Iran’s supreme leader praises paramilitary for crackdown on ‘rioters’ and ‘thugs’ | CNN

Iran’s supreme leader praises paramilitary for crackdown on ‘rioters’ and ‘thugs’ | CNN

CNN  —  Iran’s Supreme Leader has praised the country’s Basij paramilitary force for its role in the deadly crackdown on anti-regime protesters. Meeting with Basij personnel in Tehran Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the popular protest movement as “rioters” and “thugs” backed by foreign forces and praised “innocent” Basij fighters for protecting the nation. The … Read more

Russian dissident Alexey Navalny says he was moved into solitary cell to ‘shut me up’ | CNN

Russian dissident Alexey Navalny says he was moved into solitary cell to ‘shut me up’ | CNN

CNN  —  Imprisoned Russian dissident Alexey Navalny has been transferred into a solitary prison cell, according to tweets from himself and his staff, in what he described as a move designed to “shut me up.” Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, explained what happened in a Thursday Twitter thread: “Congratulations, I’ve moved … Read more

Family fears for life of rapper they say was violently arrested after encouraging Iranians to protest | CNN

Family fears for life of rapper they say was violently arrested after encouraging Iranians to protest | CNN

CNN  —  “Someone’s crime was that her hair was flowing in the wind. Someone’s crime was that he or she was brave and were outspoken.” These lyrics could cost Iranian rap artist Toomaj Salehi his life. In any other country he could have easily rapped about the day-to-day problems facing his countrymen without consequence. But … Read more

Egypt faces criticism over crackdown on activists ahead of COP27 climate summit | CNN

Egypt faces criticism over crackdown on activists ahead of COP27 climate summit | CNN

CNN  —  Egypt is facing a barrage of criticism over what rights group say is a crackdown on protests and activists, as it prepares to host the COP27 climate summit starting Sunday. Rights groups have accused the Egyptian government of arbitrarily detaining activists after Egyptian dissidents abroad called for protests to be held against President … Read more

Opinion: The relentless bravery of Iranian protesters is a moral test for the Western world | CNN

Opinion: The relentless bravery of Iranian protesters is a moral test for the Western world | CNN

Editor’s Note: Frida Ghitis, (@fridaghitis) a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. She is a weekly opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. View more opinion on CNN. CNN  —  On … Read more

Arshad Sharif, prominent journalist who fled Pakistan, killed in shooting in Kenya | CNN Business

Arshad Sharif, prominent journalist who fled Pakistan, killed in shooting in Kenya | CNN Business

Nairobi CNN Business  —  Arshad Sharif, a prominent Pakistani journalist who fled the country after he was charged with sedition, has died in Kenya after he was shot by police responding to reports of a stolen vehicle, authorities said. “The officers trailing the motor vehicle … alerted police in Magadi who erected a road barrier,” … Read more

Son of US citizen detained in Saudi Arabia says his father is ‘nowhere near being dissident’ | CNN Politics

Son of US citizen detained in Saudi Arabia says his father is ‘nowhere near being dissident’ | CNN Politics

CNN  —  The son of an American citizen imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for criticizing the Saudi government said Tuesday evening that his father is “nowhere near being a dissident.” “My father is a senior American citizen who just wants to live freely and happy in the United States where he got his education,” Saad Ibrahim … Read more

Iran’s ‘women’s revolution’ could be a Berlin Wall moment | CNN Politics

Iran’s ‘women’s revolution’ could be a Berlin Wall moment | CNN Politics

A version of this story appeared in CNN’s What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. CNN  —  The Islamic regime in Iran has ruled for decades with fear and intimidation. Outrage at the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22 year-old who died after being detained by Iran’s morality … Read more

Epidemics lead world’s biggest short-term risks: World Economic Forum

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LONDON: Infectious diseases and livelihood crises led the rankings of risks expected to pose a critical threat to the world in the next two years, according to a survey of more than 650 World Economic Forum (WEF) members from business, government and academia. Extreme weather events and cybersecurity failure were also key risks, WEF said … Read more

Nigerian Protesters Shut Down Africa’s Largest City, Escalating Standoff With Government

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LAGOS, Nigeria—Tens of thousands of protesters brought the largest city in Africa to a standstill on Monday, mounting the biggest demonstration in a two-week campaign against police brutality and escalating a standoff with a government that has pledged to restore order. Groups of placard-waving protesters blocked major roads across Lagos, Nigeria’s sprawling commercial capital and … Read more