The Dispatch

Romanian finance minister appointed to form new Government

Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis appointed acting finance minister Florin Citu, a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL), as prime minister-designate to form a new Government, after consultations with the…

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Austria quarantines a dozen people after first coronavirus cases, Madrid confirms two

Austria has quarantined 12 people who were in close contact with a couple who were the country’s first coronavirus cases, one of whom works as a hotel receptionist, the local…

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Photo Story: 5th Diplomatic Festival in Bialystok, Poland

European People's Party (EPP) President Donald Tusk delivers a speech during the 5th Diplomatic Festival organized by the University of Bialystok and the Princess Anna Sapieha-Jablonowska High School, in Bialystok,…

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EU’s top prosecutor recounts letter from family of slain journalist Ján Kuciak as key to her decision to run for office

Unless Slovakia possesses genuine independence in law enforcement, it cannot combat high-level corruption. The EU’s top prosecutor Laura Codruţu Kövesi said so during her visit to Bratislava on February 18.…

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Slovak PM Pellegrini cancels schedule due to sudden illness

Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini cancelled his agenda because of sudden illness, his office said on Sunday, just one week ahead of a parliamentary election in which his party might…

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Two Polish climbers killed in Slovakia’s High Tatra mountains

Two young Polish climbers have fallen to their deaths in Slovakia’s High Tatra mountains amid high winds and heavy snow, the local rescue service said. Slovakia’s mountain rescue service said…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Zubracze, Poland

A view of snow-covered Bieszczady Mountains in Zubracze, southeastern Poland. Photo: EPA-EFE/Darek Delmanowicz

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EU leaders in ‘very tough’ budget summit amid ‘Brexit gap’

EU leaders are to hold a Brussels summit Thursday to set a seven-year budget despite splits between some stingy rich nations, poorer ones wanting to preserve spending and others wanting…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Abadszalok, Hungary

Ice yachts slide on the frozen Lake Tisza near Abadszalok, Hungary. Photo: EPA-EFE/Zsolt Czegledi

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Working conditions of Britain’s ‘blue’ post-Brexit passports manufacturers in Poland to be investigated

The Polish factory that produces Britain’s blue post-Brexit passports is facing an investigation by the country’s largest trade union after The Mail on Sunday revealed staff feel underpaid and poorly treated,…

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Poland to return 220 tonnes of waste to UK

More than 220 tonnes of ‘illegally exported’ waste found in a warehouse in Poland is to be returned to the UK, according to a statement from Polish police. The return…

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Romania agrees that EU funds be tied to respecting rule of law

Romania agrees to have EU funds tied to respecting rule of law, but specialists must first draft concrete criteria in this regard, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis said during a visit…

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Photo Story: Re-enactment in the Czech Republic of Lord of the Rings battle

Participants dressed as characters from Middle-earth created by J. R. R. Tolkien take part in the re-enactment of the 'The Battle of Erebor' in Terezin, Czech Republic, 08 February 2020…

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Poland adopts controversial judicial law

Undeterred by countrywide protests, criticism from Brussels and the Council of Europe (CoE), Poland's governing Law and Justice (PiS) party adopted a controversial law that restricts the judiciary's independence. Although…

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Romania declares flu epidemic as 18 people die

The Romanian Health Ministry has declared a flu epidemic in the country, considering the high number of flu cases and respiratory infections over the past week. Over 7,000 flu cases…

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Romanian Government ordinance regulates electric scooter use

The Romanian government this week adopted an emergency ordinance regulating the use of electric scooters on Romania’s public roads. Only those aged over 14 may ride electric scooters in…

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Photo Story: Southern Poland in the grip of cold weather

People walk during a snowfall in Zakopane at Tatra Mountains, southern Poland. Temperatures in Zakopane were reported at minus 1 degree Celsius. Photos: EPA-EFE/Grzegorz Momot

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EPP extends Hungarian Fidesz Party membership suspension

The leaders of the European People’s Party (EPP) agreed on Monday with EPP President Donald Tusk’s decision to extend the suspension of the Hungarian Fidesz party membership over flouting democratic…

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Macron says that Poland, Germany and France will lead post-Brexit Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for closer ties with Poland in shaping the European Union without Britain, in European security and relations with Russia.Poland's controversial judicial reforms, which…

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Photo Story: Ceremony of the contract with Lockheed Martin by Poland for the purchase of 32 Lockheed Martin F35

Polish soldiers before a ceremony of signing of a contract with Lockheed Martin for the purchase of 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 combat aircraft worth USD 4.6 billion, in Deblin, eastern…

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As Britain prepares to leave the EU, over 430,000 Romanians want to remain in the UK

Over 450,000 Romanian nationals live in the United Kingdom and over 95% of them have already applied for the EU Settlement Scheme that allows them to continue living and working…

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Photo Story: Fatal collision between a train and truck in Poland

A crashed truck (L) at the scene of the collision between a train and a truck in Nowa Schodnia, south-western Poland, on Thursday 30 January 2020. According to reports, the…

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Auschwitz survivors warn against indifference

Survivors of Auschwitz, the Nazi death camp, have warned the world against indifference to hatred, at a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of its liberation by the Soviet army.…

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British Government to provide £1 million funding to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation

A £1 million donation to help preserve the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and ensure the lessons of Auschwitz live on for generations to come was announced by the British government. The…

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Slovenian PM Sarec resigns

Slovenian centre-left Prime Minister Marjan Sarec said he was sending his resignation to parliament on Monday and called for an early election, saying his minority government could not push through…

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Wreath laying ceremony on the 75th anniversary of the liberation Auschwitz-Birkenau

Former prisoners, Polish President Andrzej Duda Monday morning attended a ceremony at the former Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz II-Birkenau during to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Bieszczady Mountains, Poland

An aerial view of snow-covered Bieszczady Mountains in south east Poland. Photo: EPA-EFE/DAREK DELMANOWICZ

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Legal controversy in Poland after Supreme Court leads to battle between government and judiciary

POLITICO described a ruling by Poland's Supreme Court — that judges appointed by a politically controlled body are illegitimate as shocking, adding that this "unleashed a fierce battle between the judicial…

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LOT Polish Airlines buys Condor

The owner of LOT Polish Airlines has agreed to purchase former Thomas Cook Group subsidiary Condor. Flight Global reports that the German leisure airline said that the deal with Polish…

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Poland and Russia bicker over WW2

Poland’s president has accused Russia’s Vladimir Putin of spreading a “historical lie” about his country in the run-up to events marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Andrzej…

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75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi-German concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau

Commemorations will be taking place today to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi-German concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest German Nazi concentration and…

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Photo Story: The traditional ‘Kumoterska Gonba’ horse races in Poland

Riders on their horses compete in the races within the 'Kumoterska Gonba' traditional skiing race at the XXVI Highlander Parade in the village of Male Ciche, near Zakopane in the…

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Romania’s government sets new rules for electric scooter use

According to a project put up for public debate by the Romanian Interior Ministry (MAI), only those aged over 14 may use electric scooters in Romania, and those aged…

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Eight killed in fire at home for disabled people in Czech Republic

At least eight people have been killed after a fire broke out at a disabled people's home in the Czech Republic. Thirty others were injured in the incident in the…

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Fuel trafficking ring between Poland and Slovakia dismantled

Europol supported an international operation led by the Criminal Office of the Financial Administration of the Slovak Republic (Finančná správa Slovenskej republiky) in cooperation with Polish Customs (Służba Celna). The…

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Photo Story: Winter in Hungary

Hoarfrost covers the branches of willow trees on the shore of Sosto lake near Nyiregyhaza, north-eastern Hungary. Photo: EPA-EFE/Attila Balazs

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Slovak police detain ex-general prosecutor

Police in Slovakia have arrested the former general prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka for misusing the authorities of a public official, the Sme daily reported. Trnka is being charged for his conduct…

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Photo: V4 and Austria summit in Prague

(L-R) Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis talk during the Visegrad Group (V4) and Austria…

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Official inauguration of new passenger pier of Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport

Photos of the new passenger pier of Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport after its official inauguration in Budapest, Hungary, 15 January 2020. The new building serves passengers of the budget…

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Photo Story: Milky Way in the Hungarian sky

The Milky Way galaxy is visible in the night sky near Salgotarjan, northern Hungary, on the night of Wednesday 15 January 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/Peter Komka

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Hungary opens state-sponsored fertility clinics to counter population decline

Hungary wants to boost declining birth rates by providing state-sponsored fertility treatments. A new program has purchased six private IVF clinics and put them under the state's control. The clinics…

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European Commission ramps up legal pressure against Poland

The European Commission on Tuesday turned to the Court of Justice of the EU to rein in Poland's judicial changes, asking it to order Warsaw to suspend the functioning of…

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Main trial into murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak opens in Slovakia, a defendant admits to killing

The main trial with the people charged in the case of murdering investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová started on Monday in Slovakia. Miroslav Marcek, one of…

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Photo story: Debrecen Amusement Park prepares for Spring

Painter and decoration worker Sandor Valik Zagyva (L) paints one of the horse as maintenance worker Robert Kerek works on one of the duck of Debrecen Amusement Park's carousel in…

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Judges from across Europe march to defend Polish peers

Judges from across Europe, many of them dressed in their judicial robes, marched silently in Warsaw on Saturday in a show of solidarity with Polish peers who are protesting a…

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ECJ President warns Poland over judiciary reform as Venice Commission visits Poland ahead of Rule of Law vote in EP

Members of the Venice Commission visited the Polish Sejm (lower house of parliament) in Warsaw, to meet officials from the Justice Ministry, top courts, both houses of parliament and the judiciary…

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No Polish troops in Iraq hurt in Iranian missile attacks

No Polish troops stationed in Iraq were hurt in Iranian missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Poland's Defence Minister said on Wednesday. "None of the Polish soldiers in Iraq…

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Austria’s foreign ministry targeted in ‘serious cyber-attack’

Austria's foreign ministry over the weekend was targeted in a "serious cyber-attack”, warning another country could be responsible. The hack started on Saturday night and experts warn it could continue…

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Photo Story: The re-opening of Prague’s State Opera after reconstruction

Guests wait for begin of a gala concert for re-opening of the State Opera after reconstruction in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sunday 05 January 2020. The State Opera re-opened 05…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Koroshegy, Hungary

An aerial photo made with a drone shows the Koroshegy Valley Bridge surrounded by dense fog in Koroshegy, near Lake Balaton, Hungary. Photo: EPA-EFE/GYORGY VARGA

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Photo Story: Winter in Debrecen, Hungary

A car moves slowly on a snow-covered road in Debrecen, Hungary, 03 January 2020. According to weather forecasts it is expected that temperature will be around zero degrees Celsius with…

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Photo Story: The Polish tradition of the ‘Zywieckie Gody’

Colorful and cheerful groups of costumed people and carol groups so-called 'Dziady' from Zywiec region during the march through the streets of Bielsko-Biala, southern Poland. The Festival 'Zywieckie Gody' is…

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Poland hit by bird flu outbreak on turkey farms

Bird flu has been detected in turkeys in eastern Poland, authorities said on Wednesday, and local media reported that the outbreak could require up to 40,000 birds to be slaughtered.…

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Greens in Austria enter government for first time

The conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), led by Sebastian Kurz, and the Greens reached a deal to form a coalition government, the two parties announced late Wednesday. The "experiment" will…

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The Year in Photos – The Unknown Faces of 2019

Hospital staff hide behind a police vehicle near the scene of a shooting at a hospital in Ostrava, Czech Republic, 10 December 2019. Six people were killed and three others…

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Middleman given 15 years for role in murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak in plea deal to become prosecution witness (UPDATED)

A Slovak court handed a 15-year prison sentence to a man charged with facilitating the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak in 2018 in a plea deal on Monday, a…

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Austria ready to form new conservative-Green government

Austria will be able to ring in a new decade with a new government, after the conservative Austria’s People’s Party, led by Sebastian Kurz, and the Green Party agreed to…

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