The Dispatch

Church in Ireland urges parents not to buy smartphones as Holy Communion gifts

Archbishop Eamon Martin, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, has advised parents against buying smartphones for their children as a Holy Communion present, saying there are "an…

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Junior minister from Salvini’s Lega sentenced to jail

A Genoa court found a junior minister from the right-wing League party guilty in an embezzlement case, a verdict set to further ignite tensions within the country’s fractious ruling coalition.…

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Reports of child left to die on abandoned dingy off Libyan coast, AFM saves 75 persons stranded on tuna pen

A five-year-old child died on board a rubber dingy in difficulty adrift off the coast of Libya during an attempt to reach European shores. According to Alarm Phone,…

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New Etna eruption early this morning

A new eruption started overnight on the Etna in Sicily, at around 3 am local time. A small effusive fissure opened on the south-south-eastern base of the New SE crater…

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Arrests in France for looting the archives of libraries throughout Europe

With the support of Europol, the French National Police (OCBC - National Unit in charge of Cultural goods trafficking) and the Spanish Guardia Civil (UCO) have dismantled an organised…

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Italy’s Lega close to deal with UK’s Farage in the European Parliament

Italian Lega MEP Marco Zanni said that the Italian party is close to reaching an agreement with Nigel Farage's Brexit party for an alliance at the European level. Zanni said…

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ECB warns Italy: Obey the budget rules or face the consequences

European Central Bank Vice President Luis de Guindos warned that Italy needs to obey European Union budget rules or face higher borrowing costs that could hurt its economy even more.…

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Mediaset buys stake in German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1

Italian television group Mediaset announced it acquired 9.6 percent of German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1. Mediaset, which is owned by the family of former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, will become the…

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Former Spanish King Juan Carlos I to retire from public life

The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos I, announced he is to withdraw from official events and retire from public life from June 2, which will be the five-year…

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Video cameras to be mandatory in Italy for nurseries, care homes

The Italian Senate's public works and environment committees this week approved a measure for the mandatory installation of video surveillance cameras at nursery schools and care homes for the elderly…

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Possible East Med alliance in the offing to counter Russia

Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, says the U.S. is looking for friendly nations in the Eastern Mediterranean region that share core democratic values in light…

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French police arrest suspect wanted for Lyon bombing

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner has announced that police have arrested a man suspected of being behind last week’s bomb blast in Lyon that injured 13 people. Castaner…

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Europe Votes: Huge win for Salvini in Italy, M5S falls to 3rd place

Matteo Salvini, Lega Party, got a big boost in the European Parliamentary election to become the No. 1 party in Italy, after winning more than 30 percent of the vote,…

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Europe Votes: Italy, the projections – Exit Polls (Updated)

Exit Polls Salvini's Lega Nord is expected to get between 31% and 27%. The PD anything between 21% and 25% while the M5s anything between 18.5% and 22.5%. This…

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Europe Votes: Cyprus, the Exit Polls, the projections (Updated)

Exit Polls : National parties Percentage (%) DISY – Democratic Rally (EPP) 31.80% ΑΚΕL –Progressive Party of Working People (GUE) 26.00% DIKO –Democratic Party (S&D) 11.90% EDEK –Movement for Social Democrats EDEK (S&D) 9.80% ELAM –National…

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Europe Votes: Spain, the projections

This is a summary of Politico’s projections for the voting today in Spain: Spain – The Projections If the turnout of 43.81% is maintained in this vote, Politico predicts PSOE…

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Europe Votes: Portugal, the projections

This is a summary of Politico’s projections for the voting today in Portugal: Portugal – The Projections If turnout of 33.67% is maintained in this vote, Politico predicts PS will…

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Italy wants greater role in upcoming nominations for top EU posts

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told European Council President Donald Tusk that Italy has the right to a lead role when it comes to the upcoming nominations for top…

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French police appeal for information after Lyon bombing

French police have made an appeal for information in their hunt for a man suspected of planting a parcel bomb in Lyon on Friday afternoon. In the explosion 13 people…

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Italy’s Foreign Minister says immigration should be EU’s top priority

Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi told a ANSA Forum on Thursday that this week's European elections could create a sort of constituent assembly for a new EU in which immigration…

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PSG chief Al-Khelaifi charged with corruption

Paris Saint-Germain chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi was on Thursday charged with corruption over the bidding process for this year's world athletics championships in Doha, judicial sources said. Al-Khelaifi, who is also…

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Former Italian PM Mario Monti appeals for a different Europe

In an exclusive interview with Euronews former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has said that "we need a different Europe", and warned about the "dangers" of nationalist parties, ahead of…

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Haftar says no Libyan ceasefire for now

Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar said in a meeting on Wednesday with French President Emmanuel Macron that he cannot work toward a cease-fire because he has no one with whom…

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Spanish Civil Guard uncover unusual vehicle tax avoidance scheme

The Spanish Civil Guard, supported by Europol, have uncovered an unusual vehicle tax avoidance scheme and that resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals and the seizure of 11 vehicles.…

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Prada to stop using fur from next year

Italian luxury fashion house Prada announced it will stop using animal fur in its products from next year. Prada said it is making the change to meet the demand…

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Father in Italy suspected of killing 2-yr-old son

Italian Police arrested a 25-year-old man suspected of killing his two-year-old son in a Milan apartment. Aljich Rhustic, 25, was born in Florence and has Croatian roots, is thought to…

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One dead after a bus overturns in Italy near Siena

One person died and several were injured after a busfull of tourists overturned on a road in the area of Monteriggioni, near Siena, in Italy. The bus is said to…

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Use of human remains as compost legalised in Washington

Washington has become the first state in the US to legalise human composting. Under the new law, people there can now choose to have their body turned into soil…

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Photo Story: Frenchman sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug smuggling

Felix Dorfin of France (L) at his trial at a court in Mataram, Lombok island, Indonesia, 20 May 2019. An Indonesian court sentenced France national Felix Dorfin to death for…

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Photo Story: French Navy fighters make emergency landing in Indonesia

A French Navy fighter pilot make a final check up to his Rafale aircraft before taking off from Sultan Iskandar Muda Military Base at Aceh Besar, Indonesia, 20 May 2019.…

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Greece expects more than five million cruise passengers this summer

Greece’s Union of Cruise Shipowners and Associated Members estimated that Greek ports are expected to welcome more than five million cruise passengers this summer, breaking last year’s record. The experts…

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Photo Story: Alain Delon Photocall at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival

French actor Alain Delon poses during a photocall at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, 19 May 2019. Delon will receive a Honorary Palme D’Or award…

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Pope Francis urges journalists to persevere with the reports of the forgotten people who suffer

In an address to the Foreign Press Association at the Vatican on Saturday, Pope Francis urged journalists to reject fake news and to persevere with the reports on the troubling…

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Shooting in Naples hospital

A young gunman wearing a helmet opened fire in the courtyard of Naples' Vecchio Pellegrini hospital overnight, sources said on Friday. The intended target appears to have been a 22-year-old…

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Spanish PM investiture vote early July

Acting Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa said that Spain's new parliament will likely vote at the beginning of July on who will become prime minister. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's…

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Photo Story: Eiffel Tower’s 130th anniversary

Moments from the laser light show at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, as the French capital marks its 130th anniversary. The 12-minute laser light show recounting the history of…

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Portugal’s Parliament rejects vote for 16-year-olds

Portugal’s parliament has rejected a resolution calling for an extraordinary constitutional review to establish the right to vote for 16- and 17-year-olds. The debate in the assembly saw many participants…

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Veteran ETA leader arrested in France

Spanish authorities announced that a long-time chief of the Basque separatist militant group ETA has been arrested in the French Alps. Authorities had been looking for Jose Antonio Urruticoetxea…

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Photo Story: Children saved from Libya go for a drive with Pope Francis

Pope Francis gave a lift to eight children who only last month were airlifted out of Libya. Pope Francis took eight children rescued from crisis-hit Libya for a ride in…

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Envelope containing bullet sent to Turin Mayor

An envelope containing a bullet was sent to Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino's office. A report about the threatening package was first reported by Corriere della Sera. Appendino also had…

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Pope Francis names Bishop Baldacchino to lead diocese in New Mexico

Pope Francis on Wednesday appointed Bishop Peter Baldacchino to head the Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico. With this appointment Baldacchino became the first diocesan bishop associated with the…

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Cargo ship on fire off Spanish coast

Spanish emergency services were evacuating the crew of Italian-flagged vehicle transport ship “Grande Europa”, which caught fire 25 miles south of the main city of Palma on the island of…

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Light tremor registered in Greece

An earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale hit southern Greece 2 km north of Kavásilas, the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens announced. No injuries or major…

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Cyprus expresses anger at UK about comments on offshore economic rights

President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus said his government would lodge a complaint to British Prime Minister Theresa May over remarks by Britain's Foreign Office minister that Nicosia considers"unacceptable" remarks.…

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French doctor suspected of poisoning over 50 patients

A French doctor already charged with poisoning seven patients was taken into custody for questioning over the suspected poisoning of around 50 other patients. Frederic Pechier worked as an anaesthesiologist…

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Four Catholics killed during a procession in Burkina Faso

Armed assailants killed four Catholics and destroyed a statue of the Virgin Mary in northern Burkina Faso, Catholic church officials revealed, the third deadly attack against Christians in the West…

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Early termination of Fazio’s ‘Che Fuori Tempo Che Fa’ causes a stir in Italy

Italian State broadcaster RAI's decision to close the season of TV talk show host Fabio Fazio's 'Che Fuori Tempo Che Fa' programme three episodes early caused controversy on Monday. The…

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Photo Story: Fatima’s 13 May annual pilgrimage

The figure of Our Lady of Fatima is carried in a procession during the 13 May annual pilgrimage to Fatima Sanctuary in Ourem, Portugal. Pilgrims travel to Fatima year round…

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Air France to cut close to 500 jobs

Air France will cut 465 ground staff jobs from its domestic services as it reduces short-haul capacity under competitive pressure from low-cost rivals and high-speed trains, parent company Air France-KLM…

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Floods in Italy

Heavy rains in Emilia-Romagna and hail in Puglia resulted in overflowing rivers and huge damage for agriculture. In Puglia on Sunday, hail, wind and heavy rain caused serious damage to…

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The Washington Post’s eulogy to Archbishop Charles Scicluna

The Washington Post, one of the United States leading and most respected newspaper, published what could be best described as a far reaching eulogy for Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna. In…

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Polish Cardinal defies Italian police to restore electricity to homeless shelter

Polish Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Pope Francis' almoner - the person is in charge of the pope's charities and helping the poor- on Sunday lowered himself into a manhole to restore…

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UPDATED: Religious tension escalates in Sri Lanka, social media networks blocked

Police have imposed a curfew in the Sri Lankan town Chilaw after a dispute between Christians and Muslims, that began on Facebook, turned violent. In the meantime, Sri Lankan…

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French MPs pass law to rebuild Notre Dame cathedral in five years

French MPs have approved a law aimed at restoring the fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral within five years after it suffered great damage in a blaze last month. A special bill…

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Ex Italian political stalwart Gianni de Michelis dies aged 78

Gianni de Michelis, a stalwart of the Italian Socialist Party and of the Italian political scene in the 80s and 90s, has died, aged 78. The news was given by…

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Berlusconi wants EPP to form alliance with far right

Silvio Berlusconi has joined Hungary's Viktor Orban in calling on Europe's conservatives to form an alliance with the far right. Italy's ex-prime minister is running for a seat in this…

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Greek Government wins vote of confidence

Greece's left-wing government late Friday won a confidence vote called by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras nearly two weeks before European Parliament elections. The vote of confidence followed a motion by…

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