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From: EurActiv Newsletter: Weekly Update [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of EurActiv Newsletter: Weekly Update
Sent: 25 July 2014 15:07
To: Phil Harris
Subject: {Disarmed} German politicians mull moving 2018 World Cup from Russia; NATO to expand Polish base in response to Russian threat; Over half...

German politicians mull moving 2018 World Cup from Russia; NATO to expand Polish base in response to Russian threat; Over half...

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	25-Jul-2014

Weekly Update

Recent News

German politicians mull moving 2018 World Cup from Russia

Several senior German lawmakers have raised the possibility of stripping Russia of its right to host the 2018 World Cup. Germany's football association said it was very worried about events following the downing of a passenger plane over Ukraine.

NATO to expand Polish base in response to Russian threat

General Philip Breedlove, NATO's top commander in Europe, has proposed that the Polish city of Szczecin expand its existing base to help the military alliance respond faster to any threat posed by Russia.

Over half of Yemenis may need humanitarian aid, UN says

About 14.7 million people in Yemen may be in need of some form of humanitarian assistance, as outbreaks of violence continue, according to the United Nations.

EU sanctions to exclude Russia from capital markets

The European Union would target state-owned Russian banks vital to financing Moscow's faltering economy, in the most serious sanctions so far over the Ukraine crisis, under proposals considered by EU governments yesterday (24 July).

German NGO says TTIP will undermine global food security

The German aid organisation Brot für die Welt warns that a planned EU-US free trade agreement known as TTIP will undermine local support for smallholders in developing countries and exacerbate the global food crisis. EurActiv Germany reports.

EU gives out €7.75 million for SME innovation studies

EU funding worth €7.75 million will be given to 155 small and medium-sized enterprises from 21 countries, including Israel and Turkey, for innovation studies, it was announced yesterday (24 July).

Scientists find beef production harmful to the environment

Production of beef is nearly ten times more damaging to the environment than any other form of meat production, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Bundesbank boss urges Britain to stay in EU

The head of the Bundesbank appealed to Britain on Wednesday (23 July) to stay in the European Union, saying membership of the bloc had given the country an economic lift and posed little threat to London.

ECB website hacked, data stolen

Ryanair ordered to repay €10m in French state aid

Two low-cost airlines must repay almost €10 million of French state aid, after the EU Commission decided that it gave them an unfair competitive advantage. EurActiv France reports.

CIA ran secret torture jail in Poland, rules European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday (24 July) that the CIA ran a secret jail on Polish soil, a judgment that adds to pressure on the United States and its allies to reveal the truth about the global programme for detaining al Qaeda suspects.

Report: Italy 'overzealous' in reporting EU farm fraud cases

Member states show a mixed record when it comes to reporting irregularities in how EU funds for agriculture and regional policy are being spent. While Italy has been "overzealous" in its reporting, others hardly report any fraud at all, according to a new EU report. EurActiv France reports.

EU seeks to ‘balance the pain’ from Russia sanctions

European Union ambassadors will debate proposals today (24 July) on restricting Russian access to Europe's capital markets and defence and energy technology, but are not expected to make a quick decision. A package of measures is designed to ‘balance the pain’ from the effect of sanctions to the individual EU countries.

Brussels puts 30% energy savings target on the table for 2030

The European Commission on Wednesday (23 July) proposed reducing the bloc's energy use by 30% by 2030, leaving it up to EU heads of states to decide whether or not to endorse the target at a forthcoming summit in October.

Ukraine complains about reduced reverse flows from EU

Ukraine said yesterday (23 July) it was receiving less gas via reverse flows from the European Union, which Energy Minister Yuri Prodan blamed on reluctance by firms within the EU to antagonise Russian gas producer Gazprom, a heavy critic of the flows.

Commission swamped by 150,000 replies to TTIP consultation

France struggles to present EU Commission candidate

The French government still has not chosen its official candidate to become Commissioner. The UMP is questioning Pierre Moscovici’s credibility in the eyes of the European Parliament, while the left wants a female commissioner for political parity. EurActiv France reports.

Europe's wind capacity to grow more slowly than expected to 2020

Europe's installed wind capacity will increase at a slower rate to the end of the decade than previously estimated, due to regulatory uncertainty and weak economic growth, an industry association said on Wednesday (23 July).

Controversial monument divides Hungarians, angers Jewish community

Protests in central Budapest remain ongoing since Sunday (20 July), after a controversial monument dedicated to “all the victims” of Hungary’s German occupation was erected during the night of 20 to 21 July, the Hungarian press reports.

France throws weight behind 30% energy savings goal

EU ministers threaten Russia with harsher sanctions

EU foreign ministers threatened Russia yesterday (22 July) with harsher sanctions over Ukraine that could inflict wider damage on its economy following the downing of a Malaysian airliner, but delayed action for a few days.

Eurodrones: too politically loaded a venture for Europe?

The downing of the Malaysian Airlines flight in eastern Ukraine has highlighted how unmanned aircraft could help Europe when it comes to surveillance operations in warzones.

Germany, UK have most polluting coal plants

Germany and the United Kingdom have 18 of the 30 most polluting energy plants in the European Union, according to a study by green NGOs, funded by the European Union.

€21 billion of EU loan guarantees for banks to boost SME lending

EU member states not reaching 2020 energy efficiency goals, Commission says

EXCLUSIVE / Further efforts are needed by member states to reach the EU's energy saving target of 20% by 2020, the European Commission said in a leaked draft communication obtained by EurActiv. The Commission also watered down the target for 2030 considerably in the latest draft.

European healthcare first victim of social spending cuts

Social spending is decreasing across Europe, even though it could curb the negative impacts of the economic crisis, EurActiv France reports.

Italy gives Google 18 months to change data use practices

Low Irish taxes boost Airbnb profits

The peer-to-peer property renting website, artAirbnb, makes it possible for people in crisis-stricken states to earn extra money, but the company itself has placed its headquarters in places like Ireland, Jersey and Delaware to avoid paying tax. EurActiv France reports.

Dozens in Turkey detained over alleged wiretapping

Dozens of high-ranking police officers were detained in Turkey today (22 July) accused of involvement in spying and illegal wire-tapping during an investigation into corruption in Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's inner circle, CNN Turk said.

Russia imposes ‘temporary ban’ on Moldovan fruits

Russia imposed a temporary ban on Moldovan fruit imports on Friday (18 July), adding to an already existing ban on wine imports, the measures being seen as a punishment for Moldova’s signature and ratification of an Association Agreement with the EU.

Italy rescues 1,800 migrants over the weekend

Italy's navy said it rescued nearly 1,800 migrants in overcrowded boats in the Mediterranean over the weekend, and a merchant ship recovered five bodies from a sinking rubber raft off the coast of Libya.

Schäuble: Central banks should help prevent asset bubbles

EU ministers speed up Russia sanctions

EU foreign affairs ministers meet today (22 July) to speed up the implementation of sanctions against Russia decided by EU leaders on 16 July, one day before the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was brought down. No further sanctions are expected at this stage, diplomats said.

UK's new foreign secretary reiterates EU exit threat

Merkel eyes trade portfolio for Oettinger

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pushing for Günther Oettinger to be assigned the trade portfolio in the new European Commission, fuelling optimism in Germany’s economic sector. EurActiv Germany reports.

Britain, France, Germany eye fresh Russia sanctions after plane disaster

Britain, Germany and France agreed on Sunday they should be ready to ratchet up sanctions on Russia over the downing of a Malaysian jet carrying 298 passengers when European foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Tuesday (22 July).

Germany's deportees cannot be held in prisons, ECJ rules

Third country citizens awaiting deportation must be detained separately from regular prisoners, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday (17 July), rejecting detention practices in several of Germany's Länder. EurActiv Germany reports.

EUFORES 14th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, Parliament of Portugal, Lisbon

On 10-11 October 2014, EUFORES organizes its 14th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on Renewables and Energy Efficiency in the Parliament of Portugal.
This gathering of the 100 most active parliamentarians in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency will especially focus on interconnections in the EU.

Continue reading >>

Interviews

UN official: Yemen could be 'first country to run out of water'

Since the political crisis erupted in Yemen in 2011, the country has begun to move towards democracy. Many challenges remain in the country, wracked by civil unrest and widespread water and food insecurity, says Bishow Parajuli, the UN World Food Programme's representative in Yemen.

Analyst: Agriculture remains an obstacle to EU-Mercosur pact

A Free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur, the South American regional organisation is under preparation, but agricultural issues still remain as one of the major obstacles, Kinga Brudzińska told EurActiv Poland in an exclusive interview.

Broadcaster: Spectrum debate threatens World Cup and Eurovision Song Contest

Mobile phone operators don’t use the spectrum they already have and forcing broadcasters to change the radio frequencies they currently use could hit major spectacles such as the World Cup and Eurovision Song Contest, said Simon Fell of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in an exclusive interview with EurActiv.

Green MEP: 'Juncker could be the most successful Commission president since Jacques Delors'

The majority won by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in the European Parliament was not an attempt to save face, says Green MEP Reinhard Bütikofer. The legislator voted for Juncker because the centre-right politician shares many positions of the European Greens, and could set a new EU course on issues like immigration policy, TTIP and socio-economic policy.

StandarDays 23 & 24 September

Open info days about European Standardization

Register now >>

LinksDossiers

Fighting youth unemployment: an EU priority

Between 2007 and 2013, youth unemployment reached record highs across Europe, dramatically increasing from 15.7% to 23.4%, according to Eurostat. EU heads of state and government agreed in February 2013 to launch a €6 billion Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) to get more young people into work.

Joint EBF-FBF Conference

The Role of Banks as Tax Intermediaries, Reporting Financial Institutions and Tax Collectors Paris, 22 September 2014 from 10.00 to 17.00 Learn more >>

Opinion / Analysis

Estonia, Baltic states stand to suffer most from Russia sanctions

In contrast to neighbouring Ukraine, strong governance makes Estonia less vulnerable to internal challenges to stability. Yet, potential economic sanctions on Russia could have a profound impact on the Baltic state too, writes Jan Hofmeyr.

...

MEPs, make Juncker keep his promises

Jean-Claude Juncker was elected European Commission president on the basis of a social, even hopeful ten-point plan for Europe. Now, MEPs bear the responsibility to hold him into account on these promises, writes Bernadette Ségol.

Scotland’s future as a strong and vibrant EU member state

Scottish citizens head to the polls on 18 September to vote on independence in a referendum. An independent Scotland will play a constructive role in addressing some of the central challenges facing the EU, writes Fiona Hyslop.

True 'growth' for Europe’s nature and people

The Italian presidency puts forward smart, sustainable and inclusive growth as one of its priorities, leading the EU in the coming months. But what does this mean, exactly, for the European citizen, Luigi Epomiceno wonders.

Should the 'right to be forgotten' be reviewed by an international court?

The questions surrounding the investor-state dispute settlement are not about "corporate profits" or "promoting foreign investment", but about the role of international courts in global governance, writes Simon Lester.

Can Europe 'copy paste' an energy union?

A European energy union is increasingly on the agenda, as tensions with Russia rise and the EU is confronted with its energy dependence on Russian gas. But replicating the model of the banking union is a naive approach, Ivana Jemelkova and Hans Hack write.