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Russia Turns to Indian Workers to Tackle Labour Shortage

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Russia is increasingly recruiting workers from India to address a severe labour shortage worsened by the war in Ukraine. Officials estimate the country needs at least 2.3 million additional workers, particularly in manufacturing, construction and services. With fewer migrants arriving from Central Asia — traditionally Russia’s main source of foreign labour — Moscow has sharply increased work permits for Indians, approving nearly 72,000 last year compared with about 5,000 in 2021.

The shift reflects both economic necessity and strengthening ties between Moscow and New Delhi. President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed an agreement in December to simplify employment procedures for Indians in Russia. Russian officials say the country could accept an “unlimited number” of Indian workers, with hundreds of thousands needed across key sectors. A weaker rouble, stricter migration rules and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric have also reduced inflows from Central Asia, prompting the pivot toward South Asia.

Indian migrants are now working in textile factories, farms and service industries around Moscow and beyond. Employers say the workers are motivated and quickly adapt to new skills, while migrants cite higher wages compared to opportunities back home. Though U.S. pressure on India over its purchases of discounted Russian oil could affect broader ties, Moscow has downplayed tensions, and the inflow of Indian labour continues for now.

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Roberto De Zerbi Departs Marseille by Mutual Consent

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Roberto De Zerbi has left his position as Marseille manager by mutual agreement, the French club confirmed on Wednesday. The decision comes after a heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris St-Germain and Marseille’s recent Champions League exit following a 3-0 loss to Club Brugge. Club officials said the move followed discussions between the owner, president, sporting director and the coach.

De Zerbi joined Marseille in the summer of 2024 after leaving Brighton, where he spent nearly two seasons in charge. In his first campaign, he guided the club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1. However, this season has proved more challenging, with Marseille currently sitting fourth in the table, 12 points behind league leaders PSG.

In a statement, Marseille described the departure as a “difficult collective decision” made after careful consideration and in the best interests of the club. The change in leadership, the club added, is aimed at addressing the sporting challenges that lie ahead for the remainder of the season.

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China Signals Possible Tariffs on French Wine Amid EU Trade Tensions

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China could investigate French wine imports or impose reciprocal tariffs on European Union products if France pushes for tougher trade measures against Chinese goods, a social media account linked to state broadcaster CCTV said on Wednesday. The warning followed a French strategy report urging the EU to consider a 30% blanket tariff on Chinese imports or a 30% depreciation of the euro against the renminbi to counter rising low-cost imports. The account said such measures would breach World Trade Organization rules and amount to a “declaration of trade war.”

The comments unsettled markets, with shares of French spirits makers Remy Cointreau and Pernod Ricard falling before trimming losses. French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said the proposal had not been adopted by the government, though she did not dismiss its rationale. France’s trade and finance ministries have yet to issue formal responses.

The latest tensions echo last year’s dispute when China launched an anti-dumping probe into EU brandy, widely seen as retaliation for EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles — tariffs France supported. While Beijing has reiterated its willingness to engage in dialogue with France and the EU, it also stressed it is prepared to respond firmly to any trade challenges.

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Violent Protests Erupt in Tirana Over Corruption Allegations

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Thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police in Albania’s capital Tirana on Tuesday evening, demanding the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku over alleged corruption. Demonstrators threw petrol bombs at a government building, while police responded with water cannon and riot units to disperse the crowds gathered near the prime minister’s office.

The unrest follows a December indictment by Albania’s Special Prosecution Office, which accused Balluku of interfering in public tenders for major infrastructure projects and favouring certain companies. Balluku has denied the allegations. The protests mark the latest escalation in political tensions that challenge Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration, which has been in power since 2013.

Protesters in the capital’s main square waved flags and chanted slogans calling for the government’s resignation, as heavily armed police guarded key buildings. Prosecutors have asked parliament to lift Balluku’s immunity to allow her arrest, though it remains unclear when or whether lawmakers—where Rama’s party holds a majority—will vote on the request.

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Tesla Files Complaint Over Secret Recording at Berlin Plant

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Tesla has filed a criminal complaint against a member of Germany’s IG Metall union for allegedly recording a non-public works council meeting at its Gruenheide plant near Berlin. According to an internal memo confirmed by the company, the external union representative attended the meeting as a guest but began recording proceedings on a computer, prompting legal action.

Plant manager Andre Thierig said in the memo that works council meetings are confidential and that recording them constitutes a criminal offence under German law. The move marks another escalation in tensions between the U.S. electric vehicle maker and IG Metall, whose relationship has been strained in recent years.

IG Metall rejected Tesla’s claims, calling the accusation a “calculated lie” ahead of works council elections scheduled for March. The union has previously accused plant management of resisting union influence, while in the last election two years ago, most Tesla employees opted for non-union representatives instead of IG Metall-backed candidates.

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Estonia Warns of Russian Military Buildup

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Estonia’s foreign intelligence service has reported that Russia is rebuilding its military forces in response to Europe’s rearmament, though it does not plan to attack any NATO state in the near term. According to the report, Moscow aims to delay and hinder Europe’s ability to conduct independent military action, viewing European rearmament over the next two to three years as a significant concern.

The intelligence service highlighted Russia’s rapid expansion of ammunition production, which allows for stockpiling supplies for potential future conflicts while continuing operations in Ukraine. Any hypothetical attack on Estonia could involve coordinated drone operations across land, air, and sea. Estonia emphasized the need for the continent to invest in defense and internal security to deter potential aggression.

The report also noted Russia’s continued view of the U.S. as its main adversary while attempting to use diplomatic channels to ease sanctions and influence the Ukraine conflict. It highlighted Moscow’s strategic alignment with China, which could use Russian cooperation to challenge Western influence globally, particularly in the context of energy and military technology collaboration.

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German Auto Industry Faces Crisis as Investments and Jobs Move Abroad

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Germany’s automotive sector is facing a serious downturn, with investments and jobs increasingly relocating overseas, according to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). Survey results show that 72% of small- and medium-sized companies in the auto supply chain plan to reduce investments in Germany, either by moving them abroad, postponing, or canceling them altogether.

Job cuts are already underway, with almost two-thirds of surveyed companies reducing domestic employment last year and nearly half continuing to cut jobs this year. The shift is driven by competitive disadvantages, declining orders, and challenges in transitioning to electric vehicles and software-focused manufacturing. Major carmakers, including Volkswagen and Mercedes, along with suppliers like Bosch and ZF, have announced tens of thousands of layoffs.

VDA President Hildegard Mueller warned of political and social implications, highlighting risks to Germany’s prosperity and stability. She criticized EU regulatory measures aimed at supporting the shift to electric vehicles, calling for market-driven incentives rather than mandatory obligations to help maintain Germany’s competitiveness as a global automotive hub.

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Macron Urges Europe to Assert Global Power

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French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Europe to step up as a global power, warning that the continent faces a “wake-up call” amid rising challenges from China, Russia, and the United States. Speaking to European media ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Macron emphasized the need for the EU to strengthen its economy, defense, and democratic systems, arguing that Europe must act cohesively to secure its strategic interests.

Macron proposed EU-wide mutualized loans, or “eurobonds for the future,” to fund industrial and technological investment. He highlighted the growing global demand for such shared European debt, while urging member states to protect key industries like security, clean energy, and artificial intelligence without resorting to protectionism.

The French leader stressed Europe’s vulnerability in a changing world order, citing climate change, dwindling U.S. security guarantees, and China’s rising influence. Macron urged the 27-member EU to embrace its collective strength of 450 million people, insisting that becoming a global power is the natural continuation of the European project to maintain peace and build a robust market.

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Kering Sees Early but Fragile Turnaround as Gucci Sales Fall Less Than Expected

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Kering reported a smaller-than-expected decline in fourth-quarter sales, offering early signs of stabilisation under new CEO Luca de Meo, even as the luxury group cautioned that recovery remains fragile. Group revenue fell 3% year-on-year to 3.9 billion euros, beating forecasts for a steeper drop, helped by improving trends toward the end of the year. De Meo, who took charge after leading Renault, said momentum was “early, fragile, but real,” as he works to rebuild margins and confidence in the Gucci owner.

Gucci, which generates the bulk of Kering’s profits, posted a 10% revenue decline in the quarter—its 10th consecutive fall—but still outperformed expectations. Management said newly launched products and stronger handbag sales supported results, with some improvement seen across most regions. Despite these signs, profitability remains under pressure, with group operating margins sliding to 11% and Gucci’s to 16%, far below levels seen three years ago and trailing rivals such as LVMH.

The results underline the scale of the turnaround facing de Meo, as Kering grapples with high debt, restructuring costs, and years of weakening demand following shifts in fashion trends. The company has closed dozens of stores, cut operating costs, and sold its beauty business to shore up the balance sheet, bringing net debt to about 8 billion euros. While investors have welcomed balance-sheet repairs, analysts say a sustained recovery will ultimately depend on Kering’s ability to reignite sales growth at Gucci.

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Identical Twin Brothers’ Shared DNA Complicates French Murder Trial

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A murder trial in France has been complicated by the involvement of identical twin brothers whose shared DNA has made it impossible for forensic experts to determine which one pulled the trigger. The 33-year-old twins are among five defendants standing trial near Paris over a double murder and several attempted killings that took place in 2020, according to French media reports.

While investigators believe both brothers conspired to carry out the murders, DNA found on an assault rifle used in a later gunfight could only be linked to one of them — without being able to say which. A police officer told the court in Bobigny that forensic science could not conclusively distinguish between the twins, with one investigator remarking that “only their mother can tell them apart.”

Authorities suspect the brothers exploited their identical appearance by swapping clothes, phones and identification documents to evade detection. With DNA evidence unable to separate them, investigators relied on phone data, surveillance footage and wiretaps to track their movements. Despite these efforts, the key question of who fired the weapon remains unresolved as the trial continues, with a verdict expected in late February.

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