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Irish Independent
19 minutes ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Ireland is most expensive country in EU after Denmark as prices continue to soar
Prices here are 38pc above the EU average – we are behind only Denmark when it comes to high costs. In 2015, prices in Ireland were 28pc above the average, but since then Ireland has been getting increasingly more expensive. The findings, from the statistics agency Eurostat, will put a new focus on the Government's decision not to pay out universal cost-of-living packages in the next budget. Eurostat found that when it comes to alcohol and tobacco, prices here are the most expensive in the EU – more than double the average. Daragh Cassidy, of price comparison site said this is due to taxation and, more recently, minimum unit pricing on alcohol. When it comes to alcohol, prices here are the second-highest in the EU. Finland has the dearest. Food and non-alcoholic drink prices here are the third-highest in the EU at almost 15pc above the EU average. We are behind only Luxembourg and Denmark when it comes to what we pay for food. However, this is an improvement on recent years, as these prices were more than 21pc above average in 2020. Ireland's restaurant and hotel prices are the second-highest in the EU – Denmark's are dearest – at 29pc above the average. Communications costs are almost 40pc above average. Ireland is the third-most-expensive country for electricity, gas and fuel, with prices 17pc above the average. However, clothing prices in Ireland are 1pc below the EU average and cheaper than in Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. Mr Cassidy said Ireland will never be a cheap place to live Non-EU countries Iceland, Norway and Switzerland were also included in the research and generally have prices higher than those in Ireland. Mr Cassidy said we have known for a while that Ireland is an expensive country and these figures from Eurostat confirm that. 'There are several reasons why prices here are so high,' he said. 'These include our higher wages, a lack of competition in certain sectors, high taxation on certain goods such as tobacco, alcohol and fuel, and lower government subsidies in certain areas such as public transport and childcare compared to our European neighbours.' He said businesses are also faced with high insurance and energy costs, which then get passed on to consumers. Mr Cassidy said Ireland will never be a cheap place to live. 'And it's worth noting that many of the world's most expensive countries, such as Switzerland, Iceland and Denmark, also have some of the highest standards of living in the world,' he added. He said wages in Ireland, while high by international standards, generally do not match the salaries in those countries. At the same time, taxpayers in more expensive countries tend to get back more from their governments in terms of better and more affordable healthcare, childcare and public transport, though there have been improvements made here in recent years. Mr Cassidy called for the Government to lower the standard rate of Vat, which at 23pc is one of the highest in the world.
Fibre2Fashion
23 minutes ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
UK manufacturers drop US as top export market amid trade woes: Survey
UK manufacturers have dropped US out of the top 3 global export growth markets for the first time, according to a major survey. It has now fallen to fourth place, with manufacturers now favouring Asia/Oceania and the Middle East in response to mounting trade barriers and economic unpredictability, as per the Make UK/BDO Q2 Manufacturing Outlook survey. Historically a consistent second to the EU, the US' diminished appeal comes as six in ten UK firms anticipate a decline in export volumes to the country. A similar share (63 per cent) expects their business to suffer due to tariffs, while nearly a third (30 per cent) are reconsidering their supply chain sources, revealed the survey. The findings aligned with separate data from the National Association of Manufacturers, which showed optimism among US manufacturers has plunged to its lowest level since the pandemic. A striking 77 per cent of American manufacturers identified trade uncertainty as their primary concern. UK manufacturers have dropped US from their top 3 export markets for the first time, as firms shift focus to Asia/Oceania and the Middle East amid tariffs and uncertainty. Make UK slashed its 2026 growth forecast to -0.5 per cent, citing high energy costs and weak investment. Despite Q2 output rebounding to 9 per cent, investment intentions remain fragile, with future growth at risk. The outlook for UK manufacturing appears increasingly bleak. Make UK has slashed its 2026 manufacturing growth forecast from 1 per cent to -0.5 per cent, following an expected contraction of -0.2 per cent in 2025 and stagnation in 2024. The data points to a worrying trend of prolonged industrial decline. Make UK has urged the government to prioritise a robust industrial strategy, warning that the UK's high industrial energy costs must be tackled to reverse the sector's downturn. 'While at first glance the headline numbers may not look too bad, manufacturers are facing a gathering storm of huge uncertainty in one of their major markets, a skills crisis and eye watering energy costs which are providing a harsh reality for many,' said Seamus Nevin, chief economist at Make UK. 'In response, it is essential that the forthcoming industrial strategy takes bold measures to bring down the cost of energy and takes equally radical action to ensure companies can access the people they need to take advantage of a more competitive landscape. If these two issues are not addressed, then we will face the serious prospect of the UK accelerating into de-industrialisation,' added Nevin. 'This quarter's results are a testament to the increasingly challenging landscape our British manufacturers are operating in. The forecasted decline in growth is concerning and the delayed industrial strategy won't help to assuage uncertainty in the sector,' said Richard Austin, head of manufacturing at BDO . 'That said, there remains pockets of positivity. Growing output levels are proof of manufacturer's resilience and last month's trade deals should remove barriers as UK companies seek new trading partners and opportunities for growth. As always, they need urgent clarity and targeted investment from the government if this recovery is to continue into next quarter,' added Austin. The UK manufacturing output rebounded to 9 per cent in Q2 from -1 per cent in Q1, with total orders improving to -2 per cent from -6 per cent, according to the latest manufacturing outlook survey. The export orders rose to 7 per cent, offsetting weak domestic demand (-1 per cent). Looking ahead, output is forecast to reach 11 per cent, with exports expected to climb to +22 per cent, surpassing long-term averages. However, recruitment remained flat at 1 per cent, and investment intentions continued to slide, falling to 2 per cent from 5 per cent in Q1. Make UK has warned that if this trend persists, investment could turn negative later in 2025—posing risks to much-needed industrial growth. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Miami Herald
36 minutes ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Iran Issues New Warning to US-'All Necessary Options on the Table'
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned Thursday that "all necessary options are on the table" to respond to a potential strike by the United States. President Donald Trump has been considering strikes against Iran aimed at diminishing the country's nuclear capabilities amid concerns that it may be developing nuclear weapons, which the president has stated it cannot have, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The conflict escalated last week after Israel launched strikes at Iran targeting nuclear capabilities. The two countries have since fired strikes back-and-forth in recent days, fueling concerns about the possibility of a wider war involving the United States. The conflict could reshape affairs in the region and across the globe for years to come. The warning came as Trump has reportedly been warming up to the idea of striking Iran directly, while the U.S. already has been providing military support to Israel amid the heightened conflict with Tehran. "If the U.S. wants to actively intervene in support of Israel, Iran will have no other option but to use its tools to teach aggressors a lesson and defend itself," Gharibabadi said, Russia's Tass news agency reported, citing Iranian media. "Our military decision-makers have all necessary options on the table," he said. "Our recommendation to the US is to at least stand by if they do not wish to stop Israel's aggression," the Iranian diplomat said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a briefing that Trump will "make a decision within the next two weeks" about whether to join the war. Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Thursday threatened an "immediate" response to any third party that intervenes in its ongoing conflict with Israel, though it did not specifically mention the U.S. by name. The U.S. has many bases in the region that some fear could become Iranian targets. Trump has not confirmed what he plans to do about the conflict. He has reportedly reviewed strike options but is waiting to see whether Iran de-escalates its nuclear activities. He is aware of the diplomatic effort being undertaken, with EU officials meeting with the Iranian foreign minister in Switzerland on Friday. Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, in a statement emailed to Newsweek: "In 2002, in testimony to Congress urging the United States to go to war in Iraq, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated: 'There is no question whatsoever that Saddam is seeking... nuclear you take out Saddam's regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations.' "Netanyahu was wrong. Very wrong. The war in Iraq resulted in 4,492 U.S. military deaths, over 32,000 wounded, and a cost of roughly three trillion dollars. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis also died as a result of that tragic war. Netanyahu was wrong regarding the war in Iraq. He is wrong now. We must not get involved in Netanyahu's war against Iran." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in a post to X (formerly Twitter): "Over the weekend, I directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region." President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday: "I don't want to fight either. I'm not looking to fight. But if it's a choice between fighting and them having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do, and maybe we won't have to fight." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, in a public address: "The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage. The U.S. entering in this matter is 100 percent to its own detriment. The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter." Debate continues about whether the U.S. should join the conflict. While some have argued it is strategic to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon, others have said the U.S. should not get involved in a war on Israel's behalf. Members of Congress are pushing to limit Trump's ability to join the conflict without their authorization. Update 6/19/25, 2:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information. Related Articles US Support For Donald Trump Attacking Iran Revealed in PollsIranian Jewish Leader Denounces Israel's 'Savage' Attacks on IranFormer Spy Chief: 'Good Case' for US To Strike Iranian Nuclear SiteWhy Iran War Hurts China More Than America 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Middle East Eye
38 minutes ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Nine EU countries are seeking to discontinue trade with Israeli settlements
Nine European Union countries have asked the European Commission to brainstorm proposals on how to discontinue EU trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday. Foreign ministers in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden signed the letter, which is addressed to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Local France
38 minutes ago
- Politics
- Local France
Mutilation ban and microchips: The new EU laws around cat and dog welfare
The European Union is home to more than 72 million dogs and 83 million cats, according to the European Commission, which so far has only regulated health requirements for them related to travel within the bloc. But an uptick in trafficking pushed the EU to propose a set of common rules for breeding, housing and handling the animals, whose sales generate an estimated €1.3 billion annually. The European Parliament in Strasbourg voted on a text put forward by the commission in 2023, which introduces minimum welfare criteria for dogs and cats in kennels and shelters. Lawmakers also voted to ban the keeping or selling of dogs and cats in pet shops, a provision not included in the original text, meaning buyers would have to buy them directly from breeders or kennels. 'With this proposal, we would create the first-ever minimum rules, giving member states the possibility to go beyond these standards,' said the text's rapporteur, Veronika Vrecionova of the hard-right ECR group. Approved with 457 votes in favour and 17 against, the bill says all dogs and cats should be identified with a subcutaneous microchip when they are sold – a system already in use in some member states – and registered in an EU database. That would increase traceability and tackle illegal traffic, predominantly of dogs, with animal protection groups singling out eastern EU countries like Romania and Bulgaria. Painful mutilations, like cutting tails or ears, will also be banned in most cases, as will electric, choke and spiked collars without safety stoppers. Advertisement The law also prohibits inbreeding and the breeding of animals with accentuated traits, such as overly short legs, that could affect their welfare. The measures enjoyed broad consensus among political groups but the extent of their application had been the cause of contention, leading to some amendments. An exception for breeders keeping a small number of animals, which had upset some on the left, was weakened by parliament, which lowered the threshold for breeders to qualify. Yet other exemptions opposed by animal rights activists remained. The ban on mutilations for example is less stringent for hunting dogs. Similarly, coercive collars will still be allowed to train police, military and border patrol dogs. 'This text lays some interesting foundations, but it does not go to the heart of the matter,' said Christophe Marie of the French animal protection group Fondation 30 Millions d'Amis. The legislation must still be approved by EU member states before coming into force.
