Italy's business lobby calls for 8 bln euros in state aid for investments
MILAN, May 27 (Reuters) - Italy's leading business lobby, Confindustria, urged the Italian government to provide companies with an 8 billion euro ($9.5 billion) investment support package over the next three to five years, its President Emanuele Orsini said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the lobby's annual assembly in Bologna, Orsini outlined potential strategies to stimulate firms' investments, including an alternative allocation of European Union's post-COVID funds and domestic tax breaks.
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Reuters
26 minutes ago
- Reuters
Poland cancels acquisition process for 32 Black Hawk helicopters
WARSAW, June 6 (Reuters) - Poland has cancelled the procurement procedure for the purchase of 32 more Lockheed Martin S-70i Black Hawk helicopters for the Polish Army, the Polish Armament Agency said on Friday. "Maybe it is necessary to acquire other equipment in its (helicopters') place such as drones, or tanks, or some kind of communication," agency spokesman Grzegorz Polak told Reuters. Polak added that "some correction" was needed when the geopolitical situation and state security interests required other tasks to be carried out. Poland launched negotiations for the acquisition of 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, produced by Lockheed Martin's Polish arm PZL Mielec, in 2023 under the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government, opens new tab. PiS lawmaker Mariusz Blaszczak, who was defence minister in the previous government, labelled the decision a "disgrace" in a post on X, saying it would slow down the replacement of the helicopter fleet. In August 2024 Poland signed a contract with the U.S. to buy 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. Under the deal with the U.S. government the helicopters would provide new combat capabilities in terms of target engagement and reconnaissance, and will replace Poland's post-Soviet Mi-24 helicopters. Polak said the Armament Agency obtained equipment in accordance with Polish army plans, which are classified. It was not the Armament Agency that set procurement priorities, he added.
Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
City shopping centre to be demolished to make way for science lab, gym & hotel – and shoppers despair ‘it's a sad sight'
Plans were approved last February to change the building on the land GETTING MALLED City shopping centre to be demolished to make way for science lab, gym & hotel – and shoppers despair 'it's a sad sight' A POPULAR shopping centre is set to be demolished in a major UK city. The Grafton Centre in Cambridge housed just 11 retailers after years of decline. 5 The Grafton Centre in Cambridge is set to be partially demolished Credit: BPM 5 It houses just 11 retailers after years of closures post-Covid Credit: BPM 5 It will be replaced by science laboratories, a hotel and a gym Credit: BPM Built in 1983, the shopping hub has undergone significant changes in the 40 years since it was built. An expansion took place in the 1990s, in addition to a recent refurbishment in 2017. Despite attempts to revive the struggling centre, Cambridge City Council approved plans to partially demolish the building in February 2024. Led by the Pioneer Group, the demolished site will be replaced by science laboratories, plus a hotel and a gym. It hopes to be a more productive use of the space, as the shopping centre had become run down with lots of empty units. Over the last few years retailers like Debenhams, River Island and New Look all closed down their Grafton-Centre sites, leaving it feeling increasingly empty. Shoppers told Cambridgeshire Live that they were "sad" to see the shopping centre so empty. Maddy Richer said: "It's just sad because this is in the centre of Cambridge. "I suppose it is good for the science industry but I don't know if it has to be right in the centre of Cambridge." Locals expressed frustration that the redevelopment plan has taken so long, with the centre lying mostly empty for two years. Birmingham give update on new £3billion stadium as they announce major development Families in the area expressed concern that the science-focused redevelopment will leave the area with fewer activities for children. Kim High told the local newspaper: "It used to be a great place for families to do activities. "Things like that we will miss because there is not much else to do. "I think Cambridge is just gearing towards science and not families." With just 11 retailers left in the store, some locals said that they "don't think it is good publicity for Cambridge" and they would rather the space be put to better use. 5 Some locals are looking forward to the derelict site having a purpose Credit: BPM 5 Vue has announced they will be closing this summer Credit: BPM The latest business to announce its departure from the store is cinema chain Vue, who will close this summer. The closure comes as high streets up and down the country struggle to cope with the decline in footfall since Covid. With many retailers moving online, shopping centres have seen retailers closing stores, leaving them empty and derelict. This becomes unattractive for customers, further reducing footfall and leaving councils looking for an alternative use for these vast spaces. With its university population and appeal for young people, the new development could provide exciting research and job opportunities. It does, however, mark the end of a historic building once-beloved by families for its wide range of shops and entertainment options.
Reuters
31 minutes ago
- Reuters
US declares Biden fuel economy rules exceeded legal authority
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