International
New Myanmar law escalates online censorship and surveillance
Myanmar, a military-ruled nation known for suppressing freedom of expression, has enacted a new cybersecurity law granting sweeping control over the flow of information. The law, published in state-run newspapers on Friday, significantly expands the government’s ability to monitor and restrict online activity.
Existing restrictions under the military regime have often relied on vague national security laws to prosecute online content. Additionally, the government has blocked websites and apps at the network level, utilizing censorship and surveillance technology provided by China and Russia, key allies of Myanmar’s junta.
The new law, effective since Wednesday, includes broad provisions targeting media outlets and service providers such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). VPNs, which allow users to bypass network blocks by routing traffic through third-party servers, are a particular focus of the legislation aimed at curbing access to content deemed undesirable by the regime.
International
Klaus Iohannis resigns as romanian president following growing opposition pressure
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation on Monday, following growing pressure from populist opposition groups, two months after a higher court annulled a presidential election in the European Union country.
“To free Romania from this crisis, I resign as President of Romania,” he said, adding that he would step down on February 12.
Iohannis, 65, had held the presidential office since 2014, having completed the maximum of two five-year terms. However, his presidency was extended in December after the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential race just two days before the second-round vote on December 8.
This decision followed an unexpected victory by the far-right populist Calin Georgescu in the first round, which was followed by allegations of Russian interference and electoral violations.
International
Saudi PhD student’s sentence reduced to 4 years after Twitter activity
A Saudi PhD student from the University of Leeds in Britain has been released after her 34-year sentence for her activities on Twitter in Saudi Arabia was drastically reduced, a human rights group reported on Monday.
Salma al-Shehab, who has two children, was sentenced to 34 years in prison in 2022 for her tweets.
A London-based Saudi rights group, ALQST, announced her release. In January, ALQST and other organizations said that her sentence was reduced to four years in prison, with an additional four years suspended.
“She should now be granted full freedom, including the right to travel to complete her studies,” said the group.
International
Victims of Álvaro Uribe case request international observers for trial
Victims in the legal case against former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe have requested that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH), the United Nations, and other international organizations send observers to monitor the trial against the former leader.
“The victims’ group announces that it will appeal to the CIDH, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, and internationally recognized NGOs to designate international observers to attend the trial, in order to ensure the right to justice is upheld and that judges and magistrates imparting justice are respected,” said the victims, led by left-wing senator Iván Cepeda.
Last Thursday, the trial began against the former Colombian president on charges of bribery, process fraud, and bribery in criminal proceedings.
In this trial, in which for the first time a former Colombian president faces criminal charges, Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia will have to decide whether the Prosecution’s accusations against Uribe are valid or if, as the defense claims, Uribe is innocent of the charges.
Klaus Iohannis resigns as romanian president following growing opposition pressure
Saudi PhD student’s sentence reduced to 4 years after Twitter activity
Victims of Álvaro Uribe case request international observers for trial
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Ecuador prison riot leaves at least 43 dead
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