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Euractiv
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
Denmark's pro-climate, anti-migrant PM
Welcome to the Capitals by Eddy Wax, with Nicoletta Ionta. We welcome feedback and tips here. Sign up here. In today's edition: Meet Mette Frederiksen Von der Leyen's no-confidence vote Growing pressure from Renew, S&D A Russian sub off France No cohesion on cohesion funds Today's edition is powered by The International Fragrance Association Experience Global Fragrance Summit 2025 Singapore – 15-16 October 2025 Discover a world of scent with regulatory and scientific experts at the crossroads of Asia. Find out more here about global fragrance. À la carte Meet Mette Frederiksen Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's centre-left prime minister for the past six years, has learned to love the EU the hard way. Once a typical Danish Eurosceptic, she has reversed her penny-pinching stance on the EU budget and has taken to calling herself a 'staunch European". What prompted this change? 'It's driven primarily by insecurity and I think by the realisation that we are alone and we cannot count on the Americans anymore,' said Marlene Wind, professor of European politics at Copenhagen University. Frederiksen is on guard against Donald Trump's threats to invade Greenland and Russia's aggression in Ukraine and hybrid warfare in northern Europe. As Denmark launches its six-month EU presidency, and welcomes Ursula von der Leyen's commissioners to Aarhus today, it's clear that Frederiksen wants to make her mark on Brussels, a place she has long viewed with suspicion and quite a lot of boredom. Until recently, Denmark was one of the few countries that didn't even have a government spokesperson in Brussels. The 'changing world' mentioned in her presidency motto, has pushed her back towards Europe. The timing is propitious. Frederiksen and von der Leyen are already converging on supporting Ukraine, upping defence spending, boosting climate action – something Frederiksen has long championed – and slashing immigration. Frederiksen's hardline approach to migration – now all but consensus in Denmark – is nothing new: she made it a priority on day one of taking over her party in 2015 when the far right peaked at 21% support, my Danish colleague Magnus Lund Nielsen tells me. Now, in a change that encapsulates her EU-turn, she's throwing all her weight behind hardline European solutions to migration issues. Her stance has won her plaudits from the right but put her at odds with the rest of the EU Socialists, especially Spain's Pedro Sánchez who makes a demographic and economic case for more migrants. Frederiksen has flirted with controversial plans to send migrants to Rwanda and squashed asylum numbers. Her migration policy that has more in common with the far right. She claims that migrants will undermine the rights of Danish workers. By doing so she's splintered the support for the far-right Danish People's Party (who sit with the Patriots in Brussels). The seemingly odd combination of high climate ambition and migration crackdowns – two areas where Frederiksen played the long game – is reminiscent of at least first-term von der Leyen, who also took power in 2019. Wind, the Danish academic, likened them both to 'chameleons', 'moving when the population moves' – and for now that move is to the right. Despite her three-party coalition polling far below its former strength, there is little indication that Frederiksen's tenure is nearing its end. She's become a bit more European – but Europe has become a bit more Danish too. Von der Leyen faces no-confidence vote Ursula von der Leyen will face a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament next week, after a motion from ECR Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea gathered enough support. It is highly unlikely to succeed but with her traditional socialist and liberal allies still fuming over her rightward shift, it underscores the level of animosity facing the Commission president. The move will be debated Monday, and voted on Thursday in Strasbourg, Roberta Metsola told MEPs yesterday evening. Originally backed by 74 MEPs, the motion has 31 signatories from the ECR group, despite the bloc having a commissioner in von der Leyen's college, Italy's Raffaele Fitto of Brothers of Italy. The move lays bare the rift within ECR, as its two powerhouses, Meloni's party and Poland's Law & Justice, are at odds over bringing the Commission down. The Italians have distanced themselves from the push, whereas all the Poles have signed it. For the Socialists, the math is simple: signing or backing the motion would be political suicide. 'Clearly, we need to discuss it within the group, but our line is clear: we don't vote with the far right,' said S&D leader Iratxe García, speaking to reporters last night. The motion of censure will pass only if it wins a two-thirds majority of votes cast, representing over half of all MEPs. Frustration builds in the centre Renew chief Valérie Hayer held a one-hour meeting with Ursula von der Leyen at the Berlaymont on Wednesday, Euractiv has learned. The meeting follows von der Leyen's sit-down last week with S&D leader García, amid growing frustration over the EPP's drift to the right and the Commission's threat to withdraw a bill meant to prevent greenwashing. Back in November, Renew, S&D, and the EPP signed a loose agreement on political priorities – but it didn't stop the centre right from making other allies. Around the bloc GERMANY | Germany's coalition parties are haggling over reducing energy taxes for consumers – one of the key promises of the coalition treaty. But following the presentation of their first budget, Chancellor Merz and Finance Minister Klingbeil backpedalled, citing a lack of funding options. A highly-anticipated coalition meeting on Wednesday did not produce a solution. FRANCE | According to Ouest France, a Russian Kilo-class submarine surfaced on 28 May near a French trawler that was fishing off the coast of the Côtes-d'Armor department. The Atlantic Maritime Prefecture, based in Brest, stated that the vessel had been 'monitored for some time' and was 'in transit'. The Russian vessel was 'escorted' by a French Navy frigate. ITALY | Italy is renewing efforts to map and develop its mineral resources with its first major public geological research investment since the early 1990s, prioritising materials the European Commission defines as critical and strategic for the EU's economy and security. Read more. POLAND | Polish parliamentary Speaker Szymon Hołownia will swear in President-elect Karol Nawrocki on 6 August after the Supreme Court validated his election win on Tuesday, even though legal challenges and allegations of vote irregularities remain. Read more. CZECHIA | Czech politicians from the centre-right EPP have joined conservatives in firmly rejecting the European Commission's proposal to cut 1990-level CO2 emissions by 90% by 2040. Read more.. Also on Euractiv
Tom's Guide
18-06-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I test bedding for a living — this is the one simple switch I recommend for cooler sleep this summer
Summer is not all beach days, lemonade and lovely walks. Hot sleepers will know that this is also the season for night sweats, overheating and stuffiness. But what if I told you that all you need to do is one simple bedding swap to sleep cooler throughout hot summer nights? While you might change your bedsheets from luscious sateen to breathable cotton to make warmer nights more bearable, what you actually need to switch is your duvet. Thanks to the latest tech in bedding, you can now find a duvet counterpart to the best cooling mattresses, designed for those prone to overheating during sleep. I recently tried a cooling duvet myself and was frankly impressed by how it made my sleep better, so it's a solid recommendation from me. But first, let's understand what makes it different from a regular one… A cooling duvet is one made from breathable materials ranging from cotton or natural down to hemp fibers, designed to dissipate excess heat during sleep. These may also incorporate specialized cooling technology like phase change materials (PCMs) and cooling-gel infused fibers, which can regulate temperature and help you get a restorative night's sleep, even during the warmest weather. However, a huge factor when choosing the best duvet for your sleep is the tog rating. Short for Thermal Overall Grade, the tog is simply a measure of how much heat your duvet retains. Higher the tog rating, the warmer your duvet. While the standard duvet tog rating is 10.5, for summer you might need something even lighter — between 4.5 and 7.5. Sticking to a duvet with a higher tog than 10.5 in the summer is a common mistake to make, and it could be sabotaging your sleep this summer. To see the benefits myself, I've been using the Simba Hybrid Duvet for the past few days. For context, I'd previously been sleeping with a cheaper department store microfiber duvet that made me overheat on particularly warm nights when the temperature was reaching 20°C (68°F). The highlight of the Simba duvet is the signature Bio Renew fiber fill, which basically mimics the plush and airy comfort of natural down. On top of the duvet, you'll find Simba's version of a phase change material: the Stratos Cool Touch Tech. According to the brand, "this is similar to the tech which keeps astronauts cool in space" and works to give you instant coolness. The bottom layer, on the other hand, is a plain cotton side which is soft, breathable and comfy to touch. No one likes a duvet that gets clumped up, and the square stitched construction in the Simba hybrid duvet ensures that it never does, by preventing uneven distribution of the fill during sleep. Being a fan of bedding products that can be used all year round, I've found this Simba duvet to be a perfect fit, thanks to its lighter construction and 10.5 tog rating. Simba Hybrid Duvet: UK Single £139 at SimbaThe Simba Hybrid Duvet is available in four different sizes (UK Single to Super King) starting from £139. This also includes a 30-night return policy, 1-year warranty and free fast shipping. Buffy Breeze Comforter: was $190 now from $152 at BuffyThis is a great US alternative to the Simba Hybrid duvet I tried, made from breathable and light Lyocell fibers and a soft cotton cover. As the name suggests, it is designed to deliver maximum breathability, perfect for warmer locales and hot sleepers. You can now grab these up to 30% off which brings the price of a twin down from $190 to $152, while a queen is priced at $200 (was $250). You'll also get 50-night free returns, 3-year warranty and free shipping. While I didn't find it to be frosty to the touch or as cooling as an aircon (which is a bit much to expect from a duvet), the Simba Hybrid Duvet maintained a neutral temperature perfect for summer sleep. Here are the details on how it changed my sleep: Sleeping with the Simba Hybrid allowed me to get the recommended hours of rest. This means, no kicking away the sheets or constant shift in positions due to overheating or stuffiness. It helped me sleep through the night and wake up feeling well rested. An important point to note here is that no one actually sleeps through the night and that waking up or stirring at the end of a sleep cycle is a normal occurrence. However, what you should be paying attention to is how long you're awake for in the night, and how rested or tired you feel in the morning. If you're anything like me, you will understand that sleeping without a duvet, no matter how hot it can get, is simply not an option. The feeling of security and comfort is not something I want to give up, but what awaits on the other side is overheating and nighttime sweating. This is where a cooling duvet becomes the ultimate hero. Being a combination sleeper who usually ends up in a foetal position lying on my side, the Simba Hybrid served as the perfect partner for my ideal 'sleep cocoon'. Being a bedding tester, I prefer fuss-free products that are suitable for use throughout the year by all types of sleepers. Why? Firstly, stocking up on separate bedding for each season is not cost-effective in the long run. Secondly, you might not have enough storage space, especially if you're in a smaller apartment. The Simba Hybrid duvet checks all the boxes in this case, since it's perfect for summer being lightweight, while you can layer it up with other sleep accessories like the best weighted blankets for a cozy winter night too.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A traffic-light system for dogwalkers could protect breeding birds, seal pups and other wildlife
Like millions of people, we have experienced the physical and mental health benefits, as well as the simple enjoyment, of a daily dog walk. However, amid the UK's growing population of dogs (around 13.5 million at the latest estimate), recent reports have highlighted growing concern about how dogs affect wildlife and ecosystems. Potential issues include disturbance or active chasing of wildlife, spreading of diseases and parasites, and water pollution from flea and tick treatments. By collaborating with more than 40 organisations from the Wildlife Trusts to the Dogs Trust, we have created a new guide to explain and help manage the effects of dog walking on biodiversity, based on current evidence. The Renew programme, a research collaboration between the University of Exeter and the National Trust, takes a 'people in nature' approach to address complex challenges like this. We reviewed the existing scientific literature and mapped the relationship between current dog densities and England's protected habitats. We found that dog walking can have negative environmental consequences including substantial effects of disturbance, pollution and disease in some places. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. We then discussed these findings in workshops with specialists in dog behaviour, biodiversity conservation and land management. We explored what dog walkers and landowners can do to minimise the disturbance of wildlife and ecosystems, while still enabling public access to natural spaces for people and their dogs. One of our key findings was that different organisations and landowners take very different approaches to managing dog walking on their sites, which is inconsistent and can be confusing for dog walkers. There are also multiple voluntary codes for responsible dog walking, including the countryside code, the Kennel Club's canine code, the National Trust's canine code, and Forestry England's dog code. While these codes often share central principles, they differ in specific guidance and level of detail. To address this, land managers could take a more standardised approach to managing dog walking – based on a shared code for dog walkers, and different zones of access for land managers. We recommend such a zoning approach should employ a traffic-light system, highlighted by coloured pawprints. Green zones would welcome dogs without restriction and ideally provide dog-friendly facilities. Amber zones would require 'paws on paths' (that is, keeping dogs on marked trails) and, in the presence of livestock, dogs on leads. Red zones would indicate sensitive sites in which dogs aren't allowed, such as areas of lowland heath where birds nest on the ground or beaches where young seal pups are resting. Zone colours might change depending on the time of year – this is already common on beaches, which often have seasonal dog restrictions. As long as the signage is clear, our idea is that wherever a dog walker finds themselves, they will know what is expected of them. Some organisations and sites, including Dorset Dogs and the Holkham Hall estate in Norfolk, already use zoning approaches to reduce incidences of wildlife disturbance. But as was recently demonstrated by the legal battle over wild camping on Dartmoor, public access to land is a sensitive topic in the UK. Restrictions meet resistance because they can impinge on what for many is considered a basic freedom – to access the outdoors with one's dog. Consequently, meaningful engagement with dog owners and local communities when designing zoning is vital. Perhaps counterintuitively, simply increasing restrictions on access to land may actually exacerbate disturbance from dog walking, as people, dogs and protected areas become crowded together in the same landscapes. A zoning approach that also involves creating new green pawprint zones for off-lead dog walking, where access elsewhere is restricted, would ensure that no access to wild places is lost overall. The effects of dog walking on the environment are linked to broader social and cultural factors, including people's knowledge and skills when it comes to managing their dogs' behaviour. But other factors include the availability of facilities such as dog poo bins, and the widespread use of 'spot-on' flea and tick treatments – pesticides that are applied directly to the fur and can contaminate the environment more than medication given orally. In our Paws for Thought workshops, the research team found that emphasising how the health of people, animals and ecosystems are all interconnected resonated with our participants more than focusing on wildlife protection alone. Dogs are vital companions for many of us – but unfortunately, their presence and behaviour can cause problems for other species. Rather than demonising dogs and their owners as environmental threats, collaborative, evidence-based approaches can help create accessible spaces for people, dogs and wildlife. Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation's environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who've subscribed so far. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Sarah Crowley works at the University of Exeter and receives funding from the UKRI as part of the Renew programme. David Bavin receives funding from UKRI and National Trust. Professor Matthew Heard receives funding from UKRI and National Trust.
Euronews
23-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Mainstream political groups propose overhaul of far-right tech report
Mainstream political groups in the European Parliament – the centre-right European People's Party, the centre-left S&D, liberal Renew and the Greens – are seeking an overhaul of a report into technology sovereignty presented in February by French far-right lawmaker Sarah Knafo, from the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group. Knafo's report touted six recommendations to boost technological sovereignty and guarantee the bloc's independence and security by protecting its strategic infrastructure and reducing dependence on non-European technology providers. The compromise amendments tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew and Greens, and seen by Euronews, go beyond Knafo's six recommendations, listing 21 key elements for consideration, including digital infrastructure, fibre, 5G and 6G, cloud services, AI systems and quantum. The amendments call for example for 'a coordinated EU strategy for post-quantum cryptography to protect data from future cyber threats', increased investment in digital infrastructure to enable the growth of data centres, and stronger cybersecurity protection in all critical infrastructure sectors, with stricter measures to de-risk high-risk vendors in 5G and 6G networks. 'The geopolitical landscape and the resulting opportunity for market demand for European products and services' should be seen as 'a window of opportunity to position Europe as a global leader in trusted and secure digital solutions', according to the new draft. It calls on the Commission to set out a list of critical dependencies in digital infrastructure and technologies, and to assess storage services, identity and payment systems, communication platforms, as well as software, protocols and standards that support them, and to propose measures 'to promote access to market of products and services with high positive impact on technological sovereignty, European resilience and sustainability'. These include a call to encourage more private investment in high-potential European technology companies by simplifying the regulatory framework and scrapping two regulations for every new set of rules created in strategic sectors. The amendments say that 'the simplification of EU legislation must not endanger any of the fundamental rights for citizens and businesses and hence risk regulatory certainty; Any simplification proposal should not be rushed and proposed without proper consideration, consultation and impact assessment.' The report is awaiting a committee decision, in the Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) committee, before it will be voted on in plenary, after the summer. Knafo's ESN group faces a 'cordon sanitaire' from the more mainstream political groups. The report is an own-initiative report, which means that it would force the Commission to respond on whether it will propose legislation or action on the topic.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
YAHOO POLL: Do you support SDP's petition calling for electoral reform?
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) isn't letting its general election (GE2025) loss keep it quiet. Instead, it's kicking off a new campaign – Renew, Rebuild, Reignite – with a bold petition to reform how elections work in Singapore. From calling for longer campaign periods to abolishing the GRC system, SDP says voters need more time, transparency, and say in how democracy operates. One big ask? Moving the Elections Department (ELD) out from under the Prime Minister's Office. Critics say the system is too opaque. Supporters say it works just fine. Who's right? Other polls YAHOO POLL: Do you support harsher punishments for animal abusers? YAHOO POLL: COVID-19 cases on the rise – are you staying vigilant? YAHOO POLL: Would you approach otters if you saw them in Singapore? The petition – launched with fanfare and fried noodles at a thank-you dinner – has already sparked chatter. But SDP isn't stopping there. They're doubling down on youth engagement, with plans to bring political dialogue to campuses, publish a book for young voters, and roll out a social enterprise to build grassroots support and business savvy. Dr Chee Soon Juan says it's about starting conversations now, not just waking up every five years before polling day. If you've ever grumbled about rushed campaigns or confusing constituencies, here's your chance to be part of the reform – or at least the feedback. Of course, this isn't a one-party issue. A transparent, robust electoral process is something every voter – regardless of political leanings – should care about. After all, if you're going to queue and cast your vote, shouldn't it feel like it counts? Have your say and take the poll. Related SDP launches petition to reform election system as part of new campaign SDP presses PM Wong for answers on ministers' Su Haijin photo controvers Singapore voters seek stability as Trump roils global trade GE2025: PAP adopts our ideas as policy but won't give us any credit, says SDP's Chee Soon Juan Singapore's opposition claim 'gerrymandering' ahead of election
