Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom Archives

Progressives Take Economic Agenda Global as Spain Tests the Model

6Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Capitalism, Democracy, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Types of News: Brief

Progressives Take Economic Agenda Global as Spain Tests the Model

Spanish PM Calls for Snap Elections in November Amid Housing Crisis By Patti Mohr, writer and editor-at-large October 6, 2026—On the sidelines of the United Nations general debate in September, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was the featured guest at a breakfast hosted by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The two politicians, along with other progressives, put forward an economic agenda focused on larbor rights, a higher minimum wage, housing regulations and rent control, and social protections across borders. https://youtu.be/JWbihVjDirM While he is celebrated among progressive circles overseas, back home Sánchez faces a crucial test. On Monday, he called for snap elections on November 29. It comes at a time of political crisis in Spain and neighboring France over af...

European Commission Calls for Reforms in Hungary

9Dec

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Domestic Politics, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

European Commission Calls for Reforms in Hungary

EC Says It'll Withhold $1B If Changes Aren't Made December 9, 2024—The European Commission is on the verge of withholding €1 billion in funds to EU-member Hungary unless that government reforms 17 measures by the end of the year. The EC is already blocking €12 billion in funds to Hungary. Among the measures that the EC demands Hungary complete are anti-corruption and conflict-of-interest legislation, according to reporting by Politico Europe. Hungary is increasingly at odds with the European Union under the right-wing leadership of Viktor Orbán. EU lawmakers have grown increasingly discontent with EU-member Hungary over a series of infringements on human rights as well as concerns about corruption. In 2022, the EC announced that Hungary's government could no longer be considered a...

EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough

19Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough

European Parliament Passed Non-binding Statement on the Israel-Gaza Conflict January 19, 2024—Israel's war with Hamas and its destruction of Gaza has divided the European Union. The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a watered-down resolution calling for a ceasefire, the dismantling of Hamas, and the unconditional release of the remaining hostages. The resolution is non-binding and largely symbolic. The Parliament passed it with 312 votes in favor, 131 against, and 72 abstentions. What's noteworthy is not the vote or the individual phrases in it. It is that the resolution is too long-winded to have an impact. It thwarts itself at every turn. It calls for a permanent ceasefire and then says Israel has "a right to defend itself." It calls on all parties to "distinguish be...

Economic Sands Shift: ‘B’ Is For ‘Beginning’

16Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Global Economics, Types of News: Videos

Economic Sands Shift: ‘B’ Is For ‘Beginning’

March 16, 2023-Recent turmoil in the banking sector in the United States and Europe poses a challenge to governments facing inflation. Here's my take. Due to the lag effect of central bank policies, what we are seeing in the banking sector is a beginning not an end to financial troubles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyBfFctQYn4

Switzerland Considers Stricter Banking Regulations to Prevent Taxpayer-Funded Bailout in the Event of Crisis

14Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, United States

Switzerland Considers Stricter Banking Regulations to Prevent Taxpayer-Funded Bailout in the Event of Crisis

In the Wake of the 2023 Banking Crises, UBS Faces Tougher Choices By Patti Mohr, writer and editor-at-large Updated on October 9, 2026 Europe's largest investment bank and the world's third-largest bank UBS is considering leaving Switzerland after the upper house in parliament backed stricter capital requirements. It comes after the 2023 takeover of Credit Suisse. The plan would require UBS to hold 90 percent of its capital in a top-tier common equity, which would amount to around $16 billion. The bank issued a statement saying the "extreme regulatory proposals" would damage the Swiss economy. However, the Swiss Council of States said the goal is to prevent taxpayer costs during a global market crisis. When Credit Suisse collapsed in 2023, taxpayers funded the bailout. The debate...

What Happens When China Buys Up Europe’s Ports?

2Nov

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Geopolitics, Global Trade, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Types of News: Analysis

What Happens When China Buys Up Europe’s Ports?

China's Xi Jinping has a stake in developing relations with Greece and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Photo: Li Xueren/Xinhua China's State-Owned Cosco To Buy Stake In Another European Port November 2, 2022—Greece may be a pioneer and champion of democracy, but in the business of trade it owes a great deal to communist China. In fact, its largest port, Piraeus, is owned by a Chinese state-owned shipping company called Cosco Shipping. That's the subject of a fine piece of reporting by Kaki Bali for Germany's DW, called "In Greece's Largest Port of Piraeus, China Is The Boss." Bali looks at the implications on trade and geopolitics as China's Cosco buys up ports in Greece, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and Brussels. Noting the modernization of the port and jobs, ...

20Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief

For All The Fuss With Truss, It’s Over

Proposed Deficit Spending Put The British Economy At Risk And Created Turmoil October 20, 2022--British Prime Minister Liz Truss announced today she'll be stepping down next week when her party chooses a new leader. She said she informed King Charles she is resigning as leader of the Conservative Party and head of the country's government. "This will ensure we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country’s economic stability and national security," Truss said on Twitter. It's been a bruising time for Truss. She served a total of 44 days after Queen Elizabeth made Truss's appointment to office official before peacefully passing away. As the country buried their beloved queen, an era of British strength faded with her. U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss resig...

EU Advances Bosnia And Herzegovina Membership Request

14Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Geopolitics, Human rights, Types of News: Brief

EU Advances Bosnia And Herzegovina Membership Request

European Commission Demands Candidate Countries Provide Stronger Human Rights Protections October 14, 2022—The European Commission gave the green light to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its candidacy to join the 27-member European Union. The decision, which comes with stipulations, moves to the European Council. EU leaders are aspiring to expand their bloc as a way to spread their perspective on the world stage. Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi called the enlargement policy a "geostrategic investment" in the continent's peace and stability. Candidates for the EU Line Up Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia are the latest countries to request membership. The bloc already has many countries waiting to get in, including Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, and Kosovo. "The Western Balkans are ...

Path To Normal For ECB Poses Challenges To High Debt Countries

15Jun

By No Comments

Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates

Path To Normal For ECB Poses Challenges To High Debt Countries

June 15, 2022— As the central bank for the Eurozone pursues a path to normal policies, the risk it now faces is uneven impact among the 19-member countries. Borrowing costs in so-called vulnerable countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain are soaring in response to monetary tightening last week by the European Central Bank (ECB). Now fragmentation of the Eurozone is a concern. As a result, the ECB announced today it is adjusting its plans. For one, the ECB will consider the vulnerabilities when reinvesting payments maturing from its pandemic relief program, known as PEPP. Those reinvestments of maturing PEPP payments are scheduled to continue through 2024. The program's worth is estimated at 1.85 trillion euro ($1.9 trillion), according to the New York Times.

EU Moves One Step Closer To Forcing Standard Phone Cords

7Jun

By No Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom

EU Moves One Step Closer To Forcing Standard Phone Cords

June 7, 2022—The European Union is moving one step closer to forcing tech companies to standardize cords charging cell phones. Today, the European Parliament and EU Member States agreed on a plan to require tech companies to make it easier for consumers to use a uniform charger, USB-C as it's known, for mobile phones and other portable electronic devices. The European Commission developed the plan for a common charger last September. The commissioners have been working on the issue since 2009, to the chagrin of Apple and other firms who prefer to sell consumers multiple cords for multiple devices. Common Charger The 2021 plan is to make the USB-C "the standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld videogame consoles." Supporters sa...