Category Archives: economy

economy, technology

EIT Water prepares to call for projects in 2027

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EIT Water, the EU’s new community for water-related innovation, is set to start work in 2026, with the first calls for projects and training launching in 2027.

This new knowledge and innovation community will be the tenth launched by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Like its predecessors, EIT Water will provide entrepreneurship training, as well as business and acceleration support to innovators across Europe.

In November, the EIT selected a group of 50 organisations from 24 countries to launch EIT Water, with Denmark’s Aarhus University taking the lead. The consortium will receive €5 million and one year to establish the organisation, recruit staff, and develop a comprehensive strategy.

“It’s like rapidly building and scaling a very fast start-up,” said Michelle Williams, project coordinator at Aarhus University, in an interview with Science|Business.
https://sciencebusiness.net/news/r-d-funding/european-institute-innovation-and-technology/eit-water-prepares-call-projects-2027

economy, politics, technology

Trump issues Executive Order creating Genesis Mission AI Action Plan for America

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Section 1. Purpose. From the founding of our Republic, scientific discovery and technological innovation have driven American progress and prosperity. Today, America is in a race for global technology dominance in the development of artificial intelligence (AI), an important frontier of scientific discovery and economic growth. To that end, my Administration has taken a number of actions to win that race, including issuing multiple Executive Orders and implementing America’s AI Action Plan, which recognizes the need to invest in AI-enabled science to accelerate scientific advancement. In this pivotal moment, the challenges we face require a historic national effort, comparable in urgency and ambition to the Manhattan Project that was instrumental to our victory in World War II and was a critical basis for the foundation of the Department of Energy (DOE) and its national laboratories. This order launches the “Genesis Mission” as a dedicated, coordinated national effort to unleash a new age of AI‑accelerated innovation and discovery that can solve the most challenging problems of this century. The Genesis Mission will build an integrated AI platform to harness Federal scientific datasets the world’s largest collection of such datasets, developed over decades of Federal investments to train scientific foundation models and create AI agents to test new hypotheses, automate research workflows, and accelerate scientific breakthroughs. The Genesis Mission will bring together our Nation’s research and development resources combining the efforts of brilliant American scientists, including those at our national laboratories, with pioneering American businesses; world-renowned universities; and existing research infrastructure, data repositories, production plants, and national security sites to achieve dramatic acceleration in AI development and utilization. We will harness for the benefit of our Nation the revolution underway in computing, and build on decades of innovation in semiconductors and high-performance computing. The Genesis Mission will dramatically accelerate scientific discovery, strengthen national security, secure energy dominance, enhance workforce productivity, and multiply the return on taxpayer investment into research and development, thereby furthering America’s technological dominance and global strategic leadership.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146962/trump-ai-genesis-mission-executive-order

economy, politics, technology

Explained: the EIC advanced innovation challenges pilot

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The European Innovation Council (EIC) has provided more details about what to expect from its pilot advanced innovation challenges, a new staged funding instrument based on the US Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) model. The EIC wants to assess whether staged grants can accelerate the path to market for high-risk deep-tech innovations, and whether early involvement of end users can enhance the uptake of breakthrough solutions. It will inform the wider roll-out of ARPA-style mechanisms in the EIC in the next iteration of Horizon Europe, from 2028. The EIC currently offers Pathfinder grants, supporting early-stage development up to proof of concept; Transition grants, to mature and validate new technologies; and the Accelerator, to develop and scale-up innovations. But technologies do not always move smoothly from one phase to the next. “There are some potentially.
https://sciencebusiness.net/news/r-d-funding/european-innovation-council/explained-eic-advanced-innovation-challenges-pilot

economy, politics

EU plans €51M Choose Europe call for research careers in 2027

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The European Commission plans to launch a €51. 25 million call in 2027 as part of the Choose Europe initiative, which is intended to make the continent a more attractive place to pursue a career in research. The Commission launched a €22. 5 million pilot call in October, which will close on December 3, but a draft 2026-27 work programme for the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA), Horizon Europe’s researcher training scheme, has revealed plans to extend the support. The Choose Europe initiative, announced with great pomp earlier this year, aims to tackle brain drain and the precarity of research careers by co-funding the recruitment of postdoctoral researchers for up to five years. EU funding will cover the positions for two to three years, while the host institutions must provide funding for an additional two years. Each programme that receives funding must recruit a minimum of three researchers. While the research community welcomed the initial pilot, there have been concerns that national cuts to research budgets in several EU countries could make it difficult for research organisations to cough up their share of the money. The draft call offers universities more flexibility by allowing the EU funding to cover either the first or second phase of the programme, although the basic issue remains. Attracting foreign talent A key priority is to attract international talent to Europe, particularly as researchers from around the world find fewer opportunities than before in the US. Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must not have resided or carried out their main work or studies in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months in the previous three years. The draft work programme gives researchers the possibility of implementing their MSCA-backed project on a part-time basis, for personal, family or professional reasons, which could benefit international scientists who still have family ties in their home country. Maria Leptin, president of the European Research Council, recently suggested that Europe should offer scientists a “haven,” in a “non-selfish manner,” allowing them to spend only half their time in Europe if needed. Related articles US researchers: Choose Europe, but part-time ERC to introduce seven-year €7 million ‘super grants’ in 2026 Choose Europe talent pilot receives lukewarm welcome A related goal is to improve working conditions and long-term prospects for researchers in Europe. Institutions applying for support will be evaluated partly on the competitiveness of the salaries and career development opportunities offered as part of their programme, as well as the quality of long-term career prospects beyond the duration of the fellowship. Supported programmes can be in any research discipline, despite indications from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, at a Choose Europe launch event in May, that support beyond the pilot phase would privilege “frontier fields like artificial intelligence.” The MSCA calls are part of a broader €500 million package to make Europe “a magnet for researchers,” including seven-year “super grants” worth up to €7 million under the European Research Council.
https://sciencebusiness.net/news/international-news/eu-plans-eu51m-choose-europe-call-research-careers-2027

economy, employment, government

Labor Department won’t release full October jobs report

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FILE – In this May 7, 2020, file photo, the entrance to the Labor Department is seen near the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) WASHINGTON — The Labor Department said Wednesday that it will not be releasing a full jobs report for October because the 43-day federal government shutdown meant it couldn’t calculate the unemployment rate and some other key numbers. Instead, it will release some of the October jobs data — most importantly the number of jobs that employers created last month — along with the full November jobs report, now due a couple of weeks late on Dec. 16. The department’s “employment situation” report usually comes out the first Friday of the month. But the government shutdown disrupted data collection and delayed the release of the reports. For example, the September jobs report, now coming out Thursday, was originally due Oct. 3. The monthly jobs report consists of two parts: a survey of households that is used to determine the unemployment rate, among other things; and the “establishment” survey of companies, nonprofits and government agencies that is used to track job creation, wages and other measurements of labor market health. The Labor Department said Wednesday that the household survey for October could not be conducted because of the shutdown and could not be done retroactively. But it was able to collect the hiring numbers from employers, and those will come out with the full November report. Wednesday’s announcement means the September jobs numbers will likely get extra scrutiny Thursday. They are the last full measurement of hiring and unemployment that Federal Reserve policymakers will see before they meet Dec. 9-10. The Fed is sharply split o ver whether to reduce its key interest rate for a third time this year next month. Those divisions could be largely resolved by fresh economic data if it showed a sharp deterioration in the job market, economists say, because that would likely encourage more officials to support a rate cut. But the absence of data could embolden those policymakers who want to wait for more evidence about where the economy is headed before reducing rates again. At its last meeting in late October many Fed officials said the central bank should proceed with caution, given the “reduced availability of key economic data.” The jobs numbers have lately been contentious. After the July jobs report proved disappointing, President Donald Trump abruptly fired the official responsible for collecting the data, Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner Erika McEntarfer. McEntarfer herself was quick to say there was nothing suspicious about Wednesday’s announcement. “No conspiracy here, folks,” she posted on the social media site Bluesky. “BLS was entirely shutdown for six weeks. Payroll data from firms can be retroactively collected for October. The household survey cannot be conducted retrospectively. This is just a straightforward consequence of having all field staff furloughed for over a month.” Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don’t Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don’t knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the ‘Report’ link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We’d love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/labor-department-wont-release-full-october-jobs-report/article_a8d11e75-e3cc-4bb6-8c62-64f5ffc10d8a.html

culture, economy, entertainment

SRK classics and 12th Fail to screen in inflatable theatres at IFFI 2025

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Imagine watching Shah Rukh Khan spread his arms, Vikrant Massey’s inspiring journey, and the pulse-racing rescue of a friend, all inside a fully equipped inflatable theatre? In a special collaboration, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) have partnered with mobile digital theatre pioneer PictureTime Digiplex to install state-of-the-art inflatable cinemas in the upcoming 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. SRK classics and 12th Fail to screen in inflatable theatres at IFFI 2025 Known for bringing cutting-edge inflatable cinemas across the country, and especially in underserved regions, PictureTime will be setting up a state-of-the-art theatre at the prestigious Kala Academy campus-one of the festival’s main event hubs. The 2025 edition of IFFI will begin on November 20 and close on November 28. The inflatable theatre will screen a vibrant mix of titles across four categories: Inspirational Films, Indian Panorama Classics, Nostalgia, and Children’s Cinema. For the first time ever, three Shah Rukh Khan classics Chak De! India, Darr, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge will be showcased in the inflatable cinemas. Joining them are Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s acclaimed 12th Fail, the Malayalam blockbuster Manjummel Boys, Rajkummar Rao’s Srikanth, Rani Mukerji’s Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Sooraj Barjatya’s Uunchai, Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! Irrfan Khan’s celebrated Qissa, and classics like Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khilari, Vijay Anand’s Teesri Manzil, Yash Chopra’s Chandni and Kala Patthar, among others. There will also be special movie screenings for school children every day, featuring titles like Kaphal: Wild Berries (Hindi), Gattu (Hindi), Banarasi Jasoos (Hindi), The Prince and the Crown of Stone (English) and Naal 2 (Marathi), among others. Beyond the main venue, PictureTime will also roll out open-air screenings across multiple sites in North and South Goa enabling local residents to access festival films. Sushil Chaudhary, Founder & CEO, PictureTime Digiplex, said it is an honour for PictureTime to collaborate with NFDC and ESG for IFFI. Their association with the event began in 2017 when the team organised Bioscope Village. “Bringing our mobile digital movie theatres to a festival of this scale underscores how far this technology has come from remote villages to one of the world’s most respected film events. Our goal has always been to democratise cinema, to take high-quality film experiences to audiences who may never have had access to such spaces, and IFFI gives us a powerful platform to demonstrate that mission in action. “This year’s programming ranging from Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic classics to acclaimed contemporary titles like 12th Fail and Manjummel Boys reflects the diversity and cultural richness of Indian cinema. We are especially excited about the screenings curated for children and young students, because nurturing early audiences is essential for the future of film appreciation. “With the Kala Academy inflatable theatre and our units enabling open-air screenings across Goa, we hope to create a festival experience that is immersive, inclusive, and truly celebratory of Indian cinema’s storytelling power. PictureTime remains committed to innovating how cinema is created, consumed, and accessed across the country,” he added. The inflatable theatre at Kala Academy is expected to welcome over 1, 000 visitors daily, ranging from global delegates and film professionals to school groups and cinephiles. Open-air screenings across Goa are projected to draw an additional 300-400 viewers per location, daily. Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan makes a royal entry on a throne at star-studded wedding; fans say ‘only one Baadshah!’ More Pages: 12th Fail Box Office Collection 12th Fail Movie Review BOLLYWOOD NEWS LIVE UPDATES.
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/srk-classics-12th-fail-screen-inflatable-theatres-iffi-2025/

economy, politics

Philippines Introduces Rice Import Quota to Balance Farmer Protection and Food Security

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The Philippines has announced that it will reopen rice imports in January 2026, allowing 300,000 tonnes of rice to enter the country after several months of import restrictions. This move comes as local rice stocks run low and prices soften across Asia, raising questions about how far protectionist policies can go before hurting consumers.

Since September 2025, the Philippine government has banned rice imports to support domestic farmers during the harvest season and prevent a collapse in farmgate prices. This is a classic example of a protectionist policy—a government action designed to shield local industries from foreign competition. By limiting imports, the government aimed to increase demand (and prices) for locally produced rice, giving farmers higher incomes.

However, the downside soon became clear. Domestic rice stocks began to run out, pushing the government to temporarily lift the import ban in January. The import quota, which restricts the quantity of rice entering the market to 300,000 tonnes, is meant to ease shortages without flooding the market and driving prices down too sharply.

Meanwhile, Thailand and Vietnam, the region’s biggest rice exporters, are reporting strong harvests. Thai rice prices have dipped to around 6,200–6,600 baht per tonne, while Vietnam has maintained stable prices and reaffirmed its export target of 8 million tonnes for 2025. These trends demonstrate the power of global supply and demand in determining market prices: when supply increases, prices tend to fall.

Adding uncertainty to the picture, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that El Niño conditions could reduce future harvests across Southeast Asia, threatening regional food security. If this occurs, reduced supply could push prices up sharply—a reminder of how external shocks affect both producers and consumers.

For students, this story is a textbook case of how governments use trade restrictions like import quotas to balance the competing goals of protecting farmers and ensuring affordable food for consumers. It also highlights the tension between free trade, which promotes efficiency and consumer choice, and protectionism, which prioritizes domestic economic stability and employment.
https://thecuriouseconomist.com/philippines-introduces-rice-import-quota-to-balance-farmer-protection-and-food-security/

business, economy, finance, international

V Rijádu začíná 26. Valné shromáždění UN Tourism

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RIJÁD, Saúdská Arábie – Dnes bylo v Rijádu zahájeno 26. zasedání Valného shromáždění UN Tourism, které představuje historickou premiéru pro region Rady pro spolupráci v Perském zálivu (GCC). Jde zároveň o největší zasedání od založení UN Tourism před 50 lety.

Přibližně 160 delegací z členských států, včetně ministrů, vysokých úředníků a lídrů z celého odvětví a občanské společnosti, se shromáždilo, aby oslavilo pět desetiletí mezinárodní spolupráce.

Letos je Valné shromáždění organizováno pod tématem „Cestovní ruch řízený umělou inteligencí,“ které klade důraz na využití moderních technologií pro rozvoj a inovace v oblasti cestovního ruchu.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251107016963/cs/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-Q-tiwWZwkcswR1UZtV7eGe24xL9TZOyQUMS3J72mJlQ7fxFuNFTHSunhvli30RlBNXya2izy9YOgHlBiZQk2LOzmn6JePCpHPCiYGaEx4DL1Rq8pNwkf3AarimpDzQGuQ%3D%3D

economy, politics

Destroying Europe in order to save it: Extortion, theft, and the EU’s two disastrous choices

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Europe can postpone recognition of failure, but it cannot postpone the bill.

Europe now faces a stark choice forced by its disastrous war policy against Russia: either allow the EU to successfully move toward a centralized state over the heads of its member states, risking a mass Eurexit that may or may not succeed in reaction to that gamble, or delay the larger crisis through member states quietly accepting one of several schemes that will cripple the economy and create social strife regardless.

The Union must decide whether to use frozen Russian sovereign assets to finance a €140 billion “reparation” loan for Ukraine, or to issue joint debt through Eurobonds. Both paths carry severe legal risks and impose heavy costs on citizens: one through contingent liabilities, the other through immediate taxes, austerity, and political instability.

Pushing through the Eurobond option would amount to a structural coup, a radical re-engineering of the EU against its current form. A recent…
https://www.sott.net/article/502868-Destroying-Europe-in-order-to-save-it-Extortion-theft-and-the-EUs-two-disastrous-choices