World Sep 14 Despite spiraling coronavirus crisis, Syria's 'government is not concerned at all' After years of war and economic deprivation, Syria is poorly equipped to handle COVID-19. But the coronavirus is spreading fast, both in government-controlled Damascus and in the rebel-held northwest region of the country, where it is targeting the most vulnerable.
World Aug 14 Post-election unrest, government torture make for some of Belarus' 'darkest days' In Belarus, tens of thousands of protesters marched through the capital of Minsk, angered over a disputed election and the brutal police crackdown that followed. Police have freed about 2,000 people arrested during demonstrations, but reports of widespread torture of…
World Aug 11 Challenger to Lukashenko flees Belarus amid post-election unrest More than 2,000 people in Belarus have been detained in violent anti-government protests over Sunday’s disputed election. Amid the crackdown, the top opposition candidate on Tuesday was forced to flee the country and urge her supporters to stop the unrest.
World Aug 10 How China is limiting freedom of the press in Hong Kong China expanded its crackdown on Hong Kong Monday, arresting a prominent pro-democracy activist and media owner. Jimmy Lai was paraded through his newsroom in a move designed to silence the press in the semi-autonomous territory. And it comes as the…
World Aug 07 In Belarus, these 3 women are challenging a longtime authoritarian Voters in Belarus will head to the polls this Sunday in the country’s most contested election in decades. Alexander Lukashenko has been called Europe’s last dictator, leading a regime accused of human rights abuses, stifling dissent and running sham elections.
World Aug 05 Beirut blast means more suffering for a country on the brink of collapse Lebanon’s capital city is suffering the aftermath of a cataclysmic explosion that killed at least 135 people and injured 5,000. On Tuesday, a fire started at Beirut’s port -- followed by a detonation so powerful it sent a shockwave through…
World Aug 04 How authoritarianism has spread since the coronavirus pandemic began According to pro-democracy institutions, authoritarianism was on the rise globally even before the coronavirus pandemic hit. But experts say the distraction of the crisis has allowed some leaders to indulge their dictatorial impulses without attracting much attention from the people…
World Jun 30 What's at stake with Israel's plan to annex parts of the West Bank U.S. and Israeli officials met in Jerusalem Tuesday to discuss what could be one of the most dramatic changes to the Middle East map in decades. Israel says that as of Wednesday, it might unilaterally declare significant parts of the…
World Jun 15 Paul Whelan and Maria Ressa, Americans held abroad, convicted in controversial trials Two Americans held overseas have been convicted in controversial court cases. In Russia, former Marine Paul Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison after a trial the U.S. ambassador to Russia called “a mockery of justice.” In the Philippines,…
World Jun 11 Outrage over George Floyd catalyzes movements for racial justice abroad The killing of George Floyd has led to racial reckonings far beyond the U.S. In France, protesters point to incidents of police violence against black people and complain the government hasn’t done enough to address systemic racism. Activists in the…