TIG Post

Tag: European

  • Candidate for Germany,s big party assaulted whiles campaigning for European elections

    Candidate for Germany,s big party assaulted whiles campaigning for European elections

    A member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left party was attacked and badly hurt while campaigning in an eastern city for the European Parliament election next month, the party announced on Saturday.

    It was the most recent of many violent and harassing incidents that have made political tensions higher in Germany before the elections. Scholz’s Social Democrats, or SPD, started their official campaign for the June 9 vote with a big event in Hamburg last week. Hamburg is where Scholz has lived for a long time.

    Matthias Ecke, who is running for the SPD, got hurt while hanging up posters in Dresden last Friday night, according to the party. It was said that he was brought to a hospital and needed surgery for his injuries. The police said a 41-year-old was hurt by four men. The same group had also hurt a Greens party worker on the same street just before.

    Nancy Faeser, who is in charge of the country’s internal security, said that if it’s shown that the attack on Ecke was done for political reasons, it would be a big threat to our democracy.

    “We are facing a new kind of violence that goes against democracy,” Faeser said. She said she would do more to protect the democratic people in our country.

    The government and opposition parties are saying that their members and supporters have been attacked recently. They want the police to do more to protect politicians and rallies.

    A lot of bad things have happened in the eastern part of the country, where most people don’t like Scholz’s government. The right-wing and anti-government AfD party in Germany is likely to win many votes in both the European elections and the state elections in Germany this fall.

    The vice president of the German parliament, Katrin Goering-Eckardt, was in a car last week. When she tried to leave a rally, protesters surrounded her car for almost an hour. The Christian Democrats and The Left party say their workers have been scared and had their posters taken down too.

    The main parties say that the AfD is connected to violent neo-Nazi groups and is making the political atmosphere more unfriendly. A leader of a political party called AfD, Bjoern Hoecke, is in trouble for using a Nazi phrase that is not allowed. Germany’s spy agency is watching some parts of the political party.

    The Social Democrats in Saxony have chosen Ecke as their main candidate for the European elections. They said they will continue their campaign even though they are facing intimidation using “fascist methods”.

    “The ideas spread by the AfD and other right-wing extremists are starting to grow,” said branch leaders Henning Homann and Kathrin Michel in a statement they made together. “Those people and their supporters are responsible for what is happening in this country. ”

    Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the AfD, said his party strongly opposes physical attacks on politicians from any party. He said that election campaigns should be challenging and focused on important issues, but they should not involve any violence.


    The AfD says its members are also attacked and harassed, especially when they hold rallies that often have people protesting against them.

    On Saturday, the police arrested a man who hit and slightly hurt a state lawmaker for the AfD while he was campaigning in Norden, a town near Germany’s North Sea coast. The attacker also threw eggs at the lawmaker.

  • Police officer who allegedly chopped off lady’s ear accused of stealing GHC600k from European man

    Police officer who allegedly chopped off lady’s ear accused of stealing GHC600k from European man

    A police officer identified as Clement Suputuor, who allegedly chopped off the ear of a young lady to force her to confess in police custody, has been accused of being engaged in a fraud scheme.

    A foreigner named Jan Koning, said to be living in Europe, alleges that he has been defrauded of an amount of GHC600,000 by the said officer who he said was involved in a land dispute case.

    Engaging Ghana Check Crimes, Jan noted that he got acquainted with Clement when he filed a complaint against one Bob, whom he had tasked to secure a plot of land, for defrauding him.

    Clement, who he said pledged to ensure he saw justice, began to ask for more money in order to ensure he received his plot of land. This was about three years ago.

    “We reported to the police and the officer at that time was Clement. And Clement says I’m going to assist you, justice will come for you. Clement arrested Bob. Bob made the confession that he took a lot of money from me.

    “Three years went on and Clement was asking money for everything. I sent GH600, 000 or more to Clement.”

    Asked why he sent such money to a law enforcer, he said Clement kept pushing him and due to his determination to get his land he hoped to build a hospital on, he gave in to the requests.

    “He said if you don’t do it now. I need to pay this and the land excavation and this. Everytime, it was a new story. I cannot be there. He was pushing me.”

    A complaint has formally been filed against Clement Suputuor, Jan said.

    Ripping part of lady’s ear

    As reported by Crime Check Ghana, the lady visited her boyfriend, who was already in police custody for theft. Upon arriving at the station, the lady was arrested and interrogated to confess what she knew concerning her boyfriend’s criminal activities.

    During the process, Clement allegedly pulled her ear with a knife, tearing a part of her ear.

  • Putin to ”grab” another land in a different European nation

    Putin to ”grab” another land in a different European nation

    Worries are mounting over the possibility of Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, making moves to claim more land in Europe, especially after the invasion of Ukraine in the past.

    Many people are guessing that the pro-Russian area of Transnistria in eastern Moldova might ask to become a part of Russia.

    It is thought that he might use a speech to the Russian government on February 29 to give approval for the annexation.

    Gennady Chorba, an opponent in Moldova, said that lawmakers will meet in Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria, to ask Russia to take the territory into the Russian Federation.

    He said that this would let Putin attack Moldova, including Transnistria, ‘for any reason’, and could use it as a base for attacks on the Ukrainian port Odesa, which is seen as a much more important target.

    Moldovan officials said Russia is spreading lies to cause trouble in the area.

    The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that a vote to join Russia would help Russia’s plans to take over the country, which wants to become part of the EU and NATO.

    The ISW warned that the pro-Russian area of Transnistria might decide to have a vote or plan to join Russia at a meeting on February 28.

    The reason for making this call would be to say that Russia needs to protect its citizens and people who are similar to them in Transnistria from dangers from Moldova or NATO, or both.

    The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, might say that Russia is taking over Transnistria when he speaks to the Russian government on February 29, but it probably won’t happen.

    Putin will probably support whatever the Transnistrian Congress of Deputies does and give his thoughts on the situation.

    With help from Russia, a piece of land between the Dniester River and the Ukrainian border separated from Moldova in 1990.

    In September 2006, there was a vote for independence that Moldova and other countries didn’t agree with. It didn’t change anything, but it showed how Russia kept supporting the government.

    Transnistria is all set to join Russia and Putin has 2,000 soldiers there to keep peace.

    Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said that Russia will not abandon its citizens in Transnistria if they are in trouble.

    Last year, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said that she believed Russia was plotting to overthrow the government in her country.

  • Warning for French iPhone 12: European authorities investigate radiation alert

    Warning for French iPhone 12: European authorities investigate radiation alert

    Some European countries are looking into worries that the iPhone 12 is giving off too much electromagnetic radiation. France has told Apple to stop selling the phone.

    Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany are now investigating the problem as well.

    France’s regulator has told the tech giant it has two weeks to reply to an investigation. If the investigation finds wrongdoing, other countries in Europe may take similar actions.

    Apple said that it had shown evidence that it was following the rules on radiation.

    France’s National Frequencies Agency (ANFR) reported that radiation levels detected in the iPhone 12 exceeded the permissible limits.

    The French sales stoppage could have a big effect, says French digital economy minister Jean-Noël Barrot to Le Parisien newspaper. The ANFR will now give its results to regulators in other countries in the EU.

    The government of Belgium has told its regulator to check whether the iPhone 12, which came out in 2020, can be dangerous for our health.

    It is my job to respond and make sure that everyone in the kingdom is kept safe and protected from any possible harm. Belgian state secretary for digitalisation, Mathieu Michel, said that health is a very important matter and should never be ignored.

    He told Le Soir that he requested the regulator to check all Apple models and then other brands as well.

    The RDI, which is responsible for digital infrastructure in the Netherlands, stated that the French tests proved that radiation levels were definitely too high. The RDI said they would talk to Apple, but they said there is no urgent danger to safety.

    In simpler words, the German network agency called BNetzA told the BBC that the French investigation could result in actions that would affect all countries in the European Union.

    The UK hasn’t said what they will do after France banned something.

    Apple disagreed with the findings from France and said they were contesting them. They also mentioned that they had given the French agency lab results from Apple and other companies, which proved that the device met the regulations.

    The Minister in charge of France’s digital economy said that he believes Apple will be able to solve the problem by releasing an update for their software.

    If that method didn’t work, Apple would need to take back all the iPhone 12 devices they sold in France, as stated by the ANFR.

    The regulator checks two radiation tests: one measures a phone when it touches a person’s body, like when it is held or placed in a pocket; the other test is done when the phone is in a pocket or bag but a bit further away.

    The iPhone 12 did well in the second test, but it went beyond the limits set by EU rules in the first test, according to the ANFR.

    The watchdog organization said it will inspect Apple stores and other sellers to ensure they have stopped selling the specific model.

    Smartphones were removed from stores in France before due to radiation tests, but this is the first occasion where an iPhone was impacted.

    The World Health Organization states that many studies have been conducted over the years to understand if using mobile phones can have any negative effects on our health.

    On its website, it says that there have been no known negative health effects linked to using mobile phones.

  • Europeans in Niger evacuated

    In the aftermath a presidential coup threw the West African nation into a political crisis that alienated its neighbors, France was ready to withdraw French and European people from Niger on Tuesday.

    The first evacuation plane was “airborne,” according to French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, but she did not say whether it was headed to or from Niger.

    The minister told French network LCI that France will remove “several hundred French and several hundred European” nationals who want to leave Niger, adding that she expects the operation will be finished in a day.

    The ministry said it would remove French and European citizens on Tuesday due to the “situation in Niamey,” where pro-military supporters rallied outside the French Embassy in the Nigerien capital to demonstrate against the country’s post-colonial influence.

    As reported by CNN, the French embassy in Niger has issued a message to French citizens in the country, providing instructions for those who wish to be evacuated. The message advises them to bring food and water with them while they await boarding for the evacuation.

    In response to the situation, Italy has also announced that it will offer a special flight to evacuate its citizens from Niamey, as stated by the country’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Tuesday. According to a spokesperson from the Italian Foreign Ministry, there are currently fewer than 90 Italian civilians and just over 300 military personnel in Niger.

    In the meantime, Burkina Faso and Mali have issued a joint statement expressing their stance on the matter. They have stated that any military intervention against Niger would be considered an act of war against them. This comes after other West African leaders imposed financial and travel penalties against the coup plotters in Niger.

    “All military intervention against Niger will be considered equivalent to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali,” the two countries said in a joint statement on Monday.

    The recent ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday has elicited mixed reactions from countries in the Sahel region, which have been grappling with the threat of militant extremism and its destabilizing effects on local governments.

    In response to the situation, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a stern warning to the military junta on Sunday, demanding the immediate release and reinstatement of President Bazoum. The regional body made it clear that they would not hesitate to consider the “use of force” if their demands were not met within one week.

    To exert pressure on the coup perpetrators, ECOWAS imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on the military officials involved in the coup attempt, as well as on their family members. Furthermore, the ban extends to civilians who agree to participate in any institutions or government established by the coup leaders. This decisive action aims to send a strong message against any attempts to disrupt the constitutional order in the region.

  • ‘First English slave fort in Africa’ located in Ghana by Archaeologists

    ‘First English slave fort in Africa’ located in Ghana by Archaeologists

    Ghana has once again captured the world’s attention as news emerged confirming the beginning of the story of slavery in Africa, particularly in Ghana.

    Leading an archaeological team, Prof. Christopher DeCorse, an archaeologist from Syracuse University in the United States of America, successfully uncovered the exact location of what is believed to be the first English slave fort in Africa.

    The team diligently worked under the ruins of Fort Amsterdam, carefully extracting remains of an older fort called Kormantine. Buried beneath the earth, the long-lost fort has kept the archaeologists busy as they methodically sift through distinct layers of soil, as reported by the BBC.

    Among the ruins, the team discovered significant artifacts such as gunflints used in old-fashioned guns, tobacco pipes, broken pottery, and the jawbone of a goat. These findings provide evidence of “the first English outpost established anywhere in Africa.”

    Prof. Christopher DeCorse expressed his excitement, stating that any archaeologist who claims not to be thrilled when making such discoveries is not entirely truthful. He announced this pivotal moment in the history of European involvement in Africa during the slave trade era with great enthusiasm.

    This archaeological discovery may shed light on the lives of early traders and the activities that took place, as well as the experiences of those who were sold as slaves and the impact on the surrounding community.

    According to the report, the slave trade began at the location of Fort Kormantine in 1663 when King Charles II granted a charter to the Company of Royal Adventurers of England Trading into Africa, later known as the Royal African Company. The company was given a monopoly on the trade of human beings.

    Two years later, the Dutch seized the fort, but it does not diminish the fact that Fort Kormantine played a crucial role in the early stages of the slave trade.

    “We don’t have that many details on exactly what these early outposts of the slave trade looked like, which is one of the things that make uncovering the foundations of Fort Kormantine interesting,” Prof DeCorse added.

  • Heatwaves and ‘unpreparedness’ for wildfires in UK are ‘disasters waiting to happen’

    Heatwaves and ‘unpreparedness’ for wildfires in UK are ‘disasters waiting to happen’

    One year after wildfires tore through London, experts are raising the alarm about how ‘unprepared’ the UK is to handle heatwaves.

    This week, a heat wave that covered Europe, North America, and Asia caused temperatures to soar to unprecedented heights.

    Since the heat has turned the woodlands into tinderboxes, firefighters in Greece and the Canary Islands of Spain have been battling wildfires that have destroyed animals and driven hundreds of people from their homes.

    Though the UK has avoided the extreme heat that its European counterparts are experiencing, concerns about the country’s readiness for the heat are growing.

    Seeing fire rip through countries has brought back memories of the devastating wildfire this time last year in Wennington, a village about 15 miles from central London, that destroyed 16 homes.

    But according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), 23 fire engines a day have not been available in London so far this month – or about one in six of the capital’s 142 engines.

    WENNINGTON, GREATER LONDON - JULY 25: Homes gutted by fire on July 25, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London. On the day the UK recorded the hottest ever weather temperatures, wildfires spread across England with damage caused to forests, grassland and houses. Wennington, in East London, saw the worst urban damage with houses reduced to rubble. The London Fire Brigade sent 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters to the area to deal with blazes that covered a number of buildings and grassland. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
    Wennington, a village about 15 miles from central London, was gutted by a wildfire last year Getty Images Europe

    Latest London news

    A peak of 28 fire engines was unavailable on July 16, the union claimed. The London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) only fireboat, essential for river rescue and fighting fires, has been unavailable for 13 shifts.

    The lack of vehicles has also been down to a lack of staff, too, data obtained by the FBU claimed. Its figures include appliances ‘off the run’ – unavailable – because of a lack of firefighters.

    Around one in five firefighter jobs – about 1,100 since 2010 – have been cut even as extreme weather increasingly becomes the norm. This is ‘putting lives and homes at risk’, FBU general secretary Mark Wrack said.

    ‘One year on from the devastation of last summer’s wildfires, cuts are still leaving the fire service unprepared,’ he said.

    ‘Londoners should be furious that in the capital city of one of the richest countries in the world, firefighter numbers have been cut so badly that more than 20 fire engines are sitting idle every day.

    ‘This is a disaster waiting to happen again.’

    A major incident review of the LFB detailed how a shortage of staff and fire appliances hampered the brigade’s response to the July 2022 wildfires.

    The LFB insisted yesterday that officials are ‘far better prepared’ for a punishing heatwave this year.

    Dom Ellis, the LFB’s Assistant Commissioner, said more than 100 new officers have been recruited and all teams have been given specialist wildfire-busting training.

    ‘We hope in the next year to 18 months we’ll be as near to full establishment as we can get,’ he told The Evening Standard.

    He added: ‘We’re bringing forward additional training to get additional recruits through the door so that we can have all of our, or as many of our appliances, on the run as possible.’

    Though, experts say that heatwaves and the devastation they bring with them – wildfires, floods and health risks – will soon become a staple of the summer.

    Heatwaves aren’t just an especially toasty afternoon, the Met Office says, they’re hot spells of at least three days that break the daily maximum temperatures threshold.

    Europe’s heatwaves – one named Cerberus after the three-headed dog that guards the gates of the underworld and the other its raggedy ferryman, Charon – have sent thermometers up to as high as the mid-40s for days.

    European governments had plenty of time to prepare. In 2003, more than 70,000 people died due to an exceptionally hot summer in Europe.

    Last year, the heat left 61,000 dead, according to a report published last week that researchers admit is a conservative estimate at best.

    Given Britain’s reputation when it comes to the weather – think rain, rain and more rain – heat is something of a ‘new challenge’ for the country, Dr Candice Howarth, the head of Local Climate Action and lead of Heat Risk Resilience Hub at the LSE Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, said.

    ‘Extreme heat is a relatively new challenge for the UK, and currently, there is insufficient research, policy, and action to ensure communities, businesses and infrastructure are prepared for, and can adequately respond to this impact of climate change,’ she told Metro.co.uk.

    ‘The UK will become more exposed to heatwaves in future and the hot summers we are seeing today will become more frequent and more intense.’

    Dr Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment at Imperial College London, has a few ideas of what needs to be done.

    ‘In the UK, there are a wide range of challenges. Our cities and homes are not built to deal with extreme heat,’ she said, adding they need to have ‘resilience’ in mind.

    More long-term planning is needed, Dr Otto said, as costly and complicated as it can be. Think refitting homes and offices so they aren’t sponges for heat, planting more trees and parks and ensuring that health services are prepared.

    ‘It should be an absolute no-brainer to do this,’ Dr Otto says.

    Last year’s wildfire was a brutal test of how well the UK can cope with the warmth, while Europe’s blistering heat is a reminder of the challenges to come.

    ‘As well as direct deaths from heatstroke, heatwaves are dangerous for the elderly because extreme heat compromises the body’s ability to deal with existing health problems,’ Dr Otto said.

    ‘Increased admissions to hospitals due to heatwaves will likely further strain the NHS which is already under immense pressure.’

    In 2022, 3,271 excess deaths were recorded during heat periods across England and Wales, according to official figures.

    This was an average of 82 excess deaths per day. About 638 more deaths than normal were recorded in England on July 19, the hottest day of that year which saw 40.3°C recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

    Dr Howarth said while it is ‘encouraging’ to see London’s fire brigade introduce specialist wildfire training, the burden mustn’t fall on local services alone.

    Government officials need to learn from Europe and establish a ‘culture of heat’, better educating people on how to ‘prepare and respond’.

    ‘If the government fails to show more leadership on preparing for these extreme heat events, then we are likely to see a rise in heat-related deaths, wider impacts on workers’ health and productivity, and increased overheating in UK homes and buildings that are ill-equipped to stay cool in the summer,’ she added.

    For Dr Otto, the temperatures afflicting much of the world are a reminder of how climate change, driven by human-made forces like planet-warming greenhouse gases, is changing the world.

    The return of El Niño, a cyclical weather pattern, isn’t helping to keep the world cool either.

    The planet has warmed about 1.1°C since the 19th century and, Dr Otto said, will continue getting hotter until countries stop burning coal, oil and gas.

    ‘Heatwaves will stop getting hotter only when the world reduces global emissions to net zero,’ Dr Otto said. ‘Until this happens, more and more people will die from heat-related causes.’

  • China’s top official implores Japan and South Korea to support Beijing and’revitalize Asia’

    China’s top official implores Japan and South Korea to support Beijing and’revitalize Asia’

    Amid escalating tensions between Beijing and the two close-by American allies, China’s top diplomat has encouraged Japan and South Korea to create a feeling of “strategic autonomy” from the West and work with Beijing to “revitalise Asia.”

    Wang Yi made his remarks on Monday as Japan and South Korea forged deeper connections with the United States and repaired their relationships as a result of shared worries about Beijing’s expanding influence and aggression in the region.

    In a video posted by Chinese official media, Wang claimed that most Americans and Europeans are unable to distinguish between China, Japan, and South Korea while they are in attendance at a trilateral summit in the eastern seaside city of Qingdao.

    “No matter how blonde you dye your hair, how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become a European or American, you can never become a Westerner,” Wang said. “We must know where our roots lie.”

    Wang called for Japan and South Korean to work together with China to “prosper together, revitalize East Asia, revitalize Asia and benefit the world.”

    Wang was speaking on the sidelines of the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation, an annual event organized by Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul since 2011.

    On Monday, Wang also addressed the forum’s opening ceremony in an effort to “send a clear signal” of the potential for thethree neighbor’s regrouping, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

    In his opening remarks, Wang called for Japan and South Korea to “promote inclusive Asian values, foster a sense of strategic autonomy, maintain regional unity and stability, resist the return of the Cold War mentality and be free of the coercion of bullying and hegemony,” the statement said.

    “The fate of the region is firmly in our own hands,” Wang was quoted as saying.

    Xi Jinping, China’s most powerful leader in decades, has pushed to expand Beijing’s role on the world stage with an increasingly assertive foreign policy that has fueled tensions with many of its neighbors and the West.

    In recent years, the Biden administration has stepped up efforts to unite allies and like-minded partners to counter China’s rising influence in the Pacific, including with South Korea and Japan, two of its most important allies in Asia.

    Their trilateral ties are furthered strengthened by security concerns about North Korea. The three countries have conducted joint military drills this year to boost their coordination against increasing North Korean missile threats.

    They’ve also issued joint statements on tensions in the Taiwan Strait – an area both Tokyo and Seoul say is vital to their respective security – which drew the ire of Beijing.

    In a thinly veiled swipe at the US, Wang on Monday accused “certain major powers outside the region” of “exaggerating ideological differences” to saw confrontation and division, in order to seek geopolitical gains, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

    “If this trend is allowed to develop, it will not only seriously interfere with the smooth progress of trilateral cooperation, but also aggravate tension and confrontation in the region,” Wang added.

    South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa addressed the event via video link, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

  • World Bank maintains moderate growth forecast for Romania

    World Bank maintains moderate growth forecast for Romania

    A recent opinion poll published by the European Parliament on Tuesday, suggests that there has been a notable increase in interest regarding the European elections in recent years.

    The survey comes one year ahead of the next European Parliament elections, which are to be held on June 6-9, 2024, when the current five-year term ends.

    Some 56% of respondents were interested in the elections and two thirds were likely to vote if the elections were held next week, the survey said.

    Both figures are up compared with a similar poll carried out ahead of the previous elections in 2019. Final election turnout in 2019 was at 50.7%.

    The higher interest is probably linked to the increased visibility of the EU in recent years due to multiple crises including the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine, European Parliament spokesman Jaume Duch Guillot said.

    A recent scandal in which former and sitting lawmakers were charged with corruption and money laundering did not impact the poll’s results, Duch Guillot said.

    But 60% of respondents said they were not satisfied with the bloc’s fight against corruption, including 22% who were “not at all satisfied.”

    More respondents approved of the EU’s support for Ukraine, with an average of 76% across the bloc. Approval rates however differed between member states.

    Survey results were based on interviews with over 26,000 people aged 15 or older from the bloc’s 27 member states.

    The European Parliament has fewer powers compared to national ones, as the European Parliament cannot propose laws.

  • Poland’s opposition protests against nationalist government with massive turnout

    Poland’s opposition protests against nationalist government with massive turnout

    On Sunday, the 34th anniversary of Poland‘s first post-World War II democratic election, hundreds of thousands of protestors gathered in Warsaw for a march the liberal opposition has touted as a test of its ability to overthrow nationalist government later this year.

    With banners reading “Free, European Poland,” “European Union yes, PiS no,” in reference to the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, crowds that stretched for at least a mile marched.

    Some people carried masks of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of the ruling party, with the word “shame” printed on them. According to the organisers, 500,000 people participated in the march. Officials from the police and city refused to estimate. Numerous more Polish cities and towns also saw large marches.

    “I took part in many marches, but I’ve never seen a protest of this size with such energy, I feel this is a breakthrough like June 4, 1989 was,” said Jacek Gwozdz, 51, an IT specialist from Nowy Sacz, in Warsaw.

    Opinion polls show an election due after the summer will be closely fought, with Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine giving a boost to the PiS government, which has emerged as a leading voice against the Kremlin in Europe.

    The opposition has struggled to galvanize support despite widespread criticism at home and abroad of the PiS, which has been accused of eroding the rule of law, turning state media into a government mouthpiece and endorsing homophobia.

    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s government denies subverting any democratic norms and says its aim is to protect traditional Christian values against liberal pressures from the West and to make the economy more fair.

    Donald Tusk, head of the Civic Platform grouping and a former European Union council chief, welcomed supporters saying that the voice of Poles could not be silenced.

    “Democracy dies in silence but you’ve raised your voice for democracy today, silence is over, we will shout,” he said in a speech at the end of the march.

    “There’s half a million people in the streets of Warsaw, it’s an absolute record,” he told the crowds filling Castle Square in the capital.

    Tusk called for unity despite political differences in the opposition and promised victory in elections that will be held in October or November.

    “Today, I’m vowing to win, to make those in power accountable, to mend injustice so that in the end people can be reconciled,” he said.

    In June 1989, a partially free vote handed victory to a government led by the Solidarity trade union and triggered a series of events culminating in the fall of the Berlin Wall that November.

    On Sunday, hundreds of buses arrived in Warsaw to bring opposition supporters from across the country. Some said they were motivated by a row over legislation proposed by PiS to weed out undue Russian influence from the country.

    The opposition sees the legislation as a government attempt to launch a witch hunt against political opponents.

    In an unexpected turnaround, President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, said on Friday he would propose amendments to the law, which has also drawn criticism from lawyers, as well as the United States and the European Commission.

    The EU’s executive said the legislation could effectively ban individuals from holding public office without proper judicial review.

    “It’s beyond comprehension,” said Andrzej Majewski, 48, from Slupca in western Poland who was in Warsaw to join Sunday’s protest march

  • Five players who could be leaving Brighton this summer

    Five players who could be leaving Brighton this summer

    Brighton, who are vying for European qualifying, are on track for their best-ever Premier League season despite losing a number of key players earlier in the season.

    The seventh-placed Seagulls sold Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma and Leandro Trossard in the last two transfer windows but typically shrewd recruitment has seen them go from strength to strength this term.

    However, they are expected to face another battle this summer with many of their current crop impressing once again.

    As Roberto De Zerbi prepares his side for the visit of Everton, we pick out which members of his squad could fly the nest during the off-season.

    Alexis Mac Allister

    Rumours of Argentine World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister’s departure have accelerated in recent weeks after a superb season for club and country.

    The 24-year-old has scored 11 goals as well as providing two assists in all competitions and both Liverpool and Manchester United are said to be keen on adding him to their midfield.

    His latest strike was a 99th-minute stoppage-time winner against the Red Devils last Thursday and the latest reports indicate he will deal them another blow by sealing a £70million move to Anfield this summer.

    Kaoru Mitoma

    Kaoru Mitoma has been one of the Premier League's standout attackers this campaign
    Kaoru Mitoma has been one of the Premier League’s standout attackers this campaign

    Kaoru Mitoma’s emergence in 2022-23 meant the Seagulls hierarchy were happy to sanction wantaway Trossard’s switch to Arsenal in January.

    Japan star Mitoma has become one of the Premier League’s most exciting attackers, notching seven goals and four assists for the Europa League chasers.

    The Gunners could look to pinch another left-sided talent at the end of the season, while title rivals Manchester City have also been linked.

    Moises Caicedo

    Brighton managed to keep hold of 21-year-old defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo in January despite his public pleas to depart.

    The Ecuadorian has expertly filled the void left by Bissouma, making himself a key part of De Zerbi’s free-flowing side.

    Despite signing a new contract at the Amex until 2027 in March, Arsenal are expected to return with another attempt to add him to their engine room.

    Evan Ferguson

    Evan Ferguson has scored eight goals in all competitions this season
    Evan Ferguson has scored eight goals in all competitions this season

    Despite being just 18, Evan Ferguson is already being hailed as the future of Irish football.

    The physical striker has wowed audiences with his clinical finishing despite his tender age and has been earmarked as the next Harry Kane, prompting links to Tottenham.

    Like Caicedo, Ferguson recently signed a long-term deal with the Seagulls and that combined with the prospect of European football next season could convince the teen to stay put for another year.

    Julio Enciso

    Paraguayan international Julio Enciso is Brighton’s latest new talent after two goals and two assists in his last six Premier League games.

    Another exciting, versatile addition to their frontline, Enciso has started Brighton’s last four in the league as well as their FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United and netted a stunning winner at Chelsea last month.

    With the Premier League’s elite likely to be fixated on the more established Seagulls stars, De Zerbi will hope to get at least another year to work with the youngster before the big guns come calling.

  • Why Ghana’s capital was changed from Cape Coast to Accra

    Why Ghana’s capital was changed from Cape Coast to Accra

    It is still considered to be one of Ghana’s most historic cities and is well-known for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

    Cape Coast, historically known as Carbo Corso (a misspelling of “Corsican Cape”), was the initial capital of the Gold Coast and was situated on the Gulf of Guinea coast.

    Beginning in the 16th century, numerous European nations established themselves in Cape Coast, using the area as a base of operations and a trading hub for commodities like gold and slaves.

    There were the Dutch, Portugese, Swedish and then later the British.

    The architectural structure of Cape Coast was one that could be boasted of because these European inhabitants established lodges, forts and other buildings.

    Cape Coast served as an important seat of Asante traders, a roadstead port and the British commercial and administrative capital.

    The Cape Coast Castle which was built by the Swedish and later taken over by the British in 1663, became the government administrative seat for the Gold Coast Colony.

    It also became an educational centre, with some of the first schools including the Philip Quaque Boys’ school being established there.

    Cape Coast however lost its position as the first capital of the Gold Coast in 1877 when Accra became the administrative capital of the British colonial government in the Gold Coast.

    During their time in Cape Coast, the British Colonial government introduced the window tax. This was a property tax suggested by the British to raise money from the indigenes.

    Per the tax, every household head was supposed to pay for the number of windows in their house. It was assumed that any household that has many windows was wealthy and therefore could pay more.

    This was however met by stiff opposition by the indigenes who disagreed with the basis for the tax.

    After this, they moved away to create a centre of power in Accra. The seat of government was moved from Cape Coast and established in Accra.

    Accra became the formal colonial administration with the Christianbourg Castle serving as the seat of government.

    Accra became the economic centre of Ghana. Railways were built from Sekondi and Accra inland to Kumasi.

    A municipal council was formed subsequently, to improve the town.

    Accra developed into a prosperous trading hub; today it serves as the commercial and educational centre of the country.

    Accra subsequently was declared a city on 29 June 1961 by Ghana’s first President Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Accra has been one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa since the pre-colonial era.

  • 2023 Elections: US, other govts urge calm in Nigeria

    2023 Elections: US, other govts urge calm in Nigeria

    US, European and other governments on Thursday urged Nigerian leaders to ensure a fair and calm election this weekend when the country votes to choose a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    More than 93 million Nigerians are registered to vote on Saturday in what has developed into a tense, competitive race among three presidential frontrunners for the first time since military rule ended in 1999.

    After two terms under Buhari, Africa’s most populous nation is grappling with widespread insecurity from different armed groups, high inflation and growing poverty.

    “It is vital for Nigeria’s stability and democratic consolidation that the process is conducted and concluded safely, fairly and credibly,” said a joint statement from the diplomatic missions of the United States, Britain, Australia, Japan, Canada and Norway.

    “We encourage all actors to intervene proactively to calm any tensions and avoid any violence.”

    Nigeria’s elections have often been marked by violence, ethnic tensions and clashes between supporters of rival parties.

    The main four candidates in the presidential race signed a peace accord on Wednesday, in a bid to ensure a free and peaceful election.

    “I once again ask the candidates to abide by the spirit and letter of the Accord they have signed,” Buhari said.

    “Let me remind all Nigerians not for the first time that this is the only country we have, and we must do everything to keep it safe, united and peaceful.”

    On Wednesday, a senatorial candidate for the Labour Party was killed by gunmen in southeast Enugu State, according to Labour Party officials.

    Jihadists, bandits 

    Security forces are still fighting a 14-year jihadist insurgency in the country’s northeast and heavily armed bandits carry out raids on villages and mass abductions in the northwest.

    Offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission have also been attacked by gunmen, in violence often blamed on separatists in the country’s southeast.

    Three frontrunners are battling to succeed Buhari, who was first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 mainly on promises he would fight insecurity and corruption.

    Bola Tinubu, candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former Lagos governor, faces old rival Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    But for the first time a surprise third candidate, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, has emerged to challenge the dominance of the PDP and APC with a message he will bring change.

    Days before the election, a national shortage of cash has also angered Nigerians, as they struggle to buy food at markets and pay for transport to work.

    The central bank began to exchange old naira currency bills for new redesigned ones, in what officials said was a move to curb corruption and inflation.

    But a scarcity of new notes has caused huge lines at banks, violent protests in several cities and triggered tensions in the APC over how the measure may hurt its candidate.

    Surveys by pan-African group Afrobarometer this month showed nine out of 10 Nigerians believe their country is heading in the wrong direction, with security and the economy their main concerns.

    Source: Channel.tv

  • Sahel Security Summit: W.Africa, European partners bolster ties against jihadist threat

    West African nations met with European leaders on Tuesday for talks on “homegrown” ways to prevent jihadist conflict in the Sahel threatening to “engulf” countries on the Gulf of Guinea.

    Coastal states Ghana, Benin, Togo and Ivory Coast face increasing threats and attacks from Islamist militants across their northern borders with Burkina Faso and Niger.

    The summit in Ghana’s capital Accra also comes as more Western nations have withdrawn peacekeepers from Mali after its military junta strengthened cooperation with Russia.

    Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said worsening Sahel security was “threatening to engulf the entire West African region”.

    “Terrorist groups, emboldened by their apparent success in the region are looking (for) new operational grounds, a development that has triggered a southward drift of the menace,” he said.

    Under the so-called Accra Initiative, heads of state from the Gulf of Guinea and leaders from Niger and Burkina Faso met in Ghana with representatives from the West African bloc ECOWAS, the EU, Britain and France.

    Akufo-Addo called for a “home-grown initiative” to answer the threat as well as a comprehensive approach involving economic and social development to tackle the roots of jihadism.

    “We remain firm in our commitment to shoulder a greater part of the responsibility.”

    – Sahel spill over –

    The Sahel conflict began in northern Mali in 2012, spread to Burkina Faso and Niger in 2015 and now states on the Gulf of Guinea are suffering sporadic attacks.

    Ghana has beefed up security along its northern frontier and has so far escaped any cross-border attacks.

    But Benin and Togo in particular have faced threats from across their northern borders with Burkina Faso.

    Benin has recorded 20 incursions since 2021 while Togo has suffered at least five attacks, including two deadly assaults, since November 2021.

    “For years we have been talking about the risk of contagion of the terrorist threat from the Sahel to the coastal states. Today this is not a risk anymore, it is a reality,” EU Council president Charles Michel told the summit.

    French and other peacekeeping missions had been operating in Mali for almost a decade as a bulwark against the spread of violence.

    But after two coups in Mali, the military junta increased cooperation with Moscow and allowed what Western countries call Russian mercenaries into the country.

    That prompted France to pull out its troops deployed under its Barkhane anti-jihadist mission. Britain and Germany last week said they would also end peacekeeping missions.

    British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey last week said the UK would be “rebalancing” its deployment though he did not give details about what form that would take.

    He said Accra Initiative countries would likely need different capabilities than the British long-range reconnaissance forces currently in Mali.

    “The United Kingdom’s armed forces already enjoy great relationships with many of the countries within the Accra Initiative and we stand ready to build on that,” he said in Accra.

    “But this is a regional problem that you have here in West Africa and it’s right that you seek to provide the solution.”

    Across the three Sahel nations, thousands of people have been killed, more than two million displaced and devastating damage has been inflicted to three of the poorest economies in the world.

     

    Source: African News

  • ‘Pele was talking about Ghana when he said African country will win the world cup’ – Akufo-Addo

    Ghana’s president His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says Brazilian legend and world icon Pele was talking about Ghana when he predicted an African country winning the FIFA World Cup.

    According to him Akufo-Addo, Ghana was on the mind of the legend when he was making such remarks a long time ago now.

    “A long time ago, the greatest footballer that has ever lived, the Brazilian, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele, said that very soon an African country is going to win the World Cup and I know that, when he said that, he had in mind Ghana,” Akufo-Addo said when he signed the national flag to rally support for the Black Stars as they head to Qatar.

    “All of us know what football means to us in this country and what a very rich history we have in football.

    “History that goes right back to the 50s, and 60s and 70s, 80s and 90s, right up till today; and I’m very confident that the players that have been selected, right up to the excellent technical team that we have under the leadership of Otto Addo, that we are going to give a very good account of ourselves,” he added.

    Ghana will start their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign with a game against European giant Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.

    Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash against the Asian powerhouse South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

    The Black Stars who are making their fourth FIFA appearance will end their group stage campaign with a clash against Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.

    No Africa country has ever reached the semi-final of the FIFA Mundial but the Ghana president believes this could be Africans year of breakthrough.

  • Four clubs interested in defender Jeremie Frimpong

    Four elite European teams are reportedly interested in Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong.

    One of the few shining lights in what Bayer Leverkusen considers to be a disastrous season is Jeremie Frimpong.

    Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Juventus Turin, and Manchester United are reportedly interested in making a deal. In the first season under Bayer Leverkusen, Frimpong didn’t experience any start-up issues, and things are much better now.

    Under the new manager Xabi Alonso, Frimpong, who has five goals in the championship and is the most dangerous defense in the top European leagues, also has a crucial role.

    Frimpong’s outstanding achievements led to his inclusion on the Dutch national team’s preliminary World Cup squad.

    Source: FootballGhana

  • Ukraine war round-up: UK to host Eurovision as Moscow cuts gas exports

    Gas supplies to the European Union are set to take a further hit after Russian energy giant Gazprom announced it would again reduce supply.

    The firm said the flow of gas through its Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which runs from Russia to Germany, would be cut to about 20% of capacity for technical reasons.

    This move will halve the current level of supply through the pipeline, which was already running well below capacity. It was shut down completely earlier this month for a 10-day maintenance break.

    Russia supplied 40% of the EU’s gas in 2021 and Europe accuses Moscow of using energy supply as a weapon.

    Fighting on the ground in Ukraine continues to rage. Russia kept up shelling across the frontline in the eastern Donetsk region while the cities of Avdiivka and Kramatorsk faced renewed attacks.

    Kyiv says it had destroyed 50 Russian ammunition depots with US Himars rocket launch systems since receiving them last month. Moscow says took out a Himars ammunition depot in the western Khmelnytskyi region.

    Ukraine also said its forces had moved within tactical striking distance of targets in the Kherson region where a counter-offensive was being organised.

    2px presentational grey line

    UK to host next year’s Eurovision

     

    Eurovision winners The Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine perform on the Truth stage during day three of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 25, 2022 in Glastonbury, England.Getty Images
    Kalush Orchestra were Ukraine’s 2022 entrant, winning the competition and beating out the UK’s Sam Ryder

    Ukraine will not host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest after show organisers decided that it could not be held in the country due to the ongoing war with Russia.

    Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won this year’s contest, which would normally give the country the right to host next year’s event. But instead it will be held in the UK, whose entrant – Sam Ryder – came second.

    The UK government said it will ensure the competition “reflects Ukraine’s recent Eurovision victory and Ukrainian creativity”.

     

     

     

    Grain exports could restart ‘within days’

     

    Farmers harvest a wheat field in the Ukrainian Kharkiv region on July 19, 2022, amid Russian invasion of UkraineAFP
    Farmers harvesting a wheat field in Kharkiv region

    The first vessels laden with grain could be leaving Ukrainian-controlled ports within days, according to a Ukrainian government official.

    “If the sides guarantee security, the agreement will work. If they do not, it will not work,” Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said.

    The shipments are possible thanks to a landmark UN-brokered deal signed on Friday. However it was feared the agreement would be scrapped after Russian missiles struck Ukraine’s main port of Odesa on Saturday.

    As many as 20 million tonnes of grain are trapped in ports, unable to leave because of Russian naval forces.

     

     

    Source: BBC

  • Bosnia marks 25 years since Srebrenica genocide amid pandemic

    Bosnian Muslims are marking 25 years since the Srebrenica genocide, the worst atrocity on European soil since the end of the second world war, with the memorial ceremony, sharply reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The event marks July 11, 1995, the day when Bosnian Serb forces marched into Srebrenica, a Muslim enclave on Serb territory in Bosnia and Herzegovina that had been under the UN protection.

    After capturing the ill-fated town, Serb forces killed more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica in a few days. So far, the remains of nearly 6,900 victims have been found and identified from more than 80 mass graves.

    Bosnia had been embroiled in an ethnic war pitting the Serbs against Muslim Bosniaks and Croats between 1992 and 1995 that killed some 100,000 people.

    Pandemic impacts anniversary

    Organizers on Saturday said the number of people attending the anniversary – normally in the tens of thousands – was lower than usual because of lockdown measures aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19.

    A daylong commemoration is underway at Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia.

    At 11:00 GMT, the remains of nine victims identified over the past year will be laid to rest at the memorial cemetery in Potocari, a village just outside Srebrenica that served as the base for the UN protection force during the conflict.

    “Since this was a quarter-century anniversary, it was initially planned that this should be a big memorial service honouring the victims but everything had to be scaled down because of the pandemic,” said Al Jazeera’s Tarik Durmisevic, reporting from the burial site in Srebrenica.

    “The most important effect, however, is the number of victims who were supposed to be buried here. Some families couldn’t be here as they don’t live in Bosnia any more so they withdrew their consent for the burial. As a result, only nine victims of the genocide will find their eternal peace today.”

    The Srebrenica massacre is the only episode of the Bosnian conflict to be described as genocide by the international community.

    The European Union leaders called the anniversary “a painful reminder” that Europe failed in its promise to avoid such tragedy on the continent.

    “We must confront the past with honesty and look to the future with a determination to support the next generations,” said a statement by the EU.

    German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Saturday said Srebrenica stood for the atrocities and crimes against humanity in the countries of the former Yugoslavia that were committed in the 1990s.

    “The killings had taken place at the end of the 20th century in the middle of Europe, almost under the eyes of the global public,” Maas said. “We must oppose nationalist tendencies wherever we encounter them.”

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • Bournemouth 0-0 Tottenham: Spurs suffer setback in European hunt

    Tottenham’s hopes of achieving European qualification suffered a setback with a toothless 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Thursday.

    Spurs beat Everton 1-0 on Monday but could not make it back-to-back wins for the first time since the Premier League resumed last month, failing to register a single shot on target at the Vitality Stadium.

    Harry Kane felt aggrieved not to be awarded an early penalty and Jose Mourinho was visibly irked neither the referee nor the VAR spotted Joshua King’s shove in the area.

    Bournemouth, who saw Adam Smith and David Brooks go off injured, thought they had a winner in the 90th minute, but Callum Wilson’s overhead kick went in off King’s arm and was chalked off, leaving them three points adrift of safety.

    Mourinho was heavily critical of VAR after a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in June and a 3-1 loss to Sheffield United last week, and he had more cause to be frustrated with the system inside five minutes on the south coast.

    King appeared to push Kane over in the six-yard box at the back post from a corner and referee Paul Tierney’s decision not to award a penalty was upheld by the video official.

    Kane made an important intervention to stop Nathan Ake nodding home at the back post, before Hugo Lloris kept Junior Stanislas’ skidding 18-yard effort out of the bottom-left corner on the stroke of half-time.

    Bournemouth saw Smith leave the pitch on a stretcher after a clash of heads with Ben Davies and then Brooks hobble off, before having a potential win taken away from them following a VAR review of Wilson’s late goal.

    Lloris produced a stunning stop to deny Harry Wilson in a one-on-one situation in the sixth added minute, ensuring Tottenham avoided a surprise defeat.

    Source: goal.com

  • Reasons why Ghanaians can’t enter Europe from July 1, 2020

    The European Union has barred a list of African countries and other countries across the world from entering their countries when they lift the Coronavirus restrictions starting from July 1.

    Ghana is part of the countries that the EU has failed to include in its list of welcomed countries. Other African countries barred from entering the borders of the EU include Nigeria, Togo and South Africa.

    In all, the EU is allowing citizens of 54 countries to enter its block from across the world. The EU compiled the list of approved countries based on their COVID-19 management success and epidemiology.

    Aside the African countries mentioned above, the European Union has also barred some advanced countries including US, Brazil and Russia from entering through its borders until COVID-19 situations improve in those countries.

    However, Namibia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Uganda among others are allowed entry into Europe by the end of the first week in July.

    The EU officials explained that the decision was made on strictly health grounds. The EU is undergoing a strategic reopening of its member states after the Coronavirus pandemic forced the block to institute travel bans and close its borders.

    Source: opera.com

  • Coronavirus: UK to open up European holidays from 6 July

    Blanket restrictions on non-essential overseas travel will be relaxed in the UK from 6 July, ministers have said.

    Holidaymakers are expected to be allowed to travel to certain European countries without having to spend 14 days in quarantine when they return.

    They are thought to include Spain, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Turkey, Germany and Norway – but not Portugal or Sweden.

    The full list of travel corridors with the UK will be published next week.

    A government spokesman said the new rules would give people “the opportunity for a summer holiday abroad” while also boosting the UK economy – but stressed the relaxation depended on risks staying low.

    A traffic light system will be introduced – with countries classified as green, amber and red depending on the prevalence of coronavirus.

    The UK is likely to discuss arrangements with countries over the coming days.

    The government said it “wouldn’t hesitate to put on the brakes” if the situation changes.

    Ministers in Scotland have said that a decision has not yet been taken to ease restrictions on holiday travel.

    Although the UK government has powers over border controls, health protection issues on overseas travel must be supported by Scottish government regulations because health is a devolved matter.

    Travel services have seen a sharp rise in the number of holiday bookings.

    Andrew Flintham, managing director at TUI UK and Ireland, said the company had seen bookings increase by 50% this week compared to last, with Spain and Greece the most popular destinations.

    John Keefe, director of public affairs at Eurotunnel, said phones have been “ringing off the hook” with eager customers wanting to make bookings.

    Maximum service of four departures an hour at peak times will resume from 6 July, he added.

    Mr Keefe said bookings had been “growing” in the past three weeks, but they “exploded when the news came out last night”.

    Portugal has seen a rise in the number of new cases in and around Lisbon recently, while Sweden is also unlikely to be on the list because the infection rate there is higher than in the UK.

    They are both likely to be classified as red.

    But the government spokesman conceded there would be nothing to stop someone avoiding quarantine by flying into a Spanish airport, driving over the border into Portugal for their holiday and returning by the same route.

    UK travellers will still have to hand over the address they plan to stay at on their return from abroad, no matter which country they are coming back from.

    And they will also be legally required to wear face coverings on planes and ferries.

    Portugal’s Secretary of State for Tourism Rita Baptista Marques told BBC Breakfast her country had been named the most secure destination in Europe by the World Tourism and Travel Council and is a “clean and safe destination”.

    “Some countries are in this list and Portugal is fighting for a place,” Ms Marques said, adding that the situation is “completely under control”, with significant testing being carried out.

    The travel sector has gone to war with the government over its blanket quarantine policy.

    So a more nuanced, risk-based approach will quieten the critics to some extent.

    But the storm of controversy swirling around this policy won’t completely go away.

    Portugal, which will probably not be on next week’s list of exemptions, feels hard done-by.

    The country is desperate that UK tourists return.

    And although in public health terms the US is not currently close to being on the list, it does potentially present a tricky diplomatic dynamic, given the normally cosy relationship between Washington and London.

    And the transatlantic flight market is lucrative too.

    This announcement is a step in the right direction for UK aviation, but they want testing at airports to also provide another way for passengers to be exempt.

    So far, in public, the government has said very little about that.

    Greece’s Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis suggested that it could be up to three weeks before the country is happy to open up an air bridge to the UK, as discussions with health experts are continuing.

    Mr Theoharis told BBC Breakfast: “As soon as we have more clarity, we’ll be able to convey the right dates and the right message so that’s why it’s not easy for me to pinpoint exact dates.

    “Spain lifted its state of emergency last Sunday, reopening its borders to visitors from most of Europe and allowing British tourists to enter the country without having to quarantine.

    Travel industry group ABTA said the travel sector “eagerly” anticipates confirmation of the list of countries, which “should encourage customers to book”.

    “The blanket Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel is still a major impediment to travel, however, and we look forward to the government adopting a similar risk-based approach to that advice,” it said in a statement.

    Jonathan Smith, from ABTA, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that more travel companies were likely to go bust before a full recovery was felt.

    He said people should expect holidays to look different – not just at airports and on aircraft, but in terms of social activities, like eating out.

    The UK introduced rules requiring all people arriving in the UK to self-isolate for 14 days on 8 June.

    It was widely criticised by the travel industry and MPs of all parties.

    What are the current quarantine rules? People arriving in the UK should drive their own car to their destination, where possible, and once there they must not use public transport or taxis Arrivals must not go to work, school, or public areas, or have visitors – except for essential support.

    They are also not allowed to go out to buy food, or other essentials, where they can rely on others Those arriving in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could face a fine of £1,000 if they fail to self-isolate for the full 14 days, while they face a £480 fine in Scotland.

    The maximum fine for repeat offenders in Scotland is £5,000 For more on the rules click here.

    Foreign Office advice against all but essential international travel has been in place since 17 March.

    “Our new risk-assessment system will enable us to carefully open a number of safe travel routes around the world – giving people the opportunity for a summer holiday abroad and boosting the UK economy through tourism and business,” said a government spokesman.

    “But we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if any risks re-emerge.”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Europe reopens borders but China battles new outbreak

    A raft of EU nations reopened their borders to fellow Europeans on Monday after months of coronavirus curbs, but China was battling a new outbreak that has stoked fears of a second wave.

    As caseloads have declined in recent weeks across many parts of Europe, governments have been keen to ease painful lockdowns that have saved lives but devastated economies and wearied confined populations.

    Belgium, France, Germany, Greece and Ukraine were among those lifting border restrictions on Monday, while shops and outdoor attractions in England were set to welcome their first customers since March and in Paris cafes and restaurants were allowed to fully reopen.

    “We’re desperate about tourists, we need them and we want them. If we don’t have the people, how will we survive,” says Michalis Drosos, who works in a souvenir shop in Fira, capital of the Greek island of Santorini.

    However, the pandemic is gathering pace in Latin America, and Iran and India have reported worrying increases in deaths and infections – adding to concern over challenges the world will face in the long fight against COVID-19.

    China, where the virus emerged late last year, was the first country to implement extreme restrictions on movement early this year, forcing local transmission down to near-zero as the crisis hammered the rest of the world.

    But health officials on Monday reported 75 cases of the respiratory illness in Beijing where the fresh cluster has been linked to a wholesale food market.

    Streams of people queued in a Beijing stadium as mass testing was carried out, and a strict lockdown was extended across 21 Beijing neighbourhoods.

    The US reports lowest daily toll

    More than 430,000 people worldwide have died from COVID-19, nearly halfway through a year in which countless lives have been upended and the global economy ravaged by the crisis.

    The United States – by far the hardest-hit country with more than 115,700 recorded fatalities – on Sunday reported its lowest 24-hour death toll since its infection rate peaked in mid-April.

    President Donald Trump’s administration has noted that some states have seen new flare-ups but insists there will be no shutdown of the economy even if a new wave arises.

    But stock markets tumbled again on Monday on fears that an upsurge of infections could put the brakes on the easing of lockdowns and dash hopes of economic recovery.

    ‘Micro-outbreaks inevitable’

    The Middle East’s worst-hit country, Iran, reported an uptick on Sunday, recording more than 100 new virus deaths in a single day for the first time in two months.

    Surging infections in India have highlighted the precarious state of its healthcare system, and more than 1,000 new cases are being reported each day in the capital alone.

    Mortuaries in New Delhi are overflowing with bodies and cemeteries and crematorium staff say they cannot keep up with the backlog of victims.

    There have also been two new outbreaks in Rome, with 109 infections including five deaths diagnosed at a hospital and 15 cases detected at a building inhabited by squatters.

    “It means the virus hasn’t lost its infectiousness, it isn’t weakening… we shouldn’t let down our guard,” World Health Organization deputy director Ranieri Guerra told journalists.

    “Such micro-outbreaks were inevitable, but they are limited in time and space. And today we have the tools to intercept them and confine them.”

    ‘It’s going to be a party’

    Despite fears over fresh clusters, many countries are making moves towards semi-normality.

    In Paris, restaurant and cafe owners were cheering after the government said they could once again open their dining rooms, three months after being shut to blunt the coronavirus outbreak.

    Until now, restaurants in and around the capital could only serve clients on outdoor terraces, even though eateries in the rest of the country opened fully earlier this month.

    “It’s going to be a party,” Stephane Manigold, owner of four Paris restaurants, including the two-starred Maison Rostang, told AFP.

    In England, thousands of non-essential retailers such as bookshops and electronics outlets will be welcoming their first customers since halting in-store business in late March.

    Drive-in cinemas, safari parks and the outdoor parts of zoos will also be able to reopen, while places of worship are also set to swing open their doors again for individual prayer.

    And top-level football continues its return in Europe with the English Premier League making its long-awaited comeback this week, days after Spain’s La Liga.

    Source: france24.com

  • EU proposes huge €750bn ‘recovery fund’

    The European Commission has proposed a massive €750bn (£670bn; $825bn) recovery fund to help the EU tackle an “unprecedented crisis”.

    The package will be made up of grants and loans for every EU member state.

    Economies across the 27-nation EU bloc have been ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, but several southern states had big debts even before the crisis.

    Some countries – among them Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden – are opposed to taking on debt for other countries, and think the relief should come as low-interest loans rather than cash handouts.

    EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will have to win over these sceptical member states to push the plan through.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Friday Debate: Who is the best foreign player to have played in the Ghana Premier League?

    Ghanaian players doing amazing things in the major European Leagues across the world is not a new phenomenon.

    Abedi Pele, Tony Yeboah, Micheal Essien, Sulley Ali Muntari and Samuel Osei Kuffour are a few of the Ghanaian players who have left a mark on world football.

    But what about foreigners who have graced the Ghana Premier League?

    How many of them do you remember and which of them has impressed you the most?

    The likes of goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama (late), Ahmed Simba Toure, Ruben Gnane, Sogne Yacouba, and current GPL top scorer Victorien Adebayor are a few of the imports who have caught the eye in the last few years. But others blazed the trail in the past.

    Today on GhanaWeb’s Friday’s debate, we ask who in your opinion has been the best foreign player in the history of the Ghana Premier League?

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Alarm as crowds flock to European beaches

    A surge in visitors to beaches in northern Europe after coronavirus lockdowns was eased and temperatures rose has alarmed officials and experts.

    Three towns in north-western France shut their beaches on Wednesday because of the “unacceptable” failure of people to observe social-distancing rules.

    Municipalities in the Netherlands urged German tourists not to visit.

    And in England, the town council in Southend said it might take action after sunseekers flocked there.

    The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 around the world has now passed five million, but the number of new infections has been falling across most of Europe.

    European countries had reported 1.74 million cases and 164,349 deaths as of Wednesday, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Those with the most fatalities are the UK, Italy, France, Spain and Belgium.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that there is “still a long way to go in this pandemic”, and called on people in countries where restrictions are being eased to continue to adapt their behaviour to minimise transmission of Covid-19.

    The authorities in France reopened hundreds of beaches last weekend for running, swimming and fishing, but not for sunbathing or picnicking.

    On Wednesday evening, the prefecture of Morbihan, in Brittany, said beaches in five municipalities had been closed because of “unacceptable behaviour” by visitors in recent days, including incivility and ignoring social distancing.

    Several municipalities in the Netherlands meanwhile called on German tourists not to cross the border for a trip during the Ascension Day public holiday on Thursday.

    The Zeeland Safety Region temporarily closed roads in seaside town of Vlissingen to vehicles, while the Limburg-Noord Safety Region warned that it would seek to prevent crowding in its town centres and shopping malls by fining people who violated social distancing and other rules.

    People also headed to beaches across England on Wednesday on the hottest day of the year so far, a week after lockdown rules were eased. But people in England should not travel to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, where the public is still being told to avoid any travel which is not essential.

    A care worker’s tweets expressing concern at the pictures from Southend-on-Sea, in Essex, were shared 20,000 times.

    Southend town council appealed to beachgoers to keep their distance, and warned that it might have to close the seafront to traffic as a last resort if it considered the crowding to be dangerous.

    On Wednesday, European Union tourism ministers agreed to do “whatever it takes for the quick and full recovery of European tourism”.

    They broadly backed plans spelt out by the European Commission that the bloc’s internal borders should come down in phases, based on the prevalence of Covid-19 in countries of origin and destination.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: European countries further relax restrictions

    Italy and Spain are among a number of European countries further easing their coronavirus lockdown restrictions on Monday.

    Most businesses in Italy, including bars and hairdressers, are reopening after more than two months of nationwide lockdown measures.

    Spain meanwhile has slightly eased restrictions on some of its least affected islands.

    The measures follow consistent drops in the number of daily recorded deaths.

    On Sunday, Italy recorded the fewest daily deaths since it entered lockdown in March.

    It said 145 people had died with the virus in the previous 24 hours. This marked a significant drop from its highest daily death toll, which was more than 900 on 27 March.

    In Spain, the daily death toll fell below 100 for the first time since it imposed its lockdown restrictions.

    But officials are warning that complacency over the virus could lead to a second wave of infections.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: European countries further relax restrictions

    Italy and Spain are among a number of European countries further easing their coronavirus lockdown restrictions on Monday.

    Most businesses in Italy, including bars and hairdressers, are reopening after more than two months of nationwide lockdown measures.

    Spain meanwhile has slightly eased restrictions on some of its least affected islands.

    The measures follow consistent drops in the number of daily recorded deaths.

    On Sunday, Italy recorded the fewest daily deaths since it entered lockdown in March.

    It said 145 people had died with the virus in the previous 24 hours. This marked a significant drop from its highest daily death toll, which was more than 900 on 27 March.

    In Spain, the daily death toll fell below 100 for the first time since it imposed its lockdown restrictions.

    But officials are warning that complacency over the virus could lead to a second wave of infections.

    What’s happening on Monday?

    Restaurants, bars, cafes, hairdressers and shops have been allowed to reopen in Italy, providing social distancing is enforced.

    Almost 32,000 people in Italy have died in the pandemic, and the economy is expected to shrink by nearly 10% this year.

    Catholic churches are resuming Mass, but there is strict social distancing and worshippers must wear face masks. Other faiths are also being allowed to hold religious services.

    But health officials have warned of the continued dangers of large social gatherings.

    Pope Francis held a private Mass at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, which has been disinfected ahead of its reopening to tourists.

    The Mass honoured the late Pope John Paul II, 100 years after his birth in Poland.

    There was sorrow but relief too at morning mass in Milan’s Santa Maria del Rosario: the first time that people could return to churches in 10 weeks.

    They came for comfort and to pray for Italy’s recovery. And they abided by strict measures: pews were disinfected before the service; worshippers sat apart; and the priest wore gloves to place the communion wafer in people’s hands, not their mouths.

    “It was strange to feel the body of Christ on these gloves,” said Fr Marco Borghi, “but it’s so important for people to be able to get closer to God again at this time”.

    From restaurants and bars to museums and libraries, to hair salons and beauty parlours, Italy is reopening and emerging from the world’s longest national lockdown.

    There’s a sense of optimism in the streets but also, still, astonishment at what has happened, particularly here in Italy’s richest, most advanced region: over 15,000 people killed in Lombardy, almost half of all the Italian deaths.

    And the economic pain is intense. One in three businesses here say they won’t be reopening today.

    Presentational grey line

    In Spain, some areas are also seeing restrictions ease.

    The country has a four-phase system for reopening, which authorities are applying at different speeds in different regions.

    Most of Spain moved into phase one last week. Up to 10 people are allowed to meet together, provided they wear masks and socially distance, while bars and restaurants can open outdoor seating at half capacity. Cinemas, museums and theatres are also opening at reduced capacity.

    Some Spanish islands that have not been badly affected by the outbreak moved into phase two on Monday – allowing shopping malls to reopen and gatherings of up to 15 people.

    Barcelona, Madrid and parts of the north-west however remain in phase 0. Most restrictions will remain in place, but some small shops will be allowed to reopen on Monday and funerals can be held for groups of up to 10 inside and 15 outside. This has been dubbed “phase 0.5” – an intermediate step in these regions.

    The country is now “very close” to stopping the transmission of the virus, the head of the emergency health centre, Fernando Simon, said on Sunday.

    But he warned that the risk of a second wave of cases was “still very big”.

    Elsewhere in Europe:

    • Belgium is to begin reopening primary and secondary schools under strict conditions on Monday, with museums and zoos also opening their doors – albeit only to those who book online, to limit numbers
    • The famous Acropolis reopened in Greece, and secondary school pupils are returning to class
    • Restaurants, cafes and pastry shops restart business at reduced capacity in Portugal
    • Poland’s beauty salons and hairdressers reopen, as well as restaurants and cafes

  • Coronavirus: European countries set to further ease lockdowns

    Italy and Spain are among a number of European countries that are set to further ease their coronavirus lockdown restrictions from Monday.

    Most businesses in Italy, including bars and hairdressers, will be free to reopen after more than two months of nationwide lockdown measures.

    Spain is set to relax its restrictions outside of Madrid and Barcelona, with groups of up to 10 people free to meet.

    The measures follow consistent drops in the number of daily recorded deaths.

    On Sunday, Italy recorded the fewest daily deaths since it entered lockdown in March.

    It said 145 people had died with the virus in the previous 24 hours. This marked a significant drop from its highest daily death toll, which was more than 900 on 27 March.

    In Spain, the daily death toll fell below 100 for the first time since it imposed its lockdown restrictions.

    But officials are warning that complacency over the virus could lead to a second wave of infections.

    What’s happening on Monday?

    Restaurants, bars, cafes, hairdressers and shops will be allowed to reopen in Italy providing social distancing is enforced.

    Catholic churches are preparing for the resumption of Mass, but there will be strict social distancing and worshippers must wear face masks. Other faiths will also be allowed to hold religious services.

    But health officials have warned of the continued dangers of large social gatherings.

    In Spain, a majority of people will have emerged from lockdown by the end of the week.

    Outdoor seating in bars and restaurants will be allowed from Monday, as well as family reunions and meetings between friends providing no more than 10 people gather.

    In Madrid and Barcelona, along with parts of the north-west, the majority of restrictions will remain in place, but some small shops will be allowed to reopen.

    The country is now “very close” to stopping the transmission of the virus, the head of the emergency health centre, Fernando Simon, said on Sunday.

    But he warned that the risk of a second wave of cases was “still very big”.

    Elsewhere in Europe, Belgium is to begin reopening primary and secondary schools under strict conditions on Monday.

    Portugal, Greece, Denmark and Ireland are among a number of countries which are also set to relax their lockdown measures.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Lufthansa to resume some European services in June

    German airline giant Lufthansa said Friday it will fly twice as many aircraft in June as in recent weeks and return to some European destinations, but the flight plan remains a shadow of pre-coronavirus operations.

    Spots beloved of holidaymakers like Spanish island Mallorca, Crete and German North Sea retreat Sylt will return to the timetable, with 160 aircraft aloft bearing Lufthansa’s crane or the logos of subsidiaries Swiss and Eurowings.

    More details of the 106 planned destinations will be published next week, Lufthansa said.

    But the vast majority of the group’s roughly 760 planes will remain grounded as restrictions on travel and tourist essentials like hotels and restaurants ease only slowly around the continent.

    “We sense a great desire and longing among people to travel again,” board member Harry Hohmeister said in a statement.

    “With all due caution, we are now making it possible for people to catch up and experience what they had to do without for a long time.”

    Details of the June flight plan were released less than 24 hours after the Frankfurt group said it was in talks for the German government to buy shares and offer a loan to keep it afloat through the coronavirus crisis.

    Berlin could end up owning around 25 percent of Lufthansa, although politicians are still wrangling over the details.

    Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told tabloid-style daily Bild Thursday that Lufthansa was part of Germany’s “family silver” and that Berlin aimed to avoid a “fire sale” of valuable firms.

    Source: AFP

  • EU blacklists four African states over money-laundering

    The European Union has added 12 countries to its money-laundering blacklist, putting their financial transactions under greater scrutiny.

    They include Botswana, Ghana, Mauritius and Zimbabwe.

    Others are Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Cambodia, Mongolia and Myanmar.

    Once approved by the European parliament the list will come into force in October.

    The commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said the EU needed to put an end to dirty money infiltrating its financial system.

    Of the 22 blacklisted countries, only North Korea has refused to commit to trying to tackle the problem.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Interest from top European clubs thrills Emmanuel Lomotey

    Midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey is thrilled by the interest from other European clubs for his services following an outstanding showing in the Spanish second-tier this season.

    The Extremadura UD central midfielder has been phenomenal this season as he has managed 15 league appearances and has scored once in the process.

    French Ligue 1 side FC Metz, Portugal’s Sporting Braga and Bundesliga side Union Berlin have all shown interest in getting the Ghana U23 star this summer.

    “I have read about it on the internet but now my focus is on helping my club to stay in the league. I want to give my best always
    for Extremadura.” Lomotey told Graphic Sports Online.

    “Anything concerning transfer is in the hands of my representatives.”

    Lomotey says he will continue to give his best despite attracting interest from other European clubs.

    “As a player, if other clubs are said to be interested in you, it means your work is being noticed. I will continue to give my
    hundred percent on the field.”

    The 22-year-old joined Extremadura in July 2017 from Ghanaian side Dreams FC after being named the player of the season.

    Lomotey was a key member of the Ghana team that won the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations hosted in Ghana.

    He was also part of Ghana U23 team that failed to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Egypt.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Coronavirus: World must ‘pull together’ to find and fund vaccine

    European leaders have pledged support for a plan to raise €7.5bn (£6.6bn; $8.3bn) to find a coronavirus vaccine in a jointly signed open letter.

    The Brussels-led initiative was set out by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday.

    The promises come ahead of an online pledging conference on Monday.

    UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will urge countries to “pull together” to meet “the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes”.

    Mr Johnson, who spent three nights in intensive care with Covid-19, will also confirm the UK’s pledge of £388m for vaccine research, testing and treatment.

    The conference will be co-hosted by the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia and the European Commission.

    The UN says a return to normal life will only be possible with a vaccine.

    Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are also among those who have signed up to the initiative.

    In the open letter published in weekend newspapers, the leaders said that the funds raised would “kickstart an unprecedented global co-operation between scientists and regulators, industry and governments, international organisations, foundations and healthcare professionals”.

    “If we can develop a vaccine that is produced by the world, for the whole world, this will be a unique global public good of the 21st Century,” they added.

    At the same time, the signatories gave their backing to the World Health Organization in the face of US criticism of its handling of the outbreak.

    Dozens of research projects trying to find a vaccine are currently under way across the world.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: UK could be ‘worst affected’ country in Europe

    The UK is likely to be among the European countries worst affected by coronavirus, one of the government’s senior scientific advisers has said.

    The warning, from Sir Jeremy Farrar, comes as UK deaths from the virus are expected to pass 10,000 on Sunday.

    In response, Business Secretary Alok Sharma said countries were on “different trajectories”.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital after being treated for coronavirus.

    On the advice of his medical team, Mr Johnson will not immediately return to work and will continue his recovery at his country residence, Chequers, a No 10 spokesman said.

    He had three nights in intensive care before returning to a general ward on Thursday.

    On Saturday, the UK recorded 917 new coronavirus deaths, taking the total number of hospital deaths to 9,875.

    The figure does not include deaths outside of hospitals, such as in care homes or in the community.

    Ministers are continuing to urge people to stay at home over the Easter weekend to curb the spread of the virus, despite warm and sunny weather across parts of the UK.

    Wellcome Trust director Sir Jeremy Farrar told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show the UK was likely to be “one of the worst, if not the worst affected country in Europe”.

    Currently Italy has the highest number of deaths of any European country – with more than 19,000 deaths – followed by Spain, France and the UK, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

    Germany has kept deaths below 3,000 so far.

    Sir Jeremy, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show the “remarkable” scale of testing in Germany had been key to keeping the number of hospital admissions for coronavirus lower than in the UK.

    Sir Jeremy said testing allowed countries to isolate people with Covid-19, preventing them from transmitting the virus to others, as well as buying time for hospitals to prepare.

    “Undoubtedly there are lessons to learn from that,” he added.

    The UK government has said it wants to do 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April but has faced criticism for not increasing the number more quickly.

    Sir Jeremy said a second or third wave of the virus “was probably inevitable” and treatment and a vaccine was “our only true exit strategy”.

    He said a vaccine could be available by autumn but it would take longer to ramp up manufacturing to the scale required to vaccinate many millions of people.

    “I would hope we would get [that] done in 12 months but that is in itself an unprecedented ambition,” he said.

    Mortality trend in UK, Italy, Spain and US

    Asked whether he agreed with Sir Jeremy’s analysis of the UK’s death rate, Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Different countries are at different stages of this cycle.”

    “What we have done with the advice that we have now set out to people, to stay at home, is precisely because we want to make sure that we have a flattening of the curve, that infection rates aren’t going up, and ultimately people’s lives are being saved,” he told the programme.

    “We are starting to see these measures work,” he added, but said it was too early for them to be lifted yet.

    Prof Keith Neal, emeritus professor in the epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Nottingham, said it was likely the UK would have one of the largest numbers of coronavirus deaths because it had the second largest population in western Europe after Germany.

    “The important figure is the death rate per million and not the total number of deaths. On this count Belgium seems to be heading for a serious

    Source: BBC

  • Coronavirus: EU could fail over outbreak, warns Italy’s Giuseppe Conte

    Italy’s prime minister has told the BBC that the European Union risks failing as a project in the coronavirus crisis.

    Giuseppe Conte says the EU must act in an adequate and co-ordinated way to help countries worst hit by the virus.

    Mr Conte says the European Union needs to rise to the challenge of what he calls “the biggest test since the Second World War”.

    This was his first interview with the UK broadcast media since the pandemic exploded in Italy seven weeks ago.

    He was speaking as Italy and some other EU countries try to push more frugal members of the bloc to issue so-called “corona bonds” – sharing debt that all EU nations would help to pay off. The Netherlands in particular has opposed the idea, leading to a clash between finance ministers of the eurozone.

    The Italian prime minister told the BBC that Europe’s leaders were “facing an appointment with history” that they could not miss.

    “If we do not seize the opportunity to put new life into the European project, the risk of failure is real.”

    The infection rate in Italy is slowing – the latest figures show positive cases increasing from the previous day by a little over 1%. Two weeks ago, the rise was 7%.

    The death toll too shows signs of falling, from 919 a fortnight ago to 542 fatalities in the past 24 hours. But Giuseppe Conte warned Italy not to lower its guard and said that the national lockdown, imposed on 9 March, could only be eased gradually.

    “We need to pick sectors that can restart their activity. If scientists confirm it, we might begin to relax some measures already by the end of this month.”

    Mr Conte has won plaudits for his government’s handling of the crisis – a recent poll by Demos showed his approval rating surging from 46% to 71%. But critics contend that the restrictions announced in the first few days were slow and piecemeal.

    He initially resisted a push by some politicians in Lombardy, the northern region worst hit by the outbreak, to impose tighter measures more quickly. When a delegation from the Chinese Red Cross came to Milan in mid-March, they lambasted what they saw as Italy’s lax lockdown.

    But the prime minister defended his government’s action.

    “Going back, I would do the same”, he said. “We have a completely different system to China. For us to severely limit constitutional freedoms was a critical decision that we had to consider very carefully. If I had suggested a lockdown or limits on constitutional rights at the start, when there were the first clusters, people would have taken me for a madman.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • EU chief ‘concerned’ about Hungary virus emergency law

    European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed concern Thursday over a Coronavirus emergency law in Hungary that has given nationalist premier Viktor Orban sweeping powers.

    While saying EU countries may need extraordinary measures to tackle the pandemic, she added: “I am concerned that certain measures go too far — and I’m particularly concerned with the situation in Hungary.”

    Hungary’s parliament, dominated by Orban’s ruling party, handed the prime minister the power from Tuesday to rule by decree until his government decides the virus crisis is over.

    The emergency law also threatens journalists with prison if they publish what it deems “falsehoods” about the virus or the government’s actions to slow it.

    The law has sparked alarm among rights groups, media organisations and several EU countries, with fears it was a power grab by Orban, who has ruled Hungary for the past decade.

    Thirteen EU nations, including heavyweights France and Germany, issued a joint statement on Wednesday that — without explicitly naming Hungary — said they were “deeply concerned about the risk of violations of the principles of rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights arising from the adoption of certain emergency measures”.

    Von der Leyen up to now had been similarly circumspect, avoiding singling Hungary out by name. On Tuesday, she emphasised that coronavirus emergency measures in EU countries must be limited, proportionate and cannot last indefinitely.

    EU threatens ‘action’

    As part of her response to questions on Thursday specifically on Hungary, von der Leyen said that where EU countries’ measures do no meet those criteria “we will take action as necessary as we have already done in the past”.

    Her Commission, she added, was “mapping the whole situation” and weighing them against those standards.

    Orban’s government argues that it is upholding EU values and press freedom with the emergency law.

    His spokesman for international relations tweeted on Wednesday that “the Hungarian state of emergency and extraordinary measures are congruent with the treaties and Hungarian constitution and targeted exclusively at fighting the coronavirus”.

    Orban, frequently in hot water with the Commission over his anti-EU stances, is worried about his Fidesz party remaining part of an EU-wide conservative political grouping, the European People’s Party (EPP).

    Orban contacted leading EPP figures — including, in a letter obtained by AFP, the head of Germany’s powerful CDU, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer — appealing for support, party figures said.

    EPP head Donald Tusk, former president of the European Council representing EU leaders, has written his own letter to EPP member party chiefs calling Hungary’s emergency measures “disproportionate and inadequate”.

    Source: AFP

  • Global stocks fall again despite coronavirus action

    European stock markets have taken further hits over fears of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

    London’s FTSE 100 index sank more than 4%, while main indexes in Frankfurt and Paris were down more than 3%. Earlier, Asian stock markets had fallen sharply.

    Crude oil prices have also dropped as economies around the world come to a virtual standstill.

    There are concerns that policymakers are struggling to ease the impact of an impending global recession.

    The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has warned that the world will take years to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

    Angel Gurría, OECD secretary general, told the BBC the economic shock was already bigger than the financial crisis and it was “wishful thinking” to believe that countries would bounce back quickly.

    Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: “We really are in the thick of a global crisis and markets are showing little sign of optimism as the new trading week gets underway.

    “Events are moving so fast that it is difficult for investors to truly understand what’s going on with businesses.”

    In Asia, the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong fell by nearly 5%, while China’s Shanghai Composite lost 2.4%.

    New Zealand’s main share index started the day down by more than 10%, but recovered some ground to close 7.6% lower.

    The ASX 200 in Sydney dropped more than 7% in early trading and closed down 5.6% at the end of the trading session

    In India, where a 14-hour curfew was announced, its Sensex index fell 10%, triggering a “circuit breaker” and a 45-minute trading halt. It continued its slide to fall 12%.

    “It would be a brave, or foolish, man to call the bottom in equities without a dramatic medical breakthrough,” said Alan Ruskin from Deutsche Bank.

    Brent crude oil futures fell by more than 5%, taking the price to below $26 a barrel, as the closure of businesses and mass travel bans around the world hit demand for energy.

    It comes as fears are growing over what authorities around the world can do to combat the effect of the sharp slowdown in global economic activity.

    In the US, senators have failed to pass a motion to advance stimulus legislation worth almost $2 trillion to help the world’s biggest economy deal with the impact of the pandemic, after congressional Democrats said it would be too generous to big business.

    At the same time countries around the world have announced new measures to slow the spread of the virus, including ordering people to stay at home and closing down bars and restaurants.

    UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned “tougher measures” could be introduced if people do not take the government’s coronavirus advice seriously.

    Germany has expanded curbs on social interactions to try to contain the outbreak, banning public gatherings of more than two people

    Australia is shutting down non-essential services as coronavirus cases rise rapidly in the country.

    US stocks have already fallen by around a third since the middle of last month, while even areas of investment normally seen as safe havens, such as the bond market, are under stress as hard-hit funds are forced to sell good assets to cover losses elsewhere.

    Source: bbc.com

  • European Union seals borders amid virus fight

    The European Union will ban travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days in an unprecedented move to seal its borders amid the coronavirus crisis.

    The measure is expected to apply to 26 EU states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. UK citizens will be unaffected.

    The ban came as deaths continued to soar in Italy and Spain, and France began a strict lockdown.

    Europe has been badly hit by the virus, which has killed 7,500 globally.

    Meanwhile, the Euro 2020 football competition has been postponed by a year.

    The virus has infected more than 185,000 people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

    The travel ban will affect all non-EU nationals from visiting the bloc, except long-term residents, family members of EU nationals and diplomats, cross-border and healthcare workers, and people transporting goods.

    Free travel is a cherished principle within the European border-free Schengen area. But in recent days many countries have unilaterally imposed full or partial border shutdowns in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

    This prompted the commission to propose that the bloc act in a more unified fashion and restrict entry to the union as a whole, at the urging of French President Emmanuel Macron.

    The measures were agreed in a video-summit between EU leaders on Tuesday afternoon and will now have to be implemented by member states.

    “They said they will immediately do that,” said EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference. “This is good, so that we have a unanimous and united approach [where] the external borders are concerned.”

    The UK and the Republic of Ireland – which is part of the EU but not Schengen – will be invited to join the measure.

    It was also crucial that the EU “unblocks the situation” with regards to closed internal borders, Mrs Von der Leyen said, because “too many people are stranded”.

    In France, citizens who leave home must now carry a document detailing the reasons why, with fines for transgressors to be set at €135 ($150; £123).

    It comes after President Macron put the country on a war-footing, ordering the population to stay at home and only go out for essential trips.

    The number of confirmed cases in France grew by more than 16% on Tuesday, reaching 7,730, The death toll rose to 175, with 7% of the dead aged under 65.

    More than 2,500 people are being treated in hospital, including 699 in intensive care.

    In Britain, where the death toll is 71, people have been told to avoid social contact, work from home if they can and avoid all non-essential foreign travel.

    The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has unveiled a financial package worth £330bn ($400bn) to ease the burden caused by the virus, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday urged people to avoid pubs, clubs and cafes.

    Meanwhile, the government’s chief scientific adviser said it would be a “good outcome” if 20,000 or fewer people died of the virus in the UK.

    The latest set of Brexit talks has also been delayed.

    The number of confirmed cases in Spain has soared by 2,000 to 11,178. Authorities there are maintaining a partial lockdown on 47 million people.

    It is now the European country worst-affected after Italy.

    At midnight Spain began stopping cars crossing its borders from France and Portugal. Only Spanish nationals, residents and cross-border workers were being allowed to the country.

    Italy, which has registered the most cases outside China at more than 31,500, announced another surge in deaths on Tuesday, from 2,150 to 2,503. The country remains in lockdown.

    The government meanwhile is set to renationalise flag carrier airline Alitalia with a rescue package worth $670m (£550m).

    Germany, which has had more than 6,000 cases and 13 deaths, banned religious services and told people to cancel any domestic or foreign holiday travel.

    Venues including clubs, bars, leisure facilities, zoos and playgrounds will be closed. Schools are already shut.

    Ireland could have 15,000 cases of coronavirus before the end of March, saidPM Leo Varadkar. In a St Patrick’s Day address, he warned of “significant and lasting” economic damage, and said the emergency could last into the summer. The government has already closed pubs, schools and universities.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Europe struggles with ‘socio-economic tsunami’ caused by coronavirus

    Italy’s prime minister on Tuesday declared coronavirus was causing a “socio-economic tsunami” as European leaders agreed to seal off external borders, but many countries thwarted solidarity by imposing frontier curbs of their own.

    “The enemy is the virus and now we have to do our utmost to protect our people and to protect our economies,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after the second videoconference in a week of the European Union’s 27 leaders.

    “We are ready to do everything that is required. We will not hesitate to take additional measures as the situation evolves.”

    Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, whose country has been hardest hit by a global health crisis now centred in Europe, said no nation would be left untouched by the “tsunami”.

    He called for special “coronavirus bonds”, or a European guarantee fund, to help member states finance urgent health and economic policies, an Italian government source said.

    Rome has issued similar calls for joint EU funding during previous crises, usually running into opposition from the bloc’s most powerful economy and paymaster, Germany.

    Asked about Conte’s proposal, Chancellor Angela Merkel said euro zone finance ministers would continue discussing ways to help their economies cushion the impact, but no decision has been made.

    “These are initial discussions and there have been no decisions by the finance ministers,” said Merkel. “I will talk to (Finance Minister) Olaf Scholz so that Germany continues to take part (in the discussions). But there are no results regarding this.”

    The EU has scrambled to find a coherent response to the outbreak, with countries imposing their own border checks in what is normally a zone of control-free travel, limiting exports of medical equipment or failing to share key data swiftly.

    The national leaders agreed on Tuesday to close the external borders of most European countries for 30 days and establish fast-track lanes at their countries’ frontiers to keep medicines and food moving.

    Ireland will not join the travel ban on Europe’s borders, von der Leyen said, because the United Kingdom – which left the EU in January – was not either. Despite Brexit, the two have an obligation to preserve an open border on the island of Ireland.

    Should Ireland go with the majority of European countries while the UK stays away, it would mean erecting controls on the sensitive border with Northern Ireland, something sides sought to avoid at all cost in three years of tortuous Brexit divorce talks.

    Damaged unity

    France went into lockdown on Tuesday to contain the spread of the highly contagious new coronavirus and Belgium announced it would follow suit, as the death toll in Italy jumped above 2,000, European banks warned of falling incomes and pummelled airlines pleaded for government aid.

    The EU’s executive European Commission warned member states that this was just the beginning of the crisis and Germany said it would run for “months rather than weeks”, diplomats said.

    Alarmed by the unilateral border restrictions being imposed in a bloc that prizes the free movement of people, French President Emmanuel Macron had pressed for the decision to close Europe’s external borders to foreigners.

    “That was meant to convince European countries to drop internal and unilateral border moves. But it’s hard to see anyone doing it,” an EU diplomat said, adding the move was largely symbolic as the virus was already within.

    Indeed, tensions over borders still abounded across the EU, with three Baltic countries – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – criticising Poland for blocking their citizens in transit from returning home.

    Portugal and Spain on Tuesday notified Brussels that they have introduced controls on Europe’s internal borders, bringing the total taking such measures to at least 12 countries.

    Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary have not formally informed the EU about such moves despite pursuing them, meaning the real number is likely higher.

    The EU has also moved to repatriate Europeans stranded abroad as airlines cut flights. Von der Leyen said nearly 300 Austrian and other European nationals were flown back from Morocco to Vienna on Tuesday.

    Their border control steps aside, the EU leaders have come together on a “whatever it takes” approach to cushioning the economic blow from the pandemic, including by relaxing limitations on state aid.

    The bloc’s antitrust chief proposed allowing governments to offer grants or tax advantages of up to 500,000 euros ($550,000) to ailing companies, though some EU countries want Brussels to go further.

    Source: reuters.com

  • Europe’s share markets rise as global sell-off eases

    European stock indexes are recovering some ground after huge falls on Thursday.

    Markets have seen volatile trading as investors weigh the effect of the coronavirus against measures aimed at easing its economic impact.

    Share markets across the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, Australia and India, have experienced major swings.

    It came after the Dow and S&P 500 in the US saw their biggest one-day declines since 1987.

    In recent days authorities around the world have announced emergency measures in an attempt to avoid recession.

    On Friday, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) prohibited short selling of a raft of shares in Italian and Spanish firms, after a request from authorities in those countries for the action, which is designed to protect that list of companies.

    The prohibition came after major falls in Italian and Spanish indexes on Thursday.

    Short selling is speculation that the price of a stock will go down, and if there are more short sellers than buyers, the price will be pushed down.

    Firms including football clubs Lazio and Juventus were on the list, as well as luxury car manufacturer Ferrari.

    Market bounce

    Stock market volatility has been very high, with investors deeply concerned about the economic effects of coronavirus.

    In early trading on Friday, the London markets rose more than 3%, and Spain’s Ibex 35 rose more than 6%.

    The FTSE MIB, the benchmark index for Milan’s Borsa Italiana, climbed more than 3% after a 16% fall on Thursday.

    The European markets followed Asian exchanges in ticking up.

    Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was down by more than 10% in early trading before regaining some ground to end about 6% lower.

    Australia’s benchmark ASX 200 saw its biggest trading swing on record as it reversed a loss of 8.1% to end the day 4.4% higher.

    Trading in India’s Nifty 50 stock index was halted for 45 minutes on Friday morning after it fell 10% and hit a “circuit-breaker” and bounced back into positive territory once trading resumed.

    The Hang Seng in Hong Kong closed down more than 1%, and China’s Shanghai Composite was 1.2% lower, both off their session lows.

    “There is a sense of fear and panic,” said James Tao, an analyst at stockbroker Commsec in Sydney.”It’s one of those situations where there is so much uncertainty that no-one quite knows how to respond… if it’s fight or flight, many people are choosing flight at the moment,” he added.

    Friday’s moves follow steep losses in the US and Europe on Thursday, which gathered pace after US President Donald Trump spooked investors when he restricted travel from Europe, and the European Central Bank (ECB) disappointed markets by holding back on rate cuts.

    Benchmark indexes on Wall Street and in the City of London saw their steepest daily falls since so-called Black Monday in 1987. In France and Germany, indexes lost more than 12%.

    Those declines came despite actions by the Federal Reserve and ECB to support the market.

    Losses on European indexes accelerated after the eurozone’s central bank failed to cut interest rates, although it did pledge fresh stimulus measures.

    The New York branch of the Federal Reserve said it was pumping $1.5 trillion to ease strains in the debt markets, offering increased overnight loans to banks and expanding the kinds of assets it will buy to keep firms lending.

    The announcement, which came after European markets had closed, briefly sent shares higher, but they dropped back by the end of the day. Last week the US central bank cut rates, followed on Wednesday by the Bank of England.

    Why should I care if stock markets fall?

    Many people’s initial reaction to “the markets” is that they are not directly affected, because they do not invest money.

    Yet there are millions of people with a pension – either private or through work – who will see their savings (in what is known as a defined contribution pension) invested by pension schemes. The value of their savings pot is influenced by the performance of these investments.

    So big rises or falls can affect your pension, but the advice is to remember that pension savings, like any investments, are usually a long-term bet.

    Source: bbc.com