Author: Euronews

EPO President says proposal for streamlining standard essential patents is not yet fit for purpose. ADVERTISEMENTThe President of the European Patent Office has urged lawmakers voting on a final deal on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) today (28 February) to ‘press pause’, claiming that the regulation is not yet fit for purpose and the commission has rushed it through too quickly.As reported, lawmakers at the European Parliament plenary session are set to greenlight the patent rules today, but member states have not yet agreed on their position, and a final deal on SEPs can only come under the mandate of the…

Unified Patent is huge step forward in the creation of a single market for technology, putting Europe on a par with the US and China, EPO chief Antonio Campinos tells Euronews in an interview. ADVERTISEMENTThe European Unitary Patent system incorporating a the Unified Patent Court have been fully operational since last June 2023, and the new system has exceeded expectations, according to European Patent Office President, António Campinos.Campinos took up office as the President of the Munich-headquartered European Patent Office (EPO) in 2018. Prior to his appointment, he served as Executive Director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)…

The closure of nuclear power stations still in service, delays in the delivery of French-built Hinkley Point C and rising energy demands because of net zero means the UK will be facing a “crunch point” around 2028, a report claims. ADVERTISEMENTBritain is at risk of blackouts within the next four years as a result of a “perfect storm”, according to a report from research group Public First.The closure of nuclear power stations still in service, delays in the delivery of French-built Hinkley Point C and rising energy demands because of net zero means the UK will be facing a “crunch…

European stocks have soared to record highs, sparking investor debates on whether to seize the momentum or secure gains amid economic uncertainties. ADVERTISEMENTEuropean stocks are basking in the glow of record highs, prompting investors to debate between riding on their coattails or exercising caution to safeguard profits in the face of an uncertain economic landscape.The Euro Stoxx 600 Index, which serves as a barometer for the European stock market and includes 600 companies of various sizes from 17 European countries, has seen five consecutive weeks of gains and has risen in 15 of the past 17 weeks, echoing the bullish…

A new survey has revealed some of the biggest financial regrets among people in Britain. ADVERTISEMENTAbout 51% of Britons have revealed that they have a number of financial regrets, according to a survey by savings and investment specialist Unity Mutual.While Britain’s cost of living crisis may be slowly improving, everyday prices still remain uncomfortably high for a vast number of consumers. The Office for National Statistics’ latest public opinions and social trends’ report highlights that around 46% of UK adults saw a hike in the cost of living between 31 January and 11 February 2024.The survey, spanning across 2,000 UK…

The average young dater is getting into more than £2,000 (€2,338) of debt, according to financial services company Experian. ADVERTISEMENTThe pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis has shed more light on spending areas for most people, making them take a good, long look at where their hard-earned money is going. For the younger generation in the UK, this can be particularly telling.Did you know that the average 18-35 year old in the UK has a debt of about £2,250 (€2,630) due to dating and relationships, according to a survey by financial services and credit reference agency Experian?The data also…

Own New in the UK has launched a mortgage product that will enable borrowers to take out a loan with an interest rate under 1% for those buying new builds – is this the new era of home financing, and will it catch on in Europe? ADVERTISEMENTThe Own New Rate Reducer product launched with Halifax, Virgin Money, and Barratt Developments today – 26 February – along with other housebuilders across the country joining from 4 March.’It could unlock lower mortgage rates and reduce your monthly payments, whether you’re a first time buyer or an existing homeowner,” Barratt Homes said on…

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) must continue to receive “adequate funding” to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Gaza, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, has said. ADVERTISEMENTHis warning comes as uncertainty mounts over the future of the EU’s development aid to UNRWA.The agency is at a breaking point after Western countries suspended donations following allegations twelve of its staff members were involved in Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, which left more than 1,200 Israelis dead and sparked a war in Gaza that has claimed the lives of more than 29,000 Palestinians.The serious allegations, levelled by Israel…

The inflation rate for the liquid gold skyrocketed in the second half of 2023, dwarfing general food inflation across Europe. ADVERTISEMENTOlive oil, the golden lifeblood of Mediterranean cuisine, is experiencing a staggering rise in price, especially in the southern European countries where it is produced. The price of olive oil in Portugal soared by 69.1% in January 2024 compared to last year, well above the average of 50% in the EU, according to Eurostat. As a comparison, general food inflation was 4.8% in January across the bloc. In Spain, the world’s biggest olive oil producer, prices jumped 62.9% in January compared to the…

The Iranian rial has plunged rapidly against the dollar ever since the Israel-Hamas war led to increased worries of a direct US-Iran confrontation. ADVERTISEMENTIran’s national currency has dropped about 13% since early January this year, having steadily declined ever since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. As of mid-February, one US dollar was worth about 570,000 rials (€12.51). Back on 29 January this year, the rial had hit an 11-month low, with one dollar being worth about 582,500 rials.However, despite this sustained and very glaring devaluation, it looks like Iran may be more comfortable burying its head in the sand…