European migrant crisis, Germany–Greece relations Germany agrees to take 1,500 migrants from Greece following a devastating fire at the Moria Refugee Camp on the island of Lesbos. (Euronews)
Germany agrees to take 1,500 migrants from Greece following a devastating fire at the Moria Refugee Camp on the island of Lesbos. (Euronews)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announces plans to repeal the Dublin Regulation and reform the migration policy of the European Union, which von der Leyen says will be presented on September 23. (AFP via France 24)
President Ashraf Ghani signs an amendment allowing mother's names to appear on their child's birth certificate, after discussion on the law was delayed by the National Assembly last week. The move is seen as a "significant milestone" for women's rights, following Afghan tradition stating that using a woman's name in public brings shame on their family. (ABC Australia)
Women in Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani signs an amendment allowing mother's names to appear on their child's birth certificate, after discussion on the law was delayed by the National Assembly last week. The move is seen as a "significant milestone" for women's rights, following Afghan tradition stating that using a woman's name in public brings shame on their family. (ABC Australia)
A court in Hong Kong convicts an 81-year-old man for stabbing pro-democracy activist Leung Kwok-hung, also known as "Long Hair". Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong adjourned sentencing to October 13 and praised the perpetrator for "loving society", while also commenting that Leung was not hurt seriously. (The Standard)
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issue a joint note verbale to the United Nations rejecting China's claims to the South China Sea, and supporting the ruling in Philippines v. China that said the historic rights per the nine-dash line ran counter to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. However the statement says that on "territorial sovereignty" they "take no position". (CNN Philippines)
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issue a joint note verbale to the United Nations rejecting China's claims to the South China Sea, and supporting the ruling in Philippines v. China that said the historic rights per the nine-dash line ran counter to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. However the statement says that on "territorial sovereignty" they "take no position". (CNN Philippines)
LGBT rights in Hong Kong On two different rulings, the Hong Kong High Court rules in favor of a gay homeowner seeking inheritance equality from his partner but refuses to recognize the foreign-registered same-sex marriage of pro-democracy activist and convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front Jimmy Sham. Group Hong Kong Marriage Equality (HKME) welcomes the first ruling while Sham condemns his case outcome. (South China Morning Post)
On two different rulings, the Hong Kong High Court rules in favor of a gay homeowner seeking inheritance equality from his partner but refuses to recognize the foreign-registered same-sex marriage of pro-democracy activist and convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front Jimmy Sham. Group Hong Kong Marriage Equality (HKME) welcomes the first ruling while Sham condemns his case outcome. (South China Morning Post)
A Paris court indicts Eric Bagale, a former presidential guard of former Central African Republic President François Bozizé and head of an anti-balaka militia, for "complicity in crimes against humanity" and "criminal association for the preparation of a war crime" on acts his militia committed between 2007 and 2014. (AFP via The Guardian)
Central African Republic Civil War A Paris court indicts Eric Bagale, a former presidential guard of former Central African Republic President François Bozizé and head of an anti-balaka militia, for "complicity in crimes against humanity" and "criminal association for the preparation of a war crime" on acts his militia committed between 2007 and 2014. (AFP via The Guardian)
Aftermath of the Hachalu Hundessa riots The attorney general of Ethiopia files terrorism charges against opposition activist Jawar Mohammed for the unrest that erupted following the assassination of musician Hachalu Hundessa last June. Jawar is due to appear in court on Monday to respond to the charges. (Reuters)
The attorney general of Ethiopia files terrorism charges against opposition activist Jawar Mohammed for the unrest that erupted following the assassination of musician Hachalu Hundessa last June. Jawar is due to appear in court on Monday to respond to the charges. (Reuters)
A court in Bulgaria sentences two men, a Lebanese Australian and a Lebanese Canadian, to life in prison in absentia, for their roles in the suicide bombing of a bus in Burgas in 2012 that killed five Israeli tourists, the Bulgarian driver and the bomber. The whereabouts of the men is unknown and they are the subject of an Interpol red notice. (AP)
Aftermath of the 2012 Burgas bus bombing A court in Bulgaria sentences two men, a Lebanese Australian and a Lebanese Canadian, to life in prison in absentia, for their roles in the suicide bombing of a bus in Burgas in 2012 that killed five Israeli tourists, the Bulgarian driver and the bomber. The whereabouts of the men is unknown and they are the subject of an Interpol red notice. (AP)
Hong Kong pro-democracy camp activist Joshua Wong loses a court case against his disqualification from running in last year's November election. The returning officer had disqualified him because she did not believe Wong had changed his stance on Hong Kong independence and his "subversive intentions". (South China Morning Post)
Human rights campaigners urge Cook Islands' MPs to abolish Article 64 of the Crimes Act, which criminalises gay men with up to 14 years' imprisonment. The activists call on the lawmakers to abide by the Constitution. The Cook Islands is a sovereign territory belonging to New Zealand. (RNZ)
LGBT rights in the Cook Islands Human rights campaigners urge Cook Islands' MPs to abolish Article 64 of the Crimes Act, which criminalises gay men with up to 14 years' imprisonment. The activists call on the lawmakers to abide by the Constitution. The Cook Islands is a sovereign territory belonging to New Zealand. (RNZ)
China–United States trade war, Censorship of TikTok The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia temporarily blocks U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order banning TikTok from smartphone app stores hours before it was to go into effect, after lawyers representing the app's company ByteDance argued its ban would constitute a form of censorship. (NPR)
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declares martial law, and imposes curfews from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in major cities, including the capital Baku, in response to the clashes between Azeri and Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. (Reuters) (ANI)
Armenia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh declare martial law and a full mobilization of its Artsakh Defence Army amid an Azerbaijani invasion. Azerbaijani Armed Forces say they have captured six Armenian villages. (The Guardian)
A court in China sentences a woman to death for poisoning 25 kindergarten children with nitrite in their porridge, killing one. The court said the motives of the woman were "despicable" and "vicious". (CNN)
A court rules that the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company are responsible for the damages caused during a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Furthermore, the operator of the plant is required to pay $9.5 million in damages to survivors. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Israel's Knesset passes a law that bans mass protesting during the country's lockdown in a move the opponents claim to criminalize demonstrations calling for Benjamin Netanyahu to resign as prime minister. It allows the government to restrict people from traveling more than 1 kilometer from their homes to demonstrate, and outdoor gatherings of more than 20 people are banned. (The Guardian)
Israel's Knesset passes a law that bans mass protesting during the country's lockdown in a move the opponents claim to criminalize demonstrations calling for Benjamin Netanyahu to resign as prime minister. It allows the government to restrict people from traveling more than 1 kilometer from their homes to demonstrate, and outdoor gatherings of more than 20 people are banned. (The Guardian)
A French court rejects the extradition appeal of Rwandan businessman Félicien Kabuga, believed to be the financier of the Rwandan genocide, clearing for him to be sent to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda for trial. (DW)
An Indian court acquits 32 people, including former Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani and former leader of the ruling BJP Uma Bharti, of their role in the demolition of the former Babri Masjid. (BBC News)
After the United Kingdom ignored their demands made in early September to scrap the Internal Market Bill by the end of the month, the European Commission sends a letter to the government of the United Kingdom informing them of its intent to pursue international legal action over the bill, which the European Union claims violates international law by overriding article four of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. (AFP via Asia Times)
Post-Brexit United Kingdom relations with the European Union After the United Kingdom ignored their demands made in early September to scrap the Internal Market Bill by the end of the month, the European Commission sends a letter to the government of the United Kingdom informing them of its intent to pursue international legal action over the bill, which the European Union claims violates international law by overriding article four of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. (AFP via Asia Times)
Belgium's court of appeal recognizes the genealogical DNA test result of Delphine Boël as the daughter of King Albert II, thereby instating her to the title of Princess of Belgium with the predicate "Her Royal Highness". Having been recognized as the illegitimate daughter of Albert, Boël was given the honorific Jonkvrouw, the lowest rank within the Belgian titled nobility, prior to the decision. (AFP via The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil São Paulo State governor João Doria asks health regulator Anvisa for approval to use COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac, a major step in what could be one of the first vaccination programs in the Americas. In late July, São Paulo was one of the first sites of Phase III clinical trials for Sinovac. Doria plans to begin inoculating the population of São Paulo by mid-December, which is one of the world’s most ambitious schedules. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil São Paulo State governor João Doria asks health regulator Anvisa for approval to use COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac, a major step in what could be one of the first vaccination programs in the Americas. In late July, São Paulo was one of the first sites of Phase III clinical trials for Sinovac. Doria plans to begin inoculating the population of São Paulo by mid-December, which is one of the world’s most ambitious schedules. (Reuters)
São Paulo State governor João Doria asks health regulator Anvisa for approval to use COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac, a major step in what could be one of the first vaccination programs in the Americas. In late July, São Paulo was one of the first sites of Phase III clinical trials for Sinovac. Doria plans to begin inoculating the population of São Paulo by mid-December, which is one of the world’s most ambitious schedules. (Reuters)
Eight migrants are dead, while 12 more are missing, after three unidentified smugglers hijacked their boat off the coast of Djibouti, according to eyewitnesses and the International Organization for Migration. The agency reports that the migrants had attempted to reach Saudi Arabia via Yemen, but were forced to return to the Horn of Africa due to COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions. (AFP via Macau Business)
The Indonesian parliament passes a controversial job creation omnibus bill into law amid mounting criticism over its provisions on labour rights, indigenous community rights, and environmental protection. Labour unions and civil rights groups plan to hold large-scale protests. (Antara)
White House COVID-19 outbreak White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller tests positive for COVID-19. (CNN)
White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller tests positive for COVID-19. (CNN)
A report from the United Nations recommends that war crimes committed by Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement be referred to the International Criminal Court. (The Washington Post)
Yemeni Civil War A report from the United Nations recommends that war crimes committed by Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement be referred to the International Criminal Court. (The Washington Post)
A Greek court rules that far-right political party Golden Dawn operated as a criminal organization in connection with the murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas in 2013 and other crimes. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid Madrid regional court overturns a government order to impose a partial lockdown on the city and nine satellite towns, calling the restrictions "interference by public authorities in citizens' fundamental rights without the legal mandate to support it." (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid Madrid regional court overturns a government order to impose a partial lockdown on the city and nine satellite towns, calling the restrictions "interference by public authorities in citizens' fundamental rights without the legal mandate to support it." (France 24)
Madrid regional court overturns a government order to impose a partial lockdown on the city and nine satellite towns, calling the restrictions "interference by public authorities in citizens' fundamental rights without the legal mandate to support it." (France 24)
The largest Islamic mass organization Nahdlatul Ulama condemns the law as 'oppressive', and calls for judicial review. (The Jakarta Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid The national government imposes a 15-day state of emergency in Madrid and nine surrounding cities in an attempt to bring down COVID-19 infection rates in the capital, after a court yesterday overturned a partial lockdown imposed last week. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid The national government imposes a 15-day state of emergency in Madrid and nine surrounding cities in an attempt to bring down COVID-19 infection rates in the capital, after a court yesterday overturned a partial lockdown imposed last week. (BBC News)
Omnibus Law on Job Creation, Indonesia omnibus bill protests President Joko Widodo speaks about the controversy of Omnibus Law on Job Creation, which triggered demonstrations and riots in various regions across the country. Jokowi claims the demonstration against the Job Creation Law was motivated by "disinformation regarding the substance of this law and hoaxes on social media". (detikNews)
President Joko Widodo speaks about the controversy of Omnibus Law on Job Creation, which triggered demonstrations and riots in various regions across the country. Jokowi claims the demonstration against the Job Creation Law was motivated by "disinformation regarding the substance of this law and hoaxes on social media". (detikNews)
The national government imposes a 15-day state of emergency in Madrid and nine surrounding cities in an attempt to bring down COVID-19 infection rates in the capital, after a court yesterday overturned a partial lockdown imposed last week. (BBC News)
Cannabis in Vermont Vermont will become the 11th state to legalize marijuana for recreational use after Governor Phil Scott said that he wouldn't veto a law passed by the state legislature. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York A federal judge refuses to block New York governor Andrew Cuomo's plan to temporarily limit the size of religious gatherings in the virus hot spots. The district judge Kiyo Matsumoto issues the ruling after an emergency hearing in a lawsuit brought by rabbis and synagogues arguing that the restrictions were unconstitutional. (The New York Times)
Crime in Nigeria; Capital punishment in Nigeria Gracious David-West, a serial killer who killed 15 women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, between July and September 2019, is sentenced to death. (BBC News)
Cyprus dispute The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus re-opens Varosha, Famagusta, to the public. The area was abandoned in 1974 during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and access is forbidden under international law imposed by the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus. Russia condemns the decision, calling it "unacceptable", and Cyprus has requested the United Nations intervene to stop the re-opening. (The Guardian)
Gracious David-West, a serial killer who killed 15 women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, between July and September 2019, is sentenced to death. (BBC News)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion COVID-19 pandemic in New York A federal judge refuses to block New York governor Andrew Cuomo's plan to temporarily limit the size of religious gatherings in the virus hot spots. The district judge Kiyo Matsumoto issues the ruling after an emergency hearing in a lawsuit brought by rabbis and synagogues arguing that the restrictions were unconstitutional. (The New York Times)
The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus re-opens Varosha, Famagusta, to the public. The area was abandoned in 1974 during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and access is forbidden under international law imposed by the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus. Russia condemns the decision, calling it "unacceptable", and Cyprus has requested the United Nations intervene to stop the re-opening. (The Guardian)
Vermont will become the 11th state to legalize marijuana for recreational use after Governor Phil Scott said that he wouldn't veto a law passed by the state legislature. (The Hill)
A migrant boat capsizes off the coast of Tunisia, killing at least 11 people, who were all women and children, according to the Tunisian Navy. Around 20 others are still missing. (Reuters)
European migrant crisis A migrant boat capsizes off the coast of Tunisia, killing at least 11 people, who were all women and children, according to the Tunisian Navy. Around 20 others are still missing. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan The Michigan Supreme Court announces that it has struck down emergency orders from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (CNN)
War in Afghanistan A highway is closed and power is shut off in parts of Helmand Province amidst brutal fighting in which 71 Taliban fighters have been killed and the deputy shadow governor of Helmand, Mawlawi Ghafoor, has been arrested. The governor's office says that Ghafoor was recently released as part of peace negotiations. (TOLO News)
Circuit Court Judge R. Michael Waterman refuses to block the mask mandate order by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge R. Michael Waterman refuses to block the mask mandate order by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. (CNN)
Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge R. Michael Waterman refuses to block the mask mandate order by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. (CNN)
The People's Representative Council issues a statement regarding the Job Creation Law. Deputy Speaker Aziz Syamsuddin guarantees that there are no contraband articles in the draft law, even the parliament changes the number of pages in the law to 812 pages due to pagination being changed to legal format. The final draft of the law will be submitted to the President tomorrow. (Jawa Pos) (Kabar 24)
One-China policy The premier of Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands, Daniel Suidani, survives a vote of no confidence by 24–9. Suidani, an outspoken critic of the central government's decision to switch recognition from Taiwan to China, has refused to accept any aid from China since the change in policy. (RNZ)
The premier of Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands, Daniel Suidani, survives a vote of no confidence by 24–9. Suidani, an outspoken critic of the central government's decision to switch recognition from Taiwan to China, has refused to accept any aid from China since the change in policy. (RNZ)
During a federal court hearing for six suspects accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, an FBI agent testifies that the suspects had also discussed kidnapping Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. (USA Today)
Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot During a federal court hearing for six suspects accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, an FBI agent testifies that the suspects had also discussed kidnapping Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. (USA Today)
Thousands of protesters from various organizations, including alumni of PA 212 and the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), hold "Action 1310" to protest against the Job Creation Law in Jakarta. (Nusadaily.com)
TransJakarta temporarily suspends its operational services in all areas due to demonstrations taking place in the capital against the controversial omnibus law. (CNN Indonesia)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland The government announces a nationwide ban on visits to homes or gardens in almost all circumstances, except for providing care to children or elderly and vulnerable people. It also announces that Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal, which border Northern Ireland, will move to Level 4 restrictions between midnight tomorrow until November 10, which means that non-essential retail stores will close and that all non-essential workers will work from home. (The Irish Times)
Former chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has been released by India. She was detained on 5 August last year, when the government stripped the region of its partial autonomy. She was in house arrest under a controversial law that allows detention without charge for up to two years. (BBC News)
Indonesian Omnibus Law on Job Creation People's Representative Council has submitted the final draft of Job Creation Law, which contains 812 pages after many revisions to President Joko Widodo, which represented by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno. (Kompas)
