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European Parliament delegation to COP29 to receive ‘burner’ phones

Published

3 weeks ago

October 31, 2024

European Parliament delegation to COP29 to receive ‘burner’ phones

The head of the Greens’ delegation to COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan next month has redoubled criticism of the host country over its human rights record and status as a major fossil fuel producer.

MEPs travelling to the Azeri capital Baku for upcoming UN climate talks will be issued with disposable phones amid fears of hacking by foreign agents, the Green MEP Michael Bloss has revealed, while expressing concern about slow progress towards ending the fossil fuel era.

“Security advisors have warned us that our devices are likely to be infiltrated—a precaution based on first-hand experiences with surveillance and reprisals in the region,” Bloss told Euronews after briefing journalists on the COP29 summit.

“Even as MEPs, we can’t communicate freely without fearing state monitoring,” said the German lawmaker, who is part of the European Parliament’s 15-strong official delegation to the talks.

The whole delegation will be offered “burner” phones, Bloss’s office confirmed in an email exchange, using a term that usually refers to cheap, anonymous, pre-paid handsets that can be used briefly then discarded.

Use of burner phones ‘happens all the time’

The arrangement appears, however, to be fairly standard. Euronews spoke to a former European Commissioner who said it was standard practice for delegations to be issued with burner phones and laptops set up just for the duration of foreign visits, which are handed back to EU security services upon return.

“There is always a security risk assessment,” said the former senior EU official, who did not wish to be named. “It happens all the time.”

A spokesperson for the assembly said the European Parliament’s services “constantly monitor security and cybersecurity” but, also for security reasons, could not comment further.

While not specifying which states were thought to pose a security risk during the COP29 summit, Bloss – in line with the Greens as a group – made no secret of his reservations about the choice of Azerbaijan as host of this year’s talks.

“To me, it’s clear: Azerbaijan suppresses critical voices and uses the COP as a platform for image management, rather than for genuine dialogue,” the MEP said.

Regardless of the venue, environmentalists and climate activists have long been wary about the presence of the fossil fuel industry at UN climate talks.

Bloss criticised the choice of yet another host country, after Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, whose economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuel exports. “Socar, the gas and oil company of Azerbaijan, has announced that they want to expand their oil and gas drilling,” the MEP noted.

“That’s the opposite of what should be happening,” Bloss said.

Still, tough negotiations at COP28 in Dubai last year ended with a global agreement, to the relief of many, to “transition away” from fossil fuels and “accelerate efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power”.

Although no end dates were specified and questions were asked about the implications of the term “unabated”, the symbolic significance of the move – along with a concrete commitment to triple global renewable energy production by 2030 – was seized upon by many at the time as a major breakthrough.

Among them was Danish Climate and Energy Minister Dan Jørgensen, who is due to be grilled by MEPs next week as European commissioner designate for energy and housing. Jørgensen hailed a “huge decision” by global leaders and a “pivotal” moment in the fight against global heating.

The European Parliament’s delegation is not directly participating in the talks, where the European Commission’s team, headed by climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, will push the EU position as agreed by member states earlier this month.

“There needs to be a clear, regulated end-date for fossil [fuels],” Bloss said. But more ambitious wording on giving up coal, oil and gas, let alone a concrete deadline, appears less likely to emerge in Baku next month.

All about the money

The central debate is set to focus on financing: in particular, the EU wants to see contributions from a wider base of countries beyond the handful of advanced economies that have committed to pool $100bn a year to help poorer nations deal with climate change.

Azeri COP29 president-designate Mukhtar Babayev was asked about “full steam ahead” fossil fuel production in his country – as well as last year’s host the UAE and next year’s, Brazil – during a public debate at an annual International Monetary Fund gathering in Washington D.C. last week.

Azerbaijan would provide “continuity of the process” moved forward in Dubai, Babayev said. Baku would also provide a “very big opportunity” for governments to finally close discussions on the setting up of a global system of ‘carbon credits’ that would allow countries to pay others to take climate action on their behalf.

The COP29 summit runs from 11 to 22 November.

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World

‘A Complete Unknown’ First Reactions Praise ‘Shockingly Moving’ Bob Dylan Biopic: Timothée Chalamet’s Performance Is a ‘True Tour De Force’

Published

5 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

‘A Complete Unknown’ First Reactions Praise ‘Shockingly Moving’ Bob Dylan Biopic: Timothée Chalamet’s Performance Is a ‘True Tour De Force’

The first reactions to Timothée Chalamet‘s “A Complete Unknown” have started rolling in on social media ahead of the Bob Dylan biopic’s Christmas release date, with members of the press praising Chalamet, Monica Barbaro and more for their performances in the film.

“Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination. Fearless in some hypnotic moments,” Variety‘s senior awards editor Clayton Davis wrote on X. “For me, it’s Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning that anchor the story of an illusive, mysterious man that remains in that sphere. James Mangold helms with confidence, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Much respect to one of the best to do it.”

Film critic Scott Menzel said Chalamet “delivers the performance of the year,” adding: “A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet’s performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of the little nuances and mannerisms that he perfectly brings to his life in his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Great supporting performances too from Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.”

While the reactions to “A Complete Unknown” have been mostly positive so far, the biopic received some negative responses, including Los Angeles film critic Ryan Swen, who used some Dylan lyrics to describe his reaction: “It’s vile and deceitful — it’s cruel and it’s mean. Ugliest thing that you have ever seen.”

The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood, meanwhile, called the film “superb” and “shockingly moving,” adding: “Chalamet is fantastic. Monica Barbaro is incredible. We need a Joan Baez spin off movie.”

From Searchlight Pictures and director James Mangold (“Walk the Line”), “A Complete Unknown” follows a young Dylan as he arrives in New York in the early 1960s. The film tracks the music legend as he becomes a fixture in the Greenwich Village folk scene and befriends people like Joan Baez (played by Barbaro) and Pete Seeger (Edward Norton). The film ends after Dylan straps on an electric guitar at Newport Folk Festival in 1965, playing “Like a Rolling Stone” and revolutionizing the genre.

Speaking to Variety back in July, when the first trailer for the film was released, a dozen Dylan experts expressed cautious optimism toward “A Complete Unknown,” praising Chalamet’s performance of “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.”

“A Complete Unknown” is written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, and based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book “Dylan Goes Electric!” The rest of the cast includes Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, P. J. Byrne as Harold Leventhal, Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie, Dan Fogler as Albert Grossman and Will Harrison as Bob Neuwirth, among others. The film is produced by Fred Berger, Alex Heineman, Peter Jaysen, Bob Bookman, Alan Gasmer, Jeff Rosen, Chalamet and Mangold.

Check out more first reactions below.

“Wow, #ACompleteUnknown. Timothée Chalamet’s performance in this is superior. James Mangold and his entire team pull off a technical feat from sound, editing, costume, cinematography to production design, down to the subtleties of makeup and hair. Loved it.” — Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt)

“#ACompleteUnknown is absolutely incredible. Clocks in at nearly 2.5 hrs but flies by. The musical performances are perfectly placed, the story is captivating. Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, and Edward Norton all deliver unforgettable performances. I’m in awe.” — Tessa Smith (@MamasGeeky)

“A COMPLETE UNKNOWN looks and sounds great, a standard biopic that truly comes alive when its iconic characters make passionate music together. Timothée Chalamet is well-cast but Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton steal the show as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger.” — Abe Friedtanzer (@movieswithabe)

“A Complete Unknown manages to maintain tell us everything about Bob Dylan while telling us almost nothing about Bob Dylan. Some would say that was the target. The movie is ultimately about the power of the individual and talent and how what we all want can turn on a dime, repeatedly. Chalamet brings enormous power to this portrait of a man who just keeps leaving but then also keeps delivering surprises. Edward Norton’s turn is perfectly true to Seeger. Monica Barbero delivers a Baez of many facets, from fire to ice. And Elle Fanning is destined to be underrated in a complex turn as “the first NY girlfriend.” I really need to see it again to fully negotiate all that is there and all that is not there by design.” — David Poland (@DavidPoland)

“A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is a solid biopic, showing Bob Dylan as a deeply talented individual with a lack of social intelligence. Timothee Chalamet is excellent & Monica Barbaro is captivating as Joan Baez. Oscar nominatons for Best Picture, Cinematography, Sound, Costumes are possible” — Tim Gerber (@ZurrieSkate)

World

Russia launched intercontinental ballistic missile toward Ukraine, air force says

Published

6 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Russia launched intercontinental ballistic missile toward Ukraine, air force says

Russian troops launched various missiles, reportedly including an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Astrakhan region, in an early morning attack on Ukraine on Thursday.

Ukraine’s Air Force said on its Telegram account that it destroyed six Kh-101 cruise missiles using anti-aircraft combat.

The Russian attack hit critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro, according to the air force.

US EMBASSY IN KYIV CLOSED WEDNESDAY AS ‘POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANT AIR ATTACK’ LOOMS

A Ukrainian chaplain from the city of Dnipro Leonid conducts an evacuation from a frontline village, as local residents are urged to leave due to shelling on November 19, 2024 in the direction of Kurakhovo, Ukraine. ((Photo by Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images))

This comes after Ukraine fired American-supplied long-range missiles into Russia on Tuesday, marking the first time for Kyiv to do so in the 1,000 days of war – a move that was authorized by President Biden on Sunday.

UKRAINE FIRES FIRST BARRAGE OF US-MADE LONG-RANGE MISSILES INTO RUSSIA, KREMLIN SAYS

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Moscow-appointed head of Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, Yevgeny Balitsky during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

There are currently no reports on injuries or fatalities.

If the attack did involve an ICBM, it would mark a major escalation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the first time such a weapon has been used.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

World

Are users deserting Elon Musk’s X en masse and where are they heading?

Published

6 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Are users deserting Elon Musk’s X en masse and where are they heading?

The limited data on X user numbers makes measuring the full extent of the reported exodus from the platform almost impossible.

Hundreds of thousands of dissatisfied users have reportedly fled Elon Musk’s X, previously known as Twitter, following Donald Trump’s re-election, with an estimated 115,000 accounts deactivated in the US alone on the day after the ballot.

Celebrities and prominent brands ditching the platform cite mounting concerns over the unchecked spread of misinformation, conspiracy theories and hate speech, as well as what they consider to be Musk’s role in facilitating Trump’s return to power.

“X is a toxic media platform and (…) its owner, Elon Musk, has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse,” news media The Guardian said in a statement announcing it would no longer be posting on the platform.

But, determining the exact number of users leaving X is challenging, as the platform does not regularly release global user data.

The Euroverify team takes a look at what we know about the number of users deserting X and the platforms to which they are migrating.

How many people are on X and how many are leaving?

Estimates of X’s monthly global user base vary widely. The most generous estimates — used by research agencies and prominent business media — place the number of users at 611 million in April of this year, with a 6% drop to 588 million by September.

While many experts contest these figures, there has been a trend of declining user numbers on the platform since the 2022 Musk takeover, driven by departures in Western democracies.

X is legally obliged to disclose its user numbers in the EU under the requirements of the bloc’s digital rulebook, the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Its reports show that the average number of EU monthly users fell from 111.4 million in the six months leading up to January 2024 to 106 million in the six months leading up to July.

Although it doesn’t reflect user numbers in other regions of the world, it is the only official data provided by X that shows a trend of decline in users.

An analysis by Financial Times analysts also suggests X user numbers have fallen by almost a third in the UK and almost a fifth in the US in the year leading up to September 2024.

A closer look at the data shows that user numbers have fallen in 25 of 27 EU member states over the past year, with only Germany and Finland seeing an uptick in numbers.

The drop in user numbers has coincided with a decline in financial prospects, with some estimating the company has lost 75% of its value since it was bought by Musk.

Where are they migrating?

Bluesky, a platform developed by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, is a popular destination for emigrating X users.

Its CEO Jay Graber revealed earlier this week that users had hit 20 million after averaging 1 million new users per day over a five-day period. Its user numbers have more than tripled since late August.

Mastodon, developed by a German non-profit, is also welcoming users from X. Its app downloads are up 47% on iOS and 17% on Android this month according to its creator Eugen Rochko.

But Meta’s Threads, rolled out last year, remains the direct competitor with most active users, estimated at around 275 million.

Could Bluesky be the next big thing?

Given its proximity to the original Twitter interface and its emphasis on content moderation, Bluesky is being widely tipped as the biggest threat to X.

“It certainly seems like an inflection point. Bluesky’s growth over the past couple of years has tended to be directly correlated with Elon Musk’s actions,” David Karpf, associate professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, told Euronews.

He believes Musk’s use of the platform to propel Donald Trump’s campaign has played a significant role in convincing more users to leave the platform.

“It’s all been a trickle (of users leaving) up until the past month or two,” he explained. “But it seems like what happened during the election (means that) an awful lot of people who were using X decided, this is not for me.”

Bluesky operates independently to ensure big corporations do not influence its decisions, and users are able to select and fine-tune the algorithm that decides the content they are exposed to through custom feeds.

It has introduced new “anti-toxicity features”, such as the ability to detach your own post from a “quote post” made by another user. Replies to posts can also be hidden.

It also has strong blocking features, often described as a “nuclear block”, designed to stamp out harassment and abuse.

But there are concerns that if politics becomes the motive for the exodus from X to Bluesky, the platforms could splinter into two echo chambers, split along political and ideological lines.

For American writer and media critic Parer Molloy, concerns about Bluesky becoming an ideological ‘bubble’ are unfounded: “It’s not about avoiding disagreement — it’s about fostering an environment where disagreements can actually happen productively,” she wrote this week.

“On platforms like X, the problem isn’t just opposing views — it’s the sheer volume of hate, harassment, and dehumanising rhetoric that gets amplified by algorithms.”