Category: Europe

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Turkey replaces central bank head as lira sees record lows

Former Finance Minister Naci Agbal was brought in to replace Murat Uysal, according to a presidential decree announced in the Official Gazette.

  • Former Finance Minister Naci Agbal was brought in to replace Murat Uysal, according to a presidential decree announced in the Official Gazette.
  • The decision came after the lira lost nearly a third of its value since the start of the year — hitting a record low of 8.58 against the U.S. dollar on Friday — and annual inflation stood at 11.89%.

Source: Turkey replaces central bank head as lira sees record lows

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Lyon shooting: Orthodox priest shot with sawed-off shotgun outside church – CNN

A Greek Orthodox priest who was closing a church in Lyon, France, was shot Saturday by a lone assailant using a sawed-off shotgun, the France National Police said.

The 52-year-old priest was shot in the stomach and his condition is considered life-threatening, according to police and the Lyon prosecutor’s office.

The assailant fled after the shooting and remains at large. A police spokesperson said the shooter was dressed a long black coat and a black beanie, and seemed to be hiding the shotgun under his coat.
Residents of the neighborhood and a municipal police patrol reported hearing two shots near the Hellenic Orthodox church in Lyon’s 7th district on Saturday, the Lyon prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
They saw a person running and later found the wounded priest at the back door of the church, prosecutors said.
A motive for the attack motive remains unknown, according to the statement.

Source: Lyon shooting: Orthodox priest shot with sawed-off shotgun outside church – CNN

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Earthquake off Turkey and Greece kills at least 27 – CNN

At least 27 people were killed in Turkey and Greece when a powerful earthquake hit the Aegean Sea on Friday afternoon, sending buildings crashing down and triggering what authorities have called a “mini tsunami.”

Istanbul, Turkey (CNN)At least 27 people were killed in Turkey and Greece when a powerful earthquake hit the Aegean Sea on Friday afternoon, sending buildings crashing down and triggering what authorities have called a “mini tsunami.”

Officials said 25 people were killed in coastal areas in Turkey’s west, while two teenagers — a boy and a girl — died on the Greek island of Samos after a wall collapsed on them.
In Turkey, at least 20 buildings in the city of Izmir alone were destroyed, Mayor Tunc Soyer told CNN Turk. Images showed vehicles crushed under the buildings and people digging through the rubble in search of survivors.
At least 804 people have been injured in Turkey, said the country’s disaster agency. Dozens were saved by rescue teams using diggers and helicopters to search for survivors.
A total of 470 aftershocks have been recorded, 35 of which were over 4.0 magnitude, the agency added. Search and rescue operations remain under way in eight buildings, while operations have been completed in nine other buildings, the disaster agency said.

Source: Earthquake off Turkey and Greece kills at least 27 – CNN

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France and Germany thrust into lockdown as second COVID-19 wave sweeps Europe | Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered their countries back into lockdown on Wednesday, as a massive second wave of coronavirus infections threatened to overwhelm Europe before the winter.

World stock markets went into a dive in response to the news that Europe’s biggest economies were imposing nationwide restrictions almost as severe as the ones that drove the global economy this year into its deepest recession in generations.

“The virus is circulating at a speed that not even the most pessimistic forecasts had anticipated,” Macron said in a televised address. “Like all our neighbours, we are submerged by the sudden acceleration of the virus.”

“We are all in the same position: overrun by a second wave which we know will be harder, more deadly than the first,” he said. “I have decided that we need to return to the lockdown which stopped the virus.”

Under the new French measures which come into force on Friday, people will be required to stay in their homes except to buy essential goods, seek medical attention, or exercise for up to one hour a day. They will be permitted to go to work if their employer deems it impossible for them to do the job from home. Schools will stay open.

Source: France and Germany thrust into lockdown as second COVID-19 wave sweeps Europe | Reuters

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UK judge to give ruling on November 2 in Johnny Depp ‘wife beater’ case | One America News Network

LONDON (Reuters) – Hollywood star Johnny Depp will find out on Nov. 2 the outcome of his libel action against a British newspaper which labelled him a “wife beater”, a ruling which could have a lasting impact on the actor’s career.

Depp, 57, sued News Group Newspapers, publishers of the Sun, and one of its journalists, Dan Wootton, over a 2018 article which stated he had been violent towards his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, 34, and which questioned his casting in the “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them” movie franchise.

Both Depp and Heard gave evidence before Judge Andrew Nicol during a three-week hearing at London’s High Court, laying bare their tempestuous private lives and making allegations of serious domestic abuse, drug-taking and affairs.

Source: UK judge to give ruling on November 2 in Johnny Depp ‘wife beater’ case | One America News Network

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Crew safe, 7 detained after UK special forces raid tanker | Fox News

LONDON (AP) — Seven stowaways seized when British naval special forces stormed an oil tanker in the English Channel have been arrested on suspicion of hijacking, police said Monday.

Hampshire Police said the men, believed to be from Nigeria, were being held at several police stations on suspicion of “seizing or exercising control of a ship by use of threats or force.” They have not been charged.

DEATH TOLL SOARS AS ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT ESCALATES: ‘THIS IS JUST A FIGHT AGAINST JIHADISTS’ 

Police said the 22 crew members of the Nave Andromeda were “safe and well” after the raid, which unfolded after darkness fell on Sunday. Special Boat Service commandos were lowered by rope from helicopters onto the tanker, whose crew had locked themselves in a secure part of the ship known as the citadel. Within minutes, the stowaways were in custody.

Source: Crew safe, 7 detained after UK special forces raid tanker | Fox News

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Syria war: ‘Russian air strikes kill dozens’ in Idlib – BBC News

Russian air strikes in northern Syria have killed more than 50 Turkish-backed militia fighters in the mainly rebel-held province of Idlib, reports say.

Many others were wounded in the attack, which marks an escalation of violence in the region.

A training base for an Islamist group called Faylaq al-Sham was hit.

The assault puts at risk a ceasefire in Idlib, brokered and monitored by Russia and Turkey, which back opposite sides in the war.

UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the number of dead at 78.

Some of the wounded were in a serious condition, and the death toll was likely to rise, the Observatory added.

It described the attack – in the Harem region north-west of Idlib city – as the deadliest since the ceasefire came into force in March.

The truce brought to a halt a Syrian government offensive on the region which had displaced almost a million people, and has largely held since then.

When the ceasefire was announced, Turkey said it reserved the right to “retaliate with all its strength” against any attack by forces allied to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Idlib is the last province held by rebels and jihadists, who have been beaten back in a nine-year-long civil war.

Source: Syria war: ‘Russian air strikes kill dozens’ in Idlib – BBC News

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French mob attacks police station with fireworks, metal bars | Fox News

Police posted a video showing fireworks going off in the direction of the station. The assailants failed to gain entry but managed to heavily damage the station and nearby cars, officials said.

No one has yet been arrested for the attack.

“Violent attack last night on the police station of Champigny with mortar shots and various projectiles. No police officer was injured,” the Paris police headquarters tweeted Sunday.

Source: French mob attacks police station with fireworks, metal bars | Fox News

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Boris Johnson to unveil new measures to combat coronavirus in UK | TheHill

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to unveil new coronavirus measures on Monday to fight the pandemic in the country.

Johnson plans to announce new COVID-19 protocols that will further involve local leaders, particularly from northern England which has been impacted by a recent increase in cases, Reuters reported.

The U.K. government plans to unveil a tier system to make coronavirus restrictions easier to understand after some in Johnson’s Conservative party have alleged the confusing messaging has led to the rise in cases.

The prime minister is hesitant to call for another national lockdown as the U.K. economy is still attempting to recover from the spring lockdown. The boost in cases leaves Johnson to balance between controlling the surge and limiting the economic effects of any restrictions. England’s deputy chief medical official said the U.K. is at a “tipping point,” and officials need to take action now to prevent a rising death toll, according to Reuters. Britain’s housing minister Robert Jenrick declined to detail Johnson’s expected announcement to Sky News beyond saying it will focus on local areas where “the virus is very strong.” He said the announcement will bring local leaders more involved with contract tracing and will release new guidance about traveling.

Source: Boris Johnson to unveil new measures to combat coronavirus in UK | TheHill

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Eiffel Tower briefly evacuated after Paris police receive bomb threat | Fox News

The Eiffel Tower was evacuated Wednesday as police in Paris investigated a bomb threat.

All tourists inside the monument were evacuated after an anonymous caller phoned police Wednesday morning and said a bomb had been placed inside the famous Parisian tower, an official with the tower’s management company told The Associated Press. The official was not authorized to be publicly named.

CORONAVIRUS CLUSTERS AT FRENCH UNIVERSITIES GIVE EUROPE A LESSON 

Police had cordoned off the streets below the Eiffel Tower and the bridge stretching across the Seine River to Trocadero Plaza but started removing the tape some two hours later. Some tourists were seen still walking in the area.

Source: Eiffel Tower briefly evacuated after Paris police receive bomb threat | Fox News

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Three dead after rare Mediterranean storm batters Greece | Reuters

Three people have died after Cyclone Ianos, a rare storm known as a medicane, battered Greece, flooding streets and homes, Greek authorities said on Sunday.

The heavy rainfall on Saturday turned Karditsa, in one of Greece’s biggest plains, into a lake. Video footage showed flooded highways, collapsed bridges and agricultural land turned into mud lakes with farmers carrying their sheep to rescue.

A river flooded its banks and damaged roads and a medical centre in the town of Mouzaki.

Experts estimate that about 5,000 houses were flooded in the area of Karditsa. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is expected to visit the region in the coming days, said the government will provide economic relief to the affected areas.

Source: Three dead after rare Mediterranean storm batters Greece | Reuters

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Covid-19: UK could face 50,000 cases a day by October without action – Vallance – BBC News

“Speed” and “action” are required to halt the rise in cases, the UK’s chief scientific adviser warns.

Sir Patrick Vallance said that “would be expected to lead to about 200 deaths per day” a month after that.

It comes as the PM prepares to chair a Cobra emergency committee meeting on Tuesday morning, followed by a statement in the House of Commons.

On Sunday, a further 3,899 daily cases and 18 deaths were reported in the UK.

Speaking at Downing Street alongside chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, Sir Patrick stressed the figures given were not a prediction, but added: “At the moment we think the epidemic is doubling roughly every seven days.

Source: Covid-19: UK could face 50,000 cases a day by October without action – Vallance – BBC News

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Royal baby: Meghan gives birth to boy, Harry announces – BBC News

The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a boy, the Duke of Sussex has announced.

Prince Harry said they were both “absolutely thrilled” and thanked the public for their support during the pregnancy.

The duke added they were still thinking about names.

Source: Royal baby: Meghan gives birth to boy, Harry announces – BBC News

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Watch live: May Day protests turn violent in Paris | Euronews

May Day protests in Paris have erupted into violence as police met demonstrators with tear gas in the city’s Vavin neighbourhood.

French police said it had made 165 arrests by early afternoon and had conducted more than 9,000 searches.

Heightened security has been put in place across Paris for this year’s demonstrations amid ongoing tension with the gilets jaunes movement, and climate protesting.

It’s feared that hooligans bent on violence in the French capital will join the “gilets jaunes”, as trade unionists, students and others turn out to mark International Workers’ Day.

President Emmanuel Macron’s recent promise of tax cuts and other reforms have been rejected in some quarters.

Source: Watch live: May Day protests turn violent in Paris | Euronews

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France’s Yellow Vest protesters return to the streets enraged by billions pledged to rebuild Notre Dame | Fox News

Yellow vest protestors in Paris battled police during violent clashes Saturday–newly enraged at the billions of dollars that have been pledged to rebuild fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral, overshadowing their anti-wealth cause.

Source: France’s Yellow Vest protesters return to the streets enraged by billions pledged to rebuild Notre Dame | Fox News

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Rebuilding Notre Dame: The next steps for Paris’s famous cathedral – Washington Post

What experts say will need to happen to save Notre Dame

Officials began inspecting the damage of Notre Dame Tuesday. They declared the cathedral structurally sound while identifying “some vulnerabilities,” according to French Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. Specifically, the vault and gable of the north transept were of concern. Inspectors are also worried about structural damage that may be hidden.

Kirk Martini, who works for Archute, with a doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley in structural engineering, said the transept is probably the greatest vulnerability. To ensure the structure is stable, additional shoring may be necessary after the full extent of the damage is assessed.

Source: Rebuilding Notre Dame: The next steps for Paris’s famous cathedral – Washington Post

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Two killed in Germany as van ploughs into crowd in Muenster – BBC News

The driver shot himself after ploughing into people outside a restaurant in the city of Muenster.

What is known about incident?

A vehicle, reportedly a grey VW van, was driven into a restaurant terrace area at 15:27 local time (14:27 BST) on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said it was driven at speed and photographs of the aftermath showed tables and chairs strewn across the popular tourist square.

An employee at one of the cafes told local media that she heard a bang and people screaming.

“I’m angry – it’s cowardly to do something like this,” she told German television channel N24.

The suspect’s motive and exact identity still remains unclear, but German media reported he was a national with mental health problems.

Source: Two killed in Germany as van ploughs into crowd in Muenster – BBC News

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Royal wedding: The Windsor homeowners hoping to cash in – BBC News

Windsor residents are listing their homes on Airbnb for royal wedding tourists.

By renting out their homes and parking spaces to tourists, now some locals are hoping to cash in and even fund their own major life events.

Bill Hutchinson, 37, and his partner Annie have listed their luxury three-bedroom cottage on home rental website Airbnb for a nightly rate of £3,500.

“We bought the house last year and we have had a baby so we were looking for ways to make some extra money,” he said.

Despite having no bookings yet, he remains hopeful with still six weeks to go until Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot on 19 May.

Source: Royal wedding: The Windsor homeowners hoping to cash in – BBC News

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Britain’s Prince Philip, 96, enters hospital for hip surgery – ABC News

Queen Elizabeth II’s 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, has been admitted to a London hospital for a previously scheduled hip surgery, Buckingham Palace said Tuesday.

The palace said the prince entered the King Edward VII Hospital in the afternoon and would have the surgery Wednesday. It said the hospital admission and surgery were planned.

Officials declined to provide additional details about the surgery and said “further updates will be issued when appropriate.”

 

Prince Philip: In a minute

 

A timeline of the marriage of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

The prince announced in May that he was retiring from most public duties after decades of royal service. The palace said at the time he had carried out roughly 22,000 solo royal engagements since Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952.

Source: Britain’s Prince Philip, 96, enters hospital for hip surgery – ABC News

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Half of European flights delayed due to system failure – BBC News

Almost 15,000 flights could be delayed after a failure in Europe’s air traffic co-ordination system.

The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation said almost 15,000 scheduled flights in Europe “could have some delay”.

Contingency plans put in place have reduced the network capacity by another 10%, it said.

The problem is expected to be solved late on Tuesday evening.

The safety group, also known by its shorter name Eurocontrol, said there had been a failure in its Enhanced Tactical Flow Management System.

The system helps to manage air traffic by comparing demand and capacity of different air traffic control sectors.

Air traffic control itself has not been directly affected, and Eurocontrol said there “are no safety implications arising from this incident”.

“We have never had anything like this before,” a Eurocontrol spokesman told the AFP news agency.

Source: Half of European flights delayed due to system failure – BBC News

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