Brussels charges Meta over ‘addictive’ design of Instagram and Facebook
"Protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms".
Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
Volkswagen to slash model range in half, cut production by 10 per cent
The move is part of a broader far ranging cost-cutting and efficiency drive as the group confronts a sharp downturn in its core European and Chinese markets.
Parliament clears digital euro talks after right-wing groups force a vote
A third file in the same single currency package, on the legal tender status of euro banknotes and coins, was not contested.
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German company bankruptcies highest in over two decades
In the April-to-June period, there were 4,996 insolvencies of partnerships and corporations.
Russia bans diesel exports after Ukrainian strikes on refineries
Shipments made under pre-existing intergovernmental agreements, including a supply deal with Mongolia, are exempt.
Spain pushes vast new joint borrowing plan, setting up clash with northern states
The Commission would centralise part of the funding programmes now run separately by national treasuries, issuing bonds and passing the proceeds back to participating…
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Poland lobbies for NATO pipeline extension to cover eastern flank
"The dual-use nature of pipelines provides the opportunity to build security for NATO's entire eastern flank, so this is also an opportunity for me and all of central…
Gazprom accuses Ukraine of drone attack on gas pipeline to Turkey during NATO summit
The company said that unmanned aerial vehicles hit the Krasnodarskaya compressor station in Russia's Krasnodar region on the evening of July 7.
Dutch prosecutors bring criminal charges against Tata Steel over harmful emissions
The Public Prosecution Service says its investigation found sufficient grounds to take the steelmaker to court over emissions near its IJmuiden plant.
Saxony to dismantle €10 million wind turbine because ‘it’s noisy’
Being almost 170m high, it is the biggest wind turbine in Saxony, supplying periodic energy to around 5,000 households.
Trump vows to halt ‘all trade’ with Spain
The country is the only NATO member not to have committed to spending 5 per cent of its gross domestic product on defence by 2035.
Germany to borrow more than €800bn by 2030 for infrastructure and defence
Ministers argue the spending surge is needed to revive the economy after years of weak growth, modernise ageing infrastructure and rapidly strengthen armed forces.
Vouzela wildfire comes under control as Portugal endures record fire spell
More than 1,000 firefighters stayed on the ground for mopping-up and surveillance, tackling any flare-ups.
Porsche announces up to 4,000 additional job cuts amid industry pressures
The company, part of the struggling Volkswagen Group, employs around 40,000 people worldwide, with the majority based in Germany.
OPEC+ raises oil output for third month as Hormuz shipping recovers
The group has been unwinding a cut of 1.65 million barrels a day agreed in 2023, when the alliance still included the United Arab Emirates.
Von der Leyen opens EU market to Armenia in bid to counter Russian influence
Both Brussels and Moscow are explicitly linking their trade measures on Armenia as political tools.
Brussels and EIB channel emissions revenue into energy projects across 11 EU states
The latest Modernisation Fund payout takes the total raised from the bloc's carbon market since 2021 to more than €23 billion, with Romania, Hungary and the Czech…
Germany’s net investment has almost ground to a halt
McKinsey’s 65-page study shows that Germany is investing almost nothing in additional production capacity.
Google loses final appeal against record €4.1 billion EU antitrust fine over Android practices
The company expressed disappointment but has not yet detailed next steps.
EU tightens steel safeguards and parcel rules to address its trade imbalance with China
Brussels has framed the package as essential for the EU's open strategic autonomy in an era of heightened geopolitical and economic competition.
Germany’s energy-hungry small firms struggle with green shift
Germany's small firms are facing challenges in the shift to carbon-neutral production, grappling with high energy costs and insufficient electricity supply for electrification…
Costa hails EU-US trade deal as European duties on US goods scrapped
The European Commission has said the removal of EU duties would save importers and consumers around €5 billion a year.
Ex-Commissioner Oettinger criticises EC’s economic track record under von der Leyen
He stressed that in the last decade, the GDP of China has grown strongly, while the US remained stable, but the GDP of Europe dropped.
EU backs coordinated, cost-conscious enforcement of anti-‘greenwashing’ rules
The agreement sets shared criteria for how national regulators enforce the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive.
AfD leader vows to restore German-Russian ties when she becomes chancellor
Alice Weidel said Germany must seek a pragmatic reset with Russia.
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Spain loses US Supreme Court bid to avoid renewable energy payouts
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for investors to enforce billions of euros in renewable energy arbitration awards against the Spanish State.
British American Tobacco to cut around 9,000 jobs in AI-driven overhaul
Chief Executive Tadeu Marroco said the changes would strengthen the company’s ability to compete in a rapidly evolving environment.
European Commission only allows air conditioner for higher ups
The 13-storey building houses around 3,000 employees on the lower and middle floors, while von der Leyen’s office is on the 13th floor.
Germany could restart five nuclear reactors within four years
Class 1 reactors could be restarted for well under €1 billion each, while Class 2 plants would require between €1 billion and €3 billion.
Putin admits fuel shortage as Ukrainian strikes hit refineries
At least 17 Russian regions have imposed mandatory restrictions on petrol and diesel sales.