A new tax proposal in Türkiye has raised concerns about money laundering and illegal financial activity. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to give people moving to Türkiye a 20-year exemption on foreign income taxes, along with very low taxes on domestic income and inheritance. The goal is to attract wealthy people and bring money into [...]
A trial in Damascus has brought strong emotions as a former official of Syria’s Assad regime, Atef Najib, faced court for crimes linked to the early days of the 2011 uprising. Families of victims gathered inside the Palace of Justice, many crying and chanting for justice for loved ones who were killed or tortured during [...]
A major corruption case has been uncovered in Attapeu Province, where authorities discovered that more than 158 billion kip of government money had been stolen. Investigators also reported an additional loss of about 369,000 US dollars. The case began when the main suspect fled to a neighboring country after the first investigation started. He later [...]
Since the coup in Niger in 2023, freedom of expression and association has been under threat. Journalists claim that they are intimidated, harassed, and arrested at times, and this has forced many of them to self-censor. On January 17, 2025, the government suspended the Canal 3 TV station for 30 days because the station’s editor, [...]
Civic space in Brunei is rated as “repressed” by the CIVICUS Monitor, with no clear progress on basic freedoms. Brunei is an absolute monarchy where the Sultan holds full executive power under a long-standing state of emergency declared in 1962. There are no national elections and no legal protection for freedom of speech, assembly, or [...]
Recent events in northeast Syria show deep divisions between Arab and Kurdish communities. When the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced their withdrawal from Arab-majority cities like Raqqa and Deir Az Zor, many residents celebrated the return of Syrian government control. Some Arabs said they felt relieved after years of fear, repression, and forced conscription [...]
Many families still search for their missing loved ones after years of war in Syria. Mass graves continue to appear where the rebels used to have control. Individuals such as Kasim excavate very carefully to uncover bones and clothing, seeking to know what has happened. His brother Samer vanished when he stepped out of the [...]
On the fifth anniversary of Pham Doan Trang’s arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists and 20 partner groups urge Vietnam to free her now. Trang is serving nine years in prison for “anti‑state propaganda” after a one‑day trial. Her conditions are worsening, and she lacks access to medical care, family, or independent oversight. Press freedom [...]
Ahead of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day, many people have raised the One Piece anime’s pirate flag instead of the red-and-white national flag. The Jolly Roger flag, with a skull wearing a straw hat, is being used as a symbol of protest. Social media users say it shows resistance against injustice and disappointment in Indonesia’s democracy. [...]
A Syrian government committee says over 1,400 mostly Alawite civilians were killed in sectarian violence in coastal regions in March’2025. The report blames armed groups loyal to the former Assad regime but says there’s no proof military leaders ordered the attacks. The committee identified 298 suspects, arrested 37, and confirmed serious crimes like murder, torture, [...]