Queen Elizabeth II has been forced to cancel a Wales visit on Saturday to celebrate St David’s Day, after developing symptoms of a stomach bug. Buckingham Palace said the 86-year-old monarch is suffering from gastroenteritis. The Queen had been due to present members of 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh in Swansea with leeks to mark… Continue reading Queen Elizabeth II cancels Wales visit after suffering from gastroenteritis
Category: Europe News
Europe news
Eurozone unemployment rate hits record 11.9% in January 2013
Eurozone unemployment rate rose to a new record high in January, official figures show. The jobless rate in the 17 countries that use the euro rose to 11.9% in January from 11.8% in December, the statistics agency Eurostat said. The highest rate was 27% in Greece, although the most recent figure there was from November,… Continue reading Eurozone unemployment rate hits record 11.9% in January 2013
Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized after branding Zionism a crime against humanity
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been heavily criticized by the US, Israel and the UN for branding Zionism a “crime against humanity”. Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a UN forum this week: “As with Zionism, anti-Semitism and fascism, it is inevitable that Islamophobia be considered a crime against humanity.” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called… Continue reading Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized after branding Zionism a crime against humanity
Pope Benedict XVI resignation: What’s next?
Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation today is forcing the Vatican to consider some unusual questions. Here are 10 answers: 1. Name and title. He will be known as Pope emeritus, or Roman pontiff emeritus, the Vatican announced on Tuesday. He will also continue to be known by his papal title of Benedict XVI, rather than reverting… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI resignation: What’s next?
Pope Benedict XVI leaves Vatican
Pope Benedict XVI has officially resigned today, saying that he now “will simply be a pilgrim” starting his last journey on earth. The pontiff, aged 86, was earlier flown by helicopter from the Vatican to his retreat at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome. His deputy, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, is now in charge of the world’s 1.2… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI leaves Vatican
Pope Benedict XVI vows unconditional obedience to his successor
Pope Benedict XVI has vowed “unconditional obedience and reverence” to his successor. The pontiff was speaking on his final day in office at the Vatican to his cardinals, one of whom will be elected next month to replace him. Pope Benedict, 85, will leave for the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, later on… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI vows unconditional obedience to his successor
EU officials agree on capping bankers bonuses
European Union officials have struck a provisional deal on new financial rules, including capping bank bonuses. Under the agreement, bank bonuses will be capped at a year’s salary, but can rise to two year’s pay if there is explicit approval from shareholders. The deal was reached late on Wednesday. EU ministers must approve it, although… Continue reading EU officials agree on capping bankers bonuses
Beppe Grillo rules out coalition with Pier Luigi Bersani
Italian comedian-turned-politician Beppe Grillo, whose Five-Star Movement (M5S) defied expectations to come third in last weekend’s elections, has ruled out a coalition with Pier Luigi Bersani’s centre-left bloc. Pier Luigi Bersani’s Democratic Party (PD) won a majority in the Chamber of Deputies but fell short in the Senate. Beppe Grillo said he expected Pier Luigi… Continue reading Beppe Grillo rules out coalition with Pier Luigi Bersani
Russia finds horsemeat in sausages imported from Austria
Russian officials say horsemeat has been detected in sausages advertised as pork and imported from Austria. The Russian agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said the sausages contained both horse and poultry DNA. A spokesman said the company that supplied the meat had been struck off a list of approved suppliers. Horsemeat was first found in meals and… Continue reading Russia finds horsemeat in sausages imported from Austria
Pope Benedict XVI final general audience gathers thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square
Thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI’s final general audience. The Pope has admitted he faced “choppy waters” during his eight years at the helm of the Roman Catholic Church, but says he was guided by God and felt his presence every day. Pope Benedict XVI, 85,… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI final general audience gathers thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square
Three people shot dead at Kronospan wood processing plant near Lucerne
Three people have been killed and seven injured in Switzerland during a shooting at a factory near the city of Lucerne, local media quote officials as saying. The killer is among the dead, police and prosecutors are reported as saying. Shooting broke out in the canteen at the Kronospan wood processing plant in the town… Continue reading Three people shot dead at Kronospan wood processing plant near Lucerne
DSK fails to ban Marcela Iacub’s book
A judge in France has rejected a lawsuit filed by former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn which sought to stop the publication of a book written by his former lover Marcela Iacub. Beauty And Beast (Belle et Bete) outlines Marcela Iacub’s fictionalized account of her affair with DSK. Although it can now be published, the book… Continue reading DSK fails to ban Marcela Iacub’s book
EU ministers agree to end the controversial practice of dumping unwanted fish
European Union fisheries ministers have agreed to phase out the controversial practice of dumping unwanted fish. After a tense all-night meeting, ministers said a ban on “discards” should be phased in, starting in January 2014 for certain types of fish. Ministers agreed some exemptions to the ban – but the European Parliament may still refuse… Continue reading EU ministers agree to end the controversial practice of dumping unwanted fish
Italy deadlock creates confusion in Europe
European markets and politicians have reacted anxiously after Italy’s general election produced a stalemate between centre-right and centre-left blocs. France and Germany urged continued reform, while Spain described the result as a “jump to nowhere”. Italian markets fell sharply while others in Europe and around the world opened down. Centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi said fresh… Continue reading Italy deadlock creates confusion in Europe
Pope Benedict XVI will be known as “pope emeritus” and will retain the honorific “His Holiness” after resignation
Vatican officials announced today that Pope Benedict XVI will be known as “pope emeritus” and will retain the honorific “His Holiness” after he abdicates on Thursday. He will also continue to be known by his papal title of Benedict XVI, rather than reverting to Josef Ratzinger. Pope Benedict will wear his distinctive white cassock without… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI will be known as “pope emeritus” and will retain the honorific “His Holiness” after resignation
Organic eggs fraud investigated in Germany
German authorities in the northern state of Lower Saxony are investigating allegations of fraud over the mislabeling of eggs as organic. The authorities have launched an investigation into allegations that 150 farms had mislabelled their eggs. It is claimed that the hens live in conditions that do not conform to organic regulations. The farm minister… Continue reading Organic eggs fraud investigated in Germany
Italy election results: Split vote leads to stalemate
Italy’s parliamentary elections have ended in stalemate and the possibility of a hung parliament. With all domestic votes counted, Pier Luigi Bersani’s centre-left bloc has narrowly beaten ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi in the lower house but has failed to secure a majority in the Senate. Control of both houses is needed to govern and a Berlusconi… Continue reading Italy election results: Split vote leads to stalemate
Pier Luigi Bersani’s centre-left ahead in early exit polls
Early exit polls from Italy’s general election show a lead for the centre-left bloc led by Pier Luigi Bersani. The polls suggest Pier Luigi Bersani’s alliance has taken around 34% of the vote for parliament’s lower house, ahead of Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right group with 29%, Sky Italia reports. Beppe Grillo’s protest movement is projected to… Continue reading Pier Luigi Bersani’s centre-left ahead in early exit polls
Cardinal Keith O’Brien steps down as leader of Scottish Catholic Church
Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric, is stepping down as leader of the Scottish Catholic Church. The move follows allegations – which he contests – of inappropriate behavior towards priests dating from the 1980s. In a statement, Cardinal Keith O’Brien apologized to those he had offended during his ministry. The cardinal confirmed… Continue reading Cardinal Keith O’Brien steps down as leader of Scottish Catholic Church
Pope Benedict XVI changes law on conclave
Vatican has announced that Pope Benedict XVI has amended Roman Catholic Church law so that the conclave selecting his successor can be brought forward. The change to the constitution means cardinals will no longer have to wait 15 days after the papacy becomes vacant before beginning the conclave. As a result, the conclave can now… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI changes law on conclave
Horsemeat found in IKEA meatballs
Ikea has decided to halt sales of its meatballs in Sweden after meatballs set for sale at its stores in the Czech Republic were found to contain horsemeat. The discovery comes as European Union agriculture ministers meet in Brussels for talks widely expected to focus on the growing horsemeat scandal. Inspectors in the Czech Republic… Continue reading Horsemeat found in IKEA meatballs
Vladimir Putin signs law banning smoking in public
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a tough new bill into law banning smoking in public. Under the new legislation, smoking in restaurants, long-distance trains and housing block entrance halls will be illegal. The government has made reducing smoking one of the cornerstones of its bid to improve public health. Russia has one of the highest… Continue reading Vladimir Putin signs law banning smoking in public
Nicos Anastasiades wins Cyprus presidential election with 57.5%
Nicos Anastasiades has won the Cypriot presidential election with 57.5% of the vote. It was a comfortable victory of the centre-right leader over Communist-backed Stavros Malas on 42.5%. Stavros Malas has conceded victory. Nicos Anastasiades takes power as Cyprus stands on the brink of bankruptcy, hit by the knock-on effect of Greece’s economic woes. He… Continue reading Nicos Anastasiades wins Cyprus presidential election with 57.5%
Pope Benedict XVI gives his last Sunday blessing
Pope Benedict XVI has given his final Sunday blessing at the Vatican before he steps down on February 28. In his last Angelus in St Peter’s Square, the Pope told thousands of cheering pilgrims his decision did not mean he was abandoning the Church. Pope Benedict, 85, announced his resignation last week, saying ill-health meant… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI gives his last Sunday blessing
Italy votes in key general elections
Italy has begun voting in general elections seen as crucial for the country’s effort to tackle its economic problems, as well as for the eurozone. Estimates published before a ban on polls two weeks ago gave a lead to Pier Luigi Bersani’s centre-left alliance. It was thought to be a few points ahead of the… Continue reading Italy votes in key general elections