The beach of Thermaikos gulf in Thessaloniki, on May 5, 2022. PHOTO: SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES By Maria Martinez Rising eurozone inflation is squeezing household purchasing power and the manufacturing sector continues to struggle with supply shortages. But in this weakening economy, there is one sector that is taking off: tourism. “Hospitality and travel is booming …
By Maria Martinez Germany’s growth prospects are looking increasingly weak due to high inflation, disrupted supply chains and the damage flowing from sanctions on Russia, but a recession remains unlikely, economists say. “Supply-chain problems and high inflation appear to have stopped the post-Covid recovery in its tracks,” Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics, …
German Recovery Slows as Inflation, Ukraine War Bite Read More »
Covid-19 plush toys at La Liada store in Coruna. PHOTO: MIGUEL RIOPA/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGESBy Maria Martinez Santa Claus started his holiday shopping early in Spain this year, amid fears of logistic problems and new coronavirus restrictions that could close toy stores. Toy sales in Spain increased 23% in October and November compared with the same two …
Santa Shopped Early in Spain Amid Supply-Chain Disruptions and Virus Fears Read More »
Candidates for the German Chancellorship line up for a TV debate on Sept. 19. Germans head to the polls on Sunday. PHOTO: FILIP SINGER/SHUTTERSTOCKBy Maria Martinez After 16 years as German chancellor, Angela Merkel’s reign is coming to an end. As Germans head to the polls on Sunday to elect her successor, opinions remain divided over …
People sitting inside a bar in Barcelona, Spain. The country, one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, is set to benefit from the Next Generation EU funding. PHOTO: NACHO DOCE/REUTERS By Maria Martinez The European Commission’s recent upgrade to its growth forecast is based on easing pandemic restrictions and fundraising from the Next Generation EU program, a …
Medical staff on a COVID-19 ward at a hospital in Liege, Belgium.PHOTO: FRANCISCO SECO/ASSOCIATED PRESS By Noemie Bisserbe in Paris, Eric Sylvers in Milan and Maria Martinez in Madrid Europe’s second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is reviving the pressure on hospitals in the worst-hit cities, and forcing health-care systems around the continent to devise contingency plans that draw on …
As Covid-19 Cases Rise Across Europe, Hospitals Are Rushing to Prepare for Winter Read More »
Storekeepers Francisco Ponce and Angel Lorente at Supermarket Morente, their small food store in the Spanish town of Utiel. PHOTO: FRANCISCO PONCE By Maria Martinez Storekeepers Francisco Ponce and Angel Lorente thought the coronavirus lockdown would decimate their livelihood in the Spanish town of Utiel, but instead they found a growing stream of steady business. “During …
Grocery Shoppers Shift to Smaller Stores Amid Coronavirus Read More »
The spread of the coronavirus in Italy could push the country into a technical recession. PHOTO: GIULIO NAPOLITANO/BLOOMBERG NEWS By Maria Martinez The spread of the coronavirus in Italy could push the country into a technical recession as manufacturing plant shutdowns and a sudden drop in tourism cripple chances of a rebound. A technical recession is defined …
