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AI Drones Help Farmers Optimize Vegetable Yields

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AI Drones Help Farmers Optimize Vegetable Yields


A six-rotor drone in flight – illustrative photo. Image credit: Richard Unten via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

For reasons of food security and economic incentive, farmers continuously seek to maximize their marketable crop yields. As plants grow inconsistently, at the time of harvesting, there will inevitably be variations in quality and size of individual crops. Therefore, Finding the optimal harvest time is a priority for farmers.

A new approach of using drones and artificial intelligence demonstrably improves this estimation by carefully and accurately analyzing individual crops to assess their likely growth characteristics.

Drone-based AI pipeline. A visual overview of the system to capture and analyze image data about crops, which then informs a model to help farmers know the best time to harvest their fields.

Drone-based AI pipeline. A visual overview of the system to capture and analyze image data about crops, which then informs a model to help farmers know the best time to harvest their fields. Image credit: Guo et al. CC-BY

Some optimistic science fiction stories talk about a post-scarcity future, where human needs are catered for and hard labor is provided by machines. There are some ways in which this vision appears to predict some elements of current technological progress. One such area is in agricultural research, where automation has been making an impact.

For the first time, researchers, including those from the University of Tokyo, have demonstrated a largely automated system to improve crop yields, which can benefit many and may help pave the way for future systems that could one day harvest crops directly.

“The idea is relatively simple, but the design, implementation and execution is extraordinarily complex,” said Associate Professor Wei Guo from the Laboratory of Field Phenomics.

“If farmers know the ideal time to harvest crop fields, they can reduce waste, which is good for them, for consumers and the environment. But optimum harvest times are not an easy thing to predict and ideally require detailed knowledge of each plant; such data would be cost and time prohibitive if people were employed to collect it. This is where the drones come in.”

Guo has a background in both computer science and agricultural science, so is ideally suited to finding ways cutting-edge hardware and software could aid agriculture. He and his team have demonstrated that some low-cost drones with specialized software can image and analyze young plants — broccoli in the case of this study — and accurately predict their expected growth characteristics.

The drones carry out the imaging process multiple times and do so without human interaction, meaning the system requires little in terms of labor costs.

Data visualization on aerial photos. The cost of human labor and time involved prohibits manual cataloging of individual plants in a field. Here, the catalog data collected by the drones and produced by a deep learning system is superimposed onto photos of the fields.

Data visualization on aerial photos. The cost of human labor and time involved prohibits manual cataloging of individual plants in a field. Here, the catalog data collected by the drones and produced by a deep learning system is superimposed onto photos of the fields. Image credit: Guo et al. CC-BY

“It might surprise some to know that by harvesting a field as little as a day before or after the optimal time could reduce the potential income of that field for the farmer by 3.7% to as much as 20.4%,” said Guo.

“But with our system, drones identify and catalog every plant in the field, and their imaging data feeds a model that uses deep learning to produce easy-to-understand visual data for farmers. Given the current relative low costs of drones and computers, a commercial version of this system should be within reach to many farmers.”

The team’s main challenge was in the image analysis and deep learning aspects. Collecting the image data itself is relatively trivial, but given the way plants move in the wind and how the light changes with time and the seasons, the image data contains a lot of variation that machines often find hard to compensate for.

So, when training their system, the team had to invest a huge amount of time labeling various aspects of images the drones might see, in order to help the system learn to identify what it was seeing correctly. The vast data throughput was also challenging — image data was often of the order of trillions of pixels, tens of thousands of times larger than even a high-end smartphone camera.

“I’m inspired to find more ways that plant phenotyping (measuring of plant growth traits) can go from the lab to the field in order to help solve the major problems we face,” said Guo.

Source:University of Tokyo

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At Rafah crossing, Türk says both Israel and Hamas have committed war crimes

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At Rafah crossing, Türk says both Israel and Hamas have committed war crimes

Volker Türk highlighted the dichotomy at the border crossing, describing it as a “lifeline” for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza over the past month, although “unjustly, outrageously thin.”

But it is also “the gates to a living nightmare”, he continued, as people in Gaza “have been suffocating, under persistent bombardment, mourning their families, struggling for water, for food, for electricity and fuel.”

Unprecedented danger

The human rights chief is the latest senior UN official to travel to the region since Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping more than 240 others who were taken inside the enclave.

In response, Israel has been repeatedly bombarding the Gaza Strip, in addition to imposing a total siege on the enclave and launching a ground invasion, ordering civilians in the north to move south.

Mr. Türk said the atrocities perpetrated by Palestinian armed groups, and the continued holding of hostages, were heinous and constitute war crimes.

“The collective punishment by Israel of Palestinian civilians is also a war crime, as is unlawful forcible evacuation of civilians,” he added.

Warning that “we have fallen off a precipice,” he stated that “even in the context of a 56-year occupation, the situation is the most dangerous we have faced for people in Gaza, in Israel, in the West Bank but also regionally.”  

Mr. Türk issued an urgent appeal for the parties to agree to a ceasefire now so that three “critical human rights imperatives” can be met.

He called for sufficient aid deliveries into Gaza, the release of all hostages and enabling “the political space to finally implement a durable end to the occupation, based on the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis to self-determination.”

Distinguish between Hamas and Palestinians: Guterres

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday that the number of civilians killed in Gaza shows that something is “clearly wrong” with Israel’s operations against Hamas.

“There are violations by Hamas when they have human shields. But when one looks at the number of civilians that were killed with the military operations, there is something that is clearly wrong,” he told the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, hosted by the news agency.

“It is also important to make Israel understand that it is against the interests of Israel to see every day the terrible image of the dramatic humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people,” he said. “That doesn’t help Israel in relation to the global public opinion.”

While he strongly condemned the Hamas attack on Israel, Mr. Guterres said “we need to distinguish – Hamas is one thing, the Palestinian people (are) another”, adding “if we don’t make that distinction, I think it’s humanity itself that will lose its meaning.” 

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Victor Negrescu elected European Parliament Quaestor

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Victor Negrescu elected European Parliament Quaestor

On Thursday, MEPs elected Victor Negrescu (S&D, Romania) by acclamation to replace outgoing Quaestor Monika Beňová (Non-Attached, Slovakia).

Victor Negrescu

Mr Negrescu was the sole candidate. Based on Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, a new Quaestor is elected to fill a vacancy in the existing order of precedence – so he has become Parliament’s third Quaestor.

The College of Quaestors (five in total) are primarily responsible for administrative and financial matters directly concerning MEPs. MEPs aim to ensure that the composition of the Bureau (comprising the President and Vice-Presidents, with Quaestors participating in an advisory capacity) broadly reflects the size of the political groups in Parliament.

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The forgotten human rights of the Kapkanets family

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Gabriel Carrion Lopez
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gray concrete building during daytime

You most likely do not know the Kapkanets family. It is normal. I tell you, it is, sorry, it was a Ukrainian family that lived in Volnovakha, located in the Donetsk region. The family was made up of nine members, and last October, at the end, they prepared to celebrate the birthday of Natalia Kapkanets, the mother. One of her relatives had given her some flowers and they had prepared a small feast with the few things they had managed to get, living as they did in a place occupied by the Russian army.

The party passed without incident. The children, Mikita, 5 years old, and Nastia, 9, were playing without excessive fuss, when shortly before eating, soldiers from the occupation army, which under the orders of Vladimir Putin, maintain the territories occupied under “Empire of Machine Guns.” All the members of the Kapkanets family remained silent, while the soldiers exhorted them to leave their house and go to another place, to take the few belongings they could and leave their house so that the glorious soldiers of the army of mother Russia could stay there. . The Kapkanets family refused to abandon the house they had worked so hard to build over the years. And curiously, when faced with his refusal, those soldiers only uttered threats and left.

Not without some fear, the party continued without further incident. And when night came, everyone went to sleep, after having spent a day contented and happy. Marred only by the unpleasant visit of the Russian soldiers.

Late at night, neighbors heard a series of gunshots at the Kapkanets’ house. By the time they decided to go, they saw a Russian army truck driving away loaded with soldiers. The first to enter were horrified, as they contemplated the body of a person riddled with bullets on the old green sofa in a living room, which, covered with two blankets, was slowly turning red. In the living room the flowers that Mrs. Kapkanets had received were trampled on the floor.

Pedro Andryushchenko, one of the advisors to the mayor of Mariupol, confirmed in a statement: “It was an obvious liquidation operation; The nine bodies were shot and the majority of these impacts were to the head.”

The first neighbors to enter found 9-year-old Nastia, hugging 5-year-old Mikita, as if she were trying to protect her. Both of their heads had been smashed and her blood was splashed on the back of the bed and the wall where it rested. Also the Ukrainian ombudsman Dmitro Lubinets stated “According to preliminary data, the soldiers killed the entire Kapkanets family, who were celebrating a birthday and refused to leave the house to them.”

Of course, given the seriousness of what happened in Volnovaja, the Donetsk Prosecutor General’s Office had no choice but to initiate an investigation that ended with the rapid and surprising arrest of two soldiers of the Russian occupation army. Neither affiliation nor any information was given about these soldiers that could confirm that said news is true.

Massacres like that of the Kapkanets family are very common in the area occupied by the Russian army, where the law of soldiers sent to a disorderly and bloody conflict prevails, where for the murderers who make up said army, human life has no value.

Of course Vladimir Putin has not commented anything on this fact, nor have we heard any questions at the United Nations headquarters about said family. Non-Governmental Organizations do not talk about the matter either and the major media have barely covered the news. However, Natalia will not see her daughters Mikita and Nastia grow up, nor will they see her children, if they had any. A horror.

The Kapkanets family is just a close reminder that in any conflict the human being becomes a beast. Beasts that receive orders from people who are hundreds of thousands of kilometers from the place where the events occur, and who serve interests, often unknown and spurious. Today, as I write these words, I feel that the murder of the Kapkanets family is a little bit everyone’s fault, including mine. And that is why I did not want to miss the opportunity to remember them in this chronicle where I have put more heart than head, with the sole purpose that we are moved by the horror that is experienced every moment in this world, even if it is while we drink coffee and toast sitting in an old bistro near the Eiffel Tower.

For more information: Kapkanets Family Internet. Russian soldiers murders. Rotyslav Averchuk (Lviv-Ukraine).

Originally published at LaDamadeElche.com

Economy, the Best Ally for Peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

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a glass jar filled with coins and a plant
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

By Eric Gozlan

Creating economic ties to ensure peace is a fundamental principle of geopolitical relations. The best example is Western Europe, which has been at peace since 1945 thanks to political agreements but mainly economic ones among the states that make up the European Union.

The establishment of common economic interests is a credible path to ensure the stability of the South Caucasus, in addition to compelling each party to recognize the territorial integrity of their neighbor.

When reading certain statements from the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, it becomes clear that they share a common goal: to end the long-standing war in the South Caucasus.

After Armenia recognized Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan and lost control over Karabakh during September military operations. This territorial loss removes the only permanent obstacle to any normalization of its relations with Azerbaijan. Both countries share a common goal: to bring the South Caucasus, one of the world’s least infrastructure-endowed regions, out of isolation and increase its connectivity to Asia and Europe.

Until now, the border between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey has been closed, and for Azerbaijan, the export of hydrocarbons to Europe depends on the transit possibilities through Georgia.

Peace through Economics

Economic peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan could bring numerous benefits:

Economic Growth: Stability fosters an environment conducive to economic growth. Both countries could benefit from increased foreign investments and expansion of their economic sectors.

Trade: The end of hostilities would facilitate cross-border trade, creating opportunities for export and import, stimulating both economies by expanding their respective markets.

Economic Cooperation: The South Caucasus is strategically important for energy. Economic peace could foster cooperation in the energy sector, facilitating the construction and use of pipelines and energy infrastructure.

Tourism: Peace eliminates security-related obstacles, fostering tourism growth. Both countries could benefit from the rise in tourism, attracting international visitors and boosting local economies.

Job Creation: A stable and growing economy creates job opportunities. Peace would promote job creation in various sectors, contributing to reducing unemployment and improving living conditions.

Economic Infrastructure: Economic cooperation could lead to the development of cross-border infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and railway connections, facilitating cross-border trade and strengthening ties between the two countries.

Financial Stability: Economic peace would contribute to financial stability, enhancing investor confidence and promoting the development of the financial sector.

Zangezur Corridor, Development Opportunity

If both parties agree to open the Zangezur Corridor, it will serve as a means to connect these two countries to Turkey, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe. It is important to note that both NATO and Russia support the opening of this corridor.

The Zangezur Corridor would facilitate commercial exchanges between the countries in the region in a short period through an expansion of transport networks. This opening would also increase international transportation in the “north-south” international corridor, also known as the “middle” corridor.

Following the opening of the Zangezur Corridor, the region’s appeal to investors would only grow stronger.

Countries Hindering Peace

Russia can be an obstacle to peace. It is well-established that Moscow deliberately maintained the “frozen conflict” in Nagorno-Karabakh and perpetuated instability in the region to preserve its influence and undermine Western interests in Eurasia.

Iran has been trying for years to strengthen its religious influence over Azerbaijan’s citizens. The government in Baku remains firm against this Islamist propagation. For the Mullahs, the rapprochement between Baku and Jerusalem is a crime, and they will do everything to ensure that the opening of the Zangezur corridor will not succeed.

Economic peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the opening of the Zangezur Corridor could create an environment conducive to mutual prosperity, fostering economic growth, trade, and cooperation in various sectors.

After the conflict, war crimes must be prosecuted as a matter of urgency

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Guest Author
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grayscale photo of concrete houses
Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash

For 75 years now, Israel has been trying to reconcile its policies with those of its regional environment. In recent weeks, this far from easy task seems to have turned into an almost impossible mission. Because Israel rejects all the United Nations resolutions, imposing not only the withdrawal from the territories occupied since 1948, the Palestinian question has been radicalized year after year to arrive at this polarisation today which divides more than ever two societies that want to be done with each other.

Zionism, which had its origins in the creation of a State of Israel in Palestine, no longer has anything to do with the project imagined by Theodor Herzl. From being socialist, collectivist, humanist and secular, it has today become even more so, under the leadership of the stainless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a nationalist, religious, colonialist, ultra-liberal and reactionary Zionism throughout the region. Today, it is no longer a question of looking for the causes and those responsible, as this is a never-ending process. In order to prepare for a hypothetical peace one day, we need to affirm that the Israeli government and Hamas will first have to answer for their actions, which are clearly war crimes, and then integrate all the components of the Israeli and Palestinian political landscape in order to find a solution to the impossible situation: and this single solution is the creation of a Palestinian State on the borders of the Green Line of 5 June 1967, and to allow the two States to live in peaceful coexistence, within the framework of a just and lasting political solution. There is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian question.

Netanyahu’s responsibility

The Hamas attack on 7 October shows the extent to which the Palestinian camp is dominated by Islamists and that the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah is reduced to impotence. But they are fighting for the same cause. The still-birth of the Palestinian state has only led to a succession of tragedies experienced by the Palestinians from war to war since 1948. Israel has done everything to condemn this state, everything to weaken the Palestinian Authority and to favour extremes in order to divide. Netanyahu himself acknowledged in 2019 that it was necessary to strengthen Hamas, which is responsible for many of today’s ills, in order to weaken Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Authority, and prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. In order to satisfy the parties that brought him back to the office of Prime Minister, Netanyahu has continued to colonise the West Bank, strengthening the security of the settlers there, undermining the security of southern Israel and turning Zionism into a project aimed at destroying any hope of seeing the birth of a Palestinian state in the near future. Worse still, Benjamin Netanyahu was informed of the Hamas attack by Israeli intelligence, according to his predecessor Yair Lapid. Indeed, the former Israeli Prime Minister said he had received information from the intelligence services before the Hamas attack. According to him, his successor Benjamin Netanyahu also received it. It was also under “Bibi” that intelligence wiretapping in Gaza was stopped more than a year ago, for lack of interest and usefulness, according to the same services.

Washington’s blind support for Tel Aviv

We already have to think about the post-war period, and call on the traditional mediators between the two camps: essentially Egypt and Qatar. The American withdrawal has weakened the overall situation in the region and given many terrorist groups a free hand. Israeli public opinion is turning increasingly against Netanyahu, who is accused of playing into the hands of the Palestinians through his greed for power, in response to the constant provocations of the nationalist and religious extremist members of his majority. The Prime Minister has endangered the country, which is blindly supported by Washington: many are already thinking about the post-Netanyahu era, as the Jewish state cannot continue with someone who will go down in history as the leader under whom 1,400 Israeli civilians were killed on Israeli soil. The United States has a twofold responsibility: to fund Israel endlessly and to let them manage by withdrawing. Will they do so now that Washington is so aware of the lack of coherence and strategy in Israel’s current policy?

What kind of justice to punish war crimes?

Tel Aviv’s campaign of reprisals in Gaza has already claimed more than 7,000 lives, including 3,500 children. Who can condone this? The Arab countries? The West? The United States? Even Joe Biden has condemned the excessiveness of Israel’s retaliation against Gazan civilians. This “Hannibal” operation is a fight to the finish to eradicate evil: Israel will not stop until it has defeated Hamas. And the civilian hostages? This has become secondary, which is increasingly worrying the prisoners’ families, who are protesting by demonstrating and expressing themselves widely in the Israeli and international media. This is where the setting up of a commission of enquiry in Israel will play a fundamental role in the future. Netanyahu has already agreed to do this. But more than that, at international level, who will punish Hamas on the one hand and Israel on the other for the crimes committed this month? There is talk of war crimes, but some are already talking about genocide in Gaza. Especially as the Hebrew state does not recognise the International Criminal Court and is therefore not obliged to abide by its decisions or judgements. Like its American big brother, of course!

The Evolution of Computer Aided Design: Navigating the Past, Present, and Future

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The Evolution of Computer Aided Design: Navigating the Past, Present, and Future


In the rapidly advancing world of technology, one aspect that has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation is Computer Aided Design, commonly referred to as CAD. Today, we delve into the intriguing journey of CAD, exploring its evolution over the years and offering a glimpse into what the future holds for this transformative technology.

Before we embark on this exploration, I invite you to visit a comprehensive hub of CAD solutions: Dassault Systèmes – computer aided design. This link will serve as our gateway to the world of CAD, a technology that has not only revolutionized various industries but has also become an indispensable tool for architects, engineers, and designers worldwide.

Computer Aided Design: CAD drawing on a computer screen – illustrative photo. Image credit: Kumpan Electric via Unsplash, free license

The Genesis of CAD: A Brief Overview

CAD made its humble beginnings in the 1960s, a time when computers were just starting to find their way into mainstream applications. Initially developed as a tool to aid complex engineering calculations, CAD soon evolved into a sophisticated system that allowed professionals to create detailed and precise designs on a digital platform. The transition from manual drafting to digital design streamlined the entire design process, saving time and resources while significantly enhancing accuracy.

The Evolutionary Leap: CAD in the Digital Age

The phrase “The Evolutionary Leap: CAD in the Digital Age” encapsulates a significant transformation in the realm of Computer Aided Design (CAD). This evolution represents a pivotal moment in the history of design and technology, brought about by the advent of the digital era.

In the context of CAD, the digital age refers to the period in history when computers and advanced software technologies became prevalent and accessible to a wider audience. Prior to this era, CAD was confined to rudimentary forms, often limited by the computational power of the available hardware and the complexity of the software interfaces.

The introduction of powerful computers and sophisticated software applications heralded a revolutionary change. CAD systems, which had once been cumbersome and challenging to operate, underwent a dramatic transformation. They became more intuitive and user-friendly, breaking down the barriers that had previously hindered widespread adoption. This newfound accessibility marked a watershed moment, opening the floodgates for creative expression among designers, architects, engineers, and artists.

No Physical Limitations

The essence of this leap lies in the liberation of creative minds from the constraints of traditional mediums. In the pre-digital era, designers were restricted by the physical limitations of pen, paper, and drafting tools. The digital age shattered these constraints, allowing designers to explore innovative ideas with unprecedented freedom. Digital platforms provided a canvas where imagination could flourish without the limitations imposed by tangible materials.

One of the most profound changes brought about by the digital age was the integration of 3D modeling capabilities into CAD systems. This integration represented a paradigm shift, introducing a new dimension to the design process. Unlike 2D drawings, 3D modeling enabled professionals to create virtual representations of their designs, complete with depth, texture, and spatial relationships. This three-dimensional aspect brought designs to life in ways that were previously unimaginable.

Furthermore, the introduction of 3D modeling facilitated the visualization and simulation of designs with unparalleled realism. Designers could now not only visualize their creations from multiple angles but also simulate how these designs would behave in real-world scenarios. This capability was invaluable across various industries, allowing engineers to test the structural integrity of buildings, automotive designers to optimize aerodynamics, and product developers to refine ergonomics.

CAD in the Digital Age

In essence, the evolutionary leap of CAD in the digital age signifies a transformation from the confines of traditional tools to the boundless possibilities of the digital realm. It represents the empowerment of creative individuals, enabling them to explore, innovate, and bring their visions to life with a level of intricacy and accuracy that was once inconceivable. This evolution continues to shape the landscape of design, pushing the boundaries of creativity and redefining the way we perceive and interact with the world around us.

CAD Across Industries: A Universal Impact

One of the most remarkable aspects of CAD is its versatility. It permeates across a myriad of industries, leaving an indelible mark on each. In architecture, CAD has transformed the way buildings are designed, allowing architects to create intricate blueprints and walkthroughs with meticulous precision. In automotive engineering, CAD plays a crucial role in designing vehicles that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also technologically advanced and safe. Similarly, CAD has revolutionized fields as diverse as aerospace, fashion, and product design, reshaping the way products are conceptualized and manufactured.

What Lies Ahead: The Future of CAD

Looking forward, the future of Computer Aided Design (CAD) appears incredibly promising, with horizons that stretch far beyond our current imagination. At the heart of this evolution lies the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), poised to revolutionize the very essence of CAD systems.

Picture a scenario where CAD isn’t merely a tool for designers but a collaborator, infused with the intelligence to optimize designs in real time. With the application of AI algorithms, designs are not just created; they are refined, enhanced, and made more efficient in ways that human minds alone could not fathom. AI-driven CAD systems can analyze vast datasets, predict design outcomes, and suggest improvements, leading to innovations that were previously hidden in the complexity of the design process.

Moreover, the rise of cloud-based CAD platforms is reshaping the accessibility and collaborative nature of this technology. Traditionally, CAD software required substantial computing power, limiting its usage to well-equipped facilities. However, cloud-based solutions have democratized access, making CAD tools available to a global audience. Designers, engineers, and architects from different corners of the world can now collaborate seamlessly in real time, breaking down geographical barriers and fostering a truly global community of innovators.

Conclusion: Embracing the CAD Revolution

In conclusion, the evolution of CAD is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of innovation. From its nascent stages as a rudimentary design tool to its current state as a powerhouse of creativity and precision, CAD has come a long way. As we stand on the cusp of a new era, it’s imperative for professionals and enthusiasts alike to embrace the CAD revolution. The future promises a landscape where imagination knows no bounds, where designs come to life with unparalleled realism, and where the synergy between human creativity and technological prowess creates marvels beyond our wildest dreams.

So, whether you’re an aspiring designer, a seasoned architect, or a curious enthusiast, dive into the realm of CAD with fervor and curiosity. Explore the possibilities, unleash your creativity, and be a part of the extraordinary journey that lies ahead. The world of Computer Aided Design awaits – are you ready to shape the future?



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MEPs assess outcome of 26 – 27 October European Council | News

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MEPs assess outcome of 26 – 27 October European Council | News

European Council President Charles Michel underlined that “nothing can justify the terror and cruelty unleashed by Hamas against Israel” and insisted that Israel has the right to defend itself, in line with international humanitarian law. Stressing that “each civilian life matters”, President Michel noted that “a total siege is not in line with international law” and called for humanitarian pauses and corridors to Gaza, to ensure aid gets to those in need.

He also restated the EU’s strong support for Ukraine, for “as long as it is needed” and commended the country’s progress towards EU accession. Charles Michel also referred to the discussions about the long-term EU budget, which should keep Ukraine as a priority, together with migration, security, defence and inter-member state solidarity.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the dire humanitarian situation in the Middle East and the EU’s commitment to aid and to finding a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. She said the EU has increased aid to Gaza and is working on a maritime aid corridor from Cyprus. “The pain of innocent civilians in the Middle East shakes the conscience of the world,” she said, underscoring the urgency of the situation. She also discussed EU enlargement, with a focus on advancing the membership perspectives of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, with the overall goal of strengthening the Union economically and politically.

MEPs reiterated their condemnation of the terrorist attacks by Hamas, while also emphasising the need to protect civilians, avoid collective punishment, and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians. Several speakers called for the immediate release of hostages and a humanitarian pause in the fighting, and highlighted the need to avoid an escalation of violence and a vicious circle of retribution.

Some MEPs also raised the need for additional financial resources as part of the revision of the EU’s long-term budget, to respond to the situation in the Middle East and boost security in Europe, and called for an international peace conference.

You can watch the debate here.

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Cate Blanchett urges MEPs to focus on humanity and to protect refugees | News

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Cate Blanchett urges MEPs to focus on humanity and to protect refugees | News

In her introductory remarks, President Metsola recalled the European Parliament’s strong engagement in asylum and migration, saying she was hopeful that the EU’s new legislative framework would be agreed before the end of the current legislature.

Cate Blanchett underscored that there are 114 million forcibly displaced people in the world today. It is important that the EU and its member states continue to support humanitarian work, including the work of UNHCR- the UN Refugee Agency-, financially, she added, in order to help people across the globe in many ongoing conflicts.

She called for international refugee law to be upheld, notably the 1951 Geneva Convention, as this was “not only still relevant but foundational to our common humanity”. Universal principles enshrined in the convention and put into practice have saved millions of lives, she said.

As almost 90% of displaced persons are hosted in low and middle-income countries, she urged the EU to focus its policy on protecting refugees and not on fortifying borders. She also recalled the unacceptable human cost of the harmful practice of externalising asylum processing.

You can watch Cate Blanchett’s speech here.

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Rising Anti-Semitism in Europe: Urgent Measures Needed, European Charlemagne Youth Prize, and Agenda Changes

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Rising Anti-Semitism in Europe: Urgent Measures Needed, European Charlemagne Youth Prize, and Agenda Changes

Speaking of the sharp rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, President Metsola spoke of Stars of David being spray-painted onto Jewish homes, Molotov cocktails thrown at a Jewish synagogue and a community centre, Jewish cemeteries being desecrated and vandalised, and parents asking their children to hide their religious beliefs for fear of retribution.

On the eve of the 85th anniversary of Pogromnacht (the November pogroms), anti-Semitism is a warning sign that matters to us all, said the President, underlining that Jewish communities in Europe must feel safe. The European Parliament remains committed to combatting anti-Semitism; urgent and immediate measures are needed to fight hate and discrimination, she concluded.

You can watch group speakers’ interventions following the President’s statement here.

European Charlemagne Youth Prize

For the past fifteen years, Parliament and the International Charlemagne Prize Foundation have jointly awarded the European Charlemagne Youth Prize to youth-led projects supporting democracy and promoting cooperation in Europe, said the President. This year, the first place prize went to AILEM from Belgium, a language app tailored for refugees and asylum seekers, she said, congratulating the winners.

Changes to the agenda

Wednesday

A Statement by the President on the Urgent need for immediate measures against the rise of antisemitism is added as the first point in the afternoon and followed by one round of political groups speakers.

The European Council and Commission statements on Humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause is added in a joint debate with the European Council and Commission statements on Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023.

A Commission statement on EU enlargement policy 2023 is added after the debate on the Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023.

The report by Mr Fernandes and Ms Hayer on System of own resources of the European Union is moved to Thursday morning, as the second point.

The sitting is extended to 22:00.

Thursday

The debate on the Council and Commission statements on European Economic Security Strategy is postponed to a next part-session.

The following reports are added to the votes on Thursday:

  • Mr García Del Blanco on the request for the defence of the privileges and immunities of Stefano Maullu, and
  • Mr Lebreton on the requests for the waiver of the immunity of Patryk Jaki, Beata Kempa, Beata Mazurek and Tomasz Piotr Poręba.

The following reports are taken out from the votes on Thursday:

  • Ms Adamowicz on Road vehicles: maximum dimensions in national and international traffic and maximum weights in international traffic, and
  • Mr Winkler on EU/China Agreement: modification of concessions on all the tariff rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV.

Request by several committees to start negotiations with Council and Commission

Decisions by committees to enter into inter-institutional negotiations (Rule 71) are published on the plenary website.

If no request for a vote in Parliament on the decision to enter into negotiations is made by Thursday 12.00 midnight, the committees may start negotiations.

Information concerning the distribution of votes is available under the section “Priority information”.

Outgoing MEPs

Christophe Hansen (EPP, Luxembourg) as of 23 October 2023

Michal Šimečka (Renew, Slovakia) as of 24 October 2023

Bartosz Arłukowicz (EPP, Poland) as of 18 October 2023

Krzysztof Hetman (EPP, Poland) as of 18 October 2023

Zbigniew Kuźmiuk (ECR, Poland) as of 18 October 2023

Incoming MEPs

Martine Kemp (EPP, Luxembourg) as of 24 October 2023

Josef Mihál (Renew, Slovakia) as of 26 October 2023

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