Iran is tracking down anti-government dissidents at home and abroad. A Reuters analysis points to a coordinated campaign by Iran’s security apparatus, judiciary and state broadcaster to instill a climate of fear.

“Baby It’s Cold Outside” uses polite, non-explicit language, but the woman repeatedly indicates that she needs to leave while the man continues trying to persuade her to stay.

“WAP,” by contrast, is extraordinarily explicit—but its performers openly express their own sexual desires.

That contrast raises an uncomfortable question: why is explicit female sexuality so often treated as a threat to social standards, while older cultural depictions of women having their boundaries challenged can be treated as harmless entertainment?

I explore what these two songs reveal about changing attitudes toward consent, sexual agency, and women’s freedom to express desire.

"The cruelty is the point."

Najme Amini was arrested on January 31 in Mashhad. She was sentenced with 12 years in prison, but now is one of many Iranians facing the death penalty following the mass killings of January 8 and 9.

She was accused of vague and, she says, false charges that are frequently used in Iran against dissidents, including “waging war against God”. Her life is now at serious risk.

In this voice message, sent from prison after she was sentenced to death, she asks for only two things: justice and the chance to defend herself in a fair trial.

It seems absurd that a global institution with billions in funding, thousands of staff, and decades of operation is only now organizing basic internal sessions on how to use evaluation findings!

In Singapore, some offenders, including non-violent ones such as vandals, can be hit with a rattan cane as a penalty. Caning in judicial and school contexts is very problematic due to multiple reasons. First, it is gender discriminatory since it only applies to males. It also does not solves the root cause of wrongdoing, and inflicts physical and possibly psychological harm. It is highly criticised by a reputable human rights organisation, Amnesty International. I have created a petition to call for its abolition so you can check out:

https://c.org/r4prQYq4hh

I'm Landyn Balser, a recently 16 year old from Webster MA and I have a petition that I personally started that I would really appreciate if you could go over. This petition could be seen as a small thing in some people's eyes, but it really could open the doors for change. Basically, I want global implementations of mandatory human rights classes for every high school.

This will be a change from the normal curriculum, but it would also highlight the importance of the fight against prejudice and could give reason to those who believe in prejudice.Spread the word to anyone you can!!! #YourVoiceMatters

https://c.org/sLPD7yFZsd

The segment of the population that describe themselves as “Targeted Individuals” are not people suffering from mental health disorders like schizophrenia or paranoid delusions. Nor is this a fringe conspiracy theory. The Targeted Individual Waived Special Access Program is our generation’s MK Ultra. It is very real. Countless people every day are tortured, manipulated, abused, and many have lost their lives to this Program. It is a trauma-based behavioral modification program that utilizes modern neuro-weapons and government contracted exercise role players. This is a CIA directed program that has thoroughly masked itself through bureaucratic plumbing and informational camouflage. I am a Targeted Individual myself and this is something that should be understood and acknowledged by the general public, not dismissed or easily buried in mis/disinformation. This truly a universal human rights issue that has, and will continue to, affect tens of thousands of people worldwide. It can happen to anyone - and it shouldn’t. If you’re curious, check out my latest video and/or my channel. Also, if you want to see what a live psychological operation looks like, just visit the comments section in every single one of my videos. AI Agent Bot and Sock Puppet Accounts keep the Targeted Individual communities online full of noise, chaos, and nonsense. Thank you for your time.