The Europe House Media Group, including the editors of Almere-Digest, EU-Digest, Insure-Digest, and Turkish-Digest wish their readers, sponsors and advertisers a Peaceful, Happy and Prosperous 2018.Annual Advertising Options |
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Europe House Media Group Extend Their Best Wishes For A Peaceful, Happy, and Prosperous 2018
The Europe House Media Group, including the editors of Almere-Digest, EU-Digest, Insure-Digest, and Turkish-Digest wish their readers, sponsors and advertisers a Peaceful, Happy and Prosperous 2018.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Technology: 17 biggest tech scandals of 2017 - by Avery Hartmans
Years of sexual misconduct in the tech industry (and elsewhere) were brought to light this year.
Tech giants like Facebook and Google had to answer questions about their roles in swaying the 2016 election.
Apple finally owned up to intentionally slowing down old iPhones.
Even YouTube star PewDiePie had a fall from grace, losing out on a lucrative deal with Disney for making anti-Semitic comments.
In short, it's been quite a year in tech.
What follows are the biggest scandals in the tech industry over the course of the last year. Grab some popcorn:
Tech giants like Facebook and Google had to answer questions about their roles in swaying the 2016 election.
Apple finally owned up to intentionally slowing down old iPhones.
Even YouTube star PewDiePie had a fall from grace, losing out on a lucrative deal with Disney for making anti-Semitic comments.
In short, it's been quite a year in tech.
What follows are the biggest scandals in the tech industry over the course of the last year. Grab some popcorn:
Friday, December 29, 2017
USA: President Trump again falsely claims he's signed more bills than any president - by Brian Bennett
 |
| The President of the No 1 Super Power - "What a guy !" |
Trump touted his administration’s work to roll back
government regulations and cut taxes and claimed credit for the stock
market hitting record highs. He also said he’s signed more bills into
law than any other president, which isn’t true.
“We have signed more legislation than anybody,” Trump said, standing in front of a rescue vehicle inside the fire station.
Note EU-Digest: the King of the BS strikes again. Those who have followed Trump’s career say his lying isn’t just a
tactic, but an ingrained habit. New York tabloid writers who covered
Trump as a mogul on the rise in the 1980s and ’90s found him
categorically different from the other self-promoting celebrities in
just how often, and pointlessly, he would lie to them. In his own
autobiography, Trump used the phrase “truthful hyperbole,”
a term coined by his ghostwriter referring to the flagrant
truth-stretching that Trump employed, over and over, to help close
sales. Trump apparently loved the wording, and went on to adopt it as
his own.
Read more: Tribune News Service | Preview | President Trump again falsely claims he's signed more bills than any president
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Europe's 'best-kept secret' - its booming bio-economy- by David Burrows
Europe's bio-economy is worth €2.2 trillion and employs 18.6 million
people across the bloc, but a third of citizens are unaware it exists.
"People are completely unaware that the EU is number one in the world [for bio-based products] and they don't know it is investing [in the bio-economy]," said Susanna Albertini, managing director of FVA, the Italian partner of the Bioways project, at the first stakeholder forum for the bio-based industries (BBI), which took place in Brussels on 7 December.
The BBI joint undertaking (BBIJU), running from 2014-2020, is a €3.7 billion public-private partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium. EU funding through Horizon 2020 has committed €975 million, with the rest coming from private investment.
So far, for every €1 put in by the EU, €2.59 has been invested by the private sector. Companies outside the EU are "getting interested" in what is going on here, said Philippe Mengel, executive director of the BBIJU. "The EU is back on the map as a place to invest in bio-based industry."
Since the BBIJU started in 2014, 45 new bio-based building blocks have been developed, exceeding the 2020 target of 30, as well as 90 new bio-based materials, against a target of 50.
Some 40 new bio-based consumer products have also been launched (the target was 30).
One innovation with considerable potential – not least given the focus on disposable plastics currently – is PEF (polyethylene furanoate), a bio-based alternative to PET (polyethylene terephthalate).
Around 70 percent of soft drinks are now packaged in PET plastic bottles, but PEF is the "first example of a polymer that's better than the petroleum-based ones", said Tom Van Aken, CEO of Avantium, which has developed the technology.
Stronger and thinner than its oil-based cousin, PEF also has improved barrier properties, said Van Aken, so the shelf-life of products can be extended.
Backed by a €25 million BBI subsidy, the company is part of a consortium developing a supply chain for FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid), the building block for PEF. Coca-Cola and Danone have also invested in Avantium's research.
For bio-based products, supply chains are critical.
New markets for agricultural and forestry products that are used in bio-based materials could reportedly create around 700,000 jobs by 2030, 80 percent of them rural, and much has been made of the potential in the bio-economy to tick a number of boxes in terms of economic and environmental sustainability.
PEF won't be available commercially before 2020, for example, but it is part of a global bio-plastics market that is set to grow 20 percent in the next five years, according to research published at the European bioplastics conference in Berlin in November.
Asia accounts for the largest share of production (50 percent). Europe represents 20 percent, but this should expand to 25 percent by 2022, thanks to the European Commission's commitment to transitioning to a circular economy model.
A political deal on the circular economy package was struck on Monday (18 December).
A full review of the bio-economy strategy – which is seen as complementary to the circular economy – is planned for 2018, but a progress report published in November has already concluded that "there is great potential in a sustainable circular bio-economy".
With forward-thinking policies in place more investment should follow. As Europe's science and research commissioner Carlos Moedas has said: "Private money goes where stability is and where policies are predictable."
Much less predictable is how consumers view bio-based products. It was through a couple of new surveys with 500 people that Bioways – which was set up to raise awareness of bio-based products – discovered just how poor people's understanding is. "It's a mess," admitted Albertini.
To date, there has been little research on people's perceptions regarding bio-based products.
One of the few academic studies there are suggested a general state of confusion. Researchers in the Netherlands quizzed 89 people from five EU countries (a fair-sized study in qualitative terms) and concluded that a large number of them had questions, felt uncertain or had "mixed feelings" regarding the whole thing.
"It [bio-based] is very strange. What does it mean?" admitted one of the consumers involved. Others suggested the whole thing could be a "marketing gimmick".
Concerns certainly intensified when the products in question are not 100 percent bio-based (one of the products given to them was Coca-Cola's part-plant bottle), or if they were produced outside the EU in countries (for example, a hemp-based T-shirt from China).
Companies will need to tread carefully when it comes to marketing their wares. Whether it's face creams enhanced by cellulose microfibrils, thistles for compostable packaging or waste milk proteins that are used to make dresses, the message from the study was to keep things simple and clear.
The term 'bio-based' doesn't help in that respect. But this shouldn't stop companies ramping up their efforts to communicate the environmental benefits and functionality of their products.
MEP Lambert van Nistelrooij, the Dutch Christian Democrat member of the Europe People's Party, said Europe's design ability isn't always matched by its selling techniques. He called on the sector to "be visible and be touchable."
Some already are. In a survey of 40 brands by bio-economy communications specialists, Sustainability Consult, published in November, 71 percent said they were already communicating their use of bio-based products externally.
Consumer demand for environmentally-friendly products was the key driver for their investment.
More and more member states have also adopted bio-economy strategies, which will help raise awareness at a national level. And the potential of the bio-based economy will no doubt continue to appeal to a commission that has made jobs, growth and investment a priority.
"I think 2018 is going to be a turning point for the bio-economy as it moves from niche to norm," said John Bell, bio-economy director at DG research and innovation.
At €2.2 trillion and 18.6 million jobs you could say the bio-economy has already arrived – but many people are still waiting for the bang.
Read more: Europe's 'best-kept secret' - its booming bio-economy
"People are completely unaware that the EU is number one in the world [for bio-based products] and they don't know it is investing [in the bio-economy]," said Susanna Albertini, managing director of FVA, the Italian partner of the Bioways project, at the first stakeholder forum for the bio-based industries (BBI), which took place in Brussels on 7 December.
The BBI joint undertaking (BBIJU), running from 2014-2020, is a €3.7 billion public-private partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium. EU funding through Horizon 2020 has committed €975 million, with the rest coming from private investment.
So far, for every €1 put in by the EU, €2.59 has been invested by the private sector. Companies outside the EU are "getting interested" in what is going on here, said Philippe Mengel, executive director of the BBIJU. "The EU is back on the map as a place to invest in bio-based industry."
Since the BBIJU started in 2014, 45 new bio-based building blocks have been developed, exceeding the 2020 target of 30, as well as 90 new bio-based materials, against a target of 50.
Some 40 new bio-based consumer products have also been launched (the target was 30).
One innovation with considerable potential – not least given the focus on disposable plastics currently – is PEF (polyethylene furanoate), a bio-based alternative to PET (polyethylene terephthalate).
Around 70 percent of soft drinks are now packaged in PET plastic bottles, but PEF is the "first example of a polymer that's better than the petroleum-based ones", said Tom Van Aken, CEO of Avantium, which has developed the technology.
Stronger and thinner than its oil-based cousin, PEF also has improved barrier properties, said Van Aken, so the shelf-life of products can be extended.
Backed by a €25 million BBI subsidy, the company is part of a consortium developing a supply chain for FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid), the building block for PEF. Coca-Cola and Danone have also invested in Avantium's research.
For bio-based products, supply chains are critical.
New markets for agricultural and forestry products that are used in bio-based materials could reportedly create around 700,000 jobs by 2030, 80 percent of them rural, and much has been made of the potential in the bio-economy to tick a number of boxes in terms of economic and environmental sustainability.
PEF won't be available commercially before 2020, for example, but it is part of a global bio-plastics market that is set to grow 20 percent in the next five years, according to research published at the European bioplastics conference in Berlin in November.
Asia accounts for the largest share of production (50 percent). Europe represents 20 percent, but this should expand to 25 percent by 2022, thanks to the European Commission's commitment to transitioning to a circular economy model.
A political deal on the circular economy package was struck on Monday (18 December).
A full review of the bio-economy strategy – which is seen as complementary to the circular economy – is planned for 2018, but a progress report published in November has already concluded that "there is great potential in a sustainable circular bio-economy".
With forward-thinking policies in place more investment should follow. As Europe's science and research commissioner Carlos Moedas has said: "Private money goes where stability is and where policies are predictable."
Much less predictable is how consumers view bio-based products. It was through a couple of new surveys with 500 people that Bioways – which was set up to raise awareness of bio-based products – discovered just how poor people's understanding is. "It's a mess," admitted Albertini.
To date, there has been little research on people's perceptions regarding bio-based products.
One of the few academic studies there are suggested a general state of confusion. Researchers in the Netherlands quizzed 89 people from five EU countries (a fair-sized study in qualitative terms) and concluded that a large number of them had questions, felt uncertain or had "mixed feelings" regarding the whole thing.
"It [bio-based] is very strange. What does it mean?" admitted one of the consumers involved. Others suggested the whole thing could be a "marketing gimmick".
Concerns certainly intensified when the products in question are not 100 percent bio-based (one of the products given to them was Coca-Cola's part-plant bottle), or if they were produced outside the EU in countries (for example, a hemp-based T-shirt from China).
Companies will need to tread carefully when it comes to marketing their wares. Whether it's face creams enhanced by cellulose microfibrils, thistles for compostable packaging or waste milk proteins that are used to make dresses, the message from the study was to keep things simple and clear.
The term 'bio-based' doesn't help in that respect. But this shouldn't stop companies ramping up their efforts to communicate the environmental benefits and functionality of their products.
MEP Lambert van Nistelrooij, the Dutch Christian Democrat member of the Europe People's Party, said Europe's design ability isn't always matched by its selling techniques. He called on the sector to "be visible and be touchable."
Some already are. In a survey of 40 brands by bio-economy communications specialists, Sustainability Consult, published in November, 71 percent said they were already communicating their use of bio-based products externally.
Consumer demand for environmentally-friendly products was the key driver for their investment.
More and more member states have also adopted bio-economy strategies, which will help raise awareness at a national level. And the potential of the bio-based economy will no doubt continue to appeal to a commission that has made jobs, growth and investment a priority.
"I think 2018 is going to be a turning point for the bio-economy as it moves from niche to norm," said John Bell, bio-economy director at DG research and innovation.
At €2.2 trillion and 18.6 million jobs you could say the bio-economy has already arrived – but many people are still waiting for the bang.
Read more: Europe's 'best-kept secret' - its booming bio-economy
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
EUROZONE ECONOMICS: Pierre Moscovici sees big leap for eurozone – by Matthew Karnitschnig
European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs
Pierre Moscovici said Friday he was confident eurozone countries would
pursue an ambitious restructuring of their currency union after upcoming
elections in France and Germany.
“It will be a window of opportunity that we must not miss,”
he said in an interview on the sidelines of the International Monetary
Fund’s spring meeting.
Though he acknowledged there is still no political consensus on whether to pursue such a course, he argued that the challenges the single currency faces will force policymakers to act.
“I’m confident that consciousness will come that it is of basic common interest that we have stronger tools for the eurozone,” Moscovici said, adding that he expected the Commission’s upcoming paper on the future of monetary union to be “ambitious.” “This debate is not over, it is starting.”
Though he acknowledged there is still no political consensus on whether to pursue such a course, he argued that the challenges the single currency faces will force policymakers to act.
“I’m confident that consciousness will come that it is of basic common interest that we have stronger tools for the eurozone,” Moscovici said, adding that he expected the Commission’s upcoming paper on the future of monetary union to be “ambitious.” “This debate is not over, it is starting.”
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Netherlands -US Relations: With friends like this who needs any enemies? The new US ambassador to Netherlands describes own words as 'fake news - by Martin Belam'
The US ambassador to the Netherlands faced an excruciating moment on
television when he denied ever saying that there were no-go zones in the
Netherlands, calling the suggestion “fake news”.
Trump’s new choice for ambassador, Pete Hoekstra, who was only sworn in by the vice president, Mike Pence, on 11 December, was being interviewed for current affairs programme Nieuwsuur by reporter Wouter Zwart.
Zwart says: “You mentioned in a debate that there are no-go zones in the Netherlands, and that cars and politicians are being set on fire in the Netherlands.”
Hoekstra replies: “I didn’t say that. This is actually an incorrect statement. We would call it fake news.”
Hoekstra is then shown clips of him saying: “The Islamic movement has now gotten to a point where they have put Europe into chaos. Chaos in the Netherlands, there are cars being burnt, there are politicians that are being burnt ... and yes there are no-go zones in the Netherlands.”
Challenged about having called this “fake news”, Hoekstra then went on to deny to Zwart that he had in fact used the phrase “fake news”.
“I didn’t call that fake news. I didn’t use the words today. I don’t think I did.”
Hoekstra, who was born in Groningen in the Netherlands, was a Republican Congressman for Michigan between 1993 and 2011, and served as chair of the House intelligence committee for two years during that time.
Note EU-Digest: "No Mr. Hoekstra, we also don't believe that story of the Dutch boy putting his finger in the dike"
Read more: US ambassador to Netherlands describes own words as 'fake news' | World news | The Guardian
Trump’s new choice for ambassador, Pete Hoekstra, who was only sworn in by the vice president, Mike Pence, on 11 December, was being interviewed for current affairs programme Nieuwsuur by reporter Wouter Zwart.
Zwart says: “You mentioned in a debate that there are no-go zones in the Netherlands, and that cars and politicians are being set on fire in the Netherlands.”
Hoekstra replies: “I didn’t say that. This is actually an incorrect statement. We would call it fake news.”
Hoekstra is then shown clips of him saying: “The Islamic movement has now gotten to a point where they have put Europe into chaos. Chaos in the Netherlands, there are cars being burnt, there are politicians that are being burnt ... and yes there are no-go zones in the Netherlands.”
Challenged about having called this “fake news”, Hoekstra then went on to deny to Zwart that he had in fact used the phrase “fake news”.
“I didn’t call that fake news. I didn’t use the words today. I don’t think I did.”
Hoekstra, who was born in Groningen in the Netherlands, was a Republican Congressman for Michigan between 1993 and 2011, and served as chair of the House intelligence committee for two years during that time.
Note EU-Digest: "No Mr. Hoekstra, we also don't believe that story of the Dutch boy putting his finger in the dike"
Read more: US ambassador to Netherlands describes own words as 'fake news' | World news | The Guardian
Thursday, December 21, 2017
EU Trade agreement with Mexico: EU and Mexico fail to conclude political agreement on trade deal – by Iana Dreyer
European trade officials had been more optimistic about the prospects
for a deal with Mexico than with the South American bloc Mercosur, talks
towards which ended in a limbo in early December.
But European Commission hopes to announce a ‘political agreement’ with Mexico by year-end were nonetheless dashed.
The issues that required ironing out over the last days included market access in agriculture, agreement over a few geographical indications on cheeses (such as Manchego) and the EU’s investment court system.
EU trade chief Cecilia Malmström said today: “We are confident we can solve all the remaining political issues. But we need a little bit more time.”
Read more: EU and Mexico fail to conclude political agreement on trade deal – EURACTIV.com
But European Commission hopes to announce a ‘political agreement’ with Mexico by year-end were nonetheless dashed.
The issues that required ironing out over the last days included market access in agriculture, agreement over a few geographical indications on cheeses (such as Manchego) and the EU’s investment court system.
EU trade chief Cecilia Malmström said today: “We are confident we can solve all the remaining political issues. But we need a little bit more time.”
Read more: EU and Mexico fail to conclude political agreement on trade deal – EURACTIV.com
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