International

The SP in the European Parliament today declared its firm opposition to a free market approach to online gambling. Group leader Dennis de Jong said: "Gambling generally means forking out, because, as a gambler, for the most part you lose. It has far too romantic an image, but especially for young people, becoming addicted is a real threat. Not only that, but gambling is a multi-billion euro business which is too often associated with criminal activities. We shouldn't be gambling on profit, but playing it safe."

SP Euro-MP Kartika Liotard called during a debate on Tuesday in Strasbourg for the EU to ban the commercial trade in polar bears. “Do it before it's too late. This trade, and habitat loss through climate change, represent a major threat to the survival of this species."