Page 5 - European Union

Moroccan lawmakers denounce European Parliament criticism, reconsider ties

The Moroccan Parliament decided Monday to reconsider its ties with the European Parliament and subject them to a comprehensive evaluation after the EU legislature criticised the state of press freedoms in Morocco. The decision followed an extraordinary joint plenary session of Morocco's two houses of Parliament in Rabat on Monday that was convened to address the European Parliament's resolution from last week. The Moroccan legislators called the resolution an unacceptable attack on the kingdom's sovereignty and the independence and sanctity of its judicial institutions, according to a joint parliamentary statement read out by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami. Last week, EU legislators approved a non-binding resolution calling on Moroccan authorities to improve their respect of freedom of expression and media freedom. The resolution said press freedom in the North African kingdom has been continuously deteriorating, and called for a fair trial with all

European Union's Breton warns TikTok CEO to comply with new digital rules

The act is a set of sweeping rules that will require platforms to reduce harmful online content and combat online risks

European Union outlines plan for clean tech future boosted by subsidies

European Union pushed forward with a massive clean tech industrial plan which not only should keep the continent in the vanguard of plotting a greener future but also guarantee its economic survival

Ukraine set to get 3 bn euros from EU this week: PM Denys Shmyhal

The funds will help Ukraine to maintain macroeconomic stability and cover all critical expenses this year amid the ongoing war with Russia, Shmyhal said

Sparks will fly: Electric vehicle trade war between US, Europe heating up

The EU has launched a 750 billion-euro ($812 billion) fund to heal its pandemic-scarred economy, and not all of it is spent yet

Where will Europe get its diesel from after Russia is banned in 23 days?

The fuel is vital to the bloc's economy, powering cars, trucks, ships, construction and manufacturing equipment and more

Tourists may get partial refunds over Covid measures, says EU court

Travellers whose package tours were ruined by the imposition of restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic may be entitled to at least a partial refund, the European Union's highest court said Thursday. The European Court of Justice weighed in after being asked for its opinion by a court in Germany. The Munich court is considering the case of two people who bought a two-week package vacation on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria starting on March 13, 2020, just as the pandemic hit Europe. They are seeking a 70 per cent reduction in the price because of restrictions that were imposed there two days later and their early return. When the restrictions were imposed on March 15, beaches were closed, a curfew put in place and the plaintiffs were allowed to leave their hotel room only to eat, the EU court said. On March 18, they were told to be ready to leave at any moment, and two days after that they had to return to Germany. The tour operator refused the requested reduction on the ..

Indian economy to grow at a robust 6.6% in FY24, says World Bank

'Limited spillovers' to Asia's third-largest economy, even as world 'perilously close' to recession

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni reaffirms commitment to EU recovery plan

The top EU official is holding a series of bilateral discussions with leaders of the 27-member bloc ahead of the February 9-10 meeting of the European Council

EU's privacy watchdog fines Meta $414 mn for ads based on online activity

EU's privacy watchdog tells firm it can't use its contracts with users to justify sending them such ads

European Union hails high natural gas storage levels despite Russian cuts

Natural gas storage levels in the European Union stand at nearly 84 per cent and were higher in December than the average amount in reserve 4-6 years ago, the EU's executive branch said Wednesday, despite Russian attempts to choke off supplies amid its war on Ukraine. Fearing winter shortages, the 27 EU countries began stocking up on gas last year. Joint gas reserve levels climbed to 82 per cent by September, well ahead of an 80 per cent target set for November. Gas consumption also dropped by 20 per cent from August to November as prices spiked. Angered by EU war-related sanctions, Russia tightened its gas taps to Europe last year. Its pipeline gas accounted for 40 per cent of all gas Europe imported before President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine in late February, but now it only accounts for around 9 per cent. It's a fairly good position to be in, EU commission spokesman Tim McPhie told reporters. We have a healthy level of gas storage for the start of this year,

EU offers help to counter China's Covid crisis including vaccine donation

The European Union said Tuesday it has offered China help to deal with its COVID-19 crisis, including the donation of vaccines, as the bloc seeks to coordinate how authorities should check incoming passengers from China for any new variants. Several member nations announced individual efforts over the past week. At the same time, the EU's European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control insisted that the situation in China didn't pose an immediate overall threat to health. The variants circulating in China are already circulating in the EU, and as such are not challenging for the immune response of EU citizens, it said in its latest impact study published Tuesday. Yet fearful not to be caught unawares like at the outset of the global pandemic in early 2020, medical experts from EU member states were already preparing potential action to be taken up by an Integrated Political Crisis Response meeting on Wednesday, where measure like EU-wide entry requirements could be ...

EU to try again to mold a coordinated approach on China Covid policies

European Union nations will try again on Wednesday to mold a coordinated approach on if and how authorities should check incoming airline passengers from China for any new COVID-19 variants after several member nations announced individual efforts over the past week. Belgium said late Monday it would be checking wastewater from planes coming in from China to see if it yields new clues about any potentially dangerous variants. It said that it would urge visitors from China who do not feel well to take a COVID-19 test. More should be done, but only in a coordinated approach among the 27 member states, said Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke. It would be a good signal toward China if all EU nations would say together: 'If you come to Europe you have to be tested first, he told VRT network. Sweden, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said officials from the member states will hold an Integrated Political Crisis Response meeting on Wednesday to see if entry requirements ...

Russia's war could make it India's world

The invasion of Ukraine, compounding the effects of the pandemic, has contributed to the ascent of a giant that defies easy alignment. It could be the decisive force in a changing global system

Global economy faces tougher year in 2023: IMF's Kristalina Georgieva

"Why? Because the three big economies - the US, EU and China - are all slowing down simultaneously," she said

RBI working on alternate arrangements for banks hit by EU oversight rule

The RBI is continuously engaged with ESMA and other regulators to arrive at a mutually acceptable arrangement, which recognizes the territorial independence of the host regulator, said central bank

Exxon sues European Union in bid to block new windfall tax on oil groups

Argues that Brussels exceeded its legal authority by imposing the levy

Extraterritorial reach of regulators weakens domestic stability: RBI

Discussions with foreign regulators positive

Washington-Moscow relationship at its lowest point: Sergey Lavrov

"Undoubtedly, our relations with the European Union have deteriorated to a historic low. The reasons for this are well known," he added

Russia issues decree to ban oil sales to nations adhering price cap: Report

The decree also said that the ban may be lifted in individual cases on the basis of "special decision" from Russian President Vladimir Putin, as per reports