Author: staff
Economic expansion across the regions covered by the EBRD is projected to gather pace over the next two years, defying earlier fears of a severe slowdown linked to international trade disputes. According to the bank’s latest report, released on Thursday, aggregate growth is forecast to rise from an estimated 3.4% in 2025 to 3.6% in 2026, culminating at 3.7% in 2027. This represents a 0.2% upward revision for the current year compared to projections published last September. Their most recent report outlines how geopolitical fragmentation has proven less damaging to global commerce than financial markets initially priced in. “Economies across…
SONDAGE Cluster 17 x POLITICO. Quelques jours après la mort de Quentin Deranque, la ville est polarisée entre les soutiens du maire sortant Ecologiste, Grégory Doucet, et ceux de l’ancien président de l’Olympique lyonnais, Jean-Michel Aulas. Feb 19 3 mins read
Published on 26/02/2026 – 16:42 GMT+1 French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said she would not run for president in 2027 if the court sentences her to wear an electronic bracelet, as she would not be able to campaign even if her electoral ban was lifted. “We can’t campaign under these conditions,” Le Pen, who leads the far-right party National Rally (RN) in the French parliament, said in an interview with French broadcaster BFM TV on Wednesday. “Campaigning under house arrest is not possible,” she said. “Can you campaign without going out in the evenings to meet your constituents at…
A major energy deal between an Italian firm and the state oil company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has been confirmed by the European Commission. The EC approved the acquisition of Italiana Petroli S.p.A. (IP) and its subsidiary MIP S.p.A. by Azerbaijan’s SOCAR, citing that the transaction does not raise competition concerns under EU merger rules. The decision was taken on 19 February under the EU Merger Regulation and cleared through simplified procedure by Brussels. The European Commission’s merger review process, under EU regulations, is typically reserved for cases where market overlaps are limited and unlikely to distort effective competition within the…
Germany’s government has drawn heavy criticism from environmental groups after it agreed to remove parts of a controversial law on heating homes. The legislation previously stated that newly installed heating systems were required to use at least 65 per cent renewable energy – such as a heat pump. The reform will now allow homeowners to use oil and gas instead. One critic has called the move “an unconditional fulfilment of all the wishes of the fossil fuel lobby”. Germany scraps renewable heating mandate The law on renewable heating sources was passed in 2023, and hailed by climate experts as one…
The European Parliament voted to support it in December. Some MEPs who opposed it said it infringed upon EU and national rules. The Commission said Thursday it “it is not necessary to propose a new legal instrument” because “EU support can already be provided relatively quickly by Member States willing to do so under existing instruments.” Countries can use the European Social Fund plus, the Commission said, “if in accordance with their national laws, to provide such support.” This has a budget of €142.7 billion and is largely used to support employment and welfare services. “The ESF+ can support the…
By Sophia Khatsenkova & AFP Published on 26/02/2026 – 15:35 GMT+1•Updated 15:36 Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandiari was sentenced on Thursday by a Paris court to one year in prison and permanently barred from French territory for glorifying terrorism. She could become a bargaining chip in possible talks with Tehran and in the event of a prisoner swap involving French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who are still waiting to leave Iran after being held there for more than three years. Iranian authorities have indicated that, once the French legal process is completed, they want their citizen to be exchanged for the two…
Some major clients did stick by the embattled agency, including banking giant Santander. Samir Dwesar, the bank’s senior public affairs and public policy manager told POLITICO the staff “don’t deserve this,” but predicted the “consummate professionals, who have deep expertise in their areas” would “all be snapped up pretty quickly.” Another public affairs professional at a company which employed Global Counsel said there had been “no discussions” about ending their contract. “Our assessment was that Global Counsel’s leadership had taken the correct decisions under incredibly difficult circumstances,” they said. “We were confident they’d get through it.” Many staff believed the…
The possession, manufacture and trafficking of illicit firearms could soon carry prison sentences ranging from two to eight years across the entire European Union, under a new proposal unveiled by the European Commission on Thursday. The draft directive presented by the EU executive in Brussels plans to harmonise how firearms-related offences are defined and punished across the 27 member states. It argues that the divergent national rules have created loopholes that criminal networks exploit when operating across borders. The creation, acquisition, possession or dissemination of 3D-printed firearm blueprints would for instance carry a maximum prison sentence of at least two…
Updated: 26/02/2026 – 14:46 GMT+1 A sinkhole formed suddenly in Omaha, Nebraska, Tuesday afternoon and swallowed two cars stopped at a red light. Omaha Police said the two drivers were able to get out of their vehicles — and the sinkhole — by the time emergency crews arrived. No injuries were reported. … More