Anyone

cross-posted from: https://sopuli.xyz/post/25101698

The number of state executions around the world has reached its highest level in ten years, a new report by Amnesty International has said.

More than 1,500 recorded executions took place in 2024 with Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia accounting for a combined 1,380 and the United States for 25, the charity found.

Despite this rise, the report also found that the total number of countries carrying out the death penalty stood at 15 - the lowest number on record for the second consecutive year.

Amnesty International's Secretary General Agnes Callamard said the "tide is turning" on capital punishment, adding that "it is only a matter of time until the world is free from the shadow of the gallows".

While these figures are the highest they have been since 2015 - when at least 1,634 people were subject to the death penalty - the true overall figure is likely to be higher.

Amnesty International says the figure does not include those killed in China, which it believes carries out thousands of executions each year. North Korea and Vietnam are also not included.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/20289846

More than 3,600 households displaced from their homes alongside the site of an oil pipeline under construction in Uganda have rightfully complained of being inadequately rehoused or compensated, a report published by Haki Defenders Foundation, a Kampala, Uganda-based rights group, and the University of Sheffield in the UK, has found.

The EACOP project is a joint venture between the governments of Uganda and Tanzania with French oil company TotalEnergies, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

While the project has been touted by project owners as important for the region’s economy, the Haki Defenders Foundation, led by Executive Director Leah Munokoh, and the Urban Institute at the University of Sheffield, say the $5 billion project, has raised significant concerns due to community displacement, environmental damage, and human rights violations.

[...]

Archived

The former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announces in a post on Facebook that he will leave the social media platform.

"I can no longer be involved in or support media platforms that contribute to undermining democracy", Löfven writes in the post.

He does, however, mean that "good forces" remain on the platform and takes the opportunity to thank his friends.

"Aware that many good forces are present here, I would like to say: thank you all friends, we'll meet in other contexts", writes the former Prime Minister.

Stefan Löfven concludes the post with an appeal.

"As long as you're here – do your best to stand up for what's good!"

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/20131463

Archived

[Op-ed by Tauno Tõhk, Research Fellow at the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS) since October 2024, specialising in China and Chinese foreign interference. Before joining the ICDS.]

The current EU approach is structured according to the 2019 “Strategic Outlook on China,” a document providing a framework for EU-China relations.

...

However, despite persistent China-related security issues, security concerns are largely absent from the Strategic Outlook, the key document shaping EU-China relations. Since it was adopted, Europe’s security landscape has changed dramatically, particularly due to Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine. China’s backing of Moscow’s war efforts directly undermines European security. However, it is important to recognise that the security challenges China poses to the EU extend beyond its support for Russia, encompassing a range of well-documented hybrid activities.

... Despite repeated claims of neutrality, China has become a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine. It provides dual-use goods, helps to circumvent sanctions, and facilitates Russia’s hybrid operations. [...]

• China’s role as a “circumvention hub” for EU’s sanctions against Russia, acting as both a supplier to Russia and a transit route for western products.
• Chinese entities have been sanctioned by the EU for supplying drone and microelectronic components to Russia. Chinese officials and state-controlled media have provided a platform for Russia’s talking points and disinformation narratives.
• China has criticised sanctions against Russia and regularly accused the west of starting and fuelling the war.

The security challenges China poses to the EU extend beyond its support for Russia

In diplomatic engagements with China, the EU and individual member states have consistently emphasised China’s support to Russia as a key irritant in EU-China relations.

...

A Threat to Security and Values

Beyond its support for Russia, China poses a challenge to European security in and of itself. This includes potential conflicts over Taiwan and the South China Sea, hybrid activities targeting EU member states, and weaponising economic and trade links for political purposes.

A conflict in the Indo-Pacific would have global ramifications. The report by Special Adviser to the President of the European Commission Sauli Niinistö calls the potential economic and security impact of Chinese aggression against Taiwan or in the South China Sea “staggering” for Europe, likely triggering opportunistic behaviour from Russia against an EU member state.

...

National threat assessments confirm China’s targeting of the EU.

• The Swedish Security Service considers China, alongside Russia and Iran, as the greatest threat to Sweden’s security, stating that Beijing attempts to influence Stockholm’s decision-making.
• The Danish Defence Intelligence Service notes that China is trying to sow discord between European countries to weaken the EU’s unity, for example, when mitigating risks of cooperation with China.
• The Belgian security service similarly claims China is trying to damage intra-European relations.
• Germany’s domestic intelligence services state that China seeks to create a favourable environment outside its borders for the Communist Party’s objectives and looks for influential political figures to speak in favour of Chinese interests.

[...]

Western cyber security agencies have attributed cyber activities targeting European governments and lawmakers critical of Beijing as well as naval research activities and technology development to China’s state-sponsored threat actors. The EU has sanctioned individuals and organisations associated with APT10, a group linked to China’s Ministry of State Security.

...

The EU should acknowledge this reality and explicitly label China a security challenge.

...

Several member states’ security services already list China among the primary security threats, especially given Beijing’s close alignment with Moscow. Officially recognising these concerns at the EU level would help forge consensus on China policy. It also shields member states from the ramifications of acting alone and facing potential Chinese retaliation in isolation, allowing them to rely on a unified stance when calling out Chinese activities that endanger European security.

...

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/19965216

Archived

Here is the report (pdf)

The world’s appetite for energy rose at a faster-than-average pace in 2024, resulting in higher demand for all energy sources, including oil, natural gas, coal, renewables and nuclear power, the World Energy Report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) show.

• The report finds that global energy demand rose by 2.2% last year – lower than GDP growth of 3.2% but considerably faster than the average annual demand increase of 1.3% between 2013 and 2023. Emerging and developing economies accounted for over 80% of the increase in global energy demand in 2024.

• The acceleration in global energy demand growth in 2024 was led by the power sector, with global electricity consumption surging by nearly 1,100 terawatt-hours, or 4.3%. This was nearly double the annual average over the past decade.

• The sharp increase in the world’s electricity use last year was driven by record global temperatures, which boosted demand for cooling in many countries, as well as by rising consumption from industry, the electrification of transport, and the growth of data centres and artificial intelligence.

• 80% of the increase in global electricity generation in 2024 was provided by renewable sources and nuclear, as renewable power capacity installed worldwide rose to around 700 gigawatts, setting a new annual record for the 22nd consecutive year, and Nuclear power capacity additions reached their fifth highest level in the past three decades. Therefore, renewables and nuclear power together contributed 40% of total generation for the first time.

• Gas demand also picked up substantially, while oil and coal consumption increased more slowly than in 2023.

• CO2 emissions from the energy sector continued to increase in 2024 but at a slower rate than in 2023. A key driver was record-high temperatures: if global weather patterns in 2023 had repeated in 2024, around half of the increase in global emissions would have been avoided.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/19962518

Here you can download the study (pdf)

A high number of climate change policies in China does not sufficiently translate to high policy intensity and strong actions, a new study suggests.

It analyzes 358 national climate policies published from 2016 to 2022 in China, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter. Especially in high-emitting sectors, China’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets (“objectives”) cover a relatively small number of actors and actions (“scope”), according to the study.

Summary:

• This is evident in sectors like energy, electricity and heating, which, despite being the largest emitters and having numerous policies, only have moderate policy intensity scores. This disconnect indicates that policy proliferation without policy strength may not effectively advance climate actions.
• A growing number of policy outputs in China are likely to signal increased government focus on specific climate-related issues, but the relevant actions may not be ambitious enough. For instance, the energy, electricity, and heating sector, despite being the largest emitter and receiving significant policy attention (high policy density), only achieved a moderate policy intensity score.
• "This disconnect underscores that policy proliferation without corresponding policy strength may not effectively advance climate goals," the study authors write.
• The lack of clear objectives and comprehensive scope in high-emitting sectors like transportation and buildings is likely to hinder the effectiveness of policy implementation, indicating a need for more targeted and ambitious policy design
• The findings reveal that higher policy density does not equate to stronger action. Significant variation also exists in alignment with China’s NDCs, especially in high-emitting sectors. Moreover, despite a relatively balanced mix of regulatory, economic, and informational instruments, this balance does not guarantee intensity.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/19413486

TLDR:

• The New South Wales (NSW) Anti-Slavery Commissioner is reviewing the state government's deal to buy 319 electric buses from Australian-Chinese manufacturers.
• The Chinese company's CATL batteries used in the government's zero emission bus fleet are allegedly linked to Uyghur forced labour camps in the Xinjiang region.
• The Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association is calling on the government to rip up the contracts and strengthen procurement mandates.

New South Wales Anti-slavery Commissioner James Cockayne is reviewing the state government's procurement of hundreds of electric buses amid concerns that parts of the vehicles were manufactured using slave labour.

In December the state government announced that it had ordered 319 electric buses as part of its goal to get 1,700 of the vehicles onto Sydney roads by 2028.

The contracts were awarded to Australian-Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD) and VDI Australia, which distributes Yutong buses.

The vehicles use batteries made by Chinese firm Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL).

[...]

China processes 60 per cent of the world's lithium needed for EV batteries and the majority of the work is carried out in the Xinjiang region.

[...]

TLDR:

• The New South Wales (NSW) Anti-Slavery Commissioner is reviewing the state government's deal to buy 319 electric buses from Australian-Chinese manufacturers.
• The Chinese company's CATL batteries used in the government's zero emission bus fleet are allegedly linked to Uyghur forced labour camps in the Xinjiang region.
• The Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association is calling on the government to rip up the contracts and strengthen procurement mandates.

New South Wales Anti-slavery Commissioner James Cockayne is reviewing the state government's procurement of hundreds of electric buses amid concerns that parts of the vehicles were manufactured using slave labour.

In December the state government announced that it had ordered 319 electric buses as part of its goal to get 1,700 of the vehicles onto Sydney roads by 2028.

The contracts were awarded to Australian-Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD) and VDI Australia, which distributes Yutong buses.

The vehicles use batteries made by Chinese firm Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL).

[...]

China processes 60 per cent of the world's lithium needed for EV batteries and the majority of the work is carried out in the Xinjiang region.

[...]

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/19380848

Archived

Batteries are critical to mitigate global warming, with battery electric vehicles as the backbone of low-carbon transport and the main driver of advances and demand for battery technology. However, the future demand and production of batteries remain uncertain, while the ambition to strengthen national capabilities and self-sufficiency is gaining momentum.

Reseachers by Germany's Fraunhofer Institute now published a study that assessed Europe’s capability to meet its future demand for high-energy batteries via domestic cell production. They found that demand in Europe is likely to exceed 1.0 TWh yr−1 by 2030 and thereby outpace domestic production, with production required to grow at highly ambitious growth rates of 31–68% yr−1. European production is very likely to cover at least 50–60% of the domestic demand by 2030, while 90% self-sufficiency seems feasible but far from certain.

To support Europe’s battery prospects, stakeholders must accelerate the materialization of production capacities and reckon with demand growth post-2030, with reliable industrial policies supporting Europe’s competitiveness, the study says.

[...]

If lower production capacity materializes and domestic production remains limited, it will likely pose high economic risks for Europe and imply less European battery sovereignty and setbacks for rapid climate change mitigation, according to the study.

[...]

Beyond mere domestic production capacity and self-sufficiency, the company’s origin is relevant in the context of accessibility and technology sovereignty. While the corporate landscape was nearly 100% Asian in the early 2020s, the share of European companies is projected to increase substantially. In 2025, around two-thirds of the materialized production capacity is likely to result from Asian-affiliated companies and more than one-third from European companies (Extended Data Fig. 2). By 2030, European companies are projected to hold the largest share (45–55%), while the share of Asian companies is expected to decline (40–50%) with US companies anticipated to capture modest shares (3–8%).

[...]

Expressing the European battery demand in terms of required raw material quantities reveals that the cumulative demand for key materials, namely, nickel, cobalt, graphite, lithium and manganese, is projected to increase substantially by 2035, with expected 9-fold (cobalt) and 12–15-fold (nickel, manganese, graphite and lithium) increases relative to the quantities required in 2025 [...]

While Europe will rely on raw material imports until 2030–2035, three factors indicate a strengthening position as the study says:

• First, and in relation to expected demand, substantial domestic reserves of manganese and natural graphite are available, with possibly lower prospects for lithium and nickel, but primary cobalt is scarce.
• Second, existing self-sufficiency assessments [...] indicate progress in building European value chains, however, ramp-ups must be extremely quick. While cobalt and nickel imports (all grades) are likely to remain necessary for domestic processing, it is likely that major shares of lithium and most of the manganese can be sourced and refined domestically. Natural graphite (all grades) is likely to require both local sourcing and refining as well as imports. However, global supply diversification is anticipated to also lower general dependency risks36,37.
• Third, emphasizing the circular economy and recycling, as proposed in the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act38 or incentivized by the US Inflation Reduction Act35, is likely to reduce dependency and further improve sustainability within a comprehensive battery ecosystem, also securing material availability even beyond 2050.

[...]

The latest green shipping corridor announcement comes from Brazil and Norway that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement, signed by the Brazilian Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho and Norway’s Ambassador to Brazil, Odd Magne Ruud, aims to establish a shipping corridor between Brazil and Norway for vessels powered by advanced technology and low- or zero-carbon fuels, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Silvio Costa Filho hailed the initiative as a milestone for global logistics, of far-reaching impact. “This project will benefit not just our two countries but the entire world. Alongside the Norwegian government, we are committed to making maritime transport even more sustainable and environmentally advanced. Our goal is to build a sector that balances economic growth with environmental responsibility, positioning Brazil as a global leader in sustainable shipping,” he said.

[...]

The pilot project will involve key industry players and research institutions on both sides of the Atlantic to identify strategic routes and ports while developing and scaling up zero-emission fuel solutions.

[...]

Archived link

Finnish President Alexander Stubb suggested that Ukraine should be granted de facto NATO membership, meaning that if Russia violates a future ceasefire or launches another attack, Ukraine would immediately become a member of the alliance.

“Why not give them de facto NATO membership, meaning that when negotiations succeed and a peace deal is signed, if Russia breaks that agreement, Ukraine automatically joins NATO?” Stubb stated in an interview with CNN, as reported by Digi24.

He described the proposal as a strong safety net to ensure Russia adheres to any peace deal.

[...]

This idea was originally introduced by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham at the Munich Security Conference in February. Graham, a close ally of Trump, argued that while immediate NATO accession might not be possible for Ukraine, a clear deterrent must be established.

[...]

A European summit on Ukraine is set to take place in Brussels this week, where defense cooperation will be a key topic.

[...]

Although Finland’s proposal may face resistance, it signals growing European willingness to support Ukraine in deterring future Russian aggression.

If implemented, it could reshape NATO’s strategy and reinforce the West’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Archived version

The late Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, who was captured by Russian forces in the summer of 2023, was subjected to severe torture while in detention, according to an investigative documentary by Slidstvo.Info titled “Vika’s Last Assignment.” The report reveals that Roshchyna suffered multiple stab wounds and that her weight dropped to just 30 kilograms (66 pounds) while behind bars. Russian prison staff allegedly hid her from inspections to cover up evidence of mistreatment.

Roshchyna was taken captive in August 2023 while reporting from Ukraine’s Russian-occupied territories. She was later confirmed to have been held in Detention Center No. 2 in the city of Taganrog in Russia’s southern Rostov Region.

According to a former cellmate, Roshchyna was regularly tortured with electric shocks, leaving her body covered in bruises. Electrodes were reportedly attached to her ears. The journalist also bore multiple stab wounds, including a fresh three-centimeter scar between her wrist and elbow and injuries on her leg [...]

Roshchyna refused food and repeatedly pleaded for medical attention. Her cellmate recalled that she was so weak she could not lift her head from her pillow. She reportedly suffered from stomach problems, amenorrhea (loss of menstruation), and persistent high fever. Despite her critical condition, prison authorities ignored requests for her release, exchange, or deportation, limiting their response to brief “discussions.”

During an inspection by a Russian human rights ombudsman, detention center officials deliberately hid Roshchyna, moving her to a closed-off area on another floor. The last time she was seen was on Sept. 8, 2024, when she was taken from her cell to an unknown location.

In October 2024, Russia’s Ministry of Defense sent an official notice to Roshchyna’s father, Volodymyr Roshchyn, confirming her death in captivity. No formal charges had ever been filed against her.