Author: Euronews

House prices in the UK have risen year-on-year for the first time in 13 months, signalling a recovery after last year’s property slump. ADVERTISEMENTThe UK’s largest building society, Nationwide, announced on Friday that UK house prices were 1.2% higher in February than during the same period in 2023.Over the month, the lender said that costs are up 0.7%, meaning that the average house price has risen to £260,420 from £257,656 in January.Friday’s data, which surpasses analysts’ expectations, points to an upturn in the UK housing market following limited demand last year.”The Index shows the market casting off a lull from…

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent in any way the editorial position of Euronews. The regulation is a promising step forward in achieving a balanced ecosystem for short-term rentals, serving the interests of both the public and visitors in our cities, Famke Halsema writes. ADVERTISEMENTOn Thursday, the European Parliament passed a regulation concerning the sharing and collection of data for Short-Term accommodation Rental services (STR). This piece of legislation is crucial for many European cities, in particular those facing housing shortages and challenges related to tourism.The main benefit for cities is that…

UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will outline his spring Budget next Wednesday. Here’s what we know so far. ADVERTISEMENTOn 6 March Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deliver his tax and spending plans for the UK, in what is likely to be the biggest fiscal announcement before the next General Election.The Budget comes not only against a backdrop of stifling tax burdens but also staggering public debt, placing the Treasury in a politically sticky position.According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), tax revenues as a share of national income in the UK are currently on track to hit 37.7% in 2028 to…

Millennials could stand to inherit trillions worth of property and property assets passed down by ancestors in the next 20 years. ADVERTISEMENTMillennials could potentially become the wealthiest generation ever, according to estate agent Knight Frank’s 2024 Wealth Report.Defined broadly as those born from 1981 to 1996, millennials, also known as Generation Y, could possibly see a sizeable windfall in the next 20 years, due to property and other assets amassed by their parents and grandparents. This could clock in at about $90 trillion (€83.1 trillion) in the US alone.”When the silent generation (born from 1925 to 1945), the baby boomers…

The European Union is in full campaign mode 100 days ahead of the parliamentary elections in June. Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly how they work. This guide from Euronews tells you everything you need to know. ADVERTISEMENTThe continent-wide elections will see 720 Members of the European Parliament elected. This is an increase from the current 705 seats to accommodate demographic changes in several member states.The Parliament is the only institution in the EU that is directly elected by voters. The other two main bodies are indirectly elected: the composition of the European Commission requires the approval of MEPs…

The tax burden on the middle class differs across the EU, as well as across the different income segments. ADVERTISEMENTThe UK middle classes continue to face economic struggles despite earning up to £60,000 annually (€70,180), according to a recent report.In many OECD countries, the middle classes have seen their ability to save decline, and in some cases have fallen into debt, as the tax burden on the European middle class becomes increasingly controversial in the present cost of living crisis.The middle class’s income and tax burdens significantly differ across European countries. In general, lower-middle incomes are taxed less, while upper-middle…

The accommodation and food services sector increased by 3.5%, while increased travel helped to push up the transport and communication sector by 0.4%. ADVERTISEMENTSwitzerland’s GDP grew by 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2023, keeping in step with the country’s below-average growth from the previous quarter.The Swiss Federal Statistical Office said on Thursday that the services sector was one of the main growth drivers, thanks to recovering tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic.Specifically, the accommodation and food services sector increased by 3.5%, while increased travel helped to push up the transport and communication sector by 0.4%.Other services noting a small uptick…

World shares were mixed on Thursday after a lacklustre day on Wall Street, where selling of technology stocks pulled benchmarks lower – and as Bitcoin jumped above $60,000 for the first time since 2021. ADVERTISEMENTBitcoin’s price briefly topped $64,000 (€59,000) on Wednesday for the first time since 2021, pulling closer to its record of nearly $69,000 after rising more than 40% so far this year. It was trading at $63,385.00 early Thursday.Meanwhile, Coinbase gained 0.8% after rising earlier in the day to continue its strong run as Bitcoin’s price keeps rallying. New exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that make investing in Bitcoin…

Transphobic and anti-LGBTI rhetoric is on the rise among politicians in Europe, according to a new report, prompting alarm ahead of the EU elections in June. ADVERTISEMENTAdvocacy group ILGA-Europe found a “clear accumulation of hate speech” against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) community by politicians in 32 European countries – including 19 EU member states – over the past year.Croatia, Ireland, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden are named among the member states where transphobic rhetoric is on the rise, while transphobia was also detected in parliamentary discussions in Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, and Portugal.The findings spark fears that politicians are…

The buyback programme will launch in March and last for a year, ending in May 2025. ADVERTISEMENTShares in Puma traded down 0.83% on Thursday afternoon after the German sportswear company announced plans to return up to 50% of its net income to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, in a scheme that will see the firm buy back shares worth up to €100 million in total.The company said on Thursday that it had decided to change its dividend policy to a payout ratio of 25-40% of the group’s net income, up from 25-35%, supplemented by the share buyback programme which…