During the European Free Alliance's General Assembly, Spitzenkandidaten Maylis Roßberg and Raül Romeva spoke with Euractiv's Jennifer Baker about their political approach and the 2024 campaign. They emphasized the importance of diversity in representation, the need for the EU to have a strong voice regardless of global leaders, and the concept of shared leadership. They also addressed the challenge of the far-right's rise and the potential impact of a second Trump presidency on EU-US relations. EFA's commitment to democracy was highlighted, with a focus on inclusive representation of all languages, stateless nations, and minorities.

Environmental stakeholders are advocating for ambitious new nature and biodiversity policies in the EU, similar to the robust climate targets set by the Green Deal. The European Commission's proposed Nature Restoration Law, which would require EU countries to develop national restoration plans with binding targets up to 2050, is supported by various organizations. The European Environment Agency notes the importance of agricultural habitats for species, while The Nature Conservancy emphasizes the need for the next EU Commission to focus on policy signals that support nature and biodiversity. The European Central Bank acknowledges the significant threat that biodiversity loss poses to the economy. Nature-based solutions are highlighted as cost-effective climate change mitigation strategies.

The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which began in January, is focusing on European competitiveness, economic growth, and addressing long-term EU challenges. The EU's 'Green Deal Industrial Plan' was presented to support clean industries, in response to the US's 'Inflation Reduction Act' and China's industrial policy. Coordination with the US, especially in light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, is a key objective for Sweden's EU presidency. The EURACTIV Presidency Debate discussed the EU's current actions to boost competitiveness, strategies to aid EU businesses, and the future of the transatlantic relationship.

The European Commission plans to publish a proposal to reform the European Electricity Market Design on March 14th, focusing on short-term wholesale markets and their impact on consumer prices, as well as longer-term instruments to incentivize renewable generation capacity. This is part of Europe's effort to become more independent from Russian gas imports. The proposal recognizes the need for increased system flexibility to manage the volatility from growing shares of variable renewable energy sources. A recent EURACTIV Hybrid Conference discussed the importance of flexible solutions for a resilient and decarbonized energy system, including the different needs, technical solutions, and necessary investments.

The European Parliament's Strasbourg session saw extraordinary results with the European People’s Party, Greens, S&D, ECR, and ID parties all rejecting the #Fitfor55 climate package for different reasons. The European Commission celebrated the EU's move towards a common charger, which will save consumers money and reduce waste, despite Apple's strong opposition. Angela Merkel, in her first major interview since leaving office, defended her tenure as Germany's chancellor and her handling of Putin, despite facing criticism for enabling German dependence on Russian energy.

US officials have ordered that starting Monday, only American citizens, Green Card holders, and other foreign nationals will be allowed through the gates of Kabul airport for evacuation flights, leaving many Afghan refugees stranded. Despite the lack of clarity on the number of Americans remaining in Afghanistan, the Pentagon is confident they can evacuate all by August 31. The evacuation has seen chaotic scenes at Kabul airport, with a large backlog of people waiting due to paperwork issues. Over the weekend, the Taliban have shown signs of violence despite promises of moderation, and there have been reports of the Taliban hunting down former enemies. President Biden has faced criticism for his handling of the situation, and there are concerns about potential ISIS threats to the evacuation efforts. The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pushing for an extension of the US withdrawal deadline to facilitate evacuations.

Billionaires around the world are increasingly engaging in philanthropy, with some, like Indian tech tycoon Azim Premji, donating substantial portions of their wealth to charitable causes. Premji's recent contribution of a $7.5 billion stake in Wipro to his foundation brought his lifetime giving to $21 billion. Other notable philanthropists include Christopher Hohn of the UK, Carlos Slim of Mexico, and Li Ka-shing of Hong Kong. These individuals have contributed to various causes, from education and healthcare to environmental conservation, often through their own foundations. The article highlights the growing trend of non-U.S. billionaires committing to philanthropy and the impact of their generosity.

Kevin Tsujihara has resigned as Chairman of Warner Bros. Entertainment following reports of him seeking movie roles for an actress he was involved with. WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey announced the resignation, stating it was in the best interest of the company. An outside law firm is investigating the allegations after a Hollywood Reporter article revealed private text messages between Tsujihara and actress Charlotte Kirk, who denies involvement in their release. Tsujihara apologized for personal mistakes causing pain and embarrassment.

The article discusses the emergence of financial wellness programs as employee benefits, distinguishing between genuine programs aimed at improving financial wellbeing without a sales pitch and those offered by financial service companies with potential ulterior motives. A true financial wellness program should be employer-paid, offer personalized guidance and coaching, integrate with other employee benefits, and help employees achieve financial goals without selling financial products. Financial wellness is described as a state of being with manageable financial stress, living within means, a strong financial foundation, and a plan for life goals.

New York City's creative and economic vitality is bolstered by the presence of college students, despite occasional town-gown tensions exemplified by complaints from residents of The Azure building in Brooklyn about students' behavior. The King's College, where author Paul Glader teaches, is highlighted for its educational goals and contribution to the city's diversity. The article argues for the importance of welcoming students, universities, and tech startups to maintain New York City's competitive edge.

10x Genomics, a gene sequencing startup based in Pleasanton, California, has raised an additional $35 million in Series D funding, bringing its total raised to $243 million and valuing the company at $1.28 billion. The funding will support R&D, marketing, and sales expansion. The company, co-founded by Serge Saxonov and Ben Hindson, has seen significant revenue growth and made two acquisitions in 2018. It has also expanded its facilities internationally and launched new products. The company's tools have been instrumental in advancing patient care through genetic research.

Philippe Delquié, Associate Professor at George Washington University School of Business and speaker at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership, discusses the complexities of decision-making in the business world, emphasizing the need to handle uncertainty and ambiguity. He highlights the impact of big data and artificial intelligence on decision-making processes, the potential of blockchain technology, and the importance of human judgment. Delquié also addresses consumer mistrust in big data, advocating for more sophisticated user engagement and consent-based data usage. He advises leaders to balance head, heart, and gut in decision-making and recommends resources for expanding one's view on the subject.

The article provides eight strategies for investors to consider during times of stock market volatility, including measuring returns from the initial investment, running retirement projections, checking risk tolerance, rebalancing portfolios, creating an investment policy statement, diversifying investments, building emergency cash reserves, and for aggressive investors, taking advantage of market volatility. It emphasizes the importance of aligning investment strategies with personal goals and risk tolerance, and preparing for potential economic downturns.

Facebook acknowledged it tasked Definers Public Affairs to investigate George Soros after he criticized the social network. Elliot Schrage, Facebook's outgoing communications head, confirmed the investigation into Soros' funding of groups in the 'Freedom from Facebook' campaign. This follows a New York Times report detailing Facebook's hiring of Definers to counter criticism and spread negative stories about its critics. Facebook executives Zuckerberg and Sandberg denied knowledge of hiring Definers, which was later fired. The tactics used against Soros, including suggestions of anti-Semitic narratives, have been condemned. Sandberg, who is Jewish, stated that anti-Semitism was never the intention. Definers defended its research as legitimate and not a smear campaign.

The article discusses the financial benefits of having a side hustle or second job, which can help individuals achieve their financial goals more quickly. It provides examples of different side jobs people have taken on, such as rental real estate, bar tending, babysitting, and teaching, and highlights the flexibility and additional income they can offer. The piece also shares personal experiences from Financial Finesse employees who have pursued side jobs to pay off debt, save for a down payment on a home, or fund their children's education. The article encourages readers to find a side hustle that fits their interests and schedule, and to use any extra income to work towards specific financial goals.

The article provides a list of recommended books for creative leaders to read in Fall 2018. The books cover a range of topics including AI, learning, strategy, work, culture, human connection, and leadership. Authors include Brené Brown, Beth Comstock, Thomas H. Davenport, and many others. The books are presented as valuable resources for those looking to transform themselves and their creative businesses.

Rustin Keller, CEO of J. J. Keller & Associates, is recognized for his progressive leadership in aligning the company with Gen Z's work preferences, such as remote working. The company, serving 90% of Fortune 1000 companies, has transitioned from a print-based provider to a technology-focused intellectual property company. Keller also contributes to the Winnebago Seed Fund, supporting local startups. He emphasizes the importance of earning customer trust, staying true to core purposes, and nurturing talent within the company. Keller's approach to leadership and innovation reflects a commitment to employee wellness and adapting to industry shifts.

Austrian lawyer Max Schrems has brought a class action lawsuit against Facebook Ireland, challenging the social network's handling of personal data and its compliance with EU privacy laws. Schrems, who has been a Facebook user since 2008, claims to represent the interests of 25,000 other users who have assigned their rights to him. The case, which has reached the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), questions whether Schrems can be considered a private consumer given his public advocacy and whether he can bring a class action in Austria on behalf of EU claimants. Facebook Ireland disputes Schrems' consumer status, citing his professional activities as a data protection activist. The Advocate General's opinion is expected on November 7th, with the CJEU's final judgment due by year's end.

Heather du Plessis-Allan hosts a radio show called Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB, which airs on weekdays from 4pm to 7pm. The show is known for its direct and assertive style, delivering the latest news and views to New Zealanders during their evening commute. Heather is recognized for her straightforward approach and is respected by news makers, business leaders, and political insiders. The show not only sets the news agenda but also places a significant emphasis on local and international business topics, aiming to keep listeners engaged and well-informed. Heather du Plessis-Allan is noted as a key figure in New Zealand's largest newsroom and leading radio station. The show also offers a podcast for subscribers.

The article discusses various topics related to technology and business, with a focus on cyber security, AI, and digital transformation. It highlights the need for oversight in human augmentation tech due to potential military uses, the poor state of cyber security in UK football clubs, and the evolution of identity management by SailPoint Technologies. The UK government is urged to exercise caution with autonomous weapons, while Microsoft's investment in AI datacentre capacity in the UK is praised. The lack of digital skills training among UK workers is noted, and BT Group's network simplification for quicker services is mentioned. The article also covers the extension of Cologne Bonn Airport's digital radio network, the spread of alternative broadband providers in the UK, and the Post Office IT scandal. Yarra Valley Water's smart meter rollout, AWS's new model evaluation tool, and efforts to combat online fraud are discussed. Collaborations to promote immersion cooling in datacentres and to fight climate change are mentioned, along with a ransomware attack on the British Library. The government's AI training framework, the slow response to the Post Office scandal, and law enforcement actions against ransomware in Ukraine are reported. Other topics include Aerodyne's drone platform powered by AWS, Zoom's AI-driven future, the widening scope of Okta's helpdesk breach, Meta's GDPR complaint, and digital initiatives by The Very Group and Carlsberg. The article concludes with insights into SAP's need for trust rebuilding and the expansion of 5G services in APAC.

The article discusses the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and the US Federal Trade Commission to establish a new framework for transatlantic data transfers, following the invalidation of the Safe Harbour agreement by the European Court of Justice. The negotiations are a response to concerns about US surveillance practices and the protection of European citizens' data. Austrian privacy campaigner Max Schrems, who filed a complaint against Facebook for misuse of his personal data, is highlighted as a key figure in the debate. Schrems criticizes the potential new agreement and suggests that sector-specific agreements would be more effective. The article also touches on the lobbying efforts by US corporations to influence the European Commission and the use of standard contractual clauses as an interim data protection measure.