EU auditor calls for ‘reality check’ on EC’s renewable hydrogen plans
The European Union has unrealistic goals for renewable hydrogen energy, despite close to €20 billion in funding, says the EU's financial watchdog.
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Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
As Paris Olympics loom, Seine ‘still unsafe for swimming events’
As the Paris Olympics approach, it is unclear if the River Seine will be clean enough for athletes to use.
Brussels Commissioners resign to take seats in European Parliament
Two commissioners with the European Commission under its President Ursula von der Leyen have resigned to take their seats in the European Parliament.
Airbus and Thales ‘try again to merge space businesses’
Two European space technology giants, Germany's Airbus and France's Thales, are again in talks to merge their space activities, French weekly La Tribune has reported.
‘Cordon sanitaire’ for nationalists in European Parliament committees
The European Parliament will officially convene in its first session in Strasbourg on July 16 but the working committees have already been distributed among the…
Unilever to axe a third of office jobs in Europe
Unilever, a leading British multinational in the consumer goods section, wants to get rid of one in three European office jobs, or 3,200 employees.
Singapore approves 16 insects for human consumption as EU concerns linger
In the EU, six applications for insects intended to be marketed in different forms have been authorised: Alphitobius diaperinus larvae products, dried mealworms,…
French Left must ‘face reality’ over infeasible spending hikes
François Villeroy de Galhau, Governor of the Bank of France, has demanded left-wing policymakers "face reality" and understand further hikes in French spending…
EU forces changes to iPhone operating system
The European Union is to force through changes to Apple's iPhone operating system iOS to make it compatible with the bloc's anti-trust laws.
US to remain ‘liable’ for climate funding under second Trump presidency, says chief COP negotiator
Yalchin Rafiyev, who will spearhead talks at the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan in November, said Trump's return, if it happens, would be unlikely to disrupt climate…
Polish police to charge motorists for clearing road of climate blockade
A group of motorists who used a fire extinguisher and pepper spray to remove climate protesters blocking a main road in Warsaw on July 9 "will have to face charges",…
French news channel fined €80,000 over negative broadcasts on migration and climate change
Popular Conservative French news channel CNews was fined €80,000 by the country’s media regulator for expressing negative viewpoints regarding migration and…
Poland requests green tax exemption to help fuel Ukraine
Poland is to seek an exemption from European Union emission fees so that it can burn extra coal to supply Ukraine with electricity this winter.
EU bureaucracy, taxes and energy costs forces major auto manufacturer abroad
Germany's second-largest automotive supplier, ZF Friedrichshafen, is planning to close plants in Europe and cut up to 12,000 jobs.
‘EU ammunition production vastly overstated,’ report finds
Their research indicated a substantial discrepancy between the EU's reported figures and the actual increase in munitions manufacturing capabilities.
German exports crash as deliveries to China tumble 10 per cent
Economists have expressed dismay at a sudden drop in Germany's exports with deliveries to China crashing by more than 10 per cent in just one month.
Russia sanctions ‘barely affecting’ Kremlin war effort: researchers
Sanctions targeting Russia are "barely affecting" the country's ability to wage war in Ukraine, according to research funded by the German Government.
German government clinches 2025 budget deal in line with debt brake
Germany's coalition government has clinched an agreement on the budget for 2025 that will adhere to the country's strict spending rules following months of negotiations,…
China-built EVs hit with duties in biggest EU trade case yet
The European Union will impose tariffs of up to 37.
Trudeau and von der Leyen to push ‘diversity and gender equality’ in industry
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised to promote "diversity and gender equality" within their respective…
Germany bans VW from selling ‘sensitive tech’ to China over security concerns
Germany has banned car manufacturer Volkswagen from selling a firm possessing "sensitive technology" to China over security fears.
China and EU hold technical talks on impending EV tariffs
Chinese and EU officials held several rounds of technical talks over Brussels' proposed tariffs on Chinese electric cars on July 4, China's commerce ministry said…
EU nearly 100 years behind on AI goals, EC report finds
The report found that it would take nearly 100 years to achieve one of the bloc's 2030 goals for AI.
Norway to stockpile grain in preparation ‘for the unthinkable’
The Norwegian Government has signed an agreement to start stockpiling grain to prepare for a possible supply problem towards the end of this decade.
German car industry urges EU to drop tariffs on China-made cars
Germany's VDA auto association has urged the European Commission to drop its planned tariffs on China-made electric vehicles in a last-ditch effort to influence…
Meta cannot compel payment to stop use of personal data, EC rules
Meta cannot charge European users for the privilege of not allowing the company to use their personal data, the EU has ruled.
Germany’s Lufthansa adds flights surcharge to address ‘rising environmental costs’
German aviation company Lufthansa Group announced the implementation of an Environmental Cost Surcharge (ECS) on ticket prices to address rising costs associated…
China tightens grip on crucial rare earths
China's State Council announced the approval of new regulations on the management of rare earth materials, strengthening government control.
EU Green Deal architect takes top job with Dutch gas firm — without EC permission
Diederik Samsom, one of the architects of the European Green Deal, has raised eyebrows after joining the board of Gasunie, a Dutch gas company, as chairman.
Elements of Von der Leyen’s Green Deal reappear in leaked EU summit document
EU leaders will reintroduce “green" commitments into the EU Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029, which they are set approve at their latest summit, according to a leaked…