Hunt Plans to Extend UK Tax Breaks for Hospitality, Small Firms
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is planning to extend tax breaks for the hospitality sector and small
2023-11-17 23:29
UK Chancellor Has ‘Wafer Thin’ Room for Tax Cut, Analyst Says
UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is likely to take an ax to the welfare bill to find savings for
2023-11-17 22:18
France’s first lady Brigitte thought Emmanuel Macron would ‘fall for someone his own age’
France’s first lady has revealed how she thought her husband Emmanuel Macron would fall in love with someone his own age after he was sent away to boarding school as a teenager for pursuing his teacher. The president was 15 when he fell for Brigitte Macron, then a 39-year-old drama teacher at the Catholic Providence school in Amiens, in northern France. The schoolboy’s parents had believed their son was dating his teacher’s daughter, Laurence, until the truth came out through a family friend. Shocked at the illicit affair, the Macrons removed their teenager from the school and sent him to boarding school in Paris. In an interview with Paris Match magazine, Ms Macron said she thought Emmanuel would move on when he was sent to Paris. But while his parents hoped distance would cool the burning embers of passion, the young Emmanuel vowed to marry the former Ms Auziere and held fast to his oath. “For me, such a young boy was crippling. Emmanuel had to leave for Paris. I told myself that he would fall in love with someone his [own] age. It didn’t happen,” Ms Macron said. The couple, who have a 24-year age gap, married in 2007. Becoming a very youthful stepfather at the age of 29 to Brigitte’s three adult children, he told them at the wedding reception: “Thanks for accepting us, a not-quite-normal couple.” Ms Macron said her children were the “obstacle” that caused her to wait a decade before marrying Emmanuel. She said: “I took time so I would not wreck their lives. That lasted 10 years, the time to put them on the rails. You can imagine what they were hearing. But I didn’t want to miss out on my life.” Mr Macron became France’s youngest ever president at the age of 39 – the same age that his wife, now 64, was when they met. Praising her husband, the first lady said his sharp intellect still surprises her every day. She said: “I have never seen such a memory ... such an intellectual capacity. I had many brilliant pupils, and none had his capability. I have always admired him.” Many commentators have said the obsession with their age gap is an example of deeply ingrained misogyny, since men in positions of power are frequently married to much younger women. Read More EU commission to prolong use of glyphosate for 10 more years after member countries fail to agree King’s busy coronation year of milestones and royal tours Somber bugles and bells mark Armistice Day around the globe as wars drown out peace messages Watch as Macron commemorates anniversary of First World War Armistice in Paris Growing concerns from allies over Israel's approach to fighting Hamas as civilian casualties mount Watch view over Israel-Gaza border as thousands continue to flee
2023-11-17 21:53
Israel Latest: Hezbollah Targets Army Posts on Lebanon Border
Hezbollah said it targeted three Israeli military positions on the border with Lebanon on Friday, with Israel’s army
2023-11-17 20:52
Camco Fund to Mobilize $1.6 Billion for Africa Power
A UK-government backed renewable energy fund plans to mobilize $1.6 billion to help provide 16 million people and
2023-11-17 20:23
Germany to Lend South Africa €500 Million for Energy Switch
Germany, through its KfW development bank, will on Friday sign an agreement to lend South Africa €500 million
2023-11-17 19:58
Meloni Says Italy’s Asylum Plan Could be European Model
Italy’s European partners have expressed interest in its deal to hold migrants in Albania and process their asylum
2023-11-17 19:54
Russia-Ukraine war – live: Kyiv adds to losses of Putin’s forces in ‘successful’ strikes along Dnipro River
Ukrainian troops have conducted a “series of successful operations” against Putin’s troops following a breakthrough on the eastern bank of the River Dnipro. In a statement, the Ukrainian Marines said they had established several bridgeheads across the river in the Russian-occupied part of Kherson region and were continuing to carry out operations. It comes as Russia intensified its strikes on Ukrainian ports overnight, including Odessa. The Ukrainian air force said it downed nine out of 10 Iranian-made Shahed drones over Mykolayiv and Odessa. Meanwhile, Ukraine forced Russia’s naval fleet to pull back in the eastern part of the Black Sea, president Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed. “For the first time in the world, it was in the Black Sea that a fleet of naval drones began to operate – a Ukrainian fleet,” Mr Zelensky wrote on Telegram. “I would also like to note that now – as one of the main results of our actions – Russia is unable to use the Black Sea as a springboard to destabilise other regions of the world.” Read More David Cameron meets Zelensky in Ukraine in first visit as foreign secretary – and praises Boris Johnson In Russia, more Kremlin critics are being imprisoned as intolerance of dissent grows Russian court convicts a woman for protesting the war in Ukraine in latest crackdown on free speech Bombs, betrayal and burying loved ones: Plight of one Ukraine village illustrates toll of Russia’s invasion
2023-11-17 19:54
ECB’s Holzmann Says Rate Cut in Second Quarter Would be Too Soon
The European Central Bank won’t cut interest rates in the second quarter, Governing Council member Robert Holzmann said,
2023-11-17 19:17
Europe’s Banks to Focus on Cost Cuts as Rates-Driven Boom Fades
European lenders are set to focus more on cost savings in 2024, as benefits from rising interest rates
2023-11-17 18:54
Iceland volcano – live: Eruption likely scientists warn as country’s ‘biggest bulldozer’ builds defences
A volcanic eruption could destroy the Icelandic town of Grindavik or lead to extensive ash clouds, experts have warned. The country has been shaken by more than 800 small earthquakes, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country. Scientists have said an eruption at some point is ‘likely’. It comes as a Caterpillar D11 - said to be Iceland’s biggest bulldozer - has been dispatched to help build defences. The huge piece of equipment is constructing trenches to reduce the damage caused by any eventual disaster. Almost 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik over the weekend as authorities feared that molten rock would rise to the surface of the earth and potentially hit the coastal town and a geothermal power station. Ragga Agustsdottir, who lives close to Grindavik, said residents were fearful of what could happen if an eruption struck. Scientists have warned Iceland’s south-western peninsula could face “decades” of volcanic instability following eruptions along the peninsula. Read More Biggest volcanic eruptions in the last 10 years as Iceland town faces devastation ‘It’s like a dystopian movie’: Iceland residents describe ‘apocalyptic’ scenes as they flee volcano threat Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption? Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Your rights if you have a holiday booked
2023-11-17 18:52
Traders Bet on ECB Rate Cuts Next Year
Europe’s sputtering economy is causing traders to bet on a faster pace of interest rate cuts next year.
2023-11-17 18:25