Author: Euronews

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent in any way the editorial position of Euronews. China’s grand vision of the world-changing BRI may have not been realised, but something else is emerging in its wake — a powerful lever to bend authoritarian-leaning countries toward Chinese interests, Elaine Dezenski writes. ADVERTISEMENTHungary was the first European country to sign on to China’s trillion-euro Belt and Road Initiative. With Italy leaving the Belt and Road, or BRI, last year, and others in Europe expressing concern about engagement with China, Budapest may also soon be one of…

In an interview with Euronews, Brad Smith, President of Microsoft suggests that if AI ‘is the most powerful technology in the world, shouldn’t it have at least as much regulation as a carton of milk?’ ADVERTISEMENTMicrosoft was founded in 1975, almost 50 years ago, and is now one of the largest companies in the world. In fact, you’ll struggle to find anyone in the western world who hasn’t used a Microsoft product.In early 2024, they overtook Apple as the world’s most valuable company with a market capitalisation of $3.049 trillion (€2.809 trillion). Only the second company ever to surpass a…

The European Parliament needs to “stop being boring” if it wants to stand up to Vladimir Putin, Yulia Navalnaya told the hemicycle on Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT”If you really want to defeat Putin, you have to become an innovator. You have to stop being boring,” Navalnaya said in a speech to lawmakers in Strasbourg.”You cannot hurt Putin with another resolution or another set of sanctions that is no different to the last one,” she added.”You cannot defeat him by thinking he is a man of principle who has morals and rules. He is not like that. And Alexei realised that a long time…

AI and aerospace are among the industries who will benefit from the offer made by Qatar’s leader on a state visit to France. ADVERTISEMENTA new strategic partnership will bring €10 billion into the French economy between 2024-2030, according to a new agreement signed by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.The leaders sealed the agreement as Qatar’s Emir started his two-day visit in France, the first state visit since his accession to the throne in 2013.The Qatari investment is going to benefit start-ups and investment funds in Europe’s second-biggest economy, targeting sectors including aerospace, artificial intelligence, energy…

Frontex should pull out of countries that fail to rescue migrants at sea or violate fundamental rights. Otherwise, the EU risks becoming “complicit” in the deaths, the European Ombudsman has warned in a new report. ADVERTISEMENTThe findings, released on Wednesday morning, offer a closer look at the often-fraught relation between the EU’s border agency and the 27 member states.The Ombudsman’s inquiry was launched in response to the Adriana shipwreck in June 2023, when an overcrowded vessel sunk off the coast of Messenia, Greece, and left more than 600 people either confirmed or presumed dead.The watchdog does not conclude that Frontex…

Mobile phone giant Vodafone is in negotiations to sell its Italian business, a deal it values at €8 billion. ADVERTISEMENTLondon-listed firm Vodafone has confirmed it is in exclusive talks with telecoms company Swisscom regarding a potential sale of Vodafone Italy.In a statement, the firm announced that “Swisscom will acquire Vodafone Italy for an enterprise value of €8 billion”, subject to “customary closing adjustments”.The deal, which Vodafone has said is not yet certain, comes after the firm rejected numerous bids from French telecoms company Iliad.Iliad had made a recent offer for the Italian branch that would have brought cash proceeds of…

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…