Julia Lagoutte

Britain’s peers have sounded the alarm over a shocking public health disaster in Kabwe, Zambia, a town scarred by decades of lead mining and now known as one of the most polluted places on Earth. That pollution and the lasting legacy of British colonialism was the subject of a House of Lords debate yesterday with the Development Minister, Baroness Chapman, admitting there were “clear lessons” to be learnt as peers demanded action and accountability. This is a human tragedy on a staggering scale.

Having witnessed decades of corrupt management, poorly maintained public spaces, and high pollution levels, it is perhaps no surprise that the residents of Sofia are politically disillusioned. However, this does not mean that they are disengaged: members of Bulgaria’s “transition generation” are taking matters into their own hands with innovative urban projects centred around ecology.

As the European elections draw nearer, the chances of ratifying the EU-Mercosur trade agreement are dwindling. The deal faces strong opposition from within the EU on deforestation and unfair competition. Meanwhile, Brazil has criticised the EU’s handling of negotiations and accused it of protectionism. Instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, argues Raluca Besliu, the agreement should be renegotiated to create a truly reciprocal partnership able to tackle critical global issues fairly.