Ansa news

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 01 OTT - TFA, an ultra-short-chain PFAS formed by the breakdown of pesticides and pharmaceuticals, was found in the blood of all 110 participants in a European study, with concentrations that were the highest reported in humans to date. This finding is based on the report "PFAS levels in Europeans," which was initiated by MEP Cristina Guarda and the Greens group in the European Parliament. It analysed the presence of various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or "forever…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 30 SET - "We see the world through the same eyes; this is fundamental to the accession process," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a press conference in Tirana with Edi Rama, emphasising Brussels and Tirana's alignment on foreign policy. However, von der Leyen emphasised the importance of "remaining focused, as there is still much work to be done" in terms of entry into the Union. She emphasised the need for "reforms," particularly in the justice and environmental…

(ANSA-AFP) - BUCHAREST, 30 SET - The Romanian parliament on Wednesday rejected a pro-European liberal as prime minister, prolonging a political crisis seen as fuelling an already rising far right. Liberal European Parliament member Siegfried Muresan failed to get lawmakers' backing with just 182 of the 233 votes needed to approve his government, according to the official count. This brings the prospects of snap elections closer, but pro-EU President Nicusor Dan has warned those would not solve the…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 30 SET - "The sentences imposed in Budapest on Maja T. and Gabriele Marchesi remain completely disproportionate to the alleged offences; they were pronounced at the end of proceedings that raised extremely serious concerns about procedural safeguards and evidence assessment." This statement was made by AVS MEP Ilaria Salis in response to the Budapest Court of Appeal's decision to sentence activists Maja T. and Gabriele Marchesi to seven and six years in prison, respectively. Both…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 30 SET - In September, German inflation reached its highest level since late 2023, owing to record fuel prices. The Federal Statistical Office reported that the price growth rate was 3.3%, up from 2.9% in August. Analysts predicted a 3.2% increase, but the figure exceeded expectations. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 30 SET - According to the Slovenian news agency STA, Slovenia's general government deficit was EUR 750 million in the second quarter of this year, or 3.9% of GDP, up from EUR 594 million, or 3.3% of GDP, in the same period last year. On Wednesday, the Statistics Office reported that consolidated gross debt had reached EUR 47.707 billion, or 64.7% of GDP. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 30 SET - Over the last three decades, EU member states have spent "unprecedented" amounts on defence. This is according to the European Defence Agency's (EDA) first annual defence readiness report, which was drafted with contributions from the European Commission, the European External Action Service, and the EU Military Staff. According to the most recent data obtained by ANSA, defence spending among the 27 member states reached "€418 billion in 2025"—equivalent to 2.2% of…

(ANSA) - UDINE, 29 SET - Air-lifted by helicopter, two summit crosses have returned to the peaks of Canin Piccolo and Mount Canin, at an altitude of 2,587 meters, after being restored and secured in a project involving volunteers, institutions and local organizations from both Italy and Slovenia. Resia Mayor Anna Micelli announced the news. The initiative, concerning one of the landmark massifs of the Julian Alps in the province of Udine, was launched by a group of mountain enthusiasts, particularly…

(ANSA) - UDINE, 29 SET - An investment of around 6 million euros aims to strengthen Carinthia's digital competitiveness and make the region more attractive to high-tech companies, data-driven businesses, and international investment. This is the goal of ALPSiX, Carinthia's first regional Internet Exchange Point, officially launched on Sept. 18 at the Lakeside Science & Technology Park in Klagenfurt. The Amt der Kärntner Landesregierung, the Carinthian regional government administration, announced…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 29 SET - "Throughout history, Russia and the Serbian people have had a special relationship," Russian President Vladimir Putin said today while receiving Milorad Dodik, President of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, and Savo Minic, Prime Minister of Republika Srpska (the Serb entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina) at the Kremlin. "We will certainly continue our efforts to further develop our ties, which include political dialogue, our activities at the United Nations, the…

(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, 29 SET - "Since the founding of our Union, physical and political integration have been inextricably linked. Today, our Union is preparing to expand again on the same principle. Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans are getting closer to us, and we are already constructing physical links to bring them closer to Europe. Consider Moldova, for example. For decades, much of its transportation infrastructure was geared towards the east. Today, we are assisting Moldova in connecting…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 29 SET - Regarding the EU accession path—and the question of a potential roadmap or decoupling from Ukraine's process—"our ambition is to open all six negotiating chapters by the end of the year, which means opening four more chapters," Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan told ANSA on the sidelines of Moldova Business Week in Chisinau. "As for the tasks assigned to us, we were prepared as early as the period following the November 2024 report; we have thus been ready for…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 29 SET - The Financial Times reported that UniCredit intends to take control of Commerzbank and replace its supervisory board as early as January, citing sources familiar with the matter. Unicredit and Commerzbank declined to comment. According to the financial daily, the Italian bank plans to hold an extraordinary shareholders' meeting as soon as it receives the remaining authorisations required to take control of Germany's second-largest bank. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 29 SET - The new Kosovo Assembly approved a declaration in its first plenary session regarding the ruling by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. Lawmakers found the conclusion that the four former KLA leaders had formed a "joint criminal enterprise" unacceptable. The declaration read by Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu received support from Vetëvendosje, the Democratic Party (PDK), the Democratic League (LDK),…

(ANSA) - PRISTINA, 29 SET - Nella sua prima sessione plenaria, la nuova Assemblea del Kosovo ha approvato una dichiarazione sulla sentenza delle Camere specializzate del Kosovo all'Aja contro quattro ex dirigenti dell'Esercito di liberazione del Kosovo (Uck). I deputati hanno definito inaccettabile la conclusione sull'esistenza di un "intento criminale comune" da parte dei quattro ex leader dell'Uck. La dichiarazione, letta dalla presidente dell'Assemblea Albulena Haxhiu, è stata sostenuta da Vetëvendosje,…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 28 SET - Diesel prices in Slovenia will fall again starting tomorrow, after rising above 2 euros per litre last week. The government has decided to reduce the price of diesel by 8.3 cents to EUR 1.929 per litre starting tomorrow, while regular petrol will be 1.2 cents more expensive at EUR 1.760 per litre, as new fuel prices take effect on Tuesday, the Infrastructure and Energy Ministry said today. If it weren't for government measures and price regulation, regular gasoline would…

(ANSA-AFP) - BUDAPEST, 28 SET - Hungary's parliament on Monday lifted the immunity of Prime Minister Peter Magyar and two former ministers under nationalist ex-leader Viktor Orban, so they could be investigated in separate criminal cases. The probes against the Orban-era ministers -- who are suspected of corruption worth millions of euros (dollars) -- are the first graft investigations against top government figures from Orban's 16 years in power. Magyar, who is being probed separately for alleged…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 28 SET - Greece intends to establish a migrant return hub in Africa during its rotating EU presidency in the second half of 2027. Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris announced the plan in an interview with Ant1, explaining that the facility would be located "in an African country we have already chosen; we simply cannot reveal its name yet." Uganda and Rwanda have been mentioned as potential destinations. Along with Greece, the project includes Denmark, Austria, Germany, and…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 28 SET - "Moldova is becoming more appealing. Your reform agenda provides a solid foundation for Moldova to build strong economic potential with ambition and determination. EU accession reforms are creating a favourable business climate," said EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in a video message broadcast at the eleventh edition of Moldova Business Week in Chisinau. "As investors show growing interest in Moldova's potential—and we must focus decisively on the country's…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 28 SET - The Kremlin is "confident" that contacts with Serbia's new political leadership and business community will resume following Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's resignation yesterday, according to Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "Obviously, relations between Russia and Serbia are far more important than relationships with individual figures; we are confident that our ties will continue to develop in a highly constructive manner across all sectors," the…

(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, 28 SET - Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on Sunday so he can run for prime minister in an October snap election called after nearly two years of student-led protests. "I am resigning as president," Vucic said from the presidential palace, where supporters chanted his name. "Tomorrow morning I will hand over my duties to the parliament speaker," he added. (ANSA-AFP).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 26 SET - Five migrants, whose nationalities are unknown, drowned in the Kupa River while attempting an irregular border crossing from Croatia into Slovenia. Croatian police confirmed that the incident occurred yesterday. Police were alerted to the presence of several people in the Kupa River, near the village of Damalj, close to Severin na Kupi. According to preliminary findings by Croatian law enforcement, the group consisted of approximately twenty people: 14 reportedly made…

(ANSA) - MADRID, SEP 26 - Two Spanish F-18s were scrambled last night in Romania after a drone was detected near Vakove, Ukraine, close to the border. The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported this in a statement carried by Europa Press. The fighter jets, deployed at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base as part of NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission, conducted a surveillance flight. At 12:15 a.m., authorities issued an alert for residents in the northern part of Tulcea County, which was lifted at 1:30…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 25 SET - Today marked the beginning of Bulgaria's election campaign for the planned October 25 presidential election, when voters will cast ballots. Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic in which the head of state has limited and largely ceremonial powers; however, the president is elected by universal suffrage. The term of office is five years and can only be renewed once. Yliana Yotova, the current head of state, is running in the upcoming election, supported by the newly formed…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 25 SET - Volkswagen and Audi are recalling nearly 1 million vehicles in Germany due to potential steering issues caused by the breakage of a screw. DPA and other German media outlets reported the news. According to data from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), 900,000 vehicles from Volkswagen and its German subsidiaries may be affected. The defect could affect up to 2.16 million vehicles worldwide. According to the agency, the solution is to replace the steering…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 25 SET - Next Wednesday, President Ursula von der Leyen will preside over a meeting of the College of Commissioners before embarking on a Balkan tour. She will first visit Tirana, Albania, to meet with President Begai and Prime Minister Rama. On Thursday, the President will continue her regional tour by visiting Pristina, Kosovo, to meet with Acting President Albulena Haxhiu and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. She will travel to Podgorica, Montenegro, to meet with President Jakov…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 25 SET - Strengthening regional cooperation as a tool for multilateralism, as well as connectivity and support for Ukraine, were among the key topics discussed at the ministerial meeting on regional cooperation held today in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, under the Romanian presidency of the Central European Initiative (CEI). The event marked the end of the mission led by CEI Secretary General Franco Dal Mas. Several foreign ministers attended the…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 24 SET - A roadshow designed to highlight the results of the CEI Fund at the EBRD, as well as the opportunities the instrument provides to regional countries, concluded today with a stop in Belgrade. The roadshow had previously visited Chișinău and Tirana. The Fund, established in 1992 and entirely funded by Italy with over €61 million, is the CEI's primary operational tool. The instrument facilitates technical assistance, know-how transfer, feasibility studies, and investment…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 24 SET - Friuli Venezia Giulia's "participation in Expo Belgrade 2027 represents an additional opportunity for dialogue with the Western Balkans," said FVG President Massimiliano Fedriga following the signing of a collaboration agreement between the Region and the Commissioner for the Italian Pavilion, Luca Gori, Italy's Ambassador to Serbia. "A territory like Friuli Venezia Giulia—open, dynamic, and capable of connecting people, places, and cultures—can certainly play a leading…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 24 SET - The remains of 32 Italian soldiers killed in World War I have been returned home after more than a century. The remains, discovered on Slovenian territory, were honoured today with a religious and commemorative ceremony at the Redipuglia Military Memorial in Gorizia. Undersecretary of State for Defence Isabella Rauti, Army Chief of Staff General Carmine Masiello, and 103-year-old Paola Del Din, a Gold Medal of Military Valour recipient, were among those in attendance.…