Last Updated, 29 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Italian Senate approves justice reform bill
The Italian Senate has approved a controversial reform aimed at streamlining the judiciary. The move comes six months after Italy's president vetoed the original measure, calling elements of the bill "clearly unconstitutional". Italy's lower chamber of parliament will now debate the legislation but Justice Minister Roberto Castelli is not certain it will be passed because he says most judges are opposed to it. The government says the bill will make the justice system more efficient and less politicised. Senator Renato Schifani of the ruling Forza Italia party says judges support the proposals because there is a violation of the principle of separation of powers. But Senator Nando Dalla Chiesa from the centre-left coalition does not believe the law will make the justice system more effective. He hopes the reform will be vetoed again by the president or declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The bill promises to cut the statute of limitations for a whole raft of crimes, including corruption, giving courts less time to hear cases before an automatic timeout takes effect. Opposition parties say the measure was drawn up specifically to save the prime minister's former lawyer who has been found guilty in two graft trials and sentenced to a total of 16 years in jail. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 28 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bush urges his country to be patient on Iraq
The US President has urged the American people to be patient when it comes to US policy in Iraq. In a keynote speech, George W. Bush acknowledged American doubts about his Iraq strategy, reflected in recent opinion polls, but he argued it was worth it. "Some contend that we should set a deadline for withdrawing US forces," he said. "Let me explain why that would be a serious mistake. Setting an artificial timetable would send the wrong message to the Iraqis - who need to know that America will not leave before the job is done. "It would send the wrong signal to our troops - who need to know that we are serious about completing the mission they are risking their lives to achieve. And it would send the wrong message to the enemy - who would know that all they have to do is to wait us out." He also referred to Al Qaeda. "The only way our enemies can succeed is if we forget the lessons of September 11, if we abandon the Iraqi people to men like Zarqawi, and if we yield the future of the Middle East to men like Bin Laden. For the sake of our nation's security, this will not happen on my watch." Opposition Democrats immediately accused Bush of failing to offer a clear plan for success in Iraq. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 27 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian parliament says "yes" to gay marriage
Canada has become the third country in the world after Belgium and the Netherlands to allow same-sex marriage. MPs voted by 158-133 to support the bill, despite fierce opposition from conservative and religious groups. The minority Liberal government led by Paul Martin drew up the legislation after courts in eight of Canada's 10 provinces ruled a ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional. "We're a nation of minorities," said Martin, "and in a nation of minorities it is important that you don't cheery pick rights. A right is a right." One Liberal minister resigned over the issue and other
liberal MPs admit they fear a voter backlash in elections due early
next year. The gay community is celebrating though. Thousands have
already been wed in Canada, and people even go there from the US to
tie the knot. American President Bush is pushing for a constitutional
amendment to ban same sex marriages in his country. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 26 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- World reacts to Iran's new leader
He is a hero at home but a dangerous hardliner for many in the West. Iran's next president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad provokes strong reactions, although the international community has been largely guarded in responding to his landslide election victory. Washington was the most outspoken, saying it puts Iran out of step with the rest of the region. Ahmadinejad himself has been urging Iranians to put aside their differences following the divisive run-off poll that split the country broadly along class lines. The ultra-conservative mayor of Tehran won the backing of the religious poor to defeat the more moderate Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who had enjoyed the support of richer sections of society and pro-reform parties. The result was a crushing blow for Rafsanjani, who had been hoping to regain the post he held from 1989 to 1997. His rival romped to victory with over 60 percent of the vote. Ahmadinejad has been congratulated by Russia. President Putin said Moscow would continue developing nuclear ties with the country's new leadership. But his win has raised questions about how he will handle Iran's nuclear impasse with the West. It has also put in doubt its fragile social reform process. The EU said it was ready to work with any Iranian government open to progress in human rights and in nuclear non-proliferation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 25 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exit polls show Bulgarian Socialists ahead in vote
He is no longer the king of Bulgaria and, if exit polls are to be believed, he is soon to be its former prime minister too. At the end of election day in the Balkan nation, all the indications are that Simeon Saxe-Coburg's centrist government is on its way out. The opposition Socialists have triumphed, according to voter surveys. One exit poll gives them 32.2 percent of the vote, versus 20.5 percent for the ex-monarch's ruling "National Movement for Simeon II." If the polls are confirmed by official results, Bulgaria's next premier will be Socialist leader Sergei Stanishev. Pledging to increase spending on healthcare, education and pensions, he has said he will do everything possible to secure European Union entry in 2007. The polls show his party ahead but suggest the Socialists may not have won enough votes to easily form a government. In power since 2001, Simeon Saxe-Coburg led his country into NATO. He also boosted economic growth and slashed unemployment. But, despite those big-picture achievements, he has disappointed many voters who complain that they have seen no radical rise in their standard of living. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 24 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blair steps into Lion's Den in Brussels
Tony Blair, blamed by many in Brussels and elsewhere for the failure of last week's EU summit, has addressed the European Parliament. He set out his vision for the crisis-hit bloc as Britain prepares to assume its rotating presidency. His message was that change is essential to meet the challenges of the modern world. He also explained why he believes the new EU constitution was rejected in French and Dutch referendums. "The Constitution became merely the vehicle for the people to register a wider and deeper discontent with the state of affairs in Europe," he told European deputies. "I believe this to be the correct analysis. If so, it is not a crisis of political institutions. It is a crisis of political leadership." Emphasizing his own European credentials, and those of his country, the British prime minister turned on his critics - rejecting a charge commonly thrown at Britain. "Some have suggested I want to abandon Europe's social model," he said. "But, tell me, what type of social model is it that has 20 million unemployed across Europe?" The summit failed to reach a budget deal after Britain refused to give up its rebate. It wants a broader shake-up of finances, with a reduction in the budget share spent on farm subsidies. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Last Updated, 23 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blair urged to update his European thinking for UK Presidency job
Jose Manuel Barroso spoke after Blair. This was followed by some highly colourful reactions from the leaders of the parliament's political groups. The President of the European Commission made a plea for swiftness in the budget negotiations: "You can not wait for 2013. Given the urgency, it is not reasonable to put everything in question now. What is reasonable is to approve the financial perspectives now, working on the basis of Luxembourg (EU) presidency." One of the most impassioned deliveries was from Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the co-president of the European Greens. He launched into an historic romp and had his microphone cut off when he went over his allotted four minutes. "You threw down a challenge today: you said "I want to change Europe". Welcome to the club Tony. You are welcome in this job. But lets get this straight: You are not the Duke of Bedford (the 15th century regent of France); Jacques Chirac is not Joan of Arc: Mister Balkenende is not Bishop Cauchon (who led the charges against her); that was old Europe; the Hundred Years War is over. Chirac and Schröder and Blair and others need to be told: Europe is the opposite of that. The problem is that Europe cannot function within Great Britain's model; Europe cannot function within France's model; Europe cannot function within the Luxembourg or Netherlands' model... Europe's intelligence lies in finding a mix of these models. For that, Mister Blair, you can not remain Prime Minister of Great Britain; Become president of Europe, with a vision of Europe." Socialist, liberal and Eurosceptic parliamentary group leaders praised Blair; the harder-left lectured him and conservatives told him to live up to his predecessor John Major. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 22 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Separatist support helps Basque PM to fresh term
A man pushing for the Basque country to be granted near independence from Spain has won a fresh term in office at the head of the regional government. Juan Jose Ibarretxe's moderate nationalist coalition failed to win a majority in elections in April. It meant he needed support in parliament today from some within a newly-created radical separatist group, EHAK. It is a party that has received the blessing of Batasuna, banned as the political wing of armed militants ETA. Ibarretxe's ideas for greater autonomy include a separate judiciary and the introduction of Basque citizenship. But Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is against the proposals and parliament in Madrid has already firmly rejected them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trio of explosions in Baghdad market district
Baghdad has been hit by a trio of bombs in a downtown market district. At least 15 people were killed and 50 wounded in the early morning attack. Three of the victims were policemen, their patrol deliberately targeted by a suicide bomber. The two other devices were apparently packed into parked cars. They went off within a few minutes of each other. The attack leaves a mounting death toll just a day after an international conference on how to rebuild Iraq. Late last night another triple car bombing in a mainly Shi'ite district of the capital killed 18 people. The al Qaeda group in Iraq led by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility for the killings, describing it as a 'Sunni reprisal raid'. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 21 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swiss railways roll again after blackout
Switzerland's railways are getting back on track after the worst breakdown in their history. The day after a power disruption paralysed the network, trains are now rolling. Delays however have been reported - meaning the travel chaos has continued for some. "The power system has been fully back in service since 10.30 last night," the head of the Federal Railways Infrastructure department told a press conference. Hansjörg Hess said scheduled services this morning were assured. He added: "That is the positive information, if we can speak of positive information." The state-owned railway says a short circuit on a power line provoked a chain reaction that led to the cross-country breakdown. In a nation famed for the punctuality of its trains, it left more than 100,000 passengers stranded. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Polish PM facing increasing pressure to resign
Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka is under attack from the country's opposition over revelations that he had contacts with the communist-era secret services in the 1980s. Despite the release of official documents that show links had been established, Belka has ruled out resigning. The Prime Minister has confirmed he was approached by secret service agents ahead of a scholarship to the US 20 years ago, but he told parliament he never actually became a spy. Poland's main opposition, the centre-right Civic Platform,
claims the controversy is crippling Belka at a time when he needs
to focus on EU matters. The country's president, Aleksander Kwasniewski,
has backed the Prime Minister, however, saying the files contain nothing
that deems Belka unfit to rule. He also argues it would be pointless
to change the government three months before planned elections. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 20 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lebanon's anti-Syrian alliance sweeps to power
Lebanon's anti-Syrian alliance is promising sweeping changes after claming victory in the final phase of parliamentary elections. Unofficial results show it has won a majority in parliament in the first ballot in three decades without Syrian troops present. The election was held in four stages, according to regions, the last phase was in the north where the anti-Syrian alliance swept the assembly's remaining 28 seats. Saad al Hariri leads the bloc. He is the son of the assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. The early results show that he has now totted up 72 seats in the 128 members assembly. His supporters celebrated the outcome of the vote late into the night. But once the partying is over the government will face up to the new political landscape in Lebanon in a country many fear will be divided along sectarian lines. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wave of attacks on police in Iraq
Insurgents in Iraq have staged a coordinated attack at a police station in Baghdad, one of a series of bloody clashes. At least five police were killed after gunmen opened fire on the building and then set off a car bomb when a patrol responded to the alarm call. In the Kurdish city of Arbil meanwhile a suicide car bomber killed at least 12 police recruits. Security forces opened fire on the car as it raced from a building site onto a field, but the vehicle ploughed into the crowd of trainees before detonating. More than 100 of those who had signed up to work as traffic police were injured in the attack. In western Iraq dozens of buildings in a town near Qaim were levelled by air strikes as US-led forces launched a crackdown on militants. The area is considered to be a hotbed of the resistance. The Americans say around 50 insurgent fighters were killed. Hospital sources say many women and children were among the injured. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 19 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EU leaders head to Washington
European Union leaders will likely be doing their utmost to show that it is business as usual when they meet the US President today despite the crisis gripping the bloc. Yesterday, they met with their Canadian counterparts. The group agreed to share airline passenger information and pursue trade agreements. Due on the agenda with US President George W. Bush are economic growth, the environment and changes at the United Nations. Observers say the meeting may reveal what the EU's next move will be after the setbacks over the constitution treaty and budget negotiations which ended in failure. Some comment that the administration may be quietly pleased at the problems faced by the EU, as it weakens the bloc as a global counterbalance to the US. Last week EU leaders met in Brussels for budget negotiations in a meeting seen as an ideal opportunity to send out a message of unity after the EU treaty No votes. Instead the talks broke down with London and Paris at the centre of a dispute over Britain's budget rebate and agricultural subsidies that heavily benefit France. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 18 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe in deep crisis after budget deal fiasco
Europe is in deep crisis after members failed to reach a deal on the bloc's long-term budget last night. The breakdown now threatens the union with financial paralysis in addition to the political uncertainty brought about by a double rejection of the constitution by France and the Netherlands. In last-ditch talks, members were unable to overcome deep differences over the next budget, despite an offer by the ten new members to give up badly needed aid. The row centred on the ongoing feud between Paris and London over Britain's rebate and farm subsidies which mainly benefit France. London flatly rejected a number of proposals to cap Britain's annual refund, to the dismay of summit chairman Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency. "One after the other, the new member states, each poorer than the next, said that in the interest of a deal they would be prepared to give up financial assistance. I am ashamed," said Juncker. Talks on the budget may not be concluded until next year, delaying urgently needed investment in the east, and weakening the bloc in the long term according to Juncker. It is this weakened union that will enter talks with the United States on Monday for the annual transatlantic summit, and which Britain will inherit on July 1. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iran presidency poll heads for unprecedented run-off
For the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranians will be voting in a second round to elect a new president. As expected, frontrunner Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani holds a narrow lead. The former president and moderate cleric based his campaign on pledges to improve ties with the West and pursue his predecessor's pragmatic reform programme. Many believe he is the only candidate who has enough experience and influence to resolve his country's nuclear standoff with Washington, which accuses Tehran of pursuing an illegal atomic programme. With many votes still to be counted, it remains unclear who Rafsanjani will be up against in the run-off next Friday. Outsider Mehdi Karroubi has emerged as a surprise potential rival. The moderate reformist had been given little chance to stand out in the race to replace his close ally, outgoing president Mohammad Khatami. Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a hardline conservative, is also being touted as a potential candidate for the second round. But analysts believe the conservatives' failure to rally around one candidate could weaken their chances of making it through. The ballot attracted an unexpectedly large number of voters - some 69 percent of Iran's mainly young electorate went to the polls. Whoever does win the election, ultimate power remains with a handful of clerics led by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for whom the high turnout will be interpreted as an endorsement of Iran's Islamic system. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 17 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EU leaders head to crisis meeting
EU leaders are bracing themselves for a budget bust up as they begin a two-day crisis summit in Brussels this afternoon. The head of the EU rotating presidency has admitted near defeat saying wrangling over Britain's controversial rebate means no deal is likely. Today, the leaders will discuss the embattled EU constitution treaty and tomorrow are due to tackle the budget. A last ditch compromise is now on the table: a freeze of the rebate tied to reform of agricultural subsidies. It is not known yet how the details of the proposal will go down. On Tuesday, the British premier said he would review the refund only if EU farm subsidies which heavily benefits France are reduced. But now other leaders are also calling for the British concession it won in 1984 to be scrapped. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 16 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hostage crisis ends in tragedy
Cambodian security forces say a hostage crisis in an international school in the north west of the country has ended but one of the children taken prisoner has been killed. The six-hour drama began when a small armed group took control of the school, taking 40 children hostage. One class was released, but 29 remained inside, with the kidnappers demanding 30 000 dollars, weapons, and a minivan. The children, aged between two and six, included a number of foreigners, including American, European, and Japanese pupils. Their parents mostly work in the hotel industry around the nearby Angkor Wat temple, Cambodia's tourist jewel. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 15 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High-risk week ahead for EU
Europe faces a tough week. Its foreign ministers are meeting in the EU's General Affairs council to prepare the ground for the EU summit on Thursday and Friday. The summit may be explosive, as budget disputes dominated by Britain's EU contribution have reared their head. British foreign minister Jack Straw said this morning that net contributors to the budget had their own views on reforms, net beneficiaries other views, and that on the subject of the British budget rebate, London had a specific position. Britain says the rebate, won in 1984 by a table-banging Margaret Thatcher, can be renegotiated but only if the total budget is reformed, particularly the common agricultural policy. This is putting Britain on a collision course with the French. Add to this the uncertainty over the future of the EU constitution and the scenario may be set for an agitated end of the week. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 14 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blair begins intensive diplomatic tour
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is in Moscow on the first leg of a whistle-stop tour during which he meets four leaders in two days. Today he holds talks with President Putin before flying to Berlin tonight for discussions with Chancellor Schroeder. Bilateral relations and preparations for the G8 summit next month are on Blair's Moscow agenda. London believes the Russians broadly support its priorities for its year-long presidency of the group of richest nations, and can also help persuade emerging economies like China and India of the importance of setting carbon dioxide emission targets to fight global warming. Human rights will also feature in the two leader's talks. Putin's recent comments on the subjects have been described as "encouraging" by Blair's spokesman. The impression in Britain is that Putin has realised western concerns on human rights and the rule of law have to be addressed, particularly in the wake of the recent trial of former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 13 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christian leader wins major vote in Lebanon
Supporters of anti-Syrian leader Michel Aoun have been celebrating in Lebanon after he scored a clean-sweep in a vote yesterday. Aoun defeated rival Christian politicians in the third and most crucial round of Lebanon's parliamentary election which is taking place region by region over four weeks. It ends next Sunday and will see the creation of a new parliament which is expected to be the first since the civil war to be made up of mostly anti-Syrian politicians. One of the main opposition figures, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, came in second with a majority of votes in the Baabda-Valley district. He criticised his rival Aoun saying he was in fact being manipulated by Syria whose intention was to keep control of Lebanon. Damascus withdrew its troops from Lebanon in April amid growing international pressure but the opposition backed by Washington accuses Syria of maintaining an intelligence presence in the country. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 12 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G8 cuts historic deal to help world's poor
The Group of Eight leading industrialised nations have agreed on one hundred percent debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries. After a meeting in London with his counterparts, Britain's finance minister Gordon Brown made the historic announcement which he said would help to change the lives of millions of people. "This is not a time for timidity, this is a time for boldness," Brown said. The move will immediately write off the debts of eighteen nations - a deal that will cancel outstanding loans of more than 30 billion euros. The G8 nations have also agreed to help improve access to AIDS treatment. A further twenty of the world's poorest countries may also be offered complete debt relief over the next year, but Brown warned that they must first root out corruption and meet strict targets for good governance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suicide attack on Slovak embassy in Iraq
A lorry packed with explosives has blown up in front of the embassy of Slovakia in Baghdad. At least four people have been injured. All of them are understood to be Iraqi civilians and security guards. The Slovak foreign ministry has confirmed that none of its nationals were wounded. Bratislava is a close ally of the US and has around 100 military personnel in Iraq. In another attack, a former Iraqi police commando carried out a failed attempt to assassinate the head of a controversial anti-insurgency unit. Several policemen were killed in the blast. The militant's target was the leader of the Wolf Brigade, feared because of its strong-arm tactics against rebels fighting the Iraqi government. Elsewhere, guerrillas opened fire on a bus carrying construction workers to Baghdad. Eleven people were killed and three were injured. The attack took place near the town of Hilla south of Baghdad. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beach robbery prompts high security in Portugal
Security is being stepped up on beaches in Portugal after a bizarre and violent attack on holidaymakers. Several hundred thieves descended on Carcavelos beach near the capital Lisbon on Friday, sowing panic as they assaulted people and snatched their belongings. When the police arrived the robbers retreated to the railway line that links nearby beaches. Several arrests were made, and five people were injured in clashes, including two police officers. "At around 1 o'clock there was a big commotion, they attacked a Ukrainian and took his gold necklace. Then they dispersed into smaller groups and continued to steal. Then someone called the police," one witness said. According to local officials, the aggressors came from the capital's poor suburbs. The Portuguese press has drawn parallels with so-called 'trawls' in Brazil, where youths from slums set upon sunbathers. The incident has shocked Portugal which enjoys relatively little crime. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vatican asks Italians to boycott fertility vote
Italians are being called to the polls over the next two days to vote on controversial rules on assisted fertility. The referendum has deeply divided Italy as politicians, scientists and the Catholic church have been fighting a bitter battle to try to put their views across. For a long time, Italy had no regulation on assisted fertility - until 2003, when prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's government passed a law regulating the practice. Now Italians are being asked to decide whether to scrap parts of that legislation, in a move which would effectively put an end to it. More than 50 percent of voters must turn out for the referendum to be valid - a number some fear might not be reached if many people heed a request by the Vatican to boycott the vote. The call has fuelled speculation by some political analysts that the law could in fact pave the way for a Vatican-backed manoeuvre to make abortion illegal in Italy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 11 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EU textile industry has 3 years to adapt to Chinese competition
A deal to limit Chinese textile exports will give European businesses time to adjust according to the EU's trade commissioner. Peter Mandelson reached agreement with China's trade minister Bo Xilai in last-minute talks in Shanghai on Friday. Under the deal, Chinese textile export quotas will gradually increase over the next three years: "Today's agreement will give players on both sides clarity, certainty and predictability and will also provide relief to developing countries' textile exports to Europe," said Mandelson at a press conference. In turn, Bo welcomed the compromise, saying said it was natural to experience ups and downs in relations between countries. He added that the ability to resolve problems in a correct manner showed the maturity of relations between these countries. The lifting of an embargo on Chinese textile quotas at the start of the year unleashed an explosive rise in exports to Europe and the United States, generating fears for the future of the garment industry there. The US has already imposed temporary restrictions on seven products including t-shirts and trousers, provoking an angry reaction from Beijing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lafontaine squares up to fight Schroeder
They were once brothers in arms but now Oskar Lafontaine is preparing to battle his ex-boss. The former finance minister has announced plans to fight against Gerhard Schroeder in September's election. It is reported the pair have not spoken in six years since Lafontaine attacked the chancellor's policies as being too "business friendly." Now, he wants to form his own left-wing alliance in the hope of driving his former colleague into the ground. Lafontaine's return to the political limelight looks certain to hit Schroeder hard. The election is likely to be one of the most fiercely contested campaigns since the Second World War and polls already predict Schroeder will come off second best to the conservative Christian Democrats. Lafontaine's strategy could ruin any hope the chancellor still has of turning defeat into victory. If successful in attracting significant numbers of disaffected supporters away from the party, Lafontaine's campaign may even split the SPD as it struggles to recover from its worst crisis in 60 years. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 10 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- World leaders seek consensus on debt relief ahead of G8 summit
Selling a debt relief package to their fellow G8 finance ministers - Britain's Gordon Brown and US Treasury secretary, Jon Snow, have agreed on the details of a proposal to cancel the debts of 18 of the world's poorest countries. A month before the Group of Eight sumit in his native Scotland, Brown has been hosting his G8 counterparts, the heads of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and EU economic affairs commissioner Joaquin Almunia, at talks in London. The US-British proposal would wipe out 18 countries' debts to international bodies and calls on all other states to write off what they are owed. Britain, which holds the rotating presidency of the G8, has declared 2005 "make or break" year for Africa: "This is the year in which we can support the reformers, move the developing countries' economies forward," said Brown, "empowering them to do more, and we can deal with historic problems that we've left for too long - that is debt relief, the issue of aid and trade justice." Gordon Brown's big idea is the International Finance facility - issuing bonds using rich countries' future aid commitments as collateral. He says it could double annual aid spending to 83 billion euros. Germany, France and Italy reportedly back it but Washington has said no. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 9 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Referendum on IVF exposes divisions in Italy
Italy is preparing for a referendum on strict fertility treatment legislation - with fierce debate highlighting deep rifts in society. The No campaign backs the current rules which impose narrow limits on IVF treatment and give fertilized embryos the same legal rights as adults. Those who are championing a Yes vote say Italy needs to get in step with neighbouring European countries. They say the present legislation, introduced last year, imposes fundamentalist ideas on the majority. At the moment egg and sperm donations are banned, only three eggs can be fertilized in any given cycle of treatment, and research on embryos is seriously restricted. The debate has seen social conservatives from both left and right-wing parties side with the Catholic church in backing calls for abstention. Meanwhile right-wing deputy prime minister Gianfranco Fini has stunned allies by supporting the Yes campaign. It is not clear where Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi stands on the issue. "Yes, I'll vote yes without a doubt," said an older woman. "We hope we'll win because the current law is wrong and we must change it." "Let's all vote yes," said another. "I'm very Catholic, very religious and for that reason I'm not going to vote," explained one man. Polls show most Italians oppose the current strict rules on fertility treatment. But turnout in Sunday and Monday's vote may not reach
the 50 per cent minimum needed for change. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 8 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commission issues warning to Italy over budget deficit
The European Commission is telling Italy to sort out its finances. The Commission has announced that Rome exceeded budget deficit limits in 2003 and 2004 and is likely to do so this year and next. Today EU finance ministers meeting in Luxembourg decided to stop procedures against the Netherlands, after the country's 2004 budget deficit came under the 3 per cent limit. But the Commission is asking the ministers to order Italy to cut spending or raise taxes. It said the situtation in Rome did not result from an unusual event outside the control of the government. This is the first such warning since EU leaders agreed to reform the Stability Pact at their last summit in March. It is not clear whether disciplinary measures will actually be applied.Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has said that under the relaxed rules his country's 3.1 per cent deficit for 2003 and 2004 should not trigger any punitive sanctions. Europe's Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told EuroNews:"The Italians have cooperated and now they're waiting to see what the Commission decides, regarding suggested steps in the future. Of course we'll be discussing that because the Commission makes proposals, but in the end it's the Council, the member states, that have to decide how to apply the budget deficit rules in the case of a country like Italy which has exceeded the limits." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 7 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Italy in the economic doldrums
The Italian dolce vita is not so sweet these days for many. A recent survey found four out of five Italians do not think their country's finances will improve this year. It is the fourth largest economy in Europe but has remained more or less static since 2002. After two years of virtual stagnation, the Italian economy barely notched up growth of one per cent in 2004, leaving it well below the Euro Zone average. Italy joined up to the single currency when it was introduced in 2002. And, for many Italians, that is the problem. According to them, prices have risen dramatically but salaries have not. Surveys show this loss of purchasing power means nearly half of Italian households now struggle to make ends meet by the end of the month. Very few save - a stark contrast to the 1990s when Italians put aside an average of 20 percent of their incomes. According to Eurostat, the GDP per person in Italy was 20,606 euros in 2004. That puts it above the European average but below the average of the 12 Euro Zone countries in an index of wealth. Other factors have contributed to Italy's economic malaise. Weak productivity and insufficient investment in infrastructure and research, for example. But previously when times were hard, successive Italian governments simply printed more money. That is no longer an option. In an effort to boost household spending, Italy's centre-right government has brought in tax cuts. But, for many analysts, they are not big enough to make much of a difference. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 6 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spaniards hold huge march against talks with ETA
Thousands of people rallied in Madrid last night to protest against the government's offer of talks with ETA. Carrying national flags and placards reading "No negotiations in my name", the protestors marched between two squares that were the scenes of two of the bloodiest ETA car bombings. Victims of the Basque militant group's violence organised the demonstration after Spain's parliament gave the government permission last month to begin peace talks if ETA laid down its weapons. Leaders of the opposition Popular Party took part in the march, including former Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, and his successor as party leader, Mariano Rajoy. Rajoy told reporters that the show of strength was an indication that people "don't want to give in or negotiate with terrorists under any circumstances." At the same time as the march in the capital, thousands of people took part in a rally through the Basque city of Bilbao. The demonstration was organised by the banned radical Basque nationalist party Batasuna. It was led by its leader Arnaldo Otegi, who is on bail after being charged with belonging to ETA. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syria's allies sense victory in south Lebanon poll
Residents of south Lebanon go to the polls today in the second phase of the country's parliamentary elections. Syria's allies, Hizbollah and Amal, look assured of victory despite a wave of protests over the murder of a high-profile anti-Syrian journalist. European Union observers have been touring polling stations to ensure the vote meets international standards. But some analysts suggest they will be under-employed. Because of a lack of challengers, six of the 23 candidates on the joint Amal-Hizbollah slate known as the "steamroller" have already won their seats without a vote being cast. However, with two more rounds of voting coming up this month, opposition factions are expected to dominate polls in other parts of Lebanon where they have been buoyed by public sympathy over the assassination of popular anti-Syrian journalist, Samir Kassir. Like former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, his killing too has been blamed on Damascus. In response, opposition politicians have called for a boycott of today's vote and urged Lebanese President Emil Lahoud to resign. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deadly fire in Frejus tunnel
An investigation is underway after at least two people died in a fire in the Frejus tunnel between France and Italy. The blaze is thought to have broken out aboard a truck carrying tyres. As smoke poured from the Italian entrance to the 13 kilometre Alpine route, the heat was so intense rescuers were prevented from reaching the site of the blaze. Emergency workers struggled for hours to put out the fire, which spread to two more trucks. As many as 20 people were treated for smoke inhalation. The incident comes six years after 39 people were killed in a fire in the Mont Blanc tunnel. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 5 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swiss vote on opening borders
The Swiss have begun voting in a referendum that could mean a third popular rejection of Europe in a week. The country is deciding whether or not to sign up to the Union's open borders agreement, Schengen, just days after the French and the Dutch rejected the European Constitution through the ballot box. Although polls anticipate a safe Yes vote of about 55 per cent, the No camp has gained ground rapidly over the last month. Supporters of the move say it will improve security as Switzerland will have access to European police files on suspect individuals. They point out that under the current system only 3 percent of those entering the country are checked anyway. But opponents have been raising the spectre of mass illegal immigration resulting in job losses for locals. Border officials are among those criticisng the proposal, saying in future controls would only be permitted where there was "well-founded suspicion" , a term, they say, needs to be properly defined. The referendum was called after No campaigners collected enough signatures on a petition to give voters the final say. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- US reveals details of Koran abuse
American military chiefs have detailed for the first time how jailers at Guantanamo Bay mishandled the Koran. A new report describes how the Islamic holy book was kicked, stepped on, soaked in water and in the most severe incident, splashed with urine. For most of the 520 detainees at Guantanamo in Cuba, the Koran is their most important possession. US Southern Command launched an investigation after allegations it had been mishandled emerged. The report says urine blew onto a Koran after a guard urinated near an air vent by a cell on a windy day. In May a newspaper published and later retracted an article alleging a soldier had flushed a Koran down a toilet. Jail commander, Brigadier General Jay Hood issued a denial. The allegations lead to anti-American protests in Afghanistan and other Muslim countries nonetheless. The new report not only describes incidents, it also details measures taken against those responsible in a move Washington hopes will defuse the issue. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 4 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Srebrenica victims' relatives shocked over execution video
Relatives of the victims of the Srebrenica massacre have expressed deep shock at the release of a video allegedly showing the execution of six Muslim men in the town. The footage, seen for the first time on Wednesday during the war crimes trial of former Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic, shows the men apparently being shot dead by Serbian paramilitaries. Eight of the perpetrators were arrested within hours of the video's release. Around 8,000 Muslim men were massacred when Bosnian Serb forces entered the UN-designated safe area of Srebrenica in July 1995, in what is considered one of Europe's worst atrocities since World War Two. Mothers of the victims have expressed deep anger. They want to know why the video was not released before. They say it is important the footage is shown to the entire world, to those who to not want to know about Srebrenica. Half the Serbian population still does not believe the massacre took place according to a survey carried out last week. If genuine, it would be the first filmed evidence that Serbian troops under Milosevic's command did take part in the slaughter. Serb president Boris Tadic said on national television that the pictures were proof of what he called the "monstrous crimes" committed in Serbia's name during the Yugoslav war. The release of the video coincided with a visit by UN chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte to the Serb capital Belgrade. She praised the arrests and called on similar reaction towards fugitives still at large - a clear reference to former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and his military commander Ratko Mladic who are accused of being behind the massacre. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Schroeder says EU ratification process must continue
Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has called on European leaders not to react in haste to the Dutch referendum result. He's met Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker who's already said the EU is in "a dangerous position". But despite the popular rejection by two of the six nations that founded the bloc in the 1950s, the pair insisted the ratification process must be given a chance in all member states. Schroeder signalled he was ready to make compromises on a dispute over EU financing. He said: "This means for the financial prospect that all countries will have to move. Especially now, national egos cannot be in the forefront. Germany is prepared, based on its national possibilities, to contribute its share." For its part the Netherlands is set to toughen its stance in negotiations on the EU's long-term budget ahead of an EU summit later this month. The unpopular centre-right government of Jan Peter Balkenende ran a "yes" campaign criticised by some as too little, too late. Yesterday it comfortably survived a vote of no confidence called by the party of Geert Wilders, an anti-immigration maverick. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 3 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europewide people react to the Dutch No
With the level of opposition and people's motivation
to go to the polls exceeding all expectations in the Netherlands,
some of the Dutch are pinching themselves the day after; "Oh, it's just brilliant, brilliant! This government should get lost" said a man obviously happy his protest had inflicted damage on his leaders. In Paris some French people were claiming credit for
having blazed the No's trail; "It was clear the Dutch would vote No. When you think a French farmer makes four euros and hour and a Dutch farmer only one, automatically they were going to vote No, like the French did", said a woman expressing a key issue for the No camp. In Berlin some said it was proof that there were frustrations
among the european electorate; In Brussels this man urged a rethink from Europe's leaders;
more communication, clarity, and policies to fit people's aspirations; It seems the EU is in a crisis, of confidence if nothing else, but over 50 years there have been many, and all produced progress in the end. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dutch "No" vote sends euro currency to new low
Following the No vote in the Dutch referendum on the EU constitution, the single currency fell to a new eight-month low. Since mid-March, markets have been factoring in the possibility of national rejections of the treaty. European Central Bank boss Jean-Claude Trichet is set to address the latest drop at today's monthly rate-setting meeting. Meanwhile former ECB chief Wim Duisenberg has backed a statement by Luxembourg's premier Jean-Claude Juncker that the euro should not suffer lasting damage. Juncker, whose country holds the EU presidency, also said the Dutch and French No votes do not alter the economic fundamentals underpinning the single currency.
Last Updated, 2 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- France looks ahead after No vote
A hundred days to restore the confidence of the people - that is the ambitious target France's new prime minister Dominique de Villepin has set himself. He has promised to make monthly accounts of his government's progress to the public. He told a meeting of senators that his priority is cutting unemployment, currently at 10.2 per cent. He also said his government would put more emphasis on research, new technologies and a better investment climate. "The way ahead for each minister will be extremely clear and the results will be evaluated every month so the people of France can see the government's progress in a specific fashion," he said. De Villepin is putting together his new cabinet but at least one member is already known. Nicolas Sarkozy, president of the ruling UMP party, is returning as the prime minister's deputy and very probably interior minister. But there will be no honeymoon period for De Villepin. On his first day on the job he faced industrial unrest - a strike at France's national train authority SNCF. It began on Wednesday evening and is expected to run until Friday morning. Local, regional and the high-speed TGV trains will all be affected. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Madrid train suspect bomb ejected from court
The prime suspect in the Madrid train bombings case has been ejected from court for complaining about his treatment in prison. Jamal Zougam was appearing as a witness in an unrelated trial of 24 men accused of belonging to al-Qaeda. Zougam testified he knew the alleged leader but only through business. At the end of his time on the stand, he said: "They are treating me very poorly in jail." The judge told him to file a complaint but when Zougam continued to plead his case he was ejected from court. The 32-year-old Moroccan is the face many Spaniards associate with the attacks on March 11 2004 because he was among the first to be arrested. In the gallery was Pilar Manjon, who lost her son in the atrocity. She said she wanted to look Zougam in the eye and see if she could figure out why someone would do something like that. 10 bombs exploded on four commuter trains in the Spanish capital more than 14 months ago, killing 191 people and injuring a further 1,900. The attacks, claimed by Islamist militants, came three days before a general election. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Last Updated, 1 June, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EU referendum faces trial by poll in the Netherlands
Voting has begun in the Netherlands in the latest popular test of the European Union's constitution. Prime Minister Jan Peter Belkenende drove his government's Yes campaign from the front and was an early voter in Rotterdam, leading by example as the nation seeks to emulate the high French turnout on Sunday. Polls indicate it may hit 50 percent, which would be 20 percent less than in their EU partner. The electorate is abuzz on sensitive issues in both domestic and European policies and it may also want to punish a mid-term government, as the French did. Opposition to the constitution here is even higher, with the No camp scooping 60 percent support in final opinion polls. The Dutch referendum is not formally binding as parliament has the last say on ratification, but most political parties say they will respect a No vote if at least 30 percent of the 11.6 million voters turn out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afghan mosque bombing kills 17
At least 17 people have died and around 40 have been injured in Afghanistan's worst terrorist attack in a year. The victims were in a tightly-packed crowd that had gathered at a mosque to pay their respects to a leading anti-Taliban cleric who was gunned down on Sunday. Mullah Abdulah Fayaz was a loyal supporter of President Hamid Karzai. The service at a mosque in the southern city of Kandahar was attended by Kabul's chief of police, who died in the blast. Police believe a suicide bomber blew himself up in the area where worshippers remove their footwear before entering to pray. ------------------------------------------------------------------
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