European Briefs
Republicans in court on terror charges in Northern Ireland
Seven Republicans were arraigned May 19 on terrorism charges after a security sweep against militants suspected of plotting to sabotage Northern Ireland's peace process, the Associated Press reported. Three were charged in a court in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, near Belfast, with "directing terror." The use of the term suggests that police believe they caught senior members of the Real I.R.A. faction, an Irish Republican Army splinter group.
Seven Republicans were arraigned May 19 on terrorism charges after a security sweep against militants suspected of plotting to sabotage Northern Ireland's peace process, the Associated Press reported. Three were charged in a court in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, near Belfast, with "directing terror." The use of the term suggests that police believe they caught senior members of the Real I.R.A. faction, an Irish Republican Army splinter group.
Thousands gather for Italian bomb victim
As the investigation continued into a school bombing that killed a 16-year-old in southern Italy, more than 2,000 gathered in Mesagne to attend her funeral, The New York Times reported May 21. Prime Minister Mario Monti was among the hundreds of people that crammed into a church for the funeral of Melissa Bassi, a student at the vocational school targeted by a bomb May 19 that left five other girls hospitalized.
As the investigation continued into a school bombing that killed a 16-year-old in southern Italy, more than 2,000 gathered in Mesagne to attend her funeral, The New York Times reported May 21. Prime Minister Mario Monti was among the hundreds of people that crammed into a church for the funeral of Melissa Bassi, a student at the vocational school targeted by a bomb May 19 that left five other girls hospitalized.
Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb dies
Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who with brothers Barry and Maurice helped define the disco era with hits like "Stayin' Alive" and "Jive Talkin," has died after a long battle with cancer. The 62-year-old succumbed at the London Clinic surrounded by his second wife Dwina, sons Spencer and Robin-John and daughter Melissa, Reuters reported May 21. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced later this week, a spokesman said.
Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who with brothers Barry and Maurice helped define the disco era with hits like "Stayin' Alive" and "Jive Talkin," has died after a long battle with cancer. The 62-year-old succumbed at the London Clinic surrounded by his second wife Dwina, sons Spencer and Robin-John and daughter Melissa, Reuters reported May 21. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced later this week, a spokesman said.
Caretaker Greek PM begins talks
Newly installed caretaker Greek Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos began talks with party leaders May 21 ahead of the May 23 European Union summit that's expected to focus on ways of kick-starting economic growth across the Continent, the Associated Press reported. The senior judge, who has no power to make binding decisions, is holding successive meetings as campaigning gets under way for the country's crucial June 17 elections. The elections are seen as a choice on whether debt-stricken Greece stays in the euro.
Newly installed caretaker Greek Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos began talks with party leaders May 21 ahead of the May 23 European Union summit that's expected to focus on ways of kick-starting economic growth across the Continent, the Associated Press reported. The senior judge, who has no power to make binding decisions, is holding successive meetings as campaigning gets under way for the country's crucial June 17 elections. The elections are seen as a choice on whether debt-stricken Greece stays in the euro.
Strauss-Kahn accused of involvement in 'gang rape'
A French prosecutor has ordered an initial inquiry into claims that former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn was involved in "gang rape" in Washington, D.C., the BBC reported May 21. The allegations come from a Belgian prostitute who said she was at a hotel sex party in the U.S. capital in December 2010. Strauss-Kahn has denied separate allegations of involvement in a prostitution ring, while a charge that he attempted to rape a U.S. hotel maid was dropped last year.
A French prosecutor has ordered an initial inquiry into claims that former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn was involved in "gang rape" in Washington, D.C., the BBC reported May 21. The allegations come from a Belgian prostitute who said she was at a hotel sex party in the U.S. capital in December 2010. Strauss-Kahn has denied separate allegations of involvement in a prostitution ring, while a charge that he attempted to rape a U.S. hotel maid was dropped last year.
German and French finance ministers meet
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble hosted newly appointed French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici in Berlin May 21. The pair held a joint press conference after their closed-door meeting. "Each one has his own point of view, but at the same time, [French President] Francois Hollande has said it is important to put everything on the table," Moscovici said. France is expected to press for the eurozone to issue common bonds as a means of priming the economies of troubled Mediterranean countries at a May 23 European Union summit.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble hosted newly appointed French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici in Berlin May 21. The pair held a joint press conference after their closed-door meeting. "Each one has his own point of view, but at the same time, [French President] Francois Hollande has said it is important to put everything on the table," Moscovici said. France is expected to press for the eurozone to issue common bonds as a means of priming the economies of troubled Mediterranean countries at a May 23 European Union summit.
Aftershocks continue to rock northeast Italy
Aftershocks continued to rock an area of northeast Italy following a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that killed seven people and toppled centuries-old buildings May 20. The quake struck at 4 a.m., with its epicenter about 22 miles north of Bologna at a relatively shallow depth of 3.2 miles. Civil Protection Agency official Adriano Gumina described it as the worst to hit the region since the 1300s, the Press Association reported.
Aftershocks continued to rock an area of northeast Italy following a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that killed seven people and toppled centuries-old buildings May 20. The quake struck at 4 a.m., with its epicenter about 22 miles north of Bologna at a relatively shallow depth of 3.2 miles. Civil Protection Agency official Adriano Gumina described it as the worst to hit the region since the 1300s, the Press Association reported.
Putin signs order on new Cabinet
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the order on his new Cabinet, replacing three-quarters of members in what was billed as a "powerful impulse from new people," Russia Today reported May 21. Some veterans retained posts, including Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and Finance Minister Igor Siluanov. The appointments came as the president opted out of the G8 summit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the order on his new Cabinet, replacing three-quarters of members in what was billed as a "powerful impulse from new people," Russia Today reported May 21. Some veterans retained posts, including Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and Finance Minister Igor Siluanov. The appointments came as the president opted out of the G8 summit.
Anti-nuclear activists lose case in Slovakia
Anti-nuclear activists from Greenpeace in Slovakia have lost a legal case against the finalization of construction of the third and fourth reactors at the Mochovce nuclear power plant, The Slovak Spectator reported May 20. The Nuclear Regulatory Authority argued that allowing a change in the construction process before the completion of the reactors was neither a new activity nor a new scope of the power plant's activity. Greenpeace is likely to appeal the ruling.
Anti-nuclear activists from Greenpeace in Slovakia have lost a legal case against the finalization of construction of the third and fourth reactors at the Mochovce nuclear power plant, The Slovak Spectator reported May 20. The Nuclear Regulatory Authority argued that allowing a change in the construction process before the completion of the reactors was neither a new activity nor a new scope of the power plant's activity. Greenpeace is likely to appeal the ruling.
Hungary to erect statue of George Bush
A statue of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush will be erected in Hungary, Magyar Közlöny, Hungary, reported May 18. The government has committed 34.4 million forints for the project, but the exact site of the statue is yet to be revealed. The 41st U.S. president paid a visit to Hungary in the summer of 1989, encouraging Hungary's peaceful transition to democracy.
A statue of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush will be erected in Hungary, Magyar Közlöny, Hungary, reported May 18. The government has committed 34.4 million forints for the project, but the exact site of the statue is yet to be revealed. The 41st U.S. president paid a visit to Hungary in the summer of 1989, encouraging Hungary's peaceful transition to democracy.
Polish general 'close to death'
Polish General Wojciech Jaruzelski, infamous for the imposition of martial law in 1981, says he is extremely ill and close to death. Poland's last communist leader, who has received chemotherapy for cancer, told the Super Express tabloid May 18 that he almost never leaves his house because of weakness. Jaruzelski sought to crush the Solidarity movement that eventually overthrew communist rule in 1989.
Polish General Wojciech Jaruzelski, infamous for the imposition of martial law in 1981, says he is extremely ill and close to death. Poland's last communist leader, who has received chemotherapy for cancer, told the Super Express tabloid May 18 that he almost never leaves his house because of weakness. Jaruzelski sought to crush the Solidarity movement that eventually overthrew communist rule in 1989.
Serbian leader Tomislav Nikolić claims victory
Populist Serbian leader Tomislav Nikolić claimed victory May 20 in a hard-fought presidential election, which could hamper his country's bid to join the European Union. His opponent, the veteran pro-Western Boris Tadić, congratulated Nikolić on "a fair and well-earned victory." Voter dissatisfaction with the weak economy and fading popularity of the beleaguered EU that wants Serbia to make concessions on the sensitive Kosovo issue, led to the unexpected result.
Populist Serbian leader Tomislav Nikolić claimed victory May 20 in a hard-fought presidential election, which could hamper his country's bid to join the European Union. His opponent, the veteran pro-Western Boris Tadić, congratulated Nikolić on "a fair and well-earned victory." Voter dissatisfaction with the weak economy and fading popularity of the beleaguered EU that wants Serbia to make concessions on the sensitive Kosovo issue, led to the unexpected result.
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