The Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, Sunday banned the public display and use of symbols “Z” and “V” and other symbols favored by proponents of Russia’s invasion, likening them to Nazi war propaganda. However, special exceptions have been made for educational purposes. The invasion’s proponents have used the “Z” symbol since the invasion began in [...]

Finland and Sweden Wednesday officially applied for NATO membership, as the Russian War in Ukraine rages on. Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin enthusiastically said they intended to join NATO despite Russian warnings. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson followed Finland with intentions to join NATO. Finland and Sweden, both neutral countries, had not [...]

Voters in Switzerland Sunday approved by 58.4 percent a referendum mandating streaming services to invest in Switzerland’s domestic film market. 40 percent of Swiss voters came out to vote on the bill, along with other referendums. “Lex Netflix,” as it is being called, mandates that 30 percent of the streamed movies and shows are produced [...]

Oklahoma lawmakers Thursday gave final approval on an abortion bill allowing private citizens to bring civil action against abortion providers. Since Oklahoma Senate passed “Heartbeat Act,” the bill now heads to the governor’s desk for approval. Oklahoma passed a near-total abortion ban earlier this month. SB 612 made abortion and any attempt at an abortion [...]

UN experts Monday blamed both the Taliban regime and the US for the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The US sanctioned the Taliban government when it came back to power in 2021 after 20 years. In February 2022, however, President Joe Biden signed an executive order offering some help to the Afghan people, although most funds [...]

The Florida legislature Friday voted to revoke Disney’s special tax status. The revocation is said to be a result of Disney’s opposition to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Disney’s theme park in Orlando, Florida spans 25,000 acres and pays several billion dollars in local and state tax revenue. In 1967, the area where the [...]

Human rights activist and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad Wednesday announced the launch of a new global initiative for collecting evidence of sexual assault during war. This new initiative, known as the Murad Code, was created through efforts from the UK government, Murad, and Institute for International Criminal Investigations. It aims to support [...]

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill on Tuesday banning abortions except for medical emergencies. SB 612 makes abortions, or attempts at abortion, a felony. Punishment includes a $100,000 fine or a maximum of ten years in jail, or both. Governor Stitt did not hide his intent behind the bill, saying he wanted Oklahoma to [...]

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch Wednesday accused armed forces in Ethiopia of participating in the ethnic cleansing of the Tigrayan minority. The Tigray region in Northern Ethiopia has been dealing with ethnic cleansing fears since the Ethiopian military conflict began in November 2020. The conflict has led to millions of refugees, including thousands to neighboring [...]

The Rwanda appeals court Monday upheld Paul Rusesabagina’s 25-year sentence. In upholding the sentence, the court of appeals rejected the prosecutors’ demand for a life sentence. Rusesabagina’s supporters and international observers, such as TrialWatch and Amnesty International, called Rusesabagina’s first trial a sham. The 2021 sentencing was a result of his involvement in the 2018-2019 Rwandan [...]