Page 35 - European Union

Meta to allow messages from 3rd-party apps on WhatsApp, Messenger: Details

Meta is working on new notifications in Messenger and WhatsApp that will inform the user when they have the option to connect chats from supported third-party apps

Carbon fibre will be produced by India in 2025-26: Textile minister Giriraj

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Friday expressed confidence that the niche carbon fibre -- which is used in aerospace, civil engineering and defence as an alternative to metal -- will be produced by India in 2025-26. Currently, India does not produce any carbon fibre and relies completely on imports from countries such as the US, France, Japan and Germany. The European Union's proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tax on embedded carbon imports, is expected to kick in from 2026. "The coming days belong to Technical textiles in every sector... I am fully confident that in 2025-26 the niche carbon fibre product will also be with India," Singh told reporters here. The minister asserted that after the Narendra Modi-led government came to power, it has "balanced imports" in the hygiene sector. "Earlier we used to import diapers. Thanks to PM Modi for bringing production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme which has created excitement in the industry," Singh said. Earlier w

Russia wants to keep gas transit via Ukraine to Europe: Vladimir Putin

Putin said that Gazprom's main consumers in Europe did not seem to want the transit agreement to end even though they provided military assistance to Ukraine

EU committed to stronger cooperation with India in Indo-Pacific, says envoy

The European Union is committed to forge a stronger cooperation with India to ensure a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific, EU envoy Herve Delphin said on Thursday. The EU envoy to New Delhi described the Indo-Pacific as a "vital hub" of strategic importance to both India and the EU in view of the region's role in the maritime supply chains. "We're committed to forge a stronger cooperation with India to ensure free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order, address common security challenges and promote peace and stability in the region," he said. Delphin's comments came following a visit of senior Indian officials to EU institutions in Brussels to strengthen two-way security and defence ties. "The Indo-Pacific region is a vital hub of strategic importance to both India and the EU due to the growing interdependence of global economies and the importance of maritime supply chains," he said. The Indian delegation was led by Muanpuii Saiawi,

Google limits on Android Auto access may breach EU rules: Court adviser

Google's refusal to provide third-party access to Android Auto platform may be in breach of competition rules, Court Advocate General Laila Medina said

Illumina wins court battle with EU over $7 billion Grail takeover

Under the controversial system, the Brussels-based commission encouraged national regulators to ask it to probe deals that would normally fall below the threshold for EU investigations

China: Anti-dumping probe into canola imports as Canada imposes EV tariff

Canada has followed the lead of the United States and European Union, and announced last week a 100 per cent tariff

EU chief aims for gender parity but commissioner roles remain male-heavy

At first glance, the European Union may seem like a paragon of gender equality what with Ursula von der Leyen heading the all-important executive branch. Still, all the talk this week is about an excess of men poised for top positions at the EU headquarters. Not that von der Leyen, the first woman to hold the position as European Commission president, would want anything other than full gender parity in the body that runs the day-to-day business of the world's biggest trading bloc of 450 million people. One of its key objectives is achieving gender balance in decision-making, the strategy of von der Leyen's outgoing European Commission boldly proclaimed. Her office was committed to lead by example, with the first female Commission president selected in 2019, and the first gender-balanced College of Commissioners during this time. When it comes to gender issues, the 27-nation EU is often seen as perhaps the most progressive grouping of countries in the world, leaving other nations a

Thousands protest in Serbia over crackdown on anti-lithium activists

Several thousand people rallied Sunday in the Serbian capital, accusing the populist government of cracking down on environmental activists opposed to a large European Union-backed lithium excavation project planned in the Balkan country. The protest outside the headquarters of the state RTS television station in central Belgrade comes after tens of thousands rallied in recent weeks against the opening of the lithium mine in western Serbia. The state-controlled TV station is accused of ignoring the detentions of anti-lithium excavation activists. Environmental organizations reported detentions of dozens of their activists after a big rally last month in Belgrade and elsewhere in Serbia, saying their homes were searched, laptops and phones confiscated while many faced threats on social media. Activist Nina Stojanovic told the crowd on Sunday that a total of 30 to 60 people have been detained or questioned in the past two months throughout Serbia. We are here to protect everyone, to

Inflation fell to 2.2% in Europe, clearing way for ECB's Sept rate cut

Inflation in the 20 European Union countries that use the euro fell sharply to 2.2 per cent in August, opening the door for the European Central Bank to cut interest rates as the ECB and the US Federal Reserve prepare to lower borrowing costs to support growth and jobs. The August figure was down from 2.6 per cent in July, according to figures on Friday from European Union statistics agency Eurostat. Energy prices fell in August by 3 per cent, helping lower the overall figure, while inflation fell to 2 per cent in Germany, the eurozone's largest economy. The monthly figure is now close to the ECB's target of 2 per cent, the level considered best for the economy. The central bank is charged with maintaining stable prices under the treaty that set up the European Union. Not all of the EU's 27 countries use the euro. Economists expect the ECB to cut its key rate by a quarter point from 3.75 per cent at its September 12 meeting, while the Fed is expected to cut rates from a 23-year high

EU diplomat builds pressure on Ukraine's backers to allow targeting strikes

The European Union's top diplomat on Thursday ramped up pressure on Ukraine's international backers to lift restrictions on the use of weapons they provide the conflict-ravaged country to allow its armed forces to strike targets inside Russia. The US restricts the use of long-range ballistic missiles it provides to Ukraine and some EU members also limit the use of their weapons. Ukraine is desperate to target airfields and other military installations inside Russia that are used to stage attacks on its armed forces and civilians. We need to lift restrictions on the use of weaponry against Russian military targets, in accordance with international law, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said as the bloc's foreign ministers gathered in Brussels to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The weaponry that we are providing to Ukraine has to have full use, and the restrictions have to be lifted in order for the Ukrainians to be able to target the places where Russia is bombing them. ...

EU new car sales flat in July as battery EVs lose market share, says ACEA

Improvements in the Belgian, Dutch and French electric-vehicle (EV) markets failed to offset a drop of almost 37 per cent in sales

Orban's charge of EU presidency raises questions about Hungary's stance

The European Union traditionally ends its summer slumber in the dying days of August with an informal meeting of its foreign affairs ministers in a political equivalent of a fireside chat. But with Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Hungary holding the presidency of the 27-nation bloc, vacation has already been turned into one long firebrand's shout. Since July 1, and right up to year's end, the EU's arcane rules allow Hungary, a nation of 9.5 million, to represent and often speak for the bloc of 450 million. The problem is that Orban increasingly stands for everything the EU opposes. The first two months of the half-year rotating presidency has already turned into troll diplomacy, said Peter Kreko of the Center for European Policy Analysis. Orban "just wants to provoke more anger from the leaders of the European Union, he said. When Russian President Vladimir Putin is the EU's archenemy because of his war in Ukraine, Orban travels to Moscow and hobnobs with the autocratic leader. When .

Telegram questions grounds of CEO's detention, says it abides by EU laws

Telegram issued a statement on its platform and on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying the Dubai-based company abides by European laws

China's EV maker's weak response to EU proves costly in tariff dispute

The main factor driving the uneven treatment appears to be varying levels of cooperation

EU envoy to India hails PM Modi's Ukraine visit on 'landmark date'

European Union's Ambassador to India, Herve Delphin on Friday stated that August 23 marks a landmark date as the official National Flag Day of Ukraine coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country.Delphin added that the European Union will continue to support Ukraine in defending itself against "Russian aggression".Taking to X, Delphin said, "This August 23 is a landmark date as it is Ukraine National Flag Day & coincides with the historical visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi to Kyiv. European Union will continue to support the Ukrainian country and nation in defending itself against Russian aggression. Ukraine will prevail!"Prime Minister Modi today arrived in war-hit Ukraine after a 10-hour journey from Poland aboard the trail Rail Force One."Reached Kyiv earlier this morning. The Indian community accorded a very warm welcome," PM Modi stated in a post on X.Upon his arrival PM Modi was received at the Kiev Central station and subsequently headed to the Hyatt

Chinese govt discusses import tariffs on large cars ahead of EU tariff vote

The 27-strong bloc is due to vote in October on whether to adopt additional duties of up to 36.3 per cent on Chinese-made electric vehicles

Apple to update browser options in EU, make applications more deletable

In an update later this year, Apple users will be able to select a default browser directly from the choice screen after going through a mandatory list of options

What you need to know about China's widening probe of European imports

Beijing is already assessing whether EU brandy and pork imports are being sold below market rates

Donald Trump anxiety spurs investment in European defence startups

In June, the $1.1 billion Nato Innovation Fund (NIF) announced partnerships with venture capital firms and defence startups across Europe, aiming to bolster security on the continent