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Une vive panique a secoué la commune de Mangina, située à 30 kilomètres à l’ouest de la ville de Beni, dans le territoire du même nom, dans la nuit du dimanche à lundi 22 septembre. Des militaires des FARDC en relève ont tiré plusieurs coups de feu dans le quartier Masimbembe aux alentours de 19 heures, provoquant la fuite précipitée des habitants, qui ont cru à une incursion des rebelles ADF.

Une opération conjointe de la Police républicaine et de la Douane béninoise au poste de Bétérou, commune de Tchaourou, a permis, lundi 22 septembre 2025, de démanteler un réseau de trafic de munitions.

Un conducteur de taxi-auto a été intercepté avec à son bord un colis suspect. La fouille des agents de la Police et de la Douane au poste de Bétérou a conduit à la découverte de 500 cartouches de calibre 12, soigneusement réparties dans 10 emballages de 25 unités chacun.

Le conducteur du taxi, immédiatement interpellé, a tenté de se dédouaner, affirmant qu'il ignorait la nature du colis. Les investigations menées à la suite de l'interrogatoire ont permis de remonter jusqu'au véritable propriétaire du colis. Ce dernier, rapidement localisé, a été arrêté. Il aurait reconnu les faits lors de son audition, selon les informations rapportées par Fraternité FM.

Les enquêtes se poursuivent afin d'identifier et d'arrêter d'éventuels complices liés à ce réseau de trafic d'armes et de munitions.

A.A.A

The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) Programme is the new EU financial instrument designed to allow EU Member States to speed up their defence readiness by enabling urgent and significant investments in support of the European defence industry, with a focus on filling critical gaps in capabilities and equipment. It is the first pillar of the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 strategic plan that aims to unlock €800 billion in defence spending across the EU.[1]

SAFE will provide up to €150 billion in competitive long-maturity loans to Member States that request financial assistance for investments in defence capabilities. These loans will finance urgent and large-scale procurement processes, ensuring that Europe’s defence industry can deliver the requisite equipment.

The features expected of the submitted proposals

The proposals should be:

• Relevant to the defence capabilities of Member States and the EU (e.g. border protection, countering hybrid threats, protecting critical infrastructure, countering cyber warfare, etc.)
• For urgent, large-scale procurement efforts, not small projects
• Involve at least two Member States in a common procurement procedure
• However, requests from individual Member States can also be approved, but only if they are linked to an urgent need and broader geopolitical realities; the proposal must also be submitted on the basis of the timely procurement and delivery of critical assets[2] (for example, the need to procure drones to counter migration movements along routes experiencing a significant increase in traffic, or systems to protect critical infrastructure from potential terrorist threats linked to the situation in the Middle East, could be supported). This is a temporary exception with an initial duration of one year.
• In addition, no more than 35% of the cost of the products’ manufacturing components can originate from outside the EU, EEA-EFTA, or Ukraine, while the countries of origin must meet the conditions set out in the Programme Regulations.

What will SAFE fund?

Category 1:

• Ammunition and missiles
• Artillery systems, including deep-precision strike capabilities
• Ground combat capabilities and their support systems, including soldier equipment and infantry weapons
• Small drones (NATO 1 class[3]) and related anti-drone systems
• Systems and equipment for critical infrastructure protection
• Cyber defence and cyber security systems
• Military mobility, including counter-mobility

Category 2:

• Air and missile defence systems
• Maritime surface and underwater capabilities
• Drones other than small drones (NATO-2 and NATO-3 class) and related anti-drone systems
• Strategic enablers such as, but not limited to, strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, C4ISTAR systems (Command, Communications, Information, Control, etc.), as well as space assets and services
• Space asset protection systems
• Artificial intelligence and electronic warfare systems

Countries that have expressed an interest in participating in SAFE and a Timeline for the Next Steps

By 29 July 2025, when the Programme’s first key deadline expired, 19 Member States had expressed an interest in accessing loans through the SAFE mechanism, with potential defence purchases of at least €127 billion.

The Member States in question are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.

The following resources have been tentatively allocated to the Member States as follows:

Member-State Allocation of Resources (€) Belgium 8,340,027,698 Bulgaria 3,261,700,000 Croatia 1,700,000,000 Cyprus 1,181,503,924 Czech Republic 2,060,000,000 Denmark 46,796,822 Estonia 2,660,932,171 Finland 1,000,000,000 France 16,216,720,524 Greece 787,669,283 Hungary 16,216,720,524 Italy 14,900,000,000 Latvia 5,680,431,322 Lithuania 6,375,487,840 Poland 43,734,100,805 Portugal 5,841,179,332 Romania 16,680,055,394 Slovakia 2,316,674,361 Spain 1,000,000,000

 

30 November 2025 Submission of National Defence Investment Plans

January 2026 Adoption of Council Implementing Decisions

February 2026: Negotiation of loan agreements and operational arrangements, triggering pre-financing.

In search of a European strategic culture and interoperability: Behind the Lines

1. The Programme is part of the EU’s overall strategy on the indivisibility of external and internal security—a strategy which informs every strategic and institutional document it produces in relation to internal and foreign policy. SAFE follows in the wake of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, but also the intensification of hybrid threats. It is therefore to be expected that it bears the imprint of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well Moscow’s hybrid attacks against Ukraine and its hybrid operations against EU Member States. Apart from blurring the lines between war and peace—which is a key characteristic of hybrid threats in general—, the specific threat posed by Russia highlights the extent to which internal security is now significantly threatened by a malicious external actor, which can also be a state. This constitutes a further significant change in the recognition and assessment of threats.
2. The main threats that can be addressed through projects submitted to SAFE for funding extend beyond military attack by a hostile nation to include hybrid threats, cyber-attacks, the weaponization of migration and mass border breaches, terrorist attacks, malicious acts, and the sabotaging of critical infrastructure. Which is to say, precisely those threats that are stressed in the broader strategic and political philosophy underpinning the new EU defence policy, mainly via the White Paper on European Defence Preparedness 2030.
3. This works in tandem with the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, which sets out an integrated approach to every threat to the Union’s preparedness for conflict, anthropogenic and natural disasters and crises, the White Paper on European Defence Preparedness 2030, and the Internal Security Strategy: Protecting the EU.
4. SAFE emphasizes investment in the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure/entities, cyberspace, borders, transport, supply chains, information and communication technologies, as well as space investments, technologies and facilities. It is worth noting that most Member States are in the process of transposing the Directive on the Resilience of Critical Entities into national law and developing related strategies.
5. SAFE is a Programme that can further enhance interoperability between the armed and security forces, as well as dual use in the defence / security / civil protection sectors in line with the framework put in place by the EU Preparedness Union Strategy to prevent and react to emerging threats and crises—in particular those in the areas of hybrid threats, border protection, the resilience of critical infrastructure, and cyber security.
6. It can act as a bottom-up catalyst for the emergence of a European strategic culture in both threat identification and investment planning; for the creation of collaborative economies of scale; and for the increased interoperability of assets and systems on the basis of a common European defence capability. This procedure has been followed in other cases where there were difficulties reaching an agreement at the Council level—for example, in the prevention of radicalization. However, there is always the risk that the absence of a statutory coordinating body could lead to fragmented proposals that simply reproduce the various strategic cultures and assessments of risk. Let’s hope that this time, the glass is half-full.

 

[1] For details on SAFE, see the relevant EXPLAINER by S. Blavoukas and P. Politis-Lamprou at https://www.eliamep.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EXPLAINER-4-EL.pdf. More generally, on the European Defence Fund and the EU Defence Industrial Ecosystem, see S. Blavoukos; P. Politis-Lamprou and G. Matsoukas at https://www.eliamep.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Policy-paper-182-Blavoukos-Politis-Matsoukas-FINAL-EL.pdf

[2] https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/safe-security-action-europe_en

[3] The classification is based on their weight and the altitude they can reach under normal conditions. Specifically, they are:
Class I: small>20 kg; mini 2-20 kg, micro<2kg
Class II: 150-600 kg (regular)
Class III: >600 kg with three subcategories (strike, HALE, MALE).
On the categories, and more generally on NATO’s approach to unmanned aerial vehicles, see Joint Air Power Competence Centre https://www.japcc.org/

Ein Flug der Scandinavian Airlines mit der Vizepräsidentin der Europäischen Kommission, Roxana Mînzatu, an Bord musste gestern Abend nach Schweden umgeleitet werden, nachdem der Flughafen Kopenhagen aufgrund von Drohnen-Sichtungen geschlossen worden war. In einem separaten Vorfall meldete auch der Flughafen Oslo Drohnenaktivitäten.

Ce mardi 23 septembre 2025, à Ouagadougou, le Directeur de cabinet de la Présidence du Faso, capitaine Anderson Medah, a procédé à la passation de service entre Le lieutenant Bernard Yaro et le capitaine Philippe Somda, à la tête de l'intendance de la Présidence du Faso.

"La gestion que j'entends instaurer sera placée sous le signe de la collaboration, du don de soi et de la disponibilité de chacun, afin que l'Intendance de la Présidence du Faso puisse continuer à jouer son rôle de soutien essentiel au Chef de l'État, le Capitaine Ibrahim TRAORÉ, dans sa noble mission pour un Burkina Faso libre, uni et prospère" a-t-il promis.

Comme conseil à l'intendant entrant, le capitaine Philippe Somda évoque la loyauté. "Mon lieutenant, ne vous trompez jamais sur le fait que votre première mission c'est de suivre les orientations de son excellence le chef de l'État" a-t-il conseillé, tout en souhaitant plein succès à son successeur.

Lefaso.net
Source : Présidence du Faso

À Kinshasa, le franc congolais enregistre une légère remontée face au dollar américain. Alors que le taux de change oscillait récemment entre 2 800 et 2 900 francs congolais pour 1 USD, il se situe désormais entre 2 700 et 2 750 francs congolais, selon les zones de la capitale et les cambistes.

Bien que modeste, cette évolution suscite l’espoir d’une baisse des prix sur les marchés locaux, notamment chez les consommateurs dont le pouvoir d’achat reste fortement fragilisé.

Die Rufe nach einem Beschuss von unerlaubten Kampfjets aus Russland sind laut, auch US-Präsident Trump sprach sich dafür aus. Helge Adrians ist selbst Offizier und forscht bei der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik zu internationalen Sicherheitsthemen. Worin der Experte aktuell die größte Gefahr sieht.

As androids edge closer to reshaping how we work, interact, and manage conflict and resources, the absence of clear regulations leaves human rights, jobs, and social bonds unprotected. Credit: Shutterstock

By Joseph Chamie
PORTLAND, USA, Sep 23 2025 (IPS)

Despite anxieties, concerns, and warnings, androids or humanoid robots that rely on generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and advanced robotics are increasingly being integrated into the modern lives of human populations. This integration raises serious challenges regarding humanity’s future in an era where androids are emerging rapidly.

Some have expressed concerns that GAI and robots are embedding and intensifying existing societal biases, stereotypes, misogyny, and discrimination in the development of these new technologies.

Soon, androids are expected to change the nature of work, social interactions, conflict resolution, and resource management. However, guidelines, regulations, and protocols for their usage and protecting human rights, employment, and social relationships have not been established yet.

 

Growth

In response to the increasing need for automation in various sectors of society, coupled with declining production costs and increasing corporate investments, the use of androids is evolving rapidly. Breakthroughs in generative artificial intelligence have accelerated the development of androids.

At the start of the 21st century, the world’s population of humans was about 6.2 billion and, except in science fiction novels and movies, androids were essentially non-existent. By 2025, the world’s human population had increased to 8.2 billion, with the number of androids estimated to have grown to about 10 thousand.

By 2050, the global population of humans and androids is projected to reach 9.2 billion and 1 billion, respectively (Table 1).

Source: United Nations and Morgan Stanley.

With many countries facing demographic decline and population ageing, coupled with opposition to immigration in most destination countries, many governments, industries, and organizations are increasingly turning to technologies that incorporate generative artificial intelligence and advanced robotics.

The growth of androids is being driven by several factors, including substantial financial investments, decreasing production costs, and intense competition among countries in the humanoid market. Androids are increasingly being utilized in education, entertainment, healthcare, manufacturing, and household applications.

 

Reactions

The reactions of human populations to androids vary considerably. Many people have mixed feelings toward androids with artificial intelligence but see further developments as “inevitable”.

Although many people use artificial intelligence enabled technologies daily, they fear androids will lead to job displacement, rising unemployment, misuse, abuse, intrusive surveillance, and loss of human connection.

The increasing presence of androids is heightening competition for jobs in the labor market, especially among recent college graduates. This development is potentially leading to widespread unemployment, greater dependence on emerging technologies, and a significant rise in wealth inequality.

The reactions of human populations to artificial intelligence (AI) vary significantly across countries. A survey of views towards AI among 21 countries found significant differences between more developed and less developed countries.

While most of the public in less developed countries, like Brazil, China, and India, had positive views about AI, in more developed countries, like Germany, Japan, and the US, 40% or less of the public had positive views about artificial intelligence (Figure 1).

 

Source: Visual Capitalist.

 

Another survey of G7 countries in 2024 reported that 80% of the respondents feared androids would take away jobs, while 70% believed androids would dominate social interactions.

Furthermore, 60% of the respondents in the survey were uncomfortable with androids and preferred them not to resemble humans. This preference is believed to be partly due to the “uncanny valley” effect, which refers to the eerie or unsettling feeling some people experience in response to humanoid robots and lifelike computer-generated characters (Figure 2).

 

Source: Euronews.

 

Advancements

Further advances in the fields of robotics and GAI have also led to the emergence of Socibots. These androids are designed to be social robots. Utilizing GAI and advanced robotics, they are intended to function as an individual’s friend and offer companionship.

International Gallup surveys have found that approximately one-fifth of the global population experienced loneliness “a lot of the day yesterday”. The World Health Organization (WHO) also reports that social isolation and loneliness affect over one billion people worldwide.

Without proper regulations and guardrails focusing on safety, fairness, and basic human rights, it is uncertain how androids can integrate into human populations without posing risks to human wellbeing and the future of humanity

Equipped with sensors and GAI, Socibots are designed to interact and communicate with humans using social behaviors. They are intended to be companions, educators, and assistants, and are expected to be used in hospitals, schools, and homes as their capabilities improve.

Socibots are becoming more expressive, emotionally intelligent, and personable, specifically designed to be a person’s friend. Companies are investing billions of dollars into developing Socibots that can remember individuals, understand their emotions, and engage in natural conversation.

In contrast to Socibots, warbots are robots, unmanned vehicles or devices designed for military operations and warfare. These warbots are autonomous or remote-controlled mobile robots intended for military applications

Military and security forces around the world are currently utilizing autonomous weapons systems, or warbots, which can identify and attack targets with varying degrees of human oversight. These systems are rapidly advancing with the progress of generative artificial intelligence.

Although autonomous “killer robots” capable of selecting and engaging targets without human intervention are in development, they are not yet widely deployed on the battlefield. There is a growing focus on increasing the autonomy of warbots to operate independently and behind enemy lines.

 

Concerns

Over 120 countries and various organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, have called for an international ban on the development and use of autonomous warbots that can select and attack targets without human control.

However, some governments believe that an international ban is unnecessary. They maintain autonomous robotics could save the lives of soldiers who might otherwise be killed on the battlefield. They also stress that most military robots are tele-operated and unarmed, with many used for reconnaissance, surveillance, sniper detection, and neutralizing explosive devices.

Some individuals suffer from robophobia, an anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of androids and robots with generative artificial intelligence. Many of these individuals view the increasing presence of humanoid robots as creepy, hazardous, and a menace to society.

The increasing presence of androids is heightening competition for jobs in the labor market, replacing many human jobs, potentially leading to widespread unemployment, greater dependence on emerging technologies, and a significant rise in wealth inequality. Some individuals are concerned about the potential for social isolation, reliance, and loss of human connection as androids take on roles as companions and service providers.

The global efforts towards advancements in generative artificial intelligence are demanding substantial amounts of electricity. Many billions of dollars are reportedly flowing into the data centers needed to power artificial intelligence. The International Energy Agency projects that by 2030, data centers will require slightly more energy than Japan consumes today.

However, others, especially those benefiting financially, downplay the rising concerns and emphasize the potential benefits of androids. These benefits include increased efficiency, additional labor, higher productivity, business opportunities, enhanced safety, entertainment, personal help, and companionship.

Despite notable advancements, some observers have cautioned about the “humanoid hype”. They note that robots are not acquiring real-world skills as quickly as AI chatbots are gaining language fluency. They expect many more decades of research and development in robotics will be needed before androids can perform these necessary skills.

Some individuals, often referred to as doomsayers, have expressed concerns about the risks involved in the rapid growth of GAI, particularly warning about its potential for disruption and human manipulation.

The development of powerful generative artificial intelligence systems may eventually surpass human intelligence, reach singularity, and evade human control. Experts caution that this alarming progression could lead to catastrophic consequences for human populations.

 

Conclusions

Recent advancements in generative artificial intelligence and robotics have led to an increase in the introduction of androids into modern society. The emergence of androids presents significant challenges for human populations, especially concerning humanity’s future in a world dominated by generative artificial intelligence and humanlike robotics.

While some see further developments as inevitable, there is concern that future androids, possibly arriving within the next five years, could become excessively intrusive, disruptive, and replace many human jobs, particularly entry-level jobs in fields such as law, finance and consulting. Some have issued warnings about the rapidly expanding influence of robotics and generative artificial intelligence, approaching the likely scenario with caution rather than enthusiasm.

Additionally, there are concerns about potential social isolation, dependency, and a lack of human connection as androids take on roles as companions and service providers. However, some, particularly those with financial investments, downplay these concerns and emphasize the advantages and benefits of androids.

Without proper regulations and guardrails focusing on safety, fairness, and basic human rights, it is uncertain how androids can integrate into human populations without posing risks to human wellbeing and the future of humanity. It is also unclear how individuals, especially children, will react to humanoid robots with advanced generative artificial intelligence offering assistance and making contributions.

 Joseph Chamie is a consulting demographer, a former director of the United Nations Population Division, and author of many publications on population issues, including his recent book, “Population Levels, Trends, and Differentials”.

 

60 femmes souffrant de fistule ont bénéficié d’une intervention chirurgicale gratuite à l’hôpital général de référence de Kirungu, dans le territoire de Moba, en province du Tanganyika. Cette campagne médicale organisée par la fondation Artemedis, a permis à des patientes venues de diverses localités du territoire d’être prises en charge.

597845 Training participants capturing moments together during the session.

Bishkek, 16 September 2025 – The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB), in co-operation with the OSCE Secretariat, OSCE CPC project in support of the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004), funded by the EU through UNODA and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, is convening the Annual National Round Table on the Coordination of the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004). The event will take place from 16 to 19 September 2025 in the Issyk-Kul region.

The Round Table is organized within the framework of the POiB project “Strengthening National Capacities to Implement Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Commitments.” It highlights the long-standing partnership between the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the OSCE in advancing non-proliferation and arms control objectives, in line with the country’s international obligations.

The high-level event will bring together representatives of government institutions, the interagency working group on UNSCR 1540, national experts, and international partners. Discussions will focus on strengthening interagency coordination, improving the national legislative and regulatory framework, and enhancing institutional capacities to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Participants will review progress under the current National Action Plan (2022–2025), reflect on achievements and challenges, and identify priorities for the next phase (2026–2030). In a broader context, the Round Table will serve as a platform to exchange good practices, assess existing gaps, and explore opportunities for further international support in fulfilling Kyrgyzstan’s non-proliferation commitments.

Their contributions of experts will provide valuable international perspectives and foster the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and avenues for enhanced cooperation in implementing UNSCR 1540 and related instruments, including the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention.

By providing a structured forum for dialogue, the Round Table contributes to the effective implementation of UNSCR 1540 and reinforces the joint commitment of the Kyrgyz Republic, the OSCE, and international partners to regional and global security.

Analysts, however, warn that economic activity in the euro area is “still a long way from seeing any real momentum”

Après la violation de son espace aérien par la Russie, le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU s'est réuni lundi à la demande de l'Estonie et les représentants des 32 pays de l'Otan se retrouvent ce mardi. À l'est de la mer Baltique, le golfe de Finlande s'impose plus que jamais comme une zone de friction entre Moscou et l’Occident. 

L’US Air Force n’a pas de temps a perdre, a martelé son chef d’état-major, le général David Allvin, lors de la conférence Air, Space and Cyber organisée par l’Air & Space Forces Association [AFA], le 22 septembre. Aussi, le programme NGAD [Next Generation Air Dominance], qui vise à développer un « système de systèmes » reposant sur...

Cet article L’US Air Force assure que l’avion de combat de 6e génération F-47 volera en 2028 est apparu en premier sur Zone Militaire.

La commission des Affaires juridiques (JURI) du Parlement européen a rejeté mardi 23 septembre la demande de la justice hongroise visant à lever l’immunité de Péter Magyar, eurodéputé du Parti populaire européen (PPE) et chef de file de l’opposition hongroise.

The post La commission JURI du Parlement rejette la demande de levée de l’immunité du chef de l’opposition hongroise appeared first on Euractiv FR.

'As much as we seek to double down, the price tag will only go up'

Des personnalités politiques, à l'image de l'eurodéputé grec Nikolas Farantouris (La Gauche), estiment que la candidature égyptienne est incompatible avec la station balnéaire en construction près du monastère Sainte-Catherine, considéré comme un site d'une valeur universelle exceptionnelle (VUE) par l'UNESCO.

The post Comment un mégaprojet touristique dans le Sinaï menace la candidature de l’Égypte à l’UNESCO appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Le gouverneur militaire du Nord-Kivu a procédé ce lundi 22 septembre à la remise officielle de 30 motos et 4 jeeps Land Cruiser aux différents services de sécurité déployés dans la ville et le territoire de Beni. Cette initiative vise à renforcer la capacité des forces de l’ordre pour faire face aux menaces sécuritaires persistantes dans la région du Grand Nord.

The D9+ comprise 13 of the EU’s most digitally advanced and pro-innovation member states. Recent data from a number of these countries tells a compelling story: where digital-friendly and harmonised regulatory environments exist, investment follows. The transformation of Europe’s digital economy continues to demonstrate how forward-looking policies can drive growth and create jobs across the […]