Hungary - New law fines people who spend the night sleeping rough in public places

Published on Dec 29, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Julianna Szvett is one homeless person who will not fall foul of Hungary's new law fining people who spend the night sleeping rough in public places. She has managed to make a shelter in a cave, meaning she will not be hit with a fine, or sent to jail for not paying it.

Perhaps understandably, Szvett disagrees with the initiative: "Putting people in prison because of where they sleep is incredible. Where should those poor people sleep if they don't have a better place? How are they supposed to pay the fines for sleeping outside or in the streets?" she said.

Russian - Supporters of Russia's Sergei Udaltsov gathering in Moscow in protest over the jailing

Published on Dec 29, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Supporters of Russia's opposition have been gathering in Moscow in protest over the jailing of one of their leaders.

Their anger follows the latest sentence handed down to Sergei Udaltsov, who was jailed for an extra 10 days on 25 December. Over the past year he has spent more than three months behind bars, sometimes going on hunger strike.

More than 2,000 people signed up for the rally via Facebook, and hundreds are reported to have turned up.

Spain - Duke Iñaki Urdangarin summoned to testify in Spain corruption case

Published on Dec 29, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Iñaki Urdangarin, son-in-law to the King of Spain, has been summoned to appear before a court on the Spanish island of Majorca in a corruption case.

The judge in charge of the case is requesting Urdangarin, who is a duke, testify on February 6.

It is negative press for the royals at a time when Spain faces huge economic problems.

Syria - Gunman aims at boy during Deraa protest as unrest continues

Uploaded by telegraphtv on Dec 29, 2011

Shots can be heard during a chaotic protest in the southwestern city of Deraa as a gunman raises his rifle at a young member of the crowd.

USA - Scantily clad suspected drug dealer in underwear steals police car in Michigan

Uploaded by telegraphtv on Dec 29, 2011

Police in Michigan have released a video of a scantily clad suspected drug dealer stealing a police car after he escaped from his handcuffs in the back seat of the vehicle

Turkey - military is investigating reports that its warplanes killed at least 35 Kurdish villagers, mistaking them for PKK rebels

Published on Dec 29, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Turkey's military is investigating reports that its warplanes killed at least 35 Kurdish villagers, mistaking them for PKK rebels.

An air-strike has been blamed for the deaths by local officials in the mainly Kurdish southeast of the country.

Bodies were taken to the village of Ortasu near the Iraqi border for identification. It is claimed victims may, in fact, have been smuggling fuel and sugar from Iraq when they came under fire.

Italy - seeks to boost growth in action plan 'phase two' Manages to sell more than 7 billion euros worth of long-term bonds

Published on Dec 29, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Italy has reportedly managed to sell more than 7 billion euros worth of long-term bonds, as the country tries to refinance its debt. The total on sale was worth 8.5 billion.

It follows success for Prime Minister Mario Monti on Wednesday when the cost of borrowing fell by half as the government managed to sell 9 billion euros of short-term debt at auction.

That move, along with further austerity measures and an injection of cheap money from the European Central Bank, reassured the markets, at least temporarily.

Spain - Iberia cancels a third of flights after pilots' walkout 10,000 passengers plans disrupted

Published on Dec 29, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Some 10,000 passengers with the Spanish airline Iberia have had their travel plans disrupted by a one-day pilots' strike - the second this month.

More than a third of today's flights - mostly domestic and around Europe - have been cancelled.

The pilots fear Iberia's planned new budget carrier will result in lower pay and job losses.