Page 14 - Europe

Reliance to take 'Swadesh' store to US, Europe retailing traditional art

Country's leading retailer Reliance Retail has plans to take its Swadesh store, retailing traditional Indian art and craft, to the US and Europe. Reliance Retail on Wednesday opened its first standalone store of Swadesh at Hyderabad, which was inaugurated by Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation. Spread over 20,000 square feet, Swadesh store would have over 400 products of handmade textiles, handicrafts, agricultural products that are listed with geographical indications. It has facilitated the sourcing of 100 per cent authentic crafted products, directly from artisan communities having signed an agreement with the Ministry of Textiles. "Swadesh is an ode to India's traditional arts and artisans. It's our humble initiative to preserve and promote our country's age-old arts and crafts. Swadesh highlights the spirit of 'Make in India' and offers respect and sustenance to our skilled craftsmen and craftswomen," said Nita Ambani. Swadesh products are the pride of

Protest marches by thousands in Europe demand halt to bombing in Gaza

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators demanding a halt to Israel's bombardment of Gaza marched in Paris, Berlin and other European cities on Saturday. The marches reflected growing disquiet in Europe about the mounting civilian casualty toll and suffering from the Israel-Hamas war, particularly in countries with large Muslim populations, including France. The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has reached 9,448, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. In Israel, more than 1,400 people have been killed, most of them in the Oct 7 Hamas attack that started the war. At a Paris rally that drew several thousand protesters, demonstrators called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and some shouted Israel, assassin! In central London, streets were blocked by protesters chanting, Cease-fire now and I believe that we will win. Banners on a sound-system truck at the Paris march through rain-dampened streets read: Stop the massacre in Gaza. Demonstrators, many carry

Officials widen ban on Meta's behavioural advertising to most of Europe

European officials widened a ban on Meta's behavioural advertising practices to most of Europe on Wednesday, setting up a broader conflict between the continent's privacy-conscious institutions and an American technology giant. Behavioural advertising, used by Meta's Facebook and Instagram among many other tech companies, involves observing individual behaviour such as browsing habits, mouse clicks and app usage, then using that data to build profiles for targeting ads. The decision by the European Data Protection Board represents a sharp escalation of a tussle that began in Norway, where privacy officials imposed a daily fine of 1 million kroner - roughly $90,000 - on Meta for obtaining that data without adequate consent. Those fines have been piling up since August 14. Meta said it has cooperated with regulators and pointed to its announced plans to give Europeans the opportunity to consent to data collection and, later this month, to offer an ad-free subscription service in Europ

Inflation in Europe region eased to 2.9% in October on lower fuel prices

The inflation that has been wearing on European consumers fell sharply to 2.9% in October, its lowest in more than two years as fuel prices fell and rapid interest rate hikes from the European Central Bank took hold. But that encouraging news was balanced by official figures showing economic output in the 20 countries that use the euro shrank by 0.1% in the July-September quarter. Inflation fell from an annual 4.3% in September as fuel prices fell by 11.1% and painful food inflation slowed, to 7.5%. The drop to under 3% is down from the peak of over 10% in October 2022 and puts the inflation figure at least within shouting distance of the European Central Bank's target of 2% considered best for the economy. But growth disappeared as output shrank after months of stagnation near zero.

Happy Halloween: Origin, history, importance and reason behind celebration

Halloween has been around for over 1,000 years. Today, Halloween is viewed as an occasion for dress-up and fun, particularly for youngsters. Halloween is celebrated in Europe and America on 31 Oct

London wins back its Europe's largest stock market crown from Paris

London had lost its status as Europe's biggest stock market last November, extending an equity slump that stretched back to Britain's vote to leave the European Union in 2016

As auto shipments to US, Europe climb, Japan's exports rise, imports drop

Japan's exports climbed 4.3% in September from a year earlier as shipments of vehicles, machinery and electronics rose while imports of oil and gas fell sharply, the government said Thursday. Exports totaled 9.2 trillion yen ($61 billion) in September while imports fell 16.3% from the year before to 10.9 trillion yen ($72 billion), according to provisional customs data released Thursday. That left a positive balance of 62.4 trillion yen ($410 billion), the first monthly trade surplus in three months. September's increase in exports was the biggest gain since March and was stronger than analysts had expected. The figures suggest strong activity in Japan's vital manufacturing sector despite faltering global demand. Economists said the drop in imports was mainly due to base effects from the year before. In the first half of Japan's fiscal year, from April-September, exports edged up just 1.4% from a year earlier, to a record 50.2 trillion yen ($330 billion) while the trade deficit sh

Israel-Hamas conflict may pose hurdles to Economic Corridor timelines: GTRI

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict may lead to delays and complications in the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor project, according to think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). It said while the conflict's immediate consequences are confined to Israel and Gaza, its ripple effects throughout the Middle East cannot be underestimated. GTRI said the conflict could derail the prospect of a historic peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a crucial linchpin in the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) framework. Although Saudi Arabia and Israel have historically maintained no formal diplomatic ties, recent years have witnessed signs of a thaw, with negotiations underway for normalisation, GTRI Co-Founder Ajay Srivastava said, adding that the war may derail any progress made. "The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict may disrupt the project's timelines and outcomes, marking a pivotal juncture in the development of this ambitious economic corridor. While the war

Climate change blamed as Europe's cities see heat waves in Autumn

London, which endured some cold and bleak weather during the summer, is forecast to reach at least 22C on three of the next five days, while Paris climbs to 26C on Tuesday

Russia launches more drone attacks as Zelenksyy travels to a European forum

Russia targeted Ukraine with drones in another massive attack early Thursday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Spain to rally support from Western allies at a summit of some 50 European leaders. Ukraine's air force said that the country's air defences intercepted 24 out of 29 Iranian-made drones that Russia launched at the southern Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions. Ukrainian officials didn't immediately report any casualties of damage. The attack came as Zelenskyy arrived in Granada in southern Spain to attend a summit of the European Political Community, which was formed in the wake of Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The key for us, especially before winter, is to strengthen air defense, and there is already a basis for new agreements with partners, he said in a statement posted on his Telegram channel. During the last winter, Russia targeted Ukraine's energy system and other vital infrastructure in a steady barrage of missile and drone attacks, ...

Facebook, Instagram users in Europe could get ad-free subscription option

Meta plans to give Facebook and Instagram users in Europe the option of paying for ad-free versions of the social media platforms as a way to comply with the continent's strict data privacy rules, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. The company wants to charge users about 10 euros (USD 10.50) a month to use Instagram or Facebook without ads on desktop browsers, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the proposal. Adding more accounts would cost 6 euros each. Prices for mobile would be higher, at roughly 13 euros a month, because Meta needs to account for commissions charged by the Apple and Google app stores on in-app payments, the newspaper said. Meta reportedly is hoping to roll out paid subscriptions in the coming months as a way to comply with European Union data privacy rules that threaten its lucrative business model of showing personalised ads to users. Meta would give users the choice between continuing to use the platforms with ads or paying for

STOXX 600 index declines 1% to six-month low on higher bond yields

The pan-European STOXX 600 index reversed early gains to fall 1.0% on Monday, hitting its lowest intra-day low in since end of March

India-West Asia-Europe corridor to give fillip to Guj's potential: Official

Rahul Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Gujarat Industrial Investment Corporation, exuded confidence over the positive impact of the ambitious corridor, given strategic position of the state

Indian companies prep for EU's CBAM as transitional phase kicks in

Starting from October 1, the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will be applicable to exports of cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, and hydrogen to the EU

Europe's richest royal family builds nearly $300 billion finance empire

"We continue to look," Olivier de Perregaux, 58, chief executive officer of LGT Private Banking, said in a recent interview. "We are, however, primarily focusing on organic growth."

Over 2,500 dead, missing as 186K cross Mediterranean to Europe in 2023: UN

The majority of migrants and refugees who made it to southern Europe arrived in Italy over 1,30,000, an increase of 83% compared to the same period in 2022

Glenmark, Cosmo partner to bring acne treatment Winlevi to Europe, S Africa

This agreement grants Glenmark the exclusive right to commercialise Winlevi in 15 EU countries, South Africa, and the UK

Glenmark announces license agreements for Winlevi in Europe and S Africa

Cassiopea, a subsidiary of Cosmo, will receive an upfront payment of $5 million and agreed double-digit royalties on net sales

India mulling its own carbon tax on exports along the lines of CBAM

A tax on imports and goods coming into India from the EU is also being planned

Cracks in Western wall of support for Ukraine emerge as they head to polls

Once rock-solid, the support that Ukraine has gotten from its biggest backers for its fight against Russia is showing cracks. Political posturing in places like Poland and Slovakia, where a trade dispute with Ukraine has stirred tensions, and Republican reticence in the United States about Washington's big spending to prop up Ukraine's military have raised new uncertainties about the West's commitment to its efforts to expel Russian invaders more than 18 months into the war. And Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hopes to outlast allied backing for Kyiv, will be ready to capitalise if he sees Ukraine is running low on air defence or other weapons. The West has long been shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine against Russia. But between Ukraine's impassioned, unending pleas for help, and huge handouts from its backers, signs of discord have emerged. In July, Britain's defence minister at the time said Ukraine should show gratitude to the West, after Kyiv renewed its vocal but ...