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European Parliament Approves Nearly €200 Billion Budget For 2025

The European Parliament has officially approved the European Union’s 2025 budget, amounting to an impressive €199.4 billion. The budget reflects a 6% increase compared to 2024, showcasing the EU’s commitment to addressing key challenges and investing in its future.

Focused Investments

The budget prioritises programmes designed to enhance citizens’ quality of life, foster competitiveness, and address pressing challenges. Over €230 million has been added to key initiatives, including:

  • “Erasmus+” Programme: An additional €422 million will support education, training, youth, and sports across the EU.
  • “Horizon Europe” Programme: A €20 million boost for scientific research and innovation.

Support for Strategic Goals and Crisis Management

  • Funding is allocated to Ukraine aid and critical technology investments through the Strategic Technology Platform for Europe (STEP).
  • Financial provisions for Next Generation EU interest payments are included.
  • Additional resources are set aside for natural disaster emergency aid and humanitarian crises, both within and beyond EU borders.

This ambitious budget underscores the EU’s strategic focus on fostering innovation, supporting education, and responding to global and regional challenges. By securing substantial funding increases across critical programmes, the EU aims to ensure sustainable growth and resilience in the face of uncertainty.

UnitedHealth Removes DEI Mentions From Website Amid Growing Shift In Corporate Policies

UnitedHealth Group has significantly reduced its public focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by removing related content from its website. 

The reasons for these changes remain unclear, and it’s uncertain whether the removal signals a shift in the company’s policies or simply a change in the language used. A UnitedHealth spokesperson, Tyler Mason, commented that the company continues to support a collaborative environment and mutual respect, which remain integral to its culture and mission to expand access to healthcare services.

The move coincides with a broader trend among major corporations, especially in the tech industry, retreating from DEI programs. This shift is partly in response to executive orders from the Trump administration targeting DEI initiatives in companies receiving federal funding. Some tech giants, including Google and OpenAI, have already scrubbed DEI-related content from their sites.

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