Under Hong Kong’s new national security law, police arrested four former members of disbanded pro-independence group Studentlocalism on July 29 for suspicion of inciting secession through social media. The…
Russian, Chinese state-backed hackers accused of targeting COVID-19 research
Security services from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada reported in July a collection of organisations currently working to develop a coronavirus vaccine have been the victims of hacks…
This Week Around the World July 26-August 2
July 26 Ras al-Ain, Syria: A motorcycle rigged with a bomb exploded at a vegetable market in a region of Syria controlled by Turkish-backed opposition fighters. The explosion killed eight…
This Week Around the World July 20-26
July 19 Bab al-Salameh, Syria: An explosion in an area of Syria currently controlled by Turkish-backed rebels killed at least five people and injured dozens more. There are multiple conflicting…
Freedoms under fire in the Philippines
Within a month of shutting down the country’s largest news network, Philippine legislators passed an anti-terror law that human rights groups said challenges freedom of speech. President Rodrigo Duterte…
This Week Around the World
July 13 Johannesburg, South Africa: Zindziswa Mandela, the daughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, died at the age of 59 in a hospital in Johannesburg. While the cause of…
Brazilian president contracts COVID-19
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for COVID-19 on July 7, after months of dismissing the virus as a “little flu” while his country’s death toll of nearly 68,000 rose…
US sanctions Chinese officials for abuses against Muslim minorities
The United States imposed sanctions against top Chinese officials on July 9, accusing them of violating the human rights of minority Muslims. The sanctions further increase tensions between China…
This Week Around the World
July 7 Baqershahr, Iran: A factory explosion caused by “human error” left two dead and three injured in Iran, according to Voice of America. The Sepahan Boresh factory, located south…
Canada resumes arms exports to Saudi Arabia
Canada is reopening arms exports to Saudi Arabia, moving forward in a controversial deal to sell 14 billion Canadian dollars of military technology—mostly armored vehicles—to the Saudi government. According…
This Week Around the World
June 29 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Popular musician, activist and former political prisoner Hachalu Hundessa was shot and killed in Ethiopia’s capital city of Addis Ababa. “I express my deep condolences…