Europe Needs Less "Hypocrisy" to Be More Effective: Former Italian PM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Draft of Trump's Health Blueprint Avoids Industry Crackdown
(Bloomberg) -- A draft of the Trump administration's highly anticipated blueprint on health policy takes a softer approach to regulating companies than many had feared, a relief for industry and setback for environmental activists. The US-Canadian Road Safety Gap Is Getting Wider Festivals and Parades Are Canceled Amid US Immigration Anxiety A Photographer's Pipe Dream: Capturing New York's Vast Water System To Head Off Severe Storm Surges, Nova Scotia Invests in 'Living Shorelines' Five Years After Black Lives Matter, Brussels' Colonial Statues Remain The draft report, which has been reviewed by Bloomberg News, has parts that go beyond previous announcements. They are mostly about boosting research in areas such as the risks of microplastics and how antidepressants are prescribed for children. It also refers to plans to boost fertility rates and getting whole milk into public schools. The draft was dated Aug. 11, but could still see changes before it's finalized, according to people familiar with the discussions who weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter. In particular, the report's tone around pesticides is far less critical than Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his allies have been in the past. That raised concerns earlier this week from some of his supporters in the so-called Make America Healthy Again movement, according to the people. The policy agenda is the second installment in a two-part process to carry out an executive order that President Donald Trump signed in February. The first report detailed research about what the administration viewed as the root cause of chronic disease among children, and the second was intended to lay out policies to address those root causes. The strategy was due to be submitted to the president on Aug. 12, but hasn't been publicly released. The White House declined to confirm the draft's authenticity, but industry officials said it was largely in line with what they had been briefed on by the administration. Still, the report appeared in flux before its public release, with the debate centered on the wording of the pesticide provisions. 'Until officially released by the White House and MAHA Commission, any documents purporting to be the second MAHA Report should be disregarded as speculative literature,' said White House spokesman Kush Desai. The document aligns with the administration's strategy to create change by pressuring industries, rather than through new regulations or laws. Officials have employed the strategy with food companies, health insurers and pharmaceutical producers so far. Pesticides Approach The draft takes a lighter touch on pesticides, after a backlash from the agricultural community before the first report's release prompted an internal debate over the issue. The document calls for continually evaluating the current framework to 'ensure that chemicals and other exposures do not interact together to pose a threat to the health of our children.' It references measuring the 'cumulative exposure' to chemicals. That could rankle farmers and agriculture firms, which say that pesticides are safe to use and disputes language that suggests they could be harmful to Americans. Kennedy has been skeptical of some vaccines, and the document calls for more research on vaccine injuries. The draft has vague pronouncements such as 'ensuring scientific and medical freedom' and making sure Americans have the 'best' vaccination schedule. The agency will launch a 'MAHA education campaign' to promote the early adoption of lifestyle changes that may increase fertility rates among men and women, including through new partnerships with federally funded family planning facilities, according to the draft, which didn't provide specific examples of what would be taught. Kennedy has repeatedly raised concerns over declining sperm counts and testosterone rates, especially among teenage boys, to explain declining US birth rates. Processed Foods The draft report criticizes 'highly processed foods,' listing poor diet among the top drivers of children's chronic diseases, but didn't propose any significant new restrictions on the industry. The administration has already begun the process of defining 'ultra processed foods,' which it said will be used to develop future research funding and policies. The report refers to highly processed foods more often than ultra-processed foods and doesn't distinguish between the terms. Ultra-processed foods typically involve some industrial steps or ingredients, unlike whole foods such as fruits and vegetables. Many packaged foods are generally considered ultra-processed. The report also pointed to forthcoming revised dietary guidelines, which Trump officials have estimated will be released in the fall. Kennedy has said those guidelines will encourage people to eat 'whole foods,' and will be simple and easy to understand. The draft report previews several public health awareness campaigns it plans to launch, including a 'Real Food First' push to 'prioritize whole, minimally processed foods over packaged and highly processed alternatives.' Whole Milk Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary has indicated the dietary guidelines will take a new approach toward saturated fat. The draft report included one hint of what could be coming, by specifically calling to remove the restrictions around serving whole milk in schools. Because the current dietary guidelines recommend limiting consumption of foods high in saturated fat to less than 10% of calories daily, schools serve only skim and 1% milk. The draft calls for increased oversight and enforcement of advertisements for direct-to-consumer drugs. The report suggests that social media influencers and telehealth companies – categories that have historically fallen into a regulatory gray area – should be subject to greater oversight when promoting drugs. Lawmakers have been pressuring the federal government to take action on the influx of advertisements from telehealth companies that offer copycat weight-loss medications. That includes allegations that Hims & Hers Health Inc. omitted safety information in advertising. --With assistance from Ilena Peng, Charles Gorrivan and Madison Muller. What Declining Cardboard Box Sales Tell Us About the US Economy Americans Are Getting Priced Out of Homeownership at Record Rates Bessent on Tariffs, Deficits and Embracing Trump's Economic Plan Twitter's Ex-CEO Is Moving Past His Elon Musk Drama and Starting an AI Company How Syrian Immigrants Are Boosting Germany's Economy ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
Time Business News
3 hours ago
- Time Business News
Bulgaria's Industrial Future: Hristo Kovachki Advocates
In a series of recent interviews, Bulgarian businessman and energy expert Hristo Kovachki has outlined a vision for Bulgaria's economic revitalization – centered around reindustrialization, technological renewal, and the strategic extraction of rare metals from domestic coal resources. His remarks come at a time when both Bulgaria and the European Union are navigating the twin challenges of climate transition and global competitiveness. Kovachki's central thesis is clear: Bulgaria must break away from its service-dominated economy and re-establish itself as an industrial and technological player in the European and global landscape. 'A sustainable and successful economy cannot be based solely on the service sector,' he notes, pointing out that nearly 70% of Bulgaria's GDP comes from services, while industry contributes less than 30%. While acknowledging Bulgaria's demographic challenges, Kovachki rejects the notion that the country is 'too small' for such ambition. 'We are a classic Central European country, strategically located, and a full member of the European Union. We should stop underestimating our potential,' he insists. One of Kovachki's most noteworthy proposals is the development of a rare metals industry in Bulgaria, particularly through the extraction of valuable elements from coal and coal byproducts. This is not an entirely new idea on the global stage – U.S. companies have already begun exploring this field – but Kovachki sees unique potential for Bulgaria. 'Rare metals like those found in coal ash and mining byproducts are among the world's most valuable resources, crucial for the advancement of clean technologies and industrial innovation,' he explains. In his view, Bulgaria's lignite coal, often dismissed as a relic of the past, could become the raw material of the future. This vision aligns closely with the European Commission's Clean Industry Pact, which emphasizes sustainable production, reduced raw material dependency, and greater circularity. Kovachki points out that Europe already recognizes the strategic importance of critical raw materials like antimony, a metal recently thrust into the spotlight due to reduced exports from China. His suggestion: Bulgaria could contribute to this European supply chain through innovative recovery technologies. Importantly, Kovachki's ideas fit well within the EU's broader strategy for green growth and industrial resilience. The Clean Industry Pact and the European Critical Raw Materials Act both prioritize the development of local supply chains, circular use of resources, and new technologies for decarbonization – all principles echoed in Kovachki's proposals. Rather than viewing decarbonization as a burden, Kovachki sees it as a 'driver of growth,' particularly when paired with industrial policy. 'This sector can place Bulgaria on the global economic and geopolitical map,' he says, underscoring the opportunity for research, innovation, and job creation. His approach is not in opposition to the Green Deal, but rather complementary – suggesting that legacy energy resources like coal, when used innovatively, can support Europe's clean transition. Kovachki also draws inspiration from international developments, particularly U.S. efforts to maintain industrial leadership and innovation. He refers to the return of 'economic common sense' and the strategic role of industry under American policy as a positive model, noting the significance of strategic partnerships, including those between Bulgaria and the U.S. His call to action includes welcoming international companies to explore and invest in Bulgaria's rare metal potential – a move that could boost both domestic capabilities and global integration. From an editorial standpoint, Kovachki's proposals offer a pragmatic and well-aligned vision for Bulgaria's role in the 21st-century economy. They do not seek to dismantle EU policies, but rather leverage them more effectively. His belief in the industrial future of Bulgaria is grounded in both global trends and local opportunity. Crucially, the emphasis on technological reinvention, sustainability, and strategic resource use aligns with the EU's competitive goals. The extraction of rare metals from coal byproducts is an area ripe for innovation, and if supported with a national strategy, could transform regions traditionally dependent on coal into future-facing hubs of green industry. In this sense, Kovachki's vision is not only about economic diversification – it's about turning challenges into assets. His approach underscores the importance of looking forward, not back, while maximizing the resources and strategic advantages already present within the country. 'A country that only trains service staff cannot lead global developments. Countries with strong industries and new technologies set the agenda.' 'Rare metals may turn coal – once seen as a fuel of the past – into a resource for the future.' 'Bulgaria should not see itself as small. We are a medium-sized European country with strategic importance.' As the EU intensifies its efforts to secure critical materials, lower emissions, and boost industrial competitiveness, voices like Hristo Kovachki's offer grounded and constructive perspectives on how member states like Bulgaria can actively participate – and even lead – in this transformation. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Trump, Putin Call Talks ‘Productive,' a ‘Starting Point'
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak at a joint event Friday following their summit in Anchorage, Alaska. (With English translation of Putin's remarks in Russian.) (Source: Bloomberg)
