From the capitals
US, Russian military chiefs meet in Helsinki for six hours
The top US military officers from United States and Russia held six hours of talks in Helsinki, in the first face-to-face meeting between them since 2019 as both nations adjust to the US pullout and Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.
European business group calls for China to end self-reliance strategy
China should abandon a top-level strategy promoted by President Xi Jinping to increase self-reliance, or risk harming innovation and growth prospects, said a European business group on Thursday (23 September).
US lures Eastern Europe with nuclear power, $23tln clean energy market
The climate crisis presents “a market opportunity for carbon-reducing technologies” such as nuclear power, said US energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, teasing a $23 trillion market by the end of the decade to countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
US urges Ireland to take global tax deal
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged Paschal Donohoe, the finance minister of Ireland, to take a "once in a generation opportunity" for a global deal that would stop a race to the bottom on corporate tax rates, the Treasury said.
Xiaomi says its smartphones do not censor users following Lithuania report
China's Xiaomi Corp said on Wednesday (22 September) that its devices do not censor users' communications, a day after Lithuania's Defence Ministry recommended that consumers avoid Chinese phones due to a censoring feature in the smartphone giant's flagship phone.
Biden says US donating ‘historic’ extra 500 million Covid vaccines
US President Joe Biden addressed a Covid-19 summit of world leaders Wednesday (22 September) with a promise to donate a "historic" extra 500 million vaccines to countries struggling to overcome the pandemic.
‘Mix and match’ approach to COVID-19 vaccines could help boost effectiveness
‘Mix and match’ or heterologous vaccination strategy split the scientists over the usage of different vaccines against covid. While some argue that this would boost the protection others say that more evidence is needed.
Czech far right sets ‘Czexit’ referendum law as price for post-vote talks
The far-right SPD party, which may play a role in forming a new Czech government next month, would demand the cabinet propose legislation that could lead to a referendum on leaving the European Union, party chief Tomio Okamura said.
Australia submarines: How the ‘contract of the century’ fell apart
Australia's scrapping of a massive multi-billion-euro contract for the purchase of French submarines has led to a diplomatic crisis between France and its erstwhile allies in Canberra and Washington. Here is a timeline of the spat:
Finnish MEP: ‘I’m against the power creep in the EU’s forest strategy’
There is no such thing as a European forest, and those trying to introduce an EU-wide forest strategy that does not take account of regional differences “live in Fantasyland,” Finnish lawmaker Nils Torvalds told EURACTIV.
EU countries buy more time to scrutinise green investment rules
European Union countries on Wednesday (22 September) pushed back their deadline to object to the EU's proposed rule book for green investments, giving themselves another two months to scrutinise the politically sensitive policy.
Why Europe is facing an energy price surge
Prices for gas and electricity are soaring in Europe as winter approaches, forcing governments to react. Here is what's behind the winter increase:
German Chancellor Merkel to stick around for a while after polls
As Angela Merkel said goodbye to her Stralsund constituency of 30 years on 21 September and visited Paris one last time as chancellor on 16 September, one might get the wrong impression that she is not long for the international stage.
Campaigners worry at delays in EU sustainable product policy
Ecodesign and energy labelling rules on everyday products could save consumers billions and help the EU meet its climate targets, but a lack of staff and resources means the European Commission is slow to put them forward, according to a report by environmental organisations.
The EU’s quest for strategic autonomy in the Western Balkans: Why it flopped
One could cut a long story short and simply note that the EU failed in its dealings with the Western Balkans because it did not put its money where its mouth is. However, this assertion contradicts the accepted narrative in Brussels and most EU capitals, and requires proof, writes Dušan Reljić.OpinionPromoted content
BeXt awards recognise sustainability alongside price and quality in consumer products
Recognising the contribution that responsible market players can make to sustainable consumption is an important role for consumer organisations. This month, Euroconsumers will celebrate the consumer brands leading the way on sustainability, price and quality at the third annual BeXt awards.
Digital connectivity can fix the EU’s faltering Eastern Partnership
Relations between the EU and its eastern neighbours a going backwards. But a combination of renegotiated trade agreements and digital connectivity could reverse the tide, writes Dan Dalton.
Early detection of Alzheimer’s a wish, not yet a reality in Slovenia
Early detection of Alzheimer's disease is a stated objective of health policy in Slovenia, but it remains largely unattained.
La Palma volcano eruption could last up to November, experts warn
The area affected by the lava flow on the Spanish island of La Palma has increased by 50% since the eruption of the volcano three days ago and experts predict it will continue for an average of 55 more days but could last up to 84, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
Ball now in court of German states to protect species in agriculture
Aus Sicht der EU-Kommission soll Deutschland bei der Umsetzung der EU-Agrarreform stärker den Schutz der Biodiversität fördern. Mit welchen Maßnahmen dies geschieht, kommt noch auf die Pläne der Bundesländer an.
UN experts decry own food summit as putting profit before people
A group of UN human rights experts have joined in the criticism of this week’s UN Food Systems Summit, warning in a statement that instead of having the promised “people’s summit”, the most marginalised and vulnerable risk being left behind.
The Brief, powered by EHFG — The rise of the kingmakers
With the new German parliament likely to be more fragmented after the federal election on Sunday (September 26), several small parties are preparing themselves to play a kingmaker role in the subsequent coalition-building talks.
EU Commission to buy up to 220,000 COVID anti-body treatments
The European Commission has signed a joint procurement framework contract with the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly for the supply of monoclonal antibody treatment for coronavirus patients.