Chile’s President Gabriel Boric announces plan to nationalize lithium industry
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric has proposed the creation of a state-owned company which will eventually take over the lithium mining sector from private industry giants. The Latin American country has one of the world’s largest lithium reserves and is the second largest producer of the metal globally, after Australia
Over 420 people have been killed in fighting in Sudan. Foreign countries accelerate evacuations
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3,700 people have been injured since fighting broke out on April 15. The humanitarian crisis, including mass displacement, has continued to worsen as multiple ceasefires have failed to hold
Blinkit app-delivery workers in India strike against increasing exploitation
Blinkit, a quick grocery delivery app in India, has slashed the pay of its delivery partners to as little as around USD 0.18 (Rs. 15) per delivery. Delivery partners in different parts of capital city New Delhi and across other Indian cities have gone on strike.
Houthis apprehensive about US meddling in ongoing peace talks in Yemen
The US has increased its diplomatic activities with regard to the Yemen conflict following the announcement of talks between Houthis and Saudi Arabia. A key Houthi leader warned that the United States seeks to obstruct peace efforts
Tunisia starts water rationing amid five-year running drought
The authorities have announced cutting off of water supply for seven hours in the evening/night from April till September, with anyone found violating the order at risk of financial fine and jail term
EU’s withdrawal of tariffs on Ukrainian grain backfires as eastern European countries rise in opposition
The European Union and five countries in eastern Europe at are loggerheads over the tariff-free import of grain from Ukraine. The five countries say that the removal of tariffs has affected their internal markets and their farmers
Czech government’s plan to raise retirement age faces intense protests
The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) as well as trade unions have launched petitions to reject the conservative government’s plan to increase the retirement age in the Czech Republic to 68 years
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister visits Damascus to expedite Syria’s regional integration
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan became the first high official from his country to visit Damascus since the war in Syria broke out in 2011. Farhan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and discussed the process of Syria’s reintegration into regional politics