Ireland and Portugal to be granted extra 7 years to pay back bailout loans

Ireland and Portugal are to be granted an extra seven years to pay back their emergency bailout loans

Ireland and Portugal are to be granted an extra seven years to pay back their emergency bailout loans. The EU and the IMF bailed out the Republic of Ireland in 2010 and Portugal in 2011. The eurozone agreed to the terms at a meeting of finance ministers in Dublin. Meanwhile, the eurozone finance ministers also… Continue reading Ireland and Portugal to be granted extra 7 years to pay back bailout loans

Sgt. Jeremy Scott resigns from Scotland Yard over Margaret Thatcher’s death tweets

Sgt. Jeremy Scott is understood to have published a number of offensive messages since Margaret Thatcher's death

British police officer Jeremy Scott, who reportedly wrote on Twitter that he hoped Margaret Thatcher’s death was “painful and degrading”, has resigned. Sgt. Jeremy Scott of the Metropolitan Police is understood to have published a number of offensive messages since Margaret Thatcher’s death. He is said to have claimed her death was “87 years too… Continue reading Sgt. Jeremy Scott resigns from Scotland Yard over Margaret Thatcher’s death tweets

Cyprus seeks help from EU to reduce burden of bailout conditions

Cyprus says it is not seeking more bailout money, but is rather seeking help from EU to reduce the burden of the conditions to make the bailout possible

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades has announced he will appeal for extra assistance from the EU after it emerged yesterday that the country would need to raise an extra 6 billion euros ($7.8bn) to secure a 10 billion euro bailout from Brussels and the IMF. Nicos Anastasiades is urging EU leaders to change their policy towards… Continue reading Cyprus seeks help from EU to reduce burden of bailout conditions

Cyprus bailout to be finalized in Dublin eurozone finance ministers talks

Eurozone finance ministers meet in Dublin to finalize Cyprus bailout amid news that it needs much more money than first thought

Eurozone finance ministers meet in Dublin on Friday to finalize Cyprus bailout amid news that the country needs much more money than previously thought. The meeting will review how Cyprus can raise its contribution to the bailout being put together by the EU and IMF. The cost of the rescue has risen to 23 billion euros… Continue reading Cyprus bailout to be finalized in Dublin eurozone finance ministers talks

Who is going to Margaret Thatcher’s funeral? Detailed list.

The guest list for the funeral ceremony has been decided by Margaret Thatcher's family and representatives, along with the government and the Conservative Party

Invitations to the funeral of former British PM Margaret Thatcher at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday 17 April are being sent out. The guest list has been decided by Margaret Thatcher’s family and representatives, along with the government and the Conservative Party. It is expected that more than 2,000 invitations will be delivered. About 200… Continue reading Who is going to Margaret Thatcher’s funeral? Detailed list.

Margaret Thatcher funeral guest list released

Margaret Thatcher’s funeral ceremony will take place at St Paul's Cathedral in London

An initial list of invitations to Margaret Thatcher’s funeral on April 17 has been released by Downing Street. All surviving US presidents and British prime ministers are on the guest list, as well as a representative of the Reagan family. Ronald Reagan’s widow Nancy is understood to be too frail to travel. Former Soviet leader… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher funeral guest list released

Cyprus bailout cost rises to 23 billion euros

A draft document prepared by Cyprus' creditors shows that the country’s bailout cost has increased to 23 billion euros

According to a draft document prepared by Cyprus’ creditors, the cost of the bailout for the country has increased to 23 billion euros ($30 billion). The original cost of Cyprus bailout was put at 17.5 billion euros. The new total, disclosed in a document seen by news agencies, means Cyprus will have to find 13… Continue reading Cyprus bailout cost rises to 23 billion euros

Cyprus sells its gold reserves to finance bailout

Cyprus has decided to sell off much of its gold reserves to help finance part of its bailout

Cyprus has decided to sell off much of its gold reserves to help finance part of its bailout. An assessment by the European Commission says Cyprus must sell about 400 million euros worth of gold. Cyprus has already been forced to wind down one of its largest banks in order to qualify for a 10… Continue reading Cyprus sells its gold reserves to finance bailout

Margaret Thatcher Funeral Details: Mikhail Gorbachev will not attend ceremony due to health problems

Margaret Thatcher's funeral will not be attended by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev due to health problems

Margaret Thatcher’s funeral will not be attended by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev due to health problems, his spokesman has announced. Mikhail Gorbachev, 82, with whom the former British prime minister worked closely at the end of the Cold War, was expected to be one of a number of global figures attending. Downing Street said… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher Funeral Details: Mikhail Gorbachev will not attend ceremony due to health problems

Dutch uncover 50,000 tonne horsemeat fraud

Dutch authorities have found that 50,000 tonnes of meat supplied by two local trading companies and sold as beef across Europe since January 2011 may have contained horsemeat

Dutch authorities have found that 50,000 tonnes of meat supplied by two local trading companies and sold as beef across Europe since January 2011 may have contained horsemeat. The meat is being recalled where possible, the Dutch authorities say. According to Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, there was no evidence that the meat… Continue reading Dutch uncover 50,000 tonne horsemeat fraud

Luxembourg to relax bank secrecy from 2015

Luxembourg would ease bank secrecy by implementing EU rules on the automatic exchange of bank account information from 2015

Luxembourg has announced it would ease the secrecy surrounding its banks by implementing rules on the automatic exchange of bank account information with its European Union partners from 2015. PM Jean-Claude Juncker said Luxembourg would introduce the reforms in two years, in line with the EU Savings Directive. The rules of the Directive are aimed… Continue reading Luxembourg to relax bank secrecy from 2015

Robert Edwards, test-tube baby pioneer, dies at the age of 87

Robert Edwards was knighted in 2011, five decades after he began experimenting with IVF

Prof. Sir Robert Edwards, the pioneer of IVF, has died in his sleep after a long illness at the age of 87. Robert Edwards was knighted in 2011, five decades after he began experimenting with IVF. IVF is used worldwide and has resulted in more than five million babies. His work led to the birth… Continue reading Robert Edwards, test-tube baby pioneer, dies at the age of 87

Belgium sends EU complaint over Germany’s mini-jobs and low wage practices

The Belgian government sent an EU complaint alleging that Germany's mini-jobs undermined EU competition rules

Belgium has sent a complaint to the European Commission regarding low wages at some German firms, described by Belgium as unfair “social dumping”. The Belgian government sent the letter alleging that Germany’s “mini-jobs” undermined EU competition rules. Some workers get just 3 or 4 euro hourly in such jobs, without any social protection, Belgium says.… Continue reading Belgium sends EU complaint over Germany’s mini-jobs and low wage practices

MasterCard investigated by European Commission over inter-bank fees

The European Commission is investigating MasterCard over fees charged for card transactions made by people visiting Europe

The European Commission is investigating MasterCard over fees charged for card transactions made by people visiting Europe. The Commission said some of MasterCard’s “inter-bank fees and related practices may be anti-competitive”. Visa is already under investigation in Europe over similar practices. MasterCard, which said it would “fully co-operate” with regulators, could be fined up to… Continue reading MasterCard investigated by European Commission over inter-bank fees

Margaret Thatcher’s death parties held on Bristol streets and across UK organized by Iron Lady critics

People who suffered from Margaret Thatcher’s brutal policies as PM were celebrating the Iron Lady’s death on the street

Former British PM Margaret Thatcher divides Britain in death as much as in life; while she was hailed by business leaders and former colleagues, ordinary people who suffered from her brutal policies were celebrating the Iron Lady’s death. Hundreds took to the streets as macabre “Thatcher death parties” were held late across the country last… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher’s death parties held on Bristol streets and across UK organized by Iron Lady critics

Margaret Thatcher funeral set for April 17 and to be attended by Queen Elizabeth II

Margaret Thatcher’s funeral will take place on Wednesday, April 17

Margaret Thatcher’s funeral will take place on Wednesday, April 17, Downing Street has announced today. Former British PM Margaret Thatcher died on Monday, April 8, after suffering a series of strokes. The funeral ceremony, with full military honors, will take place at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, following a procession from Westminster. Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher funeral set for April 17 and to be attended by Queen Elizabeth II

Will Margaret Thatcher’s funeral be attended by the Queen?

Born six months apart, Margaret Thatcher and the Queen were two women very much making their mark in a man's world

Queen Elizabeth II is often said to have had a less than easy relationship with former premier Margaret Thatcher, her eighth – and longest-serving – prime minister. Born six months apart, Margaret Thatcher and the Queen were two women very much making their mark in a man’s world. Always mindful of her constitutional role and… Continue reading Will Margaret Thatcher’s funeral be attended by the Queen?

Margaret Thatcher Funeral: cortege route and procession details

Margaret Thatcher’s funeral service is expected to take place next week, and will be similar in status to those accorded to the Queen Mother and Princess Diana

Former British PM Margaret Thatcher will be given a ceremonial funeral with full military honors at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Margaret Thatcher’s funeral service is expected to take place next week, and will be similar in status to those accorded to the Queen Mother and Princess Diana. Many members of Parliament have called for… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher Funeral: cortege route and procession details

Serbia: 13 people die in gun rampage in Velika Ivanca

Twelve adults and a child have been killed in Serbia after a man went on a gun rampage in Velika Ivanca

Twelve adults and a child have been killed in Serbia after a man went on a gun rampage in Velika Ivanca, a village near Belgrade, local media report. Six men, six women and a two-year-old boy died before the gunman tried to kill himself and his wife. They are now said to be in a… Continue reading Serbia: 13 people die in gun rampage in Velika Ivanca

Richard Branson lifts his kilt to reveal pants bearing slogan as he promotes Virgin in Scotland

Richard Branson lifted up his kilt to the watching crowd to reveal pants bearing the slogan “stiff competition” as he stepped off the first Virgin plane at Edinburgh airport from Heathrow

Richard Branson lifted up his kilt to the watching crowd to reveal pants bearing the slogan “stiff competition” as he stepped off the first Virgin plane at Edinburgh airport from Heathrow. The Virgin Atlantic president performed his latest publicity stunt as he promoted his company’s expansion into Scotland. “Stiff competition” alluded to Richard Branson’s newly… Continue reading Richard Branson lifts his kilt to reveal pants bearing slogan as he promotes Virgin in Scotland

Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel attacked by Femen activists in Germany

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were confronted by Femen activists in Hanover, Germany. Femen activists, who strip off to highlight a range of issues, including women’s rights, press freedom and domestic violence were dragged kicking and screaming from the premises by security guards. As one women tried to push through to… Continue reading Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel attacked by Femen activists in Germany

Who was Margaret Thatcher? Her biography at-a-glance.

Margaret Thatcher was the longest-serving British prime minister in modern times and the first woman to lead a major Western democracy

A guide to the extraordinary life and career of the first British female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher: Who was Margaret Thatcher? Margaret Thatcher, born Margaret Hilda Roberts in Grantham, Lincolnshire on 13 October 1925, was the longest-serving British prime minister in modern times and the first woman to lead a major Western democracy. She won… Continue reading Who was Margaret Thatcher? Her biography at-a-glance.

Lindsay Sandiford to be executed after losing appeal against death sentence in Bali

Lindsay Sandiford has lost her appeal against her death sentence in Bali for drug trafficking

British housewife Lindsay Sandiford has lost her appeal against her death sentence in Bali for drug trafficking, a Bali High Court spokesman has said. The Bali High Court upheld the sentence handed down to Lindsay Sandiford in January. Lindsay Sandiford, 56, from Gloucestershire, UK, says she was coerced into smuggling 4.8 kg (10.6lb) of cocaine.… Continue reading Lindsay Sandiford to be executed after losing appeal against death sentence in Bali

Margaret Thatcher Dead: UK first female prime minister dies at 87 following stroke

Margaret Thatcher was Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990

Margaret Thatcher, UK’s first female prime minister, has died at 87 following a stroke, her spokesman has announced today. Lord Bell said: “It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning.” Margaret Thatcher was Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990.… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher Dead: UK first female prime minister dies at 87 following stroke