Insight Central Europe News
Young Poles flock to Cologne to see new pontiff
At least twenty thousand Poles were among the hundreds of thousands of Catholics from around the world who flocked to the German city of Cologne this week, when Pope Benedict XVI arrived in the city for World Youth Day. Young Polish pilgrims also prayed for the late Pope John Paul II. One of the group said that Poles were pleased that the new pontiff had committed himself to continuing the legacy of his Polish predecessor.
Heroin haul in Upper Austria
Police in Upper Austria say they have seized 68 kilograms of heroin, one of the largest amounts of the drug ever taken in a single operation. The raid was carried out by federal and local police and involved customs officials in Upper Austria.
In a related story, a Czech regional court has sent the head of a gang which planned to smuggle 24 kilograms of heroin from the Czech Republic to Austria to nine years in prison. His two accomplices received 8 years each. The gang was arrested in May of 2004 when its members sold the drug to a plainclothes police officer.
Turkish plane makes forced landing in Budapest
An Airbus from the Turkish company Fly Air made a forced landing in Budapest on Thursday with more than 300 people on board. It was travelling from Istanbul to Brussels when one of its engines failed. Airport authorities said there were no injuries. The incident came just a few days after a Cypriot airliner destined for Prague crashed in northern Greece, killing all 121 people on board. A further fatal crash this week in Venezuela has led to growing fears over the safety of planes owned by budget airlines.
Poland's central bank issues special Solidarity anniversary coins
Poland has issued a special set of coins to mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Solidarity trade union. The central bank governor said that at the time no-one would have dreamed of the huge historical significance of the event. The coins feature the eagle of Poland alongside the Solidarity logo. The Polish post office is also issuing a commemorative stamp.
Tensions in Slovakia's coalition over minister's debts
Slovakia's Christian Democrats have called for the Economy Minister Pavol Rusko to be sacked. Mr Rusko is also head of the New Citizen's Alliance, one of the Christian Democrats' partners in the ruling coalition. There have been tensions between the two parties for several months and the latest row is over Mr Rusko's personal debts. Most analysts say that the problems in the coalition are unlikely to lead to an early election.
Rescued Slovenian climber vows to return
The Slovenian climber Tomaz Humar, who was rescued last week after six days on a Himalayan mountainside, has vowed to return and conquer the over 6,000 metre Nanga Parbat Mountain. He was rescued by Pakistani helicopters in what has been described as one of the most daring rescues ever made. Mr Humar said that if he is given a permit, he will try again to become the first ever mountaineer to make a solo assent of the mountain's notorious Rupal Face, a sheer 4,500 metre climb.
