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☆ EU to Bolster Egypt Ties With Billions in Funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The agreement is designed to enhance cooperation in areas including renewable energy, trade, and security while delivering grants, loans and other funding over the next three years to support Egypt's faltering economy. War in Israel and Gaza View All 222 ImagesInflation has been running close to record highs and many Egyptians say they struggle to get by. Of that, funding from the European Union is expected to total $5-6 billion, Finance Minister Mohamed Maait told Asharq Business. Egyptian officials say Egypt deserves recognition for hosting an estimated nine million foreign residents and largely shutting off irregular migration from its north coast since 2016. CROSSINGS VIA LIBYABut there has been a surge in Egyptians trying to cross to Europe via Libya, and the European Union is already providing funding aimed at reducing those flows.

Persons: Ursula von der, Mohamed Maait, Abdel Fattah al, Egypt's, Patrick Werr, Philip Blenkinsop, Renee Maltezou, Aidan Lewis, Nick Zieminski Organizations: IMF, Diplomats, Cypriot, European, Asharq Business, Rights Watch Locations: CAIRO, Egypt, Cairo, Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Qatar, United States, European Union, LIBYA, Europe, Libya, Crete, Gavdos, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tunisia, Mauritania, U.S

☆ Farmers in Europe Step up Protests Against Rising Costs, Green Rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Farmers say they are not being paid enough, are choked by taxes and green rules and face unfair competition from abroad. French farmers have already won several concessions, including the government dropping plans to gradually reduce subsidies on agricultural diesel. On Wednesday, European Commissioners proposed limiting agricultural imports from Ukraine and greater flexibility on rules on fallow land in a bid to quell protests. In Italy, farmers have blocked traffic with hundreds of tractors near motorway access points near Milan, in Tuscany and elsewhere in recent days. While a deal looks possible on fallow land, the question of talks on a major trade deal with the Mercosur group is more contentious.

Persons: Marco Trujillo, Philip Blenkinsop PARIS, Adelin Desmecht, Gerald Darmanin, Bruno, Coldiretti, Le Maire, Abdul Saboor, Jean, Stephane Brosse, Gus Trompiz, Dominique Vidalon, Benoit van Overstraeten, Geert de Clercq, Charlotte van, Phil Blenikinsop, Alvise Arminelli, Ingrid Melander, Ros Russell Organizations: EU, South, Farmers, Mercosur, French Finance, European Commission, South American, Charlotte van Campenhout Locations: BRUSSELS, Europe, Brussels, Belgian, France, Paris, Belgium, Zeebrugge, Ukraine, Mercosur, Italy, Milan, Tuscany, Bordeaux, Amsterdam

☆ EU clears up to 1.2 bln euros of aid for cloud computing
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

European flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The European Commission approved on Tuesday up to 1.2 billion euros ($1.30 billion) of state aid for a European cloud computing project to try to boost the involvement of EU business in a field dominated by U.S. companies. Those countries will provide up to 1.2 billion euros in public funding, which in turn is expected to unlock 1.4 billion euros in private investments, the European Commission said. The European cloud technology project features 19 companies, including French companies Atos (ATOS.PA) and Orange (ORAN.PA), Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE) and Germany's SAP (SAPG.DE), Telecom Italia (TLIT.MI) and Telefonica Espana (TEF.MC). The three biggest players in cloud computing are Amazon (AMZN.O), Microsoft (MSFT.O) and Google (GOOGL.O).

Persons: Yves Herman, Didier Reynders, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Piotr Lipinski, Philip Blenkinsop, Barbara Lewis Organizations: European Commission, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Infrastructure, Services, IPCEI CIS, Union, Deutsche Telekom, SAP, Telecom Italia, Telefonica Espana, Microsoft, Google, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain

☆ EU to Issue Firm Words at China Summit With Limited Expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Top EU officials will raise an array of concerns from Russia's invasion of Ukraine to trade irritants in a summit with Chinese leaders on Thursday that is expected to be long on firm words, but short on outcomes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in the morning and Premier Li Qiang in the afternoon on their one-day visit to Beijing. There will be no joint statement from Thursday's talks, EU officials said, and they do not expect concrete outcomes from the first in-person EU-China summit since 2019. The European Union will also have questions on Chinese intentions towards Taiwan, but its focus will be on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. EU officials say the two sides could cooperate more on action to combat climate change and to promote biodiversity.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Josep Borrell, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Thursday's, Joe Biden, Philip Blenkinsop, Andrew Gray, Laurie Chen, Grant McCool Organizations: European, U.S, The European, European Union Locations: BRUSSELS, Ukraine, EU, Beijing, China, California, Taiwan, Russia, North Korea, Brussels

☆ EU court says public employees may be barred from wearing head scarf
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The case came to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) after an employee of the eastern Belgian municipality of Ans was told she could not wear an Islamic head scarf at work. The municipality subsequently changed its terms of employment to require its employees to observe strict neutrality by not wearing overt signs of religious or ideological belief. The hijab, the traditional head scarf worn around the head and shoulders, has been a divisive issue across Europe for years. The CJEU said a policy of strict neutrality that was intended to establish a neutral administrative environment may be regarded as being objectively justified by a legitimate aim. The court said authorities in member states had a margin of discretion in designing the neutrality of public service they intended to promote.

Persons: Lim Huey Teng, Philip Blenkinsop, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European Union, Justice, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Rights BRUSSELS, Europe, Belgian

☆ EU sees pragmatist in Brexit vote instigator Cameron on his return
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

As prime minister, Cameron called the referendum on European Union membership in 2016, although he campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU. "Welcome back David Cameron," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, soon after Cameron was appointed as Foreign Secretary in a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Another EU diplomat said Cameroon's absence from politics for seven years meant he was partly an unknown quantity, but felt he was more a pragmatist than not. Cleverly's term as foreign minister, under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, led to a turnaround in post-Brexit EU-UK ties, thawing from stubborn, bitter stand-offs to pragmatic negotiations yielding results. Sefcovic credited his past year working with Cleverly with "putting EU-UK relations back on track", adding that he looked forward to continuing this work with Cameron.

Persons: David Cameron's, Cameron, David Cameron, Mark Rutte, Rishi Sunak, Maros, James, Sefcovic, Philip Blenkinsop, Andreas Rinke, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: European Union, Britain, Twitter, Conservative, EU, European, NATO, Russia, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Britain, EU, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Berlin

☆ EU Aims to Resolve U.S. Steel Dispute by Year End
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission is aiming to reach an agreement on steel and aluminium with the United States by the end of the year to bring a definitive end to U.S. import tariffs on the metals, Commission Vice President Vera Jourova said on Thursday. U.S. and EU negotiators failed to reach an agreement at a summit on Oct. 20 on measures to address overcapacity in non-market economies, such as China, and promote greener steel. The Biden administration had suspended the tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 on condition that a deal was reached by the end of October. Many lawmakers expressed concern that the talks had dragged on without success, but Jourova said the two sides had made "important progress". Jourova said the EU wanted to get an agreement "over the finishing line", but gave no envisaged deadline.

Persons: Vera Jourova, Biden, Donald Trump, Jourova, Philip Blenkinsop, Bernadette Baum Organizations: European, EU, U.S, United Locations: BRUSSELS, United States, China

☆ EU digital chief urges TikTok, X to increase clean-up efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jourova, the EU commissioner responsible for the digital economy, met TikTok Chief Executive Shou Chew and X's head of global affairs, Nick Pickles, as the European Union investigates Big Tech's efforts to remove harmful content. The EU is also looking to prevent disinformation influencing the EU parliament election in June 2024. Under the European Union's Digital Services Act, which entered into force a year ago, very large tech platforms and search engines must do more to tackle harmful and illegal content or risk fines. Jourova said on X and via her spokesperson that she was pleased by some improvements and urged TikTok to continue stepping up its work against illegal and harmful content and child abuse. For X, Jourova said it had insufficient staff speaking some EU languages to counter disinformation and expressed concern about reports of high numbers of violent and illegal content.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Vera Jourova, Jourova, Shou Chew, Nick Pickles, Big, TikTok, Jourova's, X's Pickles, Philip Blenkinsop, Foo Yun Chee, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European, European Union, Hamas, EU, Union's Digital Services, YouTube, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Israel, EU

☆ China kickstarts Xiangshan Forum in absence of defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China's biggest annual show of military diplomacy, started on Sunday although the Asian power is still missing a defence minister, who typically hosts this event. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu is listed in the forum's agenda as the first guest speaker at Monday's opening ceremony. This year's forum takes place at an awkward time for China when it is without a defence minister, whose main role is to engage with foreign militaries. On Tuesday, Beijing sacked its defence minister Li Shangfu but did not name a replacement. Chinese military leaders more senior than the defence minister have filled in for Li.

Persons: Xi, Sergei Shoigu, Li Shangfu, Li, Zhang Youxia, Weidong, Zhao Yufei, Wendin Smith, Yew Lun Tian, Laurie Chen, Philip Blenkinsop Organizations: Beijing Xiangshan, Russian, Xanthi, China, Defense, Reuters, Xinhua, NATO, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, China, United States, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, Xanthi Carras, Li, State, Laos, Mongolia, Vietnam, Singapore, France, Brussels

☆ China Kickstarts Xiangshan Forum in Absence of Defence Minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Yew Lun TianBEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China's biggest annual show of military diplomacy, started on Sunday although the Asian power is still missing a defence minister, who typically hosts this event. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu is listed in the forum's agenda as the first guest speaker at Monday's opening ceremony. This year's forum takes place at an awkward time for China when it is without a defence minister, whose main role is to engage with foreign militaries. On Tuesday, Beijing sacked its defence minister Li Shangfu but did not name a replacement. Chinese military leaders more senior than the defence minister have filled in for Li.

Persons: Lun Tian, Xi, Sergei Shoigu, Li Shangfu, Li, Zhang Youxia, Weidong, Zhao Yufei, Wendin Smith, Yew Lun Tian, Laurie Chen, Philip Blenkinsop Organizations: Beijing Xiangshan, Russian, Xanthi, China, Defense, Reuters, Xinhua, NATO Locations: Lun Tian BEIJING, Beijing, China, United States, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, Xanthi Carras, Li, State, Laos, Mongolia, Vietnam, Singapore, France, Brussels

☆ EU fixes projects for Global South as rival to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The EU's Global Gateway is designed to invest 300 billion euros, half of it in Africa, from 2021 to 2027. The projects are in areas such as energy, transport, education and research, along with partnerships to help the European Union secure minerals critical for its green transition and reduce reliance on China. Partnerships sealed during the two-day forum included one with Mauritania on green hydrogen and with Uzbekistan and Zambia on critical raw materials. The Global Gateway Forum came a week after China hosted a 10th anniversary celebration of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), where $97.2 billion worth of projects were signed. EU officials say the Global Gateway ensures local communities benefit from infrastructure projects and promotes high social and environmental standards.

Persons: Jutta Urpilainen, I'm, Urpilainen, Philip Blenkinsop Organizations: European Union, Forum, Initiative, Critics, International Partnerships, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Africa, China, Mauritania, Uzbekistan, Zambia, EU

EU leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited the Middle East to express solidarity with Israel and bolster diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict spiralling into a regional war. "These developments require our immediate attention, without distracting us from our continued support to Ukraine." The EU and its member countries have provided billions of euros in assistance to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded in February last year. At the summit, the leaders will have their first debate on that budget package, which diplomats expect to be contentious. "It's hard to ask for more money for the EU budget when national budgets are getting squeezed," said one EU diplomat.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Charles Michel, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Julia Payne, Philip Blenkinsop, Jan Strupczewski, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Union, Ukraine, Hamas, EU, Diplomats, French, European Council, Kyiv, year's, European Commission, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Israel, Brussels, Palestinian, Gaza, Europe, Ukraine, Russian, United States, EU

Michel suggested no deal was imminent when he told reporters the two sides needed to find "mutually beneficial" solutions. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on Thursday, a third source told Reuters. Michel told reporters it was a critical time for the United States and the EU to "stick together" on their shared values and commitment to democracy given the Israel-Hamas conflict. It is still to be seen if this will end the U.S. tariffs threat or just see an extended suspension. Given the EU needs such materials itself for its green transition, the positive impact for the bloc may be limited.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Joe Biden, Charles Michel, Michel, von der Leyen, Katherine Tai, Valdis Dombrovskis, Donald Trump, Bernd Lange, Philip Blenkinsop, Alexandra Hudson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: WASHINGTON, European Union, Trump, Commission, U.S, European, . Trade, EU, Washington, World Trade Organization, United, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, United States, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Europe, North America, China, Brussels, U.S, Washington, Friday's

☆ EU, US could agree on critical minerals despite steel failure, says France
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsVALENCIA, Spain, Oct 20 (Reuters) - The European Union and the United States could reach a deal on critical minerals over the coming weeks or months despite their failure to agree an accord on steel and aluminium, French Trade Minister Olivier Becht said on Friday. The discussions were intense and I hope they will restart as soon as possible," Becht said before an EU ministers' meeting on trade in Valencia, Spain. "It's in both the interest of Europe and the United States to have this agreement," Becht said. The United States has suspended import tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imposed by then-President Donald Trump in 2018, but on condition both sides agree measures to address overcapacity in non-market economies such as China, and promote greener steel. Reporting by Belén Carreño; editing by Philip Blenkinsop and Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mike Pence, Francois Lenoir, Olivier Becht, Joe Biden's, Becht, Donald Trump, Belén, Philip Blenkinsop, Barbara Lewis Organizations: European Commission, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, French Trade, EU, Trump, U.S, United, Washington, World Trade Organization, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Rights VALENCIA, Spain, United States, Valencia, Europe, China

U.S. President Joe Biden will host Michel and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday to show unity toward Ukraine, but with trade irritants souring ties. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on Thursday, and the two countries' trade negotiators were meeting around the clock. Michel told reporters it was a critical time for the United States and the EU to "stick together" on shared values and commitment to democracy, especially given the escalating crisis in the Middle East, which threatens to overshadow the long-planned summit. It is still to be seen if this will end the U.S. tariffs threat or just see an extended suspension. Given the EU needs such materials itself for its green transition, the positive impact for the bloc may be limited.

Persons: Charles Michel, Joe Biden, Michel, Ursula von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Katherine Tai, Valdis Dombrovskis, Donald Trump, Bernd Lange, Philip Blenkinsop, Alexandra Hudson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: European Union, EU, European Commission, Trump, . Trade, European, Washington, World Trade Organization, United, U.S, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, WASHINGTON, United States, Ukraine, China, Brussels, U.S, Washington, North America

[1/8] Police barricade tape is seen at a cordoned-off area after a police operation in Schaerbeek near Brussels, Belgium October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Bart Biesemans Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Belgian police on Tuesday shot and wounded a 45-year-old Tunisian suspected of killing two Swedish football fans in Brussels, Belgian media said. Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden said earlier the wounded man was suspected of being the gunman. The suspected gunman, calling himself Abdesalem Al Guilani, claimed in a video on social media that he was a fighter for Allah. According to a media transcript of the video message recorded by the self-declared perpetrator, he said he had killed Swedes to take revenge in the name of Muslims.

Persons: Bart Biesemans, Annelies Verlinden, Verlinden, Philippe Close, BFM, Alexander De Croo, De Croo, de Croo, Vincent Van Quickenborne, Abdesalem Al Guilani, Philip Blenkinsop, Bart Meijer, Benoit van Overstraeten, Jan Strupczewski, Tassilo Hummel, Zhifan Liu, Ingrid Melander, Gerry Doyle, Christina Fincher, Nick Macfie Organizations: Police, REUTERS, Rights, Belgian, Islamic State, Red Devils soccer, Palestinian, Thomson Locations: Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium, Rights BRUSSELS, Belgian, Sweden, Israel

☆ Two Swedes shot dead in Brussels; Belgium raises terror alert to top level
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The likely motive for the attack was the Swedish nationality of the victims, the prosecutor said. The suspected assailant, calling himself Abdesalem Al Guilani, claimed in a video on social media that he was a fighter for Allah. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo confirmed on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the victims were Swedish. "I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels," de Croo said on X. France is tightening controls at the border with Belgium after the deadly attack in Brussels, Belgian media said.

Persons: Abdesalem Al Guilani, Alexander de Croo, de Croo, Gunnar Strommer, King, Yves Herman Acquire, Ulf Kristersson, Emmanuel Macron, Allahu Akbar, Al Guilani, hamdoulelah, Salam Aleykoum, Philip Blenkinsop, Marine Strauss, Anna Ringstrom, Terje Solsvik, Richard Lough, John Cotton, Gabriela Baczynska, Stephanie Lecocq, Tassilo Hummel, Benoit van Overstraeten, Tommy Lund, Jan Strupczewski, Silvia Aloisi, Hugh Lawson, Matthew Lewis, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Islamic State, Palestinian, European Commission, Belgian, Twitter, PM, Sweden's, Reuters, Swedish, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Brussels, Belgium, Sweden, Belgian, Israel, Swedish, France, Islamic State

☆ EU seeks to ease US tariff, green subsidy threats
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Washington has asked Brussels to move against Chinese steel producers in particular in return for avoiding the re-imposition of Trump-era tariffs on EU steel and aluminium, with an end-October deadline to reach an agreement. Those subsidies, largely in the IRA, have irked EU countries because they contain local content requirements. Half of the tax break is reliant on extraction of processing of critical minerals taking place in a country with which the United States has a free trade agreement. The EU is hoping that the summit will also yield an agreement on critical minerals - cobalt, graphite, lithium, manganese and nickel - that would benefit EU suppliers. EU exports to the United States of these minerals or products principally containing them totalled 3.5 billion euros ($3.7 billion) in 2022, Eurostat data shows.

Persons: Joe Biden, Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Philip Blenkinsop, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: European Union, Trump, U.S, European Commission, European Council, Washington, WTO, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Ukraine, Brussels, China, United States, U.S, North America, EU

☆ Two Swedes shot dead in Brussels, Belgium raises terror alert to top level
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The suspected assailant fled the scene after the shooting as a football match between Belgium and Sweden was about to start, triggering a massive manhunt and prompting Belgium to raise its terror alert to the highest level. The federal prosecutor said the third victim, who was wounded but not in life-threatening condition, was a taxi driver. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo confirmed on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that the victims were Swedish. "I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels," de Croo said on X. France is tightening controls at the border with Belgium after the deadly attack in Brussels, Belgian media said.

Persons: Abdesalem Al Guilani, Alexander de Croo, de Croo, Gunnar Strommer, Ulf Kristersson, King, Yves Herman Acquire, King Baudouin, Emmanuel Macron, Allahu Akbar, Al Guilani, hamdoulelah, Salam Aleykoum, Philip Blenkinsop, Marine Strauss, Anna Ringstrom, Terje Solsvik, Richard Lough, John Cotton, Jan Strupczewski, Silvia Aloisi, Hugh Lawson, Matthew Lewis Organizations: State, Palestinian, European Commission, Belgian, PM, Sweden's, Reuters, Government, Swedish, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Brussels, Belgium, Sweden, Belgian, Israel, jihadists, Swedish, France, Islamic State

☆ TikTok details disinformation steps taken after EU demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken January 6, 2020. EU industry chief Thierry Breton on Thursday gave TikTok 24 hours to detail measures taken to counter the spread of disinformation related to the Middle East conflict. He also opened a probe into Elon Musk's X.TikTok listed in a statement the actions it had taken, although it declined to say how it had specifically replied to Breton. We are also deeply saddened by the intensifying humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza," TikTok said. TikTok, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, said its actions included launching a command centre, enhancing its automated detection systems to remove graphic and violent content and adding more moderators who speak Arabic and Hebrew.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Thierry Breton, Breton, TikTok, Philip Blenkinsop, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Palestinian, Hamas, Elon Musk's, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Israel, EU, Gaza

☆ Euro industrial output up in August, but sharply down year-on-year
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Phil Noble/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Euro zone industrial production rose by more than expected in August, data showed on Friday, as factories made more consumer goods although overall output was down by more than 5% from a year earlier. The European Union's statistics office Eurostat said industrial production in the 20 countries sharing the euro rose by 0.6% month-on-month in August for a 5.1% year-on-year decline. Output of non-durable consumer goods, such as food or clothing, rose by 0.5% for a second consecutive month. Compared with a year earlier, all types of production were some 5-7% lower, except for non-durable consumer goods, whose decline was 1.4%. The IMF cut its estimates for euro zone growth earlier this week to 0.7% in 2023 and 1.2% in 2024, from July forecasts of 0.9% and 1.5%.

Persons: Phil Noble, Philip Blenkinsop Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, IMF, Eurostat, Thomson Locations: Chesterfield, Britain, Rights BRUSSELS

[1/2] High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell speaks during an event at Peking University in Beijing, China October 13, 2023. REUTERS/Xiaoyu Yin Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, urged China on Friday to redress economic and trade imbalances or efforts by Europe to reduce its dependence on China may "accelerate far more than is good". Borrell is on a three-day visit to China and is expected to have discussions on thorny issues including trade, Ukraine and human rights. "It is ... in our interest to find common ground, to redress the imbalance in our economic and trade relations," Borrell told students at the capital's prestigious Peking University. The trip was initially postponed in April after Borrell tested positive for COVID-19, and was then cancelled in June by China without citing a reason.

Persons: Josep Borrell, Borrell, Wang Yi, Lifeng, Laurie Chen, Albee Zhang, Philip Blenkinsop, Jamie Freed, Robert Birsel Organizations: European Union for Foreign Affairs, Peking University, REUTERS, Rights, EU, China Summit, Global Times, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Europe, Ukraine, Shanghai, Russia, Brussels, Taiwan, EU, United States, decouple, Taiwan Strait

Printed TikTok logos are seen in this illustration taken February 15, 2022. Breton's warning in a letter to Chew, first seen by Reuters, follows similar letters to X, formerly Twitter, owner Elon Musk and Meta Platforms' Mark Zuckerberg earlier this week. Breton subsequently posted the letter on social media platform Bluesky. Breton said in the letter to TikTok, owned by Chinese conglomerate ByteDance, that he had indications that it was being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU after the Hamas attacks. The EU industry commissioner said rules on content moderation were clear in the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) and spelt out certain obligations in his letter.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Thierry Breton, Frenchman, Shou Zi Chew, Chew, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Breton, Linda Yaccarino, Foo Yun Chee, Philip Blenkinsop, Jane Merriman, Elaine Hardcastle, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Digital Services, DSA, Reuters, EU, EU Digital Services, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Israel

Companies Grail Inc FollowIllumina Inc FollowBRUSSELS, Oct 12 (Reuters) - U.S. genetic testing company Illumina (ILMN.O) has been ordered by EU antitrust regulators to sell cancer test maker Grail (GRAL.O) after it completed the deal before securing their approval. The gun-jumping cost Illumina a record EU antitrust fine of 432 million euros ($457 million) for such an offence. The EU watchdog ordered Illumina to restore Grail's independence to the same level as prior to its acquisition and to ensure that it is as viable and competitive as before the takeover. Illumina can choose to divest Grail via a trade sale, a capital markets transaction or other methods, but must do it within strict deadlines. The company must keep Grail separate and viable until the sale is completed.

Persons: Illumina, Foo Yun Chee, Philip Blenkinsop Organizations: pharma, EU, European Commission, Thomson

☆ EU plans anti-subsidy probes to secure steel deal with US
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A worker walks past steel rolls at the Chongqing Iron and Steel plant in Changshou, Chongqing, China August 6, 2018. Washington has asked Brussels to move against Chinese steel producers in particular in return for avoiding the re-imposition of Trump-era tariffs on EU steel and aluminium, with an end-October deadline to reach an agreement. Washington has said it wants to prevent "leakage" of Chinese steel and aluminium into the U.S. market. China's shipments have steadily fallen since 2015, when they made up 25% of EU steel imports in volume terms, to below 10% since 2018, according to EU steelmakers federation Eurofer. The extra annual emissions would by 2026 be more than the CO2 emissions of the entire EU steel sector, he said.

Persons: Damir Sagolj, Joe Biden, Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Washington, Axel Eggert, der Leyen, Nilutpal, Philip Blenkinsop, Amy Lv, Simon Cameron, Moore, Mark Potter, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Chongqing Iron, REUTERS, Rights, European, Trump, Financial Times, European Union, European Commission, EU, World Trade Organization, China's Ministry of Commerce, Thomson Locations: Chongqing, Changshou, China, Rights BRUSSELS, United States, European, EU, Brussels, Washington, U.S, East, North Africa, Bengaluru, Beijing

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