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European Parliament votes to delay deforestation rules with one year

Yesterday, a majority of Members of European Parliament voted in favour of postponing the EU’s new deforestation regulation (EUDR) with one year, so it will only enter into force in January 2026. The European People’s Party, which is the biggest group in the EP, submitted a whole range of amendments, ultimately however pulling amendments that …

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EU “climate tariff” CBAM increasingly under fire

Writing for EU Observer, Frances Li rails against the EU’s new carbon tariff carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). She notes: “The EU prides itself in its progressive values, including its commitment to sustainable development. However, its incoming deforestation regulation and carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) disproportionately burden developing countries–and within them, smaller and medium sized …

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International NGOs Call for Pakistan’s Suspension Over Human Rights Violations

Seventeen leading international human rights organisations have jointly called upon the Commonwealth Heads of Government – who met in Samoa last week – to suspend Pakistan’s membership, citing the country’s poor record on human rights, particularly drawing attention to its blasphemy laws. This group of NGOs argues that the Commonwealth, as an organisation founded on …

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Kazakhstan referendum approves nuclear energy development

More than 70% of voters in Kazakhstan have expressed support for new nuclear energy projects, according to preliminary results from the country’s Central Election Commission. In Sunday’s referendum, which saw a 63% voter turnout, 71.12% of the 7.8 million participants answered “yes” to the question: “Do you agree with the construction of a nuclear power …

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Borrell warns Israel and Lebanon on the brink of war

EU foreign chief Josep Borrell (picture) has called the escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel ‘very dangerous and worrying’. ‘Israel and Lebanon are on the brink of all-out war,’ he warned. The European Union foreign secretary said he remained committed to de-escalating the situation in Lebanon. ‘But our worst expectations are coming true,’ …

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Von der Leyen seeking a solution following global pushback against EU deforestation rules

The EU’s newly enforced anti-deforestation regulation, designed to curb imports tied to deforestation, has sparked global controversy and divided opinions within Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is preparing to propose a solution to the impasse, as both international trading partners and EU politicians voice concerns over the rule’s impact. The regulation, which …

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West Africa’s Terrorism Crisis Deepens as International Involvement Shifts

West Africa has become the world’s terrorism hotspot, creating a rift among European governments on how to respond. While some nations facing increased migration flows advocate for maintaining communication with the region’s military juntas, others are reconsidering their strategy in light of the escalating conflict. In the heart of the Sahel, jihadis launched a bold …

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EP Rapporteur of EU deforestation directive to become European Commissioner

Christophe Hansen (picture), a former member of the European Parliament’s trade committee, has been nominated as Luxembourg’s next European Commissioner. The politician has a background in trade and environmental policy and may reportedly be considered to become the EU’s new Agriculture Commissioner. Reflecting on his nomination, Hansen stated, “I am honored to be entrusted with …

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Protests against bad governance rock Kenya and Nigeria

In a wave of discontent reminiscent of recent youth protests in Kenya, thousands of young Nigerians took to the streets last Thursday to voice their frustrations over corruption, food shortages, and rising inflation. The demonstrations, which gained momentum on social media under the hashtag #EndBadGovernance, were initially planned to span ten days. However, the situation …

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