Farmers and community elders in coastal Kenya fear a proposed mining project could threaten their livelihoods and a sacred forest where their ancestors are buried. The government is seeking a developer for deposits containing rare earth minerals used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and defense technologies. Residents say they lack information about where mining would take place, whether they would have to move and how their land and traditions would be protected. Kenya hopes mining will create jobs and boost its economy, but questions about consultation, compensation and environmental safeguards remain unanswered.

Extreme heat intensified by climate change is creating dangerous conditions for factory workers in Pakistan. From blue jeans to homeware, these factories produce goods for global companies that have pledged to protect their workers’ safety. But experts and local labor rights advocates say those promises remain unfulfilled, as temperatures continue to rise and workers pay the price with their health and safety. The Associated Press interviewed more than a dozen workers in Karachi, all of whom described sweltering workplaces, absent heat protocols and health effects, including fainting.

Brazil’s Senate has approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours without cutting salaries. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva supports the move, which aims to boost his standing against Flávio Bolsonaro in the upcoming presidential runoff. Lula is expected to sign the measure into law next week. Recent polls show strong support for the change, despite opposition from many business owners. The amendment gives businesses 14 months to adopt the shorter workweek. This reform reflects a growing trend in Latin America, with countries like Chile and Colombia enacting similar legislation.

Foreign workers building the new U.S. consulate in Milan have signed agreements securing payouts for alleged labor abuses. More than 60 laborers, mostly from India, were processed Wednesday, receiving their share of a 31-million-euro settlement with Alabama-based Caddell Construction. Prosecutors say it is the largest labor settlement for exploitation in Europe. Workers were paid less than $2 an hour, denied overtime, and subjected to threats. The settlement includes payments for unpaid overtime and housing deductions. Nearly 480 workers can expect payouts, with some still working on-site and others elsewhere. The investigation against Caddell remains open.