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How Contactless Technologies Are Shaping the Future of Retail

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a woman sitting at a desk using a cell phone
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The retail landscape is changing, and contactless technology is leading the charge. Gone are the days of fumbling for cash or cards; a simple tap or scan now suffices. This shift isn’t just about ease – it’s shaping expectations and experiences.

Consider QR codes: once a novelty, now pivotal in facilitating swift exchanges while offering enriched product narratives. As retailers adapt to this touch-free world, we witness a dynamic blend of convenience and innovation unfolding before our eyes. We’ll explore the tech driving this trend and its tangible benefits in the retail sphere.

The Touchless Transformation: QR Codes at the Forefront

The ascent of QR codes in retail has been meteoric. Take Walmart’s adoption, for instance – a true testament to this technology’s practical prowess. Walmart’s “Scan & Go” revolutionized shopping by transforming smartphones into on-the-go checkout stations, allowing instant item scanning and app-based payment.

This isn’t merely a convenience play; it’s a strategic recalibration to meet consumers where they stand – on tech-savvy ground. QR codes are bridging gaps, making information and transaction points almost invisibly integrated into the shopping journey. 

As tools for engagement and efficiency, these square-shaped gateways are redefining customer interactions with every scan.

Speed and Simplicity: How Contactless Enhances Customer Experience

Amazon’s introduction of “Just Walk Out” technology in their Amazon Go stores embodies the pinnacle of contactless retail, eliminating traditional checkout lines completely. Shoppers enter, pick up their items, and simply leave – their Amazon account is automatically charged for their purchases. 

This frictionless experience isn’t merely faster; it respects the customer’s time and alters the notion of in-store shopping from a chore to a smooth part of daily life.

It’s clear that contactless solutions deliver more than reduced wait times – they build a new blueprint for what an efficient and respectful transaction looks like. In doing so, they forge an expectation for immediacy that other retailers are now striving to match or exceed.

The Seamless Merge of Offline and Online Shopping

Nike’s “Nike by Melrose” store is a stellar example of blending the digital with the physical. By leveraging data analytics, they tailor the in-store stock to match local preferences, directly informed by online shopping trends in the area. 

Shoppers can reserve shoes online to try on in-store or use the Nike app to unlock a locker containing their selected items. The interplay of Nike’s physical stores with their online data heightens personalization, making every visit a unique encounter where ease reigns supreme. 

Here, commerce transcends mere transactions to craft bespoke experiences for every shopper. This innovative approach is charting the course for future retail, converging digital convenience and in-person service into one seamless journey.

Inventory Intelligence and the Rise of Real-Time Retail

As retailers harness the power of contactless tech, inventory management metamorphoses into a strategic asset. Zara’s integration of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tags exemplifies this revolution. 

By tracking stock in real-time, they ensure that what customers see online is immediately available in-store – blurring the lines between warehouse and retail space. This leap forward not only optimizes stock levels but also feeds valuable data back into their digital marketing efforts, enabling hyper-targeted campaigns that resonate with consumer behavior. 

The result? Higher efficiency behind the scenes and a more dynamic, responsive shopping experience in the front. It’s a smart marriage of logistics and marketing that keeps both shelves and customers consistently engaged.

Beyond the Buzz: Measurable Gains from Going Contactless

The effectiveness of contactless technology in retail isn’t just anecdotal; it’s quantifiable. Starbucks offers a case in point, with their Mobile Order & Pay system accounting for a significant portion of transactions, boosting sales and customer throughput. 

This isn’t merely about cutting down on queue times – it represents an evolution in how businesses view transactional efficiency. The shift to contactless is not just enhancing the customer experience – it’s also bolstering bottom lines. 

The numbers don’t lie; they paint a picture of heightened productivity and profitability. By integrating these technologies, retailers are not only keeping pace with contemporary commerce but setting themselves up for sustained success in an ever-more digital economy.

Contactless: The Checkout of Tomorrow, Today

As we close the ledger on our contactless discussion, it’s evident that these technologies are more than a fleeting convenience – they’re the keystones of future retail. By blending experience with personalization, businesses are curating spaces where shopping is synonymous with efficiency and enjoyment. 

As the data underscores successes and case studies illustrate innovation, one thing is clear: Contactless technology is not just shaping retail’s future; it’s defining it.



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Scientology’s Stand for Human Rights: A Look at the Budapest Protest Against Psychiatry

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Press release. In Budapest, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) staged a protest during the European Psychiatric Association Congress, criticizing harmful psychiatric practices. The event featured a march and an exhibition, highlighting the need for substantial reforms in the mental health industry, as requested by United Nations and the World Health Organization.

A protest took place in Budapest challenging practices within the field of psychiatry during the European Psychiatric Association Congress. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) organized this demonstration to shed light on what they view as abusive or harmful methods in psychiatry. The event included a march and an exhibition aiming to bring attention to issues within the mental health industry and advocate for significant reforms.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Scientology's Stand for Human Rights: A Look at the Budapest Protest Against Psychiatry

The EPA Congress, held in April 2024 faced criticism for not taking action in response to recent directives from international bodies such as the UN and the World Health Organization. These directives called for an end to abusive psychiatric approaches, a matter that critics felt was not adequately addressed by the EPA’s theme of “Mental Health: Open and Inclusive.”

Led by CCHR Hungary, the protest began with a march through Budapest’s city center that concluded at the Budapest Congress and Exhibition Center, where the EPA Congress was being held. The march remained peaceful yet impactful, underscoring the protesters calls for reforms in practices.

After the march, CCHR Hungary presented an exhibit titled “Psychiatry; An Industry of Death.” This display, showcased in cities across the United States and Europe, utilizes records, videos and other types of evidence gathered over a span of more than five decades to scrutinize the field of psychiatry. The exhibit reveals the repercussions of psychiatric methods, including contentious treatments like brain operations and “electroconvulsive therapy” and how they have influenced various aspects of society including prominent artists and historical events.

During the exhibit’s unveiling, János Dobos, the head of CCHR Hungary, spoke fervently. “This material underscores the impact of psychiatry and the often harmful effects it has on individuals and society as a whole” stated Dobos. “It is essential for us to question these practices and advocate for treatment alternatives.”

Known for its intense content, the exhibition cautions visitors about its nature and allows entry to individuals only above 16 years old, unless accompanied by an adult. Its goal is to inform the public about events and current challenges in psychiatry while promoting a reassessment of how mental health issues are addressed and treated.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Scientology's Stand for Human Rights: A Look at the Budapest Protest Against Psychiatry

CCHR, the mental health watchdog organization founded in 1969 by psychiatrist Thomas Szasz in collaboration with the Church of Scientology, has consistently sparked attention and support due to its critical yet accurate perspective on psychiatry and its methods.

Recent incidents in Budapest have triggered a discussion on the involvement of psychiatry, in contemporary healthcare and the moral consequences of its methods. As discussions progress CCHR aims to persist in supporting what they see as changes to safeguard individuals rights and enhance mental health services globally.

Members of the Church of Scientology, the religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard, are dedicated to promoting rights, especially in the realm of mental health. Drawing inspiration from Mr. Hubbard’s teachings, they advocate for the safeguarding and acknowledgment of the rights of all individuals in healthcare, stressing the importance of holistic approaches to mental health care. This dedication forms part of a goal to make human rights a tangible reality across all aspects of life, including within the field of mental health.

Senior UN aid official urges comprehensive response to Haiti crisis

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Senior UN aid official urges comprehensive response to Haiti crisis

Haitians have been facing a multitude of challenges over the years, encompassing political, security, social and economic issues. The protracted crisis has been further exacerbated by months of brutal gang violence that claimed more than 2,500 lives in the first quarter of 2024 alone.

Having recently returned from the country, Carl Skau, WFP Deputy Executive Director, told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York that the crisis was the worst since the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

“Half the population – some five million people are acutely food insecure,” he said, adding that over a million are in the IPC Phase 4 or Emergency level of hunger.

He stressed that a political and security response to the crisis needs to be accompanied by a robust humanitarian response.

“What I saw on the ground is that this can be done, also at the centre of the crisis, in Port-au-Prince. But that we need also to do more on resilience and development elsewhere to really try to break this vicious cycle,” he added.

‘Crisis felt everywhere’

About 90,200 people are displaced in the Port-au-Prince Metropolitan Area, with that number continuing to rise, according to the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA).  

At the same time, trade is disrupted in other parts of the country, inflation is rising sharply, and supplies are beginning to run out.

“The crisis is felt everywhere,” Mr. Skau said, urging a differentiated response.

“What we need is an emergency response in Port-au-Prince, but we can continue to do other kinds of support, including development support in the rest of the country,” he said.

The WFP official noted that aid supplies are starting to run out on the ground.

“And so, we would need to replenish also with shipments. So, we are hoping, having seen that the international airport open at least for one flight, that that can be sustained and expanded, and also that there would be an opening of the port in Port-au-Prince.”

Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), briefs reporters on his recent visit to Haiti.

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End EU ‘complicity’ in China organ abuse, say rights groups

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In an open letter to the European Union’s (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, human rights organisations have urged Josep Borrell to ‘protect EU citizens and institutions from complicity’ in China’s state-sanctioned practice of forced organ harvesting.

Initiated by the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC) and supported by more than a dozen global human rights organisations, the joint correspondence was penned in response to the promulgation of new regulations in China concerning organ donation and transplantation.

There was optimism that the ‘Regulation on Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs’, effective on May 1st, would lead to the alignment of China’s domestic laws and practices with international medical and ethical standards.

However, human rights experts have since condemned the new measures as grossly inadequate. According to campaigners, the ‘Regulation lacks necessary transparency measures’ with respect to the sourcing of organs, and ‘fails to incorporate the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guiding Principles on Human Cell, Tissue and Organ Transplantation into its framework.’

This has led to a system that ‘lacks accountability and denies justice to victims of forced organ harvesting.’

In view of credible reports of forced organ harvesting continuing in China, and no evidentiary indication that forced organ harvesting has ceased, signatories to the letter warn that ongoing EU institutional support for entities engaged in organ transplantation and research in China leaves EU institutions and professionals ‘complicit in aiding and abetting forced organ harvesting.’[1]

Given the prospect of EU citizens travelling to China for transplantations using illegally harvested organs with impunity, the letter also calls for the introduction of ‘mandatory reporting of transplant tourism outside the EU by health professionals and institutions to protect EU citizens and institutions from complicity in the abuse abroad.’

In addition to urging Chinese counterparts to introduce greater transparency and access in line with WHO guidelines, the EU’s foreign policy chief was also pressed to hold China to account for ‘historic injustices of forced organ harvesting against persecuted minorities.’

Researchers estimate that since the early 2000s, there have been between 60,000 and 100,000 transplants taking place every year in China.

Falun Gong practitioners, who are killed when the organs are removed, are believed to be the main source of supply. Since 2017, the Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnic group based in China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang, have also been victims of forced organ harvesting.

Background

For over two decades, China has been accused of prosecuting a state-sponsored campaign of forced organ harvesting using prisoners of conscience, most notably, members of the Falun Gong, a Buddhist spiritual practice.

In 2019, the China Tribunal, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice KC, the lead prosecutor of former Serbian war criminal Slobodan Milošević at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, conducted an independent legal analysis of all available evidence.  

The inquiry concluded that ‘forced organ harvesting has been committed for years throughout China on a significant scale and that Falun Gong practitioners have been one – and probably the main – source of organ supply.’

In January, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to end its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. The motion also called for the EU and Member States to impose diplomatic and financial sanctions on entities and individuals found responsible.

Susie Hughes, Executive Director of the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC), said:

“In line with its human rights responsibilities, the EU must urgently investigate initiatives – backed by institutional funding – that are engaged with China’s transplant sector for potential breaches of international law.

“At the same time, the EU and its Member States must confront rising cases of transplant abuse involving EU citizens. The EU must introduce mandatory reporting requirements on the provenance of organs obtained overseas to ensure compliance with international law and ethical standards.

“Failure to act risks the EU, its institutions or citizens being complicit in egregious abuses of human life and in the commission of crimes against humanity.”

Thierry Valle, President of the Coordination of Associations and Individuals for Freedom of Conscience (CAP Freedom of Conscience), commented:

“In light of the Regulation’s continued failure to comply with international law and standards of transparency concerning organ donation and transplantation, and with no evidence the practice of forced organ harvesting has ended in China, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) must finally face censure for its systemic brutality.

“It is high time that the EU uses the tools at its disposal, including the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, to deter further violations of human rights and seek redress for victims by imposing sanctions on CCP officials guilty of gross abuses.”

Read the full letter : https://europeantimes.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Open-Letter-of-Concern_.pdf

About the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC)

The International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC) is a coalition of lawyers, academics, ethicists, medical professionals, researchers and human rights advocates dedicated to ending forced organ harvesting in China.

ETAC is an independent, non-partisan organisation. We are not aligned with any political party, religious or spiritual group, government or any other national or international institution. Our members are from a range of backgrounds, belief systems, religions and ethnicities. We share a common commitment to supporting human rights and ending the horror of forced organ harvesting.

Contact: [email protected]

About The China Tribunal 

The China Tribunal, a people’s tribunal into forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience in China, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice KC, conducted an independent legal analysis into the allegations and all available evidence.

Following 12 months of inquiry, the Tribunal unanimously and ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ concluded that forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience has been a state-sanctioned, systematic, widespread practice in China that has claimed the lives of a substantial number of victims and that it continues today.

For more information, please visit: www.chinatribunal.com.

[1] We note the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs and its ratification by at least some EU Member States, as well as their implementing legislation. We note further that several EU Member States have nationality jurisdiction, which means that their local laws against forced organ harvesting apply to their nationals abroad.

Rights chief urges Russia to end crackdown as journalist detentions reach all-time high

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Rights chief urges Russia to end crackdown as journalist detentions reach all-time high

Volker Türk said he was concerned by the increasing number of journalists charged, convicted and jailed for their independent reporting, in what appears to be an intensification of a crackdown on dissenting voices.

He described the continuous attacks on free speech and the criminalization of independent journalism in Russia as “very troubling”.

“The intensification of the crackdown on journalists’ independent work must immediately cease and the right to inform – a key component of the right to freedom of expression – needs to be upheld,” he said. 

Criminal charges, lengthy sentences 

The number of imprisoned journalists in Russia has reached an all-time high since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the High Commissioner’s Office, OHCHR, reported. 

At least 30 journalists are currently detained under a variety of criminal charges that include terrorism, extremism, disseminating knowingly false information about the armed forces, spying, treason, extortion, infringing upon people’s rights, violating the provisions of the law on foreign agents, inciting mass disturbances, and illegal possession of explosives or drugs.

Twelve are serving sentences ranging from five-and-a-half to 22 years behind bars. They include Vladimir Kara-Murza, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post newspaper in the United States, who was on Monday awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. 

Controlling the narrative 

Since March, at least seven journalists have faced administrative or criminal charges, particularly for criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine or for alleged links to the late opposition politician Alexey Navalny, and his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which was labelled as ‘extremist’ in 2021.

“The Russian authorities appear to be attempting to further strengthen control of the narrative, both around domestic issues and the conduct of hostilities in Ukraine,” Mr. Türk said. 

“As a result, people in Russia have increasingly restricted access to non-State information and viewpoints, which hampers their ability to benefit from diverse sources and make fully informed decisions on matters of vital public interest.” 

Release jailed journalists 

The UN rights chief also expressed concern over the frequent use of the broad legislative framework to combat terrorism and extremism, urging the authorities to amend the legislation. 

“Journalists should be able to work in a safe environment without fear of reprisals – in line with Russia’s international human rights obligations,” he said. “I call on the authorities to immediately drop charges against journalists detained solely for doing their jobs, and to release them.”  

 

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OpenAI announced new tool to detect images created by DALL·E 3

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Comparaison : DALL·E 2 contre DALL·E 3. Crédit image : OpenAI

OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, announced on Tuesday the launch of a new tool capable of detecting images created by its text-to-image generator, DALL·E 3.

The decision to develop and release this software comes amid growing concerns about the role of AI-generated content in this year’s global elections, including the prominent use of such content to spread misinformation.

The tool, backed by Microsoft, has shown in internal testing to correctly identify images created by DALL·E 3 approximately 98% of the time and is able to withstand common image alterations like compression, cropping, and changes in saturation.

Additionally, OpenAI is implementing tamper-resistant watermarking to help authenticate digital content such as photos and audio, making these watermarks difficult to remove. In an effort to establish more robust standards for media provenance, OpenAI has joined an industry coalition that includes tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Adobe.

To further address the existing global challenges, OpenAI, in collaboration with Microsoft, is initiating a $2 million “societal resilience” fund aimed at bolstering AI education and awareness. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need to equip societies with the knowledge to navigate the complexities introduced by advanced AI technologies.

Written by Alius Noreika

World News in Brief: ‘Barbaric’ sexual violence in Sudan, Haiti’s transitional council in place, rights experts condemn Iran rapper’s death sentence

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Sudan catastrophe must not be allowed to continue: UN rights chief Türk

Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten together with Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya said that more than a year into the battle for control of the country between rival militaries, the “barbaric acts” being committed “echo the horrors witnessed in Darfur two decades ago”.

They urged Security Council members who met this week to debate Ms. Patten’s latest report on sexual violence to send “an unequivocal message: under international humanitarian law, civilians in Sudan must be protected and must never be subjected to acts of sexual violence, which constitute war crimes”.

The disturbing reports show how women and girls are being disproportionately impacted.

Millions at risk

Allegations of rape, forced marriages, sexual slavery, and trafficking of women and girls – especially in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan – continue to be recorded with millions of civilians at risk as they flee conflict areas in search of shelter, inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries.

The two top women officials noted that the true scale of the crisis remains unseen, “a result of severe underreporting due to stigma, fear of reprisals, and a lack of confidence in national institutions.”

Without more financial and political support for frontline responders, access to life-saving services will only continue to shrink, they warned.

UN welcomes Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council

Hopes rose on Thursday of political progress amid the multiple crises engulfing gang-ravaged Haiti, with the formal resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the official installation of the Transitional Presidential Council.

Mr. Henry had agreed to step down in March after heavily armed criminal gangs seized the country’s airport and blocked his return. He will be replaced by former Finance Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who takes over as interim Prime Minister.

Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric said the UN welcomed the newly-formed Council.

Call for swift international police deployment

“We call on the new authorities and all stakeholders to expedite the full implementation of the transitional governance arrangements,” he said.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the swift deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti, authorized by the Security Council in October last year, to support the Haitian National Police and return law and order to the streets after months of turmoil which has left millions in need, Mr. Dujarric added.

“The Secretary-General appeals to all Member States to ensure the Multinational Security Support mission receives the financial and logistical support it needs to succeed.”

Iran: Rights experts alarmed by death sentence imposed on rapper Toomaj Salehi

UN Human Rights Council-appointed independent experts demanded the immediate release of Iranian rapper and songwriter Toomaj Salehi on Thursday and urged authorities to reverse his death sentence.

“Criticism of government policy, including through artistic expression is protected under the rights to freedom of expression and the right to take part in cultural life. It must not be criminalised,” the experts said.

“Art must be allowed to criticise, to provoke, to push the boundaries in any society.”

They expressed alarm at his sentencing and alleged ill-treatment “which appears to be related solely to the exercise of his right to freedom of artistic expression and creativity”.

Freedom of expression

“As harsh as Mr. Salehi’s songs are to the government, they are a manifestation of artistic freedom and cultural rights,” they said.

The rapper was initially sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests but was released after Iran’s Supreme Court ruled that it had identified flaws in the original sentence.

However, he was detained again on 30 November last year for expressing his opinion on the Iranian government and revealing that he was tortured and placed in solitary confinement for 252 days following his arrest in October 2022.

Toomaj Saleh’s harsh sentencing takes place against a backdrop of severe restriction on artistic freedom and other forms of expression in the country said the experts.

“We have received allegations that it is increasingly common for artists, activists and journalists to be arrested and detained on charges such as ‘publishing false news’ or ‘propaganda against the state’,” the experts said.

They called on Iran to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

Special Rapporteurs are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and receive no salary for their work.

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Lithuanian, French, and German projects receive the 2024 Charlemagne Youth Prize

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photo of three men jumping on ground near bare trees during daytime
Photo by Zachary Nelson on Unsplash

On Tuesday, the European Parliament and the International Charlemagne Prize Foundation awarded the 2024 European Charlemagne Youth Prize in a ceremony in Aachen.

First prize – “Sisterhood Pathways” from Lithuania

The first prize of €7,500 went to “Sisterhood Pathways” from Lithuania – a multifaceted campaign to raise awareness and combat violence against women in the Baltic Sea region. It uses wall painting, handbooks, workshops, webinars and social media campaigns for community engagement and to provide information about preventing violence against women and support victims.

Second prize – “Think, act and advocate together” (France)

A second prize (€5,000) was awarded to French platform to empower youth “Think, act and advocate together to leave no young people behind”. The project aimed to mobilise European young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. For over two years, the project gathered one hundred young people from over ten European countries who have experienced poverty and exclusion. They met regularly to reflect and discuss the unfair situations they experience daily.

Third prize – Europe magazine (Germany)

A third prize (€2,500) went to the online Europe magazine from Germany, which visualises Europe’s diversity through infographics, maps, and statistics, offering clarity and accessibility, to make it easier to understand Europe. Instead of lengthy texts, the magazine uses visual journalism and easily digestible visuals to cover politics, culture, environment, and society.

Background

The European Charlemagne Youth Prize, jointly awarded by the European Parliament and the International Charlemagne Prize Foundation, is open to initiatives by young people aged 16-30 involved in projects that strengthen democracy and support active participation. Since 2008, 5,866 projects have competed for the prize.

Every year, national and European juries select a project from each EU country. 27 national winners were invited to the award ceremony in Aachen on 7 May 2024, where the three EU winners were announced.

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Gaza’s unexploded ordnance could take 14 years to clear

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Gaza’s unexploded ordnance could take 14 years to clear
© WHO - A UN team assesses damage to medical facilities in Gaza.

Making Gaza safe again from unexploded bombs could take 14 years, UN demining experts said on Friday. 

Pehr Lodhammar, a senior officer from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), said that the war has left an estimated 37 million tonnes of debris.

He said it was impossible to determine the exact amount of unexploded ordnance in the enclave where formerly heavily built-up and densely populated neighbourhoods have been reduced to rubble, after nearly seven months of intense Israeli bombardment.

Every square metre in Gaza impacted by the conflict contains some 200 kilogrammes of rubble, the veteran UN demining expert told journalists in Geneva.

“All I can say is that at least 10 per cent of the ammunition that is being fired potentially fails to function…with 100 trucks we’re talking about 14 years of work with 100 trucks, so that’s 14 years to remove with about 750,000 workdays – person workdays – to remove the debris.”   

Hostage release call to Hamas

The development came as the leaders of 18 nations including the United States called on Thursday for the release of all remaining hostages taken during the Hamas-led terror attacks in southern Israel that killed some 1,250 people.

Israel reportedly believes that more than 130 hostages are still being held in Gaza after the 7 October attacks which prompted the Israeli bombardment that has killed more than 34,350 Palestinians and wounded over 77,360, according to the enclave’s health authorities. 

Famine threat remains

Meanwhile, UN humanitarians repeated warnings that famine is imminent in the northern Gaza Strip, in a renewed urgent appeal for more aid relief to be allowed into the enclave.

Israel pledged three weeks ago to improve aid access via the Erez Crossing just north of Gaza and Ashdod cargo port, further northwards. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that a small increase in aid had happened, but not nearly enough in volume – or diversity. 

“We’re still heading towards a famine, we haven’t seen that paradigm shift that’s needed to avert a famine, we need more volume, more predictability and a sustained effort to get more diverse assistance into the north,” said Carl Skau, WFP Deputy Executive Director.

Amid reports of sustained Israeli strikes on eastern Rafah, Mr. Skau underlined continuing deep concerns that any ground invasion of the enclave’s southernmost city risked disrupting already insufficient aid distributions.

And turning to efforts to establish a marine corridor for humanitarian aid, the WFP official insisted that “there is no substitute for land” deliveries into Gaza.

Flotilla appeal

In a related development, top rights experts have appealed to Israel for safe passage for a flotilla of boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The “Freedom Flotilla” plans to depart from Türkiye carrying 5,500 tonnes of aid, along with hundreds of international humanitarian observers, en route for the besieged Gaza Strip. 

“As the Freedom Flotilla approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, Israel must adhere to international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid,” said the experts, who include Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food.  

In 2010, the experts noted that Israel intercepted and attacked the Freedom Flotilla’s civilian ships in international waters, killing 10 passengers and wounding many others. 

At the time, the Freedom Flotilla had attempted to break the Israeli blockade by delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

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Europe Day: major monuments across the EU lit up ahead of the European elections

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© European Parliament

Europe Day, over 60 cities across Europe will display messages calling on citizens to vote, one month ahead of the 6-9 June EU elections.

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Grand Place in Brussels are among many landmarks across the EU that will be illuminated to mark 9 May, Europe Day, and the one-month countdown for the European Elections (6-9 June). They will display the election campaign slogan “Use your vote. Or others will decide for you.” or the European flag between Wednesday 8 May and Thursday 9 May.

Amongst the other landmark buildings and monuments participating are the the Samuel Beckett Bridge and national parliament buildings in Dublin, Vilnius’ town hall, Fort St Angelo in Valletta, the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Cibeles square in Madrid, the National Parliament in Bucharest, to name just a few.

With these illuminations taking place in cities across the continent, the European Parliament and national and local authorities are collaborating to send a message of togetherness to 440 million European citizens about the importance these European elections will have for everyone’s future. 9 May, Europe Day, is a not just a day of remembrance, but also a day to consider our shared future. The day’s proximity to the elections makes it a more meaningful occasion than ever.

Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic ‘Schuman declaration‘ that set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

You can see a list of participating monuments here, and footage and pictures will be available after the event.

Check the European Parliament’s elections press kit for more information on the European Elections and the EP’s activities and role.

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