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China jails citizen-journalist for four years over Wuhan virus reporting

13 Sept 11:39 Key points summarised by AI

Chinese citizen-journalist Zhang Zhan received a four-year jail term for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" due to her critical reporting from Wuhan during the initial COVID-19 outbreak.
Zhang's firsthand accounts presented a starker reality of the pandemic's epicenter, contrasting with China's official narrative, leading to accusations of persecution for exercising free speech.
The trial's timing during Western holidays drew criticism, with the UN human rights office calling for her release and highlighting concerns over China's clampdown on COVID-19 related freedom of expression.
Zhang endured a hunger strike and force-feeding during her detention, while other citizen-journalists reporting on the virus from Wuhan have also disappeared or faced surveillance.

19 Oct 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.