Daily News Channel
May 1 marks five years since the European Union opened up to bring former eastern bloc countries into its fold, taking it to 27 members. But instead of fanfare and fireworks, the mood is muted in New Europe and among the E.U.’s veterans. The post-1989 boom in central and eastern Europe — when new E.U
Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is back in competitive action after breaking his collarbone in a race in Spain last month. Armstrong required intricate surgery after a crash in the Vuelta Castilla y Leon on March 23 and doubts were raised he would be fit in time for his bid for an eighth victory in the Tour.
The number of confirmed swine flu cases worldwide rose to 154, with six additional cases reported in Spain, the World Health Organization said Thursday. Until now, the country had four confirmed cases.
Leading cyclist Davide Rebellin tested positive for doping at the Beijing Games, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) told CNN on Wednesday. Rebellin, who won silver in the road race in China, has been suspended from all competition, a spokesman said. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) revealed on Tuesday that six athletes had given positive results as samples taken at the Beijing Games were re-tested for a more advanced strain of the blood-boosting hormone CERA.
The chairman of Societe Generale, the French bank whose reputation was hit by a massive trading scandal last year, said on Wednesday he would resign in the wake of repeated criticism over his performance. In a statement, Daniel Bouton said: “Like any manager, I have certainly made mistakes” while he led France’s second largest bank, “but the strategy adopted by Societe Generale has made it one of the finest banks in the euro zone.” “The repeated attacks against me personally in France for the past 15 months affect me, but most of all, they risk harming the bank and its 163,000 employees,” Bouton added, saying it was “better for me to withdraw, proud of having led a wonderful company.” Bouton was Societe Generale’s chief executive in January 2008 when the bank announced one of the world’s largest trading scandals, which caused losses of more than $7.2 billion. He resigned as CEO last May but stayed on as chairman.
Manufacturers and pharmacies are reporting a sharp increase in demand for face masks. Chemists in the UK and in France contacted by CNN said they had been out of face masks since Monday, attributing demand to fears over swine flu. Several told CNN they were unable to order new face masks as suppliers struggled to cope with demand
Concern that the world could be on the brink of the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years escalated Sunday as France, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Spain reported potential new cases in which people had been infected with swine flu and Canada confirmed several new cases. In the U.S., where 20 such infections have been confirmed, federal health officials declared a public-health emergency and are preparing to distribute to state and local agenciesa quarter of the country’s 50 million-dose stockpile of antiviral drugs. Meanwhile, in hard-hit Mexico, where more than 80 people have died from what is believed to be swine flu, the government closed all public schools and canceled hundreds of public events in Mexico City.
It’s early April, and President Obama is on his way to France with the nation’s top diplomat at his side.
Even at the beginning of the 20th century — before mass reproductions, package tours to France and The Da Vinci Code — Mona Lisa was different from other pictures. The woman with the enigmatic smile got so many love letters that her portrait was the only artwork at the Louvre to have its own mailbox.
Lance Armstrong was cleared Friday to ride in this year’s Tour de France, health permitting, after the French anti-doping agency confirmed it would not be launching disciplinary procedures against the seven-time champion. The agency opted not to take any action against the 37-year-old American in connection with an incident in the French Riviera town of Beaulieu-sur-Mer on March 17. Although Armstrong is recovering from breaking his collarbone in March, he has indicated he hopes to be ready for the Tour de France in July.