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Pour pouvoir décrocher son visa étudiant et poursuivre son cursus en France, il convient d’abord de décrocher une acception d’un établissement de l’enseignement supérieur français. […]

L’article Des étudiants algériens se disent victimes d’arnaque de la part d’une école en France est apparu en premier sur .

Le Parlement européen a donné son feu vert final aux nouvelles règles qui limiteront l’exposition des travailleurs au plomb et aux diisocyanates et qui renforceront la protection de leur santé.

With the clock ticking to reach a deal before the end of the legislature, the European Parliament on Wednesday (7 February) approved its amendments on the new rules for the highly controversial new genomic technologies (NGTs).

De grands travaux routiers démarrent à Cotonou en mars 2024. Il s'agit essentiellement des reprises de chaussée des axes de la traversée de Cotonou dont l'état de praticabilité n'offre plus le confort nécessaire et ne favorise pas une bonne mobilité des usagers.
Les axes routiers à réhabiliter se présentent comme suit

En images, le nouveau boulevard St Michel

– Etoile Rouge - Carrefour UNAFRICA - Carrefour Cheminot ;
– Etoile Rouge - Carrefour Marché Saint Michel ;
– Échangeur Godomey - Stade Mathieu KEREKOU - Carrefour Toyota ;
– Carrefour Toyota - Etoile Rouge ;
– Carrefour Toyota - Carrefour Cadjèhoun - Place du Souvenir ;
– Carrefour Douane Aéroport - Place du Souvenir.

De sources concordantes, les marchés sont déjà attribués et les travaux vont démarrer début mars 2024. Ces travaux ne concernent pas le projet asphaltage2, la construction de l'échangeur de Vedoko ainsi que les travaux du projet d'assainissement pluvial de Cotonou.

Written by Marcin Szczepański.

The EU and the UK are key automotive trading partners. After the UK left the EU, the two parties concluded a Trade and Cooperation Agreement, committing them among other things to a progressive increase in the EU and UK content in the electric vehicles (EVs) and EV batteries they trade, to avoid tariffs. As the European EV batteries sector is not sufficiently developed, the parties have agreed to extend the current rules until 2027.

EU and UK car markets Share of UK EV market in 2022 Data source: ACEA Factsheet, 2023.

In 2022, the United Kingdom (UK) was the EU’s second biggest export destination for cars, accounting for 17 % of total exports, halfway between the United States (23 %) and China (15 %). Between 2002 and 2022, the EU had a surplus in its car trade with the UK; this surplus peaked at €26 billion in 2015, falling to €17 billion in 2022. The EU is the UK’s largest market for total vehicle imports and exports (see chart).

Importantly, both parties have legal commitments not to sell new cars with combustion engines from 2035 onwards. The volume of trade in EVs is already significant. In 2022, the UK exported more than 47 000 EVs to the EU with a total value of €1.2 billion. In the same year, the EU exported nearly 140 000 new EVs to the UK, worth €5.1 billion. In 2022, there was a total of 642 000 EVs in the UK, compared with over 1 million in Germany and a total of 3 million in the EU as a whole.

Post-Brexit EV trade framework

Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the two parties signed a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) laying down the rules governing trade between them, with effect from 1 May 2021. Annex 5 of the TCA contains transitional product-specific rules for electric batteries and EVs. These include provisions on rules of origin – the criteria for establishing that a product is of EU or UK origin and therefore qualifies for the preferential trade regime under the TCA. For EV battery packs or battery cells to be recognised as being of EU or UK origin – and therefore eligible for zero tariffs – certain percentages of their value must originate in either the EU or the UK. These thresholds were set to increase progressively over the years, so as to phase in a full rules-of-origin regime from 1 January 2027 (see Table 1). Vehicles and batteries that do not meet the requirements face a 10 % tariff at either the EU or the UK border.

1 May 2021 to 31 December 20231 January 2024 to 31 December 2026From 1 January 2027Vehicle value40 %45 %55 %Battery pack30 %60 %70 %Battery cell30 %50 %60 % Major developments since 2020

The rationale behind the rules was to incentivise investment in domestic battery manufacturing capacity. However, the rules were agreed prior to the emergence of major social and economic developments that had a strong disruptive effect on the EU and UK supply chains and automotive sectors. Disruptions started with the COVID-19 pandemic and were further exacerbated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The resulting shortages (in particular of semiconductors) and shocks to both demand and supply caused problems for both the EU and the UK automotive sectors. More recently, these sectors have faced increased competition as a result of a number of new external subsidy support schemes, such as the US Inflation Reduction Act, diverting investment in battery ecosystems away from the EU and the UK. Prices of raw materials have also soared owing to shortages coupled with rising global demand.

China has given massive support to its EV industry with a mix of under-priced loans, equity injections, purchase subsidies and government contracts. Experts accuse the country of disregarding global trade rules and applying forced technology transfers. The EU has recently launched an anti-subsidy investigation into imports of Chinese EVs. The global market share of Chinese EVs is growing: in the EU, it has recently risen to 8 % and may reach 15 % by 2025. In the UK, it has soared from 1.7 % in 2019 to nearly 32 % in 2022.

According to the European Commission, these factors have ‘led to a situation where the scaling-up of the European battery ecosystem has been slower than initially anticipated’.

European Parliament

In a 23 November 2023 report on the implementation of the EU-UK TCA, MEPs called for reasonable solutions to be found for EV rules of origin, given the difficulties encountered by EU manufacturers in sourcing parts, in particular batteries, from within the EU. It pointed out that any exception would risk shifting investment away from the EU and should be assessed in the light of the European economic security strategy. The Parliament also encouraged the UK to consider re-joining the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin (PEM Convention). The convention, signed by the EU and 21 countries, facilitates trade by making rules of origin simpler and more flexible.

Extension of the original rules

Under the EU-UK TCA, the first increase in thresholds for domestic content were supposed to apply from 1 January 2024. In the run-up to the deadline, EU and UK carmakers issued numerous warnings signalling that they could not meet the heightened requirements. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) estimated that a 10 % tariff could cost the industry €4.3 billion, potentially reducing EV production by nearly 500 000 units. Higher EV prices (as much as €4 100 per vehicle) would likely benefit China, which despite paying the 10 % tariff has steadily increased its market share in both the EU and the UK by offering cheaper cars. Market analysts also pointed out that the EU is growing increasingly dependent on imports of cheap Chinese EV batteries, with the Chinese battery companies’ EU market share set to increase from 30 % to 50 % between 2023 and 2027. ACEA argued that EU and UK EV supply chains were not ready to fit within the thresholds.

On 6 December 2021, having listened to the views of industry and the UK government, the Commission submitted a proposal to the Council with a number of palliative measures. One of these was a one-off extension – until 31 December 2026 – of the first set of rules of origin featuring the lowest thresholds (left column in Table 1). From 1 December 2027, the final, most stringent rules of origin would apply as originally set (right column in Table 1). The effect of the extension would be the removal of the 1 January 2024 tariff cliff edge. Another measure was the introduction of a lock-in mechanism to prevent any further changes from being made before 2032. To help industry prepare for the higher requirements applicable from 2027, a third measure involved setting up a dedicated instrument for the battery value chain under the Innovation Fund, with a financial envelope of up to €3 billion. After the Council approved the proposal on 21 December 2023, it was adopted by the TCA Partnership Council on the same day.

Views and outlook

The extension of the current rules was met with overwhelming approval from the automotive industry in both the EU and the UK. The UK in Changing Europe research consortium stated that 3 years was a limited time window that might not be enough to scale up the EV industry sufficiently. Michael Gasiorek from the University of Sussex Business School argued that PEM Convention membership would be beneficial for the UK automotive industry, particularly in light of the tariffs, while not serving as a silver bullet capable of removing post-Brexit trade obstacles. Niall Moran from Dublin City University stressed that the shortage of raw materials facing both EU and UK battery makers presented a strong case for integrating their supply chains. It is however unclear whether such a rapprochement is possible, or if EU-UK relations are to remain indefinitely within the limits of the TCA.

Read this ‘at a glance’ on ‘EU – UK rules of origin for electric vehicles and batteries‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Cinq juristes de nationalité béninoise ont saisi la Cour constitutionnelle contre le décret N°2024-006 du 09 janvier 2024 portant création, attributions, organisation et fonctionnement du Collège des ministres conseillers à la Présidence de la République.

Le décret portant création, attributions, organisation et fonctionnement du Collège des ministres conseillers à la Présidence de la République est contraire aux articles 26 nouveau de la Constitution et 13 de la Charte africaine des droits de l'Homme et des Peuples, selon cinq juristes béninois. Ils ont déposé un recours à la Cour constitutionnelle sous le numéro 0246 du 06/02/2024.

Les réquérants Landry Angelo ADELAKOUN, Romaric ZINSOU, Miguèle HOUETO, Fréjus ATINDOGLO et Conaïde AKOUEDENOUDJE, fonde le recours en inconstitutionnalité sur l'article 4 du décret dudit décret qui stipule que « le ministre conseiller est nommé par décret du Président de la République, sur proposition des partis politiques membres de la majorité présidentielle à l'Assemblée nationale ou soutenant les actions gouvernementales ».

Selon le décret querellé, « le ministre conseiller a pour mission de contribuer d'une part, à la définition de la politique du Gouvernement et, d'autre part, au suivi de la mise en œuvre du programme d'actions et des initiatives du Gouvernement ».

Le ministre conseiller « participe à l'élaboration des politiques sectorielles ; contribue à la préparation des discours politiques dans lesquels il fait valoir les idées, les options et les opinions du Gouvernement, de manière à informer la population et à lui expliquer certaines prises de position du Gouvernement ; se renseigne et prend en considération tous les éléments d'une situation donnée afin d'être en mesure de proposer des solutions pertinentes au Chef de l'Etat ; assure le suivi sur le terrain, de l'exécution des décisions et des directives du Chef de l'Etat et le traitement des dossiers soumis au cabinet du Chef de l'Etat ; fait le suivi den la mise en œuvre des projets, réformes, programmes et initiatives du Gouvernement, en relation avec les cellules de suivi de la Présidence de la République, les ministres sectoriels et les entités en charge de l'exécution du programme d'actions du Gouvernement ; participe à la préparation des décisions du Conseil des Ministres ; (…) est membre du Comité interministériel, participe aux réunions initiées par le Président de la République ou les ministres sectoriels ; effectue toute autre activité à la demande du Chef de l'Etat ».

M. M.

An explosion of hatred against Muslims and Jews continues to spread throughout the EU, says the European Commission.

MEPs from all political groups bar the far-right ID voiced concerns about the EU's vulnerability concerning the large-scale interference and disinformation campaigns waged by Russia against the EU — a phenomenon some branded as 'Russiagate'.

Das Europäische Parlament hat am Mittwoch (7. Februar) die neuen Vorschriften zu den Grenzwerten von Blei und Diisocyanaten, denen Arbeitnehmer ausgesetzt sein dürfen, und zur Verbesserung des Gesundheitsschutzes verabschiedet.

Die Europäische Kommission hat am Dienstag (6. Februar) erklärt, dass sie sich auf kleine Atomreaktoren (SMR) verlässt, um die Klimaziele der EU zu erreichen. Dabei sollen "die ersten Reaktoren bis 2030 in Betrieb genommen werden."

Le parti de droite radicale Reconquête ! a annoncé mercredi (7 février) rejoindre le groupe parlementaire des Conservateurs et Réformistes européens (CRE), premier pas vers une « dédiabolisation ». Marion Maréchal, tête de liste du parti, s’est engagée à réunir les droites européennes.

Maros Šefčovič, the vice-president of the European Commission, outlined on Wednesday (7 February) the work the executive is doing to respond to the challenges facing agriculture as part of a dialogue with food chain stakeholders while calling on MEPs to overcome political polarisation.

Yacine Benslimane n’est plus le président-directeur général d’Air Algérie. Après plus de 19 mois aux rênes de la compagnie aérienne nationale, il cède désormais sa […]

L’article Transport aérien : Hamza Benhamouda, nouveau directeur général d’Air Algérie est apparu en premier sur .

Die belgische Regierung hat eine ursprünglich für Mittwoch (7. Februar) geplante Abstimmung der EU-Botschafter über neue CO2-Grenzwerte für Lkw auf Freitag verschoben. Deutschland hatte seine bisherige Unterstützung für das Gesetz zurückgezogen, sodass eine Mehrheit ungewiss ist.

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

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Thirty representatives from state institutions and civil society organizations engaged in the first hackathon against trafficking in human beings in Albania – a learning-by-doing training where they worked together to detect online human trafficking and child sexual exploitation, on 6 and 7 February 2024. The event was organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania in co-operation with the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings.

Guided by international experts, mentors in information technology and cyber security, the participants coming from police, social services, the National Authority on Electronic Certification and Cyber Security (AKCESK) and civil society organizations engaged in developing tools to detect online trafficking and sexual exploitation.

“Technology can also be developed and deployed to help combat human trafficking in the online environment. That is why we have to see opportunities beyond challenges and this is exactly the scope of this innovative training”, said Clarisse Pasztory, Acting Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, who addressed the opening session alongside AKCESK director Igli Tafa.

The goal of the hackathon was to increase awareness of the ways in which technology is misused in Albania to exploit victims, especially children. It also aimed to identify platforms and websites that are particularly exposed to human trafficking risks and to provide insight into how traffickers exploit them.

In addition, the hackathon served to build a network of expertise to address technology-facilitated human trafficking, by employing a “learning-by-doing” methodology, prioritizing the learning process over theory, and testing participants knowledge and capacities in a live online environment to detect websites and social media platforms that recruit victims for sexual exploitation.

À l’occasion de la Journée nationale de la ville, l’entreprise d’éclairage BELUX, en collaboration avec le Centre de recherche en anthropologie sociale et culturelle, organise […]

L’article Journée nationale de la ville 2024 : BELUX organise une journée d’étude à Oran est apparu en premier sur .

L'industrie des puces cérébrales en est encore à ses débuts et comporte un certain nombre d'incertitudes médicales, physiques et éthiques.

Le président de la République, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, a pris mercredi la présidence du Forum des chefs d’Etat et de Gouvernement du Mécanisme africain d’évaluation par […]

L’article Tebboune prend la présidence d’une importante instance africaine est apparu en premier sur .

Gagnant de la saison 12 du célèbre concours culinaire Top chef, dans sa version française, Mohamed Cheikh est, aujourd’hui, un chef « volant » qui cumule les […]

L’article Mohamed Cheikh, ex-Top chef France, met à l’honneur la cuisine algérienne (vidéo) est apparu en premier sur .