Iran has vehemently denied Swedish accusations that it was behind a 2023 hacking attack that sent messages encouraging revenge against protesters who burned the Quran. The Swedish Security Service claims the attack was carried out by a cyber group acting on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, aiming to destabilize Sweden and create societal divisions. While Swedish authorities have identified the hackers, they will not press charges due to the difficulty of extradition.
Swedish prosecutors have accused Iran’s intelligence service of hacking an SMS operator in 2023 to send messages urging retaliation against individuals who burned the Quran. The alleged campaign, which sent thousands of messages, aimed to sow division in Swedish society and portray the country as Islamophobic.
Tanzanian authorities have once again arrested three opposition leaders, including prominent figures Freeman Mbowe and Tundu Lissu, to prevent anti-government protests in Dar es Salaam. The arrests come amidst growing concerns about alleged killings and abductions of government critics, with rights groups accusing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government of targeting opponents ahead of upcoming elections.
Bolivia’s political tensions reached a boiling point on Sunday as supporters of former president Evo Morales clashed violently with pro-government forces and security personnel in El Alto, a city near the capital La Paz. The clashes, the second such escalation this week, mark a stark escalation in the ongoing power struggle between Morales and current President Luis Arce, who are vying to lead the MAS party into the 2025 elections. Morales, seeking to mobilize support for his return to power, is leading a weeklong march to La Paz, which has been met with resistance from Arce’s government. This escalating unrest underscores the deep schism in Bolivian society and raises concerns about the potential for further violence ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Spain’s tourism sector continues to thrive, with a record number of international visitors in the first seven months of 2024. However, this growth is met with growing protests from locals who feel the strain of overcrowding and its impact on their quality of life.
Bolivian President Luis Arce has accused former president Evo Morales of plotting a coup by calling for demonstrations and roadblocks, aiming to force the courts to overturn a ban on his 2025 presidential candidacy. Morales, who is barred from running, is seeking to bypass the constitution and contest the upcoming election, leading to escalating tensions within the ruling party.
Doctors protesting the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata have refused to end their strike unless they are allowed to live stream their meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The protesting doctors, who have been demanding accountability and justice, have called for the resignation of several officials and improved security measures in hospitals. The Chief Minister had initially visited the protest site but insisted on holding the meeting at her residence, sparking further tension.
The alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has sparked outrage and protests across the nation. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered to resign amid protests, while the Governor declared a social boycott. Meanwhile, the CBI is investigating the case and the Enforcement Directorate is probing alleged financial irregularities at the hospital.
US President Joe Biden has condemned the fatal shooting of Turkish-American protester Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) in the West Bank, calling the incident “totally unacceptable.” While acknowledging Israel’s responsibility, Biden fell short of supporting calls for an independent inquiry into the shooting, which occurred during a protest in Beita. Eygi’s family and human rights advocates have expressed disappointment with Biden’s response, demanding a more thorough investigation and direct communication from the White House.
Following clashes between students and security forces during a protest demanding the removal of key officials, Manipur Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya left Imphal for Guwahati. Manipur University has postponed all postgraduate and undergraduate exams due to the ongoing unrest.
