Norwegian company deals with upsurge of piracy--French racing town hit hard by economic downturn--Czechs alarmed by right-wing violence--Unlikely film school gives movie hopefuls chance--Iceland hits hard times--Business owners join anti-Mafia scheme--The Breakaway Regions series – this week the Basque region--EU and NGO’s challenge forced marriage and the French chanson singer Soha. Tune in to Inside Europe on the radio or sign up for the Inside Europe podcast! You can also download the programme from the website.Norwegian shipping company attempts to deal with upsurge of piracyThere has been a big upsurge in piracy off the coast of East Africa. Recently, an huge oil tanker owned by a Saudi firm was captured by Somalia-based hijackers far out to sea. It worries officials, since it seems the pirates are becoming more daring, and more organised.The Norwegian firm Odfjell has decided to take action. The company, which has about 95 ships and often transports chemicals, has ordered its vessels to avoid the waters off the Horn of Africa. It could add thousands of kilometres to a voyage from the Middle East to Europe or North America. Kyle James talked with Terje Storend, president of Odfjell. Interview: Kyle James/ Terje StorendRenowned French racing town hit hard by economic downturnLe Mans population is wondering about the town’s future and its very identity.European carmakers have been hit hard by the financial crisis. A slowing economy has forced auto manufacturers in Germany and France to slash output, as stocks far outpace demand. In the French car racing town of Le Mans, production was halted at the Renault factory a few weeks ago. The assembly line is now moving again, but another shutdown is planned for December. Reporter: Eleanor BeardsleyCzechs alarmed by outbreak of right-wing violenceThe Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek added his support this week to calls to ban the far-right Workers Party, following the worst violence in the country for eight years.The clashes erupted in the town of Litvinov on Monday, when some 600 neo-Nazi skinheads tried to march on a housing estate inhabited by members of the Roma minority. Reporter: Rob Cameron Unlikely film school gives people the chance to make it in the moviesParamount Pictures…MGM…Warner Brothers…Universal – they’re among the biggest film studios in Hollywood and have been producing cinema magic for over a century now. That magic is attractive, and many people aspire to work in the movies. But only a very small number of people manage to break into the industry.And if you live in a rural community, far from media centers like LA, Berlin or London, it can be even tougher to get in. However, an organisation in the north of England is giving people the practical skills they need to make that entry. Reporter: Neale Lytollis Prosperous Iceland hits hard timesRecently, the bottom fell out of the Icelanding banking sector and the value of the nation’s currency, the Krona, has plummeted. It’s now at the beginning of what looks like a long downturn. But the country is getting some help.The International Monetary Fund has put together a 2.1 billion dollar rescue package. And Four Nordic countries are lending their neighbour another 2.5 billion dollars. Despite the lifeline, there’s a lot of economic worry in the island nation and Icelanders are rethinking their relationship with the EU. Iceland is not a member, and there has traditionally been strong opposition in the country to becoming one. Interview: Kyle James/ Baldur Thorhallson, Iceland-EU relations specialist at the University of IcelandBusiness owners joins forces in anti-Mafia schemeMost business owners in Sicily pay an extra bill each month. It’s from the Mafia, which demands protection money. But this may change.Owners who’ve refused to pay have had their families threatened, watched their businesses go up in smoke, even been murdered. But business owners are now joining forces to create their own organised, anti-crime family. Reporter: Nancy Greenleese Europe and NGO’s challenge forced marriageStarting on November 27th, foreigners applying for marriage visas for the UK will have to be at least 21 years old. The British government says the move is part of an attempt to crack down on forced marriage.That’s a marriage in which one or more of the parties – usually the woman -- is married without his or her consent. Forced marriage is is a growing problem across Europe and NGO’s are trying to raise the pressure on governments to fight what they say is a widespread human rights abuse. Reporter: Dorian Jones Meet the French singer SohaHer debut album was 14 years in the making - Soha is a young French singer from Marseille who now makes her home in Paris.Soha’s parents are from Algeria and the singer says she inherited from them her sense of independence and a certain nomadic spirit. That might help explain how her multilingual album takes in rhythms ranging from Cuban son and French chanson to jazz, reggae and soul. Reporter: Thomas Marzahl

[ Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:05:00 +0000 ]

Listen

Download

Listen on your iPhone