European stocks posted their biggest two-day gain since October 2011 on increased investor confidence that central banks will act to support markets.

Centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani is favourite among Italians to lead the next government, with outgoing technocrat prime minister Mario Monti second most popular and Silvio Berlusconi coming a close third, a poll showed yesterday

An internal UN investigation has concluded that a UN official steered millions of dollars in contracts to a company owned by the government of his native India, in exchange for favours that included low-rent apartments.

Italy’s Alitalia faced cancellations or delays for as many as 250 flights today as wildcat protests by the airline’s workers continued ahead of a key meeting between unions and government representatives.

Italy’s Alitalia faced cancellations or delays for as many as 250 flights today as wildcat protests by the airline’s workers continued ahead of a key meeting between unions and government representatives.