Western Europe

In a case brought forward by a local consumer group, a Belgian court ordered Ryanair that it must stop some of its?marketing and commercial practices for flights purchased in the country. However, other practices were upheld. The ruling comes after regulators from several European countries tried to curtail Ryanair's aggressive price policies. This was in response to the business model of Ryanair, which relies on low ticket prices and charging extras for services that were previously included in the cost. The Brussels Enterprise Court, in a decision dated '28 January and seen on Tuesday by, said Ryanair must stop deceptive...

In a case brought by the local consumer group, a Belgian court ordered Ryanair that it cease some of its marketing and commercial practices for flights sold within Belgium. The 'court ruling' comes after regulators from several European countries tried to curb Ryanair aggressive pricing policies. This was in response to the business model of Ryanair, which relies on low ticket prices and charging extras that were previously included in the cost. The Brussels Enterprise Court, in a decision issued on January 28 and seen on Tuesday, said that 'Ryanair should stop practices like announcing discounts on false reference prices,...

The head of an organization representing global airlines, said that shortages of new efficient aircraft and alternative fuels are pushing up profits for the suppliers and putting in danger the industry's flagship goal of reducing emissions. Willie Walsh said that the use of older aircraft and the shortage of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) was driving up costs, and delaying a move to cleaner flying. Walsh said on TV the night before the Singapore Airshow, which runs from Feb 3-8, "I am still optimistic but cautiously optimistic that we will achieve net zero by 2050, although it is becoming more difficult."...

Uber announced on Monday that it is in discussions with Urssaf - the French social security agency. According to a report, Urssaf concluded that Uber should treat its drivers like employees. Uber's spokesperson stated on Monday that they were "currently?engaged?" in a collaborative, open, transparent and honest discussion with France’s social security agency, URSSAF". Urssaf said it would not comment on ongoing or individual cases for reasons of confidentially. French ?investigative publication Revue21 reported that Urssaf considered that 71,194 drivers who worked for ?Uber between 2019 and 2022 on independent-contractor agreements should have been defined as ?employees. Revue21 reported that...

The local train operating company halted all trains for a day on Monday, causing disruption to commuters and travellers arriving in Milan. The strike affected Trenord trains running between Milan's Malpensa Airport and the city centre as well as suburban lines from nearby cities like Bergamo or Brescia. Milan, Italy's financial capital, is preparing to welcome athletes, media representatives and delegates - just in time for the Milano Cortina Games opening on Friday. The regional branch of ORSA Ferrovie has called the strike in support of an ongoing dispute over "contract renewal" and worker safety. The local Olympic organizing committee...

In a late-Sunday newspaper article, EU Industry Chief Stephane Sejourne, who was co-signed by more than 1,100 CEOs, said that Europe must protect its own industries through a "Made in Europe" strategy. Sejourne wrote in an article published in newspapers all over Europe that "Without a pragmatic, ambitious and effective industrial policy, Europe's economy will be destined to become a playground for competitors." The French member of European Commission stated: "We need to?establish a true European preference once and for all in our most important strategic?sectors." The article was signed by CEOs from a wide range of industries including ArcelorMittal...

On the eve?Singapore Airshow, Monday, aviation leaders addressed barriers to growth as well as the impact of geopolitical conflicts. They also reaffirmed their commitment to reduce emissions. The head of the International Air Transport Association has warned that supply chain problems will continue to hurt global airlines for some time. Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, said that "this disruption continues to have major impacts" at the Changi Aviation Summit ahead of Asia's biggest air show. Airbus and Boeing are facing supply chain issues since the COVID-19 outbreak, while engine manufacturers like GE Aerospace or Pratt & Whitney have to...

Commuters in Germany were faced with freezing temperatures and empty platforms as tens of thousands of public transport workers walked out on the job during a strike called Verdi. This resulted in the suspension of bus and tram services across most German cities. Verdi, the union that represents almost 100,000 transport workers, called for a strike last week after discussions with employers at municipal and state levels over?working conditions' stalled. Even as cities struggle with budget restrictions, the union wants shorter shifts and longer rest periods. In all but one of Germany’s 16 federal states (including Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen), the...

His mother confirmed that the child, who was thrown off a bus by his mother in northern Italy because he didn't have the full fare on him, will be a part of?the opening ceremonies of the Milano?Olympics Winter?Olympics? on Friday. Riccardo Z was an 11-year old boy who lived in a small town, less than 20 kilometers (12 miles), from Cortina d'Ampezzo. He did not have the money to pay for a surcharge on bus fares introduced by local transport companies for 'the Olympics' and had no choice but to walk home six kilometres through sub-zero temperatures and snow. This...

His 'family' said that an 11-year old schoolboy, who didn't have enough money to pay the bus fare surcharge for the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, was forced by sub-zero temperatures and snowy conditions to walk home?6 km (3.8 miles). Corriere della sera, Italy's largest circulation daily, has featured the story of Riccardo on its front page, amid concerns about price gouging during the Games from February 6-22. Dolomiti Bus, a local transport company, has increased the daily fare on a 'bus route' to Cortina d'Ampezzo (one of the Olympic venues) to 12 euros in exchange for more frequent service...

Asia's premier aerospace event will feature planes, weapons and parts as the industry struggles to balance increasing demand for air travel while juggling geopolitical issues and chronic supply shortages. The biennial Singapore Airshow is next week as the Southeast Asian city state and its neighbouring countries consider China's continued build-up of arms in the region, while also looking over their shoulders at an increasingly isolationist United States. The Royal Australian Air Force's Lockheed Martin F-35 jet fighters will make their show debut as Singapore awaits the first deliveries. However, some analysts question how much damage has been done to the...

Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the U.S. was decertifying Bombardier Global Express jets, and threatened to impose 50% tariffs on imports of other aircraft manufactured in?Canada?until it certified a number planes produced by U.S. competitor Gulfstream. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that Canada effectively prohibited the sale of Gulfstream Products in Canada by using this same certification process. If this situation does not change immediately, I will charge Canada a tariff of 50% on all aircraft that are sold to the United States of America. Airbus A220 commercial aircraft made in Canada and Bombardier Global Express were...

Trafigura has won its London case against Indian businessman Prateek?Gupta regarding fake nickel cargoes on Friday. The High Court of London ruled in favor of the commodities 'trader. Trafigura, a Geneva-based company, claimed that Gupta and his companies were the masterminds of a fraudulent Ponzi scheme??in which they agreed to deliver high-quality nickel 99.8% but instead delivered low-value materials or even worthless ones. Gupta acknowledged he didn't deliver high-grade Nickel cargoes, but claims Trafigura staff designed the scheme. Former Trafigura head nickel trader Sokratis Oikonomou had denied this in his testimony given in November. Judge Pushpinder Saini ruled Trafigura had...

United Parcel Service, the largest package delivery company in the world, announced on Tuesday that it will close 24 additional facilities and eliminate up to 30,000 positions by 2026. This is due to its ongoing shift towards a'more profitable business. In midday trading, shares of the company rose 4%. The company also announced fourth quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations and forecasted a surprise increase in annual revenue. FedEx shares gained 2.6%. Carol Tome, CEO of the company, said in a conference with analysts that the company plans to reduce Amazon deliveries. "We are now in the last six...

Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. Ageas SA: Belgian and Dutch insurance group Ageas reported that its reinsurance unit Ageas Re had achieved inflows at a rate of 379 millions euros on 'January 1, 2026 compared with 206 million euro a year before. Its partnership activity in-force books now stand at 435million euros after the renewal campaign. ARGAN SA - French real estate firm Argan reported a full-year rental revenue of 212 millions euros, and recurring net profit of 154.8million euros. Its end-December Portfolio was valued...

PlusAI, the self-driving vehicle startup, announced on Monday that it would launch Southern Europe's very first program to test heavy-duty autonomous vehicles. It will also expand its partnership with Iveco Group and brand IVECO. Two IVECO S-Way truck equipped with PlusAI’s Level 4 autonomous driving.system will be tested on a 300-km route between.Madrid.and Zaragoza in 2026. A safety operator will also be onboard. Trials will be conducted with Spanish logistics operator Sese, and the regional government of Aragon. PlusAI in Silicon Valley, with offices in Europe and America, has been working with Iveco on joint research and tests for many...

Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Saudi real estate developer Dar Global, announced on Sunday that two Trump-branded luxury projects will be launched in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Jeddah (Jordan). Chaar said that the projects include the Trump National Golf Course in Riyadh and the Trump International Hotel at Diriyah. This is a massive project located on the western edge of the Saudi capital. Chaar said that a mixed-use development called Trump Plaza is planned for Jeddah. Chaar stated that the projects were in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify its economy and move away from oil....

Senalia, a grain export terminal operator, expects volumes to double in 2025/26 compared to last year due to a rebound in French harvest production and a brisk barley demand. Rouen, on the Seine River in Normandy, is France's main grain export hub. Rain-stricken 2024 reduced its export surplus, and port terminals were idle for part the season. Senalia, the cooperative-owned cereal exporter, has forecast that Senalia will load 3.8 millions metric tons in the current July-June period, up from just 1.8 million in 2020/25. This is exactly what it did two years ago. He said that 1.7 million tonnes of...

Goldman Sachs dominated again the league tables of global dealmaking for 2025. It took the?marketshare and top spot in an year marked by high stakes political dramas and ever larger mergers. Goldman's No. 1 ranking was boosted by the rise of $10 billion deals, of which there were 68 in the last year totaling $1.5 trillion - more than twice as much as the previous year. According to LSEG data, Goldman has the No. 1 ranking. The firm was involved in 38 of these 'deals', more than any other investment banking firm, and the total value of the deals it...

Goldman Sachs dominated again the league tables of global dealmaking for 2025. It took the market share and top spot in an year that was marked by high stakes political dramas and ever-larger mergers. Goldman's No. 1 ranking was boosted by the rise of $10 billion deals, which totaled $1.5 trillion last year, or more than double the previous year. According to LSEG data, Goldman ranked No. 1 in the world. The firm was involved in 38 of these deals, more than any other investment bank. Total volume of advised deals was $1.48 trillion. This was the most active period...

Snowfall in the Netherlands disrupted air and train?traffic on Monday. Hundreds of flights had to be canceled and trains around Amsterdam were at a standstill. ANP, a news agency, reported that Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, which is one of Europe's busiest hubs cancelled nearly 500 flights Monday morning. The airport was closed to all incoming traffic from 1200 GMT until then due to the snow. ANP reported that planes heading for Amsterdam were diverted to another airport. Schiphol was unable to be reached immediately for further comments. Snow and freezing temperatures had already forced the airport to cancel hundreds of flights...

Equity investors looking for a smooth ride through 2026 may want to consider increasing their exposure beyond the artificial intelligence euphoria. Opportunities could be hidden in plain sight. Investors should be cautious. The valuations of U.S. equity are stretched. The Shiller price-earnings for the S&P 500 is above 40, which is very close to the levels during the dot-com boom in the 1990s. Markets have become 'highly concentrated. Goldman Sachs analysis shows that the five largest U.S. tech companies, Nvidia Apple Alphabet Microsoft and Amazon, have a combined value greater than?the Euro STOXX?50. This includes Britain, India Japan and Canada...

BNP Paribas has been in exclusive negotiations with Mercedes-Benz in order to acquire its car-leasing company Athlon. The French bank announced this on Thursday. BNP said that the acquisition would help strengthen its position on the European vehicle lease market, through its Arval division, by adding about 400,000 vehicles under full-service financing to its fleet. BNP's Arval division currently has a total fleet of 1.9 millions vehicles. In an interview, BNP Chief Operating Officer Thierry Laborde stated that this transaction was very important. It would allow the group to become the European leader for long-term rental cars. BNP Paribas will...

The federal government of Brazil plans to auction off the massive Tecon '10 container terminal at Santos Port in the first half of March, said Minister of Ports and airports Silvio Costa Filho on Friday. He said that more than 10 bidders have expressed interest in the auction, including the Philippines-based ICTSI, JBS, JSL and unnamed 'Arab investors. The Minister said that the minimum bid price will be below?6.4 billion (about $1.19 billion), the amount of money the winning bidder must invest to build and run the terminal. Roberto Lopes confirmed that the Rio Brasil Terminal, controlled by ICTSI will...