Italian Cruiser Named in Hamburg

The "MSC Magnifica" is 293 metres long and can host 3,010 guests. (Photo by Jutta Höflich) 

After a 15-minute delay, the Italian film diva Sophia Loren entered the stage on Saturday, March 6 at 10:30 p.m., and as soon as she had cut through the green, white and red ribbon, a bottle of champagne banged against the bow of the Italian cruiser "MSC Magnifica." "May the cruiser bring hope and peace to the world," the actress wished.

Afterwards, classical music from Rossini and a gigantic fireworks display enthused the guests on board as well as those who came to join the spectacle from the "Landungsbrücken" (harbour piers). Before, a concert by the Italian pop singer Eros Ramazzotti was transmitted via a floating screen.

On Sunday, March 7, the "MSC Magnifica" started its maiden voyage to its port of registry, Venice. The MSC Magnifica is the eighth cruiser of the ship owner Gianluigi Aponte, whom Sophia Loren has known since her childhood in Naples. 

(Photo: http://images.google.de)

The Bus Strike Is Over

After several days of strikes in the private bus industry, buses have been running again in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein since the early morning hours. "There were minimum limits until 6:00 o'clock," said strike leader Gerhard Mette on Thursday. But further strikes are planned.

The trade union Ver.di had called on the employees of the North Elmshorner transport company, transport companies in the Pinneberger Schenefeld and regional trade carriers in Pinneberg in Uetersen to down tools. The union demanded an increase of wages and salaries to a level comparable to that of other agreements in the bus industry.