A roundup of today's other world news in brief
Romanians march against public pay cuts
BUCHAREST – Thousands of Romanian workers have marched against public sector pay cuts, a demonstration of growing anger at the government, which faces a no-confidence vote in parliament on October 13th.
Outcry against public pay reforms – which include scrapping intricate bonus schemes and introducing mandatory unpaid leave – split the ruling coalition last week, leaving prime minister Emil Bocs minority government with a weak grip on power.
Some 13,000 trade unionists gathered in Bucharest from across the country demanded a change in government. On Monday 800,000 civil servants went on a one-day strike. – (Reuters)
Germany probes Russia attack plan
BERLIN – German prosecutors are investigating three suspected Islamists they believe were involved in planning to attack Russia, after police launched dawn raids on apartments in Berlin.
Police searched 26 properties in the German capital early yesterday morning but found no concrete plans for an attack, they said. No arrests were made, but prosecutors said they were conducting investigations into the three people. – (Reuters)
Greater Russian Afghan role urged
BRUSSELS – Nato has urged Russia to expand its role in Afghanistan, including by equipping and training Afghan security forces fighting the Taliban.
While reiterating a call on European allies to step up their commitments in the country as the United States considers a further boost in forces, Nato secretary- general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said it was also in Russia’s interests to do more. – (Reuters)
Hamas bans women from motorbikes
JERUSALEM – The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has banned women in Gaza from riding on motorbikes.
The ban, posted on the movement’s website, seeks “to preserve citizen safety and the stability of Palestinian society’s customs and traditions”.
Given that few women ride on motorbikes in Gaza, the proclamation seems unlikely to have much effect, but it raises concerns that a new Islamisation campaign is starting up. – ( Guardianservice)
Woman (106) loses care home battle
LONDON – One of Britain’s oldest women has lost a legal battle to stop a local authority shutting her council-run care home. Appeal Court judges in London lifted an injunction yesterday blocking Wolverhampton City Council from closing the home where Louisa Watts (106) lives.
She is a former hospital cleaner who moved to the home five years ago.
They told her lawyer there were no grounds to allow the appeal, as reports showed Ms Watts faced no risk in being moved from Underhill House in Bushbury to a new home. – (Reuters)