EU Votes to Ban Gasoline Car Sales by 2035 as Other Climate Policies Blocked

The European Parliament approved legislation (CNN) that is poised to become one of the world’s strongest laws to phase out gasoline-powered cars. The ban on new gasoline cars after 2035 must still be approved by the European Council and signed into law. Meanwhile, lawmakers rejected other climate policies up for consideration, including a reform of the bloc’s carbon market.

Under deliberation this week were about half (FT) of the proposals in the European Union’s broad agenda to cut its carbon emissions by 55 percent by 2030. Lawmakers also failed to approve a carbon border tax and the creation of a fund meant to cushion the effects of carbon pricing on low-income households. They can still vote on different versions of the rejected plans.

Analysis

“If it is handled poorly, [Europe’s green agenda] could produce the kind of damage that the EU suffered in the wake of the eurozone crisis in the early 2010s and the migration crisis of 2015. In both of those cases, Brussels did too little to mitigate economic harm and allay anxieties,” Nathalie Tocci of the Istituto Affari Internazionali writes for Foreign Affairs.

“Given the importance of this legislation, no deal is certainly better than a bad deal,” Clean Air Task Force’s Alessia Virone tells the Financial Times.

Pacific Rim

Thailand Becomes First Asian Country to Decriminalize Sale of Cannabis

People can now grow and sell (CNN) marijuana, but use of the drug remains illegal under the new law. The government hopes to increase the value of the country’s cannabis industry.

China: Shanghai will lock down (AFP) a district home to 2.7 million people to conduct a new round of COVID-19 testing. The country has maintained a strict zero-COVID policy.

South and Central Asia

Former Afghan Education Minister Returns to Kabul

Ghulam Farooq Wardak had fled Afghanistan amid the Taliban takeover, but Taliban officials offered him (Reuters) and other former officials security guarantees to return.

Sri Lanka: Unannounced power outages occurred across the country (Bloomberg) after utility workers threatened to go on strike. The workers oppose proposed government reforms of the power sector.

Middle East and North Africa

Algeria Suspends Cooperation Treaty With Spain Over Western Sahara Rift

Algeria and Spain had signed (AFP, France24) the deal in 2002. Algeria’s decision comes after Spain recently backed Morocco’s plan to grant some autonomy to the disputed territory, where Algeria-backed rebels seek independence.

Iran: Authorities at a nuclear site turned off (NYT) two surveillance cameras used by the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor uranium enrichment, state media reported.

In this In Brief, CFR’s Ray Takeyh lays out three challenges that are testing Iran’s regime.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Talks Begin on Sudan’s Political Crisis Without Opposition Alliance

The country’s main pro-democracy alliance is skipping (AP) the UN-brokered talks over continued police repression of protesters.

CFR’s Michelle Gavin discusses why the junta and public are at odds in Sudan.

Nigeria: Former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu was nominated (AP) the candidate of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, in next year’s presidential election.

Europe

Ukrainian, Russian Forces Battle Over Severodonetsk

Ukrainian forces mounted a counterattack (NYT) after appearing to withdraw from the eastern city last week. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says controlling the city is crucial for maintaining a foothold in the Donbas region.

Americas

Biden to Meet With Brazil’s Bolsonaro

A White House advisor said U.S. President Joe Biden will discuss (Reuters) climate and the importance of free and fair elections ahead of Brazil’s October presidential race during a meeting with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro today.

Venezuela: Shipments of Venezuelan crude oil are expected to head to Europe (Bloomberg) for the first time in two years after the United States eased some economic sanctions on the country last month.

This Backgrounder looks at the rise and fall of the Venezuelan petrostate.

United States

House Committee Holds Prime-Time Hearing on Capitol Attack

The majority-Democrat committee said it will reveal (NPR) previously unseen material about the January 6, 2021, attack. A U.S. Capitol Police officer and a filmmaker who were present during the attack will serve as witnesses.

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