UK ministers are lobbying the Trump administration to prevent a backlash over Keir Starmer's announced ban on social media for under-16s. The ban, which restricts platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok, aims to protect children but risks retaliation from the US, with Elon Musk criticizing it as censorship.
The UK government is reportedly planning to relax its 2030 electric vehicle sales targets, potentially lowering the mandate for pure EVs from 80% to 50% and allowing a larger share for hybrids. This move follows intense lobbying from the car industry and unions concerned about job security and manufacturing penalties.
Russia's Special Envoy for G20 and APEC, Marat Berdyev, stated that Western APEC members, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, are attempting to dissuade other member economies from supporting Russia's bid to chair the forum. Berdyev noted that these countries are hostile to Russia's application and are lobbying behind the scenes.
Großunternehmen steigern ihre Lobbyausgaben bei EU-Institutionen seit 2020 um 50%. Tech-Konzerne führen die Ausgaben mit 73 Mio. Euro an, gefolgt von Energie- und Chemieunternehmen.
Coupang's parent company allegedly spent $1.09 million on lobbying in the US, facing accusations of pressuring the Korean government after a massive data breach. Despite US pressure, including a meeting with the Vice President, Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission maintained its principle-based approach to sanctions.
Major companies and associations have significantly increased their lobbying spending on EU institutions, with a nearly 50% rise since 2020. Tech giants lead the spending, raising concerns about democratic influence.
Lobbying spending by large companies and associations before EU institutions increased by almost 50% in 2023 compared to 2020, according to a report by LobbyControl and Corporate Europe Observatory. Tech giants spent the most, raising concerns about democratic influence.
President Trump is hosting a UFC event at the White House on his birthday, attracting donors and lobbyists. Sponsorship packages cost over $1 million, with political consultants advising clients to buy them. Top fighters like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor were unavailable, with McGregor's eligibility questioned due to anti-doping rules and past controversies.
An application for a 24-hour dog breeding facility in Elphinstone, Victoria, housing up to 150 dogs, has been withdrawn following lobbying from residents and animal activists. The proposal included scheduled C-sections and artificial insemination, drawing criticism for its invasiveness.
Ten years after France's Sapin 2 law on lobbying, the sector faces transparency and influence traceability issues. A key concern is the growing link between lobbying and the far-right's institutional legitimization, particularly the Rassemblement National's push for credibility.
Pakistan is spending an estimated $900,000 monthly on US lobbying efforts, totaling $10-12 million annually, according to FARA filings. This occurs as the nation faces economic challenges, a water crisis, rising fuel prices, and a heavy debt burden.
Pakistan is spending an estimated $900,000 monthly on US lobbying efforts, totaling $10-12 million annually, according to FARA filings. This occurs as the nation faces economic challenges, a water crisis, rising fuel prices, and a heavy debt burden, while its military leadership claims India sought US mediation during military tensions.
The crypto industry, once facing regulatory crackdown after FTX's collapse, has become a major political force in the US. Spending millions across parties, it influenced elections and reshaped regulations, moving from a target to a powerful lobbying machine.
Kalshi has launched Americans for Fair Markets, a new lobbying group for prediction markets, appointing Taylor Budowich as advisor. The group aims to counter opposition from sportsbooks and casinos and shape federal policy, while facing increased scrutiny and a US House probe into Kalshi and Polymarket.
Spanish judge José Luis Calama is investigating former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for influence peddling related to the €53 million rescue loan for Plus Ultra airline. The judge alleges Zapatero used his personal connections to influence authorities and received nearly €2 million in kickbacks, a charge that doesn't require the benefit to materialize to be considered consummated.
Spanish police report suggests former PM Zapatero lobbied for Plus Ultra's €53M pandemic rescue, with executives discussing his "pro-Sánchez and pro-Maduro" stance and "the end justifies the means."
Audi's Q9 SUV will feature adaptive beam headlights in the US, a technology long available in Europe and Japan. After years of lobbying and testing to meet new federal regulations, the advanced lighting system, which minimizes glare for drivers and others, will finally debut on American roads.
The article explores the distinction between legitimate lobbying and illegal influence peddling, particularly in Spain, which lacks specific state regulation. It contrasts lobbying as presenting verifiable arguments with influence peddling as selling opaque access, citing the recent indictment of former PM Zapatero in the Plus Ultra case as an example of the latter.
Everald Compton, 94, is lobbying Canberra with a private consortium to revive the Inland Rail project, which he helped conceptualize 30 years ago. He criticizes the project's cost blowouts and government mismanagement, while Infrastructure Minister Catherine King defends decisions to pause construction, citing fiscal responsibility. Local communities and politicians express frustration over the project's uncertainty and potential impact on regional development.
Press reports on the King's Speech largely ignored the proposed Financial Services Bill, which aims to downgrade the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) under the guise of "modernisation." Critics argue this reflects industry lobbying, as consumers lack the organized influence of financial firms.
Colorado's SB26-051, requiring operating systems to collect users' ages, now exempts open-source OSes like Linux after lobbying by System76's Carl Richell, highlighting challenges and ethical concerns for open-source developers amid similar laws in other US states.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has dropped a proposed ruling that would have made it harder for tech companies to use clean energy investments to offset fossil fuel pollution from data centers, following lobbying by industry groups.
A Labour NEC member opposes changing party rules to let Andy Burnham run for leadership without being an MP, warning it could lead to a lengthy contest and undesired leftward shift.
A new bipartisan bill introduced by Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) seeks to permanently ban U.S. Congress members from lobbying after leaving office, closing loopholes and imposing penalties of $50,000 per violation or up to 5 years in jail.
