Ireland’s Fianna Fáil will step up efforts to form a government by starting formal engagement with other parties, except Sinn Féin, after marginally winning the most seats at an inconclusive 8 February election.

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network.

At the press conference presenting Hungary’s climate and nature protection action plan, Innovation and Technology Minister László Palkovics explained that next year the government will be banning the retail of disposable plastics and take measures to replace mass-produced, disposable products with reusable, recyclable ones.

U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams warned Wednesday that U.S. sanctions on the South American nation would not cease until “Venezuela recovers its democracy.”

The effects can be seen in cross-border lending

Indian equities fluctuated between gains and losses in the early trade.

A clutch of private equity funds including Apax Partners and Kedaara Capital are in early stages of discussions to acquire US-headquartered information technology and services (ITES) company CSS Corp .

Chairman PSM Board, Aamir Mumtaz informed the committee members that bulk of the country’s steel requirement is met through heavy import of steel products.