also be found near the coasts of Romania, posing a threat to fishers, shipping traffic, and even beachgoers.
Ahead of King Charles' coronation, Britain's Republicans are calling for the end of the monarchy. But most Britons prefer the status quo, even if the new King is not as popular as the late Queen.
Some bakers in France are revolutionizing their craft. They are returning to old baking traditions by heating their ovens with wood and using only three ingredients: flour, salt, and well water.
Traditional Swedish herders and their reindeer have to clear the way for miners to excavate rare earths recently discovered in the Sámi region of Sweden. Thousands of residents in the mining town of Kiruna are being relocated to new homes.
More criminals are breaking into ATMs in Germany. These thieves mostly come from abroad, employing violent tactics to get what they want. The police have created a cross-border special unit to stop them.
Catalonia has introduced a quota to attract more women to jobs in the fire department. But it's proved to be a very controversial decision. It's a tough job and applicants must be highly qualified.
Brexit has disrupted Northern Ireland's fragile political equilibrium, especially the peace between Catholics and Protestants.
Lake Garda in northern Italy has less water this spring than ever before. As the country's largest freshwater reservoir, this could have serious consequences for local agriculture and energy supply.
It used to be lucrative for Slawomir Sobala to look like Putin. But since the war, everything has changed. The resemblance to the dictator now makes him feel threatened.
More than 80 Afghans, Syrians, and Iraqis drowned near Italy's coast when their boat was wrecked. Rescuers want people to be able to flee to safety without having to risk their lives. They're accusing criminal smugglers, but also politicians.
Protests against Macron's pension reform plans are becoming more radical, as many French people won't accept raising the retirement age. Particularly young French people are worried about their future, fearing their situation will be worse than their parents' generation.
Austrian Martin Kunze has a mission: to create a time capsule of humankind. One reason for this ambitious project is that digital records do not last forever – and Kunze believes certain memories should be preserved.
A Turkish-Greek peace choir wants to overcome the division of Cyprus. The two parts of the island have a long history of conflict.
For Thierry Marx, social commitment is a matter of honor. The French Michelin-starred chef is teaching refugees how to cook.
The EU is once again trying to mediate between Serbia and Kosovo. But relations between the ethnic groups in Kosovo are marked by fear and mistrust. The situation remains tense.
Local residents have taken over a hardware store in Newport, Wales, and are running it themselves — some even as volunteers. For them, the store is an institution, and maintaining it is a love project.
As the war enters its second year, many young Ukrainians fear for their future. Daily life under war has completely changed peoples’ life and thinking.
Clams are the hit export for fishers around the Po Delta. They are environmentally friendly as they capture CO2. In Italy too, the farmed mussels are in high demand, and served by Michelin-starred chefs.
The number of refugees who applied for asylum in Cyprus doubled in 2022. The republic receives the highest number of asylum seekers relative to its population anywhere in the EU.
Residents of a tiny Spanish village posed naked for a calendar in the hope of putting their dying hamlet back on the map. Even a centenarian took part in the campaign to showcase the rural landscape and its traditions.
Marta Yuzkiv and her husband have been fighting in Ukraine's armed forces since the beginning of the invasion. DW met them back then — and now, one year on.
After the devastating earthquake left many dead and injured, more rescue teams reach the disaster area. With many still trapped under the ruins, criticism arises of the poor construction of the collapsed buildings.
Freestyle motocross champion Vanni Oddera puts a smile on disabled and sick children's faces by giving them a ride on his motorcycle. His "motor therapy" recently achieved scientific recognition.
IIn France, more than a thousand craftspeople are working to restore Paris's famous Notre Dame. The cathedral was badly damaged in a fire in 2019.
A home just a stone's throw from the sea. For one family in Britain, it's a reality. In return, they agreed to a life with a minimal ecological footprint.
Real estate prices in the Turkish Mediterranean city of Antalya are exploding due to high demand by Russian buyers. Rent is becoming unaffordable for many locals as they fight back.
Russia is trying to win over Latvia's Russian-speaking minority with victory slogans. Many Latvians are worried the propaganda could divide their country. About one in four Latvians has Russian roots.
The brown bears living in Poland's Carpathian Mountains have become a source of tension. While conservationists are pleased the animals are there, local landowners are annoyed the bears’ presence is impeding the timber industry.
Thousands of cattle roam the French island of Corsica. They can now be identified by microchip.
The beaches of Portugal, known worldwide in the surfing scene, are becoming increasingly popular surfing spots among people with a disability.
More and more refugees are arriving in the north Italian city of Trieste. Most come along the Balkan route. But the hopes of many of these migrants and asylum-seekers are crushed as they’re left to fend for themselves.
Tens of thousands of Russians have deserted to Georgia since the partial mobilization. How welcome are they in their neighboring country?
Since the war in Ukraine, dozens of pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarchs have been residing in Monaco and on the French Riviera. They are hated by war refugees from Ukraine.
On the border with Belarus, Ukrainian soldiers wait for another attack by Russian troops.
Nowhere in Europe is the demand for paid sex greater than in Spain. Now, the government is planning to pass a law that will impose harsh penalties on pimps and fines on punters to protect women.
In Germany, hundreds of thousands of people identify as asexual—an orientation that describes people satisfied living without sex. They're fighting against the preconception that asexuality is a disorder.
Young Iranians cross the border to Turkey in buses to indulge in activities forbidden at home, annoying the conservative residents of Van.
The amputation of pig tails has been banned in the EU since 2003. But only breeders in Finland and Sweden adhere to the regulation. They know it makes pigs happier.
A Catholic priest and self-proclaimed rebel leads tour groups on whiskey pilgrimages of Scotland. He also speaks openly about difficult topics, including his own attempted rape. His pilgrimage group agree – spirits and spirituality are one.
Greek border police say the numbers of migrants and refugees trying to leave Turkey is on the rise. Many are Syrians who feel increasingly unsafe in Turkey. They travel in small groups, and are risking ever more dangerous routes.
Sweden may have a green reputation, but its timber industry has been clearcutting old-growth forests for decades. Activists, tourism operators, and reindeer herders hope to slow deforestation by putting pressure on timber giant Sveaskog.
A French inventor has built a climate-friendly glider that has traveled 2,000 kilometers without emitting any CO2. It takes off, flies, and lands using only solar and wind energy. He’s hoping to transform the aircraft industry.
Justyna Wydrzynska faces three years in prison for sharing abortion pills with a pregnant woman in Poland. The state is cracking down ever harder on women who are resisting Poland's restrictive anti-abortion laws.
In Treviso, visitors can enjoy more than 40 rides — provided they are willing to put in some muscle power. Each attraction was built by Bruno Ferrin, who is now 85 years old.
An interethnic, cross-border grassroots movement has formed in Bosnia in response to failures by authorities. Its goal: effective waste management.
Many Afghans are still stuck in Albania after fleeing the Taliban more than a year ago. They had originally been promised refuge in the United States.
Ukraine has accused Russia of treating thousands of prisoners of war illegally and abusing them for political purposes. This is prohibited under the Geneva Convention.
Two Finns are trying to stop the mass exodus of young people from their village by forming a club for pessimists, which they hope will give the village a much needed boost.
According to an investigation by Greek journalists, Greek tanker owners are shipping more Russian oil than before — just months before an EU embargo comes into effect.
According to an investigation by Greek journalists, Greek tanker owners are shipping more Russian oil than before — just months before an EU embargo comes into effect.
According to an investigation by Greek journalists, Greek tanker owners are shipping more Russian oil than before — just months before an EU embargo comes into effect.
Sonia Alaghehband is fulfilling her dream after fleeing from Iran and has become a train operator. Germany lacks such skilled workers.
Sonia Alaghehband is fulfilling her dream after fleeing from Iran and has become a train operator. Germany lacks such skilled workers.
Sonia Alaghehband is fulfilling her dream after fleeing from Iran and has become a train operator. Germany lacks such skilled workers.
Aggressive fishing is threatening seahorses on Portugal’s coasts. Trawl nets are damaging the seagrass, which is their natural habitat.
Aggressive fishing is threatening seahorses on Portugal’s coasts. Trawl nets are damaging the seagrass, which is their natural habitat.
Aggressive fishing is threatening seahorses on Portugal’s coasts. Trawl nets are damaging the seagrass, which is their natural habitat.
The "Fratelli d'Italia" political party has neo-fascist roots and its leader, Georgia Meloni, could become the country’s next prime minister.
The "Fratelli d'Italia" political party has neo-fascist roots and its leader, Georgia Meloni, could become the country’s next prime minister.
The "Fratelli d'Italia" political party has neo-fascist roots and its leader, Georgia Meloni, could become the country’s next prime minister.
Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine has created a rift among the residents in the Finnish village of Vartsila. For some, Putin is a war criminal, while others have a completely different take on what's happening in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine has created a rift among the residents in the Finnish village of Vartsila. For some, Putin is a war criminal, while others have a completely different take on what's happening in Ukraine.
Britain's well-dressed business community has new taste for color and style since the end of COVID lockdowns. That's good news for custom-tailored suits – and bad news for home-office sweatpants.
A sports club is motivating children from poor backgrounds and offering them a fresh perspective. The coaches hope to help the young players break the cycle of unemployment, poverty, and addiction.
Britain's well-dressed business community has new taste for color and style since the end of COVID lockdowns. That's good news for custom-tailored suits – and bad news for home-office sweatpants.
A sports club is motivating children from poor backgrounds and offering them a fresh perspective. The coaches hope to help the young players break the cycle of unemployment, poverty, and addiction.
Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine has created a rift among the residents in the Finnish village of Vartsila. For some, Putin is a war criminal, while others have a completely different take on what's happening in Ukraine.
Britain's well-dressed business community has new taste for color and style since the end of COVID lockdowns. That's good news for custom-tailored suits – and bad news for home-office sweatpants.
A sports club is motivating children from poor backgrounds and offering them a fresh perspective. The coaches hope to help the young players break the cycle of unemployment, poverty, and addiction.
In Russia, artists who speak out against the invasion of Ukraine are being blacklisted. A State Duma commission formed to investigate "anti-Russian cultural activities" is targeting artists, musicians and other prominent figures in the cultural sphere.
In Germany, farmers are struggling with the impact of heatwaves and drought. Jonas Schulze Niehoff in eastern Germany is no exception. Alongside the traditional grains and potatoes, he's now testing out drought-resistant quinoa and chickpeas.
Orcas are frightening sailors and wreaking havoc off the coast of Spain. The killer whales are attacking boats with increasing frequency. Authorities have recorded hundreds of such attacks over the last two years.
Ukraine is accusing Russia of targeting health facilities and hospitals. Under the Geneva Conventions, that's a war crime. Ukrainians have meticulously documented 180 such attacks and are seeking to indict Russia.
The Rhine is dwindling down to a trickle, devastating Germany's environment and economy. Large parts of the country have seen hardly any rain this summer. Germany's longest river has less water than ever before.
The number of solar panels and wind farms in Sicily have led to a shortage of land for wheat farming. The problem has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
In Northern Ireland, Protestants remain loyal to the United Kingdom, while many Catholics favor a united Ireland. The sectarian divide is growing, as uncertainty about a hard border with the Republic of Ireland continues.
Since Russia's attack on Ukraine, nearly 100 refugees have settled in the Spanish town of Carino. Some are hoping to expand their online portal for spare car parts to Carino, bringing work and life to the community.
Russia has threatened to annex occupied areas in the south of Ukraine. The Ukrainian army has now launched a counter-offensive with the help of Western long-range weapons. Much of the local population has already fled.
There have been more dead migrants at the Moroccan-Spanish border this year than ever before. Human rights activists are calling the Moroccan border guards criminals.
Danish mothers are fleeing to Germany out of fear that the state will remove their children. Denmark says the tough crackdown is for the good of the child.
If Putin stops gas supplies, the Dutch government is considering tapping its own reserves. The Groningen gas field is the largest of its kind in Europe. It is being phased out because extraction causes earthquakes.
Higher temperatures lead to huge swarms of locusts. For the Italian island's inhabitants, this is a disaster. There are not many options to fight back.
An openly homosexual Islamic scholar is fighting for more tolerance in Islam. This comes with difficulties. He receives threats and change is slow.
At Spanish bullfights, diminutive people often perform for the amusement of the audience. Some people find the performances discriminatory. The performers themselves see it differently.
Many women who have undergone circumcisions consider French gynecologist Ghada Hatem a hero. In her women's shelter in Saint-Denis north of Paris, she performs surgery on women who have undergone genital mutilation.
Literature fans are drawn to Urueña, a small Spanish village with a multitude of bookshops. Tourists from all over the country visit the small middle age town that's big on books.
Denmark revoked the residency permits of hundreds of Syrians, including many women, ho would now have to return to their homeland. Although refugees of war in the EU are usually protected from deportation, Denmark has broken that consensus. It's intended as deterrence, experts believe.
In Turkey, migrant shepherds move to their summer pastures. Every year there are more problems. The nomads are no longer welcome.
Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria have to vacate hotels in holiday regions. And there are difficulties with integration.
Thirteen-year-old Arthur Soufflet uses the proceeds of his paintings to provide food for homeless people. His commitment and success is inspiring other children to follow his example, including his younger sister.
Latvian singer Intars Busulis has a large fan base in Russia. He has been using social media to tell them about what is really happening in the war in Ukraine – prompting some to turn on the artist.
Georgia exports 22 million snowdrops each year – some 75 percent are picked from the wild. But the plant is a protected species, and subject to strict trade regulations.
After the Russian attacks, many in Ukrainian Niu-York are facing the ruins of their existence. But residents refuse to give up.
Germany's queer community is demanding that the Catholic Church accept their sexual identities. More than 100 members, including pastors, friars, and nuns have come out recently.
Over 3 million refugees have arrived in Poland since the war in Ukraine began. The majority are still in the country and many have found homes with Poles who took them in spontaneously. But many volunteers are exhausted, and the government says it needs help.
Romania's capital is buried in smoke from burned trash that comes from all over Europe. The dubious business is being investigated. Prosecutors and activists are sounding the alarm about organized crime structures.
Sports-loving nuns sometimes meet resistance in the church. That doesn't damper the Vatican's female soccer players' enthusiasm.
Ticking time bombs lie at the bottom of the Baltic Sea: old wrecks full of fuel. And no one feels responsible.
Water shortage in spring makes for a tourist attraction at Alto Lindoso reservoir. An ancient village temporarily becomes walkable again.
Reporters Without Borders teams up with Ukrainian partners to protect journalists in Lviv. Here they can network and receive protective gear to safeguard them while reporting in a war zone.
Millions of people fled Ukraine to escape Putin's war. Lilia Litkovskaya is a fashion designer who went to Paris, but she has returned to design wedding dresses in Lviv—amidst air raid sirens.
The Baltic states fear the threat of war: If Russia were to take control of the Suwalki Gap, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia would be cut off from NATO. The border with Russia, on the other hand, is 1,400 kilometers long.
What's next after the election? Emmanuel Macron may have won, but he still faces a lot of criticism. His detractors say he doesn't understand the country, he isn't interested in the provinces—and are wary of his support of the European project.
An Italian street artist from Verona named Pier Paolo Spinazzé, known as Cibo, paints over swastikas and neo-fascist slogans. For a city that has been a center for far-right activity for years, it's a strong statement.
An English farmer wants to reduce his cows’ methane emissions by using special feed. Garlic pellets are said to help significantly reduce CO2 in factory farming.
The Finns are considered the happiest people in the world. But neighboring Russia worries them.
In Eupen in eastern Belgium, citizens are making political policy together with their local government. So-called “citizen democracy” has awakened new talent. There are hopes that the experiment will catch on, reducing political disenchantment.
A German aid convoy is traveling 1,600 kilometers in two days. It's loaded up with foodstuffs, medication and health products — and it's returning with refugees.
Ahead of parliamentary elections in Hungary, the online channel "Partizan" wants to challenge Orbán's control over the media. An anti-Orbán alliance is running against the ruling Fidesz party on April 3, 2022. The theme: Orbán's part in Putin's war.
More than a thousand foreigners are said to have joined the fight for Ukraine. What motivates them? And what do Ukrainians think about them?
They are citizens of the Republic of Moldova and surrounded by Transnistria's pro-Russian militia. Residents of the village of Cocieri have lived under the shadow of Russia's military power since the end of the Soviet Union 30 years ago.
More and more people fleeing from the war in Ukraine have been arriving in Germany. In just a few short days, a large aid network was set-up in the German city Frankfurt and in Slubice in Poland.
Poland is expecting many refugees from Ukraine as a result of Russia's invasion. Reception centers have been set up on the border, and people looking for aid are already arriving.
Thousands of civilians are training for a potential emergency in the so-called Kaitseliit or Estonian Defense League, a paramilitary organization. In the event of a Russian attack, they plan to defend Estonia.
Thousands of refugees and migrants journey from Italy across the Alps to France. They risk their lives and are forced to hide from the border police. In Montgenèvre volunteers feed new arrivals in a show of solidarity.
In a village in Poland, many people get vaccinated in secret. They're afraid of the aggressive anti-vaxxers.
Crypto mining can be an easy income, but it’s very energy intensive. In Kosovo, it’s led to power blackouts across the country. The Kosovo police are now hunting down the server farm operators.
Homeless people in Berlin are at risk during the cold months of winter. Volunteers drive a “Cold Bus” through the streets at night to help people most in need. But the pandemic has made their work even more difficult.
People in the Donbas region of southeastern Ukraine are afraid the conflict there will escalate. The region has been in the grips of a “cold war” for eight years.
In Greenland, the Inuit hunt over snow and ice with their sled dogs. But the centuries-old tradition is under threat. Winters are getting shorter and there is often not enough snow. Climate change is transforming life on the world's largest island.
France's President Macron calls nuclear energy "sustainable" and is expanding the nuclear power grid. French people support him, but other European countries have taken their nuclear reactors offline over concerns about disasters like Fukushima.
Miks pursues his passion for bobsledding on an ice run in the garden. His father got the sled for his 8-year-old son and built the track.
Seagulls like to rummage through garbage, and have led investigators on the trail to illegal dumps. But feeding at landfill sites is dangerous for the birds: Plastic particles end up in their stomachs — and in the environment.
Traditional octopus fishing methods that use clay jugs are more environmentally friendly than modern fishing methods which incorporate wire or plastic. But the hauls are small and competition is fierce.
Citrus fruit grown right by the Pyrenees are popular with top chefs around France. A couple are cultivating hundreds of citrus varieties in the village of Eus. The fruit thrive here due to the location's above average sunny days.
A Frenchman from La Réunion returns to his home after 60 years. He was one of some 2000 children who were taken by the French government from the island in the Indian Ocean to mainland France.
In Ukraine, many are growing worried about a Russian invasion. Many civilians without any military experience are training to become voluntary reservists. Marta is one woman who says she is ready to fight for her way of life.
Love and sex between people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is often still taboo. A supported housing facility in Germany takes a different approach. The residents are given the chance to find intimacy in a way that suits them.
An Iranian athlete is boxing her way through France. In her home country, boxing is not considered appropriate for women.
A mayor in Italy is fighting organized crime and standing up for his fellow citizens. For decades, the mafia had maintained a tight grip on the construction industry, raking in profits from the housing shortage.
Opposition is mounting against the import of duck or goose foie gras. Animal rights activists oppose force-feeding fowl, but French food makers say that Britain's animal welfare standards make this argument hypocritical.
Turkey's in-need communities have been suffering since the country's economic crash—including 500,000 garbage collectors. Their modest wages are being consumed by inflation.
The film location of "Cinema Paradiso", in Sicily, has a vaccination rate of 104 percent. Mayor Palazzo Adriano's idea has been effective, and he feels prepared for Omicron.
Those imprisoned in camps during the Stalin era are still fighting for compensation. They received support from the Russian human rights organization Memorial. But a Russian court has recently ordered its dissolution.
Germany's North Sea coast is home to the first retirement home for dairy cattle. Donations have made it possible for 38 cows to avoid ending up in the slaughterhouse.
After roadworks, white-gloved officers are back directing traffic in Rome's Piazza Venezia – in true Italian style.
In Turkey's poorest areas, providing children with a good education is an arduous task – especially if daughters, and not just sons, are to benefit.
Young Roma women in Serbia are rapping against child marriages and for equal rights. In recognition of their efforts, the musicians have been invited to the 2020 "Women of the World Festival" in London.
A gigantic flying boat from Soviet times could bring tourists flocking to the Caspian Sea. Even if the ‘monster’ no longer flies, it is still very impressive.
Billy always wanted to help homeless people in Bristol. When he passed away, his family created tokens called Billy Chips. Now anyone can donate food or drinks to homeless people in his name.
In several Spanish cities, a bicycle project is bringing children to school every Friday. In this way, they are both learning to cycle and reducing car traffic during the commute.
People are braving the freezing cold to cross the English Channel from Calais to Britain, resulting in tragedies and deaths. France and Britain blame each other, but they want to reach an agreement to take action.
In Spain's Ebro Delta, rice farmers fear losing their fields due to climate change. The government wants to buy a huge area of more than 800 hectares and use it to protect against floods.
30 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine is under threat from Russia. But residents are also concerned about corruption and bad management.
Mobile vaccination teams are trying to help combat widespread vaccine hesitancy in Bulgaria, where mistrust in the government is commonplace. The country has the lowest vaccination rate in the EU.
The largest brown bear population in Western Europe lives in the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain. The predators are often in conflict with the people who also inhabit the region. Conservationists are now working on ways to help them better coexist.
Large, flightless South American bird the greater rhea has been spreading in northeastern Germany for 20 years. It began as a small population but now numbers 600 – impacting the local ecosystem.
Western economic sanctions against Russia have increased the demand for local products. But Russia's small businesses rarely benefit from the situation.
Germany struggles with a record number of new infections, overburdened ICUs, and vaccine skeptics. Despite more than 100,000 deaths from Coronavirus, Christmas markets remain open in some parts of the country.
Several thousand wolves live in Spain, and they're protected by a hunting ban. Farmers say this is dangerous because they themselves are being put at risk. Younger farmers say there's a way to accommodate everyone.
Since chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon grapes can no longer withstand heat and drought, many Italian wines will soon no longer exist. Ancient Roman grapevines are different because they can withstand climate change.
Igor, a wedding DJ, doesn't miss the Soviet Union. But he says Russia is conservative and needs the firm hand of someone like President Vladimir Putin, instead of democracy. He believes Russia has no place in Europe and should go its own way.
Victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in France are demanding a reckoning. The church is still not taking enough responsibility for the long history of sexual abuse of minors.
In Romania, hospitals are overflowing due to low COVID vaccination rates. There's a widespread mistrust of the vaccine.
Afghan refugees being sheltered in Albanian hotels are waiting to find out what's next for them. The uncertainty surrounding their future is a heavy burden to bear.
Public awareness about clean energy is increasing on the Shetland Islands, even though most inhabitants work for the oil and gas industry.
The House of Soviets was emblematic of Kaliningrad's rich cultural history for more than 50 years. It took more than 20 years to build, and then remained empty for another 30. Now the massive building is coming down.
Children with disabilities are the co-owners of a snack-making startup in the Czech Republic. The aim of the crowdfunded project is to help families in need.
In Portugal, octopus fishery is traditionally done with octopus pots. Many fishers find this too tedious and have begun using traps and plastic containers—which has led to overfishing and plastic waste in the sea.
The Dissident Club in Paris was created so refugees and exiles can have a place to exchange ideas with each other. But it's not only a discussion forum, it's also a place where new arrivals can find help for their problems.
Inmates in the prison hospital in Saratov, southwestern Russia, were allegedly tortured and filmed. The videos, which have now been revealed, are a blow for law enforcement officers. And it might not be an isolated case.
Since Brexit, a British-French dispute over access to the fishing grounds near Jersey has flared up. The waters around the Channel Island are particularly rich in fish.
In northern Sweden, the last large herds of reindeer are in danger. Their existence is not only threatened by climate change, but by wind turbines, too.
On the French Atlantic coast, fishermen are protesting against the construction of a wind farm. They claim it would destroy important fishing grounds.
The town of Sillamäe was a secret site of the Soviet nuclear industry. Now it is awakening from its slumber—and searching for a new purpose.
Germany's North Sea coast is home to the first retirement home for dairy cattle. Donations have made it possible for 38 cows to avoid ending up in the slaughterhouse.
Italy is at a crossroads. The country must decide whether EU subsidies should be invested in large farming companies, or in traditional small-scale farming that secures jobs.
Public awareness about clean energy is increasing on the Shetland Islands, even though oil and gas are still a big part of the economy.
The Dissident Club in Paris was created so refugees and exiles can have a place to exchange ideas with each other. But it’s not only a discussion forum, it’s also a place where new arrivals can find help for their problems.
Children with disabilities are the co-owners of a snack-making start-up in the Czech Republic. The aim of the crowdfunded project is to help families in need.
A winemaker on the Greek island of Thasos is reviving an old tradition. He submerges his grapes and wine in the sea to mature.
Pregnant Albanian women have been aborting unborn baby girls. Albania's traditional family structures place a premium on male off-spring, and today's medical technology can tell parents the gender of an unborn baby well in advance.
The number of Poles learning German is declining. As a consequence, many German teachers have already lost their jobs. One out-of-work teacher tackled the problem with creativity: Marlena Uzieblo has been criss-crossing Poland, singing chansons by the legendary Marlene Dietrich.
Over a thousand refugees have gathered in the port of Calais. The situation is getting critical. They live in occupied buildings and emergency shelters. The local residents are protesting and calling on the government to take action. Refugees hoping to make it across the English Channel often get stuck in Calais on France's northern coast. The entire port area is surrounded by high fences to keep them from making a dash for ferries bound for Britain. Recently eighty refugees stormed the port in an attempt to stow away on board a ferry headed across the Channel.
Bulgaria is one of the poorest countries in the EU. Almost half of Bulgarians live in poverty or close to it. The St. Trinity Monastery in Novi Han has become a place of refuge for the poorest of the poor. Father Ivan, who's known across the country, runs the St. Nicholas Orphanage here.
Tens of thousands of Yazidis are fleeing Iraq due to attacks by 'Islamic State' militants. Many are heading for Turkey, to return to villages their ethno-religious community was once forced to leave and which, until recently, lay abandoned. .
An animal lover is keeping two circus lions he's rescued on his run-down farm. Ever since the lions arrived, the small Czech town of Humpolec has been in a state of alarm. Ladislav Vana loves animals so much that he's turned his home into a private zoo and shelter. Some 100 animals of all kinds have lived here for years in spartan conditions. But two young lions are the last straw for his neighbors. They're up in arms and fear for their safety. The veterinary authority sees no reason to interfere, saying ultimately the owner is liable for his animals.
Thousands of undocumented seasonal laborers work in Greece, among them many from Bangladesh. On the Peloponnese, they work for starvation wages harvesting strawberries and potatoes, often under conditions akin to modern-day slavery. Last year, 28 Bangladeshi strawberry pickers were shot and wounded by their foremen for demanding months of unpaid wages owed to them. The Greek courts acquitted the farmers who admitted to the shooting. Greek human rights activists say that racism against Asian migrant workers is to blame. But without legal work permits, their desperate circumstances will likely continue.
More and more young people from Europe are fighting with Islamists in Syria and Iraq. Many were recruited by militant networks and preachers. In France, hundreds of young people have already joined the jihadist fighters.
In the Romanian region of Carpathia, centuries-old trees are being logged illegally. Over the past decade, about 3,000 hectares of ancient forest have disappeared. Even in the famous national parks such as Maramures Park in northern Romania, enormous tracts of land have been logged bare. The lumber is sold for industrial use. Corrupt officials work closely with the logging mafia and the illegal loggers operate with near impunity. Large wood-processing enterprises in the region claim they careful to ensure that all the timber they use has been legally harvested. But conservationists are skeptical of this claim. They argue that the wood-processing industry’s negligence in monitoring the source of the wood they use is what allows illegal logging to thrive.
The car - and the autobahn - are still king in Germany. And every autobahn needs a rest stop, of course - even if it is sometimes hidden behind a fence.
After the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula by Russia, people there are trying to return to everyday life. But the road to normality is long, and political stances in Kyiv and Moscow have solidified. While politicians argue about topics such as possession of Crimea, how to feed the people on the peninsula and what will happen to tourism, the football club hitherto known as FC Sevastopol has its own worries. The team used to play in the Ukrainian Premier League. Now under another name and with a changed squad, they've been incorporated into the third division of the Russian league. But the Ukrainian football federation is opposed to the move - as are the international associations FIFA and UEFA.
A horrific report shook Ireland this summer. It was suggested babies that had died in a home for unwed mothers were buried in mass graves around the site. The home was in operation up until the 1960's. Such homes were run by the Catholic church on behalf of the Irish government. Tens of thousands of unmarried mothers gave birth in them. Many of them tell of medical experiments on infants, neglect and forced adoption. Their infant mortality rate was much higher than the national average. Now the state and church are investigating what actually happened in what were called mother and baby homes.
For decades, Romanian authorities have been fighting against endemic corruption, with increasing success. Now even the president's family has become the focus of investigations. One of the most serious scandals involves President Traian Basescu's brother, who is accused of taking a €250,000 bribe from a Romanian criminal gang. In return he is alleged to have tried to influence the court investigating the clan - and video evidence has now surfaced. Parliament is demanding Basescu's resignation, saying he knew about the deal. The national anti-corruption directorate is investigating.
Familiar scenarios for foreign tourists in Paris: a waiter brings coffee instead of water, or a hotel clerk supposedly can't understand English. Service in France is in need of improvement. France remains a hugely popular tourist destination. Hotel bookings are decreasing year by year, however, especially in the capital Paris. Service there doesn't exactly have the best reputation, while not speaking French can also be a major problem. That's set to change. Voluntary city guides called Paris Greeters accompany small groups of tourists, showing them local life in their own parts of town. At the same time, hotel and restaurant owners in particular are resisting the newly prescribed hospitality.
France is home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities. The start of the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza strip has prompted a number of anti-Israel protests. In Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris, Jews and Muslims have traditionally lived peacefully side by side - shopping at the stores or playing soccer together. Now many Jewish families are concerned for their safety due to antagonism and threats from Muslim protesters, and have bought weapons for self-defense. Imams and rabbis are trying to de-escalate the tension and aggression.
The Ndrangheta is the most powerful Italian Mafia syndicate. But to evade law enforcement, its organizers have had to go underground. The Ndrangheta is rich, powerful, and heavily involved with drug cartels all over the world. But the bosses can’t be seen in public. Instead, they hide out from the police in underground bunkers that are connected to ordinary houses. The region of Calabria is the hub of their international drug trafficking operation - and an excellent hideout. Shielded by a code of silence, the Mafia bosses live with the tacit protection of the local population.
Europe continues to fortify its borders to the rest of the world, and Bulgaria is no exception. They’ve just spend 4.6 million euros building a new fence along their border with Turkey. It's only three meters high and 30 kilometers long, but the new barbed wire fence along the Bulgarian-Turkish border reveals a lot about relations between the European Union and the oft-tumultuous neighboring regions. Sofia hopes the new barrier will prevent refugees, most of them Syrians fleeing from civil war, from entering the country. Those who do make it across the border often find themselves housed in Bulgarian refugee camps, which are known for their poor conditions.
The US and the European Union have blamed pro-Russian separatists for the downing of flight MH17. And there's a lot of evidence to support their claims. In the past few weeks, both the US and the EU have demanded that Russia do more to secure their border with Ukraine and prevent the further passage of weapons and fighters into the war zone. It’s unclear how many Russian militants and weapons have already entered Ukraine. But rumors continue to circulate about new weapons deliveries and dead Russian soliders being smuggled back home. DW reporter Markus Reher visits eastern Ukraine to find out more.
The national mourning in the Netherlands after the downing of flight MH17 is turning towards anger and frustration as the investigation on-site continues to face obstacles. For many in the Netherlands, the repatriation of bodies of the victims is proceeding too slowly. They believe Moscow is responsible for the downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight. A number of parents of victims have demanded that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ensure the bodies of their children are returned. Some are also calling for the deportation of Putin’s daughter, who lives in a luxury penthouse in Voorschoten, an affluent suburb of the Hague. There were 298 passengers on board flight MH17, among them 193 Dutch citizens.
Mount Etna is both fascinating and feared, and it attracts thousands of tourists every year. But for two weeks there have been new eruptive fissures. The summit has been closed off since they appeared. Three volcanoes constantly keep Italy on tenterhooks: Stromboli, the most active; the unpredictable Vesuvius; and the tallest, Mount Etna. At a height of 3352 meters, it visibly dominates much of the eastern coast of Sicily. Time and again, earthquakes shake the region, clouds of ash darken the skies and lava flows destroy houses high up on the mountain. A team of volcanologists and rangers on site monitor every movement Etna makes. Theoretically, an eruption could happen at any time.
Spain is home to the largest population of vultures in Europe, but their numbers are steadily declining. A new drug for cattle now threatens to wipe out the vultures altogether. Vultures have long had a bad reputation in Spain. Time and time again, the birds are illegally poisoned, because they are said to prey on living cattle. Now the EU has authorized the administration of veterinary diclofenac to livestock in Spain and Italy - a deadly threat to the four species of vultures that live in Spain. The anti-inflammatory drug has already led to the near-extinction of the vulture population in India, Pakistan and Nepal. The birds ingest the substance when eating the carcasses of cattle treated with the drug, and die of kidney failure.
Hydroelectric power is booming in Romania. Government subsidies are drawing more and more investment into the sector. Conservationists, however, argue that while hydropower does not produce greenhouse gases, too many dams could cause entire rivers to dry up in the summer. They point to the southern Carpathian Mountains, where about 500 hydroelectric power plants - some still being built - are located. The wild rapids at these sites are particularly lucrative for investors. At the same time, many of the projects are also located in conservation areas, and the damage to habitats is severe. Residents of the region are fighting to keep the remaining streams and rivers in Romania untouched.
The civil war in Iraq is creating new opportunities for Kurds in the north of the country. They are becoming an example for many of their fellow Kurds over the border in Turkey.Many Kurds in Turkey are looking forward with hope and concern at events in Iraq. As the militant group IS continues its push to take Baghdad, the Kurds in autonomous regions are consolidating more and more power. For some time now, there's been talk of an independent Kurdish state that would extend beyond the borders of Iraq.
Many Polish couples with fertility problems are fulfilling their wish for children by using artificial fertilization techniques. One Warsaw woman is expected her second child using this method. The surprising thing is that, while the entire family had to collect money to pay for her first artificial insemination, her second test tube baby is being funded by the government. Laws have been relaxed in Poland, a Catholic country where some priests refuse to baptize babies conceived through in vitro fertilization. Still, the method has been used in that country since 1987, and now the state is even helping defray the costs of the expensive reproductive procedure.
For months, debate has raged in Birmingham over the role of Islam in the city’s schools. An anonymous warning about Muslim fundamentalists has authorities alarmed. The allegations are serious: there are indications of an organized campaign to covertly co-opt schools in England. An inquiry discovered that at several schools in Birmingham, girls and boys were segrated. At some schools, Arabic is a required subject, and Christian holidays are no longer observed. School trips are organized to Mecca and Medina. The conservative education minister, Michael Gove, has announced that with the coming school year, all state schools are required to teach "British values.” The schools under investigation have rejected the accusations.
For many in Ukraine he's much like a pop star. Andriy Sadovyi has been mayor of the city of Lviv since March 2006 and has a burning desire to see his country reunited. Under the 46-year-old's leadership, the city of Lviv has become a role model for all of Ukraine. The electrical engineer has built up the infrastructure and lured investors to the city. He says the key to his country's future is to give municipalities more authority. Sadovyi feels the government in Kiev should relinquish central powers in cases where local authorities can deal with issues better.
An estimated 6,000 homeless people live in the network of sewers and tunnels beneath the streets of Bucharest. Many were born underground and are now having children themselves. It's a world of its own, a world full of drugs, disease and poverty that's developed beneath the capital. The sewer dwellers live in the tunnels, canals, and sometimes in caves they've dug themselves, because they have nowhere else to go. Many have tuberculosis, hepatitis or are HIV positive, and live in tightly organized groups. Children in particular sniff paint to escape their misery -- at least for a while.
The countdown is on. There's just two-and-a-half months left until Scots cast their ballots on whether to stay in the UK or become an independent country. Recent polls indicate that around 30 percent of Scots are still undecided about how they'll vote. Brussels has already made it clear that should Scotland choose to become independent it wouldn't automatically qualify to stay in the EU. But other practical issues remain unclear and are dividing the Scottish people.
On June 28, 1914, Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip fired the shot that killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. That assassination led to the outbreak of the First World War. Even today, many in Serbia and Serbian areas of Bosnia still regard Princip as a national hero. With the 100th anniversary of the assassination approaching, several memorials to Princip have been erected in Sarajevo. We pay a visit to Belgrade and the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo to examine the controversy that still surrounds the fateful assassination.
More than 14,000 children have disappeared in Turkey in the last five years alone. A special police unit has been formed to look for those still missing. The General Command of the Turkish Gendarmerie says human trafficking is involved in most cases, and that children are being kidnapped as laborers, child soldiers and even for the illegal organ trade. Although most have since been found, 834 children who disappeared within the last five years remain missing. Currently the police are looking for almost 1500 children.
Every year tens of thousands of baby deer are inadvertently killed by harvesting equipment while they're hiding in tall grass. A project in Germany is now saving many animals from an early death. We usually associate aerial drones with surveillance and destruction. It's less well known that they can also save lives. Just such a deployment is being tried at present in the Fichtel Mountains. A team of electronic engineers is using a drone to search meadows and fields where deer are suspected. The device has two eyes in the form of one infrared and one color camera. The infrared camera locates the animals by detecting their body heat. The color camera then ascertains whether they actually are deer. So far, it's been a striking success.
Once again, tens of thousands of people are crossing the Mediterranean Sea to come to Europe. To rescue them from drowning, the Italian navy has authorized a military and humanitarian mission, Mare Nostrum. The Italian navy has five ships on permanent deployment patrolling the waters. Their mission is to rescue refugees and people in distress and bring them to safety. The refugees who get stranded in Italy are mainly from Syria and east Afridca, but they know they could be deported to their home countries at any time, so they often try to conceal their identities, hoping to stay in Europe. A report from the San Giorgio amphibious transport dock.
Authorities on the island of Mallorca have had enough of cheap mass tourism. They want to rid themselves of their rowdy drinking and partying clientele with new regulations. Tourists to Mallorca know the Playa de Palma in its capital as a place to party. The strip of beach a few minutes' drive east of Palma has declined over the years, largely due to its masses of mainly German and British binge-drinking visitors. The Spanish authorities are now trying to use new regulations to stem the excesses and give the island a new image.
Time seems to have stood still in the mountain villages of northern Albania. Alongside the state law, the Kanun, a set of laws and norms dating back to the Middle Ages, is still in force here. The back-breaking work in the fields is considered women’s work in Albania. That was also true under Communism. In the Catholic stronghold of the north, the Kanun also survived the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. Under the Kanun, the wife is considered the husband’s property. He is permitted to beat and even to kill her if she is disobedient or unfaithful. Fabiola Egro is trying to change that. She’s a pivotal figure in the Albanian women’s movement.
The Round Table Talks in 1989 marked the beginning of Poland’s road toward democracy. The original table is displayed at the presidential palace in Warsaw. The 1989 negotiations at this table have gone down in history. The talks led to the overturning of the ban on the Solidarność trade union and to a partially-free parliamentary election. 25 years ago, on June 4 and June 18, Poland held its first elections since the Second World War. The elections spelled the end to Communist rule in Poland.
The Round Table Talks in 1989 marked the beginning of Poland’s road toward democracy. The original table is displayed at the presidential palace in Warsaw. The 1989 negotiations at this table have gone down in history. The talks led to the overturning of the ban on the Solidarność trade union and to a partially-free parliamentary election. 25 years ago, on June 4 and June 18, Poland held its first elections since the Second World War. The elections spelled the end to Communist rule in Poland.
Europe has voted - and, in a few countries, far-right parties have grown stronger. Denmark is among the countries to see major gains for right-wing euroskeptic parties. The Danish People’s Party (DF) won the largest share of the vote, beating the governing Social Democrats into second place. The results will give the party three of the country’s 13 seats in the European Parliament. The DF has, however, ruled out an alliance with anti-EU parties, citing the right-wing Front National in France as too extremist.
Last week's catastrophic floods in Serbia and Bosnia also brought with them new dangers: dredged up landmines. These explosive relics from the Bosnian War of the 1990s, are creating extra dangers for rescue workers. Searching for landmines is painstaking work, however, and the floods have dispersed them over large areas. Rescue crews already have enough to deal with, as much of Serbia and Bosnia's infrastructure has been destroyed and there's a real risk of landslides.
In Romania the agricultural industry is conforming to EU norms. Factory farms are favored, while small-scale farmers lose out. Most farmers in Romania are small-scale producers with a small patch of land. Their production methods are inefficient, and EU law caters to intensive farming, so family farms lose out. Now they also have to adhere to EU-wide hygiene standards, which are proving too expensive for many. As a result, some traditional foods -- including certain varieties of tomatoes and cheese -- could vanish from supermarket shelves.
Real estate prices on the Mediterranean island of Corsica are extortionate. A little cottage can set you back €400,000. The Corsican authorities have passed a law requiring anyone who wants to buy a house there to have lived on the island for at least five years. The move is a response to people from mainland France and abroad buying up properties as holiday homes, causing prices to spiral. As a result, many Corsicans can no longer afford to buy property there. But now a few communities are fighting back, and threatening to enforce pre-emption rights -- including the village of Cuttoli near Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon.
The worst mining disaster in Turkey’s history has led to heightened criticism of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Prime Minister Erdogan has faced sharp criticism from some quarters for months now, but the mining disaster in Soma has brought anger to a boil. Many in Turkey are furious at their leader and blame him for the deadly blast. Together with the Gezi Park protests and recent corruption scandals, this public outrage has put Erdogan on the political defensive. It is a serious setback to his expected presidential candidacy in Turkey's August elections.
On May 25, Ukraine will go to the polls to choose a new president. With eastern Ukraine on the brink of civil war, it’s a difficult time to hold an election. Until recently, the eastern city of Kharkiv was taking a back seat to the crisis-torn region of Donetsk. But Kharkiv has moved into the spotlight since it hosted the second in a series of round table talks. Our reporter paid a visit to the city to find out how residents view the upcoming presidential election. How is Petro Poroshenko - the billionaire industrialist who stands a good chance of winning - faring there? How is the election commission preparing for the vote and what’s the mood on the street? Our reporter also pays a visit to the embattled eastern city of Sloviansk, where the ballot may be derailed entirely.
Politically, the two main candidates for the president of the European Commission have a lot in common. But are there any differences? The two top candidates for the post of European Commission president are Jean-Claude Juncker from Luxemburg and Martin Schulz from Germany. As the campaign heats up, they head for France, a country that is grappling with many problems. Though it is Europe’s second largest economy, debt is rising, the far right is gaining in strength, and the government is lurching from one crisis to the next.
It’s not just veteran politicians who are standing for European elections. The younger generation also wants to play a role in shaping Europe’s future. Amelia Andersdotter is the chair of the European Pirate Party and has been serving as a Member of European Parliament since 2011. Now the internet expert from Sweden is campaigning for a second term in the European Parliament. Another young candidate is Nezika Pavlic from Slovenia. She has no experience in Strasbourg and Brussels, but is hoping to represent the conservative Slovenian People’s Party.
To avoid public outrage, zoos prefer to remain silent about the culling of animals. But it’s a common practice, and nearly all of Europe’s 400 zoos regularly cull animals in their care. Not long ago, a zoo in Denmark made headlines for killing a young giraffe, a move they said was necessary to combat inbreeding. Later, the Swiss Dählhölzli zoo killed a brown bear cub to spare it from being bullied by its dominant father. In both cases, the zoos said they were acting on behalf of animal conservation and welfare. But many zoo visitors in Bern are outraged, and some animal rights activists have also been critical of the move. The euthanasia of the young bear cub has now embroiled the city of Bern in a heated debate.
Recent polls show that parties on the left are likely to double their support in the upcoming European parliamentary elections. Greece is a forerunner in this trend. The leftist Syriza alliance is leading the polls for the upcoming European election in Greece. Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras is also the Party of the European Left’s candidate for president of the European Commission. Tsipras opposes neoliberal policies at the EU level and favors greater social expenditures. At home in Greece, Alexis Tsipras and his party are also staking their claim.
Euroscepticism has a long tradition in Britain, particularly among conservatives. But the Fresh Start parliamentary group is bucking that trend. Fresh Start sees itself as a counterweight to the eurosceptic wing of the Tory party. The parliamentary group has about 100 members, among them Julian Smith from North Yorkshire. While Smith believes Europe needs reform, he staunchly defends Britain remaining in the EU. Smith has been facing criticism in his district, where the UK Independence Party has been gaining ground. But he enjoys support from industry and business.
The far-right Front National has its sights set on the European elections this month. The party's anti-immigration platform is finding favor with many voters. The Front National is hoping to capitalize on its recent success in municipal elections, when it won the mayoral vote in a number of cities, including the town of Hayange in eastern France. In response, the municipality's sister cities of Arlon in Belgium and Diekirch in Luxembourg have cut official ties with Hayange. The new mayor isn’t bothered, though. His party isn’t just opposed to immigration and in favor of leaving the euro - it also condemns freedom of movement within the EU.
In Budapest, the government is planning to establish a memorial to the occupation under the Second World War. A number of Jewish organizations and historians are outraged. The planned memorial to the occupation will depict Hungary as an angel being attacked by a German eagle. Critics say this presents Hungary only as a victim of Nazi Germany and whitewashes its active collaboration in the mass deportations of Jews. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is also coming under attack for his support of the controversial memorial. Just last year, the far-right Jobbik party sparked protests after it unveiled a statue commemorating wartime leader and Hitler-ally Miklos Horthy in central Budapest.
The interim government in Kiev is calling for volunteers to come to the country's defense. The would-be fighters are being trained in special centers and provided with arms. The Ukrainian army had been downsizing for several years. When the interim government took power in Kiev the country's armed forces were less than combat-ready. Now the National Guard has been revived and volunteer forces are supposed to help bolster the country's defenses. Russia is critical of the development. Moscow says the government in Kiev is using it as an excuse to arm and legitimize militant extremists.
Smoking among teens and young people is a major problem in Austria. A current study shows that the country tops the OECD for young smokers. About 25 percent of Austrian teens under age 15 smoke at least once a week. The high smoking rate is exacerbated by the country’s inconsistent non-smoker protection legislation, which allows for numerous exceptions. However, one Austrian citizen has set out to change that by making sure that the laws that do exist are enforced properly. He’s already reported about 7,000 violations to the authorities.
Serbia may be an EU accession candidate, but the country is still struggling with a hefty budget deficit, extremely high unemployment, and widespread corruption. The country’s arts and cultural sector is also affected. State support for arts and culture is virtually non-existent in Belgrade. But some optimists are trying to breathe new life into the city’s alternative arts scene - and they’re getting a boost from young people from Western Europe. One of these young expats is getting support from his hometown of Den Haag, and he’s abuzz with ideas for his adopted city.
Five years ago, an earthquake devastated the city of L’Aquila in central Italy. Reconstruction since then has been lagging and much of the city is still a construction site. More than 300 people died in the L’Aquila earthquake, and tens of thousands lost their homes. Meanwhile many of the buildings that then-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi inaugurated with such fanfare are already crumbling. Corruption and fraud is also rampant. A number of local politicians have been arrested and more people are under investigation. The Italian mafia is also said to be involved.
Britain has become a pioneer in what is called altruistic kidney donation - when a healthy person donates a kidney to a stranger. Altruistic kidney donations in Britain are organized through a program that matches anonymous donors with recipients. Many other countries, Germany included, restrict kidney donation to relatives and others who can demonstrate a close personal connection to the recipient. In Britain, however, non-directed altruistic donation became more common after 2006, when a new authority was set up to regulate organ transplantation. Since then, the number of altruistic kidney donations has risen each year.
They're demanding the independence of the Veneto region from the rest of Italy, and increasingly using violence: the radical separatists from the group known as "The Alliance." The Veneto is one of Italy's wealthiest regions. But since the economic crisis, many people there are angry that their money is being spent to help the poorer south of the country. That's grist to the mill for the separatists, who are becoming increasingly radical. Recently the Italian police broke up a group which had acquired weapons from the Albanian mafia and planned to declare Venetian independence on St. Mark's Square.
After the political and military upheaval over Crimea, the peninsula's cultural heritage is also at stake. The first bone of contention is an exhibition in the Netherlands. It's called the Golden Peninsula in the Black Sea. Viewed historically, Crimea is a fascinating place. For millennia, it was home to nomadic tribes such as the Scythians. They left behind valuable gold artefacts, which are currently on show in a large exhibition in Amsterdam. The gold treasure actually belongs to four Crimean museums, but since the peninsula's annexation by Russia, the question has arisen: to whom should the gold artefacts be returned - Ukraine or Crimea - or should they remain in Amsterdam?
The Portuguese have a dubious claim to fame - their country is known as the "plastic bag" capital of Europe. Every minute, thousands of plastic bags are toted out of shopping centers. Portugal adopted western European consumption habits and the throw-away mentality when it joined the European Union. Now every Portuguese uses around 500 plastic tote bags a year, adding their contribution to the EU total of eight billion. That was reason enough for a video maker to poke fun at this aspect of Portuguese lifestyle.
Most hunters in Germany cling stubbornly to their lead ammunition even though studies show the toxic heavy metal harms predator and prey alike. In other European countries with a hunting tradition, such as Britain or Sweden, using lead ammunition has long been illegal. In Germany, however, it's estimated that as tons of lead are fired in German forests annually. Each year environmentalists say that birds of prey in particular are threatened with lead poisoning when they consume the remains of animals that have been shot. And people are said to be at risk from lead a well.
Tens of thousands of Chinese laborers supported Allied forces in World War One. A cemetery in northern France is a memorial to their fates. The French and British armies recruited millions during World War One. Among those recruits were around 140 thousand Chinese. They were laborers who helped build railway lines or worked in ports and munitions factories in France and Belgium. Conditions were miserable and many died. The largest Chinese cemetery has 841 graves. It is located in Noyelles-sur-Mer, not far from Abbeville. Once a year, Chinese from all over Paris visit the site.
The city of Narva, on the outer frontier of the European Union, is falling to bits. The decay has led more and more residents to consider rapprochement with Russia. More than ninety percent of Narva's residents are Russian. Since Estonia joined the EU in 2003, they've suffered more and more economically. A few years ago, a former tailoring collective went broke; ending any hope of affluence in what was once a working industrial town. Today Narva is dirt poor. If anyone, anywhere in Europe is longing for the "good old Soviet days," it would be here on Estonia's eastern frontier.
Monte dei Paschi di Siena is the world’s oldest bank, and it is on the verge of collapse. This development has plunged Siena into crisis.For more than 500 years, Monte dei Paschi presided over the city. For generations, the venerable bank helped fund charities and civic works, including the famed Palio horse races. In 2012 it was revealed that the bank had strained its finances past their limit and had been concealing major losses. Now the city, which had a major stake in the foundation that was the bank’s main shareholder, is facing possible bankruptcy. And it fears that the scandal may harm Siena’s chances to be a 2019 European Capital of Culture.
For the past year, many Bulgarians have been calling upon their government to resign, and urging an end to nepotism and corruption. The "children of the transition”, as they call themselves, are determined to continue their activism. They are urging young people who are considering emigration to stay and seek change. The student-led protests have wide support from the many Bulgarians who say their political elite are hopelessly corrupt and the economy is run by a clan of oligarchs. The controversial coalition government of Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski has faced three votes of no-confidence in just five months.
An Egyptian investor plans to open the largest ski resort in the Alps in the sleepy town of Andermatt. Time seems to have stood still in Andermatt. But that may soon be a distant memory. Several months ago, an ultramodern luxury hotel opened there. And if Egyptian investor Samih Sawiris has his way, it will soon be joined by scores of similar hotels and vacation apartments. Sawiris launched his plan after he bought land vacated by the Swiss army, which for decades had been the mainstay of the local economy. Many in Andermatt are hoping that the town will one day rival Davos or St Moritz for Alpine glamour. But not everyone here shares that vision of the future.
Madrid’s street performers are facing a new challenge. A new noise reduction law pushed through by the mayor now requires them to pass an audition to obtain a permit. According to the city, one-third of the musicians didn’t pass muster at the auditions. Those that did also have to follow new rules, including remaining at least 75 meters away from other buskers. Madrid’s mayor, Ana Botella, has also called for a ban on downtown protests. She has been sharply criticized for these moves and some even say she is more repressive than General Franco.
Austria is popular with wealthy Russians. The small town of Kitzbühel is one of the places profiting from its rich guests. Now there are fears that sanctions will scare away the Russian elite. To Reinhold Mitterlehner, Austria's Economy Minister, it's long been clear that sanctions are an own goal for his country. In the high season in winter, charter flights from Russia land hourly at the small airports serving Salzburg and Innsbruck. Last year, 1.4 million Russians vacationed in Austria, most in popular ski resorts such as Kitzbühel. Many Russian millionaires and even billionaires have bought property here. In doing so, they're combining business with pleasure, because Austria offers favorable tax conditions to well-heeled private investors.
To this day, Spain’s legal system has not dealt with the crimes of the Franco era. A female Argentinian judge is now giving many victims new hope. Because of an amnesty, even torturers from the Franco era have been able to live unpunished in Spain. Protection from criminal prosecution was originally meant to facilitate the peaceful transition to democracy. Many victims, however, are demanding that the amnesty be lifted at last. A female judge from Buenos Aires is also seeking belated justice for these victims. Now Spain faces a flood of litigation: some two hundred lawsuits have been filed by Argentinian lawyers living in Madrid. They want to try perpetrators still living in Spain before courts in Argentina.
Michael Schumacher had one - and thousands of other skiers do as well: a micro-video camera mounted on a helmet. But the pursuit of impressive skiing pictures often leads skiers to take greater risks. In Europe's highest ski resort, Val Thorens, piste attendants have long been aware of a dangerous trend. More and more people are skiing in deep powder snow off-piste. What's new is that most amateur skiers intentionally go out when the risk of avalanche is at its greatest, simply because that's when they can get the best pictures of deep-powder skiing.