Page 27 - European Union

EU can stand up to US, China rivals with integrated energy market: IMF

Boosting Europe's economic competitiveness is a priority for the 27-nation bloc as it struggles in the race for new, climate-friendly technologies against China and the United States

Irregular migration into European Union drops 38% in 2024: Frontex report

The number of irregular border crossings into the European Union fell significantly in 2024, according to the bloc's border control agency Frontex, something which it attributed to intensified cooperation against smuggling networks. The Warsaw-based agency said in a statement that its preliminary data for last year reveal a 38 per cent drop in irregular border crossings into the 27-member bloc. The data refers to the number of detections of irregular border crossing at the external borders of the EU, not the total number of people who tried to cross. In some cases the same person may cross the border several times in different locations at the external border, Frontex notes. The agency said that there were just over 239,000 detections of irregular border crossings, the lowest number registered since 2021, when migration was lower due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency said that despite the overall decrease, challenges persist, including dangerous sea crossings resulting in ...

Affordable housing crisis pushes Spain to plan 100% tax on non-EU buyers

Spain is planning a raft of measures to address its brewing housing crisis, including an up to 100 per cent tax on properties that non-European Union residents buy. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the plan this week which will tackle housing affordability and high rents in the Southern European nation. He said the overall goal was to provide more housing, better regulation and greater aid. However, it remains unclear if the plan put forth by Snchez's minority coalition would pass in Parliament. Here's a look at what's happening: Spain's housing affordability crisis Like most rich countries, Spain is in the throes of a growing housing affordability problem. Skyrocketing rents are particularly acute in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where incomes have failed to keep up, especially for young people. Housing prices are also steadily rising, especially in cities and coastal areas. Rental prices have also been driven up by short-term rentals mainly offered for tourist

EU continues to savour Russian LNG as US sanctions threaten India's imports

The US' latest sanctions on Russian energy supply chains could hit India's oil and gas imports, even as the EU nations and other American allies may face little impact

EU reassesses its probes into tech giants such as Apple, Google and Meta

The review could lead to Brussels reducing or changing the range of the probes, and will cover all cases launched since March 2024

Six EU countries call for lowering of G7 price cap on Russian oil

Price caps on Russian seaborne crude as well as refined petroleum products were set by G7 countries to curb Moscow's revenues from oil trade

Apple's revamped app fees draw increased EU scrutiny under big tech rules

The company is facing the risk of a hefty fine for thwarting efforts by third-party developers to steer users toward cheaper deals and offers outside of the App Store

Apple fights $1.8 bn app store lawsuit in UK on abuse of dominant position

The US tech company is facing a mass lawsuit brought on behalf of around 20 million iPhone and iPad users in the United Kingdom, who were allegedly overcharged for app purchases

EU ministers consider easing sanctions on Syria at meeting later in January

European Union foreign ministers will meet in late January to discuss easing sanctions imposed on Syria, the bloc's foreign policy chief said on Sunday. However, she said the move would depend on Syria's new rulers carrying out an inclusive political transition after last month's overthrow of president Bashar Assad. Kaja Kallas' comments came at a gathering of top European and Middle Eastern diplomats in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to discuss Syria's future. Saudi Arabia called for the lifting of sanctions, which threaten to undermine Syria's recovery from nearly 14 years of civil war that killed an estimated 5,00,000 people and displaced half the country's prewar population of 23 million. European countries and the US have been wary over the Islamist roots of the former insurgents who drove Assad out of power and who now lead an interim government. The former rebels have promised to hold a national dialogue summit that includes different groups across Syria to agree upon a new ...

Meta allows Facebook Marketplace users to browse eBay amid trial in EU

Meta said Wednesday that it will allow some Facebook users to view eBay listings on its Marketplace service, as it tries out a possible way to resolve European Union charges of anticompetitive behaviour that the bloc levelled last year. The social media company said it's launching a test that will let Facebook users in Germany, France and the US browse eBay listings directly on its Marketplace online classifieds service but complete the transaction on eBay. Meta is carrying out the trial after Brussels slapped the company in November with a penalty of nearly 800 million euros ($824 million) for what it called abusive practices involving Marketplace. European Union antitrust enforcers accused Meta of illegally shutting out competition by tying Marketplace to its social network and automatically exposing Facebook users to Marketplace whether or not they wanted it. They also accused Meta of gaining an unfair advantage through ad-related data. While we disagree with and continue to app

India, EU discuss protecting human rights in 11th dialogue meet in Delhi

India and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to principles and values of democracy, rule of law and human rights and agreed on the need to safeguard freedom and diversity of civil society actors. The issues were extensively discussed at the 11th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue held in Delhi. The two sides discussed the issues related to civil and political rights, social, economic, and cultural rights, countering religious hatred, elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and opinion, both online and offline, a joint readout said. While the EU reiterated its opposition to capital punishment, India reiterated its stand on recognition of the right to development as a "distinct, universal, inalienable and fundamental human right," it said. India is among few countries that still have death penalty. "During the dialogue, India and the EU reiterated their commitment to the shared principles

EU warns of 'serious blow' to climate change policy from Donald Trump

US exit from the Paris Agreement would require other countries to double down on climate diplomacy in response

EU Council Prez speaks to PM Modi, calls India 'one of main partners'

Costa recalled his meeting with PM Modi during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in 2017 and expressed anticipation for the upcoming EU-India Summit, which is scheduled to take place later this year

EV sales surge by 60% in UK as carmakers slash prices to dodge fines

The UK government is now reviewing the rules, which could result in increased flexibilities to help manufacturers meet them

Centre to launch revised standards for organic agricultural products

India's export of organic products is regulated under the NPOP, which has been in effect since 2001 and is administered by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Apple discontinues iPhone 14, iPhone SE in EU as USB-C becomes mandatory

The change in regulations only applies to markets within the European Union. iPhone SE and iPhone 14 models are still available in other regions including India

Kavelashvili sworn in as Georgia's president, complicating EU path

Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili was formally inaugurated as president of Georgia on Sunday, cementing the ruling party's grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country's EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia. Outgoing pro-Western Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said Sunday morning that she would vacate her residence at the Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi, but insisted she was still the legitimate office holder. I will come out of here, come out to you and be with you. ... This presidential residence was a symbol as long as there was a president here who was legitimate. I bring legitimacy with me, Zourabichvili told a crowd of supporters outside the palace. She called Kavelashvili's inauguration a parody." Kavelashvili, 53, who was the only candidate on the ballot, easily won the vote earlier in December given the Georgian Dream party's control of a 300-seat electoral college that replaced direct presidential elections in 2017. It is ma

Finland seizes Russian 'Shadow Fleet'-linked oil tanker over cable sabotage

Finland and European Union link undersea cable sabotages in the Baltic to Russian 'Shadow Fleet', announce sanctions

Akums Group signs 200 million euro deal for European market expansion

The commercial supply of these products is expected to begin in 2027 and continue until 2032

Trade reforms, global value chains key to India's export strategy

Export promotion requires consistent and open trade policy