European Briefs
France declares national emergency after storms
The government declared a national disaster after violent storms battered parts of the country, the BBC reported March 1. Prime Minister Francois Fillon said the move would release funds to help communities rebuild. At least 50 people have been killed in the storms that have swept parts of Spain, Portugal and France.
The government declared a national disaster after violent storms battered parts of the country, the BBC reported March 1. Prime Minister Francois Fillon said the move would release funds to help communities rebuild. At least 50 people have been killed in the storms that have swept parts of Spain, Portugal and France.
Dutch activists walk out of mass in protest
Hundreds of Dutch activists have walked out of a Mass in protest of a Roman Catholic policy of denying communion to practicing homosexuals, the BBC reported Feb. 28. The dispute began earlier in February when a priest refused communion to an openly gay man.
Hundreds of Dutch activists have walked out of a Mass in protest of a Roman Catholic policy of denying communion to practicing homosexuals, the BBC reported Feb. 28. The dispute began earlier in February when a priest refused communion to an openly gay man.
Thousands demonstrate against Italian PM
Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated in Rome against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, over what they say are attempts to evade justice, the BBC reported Feb. 27. Berlusconi is on trial in two corruption cases but legislation being discussed in Parliament would in effect stop him going to court. The protesters accuse Berlusconi of seeking to undermine the legal system.
Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated in Rome against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, over what they say are attempts to evade justice, the BBC reported Feb. 27. Berlusconi is on trial in two corruption cases but legislation being discussed in Parliament would in effect stop him going to court. The protesters accuse Berlusconi of seeking to undermine the legal system.
Danish newspaper apologizes for reprinting cartoon
A newspaper has apologized for any offense caused when it reprinted a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb-shaped turban in 2008, the BBC reported Feb. 26. Politiken said it was apologizing as part of a settlement with Muslim groups in the Middle East and Australia. Other Danish newspapers criticized Politiken for the move.
A newspaper has apologized for any offense caused when it reprinted a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb-shaped turban in 2008, the BBC reported Feb. 26. Politiken said it was apologizing as part of a settlement with Muslim groups in the Middle East and Australia. Other Danish newspapers criticized Politiken for the move.
Spanish police arrest suspected leader of ETA
Police arrested the suspected leader of the Basque separatist group ETA along with two other senior suspects from the outlawed armed group, Interior Ministry said according to CNN Feb. 28. The arrests took place in France, the ministry said. The top suspect was identified as Ibon Gogeascoechea Arronategui, who is wanted for the murder of a police officer and has been a fugitive for 12 years.
Police arrested the suspected leader of the Basque separatist group ETA along with two other senior suspects from the outlawed armed group, Interior Ministry said according to CNN Feb. 28. The arrests took place in France, the ministry said. The top suspect was identified as Ibon Gogeascoechea Arronategui, who is wanted for the murder of a police officer and has been a fugitive for 12 years.
Al-Qaida's North African wing releases audio message
Al-Qaida's North African wing has released an audio message from a man whom it says it has kidnapped and has set a 25-day deadline for the government to meet its demands, CNN reported Feb. 28. The group says it has been holding the man and his wife for two months. The audio message urges the government to meet the group's demands in 25 days, although the demands are unclear.
Al-Qaida's North African wing has released an audio message from a man whom it says it has kidnapped and has set a 25-day deadline for the government to meet its demands, CNN reported Feb. 28. The group says it has been holding the man and his wife for two months. The audio message urges the government to meet the group's demands in 25 days, although the demands are unclear.
Greek cargo ship released by Somali pirates
A cargo ship and its crew of 19 have been freed by Somali pirates after a ransom was paid, the BBC reported Feb. 28. The Navios Apollon was seized north of the Seychelles Dec. 28 as it headed from the United States to India with a cargo of fertilizer. The captain and 18 Filipino crewmen were all safe, and the vessel was heading to Oman and then India.
A cargo ship and its crew of 19 have been freed by Somali pirates after a ransom was paid, the BBC reported Feb. 28. The Navios Apollon was seized north of the Seychelles Dec. 28 as it headed from the United States to India with a cargo of fertilizer. The captain and 18 Filipino crewmen were all safe, and the vessel was heading to Oman and then India.
Region: Ukrainian defense industry output grew 58 percent
The output of the country's defense industry grew 58 percent in 2009, making it the world's sixth-largest arms trader, the Kyiv Post reported March 1. The largest growth was reported by aircraft builders, shipbuilders and producers of armaments and military hardware. The country signed a record number of large contracts last year.
The output of the country's defense industry grew 58 percent in 2009, making it the world's sixth-largest arms trader, the Kyiv Post reported March 1. The largest growth was reported by aircraft builders, shipbuilders and producers of armaments and military hardware. The country signed a record number of large contracts last year.
Spanish judge accuses Venezuela of assisting rebel groups
A judge has accused the Venezuelan government of assisting two rebel groups who plotted to kill Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, the BBC reported March 1. Judge Eloy Velasco charged six members of Basque separatist group ETA and seven members of Colombian rebel group FARC with various offenses. He said the two groups benefited from "Venezuelan government cooperation."
A judge has accused the Venezuelan government of assisting two rebel groups who plotted to kill Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, the BBC reported March 1. Judge Eloy Velasco charged six members of Basque separatist group ETA and seven members of Colombian rebel group FARC with various offenses. He said the two groups benefited from "Venezuelan government cooperation."
Widow of former Rwandan president arrested in France
The widow of former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, whose assassination triggered the Rwandan genocide, has been arrested in France, the BBC reported March 2. Agathe Habyarimana is accused by the current Rwandan government of helping to plan the 1994 genocide and has long been sought by prosecutors there.
The widow of former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, whose assassination triggered the Rwandan genocide, has been arrested in France, the BBC reported March 2. Agathe Habyarimana is accused by the current Rwandan government of helping to plan the 1994 genocide and has long been sought by prosecutors there.
Region: Slovak minister says drug lord submitted false visa data
Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák said alleged Serbian drug lord Darko Šarić submitted false information in his application for citizenship in 2005, the Slovak Spectator reported Feb. 26. An investigation conducted by the ministry revealed Šarić lied about his residence as well as his employment in the country.
Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák said alleged Serbian drug lord Darko Šarić submitted false information in his application for citizenship in 2005, the Slovak Spectator reported Feb. 26. An investigation conducted by the ministry revealed Šarić lied about his residence as well as his employment in the country.
Region: Homicide ruled out in Russian oil manager's death
Investigators ruled out homicide as the cause of death of a top manager of an oil and gas company whose body was found Feb. 27 in Moscow, the Kyiv Post reported March 1. Vladimir Kondrachuk, the board chairman of Trans Nafta, was found dead of a gunshot wound in his company's office. Police say he most likely committed suicide.
Investigators ruled out homicide as the cause of death of a top manager of an oil and gas company whose body was found Feb. 27 in Moscow, the Kyiv Post reported March 1. Vladimir Kondrachuk, the board chairman of Trans Nafta, was found dead of a gunshot wound in his company's office. Police say he most likely committed suicide.
Region: Bulgaria to offer free swine-flu vaccinations
Free nationwide inoculations against the H1N1 virus will begin across the country March 3, the Sofia Echo reported March 1. Vaccinations will not be compulsory. Health Ministry authorities said the vaccine will be administered in two stages, spaced 21 days apart.
Free nationwide inoculations against the H1N1 virus will begin across the country March 3, the Sofia Echo reported March 1. Vaccinations will not be compulsory. Health Ministry authorities said the vaccine will be administered in two stages, spaced 21 days apart.
Region: Slovakia catching up to EU in Internet prevalence
As many as 62 percent of households have Internet access, which means Slovakia is catching up to the EU average of 65 percent, the Slovak Spectator reported Feb. 26. Pavol Tarina, head of the state Information Society Proxy, says the biggest problem lies in the low access to broadband Internet DSL, enjoyed by only 42 percent of households, and the numbers are especially low in rural areas.
As many as 62 percent of households have Internet access, which means Slovakia is catching up to the EU average of 65 percent, the Slovak Spectator reported Feb. 26. Pavol Tarina, head of the state Information Society Proxy, says the biggest problem lies in the low access to broadband Internet DSL, enjoyed by only 42 percent of households, and the numbers are especially low in rural areas.
Region: Croatia to allow visa-free entry for some
As part of its anti-crisis measures, the country will allow all Russian, Ukrainian and Kazakh nationals visa-free entry during summer 2010, from the beginning of April to the end of October, the Sofia Echo reported March 1. The measure also stipulates that nationals of these three countries will be able to stay in the country for 90 days.
As part of its anti-crisis measures, the country will allow all Russian, Ukrainian and Kazakh nationals visa-free entry during summer 2010, from the beginning of April to the end of October, the Sofia Echo reported March 1. The measure also stipulates that nationals of these three countries will be able to stay in the country for 90 days.
Region: NATO accused of not doing enough to curb heroin in Afghanistan
The head of the federal drug control agency has accused NATO of not doing enough to curb the production of heroin in Afghanistan, the BBC reported Feb. 27. Victor Ivanov said at least 30,000 people die in Russia every year from heroin, 90 percent of which comes from Afghanistan. He blamed the Obama administration for ending a military drive to destroy opium poppy crops in Afghan fields.
The head of the federal drug control agency has accused NATO of not doing enough to curb the production of heroin in Afghanistan, the BBC reported Feb. 27. Victor Ivanov said at least 30,000 people die in Russia every year from heroin, 90 percent of which comes from Afghanistan. He blamed the Obama administration for ending a military drive to destroy opium poppy crops in Afghan fields.
Region: Bosnian general on trial at The Hague
A former general, Zdravko Tolimir, is on trial at The Hague, accused of genocide and other crimes during the Bosnian War, the BBC reported Feb. 26. A prosecutor at the UN-led International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia said Tolimir had "assisted, supervised and authorized" killings of Bosnian Muslims. Genocide is among the charges for his alleged role in the massacre of up to 8,000 men and boys at Srebrenica.
A former general, Zdravko Tolimir, is on trial at The Hague, accused of genocide and other crimes during the Bosnian War, the BBC reported Feb. 26. A prosecutor at the UN-led International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia said Tolimir had "assisted, supervised and authorized" killings of Bosnian Muslims. Genocide is among the charges for his alleged role in the massacre of up to 8,000 men and boys at Srebrenica.
Region: Hungary's TriGranit ranked fourth-largest in Europe
The country's biggest construction company, TriGranit, has been ranked the fourth-largest developer in Europe by the industry periodical PropertyEU, the Budapest Times reported Feb. 28. Founder and President Sándor Demján said, as a result of taking the right steps at the right time, the company had manged to succeed despite the financial crisis.
The country's biggest construction company, TriGranit, has been ranked the fourth-largest developer in Europe by the industry periodical PropertyEU, the Budapest Times reported Feb. 28. Founder and President Sándor Demján said, as a result of taking the right steps at the right time, the company had manged to succeed despite the financial crisis.
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