Center-right make gains amid EU vote apathy

Voters endorsed parties of the center-right in elections for the 736 seats of the European Parliament in the midst of a record low turnout, officials figures showed on Monday. Only 43 percent of the 375 million people eligible to vote in 27 countries visited the polls, according to European Parliament figures, continuing a fall in interest since elections for MEPs were first held 30 years ago

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Reshuffling the Deck Chairs on Gordon Brown’s Listing Ship

Say you were Prime Minister of Britain, waking every day to your national media proclaiming your political death, fending off challenges to your authority from a fractured and fractious Labour Party and bracing against disastrous results in municipal and European elections. You might think a government reshuffle would be the best way to reassert your authority

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UK, Netherlands vote in Euro elections

Voters in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands became the first European Union citizens to go to the polls Thursday to elect a new European Parliament. The massive election, involving all 27 member states, around 375 million eligible voters and 736 MEP seats, is the biggest exercise in transnational democracy the world has ever seen, with voters from Bulgaria and Romania, which joined the EU in 2007, participating for the first time.

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A330-200: Ultra-modern and extremely safe

Launched in 1995, the Airbus A330-200 is the newest member of the European aircraft manufacturer’s twinjet family. With a range of 12,500 km (6,750 nautical miles) and the capacity to carry 253 passengers, the A330-200 is extremely well-regarded as a medium to long-range airliner. There are 600 currently in service with 82 airlines, including Air France, worldwide

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Legend Figo ready to call curtain on career

Former World Player of the Year Luis Figo has announced that he will retire from football at the end of this season. The 36-year-old is hoping to go out on a high note after Inter Milan’s match match of the Italian season at home to Atalanta on Sunday. Jose Mourinho’s side have already wrapped up the Serie A title — the fourth that former Portugal captain Figo has won with the club since joining from Real Madrid in 2005

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Fiat pulls out of Opel takeover talks

The future of Opel remained uncertain Friday after Italian car giant Fiat withdrew from talks in Berlin due to concerns over emergency funding demanded by the German government for the ailing automaker. Fiat had been one of two potential bidders, along with Canadian-Austrian supplier Magna, still in the running to take over Opel, which is currently owned by General Motors. Fiat said in a statement Friday it remained interested in taking control of Opel but said the German government’s demand for the potential suitors to provide $417 million in short-term funding would expose Fiat to “unnecessary and unwarranted risks.” “Fiat remains open and committed to continue discussions with all parties involved with a view to find a stable and lasting solution for the industrial activities of Opel,” Fiat said

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United, Barcelona set for showdown in Rome

Manchester United and Barcelona are making their final preparations for Wednesday’s Champions League final in Rome in which the English and Spanish clubs will go head to head for the biggest prize in European club football. Wednesday’s final at the 67,000-capacity Stadio Olimpico, which kicks off at 8.45 p.m. local time (1445 ET), is the most eagerly awaited match of the season, bringing together two of the continent’s best supported and most successful teams — both with reputations for attacking football

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Royalty to attend Champions League final

British heir to the throne Prince William is to attend tonight’s Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona in Rome, in his capacity as President of the English Football Association (FA). The Prince will meet key officials and other dignitaries in private before the match, during half-time and after the match

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