In Poland's golden hour, a looming threat to Europe's unity
KRAKOW, Poland — In this golden moment of Polish history, why do so many Poles see the future as fraught, grim, even dangerous?
Across Europe's newest economic powerhouse, where living standards have leapfrogged Japan's and are on course to surpass Spain's and Israel's, incomes are surging, shops are buzzing and borders are secure — at least for now.
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Forbes
31 minutes ago
- Forbes
EU Employment Committee Draft Opinion Opposes Reductions In Sustainability Reporting
JUNE 26: People walk by an European flag (Photo by) The future of sustainability reporting in the European Union is in peril as legislators debate the Omnibus Simplification Package. The current proposal includes significant changes to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directives. As the legislative process unfolds in the Parliament, members are submitting proposed amendments through various committees. In the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, a draft opinion expresses clear opposition to any reductions to the CSRD or the CSDDD. From 2020 - 2024, a trilogy of directives were passed by the EU to force businesses to address climate change and report greenhouse gas missions. The Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities created a classification system for business and investors to know what activities are considered green or climate friendly. The CSRD created requirements for businesses to report GHG emissions and other environmental, social, and governance actions. The CSDDD, also known as the CS3D, created legal liability for companies in relation to their supply chain. While the gains excited activists, the cost of these proposals on businesses and the broader impact on the EU economy became a theme during the 2024 European Parliament elections. The shift to the right in EU politics embolden opponents to the European Green Deal directives. As a result, the Commission proposed a package of new directives to 'reduce the burden' on businesses. The Omnibus Simplification Package was officially adopted by the Commission in February. The proposal is being debated in the Council and the Parliament. In the Parliament, the debate is public and working through multiple committees, giving interest parties and MEPs the opportunity to voice their opinions. The Committee on Legal Affairs, known as JURI, is the primary committee that will produce the legislation that will be sent to the full Parliament for a vote. However, related committees will draft opinions to be considered during the process. Each committee designates a rapporteur to lead the drafting. The Parliament states that a 'rapporteur is appointed in the responsible parliamentary committee to draft a report on proposals of a legislative or budgetary nature, or other issues. In drafting their report, rapporteurs may consult with relevant experts and stakeholders. They are also responsible for the drafting of compromise amendments and negotiations with shadow rapporteurs.' The amendments change the Commission's language in the Omnibus Simplification Package, not the original CSRD and CSDDD. Rather than offering sweeping amendments that encompass every change a MEP or Party wants to see, every change to every subparagraph is offered in a separate amendment. This results in a high volume of amendments. The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, known as ECON, and the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, known as ENVI, posted 987 amendments proposed by their respective members. In the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, known as EMPL, the committee chose to post a draft opinion by the rapporteur before posting amendments by members. Committee members have until June 3 to offer amendments before the June 4 vote. European Parliament The draft opinion was submitted by MEP Li Andersson of The Left, rapporteur for the opinion. The draft included language that directly criticizes the Commission and objects to changes. While the opinion is may not be adopted as the final committee draft, and will likely have minimal impact on the final vote, the language will certainly excite activists and like minded MEPs. In the 'short justification' included in opinions to provide context for canges, Andersson made her opposition to the changes clear. "The current Commission proposal risks watering down the core elements of this newly established sustainability reporting and due diligence framework. Although the aim of simplification in terms of reporting duties for companies is laudable… simplification cannot mean broad sweeping deregulation that changes the entire purposes of the previous directives. Dismantling core parts of the legislation risks not only creating regulatory uncertainty for companies, barring proper access to justice for those harmed, but also hampers the availability of quality, comparable and granular sustainability data that is much called for by investors and business partners alike…" Of the MEP's 49 proposed amendments, 40 simply delete language proposed the Omnibus Simplification Package, leaving the existing language in original directives intact. This includes the employee thresholds for companies to fall under reporting requirements. Three proposed amendments include language that is worth highlighting. The first proposed amendment addresses the first paragraph of the Omnibus in which the Commission states their reason for the changes. The Commission references 'A simpler and faster Europe: Communication on implementation and simplification' sent on February 11 in which they outline their vision. Andersson, and many like minded individuals, took issue with the process used and the need for action. Original language as proposed by the Commission: '… the European Commission set out a vision for an implementation and simplification agenda that delivers fast and visible improvements for people and business on the ground. This requires more than an incremental approach and the Union must take bold action to achieve this goal…' Andersson's Proposed Amendment: "…the European Commission set out a vision for an implementation and simplification agenda, which is leading to unpredictability and legal uncertainty by rolling back on legal obligations recently adopted at Union level under the guise of reducing administrative burden. The consequences of such an agenda will have rippling effects, with increasing political risks particularly for first movers. In order to safeguard the ambition of the current legal acquis, it is important to oppose such measures." The second proposed amendment addresses the second paragraph in which the Commission states their goals. Andersson not only takes issue with, what some perceive as, an overbearing approach by the Commission, but also addresses concerns relating to the process used. Those concerns have resulted in an investigation by the European Ombudsman, although they are unlikely to impact the final result. Original language as proposed by the Commission: "In the context of the Commission's commitment to reduce reporting burdens and enhance competitiveness, it is necessary to amend Directives 2006/43/EC3 , 2013/34/EU4 , (EU) 2022/24645 and (EU) 2024/1760 of the European Parliament and of the Council, whilst maintaining the policy objectives of the European Green Deal, and the Sustainable Finance Action Plan." Andersson's Proposed Amendment: 'In the context of the Commission's commitment to reduce reporting burdens and enhance competitiveness, the Comission (sic) has declared that it is necessary to amend Directives 2006/43/EC3 , 2013/34/EU4 , (EU) 2022/24645 and (EU) 2024/1760 of the, without conducting any impact assessment and limiting public consultation to a closed-door stakeholder event.' A major theme in the push for simplification is the impact sustainability reporting could have on small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition to the high cost on businesses that are required to comply with sustainability reporting requirements, businesses interests also expressed concerns that the costs will adversely impact SMEs that are not required to report, but are indirectly forced to gather information in the course of doing business with large companies. The Commission has made it clear they want to prevent SMEs from being forced to pay to gather data beyond minimum requirements. Original language as proposed by the Commission: "Member States shall ensure that, for the mapping provided for in paragraph 2, point (a), companies do not seek to obtain information from direct business partners with fewer than 500 employees that exceeds the information specified in the standards for voluntary use referred to in Article 29a of Directive 2013/34/EU…" Andersson's Proposed Amendment: 'Where necessary in the light of resource and knowledge constraints of an SME that is a business partner of a company, Member States shall ensure that companies provide targeted and proportionate support. Support may include financial support, providing or enabling access to capacity building or training, or support in upgrading management systems or facilitating the upgrading of such systems in order to support the identification of adverse impacts.' The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs has placed the draft opinion on the June 4 meeting agenda. Committee members have until June 3 to offer their own amendments. Given the amendments proposed in other committees, expect conflicting opinions to be stated. The draft opinion will be sent to the Committee on Legal Affairs for consideration. The final vote in the Parliament is expected to take place on October 13. The Commission, Council, and Parliament will then meet to negotiate the final changes to the sustainability reporting requirements. They are expected to be approved in December.
New York Times
37 minutes ago
- New York Times
Oscar Piastri quickest again
Follow live coverage of today's Formula 1 action with Oscar Piastri getting the better of Lando Norris in qualifying Getty Images McLaren's Oscar Piastri has qualified on pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Australian, who leads the F1 World Driver's Championship standings, beat his team-mate Lando Norris as McLaren secured a one-two for tomorrow's race. Max Verstappen qualified third, ahead of British duo George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Email: live@ GO FURTHER F1 Spanish GP qualifying: Oscar Piastri secures pole as McLaren dominates Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images Wow! A 1:11.836 to go top! George Russell moves into second with a superb 1:12.075, ahead of Max Verstappen in third. Despite the dark clouds growing near the circuit, the team radars aren't showing anything due to hit the track itself through Q3. I think we'll get to the end without showers. Can anybody stop McLaren here?! Getty Images I think Alex Albon and Williams will be pretty happy with 11th there. Albon gave his car up for Williams young driver Victor Martins in FP1, and then was sidelined by a suspected brake issue through much of Q3, meaning he had just one flying lap completed on Saturday heading into qualifying. At a track that really does not suit Williams, to be so close to reaching Q3 is a decent return. 11. Alex Albon , Williams , Williams 12. Gabriel Bortoleto , Sauber , Sauber 13. Liam Lawson , Racing Bulls , Racing Bulls 14. Lance Stroll , Aston Martin , Aston Martin 15. Ollie Bearman , Haas , Haas 16. Nico Hulkenberg , Sauber , Sauber 17. Esteban Ocon , Haas , Haas 18. Carlos Sainz , Williams , Williams 19. Franco Colapinto , Alpine , Alpine 20. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull And as Yuki Tsunoda slumps to last, Isack Hadjar puts in another great qualifying display for Racing Bulls to reach Q3, off the heels of finishing sixth in Monaco last weekend. He's putting in a good case for future consideration for that second Red Bull seat, surely... Getty Images The young Racing Bulls driver looked to be in trouble but produced a fine lap to go sixth. Ollie Bearman is the last man out on the track … but fails to significantly improve his time and stays in P15. Alex Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto, Liam Lawson and Lance Stroll join him in exiting Q2. His last flying lap is only good enough for 8th. Lance Stroll is out. He's currently sat in 13th. The top five are all in the pits. Just about everybody else is on an out lap. Getty Images The drivers in the danger zone are: Gabriel Bortoleto, Liam Lawson, Alex Albon, Lance Stroll and Oliver Bearman. Oscar Piastri still on top at this stage, but Lando Norris again had to pass a slower car at Turn 12, which will have contributed to the 0.058 second gap to the other McLaren. They are so close right now, with Piastri edging it in the first sector, Norris mighty in sector two. Max Verstappen actually has the quickest time in sector three, with a big 0.36 second gap to the leaders. Getty Images Lando Norris goes quickest with a 1:12.056. But Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri are both on flying laps and both go quicker through the first sector… Hamilton, however, loses time in the third and final sector and goes third, behind Norris and Max Verstappen. Piastri then nudges them all down a spot with a blistering 1:11.998. Max Verstappen has set the quickest lap so far in Q2: a 1:12.358. He's followed by Gabriel Bortoleto, Liam Lawson and Alex Albon. Getty Images Looks like a big 0.2 second gap between the McLaren drivers in Q1, but Lando Norris had a big moment three corners from home when he passed a slower car and had to step off the gas to save a big snap. There's surely more time to come from him heading into Q2. Fernando Alonso is the first out onto the track. Getty Images Oscar Piastri, once again, was the fastest man of the session. He was followed by Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Getty Images 16. Nico Hulkenberg , Sauber , Sauber 17. Esteban Ocon , Haas , Haas 18. Carlos Sainz , Williams , Williams 19. Franco Colapinto , Alpine , Alpine 20. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Oh dear, that's not a good result for Yuki Tsunoda. The second Red Bull 'curse' shows zero sign of abating right now. He's plum last in qualifying, even if he is 'only' six-tenths of a second off Verstappen's lap time up in P2. Getty Images Yuki Tsunoda has qualified last! 0.834 seconds behind the leader, Oscar Piastri. There's also disappointment for home favourite Carlos Sainz, who qualifies 18th, one place ahead of the unlucky Franco Colapinto. Nico Hulkenberg is 16th, Esteban Ocon 17th.
Associated Press
37 minutes ago
- Associated Press
French Open 2025: Coco Gauff emerges from a tough second set to return to Week 2 in Paris
PARIS (AP) — Coco Gauff got off to a terrific start in the French Open's third round Saturday, taking 12 of the first 15 points for a 3-0 lead after just 10 minutes. The rest of the opening set went smoothly, too. Things got much tougher from there, and the 2023 U.S. Open champion was merely two points from dropping the second set, before getting back in the right direction and defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-1, 7-6 (3) to reach Week 2 at Roland-Garros for the fifth consecutive year. Gauff, a 21-year-old from Florida, was the runner-up in Paris in 2022 and is seeded No. 2 at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament this year. Next up for her will be a matchup on Monday against No. 20 Ekaterina Alexandrova, with the winner moving into the quarterfinals. After needing just a half-hour to claim the first set Saturday, Gauff wound up in a 75-minute struggle in the second. That set included eight breaks of serve in a row as the sounds of popping fireworks drifted over to Court Philippe-Chatrier from the nearby soccer stadium belonging to Paris Saint-Germain, whose fans were gathering to attend a watch party ahead of the Champions League final against Italy's Inter Milan in Munich, Germany, later Saturday night. The key in the second was when Gauff trailed 5-3, 30-love with Bouzkova serving. A total of four times, Bouzkova needed to string together two consecutive points to force a third set. But Gauff wouldn't allow it, frequently stretching points with her terrific court coverage until she could find space to hit a winner. On one particularly memorable exchange, Gauff sprinted to barely reach a drop shot, scrambled into position to block back a volley, then leaped for an overhead smash. By the end, Gauff had more than twice as many winners as Bouzkova in the second set, 22 to 11, and also helped herself by winning the point on 11 of her 14 trips to the net. Gauff is one of five American women in the fourth round. The others are No. 3 Jessica Pegula, No. 7 Madison Keys, No. 16 Amanda Anisimova and unseeded Hailey Baptiste. There were three U.S. men still in the bracket heading into Sunday. Keys, who won the Australian Open in January, saved three match points while down 5-4 in the final set and came back to beat 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Keys now plays the 70th-ranked Baptiste. Anisimova meets No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for a spot in the quarterfinals, and Pegula — last year's U.S. Open runner-up — faces French wild-card entry Lois Boisson. ___ More AP tennis:
