EU politics
Bill Mitchell: Contrasting narratives about the outcomes of the euro
Bill Mitchell tells the tale of two unions: Those who have borne the brunt of the European Union’s neo-liberal policy, and those who have profited. Read here
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Corruption
Wyn Grant: The murky world of lobbying
Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute (Speri) Despite recent reforms, there are still concerns that the activities of lobbyists lack transparency and are insufficiently regulated Read here
Climate Crisis
DeSmog UK – European Parliament: Say No to Fossil Fuel Lobbying at International Climate Talks
We shall see what becomes of this. Read here
Food Production
George Monbiot: Goodbye – and good riddance – to livestock farming
From The Guardian Livestock production is the single largest driver of habitat loss. Grazing livestock are a fully automated system for ecological destruction. Animal farming looks as incompatible with a sustained future for humans and […]
Energy
International Energy Agency: Solar leads the charge in another record year for renewables
Renewables accounted for two-thirds of new power added to world’s grids last year. Of these, solar power was the fast growing. Read here
EU politics
The Guardian: Amazon ordered to repay €250m by EU over ‘illegal tax advantages’
European Union officials order Luxembourg to collect €250m in illegal state aid to Luxembourg from online retail giant Amazon, while the European Commission’s competition watchdog will be taking Ireland to the European Court of Justice […]
Sustainability
ICCT: The EU needs new environmental safeguard measures for advanced biofuels
Biofuels seem to have created many more problems than they solved. ICCT , which gained prominence in heoping to expose Volkswagen’s diesel affair, takes a look at new potential dangers as the European Commission forms […]
EU politics
Portugal’s Socialists toast ‘biggest ever’ election win
From Politico The Portugese Socialist Party won an impressive electoral victory following its easing of austerity. Danger lurks, however, as the two far left parties in coalition with the Socialists, crucial in driving anti-neo-liberal policy, […]
Finance
Michael Roberts – Economic crises: look to science or the rain gods?
“Recently, mainstream economists have debating yet again why ‘economics’ was unable to see the global financial crash coming and/or provide effective policies to end what I have described as the Long Depression that has endured […]
Solutions
The Herald (Scotland): Scottish Government announces fracking ban
This is an important step for the Scots, but should not distract from the fact that they are and will be extracting massive amounts of oil from the North Sea. Read here