During Iran's 2026 protests, the government's internet shutdown led to unclear death tolls. LoRa mesh networks, using radio frequencies, offer a censorship-resistant communication alternative, though with limitations.
Pauline Hanson's recent comments on domestic violence, suggesting it's a "two-way street" and questioning why women don't leave abusive relationships, are not gaffes but reflect a decade-long core belief influenced by anti-feminist groups and her son's past allegations.
Delhi sees increased security with 30 CRPF companies airlifted and CISF leave curtailed amid ongoing student protests at Jantar Mantar. The Cockroach Janta Party demands Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak and seeks compensation for affected families.
Australia's Labor Party national conference, under Anthony Albanese, showcased a culture of compliance with minimal debate, despite internal calls for a gas tax and stronger criticism of Israel. The strategy prioritizes unity and pragmatism to counter economic anxiety and opponents like One Nation.
A cross-party delegation of Irish politicians urged Dublin to send observers to the trial of pro-Palestinian activists in Germany and raise concerns about Irish defendant Daniel Tatlow-Devally's detention conditions with the German chancellor during an upcoming visit.
Russia's parliament passed a law allowing the stripping of property rights, bank accounts, and consular services for Russians abroad facing political prosecution, effectively revoking citizenship for those deemed "traitors" or "extremists" by the state.
The prosecution of leading human rights barrister Rajiv Menon KC for contempt of court, stemming from his closing speech in a Palestine Action trial, has caused significant concern and fear among lawyers, according to the Criminal Bar Association chair. Senior legal figures have criticized the move, believed to be the first such prosecution.
Energy giant Woodside's Supreme Court bid to compel climate activists to disclose documents about a 2023 stink-bomb protest at its Perth headquarters failed. Justice Howard dismissed the application, citing privacy concerns and lack of evidence, also cautioning against discouraging activism.
The Trump administration's State Department released a report labeling several US activists and organizations, including Hasan Piker and Chris Smalls, as "front groups and fellow travelers" for Cuba. The report denounces Cuba as the "capital of 21st-century communism" and accuses its government of a "campaign of subversion" in the US.
A $96 million US Department of Defense deal with Australian firm Lynas for rare earth elements, crucial for modern tech and weapons, faces Malaysian pushback. Locals and NGOs urge the government to block the deal or ensure materials aren't used in weapons, citing US support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict.
Extinction Rebellion activists vandalized a Microsoft data center construction site in Amsterdam with corrosive balloons, protesting AI's environmental impact and resource consumption. This action highlights increasing public backlash against data centers, which also face lawsuits and land disputes in the United States.
Thousands of Israeli settlers and right-wing activists marched towards the Gaza border, calling on the government to re-establish Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, which were evacuated in 2005 under a disengagement plan.
The Bank of England will no longer accept thermal coal-linked bonds as collateral for loans to commercial banks starting October, citing financial risks from the shift to net zero. Climate campaigners hail the move as a victory, hoping it pressures banks to divest from polluting assets.
Hundreds protested in Nepal's capital against the government's eviction of landless families without alternative housing. Youth activists assessing flood-hit squatters faced police action and arrests, sparking further public anger and protests in Koshi province.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, who died aged 71, was remembered globally for his advocacy of a muscular US foreign policy. Tributes came from figures like Israel's Itamar Ben-Gvir and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, highlighting his extensive international reach and influence on Donald Trump's worldview, though his legacy is marked by controversial foreign policy decisions.
Walmart heiresses Nancy Walton Laurie and Ann Walton Kroenke showcase extreme wealth through vastly different means. Laurie owns the $300 million megayacht Kaos, while Kroenke commands the Waggoner Ranch, a 510,000-acre Texas property.
Walmart heiresses Ann Walton Kroenke and Nancy Walton Laurie showcase their immense wealth through contrasting lifestyles: Kroenke owns a sprawling Texas ranch, one of the largest in the US, while Laurie commands the $300 million superyacht Kaos.
Andy Burnham apologises for Labour's slow response on Gaza ceasefire. He calls for more pressure on Israel, including a ban on trade with illegal settlements, and notes evidence of war crimes.
Reform UK activists are being directed away from the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection to support Nigel Farage's "fake" contest in Clacton. A WhatsApp message urged members to volunteer in Clacton, suggesting the party doubts its chances in Greater Manchester and is prioritizing support for Farage amidst criticism of the Clacton byelection.
Colombia's environmental movement faces a setback as far-right president Abelardo de la Espriella, who favors fossil fuel exploitation, takes office. Activists like Yuvelis Morales Blanco vow to continue fighting for natural resources and rights despite the government's shift from the previous administration's energy transition focus.
Baloch activists in Bremen, Germany, protested alleged human rights abuses in Pakistan's Balochistan province, citing enforced disappearances, custodial killings, and collective punishment. The Baloch National Movement (BNM) called for international intervention amid fresh allegations of military raids and civilian abuses in Gwadar.
Turkish police arrested dozens of journalists, rights activists, academics, and leftists in raids across multiple provinces. Authorities claim counterterrorism efforts, but critics say it's to silence dissent before the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
China's new "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" took effect, with Article 63 allowing legal action against overseas individuals and organizations undermining ethnic unity. Rights groups like Amnesty International and UN Special Rapporteurs criticize it as a tool for transnational repression and forced assimilation in regions like Tibet and Xinjiang.
Ankara is preparing for the NATO summit on July 7-8, but these preparations are overshadowed by mass arrests of 225 people, including human rights and environmental activists, and journalists. Turkish prosecutors justify the crackdown by citing terrorism investigations, drawing strong criticism from human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch.
