Intention

Isabel Schnabel: Interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Communication shocks from the US spill over to risk in the euro area and vice versa, but traditional US shocks show no spillover effects to risk.

Key Points: 
  • Communication shocks from the US spill over to risk in the euro area and vice versa, but traditional US shocks show no spillover effects to risk.
  • Both monetary policy and communication shocks spill over to stocks, with euro area information spillovers being particularly strong.

Israel's highest court protects its power to curb government extremism − 3 essential reads

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 2, 2024

That reform would have taken away from the Supreme Court the ability to review and limit the government’s actions.

Key Points: 
  • That reform would have taken away from the Supreme Court the ability to review and limit the government’s actions.
  • Netanyahu and his cabinet – the most religious and politically conservative in Israel’s history – claimed the court had become too powerful, vetoing government policies.
  • Opponents of the legislation said it was an attack on democracy, aimed at neutering the judicial system so that government had nearly unfettered power.

1. Unchecked majority power

  • “The courts are the only institution that can check the power of the ruling parties and uphold the country’s Basic Laws, which provide rights in the absence of a formal constitution.
  • But the new government wants to erase this separation of power and explicitly aims at weakening the courts.

2. Perception isn’t reality

  • He said that there was a perception that the Supreme Court had overstepped boundaries.
  • So the perception, particularly by those on the right, that this is an activist court, that it has been too active, is reasonable.”
  • But, Waxman said, “This perception among the right that the court has really restrained Israeli governments isn’t actually accurate.
  • I think many people would accept that there could be an argument for some kind of judicial reform, at least passing a law to clarify the role and powers of the Supreme Court.

3. Secular power vs. settlers and the Orthodox

  • “This reform appeals to important sectors of Netanyahu’s supporters who see the Supreme Court’s power as an inappropriate secular check on Israel’s increasingly pro-settler and pro-Orthodox government,” Mednicoff wrote.
  • He did this in part by allying himself increasingly with the country’s settler population, many of them Orthodox Jews.
  • “Today’s Israel is marked by growing splits between secular, urbanized citizens near the Mediterranean coast and Orthodox and other settlers in or near the West Bank.

Africa Cup of Nations showcases the continent's finest footballers – and China's economic clout

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 2, 2024

After all, the stadium was designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and built by the Beijing Construction Engineering Group.

Key Points: 
  • After all, the stadium was designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and built by the Beijing Construction Engineering Group.
  • In San Pedro, the Laurent Pokou Stadium was built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (again, state owned).
  • All of this is part of a long-term policy of “stadium diplomacy” which China has been deploying across the continent.
  • For instance, when Gabon co-hosted (with Equatorial Guinea) the Cup of Nations in 2012, China was involved in building both of its stadiums.
  • Stadium diplomacy enables the country to extend its sphere of influence in Africa, often creating a political imbalance which leaves African nations at the behest of Beijing.

A new player

  • The Gulf powerhouse is charging ahead with its own economic transformation and development, part of which involves investing hundreds of millions of dollars in sport.
  • And at the heart of Saudi plans is the intention to position itself as an “Afro-Eurasian” hub of international football.
  • As part of the proposed arrangement, Saudi Arabia was reportedly offering to build new stadiums in each of its partner countries.
  • Some commentators accuse Saudi Arabia of trying to get Africa hooked on oil as part of a plan to offset decreasing demand elsewhere.


The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Summary of opinion: Frontpro (previously known as Afoxolaner Merial), 07/12/2023 Positive

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 30, 2023

On 5-7 December 2023, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) adopted a positive opinion1, recommending the granting of a group of variations to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the veterinary medicinal product Frontpro.

Key Points: 
  • On 5-7 December 2023, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) adopted a positive opinion1, recommending the granting of a group of variations to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the veterinary medicinal product Frontpro.
  • The marketing authorisation holder for this veterinary medicinal product is Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH.
  • Frontpro is currently authorised as chewable tablets for the treatment of flea and tick infestations in dogs.
  • 1Applicants may appeal any CVMP opinion, provided they notify the European Medicines Agency in writing of their intention to appeal within 15 days of receipt of the opinion

Summary of opinion: Bravecto, 05/12/2023 Positive

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 30, 2023

On 5-7 December 2023, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) adopted a positive opinion1, recommending the granting of a variation to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the veterinary medicinal product Bravecto.

Key Points: 
  • On 5-7 December 2023, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) adopted a positive opinion1, recommending the granting of a variation to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the veterinary medicinal product Bravecto.
  • The marketing authorisation holder for this veterinary medicinal product is Intervet International B.V.
    Bravecto is currently authorised as chewable tablets and spot-on solutions for dogs and cats.
  • The variation concerns the addition of a new pharmaceutical form, 150 mg/ml powder and solvent for suspension for injection, for dogs.
  • 1Applicants may appeal any CVMP opinion, provided they notify the European Medicines Agency in writing of their intention to appeal within 15 days of receipt of the opinion.

Summary of opinion: Frontpro (previously known as Afoxolaner Merial), 07/12/2023 Positive

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023

On 5-7 December 2023, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) adopted a positive opinion1, recommending the granting of a group of variations to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the veterinary medicinal product Frontpro.

Key Points: 
  • On 5-7 December 2023, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) adopted a positive opinion1, recommending the granting of a group of variations to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the veterinary medicinal product Frontpro.
  • The marketing authorisation holder for this veterinary medicinal product is Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH.
  • Frontpro is currently authorised as chewable tablets for the treatment of flea and tick infestations in dogs.
  • 1Applicants may appeal any CVMP opinion, provided they notify the European Medicines Agency in writing of their intention to appeal within 15 days of receipt of the opinion

Summary of opinion: Bravecto, 05/12/2023 Positive

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023

On 5-7 December 2023, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) adopted a positive opinion1, recommending the granting of a variation to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the veterinary medicinal product Bravecto.

Key Points: 
  • On 5-7 December 2023, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) adopted a positive opinion1, recommending the granting of a variation to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the veterinary medicinal product Bravecto.
  • The marketing authorisation holder for this veterinary medicinal product is Intervet International B.V.
    Bravecto is currently authorised as chewable tablets and spot-on solutions for dogs and cats.
  • The variation concerns the addition of a new pharmaceutical form, 150 mg/ml powder and solvent for suspension for injection, for dogs.
  • 1Applicants may appeal any CVMP opinion, provided they notify the European Medicines Agency in writing of their intention to appeal within 15 days of receipt of the opinion.

Multi-stakeholder workshop on the guideline on clinical investigation of medicinal products in the treatment of epileptic disorders , Online, 29 January 2024

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023

Date

Key Points: 
  • Date
    - Monday, 29 January 2024
    Location
    - Online
    Event summary
    EMA is organising an online multi-stakeholder workshop on the revised guideline on clinical investigation of medicinal products in the treatment of epileptic disorders.
  • The guideline has been revised to bring together the current knowledge in seizures type and epilepsy.
  • The revised guideline (revision 3) is under public consultation.
  • The intention of the revised guideline is to provide general guidance on the development of medicinal products for the treatment of epileptic disorders, to support evidence generation, to enable appropriate methodology for the evaluation of medicinal product for the treatment of epileptic disorders and to further inform regulatory decision making.

The EBA issues Opinion on a measure to address macroprudential risk following a notification by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

The measure entails a credit institution-specific minimum level of 25% for the average risk weight of Swedish housing loans applicable to credit institutions that have adopted the internal ratings-based (IRB) approach to calculate their capital requirements..

Key Points: 
  • The measure entails a credit institution-specific minimum level of 25% for the average risk weight of Swedish housing loans applicable to credit institutions that have adopted the internal ratings-based (IRB) approach to calculate their capital requirements..
  • The measure targets retail exposures secured by real estate, both small and medium-sized (SME) and non-SME exposures.
  • In its Opinion, addressed to the Council, the European Commission, and the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, the EBA do not object to the extension of the current measure.
  • The EBAtakes note of ongoing concerns regarding systemic risk relating to the housing market and the persistence of macroprudential vulnerabilities in the Swedish financial system.

Russia's decision to ditch cold war arms limitation treaty raises tensions with Nato

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

It added that the admission of Finland into Nato and Sweden’s application meant the treaty was dead.

Key Points: 
  • It added that the admission of Finland into Nato and Sweden’s application meant the treaty was dead.
  • The CFE treaty had aimed to reduce the opportunity for either side to launch a rapid offensive against the other.
  • In fact, the US never ratified the treaty and Moscow and Washington have exchanged angry words, each accusing the other of undermining the NTBT.
  • This has helped nobody – activity in both the US and Russia has escalated tensions over nuclear testing.

Aggressive stance

  • Moscow’s increasingly aggressive stance will certainly add to concerns for the Baltic states and Poland.
  • With a significant number of ethnic Russians as part of their populations, the risks of civil unrest leading to an escalation is rather high.
  • But the Russians would need to be more competent and capable in their military adventures than they have been shown to be in Ukraine.
  • The likelihood of a Russian attack is small, but Putin likes to keep his options open.
  • He is also an experienced propagandist and will use whatever levers he has to try and prise Nato’s members apart.


Kenton White does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.