Robert Hackwill

USA

Twin NASA probes cap 2018 & start 2019 with a bang

Osiris-Rex arrives at Bennu asteroid, while on New Year's Day New Horizon makes an historic flyby of Ultima Thule.

30/12/2018

Italy

Italian government gets 2019 budget through parliament

The budget fixes the deficit at 2%, but lacks innovation and runs scared of EU spending limits, while some say despite the government's claims of reforms, it is business as usual.

30/12/2018

No Comment

Spanish dog lovers demand paws for thought for abandoned animals

Annual parade in Spain draws big crowd and many fancy.-dressed dogs.

30/12/2018

No Comment

Short banzai and sides at a remarkable Madrid barbershop

Forget scissors and razor blades; one Spanish barber has hit upon a dramatic way to cut hair that transforms a visit to the hairdressers into an event.

30/12/2018

USA

Trump blames "pathetic" Democrat immigration policies for childrens' deaths

Attributes death to rigours of desert crossing and ill-health.

30/12/2018

Economy

Italian government easily defeats vote of no-confidence

Shrugs off criticisms to pass 2019 budget that bows to Brussels and does not go nearly as far with public spending increases as first planned.

29/12/2018

Israel

Palestinians bury the latest victim of Gaza border protests

Hamas claims the death brings to 220 the number of fatalities attributable to Israeli bullets since the protests began.

29/12/2018

France

French Yellow vest protests lose strength

Marchers promise numbers will be up again once the Christmas holiday period is over.

29/12/2018

Egypt

Egyptian security forces kill 40 suspected militants

Men were killed in series of co.ordinated raids in Giza and the Sinai.

29/12/2018

Democratic Republic Of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo heads into high-risk elections

Fears of fraud, public unrest, delayed voting and disease; a perfect storm of factors threaten a peaceful vote on Sunday.

29/12/2018

Ukraine

Russia completes wall on Crimea-Ukraine border

Security barrier equipped with sensors to prevent "penetration by Ukrainian saboteurs".

28/12/2018

Greece

Bomb goes off outside Athens church

Seat of country's Catholic Archbishop targeted in attack by unknown assailants.

27/12/2018

World News

NGO ship with more than 300 migrants on board stranded on high seas

Ship that has been refused docking permission in Italy and Malta is low on supplies and heading for Spain.

23/12/2018

United Kingdom

British police release Gatwick airport suspects without charge

Hunt still on for perpetrators of drone disruption that grounded all flights at Britain's second airport, as investigators look into a damaged drone found abandoned near the perimeter.

23/12/2018

France

Yellow Vest protests lose bite as the French prepare for Christmas

Numbers are down along with incidents of violence & destruction but there's shock at the arrest of one of the Yellow Vest leaders in Paris.

23/12/2018

Ukraine

Russian warplanes arrive in Crimea

Over a dozen Sukhois deployed as tensions remain high in the area.

22/12/2018

No Comment

Havana hit by severe floods

Malecon sea wall in Cuban capital is breached by monster waves that residents say they have never seen before.

22/12/2018

No Comment

Spaniards hope to win big in Christmas "El Gordo"

The more than 200-year-old national lottery is a once-a-year chance to strike it filthy rich.

22/12/2018

Chad

Macron takes his chef & celebrities to entertain the troops in Chad

The weekend visit will also include talks with President Idriss Deby.

22/12/2018

France

'Yellow Vest protests': Death toll climbs to ten

Numbers are down around France and with the exception of a couple of hotspots, protests have been peaceful as the Christmas holiday season hits its stride.

22/12/2018