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EDPS on AI Convention: stronger protection of fundamental rights is necessary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

In its Opinion published on 13 October 2022, the EDPS welcomes the opening of negotiations for a Council of Europe convention on artificial intelligence, human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Convention). The EDPS considers the Convention as an important opportunity to complement the European Commission’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Act by strengthening the protection of individuals’ fundamental rights, such as the rights to privacy and to the protection of personal data.Wojciech W... This story is part of New Europe's Premium content.To Read the Full Story, Subscribe or Sign In from the ↑ Top of the Page ↑ 

European Parliament takes formal step towards showing solidarity with Iranian protesters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

Following an invitation from the Friends of Free Iran intergroup of the European Parliament, the Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi met several prominent EU Parliamentarians to discuss the recent uprisings in Iran, described by many observers as a new revolution. The meeting anticipated the following day’s resolution outlining a prospective international response to the current uprising and associated crackdowns in Iran. Rajavi has been designated by the National Council of Resistance o... This story is part of New Europe's Premium content.To Read the Full Story, Subscribe or Sign In from the ↑ Top of the Page ↑ 

Europe’s fertilizer supplies to the Third World remains frozen as private Russian companies step in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

Amidst growing evidence that the “grain deal” that was signed in July by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations to create procedures for the safe export of grain from certain ports to attempt to address a potential catastrophic food crisis has been a complete failure.Grain and fertilizers produced in Russia still have not reached dozens of countries that need them most despite assurances from the world’s leading international authorities that vital supplies would be delivered to Thir... This story is part of New Europe's Premium content.To Read the Full Story, Subscribe or Sign In from the ↑ Top of the Page ↑ 

Legal battle between David and Goliath energy firms heats up

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

TotalEnergies could be dragged to arbitration by the relative energy minnow, Trina Solar Ltd, in an ongoing row about a breach of contract.The French oil giant instigated legal action against Trina earlier this summer, claiming Trina US had conspired to inflate the agreed price of its solar modules, costing the company more than $100 million in losses.However, Trina has now hit back, insisting the matter belongs in arbitration while dismissing the oil giant’s claims as “fatally deficient... This story is part of New Europe's Premium content.To Read the Full Story, Subscribe or Sign In from the ↑ Top of the Page ↑ 

Europe’s agricultural sector is crying out for support amid energy and food crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

Europe’s energy crisis – which has been sparked mainly by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and President Putin’s subsequent curtailing of natural gas flows to the EU – is swiftly turning into a food crisis. With the costs of maintaining their operations spiralling out of control, many farmers are being forced to curb production. The situation is particularly serious coming against a backdrop of global food shortages and after a summer of devastating droughts which had already brought the agricultura... This story is part of New Europe's Premium content.To Read the Full Story, Subscribe or Sign In from the ↑ Top of the Page ↑ 

Healing Ukraine’s war wounds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

As the 200th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine passes, the immense human cost of this conflict has never been clearer. Millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes and thousands of civilians are believed to have been killed as fighting engulfs densely populated urban areas.The Western economic front, including both sanctions and large military and economic aid packages led by the United States and the United Kingdom, has sought – along with the voluntary sector – to remedy some of the most acute needs of Ukraine and its people. But one area, in particular, remains neglected – the mental health of both children and adults as a result of this war.Research by World Vision International highlights that the constant fear, hopelessness and loneliness, inherent in the most violent wars such as those in Syria, South Sudan, and now Ukraine, can lead to PTSD, depression, and anxiety in as many as one-fifth of the population. Children are naturally resilient, and with the right support...

European Commission calls on member states to modernise minimum income schemes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

The European Commission has called upon EU Member States to modernise their minimum income schemes as part of the ongoing pledge to reduce poverty and social exclusion in Europe. Minimum income is cash payments that help households who need it to bridge the gap to a certain income level to pay the bills and live a life in dignity. They are particularly important in times of economic downturns, helping to cushion drops in household income for people most in need, thereby contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth. They are generally complemented with in-kind benefits giving access to services and targeted incentives to access the labour market.The proposed Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion sets out how Member States can modernise their minimum income schemes to make them more effective, lifting people out of poverty, while promoting the labour market integration of those who can work. The social and economic advantages of adequate and t...

The EU’s revised sanctions policy hinders vital supplies of Russian fertilizers to the Third World

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

The European Commission on August 29 published an updated text of clarifications on the application of sanctions for fertilizers produced or exported from Russia, including potassium chloride, as well as complex fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.  Brussels' new position now makes it impossible to supply Russian fertilizers to third countries, including Africa, that use European operators and infrastructure, along with the EU's territory. This dec... This story is part of New Europe's Premium content.To Read the Full Story, Subscribe or Sign In from the ↑ Top of the Page ↑ 

Ex-Magna CEO could take control of Volkswagen’s assets in Russia 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

The Russian media reported that Volkswagen AG could sell its Russian business – including an assembly plant and an internal combustion engine producer – to Austrian business conglomerate Steyr Automotive owned by ex-Magna CEO Siegfried Wolf.According to people familiar with the matter the company aims to resume the production of VW cars in Russia, suspended in March in a response to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, under a different brand. VW will continue to supply components and sp... This story is part of New Europe's Premium content.To Read the Full Story, Subscribe or Sign In from the ↑ Top of the Page ↑ 

Why the upcoming Samarkand SCO summit is important and what to expect from the outcome

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:29 GMT

On September 15-16, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) summit will be held in the historic Uzbek city of Samarkand. At the upcoming event, the leaders of the SCO countries will come together for the first time in three years in a face-to-face format, one that will be a unique and effective opportunity to discuss the bilateral, regional and global issues that have accumulated since the start of the COVID pandemic.In the context of serious shifts both in international politics and e... This story is part of New Europe's Premium content.To Read the Full Story, Subscribe or Sign In from the ↑ Top of the Page ↑