International news

Arzu Geybulla reflects on her experiences as an exile who left Azerbaijan and now lives in Istanbul, Turkey. She describes the disorientation of constant movement, the sensory memories of her homeland, and the feeling of not truly belonging anywhere. As a journalist scheduled to speak at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe about human rights in Azerbaijan, she struggles with her identity and relationship to her birthplace. Geybulla ultimately rejects rigid notions of national identity, embracing instead a nomadic existence defined by lived experiences rather than nationality or ethnicity.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), creating one of the world's most overlooked humanitarian crises. According to various organizations including the IOM and NRC, between 10-15 million people have been internally displaced, with an additional 11 million fleeing to neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. The conflict has destroyed civilian infrastructure, targeted hospitals, and created severe food insecurity, with UNICEF reporting over 14 million children in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including 4 million suffering from acute malnutrition. Despite the catastrophic scale of this crisis, international attention remains limited due to global attention fatigue from other conflicts and a lack of Western geopolitical interests in Sudan, while diplomatic efforts to establish ceasefires have repeatedly failed.

Istanbul's mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been convicted and sentenced to one year and seven months in prison for allegedly insulting and threatening Istanbul's Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. This conviction represents part of what rights groups describe as a systematic campaign against Turkey's opposition, particularly targeting the Republican People's Party (CHP) members ahead of the 2028 elections. İmamoğlu's legal troubles began with an investigation launched in January, followed by his detention in March just as he was positioned to become the CHP's presidential candidate. The case is part of a broader pattern affecting numerous CHP mayors who have been suspended from office amid allegations of corruption, while the party itself faces an internal legal challenge that threatens its current leadership structure.

Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, is currently experiencing a severe wave of viral fevers affecting nearly every household, overwhelming hospitals and clinics. Social media platforms like Facebook showcase countless personal accounts of individuals suffering from extreme fever symptoms, including temperatures reaching 103-104 degrees Fahrenheit, severe headaches, and debilitating body aches. The current monsoon season with its erratic weather patterns has created ideal conditions for viral infections, with experts identifying multiple causes including mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya, COVID-19 variants, common influenza, respiratory infections, and waterborne diseases. Beyond the viral fever outbreak, dengue cases are also increasing significantly, with over 16,000 cases and 60 deaths reported in the first half of 2023, and experts predict the situation may worsen in the coming months.

Bangladesh's Constitution Reform Commission has proposed new reforms that notably omit the terms "socialism" and "secularism" from the preamble, suggesting "equality, human dignity, and social justice" as guiding principles instead. This debate parallels similar constitutional discussions in neighboring India, where the ruling BJP party has advocated for removing these same terms, reflecting broader tensions about religion's role in politics. Both countries share complex histories with these constitutional terms - in India, they were added during the controversial 1976 Emergency period, while in Bangladesh, "secularism" was removed in 1977, restored in 2011, yet Islam remains the state religion. The current reform proposals in Bangladesh appear to seek a middle ground while acknowledging the country's pluralistic character.

of "Inside Kenya's Blacked Out Protest" Kenya has experienced its deadliest protest period since demonstrations began in June 2024 against the controversial Finance Bill 2024, with at least 100 people killed across three major waves of violence. The "Gen Z Protests" erupted when young Kenyans, facing 67% unemployment rates, demonstrated against what they called "taxation without jobs," leading to police responding with tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition. The most recent surge occurred during the July 7 "Saba Saba" anniversary marches, resulting in 38 deaths across seventeen counties, including two children. Government officials, including President Ruto, have characterized the protests as a "coup attempt" and authorized escalating force, while human rights organizations have condemned the killings as "extrajudicial" and demanded independent investigations.

In Senegal, the recent political transition to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's administration has resulted in a significant regression in women's representation in government, with female ministers reduced from seven to just four (13.3% of positions). Adding to concerns, the government renamed the Ministry of Women, Family, and Child Protection to the Ministry of Family and Solidarities without consultation, sparking protests from feminist organizations. Despite Senegal's previous progress in gender equality, including the 2010 gender parity law, this backward step reflects a global trend where women's rights often regress during regime changes. Advocates argue that excluding qualified Senegalese women from decision-making positions hampers national development, with research showing gender inequality costs Africa 7.5% of its GDP.

The case of "Nanjing Sister Hong" has ignited widespread discussion across China about gender inequality and sexual exploitation in the digital age. Police in Nanjing arrested a 38-year-old man named Chao who had posed as a woman, offering free sexual encounters to men while secretly recording these interactions with hidden cameras and selling the videos online for profit. At least 237 male victims have been identified, though the actual number may exceed 1,000 based on video sales records. Rather than receiving sympathy, victims have faced public shaming and doxxing on social media, highlighting complex social issues around sexual repression, masculinity expectations, and China's significant gender imbalance of 34.9 million more men than women.

Nigeria faces a troubling rise in jungle justice incidents, with Amnesty International documenting at least 555 cases between 2012 and 2023. This form of extrajudicial punishment carried out by mobs involves public shaming, beatings, torture, or killings based on mere suspicion without evidence or trial. Despite the brutality, some Nigerians justify it as a necessary response to police corruption, delayed justice, and perceived impunity in the legal system. Experts attribute the persistence of jungle justice to crowd psychology, poverty, ignorance, and an inadequate police force of fewer than 400,000 personnel serving over 200 million people, making reform of the justice system and stronger accountability crucial to addressing this issue.

Myanmar's military junta recently hosted a "Peace Forum" and is preparing for elections in late 2025 or early 2026, despite widespread distrust among citizens. The three-day forum in Naypyitaw excluded resistance forces and ethnic armed organizations actively fighting the regime, while continuing military airstrikes in various regions. The junta claims it will hold elections in 267 townships, though it only controls 32% of Myanmar's townships according to the civilian National Unity Government. Many citizens, including internally displaced persons and those who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement, believe neither genuine peace nor fair elections are possible under military rule.

Gregory May, the former US consul general of Hong Kong and Macau, has completed his nearly three-year tenure and moved to Beijing to become second-in-command at the US embassy there. During his time in Hong Kong from 2022-2025, May witnessed significant political changes including the enactment of a second national security law, landmark national security trials, and the disbanding of pro-democracy parties. Despite describing US-Hong Kong relations as "testy with room for dialogue," May expressed concerns about human rights issues while acknowledging good cooperation in areas like combating drug shipments and scams. May departed with "genuine warm feelings" for Hong Kong, considering it the highlight of his diplomatic career despite his observations that Hong Kong "fundamentally, is not the free society that it used to be."

Human rights lawyer Anon Nampa has been sentenced to 2 years and 4 months in prison on charges of royal defamation and sedition related to a November 17, 2020 protest, bringing his total prison sentence to approximately 29 years. The Thai court found him guilty of royal defamation for allegedly referring to King Vajiralongkorn and Princess Sirivannavari in his speech, despite not mentioning them by name. While Anon and fellow activist Parit Chiwarak were acquitted of several charges related to organizing the protest, they were both convicted of sedition for calling for another protest. Anon has been detained pending appeal at Bangkok Remand Prison since September 2023.

Turkish authorities have arrested four staff members of LeMan, one of Turkey's last satirical magazines, following publication of a cartoon allegedly insulting religious values. The arrests occurred after extremist mobs protested outside the magazine's Istanbul office on June 30, with protesters left untouched while authorities raided LeMan's offices, seized magazines, and launched criminal and financial investigations. Despite the magazine's editorial team clarifying that the cartoon depicted a Muslim civilian named Muhammad killed in Israeli bombardments rather than the Prophet Muhammad, President Erdoğan condemned it as a "vile provocation" and promised legal accountability. The incident has drawn parallels to the 1993 Madımak Massacre where 35 people were killed by a fundamentalist mob, with both cases involving accusations of religious insult leading to mob violence, though with different responses from authorities.

Under Taliban rule since August 2021, Afghan women face institutionalized gender apartheid that has effectively erased them from public life, employment, and education. This systematic oppression has devastating social, economic, and political consequences, with UNDP estimating that excluding women from the workforce costs Afghanistan approximately $1 billion annually (5% of GDP). Despite international condemnation through UN resolutions and EU sanctions, global response has been largely symbolic with Afghan women notably excluded from diplomatic discussions, including the recent UN-sponsored gathering in Doha. While small resistance efforts exist through covert schools and online education programs, Afghanistan needs both domestic reforms and international support to address this gender crisis effectively.

The Trump administration has dismantled the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in favor of pursuing trade-based economic relationships with African nations. President Trump hosted leaders from five West African countries—Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal—at the White House on July 9 to discuss potential economic partnerships. The elimination of USAID, which was established in 1961 as America's primary humanitarian agency, has drawn criticism from organizations like the American Foreign Service Association, with a study in The Lancet suggesting the move could result in over 14 million deaths by 2030. During the meeting, African leaders presented their countries' assets and proposed initiatives while expressing eagerness to strengthen economic ties with the United States.

Two recent tragedies in the Western Balkans—a nightclub fire in North Macedonia that killed 62 people and a train station canopy collapse in Serbia that killed 16—have sparked widespread student-led protests demanding institutional accountability and reform. In both countries, authorities have attempted to delegitimize these demonstrations by labeling them as "politically motivated" while employing intimidation tactics against participants and using pro-government media to discredit the movement. Despite these challenges, young protesters have demonstrated remarkable resilience and political engagement, contradicting stereotypes about youth apathy in the region and maintaining pressure for transparency, justice, and systemic change in governance structures plagued by corruption and regulatory negligence.

Ethiopian medical professionals staged a nationwide strike in May due to unresolved grievances about poor pay, working conditions, and safety concerns, leading to hospital shutdowns across the country. The government responded with a crackdown, arresting at least 149 medical professionals, including Dr. Daniel Fentaneh, who was detained on June 25 for allegedly organizing the strike. While officials claim the strikes are illegal and endanger patients, organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the arrests as violations of constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly. Despite the government's claims of dialogue with doctors, the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement (EHPM) has warned of potential further strikes if reforms aren't implemented by September 2025.

Malaysia is experiencing a series of positive developments for human rights, including the inauguration of the Malaysian Media Council Act, a Federal Court ruling against a fatwa targeting Sisters in Islam, and the striking down of a section of the Peaceful Assembly Act. These developments mark significant victories for freedom of expression and assembly in the country, though human rights advocates caution that substantial challenges remain. The Malaysian Media Council, established after years of advocacy from media groups, aims to address industry concerns and handle complaints about media reporting, though some journalists express skepticism about its ability to fully protect against political interference. Civil society groups have celebrated these recent legal victories as important steps toward strengthening rights protections in Malaysia.

Georgia is experiencing a deepening political crisis as the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party intensifies repression against opposition leaders, with numerous high-profile politicians imprisoned for refusing to cooperate with a parliamentary commission. The government has implemented restrictive changes to the court system, severely limiting public and press access to proceedings while conducting a cabinet reshuffle to consolidate power. Opposition parties are divided over participation in upcoming local elections, with eight major parties announcing a boycott while others plan to participate despite concerns about legitimacy. These developments have triggered widespread international condemnation, including calls for sanctions against GD founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and other officials from various European political groups and governments.

The Bote, an Indigenous community comprising 0.04 percent of Nepal's population, are facing significant challenges to their centuries-old way of life that centered around rivers, particularly fishing and boat navigation. Conservation measures, including a seven-year moratorium on new fishing licenses at Chitwan National Park, have severely restricted their access to traditional livelihoods and natural resources. Currently, only one person out of approximately 60 Bote households in Patihani village holds a valid fishing license, forcing most community members to abandon their traditional occupations. Without alternative skills and facing bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining licenses, the Bote community is experiencing unemployment and cultural displacement while their ancestral rights are being overlooked in conservation efforts.

The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025 reveals seven African countries among the bottom ten nations worldwide in gender parity rankings, with Pakistan at the very bottom. The report measures gender equality across four dimensions: economic participation, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment, with Sub-Saharan Africa ranking sixth out of eight regions globally with a 68.0% gender parity score. While some African nations show progress, with Namibia leading the continent at 81.1% gender parity (ranking 8th globally), countries like Sudan, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo demonstrate severe gender disparities, particularly in political representation and economic participation. At the current global pace of improvement, the report estimates it will take 123 years to achieve full gender parity worldwide.

Over the past year, Kenyan activists have transformed artificial intelligence from a novelty into a powerful civic tool during protests against the 2024 finance bill. AI-powered technologies enabled activists to translate complex legislation into accessible information, coordinate protest efforts, and maintain communication despite government attempts to restrict internet access. Gen Z and millennial protesters utilized platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, and X to organize digitally before taking physical action, creating a movement that combined street demonstrations with sophisticated digital tactics. Despite facing government crackdowns including internet throttling and physical repression of online critics, these AI-driven approaches successfully influenced public understanding of fiscal policy and pressured the government to modify its proposals.

In the decade-long legal case following Mario Deane's 2014 death in police custody, three officers were finally convicted in 2025 but received lenient sentences, with only one facing prison time pending appeal. Deane died from injuries inflicted by fellow inmates while in a Jamaican police lock-up after being arrested for a minor marijuana offense. The case has highlighted deep issues within Jamaica's justice system, including police accountability, inhumane detention conditions, and unequal treatment of marginalized citizens. Deane's mother, Mercia Frazer, who campaigned tirelessly for justice, expressed disappointment with the outcome and plans to sue the state, while human rights organizations condemned the sentences as undermining public trust in law enforcement.

Recent immigration policy changes under President Trump's second administration have introduced significant hurdles for international students seeking education in the United States. Enhanced border security measures, stricter enforcement tactics, and new legislation have transformed visa processing and student entry protocols, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and increased scrutiny for applicants. International students now face additional challenges including intense scrutiny of their social media activities, where posts expressing political views or criticisms of the U.S. could jeopardize their applications. Despite these obstacles, many prospective students like Anstacia Charles from Trinidad and Tobago still view American education as valuable for academic excellence, career opportunities, and personal growth.

The Sultan Kizlar collective, comprised of four anonymous Uyghur women artists working under pseudonyms, uses contemporary art to address religious experiences and the plight of Uyghurs in China. Their first exhibition in Kazakhstan was prematurely closed, likely due to political sensitivities around Uyghur issues and religious expression. The artists explain that their "Uyghurness" transcends language or ethnicity to encompass the shared trauma of witnessing the imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs in China. Despite facing restrictions, the collective remains determined to continue creating art that expresses both their political stance and emotional experiences.

Cuba's Deputy Director of U.S. Affairs Johana Tablada delivered a critique of current U.S. policy toward Cuba during an interview at Black Press USA headquarters, describing the relationship as "at a low point" characterized by "maximum aggression" from the U.S. government. She highlighted that since January 20, the U.S. has imposed more than a dozen unilateral coercive measures against Cuba, including Trump's recent National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) that restored restrictions and strengthened the economic embargo. Tablada specifically criticized Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism as "based on lies," noting how this status prevents the country from receiving essential supplies and financial transfers. Despite current challenges, she expressed hope based on "youth and the truth," while emphasizing the historical solidarity between Cuba and the African American community.

Israeli soldiers have admitted to receiving explicit orders to shoot at Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza, describing it as a "killing field" with over 743 Palestinians killed in such incidents since June. Concurrently, Gaza's Government Media Office reported finding traces of oxycodone, a powerful opioid, in flour delivered through international aid shipments. The United Nations Human Rights Office has condemned the "weaponization of food in Gaza" as a war crime, calling for investigations amid warnings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification that Gaza faces catastrophic food insecurity with at least 66 children already dead from starvation. Despite these grave revelations indicating potential war crimes and crimes against humanity, international media coverage and calls for accountability have been notably limited.

The article examines how cultural life continues to flourish in the Ukrainian towns west of Kyiv—Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, and Vorzel—despite the devastation caused by Russia's 2022 invasion. The author takes readers on a personal journey through these locations, highlighting their rich artistic history, from Ukrainian impressionist Oleksandr Murashko to composer Borys Lyatoshynsky, while also noting how residents are reclaiming spaces through new bookstores, art installations, and cultural venues. Throughout the piece, the author weaves together descriptions of war damage with symbols of resilience and renewal, emphasizing how these communities are preserving their cultural heritage and creating new artistic expressions as forms of healing amid ongoing conflict.

Bahruz Samadov, a peaceful dissident and PhD student at Charles University, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Baku Grave Crimes Court on treason charges that he maintains are linked to his peaceful activism and criticism of the Azerbaijani government. Samadov, who was arrested in August 2024 after communicating with Armenian nationals on WhatsApp, attempted suicide following his sentencing and expressed deep trauma from being treated "like a terrorist" for his peaceful stance. His case appears to be part of a broader pattern of post-war repression in Azerbaijan, where several of his associates were also interrogated and temporarily banned from travel, and numerous journalists and activists face similar persecution. This crackdown suggests that Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Karabakh War has led to increased authoritarianism rather than democratic reforms, with the government increasingly targeting dissenting voices both domestically and abroad.

The diplomatic relationship between Azerbaijan and Russia has deteriorated significantly following a series of escalating incidents, beginning with tensions over an AZAL plane crash investigation and dramatically worsening after two Azerbaijani brothers, Huseyn and Ziyaddin Safarov, died following raids in Yekaterinburg on June 27. Forensic examinations revealed the brothers had been severely beaten, contradicting Russian authorities' claims of natural causes, while other detained Azerbaijanis reported torture and abuse. In response, Azerbaijan has taken retaliatory measures including raids on Russian media outlets like Sputnik, detention of Russian citizens, and cancellation of bilateral meetings, while Russia has reportedly targeted Azerbaijani businesspeople and blocked Azerbaijani websites. The situation has particularly affected the estimated two million ethnic Azerbaijanis living in Russia, with reports of deportations and growing concerns for their safety.