Fifa defends World Cup ticket prices: ‘We had to apply market rates’ Sport Business Fifa president Gianni Infantino has defended the price of tickets at this summer’s World Cup, insisting football’s world governing body “had to apply market rates”. Tickets for the tournament are the most expensive in its history and have triggered a wave of criticism, including a formal complaint from a fans’ group to the European Commission. [...]
Europe urges fewer flights, remote working as Iran war drains oil supplies Energy The spiralling energy crisis is forcing Europe into emergency mode, with politicians urging citizens to work from home, cut back on driving and avoid flying as the conflict in Iran cuts off a critical share of the world’s oil supply. The European Commission’s energy chief, Dan Jørgensen, said Europe is facing a prolonged crisis that [...]
Globalisation obituaries ‘hopelessly premature’ Economics Boosting trade is the single best way to improve the long-term fortunes of the UK despite the economy being hit by a barrage of supply chain fractures and geopolitical shocks, the Bank of England’s former chief economist has said. In his first speech as president of the British Chambers of Commerce, Andy Haldane told delegates [...]
EC urged to stop Fifa’s ‘aggressive and exploitative’ World Cup ticket prices March 24, 2026 The European Commission has been urged to intervene over Fifa’s “aggressive and exploitative” ticket sale policies for this summer’s World Cup. Prices at the tournament provoked widespread outcry when they were revealed last year, with the cheapest tickets for the final initially costing £3,000 and now listed for much more. Consumer rights group Euroconsumers and [...]
Ratcliffe’s Ineos could sell off assets as chemicals sector struggles February 25, 2026 Ineos is reportedly considering selling off parts of its business, as the chemicals giant attempts to shore up its finances amid a wider industry downturn. The firm founded and chaired by Jim Ratcliffe has held preliminary talks about selling off parts of its vinyls business Inovyn, Europe’s largest producer of PVC, a plastic widely used [...]
Ineos blasts ‘industrial self harm’ as firm battles Brussels over dumping November 11, 2025 Ineos has accused Brussels of “industrial self harm” as the company fights back against what it described as “dumping” of imports to Europe from Asia. The chemicals company, controlled by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, today confirmed that it has filed or is in the process of filing ten major anti-dumping cases with the European Commission, [...]
European President set to face yet another no-confidence vote October 6, 2025 The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is back in Strasbourg to defend herself against a no-confidence motion, just months after her last one. On Monday evening, two motions of no confidence against the President will be debated at the European Parliament, as von der Leyen is set to defend herself against [...]
From McGregor to the final three: The battle for Ireland’s highest office September 29, 2025 In less than a month, voters across Ireland will head to the polls to choose their next President, as the current officeholder, Michael D. Higgins, completes his final term. Unlike in France or the United States, Ireland’s presidency is largely ceremonial. The President serves as the head of state, while the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) [...]
Trump’s culture war turns Europe into a ‘Truman Show’ spectacle September 23, 2025 US President Donald Trump and the American MAGA movement have launched a ‘culture war’ on Europe, says a new think tank report, warning that this transatlantic clash is reshaping European politics. The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) report, published on Tuesday, claims the US is waging its ‘culture [...]
UK to explore ‘reparations loan’ for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets September 20, 2025 Rachel Reeves will announce plans to explore using frozen Russian assets to fund a “reparations loan” that could provide billions of pounds for Ukraine’s war effort. The Chancellor is expected to make the announcement at a meeting with her European counterparts in Copenhagen on Saturday, saying it is “right to explore all options to support [...]
