Monkeypox cases rise to 31 in Nigeria

An Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta has declared 12 Baloch activists, including Sabiha Baloch, as proclaimed offenders. Charged under strict anti-terror laws, activists argue these legal actions are a systemic attempt by Pakistan to intimidate and silence voices protesting human rights violations and enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

The findings have raised questions about the effectiveness of legal mechanisms meant to protect women and vulnerable communities in the province.

Bangladesh Editors' Council gave a call on Wednesday to withdraw false and harassment cases filed against journalists across the country, as per a statement on behalf of the Editors' Council, its President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud.

Campaign for Uyghurs and rights groups urged UN High Commissioner Volker Turk to address alleged crimes against humanity by China in his upcoming UNHRC speech. They cited ongoing abuses, lack of updates since the OHCHR report, and recent Hong Kong cases, calling for accountability and transparency.

The sisters of former Pakistani Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, on Wednesday strongly criticised the party's leadership for what they described as "complete silence" and lack of action regarding Khan's ongoing legal cases.

UN experts expressed serious concern over the 17-year prison sentences handed to Pakistani human rights lawyers Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha under cyber-terrorism laws. The rapporteurs warned that broad legislation is being misused to criminalise legal advocacy, restrict expression, and target defenders through alleged procedural irregularities.

A new wave of alleged enforced disappearances has again put Pakistan's security apparatus under scrutiny, with at least seven individuals said to have gone missing in incidents connected to Panjgur and Karachi. A student is among those unaccounted for, heightening anxiety among families already grappling with similar cases, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

Through an X post, Pope Leo XIV said, "It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria, leading to a heavy loss of life...."

India is expected to see a significant surge in Parkinson's disease cases, potentially becoming the country with the second-highest number of patients globally. Experts at the 6th International Annual Symposium-2026 in Kerala highlighted the growing concern, especially among younger individuals in Southeast Asia.

In a statement, UNICEF said it was increasingly concerned by reports showing a surge in AI-generated sexualised images, including cases where real photographs of children are manipulated and sexualised through deepfake technology.