EuroNewsUSA | Blogging the Eurozone for Americans
Overstepping Bounds: German Police Officer Loses It
Friday, 19 June 2009 18:36
It started out as a job like any other for a reporter in Geldern, Germany. A 29-year-old homeless man had drowned during a swim, but life guards were on hand to reanimate him. The reporter was sent to film the incident -- but what he actually caught on camera was entirely another story.
The police officer in charge at the scene told the reporter to stop filming and go away. He gave no reason for this, so the reporter insisted on keeping the camera rolling, as would usually be his right under German law.
But the officer got ugly, and hit the reporter to the ground. "You better get used to doing as I say," he told him. He also told the reporter -- and by way of the video, the whole world -- what he thinks of press freedom: "So What?!"
The incident attracted a lot of negative attention in Germany, and NRW state Interior Minister Ingo Wolf announced disciplinary charges against the offending officer.
All's well that ends well, although it serves as a reminder that nobody is above the law.
Feeling Rough? Mow the Lawn!
Monday, 15 June 2009 07:25
Did you know that the razor brand known as Shick in the United States is actually called Wilkinson Sword in Europe? Well, it seems the differences in marketing are not limited to the brand name. If you haven't seen it already, check out this risqué TV commercial from the UK.
Wilkinson Sword scored a guerilla marketing coup with its advertising campaign for the Quattro for Women Bikini razor - yes, it's a beaver cleaver :) Would an ad like this ever run in the States? I doubt it, and that's probably why this UK TV commercial has only been available online to viewers elsewhere.
American Vs. European Recovery: It's On!
Friday, 12 June 2009 17:11
Europe and the United States are both struggling with the global recession, but who will be the first to recover? The US has embraced an aggressive stimulus approach, while European countries have been more hands-off for fear of inflation. Which approach is better? History will tell, but right now: IT'S ON!!
A recent New York Times article argues that "the more aggressive American strategy may be working better, at least for now," and quotes economic experts who predict that the US economy will resume growth in the fourth quarter of 2009 while the EU economy will stay in a recession "well into 2010."
Paris Explores Digital Tech for Urban Life
Saturday, 30 May 2009 19:41
When you think Paris, you probably don't think futuristic urban technologies. But that's exactly what a 10-day citywide event called "Futur en Seine" (French-speakers may catch the pun) is promoting.
The organizer, a French promotion agency called Cap Digital, has invited various tech entrepreneurs and innovators to present their prototypes at locations all around the French capital. The program guide describes Futur en Seine as "10 days, over 40 locations, close to 300 events, 15 partner demonstrations, 1 temporary structure at the Place de la Bastille, 16 technological prototypes, over 30 conferences and ONE digital city." Alrighty then.
America Gets Serious About Climate Change
Thursday, 21 May 2009 18:58
After a three-day visit to the United States, German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel says America is back on board the global effort to mitigate the effects of climate change.
"The new government under President Obama has taken a 180-degree turn in terms of climate protection," Gabriel was quoted in a press release by his office. "After eight long years of silence and passivity, the USA are once again a constructive partner in the negotiations over climate protection."
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