International issues

With rising exports estimated at $27 billion and several planned investment projects across the continent, Russia has consolidated its position as a key trading partner and strategic investor for Africa. The relationship between Russia and Africa has ascended beyond political…

It might succeed in terms of optics, but this won’t make any substantive difference in reality. The US’ latest sanctions against Russia, the first under the second Trump Administration, are intended less as a weapon against the Russian economy and more as a means…

The Casablanca Declaration sends a contribution to Ms. Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children (see the contribution HERE). The previous UN Rapporteur has already recognised that surrogacy most often corresponds to child sale under international…

(Watchdog group pushes for further actions to enforce the ban and protect human health and the environment) 27 October 2025, Quezon City.  The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition expressed utmost dismay over the brazen violation of the global ban on…

23 October 2025 – Governments are overlooking simple, effective tools to curb methane emissions from waste, analysis of the latest round of national climate plans (NDCs) shows. GAIA examined 14 NDCs submitted to the UN climate body from countries chosen…

In light of the Sumud Global Flotilla (the most ambitious attempt towards Gaza since Oct-2023), it makes sense to question the real power of unarmed resistance in the face of overwhelming force. Beyond the specific act, whose humanitarian value is unquestionable, this…

In observance of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2025 (#ILPPW2025), marked globally from October 19–25, environmental justice organization BAN Toxics, in partnership with Barangay Officials and residents of Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City, organized a colorful community parade and awareness…

In the game of geopolitics, perhaps the most important rule is ‘self-interest first’. In Rakhine, Myanmar’s every internal actor, including the military junta, the civilian govt. (NLD) and the United League of Arakan (ULA) or the Arakan Army (AA) sought…

The non-profit organization Hiking for Peace (www.wandernfuerdenfrieden.org / www.hikingforpeace.org) is calling on people worldwide to participate in a joint candlelight event for tolerance, environmental protection, and world peace on April 6, 2026. Under the motto “Peace Wave Festival,” fires will…

They’re all primarily due to his belief (however possibly mistaken) that Putin won’t risk tensions spiraling out of control in response. It was earlier assessed that “The Next Putin-Trump Meeting Might Lead To Something Tangible This Time Around” due to…