European Briefs
British soldier jailed for refusing combat
A British soldier who went absent without leave rather than return to fight in Afghanistan was jailed March 6 for nine months by a military court, CNN reported. A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed Lance Corp. Joe Glenton had been convicted by a military judge at a court martial in Colchester, southeast England.
A British soldier who went absent without leave rather than return to fight in Afghanistan was jailed March 6 for nine months by a military court, CNN reported. A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed Lance Corp. Joe Glenton had been convicted by a military judge at a court martial in Colchester, southeast England.
Armed robbers storm Berlin poker tournament
Armed robbers stormed a luxury hotel in central Berlin where a poker tournament was taking place, the BBC reported March 6. The gang, armed with assault rifles and hand grenades, made off with the tournament jackpot of 800,000 euros. Several people were injured, although none seriously.
Armed robbers stormed a luxury hotel in central Berlin where a poker tournament was taking place, the BBC reported March 6. The gang, armed with assault rifles and hand grenades, made off with the tournament jackpot of 800,000 euros. Several people were injured, although none seriously.
Turkey earthquake leaves more than 50 dead
A pre-dawn earthquake collapsed homes and killed more than 50 people in a mountainous southeast region, CNN reported March 8. About 71 others were injured when the quake struck at 4:32 a.m., according to officials. The U.S. Geological Survey registered the quake at magnitude 5.9, while the Turkish earthquake monitoring center listed it as a 6.0.
A pre-dawn earthquake collapsed homes and killed more than 50 people in a mountainous southeast region, CNN reported March 8. About 71 others were injured when the quake struck at 4:32 a.m., according to officials. The U.S. Geological Survey registered the quake at magnitude 5.9, while the Turkish earthquake monitoring center listed it as a 6.0.
Spanish protesters decry bill making abortions more available
Thousands of demonstrators marched through cities to protest a bill making it easier for women to seek abortions, the BBC reported March 7. In Madrid, families carried banners, flags and balloons and chanted "No to abortion! Yes to life!" The bill, already passed by Parliament, introduces abortion on demand up to 14 weeks into pregnancy.
Thousands of demonstrators marched through cities to protest a bill making it easier for women to seek abortions, the BBC reported March 7. In Madrid, families carried banners, flags and balloons and chanted "No to abortion! Yes to life!" The bill, already passed by Parliament, introduces abortion on demand up to 14 weeks into pregnancy.
French Navy captures pirate suspects off Somali coast
The Navy has captured 35 piracy suspects off Somalia's coast, hailing it as the most successful mission since EU operations began in 2008, the BBC reported March 8. Officials said four mother ships and six smaller boats had been seized in four operations. According to the country's Defense Ministry, EU forces used helicopters and fired warning shots to capture the pirates.
The Navy has captured 35 piracy suspects off Somalia's coast, hailing it as the most successful mission since EU operations began in 2008, the BBC reported March 8. Officials said four mother ships and six smaller boats had been seized in four operations. According to the country's Defense Ministry, EU forces used helicopters and fired warning shots to capture the pirates.
Cypriot police confirm remains are ex-president's
Police confirmed they found the body of former President Tassos Papadopoulos, three months after it was snatched from his grave, the Associated Press reported March 9. Remains thought to be those of the ex-president were found at a Nicosia cemetery after a tip-off. DNA tests have confirmed it was Papadopoulos' body, police on the Mediterranean island said.
Police confirmed they found the body of former President Tassos Papadopoulos, three months after it was snatched from his grave, the Associated Press reported March 9. Remains thought to be those of the ex-president were found at a Nicosia cemetery after a tip-off. DNA tests have confirmed it was Papadopoulos' body, police on the Mediterranean island said.
UK dog owners might need insurance
Dog owners in England and Wales might have to insure against their pets attacking someone, the BBC reported March 9. Police and local authorities could also be given powers to force owners of dangerous dogs to muzzle them or get them neutered. Ministers say the consultation responds to concerns about the use of animals to intimidate or threaten people.
Dog owners in England and Wales might have to insure against their pets attacking someone, the BBC reported March 9. Police and local authorities could also be given powers to force owners of dangerous dogs to muzzle them or get them neutered. Ministers say the consultation responds to concerns about the use of animals to intimidate or threaten people.
Bush asks Cameron to help secure Ulster Unionist support
Former U.S. President George W. Bush has asked David Cameron to help secure Ulster Unionist support for the transfer of justice powers to Northern Ireland, the BBC said March 9. The Conservatives have an electoral pact with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) prompting the call. The Northern Ireland Assembly is due to vote on the transfer of powers from Westminster. The UUP said they would vote against the measure.
Former U.S. President George W. Bush has asked David Cameron to help secure Ulster Unionist support for the transfer of justice powers to Northern Ireland, the BBC said March 9. The Conservatives have an electoral pact with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) prompting the call. The Northern Ireland Assembly is due to vote on the transfer of powers from Westminster. The UUP said they would vote against the measure.
Region: Former President Ejup Ganić will remain jailed in London
Former President Ejup Ganić will remain jailed in London while his application for bail is considered, the BBC reported March 5. Ganić was arrested at Heathrow Airport March 1 at the request of Serbia, where he is wanted on war crimes charges. Thousands of Bosnians have protested outside the British and Serbian embassies in Sarajevo demanding his release.
Former President Ejup Ganić will remain jailed in London while his application for bail is considered, the BBC reported March 5. Ganić was arrested at Heathrow Airport March 1 at the request of Serbia, where he is wanted on war crimes charges. Thousands of Bosnians have protested outside the British and Serbian embassies in Sarajevo demanding his release.
Region: Yanukovych suggests Russia's Black Sea Fleet could stay
President Viktor Yanukovych has suggested he would allow Russia's Black Sea Fleet to remain in the country beyond 2017, the BBC reported March 5. Yanukovych said he would open a "new page" in relations with Russia. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he hoped the "black streak" in ties between the two nations is over.
President Viktor Yanukovych has suggested he would allow Russia's Black Sea Fleet to remain in the country beyond 2017, the BBC reported March 5. Yanukovych said he would open a "new page" in relations with Russia. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he hoped the "black streak" in ties between the two nations is over.
Region: Vladimír Mečiar will be at the top of Slovak party's candidate list
Vladimír Mečiar will be at the top of the candidate list of his Movement for Democratic Slovakia party heading into the general election June 12, The Slovak Spectator reported March 8. The Hungarian Coalition Party will be led to the general election by Chairman Pál Csáky. The assembly of the Most-Híd party chose its chairman, Béla Bugár, for the top of its election list.
Vladimír Mečiar will be at the top of the candidate list of his Movement for Democratic Slovakia party heading into the general election June 12, The Slovak Spectator reported March 8. The Hungarian Coalition Party will be led to the general election by Chairman Pál Csáky. The assembly of the Most-Híd party chose its chairman, Béla Bugár, for the top of its election list.
Region: Russia to introduce car-scrapping subsidy
The country has decided to follow in the footsteps of some European countries and the United States by introducing a car-scrapping subsidy scheme in an attempt to save the automotive industry, the BBC reported March 7. Companies that make or assemble cars, like Avtovaz, the country's largest carmaker, are hoping the scheme will improve sales in the short term.
The country has decided to follow in the footsteps of some European countries and the United States by introducing a car-scrapping subsidy scheme in an attempt to save the automotive industry, the BBC reported March 7. Companies that make or assemble cars, like Avtovaz, the country's largest carmaker, are hoping the scheme will improve sales in the short term.
Region: More Hungarian teens not exercising
The proportion of population ages 15 and up who claim not to pursue any sports or get regular exercise has risen in the 10-year period ending in 2009, the Budapest Times reported March 4. The percentage of those who did not report doing any exercise "worthy of mention" rose from 56 percent to 69 percent, while the number of people who said they exercise regularly fell from 25 percent to 16 percent in the 15-plus age group.
The proportion of population ages 15 and up who claim not to pursue any sports or get regular exercise has risen in the 10-year period ending in 2009, the Budapest Times reported March 4. The percentage of those who did not report doing any exercise "worthy of mention" rose from 56 percent to 69 percent, while the number of people who said they exercise regularly fell from 25 percent to 16 percent in the 15-plus age group.
Region: Injured Slovak soldiers in stable condition
Four soldiers injured last weekend in a car accident while serving in Kosovo are in stable condition, and none of the injuries is considered life-threatening, the Slovak Spectator reported March 8. Two soldiers traveling in an Army all-terrain vehicle were severely injured and two slightly injured in a head-on collision with a civilian Nissan Primera near the municipality of Trude. Both Kosovars in the civilian vehicle died.
Four soldiers injured last weekend in a car accident while serving in Kosovo are in stable condition, and none of the injuries is considered life-threatening, the Slovak Spectator reported March 8. Two soldiers traveling in an Army all-terrain vehicle were severely injured and two slightly injured in a head-on collision with a civilian Nissan Primera near the municipality of Trude. Both Kosovars in the civilian vehicle died.
Region: Yanukovych favors constitutional reform
Yanukovych favors the idea of reforming the Constitution, the Kyiv Post reported March 8. "I reckon our future depends on how we find the possibility and political will to change this Constitution, the one that has resulted in so much negativity for us," he said. Yanukovych also spoke for broadening the anti-corruption legislation.
Yanukovych favors the idea of reforming the Constitution, the Kyiv Post reported March 8. "I reckon our future depends on how we find the possibility and political will to change this Constitution, the one that has resulted in so much negativity for us," he said. Yanukovych also spoke for broadening the anti-corruption legislation.
Region: Hungarian yachtsmen organize race around Africa
Two yachtsmen will organize the first-ever race around Africa in May 2011, the Budapest Times reported March 4. József Gál, who has sailed around the globe twice, and Péter Kondricz, an expert in international law by profession, said that the Africa-Europe Challenge would be open to amateur yachters with experience in the open seas.
Two yachtsmen will organize the first-ever race around Africa in May 2011, the Budapest Times reported March 4. József Gál, who has sailed around the globe twice, and Péter Kondricz, an expert in international law by profession, said that the Africa-Europe Challenge would be open to amateur yachters with experience in the open seas.
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