Sepia

joined 1 month ago
 

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/44213958

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/40624764

The European Commission and Japan have successfully concluded negotiations on Japan's association to Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship €93.5 billion research and innovation funding programme. The agreement, expected to be signed in 2026, represents the closest form of collaboration offered by the EU to global partners in this field. It will enable Japanese researchers to lead and coordinate their own research and innovation projects under the programme, to apply and receive funding, and to seek closer collaboration with partners in the EU and other associated countries.

 

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/44214348

Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) concluded a high-level visit to Europe in early December, MOEA said in a press release.

According to a press release, Minister Kung Ming-hsin emphasized Taiwan’s role as a reliable economic partner and discussed geopolitics and global supply-chain realignment during meetings in Brussels and elsewhere.

At the 2026 Taiwan Economic Forum in Taipei, hosted by Wealth Magazine on Dec. 15, the press release stated that Minister Kung had just returned from a trip to Europe, where he met with officials from Czechia, Poland, and the European Union.

The press release noted that "supply chain resilience" emerged as a central topic throughout these exchanges. Minister Kung highlighted that in the past, trade negotiations under globalization mainly focused on market access and tariffs. However, since the U.S.-China trade war began in 2018, there has been growing recognition of the importance of the supply chain, initially prompting "supply chain relocation" during the pandemic, and now an emphasis on building "supply chain resilience."

...

A research report published on Dec. 16 by the Central European Institute of Asian Studies noted that since the early 2020s, relations between Taiwan and Europe have gained significant momentum, both at the level of EU institutions and among individual member states.

The report said that long-standing partners from Western Europe, many of which had contacts with Taiwan during the time they maintained diplomatic ties with the Republic of China, continue to maintain strong economic and political connections with the island.

At the same time, the research highlighted the emergence of new partners in Central and Eastern Europe. Countries such as Czechia, Lithuania, and Poland, which had limited interaction with Taiwan in previous years, have renewed and strengthened their engagement with the island since the start of the decade.

These countries have become politically active supporters of closer ties with Taiwan and are keen to build new economic links across various industries. The report also noted that they have played a growing role in shaping Europe’s evolving approach toward Taiwan.

Dr. Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Affiliated Researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Visiting Fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, wrote on LinkedIn in mid-December that she believes the EU continues to recognize Taiwan’s geostrategic importance for Europe’s prosperity and security.

...

Archive link

 

Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) concluded a high-level visit to Europe in early December, MOEA said in a press release.

According to a press release, Minister Kung Ming-hsin emphasized Taiwan’s role as a reliable economic partner and discussed geopolitics and global supply-chain realignment during meetings in Brussels and elsewhere.

At the 2026 Taiwan Economic Forum in Taipei, hosted by Wealth Magazine on Dec. 15, the press release stated that Minister Kung had just returned from a trip to Europe, where he met with officials from Czechia, Poland, and the European Union.

The press release noted that "supply chain resilience" emerged as a central topic throughout these exchanges. Minister Kung highlighted that in the past, trade negotiations under globalization mainly focused on market access and tariffs. However, since the U.S.-China trade war began in 2018, there has been growing recognition of the importance of the supply chain, initially prompting "supply chain relocation" during the pandemic, and now an emphasis on building "supply chain resilience."

...

A research report published on Dec. 16 by the Central European Institute of Asian Studies noted that since the early 2020s, relations between Taiwan and Europe have gained significant momentum, both at the level of EU institutions and among individual member states.

The report said that long-standing partners from Western Europe, many of which had contacts with Taiwan during the time they maintained diplomatic ties with the Republic of China, continue to maintain strong economic and political connections with the island.

At the same time, the research highlighted the emergence of new partners in Central and Eastern Europe. Countries such as Czechia, Lithuania, and Poland, which had limited interaction with Taiwan in previous years, have renewed and strengthened their engagement with the island since the start of the decade.

These countries have become politically active supporters of closer ties with Taiwan and are keen to build new economic links across various industries. The report also noted that they have played a growing role in shaping Europe’s evolving approach toward Taiwan.

Dr. Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Affiliated Researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Visiting Fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, wrote on LinkedIn in mid-December that she believes the EU continues to recognize Taiwan’s geostrategic importance for Europe’s prosperity and security.

...

Archive link

 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/40624764

The European Commission and Japan have successfully concluded negotiations on Japan's association to Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship €93.5 billion research and innovation funding programme. The agreement, expected to be signed in 2026, represents the closest form of collaboration offered by the EU to global partners in this field. It will enable Japanese researchers to lead and coordinate their own research and innovation projects under the programme, to apply and receive funding, and to seek closer collaboration with partners in the EU and other associated countries.

 

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/44164675

  • South Africans who went to Russia ended up in Ukraine
  • They say they were recruited under false pretenses
  • Conditions for them in Ukraine are harsh, they say
  • They describe a lack of food and medical care

South African father-of-three Dubandlela was overcome with pride when his 20-year-old son signed up in July to receive elite training as a VIP bodyguard in Russia.

Five months later, Dubandlela is in despair. His son had fallen for an alleged recruitment scam in which he and at least 16 other South African men say they were conscripted by an unspecified mercenary group and sent to join Russian forces in Ukraine.

...

The scam that Dubandlela said ensnared his son came to light on November 6, when South Africa said it had received distress calls from 17 men aged between 20 and 39 who said they were trapped in Donbas.

An investigation into the scam by an elite police unit known as "Hawks" focused on the alleged involvement of one of former President Jacob Zuma's daughters, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.

Zuma-Sambudla later resigned as lawmaker in the Umkhonto weSizwe opposition party led by her father. She has denied knowing of the scam. Zuma-Sambudla did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Her lawyer, Dali Mpofu, declined to comment.

...

It is not just South Africans who unwittingly ended up in Ukraine's war. Kenya said on Nov. 12 over 200 of its citizens were fighting for Russia in Ukraine, and that recruiting agencies were still actively working to lure more Kenyans into the conflict. Authorities in Botswana have said two men were duped into joining the war under false promises of jobs.

...

Ukraine's foreign minister said last month that more than 1,400 citizens from three dozen African countries were fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Russia does not provide details of non-Russians fighting in Ukraine.

...

 

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/44164675

  • South Africans who went to Russia ended up in Ukraine
  • They say they were recruited under false pretenses
  • Conditions for them in Ukraine are harsh, they say
  • They describe a lack of food and medical care

South African father-of-three Dubandlela was overcome with pride when his 20-year-old son signed up in July to receive elite training as a VIP bodyguard in Russia.

Five months later, Dubandlela is in despair. His son had fallen for an alleged recruitment scam in which he and at least 16 other South African men say they were conscripted by an unspecified mercenary group and sent to join Russian forces in Ukraine.

...

The scam that Dubandlela said ensnared his son came to light on November 6, when South Africa said it had received distress calls from 17 men aged between 20 and 39 who said they were trapped in Donbas.

An investigation into the scam by an elite police unit known as "Hawks" focused on the alleged involvement of one of former President Jacob Zuma's daughters, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.

Zuma-Sambudla later resigned as lawmaker in the Umkhonto weSizwe opposition party led by her father. She has denied knowing of the scam. Zuma-Sambudla did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Her lawyer, Dali Mpofu, declined to comment.

...

It is not just South Africans who unwittingly ended up in Ukraine's war. Kenya said on Nov. 12 over 200 of its citizens were fighting for Russia in Ukraine, and that recruiting agencies were still actively working to lure more Kenyans into the conflict. Authorities in Botswana have said two men were duped into joining the war under false promises of jobs.

...

Ukraine's foreign minister said last month that more than 1,400 citizens from three dozen African countries were fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Russia does not provide details of non-Russians fighting in Ukraine.

...

 
  • South Africans who went to Russia ended up in Ukraine
  • They say they were recruited under false pretenses
  • Conditions for them in Ukraine are harsh, they say
  • They describe a lack of food and medical care

South African father-of-three Dubandlela was overcome with pride when his 20-year-old son signed up in July to receive elite training as a VIP bodyguard in Russia.

Five months later, Dubandlela is in despair. His son had fallen for an alleged recruitment scam in which he and at least 16 other South African men say they were conscripted by an unspecified mercenary group and sent to join Russian forces in Ukraine.

...

The scam that Dubandlela said ensnared his son came to light on November 6, when South Africa said it had received distress calls from 17 men aged between 20 and 39 who said they were trapped in Donbas.

An investigation into the scam by an elite police unit known as "Hawks" focused on the alleged involvement of one of former President Jacob Zuma's daughters, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.

Zuma-Sambudla later resigned as lawmaker in the Umkhonto weSizwe opposition party led by her father. She has denied knowing of the scam. Zuma-Sambudla did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Her lawyer, Dali Mpofu, declined to comment.

...

It is not just South Africans who unwittingly ended up in Ukraine's war. Kenya said on Nov. 12 over 200 of its citizens were fighting for Russia in Ukraine, and that recruiting agencies were still actively working to lure more Kenyans into the conflict. Authorities in Botswana have said two men were duped into joining the war under false promises of jobs.

...

Ukraine's foreign minister said last month that more than 1,400 citizens from three dozen African countries were fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Russia does not provide details of non-Russians fighting in Ukraine.

...

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 13 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah, I guess this is just political theater or some sort of intimidation. This month, Russia also issued an arrest warrant for ICC judges. I am not a legal expert, but has probably no real consequence as long as you don't travel to Russia.

 

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/44159004

In 2023, Chinese media systematically avoided directly recognizing Russia as a party to aggression. The war was presented as a “conflict” or “crisis” that allegedly arose due to NATO expansion, US actions, and internal processes in Ukraine. Official statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense, which were published without alternative assessments or verification, often served as sources of information.

Such narratives included allegations of US-funded biolaboratories in Ukraine, the presence of NATO military personnel on Ukrainian territory, and the treatment of the Azov unit as a “neo-Nazi group.” All of these messages coincided with key elements of Russian propaganda and were aimed at removing responsibility from Russia.

...

In 2025, in statements that are actively quoted by the [Chinese propaganda outlets] Global Times and China Daily, Russia appears as a party ready to end the conflict provided its demands are taken into account, while the US and the West are presented as factors that either put pressure on Ukraine or are not interested in a real settlement ...

An important feature of the current rhetoric is the active promotion of the image of China as a responsible global actor and potential mediator. Calls for “creating a stable European security architecture” and emphasizing the need for negotiations allow Beijing to position itself as a neutral party interested in stability.

At the same time, the very logic of these calls remains close to the Russian interpretation of the war: the root causes of the conflict are sought not in an act of aggression, but in the security architecture, NATO actions, and US policy.

Chinese media less often resort to outright fakes like bio-laboratories or “Nazi Ukraine”, but they continue to avoid clearly naming the aggressor and continue to blur responsibility for the war.

...

Web archive link

 

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/44159004

In 2023, Chinese media systematically avoided directly recognizing Russia as a party to aggression. The war was presented as a “conflict” or “crisis” that allegedly arose due to NATO expansion, US actions, and internal processes in Ukraine. Official statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense, which were published without alternative assessments or verification, often served as sources of information.

Such narratives included allegations of US-funded biolaboratories in Ukraine, the presence of NATO military personnel on Ukrainian territory, and the treatment of the Azov unit as a “neo-Nazi group.” All of these messages coincided with key elements of Russian propaganda and were aimed at removing responsibility from Russia.

...

In 2025, in statements that are actively quoted by the [Chinese propaganda outlets] Global Times and China Daily, Russia appears as a party ready to end the conflict provided its demands are taken into account, while the US and the West are presented as factors that either put pressure on Ukraine or are not interested in a real settlement ...

An important feature of the current rhetoric is the active promotion of the image of China as a responsible global actor and potential mediator. Calls for “creating a stable European security architecture” and emphasizing the need for negotiations allow Beijing to position itself as a neutral party interested in stability.

At the same time, the very logic of these calls remains close to the Russian interpretation of the war: the root causes of the conflict are sought not in an act of aggression, but in the security architecture, NATO actions, and US policy.

Chinese media less often resort to outright fakes like bio-laboratories or “Nazi Ukraine”, but they continue to avoid clearly naming the aggressor and continue to blur responsibility for the war.

...

Web archive link

 

In 2023, Chinese media systematically avoided directly recognizing Russia as a party to aggression. The war was presented as a “conflict” or “crisis” that allegedly arose due to NATO expansion, US actions, and internal processes in Ukraine. Official statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense, which were published without alternative assessments or verification, often served as sources of information.

Such narratives included allegations of US-funded biolaboratories in Ukraine, the presence of NATO military personnel on Ukrainian territory, and the treatment of the Azov unit as a “neo-Nazi group.” All of these messages coincided with key elements of Russian propaganda and were aimed at removing responsibility from Russia.

...

In 2025, in statements that are actively quoted by the [Chinese propaganda outlets] Global Times and China Daily, Russia appears as a party ready to end the conflict provided its demands are taken into account, while the US and the West are presented as factors that either put pressure on Ukraine or are not interested in a real settlement ...

An important feature of the current rhetoric is the active promotion of the image of China as a responsible global actor and potential mediator. Calls for “creating a stable European security architecture” and emphasizing the need for negotiations allow Beijing to position itself as a neutral party interested in stability.

At the same time, the very logic of these calls remains close to the Russian interpretation of the war: the root causes of the conflict are sought not in an act of aggression, but in the security architecture, NATO actions, and US policy.

Chinese media less often resort to outright fakes like bio-laboratories or “Nazi Ukraine”, but they continue to avoid clearly naming the aggressor and continue to blur responsibility for the war.

...

Web archive link

 

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/44158364

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/6267966

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/6267965

Archived version

...

“A Russian soldier came to her house in May 2022, smashed her face with his rifle butt and broke her teeth, slashed her stomach with a knife, and raped her. He then stole her bicycle and left her a Kalashnikov bullet as a souvenir.”

...

“How can you look in the eyes of this 75-year-old woman and say there won’t be punishment for what that Russian soldier did to you?” said Kovalenko, her own eyes wet with tears.

The 38-year-old [Ukrainian documentary-maker Alisa Kovalenko] from Zaporizhzhia was one of a group of four Ukrainian survivors of sexual violence and activists who came to London last week to lobby MPs, members of the House of Lords, and Foreign Office officials to try to get British support against the proposed amnesty.

...

 

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/44158364

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/6267966

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/6267965

Archived version

...

“A Russian soldier came to her house in May 2022, smashed her face with his rifle butt and broke her teeth, slashed her stomach with a knife, and raped her. He then stole her bicycle and left her a Kalashnikov bullet as a souvenir.”

...

“How can you look in the eyes of this 75-year-old woman and say there won’t be punishment for what that Russian soldier did to you?” said Kovalenko, her own eyes wet with tears.

The 38-year-old [Ukrainian documentary-maker Alisa Kovalenko] from Zaporizhzhia was one of a group of four Ukrainian survivors of sexual violence and activists who came to London last week to lobby MPs, members of the House of Lords, and Foreign Office officials to try to get British support against the proposed amnesty.

...

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

In October this year, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry has released an intercepted audio recording of Colombian mercenaries serving in the Russian forces.

In the intercepted exchange, one of the field commanders gives an order in Spanish. Quote as translated by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine:

"When fog or mist conceals their identities, they must eliminate all people who are enemies: on motorbikes, on bicycles, women and children, women and children." -- Source

[Edit typo.]

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Russia has intensified its disinformation campaign also in Poland with one goal being to undermine Polish support for Ukraine.

I can only assume that this post is part of this campaign. Shines a bad light on Poland, suggests (falsely) that Poland's willingness to support Ukraine decreases.

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Russia has intensified its disinformation campaign also in Poland with one goal being to undermine Polish support for Ukraine.

I can only assume that this post is part of this campaign. Shines a bad light on Poland, suggests (falsely) that Poland's willingness to support Ukraine decreases.

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 1 points 1 day ago

If I am not mistaken I have already read here that the world socialist website is just spreading Chinese Communist Party propaganda and nothing else. They are even warmongering servants of China supporting Beijing aggression against Taiwan and similar actions.

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I am not sure, but I assume what @Riddick3001 wants to say with their comment is that by buying Chinese products, we help them funding the war as China is using it to, for example, help build weapons. At least that's my interpretation of the comment.

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The Ten Stages of the Russian Genocide in Ukraine

Russia has committed every war crime and crime against humanity, including relentless, indiscriminate attacks against civilians, systematic torture, mass rape, and the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.

We must note that the Chinese party-state is a decisive enabler of Russia invasion of Ukraine and has been increasingly aggressive against its Asian neighbours.

That aside, generally accusing all Europeans of 'warmongering' without naming the governments that are responsible for the crimes against humanity committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine and the hybrid warfare activities orchestrated by the Russian government across the European continent and its allies ignores the reality and discredits Yanis (and you) completely.

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 5 points 1 day ago

TL;DR:

The decision came after a similar EU proposal failed on the morning of Friday, December 19 ... British officials said London would not unilaterally use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, as any such move was intended to be carried out only in close coordination with Australia, Canada, and the EU.

In the meantime, even Reform UK lawmakers urge the UK government to use Russian frozen assets to back Kyiv’s defence against Russia.

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 6 points 2 days ago (4 children)

This is anti-Western propaganda, and this is not an intellectual. Yanis has been conveying the same anti-European rant (Europe gets it all wrong, it should not rearm, the West is doomed, capitalism is bad) for years now. Together with the late Noam Chomsky and Jeff Sachs he spreads narratives that play into the hands of Russia, China, and other autocracies by simply criticizing Europe and the West.

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, a fractured right with a more than troublesome far-right group and a ruling Socialist party in the midst of corruption scandals and allegations of sexual harassment.

Are the any alternative parties for Spaniards to vote?

[–] Sepia@mander.xyz 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Sure, we need to secure our system. But there are malign state actors - particularly Russia and China - attacking European systems. And their interference is not limited to cyber activities.

[Edit typo.]

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