Page 7 - Europe

Europeans see 'opportunity' for diplomacy as they meet Iran's top diplomat

Iran's foreign minister plans to meet in Geneva on Friday with leading European counterparts, who hope to open a window for a diplomatic solution to the week-old military conflict that has seen Israeli airstrikes target Iranian nuclear and military sites and Tehran firing back. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who will meet Iran's Abbas Araghchi together with his French and German counterparts and the European Union's foreign policy chief, said that a window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution. The talks will be the first face-to-face meeting between Western and Iranian officials since the start of the conflict. Lammy is traveling to Geneva after meeting in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump's Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of .

Paris's Louvre shuts down as anti-tourism protests spread through Europe

The Louvre Museum closed after staff walked out over overcrowding, decaying infrastructure and deep funding cuts, leaving visitors locked out in protest

China halts key rare earth exports, sparking global supply concerns

Since early April, China has stopped almost all shipments of critical minerals that are needed for cars, robots, wind turbines, jet fighters and other technologies

EAM Jaishankar begins Europe visit to boost ties, highlight terror stance

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday embarked on a week-long visit to Europe to hold talks with leaders of France, the European Union and Belgium to boost bilateral ties and reaffirm India's policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism. Jaishankar's visit to Europe comes a month after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack and it is expected that he will apprise the European leaders about New Delhi's firm approach in dealing with cross-border terrorism. In the first leg of his tour, Jaishankar will visit France, a country that has emerged as an all-weather friend of New Delhi. "The external affairs minister would travel to Paris and Marseille where he would be holding bilateral discussions with his counterpart minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Noel Barrot," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Jaishankar would also participate in the inaugural edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue to be held in the c

All-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad back from Europe

During their Europe tour, the delegation held key meetings with government officials, parliamentarians, and think-tanks in countries including Germany

Microsoft offers to boost European governments' cybersecurity for free

Although malicious actors have weaponised AI, Smith said AI also offered defensive tools

Hackers posed as IT staff to steal Salesforce data from firms: Google

Some victims didn't receive an extortion demand in exchange for the deletion of the data until months after it was stolen, according to the Google report

Europe inflation cools to 1.9%; focus shifts to Trump and tariffs

Inflation in the 20 countries that use the euro fell to 1.9% in May from 2.2% in April, clearing the way for more rate cuts from the European Central Bank to support growth in the face of US President Donald Trump's tariff offensive. Lower energy prices helped bring consumer prices in May to below the ECB's 2% target for the first time since September. Increasing signs that inflation is back under control after a painful outbreak in 2021-23 leaves room for the ECB to turn its attention to worries about the impact of a slew of new import taxes on EU goods in the US that threaten to slow Europe's export-oriented economy. Reductions in the ECB's benchmark rate, currently at 2.25%, lower borrowing costs throughout the economy, making it easier to buy things on credit and stimulating economic activity and investment. Higher rates combat inflation, but for the moment that battle appears to have been won. The ECB's rate-setting council meets on Thursday under bank President Christine Lagar

7 Things to Know When Planning a Europe Trip With Family

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Europe sees growing China-Russia alliance as world's top security threat

Western officials accuse China of supplying Russia with critical technologies, including drones

European businesses report record-low optimism in China: Survey

EU Chamber of Commerce survey shows just 12 per cent of European firms in China optimistic about profitability, reflecting deepening concerns over trade tensions

Wipro warns tariff hikes, immigration curbs, trade war may hit growth

Wipro said it derives over 62 per cent of its revenue from US clients and around 27 per cent from Europe

Jaishankar meets Danish PM, thanks Denmark for support against terrorism

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday thanked Denmark for its solidarity and support in combating terrorism as he held talks with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen. Jaishankar arrived here in the evening in the second leg of his three-nation tour to the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. In a post on X, Jaishankar thanked Prime Minister Frederiksen for "warmly receiving" him in Copenhagen. During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed personal greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed gratitude for Denmark's unwavering support in combating terrorism. "Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Thank Denmark for its solidarity and support in combating terrorism," he said in the X post. Jaishankar appreciated Prime Minister Frederiksen's guidance in advancing India-Denmark partnership and highlighted the shared commitment to addressing global challenges through sustainable solutions. "Value PM Frederiksen's guidance to take forward

US-China trade war risks making Europe dumping ground for cheap goods

As Europe tightens checks to block a surge of Chinese goods redirected from the US, data show China's trade surplus with the EU hit a record $90 billion in the first four months of 2025

German govt bans largest 'Reich citizen' group, arrests 4 leaders

The German government has banned the largest Reich citizen group, an extremist far-right organisation that calls itself the Kingdom of Germany and seeks to undermine the country's democratic order. Four of its leaders were arrested. Since early Tuesday morning, hundreds of security forces in several states have been searching the association's properties and the homes of leading members. The members of this association have created a counter-state in our country and built up economic criminal structures, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said, adding that the members of the group underpinned their supposed claim to power with antisemitic conspiracy narratives a behaviour that the country cannot tolerate. We will take decisive action against those who attack our free democratic basic order, Dobrindt added. The so-called Reich citizen", or Reichsburger" movement does not recognise Germany as a state. Many of them claim that the historical German Reich still exists and ignore the

Ursula von der Leyen opens 1st strategic dialogue with EU defence industry

The meeting highlighted the crucial role of the defence sector, with President von der Leyen emphasising the urgent need for Europe's defence industry to operate at a greater scale and speed

Chemical giants weigh Europe exits amid soaring energy costs, Asian rivals

Sabic, Dow, Shell and others are reviewing European assets as high energy costs global competition and expansions in Asia and West Asia strain the continent's chemical sector

European leaders visit Kyiv to show support amid calls for 30-day ceasefire

The leaders of four European countries arrived in Kyiv Saturday in a joint show of support as calls intensify for Russia to agree to a monthlong cease-fire in the war. The leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom arrived together at the train station in Kyiv, where they are expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit marked the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled together to Ukraine, while Friedrich Merz is making a first visit to Ukraine as Germany's new Chancellor. Along with President Donald Trump, the European leaders are pushing for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks on ending the conflict. We reiterate our backing for the President Trump's calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace, the leaders said in a joint statement.

India looking for partners, not 'preachers': Jaishankar's message to Europe

S Jaishankar said that Europe must display some 'sensitivity and mutuality of interest' for closer ties with India

Jindal SAW Q4 results: Profit plunges 82% to Rs 87 crore

Jindal Saw on Friday reported an 81.9 per cent decline in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 86.9 crore for the March quarter. The company had posted consolidated PAT of Rs 480.4 crore in the year-ago period. The consolidated total income of the company during January-March period dropped 8 per cent to Rs 5,067.5 crore over Rs 5,493.7 crore in the year-ago period, according to a filing to the BSE. The board has approved the re-appointment of Sminu Jindal as Managing Director of the company from February 1, 2026, it said. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of steel pipe products, fittings and accessories with manufacturing facilities in India, the US, Europe, and the UAE.