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00:00 Russian forces may be currently committing tactical and operational reserves to fighting
00:08 in eastern Ukraine in an effort to maintain and potentially intensify the tempo of ongoing
00:14 Russian offensive operations, says the Institute for the Study of War, adding that the Russian
00:20 ability to make significant gains is still dependent on the level of Western support
00:24 for Ukraine and continued delays in Western security assistance will increase the risk
00:30 of operationally significant Russian gains in the long run.
00:34 Difficult weather and terrain conditions in spring 2024 will likely constrain effective
00:39 mechanized maneuver on both sides of the line and further limit Russian capabilities to
00:44 make significant tactical advances while the ground is still muddy.
00:50 Russian forces are reportedly preparing for a new offensive effort in late May or summer
00:55 2024 and Western security assistance to Ukraine will likely play a significant role in determining
01:03 the prospects of that effort.
01:09 EU member states voted in favor of a landmark new law known as the due diligence, requiring
01:15 companies to check supply chains for dodgy environmental and labor practices.
01:21 Europe wants to make sure that companies respect labor rights and environmental rules throughout
01:26 the supply chain.
01:27 A done deal was made back in December, but some countries like Germany and Italy finally
01:32 refused to approve the text.
01:35 They watered down the deal, which means that far fewer companies will be under scope.
01:41 If the original commission proposal with the original thresholds would have applied to
01:45 about 1% of EU companies in the single market, we now estimate that the current version adopted
01:52 by Council will only apply to 0.05% of companies, EU companies active in the single market.
02:00 We are not able to give an estimation for non-EU companies that can also fall into scope
02:05 at certain conditions.
02:07 So it's just, it's not even, you can't even speak of a minority of companies covered.
02:12 It's a drop in the water and it will clearly only apply to very large, very rich companies,
02:18 which is something that we forcefully denounce.
02:20 The text has also removed civil liability provisions, which would allow trade unions
02:25 to sue non-compliant firms.
02:28 But despite this, experts say that there are still reasons to celebrate.
02:33 We denounce the fact that member states have tried all of the dirty games in the book to
02:38 try and cut as many companies out of scope, because we really do believe that the criteria
02:43 set out by the original compromise were fair and feasible for companies.
02:48 But this doesn't mean that there is nothing to celebrate for tonight.
02:52 For once, this legislation is an unprecedented global precedent, because it's the first legislation
02:57 in the world that actually sets the legal expectation I was referring to, that actually
03:02 says companies are expected not to harm human rights, and that is the law of the land.
03:08 Now member states have two years to implement the law.
03:11 Meanwhile, companies need to get ready to apply the new rules.
03:21 Polish farmers blocking a border crossing with Slovakia.
03:25 They're protesting against the transport through this frontier of what they describe as uncontrolled
03:30 loads of grain from countries including Ukraine.
03:34 Farmers are also angry about restrictions placed on them by the EU's Green Deal plan
03:38 to tackle climate change.
04:00 Farmers across Europe have been calling for changes to restrictions placed on them under
04:04 the Green Deal and the reimposition of custom duties on agricultural imports from Ukraine.
04:12 Polish farmers say this border blockade will stay in place until the end of the month.
04:20 Elderly citizens and retirees can now find jobs as Olympic security guards in Paris.
04:27 The recruitment campaign has been launched in response to the shortage of younger candidates.
04:32 Seniors are being called in to help with bag searches, ticket checks and surveillance.
04:37 Nearly 7,000 people are still needed.
04:42 Over 180,000 retired people aged 62 to 65 have been asked to lend a helping hand, and
04:48 600 of them have already accepted.
04:50 - Back up.
04:51 [BLANK_AUDIO]