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US-Präsident Trumps Vorschlag zur Zwangsumsiedlung der Bewohner des Gazastreifens verstösst wohl gegen internationales Recht. So ist die Lage.

Par décision en date du 15 janvier 2025, l'Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et de la Poste du Bénin a fixé les conditions techniques et économiques de partage des infrastructures et de location de capacités en République du Bénin. La décision renseigne sur les redevances mensuelles de location des pylônes par les opérateurs et exploitants d'infrastructures ; la location de l'énergie primaire (énergie électrique conventionnelle) et de l'énergie secondaire (énergie produite sur un site par un groupe d'électrogène). La décision fixe aussi la redevance de location de terrain nu ; d'espace dans le local technique sur Shelter ; de capacité nationale ; de Bande Passante Internationale ; de Liaisons spécialisées Internet et d'accès aux stations de câbles sous-marins.

Die Glarner Wildhut hat am späten Dienstagabend in Elm einen Wolf erlegt. Der Abschuss erfolgte aufgrund der früheren Annäherung des Tieres an ein Kind und wiederholter Sichtungen von Wölfen in Elmer Siedlungsnähe während des Tages.

L’exclave russe de Kaliningrad fait face à un nouvel isolement au sein de l’Europe depuis que les États baltes ont opté pour le réseau électrique européen plutôt que celui de la Russie.

Die Baselbieter Regierung will das Energiepaket bis im Jahr 2030 verlängern und beantragt dem Landrat dafür knapp 51 Millionen Franken. Künftig sind auch Förderbeiträge für die Ladeinfrastruktur in bestehenden Mehrfamilienhäusern vorgesehen.

Der Thurgauer Grosse Rat hat am Mittwoch zu Beginn seiner Sitzung mit einer Schweigeminute der vor zwei Wochen plötzlich verstorbenen Regierungsrätin Sonja Wiesmann (SP) gedacht. Wiesmann starb aufgrund einer Lungenblutung.

Visas, titres de séjour, éloignement … Le ministère de l’Intérieur français a publié mardi les chiffres clés provisoires de l’immigration à l’hexagone. Une mise à […]

L’article Immigration en France : combien d’Algériens ont obtenu un visa ou un titre de séjour en 2024 ? est apparu en premier sur .

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the outcome of the June 2024 European Parliament elections, focusing on the characteristics of national political formations that are represented in Strasbourg and the identity of the political groups in the European Parliament. This analysis is based on two axes of ideological and political nature: (1) the political spectrum (Left to Right), and (2) the disposition of the parties toward European integration. The paper makes use of data from the European Election Study 2024 (EES) exploring EP political groups’ (lack of) homogeneity and the varying degree of theirr internal cohesion.

Read here in pdf the Working paper by Antonis Papakostas, former EU official; Research Associate, ELIAMEP  and Spyros Blavoukos,  Professor, Athens University of Economics and Business; Senior Research Fellow and Head of the ‘Ariane Condellis’ European Program, ELIAMEP.

Im Zoo Zürich ist eine neue Krallenaffen-Art eingezogen: die Liszt-Äffchen, die ihren Namen ihrer speziellen Frisur zu verdanken haben. Mit ihrer zurückgekämmten, weissen Mähne erinnern sie an den österreichisch-ungarischen Pianisten Franz Liszt.

„Schattenflotte“ nennt die EU Tanker, die von russischen Firmengeflechten unter ausländischer Flagge betrieben werden – und die auf hoher See Sanktionen umgehen oder in Sabotageakte gegen Europa verwickelt sind.

The insurance magnate was a close friend of Nelson Mandela, who he housed after the statesman's divorce in 1992.

L'artiste chanteur arrangeur, compositeur béninois Willy Mignon est passé de vie trépas, mardi 4 février 2025 au Burkina Faso à l'âge de 39 ans des suites d'une courte maladie. A travers un message, le ministère du Tourisme, de la Culture et des Arts a exprimé ses condoléances à la famille de l'artiste et à ses proches. Pour le ministère, Willy Mignon incarne une figure emblématique de la première génération d'artistes urbains des années 2000 au Bénin.

Willy est entré dans l'éternité !

Nous avons appris avec une profonde tristesse et un immense regret la disparition prématurée de Wilfried E. Mignon plus connu sous le nom de Willy Mignon. Le décès est survenu ce 4 février 2025 à Ouagadougou où il travaillait.

Auteur, compositeur, interprète, arrangeur et créateur de la danse Noudjihou, Willy Mignon incarne une figure emblématique de la première génération d'artistes urbains des années 2000 au Bénin. Ses morceaux aux rythmes chaloupés, porteurs d'une énergie unique, ont marqué toute une époque et inspiré beaucoup d'autres talents.

Le Ministère du Tourisme, de la Culture et des Arts exprime ses sincères condoléances à la famille de l'artiste et à ses proches. Ce douloureux deuil touche l'ensemble de la communauté des créateurs qui perd l'un de ses talents. Comme on le dit souvent, l'œuvre de l'esprit défie le temps, et à travers ses créations, Willy Mignon restera à jamais présent dans nos mémoires.

Un nouveau drame de l’émigration clandestine s’est produit au large des côtes algériennes. Un bateau transportant des migrants clandestins a chaviré au large de Jijel, […]

L’article Tragédie en mer à Jijel : Un bateau de « harraga » chavire, plusieurs morts et rescapés est apparu en premier sur .

Pakistani journalists speak out about cybercrimes law from left to right Hamid Mir, Munazza Siddiqui and Umar Cheema. Credits: Jang News, and TikTok

By Zofeen Ebrahim
KARACHI, Feb 5 2025 (IPS)

“I may not be able to continue hosting my show because the content I put up will most certainly land me in prison,” said senior correspondent Azaz Syed who works for a private TV channel, but who also has his own private online digital channel. He was referring to the recent amendment in the already existing cybercrime law, terming it a “wild” law which has been instituted to grapple with fake news among other online harms.

The new version—Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025—passed hurriedly, within a week, in both the houses without debate, and signed into a law by President Asif Ali Zardari on January 29, has triggered nationwide protests by the country’s media personnel.

“They have taken away my right to freedom of expression,” Syed told IPS.

“I fail to understand the uproar among journalists working in electronic media. They already have PEMRA, [the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority] which is responsible for facilitating and regulating private electronic media,” said Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta­ullah Tarar. “This law is to regulate the social media and countries across the world have some codes or standards under which social media operate; but there was none in our country.”

He said the existing authority, which is the Federal Investigation Authority, that looked into cybercrimes seemed ill-equipped to handle the expanding nature of online crimes taking place—harassment, pornography, national security threats, spreading economic uncertainty; just look at the conviction rate, which is dismal,” he defended the amendment.

Tarar’s reference to the “uproar” stems from TV journalists, like Syed, who have gigs on online platforms and fear the restrictions on content imposed by PECA.

For the past two years, Syed has been hosting a popular show on YouTube called Talk Shock, focusing on sensitive topics like the Pakistan army, intelligence agencies, blasphemy laws, persecution of Ahmadis, and forced conversions of Hindu girls. He described it as a passion project addressing issues close to his heart, despite potential disapproval from authorities. His show has gained over eight million viewers and 174,000 followers, also providing him with extra income.

Hamid Mir, host of Capital Talk, one of the oldest and highest-rated political talk shows, launched his digital TV channel on YouTube after being banned from TV in 2021 (he had already been banned twice, in 2007 by military dictator Pervez Musharraf  and in 2008 by the ruling Pakistan People’s Party) for  speaking against the country’s powerful military for persecuting journalists. “I share my opinions there when I am unable to on the channel that I’m employed in. Having your own platform is liberating,” he told IPS. He has 263,000 viewers.

Azaz Syed, who has his digital TV programme on YouTube called Talk Shock. Credit: Azaz Syed

Mir’s greater worry though is the possibility of losing his voice on X, where he connects with over eight million followers. “If I can’t speak my mind, it will have a profound impact on me,” he said.

But even those journalists who otherwise feel social media is being misused find the law distasteful.

“I have zero tolerance for fake news, and am all for regulating the beast that social media has become, but not this way, certainly” said senior investigative journalist, Umar Cheema, terming it a “third class” law.

The law was originally passed in 2016, by the same ruling party that has brought the current amendments – the Pakistan Muslim League-N. It had been met with much criticism even then.

“The reason for the need for the law given back in 2016 was to counter hate speech, terrorist content and harassment of women—this time the ruse is fake news,” said Farieha Aziz’s co-founder of Bolo Bhi, an advocacy forum for digital rights. The suspicion and criticism against the law now and then is the same—the government is using this law to “stifle political dissent and rein in freedom of expression” she said.

The amendment to the law, criminalises fake news and its dissemination with a prison term of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 2 million (about USD 7,200).

But, pointed out Aziz, the concern went beyond just the penalties associated with the amendment to the law—it is the “potential for misuse” in the process of determining what constitutes fake news. “People will be reluctant to share or even discuss information out of fear that it might be deemed false or harmful, leading to criminal charges,” she explained, adding the definition of fake news was vague and broad. “They have created a vagueness through the use of language taken from the anti-terrorism act, around the offence,” she pointed out.

“The government operates in grey areas and likes to keep people in a state of confusion,” agreed Cheema.

Moreover, pointed out, Munazza Siddiqui, senior producer on a private TV channel: “The law is unconstitutional as it violates the fundamental right to freedom, a core principle enshrined in our Constitution.” She uses TikTok, a platform predominantly used for putting up entertaining content, for disseminating news and opinions. “It’s popular with young people but works superbly for me as they are my audience. The millennials and Gen Z want to stay informed about the world around them, but they lack the patience to sit through long articles or watch lengthy news segments on TV. I provide them with both in just a minute or so!”

However, Siddiqui acknowledged that her vlogging might be impacted. With the sword of Damocles hanging over her, in the form of the newly revised cyber law, she said, “We already navigate a space of self-censorship, and now there’s an added layer of fear.”

The law establishes four bodies—the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, the Social Media Complaints Council, the Social Media Protection Tribunal, and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency—concentrating significant power. Aziz warned that these bodies, appointed by the federal government, could lack independence, creating potential conflicts of interest and undermining fairness and accountability.

“And the window of appeal has also been closed as I can only go to the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” said Azaz, which was an expensive route to prove your innocence.

Although the 2016 cybercrime law was already considered draconian by experts, the reason to tweak it further, explained Cheema, was that “the nature and use of social media has changed and become more sophisticated since then, adding that the media needed to share the blame for the recent shape the law has taken.

Cheema said the media did not establish a code of conduct for responsible social media use which led the government to step in, using the fake news excuse to silence dissenting voices. He emphasized that while media can express opinions, facts must be solid, and journalists should hold each other accountable. “Yet, we don’t even call out our colleagues for lying.”

Finding the nationwide protest hypocritical, he questioned, “The bill wasn’t a surprise—everyone knew it was being revised. Why didn’t anyone speak up then? Where were the protests and revisions when it was in the National Assembly and Senate? There was silence, and now, after it’s law, they’re out on the streets.”

“The law is in place,” Tarrar said with finality. However, he added: “The rules are still being worked out, and we’re open to media input to refine them.”

“Recalling the law may be tough,” agreed Cheema, but if the media is concerned, “They can come up with their own system; no one is stopping them; but that’s the real test for our community.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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A Törvényszék elutasítja a Ryanair által a Bizottság azon határozatával szemben benyújtott keresetet, amely a Covid19-világjárvánnyal összefüggésben újból jóváhagyta a TAP megmentéséhez nyújtott támogatást

Pologne / Commission
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Lengyelország kontra Bizottság
Intézményi jog
2019. évi lengyel igazságszolgáltatási reform: a Törvényszék megerősíti, hogy Lengyelországnak összesen megközelítőleg 320 200 000 euró összegű kényszerítő bírságot kell fizetnie a Bíróság által a kötelezettségszegés megállapítása iránti eljárás során kiszabott kényszerítő bírság címén