The Dispatch

Greeks walk off the job to protest over deadly train crash

By Renee Maltezou and Alkis Konstantinidis ATHENS, March 16 (Reuters) - Flights to and from Greece were grounded and ships remained docked at ports on Thursday, as Greek workers walked…

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Meloni says Italy not ready to pass reform of euro zone bailout fund

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday "further reflection" was needed before her government could ratify a reform of the euro zone's 500 billion euro ($526.15…

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French pension reform heads for final parliamentary votes on Thursday

By Elizabeth Pineau and Antony Paone Millions attended nationwide protests since mid-January Bill approved by joint parliamentary committee But approval by full houses of parliament not a done deal Protesters…

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Pope urges ‘respect’ for Orthodox monastery facing eviction in Kyiv

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis called for "respect" of religious sites in Ukraine, as he mentioned the monastery from which the Russian-aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) is facing eviction.…

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Italy finds 5 more bodies from Feb. 26 shipwreck, taking death toll to 86

ROME, March 15 (Reuters) - Italian authorities have found the bodies of five more victims of a shipwreck last month off the coast of Calabria, bringing to 86 the death…

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Rush for golden visas after Portugal’s decision to end much-criticised scheme

LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's plan to end its golden visa scheme for investors, yet to be officially approved, has led to a rush in applications according to advisory firms who…

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Schinas says Wagner ‘accessory’ in migrant crisis

European Commission Vice President and Commissioner for Promoting our European Way of Life Margaritis Schinas said that the Russian Wagner mercenary group was an accessory in the migrant crisis, answering…

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Paris mayor vows to keep Russian, Belarusian athletes out of Olympics

The Mayor of Paris said it was unthinkable that Russian and Belarusian athletes should be allowed to take part in the 2024 Summer Olympics under their national flags, adding she…

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Italy’s Meloni says her ‘conscience is clear’ after migrant shipwrecks

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Monday that her government had faced "atrocious" accusations but that her conscience was clear, after Rome's ability to rescue migrants at sea came under…

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Pope Francis: His 10 years in numbers

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Here are some statistics about Pope Francis, who on Monday marks the 10th anniversary of his election as head of the 1.38-billion-member Roman Catholic Church. The…

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Pope Francis’ papacy in his own words

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Below are some memorable quotes from Pope Francis, who marks the 10th anniversary of his election as pontiff on March 13. The quotes are arranged according…

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The life and times of Pope Francis as he marks his 10th anniversary as pontiff

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Following are some of the major events of the life and ministry of Pope Francis, who marks the 10th anniversary of his election as pontiff on…

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Outrage after another boat full of migrants capsizes in central Mediterranean

By Federico Maccioni Migrant boat capsized en route from Libya 30 people missing, 17 rescued, Italy's coast guard says Migrant arrivals keep rising despite government hard line ROME, March 13…

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UPDATED: Pope Francis marks 10th anniversary with Mass and podcast

VATICAN CITY, March 13 (Reuters) - Pope Francis marks 10 years as head of the Roman Catholic Church on Monday celebrating Mass with cardinals in the chapel of the Vatican's…

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Spain’s coalition government strikes deal on pensions, shifting cost to high earners

By Belén Carreño MADRID, March 10 (Reuters) - Spain's Socialists and their junior coalition partners Unidas Podemos have struck a deal on changes to the pension system that will put…

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French strikes disrupt fuel deliveries, power supply for fourth day

PARIS, March 10 (Reuters) - Deliveries were blocked from leaving TotalEnergies' TTEF.PA refineries and depots on Friday, a company spokesperson said, as workers extended a strike over planned pension reforms…

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Spanish health officials warning to tourists on Dengue fever cases in Ibiza

People planning to travel to Ibiza over the summer are being warned of an increased risk of dengue fever after an outbreak on the Spanish island. Health officials have issued…

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UPDATED: After tough years, France and Britain tout post-Brexit reset

UK PM aims for reset after years of post-Brexit disputes Britain wants further help to tackle small boat migrants Ukraine, defence projects and energy also on the agenda By Michel…

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Pope says Ukraine war fuelled not just by ‘Russian empire’

VATICAN CITY, March 10 (Reuters) - The war in Ukraine is driven by the interests of several "empires" and not just of Russia's, Pope Francis said in an interview published…

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Italy toughens jail terms for migrant smugglers after shipwreck

ROME (Reuters) - The Italian government approved tougher jail terms for human smugglers on Thursday, days after at least 72 migrants died when their fragile, wooden boat smashed apart in…

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Schools closed after earthquake close to city of Perugia

ROME, (Reuters) – Schools will be kept closed after a powerful earthquake shook a region of central Italy close to the city of Perugia on Thursday evening. An initial report…

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Italy’s energy authority sees gas, electricity prices falling

MILAN, March 9 (Reuters) - Italy's energy authority Arera sees a fall in consumers' electricity bills of more than 20% in the second quarter of the year, its president Stefano…

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Greek PM apologises for deadly train crash, promises to fix railways

ATHENS, March 9 (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologised on Thursday for a train crash that killed 57 people, promising to fix long-standing deficiencies in the railway sector…

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French pension strikes continue to disrupt power output, fuel supplies

TotalEnergies says no fuel deliveries from its refineries No deliveries from Esso's Fos, Port Jerome back to normal Power supplies reduced by 13% but no imports needed By Forrest Crellin…

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UPDATED: Italy minister backs Israeli call to recognise Jerusalem as capital

By Francesca Piscioneri ROME, March 9 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he would ask Italy to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the country, obtaining…

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Qatargate investigation shifts to Italy

Italian officials have launched their own probe into whether a Milan firm, Equality Consultancy, helped launder Qatar’s bribes for EU lawmakers, a person familiar with the investigation confirmed. And on…

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Cablenet, part of the GO Group, confirmed as fastest growing telco provider in Cyprus

Cablenet, a company forming part of the GO Group, and the first foreign company successfully listed on the Malta Stock Exchange, has once again proven its resiliency and adaptability with…

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Suspected trafficker held in Austria after Italy shipwreck disaster

ROME (Reuters) - A fourth suspected human trafficker has been arrested in connection with a shipwreck off southern Italy last month in which at least 72 people died, an Italian…

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French Senate votes raising retirement age to 64

PARIS, March 9 (Reuters) - French senators early on Thursday voted in favour of raising the legal retirement age to 64 from 62, a first win for President Emmanuel Macron's…

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Macron backs enshrining right to abortion in French constitution

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday he backed including the right to abortion in the constitution, a move he said would send a signal of solidarity…

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Italian court postpones decision over Tuscan LNG terminal to July

An Italian administrative court has postponed to July 5 a decision over a complaint against a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Tuscan port of Piombino, the court said on…

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As Francis marks 10 years as Pope, conservatives confront post-Benedict era

Pope Francis marks the 10th anniversary of his election on March 13 having outlasted the conservative opposition that failed to bring him down and which is now at a crossroads, seeking new…

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Trains halted, schools shut in France as unions seek to block pension reform

Most trains came to a halt, oil refineries were blocked and power production reduced in France on Tuesday as unions organised a sixth day of nationwide strikes against President Emmanuel…

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Shipwreck grief must translate into action – Mattarella

Italian President Sergio Mattarella said that action must be taken after yet another migrant tragedy hit Italy last week following a shipwreck off the Calabrian coast. 70 individuals, including 16…

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After $15 billion award, sultan’s heirs target Malaysian properties in Paris

French bailiffs attempted to enforce a seizure order on three Paris properties owned by the Malaysian government in a case linked to a $15 billion court award to descendants of…

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Greece train disaster exposes rail network neglect

On Feb. 7, Greek rail workers issued a statement complaining about yet another minor accident on the network earlier this year and warning a more serious incident was all but…

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Italy ministers fume over proposed smoking ban

The Italian health minister's proposals to extend a smoking ban include the outdoor areas of bars and parks, according to details reported by local media, drawing the ire of right-wing cabinet colleagues…

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Spain’s inflation to be lower this year than in 2022

MADRID, March 6 (Reuters) - Spanish Economy Minister Nadia Calvino said on Monday she expects inflation will be lower this year than in 2022 though there will be "a lot…

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French strikes over pension reform plans to disrupt public transport on Tuesday

By Mathieu Rosemain and Benjamin Mallet PARIS (Reuters) - Industrial action in France over the government's planned pensions overhaul will cause heavy disruption to public transport again on Tuesday, the…

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Photo Story: Preparations of the traditional Fest Las Fallas in Valencia

People prepare the papier-mache and wood sculptures ahead of the traditional Fest Las Fallas in Valencia, eastern of Spain, 06 March 2023. La Fallas commemorates Saint Joseph, whose profession was…

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Deal with main supermarket chains in France to help shoppers cope with food price

By Dominique Vidalon PARIS, March 6 (Reuters) - French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has reached a deal with the country's main supermarket chains to help shoppers cope with food…

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UPDATED: Greek railway workers extend strike over train crash

ATHENS, March 6 (Reuters) - Greek rail workers went on strike for a sixth day on Monday to protest over safety conditions following a train crash last week that killed…

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Italian PM Meloni says let’s heed Pope’s words, stop human traffickers

Premier Giorgia Meloni said that it was necessary to heed Pope Francis's call to take action to stop human traffickers in the wake of last week's migrant-boat shipwreck off Calabria…

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Thousands protest in Athens after Greece’s deadly train crash

ATHENS, March 5 (Reuters) - Clashes erupted briefly between police and a group of demonstrators in central Athens on Sunday on the fringes of a protest by thousands of students…

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Stop human traffickers, Pope Francis says after Italy’s migrant shipwreck

VATICAN CITY, March 5 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday called on authorities to stop human traffickers operating in the Mediterranean, as he expressed his sorrow over last week's migrant…

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EU orders Italy to recover unpaid property taxes by the Catholic Church

ROME (Reuters) - The European Commission has ordered the Italian government to recover from the Catholic Church tax arrears on its vast property portfolio, in a move potentially worth hundreds…

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Spain announces law promoting gender parity in politics and business

MADRID, March 4 (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday announced a gender equality law that will require more equal representation of women and men in politics, business and other…

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Greece to wrap up search at train crash site as anger simmers

ATHENS (Reuters) -Rescuers continued digging through debris on Saturday at the site of Greece's worst train crash but were expected to wrap up their search operation later in the day.…

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Italy’s Meloni says on track to rebuild ‘excellent’ relations with UAE

MILAN (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday said her meeting with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan had gone well and the two governments…

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Six million foreigners in Italy, irregular migrants down

Italy's foreign population stood at just over 6 million at the start of 2022, marking a rise of 88,000 over the previous year according to the 28th annual report on…

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Spain to extend seasonal migrant workers programme to Senegal

By Belén Carreño MADRID, March 2 (Reuters) - Spain is extending a so-called circular migration programme to its first sub-Saharan African country, bringing in at least 100 people from Senegal…

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Greek unemployment drops to 10.8% in January, lowest since 2009

ATHENS, (Reuters) - Greece's jobless rate eased to 10.8% in January, down from an upwardly revised 12.4% in December, data from statistics service ELSTAT showed. Seasonally adjusted data showed 501,948…

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Spanish services activity grows at fastest pace since April – PMI

MADRID, March 3 (Reuters) - Activity in the Spanish services sector grew at its fastest pace in 10 months in February, its fourth straight month of expansion, spurred by higher…

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Italian service sector picks up speed in Feb-PMI

March 3 (Reuters) - Activity in Italy's service sector grew at its fastest rate in eight months in February, boosted by gains in new business, while there were signs that…

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France’s Macron to host King Charles in first visit abroad as monarch

By Michel Rose PARIS, March 3 (Reuters) - King Charles will travel to France on March 26-29 for his first state visit as Britain's monarch, the French presidency said on…

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Former Italy PM Conte investigated over response to COVID pandemic

MILAN (Reuters) - Italian prosecutors have placed former prime minister Giuseppe Conte under investigation for allegedly mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in early 2020. The total of 19 suspects also…

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Strike, protests in Greece as anger grows over train crash

By Karolina Tagaris and Lefteris Papadimas LARISSA, Greece, March 3 (Reuters) - Greek railway workers extended their strike to a second day on Friday, and more protest rallies were planned,…

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