‘Clapped-out second-hand tankers’ enable Russian oil to avoid Western price-cap sanctions
The majority of oil exported by the Russian Federation is avoiding price-cap sanctions imposed upon it by the West.
Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
Germany demolishes strict climate rules for housing
In a major concession to its housing industry, the progressive government in Germany has decided to drop tougher "climate efficiency" demands for new homes.
Extinction Rebellion goes to court over use of water cannon by police
The Netherlands branch of the radical environmental organisation Extinction Rebellion is suing the Dutch Government over hosing downs they received from police when…
EU ministers agree watered-down position on vehicle emissions
European Union ministers agreed on Monday to water down an initial European Commission proposal on new vehicle commissions after eight states including France and…
EU warns China it will be ‘more assertive’ on fair trade
The European Union’s chief trade negotiator warned China on Monday during his trip to the nation that the bloc will be more forceful in upholding fair competition…
Booking’s €1.6 billion Etraveli deal blocked by EU
Booking Holdings Inc.’s €1.6 billion ($1.
EU-backed trade tariffs will cost car manufacturers ‘billions’
A European Union-backed trade agreement with the UK will cost the continent's car manufacturers billions, an industry group has claimed.
Azerbaijan has ‘no intention’ of joining EU, ambassador says
Azerbaijan has no intention of joining the European Union, the country's ambassador to the bloc has said.
EU Commission preparing to recommend Ukraine membership talks
The European Union’s executive arm is preparing to recommend starting membership talks with Ukraine in earnest, offering a boost to Kyiv as it seeks to ensure…
Swedish auditor slams government over ‘green’ energy policy
Sweden's National Audit Office (NAO) is highly critical of the Swedish Government and its “green” energy transition in its latest audit report.
Belgium pushing for ban on Russian diamonds
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo is trying to convince the diamond industry to take the last step in removing Russian diamonds from the international market.
German minister calls for cuts in livestock to boost ‘green’ ambitions
Germany's agriculture minister has called for a reduction in the number of livestock in the country in order to help fight climate change.
Zelenskyy says unilateral grain embargo ‘supports Russia’ while at UN meeting
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York on September 19, criticised the grain embargo imposed on his country by…
European Court of Auditors warns about the environmental impact of offshore wind farms
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is sounding an alarm over the potential negative effects of building wind farms at sea.
The EU is wide open to Chinese infiltration – and Net Zero has made it worse
In London, the last few weeks have provided a glimpse into the way in which the liberal West has been infiltrated, and to an extent is being subverted by, the Chinese…
EU victory as Apple launches first USB-C iPhone
The European Union looks like it has emerged victorious over Apple, with the Californian tech company bowing to the bloc's demands to implement USB-C charging in…
Belgian green party chief left red-faced over car-free Sundays taxi trip
Rajae Maouane, president of Ecolo, the francophone “green” party in Belgium, has been taking flak following an embarrassing confession on TV.
EU to extend ‘Champagne-style’ protections to European crafts
The European Union is to extend 'Champagne-style' protections to unique crafts and industrial products.
Agriculture Commissioner Wojciechowski slams EC decision on Ukrainian grain
European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski has publicly disowned the decision taken by the EC to end the embargo on Ukrainian grain for five neighbouring…
Greta Thunberg charged again for disobeying police order
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was charged with disobeying a police order on Friday, less than two months after she was convicted and fined for the same…
Euro set for record run of losses as ECB seen done raising rates
The euro was headed for the longest streak of losses since its inception on bets the European Central Bank is done raising interest rates.
Fury in Beijing as EU announces Chinese electric-car probe
A forthcoming EU probe into Chinese electric cars entering Europe has angered Beijing, with officials and state-run media outlets lambasting the Commission for attacking…
Special report: Inside Bulgaria’s gas deal
Bulgaria is ploughing ahead with a gas deal that will create a European “backdoor for Russian gas”, despite European Union objections.
Dutch suffer biggest loss of purchasing power in 40 years
In 2022, the Dutch lost 1.2 per cent of their purchasing power - the biggest drop in almost 40 years.
ECB hikes interest rates in 10th salvo to quash inflation
The European Central Bank raised interest rates again, acting for the 10th consecutive time to choke inflation out of the euro zone’s increasingly feeble economy.
Market for offshore wind farms becalmed
The installation of new offshore wind farms is becoming increasingly difficult, with high costs and low returns scaring off investors and causing major problems…
State of Disunion: Parliament dissension follows von der Leyen’s call for unity
Her Strasbourg speech touted achievements under her Presidency and exhorted the assembly to pull together, though it was quickly overshadowed by political groups…
Europe needs new leadership: von der Leyen has been a failure
Ursula von der Leyen has this morning delivered her State of the Union speech. Despite what she said, the picture is not pretty.
Climate-loving EC President von der Leyen took almost 60 private-jet trips in two years
The European Commission's climate-loving President Ursula von der Leyen took almost 60 separate private-jet trips over the past two years, German news outlets have…
Polish minister says unilateral extension of Ukraine grain ban ready to be enacted
Polish economic development minister Waldemar Buda said a decree for Poland to unilaterally extend the grain embargo on Ukraine beyond the European Commission’s…