Poor weather has forced seven French navy fighter jets taking part in a training exercise to make emergency landings in northern Indonesia. Local air force base commander Col. Hendro Arief says the crews of seven Dassault Rafale combat planes landed safely at Sultan Iskandar Muda air force base in Aceh province on Saturday, 90 minutes after taking off from their aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Indian Ocean. Arief says the jets were holding a training exercise outside of Indonesian territory when bad weather forced them to land while returning to their carrier, which was about 100 nautical miles west of Sumatra island. He said Sunday that Indonesia's air force has completed a comprehensive inspection of the planes. … [Read more...] about 7 French navy fighter jets make emergency landing in Indonesia
Europe
Netherlands wins Eurovision as Madonna dancers spark controversy
The extravaganza passed off without too much political controversy, though two incidents temporarily drew attention away from the songs and toward Israel's conflict with the Palestinians. Local media showed images of two of Madonna's dancers side-by-side with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs during her performance. Icelandic group Hatari meanwhile displayed scarfs with Palestinian flags when results were being announced. The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the event, condemned both displays. Referring to Madonna's dancers, it said "this element of the performance was not part of the rehearsals". "The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event and Madonna had been made aware of this." After performances by all 26 finalists, Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands took the prize with the stirring power ballad "Arcade". Italy finished second and Russia third. … [Read more...] about Netherlands wins Eurovision as Madonna dancers spark controversy
May to make MPs a final offer on Brexit deal
May said that when she brings the Withdrawal Agreement Bill before parliament early next month, it will come with a new package of measures attached that she hopes can command majority support. "I still believe there is a majority in parliament to be won for leaving with a deal," May wrote in The Sunday Times newspaper. MPs have already three times rejected the deal May struck with Brussels, forcing Britain's EU departure date to be pushed back from 29 March to 12 April and again to 31 October. The bill is needed to ratify the divorce agreement struck with the European Union. On Thursday, May agreed to set out a timetable for her departure following the vote in the week beginning 3 June, regardless of whether MPs back her deal at the fourth time of asking. … [Read more...] about May to make MPs a final offer on Brexit deal
Climate change concerns sours Germany’s love for cars
Berlin (CNN)In car-loving Germany, climate change has become a leading -- but divisive -- issue for German voters going into European elections. A new Deutschland Trend poll by national broadcaster ARD, shows that 48% of respondents listed climate change as their biggest concern. Everything you need to know about the European elections On one side are younger, urban voters, demanding immediate steps to become a carbon-neutral country. On the other, are an older, rural generation who grew prosperous under Germany's coal-powered, automobile-driven economy. "Young people are much more involved with digitalization now," explains Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research in Duisburg-Essen. "They are almost more happy to get the latest iPhone as a present than a car." Extinction Rebellion climate change activists lie on the floor to symbolize a "mass die" at the Gendarmenmarkt square in Berlin on April 27, 2019. Read More Germany has … [Read more...] about Climate change concerns sours Germany’s love for cars
New political climate may boost European Greens
Europe By Bethany Bell BBC News 19 May 2019 Share this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with WhatsApp Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share Share this with These are external links and will open in a new window Email Share this with Email Facebook Share this with Facebook Messenger Share this with Messenger Messenger Share this with Messenger Twitter Share this with Twitter Pinterest Share this with Pinterest WhatsApp Share this with WhatsApp LinkedIn Share this with LinkedIn Copy this link https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48280135 Read more about sharing. These are external links and will open in a new window Close share panel Related TopicsEuropean elections 2019 Are Europe's Green parties benefiting from a Greta Thunberg effect?The … [Read more...] about New political climate may boost European Greens