After bill of law 8304 was exempted from the second constitutional vote, the law of 4 June 2024 amending the amended law of 29 August 2008 on the free movement of persons and immigration (the Law) was published in the Luxembourg Official Journal Mémorial A 261 on 27 June 2024. The Law concerns highly qualified third-country nationals (i.e. from outside the EU) who wish to live and work in Luxembourg under an “EU Blue Card”. The Law implements Directive (EU) 2021/1883  on the conditions of entry and residence...

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Dissecting the results of the French election’s first round On Sunday 30 June, France voted in the first round of crucial snap-parliamentary elections. Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call a snap election in two rounds, on 30 June and 7 July, proved to be a risky move, potentially handing political power to the far right. With so much at stake, voter turnout was unusually high at nearly 67%. The outcome showed patterns similar to the outcome of the recent EU election, with polls predicting a more significant win for the far-right that did not materialize as the...

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As temperatures rise, water has become increasingly scarce. Nicola Beer, vice-president of the European Investment Bank, spoke at the German Water Partnership Conference in Berlin, where she also met with experts to discuss solutions to the global water crisis.   Dear Ms Morgan, Ms Röstel, Mr Hannemann, ladies and gentlemen, Safe water supply has been a key issue for the European Investment Bank for decades, so I am very pleased to have been invited to attend your annual meeting today. You and your companies...

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European Investment Fund and the NATO Innovation Fund, a venture capital fund backed by 24 North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations, enter partnership. Memorandum of Understanding signed in Brussels sets terms of closer collaboration. Goal is to expand funding for start-ups, SMEs and midcaps in defence, security, and resilience sectors. The European Investment Fund (EIF) and the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in supporting the long-term growth of the defence, security, and resilience...

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In this week’s Roar: Worsening congestion in Singapore, the ILA labor talks, a shortage of containers, the rise in cargo theft, and the growing use of automation in logistics. Congestion at Singapore’s container port is at its worst since the pandemic, underscoring the global impact of rerouting vessels to avoid attacks by Houthi pirates in the Red Sea. The congestion is impacting manufacturers, retailers, and consumers as shipping times and costs increase. Singapore has seen a 22% increase in its average...

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Key Notes: New sanctions and export controls on Russia and Belarus became effective June 12, 2024. New OFAC prohibition on certain IT and software services to Russia begins September 12, 2024. Hundreds of individuals and entities designated as SDNs for supporting Russia’s war efforts. New license requirements for certain software exports to Russia and Belarus become effective September 16, 2024. BIS narrows License Exception Consumer Communications Devices (CCD) for Russia and Belarus. BIS adds high-risk addresses and more entities...

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If there is a single word to describe the current state of the aerospace, defense, and airlines industry, it would be “disruption.” From supply chain to talent wars, digitization to production ramp ups, every trend points to higher stakes, a faster pace, fresh technology, and a tug-of-war between the big primes and new incumbents battling over their piece of a multi-trillion-dollar pie. AlixPartners took a detailed look at the impact disruption has on C-Suites over the last five years and...

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Through the ‘i-Démo’ call for projects under the France 2030 plan, operated by Bpifrance on behalf of the French government, Cilcare is further consolidating its international leadership by being the first biotech to launch a diagnostic aid for synaptopathy and to clinically validate the efficacy of CIL001, an innovative drug for the treatment of this condition affecting 15% of the population. Cilcare is one of 600 French companies to have been selected, and has received €4.2 million in...

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More climate-friendly production of foods, clean fuels and chemicals in Europe is receiving a boost from the EU-Catalyst partnership, a joint initiative by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Commission and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst. Energy equipment manufacturer Rondo Energy is receiving €75 million through grants and venture debt (subject to the satisfaction of funding conditions), so it can deploy in Europe a technology for turning intermittent renewable electricity into the continuous, high-temperature heat and power required by food, clean-fuel and...

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The Council of the EU approved the AI Act on 21 May 2024 and it is now expected to enter into force by June 2024. With the exception of certain provisions of the AI Act, such as prohibited AI, the main obligations will apply two years after it commences. Oversight will be managed by national supervisory authorities including: The AI Office The AI Board A scientific panel, and A stakeholder advisory forum. Following the announcement of the adoption of the AI Act,...

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