Syndicate content
Gulliver CRAGG

Polish reputation for football violence could tarnish Euro 2012
08/06/2011 - POLAND

Polish reputation for football violence could tarnish Euro 2012

All being well, the Euro 2012 football championships will kick off in Warsaw in June next year. Poland is hosting the tournament jointly with Ukraine - the first time it will have been held east of the former Iron Curtain. But UEFA has major concerns about the prospect of football hooligans disrupting the tournament.
(3) comments
Birthplace of Pope John Paul II prepares for his beatification
28/04/2011 - POLAND

Birthplace of Pope John Paul II prepares for his beatification

On Sunday May 1st, Pope John Paul II is to be beatified. This is the last major hurdle on the path to sainthood and means he becomes a "blessed". The man born Karol Wojtyla was put on the fast track to sainthood by the Vatican, after cries of "Santo Subito!" (Sainthood Now!) erupted during his funeral six years ago.
Chernobyl debate still rages in Belarus
26/04/2011 - BELARUS

Chernobyl debate still rages in Belarus

Twenty-five years ago a combination of human error and design flaws caused the world's worst ever nuclear accident. Today, the true extent of the damage caused by the catastrophe is still the subject of much disinformation and disagreement.
Lech Kaczynski's death, one year on
08/04/2011 - POLAND

Lech Kaczynski's death, one year on

On Sunday, Poland marks the first anniversary of the plane crash that killed President Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people, including the First Lady and a number of dignitaries. While the tragedy brought the Polish people together, the unity didn't last long; Kaczynski's supporters, including his twin brother, have hit the government with a series of accusations over his death and the crash investigation.
(3) comments
Asylum seekers face abuse at the gates of Europe
08/03/2011 - UKRAINE

Asylum seekers face abuse at the gates of Europe

The numbers of migrants trying to cross into the EU from Ukraine appear to be falling, no doubt because EU assistance has reinforced Ukrainian border patrols. But an alarming report by Human Rights Watch suggests that ill-treatment of migrants on the Ukrainian side may also be part of the deterrent.
(1) comment
Ukraine's Euro 2012 preparations: foul play?
03/03/2011 - UKRAINE

Ukraine's Euro 2012 preparations: foul play?

Ukrainians are excitedly awaiting the Euro 2012 football tournament, to be co-hosted with Poland. But some suspect those close to the authorities are benefiting disproportionately from the event. Gulliver Cragg reports from Kiev.
The beginning of the end for press freedom?
11/01/2011 - HUNGARY

The beginning of the end for press freedom?

Hungary has only just taken over the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, but Budapest's leadership has already been overshadowed by doubts over Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán himself. He's introduced a new media law with tough penalties for vaguely-worded offences such as "unbalanced coverage". Hungarian newspapers have said it signals the end of freedom of the press.
Hungary promises to look after Roma as it takes over EU presidency
04/01/2011 - HUNGARY

Hungary promises to look after Roma as it takes over EU presidency

Hungary has just taken over the EU's rotating presidency, which it will hold for six months. Budapest has said one of its main priorities during its tenure will be to push through a common EU strategy for the Roma. Yet Hungary is a country regularly criticised for how it treats its own 800,000 Roma citizens - particularly when it comes to education.
Austerity? What austerity?
29/12/2010 - HUNGARY

Austerity? What austerity?

Not every EU country is pushing through harsh austerity measures. Hungary, which takes over the block's rotating presidency on January 1st 2011, is actually cutting income tax and raising benefits. Our correspondent went to Budapest to find out more.
(1) comment
Press freedom under threat?
17/09/2010 - UKRAINE

Press freedom under threat?

The ten year anniversary of the murder of Ukrainian investigative journalist Georgiy Gongadze comes as the country is hit by a climate of growing concern about press freedom.
Close