Source: European Parliament
AMENDMENTS 003-003
REPORT
on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section IX – European Data Protection Supervisor
(2024/2028(DEC))
Committee on Budgetary Control
Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński
Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP
Source: European Parliament
AMENDMENTS 002-002
REPORT
on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section VIII – European Ombudsman
(2024/2027(DEC))
Committee on Budgetary Control
Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński
Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP
Source: European Parliament
Anna Cavazzini
on behalf of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
B10‑0246/2025
European Parliament resolution on the old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its resolution of 18 January 2023 on the 30th anniversary of the single market: celebrating achievements and looking towards future developments[1],
– having regard to the report by Enrico Letta of 17 April 2024 entitled ‘Much more than a Market’ (the Letta report),
– having regard to the report by Mario Draghi of 9 September 2024 entitled ‘The future of European competitiveness’ (the Draghi report),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 29 January 2025 entitled ‘the 2025 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report’ (COM(2025)0026),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 29 January 2025 entitled ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (COM(2025)0030),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 11 February 2025 entitled ‘A simpler and faster Europe: Communication on implementation and simplification (COM(2025)0047),
– having regard to the question to the Commission on the old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (O-000012/2025 – B10‑0264/2025),
– having regard to Rules 142(5) and 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the European Union’s ability to compete and prosper in the global economy is vital, especially amid the current geopolitical challenges and climate and other environmental crises; whereas its current, medium and long-term competitiveness relies on a fully integrated and efficient single market that allows European businesses to innovate and prosper and prioritises the reduction of administrative burdens;
B. whereas the single market, comprising nearly 450 million citizens and 23 million businesses, generates a gross domestic product (GDP) of EUR 17 trillion, positioning the EU among the world’s three largest economies and contributing approximately one-sixth of global economic output;
C. whereas the Draghi report demonstrated that compliance costs resulting from various pieces of legislation remain very high for European companies, therefore hindering European innovation capacity;
D. whereas it remains crucial to improve the functioning of the single market by addressing persisting fragmentation through common, harmonised EU policies, more efficient implementation and enforcement, and the simplification of EU rules; whereas reducing administrative burdens and costs, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), can help foster innovation and support European businesses; whereas unlocking the full potential of the single market requires overcoming persistent barriers to the free movement of goods and services;
E. whereas the rapid expansion of digital platforms and e-commerce has introduced new market dynamics and whereas evolving trends in global e-commerce are exerting additional pressure on customs controls, market surveillance and consumer protection authorities;
F. whereas geopolitical shifts and global economic transformations are reshaping supply chains, requiring the EU to adapt its single market policies; whereas the EU has set the highest standards for product safety and consumer protection, both offline and online;
G. whereas attention has been drawn to a growing number of cases reported across the EU in which goods and services offer reduced quantity or quality, despite stable or rising prices;
Old and enduring challenges
1. Reaffirms that the single market has been a cornerstone of European economic integration, enabling the free movement of goods, services, capital and people; stresses, however, that there are long-standing and emerging challenges that necessitate ambitious reforms without harming European competitiveness or imposing unnecessary administrative burdens on companies; calls on the Commission and the Member States to accelerate efforts towards implementing these reforms and to eliminate remaining unjustified obstacles to the free movement of goods and services, while ensuring a high level of consumer protection;
2. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to maintain strong consumer protection while also providing for competition rules that are innovation-friendly, future-proof and proportionate; emphasises the need to ensure legal certainty and consistency and minimise regulatory complexity and fragmentation, which could disproportionately affect SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups;
3. Calls on the Commission to ensure that future legislative initiatives are consistently guided by the strategic priorities outlined in its communications and competitiveness strategy;
4. Underscores that, as demonstrated by the Letta and Draghi reports, there is still untapped potential in the services sector; calls for further action in this sector to address the significant obstacles that persist, starting from setting ambitious targets in the upcoming single market strategy; notes that services account for three quarters of EU GDP, represent two thirds of employment and create 9 out of 10 new jobs in the EU economy; notes also, however, that services are still the least developed segment of the EU single market;
5. Welcomes the proposal for a regulation on a public interface connected to the Internal Market Information System for the declaration of posting of workers and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 (COM/2024/531), which should lead to simplification and strengthened enforcement; notes also that digitalisation could significantly reduce administrative burdens for cross-border services and ensure better access for businesses and consumers; calls, in this regard, for a single declaration portal and the digitalisation of A1 forms for cross-border services;
6. Stresses the importance of the effective recognition of professional qualifications and the removal of unjustified barriers to the free movement of professionals in order to make EU professional services globally competitive in future decades; encourages the Commission to remain vigilant in pursuing infringement procedures where Member States do not comply with EU legislation on the recognition of qualifications;
7. Stresses that single market rules should safeguard access to public services and preserve consumer rights as well as other overriding reasons of public interest; adds that any assessment to evaluate restrictions in the single market for services should include qualitative criteria;
8. Notes the role that EU public procurement can play in overcoming barriers to market entry, supporting sustainable and resilient industrial ecosystems, high quality jobs and value creation in the EU;
9. Acknowledges that the new legislative framework (NLF) has contributed to consistency in EU product legislation and that since its adoption, the industry sector, supply chains and products have experienced important transformations in the light of the digital and green transition, but also changes in market dynamics; notes that the 2022 evaluation of the NLF identified critical challenges, such as potential foreign influence, illegal practices, inadequacies in addressing digitalisation and the circular economy, and potential updates to obligations and definitions for certain economic operators to reflect new market realities;
10. Stresses that addressing these issues and making the NLF future-proof is essential to ensure coherence, reduce costs and ensure free movement of goods; calls, therefore, for an update to the NLF in order to streamline product rules, promote digitalisation and simplify compliance and market surveillance procedures; considers that the NLF should promote the use of Digital Product Passports as a means of demonstrating product conformity and complying with information requirements;
11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to simplify EU rules and make them easier to implement, and to significantly reduce administrative burdens, in particular for SMEs, which play a vital role in sustaining local communities and economies; stresses the importance of ensuring legal certainty and consistency for businesses, as well as predictability for long-term investments, which are essential to boost competitiveness, innovation and resilience and to deliver fast and meaningful improvements for consumers and businesses; calls, furthermore, on the Member States to prevent actions that could compromise the level playing field in the internal market;
12. Recognises that inconsistent and fragmented enforcement of EU laws across the Member States continues to distort competition and undermine the single market’s integrity; adds that primary responsibility for enforcement of EU rules lies with the Member States; invites the Commission to make full use of its enforcement powers; calls for improved monitoring and enforcement mechanisms at EU level, such as harmonised rules on minimum levels of checks, harmonised methodologies to conduct these checks and joint inspections, in order to ensure the uniform application of EU law and, where applicable, swift redress for consumers;
13. Stresses the importance of maintaining a competitive and dynamic economic environment by safeguarding consumers’ rights and enforcing digital competition rules to address unfair business practices that distort market conditions; calls, furthermore, on the Member States to increase the capacity of market surveillance authorities and customs authorities to ensure effective enforcement of single market rules, particularly in respect of e-commerce and imports from non-EU countries;
14. Recalls that territorial supply constraints in the retail and wholesale segments fragment the single market, limit consumer choice and contribute to significant price disparities across the Union, particularly affecting the prices of basic consumer goods; highlights that while competition law penalises some of these practices effectively, many fall outside its scope; calls, therefore, on the Commission to propose measures to address the issue, including stronger enforcement against anti-competitive distribution agreements, in order to safeguard fair competition, thereby ensuring the integrity of the single market;
15. Calls on the Commission to investigate the causes for the differentiated levels of the inflation of basic goods and consumer price increases observed in some EU Member States;
16. Considers that the single market is a key tool in times of crisis if the Member States can act in a coordinated way; considers that the recently adopted Internal Market Emergency and Resilience Act[2] will be crucial to ensure coordination in order to prevent shortages and ensure the smooth functioning of the single market, including the free movement of essential goods and services throughout the EU;
17. Calls on the Commission to empower consumers to easily exercise their passenger rights by establishing national enforcement bodies, which should be granted harmonised investigation and enforcement powers and which should be able to efficiently process individual complaints and related fines;
18. Highlights that e-commerce measures targeting geo-blocking, notably the Geoblocking Regulation[3], have been successful in creating a framework for a less fragmented single market and enhancing consumer choice for online shopping; notes with concern that the implementation of the regulation has been inadequate;
19. Notes that the European Accessibility Act[4] will become applicable across all EU Member States as of 28 June 2025; stresses the importance of its full and effective implementation by the Member States in order to ensure the harmonisation of accessibility requirements for products and services, thereby guaranteeing their accessibility to persons with disabilities across the EU internal market;
Emerging commercial practices
20. Highlights that the rapid expansion of digital platforms and e-commerce has introduced new market dynamics and has created advanced opportunities and challenges and risks for users; acknowledges that the Digital Markets Act[5] (DMA) and the Digital Services Act[6] (DSA) constitute key legislative instruments ensuring fair competition, contestability and fairness in digital platforms, while also fostering consumer protection and a safer, more trustworthy and more transparent digital environment in the digital economy; calls for proper enforcement of the EU’s new technology legislation to ensure genuine, autonomous and informed consumer choice, protection and fair competition;
21. Considers it essential to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of these two legislative acts and urges the Commission to conclude its ongoing investigations in the framework of the DSA and the DMA;
22. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act[7] maintains a risk-based, innovation-friendly approach, ensuring that compliance requirements are proportionate to the actual risks posed by AI applications while respecting the need to ensure a high level of protection of health, safety and fundamental rights;
23. Welcomes the Commission’s ‘digital fairness’ fitness check of consumer law and the upcoming public consultation; underlines that some issues remain unaddressed concerning the protection of consumers online, leading to an imbalance between consumers and traders within the digital economy; calls on the Commission to address these issues in the upcoming Digital Fairness Act; believes that digital addiction, online gambling, protection of minors online and persuasive technologies used by online actors, such as targeted advertising, influencer advertising and dark patterns, should fall under the Digital Fairness Act, which should close legal loopholes and be consistent with current legal instruments in order to better protect consumers online, taking into account the need to avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens;
24. Notes that evolving trends in global e-commerce and supply chain restructuring are placing greater pressure on customs controls, market surveillance and consumer protection authorities; highlights that the volume of unsafe and illicit products sold on e-commerce platforms, in particular from non-EU countries, has been increasing in recent years; highlights the significance of Digital Product Passports in these processes; calls, therefore, for a reinforced market surveillance framework and a revision of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation[8] and calls on the Council to swiftly adopt its position in order to enable the adoption of the revised Union Customs Code and the establishment of an EU customs authority in 2026;
25. Calls on the Member States to allocate sufficient technical, human and financial resources to national authorities; calls on the Member States and the Commission to ensure sufficient funds and expertise to strengthen customs authorities and market surveillance across the Union and to intensify joint activities and EU testing;
26. Emphasises the need to strengthen consumer protection in both online and offline markets, ensuring transparency in advertising and pricing, especially concerning dynamic pricing, ensuring fair business practices and stronger safeguards against fraud to foster consumer trust in cross-border commerce and the highest level of protection;
27. Stresses that attention has increasingly been drawn to instances where goods and services offer less in terms of quantity or quality while prices remain the same or increase; calls on the Commission to assess the scale and underlying causes of such practices and to explore appropriate measures to enhance transparency and consumer awareness;
28. Underlines that environmental sustainability and fair-trade considerations are increasingly shaping commercial practices by playing an important role in consumers’ purchasing decisions and consequently driving businesses towards sustainability; adds that transparency and information for consumers on environmental aspects as well as on socially-responsible and ethical production processes allow consumers to adopt sustainable consumption patterns;
29. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to maintain their level of ambition in this regard and work further on EU-wide labelling schemes; recalls that the objective of the Green Claims Directive is to establish a tool to protect consumers against greenwashing by establishing requirements for substantiation and verification;
30. Highlights the need to further combat misleading advertising and greenwashing and to strengthen the second-hand market; notes, however, that restrictive sustainability rules may have a negative impact on European competitiveness;
31. Highlights that some growing trends in e-commerce raise concerns with regard to goods from non-EU countries not fulfilling EU safety and sustainability requirements, thus negatively impacting SMEs in the EU; welcomes the Commission communication on ‘A comprehensive EU toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce’ and asks the Commission to swiftly implement the recommendations contained therein;
32. Emphasises that harmonised technical standards are essential for the free movement of goods within the single market, ensuring product safety, quality and performance across the Member States; highlights that standards must reflect the interests, policy objectives and values of the Union by taking into account the views of all stakeholders; adds that the recent Court of Justice of the European Union ruling[9] acknowledges the added value of harmonised standards that form part of EU law because of their legal effects and establishes that they should be made freely accessible; underlines the need to improve the agility of the standardisation framework, particularly for emerging green and digital value chains, and to help industry to maintain competitive positions in key technology markets;
33. Considers that the EU must increase its efforts to set up a new mechanism with the Member States and national standardisation bodies to share information, coordinate and strengthen the European approach to international standardisation activities; calls for swift action to update the EU standardisation framework in order to speed up the standardisation process to ensure the rapid publication of harmonised standards that grant presumption of conformity and are aligned with international standards to support global trade while encouraging greater industry participation, particularly from SMEs;
34. Stresses the need to reinforce the external dimension of the single market to safeguard the EU’s strategic autonomy and global influence and welcomes the gradual integration of EU candidate countries to the single market with a view to their future EU membership; emphasises that the EU’s high regulatory standards can serve as a global benchmark and must be effectively enforced to ensure a level playing field for European businesses; calls on the Commission to intensify regulatory dialogues and political cooperation with other relevant non-EU countries in order to identify common challenges and try to build joint actions, especially concerning e-commerce, digital rules and consumers;
35. Reiterates its call for innovative, complementary and flexible interaction between the ongoing work on the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement currently in force and the accession negotiation process, thus allowing for Ukraine’s gradual integration into the EU single market and sectoral programmes;
Conclusions
36. Recognises that geopolitical tensions, climate change, challenges to EU competitiveness and economic disparities pose significant risks to the integrity of the single market; calls for a robust, coordinated and strategic policy response to strengthen the single market;
37. Calls for the continued evolution of the single market to address both remaining unjustified barriers and emerging commercial challenges; takes the view that eliminating regulatory fragmentation, promoting simplification, significantly reducing administrative burdens, enhancing enforcement and ensuring resilient supply chains are critical to maintaining the EU’s competitive edge and fair market conditions and enhancing the single market; underlines the importance of consulting all relevant stakeholders in these processes;
38. Emphasises the importance of digital transformation, the circular economy and adaptability to global economic shifts in securing the EU’s long-term economic dynamism;
39. Reiterates that strengthening the internal and external dimensions of the single market is essential for preserving the EU’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness;
40. Urges the Commission, therefore, to reflect the foregoing in the forthcoming new single market strategy, scheduled for June 2025, in the 2030 consumer agenda, scheduled for the end of 2025, and in the Digital Fairness Act, scheduled for 2026;
°
° °
41. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.
Source: European Parliament
The next meeting of the Delegation for relations with Iran (D-IR) will take place Wednesday 7 May 2025 from 15.00 to 16.00 in Strasbourg, room WEISS N3.2. Please note that the meeting will be in camera.
Source: European Parliament
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Vice-President Sabine Verheyen and Culture and Education Committee Chair Nela Riehl stress the vital role of independent journalism.
President Roberta Metsola said: “A free press is the best shield for democracy. Journalists must be free to report without fear of censorship, intimidation, or retaliation. The European Parliament will always defend and stand up for media and press freedom – not only on World Press Freedom Day, but every day.”
Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE), Vice-President of the European Parliament and chair of the Working Group on the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) said:
“On World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to one of the fundamental pillars of democracy: media freedom. Free, independent, and diverse journalism is essential to any democratic society. However, it remains under threat – even within some EU member states – and without it, democracy cannot function. The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), passed in April 2024, is vital in addressing these challenges. It sends a strong message about the need to protect media diversity and journalistic independence across Europe. Media is more than just an industry – it shapes political discourse, drives cultural development, fosters social inclusion, and safeguards fundamental rights.
“The EMFA represents a historic milestone for the EU: for the first time, a comprehensive European law is in place to uphold press freedom and media pluralism. We have made significant legislative progress in shielding journalists from political interference and economic pressure. But these protections now need to be actively enforced.
“The EMFA is already taking effect. The first provisions have officially entered into force, with the next set to follow this month. By August 2025, the most significant parts of the law will come into effect, marking a major step in strengthening media freedom across the EU. However, the real impact of the EMFA depends on its implementation. That is why we are already monitoring the process closely to ensure that member states do not delay its enforcement. Press freedom cannot wait – we must act upon these commitments.
“On this World Press Freedom Day, we have to remember the importance of standing firm in defending media freedom. Troubling global trends remind us that indifference is not an option. Even in Europe, we must remain vigilant in upholding our democratic values. Press freedom is the backbone of democracy – defending it means protecting our freedoms and the values we hold dear.”
Nela Riehl (Greens, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education, said: “An independent press sector is an essential pillar of our democracy. We need a free press to hold our decision makers accountable, advance social change, and keep citizens informed. I am concerned about the drastic increase in young people’s exposure to news from unverified sources on social media. Quality journalism is competing with algorithms on social media platforms for our attention. To minimise the spread of harmful disinformation, the EU is now starting to regulate digital platforms, but we also need to improve media literacy, make sure people have access to accurate information, and provide education on media consumption.
“This should be a high priority for civic education, with clear targets as we work towards improved democratic resilience across Europe. As a committee, we are pushing these challenges up the European education agenda, and we welcome the first steps in this direction under the Commission’s “Union of Skills” initiative.
“My recent visit to Ukraine reminded me of the power of citizens to counter threats to democracy. When the manipulation of information is weaponised, strengthening and protecting people – namely independent journalists, reporters, media professionals, and volunteers – is a matter of security as well. Accordingly, this World Press Freedom Day, we also emphasise the need to make work environments safe for the independent press, with liveable working conditions, a supportive European infrastructure, and protection from persecution.”
The chairs of the Civil Liberties Committee, the Human Rights Subcommittee and the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield are also issuing a statement to mark the World Press Freedom Day. You can read it here (available soon).
How Parliament strengthens media freedom
In early 2024, Parliament and Council adopted new rules to protect freedom of media and the independence of journalists in the EU. The provisions of the Media Freedom Act (EMFA) will become fully applicable in EU member states as of 8 August 2025.
These provisions should ensure transparency of media outlet ownership and of allocation of state advertising, strengthen public media independence, and secure robust protection for journalists and their sources. To ensure visibility and pluralism, digital platforms will be prevented from arbitrarily deleting or restricting independent media content.
A directive to protect journalists and civil society activists against strategic lawsuits seeking to silence critical voices must be transposed into national law in all EU member states by 7 May 2026.
Every year, the European Parliament rewards outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union, such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights. The fifth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism will be launched later this month.
Source: European Parliament
AMENDMENTS 002-003
REPORT
on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section IV – Court of Justice
(2024/2022(DEC))
Committee on Budgetary Control
Rapporteur: Cristian Terheş
Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP
Source: US Department of Energy
WASHINGTON—The Department of Energy (DOE) today announced new leadership to tackle the challenge of strengthening and securing the U.S. energy system and ensuring America can lead the global race for AI leadership. To unleash American Energy Dominance, the systems and infrastructure that produce and deliver energy to the American people must be reliable, resilient, and secure. As energy demand continues to grow, the U.S. needs to upgrade both existing energy infrastructure and build new infrastructure – all of which must be done with resilience and security as priorities.
To advance these goals, today DOE is announcing that the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) will be led by DOE Chief of Staff Alex Fitzsimmons. Carl Coe, who currently leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at DOE, will assume the role of DOE Chief of Staff.
“The race for global leadership in AI is the new Manhattan Project, and winning this race depends on our ability to increase access to abundant supplies of reliable, affordable energy and build secure infrastructure,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “The Department of Energy is focused on the need to meet growing energy demand while strengthening the resilience and security of U.S. energy infrastructure against all threats and hazards.
“Alex has served as a critical leader across the Department in our first 100 days, and his expertise and ability to take on complex problems make him the right person to spearhead this important office. I am grateful for his ongoing leadership within the Department, and I look forward to continuing to work with Carl Coe in his new role as Chief of Staff.”
As Chief of Staff to the Secretary, Alex Fitzsimmons led the DOE beach-head team on day one and through the first 100 days of the Administration. He has an extensive background in energy technology policy, having served at DOE in the first Trump Administration. Alex has also completed a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Georgia Tech.
Carl Coe joined the Department of Energy to lead DOGE efforts in 2025. In this role, he has worked closely with Secretary Wright and 40 key offices in DOE focused on process improvement and cost savings.
Coe grew up in Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University. He spent 17 years with PTC in various senior roles, including positions in London, Brazil, and Americas. While at PTC, he worked extensively with the Department of Energy and the National Labs focused on product development and lifecycle management. In 2018, Coe acquired Mango Practice Management, and over the next 5 years with Coe serving as CEO, the company grew by over 700%.
###
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman, Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement on the outlined President’s budget request:
“It is peculiar how much time the President’s advisors spend talking about restoring peace through strength, given how apparently unwilling they’ve been to invest accordingly in the national defense or in other critical instruments of national power. In March, the Trump Administration missed a tremendous opportunity to answer their predecessors’ chronic underinvestment in the U.S. military with robust, full-year funding for FY25. Now, it appears the Trump Administration’s FY26 defense budget request will double down on the Biden Administration’s material neglect for the glaring national security threats challenges about which they speak with great alarm.
“Make no mistake: a one-time influx reconciliation spending is not a substitute for full-year appropriations. It’s a supplement. OMB accounting gimmicks may well convince Administration officials and spokesmen that they’re doing enough to counter the growing, coordinated challenges we face from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and radical terrorists. But they won’t fool Congress. The correct response to the most dangerous threats to U.S. interests in decades is not a fifth straight budget request that proposes a real-dollar cut to the U.S. military.
“America cannot expect our allies to heed calls for greater annual defense spending if we are unwilling to lead by example. Fortunately, Presidential budget requests are just that: requests. Congress will soon have an opportunity to ensure that American power – and the credibility of our commitments – are appropriately resourced. I hope and expect that my colleagues will join me in placing America’s national security first as we begin the FY26 appropriations process.”
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Una Cunningham, Professor emerita, Department of Teaching and Learning, Stockholm University
Pilgrimage offers a chance to disengage from the everyday and think deeply about what is important. Leaving home and spending some time on the move with no concerns other than putting one foot in front of the other can be life-changing.
Pilgrimage has been described as a liminal experience, which means you are neither at home nor at your destination, caught between two existential levels. Many people return home feeling transformed.
Since the mid-1990s, the numbers of people walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to what the faithful believe to be the tomb of Saint James the Apostle in northwestern Spain have rocketed. And they continue to rise, probably approaching the numbers who made the pilgrimage in the middle ages, when up to 2 million people are believed to have walked each year.
Medieval pilgrims prepared for pilgrimage by setting their financial and spiritual affairs in order: writing a will and going to confession. Pilgrimage was seen as a rite of passage, or an individual quest where social status and networks were traded for anonymity and poverty in constant mobility. Arrival conveyed salvation, or perhaps a cure or a mystical revelation.
Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.
Contemporary, postsecular pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago is often undertaken at turning points in the pilgrim’s life, for psycho-existential motives. Pilgrimage allows you to take time out from your life. Authenticity and simplicity are valued and will show you that you actually need very little. Slow mobility facilitates introspection and may have transformative effects.
At the same time, you can prepare for a pilgrimage as for any other activity, using the digital tools at your fingertips to gather information from official apps and online communities, possibly to learn some Spanish, and to make decisions in the planning of the route, accommodation, equipment and training. It is possible to arrange everything in advance, but you risk becoming hyper-informed, losing the opportunities for discovery, wonder and surprise that are part of pilgrimage.
I research online Camino forums. They are divided on the use of technology (such as smartphones) while actually on pilgrimage.
Unbroken digital interaction with family and friends at home will thwart some of the goals of your journey. Instead of being fully in the moment you will remain socially present in a symbolic world somewhere else, with all the worries of that world close at hand.
You’ll also miss opportunities to trust your intuition, and the community of pilgrims you meet on the Camino. You don’t need a map. The trail is blazed with yellow arrows and stylised scallop shells. Without a phone you can plan your next day’s walk using a guidebook and if you want to book a bed for the next day, the albergue (pilgrim hostel) staff can help.
Many see a Camino pilgrimage as an opportunity for a digital detox and attempt to at least regulate the amount of time spent with a smartphone. But even if you keep your phone in your backpack during the day and concentrate tech time to the evening, you will be interrupting the separation from your life at home that is necessary if your pilgrimage is to be a liminal experience. When you catch up on news, email and family, you step back into the everyday.
Live blogging and vlogging from the Camino is encouraged by prospective pilgrims lurking in the Camino forums. Those who have already completed one or more Caminos comment to relate and vicariously relive their own Camino experiences. Live turn-by-turn reports are also appreciated by those undertaking virtual pilgrimage.
After your return home you can join the ranks of veterans who retell their pilgrimage to the online community and contribute with advice to prospective pilgrims. But doing this while on the Camino focuses your attention to other people and places rather than the here and now.
The liminal experience that was supposed to bring the pilgrim to insight does not always happen, due, at least partly, to digital distraction and incomplete extraction from the everyday environment. In the words of Camino anthropologist Nancy Frey, use the Camino as a chance for disconnection. If you must take a phone, keep it turned off in your backpack – strictly for emergencies.
Una Cunningham 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.
– ref. Want to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage? Leave your phone at home – https://theconversation.com/want-to-walk-the-camino-de-santiago-pilgrimage-leave-your-phone-at-home-252676
Source: The Conversation – UK – By David C. Gaze, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Pathology, University of Westminster
“My only regret in life is that I didn’t drink enough champagne,” the English economist and philosopher John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946) is reported to have said. As it turns out, there may be a surprising ounce of truth to that quote.
Picture this: a glass of champagne – bubbly, crisp and, for many, reserved for toasts and celebrations. Now imagine it being mentioned in the same sentence as a way to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest: a condition where the heart abruptly stops beating, killing tens of thousands each year, often without warning. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Yet, a Canadian study has uncovered a curious link. Using data from over half a million people in the health research database the UK Biobank, researchers found that those who consumed moderate amounts of white wine or champagne had a lower risk of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Surprising, especially given the widely held belief that red wine, not white, is what benefits the heart.
To rule out coincidence, the researchers double-checked their findings using genetic data – and the connection seemed to hold firm. This suggests there might be more to the story than chance alone.
The study didn’t stop at wine. It explored more than 100 lifestyle and environmental factors tied to sudden cardiac arrest, including diet, exercise, air pollution, emotional wellbeing, body composition and education levels – all of which have been independently associated with risk. The conclusion? Up to 63% of sudden cardiac arrest cases could potentially be prevented by addressing these risk factors.
Among all the protective factors identified, a few stood out: fruit consumption, regular computer use (yes, really) and moderate drinking of white wine or champagne were all linked to a reduced risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Why? That remains uncertain.
One theory is that white wine contains antioxidants that may support heart health. Another possibility is that people who drink these types of beverages may also be more affluent and more likely to engage in other healthy behaviour, such as eating well, exercising regularly – and have access to better healthcare.
Read more:
Wealth, wellness and wellbeing: why healthier ageing isn’t just about personal choices
But before you pop a cork in celebration, a word of caution: alcohol remains a complex and often contradictory player in heart health. Other large-scale studies suggest a U-shaped relationship between alcohol and cardiovascular disease. Non-drinkers may have a certain level of risk, moderate drinkers of one glass of wine a day may see some benefit, but heavy drinking sharply increases the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart failure.
One observational study involving over 400,000 participants even found that moderate drinking could raise the risk of arrhythmias, which in some cases can lead to sudden death.
So while champagne may offer a hopeful glimmer, it’s no magic bullet. The study’s broader message was clear: it’s the overall lifestyle that matters most. Better sleep, regular physical activity and a balanced diet significantly reduced the risk of sudden cardiac arrest – and could prevent nearly one in five cases.
On the flip side, obesity, high blood pressure and chronic stress were among the strongest risk factors, along with lower education levels and exposure to air pollution. These findings underscore that preventing sudden cardiac arrest isn’t just about personal habits: it’s also about the environments we live in and the policies that shape them. Cleaner air, better education and easier access to nutritious food could all play a role.
Sudden cardiac arrest is not entirely random. Many of the contributing factors are within our control. Managing stress, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, getting quality sleep – and yes, perhaps enjoying the occasional glass of white wine – can all help. But the real power lies in stacking small, healthy choices over time. Prevention is rarely about a single change; it’s about the cumulative effect of many.
And in case you were wondering: Keynes suffered a series of heart attacks in 1946, beginning during negotiations for the Anglo-American loan in Savannah, Georgia. He described the process as “absolute hell”. A few weeks after returning to his farmhouse in Firle, East Sussex, he died of a heart attack at the age of 62.
Maybe he was right about drinking more champagne after all.
David C. Gaze 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.
– ref. Can drinking champagne reduce your risk of sudden cardiac arrest? Here’s why it’s only a small part of the story – https://theconversation.com/can-drinking-champagne-reduce-your-risk-of-sudden-cardiac-arrest-heres-why-its-only-a-small-part-of-the-story-255708
Source: IMF – News in Russian
May 2, 2025
Washington, DC: On April 18, 2025, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed its annual review of the Fund’s income position for the financial year (FY) ending April 30, 2025.
FY 2025 Income Position and Related Decisions
GRA net income, before the distribution and related transfer of about US$1.81 billion (SDR 1.38 billion) into the IPAA, is anticipated at about US$3.0 billion (SDR 2.3 billion). Total comprehensive income for FY 2025, including the estimated pension-related remeasurement gain[1] and the estimated retained income in the investment account of about US$1.3 billion (SDR 1.0 billion) in addition to GRA net income, is expected to reach US$4.5 billion (SDR 3.4 billion).
Given the strong income position, the Fund’s precautionary balances, after the distribution into the IPAA, are expected to increase to US$34.4 billion (SDR 25.9 billion) at the end of FY 2025, above the medium-term target of SDR 25 billion.
The Executive Board adopted several decisions that are relevant to the Fund’s finances. These included decisions to: (i) reimburse costs to the GRA for the expenses of conducting the business of the SDR Department and for the operational cost of administering the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST); (ii) transfer a portion of the income from the Fixed-Income Subaccount and the Endowment Subaccount to the GRA for meeting FY 2025 administrative expenses; (iii) place any pension-related remeasurement gain[2] to the Special Reserve; (iv) distribute US$1.81 billion (SDR 1.38 billion) from net income to facilitate new PRGT subsidy contributions and to place the distribution amount in the IPAA; (v) place residual GRA net income to the Special Reserve; and (iv) transfer currencies equivalent to the increase in the Fund’s reserves from the GRA to the Investment Account.
Projections of the Fund’s income and precautionary balances remain susceptible to risks stemming from the uncertain global economic environment and financial market volatility. The FY 2025 annual financial statements will update the income position for the impact of changes in key assumptions made at the time of the April projections.
FY 2026 Income Position and Lending Rate
GRA net income for FY 2026 is expected to remain strong, with projected annual net income of about US$2.3 billion (SDR 1.7 billion), before any distribution. However, these projections remain susceptible to financial market volatility, intensifying downside risks to global growth, and uncertainties around the global interest rate environment that are expected to impact the performance of the Fund’s investment and retirement plan asset portfolios. The projections are also sensitive to the timing and amounts of disbursements under approved and projected lending arrangements.
The IMF’s basic lending rate for member countries’ use of GRA credit is the SDR interest rate plus a fixed margin. The Executive Board agreed to keep the margin for the rate of charge at 60 basis points over the SDR interest rate, the level set by the Executive Board in October 2024 for the rest of FY 2025 and FY 2026.
[1] IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’, requires the actuarial remeasurement of post‑employment obligations.
[2] In case of a remeasurement loss, such loss up to SDR 1,020 million would be charged against the General Reserve and any loss exceeding that amount would be charged against the Special Reserve.
PRESS OFFICER: Camila Perez
Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org
https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/02/pr-25128-imf-executive-board-completes-review-of-the-funds-income-position-for-fy-2025-and-fy-2026
Source: IMF – News in Russian
May 2, 2025
Washington, DC—On April 18, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the 2026-28 financial years (FY26-28) medium-term budget. While proving resilient in the post-pandemic period, the global economy is at a pivotal juncture amidst transformations in the economic landscape and shifting policy priorities around the world. Reflecting this complex economic backdrop, member countries continue to look to the IMF for support across the range of its operations.
While the issues that the Fund has been called on to address have become increasingly complex over the years, the Fund’s budget is roughly the same in real terms as it was two decades ago, reflecting the Fund’s longstanding emphasis on budget discipline. In the current context, budget management remains challenging given elevated demands and high budget execution rates, requiring difficult tradeoffs. In this context, the Board emphasized the importance of continued prudent stewardship of members’ resources and continued reprioritization to ensure that the Fund can keep responding with agility to the needs of its membership.
The approved net administrative budget for FY26 (May 1, 2025–April 30, 2026) totals US$1,551.7 million, consistent with projected income and the path for the precautionary balances target. The maximum amount of unused budget resources that can be carried forward from previous years will be reduced from 5 to 4 percent in FY26, with this level expected to decline further to 3 percent in FY27.
The FY26 capital budget is set at US$132.5 million and will support both facilities-related needs and IT-intensive investments, supporting end-of-life facilities replacements, field office support, ongoing IT-intensive modernization and legacy replacements, as well as investment in Artificial Intelligence and in the Fund’s cyber-security posture.
Additional information can be found in the staff paper on the FY26-28 Medium-Term Budget.
PRESS OFFICER: Camila Perez
Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org
https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/02/pr-25127-imf-executive-board-approves-fy2026-fy2028-medium-term-budget
Source: United Nations MIL-OSI 2
nited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of María Angela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus. Following the conclusion of the informal meeting in Cyprus in a broader format, held in Geneva on 17 and 18 March, the Secretary-General has asked Ms. Holguín to reengage with the parties in order to work on next steps on the Cyprus issue and advise him. Ms. Holguín completed a previous assignment as Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus from January to July 2024.
Ms. Holguín brings extensive diplomatic experience at the highest levels, including as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia (2010-2018). She also served as delegate of the President of Colombia at the Peace Process Negotiation in Havana, Cuba (2015-2016), and was a member of the Cabinet for Post-Conflict (2017-2018). Previous posts in her diplomatic career include the position of Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations, Ambassador to Venezuela and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Ms. Holguín holds a degree in Political Science from the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. She also studied at the Centre d´Études Diplomatiques et Stratégiques and at the Université Paris–Sorbonne in Paris, France. In addition to Spanish, she speaks English and French.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Francesco Grillo, Academic Fellow, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University
Even before US president Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imported cars, European automakers had been facing a multitude of challenges. Sales have slumped and manufacturers face rising costs, while Chinese rivals have rapidly been gaining market share.
The day before the tariffs announcement, the combined market capitalisation of Europe’s five major automakers (Volkswagen, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Renault) stood at around US$212 billion (£159 billion). This total is less than a quarter of the value of Tesla alone.
Yet the five European giants sell 25 million vehicles annually, accounting for a third of all cars purchased worldwide. Tesla, despite losing half of its market value since the beginning of the year, only just makes the top 15 automakers. It sells less than a third of what Stellantis alone delivers.
This essentially means that financial markets no longer believe that European carmakers can make money out of a business they have been dominating for almost a century.
The crisis does, in fact, stem from the obsolescence of the technology upon which the entire industrial model of the car was built.
The invention of German engineer Karl Benz, later made widely accessible to millions of consumers by American entrepreneur Henry Ford, was far more than just a product.
Cars enabled people to go anywhere whenever they wanted. This fuelled the last industrial revolution and one of the greatest leaps in human prosperity.
However, more than 100 years after the first assembly lines appeared in Detroit, the dream has stalled. In a world where economic and environmental resources are increasingly scarce, an entire industrial model looks unsustainable.
Why? Because it became inefficient.
A privately owned car is used for only 5% of its potential lifetime. It remains idle and occupying valuable parking space for the other 95%. It carries an average of just 1.2 passengers, utilising only a quarter of its capacity.
If an alien were to observe human civilisation, it might conclude that humans have lost that special ability that made them so different from all other species: to do more with less.
Additionally, around 80% of cars are still powered by fossil fuels that cost significantly more than electricity per mile. This is despite economies of scale that are bringing down the price of purchasing a plug-in electric vehicle (EV).
These issues have hit the European – and also the US – automotive industries hard. These regions were the birthplace of the industry itself. For CEOs and policymakers, who often belong to a generation (and a gender) steeped in traditional automotive culture, finding solutions has proven difficult. However, there could be a clear path forward.
Here are three ideas to bring the European automotive industry in the 21st century.
China has already secured a technological advantage in this field – similar to the dominance once held by Volkswagen when it first established factories in Shanghai.
In the same week when BYD announced that it has surpassed Tesla in terms of revenues of electric cars, the Chinese automaker also revealed that it had developed a system to charge an electric car with 400km (249 miles) of range in five minutes.
BYD and other Chinese manufacturers export less than 10% of their products to the EU. They will survive any import duty that the EU imposes on them. Instead of fearing Chinese automakers, the EU should entice them to establish production facilities in the bloc, encouraging competition and innovation within its borders.
New business models should focus on selling services as well as objects. This trend is prevailing in many industries, and carmakers should embrace it to develop partnerships with organisations that can make driving a less wasteful experience. Autonomous driving technology, for example, offers the chance to take vehicle-sharing to a much wider customer base.
And European automakers should trade on their history as a symbol of expertise and longevity. This is not so different to what camera-maker Kodak has done to survive to the digital revolution. It is notable that Ferrari is now worth more than its bigger sister company Stellantis.
For the transformation to succeed, governments must play a role. It is not about propping up the European industry with subsidies or treating cars as the new steel industry. Rather, it is about designing and implementing the infrastructure that the future of mobility requires.
A century ago, European cities were completely restructured to transition from horse-drawn carriages to the first Fiat Topolinos rolling out of the Mirafiori factory.
Today, we need new charging networks and dedicated lanes for electric and autonomous vehicles. This is already happening in China clearly showing that without a significant modernisation of infrastructure innovation does not happen.
Trump’s tariffs will hurt – badly. Volkswagen, which exports two thirds of its production outside western Europe, will suffer most after assuming that its “people’s cars” could be sold indiscriminately to different populations.
However, the era of tariffs should serve as a wake-up call rather than a death sentence. The European automotive sector must use this challenge to reinvent itself, just as it did in the post-war era.
In the 1960s, countries like Italy and France combined industrial strategy of the likes of Fiat and Renault with a vision of the future. This alignment of industrial ambition and pragmatic policymaking was a key part of post-war reconstruction.
Now European leaders must embrace the same spirit of bold, forward-thinking innovation to build a transport system that is capable of setting global standards. The automotive crisis is not just an industry-specific issue. It demands a revival of both vision and pragmatism.
Francesco Grillo is affiliated with Vision, an independent European Think Tank. Vision is the convenor of two global conferences: on “the Europe of the Future” (in Siena) and on “global governance of climate change” (in Trento).
– ref. Three strategies to help European carmakers regain their edge – https://theconversation.com/three-strategies-to-help-european-carmakers-regain-their-edge-255259
Source: Green Party of England and Wales
The Green Party is celebrating another record-breaking year having taken their councillor numbers to a new record high. Greens delivered impressive results with gains in counties like Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Devon while breaking through onto councils for the first time in areas where Reform dominated, including in Staffordshire and Leicestershire.
Co-Leader Carla Denyer MP said:
“The Green Party has broken new records by increasing our number of councillors for the eighth year running. While Labour and the Conservatives have buckled under the Reform insurgency, Greens just keep growing.
“Two party politics is dead and five party politics in England is the new norm. We have taken seats off the Tories and Labour and have shown we can be the positive and progressive antidote to Reform, holding their vote back in some places while breaking through onto other councils where Reform dominated.”
Co-leader Adrian Ramsay added:
“These elections have shown that Labour needs a complete reset. The government needs to listen to the anger and disquiet over our NHS being in crisis, winter fuel allowance being cut from many pensioners and the removal of benefits for many ill and disabled people. It needs to increase taxes for the super-rich so our councils can be properly funded to provide the local services that people are crying out for.
“Going into these elections Greens were already in administration in over 40 Councils and on the back of these results this is likely to increase. With over 850 councillors compared to a likely 650 or so, Greens still have many more councillors than Reform.
“Green councillors also have a track record of being community champions, offering hope and practical solutions on the housing crisis, cost of living, climate breakdown and protecting public services. They will continue to work hard all year round and the Green Party will carry on growing our representation at all levels of government.”
Source: European Parliament 2
AMENDMENTS 257-261
REPORT
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the screening of foreign investments in the Union and repealing Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(COM(2024)0023 – C9-0011/2024 – 2024/0017(COD))
Committee on International Trade
Rapporteur: Raphaël Glucksmann
Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP
Source: European Parliament 2
AMENDMENTS 002-005
REPORT
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 as regards the role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season
(COM(2025)0099 – C10-0041/2025 – 2025/0051(COD))
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Rapporteur: Borys Budka
Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP
Source: Scottish Government
Funeral Support Payment helps cover costs for bereaved
With the start of this year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week, the Executive Director of a Scottish charity has encouraged people to use the help that’s available for funeral costs.
Dying Matters Awareness Week (5 – 11 May), organised by Hospice UK, aims to break down the stigma and taboos surrounding talking about death and dying.
Social Security Scotland is using the awareness week as an opportunity to encourage people to talk about the difficult topic of how to pay for a friend or relative’s funeral.
Helene Rodger, Executive Director with the Passion4Fusion, a multi-cultural charity, has highlighted how the organisation dealt with her approach for Funeral Support Payment with, “respect and grace,” describing the process as, “easy and smooth.”
People in Scotland who need help paying for a funeral, and who get Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits, can apply for Funeral Support Payment. It can be used towards funeral costs for a baby, including stillborn babies, a child or an adult. The average payment in 2024/25, up to 31 December 2024, was just over £2,100.
Funeral Support Payment can help towards the cost of; burial or cremation, travel, moving the person who died and the relevant documents.
The theme of this year’s Dying Matters campaign is: The Culture of Dying Matters. Different cultures have widely different funeral rites and rituals but the central tenet they share is honoring the person who has died and recognizing their life.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said:
“Research carried out for the Marie Curie charity found that people want to commemorate the life which has ended with meaning and dignity. There are strong emotions around funerals and how much they cost.
“Funeral Support Payment supports people in their grief. While it doesn’t usually cover the full cost of a funeral, it does help people respectfully mark the life of their friend or relative without the fear of funeral poverty.”
Helene Rodger, Executive Director with the Passion4Fusion multi-cultural charity said:
“I’d never heard about the funeral payment until we lost a community member to cancer who I’d supported through her illness.
“I was asked to step in and claim for the funeral fund. When I called, I expected it would be very intrusive with lots of questions but that was far from the truth.
“The adviser treated my enquiry with so much respect and grace. The process was very easy and smooth and eventually I got the money for the funeral cover. The professionalism and empathy that I was treated with was amazing.”
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
MIAMI – A Miami federal district judge adjudicated a Bahamian national guilty on alien smuggling charges.
According to court documents and statements made in court hearings, on Dec. 19, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers aboard a CBP aircraft observed Shakerio Michael Jones, 31, traveling from the direction of The Bahamas toward the United States, and notified CBP officers on the water.
Once the boat crossed into United States waters, off the coast of Miami-Dade County, Fla., the CBP officers onboard a CBP Air and Maritime Operations vessel approached the go-fast boat and ordered the driver to stop. The CBP officers brought all the individuals from the boat onboard the USCG Cutter Bernard C. Webber and confirmed that the 13 individuals did not have permission to enter the United States. The CBP officers determined that the individuals were nationals of the United Kingdom, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, India and The Bahamas, and that Jones had been previously removed from the United States.
The CBP officers brought Jones to shore to face charges. The rest of the aliens were returned to The Bahamas.
On April 24, Jones entered a guilty plea before magistrate judge Edwin G. Torres, who issued a report recommending that the plea be accepted. On April 30, U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra adopted the report and recommendations and adjudicated the defendant guilty.
Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on July 18 at 10:00 a.m. in Miami. He faces up to 20 years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
HSI Miami investigated the case with assistance from CBP and USCG, 7th Coast Guard District. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl is prosecuting the case.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-10027.
###
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
The Met is releasing CCTV of a 17-year-old boy who’s been missing for more than a month as his family appeal for information about his whereabouts.
Deante James left his home in Enfield at around 23:00hrs on Monday, 31 March and was reported missing to the Met the following morning.
Officers began an investigation and recovered CCTV which identified a sighting in The Courtfield Pub in Earl’s Court Road in Earl’s Court at around 20:00hrs on Thursday, 3 April. Further footage showed he had also visited a nearby McDonald’s.
In the footage, Deante is seen wearing a black ‘Trapstar’ cap, a blue jacket, black tracksuit and black trainers. He was carrying a Nike backpack and Nike cross body bag.
As part of our investigation, officers have already viewed over 18 hours of CCTV footage, including multiple cameras across the public transport network. Officers are still awaiting further CCTV which officers will review once it becomes available.
While officers believe that Deante is not carrying a mobile phone, enquiries have been carried out to obtain historic mobile phone date, in order to identify and associates that could know about Deante’s whereabouts.
As well as Enfield, Deante has links to Romford, Dagenham, Hackney, Ilford and Earl’s Court. He may have also travelled to Brighton.
Deante’s mum, Vandana Bhogowoth, said:
“To Boo (Darell Deante, sun son) wherever you are please know that we love you unconditionally and just want you home safe. You are not in any trouble, you are missed beyond words! We are desperate to know you are okay, and all your family are waiting with wide open arms and heart!
“If anyone has seen my son or has any information please contact the police or us immediately. We are desperate for your help. Every piece of information matters. He is very vulnerable as of recent and just want him home so he can get the love, help and support he desperately needs. All our lives are on standstill until he is home safe.”
Detective Chief Inspector Elsa Mak, from the missing person’s team in north London, said:
“Deante has been missing for more than a month as we are increasingly concerned for his welfare. He has not been in contact with any of his family or friends and left without any traceable items which means we have limited opportunity to identify his movements.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting the reference 01/7330181/25. Report immediate sightings by calling 999.
You can also contact the Missing People charity online or by calling 116 000.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tom Felle, Associate Professor of Journalism, University of Galway
Media freedom has long been essential to healthy democracy. It is the oxygen that fuels informed debate, exposes corruption and holds power to account. But around the world, that freedom is under sustained attack.
The actions of populist political elites, tech billionaires and foreign disinformation campaigns are reinforcing one another. This is weakening independent journalism and reshaping the global public sphere.
This convergence was on full display at US president Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration. The presence of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg signalled that the tech elite are no longer simply disruptors. They are increasingly aligned with populist politics, a project openly hostile to independent journalism and democratic accountability.
Nowhere is this clearer than on X (formerly Twitter). Musk’s takeover has transformed the platform into a breeding ground for conspiracy theories and misinformation, while systematically undermining the credibility of established media outlets. Meta’s decision to abandon factchecking political content in the US also marks a dangerous retreat from even the minimal efforts once made to curb disinformation.
At its core, journalism’s role is simple but essential: to inform the public and hold power to account. Independent media – outlets free from government, political, or corporate control – are essential to democracy. They play a critical role in exposing corruption, amplifying marginalised voices, scrutinising government decisions and challenging abuses of power.
When media organisations are weakened, this essential accountability collapses – allowing governments, politicians and corporations to operate unchecked. Minorities and vulnerable groups suffer most when no one is left to shine a light on abuse or discrimination. Human rights violations go unreported. Misinformation and rumour fill the void.
That is precisely what is happening, not just in fragile states but in established democracies. Populist leaders have attacked journalists as enemies of the people and smeared media outlets that challenge them.
Donald Trump infamously branded critical coverage as “fake news”. Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro vilified journalists who investigated corruption and environmental crimes. Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has systematically dismantled media independence. Slovakia’s Robert Fico called journalists “bloodthirsty bastards” and “possessed by the devil”.
These leaders know that controlling the narrative is key to holding power. Discrediting the media is the first step.
One of the clearest recent examples is the Trump administration’s shuttering of Voice of America (VOA). This move to silence a broadcaster that had promoted press freedom for over 80 years has been celebrated by authoritarian regimes. China’s state media mocked VOA as “discarded like a dirty rag”.
What makes this moment uniquely dangerous is that these political attacks are now supercharged by technology platforms retreating from accountability, and exploited by hostile foreign powers.
The latest European External Action Service (EEAS) Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Threat Report paints a stark picture of how disinformation is used as a strategic weapon to weaken democracies from within.
In 2024, the EEAS – the diplomatic service of the European Union – detected
record levels of foreign manipulation, particularly from Russia and China. The EEAS recorded more than 500 coordinated manipulation campaigns targeting 90 countries.
These included AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating European politicians, such as a fabricated video of Moldova’s president endorsing a pro-Russian party.
Bot networks were deployed to amplify false narratives about migration and inflation, distorting online discourse and inflaming social divisions. Impersonation tactics cloning legitimate news websites like Le Monde and German media were used to disseminate pro-Kremlin disinformation. All these efforts were aimed at undermining trust in democratic institutions, inflaming social divisions and creating confusion.
Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.
Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.
Disinformation has become a standard geopolitical weapon, often used as a precursor to military or economic action. In the lead-up to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia conducted a sustained disinformation campaign. Fabricated videos and false flag operations portrayed Ukraine as the aggressor to justify military action.
Similarly, during the 2020-21 border clashes with India, China spread disinformation downplaying its military build-up while casting India as the instigator.
Russia has also used disinformation to pursue economic goals, notably by spreading falsehoods about European renewable energy and gas supply stability, to influence energy policy and sow public doubt about the EU’s energy independence strategy.
While this happens, platforms like Meta and X are retreating from content moderation and fact-checking. The result is a perfect storm where domestic populism, platform failure and foreign manipulation reinforce one another. Platforms like X have become the key battleground, accounting for 88% of detected disinformation activity.
As these threats grow, the traditional media model is collapsing. Advertising revenue – once the lifeblood of newspapers, radio, and television – has shifted almost entirely to digital platforms. Local newsrooms are closing, while investigative journalism is increasingly rare, expensive and risky.
In the UK, more than 320 local papers have closed since 2009. Titles like the Evening Standard ended daily print in 2024 due to plummeting ad revenues. Across Europe, rising news deserts and newsroom cuts are weakening media’s democratic role.
In the US, things are even worse – 3,200 newspapers have closed since 2005. More than half of all counties now have little or no local news coverage.
As social media platforms abandon even basic content moderation, they create vast, ungoverned digital spaces where bad actors dominate the conversation.
Into this gap flood social media influencers, partisan outlets and state-backed propaganda. The result is a fractured, polarised information ecosystem. Facts struggle to compete with viral misinformation and coordinated disinformation campaigns.
In the end, it is citizens who pay the price, bombarded by propaganda and adrift in a sea of misinformation. This is not just a media problem, it is a fundamental threat to democracy itself. Without independent journalism, there is no one left to ask difficult questions, expose wrongdoing or defend the public interest.
Protecting media freedom must now be treated as a democratic priority, as essential as free and fair elections or an independent judiciary. Governments need to regulate tech platforms effectively, enforcing transparency over algorithms and bringing in meaningful protections against disinformation.
Public investment in journalism is critical to ensure the press can survive and hold power to account. Democracies must coordinate efforts to counter foreign information manipulation, and protect journalists facing harassment and threats from authoritarian regimes.
The future of democratic accountability now depends on whether governments, regulators and the media can reclaim this space before it is lost entirely. Above all, this means recognising that journalism is not a luxury or a relic. It is a vital public good.
Tom Felle 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.
– ref. Perfect storm of tech bros, foreign interference and disinformation is an urgent threat to press freedom – https://theconversation.com/perfect-storm-of-tech-bros-foreign-interference-and-disinformation-is-an-urgent-threat-to-press-freedom-252986
Source: IMF – News in Russian
May 2, 2025
A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.
The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.
Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Matthew Gaertner held the 2025 Article IV consultation and discussions on the second review under the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) with the Tajikistan authorities during April 2-15, 2025, in Dushanbe. At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Gaertner issued the following statement:
Economic Developments, Outlook and Risks
Strong broad-based growth continued in 2024, and the external position remained favorable. Real GDP increased 8.4 percent in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth above 8 percent, as strong momentum in mining, manufacturing and agriculture was underpinned by public and private investment. Strong financial inflows, including remittances, have also supported domestic demand and liquidity and contributed to a current account surplus of 6.2 percent of GDP in 2024. This alongside the NBT’s purchases of domestic gold production has boosted FX reserves from $3.6 billion at end-2023 to $4.7 billion at the end of February 2025, amounting to 7 months import coverage.
Inflation remains well contained within the NBT’s target range. Twelve-month inflation stood at 3.7 percent in February, within the NBT’s updated target range of 5 percent (±2 percent) for 2025, reflecting stable prices for imported food and fuel and an appreciation of the somoni against key trading partner currencies. Reserve money growth has moderated since mid-2024 as the NBT stepped up its sterilization efforts but remained strong at 32 percent (y/y) in February, boosted by the NBT’s gold purchases.
Banks’ asset quality continued to improve in 2024, amid strong growth in consumer lending. Banks’ NPL ratio declined to 7.0 percent in February as they continued to clean up their balance sheets, largely through write-offs of legacy NPLs. Credit to the private sector grew at 29 percent (y/y) in February, boosted by a continued expansion of banks’ deposit base. This has been primarily driven by household loans in local currency, supported by the introduction of new retail lending products.
The medium-term outlook appears positive. Real GDP is projected to increase by 7 percent in 2025, retaining the current strong momentum. Twelve-month inflation (y/y) is projected to remain close to the mid-point of the NBT’s target range in 2025 and 2026, in line with stable inflation expectations. The current account surplus is expected to narrow in 2025 as financial inflows stabilize, with FX reserves projected to remain at comfortable levels. Financial inflows are expected to normalize over the medium term after the strong inflows experienced since 2022, heightening the importance of continuing to advance structural reforms to strengthen potential growth over the medium-term.
Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside, in the context of significant regional and global uncertainty. A pronounced decline in financial inflows due to a less favorable environment for remittances or a slowdown in Tajikistan’s key trading partners would adversely affect growth, fiscal performance, and the banking sector. More frequent and severe natural disasters and heightened security risks can also strain budget resources. On the upside, continued strength in gold prices and rising demand for rare earth metals could attract increased investment in the mining sector.
Fiscal Policy
Fiscal performance remained well within the program target in 2024, with a fiscal surplus of 0.3 percent. The favorable fiscal outturn was underpinned by stable revenue growth despite a reduction in the VAT rate from 15 to 14 percent, while externally financed capital spending was lower than planned. Revenue collection reflected continued improvements in tax and customs administration supported by digitalization measures. The 2025 budget envisages a fiscal deficit of up to 2.5 percent of GDP, conditional on available financing. In this context, continuing to expand the domestic debt market is key to diversifying sources of financing. The MOF successfully launched market-based auctions of government securities in 2024; establishing a robust secondary market for these instruments will help to expand the investor base and further deepen the market.
The fiscal deficit target of 2.5 percent of GDP remains an important anchor to ensure that debt remains on a favorable medium-term trajectory. Prudent fiscal policy coupled with strong GDP growth has contributed to a notable reduction in the public debt ratio over the past few years, with public debt declining to 25 percent of GDP at the end of 2024. Public debt is assessed as sustainable but remains at high risk of distress due to large debt service obligations during 2025-2027; the first semi-annual Eurobond repayment was completed as planned in March. Building fiscal buffers is key to mitigating fiscal risks from potential shocks to revenue and expenditure in the context of the uncertain external environment, with contingency plans for spending reprioritization to protect social assistance and other critical spending.
Improved revenue mobilization and spending efficiency are key to increasing fiscal space for priority social and development projects. The Medium-Term Revenue Plan (MTRP) aims to raise total revenues by at least 2 percentage points to 26 percent of GDP in 2026 through a combination of tax policy, tax administration and SOE reform measures. In line with the MTRP, the MOF has taken steps to improve revenue mobilization through the expansion of digitalization of payments. Moreover, tax exemptions granted to several large investment projects were discontinued in 2024. A time-bound action plan is essential to anchor a further streamlining of tax exemptions and customs preferences over the medium-term. On the expenditure side, strengthening appraisal, selection and oversight of internally financed capital projects are crucial for enhancing the efficiency of public investment.
Strong corporate governance and oversight is essential to strengthen SOE efficiency and minimize fiscal risks. Recent reforms include the expansion of the MOF’s financial monitoring coverage from 27 SOEs to 77 entities with state participation, and amendments to the regulations for SOE board composition to ensure that board members are appointed through transparent and competitive procedures in line with best practices. The MOF has also continued to expand the scope of the annual fiscal risk statement, which provides an overview of SOE performance, including profitability, leverage, and budget allocations to SOEs. The publication of an updated SOE list and completion of the ongoing sectorization exercise will also improve monitoring and oversight.
Greater efforts are needed to improve the financial performance of the electricity sector. Low collection rates for key electricity consumers, together with high technical and commercial losses and end-user tariffs that are below cost recovery levels has led the state electricity generation company Barki Tojik to accumulate sizable arrears to suppliers and creditors. Reducing quasi-fiscal losses in the electricity sector will require sustained efforts to improve collection rates for the largest electricity consumers, as well as implementation of the authorities’ strategy to roll-out smart metering, increase penalties for electricity theft and improve cost controls across the electricity sector. The electricity tariff was increased by about 15 percent in April 2025, and further annual tariff adjustments are envisaged to reach cost recovery by 2027.
Monetary, Exchange Rate and Financial Sector Policies
Inflation remains well contained, but strong credit growth warrants continued vigilance. The NBT lowered its inflation target from 6 to 5 percent (±2 percent) for 2025 to reflect well-anchored inflation expectations, and the policy rate was lowered by 25 basis points to 8.75 percent in February 2025 as inflation remains close to the lower bound. Although the real policy rate is still relatively high at about 5 percent (based on realized inflation), monetary policy should remain data-driven and vigilant to potential upward demand pressure on inflation from strong credit growth and robust financial inflows. Proactive liquidity management also remains essential to moderate the impact of the NBT’s gold purchases and FX interventions on the money supply.
Enhancing exchange rate flexibility is essential to build resilience to external shocks. The NBT has taken several measures to modernize the local FX market, including ending auctions of inward transfers improving the mechanism for executing public sector FX transactions; enhancing the dissemination of information on FX rates; and introducing price-based auctions for FX interventions to facilitate price discovery. The NBT should also aim to limit its FX operations only to avoid disorderly market conditions to facilitate development of the FX market and further support greater exchange rate flexibility.
Strong macroprudential oversight and banking supervision are key to mitigating external risks to financial stability. The banking system has strengthened its balance sheet following the resolution of two troubled banks but may face possible challenges from the volatile external environment and any reversal of recent inflows. Strong lending to households warrants careful oversight of macroprudential norms to ensure prudent lending standards, and close monitoring of maturity mismatches and funding- and asset-side concentration risk. The planned introduction of macroprudential tools and forward-looking stress tests is essential to manage risks posed by strong credit growth.
Structural Reforms
Governance and transparency reforms across economic sectors aim to foster sustainable and inclusive growth. Structural reforms are underway to close existing governance gaps across the public and private sectors through upgrades to the legal and regulatory frameworks. The reforms aim to (i) improve public sector efficiency; (ii) foster financial and private sector development; and (iii) promote an enabling investment climate for private sector-led growth.
Transparent governance and policy frameworks and robust financial safety nets are key to further strengthen trust in public institutions. Good governance fosters macro-financial stability both directly and indirectly by enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of macroeconomic policies. Transparent corporate ownership is critical to promote an enabling business climate based on the rule of law and prudent AML-CFT standards.
Timely and comprehensive macroeconomic data is essential to economic policymaking. The authorities have started publishing fiscal statistics in line with GFS standards and broadened the coverage of state-owned enterprises. Compilation of quarterly demand-side GDP data and expanding the use of GFS-based fiscal data would further strengthen data quality.
Discussions on the policies to complete the second review under the PCI are well advanced and will continue following this mission. The mission would like to thank the Tajik authorities for their hospitality and close collaboration and express its appreciation for the constructive and insightful discussions.
PRESS OFFICER: Angham Al Shami
Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org
https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/02/mcs-tajikistan-staff-concluding-statement-for-the-2025-article-iv-mission
Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh
This summer, the Museum of Edinburgh presents two inspiring exhibitions celebrating the powerful relationship between wellbeing, nature, and place, each told through unique creative lenses.
Nature Through Nurture: Wellbeing and the Natural World in Children’s Books
Thu 1 May to Sun 7 Sep 2025
Developed in partnership between the Museum of Childhood and Scotland’s Early Literature for Children Initiative (SELCIE) at the University of Edinburgh, Nature Through Nurture delves into the enduring presence of the natural world in children’s literature over the past 150 years.
Flowers, trees, animals, insects and birds feature heavily in children’s books, set in both the real world and imaginary worlds. Children’s books from the last 150 years will be on display with beautiful illustrations, poetry and information about how to find green spaces throughout Edinburgh. The positive influences of nature on mental health and wellbeing will be examined alongside a programme of public events for children and families.
Dr Sarah Dunnigan, Senior Lecturer, School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures at the University of Edinburgh and co-founder of SELCIE said:
The partnership between SELCIE and the Museum of Childhood for the Nurture through Nature exhibition beautifully highlights how children’s books can connect young readers to the natural world. This collaboration brings together literature, history, and nature in a way that we hope will inspire visitors to explore Edinburgh’s green spaces and reflect on the links between nature and well-being. The project has also made accessible many previously uncatalogued books from the Museum of Childhood collection, with several being displayed publicly for the first time. This collection is of great significance, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.
Wellbeing in the City: Feel-Good Places in and Around Edinburgh
Thu 10 Apr to Sun 31 Aug 2025
Created by participants of photography and creative writing courses run by Access to Industry, this exhibition offers personal and heartfelt reflections on the places in Edinburgh that inspire calm, joy, and connection.
Each member of the photography course has chosen a place in and around Edinburgh that makes them feel good. The group visited every place nominated to take photos and have selected their favourites to present in the exhibition. The creative writing group have produced short pieces of writing about places or activities in Edinburgh that make them feel well.
Helen Murray, Encompass Caseworker form Access to Industry said:
Access to Industry are delighted to have been able to work with Museums and Galleries Edinburgh on the joint project, Wellbeing in the City – feel good places in and around Edinburgh.
We support clients with complex barriers to employment, many of whom have suffered trauma, isolation and marginalisation. This project has been run with our wellbeing through photography group, PAGE, and our Creative Writing group. It has enabled participants to enjoy improved wellbeing on trips they have chosen and reflect on what makes them feel well. We are now extremely pleased to be able to share these places and that sense of wellness with local residents and visitors from far and wide.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said:
These exhibitions beautifully highlight how nature and place shape our sense of wellbeing from childhood through adulthood. By showcasing stories, creativity, and lived experience, this summer the Museum of Edinburgh invites us all to reconnect with the natural world and discover the restorative spaces that exist all around us.
Admission to both exhibitions is free.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, released the following statement ahead of World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated annually on May 3:
“A free press is essential, both here in America and internationally. It is vital that journalists are protected—not impeded, silenced, or threatened.
“The Trump White House has shown nothing but distain for the constitutionally-protected press, abusing the immense powers of the Executive by obstructing the media at all costs. President Trump has entered frivolous legal battles with press outlets he disagrees with. His administration has threatened and sought to block federal funding, including for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, NPR, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and the Voice of America, among others. The FCC and the Department of Justice, pressured by President Trump, have targeted reporters. Freedom of the press is under attack in America.
“Reporters and members of the press are also targeted abroad, where many have been imprisoned, assaulted, and killed. This year alone, 15 journalists and media workers have been killed while reporting, 13 of them in Palestine, and one in Ukraine. Last year was the deadliest ever, with at least 124 killed, 82 of whom died in Palestine.
“On World Press Freedom Day I honor Dylan Collins, a Vermonter and talented video journalist for the AFP news agency. Dylan was attacked and wounded by Israeli Defense Forces while reporting in Southern Lebanon. Five of his colleagues were also hurt, and a fellow journalist traveling with him died. The Vermont Delegation met with Dylan after the attack by the IDF, and demanded the Department of State and the Department of Justice conduct credible and thorough investigations into the attack, which we believe violated U.S. and international law. To date, the U.S. government has failed to investigate this deplorable attack on an American journalist. I am committed to demanding accountability for Dylan and his colleagues.
“Freedom of the press is enshrined in the First Amendment. It is an essential part of our nation’s DNA. On World Press Freedom Day and every day, I will stand up for the safety and freedom of journalists—here in America and around the world.”
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link.
VILNIUS, Lithuania, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC, one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, made a spectacular splash on the first day of TOKEN2049 Dubai with its eye-catching basketball-themed booth and widely popular mascot Nakamon, attracting thousands of crypto enthusiasts, traders, and industry professionals.
Following the announcement of its official gold sponsorship of TOKEN2049 Dubai in February, BTCC has successfully transformed its presence at the premier crypto event into an interactive playground that perfectly embodies the company’s dynamic and innovative spirit.
Slam Dunk Success
The BTCC booth stood out among the sea of exhibitors with its unique basketball court setup, complete with an illuminated hoop and a massive selfie wall for visitors to take photos. The selfie wall proudly highlighted BTCC’s achievement of zero security incidents since 2011. Visitors were invited to showcase their slam dunk skills and share their photos on social media to receive exclusive BTCC merchandise.
A massive crowd of attendees participated in the basketball challenges throughout the day, with successful participants walking away with exclusive BTCC merchandise featuring the company’s beloved mascot, Nakamon. The eye-catching #BTCCatToken2049 photo prop became popular for social media posts, further amplifying the exchange’s presence at the event.
The exchange saw an overwhelming enthusiasm for Nakamon-themed merchandise, with the cute crypto mascot becoming an unexpected star of TOKEN2049. Limited-edition plushies, t-shirts, and totebags quickly became coveted prizes for those who successfully completed the basketball challenges. Nakamon stood out as one of the most viral mascots at TOKEN2049, drawing attention from across the conference floor.
From Desert Safari to Conference Floor
Aaryn Ling, Head of Branding at BTCC Exchange, commented on the day’s success: “The energy at our basketball-themed booth perfectly mirrors BTCC’s approach to the cryptocurrency market – dynamic, engaging, and accessible to all. We’re thrilled to see so many attendees not only enjoying the games but also connecting with our team to learn more about our trading solutions. Building a community of trust is at the core of what we do, and TOKEN2049 has allowed us to continue the conversations we started during our Desert Safari Day right onto the conference floor.”
Exclusive VIP Yacht Party
Following the success of TOKEN2049 Dubai, BTCC Exchange will be hosting an exclusive VIP yacht party as an after-event celebration on May 2, 2025. On a luxurious yacht cruising in the Arabian sea, this event will gather top Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in the cryptocurrency space. The yacht party provides a chilled setting for top content creators to network and discuss the future of cryptocurrency in a more relaxed environment.
About BTCC Exchange
Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, offering secure and user-friendly trading services to millions of users globally. With a commitment to security, innovation, and community building, BTCC continues to be a trusted platform in the evolving digital asset landscape.
Official website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US
Media Contact: press@btcc.com
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
You can find memorials throughout the Houses of Parliament. In the House of Commons Chamber, you can find 42 heraldic shields commemorating the MPs who died in service during both World Wars.
23 of the shields represent MPs killed in the Second World War. Throughout this year, to commemorate their service, memorials can also be found on the Order Paper on the day they died.
#VE80 #Victory80
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
The U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund will drive economic growth, providing a solid foundation for Ukraine’s recovery from the war. This economic partnership marks a significant milestone in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Source: City of Westminster
The new premises licence application for The Blue Note Jazz Club was approved by the Licensing Sub-Committee yesterday (1st May).
A Westminster City Council spokesperson said:
Westminster is home to some of the capital’s most loved music venues and we want to ensure late night entertainment can continue to thrive.
“Every licensing decision is carefully considered, based on the evidence presented to committee and keeping in mind the needs of residents.”
“In this case it was clear that venue management have engaged extensively with local people to improve their application and address the concerns that were raised by the police.
We’re pleased that, following the approval of this application, jazz lovers will soon be able to enjoy the Blue Note Jazz Club.”
The council has launched its first ever Westminster After Dark Strategy to improve the city’s evening and night-time environment. The draft strategy, sets out a roadmap to ensure Westminster remains a world-class destination between 6pm and 6am, balancing a thriving economy with the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
Speaking as Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, Cllr Geoff Barraclough said:
This is exactly the kind of venue we want to see more of in Westminster and which is encouraged in our After Dark strategy as part of a more varied evening and night time offer across the city. As a jazz lover I can’t wait to visit.”
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Premier Tim Houston will leave on Sunday, May 4, for a provincial trade mission in two critical markets – Spain and the United Kingdom.
The Premier and Kent Smith, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will head to Barcelona, Spain, to promote Nova Scotia’s seafood sector at events scheduled May 5-10. The Premier will also be attending meetings regarding defence and security as well as renewable energy before heading to London, England, for meetings and speaking opportunities to promote Nova Scotia to leaders in the United Kingdom.
“It is a privilege to represent Nova Scotians on these provincial trade missions. Leaders and the business community from other countries repeatedly tell me how highly they think of our province, people and products,” said Premier Houston. “Spain and the United Kingdom are top destinations for Nova Scotia’s fish and seafood exports. We want to strengthen that partnership as well as explore additional opportunities to do more trade with them. Nova Scotia has a lot to offer, and we’re making sure the world knows it.”
While in Spain, Premier Houston and Minister Smith will attend Seafood Expo Global, the largest international seafood event, which attracts serving industry professionals and buyers, at all points of the supply chain, from around the world. The Premier will also speak to international buyers, media and culinary decision-makers and influencers at an event promoting Nova Scotia’s seafood industry.
During his stop in London, Premier Houston will be the keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of the Canada-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce at the House of Lords on May 13. Premier Houston will speak to chamber members and attendees about the long-standing ties between Nova Scotia and the United Kingdom and the opportunities that exist to strengthen cultural connections and the trade relationship.
Nova Scotia is currently focused on making the province more self-reliant by investing in the seafood sector, wind resources and critical minerals. The Province is also developing a comprehensive trade action plan to facilitate internal trade, enhance productivity and drive critical sectors with input from businesses and industry.
“The European market represents a great opportunity to grow Nova Scotia’s seafood industry. By promoting our premium-quality seafood, we are helping our companies expand internationally, driving economic growth and securing a sustainable future for our coastal communities.”
— Kent Smith, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Canada-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce: https://www.canada-uk.org/
Seafood Expo Global: https://www.seafoodexpo.com/global/
Information about Nova Scotia seafood and exporters is available at: https://nsseafood.com/
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
COFACE SA: Disclosure of total number of voting rights and number of shares in the capital as at April 30, 2025
Paris, May 2nd, 2025 – 17.45
| Total Number of Shares Capital |
Theoretical Number of Voting Rights1 | Number of Real Voting Rights2 |
| 150,179,792 | 150,179,792 | 149,368,649 |
(1) including own shares
(2) excluding own shares
| Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust. You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com. |
|
About Coface COFACE SA is a société anonyme (joint-stock corporation), with a Board of Directors (Conseil d’Administration) incorporated under the laws of France, and is governed by the provisions of the French Commercial Code. The Company is registered with the Nanterre Trade and Companies Register (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés) under the number 432 413 599. The Company’s registered office is at 1 Place Costes et Bellonte, 92270 Bois Colombes, France. At the date of 31 December 2024, the Company’s share capital amounts to €300,359,584, divided into 150,179,792 shares, all of the same class, and all of which are fully paid up and subscribed. All regulated information is available on the company’s website (http://www.coface.com/Investors). Coface SA. is listed on Euronext Paris – Compartment A |
Attachment
