World Briefs

Author: Ian Schmertzler

Driving while dirty
Russia has initiated a spring cleaning effort of sorts, denying dirty cars entrance to Moscow and levying a 50 ruble (~$1.80) fine on cars whose license plates are unwashed. Cars are required to be washed at designated car-washing stations, and violators are liable for a 500 to 1000 rubles fine. Said traffic police spokesman Vyacheslav Trubin, "It helps restore cleanliness standards after the winter… and it helps safety because a lot of cars' windows are dirty, and license plates are hard to read." The fine and banned entrance will remain enforced until May 10.
-The Moscow Times,
Moscow

Prodi wins election
Romano Prodi was declared the prime minister of Italy on Tuesday morning. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who had altered the laws organizing parliament in an effort to strengthen his power, has refused to concede defeat. The margin of victory in both branches of government --the senate and the lower chamber - was by only a few thousand votes. Berlusconi has been charged with corruption numerous times, resulting in a large slip in his popularity. Voter turnout was 83.6%, compared to 81.4% when Berlusconi was elected.
-New York Times:,
Rome

Labor law revoked
Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced in a televised address Monday that France's government had revoked CPE, the contentious youth labor law signed into effect less than a week ago. The labor law, which would have allowed employers to terminate younger employees without cause during their first two years of work, sparked protests throughout France. Villepin called for immediate dialogue to try to find another solution to exceptionally high unemployment levels among the youth of France, particularly in those areas afflicted by serious poverty riots last year. Villepin later stated during an interview that he did not intend to run for president in 2007.
-Le Monde, Paris

Push for democracy
Despite three confirmed deaths and over 800 arrests as of Monday, pro-democracy protests in Nepal continued into the week without any signs of ceasing. Images shown by Western media outlets over the weekend included police shooting into crowds and beating protesters with batons, steel pipes and butts of rifles. In some situations, authorities resorted to throwing rocks and firing tear gas. Although the demonstrators remained peaceful for the most part, some protesters responded to police by hurling stones and bricks.
-New York Times:,
Katmandu, Nepal