The Justice Department today announced the coordinated seizure of 39 domains and their associated servers in an international disruption of a Pakistan-based network of online marketplaces selling hacking and fraud-enabling tools operated by a group known as Saim Raza (also known as HeartSender). The seizures were conducted in coordination with the Dutch National Police.
According to the affidavit filed in support of these seizures, Saim Raza has used these cybercrime websites since at least 2020 to sell phishing toolkits and other fraud-enabling tools to transnational organized crime groups, who used them to target numerous victims in the United States, resulting in over $3 million in victim losses.
The Saim Raza-run websites operated as marketplaces that advertised and facilitated the sale of tools such as phishing kits, scam pages, and email extractors, often used to build and maintain fraud operations. Not only did Saim Raza make these tools widely available on the open internet, it also trained end users on how to use the tools against victims by linking to instructional YouTube videos on how to execute schemes using these malicious programs, making them accessible to criminal actors that lacked this technical criminal expertise. The group also advertised its tools as “fully undetectable” by antispam software.
The transnational organized crime groups and other cybercrime actors who purchased these tools primarily used them to facilitate business email compromise schemes wherein the cybercrime actors tricked victim companies into making payments to a third party. Those payments would instead be redirected to a financial account the perpetrators controlled, resulting in significant losses to victims. These tools were also used to acquire victim user credentials and utilize those credentials to further these fraudulent schemes. The seizure of these domains is intended to disrupt the ongoing activity of these groups and stop the proliferation of these tools within the cybercriminal community.
Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Houston Field Office is investigating the case. The Justice Department appreciates the cooperation and significant assistance law enforcement partners in the Netherlands have provided.
Trial Attorney Gaelin Bernstein of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth presented awards to the best Marching Contingents and Tableaux of Republic Day Parade 2025 at Rashtriya Rangshala Camp in Delhi on January 30, 2025. Shri Sanjay Seth also conferred special prizes to CPWD Tableau and artists of cultural performance, along with six mementos to the representatives of the tractor companies.
Three panels of judges were constituted to assess the performance of Marching Contingents from the Services & Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)/other auxiliary forces and tableaux from various States/Union Territories (UTs) & Ministries/Departments of the Central Government.The panels have declared the following results:
Best Marching Contingent among Services –Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Contingent
Best Marching Contingent among CAPFs/other auxiliary forces– Delhi Police Marching Contingent
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh)
Special Prize:
Central Public Works Department (75 years of Constitution of India)
‘Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam’ Dance Group
In addition, an online poll was conducted on the MyGov portal from January 26 to 28, 2025 for the citizens to vote for their favourite tableau and Marching Contingents as ‘Popular Choice Category. The results are as under:
Best Marching Contingent among Services– Signals Contingent
Best Marching Contingent among CAPFs/other auxiliary Forces– CRPF Marching Contingent
3rd – Uttarakhand (Uttarakhand: Cultural Heritage and Adventure Sports)
Best tableau from Central Ministries/Departments– Ministry of Women & Child Development (Multifaceted journey of women and children nurtured under the Ministry’s comprehensive schemes)
Raksha Rajya Mantri in his address recalled the words of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that the participation of individuals in Republic Day Parade showcases the love & dedication of people towards the nation. Shri Sanjay Seth emphasised on the fact that all the tableaux showcased creativity through the structures. Reiterating the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of Viksit Bharat by 2047, he stated that it is not the contribution of just one person but the resolve of 140 crore Indians to make the country one of the strongest nation in the world.
Shri Sanjay Seth thanked the Ministry of Culture for taking up the challenge of creating a new Guinness World Record of 5,000 artists in the Cultural Performance. He stressed that the people from all over the country were impressed by the performance. As part of the event, Raksha Rajya Mantri also witnessed three cultural performances by the Tableaux Artists.
A 62-year-old suspended driver was stopped by RCMP Traffic Services West while operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in Deer Lake on January 29, 2025.
Shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, a police officer with RCMP Traffic Services West observed the man driving an ATV on Chapel Hill in Deer Lake. A traffic stop was conducted and the officer determined that the ATV was uninsured. The man was ticketed under the Highway Traffic Act for operating a vehicle while suspended and for operating an uninsured vehicle. The ATV was seized and impounded.
Operating an off-road vehicle on a road is a violation of the Off-Road Vehicles Act. If an off-road vehicle is used on the roadway, it is susceptible to the same legislation as a vehicle under the Highway Traffic Act.
Question for written answer E-000283/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Piotr Müller (ECR)
During a debate on 21 January 2025, Commissioner Henna Virkkunen presented the Commission’s position on the application and implementation of the Digital Services Act.
In connection with certain controversial statements, I would like to ask:
1.On what legal basis will the Commission assess the definition of hate speech in the law of the individual Member States?
2.Does the Commission intend to impose its definition of hate speech on Member States, and if so, what reaction will there be in the event of a conflict with national criminal law?
3.How will the Commission intervene in content moderation on platforms by accessing a platform’s technical interface?
On January 28, 2025, officers from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Roving Traffic Unit (RTU) and the Province of Saskatchewan’s Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) were working together doing proactive patrols in the Swift Current area.
An RTU officer conducted a traffic stop on Highway #1. As a result of continued investigation, the two occupants of the vehicle were detained for a drug trafficking investigation.
During a search of the vehicle, officers located eight kilograms of fentanyl hidden under the spare tire. A photo of the fentanyl is attached.
The vehicle’s occupants were arrested.
SHP, Swift Current RCMP and Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team provided RTU valuable assistance during the traffic stop and subsequent investigation.
As a result of that continued investigation, 26-year-old Swati Narula and 28-year-old Kunwardeep Singh, both from Calgary, are each charged with one count, trafficking, Section 5(1), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. They appeared in Swift Current Provincial Court on January 29, 2025.
The accused told investigators that they were travelling to Regina.
“This is a significant fentanyl seizure. Keep in mind that only a few grains of fentanyl is enough to potentially cause a fatal overdose. We have prevented potentially millions of doses of this dangerous drug from entering our communities,” says Supt. Grant St. Germaine, Officer in Charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services. “I hope this is a message to others who choose to transport illicit goods in our province. Our officers are watching out for you.”
Here are just a few highlights of recent RTU work:
January 23, 2025: RTU officers stopped a vehicle on Highway #16 near Lloydminster. A RTU police dog alerted the officer to the odour of narcotics in the vehicle. Further investigation led officers to seize approximately $400,000 from the vehicle. The driver is charged with possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000. The investigation continues.
January 22, 2025: RTU officers stopped a vehicle on Highway #13 near Ponteix. It was determined the vehicle was commercial and the driver was unable to provide a bill of lading, as required by law. As a result of continued investigation, officers located and seized approximately nine kilograms of illicit cannabis and a large sum of cash from the vehicle. The driver was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possessing illicit cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, which is a charge under the Cannabis Act. The investigation continues.
January 9, 2025: RTU officers stopped a vehicle on Highway #1 near Swift Current. Further investigation led to officers locating and seizing approximately 700 kilograms of illicit cannabis and a sum of cash in the vehicle. Further details are available here.
November 19, 2024: RTU officers conducted a traffic stop on Highway #16 near Maidstone. A RTU police dog alerted the officer to the odour of narcotics in the vehicle. Further investigation led to officers locating and seizing approximately 50 kilograms of cocaine and a sum of cash from the vehicle. Further details are available here.
“Based on investigation and intelligence, we know illicit drugs are being transported across provincial borders into Saskatchewan,” Supt. St. Germaine says. “That’s why we have dedicated Saskatchewan RCMP officers – who work in tandem with partner agencies – who make it their mission to disrupt the flow of illegal activity. Our communities are safer because of their action.”
Question for written answer E-000266/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)
The Port of Licata is located on the south-west coast of Sicily, very close to the countries of North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria), with a high number of fishing vessels.
The port plays a vital role in supporting the local economy and ensuring compliance with the European regulations on safety and sustainable fisheries.
In addition, it is equipped with the facilities and equipment needed to carry out maintenance work on fishing vessels of all categories.
Designating the Port of Licata an authorised port for landings and transhipment operations of fishery products, within the meaning of Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, would not only ensure efficient vessel maintenance, but would, above all, support businesses and workers, both direct and indirectly.
The decision on which ports to designate lies with the Member States, which have to send the Commission an updated list of those ports each year.
In view of the above:
1.Have the Italian authorities already informed the Commission of the designated ports under Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 for 2025?
2.In light of the Port of Licata’s characteristics and infrastructures, does the Commission consider it suitable for inclusion in the list of designated ports under Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008?
The Justice Department today announced the coordinated seizure of 39 domains and their associated servers in an international disruption of a Pakistan-based network of online marketplaces selling hacking and fraud-enabling tools operated by a group known as Saim Raza (also known as HeartSender). The seizures were conducted in coordination with the Dutch National Police.
According to the affidavit filed in support of these seizures, Saim Raza has used these cybercrime websites since at least 2020 to sell phishing toolkits and other fraud-enabling tools to transnational organized crime groups, who used them to target numerous victims in the United States, resulting in over $3 million in victim losses.
The Saim Raza-run websites operated as marketplaces that advertised and facilitated the sale of tools such as phishing kits, scam pages, and email extractors, often used to build and maintain fraud operations. Not only did Saim Raza make these tools widely available on the open internet, it also trained end users on how to use the tools against victims by linking to instructional YouTube videos on how to execute schemes using these malicious programs, making them accessible to criminal actors that lacked this technical criminal expertise. The group also advertised its tools as “fully undetectable” by antispam software.
The transnational organized crime groups and other cybercrime actors who purchased these tools primarily used them to facilitate business email compromise schemes wherein the cybercrime actors tricked victim companies into making payments to a third party. Those payments would instead be redirected to a financial account the perpetrators controlled, resulting in significant losses to victims. These tools were also used to acquire victim user credentials and utilize those credentials to further these fraudulent schemes. The seizure of these domains is intended to disrupt the ongoing activity of these groups and stop the proliferation of these tools within the cybercriminal community.
Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Houston Field Office is investigating the case. The Justice Department appreciates the cooperation and significant assistance law enforcement partners in the Netherlands have provided.
Trial Attorney Gaelin Bernstein of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
Question for written answer E-000267/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Elena Nevado del Campo (PPE)
In 2022, Spain’s seven nuclear reactors generated 20.26 % of the total electricity produced by the Spanish national grid.
Unfortunately, the days of Spain’s nuclear power plants are numbered, despite the fact that nuclear energy is essential to EU competitiveness, as stated in the Draghi report. The government and the plant owners have agreed to decommission them on a rolling basis, with the final plant closing in 2035. The nuclear power plant in Almaraz, Extremadura, will be the first plant to close, in 2027.
The provisional agreement between the Council and Parliament on the Net-Zero Industry Act describes nuclear energy as ‘strategic’ to EU decarbonisation and states that nuclear energy plays a key role in guaranteeing energy independence and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In light of the above:
1.Does the Spanish strategy to decommission nuclear power plants align with the Commission’s increasing interest in boosting European competitiveness?
2.In the Commission’s view, will these measures not make the Spanish population poorer and increase the price of electricity in Spain?
Question for written answer E-000287/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Maria Zacharia (NI)
The European Commission has acknowledged through a letter of formal notice the unequal treatment of teachers on fixed-term contracts in Greece, particularly as regards maternity leave, child-rearing allowances and sick leave. Despite the fact that supply teachers cover vacant permanent posts for years, they are deprived of the rights enjoyed by their permanent colleagues. This unequal treatment is an infringement of Directive 1999/70/ΕC, which prohibits discrimination against fixed-term workers.
The European Commission has opened an infringement procedure [INFR(2024)4013] against Greece for failure to correctly transpose the above-mentioned directive into national law. However, to date no measures have been taken to remedy this injustice. Supply teachers are demanding the extension of the right to the nine-month child-rearing allowance, equal to that of permanent teachers, and full rights to maternal risk leave.
The Commission, respecting the EU’s fundamental principles of equal treatment and social justice, should bring more pressure to bear on Greece to comply.
What specific measures does the Commission plan to take to ensure that Greece immediately remedies this injustice, in compliance with the EU Treaties and directives?
Question for written answer E-000336/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Virginie Joron (PfE)
It has been reported[1] that the Commission has funded environmental organisations, including those supported by former Commissioner Frans Timmermans in connection with the Nature Restoration Law. Subsidies amounting to EUR 700 000 have reportedly been used to steer the public debate towards the greenest positions. This funding raises questions about the use of public funds and compliance with the principles of transparency and ethics.
Swift clarification is essential to ensure the proper use of public funds and restore citizens’ trust in the European institutions. In this regard:
1.Can the Commission confirm whether public subsidies have been used to encourage organisations to lobby for its own legislative proposals, and if so, to what extent?
2.What measures have been taken to prevent public funds from being used for indirect lobbying, in particular through the LIFE programme, which promotes green laws?
3.How does the Commission ensure transparency and impartiality in the award and use of subsidies allocated to organisations carrying out lobbying activities?
Submitted: 24.1.2025
[1] Lobbyschandaal in Brussel: EU betaalde milieuclubs in het geheim voor promotie van groene plannen Timmermans, Alexander Baaker, De Telegraaf, 22 January 2025.
Priority question for written answer P-000143/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Valérie Hayer on behalf of the Renew Group
Recent developments on major social media platforms demonstrate the inadequacy and delays in the Digital Services Act’s (DSA) enforcement. In particular, reports of algorithmic bias and public statements by certain platform owners, including X’s Elon Musk, allegedly boosting extremist or far-right political parties, have prompted fears of foreign interference in elections in Europe. The situation raises doubts about these platforms’ compliance with the DSA’s requirements, which aim to protect democratic processes, civic discourse and electoral processes, and requires an urgent reaction from the Commission.
In the light of this:
1.How and when does the Commission intend to ensure full and swift enforcement of the DSA’s obligations – particularly those concerning algorithmic transparency, systemic risks, adoption of mitigation measures and the removal of illegal content – when large social network platforms appear unwilling to cooperate?
2.What enforcement tools has the Commission deployed so far to address potential foreign interference and biased algorithms in recent elections, and how does the Commission intend to accelerate its investigations, in particular into X, and to strengthen its supervisory, investigation and enforcement powers ahead of upcoming elections to safeguard democratic integrity?
3.How will users and researchers get adequate access to data to verify compliance with the DSA?
Question for written answer E-000274/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Jorge Martín Frías (PfE)
The Spanish Supreme Court recently established that only architects are authorised to issue building assessment reports, with engineers, who previously were also allowed to do so without restriction, now being excluded from this role. In the majority of EU countries, engineers are authorised to assess buildings’ state of conservation and energy efficiency, which means that this judgment obstructs the free movement of professionals in the EU. This could mean that Spain is infringing EU law on freedom to provide services as job profiles are unjustifiably being restricted to the benefit of architects. This exclusive right enjoyed by architects is not laid down in any Spanish legislation and CNMC[1] reports conclude that it is anti-competitive, unjustified and in violation of EU law. This practice could be at odds with Directive 2006/123/EC[2], Directive 2005/36[3] and Directive 2018/958[4].
In light of the above:
1.What measures is the Commission considering to ensure that European engineers can enjoy their right to freedom to provide services in other Member States?
2.Will the Commission consider asking the Spanish Government to remove these barriers faced by European engineers when practising their profession?
Submitted: 22.1.2025
[1] National Commission for Markets and Competition in Spain
EIB makes leading contribution to development of large-scale Baltic Sea offshore wind farm
With capacity of 1.5 GW, Baltica 2 is the EU’s largest offshore wind fam to date
Initial loan under record €1.4 bln EIB financing approved for expanding Polish offshores
Underpinned by significant EU funding, investment will boost Poland’s energy transition
The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed an agreement to support Poland’s largest utility Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) with a €400 mln loan towards the design and construction of Baltica 2, the European Union’s largest offshore wind farm to date. Baltica 2 will feature innovative technology for a 1.5 GW capacity and sit off the Polish coast in the Baltic Sea. Supported by major European funding, it is being developed by PGE and leading offshore wind company, Denmark’s Ørsted.
The EIB loan is the biggest own resources contribution by a financial institution to the project. It is also the first part of a €1.4 bln package approved by the European Union’s climate bank to support PGE and Ørsted in erecting two new, large-scale offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea. Featuring state-of-the-art turbine technology, Baltica 2 is due to be completed as early as 2027. It will comprise of 107 turbines located some 40 km north of Poland’s Baltic shore. Together with its sister project Baltica 3, they are to have total capacity of 2.5 GW and double PGE’s existing renewable energy portfolio. Underpinned by significant EU support that includes funds from InvestEU, REPowerEU and Recovery and Resilience Facility, the strategic investment will contribute to Poland’s energy transition and security, as well as strengthening cooperation and energy security in the Baltic Sea region.
“As the climate bank of the European Union and a leading partner of multidimensional energy transition in Poland, the EIB is keenly supporting Baltica 2. The EIB’s investment of €400 million is the largest own resources contribution to this transformative project by a financial institution. Baltica 2 is the biggest offshore wind farm under construction in the European Union. It will increase the share of renewables in Poland’s energy mix and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will strengthen Poland’s energy security and support economic competitiveness by harnessing innovative technologies. I thank all partners involved and keep my fingers crossed for a swift and successful completion of this high-impact project,“ said EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska.
The EIB is the EU institution providing long-term financing for sound projects that pursue EU priorities. Owned by the 27 Member States, the EIB offers financing and advisory services to support economic competitiveness, spur innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a swift and fair transition to climate neutrality.
Last year, the EIB Group granted €89 billion in new financing, with a record €100 billion of total investments supported to the benefit of Europe’s energy security. Nearly 60% of last year’s funding supported climate action and environmental sustainability. The Group – which comprises the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund – is on track to meeting its goal of mobilising €1 trillion of climate investment by the end of this decade.
In Poland, more than half of the €5.1 billion provided by the EIB Group in 2023 was awarded to green and climate-friendly projects. Financing for Poland’s energy transition amounted to €1.78 billion that year. The Group will shortly publish results of its operations in Poland in 2024.
As the only member organisation of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the EU is actively involved in the development of the standards of Codex Alimentarius with the main objective of promoting coherence between Codex standards and the EU legislation.
The primary purpose of Codex Alimentarius is protecting the health of the consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade. In this context, the EU advocates for the inclusion of sustainability considerations, including environmental aspects, in the development of Codex standards.
For more information on the EU position regarding the role of Codex Alimentarius, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its Report to the Parliament and the Council on the application of EU health and environmental standards to imported agricultural and agri-food products[1], and in particular to its section on International standard-setting bodies.
EIB Group financing in Hungary totalled €314 million last year, with major investments to improve rail services, deliver power for local manufacturers and support small and medium enterprises
Latest annual figures bring total EIB Group investments in Hungary to more than €25 billion since 1991
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s new financing in Hungary last year amounted to €314 million, supporting projects to improve rail services, meet electricity demands from major local manufacturers and support small and medium enterprises (SME). This includes financing from both members of the EIB Group – the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF).
“Our 2024 results are good news for Hungary and the EU,” said EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwinska. “They are a testament to our ability to support national and EU priorities and ensure our citizens and businesses can thrive, contribute towards a globally competitive, sustainable and green future and ensure equal opportunities and a higher quality of living. With more than €25 billion invested in the country since 1991, the EIB Group has established itself as one of the most reliable sources of financial and advisory support for Hungary. We are ready to pursue this role in the years ahead.”
Modern rail and power networks
The biggest operation in Hungary to receive EIB Group funding last year was a €160 million EIB loan to regional railway operator GYSEV to improve network infrastructure and replace old diesel-powered trains with new electric ones. The loan will significantly improve the reliability of train connections between Hungary and Austria. The credit will also accelerate modernisation of the national rail network – a development priority for Hungary. In addition, the financing will boost economic activities in cohesion regions in western Hungary, reduce travel times and increase comfort for hundreds of thousands of rail commuters annually and cut air pollution.
The EIB Group also provided a €90 million EIB financing to Hungary to support investments undertaken by the energy companies E.ON and MAVIR to expand power grids to meet the electricity needs of key industrial sites, including ones that will boost the European Union’s ability to produce electric vehicles strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy in this area. The investment boosts economic activity in cohesion regions in Hungary.
Some €64 million in EIB Group financing supported Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises and Mid-Caps, the backbone of the national economy and a major source of employment for Hungarians.
The EIB Group signed €2.1 billion in new financing for Danish projects last year, a 48% increase from 2023 and more than double the 2022 volume.
2024 flagship projects include support for dual-use infrastructure in the Port of Esbjerg, the Thor North Sea wind farm, and state-of-the-art medical research and development.
Another notable highlight was the appointment of the Danish expert Merete Clausen as deputy Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund, the EIB’s subsidiary.
The European Investment Bank Group, consisting of the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, invested a record €2.1 billion in Danish projects last year, a record volume in the country. Worldwide, the EIB Group investment also reached a record level of €88.8 billion, of which no less than €50.7 billion in climate and environmental financing.
In line with national and EU priorities, EIB financing in Denmark focused on key infrastructure, green energy, and innovation. The EIB signed a €115 million loan to upgrade and expand the Port of Esbjerg, Europe’s largest port for shipping offshore wind turbines, increasing its capacity to accommodate larger vessels, including for NATO operations. This way, the EIB supports Europe’s energy security and sustainability as well as its security and defence capabilities. In the energy sector, the EIB financed the massive 1.1 GW Thor wind farm project with a €1.2 billion loan to German company RWE. Located off the Danish coast in the North Sea, the new wind farm will produce enough green electricity to supply one in three Danish households.
In 2024 the EIB Group also saw a notable uptick in financing for smaller companies in Denmark. Through affordable loans, guarantees or equity, over half the Group’s 2024 financing went to Danish small and medium-sized companies and Mid-Caps. Notably, Danish scale-up companies like SNIPR Biome, Matr Foods and Norlase, signed up for EIB venture debt financing, which aims to make sure that critical technology from Europe can grow and thrive in the EU. In a similar vein, the European Investment Fund (EIF) made a €24.8 million commitment to PSV Hafnium, the first-ever Danish venture fund dedicated solely to deep tech. Building on its close ties with the innovation ecosystem and DTU, the fund will support science-based clean tech, health tech and next generation industrial solutions.
“2024 was a landmark year for the EIB Group in Denmark, with significant investments in green energy, innovative industries, and critical infrastructure, including the Thor wind farm and the Port of Esbjerg.” said EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris. “We also significantly increased our financing for Danish SMEs, Mid-Caps and scale-ups, through both the EIF and the EIB. Deals with EIFO, Sydbank and Danish investment funds will help ensure that Danish companies have access to the financing needed to grow and innovate. Congratulations to all teams for this outstanding achievement, let’s keep the momentum in 2025.”
The EIF signed 12 transactions in Denmark last year, including equity investments in PSV Hafnium, Nine Realms and Den Sociale Kapitalfond, and guarantee transactions with Denmark’s Export and Investment Fund EIFO, Kompasbank, Ringkjøbing Landbobank and others. The EIF, which saw Danish national Merete Clausen appointed as deputy chief executive just before year end, made available a total of €361.7 million for Danish SMEs in 2024.
Background information
The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, contribute to peace and security, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality. Denmark owns 2.64% of the European Investment Bank.
This briefing provides an initial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission’s impact assessment (IA) accompanying the proposal to establish an application for the electronic submission of travel data (‘EU digital travel application’) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399, (EU) 2018/1726 and (EC) No 2252/2004 as regards the use of digital travel credentials, and the proposal on the issuance of and technical standards for digital travel credentials based on identity cards. The proposals were referred to the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).
Question for written answer E-000263/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Maria Grapini (S&D)
In recent years, farmers have been faced with major disruptions caused by climate disasters, food market shocks due to the war in Ukraine and looming concerns over the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. One significant upshot of all these factors is that it has become increasingly difficult for farmers to access financing as the agricultural sector is subject to increased risks and farmers are facing liquidity problems after having to deal with the repeated disruptions. This problem is all the more acute in the case of young farmers, who are viewed as having an even higher risk profile due to their supposed lack of experience, making them two to three times more likely to be rejected by credit providers.
Bearing this situation in mind, could the Commission answer the following questions:
1.What measures does it plan to take to lower the risk profile of young farmers, thus increasing the chances that their applications for credit will be approved, and at lower interest rates?
2.Has it considered creating financial instruments for agricultural credit providers to encourage them to agree to loans for young farmers and to reduce interest rates on these loans through schemes such as the provision of debt guarantees?
On 29 January, at the committee meeting AFCO had the pleasure of welcoming Mr Adam Szłapka, Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Poland, who presented the programme of the Polish EU Council Presidency
Gaming is no longer a niche activity reserved for a select few – it’s a global pastime enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds and interests. In fact, studies show 81% of Australians engage in some form of gaming.
But for those who don’t consider themselves “gamers”, it can be hard to know where to start. The idea of picking up a complex, console-focused title might feel intimidating.
But fear not. Whether you’re looking for a game that’s mentally stimulating, addictive enough to help kill time, or simply something everyone can enjoy, there are plenty of options. Here are our top picks for beginners.
1. Real Bird Fake Bird
Since Wordle’s meteoric rise in 2022, we’ve seen a wave of daily browser games, including Tradle, Vulture’s Cinematrix and the New York Times’ Connections.
The Melbourne-based developers behind the critically acclaimed Scrabble-esque Gubbins have created the newest addition to this list: Real Bird Fake Bird.
The premise is simple. Each day you’re given a topic, and are supposed to guess whether seven different things are “real” or “fake” examples of that topic. For instance, Adele is a real example of a Grammy winner, but “sun condemnation” is a fake example of a yoga pose.
Sounds simple, right? It’s harder than it seems. The lists often have devilish examples of fakes that seem real, and real things that seem fake, leaving you second-guessing.
And just like with Wordle, you can share your score with friends once you’ve made all seven guesses. It’s a great way to spend a minute of your day.
You can share your Real Bird Fake Bird score with your friends. Studio Folly
Then there’s a hypnotic re-imagining of the card game poker, Balatro, (playable everywhere).
Each round involves playing poker hands to hit a points target, but these hands can be upgraded and augmented by a deck of “jokers” that favour particular poker hands or combinations of cards. Hands swiftly ascend to scoring tens of thousands (if not millions) of points per hand, in a near-perfect gameplay loop that combines card-game logic with the immersive flow of games like Tetris.
Balatro, largely developed by a single, anonymous developer, was one of 2024’s biggest hits. It sold more than 3,500,000 copies, won best indie game and best mobile game at the Game Awards 2024, and even secured a surprise nomination for game of the year.
This is the gaming equivalent of an anonymous independent filmmaker getting a nod for Best Picture at the Oscars.
3. The Case/Rise of the Golden Idol
This recommendation is targeted at mystery lovers. If you, or someone you know, can’t get enough of films like Knives Out (2019) or mystery books like The Thursday Murder Club, then the Golden Idol series (2022 and 2024) may be the perfect fit.
Each level shows the moment of a crime and it’s up to the player to interact with the characters and environment to fill in the blanks on a file explaining what happened.
With simple controls and a retro art style recalling the classic LucasArts adventure games, much of the joy in the Golden Idol games comes from the devious logic puzzles the cases provide.
One case revolves around placing the locations of all the house guests at an estate party, while another involves interpreting an entire language made out of dance moves. Combine these puzzles with a delightful sense of humour and a slightly mystical meta-narrative and these games will keep your inner detective occupied for hours.
The original and sequel are both Netflix games, and are available through Netflix on mobile and tablet.
4. Mouthwashing
Heavily inspired by the films Alien (1979) and The Shining (1980) – and not for the faint-of-heart – Mouthwashing (2024) is perfect for horror fans who want to dip their toes into the gaming world.
The cargo spaceship Tulpar is deliberately crashed by its captain mid-voyage. Unable to call for help, its five crew members can do nothing but wait for rescue. They open the hold in search of food or medicine, but instead find millions of bottles of mouthwash. Lost in space with minimal supplies, the crew begin to turn on each other – and wonder why their beloved captain crashed the ship in the first place.
A haunting story of human fallibility, Mouthwashing tells its tale through “walking sim” gameplay: the player simply wanders around the wreck of the Tulpar, interacting with objects and characters, without any complicated controls.
With a compelling cast, gorgeously surreal art direction and a focus on dread and despair (rather than jump scares), Mouthwashing is a wonderful introduction to the renaissance happening in horror games right now.
For those who have endless bird facts on hand, can identify a bird at a glance and look forward to the Aussie Bird Count each year, Wingspan is the perfect game.
The goal of this competitive, card-driven board game (which also has a videogame version) is to attract the best birds to various habitats by gathering food and laying eggs. Each player also has a randomly determined individual goal, which they can use to score extra points, making Wingspan very re-playable.
The best aspects of the game include the beautiful art and the delightful facts on each bird card. There is even an Oceania expansion, so you can gather and admire Australian birds, too!
Wingspan is a relaxing and captivating strategy card game about birds. Steam
Although Wingspan was released in 2018, last year its publisher, Stonemaier Games, also released Wyrmspan – a spiritual successor which focuses on hatching dragons instead of birds. Wyrmspan is more complex than Wingspan, though, and offers a steeper learning curve for less-experienced board game players.
Acknowledgement: we would like to acknowledge the contributions of Mads Mackenzie to this article, director of the upcoming game Drăculești and co-director of the Freeplay Independent Games Festival.
Marcus Carter is a recipient of an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (#220100076) on ‘The Monetisation of Children in the Digital Games Industry’. He has previously received funding from Meta, TikTok and Snapchat, and has consulted for Telstra. He is a current board member, and former president, of the Digital Games Research Association of Australia.
Taylor Hardwick is employed under funding by the Australian Research Council (Future Fellowship #220100076; DECRA #240101275). She is a board member of Freeplay, a Melbourne-based independent games festival.
Finn Dawson and Ryan Stanton do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
As January lingers on, families may find themselves struggling with what a friend of mine has labelled the “electronic nanny”.
Children have been out of their normal routines for weeks during the holidays. Some are still yet to go back to school. Meanwhile, parents are back at work and needing to juggle those commitments with bored kids.
How can families encourage healthy screen use as we ease back into the routine of a new school year?
Parental monitoring recommended
While screen use guidelines provide time limits, there is now a broader move among experts towards “curation over duration”.
This means it matters what children are watching – not simply how long they are watching it for.
Is the content age-appropriate? Is it educational or inspiring? Has it been well-reviewed)?
This means parents should play an active role in what content kids are viewing or engaging with. An easy way to do so is to view with children, or at a minimum be present in the same room and alert to what they are watching.
When you are “interactive co-viewing”, you not only watch together, you also discuss the content. This helps children engage with what they are watching and then make connections off-screen.
For example, if you are interested in a sea creature you see on Octonauts, you could go and find a book about it in the local library. Or you could discuss a moral dilemma you see on SpongeBob SquarePants: should SpongeBob have quit his job after another chef was mean about his cooking?
For older children, you could discuss plot points in films or strategies in games.
If possible, try to watch programs with your child and talk about what you are watching. Kevin Woblick/ Unsplash, CC BY
There are also lots of ways to use screens that can build skills and encourage critical thinking and creativity. Some things to try include:
producing a short film, or stop-motion animation, all the way from idea, to script, shooting and editing
taking and editing photos to make a calendar
exploring an area of interest, such as dinosaurs, the Titanic or ballet dancing, using sites such as ABC Education or PBS LearningMedia.
investigating generative artificial intelligence (AI). For example, test the capabilities of ChatGPT by asking it a question your child knows the answer to, and evaluating the response together. Does it contain all the relevant information? Is it fair and balanced?
exploring how easy it is to edit an image, and consider what this tells us about the potential for online misinformation.
Research shows interactive screen use – such as playing games or using educational apps – is more beneficial for kids than just passively viewing content. It can can even support literacy, numeracy and academic persistence.
You can also use screens to encourage physical activity. For example, these holidays, my little ones have enjoyed “shaking their sillies out” with dance-along videos by Danny Go!. They have also done “yoga in space” with Cosmic Kids.
Older kids may enjoy the dance fitness program Zumba, boxing or sports competitions on the Nintendo Switch.
It’s also important for kids to see parents doing things other than using phones and other screens when they have downtime. Parents play a powerful role modelling time away from screens.
Make sure your kids see you enjoy offline activities too, such as reading, playing sport and socialising. If you are struggling to do this as a family – and we all know it is is hard – think about revisiting some of the old standards. You could:
And remember, you are certainly not the only family telling your kids “this is the very last episode”. If today has been a struggle, take tomorrow to recharge and reconnect as a family. Screens are part of our lives today, and we are all striving to find balance.
Jennifer Stokes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natasa Gisev, Clinical pharmacist and Scientia Associate Professor at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
However, there are no new safety concerns when paracetamol is used as directed. And children’s products are not affected.
What is paracetamol?
Paracetamol is commonly sold under brand names such as Panadol, Dymadon and Panamax. It’s used to treat mild pain and fever for short periods or can be prescribed for chronic (long-term) pain.
Millions of packs of this cheap and accessible medicine are sold in Australia every year.
Small packs (up to 20 tablets) have been available from supermarkets and other retailers such as petrol stations. Larger packs (up to 100 tablets) are only available from pharmacies.
Paracetamol is relatively safe when used as directed. However, at higher-than-recommended doses, it can cause liver toxicity. In severe cases and when left untreated, this can be lethal.
Why are the rules changing?
In 2022, we wrote about how the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) was considering changes to paracetamol access because of an increase in people going to hospital with paracetamol poisoning.
An expert review it commissioned found there were about 40-50 deaths every year from paracetamol poisoning between 2007 and 2020. Between 2009-10 and 2016-17, hospital admissions for this increased (from 8,617 to 11,697), before reducing in 2019-20 (8,723). Most admissions were due to intentional self-poisonings, and about half of these were among people aged ten to 24.
After the report, the TGA consulted with the public to work out how to prevent paracetamol poisonings.
Options included reducing pack sizes, limiting how many packs could be bought at once, moving larger packs behind the pharmacy counter and restricting access by age.
Responses were mixed. Although responses supported the need to prevent poisonings, there were concerns about how changes might affect:
people with chronic pain, especially those in regional areas, where it may be harder to access pharmacies and, therefore, larger packs
people on limited incomes, if certain products were made prescription-only.
Although deaths from paracetamol poisoning are tragic and preventable, they are rare considering how much paracetamol Australians use. There is less than one death due to poisoning for every million packs sold.
Because of this, it was important the TGA addressed concerns about poisonings while making sure Australians still had easy access to this essential medicine.
If you buy large packs of paracetamol for chronic pain, you’ll need to go to the pharmacy counter. StratfordProductions/Shutterstock
So what’s changing?
The key changesbeing introduced relate to new rules about the pack sizes that can be sold outside pharmacies, and the location of products sold in pharmacies.
From February 1, packs sold in supermarkets and places other than pharmacies will reduce from a maximum 20 tablets to 16 tablets per pack. These changes bring Australia in line with other countries. These include the United Kingdom, which restricted supermarket packs to 16 tablets in 1998, and saw reductions in poisonings.
In all jurisdictions except Queensland and Western Australia, packs sold in pharmacies larger than 50 tablets will move behind the pharmacy counter and can only be sold under pharmacist supervision. In Queensland and WA, products containing more than 16 tablets will only be available from behind the pharmacy counter and sold under pharmacist supervision.
In all jurisdictions, any packs containing more than 50 tablets will need to be sold in blister packs, rather than bottles.
Several paracetamol products are not affected by these changes. These include children’s products, slow-release formulations (for example, “osteo” products), and products already behind the pharmacy counter or only available via prescription.
What else do I need to know?
These changes have been introduced to reduce the risk of poisonings from people exceeding recommended doses. The overall safety profile of paracetamol has not changed.
Paracetamol is still available from all current locations and there are no plans to make it prescription-only or remove it from supermarkets altogether. Many companies have already been updating their packaging to ensure there are no gaps in supply.
The reduction in pack sizes of paracetamol available in supermarkets means
a pack of 16 tablets will now last two days instead of two-and-a-half days if taken at the maximum dose (two tablets, four times a day). Anyone in pain that does not improve after short-term use should speak to their pharmacist or GP.
For people who use paracetamol regularly for chronic pain, it is more cost-effective to continue buying larger packs from pharmacies. As larger packs (50+ tablets) need to be kept out of sight, you will need to ask at the pharmacy counter. Pharmacists know that for many people it’s appropriate to use paracetamol daily for chronic pain.
Natasa Gisev receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Ria Hopkins receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
This rhetorical and ideological vagueness obscures a pivotal point: there is no such thing as a singular form of democracy.
The ACT Party is behind both bills, and its leader David Seymour has also justified the Treaty Principles Bill – now before select committee – as upholding and protecting democracy. He asks, “are we a modern democracy where all citizens have equal rights?”.
But democracy takes various forms, and has done for millennia. Derived from the Ancient Greek “demos” (people) and “kratos” (power or rule), the word broadly means “rule by, or power of, the people”. And this can be realised in a number of ways.
The classical Greek form was direct democracy, also known as deliberative or participatory democracy. This involved male citizens participating equally and directly in political decisions.
In contrast, the ancient Roman form was indirect, representative democracy. Representatives elected by eligible citizens made decisions on their behalf. This was the basic model enacted in the 1852 New Zealand Constitution Act, as in most modern democracies.
Other models exist, too. But the point is that democracy is an evolving concept. It’s wrong to assert that any type of governance or decision-making other than our existing system of representative democracy (one person, one vote, underpinned by the rule of law) is undemocratic or anti-democratic.
Tyranny of the majority
Many of the political mechanisms the current government wishes to dismantle – such as Māori wards and consultation processes – were established because of the problems associated with representative democracy.
It is widely accepted that political representation should reflect the different characteristics of a community. But what has been called the “tyranny of the majority” can lead to minorities being constantly outvoted.
Unable to gain representation in proportion to their population, their interests are excluded. In short, it is entirely possible for democracy to be applied in ways that promote inequality rather than equality.
The common interpretation of equality as meaning “sameness” – everybody receiving the same resources and opportunities – underlies the insistence that laws and policies must be applied regardless of individual and group difference. Anything else is unfair or “special” treatment.
However, these assertions overlook the bias of our institutions towards members of the dominant or majority culture, and the unequal outcomes (in health and elsewhere) for Māori people that have resulted in marginalisation and disadvantage.
Correcting that imbalance is a political challenge. As others have argued, “protecting minority rights is an equal characteristic of genuine democracy”.
Contentious legislation: the hīkoi (protest march) against the Treaty Principles Bill arrives at parliament, November 2024. Getty Images
Tino rangatiratanga and democracy
The term “equity” refers to this recognition of the inequalities that exist between people. Where these inequalities are avoidable and unfair, resources and opportunities need to be allocated to reach an equal outcome.
For Māori, the unfairness extends beyond unequal health and other socioeconomic outcomes. It involves the disregarded guarantees pledged by the Crown in te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
These included Māori rights of self-determination, or tino rangatiratanga, which is the source of so much contemporary debate.
Tino rangatiratanga challenges the singular base of power assumed by the Crown, and a “one size fits all” system of representation. But despite claims to the contrary, others argue upholding tino rangatiratanga is entirely possible within the realms of democracy.
The idea of “rule of and by the people” may take many forms, as the work of Matike Mai, the Independent Working Group on Constitutional Transformation, tries to demonstrate.
In proposing constitutional change, Matike Mai describes a sphere of influence based on the Māori-Crown relationship where “conciliatory and consensual democracy” operates.
Difference and equity
It has been argued that te Tiriti is “of its time” and should therefore be subject to reinterpretation. And yet the same argument is rarely made about notions of democracy and equality that have been with us since 1852.
This is relevant to many communities which experience avoidable and unfair health and social inequalities, not only Māori.
In September last year, a Cabinet Office circular required public sector agencies to ensure “services are not arbitrarily allocated on the basis of ethnicity or any other aspect of identity”.
On the face of it, this is a call for fair and equal treatment based on need. But the language suggests difference is about how an individual chooses to identify, rather than how their identity and circumstances cause them to be treated differently in the first place.
As long as this is the case, those differences and their associated needs will always be underserved.
Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement on last night’s tragic crash involving a plane and military helicopter at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA):
“The collision at DCA of an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter is a shocking tragedy, and my condolences are with the victims and their families. We don’t yet know the specifics of how this happened, and we are awaiting more details. The National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Defense have already announced investigations into this terrible incident, which will take time. As we wait, I want to express my gratitude to the emergency responders and dive teams who are on the scene.
“Congress has worked to fund and bolster aviation safety measures as well as strengthening Air Traffic Controller (ATC) staffing and training with last year’s passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act, which was a focus of mine as a member of Senate Commerce Committee. That’s now under threat by the Trump Administration. We need to ensure that our aviation safety and staffing measures are as strong as possible to build back the trust of the flying public. We cannot have leaders making detrimental, rash decisions to overhaul critical aspects of our national transportation network for the sake of irrelevant culture wars. We need to immediately confirm a qualified FAA Administrator who is committed to safety and staffing.”
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Deputy President Paul Mashatile attends and speaks at the Official Opening of the first phase of the BAPS Hindu Mandir Temple and Cultural Complex in Johannesburg
Catherine Russell never forgets the children she meets. As Executive Director of UNICEF, she bears witness to the stories of tens of millions of children and young people suffering around the world, and shares causes for optimism and hope wherever she finds it.
“Children just want to be children. No matter what, the bleakest situation, the most terrible things, they still want to play right? They want to find some joy. They want to just be kids, and I think that’s what we have to all work to protect.”
2024 was one of the worst years on record for children in conflict, a devastating statistic that the United Nations is refusing to accept as a deadly new normal. In this episode*, Catherine Russell reflects on the impacts of childhood trauma, the limits of human resilience, and looks back on a childhood spent trick-or-treating for UNICEF.
* Episode recorded in the end of 2024
[00:00] Introduction
[03:01] Witnessing suffering firsthand
[05:50] The challenges of war
[07:10] What keeps Catherine awake at night
[09:43] The crisis in Sudan
[10:46] The horrors of sexual violence
[13:56] Afghan girls’ lost opportunities
[16:38] Advocating against child marriage
[18:22] Vaccinating the world’s children
[20:06] Children in Gaza
[22:35] Empowering boys and girls equally
[26:34] Catherine’s personal journey to public service
[28:24] Catherine’s childhood inspiration and mentors
[32:10] Coping with the job’s challenges
[33:47] Closing remarks
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #UNICEF #children
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
For Olivia and her family, moving into their new apartment through FEMA’s Direct Lease program marked a significant moment in their recovery after Tropical Storm Helene destroyed their home in North Carolina.
The Direct Lease program, part of FEMA’s Direct Housing mission, works alongside state and county partners to provide temporary housing for disaster survivors. By covering the costs for property managers to offer ready-to-occupy homes, the program helps families take the next step toward rebuilding their lives.
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
Chairwoman McClain’s Statement on the U.S. House Passing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Washington, January 23, 2025
WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) released the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives passing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act:
“Democrats don’t want born-alive babies to get life-saving medical care. This is insane. They prefer to do nothing—letting born-alive babies die in the delivery room. Their position is more extreme than communist countries like North Korea and China,” McClain said. “Fortunately, House Republicans just stepped up and passed a law to save babies’ lives. I am proud of Congresswoman Ann Wagner for her tireless effort on this legislation.”
