Atomico Report: European Startups on Track to Raise $85 Billion This Year, Down From $100+ Billion in 2021 by Ingrid Lunden
December 6, 2022
Introduction:
(TechCrunch) Startups across Europe are on track to raise $85 billion in funding this year — a drop of $15 billion on 2021 when funding passed $100 billion, according to a new report published today. The figures come from London VC firm Atomico’s annual State of European Tech, which has become a bellwether for the tech industry in the region, and they underscore the pressure bearing down on it as the region grapples with an ongoing war in Ukraine, a sagging economy and specifically tech industry, and a population wobbling to get back on its feet and productive again after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Altogether, the European tech industry has lost about $400 billion in value, Atomico said: it is now valued at $2.7 trillion. And in keeping with those losses, it also notes that tech layoffs in the region will shape up to be about 14,000 for the year — a giant figure, but still only a 7% of the total number of layoffs globally, which number about 200,000.
The report encompasses a survey of VCs and founders, as well as research from third party firms like Dealroom.
The total-raised figure is not entirely a grim message when put into context. Atomico noted that funding for the year actually started out looking like it would exceed 2021 levels. Then in July, activity dropped off a cliff and hasn’t come back.
That’s not a great sign going into 2023, but it also seems to indicate that 2021’s $100 billion raised was also an outlier year. The total funding raised in 2020, for example (a year when all kinds of activity grounded to a halt with the start of the pandemic), was just $39 billion.
EU corruption charges 'very very worrisome', says foreign policy chief
44 minutes ago
Arrests over alleged corruption at the European Parliament are "very, very worrisome", the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said.
[...]
Among the arrested was European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili - believed to be one of those charged.
Prosecutors suspect a Gulf state - reportedly Qatar - tried to influence parliament by donating money or gifts.
[...]
Belgian police seized cash worth about €600,000 ($632,000; £515,000) in 16 searches in Brussels on Friday. Computers and mobile phones were also taken, to examine their contents.
[...]
Watchdogs and opposition MEPs said the bribery investigation could represent one of the biggest corruption scandals in European Parliament history.
Czechs Vote for Pro-EU Retired NATO General for President by Cain Burdeau
January 30, 2023
Introduction:
(Courthouse News) — The Czech Republic's turn toward a pro-NATO and pro-Western stance was consolidated over the weekend with the election of a retired NATO general as the next president.
Petr Pavel won in a landslide Saturday in a runoff against Andrej Babis, a popular but divisive former prime minister and billionaire denounced by critics as a corrupt, pro-Russian and populist politician.
Pavel will replace Milos Zeman, a highly problematic figure known for his anti-gay and anti-immigrant statements, friendliness toward China and Russia and public displays of drunkenness.
The Czech president's role is largely ceremonial, but the head of state also serves as the commander in chief of the Czech military. Pavel is expected to make supporting Ukraine a priority. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy immediately called to congratulate Pavel and the new Czech president plans to visit Kyiv after he takes office in March.
Pavel took more than 58% of the vote, the most ever in a presidential election in the Czech Republic, also known as Czechia. He becomes the country's fourth president and is being hailed as someone who can bring normalcy back to the Prague Castle, the residence of the president.
EU's AI Act: Stricter Rules for Chatbots on the Horizon The European Union is preparing new AI regulations that could impact development and deployment, requiring companies like OpenAI to disclose their use of copyrighted material. As the AI Act evolves, chatbots may face increased scrutiny and transparency requirements.
The EU is developing new AI regulations, potentially requiring companies like OpenAI to disclose their use of copyrighted material.
This development highlights the growing concern surrounding AI safety, transparency, and responsible deployment in the EU.
Stricter regulations could shape the future of AI governance, affecting innovation and the way AI platforms operate globally.
The European Union is preparing new regulations that could significantly impact the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, according to the Financial Times. As discussions continue in Brussels regarding the proposals in the comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Act, sources indicate that the forthcoming regulation may require companies like OpenAI to disclose their use of copyrighted material in training their AI.
Wjfox is going to hate me for saying this, but, if there were ever any positives about Brexit, then this would have to be one of them. I completely understand having regulatory measures on corporations from pursuing the profit motive against the wellbeing of the public, but there needs to be a sensible balance when it comes to regulation and innovation. I like the U.K.'s approach to the issue, since at the least it won't stifle innovation regarding its deployment in society, and if we truly are on an exponential growth curve, it may very well revitalize the U.K.'s economy if the technology is utilized effectively.
Cyber_Rebel wrote: ↑Sat Apr 15, 2023 4:39 pmEU's AI Act: Stricter Rules for Chatbots on the Horizon The European Union is preparing new AI regulations that could impact development and deployment, requiring companies like OpenAI to disclose their use of copyrighted material. As the AI Act evolves, chatbots may face increased scrutiny and transparency requirements.
The EU is developing new AI regulations, potentially requiring companies like OpenAI to disclose their use of copyrighted material.
This development highlights the growing concern surrounding AI safety, transparency, and responsible deployment in the EU.
Stricter regulations could shape the future of AI governance, affecting innovation and the way AI platforms operate globally.
The European Union is preparing new regulations that could significantly impact the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, according to the Financial Times. As discussions continue in Brussels regarding the proposals in the comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Act, sources indicate that the forthcoming regulation may require companies like OpenAI to disclose their use of copyrighted material in training their AI.
Wjfox is going to hate me for saying this, but, if there were ever any positives about Brexit, then this would have to be one of them. I completely understand having regulatory measures on corporations from pursuing the profit motive against the wellbeing of the public, but there needs to be a sensible balance when it comes to regulation and innovation. I like the U.K.'s approach to the issue, since at the least it won't stifle innovation regarding its deployment in society, and if we truly are on an exponential growth curve, it may very well revitalize the U.K.'s economy if the technology is utilized effectively.
Seperate from some negative stuff there must have been some hilarious queries put in for this to be a thing!
There's a reason that the United state and China lead the world in tech. The EU is far to restrictive and regulated to allow for healthy development of tech.
It is sad but it does a lot of good but it also does bad too.
Spain Swings Right in Local and Regional Elections May 28 , 2023
Introduction:
MADRID (AP via Courthouse News) — Spain's conservative opposition Popular Party made significant gains in Sunday's local and regional elections, offering a dire assessment of public feeling towards the ruling left-wing coalition ahead of general elections in December.
In the local vote, the Popular Party, or PP, won 31.5% of votes compared with 28.2% for the Spanish Socialist Workers Party, or PSOE, which leads the central government, with more than 97% of votes counted, according to results published by the Interior Ministry. This was a 1.2 percentage point decrease for PSOE on 2019, but almost a 9 point increase for the PP, which benefited from the collapse of the centrist Citizens party.
The PP also dominated several regions previously won by PSOE including Valencia, Aragon and La Rioja. Spain's regional governments have enormous power and budgetary discretion over education, health, housing and policing.
The party also swung important cities including Valencia and Seville from the Socialists, and achieved an absolute majority for the mayor of the capital, Madrid.
The far-right Vox movement more than doubled their share of local councilors to 7.2%, meaning they will have significant influence on policy in cities where the PP will need their votes.
Self-exiled Catalan Separatist Leaders Dealt Blow by EU Court by Cain Burdeau
July 5, 2023
Introduction:
(Courthouse News) — Carles Puigdemont, a popular Catalan politician who fled to Brussels after spearheading an illegal independence referendum, faces arrest by Spanish authorities after a European Union court ruled Wednesday that he is not protected by political immunity.
The General Court rebuffed Puigdemont's claim that he should be shielded from prosecution in Spain because he is a member of the European Parliament. Puigdemont said he would appeal the decision to the EU's highest court, the Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
In 2017, Puigdemont was the president of Catalonia's regional government when he approved holding a highly contentious referendum on Catalan independence in defiance of Spanish authorities.
After Spanish authorities brutally cracked down on the referendum and independence movement, Puigdemont and other Catalan politicians fled the country, fearing imprisonment.
Since then, Spanish courts have battled to get him returned to Spain to face prosecution for allegations of insurgency and misuse of public funds in connection to the illegal referendum.
Americans will need a visa to visit Europe starting in 2024. Here's what you should know.
Next year, Americans will be required to obtain travel authorization to enter 30 countries, ending visa-free travel in Europe for U.S. citizens.
The European Union announced this week a new security program that would mandate U.S. passport holders to obtain visas before traveling to any of the visa-required countries, including Spain, France and Greece.
Here is everything Americans need to know.
Application process
Before you secure your flights to your European destination, visit the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The earlier you apply and are approved for the visa, the sooner it will arrive, providing peace of mind. Keep in mind that the new rules will be enforced starting in January 2024.
Czechs ratify defense treaty with US that makes it easier to deploy US troops in Czech territory
Source: AP
Updated 6:01 AM CDT, August 16, 2023
PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic on Wednesday completed the ratification of a defense treaty with the United States that deepens military cooperation and makes it easier to deploy U.S. troops in Czech territory.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s signature was the final step in the ratification process of the Defense Cooperation Agreement, which had been endorsed by both houses of Parliament in July and by President Petr Pavel on Aug 1.
The document sets a legal framework for possible deployment of U.S. troops in the country at a time of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova signed the treaty together with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington, D.C. on May 23. The U.S. has similar agreements with 24 other NATO members, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria that form the eastern flank of the alliance.
Facing Backlash to Green Agenda, EU President Goes Pro-business, Gets Tough with China by Cain Burdeau
September 13, 2023
Introduction:
(Courthouse News) — In the last State of the Union speech of her mandate, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday laid out a pro-business agenda, tapped the brakes on her flagship Green Deal and threatened to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
In other key moments, von der Leyen, the EU's chief executive, renewed vows to support Kyiv in its war against Russia “for as long it takes” and said the EU must work to incorporate Ukraine, Moldova and several Western Balkan nations into the bloc.
“We need to set out a vision for a successful enlargement,” she said, speaking grandly about Europe “answering the call of history,” as her speech was titled.
She said bringing Ukraine and other aspiring members into the Brussels club would amount to completing the EU project “with over 500 million people living in a free, democratic and prosperous union.”
Modeled on State of the Union addresses by American presidents, the annual speech gives heads of the commission a platform to lay out priorities for the coming year. Unlike American presidents, commission presidents are not elected but chosen by EU leaders in an opaque process.
Erdogan says Turkey may part ways with the EU. He implied the country could end its membership bid
Source: AP
Updated 9:03 AM EDT, September 16, 2023
ISTANBUL (AP) — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that Turkey may part ways with the European Union, implying that the country is thinking about ending its bid to join the 27-nation bloc.
“The EU is making efforts to sever ties with Turkey,” he told reporters before departing for the 78th U.N. General Assembly in New York. “We will evaluate the situation, and if needed we will part ways with the EU.”
He was responding to a question about a recent report adopted by the European Parliament, which stated “the accession process cannot resume under the current circumstances, and calls on EU to explore ‘a parallel and realistic framework’ for EU-Türkiye relations.”
Turkey applied to join the European Union in 1999, and accession talks began in 2005. Accession negotiations were frozen in 2018 because of “democratic backsliding,” according to the European Parliament.
Prime Minister Sánchez Declares: Spain Must Ditch ‘Peripheral’ Role and Offer EU Leadership September 15, 2023
Introduction:
(Euractiv) It is high time Spain imposed itself as a leading EU country instead of staying “at the periphery,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told the national employers association on Friday (15 September), as the Spanish EU Council presidency published a paper on the bloc’s ‘Open Strategic Autonomy’.
Fed up with its “peripheral” position in EU debates, Sánchez announced Madrid was ready to take centre stage and become a leading member state, joining the likes of France, Germany or Italy.
“For too many decades we have been satisfied as a peripheral country, a secondary actor in the negotiations in Brussels, following the positions set by other larger or more influential member states,” Sánchez said during the presentation of the paper to the association.
“We must put an end to this dynamic and we must exercise leadership in Europe from the South, a leadership that is undoubtedly inclusive, that listens to and respects the positions of the 27 member states.”
A Spanish official told Euractiv on condition of anonymity the general mood was that of “enough with being a young member state”.
European Commission to Recommend Starting EU Membership Talks with Ukraine – Media
FRIDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2023
The European Commission is preparing to recommend starting EU membership talks with Ukraine.
Bloomberg’s sources say the recommendation is expected next month. Yet the Commission will also insist that Ukraine make progress in solving problems in some priority areas, including fighting corruption.
The Commission’s recommendation will be discussed by EU member states in December when they gather for a summit. Meanwhile the position of some countries, such as Hungary, remains unclear, sources say.
European Union Has a Problem: Poland Seeks Extradition of a Nazi Veteran Who Was Hailed by Zelenskyy at the Canadian Parliament Cain Burdeau
September 27, 2023
Introduction:
(Courthouse News) — The European Union's got a problem: Poland, the bloc's erstwhile front-line champion of Ukraine, is in a bitter spat with Kyiv.
This row got new fuel on Tuesday when Poland's ultra-nationalist government said it may launch an extradition request against the 98-year-old Ukrainian-Canadian Nazi veteran who received a standing ovation during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit last week to the Canadian Parliament.
On Tuesday evening, Przemysław Czarnek, the education minister in Poland's hard-right Law and Justice government, announced an extradition probe had been launched against Yaroslav Hunka for possible war crimes against Poles during World War II.
Hunka fought for the 1st Ukrainian Division, which was also known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, or the SS 14th Waffen Division, a voluntary unit under the command of the Nazis. The division committed atrocities in Poland.
“In view of the scandalous events in the Canadian Parliament, which involved honoring, in the presence of President Zelenskyy, a member of the criminal Nazi SS Galicia formation, I have taken steps towards the possible extradition of this man to Poland,” Czarnek said.
