Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Would leaving the ECHR really 'stop the boats'?

1 1

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 4d

If the UK leaves the European Convention on Human Rights, will this solve its immigration challenges? Probably not. But the UK has broader issues with the Convention than just immigration. #HumanRights bbc.com/news/article...

The extent to which leaving the Convention would make a difference to immigration has been greatly exaggerated, argues Lord Sumption

Nato weighs armed response to Vladimir Putin’s hybrid war

1 2

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 4d

Russian drones and jets are regularly violating NATO airspace and Russian cyberattacks are now routine. Now NATO must figure out how to respond to this new form of “hybrid war” or “grey zone campaign.” The UN Charter isn’t very helpful. #UseOfForce www.ft.com/content/6803...

Alliance mulls easing restrictions on pilots opening fire on Russian aircraft

www.ft.com

1 3

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 4d

What is going on with plastics? Daniel Bodansky reviews negotiations over a new plastic treaty and the challenges that lie ahead. #EnvironmentalLaw www.ejiltalk.org/the-unep-pla...

The UNEP Plastics Negotiations: Is There a Will and a Way?

Another round of plastics negotiations, another disappointment. The negotiations, now in their third year, are already in overtime. They were supposed to wrap up last December in Busan, South Korea, a...

www.ejiltalk.org

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 5d

Despite being home to Europe’s largest Jewish community, France has a major antisemitism problem, and it keeps getting worse. Many Jews now hide their identity and contemplate whether they should flee France. #HumanRights f24.my/BU7F.X

‘Taking off our kippahs’: French Jews face anti-Semitism surge in wake of October 7

Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel and the subsequent outbreak of Israel’s war in Gaza, many Jews in the Paris region have been gripped by anxiety. Between fears of anti-Semitic attacks...

Myanmar: At least 24 killed as army paraglider bombs Buddhist festival

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 5d

The Myanmar army has reportedly bombed civilians holding a candlelight vigil during a Buddhist festival. Myanmar is under international sanctions but continues to receive weapons from China and Russia. #ArmedConflict bbc.com/news/article...

Locals tell the BBC the carnage has made it hard to identify victims of the military attack.

Austria refuses to host eurovision if Israel is boycotted | The Jerusalem Post

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 6d

Eurovision politics: Many states want Israel banned from the Eurovision Song Contest because of the Gaza War. But now Austria says it won’t host the competition if Israel is excluded. Germany is also standing with Israel. #UpholdingIL www.jpost.com/israel-news/...

Following international pressure for the Eurovision Song Contest to boycott Israel, Austria announces that it will not take part if Israel is kept out.

www.jpost.com

1 2 2

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 6d

Typhoon energy: China is designing a new generation of wind turbines to harness electricity from typhoons. But big potential gains come with big risks: a single storm can destroy huge investments and endanger nearby communities. #EnvironmentLaw bbc.com/future/artic...

The 'typhoon-proof' wind farms powering China's coast

China is racing to develop a new generation of wind farms that can not only survive tropical cyclones, but also harness their power.

An alternative way to hold companies responsible

1 1

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 6d

The OECD has been hearing cases about its Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct, which include environmental and indigenous rights. Decisions are nonbinding, but they give advocacy groups a tool to challenge firms. #UpholdingIL #HumanRights #EnvironmentalLaw www.justiceinfo.net/en/150580-an...

How a Dutch panel established that an Argentinian oil company with headquarters in Amsterdam, Pluspetrol, violated the rights of Indigenous peoples in Peru.

www.justiceinfo.net

Russian Motivations Behind the “Hanoi Convention” Against Cybercrime

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 6d

States will soon begin signing the Hanoi Convention on Cybercrime. Alexander Seger explains why Russia may use this treaty to consolidate its control over online information #MakingIL #HumanRights www.justsecurity.org/122000/russi...

Russia’s cybercrime stance reflects a broader push to assert state control over the internet, restrict dissent, and build global backing.

www.justsecurity.org

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 6d

Max Du Plessis says “Immunities are back in vogue” and argues that there are double standards in official immunity: Netanyahu is treated differently than Putin. But perhaps there are double standards in issuing arrest warrants. #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw www.ejiltalk.org/pinochet-bas...

Pinochet, Bashir, Putin, Netanyahu, Gallant, Herzog: Immunities for High Officials – the Importance of Getting State Practice Right

Immunities are back in vogue. And the debate about them – their relevance, and whether they can shield wanted war criminals from investigation, prosecution or issued arrest warrants – is again front ...

www.ejiltalk.org

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 7d

China is breaking US sanctions on Iran by using a barter system instead of moving money through the intl banking system. The barter system is overseen by a Chinese insurance company. Looks like it’s time to update the US sanctions list. #UpholdingIL www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Exclusive | How China Secretly Pays Iran for Oil and Avoids U.S. Sanctions

A hidden funding conduit has deepened economic ties between the two U.S. rivals in defiance of Washington’s efforts to isolate Tehran.

www.wsj.com

3 2

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 7d

The US Commerce Dept says Italy is dumping pasta by selling it at less than its normal value. The Italian foreign minister doesn’t seem to understand trade law and is offended by the word “dumping.” #TradeLaw www.ft.com/content/8281...

EU backs Italy in Trump’s pasta tariff war

US threatens to apply tariffs of up to 107% on Barilla and other makes of Italian staple over alleged dumping

www.ft.com

The Bright Side: UNESCO designates 26 new biosphere reserves including France's Lake Bourget

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 7d

Two years ago, Hamas attacked Israel, raping, torturing, and killing about 1,200 people, and taking 251 hostages. Dozens are still missing. Many people say to Netanyahu: “Bring Them Home.” I prefer to say to Hamas: “Give Them Back.” #HumanRights #ArmedConflict

4

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 13d

UNESCO has named 26 new “biosphere reserves.” These sites contain fragile ecosystems. UNESCO designation is intended to limit human development and enhance environmental protection. #EnvironmentalLaw f24.my/BSkh

United Nations cultural agency UNESCO has designated 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries to tackle biodiversity challenges and worsening climate change. Lake Bourget in the French Alps was…

Nigeria shea industry: Export ban backfires for thousands of women

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 13d

The Nigerian government wants to develop shea butter manufacturing, so it banned shea exports to lower the price of raw supplies for manufacturers. But now the women who process shea nuts don’t make enough money to feed their families. #TradeLaw www.bbc.com/news/article...

The ban, intended to boost domestic production of shea butter, has reduced earnings for many women.

www.bbc.com

10 9

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 13d

The UN Security Council has voted to expand peacekeeping forces in Haiti, and to supplement existing police officers with soldiers. #UseOfForce f24.my/BTE0.X

UN Security Council approves larger military force to tackle Haiti gangs

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday approved expanding a UN-backed mission in gang-ravaged Haiti into a full military force of up to 5,500 personnel, adding soldiers alongside police office...

Venezuela's Maduro threatens to declare state of emergency over US boat attacks

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 13d

In Venezuela, Maduro is threatening to declare a state of emergency if the US takes military action within its borders against drug cartels. This would dramatically restrict civil rights of the Venezuelan people. #HumanRights #UseOfForce f24.my/BT35

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday threatened to declare a state of emergency in response to US attacks on suspected Venezuelan drug boats. Earlier in the day, his vice president said that…

Trial opens for ex-Mali PM jailed by military rulers over ‘solidarity’ post

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 14d

In Mali, the former prime minister is on trial for visiting political prisoners and saying he supports them in an online post. #HumanRights aje.io/lzuehk

General Goita has secured a five-year term as president for himself, and elections are postponed indefinitely in Mali.

aje.io

Politics and International Law @politicsintllaw.bsky.social · 14d

J.K. Rowling, Emma Watson, and trans rights. By focusing on generational aspects of the trans debate, we usually overlook socio-economic aspects of it. #HumanRights bbc.com/news/article...

JK Rowling dismisses Emma Watson as 'ignorant' over trans rights row

"Emma has so little experience of real life she's ignorant of how ignorant she is," Rowling writes.