Hong Kong, Eritrea, Gaza

Today's three stories you should know

Hong Kong

Media mogul and pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai has been found guilty in Hong Kong of colluding with foreign forces during anti-government protests in 2019. Lai, who could now face life in prison, founded the now-shuttered Apple Daily media organization and was one of the most prominent critics of Chinese rule in the city, which was controlled by Britain until 1997. The 78-year-old UK citizen, who denies the charges, was convicted under a controversial anti-terror law that has drawn condemnation from countries critical of China. He has already been in prison for five years, much of it in solitary confinement.

More from Reuters here.

Eritrea

I’m a little late to this one, but it has slipped under the radar and I think it’s important to watch. Eritrea has withdrawn from East Africa’s regional bloc of nations, accusing it of acting against the country’s interests. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development responded by saying that Eritrea had not engaged with it since rejoining two years ago. The move comes as fears grow that Eritrea and its much bigger neighbor Ethiopia may be on the brink of war. A ruinous and under-reported civil conflict in Ethiopia, in which Eritrea was involved, killed hundreds of thousands of people between 2020 and 2022.

More from AP here.

Gaza

More than 1,000 Palestinians died while awaiting medical evacuation from Gaza between July 2024 and late November this year, the UN’s World Health Organization said, citing the enclave’s health ministry. Rick Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the occupied Palestinian territories, said the true number was likely higher. Israel, which has cut Gaza off since 2007 and controls all border crossings, must issue medical evacuation permits for civilians to leave for treatment. Despite a ceasefire agreement in October, aid groups say there are still not enough medical supplies or food aid being allowed into the territory.

More from the New Arab here.