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Fünf Schweizer Teams können nächste Saison im Europacup spielen. Mehr oder weniger fix qualifiziert ist erst YB. Die Europa-Eroberer aus Basel hingegen müssen noch bangen. Vielleicht können sie sogar wählen, wo sie starten wollen.

Nachdem sich ein dänischer Windturbinenhersteller aufgrund des Ukrainekrieges vom russischen Markt zurückgezogen hatte, droht ein finnisches Unternehmen nun mit einer Klage vor einem Schiedsgericht aufgrund von Vertragsbrüchigkeit. 

Frankreich ist bei der Minderung der Treibhausgasemissionen im Rückstand. Dies geht aus einem am Mittwoch verabschiedeten Parlamentsbericht hervor, der einen umfassenderen Ansatz beim Klimaschutz fordert.

Bei einem Besuch in Spanien hat der ukrainische Verteidigungsminister Oleksij Resnikow die Bildung einer internationalen Koalition zur Lieferung von Flugabwehrsystemen und Kampfjets nach dem Vorbild der gemeinsamen Panzerlieferungen gefordert.

Die Russen sagen, sie hätten 80 Prozent von Bachmut übernommen. Stimmt dies überhaupt? Neue Videos von ukrainischen Soldaten sollen zeigen, dass sie in den Strassen von Bachmut unterwegs sind. Russen sind weit und breit keine in Sicht.

Das sonnige Wetter hat das tschechische Staatsunternehmen ČEPS gezwungen, zum ersten Mal in der Geschichte Hunderte von Solarkraftwerken vom Netz zu nehmen, da ihre hohe Produktion einen Überschuss erzeugte, der das nationale Stromnetz bedrohte.

Die neuen britischen Sanktionen gegen Russland zielen auf diejenigen ab, die wissentlich sanktionierten Oligarchen geholfen haben, ihr Vermögen in komplexen Finanznetzwerken zu verstecken, teilte das britische Außenministerium am Mittwoch mit.

Die Inflation in Deutschland verharrt trotz einer Abschwächung im März auf hohem Niveau. Die Konsumentenpreise legten gegenüber dem Vorjahresmonat um 7,4 Prozent zu, wie das Statistische Bundesamt am Donnerstag in Wiesbaden mitteilte.

Die Niederlande und Frankreich haben am Mittwoch einen "Pakt für Innovation und nachhaltiges Wachstum" unterzeichnet, um die Zusammenarbeit in den Bereichen der Digitalisierung, Schlüsseltechnologien und industrielle Nachhaltigkeit zu fördern.

Jugendaktivisten setzen sich dafür ein, dass die Stimmen und Bedürfnisse junger Menschen in der europäischen Politik besser berücksichtigt werden.

Written by Agnieszka Widuto (1st edition).

On 14 March 2023, the European Commission proposed a reform of the EU electricity market, with the aim of reducing price volatility for consumers and creating favourable conditions for investors in low-carbon energy. The reform includes two legislative proposals – one on electricity market design (EMD) and the other on protection against wholesale energy market manipulation. These two proposals revise five pieces of EU legislation.

The electricity market reform seeks to make the energy bills of consumers and businesses less dependent on short-term price fluctuations, which are often driven by fossil fuel prices. It also improves consumer protection by offering more fixed-priced contracts and enhancing supplier obligations, and incentivises solutions such as energy communities, self-consumption and renewable energy sharing.

The reform supports the use of more long-term instruments such as power purchase agreements and contracts for difference, and improves integration and liquidity in forward markets. It also enhances flexibility solutions such as demand response and storage. Furthermore, it aims to improve market monitoring and transparency, and protection against manipulation.

Both legislative proposals will now be negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council.

Versions

• April 2023: Improving the design of the EU electricity market (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2019/943 and (EU) 2019/942 as well as Directives (EU) 2018/2001 and (EU) 2019/944 to improve the Union’s electricity market design Committee responsible:Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)COM(2023) 148
14.3.2023Rapporteur:Nicolàs Gonzales Casares (S&D, Spain)2023/0077(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Maria da Graça Carvalho (EPP, Portugal); Morten Petersen (Renew, Denmark); Michael Bloss (Greens/EFA, Germany); Paolo Borchia (ID, Italy); Zdzisław Krasnodębski (ECR, Poland); Marina Mesure (GUE/NGL, France)Ordinary legislative procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council on equal footing
– formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

Die Person, die für die Veröffentlichung der geheimen US-Militärdokumente verantwortlich ist, arbeitet offenbar auf einer Militärbasis. Sie soll die Informationen in einer Online-Gruppe von Freunden publiziert haben.

Nach vier Monaten Haft im Zusammenhang mit dem als Katargate bekannten Skandal hat die belgische Justiz am Mittwoch die griechische EU-Abgeordnete Eva Kaili auf Kaution freigelassen, sieht jedoch weiter ein Fluchtrisiko.

2023 will mark the beginning of the decline in fossil fuels, following the peak of global electricity emissions in 2022, according to a new report released on Wednesday (12 April) by energy think-tank Ember. 

«Harry Potter»-Fans dürfen sich freuen: Der Kino-Hit feiert sein Comeback als Serie.

Basler Forscher haben festgestellt, dass Strassenlärm das Gedächtnis und die Konzentrationsfähigkeit von Jugendlichen beeinflusst.

Palm Trees line the beach along the coast of Comoros.

By Kingsley Ighobor
MORONI, Comoros, Apr 13 2023 (IPS)

In February 2023, the Union of Comoros ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Later that month, the country’s President Azali Assoumani took over as Chairperson of the African Union.

In this interview with Africa Renewal’s Kingsley Ighobor, the UN Resident Coordinator in Comoros François Batalingaya explains the UN support for the country during the ratification process and highlights investment opportunities in the country.

These are excerpts from the interview:

Q: Comoros recently ratified the AfCFTA. What kind of support did the UN provide the national authorities in ensuring a successful ratification process?

A: As you know, President Azali Assoumani was one of the first African leaders to sign the African Continental Free Trade Agreement in Kigali in 2018. So, Comoros was always there with a high-level political will.

Two fishermen set out for the days catch off the coast of Comoros in the Indian Ocean.

However, there were some concerns about a potential loss of customs revenue, which represents between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of the total government revenue. Not all the Members of Parliament or senior government officials were convinced that the AfCFTA is a good idea.

Comoros’ main trading partners are in (Asia) and the Middle East, not the African mainland. For example, India and Pakistan. As well as China and Brazil. We import most of our chicken from Brazil.

Q: Now, what did the UN do?

A: First, the UN organized local and national consultations. Under the leadership of the Regional Economic Commission, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), there were workshops on the three islands [that make up Comoros] to discuss the AfCFTA’s opportunities.

We had the consultation workshop in the capital Moroni, attended by President Assoumani, the Speaker of Parliament Moustadroine Abdou, governors, cabinet ministers, MPs, the private sector and others.

Kingsley Ighobor. Africa Renewal

Second, the UN assisted the country in drafting a national implementation strategy. UNDP and the ECA were able to help the government to identify the prerequisites needed to maximize the benefits of the trade agreement.

Third, high-level advocacy was my role as the UN Resident Coordinator: to encourage the political leadership to ratify the agreement.

Comoros has significant untapped potential or business opportunities. For example, the tourism industry could be further developed. Looking at the tourism industry in the region, Comoros is the only country whose tourism industry is still not well developed. Neighbouring Seychelles and Madagascar receive between 400,000 and 500,000 tourists per year.

Q: How did you allay fears about loss of customs revenues?

A: When you look at what Comoros imports and where it gets customs revenues from, these are not goods that will be affected much by the AfCFTA. Most imported products are from Middle Eastern countries, India and China. But basic foodstuffs come from Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, and other African mainland countries. Importation of these foodstuffs will not significantly affect customs revenue.

Francois Xavier Batalingaya. UN Resident Coordinator in Comoros

Again, remember that Comoros will benefit if it increases industrialisation. If we increase the value chain around key products, Comoros will benefit through access to over a billion consumers on the continent.

Q: What are some made-in-Comoros products the country could potentially export to the larger African market?

A: These are essential oils like ylang-ylang of which Comoros is the number one producer in the world; we have spices that are beloved in places like India; we have vanilla and cloves.

We need to create value chains around these products and export to countries like Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti and others. Comoros needs to access these markets.

Q: Now that the Agreement is ratified, what next?

A: As I said, Comoros is heavily dependent on imports. Therefore, the AfCFTA must be an engine of economic growth, sustainable development and, importantly, poverty reduction.

We need to mobilize the private sector to take full advantage of new trading opportunities on the continent. We need to support the industrialisation of Comoros—facilitate trade and promote foreign direct investment.

For example, with funding from the European Union, the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) are implementing a project to support production, industrialisation and free trade in Comoros. That’s a good initiative.

Another initiative is the digitalisation of the customs process, and that’s with the support of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The AfCFTA is an instrument for strengthening social inclusion; therefore, we must ensure that women and youth are involved in these discussions and can take full advantage of trading opportunities in Africa.

Q: An issue much talked about is a lack of awareness among some African traders regarding how they can benefit from AfCFTA. What is the situation with the private sector in Comoros?

A: What we have done is talk to the leaders of the private sector. We need to continue to engage them and at a lower level. The sensitization has to continue. Having ratified the Agreement, we need to raise awareness so they know how they could benefit from it.

Q: What other key development activities is the UN undertaking in Comoros that are impacting the lives of ordinary citizens?

A: Well, let me tell you this: in July 2021, the UN (21 UN agencies, funds and programmes) and the government signed a new generation Cooperation Framework, a five-year initiative—from 2022 to 2026—divided into four pillars: the planet, prosperity, people and peace.

On the planet, we want to strengthen resilience to climate change, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises. Of course, with sustainable integration and management of marine ecosystems. At the AU Summit, the Head of State said it is a priority for Africa, and it would be a priority for us over the next five years.

The other pillar is prosperity. Basically, we need to create a competitive and inclusive economy and partner with the private sector using a sustainable development approach that focuses on sectors with high potential, such as the blue and the digital economy.

Then we need to invest in people. We need to make better use of opportunities and foster inclusive and equitable, gender-sensitive development, providing high-quality nutrition, education and social protection, and the protection of the survivors of sexual and gender violence.

The last pillar is peace. Social cohesion is a priority for us. Human rights, gender equality and democracy are important. That’s why the elections next year are critical. We need to have public institutions that are more inclusive, efficient and accountable to the citizens.

We are committed to accompanying the government to achieve emerging market status and the SDGs.

These are essential oils like ylang-ylang of which Comoros is the number one producer in the world; we have spices that are beloved in places like India; we have vanilla and cloves. We need to create value chains around these products and export to countries like Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti and others. Comoros needs to access these markets

Q: Comoros is an island state, meaning there could be climate change challenges. What are these challenges?

A: A good example is Cyclone Kenneth that hit Comoros four years ago and destroyed schools and hospitals. We are still feeling the impact. In addition to the cyclones, rising waters are also a major concern.

We have a water access problem. We have an active volcano called Karthala, which could erupt any time. That’s why we are always in preparedness and disaster management mode.

Q: There are also great opportunities, I guess. What do you tell anyone intending to explore investment opportunities in Comoros?

A: Comoros has significant untapped potential or business opportunities. For example, the tourism industry could be further developed. Looking at the tourism industry in the region, Comoros is the only country whose tourism industry is still not well developed. Neighbouring Seychelles and Madagascar receive between 400,000 and 500,000 tourists per year.

Comoros, before the pandemic, received only about 45,000 tourists per year, mostly Comorians from the diaspora. If I were to invest in Comoros, I would invest in hotels. We need quality hotels.

Comoros now chairs the AU, and it needs quality infrastructure for high-level conferences.Comoros is a welcoming society. I hope other people can come and enjoy that welcoming culture. And the weather is great. So, please, come over!

Q: What are young Comorians doing in terms of innovation?

A: Young Comorians like to join their brother and sisters in especially Marseille, France. The youth are attracted to migration. The good thing is that the girls in Comoros are going to school at a higher rate than the boys, which is not the same in the African mainland. That’s quite encouraging. Girls are attracted to disciplines such as law and administration and less to vocational training. So, we need to get them interested in vocational training too.

Q: What is being done to address this imbalance?

A: Youth employment is a priority for the government and for us as the UN. We are working with the International Labour Organization to invest in youth employment. Every single one of us [UN entities] has a youth mandate. Again, I will not forget the women.

Finally, let me say that Comoros is one of the countries that needs support, particularly investments.

The GDP per capita in Comoros is approximately $1,500. About 20 per cent of Comorians live in extreme poverty. We have more to do to achieve the SDGs. The country needs the UN and foreign direct investors. Let’s work together to support them.

Source: Africa Renewal, United Nations

IPS UN Bureau

 

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Der Tessiner Online-Reiseanbieter LM Group ("Lastminute") hat im vergangenen Geschäftsjahr wegen des mutmasslichen Betrugs mit Corona-Hilfszahlungen tiefrote Zahlen geschrieben.

Kommenden Dienstag soll das Europaparlament final über die Reform des EU-Emissionshandels abstimmen.

Zehn Prozent Strom wollte der Bundesrat in den Wintermonaten sparen – freiwillig. Doch der Sparwille bei der Bevölkerung war nicht so gross. Ende März waren nur rund vier Prozent geschafft.