Finance news

+++ Iran War +++: Iran does not want to let IAEA inspectors into damaged nuclear facilities

Iranian President travels to Pakistan for negotiations +++ Trump criticizes European NATO partners before Rutte's visit +++ Iran: Strait of Hormuz under control +++ The news blog.

European startup to make defense drones in Japan, export across Asia

Europe’s EV Boom Accelerates as Chinese Brands Gain Ground

Electric vehicle sales, increasingly featuring Chinese vehicles, led an overall increase in car sales in Europe last month, with gasoline and diesel cars booking declines amid higher prices at the pump. Car registrations, as reported by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, gained 3.6% in May, with the sales increase over the first five months of the year at 4.5%, Reuters reported. Earlier figures, released by E-Mobility and New Automotive, showed a strong, 34% annual increase in E

US tops Philippine tourism market, propelled by strong ties, even stronger dollar

The US has overtaken South Korea as the Philippines’ top source of foreign tourists this year, helped by diaspora travel and closer ties between the long-time allies, giving Manila a boost as it tries to close the gap with more popular destinations in Southeast Asia. Figures from the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that between January and May, 531,859 visitors came from the US, while 501,789 were from South Korea – comprising 19.4 per cent and 18.3 per cent of the total tourism.

Living in a high-rise: “Frankfurt real estate is too cheap for a billionaire from Malaysia”

Up to 30,000 euros per square meter – Frankfurt’s high-rise market is a world of its own. Realtor Michael Pabst explains who his customers are, what kind of life they are looking for in the tower and why the penthouse is overrated.

Study: Small business owners cut salaries instead of taking out loans

Almost every second self-employed person in Europe foregoes wages in order to remain independent. What is behind the pride in foregoing loans - and what fears play a role?

Trump spent a decade making friends in Europe. Now they’re turning away.

From Italy to France, nationalist leaders are reassessing their ties with the U.S. president as his brand sours across the EU. Trump’s brand in Europe has soured — curdled by his tariff wars, threats against Greenland and a war on Iran that increased energy prices. His interventions, once welcomed by his ideological allies, are now seen as political explosives: liable to alienate moderate voters, split nationalist electorates and hand ammunition to their opponents. submitted by /u/Any-Original-6

New China dog rental trend draws warnings of animal stress from frequent handler changes

A dog-rental platform has sparked both curiosity and concern as China’s urban pet economy takes an unexpected turn. Launched on social media in March, the mini-programme known as “Wangbu,” which loosely translates to “dog walk,” enables residents in first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen to rent dogs by the hour for walks. After owners create profiles for their pets, renters coordinate pickup and return details directly with them. Fees typically range from 10 to 60 yuan (US$1.5..

China’s EV brands have Europe’s luxury marques in their sights: Zeekr executive

Luxury electric vehicle (EV) brands from China are poised to enter the same elite tier as established European marques by leveraging their disruptive technologies, according to Chinese EV maker Zeekr. “There is a gap between the demand for electric luxury cars and the supply, where Chinese carmakers have an edge,” said Zeekr vice-president Mars Chen. “I believe there will be one to two Chinese brands among the global top five [luxury vehicles].” With German giants Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi...

EU and Hong Kong in talks on new financial services dialogue, envoy says

Senior officials from the European Union and Hong Kong are in talks to launch a financial services dialogue, with companies from the bloc keen to explore opportunities in the Northern Metropolis, its top representative in the city has said. Ambassador Harvey Rouse, head of the EU Office in Hong Kong, made the remarks at the Greenway 2026 forum on Tuesday, where he highlighted opportunities for cooperation on sustainable innovation and the green transition. In a keynote address, Rouse said Hong..

One Glitch Away From a Crash - The Extreme Volatility of Today’s Trillion-Dollar Tech Giants

The stock market faces a new era of unprecedented volatility as multi-trillion-dollar tech titans like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic continue to reshape major indices without traditional earnings to anchor their valuations. Lacking steady cash flows or price-to-earnings ratios to justify their pricing, these stocks trade entirely on future narratives and hyper growth expectations. The broader market is becoming hyper sensitive to headline shocks; a single technical glitch, rocket failure, or AI

Space travel: SpaceX loses more than $600 billion in market value within three days

The surge in SpaceX shares is over for the time being. The trigger is a billion-dollar bond program with which Elon Musk wants to finance his AI ambitions - to the annoyance of investors.

How Cyprus became a gateway for illicit tobacco

Smugglers exploit the island's division to move cheap cigarettes into Europe

Nikkei, Yen, Hang Seng: Interest rate worries and profit-taking are slowing down Asian stock markets

After a series of price gains, many investors are using the recent record highs to sell. There is also growing nervousness about possible further interest rate steps by the US Federal Reserve.

Loans: Small business owners reduce their own salaries instead of taking out loans

Almost every second self-employed person in Europe foregoes wages in order to remain independent. What is behind the pride in foregoing loans - and what fears play a role?

Stigma caused by loans: Small business owners cut salaries instead of taking out loans

Almost every second self-employed person in Europe foregoes wages in order to remain independent. What is behind the pride in foregoing loans - and what fears play a role?

4.3 billion euros: theft costs retailers billions - new record value

There is a lot of theft in German shops. According to a study, damage caused by theft has increased again - for the fourth time in a row.

Leisure: The e-bike boom in Germany is slowing down – prices are falling

Nowhere in Europe is as much money made with e-bikes as in Germany. But after years of boom, the market is gradually becoming saturated. Customers benefit from discounts.

Sabine Mauderer: “Significantly more speed is needed in the energy transition”

The Vice President of the German Bundesbank fears that dependence on fossil fuels will pose a location risk for Germany and Europe. It formulates clear expectations of politics.

China zoo offers US$15,000 annual salary for bear costume performer with strict silence clause

A recruitment advertisement from a zoo in central China seeking individuals to pose as black bears, offering an annual salary of 100,000 yuan (US$15,000), has gone viral on social media, generating a wave of humorous responses among internet users. Luohe Wildlife Zoo, located in Luohe city in Henan province, posted the job ad on June 13, looking to hire people to wear black bear costumes, roam the zoo, and interact with visitors, according to Jiupai News. It is unclear if the costumes come with.

Japan’s visa fee jump to hit Chinese tourists hardest, adding friction to tense ties

Chinese tourists are expected to be among the hardest hit by Japan’s fivefold visa fee increase, a move analysts warned could further strain already tense relations between Beijing and Tokyo. For the first time since 1978, the Japanese government has decided to raise visa fees. The cost of a single-entry visa will increase from 3,000 yen (US$18.54) to 15,000 yen, while multiple-entry visas will jump from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen. The new policy, which will come into effect on July 1, has been...

+++ Iran War +++: Trump criticizes European NATO partners before Rutte's visit

USA suspends sanctions against Iranian oil +++ Iran: No negotiations on nuclear program at meeting with USA +++ Several dead after explosion at gas plant in Qatar +++ The news blog.

Japan's Kanadevia to tap European demand with Italy biogas plant

Iran conflict: Trump criticizes European NATO partners before Rutte's visit

Shortly before NATO boss Rutte's visit, Trump is increasing the pressure on European allies. The US President is once again accusing several NATO states of lacking support.

Pro-Europeans under pressure: Romania: government formation failed

Power poker in Bucharest: Romania's parliament has rejected the candidate for prime minister. The president now has to find a new candidate.

Denmark and Germany Launch Europe’s First Hydrogen Superhighway

For the past few years, hydrogen has suffered from a credibility problem. Not because the technology itself stopped making sense, but because expectations ran too far ahead of reality. Governments announced hydrogen strategies worth hundreds of billions of euros. Companies unveiled ambitious projects stretching from Portugal to Poland. Analysts forecast a future hydrogen economy that would decarbonize everything from steel and chemicals to shipping and aviation. Then came the inevitable correcti

France and Germany commit to equal shareholding in KNDS as potential IPO nears

Germany is seeking a 40 percent stake in the European land manufacturer, subject to approval by its budget committee.

London Mayor: UK Tops Green Finance Rankings for Eighth Straight Year

As the City of London Corporation marks the fifth instalment of the Net Zero Delivery Summit this week, I reflect on the world we were in back in 2022. Only four years ago businesses and communities were recovering from Covid, war had returned to the European continent with the invasion of Ukraine, and surging fuel and food prices were driving global inflation to historic levels. Since then, global instability has only deepened, with conflict in the Middle East and tariff wars disrupting global

Greek Energy Pulls In $26B As Europe Scrambles To Replace Russian Gas

Billions of dollars in investments are flowing into Greece’s energy sector as the country tries to establish itself as a vital energy transit hub for Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe as the European Union prepares to completely phase out Russian gas imports by 2027. According to To Vima Finance, over €23 billion (~$26.3B) from major international investment funds and high-profile global entities including BlackRock, Capital, Covalis, QIA and K Group has poured into Greece's energy secto

European Central Bank’s President Lagarde urges talks on yuan undervaluation

European Central ⁠Bank President Christine Lagarde ⁠on Monday urged global leaders to discuss undervaluation of the Chinese currency as a facet of the imbalances endangering the global economy. China has ‌consistently denied that it manipulates its currency for trade advantage but its surging trade surpluses are one of several macroeconomic mismatches worrying leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations who met last week in ⁠France, along with chronic US deficits and Europe’s...