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This Kenyan fashion designer and LGBTQ activist who was murdered has finally got justice. 25-year-old Edwin Chiloba was found dead, with his body stuffed in a metal box by the side of the road near the town of Eldoret on Jan. 4, 2023. Chiloba had been last seen on New Year’s Day after he returned home with friends. After that, neighbors said they heard “commotions and cries which subsided after a short while” according to the New York Times. Two days later, neighbors saw a car drive into Chiloba’s compound and two men loading a metal box in. It was only after people reported a foul smell that Chiloba’s body was found stuffed inside the box, wearing a woman’s dress with socks stuffed into his mouth and a piece of denim tied around his face. Police then detained Chiloba’s friend and housemate, Jacktone Odhiambo and 3 other suspects. On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the court found Odhiambo guilty of murdering Chiloba. DNA tests proved that Odhiambo deliberately suffocated Chiloba and stashed his body in a metal box with the help of his brother and cousin. DNA evidence showed that the two had an intimate physical relationship but the court did not find a motive for the killing, according to AP. Rights groups say the ruling is a significant step toward justice for the LGBTQ community in Kenya, where gay sex is illegal. Odhiambo will be sentenced on Dec. 16. #lgbtq #kenya #africa #fashion #activist #humanrights #lgbtrights #news #worldnews

47-year-old Syrian activist Mazen Hamada who was tortured for years by al-Assad’s regime has been found killed inside Sednaya prison in Damascus. Hamada was first arrested in 2011 for joining and filming the anti-government protests, his crime was “protesting” and his weapon was his “camera”. In 2012, the Syrian government security forces arrested Hamada for trying to smuggle 55 packages of baby formula into a besieged suburb of Damascus. He was arrested with his two nephews, who were killed in detention. During his time in detention, Hamada endured extreme torture, including beatings, being suspended by his wrists, starvation and rape, while also witnessing countless deaths. He was held in overcrowded conditions and forced to confess to crimes he did not commit under duress. After his release, fearing further persecution, Hamada fled Syria and sought asylum in the Netherlands, where he publicly testified about the abuse he suffered and became a vocal advocate for victims of the Syrian prison system, organizing demonstrations to raise awareness about the atrocities committed by the al-Assad regime. Hamada decided to return to Syria in 2020 hoping to help other detainees held unjustly by the al-Assad regime after his testimonies were not enough for the world to stop al-Assad’s brutality. Upon his arrival at Damascus International Airport, he was arrested by Syrian intelligence services and he was missing since. Hamada said that he believed that justice could be served and that he would see the people who did that to him held accountable. “I will not rest until I take them to court, and get justice through the law. Even if it costs me my life, I will pursue them,” Hamada said while crying in an interview where he shared details about his torture. Mazen’s tortured body was found inside Saydnya prison on Tuesday, Dec. 9 after rebels freed the country from President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. Many say Hamada’s death is a tragic reminder of the horrors Syrians endured under al-Assad’s 24-year rule. #world #news #syria #alassad #activist #regime #hafezassad #humanrights 

After Syrian rebels freed the country for Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces have "temporarily” seized control of a buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, declaring Syria its fourth war front, along with Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Lebanon. Speaking near the border between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Sunday, Dec. 8, Netanyahu said the country “needed to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to border of Israel.” He said that he gave orders to the Israeli army to take over the buffer zone between Israel and Syria, adding that a1974 separation of forces agreement between Israel and Syria has ended along with the al-Assad regime. The two countries had signed the agreement to establish a buffer zone to separate their forces at their border after a ceasefire in 1974. This came after Israel took the Golan Heights in southwest Syria during a war in 1967 because of its strategic location bordering Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. Netanyahu described the fall of Assad’s regime as a “historic day” and credited it to Israel’s strong action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad’s allies. Following his remarks, the Israeli military issued an "urgent warning" to Syrian residents in villages near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, advising them to stay indoors, Al Jazeera reported. The Israeli army said that the fighting in the area was “forcing” the Israeli military to act and it does not intend to harm civilians. The Israeli army also declared agricultural areas in Israel's occupied Golan Heights as closed military zones, and many schools switched to online. #syria #israel #benjaminnetanyahu #golanheights #geopolitics #news #worldnews

After liberating the country from Bashar al-Assad's regime on Sunday Dec. 8 following a lightning offensive, Syrian rebels have said they are working on transferring power to a transitional government, Reuters reported. In a statement, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that led the offensive, said prime minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali will supervise government institutions until the transition. A video shared on social media showed rebels reportedly escorting Jalali to a hotel to hand over power on Dec. 8. In an interview with Al Arabiya, Jalali said he did not intend to leave Syria and had spoken with Julani about managing the current transitional period. “I am not leaving and I don’t intend to leave. I expect in a peaceful manner to guarantee the continuity of the public authorities and the institutions and the state apparatus and to guarantee the safety and security for all citizens,” Jalali said. “And we are extending our hands even to the opposition, who extended their hands and gave assurances they will not cause any harm to any citizens who belong to this Syria of ours," he added. Jalali called for free elections and said his government was ready to hand over power to any leadership chosen by the people, according to Al Jazeera. Syria's Communication Minister said in a separate interview with Al Arabiya that he had spoken with a HTS representative, and the two had agreed that the telecoms and internet would continue to function, Al Jazeera reported. #syria #milddleeast #basharalassad #civilwar #primeminister #regime

After rebels liberated Syria from the regime of president Bashar Al-Assad in a lightning offensive, al-Assad has fled to Russia, where he has been granted asylum, Russian state media reported. A Kremlin source told Russian news media on Sunday, Dec. 8, that al-Assad is in Moscow with his family, having been granted asylum on humanitarian grounds, Reuters reported. Al-Assad had fled Damascus earlier on Sunday when rebels swept into the capital unopposed, toppling his regime after 13 years. Russia's Foreign Ministry said Assad had given orders for a peaceful transfer of power, according to Reuters. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has said he intends to stay and ensure a peaceful transition of power. Rebels said in a statement on Sunday that al-Jalali will supervise government institutions until a transitional government is formed. #syria #russia #basharalassad #regime #government #damascus #civilwar #news #worldnews

After rebels declared they had freed Syria and president Bashar al-Assad fled the country, Syrians around the country and all over the world are celebrating Syria’s liberation and the end of 13 years of civil war. Videos on social media showed Syrians in different cities celebrating the downfall of al-Assad and his regime. Crowds filled the streets of Damascus and other cities, chanting "God is great" and anti-Assad slogans. On Nov. 27, rebel forces regrouped and launched a surprise offensive led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), advancing in government-held areas and seized most of Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria, in just three days. After taking over Aleppo, rebel forces advanced into Homs city on Dec. 7, then in the early hours of Dec. 8, they announced they had captured Damascus, Syria’s capital, and overthrown al-Assad. Al-Assad has since fled Syria and landed in Moscow, where he will be granted seek asylum, according to Russian state media. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he remains in his residence and is willing to collaborate with opposition forces while stressing the need to maintain public institutions. #syria #freedom #basharalassad #resistance #aleppo #damascus #homs #hama #hts #russia #news #worldnews

Thousands of prisoners detained in Saydnaya prison near Damascus have been freed following the liberation of Syria, marking and end to years of oppression. Saydnaya prison is infamously known as a "human slaughterhouse" due to the extensive torture and mass executions that have occurred within its walls. Since 2011, Saydnaya prison has been used to detain and torture anyone opposing president Bashar al-Assad's regime, even peaceful protesters. Between 2011 and 2015, estimates suggest that between 5,000 and 13,000 individuals were executed there, with overall deaths in the prison exceeding 30,000 due to torture and ill-treatment, according to an Amnesty International report. On Dec. 8, rebels opened the doors of Saydnaya prison, freeing thousands of innocent people including children. Some prisoners were going to be executed on the day of their release. Many former detainees have described their experiences as deeply traumatic, with lasting psychological scars from the abuse and torture they endured. The release of prisoners has sparked celebrations among families across Syria, as many hope to reunite with loved ones who have been missing for years. #syria #freesyria #basharalassad #prison #humanrights #news #worldnews

Rebels have declared Syria free, overthrowing president Bashar al-Assad and his regime after 13 years of civil war. On Sunday, Dec, 8, the Free Damascus operation room announced in a televised statement on Syria’s national TV that the country has been liberated and all prisoners who were held unjustly in prison were freed. This marked the end of over 50 years of al-Assad family rule. In a lighting offensive on Nov. 27, rebel forces regrouped and launched a surprise offensive led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) advanced in government-held areas and seized most of Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria, in just three days. After taking over Aleppo, rebel forces advanced into Homs city on Dec. 7, then in the early hours of Dec. 8, they announced they had captured Damascus, Syria’s capital, and overthrown al-Assad. Al-Assad has reportedly fled Syria in a plane but his whereabouts remain unknown. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he remains in his residence and is willing to collaborate with opposition forces while stressing the need to maintain public institutions. The Free Damascus operation room called on all Syrians to protect the country’s properties in its statement. “Free Damascus operation room calls on all the fighters and citizens to preserve and maintain all the properties of the free Syrian state. Long live free Syria,“ the statement said. #syria #freesyria #damascus #rebels #basharalassad #politics #news #worldnews

South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol has apologized for declaring martial law, saying he is "very sorry" and would not avoid any legal or political responsibility. “There will never be a second declaration of martial law. I leave it up to my party to take steps to stabilize the political situation in future, including the issue of my term in office," he said in a televised speech on Saturday, Dec. 7, before proceeding to bow. The two-minute address was Yoon's first public appearance since he shocked the nation by declaring martial law on the evening of Dec. 3 to eliminate what he said was "anti-state" forces. He called opposition parties “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens", accusing them of trying to "overthrow the free democracy". The move, which analysts say was made out of political desperation, was quickly overturned by the parliament, which voted to lift martial law hours later. In the days following, Yoon has faced increasing pressure to resign, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets of Seoul to demand he is ousted. Hours after his apology, lawmakers met to vote on a bill put forward by the opposition to impeach Yoon. However, the bill failed to pass after the majority of the members of Yoon's party decided to boycott the vote. As such, the parliament did not have the minimum number of lawmakers required for the vote to be valid However, the main opposition Democratic party has said it will propose a new impeachment bill on Dec. 11, to be put forward to a vote on Dec. 14. Meanwhile, nearly 150,000 protesters gathered outside the building to support Yoon's removal, and demonstrations are expected to continue. #southkorea #martiallaw #politics #yoonsukyeol #president #parliament #leadership #news #worldnews

After taking control of Syria's second largest city of Aleppo in a surprise offensive just a week ago, Syrian rebels have captured a second strategic city from President Bashar Al-Assad's regime. Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the shock advance on Aleppo on Nov. 27, said it had taken full control of Hama, one of Syria's biggest cities, on Thursday, Dec. 5. The Syrian military said it had withdrawn after rebels “penetrated several parts of the city," located about 110 kilometers (70 miles) south of Aleppo, according to CNN. The lightning rebel advance was the biggest challenge to al-Assad's regime, which has been in a civil war with rebels since 2011, in years. As of Nov. 30, HTS and allied factions had seized most of Aleppo, with Syrian's military saying it had temporarily withdrawn from the city. Analysts say the regime was likely caught off guard by the assault as it came at a time when al-Assad's major allies – Russia and Iran – are preoccupied with their own crises, including the war in Ukraine and Hezbollah's war in Israel. Hama holds both strategic and symbolic significance for the opposition, as it was where an estimated 10,000 to 40,000 people were killed by the government in 1982. Al-Assad's father, Hafez, who was the president at the time, had ordered the military to crush an Islamist uprising trying to remove the family from power. It was one of the most brutal acts of repression in Syrian history, Al Jazeera reported. In a video, HTS' leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani said his fighters had entered Hama to "cleanse the wound that has endured in Syria for 40 years", adding that they would seek "no revenge". Videos on social media showed people cheering and setting off fireworks as they toppled a statue of Hafez in Hama and dragged the statue's head through the streets of the city. HTS fighters and allied rebels also took over Hama central prison and released prisoners. As of Friday, Dec. 6, rebels have started advancing towards the country's third largest city, Homs, which is the next city south on the highway to the capital of Damascus. #syria #government #war #middleeast #politics #worldnews #news