Hong Kong, Uganda, Iran.
Today's three stories you should know.
Hong Kong
Media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai went on trial in Hong Kong today accused of breaching state security. Lai, 76, was arrested in 2020 as authorities cracked down harshly on a nascent pro-democracy movement and faces a possible life sentence. About 250 activists, politicians and protesters have been arrested under a newly-introduced national security law that critics say is a tool China is using to crush dissent in the city. Lai’s prosecution has caused an international outcry.
More from BBC here.
Uganda
Uganda’s constitutional court today began hearing a challenge to the country’s anti-gay legislation, one of the most severe anti-homosexuality laws in the world. The law - under which life sentences and the death penalty can be imposed - has caused global outrage with the US imposing visa restrictions on officials and the World Bank cutting off aid funding. The government says it intends to defend the law in court, saying it protects family values and that it will not bow to foreign pressure.
More from Al Jazeera here.
Iran
Iran’s oil minister today said nationwide disruption to the country’s gas stations was caused by a cyber attack. A group known as Gonjeshke Darande or "Predatory Sparrow," said it was behind the hacking attack, which shut about 70% of Iran's petrol stations. Tehran says the group is linked to Israel, which the Israeli government denies. Gonjeshke Darande said in a statement on Telegram that the attack was: "in response to the aggression of the Islamic Republic and its proxies in the region."
More from Reuters here.