Parliamentary leaders from Mali and Burkina Faso travelled to Niamey as the Confederation of Sahel States, known as the AES, opened the first session of its new confederal parliament on August 24, 2026. The meeting brings together representatives from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and marks another step in the three countries’ effort to deepen political integration. The inaugural session is being held at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre in Niamey from August 24 to 29. Each AES member state has appointed 15 representatives, creating a 45-member confederal parliament. Representatives from Chad and Togo also attended the opening ceremony. Dr Ousmane Bougouma, president of Burkina Faso’s Transitional Legislative Assembly, presided over the inaugural proceedings. Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, representing President General Abdourahamane Tiani, formally opened the session.

Malian army intensifies Operation Dougoukoloko with strikes across central Mali

The Malian Armed Forces, or FAMa, have continued a series of strikes against armed groups under Operation Dougoukoloko, the nationwide military operation established to restore state authority and combat militant and criminal groups. On August 18, the army said it identified and struck several concentrations of armed fighters about 35 kilometres south-west of San. The following day, prolonged surveillance led to the identification of another alleged militant hideout around Kilimpo in the Bandiagara region. According to the army, the site was struck after further observation and assessment. FAMa said about 20 militants were “neutralised” and several pieces of equipment, including motorcycles, were destroyed. The figure is an official military claim and has not been independently verified. The army said surveillance operations were continuing to assess the impact of the strikes and search for any remaining threats.

Twenty-two Malian soldiers freed in latest prisoner exchange with the FLA

Twenty-two Malian soldiers held by the Azawad Liberation Front, or FLA, were released on August 23, 2026, in another notable prisoner exchange between Bamako and the Tuareg-led rebel movement . The development was highlighted in the August 24 media briefing as an unprecedented exchange. According to local reporting, the exchange took place in Anefis. In return for the 22 Malian soldiers, authorities released nine prisoners affiliated with the FLA. The precise terms of the arrangement and the identities of those exchanged were not immediately disclosed publicly. The exchange follows a much larger release earlier in the month. On August 13, the Malian military announced that 82 soldiers had been freed after being held by armed groups following coordinated attacks on April 25. The army said the soldiers had been held by groups linked to JNIM and the FLA and attributed their return to what it called “rigorous planning” and coordinated efforts to secure their release.

Abdoulaye Maïga visits Algiers as Mali and Algeria try to rebuild strained relations

Malian Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maïga arrived in Algeria on August 24, 2026, for a working visit aimed at reviving strategic cooperation and resetting relations between two neighbouring countries whose diplomatic ties have experienced significant strain. Maïga arrived at Houari Boumediene International Airport at the head of a senior delegation and was welcomed by Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and Energy and Renewable Energies Minister Mourad Adjal. Later that day, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received Maïga and his delegation. Senior Algerian officials attending the meeting included Ahmed Attaf, Minister of State Brahim Merad, presidential diplomatic adviser Amar Abba, intelligence chief Brigadier General Moussaoui Rochdi Fethi and Algeria’s ambassador to Mali, Kamel Ratib. The visit follows a series of steps by the two governments to repair their relationship. Two weeks earlier, Maïga and Ghrieb spoke by telephone and reaffirmed their commitment to what the Algerian side described as the “relations of fraternity, solidarity and good neighbourliness” between their countries. They also expressed a desire to give bilateral relations “a new dynamic” and restart cooperation in several sectors.

Supreme Court prosecutor says military suspects will soon face trial

Mali’s Prosecutor General at the Supreme Court, Mamoudou Timbo, says judicial proceedings involving people accused in a military case have reached an advanced stage and that those concerned are expected to face trial before a military court. Speaking to state broadcaster ORTM, Timbo said: “The procedure is underway at the military court. The investigation is at an advanced stage.” He added that those involved would “soon be tried by the military court”, although he did not announce a specific date. The case relates to arrests made in August 2025, when Malian security services detained several people accused of attempting to destabilise the institutions of the republic. Those arrested included senior military officers Brigadier General Abass Dembélé and Brigadier General Néma Sagara, as well as French national Yann Christian-Bernard Vézilier. Malian authorities portrayed Vézilier as a French intelligence operative, while France described him as a technical cooperation official protected by diplomatic arrangements. He was eventually convicted on June 5, 2026, and sentenced to 20 years in prison for offences linked to allegations of undermining state security.

This Open Letter has two objectives. Firstly, the Netherlands must concede that the repression of the Indonesian fight for justice and freedom between 1945 and 1949 was not an internal Dutch affair but an illegal invasion of another country. Hence the atrocities committed by the Dutch army and its local collaborating militias were war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Secondly, the Netherlands must recognise that more than 300 years of colonial rule over Indonesia was not some effort to do good that went wrong. It was always a criminal endeavour exclusively aimed at enriching the Netherlands at the expense of millions of brutally enslaved people. Colonialism was and is a crime of theft, as codified in the UN Charter, UN Resolutions and international law.

What to the uninformed outsider may seem a trivial detail about a specific date touches on the core of the problem. 81 years after Indonesian independence from its former coloniser, the Netherlands still refuses to accept full accountability for its crime of colonialism.

On March 10, 2020, King Willem-Alexander expressed his apologies in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta for what he called “the excessive and disproportional violence of the repression” during the liberation struggle of Indonesia between 1945 and 1949.

On June 14, 2023, prime minister Mark Rutte 1 followed up by recognising August 17, 1945 as the official date of Indonesian independence. He did so during a debate in parliament and declared to do this “fully and without any reservations”. To the outside world that seemed to settle the issue. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The words spoken by the King and the prime minister do not match the facts. In practice, the Netherlands still maintains the legal fiction of the date of November 27, 1949 as official date of independence, when the Netherlands signed an agreement to finally end the futile attempt at reconquering its colony.

This allows Dutch courts up to this day to dismiss any claims of reparations for war crimes by victims of the colonial repression (and their descendants) during the period of 1945 and 1949, as they consider these victims still to be ‘Dutch citizens’ until 1949.

Why is recognition of the date of 1945 so important?

Right after World War II the Netherlands, assisted by allied British colonial forces and remnants of the Japanese occupation army, tried to reestablish its racist colonial hegemony over the Indonesian archipelago.

After liberating its own country of the scourge of Nazism, the Dutch ruling elite considered that justice and freedom were an exclusively European privilege not to be extended to lesser brown people in a distant country, more than 11,000 kilometres from its shores. It did so with deadly repression, massacres, extrajudicial executions, torture and disappearances.

By now claiming to recognise ‘fully and without reservation’ the independence of Indonesia since 1945, while doing the opposite in its courts, the Netherlands prove to the world that postcolonial racism is still rampant.

The brutal repression of the fight for freedom of the Indonesian people was not some ‘internal affair’, it was the illegal occupation of another country. Likewise, 300 years of Dutch colonialism was an occupation, a massive system of theft, exploitation, racism and corruption. The violence of colonialism was not some ‘excess’, it was its essence.

As long as the Netherlands refuse to accept full accountability ‘without reservations’ for its international crime of colonialism, the country has no moral authority to lecture any other country on human rights , justice and freedom.

Next August 17, 2026, the Dutch leading newspaper De Volkskrant will publish the Open Letter. The fight for justice is international. We therefore invite people all over the world to sign the Open Letter on the web page of De Goede Zaak (‘the good issue’). This essay represents the views of its author. The content has been edited by Global South World only for clarity of reading.

The escape of an inmate from the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) has reignited concerns over prison security and the management of high-risk detainees in Trinidad and Tobago. The incident has intensified public debate over the country's correctional system, particularly following recent efforts to relocate inmates between detention facilities. The controversy has now reached the courts, with the High Court set to examine the legality of prisoner transfers to the Teteron Barracks detention facility. The case will determine whether authorities acted within the law when transferring inmates to the military installation, an issue that has raised constitutional questions about detention powers and the use of defence facilities for civilian prisoners. The legal challenge also comes amid wider discussions over the country's ongoing State of Emergency, with lawyers and civil society groups debating how emergency powers should be balanced against constitutional rights and due process.

Police seize 345 illegal firearms as deadly gun violence continues

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) says officers seized 345 illegal firearm s during the first seven months of 2026 as authorities continue efforts to curb violent crime and dismantle criminal networks. The announcement comes against the backdrop of continuing deadly shootings that have kept gun violence at the centre of the national security agenda. Police say the recovered weapons include handguns, assault-style rifles and other firearms believed to have been used or intended for criminal activity. Security officials argue that removing hundreds of weapons from circulation demonstrates intensified policing and intelligence-led operations. However, the persistence of fatal shootings has reinforced concerns that illegal firearms continue to flow into the country through organised trafficking networks. Authorities say disrupting those supply chains remains a priority as they seek to reduce gang-related violence and improve public safety.

Police and Health Ministry warn parents over rising teenage drug abuse

The TTPS and the Ministry of Health have jointly appealed to parents to remain vigilant amid growing concern over teenage drug abuse . Officials warned that adolescents are increasingly being exposed to illegal drugs through peer pressure, organised criminal networks and social media. They urged parents to pay closer attention to behavioural changes, school attendance, friendship groups and online activity that could indicate substance abuse. The agencies stressed that prevention begins at home, encouraging families to maintain open communication with young people while working closely with schools, community organisations and healthcare providers. Authorities also highlighted the need for early intervention programmes, arguing that education and family support remain the most effective tools for reducing youth drug use and preventing recruitment into criminal activity.

Report warns Trinidad and Tobago's energy transition is falling behind

A new report has warned that Trinidad and Tobago's energy transition remains largely on paper , with policy ambitions yet to translate into significant implementation. The assessment argues that while the government has announced strategies supporting renewable energy, decarbonisation and economic diversification, progress has been slowed by regulatory delays, financing challenges and limited project execution. Analysts caution that the country risks losing competitiveness unless reforms move beyond policy documents into large-scale investment. The warning is particularly significant for one of the Caribbean's largest oil and gas producers. As global energy markets increasingly shift toward lower-carbon technologies, experts argue that Trinidad and Tobago must accelerate investment in clean energy, modern infrastructure and new industries while maintaining the competitiveness of its traditional energy sector.

Debate grows over AI data centres as US backs Trinidad and Tobago's digital ambitions

The opposition People's National Movement (PNM) has called for a pause on government plans to develop artificial intelligence data centres , arguing that more detailed assessments are needed before major investments proceed. At the same time, the United States has expressed support for Trinidad and Tobago's ambition to become a regional digital hub. Supporters of the initiative argue that data centres could diversify the economy beyond oil and gas, attract foreign investment, create skilled jobs and position the country as a Caribbean leader in digital services. They also point to growing international demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence infrastructure and secure data storage. Critics, however, have questioned the pace of the project, raising concerns about electricity demand, environmental impacts, long-term costs and regulatory preparedness. The debate highlights a broader policy challenge facing Trinidad and Tobago: how to maximise the economic value of emerging technologies while ensuring that major digital infrastructure projects are financially sustainable, environmentally responsible and supported by an appropriate legal framework.

Regarding the hazards of social media, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer - who had not yet resigned at the time - pointed out at the press conference that social media not only exposes teenagers to bullying and harassment but that its very design, engineered to be "addictive", is inherently dangerous. According to the plan published by the UK government, alongside implementing age blocks at the platform level, the new regulations will also take measures to prevent strangers from contacting minors on gaming or live-streaming platforms. Furthermore, some regulations will extend to 16- and 17-year-olds to avoid a "cliff-edge" drop in protection when children turn 16. The UK government stated that specific measures will be announced this month, with full implementation expected by the spring of 2027.

During the initial consultation stage, the UK government received over 116,000 responses from parents, industry professionals, and young people. The data revealed an overwhelming public consensus: over 83% of surveyed parents believe the risks of social media far outweigh the benefits, and a staggering 90% support raising the minimum age for accessing these platforms to 16.

Anticipating criticisms about the technical enforceability of the ban, the Prime Minister candidly admitted that the legislation would not eliminate underage usage overnight. He also drew a sharp parallel between the social media ban and the prohibition of alcohol sales to minors: "Look, a teenager managed to get a drink somehow… So let’s not bother banning alcohol sales to children. We don’t do that do we? That would be utterly ridiculous."

The question of a "Cure"

The UK is not walking this path alone. Since late last year, a wave of regulation targeting the digital boundaries of minors has swept the globe. Over ten countries, including Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Spain, Greece, Denmark, and France, have introduced or advanced social media bans for minors. Their core objective is highly consistent: to protect children from the risks of cyberbullying, addiction, and an escalating mental health crisis.

On 10 December 2025, Australia's social media ban for under-16s officially came into effect, creating a global precedent. Different countries have adopted varying approaches: some (such as France and certain states in the US) hand the authority over young minors' internet access to their parents; some (such as the Netherlands and Italy) have completely banned electronic products on primary and secondary school campuses; while a third category, including Australia, Indonesia, and the UK, relies on legislation to implement blanket bans on under-16s using most social media platforms.

However, in the six months since Australia's ban was implemented, the initial results have fallen short of expectations. Minors can easily bypass the restrictions to register new accounts and continue using social media through technical workarounds or by misreporting their age, rendering the ban virtually ineffective. Zichen Hu, an Research Associate at Oxford Global Society , noted that while the Australian experience holds vital reference value for the UK, whether the ban can truly work in the UK will similarly depend on the vigour of policy enforcement, the platform designs of tech companies, and the comprehensiveness of social support systems beyond the ban itself.

Can such a ban truly "cure the root cause"?

Discussions surrounding social media regulation in Europe have never ceased. The new ban brings to mind the consultation period for the UK's Online Safety Bill draft a few years ago. At that time, my supervisor, Professor Damian Tambini—a media governance and regulation expert at the London School of Economics (LSE)—guided the faculty and students to dissect the pros and cons of the bill from every angle. He collated multiple opinions and formally submitted legislative advice to the UK Parliament. As a veteran media regulation expert, he has been deeply involved in policymaking for the UK's communications regulator (Ofcom) and various European media regulatory committees. During those discussions, one of the most central and contentious propositions was how to strike a balance between "protecting citizens' freedom of speech" and "safeguarding minors". Clearly, a crude, blanket ban is by no means the most subtle solution.

To understand this complex landscape, apart from the familiar necessity of protecting teenagers, we must also examine other factors involving five core players.

1. Teenagers: Stripped of Freedom or Pushed into the Shadows?

First in the line of fire are the subjects of the ban: teenagers. For them, social media is not merely a pastime; it is a "digital public square" for accessing information, building social circles, and understanding the world. A BBC report astutely highlighted a glaring irony that might emerge in British society once the ban takes effect: a 16-year-old Briton can legally consent to sex, join the armed forces, marry in certain regions, and even cast a sacred vote in some elections—yet they may still face restrictions accessing information on social media. Furthermore, bans often breed rebellion. Around the time the UK's Online Safety Act took effect, internet searches for VPNs surged. When the main gates are bolted, tech-savvy teenagers are highly likely to pivot to encrypted apps or unregulated dark web corners, effectively removing them from the protective gaze of the public eye. Leyi Shao, an 18-year-old youth living in London, expressed that she and her classmates do not entirely support this social ban because they are “concerned that it removes a significant degree of autonomy from teenagers.”

2. Parents: How to Fill the Screen-Time Vacuum?

Official UK surveys show that 90% of parents support the ban, reflecting the profound anxiety of modern families in the digital age. However, does confiscating a child's phone and stripping away social media time naturally equate to parents providing higher-quality companionship and education? If the ban takes effect and children suddenly find themselves with vast amounts of free time, what will society and families use to replace the stimulation and connection previously offered by the virtual world? If parents continue to blindly scroll through their phones at the dinner table whilst forcefully demanding their children stay away from screens, such double standards are destined to fail in delivering the "better, more fulfilling childhood" Starmer spoke of.

3. Tech Platforms: The Original Sin of Algorithms and "Digital Labour"

Starmer noted that tech giants deliberately engineer "addictive" mechanisms—like infinite scrolling and hyper-targeted recommendations—to harvest user attention. Social media platforms acquire users' private information by offering free content, and then reap massive profits by selling "precision advertising" to marketers. On one hand, users become hooked; on the other hand, the "creative labour" provided by content creators receives only a disproportionately small share of the revenue distributed by the platforms. In this ecosystem, platforms hold absolute power and the lion's share of profits. True regulation should not merely be an age block; it must constrain algorithmic mechanisms at the source and ensure harmful content is not promoted.

4. Society and Schools: The "Sex Education" Revelation for Digital Literacy

Faced with a pervasive digital world, schools and society bear an undeniable educational responsibility. On this issue, the cultivation of digital literacy should draw upon the logic of modern "sex education". We would never completely avoid the topic of sex before a child turns 16 simply because it carries potential risks, expecting them to suddenly acquire the ability to navigate complex relationships on their 16th birthday. By the same token, building digital literacy must be a gradual, step-by-step process. Society needs to teach children how to identify misinformation, how to protect personal privacy, and how to combat algorithmic echo chambers. Blind concealment and isolation will only create "giant infants" of the digital age, entirely ill-equipped to handle the real world.

5. Government Regulation: Protectionism or Overreaching Surveillance?

Finally, when playing the role of "protector", the government must be extremely wary of overstepping its bounds. Does completely banning under-16s from accessing social media infringe, to some extent, upon the fundamental digital human rights of children to access information, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?

As multiple countries advance social media bans, "how to verify user age" has become the greatest technical bottleneck in implementing these policies . To achieve the "hard barriers that truly work" that Starmer mentioned, platforms are highly likely to resort to demanding government IDs, credit card scans, or forcing the use of biometric technologies like facial recognition.

Looking to the East, China's framework offers a template for this type of centralized digital gatekeeping: all online games must be integrated with the China’s anti-addiction real-name verification system. Users are required to register and log in using their real identities. Online game companies are prohibited from providing game services in any form, including guest or trial modes, to users who have not completed real-name registration and login.

While this approach effectively closes policy loopholes, it places tremendous pressure on data infrastructure. If sensitive identity information data is leaked, would this pose a whole new threat to child safety?

The Way Forward: The "Sex Education" Revelation for Digital Media Literacy

Faced with a pervasive digital world that is growing increasingly sophisticated with the backing of Artificial Intelligence (AI), rigid blockades can only build a fragile sterile room. The true path to breaking the siege lies in systematically embedding the cultivation of "digital and AI literacy" and critical thinking into the curricula of primary and secondary schools and communities.

In this regard, the establishment of digital literacy should draw upon the scientific logic of modern "sex education". We would never completely avoid the topic of sex or treat it as a taboo before a child comes of age simply because it might carry risks or harm, expecting them to suddenly figure it out on their own the day the restrictions are lifted. By the same token, the traffic rules of the digital world need to be taught step by step.

Students need to be taught how platform algorithms manipulate their visual focus via dopamine mechanisms, how to use multi-source verification to pierce through AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation, and how to set up digital defence lines to protect their privacy. Only by shifting the educational focus from "what you are not allowed to see" to "how to view what you see" can we build a lifelong immunity in children to cope with the digital tide.

Families, Schools, and Society Weaving a Safety Net Together

The "cultural shift" Starmer hopes for is grand, but achieving its purpose cannot merely rely on a cold ban. Instead, it requires the five "players"—the government, platforms, society, parents, and individuals—to forge a new, warm social contract based on mutual care:

•  The Government  needs to learn to "ease restrictions and increase investment", investing heavily in offline infrastructure such as youth centres.

•  Platforms  need to voluntarily relinquish the extraction of traffic and advertising revenue from teenagers through state regulation or self-regulation, thereby putting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into genuine practice.

•  Parents  can dilute dependence on the virtual world with high-quality family companionship.

•  Schools , serving as the primary battleground for digital literacy, must cultivate teenagers' digital media literacy, whilst paying close attention to providing more grassroots offline psychological and community support for vulnerable youths in remote areas or marginalised groups.

•  Individuals  must also learn "digital introspection". This generation of children, known as the "screen generation", actually possesses unprecedented self-awareness. Through the combined guidance of all parties, when teenagers begin to realise that "my time and energy should not be manipulated by the capital algorithms of tech companies", they will learn to master the tools independently, rather than being reduced to slaves of the tools.

In the initial stages of policymaking, a blanket ban undoubtedly serves to sound society's alarm, significantly awakening public scrutiny over the backlash of technology. However, this battle for the future cannot ultimately be won behind a closed, high wall. Only when all stakeholders pivot from "simply banning everything" to "weaving a safety net with care and synergy" can our children find their true point of balance between freedom and safety, and between a fulfilling childhood in reality and the digital society of the future.

Du Yubin is a journalist, producer, and chief editor at China Global Television Network. He was stationed in Washington, D.C. and London for six years each, focusing on China-US and China-EU relations. He has worked in China's international communication and new media sectors for over 16 years. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Leyi Shao also contributed to this article.

Image: Deposit Photos

In a statement, the State Department said that the separatist group was threatening security and peace across the Horn of Africa as a result of its conflict with the Ethiopian central authorities.

The show of support for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed comes as counting continues in the country's election. Ahmed's Prosperity Party is widely expected to be the clear winner but voters in Tigray were excluded from the poll. That's because of ongoing violence in the northern region.

Although a civil war costing more than half a million lives was officially ended in 2022 through the Pretoria Agreement, instability has continued with rival factions vying for control. The conflict has been exacerbated by tensions between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea.

"I feel like I want to go back and really do my magic," Pita said. So I am still very capable and rigorous to go back when I have a chance, to finish what I had started."

Pita's Move Forward party won 151 of the 500 seats in Thailand's 2023 general election , a surprise result that made it the biggest group in parliament. However, his nomination to become prime minister was blocked when almost all the unelected conservative senators appointed by the military refused to back him. Months of legal wrangling followed, during which Pita was accused of various violations of parliamentary rules, preventing him from pursuing his bid to lead the country. At the end of it, he and several other party leaders were banned from politics for a decade. The Constitutional Court ruled that their promise to reform the lèse-majesté law, which shields the monarchy from criticism, was an attempt to overthrow the institution.

Pita said that he believes Thailand is suffering from a "Tyranny of the Minority" whereby the military, the media , and business monopolies combine to maintain the status quo, regardless of the wishes of the masses.

"That allows elections once in a while," he noted, "But [they] have that constitutional mechanism to make sure the election outcome and election result do not have to be the same. To me, it's not a democracy , it's a competitive autocracy. "

He insisted that his intentions were not anti-monarchist but only against those who were seeking to involve the king in politics for their own ends.

Authorities have accused violent groups of driving the unrest, with reports of armed clashes leaving police officers injured. Ongoing blockades have also disrupted food supplies, causing sharp price increases in La Paz and El Alto.

That contradiction has never disappeared. Can a state punish killing by killing?

In recent decades, the answer has increasingly been no. More than two-thirds of countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. Yet executions persist. Amnesty International recorded at least 1,518 executions worldwide last year, excluding the thousands believed to take place in China, where figures are difficult to verify.

Most executions now occur across parts of the Global South, particularly in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In some countries, the death penalty is reserved mainly for murder. In others, it can apply to drug trafficking, blasphemy, same-sex relations, political dissent or even social media posts.

Sacred law, human judgement

Few cases show the danger of this power more clearly than Asia Bibi’s. A Christian woman in Pakistan, she was sentenced to death for blasphemy after a dispute over drinking water from a shared cup. Her conviction was eventually overturned, but the case triggered mass protests. Two politicians who defended her were assassinated.

In theory, capital punishment reflects the solemn authority of the state. In practice, it can become entangled with religion, politics, public anger and minority persecution. A death sentence does not only punish a crime. It also reveals who has power, whose voice is believed, and whose life is easiest to sacrifice.

Methods of death

Execution has always carried a message. Hanging was long seen as cheap, quick and orderly. Beheading was once considered more dignified for nobles. The guillotine was introduced partly to make death more equal and efficient, though its namesake, Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, opposed capital punishment.

Modern methods promise cleanliness. Shooting and lethal injection are among the most common today. But the search for a “humane” execution method exposes the central contradiction. The state tries to make killing appear controlled and moral. The outcome remains the same.

The cost of killing

Supporters argue that the death penalty offers justice, deterrence and closure. But it is not always cheaper than prison. In the United States, death penalty cases often cost more than life imprisonment because of appeals, legal safeguards and specialist procedures.

The deeper issue is not only cost. Justice systems are human systems, shaped by evidence, class, politics, legal access and public pressure. A wrongful prison sentence can be corrected. An execution cannot.

Democracy and death

Capital punishment is also political. Countries with weaker democratic institutions are generally more likely to retain and use it. Where courts are fragile, minorities vulnerable or opposition criminalised, the state’s power to kill becomes especially dangerous.

The global direction is still mostly away from execution. Ghana , Zambia and Zimbabwe have moved to end or sharply limit it. Malaysia and Vietnam have narrowed its scope. But some states are moving the other way, including Belarus, Israel and Burkina Faso.

The death penalty survives because it speaks to a powerful instinct: that some crimes deserve death. But it is fading because another belief has grown stronger: that the state should not mirror the violence it condemns.

World Reframed episode 37. More episodes of World Reframed .

World Reframed is produced in London by  Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

This story is written and edited by the Global South World team. You can  contact us  here.

Who signed it and why does that matter?

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed it at the Planalto Palace after two years of public consultations, a National Education Conference, and votes in both houses of Congress. The fact that it passed at all is significant. Brazil has had a PNE before — the previous one ran from 2014 to 2024 — but it missed most of its targets. This version is designed with tighter accountability built in.

What's the headline commitment?

Money. Brazil currently spends around 5.5% of GDP on education. The new law commits to 7.5% within seven years and 10% within a decade. If it gets there, Brazil would be spending more on education as a share of its economy than almost any country in the world .

Has Brazil made promises like this before?

Yes. The previous PNE also set ambitious spending targets and fell short. That's the tension at the heart of this law: the goals are bold, but Brazil's federal system — where states and municipalities control much of what actually happens in classrooms — makes implementation hard to enforce. Every state and municipality now has to draft its own ten-year plan in line with the national framework. Progress will be reviewed every two years by the national education research institute, INEP.

What does it say about inequality?

Quite a lot. The plan specifically targets Indigenous, quilombola and rural communities — groups where girls face overlapping barriers of poverty, racism and geography. It reinforces the existing legal requirement to teach Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous history in schools. And it requires education networks to monitor and close performance gaps between different social groups, not just report on national averages.

What does it mean for early years?

This is one of the areas Brazil most needs to act. The new IBGE data published last week shows that in the North, 44.5% of children aged 2-3 who are out of daycare simply have no daycare available near them. The PNE sets targets to expand provision, but the Northeast and North — where the need is greatest — are also where municipal budgets are thinnest.

So is this good news ?

On paper, yes. Brazil's illiteracy rate just dropped below 5% for the first time — a genuine milestone. Enrollment is near-universal for primary-age children. The PNE builds on real progress. But the previous plan improved access and still missed most of its targets. The test of this law is not what it says. It's whether the money materialises and whether the most underserved communities — in the Northeast, in Indigenous territories, in the favelas — feel the difference in a classroom. Main image: DepositPhotos.com

Defrin said the military needs parliament to pass legislation dealing with compulsory service and to revise reserve duty rules, arguing that the current legal framework no longer matches the scale of Israel’s present security demands. He said the existing reserve service law was designed for an earlier period and now needs to be reworked to better support reservists and active-duty soldiers.

According to Defrin, the manpower gap has practical consequences on the battlefield, including thinner staffing in combat units. He said the shortage effectively means fewer troops available at the battalion level, at a time when the army says its missions are continuing to expand.

The comments come amid a broader debate in Israel over military conscription and the growing strain on reserve forces. Recent reporting has shown senior military officials warning of mounting pressure on troop numbers as the army tries to sustain operations across multiple theatres.

The law targets items acquired between 1815 and 1972, before the adoption of a UNESCO convention governing the protection of cultural heritage. It seeks to address longstanding demands from former colonies—particularly in Africa—for the return of artefacts removed under colonial rule.

Under the new framework , governments requesting the return of artefacts must submit formal applications and demonstrate that the objects were obtained through force or illegitimate means. 

Requests will be reviewed by a designated committee, which will assess the evidence before approving restitution. Military objects, public archives and archaeological shares are excluded from the measure.

The reform marks a shift from France’s previous system, which required parliament to approve the return of each individual item—a process widely criticised as slow and restrictive despite growing international pressure.

Return to which countries?

France is estimated to hold tens of thousands of artefacts taken from its former empire. Countries such as Algeria, Mali and Benin have submitted formal requests for their return in recent years, reflecting broader global calls for restitution.

The legislation follows a 2017 pledge by President Emmanuel Macron to facilitate the return of African cultural heritage. Speaking in Burkina Faso at the time, Macron said African heritage should not remain confined to European institutions and promised to create conditions for its return.

Recent actions signal gradual progress. Earlier this year, France returned the Djidji Ayôkwé drum to Ivory Coast, an object taken by colonial troops in 1916.

However, the bill’s scope remains contested. Some lawmakers argued for broader coverage, while others sought tighter limits tied to diplomatic relations. The debate reflects ongoing tensions in France’s reckoning with its colonial past and its relationships with former colonies.

For many former colonies, especially those in the Global South, the new law is expected to lower procedural barriers, but the pace and scale of returns will depend on how the system is implemented in practice.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered stricter enforcement of ordinances banning street drinking, shirtless roaming and late-night videoke as part of its “Safe City” initiative, initially covering Metro Manila. Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said police would ensure compliance, citing links between street drinking and violence. Videoke use must follow local time limits, typically beyond 10 p.m., with complaints handled via emergency services. Authorities will also enforce curfews for minors. The Philippine National Police will deploy additional personnel and crack down on taxi overcharging following a recent viral incident.

US extends rotational Marine deployment in Philippines

The United States Marine Corps is extending the deployment of its Marine Rotational Force–Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) in the Philippines beyond its usual six-month cycle to deepen military cooperation. A new command element from the I Marine Expeditionary Force has taken over, integrating forces with Philippine counterparts under Task Force-Philippines. The move, made at Manila’s invitation, aligns with the country’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. MRF-SEA, deployed since 2023, is a scalable force supporting joint operations, crisis response and capability coordination, with the current rotation operating primarily from the Philippines rather than moving across Southeast Asia.

Japanese troops take part in US-Philippines war drills

Japanese troops have joined military drills in the Philippines for the first time, marking a milestone in regional defence cooperation. Around 420 personnel from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force are participating in the annual Salaknib exercises alongside Philippine and US forces under the US-led Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center. The drills, running until May 20, include live-fire and operational training across northern Luzon. Forces involved include about 4,400 Filipino and 2,800 US troops, with smaller contingents from Australia and New Zealand, as multinational exercises expand across the archipelago.

Manila named among world’s best destinations for 2026

Manila has been named among the world’s best destinations for 2026 by National Geographic, cited mainly for its food scene. The Philippine capital joins cities such as Milan, Québec and Beijing, with highlights including Binondo bakeries like Eng Bee Tin and Ho-Land, and restaurants such as Manam and Toyo Eatery. The recognition comes despite a downturn in Philippine tourism, with arrivals falling to 5.24 million in 2025, while regional peers saw growth. Analysts cite weak promotion, infrastructure gaps and rising travel costs. A Klook study, however, points to resilient domestic travel demand.

Marcos urged to resist joint oil deal with China

Critics have warned the Philippine government against compromising maritime rights as it resumes energy talks with China. The Stratbase Institute and Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares said joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea risks undermining sovereignty and ignoring Beijing’s actions. They stressed any deal must comply with the 2016 arbitral ruling affirming Philippine rights. Concerns follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s remarks that the energy crisis could open room for agreement. Officials from both sides recently held initial talks on potential oil and gas cooperation in China.

The situation escalated in the week as Wikimedia Commons, the organisation’s multimedia library, was temporarily blocked after being incorrectly flagged for hosting illegal gambling content. The site was subsequently restored following a manual check, but the country’s digital regulator said that the problem would not have arisen if it had been correctly registered according to the law.

A group of Wikipedia’s editors has called on users to write to the government about the restrictions imposed since February that prevent its editors from logging in or adding new volunteers to the system. That makes creating new content or updates difficult.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital says it will end the block once Wikimedia has completed the process of registering under the PSE license system. It says the system is necessary to ensure digital security and protect consumers.

Her election is being seen as a major step forward for LGBTQ+ representation in Nepal, a country that has made notable legal strides in recognising gender diversity but has had limited representation of transgender individuals in high-level political offices.

“Today is a historic day, worthy of remembrance as our constitution transitions from a provisional one to an official, lawful one,” Nur said .

The constitution will be formally signed into law by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

It replaces the provisional constitution adopted in 2012, when more than 800 delegates endorsed the document at a conference in Mogadishu while the country was under a transitional government .

Lawmaker and Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi said the move marks a major step for the country.

“Today marks a defining milestone for Somalia as we fulfil our constitutional mandate to complete and adopt our Constitution, transitioning it from provisional status to the supreme law of the land,” she said.

Among its key provisions, the new constitution extends the presidential term from four to five years. It also maintains that the president will be elected by parliament, while members of parliament will be chosen directly by citizens.

The document further states that the prime minister will be appointed by the president but can be removed from office by parliament.

The court produced two judgments with different reasoning. Justice Zukisa Tshiqi found section 27 unconstitutional, saying the DMA does not give the National Assembly a clear way to disapprove disaster regulations that can significantly affect rights.

But Justice Leona Theron’s second judgment overruled that view and dismissed the appeal, stressing that a state of disaster is fundamentally different from a state of emergency. “Under a national state of disaster, the state will still be required to justify each and every limitation of a constitutional right in section 36(1),” the judgment said .

“A declaration of a national state of disaster neither suspends the constitutional order nor dilutes it. A state of emergency allows the executive to cut across all laws and the Bill of Rights,” the court explained.

Theron’s judgment also said there is no constitutional requirement for the DMA to spell out special oversight mechanisms because parliamentary oversight is an “obligatory component” of the Constitution.

This closer coordination comes as drug trafficking networks increasingly exploit regional transit routes and disparities in enforcement capacity, a problem the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had already identified years before. 

According to the ASEAN Drug Monitoring Report 2022 , Brunei recorded 613 drug arrests that year, equivalent to about 0.14% of its population, with methamphetamine and cannabis remaining the most commonly seized drugs. 

Indonesia, by contrast, was grappling with large-scale and highly organised networks at the time. 

The ASEAN report shows Indonesian authorities dismantled 49 drug syndicates in 2022, including 23 international networks, and seized more than 8.5 tonnes of methamphetamine and over 123 tonnes of cannabis.

Officials from both sides said the cooperation aims to bridge this disparity by pairing Indonesia’s experience in dismantling large syndicates with Brunei’s border controls and early-intervention capabilities. 

The agreement also aligns with ASEAN’s broader push for coordinated responses, as regional assessments warn that traffickers rapidly adapt to enforcement pressure by shifting routes, substances and operating methods.

Both countries said the framework would allow faster intelligence exchange and more coordinated action, as no single jurisdiction can effectively counter transnational drug networks acting across ASEAN.

Footage circulating online shows the costumed protester, whose name was not disclosed, addressing council members at the Levi’s Stadium-adjacent meeting on Jan. 27. He called the officials “cowards” and warned that “hundreds of masked men” could descend on the city if local authorities failed to push back against ICE operations.

The man’s dramatic entrance and repeated swearing drew attention on a livestream of the meeting, as he implored the council to “reaffirm” that Santa Clara would not provide city resources to support federal immigration enforcement during the Feb. 8 NFL championship between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

He referenced recent killings by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month, framing the concern as part of a broader pattern of violence by ICE and federal law enforcement.

Santa Clara Police Chief Cory Morgan declined to comment on ICE’s presence, saying the department would not “confirm, deny, or speculate about” the actions of federal agencies.

The appearance comes amid heightened national scrutiny of ICE following fatal shootings during enforcement operations in Minnesota, which left two people dead and several others detained.

Corey Lewandowski, a Department of Homeland Security adviser, had previously indicated that ICE would be present at the Super Bowl, though details of their role remain unclear.

'Some heroes wear capes'

Online reactions to the Batman-clad speaker were divided. 

Some dismissed the intervention as a publicity stunt, while others praised the theatrics as a bold call to accountability. One viewer wrote, “Some heroes do wear capes,” while another added, “You guys might be laughing, but he got his message out.”

The man’s intervention underscores growing tensions between federal enforcement agencies and local authorities over the use of city resources and the scope of ICE operations in major public events.

Santa Clara officials, meanwhile, have not publicly indicated any plans to curtail ICE’s involvement, highlighting the delicate balance local governments face between public safety, federal authority, and political pressure.

As the Super Bowl approaches, the presence of federal officers in and around Levi’s Stadium is likely to remain a point of controversy, amplified by protests, public commentary, and now a masked man in Batman attire demanding accountability.

In the video, the teenagers are seen saying they “want to do a good deed” before eating fried chicken at a fast-food outlet. One remarks that the chicken bones would be wasted if thrown away. They then pack the bones into rice and hand it to a man sleeping outside a Johor Bahru restaurant. The man thanks them, though it is unclear whether he ate the food.

Tang, who represented himself in court, was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 with creating and posting an offensive video intended to cause annoyance, according to state-run news agency Bernama .

In court, Tang apologised and asked for a minimum fine, saying he was remorseful for the stunt.

The prosecution described the video as a “calculated act of exploitation,” noting that the victim felt “insulted and angry” after being used for social media content. 

Deputy public prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab called for a deterrent sentence to prevent others from posting similar videos.

Judge Sazlina Safie ordered Tang to pay the RM40,000 fine, adding four months’ imprisonment in default of payment. Tang has since settled the fine.

Under Malaysian law, the offence carries a maximum penalty of RM500,000 ($127,000), up to two years’ imprisonment, or both, with additional daily fines if the violation continues after conviction.

Tang later posted another Instagram video admitting his mistake, promising not to film similar content again, and kowtowing three times in apology.

The over-one-minute clip has been viewed more than 400,000 times, sparking a debate online about the limits of social media pranks and the ethics of exploiting vulnerable individuals for content.

It is considered the world’s first because, despite the earlier adoption of the European Union ’s AI Act, most of its rules will not apply until 2027. The US, meanwhile, remains deadlocked over federal AI legislation. 

The goal? To place South Korea among the world’s top three AI powers, alongside the US and China. By acting early, officials argue, Korea can help shape global norms on AI safety, transparency and ethics while rules elsewhere remain unsettled.

Innovation first

At the core of the law is an “innovation-first” approach. Companies are free to develop and deploy AI systems without prior government approval, a sharp contrast to more precautionary regulatory models. The government has also committed to supporting the sector through funding, infrastructure and workforce training.

However, freedom comes with new obligations. 

The law introduces the concept of “high-impact AI” — systems used in sensitive areas such as healthcare, energy, hiring and critical infrastructure. Firms developing these systems must carry out risk assessments, monitor performance and report safety measures to regulators.

One of the most closely watched provisions targets transparency. AI-generated images, videos and audio will need to be clearly labelled and watermarked, including with machine-readable markers designed to combat deepfakes and disinformation.

Despite its ambition, the framework has unsettled parts of the tech industry. 

Key definitions, including what qualifies as high-impact AI, remain vague. Detailed enforcement rules are still being drafted and will be issued through executive decrees led by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Rattled market

While the law has yet to take effect, the uncertainty is already having an impact. 

Some companies have delayed product launches, while many startups say they are unsure how — or whether — the rules apply to their systems. Industry surveys suggest most firms have yet to begin formal compliance preparations.

Critics warn that moving first does not guarantee credibility. Without clearer guidance, they argue, the law risks confusing developers or becoming more symbolic than substantive.

The government acknowledges the rollout will be imperfect. Penalties of up to 30 million won ($20,800) will be suspended during the first year, a buffer officials say is meant to help companies adapt rather than punish them.

For now, South Korea is pressing ahead. Whether its early leap sets a global standard or exposes the risks of regulating too soon will become clearer once the law is tested in the real world.

One of the most closely watched measures elevates teachers’ pay across the public sector. Under a new law governing the profession, teachers are now placed at the top of the public administrative salary scale, a move authorities have framed as recognition of the role education plays in national development.

The law introduces higher allowances for educators working in preschools, remote and disadvantaged areas, ethnic minority regions and specialised institutions. 

Education officials said the incentives are intended to address staffing shortages and improve retention in regions that have long struggled to attract qualified teachers.

Vietnam has also tightened its grip on personal data, as a standalone data protection law took effect amid growing concern over privacy and digital security. The legislation grants individuals explicit rights over their personal information, including the right to refuse or withdraw consent for data processing and to seek legal redress if their data is misused.

Companies handling personal data will now face clearer legal obligations, aligning Vietnam more closely with international standards.

There were also changes to employment law. New provisions expand state support for job creation, reskilling and self-employment, particularly in technology-driven and green sectors.

In a significant development for migrant workers, all Vietnamese citizens working overseas under contracts will now be eligible for preferential loans , replacing a more limited system that excluded many low-income applicants.

Foreign policy

The legal overhaul also extends beyond domestic policy. 

A new law governing participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations establishes a permanent legal framework for Vietnam’s overseas deployments, covering both military and civilian personnel. 

At the same time, a revised juvenile justice law places greater emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment, expanding the use of community-based measures and educational programmes for minors in conflict with the law.

Perhaps the most strategic of the new statutes is a law dedicated to the digital technology industry, which aims to position Vietnam as a regional hub for semiconductors and artificial intelligence. The law introduces formal definitions and incentives for digital enterprises, marking a rare attempt to legislate an entire sector into existence.

Together with changes to budget rules, energy regulation, transport and industrial standards, the laws mark one of Vietnam’s most extensive legislative resets in years.

The changes were passed by Vietnam’s National Assembly on December 10 as part of amendments to the press law and the Protection of State Secrets Law, significantly expanding the powers of security agencies over media activity.

Under the revised press law, the Ministry of Public Security will be able to compel journalists and media organisations to reveal confidential source information at the request of state authorities. Previously, such powers were restricted to judges and limited to investigations into serious crimes.

The amendment also requires all media outlets to comply with rules against publishing undefined “banned information” and to retain archived copies of all published material in case of investigation. Authorities have yet to clarify what content would be considered prohibited.

The revised press law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, although a full official version of the amended legislation has not been made public. The most recent version available is a shortened draft released during a public consultation earlier this year.

In a separate move, lawmakers also amended the Protection of State Secrets Law, expanding the range of information classified as secret. Newly protected categories include details of senior leaders’ overseas activities, state compensation, and international investment dispute settlements.

Those provisions are due to come into force on March 1, 2026, further narrowing the scope of information journalists can legally report.

The IFJ said the amendments form part of a broader crackdown on independent journalism and critical speech in Vietnam, citing recent actions against digital platforms and foreign media outlets.

“The Vietnamese government continues to crack down on critical voices, suppressing communications channels, forcing the disclosure of sources, and criminalising dissent,” the IFJ said. “IFJ calls for these new amendments to be overturned and for the authorities to uphold the right of journalists to report freely and without fear as per Vietnam’s constitution.”

Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim considered access to police services “non-negotiable,” adding no one should be prevented from seeking help over clothing. 

The Cabinet instructed Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar to review and revise a 2020 circular governing attire in government buildings. Fahmi said essential frontline services, especially health and security agencies, will be exempt once the updates are issued. Police stations will be included in this exemption.

He added that the chief secretary’s office is studying the matter and that an updated directive is expected “not too long from now.” The move represents a sharp shift from comments made just a day earlier by Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar, who had insisted the public must comply with the dress code unless facing a genuine emergency.

Guo’s case drew widespread attention after she recounted pleading with the officer to make an exception, explaining that she needed to report the accident urgently. She said the officer refused, citing fear of disciplinary action, and advised her to buy long trousers before returning.

The woman eventually purchased the required clothing in order to file her report. She said she had encountered similar issues at other government offices and questioned whether the same rules would apply in more serious cases. 

“If this weren’t a car accident but a murder case, would they still insist on this?” she asked.

Melaka police later confirmed that the woman was asked to change into “appropriate clothing” when she arrived to lodge the accident report. While public welfare remains a priority, they said the existing government circular had to be respected.

The incident prompted local leaders to call for action. Melaka state executive councillor Allex Seah Shoo Chin said he had contacted the state police chief to request an investigation into the handling of the case.

While dress standards are typically enforced in public buildings, critics argue that rigid application can hinder those seeking help and that clearer, more flexible guidelines are needed to prevent similar cases.

The DOH reiterated that vapes pose serious risks — including cardiovascular disease, cancer and severe lung injuries — and noted that the country recorded its first EVALI-linked death last year. 

Herbosa said authorities must tighten enforcement of existing laws but suggested a total ban may be simpler.

The concern mirrors global trends. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that e-cigarettes are driving an “alarming” surge in nicotine addiction among children, with young people far more likely to vape than adults. 

WHO estimates more than 100 million people worldwide now use e-cigarettes, including at least 15 million adolescents.

Neighbouring Malaysia is moving ahead with a phased vape ban, starting with refillable devices and eventually covering all models — a plan that will go before the Cabinet for final approval. 

Several Malaysian states already enforce local bans, despite legal complexities stemming from the country’s 2024 vape regulation law. If fully implemented, Malaysia would join Brunei, Thailand and Singapore in outlawing vaping.

In the Philippines, regulators are tightening rules even without a full ban. 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has released a draft order requiring mandatory permits for all vape promotions and advertisements, along with strict age-gating for online content and proof that stores are not near schools or playgrounds. Public comments are open until December 15.

With the DOH signalling openness to prohibition and the DTI moving to curb marketing, the Philippines appears increasingly aligned with regional efforts to rein in vaping — raising the question of whether a ban may soon follow.

It came amid rising concerns over India’s always-on corporate culture and its impact on health and productivity.

The bill was moved by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, who argued that constant digital connectivity has blurred the line between professional and personal time. 

In a video message shared on X, she said the legislation aims to promote “a better quality of life and a healthier work-life balance by reducing burnout caused by today’s digital culture .”

At its core, the draft law states that employees should not be compelled to respond to any electronic communication from their employer once official hours have ended. The measure seeks to formalise boundaries that, according to Sule, have steadily eroded as remote working and smartphone-based office systems have become entrenched in many sectors.

The bill also proposes the creation of an Employees’ Welfare Authority, which would oversee implementation, ensure compliance, and advocate for workers’ digital rights. For employers who violate the rules, the draft outlines penalties, including a fine amounting to 1% of the total remuneration paid by the organisation. The intention, its author argues, is to incentivise companies to respect defined work limits.

Another key provision concerns unpaid labour. The bill stipulates that any employee required to work beyond official hours must receive overtime pay at the normal wage rate. This clause responds to widespread complaints that digital tools, though enabling flexibility, have fuelled a surge in uncompensated extra work in India’s knowledge-driven industries.

The proposal also includes softer measures, such as workplace counselling on healthy technology use and the establishment of digital detox centres designed to help workers reduce screen-time and rebuild personal relationships. These additions frame the bill not simply as a labour reform, but as a broader wellbeing intervention.

As a private member’s bill, the legislation faces long odds. In India’s parliamentary history , such bills are rarely enacted; most are either withdrawn after debate or lapse without a vote once the government responds. 

Nonetheless, Sule introduced two further private member’s bills the same day—one offering paid paternal leave and another seeking to grant platform-based gig workers minimum wages, regulated hours and social security protections.

India’s debate echoes international developments. Australia, for instance, passed its own Right to Disconnect law last year, allowing workers to decline after-hours calls and messages. 

That reform sharpened domestic scrutiny of workplace culture in India, particularly after the death of an EY employee in Pune reignited discussions about long working hours and the pressure to remain constantly reachable.

The order also instructed manufacturers to push a software update installing the app on existing devices. Companies were given 90 days to comply and 120 days to file reports with the Department of Telecommunications. 

With more than 85% of Indian households owning smartphones, the measure would have affected almost the entire population.

Sanchar Saathi, introduced in January, is designed to curb mobile-related fraud by detecting duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers and allowing users to block stolen devices. Government figures claim the app has already helped disable millions of fraudulent connections and recover hundreds of thousands of lost phones.

Officials framed the requirement as a necessary response to mounting cybercrime, citing powers under India’s Telecom Cyber Security Rules. But the mandatory installation clause immediately raised concerns among privacy groups and technology companies, recalling the backlash over India’s compulsory COVID-19 tracing app in 2020.

Apple was reportedly the first to signal non-compliance, arguing that it does not pre-install third-party apps for any government worldwide. 

Digital rights advocates condemned the order as legally weak and disproportionately intrusive. The Internet Freedom Foundation called it a “deeply worrying expansion of executive control,” while the Software Freedom Law Centre described it as a “24-hour State in my home” measure that undermined user autonomy.

Opposition politicians also criticised the directive. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi labelled Sanchar Saathi a “snooping app,” arguing that the government had no justification for placing non-removable state software on personal devices. The backlash quickly gained traction across social media.

Facing mounting resistance, the government signalled on Wednesday morning that it was open to amending the order. By the afternoon, the Communications Ministry confirmed the directive had been scrapped, saying it had “decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory.”

But, India is not alone in pursuing tighter control over mobile phones. 

Russia recently made a government-backed app mandatory on all devices sold in the country, part of what critics describe as a widening surveillance apparatus. Privacy advocates warn that India’s attempt, though now rescinded, reflects a similar trajectory and could re-emerge in another form.

According to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Twitch qualifies for the ban because its livestreaming and real-time interaction features pose risks for younger users.

Other services, such as Pinterest, LegoPlay and WhatsApp, have been allowed to remain accessible for teenagers. Several additional platforms are still under review.

Twitch, which has more than 7 million livestream artists, said most of its audience is between 18 and 34. It did not disclose how many users are younger, though current rules already prohibit anyone under 13 from joining.

The legislation has faced heavy pushback from tech companies, which argue that enforcing strict age limits online is practically unworkable and that the policy has been rushed. Critics say without reliable age-verification technology, the ban may function more as a political statement than a meaningful barrier.

Even so, the move is being closely watched by governments exploring their own approaches. 

New Zealand ’s Prime Minister has pledged to pursue similar laws, and officials in the Netherlands have advised parents to keep children under 15 off apps like TikTok and Snapchat.

As it stands, Australia now holds one of the toughest positions on youth access to social media . 

What to know:

Why it matters:

What they said:

Many netizens were struck by the bravery of the revellers, who risked severe punishment for their defiance. The crowd in the video are going against rules that have been in place in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and have been enforced particularly harshly in recent years. Women in the crowd don’t appear to be wearing hijabs, in violation of strict laws mandating women wear ‘proper headwear’ which were tightened in 2024. 

In 2022, Iran’s ‘morality police, known as the Guidance Patrol, allegedly beat Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Amini to death after they arrested her for ‘improper wearing of a hijab’. After Amini’s death sparked a wave of protests across Iran and the world, the government only tightened its regulation of women’s clothing. Recently, Iranian authorities have shut down the Instagram accounts of female singers after they shared videos of themselves performing without a hijab, according to independent news outlet Iran International.

The performers in the video are also risking punishment. Western music was censored in Iran after the Revolution. In the early days of Ayatollah Khomeini’s rule, anyone caught with music deemed ‘un-Islamic’ risked being fined, lashed or imprisoned. Now, private listening is generally tolerated, but artists performing in public require an official permit and must ensure their audience sticks to gender segregation and the appropriate attire.

Users online fear for the musicians and dancers’ safety. Unconfirmed rumours are circulating online that some have already been arrested. It is only three years since the Mahsa Amini protests, during which Human Rights Watch says security forces killed more than 500 people.

Others feel more hopeful. “Since the Mahsa Jina Amini protests, the regime has struggled to fully reimpose strict hijab rules or curb public displays like this”, says journalist Afshin Ismaeli. He also says recent attacks by Israel are making Iran’s government more wary of public unrest.

The video has been shared across the internet , including by White Stripes lead singer Jack White. Commenters have celebrated the refreshing portrayal of ‘the real Tehran’, which contradicts depictions of Iran from the Global North and the country’s own government. 

The Chinese authorities describe such patrols as environmental protection efforts in a newly designated marine reserve. But under international law, the shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The South China Sea has become the stage for one of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical games. Rival states - chiefly China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan - are scrambling to occupy reefs, rocks, and islands in a maritime version of Monopoly. Each new outpost, real or artificial, strengthens territorial claims to surrounding waters rich in fish, oil, and gas.

The Great Wall of Sand

Among the boldest tactics is China’s creation of man-made islands, a project so vast it’s been dubbed the Great Wall of Sand . Using dredging vessels like the enormous  Tian Kun Hao , known as the “Island Maker,” sand is sucked from the seabed and poured over reefs until they rise above the waves. Concrete walls are then added to prevent erosion.

The environmental toll is immense. Dredging destroys coral reefs and marine habitats, clouds the water with sediment that blocks sunlight, and alters ocean currents,  potentially influencing the paths of future storms and typhoons.

One striking example is Fiery Cross Reef, a remote speck in the sea roughly equidistant from Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Once a shallow reef, it is now home to a full-scale Chinese military base, complete with a long runway, hangars, housing blocks, and even sports facilities. From this isolated fortress, Beijing projects power across the region.

Other countries have also manned remote outposts to stake their own claims - the Philippines even grounded a World War II ship onto a reef more than two decades ago and has kept it manned with a permanent garrison since.

The motivation is clear. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal nations can claim an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extending 200 nautical miles from their shores, granting rights to fish, oil, and minerals. But artificial islands do not qualify.

Lines on the map

In 2013, the Philippines turned to the United Nations to challenge China's sweeping claims off its shoreline. And won a comprehensive victory three years later. A UN tribunal ruled that the islands upon which Beijing based its claim were not naturally sufficient to sustain inhabitation and therefore not entitled to their own EEZ. China dismissed the verdict as “null and void.”

China continues to assert sovereignty over nearly 90% of the South China Sea, marked by its so-called Nine-Dash Line , a sweeping loop that intrudes into the EEZs of several neighbouring states. Taiwan , formally the Republic of China, maintains a similar claim with eleven dashes based on historical maps and trading routes.

The global stakes

The South China Sea isn’t just a regional flashpoint. It’s one of the busiest maritime corridors on Earth, carrying up to a third of global shipping. And conflicts are frequent, if mainly low-level.

The US is taking a close interest and NATO has also looked at its own role in the region. There's no sign of a resolution and plenty of reason to predict further tensions.

[Editor's note: The most common English names of locations have been used in this article for convenience and do no imply advocacy for any territorial claims on the part of Global South World]

Click here to watch our previous episodes

World Reframed is produced in London by  Global South  World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

So far, nine people have been detained in connection with the murder of Lara Gutierrez, 15, Brenda del Castillo, 20, and Morena Verdi, 20, who were tortured and dismembered during a live broadcast on a social network, for a closed group of 45 people.

The Minister of Security warned that those who watched the video will also be brought to justice . "The 45 who say they saw the video, will all receive the maximum penalty that the highest-ranking member of that organisation will receive," Bullrich stated.

Bullrich also highlighted the cooperation between the police agencies of Bolivia and Peru in detaining some of the alleged perpetrators, including Victor Sotacuro, Matias Agustin Ozorio, and Tony Janzen Valverde Victoriano, known as 'Pequeno J'.

The victims were tortured, murdered and buried in the yard of a house in Florencio Varela, where their bodies were found five days after they disappeared.

Authorities in Argentina classified the case as aggravated homicide, premeditated by two or more individuals, with treachery, cruelty, and gender-based violence.

The bill, originally approved by Congress in August, guarantees higher budgets for national universities and salary increases for teaching and non-teaching staff. Milei rejected the law in September, arguing it jeopardised his government’s goal of achieving a “zero deficit” through sweeping austerity measures.

Thursday’s debate took place as students, academics and health workers gathered outside Congress in Buenos Aires, protesting against the president’s cuts to education and other sectors. Many carried placards denouncing the veto and warning that underfunding universities threatened both access to education and Argentina’s long-term development.

Public universities hold particular weight in Argentina, where tuition has been free since 1949 and nearly two million students are enrolled in state institutions, compared with around half a million in private universities. Supporters of the law framed the issue as not only financial but also political and moral, accusing Milei of undermining a fundamental social right.

This is not the first time Milei has attempted to block higher education funding. A similar law was vetoed in 2024, though Congress then upheld his decision. This time, however, lawmakers in both chambers united to reject his stance. In the same session, the Senate also overturned Milei’s veto of a law declaring a state of emergency in paediatric healthcare, further highlighting the political pushback against his austerity agenda.

What’s in the bill:

The initiative comes amid reports of rising violence, injuries, and even deaths linked to public drinking, particularly in tourist areas. “This is about restoring peace and safety in our communities,” Morera said in his remarks.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the bill does not alter judicial structures, meaning it requires only 29 votes in the Legislative Assembly to pass, instead of 38. However, justices cautioned that more resources may be needed to manage new cases.

Costa Rica, long known for its stability and tourism-driven economy, faces growing pressure to balance civil liberties with security in urban hubs and coastal towns popular with visitors.

In 2006, then Deputy President Jacob Zuma was charged with raping a 31-year-old woman known by the pseudonym “Khwezi.” During the trial, the court permitted questions about her sexual history, giving Zuma’s defence room to attack her credibility. The judge ultimately ruled the encounter was consensual and acquitted him, a decision that sparked public outcry about fairness to survivors.

The lacuna lies in how criminal intent is defined under the Act. As currently written, sexual offences defined by lack of consent rely on a subjective test of intent, with no requirement that a mistaken belief in consent be “reasonable”.  This means an accused’s assertion, however implausible, may succeed unless the prosecution can exclude it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Into this breach steps The Embrace Project, a civil society organisation in South Africa, fighting for reforms, advocating for the amendment of the law that will shift the balance from a legal strategy that exploits survivors’ past towards a prosecution that focuses squarely on the alleged act.

The project is also pushing for special training for judges and prosecutors to safeguard victims’ dignity and privacy.

The scandal has reignited discussion over the need for legislation that directly addresses AI-generated fraud. Malaysia’s main cyber law, the Communications and Multimedia Act, was enacted in 1998, long before generative AI existed.

Last year, Malaysia passed the Online Safety Act, which does cover deepfakes, but the law has not yet come into effect. Some legal experts argue that the blackmail attempt could be prosecuted under Section 292 of the Penal Code, which criminalises obscene materials.

For many experts, the blackmail highlights the urgency of more AI-specific legislation.

“The law is there, but the context of crimes committed using AI does not fit exactly into the definition of the crimes, especially if there are no tangible damages incurred from the abuse of AI,” Melissa Lim, an AI legal research fellow with Sinar Project, told The Straits Times . 

Malaysia’s digital minister, Gobind Singh Deo, has announced plans to table a dedicated AI bill by mid-2026. But that timeline has prompted concern as AI-enabled scams proliferate across Southeast Asia.

A report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime found that deepfake cases in the Asia-Pacific region surged by 530% between 2022 and 2023, second only to North America in total reported incidents.

In the first half of 2024 alone, AI-related crimes involving deepfakes ballooned by more than 600%, according to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report.

Criminal hubs in countries like Thailand are also turning to AI to supercharge other scams. A Reuters report this month quoted a scammer who admitted using ChatGPT to impersonate Americans while defrauding US citizens.

The victims are not only the vulnerable but also the powerful. In December 2023, deepfake videos featuring Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong falsely depicted them endorsing cryptocurrency and investment products.

With its young population and reliance on labour exports, Southeast Asia is becoming a magnet for transnational organised crime groups that are evolving into “ criminal service providers .”

As Malaysia races to identify those behind the deepfake blackmail, it is also weighing tougher legislation to provide long-term protection against AI-driven threats.

In a decree ordering the National Electoral Council to prepare the vote, Noboa argued that Ecuador’s worsening security crisis requires new strategies against organised crime. The proposals would overturn a 2008 constitutional ban on foreign bases, which led to the closure of the US military installation in Manta a year later. Washington has already signalled openness to returning if formally invited.

Alongside the question on military bases, Noboa also decreed a referendum on convening a Constituent Assembly, a flagship promise of his campaign. Under his plan, the body would consist of 80 representatives — provincial, national and from abroad — tasked with drafting a new constitution within six months, extendable by two.

But Noboa’s decision to sidestep the Constitutional Court has fuelled a deeper clash between the executive and judiciary. The court recently blocked parts of several laws pushed by his administration, and critics accuse him of undermining constitutional safeguards. In a statement, the presidency dismissed those concerns, insisting that “politicised obstruction will not prevent the will of the Ecuadorian people ”.

The Japanese ski resort of Hakuba is tightening its rules on visitor behaviour after years of growing frustration over disruptive incidents linked to booming inbound tourism. Local officials have announced plans to introduce fines of up to 50,000 yen ($340) for nuisances such as late-night fireworks, littering, noisy street gatherings, and even vehicles without proper snow tyres.

The new penalties are set to be introduced through a revised ordinance by December, just in time for the peak winter ski season. But with that growth has come a rise in problems, graffiti and sticker vandalism, loud late-night parties spilling onto the streets, littering, and fireworks disturbing residents. Officials say that while earlier rules, banning street drinking, smoking, and skiing on public roads, helped, they no longer go far enough.

“Our goal is not to punish visitors harshly but to set clear boundaries and protect the community’s quality of life,” one village representative explained.

The revised ordinance will empower authorities to impose fines on anyone, whether local or foreign, who violates community rules. While the aim is to warn and discourage disruptive behaviour rather than immediately penalise, repeat offenders or serious cases could face the maximum fine.

Tourists are being urged to show respect by avoiding late-night fireworks or noisy outdoor parties; disposing of trash properly; using snow tyres during winter driving; and refraining from vandalism, including graffiti or stickers on public property.

Here are five of their main objections:

1. Suppression of free speech and dissent

The coalition says the law has been used less for cybersecurity and more as a political weapon. They cited cases of bloggers arrested for “fake news,” an author detained for writing a presidential biography, and a developer targeted for building a Finance Bill monitoring tool. 

According to BAKE lawyer Mercy Mutemi, the law was a “panic response” to online dissent, not a genuine attempt to tackle cybercrime.

2. Abuse leading to harassment and even death

Perhaps the most shocking example is the case of teacher Albert Ojwang, who reportedly died in police custody after being arrested over a social media post. 

Lawyers argued the Act gives police sweeping surveillance powers, leading to harassment, abductions, and abuses that endanger lives.

3. Violation of constitutional rights

The coalition members claim the law infringes on freedoms of expression, privacy, and judicial independence. Section 50, for example, requires courts to automatically grant police access to digital data if “reasonable grounds” are claimed, a provision Mutemi said turns courts into “rubber stamps” instead of independent watchdogs.

4. Lack of public participation

Another key objection is procedural; significant amendments adding new “content offences” were introduced at the committee stage in Parliament without public consultation. Critics have therefore argued that this violates Kenya’s constitutional requirement for public participation in lawmaking, making the Act illegitimate.

5. Less restrictive alternatives exist

Lawyers insist that there are civil remedies, such as defamation suits, that can protect reputations without criminalising speech. As lawyer Dudley Ochiel argued, criminal provisions like those targeting false publications or cyber harassment are overly broad and open to abuse. Civil law, they say, would strike a better balance between protecting reputations and safeguarding free expression.

The state, represented by the Attorney-General, the DPP, and Parliament,  has urged the court to uphold a 2020 High Court ruling that declared the law constitutional, insisting that regulating digital activity is necessary in the age of technology. The ruling is set to be delivered in February 2026.

The legislation, approved by Congress in August, sought to bolster financial support for public universities and declare a pediatric emergency to enhance resources for children's hospitals, including the renowned Garrahan Hospital in Buenos Aires. Milei, citing fiscal responsibility, argued that the laws would exacerbate the country's economic challenges.

In response, thousands have taken to the streets in cities nationwide, with significant demonstrations held outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires. Protesters are demanding the reversal of the vetoes and increased investment in education and healthcare. The opposition-controlled Congress is considering actions to override the vetoes, intensifying the political standoff.

These developments come amid Milei’s broader austerity measures aimed at stabilising Argentina’s economy , which has been grappling with inflation exceeding 200%. While these policies have garnered praise from financial markets, they have also led to a decline in the president’s popularity and increased tensions with various sectors of society.

Van der Merwe was denied the right to take his wife Jordaan’s surname, while Bornman was blocked from hyphenating his surname with that of his wife, Donnelly. Both men contended the restrictions violated constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity.

In its judgment , the Constitutional Court agreed, describing the provisions as outdated and rooted in patriarchal assumptions which limits men’s choices and ifringes on their rights to equality and dignity.

The court’s decision affirms an earlier ruling by the Bloemfontein High Court, which had already found the restrictions unconstitutional. It also aligns with submissions by the Free State Society of Advocates, which supported the couples’ case, arguing that the law perpetuated harmful gender stereotypes.

Neither the Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, nor the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mamoloko Kubayi, opposed the application.

Under the ruling, Parliament has 24 months to amend the Act and its regulations. In the meantime, men will be allowed to adopt their wives’ surnames, or hyphenate them, when registering a marriage.

The issue was deeply personal for Jordaan, whose surname her husband sought to adopt. She described her name as a connection to family memories, underscoring the human dimension behind the legal battle.

Advocates for gender equality have welcomed the judgment, describing it as a necessary step toward dismantling discriminatory practices in South African law and affirming the right of couples to define their identities on equal terms.

Uruguay has moved closer to passing a bill legalising euthanasia , scheduling the final vote on August 12 and potentially becoming the third Latin American country to institutionalise the controversial policy. The legislation, debated for eight years, would set strict medical and legal criteria for adults with terminal or incurable illnesses seeking the procedure. Patients would require medical and psychological assessments, plus two independent medical opinions. If passed, Uruguay would join Colombia and Ecuador in permitting euthanasia, a move that has garnered criticism, especially from pro-life advocates and religious figures. 

Inflation falls to one-year low in July

Uruguay’s inflation slowed to 4.5% in July, down from 4.6% in June and the lowest since May 2024. It marked the fourth straight monthly decline, keeping inflation within the Central Bank’s 3.0-6.0% target range. The drop was driven by weaker price growth in housing, utilities, and transport, though food costs accelerated. Annual average inflation slid to 5.1% from 5.2% in June. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.05%, reversing the 0.09% decline recorded in June.

Uruguay, DR Congo ink cultural cooperation pact

Uruguay and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed a cultural cooperation agreement on  August 8, focusing on promoting Afro-descendant heritage, including rumba and candombe. The deal was concluded during a visit by Congolese Culture Minister Yolande Elebe, who also met President Yamandú Orsi and held talks on copyright, intellectual property, and joint cultural projects. The partnership marks the DRC’s return to South America after 40 years and forms part of a broader government mission to strengthen South-South cooperation. 

Gov’t unveils five-year strategy vs money laundering, organised crime

President Yamandú Orsi’s government has unveiled a national strategy to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and arms proliferation, cracking down on drug trafficking and organised crime. The 2025-2030 plan follows a risk assessment identifying drug trade, corruption, and football transfer rights as high-risk areas. The move comes after a record 2.2-tonne cocaine seizure this month. The strategy will work alongside the SILCON system, coordinating intelligence and strengthening financial investigations to dismantle criminal networks.

Uruguay to hold first solar power auction since 2013

Uruguay will launch a 200 MW solar power auction in 2025, its first in over a decade, as part of efforts to boost renewable energy and cut reliance on fossil fuels. The initiative forms part of the country’s strategy to increase the share of renewables in its electricity mix and strengthen energy security. Officials say the project will help diversify energy sources and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

If passed, it would provide a one-time opportunity for Tunisians who are eligible to get a car at a cost price, either by importing it or buying from a registered dealer.

The plan targets individuals over the age of 30 and families whose income is below a certain limit.

It also makes provision for where the income cap is set at 18 times the guaranteed minimum wage, while for singles, it is 12 times.

In an effort to be more inclusive, the bill also gives preference to families who care for a person with a disability, especially those who haven’t previously received a specially adapted vehicle.

To qualify, the vehicle must be less than 10 years old at the time of purchase or import and must be acquired through an official dealership.

It is expected that lawmakers will begin discussing the bill after the parliamentary break, alongside debates on the national budget.

Although Justice Yuoh reached the age of retirement earlier this year, the Liberian Constitution allows her to remain in office until she finishes all pending cases that were started before she turned 70.

Legal experts say Justice Yuoh is expected to step down by August 15, once she has completed her duties.

But the fact that Gbeisay may be commissioned by the president this week has sparked concern that both judges could be seen as holding the same office at the same time.

Liberia’s Constitution states that judges retire at age 70 but may stay on long enough to finish the work already on their desks.

It also states that a Chief Justice must take an oath of office before officially assuming the position.

Some legal observers fear that if Gbeisay is sworn in before August 15, it would create a rare situation where Liberia has two Chief Justices, which could raise questions over the legal authority of decisions made by the court.

However, the country’s Bar Association says this can be avoided.

“There is no potential for a constitutional and institutional crisis depending on how the transition is managed,” said Cllr. Bornor Varmah, president of the Liberia National Bar Association.

Traditionally, Liberian Chief Justices only assume office after their predecessors officially leave.

He explained that the key issue is not the nomination or confirmation of the new judge, but when he takes the oath and starts work.

The Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), the body that oversees enforcement of the law, confirmed that the conviction followed years of monitoring and failed warnings issued to the offender.

The case involved the misuse of personal information in a digital lending business.

The man convicted is Ronald Mugulusi, a director at Nano Loans Microfinance, which operates the mobile lending app Quickloan.

He was found guilty of failing to register with the data authority and of using a borrower’s personal information without permission.

Investigators said he shared a video via WhatsApp that showed a customer’s name, photograph and phone number, threatening to post it on TikTok if the person did not repay a loan.

The incident, which occurred in Kampala, prompted a criminal investigation led by Uganda’s data office in collaboration with police and state prosecutors.

After pleading guilty and agreeing to a plea bargain, Mugulusi was fined 300,000 Ugandan shillings (about 80 US dollars) by a court in the capital.

“This conviction sends a strong and clear message that non-compliance with data protection and privacy obligations is a criminal offence and will be prosecuted,” said the PDPO in a public statement.

Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act came into effect in 2019 but had not been used in court until now.

Meanwhile, Kenya has also moved to tighten data privacy rules, introducing new draft regulations in late 2023 as governments across Africa step up enforcement in the digital space.

He said the next step is to finalise the legal language with the Attorney-General’s Chambers before the draft is brought back to the Cabinet for final approval.

The proposal is part of efforts to reduce overcrowding in Malaysia’s prisons, which now house more inmates than what it was originally built to contain.

Official figures show that prisons currently hold 83,808 people , even though their maximum capacity is 76,311.

Overcrowding in these prisons has been attributed to the high number of remand cases, especially for minor drug offences.

Saifuddin said 35% of the prison population is on remand, many under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952.

To tackle this, the new law would require some offenders to stay in a fixed location, such as their home or a care centre, instead of being locked up while electronic monitoring devices are used to track their movements.

“The issue is the definition of ‘shackles’. One interpretation of ‘shackles’ is handcuffs, but I tend to interpret that as including various devices,” Saifuddin told lawmakers during a debate on the national human rights report.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim first mentioned the plan in his 2025 budget speech, saying house arrest could be a more practical punishment for certain offences.

The bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament once all legal changes are agreed upon.

The Constitutional Court cancelled Section 200 of Malawi’s Penal Code, which allowed the government to press criminal charges against people accused of defamation.

A group of three judges said the law went against Malawi’s own Constitution and international agreements on human rights.

The case was brought by political activist Joshua Chisa Mbele after he was charged under the law for making comments about a government official.

Mbele argued that the charge violated his right to speak freely, as guaranteed in Malawi’s Constitution.

The judges agreed with him.

They said in a democratic society, protecting people’s right to speak openly was more important than using criminal law to punish those who may harm someone’s reputation. They added that civil cases, not criminal charges, were the right way to handle such disputes.

“Criminal sanctions, especially imprisonment, carry the risk of being used as tools of intimidation against critics and dissenters,” the Court said.

The ruling brings Malawi in line with a growing number of countries across Africa and the Commonwealth that have removed similar laws.

Experts say these outdated laws are often used to silence journalists, activists and political opponents.

Until now, the law had been used to target people speaking out against government officials. With this ruling, nobody in Malawi can be charged again for criminal defamation.

This means it can only be dispensed with a doctor’s prescription.

The move follows rising concern that the drug, which is meant to ease moderate to severe pain, is being abused, especially by teenagers, to get high.

Tramadol is usually prescribed to people recovering from surgery, injuries, or chronic pain, and works similarly to morphine.

But high doses can lead to dangerous side effects such as hallucinations, seizures, kidney failure, or even death.

Officials say many users are now mixing the drug with soft drinks, energy drinks, or alcohol, or combining it with other substances like ecstasy or methamphetamine, which makes it even more harmful.

The drug has become widely available online, where it is often sold without prescription.

Health authorities say its rising popularity among young people is creating a new public health challenge, with users becoming addicted in ways similar to opioids like heroin.

The government says the reclassification will help stop over-the-counter sales and reduce the risk of addiction and misuse.

The new regulation was announced on 14 July 2025 and will come into effect 180 days later.

Experts say the problem goes beyond Tramadol misuse.

Thailand is also struggling with poor drug use practices more broadly, including people self-medicating or mixing medicines without understanding the risks.

These behaviours have been blamed for allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance, and long-term organ damage.

Pharmaceutical spending in Thailand has also shot up in recent years.

One of the biggest changes comes through the new Teachers’ Law, which recognises educators across public and private schools as professionals and places their salaries at the top of the public-sector pay scale.

For the first time, teachers in private schools will be treated equally with public school teachers in terms of rights and status.

The law also gives teachers more room to take part in scientific research and innovation, and promises housing, health and hardship allowances.

The revised Law on Employment expands job support to all workers aged 15 and above, including those without formal contracts.

It also covers people who are currently unemployed and includes updated rules on job training, labour registration and unemployment insurance.

Tax reforms are also on the way.

A new Law on Special Consumption Tax adds sugary soft drinks and larger air conditioners to the list of taxable goods, while updating rules on exemptions for exports and transport-related items.

The revised Corporate Income Tax law changes the rules for what qualifies as taxable income and offers incentives for innovation and green development.

The new Law on Chemicals introduces stricter safety controls and promotes the sustainable growth of Vietnam’s chemical industry.

It simplifies paperwork for businesses and aims to prevent harm to the public and the environment .

Other reforms include stricter rules on online advertising, better oversight of state-owned companies, new support for energy efficiency, and a restructured State Budget Law that gives more financial independence to local governments.