Human Rights

Hong Kong's outspoken cardinal Joseph Zen, center, and other religious protesters hold placards with "Respects religious freedom" written on them during a demonstration outside the China Liaison Office in Hong Kong, Wednesday, July 11, 2012.

World News

A Catholic cardinal and others are arrested on Hong Kong security law

3:50am May 12, 2022

by The Associated Press

The White House and U.S. politicians join others around the world in calling for the release of a retired archbishop, singer and others in the Chinese territory.

People hold posters of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, Oct. 2, 2020, marking the two-year anniversary of his death.

World News

Turkish court rules that Khashoggi trial should be transferred to Saudi Arabia

6:21am April 07, 2022

by The Associated Press

The ruling comes as human rights groups warn that turning the case of the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi over to the Kingdom would lead to a cover up.

Pro-democracy activists (right) hold placards with the picture of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan as they march to the Chinese central government's liaison office in Hong Kong in Dec. 2020.

World News

A citizen journalist who shined a light on the pandemic in Wuhan may die in prison

10:44am November 11, 2021

"If she does not make it past the coming winter, I hope the world will remember her as she once was," Zhang Zhan's brother said. She posted videos of Wuhan in the early days of the pandemic.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya competes in the women's 5000m final in Pretoria, South Africa on April 15, 2021. Her attempt to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in an event exempt from the new testosterone rules fell short.

National

Olympic Runner Caster Semenya Wants To Compete, Not Defend Her Womanhood

4:29pm July 28, 2021

by Melissa Block

Rules on testosterone levels for women athletes have kept star runner Caster Semenya out of the Tokyo Olympics. At the heart of this heated debate: who should be considered a woman in sport?

Israeli security forces on a street during clashes with Palestinian youth in Hebron on April 25.

World News

Israel Accused Of 'Apartheid' Crimes By Human Rights Watch

4:35pm April 27, 2021

by Daniel Estrin

In a new report, the rights group accuses Israel of "apartheid and persecution" crimes against Palestinians. Israel's Foreign Ministry said the report's claims are "preposterous and false."

European Court of Human Rights President Robert Spano delivered the court's ruling on vaccine mandates, saying the benefits of such laws outweigh the intrusion into privacy.

World News

European Court Backs Mandatory Vaccinations For Children

12:51pm April 08, 2021

by Bill Chappell

Requiring vaccines can be seen as "necessary in a democratic society," the Strasbourg-based court said in its ruling on a law governing preschool kids.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny appears in the Moscow City Court in Moscow on Tuesday.

World News

Kremlin Critic Navalny Sent To Prison On Old Conviction

5:07pm February 02, 2021

by Lucian Kim

Alexei Navalny was arrested when he returned to Russia after recovering from poisoning, which he blames on Russia's president. He says the accusations against him are politically motivated.

LGBTQ

NC Ranks Low On LGBTQ Equality Report

3:29pm January 29, 2021

by Eddie Garcia

North Carolina needs to improve on LGBTQ inclusivity according to an annual report on state laws, policie

Belarusian women protest in Minsk, Belarus, in October, demanding the resignation of the country's authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.

World News

The Women 'Fighting For Freedom' In Belarus

8:01am December 26, 2020

by Michele Kelemen

"We will continue to fight and speak and raise our voices," says Belarusian athlete Yelena Leuchanka. "The face of what is happening in Belarus is largely the face of women," says an ex-U.S. diplomat.

Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough were pardoned by President Trump this week. The former government contractors were convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more a dozen Iraqi civilians de

Shock And Dismay After Trump Pardons Blackwater Guards Who Killed 14 Iraqi Civilians

8:14pm December 23, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

"We were surprised that the American president issued a decision to pardon these criminals, murderers and thugs," says an Iraqi man who was shot in the 2007 massacre at Baghdad's Nisour Square.