Europe News All eyes on Italy as Mercosur deal hangs in the balance Rome is torn between protecting farmers and maintaining exports to Mercosur countries. But supporters of the Mercosur agreement fear its silence signals Italy may not be on board. 15/12/2025
Europe in Motion Mortgage crisis: What are Europeans cutting back on to make ends meet? Amid cost-of-living troubles, the 2025 festivities are likely to be subdued for many who have had to give up on amenities and, in some cases, opt for low-key Christmas plans. 15/12/2025
Europe News European Commission turns up pressure on France over Mercosur deal France wants to delay member states’ vote on the agreement amid mounting farmer anger. But the EU executive says a shifting global geoeconomic landscape makes the deal urgent. 15/12/2025
Business Volkswagen's €3bn gamble: Can it win back market share in China? VW is developing cars tailored to Chinese drivers — vehicles that will likely never be seen on European roads, though they may make their way to markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. 15/12/2025
Business Italian media braces for shake-up as Greek buyer swoops in for Gedi The ongoing negotiations could bring a watershed moment for the Italian publishing landscape. The sale of La Repubblica, a symbol of secular and critical journalism, could mark the end of a key editorial era. 12/12/2025
Business Crypto king Do Kwon jailed for 15 years over $40bn stablecoin fraud The co-founder of cryptocurrency firm Terraform Labs was sentenced to 15 years in prison after a US court found that his $40bn stablecoin ecosystem was sustained by fraud. 12/12/2025
Business Here's why Chinese carmakers are beating the Europeans in Kazakhstan Localisation is the best bet car manufacturers can make to keep demand stable. South Korea, China, and the US already benefit from it. Is it time for Europe to do the same? 12/12/2025
Business Russian marketplaces to benefit from new EAEU Customs Code The Eurasian Economic Union, including Kazakhstan, is working on introducing a new Customs Code, which will largely benefit Russian marketplaces over platforms like Amazon or Temu. 12/12/2025
Partner content Global tech talent set sights on Dubai as app championship returns Partner content presented by Dubai Chamber The third edition of Create Apps Championship offers first-time coders, students and tech entrepreneurs around the world a chance to transform app ideas into real ventures and win a share of over €580,000 funding for app development. 11/12/2025
Europe News EU strengthens screening of investments from foreign countries The European Parliament and EU member states are taking steps to prevent rivals like China from “weaponising” their investments. 11/12/2025
Business Berlusconi’s MFE backs Paramount over Netflix in Warner Bros battle Italy’s largest media group, MFE-MediaForEurope, has publicly thrown its support behind Paramount’s hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery, arguing that Paramount’s offer would preserve competition in the global streaming market. 11/12/2025
Business Mickey Mouse meets ChatGPT: Disney signs short video deal with OpenAI Disney has signed a deal with OpenAI to let the firm's video generation tool produce short videos featuring more than 200 Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars characters. 11/12/2025
Business Spanish start-up calls for shake-up of VAT refunds for tourists After four decades of selling tourists “tax-free” shopping that is really a slow, partial VAT refund, Spanish fintech STAMP is campaigning to flip the model so non-EU visitors never pay the tax at the till. 11/12/2025
Business Saxony eyes €500mn Volkswagen stake to save jobs and win influence With Volkswagen planning to cut tens of thousands of jobs in Germany, Saxony’s Greens are calling for the state to buy into the carmaker and secure a seat on VW’s supervisory board. 11/12/2025
Europe News Mercosur trade deal hangs in balance as EU enters final stretch Twenty-five years after negotiations began, the fate of the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the EU is nearing its conclusion, but the struggle between backers and opponents remains tough. 11/12/2025
Business The 0.001% super-rich own triple the wealth of poorer half of humanity From wealth hoarding and tax breaks for billionaires to unpaid care work and climate damage, the World Inequality Report paints a picture of an economic order tilted towards a tiny ultra-wealthy minority. 11/12/2025
Economy US Federal Reserve cuts interest rate for third time in a row Lower rates from the Fed can bring down borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards over time, though market forces can also affect those rates. 10/12/2025
Europe in Motion Amid Russia's war in Ukraine, how much are weapons companies making? The increase in revenue across EU arms companies was caused by the war in Ukraine and the perceived threat from Russia. 10/12/2025
Economy Eurozone's new star: Portugal crowned 2025 'economy of the year' The accolade comes from British weekly The Economist, which ranked the 36 richest countries in the world. Luís Montenegro calls the recognition a “fair recognition to the merit and hard work of the Portuguese people”. 10/12/2025
Markets Silver’s record run fuelled by possible Fed shake-up and tariff fears Silver prices have roughly doubled this year, climbing over $60 an ounce, pushed up by a supply deficit, tariff uncertainty, and expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. 10/12/2025
Business Money talks, but is Spain listening? Unpacking Madrid's tax policy As Europe doubles down on a competitiveness drive, experts warn that Spain’s tax policies could be hitting growth. 10/12/2025
Europe in Motion Are European SMEs punching above their weight thanks to AI? At the same time, many entrepreneurs believe that the only way to build trust with the community is through more investments in human-made content. 09/12/2025
Economy EU's ‘Buy European’ strategy delayed by division among member states A European plan to favour “made in Europe” products has been pushed back to 2026 by the Commission, with several member states insisting such a preference should be used only as a last resort. 09/12/2025
Business Italy’s banking clash: MPS, Mediobanca, and their billionaire backers Although the EU is pushing for greater banking consolidation in Europe, the reality in Italy is proving complicated. 09/12/2025
Economy EU Commission opens probe into Google over AI despite tensions with US The EU antitrust enforcer on Tuesday opened an investigation into the US tech giant over its use of online content to power its AI services, a move that threatens to ratchet up transatlantic relations. 09/12/2025
Business President Trump gives Nvidia green light to sell H200 chips to China The US government said the approval, which comes in exchange for a 25% surcharge, would also be available to other chipmakers like Intel and AMD. 09/12/2025
Business Paramount goes hostile in bid for Warner Bros, challenging Netflix The announcement comes just days after Netflix said it had agreed a $72 billion takeover deal for Warner Bros Discovery. 08/12/2025
Business IBM to buy Confluent in $11 billion deal to bolster AI offerings Data streaming platform Confluent is responsible for infrastructure that underpins AI systems, allowing companies to rapidly transfer information. 08/12/2025
Business Global brands fight legality of Trump’s 'Liberation Day' tariffs Major multinationals are turning to the US Court of International Trade to claw back duties paid under Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. 08/12/2025
Business L’Oréal shares dip as it bets on Galderma and science-based skincare The firm’s investment in Galderma signals a pivot towards injectables and more cutting-edge beauty technology. 08/12/2025
Business Netflix bags Warner Bros and HBO in €71bn Hollywood shake-up After months of bidding drama, Netflix has secured an agreement to acquire Warner Bros, bringing the Harry Potter, DC and Game of Thrones franchises under its roof while Discovery Global spins off CNN and other legacy networks. 05/12/2025
Business Moore Threads, named 'China's Nvidia', soars 425% in blockbuster debut China’s latest tech IPO surge shows that US attempts to slow Beijing’s tech ambitions are fuelling an AI race at home. 05/12/2025
Economy EU Commission hits Meta with antitrust probe despite US pressure The tech giant is alleged to have abused its dominant position with rules on AI WhatsApp integration. The probe could further strain EU-US talks on European steel and aluminium, which have already been hit with steep US tariffs. 04/12/2025
Business US demand keeps Swiss watch sales ticking despite hefty tariffs Despite US duties reaching up to 39% on Swiss goods, watches of Switzerland posted higher sales and profits, insisting that demand for top-end watches and jewellery remains resilient. 04/12/2025
Business OpenAI awards millions to nonprofits under new foundation structure OpenAI was formed as a nonprofit in 2015 but then incorporated a for-profit subsidiary that has grown to be one of the most valuable start-ups in the world. 04/12/2025
Partner content Why the soft drinks sector matters: 3 facts Europe should know Partner content presented by Unesda The soft drinks sector is much more than the wide range of refreshing beverages it provides and the great moments of responsible enjoyment that it helps create. 04/12/2025
Business Anthropic considers IPO preparations as AI rivalry intensifies The developer of the Claude AI assistant is preparing its corporate structure for a possible public listing, with reports suggesting it has brought in Wilson Sonsini to guide early-stage IPO planning. 03/12/2025
Economy EU Commission sharpens its trade doctrine to counter foreign threats The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a new economic security strategy meant to better anticipate risks facing the EU market amid escalating threats to global trade, with China top of the list. 03/12/2025
Business The 'Medusa House' goes to a northerner: Prada buys Versace The takeover pairs Prada’s minimalist Milanese restraint with Versace’s southern-Italian flamboyance, reshaping Europe’s luxury landscape while offering one last hope for a heritage house that has lost its footing. 03/12/2025
Business China taxes condoms for first time in 30 years to boost births The removal of a tax exemption reflects Beijing’s concerns over ageing, labour shortages, and slowing long-term growth. 02/12/2025
Business UK and US agree on zero-tariff pharma deal after months of tensions London and Washington have found a compromise that would avoid US tariffs on British medicines — but only after the UK agreed to pay more for cutting-edge drugs. 01/12/2025
Business German family business lobby backtracks after uproar over AfD invite Germany’s influential family business lobby has made a sharp U-turn after inviting AfD lawmakers to a parliamentary reception. 01/12/2025
Partner content Coca-Cola: A century of local impact, a future of innovation Partner content presented by Coca-Cola This year, we’re celebrating 125 years of serving Coca‑Cola in Great Britain, together with our local independent retail partners. 01/12/2025
Markets Bitcoin slides gain as investors lose appetite for crypto Bitcoin fell sharply on Monday, dipping below €75,000 per coin as the broader cryptocurrency market extended a steep decline that began after its record October peak. 01/12/2025