Explore

Italy sticks with commitment to keep 2026 deficit below EU 3% of GDP ceiling

Italy sticks with commitment to keep 2026 deficit below EU 3% of GDP ceiling

By Giuseppe Fonte ROME, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Italy plans to confirm a commitment to bring its deficit-to-GDP ratio below the European Union's 3% ceiling in 2026 from 3.1% in 2025, sources said, as the government finalises a new budget plan due in the next few weeks.

Italy's parliament paves the way for a return to nuclear energy

Italy's parliament paves the way for a return to nuclear energy

Italy’s Senate has given final approval to legislation paving the way for a return to nuclear power

EU could recoup third of US economic lead with bigger firms, ECB says

EU could recoup third of US economic lead with bigger firms, ECB says

FRANKFURT, Sept 23 (Reuters) - The European Union could close a third of its productivity gap with the United States if it had as many large companies, the European Central Bank said on Wednesday, adding its voice to calls for reforms that make it easier for businesses to scale up.

Analysis-Hungarian bond bulls bet on euro path as central bank cuts inflation target

Analysis-Hungarian bond bulls bet on euro path as central bank cuts inflation target

By Krisztina Than and Gergely Szakacs BUDAPEST, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The Hungarian central bank's move to lower its inflation target has sent a fresh signal to investors that the new government in Budapest is sticking to its goal of adopting the euro, boosting appetite for local bonds which have

EU reaches initial free trade deal with Philippines in pivot to Asia

EU reaches initial free trade deal with Philippines in pivot to Asia

BRUSSELS, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The European Union and the Philippines have reached an initial free trade agreement as part of the bloc's broad pivot to Asia, Commissioner for Trade and Economic ⁠Security Maros Sefcovic said on Tuesday.

Rome's Colosseum closes for the day after a worker plunges to his death

Rome's Colosseum closes for the day after a worker plunges to his death

Rome's Colosseum has been closed to mourn a worker who fell to his death at Italy's most-visited monument

EU Cybersecurity Alert System Faces Delays and Oversight Gaps, Auditors Report

EU Cybersecurity Alert System Faces Delays and Oversight Gaps, Auditors Report

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has released a report indicating significant shortcomings in the European Union's cybersecurity defense mechanisms. Despite allocating €1.4 billion to defend against cyberattacks, the EU's early-warning network for major cyberattacks is not yet operational. Key components, such as the ATHENA and ENSOC hubs of the European Cybersecurity Alert System, lack the necessary tools for threat detection and information sharing due to repeated procurement delays. Furthermore, essential cooperation agreements, common classification systems, and technical standards required for the alert system to function are still missing. The audit also highlighted a critical oversight: when EU cybersecurity funding is passed to third parties, there is no independent verification to ensure these organizations are not exposed to influence from hostile states. Grant beneficiaries are responsible for assessing third-party ownership and control, but the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, whic...

The EU moves closer to free trade deal with Philippines amid global tensions

The EU moves closer to free trade deal with Philippines amid global tensions

The European Union and the Philippines have reached substantial agreement on a new free trade deal

Exclusive-Lithuania plans key substation near Russia, fortified against explosive drones

Exclusive-Lithuania plans key substation near Russia, fortified against explosive drones

By Andrius Sytas and Marek Strzelecki VILNIUS/WARSAW, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Lithuania is planning defences against military drones at a key future power grid substation linking the Baltic states with western Europe in an area that intelligence sources say Russia could target with a false flag attack.

Meloni plans to ban burqas and niqabs in Italian schools, and cap foreign students in classrooms

Meloni plans to ban burqas and niqabs in Italian schools, and cap foreign students in classrooms

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she’ll soon introduce a measure to her government that would cap the number of foreign students in classrooms and ban face burqas and niqabs in schools

European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis Leads Initiatives for Economic Coordination and Regulatory Simplification

European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis Leads Initiatives for Economic Coordination and Regulatory Simplification

Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commission Executive Vice-President for Economy and Productivity, is spearheading efforts to enhance policy coordination among EU member states to achieve common economic goals. His responsibilities include ensuring consistent implementation of fiscal rules under the Stability and Growth Pact and overseeing the continued rollout of NextGenerationEU and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Dombrovskis is also tasked with developing a new tool to translate EU competitiveness objectives into coordinated national policies and strengthening the European Investment Fund to boost financing for European companies. Furthermore, he is working on the development of a digital euro and aims to reinforce the international role of the euro. In his role as Commissioner for Implementation and Simplification, Dombrovskis is focused on reducing administrative and reporting burdens for individuals and businesses. This involves reviewing EU law to eliminate overlaps and contradictions, impleme...

Italy to ban veils in schools, limit foreign students per class, Meloni says

Italy to ban veils in schools, limit foreign students per class, Meloni says

MILAN, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Italy is preparing to ban face coverings in schools and to cap the number of foreign students per class, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday as she played up her right-wing credentials at a youth event organised by her party.