Thousands of protesters, led by trade unionists, have rallied in Rome against the policies of Italy’s new coalition government. Wielding red flags and placards, they urged the centre-left prime minister, Enrico Letta, to scrap austerity measures and focus on job creation. Public trust in his fragile coalition with the centre-right is dropping, opinion polls suggest.… Continue reading Rome: Thousands rally to oppose Italy’s austerity measures
Category: Europe News
Europe news
Madeleine McCann case: Potential suspects identified by UK detectives
A number of persons of interest have been identified by UK detectives reviewing the case of the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Madeleine McCann, from Rothley, Leics, was nearly 4-year-old when she went missing from her family’s Portuguese holiday flat in an Algarve resort. Scotland Yard said officers were working closely with Portuguese police and… Continue reading Madeleine McCann case: Potential suspects identified by UK detectives
Cannes Film Festival 2013: $1 million Chopard jewels stolen from Novotel hotel room
More than $1 million (777,000 euros) worth of Chopard jewels have been stolen from Novotel hotel in Cannes, French police say. The jewels were to be loaned to stars appearing at the famous annual film festival on the French Riviera. They were taken from the hotel room of an employee of exclusive Swiss jewellers Chopard in… Continue reading Cannes Film Festival 2013: $1 million Chopard jewels stolen from Novotel hotel room
Pope Francis condemns money cult in his first major speech on financial crisis
In his first major speech on the financial crisis, Pope Francis has called on world leaders to end the “cult of money” and to do more for the poor. Free market economics had created a tyranny, in which people were valued only by their ability to consume, the pontiff told diplomats in the Vatican. “Money… Continue reading Pope Francis condemns money cult in his first major speech on financial crisis
Milos Zeman: Czech president drunk at public display of crown jewels
A video footage shows the new Czech president, Milos Zeman, clearly worse for wear, propping himself up against a wall at a public event, struggling to negotiate a step and being aided by a cardinal. Milos Zeman, 68, makes no secret of his drinking. But on this occasion – a rare and highly-ceremonial public display… Continue reading Milos Zeman: Czech president drunk at public display of crown jewels
France enters its second recession in four years
France has entered its second recession in four years after the economy shrank by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2013, according to official figures. The country’s economy shrank by the same amount in the last quarter of 2012. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. France has record unemployment and… Continue reading France enters its second recession in four years
Ryan Fogle: Russia to expel US diplomat suspected of CIA recruitment
Russia has announced it will expel US diplomat Ryan Fogle briefly detained in Moscow for allegedly trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer as a spy. Ryan Fogle, named as CIA agent, was held overnight after he was apparently arrested wearing blond wig. He has been declared “persona non grata” for “provocative actions in the… Continue reading Ryan Fogle: Russia to expel US diplomat suspected of CIA recruitment
France to introduce 1% sale tax on smartphones and tablets to fund culture
The French government is considering introducing a 1% tax on the sale of smartphones and tablets to help fund local film, music and images. The proposal estimates some 86 million euros ($112 million) could be raised per year. The bid is based on France’s so-called “cultural exception” policy, which aims to protect culture from market… Continue reading France to introduce 1% sale tax on smartphones and tablets to fund culture
Cyprus receives first installment of 10 billion-euro bailout package
Cyprus has received the first installment of a 10 billion-euro bailout package from international creditors, which was agreed earlier this year. Cyprus received 2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) in loans, said a statement by the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). Another 1 billion euros will be transferred before June 30, the ESM said. Eurozone finance ministers… Continue reading Cyprus receives first installment of 10 billion-euro bailout package
Andrew Moran: Most wanted fugitive in UK arrested in Spain
Andrew Moran, one of Britain’s most wanted fugitives, has been arrested in a raid on a luxury villa on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Andrew Moran, 31, from Salford, Manchester, was detained after a pursuit by police in the Alicante resort of Calpe on Friday. He was charged with an armed robbery of Royal Mail guards in… Continue reading Andrew Moran: Most wanted fugitive in UK arrested in Spain
Pope Francis canonizes 813 Martyrs of Otranto killed by Ottoman soldiers
Pope Francis has proclaimed the first saints of his pontificate in a ceremony at the Vatican – a list which includes 813 victims of an atrocity carried out by Ottoman soldiers in 1480. The “Martyrs of Otranto” were beheaded in the southern Italian town after refusing to convert to Islam. Their names are unknown, apart… Continue reading Pope Francis canonizes 813 Martyrs of Otranto killed by Ottoman soldiers
Bulgaria votes in parliamentary elections
Parliamentary elections are under way in Bulgaria with opinion polls predicting no outright winner. Mass protests against low living standards and widespread corruption forced the government of the centre-right Gerb party to resign in February. However, the run-up to Sunday’s election has been marked by voter apathy and claims of fraud. On Saturday prosecutors said… Continue reading Bulgaria votes in parliamentary elections
Kate Middleton due date is July 13, during Coronation Festival
It was revealed today that Kate Middleton official due date is July 13. Mystery has shrouded the expected date of birth ever since Kate Middleton was rushed into the King Edward VII hospital with severe morning sickness in December, early in the pregnancy. Because of her illness, the Palace was forced to announce she was… Continue reading Kate Middleton due date is July 13, during Coronation Festival
Reyhanli explosions kill at least 40 people in Turkey
At least 40 people have been killed and other 100 are injured after two car bombs exploded in the Turkish town of Reyhanli, near the Syrian border, Turkey’s interior minister says. Muammer Guler told Turkey’s NTV that two bombs had gone off in the town near the town hall and post office. Video from the… Continue reading Reyhanli explosions kill at least 40 people in Turkey
Silvio Berlusconi tax fraud conviction upheld by Milan court
Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi’s conviction for tax fraud has been upheld by an appeals court in Milan. The court also reinstated a four-year prison sentence and five-year ban from public office Silvio Berlusconi was handed in October. Silvio Berlusconi was convicted of artificially inflating prices of film distribution rights bought by his company, Mediaset,… Continue reading Silvio Berlusconi tax fraud conviction upheld by Milan court
Hans Lipschis: Former Auschwitz guard arrested in Germany
Hans Lipschis, a 93-year-old alleged former guard at the Auschwitz extermination camp, has been arrested in southern Germany. Hans Lipschis was taken into custody in Aalen after prosecutors concluded there was “compelling evidence” that he had been complicit in murder. He acknowledges he served with the Waffen SS at the camp in occupied Poland, but… Continue reading Hans Lipschis: Former Auschwitz guard arrested in Germany
Greece makes progress on reducing its budget deficit, says IMF report
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) report has revealed today that debt-laden Greece has made progress in improving its finances, but the country must do more to fight tax evasion. In a report, the IMF said Greece had made “exceptional” progress on reducing its budget deficit since 2010. But the IMF, one of the lenders that… Continue reading Greece makes progress on reducing its budget deficit, says IMF report
Giulio Andreotti: Former Italian prime minister dies aged 94
Former Italian PM Giulio Andreotti, one of the most prominent political figures of post-war Italy, has died aged 94. Giulio Andreotti was prime minister seven times between 1972 and 1992. He led the Christian Democrat party, which dominated Italian politics for decades. He was dogged in later years by allegations of corruption and Mafia links.… Continue reading Giulio Andreotti: Former Italian prime minister dies aged 94
Prince Harry tells friends Kate and William are expecting a boy
Prince Harry has reportedly told friends that Kate and William are expecting a boy. Prince Harry is so happy about becoming an uncle he couldn’t keep the secret of the baby’s sex to himself. The bookies are offering odds of 1/3 favorite on Kate Middleton having a girl and 5/2 for a boy, even though couple… Continue reading Prince Harry tells friends Kate and William are expecting a boy
Jobbik party holds anti-Semitic rally against World Jewish Congress in Budapest
Hungary’s far-right Jobbik party has staged a rally in the center of the capital in protest at the Budapest’s hosting of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) on Sunday. Several hundred supporters took part, despite attempts by the government to prevent it going ahead. Jobbik said the rally was a protest against what it said was… Continue reading Jobbik party holds anti-Semitic rally against World Jewish Congress in Budapest
Michaela Biancofiore: Italian minister resigns after one day over homophobia accusations
Michaela Biancofiore, an Italian junior equal opportunities minister, has resigned the day after being sworn in to new coalition, having said gay people invited discrimination by “ghettoizing” themselves. Michaela Biancofiore was defending herself against accusations of homophobia made by human rights groups. But she invoked more wrath with Saturday’s comments to Italian media. The sacking… Continue reading Michaela Biancofiore: Italian minister resigns after one day over homophobia accusations
Ghent toxic train explosion kills two people and injures other 14 in Belgium
Two people died and other 14 were injured after a train carrying toxic, flammable chemicals derailed and caused a major fire near the Belgian city of Ghent. The train was travelling from the Netherlands to Ghent’s seaport when it derailed as it changed tracks between the towns of Schellebelle and Wetteren at about 02.00 a.m.… Continue reading Ghent toxic train explosion kills two people and injures other 14 in Belgium
Portugal to cut 30,000 civil service jobs and to raise retirement age by one year to 66
Portugal plans to cut 30,000 civil service jobs and to raise the retirement age by one year to 66 as it tries to meet the terms of a bailout. PM Pedro Passos Coelho said civil servants would also be required to work 40 hours a week instead of 35. The proposals, which would be applied… Continue reading Portugal to cut 30,000 civil service jobs and to raise retirement age by one year to 66
Pro-Dzhokhar Tsarnaev posters on walls in Chechnya
Posters expressing support for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is charged with last month’s bombings at the Boston Marathon, have been put up on walls in Chechnya’s capital, Grozny. It is not clear who is behind the posters declaring Dzhokhar Tsarnaev “not guilty”, which appeared after Russia’s May Day celebrations. The posters show pictures of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev… Continue reading Pro-Dzhokhar Tsarnaev posters on walls in Chechnya
Ex-Pope Benedict moves back to Vatican City two months after his resignation
Pope Emeritus Benedict has returned to the Vatican, two months after becoming the first pontiff to resign in 600 years. The former pope was flown by helicopter from the Castel Gandolfo papal summer residence to live permanently in Vatican City. Greeted by Pope Francis as he arrived, Benedict was driven the short distance to his… Continue reading Ex-Pope Benedict moves back to Vatican City two months after his resignation