On the first day of the European Council 26 October, EU leaders adopted conclusions on the Middle East.
They reiterated their condemnation of Hamas’ brutal terrorist attack and their gravest concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
In light of Hamas’ brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attack against Israel and the unfolding tragic scenes in the Gaza Strip, EU leaders reviewed the state of play and different strands of action, including concerted efforts to assist EU citizens.
In a follow-up to the statement they released on 15 October 2023 and the extraordinary European Council meeting held two days later, they also reaffirmed their:
condemnation of Hamas in the strongest possible terms
recognition of Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international law and international humanitarian law
call on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any precondition
The leaders underlined the importance to ensure protection of all civilians at all times. They also expressed their grave concern regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need, including through humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs.
The leaders stressed that the EU will work with partners in the region to:
protect civilians
ensure that assistance is not abused by terrorist organisations
facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter
To avoid regional escalation, the leaders emphasised the need to engage with partners in the region, including the Palestinian Authority. They also expressed their support for a two-state solution and welcomed diplomatic initiatives, including supporting the holding of an international peace conference soon.
In an escalating pattern of persecution against the Baha’is in Iran, 36 incidents have taken place in recent days, affecting mostly women, including 10 women who were arrested in Isfahan (Original photo credit: HRANA)
Bahai Women / The persecution of the Baha’i community in Iran, towards women has been increasing rapidly. This article explores the occurrences of arrests, imprisonment and violations of human rights imposed on the Baha’i community. It sheds light on the strength and togetherness displayed by this marginalized group.
In the year the Iranian government has significantly escalated its efforts to suppress the Baha’i community. Dozens of Baha’is have been unjustly arrested, tried, summoned to begin prison sentences, or barred from accessing higher education or earning a livelihood. The Baha’i International Community reports that as many as 180 Baha’is have been targeted, including a 90-year-old man, Jamaloddin Khanjani, who was detained and interrogated for two weeks.
In the face of such adversity, the Baha’i community has responded with a powerful campaign, #OurStoryIsOne, emphasizing their shared struggle for equality and freedom. The campaign is a testament to their resilience and unity, demonstrating that the Iranian government’s attempts to sow division among the Baha’is have been futile.
The representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva, Simin Fahandej, has criticized the Iranian government’s actions. She states, “By increasing the persecution against Baha’i women in Iran, the Iranian government is further demonstrating that all Iranians are facing the same struggle for equality and freedom.”
The #OurStoryIsOne campaign is a beacon of hope amid the relentless oppression. It underscores the unity of the Baha’i community and their shared vision of building a new Iran where everyone, regardless of faith, background, and gender, lives and prospers.
Despite the persecution by the Iranian government, the Baha’i community shows immense determination. Their resilience in the face of oppression is a powerful testament to their innocence and unwavering commitment to equality and freedom.
The global community cannot remain silent when confronted with violations of human rights. It is imperative to hold the government responsible for its actions and stand united with the Baha’i community.
The narrative of the Baha’i community in Iran exemplifies resilience, unity and an unwavering pursuit of equality and freedom. It serves as a reminder that the fight for human rights is far from over-emphasizing that solidarity is now more critical than ever before.
The 10 women arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in Isfahan are Neda Badakhsh, Arezou Sobhanian, Yeganeh Rouhbakhsh, Mojgan Shahrezaie, Parastou Hakim, Yeganeh Agahi, Bahareh Lotfi, Shana Shoghifar, Negin Khademi, and Neda Emadi, and took them to an unknown location.
Ms. Shokoufeh Basiri, Mr. Ahmad Naimi and Mr. Iman Rashidi were also arrested and remain in the detention center of the Yazd Intelligence Department.
Ms. Nasim Sabeti, Ms. Azita Foroughi, Ms Roya Ghane Ezzabadi and Ms Soheila Ahmadi, residents of Mashhad, were each sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Revolutionary Court of this city.
Mrs Noushin Mesbah, a resident of Mashhad, was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.
The sentence of four years and one month and seventeen days of imprisonment and social deprivation of Mrs. Sousan Badavam was confirmed by the appeals court of Gilan province.
Mr. Hasan Salehi, Mr. Vahid Dana and Mr. Saied Abedi were each sentenced to six years, one month and seventeen days of imprisonment under the supervision of the electronic system, fine and social exclusions by the first branch of Shiraz Revolutionary Court.
Mr. Arsalan Yazdani, Mrs. Saiedeh Khozouei, Mr. Iraj Shakour, Mr. Pedram Abhar were sentenced to 6 years each, and Mrs. Samira Ebrahimi and Ms. Saba Sefidi were each sentenced to 4 years and 5 months in prison.
The dead in Gaza include many teachers, the agency noted in a tweet on Monday. “We grieve and we remember. These are not just numbers. These are our friends and colleagues…UNRWA mourns this huge loss.”
The 13,000-strong agency which operates across the Palestine Occupied Territory has been working tirelessly with other UN humanitarians inside Gaza and across the region, to aid stricken civilians, often at great personal risk.
Determined to forge peace
Through the UN Charter, countries united in their resolve to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”
“On this United Nations Day, let us commit with hope and determination to build the better world of our aspirations,” he said.
Call for unity
The UN chief called on all nations to commit to a future that lives up to the name of the indispensable organization.
“We are a divided world. We can and must be united nations,” he urged.
Commemorative events planned on Tuesday include a concert at UN Headquarters in New York, on the theme of The Frontlines of Climate Action, reinforcing one of the UN chief’s key priorities, ahead of the crucial COP28 summit in Dubai next month.
Emissions from road traffic and domestic heating behind breaches of EU air quality standards across Europe — European Environment Agency
Over the period 2014 to 2020, 944 air quality plans were reported to the EEA, according to the briefing ‘Managing air quality in Europe’. Authorities in Member States are required to set up air quality plans to reduce air pollution in areas where EU air quality standards are exceeded and protect public health and ecosystems. The majority of the air quality plans focus on reducing levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less (PM10).
From 2014 to 2020, just under two thirds of all reported exceedances of air quality standards were linked to dense traffic in urban centers and proximity to major roads, mainly due to emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Road traffic was a key source of air pollution in western and northern Europe, with six countries, namely Austria, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom*, reporting road traffic as the only source of exceedances.
In contrast, in southern and eastern Europe domestic heating was an important source driving exceedances of standards for PM10. Countries that reported domestic heating as a significant driver of exceedances include Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, andSlovenia.
In terms of measures put in place to reduce emissions under air quality plans, two thirds focused on reducing emissions of NOx from the transport sector, while only 12% focused on domestic heating and 4% on the agricultural sector, the latter two being important sources of particulate matter.
According to the EEA report ‘Air quality in Europe 2021’, exposure to air pollution caused a significant burden of premature death and disease in the 27 EU Member States in 2019, with 307,000 premature deaths attributed to fine particulate matter and 40,400 to NO2.
Under the European Green Deal’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, the European Commission set the 2030 goal of reducing the number of premature deaths caused by PM2.5 by at least 55% compared with 2005 levels. To this end, the European Commission committed to revising relevant policies that reduce air pollutant emissions at source, such as from road transport and buildings. The Commission is also revising the Ambient Air Quality Directives to align EU air quality standards more closely with new WHO air quality guidelines published in September 2021.
Background on air quality plans
The EU’s ambient air quality directives set air quality standards for certain pollutants in ambient air to protect human health and the environment. If these values are exceeded, Member States are required to take necessary action to reduce the concentrations of air pollutants and prepare an air quality plan that sets appropriate measures. The aim is to keep the exceedance period as short as possible.
*EEA products, websites and services may refer to research carried out prior to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Research and data relating to the UK will generally be explained by using terminology such as: “EU-27 and the UK” or “EEA-32 and the UK”. Exceptions to this approach will be clarified in the context of their use.
Antwerp, an eclectic city: between modern architecture and historic buildings
Located in the north of Belgium, Antwerp is a city that has harmoniously combined modern architecture and historic buildings. This unique combination makes Antwerp a popular destination for lovers of art, history and architecture.
At the heart of the city is the historic district, known as the Old Town. This place is full of magnificent buildings, dating from medieval and Renaissance times. Antwerp’s Grand Place is a true architectural gem, with its richly decorated guild houses. The Maison des Brasseurs, the Maison des Chats and the Maison des Diamants are just a few examples of these historic buildings that bear witness to the city’s glorious past.
But Antwerp is not just a city stuck in the past. It is also the birthplace of many modernist architects who left their mark on the city. One of the most iconic examples of modern architecture in Antwerp is the Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by the famous Dutch architect, Rem Koolhaas. This bold and futuristic building is a true masterpiece of contemporary architecture.
Besides the Museum of Contemporary Art, Antwerp has many other modernist buildings worth seeing. The Antwerp Conference and Exhibition Center, also known as “Het Zuid”, is a striking example of modern architecture. This architectural complex houses a conference center, exhibition halls and offices, all integrated into an avant-garde design.
Strolling through the streets of Antwerp, one can also discover architectural gems such as the Stoclet House, designed by Belgian architect Joseph Hoffmann. This Art Nouveau building is a true hidden treasure, with its facade decorated with floral motifs and its sumptuous interiors.
But architecture is not the only wealth of Antwerp. The city is also renowned for its fashion industry, with renowned designers such as Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester helping to make Antwerp a fashion capital. The MoMu, the Antwerp Fashion Museum, is an unmissable place for fashion enthusiasts, with its exhibitions dedicated to Belgian and international designers.
Besides fashion, Antwerp is also known for its port, one of the largest in Europe. This historic port, located on the Scheldt, played a crucial role in the economic development of the city. Today it is still possible to see the freight ships sailing on the Scheldt, giving the town a unique maritime atmosphere.
Finally, Antwerp is a culturally rich city, with many museums, art galleries and theaters. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp houses an impressive collection of artworks, ranging from Flemish masters such as Rubens and Van Dyck, to contemporary Belgian artists.
In conclusion, Antwerp is a city that harmoniously combines modern architecture and historic buildings. Its historic district is full of architectural treasures, while its modernist buildings bear witness to the creativity and daring of its architects. But Antwerp is much more than a city of architecture, it is also a fashion capital, a historic port and a cultural center. A visit to Antwerp is therefore a real journey through history, art and architecture.
After his release from the penal colony, Seidkuliev was kept in a deportation center and expelled from the country (Credit: Jehovah’s Witnesses Russia)
On September 17, 2023, employees of the Federal Migration Service, contrary to a court decision, deported Rustam Seidkuliev to Turkmenistan. Earlier, at the initiative of the FSB, his Russian citizenship was revoked due to criminal prosecution for his faith.
Seidkuliev was sentenced to two years and four months to penal colony for participating in worship services and talking about Bible topics. In total, Rustam spent a little more than a year and ten months behind bars. After Seidkuliev’s release from the colony, additional punishment came into force. It was not associated with imprisonment and allowed him to live with his wife and move freely around Saratov, and to communicate with friends and to work.
In January 2020, the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case against Rustam Seidkuliev. He was accused of extremism for reading and discussing the Bible. Two weeks later, the police arrested him in a shopping center in Adler. He was transported to the city of Saratov and placed under house arrest for seven months. In March 2021, Seidkuliev’s case came to court. Two months later he was found guilty and sentenced to two and a half years in a general regime colony. The regional court reduced this period by two months. The Court of Cassation approved this decision. Seidkuliev served his sentence in Penal Colony-33 in Saratov. During this time, the FSB accomplished the revocation of his Russian citizenship. In April 2023, he was released from the colony, and in September he was deported to Turkmenistan.
Extradition
According to Seidkuliev himself, FMS officers tried to expel him from the country twice. The first attempt was on September 15, but the flight was delayed, and the believer was returned to the detention center. “The next day, the staff came and said, ‘You have 15 minutes to get ready,'” the believer recalls. “After that, they were taken to Moscow by car, explaining the rush because of the order of the authorities.”
Seidkuliev arrived in Ashgabat at 3 a.m. There he was kept at border control for about 12 hours and released after paperwork was completed.
More than 20 years ago, Rustam’s stepfather was deported from Turkmenistan because he was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This is how the Seidkuliev family ended up in Saratov.
Rustam Seidkuliev became the fourth Jehovah’s Witness to be deported from the country by the Russian authorities because of his religion since 2017. Previously, this happened to Dennis Christensen, Feliks Makhammadiev and Konstantin Bazhenov.
Recommendations
At the Warsaw Human Rights Conference organized earlier this month by the OSCE, Jehovah’s Witnesses recommended that Russia:
annul the April 2017 Supreme Court decision that banned and liquidated the legal entities of the Witnesses
release all Witnesses in detention
remove the Witnesses’ religious literature, including the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (the Holy Bible), from the Federal List of Extremist Materials
return all confiscated property owned or used by the Witnesses
enforce media standards prohibiting libel and slander
abide by Russia’s Constitution and respect international law, including the binding judgments of the European Court of Human Rights
Addressing the UN-backed body meeting in Rome on Monday, António Guterres underscored that the session was taking place “at a moment of crisis for global food security” and provided some sobering statistics.
“Last year, 735 million people went hungry. More than 3 billion cannot afford a healthy diet,” said the Secretary-General in a video message, adding that “we are going backward on our goal of zero hunger by 2030.”
He emphasized that hunger and malnutrition were not just problems but human rights violations “on an epic scale”, painting a vivid picture of the dire consequences of the rolling crisis.
“When nutritious food is out of reach because of cost or geography; when bodies are eaten away by hunger; when parents watch helplessly as their children suffer and even die from a lack of food”, this is nothing less than “a human tragedy – a moral catastrophe – and a global outrage,” Mr. Guterres stated.
The Secretary-General made it clear the world has the resources to address this crisis. “There is more than enough food to go around. And more than enough resources to ensure that every person on the planet has enough to eat.”
He emphasized the role of governments in ensuring access to nutritious food, saying that while they have a responsibility to provide it, many governments lack the resources to do so.
António Guterres called for effective international solidarity to transform food systems for all people.
For that, explained the UN chief, massive investment, innovation, science, and technology are essential – to build “sustainable food systems in harmony with nature and addressing the climate crisis.”
Thinktank on food supply
He commended the work of the CFS – which includes staff from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) – emphasizing its importance in finding solutions.
“Your Committee’s work is critical to this process. From reimagining agrifood systems to boosting the collection and use of data, to ensuring that the needs of women and girls are at the heart of all that we do.”
The Secretary-General implored the world to prioritize this fundamental human right: “Let’s give the fundamental human right to food the investment and urgent action it deserves.”
Established in 1974, the Committee on World Food Security was reformed in 2009 to become an inclusive international and intergovernmental platform tasked to ensure food security and nutrition for all.
The Church set out a red carpet for Kulturnatten (Culture Night), welcoming over 1600 people in a matter of hours to their home in the heart of Copenhagen.
BRUSSELS, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, October 26, 2023 /EIN/ — In recent times Europe has experienced a growing fascination with new practical religions, like Scientology, which has seen an increase in popularity for the last seventy years. This change is evident in the rising belief that “the church provides answers to people’s spiritual needs” and the emergence of faith in a “personal deity”.
Despite the trend towards secularism in Western Europe a significant portion of the population still identifies with some form of religion or spirituality. For instance when asked about their religious affiliation a considerable number of individuals still consider themselves Christians making up 71% in Germany and 64%, in France.
This growing interest in new pragmatic religions is becoming more evident. For instance, the case of Scientology has gained momentum, particularly since the launch of the Scientology Network, which broadcasts worldwide in 17 languages, bringing these alternative faiths into the spotlight.
According to Ivan Arjona, who represents Scientology in the European Union, OSCE and the United Nations, this growing interest reflects the evolving panorama in Europe. Arjona mentioned that as individuals become more receptive to concepts and perspectives they are also increasingly open, to exploring alternative religious practices that might better align with their personal requirements.
The changing religious scene is marked by a quest for hands-on methods to connect with spirituality. These movements, such, as Scientology provide “tools and techniques that aid individuals in enhancing their lives and attaining their objectives”. For instance, “Scientology provides a range of courses and counselling services aimed at helping individuals overcome personal challenges and attain greater success in life” says Arjona.
It is asserted by studies that Europeans are responding to this trend in various ways. While secularization in Denmark stands out as one of the most secularized countries globally, with church attendance figures in continuous decline, this trend contrasts with the increased visibility of religious minorities, particularly Muslims, raising questions about the dynamics between different religious and non-religious groups and the future of the Established Church in the country.
A resurgence of religious belief despite the broader trend of secularization, seems to be a response to the fact, as Ivan Arjona says “the church of Scientology gives adequate answers to people’s spiritual needs” and to the concept of a “personal God”. This would seem to suggest that while Europe, in general, may be less religious, there are substantial variations in religious commitment within the old continent.
This increasing interest in practical religions can be seen in the Church of Scientology’s recent participation in Copenhagen’s annual “Cultural Night” (Kulturnatten). During the event, the Church welcomed over 1,600 curious visitors, which proves the growing curiosity about these alternative belief systems. Kulturnatten is a city-wide event that celebrates Copenhagen’s diversity by providing a closer look at the city’s cultural, artistic, and religious institutions. Scientologists in Denmark have now participated in the program for the fifth time which is seen as a testament to the acceptance of new religious movements.
A press release from the Church of Scientology International detailed the event saying:
“From the start of the city-wide event at 6 p.m. until midnight, guests toured through the Church’s information centre, its chapel, and rooms set aside for providing the religion’s spiritual counselling (called auditing) and training. They also saw the Office of L. Ron Hubbard—a facility in every Church of Scientology that honours the legacy of the religion’s Founder and stands in testament that the Church is true to Mr. Hubbard’s writings and ideals. Scientologists were on hand to answer questions and refer visitors to Mr. Hubbard’s books and courses where they could gain more in-depth information.”
An important datum to helps to explain why Scientology is in such a position is the personal implication of Mr. David Miscavige, the ecclesiastical leader of religion, who has played and plays a pivotal role in increasing the reach of Scientology in society, especially since he launched the “Ideal Churches” program reinforcing and guaranteeing not only the standard application of religion’s doctrines but also its social programs of the Truth About Drugs, United for Human Rights, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, and many others.
In conclusion, Europe is experiencing a diverse response to the growing interest in new pragmatic religions, with some countries becoming more secularized and others retaining a strong religious identity. The Church of Scientology’s active presence in Denmark and the increase in belief in a “personal God” reflect the changing spiritual landscape in the region.
In 10 billion years we will be part of a planetary nebula
Scientists have made predictions about what the last days of our solar system will look like and when they will happen.
At first, astronomers thought the Sun would become a planetary nebula – a glowing bubble of gas and cosmic dust – until evidence showed our star lacked the mass to do so. However, evidence was subsequently found to support the old thesis.
The Sun is about 4.6 billion years old – measured by the age of other objects in the Solar System that formed around the same time.
Based on observations of other stars, astronomers predict that the Sun will reach the end of its life in another 10 billion years.
Before that, other important things will happen.
In about 5 billion years, the Sun should become a red giant. The star’s core will contract, but its outer layers will expand to the orbit of Mars, engulfing our planet in the process.
As for humanity, it can survive another 1 billion years on the planet. The reason for this is that the brightness of the Sun will increase, making the temperatures unlivable.
By studying other stars, scientists conclude that 90 percent of Sun-like stars evolve from red giants to white dwarfs and then end up as planetary nebulae.
“When a star dies, it ejects a mass of gas and dust into space. The envelope can be up to half the mass of the star. This exposes the star’s core, which at this point is running without fuel before finally dying,” explained astrophysicist Albert Zijlstra from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, one of the authors of the paper.
“Only then does the hot core cause the ejected shell to glow brightly for about 10,000 years – a short period in astronomy. But this makes the planetary nebula visible. Some are so bright that they can be seen from extremely great distances – tens of millions of light years. Before eventually, such stars would be invisible at such a distance,” adds the scientist.
“The data says you can get bright planetary nebulae from low-mass stars like the Sun, the models say it’s not possible,” says the scientist. This means, according to him, that the models need to be updated, and the future of the Sun becomes easier to predict.
Planetary nebulae are relatively common in the observable Universe, with the Helix Nebula, the Cat’s Eye Nebula, the Ring Nebula, and the Bubble Nebula all known.
Illustrative Photo by Billel Moula: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-of-plants-during-golden-hour-542515/
For the first time since the war started, the future of Ukraine is being considered. A high-level international conference was held in Paris on how to stop the bloodshed.
The conference was organised at Paris Business School on October 24th 2023 with prominent speakers, experts, researchers and journalists. It was moderated by Frédéric Encel, professor of geopolitics at Paris Business School and Sciences Po with a keynote speakers Ambassador Gerard Araud, former French diplomat and Jeffrey Sachs, American Econmist and professor at Columbia University.
Ambassador Araud has highlighted that the war in Ukraine needs diplomacy which is difficult to understand for Europeans. He brought the precedent and South and North Korean model of ceasefire and freezing the conflict as a possible solution.
He also reminded that all the boundaries in Europe of today are the result of different wars and in each war was a an attacking side and a defending side. It is remarkable that the Ambassador sees good chances that the war will be stopped after Donald Trump wins the elections, which is a likely scenario for the upcoming US elections.
Christophe Gomart, a general and a respected columnist joined the analysis of Ambassador Araud by reviewing the situation from a military perspective and considering that Ukraine’s and Russia’s potentials. Ukraine is getting destroyed and exhausted, although keeping high spirit but Russian capabilities appear to be higher despite the aid to Ukraine from the West.
Gaidz Minassian, a professor at sciences Po and a journalist at le Monde compared the Ukrainian-Russian war to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijani and how this war had a lot of repercussions on other conflicts in the region and the need to put an end to the conflict to stabilize the region.
Manel Msalmi, the president of the European Association for The Defense of Minorities and a researcher in international relations in Brussels mentioned that Ukraine needs to fight against corruption and food insecurity. She has emphasised the ongoing destruction of Ukraine and human suffering. Manel Msalmi has also raised the issue of the rising level of corruption in Ukraine which is widely discussed in the USA now. And she said: “We must ask a question: why the diplomatic means are so weak? Why not to use the means of negotiations to stop the war? In the meantime, Ukraine is getting destroyed. The war destabilises the world and eliminates Ukraine”.
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, American Economist and professor at Columbia University joined the discussion via zoom. He has stated that this war should have been prevented so many times. Unfortunately, there were occasions to negotiate, but the US was trying to enlarge NATO by any cost without taking into consideration Russian concerns. Now, Ukraine is loosing not only by sacrificing hundreds of thousands but possibly loosing sovereignty. He was very critical of the current US policies. He insisted that the way to stop the war through negotiations must be found.
The last speaker was Gérard Chaliand, a geopolitical, writer and winner of the book prize of geopolitics. He warmly congratulated professor Sachs and highlighted the need to stop the war and save the life of Ukrainian people but also questioned the continuation of military supplies to Ukraine.
The conference ended with a series of questions from the students who were intrested to exchange with the experts.
This was the first event of this sort which may lead to further discussions and eyes opening.
