Business Shoplifting hits record high in Germany: Are criminal gangs behind it? Shoplifting cost the German retail sector nearly €3 billion in 2024, a new record that was partially driven by organised crime. The federal government is also missing out on millions of euros in tax revenue. 05/07/2025
Business China hits Europe’s brandy exports with duties but adds exemptions Beijing decided to impose anti-dumping duties of up to 34.9% for the next five years starting on Saturday, following an investigation into brandy imported from Europe. 04/07/2025
Markets Nvidia is on track to become the most valuable company in history The value of the leading chip designer temporarily hit a new record on Thursday, briefly making it the most valuable company in history, with a market capitalisation nearing $4 trillion. Analysts predict it will soon break the record again. 04/07/2025
Economy How did Spain overtake Japan in GDP per capita? Spain’s economy is thriving, driven by a global boost in services, mainly tourism, overtaking the sluggish performance of the Japanese economy in the last decade. 03/07/2025
Business Microsoft cuts 9,000 jobs as tech giant bets on AI Microsoft says it is laying off about 9,000 workers, its second mass layoff in months and its largest in more than two years. The move affects less than 4% of Microsoft’s global workforce. 03/07/2025
Business Tesla sales fell sharply in the last three months — is Musk to blame? Tesla sales fell 13% in the period between April and June, as its CEO Elon Musk faces backlash and competition is taking a toll on the company's dominance. 02/07/2025
Business Spain's Santander buys TSB Bank to boost presence in the UK The Spanish lender is about to become the third-largest bank in the UK by share of personal current accounts, after the deal is closed. 02/07/2025
Business Renault reports nearly €10 billion non-cash loss due to Nissan stake The French carmaker said it would change the way it accounts for its stake in its long-term Japanese partner, based on Nissan’s share price. 01/07/2025
Business Nike expects US tariffs to cost it $1bn and warns of falling sales The ailing US sportswear company reported falling revenues and income. Its fiscal guidance for the current quarter nonetheless gave investors a glimmer of hope, pushing the share price up around 10% in after-hours trading in the US. 27/06/2025
Economy Beijing confirms that it has signed a trade agreement with the US China said on Friday that it had further confirmed details of a trade framework, including the export of rare earths. 27/06/2025
Economy How much more have billionaires amassed in the last 10 years? Oxfam’s report showed an astronomical rise in the wealth of the richest top 1% over the last decade. Collected, it would be enough to end global poverty more than 20 times over, although the report found an alarming lack of funding for projects to tackle inequality. 26/06/2025
Business New car registrations fall in Europe and Tesla sees another drop Tesla sales are still declining in the EU, while Chinese state-owned manufacturer SAIC Motor is increasing its market share. 25/06/2025
Economy Which countries will lose the most if tensions reignite around Iran? Russia could benefit from an escalating situation in the Middle East, while China and Europe would see their economies suffer if the ceasefire between Iran and Israel fails to hold. 25/06/2025
Economy What would happen if the Strait of Hormuz were closed? This narrow shipping route in the Gulf region sees one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passing through, fuelling a big part of the global economy. And Iran controls its northern side. 23/06/2025
Markets Oil rises and Europe's markets open lower after US strikes on Iran The price of oil rose and stock markets fell as investors reacted to the US strikes against nuclear targets in Iran. 23/06/2025
Economy Energy in Europe is also at stake as Israel-Iran conflict escalates As the Israel-Iran conflict escalates further, there is a mounting fear that natural gas fields are going to be targeted — as well as oil shipping routes. Europe’s liquefied natural gas supply would be seriously impacted, along with its economies. 20/06/2025
Economy Bank of England holds interest rates amid intensifying inflation risks As widely expected, the Bank of England kept interest rates on hold as fears grow that the conflict between Israel and Iran will escalate to involve the United States. This would likely send oil prices soaring and push UK inflation further above target. 19/06/2025
Economy Swiss central bank cuts interest rate to zero to fight deflation The step was widely anticipated but fuels concerns over a potential return to negative rates. 19/06/2025
Business Rheinmetall partners with Anduril to build military drones for Europe German defence giant Rheinmetall and US defence tech company Anduril announced their plans to design and manufacture drones and rocket motors for Europe. 18/06/2025
Business Airbus pledges higher dividends as it confirms financial guidance The pan-European aerospace firm said it would increase shareholder returns and leave its 2025 financial targets unchanged in an attempt to reassure investors. 18/06/2025