Eight ex-UK energy ministers urge government to reverse North Sea oil and gas policy
A cross-party group of eight former UK energy ministers has written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling for an urgent policy reversal on North Sea oil and gas.
Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
Need more manure for energy but deplore its production? EU left with bullshit
Germany’s ruling coalition may be an awkward marriage of ideological rivals, but it does benefit from the absence of the Greens, who pushed many of the economically…
Von der Leyen ignores objections by EP and pushes Mercosur deal through
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has confirmed her decision to proceed with provisional application of the Mercosur trade pact.
Greenpeace ordered to pay €292m to US energy firm for damaging pipeline
A North Dakota judge has signalled he will order Greenpeace entities to pay an expected $345 million (€292 million) in damages to the US firm Energy Transfer over…
ECB books third straight annual loss
The European Central Bank said Thursday it booked its third straight loss in 2025 due to the lingering impact of a record run of interest rate hikes.
Trump administration have a vision of Hamilton’s ‘American System’ economics
The Supreme Court decision striking down Donald Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs at will has important implications…
How they do it there: Argentina posts 4.4% growth in 2025 under Milei
Argentina’s economy grew 4.4 per cent in 2025, according to the latest figures released by National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC).
German Government agrees on repealing controversial ‘green heating’ law
The German Government parties have announced an agreement to scrap a controversial legal obligation to phase out oil and gas heating systems.
Polish opposition calls on US to offer Poland defence loan as alternative to EU proposal
The Polish opposition Conservatives (PiS) have called on the current US Republican administration to propose an attractive loan offer for the country to purchase…
Dutch Government bows to pressure over controversial tax on unrealised gains
Dutch finance minister Eelco Heinen has announced a dramatic reversal of the recently approved -- and passionately opposed -- Box 3 tax reform.
German budget deficit in 2025 deeper into the red
Germany’s public sector has incurred a record deficit in 2025, according to numbers published by the country’s Federal Statistical Office.
Despite drop in 2025, Russian oil exports exceed pre-war volumes: report
While Russian oil exports dropped last year, Russia is still exporting higher volumes than before its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, researchers said Tuesday, calling…
High tobacco taxes risk fueling illicit trade and undermining health goals, EESC says
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has cautioned that abrupt or excessive increases in excise duties on tobacco and nicotine products could drive…
Polite as it was, ‘Shape up or we’ll ship out’ was Rubio’s message to Europe
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz each gave memorable speeches at this year’s Munich Security Conference, laying…
US Supreme Court strikes down swath of Trump global tariffs
The US Supreme Court ruled Friday that Donald Trump exceeded his authority in imposing a swath of tariffs that upended global trade, blocking a key tool the president…
Banned Brazilian hormone-tainted beef slipped through EU’s control system
The integrity of the European Union’s food safety protocols has come under scrutiny following the detection of several shipments of Brazilian beef contaminated…
‘Green’ means industry leaking out of Europe, a burden intolerable for investors
Over the past few years, the world has changed more dramatically than at any time since the end of the Cold War.
Slovakia threatens Ukraine with reprisals over blocked pipeline
Slovakia's prime minister today threatened to cut emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine if its neighbour does not reopen a pipeline that brings Russian oil to…
EU gives Austria fiscal leeway to boost defence spending despite ballooning deficit
Austria can spend billions on buying new equipment for its military, even though the budget deficit is soaring and the country is under a European Union deficit…
Public opinion doubts if ‘more Europe’ is the way forward
In Brussels, these are the worst of times, but also the best of times.
All the doomed UK has left is a cackling demented “That’s all, folks!”
The British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, is an interesting (if only sort-of) example of what happens when life follows art.
Dangerously low? Germany’s gas storage has fallen to record lows
While cold temperatures are still dominating and after a chilly start to 2026, Germany is facing historic low gas storage supplies.
Volkswagen mulls plant closures and drastic cuts to stop losing money
Volkswagen is facing its most severe restructuring since the 2015 "Dieselgate" scandal as CEO Oliver Blume proposes a €60 billion cost-slashing programme and refuses…
The death of technocracy and the return of politics
Real political change tends to have more than one cause, and although it has become somewhat fashionable to reduce everything to a single issue – whether it is…
Poland’s tens of billions in debt for defence invites tough questions on priorities
Poland’s request for nearly €44 billion from the EU’s SAFE defence loan programme is being framed in Warsaw as a strategic breakthrough.
EU Hunger Games: Why the EUSSR is sabotaging your table
While enlightened bureaucrats play politburo, Europe’s farmers and consumers are expected to absorb - or maybe fail to absorb - yet another blow.
Carbon permit prices tumble after Germany’s Merz demands emission trading overhaul
European Union carbon permit prices have fallen significantly following remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicating that he may support an overhaul of…
Tony Blair Institute urges UK to drop ban on new oil and gas licences
The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has called on the UK Labour Government to scrap its ban on new North Sea exploration licences and bring the Energy Profits…
Dutch energy grid ‘full’ in three provinces: ‘Blackouts looming,’ warns operator
The Dutch electricity grid has reached a critical tipping point in three central provinces.
Mercedes-Benz reports steep drop in annual profits
Mercedes-Benz Group has released its full-year 2025 financial results revealing a dramatic decline in profitability that marks the company's weakest performance…