EU NATIONS
India’s trade dependence on China, EU rose in Q1 of 2024, says UNCTAD
The UNCTAD nowcast predicts a stronger positive trend for the second quarter of 2024, projecting an approximate 2% increase for the first half of 2024. This increase is expected to add around $250 billion to goods trade and about $100 billion to services trade in the first half of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023.
EU accuses Meta of breaking digital rules with paid ad-free option
Meta introduced a no-ads subscription service for Facebook and Instagram in Europe last November. The company stated that users who agree to tracking receive a free service supported by advertising revenue, while those who opt out can choose to pay to keep their data private.
EU leaders pick Von der Leyen for second term
European Union leaders have nominated Ursula von der Leyen for a second five-year term as president of the European Commission. The bloc's 27 national leaders also selected former Portuguese premier Antonio Costa as future European Council chair and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the next EU foreign policy chief.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy signs security pacts with EU, 2 member nations
The agreement with the EU lays out the bloc's commitment to help Ukraine in nine areas of security and defence policy-including arms deliveries, military training, defence industry cooperation and demining.
EU slaps fresh curbs on Russia gas shipments
The new restrictions on gas aim to reduce Russia's revenues from liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports by banning trans-shipments off EU ports and a clause allowing Sweden and Finland to cancel some LNG contracts. The measures stop short of an EU ban on LNG imports, which have risen since the start of the war.
EU and China set for talks on planned electric vehicle tariffs
The confirmation came after China's commerce ministry said its head Wang Wentao, and Dombrovskis, executive vice president of the European Commission, had agreed to start consultations over the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs.
- Go To Page 1
China and European Union agree to talks in bid to head off trade war
China and the European Union have decided to initiate talks aimed at resolving an increasingly tense tariff dispute, with billions of dollars in trade hanging in the balance. According to the Chinese Commerce Ministry, discussions will be held between China's commerce minister, Wang Wentao, and the European Union's trade commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis. The focus will be on addressing the European Union's proposal to impose tariffs on electric cars imported from China, a move that has sparked significant concern.
Nigel Farage sings different tune after facing flak from Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer after pro-Putin statement in last interview
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has apparently doubled down on his statements around Russian President Vladimir Putin, while criticizing UK leader Rishi Sunak. Nigel has now insisted that he will not be apologizing for his recent statements made during a BBC interview.
Russia launches 'massive' attack on Ukraine power infrastructure
Ukraine reported a "massive" overnight attack by Russia on energy infrastructure in the west and south. The attacks damaged Ukrenergo facilities, injured two employees, and marked the eighth such attack in three months. The ongoing Russian invasion has severely impacted Ukraine's electricity generation, leading to blackouts and the need to import energy. President Zelensky called for urgent measures to equip hospitals and schools with solar panels to counter Russian attempts at blackmail.
EU sanctions target Russian gas for the first time, diplomats say
The European Union has agreed on a new sanctions package against Russia, marking its first restrictions on Russian gas since the war in Ukraine began. This 14th package bans the re-export of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) within EU waters, although imports continue. While intended to curb Russia's revenue and access to technologies, experts suggest limited impact on overall Russian LNG exports.
Landmark EU nature restoration plan gets final approval as bloc gives the green light
The law, which aims at restoring ecosystems, species and habitats in the EU, was finally adopted at a meeting of environment ministers at Luxembourg after rallying the required support from a qualified majority representing 15 of the 27 member states and 65 per cent of the EU population.
What will happen when the Ukraine gas transit deal expires?
Ukraine has announced it will not extend a five-year deal with Russia's Gazprom for the transit of Russian gas to Europe when it expires at the end of the year. The Ukraine gas transit route, agreed upon by Moscow and Kyiv in 2019, enables Russia to export gas to Europe via Ukraine. Russian gas transit via Ukraine to Europe fell by 28.5% to 14.65 billion cubic meters last year, from 20.5 bcm in 2022. The system connects Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova.
Macron urges French to make 'right choice' in election gamble
President Macron has called for snap elections in France after the far right's strong showing in the EU elections. Despite criticism, Macron is confident in the French people's choice. His move aims to keep the far right out of power but has sparked concerns and market instability. Macron's party faces challenges in regaining a majority in the National Assembly. The far right's gains in several European countries have drawn attention, with some seeing a potential shift in European politics.
France President Macron dissolves French parliament, calls a snap election after defeat in EU vote
The announcement came after the first projected results from France put the far-right National Rally party well ahead in the European Union's parliamentary elections, handing a chastening loss to Macron's pro-European centrists, according to French opinion poll institutes.
Millions will vote on Europe's super Sunday, with surveys suggesting a shift to the right
Voters across 20 European nations are casting their ballots in the EU election super Sunday, with concerns over a potential shift to the political right impacting the bloc's decision-making amidst ongoing conflicts and rising anti-migrant sentiment. Populist parties are expected to make gains, potentially reshaping the European Parliament's dynamics. The elections mark a pivotal moment for the EU's future trajectory and international relationships.
Slovaks and others go to the polls in EU elections under the shadow of an assassination attempt
Voters in Slovakia, Italy, and other European Union nations are casting their ballots for the European Parliament on the third day of elections. In Slovakia, an attempt to assassinate populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 15 has reverberated throughout Europe. Analysts believe the attack could boost the chances of the premier's leftist Smer party, the senior partner in the governing coalition, to win the vote.
Azerbaijan proposes COP truce to unite countries on climate change
Azerbaijan, the host of this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29), is aiming to shield the annual talks from geopolitical tensions by proposing a two-week COP truce. This initiative, inspired by the Olympic truce, is intended to unite countries in a collaborative effort to address the pressing issue of climate change. Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, highlighted the current global geopolitical polarization as reminiscent of the Cold War era, making consensus-building on climate action challenging.
India's mammoth general election followed by Europe's big polls
The world's largest general election concluded with Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA winning a third term. Around 450 million European Union citizens began voting to choose 720 members of the European Parliament from 27 countries in the second biggest electoral exercise.
Dutch voters kick off marathon EU elections
Dutch voters kick off EU election marathon, testing far-right shift in EU parliament amid geopolitical uncertainty after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
France's far right may win big in EU elections. That's worrying for migrants, Macron and Ukraine
The June 6-9 elections in all 27 EU countries will shift the makeup of the European Parliament and policymaking in the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, likely further toward the right and far right. And that could boost Le Pen's chances of winning France's presidency in 2027, a long-time dream.
Police search the European Parliament over possible Russian interference, prosecutors say
Belgium's federal prosecutor's office announced police searches at a European Parliament employee's residence and offices in Brussels and Strasbourg over suspected Russian interference. The investigation involves passive corruption and criminal organization charges, with the employee allegedly promoting Russian propaganda through the Voice of Europe news website
Three EU nations recognise Palestinian statehood
Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz quickly lashed out at Spain on X, saying that Sanchez's government was "being complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes." While around 140 countries have recognised a Palestinian state - over two-thirds of the UN - none of the major Western powers has done so.
Spain's prime minister says Cabinet to recognize a Palestinian state as EU rift with Israel widens
Ireland and Norway were also to make official their recognition of a Palestinian state later in the day. While dozens of countries have recognized a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers has done so.
Indians top list of immigrants to UK in 2023: Here's how many went to work, study and play
In 2023, Indians were the largest group of immigrants to the UK, with 250,000 arrivals. Net migration to the UK dropped by 10% to 685,000, down from 764,000 in 2022.
India’s $48 bn input subsidy for power and agri raises hackles
WTO members, including the US and UK, have raised questions about India's $48 billion farm input subsidies for 2022-23, which have been attributed to inflation and rising fertilizer costs. India explained that these subsidies are mainly for power, irrigation, and fertilizers and that the information had been duly notified to the WTO. The US claimed that this amount is more than twice the value of all trade-distorting support notified by India in 2021-22.
EU foreign chief says Israel must respect UN court, control settler violence in the West Bank
Borrell insisted Israel had driven the Palestinians to the edge of a catastrophe because "the situation in Gaza is beyond words. The occupied West Bank is on the brink, risking an explosion any time." While most of the global attention is centered on Gaza, Borrell said that "we should not forget what's happening in the West Bank," where the seat of the Palestinian Authority is based.
EU data protection board says ChatGPT still not meeting data accuracy standards
EU task force criticizes OpenAI's efforts to improve accuracy of ChatGPT output in compliance with data rules.
EU, India stress on strengthening cooperation to deal with counter-terrorism challenges
The European Union and India have strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised the need for strengthening international cooperation in dealing with counter-terrorism challenges, stated the Ministry of External Affairs in a press release.
Italian PM Meloni says will stand in EU elections
Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, which has neo-Fascist roots, came top in Italy's 2022 general election with 26 percent of the vote. It is polling at similar levels ahead of the European elections on from June 6-9.
Load More
