Human Rights Watch Condemns Violent Crackdown on Moroccan Youth Protesters

On 15 October 2025, HRW issued a statement denouncing the violent dispersal of protests that have swept Morocco since late September. The demonstrations, led by the youth movement GenZ212, have called for sweeping reforms in healthcare, education, employment, and anti‑corruption measures. According to HRW, security forces, including the Royal Gendarmerie, used water cannons, physical force, […]

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African Continental Brief – Business, Technology, Human Rights, Geopolitics, and Security: October 16, 2025

Business African Business and Human Rights Forum Pushes for AccountabilityThe 4th African Business and Human Rights Forum, held in Lusaka, Zambia (7–9 October), brought together governments, civil society, and corporate leaders to advance responsible business conduct. Discussions focused on remedy and reparations frameworks, corporate accountability, and aligning African markets with international human rights and environmental […]

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Calls for Justice in Death of Journalist Hakan Tosun in Turkey

Istanbul, 16 October 2025 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Turkish authorities to thoroughly investigate the death of Hakan Tosun, a freelance reporter and documentary filmmaker, who died on 13 October after being assaulted in Istanbul. Tosun, 50, was attacked on 11 October in the city’s Esenyurt district by two men […]

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Afghan quake aftermath: Children facing heightened risk from disease

The severe risk of disease outbreak comes after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit a remote eastern area of Afghanistan on 31 August near the Pakistan border, destroying water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure. “The earthquake has flattened homes and taken too many lives, and now threatens to take even more through disease,” warned Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF’s […]

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President Trump–Xi Meeting Still on Track Despite Trade Strains: Washington Signals De‑Escalation

Washington, 15 October 2025 — U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump is prepared to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a summit scheduled for later this month, underscoring that the United States seeks dialogue rather than confrontation with Beijing. The meeting is expected to take place during the Asia‑Pacific […]

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BioNTech Secures $110 Million for Rwanda Vaccine Plant

Kigali, 15 October 2025 — German biotechnology company BioNTech SE has obtained a $110 million financing package from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission to support the expansion of its mRNA vaccine plant in Rwanda. The Kigali facility, first inaugurated in 2023 with modular “BioNTainer” units, is designed to strengthen Africa’s vaccine […]

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EU Climate Diplomacy: one year of strengthening global carbon pricing and markets

Stronger EU climate diplomacy: expanding carbon pricing worldwide presents the first year in review of the European Commission’s Task Force on International Carbon Pricing and Markets Diplomacy. The publication highlights the EU’s efforts to support partner countries in designing and implementing effective carbon pricing systems, fostering international cooperation, and promoting high-integrity carbon markets. It showcases […]

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OSCE Highlights Media Freedom and Journalist Safety in Warsaw

Vienna, 16 October 2025 — The OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference (WHDC), held from 6 to 17 October, convened representatives from 57 participating States, civil society, and media experts to assess the state of human rights and democratic commitments across the region. A central theme was the protection of journalists and the integrity of information […]

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Israel Reopens Rafah Crossing after Hostage Remains Returned by Hamas, Allowing Aid and Fuel to Enter Gaza

Rafah, Egypt/Gaza, 15 October 2025 — Humanitarian aid and fuel trucks began moving into Gaza today through the Rafah border crossing, after Israel agreed to reopen the route following a tense standoff with Hamas over the return of hostage remains. The crossing had been temporarily restricted when Israel accused Hamas of failing to fully comply […]

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Free to love, free to be: the EU’s new LGBTIQ+ strategy

  Social acceptance of LGBTIQ+ people has increased across the EU in the last five years. Some 75% of people say they are comfortable to have gay, lesbian or bisexual colleagues. But LGBTIQ+ people continue to experience disproportionate and unacceptable levels of hate, violence and discrimination. Around one in three LQBTIQ+ people still report experiencing […]

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