World News in Brief: South Sudan urged to avoid slide to war, Türk calls on EU not to weaken landmark law, Ukraine and Mali updates

The Quartet is calling on the country’s leaders to end hostilities and return to dialogue to fully implement the 2018 peace agreement known as the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence in 2011 but soon descended into a […]

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Costa Rica’s refugee lifeline at breaking point amid funding crisis

“Without funding, asylum seekers are left in limbo – undocumented, unsupported and increasingly desperate,” said Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection. Her comments follow a 41 per cent budget cut to the UN agency’s operations in the country that have had devastating consequences. “This is not about luxuries; the assistance we’re cutting is critical […]

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US Announced New Humanitarian Aid Plan for Gaza to End Ongoing Blockade

The United States has announced a new initiative to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, with operations expected to commence “very soon,” according to U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. This plan aims to address the severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has been in place since March 2025. […]

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Chile: Six-Month Silence Fuels Outrage Over Julia Chuñil’s Disappearance

Six months after the unexplained disappearance of Mapuche land defender Julia Chuñil, Chilean civil society has intensified its demands for justice and accountability. On May 9, 2025, under persistent rain, hundreds of activists rallied in Santiago and across the country, denouncing the state’s inaction and the media’s silence regarding her case. A Life Dedicated to […]

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Russian Journalist Ekaterina Barabash Escapes to Paris following Incessant Crackdown on Dissent

Russian journalist Ekaterina Barabash has arrived in Paris after a perilous escape from Moscow, where she faced up to 10 years in prison for social media posts critical of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Assisted by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Barabash dismantled her electronic monitoring bracelet and traveled clandestinely over 2,800 kilometers to evade authorities. RSF […]

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Vietnam: End Persecution of Human Rights Activist

(Bangkok) – The Vietnamese authorities should immediately release the prominent human rights activist Trinh Ba Phuong and drop all charges against him, Human Rights Watch said today. In April 2025, the authorities in Quang Nam province charged Trinh Ba Phuong under article 117 of the penal code with anti-state propaganda. He was already serving a 10-year prison […]

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UN rights body rules Guatemala failed displaced Mayan Peoples

The landmark decision, announced on Thursday, also considered the harm caused to succeeding generations. “Forced displacement is permanent in nature until the victims benefit from a safe and dignified return to their place of habitual residence or are voluntarily resettled elsewhere,” said Committee member Hélène Tigroudja. Conflict, displacement and violations The Committee found that the […]

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Italian Journalists Targeted by Spyware: Press Freedom Under Threat

Italy is facing a significant press freedom crisis following the targeting of investigative journalists with sophisticated spyware. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has raised alarms over these incidents, urging Italian authorities to conduct thorough investigations. Spyware Attacks on Journalists In early 2025, Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of Fanpage.it, received a notification from WhatsApp informing him […]

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Kosovo’s Press Freedom in Freefall: A Pressing Crisis

Kosovo’s press freedom has plummeted to its lowest point in over 15 years, dropping to 99th place in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index. This marks a significant decline from 56th place in 2023 and 75th in 2024, positioning Kosovo among the worst performers in Europe and the Western Balkans . Key […]

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EU’s Top Diplomat Urges Israel to End Gaza Aid Blockade following Worsening Crisis

Brussels, May 2025 –The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, has called on Israel to immediately lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza, now in its ninth consecutive week, warning that the obstruction violates international law and exacerbates civilian suffering. In a phone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on […]

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