A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Russia's ban on EU meat 'unjustified'
BRUSSELS - Russia's veiled threats to slap restrictions on EU meat imports after Bulgaria and Romania join the bloc next year would represent an unjustified trade ban, the EU's food safety chief said yesterday.
Russia has warned more than once that it might suspend import licences for EU shipments of live animals, products of animal origin and animal feed from January 1st unless Brussels provides guarantees of meat safety from Romania and Bulgaria.
"We believe that such a ban would be completely unjustified," said EU health and consumer protection commissioner Markos Kyprianou. "This is an issue we will also discuss with the Russian side." - (Reuters)
Civilians flee DRC fighting
KINSHASA - More than 2,000 civilians have fled across the Congo river to escape fighting between supporters of Democratic Republic of Congo's rival presidential candidates, the UN said yesterday.
The clashes occurred days after electoral authorities last week announced a provisional result giving victory to incumbent president Joseph Kabila.
His rival, former rebel chief Jean-Pierre Bemba, has rejected Mr Kabila's victory and filed a complaint with the Supreme Court, which must certify the election result.
"I can confirm that some people have fled into the Republic of Congo. We estimate that there are between 2,000 and 2,500," said Jens Hesemann, spokesman for the UNHCR in Kinshasa. - (Reuters)
Airline ban on crucifix upheld
LONDON - A British Airways worker has lost an internal appeal against the company's refusal to let her wear a Christian cross over her uniform, BA said yesterday.
Nadia Eweida (55), who works on check-in counters, was told in October she must not display a small necklace crucifix over her clothes. She was instead instructed to hide it under her blouse or cravat.
Ms Eweida had appealed against the decision, arguing she should be entitled to proclaim her faith openly.
BA said it recognised that uniformed staff might wish to wear jewellery including religious symbols, but its uniform policy stated that such items should be worn underneath clothing. It said Ms Eweida has been offered a non-uniformed post, in which she would be able to wear her cross openly.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, called BA's decision nonsense and said it was based on flawed reasoning. "It is clear that Nadia's cross does not form an impediment to her ability to carry out her duties at the check-in counter," he said. - (Reuters)