We cannot accept that children are freezing to death because hospitals have been destroyed or a country's energy network has been hit, says Francis in his yearly address to diplomats
world1 day ago
The Serbian government on Tuesday gave permission to restart operations at a disputed Rio Tinto lithium mining project, days after a court ruling overturned measures to halt the project.
"The government... takes measures to restore the legal order to the state that existed before the adoption of the regulation that was declared unconstitutional," read a statement published by the Serbian government.
The decision follows a ruling by the constitutional court last week, saying a 2022 government move to revoke permits awarded to the Anglo-Australian mining giant was "not in line with the constitution and the law".
The future of the vast mineral deposits, to be mined by Rio Tinto near western Serbia's Loznica, has been a perennial political fault line in the Balkan country in recent years.
It pits festering distrust in the Serbian government against Europe's plans for a greener future.
Billions of euros are at stake, with Rio Tinto saying the mine would provide thousands of jobs and secure Serbia's position in emerging energy markets.
The company said the area holds one of Europe's largest reserves of lithium, a strategically valuable metal crucial for electric vehicle battery production.
The deposits were discovered in 2004 but the Serbian government halted the mining project in 2022 after weeks of protests sparked by fears over the environment and public health.
President Aleksandar Vucic has hinted that Serbia could begin mining lithium as early as 2028, following new guarantees from Rio Tinto.
"We believe that the mine would not endanger anyone or anything but first we need to receive guarantees from Europe that the environment and the lives of ordinary citizens will be preserved and improved with new jobs and higher wages than today," Vucic said on Monday.
We cannot accept that children are freezing to death because hospitals have been destroyed or a country's energy network has been hit, says Francis in his yearly address to diplomats
world1 day ago
Many homes have been lost in the Pacific Palisades area, a favourite spot for celebrities where multimillion dollar houses nestle on beautiful hillsides
world1 day ago
The 33-year-old woman had not declared the 460 200-gram bars that were distributed among three suitcases
world1 day ago
Lifting more political sanctions would depend on how Syria's new leadership handled the transition and ensured exclusivity, says Foreign Minister Barrot
world2 days ago
Many families were left clinging on to survival in makeshift camps, without even the most basic necessities, such as blankets, says IFRC
world2 days ago
West Bank violence comes amid renewed Gaza ceasefire push
world2 days ago
Hamas demands Israel end war, withdraw troops for hostage release; Israel says it will not end the war until Hamas is dismantled, hostages free
world2 days ago
From October to November last year, there were more than 3,000 deaths from the virus across 27 countries, according to the WHO
world2 days ago