As crucial Brexit votes loom, Theresa May backed by ministers amid coup reports - Fox News

As a series of Brexit votes loom following a weekend that saw hundreds of thousands take to the streets of London demanding a second referendum, British Prime Minister Theresa May received the backing of several ministers who dismissed reports of a "coup" against the embattled leader.

Chancellor Philip Hammond called any talk of a leadership change "self-indulgent" and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the PM "is in charge," according to BBC News, while David Lidington, who has been touted as a replacement for May, said, "I am 100 percent behind the prime minister."

Still, British newspapers are reporting that behind the scenes, several cabinet members are plotting a coup against May and making plans to replace her with a caretaker leader until a proper election can take place later this year. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg tweeted that there was "serious maneuvering" going on.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS PROTEST IN LONDON TO DEMAND A SECOND BREXIT VOTE

Britain had been set to leave the European Union on March 29 without a deal after May's negotiated agreement was voted down by lawmakers. That vote last week was May's second Brexit defeat in parliament. However, May received a lifeline last week when EU leaders agreed to a short-term Brexit extension.

Throngs of protesters filled the streets of London on Saturday demanding a second referendum. The original Brexit vote, which critics have since said was influenced by Russia-backed disinformation and outright lies about what leaving the EU would mean, passed by 1.3 million votes.

A puppet character depicting British Prime Minister Theresa May is brandished among Anti-Brexit campaigners, during the People's Vote March in London, Saturday March 23, 2019. Protesters are gathering in central London before what is widely predicted to be a massive march in favour of a second Brexit referendum. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

In the coming days, a range of different scenarios could play out, depending on how British lawmakers vote. They include, according to BBC News: Revoking Article 50 and canceling Brexit altogether, setting up a second referendum, May's deal plus a customs union, May's deal plus a customs union and single-market access, a Canada-style free trade deal, or leaving the EU without a deal.

POPE FRANCIS PRAYS FOR PEACEFUL END TO NICARAGUA CRISIS

Hammond told BBC News that he would remove revoking Article 50 and a no-deal Brexit from the list, saying "both of those would have very serious and negative consequences for our country."

In terms of a second referendum, Hammond said: "It is a coherent proposition and deserves to be considered, along with the other proposals."

Although this coming Friday is the day that Britain was set to leave the EU, the earliest that could now happen is April 12.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.foxnews.com/world/as-crucial-brexit-votes-loom-theresa-may-urged-to-quit-to-help-deal-pass

2019-03-24 14:10:10Z
52780249203069

As crucial Brexit votes loom, Theresa May backed by ministers amid coup reports - Fox News

As a series of Brexit votes loom following a weekend that saw hundreds of thousands take to the streets of London demanding a second referendum, British Prime Minister Theresa May received the backing of several ministers who dismissed reports of a "coup" against the embattled leader.

Chancellor Philip Hammond called any talk of a leadership change "self-indulgent" and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the PM "is in charge," according to BBC News, while David Lidington, who has been touted as a replacement for May, said, "I am 100 percent behind the prime minister."

Still, British newspapers are reporting that behind the scenes, several cabinet members are plotting a coup against May and making plans to replace her with a caretaker leader until a proper election can take place later this year. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg tweeted that there was "serious maneuvering" going on.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS PROTEST IN LONDON TO DEMAND A SECOND BREXIT VOTE

Britain had been set to leave the European Union on March 29 without a deal after May's negotiated agreement was voted down by lawmakers. That vote last week was May's second Brexit defeat in parliament. However, May received a lifeline last week when EU leaders agreed to a short-term Brexit extension.

Throngs of protesters filled the streets of London on Saturday demanding a second referendum. The original Brexit vote, which critics have since said was influenced by Russia-backed disinformation and outright lies about what leaving the EU would mean, passed by 1.3 million votes.

A puppet character depicting British Prime Minister Theresa May is brandished among Anti-Brexit campaigners, during the People's Vote March in London, Saturday March 23, 2019. Protesters are gathering in central London before what is widely predicted to be a massive march in favour of a second Brexit referendum. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

In the coming days, a range of different scenarios could play out, depending on how British lawmakers vote. They include, according to BBC News: Revoking Article 50 and canceling Brexit altogether, setting up a second referendum, May's deal plus a customs union, May's deal plus a customs union and single-market access, a Canada-style free trade deal, or leaving the EU without a deal.

POPE FRANCIS PRAYS FOR PEACEFUL END TO NICARAGUA CRISIS

Hammond told BBC News that he would remove revoking Article 50 and a no-deal Brexit from the list, saying "both of those would have very serious and negative consequences for our country."

In terms of a second referendum, Hammond said: "It is a coherent proposition and deserves to be considered, along with the other proposals."

Although this coming Friday is the day that Britain was set to leave the EU, the earliest that could now happen is April 12.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.foxnews.com/world/as-crucial-brexit-votes-loom-theresa-may-urged-to-quit-to-help-deal-pass

2019-03-24 14:06:17Z
52780245827164

Cruise ship rescue: Viking Sky adrift off Norway – 479 evacuated – vessel heading for land - Express.co.uk

The cruise ship Viking Sky suffered an engine failure in windy conditions off the Norwegian west coast on Saturday. The ship had 1,373 passengers on board and on Sunday, 479 people had been airlifted safely to land by five helicopters. The vessel suffered engine trouble and sent out a mayday around 1pm GMT on Saturday near Hustadvika in More og Romsdal. 

The police have now said the first 479 passengers have been successfully evacuated, where 20 have been sent to the hospital, three of them with serious injuries.

In a press release at 11am GMT, Viking Ocean Cruises said: “The 479 passengers who were evacuated by helicopters have been taken care of.

“Work is being done to organise transport to get the passengers home.

“The first passengers are already travelling today. We have been informed that 20 people have been injured.

“They are receiving medical supervision and care at local hospitals. Some have already left the hospital.”

The evacuation process started at approximately 3pm on Saturday.

Henning Flusund, a skipper of the trawler "Remøy" who is in the area, said he believes it may take about four hours for Viking Sky to reach the Norwegian city of Molde.

The vessel's motors are now working again and will drive to Molde without help.

The luxury cruise liner is estimated to reach land at 4.30pm.

Mr Flusend told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: “The weather had settled in the area now. The waves are currently around four to five meters high, and the weather is expected to improve as the day goes by.”

The ship was carrying 915 passengers, of whom “a large number” were from the United States and Britain, according to the rescue services.

According to a local rescue coordination some 17 injured passengers had been taken to hospital, while others suffered minor cuts and bruises.

Norwegian Odd Roar Lange was in the area on Saturday and could see the ship from land.

Mr Lange said: “The ship may be able to get a little further out from land and go northwest in a slow speed.”

One passenger said: "We were having lunch when it began to shake. Window panes were broken and water came in. It was just chaos.

“The trip on the helicopter, I would rather forget. It was not fun.”

The Viking Sky, built in 2017, belongs to Viking Ocean Cruises, part of the Viking Cruises group founded by Norwegian billionaire Torstein Hagen.

According to the company’s website, its passenger capacity is 930.

Multiple people have gathered to follow the dramatic rescue at Hustadvika.

The Norwegian People’s Aid have also confirmed they have been called out to assist the evacuation.

Operational manager Rune Toven told Norwegian paper VG on Saturday: “We are on our way with a crew of 15 people, ready to assist with the evacuations.”

Tor Andre Franck at the Møre og Romsdal police district said the ship "suffered engine failure" and are having "problems with the propulsion".

He said: “The wind is blowing at 38 knots (43.7mph) in the area. We have established facilities on land for those being evacuated.”

Mr Franck said the ship is "stuck" and added the weather in the area is very bad.

Gunnar Holten, a local man in Hustadvika, the area near where the ship is adrift, says the stormy conditions are very bad.

According to Mr Holton, flying debris can be seen in the air and a roof from a barn nearby has been ripped off by the strong winds.

This story is constantly being updated with new information as it comes through. 

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1104344/norway-cruise-ship-Viking-Sky-evacuation

2019-03-24 14:00:00Z
52780248151714

More Than 450 Stranded Cruise Ship Passengers Airlifted Off the Coast of Norway - TIME

this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

http://time.com/5557684/norway-cruise-ship-stranded/

2019-03-24 13:33:07Z
52780248151714

Cruise ship rescue: Viking Sky adrift off Norway – 479 evacuated – vessel heading for land - Express.co.uk

The cruise ship Viking Sky suffered an engine failure in windy conditions off the Norwegian west coast on Saturday. The ship had 1,373 passengers on board and on Sunday, 479 people had been airlifted safely to land by five helicopters. The vessel suffered engine trouble and sent out a mayday around 1pm GMT on Saturday near Hustadvika in More og Romsdal. 

The police have now said the first 479 passengers have been successfully evacuated, where 20 have been sent to the hospital, three of them with serious injuries.

In a press release at 11am GMT, Viking Ocean Cruises said: “The 479 passengers who were evacuated by helicopters have been taken care of.

“Work is being done to organise transport to get the passengers home.

“The first passengers are already travelling today. We have been informed that 20 people have been injured.

“They are receiving medical supervision and care at local hospitals. Some have already left the hospital.”

The evacuation process started at approximately 3pm on Saturday.

Henning Flusund, a skipper of the trawler "Remøy" who is in the area, said he believes it may take about four hours for Viking Sky to reach the Norwegian city of Molde.

The vessel's motors are now working again and will drive to Molde without help.

Viking Sky is estimated to reach land at 2pm earliest.

Mr Flusend told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: “The weather had settled in the area now. The waves are currently around four to five meters high, and the weather is expected to improve as the day goes by.”

The ship was carrying 915 passengers, of whom “a large number” were from the United States and Britain, according to the rescue services.

According to a local rescue coordination some 17 injured passengers had been taken to hospital, while others suffered minor cuts and bruises.

Norwegian Odd Roar Lange was in the area on Saturday and could see the ship from land.

Mr Lange said: “The ship may be able to get a little further out from land and go northwest in a slow speed.”

One passenger said: "We were having lunch when it began to shake. Window panes were broken and water came in. It was just chaos.

“The trip on the helicopter, I would rather forget. It was not fun.”

The Viking Sky, built in 2017, belongs to Viking Ocean Cruises, part of the Viking Cruises group founded by Norwegian billionaire Torstein Hagen.

According to the company’s website, its passenger capacity is 930.

Multiple people have gathered to follow the dramatic rescue at Hustadvika.

The Norwegian People’s Aid have also confirmed they have been called out to assist the evacuation.

Operational manager Rune Toven told Norwegian paper VG on Saturday: “We are on our way with a crew of 15 people, ready to assist with the evacuations.”

Tor Andre Franck at the Møre og Romsdal police district said the ship "suffered engine failure" and are having "problems with the propulsion".

He said: “The wind is blowing at 38 knots (43.7mph) in the area. We have established facilities on land for those being evacuated.”

Mr Franck said the ship is "stuck" and added the weather in the area is very bad.

Gunnar Holten, a local man in Hustadvika, the area near where the ship is adrift, says the stormy conditions are very bad.

According to Mr Holton, flying debris can be seen in the air and a roof from a barn nearby has been ripped off by the strong winds.

This story is constantly being updated with new information as it comes through. 

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1104344/norway-cruise-ship-Viking-Sky-evacuation

2019-03-24 11:49:00Z
52780248151714

Tugs tow Norway cruise ship after 463 rescued; 17 injured - New York Post

STAVANGER, Norway — More than 450 passengers were airlifted off a cruise ship that got stranded off Norway’s western coast in bad weather before the rescue operation was suspended Sunday so the vessel could be towed to a nearby port, Norwegian authorities said.

Five helicopters flying in the pitch dark took the evacuated passengers from the tossing ship in a painstaking process that continued throughout the night. The rescues took place under difficult conditions that included wind gusts up to 38 knots (43 mph) and waves over 8 meters (26 feet).

Some 17 people were hospitalized with injuries, police said.

Passenger Alexus Sheppard told The Associated Press in a message sent from the Viking Sky that people with injuries or disabilities were winched off the cruise ship first. The atmosphere onboard grew calmer after the rescue operation’s first dramatic hours, Sheppard said.

“It was frightening at first. And when the general alarm sounded it became VERY real,” she wrote.

Photos posted on social media showed the ship listing from side to side, and furniture smashing violently into walls.

“We saw two people taken off by stretcher,” another passenger, Dereck Brown, told Norwegian newspaper Romsdal Budstikke. “People were alarmed. Many were frightened but they were calm.”

The Viking Sky carried 1,373 passengers and crew members when it had engine trouble in an unpredictable area of the Norwegian coast known for rough, frigid waters. The crew issued a mayday call Saturday afternoon.

Police said the crew, fearing the ship would run aground, managed to anchor in Hustadvika Bay so the evacuations could take place.

Coast guard official Emil Heggelund estimated to newspaper VG that the ship was 100 meters (328 feet) from striking rocks under the water and 900 meters (2,953 feet) from shore when it stopped.

The ship was visiting the Norwegian towns and cities of Narvik, Alta, Tromso, Bodo and Stavanger before its scheduled arrival Tuesday in the British port of Tilbury on the River Thames. The passengers mostly were a mix of American, British, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian citizens.

The airlifts continued at a steady pace Sunday morning, as the vessel was being prepared for towing by two tugboats to the nearby town of Molde, according to Per Fjerd at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center.

The helicopters stopped taking people off the ship when the ship was ready for the trip to shore, and 463 passengers had been evacuated by that time, the Joint Rescue center said. Three of the ship’s four engines were working as of Sunday morning, the center said.

The Viking Sky, a vessel with a gross tonnage of 47,800, was delivered in 2017 to operator Viking Ocean Cruises.

Share this:

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://nypost.com/2019/03/24/tugs-tow-norway-cruise-ship-after-463-rescued-17-injured/

2019-03-24 10:43:00Z
52780248151714

Cruise ship rescue: Viking Sky adrift off Norway – 1,000 still on board – 16 injured - Express.co.uk

The cruise ship Viking Sky suffered an engine failure in windy conditions off the Norwegian west coast on Saturday. The ship had 1,300 passengers on board. With helicopters only able to take 15 passengers at a time, the rescue is expected to take hours, and on Sunday, 463 people had been brought safely to land. 

The vessel sent out a mayday message and asked for assistance around 1pm GMT on Saturday.

The police have now said the first 463 passengers have been successfully evacuated, where 16 have been sent to the hospital, three of them with serious injuries.

“If we need to evacuate everyone, it will take a long time,” rescue service spokesman Einar Knudsen told Reuters.

The evacuation process started at approximately 3pm on Saturday.

However, it looks like not everyone will be evacuated as the boat will be towed to the city of Molde, on Norway's west coast, on Sunday morning, authorities said.

The vessel is expected to reach Molde at approximately 1pm GMT.

Norwegian Odd Roar Lange was in the area on Saturday and could see the ship from land.

Mr Lange said: “The ship may be able to get a little further out from land and go northwest in a slow speed.”

One passenger said: "We were having lunch when it began to shake. Window panes were broken and water came in. It was just chaos.

“The trip on the helicopter, I would rather forget. It was not fun.”

The Viking Sky, built in 2017, belongs to Viking Ocean Cruises, part of the Viking Cruises group founded by Norwegian billionaire Torstein Hagen.

According to the company’s website, its passenger capacity is 930.

Multiple people have gathered to follow the dramatic rescue at Hustadvika.

The Norwegian People’s Aid have also confirmed they have been called out to assist the evacuation.

Operational manager Rune Toven told Norwegian paper VG on Saturday: “We are on our way with a crew of 15 people, ready to assist with the evacuations.”

Tor Andre Franck at the Møre og Romsdal police district said the ship "suffered engine failure" and are having "problems with the propulsion".

He said: “The wind is blowing at 38 knots (43.7mph) in the area. We have established facilities on land for those being evacuated.”

Mr Franck said the ship is "stuck" and added the weather in the area is very bad.

Gunnar Holten, a local man in Hustadvika, the area near where the ship is adrift, says the stormy conditions are very bad.

According to Mr Holton, flying debris can be seen in the air and a roof from a barn nearby has been ripped off by the strong winds.

This story is constantly being updated with new information as it comes through. 

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1104344/norway-cruise-ship-Viking-Sky-evacuation

2019-03-24 09:27:00Z
52780248151714