Photo : Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation
18 January 2024, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #733
In Brief
By Alka Bala
BELARUS
Tinder is to leave the Belarusian market on 15 February
On 17 January, according to Politico, Tinder, the dating app company, reported its intentions to exit Belarus possibly over its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, Match Group, Tinder’s parent company has not disclosed the exact reason for its pullback from the country. Previously in July 2023, it exited the Russian Market stating its commitment to human rights, however, there were reports in November 2022 where Tinder was used to identify critics of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. The app users will be able to match and chat with other users until February 15, according to the company press release. (Sejla Ahmatovic, “Tinder swipes left on Belarus after Valentine’s Day,” Politico, 17 January 2024)
ITALY
Influencers to be bound by stricter rules of Italian Communication Authority
On 18 January, BBC reported that Italian social media creators would have to follow the same rules as traditional media outlets as they would come under the supervision of the Italian Communications Authority. The influencers will strictly have to label brand collaborations, and commercial interests, present disclaimers for advertisements and are liable to pay hefty fines if they fail to do so. Initially, the rule shall apply to influencers that have more than a million followers, but “soon other influencers will also have to adapt to them”, said Giacomo Lasorella, head of the Italian Communications Authority (AGCOM). ( “Italian influencers to be bound by tighter rules," BBC, 18 January 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Targets to cut obesity lowered marking failure of 2018 National Prevention Plan
On 17 January, Politico reported plans of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) to lower its targets for tackling obesity. The target outlined in the 2018 plan was to lower obesity to 38 per cent among adults and 9 per cent among children, however, these targets have now been reduced to 55 per cent for adults and 14 per cent for children. Other measures to introduce a sugar tax, reduction in VAT for fruits and vegetables and banning and phasing out food advertising were not implemented. Concerns among Dutch NGO Foodwatch are high as more than half of the adult population is obese in the Netherlands, and the involvement of fast-food companies in policy-making for public health will not help in achieving targets. (Alessandro Ford, “Lower obesity in the Netherlands? Fat chance, says government,” Politico, 17 January 2024)
RUSSIA
3000 protestors gathered in support of a jailed environmentalist
On 18 January, Deutsche Welle reported a rare protest in the remote Bashkortostan region against the prison sentence of local environmentalist Fail Alsynov. He had campaigned in support of protecting the Bashkir language but was labelled as “inciting hatred” by the authorities. Broadly, the protest is also an expression of dissatisfaction against their government, as they demanded the resignation of the Bashkir Prime Minister. The police had used tear gas and batons against the protestors who had gathered in sub-zero temperatures, -20 Celsius. (“Russian police crack down on rare protest in remote region,” Deutsche Welle, 18 January 2024)
THE UK
Rwanda Bill passed in House of Commons with 320 to 276 vote
On 18 January, Deutsche Welle reported lawmakers voted in favour of the much-debated Rwanda Migrant Bill in the House of Commons. The bill was positioned as a contentious immigration policy as it planned to send Asylum seekers arriving in England to Rwanda, as illegal and legal migration increased in the UK. As part of Rishi Sunak, UK's Prime Minister “Stop the Boats” campaign, the bill was widely debated as there were concerns about the safety of asylum seekers in Rwanda and whether this bill would violate international humanitarian law. The motion to tighten the bill was quashed by the government and revealed a conflict of opinion among the Tory MPs. As one-fifth of the Conservatives backed in favour of the Bill, two party members, including deputy chairman Lee Anderson resigned in protest. (“UK: House of Commons passes Rwanda migrant bill”, Deutsche Welle, 18 January 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Russia and Niger strengthen bilateral military cooperation
On 17 January, according to RT, Russia and Niger have agreed to increase military cooperation and military-technical cooperation to deal with insecurity in the Sahel region. The statement from the Russian Defence Ministry came after talks between Nigerien defence chief Salifou Modi and his Russian counterparts, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Alexander Fomin. Niger’s government post-coup is aiming to strengthen ties with Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Iran to collaborate in areas such as defence, agriculture, energy, healthcare and crude oil. The new government has shown signs of cutting ties with its former Western partners as they terminated all military treaties with its former colonial power, France. (“Russia strikes African military cooperation agreement”, RT, 17 January 2024)
Russia-North Korea boosts ties as top diplomats meet, discuss US escalating tensions
On 17 January, RT reported talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, “ensuring peace and stability in Northeast Asia” and boosting cooperation in areas of science, culture and trade. Choe’s visit was preceded by the North Korean leader’s visit to the Kremlin in September 2023. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, stated Moscow’s stance on the US and its Asian satellites trying to destabilise the region, causing an escalation in tensions between North and South Korea, as the latter conducted joint military drills with the US throughout 2023. (“US policy on North Korea destabilizing region – Lavrov”, RT, 16 January 2024, “Putin meets with North Korean foreign minister”, RT, 17 January 2024)