EU car industry calls for CO2 fine relief to avoid ‘irreparable’ harm to competitiveness
The European automobile industry has called on the EU to roll back CO2 emission fines to avoid crippling the bloc's competitiveness.
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Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
NGOs gained influence under von der Leyen, while companies lost theirs
NGOs had much more contact with the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen, compared with her predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker.
Commission announces ‘action plan’ for EU health cyber attacks–but no funding
Ursula von der Leyen's European Commission announced an "action plan" January 15 to respond to a sharp rise in cyberattacks against the EU health sector--but the…
Austria will scrap ‘green’ subsidies, say coalition negotiators
The Austrian Freedom Party and the People’s Party pledged cuts in "climate subsidies" to curtail Austria's ballooning budget deficit.
Wilders: Cut spending on climate policies and Ukraine to fund tax cuts
Dutch hard-right leader Geert Wilders called on his country's government to cut spending on climate policies and the Ukraine war to fund tax cuts.
Denmark’s prime minister summons business leaders following Trump’s Greenland threat
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the country's business leaders to a meeting on January 16 after US President-elect Donald Trump last week threatened…
Irish coalition buckles, vows to continue carbon tax hikes
Members of Ireland's new coalition government have reversed their criticism of carbon tax policies, undertaking instead to continue the regular increase in the highly-unpopular…
Swedish debt collectors begins seizures at doomed green-tech Northvolt
'Green' darling Northvolt faced seizures by the Swedish Enforcement Authority, Kronofogden, the country's debt collector, over unpaid bills.
Not such close allies: US restricts AI chip exports to Poland
The US government has decided to exclude Poland from the list of 18 countries given unrestricted access to US AI chip exports, meaning the Poles will have restricted…
All parties except AfD to push on with German energy transition
Energy policy has figured highly in Germany's February 23 elections, the country's first since Berlin severed ties with Russia, its long-time gas supplier.
Danes to rely on bean burritos to achieve green transition goals
Major Danish grocery chains and the Danish Consumer Council have launched a campaign to encourage Danes to eat more beans and less meat to achieve the country's…
EU ‘should have its own regulator-friendly X, TikTok and Instagram’ : Habeck
The European Union should have its own regulator-friendly equivalents to X, TikTok and Instagram, according to the candidate for chancellor of Germany's Greens.
NATO to deploy ships, aircraft in Baltic Sea after cable breaches
NATO countries will deploy frigates, patrol aircraft and naval drones in the Baltic Sea to help protect critical infrastructure and reserve the right to take action…
UK bans German fresh meat imports amid foot-and-mouth scare
The United Kingdom has implemented wide-ranging import bans against Germany regarding various animals and fresh meats after the discovery of foot-and-mouth disease…
Germany’s CDU leader, ahead in polls: industry more important than climate protection
Friederich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democrats in Germany's coming elections, said industry was more important than climate protection.
Austrian coalition negotiators send Brussels their planned budget cuts to avert deficit procedure
Representatives of Austria's emerging right-wing coalition government have sent a letter to the European Commission outlining measures they will take to reduce the…
EU blasts Biden administration’s decision to restrict AI chip exports
The European Union has blasted the Biden administration's decision to impose export restrictions on high-powered microchips used to power artificial intelligence.
Polish town offers Elon Musk its medieval castle
Piotr Bujak, mayor of southern Poland's town of Głogówek, has offered his city's medieval castle as a potential site for Elon Musk's European headquarters.
Meta CEO Zuckerberg calls on Trump to ‘end EU fines’
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has ignited a transatlantic debate over the treatment of US tech companies in Europe.
Musk adviser says Italy’s data sovereignty would be ‘guaranteed’ in Starlink deal
An Italian representative for US billionaire Elon Musk's aerospace ventures has said Italy would retain full control over its data in any potential agreement with…
EU hands €3bn to Ukraine in loan backed by seized Russian assets
The European Union has sent €3 billion to Ukraine in the form of a cash loan that is to be repaid via seized Russian assets.
X-files: Musk blamed for ‘record number of UFO sightings’
X owner Elon Musk has been blamed for a record number of UFO sightings over Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Greece: corrupt elites bring a nation to its knees, Brussels beware
The numbers from Eurostat’s 2024 report are indisputable and grim: While politicians spin tales of recovery and progress, the cold, hard data tells a very different…
‘Rising obesity threatens Sweden’s defence capabilities,’ says Brigadier General
The Swedish Defence Force's General Physician, Brigadier General Claes Ivgren, has voiced concerns about the declining physical health of Swedes.
French express deep concern over EC’s ‘dependency on Microsoft’
French authorities are reported to be concerned about "the potential risks associated with the use of US-based solutions" for handling European Union digital data.
France’s borrowing rates soar as financial problems spook investors
Investors seem to growing increasingly anxious over France's financial situation.
Germany pushing for EU to relax sanctions on Syria
Germany is leading European Union discussions on easing sanctions imposed on the Syrian government of toppled President Bashar al-Assad and aiding the country's…
Slovak PM Fico says Russian gas supply ‘secured’
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico says he has secured guaranteed gas supply from Russia just before Ukraine halted the transit of gas from the country at the…
EU car makers turn to Tesla and Polestar for carbon credits to avoid fines
In a bid to comply with the European Union’s increasingly stringent CO2 emission targets, several European car manufacturers have been purchasing carbon credits…
Eurozone’s third-straight inflation rise ‘reveals faltering economy’
Eurozone inflation has hit 2.4 per cent on an annual basis in its third straight increase.