Iranian political prisoner Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh was transferred to a pre-execution solitary confinement cell, Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights stated on Friday. Shayesteh was originally detained at Evin Prison but was transferred to solitary confinement at the Ghezel Hesar Prison, around 20 km northwest of Tehran. Shayesteh was sentenced to death and placed on … Read more
The UK government’s ban on prescribing puberty blockers for adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria has ignited heated debate, dividing public opinion on the rights and well-being of transgender youth. The contentious measure, endorsed by both major political parties, follows recommendations from the Cass Review and is set to have far-reaching implications for healthcare in England, Scotland, … Read more
On Friday, the Syrian army confirmed it had lost control of the strategic city of Hama to the rebels, an al Qaeda breakaway called Tahrir al-Sham. The rebels seized Syria’s largest city of Aleppo late last month in an effective offensive, forcing government forces to withdraw. Statues of Assad’s father and brother were toppled in … Read more
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the rebel leader of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), claimed that the group’s ultimate goal was to end the authoritarian regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, he told CNN in an exclusive interview published on Friday. Jolani told CNN that his group sought a new governance for the Syrian people in which … Read more
Sanitary pad manufacturers in China are facing severe backlash after investigations and viral videos revealed that many popular brands are selling products shorter than their advertised lengths. The revelations have sparked outrage on social media, raising concerns about deceptive marketing practices and the quality of feminine hygiene products. Revelations Spark Widespread Criticism In early November, … Read more
Eleven survivors, plus two witnesses, testified that only 26 men survived the ordeal. POLITICO published a summary of a survey that identified 97 victims, and listed their causes of death as suffocation, being beaten to death, being shot, being “disappeared” — taken away and presumably executed — and missing, presumed dead after last being seen … Read more
“If you succeed and escape, you arrive in neighboring countries. But then you have to make the tough passage to Europe through mountains and smuggling routes — that’s very dangerous and very difficult. Women are more vulnerable, so they rarely travel on foot. The majority of Afghans who come to the EU are men,” he … Read more
A former Chinese ambassador has shared her tips on dealing with foreign media in an article for a party organ that gives a rare insight into the mindset of the country’s senior diplomats. “When I was ambassador to Australia, I accepted an interview. The journalist’s family had immigrated from an eastern European country … and … Read more
The recent arrest and prosecution of over 100 persons, including minors, detained over the August’s #EndBadGoverance protest has alarmed Africa’s highest human rights body, which has now demanded a thorough probe into possible mistreatments of the detainees. “The African Commission is alarmed by reports that those detained, including the minors, have endured inhumane conditions for … Read more
Finally, following years of negotiations, the Labour administration announced on Oct. 3 that — after more than half a century — it would give up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, albeit with carve-outs to protect the U.K./U.S. airbase on Diego Garcia. Looking back, Sands sees Britain’s EU departure as a major contributor. “Brexit … Read more
