International news

Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, founder of the shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, received a 20-year prison sentence from Hong Kong's High Court after being convicted on charges of foreign collusion and sedition under the 2020 National Security Law. The 78-year-old British national, who has been detained since late 2020, faced accusations of using his media platform to advocate for foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong and to incite opposition to authorities. International governments and human rights organizations condemned the sentencing as politically motivated and an assault on press freedom, while Chinese and Hong Kong officials defended the ruling as necessary punishment for serious crimes against national security. Eight co-defendants, including former Apple Daily editors and activists, received sentences ranging from approximately 6 to 10 years in what represents the harshest penalties handed down under Hong Kong's National Security Law.

As Bangladesh prepares for its February 2026 parliamentary election, political campaigning has shifted significantly into the digital realm, with parties and candidates heavily utilizing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to reach voters. This transition reflects the country's growing internet penetration, with 82.8 million internet users and 64 million social media users among a population where mobile connections exceed 100 percent. While the Election Commission has introduced regulations requiring candidate account registration and banning AI manipulation, misinformation remains rampant, with fact-checkers identifying nearly 97 AI-generated posts and 268 instances of false information in a single month. The digital campaign landscape has become a battleground where political parties compete for younger voters' attention while grappling with deepfakes, bot-driven fake engagement, and character assassination campaigns that threaten electoral integrity. # Key Takeaways

Bangladesh is preparing for simultaneous parliamentary elections and a constitutional referendum on February 12, which the interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has characterized as pivotal for the nation's democratic future. The referendum requires voters to approve or reject a comprehensive package of constitutional reforms through a simple yes-or-no vote, raising concerns about whether citizens can meaningfully engage with complex proposals. The election has moved primarily online due to a ban on physical campaign materials, potentially excluding millions of citizens without digital access, particularly women, elderly, and rural voters. Women's political representation has declined sharply, with female candidates comprising only 4.22 percent of all nominees—the lowest rate since 1991—even as women constitute over half the population and demonstrate higher voter turnout.

The Supreme Court of India accepted a controversial proposal in November 2025 to legally redefine the Aravalli Hills, limiting protection to only landforms rising at least 100 meters above local ground level. This decision has sparked widespread protests because the Aravalli range, stretching 670 kilometers across northwestern India, serves as a crucial ecological barrier preventing desert expansion, recharging groundwater, and moderating temperatures in an increasingly polluted region. Environmental activist Anuradha P Dhawan, co-founder of the Aravalli Bachao Citizens' Movement, argues this redefinition will expose most of the ancient mountain range to mining and real estate development, threatening communities dependent on its ecological services. Critics contend the new definition, based on geological studies designed for mining rather than conservation, excludes the majority of ecologically important lower hills and appears coordinated with broader development plans that prioritize corporate interests over environmental protection.

Rima, a Kurdish woman from Afrin, Syria, recounts her family's experiences of being displaced three times over more than a decade of conflict. Their original home in Aleppo's Al-Ashrafiya neighborhood was destroyed in 2013 during fighting, forcing them to flee to Afrin, but they were displaced again in 2018 when Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch. Their Afrin property was subsequently seized by an armed faction member who now demands over $5,000 to vacate, threatening to destroy the house if unpaid, while their attempts to return to Aleppo have been thwarted by renewed attacks and discrimination against Kurds. The family remains scattered, with some members afraid to return to Al-Ashrafiya due to threats and hostility, while their Afrin home remains inaccessible, leaving them feeling like "bargaining chips" with nowhere to safely settle.

In Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, which holds 70 percent of the world's cobalt reserves, violent conflicts have erupted between artisanal miners and industrial mining companies over access to mining sites. On December 19, 2025, the Mines Minister signed a decree suspending artisanal mining operations to protect industrial companies, triggering widespread unrest including looting and casualties. The root problem stems from a severe shortage of officially designated Artisanal Mining Zones, forcing approximately 3 million artisanal miners to trespass on industrial sites to earn livelihoods, leading to attacks, injuries, and deaths on both sides. Despite mining accounting for over 90 percent of the country's economy and 30 percent of the national budget, more than 85 percent of DRC's population lives in extreme poverty, and the government has failed to implement sustainable solutions for either the artisanal miners or industrial companies.

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, is serving an 86-year sentence in a Texas federal prison after being convicted in 2010 for attempting to murder U.S. personnel during a 2008 incident in Afghanistan. The case remains deeply controversial because Siddiqui and human rights advocates claim she was abducted in Pakistan in 2003 and held in secret detention for five years before her 2008 reappearance, though neither the U.S. nor Pakistan has provided transparent accounting of this period. Forensic evidence from the shooting incident raised significant doubts, including the absence of gunshot residue on her hands and no bullet holes despite close-range gunfire. While Pakistan publicly expresses support for Siddiqui as "the daughter of the nation," it has failed to pursue meaningful legal strategies or address allegations that Pakistani intelligence handed her over to U.S. authorities, leaving fundamental questions about secret detention and extraordinary rendition unresolved.

Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah from Ghana's Akwamu Traditional Family has created an initiative called "Every Child Deserves a Classroom" to address the severe shortage of proper school infrastructure in Ghana, where over 5,400 schools currently operate outdoors or in temporary structures. Launching in March through partnership with the Ghana Education Trust Fund, the program invites members of the African diaspora to visit Ghana, connect with their heritage, and contribute financially to building permanent schools. The initiative aims to transform what would be simple tourism into meaningful service by combining cultural reconnection with philanthropic action to improve educational access for Ghanaian children. UNESCO data shows that more than 400,000 school-aged children in Ghana lack access to education, partly due to inadequate facilities staffed by undertrained teachers, making this infrastructure development critical for the country's future.

A two-day wellness and health literacy event for LGBTQ+ individuals in Malaysia was cancelled after organizers and participants faced threats and harassment following intervention by religious and local authorities. The "Glamping with Pride" program, organized by JEJAKA to promote health education and reduce HIV stigma among gay, bisexual, and queer men, drew opposition from conservative groups who filed police reports alleging violations of cyber laws. Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development and other authorities condemned the event as promoting behavior contrary to Islamic principles and national values, threatening stern legal action. The organizers ultimately cancelled the gathering due to safety concerns stemming from what they described as reckless rhetoric and fear-mongering, while civil society groups and some former officials criticized the government's targeting of LGBTQ+ communities as discriminatory state-sponsored intimidation.

Indigenous communities in Indonesia, numbering 50-70 million people across over 2,000 groups, are experiencing escalating threats to their ancestral lands despite global recognition of their environmental stewardship role. While the Indonesian government pledged at COP30 to recognize 1.4 million hectares of customary forests by 2029, the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) reports that 2025 saw an alarming spike in land seizures affecting 3.8 million hectares and impacting 109 communities. These violations, three times higher than the previous decade's average, stem from government-backed projects including mining, energy development, plantations, and infrastructure construction. The situation is worsened by increased militarization of Indigenous territories and the decade-long stalling of the Indigenous Peoples Bill in parliament, leaving communities without legal protections against ongoing criminalization and violence.

Tekan Cochrane, an Australian Indigenous lawyer of Kooma, Yuwaalaraay, and Torres Strait Islander heritage, serves as Executive Officer of Tarwirri Indigenous Law Association of Victoria and was recognized as a 2025 finalist for the Australian Human Rights Commission's Law Award. Her professional work centers on addressing systemic injustices affecting First Nations peoples, including her significant involvement in establishing Victoria's Stolen Generations Reparations Package and advocating for reforms in incarceration and child removal policies. Cochrane emphasizes that reversing harmful trends like over-incarceration and family separations requires community-led solutions, adequate government support, and shifting away from punitive approaches toward prevention and culturally appropriate services. She views Victoria's treaty legislation as potentially transformative if implemented with genuine self-determination, while maintaining that national reconciliation must continue through various channels despite the 2023 referendum failure.

Venezuela's interim government announced the release of a significant number of political prisoners as a reconciliation gesture, with officials claiming over 400 detainees were freed. However, human rights organizations like Foro Penal have only confirmed approximately 154 releases—a small fraction of the estimated 800 to 1,000 political prisoners still detained. Families have been waiting outside detention centers for weeks without official lists, schedules, or explanations about the release process, while authorities continue to deny that political prisoners exist and classify detainees as common criminals. The situation has been further complicated by reports of a detainee death in custody and concerns that releases under restrictive conditions may be part of a "revolving door" pattern rather than genuine reform. # Key Takeaways

Tarique Rahman, the 60-year-old acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, returned to Bangladesh in January 2025 after spending nearly 17 years in exile in London, where he fled in 2008 amid what he claimed was political persecution under charges including corruption and attempted assassination. His homecoming follows his mother Khaleda Zia's death in December 2024 and comes as Bangladesh enters a critical period after the August 2024 student uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina's government. Rahman, now positioned as a leading prime ministerial candidate for the February 12 national elections, faces the challenge of uniting a deeply polarized nation experiencing religious violence and political uncertainty, while his Jamaat-e-Islami party explores renewed alliance with the controversial Islamist party. Though Rahman promised in his homecoming speech to have "a plan" for Bangladesh's development and unity, he has not revealed specifics, leaving observers questioning whether he can provide accountable democratic leadership rather than becoming another political messiah figure. # Key Takeaways

The 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup has become embroiled in controversy after Bangladesh refused to play matches in India due to security concerns and political tensions. The crisis stems from deteriorating relations between the two nations following the August 2024 ousting of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India, and was intensified when India's cricket board released Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL over safety worries. An independent ICC security assessment confirmed moderate-to-high risks for Bangladeshi supporters attending matches, while India's strict visa restrictions would effectively prevent Bangladeshi fans from attending regardless. Both governments appear to be exploiting the cricket dispute for domestic political gain, particularly ahead of West Bengal's 2026 elections, creating a situation where neither side has incentive to de-escalate. The controversy exposes fundamental questions about whether the ICC prioritizes commercial interests over genuine security concerns of participating nations. # Key Takeaways

Venezuelan advocacy groups, primarily composed of relatives and supporters of political prisoners, are mobilizing to secure the release of hundreds of people detained under what human rights organizations call politically motivated persecution. While Venezuelan officials announced prisoner releases in January, significant discrepancies exist between government claims and verified numbers from independent organizations like Foro Penal, which tracks over 800 political detainees. Grassroots committees, particularly mothers and family members, have organized vigils, brought supplies to prisons, and used social media campaigns to demand freedom for their loved ones. These contemporary movements draw parallels to historical Latin American human rights groups like Argentina's Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, who successfully located disappeared children during that country's military dictatorship. Despite facing difficult conditions and potential government repression, these Venezuelan families continue their nonviolent advocacy efforts while awaiting the release of remaining prisoners.

Despite India's strong child protection legislation, including the 2012 POCSO Act that criminalizes child sexual abuse, families in rural and semi-rural areas of Andhra Pradesh face significant barriers when children disclose abuse. While children increasingly receive education about recognizing abuse through "good touch/bad touch" programs, caregivers are rarely trained on how to respond to disclosures, creating a critical gap in protection systems. Community reporting conducted between 2023-2024 revealed that families organized around caste and kinship networks often treat abuse disclosures as family crises requiring decisions that balance social standing, economic stability, and community reputation rather than centering the child's needs. Adult survivors and caregivers reported widespread confusion about reporting mechanisms, fear of social exposure, and lack of knowledge about confidential support systems, leading to delayed responses or silence that can cause lasting harm to victims.

A recent voter survey in South Korea reveals that young men aged 18-29 have shifted dramatically rightward compared to their global peers, creating one of the world's widest ideological gender gaps. This conservative turn, particularly evident in anti-feminist sentiment and opposition to redistributive policies, stems from multiple factors including the rise of misogynistic online communities, a deeply entrenched "hyper-meritocracy" culture that views assistance to marginalized groups as unfair, and the absence of alternative frameworks for young men to understand their struggles. While young women have embraced feminism as a lens to understand structural inequality, young men have received only messages emphasizing individual responsibility and fear of losing traditional privileges. Despite their rightward shift on social issues, most young Korean men remain committed to democratic principles and reject authoritarian conspiracy theories, though they express hostility toward disability rights activists, gender quotas, and other equity policies they perceive as threatening their merit-based advantages.

"Homebound," directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and based on a 2020 New York Times report, follows two childhood friends—Chandan, a Dalit, and Shoaib, a Muslim—as they pursue dreams of becoming police constables in rural India while confronting systemic discrimination. The film depicts how caste, religion, class, and gender hierarchies shape their destinies, showing Chandan's struggle with caste reservation, Shoaib's experience of religious prejudice in menial work, and the additional burden of gender discrimination faced by Chandan's academically capable sister. Rather than offering triumph or easy consolation, the film presents an unflinching portrait of survival and persistence amid broken systems, concluding with Shoaib carrying forward his deceased friend's dream. The socially conscious drama, which has been shortlisted for the 2026 Oscars, uses naturalistic visuals and restrained performances to illuminate the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities in contemporary India.

Bangladesh's passport holders are facing unprecedented restrictions at international borders, with thousands being denied entry despite holding valid visas and documentation. In early 2025 alone, over 3,500 Bangladeshis were deported from various countries, primarily due to suspicions that visitor visa holders intended to work illegally, rather than for actual violations. This crisis has resulted from accumulated international distrust stemming from past instances of visa abuse, document forgery, and unauthorized employment, causing several nations including Malaysia, Oman, and the Maldives to suspend or severely restrict Bangladeshi worker recruitment. The situation has pushed Bangladesh's passport ranking to 100th place globally—its worst position ever—creating barriers not just for potential migrant workers but also for legitimate tourists, students, and business travelers. This represents a fundamental breakdown of national credibility that affects millions of Bangladeshis seeking international mobility for lawful purposes.

U.S. forces conducted a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture and arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were transported to New York to face federal narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges. The operation has sparked polarized reactions across the DMV region, with Venezuelan immigrants and refugees celebrating what they view as liberation from a brutal dictatorship, while other protesters condemn the action as an illegal invasion and abuse of presidential power. Congressional leaders are divided, with Democrats like Senators Tim Kaine and Chris Van Hollen arguing Trump acted without constitutional authority, while some Republicans praise the anti-drug trafficking effort. The Trump administration characterizes the mission as a law enforcement operation against narco-terrorism rather than an act of war, announcing temporary U.S. oversight of Venezuela until a transition government is established. Security has been heightened around Washington D.C., affecting the area's estimated 26,000-plus Venezuelan residents who face uncertainty about their families back home.

The Congo Basin, Africa's largest rainforest and home to numerous Indigenous communities, faces environmental degradation threatening traditional ways of life as Chinese companies expand logging and industrial operations under bilateral agreements with the Congolese government. These Indigenous peoples, whose traditional forest-based livelihoods depend on sustainable harvesting practices, are being displaced from their lands without compensation or consideration of their rights. Civil society organizations criticize the government's failure to regulate Chinese companies or conduct proper environmental impact assessments, noting that Indigenous populations receive no benefits from Congo-China economic partnerships worth billions of dollars. In response to industrial encroachment on their territories and traditional practices like honey collection, some Indigenous communities are retreating deeper into the forests, even as their environmental knowledge and sustainable practices are increasingly marginalized by over-industrialized extraction methods.

Devastating floods in June struck Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, India, killing 173 people and leaving survivors grappling with severe psychological trauma alongside physical losses. Residents like Balaram Singh, who lost half his family to the Beas river's flooding, and Kamala Devi, whose rebuilt home was destroyed for a second time, exemplify how repeated climate disasters are eroding community resilience and causing post-traumatic stress symptoms. Mental health professionals report that survivors exhibit constant anxiety, disrupted sleep, and persistent fear of future catastrophes, worsened by awareness that unplanned construction in vulnerable zones has intensified disaster risks. While government officials announced financial relief packages totaling hundreds of millions of rupees, experts emphasize that material aid alone is insufficient without psychological support to help traumatized communities recover emotionally.

Nepal has designated lands inhabited by the Indigenous Chepang Community as an Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (OECM) to help meet international biodiversity targets of protecting 30 percent of land by 2030. The Chepang people, numbering over 84,000 and classified as highly marginalized, have traditionally managed approximately 300 hectares of biodiverse forest across six hills using sustainable practices and traditional ecological knowledge. While this OECM designation could create opportunities for sustainable financing and recognize community-led conservation, it raises serious concerns about Indigenous land rights, potential restrictions on traditional practices like hunting, and access to resources that sustain Chepang livelihoods. The designation is currently under review, with governance to be shared between Community Forest Users Groups and the Divisional Forest Office, though many Chepang lack formal land ownership certificates and face uncertainty about how state-led conservation structures might affect their customary land use and cultural practices.

President Trump announced U.S. military strikes against ISIS militants in northwestern Nigeria's Sokoto State, characterizing the action as defending Christians against Islamic extremists, which coincided with growing criticism about heavily redacted Jeffrey Epstein documents. The strikes, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities according to the Pentagon, drew immediate pushback from Nigerian officials who rejected the religious framing and emphasized that terrorism affects all faiths in their country. The rhetoric has particular resonance in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, which houses approximately 27,570 Nigerian immigrants among its significant African diaspora population concentrated in Prince George's and Charles Counties. Nigerian leaders, including President Tinubu and Foreign Minister Tuggar, stressed their commitment to protecting citizens of all religions while asserting the operation targeted terrorists without religious distinction. # Key Takeaways

Verse, a Burmese filmmaker, left traditional journalism in 2018 after experiencing systemic gender discrimination that prevented her from covering political assignments, subsequently transitioning to women's rights advocacy and filmmaking. Her feminist worldview was shaped by her grandmother, a Rakhine businesswoman who defied gender norms by running a sawmill and teaching Verse that gender should never limit opportunity. After attending Yangon Film School in 2020, where she successfully advocated for the institution's first sexual harassment policy following a discriminatory incident, Verse began creating films that center marginalized women's experiences. Her notable works include "Exit," an animated film about sex workers, and "Fight for Freedom," a documentary about an exiled woman resisting Myanmar's military patriarchy, both amplifying voices often erased from mainstream narratives. Despite expanded professional opportunities abroad, she remains in Myanmar to care for her aging grandmother while continuing to challenge oppression through visual storytelling.

In Senegal, despite ratifying the Maputo Protocol in 2004 which permits medical abortion in cases of rape, incest, and health emergencies, the country has failed to incorporate these provisions into national law. Women who become pregnant from sexual violence are forced to carry pregnancies to term or resort to dangerous illegal abortions, with nearly half of female prisoners incarcerated for infanticide. The government's inaction contradicts Senegal's secular constitution, as religious and traditional arguments continue to dominate debates that should focus on medical and legal considerations. Human rights organizations are demanding legal reforms to align with international commitments and protect rape victims from further criminalization and trauma.

PEN International's Tomorrow Club, founded in 1917, has relaunched with an Asia-focused edition featuring 30 young writers under 35 from 20 countries to amplify youth voices and foster cross-border connections. The initiative addresses how censorship in many Asian nations restricts expression and aims to share personal stories that transcend geographic and political boundaries. Featured writers include political prisoners, activists, and refugees who document challenges like detention in the Philippines, civil society persecution in Vietnam, and the Rohingya statelessness crisis. PEN International representatives emphasize the need for greater institutional support to help young writers create platforms for sharing experiences and building solidarity across fractured societies.

Despite the December 4th Washington Accords peace agreement intended to end violence between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, armed conflict resumed and escalated throughout the month. Rwandan forces and the M23 rebel group attacked Uvira, killing at least 74 civilians and displacing 200,000 residents by December 10th. UN officials expressed concern that repeated ceasefire violations are undermining diplomatic credibility and trust in peace processes. Humanitarian advocates argue that peace efforts mask ongoing exploitation of Congo's vast mineral wealth, estimated at $24 trillion, while the majority of Congolese citizens live in extreme poverty and face continued violence. # Key Takeaways

The article examines the growing crisis of online violence against women journalists and public figures across Africa, particularly focusing on South African journalist Kgomotso Modise's experience with sexual harassment and threats. Cybercrime now represents over 30 percent of reported crime in West and East Africa, with women journalists facing coordinated attacks including doxxing, deepfakes, and threats that force many to self-censor or leave digital platforms entirely. African Union and European Union officials recently addressed digital violence as a security threat at their summit in Zambia, announcing initiatives including a convention on ending violence against women that prioritizes cybersecurity. While countries like Kenya have data protection and cybercrime laws, weak enforcement and inadequate platform responses allow online abuse to proliferate unchecked, threatening press freedom and women's participation in public life. # Key Takeaways

Deepa Devkota, a disability rights activist from Nepal's Sindhuli District who lives with spina bifida, made history by becoming the first Nepali woman with a disability to complete a wheelchair bungee jump from a 160-meter height at Bhotekoshi River. She accomplished this feat on her birthday, December 16, 2025, at Nepal's first bungee jumping site, which is popular among adventure enthusiasts worldwide. Devkota dedicated her achievement to her parents, who faced social stigma for raising a child with a disability, and expressed hope that her accomplishment would inspire others with disabilities to pursue their goals. Two other Nepali men had completed similar wheelchair bungee jumps earlier that month at the same location.