Europe
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A continent divided: Europe recovers — but UK remains cautious
Eurozone businesses show growth as UK company confidence remains fragile. Fresh data reveals continental factories and services gaining pace, while UK surveys highlight costs, labour pressures, and deep uncertainty. But why is Europe moving forward while Britain struggles to find momentum?
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US and EU agree trade reset at 15% tariff ceiling
New trade deal imposes 15% cap on most EU exports. The United States and European Union have signed a tariff framework capping most duties at 15%, exempting select sectors and outlining reciprocal measures in energy, agriculture and investment. The provisional pact leaves several disputes unresolved, with legislative steps still pending.
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Ex-EU chief warns of green backsliding — but businesses call for more ambition
Europe is losing climate ground, warns the bloc’s first commissioner. Former EU climate chief Connie Hedegaard has warned that political and corporate complacency is eroding the European Union’s environmental leadership. Her remarks follow a series of policy rollbacks and investor concerns over the credibility of Europe’s net zero transition.
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EU business registrations rebound as bankruptcies rise
EU business registrations rose 4.6% in Q2 2025, signalling recovery. Transport, IT and finance lead registration growth across the market. However, bankruptcies climbed 1.7%, driven by IT and construction, underscoring both resilience and fragility in Europe’s economic recovery.
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Oil and gold rise ahead of Washington summit
Oil and gold prices edged higher before high-level Washington talks. Market moves reflect geopolitical caution, easing supply concerns and shifting rate expectations, as investors weigh signals from President Trump’s summit with President Zelenskyy alongside the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium later this week.
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European AI-adopter stocks slide as new models disrupt outlook
AI-enabled European stocks fell sharply after major model launches. Market anxiety rose amid valuation concerns as investors questioned whether these companies can maintain their edge.
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Gold futures surge after Trump’s tariff move
US tariffs on gold bars drive futures to record high. Gold futures surged as the US imposed steep tariffs on one-kilo gold imports, impacting Switzerland’s bullion trade. The tariffs are part of a broader trade policy affecting global markets.
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Hotels sue Booking.com over best‑price terms — pan‑European legal push unfolds
More than 10,000 hotels are suing Booking.com over “abusive practices”. The class action alleges years of restrictive pricing terms that eroded hotels’ margins and autonomy — an escalating battle over platform power and marketplace fairness.
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US escalates lobbying against EU’s digital services law
US diplomats mount formal campaign against the EU’s digital law. A confidential directive from Washington has instructed American diplomats in Europe to push for changes to the Digital Services Act, arguing the rules burden US tech companies and threaten free speech. European authorities are standing firm as regulatory tensions grow.
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Eurozone’s spending reset: modest growth meets lasting behaviour shift
Analysts expect modest recovery in this week’s Eurozone retail data. But behind the numbers lies a deeper transformation in consumer priorities. As trust, transparency, and value redefinition take centre stage, Europe’s B2C leaders are rethinking how to compete — and what it means to stay relevant.