Sniffer dogs and emergency crews continued to scour piles of rubble in Amatrice, a picturesque town popular with tourists which was leveled by Wednesday's quake and where 207 bodies have been retrieved so far. But in nearby villages, such as Pescara del Tronto, rescuers pulled out after all the missing had been accounted for. Italy plans to hold a state funeral for around 40 of the victims on Saturday, which will be held in the nearby city of Ascoli Piceno. A day of national mourning was announced, with flags due to fly at half mast around the country for the dead, who include a number of foreigners. The civil protection department in Rome said nearly 400 people were being treated for injuries in hospitals, 40 of them in critical condition. An estimated 2,500 people were left homeless by the most deadly quake in Italy since 2009. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has declared a state of emergency for the region, allowing the government to release an immediate EUR50 million for the relief … [Read more...] about Italy quake death toll hits 267, state funeral planned
Avalon funeral plans spain
Funerals planned for Australian passengers on missing Malaysia jet
The first funeral service for passengers from a missing Malaysian jetliner will be held in Australia this weekend, nearly eight weeks after the plane disappeared and apparently crashed in the remote southern Indian Ocean. Family and friends of Rod and Mary Burrows, two of six Australians on board the flight, will be holding a formal memorial in Brisbane on Sunday, according to a statement on behalf of the family released by police on Friday. … [Read more...] about Funerals planned for Australian passengers on missing Malaysia jet
High-level funeral for deputy police minister Pham Quy Ngo
The funeral of the late Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Pham Quy Ngo, who passed away Tuesday, will be conducted with the necessary rituals for high-ranking officials, the Ministry of Public Security said. >> Internal affairs body to handle claims against vice police minister>> Prosecutors receive case involving vice police minister >> Not enough proof for bribery confessed by ex-Vinalines boss >> Probe ordered into 'state secret' case involving vice minister The funeral, to be organized by the ministry, will be carried out under relevant regulations in Decree 105 of the Government on organizing funerals for officials and civil servants, said the ministry. The Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security, the ministry, and the family of the deceased issued a death notice on Wednesday, February 19. According to the funeral plan, the memorial … [Read more...] about High-level funeral for deputy police minister Pham Quy Ngo
Defending champions Spain held 1-1 tie with Italy
World champions and Euro 2008 champions Spain were held to a 1-1 tie by Italy in the Euro 2012 Group C opener here on Sunday. Di Natale, who substituted Mario Balotelli in the 56th minute, gifted Italy 1-0 lead in the 60th minute when he slipped through on goal by a wonderful pass from Andrea Pirlo and found the corner of the net with a cool finish. But Spain striker Cesc Fabregas tied the score only after four minutes. With a fine passing, Silva slid Fabregas in and the latter slammed the ball past Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon. Balotelli, the rising star striker from new English Premier League champions Manchester City, stunned the world in the 54th minute when he got a solo run through a tackle. But he hesitated at the goalmouth without any clear action. Then a chasing defender came to ruin the scoring chance. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli forgave Balotelli, telling the post-match press conference that he would not punish the Man. City striker. "He is still a young player … [Read more...] about Defending champions Spain held 1-1 tie with Italy
Spain faces general strike amid budget pressure
MADRID – Flights and other services in Spain face disruption on Thursday in a general strike against labour reforms and spending cuts that the conservative government says are needed to save the economy. It is the first major strike against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's policies, just three months after he took office promising to cut Spain's 23-per cent unemployment rate and stabilise its public finances. The national strike comes a day before the government unveils its 2012 budget, raising the heat on Rajoy who also faces pressure from European leaders fearful of financial contagion in the eurozone. "This is a just response to a brutal reform of our system of labour relations," said Ignacio Fernandez Toxo, leader of the CCOO, which is one of the two main trade unions in Spain along with the UGT. Under an agreement between the government and these two unions, at least a minimum service of a third of local trains and buses is due to run, with one in 10 domestic and one in … [Read more...] about Spain faces general strike amid budget pressure