EU

The Right Livelihood Award has honoured this year four women and women-led organisations for confronting authoritarianism, patriarchal violence, and unregulated AI development. Among them are Jalila Haider from Pakistan and Timnit Gebru, an Ethiopian-born computer scientist, with the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 December in Stockholm.

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European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius emphasised that the European response to Russian hybrid attacks must be proportionate and severe. He warned that Russia aims to influence European populations and called for a robust hybrid defence strategy, rejecting diplomatic engagement as a viable solution to the ongoing conflict.

European Union Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen reported that while the EU is not facing an imminent energy-supply crisis, high energy prices are already impacting nearly 50 million Europeans struggling to heat their homes. He emphasised the need for flexible rules and increasing renewable energy investments.

Portugal’s Judicial Police conducted extensive raids targeting a corruption network within the Socialist Party’s local government. Five arrests were made, with 37 suspects identified. The operation investigates malfeasance in municipal contracts, highlighting violations that allegedly cost the public treasury over €800,000 from 2016 to 2022.

Giorgia Meloni’s government faces increasing tension with historic allies, the US and Israel, as calls grow for European sanctions against Israeli officials following controversial remarks by Itamar Ben-Gvir. The shift in Italy’s foreign policy has sparked debate among political figures amid concerns of self-sanctioning trade impacts.

Artificial intelligence is being weaponised, presenting significant cybersecurity threats, GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler stated. She emphasised that Russia’s hybrid activities against the UK and Europe are intensifying, while allied nations must prioritise cybersecurity to prevent miscalculations amid rising tensions and evolving AI technologies.

Investment in digital infrastructure is critical for economic growth, yet developing economies lag behind in this area. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank highlights a pressing digital divide, where fundamental connectivity remains underfunded, impeding AI readiness and exacerbating inequities in access and opportunities.

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