Former Brexit chief Maroลก ล efฤoviฤ is surprise pick for EU trade czar
Dependable Slovak has served in the Commission for 15 years.
capacity
Lithuaniaโs Andrius Kubiliusย named defense and space commissioner
He will work on developing the European defense union and boosting our investment in capacity,โ said Ursula von der Leyen.
Intel halts plans for flagship factories in Germany, Poland amid financial woes
US chipmaker Intel is halting plans for new factories in Germany and Poland amid financial troubles, in a blow to the EU efforts to build up domestic chipmaking capacity.
US is navigating a โdangerous threat environment.โ Itโs different from any other election cycle.
The second apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump is the latest peril in a race that has been defined by anger and threats.
As Biden deliberates, Ukraineโs nuclear plants are increasingly at risk
The risk of Ukraine losing the war this winter has pushed Washington and London to reconsider how Kyiv uses Western-supplied long-range missiles, but the U.S. remains fearful of escalation.
Russian attacks are breaking EU electricity market, Greece warns
Premier raises alarm over โextremeโ prices in southern Europe from under-capacity and Ukrainian demand
โDragon-Bearโ: How China and Russiaโs spy operations overlap in Europe
Beijing is recruiting agents among EU politicians who have demonstrated fealty to Moscow, underscoring their alignment, according to a senior European intelligence official.
Northern rail corridor will outrun capacity without new link, study says
New 80km line between Midlands and Manchester could be built faster and cheaper than axed HS2 leg, says research
Youโre on your own implementing Draghi report, Lagarde tells governments
โStructural reforms are not the responsibility of the central bank โ they are the responsibility of governments,โ European Central Bank president says.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski: ‘Ukraine’s capacity to endure is not infinite’
In an interview with Le Monde, the Polish head of diplomacy, who visits Kyiv on Thursday, justifies the need to allow Kyiv to strike military targets on Russian territory with long-range missiles.
All flights canceled at Charleroi airport due to surprise strike
โIt is regrettable that passengers are being held hostage by these wild actions,โ airport spokesperson said.
Berlin eyes rollback of liberalised power market, bets on fixed-pricing model
To avoid future electricity price hikes, the German government is looking to reverse the liberalisation of its electricity market and move towards a more interventionist approach with the establishment of fixed-price capacity markets.
These are the most deadly pathogens โ so why arenโt drug companies targeting them?
Despite calls to step up efforts, investment in antimicrobial resistance is still insufficient.
Why โno-brainer zonesโ are key to hitting the EUโs renewables targets
The EU needs to more than double its renewables capacity by 2030. With ample space available, greater efforts are needed to accelerate the rate of deployment and ensure projects deliver maximum benefits for communities and nature.
Buy your guns, missiles and tanks at home, Draghi tells EU countries
The EU should push countries to buy from the bloc’s military industrial complex, Draghi said in his new report.
Michel Barnierโs new secret EU mission
Can the former chief Brexit negotiator, now France’s prime minister, grease the wheels on budget talks with Brussels?
Europeโs Draghi report unleashed: These are the 5 things to watch
A blueprint to make the EU more competitive with the rest of the world is published on Monday. It’s likely to prove controversial.
Czechia offers alternative should gas transit via Ukraine be disrupted
Czechia has sufficient gas network capacity to support other countries in case of disruption of Russian supplies via Ukraine, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Sรญkela (STAN, EPP) wrote in a letter to EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.
Europe needs concrete action on connectivity policy
Policymakers have already recognized the need for a new digital approach. Done right, it can take us into a more prosperous, fair and flourishing future.
Ukraine to EU: You can still store gas with us despite Russian attacks
The country’s vast reserves helped the continent avoid a market crisis last winter.
Defense firms need full access to EU cash as Putin haunts Europe, Draghi says
Looming threats must spark major rethink of European defense policy, according to draft of new report seen by POLITICO.
Empowering the EUโs road transport industry
The EUโs road transport sector faces critical challenges. The IRU’s roadmap urges policymakers to enact supportive legislation to ensure the EU’s economic and environmental goals are met.
Refugees worried at rise of Germany’s far-right AfD party ahead of regional elections
The eastern German regions of Saxony and Thuringia are holding elections thisย coming Sunday and the far-right AfD party is ahead in the polls. Its leaders are proposing a raft of measures designed to limit immigration and the arrival of more asylum se…
Hungary-EU blowup overshadows key meeting on Ukraine
Top Brussels diplomat Josep Borrell’s comments on Ukraine and the Middle East anger Budapest.
Let us hit Russia where it hurts, Ukraine pleads
The EU must convince Washington to “lift restrictions on long-range strikes on all legitimate military targets in Russia,โ Kyiv’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
Agrivoltaics: helping both farmers and climate
In its latest report, the think-tank Ember recommends investment and a strategy in Agrivoltaics to develop renewable electricity production capacity in Central Europe.
New mandate, new opportunity: A competitiveness strategy for European life sciences
We have an important chance to regain Europeโs edge in one of its most important sectors โ and, in turn, help people live longer and feel better.
Southern Europe is sick of tourists
Water scarcity, overcrowded streets and rising housing costs are infuriating locals.
Memes, GIFs and selfies: How social media is influencing political campaigns
How Harris and Trump choose to connect with young voters online could make or break their 2024 presidential campaigns.
EU farm chief drafts secret law on food security in last hurrah
Departing Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski breaks protocol by concocting his own food security law.
Macron rejects leftโs PM candidate, keeping governance talks stalled
The French president reiterated his refusal to appoint a left-wing government following last month’s snap elections.
Ukraine war dominates East German state election campaigns
In todayโs edition of the Capitals, find out more about Scandinavian ministers meeting in Copenhagen to tackle spillover of Swedish gang crime, Italy’s central bank chief calling for “common fiscal capacity”, and so much more.
Portugal boosts capacity to stave off Madeira wildfires
Portugal’s National Emergency and Civil Protection Agency (ANEPC) is to send 60 more people to help fight the forest fire raging in the Autonomous Region of Madeira for a week, the organisation’s official source confirmed on Wednesday.
Italian central bank chief calls for a common EU fiscal capacity
To ensure peace and prosperity, the EU needs a so-called “common fiscal capacity”, Fabio Panetta, the president of the Bank of Italy and a former member of the European Central Bank’s executive board, told Italy’s highest-level annual Catholic summit i…
How to solve Englandโs bulging prisons crisis
UK officials considered Rikers Island prison barge to ease capacity crisis before early release of inmates
Tony Blairโs AI mania sweeps Britainโs new government
The former PM sees artificial intelligence as a silver bullet for ailing public services, government inefficiency and a stagnant economy.ย Is he right?
Ukraine can fire our weapons during attack inside Russia, says Canada
“Ukrainians know best how to defend their homeland,” says Canadian defense department.
Belgian bankruptcy dents Europeโs microchip dreams
Concerns about Chinese ownership impacted government’s thinking to keep microchips factory afloat.
Ukraineโs plan to buy Russian-made nuclear reactors sparks uproar
Lawmakers argue buying aging atomic energy equipment from Bulgaria wonโt help keep the lights on and could fuel corruption.
Russia sends 447 goats to North Korea after Kim Jong Un sucks up to Putin
Moscow and Pyongyang have a wide-ranging deal covering sectors including education, agriculture and tourism.
EU imposes restrictions on former climate official over his new gas role
The European Commission approved Diederik Samsom’s job with a gas network operator, albeit under “clear conditions.”
The sonic boom is back for passenger aviation โฆ maybe
In addition to high costs, Boom Supersonic’s efforts to revive faster-than-sound passenger flights face climate and sustainability worries.
Wary of Trump, Azerbaijan, businesses shun COP climate talks
Companies are anxiously wondering: Can we get hotel rooms? What about the autocratic regime hosting? What if Trump wins?
Teresa Ribera faces nuclear hurdle to running EU green policy
Nuclear-friendly lawmakers and countries like France don’t want the EU’s potential next green chief to thwart an atomic revival.
The night Britain fought back against riots
Far-right demonstrators were told they were not welcome in protests across the U.K.
A global conflict is playing out at the Paris Olympics โ just not in the way we think | Nathalie Tocci
From a row about an allegedly blasphemous biblical scene to a controversial boxing match, the Games have been hijacked by culture wars between Russia and the westWhile sport has long prided itself on its capacity to promote peace and reconciliation, th…
Smart Clinics: Bringing healthcare to where itโs needed most
In rural Colombia, a converted bus and a 30-strong interdisciplinary team are bringing basic healthcare services to pregnant women affected by poverty.
Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont risks arrest with bid to sneak back into Spain
‘Puigdemont can’t just sneak in through a back door or through the kitchen … Maybe he’ll try to get smuggled in like Cleopatra in a carpet.’
In the hydrogen battlefield, Europe tries to stay ahead of China
Terrified Beijing may come to dominate yet another clean tech market, the EU aims to impose regulations โ and is looking to Japan for help.
Keir Starmer walks straight into summer from hell
With Britain’s prisons full and its population angry, the new prime minister hoped things wouldn’t reach boiling point so soon.
No end to UK protests as government expands jail capacity
The British government has increased its prison capacity to help tackle violent, week-long anti-immigrant riots that have prompted a growing number of countries to warn their citizens about the dangers of travelling in Britain. Details by FRANCE 24’s …
UK far-right riots: everything we know
What has happened, who is behind the violence and how the UK government has responded.
City life during Kyivโs power blackouts โ in pictures
Moscowโs renewed assault on power grids and transmission lines in recent months has knocked out about half of Ukraineโs available generation capacity, causing daily blackouts of up to 12 hours in several cities including Kyiv, the capital. Once energy …
French general wants to slash โunbelievableโ red tape to move troops faster across Europe
EU needs to up its game on military mobility, but it’s no easy task, General Bertrand Toujouse tells POLITICO.
After a whirlwind 5 years, Bretonโs back for more
POLITICO looks back on the French commissioner’s first stint at the Berlaymont.
UK food industry says lack of testing capacity forcing imports back to EU for checks
Trade bodies blame lack of lab facilities at Brexit border posts for longer delays and shorter shelf life of foodImported food coming into the UK through Brexit border posts is being sent back to Europe to be tested due to a lack of laboratory capacity…
Priced out of housing, many younger disillusioned voters embrace populism
The scarcity of affordable homes to buy or rent has raised enthusiasm for politicians campaigning against immigration โ though other causes for the crunch abound.
Trump goes low as Harris gains ground
In a succession of crude social media posts, Trump called Harris โlow IQ,โ โdumbโ and lacking โmental capacity.โ
5 signs Paris Olympics are a hit โ even with the French
Fears of chaos have given way to enthusiasm as Parisians embrace the Olympic spirit.
EU Commission must get Solvency 2 implementation right or risks stifling investment, insurers warn
Measures the new EU Commission will set out for insurers in the second half of the year risk thwarting policymakersโ efforts to boost Europeโs competitiveness and private funding capacity if not re-calibrated differently, the sector has warned.
Small isnโt beautiful when youโre paying EU carbon tariffs
Countries like Trinidad and Tobago lack capacity and finance to cope with Brusselsโ border measure
Fincantieri CEO on Trump, defense spending and consolidation
SNEAK PEEK โ Fincantieri boss Pierroberto Folgiero is looking to the Middle East and Southeast Asia for growth, he told Jacopo. โ The U.K.โs new government is under pressure to halt arms sales to Israel. โ F-35s, Eurofighters and GCAP: Morning Defense brings you the latest news on fighter jets. Good morning, and welcome to [โฆ]
Trumpโs courting of the crypto industry could spell trouble for Europe
Trumpโs about-turn on crypto-assets โ and his pick of crypto-evangelist running mate JD Vance โ resurfaces a nightmare scenario for EU policymakers.
Boosting EU power integration can help Ukraine survive next winters
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, over two-thirds of Ukraine’s conventional power plant capacity has been occupied, destroyed, or attacked. This translates into a significant supply-demand mismatch that requires daily power cuts for the war-t…
Lockheed Martin gears up for laser wars
SNEAK PEEK โ Lockheed Martin is working on laser technology, a top executive told Josh. โ Dassault Aviation CEO รric Trappier is troubled by the uncertainty of Franceโs political situation. โ European Parliament: Renew Europeโs Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann will lead the SEDE subcommittee and the EPPโsย Borys Budka will head ITRE. Good morning, and welcome to Morning [โฆ]
Top UK official Simon Case to step down on health grounds
The Cabinet secretary is receiving treatment for a neurological condition that affects his mobility.
Klaus Welle talks defense commissioner, EU budget
SNEAK PEEK โ The European Parliamentโs former secretary general, Klaus Welle, talks to Jacopo about the defense commissioner role, the EU budget, and why itโs time for a full defense committee. โ U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey meets with counterparts from Japan and Italy today to discuss GCAP. โ European Parliament committees vote on their [โฆ]
We volunteered at a Gaza hospital. What we saw was unspeakable.
American surgeons who witnessed the civilian carnage of the Israel-Hamas war.
Fossil fuel extraction compatible with climate action, says COP29 host Azerbaijan
The Azerbaijani presidency made that claim while presenting a flurry of initiatives for the Baku summit.
Macronโs shock win doesnโt mean heโll soon form a government
A deal between the French president’s party and the center-right is under pressure as talks continue.
โDrill, baby, drillโ: Americaโs fossil fuel boom risks bust in Europe
Both Trump and Biden are pushing lucrative U.S. fossil fuel deals โย a risky bet given the EU’s plans to wean itself off the energy source.
Ukraine war briefing: Attack on Russian bases in Crimea
Command centre and ammunition depot hit, says Ukrainian defence source; Ukraineโs army confirms pullout from Urozhaine. What we know on day 877Ukrainian aerial and maritime drones struck Russian military targets on the illegally occupied Crimean penins…
In conversation: Broadcom and Telia on sovereign cloud
Demand for sovereign cloud is soaring โ it is a necessary shift, but there are various obstacles we need to overcome first.
Franceโs fractured legislature faces first big hurdle
The leftist New Popular Front agreed to put forward communist lawmaker Andrรฉ Chassaigne as a candidate for the lower house of parliament. Can Macron and the right unite to beat him?
How the 2024 Olympics changed Paris
We hand out gold medals and wooden spoons to the French capital.
Putin fears crypto mining could cause energy shortages in Russia
Russia has the world’s third-largest crypto mining capability. Cryptocurrencies are used to finance the war effort.
โPoor son of a bitchโ: Biden once pitied an older politician reluctant to leave the stage
As a senator, Biden could see when it was time for an elder to pass the torch.
Ukraine war briefing: Villages locked down in Putinโs Belgorod โsanitary zoneโ
Czech ammunition factory for Ukraine; Baltic states to cut electrical grid ties with Russia and Belarus. What we know on day 875Russia has been forced to lock down 14 border villages in its Belgorod region due to the Ukrainian fightback against Russian…
The French left never had a plan for winning, and it could cost them their victory
If the New Popular Front can’t agree on a prime minister soon, the alliance could fall apart
New blow for Brussels as Trump picks isolationist Vance for VP
Ohio senator champions U.S. isolationalism and opposes aid for Ukraine.
The never-ending job of depriving Putin of the means to kill Ukrainians
Vietnam and Malaysia are the next destinations on EU envoy David OโSullivanโs mission to stop Russia from beating EU sanctions.
Biden at his press conference: See, Iโm up to the job
The president tried to calm his party as calls to step aside intensified.
Scholz joins shaky chorus of world leaders sticking with Biden
Heads of state have been peppered with questions at this weekโs NATO summit in Washington about Bidenโs age and mental acuity.
Ukraine wins big, NATO wins smaller โ and everyone was sweaty
Over the course of three days, the 32-member military alliance rallied around Ukraineโs war efforts to combat the Russian invasion.
China accelerates green steel shift as EU levies loom, researchers say
SINGAPORE, July 11 (Reuters) – China approved no new coal-based steel projects in the first half of 2024, researchers said on Thursday, accelerating its shift towards green production as it prepares for the impact of a new carbon levy on exports to Eur…
Biden or Trump? To the Polish president, it doesnโt matter
โWe have to be honest and tell ourselves that the Cold War situation is back and itโs not due to the actions of the United States,โ Andrzej Duda said.
Open Access: A Moral Imperative for Progress
There is a moral imperative to make scientific research freely available. Publicly funded research should be publicly accessible. Accelerating research availability can save lives, support researchersโ careers, and create a brighter future.
The worldโs most successful military alliance. If you can keep it.
Trump or not in the White House, NATO has to embrace some hard realities to survive another five โ much less 75 โ years.
Poll finds Biden damaged by debate; with Harris and Clinton best positioned to win
Vice President Kamala Harris is now running ahead of Trump, 42 percent to 41 percent, the survey found.
China EV maker BYD to build $1-bln plant in Turkey
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD Co Ltd agreed with the Turkish government to build a $1 billion production plant in Turkey with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles, Turkey’s industry and technology minister said on Monday (8 July).
Chinese electric car maker agrees Turkish factory deal
The electric vehicle giant has been rapidly expanding manufacturing capacity outside its home country.
Chinese electric car maker agrees Turkish factory deal
BYD has been rapidly expanding manufacturing capacity outside its home country.
The future of packaging in Europe
We need to change how the EU packages food and beverages to transition to a low-carbon circular economy.
Who could be the next French PM?
The winning left-wing alliance has many options for Prime Minister. None of them will make everyone happy.
NATOโs in denial about deterrence by denial
Taking the necessary steps to fully operationalize deterrence by denial is critical โ especially before a possible change in Americaโs relationship with NATO.
Secret meetings, private threats and a massive arms race: How the world is preparing for Trump
In 2016, no one in the world was ready for President Trump. Americaโs NATO allies arenโt making the same mistake this time.
The Strange Future After a Second Trump Term
The dollar will decline, Europe will rise, and Asia will nuclearize.
Labourโs top policy priorities
A deep dive into what Keir Starmer’s government will tackle in their first 100 days and then in their first year.
โIn denialโ: Democrats livid that Biden is digging in
One Democrat put it simply: โLet someone else do this.โ
The French republic is under threat. We are 1,000 historians and we cannot remain silent | Patrick Boucheron, Antoine Lilti and others
We implore voters not to turn their backs on our nationโs history. Go out and defeat the far right in Sundayโs voteFor the first time since the second world war, the far right is at the gates of power in France. As historians from differing political b…