According to the Myanmar Opium Survey 2025, poppy cultivation rose by 17 per cent over the past year, from 45,200 hectares in 2024 to 53,100 hectares in 2025 – reversing a brief dip and confirming a steady upward trend since 2020. A ‘critical moment’ Opium derived from poppies is the naturally occurring primary active ingredient […]
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December 2025 – Amnesty International has accused Turkish authorities of systematically misusing the criminal justice system following the acquittal of 87 protesters, journalists and lawyers who were detained for eight months after participating in largely peaceful demonstrations earlier this year Jurist Amnesty International. The protests, held between March 19 and 26, erupted in response to […]
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December 2025 – A U.S. federal court in Delaware has granted final approval for the sale of shares in Citgo Petroleum’s parent company, clearing the way for Amber Energy, an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management, to acquire the Venezuelan‑owned refiner for $5.9 billion. The ruling marks the last major legal step in a two‑year court‑supervised […]
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December 2025 – Black Friday has once again underscored the strength of global e‑commerce, with online sales soaring to $11.8 billion in the United States and an estimated $79 billion worldwide, according to data from Adobe Analytics and industry trackers monitoring global retail performance. Analysts say the surge was driven by aggressive discounting, early holiday […]
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“When inclusion is real, everyone benefits,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. He stressed that people with disabilities drive progress that benefits everyone, highlighting how their leadership has improved disaster preparedness, expanded inclusive education and employment, and ensured that humanitarian responses reach those most at risk. ‘Structural failures’ persist The head of the […]
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On the Bonthe Sherbro River estuary of Sierra Leone, the air is filled with the scent of saltwater, fish, and woodsmoke. For the people who live here, daily life revolves around the rhythms of the estuary, and many have built their livelihoods around the resources of the sea and land. However, intensive harvesting of mangrove […]
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Communities in Dilling and Kadugli in the south are trapped in “siege conditions,” according to children’s agency UNICEF. Additionally, there have been reports of sustained attacks in recent days in West Kordofan. Meanwhile, the situation in and around El Fasher – which UN relief chief Tom Fletcher called a “potential crime scene” following its capture by […]
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Dublin, December 3, 2025 – Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, Seanad Spokesperson on Dublin, Local Government & Heritage, has issued a strong appeal for increased government funding to support Ireland’s youth services, warning that current levels of support are precarious and unsustainable. Funding Crisis in Youth Work Fitzpatrick praised the dedication of youth workers but stressed that […]
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Israeli security forces raided the organisation’s offices in Ramallah and Hebron on 1 December, vandalising property and detaining staff. According to OHCHR, people present in the buildings were blindfolded, handcuffed and made to kneel or lie on the floor for several hours. Eight men were detained. The union (UAWC) is licensed under Palestinian law and has supported farmers and rural communities for decades – […]
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The Commission has proposed several new initiatives to strengthen the EU’s economic security and boost competitiveness. A strategic approach to strengthen Europe’s economic security The new approach outlines concrete steps to make the EU stronger and more resilient in the face of growing external economic threats, while remaining open and committed to international trade and […]
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