Ryanair scores in fight to block rivals’ billion dollar bailouts

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair scored two major victories on Wednesday when Europe's second-highest court ruled that billions of dollars in state aid granted to rivals KLM and TAP were not properly carried out.

The court annulled the aid granted to both carriers but suspended the recovery of the money pending the Commission's next move.

Toni Waterman has more from Brussels.


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France eases coronavirus restrictions on culture and hospitality sectors

The next stage of the French government's plan to reopen the economy and loosen restrictions comes into effect from today/Wednesday 19 May.

Cafes and restaurants can now reopen their outside areas and cinemas, museums, theatres, and non-essential shops can also reopen.

They have been closed for more than six months since the second Covid-19 lockdown in France in October 2020.

Ross Cullen reports.

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JENNY MCGEE SUBJECT OF QUESTION AT UK PMQs

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's been asked about Kiwi nurse Jenny McGee in the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session in the House of Commons.

Having cared for Boris Johnson when he was hospitalised with Covid-19 last year, she now says she's leaving the National Health Service.

She's told a TV documentary NHS staff are not being paid what they deserve.

Boris Johnson was asked about her comments by Labour MP Andy Slaughter.

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NY Attorney General joins Trump Organization criminal probe

New York's attorney general is joining the Manhattan district
attorney's criminal probe into the Trump Organization.

Both offices have been conducting investigations for more than a year
but the attorney general's had been civil rather than criminal.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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INFLATION RATE SURGES IN THE UK

The UK inflation rate more than doubled in the last month - driven by hikes in energy costs and clothing prices. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the Consumer Price Index jumping from 0.7% in March to 1.5% in April. The Governor of the Bank of England is said to be watching the situation 'extremely carefully'. Laura Makin-Isherwood has more.

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Lavrov and Blinken to meet on sidelines of Arctic Council meeting

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken are due to hold talks in Reykjavik on the sidelines of the Arctic Council ministerial meeting. It will be the first high-level meeting between Russia and the U.S. since the start of the Biden administration. Julia Chapman has more.

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Covid-19 curfew lifted in Berlin

With Covid-19 infection levels falling across Europe, authorities are gradually lifting lockdown restrictions that have, in some places, been in place for over six months. 

In Berlin, a controversial nighttime curfew has been lifted and beer gardens are preparing to reopen. 

From the German capital, Trent Murray reports. 

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UK GOVT UNDER PRESSURE OVER INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

The UK government's under mounting pressure over what critics claim is confusion about its international travel rules.

Travel to countries rated as Green and Amber on the UK's traffic light system became legal on Monday.

But while one government minister suggested people could visit friends and family in Amber locations... the Prime Minister says people should not be holidaying in those destinations... and a health minister's urged people not to holiday abroad at all this year.

Skills minister Gillian Keegan says the guidance is clear.

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India reports world's highest single day COVID-19 fatalities

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India has recorded the highest number of COVID fatalities in any country.

4,529 deaths were reported on Wednesday…

And experts claim – the real number could be ten times as high.

Ishan Garg reports.

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Australia – Australians increasingly nervous about covid vaccine.

As the rollout of the covid vaccine in Australia continues, 29% of Australians surveyed say they have no plans to receive the jab.

The Resolve Strategic poll shows the hesitancy around receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine has grown following reports of blood clots in recipients in Australia and overseas.

Shaun Bindley reports from Brisbane.

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Japan withdraws immigration bill amid detainee death controversy

The Japanese government has withdrawn a controversial revision to immigration law that would have made it easier for officials to report asylum seekers. The reversal comes amid an outcry over the death of a Sri Lankan woman in detention. 

Phoebe Amoroso reports in Tokyo. 

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Chinese-funded runway signals growing influence in South Pacific

China has pledged financial assistance to revamp a runway in the Southern Pacific nation of Kiribati, raising concerns of potential military usage.

The island is immediately south of the Marshall Islands, which hosts a US military site for missile tests, and is strategically positioned along sea lanes connecting the US and Australia. 

Samuel Wong reports from Brisbane.

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Pelosi calls for boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is
urging America to boycott the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

She wants a "diplomatic boycott" in response to alleged human rights
abuses in Xinjiang against the Uyghurs.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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US Congress passes bill targeting hate crimes against Asian Americans

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans.

It comes as a result of a surge in attacks since the coronavirus pandemic began.

US correspondent Ira Spitzer reports.

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More Wall St. losses as tech falls again

Wall Street saw another day of losses Tuesday as the tech sector
suffered a tough session once again.

And some weak economic data offset a few robust quarterly earnings results.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Officers will not be charged in death of black motorist during arrest in North Carolina

The police officers involved in the death of a black motorist during an attempted arrest in North Carolina will not face criminal charges.

The Elizabeth City District Attorney said the shooting of 42-year-old Andrew Brown was "justified".

Our US correspondent Kate Fisher reports

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Biden promotes electric vehicles to counter China

US President Joe Biden has visited a Ford manufacturing plant to tout
American-made electric vehicles to rival China's dominance in the
industry.

The President says Congress must pass his $2.3 trillion infrastructure
bill to create US jobs in green technology and ensure America remains
competitive.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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EU FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS ISRAEL/PALESTINE CONFLICT

All EU foreign ministers bar Hungary's have agreed to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

But there was no consensus on any further action, as European countries remain divided on what stance to take.

Stuart Smith reports from Brussels.

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INDIA VARIANT'S IMPACTS ON UK LOCKDOWN CLEARER IN 'DAYS'

The UK's roadmap out of covid-19 lockdown remains on track for now, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

However, the government says it can't rule out a delay or changes to plans to remove almost all restrictions on the economy from June 21st.

The spread of a variant first discovered in India has raised concerns lockdown easing could be blown off course.

This despite the fact 70% of the UK's adult population has received the first dose of a vaccine.

Boris Johnson says the government should know more about the India variant's dangers within days.

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UN members again push for Israeli and Palestinian deescalation

United Nations members are again pushing for Israel and the
Palestinians to deescalate violence that has now carried into a second
week.

The Security Council has met several times since the fighting
intensified but has been unable to speak with a unified voice.

More than 200 people in Gaza and at least a dozen in Israel have been killed.

William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.

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