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By Nelson Bocanegra BARRANCABERMEJA, Colombia (Reuters) – Alleged interference by Colombian President Gustavo Petro in majority state-owned Ecopetrol and purges of hundreds of staff to make way for pro-government replacements are fueling fears about the energy company’s future profits and contributions to the economy.  The worries, according to interviews with workers, ex-employees, a former board …

Turmoil at Colombia’s Ecopetrol raises profit fears ahead of US investment decision Read More »

By Gergely Szakacs BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary’s parliament approved Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 2025 budget on Friday, shrugging off concerns by the Fiscal Council that the government’s growth assumptions are too optimistic and the reserves too low to tackle contingencies. Orban, in power since 2010, has struggled to revive Hungary’s economy after last year’s downturn …

Hungary’s parliament backs 2025 budget plan, deficit target seen at risk Read More »

LONDON (Reuters) – British retailers reported a weak run-up to the Christmas holidays with sales falling again and businesses worrying about higher costs in 2025, the Confederation of British Industry said on Friday. The CBI’s monthly retail sales headline balance improved only marginally to -15 in December from -18 in November. It had also contracted …

UK retailers report gloomy run-up to Christmas, CBI says Read More »

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The EU is ready to discuss further strengthening economic ties with U.S. President-elect Trump, including common interests in the energy sector, an EU spokesperson said on Friday, adding the EU was also committed to phasing out energy imports from Russia and diversifying supply sources. Trump said that the European Union may face …

EU ready to strengthen ties with US, focus on energy sector Read More »

(Reuters) – Greece’s current account deficit narrowed sharply in October from a year earlier to 383 million euros ($397.59 million), helped by robust tourism revenue and a further inflow of EU funds, data from the Bank of Greece showed on Friday. The current account shortfall eased from a deficit of 1.21 billion euros in the …

Greece’s current account deficit narrows sharply in October thanks to tourism Read More »

LONDON (Reuters) – Prax and Shell have decided not to proceed with the sale of Shell’s share in the PCK Schwedt oil refinery in Germany to Prax, they said on Friday. Shell agreed to sell its 37.5% stake in the refinery to Prax last December. The deal faced delays because of lawsuits brought by third …

Prax and Shell call off deal on stake in PCK Schwedt oil refinery Read More »

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – TotalEnergies said on Friday it had completed a planned purchase of majority stakes in two offshore wind projects in Denmark that recently obtained construction permits. The French energy firm now holds an 85% share in the 240-megawatt (MW) offshore wind park in the Bay of Jammerland and a 72.2% stake in the …

TotalEnergies to operate two Danish offshore wind projects Read More »

By Maria Martinez BERLIN (Reuters) – The business climate index in Germany’s retail sector fell slightly in normally consumer spending-heavy December, as retailers assess their current situation as somewhat worse than in November, the Ifo Institute said on Friday. Business expectations for the coming months also declined slightly, Ifo added. This year was very challenging …

German retailers more pessimistic in holiday season, Ifo says Read More »