Europe

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife TIRANA/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- The United States and the European Union are among those appealing for calm in Albania, after at least three people were killed and dozens were injured in anti-government protests in the capital Tirana. Albania's Prime Minister Sali Berisha says he will not allow a similar overthrow of his government as in Tunisia, but the opposition has vowed more demonstrations.

By BosNewsLife Middle East and Africa Services CAIRO, EGYPT (BosNewsLife)-- A Muslim men was awaiting execution Monday, January 17, after a court in Egypt sentenced him to death for his alleged involvement in the January 2010 killings of six Coptic Christians following Christmas mass.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Budapest BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- An estimated 10,000 Hungarians have demonstrated late Friday against what critics describe as Europe's most restrictive media law. Under the legislation, media in Hungary can face heavy fines and sanctions if authorities deem their coverage unbalanced or immoral.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife BUDAPEST/VILNIUS (BosNewsLife)-- Lithuania is commemorating the 20th anniversary of a deadly clash with Soviet troops that preceded its independence in 1991. The Baltic nation's president, Dalia Grybauskaite, has urged Lithuanians never to forget the freedom battle, which killed 14 people and injured hundreds, adding that those responsible for the crackdown should be brought to justice.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife BUDAPEST/WARSAW (BosNewsLife)-- A Russian report on last year's plane crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and and 95 others says crew members were pressured by high officials, and indirectly the head of state, to land in Smolensk, Russia despite bad weather. The twin brother of the late president Jaroslaw Kaczynski has already condemned the report.

By BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Hungary, which holds the European Union presidency, Italy, France and Poland have urged the EU to help prevent more attacks against Christians.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Budapest BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Hungary has introduced Saturday, January 1, a controversial media law that critics say turns the clock back and re-introduce totalitarian rule in the former Communist nation. Under the legislation, journalists can face huge fines if their coverage is deemed unbalanced. The controversy comes as Hungary takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union on New Year's Day.