Ansa news

(ANSA-AFP) - SOFIA, 23 OTT - Bulgarians head to the polls Sunday in a presidential election overshadowed by security fears after a string of drone attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea, seen as fallout from the war in Ukraine. Four vessels were struck off Bulgaria's coast this month in the latest suspected spillover from Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, bringing the conflict closer to the EU and NATO member state. While Prime Minister Rumen Radev says the attacks appear to serve Russian interests,…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 23 OTT - The Greek parliament has approved legislation that will prohibit people under the age of 15 from using social media starting January 1, 2027. Following a heated debate, the measure was passed overnight, with sole support from the ruling conservative New Democracy (Nea Dimokratia) party, according to the ANA-MPA news agency. Dimitris Papastergiou, Greece's Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, described the measure as "an effective and necessary solution"…

(ANSA-AFP) - BUCHAREST, 23 OTT - Romanian President Nicusor Dan on Friday blamed Russia over the latest Black Sea incident, in which Romania said one sailor died and three were left missing from a ship in distress, but gave no further details. "This is clearly part of the escalation that Russia is carrying out in the context of the war in Ukraine," Dan told reporters. Several Black Sea ships have been hit by drones in recent weeks in what is believed to be spillover from Russia's war with Ukraine.…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 23 OTT - According to the Daily Telegraph, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is one of five candidates from which the EU may choose a mediator to engage Vladimir Putin's Russia in peace talks aimed at resolving the Ukrainian conflict. Besides Meloni, the Brussels shortlist includes Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Czech President Petr Pavel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St›re. (ANSA).

(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, 22 OTT - Tens of thousands of supporters of Serbia's opposition student movement gathered in central Belgrade on Thursday, as the country's longtime leader Aleksandar Vucic rallied across town at the duelling final events ahead of pivotal parliamentary elections. The Student List, a leaderless movement of student-backed candidates, is seeking to end more than 14 years of rule by Vucic's right-wing populist Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) when the country votes on Sunday. It…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 22 OTT - Serbia's snap parliamentary elections on Sunday are expected to be a close race between the "Aleksandar Vučić-United Serbia" list led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the newcomer, the "Student List - Students Win!" despite conflicting polls. (Studentska Lista - Studenti pobeđuju!). In any scenario, neither of these major political forces appears capable of securing an absolute majority of votes—and, consequently, seats—in parliament. Meanwhile, all polls…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 22 OTT - Pordenonelegge's recent international visit to Prague resulted in the establishment of a strategic axis connecting culture, institutions, and the economy in the heart of Central Europe: strengthening ties with the Czech Republic. This initiative is also consistent with Pordenone's designation as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2027. A significant new structural development for Pordenonelegge is the introduction of a permanent programme: beginning with the 2027 edition,…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 22 OTT - "As you are aware, Italy regards the reunification of the Western Balkans with the EU as a top priority. In the current political and international climate, we need to do more. We must fully commit to this reunification and send a strong message to Russia and other nations—because you are Europe. We must protect the credibility, predictability, and quality of the enlargement process, ensuring an approach to accession based on merit and avoiding any'second-class' memberships."…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 22 OTT - "I am delighted to announce that the Bank of Italy has completed a new project for an instant payment system in the Balkans. It will be presented in November at a conference in Rome attended by all the central bank governors," said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during his speech at the Berlin Process leaders' summit in Montenegro, referring to the Bank of Italy's 'TIPS Clone' system. "It is a concrete tool for strengthening our financial and banking relationships…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 22 OTT - Achieving enlargement "is especially difficult when we are completely bound by the past. Divisive rhetoric and increasing polarisation will not result in a more secure, free, and prosperous Europe. In these difficult times, those who sow division will be judged harshly by history. That is why, at a Berlin Process summit in London in 2008, we all agreed to condemn hate speech and the glorification of war criminals. If we want to provide a better future for our children,…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 22 OTT - The weeks and months ahead "will be decisive" for countries seeking EU membership, said European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos upon arriving at the Berlin Process summit in Montenegro, according to Tanjug news agency. "I am always pleased to see progress made by a country determined to join the European Union. The coming weeks and months will be decisive. The most important moment for Montenegro will be reaching the end of the accession process. For Serbia, the…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 21 OTT - Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will represent Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Berlin Process summit of heads of state and government in Budva, Montenegro, tomorrow morning. The current Montenegrin presidency has organised the summit, according to a note from the Italian Foreign Ministry. The Berlin Process, which was launched in 2014, is an important tool for fostering regional cooperation among the six Western Balkan countries, supporting reform implementation,…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 21 OTT - Mario Anzil, Vice-Governor of Friuli Venezia Giulia with responsibility for Culture, visited the Italian Embassy in Prague with the goal of strengthening cultural ties between Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Czech Republic while emphasising the region's role as a borderland and the opportunities presented by Pordenone's designation as the Italian Capital of Culture 2027. He was greeted by Alessandro Gaudiano, the Italian Ambassador to the Czech Republic. A delegation from…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 21 OTT - According to German Federal Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, Russia poses the most serious threat to Germany. "My biggest concern right now is not our economy, nor the US or China, but Russia's influence on our society," Merz said in Berlin, according to *Die Zeit*. He specifically mentioned acts of sabotage, hybrid attacks on communication systems, and attempts to destabilise Germany. "These attacks happen every day," warned the CDU leader, adding that their scope…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 21 OTT - Serbian police are arresting individuals suspected of "planning unrest for election day" in Novi Sad, the birthplace of the student movement challenging Aleksandar Vučić in the upcoming election. In a separate operation, acting on orders from the Kraljevo Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities arrested an individual identified as M.A. The suspect is accused of "inciting a violent change to the constitutional order" and "planning to participate in riots on election…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 20 OTT - According to a joint statement released by Trieste Airport and Lufthansa, "the air connection between Trieste and Frankfurt will resume on Sunday, March 28, 2027, coinciding with the start of the summer flight season, following an unprecedented and extraordinary winter suspension." According to the statement, Air Dolomiti will operate two daily flights. The service suspension, scheduled from October 25 to March 27, is "due to the carrier's operational requirements, linked…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 20 OTT - Just days before Serbia's general elections, Vladan Djokić, Rector of the University of Belgrade, revealed that spyware was found on his phone. The Rector, who supported student protests and, as a result, the student movement's participation in this Sunday's parliamentary elections (though his own candidature on the movement's list was denied), had the infection confirmed by a joint forensic analysis conducted by the Canadian organisation Citizen Lab and the Serbian…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 20 OTT - With five days until Sunday's crucial snap parliamentary elections in Serbia, the latest polls consistently show a highly polarised situation and an atmosphere reminiscent of a referendum. However, there is no consensus on who is actually in the lead, thanks in part to an undecided voter segment ranging from 11% to 16%, with results varying depending on the polling organisation. According to a survey by the independent Serbian polling institute NSPM, as reported by the…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 20 OTT - The ZEW index fell to 28.1 points in October, from 34.7 in September. Expectations among German investors fell more than expected; economists had predicted an index value of 30 points. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 19 OTT - The 27th edition of pordenonelegge concludes in Prague with a joint event hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute. On October 21, at 6:30 PM, the Czech translation of Giulio Mozzi's novel ''"Le ripetizioni' ('The Repetitions'), published in Italy by Marsilio and a finalist for the 2021 Strega Prize, will be presented. The event, held as part of the "Week of the Italian Language in the World," will highlight the cultural and literary connections between Pordenonelegge…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 19 OTT - In 2025, the Ponte Galeria detention centre (Rome) saw 1,203 arrivals and 165 repatriations, for a repatriation-to-arrival ratio of 13.7%, down from 14.9% in 2024. While arrivals rose by 6.7%, repatriations decreased from 168 to 165 (-1.8%). The Gjadër detention centre in Albania, also under the jurisdiction of the Rome Prefecture, recorded 307 arrivals (transferred from other Italian detention centres) and 59 repatriations, with a rate of 19.2 percent. Both figures…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 19 OTT - The "Immediate Response 26" exercise is taking place in Bosnia from today until Friday, October 23, and will involve over 1,200 personnel, including members of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Armed Forces and NATO-affiliated personnel. The goal of the exercise is to assess the units' training, equipment, and operational capabilities in accordance with North Atlantic Alliance standards. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 19 OTT - The Student List's election campaign against the "United Serbia" coalition led by former president Aleksandar Vučić will conclude on Thursday, October 22 with a rally in Belgrade's central Slavija Square, a historic venue for civic life, demonstrations, and protests. Many candidates and supporters of the "Studentska Lista - Studenti Pobedjuju" (Students' List - Students Win!) are marching to the capital on foot from various Serbian cities. The first group left Zaječar,…

(ANSA-AFP) - TIRANA, 19 OTT - Albanian police fired water cannon and tear gas Sunday as violent anti-government protests entered a sixth day and Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected demonstrators' demands that he resign. Violent demonstrations have rocked Tirana since Tuesday with protesters calling for action over poor university conditions, high tuition fees and corruption. Hundreds of protesters gathered again at noon in front of the education ministry chanting "Rama, resign" amid a tense standoff…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 16 OTT - It has become clear that a joint defence is required to counter "Russia's posture." It is equally clear that believing that individual states can go it alone—imagining "a future separate from that of others"—is tantamount to "fleeing from reality," or, more accurately, "self-destruction." The Italian President issued a stern warning to his 11 European counterparts, who were meeting in Brdo, Slovenia, to discuss strategies for defending the Union against both military…

(ANSA-AFP) - BRUSSELS, 16 OTT - France and Germany confirmed Friday that they had reached a deal aimed at protecting Europe's struggling automotive sector, with agreements on the flashpoint issues of EU car emissions and "made in Europe" components. The pact, which is likely to shape EU policy going forward, envisages a further relaxing of CO2 emission rules and the inclusion of Britain in a public procurement scheme to bolster European car industries. "We are driven by a clear ambition: to successfully…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 16 OTT - "The European Union is confronted with extraordinary challenges that threaten its security, prosperity, and ability to act with authority on the international stage, with significant consequences for the lives of our citizens. No country on the continent - no one - can imagine a future distinct from the others: it would be an escape from reality and, more than an illusion, a self-defeating act." Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic, said this while speaking at…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 16 OTT - European leaders welcome "the ongoing work on drafting the accession treaty" for Montenegro and note the Council Presidency's intention to "reach an agreement on the provisional closure of all negotiating chapters by the end of the year, subject to Montenegro implementing the relevant reforms." In contrast to drafts that circulated in recent days, the reference to an ambition to finalise the accession treaty "as soon as possible" was removed. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 15 OTT - Sergio Mattarella, the Italian President, has arrived in Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, to attend the annual meeting of the Arraiolos Group heads of state. The Arraiolos meetings provide an opportunity for the presidents to engage in informal discussions about Europe's future, in light of ongoing geopolitical challenges and the effects of the war in Ukraine on the European Union structure. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 15 OTT - The kick-off meeting for 'Rise4Ukraine,' a Horizon Europe-funded project, was held in Brussels. According to a press release from the Central European Initiative (CEI), the programme aims to support the "green reconstruction" of conflict-affected Ukrainian regions by combining ecological transition, economic recovery, and the development of local capacities. Supported by about €4 million in European funding, the 36-month project, which is led by White Research (Belgium),…