Is swine flu really a cause to panic? -- Training for a terror attack -- The Chinese mafia gambles on Antwerp -- viva Las Vegas Spanish-style --can Turkey be Europe’s border guard? -- Big Bang 5 years on are “old” and “new” Europe really unified? -- Taste-testing Italy’s secret vegetable -- and Slowing down the pace of life in London. Tune in to Inside Europe on the radio or sign up for the Inside Europe podcast! You can also download the program from the Web site.Is swine flu really a cause to panic?Across Europe, reports have been emerging all week of more and more cases of swine influenza.Spain saw the first confirmed case, and the UK, Germany and Switzerland among others quickly followed. The World Health Organisation has warned that countries should prepare for a pandemic. It said that influenza pandemics must be taken seriously, precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world. Rob Turner spoke to Geneva correspondent Lothar Becker and asked him if it was inevitable that swine influenza would spread to the whole of Europe. Chinese mafia gambles on AntwerpAntwerp is home to an increasingly powerful Chinese 'mafia', involved in illegal gambling, prostitution, people trafficking and drug smuggling.That's according to Belgium's Gaming Commission charged with supervising the country's betting and gambling industries, which recently discovered an international network of Chinese gangsters, running illegal gambling dens in Antwerp's China Town. But officials fear the Chinese mafia's grip on the Belgian port city, is much tighter than previously imagined. Report: Nina-Maria PottsTraining for a terror attackSenior security officials in the UK believe it is likely no one will be brought to justice for the 7 July bombs that killed 52 people in London in 2005, despite their belief that more than 20 people were involved in the attacks.The admission came shortly after the only three men to be charged in connection with the suicide bombings were acquitted. But, they say, that doesn’t mean Britain is safe from another attack. Just last week, British police released 12 men they thought were planning a massive terror attack in UK shopping centres. This time there was not enough evidence for any charges to be brought, but officials maintain an atrocity was prevented. The official level of terror threat in Britain remains severe, and now the government is training ordinary citizens in how to spot potential terrorists, and how to react to a terrorist attack. Report: Lars BevangerSpanish village takes a gamble viva Las Vegas-styleRoulette wheels could be spinning soon in Spain.The parliament in the Spanish region of Aragon is due to approve a law that would allow the biggest entertainment and leisure complex in Europe to go ahead. The Gran Scala project proposes building casino-hotels, theme parks and a racecourse in countryside near the village of Ontiñena. The scheme has strong local support, but with the world’s largest casino operators struggling in the economic crisis, how will the promoters of this Spanish casino project make it work? Report: Danny WoodFrance faces ongoing social unrestFrance is not alone in feeling the effects of the economic crisis, but public reaction has arguably been stronger than elsewhere.And this being the time of year when the workers of the world traditionally unite, May Day parades are being turned into a national protest against the government's handling of the situation. Meanwhile universities are in turmoil with a wave of strikes over planned reforms, and anger at factory closures and job losses has prompted some workers to take their managers hostage in a spate of so-called "bossnappings". Report: Alasdair Sandford Can Turkey be Europe’s border guard?Turkey is taking steps to try and relieve some of its domestic tension by looking at opening its border with Armenia, which has been closed since 1993.That’s not the only “border dispute” in the country. With its frontiers to the Middle-East, central Asia and Europe, Turkey is a true global cross-road. But today it is a hub for migrants and political refugees seeking a better and safer life in the European Union. But as Europe becomes increasingly reluctant to take these people, Turkey is having to play the role of Europe’s border guard. Report: Dorian JonesBig Bang: 5 years on are “old” and “new” Europe really unified?Gaining access to the EU has become reality for many European countries in the last few years: a reality Turkey too could achieve in the next decade.But 5 years ago this week, the European Union experienced a “big-bang”. 10 countries, including the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary joined the EU as part of the bloc’s largest ever expansion. But the now infamous “old” and “new” Europe adage is still in everyday use across the continent. So, 5 years down the line, is the EU still struggling to accept that it is one union, not an old and new bloc? That’s the question Rob Turner put to Sara Hagemann, a leading expert on the post-enlargement era at the European Policy Centre.Londoners try slowing down the pace of lifeIn today’s hectic world, the chance to put your feet up for five minutes and grab a breather often feels like a luxury you just can’t afford.Especially as everyone rushes round trying to find ways to fix economic problems. But is all that stress really necessary? A ten-day event to encourage Londoners to go about their lives more slowly is underway in the city. 'Slow Down London' aims to show people how to get more out of doing things at a more relaxed pace. It's based on a concept of 'slow living' that originated in Italy around a decade ago. But some have questioned whether slowing down is the best course of action at a time of recession. Report: Olly BarrattWhat's Italy’s secret vegetable?Other countries might be slowly catching onto the Italian concept of relaxed living, but there is one Italian export that has already conquered the world: its cuisine!Italian Pizzas, pastas, meats and fishes are devoured with relish everywhere. And foodies know that Italians have mastered the artichoke. It’s a must-eat for any visitor, particularly to Rome. But few realize that the residents of this ancient city also savor the artichoke’s cousin: cardo or gobbo, a nickname for the vegetable and a popular variety. Report: Nancy Greenleese

[ Sat, 2 May 2009 07:05:00 GMT ]

Listen

Download

Listen on your iPhone