Polish regions commissioner Danuta Hubner has said she will run in the June elections for the European Parliament, joining the list of the ruling liberal Civic Platform party. "I can confirm that I will take part in the EP elections and I'm in talks regarding my participation with Prime Minister Donald Tusk," she told Polish press agency PAP on Monday (16 January). Ms Hubner will lend her popularity to the liberal Civic Platform party "I was always a liberal democrat, somebody who understands the link between individual freedom and social responsibility," added Ms Hubner, who came to Brussels in 2004 under a socialist government. It is unclear which place she will take on the Civic Platform list, amid speculation that former Polish prime minister and potential European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek will take first place.
Polish regions commissioner Danuta Hubner has said she will run in the June elections for the European Parliament, joining the list of the ruling liberal Civic Platform party.
"I can confirm that I will take part in the EP elections and I'm in talks regarding my participation with Prime Minister Donald Tusk," she told Polish press agency PAP on Monday (16 January).
Ms Hubner will lend her popularity to the liberal Civic Platform party
"I was always a liberal democrat, somebody who understands the link between individual freedom and social responsibility," added Ms Hubner, who came to Brussels in 2004 under a socialist government.
It is unclear which place she will take on the Civic Platform list, amid speculation that former Polish prime minister and potential European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek will take first place.
Administering Kosovo in the year following its secession from Serbia has been a challenge for the EU, with lawlessness undermining economic progress. That the EU is divided about Kosovo doesn't help either. Kosovo celebrates its first anniversary of political independence from Serbia on Tuesday February 17, but reports of the mini-state's success as a sovereign nation have been dismal. The belief by many that independence would quickly put an end to the country's extreme poverty and misery has evaporated among its mainly ethnic Albanian population. With the moribund economy still dependent on substantial foreign capital, nearly half of the workforce is unemployed and many Kosovo Albanians barely survive on remittances from relatives working in the European Union. In spite of billions of euros that have been pumped into Kosovo since the end of the war a decade ago, the country's infrastructure and public roads are in need of repair.
Kosovo celebrates its first anniversary of political independence from Serbia on Tuesday February 17, but reports of the mini-state's success as a sovereign nation have been dismal.
The belief by many that independence would quickly put an end to the country's extreme poverty and misery has evaporated among its mainly ethnic Albanian population.
With the moribund economy still dependent on substantial foreign capital, nearly half of the workforce is unemployed and many Kosovo Albanians barely survive on remittances from relatives working in the European Union.
In spite of billions of euros that have been pumped into Kosovo since the end of the war a decade ago, the country's infrastructure and public roads are in need of repair.
Independence day marked by fears for Europe's poorest statehe footballers shouted and cheered in Albanian as they passed the ball around a wet, slippery pitch on a rainy winter's night in Brussels. Belgium is home to one of the largest communities of Kosovar Albanians in Europe and until now, its 40,000 migrants have played a vital role in helping to prop up Kosovo's fragile economy, regularly sending back money to feed and house their families. But as it celebrates one year of independence today, fears are being raised about the future stability of the tiny Balkan country. Its prospects are being overshadowed by a dire economy that is getting shakier as revenues from the one-million strong diaspora dotted around Europe dries up. "It's getting harder for me to send money back home to my dad, even though I know he can't manage without it. He lost everything overnight during the war. But I also have my own family here in Belgium now and we have our own job worries," said Ciprim Hamzaj, a trainer with FC Kosova.
he footballers shouted and cheered in Albanian as they passed the ball around a wet, slippery pitch on a rainy winter's night in Brussels. Belgium is home to one of the largest communities of Kosovar Albanians in Europe and until now, its 40,000 migrants have played a vital role in helping to prop up Kosovo's fragile economy, regularly sending back money to feed and house their families.
But as it celebrates one year of independence today, fears are being raised about the future stability of the tiny Balkan country. Its prospects are being overshadowed by a dire economy that is getting shakier as revenues from the one-million strong diaspora dotted around Europe dries up.
"It's getting harder for me to send money back home to my dad, even though I know he can't manage without it. He lost everything overnight during the war. But I also have my own family here in Belgium now and we have our own job worries," said Ciprim Hamzaj, a trainer with FC Kosova.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - One year after its declaration of independence, Kosovo has surprised observers by remaining stable but it has yet to tackle the profound reforms it needs to make it a viable state. When it unilaterally seceded from Serbia on 17 February 2008, many voiced fears about the future of the young state and about possible outbursts of violence between Kosovo's Albanian majority and its minority Serb population, loyal to Belgrade. Kosovo proclaimed independence on 17 February 2008 This is why "the stability that was preserved" is undisputedly Kosovo's main achievement during this one year, Ilir Dugolli, Kosovo's envoy in Brussels, told EUobserver. "We have to go back more than a year ago and think about all the warnings that were coming ahead of the declaration of independence. That it would be a criminal state, a state that cannot sustain itself, or that there were going to be waves of refugees, expelled [Kosovo] Serbs and so on," Mr Dugolli said, highlighting the contrast between those "dire scenarios" and the reality on the ground.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - One year after its declaration of independence, Kosovo has surprised observers by remaining stable but it has yet to tackle the profound reforms it needs to make it a viable state.
When it unilaterally seceded from Serbia on 17 February 2008, many voiced fears about the future of the young state and about possible outbursts of violence between Kosovo's Albanian majority and its minority Serb population, loyal to Belgrade.
Kosovo proclaimed independence on 17 February 2008
This is why "the stability that was preserved" is undisputedly Kosovo's main achievement during this one year, Ilir Dugolli, Kosovo's envoy in Brussels, told EUobserver.
"We have to go back more than a year ago and think about all the warnings that were coming ahead of the declaration of independence. That it would be a criminal state, a state that cannot sustain itself, or that there were going to be waves of refugees, expelled [Kosovo] Serbs and so on," Mr Dugolli said, highlighting the contrast between those "dire scenarios" and the reality on the ground.
EUOBSERVER/BRUSSELS - EU citizenship should mean freedom of movement, consular protection abroad and trans-national voting, but its enforcement depends on member states, European justice commissioner Jacques Barrot told a parliamentary committee on Monday (16 February). Although enshrined in the current treaties, EU citizenship still looks more like "an imaginary concept", Mr Barrot said during a hearing in the parliament's civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee. EU citizenship depends on member states He said the concept of EU citizenship would be "fleshed out" in the upcoming review of justice and home affairs policies nicknamed the 'Stockholm programme' in the second half of this year. Polish conservative MEP Urszula Gacek, the parliament's rapporteur on EU citizenship, highlighted that during the recent Mumbai bombings, several MEPs were literally standing "in their pyjamas" out on the streets, but were not able to receive help from the closest embassy of an EU country.
EUOBSERVER/BRUSSELS - EU citizenship should mean freedom of movement, consular protection abroad and trans-national voting, but its enforcement depends on member states, European justice commissioner Jacques Barrot told a parliamentary committee on Monday (16 February).
Although enshrined in the current treaties, EU citizenship still looks more like "an imaginary concept", Mr Barrot said during a hearing in the parliament's civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee.
EU citizenship depends on member states
He said the concept of EU citizenship would be "fleshed out" in the upcoming review of justice and home affairs policies nicknamed the 'Stockholm programme' in the second half of this year.
Polish conservative MEP Urszula Gacek, the parliament's rapporteur on EU citizenship, highlighted that during the recent Mumbai bombings, several MEPs were literally standing "in their pyjamas" out on the streets, but were not able to receive help from the closest embassy of an EU country.
Memories of war in this tiny patch of farm country sitting in the shadow of the Caucasus mountains are old and filled with violence. But the raw anger among some South Ossetians, huddled amid the freezing, roofless ruins left by the recent war in this separatist province, is being redirected towards a new antagonist. Europeans might be stunned to learn of the outrage of many here at the presence of EU ceasefire monitors -- part of an EU-brokered peace pact between Georgia and Russia that ended the five days of fighting over the region in August last year. Some contempt is also saved for a separate mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which has patrolled the region since 1992. Like European peacekeepers, OSCE personnel have also been denied access to South Ossetia since the war.
But the raw anger among some South Ossetians, huddled amid the freezing, roofless ruins left by the recent war in this separatist province, is being redirected towards a new antagonist.
Europeans might be stunned to learn of the outrage of many here at the presence of EU ceasefire monitors -- part of an EU-brokered peace pact between Georgia and Russia that ended the five days of fighting over the region in August last year.
Some contempt is also saved for a separate mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which has patrolled the region since 1992. Like European peacekeepers, OSCE personnel have also been denied access to South Ossetia since the war.
British and French vessels had enough material to carry out 1,248 Hiroshima bombingsDefence chiefs are facing an inquiry into the safety of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent after British and French submarines, each laden with missiles powerful enough for 1,248 Hiroshima bombings, collided while submerged in the mid-Atlantic. HMS Vanguard, the lead boat of Britain's fleet of four V-class submarines armed with Trident nuclear missiles, limped back into its home port of Faslane in Scotland on Saturday showing significant damage. Witnesses said the hull was scarred with dents and scrapes.
Defence chiefs are facing an inquiry into the safety of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent after British and French submarines, each laden with missiles powerful enough for 1,248 Hiroshima bombings, collided while submerged in the mid-Atlantic.
HMS Vanguard, the lead boat of Britain's fleet of four V-class submarines armed with Trident nuclear missiles, limped back into its home port of Faslane in Scotland on Saturday showing significant damage. Witnesses said the hull was scarred with dents and scrapes.
Two subs running silent and running into each other on the main undersea trails is humorous. All else is fear mongering.
But, of course a joint task force of Hamas and Iranian soldiers taking scuba diving lessons was pounced upon by the Israeli government as an excuse to kill and main more people with very discriminate bombing of targeted neighborhoods. Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
Dame Stella Rimington, the former head of MI5, has warned that the fear of terrorism is being exploited by the Government to erode civil liberties and risks creating a police state.Dame Stella accused ministers of interfering with people's privacy and playing straight into the hands of terrorists. "Since I have retired I feel more at liberty to be against certain decisions of the Government, especially the attempt to pass laws which interfere with people's privacy," Dame Stella said in an interview with a Spanish newspaper. "It would be better that the Government recognised that there are risks, rather than frightening people in order to be able to pass laws which restrict civil liberties, precisely one of the objects of terrorism: that we live in fear and under a police state," she said. Dame Stella, 73, added: "The US has gone too far with Guantánamo and the tortures. MI5 does not do that. Furthermore it has achieved the opposite effect: there are more and more suicide terrorists finding a greater justification." She said the British secret services were "no angels" but insisted they did not kill people.
Dame Stella accused ministers of interfering with people's privacy and playing straight into the hands of terrorists.
"Since I have retired I feel more at liberty to be against certain decisions of the Government, especially the attempt to pass laws which interfere with people's privacy," Dame Stella said in an interview with a Spanish newspaper.
"It would be better that the Government recognised that there are risks, rather than frightening people in order to be able to pass laws which restrict civil liberties, precisely one of the objects of terrorism: that we live in fear and under a police state," she said.
Dame Stella, 73, added: "The US has gone too far with Guantánamo and the tortures. MI5 does not do that. Furthermore it has achieved the opposite effect: there are more and more suicide terrorists finding a greater justification." She said the British secret services were "no angels" but insisted they did not kill people.
In a SPIEGEL interview, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, 58, discusses positive diplomatic signals from the Obama administration, the possibility of nuclear disarmament and opportunities for cooperating in the conflict with Iran. Will spring bring a defrosting of Moscow-Washington relations? "There have already been trade-offs in past eras," says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. SPIEGEL: Mr. Minister, it looks as if after a phase of tense relations the United States and Russia want to reach out to each other again. Could 2009 be "a year of new beginnings," as your German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier says? Lavrov: The global financial crisis is forcing all countries to focus on the real problems. It's actually a simple task. SPIEGEL: Really? Lavrov: We can no longer afford the luxury of little geopolitical games, because we all face challenges that directly affect our citizens. So we should no longer ideologize problems, we should instead honestly express our own national interests, understand the legitimate interests of our partners, and have no more hidden agendas, where one thing is said while something else is done behind someone's back. The signals that we are receiving indicate that our Western partners are aiming for the same objectives.
In a SPIEGEL interview, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, 58, discusses positive diplomatic signals from the Obama administration, the possibility of nuclear disarmament and opportunities for cooperating in the conflict with Iran.
Will spring bring a defrosting of Moscow-Washington relations? "There have already been trade-offs in past eras," says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. SPIEGEL: Mr. Minister, it looks as if after a phase of tense relations the United States and Russia want to reach out to each other again. Could 2009 be "a year of new beginnings," as your German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier says?
Lavrov: The global financial crisis is forcing all countries to focus on the real problems. It's actually a simple task.
SPIEGEL: Really?
Lavrov: We can no longer afford the luxury of little geopolitical games, because we all face challenges that directly affect our citizens. So we should no longer ideologize problems, we should instead honestly express our own national interests, understand the legitimate interests of our partners, and have no more hidden agendas, where one thing is said while something else is done behind someone's back. The signals that we are receiving indicate that our Western partners are aiming for the same objectives.
With less than two months to go until the new US president's first visit to Europe, Czech officials are pushing for an EU-US meeting to be held in Prague. "It's our impression that the new administration doesn't just care about the fat cats - Germany, France and Britain - but they care about the small countries, too," Czech foreign minister, Karel Schwarzenberg, told the International Herald Tribune newspaper. The Czechs would like Barack Obama to send a signal to smaller EU countries from Russia's former sphere of influence "It's important that the United States also do this in a country that 20 years ago belonged to the Soviet pact," he added. Mr Schwarzenberg noted that an Obama visit to Prague would be an important message to Moscow, which continues to view the Czech Republic and Poland as part of an "eastern zone." During his trip to Europe, Mr Obama will first go to London on 2 April, where he will attend the Group of 20 large industrialized countries (G20) meeting scheduled to discuss overhauling the global financial system.
With less than two months to go until the new US president's first visit to Europe, Czech officials are pushing for an EU-US meeting to be held in Prague.
"It's our impression that the new administration doesn't just care about the fat cats - Germany, France and Britain - but they care about the small countries, too," Czech foreign minister, Karel Schwarzenberg, told the International Herald Tribune newspaper.
The Czechs would like Barack Obama to send a signal to smaller EU countries from Russia's former sphere of influence
"It's important that the United States also do this in a country that 20 years ago belonged to the Soviet pact," he added. Mr Schwarzenberg noted that an Obama visit to Prague would be an important message to Moscow, which continues to view the Czech Republic and Poland as part of an "eastern zone."
During his trip to Europe, Mr Obama will first go to London on 2 April, where he will attend the Group of 20 large industrialized countries (G20) meeting scheduled to discuss overhauling the global financial system.
Estranged husband of Olympics minister, Tessa Jowell, sentenced to four and a half years' jail by Italian court for taking $600,000 bribe as reward for withholding court testimonyDavid Mills, the estranged husband of the Olympics minister, Tessa Jowell, was today sentenced to four and a half years in jail by an Italian court after being found guilty of taking a $600,000 (£400,000) bribe as a reward for withholding court testimony to help Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.The verdict is a potentially serious embarrassment not only for Berlusconi but also Gordon Brown because it turns the spotlight back on the role played by one of his ministers in the affair. Jowell signed a document crucial to the receipt of what a foreign court has now decided was a bribe.Mills was not present in court when Judge Nicoletta Gandus read out her verdict, but said in a statement that he was "very disappointed" by the verdict and would appeal against it.
David Mills, the estranged husband of the Olympics minister, Tessa Jowell, was today sentenced to four and a half years in jail by an Italian court after being found guilty of taking a $600,000 (£400,000) bribe as a reward for withholding court testimony to help Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
The verdict is a potentially serious embarrassment not only for Berlusconi but also Gordon Brown because it turns the spotlight back on the role played by one of his ministers in the affair. Jowell signed a document crucial to the receipt of what a foreign court has now decided was a bribe.
Mills was not present in court when Judge Nicoletta Gandus read out her verdict, but said in a statement that he was "very disappointed" by the verdict and would appeal against it.
I might add several points concerning the trial. Naturally, since Mills has been condemned partially because of his original confession to the crime, there must be someone who corrupted him. That person, Silvio Berlusconi, is presently above and beyond the law thanks to a law conceived by his shadow Minister of the Justice and head lawyer and member of parliament, Niccolò Ghedini. The law was presented under name of acting Minister of Justice and adulator, Beppe Alfano. Known as the "Lodo Alfano" it gives blanket impunity to the five highest offices in the land.
Once the bill became law, Ghedini presented it during the Mills-Berlusconi trial so as to block the trial. The court ruled then that the issue would be taken to the highest court to judge the constitutionality of the law but in the meantime ruled that the trial would continue without the co-defendant Berlusconi. Mills was ostensibly left to himself. We don't at present know what went on behind the scenes but can make an educated guess based on Berlusconi's past behaviour. Mills nevertheless adopted the usual legal ploys used by the Berlusconi team in similar cases.
Berlusconi then sought to block the trial with another one of his laws which is currently used by most mafia bosses: Accuse the judge of being prejudiced against the defendants. As the statute of limitations ticks away a trial must be suspended until there's a higher court ruling which, incidentally, almost always throws out the accusation. It needn't matter: what counts is to waste time. In the meantime the Berlusconi media staged a high profile smear campaign against the judge, Nicoletta Gandus, accusing her of being politically motivated.
Beyond the corruption charges it is worth noting that Silvio Berlusconi beat the rap in the All Iberian trial and another trial for bribing Treasury police because Mills made false testimony. Mills has only been condemned for corruption for now. The trials in which his crucial testimony served are now history. Berlusconi as always was found innocent.
Berlusconi as always was found innocent.
Or rather, he's been found guilty but not sentenced. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
The EU's highest legal body, the European Court of Justice, has ruled that the public must have access to information about location of genetically modified crops. It's the latest decision on a very controversial issue. The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg handed down the ruling on Tuesday, February 17 in a case that has been going on for nearly five years. "The right of public access to information applies to releases of genetically modified organisms," the ECJ said in its decision. "The information relating to the location of the release can in no case be kept confidential." In April 2004, French citizen Pierre Azelvandre asked local authorities in his home region of Alsace to provide a list of where GM field trials had taken place and where future ones were planned.
The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg handed down the ruling on Tuesday, February 17 in a case that has been going on for nearly five years.
"The right of public access to information applies to releases of genetically modified organisms," the ECJ said in its decision. "The information relating to the location of the release can in no case be kept confidential."
In April 2004, French citizen Pierre Azelvandre asked local authorities in his home region of Alsace to provide a list of where GM field trials had taken place and where future ones were planned.
The main opposition party in Italy is likely to appoint as temporary secretary Dario Franceschini to guide the party in the upcoming European parliamentary elections in June.
The creation of Veltroni's Democratic Party 16 months ago was perceived as instrumental in hastening Prodi's downfall. It's centrist, majoritarian strategy has alienated a crucial, highly politicized left electorate that contributed to an unbroken sequence of losses under his guidance through voter abstention. It will be the task of any new leader to create a party for which the politicized left can feel comfortable enough to vote.
Sardinia offers an opportunity in that Veltroni's centrist ally and consumate "transformist" Pierferdinando Casini passed over once again to Berlusconi's side. The PD however could explode into minor parties were it to free itself of the centrists and the so-called "theo-dems," a mock-left Papist faction that menaced yesterday to resign if the PD followed its secular vocation to stonewall the righwing's bill on obligatory life-sustainment against a citizen's will.
At present it appears that Pierluigi Bersani is in pole position as future Secretary, if the party survives the European elections.
Queen Cartimandua has been rutting for revenge after her cover was blown in December 2007. At the time Deborah Bergamini, alias Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes, was running the RAI as a soporific adjunct to her Emperor's designs. As one of Berlusconi's most faithful marketers it was only natural that when he came back to power in 2001, she should hold a key role in State television so as to sell her Boss's image as well as all his miracles to an enchanted audience.
When Wojtyla died she made sure the masses were not unduly traumatized by the event to the point of neglecting to participate in the upcoming administrative elections- a crucial appointment for Berlusconi. So Bergamini saw to it that the State TV broadcasted the right atmosphere.
But what she didn't know is that she was being wiretapped as part of a larger investigation into alleged slush funds abroad. Thanks to newspaper scoops, Bergamini's improper professional conduct was exposed. She was suspended- and shocked to the point she abandoned her alter ego, Queen Cartamandua. Like Richard Nixon she crossed the desert alone only to reap severance pay within a year for the paltry sum of € 390,000 and a nomination as Deputy in Parliament by her Boss.
Two days ago her amendment to Berlusconi's outright criminal wiretapping bill passed in commission. It mandates one to three years in prison for any reporter who publishes wiretaps, whether in full or in synopsis. The bill is very likely to pass as is because of Berlusconi's large majority and his constant recourse to confidence votes.
Now you might say, hey, wait a minute- what's this all about? Are we missing something? Well, a wiretap bill in one guise or another has been on every political hack's agenda for years now. The political class in general is tired of being called to account for possible criminal activity. Since wiretapping is one of the most efficacious investigative tools, it's only natural that a law must be made to prevent its use. All the more so when the mafia has a stake in the matter. It's all game to pass anti-mafia legislation. It makes good PR, especially with the Americans. But then with the vacuous excuse of privacy a self-serving law is contrived that makes wiretapping nearly impossible and definitely ineffectual to contrast crime.
Now I could go on about other aspects of this criminal bill. D'Avanzo for la Repubblica summed it neatly: public opinion is being outlawed. When the bill becomes law, reporters can no longer write about a crime, name names of alleged parties involved, publish the name or the photo of the investigators or the judges that handle the case. Not even public documents may be discussed in the press once investigative secrecy has been let up. Blogs can be blacked out on the whim of the Minister of Interior- no longer an affair of due process. Opposition MP's have promised to publish news abroad when the law passes.
Queen Cartamandua has added the finishing touch: three years prison for anyone who discusses her professional improprieties. She must certainly keep the wild boars out of her queendom. Where only the pure at heart may adventure to find true love. Oh, Ms. Bergamini is ready to enter her liquid dale. She's even put on her high heels made of the finest antler. She'll find her man there, in his Diesel jeans with a roast of pheasant and grapes. We're all ears, Queen Cartamandua.
It is a solid wall going up in the architecture of a modern totalitarian democracy. Will Europe allow it? Probably. So long as it's done sneakly without upsetting the proforma democratic mechanisms, such as voting.
As for many other aspects, Europe appears slow or impotent. The European courts will soon proceed to sanction Italy over the Gasparri Communications Law that practically turned over all future digital communication to Berlusconi. Berlusconi simply shuffled around a few commas in the law and sent it back for review. Time passes. Europe then opens up the procedure again. Berlusconi in the meantime goes ahead and further monopolizes the media. Europe will sanction Italy but it will be too late- a fait accompli.
Italy is an upside down state. Here, Murdoch is a hero of free information. The ACLU would be shamed face and champion harsher laws were it here in Italy.
In effect Berlusconi passes laws that willfully violate the constitution. However, it takes nearly two years for a Constitutional Court ruling or a referendum against the law. By that time, damage is irreversible.
A large part of the voting population just adore it. Berlusconi is perceived as a man of action, decisive.
Great show. Applause. It works.
Exactly what my neighbors say about Sarkozy: Man of action. Decisive. Does what he says he will do.
Great Planet; Funny People Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Italy's centre-left opposition leader, Walter Veltroni, has resigned after his Democratic Party lost a key local election on the island of Sardinia. The result consolidated the hold on power of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right alliance, after its candidate for governor won. Mr Veltroni had been criticised for failing to make gains on the government despite the deepening recession. ... In Sardinia, Mr Berlusconi's candidate and son of his tax advisor, Ugo Cappellacci, ousted the centre-left governor, Renato Soru, the founder of the Tiscali internet company. It put the prime minister's ally in charge of a region where he owns a luxury seaside mansion and spends lots of time.
Italy's centre-left opposition leader, Walter Veltroni, has resigned after his Democratic Party lost a key local election on the island of Sardinia.
The result consolidated the hold on power of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right alliance, after its candidate for governor won.
Mr Veltroni had been criticised for failing to make gains on the government despite the deepening recession.
...
In Sardinia, Mr Berlusconi's candidate and son of his tax advisor, Ugo Cappellacci, ousted the centre-left governor, Renato Soru, the founder of the Tiscali internet company.
It put the prime minister's ally in charge of a region where he owns a luxury seaside mansion and spends lots of time.
of course it helped that veltroni has the charisma of overcooked pasta...
the only pol who has even the faintest modicum of trustworthiness here is di Pietro, as far as i can tell.
and he ain't that popular, alas...
someone buy the guy a football team and a a few media outlets, pronto! ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
Al Jazeera English - Americas - Violent protests hit French island
Late on Monday night police fired tear gas at protesters in Guadeloupe's largest town, Pointe-a-Pitre, as they set fire to roadblocks, while gangs looted shops, smashed storefront windows and set fire to two buildings. "It is a political crisis, an institutional crisis and we are on the brink of sedition," Victorin Lurel, Guadeloupe's regional council president, told France-Info radio on Tuesday. However, Elie Domota, a leader of the Collective Against Exploitation, or LKP, the group of unions and political parties organising the strikes, accused France of "repression", local newspapers reported.
Late on Monday night police fired tear gas at protesters in Guadeloupe's largest town, Pointe-a-Pitre, as they set fire to roadblocks, while gangs looted shops, smashed storefront windows and set fire to two buildings.
"It is a political crisis, an institutional crisis and we are on the brink of sedition," Victorin Lurel, Guadeloupe's regional council president, told France-Info radio on Tuesday.
However, Elie Domota, a leader of the Collective Against Exploitation, or LKP, the group of unions and political parties organising the strikes, accused France of "repression", local newspapers reported.
And in the wonderful world of basketball :
Magic's Mickael Pietrus on the road to Guadeloupe -- OrlandoSentinel.com
The Magic -- in partnership with the Islands of Guadeloupe -- have begun a 10-week contest that will end with four people traveling with Pietrus for a five-day trip. The contest winner will be able to invite three others to make the journey. The prize includes airfare from Orlando, hotel accommodations and transportation to and from the airport. But you must learn about Guadeloupe to compete. Each week you can take a three-question test about Guadeloupe at OrlandoMagic.com. Answer the questions correctly and you earn an entry into the contest, meaning you can add an entry each week until the season ends.
A protester was shot to death on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe as weeks of strikes and labor unrest degenerated into violence, the region's top official said Wednesday....The man was apparently shot by youths manning barricades in a housing project in Pointe-a-Pitre, Nicolas Desforges, the top appointed official on the island, said by telephone.The dead man, Jacques Bino, was a tax agent and union member returning home from protests, Desforges said.
The dead man, Jacques Bino, was a tax agent and union member returning home from protests, Desforges said.
SOT Yves Jego, Secretary of State for Overseas Territories: `First, I'm stunned by what's happened. One person, apparently a unionist and member of a collective was found dead in his car, clearly murdered by rioters, and police officers who came to help him were also injured. We can see that the only viable strategy and the only possible way out of this since the start is through social dialogue. We truly need a truce in the violence, we really need talks between bosses and workers to resume.`
