Europe

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4477815

The European Union and its member states should use all available diplomatic and legal tools to press the Georgian government to end its persecution of independent civil society and the media, nine international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, said in a joint statement to the EU.

The Georgian authorities have frozen the bank accounts of seven leading human rights and civil society organizations and summoned several of their leaders for questioning as part of a spurious criminal investigation. The latest escalation follows the adoption of a raft of legislative measures restricting and marginalizing the work of civil society.

“The EU and its member states should urgently respond to the Georgian government’s attempt to eliminate independent organizations and media in the country,” said Iskra Kirova, Europe and Central Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “The harassment of these groups violates Georgia’s obligations under multiple human rights treaties. EU member states should muster the consensus to press the government to change course.”

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4477322

Finland’s political state secretary for foreign affairs and defence has claimed China and Russia are increasingly working “in tandem” to disrupt and interfere in free societies, and undermine faith in governance.

In an interview with Guardian Australia to mark his official visit to Australia and New Zealand, Pasi Rajala said Russia would not be able to sustain its war in Ukraine without help from Beijing, including through supply of critical technology and the proceeds of oil and gas sales.

“You need to expose what China and Russia are doing, bearing in mind that they work together, and make it known to the public,” he said.

“All the cyber-attacks, meddling with politics – in Europe there have been assassination plots.”

Last month, a Chinese national was charged over alleged foreign interference in Australia, including covert collection of information about a Buddhist association which is banned by Beijing.

It is third time foreign interference charges have been laid in Australia since new laws were introduced in 2018.

Earlier this year, Asio chief, Mike Burgess, warned foreign agents were targeting the Aukus nuclear submarine program, as well as critical infrastructure and sensitive government data.

Russia is accused of serious foreign interference in Europe and the UK. A Russian government plan to assassinate the chief executive of a German arms manufacturer was thwarted in mid-2024.

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Archive: https://archive.ph/2025.09.10-042502/https://www.ft.com/content/f0ccc395-c9df-473d-8601-d7dd683cea75

Archive: https://archive.ph/2025.09.10-041823/https://www.ft.com/content/0dc73556-67f2-4f48-b0ad-53f183a05df3

The UK has not concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, nor that any of the British-made parts for F-35 jets sold to Israel have directly led to breaches of international humanitarian law, ministers have told parliament.

Ministers have also rejected calls for an independent audit of UK arms sales, but admitted they were not in a position to say if Israel’s assault in Gaza had led to any breaches of humanitarian law owing to the complexity of the fighting terrain.

They rejected a proposal that the crime and policing bill for England and Wales be amended to make it easier to prosecute foreign nationals in the UK courts suspected of war crimes, including deprivation of aid or the killing of aid workers, a change that would make it easier for Israeli government leaders to be arrested if they visited the UK.

Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, is due to visit London on Wednesday, where he will give an address and visit No 10.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/27231379

EU member states are still wrangling over crucial commitments on the climate crisis with no sign of agreement, according to a leaked draft text seen by the Guardian.

With just weeks to go before a UN-set deadline, the European Commission and key member states remain at loggerheads over targets on greenhouse gas emissions, with the prospect of a strong outcome looking increasingly imperilled.

The negotiating document seen by the Guardian leaves blanks marked with square brackets, and placeholder text where the key numbers laying out new targets should be. Experts said the lack of any numbers, even of a provisional nature, or a range, was a poor sign at such a late stage of the process.

archived (Wayback Machine)

Archive: https://archive.ph/2025.09.08-181111/https://www.ft.com/content/7122b003-71c8-41e1-a968-1cc81f736939

A painting by Banksy of a judge using a gavel to beat a helpless protester appeared on the walls of the Royal Courts of Justice before quickly being covered up by guards.

Banksy confirmed the artwork was his by posting a picture of it on Instagram on Monday morning. Local workers said security guards were in position in front of the artwork, which is thought to be a reference to pro-Palestine protests.

One, Matteo, said he passed by at 8.30am on Monday when the guards were trying to stop people from taking pictures. More staff then arrived with supplies to cover it up.

Norway goes to the polls on Monday after an unusually close-fought and polarised election dominated by the cost of living, wealth taxes, oil fund investment in Israel and relations with Donald Trump.

There has been a surge in support for the populist rightwing Progress party led by Sylvi Listhaug, in what has been described by some as “the Maga-fication” of Norwegian politics. In the event of a rightwing victory, Listhaug could become prime minister.

But according to polls, the most probable result is a narrow win for the centre-left, meaning a likely continuation of the minority Labour government led by Jonas Gahr Støre, who has been prime minister since 2021, with the former Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, one of Norway’s most popular politicians, as finance minister.

Norway’s radical-left party, Rødt, has recruited thousands of members in recent years and looks set to boost its scores in Monday’s election. Seher Aydar, MP, told Jacobin about how it’s building on discontent with the established parties.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s appeal trial over the misuse of EU funds will begin on January 13, 2026, the Paris Court of Appeal announced Monday. The National Rally party figurehead was sentenced in March to four years in prison and five years of ineligibility from holding public office.