Page 2 - European Union

Meta's WhatsApp faces tougher EU rules as monthly users top 45 million

The commission, which is the EU's executive arm, has been increasing scrutiny of social media in an attempt to rein in the power of predominantly American tech companies

German elections: Who are the top candidates & what are their priorities

Originally scheduled for September 28, the German elections were advanced following the dramatic collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition government in November

European leaders hold emergency talks, fear Trump leaving age-old allies

European leaders sought to form a united front Monday at emergency talks in Paris, called after a US diplomatic blitz on Ukraine which has thrown a once-solid alliance into turmoil and left the Europeans questioning the reliability of their key transatlantic partner. Shortly before the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with US President Donald Trump, but Macron's office would not disclose details about the 20-minute discussion. Leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark and the European Union met at the Elysee Palace for talks on Europe's security quandary. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was also there. Since last week, top US officials from the Trump administration, on their first visit to Europe, left the impression that Washington was ready to embrace the Kremlin while it cold-shouldered many of its age-old European allies. The US to leave Europe out of the negotiating table Gen Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy fo

China lauds EU ties as Trump's peace plan with Russia chills continent

In contrast, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi used his address to say that all stakeholders in the Russia-Ukraine war should participate in any peace talks, including the European Union

European leaders regroup in Paris after Trump's push to end Ukraine war

French President Emmanuel Macron called leaders from key European Union nations and the United Kingdom to his ornate Elysee Palace on Monday for an emergency meeting on how to deal with the US, a once rock-solid partner. The move follows a weeklong diplomatic blitz on Ukraine by the Trump administration that seemed to embrace the Kremlin while it cold-shouldered many of its age-old European allies. Despite belligerent warnings for months ahead of Donald Trump's reelection as US president, EU leaders publicly ignored the ominous forebodings and somehow hoped Trump would stand side by side with Europe, as it would finally start to act on beefing up its defences and become less reliant on the firepower of Washington. But a flurry of speeches by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during their initial visits to Europe last week questioned both Europe's security commitments and its fundamental democratic principles. Macron said their stinging rebukes and threats of

EU, Ministry of Textiles launch 7 projects in 9 states to boost industry

According to the press release, as many of these projects will also support local communities and industries, they are expected to economically empower around 200,000 women

Europe quietly plans to send troops to Ukraine for post-war security

Increasingly alarmed that US security priorities lie elsewhere, a group of European countries has been quietly working on a plan to send troops into Ukraine to help enforce any future peace settlement with Russia. Britain and France are at the forefront of the effort, though details remain scarce. The countries involved in the discussions are reluctant to tip their hand and give Russian President Vladimir Putin an edge should he agree to negotiate an end to the war he launched three years ago. What is clear is that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs a guarantee that his country's security will be assured until peace takes hold. The best protection would be the NATO membership that Ukraine has long been promised, but the US has taken that option off the table. I won't get into the particular capabilities, but I do accept that if there is peace then there needs to be some sort of security guarantee for Ukraine and the UK will play its part in that, British Prime Minister Ke

Nokia set to gain EU approval for $2.3 billion Infinera acquisition: Report

Nokia referred to its financial statement released on January 30 where it said it expected to close the deal in the first quarter of this year

EU Commission vows to react firmly and immediately to Trump's tariffs

The European Union's executive branch on Friday vowed to take firm and immediate action" against US President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum. The European Commission said in a statement that Trump's proposed reciprocal trade policy goes in the wrong direction." The EU will take firm and immediate action against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legitimate and non-discriminatory policies, the Commission said. The EU will always protect European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified tariff measures. The Commission, which negotiates trade relations on behalf of the 27-nation bloc, said the EU has some of the lowest tariffs in the world and sees no justification for increased U.S. tariffs on its exports. Tariffs are taxes. By imposing tariffs, the US is taxing its own citizens, raising costs for business, stifling growth and fuelling inflation, it said. Tariffs heighten economic uncertainty

In Europe, Russians struggle as wary banks shunned them after 2022 attack

Thousands of Russians living in the European Union have struggled to open a bank account or had one closed since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine

India-EU agree to strengthen ties on smart and sustainable urbanisation

Building on the 2017 joint declaration on partnership for smart and sustainable urbanisation, the 4th India-EU Urban Forum was held on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the EU-India collaboration on sustainable urban development, a statement stated. The statement stated that the event brought together officials and experts from India, the European Union (EU) and its Member States to discuss policies and best practices to work towards integrated approaches to sustainable urban development, reinforcing the EU's global gateway strategy in India. "The forum explored transformative initiatives and innovative financing mechanisms to foster gender-inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development, focusing on three key themes: Urban alliance and integrated approaches in Indian cities, promoting innovation and circularity at the city level, and inclusive urban mobility as a social enabler," the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said in statement. The EU-India ...

Meta to allow rival ads on Marketplace after EU antitrust penalty

Calling it the Facebook Marketplace Partner Progam, Meta said the scheme is a response to the EU competition watchdog even as it challenged the fine in court

EU demands inclusion in peace deal on Ukraine after Trump-Putin phone call

Trump's unilateral overture to Putin, accompanied by apparent concessions on Ukraine's principal demands, raised alarm for both Kyiv and the European allies in Nato

Regulation.ai@India: Striking a balance between innovation and safety

India must not delay implementing comprehensive AI regulations to ensure technology serves humanity's best interests and upholds core values

US tariffs will not go unanswered: EU chief vows tough countermeasures

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed on Tuesday that US tariffs on steel and aluminum will not go unanswered, adding that they will trigger tough countermeasures from the 27-nation bloc. The EU will act to safeguard its economic interests, von der Leyen said in a statement in reaction to US President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum the previous day. Tariffs are taxes bad for business, worse for consumers, von der Leyen said. Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures. In Germany, home to the EU's largest economy, Chancellor Olaf Scholz told parliament that if the US leaves us no other choice, then the European Union will react united, adding that "ultimately, trade wars always cost both sides prosperity. Trump is hitting foreign steel and aluminum with a 25% tax in the hope that they will give local producers relief from intense global competition, allowing them to charge high

Macron unveils $112.5 bn AI investment to boost France's tech ambitions

French President Emmanuel Macron compared this initiative to the $500-billion AI data centre project announced by US President Donald Trump last month

Canada aims to strengthen EU trade ties amid tariff threats from Trump

Canada is also pushing to diversify its exports and set itself a target in 2018 of increasing non-US exports by 50 per cent by 2025. Ng said the country was on track to meet or exceed the target

Baltic nations cut ties to Russian power grid, prepare to link with EU

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania disconnected from the IPS/UPS joint network and, subject to last-minute tests

India in talks with EU to resolve new trade regulations: Piyush Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said India is in talks with the European Union to resolve issues related to the new EU trade regulations. Responding to queries on EU trade barriers in the Rajya Sabha, Goyal said the EU has introduced new regulations for their own industries. "There is certainly an issue where the EU has come up with new regulations which we are actively discussing with them to resolve," he said. The government is having discussions on issues like the deforestation Act, he said, adding, "we will have to engage with them and find mutual resolution to make the process simple and ensure it does not hurt our industry." Goyal said if unfair trade barriers are imposed, the government will take up the matter strongly with India's counterparts through bilateral discussions and multilateral trade organisations. Asked if India has initiated any discussion with the EU regarding mutually agreed pacts in view of stringent regulations, the minister said thi

Temu, Shein targeted as EU cracks down on unsafe ecommerce imports

It said the cheap imports pose unfair competition to EU sellers which follow the rules while the large number of packages being shipped has a negative impact on the environment and climate