international news

Since 2020, eight African nations have undergone leadership changes as part of national reconstruction efforts, with Madagascar being the latest following youth-led protests that started on September 25. These protests in Madagascar lasted nearly a month before successfully removing the previous leadership. The pattern of leadership removal across these eight African countries represents a significant political trend on the continent over the past four years. Madagascar's case specifically highlights the role of youth movements in driving political change.

Diana "Naoko" Loginova, an 18-year-old music student and vocalist for the St. Petersburg street band Stoptime, has been charged with "organizing an unauthorized rally that disrupted public order" after performing songs by artists labeled as "foreign agents" by the Russian government. She was detained overnight at a police station and brought to court in handcuffs following viral videos of her band's performances on Nevsky Prospect. Loginova's performances included songs with lyrics expressing sadness about leaving Russia and criticism of the current regime, such as Monetochka's "It was in Russia" and Noize MC's banned song "Cooperative Swan Lake." The local municipal court has detained Loginova for 13 days, with TV Rain suggesting a second criminal case against her could lead to a lengthy prison sentence under charges of discrediting the Russian army.

"Sabar Bonda" (Cactus Pears) is a groundbreaking Marathi film that explores queer relationships in rural India, challenging the notion that queerness is exclusively an "urban elite" phenomenon. Directed by Rohan Parashuram, who draws from his own experiences as a queer man with working-class roots, the film follows Anand, a call-center worker who returns to his village after his father's death and develops a relationship with his childhood friend Balya. The film has received critical acclaim, winning the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2025, and offers a nuanced portrayal of queer love, family acceptance, and belonging in rural settings without relying on stereotypical trauma narratives. "Sabar Bonda" emerges in the context of India's ongoing legal struggles for queer rights, particularly following the Supreme Court's 2023 Supriyo v. Union of India case which, while not granting marriage rights to same-sex couples, affirmed the authenticity of queer experiences across all segments of Indian society.

Farzana Sithi, a prominent student activist from Jessore, became a leading figure in Bangladesh's 2024 youth-led uprising that ultimately forced top government officials, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to step down. Known as the "Tigress" and "Iron Lady" of the women's resistance movement, Sithi expresses profound disappointment with the post-revolution reality one year later, citing increased religious and gender-based discrimination, deteriorating public safety, and the commercialization of the revolution. In her interview with Abhimanyu Bandyopadhyay, she criticizes the interim government for failing to honor martyrs, systematically erasing women from the revolution's narrative, and neglecting women's safety while reducing recommended quotas for women candidates from 35% to just 10% in upcoming elections.

Sudan's ongoing civil war has severely damaged the country's once vibrant journalism sector, with warring factions (the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces) deliberately destroying media infrastructure and spreading disinformation. The conflict has created an information vacuum where propaganda flourishes, forcing over 1,000 journalists to flee or lose their jobs while those remaining face surveillance, harassment, and pressure to align with armed groups. Access to reliable information is increasingly unequal, with marginalized groups particularly affected, while audiences turn to alternative sources including social media, international outlets, and grassroots networks for survival information. Organizations like Radio Dabanga, Beam Reports, and the Sudanese Female Journalists' Network are fighting to maintain independent reporting despite severe challenges.

The article explores the deep historical connections between Timor-Leste and Mozambique, two former Portuguese colonies located 10,000 kilometers apart. It features an interview with researcher Marisa Ramos Gonçalves, who discusses how Mozambique, after gaining independence in 1975, provided extensive support to Timor-Leste during its struggle for independence from Indonesia. This support included hosting Timorese resistance leaders, providing education and employment opportunities, diplomatic advocacy at the United Nations and Non-Aligned Movement, and financial assistance through a solidarity fund. The relationship continues today, though less intensely, with ongoing scholarship programs for East Timorese students in Mozambique.

The Kech Cultural Festival, held from October 1-3, 2025, in Turbat, Pakistan, transformed the normally quiet Kech Museum into a vibrant hub of cultural activity in a region typically known for conflict and human rights concerns. This community-led event drew nearly 80,000 visitors over three days, featuring sessions on politics, education, social media, and reviving traditional Balochi games and dances. The festival showcased approximately 100 stalls selling books, art, traditional food, and crafts, with visitors spending over PKR 6.2 million (USD 22,000) on cultural items. Notably, the festival highlighted women's equal participation alongside men, challenging stereotypes about the patriarchal society and offering a counter-narrative of peace and resilience from a region often misunderstood by the rest of Pakistan.

A significant ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10, following two years of devastating conflict in Palestinian territories. The multi-phase deal, facilitated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, was formalized at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit where over 20 world leaders gathered. The first phase included an exchange of 20 Israeli hostages for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gaza detainees, along with partial Israeli withdrawal and approval for humanitarian aid, though Israel has already violated terms by killing Palestinians and restricting aid. Despite initial implementation, many Palestinians remain skeptical about Israel's commitment to the agreement given its history of violating similar accords.

In September 2025, at least 19 student protesters were killed when police fired into demonstrations in Nepal that began as opposition to social media restrictions but represented deeper frustrations with corruption and political instability. Following the violence, the government imposed a curfew and deployed military forces, though public outrage led to the Home Minister's resignation and reversal of the social media ban. As protests spread beyond the capital, President Ram Chandra Poudel appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister, making her Nepal's first woman in this position. The protests represent the latest chapter in Nepal's cyclical history of revolution and stagnation, with young people continuing the tradition of demanding accountability from a political system plagued by corruption and failure to deliver meaningful change.

Georgia's October 4 municipal elections resulted in the ruling Georgian Dream party claiming victory across all 64 municipalities amid historically low voter turnout, particularly in Tbilisi where only 31% of eligible voters participated. The elections occurred during escalating political tensions following a year of protests against the government's delay of EU integration and a contested parliamentary election. Eight major opposition parties boycotted the elections, citing concerns about electoral law changes that favored incumbents and an ongoing crackdown on dissent, while election day was marked by large demonstrations in Tbilisi that faced heavy police intervention resulting in multiple arrests and injuries. International bodies including the EU and OSCE criticized the restrictive electoral environment and police response, while the Georgian government accused protesters of attempting to overthrow democratic order.

"Local Communities Join Fight Against Illegal Fishing in Cameroon's Marine Park" Local fishermen in communities along Cameroon's Douala-Edea National Park are facing serious threats from Chinese industrial trawlers that destroy their fishing nets and equipment, creating financial hardship for these communities. Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) is supporting the establishment of Local Collaborative Management Committees (LCMCs) to address illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing that has resulted in the EU issuing a "red card" to Cameroon in 2023. These newly formed 10-person committees, with representatives from various ethnic groups including Cameroonians, Nigerians, Ghanaians, and Beninese, aim to facilitate collaboration between communities and government authorities to monitor illegal activities and implement sustainable resource management. The initiative aligns with Cameroon's new approach to protected area management that recognizes local communities as essential partners in conservation efforts.

Murray Hunter, a 66-year-old retired Australian academic and writer, was arrested at Bangkok airport on September 29 regarding a defamation suit filed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The arrest highlights the concerning trend of transnational repression in Southeast Asia, where governments collaborate to target critics and journalists. Hunter, who previously lived in Malaysia and continues to write critically about Malaysian politics through his Substack page and news websites, faces potential legal consequences after the MCMC accused him of "slanderous postings" and filed defamation charges. Following his release on bail, Hunter warned that his case could establish a dangerous precedent for journalists and dissidents in Thailand, which serves as a regional haven for exiled media professionals and scholars.

The Russian government has been intensifying internet restrictions, now implementing "white lists" of permissible websites alongside existing blacklists. These white lists currently apply during mobile internet shutdowns, which affected 54 Russian regions on September 27, 2025, but experts like Mikhail Klimarev believe this represents a shift toward a completely controlled "inside-net" within three years. Authorities are simultaneously waging war on VPNs through deep packet inspection, executive orders prohibiting VPN advertisements, and protocol-level censorship that disrupts internet calls regardless of platform. The government has introduced a state-affiliated "national messenger" called Max that works only with Russian or Belarusian SIM cards, further isolating Russians from global communication as the country moves toward a North Korea-like internet model.

Imam Talib Shareef of Masjid Muhammad has voiced support for President Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan as delegations from Hamas, Israel, and the United States meet to negotiate terms in Egypt. Shareef, leader of The Nation's Mosque, has proposed his own five-point peace plan, emphasizing that a ceasefire should be just the beginning of sustainable peace efforts rather than the end goal. His principles include protecting civilians, addressing root causes, inclusive mediation, trust-building, and accountability, while also highlighting the plight of approximately 1.9 million displaced Palestinians since October 2023 and 7 million Palestinian refugees worldwide. The imam has called on international and faith leaders to support negotiations that uphold human rights and promote regional stability.

The article examines the human and environmental costs associated with cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which supplies over 70% of the world's cobalt reserves used in rechargeable batteries for smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. It highlights how both large-scale mining operations and "artisanal miners" (including children) work in hazardous conditions, with the latter often digging by hand in toxic environments without proper protections. The piece connects colonial history to present-day exploitation, documenting forced evictions, health impacts from pollution, and various human rights abuses occurring alongside environmental degradation. Despite some corporate and legislative attempts at accountability, the article questions whether supply chain transparency efforts are effective as technology's energy demands continue to increase.

Peru demonstrates a stark contradiction in women's rights, with promising representation in parliament (scoring 72.9 on the SDG Gender Index) but a dismal healthcare score of 35.5, revealing a troubling disconnect. Despite signing international commitments like CEDAW and ICCPR that should protect women's rights, Peru's maternal mortality ratio of 69 deaths per 100,000 live births significantly exceeds the Latin American average of 45 and is nearly five times higher than rates in Chile and Uruguay. The disparity disproportionately impacts rural, Indigenous, and poor women who face severe barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare services despite legal frameworks technically guaranteeing these rights. Political representation of women has not translated into meaningful improvements in healthcare access, making Peru's progress on gender equality incomplete and inequitable.

of Article on Vidovdan Protests in Belgrade The June 28, 2025 protest in Belgrade on Vidovdan holiday represented the culmination of public discontent with government policies, attracting approximately 140,000 people who demanded responsible governance, snap elections, and institutional reforms. While protesters advocated for democratic values, anti-corruption measures, and institutional accountability, pro-government media employed manipulative tactics to delegitimize the movement by labeling participants as "blockaders," "hooligans," and "terrorists," and falsely portraying them as violent threats to national security. These media outlets constructed narratives linking protesters to foreign enemies (particularly Croatia) and sensitive national issues like Srebrenica, despite independent reports confirming the largely peaceful nature of the demonstrations. This propaganda campaign represents a systematic effort to criminalize legitimate civic protest, justify state repression, and preserve political power at the expense of democratic dialogue.

Nepal's journalists faced significant personal and professional challenges while covering the Gen Z protests that erupted in Kathmandu on September 8th, during which at least 19 people were killed. Reporters like Sunita Karki, Angad Dhakal, Gaurav Pokharel, and Surendra Paudyal found themselves in dangerous situations, with some witnessing their own media offices being burned or vandalized by protesters. Many journalists had to hide their press credentials and struggled with conflicting emotions between maintaining professional neutrality and responding as affected citizens to the violence unfolding around them. The protests created a hostile environment for media workers who simultaneously experienced trauma, fear, and difficulty processing events while still attempting to document the unrest.

The article addresses the urgent issue of marital rape in Africa, highlighting how many religious and cultural authorities still prioritize "conjugal duty" over women's consent. It details how women are using online forums as safe spaces to share their experiences of sexual violence within marriages. The article examines the varied legal landscape across African countries, where some explicitly criminalize marital rape while others exempt spouses from prosecution or remain silent on the issue. Despite laws in countries like Senegal defining rape broadly, the lack of specific provisions regarding marital consent creates gaps that often disadvantage victims, with statistics showing that 33 percent of African women have experienced sexual violence.

Exile Hub has published a profile of Esther, a journalist born in Myanmar's Mon State who chose to return to the dangerous Thailand-Myanmar border region to report from conflict zones after briefly finding safety in Australia. Despite facing constant danger, Esther documents critical stories about Myanmar's military junta, including their 2024 reactivation of conscription laws affecting young men and women. Her work has been supported by Exile Hub's Critical Voices Fellowship 2024, enabling her to publish impactful articles giving voice to those affected by forced military conscription. Esther continues reporting from one of Myanmar's most volatile conflict areas, driven by her commitment to expose injustice and document truth.

The Romani community in São Paulo, particularly in Itaim Paulista where 250 people live in one of the oldest campsites, struggles against stereotypes, prejudice, and lack of official recognition despite their rich cultural heritage and historical presence in Brazil. Though diverse in their traditions and lifestyles across three ethnic groups—Calon, Roma, and Sinti—all Romani face similar challenges including limited access to education, healthcare, and protection from natural disasters like the February 2025 flooding that severely impacted their encampments. Despite contributing significantly to Brazilian culture, including influencing Carnival traditions and music, Romani people remain largely invisible in official census data, with no specific ethnic designation in government documents, hampering the development of effective public policies to address their needs.

Nigeria's whistleblower policy, introduced in 2016, offers financial incentives for exposing corruption but fails to provide adequate legal protection for whistleblowers who often face retaliation, including job loss and threats. A national forum organized by the African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) brought together Federal High Court judges and civil society advocates to discuss the urgent need for whistleblower protection legislation. Despite multiple attempts to pass comprehensive protection laws, these efforts have stalled in Nigeria's National Assembly, leaving whistleblowers vulnerable despite existing constitutional provisions that could offer some safeguards. The forum highlighted personal accounts of whistleblower persecution and compared Nigeria's fragmented approach with more robust protection frameworks in neighboring countries like Ghana and South Africa.

Khoj Samachar is an independent digital media platform in Nepal founded by investigative journalist Roshan Shrestha that focuses on amplifying underrepresented voices and challenging corruption through Facebook, YouTube, and a dedicated app. The platform stands out among nearly 4,900 registered print media outlets and approximately eighteen online news outlets in Nepal by maintaining complete editorial independence through self-financing via advertising revenue rather than external funding. Shrestha, who began his journalism journey during school and gained experience documenting the 2015 Nepal earthquake, has built Khoj Samachar into a team of four that publishes content in both Nepali and English. Despite facing threats and political pressure, Shrestha remains committed to highlighting stories from rural areas and marginalized communities that mainstream media often ignore.

Turkey's regulatory agency Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has recently fined several major streaming platforms including Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video, and Mubi for allegedly violating family values through LGBTQ+ content. This censorship coincides with Turkey's designation of 2025 as the "Year of the Family" and has resulted in the removal of specific films from these platforms. The fines are part of a larger pattern of media restrictions that extends beyond streaming services to include local broadcasters, artists, musicians, and content creators. Rights advocates argue these measures reflect an intensifying crackdown on LGBTQ+ visibility, artistic expression, and women's rights in Turkey, where authorities have increasingly framed diverse identities as threats to traditional values.

Adriane Alfred founded Peace Thru Culture (PTC) in 2006 to provide youth with global cultural exposure through various educational programs. The organization features multiple initiatives including the recently launched Global Leadership Program, which introduces high schoolers to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and encourages them to create community projects addressing these global challenges. PTC held its inaugural Global Youth Symposium in September 2023, where student leaders hosted sessions using art, STEM, civics, and advocacy to promote social change. Through international travel experiences and leadership development, PTC aims to empower young people to become changemakers who understand that their voices matter in solving global issues.

The article discusses how technology, particularly AI systems, can be used simultaneously to benefit certain groups while harming others in conflict zones. It critically examines Israel's deployment of AI-powered surveillance and weapons systems against Palestinians in Gaza, with a focus on technologies developed through partnerships with international corporations like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Elbit Systems. The article challenges the idea of evaluating technology through a balanced "benefits versus harms" approach, emphasizing instead the human decision-makers behind these systems and their intentions. It highlights the devastating human cost in Gaza, where AI-powered weapons have contributed to massive civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction, despite claims of precision targeting.

In Pakistan, despite the passage of the Child Marriage Restraint Bill in May 2025 setting the legal marriage age at 18, child marriages remain prevalent due to weak enforcement, social pressures, and lack of proper age documentation. The law faces political opposition from groups like JUI-F, which claims the legislation contradicts Islamic teachings, while others like PPP celebrate it as progress. UNICEF reports 29 percent of Pakistani girls marry before 18, with rates increasing following climate disasters like the 2022 floods that caused an 18 percent surge in child marriages. Despite the grim statistics, there are signs of change through individual resistance from educators, religious leaders, and families who are beginning to prioritize girls' education over early marriage.

A recent study reveals how misinformation about Rohingya refugees spreads across South Asia, transforming narratives from portraying them as victims to depicting them as threats. Over 20 fact-checked reports identified false narratives circulating on Indian social media that wrongly paint Rohingya refugees as criminals, terrorists, or demographic threats using doctored images, misleading captions, and fabrications. This transnational misinformation is particularly potent in India due to its undocumented Rohingya population, existing anti-Muslim sentiments, partisan media amplification, and highly connected social platforms. The Rohingya, who lack media platforms or political representation, are effectively silenced twice—first by statelessness and then by digital distortion.

In Niger, the Wahaya practice allows men to bypass Islamic law's limit of four wives by obtaining "fifth wives" who serve the household without legal rights or protections. Ibrahim Oumarou Yacouba, a Nigerien activist working with the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD), advocates for these marginalized women who are often sold into this arrangement as young as 12 years old. The caste systems in Niger enforce strict hierarchies where certain groups, including the Wahaya, face severe discrimination, preventing them from accessing education, healthcare, and equal opportunities. Despite these challenges, Yacouba documents personal stories of resilience and continues to fight against descent-based discrimination through research, cultural mediation, and advocacy work.

Beninese journalist Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè, who had refugee status in Togo, was arrested in Côte d'Ivoire and extradited to Benin despite international refugee protections that should have safeguarded him. Sossoukpè, director of "Olofofo" publication and a vocal critic of Beninese President Patrice Talon, was in Abidjan covering the Ivoire Tech Forum at the invitation of Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Digital Transition when authorities arrested him at his hotel on July 10, 2025. The Beninese government has charged him with "online harassment," "rebellion," and "glorification of terrorism," while Côte d'Ivoire justified the extradition by claiming they were unaware of his refugee status and were following judicial cooperation agreements with Benin.