German lower house approves EU's fiscal pact

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German lower house approves EU's fiscal pact



BERLIN (Reuters) - The lower house of Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, resoundingly approved on Friday the EU's new fiscal compact that sets tough budget rules championed by Chancellor Angela Merkel. The compact was backed by 491 votes, with 111 votes against and six abstentions, meaning Merkel easily won the required constitutional two thirds majority. The outcome of the vote was never seriously in doubt after opposition parties agreed to back the fiscal compact in return for growth and job creation measures. ...









Helen Mirren wins award as Czech film festival opens



British actress Helen MirrenBritish actress Helen Mirren added a "crystal globe" to her collection of awards Friday as the Czech Republic's Karlovy Vary international film festival opened for its 47th edition.












Golf-Irish Open second round scores



June 29 (Infostrada Sports) - Second round scores in the Irish Open at the par-72 course in Portrush, County Antrim onFriday132 Gregory Bourdy (France) 65 67 133 Mark Foster (Britain) 66 67 134 Lorenzo Gagli (Italy) 68 66 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 67 67 Paul Waring (Britain) 69 65 135 Jamie Donaldson (Britain) 68 67 Mikael Lundberg (Sweden) 69 66 136 Gary Orr (Britain) 68 68 Jeev Milkha Singh (India) 65 71 137 Francesco Molinari (Italy) 70 67 Richard Bland (Britain) 68 69 Michael Hoey (Britain) 70 67 Matthew Zions (Australia) 66 71 Alejandro Canizares (Spain) 67 70 Peter Whiteford (Britain) ...






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