21

Apr

2020 rules to be basis for seaside access in Italy this year too

Liguria's representative at a meeting of officials on the summer tourism season said that the rules on access to beaches this year will be based on the guidelines used in…

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21

Apr

Greece aims to reopen restaurants next month

Greece aims to reopen restaurants early next month, state minister George Gerapetritis said on Wednesday, as the country is desperate for more economic sectors to resume operations ahead of its…

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21

Apr

UPDATED: European countries to resume J&J COVID vaccine deliveries

European countries prepared on Wednesday to resume deliveries of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine and speed up the rollout after Europe's drug regulator backed the shot. Germany's health ministry said…

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20

Apr

Senses dulled by COVID-19, French wine tasters fear for livelihood

The exotic fruits and fresh citrus notes leapt out of the Pyrenean white wine, but oenologist Sophie Pallas said the delicate undertones of pineapple were harder to detect than they would…

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20

Apr

Italy “strongly exposed” due to high debt levels – Bank of Italy exec

Italy's public debt level is sustainable but keeping it very high makes Italy "strongly exposed" to tensions in financial markets and new economic shocks, a Bank of Italy official said on Tuesday. Speaking at…

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20

Apr

Hope and caution as Portugal further eases COVID-19 lockdown

Three months after Joao Correia was forced to shut his cafe in one of Lisbon's shopping malls, he welcomed customers back on Monday, feeling both cautious and hopeful about the…

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19

Apr

Greece opens to tourists, anxious to move on from crisis season

RHODES, Greece (Reuters) - Greece began opening to tourists on Monday with few bookings but hopes for a better season to help make up for a 2020 devastated by the…

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19

Apr

Spain to trial mixing COVID-19 vaccines after restricting AstraZeneca shot

MADRID, April 19 (Reuters) - Spain will study the effects of mixing different coronavirus vaccines, government researchers said on Monday, responding to shifting guidelines on the safety of the AstraZeneca's…

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19

Apr

Reports Spain mulling delaying second dose of Moderna and Pfizer shots

Spain's Health Ministry is considering delaying second doses of COVID-19 vaccines for under 80 year olds to maximise the number of people who have received at least one injection, El…

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19

Apr

‘I don’t want that’ – France struggles to pitch AstraZeneca vaccine

Tasked with persuading shoppers at an outdoor market to consider taking the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Paris city hall employee Leo Martin was finding it a tough sell. "Which vaccine is…

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19

Apr

Spain opposes soccer Super League involving its star clubs trio

MADRID, April 19 (Reuters) - The Spanish government on Monday came out against the formation of a breakaway Super League by 12 clubs including its own Real Madrid and Barcelona,…

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19

Apr

France sees no immediate need for Russia’s COVID shot

Russia’s Sputnik V anti-COVID shot is unlikely to play a part in France’s efforts to accelerate its vaccination rollout because it does not yet have approval from the European regulator,…

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19

Apr

Italy seeks domestic production of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

Italy has held talks with several manufacturers about starting production of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines in the country, the Financial Times reported. Rome has discussed the domestic production of mRNA-based vaccines…

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19

Apr

Italy’s PM Draghi supports national and European soccer authorities’ defence of national competitions

ROME, April 19 (Reuters) - Italy's government supports national and European soccer authorities in their defence of national competitions and sports values, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said, after 12 leading…

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18

Apr

Macron opposes breakaway European Super League

PARIS, April 18 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that he supported the position of European soccer's governing body UEFA in opposing the prospect of a breakaway…

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18

Apr

Italy reports 251 coronavirus deaths, 12,694 new cases

ROME (Reuters) - Italy reported 251 coronavirus-related deaths on Sunday against 310 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections edged down to 12,694…

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18

Apr

Israel and Greece sign record defence deal

Israel and Greece have signed their biggest ever defence procurement deal, which Israel said on Sunday would strengthen political and economic ties between the countries. The agreement includes a $1.65…

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18

Apr

Greece says resolving differences with Turkey may be hard, but not impossible

Greece cannot ignore its differences with Turkey over territorial disputes in the Mediterranean and other issues but while a solution is difficult, it is not impossible, its foreign minister told…

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18

Apr

France’s Macron says ‘clear red lines’ should be drawn with Russia

World powers should draw "clear red lines" with Russia and consider possible sanctions against Moscow when they're crossed, French President Emmanuel Macron told U.S. news network CBS in an interview.…

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18

Apr

Italy risks missing Recovery Plan deadline due to EU concerns

Italy risks missing an April 30 deadline for submitting a final version of its Recovery Plan to the European Commission because Brussels is not satisfied with several aspects of the…

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17

Apr

France reports daily decline in COVID-19 patients in intensive care

PARIS, April 17 (Reuters) - The number of coronavirus patients in intensive care units in France has fallen and the figure for patients in hospital has also dropped, the health…

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17

Apr

Italy reports 310 coronavirus deaths on Saturday, 15,370 new cases

ROME (Reuters) - Italy reported 310 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday against 429 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections edged down to 15,370…

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17

Apr

Italy’s Salvini sent to trial on migrant kidnapping charge

PALERMO, Italy (Reuters) -Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy's right-wing League party, must stand trial on charges of kidnapping over his decision to prevent more than 100 migrants from landing in…

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17

Apr

Madrid to host charity bullfight for matadors left jobless by COVID-19

MADRID (Reuters) - Crowds will return to Madrid's Las Ventas bullring for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic next month for a charity bullfight to raise money for matadors left jobless by COVID-19, officials said on…

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16

Apr

Spain’s Iberia asks public to pick summer destination

MADRID, April 16 (Reuters) - Spanish airline Iberia will let social media users choose an additional destination for its summer flights, the company said, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to…

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16

Apr

Madrid may shut down mass vaccination centres unless more shots arrive

MADRID, April 16 (Reuters) - A shortage of coronavirus shots may force the Madrid region to close down mass vaccination centres next week, the regional public health chief said on…

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16

Apr

Inquiry finds most Cyprus passports issued in investment scheme ‘illegal’

More than half the passports Cyprus issued to rich foreigners in an investment scheme were illegal, a government-appointed board of inquiry has found. More than 3,000 foreign investors who stumped…

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16

Apr

Italy to ease COVID-19 curbs in many regions as of April 26, PM Draghi says

ROME, April 16 (Reuters/ANSA) - Italy will ease coronavirus restrictions in many areas as of April 26, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Friday, slightly bringing forward the easing of restrictions originally…

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16

Apr

Italian prosecutor accuses WHO of hindering COVID investigation

An Italian prosecutor has accused the World Health Organization (WHO) of hindering efforts to investigate allegations that Italy failed to prepare adequately for the coronavirus pandemic. Prosecutors in the northern…

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16

Apr

France eyeing possible re-opening of some cultural and leisure venues from mid-May

PARIS, April 16 (Reuters) - The French government is working on gradually re-opening some cultural and leisure venues - such as outdoors restaurants and cafe terraces - from mid-May onwards,…

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16

Apr

French parliament approves landmark bill setting age of sexual consent at 15

French lawmakers gave final approval on Thursday to legislation setting the minimum age of sexual consent at 15, following a wave of allegations of sexual abuse and incest described as France's…

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16

Apr

Italy’s regions approve guidelines for reopening of activities after COVID-linked closures

ANSA) - ROME, APR 15 - Italy's regions on Thursday approved guidelines for reopening restaurants, bars, shops, gyms, cinemas and theatres after COVID-linked closures. The rules include two-metre distancing in…

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15

Apr

COVID-19 deaths in France exceed 100,000, eighth-highest toll in world

PARIS (Reuters) -France's COVID-19 death toll rose on Thursday to more than 100,000, according to the latest hospital figures from the health ministry, a bleak statistic for President Emmanuel Macron's…

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15

Apr

Greek foreign minister clashes with Turkish counterpart at news conference

ANKARA, April 15 (Reuters) - Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias clashed with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday at a joint news conference in Ankara that began with hopes of improved relations but quickly descended into acrimonious accusations from…

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15

Apr

Italy reported four clot deaths after AstraZeneca shots, data shows

ROME, April 15 (Reuters) - Four people died in Italy from rare blood clots after they received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, a report from the AIFA national pharmaceutical agency said…

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15

Apr

Turkey says all issues with Greece to be discussed in meeting on Thursday

 Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said he will discuss all disagreements between Turkey and Greece in a meeting with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Ankara on Thursday and that…

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15

Apr

Cyprus’s cabinet all receive AstraZeneca shots to win over public confidence

Cyprus’s entire cabinet was inoculated with the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 on Thursday in an attempt to win over a cautious public on the safety of the shots. Some countries…

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15

Apr

Photo Story: Snowy weather on the Dolomites

 A wintery landscape after snowfalls in Dolomites, Falcade, Italy. Photos: EPA-EFE/DIEGO COSTA

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15

Apr

Greece orders COVID self-testing for service workers

Greece will make self-testing for COVID-19 compulsory for service workers in sectors including shops, restaurants and transport, authorities said, as the government looks to gradually reopen the economy. Greece, which…

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15

Apr

Portugal abolishes scandal-ridden border service

Portugal’s border service, steeped in scandal after a Ukrainian man was beaten to death while in its custody at Lisbon airport, will be abolished on Thursday, the government said. Ihor…

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15

Apr

UPDATED: Two years after blaze, Notre-Dame still awaiting resurrection

On April 15, 2019, a devastating fire swept through Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral, tearing down the spire and destroying the roof of the landmark structure. Two years later, the cathedral remains…

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15

Apr

Portugal seeks to avoid summer visitor quarantines “at all costs”

Portugal will do its best to avoid visitors having to quarantine on arrival this summer, its secretary of state for tourism said, as Europe moves towards adopting a COVID-19 passport…

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15

Apr

Spain confident on vaccination targets despite J&J suspension

Spain is confident it can maintain its coronavirus vaccination targets despite the United States suspending the Johnson & Johnson shot and delays to its European rollout over clotting concerns, the…

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14

Apr

From electric cars to rural internet, this is Spain’s recovery plan

Spain outlined its Recovery and Resilience plan on Tuesday aiming to revive and modernise its economy after a record 10.8% contraction in 2020, using 72 billion euros ($85.87 billion) in…

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14

Apr

Italy suspends distribution of J&J shots after use paused in U.S

ROME (Reuters) - Italy said on Wednesday it had suspended the use of some 184,000 shots of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, after the brand delayed its introduction in…

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14

Apr

Greek PM says agrees to talks with Libya on maritime zones

Greece and Libya have agreed to hold talks on marking out their maritime zones in the Mediterranean, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, after a meeting with the president of…

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14

Apr

Photo Story – Trail of Serbian national accused of murder in Andorra, Spain

Serbian defendant Norbert Feher (C) in court during the third day of his trial in Teruel, Spain, 14 April 2021. Feher is accused of murdering a farmer and two Civil…

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14

Apr

Greece to lift quarantine rule for more travelers from next week

Greece plans to lift quarantine restrictions from next week for travelers from the European Union and five other countries who have been vaccinated or test negative for COVID-19, a senior…

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14

Apr

Italy’s medicines agency may discuss use of J&J vaccine only for over 60s

Italy's AIFA could discuss the possibility of using Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine only for people over the age of 60, the head of the medicines agency told a…

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14

Apr

UPDATED: Italy considering alternative options for Alitalia if talks with EU fail

Italy's government is exploring alternative plans for the revamp of troubled airline Alitalia should ongoing negotiations with the European Commission fail, Industry Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on Wednesday. "Discussions are…

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14

Apr

Italy might revamp COVID-19 tracing app for vaccine passports

Italy could revitalise the smartphone app it launched last year to trace COVID-19 infections and use it for so-called vaccine passports, Innovation Minister Vittorio Colao revealed. The app, called Immuni…

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13

Apr

France could return to pre-COVID normal economic growth levels by mid-2022 – Villeroy

France could return to pre-COVID normal economic growth levels by the middle of 2022, Bank of France governor and European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on Tuesday. "We will gradually climb back to the altitude we had prior to COVID," Villeroy told France Culture radio. The…

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13

Apr

Greece to receive first 33,600 doses of J&J COVID-19 vaccine this week

ATHENS, April 12 (Reuters) - Greece will get a first tranche of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine against COVID-19 on Wednesday and will start inoculating people with it next…

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13

Apr

Italian Campania region rejects Draghi’s ‘stupid’ vaccine guidelines

ROME (Reuters) - The head of Italy's southern Campania region said on Monday he would ignore a government order to give the elderly vaccination priority and would instead focus on…

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13

Apr

France reports nearly 6,000 COVID-19 intensive care patients

PARIS (Reuters) - The French health ministry reported that the number of patients in intensive care units with COVID-19 increased by another 78 to a new 2021 record of 5,916…

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12

Apr

Protesters scuffle again with Italian police over COVID-19 curbs

ROME, April 12 (Reuters) - Protesters scuffled with police for a second week running on Monday as frustrated restaurant and small business owners demonstrated against continued coronavirus restrictions that are…

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12

Apr

Greece’s Aegean Airlines posts full-year loss on pandemic impact

Greece's largest carrier Aegean Airlines on Monday reported a full-year net loss for 2020 as passenger traffic fell amid the coronavirus pandemic. Aegean said its net loss was 227.9 million…

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