Promises ahead of global climate summit ‘simply not good enough,’ says Patricia Espinosa.A recent dump of new national climate plans will do almost nothing to cut emissions this decade, a report from the U.N. said Friday.Just 75 governments out of the 191 that signed the Paris Agreement met a U.N. deadline to submit their climate plans by the end of last year. The U.N. climate body has totted up the cumulative effect of those new pledges — which cover around a third of global emissions — and found those countries would emit 2.8 percent less in 2030 than under the old plans.U.N. climate...…Promises ahead of global climate summit ‘simply not good enough,’ says Patricia Espinosa.A recent dump of new national climate plans will do almost nothing to cut emissions this decade, a report from the U.N. said Friday.Just 75 governments out of the 191 that signed the Paris Agreement met a U.N. deadline to submit their climate plans by the end of last year. The U.N. climate body has totted up the cumulative effect of those new pledges — which cover around a third of global emissions — and found those countries would emit 2.8 percent less in 2030 than under the old plans.U.N. climate...WW…

When you count services, not just goods, trade flows with the US are far larger.Daniel S. Hamilton directs the Global Europe Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. He is the author, together with Joseph P. Quinlan, of “The Transatlantic Economy 2021”.This week the media seized on a report by Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical agency, to declare that in 2020 to become the EU’s main trade partner. This is simply not true.    Eurostat’s  only addressed trade in goods. It shows that EU27 goods trade with China in 2020 totaled €586 billion, compared to €555 billion in...…When you count services, not just goods, trade flows with the US are far larger.Daniel S. Hamilton directs the Global Europe Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. He is the author, together with Joseph P. Quinlan, of “The Transatlantic Economy 2021”.This week the media seized on a report by Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical agency, to declare that in 2020 to become the EU’s main trade partner. This is simply not true.    Eurostat’s  only addressed trade in goods. It shows that EU27 goods trade with China in 2020 totaled €586 billion, compared to €555 billion in...WW…

Whistleblowers say they were forced out after flagging problems with e-commerce giant’s data security and compliance.YOUR ORDER HISTORY. Your credit card information. Even your intimate health data.Amazon is amassing an empire of data as the online retailer ventures into ever more areas of our lives. But the company's efforts to protect the information it collects are inadequate, according to insiders who warn the company's security shortfalls expose users' information to potential breaches, theft and exploitation.The warnings about privacy and compliance failures at Amazon come from three...…Whistleblowers say they were forced out after flagging problems with e-commerce giant’s data security and compliance.YOUR ORDER HISTORY. Your credit card information. Even your intimate health data.Amazon is amassing an empire of data as the online retailer ventures into ever more areas of our lives. But the company's efforts to protect the information it collects are inadequate, according to insiders who warn the company's security shortfalls expose users' information to potential breaches, theft and exploitation.The warnings about privacy and compliance failures at Amazon come from three...WW…

AstraZeneca insisted late Tuesday night that it should be able to supply 180 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine to the EU in the second quarter of the year, after a media report to the contrary.The comment from the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker followed earlier in the day that said the company would supply less than half — or less than 90 million — of expected doses to the bloc in the second quarter.AstraZeneca's deal with the EU has been the source of intense scrutiny and anger after the drugmaker announced in January that its deliveries to the bloc would be at least 75 million doses...…AstraZeneca insisted late Tuesday night that it should be able to supply 180 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine to the EU in the second quarter of the year, after a media report to the contrary.The comment from the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker followed earlier in the day that said the company would supply less than half — or less than 90 million — of expected doses to the bloc in the second quarter.AstraZeneca's deal with the EU has been the source of intense scrutiny and anger after the drugmaker announced in January that its deliveries to the bloc would be at least 75 million doses...WW…

Russia warns against any move to recognize warming as a threat to global security.When it comes to climate change, bombs don’t work, so the United Nations Security Council prefers words to action.Tuesday saw the highest profile discussion of climate change in the U.N.’s central body for promoting global peace. But Russia, which holds a veto as a permanent member of the Council, warned against any move to recognize warming as a threat to global security.Moscow’s stance left the Security Council’s U.K. presidency stabbing at a broken panic button.“It is absolutely clear that climate change is...…Russia warns against any move to recognize warming as a threat to global security.When it comes to climate change, bombs don’t work, so the United Nations Security Council prefers words to action.Tuesday saw the highest profile discussion of climate change in the U.N.’s central body for promoting global peace. But Russia, which holds a veto as a permanent member of the Council, warned against any move to recognize warming as a threat to global security.Moscow’s stance left the Security Council’s U.K. presidency stabbing at a broken panic button.“It is absolutely clear that climate change is...WW…

Vince Muscat pleaded guilty during a court hearing on Tuesday.One of the men charged with the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty.Vince Muscat was one of three suspects — the others are Alfred and George Degiorgio — accused of procuring, planting and detonating the car bomb that killed Caruana Galizia near her home in October 2017. A fourth man, prominent businessman Yorgen Fenech, has been charged with organizing and financing the killing. All four had denied involvement with the murder. However, on...…Vince Muscat pleaded guilty during a court hearing on Tuesday.One of the men charged with the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty.Vince Muscat was one of three suspects — the others are Alfred and George Degiorgio — accused of procuring, planting and detonating the car bomb that killed Caruana Galizia near her home in October 2017. A fourth man, prominent businessman Yorgen Fenech, has been charged with organizing and financing the killing. All four had denied involvement with the murder. However, on...WW…

With the half-term holiday approaching, officials are worried, but hotels say they offer much-needed, safe outdoor activities.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced bySTÖTEN, Sweden — Welcome the last bastion of Sweden’s lockdown resistance: its ski resorts. On a recent weekday in Stöten, a small resort close to the Norwegian border, skiers and snowboarders raced through thick powder dumped by a recent storm. Early morning temperatures of minus 28 degrees Celsius proved no barrier for tourists keen for some fun after months of increasing pandemic-related restrictions. “It’s just great...…With the half-term holiday approaching, officials are worried, but hotels say they offer much-needed, safe outdoor activities.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced bySTÖTEN, Sweden — Welcome the last bastion of Sweden’s lockdown resistance: its ski resorts. On a recent weekday in Stöten, a small resort close to the Norwegian border, skiers and snowboarders raced through thick powder dumped by a recent storm. Early morning temperatures of minus 28 degrees Celsius proved no barrier for tourists keen for some fun after months of increasing pandemic-related restrictions. “It’s just great...WW…

The contract states that AstraZeneca said it would supply the EU with 300 million doses of the vaccine by June.Italian public broadcaster RAI has published the complete contract between the European Commission and AstraZeneca.The full contract can be viewed .The contract states that AstraZeneca would supply between 30 million and 40 million doses to the EU at the end of 2020, 80 million to 100 million doses by the end of the first quarter of 2021, and the total 300 million doses by the end of June.The vaccine producer also promised to not make a profit off the vaccine until July 2021,...…The contract states that AstraZeneca said it would supply the EU with 300 million doses of the vaccine by June.Italian public broadcaster RAI has published the complete contract between the European Commission and AstraZeneca.The full contract can be viewed .The contract states that AstraZeneca would supply between 30 million and 40 million doses to the EU at the end of 2020, 80 million to 100 million doses by the end of the first quarter of 2021, and the total 300 million doses by the end of June.The vaccine producer also promised to not make a profit off the vaccine until July 2021,...WW…

Valdis Dombrovskis says EU will track whether US is straying outside WTO commitments.Europe's trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis has fired a warning shot at new U.S. President Joe Biden over his plans to press U.S. authorities to "Buy American."In an interview with POLITICO and other media, Dombrovskis said the EU, the world's biggest trade bloc, would closely monitor whether preferential treatment for U.S. contractors on public projects contravened international commitments."We will be assessing to which extent the U.S. complies with its [World Trade Organization] commitments under the global...…Valdis Dombrovskis says EU will track whether US is straying outside WTO commitments.Europe's trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis has fired a warning shot at new U.S. President Joe Biden over his plans to press U.S. authorities to "Buy American."In an interview with POLITICO and other media, Dombrovskis said the EU, the world's biggest trade bloc, would closely monitor whether preferential treatment for U.S. contractors on public projects contravened international commitments."We will be assessing to which extent the U.S. complies with its [World Trade Organization] commitments under the global...WW…

Regulator says social media giant failed to fully comply with a 2018 order to fix misleading practices.Italy’s Competition and Market Authority today fined Facebook €7 million for failing to comply with a 2018 order to change its data handling practices.In late 2018, the regulator fined the social media giant €10 million for misleading local users over how their data would be collected and shared with third-party services. The regulator also said Facebook had breached Italy’s consumer code by claiming that its service was free, while using consumers’ data for commercial purposes.Facebook...…Regulator says social media giant failed to fully comply with a 2018 order to fix misleading practices.Italy’s Competition and Market Authority today fined Facebook €7 million for failing to comply with a 2018 order to change its data handling practices.In late 2018, the regulator fined the social media giant €10 million for misleading local users over how their data would be collected and shared with third-party services. The regulator also said Facebook had breached Italy’s consumer code by claiming that its service was free, while using consumers’ data for commercial purposes.Facebook...WW…

China aims to create a world that is not safe for Europe — strategically, economically or ideologically.Michael Schuman is the author of “Superpower Interrupted: The Chinese History of the World” (PublicAffairs, 2020) and “The Miracle: The Epic Story of Asia’s Quest for Wealth” (HarperBusiness, 2009).   HONG KONG — Europe may not want to choose sides between the United States and China. But like it or not, its leaders will eventually have to, and the choice will be stark: Stand by the U.S., or become an international sideshow. This isn’t what Europeans want to hear. Some political and...…China aims to create a world that is not safe for Europe — strategically, economically or ideologically.Michael Schuman is the author of “Superpower Interrupted: The Chinese History of the World” (PublicAffairs, 2020) and “The Miracle: The Epic Story of Asia’s Quest for Wealth” (HarperBusiness, 2009).   HONG KONG — Europe may not want to choose sides between the United States and China. But like it or not, its leaders will eventually have to, and the choice will be stark: Stand by the U.S., or become an international sideshow. This isn’t what Europeans want to hear. Some political and...WW…

Hackers breached software firm that listed Airbus, Orange and the French Ministry of Justice as its clients.France's cybersecurity agency ANSSI "several French entities" had been breached, and linked the attacks to a Russian hacker group thought to be behind some of the most devastating cyberattacks in past years.The agency said it had identified "an intrusion campaign" in which hackers, linked to Russian military intelligence agency GRU, compromised the French software firm Centreon in order to install two pieces of malware into its clients' networks. The "supply chain attack" is similar...…Hackers breached software firm that listed Airbus, Orange and the French Ministry of Justice as its clients.France's cybersecurity agency ANSSI "several French entities" had been breached, and linked the attacks to a Russian hacker group thought to be behind some of the most devastating cyberattacks in past years.The agency said it had identified "an intrusion campaign" in which hackers, linked to Russian military intelligence agency GRU, compromised the French software firm Centreon in order to install two pieces of malware into its clients' networks. The "supply chain attack" is similar...WW…

The new data come as Brussels is trying to intensify its economic ties with Beijing by concluding an EU-China investment pact.China was the EU's main trade partner in 2020, taking the top spot occupied until last year by the United States.During global trade's annus horribilis, heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, EU-China trade grew while imports and exports to the United States dramatically dropped compared with 2019, according to data by the EU's statistics office Eurostat Monday.In 2020, exports of EU goods to China increased by 2.2 percent and imports went up 5.6 percent,...…The new data come as Brussels is trying to intensify its economic ties with Beijing by concluding an EU-China investment pact.China was the EU's main trade partner in 2020, taking the top spot occupied until last year by the United States.During global trade's annus horribilis, heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, EU-China trade grew while imports and exports to the United States dramatically dropped compared with 2019, according to data by the EU's statistics office Eurostat Monday.In 2020, exports of EU goods to China increased by 2.2 percent and imports went up 5.6 percent,...WW…

Pro-independence parties increased their majority slightly.MADRID — Socialists scored their first victory in a Catalan regional election Sunday, but pro-independence parties increased their overall majority.In an extremely tight three-way race, the unionist Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) secured 23 percent of the vote and 33 seats — the same number as the Catalan Republican Left (ERC), which narrowly emerged as the leading pro-independence party at 21 percent, ahead of Together for Catalonia (JxCat) at 32 seats, with 99.5 percent of votes counted.The PSC winning the popular vote is a...…Pro-independence parties increased their majority slightly.MADRID — Socialists scored their first victory in a Catalan regional election Sunday, but pro-independence parties increased their overall majority.In an extremely tight three-way race, the unionist Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) secured 23 percent of the vote and 33 seats — the same number as the Catalan Republican Left (ERC), which narrowly emerged as the leading pro-independence party at 21 percent, ahead of Together for Catalonia (JxCat) at 32 seats, with 99.5 percent of votes counted.The PSC winning the popular vote is a...WW…

Two-thirds of citizens said they were optimistic about the bloc’s future.Confidence in the European Union has increased over the past year although a significant number of citizens expressed a desire for reform.Two-thirds of EU citizens said they were optimistic about the future of the EU, an increase of 5 percentage points compared to June 2019, according to a commissioned by the European Parliament.That figure varied among countries, but more than half of respondents in each member state expressed optimism, ranging from 89 percent in Ireland to 52 percent in France.While just 39 percent...…Two-thirds of citizens said they were optimistic about the bloc’s future.Confidence in the European Union has increased over the past year although a significant number of citizens expressed a desire for reform.Two-thirds of EU citizens said they were optimistic about the future of the EU, an increase of 5 percentage points compared to June 2019, according to a commissioned by the European Parliament.That figure varied among countries, but more than half of respondents in each member state expressed optimism, ranging from 89 percent in Ireland to 52 percent in France.While just 39 percent...WW…

With recovery fund billions to be spent, suddenly Brussels doesn’t seem so bad to Italian populist leader.ROME — Last spring, with Europe’s governments at a stalemate over measures to help the most pandemic-ravaged countries, Matteo Salvini the European Union as “a den of snakes and jackals.”Less than a year on, the leader of Italy’s right-wing League has promised the populist party’s support for a new government to be led by one of EU’s staunchest defenders, former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi.Draghi to try to form a government of national unity to steer the country out of...…With recovery fund billions to be spent, suddenly Brussels doesn’t seem so bad to Italian populist leader.ROME — Last spring, with Europe’s governments at a stalemate over measures to help the most pandemic-ravaged countries, Matteo Salvini the European Union as “a den of snakes and jackals.”Less than a year on, the leader of Italy’s right-wing League has promised the populist party’s support for a new government to be led by one of EU’s staunchest defenders, former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi.Draghi to try to form a government of national unity to steer the country out of...WW…

Josep Borrell’s trip to Russia marked the end of Europe’s geopolitical ambitions.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byMatthew Karnitschnig is POLITICO’s chief Europe correspondent.European foreign policy died in Moscow last week. The burial will be held at sea this spring, some 35 fathoms under the Baltic, where a towering Russian vessel called “” is laying the final section of the 1,230 kilometer-long Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. While the end of Europe’s geopolitical ambitions was long in coming, the coup de grâce was a jaw-dropper, if only because it was...…Josep Borrell’s trip to Russia marked the end of Europe’s geopolitical ambitions.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byMatthew Karnitschnig is POLITICO’s chief Europe correspondent.European foreign policy died in Moscow last week. The burial will be held at sea this spring, some 35 fathoms under the Baltic, where a towering Russian vessel called “” is laying the final section of the 1,230 kilometer-long Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. While the end of Europe’s geopolitical ambitions was long in coming, the coup de grâce was a jaw-dropper, if only because it was...WW…

Panels include components produced in the Chinese region of Xinjiang, where there are concerns about forced labor camps for Muslim minorities, including Uighurs.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byNearly every solar power panel sold in the European Union has its origins in China’s .The solar industry and Brussels lawmakers argue Europe’s renewable energy push should not come at a human cost amid long-standing international concern over reports China has with Muslim backgrounds in camps in Xinjiang and is putting them to work.“Everybody knows what’s going on in China, and when...…Panels include components produced in the Chinese region of Xinjiang, where there are concerns about forced labor camps for Muslim minorities, including Uighurs.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byNearly every solar power panel sold in the European Union has its origins in China’s .The solar industry and Brussels lawmakers argue Europe’s renewable energy push should not come at a human cost amid long-standing international concern over reports China has with Muslim backgrounds in camps in Xinjiang and is putting them to work.“Everybody knows what’s going on in China, and when...WW…

Leaders from six countries didn’t show up in a stinging loss of face for Xi Jinping.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byChina’s tactics in Eastern Europe are running into trouble. The "17+1" platform created by Beijing in 2012 to build ties with 17 Central and Eastern European countries looked decidedly like the 11+1 on Tuesday, when half of the 12 EU national leaders invited to the club failed to show up to pay homage to Chinese President Xi Jinping.It's a stinging diplomatic setback for Xi, who had a first class “divide and rule” card to play by offering to double China’s food...…Leaders from six countries didn’t show up in a stinging loss of face for Xi Jinping.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byChina’s tactics in Eastern Europe are running into trouble. The "17+1" platform created by Beijing in 2012 to build ties with 17 Central and Eastern European countries looked decidedly like the 11+1 on Tuesday, when half of the 12 EU national leaders invited to the club failed to show up to pay homage to Chinese President Xi Jinping.It's a stinging diplomatic setback for Xi, who had a first class “divide and rule” card to play by offering to double China’s food...WW…

EU foreign policy chief says he was aware of ‘obvious risks’ but stressed importance of talking to Moscow.EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday defended his much-criticized trip to Moscow as “important” and said he would propose sanctions in response to Russia’s refusal to engage on human rights.Speaking in the European Parliament, Borrell said he was under “no illusion” about his visit to Russia last Friday and was aware that it “presented obvious risks,” which he was willing to take.“I wanted to test whether the Russian authorities are interested in a serious attempt to reverse...…EU foreign policy chief says he was aware of ‘obvious risks’ but stressed importance of talking to Moscow.EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday defended his much-criticized trip to Moscow as “important” and said he would propose sanctions in response to Russia’s refusal to engage on human rights.Speaking in the European Parliament, Borrell said he was under “no illusion” about his visit to Russia last Friday and was aware that it “presented obvious risks,” which he was willing to take.“I wanted to test whether the Russian authorities are interested in a serious attempt to reverse...WW…

Media groups warn government is trying to undermine press freedom.WARSAW — Polish independent media suspended news coverage and the webpages of the country’s leading news organizations were blank Wednesday morning to protest a new advertising tax that broadcasters and publishers say is aimed not at raising money but at undermining the freedom of the press.“This is simply extortion,” said an open to Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki signed by 43 media organizations that includes Poland’s largest newspaper and magazine publishers as well as its leading independent television networks....…Media groups warn government is trying to undermine press freedom.WARSAW — Polish independent media suspended news coverage and the webpages of the country’s leading news organizations were blank Wednesday morning to protest a new advertising tax that broadcasters and publishers say is aimed not at raising money but at undermining the freedom of the press.“This is simply extortion,” said an open to Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki signed by 43 media organizations that includes Poland’s largest newspaper and magazine publishers as well as its leading independent television networks....WW…

If European producers don’t move fast, they’ll be overtaken by Asian rivals.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byThe EU's Green Deal goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050 is putting enormous pressure on the Continent's steelmakers.Those unable to swiftly decarbonize risk getting swallowed by rivals. Laggards will also face competition from Asian steelmakers, which are aggressively promising to slash their greenhouse gas emissions.Roland Junck, president of Liberty Steel for Europe and the U.K., Europe's fourth-largest steel producer, argued companies should bite the financial...…If European producers don’t move fast, they’ll be overtaken by Asian rivals.Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byThe EU's Green Deal goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050 is putting enormous pressure on the Continent's steelmakers.Those unable to swiftly decarbonize risk getting swallowed by rivals. Laggards will also face competition from Asian steelmakers, which are aggressively promising to slash their greenhouse gas emissions.Roland Junck, president of Liberty Steel for Europe and the U.K., Europe's fourth-largest steel producer, argued companies should bite the financial...WW…

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wants the EU to adopt a common certificate.Greece and Israel on Monday signed a deal that will allow people vaccinated against the coronavirus to move freely between the two countries once travel restarts.Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pushed the EU to adopt a common vaccination passport to help the tourism industry but Brussels has been hesitant, so far its support to medical purposes only. Opponents of vaccine passports have about discrimination and privacy.Both countries already have so-called “green passports” in operation domestically....…Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wants the EU to adopt a common certificate.Greece and Israel on Monday signed a deal that will allow people vaccinated against the coronavirus to move freely between the two countries once travel restarts.Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pushed the EU to adopt a common vaccination passport to help the tourism industry but Brussels has been hesitant, so far its support to medical purposes only. Opponents of vaccine passports have about discrimination and privacy.Both countries already have so-called “green passports” in operation domestically....WW…

Prominent figures in Germany, Italy and even at the European Council are toughening on patents — but are they bluffing?Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byEver so softly, European politicians are beginning to voice a once unthinkable threat by suggesting they could snatch patents from drug companies to make up for massive shortfalls in the supply of coronavirus vaccines.Big Pharma businesses have for many years regarded EU countries as unquestioningly loyal allies over intellectual property rights in the international trade arena. The EU could always be relied upon to defend U.S.,...…Prominent figures in Germany, Italy and even at the European Council are toughening on patents — but are they bluffing?Press play to listen to this articleVoiced byEver so softly, European politicians are beginning to voice a once unthinkable threat by suggesting they could snatch patents from drug companies to make up for massive shortfalls in the supply of coronavirus vaccines.Big Pharma businesses have for many years regarded EU countries as unquestioningly loyal allies over intellectual property rights in the international trade arena. The EU could always be relied upon to defend U.S.,...WW…

Scientists have yet to identify how the virus began to jump to humans or where this spread began.Scientists investigating the pandemic's origins as part of a mission to China were unable to provide much clarity Tuesday on where the virus began.The leader of the World Health Organization’s team, Peter Ben Embarek, told journalists that after a month-long mission to the country, the investigation didn't significantly change previous understanding.“Did we change dramatically the picture we had beforehand? I don't think so," said Embarek. “Did we improve our understanding and did we add details...…Scientists have yet to identify how the virus began to jump to humans or where this spread began.Scientists investigating the pandemic's origins as part of a mission to China were unable to provide much clarity Tuesday on where the virus began.The leader of the World Health Organization’s team, Peter Ben Embarek, told journalists that after a month-long mission to the country, the investigation didn't significantly change previous understanding.“Did we change dramatically the picture we had beforehand? I don't think so," said Embarek. “Did we improve our understanding and did we add details...WW…