What a President Barack Obama will mean for relations between the US and Europe -- Is the credit crunch changing France's food culture -- 'The golf resort that "trumped" environmental concerns -- Are Polish universities the easiest way into Europe for young Africans and Asians? -- And, unearthing the hidden secrets of Florence! Tune in to Inside Europe on the radio or sign up for the Inside Europe podcast! You can also download the program from the website.What a President Barack Obama will mean for relations between the US and Europe?After almost two years of campaigning, the votes are all in and Barack Obama has been elected as the next President of the United States. It’s been described as an historic election and one which has been followed just as keenly in Europe as it has stateside. European leaders have been quick to congratulate Senator Obama. And in these times of financial insecurity, the relationship between the EU and the US is as important as it's ever been. So what will a President Obama mean for relations between Europe and the US? Inside Europe's Rob Turner put the question to Ulrike Guerot of the European Council on Foreign Relations. How did Europe respond to the election victory of Barack Obama?European leaders have been quick to welcome the election of Barack Obama, among them the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso.Inside Europe gauges the reaction across Europe to the next occupant of the White House.Is the credit crunch changing France's food cultureAs the global credit crunch continues to tighten belts around the world, in France the traditionally relaxed bistro or brasserie lunch is also becoming a victim of the financial squeeze.Almost three thousand restaurants went bankrupt in the first three months of the year as office workers have taken to grabbing a sandwich instead and people have stayed home in the evening rather than go out to eat. Over the summer holidays, even chic resorts such as St Tropez were hit by the downturn. Many restaurants are having to become increasingly inventive in order to attract business. Reporter: Alasdair Sandford Golf resort that "trumped" environmental concernsAmerican property tycoon Donald Trump has won his long battle for permission to build a giant golf resort in Scotland. The Scottish government has over-ridden local objections and has approved the plan in principle. Trump says he is going to build the best golf course in the world. But opponents of the project say it will wreck the ecology of a sensitive area and damage local wildlife. Reporter: Stephen Beard Remembering a night of terror for Jews in GermanyThis weekend marks 70 years since the tragic events of November 9, 1938, a night that has gone down in history as Reichskristallnacht or the Night of Broken Glass. Jews living in Germany give it another, perhaps more appropriate name, Reichspogromnacht, the night that the pogrom against the Jews began. For many it is remembered as the beginning of the Holocaust. In Munich, where nearly 5,000 Jewish citizens lost their lives during the Holocaust, the day has special significance because the Bavarian city was where Joseph Goebells, Nazi propaganda minister, gave the signal to begin the destruction and abuse that eventually lead to the death of millions of Jews throughout Europe. Reporter: Mariana Schroeder Breakaway Regions: Bosnia HerzegovinaThis week the European Commission published the so-called EU progress reports on countries in the western Balkans that emerged after the wars and break up of former Yugoslavia. The report expressed worries about Bosnia and Herzegovina's political instability and criticises the inflammatory rhetoric of the countries' politicians saying it's blocking the functioning of Bosnian institutions.13 years after the end of the war in Bosnia deep ethnic divisions still exist between Serbs, Croats and Bosnian Muslims. In recent years, tensions have increased causing concern in the international community about Bosnia's future. So, is Bosnia on the brink of collapse? And how serious are Bosnian Serbs about secession? Reporter: Barbara GruberAre Polish universities the easiest way into Europe for young Africans and Asians?Its term time again for students across Europe, and for many the idea of a year out or semester abroad is very appealing. Since Poland joined the Schengen group allowing travel without border checks across Europe, its own borders have found themselves under pressure from growing numbers of young Asians and Africans hoping for better lives in the European Union. But with increased border controls, getting into Poland isn’t easy. So, some private Polish universities seem to have found a way around that. They advertise in countries like Bangladesh and Nepal offering young Asians cheap courses in a Schengen country with a promise of visa-free travel from Poland to richer EU states. Now, the number of Asian students coming to Poland is increasing dramatically. Reporter: Rafal Kiepuszewski Unearthing the hidden secrets of FlorenceA lucky few visitors to Florence in Italy will now be able to take a tour back to its origins. The city is lifting the veil on an archaeological dig under one of its most important buildings, the Palazzo Vecchio, the centuries-old seat of local government.In the process revealing the city’s evolution over the past two thousand years, scientists have unearthed the remains of an ancient Roman theatre. The number of people allowed in will be strictly limited. Only around fifty can visit on the first Sunday of every month and last week the site opened for the first time. Reporter: Jean di Marino

[ Sat, 8 Nov 2008 07:05:00 +0000 ]

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