Hong Kong: 10 defendants face trial over attempt to flee country

Early on in the war on Ukraine, Russia passed laws making it illegal to criticise the invasion, the military or even to describe the war as such. Along with thousands of arrests for anti-war protests, several high-profile opposition activists face lengthy prison sentences for speaking out against the war. Russian artist Alexandra Skotchilenko is among them.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other ministers praised the project as showing the new "speed" of Europe's biggest economy. But the floating terminal's high-profile opening was sharply criticized by environmental groups.

The photography biennale in Bamako, Mali is one of the most important arts events in Africa. Many young artists hope to launch an international career at the event.

Travelers will no longer need to take a PCR test on arrival as the city moves to scrap a range of coronavirus measures starting Thursday.

Hong Kong authorities have barred from entry a Japanese photographer who documented the 2019 protests. Experts worry the crackdown on local media is being expanded to foreign journalists.

What's left of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement? Since the implementation of the 2020 National Security law, police have been arresting anti-regime activists en masse. Most are now in prison or in exile. Authorities dissuade and crack down on all forms of protest.

"May he convert the hearts of those who carry out brutal atrocities, which bring shame upon all humanity," the 86-year-old said. He added that the conflict in mineral-rich eastern Congo was driven by greed, at the expense of innocent victims, and called on combatants to lay down their arms.

Dozens of pro-democracy figures have been charged with "conspiracy to commit subversion" and are facing possible life sentences. Their trial opened two years after the initial arrests.

They’ve come to be known as the Hong Kong 47. A group of prominent activists, former lawmakers and student leaders went on trial this week, accused of trying to topple the pro-Beijing government. Most of them, including Benny Tai and Joshua Wong, have been detained since their arrests two years ago.

Located near the Spanish border, France's Basque Country has no fewer than twelve Michelin-starred restaurants, born of the marriage between local produce and the know-how of top Basque chefs. In Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, regular market-goers easily recognise chef Philippe Arrambide.

Former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who served 10 years in prison on tax and fraud charges that many believe were politically motivated, spoke to FRANCE 24 from London, where he now lives in exile.

The Republic of Kosovo marks the 15th anniversary of the declaration of its independence from Serbia on February 17. Tensions between the two countries remain high to this day, with relations deteriorating in recent months. Speaking to DW in Pristina, Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that the situation persists because "Serbia is not a normal democratic country."