MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) – by Max DELANY with Dmitry ZAKS in Kiev Russia and Ukraine stepped up security around Crimea on Thursday as tensions soared over accusations by Moscow that Kiev had attempted armed incursions into the disputed peninsula. Russia’s FSB security service said on Wednesday it had thwarted “terrorist attacks” in Crimea this week by Ukrainian military intelligence and beaten back armed assaults, but Kiev fiercely denied the claims. The allegations ratcheted up the […]
Europe
Glimpses from Gstaad, Switzerland
From Eagle News Europe Bureau
Macedonia mourns after storms kill 21
SKOPJE, Macedonia (*AFP) — Macedonia held a day of mourning Monday after at least 21 people were killed in flooding and violent winds as a freak storm battered the capital Skopje. The city was battered overnight Saturday- Sunday with winds packing speeds of more than 70 kilometres (43 miles) an hour, while torrents of mud and water swept away cars. “Our teams are on the ground, searching the affected terrain,” interior ministry spokeswoman Natalija Spirova […]
180,000 ink petition demanding Russia PM’s resignation
MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) – by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber More than 180,000 Russians have signed an online petition to President Vladimir Putin calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev over his recent comments on teachers’ pay. The petition first posted on the website Change.org on Thursday came after the premier advised a low-paid lecturer to go into business if he wanted to make money. Medvedev’s comments — seen as out-of-touch and uncaring — unleashed a […]
Teen held after US woman killed in London stabbings
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – by Robin MILLARD British police were holding a 19-year-old man on suspicion of murder Thursday after a central London stabbing spree that killed a US woman but appeared unrelated to terrorism. Cities across Europe have been on edge after a string of attacks in recent weeks and the overnight rampage that killed the woman and injured five others, had triggered fresh terror fears. But authorities said there was no sign […]
Man arrested on suspicion of murder in London stabbings
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — A 19-year-old man detained by police at the scene of a stabbing spree in London has been arrested on suspicion of murder, police said Thursday. “We continue to focus our lines of inquiry on mental health while retaining an open mind regarding the motive,” the London police headquarters said in a statement. © 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse
London mayor urges calm and vigilance after knife attack
LONDON, United States (AFP) — Mayor of London Sadiq Khan on Thursday urged Londoners to remain “calm and vigilant” after a woman was killed and five people injured in a city center knife attack. Police meanwhile probed possible terrorist links following the arrest of a 19-year-old man at the scene of the incident which took place late on Wednesday in Russell Square. Early indications however showed that mental health was a “significant factor” in the […]
Mental health ‘a significant factor’ in London knife attack: police
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Mental health issues were “a significant factor” in a London knife attack that killed one woman and injured 5 others, with possible terrorism links also being investigated, police said Thursday. “Early indications suggest that mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry but of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a […]
One dead in London stabbing spree, possible terror link
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — A woman was killed and five people injured in a knife attack in central London Wednesday which police said they are investigating for possible terrorist links. A man was arrested at the scene, Russell Square in the heart of the city, after being tasered by officers. “Terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage,” London police said in a statement. The woman was treated by paramedics at the scene but […]
Czech president refuses to welcome any migrants
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AFP) – Czech President Milos Zeman has rejected a government proposal to take in some 2,700 migrants languishing in Italy and Greece, claiming they might pose a security threat, his spokesman said Tuesday. “The president is against welcoming any migrants on Czech territory. Our country can’t afford to run the risk of having terrorist attacks like those committed in France and Germany,” Zeman’s spokesman Jiri Ovcacek told reporters. Islamic State group jihadists have […]
Austrian chancellor rejects Turkish ‘intimidation’
VIENNA, Austria (AFP) – Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said he will not bow to “intimidation” from Turkey after receiving online death threats as tensions rise between the EU and Ankara, in comments published Tuesday. “We should not allow ourselves to be intimidated in any way. Threats, even death threats, from the right wing and the radical part of the Turkish community have become reality for me”, Kern told the Oesterreich daily. “Appeasement has to stop. Of course […]
Dutch activists sue government over air pollution
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) – Dutch environmentalists said Tuesday they are suing the government over poor air quality, saying people’s “fundamental” rights to good health were being infringed. In a lawsuit filed on Monday, the Milieudefensie group alleged “the Netherlands exceeds the legal standards for air quality and is violating fundamental human rights by doing too little to combat air pollution.” “This pollution causes thousands of deaths every year, and leaves tens of thousands of people […]
