Europe Intelligence Wire articles from November 2002

Europe Intelligence Wire archives from November 2002

KPN considers takeover of parts of MobilCom network (KPN pruft Ubernahme von Mobilcom-Sendern).
November 30, 2002... (From Suddeutsche Zeitung) MobilCom, the German mobile telecoms group, is facing a takeover of parts of its UMTS network by Dutch telecoms group KPN. KPN, which owns E-Plus, the German mobile telecoms group, is thought to be...

USU promises 2003 profit (Fur USU-Openshop ist 2003 Gewinn Pflicht).
November 30, 2002... (From Borsen-Zeitung) USU-Openshop, the German IT service provider, is aiming for a positive result in 2003, and believes it will achieve break-even in the first quarter of the year. Turnover is expected to gain 5-10 per cent. In the...

Softline reduces loss in Q1 (Softline kann Verlust verringern).
November 30, 2002... (From Borsen-Zeitung) Softline, the German software company, managed to reduce its loss in the first quarter of its latest financial year. Ebit showed a negative figure of 1.15m euros, compared with one of 2.08m euros previously, while...

Computec ends with profit (Computec schliest mit Gewinn ab).
November 30, 2002... (From Borsen-Zeitung) Computec Media, the German computer media company, finished financial year 2001/02 with a surplus of 3.9m euros, compared with a deficit of 20.3m euros the previous year, while Ebit showed an improvement from a loss...

GFN aims for 2003 turnaround (GFN will 2003 Wende schaffen).
November 30, 2002... (From Borsen-Zeitung) GFN, the German IT service provider, is aiming for a turnaround in 2003, and hopes to return to the black, despite heading for a loss in the current year. In the first nine months of the year, Ebitda showed an...

Procon shares fall following losses (Procon-Kurs sturzt nach Verlust ab).
November 30, 2002... (From Borsen-Zeitung) Shares in Procon Multimedia, the German provider of services to the media and event management industries, saw its share price slump by 27 per cent to 1 euro on the back of a report which claimed the company...

Henry piles the pressure on Liverpool.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Thierry Henry piled the pressure on Arsenal's Premiership title rivals with another stunning strike and a late penalty as the Gunners sunk Aston Villa 3-1 to pull four points clear at the top. Arsenal's...

France move ahead after pulsating Davis Cup doubles.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Defending champions France won a pulsating five-set doubles encounter to take a 2-1 lead over Russia in the Davis Cup final as home tandem Fabrice Santoro and Nicolas Escude overcame Marat Safin and Yevgeny...

US having problems outfitting troops for Iraq campaign: report.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) The Pentagon is having problems providing US troops with state-of-the-art protective gear against possible chemical and biological attacks in Iraq. This is according to Saturdays' edition of the Washington...

China opens groundbreaking self-help group ahead of World AIDS Day.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) China announced ahead of World AIDS Day that it was setting up its first officially sanctioned self-help group for HIV carriers, marking a further official move towards facing up to the deadly disease. The...

Ex-FBI agent says his warnings about Saudis were ignored: report.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) A retired FBI agent has informed a congressional committee probing the September 11 attacks that his superior had ignored his warnings about a flow of Saudi money into the hands of suspected hijackers. ...

Remaining Beatles lead Harrison tribute concert.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the last living Beatles, regrouped to head a tribute concert in London marking the first anniversary of former band member George Harrison's death. The event organized by...

Top US officials to tour Europe, Turkey to press for support on Iraq.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) The United States is sending senior envoys to several European nations and Turkey next week to follow up on US requests for help in the event of possible military action against Iraq, the State Department...

US receives Russian assurances over Chechen refugees.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) The United States said it had received assurances from Russia that Chechen refugees would not be forcibly returned to the breakaway republic despite plans to shut down a camp housing more than 1,000 of them in...

Baghdad says Washington will try to manipulate arms inspectors.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) On day three of UN weapons inspections, tension built as Baghdad warned that Washington was certain to try to manipulate the UN arms experts to its own ends. "The United States will not suffice with...

US state appeals Microsoft ruling, seven drop out.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Massachusetts filed a lone appeal against a settlement between Microsoft Corp. and the US government, as seven other states dropped out of the campaign for tougher sanctions on the software titan. "We...

Ivory Coast army to try to regain rebel-held town.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Fighting in Ivory Coast's two-month old conflict lulled, but the army was expected to launch an offensive to regain control of a rebel-held town in the west of the former French colony. Sources told AFP...

South Korea welcomes IAEA pressure on the North's nuclear program.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) South Korea welcomed the UN nuclear monitoring agency's demand for North Korea to abandon its atomic weapons program and allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities. "The international...

Virgin Blue eyes Asian sweetner after New Zealand hopes turn sour.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) No-frills airline Virgin Blue was reported to be ready to start a cut-price service to Asia, starting with Singapore, after New Zealand dropped from its radar. Richard Branson's Australian-based airline...

South Korea welcomes IAEA pressure on North's nuclear program.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) South Korea welcomed the UN nuclear monitoring agency's demand for North Korea to abandon its atomic weapons program and allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities. "The international...

Thousands march in Australian anti-war protests.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Thousands of anti-war demonstrators, including many Middle-Eastern refugees, marched through Australian cities in protest against Australian involvement in a US-led war against Iraq. Rallies in Sydney,...

Vietnam food agency director given death sentence for corruption.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) A director of Vietnam's state food agency has been sentenced to death and seven other officials jailed for up to 20 years over a multi-million corruption scam. Truong Thi Thanh Huong, an An Giang-based...

Thousands of Pakistani Shiite Muslims rally against US, Israel.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Some 3,000 Pakistani Shiite Muslims rallied in this port city against the United States and Israel, angrily burning the countries' flags as they marked Al-Quds (Jerusalem) day. Waving placards bearing...

India, China exchange maps to resolve border dispute: Fernandes.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) India and China exchanged ground maps during a meeting between officials from both countries last week in a bid to resolve a decades-long border dispute, Defence Minister George Fernandes said. "Maps have...

Malaysian minister slams Australia for treating her like terrorist.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Malaysian Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz has slammed Australia's security officials for treating her like a terrorist during a visit there a fortnight ago. Rafidah said airport security officials gave her a...

India, Russia to sign anti-terrorism pact during Putin visit.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) to forge closer ties between the long-time allies during next week's visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials said. Indian government officials said the Delhi Declaration sought to give "a new...

Smith, Dippenaar come good to set up South African win.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Graeme Smith and Boeta Dippenaar, two batsmen seeking to cement their places in South Africa's World Cup squad, set up a crushing 177-run win in the second one-day international against Sri Lanka at Centurion...

Akram returns to Pakistan Test team for South Africa tour.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Famed pacer Wasim Akram was included in the Pakistan Test side selected for next month's tour of South Africa, but seasoned opener Saeed Anwar and wicketkeeper Moin Khan failed to gain places. Pakistan...

Russia urges world to keep focus on Afghanistan.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Russia called on the international community not to presume that the anti-terror campaign has been won in Afghanistan even as the global focus shifts to the looming showdown with President Saddam Hussein's...

Sri Lanka peace talks move to Europe for first time.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Warring parties in Sri Lanka will have their first round of peace talks in a western capital when they hold crucial negotiations to end decades of ethnic bloodshed, diplomats said. The Sri Lankan...

Japanese ad firms to merge ad-space purchasing ops.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Japan's second, fifth and sixth largest advertising companies are planning to merge their mainstay business of purchasing media advertising space. Hakuhodo Inc., Daiko Advertising Inc. and Yomiko...

15 dead in south China bus accident.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Fifteen people were killed and 13 others injured when a passenger bus collided with a cargo truck on a major highway in southern China's Guizhou province, state media said. The accident occurred Friday...

IRA preparing to end paramilitary activity.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is edging towards the historic step of declaring that it is ending all paramilitary activity, British newspapers reported. Northern Ireland's most powerful Roman Catholic...

Huge oil slick from sunken tanker heading for Spanish coast.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Residents on Spain's Atlantic coast were braced for the worst as fierce winds pushed the largest slick yet from a sunken tanker -- some 9,000 tonnes of heavy fuel -- towards the shore. The Spanish...

Sharon kicks off prime ministerial campaign pledging to crush "Arab terror".
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has opened his re-election bid with a vow to hunt down the plotters behind twin attacks in Kenya that nearly brought down an Israeli plane and killed 13, including three Israelis,...

Thousands march in Australian anti-war protests.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Thousands of anti-war demonstrators, including some Iraqi refugees, marched through Sydney in protest against Australian involvement in a US-led military attack on Iraq. The rally was part of an...

Singapore-Japan free trade pact takes effect.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) The Japan-Singapore free trade agreement (FTA), which opens up trade and investment between the two countries, but excludes the sensitive issue of agriculture, came into effect, the foreign ministry here said....

Arroyo orders crackdown on corruption.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Philippine President Gloria Arroyo axed a graft-laden agency and ordered criminal charges over a multi-million dollar airport scandal in a crackdown on corruption. In a policy speech to mark National...

Overseas demand, job cuts to boost profits at Japanese firms.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Aggregate pre-tax profits at Japanese listed companies are expected to jump 71 percent for the fiscal year ending March 2003, a newspaper survey said. "Although sales at these firms are expected to grow...

International search begins for Kenya terror attack suspects.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Kenyan police were holding 12 people from five nations as international efforts to track down those responsible for the anti-Israeli attacks in Kenya got into full swing. Six Pakistanis and three Somalis...

I realise it could be my last weekend.
November 30, 2002... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Sat upright in a chair, Denise Liddiard-White admits this weekend could be the last she spends with her family. The 46-year-old looks up, hands clutched and nods. "I know I might die, but I am being...

Light relief to radio riddle.
November 30, 2002... (From Nottingham Evening Post) As dusk falls, David Dawson and John Smith turn detective, heading out onto the streets to solve their very own mystery. The duo have been out and about in Mapperley with their custom-made radar, trying...

China opens groundbreaking self-help group ahead of World AIDS Day.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) China announced ahead of World AIDS Day that it was setting up its first officially sanctioned self-help group for HIV carriers, marking a further official move towards facing up to the deadly disease. The...

China opens self-help group ahead of World AIDS Day.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) China announced ahead of World AIDS Day that it was setting up its first officially sanctioned self-help group for HIV carriers, marking a further official move towards facing up to the deadly disease. The...

World AIDS Day targets stigma, discrimination.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Doctors and activists muster on Sunday for World AIDS Day, launching a campaign for easing the burden of stigma suffered by many of the 42 million people with AIDS and HIV. "Live and Let Live," the slogan...

Australians pound England attack in third Test.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Australia's batsmen continued to savage the depleted England attack on the second day of the third Ashes cricket Test at the WACA Ground here. With Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Darren Lehmann all in a...

Military finally admits terrorists in Thailand.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Suspected terrorists have sneaked into Thailand over the past 12 months to avoid a clampdown in neighbouring Malaysia, a report quoted Thailand's top military commander as saying. Supreme Commander General...

Air India to purchase 17 new aircraft.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) India's state-run international carrier, Air India, is hoping to purchase 17 new aircraft over the next five years. "The board has approved the proposal for the aircraft purchase," the Business Line...

Arroyo tells businesses to pay taxes or face court.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Faced with a runaway budget deficit, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo warned businesses to pay their fair share of taxes or be hauled to court. Arroyo said public revenues have steadily fallen since the...

Malaysia turns to court in water row with Singapore.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Malaysia has decided to stop negotiations with Singapore and is to seek legal recourse for a price review of water supplied to the tiny republic. The New Straits Times reported Saturday the cabinet has...

Australians pound England attack in third Test.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Australia's batsmen continued to savage the depleted England attack on the second day of the third Ashes cricket Test at the WACA Ground. With Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Darren Lehmann all in a...

Philippine bishops slam Bond movie for casual sex, violence.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Influential Roman Catholic bishops in the Philippines warned the public against the latest James Bond movie for its casual sex and large-scale violence. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines...

South Korea welcomes IAEA pressure on the North's nuclear program.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) South Korea welcomed the UN nuclear monitoring agency's demand for North Korea to abandon its atomic weapons program and allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities. "The international...

Suicide missions introduced to raise morale of Kashmir rebels.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Islamic militant groups in Indian-administered Kashmir began sending followers on suicide missions three years ago as a tactic designed to boost morale. "The jihadi groups introduced suicide attacks in...

Malaysia's UMNO postpones party polls to focus on general election.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Malaysia's ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has postponed its triennial party polls in June to focus on the impending general election. UMNO president and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad...

Anti-US protests simmer in South Korea over schoolgirl deaths.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Hundreds of South Korean students rallied here to protest the aquittal of two US soldiers accused of killing two girls in a road accident, demanding the withdrawal of US troops. Some 33 students, among...

South Korea welcomes IAEA pressure on the North's nukes.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) South Korea welcomed the UN nuclear monitoring agency's demand for North Korea to abandon its atomic weapons program and allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities. "The international...

China opens groundbreaking self-help group ahead of AIDS Day.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) China announced ahead of World AIDS Day that it was setting up its first officially sanctioned self-help group for HIV carriers, marking a further official move towards facing up to the deadly disease. The...

Paramilitary police off front lines once Aceh peace is signed.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Paramilitary police will be pulled back from the front lines of Aceh's long-running conflict if a peace agreement is signed next month, Indonesia's police chief said. About 15,000 Mobile Brigade (Brimob)...

South Korea welcomes IAEA pressure on North's nukes.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) South Korea welcomed the UN nuclear monitoring agency's demand for North Korea to abandon its atomic weapons program and allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities. "The international...

Half century for Waugh as Australians pound England attack.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Skipper Steve Waugh hit an unbeaten half-century as Australia piled on the agony for England on the second day of the third cricket Test here. At tea, Australia were 346 for six wickets, leading England's...

Arroyo aide calls Aussie warning of Philippine attack "rubbish".
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) An Australian intelligence report of an imminent terrorist attack against its embassy in Manila was "rubbish," President Gloria Arroyo's national security adviser said. Roilo Golez said a travel advisory...

Islamists to share power in Pakistan province.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Islamists in one of Pakistan's key western border provinces announced a surprise agreement to form a governing coalition with the army-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), which it opposed at the...

Johl upstages Olazabal, Faldo at Hong Kong Open.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) Unheralded Amandeep Johl shot a six-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead in the 700,000-dollar Omega Hong Kong Open. The Indian secured a one-stroke lead from Welshman Stephen Dodd, Sweden's Henrik...

Future of Indian privatisation in hands of PM and deputy PM.
November 30, 2002... (From Agence France Presse) The future of India's stalled privatisation programme depends on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his deputy Lal Krishna Advani, privatisation minister Arun Shourie said. It has been stormy going...

Sff Boss Pessimistic About U-Turn Over Cod-Quota Cuts.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The president of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation was last night still pessimistic about the prospects of a U-turn by the European Commission on its proposals for massive cuts in whitefish quotas....

Royal Show Will Go On Despite Blaze At Ground.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The organisers of the Royal Show said their plans for next year's event remain intact - despite a large fire at its showground in Warwickshire on Wednesday. The Royal is due to be held from June...

Scotland'S Top Winter Event Draws 260 Cattle And Sheep.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Scotland's premier two-day winter farming event, the Aberdeen Christmas Classic, has attracted an entry of 140 prime beef cattle and 120 prime sheep entered. The event is scheduled for Thainstone...

Leading scientists get top awards from university.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The woman who is heading the investigation into the retention of organs by hospitals was yesterday awarded an honorary degree by the University of Abertay Dundee. Professor Sheila MacLean joined...

Nurses Plan To Use Specialist Skills To Tackle Public Health.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Graduation for two Tayside nurses yesterday marked the start of their work to protect the most vulnerable people in society from illness. Jeanette Cairns and Catrina Boal have between them worked...

Graduation Hall Evacuated.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) About 400 graduates and their families were evacuated from the Caird Hall in Dundee yesterday after the fire alarm was set off during the University of Abertay's graduation ceremony. The surprised...

Boy Footballers Get Own Home Ground - 20 Years On.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Football-mad youngsters at an Aberdeen boys club will soon have their own facilities to play on - after a 20-year wait. For almost two decades, children at Culter Boys Club have had to use the...

Twinkle'S Diet Is Food For Thought.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A moggy with a mammoth appetite has won through to the Scottish finals of a pet slimming competition after losing a quarter of its body weight. Twinkle weighed in at an undesirable 6.05kg when she...

Radio Station Celebrates Its Fifth Birthday.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A north-east radio station will combine its fifth birthday celebrations with a fundraiser for the Archie Foundation. Memorabilia from the music, sport and TV soap worlds will be up for grabs at an...

Inverurie Gallery Showcases Mp Card Designs.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A seasonal showcase of children's art has been unveiled at an Inverurie art gallery, providing a colourful countdown to Christmas. Gallery owner Mark Gask was among the judges for an annual primary...

Campbell has injury crisis for Stenny trip.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Brechin City manager Dick Campbell has an injury crisis on his hands as he prepares his players for the first game of a league and cup double header against Stenhousemuir. With both teams due to...

Montrose Seek Change Of Fortune.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Montrose are waiting for their number to come to come up in the lottery of the Third Division and today is the day manager John Sheran hopes they can hit the jackpot. Last weekend's 4-2 defeat at...

Luxurious Lots Up For Grabs At Charity'S Silent Auction.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A north-east charity is hoping that its latest fundraising drive will open new doors at its city-centre day service. Mental Health Aberdeen will hold a silent auction at the Alford Centre next...

Delgatie Castle To Relive Victorian Christmas.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The clock will be turned back to Victorian times this weekend amid the splendour of a North-east castle. The seventh annual Victorian Christmas event at Delgatie Castle near Turriff today and...

North Police Hunt Man Who Left Care Home Staff Battered After Theft Attempt.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Highland police are hunting for a thief who assaulted two staff at a Ross-shire care home, after they caught him trying to steal from the premises on Thursday night. But staff at Castle Garden...

Jangles Moves To New Home After Operation.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A young dog which needed a GBP1,500 operation to save a leg has been discharged from the veterinary clinic where the surgery was carried out. Jangles, a one-year-old lurcher who was in the care...

Receiver Hopes For Pre-Christmas Sale.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The receiver of Aberdeen textiles factory Richards hopes to conclude the sale of the business by Christmas. Richards went into receivership in January after struggling for months to stay afloat....

Peterhead manager stands by his men.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Ian wilson has vowed to stand by his Peterhead players as he attempts to get the club's promotion challenge back on track. After two defeats and two draws in the last four games, the Blue Toon...

Caldwell faces pal as Elgin visit Cappielow.
November 30, 2002... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Alex caldwell will put friendship to one side this afternoon and order his Elgin team to win at all costs. The Borough Briggs men travel to Morton today where Caldwell will once again cross swords...