SAS orders 45 Brazilian Embraer jets worth $4bn in largest fleet deal since 1996

 COMPETITION FOR BOEING & AIRBUS

The Brazilian-made E195-E2 aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney's advanced PW1900G GTF engines, delivering 29% better fuel efficiency and 62% noise reduction compared to previous-generation aircraft. / embraer

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By bne IntelliNews July 1, 2025

Scandinavian airline SAS plans to buy up to 55 aircraft from Brazilian manufacturer Embraer in a deal worth approximately $4bn, said CEO Anko van der Werff in a press release.

SAS will take delivery of 45 Embraer E195-E2 jets starting in late 2027, with purchase rights for ten more. The aircraft deliveries will extend over approximately four years and will serve routes across Scandinavia and Europe, optimising SAS' operations and enhancing connectivity through more frequencies and better network flexibility.

"This is a defining moment for SAS," said van der Werff, calling it the airline's largest direct manufacturer order since 1996. "The Embraer E195-E2 is a world-class aircraft, combining outstanding performance with excellent fuel efficiency and comfort. This aircraft is key to enabling future growth and improved connectivity across Scandinavia and beyond."

The order comes as the Nordic airline, whose main shareholders are Denmark, Sweden and Air France-KLM group, emerges from restructuring under US Chapter 11 protection, which began in July 2022 and concluded in August 2024. The deal was facilitated by Skyworks Holding and supports SAS' long-term fleet renewal strategy focused on increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and unlocking growth opportunities from its Copenhagen hub.

The E195-E2 aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney's advanced PW1900G GTF engines, delivering 29% better fuel efficiency and 62% noise reduction compared to previous-generation aircraft. The E2 family has been tested with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and is being certified for full SAF operation, though current blends of up to 50% SAF are already achievable.

"We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with SAS through this landmark deal," said Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation. "The E195-E2 is a game-changer in terms of efficiency, performance, and passenger comfort, and will play a crucial role in SAS' fleet renewal and expansion strategy."

SAS was recently ranked as the world's most punctual airline, placing first out of 660 airlines globally for on-time performance in April and May 2025, according to Cirium.

The announcement adds to recent gains for Embraer. In June, at the Paris Air Show, Embraer confirmed an order for 60 E175 jets from SkyWest, worth $3.6bn. SkyWest holds purchase rights for 50 more. "The E175 aircraft is the cornerstone of regional aviation in North America," said Meijer. SkyWest already operates 263 E175s.

Separately, Paraguay's president Santiago Peña this week received four of six Super Tucano aircraft from Embraer in a $105mn deal to strengthen border security. "They are part of the air forces of 20 countries, including the United States," said military historian Antonio Sapienza. Peña said the aircraft will help intercept small planes crossing Paraguay to reach Brazil, Argentina and Europe.

Serbia gripped by civil unrest as road blockades continue

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By Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade July 1, 2025

Civil disobedience and student-organised road blockades continued across Serbia on July 1 as anti-government protests entered their third consecutive day, causing widespread disruptions and social tension in several cities.

Thousands of demonstrators, led by student groups, have blocked key roads and intersections nationwide since June 29. The protests were triggered by a confrontation with riot police during a mass rally in Belgrade late on June 28.

Student organisers had previously issued an ultimatum to the government to call early elections, warning of renewed civil disobedience if their demands were not met. With no response from authorities, demonstrations escalated.

The latest unrest coincides with the eight-month anniversary of the fatal canopy collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people. Citizens gathered at the site of the collapse on July 1, while activists staged a protest outside the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), toppling garbage bins marked “ballot box”.

Protesters are demanding the release of individuals detained during the June 28 Vidovdan demonstration and the calling of early parliamentary elections. Student leaders have called on citizens to suspend work and continue peaceful disobedience until the demands are addressed.

Tensions flared on July 1 in the Belgrade municipality of Zemun when a car attempted to force its way through a blockade. According to video footage, a passenger exited the vehicle, removed metal barriers and toppled bins standing in his way. The car then advanced, hitting a woman, who fell but appeared uninjured and quickly got back on her feet.

While the movement has received support from various segments of society, some residents have grown weary of the disruptions to their everyday life and have voiced frustration over the daily blockades, which have made commuting in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius increasingly difficu

Poland ends the last of Russian oil imports

After 60-years of dependency, Poland has cut off the last of its oil imports via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline. / bne IntelliNews

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By bne IntelliNews July 1, 2025

Poland’s largest energy company, state-owned Orlen, has ended its last contract for Russian crude oil and halted these imports, declaring finally that it has “freed the region from Russian crude oil”.

The oil imports were used to feed one of the company’s refineries in Czech in a relationship that has been working since Soviet times. However, since the war in Ukraine started more than three years ago, Warsaw has actively worked to end its dependence.

The job has been made easier thanks to Poland’s long-standing mistrust of the Kremlin that led to the investment of a gas pipeline link with Norway, the Baltic pipeline, which came online in October 2022, allowing the immediate end of gas imports from Russia. Sourcing crude oil for its refinery was harder, with Norwegian crude arriving in Poland via tankers to the Naftoport terminal in Gdańsk,.

The termination of the last Russian crude imports is part of a wider plan floated by the EU to end gas imports from Russia by 2027, but as bne IntelliNews reported, that will be difficult, as the EU still doesn’t have an adequate alternative to replace Russia’s LNG, which still accounts for some 19% of the European energy mix. Direct oil imports were already ended with the introduction of twin sanctions on crude and oil products at the end of 2022.

“Money from Russian oil will no longer be used against those whom it should not be used against,” Orlen chief executive Ireneusz Fąfara said on June 30, as cited by Notes from Poland. “People in Ukraine will not die thanks to money from Russian oil.”

The oil arrived by the traditional Soviet-built Druzhba (“Friendship”) pipeline to Orlen’s Czech refinery in Litvinov under a 12-year contract with Russia’s state oil producer Rosneft, which has now expired.

The pipeline, which delivered crude to landlocked Central European countries including Slovakia and Hungary, had been exempted from the EU’s embargo on Russian oil due to the lack of alternative supplies for several nations in Central Europe. As the Druzhba pipeline supplied these countries for decades during Soviet times, there is no pipeline infrastructure linking the Central European states to the Baltic or North Sea coasts.

Orlen had already ended imports of Russian oil to its refineries in Poland and Lithuania in March 2023. However, its Czech subsidiary, Unipetrol, continued to receive Russian crude under the legacy contract, which even saw the volume of imports increase in 2023.

Orlen’s Ireneusz credited the decision to strong coordination with the Polish government and regional infrastructure partners. “Ending Orlen’s dependence on Russian energy resources was possible primarily thanks to the support of the Polish government and good cooperation with our partners, in particular transmission system operators,” he said. “It is thanks to this that we can import oil and gas from alternative directions.”

Orlen pointed to the expanded capacity of the Transalpine Pipeline (TAL), which now supplies oil from the Italian port of Trieste to the Czech Republic via Austria and Germany, as a key enabler of the transition. The Czech pipeline operator MERO used the EU-granted exemption to upgrade the system, allowing it to replace Russian volumes with seaborne crude.

In April, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala hailed the arrival of non-Russian supplies. “After roughly 60 years, our dependence on Russia [for oil] has ended,” Reuters reported him as saying.

Orlen has also reconfigured its Litvinov refinery – until now reliant solely on Russian blends – to process a wider range of crude grades, further enhancing its ability to source oil globally.

 

ASIA BLOG: Southeast Asia should pivot away from Trump’s America and steer in the direction of Europe

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By bno - Taipei Office July 2, 2025

As the United States stumbles around the global stage in a state of economic bewilderment of sorts, Southeast Asia finds itself at a crossroads. While American influence has long loomed large across the region, from military alliances to soft power and trade, the growing capriciousness of US politics, especially under Trump’s erratic leadership, compels government across the region to consider a recalibration of global partnerships.

Simply put, Southeast Asia in particular and increasingly so the Northeast part of Asia too, must look more closely to Europe for long-term, stable engagement, and not allow business sectors and markets to be buffeted about by the shifting winds of American domestic turmoil.

This is not a concept being considered purely out if US-targetted criticism, but of the version of the US that has emerged through the lens of Trumpism: one that is increasingly transactional, inward-looking, and disturbingly volatile. Trump’s “America First” foreign policy has already proven damaging to multilateralism and international cooperation. His disdain for regional alliances, his threats to withdraw from long-established security pacts, and his willingness to weaponise tariffs at the drop of a hat all point to a man - and a political movement - whose interests rarely extend beyond his own immediate gain.

Following Trump’s January return to the White House, Southeast Asia has often been treated as a mere pawn in his zero-sum geopolitical game. His confrontational approach to China, while superficially aligned with concerns within ASEAN, is neither strategic nor consultative. It is built more on spectacle than substance, more on division than dialogue.

Under Trump, nowhere in Asia is seen as a partner, but as leverage - a buffer zone in his economic and ideological war with Beijing. And this is dangerous terrain.

Asia is not a battlefield for great powers to clash upon – the ‘Great Game’ ended in 1907. Today Asia is a community of diverse nations with our individual but intertwined aspirations, cultures, and trajectories. To rely on an erratic US administration that openly undermines global institutions is to gamble with economic and geopolitical stability.

Europe, on the other hand, offers a more stable and principled alternative – at least on the surface.

Though not without its own challenges, the European Union has demonstrated a consistent commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, and constructive diplomacy. The EU’s partnerships with ASEAN have grown steadily, from green investment and digital cooperation to human rights and educational exchange. These are not mere words on a press release, but tangible collaborations that align more closely with Southeast Asia’s long-term development goals.

As a continent-wide experiment of unity and solidarity though, Europe has largely failed and that must be borne in mind.

For now though, where Trump sows division, Europe seeks cooperation. Where he threatens to walk away from climate accords and trade agreements, Europe leans in with frameworks like the Green Deal and Digital Decade, encouraging sustainable partnerships that benefit both sides even if its member nations must abide by EU rulings that are not seen as satisfactory by all.

While the US under Trump may reduce its commitment to regional infrastructure or technology transfer unless immediate political gains are assured, the EU offers mechanisms for predictable and long-term growth.

Importantly, Europe respects identity. Unlike the heavy-handedness often associated with American cultural exports and the tendency to ‘Americanise’ wherever influence is felt, Europe engages with partners without diluting their essence. A prime example would be how EU-supported programmes in Southeast Asia embrace local culture, knowledge systems, and languages, working with rather than over what is already in place. Europe does not arrive with a megaphone or a missionary complex.

This is essential. Southeast Asia is not, and should not become, an extension of any other region’s strategic priorities – and in the case of the US, problems.

Southeast Asia is a region of more than 700mn people, with dynamic economies, ancient civilisations, and fast-evolving democracies. Preserving these unique identities is not a side concern, it is foundational to how the region should engage with the world. A pivot to Europe need not come at the cost of sovereignty or cultural richness.

The EU, for all its imperfections regarding integration, demonstrates in many ways how diverse nations can work together without losing their individual character. Southeast Asia’s own ASEAN project has taken steps in that direction, but more can be done. Deeper ties with Europe can offer institutional support, political inspiration, and policy templates, particularly in areas like cross-border regulation and environmental standards.

The region should, however, always remain open to cooperation with Washington regardless of who occupies the White House when such cooperation is mutually respectful and predictable. But Asia must not become overly reliant on a nation where key foreign policy decisions could once again be dictated by the whims of one man viewed as unstable by billions around the word who views the planet as a business deal, or worse, a television show.

Southeast Asia stands at a moment of opportunity. The region can continue to be shaped by the whims of a volatile superpower headed by a man history will not remember fondly, or we can build a future with partners who respect our autonomy and share our aspirations. In choosing the latter, we are not abandoning the US. Instead, we are asserting our agency in engaging with the world on our own terms, proudly Southeast Asian, confidently global, and no longer beholden to the daily chaos of Trumpism.

 

Azerbaijan arrests eight Russians as diplomatic crisis deepens over Yekaterinburg killings

The crisis between Azerbaijan and Russia was triggered by the killings of two Azerbaijani brothers by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in Yekaterinburg on June 27. / Andrew_Flowers via Pixabay

By Cavid Aga in Sarajevo July 2, 2025

Azerbaijan has arrested eight Russian citizens on drug trafficking and cybercrime charges whilst delivering a formal diplomatic protest over the Yekaterinburg killings, as the ongoing crisis escalates into the most serious confrontation between Baku and Moscow since independence.

The crisis was triggered by the killings of two Azerbaijani brothers by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in Yekaterinburg on June 27. The deaths of Ziyaddin and Husein Safarov prompted a strong diplomatic response from Baku, including the arrests of several journalists. It follows a previous rise in tensions between the two countries over the downing of an Azerbaijani AZAL aeroplane by Russian air defences in December 2024. 

Russian authorities maintain that the Yekaterinburg operation targeted an ethnic criminal organisation active since the late 1990s, though they have not explained why lethal force was necessary for historical cases or addressed torture allegations.

The latest arrests on July 1 targeted alleged members of two organised criminal groups suspected of narcotics transit from Iran, online trafficking of prohibited substances and cybercrime, according to the press release from the Internal Affairs Ministry. Sabail District Court imposed four-month detention orders on all eight suspects following evening hearings. 

In courtroom photographs, several suspects appeared with visible bruises and swollen faces; one had a bloodied head wound. 

At least three of the detainees were confirmed to be Russian refugees who escaped mobilisation in Russia against Ukraine. Journalists from iStories identified three of the suspects as 41-year-old IT entrepreneur Anton Drachev, 30-year-old programmer Dmitry Bezugly from St. Petersburg, and 23-year-old programmer Sergey Sofronov from Cherepovets.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's foreign ministry delivered a note verbale of protest to Russia over the "murder and injury of our compatriots in Yekaterinburg" during a meeting where ambassador Rahman Mustafayev was summoned to the Russian foreign ministry.

Formal diplomatic protest

Azerbaijan's protest note expressed "firm protest against the use of torture and degrading treatment by Russian law enforcement agencies during the interrogation of our compatriots," according to foreign ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada.

The note stated these actions violated "legal norms of the Russian Federation and internationally recognised fundamental human rights and freedoms”. It demanded that Russia conduct a "thorough and objective investigation of these attacks" and take urgent measures to prosecute perpetrators.

The diplomatic confrontation intensified when Russia protested Azerbaijan's arrest of Sputnik journalists. Hajizada responded that, unlike Russian actions, Azerbaijan's measures were "completely legal" and called for "non-interference in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan”.

"It was stated that the said activities and actions carried out by Russia contradict the bilateral relations between the two countries," the foreign ministry confirmed.

Ukraine offers condolences

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky telephoned President Ilham Aliyev on July 1 to convey condolences over the Yekaterinburg killings, marking a rare direct Ukrainian involvement in Azerbaijan-Russia tensions.

"President Zelensky conveyed the condolences of the Ukrainian public regarding the killing of Azerbaijanis in raids in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg," the presidential press service confirmed. The leaders agreed to hold an Azerbaijan-Ukraine Intergovernmental Commission meeting in Baku soon.

Ukraine also added the arrested Sputnik journalists Igor Kartavykh and Yevgeny Belousov to its "Mirotvorets" database as "undesirable persons" for alleged war propaganda activities, according to APA.

AZAL evidence emerges

New evidence has emerged regarding the December downing of an AZAL aircraft, as Minval.az published an alleged explanatory note by Russian air defence Captain Dmitry Paladichuk, describing the incident on December 24, 2024.

The document claims Russian forces opened fire on the Embraer E190 passenger aircraft twice by telephone order, despite the target being invisible due to heavy fog. Audio recordings allegedly captured the moment of the "Fire!" command being transmitted.

The Insider confirmed Paladichuk's identity and that he wrote the handwritten report "after shooting at the plane" because he was "required" to do so. The captain reportedly serves in military unit №75564, and his voice matches audio from the incident, according to the outlet.

Diaspora leader detained and released

Azerbaijani diaspora leader Shahin Shikhlinski was arrested near Yekaterinburg's Baku Plaza shopping centre on July 1 but released the same evening as a witness in the historical murder cases that prompted the raid on the Safarov brothers.

His son, Mutvali Shikhlinski, described violent treatment during the arrest, claiming police smashed their car windows without explanation. "I think this is abuse of official authority. At first, I thought it was an attack, I was scared and pulled back," he told APA.

Local media E1.ru reported Shikhlinski's detention related to investigations into the 2001 murder of Yunis Pashayev and the 2011 killing of Ikram Hajiyev — the same cases that prompted the deadly June 27 raids on the Safarov family.

Russian media revealed extensive details about the original crimes. E1.ru reported that Pashayev, an Azerbaijani-origin Yekaterinburg resident, was "stabbed with kitchen knives by a crowd" in May 2001 on Blucher Street near a café.

"The dying Yunis managed to name their names," E1.ru quoted sources saying about the Safarov brothers. The Caspian café, owned by the family, had "scandalous fame" and frequently appeared in criminal news, with multiple attempts to close it failing.

Acquaintances told E1.ru that the brothers "complained of poor health during detention" and were hospitalised. "One of them started having heart problems, and they tried to resuscitate him but failed. The arrival of police may have been too much stress for them," sources stated, aligning with the official Russian autopsy report.

Azerbaijan opens criminal case as autopsy exposes torture

Azerbaijan's prosecutor general has opened a criminal case on charges of torture and deliberate murder of Azerbaijani citizens by Russian law enforcement officials, following forensic evidence contradicting Russian autopsy findings, according to a press release from the prosecutor general.

The criminal case covers multiple charges, including premeditated murder by a group, murder with special cruelty, murder of two or more persons, abuse of office causing grave consequences, and torture resulting in death, according to the prosecutor general's press service.

Independent autopsy results released by Professor Adalat Hasanov, director of the Health Ministry's Forensic Medical Examination and Pathological Anatomy Union, directly contradict Russian findings. "The Azerbaijani forensic opinion does not match the forensic opinion provided by the Russian side," Hasanov confirmed to APA.

The victims showed extensive trauma from blunt force weapons rather than the natural causes claimed by Russian authorities. "Both persons killed in Yekaterinburg were not struck with sharp objects or firearms; they were beaten with blunt objects," Hasanov stated.

Ziyaddin Safarov's Russian death certificate listed heart failure as the cause, but the Azerbaijani examination revealed massive trauma. "Russian doctors showed that his illness was the cause of Ziyaddin Safarov's death. But in our internal examination, the changes we detected were no different from the first brother," Hasanov said.

The autopsy found bilateral skull fractures, multiple rib breaks, chest deformation, internal bleeding and widespread tissue damage. "All ribs were broken on the left front and right rear. There were crude fractures. We couldn't even find one rib; they had taken it," the professor revealed.

Both victims died from "severe post-traumatic shock" caused by multiple injuries, with evidence of systematic beating including facial trauma, broken nasal bones and extensive bruising across their bodies.

Russian senator Andrey Klishas made inflammatory comments about ethnic diasporas following the crisis, according to TASS. "No diasporas can dictate their rules to the Russian state and our citizens. Everyone will live according to Russian laws; those who disagree will continue their lives in FSIN institutions," he wrote on Telegram.

 

The Role Of Cross-Cultural Communication In Sustainable Development Practices – OpEd

Photo Credit: The High Atlas Foundation

 July 2, 2025

By Amelia Vineyard

Intercultural communication and overall cultural expansion are growing fields of research for those focused on development studies. Recent literature has highlighted cultural heritage as a strategy for fostering social cohesion and economic development in communities worldwide.

Currently, there is little empirical evidence directly linking tenets of sustainable development to positive societal outcomes. However, intercultural communication is essential for conserving national and regional diversity, integrating vulnerable demographics, and promoting social empowerment that can contribute to conflict reduction and economic improvement. The Budapest Declaration of 2002 echoes a similar sentiment: preserving culture through dialogue and education is integral to future development.

It is important to emphasize the importance of interfaith dialogue within the context of cultural preservation and development. In the context of Moroccan development, interfaith dialogue between Moroccan Muslims and Jewish people has played a crucial role in agricultural

development. Programs that integrate diverse communities through program development are effective in fostering favorable outcomes in cultural and economic progress.

Within Morocco, a long history of intercultural and interfaith reconciliation has created an environment amenable to these efforts today. Land in Morocco has been shared between Muslims, Jews, and other groups for over 2,000 years. Although the presence of Jewish communities in Morocco has declined in modern years, a strong bedrock of communication and trust has facilitated advantageous programs today, such as the House of Life program. Launched in 2012 with the support of King Mohammed VI, the House of Life program has since restored 167 Jewish graveyards, including 12,600 graves across 40 provinces throughout the country.

Moreover, by securing land grants near the cemeteries of the Jewish communities, the High Atlas Foundation plants fruit tree nurseries that benefit Muslim farmers in the production and cultivation of much-needed sustainable agriculture. The program ensures that these sites are maintained, fostering trust between communities that support development goals in economic, social, and cultural sectors.

Similar practices, albeit through different methods, have been adopted in Bali to facilitate social interchange and communication between Hindu and Muslim populations there. In a Muslim-majority Indonesia, Bali is unique in that the island is home to a majority Hindu population. Cross-cultural communication has thus been vital to the sanctity and duration of the community.

In the Cemagi Village of the Menwi District in Bali, the Kramat Ratu Mas Sakti Temple is an extraordinary example of this practice, as the Temple serves as both a destination for Muslim pilgrimages and a site sacred within the Hindu religion. The Temple is a locus of inter-faith dialogue, both through direct communication between religious pilgrims and worshipers, and through the dissemination of secondary media (print and digital) that emphasize these behaviors.

The harmony between Muslim and Hindu practitioners at Kramat Ratu not only preserves the religious and cultural spirit of the Temple, but also lends itself to increasing interest in cultural tourism, spurring the economic gains associated with the tourism industry. Through interactions between Muslim and Hindu individuals in the Temple, the region witnesses an expansion and strengthening of religious and cultural identities through increased dialogue and interchange between the Muslim and Hindu faiths.

Similarly, in Karangasem, Bali, the Muslim population lives alongside the Hindu population, and exchanges between these faiths are often required in communal and societal procedures. The two groups have coexisted peacefully for a long time, with very few recorded conflict incidents. Exemplified by a mosque and a temple standing adjacent in the center of a Hindu community, the Karangasem district is characterized by profound tolerance.

The development of Bali, specifically the Karangasem district, cannot be attributed solely to its Muslim or Hindu population, but rather to the symbiosis between them. Karangasem, renowned for its commitment to sustainability and ecotourism, has been lauded as a destination where tourists can explore the region’s unique cultural identity while upholding sustainable practices. It is impossible to imagine that this commitment to authenticity and sustainability would be possible without the cooperation of a multitude of partnerships, including interfaith collaboration, at the heart of the Karangasem district.

The cases, as mentioned above, focus on cases of successful cross-cultural communication, serving not only as a possible frontier in sustainable development, but also as a societal norm that should be strived towards. As Morocco increasingly becomes interested in embracing its multicultural identity, there are several opportunities where interfaith efforts could be leveraged to support and enhance the goals of each affected party. The previously mentioned House of Life program is an excellent example where both parties mutually benefit, as Moroccan Jewish people ensure their historical land and heritage are protected, and Moroccan Muslims, acting as custodians of this land, have the opportunity to cultivate the land to produce prosperous fruit-tree agriculture.

As the world looks to enact development that is both sustainable and profitable, the value of culture has become an ever-more precious commodity. In an era of globalization, culture and society have become increasingly homogenous, and authenticity has become a resource with marked scarcity, skyrocketing cultural value in the eyes of investors (mainly within the tourism and travel industries).

Efforts to develop interfaith and cross-cultural communication are essential in defending the survival of diverse cultures, which are beneficial for both communities in terms of identity preservation and as a means to facilitate further economic and social development. A crucial caveat is that development should be fostered sustainably and inclusively. While inclusivity is inherent within cross-cultural dialogue, efforts to ensure sustainably must be purposeful in execution. To ensure that targeted communities benefit from development, sustainability and longevity must be key requirements in any purported development efforts.

Nevertheless, cross-cultural and interfaith dialogues have become incredibly important in encouraging inclusivity in development practices and are, therefore, an essential component

when looking to the future of development practices. The participatory approach emphasizes welcoming diverse perspectives in community planning and projects, where communication across diverse stakeholders is imperative to accurately representing communities. Participatory development thus has the opportunity to strengthen relationships between community stakeholders, offering a pathway towards more inclusive and tolerant communities.

Cultural heritage can serve as a “glue” between the different components of development practices, allowing individuals to both identify themselves within development movements and foster a sense of responsibility for the projects that follow. Thus, cross-cultural communication can serve as an essential foundation for development works, implying that a stronger focus should be placed on culture’s relevance in development frameworks and practices.

Amelia Vineyard is a student at the University of Virginia and an Intern at the High Atlas Foundation in Morocco.

 

EU’s Encryption Reforms Sparks Widespread Expert Concerns And Alarm – OpEd

 July 2, 2025 

By Henry Davies

In recent months, a heated debate has emerged within technological, legal, and civil rights circles regarding the European Union’s latest proposal to modify and potentially weaken encryption standards across digital platforms.

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While the intention behind the initiative is to enhance law enforcement’s ability to combat serious crimes such as terrorism, child exploitation, and organized crime, many experts believe that the risks and unintended consequences far outweigh the potential benefits. This has led to widespread concern among cybersecurity professionals, privacy advocates, and digital rights organizations who warn that such measures could fundamentally undermine the security and privacy of millions of users across Europe and beyond.

The Importance of Encryption in Modern Society

Encryption acts as the digital shield that protects the confidentiality and integrity of our online communications. Whether it’s sending a private message, conducting a financial transaction, or browsing confidential health records, encryption ensures that sensitive information remains inaccessible to unauthorized parties. It is the backbone of trust in the digital economy and personal privacy, enabling individuals and organizations to operate securely in an increasingly interconnected world.

Over the years, encryption has become a cornerstone of cybersecurity, with many countries and companies investing heavily in developing robust encryption protocols. These standards are designed to keep data safe from hackers, cybercriminals, and malicious actors, who are constantly seeking vulnerabilities to exploit.

The EU’s Proposal: A Shift Toward Backdoors?

The European Union’s recent proposal aims to introduce “lawful access” mechanisms into encryption systems—often referred to as backdoors—that would enable law enforcement agencies to access encrypted data when investigating criminal activities. The rationale is straightforward: criminals and terrorists often use encrypted platforms to coordinate illicit activities, and without the ability to access these communications, law enforcement officials argue they are fighting a losing battle against crime.

However, the proposal raises profound concerns among experts who worry that creating intentional vulnerabilities in encryption could have disastrous consequences. Cybersecurity specialists warn that backdoors are inherently insecure because they can be exploited by malicious actors if discovered or misused. “It’s like leaving a spare key under the doormat,” explains Dr. Emily Carter, a cybersecurity professor at a leading university. “While it might help law enforcement, it also provides a shortcut for hackers, foreign adversaries, and other malicious entities to break into systems they otherwise couldn’t access.”

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The Risks of Weakening Encryption

One of the central arguments against weakening encryption is that it compromises the very fabric of online security. When encryption standards are deliberately made less secure, the risk of data breaches, identity theft, and financial fraud increases dramatically. Cybercriminals are already adept at exploiting vulnerabilities, and adding intentional backdoors only broadens the attack surface.

Moreover, experts emphasize that once encryption is weakened for one purpose, it becomes exceedingly difficult to limit access solely to lawful entities. Cybercriminals often find ways to exploit legal loopholes or develop their own methods to bypass security measures. As a result, the initiative could inadvertently create new vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit on a massive scale.

The potential for mass surveillance is another area of concern. Critics argue that weakened encryption could lead to the erosion of privacy rights, enabling authorities or even authoritarian regimes to monitor citizens’ private communications without their knowledge or consent. Such practices threaten fundamental freedoms and could set dangerous precedents for government overreach.

The Balance Between Security and Privacy

While the EU’s goal of making society safer from criminal threats is understandable, experts caution that there are more effective and less invasive ways to achieve this objective. Many suggest that law enforcement should invest in advanced investigative techniques, data analysis, and international cooperation rather than compromising encryption standards.

There are also technical solutions that aim to strike a balance between privacy and security. For example, “client-side scanning” or “privacy-preserving investigations” enable authorities to detect illegal content without decrypting entire communications. These methods are still under development but represent promising alternatives to weakening encryption altogether.

Civil Rights and Democratic Values at Stake

Beyond technical considerations, the debate touches on broader issues related to civil liberties and democratic principles. Encryption protects individuals from unwarranted surveillance and intrusion by both governments and private corporations. Weakening encryption could lead to a chilling effect, discouraging free expression and open communication.

Organizations like the European Digital Rights (EDRi) and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have voiced strong opposition to the EU’s proposals. They argue that such measures threaten to undermine the rights of ordinary citizens and set a dangerous precedent for other nations contemplating similar actions.

Public and Expert Reactions

The response from the tech community has been swift and vocal. Many cybersecurity firms, privacy advocates, and academics have issued statements emphasizing that security measures should never come at the expense of fundamental rights. “Building secure digital infrastructure requires trust,” said Sarah Johnson, a privacy advocate. “Weakening encryption erodes that trust and makes everyone more vulnerable.”

Lawmakers and policymakers are also divided. Some see the EU’s initiative as a necessary step to modernize crime-fighting capabilities, while others recognize the potential for abuse and the long-term consequences of weakening security standards.

Moving Forward: A Cautious Approach

As discussions around the EU’s encryption proposals continue, experts agree on the need for a cautious, well-informed approach. Any measures that compromise core security principles must be scrutinized rigorously, with input from technologists, human rights advocates, and the public.

Ultimately, safeguarding privacy and security should be a shared goal. Innovations in digital security should aim to protect users without creating vulnerabilities that threaten the integrity of the entire digital ecosystem. Transparency, accountability, and respect for fundamental rights must guide any policy decisions in this sensitive area.

Conclusion

The debate over the EU’s plan to weaken encryption underscores a fundamental dilemma faced by societies worldwide: how to effectively combat crime while preserving the rights to privacy and security. While the intentions behind the proposal may be rooted in public safety, experts warn that the potential risks could undermine the very freedoms and protections that encryption provides.

As technology continues to evolve, so too must our approaches to cybersecurity and privacy. Striking the right balance is no easy task, but it is essential to ensure that efforts to keep us safe do not inadvertently open the door to new threats and abuses. The coming months will be critical in shaping the future of digital rights and security in Europe and beyond.

Henry Davies

Henry Davies is a proficient Media Researcher with expertise in audience insights, media trends, and content strategy. He is dedicated to data-driven storytelling, crafting compelling narratives and strategies that foster media innovation and enhance audience engagement.