Halt illegal imports of conflict minerals from DRC, campaigners urge EU

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Law to stop armed groups profiting from trade in gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum is being breached, rights groups say

The European Union has been urged to clamp down on illegal imports of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after evidence was found that current regulations had been breached.

The advocacy group Global Witness (GW) said there remained a “high risk” of the EU’s mineral imports being used to fund militias and state repression in several countries.

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Austria’s Kickl brings Europe’s anti-populist firewall crashing down – POLITICO Europe

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  1. Austria’s Kickl brings Europe’s anti-populist firewall crashing down  POLITICO Europe
  2. Austrian far right and conservatives reach budget accord in a step toward new government  The Associated Press
  3. Austria’s Freedom Party Breaks Ranks on Ukraine  Responsible Statecraft
  4. Vienna tries to allay Brussels’ fears over looming far-right government  Financial Times
  5. Marc Champion: When the far right wins in Hitler’s birthplace  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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Ukraine fires US, British missiles into Russia, launches one of largest drone attacks so far – CNN

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  1. Ukraine fires US, British missiles into Russia, launches one of largest drone attacks so far  CNN
  2. Ukraine fired a barrage of its most advanced weapons at Russia, a show of strength before Trump takes power  Business Insider
  3. Ukrainian Drones Flew 400 Miles To Double-Tap a Russian Bomber Base  Forbes
  4. Ukraine Launches ‘Massive’ Drone Attacks Inside Russia, Officials Say  The New York Times
  5. Ukraine launches largest air attacks on Russia since start of war  Al Jazeera English
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The Senate is considering the Laken Riley Act. Here’s what it would do – Los Angeles Times

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  1. The Senate is considering the Laken Riley Act. Here’s what it would do  Los Angeles Times
  2. White House reporter: ‘Michelle Obama has made no secret about her feelings towards Donald Trump’  CNN
  3. Opinion | Democrats Will Regret Helping to Pass the Laken Riley Act  The New York Times
  4. U.S. Senate  C-SPAN
  5. Democrats will get amendments to Senate immigration bill, says key Republican  POLITICO
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Hip-hop producer Madlib’s home and record collection destroyed in LA fires

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Influential musician confirms loss of extensive record collection amassed over 30 years

The celebrated hip-hop producer Madlib has confirmed the loss of his extensive record collection and much of his recording equipment along with his home in the wildfires that have swept across California and killed at least 25 people.

The influential musician, who has worked with some of the most prominent names in rap including Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and MF DOOM, is known for his sample-heavy production style. His record collection, amassed over 30 years, acted as the backbone of that work.

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Australia warns of ‘strongest possible action’ if citizen killed in Ukraine – Al Jazeera English

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  1. Australia warns of ‘strongest possible action’ if citizen killed in Ukraine  Al Jazeera English
  2. Russia faces ‘strongest action possible’ from Australia if POW confirmed dead  This Week In Asia
  3. 'Grave concern' for Australian man reportedly killed by Russian forces  BBC.com
  4. PM promises ‘strongest action possible’ against Russia if death of Australian Oscar Jenkins confirmed  The Guardian
  5. Friends serving with Oscar Jenkins in Ukraine believe Australian killed shortly after capture  ABC News
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Estimated Gaza Toll May Have Missed 25,000 Deaths, Study Says – The New York Times

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  1. Estimated Gaza Toll May Have Missed 25,000 Deaths, Study Says  The New York Times
  2. LIVE: Israel kills 62 in a day despite reports of Gaza truce deal progress  Al Jazeera English
  3. Israeli strike on Gaza's Deir al-Balah kills at least 10 Palestinians, wounds others, medics say  Reuters
  4. Middle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 17, medics say, as Hamas accepts a ceasefire draft  The Associated Press
  5. Live: Israeli strikes on Gaza escalate as ceasefire talks edge forward  Middle East Eye
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European jitters about Trump 2.0 not shared by much of world, poll finds

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Exclusive: Findings suggest ‘weakening of west’ as relations become more transactional, say report’s authors

European anxiety about Donald Trump’s return to the White House is not shared in much of the world, a poll has shown, with more people in non-western powers such as China, Russia, India and Brazil welcoming his second term than not.

The 24-country poll, which also included Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Indonesia and Turkey, found that Switzerland, the UK, 11 EU nations surveyed and South Korea were alone in feeling Trump 2.0 would be bad for their country and for peace in the world.

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