Vietnam

Today's news: clashes and arrests at funeral of 17-year-old Iranian girl who died over hijab, another Mahsa Amini; Exports in textiles to Vietnam down, losses $41 billion; Israeli army raids continue in Gaza: in Dagestan a plane from Tel Aviv attacked; At least 13 killed and dozens injured in a train accident in Andhra Pradesh; Discontent among Hong Kong Muslims over the presence of a Chinese flag at official events atop the most important mosque; Tenth meeting between the leaders of Singapore and Malaysia, first since the Covid-19 pandemic; Russian satellite production "no longer competitive."

Competition has become fierce after thousands of factory workers lost their job. Bookings are done via apps, but the companies that control the market force drivers to give up on having days off, creating particularly stressful working conditions.

Today's news: Qatari mediates release of two women with US citizenship among 200 Gaza hostages; Chinese authorities ban book on the last emperor of the Ming dynasty over online comparisons with Xi Jinping; Kuwait promises Philippines to resolve clash over migrants; Nagorno Karabakh refugees protest in Yerevan.

The Missions Etrangères de Paris has inventoried and made available online 400 boxes of documents from the Vietnam Collection with documents on missions from the late 19th century to 1975. The material is also available for consultation by historians at IRFA in Paris.

Today's news: Vietnamese court sentences Christian activist to eight years; In November, China's statistics bureau will conduct a survey to plan new population policies; Uttar Pradesh authorises the resumption of production at Marion Biotech, blamed for cough syrups that killed 65 children in Uzbekistan; Next week the Constitutional Court in Indonesia rules on lowering the age to run for president. In Russia, the Soviet practice of psychiatric asylums for dissidents returns.

Today's news: at least 2500 victims the death toll from earthquakes in western Afghanistan; Record levels of rail traffic between North Korea and Russia, driven by weapons; Chinese dissident Chen Siming is granted political asylum in Canada; Flood deaths in north-east India rose to 77; The campaign to recruit prisoners for the war in the Ukraine continues in Russia's detention camps.

Today's news: Hong Kong man accused of disseminating 'seditious' children's books is jailed for four months. Arrests for journalists critical of Modi accused of spreading 'Chinese propaganda'. The city of Sapporo withdraws from the 2030 Winter Olympics bid. The Mekong Delta is in danger of running out of sand.

Thon Ratha, Phuong Keo Reaksmey, and Long Khunthea will not travel to Sweden for the prestigious Right Livelihood Award. They are currently serving a 14-month suspended sentence and a three-year travel ban for raising environmental awareness. Meanwhile, Vietnam detains green energy expert Ngô Thị Tố Nhiên, a sixth environmentalist jailed in two years.

In a message to Viet Nam’s bishops, priests and faithful, the pontiff explains the meaning of the recent step forward in diplomatic relations with Hanoi with the opening of a permanent representation of the Holy See in the country, “seeking together the best way forward for the good of the Vietnamese people and the Church.” The pope urges Vietnamese Catholics to be "good Christians and good citizens", noting that religious freedom is a way “to foster dialogue and engender hope for the country”.

Today's news: official Riyadh delegation in the West Bank, an Israeli minister visits Saudi Arabia for the first time. Evergrande president under police control. A suicide attempt and the wounding of a protester during protests in Bangalore over a water dispute. Pyongyang ready to reopen borders to foreigners, closed since first phase of Covid-19 pandemic. Chinese holding company presents project to pump and distribute drinking water from the Kyrgyz-Uzbek basin.

On the eve of the Assembly that opens in Rome and where two of its own bishops will also be present, the Catholic Church in Vietnam sent a message to the faithful indicating the theme of enhancing the mission of the laity in 2024. "In Vietnam, due to historical circumstances, combined with difficult living conditions and a misunderstanding of doctrine, some live their faith passively. But the heritage of faith transmitted by the blood of the martyrs is entrusted to each of us".

Two Vietnamese activists are on their way to the United States thanks to a deal negotiated before Biden's visit; another couple is already in Germany. A private agreement promises improvements to freedom of worship and NGO activities. Yet 374 activists are at risk of arrest or closely monitored, while 190 are in jail, laments advocacy groups Project 88.