

Death penalty for ex-South Korean PM Yoon sought by special counsel
South Korean former president Yoon could face the death penalty for the crime of insurrection. The special counsel team has called for the supreme penalty, even though it has not been carried out for almost 30 years.

UN court hears genocide case against Myanmar over Rohingya crackdown
The International Court of Justice has begun hearing a genocide case against Myanmar as the country holds a drawn-out and controversial election process. Gambia and others have accused the country of seeking to annihilate its Rohingya minority.

Election speculation in Japan drives jump in Tokyo stock market
Speculation is rising in Japan on Prime Minister Takaichi calling a snap election, as her cabinet enjoys strong polling figures. Press reports suggested January 23 as a likely date. The speculation drove a 3% jump in share prices at the opening on Tuesday.

Polls open in second phase of contested Myanmar junta-run election
The second of three voting phases in Myanmar's contested election started with a mixed turnout and continued criticism that the vote is neither free nor fair.

Pro-military party claims victory in Myanmar vote first phase
The party backed by Myanmar's military rulers claims to have won the first phase of an election by a large majority. Amid armed conflict and in the face of a boycott called by the opposition, the results are set to be contested when they are announced in late January.

Malaysia set to restrict access to social media by under-16s
Malaysia aims to restrict social media use by implementing a platform-proposed age verification mechanism, describing it as more practical, enforceable and privacy-protective than Australia’s “age assurance” approach.

Son of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi calls elections a "scam"
Many parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi's National League of Democracy, which scored landslide victories in 2015 and 2020, have been banned from the latest poll in Myanmar, which has sparked sharp criticism from observers and human rights activists.

UN says Myanmar junta using 'brutal violence' to force people to vote
For months, the elections scheduled by the military junta in Myanmar have been heavily criticised internationally. Now, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has spoken out again. He criticises that the elections, which begin on December 28, are starting in a violent climate.







