World
Corruption scandal: Metsola vows to review EU laws for undue lobbying
The European Parliament will evaluate undeclared journeys from lawmakers and items of laws which may have been unduly influenced on account of the alleged cash-for-favours scheme that has unleashed a political storm throughout Brussels and past, President Roberta Metsola has mentioned.
“We’re wanting into all the things,” Metsola informed Euronews on Thursday afternoon.
“We’re wanting into journeys which were accredited, we’re wanting into journeys that weren’t declared. We’re wanting on the strategy of placing ahead amendments, timelines, the way in which resolutions are negotiated.”
The investigation launched by Belgian authorities has shone a light-weight on previous legislative work, together with a committee vote in early December that accredited visa liberalisation for Qatar and Kuwait, in addition to an array of paid-for visits of a number of European lawmakers to the Gulf area.
Alarms bells on attainable “spheres of affect,” Metsola famous, “ought to begin to ring earlier.”
“We additionally must be (extra) conscious ourselves,” the president mentioned. “And this what I’ll inform all of the members (of the European Parliament) and the employees members: in the event that they see one thing that isn’t proper, one thing must be mentioned and one thing must be carried out.”
Nearly a month for the reason that corruption scandal erupted, Brussels continues to take care of the shockwaves from the illicit lobbying allegedly performed by Qatar at the side of a community of at the least 4 people, together with Greek MEP Eva Kaili and her life accomplice Francesco Giorgi.
The newest revelations have significantly expanded the scope of the investigation, doubtlessly involving two further MEPs from the socialist group – Marc Tarabella and Andrea Cozzolino – in addition to intelligence and diplomatic officers from Morocco.
Each Qatar and Morocco have vigorously contested the claims.
One other socialist MEP, Maria Area, who has not been charged nor detained, resigned this week from her place as chair of the parliament’s subcommittee on human rights (DROI).
Kaili, Tarabella, Cozzolino and Area deny any wrongdoing.
With new twists and turns rising on an virtually day by day foundation, Roberta Metsola has launched into what she calls a “speedy” reform course of to revive belief and crack down on misconduct.
“In essence, (to) re-introduce the idea of accountability, integrity and independence,” Metsola defined. “We will be happy with our work, however we are able to do higher.”
The parliament chief offered on Thursday a primary draft bundle of reforms, seen by Euronews, that includes a complete of 14 proposals, akin to a cooling-off interval for former MEPs throughout which they will not have the ability to acquire employment as a lobbyist, a ban on unofficial friendship teams, the obligatory publication of all scheduled conferences, new guidelines of entry to parliamentary premises, and extra detailed declarations on conflicts of pursuits and private funds.
“I wished to convey collectively all attainable measures, however they don’t seem to be exhaustive so that they might be higher enhanced,” Metsola informed Euronews. “No matter must be carried out shall be carried out. I am assured in that.”
Transparency Worldwide EU and Company Europe Observatory, two civil society organisations that monitor EU lobbying, welcomed the proposed reforms as an “overdue” and “promising” first step however criticised the very fact they depend on “self-enforcement” and “self-policing” by MEPs themselves.
“We’d like unbiased, outdoors oversight. An excessive amount of accountability is handed to parliamentary assistants,” Michiel van Hulten, Director of Transparency Worldwide EU, mentioned in a press release.
Requested in regards to the criticism, Metsola defended her bundle and mentioned she had obtained a “unanimous mandate” from all of the political teams to maneuver ahead along with her proposals, which might result in “fast” change.
The president, who at no level talked about both Kaili or Qatar by title, admitted the shortage of compliance with current guidelines – somewhat than the absence of guidelines – laid the groundwork for the corruption scandal.
“There are guidelines that have been enforced that weren’t put into place, that weren’t complied with by Members of the European Parliament or (their) staff. I would really like that to utterly change,” Metsola mentioned.
“I would really like all people to be chargeable for their actions.”
World
New Caledonia protesters, police play 'cat and mouse' before Macron arrives
World
Howler monkeys dropping dead, falling from trees due to excessive heatwave: report
The extreme heatwave in Mexico is not only affecting the environment, it’s wreaking havoc on the howler monkeys and causing them to fall dead out of trees, the Associated Press reported.
“They were falling out of the trees like apples. They were in a state of severe dehydration, and they died within a matter of minutes,” wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo described what he witnessed to the AP.
In the city of Tecolutilla, Tabasco state, it was reported that the dead monkeys started appearing on Friday, when a local volunteer fire-and-rescue squad showed up with five of the monkeys in the bed of the truck.
So far, at least 83 howler monkeys have been found dead in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco. However, many others were rescued by local residents, with five being rushed to a local veterinarian for immediate care.
NEVADA WILDLIFE MYSTERY SOLVED, SUSPECTED WOLVES WERE ACTUALLY COYOTES
“They arrived in critical condition, with dehydration and fever,” Dr. Sergio Valenzuela told the AP. “They were as limp as rags. It was heatstroke.”
At least nine cities in Mexico have set temperature records as of May 9, with Ciudad Victoria, in the border state of Tamaulipas, registering 117 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the AP. The heatwave has been blamed on the deaths of at least 26 people since March, the AP reported.
Valenzuela said that the monkeys appeared to be on the mend, stating that they were “recovering, aggressive, and biting again.”
The howler monkey, which is the “loudest of all the monkeys,” is known for its loud whooping bark or roar, according to National Geographic.
Pozo added that many local residents wanted to help the monkeys, even adopt them, but he cautioned them on this.
WILD MONKEYS SPOTTED ROAMING FLORIDA NEIGHBORHOODS: ‘ABSOLUTELY CRAZY’
“The truth is that babies are very delicate, they can’t be in a house where there are dogs or cats, because they have pathogens that can potentially be fatal for howler monkeys,” Ponzo described, stressing they must be rehabilitated and released into the wild.
Pozo’s group has set up a special recovery stations for the monkeys and is working to organize a team of specialized veterinarians to give the monkeys the care they need.
Howler monkeys also get almost all the water they need from the food they eat, which is another reason the heatwave has been detrimental to their survival.
Pozo stated that several factors led to the death of the monkeys, including high heat, drought, and forest fires.
THAI WILDLIFE OFFICIALS TO REMOVE HUNDREDS OF MONKEYS FROM POPULAR TOURIST SPOT
Days after the monkeys began to drop dead, Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador acknowledged the issue, saying he had heard about it on social media.
He then congratulated Valenzuela on his efforts and said the government would seek to support the work.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
World
Norway will recognise Palestinian state, PM says
DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY,
Spain and Ireland are also expected to recognise Palestine despite Israel’s warnings of the consequences.
Norway will recognise Palestine as a state, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere says.
A two-state solution is in Israel’s best interest, he announces, adding that the recognition will come as of May 28.
“There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.”
Norway announcement comes as Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to announce later on Wednesday a date for formally recognising Palestinian statehood.
Ireland is also expected to announce its plans for the recognition of Palestine.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz has ordered Israel’s ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel.
“Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays,” Katz said.
Israel has said that recognition from the European nations will “fuel extremism and instability” and make them a “pawn in the hands of Hamas”.
More to come …
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