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The announcement by the Commission on Wednesday evening (23 July) came as a blow to German trade unions and to the Land of Lower Saxony but it could give the luxury carmaker a helping hand in meeting the stringent new emissions targets planned by the EU.
As the US presidential candidate begins his tour of Europe today (24 July), Francois Lafond of the German Marshall Fund warns that, amid their 'Obamania', Europeans tend to overlook the fact that on certain issues like trade, a Democratic president pressured by a Democrat-led Congress could be a more difficult partner in pushing for a common agenda with Europe.
The lack of internationally-agreed criteria for sustainable biofuels production and the muddle of different government measures aimed at sheltering domestic markets are holding back growth in global biofuel trade and could stunt EU progress towards its goal of gradually replacing oil in transport. (read more)
EurActiv examines the different ways in which energy efficiency improvements are funded in Europe, whereby EU funds are only a small part of a large equation that includes market-based instruments, bank financing and private sector initiatives. (read more)
After a six-month total break-down in WTO negotiations on freeing up global trade, world leaders agreed, in January 2007, to revive the talks, but hopes to clinch a deal ahead of crucial US elections - are waning as hardliners refuse to soften their stance. (read more)