COP16 fizzles out as rich countries block global nature fund – POLITICO

COP16 fizzles out as rich countries block global nature fund – POLITICO

Oscar Soria with the Common Initiative called it a “unique funding mechanism,” but said its voluntary status could be a problem. “The mechanism’s effectiveness will likely depend on the global community’s willingness to support it and on corporate recognition of the value in participating for reputational gain,” he said. Other highlights included the creation of … Read more

Europe or Russia? For Georgians, the choice isn’t so simple – POLITICO

Europe or Russia? For Georgians, the choice isn’t so simple – POLITICO

But is this really the decision Georgians are making? Is the binary that clear cut? I’m not so sure. To understand the political situation in any country, Georgia included, ask a cab driver, the old adage goes. Maybe the average Joe — or in this case, Giorgi — could shed some light. As he steered his … Read more

Is this the end for Georgian Dream?  – POLITICO

Is this the end for Georgian Dream?  – POLITICO

With parliamentary elections set for late October, and EU membership negotiations due to start shortly thereafter, the timing of this behavior was largely puzzling. However, an even greater riddle was the ruling party’s 12-year reign: If Georgians were so passionate about Western integration, why did they keep reelecting the anti-EU Georgian Dream (GD) for more … Read more

EU betting on India and Vietnam for chips – POLITICO

EU betting on India and Vietnam for chips – POLITICO

Meanwhile, Vietnam has been allocated seed funding worth $2 million by the U.S. for semiconductor development initiatives, and there’s been increasing cooperation between Vietnamese and American companies on chip manufacturing. Not to be left behind, Infineon has also decided to expand hiring by hundreds in its Vietnam office as well. All this sounds positive — … Read more

‘We’re living under the illusion of environmentalism’ – POLITICO

‘We’re living under the illusion of environmentalism’ – POLITICO

Next, comes Europe’s strategic climate hypocrisy. As part of our concern for the climate, we’ve pushed our energy-intensive plants outside the Continent. The steel industry is an important example of this, as the economy needs steel in virtually every investment — large and small — and yet our industry is dying, with the trade deficit … Read more

The EU fiddles while Kyiv burns – POLITICO

The EU fiddles while Kyiv burns – POLITICO

This was the main decision G7 leaders made at their summit. And to enable it, the EU was to adopt a law prolonging the freezing of sovereign Russian assets until Moscow had paid for its war against Ukraine in full. This would guarantee the frozen assets would continue to be available to produce the interest … Read more

Europe needs an ‘Abundance Agenda’ – POLITICO

Europe needs an ‘Abundance Agenda’ – POLITICO

Surprising? Not really. While the EU accounted for over 27 percent of the world’s GDP in 1990 — more than the U.S. at the time — today, its share is a little over 17 percent. And as Europe’s economic strength shrinks, the less it can project regulatory power on the world stage — a fact … Read more

Researchers cast doubt over benefits of new Alzheimer’s therapies – POLITICO

Researchers cast doubt over benefits of new Alzheimer’s therapies – POLITICO

Eli Lilly and Biogen could not immediately be reached for comment. These drugs have also divided regulators. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved lecanemab last year and donanemab this year. Last month, however, the European Medicines Agency opposed a license for Leqembi — the brand name for lecanemab — arguing that the small benefits … Read more

Mainstream parties need radical centrism — not populist mimicry – POLITICO

Mainstream parties need radical centrism — not populist mimicry – POLITICO

But while progressives may take some heart from this democratic alliance in the short-term, a lot more needs to be done than simply oppose. To win, democratic mainstream parties have to develop a new radical centrism. They need an injection of fresh ideas, fresh faces and a willingness to act on voters’ priorities with courage … Read more

A bad deal with Trump on Ukraine could at least postpone a worse one with Putin – POLITICO

A bad deal with Trump on Ukraine could at least postpone a worse one with Putin – POLITICO

This means that part of the price of Trump accepting European alliance members continuing to supply Ukraine might be a pledge to not allow the use of those weapons on targets inside Russia. Though perhaps, like now, there could be exceptions made for targets in Russia close to Ukraine’s borders — it hasn’t drawn the … Read more