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☆ Netanyahu Is Pursuing War 'For His Personal Career', Palestinian FM Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

NICOSIA (Reuters) - Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday of caring only about his political survival as attempts to end the conflict in Gaza appeared inconclusive. War in Israel and Gaza View All 206 ImagesMaliki, a member of the Palestinian Authority running the West Bank, said it was imperative to find ways to prevent an attack on Rafah. Photos You Should See View All 22 ImagesIn Jerusalem, there was no immediate reply from Netanyahu's office to a request for comment on Maliki's remark. Cyprus, the closest EU member state to the Middle East, has proposed setting up a dedicated, one way maritime corridor to deliver aid directly into Gaza. "We agree that the escalating humanitarian needs call for a scaled up, unhindered flow of aid," the Cypriot minister said.

Persons: Riyad al, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Maliki, Constantinos Kombos, Michele Kambas, Maayan Lubell, William Maclean Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Palestinian Authority, West Bank Locations: NICOSIA, Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Palestine, Cypriot, Jerusalem, Cyprus

☆ Brexit Britain has 'significantly underperformed' other advanced economies, Goldman Sachs says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Pro-EU demonstrators protest outside Parliament against Brexit on the fourth anniversary of Britain's official departure from the European Union in London, United Kingdom on January 31, 2024. LONDON — Post-Brexit Britain has "significantly underperformed" other advanced economies since the 2016 EU referendum, according to new analysis from Goldman Sachs, which aims to quantify the economic cost of the Leave vote. Goldman Sachs attributed the economic shortfall to three key factors: reduced trade; weaker business investment; and labor shortages as a result of lower immigration from the EU. The U.K. voted 52% to 48% to leave the EU on June 23, 2016, but officially exited the union on Jan. 31, 2020. Over that period until today, U.K. goods trade has underperformed other advanced economies by around 15% since the Leave vote, according to the bank's estimates, while business investment has fallen "notably short" of pre-referendum levels.

Persons: Goldman Sachs Organizations: EU, Brexit, European Union, LONDON Locations: London, United Kingdom, LONDON —

☆ The GOP could be about to cost Ukraine the war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But House Republicans under Speaker Mike Johnson have no plans to take up the deal, effectively blocking the $60 billion in Ukraine aid it includes. AdvertisementThe war has reached a stalemate even with this support, and a sudden shortage as could come this year drastically weakens Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, analysts told Business Insider. Without US arms support, Ukraine will simply be outgunned and more of its troops will die, experts warn. Other aid will save Ukraine just for monthsA Ukrainian defeat would not be immediate, as Europe could step up its military aid, Herbst said. Losing Ukraine would come at a devastating cost for NATO and the USThese dynamics are perilous for Ukraine and its backers.

Persons: —, Mike Johnson, John Herbst, Herbst, Ukraine’s, Gustav Gressel, Stringer Mark Cancian, they'd, Cancian, Vladimir Putin, Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries Organizations: Service, Business, Patriot, Council’s Eurasia Center, Archer Artillery, Roman, Getty, American Enterprise Institute, Martens, European Council, Foreign Relations, REUTERS, US Marine Corps, Center for Strategic, International Studies, NATO, Russia, Democrats, House Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Russia, Ukrainian, Iran, North Korea, Donetsk Oblast, Europe, Zaporizhzhia region, Russian, Soviet Union, Belarus, Africa, Balkans, America

☆ AI could disrupt the 2024 US presidential election. What’s Congress doing about it?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

But with just nine months until Americans head to the ballot box, there are few signs Congress is ready to pass any meaningful legislation on AI. Alex Wong/Getty ImagesSchumer has previously said that with the election nearing, he may seek to fast-track a bill that focuses specifically on AI and election security. Nothing looks likely to move.”Initial momentum on AI regulationFor months, Congress has focused on getting up to speed on the basics of AI. Still other ideas would require “high-risk” AI models to register for a government license, or create a dedicated new federal agency to oversee AI. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testifies before a Senate Judiciary Privacy, Technology & the Law Subcommittee hearing titled 'Oversight of A.I.

Persons: Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, “, Schumer, Sen, Todd Young, Martin Heinrich, Michael Rounds, Alex Wong, New Mexico Democratic Sen, South Dakota Republican Sen, Mike Rounds, Indiana Republican Sen, didn’t, Paul Gallant, Cowen, ”, Gallant, we’re, Sam Altman, Altman, Heinrich, Rounds, Young, Julia Nikhinson, Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang, Mike Johnson, Marcus Molinaro, Johnson, Drake, Tom Hanks, Tennessee Republican Sen, Marsha Blackburn, Hakeem Jeffries, Don Beyer, it’ll, Alan Davidson, Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, ” Davidson, —, Sarah Myers West Organizations: Washington CNN, mayoral, U.S, Senate, Capitol, Artificial Intelligence, “, CNN, New, New Mexico Democratic, South Dakota Republican, Indiana Republican, Cowen Inc, United, International Atomic Energy Agency, Intelligence, Reuters, Google, Nvidia, New York Republican, The Washington Post, Commerce, Tennessee Republican, ITI, Virginia Democratic Rep, State of, Republican, House Energy, European Union, EU, Congress, Commerce Department, White House, Privacy, Technology, Democrats, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Washington ,, New Mexico, South, Washington , U.S, Washington

☆ Chinese and Indian companies are about to be hit by sanctions because of their ties to Russia, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The European Union wants to sanction three Chinese companies for supporting Russia, according to reports. This would mark the first time the bloc has sanctioned Chinese and Indian businesses since the invasion of Ukraine. AdvertisementThe European Union wants to sanction three Chinese companies due to their ties to Russia, according to reports by Bloomberg and the Financial Times . In April 2023, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen traveled to Beijing to warn China’s leader Xi Jinping not to support Russia’s war efforts. "This visit is taking place in a challenging and increasingly volatile context, in particular because of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," she said in a press conference .

Persons: —, hasn’t, Ursula von der Leyen, China’s, Xi Jinping, von, Leyen Organizations: European Union, Bloomberg, Service, Union, Financial Times, EU, Kremlin, Moscow, European Locations: Russia, Hong Kong, India, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, EU, China, Beijing

☆ Apple and Microsoft clinch key win as iMessage, Bing exempted from tough EU competition rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The decision is a win for Apple, whose iMessage service has long faced complaints from Android users due to incompatibilities. The EU's competition restrictions also won't apply to Microsoft's Bing and Edge browsers, as well as the Redmond tech giant's online advertising service, Microsoft Advertising. The Tuesday pronouncement does not mean that Apple and Microsoft themselves won't still be treated as gatekeepers under the EU rules. Late last year, the EU unveiled six designated gatekeeper that would be subject to its rules: Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok owner ByteDance. Apple recently opened up its App Store for third-party developers in Europe, which could threaten the iPhone giant's lucrative fees.

Persons: Microsoft's Bing, Meta's WhatsApp, ByteDance Organizations: European Commission, Apple, Facebook, Users, Redmond, Microsoft, CNBC, EU, EU Digital Markets, Meta Locations: Europe

☆ Outside the US, teens’ social media experiences are more tightly controlled
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Here’s a closer look at how child safety is regulated on social media platforms in other parts of the world. “It will take a couple of years until the first round of the audits of social media companies mandated in the DSA are published,” he said. Can social media companies be sued in the EU? At the same time, however, China’s government also largely blocks access to social media platforms as part of its efforts to monitor and censor the internet. And in Brazil, a data protection law includes special protections for children’s data, including consent to share personal data.

Persons: Here’s, Apple –, what’s, haven’t, Fernando Hortal Foronda, ”, “, Asha Allen, Brian Fung, Clare Duffy Organizations: CNN, European, Meta, Apple, Digital Services, Companies, Big Tech, EU, European Consumer Organisation, DSA, ” Tech, European Commission, EU’s Digital Service, Centre of Democracy and Technology, Justice, European Union, Minor Protection Locations: EU, Centre of Democracy and Technology Europe, China, India, Brazil

☆ European Union is considering sanctions on Chinese firms for aiding Russia's war machine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

This pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned agency Sputnik shows Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and China's President Xi Jinping heading to a group photo session during the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 18, 2023. The European Union is looking to sanction Chinese firms that it believes have helped Russia circumvent Western penalties, looking to slap measures against these mainland China businesses for the first time since the war began, three EU officials told CNBC. The 27-member bloc is working on a 13th package of sanctions in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which could be ready later this month to mark the second-year anniversary of the war. One of the EU officials, who did not want to be named due to the sensitive nature of the talks, said: "Chinese companies and entities from other third countries, which are involved in supporting Russia to circumvent sanctions" will feature in the next round of measures levied against Russia for its war in Ukraine. Another official said that the 27 EU ambassadors will discuss the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday, adding that "work is ongoing."

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping Organizations: Sputnik, Forum, International Cooperation, of, People, European, CNBC, Russia Locations: Beijing, Russia, China, Ukraine

☆ Fact check: Debunking five false Trump claims about NATO
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Daniel Dale | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

And Trump has for years made a variety of other false claims about spending by NATO and its members. As of 2023, 11 of 30 NATO members were meeting the 2% target, NATO estimates show. NATO members’ spending before Trump took officeAs president, Trump claimed that NATO members’ spending had declined “every single year” until he took office in 2017. Facts First: Trump’s claims that NATO members’ spending had declined every year until he took office are false. After referring to NATO members Trump said he pressured himself, he continued: “And then I hear that they like Obama better.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Russia “, didn’t, –, Stephen Saideman, ” Saideman, Erwan, George Washington University’s, ” Lagadec, “, recommitted, Jens Stoltenberg, Saideman, “ Putin, Joe Biden, Lagadec, Barack Obama, Obama, George W, Bush, we’ve, ” Bush Organizations: Washington CNN, Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, CNN, Trump, International Affairs, Carleton University, Elliott School of International Affairs, Transatlantic, Ukraine ”, NATO –, “, ”, EU Locations: Russia, Wales, Canada, Brussels, Ukraine’s Crimea, –, Crimea, Europe, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Romania

☆ Shakhtar Donetsk: Serhii Palkin was running the biggest soccer club in Ukraine. After war broke out, his life changed forever
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Ben Church | Martynas Ruseckas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

While he scrambled to keep his young family safe amid the near constant bombardment, Palkin also had the responsibility of looking after Ukraine’s most successful soccer club, Shakhtar Donetsk. Almost two years we have been in these kinds of conditions.”Palkin was named Shakhtar Donetsk’s CEO in 2004, taking charge of the most decorated club in Ukraine. In addition to its domestic dominance, the team regularly competes in the UEFA Champions League, alongside the biggest names of the sport. Since the conflict began, though, six people with direct ties to the club have died, according to Palkin. But many of those players, which the club had invested in before the war, left Shakhtar for free as a result of the ruling.

Persons: Palkin, ” Palkin, Milos Bicanski, didn’t, ”, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he’s, it’s, Matteo Ciambelli, Fernandinho, FIFA’s, Mykhailo Mudryk, Marvin Ibo, GES Sportfoto Organizations: CNN, Shakhtar Donetsk, CNN Sport, Shakhtar Donetsk’s, UEFA Champions League, Soccer, country’s Premier League, ” Shakhtar, FC Barcelona, Champions League, Shakhtar, Getty, FIFA, Manchester City, Atlético Paranaense, Premier League, Sport, European, European Commission, English Premier League club Chelsea, Barcelona, “, ” Shakhtar Donetsk, Europa League, Marseille Locations: Russia, Ukraine, London, Kyiv, Europe, Germany, Donbas, Crimea, Russian, Brazil, Hamburg

☆ Biogen revenue and profit shrink on Aduhelm costs, slumping sales of multiple sclerosis therapies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Biogen on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter revenue and profit that shrank from a year ago, as it recorded charges related to dropping its controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm and as sales slumped in its multiple sclerosis therapies, the company's biggest drug category. Biogen booked sales of $2.39 billion for the quarter, down 6% from the same period a year ago. Revenue from multiple sclerosis products fell 8% to $1.17 billion as the therapies face competition from cheaper generics. Adjusting for one-time items, the company reported $2.95 per share. But the company expects its pharmaceutical revenue, which includes product revenue and its 50% share of Leqembi sales, to be flat this year compared to 2023.

Persons: Biogen, LSEG, Biogen's, Leqembi Organizations: LSEG, Biogen, Food and Drug, Reata Pharmaceuticals, FDA Locations: U.S

☆ Angry farmer protests are spreading across Europe — and getting results
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But that reputation is now being firmly tested, after it toned down its climate policies following angry farmer protests that are taking place across the continent. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, now intends to scrap a plan to halve pesticide use. Speaking to CNBC Thursday, the EU's Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said he was "happy" about the U-turns because they were not "fully fair." The EU wants to become carbon neutral by 2050. It also wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

Persons: Janusz Wojciechowski, Wojciechowski, Europe's, Alberto Alemanno, Alemanno Organizations: European Commission, EU, CNBC, Paris Business School Locations: H.E.C

☆ Digital banking giant Revolut is launching phone plans for travelers in the UK
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Revolut is launching a travel eSIM plan in the U.K., in a rare move for a financial services firm. RevolutBritish financial technology company Revolut is launching phone plans in the U.K., the company has told CNBC exclusively, making it the first financial services firm in the country to offer telecom plans, and among the first globally. The cost of using mobile data overseas has increased for Brits in recent years. Revolut has partnered with U.K. mobile network operator 1Global, formerly known as Truphone, to launch its eSIM. Launching phone plans is a rare step from a financial services firm.

Persons: Revolut, Tara Massoudi, Massoudi, we've, it's Organizations: CNBC, Ultra, Brits, BT, Vodafone, European Union Locations: Plenty

☆ An alleged gang rape shocks Italy, and provides fodder for an ascendant far right
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Barbie Latza Nadeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Seven men between the ages of 15 and 18 are currently on trial for the alleged rape of a 19-year-old girl in Palermo in August. Last month’s alleged gang rape in Catania has become not only a symbol of violence against women in the country, but a cause célèbre for Italy’s far-right government. CNN approached the suspect’s lawyers for comment. Meanwhile, during a visit to Catania, Meloni expressed her solidarity with the alleged rape victim and her family. This is not the first case of non-EU minors being welcomed into Italian facilities and then engaging in criminal activities.”

Persons: Rome, Weeks, Last month’s, Giorgia Meloni, Villa Bellini, Orietta Scardino, Matteo Salvini, Meloni, ”, Alessandro Fidone, Giulia Cecchettin, ” Elena Biaggioni, Massimo Di Vita, Carlo Umberto Cannella, ” Cannella, Silvio Berlusconi Organizations: Rome CNN —, Catania, CNN, Catania police, European Data Journalism Locations: Rome CNN — Italy, Sicilian, Catania, Palermo, Naples, Sicily, Italy, Italy’s

The Russian war machine is running at full tilt and has a much larger pool of men to draw from than Ukraine to replenish its ranks. Zelensky said he and Zaluzhnyi had a “frank discussion about what needs to be changed in the army. Frontline units in several vulnerable areas told CNN in recent weeks that they were often chronically short of ammunition, particularly Western 155mm artillery shells. The Russian military continues to make mistakes, but it is learning and adapting, especially in the exploitation of attack and reconnaissance drones and electronic warfare. The Russian military has also exploited glide technology to deliver aerial bombs more accurately, one reason that the Ukrainian offensive in the south faltered last summer.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Zaluzhnyi, Zelensky, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, ”, Matthew Schmidt, ” Schmidt, Frontlines, Diego Herrera Carcedo, “, Kyrylo Budanov, Schmidt, Vadim Ghirda, Dmytro Kuleba, Budanov, Valerie Zaluzhnyi, ’, Serhii Naiev, Zaluzhnyi’s, Putin, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Mick Ryan, –, Zaporizhzhia, Maxym, it’s Organizations: CNN, Presidential Press Service, Reuters, International Affairs, University of New, Getty, Ukrainian Military Intelligence, Biden, EU, Ukrainian, Russian, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ukraine Gold Star, Ukrainian Presidential Press Service, Ukraine’s Joint Forces, St, Budanov, Security Service, US Naval Institute ., Hungary Locations: Kyiv, Russia, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Russian, Ukraine, Kupiansk, University of New Haven , Connecticut, Avdiivka, Anadolu, Zelensky, St Petersburg, Volgograd, Crimea, ”, US Naval Institute . Ukraine, Australian, Ukrainian

☆ Tractors Drive Past the Colosseum as Italy's Meloni Pledges Tax Help
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Angelo AmanteROME (Reuters) - A convoy of tractors on Friday drove past the landmarks of ancient Rome before Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told a delegation of farmers that the government would partially reintroduce a tax break for them. Four tractors, escorted by police, crossed the city streets and passed in front of the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus, adorned with Italian flags and slogans decrying the EU's green transition. We don't want to create problems, we just want answers as soon as possible," one of the protesters, Luigi Allegrini, said. Coldiretti, the main agricultural lobby, has a close relationship with the government but the current protests are being led by smaller groups. "The government has defended farmers and contested the wrong choices imposed by the European Commission from the very beginning," Meloni told the farmers.

Persons: Angelo Amante ROME, Giorgia Meloni, Maximus, Luigi Allegrini, Roberto Rosati, Meloni, Angelo Amante, Alvise Armellini, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Italian, Farmers, European Commission Locations: Rome, Europe, Spain, Poland

Scholz arrived in Washington ready to amplify an argument Biden himself has been making for months now: A Russian win in Ukraine would imperil the West and its allies. He's also looking to highlight that Germany continues to provide robust funding for Ukraine despite budget constraints. Scholz is emphasizing the stakes of the debate for Europe and beyond as House Republicans have blocked new U.S. funding. Heather Conley, president of the German Marshall Fund in Washington, said that Scholz will be looking to hear from Biden on his “Plan B” if Congress remains at loggerheads over funding for Ukraine. U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Biden would make clear to Scholz that despite the “dysfunction” in the House over Ukraine funding, there's broad bipartisan support to continue to back Kyiv.

Persons: Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Biden, He's, “, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Heather Conley, ” Conley, John Kirby, ”, ” Kirby, ” Scholz, Tracy Brown, Moulson Organizations: WASHINGTON, Ukraine, Republicans, Israel, Union, German Marshall Fund, . National Security, Washington, NATO, AP Locations: Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Washington, Germany, United States, Kyiv, Russian, Israel, U.S, underscoring, House, Kyiv . U.S, Berlin

☆ I moved to Germany for a free education 8 years ago. I struggled to fit in, but here are the biggest reasons I never left.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Adriana Stein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

She also says she appreciates Germany's Turkish community, ease of travel, and food transparency. It describes the tight-knit Turkish community and their ability to come together and help one another, regardless of the location. Insurance provides coverage, rather than trying to get out of payments with vague loopholesIn Germany, insurance is basically a way of life. AdvertisementNo matter where I rent a car, I use my German insurance because it has absolutely stellar coverage. My German insurance covered everything and it was a really easy process to go through.

Persons: Adriana Stein, Stein, —, I've, I'm, they've, you've, didn't, Germany hasn't Organizations: Service, Family Ministry, Social, EU, Turkish, Insurance, pharma, Big Pharma Locations: Germany, Hamburg, Kindergeld, Europe, Oregon, Turkish, South Africa

☆ Prague, Budapest Hold up EU Move to Sanction Violent Israeli Settlers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in December he would propose similar measures. The EU has not spelled out what the sanctions would entail but officials have said they would include bans on travel to the EU. The EU has already imposed sanctions on Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks and diplomats say more are in the pipeline. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday now was "definitely not the time" to sanction Israeli settlers, state news agency MTI reported. (Additonal reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague and Boldizsar Gyori in Budapest; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Persons: Andrew Gray, John Irish, Josep Borrell, Israel, Peter Szijjarto, MTI, Jan Lipavsky, Jan Lopatka, Boldizsar, Nick Macfie Organizations: West Bank, West Bank ., EU Locations: John Irish BRUSSELS, PARIS, EU, Hungary, Czech Republic, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, United States, Britain, Budapest, Czech, France, Prague

☆ Spanish Farmers Take to Streets for Fourth Day, Plan Madrid Protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

TORIJA, Spain (Reuters) - Spanish farmers on Friday blocked streets across the country in a fourth day of protests and announced plans to gather in Madrid as they railed against the EU's environmental rules and what they see as excessive taxes and red tape. Since Tuesday, Spanish farmers have joined peers from Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Belgium in daily protests that include blocking several highways and ports. The three main farmers' associations - COAG, Asaja and UPA - kicked off their demonstrations on Thursday, though many had started earlier in the week. Plataforma 6, a newly created farmers' group, said it would gather outside all regional government buildings in Spain, including Madrid. The head of business association CEOE Antonio Garamendi expressed solidarity with the farmers' protests but said they had to be conducted "in moderation to avoid harming other sectors".

Persons: Javier Corral, CEOE Antonio Garamendi, Guillermo Martinez, Marco Trujillo, Catarina Demony, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Charlie Devereux Organizations: UPA, Farmers, El Mundo Locations: Spain, Madrid, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Asaja, Torija, Jerez, Moroccan, Merida, lobbing

☆ World surpasses key warming threshold across an entire year for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Sam Meredith | Www.Linkedin.Com In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Scientists on Thursday said the world surpassed a key warming threshold across an entire year for the first time on record, calling to slash planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. The findings do not represent a break of the landmark Paris Agreement, which aims to "limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels" over the long term. But the EU's climate monitor said the data reinforces the need to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid the worst of what the climate crisis has in store. C3S also confirmed that the first month of 2024 was the warmest January on record, with an average surface temperature of 13.14 degrees Celsius — some 0.7 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average and 0.12 degrees Celsius higher than the previous warmest January, logged in 2020. "Rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are the only way to stop global temperatures increasing."

Persons: C3S, Samantha Burgess Locations: Perris , Riverside County , California, Paris

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union lawmakers called on Thursday for an independent investigation into allegations of vote-rigging in Serbia and demanded that EU funds be cut off if the authorities in Belgrade fail to cooperate with the inquiry or are found to be implicated in election irregularities. The governing Serbian Progressive party of populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić won the Dec. 17 parliamentary and municipal elections, securing 129 seats in the 250-seat assembly. The opposition Serbia Against Violence coalition finished a distant second with 65 seats. The resolution has angered Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić. Vučić’s ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his failure to enforce EU sanctions on Moscow have dismayed many.

Persons: Aleksandar Vučić, watchdogs, “, ”, Ana Brnabić, ” Brnabić, Vladimir Putin, ___ Dusan Stojanovic Organizations: —, Union, Serbian Progressive, Serbian, Violence, Organization for Security, Cooperation, Parliamentary, of Europe, Serbia’s National Assembly Locations: BRUSSELS, Serbia, Belgrade, Europe, Strasbourg, France, Moscow

☆ Slovakia Approves Criminal Law Reforms That Sparked Protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The government said the changes modernise the criminal code by lowering long prison terms and preferring alternative punishments. President Zuzana Caputova immediately signalled she would try to stop the changes, possibly through a veto or a court challenge. The law was a "monstrous amnesty" for that circle, said deputy Michal Sipos from the opposition Slovensko party. An EU official said on Thursday the commission's concerns remained, which could possibly lead to legal action and budgetary consequences. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague; additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

Persons: Robert Fico, SMER, Tibor Gaspar, Zuzana Caputova, Michal Sipos, Jan Lopatka, Gabriela Baczynska, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Reuters, European Commission, European, Slovak, EU Locations: Poland, Hungary, Prague, Brussels

☆ 'Stability is fragile': An overlooked European conflict zone is at a tipping point between peace and combat
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The clash broke out in the village when a group of armed Serbs blocked a bridge with two trucks. A shootout erupted after the group opened fire on police, leaving one police officer dead and another injured. Relations between Serbia and Kosovo, which have been fraught since the pair's brutal conflict in the 1990s, remain delicate one year on from a tentative agreement on a new path to normalization. We cannot take peace and stability for granted," Miroslav Lajčák, EU special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and Western Balkans, told CNBC in Davos, Switzerland last month. The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is a series of talks facilitated by the European Union designed to ease hostilities between the neighboring southeastern European countries.

Persons: Milan Radoicic, Vudi Xhymshiti, Miroslav Lajčák Organizations: Kosovo Police, Kosovo Serb, Milan, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Belgrade, CNBC, European Union Locations: Banjska, Zvecan, Kosovo, Davos, SWITZERLAND, Russia, Ukraine, EU, Serbia, Pristina, Balkans, Switzerland, Belgrade, Serbs

☆ Y Combinator-backed trading app Pluto Markets just raised $2.6 million with this 14-slide pitch deck
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Pluto Markets, a trading app backed by famed accelerator Y Combinator, has raised $2.6 million in fresh funds. The Danish fintech startup, founded in 2021, wants to upend the market for retail trading offerings in Europe. "Companies raised a lot of money to blitz scale across the EU but have now focused on their core markets. Unlike most fintech brokerages, Pluto secured an EU-wide investment license before it had raised $1 million in funding, having bootstrapped and stayed lean. You can check out Pluto Market's 14-slide pitch deck below:

Persons: Joakim Bruchman, Goldman Sachs, We've, Bruchmann, Pluto, Oscar Vingtoft Organizations: Business, Companies, Trade Republic, Saxo Bank, EU Locations: Danish, Europe, Denmark, France, Germany, Berlin

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