Tag: Europe
Londoners facing prospects of major disruptions as Olympic games near
London residents are being asked to give blood, ride their bikes and make deliveries in the dead of night, just some of the inconveniences they're being asked to consider as the city tries to prepare for the upcoming Summer Olympics. Keep calm and carry on, as they say....
Recession means new reality for Netherlands, stalwart economy of euro zone
The Netherlands is one of the richest and strongest economies in the euro zone. But, in recent months, the country has dipped back into recession as it tries to shave nearly $20 billion from its budget. It's forced some people living on the margins to seek assistance....
Court OKs Netherlands ban on foreigners using famous marijuana cafes
The Netherlands is moving to ban foreigners from the coffee shops that have become famous for selling legal marijuana. Locals will still be able to visit, but a court on Friday approved a national ban on outsiders being served in the cafes. Some government officials and shopkeepers, however, are upset by the new ban....
Europe's governments turning against austerity measures
Across the European continent, there's a growing belief that austerity is killing those country's future, and it's growth, not spending cuts, that is needed to turn things around. But there's a tension between the need to balance the budget and the desire to grow....
Europe preparing for most detailed examination of the sun to date
The European Space Agency this week is expected to begin formal and final preparations to launch the Solar Orbiter space probe, which will be launched toward the sun in about five years, orbiting within the orbit of Mercury. It'll be the closest trip to the sun by any Earth-launched space probe and is expected to provide vast amounts of new data....
French sour on nuclear power
A new nuclear plant is being built in France, the first of a new generation that French industry hopes to export to the world. But the French people may have different ideas. In the wake of the Fukushima disaster, they're questioning whether nuclear power is really the answer....
Sarkozy first French incumbent president to lose in first round of elections
Nicholas Sarkosy has a tough battle in front of him if he wants to remain in office when the second, runoff round of the presidential elections happens on May 6. His challenger, Francois Hollande, has promised to reverse some of the austerity measures championed by Sarkozy....
Spanish king forced to apologize in wake of African elephant hunting junket
Spanish King Juan Carlos is generally popular with his people. On Wednesday, however, he was forced to apologize in the wake of a scandal over an all-expenses-paid hunting trip to Africa, where he shot and killed elephants....
At trial, suspect in Norway massacre says he'd 'do it again'
The second day of what is expected to be a 10-week trial for Anders Breivik, the man accused of massacring 77 people in Norway last July, included provocative statements by the defendant. He insists his attack was motivated by goodness, and that he'd do it again....
Despite court ruling, Islamic butcher in Germany faces hurdles to halal slaughter
Rüstem Altinküpe, a practicing Muslim in Germany, has operated a butcher shop in Germany since 1988. He practiced halal slaughter, the form of animal slaughter required by observant Muslims. Germany banned halal slaughter in 1995, but Altinküpe challenged the ban and won in 2002. Still, his butcher shop is idled as Germany bureaucracy throws up more barriers....
