Europe Archives

BALKANS: Images Bring the Wars Back

The guns have been silent in the Balkans for more than ten years now, but their images and echoes continue to torment thousands, the first study on health among war veterans in Serbia shows.

GREECE: Violence Begins to Take Hold

By Apostolis Fotiadis

A wave of violent attacks has been rocking Athens ever since the December 2008 riots that broke out after a policeman shot dead a 15-year-old boy.

RUSSIA: In a New Gas War with Ukraine

By Kester Kenn Klomegah

The Ukraine-Russia gas dispute has boosted plans for construction of the South Stream and North Stream gas pipelines that would eventually divert Russian gas supplies through the Black Sea and the Baltic seabed respectively to European consumers.

SPAIN: Economic Renaissance Over

By Carlos Rubio

At one of the busiest unemployment offices in central Madrid, people have been standing in line since six in the morning.

ENVIRONMENT: Bulgaria Going Down a Slippery Slope

By Claudia Ciobanu

The World Ski Cup for women last weekend was organised in Bulgaria at a ski resort whose development is partially illegal, and which is damaging a world heritage site.

RUSSIA: Problems Rise With Falling Oil Prices

By Kester Kenn Klomegah

The Russian economy is plunging into a crisis as oil prices fall and the government digs deep into its reserve fund.

A rare Serb visit to an Albanian area in Mitrovica. Credit: Apostolis Fotiadis

KOSOVO: In Mitrovica, Ten Minutes Is a Long Drive

By Apostolis Fotiadis

It was a bus ride from one part of the city to another. Or was it.

Q&A: Truth Brings Reconciliation

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic

The guns have been silent for 10 years across what was Yugoslavia, but more than 130,000 violent deaths still cast a long shadow on the region.

Celebrations anyhow. Credit: Nikos Pilos

KOSOVO: Unsteady on its First Birthday

By Apostolis Fotiadis

Young people took to the streets of Pristina well before midnight brought in the 17th of February and the first anniversary of Kosovo's declaration of independence. They yelled and danced, waving the Albanian and occasionally the U.S. flags.

LABOUR: Women At the Helm, Literally

By Miren Gutierrez

Shipping used to be for men. Now women are starting to be seen commanding merchant vessels, oil tankers and cruisers, "manning" ships and operating liner engines.

ICELAND: Whaling Move Rocks Government

By Lowana Veal

Two weeks ago, a day after the government of Iceland fell, outgoing fisheries and agriculture minister Einar K. Gudfinnsson announced a quota for commercial whaling for up to 150 fin whales and 100 minke whales for the next five years.

EUROPE: Police Cooperation With Israel Challenged

By IPS Correspondents

A European Union body has cast strong doubts over efforts to boost police cooperation between the 27-country bloc and Israel.

On the high seas with parasails. Credit: SkySails

ENERGY: Parasails Can Move Ships

By Maricel Drazer

They say that faith can move mountains. Now, faith in the wind has led to a new way to move ships. The technique, developed in Germany, is powerful enough to move today's deep-draught cargo vessels and can reduce fuel consumption by 50 percent.

ECONOMY: Greece Melts More than Most

By Apostolis Fotiadis

The financial meltdown has finally visited Greece. European Commission figures leave no space for political manoeuvring by the Greek government, the usual way to deal with EC control and counsel.

BALKANS: Serbs Don’t Squeal

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic

It would appear at first sight that Ratko Mladic, indicted for war crimes, has little to worry about. A survey shows that two-thirds of Serbs would not tip off the police about him, despite the million euros reward offered by the state.

ENVIRONMENT-EUROPE: No Money on the Table Yet

By IPS Correspondents

Figures indicating how much the European Union should give to poor countries affected by climate change have been removed at the last minute from a new environmental blueprint published in Brussels Jan. 28.

Demonstrators outside the government building in Reykjavik. Credit: Lowana Veal

ICELAND: People Power Produces Unexpected Muscle

By Lowana Veal

The government has fallen in Iceland in the wake of an unprecedented season of protests.

At the Jan. 21 protest in Sofia. Credit: Jana Punkina

BULGARIA: Protests Rise Above Parties, and Against Them

By Claudia Ciobanu

Protests have been taking place in Bulgarian capital Sofia almost every day since Jan. 14. Bringing together students and parents, farmers and environmentalists, the actions are directed against a political class which, in the words of the organisers, has "robbed" Bulgarians.