EU leader optimistic of breakthrough in Brexit talks

Source: Raf Casert, The Associated Press, December 4, 2017  BRUSSELS — European Union chief Donald Tusk said Monday he was “encouraged” by last-minute progress in divorce talks with Britain, saying that the sides were within reach of a breakthrough that would clear the way to start discussing future trade relations. The comments came as British Prime… Continue reading EU leader optimistic of breakthrough in Brexit talks

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle greet fans in English city

Source: Danica Kirka, The Associated Press, December 1, 2017  LONDON — Chanting “Harry, Harry!” and “Meghan, Meghan,” hundreds of people lined the streets of a central English city Friday to welcome Britain’s Prince Harry and his American fiancee, actress Meghan Markle. The couple’s visit to Nottingham was their first official commitment since they announced their engagement… Continue reading Prince Harry, Meghan Markle greet fans in English city

Nuclear accident in Russia or Kazakhstan left radioactive pollution over Europe, no health impacts expected

Source: Geert De Clercq, Reuters, November 9, 2017  A cloud of radioactive pollution over Europe in recent weeks indicates that an accident has happened in a nuclear facility in Russia or Kazakhstan in the last week of September, French nuclear safety institute IRSN said on Thursday. The IRSN ruled out an accident in a nuclear reactor, saying it was likely to be in… Continue reading Nuclear accident in Russia or Kazakhstan left radioactive pollution over Europe, no health impacts expected

Striking protesters disrupt roads, trains in Catalonia

Source: Aritz Parra and Lorne Cook, The Associated Press, November 8, 2017  MADRID — Pro-independence protesters blocked roads and stopped commuter trains Wednesday in Spain’s northeastern region of Catalonia as part of a general strike to protest the jailing of ousted Catalan government officials and secessionist activists. Many of the blockades were on roads leading… Continue reading Striking protesters disrupt roads, trains in Catalonia

Queen’s security details found on USB near Heathrow

Source: The Associated PREss, October 29, 2017  LONDON — Heathrow Airport has launched an investigation after a memory stick containing confidential security information was found on a London street. The Sunday Mirror says a member of the public found the USB drive and turned it over to the newspaper. The device contained 76 folders, including… Continue reading Queen’s security details found on USB near Heathrow

Catalonia’s parliament declares independence from Spain

Source: REUTERS/Yves Herman, October 27, 2017  Catalonia’s parliament declared independence from Spain on Friday in defiance of the Madrid government, which at the same time was preparing to impose direct rule over the region. Although the declaration was in effect a symbolic gesture as it will not be accepted by Spain or the international community, the moves by… Continue reading Catalonia’s parliament declares independence from Spain

Portuguese minister resigns over 106 wildfire deaths

Source: Barry Hatton, The Associated Press, October 18, 2017  LISBON, Portugal — The Portuguese minister in charge of emergency services resigned Wednesday after 106 people were killed in unprecedented wildfires this year in the Iberian nation. Interior Minister Constanca Urbano de Sousa tendered her resignation and Prime Minister Antonio Costa accepted it, the government announced. Read… Continue reading Portuguese minister resigns over 106 wildfire deaths

Catalonia’s president still doesn’t clarify independence after deadline passes

Source: Aritz Parra, The Associated Press, October 16, 2017  Spain has issued an ultimatum to Catalonia’s claim to independence. A Monday morning deadline came and went without the president of the Cataloniaregion clarifying whether he had declared independence from Spain, and the Spanish government says he now has until Thursday to backtrack on any steps the region… Continue reading Catalonia’s president still doesn’t clarify independence after deadline passes

Spanish PM demands clarity from Catalonia on independence

Source: Ciaran Giles, The Associated Press, October 11, 2017  MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy demanded Wednesday that the leader of Catalonia clarify whether he has declared the region’s independence, issuing a veiled threat that the central government could limit or rescind Catalan autonomy if he has. Rajoy said Catalan president Carles Puigdemont’s response… Continue reading Spanish PM demands clarity from Catalonia on independence

10,000 evacuate in Berlin for Second World War-era bomb removal

Source: The Associated Press, October 3, 2017  BERLIN — Some 10,000 people were evacuated from their homes in western Berlin, trains were stopped and a main highway was blocked so specialists could remove a Second World War-era bomb discovered during construction work. Specialists defused the 250-kilogram (550-pound) bomb successfully early Tuesday in the Tempelhof-Schoeneberg district… Continue reading 10,000 evacuate in Berlin for Second World War-era bomb removal