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Since Bashar al-Assad's ousting in December 2024, Syria has entered a new phase under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist militant leader. Sharaa has engaged internationally, including historic visits to the UN and the US, calling for sanctions relief and regional stability. One million refugees have returned amid ongoing sectarian violence and unresolved war crimes prosecutions. Russia maintains military ties, while Syria seeks to redefine its global relations.
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As the UN turns 80, it struggles with record-breaking meetings, lengthy reports, and funding cuts. Meanwhile, the US pushes for a reformed global asylum system, citing abuse and fraud, amid rising tensions over immigration policies and international cooperation.
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Several high-profile comedians, including Louis CK and Bill Burr, are performing at the Riyadh comedy festival, despite criticism over Saudi Arabia's human rights record. The festival, backed by the Saudi government, raises questions about ethics, free speech, and the country's image. The story highlights the tension between financial gain and moral considerations.
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Murray Hunter, an independent scholar living in Thailand, was detained by Thai authorities after writing about Malaysia in 2024. Hunter questions the jurisdiction, citing cross-border repression concerns. He was released on bail but faces a court hearing in November. The case raises issues of transnational repression and free speech.
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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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Lebanese authorities are exploring legal avenues to hold Israel accountable for attacks on journalists during the October 2023 conflict. Human Rights Watch and UN officials describe the incident as a war crime, with Lebanon's government taking a significant step toward justice after years of impunity.
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Myanmar's military launched operations against KK Park, a major cybercrime compound near the Thai border, detaining over 2,000 people and seizing Starlink equipment. Thousands of scam workers fled into Thailand amid ongoing civil conflict and regional pressure to curb cross-border cybercrime. The operation highlights Myanmar's role in transnational online scams.
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Last week’s Tanzanian elections, marked by ballot stuffing, violence, and opposition disqualification, drew international criticism. The AU and SADC reported electoral irregularities and unrest, with opposition claims of over 1,000 deaths amid government denials. The situation highlights ongoing political repression and violence in Tanzania.
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A riot at Ecuador's Machala prison has resulted in 27 deaths, mostly by hanging or asphyxiation, linked to ongoing gang violence. The violence occurred during a planned transfer to a new maximum-security facility, highlighting escalating prison unrest and organized crime influence. The incident follows recent deadly riots across the country’s prisons.
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Between mid-October and late November 2025, armed groups in eastern Congo and Mali have intensified violence. In Congo's North Kivu, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) killed at least 89 people, including 17 in a maternity ward. In Mali, al-Qaeda-linked JNIM executed TikTok user Mariame Cissé after abducting her. Malian military and allied militias also killed at least 31 civilians in Segou amid ongoing conflict.
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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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A new HRW report details the forcible displacement of about 32,000 Palestinians from Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams refugee camps during early 2025. The Israeli military destroyed homes and barred return, prompting accusations of war crimes and ethnic cleansing amid ongoing West Bank tensions.
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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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Tanzania's government canceled Independence Day celebrations amid ongoing protests over the October election, which opposition and rights groups say led to hundreds of deaths. Authorities have detained activists and supporters, imposed internet blackouts, and warned against planned protests, raising concerns over human rights and political repression.
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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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Russia has designated Human Rights Watch as an 'undesirable' organization, banning its activities and opening legal cases against other groups like Pussy Riot and Navalny's foundation. The move intensifies Moscow's crackdown on dissent amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.
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European officials, led by Michael McGrath, emphasize that any ceasefire in Ukraine must include accountability for Russian war crimes. They oppose proposals for amnesty and reintegration, warning that impunity would encourage future aggression. The debate follows US and Ukrainian negotiations on peace plans amid ongoing investigations into Russian atrocities.
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The US government is preparing for the 2026 World Cup across North America amid concerns over immigration policies and security. While efforts are underway to facilitate visas for fans and delegations, restrictions and rhetoric from President Trump raise questions about the event's welcoming spirit and safety measures.