World briefs
NORTH MACEDONIA
Bus plunges into ravine, killing 13
SKOPJE — A bus carrying workers in North Macedonia crashed into a small ravine outside the capital Skopje, killing 13 people and injuring about 30 others Wednesday, the newly renamed European nation’s health minister said.
Venko Filipce said seven victims were pronounced dead at the scene and the rest died after they were taken to a hospital.
ITALY
State railway looking to save airline
MILAN — Italy’s state railway has confirmed it is in talks with Delta Air Lines and EasyJet as possible industrial partners in relaunching the troubled Alitalia airline.
The state railway was given a lead role in taking over Alitalia, which struggled amid competition from low-cost carriers and has failed to come up with a sustainable plan to establish Italy’s flagship airline as a long-haul player.
BELGIUM
New rules ban electroshocking fish
BRUSSELS — The European Union reached a tentative deal to ban as of mid-2021 the practice of using electric shocks to stun fish before scooping them up in nets.
The decision will specifically hit the Dutch fishing fleet, which has invested strongly in electric pulse fishing. They argue the technique is environmentally friendly because it allows trawlers to use far less diesel and doesn’t damage the seabed.
Opponents characterize the method as industrial fishing that is wiping out fish stocks.