World

Sharp rise recorded in landmine casualties in 2023, warns report

Published

2 months ago

November 20, 2024

Sharp rise recorded in landmine casualties in 2023, warns report

Civilians, including children, make up 84 percent of landmine casualties, with the highest numbers last year in Myanmar.

The number of people killed or wounded worldwide by landmines and explosive remnants of war surged in 2023, according to a new report.

There were more than 5,700 casualties last year, the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor group said in its annual report published on Wednesday. The highest number was reported in Myanmar, while significant tolls were also recorded in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

The global total marks a rise of about 1,000 compared with the previous year. At least 1,983 people were killed and 3,663 injured across 53 countries. Civilians made up 84 percent of the victims, with children accounting for 37 percent, the report said.

Just over 1,000 casualties were reported in Myanmar, which is not party to the Mine Ban Treaty. Syria, which had for the previous three years the highest number of annual casualties, came next. More than 500 casualties were recorded in both Afghanistan and Ukraine.

“Landmines are inherently indiscriminate weapons, meaning that, by design, it is not possible for the mine to be deployed to target a specific person,” read the report. “Hence, casualties can occur among whoever triggers the mine, whether a child or a soldier, as well as anyone nearby.”

The report notes that not all landmine-related deaths and injuries are documented, suggesting the actual figures could be higher.

Alongside Myanmar, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are accused of laying new mines, continuing trends observed in previous years.

These countries have not signed the Ottawa Treaty, an international agreement that bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel mines.

The treaty has banned landmines since 1999, and 164 countries are parties to it. However, major powers including the United States, Israel and Russia are not signed up.

Washington was reported on Wednesday to be ready to provide landmines to Ukraine.

In a statement to the AFP news agency, the ICBL said it condemned “this terrible decision” by the US, and vowed to push for it to be reversed. The lobby group also called on Ukraine to “clearly state they cannot and will not accept these weapons”.

Non-state actors, including armed groups, have also been implicated in the use of landmines in conflict zones such as the Gaza Strip, Colombia, India, Myanmar and parts of Africa’s Sahel region, including Burkina Faso and Mali, according to the report.

The report also stated that landmines continue to be produced or procured in 12 countries, including China, Cuba, Singapore and Vietnam.

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World

Trump’s Executive Order to End E.V. Subsidies Draws Pushback

Published

5 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Trump’s Executive Order to End E.V. Subsidies Draws Pushback

If President Trump has his way, the auto industry’s transition to electric vehicles will soon slam into reverse. He will erase tax credits for electric-vehicle purchases, federal grants for chargers, and subsidies and loans to help retool assembly lines and build battery factories.

Executive orders issued by Mr. Trump on Inauguration Day amount to a sweeping repudiation of a centerpiece of former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s multibillion-dollar program to address climate change, which Republicans cast as a campaign to ban gasoline cars.

The orders also present a challenge to automakers that have invested billions of dollars in electric vehicles, in part because the Biden administration encouraged them to. But some of the orders appear to bypass Congress or federal rule-making procedures, which could make them vulnerable to lawsuits and even resistance from within the Republican Party.

While framed as a way to revive the American auto industry, the orders could cause U.S. carmakers to fall behind if they scale back their electric-vehicle programs while Asian and European automakers continue perfecting the technology, analysts say. Already, 50 percent of car sales in China are electric or plug-in hybrids, and Chinese automakers like BYD are selling more cars around the world, taking customers away from established car companies, including American manufacturers.

An executive order entitled “Unleashing American Energy” and signed by the president on Monday instructs federal agencies to immediately pause disbursement of funds allocated by Congress that were part of the Biden effort to push the auto industry toward vehicles with no tailpipe emissions.

Among other things, the funds helped states to install fast chargers along major highways and provided tax credits of up to $7,500 for buyers of new electric vehicles and $4,000 to buyers of used models. The credits effectively made the cost of buying some electric cars roughly on par with prices for cars with gasoline or diesel engines.

Mr. Trump also rescinded an aspirational Biden executive order that called for 50 percent of new vehicles sold in 2030 to be fully electric, plug-in hybrids or vehicles that run on hydrogen fuel cells.

And Mr. Trump said the administration would seek to revoke California’s authority to establish air-quality standards that are stricter than federal rules. That would have a broad effect. California is aiming for 100 percent of new-car sales to be electric by 2035, and some of its standards are copied by at least 17 other states.

“The impact of this will be significant,” said Shay Natarajan, a partner at Mobility Impact Partners, a private equity firm that invests in sustainable transportation.

If demand for electric vehicles flags, as it has in other countries like Germany that cut incentives, she noted, carmakers could be left with costly, underused electric-vehicle and battery factories.

“Federal funding for E.V. and battery manufacturing will be harder to access, increasing the risk of stranded capital for manufacturing projects already underway,” Ms. Natarajan said in an email.

Representatives of the fossil-fuel industry celebrated the president’s action, while environmentalists lamented what they said was a serious setback to efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce urban air pollution caused by cars.

“This is a new day for American energy,” Mike Sommers, the president of the American Petroleum Institute, said in a statement, “and we applaud President Trump for moving swiftly to chart a new path where U.S. oil and natural gas are embraced, not restricted.”

Katherine García, a transportation expert at the Sierra Club, said: “Rolling back vehicle emission safeguards harms our health, our wallets and our climate. We will fight him at every turn of the road.”

But the end effect may not be as broad as the forceful language in Mr. Trump’s executive orders suggests.

Funds to encourage electric-vehicle sales and manufacturing were enshrined in legislation that the president cannot unilaterally repeal. Mr. Trump also cannot revoke rules that the Treasury Department and other government agencies established to determine how the money would be handed out merely with a stroke of the pen. Any attempt to short-circuit the laborious process of proposing new regulations that includes seeking comments from the public will almost surely invite credible legal challenges.

The Department of Energy has agreed to lend billions to carmakers like Rivian, which will receive $6 billion for a factory near Atlanta to produce electric sport utility vehicles. The loan agreements, some finalized in the waning days of the Biden administration, are binding contracts.

Much of the money has flowed to congressional districts in states like Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee where Republicans dominate local politics. Their representatives may hesitate to repeal laws that have brought their districts jobs and investment. That is a challenge for Republican leaders wrangling slim majorities in the House and Senate.

Ultimately, individuals and families will decide what cars they buy. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are gaining market share not only because of subsidies, but also because they offer rapid acceleration and lower fuel costs. Cars that run on fossil fuels have been losing share, though that could change if financial incentives are removed from battery-powered cars and trucks.

The abrupt shift in political direction presents a quandary for automakers. Some may welcome promises by the president to rescind emissions and air-quality standards that force manufacturers to sell more electric cars than they might like. But elimination of federal subsidies could upset their financial planning when most are struggling to earn or increase profits.

The about-face on electric-vehicle policies adds to a climate of uncertainty and peril heightened by the president’s promise to impose 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, which are major suppliers of cars and car parts to the United States.

The U.S. auto industry “will be shattered by tariffs on assembled vehicles or parts at this level,” Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, said in a note to clients Tuesday.

Some carmakers seemed to applaud the president’s actions, while others were noncommittal.

“President Trump’s clear focus on policies that support a robust and competitive manufacturing base in the United States is hugely positive,” Stellantis, which owns Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and other brands, said in a statement.

Mary T. Barra, the chief executive of General Motors, congratulated Mr. Trump on Monday on X and said that the company “looks forward to working together on our shared goal of a strong U.S. automotive industry.”

There is no sign that Elon Musk — the chief executive of Tesla and head of what Mr. Trump is calling the Department of Government Efficiency — is using his influence to blunt the attack on electric vehicles. Tesla accounts for slightly less than half the electric cars sold in the United States, and almost all its vehicles qualify for $7,500 tax credits.

Four of the 16 cars and trucks that can be purchased with the help of that tax break are made by Tesla. G.M. is the only automaker that has more eligible models, at five. No other company has more than two qualifying vehicles.

Mr. Musk has previously said that the government should get rid of all subsidies and that Tesla would suffer less than other automakers. But analysts note that Tesla’s sales and profits would be hit hard if Mr. Trump successfully repealed or truncated the electric-vehicle tax credit, California’s clean-air waiver and other such policies.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

During an appearance before Trump supporters in Washington on Monday, Mr. Musk, who is also the chief executive of SpaceX, exulted that the president had promised to send astronauts to Mars. “Can you imagine how awesome it will be to have astronauts plant the flag on another planet for the first time?” Mr. Musk said. He did not mention cars.

World

Israeli military chief steps down over October 7 Hamas massacre: 'Weighs on me every day'

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Israeli military chief steps down over October 7 Hamas massacre: 'Weighs on me every day'

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, announced his resignation Tuesday, taking responsibility for the military’s failures during the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.

His departure, set for March 2025, marks the end of a decorated four-decade military career and has ignited political turmoil, with opponents of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling on the Israeli leader to step down.

“On the morning of October 7, the IDF under my command failed in its mission to protect Israel’s citizens. This failure weighs on me every day and will do so for the rest of my life,” Halevi wrote in his resignation letter, addressing the IDF’s failure during the unprecedented assault by Hamas, which left over 1,400 Israelis dead and dozens abducted.

Despite the October 7 tragedy, Halevi highlighted the IDF’s achievements under his leadership, including operations that weakened Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran’s regional influence. “The IDF managed to rise from a very challenging starting point to conduct intense combat over more than a year and three months across seven theaters of operation,” he stated. “The military achievements of the IDF have transformed the Middle East.”

BITTERSWEET REJOICING AS FIRST HOSTAGES RETURN TO ISRAEL AFTER 471 DAYS IN CAPTIVITY

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi holds a situational assessment and discussion with reserve commanders on the Lebanese border. (IDF Spokesman’s Unit)

Halevi said, “The objectives of the war have not yet been fully achieved. The IDF will continue fighting to dismantle Hamas’s governing capabilities, secure the return of all hostages, and strengthen security conditions to ensure the safe return of residents to their homes.” He emphasized that his resignation followed the cease-fire and a new deal for hostage returns.

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked Halevi for his service in a statement from his office: “The Prime Minister thanked the Chief of Staff for his many years of service and leadership during the War of Revival across seven fronts, which brought significant achievements to the State of Israel.” Defense Minister Israel Katz also praised Halevi’s contributions, noting, “He will continue to fulfill his duties and oversee an orderly transition process until the end of his tenure.”

Halevi’s resignation marks the most significant exit from Israel’s security establishment in the wake of the events of Oct. 7. Netanyahu has declined to take responsibility for those failures, repeatedly stating that accountability will come only after the war.

ISRAEL, HAMAS CEASE-FIRE DEAL COULD ENABLE REARMING OF GAZA TERRORISTS

Memorials at the site of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, Israel, on May 27, 2024. (Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Opposition leaders used Halevi’s resignation to escalate criticism of Netanyahu. Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated, “I salute Lieutenant General Halevi for his integrity. Now it’s time for the Prime Minister and his disastrous government to take responsibility and resign.” Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz echoed this, calling Halevi’s decision ethical and commendable. “The government must follow his example and establish a state commission of inquiry to restore public trust,” he added. Avigdor Lieberman also urged Netanyahu and his cabinet to step down.

To date, the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the events of Oct. 7 has not been approved by the Israeli government. Knesset member Orit Farkash-Hacohen announced that she will submit a bill on Wednesday to establish such a commission, following the resignation of the IDF chief of staff.

Families of Oct. 7 victims demanded accountability from both the military and government, calling for a state inquiry. “We will not rest until a commission is established to prevent future disasters,” they said in a statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday held meetings at Mount Hermon with senior defense and security officials. (IDF)

Halevi’s resignation adds to pressure on Netanyahu, whose government faces historically low approval from the public, according to recent opinion polls.

Speculation over Halevi’s successor has already begun, with leading candidates including Eyal Zamir, the current director-general of the Ministry of Defense who previously served as deputy chief of staff under former Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi. Other candidates for the position include Northern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin and the current deputy chief of staff, Amir Baram, who reportedly asked Halevi to step down several weeks ago.

World

EU focus on Mediterranean ignores Canary Island, claims president

Published

7 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

EU focus on Mediterranean ignores Canary Island, claims president

Fernando Clavijo met Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner in Strasbourg. “When you close one door, migrants exit from another.”

The Canary Islands suffers from less focus from the EU than the Mediterranean in relation to irregular migration, despite experiencing the largest number ever of arrivals by sea, the island’s regional government’s President Fernando Clavijo said during a meeting with Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

“We demand solidarity because migrants are not landing in the Canary Islands or Spain; they are landing in Europe,” Clavijo told Euronews before the meeting, during which Brunner assured him that he would travel to the Canary Islands to assess the situation.

In an interview with Euronews, the Spanish region’s president claimed that the EU has been focusing on addressing the migration issue in the Mediterranean Sea while ignoring his territory.

“This works like communicating vessels: the EU has shielded the Mediterranean, and when you close a door, migrants exit from another,” he argued. “Now we have an accumulation of people ready to sail from countries like Morocco, Gambia, Senegal, and especially Mauritania. We ask to be treated with the same measures adopted for the Mediterranean.”

Indeed, the so-called “Atlantic route” or “Western Africa route” saw almost 47,000 arrivals in 2024, an increase of 18% compared to 2023. According to NGO Caminando Fronteras, 9,757 people died in 2024 along this route, while the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded 1,062 victims.

This increase occurred as flows of irregular migrants decreased along several other routes to Europe, marking a significant 38% drop in irregular border crossings into the EU in 2024 compared to the previous year.

While some countries like Italy or Greece saw fewer people irregularly crossing their borders or landing on their shores, the Canary Islands face “absolute overflow”, as Clavijo described it.

Currently, migrants mainly arrive in El Hierro, the westernmost of the Canary Islands. Adults remain on average 10–15 days in the archipelago before being transferred to mainland Spain. However, unaccompanied minors are hosted where they arrive, as the Spanish constitution assigns responsibility for them to each regional community.

At present, Canary Islands authorities are hosting 5,812 unaccompanied minors, a thousand of whom are expected to be granted refugee status. “It is unfair that only one government has to bear all the pressure without knowing how many people will come or for how long,” Clavijo said, emphasizing that El Hierro Island has a population of 10,000 but saw almost 30,000 arrivals last year. “Although the Canarian people have a history of emigration and understand what it means, there is already some discontent.”

Distribution of migrants and Frontex on African shores

To alleviate pressure on his islands, Fernando Clavijo has specific requests for Madrid and Brussels. On a national level, he wants to establish an automatic distribution mechanism for migrants as soon as the reception capacity of a regional community is exceeded. Additionally, he calls for an “extraordinary distribution” to relocate a significant number of minors and the allocation of adequate financial resources from the central government to address the upcoming flows.

If Pedro Sánchez’s government fails to provide solutions, the relationship with Madrid will deteriorate, and tensions will rise, Clavijo warned. The Canary Islands government claims it only received €50 million to manage the hosting of unaccompanied minors, while the resources needed amount to €184 million, he claimed.

Clavijo belongs to the regional party Coalición Canaria, and his coalition includes the centre-right Partido Popular, while Prime Minister Sánchez leads PSOE, Spain’s socialist party.

At the European level, Clavijo’s main requests include redistributing migrants arriving in the Canary Islands among EU member states, deploying the European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex) to the Atlantic islands, and working with African countries to prevent departures. “Distributing 5,800 minors within Europe is a perfectly manageable number. But concentrating all of them in a fragmented and remote territory makes it impossible to adequately care for them,” he stated.

Clavijo hopes the EU can strike a deal with Western African countries, similar to agreements with Tunisia or Egypt. He noted that the €210 million promised to Mauritania by Ursula von der Leyen one year ago as part of a partnership has yet to reach the country.

In his view, these deals should focus more on developing local economies than merely preventing people from leaving their countries. “There will be no walls or border protections strong enough to stop people from seeking a future,” he said.

Clavijo also advocates for sending Frontex officials to Western African countries and Canary Island shores to save lives by preventing departures in the former and rescuing people at sea in the latter.

However, deploying the EU Coast Guard to a specific area requires a request from a competent national government, which Spain has yet to make. Brunner promised Clavijo he would discuss the matter with Spanish authorities at a meeting scheduled for February 17.

Frontex’s presence in a third country is more complex to arrange, as it requires a working agreement between the EU and the country, approved by the Council and the European Parliament. Currently, the only African states where Frontex can operate are Nigeria and Cape Verde.