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Hungary's PM condemns international critics amid economic uncertainty

Stefan Bos, VOANews — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:27:00 +0200

Viktor Orban defends government's record, new constitution in state-of-the-nation address as he slams European Commission.

CVM update urges Romania to continue judiciary reform

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:40:00 +0200

Interirm report praised Romania for continuing to pursue high-profile corruption cases and new legislation, but urged more action on reforming the judicial system and the confiscation of assets acquired through illegal means.

Cold spell should ease its grip on Europe next week, World Meteorological Organisation says

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:16:00 +0200

The current ‘negative Arctic Oscillation’ – a weather phenomenon which leads to cold conditions in Europe and relatively warmer conditions in the Arctic – should shift into a more neutral pattern within the next two to three weeks.

Turkey debates its role in possible Syria intervention

Dorian Jones, VOANews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:21:00 +0200

Turkey hardens stance against Syria, its Western allies increasingly looking to Ankara for help to unseat Assad

Cold snap hits Europe; thaw a threat

VOANews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:09:00 +0200

The extreme cold has been blamed for almost 400 deaths across Europe. In Ukraine, where temperatures have fallen below minus 30 degrees Celsius, the cold is blamed for at least 122 deaths. Many of the victims were homeless.

Polish PM, digitalisation minister hold public debates on ACTA ratification

The Warsaw Voice — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:40:00 +0200

PM Donald Tusk invited authors, NGOs, experts and bloggers to a debate on the ACTA copyright agreement, but several key organisations, including the Helsinki Foundation, rejected the invitation claiming that the talks will likely offer no opportunity to discuss concrete issues.

Protesters clash in Budapest as controversial theatre director takes stage

Attila Leitner, The Budapest Times — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:32:00 +0200

'Dirty Jews' and 'Dirty Nazis' were the most popular chants when two groups clashed in front of Új Színház (New Theatre)

Woman killed by icicles in Belgrade as Balkans grapples with fatal cold snap

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:08:00 +0200

Weather warnings throughout South Eastern Europe; Romania extends ‘Code Orange’, intense snowfalls in Macedonia, deaths in Greece and heavy snow, frost and icy conditions forecast for Turkey.

New Romanian PM begins forming government

VOANews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:05:00 +0200

Ungureanu was previously head of Romania's foreign intelligence service; he has also served as foreign minister between December 2004 and March 2007.

Poll: Obama leads Romney in hypothetical election matchup

VOANews — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:41:00 +0200

The poll, conducted last week among a random sample of 1000 adults, shows half of those surveyed approve of the president's job performance and believe he deserves a second term.

Polls: Minnesota caucus a toss-up among Republican presidential hopefuls

VOANews — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:32:00 +0200

The next caucuses take place on February 7 in the states of Colorado and Minnesota. The front-runner so far, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, appears poised in Colorado for a repeat of his solid victory in nearby Nevada.

Bulgarian Foreign Ministry warns against travel in region hard-hit by bad weather

The Sofia Echo staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:03:00 +0200

Warnings on harsh winter weather situations in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and some parts of Montenegro and Croatia.

Bulgaria among EU’s lowest government debt-to-GDP ratios – Eurostat

The Sofia Echo staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0200

At the end of Q3 2011, the highest government debt to GDP ratio was in Greece, at 159.1 per cent.

Romanian aid deal on track, IMF, EC and World Bank say

The Sofia Echo staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:42:00 +0200

Statement on review of Romania’s economic programme released on February 6, coinciding with the resignation of prime minister Emil Boc

Serbia declares state of emergency amid winter weather crisis

The Sofia Echo staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:07:00 +0200

Elsewhere in South Eastern Europe, Romania has declared Code Orange in 19 counties, while southern Greece has seen severe flooding.

Polish PM Tusk postpones ratification of ACTA

The Warsaw Voice — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:29:00 +0200

Tusk said that his government had made insufficient consultations before signing the agreement in late January, and it was necessary to ensure it was entirely safe for Polish citizens.

Romanian PM Emil Boc announces resignation

The Sofia Echo staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:22:00 +0200

After weeks of anti-austerity protests, February 6 saw Boc step down, saying he wanted to defuse political and social tension in Romania.

Severe winter weather continues hold on Europe

VOANews — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:31:00 +0200

Electricity was cut off in many snow-bound places across Europe. The Siberian cold front that has much of Europe in its grip is expected to ease next week.

Russia criticises EU's foreign policy chief for 'interfering'

VOA News — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:31:00 +0200

Ashton urged the Russian government to engage in dialogue with the opposition and to review its decision to deny registration for the presidential election campaign to opposition leader Grigory Yavlinsky.

Turkey seeks life sentence for ex-military chief

VOA News — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:22:00 +0200

General Ilker Basbug was arrested as a suspect in an alleged Internet campaign aimed at destabilising Erdogan's Islamic-rooted government.