http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/peacemaker-sarkozy-in-mission-to-moscow-922498.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/peacemaker-sarkozy-in-mission-to-moscow-922498.html <p>The French President embarks on a high-risk mission to Moscow today, buoyed by support from the EU but with few guarantees of a major breakthrough.</p> Europe Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/boom-time-for-spains-costumed-debt-collectors-922500.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/boom-time-for-spains-costumed-debt-collectors-922500.html <p>If you owed a few thousand euros and found your footsteps dogged by a man wearing a top hat, tails and silken cummerbund, wouldn't you pay up rather than face the humiliation of being shadowed by someone dressed like Count Dracula?</p> Europe Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/peter-popham-dont-try-and-predict-the-italian-police-922507.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/peter-popham-dont-try-and-predict-the-italian-police-922507.html <p>Italy has an unnerving ability to switch in a flash from being a kind and obliging country to a nasty place capable of ruthless violence. The latest to find this out was a group of activists protesting about the plan to build a of a new American military base in the city of Vicenza. </p> Commentators Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/tourists-must-wait-for-extradition-decision-920238.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/tourists-must-wait-for-extradition-decision-920238.html <p> Two British tourists face months of waiting to find out if they must return to Cyprus to serve a three-year jail sentence for their involvement in a teenager's death. </p> Europe Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:53:08 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/cheney-in-ukraine-on-solidarity-mission-919238.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/cheney-in-ukraine-on-solidarity-mission-919238.html <p> The American vice president, Dick Cheney flew to Ukraine on a voyage of solidarity tonight after condemning Russia&rsquo;s &ldquo;illegitimate, unilateral&rdquo; attempt to change Georgia&rsquo;s borders by force. </p> Europe Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:57:02 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-match-taliban-photoshoot-shocks-france-919109.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-match-taliban-photoshoot-shocks-france-919109.html <p> Politicians of the right and left blasted the magazine Paris Match today for publishing a photograph of a Taliban guerrilla dressed in the combat uniform of one of the ten French soldiers killed in Afghanistan last month. </p> Europe Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:37:09 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-slams-russia-for-war-against-georgia-918630.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-slams-russia-for-war-against-georgia-918630.html <p> US Vice President Dick Cheney today condemned Russia for what he called an &quot;illegitimate, unilateral attempt&quot; to change Georgia's borders by force. </p> Europe Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:05:51 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-commits-1bn-in-aid-to-georgia-918445.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-commits-1bn-in-aid-to-georgia-918445.html <p> The US government committed $1bn (&pound;562m) to help Georgia ally recover from war with Russia. </p> Europe Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:41:48 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/antiradical-islam-reporter-killed-in-south-russia-917692.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/antiradical-islam-reporter-killed-in-south-russia-917692.html <p> Gunmen in the Russian republic of Dagestan killed a television journalist who promoted an officially approved form of Islam, police said today. </p> Europe Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:51:38 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/rival-cyprus-leaders-begin-talks-917688.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/rival-cyprus-leaders-begin-talks-917688.html <p> Cyprus leaders launched talks today seen as the best chance in decades to reunite their divided island and end a conflict threatening Turkey's EU membership hopes. </p> Europe Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:46:46 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dick-cheney-arrives-in-azerbaijan-917549.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dick-cheney-arrives-in-azerbaijan-917549.html <p> The US Embassy says US Vice President Dick Cheney has arrived in Azerbaijan as part of a tour in support of Russia's southern neighbours. </p> Europe Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:40:49 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/violence-spreads-in-caucasus-region-after-police-kill-journalist-917208.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/violence-spreads-in-caucasus-region-after-police-kill-journalist-917208.html <p>Violence is escalating in the Russian region of Ingushetia in the north Caucasus after the apparent murder while in police custody of a leading opposition figure and critic of the Kremlin.</p> Europe Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/europe-issues-cautious-warning-to-russia-915715.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/europe-issues-cautious-warning-to-russia-915715.html <p>European Union leaders warned last night that Russia faced "isolation" unless Moscow made a "fundamental choice" to back down from its confrontational position in the Caucasus. </p> Europe Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/peace-breaks-out-in-wagnerian-feud-915427.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/peace-breaks-out-in-wagnerian-feud-915427.html <p> Adolf Hitler was an infamous patron of the festival, yet it still takes up to ten years to get a ticket for the event and the family clan that has run it since 1876 has been immersed in Germany's most publicised - if not operatic - internecine feud for nearly half a century. </p> Europe Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:26:46 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/historic-area-of-rome-threatened-by-new-car-park-915420.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/historic-area-of-rome-threatened-by-new-car-park-915420.html <p> One of the prettiest and most historic corners of Rome will soon be sacrificed for a seven-storey underground car park unless Italy's minister of culture orders a dramatic, and costly, change of course. </p> Europe Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:18:20 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-united-against-russia-agression-says-brown-914973.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-united-against-russia-agression-says-brown-914973.html <p> Gordon Brown today warned that there could be no more &quot;business as usual&quot; with Russia in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Georgia. </p> Europe Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:00:23 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/owner-of-russian-opposition-website-killed-914740.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/owner-of-russian-opposition-website-killed-914740.html <p> An opposition internet news site owner in Russia's troubled Ingushetia region was fatally shot yesterday soon after being detained by police, and his colleagues called for a rally to protest his death. </p> Europe Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:06:40 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/train-travel-a-new-golden-age-914552.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/train-travel-a-new-golden-age-914552.html <p>Howard Trinder was bitten by the railway bug when he stood as a child in a Paris station and read down a departure board offering direct sleeper trains to Venice, Istanbul and Berlin. Throughout his subsequent 30-year career in British Rail, he retained his dream of reviving a golden era of rail travel, with its hand-built carriages and glamorous evenings in a restaurant car trundling across Europe.</p> Europe Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/from-sarajevo-to-hollywood-life-under-siege-914554.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/from-sarajevo-to-hollywood-life-under-siege-914554.html <p>Bill Carter was a confirmed American drifter and when his girlfriend Corinna died in a car crash, his response to the pain was to go back on the road. He had already covered a lot of ground in his life, from China to the Amazon. The difference now was that he had this grief to cart around, and he couldn't find a place to put it down. "I travelled to Trinidad and stayed there for a year, I went to Venezuela and Colombia, I was in a spin for a year and a half and I didn't know how to get back to earth," he says.</p> Europe Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/war-of-words-over-free-access-to-mont-blanc-summit-914465.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/war-of-words-over-free-access-to-mont-blanc-summit-914465.html <p> An angry war of words has broken out over free access to the summit of Mont Blanc after the death of eight climbers in an ice and rock avalanche on the Franco-Italian mountain. </p> Europe Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:28:31 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-leaders-seek-to-punish-russia-by-strengthening-ties-with-georgia-914461.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-leaders-seek-to-punish-russia-by-strengthening-ties-with-georgia-914461.html <p> European Union leaders will fulminate against Russian actions in the Caucasus at a brief emergency summit in Brussels today but will probably stop short of specific threats and sanctions. Instead, EU leaders will seek to &ldquo;punish&rdquo; Russia by declaring their willingness to strengthen political and economic ties with Georgia. </p> Europe Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:26:59 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/martin-mcguinness-there-can-be-no-going-back-913922.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/martin-mcguinness-there-can-be-no-going-back-913922.html <p>Brightly coloured sight-seeing buses cruise along the Falls Road, with rain-soaked heads turning as the guides point out the headquarters of Sinn Fein: this is post-Troubles Belfast.</p> Europe Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/puccini-family-feud-rages-over-life-story-913929.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/puccini-family-feud-rages-over-life-story-913929.html <p>Giacomo Puccini was the world's most successful opera composer. When he died in 1924, he was worth around &pound;125m in today's money, and his music is at the core of every opera house's repertoire. </p> Europe Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/new-kids-on-the-bloc-cold-warriors-913936.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/new-kids-on-the-bloc-cold-warriors-913936.html <p>Nearly a month after the outbreak of armed hostilities between tiny Georgia and its giant neighbour, Russia, there has been no easing of the atmosphere of crisis. Could we be witnessing the dawn of a new Cold War? </p> Europe Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/karadzic-refuses-to-enter-plea-at-un-war-crimes-tribunal-913324.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/karadzic-refuses-to-enter-plea-at-un-war-crimes-tribunal-913324.html <p>The Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic made a defiant stand before a UN court yesterday when he refused to enter pleas to genocide charges brought against him following atrocities in the Bosnian war of the 1990s.</p> Europe Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/clergy-in-crisis-forget-father-ted-ireland-is-running-out-of-priests-913326.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/clergy-in-crisis-forget-father-ted-ireland-is-running-out-of-priests-913326.html <p>When the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, solemnly ordained this year's crop of new priests in his diocese last month, he called them all by their first names.</p> Europe Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/news/pontecorvo-wows-venice-with-romanian-gypsy-film-913009.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/news/pontecorvo-wows-venice-with-romanian-gypsy-film-913009.html <p> In 1966, the year he was born, Marco Pontecorvo's father Gillo won the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion with one of the greatest postwar Italian films, The Battle of Algiers. Forty-two years on, the soft-spoken cinematographer stood with a look of stunned bemusement on his face as the Venice audience gave him a standing ovation and 12 minutes of applause for his first film as director. </p> News Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:26:48 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/karadzic-plea-entered-as-not-guilty-by-tribunal-912836.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/karadzic-plea-entered-as-not-guilty-by-tribunal-912836.html <p> The UN tribunal for the former Yugoslavia entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic for war crimes and genocide charges on Friday after he refused to enter one. </p> Europe Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:04:21 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/merkel-named-most-powerful-woman-in-world-again-911891.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/merkel-named-most-powerful-woman-in-world-again-911891.html <p> Germany&rsquo;s Chancellor Angela Merkel was today named the world&rsquo;s most powerful woman for the third year in succession by the US magazine Forbes although the accolade was largely ignored by her home nation which already refers to her as &ldquo;Mrs World&rdquo;. </p> Europe Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:26:56 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-isolated-as-allies-withhold-support-911871.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-isolated-as-allies-withhold-support-911871.html <p> Russia was dealt a humiliating blow by its own allies today after a specially convened summit in Tajikistan withheld support for the Kremlin&rsquo;s recognition of the independence of the two breakaway regions. </p> Europe Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:03:24 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art-and-architecture/news/pope-angry-over-crucified-green-frog-sculpture-911404.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art-and-architecture/news/pope-angry-over-crucified-green-frog-sculpture-911404.html <p> A sculpture of a crucified frog threatened with eviction from Bolzano&rsquo;s new modern art museum after being condemned by the pope, the minister of culture and local right-wing politicians is staying where it is. </p> News Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:00:41 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgians-stuck-in-limbo-begin-to-lash-out-at-saakashvili-911778.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgians-stuck-in-limbo-begin-to-lash-out-at-saakashvili-911778.html <p> Passing along the road to Tkviavi, the lush green fields, bountiful orchards and gentle slopes of the Caucasus foothills give off the air of a sleepy rural paradise. But the scorched earth and burnt-out shells of cars that litter the roadside are clues that all is not right here, and the silence gripping the town that two weeks ago had a population of 1,300 is eerie. </p> Europe Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:23:23 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-considering-russia-sanctions-911333.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-considering-russia-sanctions-911333.html <p> The European Union is considering sanctions against Russia following its recognition of independence for the Georgian territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the French foreign minister said today. </p> Europe Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:59:48 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/70-migrants-feared-missing-off-malta-911092.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/70-migrants-feared-missing-off-malta-911092.html <p> Some 70 African migrants are feared missing in the central Mediterranean after a large rubber dinghy taking them to Europe capsized, the Malta representative of the UN refugee agency said yesterday. </p> Europe Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:52:08 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/joint-statement-deplores-russian-foreign-policy-911081.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/joint-statement-deplores-russian-foreign-policy-911081.html <p> Russia was today facing condemnation from Britain and the world's leading nations over its recognition of the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. </p> Europe Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:25:39 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/crimean-peninsula-could-be-the-next-south-ossetia-910769.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/crimean-peninsula-could-be-the-next-south-ossetia-910769.html <p>Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, could be the next flashpoint in the new Cold War. And any violent disturbance in Crimea could provide the political seismic shock to split Ukraine itself along its existing fault lines of ethnicity, language and religion.</p> Europe Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/the-venice-film-festival-a-very-italian-affair-910772.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/the-venice-film-festival-a-very-italian-affair-910772.html <p>This year's Venice Film Festival got off to a cliché-ridden start: the sun beat down, George Clooney and Brad Pitt, Italy's favourite Americans, flashed their dazzling Hollywood smiles and signed autographs for adoring fans, the water taxis threatened to go on strike and the new festival complex was only half-built (it will be ready by 2011). </p> Features Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/swiss-finally-clear-the-last-witch-beheaded-in-europe-910774.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/swiss-finally-clear-the-last-witch-beheaded-in-europe-910774.html <p>Anna Goeldi was executed for being a witch more than 220 years ago, the last one beheaded in Europe. On Wednesday, the Swiss cleared her name. The parliament of the Swiss canton (state) of Glarus decided unanimously to exonerate Goeldi as a victim of "judicial murder", said Josef Schwitter, a government spokesman.</p> Europe Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-west-pledges-its-support-for-ukraine--up-to-a-point-910491.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-west-pledges-its-support-for-ukraine--up-to-a-point-910491.html <p> Western governments are rushing to bolster Ukraine's pro-Western government amid fears that the former Soviet Republic is becoming the front line in the &quot;new Cold War&quot;. </p> Europe Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:34:37 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/dinosaur-remains-may-be-new-species-910357.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/dinosaur-remains-may-be-new-species-910357.html <p> Palaeontologists have found extensive remains of a 120 million-year-old dinosaur near the remote village of Morella in eastern Spain, which they say could belong to a hitherto undiscovered species. </p> Science Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:49:06 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/miliband-warns-russia-against-starting-a-new-cold-war-909861.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/miliband-warns-russia-against-starting-a-new-cold-war-909861.html <p> Foreign Secretary David Miliband today issued a warning to Russia not to provoke a new Cold War with the West. </p> Europe Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:14:45 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-condemns-russian-move-on-georgian-regions-910004.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-condemns-russian-move-on-georgian-regions-910004.html <p> Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko called Russia's decision to recognise two Georgian rebel regions unacceptable today and threatened to raise the issue of a rent increase at a base for the Black Sea Fleet. </p> Europe Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:29:47 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/engine-on-reverse-setting-could-have-caused-madrid-plane-crash-909650.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/engine-on-reverse-setting-could-have-caused-madrid-plane-crash-909650.html <p>The plane that crashed at Madrid airport last week, killing 154 people, may have had one engine on a reverse setting.</p> Europe Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-mayor-to-challenge-royal-for-leadership-of-divided-socialist-party-909665.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-mayor-to-challenge-royal-for-leadership-of-divided-socialist-party-909665.html <p>The mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delano&#235;, has revealed that he will run for the leadership of the French Socialist Party, setting the stage for a showdown with former presidential candidate Ségol&egrave;ne Royal.</p> Europe Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/priest-cancels-internet-beauty-contest-for-nuns-909670.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/priest-cancels-internet-beauty-contest-for-nuns-909670.html <p>An Italian priest who had planned an online "pageant" for nuns has called off the project, saying he was misinterpreted and had no intention of running a beauty contest.</p> Europe Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-relations-with-west-reach-new-low-909434.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-relations-with-west-reach-new-low-909434.html <p> Russia&rsquo;s relations with the West have plunged to a new low after President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree officially recognising two breakaway territories in Georgia as independent states. </p> Europe Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:33:25 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/winter-in-spain-plans-to-revive-tourism-909354.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/winter-in-spain-plans-to-revive-tourism-909354.html <p> For holiday makers Spain has long been the land of sun, sea and sangria. Now that trusty formula is wearing thin, and faced with an unprecedented drop in foreign visitors, Spanish tourism authorities are taking drastic action. The land of the Costa del Sol is being rebranded as a destination for those chillier months, under the counter-intuitive, if slightly uninspired, slogan &quot;Winter in Spain&quot;. </p> Europe Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:29:11 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-condemns-russia-move-on-georgia-regions-909344.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-condemns-russia-move-on-georgia-regions-909344.html <p> EU president France firmly condemns Russia's decision to recognise two rebel regions of Georgia as independent states, President Nicolas Sarkozy's office said on Tuesday, calling for a political solution. </p> Europe Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:21:44 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-recognises-georgia-rebel-regions-909119.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-recognises-georgia-rebel-regions-909119.html <p> Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced today that Moscow had decided to recognise two rebel regions of Georgia as independent states, setting it on a collision course with the West. </p> Europe Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:41:41 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/avalanche-raises-spectre-of-worst-death-toll-in-alps-for-over-50-years-908581.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/avalanche-raises-spectre-of-worst-death-toll-in-alps-for-over-50-years-908581.html <p> The search for the bodies of eight climbers swept down Mont Blanc du Tacul by a huge avalanche on Sunday morning was suspended all day yesterday because of the danger of provoking fresh slides. </p> Europe Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlusconi-uses-his-summer-break-to-make-christmas-cd-908582.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlusconi-uses-his-summer-break-to-make-christmas-cd-908582.html <p>Silvio Berlusconi has once again put his summer holiday in Sardinia to good use, slamming the door temporarily on Italy's teeming problems to collaborate on another collection of Neapolitan love songs with his favourite singer and guitarist, Mariano Apicella. </p> Europe Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-mps-raise-stakes-by-backing-georgian-rebels-908098.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-mps-raise-stakes-by-backing-georgian-rebels-908098.html <p> Russian lawmakers have voted unanimously to ask the president to recognise the independence of Georgia's two rebel provinces, a move likely to anger the United States, the European Union and other Georgian allies. </p> Europe Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:21:05 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/britain-urges-russia-to-retain-nato-links-908231.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/britain-urges-russia-to-retain-nato-links-908231.html <p> Britain has urged Russia not to sever ties with Nato today amid continuing fall-out from the Georgia crisis. </p> Europe Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:51:30 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/hopes-fade-for-eight-climbers-swept-away-by-alpine-avalanche-907792.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/hopes-fade-for-eight-climbers-swept-away-by-alpine-avalanche-907792.html <p>An avalanche on the French side of Mont Blanc swept away eight climbers, five of them Austrian and three Swiss, before dawn yesterday. Nine others were rescued from the mountain while two who were thought dead returned to their hotel unaided. </p> Europe Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-military-delivers-georgia-aid-907562.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-military-delivers-georgia-aid-907562.html <p> The US military came within 60 miles of the Russian army yesterday in Georgia as an American warship arrived in the Black Sea port of Batumi to deliver humanitarian aid to the embattled Caucasus country. </p> Europe Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:56:00 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-warship-docks-in-black-sea-port-with-georgia-aid-907401.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-warship-docks-in-black-sea-port-with-georgia-aid-907401.html <p> The first U.S. warship to bring aid to Georgia arrived in the country's main Black Sea port of Batumi on Sunday, in a gesture of support for the ex-Soviet republic in its conflict with Russia. </p> Europe Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:13:43 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/madrid-air-disaster-air-hostess-describes-her-miracle-crash-escape-907047.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/madrid-air-disaster-air-hostess-describes-her-miracle-crash-escape-907047.html <p>Of all the remarkable stories of the few who survived the Spanair crash in Madrid that claimed 153 lives, one has so far not been told. Today it can be &ndash; the scarcely credible experience of the woman who should have died.</p> Europe Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-troops-dig-in-miles-beyond-agreed-buffer-zone-907231.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-troops-dig-in-miles-beyond-agreed-buffer-zone-907231.html <p>The Georgian city of Gori was slowly coming back to life yesterday, a day after the Russian troops that had occupied the city for more than a week pulled out. But the signs were that Russia and the West remain on a collision course over Moscow's actions, with Russian troops still inside Georgia's main port city of Poti, and setting up a permanent base on the road to South Ossetia, well outside any potential "buffer zone" envisaged by the West.</p> Europe Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-troops-still-in-georgia-after-pullout-906704.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-troops-still-in-georgia-after-pullout-906704.html <p> Russian soldiers held positions deep inside Georgia's heartland today, drawing accusations from Washington that Moscow's military pullback did not match up to what it had promised. </p> Europe Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:53:48 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/zante-bloody-zante-sun-sex-and-the-dark-side-of-the-med-905318.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/zante-bloody-zante-sun-sex-and-the-dark-side-of-the-med-905318.html <p>It's 2am on the Greek island of Zakynthos, and outside the Cocktails and Dreams nightclub, the party is in full swing. Swarms of excitable Brits stumble between bars and clubs, scuffling and fumbling on their way. But for some the distance proves a little too much, and a girl in a hot-pink bikini seeks refuge against a lamppost. Hers is just one of a string of slumped bodies lining the roadside; while across the street, ambulance workers assist a limp figure on to a stretcher. </p> Europe Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/honour-for-restaurant-that-doesnt-exist-906539.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/honour-for-restaurant-that-doesnt-exist-906539.html <p>With a menu boasting roast piglet with foie gras and grilled prawns on an aubergine crisp, and a wine cellar containing no fewer than 2,100 bottles, the Osteria L'Intrepido on Via Filipetti in central Milan seemed a fitting addition to the list of centres of gastronomic excellence featured in the oenophile's bible, Wine Spectator.</p> Europe Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/tables-turned-on-the-queen-of-promiscuity-906546.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/tables-turned-on-the-queen-of-promiscuity-906546.html <p>Catherine Millet, a Parisian art critic and curator, had 49 lovers she could account for and countless others "that blur into anonymity", and she turned her wild sex life into a worldwide bestseller. But when her husband started sleeping around she was racked by insufferable jealousy. </p> Europe Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/first-lady-bruni-meets-the-dalai-lama-at-opening-of-new-temple-906300.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/first-lady-bruni-meets-the-dalai-lama-at-opening-of-new-temple-906300.html <p> Carla Bruni-Sarkozy took another big step towards her goal of becoming France&rsquo;s Jackie Kennedy yesterday when she braved pouring rain and the scorn of her husband&rsquo;s critics to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader at a fairy-tale Buddhist temple on a hill in Languedoc. The former supermodel accepted the long white shawl of welcome from the Dalai Lama and posed for the cameras with pride. </p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:24:18 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spainair-footage-shows-no-engine-explosion-906291.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spainair-footage-shows-no-engine-explosion-906291.html <p> Video footage shot by Spain&rsquo;s airport authority Aena reportedly shows the doomed Spanair plane showed no sign of a blazing engine as it took off from Madrid. But the aircraft lacked power as it struggled to rise above 50 metres and crashed in flames, killing 153 people but with 19 survivors. </p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:11:20 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/poland-and-us-toast-antirussia-pact-with-georgian-wine-906207.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/poland-and-us-toast-antirussia-pact-with-georgian-wine-906207.html <p> The Poles and Americans added insult to injury this week, as far as Russia was concerned. </p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:40:26 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-quickens-departure-from-georgia-906152.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-quickens-departure-from-georgia-906152.html <p> Russian forces today accelerated a promised pullout from Georgian territory, but it was unclear how long it would take and what presence they would retain in a so-called &ldquo;buffer zone&rdquo; around the conflict areas of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. </p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:47:54 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgian-official-russian-troops-leaving-gori-906071.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgian-official-russian-troops-leaving-gori-906071.html <p> Georgia's security council chief Alexander Lomaia says Russian troops are leaving the strategic central city of Gori. </p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:11:47 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/one-killed-as-portugal-train-leaves-rails-906040.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/one-killed-as-portugal-train-leaves-rails-906040.html <p> One person died and 25 were injured when a Portuguese train with 47 people on board, many of them tourists, derailed and plunged into a ravine today, officials said. </p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:28:44 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/desperate-battle-to-identify-charred-bodies-as-relatives-demand-justice-905433.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/desperate-battle-to-identify-charred-bodies-as-relatives-demand-justice-905433.html <p>Angry relatives demanded justice yesterday as Spanish investigators combed through the wreckage of the plane that crashed in Madrid's airport on Wednesday, killing 153.</p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/those-that-perished-and-those-that-escaped-905434.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/those-that-perished-and-those-that-escaped-905434.html <p><b>Family killed on the way to son's baptism</b></p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/a-concert-for-ossetians-ndash-to-russias-tune-905453.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/a-concert-for-ossetians-ndash-to-russias-tune-905453.html <p>Many have lost relatives, some no longer have homes, but they all put on their best evening dress and flocked to Tskhinvali's central square to see one of the world's most famous conductors lead an emotional concert in support of his people &ndash; and Russian military action.</p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-nazis-the-jewish-banker-and-the-battle-for-two-priceless-picassos-905454.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-nazis-the-jewish-banker-and-the-battle-for-two-priceless-picassos-905454.html <p>The paintings are not only priceless, but they have been among the star attractions at New York's Museum of Modern Art and the city's equally renowned Guggenheim Museum for more than four decades. Both are early Picassos painted at the beginning of the 20th century &ndash; before the two world wars that would engulf Europe and ultimately lead to the current blockbuster of a legal battle.</p> Europe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/news/de-niro-pays-tribute-to-father-at-retrospective-905014.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/news/de-niro-pays-tribute-to-father-at-retrospective-905014.html <p> Robert De Niro Jr, Oscar winner and famed method actor, has been happy to take a supporting role for once as a gallery in Bilbao has staged a retrospective of his father, Robert De Niro Senior's work. </p> News Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:57:12 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spain-mourns-young-victims-of-air-disaster-904680.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spain-mourns-young-victims-of-air-disaster-904680.html <p> Spain today announced three days' of national mourning for victims of the Madrid air crash. </p> Europe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:10:40 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/court-bid-for-liverpool-fan-jailed-in-bulgaria-904536.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/court-bid-for-liverpool-fan-jailed-in-bulgaria-904536.html <p> Lawyers for a Liverpool supporter jailed for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman three years ago will launch a new bid today to secure his release. </p> Europe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:32:32 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-military-not-quitting-georgia-904443.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-military-not-quitting-georgia-904443.html <p> Russia's military has no plans to leave Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia or the buffer zone around it, a senior Russian military official said today. </p> <p> &quot;We are not planning to leave anywhere...,&quot; Anatoly Nogovitsyn, deputy chief of the Russian military's General Staff, told a news conference, when asked if the Russian military would remain in South Ossetia and the surrounding zone. </p> Europe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:36:40 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/madrid-crash-the-holiday-flight-into-hell-904103.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/madrid-crash-the-holiday-flight-into-hell-904103.html <p> More than 150 people were killed yesterday after a plane bound for the holiday island of Gran Canaria crashed on take-off, swerved off the runway and burst into flames at Madrid airport, in western Europe's worst air disaster in seven years. </p> Europe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-survivors-they-missed-the-flight-by-just-three-minutes-904104.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-survivors-they-missed-the-flight-by-just-three-minutes-904104.html <p>She was waiting for her 13-year-old and 14-year-old children at Las Palmas airport when she heard about the crash in Madrid.</p> Europe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-witnesses-nothing-remains-everything-is-burned-904105.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-witnesses-nothing-remains-everything-is-burned-904105.html <p> Rescuers were unable to reach passengers trapped inside the plane wreckage because of intense smoke and flames, witnesses said. </p> Europe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-investigation-a-systems-failure-ndash-or-did-pilots-panic-904107.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-investigation-a-systems-failure-ndash-or-did-pilots-panic-904107.html <p>Investigators examining the causes of the Spanair Flight JK5022 crash will be keen to inspect the plane's black box recorder, which will reveal the exact chain of events that ended with the MD-82 hurtling into a field and catching fire at Madrid's Barajas airport.</p> Europe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/parents-of-us-student-at-centre-of-kercher-murder-inquiry-vow-to-clear-her-name-904123.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/parents-of-us-student-at-centre-of-kercher-murder-inquiry-vow-to-clear-her-name-904123.html <p>Paying for lawyers and other experts has sunk them deep into debt, "leveraged to the hilt" but the parents of Amanda Knox, the American student accused of murdering British girl Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, say they will "do whatever it takes" to prove her innocent and bring her home. </p> Europe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/poland-and-us-risk-crisis-to-sign-missile-deal-903912.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/poland-and-us-risk-crisis-to-sign-missile-deal-903912.html <p> Poland and the United States risked igniting a new missile crisis with Russia as their foreign ministers today signed a deal to station part of an American defence shield on Polish soil, manned by US soldiers, 115 miles from the Russian border. </p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:29:41 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dr-death-jailed-for-mutilating-women-903773.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dr-death-jailed-for-mutilating-women-903773.html <p> A French plastic surgeon accused of mutilating 96 women with his scalpel over 15 years has been jailed in Madrid, pending extradition to France where he faces a prison term and a hefty fine. </p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:57:15 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/miliband-visit-puts-pressure-on-georgian-leader-903732.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/miliband-visit-puts-pressure-on-georgian-leader-903732.html <p> The first British government minister to visit Georgia since the Russian invasion made a point of meeting opposition leaders as public discontent over Mikheil Saakashvili&rsquo;s role in the disaster that has befallen the country began to grow. </p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:28:52 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-stakes-are-raised-in-a-new-cold-war-903273.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-stakes-are-raised-in-a-new-cold-war-903273.html <p></p> <p> The United States and Poland have raised the stakes in the new Cold War with the signing of a deal for a US missile defence base to be situated in a country bordering Russia. </p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:35:22 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sarkozy-has-no-regrets-after-afghan-deaths-903238.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sarkozy-has-no-regrets-after-afghan-deaths-903238.html <p> President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Wednesday he did not regret sending 700 more troops to Afghanistan this year, after insurgents killed 10 French soldiers, the biggest single loss for foreign forces in Afghan combat since 2001. </p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:08:50 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-and-poland-sign-defence-deal-903209.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/us-and-poland-sign-defence-deal-903209.html <p> US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, today stressed the importance of a deal with Poland to build an American missile defense base in the former Soviet satellite nation &mdash; a plan that has infuriated Moscow. </p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:56:28 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/a-new-world-order-the-week-russia-flexed-its-military-muscle-902741.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/a-new-world-order-the-week-russia-flexed-its-military-muscle-902741.html <p>The Georgian president was on vacation in Italy. The defence minister and foreign minister were away on holiday too. The world's attention was riveted on the Olympic Games in Beijing, where the preparations for the lavish opening ceremony were in full swing. </p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/sarkozy-under-scrutiny-over-troop-decision-902903.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/sarkozy-under-scrutiny-over-troop-decision-902903.html <p>President Nicolas Sarkozy's decision this spring to dispatch hundreds more French soldiers to Afghanistan was extremely unpopular. It was no surprise therefore that within hours of the slaughter in Afghanistan, M. Sarkozy interrupted his French riviera holiday with his wife Carla Bruni to fly to Kabul to support French troops.</p> Asia Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-risks-wrath-of-russia-as-yushchenko-sides-with-the-west-902906.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-risks-wrath-of-russia-as-yushchenko-sides-with-the-west-902906.html <p>Nato foreign ministers kept alive the hopes of Georgia and Ukraine yesterday that they could eventually become members of the military alliance. But even without the provocation to Russia of a clear timetable for either country to join, many Ukrainians fear they could be next to face the force of a resurgent Russia seemingly bent on avenging the disintegration of the Soviet empire.</p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/nato-freezes-ties-with-moscow-902907.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/nato-freezes-ties-with-moscow-902907.html <p>Nato linked the future of the alliance's relations with Moscow to the pullout of troops from Georgia yesterday and warned that "there can be no business as usual under present circumstances."</p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgians-tell-of-ethnic-cleansing-902908.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgians-tell-of-ethnic-cleansing-902908.html <p>The graves were shallow, dug in haste. One was in a shed attached to a house, the stench overwhelming the building. Stones had been on top to prevent disturbance by animals. This was the grim evidence, locals insist, of murderous ethnic cleansing, which has accompanied this conflict.</p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/german-mps-in-racism-row-on-us-trip-902911.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/german-mps-in-racism-row-on-us-trip-902911.html <p>Six German MPs have been upbraided for using "unacceptable and devious" behaviour on an official visit to America, during which one of them demanded the services of a "negro" to push the wheelchair of a delegate who had broken her foot.</p> Europe Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/how-catching-cold-mountain-air-could-save-europes-glaciers-902913.html http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/how-catching-cold-mountain-air-could-save-europes-glaciers-902913.html <p>A German geography professor has developed a controversial system of mountain "wind-catching" screens which he claims could slow or even halt the dramatic rate at which Europe's glaciers are melting.</p> Climate Change Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/rice-warns-russia-not-to-redraw-european-map-902607.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/rice-warns-russia-not-to-redraw-european-map-902607.html <p> Condoleezza Rice today warned Russia not to try to redraw the map of Europe in the wake of its invasion of Georgia. </p> Europe Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:50:40 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-seizes-us-vehicles-902432.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-seizes-us-vehicles-902432.html <p> Russian soldiers today held blindfolded Georgian servicemen at gunpoint and commandeered US Humvees in a dramatic sequence of events in Poti, a key Black Sea port. </p> Europe Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:49:18 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/anne-penketh-nato-is-walking-a-tightrope-over-georgia-902181.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/anne-penketh-nato-is-walking-a-tightrope-over-georgia-902181.html <p> Nato foreign ministers are walking a tightrope today at an emergency meeting in Brussels called to discuss the Georgia conflict. </p> Europe Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:53:44 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-and-georgian-forces-exchange-prisoners-902121.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-and-georgian-forces-exchange-prisoners-902121.html <p> Russian and Georgian forces today exchanged prisoners in a gesture of goodwill despite continued tension over Russia's promised withdrawal. </p> Europe Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:04:33 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/inside-the-city-overrun-by-russian-army-901823.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/inside-the-city-overrun-by-russian-army-901823.html <p> The Russian occupation of large areas of Georgia continued yesterday in apparent defiance of international agreements and promises to withdraw. </p> Europe Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/european-leaders-unite-with-call-to-freeze-ties-with-russia-901827.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/european-leaders-unite-with-call-to-freeze-ties-with-russia-901827.html <p>European leaders will attempt to bury their differences and send a tough message to Moscow at an emergency Nato meeting today, where there will be calls to freeze ties between the Western alliance and Russia in the aftermath of the war in Georgia.</p> Europe Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:01 +0100