European Union
European Union News
EU's Russia sanction talks hit roadblock over Kyiv’s 'war sponsors' list
Negotiations over the EU’s 11th package of sanctions on Russia have stalled due to opposition from Greece and Hungary, which want their companies removed from a list of 'war sponsors' compiled by Kyiv, according to a report
What Germany slipping into recession means for Europe
Germany’s GDP fell .3 per cent in the first quarter of 2023 following a .5 per cent decline in the last quarter of 2022. Though Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the outlook for the economy as ‘very good’ experts say this is a rude awakening for the country and the entire continent
OpenAI CEO’s warning to Europe: Will pull ChatGPT out of EU if regulations are too overbearing
OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman has been very vocal in the need to regulate AI and have laws around AI. However, the EU's AI Act is very stringent and has been accused of stifling innovation. If regulations remain overbearing, OpenAI will pull ChatGPT out of Europe.
EU watchdog calls for curbing leverage in crypto trading
The European Systemic Risk Board issued many proposals, ranging from requiring frequent reporting from all companies working with crypto assets to instituting particular guidelines for the largest enterprises in that field
Is Central Asia still 'central' in Eurasian geopolitics?
In these complex geopolitics of Central Asia in particular and Eurasia in general, one witnesses India’s emergence as a major geopolitical actor in shaping the geopolitical trajectories
Drink at your own risk: Why Ireland is making alcohol-labelling policy mandatory
Ireland will introduce health labelling on alcoholic drinks in 2026 to warn about calorie content, cancer risks and other harmful effects. However, the new legislation has been opposed by its own trading partners, including some European Union nations
G7 to focus on ‘de-risking’ from China: How is it different from decoupling?
At the G7 summit in Hiroshima, leaders of the world’s wealthiest democracies said that they need to de-risk and not decouple from China. It means reducing Beijing’s control of global supply chains but not isolating it completely
Head-on | West uses India tactically, India must use West strategically
When you deal with the West, keep your aces up your sleeve. But never hesitate to play them when needed
EU hesitates to include ban on Russian gas pipelines in sanctions package
An EU diplomat was quoted saying that the countries dependent on the remaining gas are strongly opposing the measure, and it would be impractical to introduce such a significant change at this stage of the 11th sanctions package's development
India and EU to expedite ongoing free trade agreement negotiations, prioritise World Trade Organisation reforms
Both sides also affirmed their commitment to work together on common priorities for WTO (World Trade Organisation) reforms including issues pertaining to the dispute resolution mechanism, subsidies on agriculture and fisheries, e-commerce moratoriums as well as domestic legislation
EU Council adopts world's first legal framework for cryptoassets regulation
The MiCA mandates that cryptocurrency companies obtain EU authorization before they can serve consumers within the Union
India plans to challenge European Union's proposal to levy carbon tax at World Trade Organisation, say sources
India sees the proposed levy as discriminatory and a trade barrier, and would question its legality while citing that New Delhi was already following the protocols pledged in the UN Paris climate agreement
Jaishankar meets Belgian PM; discusses bilateral cooperation and contemporary strategic concerns
The External Affairs Minister arrived in Brussels on Monday evening for the last leg of his three-nation tour covering Bangladesh, Sweden and Belgium
India-EU trade, technology council first meeting on May 16
Union Minister Piyush Goyal is one of the co-chairs along with EAM S Jaishankar and Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, while the EU side is co-chaired by Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs) Dombrovskis and Vestager
EU, US to pledge joint action against China
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and other senior officials are due to meet for the fourth edition of the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Lulea, Sweden, on May 30-31
EU ministers back plan to reduce economic reliance on China
Borrell said foreign ministers gave broad backing to a plan to adjust policy on China to place greater emphasis on its role as a political rival, while continuing also to see Beijing both as a partner on global issues and an economic competitor
UK’s new Brexit plan: Milk, meat, fish, vegetable to have ‘Not for EU’ stickers
The European Commission and the UK government has agreed on requirements for the labelling on agri-food retail goods. The label will be placed at different levels starting from individual, box, shelf signs and posters
From refunds to compensation: The new rules proposed by the Biden administration for airlines
The Biden administration is working on new regulations that would require airlines to compensate passengers and cover their meals and hotel rooms if they are stranded for reasons within the airline's control. It would give consumers in the US protections similar to those in the European Union
EU mulls restricting transit of goods through Russia within framework of 11th sanctions package
The EU has already adopted 10 sanctions packages against Russia for waging war against Ukraine. The sanctions aim to target individuals and companies, inflicting economic and making financing the war more difficult.
Spain has banned 'dwarf bullfighting': What is this decades-long practice?
Dwarves in Spain have long dressed as clowns to chase bulls at public spectacles designed to be humorous. However, in a decision applauded by disability rights organisations, Spain's parliament on Thursday outlawed 'comic' bullfighting events, including those involving people with dwarfism