Question for written answer E-000173/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Moritz Körner (Renew)
The Commission is asked to answer the following questions separately:
1.Does the Commission know how many employees of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have been involved in terrorist acts since 1 January 2021? If so, how many? If not, why not?
2.Does the Commission know how many UNRWA employees are currently members of a terrorist organisation? If so, how many? If not, why not?
3.Does the Commission know how many UNRWA employees have been members of a terrorist organisation? If so, how many? If not, why not?
Question for written answer E-000118/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Silvia Sardone (PfE)
Many reports indicate that a number of women of different nationalities were sexually harassed in Milan’s Piazza Duomo during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. The women were surrounded and abused by dozens of young men of foreign background. Investigators believe this very serious incident to be a case of ‘taharrush gamea’, a phenomenon of Arab origin in which groups of men use sexual assault to insult women in front of everyone for daring to appear in public. Europe’s cities are not new to incidents such as this (examples include Milan in 2022 and Koln in 2016), proof that women are increasingly seen as objects to be controlled, a view that is increasingly widespread in Muslim communities.
In the light of the above, what has been done in recent years:
1.To combat the above phenomenon?
2.To push back against the idea that women should be subjugated, a widely held view in many Muslim communities?
3.To prevent Islamist ‘parallel societies’ on the outskirts of our cities from doing away with women’s rights and imposing their values?
About two thirds of the fertilisers used in the EU agriculture are nitrogen-based. The raw material used in their production is natural gas, accounting for over 70% of variable production costs. In 2022, the energy crisis led to unprecedented high fertiliser prices and closures of production capacities across the EU.
Fertiliser prices have decreased in 2023 but are at levels above those of the past decade, as natural gas prices moved to a higher plateau.
The competitiveness of EU production of ammonia, the indispensable precursor of all nitrogen fertilisers, was affected as a result, leading to lower production capacity utilisation rates and even to some plant closures.
The Commission already outlined several avenues to ensure the availability and affordability of fertilisers in the EU[1]. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain sufficient production capacity in the EU, including through the substitution of gas-based production with more climate-neutral alternatives.
For instance, financial endowments from the Just Transition Fund[2] are earmarked for promoting the production of green ammonia in Romania (Azomures) and Lithuania (AB Achema).
In July 2024, the Commission approved a EUR 122 million Lithuanian state aid measure to support the decarbonisation of Achema’s production processes[3].
The Commission is aware of the developments the Honourable Member refers to in the question. Royal Decree-Law 5/2024 was approved by the Spanish Government on 22 October 2024 and validated by the Spanish Congress on 30 October 2024.
The Commission attaches great importance to the principles of media freedom and pluralism, which are fundamental pillars of democratic societies.
The European Media Freedom Act[1], which entered into force on 7 May 2024 and will apply from 8 August 2025, aims to ensure editorial independence of public service media providers, in accordance with their public service remit as defined at national level in line with Protocol No 29 on the system of public broadcasting in the Member States, attached to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union[2].
Protocol No 29 recognises the Member States’ freedom to define, organise and finance public service broadcasting. Nevertheless, all Member States have agreed to a set of European standards and guiding principles relating to independence, the regulatory and policy framework, funding, appointments, accountability, management, transparency, and openness in this domain[3].
The Commission will continue to monitor developments concerning the public service broadcasters, both at national and regional levels, taking into account the provisions in the European Media Freedom Act.
[1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (European Media Freedom Act) (OJ L, 2024/1083, 17.04.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1083/oj).
European Commission Press release Brussels, 03 Feb 2025 The latest Eurobarometer survey on ‘European citizens’ knowledge and attitudes towards science and technology’ released today shows more than 8 in 10 citizens (83%) think that the overall influence of science and technology is positive.
While the Commission cannot comment on ongoing cases[1] before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) nor prejudge the outcome of the Court’s pending proceeding, the Commission will continue to promote solutions that favour clean and healthy air as well as promote a predictable and implementable legal framework.
Irrespective of the outcome of the CJEU judgment, the Commission will ensure with the Member States a proper follow up. In accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2018/858[2], the Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement (composed of representatives from Member States type-approval and market surveillance authorities) provides for coordination of activities and exchange of best practices towards a uniform implementation of the applicable legislation across the EU.
The spirit and letter of EU emissions legislation are well known. It was clarified in the CJEU judgment in Case C-128/20[3] that the vehicles’ emission behaviour must comply with the standardised New European Driving Cycle test conditions[4], as well as with Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 715/2007[5] and with implementing measures, as agreed by the co-legislators, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.
The right to petition the European Parliament was formally set out in the Maastricht Treaty as one of the rights of European Union citizenship. Parliament’s predecessors, from the beginnings of the Communities in the 1950s, had already recognised the importance of receiving petitions from citizens, and this has become a major expression of Parliament’s role as the direct representative of EU citizens. The European Parliament’s practice is based on those of national parliaments, but is often more extensive in terms of scope. The right of petition has developed substantially over time. In particular, petitions addressed to the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions (PETI committee) and then transferred to the European Commission can potentially lead to infringement procedures against Member States. There are, however, still some problems regarding exercise of the right of petition – particularly concerning the responsiveness of the Commission and how to involve national parliaments more effectively. The PETI committee plays a key role in the election of the European Ombudsman, as it is responsible for organising the hearings of the nominees. The committee attaches paramount importance to the examination and public discussion of petitions at its meetings and petitioners have the right to present their petitions. They frequently take the floor in the discussion, thereby actively contributing to the work of the committee. In this way, efficient communication takes place between Parliament, the Commission and citizens. This briefing modifies and further develops a briefing published in 2015.
Question for written answer E-000350/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Pasquale Tridico (The Left), Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Per Clausen (The Left), Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left), Sebastian Everding (The Left)
UN report S/2024/65, investigations by non-governmental organisations (Human Rights Watch, Refugees International, Amnesty International) and articles by journalists in many authoritative media sources, such as the New York Times, put forward allegations implicating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. In particular, the UAE is alleged to be implicated in weapons trafficking, inter alia using French technology, despite UN warnings.
1.Can the Commission clarify its assessment of the UAE’s role in this conflict with particular reference to the latter’s involvement with a group accused of human rights abuses and atrocities against civilians?
2.What diplomatic efforts is the Commission currently pursuing to address and deter any support by the UAE for armed groups in Sudan, including as regards working with international partners to address this worrying support and ensure accountability?
3.Is the Commission prepared to consider sanctions or other policy measures against any individuals or entities within the UAE that are found to be complicit in supporting Sudanese armed groups responsible for documented abuses?
Question for written answer E-000338/2025 to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Rule 144 Emmanouil Kefalogiannis (PPE)
The Turkish President, speaking on Saturday at the 8th regular provincial congress of the ruling Democracy [sic] and Development Party (AKP) in the city of Eskişehir, referred to the “borders of his heart” and questioned the sovereignty of two EU member states, Greece and Cyprus, stating that, “If one border of Eskişehir is Thessaloniki, the other is Crimea. If one border is Samarkand, the other is Northern Cyprus”.
These statements – beyond exaggerating neo-Ottoman grandeur – undermine peace and security in the Southeastern Mediterranean, international law and international conventions.
In light of the above:
1.What is the Commission’s evaluation of the provocative statements of the Turkish President, which conceal markedly revisionist tendencies and undermine stability and security in the Southeastern Mediterranean?
2.What actions does the Commission intend to take against Türkiye, an accession state, for the Turkish President’s unacceptable remarks?
Question for written answer E-000342/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI)
On 15 January 2025, in a speech to the Turkish Parliament, de facto co-ruler of Türkiye Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, which provides support to the Erdoğan government, once again made unacceptable and provocative statements against Greece. Referring to the Aegean Dodecanese Islands, he emphasised that he considers them Turkish, saying, verbatim, ‘If we have to go to war, it will be a celebration for us. We are told by God to sacrifice our lives many times for national values’[1].
At the same time, Turkish ‘analysts’ on CNN Turk are presenting maps on which all the Aegean islands are shown in the colours of Türkiye, clamouring, ‘we will fight!’ and ‘we will do what has to be done and go and take them!’ They also show the range of missiles extending to mainland Greece. Türkiye considers itself to have achieved victory in Syria and appears insatiable and undaunted by a war against Greece and EU territories, preparing its public opinion accordingly.
In light of the above, does the Commission intend to manage the issue by immediately cutting off funding to Türkiye altogether?
Question for written answer E-000362/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Eero Heinäluoma (S&D)
EU and Member State regulation and competition policy in the telecommunications sector has enabled a plurality of players to operate in the market, contributing to relatively low consumer prices and encouraging innovation, for example in Finland. This has benefited consumers and small businesses.
The significant market power (SMP) obligations imposed by national regulatory authorities on major telecommunications operators, for example in Finland, have proven an effective solution for ensuring a competitive market. The SMP decisions have required larger operators to lease their networks at reasonable prices to smaller operators, bringing more consumer choice, innovation and competitive internet services to consumers and businesses.
1.How does the Commission plan to encourage new investments in 5G, 6G and high-speed fibre networks while preserving market competition, including market access for small businesses, to enable consumer choice and relatively affordable prices?
2.Does the Commission agree that SMP obligations are important in the telecommunications market and should be preserved?
3.Is the Commission ready to defend the rights of smaller market players and maintain the obligation for major telecommunications companies to lease their networks to other industry players, including in Finland?
The Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU Agriculture presented its independent recommendations to the Commission[1]. The President of the Commission has asked the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food in his mission letter[2] to follow up on some of the Dialogue’s recommendations. This includes the EU-wide benchmarking system in the agri-food sector.
The Commission is currently analysing how such a benchmarking system could be designed and what its scope could be. No decision on the exact nature or timeline for a proposal of this initiative has been taken.
The Commission does not have the information requested as regards the expected costs and projected emission cuts deriving from the proposed Danish agricultural emissions tax.
Question for written answer E-000349/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Marieke Ehlers (PfE)
On 26 January 2025, US President Trump announced sanctions against Colombia after the Colombian Government refused to allow to land two US planes carrying deported Colombian illegal immigrants. These sanctions included a 25 % import tax on goods from Colombia, with a possible increase to 50 % after seven days, visa sanctions for Colombian Government representatives, tougher border controls for Colombian residents and imports, and additional financial sanctions. Six minutes after the sanctions were announced, the Colombian Government proposed to pick up the Colombian illegal immigrants itself using the presidential plane.
1.Does the Commission agree that this type of sanction works to get countries of origin or departure to take back asylum seekers and criminal migrants who have been deported?
2.Is the Commission considering using such sanctions to facilitate the implementation of the Return Directive and the Pact on Migration and Asylum?
The revised fisheries control Regulation[1], as agreed by the co-legislators, introduced several provisions which require that the Commission prepares implementing and delegated acts for Member States and operators to be able to implement them .
Some of these provisions will enter into force in 2026, others in 2027 and in 2028. The Commission has been conducting comprehensive technical consultations with Member States to prepare these acts. Member States have been given adequate time to react to the Commission’s proposals. This process is still ongoing.
Reducing administrative burden is an important parameter for the Commission in the preparation of these acts . As an illustration, the aim of the Commission is to simplify the implementing legislation in force (Regulation 404/2011[2]) by removing or updating many articles and several annexes as they have become obsolete or require adaptation to implement the revised rules.
Many of the new implementing rules incorporate flexibility to facilitate implementation, minimise complexity and digitalise reporting.
The Commission is bound by the empowerment given by the co-legislators in the revised fisheries control Regulation. In particular, Articles 60(10) and 60a(1) and (2) of this regulation empower the Commission to adopt implementing and delegated acts on weighing procedures.
On that basis, the Commission services are currently preparing draft weighing rules in close consultation with the Member States, taking also into consideration the recent recommendations from the European Fisheries Control Agency.
These new provisions related to weighing contained in Articles 60 (10) and 60a of the regulation will need to be in place before January 2027.
[1] Council Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 November 2023 as regards fisheries control, OJ L, 2023/2842, 20.12.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2842/oj
[2] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy, OJ L 112, 30.4.2011, p. 1-15, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2011/404/oj
The Western Mediterranean management plan[1] (MAP) aims to secure a sustainable and profitable future for the sector relying on healthy fish stocks. The Commission has worked with all stakeholders to implement gradually the MAP since its adoption by the co-legislators in 2019.
While the fishing opportunities adopted by the Council have gradually reduced trawling effort since 2020, numerous flexibilities alleviated the reduction, such as additional fishing days granted by the compensation mechanism. Moreover, European financial assistance is available to those fishers who opt in.
The Commission proposal for the 2025 fishing opportunities was based on the best available scientific advice provided by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries[2] (STECF) and extended the compensation mechanism.
Taking all available data and models into account, the STECF advice shows that several stocks are outside of safe biological limits and drastic catch reductions are needed for stocks to recover. For 2025, the Council decided to keep the reductions proposed by the Commission, while expanding the compensation mechanism.
The socioeconomic specificities of the Western Mediterranean fisheries were considered during the negotiations of the MAP, and the co-legislators agreed to postpone the achievement of sustainable fisheries to 2025[3].
The Commission has worked based on STECF socioeconomic analyses that conclude how ambitious management measures will rapidly pay off with healthier stocks and increased sector profitability.
In 2024, the Commission had extensive discussions with all stakeholders. The Commission will continue working with Member States, scientists[4] and the fishing sector for the implementation of the MAP.
[1] Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a multiannual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulation (EU) No 508/2014. OJ L 172, 26.6.2019, p. 1-17.
[2] STECF Expert Working Group EWG 24-10 (https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/d/stecf/tors_ewg_24-10) and STECF Expert Working Group EWG 24-12 (https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/d/stecf/ewg_24-12_tor_westmed_fisheries-management).
[3] A 5 year derogation compared to other sea basins, for which the legal requirement to achieve sustainable fisheries had to be achieved by 2020 at the latest.
[4] providing the latest data and models available.
EIB Global is granting a €105 million loan to Ameriabank to scale up support for the Armenian private sector.
This is the largest direct loan ever granted by EIB Global to a bank in the South Caucasus.
This finance will help around 400 small businesses and secure 15 000 jobs, with at least 20% going towards green investments.
Thanks to EU support, part of the financing will be provided in local currency to protect businesses against currency risk.
The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) has made its first ever agreement with Ameriabank. The EIB will provide the bank with €105 million in financing — its largest direct loan to a bank in the South Caucasus region. The aim of the operation is to finance investments in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-caps in Armenia, with the aim of supporting their growth, competitiveness and adoption of greener and more sustainable practices. This initiative underscores EIB Global’s commitment to fostering economic development, supporting private-sector growth, and creating sustainable jobs in Armenia.
The financing will enable Ameriabank to offer affordable loans to local businesses. The operation is expected to benefit approximately 400 MSMEs and sustain over 15 000 jobs in the Armenian economy. At least 20% of the loan will be directed towards green investments, contributing to Armenia’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.
“We are delighted to partner with Ameriabank to strengthen Armenia’s private sector and promote sustainable economic growth,” said EIB Vice-PresidentTeresaCzerwińska, who oversees EIB operations in Armenia. “This operation is a milestone, constituting a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering sustainable development and economic resilience, in line with both the European Union and Armenia’s priorities.”
Part of the financing will be provided in local currency to protect MSMEs against currency risk. The European Union is supporting the operation with grant funding, which will help ensure the loan’s interest rate remains affordable. This operation will help the European Union in its ambition to support 30 000 MSMEs for a sustainable, innovative and competitive economy, as one of the five pillars for Armenia set out in the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership.
“With this support to the Armenian MSMEs, we are delivering on our commitment to further support Armenian private sector and contribute to addressing the pressing need for access to finance including in local currency. This assistance is part of the European Investment Plan (EIP) for Armenia which is a comprehensive initiative aimed at fostering economic growth, sustainable development, and prosperity in the country. We will further build on these efforts by delivering in total €270 million under the Resilience and Growth Plan in the period 2024-2027. A large part of it will be dedicated to business development, targeted at tech, start-ups and new export opportunities, which will support Armenia’s economic diversification,” said Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos.
The funds will reach underserved businesses via Ameriabank’s extensive network, enabling them to invest in growth, improve competitiveness and adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
Ameriabank Chief Financial Officer Hovhannes Toroyan said, “We are pleased to partner with the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) to reaffirm our commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Armenia. This collaboration will provide local businesses with affordable funding, enabling them to reach their full potential and contribute significantly to Armenia’s economic growth. As the largest lender in the Armenian economy with a solid portfolio in green and sustainable financing, we are confident in our ability to foster a more sustainable and inclusive economic future for Armenia.”
Background information
About EIB Global
The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives.
EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 — around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world.
About Ameriabank
Ameriabank is a leading financial institution in Armenia, a major contributor to the Armenian economy with assets around AMD 1.9 trillion. The Bank has adopted a customer-focused approach to ensure service quality and modern banking experience in an evolving digital environment. Ameriabank is committed to doing business responsibly and advancing Armenia’s transition towards a sustainable future.
on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde
–having regard to the draft Council decision (11267/2024),
–having regard to the draft agreement (11026/2024),
–having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 43(2) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), and Article 218(7), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C10‑0087/2024),
–having regard to the budgetary assessment by the Committee on Budgets,
–having regard to Rule 107(1) and (4), and Rule 117(7) of its Rules of Procedure,
–having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Development,
–having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Fisheries (A10-0004/2025),
1.Gives its consent to the conclusion of the agreement;
2.Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Republic of Cabo Verde.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (FPA) offers fishing opportunities for 56 EU vessels for tuna and related species in Cabo Verde’s waters.
The new agreement covers a period of five years and will offer EU vessels the possibility to fish 7 000 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species in Cabo Verde’s waters. In return, the EU will pay Cabo Verde a financial contribution of 780 000€ per year (EUR 3 900 000 for the entire duration of the Protocol), from which 350 000€ is related to a reference tonnage of 7 000 tonnes, and 430 000€ to support for developing Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy.
The rapporteur highlights the strategic importance of Cabo Verde, as a relevant player in the Atlantic Ocean, remembering that the EU and Cabo Verde have developed a cooperative relationship for more than four decades, with respect and political dialogue. Currently, Cabo Verde and the EU share common values such as democracy, respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, the promotion of multilateralism, and Cabo Verde is part of a regional group, called Macaronesia, which includes the Azores, Madeira, Canaries and Cabo Verde. The evolution of relations in these fields led to the creation of the EU-Cabo Verde Special Partnership in 2007, which continues to evolve.
The rapporteur stresses the importance of the EU-Cabo Verde SFPA for the EU fleet fishing for tuna and related species in the Atlantic Ocean, following strict EU criteria with regard to fisheries management, resource conservation and environmental sustainability, while at the same time strictly respecting the human rights and contributing for local socioeconomic development.
The rapporteur considers that this is a balanced Agreement, in which the remuneration for the fishing opportunities is lower than the EU contribution to support the development of Cabo Verde fisheries sector. This Protocol puts special emphasis on promoting decent working conditions for fishing activity, scientific capacity building, observation and management of the marine environment and marine protected areas. It promotes sustainable fisheries management, fisheries control and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). It also contains new provisions to improve vessel monitoring, the management of fishing authorizations and enhanced management measures for shark stocks. The Protocol responds to Cabo Verde’s desire to strengthen the industrialization and competitiveness of its fishing sector.
In accordance with Article 218(6) TFEU, the consent of the European Parliament is required in order for the Council to adopt a decision on the conclusion of the Agreement.
In the light of the above, the Rapporteur recommends to Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONSFROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT
The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS (22.11.2024)
for the Committee on Fisheries
on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde
Rapporteur for budgetary assessment:Hélder Sousa Silva
The Committee on Budgets has carried out a budgetary assessment of the proposal under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure and has reached the following conclusions:
–having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union[1],
–having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA) of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources[2], and in particular point 20 thereof,
A.whereas the financial contribution for the entire duration of the Protocol is EUR 3 900 000 (i.e. EUR 780 000 per year), based on:
(a)a reference tonnage of 7 000 tonnes, for which an annual amount linked to access has been set at EUR 350 000;
(b)support for developing Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy, amounting to EUR 430 000 per year;
B.whereas the implementation of the Protocol requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below:
EUR million (to three decimal places)
DG MARE
Year 2024
Year 2025
Year 2026
Year 2027
Year 2028
TOTAL
□Operational appropriations
Budget line 08.05.01
Commitments
(1a)
0.780
0.780
0.780
0.780
0.780
3.900
Payments
(2 a)
0.780
0.780
0.780
0.780
0.780
3.900
C.whereas the annual amount for commitment and payment appropriations is established during the annual budgetary procedure, including for the reserve line for protocols not yet having entered into force at the beginning of the year;
1.Notes that the support allocated to the Protocol should meet the objectives of cooperation in the fields of sustainable exploitation of fishery resources, aquaculture, sustainable development of the oceans, protection of the marine environment, and the blue economy; considers that this should be thoroughly scrutinised to ensure that this is done effectively during the implementation of the Protocol; notes that the support has a direct link to the principles of the Samoa Agreement[3]reinforcing the Union’s external action towards African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and taking account, in particular, of the Union’s objectives with regard to democratic principles and human rights, strengthening EU presence in the region and the cooperation with an important strategic partner;
2.Recommends that, for future agreements, an impact assessment of the added value and socio-economic benefits derived from the previous agreement be taken into account; considers that this assessment should guide the negotiation and renewal of subsequent agreements to ensure that they align with the objectives of sustainable development and efficient use of the EU’s financial resources;
3.Notes that the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Cabo Verde had not yet entered into force at the beginning of this year;
4.Recalls that the IIA requires that amounts provided for in the budget for the renewal of fisheries agreements that enter into force after 1 January of the financial year concerned be put in the reserve;
5.Recalls that the use of the appropriations in the reserve requires a transfer in accordance with Article 31 of the Financial Regulation for the amount concerned from reserve line 30 02 02 to operational line 08 05 01;
6.Recalls that the Financial Regulation requires the Commission to only sign a protocol with financial implications when appropriations are available on the operational line;
7.Notes that the Protocol with Cabo Verde was signed on 23 July 2024;
8.Expresses its concern that no request for a transfer was submitted to the Committee on Budgets before the signing of the Protocol;
9.Takes note of the information from the Commission that for 2024 part of the unused appropriations for the implementation of the fisheries agreement with Greenland was available on operational line 08 05 01 and would be used for the implementation of the Protocol with Cabo Verde;
10.Considers that this practice does not respect the provisions of the IIA; furthermore, maintains that appropriations are to be used for the purpose for which they have been entered into the budget;
11.Notes the relatively small amount linked to the implementation of the Protocol with Cabo Verde, which might explain why the Commission has deviated from the required procedure; considers this to be a special situation that can be accepted by way of an exception;
12.Demands that the Commission act in compliance with the provisions of the IIA for any future fisheries agreement regardless of the amount involved;
13.Stresses that the financial programming of line 08 05 01 needs to be enough to cater for the financial obligations for 2025-2027, subject to the decision of the budgetary authority in the annual budgetary procedures; in this regard, notes that line 08 05 01 in the 2025 Draft Budget and in the Council Position on the 2025 Draft Budget includes an amount of EUR 150 560 000 in commitment appropriations and EUR 135 275 000 in payment appropriations; calls for scrutiny regarding the financial programming of line 08 05 01 in the annual budgets of 2026 and 2027;
14.Concludes that the Committee on Budgets is in a position to advise the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde.
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR FOR BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT HAS RECEIVED INPUT
The rapporteur for budgetary assessment declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT
Title
Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde
Georgios Aftias, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, Tomasz Buczek, Tamás Deutsch, Angéline Furet, Thomas Geisel, Jean-Marc Germain, Sandra Gómez López, Fabienne Keller, Janusz Lewandowski, Giuseppe Lupo, Ignazio Roberto Marino, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Matjaž Nemec, Danuše Nerudová, Ruggero Razza, Bogdan Rzońca, Hélder Sousa Silva, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Joachim Streit, Carla Tavares, Nils Ušakovs, Auke Zijlstra
Substitutes present for the final vote
Moritz Körner, Tiago Moreira de Sá
Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote
Christophe Bay, Udo Bullmann, Andrzej Buła, Gheorghe Falcă, Ştefan Muşoiu, Jan-Christoph Oetjen
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT
26
+
ECR
Ruggero Razza, Bogdan Rzońca
NI
Thomas Geisel
PPE
Georgios Aftias, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, Andrzej Buła, Gheorghe Falcă, Janusz Lewandowski, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Danuše Nerudová, Hélder Sousa Silva
PfE
Tiago Moreira de Sá
Renew
Fabienne Keller, Moritz Körner, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Joachim Streit
S&D
Udo Bullmann, Jean-Marc Germain, Sandra Gómez López, Giuseppe Lupo, Ştefan Muşoiu, Matjaž Nemec, Carla Tavares, Nils Ušakovs
Verts/ALE
Ignazio Roberto Marino, Nicolae Ştefănuță
5
–
PfE
Christophe Bay, Tomasz Buczek, Tamás Deutsch, Angéline Furet, Auke Zijlstra
Key to symbols:
+:in favour
–:against
0:abstention
OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT (5.12.2024)
for the Committee on Fisheries
on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde
The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (FPA) entered into force on 30 March 2007 for a period of 5 years, being tacitly renewable. A previous 5-year Protocol to the FPA entered into force on 20 May 2019 and expired on 19 May 2024.
With a view to adopt a new Protocol to the FPA, the European Commission conducted negotiations with the Republic of Cabo Verde. Following these negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 15 April 2024. This new Protocol covers a period of five years, allowing Union vessels to access Cabo Verde’s fishing zone and to fish for tuna and associated species there, in compliance with the measures adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The aim is also to enhance cooperation between the EU and Cabo Verde, thereby creating a partnership framework within which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in Cabo Verde’s waters, in the interest of both Parties.
The EU’s financial contribution allocated to the Protocol is EUR 780 000 per year. This total is broken down into an annual amount of EUR 350 000 for access to fishery resources and another EUR 430 000 for the development of Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy, which represents an increase for sectoral support in comparison with the previous protocol.
Cabo Verde’s economy heavily relies on fisheries, which plays a crucial role in food security and employment for local communities. Artisanal fishing is vital for the livelihoods of many coastal communities. However, commercial fishing operations are also prominent targeting high-value species like tuna, which can affect local resources. Challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing and climate change pose significant threats to fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of local communities that depend on fishing. Furthermore, while women play a vital role in the fisheries sector of Cabo Verde, social norms and institutional barriers reinforce their marginalisation especially in rural areas. Overall, fisheries in Cabo Verde are a vital part of the economy and culture, and, therefore, there is a pressing need for sustainable management to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
Your rapporteur takes the view that the Protocol promotes the responsible and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources and the development of the national fisheries policy in Cabo Verde and is in the interest of both Parties. For this reason, your rapporteur is proposing that the protocol be approved.
*******
The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (2024-2029).
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT
The rapporteur for the opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
Title
Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde
Barry Andrews, Robert Biedroń, Udo Bullmann, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Niels Geuking, Charles Goerens, György Hölvényi, Murielle Laurent, Reinhold Lopatka, Isabella Lövin, Lukas Mandl, Tiago Moreira de Sá, Kristoffer Storm, Marco Tarquinio
Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote
Monika Hohlmeier
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
15
+
ECR
Kristoffer Storm
PPE
Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Niels Geuking, Monika Hohlmeier, Reinhold Lopatka, Lukas Mandl
PfE
György Hölvényi, Tiago Moreira de Sá
Renew
Barry Andrews, Charles Goerens
S&D
Robert Biedroń, Udo Bullmann, Murielle Laurent, Marco Tarquinio
Verts/ALE
Isabella Lövin
Key to symbols:
+:in favour
–:against
0:abstention
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
Title
Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde
Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Thomas Bajada, Stephen Nikola Bartulica, Asger Christensen, Carmen Crespo Díaz, Ton Diepeveen, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Siegbert Frank Droese, Nicolás González Casares, Anja Hazekamp, France Jamet, Isabelle Le Callennec, Isabella Lövin, Giuseppe Milazzo, Francisco José Millán Mon, Jessica Polfjärd, André Rodrigues, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Sander Smit, António Tânger Corrêa, Emma Wiesner
Substitutes present for the final vote
Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Mélissa Camara, Sofie Eriksson, Sebastian Everding
Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote
Kinga Kollár
Date tabled
30.1.2025
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
22
+
ECR
Stephen Nikola Bartulica, Giuseppe Milazzo, Bert-Jan Ruissen
PPE
Carmen Crespo Díaz, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Kinga Kollár, Isabelle Le Callennec, Francisco José Millán Mon, Jessica Polfjärd, Sander Smit
PfE
Ton Diepeveen, António Tânger Corrêa
Renew
Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Asger Christensen, Emma Wiesner
S&D
Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Thomas Bajada, Sofie Eriksson, Nicolás González Casares, André Rodrigues
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) crews have returned to B.C. after two weeks supporting the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) with wildfire fighting efforts in Los Angeles.
“In times of need, we will always be there for our friends; that’s who we are as British Columbians and as Canadians,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “Firefighters don’t ask questions, they run into fires. I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of the crew members who made the trip south.”
On Jan. 11, 2025, the BCWS deployed a senior management team of 13 technical specialists to support CAL FIRE’s efforts to control the fast-moving Palisades wildfire. Working directly alongside the American incident management team, B.C.’s team supported in planning, logistics, operations, aviation, fire weather and information roles.
“BCWS members integrated into the team, supporting various incident command system positions,” said David Scheurich, staff chief, CAL FIRE. “This collaboration highlighted differences in processes, paving the way for greater future integration between the agencies. As wildfires grow larger and more destructive worldwide, partnerships like these are essential, and we are grateful to our B.C. partners and all the other states and countries that lent their support.”
In addition, 22 front-line personnel and one agency representative from the BCWS arrived on Jan. 16, 2025, to provide a variety of wildland firefighting support roles. This crew participated in fire-readiness activities, rehabilitation work and front-line wildfire suppression on the Eaton and Hughes wildfires.
The top priority for the BCWS in California was to support CAL FIRE with expertise and personnel. They also gained valuable experience managing large fires in the wildland urban interface, which is the area where wilderness meets communities.
Working alongside American firefighters, B.C. crews were able to integrate with their operations and build familiarity with the terrain and processes by conducting response scenarios. This included dispatching, mapping, building a fire line with a variety of hand tools and fire-suppression techniques without the availability of water. By working together and co-ordinating processes, BCWS crews and their American partners will be better able to fight future wildfires in B.C.
February 3, 2025Dallas, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Dallas removes Romanian national wanted in his home country for Human Trafficking.
DALLAS — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Ionel Cirpaci, a 61-year-old Romanian national wanted in his home country for human trafficking Jan. 30, via a commercial flight.
Cirpaci was released to the custody of Romanian officials without incident.
An immigration judge in Sterling, Va., ordered Cirpaci’s final removal from the U.S. on June 7, 2024.
Aliens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Executive Office for Immigration Review. EOIR is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice and is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case. ICE officers carry out the removal decisions made by the federal immigration judges.
Members of the public can report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ERO Dallas’ mission to increase public safety in our Dallas communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ERODallas.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At the Board of Directors Meeting held January 30, 2025, a cash dividend of $4.00 per share was declared, payable on March 17, 2025, to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2025.
CONTACT: Cheri Gillian Secretary to the Board of Directors 907-777-3409
Mastercard has announced plans to remove the 16-digit number from their credit and debit cards by 2030 in a move designed to stamp out identity theft and fraudulent use of cards.
In 2022, Mastercard added biometric options enabling payments to be made with a smile or wave of the hand.
Tokenisation converts the 16-digit card number into a different number – or token – stored on your device, so card information is never shared when you tap your card or phone or make payments online.
The first rollout of these numberless cards will be through a partnership with AMP Bank, but it is expected other banks will follow in the coming 12 months.
Why card security is important
There is nothing quite like the sinking feeling after receiving a call or text from your bank asking about the legitimacy of a card transaction.
In 2023-2024 the total value of card fraud in Australia was A$868 million, up from $677.5 million the previous financial year.
Credit card numbers and payment details are often exposed in major data breaches affecting large and small businesses.
The cost of credit card fraud in Australia rose by almost $200 million last financial year. CC7/Shutterstock
Late last year, the US Federal Trade Commission took action against the Marriott and Starwood Hotels for lax data security. More than 300 million customers worldwide were affected.
Event ticketing company Ticketmaster was also hacked last year. The details of several hundred million customers, including names, addresses, credit card numbers, phone numbers and payment details were illegally accessed.
So-called “card-not-present fraud”, where an offender processes an unauthorised transaction without having the card in their physical possession, accounts for 92% of all card fraud in Australia. This rose 29% in the last financial year.
The Card Verification Value (CVV) (or three-digit number on the back of a credit card) aimed to ensure the person making the transaction had the physical card in their hands. But it is clearly ineffective.
Benefits of removing credit card numbers
Removing the credit card number is the latest attempt to curb fraud. Removing numbers stops fraudsters processing unauthorised card-not-present transactions.
It also reduces the potential for financial damage of victims exposed in data breaches, if organisations are no longer able to store these payment details.
Companies will no longer be able to store card data, reducing the risk of data breaches. ESBProfessional/Shutterstock
The storage of personal information is a contested issue. For example, the 2022 Optus data breach exposed information from customers who had previously held accounts with the telco back in 2018.
Removing the ability of organisations to store payment details in the first place, removes the risk of this information being exposed in any future attack.
While any efforts to reduce fraud are welcome, this new approach raises some new issues to consider.
Potential problems with the new system
Mastercard has said customers will use tokens generated by the customer’s banking app or biometric authentication instead of card numbers.
This is likely to be an easy transition for customers who use mobile banking.
However, the use of digital banking is not universal. Many senior consumers and those with a disability don’t use digital banking services. They would be excluded from the new protections.
While strengthening the security attached to credit cards, removing numbers shifts the vulnerability to mobile phones and telecommunication providers.
Offenders already access victims’ phones through mobile porting and impersonation scams. These attacks are likely to escalate as new ways to exploit potential vulnerabilities are found.
There are also concerns about biometrics. Unlike credit card details, which can be replaced when exposed in a data breach, biometrics are fixed. Shifting a focus to biometrics will increase the attractiveness of this data, and potentially opens victims up to ongoing, irreversible damage.
While not as common, breaches of biometric data do occur.
For example, web-based security platform BioStar 2 in the UK exposed the fingerprints and facial recognition details of over one million people. Closer to home, IT provider to entertainment companies Outabox is alleged to have exposed facial recognition data of more than one million Australians.
Will we really need cards in the future?
While removing the numbers may reduce credit card fraud, emerging smart retail technologies may remove the need for cards all together.
Smartphone payments are already becoming the norm, removing the need for physical cards. GlobalData revealed a 58% growth in mobile wallet payments in Australia in 2023, to $146.9 billion. In October 2024, 44% of payments were “device-present” transactions.
Amazon’s innovative “Just-Walk-Out” technology has also removed the need for consumers to bring a physical credit or debit card all together.
Amazon Go and the world’s most advanced shopping technology.
This technology is available at more than 70 Amazon-owned stores, and at more than 85 third-party locations across the US, UK, and Australia. These include sports stadiums, airports, grocery stores, convenience stores and college campuses.
The technology uses cameras, weight sensors and a combination of advanced AI technologies to enable shoppers in physical stores make purchases without having to swipe or tap their cards at the checkout line.
Such technology is now being offered by a variety of other vendors including Trigo, Cognizant and Grabango. It is also being trialled across other international retailers, including supermarket chains Tesco and ALDI.
While Just-Walk-Out removes the need to carry a physical card, at some point consumers still need to enter their cards details into an app. So, to avoid cards and numbers completely, smart retail tech providers are moving to biometric alternatives, like facial recognition payments.
Considering the speed at which smart retail and payment technology is entering the marketplace, it is likely physical credit cards, numberless or not, will soon become redundant, replaced by biometric payment options.
Gary Mortimer receives funding from the Building Employer Confidence and Inclusion in Disability Grant, AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Program, National Clothing Textiles Stewardship Scheme, National Retail Association, Australian Retailers Association. .
Cassandra Cross has previously received funding from the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Cybersecurity Cooperative Research Centre.
A virulent strain of bird flu continues to spread across the world. Australia, New Zealand and Pacific nations are the only countries free from the infection, but this will no doubt change.
Known as “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza” or H5N1, the bird flu strain had killed more than 300 million birds worldwide as of December last year, including both poultry and wild bird populations.
Birds have always been part of the cultures and livelihoods of Australia Indigenous people. They feature in songs and dance, and are used for food and customary practices such as ceremonies and craft. Many of these practices continue today.
To date however, Indigenous peoples have not been adequately included in federal government planning for the arrival of H5N1.
So what is the likely result? Agencies and organisations will be ill-prepared to support Indigenous people experiencing intense social and cultural shock. And the opportunity to draw from the strengths of Indigenous organisations to tackle this impending disaster will have been squandered.
What is H5N1?
First identified in Hong Kong in 1997, H5N1 has since spread globally.
H5N1 is a viral infection primarily affecting birds – both poultry and wildlife. As overseas experience has shown, it can lead to population declines in wild birds and disrupt local ecosystems. Infected birds may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, respiratory distress and neurological signs such as paralysis, seizures and tremors, and sudden death.
The virus also affects mammals including humans.
Since November 2003, more than 900 human cases have been reported across 24 countries. About half these people died.
Birds are highly significant to many Indigenous groups.
The adult magpie goose and its eggs, for example, are an important food source for groups in the Kakadu region.
In Tasmania, Indigenous groups are revitalising customary practices by harvesting mutton birds. And bird feathers are used by Indigenous artisans in fashion and jewellery-making.
If H5N1 makes birds sick and diminishes their populations, Indigenous people’s livelihoods and wellbeing – social, emotional, and spiritual – will be severely affected.
Many birds are already struggling
Of greatest concern are the fate of threatened and endangered bird species. Indeed, Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner, Dr Fiona Fraser, has warned the forthcoming H5N1 event may be more ecologically devastating than the 2019–20 bushfires.
Migratory birds, such as waders that travel from Siberia to lake systems throughout Australia, may take years or decades to return – if they return at all.
Even relatively healthy bird populations, such as emus, may be at risk in areas where local populations are dwindling.
The challenge has become more pronounced following the 2019–20 bushfires that affected vast areas of Australia’s southeast. Biodiversity in these burnt forests was later found to have declined, especially in bird populations.
These challenges mean Australia’s native bird populations may struggle to remain healthy and sustainable, and their availability to Indigenous groups is likely to diminish.
Mobilising Indigenous know-how
Indigenous people are deeply engaged in caring for Country and caring for their communities. This makes them a strategic asset when planning for the arrival of H5N1.
For example, Indigenous rangers are deeply engaged in land and water management including habitat restoration and biodiversity surveys. So, they are well placed to protect and monitor native species.
Indigenous health organisations will also be crucial to identifying human illness, should rare animal-to-human transmissions occur.
Shire councils and land councils are also well-placed to identify and monitor the impacts of bird flu.
It’s time for Indigenous inclusion
Indigenous inclusion in the federal government’s response to the threat H5N1 has been late and inadequate
This means Australia is already behind in supporting Indigenous groups to understand the threat and how to respond if they observe it – including how to deal with sick or dead birds.
To fill these gaps in public information, National Indigenous Disaster Resilience at Monash University has produced a bird flu fact sheet.
Indigenous community organisations demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for leadership during COVID-19. The muscle memory to mobilise in response to another outbreak remains strong.
Indigenous groups must be centred in preparing and responding to H5N1. What’s more, Indigenous culture needs to be foregrounded when considering how the virus might affect the social, psychological, spiritual, and economic wellbeing of communities.
In response to concerns raised in this article, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said the federal government was “working to engage with First Nations communities to ensure we meet community needs” before and during an outbreak of H5N1.
The department’s Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy was surveilling for avian influenza in northern Australia, including working with Indigenous Rangers. Indigenous engagement has also included presentations delivered virtually and on-country.
“By fostering close partnerships with First Nations communities and Indigenous rangers, and leveraging access to a broad collaborative network, NAQS is able to facilitate trusted avenues for First Nations communities and Indigenous rangers to report concerns about wild bird health across northern Australia,” the spokesperson said.
States and territories were planning local responses, and nationally coordinated, culturally appropriate communication activities were being developed. The spokesperson said Parks Australia was also working with Traditional Owners at jointly managed national parks, and with the Indigenous Protected Areas network, in developing plans to prepare and respond to any H5N1 detection.
Bhiamie Williamson is a director of Country Needs People, and the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute
Vinod Balasubramaniam receives funding from Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia.
Nell Reidy 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.
Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and New York State Attorney General Tish James sounded the alarm on the disastrous ramifications of President Trump’s ongoing attempts to freeze grants and loans disbursed by the federal government. A federal funding freeze would severely harm New Yorkers, from aid to seniors to funds to address food insecurity and homelessness to critical money for law enforcement.
“The chaos, uncertainty, and disorder fueled by the Trump administration is wreaking economic havoc on families and communities across New York,” said Senator Gillibrand. “A government funding freeze would put both the public safety and well-being of New Yorkers at risk. The Trump administration seems intent on harming New York families. While so much remains in question from this past week, it is imperative that everyone know what is at stake for our city, state, and nation.”
“The public servants who go to work every day to care for New Yorkers and keep them safe rely on federal funds to do their jobs,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “This administration is putting New Yorkers in danger by pushing massive cuts to resources that support our most vulnerable communities and public safety efforts statewide. I am leading a coalition of attorneys general to end this destructive policy, and I thank Senator Gillibrand for her partnership as we fight to protect these funds that keep our communities safe.”
“From our non-profits to our public schools, Trump’s reckless funding freeze would have devastating consequences for New Yorkers, particularly with regard to low-income students and the innumerable programs and services they rely upon,” said New York State Senator John Liu. “It’s politics at its worst that puts partisanship before the wellbeing of the most vulnerable among us who depend on federal aid to access essential support services.”
“The ill-conceived White House budget freeze continues to cause great fear, uncertainly, and worry for tens of thousands of community-based nonprofit organizations nationwide — as well as for the tens of millions of the most vulnerable Americans whom we collectively serve,” said Joel Berg, CEO of the nonpartisan nonprofit organization Hunger Free America. “Any threats to nutrition assistance programs are especially counterproductive, undermining the Administration’s claim that it wants to improve public health.”
“The chaos and confusion caused by the Trump Administration’s freeze on contacts is having an immediate and harmful effect on older New Yorkers and family caregivers” said Allison Nickerson Executive Director of LiveOn NY. “Federal programs, like Meals on Wheels and housing assistance, provide life-sustaining support and relief to older adults who are already struggling to make ends meet. Older New Yorkers and citizens across the country expect their government to support them, not pull the rug out from under them. LiveOn NY is grateful Senator Gillibrand continues to fight for the fundamental services that New York’s older adults rely on every day.
While some federal programs are still accessible for the moment, others have been suspended, such as select United States Department of Justice grants. A federal funding freeze has the potential to block billions of dollars in federal grants for New York State. For example:
Federal Counter-Terrorism Funding
$290M was allotted to New York for State Fiscal Year 2025.
Senior Nutrition/Meals on Wheels
$66M was awarded to New York State-based entities in FY2024 for senior nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels.
These grants include HHS’ Older Americans Act Title III Part C Nutrition Services and HHS’ Nutrition Services Incentives Program.
Homeless Shelters
$368M was awarded to New York State-based entities in FY2024 to fund homeless shelters, including $227 million for entities in New York City.
These grants include programs HUD’s Continuum of Care Program and HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant Program.
Food Banks
$15M was awarded to New York State-based entities in FY2024 for programs that distribute food to people in need, such as food banks.
The funding was awarded through USDA’s The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
Disability Programs
$60B in Medicaid grant funding was awarded to New York State in FY2024.
On top of Medicaid, New York State-based entities were awarded $70 million in federal grants for programs, research, and services benefiting people with disabilities in FY2024.
This includes at least $9 million for entities in New York City.
FEMA Assistance to Firefighters
$13.6M in Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants was awarded to New York municipalities and fire departments in FY2024 to help recruit and train firefighters.
$17.8M in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) was awarded to New York municipalities and fire departments in FY2024 to help purchase firefighting vehicles and equipment.
Since FY2023, the FDNY has been awarded over $2M in AFG funding.
FEMA Port Security Grant Program
$14.1M was awarded to New York State in FY2024.
This included $3.8M for the FDNY,$6.6M for the NYPD, and $880K for the Port Authority.
Following the end of consultation and pending cabinet approval, Birmingham City Council’s Community Libraries and Information services will be integrated to create a new Connected Communities service.
The integrated approach means community libraries will serve as both universal safe spaces promoting access to information, community wellbeing, digital inclusion, education and culture, and as community hubs supporting residents with localised activities and support on their doorstep.
The service will continue to include a 24-hour online service, a citywide book reservation service, self-service, Library Services at Home, and as well as a digital library offering.
As part of the service, individual community libraries will be open for a set number of days.
10 libraries will be open for a minimum of four days with 17 part time libraries open for a minimum of three days, of which four are planned co-located libraries. There are also plans for seven partner-led libraries. Alongside the library services, two mobile library vehicles will serve up to 50 citywide stops a week.
Advice services will work across libraries in the city, offering residents access to high quality information advice and guidance and connections to wider support services in their local community.
Councillor Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to all stages of our community libraries consultation and this valuable feedback is helping us shape the future of the service.
“The proposed Connected Communities service will maintain library and advice services in safe spaces open to all.”
The worsening security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has forced many mpox patients to flee treatment centres, increasing the risk of transmission, the UN health agency (WHO) warned on Monday.
Fighting escalated sharply in late January, as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized control of parts of North Kivu, including areas near the regional capital Goma, and advanced towards South Kivu.
Before the latest violence, mpox cases had been stabilizing, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a speech to the agency’s executive board.
Health system overwhelmed
Healthcare facilities are struggling to cope with a surge in casualties, alongside patients suffering from multiple endemic diseases, including mpox, cholera, malaria and measles.
WHO reported that shells hit a hospital in Goma, resulting in civilian casualties, including infants and pregnant women. Stocks of essential medicines in Minova (South Kivu) are rapidly depleting, as M23 rebels advance towards the city.
The agency said health partners are doing “everything possible” to provide lifesaving services “despite the risks posed by heavy artillery and the proximity of frontline fighting.”
Concerns over attacks on civilians, sexual violence, and other human rights violations have also reached alarming levels.
IDPs at risk, again
Ongoing clashes also threatens hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) sheltering in Goma, along with the aid workers supporting them.
“Thousands of displaced people sheltering close to Goma have had to flee for safety as heavy bombing and shelling struck close to the camps due to the proximity of military installations,” the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported.
Many displaced families are now staying with host communities, while others are setting up temporary shelters in schools and public buildings. Host communities themselves could face “significant humanitarian needs”.
WFP
An IDP camp in eastern DRC hosting tens of thousands of vulnerable families.
Infrastructure hit
The violence has severely damaged essential infrastructure, including water, electricity, and communication networks.
In Goma, water and electricity remain cut off and people are forced to rely on unsafe water, increasing risk of disease outbreaks. Telecommunications (phones) and Internet access is also disrupted.
Public and private property – including WFP and non-governmental organization-run warehouses – have been looted.
“Coupled with severed access to the city, food and other essential supplies are almost depleted,” WFP said, adding that scarcity has driven prices up, making it even harder for vulnerable communities to afford basic necessities.
Hard-won development gains at risk
In addition to threatening the safety and wellbeing of millions, the fighting has put years of hard-won development gains at risk.
Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) underscored that it is not just a humanitarian emergency but a development crisis jeopardizing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Every day the conflict continues, access to education and healthcare is disrupted, businesses collapse, and vital infrastructure is damaged – deepening hardship for communities and eroding the foundation for long-term recovery, resilience and sustainable development,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
“I call on all actors to prioritize dialogue, uphold international humanitarian law, and pursue a peaceful resolution to this crisis,” he added.
Defendant Exploited Vulnerabilities in the KyberSwap and Indexed Finance Decentralized Finance Protocols to Steal from Investors
An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Andean Medjedovic with wire fraud, computer hacking and attempted extortion for stealing approximately $65 million in cryptocurrency from the KyberSwap and Indexed Finance decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, which are sophisticated financial platforms residing on cryptocurrency blockchains. Medjedovic is also charged with laundering the proceeds of the theft. He is currently at large.
John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Antoinette Bacon, Supervisory Official of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI); James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations New York (HSI) announced the indictment.
“As alleged, the defendant executed a highly sophisticated scheme to exploit two decentralized finance protocols and steal tens of millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency from investors,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “My Office remains at the forefront in prosecuting cutting-edge cases involving new and emerging technologies, demonstrating our commitment to protecting all financial markets, including the digital assets markets. Criminals like the defendant who take advantage of new technologies to harm investors will be held accountable no matter where in the world they carry out their schemes.”
Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit for their valuable assistance during the investigation.
“This was a sophisticated fraud that exploited vulnerabilities in ‘smart contracts’, resulting in the theft of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis. “It’s alleged that Medjedovic executed a hack that stole nearly $65 million in crypto between two schemes, leaving liquidity pool investors in the red. In investigating this case, IRS-CI New York’s Cyber group worked closely with its federal partners while leveraging resources from IRS-CI’s Cyber Attaché at Europol and the J5 Cyber Group. Even with the complexities of DeFi, we tracked down who is responsible for this large-scale theft, and he is now a wanted man.”
“Hackers can at times be painted in a flattering light by pop culture, some admiring their skills and acumen. They’re stealing money that isn’t theirs, and they’re breaking the laws of this country. We allege Andean Medjedovic violated several of those laws, and he, along with all the other cyber criminals who believe they’re untouchable, will face justice,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.
“These charges are a result of HSI New York’s determination to disrupt Andean Medjedovic’s alleged sophisticated far-reaching transnational cybercrime and seek justice for the millions of dollars syphoned from financial platforms,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Walker. “Our global reach, experience and extensive knowledge of the cyber domain allow us to rapidly develop investigations into bad actors who seek to exploit the cryptocurrency market. Our federal partnerships across the globe made this investigation a success to include support from the HSI attaché offices in the Netherlands.”
KyberSwap and Indexed Finance were developers of automated market-making services called “liquidity pools” that allowed users to swap cryptocurrency tokens with each other. The liquidity pools were managed by computer code called “smart contracts” and relied on investor contributions of cryptocurrency. As alleged, Medjedovic used manipulative trading to exploit vulnerabilities in the KyberSwap and Indexed Finance smart contracts. These manipulative trades enabled Medjedovic to drain approximately $65 million in cryptocurrency that belonged to investors from the KyberSwap and Indexed Finance liquidity pools.
The KyberSwap Exploit
As alleged in the indictment, in 2023, Medjedovic planned and executed a scheme to exploit vulnerabilities in the KyberSwap protocol. KyberSwap was a DeFi protocol and developer of liquidity pools on several public blockchains, including the Ethereum and Arbitrum networks. Liquidity pools use user-contributed cryptocurrency to facilitate trading and market-making in cryptocurrencies. The KyberSwap liquidity pools were managed by computer code or “smart contracts” called automated market makers or “AMMs,” which set prices in the KyberSwap liquidity pools.
In November 2023, Medjedovic exploited vulnerabilities in the KyberSwap computer code to drain the KyberSwap liquidity pools. Medjedovic used hundreds of millions of dollars in borrowed cryptocurrency to create artificial prices in the KyberSwap liquidity pools. Medjedovic then calculated precise combinations of trades that would cause the KyberSwap AMM to “glitch,” in his words, allowing him to steal tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency from the liquidity pools. In total, Medjedovic stole approximately $48.8 million in investors’ cryptocurrency from 77 KyberSwap liquidity pools on six public blockchains.
Following the exploit, Medjedovic attempted to extort the developers of the KyberSwap protocol, as well as KyberSwap’s investors and the members of the de-centralized autonomous organization or “DAO” that governed the KyberSwap protocol. Medjedovic demanded control of the KyberSwap protocol and the KyberSwap DAO in exchange for which he would return approximately 50% of the cryptocurrency that he had stolen.
Medjedovic also attempted to launder the proceeds of his theft, including through “bridge” protocols used to transfer cryptocurrency from one blockchain to another, and through a cryptocurrency “mixer” used to conceal the source of digital assets. After one bridge protocol froze several of his transactions, Medjedovic agreed to pay an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a software developer approximately $80,000 to circumvent the bridge protocol’s restrictions and release approximately $500,000 in stolen cryptocurrency.
The Indexed Finance Exploit
As alleged in the indictment, Medjedovic committed a similar exploit of the Indexed Finance DeFi protocol. Indexed Finance liquidity pools are referred to as “index pools,” and function similarly to a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund in traditional finance. Instead of holding a basket of traditional equities, the index pools held an index of digital tokens contributed by users.
In October 2021, Medjedovic used manipulative trading to exploit two Indexed Finance liquidity pools on the Ethereum network. Medjedovic used hundreds of millions of dollars in borrowed cryptocurrencies to distort a process called “re-indexing,” which was used by the Indexed Finance smart contracts to add a new token to the liquidity pools. Medjedovic used the borrowed cryptocurrency to engage in manipulative trading to cause the Indexed Finance smart contracts to set artificial prices during the re-indexing process. He then stole approximately $16.5 million in investor cryptocurrency from the liquidity pools.
Beginning after the Indexed Finance exploit, in or around 2022, Medjedovic conspired with another person to launder the proceeds of his illegal conduct through cryptocurrency exchange accounts that were opened using false information, and by using a cryptocurrency mixer. Among other things, Medjedovic maintained a step-by-step playbook for moving large amounts of cryptocurrency through the mixer, which he titled a “moneyMovementSystem.” In other documents, Medjedovic discussed circumventing “know your customer” or “KYC” procedures and using cryptocurrency exchange accounts opened with false KYC information for “hacks and cashing out.”
The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud and National Security and Cybercrime Sections, with the Justice Department Criminal Division’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nick M. Axelrod and Andrew D. Reich of the Eastern District of New York and NCET Trial Attorney Tian Huang of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Liam McNett and Madison Bates. SEC Enforcement Attorney Daphna A. Waxman, formerly a member of the NCET, provided significant assistance.
Valuable assistance was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The Office thanks the Netherlands’ Public Prosecution Service and the Dutch National Police’s Cybercrime Unit in The Hague and United States Customs and Border Protection, New York Field Office.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ROBERT LAKE (“LAKE”), age 62, a resident of East Rockaway, New York, was arrested in the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, after disembarking from an international flight, after being previously indicted for federal healthcare fraud.
LAKE had been indicted on October 18, 2025 for one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1347 and 1349, and three counts of healthcare fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347. According to the indictment, LAKE wasa licensed prosthetist and orthotist who operated his own durable medical equipment (“DME”) supply companies, TRISETO and ORTHO WORKS. From 2017 to around July 2019, LAKE purchased doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary orthotic braces and submitted claims to Medicare. After Medicare revoked TRISETO’s enrollment in the program in July 2019, LAKE shifted to selling doctors’ orders through his marketing company, CRANIAL SCIENTIFIC, in exchange for kickbacks. The doctors’ orders were medically unnecessary and, at times, manipulated at LAKE’s direction.
LAKE is charged with conspiring with others, including Houma resident, Patrick Haydel. Haydel had previously pled guilty to his role in this same fraudulent scheme. Haydel and LAKE later learned that several physicians complained that they never signed the orders sold by LAKE, and further that Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers, complained they neither requested nor needed the DME they received. After the government executed a search warrant on Haydel’s business, LAKE transferred over $2 million to a Philippine account. In total, LAKE and Haydel submitted more than $17 million in fraudulent DME claims to Medicare, for which Medicare reimbursed them more than $8 million.
As to each count, LAKE faces up to ten years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release after release from prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain to LAKE or the gross loss to any victims, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Trial Attorney Kelly Walters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses, Healthcare Fraud Coordinator for the Eastern District of Louisiana, are prosecuting the case.
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert M. Lutz, age 42, of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 31, 2025, to 132 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for distribution of a controlled substance, specifically, 50 grams and more of crystal methamphetamine.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, beginning sometime in September of 2019 and continuing through February of 2020, Lutz, along with two indicted co-conspirators, engaged in a drug distribution conspiracy that involved the importation and distribution of methamphetamine in Bradford, Columbia, and Lackawanna counties. On at least two occasions, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted controlled purchases of crystal methamphetamine from Lutz in exchange for approximately $4,000 dollars. Laboratory testing of that methamphetamine revealed that it was between 93 and 96 percent pure.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is a term of life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
