#media restrictions

#media restrictions

A large-scale Internet blackout swept across Afghanistan on September 29, just weeks after the ruling Taliban authorities started severing fiber-optic cables in multiple provinces, leading to localized outages. Many international and local news outlets reporting from Afghanistan have been affected by the massive outage, including RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and Radio Mashaal. "Afghanistan is now in the midst of a total Internet blackout as Taliban authorities move to implement morality measures, with multiple networks disconnected through the morning," said Internet governance watchdog Netblocks.

The trial of South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Macharhas reignited concerns about the country's fragile peace and the future of its unity government. Machar, who has been under house arrest since March, made a rare public appearance this week at a special court session in Juba, joined by 20 co-defendants, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol. He faces serious charges murder, treason, and crimes against humanity linked to violent clashes in Nasir earlier this year involving the Nuer-dominated White Army militia.

The closure of crossings into northern Gaza has cut off crucial aid to hundreds of thousands at risk of famine amidst escalating violence.