From the capitals
How to better deliver carbon reductions in EU’s maritime sector
The extension of the EU's carbon market to the maritime sector sends a strong regulatory signal in favour of decarbonisation. But unless a life cycle approach is taken, the Emissions Trading System (ETS) could unwittingly favour fuels from non-renewable sources, writes Jim Corbett.
The last Russian mobilisation
Russia does not have the ability to properly assess the course and outcomes of major historical events, even those it initiated itself, writes Orhan Dragas.
Half of Czechs fear EU Green Deal will harm economy
Czechs want to protect the climate but are worried about the economy as slightly more than half of them (52%) believe the EU Green Deal will harm it, according to a survey presented by the STEM agency on Tuesday (20 September).OpinionPromoted content
PRIO’s advanced biofuels route – supporting the energy transition and shipping decarbonisation
Maritime transport emits around 940 million tons of CO2 annually and is responsible for about 2,5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. More than 80% of all goods are transported via international shipping lanes and it is expected that the shipping industry will keep growing for decades to come.
Spanish government approves significant VAT drop for natural gas
To help families most severely hit by inflation, the government approved a significant VAT drop for domestic natural gas from 21% to 5%, saving almost €210 million for Spanish consumers. The proposal, initially put forward by the centre-right Partido Popular...
Istanbul mayor who upstaged Erdogan faces political ban
Istanbul's popular mayor faces the threat of being banned from politics on Wednesday (21 September) in a trial stemming from his surprise election victory over an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2019.
Irish regulator pledges to not disconnect households’ energy supplies this winter
Families that cannot pay their bills will not be disconnected from energy supplies this winter, the Irish utility regulator has promised. In the face of mounting concern over how all, but particularly the most vulnerable, households will fare in the...
NATO ready to react to tensions in Kosovo as licence plate deadline looms
NATO is ready to up its presence in Kosovo and can put an end to any kind of tension, Deputy Commander of the NATO mission in Kosovo (KFOR) said on Tuesday, as the deadline for all citizens to register their...
Commission: Prioritising agri-food sector in gas crisis is up to EU countries
Member state and industry representatives want better protection for the EU food and agriculture sector against potential gas shortages this winter, while the European Commission has pointed back to member states’ responsibility on the matter.
Russia triggers plan to formally annex occupied Ukrainian regions
Two Russian-controlled regions in eastern Ukraine announced plans to hold referendums on joining Russia later this week and an ally of President Vladimir Putin said the votes would alter the geopolitical landscape in Moscow's favour forever.
UN chief warns of ‘winter of discontent’ as world’s multiple crises could worsen
UN Secretary-General António Guterres gave a grim assessment of global developments on Tuesday (20 September), painting a gloomy picture of an upcoming “winter of global discontent” from rising prices, a warming planet, and deadly conflicts.
Bulgaria tenders for LNG supplies to ride out energy crisis
Bulgaria's state gas company, Bulgargaz, is launching three tenders for liquefied natural gas (LNG) on Tuesday (20 September) to avoid winter shortages and ensure long-term energy security, said Chief Executive Denitsa Zlateva.
The Brief — The threat of the far right no longer works
While the far right is on the rise in (almost) all European countries, it is clear that the threat of the return - or the arrival - of a far-right regime with authoritarian aspirations no longer works with the electorate.
Commission proposes updated cancer screening recommendations
Health commissioner Stella Kyriakides presented a proposal for an update to the two-decade-old EU Council recommendation on cancer screening on Tuesday (20 September), with the aim of including more cancer types in national screening programmes.
The limits of ambition
If higher renewables targets are good for energy independence and good for the environment, surely it’s a win - win situation that no one could object to? Not quite. Some green activists see the increased targets as a mistake.
Ukrainian seaport remains key route for grain exports, amid Putin’s threats
Despite security being a key issue and threats coming from Russia, due to seaports working, Ukrainian grain exports are expected to reach the pre-war export level over the next months – strategically remaining the most important route for exports.
EU’s draft green jet fuel law risks worsening emissions: study
Attempts by EU legislators to qualify a wider array of biofuel feedstocks for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will push up emissions compared to the European Commission’s original proposal, a new study has found.
France opens probe into ‘threats’ against Russian dissident
French authorities are investigating threats against an exiled Russian dissident after he reported seeing a laser sight light in a possible assassination bid, a source close to the probe said on Tuesday (20 September).
Risk of winter blackouts ‘unlikely’, say French energy grid operators
The risk of energy cuts are "improbable" in the colder months, according to French electricity and gas grid operators who nevertheless urge extra efforts on demand reduction to avoid the risk of blackouts in extreme scenarios.
Kazakhstan cracks down on sanctions-hit Russian truckers
Kazakhstan has closed a loophole used by Russian and Belarusian freight shippers whose trucks have been barred from entering the European Union, the Central Asian nation's Industry and Infrastructure Development Ministry said on Tuesday (20 September).
EU court adviser: Competition bodies may consider data protection breaches in their probes
A non-binding opinion by the advocate general, an influential adviser to the EU’s top court, might open the door for antitrust watchdogs to assess compliance with data protection rules in future investigations.
‘Battle of narratives’ imminent at UN summit overshadowed by Ukraine war
For Western and European officials, the challenge this week at the UN General Assembly will be to address Ukraine and their countries' problems, while trying to counter the Russian narrative which has found fertile ground in some developing countries.
Medvedev says he favours incorporating Donbas into Russia
One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's top allies said on 20 September he favoured holding referendums in two eastern Ukrainian regions to formally make them part of Russia, a move that would seriously escalate Moscow's confrontation with the West.