By Beatrice Romano
Milan-based editor covering the eurozone, banking and the industrial heartlands of the continent.
Spaniards Now Spend Half Their Salary on Rent, Over 70% in Madrid and Barcelona
In 2025, the average Spaniard dedicates 50% of their gross salary to rent, up from 38% in 2019. In Madrid and Barcelona, the figure surpasse
China's Factory Sector Stalls in May as Energy Crisis and Weak Demand Persist
China's official manufacturing PMI hit exactly 50 in May, the weakest reading since February. New orders slipped into contraction, while hig
EU Considers Capping Chinese Parts in Manufacturing Supply Chains
Brussels is weighing a proposal to cap Chinese parts at 30-40% per supplier, forcing diversification across at least three countries. The pl
Nicotine Pouches Surge in Portugal Amid Regulatory Gaps and Health Warnings
Nicotine pouches are spreading in Portugal without a full legal framework, raising concerns among health experts. The products, marketed as
EU's Strategic Autonomy Push: Reducing Dependence on China in Critical Sectors
Europe's trade deficit with China reached €359.9 billion in 2025, with imports accounting for 22.3% of all EU imports. The EU relies on Chin
Oil Prices Surge as Iran Halts Talks and Threatens Strait of Hormuz
Crude oil prices rose sharply on Monday as Iran suspended all indirect talks with the US and vowed to fully close the Strait of Hormuz. The
Europe's Road Freight Industry Grapples with Fuel Costs and Aging Workforce
Road freight contributes over €400 billion annually to the EU economy, yet fuel costs eat up 30% of operators' expenses. The industry faces
Asian Tiger Mosquito Reaches Berlin: Assessing the Health Risks
The Asian tiger mosquito has been detected in Berlin and several cities in North Rhine-Westphalia. Climate change and increased travel are d
Poland Surges Ahead as Eastern Germany's Economic Catch-Up Stalls
Eastern Germany's decades-long economic catch-up with the west is stalling, according to the 2026 Competitiveness Report. Poland, by contras
Why Your Grocery Bill Stays High Even as Inflation Slows Across Europe
Food inflation has dropped sharply from its 2023 peak, but European grocery prices are still nearly a third higher than before the pandemic.
WHO Chief Visits DR Congo Ebola Epicentre to Push for Community-Led Response
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Ituri province on Saturday to bolster the response against a rare Ebola strain. The outbreak
EAEU Trade Turnover Hits €80 Billion as Bloc Pushes Digital Integration
Intra-EAEU trade turnover exceeded €80 billion last year, with forecasts of €85 billion in 2025. Leaders in Astana discussed AI integration