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Hong Kong's legislature voted down a bill to recognize same-sex partnerships, despite a 2023 court ruling urging recognition. The bill would have allowed overseas unions to be registered locally and granted some rights, but faced fierce opposition from pro-Beijing lawmakers. The government must now seek alternative protections for LGBTQ+ couples.
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Riek Machar, South Sudan's former vice president, was publicly charged with treason and crimes against humanity over an attack in March. He has been under house arrest since then, with his trial broadcast on national TV. The charges threaten to deepen political and ethnic tensions amid ongoing conflict.
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Record monsoon rains and water releases from Indian dams have caused severe flooding across Pakistan and India, damaging farmland, displacing millions, and killing hundreds. Climate change and poorly managed water resources are key factors. Relief efforts are ongoing amid criticism over international climate funding disparities.
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Multiple sources report that Israel's actions in Gaza are increasingly characterized as genocide, with UN findings, Israeli officials' remarks, and rising civilian casualties fueling this debate. The US and international community face mounting pressure to respond, with some countries recognizing Palestinian statehood amid ongoing violence.
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Slovakia's parliament approved a constitutional amendment recognizing only two genders and asserting national sovereignty over cultural issues. The move, supported by Prime Minister Robert Fico, raises concerns over conflicts with EU law and human rights, especially for LGBTQ+ communities. The law also limits adoption rights and emphasizes traditional family values.
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Israeli bombardments in Gaza have killed at least 45 Palestinians, mostly in Gaza City, as Israel intensifies its offensive. Negotiations in Cairo aim to end nearly two years of war, with US and Egyptian mediators involved. Israel's military continues to target Gaza, while Hamas responds negatively to peace proposals. The situation remains dire.
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In Myanmar's Sagaing region, a military-led attack using paragliders during a Buddhist festival has killed at least 20 civilians, including children. The attack targeted a protest calling for political prisoners' release amid ongoing civil conflict since the 2021 coup. The military blames resistance forces for using civilians as shields.
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A Tunisian court sentenced Saber Chouchane to death for online posts accused of inciting violence, marking the first such case under the 2022 cybercrime law. Critics warn this sets a dangerous precedent for free speech amid ongoing political repression since President Saied's 2021 power grab.
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The UK government announced new police powers to restrict repeated protests, citing community safety concerns following recent demonstrations supporting Palestine Action and a deadly Manchester synagogue attack. Critics warn the measures threaten civil liberties, while officials emphasize balancing protest rights with public safety. The changes aim to address rising tensions and community fears, especially among Jewish communities, amid ongoing protests and arrests.
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Three personal stories highlight the impact of burnout, immigration challenges, and life changes. A London-based freelancer shares her quiet quitting journey, a Parisian romance unfolds after burnout, and a US student faces surveillance and immigration issues amid activism. These stories reveal the human toll of modern pressures.
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Singapore has executed Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, a Malaysian national, for drug trafficking. Arrested in 2014 for possessing 52 grams of heroin, he was sentenced to death in 2017. His final appeal was rejected, and the execution was carried out after clemency was denied. This marks the second such case in two weeks.
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Recent reports reveal severe abuse and torture of Palestinian detainees by Israel, with bodies showing signs of torture and execution. Meanwhile, prisoner exchanges have taken place, with some Palestinians released amid ongoing tensions and concerns over human rights violations.
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed an £8bn agreement with Turkey for 20 Typhoon fighter jets, marking the largest UK fighter jet order in nearly two decades. The deal supports thousands of British jobs, boosts NATO cooperation, and concludes long-running negotiations, with deliveries expected from 2030. Critics highlight human rights concerns in Turkey.
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Amnesty International reports that a US-led airstrike on a detention facility in Yemen's Saada province on April 28, 2025, killed at least 61 civilians, mostly Ethiopian migrants. The attack, part of Operation Rough Rider, is criticized for violating international humanitarian law and targeting a known civilian site.
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Tanzania's presidential inauguration took place in Dodoma with limited attendance, following days of election protests, violence, and military deployment. The election was marred by opposition rejection, casualties, and internet shutdowns, with ongoing unrest and international concern over electoral integrity and human rights.
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Iran has intensified repression in 2025, with over 21,000 arrests, increased executions, and targeting of minorities and journalists following a 12-day war with Israel in June. Human rights groups report systematic abuses, including crackdowns on civil society and ethnic minorities.
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A court in South Africa has reopened an inquest into the death of anti-apartheid leader Albert Luthuli, more than 50 years after his death was ruled accidental. The move aims to investigate allegations that he was killed by apartheid police, with the original 1967 ruling now under review amid suspicions of a cover-up.
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Tanzania's recent elections have led to violent protests, with reports of hundreds of deaths amid security crackdowns. The opposition claims around 700 killed, while authorities deny excessive force. International groups call for investigations as internet blackouts and curfews persist.
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Amnesty International has documented widespread human rights abuses against migrants in Tunisia, including torture, racial profiling, and forced expulsions. The report criticizes the Tunisian government and EU cooperation, highlighting increased xenophobia and restrictions on refugee aid amid political upheaval since President Kais Saied's 2021 power grab.
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Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman, received the 2025 Genesis Prize for her advocacy for Israel amid ongoing conflict. She will donate her $1 million award to aid Israel’s recovery after the October 2023 Hamas attack, despite facing criticism and protests.
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On November 3, 2025, a rubber boat carrying 49 migrants from Libya capsized six hours after departure due to engine failure amid high waves. After drifting for six days, seven survivors were rescued near Libya’s Al Buri oil field; 42 remain missing and presumed dead. This tragedy adds to over 1,000 migrant deaths in the central Mediterranean this year, highlighting urgent needs for safer migration routes and improved rescue efforts.
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The ICC opened a sentencing hearing for Ali Kushayb, convicted of 27 war crimes including mass murder and rape committed during the Darfur conflict in 2003-2004. Prosecutors seek a life sentence, while the defense requests seven years. The case marks the first ICC conviction for Darfur atrocities.
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Tanzania's recent presidential election led to protests, with opposition claims of over 1,000 deaths and widespread rights abuses. President Hassan declared victory with nearly 98%, promising investigations and constitutional reforms amid calls for justice and reconciliation.
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Several Tunisian opposition figures, including Ben Mbarek, Rached Ghannouchi, and Issam Chebbi, are protesting their detention through hunger strikes amid allegations of torture and political repression by authorities since President Kais Saied's power consolidation in 2021. The protests highlight ongoing civil liberties concerns.
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On 25 November 2025, the UK government announced sweeping asylum reforms inspired by Denmark's strict system. Refugee status will be temporary, reviewed every 30 months, with a 20-year wait for permanent settlement. The government plans to remove support for asylum seekers able to work and forcibly remove families, including children, sparking backlash from Labour MPs, refugee groups, and campaigners.
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Camilo Castro, a Colombian resident, was released after being detained in Venezuela since June. French diplomacy, credited by officials, facilitated his return to France amid concerns over enforced disappearances by Venezuelan authorities following disputed elections.
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A UN Security Council delegation visited Damascus ahead of the anniversary of Assad's fall, meeting with officials and civil society to discuss political transition, justice, and security. The visit underscores ongoing efforts to reintegrate Syria into the international community amid recent sectarian tensions and violence.
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A UNCTAD report estimates Gaza's reconstruction will cost over $70 billion and take decades, citing war and restrictions that have caused an unprecedented economic collapse. Israeli military actions continue despite a ceasefire, with ongoing violations and casualties. The West Bank also faces severe downturns.
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Between November 21-23, 2025, armed bandits abducted over 250 students and 12 teachers from St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria. This follows a recent kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State. Nigerian security forces, including military and local hunters, are actively searching for the victims amid escalating insecurity in northern Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu postponed foreign trips to address the crisis.
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Israeli forces intensified strikes in Gaza, violating the ceasefire with ongoing shelling and ground operations. Palestinian casualties and destruction continue, while Israel reports ongoing violations and military activity. Hezbollah mourns an assassinated commander in Lebanon, raising fears of broader conflict. The situation remains volatile as fighting persists.
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As of December 2025, Tunisia's Court of Appeal upheld prison sentences ranging from 2 to 45 years for around 40 opposition figures, including activists, lawyers, and politicians. The convictions stem from a politically charged mass trial accusing them of conspiracy and terrorism. Rights groups condemn the verdicts as a crackdown on dissent under President Kais Saied's rule, with hunger strikes underway by some prisoners.
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The UK High Court is examining whether the government’s ban on Palestine Action, proscribed in July for protests linked to Gaza, infringes on free speech. Over 2,300 arrests have occurred since the ban, which criminalizes support for the group with sentences up to 14 years. The case continues today.
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Tunisian President Saied criticized the EU ambassador after a meeting with union leader Noureddine Taboubi, accusing the envoy of acting outside diplomatic norms. The EU acknowledged the message, amid ongoing tensions over Saied's crackdown on civil society and protests over economic and political issues.
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Several Tunisian opposition figures, including prominent critics of President Kais Saied, received lengthy prison sentences on charges of conspiracy and terrorism. Rights groups condemn the trials as politically motivated amid ongoing crackdowns on dissent following Saied's 2021 power grab. The sentences range from 5 to 66 years, with many defendants in absentia.
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Two months after a US-backed ceasefire, Israel has violated it over 500 times, killing over 356 Palestinians and causing Gaza's death toll to exceed 70,000. Despite claims of peace, Israel continues military operations, destruction, and restrictions, with international protests demanding an end to the ongoing violence.
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Amnesty International details war crimes committed by the RSF during a large-scale attack on Zamzam camp in April 2025, including civilian killings, hostage-taking, and destruction of infrastructure. The report calls for international investigation and arms embargo expansion amid ongoing conflict in Sudan.
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German leader Friedrich Merz visited Israel and Jordan amid ongoing Gaza conflict, reaffirming support for Israel while navigating strained relations over arms exports and Netanyahu's ICC arrest warrant. The trip highlights Germany's balancing act between historical responsibility and current geopolitical interests.
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A year after Assad's fall, thousands of Syrians remain missing, with families seeking answers. Despite efforts like the National Commission for Missing Persons, progress on uncovering mass graves and identifying victims remains slow, leaving many families in anguish and uncertainty.
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A surge in violence and disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has displaced over 500,000 people since December 1, including many children at risk of violence, disease, and malnutrition. UNICEF warns that ongoing conflict, underfunded health plans, and outbreaks of cholera and measles threaten vulnerable populations, especially children, amid worsening humanitarian conditions.
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The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on four individuals and four companies linked to recruiting Colombian veterans to fight for Sudan's RSF. These fighters have participated in battles and training, intensifying the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan since April 2023.
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Amnesty International's latest report details crimes against humanity committed by Hamas during its October 2023 attack on Israel, including murder, torture, and hostage mistreatment. The report also accuses Israel of genocide in its Gaza response, amid ongoing violence and high civilian casualties.