Ocili News

Mr Rehn says the voice of the Serbian people is not being heard

The EU enlargement commissioner has said a political deal due to be signed with Serbia has been postponed because of a political dispute in Belgrade. Olli Rehn spoke of “the obstruction by certain politicians”, in a clear reference to PM Vojislav Kostunica.

And Serbian President Boris Tadic later complained that Mr Kostunica had blocked a cabinet meeting on the issue.

Mr Kostunica has denounced the accord as a trick which will help pave the way for independence in Kosovo.

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Tags: agreement, BBC, Boris Tadic, election, EU, president, Serbia, Vojislav Kostunica

It is not yet clear where the crippled ship will go

Croatian emergency workers have managed to attach tow lines to a blazing Turkish cargo ship laden with heavy fuel oil in the Adriatic Sea. Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze, which broke out on Wednesday on the Und Adriyatik.

Croatian officials say they have prevented an environmental disaster.

At one point the vessel, carrying 850 tonnes of fuel oil, veered to within 8km (five miles) of the Brijuni Islands national park.

All of the ship’s 22 crew and nine passengers were evacuated.

A fire brigade spokesman said two tugboats spent Wednesday night dousing the scorching hull with water to bring down the temperature. Floating barrages have been placed around the ship, but as yet no oil has leaked.

The vessel caught fire off the northern Adriatic resort of Rovinj. It was sailing from Istanbul to the Italian port of Trieste

Tags: Adriatic, BBC, cargo, Croatia, fire, Istanbul, Italy, Rovinj, ship, Trieste, Turkey

The three leaders put on a display of unity in Kabul News conference

President Hamid Karzai has played down tensions over the role of foreign countries operating in Afghanistan. Speaking at a news conference in Kabul, Mr Karzai expressed gratitude to Nato members that had contributed troops.

At his side, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice insisted progress was being made fighting insurgents but admitted the work was “not complete”.

Her unannounced visit, with UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband, comes amid differences in Nato over Afghanistan. Continue reading »

Tags: Afghanistan, BBC, Condoleezza Rice, Hamid Kharzai, Kabul, NATO, US