Guest Blogger: The Queen and Canada's Crisis
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:48:00 -0000
As
I watched pomp and pageantry of the Queen's speech this morning, I
couldn't help but reflect a bit on the role of the British monarchy in
the modern world. Though the role is now mostly ceremonial, the British
government still depends on it to function properly. For instance,
parliament cannot open its new session without the Queen's blessing and
speech. But the monarchy can have sudden importance outside Britain as
well. And this is being born out in Canada at the moment.
Domestic
news in Canada usually gets short shrift both in the US and Europe, but
at the moment some huge events are unfolding over there that could
topple the current government and change the face of Canadian politics
permanently. It's a bit complicated, but essentially all of the
opposition parties are wishing to band together and form a coalition
against the currently ruling Conservative party. A coalition government
has never before been formed in Canada, and doing s would completely
shape the political landscape there. The big question is whether the
parties will be allowed to band together to oust the goverment and rule
in tandem. And the person who will decide the answer to that question?
None other than the Governor-General of Canada, who answers directly to
Queen Elizabeth II. Canada is still, after all, technically under the
rule of the British monarchy. And it could be the British monarchy that
will decide this hugely important question for their dominion on the
other side of the Atlantic.
I'm not very knowledgable about
Canadian politics, so my friend Dan Berrier, a pollster in Washington
DC was nice enough to explain the situation. Enjoy!
Europolis: towards a European public opinion?
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:43:34 -0000
Is it the business of an elite set who are up-to-date on economic and political developments, or the exclusive right of the ‘Erasmus generation?’ Views from our correspondents in Brussels
Now you can vote photos that you like!
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:44:00 -0000
The voting system is as follows: all the electors have to vote the three photos that they liked. The photo that most valued receive 5 points, 3 points in the second and third 1 point. You can only vote once per person, and the two photos will be rewarded with more points. To verify that there are not more than one vote per person, in emails sent shall bear the full name of those who carried out the vote.
The votes that are questionable will be considered invalid or defective and accounted for as such. The valuations will be sent today through the day on December 5 included. Once past that period, the emails that arrive will not be counted. The day on December 9 will be made public the results of the vote in the Blog, with the respective winners.
If there is a technical tie between several pictures, the organizing committee of the exhibition will deliberate on the final results. The votes will be sent to the mailing of the drafting of local Valencia: babelvalencia@gmail.com Participation in the contest, either as a photographer / or as a voter, implies acceptance of these bases.
The organizing committee will contact only with the Winters.
Regional representations can communicate EU policy to citizens
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:48:12 -0000
At a regional policy debate on 8 October, journalist Sabine Berger commented that ‘regional representations and MEPs can help.’ Over 250 regional representations in Brussels voice the interests of their respective areas.
Regional representations can communicate EU policy to citizens
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:37:53 -0000
At a regional policy debate on 8 October, journalist Sabine Berger commented that ‘regional representations and MEPs can help.’ Over 250 regional representations in Brussels voice the interests of their respective areas.
"Estonian Air Continues Normal Activities and Operates Flights as Scheduled"
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:19:00 -0000
The Board of Management of Estonian Air decisively rejects the statement in Äripäev business daily as if the company needed a cash injection by Sunday at the latest in order to guarantee the airline’s liquidity and further activities.
Stop to Ukraine's and Georgia's Nato dreams can start the policy of detente again
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:21:00 -0000
Sale of Alcohol to Minors
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:04:00 -0000
« I am preparing a major measure: a total ban of sales of alcohol to minors » declared Ms Bachelot, the French Health Minister on July 12th in the Journal du Dimanche.
International Volunteer Day: imagine a world without volunteers
Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:30:00 -0000
It would be a world without at least 140 million people, the global economy would lose around 400 billion dollars, our GDP would diminish by 3-7% and millions third sector employees would lose their jobs. As the special day approaches on 5 December, we take a beat from John Lennon
Barcelona: a fishy hour with a young Catalan chef
Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:36:54 -0000
A visit to the market and spell in the kitchen with chef Marc Cortada, 28, who talks about fish soup and crema catalana, Spanish versus French gastronomy and why young citizens don't cook anymore
Portraits of trans-generational volunteers
Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:46:54 -0000
How four Europeans in their mid to late twenties and sixties got into volunteering, what it means for them and whether it changed their lives. Testimonies from Portugal, Slovenia, France and the German coast
Studies without borders: from war-torn Chechnya to France
Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:51:20 -0000
In its five year history, ‘Etudes Sans Frontières’ has enabled 190 students to go to university even if their country is involved in an armed conflict. Is it an answer to guaranteed peace in the future? President Aurélia Chaudagne says yes. Interview
International Volunteer Day: imagine a world without volunteers
Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:49:18 -0000
It would be a world without at least 140 million people, the global economy would lose around 400 billion dollars, our GDP would diminish by 3-7% and millions third sector employees would lose their jobs. As the special day approaches on 5 December, we take a beat from John Lennon
Studies without borders: from war-torn Chechnya to France
Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000
In its five year history, ‘Etudes Sans Frontières’ has enabled 190 students to go to university even if their country is involved in an armed conflict. Is it an answer to guaranteed peace in the future? President Aurélia Chaudagne says yes. Interview
