World Cracks: War Laws Crumble, Authoritarianism Rises, Resources Fought Over

Several international events unfolded this week, spanning from concerns over international law to political shifts and economic collaborations.

A study by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights concluded that international law, designed to limit the effects of war, is at a breaking point. The report, covering 23 armed conflicts over the last 18 months, found that more than 100,000 civilians have been killed, and acts of torture and rape are being committed with near impunity, according to The Guardian.

In Mexico, the government announced a sweeping array of tactics to combat industrial pollution. This action follows investigations by The Guardian that revealed high levels of contamination in a neighborhood around a factory processing US toxic waste. The government imposed 4.8 million in fines against the plant.

Costa Rica held elections on Sunday amid rising concerns about insecurity and a potential authoritarian shift. Voters chose a president and 57 members of congress. Laura Fernández, the current president's hardline pick, was expected to win the first round, leading in the polls with 40% of the vote while campaigning on a hard line on security, according to Reuters, as reported by The Guardian. Crime is a major concern for many voters as criminal groups battle to control lucrative territories.

In Washington, ministers from the US, EU, UK, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand met to discuss a strategic alliance over critical minerals. The summit, as reported by The Guardian, is seen as an effort to repair transatlantic ties and de-risk from reliance on China. The discussions included calls for the US to guarantee a minimum price for rare earth minerals.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the Rafah crossing reopened, but Al Jazeera reported that it was too late for many seeking medical treatment. Al Jazeera spoke with a mother who lost her three-year-old child while waiting for the crossing to open. The crossing's reopening was deemed too late for those in life-or-death situations.