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.

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.