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Activists say the human rights movement is failing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

OSLO, Norway — Gatherings of human rights activists tend to feature commitments to the cause mixed with a lot of gallows humor — after all, many such advocates have survived and persisted in their roles despite imprisonment, torture and surveillance by authoritarian regimes.But on a sunlit June night in this Nordic capital, at the annual Oslo Freedom Forum last week, it was hard to avoid a more pessimistic tone.Dissidents and human rights campaigners led toasts and implored each other to keep the faith in their quest to end tyranny. They admitted, however, that they were running short on hope amid the rise of increasingly nimble, tech-savvy adversaries.“The state of the modern human rights movement is rather dire,” said Ramy Yaacoub, who works on Middle East issues for the Open Society Foundations, a grant-making network founded by liberal billionaire financier George Soros. “Back in the day, human rights groups were ahead of the curve. But autocratic regimes have learned from that....

Ukraine counteroffensive inches forward; Putin dismisses prospects of peace talks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

Ukrainian forces recaptured the village of Piatykhatky in the southern Zaporizhzhia region on Sunday, a local occupying Russian official said.This is one of Ukraine’s first wins on that front since the start earlier this month of the counteroffensive against Russia’s unlawful invasion of the country.“The enemy’s ‘wave-like’ offensives yielded results, despite enormous losses,” said Russian-installed official Vladimir Rogov on his Telegram channel, Reuters reported.The U.K. Defense Ministry said on Sunday that “heavy fighting has continued, with the most intense combat focused in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, western Donetsk Oblast, and around Bakhmut,” the devastated town that was captured by Moscow last month. The ministry added that in all these areas, Ukraine “has made small advances,” but that “Russian forces often conduct relatively effective defensive operations.”“Both sides are suffering high casualtie...

2 American tourists attacked in Germany are identified as recent college graduates from Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

(CNN) — Two American tourists who police say were attacked – one fatally – while hiking in Germany were identified as recent graduates of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, according to the school.Eva Liu, 21, was allegedly attacked by a 30-year-old American man she had met while hiking near one of Germany’s most popular tourist sights, Neuschwanstein Castle, on Wednesday, according to Bavarian authorities.A friend who was with her, Kelsey Chang, 22, attempted to rescue Liu but was pushed down a steep slope. Investigators say the man then attempted to commit a “sexual offense” on Liu before he pushed her down the slope too, causing her to fall about 50 meters below her friend.Both women were rescued by emergency responders and taken to two separate hospitals. Chang survived, but Liu later died.Neither woman previously knew the alleged attacker, an American whose name has not been released, police say. The man had persuaded the two young women to follow ...

Somerville church holds Sunday service since fire after Pride worship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

The Somerville United Church of Christ is holding its first service Sunday since a fire broke out in the building immediately following Pride worship service last weekend.The investigation into the fire is still ongoing.Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, the church says they will continue to be “unapologetically queer, queer affirming and Christian.”They say all are welcome to join in their congregation at 10 a.m. Sunday.

‘Making it possible for Boston to truly be a place of equity’: Hyde Park celebrates Juneteenth, honors community members

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

Hyde Park kicked off its Juneteenth celebration early this weekend.The New Mission High School hosted an exhibit called “The Living Histories of Hyde Park” that honors 13 people of color making an impact in the community.Marcia Kimm-Jackson created this exhibit and wanted to pick role models from Boston to highlight.“People who are really amazing at their craft, breaking barriers, really starting things, expanding things and making it possible for Boston to truly be a place of equity,” she said.Organizers and honorees say they know there is much more work to be done, but this is a celebration of how far they, and the city, have come.

Man walks into hospital suffering from gunshot wound

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

Toronto police are investigating after a man showed up at a hospital suffering from a gunshot wound Sunday morning. Police say the man’s injuries are non-life threatening and are working to determine if he was a victim in a shooting reported earlier in the morning in Scarborough. Investigators say they were called to the area of Kennedy Road and Village Green Square, just north of Highway 401, just before 6:30 a.m. for reports of gunshots. Police confirmed that a firearm was discharged but reported no injuries at the time.

Netanyahu says he’s opposed to any interim US-Iran deal on nuclear program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he opposes any interim agreement reportedly being negotiated between the U.S. and Iran over its nuclear program.Netanyahu spoke after reports in Israeli media said understandings are being reached between Washington and Tehran that would seek to hold back Iran’s nuclear program somewhat, in exchange for some sanctions relief. The reports could not be independently confirmed and the U.S. has publicly denied any such deal.Netanyahu said Israel had informed the U.S. that “the most limited understandings, what are termed ‘mini-agreements’, do not – in our view – serve the goal and we are opposed to them as well.”Israeli officials believe some understandings have already been reached limiting enrichment and that some funds have already been unfrozen. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a confidential diplomatic assessment. The Israeli news site Walla last week r...

France, Germany join forces against migration from Tunisia in wake of latest Mediterranean tragedy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Ministers from Germany and France tasked with regulating migration are joining forces to try to curb deaths on dangerous routes across the Mediterranean Sea, traveling Sunday for talks with the president and their counterpart in Tunisia, a major North African stepping stone for migrants trying to reach Europe at risk of their lives. The two-day trip by the German and French interior ministers, Nancy Faeser and Gérald Darmanin, follows what is feared to be the deadliest migrant shipwreck in years in the Mediterranean — the capsizing last week of a fishing vessel packed with men, women and children trying to reach Italy from Libya, Tunisia’s neighbor.More than 500 migrants are presumed to have drowned in the sinking Wednesday off the southern coast of Greece that renewed criticism of Europe’s yearslong failure to prevent migration tragedies.The U.N. migration agency said it could be the second-deadliest migrant shipwreck recorded — after the April 2015 caps...

Netanyahu says Israel will move ahead on contentious judicial overhaul plan after talks crumble

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday his government intends to move ahead on contentious plans to change the country’s judicial system after talks aimed at finding a compromise solution appeared to be crumbling.The government’s plans to overhaul the judiciary plunged Israel into one of its worst domestic crises ever earlier this year. Negotiations between the government and opposition parties somewhat alleviated the crisis with attempts to find a middle ground over proposed changes to the country’s justice system. Those talks were jolted last week over a crisis surrounding the powerful regular committee responsible for picking the country’s judges. Opposition leaders said negotiations were frozen until the committee is formed. At a meeting of his Cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu said the opposition hadn’t been negotiating in good faith and that his government would move ahead cautiously on the overhaul.“This week, we will begin ...

20 wounded, 1 fatal in shooting in Unincorporated Willowbrook: Police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

UNINCOORPORATED WILLOWBROOK, Ill. -- DuPage County responded to a shooting in Unincorporated Willowbrook which sent 20 people to the hospital and left one person dead, police said. According to the Battalion Chief with the tri-state Fire protection district, at around 12:30 a.m. there was a shooting reported near Route 83 and Honeysuckle Rose Lane.The DuPage County Sheriff confirmed that 20 people were injured with gunshot wounds. At least ten people were transported to hospitals while many others self-transported. Fire officials said two victims are in critical condition. Fire also said officers applied a handful of tourniquets at the scene to the people who were wounded. Multiple shot near Lincoln Park Zoo: Chicago Police Witnesses described the scene as chaotic with people running as gunfire erupted. A motive behind the shooting is still unclear.WGN is actively investigating the incident and will update as new information is released.