Europe

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4245158

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Cameras capable of recognizing the “ethnic affiliation” of passersby have been put into operation in St. Petersburg, Russia, according to Igor Nikonov, deputy chairman of the city’s Committee on Informatization and Communications. Nikonov’s remarks came during preliminary hearings on St. Petersburg’s 2026-2028 budget, according to a report by local outlet Peterburgsky Dnevnik (lit. “St. Petersburg Diary”).

“We have one type of analytics — recognition of several types of races and nationalities. Six types. This makes it possible to detect concentrations of certain groups in specific districts of the city. Based on this data, law enforcement agencies make corresponding decisions,” Nikonov was quoted as saying.

According to Nikonov, the system allows police to monitor gatherings of immigrants and identify so-called “rubber” apartments — a Russian term for overcrowded homes that are often used to register them. At present, about 50,000 cameras are equipped with the function allowing them to determine ethnicity, but concrete results have yet to be made public. “Crime-solving statistics will only be summarized at the end of the year,” he added.

Nikonov said the system is capable of recognizing several conditional categories of appearance: people from the Caucasus, East Asia, and Central Asia, as well as Europeans and people of African descent. Earlier reports also mentioned certain South Asian groups.

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cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4244142

Archived version

At first glance, Max looks harmless enough. An online app, its anodyne blue and white logo gives no indication of its origins, or its sinister purpose.

Yet this seemingly innocuous messaging service is set to become an important tool in President Putin’s attempt to impose total control over the online lives of ordinary Russians.

The app, which was test-launched in March, was developed on Putin’s orders and provides online messaging, video calls, mobile payments, social networking and access to government services. It was developed by the Kremlin-controlled company VK. Under a new law, it will be installed on every digital device that is sold in Russia from September 1.

Critics have described it as a “spy program” that installs snooping software on a user’s smartphone that remains in place even after the app is removed. It is being seen as Russia’s equivalent to China’s WeChat app, which Beijing uses for online surveillance and censorship.

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Archive: https://archive.ph/2025.08.27-041804/https://www.ft.com/content/aec30c2d-ccac-47b0-b5a5-5c0858a4f62e

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4239513

Archived link

Download The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy (pdf)

• The partnership focuses on Greenland’s mineral deposits and Canada’s processing capabilities to create a more resilient supply chain.
• Success depends on: Community approvals; processing scale; establishing transparent, traceable mineral contracts

A recent analysis by Geo Capitalist highlights a “silent deal” between Canada and Denmark that could mark a turning point in global rare earth supply chains. The story is compelling: Canada’s vast but underdeveloped mineral base, married to Denmark’s control of Greenland’s enormous rare earth deposits. Together, the two mid-sized players could mount the most credible Western challenge yet to China’s stranglehold on these critical resources. But does the hype match reality?

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The story is not about whether Canada and Denmark will magically dethrone China. It’s about incremental leverage. Every ton of concentrate refined in Saskatchewan, every Greenland project permitted under environmental safeguards, chips away at Beijing’s incumbency. The payoff isn’t sudden—it’s an unpredictable supply, transparent standards, and long-term offtake contracts that allow automakers and electronics giants to plan with confidence.

Three markers will separate talk from substance:

• Permitting milestones in Greenland – whether local communities approve key sites.
• Processing buildout in Canada – pilot lines moving to commercial scale, with magnet makers in tow.
• Policy glue – contracts linking North American and European buyers to supply under common ESG and traceability standards.

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The Canada–Denmark narrative is exciting, but today it remains more blueprint than building. Still, the strategic logic is undeniable. Canada brings scale and processing ambition, Denmark holds the keys to Greenland’s geology, and both operate within trusted jurisdictions. For investors, the alliance’s potential lies not in a dramatic overnight shift but in quiet, reliable progress that makes supply chains more resilient.

China won’t be displaced soon, but each Western alternative reduces dependency and improves negotiating power. That’s the true value of this emerging partnership.

In other related news, Canadian Foreign Anita Minister Anand concludes successful visit to Finland to strengthen partnerships between Canada and Nordic countries

• Canada and the 'Nordic Five' - Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland - share strong democratic values and a commitment to the rules-based international order. Together, Canada and the Nordic Five advance shared priorities in transatlantic security, support for Ukraine and economic cooperation.

• Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy promotes sovereignty, stability and prosperity in the region.

• Canada and Denmark are enhancing Arctic cooperation, including through Greenland’s role in the Arctic Council and shared Inuit heritage.

• Canada and Finland collaborate on Arctic governance, sustainable development and Indigenous inclusion.

• Canada and Norway have partnered since 1942 on multilateralism, human rights, climate issues, energy and Arctic security.

• Canada and Iceland have maintained strong ties through recent high-level visits and joint work on trade, defence, climate issues, gender equality and youth mobility.

• Canada and Sweden are deepening cooperation on security, innovation, climate issues and Arctic issues.

The world’s largest sovereign wealth fund has quit its investments in U.S. machinery manufacturer Caterpillar and five Israeli banks following a review of the companies’ ties to conflict in the West Bank.

The executive board of Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), which manages the fund on behalf of the Norwegian population and is valued at around $2 trillion, said Monday there was an “unacceptable risk that the companies contribute to serious violations of the rights of individuals in situations of war and conflict.” The decision was based on recommendations from its ethics council, it said.

NBIM said that bulldozers manufactured by New York-listed Caterpillar were “being used by Israeli authorities in the widespread unlawful destruction of Palestinian property.” NBIM had a $2.4 billion stake in the company at the end of 2024, representing around 1.2% ownership. CNBC has contacted Caterpillar for comment.

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4232232

The two countries have agreed to further action, especially tightening the cooperation of defence industries and enhancing capabilities together, as well as trainings and exercises for our troops - said Polish deputy prime minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz after concluding his talks with the defence minister of Canada, David J. McGuinty.

"We want to create Polish-Canadian joint ventures, work together for a secure Europe and invest together in the Ukraine," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

In June this year, Canada has signed an agreement with the European Union regarding key partnership.

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Poland and Canada have declared furthering cooperation in the area of nuclear energy, hydrogen and renewable energy sources. The issue of energy was also one of the key topics of discussion at the Chancellary of the Prime Minister. The Polish prime minister confirmed that Poland will not send soldiers to Ukraine, but will be responsible for logistical assistance and securing the eastern borders of the EU.

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4232105

Moldova is on the frontline of the hybrid war waged by Russia against democracy, actions which intensify on the eve of parliamentary elections. Heleen Bakker, Director-General for European Cooperation of the Netherlands, has made statements to this effect at a press conference held jointly with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popsoi and representatives of the BENELUX delegation.

Heleen Bakker warned about hybrid attacks and reaffirmed European solidarity in combating them.

"We see how misinformation, cyber-attacks and attempts to undermine trust in institutions are boosting, especially on the eve of the elections. We are here to convey clear message: Moldova is not alone. The BENELUX countries firmly support the sovereignty of Moldova, its resilience against threats, as well as the progress made in essential areas - from justice reform to energy diversification. We will continue to support you through expertise, resources and cooperation. Supporting Moldovan democracy also means defending European democracy. It is not just an act of solidarity, but an investment in our common security and European future," said Heleen Bakker.

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"Hybrid attacks on Moldova are intensifying ahead of the elections, but by virtue of our society's resilience and the constant solidarity and support on behalf of our friends and partners, the country is better endowed today, better positioned to counter these interferences, whether we are talking about those in the online space, the media, or attempts to destabilize the situation through protests paid for by fugitive oligarchs, or about constant threats and attempts to spread fear, to threaten Moldova, as the Kremlin does," said Mihai Popsoi.

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cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4231810

Canada’s new government has a mandate to strengthen and diversify our international relationships. In the face of a shifting global trade landscape, that mandate has only increased in importance. To that end, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, travelled to Germany to strengthen our trade and commercial ties and build new partnerships in the rapidly growing market for critical minerals.

Earlier this year at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Prime Minister Carney introduced the Critical Minerals Production Alliance – a Canada-led initiative that leverages trusted international partnerships to enhance critical mineral supply chains for collective defence and advanced technology.

Today, in Berlin, Canada and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to deepen co-operation to secure critical mineral supply chains, increase collaboration on research and development, and co-fund new critical mineral projects that contribute to a range of industries – from electric vehicle manufacturing to defence and aerospace.

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With vast energy and natural resources, Canada has what the world needs to meet the demands of the future. By partnering with Germany, the largest economy in Europe, Canada will boost domestic investment and create higher-paying jobs, while accelerating the clean energy transition and strengthening transatlantic security.

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Canadian Prime Minister Carney and German Chancellor Merz also discussed Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine – underlining that no decisions about Ukraine should be taken without Ukraine, and no decisions about Europe should be taken without Europe. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine following this weekend’s meetings in Kyiv with President Zelenskyy, outlining Canada’s recent allocation of $2 billion in military assistance. He echoed that credible security guarantees will be instrumental in creating the conditions for durable, lasting peace.

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Archive: https://archive.ph/2025.08.26-141637/https://www.reuters.com/world/belgian-pm-says-best-leave-frozen-russian-funds-euroclear-now-2025-08-26/

Archive: https://archive.ph/2025.08.26-162657/https://www.ft.com/content/66ec25a0-4af8-467f-9fbe-cf42de890a7e

Archive: https://archive.ph/2025.08.26-072231/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-26/illegal-sites-took-71-of-europe-s-betting-casino-sales-in-2024

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4226066

Archived version

In January, Russia shifted its personal income tax (PIT) structure from a two-bracket system to a five-tier scale. Economists at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics (HSE) recently estimated that the shift alone cut the growth of real disposable incomes by 0.4% in 2025. Combined with a hike in consumption charges, the increase in taxation is expected to curtail household spending and, in turn, exert downward pressure on overall GDP, warn the authors of the HSE report.

Businesses are also paying more: profit tax jumped from 20% to 25%, mineral extraction levies rose for metals and fertilizer producers, and small firms on simplified tax regimes now have to pay VAT. Altogether, the Finance Ministry projects the state will bring in an extra 2.6 trillion rubles this year, including 1.6 trillion ($20.0 billion) from profit tax and 533 billion ($6.7 billion) from personal income tax, and 17 trillion ($212.5 billion) over five years.

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Despite revenue growth from some sources, other tax inflows are falling. With global oil prices low, mineral extraction tax receipts dropped 18% compared with a relatively strong 2024. Overall, revenues are only at the levels of 2023 — which are comparable to those of prewar 2021. Combined with rising government spending and early prepayments for state contracts, the deficit has exceeded initial targets, reaching 3.7 trillion rubles ($46.2 billion), or 1.7% of GDP — far above the 1 trillion rubles ($12.5 billion), or 0.5% of GDP, written into the original budget law. Amendments had to be passed, but the revised ceiling has almost already been reached.

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Higher state duties on filing court cases were designed to meet two goals at once: raising revenue and reducing pressure on the judicial system. On average, [state] fees are rising by a factor of between ten and fifteen, and in some cases more than fiftyfold. The amendments have already been passed: for example, filing a property claim will now cost 4,000 rubles ($50) instead of 400 ($5). Filing an appeal now costs 3,000 rubles ($37), up from 150 ($2). For economic disputes, the fee rises from 300 ($4) to 10,000 rubles ($125) for individuals and from 2,000 ($25) to 60,000 rubles ($750) for legal entities.

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Archived version

Disinformation websites in the Czech Republic publish an average of 120 pieces a day — more than the country’s leading media outlets. An investigation by Voxpot, carried out in collaboration with the Druit IT collective, analyzed 360,000 publications across 16 platforms over the past 25 years. They found that around 10% of the content consisted of translations or rewrites of articles from sanctioned Russian pro-government outlets, including Sputnik, RT, and RIA Novosti.

The distribution of materials from such sources is banned in the EU, and in the Czech Republic, violators can be punished with fines of up to 50 million korunas ($2.38 million) or prison terms of up to eight years. According to Voxpot’s sources in the Czech government, the authorities are aware of the systematic violations of the sanctions regime but have so far been hesitant to intervene.

The activity of disinformation websites has spiked in the run-up to the parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to take place on October 3-4. In recent months, the outlets have been publishing up to 4,000 articles a month, around 250 of which were translations of Russian propaganda materials.

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