World

EU sanctions should not hurt the middle class, warns Belgian PM

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2022

EU sanctions should not hurt the middle class, warns Belgian PM

EU sanctions ought to harm Russia greater than they harm European residents, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has warned.

“Your overseas coverage can solely survive in case your center class remains to be capable of defend it,” De Croo advised Euronews in an interview on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos.

“Having the buy-in from our inhabitants is a vital factor as a result of I worry we’re in for a protracted interval of instability and we have to ensure that persons are not struggling an excessive amount of.”

His feedback come within the midst of negotiations round a stalled proposal to introduce an EU-wide ban on all Russian oil imports. The embargo, the centrepiece of the sixth bundle of EU sanctions, is taken into account essentially the most radical and consequential measure taken by the bloc since Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine.

Hungary, a landlocked nation that depends closely on Russian-operated oil pipelines, has emerged as essentially the most vocal opponent and has thus far refused to approve the ban. Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria have additionally raised objections. EU sanctions require the unanimity of the 27 member states.

De Croo stated he was in favour of the embargo however pressured that, given the financial magnitude of the measure, the “respectable” considerations from all nations needs to be taken into consideration.

“Everyone seems to be Hungary right this moment, however it’s not solely Hungary who has difficulties with the entire oil ban. Some nations are landlocked and they’re going to have difficulties to have entry petrol for his or her automobiles,” De Croo stated.

“If we take sanctions, the essential precept has all the time been it wants to harm on the opposite aspect and we have to mitigate the impression on our aspect as a lot as potential.

“Our center class is struggling and it isn’t straightforward nowadays. Vitality costs are going are going up. So if there are considerations on safety of provide, on costs, let’s deal with them.”

De Croo appeared assured the proposal would “get by means of the road” within the coming days.

A two-day EU summit is scheduled to happen early subsequent week, however Hungary’s PM Viktor Orbán has formally requested to take away the vitality embargo from the agenda. Diplomats had hoped the summit can be the second to attain the much-needed breakthrough.

“I might quite take a call on an oil ban,” De Croo stated, “however, on the identical time, additionally understand how are we going to cope with the repercussions of such a call?”

‘If the free market is just not functioning, it’s essential to intervene’

Talking in regards to the energy crunch that has been haunting the continent since early autumn and has been exacerbated by the conflict, the Belgian PM stated market intervention was wanted to regulate electrical energy costs, which, in his view, “should not reflecting actuality.”

“We have to take measures that actually go to the basis reason behind the issue,” he stated. “It isn’t subsidies which are going to unravel this.”

At present, the EU’s electrical energy market works on the premise of marginal pricing, also called “pay-as-clear market”. Below this technique, all electrical energy producers – from fossil fuels to wind and photo voltaic – bid into the market and supply vitality in line with their manufacturing prices. The bidding begins from the most affordable assets – the renewables – and finishes with the costliest one – normally pure gasoline.

Since most EU nations nonetheless depend on fossil fuels to satisfy all their energy calls for, the ultimate value of electrical energy is commonly set by the worth of coal or pure gasoline. If gasoline turns into dearer, electrical energy payments inevitably go up, even when clear, cheaper sources additionally contribute to the overall vitality provide.

Nations like Belgium, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal have complained about this contagion impact and demanded reforms to decouple gasoline from electrical energy costs. Different nations are reluctant to take such a drastic transfer and argue the present guidelines promote transparency and inexperienced investments.

“I am a believer of the free market. I am a liberal. But when the free market is just not functioning, the market is just not serving its function, it’s essential to intervene,” De Croo stated.

“Increasingly nations are realising that every one of us are ruining our public funds and making an attempt to help our center class. However in the long run, the impression that we are able to have is restricted as a result of the costs have gone up at such a excessive degree.”

‘Too early’ to speak about widespread EU debt for Ukraine’s reconstruction

De Croo additionally mentioned Ukraine’s bid to affix the EU, a prolonged course of he described as “administrative”. The Fee is anticipated to launch subsequent month its first opinion on the appliance.

“There is a motive why it’s a lengthy course of: that is as a result of we now have developed such an enormous array of guidelines in Europe. If somebody joins the European Union, they have to be prepared,” he stated. “It takes time to be on the proper degree.”

The PM added the main focus needs to be as a substitute on help for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, each on the “materials” and the “immaterial aspect,” referring to rule of regulation reforms and the combat towards corruption.

A latest report by the Kyiv Faculty of Economics revealed the losses from the conflict vary from $564 billion to $600 billion (€568 billion), and will improve even additional because the battle drags on.

To handle these huge wants, the European Fee has proposed to arrange a brand new monetary facility and lift a mixture of grants and loans for Ukraine. The cash would come from the EU price range, contributions from member states and, notably, widespread EU debt, a long-held taboo that was damaged in 2020 to ascertain the €750-billion coronavirus restoration fund.

The proposal is only a draft concept and must be fleshed-out and negotiated. Germany and the Netherlands have already introduced their opposition to recent EU bonds.

“Which instrument we use for the reconstruction of Ukraine? Actually, for me, so long as it’s funding, widespread debt works for funding. You need to by no means use it for present bills. That may be unsuitable,” De Croo stated.

“Do we have to use it for Ukraine? Let me put it that method: to me, it isn’t excluded to do it, however I believe it’s too early to take a place on that,” he added.

“Right here, we’re doing it the other way up. We’re first having the dialogue on the instrument after which seeing what we’ll be doing. Let’s first determine on what we’d be doing after which I am open for a dialogue, however I have not made up my thoughts but. “

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World

Consejos para disfrutar de las celebraciones de fin de año, sin estrés

Published

8 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Consejos para disfrutar de las celebraciones de fin de año, sin estrés

NUEVA YORK (AP) — Todos conocemos los factores de estrés: obligaciones sociales, rencillas familiares, divisiones políticas, estrés financiero y el deseo de mantenerse alegre y generoso todo el tiempo.

Así que aquí va un recordatorio sobre cómo desterrar a tu perfeccionista interior y disfrutar verdaderamente de la temporada festiva:

“Realmente ayuda dejar de lado algunos de los ‘deberías’”, dice Lynn F. Bufka, jefa de práctica de la Asociación Estadounidense de Psicología. “Decide cuál es la cosa que más importa, y las cosas que te brindan más alegría, y suelta las demás”.

Las tradiciones pueden cambiar y evolucionar, y cuanto más flexibles sean las cosas, más fácil será para todos, dice Bufka.

“Concentra tu energía en crear un espacio cálido para que las personas que amas se reúnan y relajen, se pongan al día y celebren unos a otros. Eso es literalmente todo lo que importa”, concuerda Lauren Iannotti, editora en jefe de Real Simple.

Algunos consejos:

Concéntrate en lo que te hace feliz

Podrías decidir que la conversación es tu objetivo principal y no preocuparte en absoluto por la decoración, dice Bufka. O si la decoración de la mesa es lo que amas, invierte tu energía allí y no te preocupes tanto por otros aspectos.

“Idealmente, debería tratarse de enfocarse en el amor, y eso no significa lo mismo para todos”, dice Bufka.

Permite que otros hagan las cosas por ti.

“La gente quiere ayudar, ¡déjalos!”, dice Iannotti. “Si no te ENCANTA cocinar todas esas guarniciones, o tienes poco tiempo, no hay ninguna vergüenza en aceptar que tu hermana haga el relleno. O busca ayuda de los profesionales: apoya a un restaurante local haciendo un pedido de catering”.

Otra opción es que “cada uno traiga un plato distintivo”, dice Ianotti. “Ahorrarás tiempo y dinero en la preparación y la cocina y tus invitados podrán mostrar sus habilidades”.

Darte permiso para tomar atajos

“Está bien si la casa está un poco desordenada o si la cena se sirve unos minutos tarde”, dice Iannotti. “Si las personas que has invitado están más interesadas en evaluar tu desempeño que en pasar un buen rato, pueden discutirlo con su terapeuta”. (Por cierto, no lo están, añade ella).

Y no dudes en dejar que la gente se sirva por sí misma, cuando sea posible. “Si no tienes tiempo para jugar a ser el barman, crea una bebida insignia con anticipación que puedas servir a todos tus invitados. También puedes simplemente dejar algunos mezcladores para que los invitados se sirvan y hagan sus propias creaciones”, sugiere Caroline Utz, directora editorial y de estrategia en The Spruce.

Está bien tener tiempo a solas

Las cosas funcionarán lo suficientemente bien si no lo supervisas todo, así que cuídate. Tómate pausas o caminatas si eso te ayuda a mantenerte centrado.

“Aunque el mindfulness se está convirtiendo en un término demasiado utilizado en la sociedad actual, hay algo valioso que podemos tomar de esto y aplicar a la temporada de fin de año”, dice Brook Choulet, psiquiatra deportiva y de rendimiento de concierge y fundadora de Choulet Performance Psychiatry.

Ella recomienda “programar microdescansos intencionales” para hacer algo que disfrutes.

“Por ejemplo, podrías programar una llamada telefónica con un amigo de otro estado, tomar un paseo de 15 minutos al aire libre, o incluso ajustar el temporizador y tomar un baño de 15 minutos sin interrupciones”, dijo.

Espera algo de discordia y no te alarmes por ello

“Si te preocupa la polarización y entrar en conversaciones incómodas, intenta pensar en maneras en que puedas terminar una conversación o cambiarla de dirección”, dice Bufka.

Ella recomienda preparar algunas frases de antemano para ayudar a terminar la conversación o cambiarla de dirección.

En resumen, tener la intención de una temporada festiva menos perfecta puede ser justo lo que necesitas.

___

Katherine Roth cubre temas de vida y estilo y otros temas para The Associated Press desde Nueva York.

___

Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

World

Azerbaijan Airlines plane headed to Russia crashes hundreds of miles off course, dozens feared dead

Published

9 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Azerbaijan Airlines plane headed to Russia crashes hundreds of miles off course, dozens feared dead

Dozens of passengers are feared dead after an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, reports say.

The Embraer 190 passenger jet flying from Azerbaijan to Russia had 62 passengers and five crew on board, Kazakh authorities announced, saying 32 survivors had been rescued.

Flight J2-8243 had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea. Officials did not immediately explain why it had crossed the sea, but the crash came shortly after drone strikes hit southern Russia. Drone activity has shut airports in the area in the past and the nearest Russian airport on the plane’s flight path was closed on Wednesday morning.

Russia’s aviation watchdog, meanwhile, said it was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike.

MORE THAN 30 DEAD IN BRAZIL BUS AND TRUCK COLLISION

In this photo taken from a video released by the administration of Mangystau region, the wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 lies on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. (The Administration of Mangystau Region/AP Photo)

Those aboard the plane included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhstani and three Kyrgyzstani citizens, according to Kazakhstani officials.

Russian news agency Interfax reported that both pilots died in the crash, citing a preliminary assessment by emergency workers at the scene. The news agency also quoted medical workers who stated that four bodies had been recovered from the crash so far.

A total of 29 survivors, including two children, have been hospitalized, the ministry told Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti, the Associated Press reported. Many passengers have yet to be accounted for.

MALAYSIA AGREES TO RESUME ‘NO FIND, NO FEE’ HUNT FOR FLIGHT MH370, 10 YEARS AFTER PLANE DISAPPEARED

More than 30 are feared dead following the crash near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau. (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP Photo)

Video of the crash showed the plane descending rapidly before bursting into flames as it hit the seashore, and thick black smoke then rising, Reuters reported. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who had been traveling to Russia, returned to Azerbaijan upon hearing news of the crash, the president’s press service said. Aliyev was due to attend an informal meeting of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a bloc of former Soviet countries founded after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in St. Petersburg.

Emergency crews at the site of the Azerbaijani airliner crash on Dec. 25, 2024. (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP Photo)

Aliyev expressed his condolences to the families of the victims in a statement on social media.

“It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” he wrote.

He also signed a decree declaring Dec. 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan.

The plane was en route from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus, the Associated Press reports. (The Administration of Mangystau Region/AP Photo)

In a statement, Azerbaijan Airlines said it would keep members of the public updated and changed its social media banners to solid black.

“We ask God for mercy on the passengers and crew members who lost their lives,” a translated statement on X said. “Their pain is our pain. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

World

Who is Europe's top investor in space in 2023?

Published

10 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Who is Europe's top investor in space in 2023?

Luxembourg remains Europe’s top investor in space in a year when defence spending on space exceeded civil space budgets for the first time since the 1990s.

Global public investment in space hit a record high of €106 billion in 2023, an 11% increase compared to 2022.

In Europe, the total funding was €11.9 billion, showing a modest 1% rise in its share of global space investment.

According to the European Space Agency, defence spending on space exceeded civil space budgets last year for the first time since the 1990s. Defence expenditures in space are projected to grow faster than civil spending, making up 53% of the budget in 2024.

The US continues to dominate global space investment, accounting for 64% of the total budget, while China holds a strong second place, growing its share from an estimated 2% in 2000 to 12% in 2023 through long-term programmes in both civil and defence.

Europe ranks third, contributing 11% of the global space budget in 2023.

What share of their GDP do EU countries spend on public space budgets?

Luxembourg remains Europe’s leading investor in space, dedicating 0.135% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the sector.

Globally, the country ranks third behind the US (0.262%) and Russia (0.169%).

In Europe, Luxembourg is followed by France, which invests 0.167% of its GDP, Italy at 0.103%, and Belgium at 0.095%.

On the other hand, private investment in space has continued to decline in 2023, dropping by 32% compared to 2022.

Europe also saw a 14% decrease in 2023 compared to the year before, with private space ventures receiving just below €980 million.

Although the US accounts for most of the global decline in 2023, its space sector continues to attract the largest share of investments at 60%, followed by Europe with 16% and China with 9%.

What was the state of space activity in 2023?

There were 221 orbital launches in 2023, an 18% increase compared to 2022.

Yet, a total of 212 launches were successful.

The US carried out more than half of the launches, with 96 of them conducted by SpaceX.

China accounted for 30% with 67 launches, a 5% increase from 2022, and Russia completed 19 launches.

The European launch service provider conducted three launches in 2023, including Europe’s first mission to Jupiter, which aimed to explore whether the planet’s three moons — Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede — could support life in their oceans.

Video editor • Mert Can Yilmaz