<![CDATA[NTDTV - Europe]]>

<![CDATA[NTDTV - Europe]]> http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/index.html <![CDATA[Princess Estelle Wins Hearts]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 01:20:21 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-23/princess-estelle-wins-hearts.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-23/princess-estelle-wins-hearts.html

[Cecilia Svensson, Reporter NTD News]:

“Today Sweden’s new Royal Princess Estelle is christened here at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm. The Princess was born the twenty third of February and is second in line to succession to the Swedish throne after her mother Crown Princess Victoria.”

Princess Estelle, Silvia, Ewa, Mary the Duchess of Ostergotland is her full name and title.

Among the guests are royals and ministers from Europe.

Many others have also come to Stockholm castle to catch a glimpse of the little princess.

[Unidentified Visitor]:

“We drove two hundred fifty kilometers to see this. We hope to see them when they come out from the church.”

According to a recent study from SOM Institute, the Swedish people's trust in the royal house is the lowest in many years.

[Unidentified Resident]:

“I think Daniel, Victoria and Estelle will strengthen the position. I have hope that our monarchy will last into the future.”

The low confidence could be related to a book that was published two years ago about the Swedish King's unofficial private life.

[Unidentified Resident]:

“I think the numbers have been down a lot but it’s up now I think. Those things with the King have died down and everybody is looking forward.”

According to the study, King Carl XVI Gustaf has less popularity than his daughter Crown Princess Victoria. As a public figure, she has the largest support ever measured in a Swedish study.

Perhaps Princess Estelle is just what the Swedish monarchy needs to be able to recover its lost popularity among the Swedish people.

NTD News Stockholm, Sweden

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 39 <![CDATA[2012 Olympic Torch Sale Sparks Reactions]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 22:54:53 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/2012-olympic-torch-sale-sparks-reactions.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/2012-olympic-torch-sale-sparks-reactions.html

One of the London Olympics 2012 torchbearers has already sold her torch on the auction website eBay.

Sarah Milner Simonds, who ran on Monday, has reportedly sold hers for 153,000 pounds sterling (USD 241,900) for charity.

Speaking before completing her run Simonds says the money would be used for a community allotment.

[Sarah Milner Simonds, London Olympics 2012 Torchbearer]:

"I'm a practical person and I really want that piece of design to go to a collector who really wants to keep and look after a piece of our history. "I want that to go to a good home and actually I know quite a few people in the communities that I work with who could think of something to do with that money."

The torchbearer, who was nominated for her work as a community gardener, said she was dismayed after receiving "unpleasant" e-mails.

Other torches have already appeared for sale on the website.

[George Jeeves, London Olympics 2012 Torchbearer]:

"I have heard that that there are a few people that have put them on eBay. I think that should be a criminal offence, it's disgusting."

Torchbearer, triple jump Olympic gold medallist and London Olympic Organizing Committee member Jonathan Edwards.

[Jonathan Edwards, Former Olympic Triple Jump Champion]:

"People buy them, they're private property and I think as a member of the organizing committe I just hope they go to a good home. I won't be selling mine on eBay anyway."

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 0 <![CDATA[F-15 Fighter Jets Scramble To Meet Jetliner]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 19:57:03 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/f-15-fighter-jets-scramble-to-meet-jetliner.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/f-15-fighter-jets-scramble-to-meet-jetliner.html

A transatlantic flight from Paris has been diverted to Bangor, Maine on Tuesday after a passenger “exhibited suspicious behaviour.”

Two F-15 fighter jets were scrambled to escort US Airways flight 787, which departed from Charles de Gaulle Airport around 11:00 local time. The destination had been Charlotte, North Carolina, but was rerouted.

"TSA is aware of reports of a passenger who exhibited suspicious behaviour during flight. Out of an abundance of caution the flight was diverted to BGR (Bangor) where it was met by law enforcement," said the US Transportation Security Administration in a statement.

The office of New York’s US Congressman Peter King said a Cameroon-born French woman handed a note to flight staff, stating she had an explosive device on her person.

The Boeing 767 was carrying 179 passengers and nine crew members. It is scheduled to land in Charlotte Tuesday afternoon. <<<<---may want to edit this depending on time of posting

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 12 <![CDATA[Princess Estelle Wins Hearts in Sweden]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 09:44:22 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/estelle-princess-of-sweden-wins-harts.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/estelle-princess-of-sweden-wins-harts.html

Today Sweden’s new Royal Princess Estelle is christened here at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm.

The Princess was born the twenty third of February and is second in line to succession to the Swedish throne after her mother Crown Princess Victoria.
Princess Estelle, Silivia, Ewa, Mary the Duchess of Ostergotland is her full name and title.
Among the guests are Royals and ministers from Europe.
Also many others have come to Stockholm castle to catch a glimpse of the little princess.

“We drove two hundred fifty k:s to see this. We hope to see them when they come out from the church”

Although it is not noticed today, according to a recent study from SOM Institute shows that the Swedish people's trust in the royal house is the lowest in many years.

“I think Daniel, Victoria and Estelle will strengthen the position. I have hope that our monarchy will last into the future.”

The low confidence could be related to a book that was published two years ago about the Swedish King unofficial private life.

“I think the numbers have been down a lot but it’s up now I think. Those things with the King have died down and everybody is looking forward.”

According to the study the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf has less popularity as his daughter Crown Princess Victoria.
She is the most supported public persons ever measured in a study.

Perhaps it is Princess Estelle just what the Swedish Monarchy needs to be able to recover its lost popularity among the Swedish people.

NTD News Stockholm, Sweden

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 136 <![CDATA[Shock Serb Elections Unnerve Region]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 22:54:26 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/shock-serb-elections-unnerve-region.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/shock-serb-elections-unnerve-region.html

The surprise victory of rightist opposition leader Tomislav Nikolic in Serbia's presidential elections is a turning point for the country breaking from almost 12 years of Democratic Party rule.

Serbs blame the liberal incumbent Boris Tadic for the under performing economy and rife corruption.

But the man they chose in a close-run vote is a nationalist associated with the bloody collapse of Yugoslavia.

First amongst his tasks was to reassure the EU by saying Serbia will not stray from its European path.

[Milic Rajkovic, Belgrade Resident]:

"First of all the problem of corruption has to be dealt with and brought to an acceptable level, we need to look towards Europe, and we must not change that course, because that has no alternative."

The victory of the former ultra nationalist has caused unease among Serbia's ex-Yugoslav neighbors, who see him as the ideological heir of Serbia's ousted strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

[Hamdi Tasholli, Pensioner]:

"It is bad for Serbia which is in decline. The main figure of the Serbian radicalism and chauvinism is Nikolic."

Nikolic was in government in 1999 when Serb forces expelled almost 1 million ethnic Albanians from Kosovo and NATO intervened with air strikes.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 76 <![CDATA[Quake in Italy Shatters Historical Sites]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 22:47:38 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/quake-in-italy-shatters-historical-sites.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/quake-in-italy-shatters-historical-sites.html

An earthquake Sunday in northern Italy continues to take its toll.

In a town near the quake's epicenter a church stands in ruins.

The 6.0 quake struck early in the morning Sunday.

It was followed by a series of jolting aftershocks, which have left a trail of debris.

At least two of them reached magnitude 5.1, sowing fresh panic, further damaging already weakened buildings and causing more structures to collapse.

Residents scramble for food and shelter.

[Mirella De Pauli, Local Resident]:

"We found a shop that was open and even found some bread. In Dosso it seems we are fine. We even feel we've been fortunate in this misfortune. Most of us slept outside and now we're going around to see what actually happened."

Authorities say the damage done to Italy's artistic heritage is the greatest since a devastating earthquake in 1997

Civil protection units working in the area say local residents are asking for more tents so families can sleep in them overnight without having to return to their homes.

Some do not want to take any chances

[Massimo Franciosa, Local Resident]:

"Let's hope we can go back home and this doesn't drag on. But for the next three, four nights I'm certainly going to sleep out and then I will see if the situation has stabilized."

Sunday's earthquake killed four factory workers who were on the night shift, an elderly woman who was hit by a beam and two women who died of shock.

It also caused an estimated 200 million euros in damage to agriculture and left behind a swathe of destruction.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 21 <![CDATA[Old Beatles Photo Takes New Direction at Auction]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 22:44:46 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/old-beatles-photo-takes-new-direction-at-auction.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/old-beatles-photo-takes-new-direction-at-auction.html

A rare photograph showing the Beatles walking across the Abbey Road pedestrian crossing could fetch up to 31,500 USD, a London auction house said on Monday.

This one is a collector's item with a difference: the version that was printed on the 1969 Abbey Road album shows the band walking from the photographer's left to right.

In the version up for sale by Bloomsbury auctions John Lennon, wearing a white suit and shoes, leads the group from right to left.

On the album, Paul McCartney is walking barefooted, but in this shot he is wearing chunky sandals.

[Sarah Wheeler, Photography Expert, Bloomsbury Auctions]:

"I think one of the reasons why this photograph has had so much attention is because it is an outtake from the original cover. The Beatles are walking towards Abbey Road studios rather than away from Abbey Road studios, Paul McCartney is wearing sandals rather than being barefoot, which he is in the original cover, so for Beatles fans I think that's really interesting."

The fact McCartney was without any shoes or socks on the album cover prompted a string of bizarre conspiracy theories among some fans who believe that McCartney actually died in the sixties and had been replaced by a body double.

They see the album cover as filled with hidden clues - with McCartney's bare feet representing his difference from the rest of the band.

McCartney has always claimed, however, that his bare feet were merely the result of him having kicked off his sandals as it was such a hot day and the new outtake photograph appears to confirm that.

[Sarah Wheeler, Photography Expert, Bloomsbury Auctions]:

"I think the main reason they didn't choose this shot as the final cover is because the Beatles are all walking out of step with one another."

The auction house has put a conservative estimate of 11,300-14,500 US dollars on the photograph, though experts say it may go for much more than that.

[Sarah Wheeler, Photography Expert, Bloomsbury Auctions]:

"I expect this photograph to do very well indeed because of all the interest we've been having in it. I think it could well double the high estimate and even make up to 20,000 pounds."

The photograph was one of just a handful taken outside the Abbey Road studios in St John's Wood, north-west London, during the rapid shoot by the late Iain Macmillan as a police officer held up the traffic.

This print is one of 25 ever created and is being sold by a private collector from within the music industry.

The auction is set for 13 hundred GMT on May 22nd.

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1 135 <![CDATA[A Royal Christening ]]> Sun, 20 May 2012 10:03:53 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-20/a-royal-christening-.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-20/a-royal-christening-.html

The newest member of the Swedish Royal Court is being christened in the Royal Chapel on Tuesday.
Princess Estelle’s name is French and means ‘star’. The Swedish Royal Family has ancestors from 18th century France.
The little Princess has already been given the title Duchess of Ostergotland and governs a region even though it doesn’t give her any real political power.
The event will be broadcast live on TV in Europe.

NTD News, Stockholm, Sweden

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 261 <![CDATA[Demonstrators Protest Against Buckingham Palace Dinner for Monarchs]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 05:32:52 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/demonstrators-protest-against-buckingham-palace-dinner-for-monarchs.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/demonstrators-protest-against-buckingham-palace-dinner-for-monarchs.html

Inside Buckingham Palace, heads of state from around the world were treated to a banquet on Friday as Britain's Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

But outside the world-famous palace, a small group of demonstrators protested against the presence of some of the guests, accusing them of having blood on their hands.

[Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Activist]:
"I think it's astonishing that the Queen has been allowed to make the massive misjudgment of inviting seven royal dictators to celebrate her diamond jubilee. These people do not respect human rights; Britain does. They should not be here.”

The main target for the protest was the king of Bahrain, whose regime stands accused of human rights abuses during months of unrest by the majority Shi'ite population against the ruling Sunni Muslim Khalifa family.

[Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Activist]:
"The invitation to the king of Bahrain is particularly objectionable given the ongoing very grave human rights abuses perpetrated by his regime. In the last year or so, at least 50 protesters have been killed, one and a half thousand arrested and nearly 2,000 injured and wounded in attacks by the security forces, including doctors and nurses who were beaten and tortured by the king's regime. The idea that he should be in the palace tonight or at Windsor Castle today—it's absolutely wrong."

Also on the guest list earlier in the day at a Windsor Castle lunch was Swaziland's King Mswati III.

Activists accuse Mswati of living a life of luxury while many of his people have trouble feeding themselves.

[Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Activist]:
"I am sure the vast majority of people would not wish these dictators to be entertained at Buckingham Palace tonight. We are a democracy, we stand for human rights, these dictators do not, they've got no business being here, they should not be feted by the Royal family—they should be treated as pariahs."

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 253 <![CDATA[Olympic Flame Arrives on British Soil]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 05:29:24 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/olympic-flame-arrives-on-british-soil.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/olympic-flame-arrives-on-british-soil.html

Cheers as the Olympic flame arrives on British soil—after making a special flight from Athens aboard a British Airways flight.

Britain's Princess Anne and David Beckham were among the delegation traveling with the flame.

The soccer star and former England soccer team captain is playing a key role in the upcoming Olympics.

[David Beckham, Soccer Star]:
"To be part of this team bringing the flame not just to England but to the east end of London, like you say, and to a part of London where I grew up—I am very proud of that."

Starting Saturday, the flame will spend the next 70 days criss-crossing Britain ahead of the opening ceremonies on July 27th.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 40 <![CDATA[German Police Detain "Blockupy" Protesters in Frankfurt]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 01:28:58 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/german-police-detain-blockupy-protesters-in-frankfurt.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/german-police-detain-blockupy-protesters-in-frankfurt.html

German police detained more "Blockupy" activists in Frankfurt on Friday and began removing the anti-capitalist protesters near the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters.

Police far outnumbered the group of some 50 non-violent protesters.

[Christophe Kleine, Spokesman for Protestors]:
"The police already carried out the largest part of our job: everything is sealed off and most employees have been sent home. We want to take to the streets again and to carry our protest in the direction of the financial district. At the same time, we don't want to use up too much energy because tomorrow, we are planning a large, powerful demonstration.”

Police say they detained 40 activists elsewhere in Frankfurt.

The demonstration was part of a four-day-long "Blockupy" protest, due to run until Saturday, against capitalism and austerity measures implemented to tackle the euro zone crisis.

The ECB reported no trouble on Friday and commercial banks say their operations are running smoothly.

The ECB says it has already headed off a major credit crunch with unprecedented funding operations in December and February, and is putting the onus on governments to act.

Frankfurt police have 5,000 police draftees ready to be deployed if necessary.

Legal permission for a protest on Saturday has been granted.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 41 <![CDATA[Olympic Flame Passes To UK]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 01:09:48 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/olympic-flame-passes-to-uk.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/olympic-flame-passes-to-uk.html

Under a wet and rainy Greek sky, a ceremonial handover-- British officials receive the Olympic flame before it makes its way to London ahead of the Summer Games.

Princess Anne, and David Beckham were amongst those attending the event.

The flame was brought into the stadium after its long journey from the ancient town of Olympia, birthplace of the first ancient games, where it was lit 10 days ago.

The UK have spent 9.3 billion dollars to host the games-- and some are raising questions over the steep cost.

[Hugh Robertson, UK Sports Minister]
"The benefits we will get from this are very considerable in terms of the opportunity to promote Britain internationally, to drive new trade, to drive tourism, to drive jobs and growth at home, and for those reasons alone quite apart from the fantastic sport, it's been well worth doing."

The flame will leave Athens on Friday and will then travel around Britain for a 70-day torch relay, before the games on July 27.

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1 16 <![CDATA[Greece Caretaker Cabinet Sworn In]]> Fri, 18 May 2012 04:03:15 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-18/greece-caretaker-cabinet-sworn-in.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-18/greece-caretaker-cabinet-sworn-in.html

Greece swears in a new cabinet for the short haul before fresh elections next month.

Made up of mainly professors, technocrats and a few politicians, they will oversee the nation until June 17.

Voters will then once again go to the polls after party leaders failed to form a coalition because of divisions over the terms of a 130 billion euro bailout.

Fears are now spreading that Greece may run out of money and could even leave the eurozone.

A financial analyst at Merit Securities says the storm in the markets is unlikely to settle down before the June elections.

[Nikos Christodoulou, Financial Analyst at Merit Securities]:

"The political uncertainty that developed following the May 6 elections has led to a continuing fall in the general index and we find we are at prices similar to February 1990, and if we include inflation, we are at the decade of 1980. Logically there will not be anything to stop the fall until the elections and we are looking for a fulcrum during this period."

The head of the emergency government, caretaker Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos, said he was taking over in a difficult period, and that he would make stability his top priority.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 10 <![CDATA[Legendary 35-Carat Diamond Sells for $9.7 Million]]> Fri, 18 May 2012 04:00:53 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-18/legendary-35-carat-diamond-sells-for-9-7-million.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-18/legendary-35-carat-diamond-sells-for-9-7-million.html

It's a diamond coveted by kings and queens for centuries.

And at Sotheby's in Geneva, today's elite fought for the right to call it their own.

The Beau Sancy is a 35-carat modified pear double rose cut diamond, previously owned by royals from France, the Netherlands, England and Prussia.

And its newest owner won the bidding war for a regal hammer price of $8 million Swiss Francs, or $9.7 million dollars including commissions, doubling its pre-sale estimate.

Sotheby's Philipp von Wurtemberg.

[Philipp von Wurtemberg, Sotheby's Europe Co-Chairman]:

"It's the most beautiful stone for me - I mean, I fell in love with that stone when I saw it first, it's the cut, it's the history and it's unique because it's historically the oldest stone we ever sold on auction."

Nearly 10 million dollars - but perhaps a good price for 400 years of history.

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 12 <![CDATA[Speed Flying Down Europe's Most Active Volcano]]> Fri, 18 May 2012 03:57:34 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-18/speed-flying-down-europe-s-most-active-volcano.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-18/speed-flying-down-europe-s-most-active-volcano.html

Off the Eastern coast of Sicily sits Europe's most active volcano - Mount Etna.

Two Italian speed flyers and their team ascend to the peak, which sits over 3,300 meters above sea level, or almost 11,000 feet.

Speed flying is a combination of paragliding and skiing and the group is hoping to be the first to glide down Etna.

With the help of guides, the team reaches the peak.

And despite the volatility of the volcano, which has erupted four times since January, Jody Barratin said he and his partner Felice Boccanegra feel safe.

[Jody Barattin, Speed Flyer]:

"You can smell the smoke the smell of the volcano. You can feel it, you can listen to the noise. And you can see all the sea around us, surrounding us and it's just a beautiful environment and beautiful feeling. And I'm really looking forward to do some nice and busy speed ride. The conditions are perfect, the wind is good. The sky is clear, so I am looking forward to start."

Gliding down the valley, the team become the first to descend Sicily's Mount Etna wearing a paraglider and skis.

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1 47 <![CDATA[Militant Anarchists Threaten Italian Prime Minister]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 23:23:31 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/militant-anarchists-threaten-italian-prime-minister.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/militant-anarchists-threaten-italian-prime-minister.html

An Italian anarchist group that has claimed responsibility for shooting and wounding a nuclear industry executive, on Wednesday sent a note to a local newspaper threatening to target Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and others.

The group, calling itself the Olga Nucleus of the Informal Anarchist Federation-International Revolutionary Front, said Monti was among seven remaining targets.

In the note sent to the newsroom of the daily 'Calabria Ora', it said that attacks against tax enforcement agency Equitalia would continue, as long as the government continued with reforms aimed at balancing Italy's budget and averting a debt crisis.

The note said: "We say to Monti that he is one of the seven remaining and that people have no interest in staying in Europe, saving the banks and helping to balance accounts of a state that squandered money for its own interests.”

The note added that any suicide by an Italian citizen that could be connected to economic difficulties, would be viewed as a "murder by the state" and would be punished.

Last week a similar note was sent to the daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, claiming responsibility for the attack on Ansaldo Nucleare head Roberto Adinolfi, spreading fears of a return to 1970s political violence in crisis-hit Italy.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 72 <![CDATA[Russian Anti-Putin Protest Broken Up by Police]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 23:16:33 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/russian-anti-putin-protest-broken-up-by-police.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/russian-anti-putin-protest-broken-up-by-police.html

Russian riot police break up an "Occupy"-style protest targetting President Vladimir Putin, forcing dozens out of a central Moscow park.

At least 15 people were detained.

The dispersal was the last step in a government crackdown on protests against Putin's return to the presidency.

Police arrived at the site early Wednesday morning, telling the 50 demonstrators who had spent the night there to leave.

The anti-Putin protest began on May 9. Since then crowd numbers have fluctuated from between a few dozen to as many as 2,000.

[Ilya Yashin, Russian Opposition Leader]:

"This illegal clearing of the camp was obviously motivated by Kremlin politicians. People were torn out of sleeping bags, were shoved into police vans. Now they're at the local police station and they're not letting lawyers in."

Some in Russia want change, fearing that the continuation of Putin's rule could bring political and economic stagnation.

[Ilya Yashin, Russian Opposition Leader]:

"Our demands are as follows - to let people stay here, because this is a peaceful form of protest. Our goals are very simple - freeing political prisoners and holding wide political reforms, and new elections. It's absolutely true - our demands haven't changed since December."

Some of the protesters moved to another central Moscow square after the evictions.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 21 <![CDATA[German Police Clear Occupy Camp in Frankfurt]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 23:11:13 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/german-police-clear-occupy-camp-in-frankfurt.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/german-police-clear-occupy-camp-in-frankfurt.html

German police began arresting anti-capitalist protesters outside the European Central Bank's headquarters on Wednesday after they threw paint at officers trying to clear a makeshift Occupy camp.

[Andre Sturmeit, Police Spokesperson]:

"The current situation is that the majority are voluntarily leaving the camp or are being carried out. There’s a small group who are resisting and are using creative measures, as the camp residents describe it. But that's where the fun ends because once they throw white paint over police officers, it’s no longer a peaceful protest.”

The action marks the start of a planned four-day long 'Blockupy' demonstration in the city by activists angry at the way the financial crisis is affecting ordinary people.

Frankfurt police have drafted in reinforcements from other German states to cope with the protests.

Some 5,000 police are ready to be deployed.

There has been a legal scrap between the protesters and authorities over whether the demonstrations should be allowed to go ahead.

Only Saturday has been approved as a protest day.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 47 <![CDATA[Charles Taylor in Court for Sentencing Hearing]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 23:06:02 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/charles-taylor-in-court-for-sentencing-hearing.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/charles-taylor-in-court-for-sentencing-hearing.html

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor appears in court in the Hague on Wedneday.

He's here for a sentencing hearing, after he was found guilty last month of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone's 11-year civil war.

Taylor was expected to tell the judges that he bears no responsibility for the crimes, rejecting the prosecution's demand for an 80-year sentence in a maximum security British prison.

Speaking at the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Brenda Hollis called for the brutality of the crimes committed to be taken into account when sentencing.

[Brenda Hollis, Chief Prosecutor]:

"In relation to an assesment of the gravity of the crimes of which Mr. Taylor has been convicted, we agree with the defence that such assesment should include the, in our view, massive scale and, in our view, extreme brutatility of these crimes, the vulnerability of the victims and, of course, the impact on the victims and their relatives, both then and now."

Charles Taylor is the first head of state found guilty by an international tribunal since the Nazi trials at Nuremberg.

He and his defence lawyers have described the case as a racist sham and a Western conspiracy against black Africans - led by the United Kingdom and the United States.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 37 <![CDATA[Mladic Genocide Trial in Netherlands Opens]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 23:00:23 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/mladic-genocide-trial-in-netherlands-opens.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/mladic-genocide-trial-in-netherlands-opens.html

Former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic arrives at court in the Netherlands to face charges over the massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys.

He's accused of genocide following the slaughter that took place in the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica in 1995.

The mothers of some of those who perished were out in force, to see the arrival of the man they hold responsible.

[Kadefa Rizvanovic, Deputy President, "Mothers of Srebrenica"]:

"We hope that justice will finally get him and that he will be held responsible for his crimes in Bosnia."

[Unira Subasic, President, The Association Of Mothers Of Srebrenica]:

We expect to see the butcher again, to see if there is repentance in his eyes, or is there still blood in them, the blood he spilled in 1995."

Fadila Efendic lost her son and husband in the Srebrenica massacre.

Her husband is buried at the memorial cemetery in Potocari.

She still has no idea what's happened to the remains of her son.

[Fadila Efendic, Wife and Mother of Victims]:

"If these judges had lost their children as we did they would be more just and rule differently. But they will rule as they think is right and not as I and relatives of the others would want. I hope that other war criminals face justice too so that everyone can see justice exists and that no-one can go unpunished."

Mladic, who's also accused of orchestrating the 43-month siege of Sarajevo in which 10,000 people died, is accused of a range of offences against humanity.

The 70-year-old, who was arrested after 16 years on the run, says the charges are monstrous and obnoxious, and has warned on several occasions he's not fit to stand trial.

]]>

0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 18 <![CDATA[Former Leader Of Italy's Northern League Party Under Investigation]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 16:41:34 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/Former-Leader-Of-Italy-s-Northern-League-Party-Under-Investigation.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-16/Former-Leader-Of-Italy-s-Northern-League-Party-Under-Investigation.html

Umberto Bossi, former leader of the Northern League party in Italy, is under investigation for fraud against the State.

Incriminating documents, as well as statements made by former party treasurer Francesco Blesito, are being closely examined.

Following the finance scandal in April this year, the Northern League party lost its credibility and its leader Umberto Bossi later resigned.

The Italian prosecution has now opened an investigation to shed light on all financial transactions of the party.

Umberto Bossi and his two sons Renzo and Ricardo have been served judicial notice.

According to prosecutors, the Northern League claimed 18 million Euros in expenses for local elections in 2010.

Prosecutor Edmondo Briti Liberati explained: "As the legal representative of the party, Bossi was aware of the situation and responds as a federal secretary who draws up the accounts."

Renzo and Riccardo, Umberto Bossi's sons, are being investigated by the Public Prosecutor in Milan for embezzlement, relating to their personal expenses paid by party funds.

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 5 <![CDATA[Still No Coalition Government for Greece]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 23:45:46 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-15/still-no-coalition-government-for-greece.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-15/still-no-coalition-government-for-greece.html

It's back to the polls for Greeks after government crisis talks failed.

The country has been in political turmoil for over a week after an inconclusive election.

The president has tried to persuade party leaders to form a coalition government but lengthy talks ended in stalemate.

The uncertainty has pushed the country further towards bankruptcy and a possible exit from the the euro zone.

Socialist party leader Evangelos Venizelos.

[Evangelos Venizelos, Socialist Leader]:

"We shouldn't have reached this point, we are forced to go (to elections). Let's go united, in the best way, to safeguard Greeks. Let's move towards something better, and for God's sake, let's not move towards something worse."

Last week's election left parliament split over a 130 billion euro bailout package which has led to deep wage, pension and spending cuts.

A new election is likely to be held in mid June, in the meantime a caretaker government will be formed.

Democratic Left Leader Fotis Kouvelis says it was the only option.

[Fotis Kouvelis, Democratic Left Leader]:

"The Democratic Left did everything possible, I did everything I could for the six percent of the population that honored me with its vote, with a deep awareness of the interests of the country and the population, in order for the country not to resort to elections."

Time is running out - Greece only has enough money for the next few weeks.

And it won't get the next bailout until a new government takes charge and stands by previous austerity promises.

That is now looking less likely - polls predict anti-bailout leftists will win a repeat election, fuelling speculation that Greece will exit the euro zone.

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 14 <![CDATA[Hollande Is New French President]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 23:36:22 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-15/hollande-is-new-french-president.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-15/hollande-is-new-french-president.html

France's new president Francois Hollande.

After battling in a close and sometimes surprising race, Hollande officially took the reins from Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday.

The meeting at the presidential palace is believed to have included an exchange of nuclear codes ahead of a swearing-in ceremony that made Hollande the country's first Socialist president in 17 years.

In contrast to his predecessor's image, Hollande said his tenure would be "dignified" and "sober.".

After leading a procession to the Arc de Triomphe and paying tribute to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Hollande was scheduled to travel to Berlin.

He is expected to push for adding stimulus measures to a European austerity pact created to stem the EU's economic crisis.

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 0 <![CDATA[Baby Camel Named after the Queen ]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 23:28:16 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-15/baby-camel-named-after-the-queen-.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-15/baby-camel-named-after-the-queen-.html

A cute baby camel has become the star attraction at a wildlife park in the north of England - not least because she's Her Majesty The Queen's Royal namesake.

[Michelle Walker, Handler]:

"Every year we have a different letter, this year its the letter E. It was obviously the Queen's Jubilee, so it was quite easy to pick one out this year, so she got the name Elizabeth."

She said Elizabeth's mother Lottie was doting on her new charge, despite initial problems.

Lottie didn't manage to feed Elizabeth immediately after she was born and park staff were forced to step in with a bottle.

Luckily, the 3-year-old Bactrian camel Lottie managed to feed Elizabeth the following day and the infant is now being doted on by her proud mum in the camel enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 5 <![CDATA[Riot Police Scuffle with Demonstrators in Naples]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 08:07:56 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-15/riot-police-scuffle-with-demonstrators-in-naples.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-15/riot-police-scuffle-with-demonstrators-in-naples.html

Scuffles broke out in the southern town of Naples Friday when a group of students, union members and hard-left protesters threw bottles, eggs and firecrackers at police.

The police had moved in to break up a demonstration outside an Equitalia revenue collection office in the city center.

Demonstrators later blocked the street with rubbish containers.

Earlier in the day, a suspect package was sent to an Equitalia office in Rome amid growing public anger against tax authorities.

The package, containing explosive powder but no detonator, was under investigation, police said.

Prime Minister Mario Monti condemned the latest incident and issued a statement expressing solidarity with the agency's staff. He said he would meet Equitalia management.

Austerity measures adopted by Monti's government to control Italy's public debt have caused mounting resentment, although protests generally have been peaceful and there have been no real signs of organized political violence.

]]>

0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 15