Akhbar: read the news, then talk it through

• A UN report says Venezuela's repressive system remains active despite government changes, documenting how medical neglect in state custody led to the death of regional leader and politician Alfredo Díaz. This is a grave matter, and the report's findings are presented here as they stand. 1
• Around 70 AI-generated news sites published at least 318 articles on the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, covering relations with Rwanda and the disputed mineral resources; Anthropic reported the operation, which Congolese journalists had missed. 2
• The Privy Council has overturned a 2025 Court of Appeal decision and ruled that Trinidad and Tobago's colonial-era "buggery law" is unconstitutional, in a case brought by Jason Jones after a decade-long legal battle. 3
• Thousands of Ecuadorian students have marched to reject President Noboa's temporary job plans, demanding permanent solutions for public healthcare, education funding and rising insecurity. 5
• Egypt has convicted the editor-in-chief of the independent outlet Mada Masr, Lina Attalah, and ordered the site closed, weeks after the platform Matsadaqsh was arrested in its entirety. 6
• Macau recorded its first conviction under its national security law on 6 November 2026, sentencing former lawmaker Au Kam San, 69, to 12.5 years in prison; observers have described the closed-door trial as unfair and a sham. 14
• Journalism in Gaza has become the most deadly conflict for journalists on record, as Israel's ongoing attack has killed far more reporters than any other war. 10
• Gabon has restored social media access after more than eight months, though the reporting indicates this came at a cost. 12

Written by AI from the stories it cites; it can be wrong. Ask the desk a question