POLITICO revealed in late September the extent of a massacre committed by Mozambican soldiers in retaliation against civilians near the Mozambique LNG site, where they were part of a task force paid by TotalEnergies. Despite claims of serious abuses and torture, TotalEnergies stated they found no evidence to support these allegations. NGOs are questioning the company’s competence and accountability, urging an independent investigation by organizations like the UN Human Rights Council. Despite the controversy, TotalEnergies’ CEO aims to revive the project with support from financial backers, prompting criticism from environmental and human rights groups.
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Italy to slash VAT on art to compete with EU rivals
Italy's right-wing government is set to reduce the value-added tax on art from 22% to 5%, responding to urgent calls from over 500 artists and galleries who warned of a potential collapse in the domestic art market. This tax cut, anticipated to be approved in a Cabinet meeting and requiring parliamentary ratification within 60 days, aims to enhance competitiveness against lower-tax countries like France and Germany. Need More Context? 🔎
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