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☆ EU Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Slovakia's Criminal Law Reforms
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - European Union lawmakers said on Wednesday they had "deep concern" over Slovakia's planned criminal code changes and shutting a special prosecutor's office, piling on criticism of the government's plan to fast-track the changes. The European Parliament, in a resolution approved by 496 of the 630 lawmakers who voted, said the changes needed more scrutiny and called on the European Commission to take action "to safeguard the rule of law and judicial independence". Slovak President Zuzana Caputova has threatened to veto the legislation, although Fico's government will be able to override her move. According to Slovak media, 40 people have been sentenced while another 130 are being investigated or tried. The EU's justice commissioner Didier Reynders said in mid-December the Commission could take action against Slovakia if it enacts criminal law changes that violate EU laws.

Persons: Robert Fico's, Zuzana Caputova, Didier Reynders, Jan Kuciak, Fico, Daniel Lipsic, Jason Hovet, Ros Russell Organizations: Reuters, Union, European Commission, European Union, The, USP Locations: Western, Poland, Hungary, United States, EU, Slovak, Slovakia, Prague

☆ The top 9 'must-have' travel experiences of 2024, according to luxury advisors
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Jonathan Delise | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

If that sounds like a tall order for a summer getaway, the luxury travel company Virtuoso asked 20,000 of its travel advisors to share their top experiences for 2024. Dark sky tourism focuses on rural locations without light pollution, such as Greece's Olympus Mountain National Park. Departing in August, Virtuoso recommends travelers first take in the Olympic Games before departing the city in style. Passion travelsHobbies may be associated with the home, but Virtuoso recommends taking your passions on the road. Virtuoso recommends exploring Peruvian cuisine at the Mistura Food Festival, or checking out the street food of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Persons: Nicolas Economou, Manoj Shah, Belles, Bhutan's, Young, Peter Adams, Chiang Mai, Koh, Wiphop, Sakura, James Cole, Hillary, Cousteau, Shackleton, pricey, Yasin Akgul, bookworms, Wolfgang Kaehler, Brian Curtice, Levente Bodo, ERNESTO BENAVIDES Organizations: Nurphoto, DarkSky, Stone, InterContinental, UNESCO, Istock, Expedition, Getty, CNBC Travel, Orient, Afp, Departing, Olympic Games, Chelsea Flower, Lightrocket, Festival Locations: stargazing, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Northern Mexico, Blanco , Texas, Albanya, Spain, Africa, Bhutan, Thailand, Pana, Yai, Bangkok, Japan Japan, United States, North America, Japan, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Fuji's, Antarctica, Paris, Istanbul, Turkey, Asia, Europe, Venice, Turkish, Strahov, Riau, Isla, Ljubljana, Slovenia

PRAGUE (AP) — František Janouch, a Czech nuclear physicist who set up a foundation in Sweden while in exile to support the dissident movement in his communist homeland at the time, has died. The Charter 77 Foundation said Janouch died on Friday morning in Sweden's capital, Stockholm, where he had lived since the 1970s. Born on Sept. 22, 1931 in the town of Lysa nad Labem near Prague, Janouch studied nuclear physics at Charles University in Prague and at universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg in the then Soviet Union. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesAt the invitation of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, he moved to Sweden in 1974. “František Janouch contributed significantly to the return of freedom to our country,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

Persons: Janouch, Václav Havel, Havel, “ František Janouch, Petr Fiala Organizations: Charles University, Nuclear Physics Institute, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Locations: PRAGUE, Czech, Sweden, Sweden's, Stockholm, Lysa nad Labem, Prague, Moscow, St, Petersburg, Soviet Union, Soviet, Czechoslovakia, Swedish

☆ My family has traveled to 20 states and 20 countries. My young kids have been everywhere from Colombia, to Turks and Caicos, to Florida.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Taryn White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

My parents introduced me to traveling with road trips, and I've done the same with my kids. AdvertisementAs a child, I eagerly awaited the annual road trips across the US with my parents and two siblings. On our trips, we've learned everything from the art of lei-making in Maui to the Black history of Cartagena. In 2018, Taryn White and her family went to Medellin, Colombia, and stopped to enjoy some colorful street art. Taryn White and her family have been all over the world together, from Aspen to Turks and Caicos.

Persons: I've, —, we've, they're, Taryn White, it's, We've, Hvar's Organizations: Service, Virginia, Virginia Aquarium Locations: Myrtle Beach, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Maui, Cartagena, Portugal, Bahamas, Medellin, Colombia, Aspen, Bend, Shenandoah, Virginia Beach, Bradenton , Florida, Caicos, Grace Bay, Douro, Algarve, Turks, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Prague, Budapest, Hvar

☆ The most exciting new trains coming in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Ben Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —Around the world, travelers are flocking back to trains, and demand is increasing across the board for high-speed trains, luxury “land cruises” and long-distance day and night trains. Here are some of the best new trains you’ll be able to take in 2024. Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga/AFP/Getty ImagesLinks between two of Europe’s most visited capitals have traditionally been pretty poor, with no direct trains since the 1990s. Ian Clarke/Alamy Stock PhotoFour continents, 13 countries, and seven luxury trains across 80 days – the ultimate experience for rail travel connoisseurs is due to depart in late 2024. BelmondOne of the world’s greatest luxury train journeys is returning to the rails in 2024 after a four-year gap.

Persons: Laurie Dieffembacq, Dimorestudio, Vita ”, Riva Aquarama, itineraries, Jeroen Berends, Gabriel Bouys, it’s, Jesus Hellin, That’s, Trenitalia, Luigi Ferraris, France –, Railbookers, Ian Clarke, we’ve, ”, Frank Marini, Alex Halada, There’s Organizations: CNN, Orient, Getty, ÖBB, Austrian Federal Railways, SNCF, Eurostar, National, Europa Press, French, Renfe, FS, Rocky Mountaineer, Royal, Orient Express, Oriental, ”, Oriental Express, Austrian Railways, Swiss Locations: Swiss, Venice, Paris, Berlin, AFP, Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Italy, Rome, Matera, Palermo, Sicily, Messina, Europe’s, Istanbul, Split, Brussels, Prague, Europe, Dutch, Dresden, Belgian, Roman, Naples, Madrid, Spain, France, Spanish, Barcelona, Lyon, Marseille, Canada, Central Europe, India, South Africa, Eastern, Vancouver, Malaysia, Singapore, Malaysia’s, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Bangkok, Vienna, Innsbruck, Hamburg, Switzerland, Germany, Zürich, Gornergrat Bahn, Zermatt, Gornergrat, Riffelalp

☆ Slovak truckers to start Ukraine border crossing blockade, joining Polish protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Slovak hauliers are joining Polish truckers who have been blocking several crossings to Ukraine since Nov. 6. Polish and Slovak truckers complain that Ukrainian truckers offer cheaper prices for their services and also transport goods within the EU, rather than just between the bloc and Ukraine. The next decision would come after Monday's EU transport ministers meeting in Brussels, where Polish, Slovak and Hungarian delegations were expected to raise the topic. The Slovak Transport Ministry said after meeting the hauliers on Wednesday it would relay their demands in Brussels. European transport commissioner Adina Valean said on Nov. 29 that Ukraine and the EU cannot be "taken hostage" by the Polish truckers blockading the border.

Persons: Stanislav Skala, Skala, Nemecke, Adina Valean, Jan Lopatka, William Maclean Organizations: European Union, EU, Truckers, Military, Slovak Transport Ministry, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Slovakia, Brussels, Slovak, Kyiv, Prague

The official told Gupta - who the prosecutors described as an Indian national involved in drugs and weapons trafficking - about a "target" in New York. The official wanted Gupta to orchestrate the target's murder, in exchange for getting criminal charges against him in India dropped. While prosecutors have not identified the alleged victim, a senior administration official told Reuters it was Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a New York-based lawyer who leads a separatist group called Sikhs for Justice. U.S. prosecutors did not name the Indian official, who they described as a government employee responsible for intelligence and security matters. "We are all counting on you," Gupta told the purported hitman in a video call on June 12.

Persons: Nikhil Gupta, Gupta, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Pannun, Narendra Modi's, Gupta's, Jake Sullivan, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Nijjar, Modi, Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau, Luc Cohen, Krishn Kaushik, Trevor Hunnicut, Heather Timmons Organizations: U.S . Department of Justice, Indian, Reuters, Justice, Administration, Manhattan, National Security, U.S, White, Canadian, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City, U.S, DELHI, Indian, New York, India, India's Gujarat, United States, Washington, New Delhi, Vancouver, Prague, Delhi

☆ Russian court extends pre-trial detention of U.S. journalist until Feb. 5
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Alexey Nasyrov Acquire Licensing RightsKAZAN, Russia, Dec 1 (Reuters) - A Russia court extended the detention of Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on Friday as she awaits trial for failing to register as a "foreign agent". The court in the city of Kazan prolonged her detention untilFeb. 5. Kurmasheva holds both U.S. and Russian passports, and entered Russia on May 20 to deal with a family emergency, RFE/RL said. According to court documents, Kurmasheva was fined 10,000 roubles ($103) on Oct. 11 for failing to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities. Kurmasheva is the second U.S. journalist detained in Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Persons: Alsu Kurmasheva, Alexey Nasyrov, Jeffrey Gedmin, Alsu, Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, Gershkovich, Joe Biden, Felix Light, Mark Trevelyan Organizations: Radio Free, Radio Liberty, RFE, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Congress, Wall, U.S, Reuters, Thomson Locations: American, Radio Free Europe, Kazan, Russia, Prague, Ukraine, U.S, Moscow

☆ Slovak truckers to block Ukraine crossing, joining Polish protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Yan Dobronosov/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Slovak truckers will block the main border crossing with Ukraine from Friday, the country's truckers association UNAS said, joining Polish protests to win restrictions against Ukrainian drivers. Polish truckers have been blocking several crossings with Ukraine since Nov. 6 to demand tougher conditions for Ukrainian peers. Polish and Slovak truckers complain Ukrainian truckers offer cheaper prices for their services and also transport goods within the European Union, rather than just between the bloc and Ukraine. They say their business has been undercut since truckers from Ukraine gained exemptions from seeking permits to cross following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Polish truckers started protests this month, demanding the EU reintroduce a permit system for Ukrainian truckers entering the bloc and for EU truckers entering Ukraine, with exemptions for humanitarian aid and military supplies.

Persons: Yan, UNAS, Vysne Nemecke, Transport Adina Valean, Jason Hovet, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, EU, Transport, Thomson Locations: Poland, Ukraine, Korczowa, Slovakia, Kyiv, Prague

☆ Slovak Truckers Threaten Ukraine Border Blockade From Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Slovak truckers are threatening to block the country's main border crossing with Ukraine from Friday unless steps are taken to limit competition from Ukrainian hauliers, the head of the country's truckers association UNAS said. The threat comes after action by Polish truckers who have been blocking several crossings with Ukraine for three weeks to demand tougher conditions for Ukrainian peers. Polish and Slovak truckers complain they offer cheaper prices for their services and also transport goods within the European Union, rather than just between the bloc and Ukraine. Polish truckers started their protest on Nov. 6, demanding that the European Union reintroduce a permit system for Ukrainian truckers entering the bloc and for EU truckers entering Ukraine, with exemptions for humanitarian aid and military supplies. He said there would be a Dec. 4 meeting of European transport ministers in Brussels but he did not have high hopes of any breakthrough.

Persons: UNAS, Stanislav Skala, Jan Lopatka, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Reuters, European Union, Transport Ministry, Commission Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Vysne, European, Brussels, Prague

PRAGUE (AP) — Labor unions staged a day of protests and strikes across the Czech Republic on Monday to voice their opposition to the government’s package of cuts and austerity measures meant to keep the ballooning deficit under control. The unions are also demanding more money for the education and healthcare sectors and are protesting proposed changes to the pension system. Some 74% or over 7,200 nursery, elementary and high schools across the country were either fully or partially closed Monday in the biggest such protest since the establishment of the Czech Republic in 1993, unions said. Among other measures, Czechs will pay more taxes on alcoholic beverages, including beer, and on medicine. According to the government, the measures should reduce the budget deficit by 97 billion Czech crowns ($4.3 billion) next year and by 150 billion ($6.7 billion) in 2025.

Persons: Petr Fiala, ” Fiala, Petr Pavel, Andrej Babis, Babis Organizations: — Labor, Auto, Fiala’s, ANO Locations: PRAGUE, Czech Republic

Last month's slayings of about 1,200 people in Israel by armed Palestinian militants represented the biggest killing of Jews since the Holocaust. ACTS OF ANTISEMITISM — AND HOW THAT'S DEFINEDAntisemitism is broadly defined as hatred of Jews. Criticism of Israel's policies and antisemitism have long been conflated by Israeli leaders such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and by some watchdog groups. Some of Europe's Jews say they see it on the streets and the news. Many Jews, though, say the chant is inherently anti-Jewish and calls for the destruction of Israel.

Persons: Michel Dreifuss, —, Herbert Traube, Benjamin Netanyahu, Susan Neiman, “, you’ve, ”, Israel, Israel —, There's, Anna Segal, Segal, ” Segal, Peggy Hicks, “ I’ve, Hicks, ” ___ Kellman, Kirsten Grieshaber, Silvia Stellacci, Karel Janicek, Lorne Cook, Jari Tanner, Vanessa Gera, John Leicester, Sylvie Corbet Organizations: GENEVA, Einstein, —, French Interior Ministry, Community Security Trust, Israel, West Bank Locations: Geneva, Israel, Gaza, Europe, Germany, Austria, Potsdam, Britain, Russia, Berlin, Lyon, France, In Berlin, Palestine, Jordan, Jerusalem, London, Rome, Prague, Brussels, Helsinki, Warsaw, Poland, Paris

☆ Travel news: UK airport’s ‘bus shelter’ prayer room ridiculed online
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Editor’s Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. “It still gives me butterflies in my stomach,” Zahn tells CNN Travel today. Ski seasonNumerous ski resorts around the world are facing the reality that in these times of climate crisis, there just isn’t enough snow to carry on. Turkey is a famous choice for beach destinations, but it’s also home to a number of under-the-radar ski resorts. With reports of chair hogs, food fights and booze guzzlers, CNN Travel asks if cruising etiquette has been lost at sea.

Persons: Love, Ilona Zahn, Ian Duncan’s, ” Zahn, Zahn, it’s, They’d, you’re, There’s Organizations: CNN, Pan, CNN Travel, Thai Airways Locations: Rome, Peter’s, Cambodia, Angkor, “, Tabasco, Tehran, United States, Bangkok, New York, French, Bellagio, Italy, Turkey, States, Alaska, Istanbul, Nevada's Valley, Vegas, Fire, Prague, Loch Ness

☆ Czech gunmaker Colt CZ makes offer for Vista Outdoor
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Jason Hovet | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Visitors look at firearms from Colt CZ Group at the Milipol Paris, the worldwide exhibition dedicated to homeland security and safety, in Villepinte near Paris, France, November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPRAGUE, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Czech gunmaker Colt CZ Group (CZG.PR) has made a cash-and-stock merger offer to Vista Outdoor (VSTO.N), valuing the U.S. sporting and outdoor goods group's shares at a 16% premium. Colt CZ said it proposed keeping the company together, scrapping plans to separate Vista at this time. Colt CZ, along with a majority shareholder and its chairman, together acquired more than 5% of Vista shares, they announced in October. Colt CZ shares fell around 3% at the Prague open on Thursday but had recovered to trade nearly 1% higher by 1053 GMT.

Persons: Sarah Meyssonnier, Colt CZ's, Vista, Colt, Jason Hovet, Mark Potter Organizations: Colt CZ, REUTERS, Rights, Vista, Czechoslovak Group, Czechoslovak, Colt, CSG, Thomson Locations: Paris, Villepinte, France, Czech, U.S, Vista, Prague

☆ Czech coach Silhavy quits due to barrage of criticism
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Silhavy took charge of the national team in 2018 after they failed to qualify for the World Cup. "Sometimes I don't understand why, the anger and aggression (is directed towards me)," Silhavy was quoted as saying by news website iDnes.cz on Tuesday. His departure follows the team's 3-0 win over 10-man Moldova on Monday, which secured them a place in Euro 2024. Silhavy said the actions of the players -- who all featured in Friday's 1-1 draw with Poland -- disappointed him and helped confirm his decision to quit. "I don't think the guys did it for me to quit," Silhavy said.

Persons: Jaroslav Silhavy, Silhavy, iDnes.cz, Vladimir Coufal, Jakub Brabec, Jan Kuchta, Michael Kahn Organizations: FA, Slovan Liberec, Slavia Prague, West Ham, Thomson Locations: PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Moldova, Poland

☆ In a Six-Point Star, a Multitude of Meanings
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Rachel Janfaza | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The account, Why I Wear My Star, featured posts containing people’s reasons for wearing Star of David jewelry and other Judaica. Ms. Adams and Ms. Gabbai, who are both Jewish, said they had largely stopped updating the account until recently. Ms. Gabbai, now 21 and a senior at Florida State University, said the Instagram account is not intended to be pro-Israel. Rachie Shnay, a jewelry designer in Manhattan, said she saw several people wearing star accessories at a rally for Israel held by Jewish groups in Washington on Tuesday. The Star of David, called Magen David in Hebrew, was used by Jews in Prague as early as the 1600s.

Persons: Abby Adams, Sammy Gabbai, David, Adams, Gabbai, Rachie, ”, Shnay, Jonathan Sarna, Nelly Bulkin, Sophie, “, Ms, Bulkin, Sophie Bulkin Organizations: Star, Florida State University, Israel, University of North, Hill, Brandeis University, University of California Locations: Poway, Calif, Israel, University of North Carolina, Manhattan, Washington, Prague, Boston, Berkeley, San Diego, United States, Eastern Europe

☆ I left NYC and moved to Eastern Europe after my divorce — but here's what I wish I would've done differently
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Katka Lapelosova | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Katka Lapelosová moved to Serbia in October 2020 after her divorce. Then I fell in love with my best friend from high school, who had never left Long Island, and everything changed. Our nearly 10-year relationship was fantastic and filled with many wonderful memories including a few trips to Europe. AdvertisementSerbia really surprised me and moving here has been interestingLapelosová drove around Serbia and found the countryside very beautiful. Courtesy of Katka LapelosováWhile I love living abroad, it can definitely get lonely, and I still get homesick.

Persons: Katka Lapelosová, Lapelosová, would've, she'll, —, I'm, wasn't, I'd, I've, Lapelosová I've, Serbia —, don't, There's, it's, Belgrade haven't Organizations: Service, Belgrade —, Yorker, EU Locations: Serbia, Yorker, Prague, Long, Europe, EU, Balkans, Serbian, Belgrade, Italy, Spain, Greece, Slovakia, Saint Sava Temple, New York City, Paris, Barcelona, Siberia, Syria, Croatia, Malta

☆ Czech government freezes Russian state's real-estate assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The government press office said the EU country widened its national sanctions list to include a Russian company, which is controlled by the Russian presidential administration, and is in charge of managing Russian assets abroad. "The company's commercial activities are as of today illegal, as well as circumventing and violating this sanction, and its entire assets in the Czech Republic have been frozen," it said. In the Czech Republic, the Russian company manages a number of real estate properties, the Czech government said. The Czech sanctions list goes beyond the EU's sanctions packages and includes six other entities or persons. The Czech Republic has been among the strongest backers of Ukraine since the February 2022 full invasion by Russia.

Persons: Stringer, Putin, CTK, Jan Lipavsky, Jan Lopatka, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia region, Czech, Czech Republic, EU, Russian, Russia, Prague

☆ Czech Government Freezes Russian State's Real-Estate Assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech government said on Wednesday it froze Russian state-owned properties in the Czech Republic, expanding a sanctions list set up in retaliation for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The government press office said the EU country widened its national sanctions list to include a Russian company, which is controlled by the Russian presidential administration, and is in charge of managing Russian assets abroad. "The company's commercial activities are as of today illegal, as well as circumventing and violating this sanction, and its entire assets in the Czech Republic have been frozen," it said. In the Czech Republic, the Russian company manages a number of real estate properties, the Czech government said. The Czech sanctions list goes beyond the EU's sanctions packages and includes six other entities or persons.

Persons: Putin, CTK, Jan Lipavsky, Jan Lopatka, Matthew Lewis Locations: PRAGUE, Czech, Czech Republic, Ukraine, EU, Russian, Russia, Prague

UKRAINE DIVERSIONReuters spoke to around a half dozen Czech and Polish defence companies and government officials who described renewed efforts to carve out a bigger share of the African arms market as the Ukraine conflict diverts Russia's attention. Privately-held defence and civil manufacturing company Czechoslovak Group - the biggest Czech defence company - said its ability to maintain and modernize armoured vehicles using Soviet-era standards has helped it win business in Africa. ...in Poland where our stand was visited by numerous delegations from African countries that appeared here for the first time," WB Group spokesman Remigiusz Wilk said. The effort to supply Ukraine has pushed Czech companies to boost production and expand supply lines, something Czech-based independent defence analyst Lukas Visingr said has burnished the region's reputation. "The Czech arms industry is stepping up its efforts towards certain African countries still using Soviet-style equipment but who start to see Russia as a problematic supplier," Visingr said.

Persons: David W Cerny, Jiri Hynek, Filip Kulstrunk, Andrej Cirtek, Pieter Wezeman, Sebastian Chwalek, –, Remigiusz Wilk, Petr Fiala, Tomas Pojar, Tomas Kopecny, Kopecny, Lukas Visingr, Visingr, Michael Kahn, Anna Koper, Alex Richardson Organizations: Aero Vodochody, REUTERS, Western, Central, Russia Czech, Defence, Western NATO, Warsaw, Defence and Security Industry Association of, Reuters, Aero, Privately, Czechoslovak Group, CSG, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, WB Group, WB, Ivory, Thomson Locations: Odolena Voda, Czech Republic, Russia, Africa, PRAGUE, WARSAW, European, Western, Czechoslovakia, Czech, UKRAINE, Polish, Ukraine, Stockholm, China, Saharan Africa, Poland's, Poland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Prague, Mozambique

☆ New Slovak government eyes tax, spending hikes, slow deficit reduction
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Slovakia's newly appointed Prime Minister Robert Fico attends the new cabinet's inauguration, at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 25, 2023. The programme promised a special tax on banking profits and measures to cut interest rates on mortgages. The programme also set out plans for increasing tax levels for higher earners, on real estate -- especially second and third homes -- and on alcohol and tobacco. The goal is to help fund a slow consolidation of the public budget as the budget gap is expected to be nearly 7% of gross domestic product. ($1 = 0.9373 euros)Reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague, Editing by Timothy HeritageOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Slovakia's, Robert Fico, Radovan Stoklasa, Fico, Erik Tomas, Jan Lopatka, Timothy Organizations: REUTERS, Ukraine, European, Social, European Union, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, European Union, Ukraine, Prague

☆ The night train revolution has been hailed as an alternative to airplanes. Here’s how that’s going
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Ben Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Wherever they run, night trains are complicated, labor intensive and expensive to operate – one of the major reasons they went into decline in the first place. The $770 million contract could eventually see up to 370 new overnight carriages introduced to update Italy’s entire overnight train fleet. “Politicians must be clear: the night train market will be effectively closed for a very long time,” he says. So, what does all this mean for the much-vaunted night train revolution? With the honorable exception of government-subsidized Nightjet, which plans to expand rapidly over the next five years, European night train services have yet to match the hype.

Persons: Love, James Brown, David Bowie, Ray Charles, –, they’ve, Charisius, Agatha Christie, James Bond, Mark Smith, ”, “, ÖBB, “ Superliner, Kuleshova, Smith, it’s, Alex Halada, Nick Brooks Organizations: CNN, Orient Express, Austrian Federal Railways, Swiss Federal Railways, Deutsche Bahn, Italian State Railways, Amtrak, California Zephyr, European, Bloomberg, Getty, Regiojet, Compagnie Internationale des, VIA Rail, European Union, Frankfurt, Eurostar, EU Rail, EU Locations: Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, Vienna, Hamburg, Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, France, Sweden, Milan, Sicily, Messina, Europe’s, United States, Berlin, Stockholm, Denmark, Czech, Prague, Croatia’s, London, Dresden, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Spain, Venice, Florence, Rome, Madrid, Porto, Portugal, Edinburgh, Zurich, AFP, EU

☆ 'True European': Former top Czech diplomat Schwarzenberg dies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PRAGUE, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Former Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, one of the leading figures in the country's post-Communist era, has died, officials said on Sunday. Schwarzenberg was born into a prestigious Czech family and became a senior aide to his friend Vaclav Havel after the former dissident won the country's first free election in 1990. He later served twice as foreign minister between 2007 and 2013. The Vaclav Havel Library, which Schwarzenberg co-founded, said he died on Saturday, calling him a "patriot and true European". Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on X that Schwarzenberg was an "unwavering advocate" of democracy and the European idea.

Persons: Karel Schwarzenberg, Schwarzenberg, Vaclav Havel, Miroslav Kalousek, Havel, Alexander Schallenberg, Milos Zeman, Jason Hovet, Jan Lopatka, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Vaclav Havel Library, Communists, Television, Foreign Ministry, Austrian, Thomson Locations: PRAGUE, Czech, Europe, Vienna, Czech Republic, Schwarzenberg, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Central European

Kurmasheva was detained on Oct 18, becoming the second U.S. journalist detained in Russia this year, after Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in March. She is being held in a detention center, awaiting a trial that could sentence her to up to five years in prison. “Alsu was well aware of the risks that were associated with a possible trip to Russia,” Butorin added. Independent media and journalists in Russia have faced immense pressure after the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022. through passing her notes censored by Russian authorities.

Persons: Pavel Butorin, Alsu Kurmasheva —, —, ” “, ” Butorin, “, ”, Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu, “ Alsu, ” Kurmasheva, Brittney, U.S . Russia hasn't, Butorin, she’s Organizations: U.S, Free, Associated Press, Wall Street, Kazan International Airport, Protect Journalists, Radio Free Europe, Independent, Kremlin, Analysts, U.S . State Locations: PRAGUE, American, Russia, Prague, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Ukraine, Moscow, U.S . Russia, U.S ., United States, Litvinova, Tallinn, Estonia

☆ Private jets of Russian oligarchs keep flying but not to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Gleb Stolyarov | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

A view shows the Boeing 737-700 BBJ (plane number RA-73890) private aircraft on the tarmac of the Pulkovo International Airport in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 14, 2023. The Boeing linked to Yevtushenkov was among at least 50 private jets re-registered under the Russian flag since the February 2022 invasion, according to previously unreported national aircraft registry data up to early August reviewed by Reuters. Several of the repatriated private jets were associated with prominent politicians and business figures, according to two senior Russian aviation industry sources, who were not authorised to speak to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity. Because of sanctions, Russian planes are prohibited from entering the 27-country European Union, where Russia's oligarchs previously flew frequently for business and leisure and where many private jets linked to them were registered before the war, tail numbers show. VEB, Uralkali and Mazepin did not respond to requests for comment on the registration of the jets in Russia.

Persons: Luba, Vladimir Yevtushenkov, Yevtushenkov, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Mazepin, Putin, Igor Shuvalov, Mazepin, Gleb Stolyarov, Mike Collett, White, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: Boeing, Pulkovo, REUTERS, Soviet, Reuters, Sistema, Ministry, Transport, JETS, Russian, Union, Bombardier Challenger, Uralkali, Bombardier, VEB.RF, VEB, EU, United Arab, Thomson Locations: Saint Petersburg, Russia, Riviera, Belarus, oligarch, Ukraine, Turkey, Dubai, China, Russian, Maldives, Seychelles, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Yevtushenkov, United Kingdom, Aruba, of, Uralkali, UAE, Prague, Bishkek, States, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Latvia, Britain, Oman, Soviet

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