Large rise in abuse claims at mines that may be vital to EU’s energy transition, report says

Researchers find 270 allegations at mineral projects across 13 countries in Europe and central Asia last year

Mines on the EU’s periphery that could be critical to its energy transition have recorded a large rise in allegations of abuse ranging from workplace deaths to soil pollution, a report has found, with a threefold increase in 2024 from the average of the five previous years.

The nonprofit Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) found 270 allegations of environmental and human rights abuses in transition mineral projects across 13 countries in Europe and central Asia last year, up from 92 the year before.

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Iran says reimposing UN sanctions would complicate nuclear standoff – Reuters

  1. Iran says reimposing UN sanctions would complicate nuclear standoff  Reuters
  2. Iran to hold nuclear talks with European powers on Friday  Reuters
  3. What Will Bring Iran Back to the Negotiating Table: European Sanctions or the Drought?  Haaretz
  4. Opinion | Snapback To Reality: On Iran's 45-Year Slog To Nowhere  NDTV
  5. Iran to Hold Nuclear Talks With European Governments After Sanctions Threat  The New York Times
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‘We refuse to see them die’: AFP journalists’ union says its Gaza reporters are starving – Haaretz

  1. 'We refuse to see them die': AFP journalists' union says its Gaza reporters are starving  Haaretz
  2. France pushes Israel to let media into Gaza  politico.eu
  3. AFP journalists at risk of starvation in Gaza, news agency says  Euronews.com
  4. AFP journalists in Gaza at risk of starvation, warns journalists' association  Anadolu Ajansı
  5. Hungry And Exhausted, AFP Journalists Document Gaza War  Barron's
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Arrests in China after more than 230 kindergarten children poisoned by lead paint in food

Principal at school in Gansu province reportedly wanted to attract more enrolments by ‘enhancing’ the colour and look of the food served to children

Chinese authorities have arrested six people and launched disciplinary investigations into almost 30 others after more than 230 kindergarten children were poisoned by food coloured with industrial-grade lead paint

The incident, which occurred in Gansu province earlier this month, is one of China’s worst school food safety incidents and has drawn national attention. An investigative report released by the Gansu provincial party committee on Sunday found a litany of failures in safety and oversight, as well as attempts to cover up the incident, bribe people in charge and modify test results.

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Israel intercepts missile fired from Yemen – Reuters

  1. Israel intercepts missile fired from Yemen  Reuters
  2. Houthis take responsibility for ballistic missile launch, claim airport targeted  The Times of Israel
  3. Israel says it attacked Houthi targets in Yemen’s Hodeidah port  Al Jazeera
  4. Israeli Air Force strikes Houthi-controlled Hodeida port in Yemen  Haaretz
  5. World News in Brief: Houthi-Israel tensions, Sudan cholera cases rise, deadly attacks in Ukraine  UN News
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China kindergarten poisoning: Investigation finds cover-up as six arrested – BBC

  1. China kindergarten poisoning: Investigation finds cover-up as six arrested  BBC
  2. Arrests in China after more than 230 kindergarten children poisoned by lead paint in food  theguardian.com
  3. Chinese Officials Helped Cover Up Lead Poisoning of Children, Report Says  The New York Times
  4. Seventeen investigated after nearly 250 children poisoned by lead in their food  Sky News
  5. Chinese lead poisoning scandal raises fresh questions over local governance  South China Morning Post
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Cenotaph wreath rules were changed to placate unionists, Blair-era files show

Archives reveal political manoeuvring to ensure DUP’s inclusion in 2004 Remembrance Sunday ceremony

Tony Blair’s government altered the rules on party leaders laying wreaths at the Cenotaph to keep unionists onboard with Northern Ireland’s peace process, newly released files show.

The decision was taken in the run-up to the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in 2004 to change rules drawn up in 1984 that meant leaders of parties who won at least six seats at the previous general election could lay a wreath.

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