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Durant l’été, les horaires des trains entre Lausanne et Genève seront modifiés à cause de travaux de réfection à Saint-Prex.

Irish PM launched a scathing attack on the tobacco industry’s role in promoting e-cigarettes, describing vaping as a deliberate strategy ‘to get nicotine back on the agenda.’

Le tribunal pénal près la Cour d’Oum El-Bouaghi a condamné lourdement en appel quatre adolescents pour association de malfaiteurs et incendie volontaire de véhicules non […]

L’article 4 adolescents condamnés à 10 ans de prison à Oum El Bouagui est apparu en premier sur .

Une audition parlementaire sur les conditions de travail chez Amazon s’est tenue au Parlement européen ce jeudi 26 juin en l’absence de représentants de l’entreprise. Une absence qui a suscité l’indignation des eurodéputés.

The post Amazon snobe le Parlement européen : la colère monte chez les eurodéputés appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Plusieurs élèves sont morts à la suite d'une explosion dans un lycée de la capitale centrafricaine. Ce qui s'est passé.

Plusieurs élèves sont morts à la suite d'une explosion dans un lycée de la capitale centrafricaine. Ce qui s'est passé.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Living in Camp Roe in the Democratic Republic of Congo Credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

By Juliana White
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 26 2025 (IPS)

The demand for cobalt and other minerals is fueling a decades-long humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In pursuit of money to support their families, Congolese laborers face abuse and life-threatening conditions working in unregulated mines.

Used in a variety of products ranging from vitamins to phone and car batteries, minerals are a necessity, making daily tasks run smoothly. The DRC is currently known as the world’s largest producer of cobalt, accounting for nearly 75 percent of global cobalt production. With such high demands for the mineral, unsafe and poorly regulated mining operations are widespread across the DRC.

The exploitation of workers is largely seen in informal, artisanal, small-scale mines, which account for 15 to 30 percent of the DRC’s cobalt production. Unlike large industrial mines with access to powerful machines, artisanal mine workers typically excavate by hand. They face toxic fumes, dust inhalation, and the risk of landslides and mines collapsing daily.

Aside from unpaid forced labor, artisanal small-scale mines can be a surprisingly good source of income for populations with limited education and qualifications. The International Peace Information Service (IPIS) reports that miners can make around 2.7 to 3.3 USD per day. In comparison, about 73 percent of the population in the DRC makes 1.90 USD or less per day. However, even with slightly higher incomes than most, miners still struggle to make ends meet.

Adult workers are not the only group facing labor abuse. Due to minimal regulations and governing by labor inspectors, artisanal mines commonly use child labor. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs reports that children between the ages of 5 and 17 years old are forced to work in mineral mines across the DRC.

“They are unremunerated and exploited, and the work is often fatal as the children are required to crawl into small holes dug into the earth,” said Hervé Diakiese Kyungu, a Congolese civil rights attorney.

Kyungu testified at a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 2022. The hearing was on the use of child labor in China-backed cobalt mines in the DRC. Kyungu also said that in many cases, children are forced into this work without any protection.

Children go into the mines “…using only their hands or rudimentary tools without protective equipment to extract cobalt and other minerals,” said Kyungu.

Despite the deadly humanitarian issue at hand, the solution to creating a more sustainable and safe work environment for miners is not simple. The DRC has a deep history of using forced labor for profit. Starting in the 1880s, Belgium’s King Leopold relied on forced labor by hundreds of ethnic communities across the Congo River Basin to cultivate and trade rubber, ivory and minerals.

While forced and unsafe conditions kill thousands each year, simply shutting down artisanal mining operations is not the solution. Mining can be a significant source of income for many Congolese living in poverty.

Armed groups also control many artisanal mining operations. These groups use profits acquired from mineral trading to fund weapons and fighters. It is estimated that for the past 20 years, the DRC has experienced violence from around 120 armed groups and security forces.

“The world’s economies, new technologies and climate change are all increasing demand for the rare minerals in the eastern Congo—and the world is letting criminal organisms steal and sell these minerals by brutalizing my people,” said Pétronille Vaweka during the 2023 U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) award ceremony.

Vaweka is a Congolese grandmother who has mediated peace accords in local wars.

“Africans and Americans can both gain by ending this criminality, which has been ignored too long,” said Vaweka.

One way to mitigate the crisis is through stricter laws and regulations. Many humanitarian organizations, such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), strongly advocate for such change.

The UN has deployed a consistent stream of peacekeepers in the DRC since the country’s independence in 1960. Notable groups such as the UN Operation in the Congo (ONUC) and the UN Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC) were established to ensure order and peace. MONUC later expanded in 2010 to the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).

Alongside peace missions, the UN has made multiple initiatives to combat illegal mineral trading. They also created the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which is dedicated to helping children in humanitarian crises.

The ILO has seen success through its long-standing project called the Global Accelerator Lab (GALAB). Its goal is to increase good practices and find new solutions to end child labor and forced labor worldwide. Their goal markers include innovation, strengthening workers’ voices, social protection and due diligence with transparency in supply chains.

One group they have set up to coordinate child protection is the Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation System (CLMRS). In 2024, the ILO reported that the program had registered over 6,200 children engaged in mining in the Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces.

Additionally, GALAB is working on training more labor and mining inspectors to monitor conditions and practices.

While continued support by various aid groups has significantly helped the ongoing situation in the DRC, more action is needed.

“This will require a partnership of Africans and Americans and those from other developed countries. But we have seen this kind of exploitation and war halted in Sierra Leone and Liberia—and the Africans played the leading role, with support from the international community,” Vaweka said. “We need an awakening of the world now to do the same in Congo. It will require the United Nations, the African Union, our neighboring countries. But the call to world action that can make it possible still depends on America as a leader.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

 

Billionaires party in Venice – locals aren’t celebrating.

Le parquet près le tribunal de Dar El Beïda a requis une peine de 7 ans de prison ferme et une amende de 700 000 […]

L’article 7 ans de prison requis contre Mohamed Lamine Belghith est apparu en premier sur .

Written by Alessandro D’Alfonso, Martin Höflmayr and Giulio Sabbati.

The EU’s trade-dependent economy faces uncertainty from global trade policy shifts, prompting calls to strengthen domestic demand. Economic growth forecasts for the years ahead have been downgraded, reflecting this uncertainty. Anticipatory trade to avoid US tariffs peaked in March 2025, as EU exports to the US rose by 59 % in the first quarter of 2025, but has subsided since. The final phase of the Next Generation EU recovery instrument is expected to support public investment and economic activity, but EU countries must step up efforts – in some cases significantly – to ensure full implementation of their national recovery and resilience plans by 31 August 2026.

Read this infographic on ‘Economic Outlook Quarterly: Fragmented trade, untapped potential at home‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

RRF milestones and targets still to be assessed GDP growth in the EU
Quarterly, % change compared to same period in previous year EU-27 goods exports to the US
€ billion Cumulative growth prospects 2025-26
2024 = 100 Fiscal balance, % of GDP Government consolidated gross debt
Change Q4-2019 vs Q2-2024, percentage points of GDP EU inflation
Harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) monthly data, annual rate of change % Total unemployment rate in the EU EU/US economic and domestic demand growth
2010Q4 = 100, 4-quarter moving average Average annual contribution to economic growth
Contribution to real GDP, percentage points Next Generation EU (NGEU) Proposed 2025 CSRs on the RRF

Christophe Hansen says Ukraine’s possible EU membership would put pressure on farm payment model.

Un projet industriel peut-il devenir un levier de souveraineté économique ? Au port d’Arzew, cette équation prend forme autour d’un important chantier portuaire. Alors que […]

L’article Port d’Arzew : Sayoud presse les travaux d’un projet jugé « vital » pour l’économie est apparu en premier sur .

Le Palais des congrès accueille dès ce vendredi 27 juin 2025, la 5e édition des Nuits artistiques et culturelles de Cotonou. Ce grand rendez-vous artistique est une initiative du Ministère du tourisme, de la culture et des arts, mise en œuvre par l'Agence de développement des arts et de la culture (ADAC).

À partir du 27 juin, le Palais des Congrès devient le théâtre d'une nouvelle édition des soirées consacrées à la créativité et à l'expression scénique à l'occasion des NACC. Cet évènement est désormais inscrit en milieu d'année, juste après la fête de la musique, afin de permettre la mise en œuvre des initiatives privées en fin d'année.

Les NACC offrent un espace ouvert à une multitude de disciplines : théâtre, danse, humour, arts visuels. Cette cinquième édition ne dérogera pas à la règle. Elle entend au contraire aller plus loin, en révélant aussi bien des figures confirmées que de jeunes talents.

Des soirées gratuites ouvertes à tous

Les habitants de Cotonou et environs pourront assister à une programmation foisonnante. Les spectacles proposés les 27, 29 juin, 4 et 5 juillet sont conçus pour faire écho aux sensibilités diverses du public et refléter la pluralité de la scène locale.

L'évènement s'inscrit dans la volonté du gouvernement de démocratiser l'accès à la culture et de renforcer le lien entre les artistes et les communautés. Dans un contexte de redynamisation du secteur culturel béninois, les NACC s'imposent plus que jamais comme un catalyseur de talents et un miroir vivant de la scène béninoise. Une invitation à célébrer, ensemble, la beauté de l'expression artistique sous toutes ses formes.

Dans la matinée de ce jeudi 26 juin 2025, le chef de l'Etat Patrice TALON selon des sources concordantes, a sollicité le bureau de l'Assemblée nationale pour le remplacement de Paulin AKPONNA, ministre de l'énergie, de l'eau et des mines.

Sanction au gouvernement de Patrice TALON. Le ministre de l'énergie, de l'eau et des mines, Paulin AKPONNA est en phase d'être relevé de ses fonctions. Le bureau de l'Assemblée nationale, apprend-on, est sollicité à cet effet.
José Didier TONATO, ministre du cadre de vie en charge des transports et du développement durable est proposé pour le remplacer. Un décret du chef de l'Etat est attendu pour confirmer le départ de son ministre de l'énergie de l'eau et des mines.
Les raisons précises du départ de ce collaborateur du chef de l'Etat ne sont pas encore connues. Cependant, lors d'une visite à Parakou il y a quelques jours, Paulin AKPONNA a exprimé sa profonde consternation face à l'absence persistante d'eau potable et d'électricité malgré des investissements massifs engagés depuis 2016. Il a dénoncé à l'occasion, la gestion opaque et irresponsable du budget public. Il s'est aussi s'insurgé contre le ‘'siphonage'' des ressources publics sous la gouvernance de Patrice TALON.

F. A. A.

Les candidats à l'examen du Brevet d'études du premier cycle (BEPC), session de juin 2025, seront fixés sur leur sort le lundi 7 juillet prochain.

Le calendrier de déroulement de l'examen du BEPC suit son cours normal. Après la phase écrite et celle de l'anonymat, place est fait à la correction des copies, en cours depuis le lundi 23 juin dernier. Afin de s'assurer du bon déroulement de cette phase sensible de l'examen, le ministre des enseignements secondaire, technique et de la formation professionnelle, Véronique TOGNIFODE a effectué une descente au centre de correction du CEG Sainte Rita ce mercredi 25 juin 2025.
Au terme de cette visite et des informations qui lui sont parvenues de tous les autres centres de correction répandus à travers tout le pays, la ministre rassure : « Tout se déroule dans les normes ».
Pour le directeur des Examens et concours, Armand NATTA, le calendrier de déroulement de la session de juin 2025, de l'examen du BEPC se déroule normalement. La première délibération, a-t-il annoncé est prévue pour le lundi 7 juillet 2025.
Cette année 2025, 128.898 candidats dont 64.209 filles ont composé à l'examen du BEPC.

F. A. A.

Il devrait être le candidat démocrate à la mairie de New York dans une course qui pourrait avoir des implications pour le parti au niveau national.

Aujourd’hui dans Les Capitales : interview avec le chef du plus grand groupe politique de l’UE, confessions d’un ancien lobbyiste de Huawei, les enjeux du sommet européen, von der Leyen s’exprime sur l’interdiction de la Pride de Budapest, et la justice polonaise va bientôt se prononcer sur la validité de la présidentielle.

The post Les Capitales : Manfred Weber, l’inarrêtable appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Au Bénin, les députés de la 9e législature ont adopté à l'unanimité, la loi 2025-14, qui encadre désormais le secteur de la microfinance. Le texte en plus des innovations majeures qu'elle apporte, renforce la gouvernance du secteur et protège les bénéficiaires.

Une nouvelle loi gouverne le secteur de la microfinance au Bénin. Le texte adopté à l'unanimité des députés oblige désormais les Institutions de microfinance (IMF) à se doter d'un Conseil d'administration. Le but visé étant de renforcer la gouvernance interne du secteur. Le texte adopté par la représentation nationale définit les rôles et responsabilités de l'autorité de tutelle, élargit le champ des activités autorisées aux IMF et instaure un capital social minimum.
Ces mesures selon le rapport de la commission des finances, visent à garantir une meilleure solidité financière des institutions et à limiter les risques systémiques. L'amélioration du principe de proportionnalité, le renforcement de la gouvernance, l'introduction de la finance islamique, la consolidation des exigences comptables et prudentielles, ainsi que la protection des coopérateurs et le traitement des IMF en difficulté constituent les principales innovations.
Au cours du débat général, les discussions ont porté entre autres sur la protection des bénéficiaires, surtout leur surendettement, l'harmonisation des garanties exigées par les IMF, la mise en conformité des IMF et la protection des institutions face aux clients de mauvaise foi, etc.
Cette nouvelle loi qui encadre le secteur de la microfinance au Bénin a été saluée par les députés, toute tendance confondue.

F. A. A.

Delegates at AFPPD’s Sub-Regional Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Women Empowerment and Investment in Young People, which focused on the ICPD Program of Action and 2030 Agenda. Credit: People’s Majlis of the Republic of Maldives

By Cecilia Russell
MALÉ & JOHANNESBURG, Jun 26 2025 (IPS)

A meeting of parliamentarians in Malé, the Maldives, pledged to provide an enabling environment for emerging women leaders by supporting them and promoting a political culture rooted in mutual respect, inclusivity, and equal opportunity.

This was one of the main features of the Malé Declaration, agreed to by more than 40 participants from parliaments, governments, international organizations, NGOs, youth organizations, and academia across 15 countries during the AFPPD’s Sub-Regional Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Women Empowerment and Investment in Young People, which focused on the ICPD Program of Action and 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, aiming to address youth and women empowerment.

The meeting was co-hosted by the People’s Majlis of the Maldives and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) through the Japan Trust Fund (JTF).

The lawmakers agreed to commission evidence-based research on barriers to women’s political participation. The research will “examine the social, cultural, economic, and institutional impediments to women’s pursuit of political office and leadership roles in the member states in Asia, including the Maldives,” the declaration said, with the outcomes serving as a foundation for targeted policy interventions and legislative reforms to enhance women’s political engagement.

Dr. Anara Naeem, MP, Huraa Constituency/Maldives

In an interview ahead of the meeting, Dr. Anara Naeem (MP, Huraa Constituency/Maldives) told IPS that advocating for women’s rights started when they were young and parliamentarians had an active role in ensuring that women are encouraged to become involved in the economy.

Reacting to a question on the UNFPA research, which shows that 40 percent of young women are not engaged in employment, education, or training (NEET), she noted many core challenges, including high youth unemployment despite free education up to a first university degree. The country, like others, had to deal with gender stereotypes that prioritized women’s domestic role over careers—and with social participation barriers, “stereotypes limit women’s public engagement.”

Policymakers, Naeem said, were focusing on addressing these using multiple strategies, including promoting postgraduate scholarships and vocational training (tourism, tech, and healthcare aligned with job markets), encouraging women into STEM and non-traditional fields via mentorship, and integrating leadership and career advancement programs to address the glass ceiling.

Parliamentarians were also looking at innovative ways to boost the public sector hiring of women and incentivize private sector partnerships through tax benefits, flexible work, and career progression pathways.

“We also host community dialogues (haa saaba) and engage religious leaders to shift mindsets,” Naeem said.

AFPPD’s Sub-Regional Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Women Empowerment and Investment in Young People, held in Malé, Maldives. Credit: People’s Majlis of the Republic of Maldives

 

Speakers at the AFPPD’s Sub-Regional Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Women Empowerment and Investment in Young People, held in Malé, Maldives. Credit: People’s Majlis of the Republic of Maldives

The Maldivian government was working to enforce gender equality laws (anti-discrimination, parental leave, and addressing the glass ceiling) and allocate a budget for childcare, job programs, and women’s grants, including the enforcement of paid maternity leave for up to six months and no-pay leave for a year in all government offices. It was also encouraging the private sector to do likewise.

However, the success of these plans requires “coordinated action across government, the private sector, NGOs, and communities to create relevant jobs, dismantle cultural barriers (including the glass ceiling), provide critical support (childcare, robust maternity leave), and enable flexible pathways for young women’s economic and social participation.”

Parliamentarians also committed to working with the relevant Maldivian authorities to undertake a thorough “review and enhancement of national school curriculum to align it with job matrix. This initiative shall integrate principles of gender equality, women’s rights, civic responsibility, leadership, and sustainable youth development, fostering transformative educational content to instill progressive values from an early age.”

Naeem said lawmakers were also playing a special role in addressing issues affecting the youth like drug use and mental health, where they were “combining legislative action, oversight, resource allocation, and public advocacy.”

This included updating drug laws to target traffickers, decriminalizing addiction, and prioritizing treatment. While parliamentarians were lobbying for increased funding for rehab centers and the training of psychologists and medication subsidies, they were using national media to create awareness and holding local dialogues.

“Our key focus in law reform includes better rehab frameworks, funding oversight, public awareness partnerships, building support systems, minimizing service delivery gaps, and reducing relapse—shifting towards prevention and recovery in the Maldivian context,” Naeem said.

Participants at the meeting recommitted themselves to working with all stakeholders to advance the ICPD PoA and achieve the 2030 Agenda and reaffirmed the 2024 Oslo Statement of Commitment.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

Durant 29 ans, Reto Nadig a présidé le Tribunal de Horgen (ZH). Des meurtres d’enfants aux querelles de voisinage absurdes, il a traversé les affaires en conservant une vision optimiste de la nature humaine.