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Why Europe can’t shake its weakness for Nazism
Like vermin in a time of pestilence, neo-Nazi groups appear to be enjoying a resurgence in a Europe plagued by increasing financial chaos and uncertainty. As Europe celebrated the 67th anniversary of V.E. Day and the defeat of Hitler’s Nazis last week, it also reeled in disbelief as an angry Greek electorate gave 7% of their votes to the neo-Nazi, anti-immigrant Golden Dawn party.
Boasting an “army of brave boys in black,” who strut the streets of rundown Greek neighbourhoods, flicking off Hitler-esque salutes and staging anti-immigration rallies around a swastika-like flag that is based on an ancient Greek decorative border called a meandros, Golden Dawn became the first far-right party to enter the Greek parliament since the collapse of a military dictatorship in 1974.
In an echo of Europe’s tortured past, Nazism, with its association with the Holocaust and horrors of the Second World War, not only survives, but in some instances is thriving. (Illustration: Richard Johnson/National Post)
Photos from inside the deadly European cold snap that’s killed hundreds
Temperatures touched new lows in parts of Europe, including Switzerland, which reported the mercury dipping to minus 35.1 Celsius overnight in the eastern Graubuenden canton, and the Czech Republic, where the town of Kvilda recorded a winter low of minus 39.4 Celsius. More photos here. (AFP/Getty Images;Reuters)
Cold weather kills more than 80 in Europe; snow falls over Italy
Europe froze as the continent experienced some of its coldest temperatures in decades on Wednesday, the death toll from the weather topped 80 and countries battled to clear snow from roads and railways.
At least 28 people froze to death overnight in eastern and central Europe, while countries further west and south began to feel the effects of a cold front spreading from Siberia.
Snow hit Italy, which struggled to clear motorways and railways after heavy falls, and the French Mediterranean island of Corsica. (Photos: Reuters; AFP Photo/Fabio Muzzi; Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images)
‘Major’ changes coming to Canada’s pension system, Harper tells Davos
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has signalled his government will bring forward “major transformations” to the country in the coming months — in areas such as the retirement pension system, immigration, science and technology investment and the energy sector.
Obama calls for renewal in transatlantic relationship
U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a powerful exaltation on the past and the future of the transatlantic alliance Wednesday, anchoring a European tour by decrying the notion of inevitable Western decline.
But the gap between soaring oratory and the intractable nature of modern challenges was laid bare as Obama admitted the current NATO operation in Libya had “limitations” and was able to offer little new hope for Middle East peace.
Grounded: How 3 inches of snow brought Europe’s busiest airport to it’s knees.
