EC: Kosovo Fails in Crime Fight
Kosovo has been faulted by the European Commission for failing to address the country's ongoing problems with organized crime.
Daily
Politkovskaya Case: Doors Closed
Jurors in the case involving the murder of outspoken Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya balked at entering a courtroom with media there, and the judge reversed himself and put the trial behind closed doors.
Israel’s Mobs on Verge of War?
As thousands of mourners gathered at a cemetery outside Tel Aviv Tuesday to bury a purportedly powerful mobster killed in a car-bombing the day before, the family’s public calls for revenge are cementing Israeli police fears that the killing could spark a mob war.
Russian Financier Sentenced
A Russian financier has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for ordering the 2006 murder of the deputy head of Russia
EU: Corruption, O.C. Still Strong
The European Commission on Enlargment released its 2008 report on the Western Balkans Wednesday. While cautiously optimistic, the report sees only limited to moderate progress among goverments in the region to combat corruption and organized crime.
Slab Murphy, Brothers Agree to Forfeit
Thomas “Slab” Murphy and his two brothers have agreed to surrender €630,000 to the Irish government, reports the Irish Times.
ID Theft Website Shuttered
Nearly 60 people were arrested in the US , the UK , Germany and Turkey
Croatia Roiled by Murders
Last Thursday's bombing murder in Zagreb of Ivo Pukanić, owner and editor of the Croatian weekly Nacional, and the paper's marketing director, Niko Franić, has left the government scrambling for ways to revamp efforts against organized crime, and outside observers speculating on exactly how much damage the past month's carnage has done to Croatia's bid to join the EU.
UK Pols and Odd “Connections”
UK business secretary Peter Mandelson has rebuffed calls to discuss the full extent of his relationship with Russian metals mogul Oleg Deripaska, saying no conflicts of interest were involved in their relationship while Mandelson served as European Union trade commissioner.
Macedonia Drug Lord Captured
Bajrush Sejdiu of Kumanovo, near Skopje, considered the biggest drug lord in Macedonia and the owner of the FC Milano soccer club, was arrested after police charged him with smuggling cigarettes and possession of firearms.