EU denies 'insulting' claim Jean-Claude Juncker was drunk at NATO summit
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
-
The European Commission president was unsteady on his feet after suffering a "painful attack of sciatica", a spokesman says.
0:27
Video:EU denies Juncker was drunk at NATO summit
The EU has denied "insulting" suggestions that European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker was drunk at this week's NATO summit, saying he was suffering from sciatica.
The 63-year-old was seen to be unsteady on his feet at the summit dinner in Brussels on Wednesday evening, and had to be helped away in a wheelchair.
The prime ministers of the Netherlands and Portugal, Mark Rutte and Antonio Costa, helped prop him up.
Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said it was "more than tasteless" for the press to write "insulting headlines by exploiting President Juncker's pain".
"I don't think this is elegant and I don't think this is fair," he added.
Asked whether Mr Juncker had mixed painkillers and alcohol, Mr Schinas replied: "No he didn't - at least I am not aware of this happening."
The president had suffered a "very particularly painful attack of sciatica accompanied by cramps," Mr Schinas said.
"The president has himself publicly stated that this sciatica affects his ability to walk," he continued.
"That was unfortunately the case Wednesday night.
"He is taking medication and feels better."
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the hips to the feet, is irritated.
Mr Juncker carried out a "full programme" at NATO and the European Commission on Thursday, Mr Schinas said, and will stick to a "very demanding agenda" next week, including a trip to China and Japan.
The German government weighed in on Friday, with spokesman Steffen Seibert saying Berlin has a "very high level of confidence" in the Commission president.
Mr Juncker, whose five-year term at the head of the commission ends next year, has faced questions before about his public demeanour.
While there are many expensive houses in the country, one particular house has been attracting attention for some time now. And it’s been rumored to be the most expensive house in Nigeria. The house, belonging to Okwudili Umenyiora, is obviously a product of rare architectural expertise and creativity. The house is located at Lekki Phase One (Oniru New Market), Lagos. The house took about four years to complete and gulped a huge fortune estimated to be about $10 million. If that’s the real cost, then it might not be the most expensive house in Nigeria, but it remains one of the most expensive, most sophisticated, and most beautiful. Some of the house’s fascinating features include floor televisions, indoor swimming pools, elevators to the fourth floor, and a garage with amazing decor and vehicles. The house was completed in late 2013. The house is being maintained by five housekeepers, among who is a Philippine woman. The owner of the house, Okwudili Umenyiora ...
By Charles Agwam – Gombe The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), an agency under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has conducted a public hearing on improved Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance in Gombe. The improved code for corporate governance is deemed a better version of the earlier produced code in 2006, which was full of irregularities. The Executive Secretary of the council, Daniel Asapokhai, on Tuesday, highlighted the changes made to the 2018 amended code and the progress made by the council. “We have consulted extensively to come up with a more comprehensive code to make it easier to do business and succeed in Nigeria” Mr Asapokhai said. Jointly fielding questions with the Chairman of the Technical Committee, Muhammad Ahmad, the duo said the code is subject to changes until it is comprehensive enough for effective corporate governance that will bring the desired progress that Nigerians need. Delivering his keynote address, the governor of Gombe, re...
California rapper, YG has been arrested on a felony robbery charge after allegedly stealing a gold chain from a fan’s neck and taking off with the diamond-laced pendant at a Las Vegas casino. The 28-year-old rapper whose real is Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson was in a Vegas court Thursday after a warrant was issued for his arrest and he turned himself in. He was charged with felony robbery and he was released after posting $20k bail. The incident reportedly occurred in late May at the Cosmopolitan around 4 AM, after a man approached YG and asked for a photo with him but was turned away by his crew. It was also alleged that the dejected fan called YG a fake celebrity, in retaliation, YG instructed his crew to “Get him,” before yanking the chain and a diamond-laced pendant from his neck. The incident was captured in the casino's surveillance footage. The alleged victim is also suing YG, claiming that his crew pounced on him ...
0:27
Comments