Today (19 November 2024), 1,361 days after the police formally charged the defendants, Hong Kong's national security-designated judges finally gave sentences to the 45 defendants found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion under the National Security Law (NSL) for their participation in the democratic primary. Among them, Tai Yiu-ting, described as the primary organiser, received the longest sentence of 10 years, while the remaining defendants face prison terms ranging from four years (…)

On August 5, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, the prime minister of Bangladesh for the last 15 years, had to resign and run from the country after being driven out by student protesters. The student movement began with demands to end the quota (the allocation of many government jobs to the descendants of freedom fighters). But it gave way to a broader rebellion against the Awami League (AL), led by Sheikh Hasina, and her despotic government. The students achieved this victory after a fierce struggle, (…)

Kokila Annamalai, an anti-death penalty and social justice activist in Singapore, is facing potential prison time and fines for refusing to comply with government censorship. Annamalai defied a directive under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), which is frequently used to silence dissent. The POFMA grants ministers the power to order people to take down online content or post correction notices. People can also be pressured to issue an apology, so as to (…)

Plus de 160 mathématiciens et mathématiciennes du monde entier ont signé une tribune dénonçant le génocide en cours à Gaza. Ils appellent la communauté scientifique à suspendre toute collaboration avec les institutions israéliennes qui ne condamnent pas explicitement ce génocide ainsi que la colonisation croissante de la Palestine, en violation du droit international. Le 7 octobre 2023, le Hamas a perpétré une attaque terroriste en Israël, provoquant la mort de plus de 1 200 personnes, (…)

While military co-optation strategies of the Sangha are an important dynamic, there is also significant monastic resistance to the military coup as well as support to the revolution. Not surprisingly, revolutionary visions pose serious threats to institutionalised religion, such as the Sangha—the monastic order—in Myanmar. From a Buddhist–normative point of view, the question inevitably arises as to what extent a revolution constitutes a threat to the sasana (Buddhism). How do Myanmar's (…)

Donald Trump's election to the White House has set alarm bells ringing around the world, but what if any effect will it have on Myanmar? The simple answer is that his “America First” foreign and national security policy will definitely affect Myanmar adversely, but we do not know to what extent yet. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, D.C. on November 13, 2024. / AFP Myanmar has very little trade with (…)