Belgium cracks down on radical climate activists
Several activists were taken into custody for questioning, with at least some remaining in detention.
Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
Part I: How Germany is destroying itself and the EU
The European Union is an empire. This empire is now failing economically and civilisationally.
Council and Parliament strike deal on ETS2 Market Stability Reserve ahead of 2028 launch
The deal aims to provide greater price stability, particularly to combat sharp price spikes, and predictability for the controversial system.
EU strikes deal to cut red tape for defence investment and procurement
National law could still allow exceptions to automatic approval where there was a serious risk to human health or national security.
The G-7 is Trump’s chance to express US dominance within the Western alliance
The upcoming G-7 summit in France is getting little attention in light of the continuing saga in Iran.
Brussels seeks to mobilise €25 billion for Mediterranean renewables push
The EC said the scheme, named the T-MED, would help deliver 15 gigawatts of new renewable capacity.
EU raises €8 billion in bond sale as investor demand tops €160 billion
The sale formed part of a €100 billion funding target set by Brussels for the first half of 2026.
Binding CO2 minimum price risks undermining EU green goals, warns leading think tank
“Intervening into one market creates the need for complementary interventions in others,” the study notes.
EU moves to freeze Russian oil price cap to deny Moscow a windfall
The European Union, alongside the G7 and Australia, has capped the price of Russian oil since December 2022.
Von der Leyen’s €1.4 billion Bauhaus struggles to leave its mark as new festival opens
This year's programme has placed affordable housing and what the Commission calls democratic engagement at its centre.
Seven EU countries reject weaker car emissions rules
The Commission is due to review its CO2 standards for cars and vans and has signalled it would give hybrids and renewable fuels a bigger role beyond 2035.
German auto giants face deepening crisis as global rivals pull ahead
The German's challenge is combined by a broader slowdown across the global automotive sector.
Nine EU governments resist Brussels plan to electrify company fleets
The issue is due to be discussed at a meeting of EU transport ministers in Luxembourg on June 8.
Brussels wants to turn out your lights
For the first time in decades, the threat of rationing has returned to Europe.
EU talks on tobacco taxation hit a Swedish brick wall
Brussels wants to keep those taxes for its own budget and it is aiming for several billion euros in revenues.
Italian deputies back nuclear power return in boost for Meloni government
The framework provides for an independent Nuclear Safety Authority and a National Programme for Sustainable Nuclear Power.
European firms flee Cuba as US sanctions deadline bites
A wave of departures and suspended operations in recent weeks suggested the warning had worked.
Putin acknowledges contacts with Trump administration over Cuba
"Cuba is a friendly country. Our relations have developed over decades, and the US administration is aware of this".
Illicit tobacco trade surges across Europe as high taxes feed black markets
Countries with the highest taxes and strictest regulations are suffering the most severe black-market problems.
Andorra adds business and union bodies to EU association pact
The country, a microstate of about 80,000 people in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, is not an EU member.
Leading German Union wants to take 10 per cent of assets of the ‘super rich’
Germany faces significant budgetary challenges, including high energy costs, defence spending needs, and the costs of the green transition.
Physical and fiscal reality mean EU ‘green steel’ programme is bonkers
The EU Commission’s proposal to triple data centre capacity over the next five to seven years is intended to help Europe catch up with China and America in the…
Tata Steel sacks ‘turncoat’ sustainability chief after one day over pro-apartheid past
Business director Jessica Mahn has taken over his responsibilities on an interim basis.
The EU’s moral crusade against aircon is forcing you to bake in your home
For the past week, much of Europe sweltered in an unusual May heatwave.
Bulgaria faces EU deficit procedure months after joining euro
The country's deficit reached 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) last year, above the 3 per cent ceiling set for euro members.
Russia bans jet fuel exports until November
Supplies to countries that maintain active intergovernmental agreements with Russia are exempt from the restriction.
France lands record €93 billion in foreign investment
"This edition of Choose France alone will make it possible to crystallise a record amount of €93 billion in confirmed investments, for more than 15,000 jobs,"…
Tusk government hurriedly signs scores of contracts funded from EU’s defence loan
The contracts followed the government signing an agreement for Poland to borrow €43.7 billion from the €150 billion SAFE programme.
Croatia’s Vujčić takes over as ECB vice-president
Vujčić has led the Croatian National Bank since 2012 and steered his country into the euro in 2023.
Ankara burns the maritime rulebook
Can you vote wishful thoughts into reality?