Category: Europe

UK Parliament gives government power to begin EU exit

Britain lurched closer to leaving the European Union Monday when Parliament stopped resisting and gave Prime Minister Theresa May the power to file for divorce from the bloc. But in a blow to May’s government, the prospect of Scotland’s exit from the United Kingdom suddenly appeared nearer, too.

Estrangement between Europe and Turkey grows as a referendum on Erdogana s power nears

The unusually bitter dispute between European countries and Turkey over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s attempts to hold political rallies in their cities is sharply escalating as Ankara releases its long-simmering frustration at its perceived mistreatment by its allies. After its ministers were barred from giving campaign speeches in Cologne, Rotterdam and other cities last week, the Turkish government stoked the crisis by accusing the German government of “Nazi practices,” calling the Dutch “Nazi remnants,” warning that they will “pay the price” and telling the Dutch ambassador not to return to Ankara.

Protestant leader may step aside for new Belfast unity deal

The senior Protestant politician in Northern Ireland left the door open Sunday for stepping aside as part of a potential deal to revive the British territory’s unity government with Catholics. Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster said she asserted no personal claim to be “first minister,” the top post that she held before January’s collapse of power-sharing.

The Latest: Rotterdam mayor issues emergency order in spat

The Dutch government on Saturday withdrew landing permission for the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s aircraft, draw… . The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a visit of the booth of Turkey at the tourism fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2017.

Savannah celebrates 26th annual Tara Feis

Conrad Hartz form Beaufort entertained the crowd with his puppets at the Tara Feis Irish Celebration at Emmet Park on Saturday March 11, 2017. Abbie Smith, 2, from Savannah gets her face painted at the Tara Feis Irish Celebration at Emmet Park on Saturday March 11, 2017 Snowcones were a popular treat at the Tara Feis Irish Celebration Saturday in Emmet Park.

The Latest: Pro-Turkey protest outside Rotterdam consulate

The Dutch government on Saturday withdrew landing permission for the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s aircraft, draw… . The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a visit of the booth of Turkey at the tourism fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2017.

Volkswagen emissions scandal update

Volkswagen pleaded guilty Friday to three criminal counts for a scheme to get around U.S. pollution rules. If a federal judge agrees to the Justice Department’s sentencing recommendation, the scandal will end up costing the company more than $20 billion in the U.S. alone, not counting lost sales and brand value.

Article 50 could be triggered on Tuesday

David Lidington, the Commons Leader, said the Prime Minister’s statement on the EU Council had been moved from Monday to Tuesday – blaming diary commitments. “It is absolutely necessary that, before talking about everything else, we need to clarify that United Kingdom citizens and European citizens can not be the victim of the political games we have seen since Brexit”.

Where things stand in the Volkswagen emissions scandal

Volkswagen pleaded guilty Friday to three criminal counts for a scheme to get around U.S. pollution rules. If a federal judge agrees to the Justice Department’s sentencing recommendation, the scandal will end up costing the company more than $20 billion in the U.S. alone, not counting lost sales and brand value.

The Latest: Organizers of canceled Dutch rally urge calm

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters in Istanbul, Saturday, March 11, 2017. The Dutch government on Saturday withdrew landing permission for the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s aircraft, drawing the ire of the Turkish president and escalating a diplomatic dispute between the two NATO allies over campaigning for a Turkish referendum on constitutional reform.

Threats to China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, Latin America’s …

Threats to China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, Latin America’s declining left, The shifting role of journalism, What does Trump mean for US role in the world?, Will ‘Scoxit’ follow ‘Brexit’? A lone “Yes” campaign supporter walks down a street in Edinburgh, Scotland, after the result of the Scottish independence referendum, in which voters decided to remain in the United Kingdom, Sept. 19, 2014.

Threats to China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, Latin America’s …

Threats to China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, Latin America’s declining left, The shifting role of journalism, What does Trump mean for US role in the world?, Will ‘Scoxit’ follow ‘Brexit’? A lone “Yes” campaign supporter walks down a street in Edinburgh, Scotland, after the result of the Scottish independence referendum, in which voters decided to remain in the United Kingdom, Sept. 19, 2014.

Netherlands cancels landing permission for Turkish minister

The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu laughs during a visit of the booth of Turkey at the tourism fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2017. . The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a visit of the booth of Turkey at the tourism fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2017.

Netherlands cancels landing permission for Turkish minister

The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu laughs during a visit of the booth of Turkey at the tourism fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2017. . The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a visit of the booth of Turkey at the tourism fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2017.

Growing Consensus that Time Has Come for Unity

There have been vocal and widespread calls for Irish reunification in the face of the British government’s determination to leave the European Union and a historic election result last week which has delivered unprecedented political strength for nationalism and Sinn Fein. Speaking on the Falls Road in west Belfast, flanked by senior party representatives, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams pointed to the significance of the fact that the unionist majority at Stormont has been ended by last week’s election.

Security Group Calls on Kosovo to Continue Talks with Serbia

Kosovo’s leaders must continue European Union-facilitated talks aimed at normalizing ties with Serbia, a European security official said Friday amid rising tensions between the two countries. The head of the 57-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe met with senior officials and political leaders in Pristina to express concern about the situation.

Albania opposition parties threaten to boycott June election

Albania’s opposition parties have threatened to boycott a June parliamentary election unless the current coalition government agrees to create a caretaker cabinet to run the country until then. The opposition political parties said in a statement Friday that they would not register with the Central Election Commission without “achieving a political agreement that would secure free and fair elections.”

Where things stand in the Volkswagen emissions scandal

Volkswagen pleaded guilty Friday to three criminal counts for a scheme to get around U.S. pollution rules. If a federal judge agrees to the Justice Department’s sentencing recommendation, the scandal will end up costing the company more than $20 billion in the U.S. alone, not counting lost sales and brand value.

Bank of Ireland opens free workspace for startups in New York

Bank of Ireland have today announced the opening of startlab NYC, an incubation space that will support Bank of Ireland startup customers seeking to scale their business and enter the US market. The collaborative space, located in Manhattan on the 41st floor of 2 Grand Central, is the first offering of its kind from an Irish bank outside of Ireland.

The Latest: Dutch government frowns on Cavusoglu visit plans

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, standing at lectern, delivers a speech on Europe ahead of an EU summit in Brussels at the German parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, March 9, 2017. In this photo taken with reflections in windows of the visitors tribune German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech on Europe ahead of an EU summit in Brussels at the German parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, March 9, 2017.

Queen Elizabeth II unveils Iraq, Afghanistan wars memorial

London, March 9 – The United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday unveiled a memorial in central London to honour the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In an official event with some 2,500 guests in attendance, the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, presented the new memorial designed by sculptor Paul Day.

Queen Elizabeth II unveils Iraq, Afghanistan wars memorial

London, March 9 – The United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday unveiled a memorial in central London to honour the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In an official event with some 2,500 guests in attendance, the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, presented the new memorial designed by sculptor Paul Day.

Turkey Urges Bulgaria Not to Restrict Political Rights of Minorities

Turkey urged Bulgaria on March 09, not to restrict political rights of minorities and to comply with the “rule-based” European system, in reference to a recent law legislated by the Bulgarian parliament that restricts the number of ballot boxes to be established in Turkey to 35, according to HA1 4rriyet Daily News. “We call upon the Republic of Bulgaria to abandon such practices which are intended to restrict the political rights of minorities in the country and are fundamentally contrary to the European rule-based system,” announced the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson HA1 4seyin MA1 4ftA1 4oAYlu.

Germany backs EU chief for second term

German Chancellor Angela Merkel threw her weight behind Donald Tusk to retain one of the European Union’s top jobs ahead of an EU summit Thursday, despite staunch opposition from his home country of Poland. The 28 EU leaders are due to decide as their summit starts in Brussels Thursday on who will be president of the EU Council for the next 2A1 2 years.

The Latest: Turkey to extend state of emergency further

Turkey’s prime minister says a state of emergency that was imposed following the failed coup attempt in July will be extended “for a bit longer.” Turkey declared the state of emergency to facilitate its crackdown on the network of followers of U.S.-based Muslim Cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey accuses of orchestrating the July 15 failed attempt.

Investment in Research & Development for Ship Intelligence

Rolls-Royce has today announced the latest stage in its research and development plans to make remote and autonomous shipping a reality and reap the benefits of increasing digitalisation in the marine industry. The company is looking to develop partnerships and opportunities with other organisations around the world to, create the capability, competencies and jobs to supply the technology and components required.

UK soccer player tweets photo of Star of David buzz cut amidst rise in anti-Semitic incidents

Amidst an increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. and similarly in the United Kingdom, a soccer player with the English Football League is proudly displaying his faith – with a distinct buzz cut. Tomer Hemed, a striker with Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., posted to his social media accounts last week a photo of himself showing a Star of David shaved into his hair.

Leaders of euro zone’s biggest economies back multi-speed Europe

News selected on topics and regions – oil and gas, business, politics, IT, the South Caucasus, the Caspian Sea region, Central Asia Ranking of the Azerbaijani banking sector The leaders of the euro zone’s four biggest economies threw their weight behind a multi-speed Europe on Monday as the European Union ponders a future without Britain, Reuters reported. The leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Spain met at the palace of Versailles to prepare for a March 25 EU summit in Rome marking the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which paved the way for European integration.