Irregular EU border crossings from central Mediterranean fell by 64 percent this year

Nearly 17,000 would-be asylum seekers crossed into the 27-member EU via the Western Balkans, a 79 percent drop.

Wednesday 16/10/2024

A woman looks on from a fiberglass boat with other migrants, waiting to be assisted by NGO Open Arms in international waters south of Lampedusa, in the central Mediterranean Sea, August 11, 2024. REUTERS


BRUSSELS

Detected irregular crossings into the European Union fell 42 percent in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, EU border agency Frontex said on Tuesday.

Frontex released its latest statistics shortly before a summit of the bloc’s leaders in Brussels later this week, where immigration is among topics high on the agenda.

The number of detected crossings into the EU “fell by 42 percent to 166,000 in the first nine months of this year”, Frontex said.

It said the biggest falls were along the routes through the Western Balkans and Central Mediterranean.

Nearly 17,000 would-be asylum seekers crossed into the 27-member EU via the Western Balkans, a 79 percent drop. Some 47,700 entered via the Central Mediterranean, a fall of 64 percent.

By contrast, Frontex said crossings via the Western African route had doubled, reaching over 30,600 in the first nine months of the year.

The biggest rise was registered at the EU’s eastern land borders, including into Poland. Almost 13,200 crossings were detected, a 192 percent increase on January-September 2023.

Poland and its Central European neighbour, the Czech Republic, called last week for EU restrictions that are tougher than those in the bloc’s new pact on migration and asylum, which is due to come into force in 2026.

The rules, adopted in May, aim to share the responsibility for hosting asylum seekers across the 27 countries in the EU and to speed up the deportation of people deemed ineligible to stay.

UK banks poured over £1 billion into ‘forest-risk’ companies since 2022 - defying country’s landmark anti-deforestation pledge

Share LinkedIn

 Forests

 United Kingdom

Wednesday 16 October 2024, London – The UK banking sector has poured over £1 billion ($1.4bn) into “forest-risk” companies globally since COP26, undermining the country’s commitments made at the 2021 Glasgow climate conference - according to new analysis by Global Witness in collaboration with the Forests & Finance coalition.

This Global Witness analysis, published today, is based on new Forest & Finance coalition data prepared by independent research organisation Profundo. The study found that in 2024, UK financiers ranked as the third-largest investors in shares and bonds issued by "forest-risk" companies, behind only the US and Japan, when excluding financial institutions based in the tropical forest countries themselves.

These "forest-risk" companies are those operating in Southeast Asia, Central and West Africa and South America which are directly involved in industries such as beef, palm oil, soy, and other agricultural supply chains that drive the majority of tropical deforestation.

The study also revealed UK financiers as the 10th largest creditors of “forest-risk” companies globally, moving up to 7th place when excluding banks from tropical forest countries.

The findings imperil the commitments made by the UK at COP26 to halt and reverse global deforestation by 2030, as stated in the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration, and to align financial flows with efforts to protect forests.

Of the top 50 largest UK firms analysed by Global Witness, accounting for 99% of investments in “forest-risk” companies in 2024, the majority still lack public commitments to remove deforestation from their portfolios. So far, only eight out of 50 shareholders analysed have made clear public commitments to removing deforestation from their portfolios.

The new findings come ahead of a critical review by the UK Treasury to assess the extent to which regulation of the UK financial system is adequate to stop funding flowing to business engaged in deforestation. Mandated in June 2023, as part of the Financial Services and Markets Act, the review has still not begun.

Anna Gelderd MP, Labour MP for South East Cornwall, said:

“There will be lots of conversations about green, sustainable finance for the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) starting next week. But we must not lose sight of the role dirty finance plays in driving nature destruction. 

"It makes no sense to work towards repairing biodiversity vandalism while allowing British funding to flow to those responsible for the damage. An urgent assessment of the impact of UK finance on forests globally is needed.” 

As of July 2024, British investors still held £1.4 billion ($1.8bn) in bonds and shares in these so-called “forest risk” companies.

Credit provision from UK banks to “forest-risk” companies has recently declined, falling from £662m ($819m) in 2022 to £380m ($472m) in 2023, the latest year for which full data is available. However, British banks have continued to fund some of the most controversial agribusinesses, including meatpacker JBS, soy-processing giant Cargill, as well as Brazil-headquartered beef and leather producer Minerva Foods. All three businesses have been mired in numerous controversies relating to deforestation or alleged human rights violations in recent years.

An analysis of a broader timeframe reveals that three UK banks accounted for a staggering 97% of the country’s credit provision to “forest-risk” companies since the signing of the Paris Agreement at COP21 in 2015: HSBC, which provided £2.9 billion; Standard Chartered with £0.86 billion; and Barclays with £0.75 billion.

In total, these banks extended £4.45 billion in credit to “forest-risk” companies between January 2016 and June 2024. Among all the banks analysed, HSBC emerged as the largest UK financier of forest-risk commodities, representing over 62% of the UK’s credit flows to deforestation-risk during this period.

Alexandria Reid, Forests campaign lead at Global Witness, said:

“It’s time to put an end to this hypocrisy – the UK cannot claim to be leaders in the fight against nature loss while bankrolling its destruction.

“This reckless financing is helping fuel deforestation and tearing apart our planet’s vital ecosystems - all while undermining the UK’s promises to tackle the climate crisis. Labour fought for and won a new Treasury review of deforestation finance under the last government and now they must seize this opportunity to deliver it and stop deforestation before it’s too late.”

Although total financing figures have declined in the past year, some major banks have increased funding to some of the most controversial agribusinesses. For example, HSBC increased its financing for Cargill’s soy operations in Brazil, an agricultural powerhouse, by 112% between 2022 and 2023.

While HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Barclays have all publicised anti-deforestation policies and received recognition from initiatives like Forest500 for these commitments, the analysis provides powerful evidence of the limitations of voluntary policies in safeguarding against environmental destruction. Global Witness argues that only legal safeguards will truly protect the world’s climate critical forests from destructive finance.

All of the companies involved in this investigation were approached for comment. HSBC declined to comment, directing Global Witness to their Net Zero Transition Plan. Barclays stated that it was unable to comment on specific clients, but drew Global Witness’ attention to its Forestry and Agricultural Commodities Statement and noted its recognition in the Forest500 rankings. Standard Chartered also declined to comment on specific clients, but referred Global Witness to its Nature Position Statement and its past statements on agribusiness and soy. The responses of all those entities approached for comment by Global Witness are detailed further in the full report.

/ ENDS

Samsung India workers end strike after more than a month

Cherylann Mollan
BBC News, Mumbai

10/16/24

Around 1,500 workers from the factory had participated in the strike

Workers at Samsung Electronics' factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu have called off a labour strike that went on for more than a month.

Around 1,500 workers in Chennai city had participated in the strike to demand better pay, working facilities and recognition of a newly-formed union.

A labour activist who supported the workers told the BBC that while Samsung hadn't recognised the union yet, it had agreed to engage with the other demands.

The strike was one of the largest the South Korean technology giant had seen in recent years.



It also threatened to cast a shadow over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid to position India as a viable alternative to China for manufacturing activities.

On Wednesday, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Citu), a politically-backed national labour union which led the protests, announced the workers' decision to call off the strike after a meeting.

"During the meeting it was decided that the workers would return to their jobs on Thursday," E Muthukumar told the BBC.

He added that the issue of registration of the new union - called the Samsung India Labour Welfare Union (SILWU) - will be decided by a court.

"We have decided to call off the protest as the Samsung management has decided to engage with workers on all key demands like higher wages, medical insurance and better facilities. So those discussions will continue," he said.

On Tuesday, representatives of the protesting workers met with officials from the Tamil Nadu labour department.

After the meeting, the state's Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa said that the striking workers had decided to return to work immediately and that Samsung had agreed to "not to victimise the workers only for having participated in the strike".

He also said that the workers had agreed to cooperate with the management fully and that Samsung would file a written reply to the charter of demands filed by them.

Later, Samsung released a statement saying that it welcomed Citu's decision to call off the strike.

"We will not take action against workers who merely participated in the illegal strike. We are committed to work closely with our workers to make the Chennai factory a great place to work,” the statement said.

The strike was backed by a national labour union called the Centre of Indian Trade Unions

The workers had begun their protest on 9 September near the factory in Chennai city, which employs nearly 2,000 workers and is one of its two plants in India.

The factory produces home appliances, contributing about a third to the company's annual $12bn (£9bn) revenue in India.

One of the workers' key demands was for Samsung to recognise their union, as they said that only that could help them negotiate better wages and working hours with the management.

Akriti Bhatia, a labour rights activist, told the BBC that multinational companies which set up factories in India often don't follow Indian labour laws, which allow workers the right to association and collective bargaining.

These firms, she said, often side-step this by setting up internal unions, which are led by workers only on paper as the management continues to exert control over their decisions. They stridently oppose external, politically-backed unions.

A source in Samsung had told the BBC earlier that the organisation "fully supports unions but not ones backed by a third-party".

Earlier this year, hundreds of workers at a manufacturing plant of an Apple supplier in Tamil Nadu also went on a one-day strike, demanding recognition of their union.

Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

Janine Niépce photo exhibition puts women’s work – and emancipation – in the spotlight

French photographer Janine Niépce was one of the country’s first female photojournalists. A new exhibition of her photos, some of which are being shown for the first time, looks at the rise of the working woman against the backdrop of the women’s rights movement in the second half of the twentieth century.


Issued on: 05/10/2024 - 
By:Charlotte WILKINS

AFP

French photojournalist Janine Niépce (1921-2007) with her Leica. © Janine Niepce/Roger-Viollet


When the female photographer Janine Niépce first turned up at the factory floor in the early 1950s to take photos of the workers, they were quick to ask for “Mr Niépce, the photographer”.

Assuming the shoot had been booked by the male photographer’s wife, they were astonished when a woman appeared to take the photographs. But Niépce simply took it in her stride and explained she was the photographer herself.

When questioned about the weight of her cameras and equipment, she replied that her camera was “no heavier than a baby”.

Niépce, born in 1921 to a family of Burgundy winegrowers – and a distant relative of photography’s founding father, Nicéphore Niépce – never set out to focus exclusively on women. Indeed, she photographed men at work as often as she did women.

Crèche. Bondy (Seine-Saint-Denis), 1972. © Janine Niépce/Roger-Viollet

But by dint of being a woman herself, Niépce so often came up against injustices – that women couldn’t vote, that they needed a man’s approval to open a bank account, the lack of access to contraception and the right to abortion – that women’s rights and women’s lives began to shape her work.

“I think she built her life as a photographer around what she observed, what she saw, and what also shocked her in a way,” said her grand-daughter Hélène Jaeger Defaix, at the opening of the exhibition: ‘Janine Niépce: a look at women and work’.

Niépce “documented whatever interested her”, said Jaeger Defaix, be it the lives of young students, factory workers, rural dwellers, women’s rights, adding that she documented every aspect of women’s lives, whatever their background.

After studying history of art at the Sorbonne in occupied Paris while developing films for the Resistance, Niépce started out by photographing her aunts, her contemporaries and neighbours.

Pioneering female photojournalism in France, she went on to snap female factory workers, farming communities, young scientists and student protests, and to document scenes from the women’s rights movement as it gathered in momentum.

Never happier than taking photos in the thick of a crowd, she captured factory workers holding aloft banners as they gathered to protest for equal pay, nurses on strike marching through Paris and a young woman holding the contraceptive pill in her hand. A sense of joy and progress runs like a thread throughout her work.

“She didn't want to show the shocking stuff, but the stuff you can bounce back from and move towards. That was always her way of seeing things,” said Jaeger Defaix.

She snapped pregnant women working on building sites and women lining up to vote in the 1950s.

Young chemistry students in Paris, 1964.

 © (c) Janine Niépce/Roger-Viollet

Incensed that women were allowed to join the Resistance and die for France and yet not allowed to vote, Niépce described the day – April 21, 1944 – that French women were given the vote as “one of the happiest days of her life”.

When contraception was legalised in 1967 and the Veil Law decriminalising abortion was enacted in 1975, women were free to plan their lives and move into jobs that were previously considered off-limits.
‘Portraits of everyday life’

Yet alongside her photographs of the women’s rights movement, Niépce also documented women’s daily lives – doing the laundry, loading the dishwasher, dressing children for school, serving soup – activities that she considered to be “work” even if they were unacknowledged and unpaid. And in this way, she recognised women’s status as workers in their own right.

Her fellow “humanist” photographers – Robert Doisneau, Willy Ronis and Henri Cartier-Bresson – didn’t consider everyday women’s life to be a “real subject”, said Jaeger Defaix.

Doisneau and Cartier-Bresson usually photographed “beautiful women, haute couture models … but rarely women doing laundry”, Niépce observed.

She noticed that if a male photographer came into the room the women tended to brush their hair a little or tried to look a little better, her grand-daughter recalled.

But Niépce, once arriving on a factory floor or a building site, set about making herself as unobtrusive and discreet as possible, snapping her subjects without makeup, and without staging her photos – giving her pictures an intimacy, a naturalness and a spontaneity.

One of the “great strengths” of Janine’s work, Jaeger Defaix explained, was not only that she photographed all kinds of women, but that her photos make you look at what the women are doing, rather than how they look.

“We see women: young women, old women. Small ones. Fat. Ugly women. We don’t look at how they look, that’s not the point of them. It's what they do for a living, the action they're doing,” said her grand-daughter.

“And that's what's still shocking today,” she continued. “When a female politician speaks out, people immediately comment on her hair or her outfit.

“But when [Janine] photographs the Polytechnic women [female engineering students] getting ready for the 14 July parade, we don't ask ourselves whether it's pretty or not. You just think, ‘There, that's nice. There are women.' And the same goes for scientists," she said.

For as women moved out of their traditional roles as caregivers into jobs that had previously been off limits, Niépce wanted to inspire them to pursue less conventional careers.

She snapped women in management positions, forewomen, engineers, young chemistry students and engineers, dentists and doctors.

She photographed female architects and pilots, researchers and oncologists, hoping to open up possibilities for young women and highlight roles that they might have dismissed as usually reserved for men.

Niépce, who signed with the Rapho agency in 1965, and lived from her photography, “always saw work as a means of emancipation, of freedom – of not depending on anyone, especially not a man or a husband, or a father or brother”, Jaeger Defaix explained.

“I would like these images, which bear witness to fifty years of struggle, to encourage young girls to be vigilant,” said Niépce of her photographs, before her death in 2007 at the age of 86.

This small but powerful collection of photographs acts as a warning of hard-won women’s rights while paying fitting tribute to the women who fought so hard to obtain them.

‘Janine Niépce, regard sur les femmes et le travail’ runs at La Cité de l’Économie in Paris's 17th arrondissement (district) until January 5, 2025.
Read next

Unleashing the economic potential of second-hand clothing

10:04  FRANCE 24

Issued on: 14/10/2024 - 
By:Kate MOODY
Play (10:04 min)

Second-hand clothing can help countries meet environmental targets and drive economic growth, but it needs support. A new report says governments need to help unleash the sector's economic potential. Karina Bolin, president of Humana People to People Italia, says it's important to focus on textiles of good quality, rather than fast fashion. Also in the show: the Nobel Prize for Economics recognises work on reducing nations' inequality, and Barcelona sees fresh protests against mass tourism.

Journalist Peter Schwartzstein on the link between climate change and conflict

Environment
Issued on: 15/10/2024 -
By:  Carys GARLAND

Video by:  Carys GARLANDFollow

From the show    

From farmers-turned-pirates in Bangladesh to jihadists in Iraq using drought as a recruiting tool, a new book by environmental journalist Peter Schwartzstein explores the link between climate and conflict. "The Heat and the Fury: On the Frontlines of Climate Violence" tells the stories of those affected by climate-conflict crises around the globe. While Schwartzstein tells FRANCE 24 that climate violence is "mostly playing out in poorer parts of the world", he says it is also starting to affect wealthier regions, in parts of North America and Europe. A key takeaway from the book, he says, is that we are "systematically underestimating the amount of violence that is connected to climate change because we are not really looking at how climate change is acting on other drivers of instability like corruption, like inequality, like misinformation".

Citizen-led study finds banned pesticides in children in western France
Environment

05:09SCIENCE © FRANCE 24

Issued on: 15/10/2024 

By: Julia Sieger

Video by: Julia Sieger

From the show

Traces of pesticides, some of which were banned decades ago, have been found in the hair and urine of dozens of children living near the Aunis plain, an agricultural area located in western France. The findings were showcased by a citizen-led initiative after a local hospital sounded the alarm over a spike in the number of pediatric cancers. FRANCE 24's Julia Sieger tells us 

 

Private Equity Firms Are Still Pumping Billions Into Fossil Fuels

By Felicity Bradstock - Oct 11, 2024

• Private equity firms are investing billions of dollars in fossil fuel projects, despite their claims of supporting a green transition
• .
• These firms are using public sector workers' retirement savings to finance these projects.
• 
  
• Many of these firms are not disclosing the full extent of their fossil fuel investments, due to loopholes in reporting systems.
• 
  

Despite the growing pressure to stop funding fossil fuel companies and support decarbonization efforts, several private equity firms are still pumping billions of dollars into the oil and gas industry. Meanwhile, most of these firms are overstating their support for a green transition and the decarbonization of the economy. The lack of transparency in the sector is allowing many firms to make risky investment decisions and finance some of the dirtiest fossil fuel projects with few repercussions. 

A new report from Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund (AFREF), Global Energy Monitor, and Private Equity Stakeholder Project shows how private equity firms are continuing to use public sector workers’ retirement savings to finance fossil fuel projects. These companies have injected over $1 trillion into the energy sector since 2010, mainly buying into old and new fossil fuel projects. The report states that because of exemptions from many financial disclosures, these firms can keep investing in fossil fuels with little public knowledge of their financing choices. The private equity energy tracker created by the three organizations will continue to track the investments of these 21 firms to try and provide greater transparency about their financing. 

Private equity firms are raising funds to invest in fossil fuels by mortgaging workers’ futures. The report states, “Public sector workers’ money, through national, state, and retirement pensions, provides much of the capital for private equity firms’ energy investments, but there is limited disclosure to the pension fund managers that the deferred earnings of their beneficiaries have potential climate impacts.” 

The report assesses the investments of 21 private equity firms, which oversee a total of $6 trillion in assets. All 21 firms were found to be financing fossil fuel projects, which together are responsible for releasing over 1.17 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent every year, which is higher than the global emissions of the pre-pandemic aviation industry. In total, the firms funded at least 272 companies in the fossil fuel industry out of 404 energy companies overall and own some of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in North America. Many of these firms have also financed projects outside of the U.S., in at least 40 different countries in high-income states as well as in emerging economies, such as India and Brazil. 

The researchers collected data from financial data services, company websites, press releases, and news reports, focusing solely on investment in upstream, fossil gas terminals, and coal plants. Out of all the companies, EIG ranked at the bottom receiving an ‘F grade’, with 23 fossil fuel companies in its portfolio, contributing to the release of 255 million metric tonnes a year.

It appears that many private equity firms are financing older and dirtier fossil fuel projects that major oil and gas companies are trying to get rid of, as most large banks view the investments as risky, leaving a gap in the market. Despite the risky nature of these projects, private equity firms are not required to publicize these investments, due to limited disclosure rules, regulatory loopholes, and complex corporate structures. Approximately 67 percent of the combined energy portfolios of the 21 firms were in fossil fuels. Meanwhile, many of these firms are proclaiming their support for the green energy transition and their commitment to rigorous ESG standards. 

Dustin Duong, a research associate at AFREF, stated, “We knew that private equity has been secretly expanding into the global energy sector, but this data has been truly eye-opening.” Duong added, “It punctures their claim that they understand the urgency of the energy transition and the need to pivot to investments that can help solve the climate crisis. Until they stop supporting polluting industries, their claim of protecting communities, especially communities of color and low-income neighborhoods, will always ring hollow.” 

According to separate research from S&P Global, the private equity and venture capital deal value in the oil and natural gas sector between January to mid-August this year surpassed the $6.61 billion reached at the end of 2023. This puts private equity-backed fossil fuel deals on track to reach the highest value since 2020. Private equity firms announced 47 investments in oil and gas over this period, with the U.S. and Canada dominating the sector. The growing investment trend aligns with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the increased need for energy to power new technologies, that cannot be met with renewable sources alone. 

Recent investigations suggest that private equity firms are investing greater levels of finance in fossil fuels than previously thought. Due to loopholes in reporting systems, many firms are not disclosing the full extent of their oil, gas, and coal investments, as well as the risk involved in these projects. In addition, the number of investments reported by private equity firms in fossil fuels is rising to pre-pandemic levels, in line with the increase in demand for high energy-consuming technologies, such as AI. This financing trend goes against government aims to decarbonise the economy and invest in an accelerated green transition.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

Georgia’s Anti-West Rhetoric Strains Relations With U.S

.By RFE/RL staff 

- Oct 13, 2024, 

The United States has imposed sanctions and diplomatic restrictions on Georgia due to the country's anti-Western rhetoric and authoritarian drift under the ruling Georgian Dream party.

The US is leveraging its significant aid contributions to Georgia to influence the upcoming parliamentary elections, hoping for a more pro-Western government.

Georgia's attempts to pursue a multi-vector foreign policy, balancing relations with the West and other regional powers, have strained its relationship with the United States.

The United States has been applying heavy pressure on Georgia, its erstwhile close ally, as the Caucasus state has continued to escalate its anti-Western and authoritarian rhetoric.

The United States imposed financial sanctions on two Georgian security officials and visa restrictions on more than 60 other Georgians, including (so far unnamed) senior government officials, the U.S. State Department announced on September 16.

The U.S. government has also prepared a separate package of financial sanctions against the founder and still de facto leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, Voice of America's Georgian Service reported days later.

Then, White House officials refused to meet the Georgian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. They even rescinded an invitation to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to a September 25 reception hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.

'Western Foothold' In The Caucasus

All this represents a new low point in relations between the United States and what until recently was probably its most loyal and favored ally in the post-Soviet space. And it is all happening ahead of crucial parliamentary elections on October 26 in which it appears that Western capitals are banking on Georgian Dream losing power. The only polls that have been published are partisan, showing healthy victories for either Georgian Dream or the opposition, making the real state of play impossible to know.

Analysts say that the harsh response by the United States has highlighted a blunt truth: that without a democratic government and a fully pro-Western foreign policy orientation, Washington has little reason to invest in this small, poor country in a remote corner of Eurasia.

Georgia "is a small country and it doesn't have oil, gas, or anything like our neighbors," Kornely Kakachia, the head of the Tbilisi-based Georgian Institute of Politics, told RFE/RL.

Instead, its value to the United States has traditionally lay in its role as a vanguard for advancing American influence in the post-Soviet world, as a "Western foothold in the Caucasus and beyond," he said.

That relationship was developed in the 2000s, when the strongly pro-Western, free market agenda of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's Rose Revolution dovetailed neatly with the "Freedom Agenda" of then-U.S. President George W. Bush. Bush visited Tbilisi in 2005 and called Georgia a "beacon of democracy."


"Both a pro-Western foreign policy and solid democratic credentials are important," said Bob Hamilton, a former U.S. defense attaché in Georgia and now a research professor at the U.S. Army War College in the state of Pennsylvania. "If a country has just one, like [Prime Minister Nikol] Pashinian's Armenia before the break with Russia, it'll get a little of our interest -- but only a little. This is why the [2003] Rose Revolution got such attention from D.C., because it promised both."

But now Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012 and has won three consecutive elections, appears to be trying to move toward a more multi-vector foreign policy rather than one oriented solely to the West. As a result of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Georgian Dream "saw more opportunity to cooperate with regional states -- most of them are authoritarian -- and they see less and less convincing arguments why they had to pursue the Western foreign policy," Kakachia said.

Authoritarian Drift

Even as the Ukraine war opened a unique window in which Georgia was able to apply for -- and eventually be granted -- European Union candidacy, Georgian Dream appeared to think that it could do so by virtue of its geopolitical importance rather than its democratic credentials. Internationally, it played up its role in new East-West energy and transport links, while insisting that it would enter the EU "with dignity."

"[Georgian Dream] are kind of mimicking Azerbaijan and Turkey," Kakachia said. "But Turkey can do that because it's a middle power, it's a bigger country, it's a member of NATO. It can really do that kind of foreign policy. But Georgia is dependent on Western help and assistance and [the attempt at a multi-vector foreign policy] seems like a bit of an exaggeration of Georgia's importance."


This has been borne out in the harsh U.S. response to Georgia's anti-Western and authoritarian drift. It has passed laws restricting the activity of NGOs and media who receive foreign funding, and against what it calls "LGBT propaganda." It has promised to ban all the major opposition parties if it wins.

In justifying the sanctions and social snubs against Georgian officials, the United States has consistently cited Georgian Dream's antidemocratic behavior.

Critics of the U.S. measures, however, say that Georgia's neighbors, such as Turkey and Azerbaijan, have far more authoritarian systems and yet have not been punished in the same way.

Millions Of Dollars In Aid

Kobakhidze complained that over 150 other world leaders were invited to Biden's reception, including "dozens of leaders of authoritarian states." The guest list for the event was not made public, but at least one regional leader with a worse human rights record -- Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan – was invited. (He publicly declined the invitation, citing U.S. support for Israel in its war in Gaza.)


That Georgia is treated more harshly can be explained by the greater influence the United States has in Georgia after spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually in aid for two decades, the U.S. Army War College's Hamilton said.

"Due to the levels of aid Georgia received from the U.S., we had leverage there we don't have with Turkey and Azerbaijan. So, we are using it, albeit belatedly," Hamilton told RFE/RL.

In addition, "Georgia has far less economic or security importance to the U.S., meaning its democratic credentials are a greater part of its value to us," he said.

Georgian Dream leaders have complained that the United States is trying to put its thumb on the scales ahead of the October 26 elections. Washington is "fueling the opposition discourse" and is "interfering" in Georgia's internal politics, the speaker of parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, said following the rescinding of Kobakhidze's invitation.

The United States insists that it is not playing favorites.


"We would like nothing more than to work with any democratically elected government in this country that reflects what the people of Georgia have overwhelmingly said they want," the U.S. ambassador to Georgia, Robin Dunnigan, told RFE/RL's Georgian Service on October 3.

The United States' hardball approach to Georgian Dream could backfire, Kakachia said.

"I think there's too much hope that if regime change happens this will solve all the problems that we have in Georgian politics," he said.

"You cannot really afford to support one political camp in this battle, because, at the end of the day, it's in the U.S.'s interest to have the support of Georgia as a country and the entire society -- this is what the U.S. was managing for the last 30 years," he said. "That's why it's very important to carefully manage this situation."

By RFE/RL

The Remarkable Evolution of the Electric Vehicle

By Charles Kennedy - Oct 13, 2024

While the electric car has only recently become a mainstream product, it has a history dating back to the late 19th century.

Early attempts at electric vehicles were limited by battery technology and competition from gasoline-powered cars.

Recent advancements in battery technology, government incentives, and increased consumer awareness have led to a resurgence in electric car popularity.


Electric vehicles have undoubtedly gone mainstream, heralded as the answer to our environmental woes and the future of transportation. But while it might seem like a sudden, revolutionary breakthrough, EVs have actually been around for over a century. Their story is one of bursts of innovation, long stretches of stagnation, and then fresh surges in popularity thanks to a mix of technological advances and growing environmental awareness.

More recently, demand for electric vehicles has dropped dramatically, with their gasoline counterparts continuing to dominate the market - but the ultimate rise of the electric vehicle does still appear to be inevitable.

The origins of the electric car go back to the late 19th century when inventors like Thomas Edison and William Morrison were tinkering with electric-powered vehicles. While their prototypes were far from perfect—slow, heavy, and limited in range—they showed that electric cars had potential as a real alternative to gasoline engines. At that time, EVs competed head-to-head with steam and internal combustion engines, but it wasn’t long before gas-powered cars took the lead. They were lighter, faster, and, most importantly, they could go much further on a single refueling.

By the early 20th century, gasoline cars had a firm grip on the market. The rapid expansion of gas stations, coupled with assembly-line manufacturing pioneered by Henry Ford, made these cars cheaper and easier to fuel up, pushing EVs to the sidelines.

Even so, electric vehicles never completely disappeared. They resurfaced occasionally, especially during times of crisis. For example, the oil embargoes and energy shortages of the 1970s sparked a brief revival of interest, as did growing concerns about air pollution. But once again, the limitations of battery technology—big, heavy, and not very efficient—kept EVs from becoming a viable option for the average driver.

The real game-changer came in the early 2000s, when lithium-ion batteries hit the scene. These batteries were smaller, lighter, and could store more energy, making them a perfect fit for EVs. Suddenly, an electric car could drive hundreds of miles on a single charge and recharge in a matter of hours rather than days. This shift, combined with increasing public awareness of climate change and strong government incentives, brought EVs back into the mainstream conversation.
Gasoline Still Dominates the Road

Despite all the excitement surrounding electric vehicles, traditional gasoline-powered cars are still the kings of the road. As of 2023, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles account for around 90% of all passenger cars worldwide, leaving EVs with just about 10% of the market share. Even this 10% includes both battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which shows just how dominant gas-powered cars remain.

In some regions, EVs are making more progress. In Europe, for instance, they accounted for around 12% of new vehicle sales in 2022, while in the U.S., the number was a more modest 7.6%. Despite these gains, when you consider the 1.4 billion gasoline-powered cars still on the roads globally, the number of EVs—about 26 million—is just a tiny drop in the automotive bucket.

This continued dominance of gas-powered cars boils down to a few key factors. Gasoline cars are still cheaper upfront and more convenient, especially in areas with limited charging infrastructure. Additionally, the variety of available gasoline models—from tiny economy cars to massive SUVs—gives consumers more options at different price points and use cases. So while EVs are catching on, they still have a long way to go before they truly challenge the global footprint of gasoline cars.

In 2024, demand for EVs has slumped, highlighting just how much more work there is for the industry to do, but the rise of electric vehicles does ultimately seem inevitable.
A Look at the Road Ahead


Of course, any conversation about today’s electric cars inevitably leads to Tesla. Founded by Elon Musk, Tesla didn’t just make electric cars—they made them cool. By combining futuristic designs, high-tech interiors, and software updates that keep cars up-to-date long after they’ve been sold, Tesla changed the way people thought about EVs. Suddenly, an electric car wasn’t just a green choice—it was a status symbol. This sparked a wave of interest and pushed other automakers to scramble to develop their own electric models to keep pace.

Now, it seems like every major car manufacturer is jumping on the EV bandwagon. The increased competition has led to faster innovation and lower prices, making EVs more accessible to a broader audience. But challenges remain. A sparse charging network in many parts of the world, ongoing concerns about battery lifespan, and the environmental impact of producing and disposing of batteries are all issues that have to be overcome.

Despite these obstacles, the future of electric vehicles looks bright. Advances in battery technology continue to push the limits of range and charging speed, while governments are investing heavily in expanding charging infrastructure. Several countries have even set timelines for phasing out the sale of new gasoline-powered cars entirely.

While the rate of change remains uncertain, it’s clear that the EV market has reached a tipping point. As technology keeps pace with consumer expectations and infrastructure catches up to demand, electric cars are poised to become the new normal. Ultimately, this isn’t just about swapping one engine for another—it’s a fundamental shift in how we think about transportation and sustainability.

The electric car’s journey has been anything but smooth, but it feels like we’ve reached a pivotal moment. From early experiments to niche prototypes to the widespread adoption we’re starting to see today, EVs are set to reshape the way we move over the next century. And this time, they’re here to stay.
10 EV Stocks to Keep an Eye On


Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA)

Tesla's impact on the automotive industry is undeniable. They've not only popularized electric vehicles but also pushed the boundaries of technology with features like Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, though the latter remains controversial and under scrutiny. Their Supercharger network provides a significant competitive advantage, offering convenient and fast charging for their customers. This vertical integration, controlling both the vehicle and the means to power it, is a key part of their strategy. Beyond cars, Tesla's energy business, including solar panels, solar roofs, and battery storage (Powerwall), positions them as a leader in sustainable energy solutions for homes and businesses. However, competition is intensifying from both established automakers and EV startups. Tesla's future hinges on their ability to maintain their technological edge, navigate production challenges, and expand into new markets while addressing concerns about vehicle safety and the promises of their autonomous driving technology.

Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIVN)

Rivian has carved out a unique space in the growing electric truck and SUV market. Their R1T truck and R1S SUV are designed for adventure, boasting impressive off-road capabilities, unique design features, and a focus on sustainability. Their "skateboard" platform, a flexible chassis that can underpin various vehicle types, is a key part of their strategy for future models. Backed by Amazon, Rivian has secured a major order for electric delivery vans, demonstrating their potential in the commercial vehicle sector. This provides a stable revenue stream while they ramp up consumer vehicle production. However, they face the challenge of scaling production to meet demand and competing with established truck manufacturers like Ford and GM, who have their own electric truck offerings. Rivian's success hinges on their ability to execute their ambitious plans, manage production costs, and navigate the complexities of the automotive industry while appealing to both adventure-seekers and commercial fleet operators.

Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID)


Lucid is aiming for the top end of the EV market, focusing on luxury and performance. Their Air sedan boasts incredible range, powerful electric motors, and luxurious interiors, rivaling even top-tier internal combustion engine vehicles from brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Their focus on technology and in-house development of key components like their electric motors gives them tight control over their vehicles' performance and efficiency. However, Lucid is a relatively new player with limited production capacity, and they need to prove they can scale production and achieve profitability while maintaining the high quality expected of luxury vehicles. The luxury EV market is becoming increasingly competitive, with established automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Audi introducing their own electric models. Lucid needs to maintain its edge in technology, performance, and brand appeal to succeed in this demanding segment.

NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO)

NIO has emerged as a major player in the Chinese EV market, known for its premium electric SUVs with stylish designs and advanced technology features. Their innovative battery swapping technology allows users to quickly swap depleted batteries for fully charged ones at dedicated swapping stations, addressing range anxiety and offering a unique customer experience. This approach also allows NIO to offer battery subscription services, potentially lowering the upfront cost of their vehicles. NIO is also expanding into European markets, signaling its global ambitions. However, they face intense competition in China from both domestic and international EV makers. NIO's success depends on their ability to continue innovating, expand their battery swapping infrastructure, and navigate the complexities of international expansion while maintaining a strong brand image and customer loyalty.

XPeng Inc. (NYSE: XPEV)

XPeng is another Chinese EV maker making waves with its focus on technology and autonomous driving features. Their vehicles offer advanced driver-assistance systems, including their XPILOT system, which provides features like lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and automated parking. XPeng places a strong emphasis on connectivity and user experience, with sophisticated infotainment systems and over-the-air software updates. XPeng is expanding its product lineup and targeting younger demographics with its innovative approach and focus on technology. However, they face the same challenges as NIO, including intense competition in China and the need to expand globally. XPeng's success will rely on their ability to differentiate themselves through technology, deliver on their autonomous driving promises, and capture market share in a rapidly growing but increasingly crowded market.


General Motors Company (NYSE: GM)

GM, a giant of the traditional automotive industry, is making a significant push into the EV space, leveraging its vast manufacturing expertise and brand recognition to compete in the mass market. With models like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV, and upcoming electric trucks like the Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Hummer EV, GM is electrifying its popular models to appeal to a wide range of customers. Their Ultium battery platform provides a flexible foundation for a wide range of EV models, from compact cars to heavy-duty trucks. However, GM needs to overcome its legacy image and convince consumers that it's a serious EV contender, not just playing catch-up. The transition to EVs requires significant investments in new technology, production facilities, and charging infrastructure, as well as a shift in company culture. GM's success in the EV market will depend on its ability to execute its electrification strategy, manage the transition effectively, and appeal to a new generation of EV buyers.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)

Ford is another traditional automaker embracing the electric future, and they're doing it with iconic models. The Mustang Mach-E, an electric SUV that evokes the spirit of the classic muscle car, has been a success, and the F-150 Lightning, an electric version of America's best-selling pickup truck, is generating significant buzz. Ford is investing heavily in EV production and aims to become a major player in the electric truck market, where they have a strong legacy. However, they face the same challenges as GM in transitioning to an EV-focused company while maintaining its existing business. Ford needs to balance its legacy business with its EV ambitions, manage the complexities of the changing automotive landscape, and ensure that its electric offerings live up to the expectations set by its iconic brands.

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM)

Toyota has been a leader in hybrid vehicles for years with its Prius model, but they've been relatively slow to embrace fully electric vehicles. However, they're now ramping up their EV efforts with models like the bZ4X SUV, an all-electric crossover, and plans for a wider range of electric vehicles across its brands, including Lexus. Toyota's renowned manufacturing expertise, global reach, and strong reputation for reliability give them a solid foundation for EV success. However, they need to catch up to competitors who have already established a strong presence in the EV market and overcome skepticism about their commitment to fully electric vehicles. Toyota's success will depend on their ability to accelerate their EV development, introduce compelling electric models, and convince consumers that they're serious about electrification.

QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE: QS)

QuantumScape is a high-risk, high-reward company developing solid-state batteries for EVs. Solid-state batteries have the potential to revolutionize the EV industry, offering significant improvements in energy density, charging time, and safety compared to current lithium-ion batteries. If successful, QuantumScape's technology could enable EVs with longer range, faster charging times, and reduced fire risk. However, solid-state batteries are still in the development stage, and there's no guarantee that QuantumScape will be able to mass-produce them at a commercially viable cost and overcome technical challenges related to durability and scalability. Investors are betting on the potential of this game-changing technology, but it's a long-term play with significant uncertainty.

ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CHPT)

ChargePoint is a leading provider of EV charging infrastructure, playing a crucial role in enabling the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. They operate a vast network of charging stations across North America and Europe, offering various charging solutions for homes, businesses, and public spaces. As EV sales grow, the demand for charging infrastructure will increase, positioning ChargePoint for potential growth. However, the charging infrastructure market is becoming increasingly competitive, with both established companies and new entrants vying for market share. ChargePoint needs to maintain its leadership position by expanding its network, offering convenient and reliable charging solutions, and adapting to the evolving needs of EV drivers and industry standards. Their success depends on their ability to navigate this competitive landscape, secure strategic partnerships, and capitalize on the growing demand for EV charging.

By Charles Kenendy for Oilprice.com