Author: Euronews

A recovery in the business travel market and increased numbers of holidaymakers flying for winter breaks to the Caribbean all contributed to a major increase in profits. ADVERTISEMENTInternational Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) released its first quarter 2024 results on Friday morning, showing an operational profit before exceptional items of €68 million. This was a huge jump from the €9 million seen in the first quarter of 2023.IAG owns several notable airlines, such as British Airways, Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, Eurowings, Swiss Air, Air France and much more.Although the group still saw a loss after tax of -€4 million in Q1 2024,…

For China to revive its fortunes, it must fundamentally change course, abandoning its version of predatory state capitalism in favour of the genuine market reforms its trade partners worldwide are calling for, Elaine Dezenski writes. Source link

After 14 months of decline, the rate of inflation in Hungary rose again. ADVERTISEMENTPrices in Hungary picked up slightly in April, after declining for more than a year; the annual inflation was 3.7% from an over 3-year low of 3.6% in the previous month, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. Compared to March, prices increased by 0.7%, easing from a 0.8% rise previously.In a yearly comparison, services became 9.5% more expensive, within which rents were up by 14%. Motor fuel prices cost 6.6% more than a year ago, and 3.5% more than in the previous month. On the other hand, household electricity, gas…

With fears over NATO’s credibility, the idea of a homegrown alternative is playing into Germany’s domestic political debate. Source link

A report by Finance Watch shows that despite EU legislation, vulnerable consumers in the bloc don’t have easy access to a basic bank account. In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, the non-profit organisation believes a review of the rules is more necessary than ever to make them work for all. ADVERTISEMENTIn Romania, around three out of ten people over 15 did not own a bank account in 2021, while in Bulgaria and Hungary the number of unbanked people ranged from 12% to 16%.“Given the still high number of unbanked people in the EU, as well as the high number…

From rural areas to climate change: There’s more EU policy in this year’s Eurovision entries than Europapa. Source link

The latest minutes from the European Central Bank meeting indicated a rising chance for easing monetary policy in June. While a majority support maintaining current rates, a few members already advocated for immediate cuts in April. ADVERTISEMENTThe monetary policy accounts of the latest European Central Bank’s meeting in April indicated that the Governing Council finds it “plausible” to begin easing monetary policy restrictions in the upcoming June meeting.The April meeting minutes highlighted that markets had effectively digested the ECB’s communications, with a general preparedness for a potential rate cut in June, should incoming data support the current economic projections.A broad…

Spain, Ireland and other like-minded EU member states could recognise the State of Palestine on 21 May, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, has said. ADVERTISEMENTIn an interview on Spanish national radio RNE on Thursday, Borrell was asked to confirm reports in Irish media that Spain, Ireland and a handful of other EU member states could formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 21.Borrell confirmed the plans, adding that the Spanish foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, had told him that 21 May was the proposed date.Borrell had been attending an event to celebrate Europe Day in Madrid…

In Germany, the once-affordable doner kebab has become the emblem of a growing concern: donerflation. ADVERTISEMENTOver the years, the doner kebab, introduced to Germany by Turkish immigrants, has established itself as a staple of low-cost street-food. However, the affordability of this dish has recently been undermined, with prices more than doubling within two years.Factors such as rising wages and energy costs, compounded by geopolitical tensions, including the Ukraine war, have contributed to what German Chancellor Olaf Scholz himself has called “donerflation”.Politics and society, all concerned by ‘dönerflation’.German politicians, particularly left-wing ones, have taken up the issue, proposing a ‘donerpreisbremse’, or…

European leaders cannot afford to feel complacent. Quite the opposite: they must act decisively and renew their commitments of support so Ukraine can effectively push back and win, Viktor Mak writes. Source link