Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano has been re-elected following a cross-party appeal to run for office again to resolve a growing political crisis. Giorgio Napolitano, 87, secured the required 504 votes in parliament. Politicians had turned to the widely-respected president after five rounds of voting failed to produce a successor. A caretaker government has been governing… Continue reading Giorgio Napolitano becomes first Italian president re-elected for a second term
Category: Europe News
Europe news
Koningslied: King’s Song for Willem-Alexander investiture sparks outcry in the Netherlands
Almost 40,000 people in the Netherlands have objected to the new official King’s Song marking the investiture of Willem-Alexander on April 30. The King’s Song, composed by Dutch-British producer John Ewbank and performed by 51 Dutch artists, was released on Friday morning. By Saturday, an online petition entitled No to the King’s Song had attracted… Continue reading Koningslied: King’s Song for Willem-Alexander investiture sparks outcry in the Netherlands
Fitch downgrades UK rating from AAA to AA+
Fitch Ratings has downgraded the UK’s credit rating from AAA to AA+, owing to a weakened economic outlook. The move, after Moody’s downgrade in February, came as British Chancellor George Osborne defended the government’s austerity plan. Fitch said its downgrade primarily reflected a weaker economic and fiscal outlook. George Osborne has said his was the… Continue reading Fitch downgrades UK rating from AAA to AA+
Chechnya: A history of terror
Muslim militants from Chechnya have a long history of unleashing separatist terror attacks on Russia – but the allegations of Chechen origin brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s involvement in the Boston Marathon explosions would mark the first time they have targeted the West. Buried in the heart of Russia’s Northern Caucasus, the Islamic state has… Continue reading Chechnya: A history of terror
Rolf Harris arrested in Operation Yewtree set up after Jimmy Savile’s death
Rolf Harris, the Australian entertainer and artist who moved to the UK decades ago, has been questioned by police over historical allegations of sexual offences. Rolf Harris, 83, was interviewed under caution after attending police premises in south London by appointment in November. On March 28, Rolf Harris, from Berkshire, was arrested and bailed until… Continue reading Rolf Harris arrested in Operation Yewtree set up after Jimmy Savile’s death
Prince Willem-Alexander last interview: “Don’t call me Your Majesty as future Dutch king”
Future King of The Netherlands Willem-Alexander gave his final interview as a Crown Prince joined by his wife Princess Máxima on national Dutch TV channels NOS and RTL on Wednesday. In his last major interview before he becomes King Willem-Alexander later this month has said that his subjects will not have to address him as… Continue reading Prince Willem-Alexander last interview: “Don’t call me Your Majesty as future Dutch king”
Margaret Thatcher’s cremation in private ceremony at Mortlake Crematorium
Former British PM Margaret Thatcher was this afternoon cremated at Mortlake Crematorium in South-West London. After a reception for the guests at her ceremonial funeral, Margaret Thatcher’s body was driven from St Paul’s Cathedral to the suburban district. Margaret Thatcher’s ashes are due to be interred next to those of her beloved husband Denis, who… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher’s cremation in private ceremony at Mortlake Crematorium
Who attended Margaret Thatcher’s funeral? List of guests.
Queen Elizabeth II has led mourners in St Paul’s Cathedral in London at the funeral of Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s longest serving prime minister of modern times. More than 2,000 guests from around the world paid their last respects at the biggest such occasion since the Queen Mother’s funeral in 2002. In total, two current heads… Continue reading Who attended Margaret Thatcher’s funeral? List of guests.
Europe car sales fall 10.3% in March 2013
European car sales were 10.3% lower in March 2013 from a year earlier, the 18th consecutive month of falls. The figures, from the Association of European Carmakers (ACEA) showed most carmakers saw sales drop, with Peugeot Citroen and Toyota suffering the most. Continuing economic stagnation across Europe has depressed sales for almost six years. The… Continue reading Europe car sales fall 10.3% in March 2013
Margaret Thatcher’s Funeral: London security increased on precession route
A tight London security operation involving more than 4,000 police officers is under way for the funeral of former British PM Margaret Thatcher. Margaret Thatcher’s coffin will travel from Westminster and be taken in procession through central London for the funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral at 11:00 BST. Some 2,300 people, representing 170 countries, are… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher’s Funeral: London security increased on precession route
Horse DNA found in up to 5% of EU-tested beef products
According to results from the European Commission, horse DNA has been found in up to 5% of beef products randomly tested across the EU. Inspectors also found the banned anti-inflammatory horse drug phenylbutazone, or “bute”, in 0.5% of horsemeat tested. The EU said it was “a matter of food fraud and not of food safety”.… Continue reading Horse DNA found in up to 5% of EU-tested beef products
Margaret Thatcher Funeral: Family, friends and politicians pay respects to Iron Lady at Westminster chapel
Family, friends and politicians from all sides have paid their respects to Margaret Thatcher at the Palace of Westminster chapel, ahead of the former prime minister’s funeral on Wednesday. A short service was held with around 100 MPs and peers, and parliamentary and Downing Street staff taking part. The union jack-draped coffin had arrived earlier… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher Funeral: Family, friends and politicians pay respects to Iron Lady at Westminster chapel
London Marathon 2013 security tighten following Boston Marathon explosions
London Marathon organizers have decided to review the Sunday’s race security after two fatal explosions hit the Boston Marathon yesterday, but the event will go ahead, officials say. At least three people were killed and more than 140 injured by the blasts near the finish of the Boston Marathon. Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said he… Continue reading London Marathon 2013 security tighten following Boston Marathon explosions
Margaret Thatcher’s funeral route: road closures, bus diversions and travel changes
Margaret Thatcher’s funeral will be taking place on Wednesday, April 17, and the procession route means there will be a range of road closures and travel issues in force all morning. Which roads will be closed for the funeral procession? Margaret Thatcher’s funeral procession route: from the Houses of Parliament to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Note… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher’s funeral route: road closures, bus diversions and travel changes
Margaret Thatcher’s body to be moved to Palace of Westminster chapel
The body of former British PM Margaret Thatcher is to be moved to a chapel in the Palace of Westminster later, ahead of Wednesday’s funeral. A service, led by the Dean of Westminster, will be held in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft. MPs are also expected to vote later on whether to cancel Prime… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher’s body to be moved to Palace of Westminster chapel
Mark and Carol Thatcher meet at Iron Lady’s home to make final arrangements for funeral
Margaret Thatcher’s twins, Mark and Carol, met at the former prime minister’s home to make final arrangements today just hours after a stirring full military rehearsal for her funeral had taken place before dawn. Major Andrew Chatburn, the man in charge of choreographing the parade, said the rehearsal “went very well” and claimed it was… Continue reading Mark and Carol Thatcher meet at Iron Lady’s home to make final arrangements for funeral
Big Ben to be silent for Margaret Thatcher’s funeral
Big Ben will be silent for the duration of Margaret Thatcher’s funeral, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has announced. John Bercow told MPs this would be “an appropriate means of indicating our sentiments” during the occasion. There was a “profound dignity through silence,” he added. The silence will last throughout events on Wednesday, covering… Continue reading Big Ben to be silent for Margaret Thatcher’s funeral
Margaret Thatcher Funeral: programme guide and ceremony details
Former British PM Margaret Thatcher will be given a funeral ceremony with full military honors before a private cremation on Wednesday, April 17. Officials and politicians from around the world will be in London to pay their last respects to Britain’s first female prime minister. Margaret Thatcher died at Ritz Hotel in London on Monday,… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher Funeral: programme guide and ceremony details
Margaret Thatcher’s funeral military rehearsal in central London
A military rehearsal of former British PM Margaret Thatcher’s funeral procession has taken place in central London. More than 700 members of the armed forces drawn from all three services took part in the practice before dawn. They will line the route of the funeral procession from Westminster to St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday. Margaret… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher’s funeral military rehearsal in central London
Cyprus to relax citizenship rules for foreign investors who lost at least 3M euros in bailout deal
Cyprus is to ease its citizenship rules for foreign investors who lost at least 3 million euros under the European Union bailout deal. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said new measures, mostly affecting the Russian business community, would be approved at a cabinet meeting on Monday. Russians have billions of euros in Cyprus’ bank deposits. Investors… Continue reading Cyprus to relax citizenship rules for foreign investors who lost at least 3M euros in bailout deal
Venice clears Grand Canal boat traffic for several hours to raise awareness of pollution
The city of Venice has imposed its first ever ban on motorboats, launches and barges on one of its main waterways, Grand Canal. Almost all the usual traffic was cleared from the Grand Canal for several hours. The aim was to draw attention to the city’s environmental problems, and help make the case for more… Continue reading Venice clears Grand Canal boat traffic for several hours to raise awareness of pollution
Margaret Thatcher Funeral: programme and details released by Downing Street
Downing Street has announced that well-known hymns and poems will mark next week’s funeral of former British PM Margaret Thatcher. Latest details of the funeral ceremony have been published including the hymns To Be A Pilgrim, I Vow to Thee My Country and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. The programme features lines from William Wordsworth’s… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher Funeral: programme and details released by Downing Street
Redoine Faid escapes from Sequedin prison in France
Redoine Faid, a notorious convicted armed robber, is being hunted by police in northern France after staging a dramatic escape from prison. Prisoner Redoine Faid set off a series of explosions and took four guards hostage during the escape from Sequedin prison, outside Lille. Police say the criminal is armed and still in possession of… Continue reading Redoine Faid escapes from Sequedin prison in France
Pope Francis appoints eight cardinals as Vatican reform body
Pope Francis has appointed a group of cardinals to advise him on how to reform the Vatican’s often arcane bureaucracy. The Catholic Church’s new leader chose eight cardinals and a bishop who between them represent nearly every continent, and only one of whom is currently a Vatican official. The bureaucracy, or Curia, has been blamed… Continue reading Pope Francis appoints eight cardinals as Vatican reform body
Magnitsky List: Russia publishes similar list in response to US document
Russia has decided to publish a list of 18 US officials barred from the country, in response to a similar list published by the US Treasury on Friday. A Russian statement described the US move as a severe blow to relations, and said blackmail could not be ignored. The US published its list under an… Continue reading Magnitsky List: Russia publishes similar list in response to US document