How EU regulatory maximalism undermines continental rearmament
The European Union continues to face a fundamental contradiction that threatens continental security.
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Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
State-owned bank Belfius pulls plug on Brussels region
Belgian State-owned bank Belfius has said it no longer wants to work with the Brussels Capital Region, citing the region's budget problems.
‘Spain’s electricity grid fast approaching saturation,’ warns power group
Limited capacity to connect new projects to the domestic electricity grid is costing Spain.
‘Don’t worry, we won’t poison you,’ Brazil tells EU
Brazil has told the European Union not to fear Mercosur imports, dismissing claims its products will “poison” the bloc's markets.
Euronext takes control of Athens Stock Exchange
Pan-European exchange operator Euronext has clinched a majority stake in the Hellenic Exchanges – Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX), the operator of Greece's historic…
EU proposes to loosen AI and data privacy rules, cut cookie banners
The European Union executive proposed rolling back key artificial intelligence (AI) and data privacy rules as part of a push to slash red tape and help Europe's…
India’s Bajaj Auto takes over KTM, Europe’s biggest motorcycle maker
Indian automotive group Bajaj Auto has gained control of KTM, Europe’s biggest producer of motorcycles.
German electricity system not ready for surge in demand, says report
Germany’s electricity system is struggling to keep up with rising industrial demand and fluctuations from renewables output.
EU struggling to renew its ageing farming workforce
Europe’s farms are facing a growing generational crunch.
China’s climate envoy humiliates the EU
The European Union came to COP 30 in Belem confident that it could supplant the absent Americans and lead the world with the example of its own plans to achieve…
Brussels budget minister warns total shutdown a real threat
The Brussels region's new budget minister Dirk De Smedt has warned that a full shutdown of public services is a real threat as the region is struggling to find money.
Airbus scores major contract with Dubai low-cost carrier for 150 jets
European aircraft producer Airbus has announced the signing of a major contract with Flydubai, a low-cost airline headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The British establishment says Brexit is failing but they only offer zombie statistics
“Be wary or there’ll be woe Know your friend from your foe.”
Austrian Government to outlaw ‘shrinkflation’ but inflation stays high
The Austrian government said it will introduce measures to curb so-called "shrinkflation".
Democracy slowing down Europe’s rare earth Cold War fight
Europe is losing the rare earths “Cold War” and one of the problems is democracy, an industry conference heard today.
Greenpeace says French uranium being sent to Russia
The Greenpeace environment group said Sunday that France was sending reprocessed uranium to Russia for treatment so it can be reused, despite the Kremlin's war in…
‘EU falling further behind China in electrifying factories’, says EC energy chief
Factories in Europe remain largely powered by gas, while China is rapidly switching to electricity.
China clamps down on exports of non-restricted materials, analysts warn
China is tightening its grip on materials Europe needs for sensitive technologies such as defence, despite those materials not being officially restricted.
Controversial EU-backed lithium mine in Serbia put on hold
Mining giant Rio Tinto has quietly placed its €2.95 billion Jadar lithium project in western Serbia on indefinite “care and maintenance".
French budget boosted by early debt repayment by Greeks
French budgetary woes have received some unexpected relief from an unlikely benefactor: Greece, once seen as the black sheep of the eurozone.
Von der Leyen’s (Anti-)Democracy Shield is an attempt at silencing dissent
It’s the European Commission’s latest dystopian invention—the so-called European Democracy Shield.
With the bridge, Salvini seeks to revive Italy’s Lega party
When Italy’s prosecutors temporarily blocked construction of the bridge connecting Sicily with the mainland on October 29, the decision immediately shook the government.
Energy-hungry European industries ‘dying’, top bank chief warns
Energy-hungry industries Europe are effectively "dying" as rising energy prices, the flood of cheap goods from China and the side effects of climate policies make…
Hungary to sue EU over ban on Russian gas imports
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said today that his government would take the European Union to court over its decision last month to phase out Russian gas…
Google bows to EC pressure, changes its ‘ad-tech’ operations
Google has announced changes to its advertising services to avert the risk of a break-up, two months after Brussels hit the US giant with a huge fine.
European Parliament targets Big Tech with new cross-border tax
A new European Union legislation could give the bloc the ability to tax Big Tech companies including those with no physical presence inside its borders.
X fined 5 million euros in Spain over cryptocurrency ads
Spain's securities regulator said today it has fined social media platform X five million euros for failing to comply with rules governing the advertising of financial…
Irish media regulator targets X on suspicion of EU rule violations
Ireland's media regulator said it was investigating Elon Musk's social network X on suspicion of violating European Union rules by failing to let users appeal its…
Italy, France and Belgium carry most worrying debts in EU, top bank says
Italy, France and Belgium have the most concerning debt-sustainability outlooks in the EU, according to the latest study published by the National Bank of Belgium.
Farmers not convinced EC simplification rules will simplify
Farmers in the European Union are not convinced by simplification of the rules promised to their sector by the European Parliament, Council of the EU and MEPs.