Weekly News from Fyksland
Coverage and translation provided by Vaijskä Radio
Monday, 25 February, 2008
Belgian arrested for smuggling drugs
KAANSÄ (VKK) - A Belgian citizen in his 40s was arrested at Skilig International Airport yesterday with 1.4 kilograms of cocaine carefully hidden in his luggage. The man was arriving through Amsterdam and was stopped at a random check, which is part of regular inspection. Police demanded custody of the smuggler after his arrest who is due to appear in court in two weeks. The street value of the confiscated cocaine could be over 4 million krons or 600,000 euros. The case is under investigation. Full story...
Tuesday, 26 February, 2008
Wild Canadian Goose tests positive for H5N1 in Fyksland
NIEKOPENHAAG, Jølantä (VKK) - The H5N1 Avian Flu Virus has been found in a dead wild Canadian Goose in rural Jølantä. This is the 15th case of the virus turning up in wild birds. The goose was found on 18 February, 2008. As a result of the finding, poultry movement has now been restricted in the areas surrounding Påskimp, 70km northwest of Niekopenhaag. The removal of all birds, dead or alive from any property now requires a license. The Department of Agriculture says the restrictions will expire no earlier than 31 days. Full story...
Wednesday, 27 February, 2008
EU fines Microsoft for non-compliance
BRUSSELS, Belgium (VKK) - The European Union competitions commission has announced its decision to fine the Microsoft Corporation €899 million, approximately 1/10th of the company's gross yearly earnings, for failing to comply with the 2004 antitrust order. It is the highest ever fine charged by the EU and the first time that the EU has fined a company because of non-compliance with an antitrust decision. Full story...
Dollar falls to record euro low
KAANSÄ (VKK) - The U.S. dollar has fallen to a record low against the euro as traders bet that further interest rate cuts will be needed to stem a U.S. recession. The euro rose to $1.5135 dollars after buying $1.50 on Tuesday for the first time. Fyksland kron climbed against the euro too, reaching almost 0.15 euro. Lower U.S. rates tend to send investors in search of other currencies which give a better rate of return. Full story...
Thursday, 28 February, 2008
Vinspugti dies of cancer
PORTI IKSTIS, Viske (AP) - Novelist Mølin Vinspugti has died in Porti Ikstis from cancer at the age of 78, it was announced Thursday. Vinspugti is well known for his fictional works in the thriller and crime genres. Vinspugti was born in 1931 in Kaansä and became blind at age 4 after a fever. The visual impairment did not stop him from learning how to read as Vinspugti won his first of many literary prizes by age 26. Full story...
Friday, 29 February, 2008
Capelin quota ends moratorium
KAANSÄ (VKK) - Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Gunn Sveresman issued a 100,000-ton capelin quota today, lifting a capelin moratorium which took effect last week. The Marine Research Institute has located a 500,000-ton school of capelin in Fyksian waters. The Ministry imposed a moratorium because it had only found 250,000 and 300,000 tons of the fish in its previous research expeditions. At least 400,000 tons of capelin are needed to secure sustainability. Full story...
Saturday, 1 March, 2008
Christians, Muslims defend right to convert
KAANSÄ (VKK) - Two important Christian and Muslim groups signed a joint declaration Friday supporting the right to convert between religions without fear of harassment as a basic religious freedom. The Church of Fyksland Council on International Relations and the Islamic Council of Fyksland, which have met regularly since 1991, said this joint declaration by national religious organisations will break new grounds. “We reject and want to work against violence, discrimination and harassment due to a person wanting to convert or having converted from one religion to another,” said the declaration, signed by Archbishop of Ausglot Pør Luuteis and Mohamud Habib, secretary general of the Islamic Council. Habib said conversion between Islam and Christianity is uncommon in Fyksland, “but it is still important to establish this important principle.” Full story...
Sunday, 2 March, 2008
Israel rejects Fyksland's call for calm
KAANSÄ (VKK) - Fyksland has expressed concern Sunday at the growing violence around Gaza Strip, denouncing the Israelis for its military operations and condemning Hamas and other groups for unprovoked attacks. But a strongly worded diplomatic caution from Foreign Affairs Minister Kala Uutipalan, who said Fyksland is concerned about the Israeli measures in retaliation - including military operations which impact civilians - immediately drew a sharp response. Israeli ambassador June Silverberg rejected the public scolding from Fyksland as "irresponsible allegations and insinuations" and said the use of such force is necessary. Full story...
