A coalition of three small business associations has issued a call for tougher fuel economy standards to be imposed on Europe’s fume-chugging light commercial vehicles.

SPECIAL REPORT / An explosion in the data-driven economy offers crisis-stricken Europe hopes of recovery, but policymakers who lack the means to measure the phenomenon face challenges in a sector bracing for new regulation.

The rise of independent gas producers in Russia marks a paradigm-shift for the domestic market, and could ultimately challenge Gazprom’s dominant position both at home and in the export markets, argues Danila Bochkarev.

In a widely expected U-turn, Romanian authorities yesterday (31 January) gave the American energy giant Chevron the certificates it needed to start exploring for shale gas in the eastern part of the country.

In a widely expected U-turn, Romanian authorities yesterday (31 January) gave the American energy giant Chevron the certificates it needed to start exploring for shale gas in the eastern part of the country.

The EU has launched a rescue plan for Europe’s dwindling honeybee colonies: a 24-month ban on three widely-used neonicitinoid pesticides that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says pose “high acute risks” to pollinators. 

The EU has launched a rescue plan for Europe’s dwindling honeybee colonies: a 24-month ban on three widely-used neonicitinoid pesticides that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says pose “high acute risks” to pollinators. 

Latvia, which wants to adopt the euro in 2014, passed a fiscal discipline law yesterday (31 January) and another setting out guidelines for the proposed currency switch, key steps to satisfy the European Union that it is on track to join the eurozone.

Latvia, which wants to adopt the euro in 2014, passed a fiscal discipline law yesterday (31 January) and another setting out guidelines for the proposed currency switch, key steps to satisfy the European Union that it is on track to join the eurozone.

Ukrainian lawyers told investors in Brussels yesterday (31 January) that they had little if any chance of doing business involving the use of land for agriculture or other activities, unless they hire a local partner to keep them “away from disappointment”. 

Ukrainian lawyers told investors in Brussels yesterday (31 January) that they had little if any chance of doing business involving the use of land for agriculture or other activities, unless they hire a local partner to keep them “away from disappointment”. 

The International Monetary Fund failed yesterday (31 January) to meet a self-imposed deadline for agreeing on a new formula that would reduce EU voting power and give emerging economies greater say in the global financial institution.

The European Commission has promised a review of the EU's clean air standards later this year after new research by the World health Organization (WHO) suggested links between air pollution and health conditions ranging from neurodevelopment disorders to cardiovascular and respiratory deaths.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Spain's ruling People's Party denied today (31 January) that the party passed payments from business donors secretly to the premier and other party leaders after a newspaper published what it said were unofficial party accounts.

More countries are likely to join the EU, but the process will extend to the end of the decade. At present, the EU lacks real strategic interests in incorporating most of the current candidates. Furthermore, political fragmentation within the EU tempers any desire to grow further, writes Stratfor.

Joaquín Almunia’s predecessor as competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes, ended her five-year mandate having barred two mergers. The previous negative decisions hinged on potential harm to consumers and whether harm could be offset by increased network efficiencies, write Mario Mariniello and Alice Gambarin.

PricewaterhouseCoopers held the top spot in rankings for accounting income last year, a sector where fees are being squeezed by increased regulatory scrutiny and competition, according to an industry survey published on Wednesday (30 January).

Speaking in Brussels a week before EU leaders are set to find an agreement on the 2014-2020 EU budget, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti warned against a political fight which would undermine the need for more growth and jobs, at a time when fiscal consolidation and austerity measures have taken a severe toll on economic recovery.

Politicians from across the political spectrum have joined forces to campaign for Britain to stay in the European Union after Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans to hold a referendum on the country's membership.

With EU-backed forces advancing across Mali, the need for European and other donors to accelerate the development process in Africa’s poorest regions appears ever more pressing. For development experts a simple, yet unheralded solution exists - planting trees.