标签： Europe

Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina — The streets of Sarajevo were filled with tens of thousands of mourners on Monday as they gathered to pay their final respects to Halid Beslic, a beloved Bosnian folk singer whose music and humanitarian efforts transcended ethnic divisions in a region historically plagued by conflict. Beslic, who passed away last week at the age of 71 after battling cancer, was celebrated not only for his artistic contributions but also for his unwavering commitment to peace and compassion during the turbulent 1992-95 Bosnian War. His concerts during the war raised critical funds for displaced Bosnians, while his songs about life and love resonated deeply across the Balkans. The funeral procession, led by Muslim cleric Muhamed Velic, saw mourners silently make their way to Sarajevo’s main cemetery, many visibly moved by the loss of a man whose voice and kindness bridged divides. Velic remarked that Beslic’s music “reached people’s hearts and his goodness broke barriers and crossed various borders.” Beslic’s career, which began in the former Yugoslavia, spanned decades, earning him reverence as a symbol of the peaceful prewar era. Over the weekend, tributes poured in from across the region, with thousands gathering in Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro to sing his songs. Social media also showcased gatherings in Western Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States, where diaspora communities from the former Yugoslavia honored his legacy. Bosnian actor Emir Hadzihafizbegovic, a close friend of Beslic, described him as the “personification of Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia,” crediting him with teaching “how to live without prejudice.” Beslic’s humanitarian work during the war, including organizing concerts abroad to support war victims, cemented his status as a unifying figure in a region still grappling with the scars of ethnic division. The Bosnian War, which erupted after Bosnian Serb nationalists opposed the country’s independence from Yugoslavia, claimed over 100,000 lives and displaced millions. Nearly three decades later, Bosnia remains ethnically fragmented and economically challenged, a stark reminder of the enduring impact of the conflict.

A distressing incident involving football fans in Dublin has drawn widespread condemnation after two tourists were reportedly assaulted. Carly Clarke, a photographer from Eastbourne, and Stephen Lovell-Davis, a 70-year-old photographer from London, were in Dublin for a photography exhibition when they encountered a group of FC Schalke 04 supporters parading through the city center. The event took a violent turn when one fan attempted to grab Clarke’s camera, leading to a physical altercation. Lovell-Davis intervened but was pushed to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head. The incident occurred on Abbey Street on Saturday, October 11, as approximately 2,000 Schalke fans traveled to Dublin for a friendly match against Bohemians, which ended in a 3-2 loss for the German club. FC Schalke 04 released a statement condemning the actions of some of its supporters, describing the incidents as ‘completely unjustifiable’ and vowing to investigate rigorously. The club emphasized that such behavior ‘overshadowed’ what was intended to be a positive trip and expressed sympathy for the victims. Lovell-Davis, who sustained bruises and cuts, described the attack as ‘disappointing’ but noted that it was the actions of a ‘small minority.’ He also thanked three Irish women who assisted him after the assault. Both tourists have since returned to England, and the Irish police, An Garda Síochána, are investigating the alleged assault. The club has initiated an internal review and pledged to take appropriate action against those responsible.

In a significant move, the Vatican announced on Monday the appointment of a panel of judges to adjudicate the case of former Jesuit artist Marko Ivan Rupnik, who stands accused of sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse of women. This decision marks a pivotal moment in a scandal that has cast a shadow over Pope Francis’s legacy, amid allegations that the Vatican’s handling of the case lacked transparency and independence. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, responsible for overseeing clergy abuse cases, revealed that the five-member judicial panel includes both women and priests external to the Vatican bureaucracy, emphasizing the need for autonomy and impartiality in the proceedings. This development follows years of controversy surrounding Rupnik, whose mosaics adorn some of the Catholic Church’s most revered sites worldwide. The scandal first came to light in late 2022 when Italian blogs published allegations from nuns and adult women who claimed to have been abused by Rupnik during his artistic endeavors. Despite initial reluctance to prosecute due to the age of the claims, the Vatican eventually waived the statute of limitations under public pressure, paving the way for a canonical trial. Rupnik, who was briefly excommunicated in 2020 for exploiting the confessional, has consistently denied the allegations and refused to cooperate with Jesuit authorities. His supporters have decried the media coverage as a ‘lynching,’ while the Vatican’s latest action signals a renewed commitment to addressing the case with due process.

A 20-year-old man, Evan Moore, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the November 2023 Dublin riots, during which he vandalized and set fire to a Luas tram. Moore, from Grangemore Road in Donaghmede, Dublin, shattered the tram’s windows and brought a burning bin onboard, causing extensive damage estimated at €5 million (£4.34 million). The incident forced the suspension of tram services for 24 hours. Moore, who was 18 at the time, ignored a text from his mother urging him to leave the city center before the situation escalated. Six months later, he was identified by gardaí (Irish police) during an anti-immigration protest and admitted to his involvement in the riots. Footage showed him carrying the burning bin onto the tram. Moore, who has no prior convictions, was described by his defense as coming from a respectable family but having brought ‘shame’ upon them. He is currently attending school in prison and has a college placement as an electrician upon release. The riots erupted hours after a stabbing incident near a primary school left a woman and three children injured. During the unrest, rioters set off flares, looted shops, and attacked police. Judge Orla Crowe emphasized the severity of the riots, calling them the most serious incident in Dublin in years. She noted Moore’s remorse, his guilty plea, and his participation in an anti-racism course, ultimately sentencing him to four years with the last 12 months suspended.

A severe train collision occurred in eastern Slovakia on Monday, resulting in injuries to dozens of passengers, two of whom are in critical condition, according to officials. The incident took place near Rožňava shortly after 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT), as reported by Slovak Railways. Approximately 80 passengers were on board at the time of the crash, though further details were not immediately available. Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok confirmed that two individuals sustained critical injuries, while the remaining injuries were less severe. Visuals from the scene depicted significant damage to the front of one train engine, with the other train derailed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, with Šutaj Eštok hinting that human error could be a contributing factor.

Every morning at 9 a.m., Ukraine comes to a standstill. Traffic lights turn red, and the rhythmic sound of a metronome fills the air, signaling a minute of collective reflection. Drivers step out of their vehicles, bowing their heads in silence. From cafes and schools to the front lines, Ukrainians pause to honor those who have lost their lives in Russia’s full-scale invasion. This daily ritual, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2022, has become a profound national tradition, uniting the country in grief and resilience. In Kyiv’s Maidan Square, a growing memorial adorned with flags, photos, and candles serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made. Among the mourners are four friends holding signs that read, “Stop. Honor.” Their bond is tied to Iryna Tsybukh, a 25-year-old combat medic killed by a landmine in eastern Ukraine last year. Her death galvanized the nation and deepened the significance of the daily observance. Kateryna Datsenko, co-founder of the civic group Vshanuy, emphasizes that the ritual is not about death but about celebrating the lives and passions of the fallen. Despite escalating Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukrainians continue to gather each morning, finding strength in shared grief and solidarity. City officials have synchronized Kyiv’s traffic lights to ensure the capital joins the nationwide pause. For many, like activist Daria Kolomiec, the moment is both collective and deeply personal, a reminder of the resilience and unity that define Ukraine’s fight for freedom.