European

Catalan separatists deal blow to Madrid

Barcelona - Muslimchronicle

With their leaders in exile or jail, Catalan separatists scrambled Friday to reap the benefits of defeating Spain's central government in a divisive regional election. Madrid had called Thursday's poll after secessionists declared independence on October 27, in Spain's worst political crisis since democracy was reinstated following dictator Francisco Franco's death in 1975. The vote had been anticipated as aRead more

Germany's top court requires legal option of 'third gender'

Berlin - Muslimchronicle

The German top court on Wednesday required parliament to legally recognise a "third gender", potentially making Germany the first European country to offer intersex people the option to identify as neither male nor female. Legislators must by the end of 2018 pass new regulation to offer a third gender option in birth registers, the Federal Constitutional Court said. source: AFPRead more

Fugitive Croatian mogul Todoric arrested in London: police

London - Muslimchronicle

Fugitive Croatian business mogul Ivica Todoric was arrested in London on Tuesday on a European warrant issued by the Croatian authorities, British police said. The 66-year-old boss of ailing Balkans food and retail giant Agrokor is the prime suspect in an ongoing probe. Accused of financial wrongdoing, he is due to appear in court later on Tuesday. source: AFPRead more

EU refuses to get involved in Catalan leader arrest warrant

Brussels - Muslimchronicle

The EU on Friday refused to intervene over the European arrest warrant Spain is set to issue for Catalonia’s deposed leader Carles Puigdemont, currently holed up in Belgium, saying it was a matter for the courts. A Spanish judge is expected to issue the warrant demanding Belgium return Puigdemont, who is wanted for questioning over alleged sedition, rebellion and misuseRead more

Juncker warns of 'more cracks' in EU amid Catalan crisis

Kourou - Muslimchronicle

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned Friday of the danger of "more cracks" opening up in the 28-member bloc following a vote by Catalonia's regional parliament to declare independence from Spain. The EU "doesn't need any more cracks, more splits," Juncker told journalists while on a trip to French Guiana in South America in a statement that implicitly backed theRead more

ECB's Draghi says stimulus won't 'stop suddenly'

Frankfurt - Muslimchronicle

European Central Bank president Mario Draghi on Thursday said the bank would not bring its massive bond-buying scheme to an abrupt end, reassuring markets as it took a first step towards scaling back extraordinary stimulus. "The decision today is for an open-ended programme," Draghi told reporters after the ECB announced it would halve its bond purchases to 30 billion eurosRead more

EU parliament chief wants Europol probe of Maltese journalist murder

Strasbourg - Muslimchronicle

European Parliament chief Antonio Tajani on Tuesday demanded an international investigation into the car bomb murder of Maltese journalist and anti-corruption campaigner Daphne Caruana Galizia. The call comes after the family of Caruana Galizia accused Prime Minister Joseph Muscat of being complicit in the killing, with fears rife that the assassination will not be fairly handled by national investigators. "IRead more

Catalonia warns of civil disobedience as Madrid readies direct rule

Madrid - Muslimchronicle

Catalonia said on Monday it was confident all officials including police would defy attempts by Madrid to enforce direct rule on the region, in an escalating dispute that has raised fears of unrest among Spain’s European allies. The Spanish government has invoked special constitutional powers to fire the regional government and force a new election to counter an independence driveRead more

Europe aviation agency advises suspending use of Kobe Steel products

Paris - Muslimchronicle

Europe’s aviation regulator has advised aircraft manufacturers to suspend using parts from Kobe Steel until their legitimacy can be proved, following revelations about data cheating at the Japanese company. The move by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is another headache for Kobe Steel, which has shocked aircraft, auto, train and other industries with its revelations that it has beenRead more

Refugees take northern French town to cricket glory

Afghanistan - Muslimchronicle

Saint-Omer lies 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the Channel port of Calais, the main launchpad for attempts by migrants to smuggle themselves into England. As in many western European towns and cities, the integration of migrants is creating new challenges. But thanks to its new arrivals, Saint-Omer has become a rare centre of cricketing excellence in a country whereRead more