by Associated Press BC-AP--Europe News Digest, AP Associated Press - 9 December 2014 07:09-05:00 TOP STORIES FROM EUROPE AT 1210 GMT GERMANY-FRANCE-NAZI MASSACRE BERLIN — A German court has thrown out the case against a former SS man accused of involvement in the largest civilian massacre in Nazi-occupied France, saying there was not enough evidence to bring the 89-year-old to trial. Cologne resident Werner C., whose last name has not been revealed in accordance with German privacy laws, was charged with murder and accessory to murder in connection with the 1944 slaughter in Oradour-sur-Glane in southwestern France. By David Rising. SENT: 450 words. UPCOMING: Photos planned. PARIS — French President Franoics Hollande says al-Qaida's branch in north Africa has released a hostage held since 2011. Francois Hollande says Serge Lazarevic is in "relatively good health" despite the conditions of his captivity. SENT: 130 words. Developing. GREECE-POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY ATHENS, Greece — Greek shares are diving a day after the conservative-led government brought forward the date of a crucial presidential vote, raising a strong possibility of early general elections in the austerity-weary country. The Athens benchmark general index was down 6.4 percent in early trading Tuesday, reflecting fears of protracted political uncertainty as Greece struggles to complete a painful financial turnaround. SENT: 130 words, photos. UPCOMING: 350 words by 1300 GMT. GERMANY-BMW FRANKFURT, Germany — BMW shook up its top leadership Tuesday, saying that CEO Norbert Reithofer would leave his post to become chairman of the board as part of "generational change" at the head of the German luxury automaker. The end of Reithofer's tenure as CEO, combined with the departure of a key manager for rival Volkswagen, means significant turnover in the executive team at the Munich-based maker of the X5 sport utility and the 3-Series sedan. By David McHugh. SENT: 340 words, photos. BRITAIN-NO SEX IN SOHO? LONDON — Madame Jojo's is dead, but the risque London institution is not passing quietly. The closure of the venerable burlesque nightclub has ignited a battle between developers, residents and entertainers for the soul of Soho, the city's late-night hub, red-light district and creative heart. By Jill Lawless. SENT: 840 words, photos. GERMANY-ECONOMY BERLIN — German exports slipped slightly in October but its trade surplus widened as imports fell even more rapidly. The Federal Statistical Office reported Tuesday that exports were down 0.5 percent while imports fell 3.1 percent over September in seasonally and calendar adjusted figures. That widened the trade surplus about 2 billion euros ($2.5 billion) to 20.6 billion euros. SENT: 130 words. TURKEY-SOLDIERS-SHOT ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish authorities are denying reports that three soldiers guarding the Turkish-Syrian border were killed by gunfire from Syria. Turkey's military said Tuesday that one of the soldiers shot and killed two of his colleagues before turning the gun on himself. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Turkish reporters during a visit to Warsaw that the soldier had a nervous breakdown. SENT: 120 words. VATICAN-REFORM VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis acknowledges resistance to his changes but says he welcomes the debate and is nevertheless undeterred. As he prepared to meet again with a group of nine caridals planning a revamp of the administration, Francis told Argentina's La Nacion newspaper that that it was good to get resistance "out into the open, no stealthy mumbling when there is disagreement." SENT: 130 words. CZECH-FRANCE-NUCLEAR PRAGUE — French Prime Minister Manuel Valls says his country's major energy companies are interested in developing the Czech Republic's nuclear program. Unlike some other European countries, such as Germany and Austria, the Czech Republic and France are both heavily relying on nuclear energy. The Czech government is expected to approve a plan this year to build new reactors in both Czech nuclear plants, Temelin and Dukovany. SENT: 130 words, photos. BULGARIA-ROMA SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria's health minister has suggested that ambulances would not enter Roma neighborhoods where medics have been attacked unless they were backed by leaders of the Roma community or a police escort. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Petar Moskov said 174 of 225 recent attacks on medics had been in predominantly Roma areas. He said that urgent medical aid teams would go to such places only after their safety is ensured. SENT: 120 words. News Topics: General news, Nuclear power generation, International trade, Government and politics, Crime, Nazism, Electric power generation, Electric utilities, Utilities, Industries, Business, Energy industry, Economy People, Places and Companies: Francois Hollande, Ahmet Davutoglu, Pope Francis, Manuel Valls, Turkey, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Vatican City, Bulgaria, Athens, Europe, Greece, Middle East, Western Europe, Eastern Europe Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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