EC eases back on agriculture but emissions cuts still dominate
The European Commission is easing the demands made on agriculture while at the same time, regarding climate targets for 2040, it wants a 90 per cent net emissions…
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Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
Spanish farmers blockade motorways ahead of official protest start date
Spanish farmers have blocked traffic on several major motorways and burned tyres, joining colleagues in other European countries protesting against high costs, bureaucracy…
Angry Italian farmers to target Rome
Italian farmers protesting about red tape and cheap imports from outside the EU headed towards Rome in convoys of tractors while their colleagues in the North led…
EU economy to struggle this year while US and Asia grows: OECD
The European Union's economy is expected to struggle in 2024 as other global areas enjoy substantial growth, newly published research by the Organisation for Economic…
EU insurance regulation is not working, it needs an overhaul – says Ireland’s former Europe Minister
The handling of an inquiry into motor insurers in Bulgaria and Romania raises serious questions for the European Commission and the EU's regulators, writes Ireland's…
Not so smart: AI Act’s ‘unclear restrictions could hurt development’
The European Union's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act risks “harming” the continent's budding AI sector due to its "unclear" nature, a prominent industry group…
Udder nonsense: EC ‘not planning to impose masks on cows’
There have been rumours that Brussels was examining whether or not to impose “mask mandates on farmed bovines”
Belgian police plough same furrow as angry farmers
As outraged Belgian farmers continued to block ports and borders in the Netherlands, police authorities issued a statement of public support for the protesters –…
Committee of the Regions urges overhaul of EU agriculture policies
Committee of the Regions, Brussels
France throws hat into AI-rules ring
France is now backing landmark European Union rules governing Artificial Intelligence (AI) - subject to strict conditions - an EU diplomatic source said, after others…
Germany grinds to a halt as transport workers apply the brakes
Bus and tram stations across Germany have been at a standstill, disrupting millions of commuters and travellers as 90,000 public transport workers were called out…
French farmers to lift blockades after Government caves in to demands
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced a string of concessions regarding French farmers in response to their mass protests.
Hungary agrees to EU aid package for Ukraine
All 27 leaders of the European Union on February 1 reached a deal on a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine.
EU shifts budget priorities from climate to defence as Ukraine takes centre stage
The European Union's budget priorities are shifting rapidly away from solar cells to bullets as the Ukraine conflict replaces the stalled Green Deal in leaders'…
German companies begin four-day working week experiment
Some 45 German companies have made a radical change; their employees will be able to work one day a week less for the same salary.
Italy defence minister warns of Red Sea ‘threat’ for Europe’s ports
Ongoing disruption in the Red Sea threatens to destabilise Italy's economy and marginalise ports in southern Europe, Italy's defence minister said.
Farmers bring EU quarter to a standstill
Men and women from across the bloc burned hay and tyres from early in the morning on Luxembourg Square, in front of the European Parliament, while dozens of tractors…
EC appears to give ground in farmers’ dispute
In response to the mass protests by angry farmers across Europe, the European Commission proposed to put some limits on agricultural imports from Ukraine and loosen…
Prague embraces automated metro system
Prague, Czechia
Germany endorses AI Act but not all think it’s so smart
The Germany Government has endorsed the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act, clearing a key hurdle to enable it to become law before June's European Parliament…
Eurozone economy flatlined in 2023 with little hope of new life this year
The Eurozone economy stagnated last year, underperforming the rest of the world as former powerhouse Germany struggled with an industrial malaise that has no end…
Meloni’s grand plan for Africa: Oil wheels of investment to drive down migration
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni unveiled her vision regarding Italy’s Africa relationships with the presentation of the “Mattei plan” - named after…
EC leaves Amazon/iRobot merger no room to manoeuvre
An organisation representing Europe's technology industry has expressed anger after the European Commission pulled the plug on a proposed merger between US firms…
Sanctions nearly always fail: That is the lesson the EU and the United States should take from their vain attempts to curtail Russia and China
The last year has shown significant shortcomings when it comes to West’s ability to use economic statecraft as a tool in international politics.
‘EU will hurt Hungary if it blocks further Ukrainian aid’
Secret documents show the European Union is planning to intentionally damage Hungary's economy if the country decides to reject more funding for Ukraine at an upcoming…
Germany’s Scholz calls for completion of EU capital markets union
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Sunday for the European Union to complete its creation of a banking and capital markets union, so the bloc can compete with…
Paris ‘under siege’ as farmers’ demonstration escalates
Farmers in France have launched a "siege of Paris" after the country's Government failed to roll back various “green” restrictions on the agriculture sector.
Paris leads race for EU’s new AMLA HQ but Dublin ‘gains momentum’
Several countries are competing to house the European Union's newly formed anti-money laundering authority (AMLA).
Despite a foot in both EU and UK markets, Northern Ireland still can’t flourish
Uniquely, Northern Ireland has full access to both the EU and UK market but its economy has still struggled to take advantage, economists and civil society leaders…
Red tape ties up most of €800 billion EU ‘green’ fund
An €800 billion European Union programme set up to fund the bloc’s “green” and digital transitions has been held up by red tape, with fewer than a third…