Ryanair to cut 1m passengers from Belgium over doubling of aviation tax
Irish airline Ryanair will cut more than one in five flights in Belgium in response to the Belgian Government's decision to double aviation tax to €10 per passenger…
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Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
Sharp rise in bankruptcies burns Swedish solar installation sector
The Swedish solar installation industry, already battered by a wave of failures throughout 2025, has seen no let-up in the final months of the year.
IMF issues warning over EU’s push to tap frozen Russian assets
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged European leaders to respect national and international law regarding their plans for using Russian assets.
Flood of EU money headed for Bosnia ahead of bloc membership
Bosnia and Herzegovina has moved a step closer to receiving almost €1 billion in European Union funds after the European Commission approved its programme of reforms…
European Commission opens anti-trust probe into Meta
The European Commission has launched an anti-trust probe into Meta Platforms targeting the company’s rollout of new artificial-intelligence (AI) tools inside WhatsApp.
EU climate regulations show it can’t compete in ‘pugnacious new world’
The recently completed COP-30 in Brazil begat no roadmap for a fossil fuel phaseout, disappointing an EU delegation that had hoped to rope the rest of the world…
China-Spain trade deal saves EU country from pork export collapse
New trade protocols including regional tracing, with help from China, are helping Spain’s pork industry survive the economic fallout of a recent outbreak of African…
A new tripolar world order is emerging without Europe
Europe has had a good run.
Belgian PM: ‘We’ll not saddle Belgium with billions of debt over Russia’
Belgium says the European Union pushed ahead with the plan to use frozen Russian assets without properly addressing the country's financial and legal risks.
Belgium says No: Confiscating Russian frozen assets could bankrupt Belgium
Today the European Commission finally revealed its proposed legal texts on how to finance a new round of at least €90 billion of support for Ukraine.
Dutch ‘green transition hurts working class while rich reap subsidies’
In the Netherlands, low-income and vulnerable citizens are disproportionately shouldering the financial and health burdens of climate policies, whilst wealthier…
Switzerland breaks tradition on arms exports, tests neutrality in Ukraine war
Switzerland has taken a historic step away from its traditionally restrictive stance on arms exports.
Danish EU Council’s presidency pushes for sweeping tobacco tax hikes
The Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, pressured by hard-line NGOs, is making a bold, last-minute push to significantly increase taxes on most…
Germany as ‘business location in free fall,’ industry association warns
The Federation of German Industries (BDI), one of Germany’s major business associations, has warned the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz that the economy…
‘We won the war, now let’s make money’, Azerbaijan tells EU
Diplomacy between Azerbaijan and the EU has concentrated on the territorial dispute with Armenia, but since the outbreak of peace there's a new focus: Making money.
German cities pull plug on ‘too costly’ Christmas lights
Several German cities have scaled back or scrapped traditional Christmas illuminations this year, citing soaring costs and strained municipal budgets as the festive…
EU wants money from ‘oil-rich countries’ for biodiversity ahead of COP17
The European Union is aiming for "financial commitments from oil-rich countries" to support global biodiversity efforts ahead of the Conference of the Parties to…
French ecologist website calls for movement to become ‘less white’
Reporterre, an independent French online media outlet dedicated to ecology and environmental journalism, has published an in-depth exploration of the enduring “whiteness”…
‘Chocolate and coffee production at risk’ with EC deforestation law delay
MEPs have voted to delay the European Union deforestation law for the second time because of unresolved or "ill-prepared" IT systems.
Merz demands EU scrap ban on sale of combustion engine cars
Germany will urge the European Union to scrap a planned 2035 ban on the sale of combustion engine cars, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday, as Berlin battles…
One giant leap for mankind? European Space Agency secures record funding
The European Space Agency (ESA) has secured a record budget of €22.1 billion to fund its programmes for the next three years.
The European paradox on sanctions: Preaching morality, doing business
When eminent historians like Niall Ferguson speak, the Western elite listens.
Asbestos found in Chinese-built wind turbines
White asbestos has been detected in brake pads used in Chinese-manufactured turbines, sparking a safety scandal that has engulfed Australia's burgeoning wind energy…
French Socialists want to force ‘rich’ to lend interest-free to the State
Three French Socialist senators have tabled an amendment to the 2026 Finance Bill that would compel high-income households to provide interest-free loans to the…
Will EU replace reliance on Russian gas with reliance on Russian uranium?
European Union countries say they are turning to nuclear to reduce their dependence on Russia for gas and LNG.
Lack of housing set to end Spain’s economic ‘supercycle’
Spain's so-called supercycle of economic growth is predicted to slow next year as a much-needed housing boom remains elusive, a new study shows.
Dutch bank ABN Amro to cut 5,200 jobs by 2028 in AI-driven overhaul
ABN Amro, the State-backed Dutch lender, has unveiled plans to slash 5,200 full-time positions – nearly a quarter of its workforce – by 2028.
German climate activists to pay hefty damages for airport blockade
In a landmark ruling, the Hamburg Regional Court has ordered 10 members of the climate activist group Last Generation to pay more than €403,000 in damages to the…
EU mulls joint borrowing instead of seizing Russian assets amid growing risks
The European Union is weighing joint borrowing mechanisms to bolster financial support for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027 amid mounting obstacles to its preferred but…
Belgian Government agrees on budget after months-long battle
The Belgian Government, which was on the brink over difficult budget talks, has after months of infighting found an agreement on raising almost €10 billion in…