East-West Connect Astana's smart city initiatives lead Kazakhstan's tech-driven future In partnership with MDQ In this episode of East-West Connect, we explore how smart city innovations are transforming Astana into a model for urban sustainability, smarter living and economic growth in Central Asia. 26/02/2025
EuroVerify Fact check: Is France's pensions system costing €55 billion a year? France's Court of Auditors has contradicted earlier claims by Prime Minister François Bayrou about how much the country's pension scheme costs. 24/02/2025
Economy UK wages receive a year-end boost as private sector remains robust Pay growth was also supported by increases in public sector wages, including the wholesale, retail and hospitality sectors. 18/02/2025
Germany German election: Five key issues next chancellor will have to face The next leader of Europe's biggest economy will face a public deeply dissatisfied with living standards, housing and less tolerant towards migrants than in previous years. 17/02/2025
Business Trump set to announce reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners "TODAY IS THE BIG ONE: RECIPROCAL TARIFFS!!!" Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social. "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!" 13/02/2025
Business Poland's investments set to surpass €150 billion this year, says Tusk Poland has ambitions not only to catch up with, but to overtake, leading Western economies, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the former European Council President who in 2023 returned to Polish frontline politics. 10/02/2025
EuroVerify Fact check: Which European economy is set to grow the fastest? The IMF may have predicted that the UK will be the fastest-growing European G7 member, but it's not projected to be the fastest-growing European economy overall. 06/02/2025
Europe News Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever sworn in as Belgian prime minister More than seven months after the parliamentary elections in June 2024, political talks have resulted in the formation of a coalition government led by nationalist Bart De Wever. 03/02/2025
Economy Jobless figures in EU and eurozone unchanged as growth stagnates The unemployment rate for the EU as a whole was 5.9% in December 2024, up from 5.8% in November 2024 and down from 6.0% in December 2023, according to Eurostat, the EU's statistical office. 30/01/2025
Europe News EU Commission aims to simplify its way to future growth The European Commission has presented its new economic strategy for the coming years. Simplification features prominently in a package of proposals that is sorely lacking in novelty. 29/01/2025
Business Germany lowers 2025 economic growth forecast to 0.3% The uncertainty about US trade policy in the wake of Donald Trump's presidency is partly to blame, economy minister Robert Habeck said on Wednesday. 29/01/2025
Economy UK Chancellor looks to third Heathrow Airport runway to boost growth Rachel Reeves' support for a third runway came in a wide-ranging speech on boosting UK growth rates, which have been historically low since the 2008 global financial crisis for a variety of reasons. 29/01/2025
Travel News Want to move to New Zealand? New visa welcomes digital nomads All the details on who can get the visa and how to apply. 27/01/2025
Switzerland Invest in US or face tariffs, Trump tells Davos US President Trump promised lower taxes for companies bringing manufacturing to the US and threatened tariffs for those who don't in his Davos address on Thursday. 23/01/2025
Economy UK inheritance tax receipts hit record levels after threshold freezes The amount of money collected through inheritance tax is likely to rise further in the UK due to recent policy changes. 23/01/2025
Earth News Global GDP could be halved if we don’t take urgent climate action People are already impacted by food system shocks, water insecurity, heat stress and infectious diseases. If unchecked, mass mortality, mass displacement, severe economic contraction and conflict become more likely. 17/01/2025
Economy Developing economies have greater challenges ahead, warns World Bank Weak investment and climate change threaten growth in developing economies after a period of strong expansion. 17/01/2025
Economy Trump Treasury nominee to hail unleashing of US 'economic golden age' Scott Bessent will appear before politicians on Capitol Hill to answer questions over his stance on taxes, tariffs, trade and other issues during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. 16/01/2025
Travel News Thailand gambles on casinos to bring in more visitors Thailand's Cabinet has approved a draft bill that seeks to legalise casinos in a bid to boost tourism and the economy. 14/01/2025
Economy Eurozone retail trade shows tepid growth after prior drop in October The final quarter of last year was disappointing for retailers in the eurozone, with little reprieve forecasted for 2025. 09/01/2025