Hungarian parliament has adopted a package of constitutional changes proposed by the ruling conservative Fidesz party which critics say undermine democracy. Fidesz has two-thirds of the seats in parliament, but the measures were approved overwhelmingly as opposition MPs boycotted the vote. The amendment tightens up the laws on higher education, homelessness, election campaigns and family… Continue reading Hungary adopts constitutional changes proposed by Fidesz
Category: Europe News
Europe news
Medical checks on Silvio Berlusconi ordered by Italian court
An Italian court has ordered medical checks to be carried out on Silvio Berlusconi to verify that he cannot attend a trial due to health problems. Silvio Berlusconi, 76, has been in hospital since Friday because of an eye inflammation. The former prime minister is on trial in Milan on charges of paying for sex… Continue reading Medical checks on Silvio Berlusconi ordered by Italian court
Princess Lilian of Sweden dies at the age of 97
Princess Lilian of Sweden, whose romance with husband Prince Bertil became one of the country’s best-known love stories, has died at the age of 97. Welsh-born Lilian met Prince Bertil in London during World War II. However, they faced objections to their relationship because of the prince’s obligations to the throne and Lilian’s status as… Continue reading Princess Lilian of Sweden dies at the age of 97
Malta’s Labour party returns to power after 15 years in opposition
Malta’s Labour party is returning to power after 15 years in opposition, with a projected win of 55% of the vote in the eurozone state’s election. Party leader Joseph Muscat claimed a “landslide victory” for his party, with the outgoing Nationalist Party expected to take 43% of the ballots. Unlike other eurozone states, Malta has… Continue reading Malta’s Labour party returns to power after 15 years in opposition
Papal Election: chimney installed on top of Sistine Chapel
Firefighters have fitted a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican ahead of the conclave which will elect a new pope. The election of a new pope will be marked by white smoke appearing from the chimney. Roman Catholic cardinals will begin electing a new pope on March 12. Pope Benedict XVI… Continue reading Papal Election: chimney installed on top of Sistine Chapel
Next Pope election: Ten cardinals who could be Pope by next week
The process of electing a successor to Benedict XVI is under way and here are 10 of the candidates in the running to lead the Catholic Church. Joao Braz de Aviz Archbishop of Brasilia Born 1947 in Santa Caterina, Brazil As young priest, caught in a robbery’s cross-fire Studied at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian and Lateran Universities Made cardinal… Continue reading Next Pope election: Ten cardinals who could be Pope by next week
Maha Al-Sudairi: luxury goods worth $16 million seized from Saudi princess to pay her Paris shopping bills
Luxury goods worth more than $16 million are to be seized from Saudi Princess Maha Al-Sudairi to pay her shopping bills, a Paris judge ordered on Thursday. Maha Al-Sudairi, who was once married to Saudi’s late Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, helped herself to millions of dollars worth of goods whenever she visited… Continue reading Maha Al-Sudairi: luxury goods worth $16 million seized from Saudi princess to pay her Paris shopping bills
Noma restaurant, dubbed the world’s best eatery, sickens more than 60 people in Denmark
More than 60 people had food poisoning at Danish restaurant Noma, dubbed the world’s best eatery. Health officials said diners at Copenhagen’s Noma restaurant fell sick over a five-day period in February, suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea. It was not clear what caused the outbreak, but reports say the source may have been a sick… Continue reading Noma restaurant, dubbed the world’s best eatery, sickens more than 60 people in Denmark
Next pope election to begin on March 12
Vatican announced today that Roman Catholic cardinals will begin electing a new pope on March 12 as 115 cardinals gathered for talks. Pope Benedict XVI, 85, stepped down last month after nearly eight years in office, becoming the first pontiff to resign in 600 years. The pontiff blamed his failing health for his inability to… Continue reading Next pope election to begin on March 12
Poland: Viola plant halts production over rotten meat row
Polish food inspectors have stopped meat production at Viola plant following claims that it was adding rotten meat to its products. The allegations were made in a TV programme that included secretly filmed footage from the Viola plant in the northern village of Lniano. It purports to show meat returned by shops being re-used to… Continue reading Poland: Viola plant halts production over rotten meat row
France: Bouchra Bagour goes on trial for 9/11 T-shirt
Bouchra Bagour has gone on trial in southern France for sending her 3-year-old son to nursery school wearing a T-shirt reading “I am a bomb” and “Born on September 11”. Bouchra Bagour, 35, was reported to police by the teacher last September, and charged with “glorifying crime”. At the start of her trial in Avignon,… Continue reading France: Bouchra Bagour goes on trial for 9/11 T-shirt
Silvio Berlusconi convicted and sentenced to a year in jail over illegal wiretap
Silvio Berlusconi has been convicted and sentenced to a year in jail over an illegal wiretap. Italy’s former prime minister was accused of arranging for a police wiretap concerning a political rival to be leaked and published in a newspaper run by his brother. Silvio Berlusconi is likely to appeal and will remain free in… Continue reading Silvio Berlusconi convicted and sentenced to a year in jail over illegal wiretap
Mikhail Gorbachev denounces Russia new laws as attack on citizens’ rights
Mikhail Gorbachev has denounced new laws passed in Russia as an “attack on citizens’ rights”. In a recent interview, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev called on Russian President Vladimir Putin “not to be afraid of his own people”. Mikhail Gorbachev also criticized Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, saying it was full of “thieves and corrupt officials”.… Continue reading Mikhail Gorbachev denounces Russia new laws as attack on citizens’ rights
Kate Middleton expecting a girl?
Famously discreet Kate Middleton may have dropped her guard a little on a walkabout yesterday. According to one member of the crowd, Kate Middleton, who is five months pregnant, appeared to hint she might be having a baby girl. Sandra Cook, 67, was among the 2,000 wellwishers who greeted Kate Middleton on her visit to… Continue reading Kate Middleton expecting a girl?
Ikea almond cakes withdrawn amid concerns of coliform bacteria contamination
Ikea has decided to withdraw a type of almond cake from its restaurants after samples were found to be contaminated by coliform bacteria. Traces of the bacteria were found in two batches of the cake that came from a Swedish supplier and went through Ikea’s health checks. The cake has been withdrawn from 23 countries,… Continue reading Ikea almond cakes withdrawn amid concerns of coliform bacteria contamination
Silvio Berlusconi hosted prostitution parties at his Milan villa, say prosecutors at his trial
Silvio Berlusconi hosted prostitution parties at his Milan villa and paid women with favors and cash, Italian prosecutors at his trial have said. Former PM Silvio Berlusconi, on trial for paying an underage prostitute, Karima El Mahroug, said he never had to pay for “intimate relations”. Both Silvio Berlusconi and Karima El Mahroug – better… Continue reading Silvio Berlusconi hosted prostitution parties at his Milan villa, say prosecutors at his trial
Queen Elizabeth II leaves hospital after suffering gastroenteritis
Queen Elizabeth II has left hospital in central London after being assessed for gastroenteritis symptoms. The Queen had been at London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital since Sunday – her first hospital stay in 10 years. All official engagements for this week, including a visit to Rome, were either cancelled or postponed. She also missed St… Continue reading Queen Elizabeth II leaves hospital after suffering gastroenteritis
Vaclav Klaus faces impeachment over treason charge
Czech lawmakers have narrowly voted to charge country’s outgoing President Vaclav Klaus with high treason. The upper house voted to refer Vaclav Klaus to the constitutional court to rule on whether he had violated the constitution with a New Year amnesty. The wide-ranging measures were controversial as they resulted in multiple high-profile corruption cases being… Continue reading Vaclav Klaus faces impeachment over treason charge
Germany threatens Schengen veto on Bulgaria and Romania
German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich says his country will not allow Bulgaria or Romania to join the EU’s passport-free Schengen zone if the issue is put to a vote in the EU on Thursday. “If Romania and Bulgaria insist on a vote, the attempt will fail because of a German veto,” Hans-Peter Friedrich said. Both… Continue reading Germany threatens Schengen veto on Bulgaria and Romania
Roman Catholic cardinals begin talks on next Pope election in Rome
Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world are due to meet in Rome to begin the process of electing the next Pope. The College of Cardinals will hold daily talks leading up to a conclave in which a new Pope will be chosen. The election process comes after Pope Benedict XVI stepped down after nearly… Continue reading Roman Catholic cardinals begin talks on next Pope election in Rome
Switzerland referendum backs curbs on executive pay
Swiss voters have backed proposals to impose some of the world’s strictest controls on executive pay, final referendum results show. Nearly 68% of the voters supported plans to give shareholders a veto on compensation and ban big payouts for new and departing managers. Business groups argued the proposals would damage Swiss competitiveness. But analysts say… Continue reading Switzerland referendum backs curbs on executive pay
Mother Teresa’s life research sparks controversy after calling into question her saintly image
A new research into Mother Teresa’s life sparks controversy after calling into question her saintly image. Born Agnes Gonxha in Albania, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity and spent much of her life in Calcutta, caring for the sick and poor. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and was beatified by the… Continue reading Mother Teresa’s life research sparks controversy after calling into question her saintly image
Queen Elizabeth II hospitalized with stomach bug
Queen Elizabeth II has been hospitalized as a precaution, while she is assessed for symptoms of gastroenteritis, Buckingham Palace says. The 86-year-old monarch has been taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London, a palace spokesman said. All official engagements for this week, including the Queen’s trip to Rome, will be either cancelled or postponed.… Continue reading Queen Elizabeth II hospitalized with stomach bug
Portugal protests against government austerity measures
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in protests across Portugal against government austerity measures. Huge crowds gathered in the capital Lisbon to demand the government resign. Many carried placards condemning the “Troika” of the IMF, the European Commission and the European Central Bank, which demanded budget cuts in return for a financial bailout.… Continue reading Portugal protests against government austerity measures
Poland: dog saves life of three-year-old missing girl
A small dog likely saved the life of a three-year-old Polish girl who went missing from her home overnight in freezing temperatures, firefighters say. The child, Julia, vanished on Friday and was found lying in marshes several kilometres from her house on Saturday morning, with the dog by her side. Julia is now in hospital… Continue reading Poland: dog saves life of three-year-old missing girl