Quirino Mealha

Economy

Trump raises global tariffs from 10% to 15% 'effective immediately'

The US president said that the new measure will effective immediately raise the 10% worldwide tariff on countries, many of which 'have been ripping the US off for decades, without retribution.'

20 February 2026

Economy

Supreme Court blocks Trump tariffs in major blow to White House agenda

The US Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, ruling the president overstepped his authority by invoking emergency powers.

20 February 2026

Economy

EU countries prepare for ECB race as Lagarde eyes early exit

Following reports on Wednesday that Christine Lagarde could step down as ECB President before her mandate ends, some EU countries have begun sounding out potential successors.

20 February 2026

Business

Telefónica and Liberty Global to buy UK fibre firm Netomnia for €2.3bn

InfraVia, Liberty Global and Telefónica, which together form the telecom joint venture Nexfibre, are set to acquire the UK's alternative network provider Netomnia for £2bn (€2.3bn), according to an announcement on Wednesday.

18 February 2026

Economy

ECB says 'no decision made' on Lagarde's potential exit amid reports

Reports on Wednesday indicated Christine Lagarde could step down as ECB President before her mandate expires in October 2027. The ECB asserted that no decision has been made and that the President is focused on her mission, in a response to Euronews.

18 February 2026

Economy

Japan narrowly avoids a technical recession in 2025, report shows

Japan's economy grew at only a 0.2% annual pace in the last quarter of 2025, according to a government report released this Monday. Growth for all of last year came in at just 1.1%.

16 February 2026

Business

Will Big Tech's colossal AI spending crush Europe's data sovereignty?

Big Tech companies are going all in on AI development, raising their projected capital expenditure to over $700bn (€590bn) this year, an increase of roughly 75% compared to 2025.

16 February 2026

Business

One in three French auto jobs wiped in dramatic 13-year decline

Employment in the French automotive industry fell from 425,500 in 2010 to 286,800 in 2023, representing a loss of nearly 139,000 full-time jobs or 33%.

13 February 2026

Markets

Spotify shares rise after record profits and spike in subscribers

Spotify nearly doubled its year-on-year profits in the final quarter of 2025. The company marked only its second, yet consecutive, profitable year to date consolidating its positive trajectory.

11 February 2026

Markets

Coinbase CEO exits world’s top 500 rich list as crypto markets crash

Coinbase chief Brian Armstrong has seen his net worth halve since July 2025 following a sharp correction in crypto markets and a downgrade of Coinbase stock by Wall Street analysts.

11 February 2026

Markets

Vatican Bank launches 'Catholic-based' stock indices

The Vatican Bank has officially launched two equity indices, one in the US and another in the eurozone, which are comprised of stocks that reputedly abide by Catholic principles.

10 February 2026

Markets

Google parent company Alphabet plans to sell rare 100-year bond

Google’s parent company Alphabet is offering a rare 100-year bond in sterling markets after its original $20bn (€16.8bn) US dollar bond sale was massively oversubscribed. This makes it the first tech company to sell a century bond since Motorola in 1997.

10 February 2026

Economy

French central bank governor quits and leaves Macron to pick successor

François Villeroy de Galhau has unexpectedly announced his early resignation as Governor of the Bank of France. Analysts view the timing as a calculated effort to safeguard the institution's future leadership.

9 February 2026

Markets

Asian markets rise after Takaichi win, while US futures trend lower

Asian markets rose after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a two-thirds supermajority in a historic landslide victory in Japanese elections, boosting fiscal stimulus prospects.

9 February 2026

Economy

Japan's central bank holds rates steady ahead of elections

The Bank of Japan announced this Friday that its policy interest rate remains unchanged at 0.75%. The decision comes after a huge sell-off in Japanese bonds this week, triggered by Prime Minister Takaichi's call for snap elections, and unfunded tax cuts that fuelled inflation fears.

23 January 2026

Economy

Croatia’s central bank chief nominated as next ECB vice president

Eurozone finance ministers unexpectedly selected the Croatian central bank governor to become the next VP of the European Central Bank. In a surprise move, an official from one of the euro's newest members will soon help shape European monetary policy.

20 January 2026

Markets

As stablecoins rise, how are governments responding worldwide?

Stablecoins experienced a record-breaking year, driven by both major countries and companies incentivising their use worldwide.

17 January 2026

Markets

Morgan Stanley files to launch Bitcoin and Solana ETFs

Morgan Stanley is diving into crypto waters after filing to launch Bitcoin and Solana ETFs on Tuesday. The move signals major US banks are no longer sitting on the sidelines.

6 January 2026

Business

China bets on province the size of Belgium to reshape global trade

The Chinese Communist Party has officially turned the island province of Hainan into a free trade port, one of the government's most ambitious economic experiments to date.

2 January 2026

Markets

The business of predicting the future is booming despite EU pushback

Prediction markets are ushering in a new era where collective judgement and "crowd wisdom" are no longer theoretical concepts but tradable commodities. Yet despite their growing success, they remain banned in many EU countries.

30 December 2025