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Food and drink industry regulators worldwide are tightening rules and guidance on reducing the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pushing food manufacturers to develop alternatives to this non-stick chemical used notably in microwave popcorn bags, grease-proof paper and plastic sandwich bags.…

The freezing of Russian assets since the government of President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022 has prompted western governments to consider seizing that money and property to fund reconstruction of a country ravaged by Moscow’s military aggression. Estimates of the value vary, but there is consensus that the value is at least USD300 billion, with the vast majority being assets from the central bank, the Bank of Russia.…

Although the low countries boom in the paints and coatings markets of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux) during the Covid-19 pandemic is easing, and the industry has been hit by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis, the sector is holding up well.…

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has shut down a spoofing platform that enabled criminals to target 170,000 UK fraud victims and others worldwide through a phone handset and web app. Targets were defrauded of “tens of millions” of British pounds (GBP), said the NCA via this ‘Russian Coms’ system.…

BEV sales are stalling in the European Union (EU). After growth in 2021 and 2022, sales figures (https://www.acea.auto/pc-registrations/new-car-registrations-3-in-may-2024-battery-electric-12-5-market-share/) released July 18 by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for the year through May 2024 show BEVs taking 12.5% of the EU car market, a decrease from 13.8% the previous year.…

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe could help its long-established and highly regarded textile sector to boost its sustainability and ability to recycle materials. With the European Union (EU) generating some 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste per year, (1), the European Commission has been pushing the sector to improve its recycling, just as the EU has passed a groundbreaking regulation, in force from July 12, law designed to encourage AI and its ethical use (2).…

Budget constraints are threatening the ability of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to continue investigating VAT fraud, especially as it expands to take on newcomers Poland and Sweden this year, the Luxembourg-based office is warning. The EPPO College (1), a management board composed of the European Chief Prosecutor, Laura Kövesi, and prosecutors from the now 24 participating member states – has been pushing for a much bigger budget as the agency’s workload rises.…

The release of a National Clean Cooking Policy in Nigeria this April (2024) is poised to impact west Africa’s dominant country’s energy sector and environment. With Africa’s largest population (218 million out of 1.2 billion continent-wide) and Africa’s largest economy (GDP of USD477 billion out of USD3.1 trillion), this policy – designed to offer clean cooking systems to the 30
million
households
in
Nigeria
that burn wood in their kitchens – could transform the economy of Nigeria and west Africa (1).…

Angola may be a hydro-carbon rich country in south-west Africa country, but it is increasing its electrification rate and diversifying its energy sources to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) (1). That said, experts warn that private investment is urgently needed for this country to maintain this forward-looking policy.…

European Union (EU) member states have been adapting to the new legal guidance on access to their national registers of ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) following the November 2022 ruling (1) at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and a new EU directive published June 19 (2024).…