Deutsche Welle English Service News 19.04.2005, 16:00 UTC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's highlight on DW-WORLD:
Crisis Deepens Over French EU Stance Even as French voters look set to torpedo the EU constitution in a referendum, Luxembourg Premier Juncker added a new twist to the dilemma this week, saying the US hopes the French will reject the treaty. To read this article on the DW-WORLD website, just click on the internet address below: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1557400,00.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- We'd like to introduce you to our latest newsletter: "Germany Light" give you a weekly look at Germany's cultural, peculiar and sometimes odd happenings. To sign up for regular dose of fun and entertainment, please go to our Newsletter section at http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1170241,00.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- New pope elected by cardinals White smoke has appeared from the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican indicating that a new pope has been elected. The bells of St. Peter's Basilica also rang out confirming that Roman Catholic cardinals had agreed on a successor to John Paul II on the second day of the secret conclave. The name of the new pope is expected to be announced shortly. Candles reportedly caused hotel fire French police say that a woman they detained on Monday has admitted to accidentally starting last week's deadly Paris hotel fire which killed 24 people. The 31-year-old woman, who's the girlfriend of a hotel employee, reportedly told prosecutors that she'd had a row with her boyfriend in a room filled with candles and had stormed out after throwing her clothes around in a fit of rage. Half of those killed were children from poor families who had been put up in the hotel temporarily. More than 50 people were injured, 11 of them seriously. Prosecutors are considering proceedings for involuntary manslaughter. Rice criticises Russian leadership US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Moscow for two days of talks with the Kremlin leadership. Her motorcade was diverted shortly after she arrived following a bomb threat made to the hotel where she was planning to stay. En route to Russia she told reporters that she was very troubled by recent anti-democratic moves by the Kremlin such as the centralisation of power and the crackdown on independent media. She also said any attempts by President Vladimir Putin to change the constitution to be able to seek a third term would not be a "positive development." Israel delays decision on Gaza pullout The Israeli government has put off a decision on whether to postpone the withdrawal of its settlements from Gaza by three weeks to avoid a clash with a Jewish mourning period. This follows earlier reports suggesting that a decision to delay the pullback had been made. A parliamentary committee overseeing the withdrawal has now decided to delay a decision pending further talks with security officials. The withdrawal of some 8,000 settlers from Gaza is scheduled to begin on July 20. Argentine gets 640 years in prison The Spanish High Court has sentenced an Argentinian former naval officer to 640 years in prison for crimes against humanity during Argentina's so-called dirty war. He committed the offences during the country's military rule between 1976 and 1983. The 58-year-old Adolfo Scilingo was found guilty of being on board so-called death flights where dissidents were drugged, stripped and thrown to their deaths. Human rights groups say up to 30,000 political dissidents were kidnapped and killed during Argentina's military rule. Scilingo's trial was the first under new laws allowing local persecution for crimes committed in another country. Berlusconi to face confidence vote Italian senate leaders have said that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will face a vote of confidence in the upper chamber on Thursday. This comes after he failed to resign on Monday as had been widely expected in order to form a new government. The crisis began last Friday when four members of the centrist UDC coalition party resigned amid demands for sweeping policy changes. Meanwhile the National Alliance party may also leave the centre-right coalition after Berlusconi's parliamentary address on Wednesday. Observers say the party's withdrawal would bring down the government forcing snap elections. Berlusconi's coalition suffered a dramatic defeat in recent regional elections. Obelisk portion flown to Ethiopia The first of three parts of an ancient stone obelisk has been flown back to Ethiopia from Italy after decades of wrangling. It was stolen in 1937 by Italian troops under Mussolini. On Monday night an Antonov cargo plane took the obelisk's middle section from Rome to Axum in northern Ethiopia, where it had stood for 1,700 years. The other two segments are to follow within 10 days. Italy is funding the six-million euro airlift. Ethiopia has built a bigger runway at Axum and improved roads and bridges leading to the site. Iraqi terror suspect's trial adjourned The first-ever trial in Germany of a suspect accused of membership in a foreign terrorist group has been adjourned for six weeks. Lokman Amin Mohammed, an Iraqi Kurd, is accused of providing financial and logistical help to the militant Ansar-al Islam group. He's also suspected of bringing Iraqi insurgents into Germany. He first came to Germany in 2000 and was arrested in Munich two years ago. Defence lawyers asked the judges at the Munich court to adjourn to give them more time to study evidence that had only recently emerged. Lebanese PM forms news government Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate, Najib Mikati, has formed a new unity government which he says brings together all factions. Mikati said the government contained 14 representatives of various sides from Lebanon's religious and political groups. The new government will aim to hold general elections next month. Lebanon has been without a government since February when the country was plunged into political turmoil following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Kuwait to let women vote in local poll The Kuwaiti parliament has paved the way for women to vote and take part for the first time in municipal elections. Lawmakers approved a law that observers say could lead to wider female suffrage in the Gulf Arab state. The municipal polls are expected to take place later this year. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Place your bets on the World Cup qualifiers at DW-WORLD in our multilingual betting game, where you can win attractive prizes. Whether you want to compare your soccer knowledge with fans worldwide as an individual or in a team, this is the right address. Plus, DW-WORLD provides the results and tables for all continental groups: http://www.dw-world.de/qualifiers ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information please turn to our internet website at http://dw-world.de/english Here you'll find out what's happening in Germany, Europe and the rest of the world. News and background reports from the fields of current affairs, culture, business and science. And of course the DW website also has information about DW-RADIO and DW-TV programmes: topics, broadcast times and frequencies. 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