Japan Upgrades Economic View as Easing Covid Impact Supports Spending; Uncertainty Remains
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Thursday upgraded its overview for the first time in four months as the drag from an Omicron-led spike in coronavirus cases is easing to support consumption despite surging food and energy prices and uncertainty over the war in Ukraine, according to its monthly report released by the Cabinet […]
Italy To Raise Defense Budget To 2% of GDP, But EU Common Funding Needed – Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Italy’s parliament is expected to clear on Thursday a defense budget increase to reach 2% of GDP following the Ukraine crisis, though the goal is to achieve at European level a common funding mechanism for military expenditures, according to ruling coalition sources. “We have pledged, as per NATO agreements […]
Analysis: Japan PM Kishida to Face Bad Economic News After Omicron Storm
–Economists Revise Down Forecasts to Show Slight Contraction in 1Q By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is likely to face bad news on the economic front after barely surviving voter frustration over public health restrictions imposed about two months ago aimed at fighting a surge in Covid infections caused by the […]
As Italy Government Tackles Thorny Reforms, Cracks in Majority Weaken Support for Draghi – Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Rome’s push to tackle thorny reforms is opening more cracks among governing coalition partners, undermining support for Prime Minister Mario Draghi at a time when the Ukraine crisis calls for unity, ruling party officials say. Draghi is trying to push through parliament fiscal reforms aimed at simplifying the tax […]
Toyota To Suspend Japanese Domestic Factory Operations as Suspected Cyberattack Hits Supplier
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Toyota Motor said Monday that it will suspend all domestic factory operations on Tuesday after one of its parts suppliers was hit by a suspected cyberattack, adding to challenges for the auto industry that is already suffering from global chip shortages and pandemic-caused supply bottlenecks. It is unknown who staged […]
Italy Lobbying EU To Keep Energy Out Of Sanctions Package Against Russia – Italy Government Sources
–Rome hopes any sanctions would unfold in stages, sees energy sanctions as ‘last resort’ given Italy’s dependence on Russian gas By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Italy is lobbying at the European level to exempt Russian energy exports from the European Union’s potential sanctions as Italy would end up paying the highest price, according to […]
Italy’s Democrats Recover Lost Ground, Lead Polls but in Tie with Former Fascist Party – Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – After a deep crisis and loss of support that lasted more than four years, Italy’s Democratic Party is leading polls with a higher chance of winning next year’s general vote and putting it in position to push through key reforms, said party officials. Still, polls show a tie with […]
Reports: Canada’s PM Trudeau Weighs Using Emergency Act to Clear Trucker Blockades
(MaceNews) – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is considering using the Emergency Act, which would limit civil liberties and give the federal government temporary powers to help end blockades at US borders by truckers protesting Covid mandates, news reports said. Trudeau told his Liberal Party caucus on Monday he would invoke the never-before-used Emergencies Act […]
Berlusconi’s Potential Run For Italy’s Presidency Triggers Political Chaos – Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – The potential candidacy of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to the top office of Italy’s presidency is raising political chaos at a critical time when parties should seek a compromise on a high level, impartial figure to elect, according to political sources. After having faced 36 trials the scandal-ridden […]
<strong>Draghi’s Chances to Become Italy’s Next President Rise, Party Talks Start – Sources</strong>
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Chances are rising that Prime Minister Mario Draghi will be Italy’s next head of state as parties start talks to reach a deal over the appointment, according to ruling coalition sources, even if it will be a “last-minute decision”. On Tuesday, lower house President Roberto Fico is expected to […]