The music teacher has received the 2022 Lê Đình Lượng Human Rights Award. He is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for opposing Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea. For his wife, the award is a “priceless gift" and "source of encouragement". Meanwhile, he is not allowed to pray in prison.
After he was convicted in sham trials, MajidReza Rahnavard was hanged as an “enemy of God” in Mashhad and hurriedly buried to hide any signs of torture. The Iranian Foreign Ministry "invited" the Chinese ambassador to express its “dissatisfaction” over a joint statement issued during Xi Jinping's visit to the Gulf States. Three Iranian-held islands claimed by the UAE are at the centre of the controversy.
The army says it is "aware" of the death and "the incident" is being "reviewed". A patrol reportedly fired during the arrest of three militiamen, hitting the young girl. At least 6,500 Israeli Security Forces round-ups in 2022, at least 153 Palestinian women and 811 Palestinian minors arrested. 2,134 administrative detention orders issued.
Today's headlines: North Korean hackers exploited the Halloween tragedy to spread malware in the South; the Emirati passport is first in the world for mobility and freedom from restrictions; in Karnataka, a Christian ecumenical group calls for police protection for Christmas fearing attacks; Taiwan bans the installation and use of Tik Tok on communication devices in public; Uzbekistan rejects the Russian proposal for a 'union' on natural gas.
Today's headlines: Jakarta has released Umar Patek, one of the perpetrators of the 2002 Bali massacre, on probation; human rights in Vietnam are deteriorating; South Korea is emerging as Asia's main market for luxury cars; two people were killed in clashes between police and protesters in the streets against the conviction of an activist; Russia's birth rate is plummeting, birth incentives under study.
The government closes government offices and agencies for two days, 11 and 18 December. Syrian authorities blame Western sanctions and the disruption of supplies. In the southern province of Sweida, two people die in a protest related to the energy crisis. Iran is boosting oil supplies, from one to three million barrels per month.
The talks focus on economic agreements, military cooperation, investment and energy. On 9 December, the Sino-Arab summit, attended by the most important Gulf countries. The signing of a series of projects worth a total of 30 billion euro is on the agenda. Possible partnerships in the nuclear field.
Today's headlines: Beijing loosens Covid-19 restrictions in bars, gyms and restaurants, asymptomatic and mild cases will be quarantined at home; Petronas gets the go-ahead for unconventional oil exploration in the Emirates; in South Korea, more and more single people will be living in 40% of households by 2050; after lengthy negotiations with the Azeris, Yerevan reopens the only direct link between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Today's headlines: Tehran to execute more than 500 prisoners in 2022; new explosion in northern Afghanistan, at least seven dead and six injured; Chinese hackers stole millions from the US; Tokyo wants to increase defence budget by 56% in 2023-27; Moscow studies an 'atomic shelter' plan for the capital.
Iran’s attorney general announced its abolition yesterday, but no official confirmation has come from the government. State media have denied the information, claiming that the minister’s words were taken out of context. Protesters announce a three-day strike. For Iran’s Foreign Minister, “everything is moving forward well in the framework of democracy and freedom.”
Construction work on the centre continues, with 30% of the project completed in three months. The building will stand on 10,000 square metres and will have a hall dedicated to Francis for interfaith events. The church will be flanked by a mosque. Bells ring again in St Paul's parish in Mosul.
Today's headlines: State of maximum alert for thousands of Indonesians in East Java after the eruption of Mount Semeru; Tokyo and Beijing create a military 'red line' to avert incidents in the East China Sea; Israeli President Herzog on an official visit to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates; Kim Jong-un has reportedly identified his successor in his (nine-year-old) daughter Ju Ae, the 'most beloved'.
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