Fair access to proper housing can boost economic growth – report

By Marine Strauss BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Providing equitable access to appropriate housing in slums and other informal settlements could massively increase economic growth and boost life expectancy, a report to be published on Tuesday by home-building charity Habitat for Humanity shows. Proper housing could increase economic growth by up to 10.5%, while life expectancy could…

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“Cut the price of baby products”, says Italy’s inflation watchdog

ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s industry minister said on Monday that a cut in sales tax on baby products has not produced the expected fall in consumer prices and called for the country’s new inflation committee to hold an urgent meeting on the matter. To help families cope with the surge in inflation and encourage people…

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Euro zone industry output falls sharply, with Ireland plunge

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Euro zone industrial production fell by far more than expected in March as output of capital goods plunged, although the sharp reduction appeared to be a result of figures from Ireland, which are typically volatile. The European Union’s statistics office Eurostat said on Monday that industrial production in the 20 countries sharing…

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Top Chinese envoy to visit Ukraine, Russia on ‘peace’ mission

BEIJING (Reuters) -A top Chinese envoy will begin a tour of Ukraine, Russia and other European countries on Monday in a trip Beijing says is aimed at discussing a “political settlement” to the Ukraine crisis. Li Hui, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs and former ambassador to Russia, will also visit Poland, France, Germany on…

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EU exec sees stronger 2023, 2024 euro zone growth, but higher inflation

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Euro zone economic growth will be faster than previously expected this year and next thanks to faster expansion in Italy and Spain, but inflation will also remain stubbornly high, the European Commission forecast on Monday. In its regular economic forecast for the 20 countries that share the euro, the…

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Silicon Valley automotive ethernet chip startup Ethernovia raises $64 million

By Jane Lanhee Lee OAKLAND, California (Reuters) – Silicon Valley automotive ethernet chip startup Ethernovia Inc said on Monday it had raised $64 million in a Series A funding round including Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Qualcomm Ventures, VentureTech Alliance and others. As automakers pivot to electric vehicles with more driver assistance functions, they are revamping…

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