4. Powers and competences
The powers and competences at EU level have increased since 1957, by now extending to a vast array of policy areas beyond the original areas of integration. Criticism that the EU is stretching or even exceeding its competences, that it does 'too much' and disregards the subsidiarity principle, has come up on a regular basis, but it has not been backed up by substantive legal arguments.

Several reviews of the allocation of EU competences, including the most comprehensive one conducted by the British government 2012-14 in the context of BREXIT¹³, ultimately did not find any indication of a European pretension of competences beyond what the treaties foresee. We also note that the provisions and mechanisms in place to enforce the subsidiarity principle work rather well, which explains the absence of subsidiarity cases at the CJEU. Nevertheless, we do not rule out the repatriation of competencies from the EU to the national level as a matter of principle if they can be better handled on the national or subnational level with positive effects for legitimacy, efficiency or the quality of decisions made. We are equally open to extending EU competences for the same reasons¹⁴.

In several consecutive crises since the mid-2000s, the EU has successfully used the existing competence framework to cater for emergencies and entirely new situations. But even treaty provisions such as Article 114 TFEU (the general legal basis for legislative harmonisation), Article 122 TFEU (a legal basis for measures in an emergency) or Article 352 TFEU (a reserve legal basis for measures that are in line with the objectives set out in the Treaties) that were general enough to accommodate unforeseen situations have their limits.
[...]
---
¹³ See UK Government Services, 'Review of the balance competencies', 2012-24.
¹⁴ It is beyond this report's mandate to suggest areas in which the EU should or should not be active in the future. We focused on aspects that could be usefully consolidated with an upcoming treaty revision. Other studies e.g. on the provision of public goods in the EU provide a policy-oriented assessment.

06.33 EDT
Europe hoping for ceasefire implementation, commission says
A spokesperson for the European Commission told reporters on Wednesday that Brussels hoped the announcement of a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh "will be followed up on the ground".

"The member states and also international partners are dealing with it very intensively," the spokesperson said, noting that senior diplomats were looking into the matter in Brussels while leaders were also discussing it at the UN this week.

"We expect immediate cessation of hostilities, and we also expect that Azerbaijan stops the current military activities," the spokesperson said.

The EU "is watching the situation very closely - and the member states will decide next steps in this context as we see the developments unfolding on the ground".

Updated at 06.36 EDT

10.11 EDT
European Council president tells Azerbaijan to ensure Karabakh Armenians' safety
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, has asked Azerbaijan to ensure proper treatment of Karabakh Armenians.

Michel said in a post on social media that he had spoken on the phone to Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliyev, and called on him "to ensure full ceasefire & safe, dignified treatment by Azerbaijan of Karabakh Armenians".

"Their human rights and security need to be ensured," Michel said, adding that access was also needed for immediate humanitarian assistance.

Updated at 10.18 EDT

It was clear as Azerbaijan launched its offensive that Russian peacekeepers had no intention of intervening
[...]
"As long as the peacekeepers themselves are not threatened by anything, they have no right to use weapons," the head of Russia's parliamentary defence committee, Andrei Kartapolov, said on Tuesday, a statement echoed by other officials during the day. The Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, even appeared to tacitly approve Baku's actions, saying Azerbaijan was acting "on its territory".

armenpress | Armenia ready to recognize Azerbaijan's 86,600 km2 territorial integrity which includes Nagorno Karabakh - Pashinyan (22.05.23)
...with the understanding that Azerbaijan recognizes Armenia's 29,800 km2 territorial integrity," PM Pashinyan said....During Brussels-hosted talks earlier in May [14.05.23], Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration and the respective territorial integrity of Armenia (29,800 km2) and Azerbaijan (86,600 km2). The 29,800 km2 territorial integrity of Armenia includes enclaves, including Artsvashen. 86,600 km2 territorial integrity of Azerbaijan also includes enclaves....

Russia's inaction in Nagorno-Karabakh is not new. Distracted by its war in Ukraine, Moscow was mostly passive when Azerbaijan established a new security checkpoint along the Lachin corridor last spring, cutting off the flow of people and goods between Armenia and the region.

euractiv | Armenia's Pashinyan gives up Karabakh, abandons Russia-led CSTO (23.05.23)
"I am not ruling out that Armenia will take a decision to withdraw from the CSTO," if the bloc fails to respect its treaty obligations, Pashinyan told a news conference in Yerevan, as quoted by the Moscow Times [!].

"We do not criticise Russian peacekeepers, but we do express concern about their activities, and this concern has longstanding roots," Armenia's prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, said in January, as tensions between Yerevan and Moscow grew.
[...]

@ 00:37:26
Q: What is the—or has Canada sent any message to the EU or contact the EU on its ongoing row with India? And since both partners, both countries, are close and important partners to the EU, what is the EU disposition on this? Have you sent any messages to the two countries?
Nabila MASSRAL: Thank you, Noa, for your question. I can say at this stage is that we are aware of the seious allegations about the extrajudicial killing of a Canadian citizen and the alleged involvement of an Indian government agent. We encourage constructive co-operation from all those concerned in the investigation. That is what I can say at this point.
Q: So you have not contacted India or Canada on this matter until now?
MASSRAL: This is a bi-lateral issue. At this point, I cannot say more. What I can say though is we are in contact with our Canadian counterparts.
SPINANT: Thank you. Any other questions  for us today or Nabila for that matter? Since she's here. I see that Tamara has her hand up. [INAUDIBLE] Is your question for Nabila? Let's just give it a try.
Q: I have a question on the commission commitment to increase gas imports from Azerbeijan. Is that the right person?
Dana SPINANT: No. So allow me to go then to Tamara. Tamara, go ahead.
Q: I also have a question for Mr. Stano, so should I wait now? [CROSS TALK] OK. So yesterday, Mr. Stano, while commenting there is a threat of Serbs in Kosovo, said that he is monitoring the situation closely. By this morning, we had three bombs were thrown at the houses of Serbs in Kosovo*. How do you comment that? Do you see this as a step toward further escalation of tension? And to you think that you [EU] should act more directly now?....

Kazakhstan opens new railway route to China, sends first container train loaded with [1.3K tons] grain, 7 Sep

The wheat was sent from the October station in Tayynshinsky district, North Kazakhstan region. The new route was established by the China-Kazakh Trade and Logistics Company LLC, a joint venture between Kedentransservice (a KTZ subsidiary) and the international dry port of Xi'an International Trade and Logistics Park.
[...]
Export shipments of Kazakh grain to China increased four-fold to 1.1 million tonnes from September 2022 through June 2023, KTZ said. During the last season of grain transportation from September 2022 to August 2023, KTZ increased transportation volumes 20% compared to the 2021/2022 season, to about 12 million tonnes.

Construction of the Kazakhstan logistics center in the dry port of Xi'an started in May 2023. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev [!] said, "this hub connects the Shaanxi region with Kazakhstan, Central Asia. Then it will open the way to Europe, Turkey, and Iran."

Starting next year, the transport of electronics and computer components is expected to begin via the dry port. They will be accompanied by automobiles and auto components, textiles, clothing, footwear and accessories, food and agricultural products, construction products and building materials, ores, metals and chemical products....

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the United Nations is ready to meet all Russia's conditions for resuming the grain deal.

[t.me]BILD[in Russian] reports this with reference to a letter that Guterres sent to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on August 28 [!].

!! The UN leadership, as BILD has learned, is negotiating with the Russian authorities to resume the grain deal.
BILD has at its disposal a letter from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, which he sent on August 28 to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In it, Guterres proposes that the Russian authorities, in exchange for resuming the grain deal, conclude a four-point agreement between the UN and the Russian Federation.

The first point assumes that the EU will lift the sanctions against Rosselkhozbank imposed last June and allow it to bypass the restrictions associated with disconnecting from SWIFT. The press service of the European Commission BILD confirmed that the EU authorities expressed through the UN their readiness "to find a constructive solution through the creation of a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank." ...

The Secretary General's letter contains the following proposals:

• The EU will lift sanctions against Rosselkhozbank, which was disconnected from SWIFT;
• Russian cargo ships will be insured against Ukrainian attacks in the Black and Azov Seas with the participation of the large insurance company Lloyd's;
• Guterres will facilitate the partial return of frozen assets of Russian fertilizer producers;
• Russian ships transporting food and fertilizers will again be allowed to dock in EU ports. To this end, UN representatives have already held negotiations with the European Commission, as well as the authorities of Germany, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands.
[...]

Mr [Oleksii] Reznikov had led the ministry since before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelensk* announced Mr Reznikov's dismissal on Sunday, saying it was time for "new approaches" in the defence ministry. Rustem Umerov, who runs Ukraine's State Property Fund, has been nominated as Mr Reznikov's successor.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Reznikov confirmed that he had submitted his resignation letter to the country's parliament. Ukrainian media has speculated that he will become Kyiv's new ambassador in London, where he has developed good relations with senior politicians.
[...]

[...]
As reported by Ukrainian News Agency, on August 30, the president's representative in the Verkhovna Rada, a member of the Servant of the People faction, Fedir Venislavskyi, denied the existence of official information about the possible release of Reznikov. At the same time, on August 31, a deputy from the Voice faction, Yaroslav Zhelezniak, said that Reznikov allegedly intends to leave his post and become the ambassador of Ukraine to Great Britain.
[...]

[...]
Olga Pishchanskaya, who currently heads the Anti[-]monopoly Committee of Ukraine, may be appointed head of the State Property Fund . Pishchanskaya herself can be replaced by the current head of the Donetsk OVA [abbrev. oblast mil. administration], Pavel Kirilenko, Zheleznyak said.

Earlier, Reznikov said that at the moment he is not discussing the possibility of his resignation with President Vladimir Zelensk*. At the same time, the Minister of Defense did not give a direct answer to the question whether Zelensk* offered him the post of Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK.

Platts corrects Sept 1 FOB Azov Sea and CIF Marmara 13.5% wheat price

Subscriber note type: Data Correction
Please note that the S&P Global Commodity Insights Platts FOB Azov Sea wheat and CIF Marmara 13,5% assessment was published incorrectly for Sept. 1.

FOB Azov Sea wheat and CIF Marmara 13,5% assessment should read as NA [Not Available] on Sept. 1.

...The increase in the forecast for this year's crop is due to favorable weather conditions and better crop yields than expected, even though the planted area is nearly 2 million hectares less than last year, Ukrainian media quoted the UGA as saying in its statement.
[...]
In general, Ukraine's grain and oilseed exports in the new 2023/2024 marketing year could reach nearly 49 million tonnes, compared to 58 million tonnes in the past marketing year that ended on June 30, 2023. The UGA pointed out that its export projections were based on the premise that Ukraine was able to export through its Black Sea ports and that the logistics of alternative routes, including that via the Danube, were improved and made less costly.
[...]

rp.pl | Ukrainian steel and ore broke out into the world. Russian blockade broken, 5 Sep

For the first time since the beginning of the war, three ships carrying products of Ukrainian steel producers managed to break the naval blockade of Ukraine by Russia. According to the message sent by Metinvest, general cargo ships "Primus", "Anna Tereza" and "Ocean Courtesy", blocked in Ukrainian ports since February 24, 2022 (Russia's attack on Ukraine), left the ports of Odessa and Pivdenny. "This is the second, third and fourth vessel to do so, respectively, since Russia did not renew the grain agreement," the Ukrainians emphasize.

On board the unlocked units there are products of Ukrainian steel producers and mines. They were produced before the start of the war. It is 76 thousand tonnes of rolled steel produced by Azovstal, Zaporizhstal, Kamet Steel and ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. And also 172 thousand tonnes of iron ore concentrate produced in the mining and processing plants of the Metinvest Group.
[...]

following Britain's lead in sending the controversial munitions to help Kyiv push through Russian lines in its grueling counteroffensive. The 120 mm rounds will be used to arm the 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks the U.S. plans to deliver to Ukraine in the fall.
[...]
When Britain announced in March it was sending Ukraine the depleted uranium rounds, Russia falsely claimed they have nuclear components and warned that their use would open the door to further escalation.
[...]
The U.S. military has studied the impact of depleted uranium on U.S. troops in the Gulf War and to date has said it has not found higher risk of cancers or other illnesses in those servicemembers who were exposed. It has said it will continue to monitor those who were exposed.

The U.S. announcement about sending depleted uranium anti-tank rounds to Ukraine came late Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv by Secretary of Stalking Antony Blinken.

The Pentagon has defended the use of the munitions. The U.S. military "has procured, stored, and used depleted uranium rounds for several decades, since these are a longstanding element of some conventional munitions," Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Lt. Col. Garron Garn said in a statement in March in response to a query from The Associated Press.
[...]

[Assoc. prof U of Amsterdam, Sergey] Vasiliev thinks a later judgment on the case's merits in favor of Ukraine's position would have implications. It would constitute "a clear finding from the principal judicial organ of the United Nations that Russia should be held responsible as a state and that it may also be ordered to pay reparations," he said.

"It is looking fairly positive for the court to find it has jurisdiction," Juliette McIntyre, a law lecturer at the University of South Australia and ICJ watcher, said. "If the court finds there was no lawful justification under the Genocide Convention for Russia's acts, the decision can set up a future claim for compensation," McIntyre said.

Croatia will not import Ukrainian grain. This was stated by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Politico reports.

"Croatia's position and desire is that we are a transit country and not a country receiving huge amounts of Ukrainian grain, which is cheaper than ours, which would mean our farmers would be in trouble," Plenkovic said.

According to him, Zagreb is ready to provide the services of its ports for grain transshipment, but nothing more. He also allowed the introduction of an embargo [sic] on Ukrainian agricultural products, following the example of Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia.
[...]

handed over to the European Commission an action plan to control the Ministry of Economy over the export of four groups of agricultural products to five neighboring EU countries.

"Such control will help prevent any market distortions in neighboring EU member states. In particular, we plan to adopt a resolution providing that goods exported to five neighboring states will receive verification and approval from the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy"

said this at a press conference in New York. According to Borrell, the Russian Federation demands the lifting of some sanctions, but the resumption of the deal does not depend on them, since the current EU restrictions "do not affect the export of food and fertilizers."

"So don't look for excuses and don't look for false arguments. There is no possibility of reaching an agreement (with Russia - Ed. ) because I am sincerely convinced that they do not want this," Borrell said.

"Its conceptual essence is simple. To motivate 50 thousand prisoners to generate electricity through bicycle generation installations. If within a month they comply with the standards determined by the Ministry of Justice, then the prison term will be reduced by 3 days, but not more than 10 months per year. That is, in a year a prisoner can reduce his term of imprisonment by 30 days. This will directly affect the savings on his maintenance - up to approximately 8% (up to 200 million in UAH)," the people's deputy said about his initiative. He added that this bill shows "alternative opportunities for filling the energy system, which can be implemented in active sports, gyms and other structures."

Nowadays humanity must act in full solidarity to save lives - President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech during the General Debate of the UN General Assembly
Thank you very much!

I welcome all who stand for common efforts! And I promise - being really united we can guarantee fair peace for all nations. What's more, unity can prevent wars.

Ladies and gentlemen! Mr. Secretary General! Fellow leaders!

This hall saw many wars but not as an active defender against the aggressions. In many cases, the fear of war, the final war, was the loudest here - the war after which no one would gather in the General Assembly Hall again.

The Third World War was seen as a nuclear war. A conflict between states on the highway to nukes. Other wars seemed less scary compared to a threat of the so-called "great powers" firing their nuclear stockpiles. ...

The Department of Strategic Communications confirmed that on September 22, around 12:00, the Defense Forces of Ukraine launched a successful attack on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet of the russian federation in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol. The StratCom of the AFU reported this on Facebook.

"On September 22, around 12:00, the Defense Forces of Ukraine launched a successful attack on the headquarters of the command of the Black Sea Fleet of russia in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol," the message reads.

We will remind, today, September 22, the russian mass media, referring to the statement of the so-called "governor" of Crimea Mikhail Razvozhaev, wrote that a missile attack was carried out on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet of the aggressor state of russia in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
[...]
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksii Danilov believes that the Black Sea Fleet of the aggressor state of the russian federation has two options for the future—voluntary or forced self-liquidation.

Earlier this week, the Cuban foreign ministry exposed a Russian "human-trafficking"] operation used to entice Cubans into the Kremlin's war against Ukraine. Cuba condemned the recruitment racket and the interior ministry said authorities were working to "neutralize and dismantle" the network.
[...]
Russia and Cuba share a history of < wipes tears > communism and have historically been allies. In July, Cuba came under fire after the country vehemently opposed certain wording condemning Russia in a joint EU-Latin America statement on Moscow's aggression in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has been scrambling for new military recruits as its full-scale invasion of Ukraine stalls on multiple fronts. It raised the military draft age to 30 years in July.

On Monday, Cuba denounced the ["human-trafficking"] ring, underlining that the country is "not part of the war conflict in Ukraine," and that it does not want to look "complicit in these actions."

[...]
"Of the whole course, this is the test with the highest dropout rate," Francisco Galván, director and head trainer of G.O.A. Tactical, the only company in Spain dedicated to training people who want to fight in Ukraine, told Euronews. This is followed by other exercises, such as running with military equipment on their shoulders, capturing and "clearing" occupied trenches and stress tests in a hostile environment.

For seven hundred euros, the future fighters receive five days of training to experience what will happen on the battlefield. The reward? A contract with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, worth up to €3,400 if they join the elite units.
[...]
"It is the volunteer who has to call them directly, but our contacts are waiting for him. He then shows the validation certificate and he has the job," he adds. This is to avoid the company being classified as a private security and defence contractor, the so-called Private Military Companies [PMCs], a service < wipes tears > similar to the Wagner Group.

"We have people fighting in Ukraine. One of them went back to Spain to rest for a few months, and that's when he was asked (by Ukrainian officials) if he could recruit people to fight in the war," says Galván. After 18 months of fighting Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine needs soldiers. Many of them are exhausted, and the casualty rate is high.

Visit Ukraine (05.07.22)
"In accordance with the Law "On Military Duty and Military Service" and the Order of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine dated 07.02.2022 No. 35 "On Amending the Order of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine No. 313 of October 11, 2021", the acceptance of women to military record will begin on October 1, 2022"
In Ukraine, men with limited fit for military service will be called up (03.09.23)
A bill was submitted to the Rada to cancel the deferment from mobilization for applicants for a second higher education (03.09.23)
The Rada explained the mechanism for the extradition of men who escaped from Ukraine using fake certificates (03.09.23)
Poland extraditing Ukrainian men who left the country to avoid military conscription (04.09.23)
"according to Rzeczpospolita"
From October 1, female doctors and pharmacists are required to register for military service (06.09.23)

[...]
"This course is not for people coming from scratch, it would be impossible to train someone in just five days. What we do is evaluate whether the person really knows and can fight in Ukraine," says Galván. The director stresses that none of the volunteers have a criminal record.

60 Minutes discovered the U.S. is financing more than weapons in Ukraine. The government is buying seeds/fertilizer for farmers, paying the salaries of 57,000 first responders and subsidizing small businesses. https://t.co/vKWwWDqUwM pic.twitter.com/BxXItNgQce

— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 24, 2023

Led by the IMF's Gavin Grey, the technical discussions will cover recent economic developments and fiscal, financial, and structural policies in preparation for the 2023 Article IV consultations and the second review of the EFF program, said IMF resident representative in Ukraine, Vahram Stepanyan. Ukraine has already received about $3.6 billion from the IMF so far this year.

The IMF's four-year program for Kyiv is part of a $115-billion ["]global["] package to support the economy as Ukraine battles Russia's invasion. Ukraine's war-battered economy has relied heavily on Western aid to finance social and humanitarian payments.

Ukrainian businesses have adjusted to the new wartime reality and Ukraine's economy has recovered more quickly than anticipated this year, the Ukrainian government believes. Ukraine's real GDP [?!] in the first quarter of 2023 increased by 2.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, said Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

The IMF will not accept a new Ukrainian parliament bill (#8401) on taxation as a fulfilled benchmark in its memorandum with Kyiv because lawmakers fundamentally altered its text, Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Telegram on Aug. 22.

[...]
The World Health Organization states on its website that following a large number of studies that "no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use".

...Consequently, Apple must immediately adopt all necessary measures to prevent the iPhone 12 in the supply chain from being made available on the market. As for those telephones that are already in use, Apple must adopt all necessary corrective measures to bring the telephones into conformity as soon as possible, otherwise, Apple will have to recall the equipment....

...was announced at the Pau Summit on 13 January 2020 by the Heads of State of Burkina Faso, Chad, France, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger, in the presence of the United Nations Secretary-General, the President of the European Council, the European Union High Representative, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the Secretary General of La Francophonie...

...In 2014, the EU adopted an EU Strategy for the Gulf of Guinea, in line with the objectives of the 'Yaoundé Process'—the inter-regional commitment between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) as well as the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) signed at the Yaoundé Heads of State Summit (June 2013) to tackle maritime crime in its widest sense. The EU Action Plan 2015-2020 was consecutively launched to guide the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Gulf of Guinea. It is to be noted that a joint staff working document on elements for an update of the strategy is under preparation to reflect the evolution of threats.

A Close Examination on the Origins and History of the Guinea Coin

As part of the EU's comprehensive approach to West and Central Africa,  a set of Programmes and Projects focused on capacity building, funded through the instrument contributing to Security and Peace (IcSP) and the European Development Fund (EDF) are geared towards implementing the Strategy for the Gulf of Guinea and its rolling Action Plan. At the same time, since early 2021, the EU Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) has boosted the collective engagement by enhancing coordination of the existing Member States naval and air assets present in specific areas at a voluntary basis to increase the EU's capacity to act as a reliable partner and maritime security provider in the region....

Africa and the EU, 30 Nov 2022
Africa is a geopolitical priority for the European Union, it is Europe's closest neighbour and our sister continent. Europe and Africa have close economic, cultural and geographical ties.

africom.mil | Flintlock 2023, 1-15 Mar
setaf-africa.army.mil | African Land Forces Summit (ALFS), 8-12 May 2023
europeafrica.army.mil | African Lion 23, 13 May-16 June 2023

The mission, a civil-military mission, targets Togo, Ghana, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire and could be kicked off in a few months. As reported by the German newspaper Die Welt on August 27, citing European diplomats, besides fighting jihadists, the mission aims to douse Russia's growing influence in the region. The intervention is announced in a particular context, where European players face diplomatic challenges in the Sahel, especially Niger.

COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/1599 (03.08.23)
on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea ["in its widest sense"]

The mission, according to Senior EU diplomats involved in planning at the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels,  results from "the European Union's fear that jihadist groups will keep expanding in west Africa from the Sahel to the coastal countries south of the Gulf of Guinea, which could exacerbate instability in the region".

[...]
According to Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the last convoy from the mission, known as MINUSMA, left the Menaka camp in northeastern Mali on Aug. 25, arriving in Gao Wednesday.

"Menaka was the last of the four MINUSMA bases scheduled for closure during the first phase of the mission's downsizing and definitive withdrawal from Mali, in accordance with the request of the transitional authorities," Dujarric said, adding that "the temporary base at Ogossagou was closed on Aug. 3, followed by Ber on Aug. 13, and Goundam three days later."

archive Diplomacy? in Niger: Decolonization, Resources and Military Intervention

Dujarric also stated that El-Ghassim Wane, the special representative of the secretary-general and head of the UN mission in Mali, reported that the timely conclusion of this first phase of MINUSMA's drawdown plan is the result of sustained work by UN teams and good coordination with the Malian authorities.

"He added that with these base closures, we have reduced our geographical footprint in Mali by 25 percent, and we are determined to persevere with this momentum to conclude the withdrawal by the end of the year," Dujarric said.

"Transitional authorities" was a reference to the military junta governing Mali since an August 2020 coup, deposing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
[...]

At least 15 people have been killed on the second day of anti-United Nations protests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's turbulent northeastern region, in attacks UN chief Antonio Guterres said could constitute a 'war crime'.

Protests erupted on Monday as crowds took to the streets of North Kivu province's main city Goma against the country's UN mission - United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) - which they accuse of failing to stop armed groups' decades-old fighting....

2023
cnn | Dozens killed during anti-UN protests in the DRC, 1 Sep

Protesters in the eastern city of Goma on Wednesday criticized the UN's Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO), the East African Community and other international organizations operating in the country. At least 43 people were killed and a further 53 were injured during the clashes with local authorities. Over 150 people were arrested, including the leader of the group which organized the protests, the government said.

archive Diplomacy? in Niger: Decolonization, Resources and Military Intervention

The DRC government said that the protesters "carried out actions that undermined public order," and and that law enforcement intervened to "restore tranquility and serenity in the city," according to a statement Thursday.

According to a MONUSCO press release on Thursday, "Congolese defense and security forces tried to prevent the holding of this demonstration, which promised to be violent by the very admission of its organizers."

"MONUSCO remains concerned about the threats of violence made before the demonstration and recalls the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts through inclusive dialogue," the statement read.

'People have a right to express themselves'
Goma authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident and the justice ministry has been "instructed to gather evidence."...

DR Congo announced the arrest of military officers on Monday, after nearly 50 people were killed in a crackdown on an anti-UN protest in the east of the country.

Congolese soldiers last Wednesday stopped a religious sect from holding a demonstration against United Nations peacekeepers in the city of Goma. An internal army document consulted by AFP, and verified by security officials, gave a death toll of 48 civilians killed—in addition to a policemen slain by the protesters.
[...]
Early on Monday, Congolese Interior Minister Peter Kazadi announced that a commander of a Republican Guard brigade as well as a regiment commander had been arrested.

"They have been detained and a trial will be organised in the coming hours to establish who was responsible," he told reporters in Goma. Kazadi travelled to the eastern city in the aftermath of the crackdown to investigate the incident, alongside the Congolese Defence Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba.

"We interviewed all the military security officials in the city," Kazadi said. "Some military officials were immediately referred to the military prosecutor's office."

"We are asking the population to remain calm, to trust the government and our justice system, which will soon reach a verdict," the interior minister added....

On 15-17 November 2023, US President Joe Biden will host 21 APEC leaders in San Francisco. But not all invited heads of state will attend the gala event. Facing criminal charges, Russian President Vladimir Putin will almost certainly stay home in Moscow. Other presidents and prime ministers may be compelled to tend to urgent domestic business.

Both Biden and Putin skipped the November 2022 APEC meeting in Bangkok, enabling Chinese President Xi Jinping to steal the show. One headline event in San Francisco could be the Biden-Xi bilateral meeting, unless < wipes tears > a fresh eruption of US-China[, US-Taiwan, US-HK SAR, US-Indonesia, US-Thailand, PH-China, Canada-China, or IN-China?] disputes keeps Xi in Beijing.

APEC (1989 FTA): BN, CL, CN, CN-hk, CN-tw, ID, KR, MX, MY, PE, PG, PH, RU, SG, TH, VN;  AU, CA, JP, NZ, US

Another headline could be a Biden meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India has been trying to join APEC since the institution was founded in 1989, but has been blocked first by its own protectionist policies and more recently by China. Now that the United States and India are steady geopolitical compatriots, Biden might [instead?] invite Modi to side meetings in San Francisco that coincide with the APEC agenda....

...Privately, officials explain that Biden very much wants Xi to attend November's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation [APEC] summit in San Francisco. Biden has long believed that foreign policy is personal. Whether that's true or not, the Biden-Xi meeting has become an important U.S. policy objective....

... two administration officials told NBC News on Thursday, dashing hopes of a face-to-face encounter that could help to ease Sino-U.S. tensions. It's unclear whether Xi will even attend the September gathering in New Delhi, one of the officials said.....

...Reuters cited two Indian officials in reporting Xi's expected absence, one a diplomat based in China and the other working for the government of another G20 country. Agence France-Presse did as well, citing a senior European Union official, as did the Financial Times, saying that three Western officials were sources. All reported that Premier Li Qiang was expected to represent Beijing at the September 9-10 gathering....

At the invitation of President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, the current ASEAN chair, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will attend the 26th China-ASEAN Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three [CN, JP, KR] Summit, and the 18th East Asia Summit [EAS] to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from September 5 to 8, and pay an official visit to Indonesia. 

ASEAN (1967 FTA): BN, ID, KH, LA, MM, MY, PH, SG, TH, TL, VN
EAS (2005 East Asia Summit): CN, RU, IN, KR, ASEAN; US, AU, JP, NZ

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, will pay an official visit to China from September 3 to 5. During the visit, the two foreign ministers will attend the 11th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee.

...Mr Xi and Mr Biden may still have an opportunity to speak in November, at a meeting among leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation [APEC] in San Francisco....

[...]
"It was in the spirit of 'Sabka Saath' that India proposed permanent membership for the African Union in the G-20," he added.

With an embrace after the announcement, Modi welcomed AU55 Chairperson Azali Assoumani and offered him a place at the conference table for permanent members of the G20.

G20 (1999 NGO) AU, CA, FR, DE, ES, EU-CO, EU-EC, IT, JP, UK, US;  AU55, AR, BR, CN, ID, IN, KR, MX, RU, TR, SA, ZA

The AU55 chair is rotated annually among the continent's five regions. Assoumani is the president of the Comoros, an archipelago off the east coast of Africa.

"Delighted the African Union was granted full membership in the G20," Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"EU has been a steadfast supporter of this initiative and I am pleased to have championed it from the very beginning with Macky Sall," he added. Sall is Senegal's president and was the 2022 chair of the African Union.
[...]

The AU55 now has the same status as the European Union, which was the only regional bloc with full membership. The African Union's previous designation was "invited international organization."

"With everyone's approval, I request the AU55 head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member," Modi said in his opening address, with the African bloc's head Azali Assoumani then taking a seat alongside world leaders.

Founded in 1999, the African Union is made up of 55 African countries and encompasses virtually the entire continent.

AU/OAU(2002/1963 FTA): AO, BF, BI, BJ, BW, CD, CF, CG, CI, CM, CV, DJ, DZ, EG, EH, ER, ET, EQ, GA, GH, GM, GN, GQ, GW, KE, KM, LY, LR, LS, MA, MG, ML, MR, MU, MW, MZ, NA, NE, NG, RW, SC, SD, SO, SS, SL, SN, ST, SZ, TG, TD, TN, TZ, UG, ZA, ZM, ZW; PAPSS (2022

The member-states collectively make key political and economic decisions. One of the AU's main objectives is to eliminate "the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid" as well as promoting unity and solidarity among its members. South Africa was previously the only African country with membership in the G20.
[...]

[...]
76. We welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 and strongly believe that inclusion of the African Union into the G20 will significantly contribute to addressing the global challenges of our time. We commend the efforts of all G20 members which paved the way for accession of the African Union as a permanent member during India's Presidency of the G20. Africa plays an important role in the global economy. We commit to strengthen our ties with and support the African Union realise the aspirations under Agenda 2063. We also reiterate strong support to Africa, including through the G20 Compact with Africa [CwA] and G20 [Global Land] Initiative on supporting industrialization in Africa and LDCs [Least Developed Countries]. We are supportive of further discussing the deepening of cooperation between the G20 and other regional partners.
[...]
83. Recalling our collective actions to stem earlier global crises [1999, 2008], we are determined to steer the world out of its current challenges and build a safer, stronger, more resilient, inclusive and healthier future for our people and the planet.
[...]

elysee.fr | India-France Joint Statement (10.09.23)
President Macron's visit to India comes after the historic visit of prime Minister Modi to Paris on July 13-14, 2023 as the Guest of Honour on the occasion of French National Day on 14 July 2023, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership.

Acknowledging the strength of India France partnership, founded in deep trust, shared values, belief in sovereignty and strategic autonomy, a resolute commitment to international law and principles enshrined in the UN Charter, an abiding faith in multilateralism and a mutual pursuit of a stable multi-polar world, both leaders emphasized the need to expand their collaboration to address regional and global challenges.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the group's leaders to hold a virtual meeting in November to review progress on policy suggestions and goals announced at the weekend.

"It is our responsibility to look at the suggestions that have been made to see how progress can be accelerated," he said in a statement.
[...]
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the head of the Russian delegation, said the summit was a success for India as well as the Global South, the world's developing countries. The Global South's position in the talks helped prevent the G20 agenda from being overshadowed by Ukraine, he told a press conference. "India has truly consolidated G20 members from the Global South."

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters the summit declaration "does a very good job of standing up for the principle that states cannot use force to seek territorial acquisition or to violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of other states". Germany and Britain have also praised the resolution, but Ukraine said "it was nothing to be proud of".

narendramodi.in | PM Modi and PM Sunak meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi (09.09.23)
...Both leaders also reviewed the progress of Free Trade Agreement negotiations and expressed hope that the remaining issues could be addressed at the earliest so that a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward looking Free Trade Agreement is concluded soon. Prime Minister Modi invited PM Sunak for a bilateral visit at an early, mutually convenient date for a more detailed discussion. Prime Minister Sunak accepted the invitation and congratulated PM Modi for a successful G20 Summit....

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that the G20, which was founded to solve international economic issues, was not necessarily the place to expect diplomatic progress on the war in Ukraine. However, he said the G20 declaration was not a diplomatic victory for Russia.

"This G20 confirms once again the isolation of Russia. Today, an overwhelming majority of G20 members condemn the war in Ukraine and its impact," Macron told a press conference after the closing ceremony of the summit. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: "Russia's invasion of Ukraine is something that could shake the foundation of cooperation at G20.

"Also, that is having a major impact on the global economy through such developments as continued increases in food and energy prices."
[...]
On Sunday, world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, German Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron and Japan's Fumio Kishida, visited the memorial of Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi. Most of the leaders were barefoot as they walked to the site where Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948 by a < wipes tears > Hindu extremist. Biden later left for Viet Nam, missing the last session of the summit. The White House said it was not aware of him having any talks with Lavrov or Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who led their country's delegations at the summit.
[...]

The U.N. is running out of steam, losing visibility, who knows nowadays who the U.N secretary-general is?" asked a former French official noting a "shift in the world's center of gravity" toward the east and the south.

By-passing the United Nations and avoiding the Security Council ... following the John Bolton doctrine

In a recent interview with the London Daily Telegraph, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton described the U.N. as hope- lessly out of touch and stuck in a Twilight Zone-style "time warp" where "there are practices, attitudes and approaches that were aban- doned 30 years ago in much of the rest of the world."

Biden specifically advances bi-lateral agreements and military treaties beyond international organizations and Western alliances.

U.S. Foreign Policy bilateral agreements and military ties outside NATO Poland - Romania - Ukraine

U.S. Seeks to Build Network of Like-Minded Nations in Indo-Pacific | Sept. 29, 2022 |

'Sapere aude'

Confusion, clumsiness and amalgams are undoubtedly what relations between France and the Sahel region of West Africa, soured by a series of military putsches fanning the flames of hostility against Paris, need least. Yet these are the unwelcome ingredients of the instructions sent out on Monday, September 11, by the French Culture Ministry's regional directorates to public drama and choreography centers.

The terse message orders the suspension of "all cooperation projects" with Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as "all financial support" to these countries. "No invitations should be extended to any nationals of these countries," the document states.

Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak attempted to quell the controversy sparked by the document's publication on Thursday, September 14, and to respond to protests from cultural unions by declaring that France "never boycotts artists, anywhere." President Emmanuel Macron himself sought to clear up the "confusion" by stating that cultural actions were stopped "in the Sahel but not here." But the damage has been done. The message lends credence to the idea that Paris is severing cultural ties with three countries in retaliation for the ["]power grabs["] by military juntas hostile to France.
[...]
First of all, such decisions appear paradoxical, given that diplomatic relations with these three countries have in no way been broken off—France is even < wipes tears > maintaining its ambassador to Niger, even as the junta demands his departure.
[...]

Burkina Faso's foreign ministry has notified France of the expulsion of the embassy's military attaché for "subversive activities", in the latest sign of failing relations between the former allies. In a letter seen by Agence France Presse (AFP) on Friday, September 15, the ministry warned that attaché Emmanuel Pasquier and his team had two weeks to leave the Sahel nation, which underwent two military coups last year. The letter added that the French military mission in Ouagadougou would be closed.

France, which withdrew troops from its former colony in the face of mounting hostility after Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in September 2022, rejected the accusation. "The accusation of subversive activities is obviously fanciful," a foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP in Paris. France recalled its ambassador from Ouagadougou after the September coup and has not replaced the envoy.
[...]

Gadsen flag
The flag is named for Christopher Gadsden, a South Carolina delegate to the Continental Congress and brigadier general in the Continental Army who designed the flag in 1775 during the American Revolution. He gave the flag to Commodore Esek Hopkins, and it was unfurled on the main mast of Hopkins' flagship USS Alfred on December 20, 1775.

Proceedings in the Rhode Island Inferior Court of Common Pleas in the Case of Esek Hopkins vs. Richard Marven and Samuel Shaw, June 15, 1778

Two days later, Congress made Hopkins commander-in-chief of the Continental Navy. He adopted the Gadsden banner as his personal flag, flying it from the mainmast of the flagship while he was aboard. The Continental Marines also flew the flag during the early part of the war.

The episode comes from a chapter that's usually overlooked in the history of the Gadsden flag, which has reemerged as a provocative antigovernmental [sic] symbol. Republican lawmakers from the tea party movement claimed the flag in their fight against federal overreach. Far-right extremists carried it in Charlottesville and at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Today, "Don't Tread on Me" license plates are available from Virginia to Florida to Arizona, with Iowa this year proposing one of its own.

With the filing deadline in New Hampshire fast-approaching and national Democrats weighing penalties that would effectively keep President Joe Biden off the state's primary ballot, an ad hoc group of his backers are rallying support for a write-in effort to prevent him from losing the contest.

The loosely organized group includes respected former party officials who are preparing to step in with the Democratic National Committee declining, so far, to back down from a pledge to punish presidential candidates who campaign in states that buck the party's primary order.

Campaigning is defined, in the Biden-backed rules that were formally adopted by the DNC earlier this year, as appearing on the ballot in states that jump the line. New Hampshire has traditionally had the first presidential primary, and in keeping with state law, it is expected break the Democratic Party's rules and do so again.

With the prospect of a fringe candidate such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., winning New Hampshire, Democrats in the state have begun plotting an < wipes tears > independent effort to support Biden. At a meeting of Manchester Democrats last weekend, former New Hampshire party chair Kathy Sullivan said she told attendees, "It's important that we all show up and write in Joe Biden's name if his name is not on the ballot."

vowed Sunday to follow former President Trump "around the country" if the former president does not debate.

Since stepping down from leadership last year, Ms. Pelosi, 83, has kept people guessing about her plans. Many were surprised to see her stay in Congress, but she has relished her lower profile as a rank-and-file member with emeritus [sic] status, offering advice on an as-needed basis to her party's new leadership team in the House. Some Democrats have speculated that she would leave Congress before the end of her term, potentially clearing the way for her daughter Christine Pelosi, a party activist and Democratic National Committee executive committee member ["superdelegate"], to run for her seat.

thehill | Pelosi on whether Harris is best running mate for Biden: 'He thinks so', 14 Sep

"She's, of course, values-based, consistent with the president's values and the rest," she added. Pelosi praised her fellow California Democrat's ability to make her case to voters about why she is the right candidate for a given position, saying, "People shouldn't underestimate what Kamala?! Harris brings to the table."

"People don't understand. She's politically astute. Why would she be vice president if she were not?" she continued. "But when she was running for attorney general in California, she had 6 percent in the polls—6 percent in the polls. And she politically astutely made her case about why she would be good, did her politics, and became attorney general."

highlighted her economic plan at a speech in New Hampshire Friday ahead of the second GOP presidential debate next week.

"Americans are tired of working for Washington. It's time for Washington to start working for us. That's why I'm unveiling my 'Freedom Plan'. I'll make Washington work for you, not the other way around.The American people are the only ones who will out-compete—and ultimately defeat—Communist China."

1835

(GD I - III)

GD IV

27 Sep 2018

labor value 2021

The Don Cheeto

The chief of space operations [Gen. Chance Saltzman] said a direct line of communication between the Space Force and its Chinese counterpart would be valuable in de-escalating tensions but that the U.S. had not yet engaged with China to establish one.

"What we have talked about on the U.S. side at least is opening up a line of communication to make sure that if there is a crisis, we know who we can contact," Saltzman said, adding that it would be up to President Joe Biden and the State Department to take the lead on such discussions.

The comments come as the U.S. Space Force looks into establishing a branch in Japan, as China's military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific unnverve its neighbours and the war in Ukraine spotlights the importance of < wipes tears > space capabilities in warfare.
[...]
Saltzman added that deeper cooperation with like-minded countries including Japan would be crucial in being able to monitor and understand activity in the space domain to deter China and counter 'grey zone activities' such as jamming satellite signals.

nordictimes | Musk partially hands over Starlink control to the Pentagon (16.09.23)
The Pentagon will gain control of the part of Starlink intended for use by and in Ukraine. This decision means that Musk is relieved of all responsibility for the limits and rules of use of the system.

"We have to be able to have those indications and warnings and see what they're doing and call them on the intent. Just being hypersensitive so we don't fall prey to grey zone activities," Saltzman said. The U.S. Space Force, founded in 2019, also does not have a direct line of communication with its Russian counterpart.

...The African Carbon Market Initiative (ACMI) is a dangerous distraction for Africa from its real interests and priorities for development, energy, climate, biodiversity and resilience. The African Climate Summit must reject it. African countries are rightly demanding climate funding from polluting countries and companies in the global north, who have caused the climate crisis that is devastating African people, economy and nature. But carbon markets benefit the polluters, the fossil fuel companies, and the market brokers. It will drive pollution beyond climate limits and puts neo-colonial obstructions to the attainment of genuine African development pathways. It is a wolf in sheep's clothing that will bite back creating numerous new and serious problems while not providing any real benefits.

Carbon markets assume that western companies will continue to emit huge quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the coming decades, purchasing carbon credits to `offset' these emissions. But there is no room for the illusion of offsets in a world that has vastly exceeded safe levels of climate pollution and where polluting companies ought to be aiming for real zero emissions, not net zero, as fast as possible. Climate science is clear there is no time for pretending there is an offsetting alternative if we are to keep within the 1.5°C target or even below the unimaginable disaster of 2°C of warming.

Carbon credits are a financialisaton of African nature and the climate crisis, dealing in an imaginary commodity of tonnes of carbon 'saved'. ACMI claims its purpose is to create a market for a `high-value export commodity'. However, the two biggest winners from carbon markets are the fossil fuel companies, as it allows companies across the world to continue to burn their polluting product with impunity, and the financial brokers who buy and sell the credits with huge mark ups....

"Europe has the biggest and most advanced green bond market in the world," Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, the bloc's executive, said in Nairobi on Tuesday. "We are ready to share our expertise with your teams on how to develop your own green bond markets."

South Africa paid double EU price for COVID vaccines, unredacted contracts reveal (06.09.23)
...The public release of the contracts between the South African government and four vaccine providers—Johnson & Johnson (J&J); Pfizer; the Serum Institute of India; and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—follows a court case brought by NGO Health Justice Initiative, which resulted in the South African government being forced to hand over the agreements....

Von der Leyen, who is attending the African Climate Summit in the Kenyan capital, said the EU will help Africa attract private [AKA commercial] investment [AKA debt] through its new Global Green Bond Initiative. The world's pioneer in green bond issuance since 2007, Europe has been selling record amounts since feeding to the global $2.8 trillion market, according to BloombergNEF.

Africa Needs Over $100 Billion a Year for Climate Adaptation

archive COP15: the $100 billion a year developed countries promised way back in 2009 to help the developing world cut emissions and adapt to changing climate

The European Investment Bank and EU member states will allocate €1 billion ($1.08 billion) to de-risk [!] private investments in emerging markets, which should help attract as much as €20 billion [?!] in sustainable investment, von der Leyen said.

aljazeera | African leaders seek global taxes for climate change at Nairobi summit, 6 Sep

The adoption—announced on Wednesday by the summit's convener, Kenyan President William Ruto—proposes new global taxes [AKA "carbon credits"] and reforms to international financial institutions to help fund climate change action in a declaration that will form the basis of their negotiating position at November's COP28 summit.

archive IMF | Debt-for-Climate Swaps: Analysis, Design, and Implementation

[...]
Advocates have long called for rich carbon polluters to honour long-standing [Paris!] climate pledges [!] for poorer and more vulnerable nations.
[...]
The International Energy Agency (IEA) says Africa hosts [!] 60 percent of the world's best solar resources [AKA "critical minerals"], but only three percent of ["]energy investments["].

Doubling energy investment in Africa requires urgent action to bring down financing costs and boost access to capital (06.09.23)
...Lowering the cost of capital and supporting the creation of investable projects will require scaling up a range of instruments. These include the provision of more early-stage financing and greater use of tools that can reduce perceived investment risks in order to attract private capital. [...] Delivering modern energy to all Africans will require nearly USD 25 billion [!?] in spending per year to 2030, the report finds. This is a small amount in the context of global energy spending—equivalent to the investment needed to build one new LNG terminal a year. But it requires a very different type of finance, given the need for small-scale projects, often in rural areas and for consumers with limited ability to pay.

[...]
"Concessional capital [!] of around $28bn per year is needed to mobilise $90bn [!?] of private sector investment by 2030 ... a more than tenfold increase from today," the report said.

Joining President Ruto were UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, United States Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry, African Development Bank President Akinwumi A. Adesina, and several African leaders. Faki urged for reform of the global financial architecture to meet Africa's needs of at least $1.3 billion [?!] a year to meet the sustainable development goals by 2030.
[...]
Offering Europe as an ally in efforts to close Africa's climate investment gaps, Von Der Leyen said it was "time to move from words to action." "We want to partner with you to create  < wipes tears > local value chains, to create good jobs here in Africa," she said. "We want to invest in ["smart mining"?] skills for local workers, this is crucial for the young people because the stronger you are as suppliers [!], the more Europe will diversify its supply chains toward Africa. And the more we both will de-risk [!] our economies. It's a clear win-win."
[...]

<p">Geomorphology of a river: what happens when you install a dam or a weir and how the sediment transport changes [full video + full explanation here: https://t.co/cjyB0k8UXu] pic.twitter.com/L47YsqCCcJ

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) June 27, 2022

alt distro
Seed:The Untold Story

It is illegal to grow genetically modified corn on Mexican soil. In 2020, Mexico expanded the prohibition with a decree banning all GMO corn, including imports, as of January 31, 2024, on the grounds that doing so protected its food security, its rural communities, its food heritage and the health of its people. It also announced that it would impose strict limits on the import, distribution and use of the contentious herbicide glyphosate - widely used in GMO farming - culminating in its complete ban by that date. Glyphosate is a well-known weed killer whose potential to cause cancer is the subject of heated debate.

reuters | EU executive proposes 10-year glyphosate approval extension  (20.09.23) The Commission's proposal will be put to a vote on Oct. 13 by the 27 European Union members, with a "qualified majority" [!] of 15 representing at least 65% of the bloc's population required either to support or to block the proposal. The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) said in a report issued in July that it had not identified "critical areas of concern" to prevent renewed approval.

archive Harvesting the EU's health union, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013

[...]
"Mexico is the centre of origin of more than 55 strains of maize. The food security policy of the Government of Mexico consists of preserving this biocultural heritage," the government said in a statement, in addition to preserving the sustainable farming practices of peasant communities. "This has to do with consolidating sovereignty and food security in a central part of Mexican culture."
[...]
The move rankled the US, which considered it an affront to the free trade rules of the region. After multiple meetings and consultations with Mexican officials, the US announced in August it would seek to establish a dispute settlement panel under the USMCA [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement], arguing that the Mexican decree "undermines the market access" Mexico had agreed to provide. "Mexico's approach to biotechnology is not based on science and runs counter to decades' worth of evidence demonstrating its safety and the rigorous, science-based regulatory review system that ensures it poses no harm to human health and the environment," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement.

archive You are mistaken.

 "Innovations in agricultural biotechnology play a key role in advancing solutions to our shared [?!] global challenges, including food and < wipes tears > nutrition insecurity, the climate crisis and the lingering effects of food price inflation [excluding food and energy]," he said.
[...]