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European Sikhs Honor L. Ron Hubbard on his anniversary

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Mr Binder Singh and Ivan Arjona with recognition to L. Ron Hubbard
Mr Binder Singh and Ivan Arjona with recognition to L Ron Hubbard (Photo credit: Church of Scientology)

#pressrelease – The President of the European Sikh Organization, Mr. Binder Singh, recently honored L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology at an event celebrating their shared values and commitment to interfaith collaboration and human rights advocacy. The tribute recognized Hubbard’s efforts in promoting unity between faiths and religions, which inspired the President of the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights, to further improve the collaboration between the Sikh and Scientology communities through dialogue and shared initiatives.

L. Ron Hubbard, the man inspiring an all-inclusive movement

The meeting brought together members of the Sikh and Scientology communities and the atmosphere was filled with respect and understanding emphasizing the significance of fostering harmony among different beliefs in our present day society.

During his statement, the ESO President praised L. Ron Hubbard for his approach in bridging gaps between various faith traditions. Binder Singh highlighted Hubbard’s teachings as “catalysts for promoting respect, understanding and collaboration, among religious groups” and finding the parallelism in spirituality between the two faiths. This collaborative spirit has brought the Sikh and Scientology communities together to work on projects that support rights and advocate for freedom of belief for everyone, everywhere and at all times.

The partnership between the two communities has resulted in discussions on different faiths collaborative humanitarian efforts, presentations at the European Parliament and others focused on fostering acceptance and comprehension of diverse religions. These endeavors have not only positively impacted the communities involved but have also set an example for other religious groups to follow.

The acknowledgment of L. Ron Hubbard by the European Sikh Organization underscores the lasting influence of his teachings in inspiring efforts in promoting harmony and solidarity among religious beliefs. It highlights the significance of “shared principles and the necessity of working towards mutual objectives to make of this world a better place” said Ivan Arjona, Scientology representative to the European institutions and the United Nations.

In his closing statements the President of ESO Mr. Binder Singh urged all communities to “continue building upon the groundwork established by figures like Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh Faith and L. Ron Hubbard“. “Let us honor L. Ron Hubbard’s legacy by strengthening our dedication to interfaith cooperation and advocacy for rights. Together we can shape a world where respect for all faiths is not a concept but a tangible reality.“

The gathering concluded with a prayer led by leaders from both Sikh and Scientology communities symbolizing their collective aspiration for a future characterized by enhanced understanding and collaboration, among individuals of all faiths.

The event not just commemorated the day of an extraordinary individual but also emphasized the significance of conversations and teamwork, among different faiths to tackle the current issues. By working consistently the Sikh and Scientology groups are demonstrating a strong model of how respect and joint efforts can bring about significant transformations.

What is the Sikh faith?

The Sikh faith, founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the Punjab region, is a monotheistic faith emphasizing unity, equality, and a direct connection with God. Guru Nanak, the first of ten Sikh Gurus, initiated a religion that rejects caste and gender discrimination, advocating instead for the universal brotherhood of humanity. The core teachings, enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, focus on the oneness of God, the importance of remembering God’s name (“Naam Japna”), and living a life of honesty (“Kirat Karni”). Community service (“Seva”) is exemplified by the “Langar,” a communal meal open to all, reflecting Sikhism’s commitment to altruism and equality. These foundational principles encourage Sikhs to lead lives of spiritual devotion and social justice.

What is Scientology?

The Scientology religion, founded in the 20th century by L. Ron Hubbard, started originally with his book Dianetics. The teachings found there evolved in 1952 into the religious movement it is today. The Church of Scientology was founded in 1954, focusing on spiritual rehabilitation and enlightenment. Central to its beliefs is the concept of the human soul, or “Thetan,” being immortal and capable of transcending multiple lifetimes. Through a process called “auditing,”(spiritual counselling) individuals work to overcome past traumas and limiting beliefs, aiming to unlock their full potential towards an understanding of his/her relation with God or Infinity. Scientology emphasizes the pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and integrity, offering a path towards greater spiritual awareness and personal well-being. The religion encourages followers to study its teachings to improve their lives and contribute positively to society.

MEPs agree to extend trade support for Moldova, continue work on Ukraine

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European Parliament - Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response (debate)

Parliament voted with 347 votes in favour, 117 against and 99 abstentions to amend the Commission’s proposal to suspend import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from 6 June 2024 to 5 June 2025. MEPs referred the report back to the Committee on International Trade to start negotiations with the Council

The legislation gives the Commission the power to take swift action and impose any necessary measures should there be significant disruptions to the EU market, or to the markets of one or more EU countries due to Ukrainian imports, including an emergency brake for particularly sensitive agricultural products MEPs voted to amend the Commission’s proposal to include more sensitive products and a wider reference date for calculating average volumes.

The liberalising measures are conditional on Ukraine’s respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law, and its sustained efforts to fight corruption and organised crime.

Supporting Moldova

In a separate vote on Wednesday, Parliament agreed with 459 votes in favour, 65 against and 57 abstentions that all remaining duties on imports from Moldova should be suspended for another year.

Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine has also hit the Republic of Moldova hard as it relies heavily on Ukrainian transit routes and infrastructure for its own exports. The trade liberalisation measures allowed Moldova to redirect some of its trade with the rest of the world via the EU. Most Moldovan exports already benefit from duty-free access to the EU market under the Association Agreement.

Next steps

On Moldova, the measures will now have to be formally approved by EU governments. The new regulation should enter into force immediately when the current regulation expires. The current suspension expires on 5 June 2024 for Ukraine and on 24 July 2024 for Moldova. On Ukraine, the MEPs will start negotiations with the Council.

Background

The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, has ensured that Ukrainian businesses have preferential access to the EU market since 2016. In the immediate aftermath of the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU put in place autonomous trade measures (ATMs) in June 2022, which allow duty-free access for all Ukrainian products to the EU. These measures were extended by one year in 2023. In January, the EU Commission proposed that import duties and quotas on Ukrainian and Moldovan exports should be suspended for another year. Russia has deliberately targeted Ukrainian food production and Black Sea exporting facilities to undermine the country’s economy and threaten global food security.

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Legal migration: MEPs endorse beefed-up single residence and work permit rules

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The European Parliament backed today more effective EU rules for combined work and residence permits for third-country nationals.

The update of the Single permit directive, adopted in 2011, which established a single administrative procedure for delivering a permit to third-country nationals wishing to live and work in an EU country, and a common set of rights for third-country workers, was adopted today with 465 votes in favour, 122 against and 27x abstentions.

Faster decisions on applications

In negotiations, MEPs succeeded in setting a 90-day limit for a decision to be taken on applications for a single permit, compared to the current four months. Procedures on especially complex files might get a 30-day extension and the time to deliver a visa, if necessary, is not included. New rules will introduce the possibility for a holder of a valid residence permit to apply for a Single Permit also from within the territory, so a person who is legally residing in the EU could request to change their legal status without having to return to their home country.

Change of employer

Under the new rules, single permit holders will have the right to change employer, occupation and work sector. MEPs ensured in negotiations that a simple notification from the new employer would suffice. National authorities will have 45 days to oppose the change. MEPs have also limited the conditions under which this authorisation can be subject to labour market tests.

EU states will have the option to require an initial period of up to six months during which a change of employer will not be possible. However, a change during that period would still be possible if the employer seriously breaches the work contract, for example by imposing particularly exploitative working conditions.

Unemployment

If a single permit holder is unemployed, they will have up to three months –or six if they have had the permit for more than two years- to find another job before their permit is withdrawn, compared to two months under the current rules. EU states may choose to offer longer periods. If a worker has experienced particularly exploitative working conditions, member states shall extend by three months the period of unemployment during which the single permit remains valid. If a single permit holder is unemployed for more than three months, member states may require them to provide evidence that they have sufficient resources to support themselves without using the social assistance system.

Quote

After the vote, the rapporteur Javier Moreno Sanchez (S&D, ES) said: “Regular migration is the best instrument to combat irregular migration and human traffickers. We need to address irregular migratory flows, foster coherence between the different legal migration instruments and facilitate foreign workers’ integration. The review of the Single Permit Directive will support workers from third countries to reach Europe safely, and European companies to find the workers they need. At the same time we will avoid and prevent labour exploitation, by strengthening the rights of third countries’ workers and protecting them more effectively against abuse.”

Next steps

The new rules have to now formally be approved by the Council. Member states will have two years after the entry into force of the directive to introduce the changes to their national laws. This legislation does not apply in Denmark and Ireland.

Euro 7: Parliament adopts measures to reduce road transport emissions

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With 297 votes in favour, 190 against and 37 abstentions, Parliament adopted the deal reached with the Council on the Euro 7 regulation (type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles). Vehicles will need to comply with the new standards for longer, ensuring they remain cleaner throughout their lifetime.

Reducing emissions, increasing battery durability

For passenger cars and vans, the current Euro 6 test conditions and exhaust emissions limits will be maintained. For buses and trucks, stricter limits will be applied for exhaust emissions measured in laboratories and in real driving conditions, while maintaining the current Euro VI testing conditions.

For the first time, EU standards will include brake particles emissions limits (PM10) for cars and vans and minimum performance requirements for battery durability in electric and hybrid cars.

Better information to consumers

An Environmental Vehicle Passport will be made available for each vehicle and contain information on its environmental performance at the moment of registration (such as pollutant emission limits, CO2 emissions, fuel and electric energy consumption, electric range, battery durability). Vehicle users will also have access to up-to-date information about fuel consumption, battery health, pollutant emissions and other relevant information generated by on-board systems and monitors.

Quote

Rapporteur Alexandr Vondra (ECR, CZ) said: “We have successfully struck a balance between environmental goals and the vital interests of manufacturers. We want to ensure the affordability of new smaller cars with internal combustion engines for domestic customers and at the same time enable the automotive industry to prepare for the expected transformation of the sector. The EU will now also be addressing emissions from brakes and tyres and ensuring higher battery durability.”

Next steps

Council needs to formally approve the agreement as well before it can enter into force.

Background

On 10 November 2022, the Commission proposed more stringent air pollutant emissions standards for combustion-engine vehicles, regardless of the fuel used. The current emission limits apply to cars and vans (Euro 6) and to buses, trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles (Euro VI).

In adopting this report, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations to promote the purchase of electric vehicles complying with good battery life standards, to advance the deployment of digital and electrical infrastructure, and to reduce EU’s energy dependency from foreign actors, as expressed in proposals 4(3), 4(6), 18(2) and 31(3) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

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Petteri Orpo: “We need a resilient, competitive and secure Europe”

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Petteri Orpo: “We need a resilient, competitive and secure Europe”

Addressing MEPs, the Finnish Prime Minister highlighted a strong economy, security, the clean transition and continued support for Ukraine as key priorities for the EU.

In his “This is Europe” address to the European Parliament, Prime of Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo focussed on three key factors for the coming years. First, strategic competitiveness, which is important as Europe’s productivity is falling behind that of key competitors. To thrive in a global landscape, Europe needs a fully functioning internal market, investments in innovation and skills, and a more effective use of its budget, said Mr Orpo. The EU also needs to conclude new trade deals, he argued.

Secondly, Mr Orpo emphasised the importance of security. This includes ramping up the defence industry so EU and NATO can complement each other, as well as defending the EU’s external borders against Russian hybrid attacks. The economic vitality of border regions is also crucial from a security perspective, said Mr Orpo.

Thirdly, the Prime Minister raised the clean transition as another key priority. To tackle climate change and phase out fossil fuels while creating jobs, the transition needs to leverage the bioeconomy and circular economy. Mr Orpo argued that climate goals should be reached with more innovation, not only more regulation.

Finally, Mr Orpo underlined that supporting Ukraine is a strategic necessity for Europe. Although Russia has shifted to a war economy, it is not invincible, and its military capabilities are limited. Mr Orpo encouraged Europeans to pool their resources to support Ukraine by accelerating ammunition production immediately, by allocating additional funding to the European Peace Facility, and by extending the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) capabilities beyond dual-use projects.

Reactions from MEPs

In their interventions after Prime Minister Orpo’s address, several MEPs praised Finland’s leadership on climate and digital policy as well as on gender equality. They also welcomed the country’s accession to NATO and called on the EU to rise to the challenges linked to external diplomacy and defence.

Others criticised the Finnish centre-right government’s choice of forming a coalition with the far right at home, stressing the dangers this could pose for Europe. Some MEPs also criticised the Finnish PM for policies they said undermine the Finnish labour market as well as social and worker protection.

You can watch the debate here.

Artificial Intelligence Act: MEPs adopt landmark law

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selective focus of blue-eyed person
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On Wednesday, Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act that ensures safety and compliance with fundamental rights, while boosting innovation.

The regulation, agreed in negotiations with member states in December 2023, was endorsed by MEPs with 523 votes in favour, 46 against and 49 abstentions.

It aims to protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field. The regulation establishes obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.

Banned applications

The new rules ban certain AI applications that threaten citizens’ rights, including biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics and untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage to create facial recognition databases. Emotion recognition in the workplace and schools, social scoring, predictive policing (when it is based solely on profiling a person or assessing their characteristics), and AI that manipulates human behaviour or exploits people’s vulnerabilities will also be forbidden.

Law enforcement exemptions

The use of biometric identification systems (RBI) by law enforcement is prohibited in principle, except in exhaustively listed and narrowly defined situations. “Real-time” RBI can only be deployed if strict safeguards are met, e.g. its use is limited in time and geographic scope and subject to specific prior judicial or administrative authorisation. Such uses may include, for example, a targeted search of a missing person or preventing a terrorist attack. Using such systems post-facto (“post-remote RBI”) is considered a high-risk use case, requiring judicial authorisation being linked to a criminal offence.

Obligations for high-risk systems

Clear obligations are also foreseen for other high-risk AI systems (due to their significant potential harm to health, safety, fundamental rights, environment, democracy and the rule of law). Examples of high-risk AI uses include critical infrastructure, education and vocational training, employment, essential private and public services (e.g. healthcare, banking), certain systems in law enforcement, migration and border management, justice and democratic processes (e.g. influencing elections). Such systems must assess and reduce risks, maintain use logs, be transparent and accurate, and ensure human oversight. Citizens will have a right to submit complaints about AI systems and receive explanations about decisions based on high-risk AI systems that affect their rights.

Transparency requirements

General-purpose AI (GPAI) systems, and the GPAI models they are based on, must meet certain transparency requirements, including compliance with EU copyright law and publishing detailed summaries of the content used for training. The more powerful GPAI models that could pose systemic risks will face additional requirements, including performing model evaluations, assessing and mitigating systemic risks, and reporting on incidents.

Additionally, artificial or manipulated images, audio or video content (“deepfakes”) need to be clearly labelled as such.

Measures to support innovation and SMEs

Regulatory sandboxes and real-world testing will have to be established at the national level, and made accessible to SMEs and start-ups, to develop and train innovative AI before its placement on the market.

Quotes

During the plenary debate on Tuesday, the Internal Market Committee co-rapporteur Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy) said: “We finally have the world’s first binding law on artificial intelligence, to reduce risks, create opportunities, combat discrimination, and bring transparency. Thanks to Parliament, unacceptable AI practices will be banned in Europe and the rights of workers and citizens will be protected. The AI Office will now be set up to support companies to start complying with the rules before they enter into force. We ensured that human beings and European values are at the very centre of AI’s development”.

Civil Liberties Committee co-rapporteur Dragos Tudorache (Renew, Romania) said: “The EU has delivered. We have linked the concept of artificial intelligence to the fundamental values that form the basis of our societies. However, much work lies ahead that goes beyond the AI Act itself. AI will push us to rethink the social contract at the heart of our democracies, our education models, labour markets, and the way we conduct warfare. The AI Act is a starting point for a new model of governance built around technology. We must now focus on putting this law into practice”.

Next steps

The regulation is still subject to a final lawyer-linguist check and is expected to be finally adopted before the end of the legislature (through the so-called corrigendum procedure). The law also needs to be formally endorsed by the Council.

It will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the official Journal, and be fully applicable 24 months after its entry into force, except for: bans on prohibited practises, which will apply six months after the entry into force date; codes of practise (nine months after entry into force); general-purpose AI rules including governance (12 months after entry into force); and obligations for high-risk systems (36 months).


Background

The Artificial Intelligence Act responds directly to citizens’ proposals from the Conference on the Future of Europe (COFE), most concretely to proposal 12(10) on enhancing EU’s competitiveness in strategic sectors, proposal 33(5) on a safe and trustworthy society, including countering disinformation and ensuring humans are ultimately in control, proposal 35 on promoting digital innovation, (3) while ensuring human oversight and (8) trustworthy and responsible use of AI, setting safeguards and ensuring transparency, and proposal 37 (3) on using AI and digital tools to improve citizens’ access to information, including persons with disabilities.

The Evolution and Impact of AdTech Development Services

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The Evolution and Impact of AdTech Development Services


In the ever-expanding digital landscape, advertising technology, or AdTech, has become a pivotal force shaping how businesses reach and engage their target audiences. AdTech development services play a crucial role in this ecosystem, facilitating the creation and optimization of advertising campaigns across various platforms and channels. From programmatic advertising to data-driven insights, AdTech development services have revolutionized the way brands connect with consumers. In this article, we’ll explore the evolution, significance, and impact of AdTech development services in today’s marketing landscape.

Advertising - artistic impression.

Advertising – artistic impression. Image credit: Julian Hochgesang via Unsplash, free license

Evolution of AdTech Development Services

The journey of AdTech development services traces back to the early days of digital advertising when banner ads and pop-ups dominated the online space. As technology advanced, so did the sophistication of advertising techniques. AdTech developers began harnessing data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to refine targeting, improve ad relevance, and enhance campaign performance.

The rise of programmatic advertising marked a significant milestone in AdTech development. Programmatic platforms automate the buying and selling of ad inventory in real-time, enabling advertisers to reach their desired audience with precision and efficiency. AdTech developers played a pivotal role in building the infrastructure and algorithms powering these programmatic exchanges, driving unprecedented scalability and optimization in digital advertising campaigns.

 Significance of AdTech Development Services

AdTech development services are instrumental in addressing the complexities of modern advertising. From ad serving and targeting to measurement and attribution, these services provide the technical expertise needed to navigate the intricacies of digital marketing channels effectively. Here are some key aspects highlighting the significance of AdTech development services:

  1. Targeted Advertising: AdTech developers leverage data analysis and machine learning algorithms to identify and target specific audience segments based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. This targeted approach ensures that ads are delivered to the most relevant users, maximizing engagement and ROI.
  2. Real-Time Bidding (RTB): Real-time bidding platforms allow advertisers to bid on ad impressions in milliseconds, enabling dynamic pricing based on supply and demand. AdTech developers design and optimize RTB systems to handle massive volumes of transactions efficiently, ensuring seamless ad delivery and optimal campaign performance.
  3. Ad Fraud Detection: AdTech development services incorporate robust fraud detection mechanisms to combat fraudulent activities such as click fraud, bot traffic, and ad stacking. By implementing advanced algorithms and machine learning models, developers can detect and mitigate fraudulent behavior in real-time, safeguarding advertisers’ investments and maintaining the integrity of digital advertising ecosystems.
  4. Cross-Channel Integration: AdTech developers work on integrating advertising campaigns across multiple channels, including display, social media, search, video, and mobile. This omnichannel approach ensures consistent messaging and maximizes reach across diverse audience touchpoints, driving higher brand visibility and engagement.
  5. Data Analytics and Insights: AdTech development services enable advertisers to gain valuable insights into campaign performance through comprehensive data analytics. By analyzing metrics such as impressions, clicks, conversions, and customer journeys, advertisers can optimize their strategies in real-time, improving targeting, creative messaging, and media allocation for better results.

Impact of AdTech Development Services

The impact of AdTech development services extends beyond just advertising effectiveness; it influences the entire marketing ecosystem, driving innovation, and reshaping industry dynamics. Here are some key ways AdTech development services have made a profound impact:

  1. Personalized Experiences: AdTech development services empower brands to deliver personalized experiences tailored to individual preferences and behaviors. By leveraging data-driven insights, advertisers can create hyper-targeted campaigns that resonate with consumers on a personal level, fostering deeper connections and driving brand loyalty.
  2. Efficiency and Scalability: Automation and optimization capabilities provided by AdTech development services streamline the advertising process, making it more efficient and scalable. Advertisers can reach global audiences with minimal manual intervention, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives and creative innovation.
  3. Revenue Growth: AdTech development services enable publishers to monetize their digital properties more effectively through targeted advertising and yield optimization strategies. By maximizing the value of ad inventory, publishers can generate higher revenues and reinvest in content creation and audience engagement initiatives.
  4. Market Transparency: AdTech development services promote transparency and accountability in the advertising ecosystem by providing advertisers with granular insights into campaign performance and ad placements. This transparency fosters trust between advertisers, publishers, and consumers, leading to a more sustainable and equitable marketplace.
  5. Innovation and Adaptation: AdTech development services drive continuous innovation in response to evolving consumer behaviors, technological advancements, and regulatory changes. Developers are constantly exploring new technologies such as augmented reality, voice search, and connected TV advertising to stay ahead of the curve and deliver cutting-edge solutions to advertisers and publishers alike.

Conclusion

AdTech development services represent the engine powering the modern advertising ecosystem, enabling advertisers and publishers to navigate the complexities of digital marketing with precision and efficiency. From targeting and optimization to fraud detection and analytics, these services play a vital role in shaping the future of advertising. As technology continues to evolve, AdTech developers will remain at the forefront of innovation, driving transformative change and unlocking new opportunities for brands to connect with consumers in meaningful ways.



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Media Freedom Act: a new bill to protect EU journalists and press freedom | News

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Media Freedom Act: a new bill to protect EU journalists and press freedom | News

Under the new law, adopted by 464 votes in favour to 92 against and 65 abstentions, member states will be obliged to protect media independence and all forms of interventions in editorial decisions will be banned.

Protecting journalists’ work

Authorities will be prohibited from pressing journalists and editors to disclose their sources, including by detaining them, sanctions, office searches, or by installing intrusive surveillance software on their electronic devices.

Parliament added sizeable safeguards to allow the use of spyware, which will be possible only on a case-by-case basis and subject to authorisation by a judicial authority investigating serious crimes punishable by a custodial sentence. Even in these cases, subjects will have the right to be informed after the surveillance has occurred and will be able to challenge it in court.

Editorial independence of public media

To prevent public media outlets from being used for political purposes, their heads and board members should be selected through transparent and non-discriminatory procedures for sufficiently long terms of office. It will not be possible to dismiss them before their contract ends, unless they no longer meet the professional criteria.

Public media will have to be financed using transparent and objective procedures, and the funding should be sustainable and predictable.

Transparency of ownership

To enable the public to know who controls the media and what interests may influence reporting, all news and current affairs outlets regardless of their size will have to publish information about their owners in a national database, including if they are directly or indirectly owned by the state.

Fair allocation of state advertising

Media will also have to report on funds received from state advertising and on state financial support, including from non-EU countries.

Public funds to media or online platforms will have to be allocated via public, proportionate and non-discriminatory criteria. Information on state advertising expenditure will be public, including the total annual amount and the amount per outlet.

Protecting EU media freedom from big platforms

MEPs made sure to include a mechanism to prevent very big online platforms, such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, from arbitrarily restricting or deleting independent media content. Platforms will first have to distinguish independent media from non-independent sources. Media would be notified when the platform intends to delete or restrict their content and have 24 hours to respond. Only after the reply (or in the absence of it) may the platform delete or restrict the content if it still does not comply with its conditions.

Media will have the option to bring the case to an out-of-court dispute settlement body and request an opinion from the European Board for Media Services (a new EU board of national regulators to be set up by the EMFA).

Quotes

“The significance of media plurality for a functioning democracy cannot be stressed enough”, rapporteur from the Culture and Education Committee Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE) said in the plenary debate. “Press freedom is threatened worldwide, including in Europe: the murder in Malta, threats to press freedom in Hungary and many other examples clearly prove that. The European Media Freedom Act is our answer to this threat and a milestone in European legislation. It values and protects the double role of media as businesses and as guardians of democracy”, she concluded.

The rapporteur from the Civil Liberties Committee Ramona Strugariu (Renew, RO) said: “Journalists now have an ally, a set of tools that protects them, boosts their independence and helps them face challenges, interference and the pressure that they are often confronted with in their job. This Regulation is a response to Orbán, Fico, Janša, Putin and those who want to transform media into their own propaganda tools or spread fake news and destabilise our democracies. No journalist should ever fear pressure of any sort when doing their job and informing citizens.”

Background

In adopting this report, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations for the EU as expressed in the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe:

– to introduce legislation addressing threats to media independence and enforce EU competition rules in the media sector, in order to prevent large media monopolies, as well as to ensure media pluralism and independence from undue political, corporate and/or foreign interference (Proposals 27(1), (2));

– counter disinformation through legislation and guidelines for online platforms and social media companies (33(5));

– defend and support free, pluralistic and independent media and ensure the protection of journalists (37(4)).

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MEPs call for tougher EU rules to reduce textiles and food waste | News

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MEPs call for tougher EU rules to reduce textiles and food waste | News

MEPs adopted their first reading position on the proposed revision of the Waste Framework with 514 votes in favour, 20 against and 91 abstentions.

Tougher objectives to cut down food waste

They propose higher binding waste reduction targets to be met at national level by 31 December 2030 – at least 20% in food processing and manufacturing (instead of 10% proposed by the Commission) and 40% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services and households (instead of 30%). Parliament also wants the Commission to evaluate if higher targets for 2035 (at least 30% and 50% respectively) should be introduced, and if so, asks them to come up with a legislative proposal.

Producers to cover costs for collecting, sorting and recycling waste textiles

MEPs agree to extend producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, through which producers that sell textiles in the EU would have to cover the costs for collecting, sorting and recycling them separately. Member states would have to establish these schemes 18 months after the entry into force of the directive (compared to 30 months proposed by the Commission). The new rules would cover products such as clothing and accessories, blankets, bed linen, curtains, hats, footwear, mattresses and carpets, including products that contain textile-related materials such as leather, composition leather, rubber or plastic.

Quote

Rapporteur Anna Zalewska (ECR, PL) said: “Parliament has come up with targeted solutions to reduce food waste, such as promoting “ugly” fruits and veggies, keeping an eye on unfair market practices, clarifying date labelling and donating unsold-but-consumable food. For textiles, we also want to include non-household products, carpets and mattresses, as well as sales via online platforms.”

Next steps

The file will be followed up by the new Parliament after the 6-9 June European elections.

Background

Every year, 60 million tonnes of food waste (131 kg per person) and 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste are generated in the EU. Clothing and footwear alone account for 5.2 million tonnes of waste, equivalent to 12 kg of waste per person every year. It is estimated that less than 1% of all textiles worldwide are recycled into new products.

In adopting this report, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations for the EU to apply circular economy principles and promote measures against food waste, as well as to implement without delay an ambitious sustainable textile strategy and increase environmental standards, as expressed in proposals 1(3), 5(8), 5(9) and 5(11) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

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Parliament adopts its position on major reform of EU Customs Code | News

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Parliament adopts its position on major reform of EU Customs Code | News

The EU Customs Code needs a thorough revamp due to the exponential growth of e-commerce and many new product standards, bans, obligations and sanctions the EU has put in place in recent years. The reform introduces new tools and puts in place simpler processes to help customs authorities to work more efficiently and focus on checking the riskiest goods, shipments and traders.

New approach to e-commerce

Consumers order more and more goods from third countries online. These goods do not necessarily meet the EU’s safety or environmental standards and legal norms. Additionally, approximately 65% of parcels entering the EU are deliberately undervalued, which leads to a significant loss in revenue.

The new regulation places a bigger responsibility on web platforms, which would be obliged to submit information to EU customs authorities within one day about purchased goods to be shipped to the EU. This leads to a better overview of incoming shipments and enables customs authorities to target their checks, focusing on goods and traders that might not comply with EU norms.

Simpler procedures for trusted partners

Companies and traders who agree to go through rigorous preliminary checks and controls would gain more freedoms in their dealings with customs authorities later. The most trustworthy companies would get a trusted trader status and could then operate with minimal checks and paperwork. This in turn would enable customs agents to focus on riskier businesses and shipments instead.

New digital solutions

The reform establishes a new IT platform called EU DataHub as the main working tool for all European customs authorities. Businesses would find it easier to communicate with and submit information to authorities. Customs authorities would be able to analyse data more accurately, including with the help of AI, to help them check suspicious inconsistencies, potential tax fraud and risks related to certain companies or goods, for example.

Quote

Rapporteur, Deirdre Clune (EPP, IE), said: “There is a critical need for a revised EU customs system. Not only must it guarantee the safety and compliance of goods entering the EU, but it must also function with utmost efficiency for businesses operating within the single market. The proposed Customs Data Hub is a vital step forward, but its swift implementation, alongside other key reforms, is essential to meet growing challenges.”

Next steps

Parliament’s first reading position was adopted with 486 votes in favour to 19 against and 97 abstentions. The file will be followed up by the new Parliament after the 6-9 June European elections.

Background

The Commission presented the proposal to reform the EU Customs Code in May 2023. The package contains three separate legal acts: the main regulation that establishes the EU Customs Code and the EU Customs Authority, a Council regulation on simplified tariff treatment for the distance sales and elimination of the customs duty relief threshold and a Council directive on a special scheme for distance sales of goods imported from third countries and import VAT. Parliament is a co-legislator on the first one.

In adopting its position, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations for the EU to reduce bureaucracy, combat counterfeiting and unfair competition and consolidate the Single Market, as expressed in proposals 12(17), 12(18) and 12(20) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

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