I. CRIENGLISH - EULEX Arrests Kosovo Albanians for War Crimes
The European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) arrested nine Kosovo Albanians for war crimes committed in 1999. The regional commander of Kosovo Police in Prizren, Nexhmi Krasniqi, was the most senior official arrested, as well as eight others - all members of the same unit of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
II. ANA - Greece talks about FYROM ICJ hearing
Greek foreign ministry spokesman, Grigoris Delavekouras said on Wednesday the case brought by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is a "legal process that was politically motivated when it was initiated". FYROM alleges that Greece violated Article II of the September 1995 "Interim Accord", however, Delavekouras said that the Greek has prepared documents refuting these allegations. He added that FYROM's use of "ancient Hellenic symbols is in conflict with the Interim Accord".
Greek officials have blocked the sale of a dozen religious icons by galleries in Britian and the Netherlands. The icons date from the 18th century. The icons are said to have been pilfered from monasteries and churches of Epirus in northwestern Greece. The icons were identified thanks to an electronic database of treasures stolen from the area. In recent years, about 40 icons have been stolen.
IV. REUTERS - Israel, Cyprus discuss natgas shipping partnership
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cypriot President Demetris Christofias discussed the possibility of transporting natural gas from an offshore Israeli site to Europe via Cyprus. The gas would come from Leviathan field, about 80 miles off the Israeli coast. Its reserves are estimated at 16 trillion cubic feet. Leviathan is the world's biggest deepwater find of the past decade and production is expected to begin there about 2017.
V. RIANOVOSTI - More than half of Ukrainians regret Soviet breakup
According to a poll of Ukrainian residents, more than half (54 percent) regret the break-up of the Soviet Union. However, only 26 percent said they would vote against independence from the Soviet Union if such a referendum took place today, while 51% say they would choose independence. A total of 2,075 respondents took place in survey on March 1-9. The margin of error is estimated to be below 2.2 percent.
Calling for an airport screening process that maximizes security but cuts down on passenger hassles, the U.S. Travel Association on Wednesday recommended key changes to the current system. They suggest creating a trusted traveler program that would allow fliers to volunteer certain information and therefore, allow them to pass through with less rigorous security before their flight.
VII. VOICEOFRUSSIA - Russian Patriarch meets Pope’s representative
On Wednesday, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill received the head of the Pope’s Council for Christian Unity Cardinal Kurt Koch. The Patriarch said that the Cardinal is visiting Russia at a very interesting time, when all forces in the society, including the Church, are rapidly developing. Earlier, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church have spoken of the positive dynamics in relations between the two Churches.