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  Often cited in ambitious carbon-reduction goals, carbon capture technology is technically feasible but unlikely to offer long-term benefits.   This was according to an analysis by Andre Wendt published by the European Center for Austrian Economics Foundation (ECAEF), based in Liechtenstein.    

Although French President Emmanuel Macron offers a number of good, if vague, ideas in theory, on issues like international trade he actually sounds a lot like protectionist U.S. president Donald Trump, Epicenter’s Adam Bartha writes, citing Macron’s proposals like a “European preference” for government procurement. Even worse is Macron’s proposal for centrally controlled wages, which […]

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar released a proposed regulation earlier this month to roll back the practice of rebates in the pricing of prescription drugs in Medicare Part D and Medicaid managed care programs. Sec. Azar and others in the department have made the elimination of rebates paid by manufacturers to pharmacy […]

  The FT’s Martin Wolf issues a stirring (well, fairly exciting) call for sensibly radical tax reform.   This includes “destination-based cash flow taxation,” which promises to rebalance taxation from production to consumption.    

The Times of London, no enemy to money or the rich, feels compelled to clear its throat and issue a stern warning that tax dodging and avoidance is really not fair play. The Times view notes that a third of British billionaires have shifted their residence or are in the process of doing so. It […]

  CapX presents five reasons Ireland should reconsider its firm position on the backstop, still a key element of Teresa May’s Brexit agreement, widely reviled by Euroskeptic Tories who claim it will keep the UK locked in a customs union with the EU indefinitely.   The basic underlying argument, of course, is that it would […]

Belgium’s tax on air pollution from aviation activities may provide a model for other European countries and developed nations broadly dealing with this tricky issue, according to Bill Hemings of Transport & Environment, an industry advocacy organization. Aviation emissions are up 21% since 2012, Hemings notes in his op-ed on Euractiv.

While burning wood instead of coal may not reduce greenhouse gases, forests are at least renewable resources, checking off one “green” item. However activists are calling for new EU-wide regulations to ensure that the forests which produce wood used for energy are managed sustainably. A piece in Euractiv laments recent criticism of the proposed measure.

  European efforts to develop a common integrated defense structure, or “Army,” face a number of challenges including the imminent departure from the EU of the UK, its biggest military power.   However the basic goals of the Common Defense and Security Policy may still be effective provided it takes a more strategic approach, according […]

Italy’s introduction of gender quotas for corporate boards produced the expected increase in female representation on boards, but not the hoped-for “spillover” effect  in terms of women’s representation of the top ranks of executives at these companies, according to a discussion paper from the IZA, a German trade union-backed think tank. In short, it appears […]