Brussels - The election victory by the National Unity Party (UBP) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should not derail reunification talks with the Greek half of the island, European Union officials said Monday.

"We do not think that the outcome of the elections in the northern part of Cyprus should have a direct bearing on the negotiating process," said Krisztina Nagy, spokeswoman for EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Brussels.

Brussels - The European Union's executive is to launch an anti-trust probe into cooperation deals between members of the Star Alliance and Oneworld airline groups such as British Airways, Iberia and United, officials in Brussels announced on Monday.

The European Commission fears that two sets of deals between certain members of the two alliances could potentially reduce competition on hotly-contested trans-Atlantic routes and push up prices, a statement released in Brussels said.

Brussels  - The European Union is sending 55 observers to monitor Malawi's May 19 general election, in which President Bingu Wa Mutharik is vying for a new term in office, officials in Brussels said Friday.

The EU's Election Observation Mission to Malawi will consist of 28 long term observers, who are already monitoring the election's preparations, and 20 short term observers.

Their role will be to "observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results," the EU's executive arm in Brussels, the European Commission, said in a statement.

Brussels - The European Union is sponsoring television programmes designed to promote North African societies as modern, open and emancipated, officials in Brussels said Wednesday.

The EuroMed-News project, co-financed by the European Commission using 2.16 million euros (2.85 million dollars) of European taxpayers' money, also aims to increase awareness among the local populations about what the EU does to foster cooperation and dialogue between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Brussels  - Rene Vandereycken was sacked on Tuesday night as Belgium national team coach over a poor World Cup qualifiying campaign with almost no hope of making the 2010 finals.

Vandereycken's time was over after begium lost twice to Bosnia-Herzegovina, on March 28 and April 1, to rank fourth in their group, 11 points behind runaway leaders Spain. Only the top team qualifies directly for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Vatican City  - The reaction of Belgium's parliament to Pope Benedict XVI's remarks against the use of condoms, is "astonishing" the Vatican's chief spokesman said Friday.

Father Federico Lombardi was commenting on a vote by Belgian lawmakers on Thursday in which they approved a motion which could lead their country's government to lodge an unprecedented, formal protest with the Vatican over the pontiff's remarks.