Europe

May faces angry MPs with Brexit deal in limbo

by Dario THUBURN Agence France Presse LONDON, United States (AFP) — Prime Minister Theresa May faces an angry parliament Wednesday after delaying a key vote on her Brexit deal in a desperate move that leaves the agreement and her own future in limbo. The British leader toured European capitals on Tuesday in an attempt to salvage the deal, after MPs savaged its provisions on the issue of the Irish border. May said she wanted “assurances” […]

Waste plant fire stokes Italy garbage crisis

ROME, Italy (AFP) — Twelve teams of firefighters battled Tuesday to put out a vast fire at a garbage dump in Rome as critics slammed the capital’s beleaguered waste manager and warned of chaos to come. The odor of burning refuse wafted across the historic center as the blaze, which began overnight, crept steadily from the site in the north-east of the city. City hall said it had called the national civil protection agency and […]

Death toll in Strasbourg market shooting rises to 4: mayor

STRASBOURG, France (AFP) — Four people were killed and 12 more injured by a gunman who opened fire at a busy market in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Tuesday, the city’s mayor told AFP. Three or four of the injured are in critical condition, Mayor Roland Ries said. A manhunt was underway after the assailant managed to flee after exchanging shots with security forces patrolling the area at around 8:00 pm (1900 GMT). © Agence France-Presse

Strasbourg shooting suspect was due to be arrested Tuesday morning: source close to probe

PARIS, France (AFP) — The suspect who killed at least two people and injured 11 at Strasbourg’s market on Tuesday was due to be arrested by police earlier in the day over a separate attempted murder, a source close to the investigation said. Police said the suspected gunman was known to authorities and was on France’s “S” watchlist of suspected extremists. © Agence France-Presse

Two dead, 11 injured in Strasbourg market shooting

PARIS, France (AFP) — A gunman killed at least two people and seriously injured another 11 near the famed market in the French city of Strasbourg on Tuesday before fleeing the scene, security officials said. Police launched a manhunt after the killer opened fire at around 7pm local time (1800 GMT), sending crowds of evening shoppers fleeing for safety. Soldiers patrolling the area as part of regular anti-terror operations exchanged fire with the gunman and […]

German rail strike halts trains nationwide

  Frankfurt am Main, Germany (AFP) — Germany was plunged into transport chaos Monday as train services were halted by a railworkers’ strike over pay, affecting millions of passengers. Inter-city and regional services as well as many urban commuter trains were cancelled throughout Europe’s biggest economy by the four-hour stoppage that started at 05:00 am (0400 GMT), Deutsche Bahn (DB) said. Although the walkout ended as planned at 09:00 am, its ripple effects will be […]

Macron unveils new measures in bid to end ‘yellow vest’ revolt

PARIS, France (AFP) — Embattled French President Emmanuel Macron Monday announced a series of financial measures seeking to defuse the “yellow vest” revolt that has triggered violent protests in cities across the country. In a 15-minute televised speech from the Elysee Palace, a somber-looking president told the nation, “I accept my share of responsibility” for the crisis. The former investment banker struck a more humble tone than usual as he sought to address criticism of his […]

British PM delays Brexit deal vote but EU warns no renegotiation

by Alice RITCHIE / Dave CLARK in Brussels Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday postponed a parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal to avoid a crushing defeat, saying she would return to Brussels for further talks — but the EU warned it would not reopen the agreement. In an emergency statement to the House of Commons, May conceded that the draft divorce agreement she struck with […]

Over 1,700 arrested in latest ‘yellow vest’ protests in France

PARIS, France (AFP) — More than 1,700 people were arrested across France during the latest “yellow vest” protests as demonstrators clashing with riot police caused more damage in Paris than a week ago, officials said on Sunday. Clashes broke out in the French capital and other several cities, including Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon and Toulouse, during a fourth weekend of nationwide protests against rising living costs and President Emmanuel Macron in general. The embattled president — whose […]

Macron to address the nation as calls grow to act on ‘yellow vest’ protests

by Katy Lee Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Amid loud calls for him to end the “yellow vest” crisis gripping France, President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation Monday as authorities count the cost of weeks of anti-government protests. The president will speak to the French people at 8:00 pm (1900 GMT), his Elysee office announced — Macron’s first public comments after four weeks of nationwide anti-government demonstrations which again turned violent Saturday […]

Nearly 300 detained as Paris braces for ‘yellow vest’ protests

  by Katy Lee Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Paris police detained nearly 300 people Saturday ahead of fresh anti-government “yellow vest” protests which authorities fear could turn violent for a third weekend in a row. Clad in their luminous road safety jackets, dozens of demonstrators — who accuse President Emmanuel Macron of only looking out for the rich — gathered at dawn on the Champs-Elysees, the scene last Saturday of the worst […]