Rural Daily

21Nov

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Hunger striker among 3 Vietnamese prisoners to win international prize

By RFA Vietnamese2024.11.19 Read more on this topic in Vietnamese. The Vietnam Human Rights Network has selected three political prisoners serving a total of 26 years for its annual award, including Bui Van Thuan, who recently ended a hunger strike after persuading authorities to improve conditions. Thuan, Do Nam Trung and Dang Dang Phuoc were all convicted of “anti-state propaganda” in unconnected cases. The California-based group announced the awards on Monday along with $3,000 in cash for each of the three. Trinh Thi Nhung, wife of Bui Van Thuan, told Radio Free Asia the award was more important than the money. “This is a great spiritual gift for Thuan and his family,” she said. “We are happy that organizations and brothers and sisters at home and abroad always care about and sup...

21Nov

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World

Suicide bombing kills 12 Pakistan soldiers

Bannu, Pakistan ISLAMABAD — Authorities in northwestern Pakistan said Wednesday that militants overnight launched a gun and suicide bomb attack against a military outpost, killing at least 12 troops and injuring several others. The deadly assault took place in the militancy-hit Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. The statement reported that Pakistani security forces in the ensuing gunfight killed six assailants and “effectively” blocked their attempt to enter the post, prompting a suicide bomber to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the facility. The explosion caused the collapse of a portion of “the perimeter wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure,” resulting in fatalities, the military said. “Sanitization operation is ...

20Nov

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World

China’s joint security proposal sparks controversy in Myanmar

FILE - A convoy of army vehicles patrol the streets in Mandalay, Myanmar, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. WASHINGTON — China’s recent proposal to establish a joint security company with Myanmar’s military junta has drawn sharp criticism from those who view it as an encroachment on national sovereignty and a sign of the junta’s inability to ensure security. According to a report in the Myanmar Gazette published on November 8, the junta formed a 13-member committee on Oct. 22 to review China’s proposal and draft a memorandum of understanding for the joint venture. The committee evaluated the logistical aspects of the draft MOU, such as importing weapons and security equipment, while ensuring the plan does not undermine Myanmar’s sovereignty. Mya...

20Nov

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World

National security trial of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai: what’s happened so far

Police question a man outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' court in Hong Kong on November 20, 2024. HONG KONG — Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai, 76, testified in court for the first time on Wednesday in his landmark national security trial, accused of endangering China\'s national security by colluding with foreign forces. Lai was first arrested, under the national security law in August 2020, and has spent much of the time since in prison. He also faces separate sedition charges linked to his newspaper. The prosecution has accused Lai of alleged collusion with foreign forces, which it says included meetings with U.S. officials in Washington during the presidency of Donald Trump, calling for sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials. ...

20Nov

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World

Iran increases its near weapons-grade uranium

FILE - A student looks at Iran's domestically built centrifuges in an exhibition of the country's nuclear achievements, in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 8, 2023. Iran has increased its supply of uranium that has been enriched to 60% purity, according to IAEA reports seen by news agencies. Iran has increased its supply of uranium that has been enriched to 60% purity, according to confidential International Atomic Energy Agency reports sent to member states and seen by several news agencies. Atomic weapons can be created when uranium enriched to 60% is further enriched to 90%. The enrichment procedure is a short, technical process. However, Iran has offered to cap its stockpile of enriched uranium if Western powers abandon their plan to pass a resolution against the Middle Eastern coun...

20Nov

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World

Russian farmers ditch wheat for other crops after heavy losses

FILE - Combines harvest wheat in a field of a local agricultural enterprise in the Cherlaksky district of the Omsk region, Russia, October 4, 2024. MOSCOW/IRTYSH VILLAGE, RUSSIA — Russian farmers say they will sow less wheat after heavy losses this year, switching to more profitable crops such as peas, lentils, or sunflowers. Such decisions will have direct implications for global wheat prices and inflation in major buyers like Egypt, as Russia is the world\'s top exporter of the grain. The trend represents a challenge for President Vladimir Putin\'s plan to expand exports and cement Russia\'s position as an agriculture superpower, while trying to gain more international clout amid confrontation with the West over its actions in Ukraine. The country\'s wheat harvest w...

20Nov

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World

Islamic Council's VPN decree raises concerns about privacy in Pakistan

FILE - A Pakistani waits to open an internet page on a desktop in Lahore, Pakistan, Aug. 19, 2024. Pakistan's top cleric has declared that virtual private networks, or VPNs, are unlawful. WASHINGTON — Pakistan\'s top cleric has declared that virtual private networks, or VPNs, are unlawful, igniting a debate on privacy rights and access to information amid a government crackdown on the internet. Allama Raghib Naeemi, head of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), issued a decree saying it makes no difference whether a VPN is registered or unregistered. “If attempts are made to access indecent or immoral sites, character assassination is done, statements are being made against national security, or if various incidents of religious b...

20Nov

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World

More rescued victims of insurgency handed over to Borno state government

Major General Kenneth Chigbu, deputy theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai is shown with poses for a group photograph with Alice Loksha, left, and Fayina Ali at Army Barrack Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Nigeria, on November 15, 2024. Abuja, Nigeria — Stability is returning to northeastern Nigeria after decades of insurgency as the military and the Borno State government work to reduce terrorist activities and rescue abducted civilians. Operation Hadin Kai, the military\'s counter-insurgency operation in the northeast launched in 2021, has rescued of numerous civilians held captive by insurgents. The deputy theater commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Kenneth Chigbu, praised the partnership with Borno State government. "The Bo...

20Nov

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World

Anti-corruption protesters in Botswana demand action from new government

Scores of people march amid concerns about corruption in state enterprises, in Gaborone, Botswana, Nov 18, 2024. Gaborone, Botswana — Botswana’s new leader, President Duma Boko, has promised zero tolerance for graft in his administration. The pledge comes as scores of Botswana residents join in youth-led anti-corruption protests, urging the government to prosecute former officials accused of looting public coffers. Activist Setlhomo Tshwanelang mobilized the protests over alleged corruption within state enterprises. He said more demonstrations are on the way and the new government must prosecute anyone who stole public funds. Montshwari Mogopane, an investigator for Botswana’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, said his offi...

20Nov

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World

China’s Xi, Lula meet in Brasilia to 'enhance ties'

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping as they gather for a G20 Summit world leaders' group photo, in Rio de Janeiro, Nov. 19, 2024. Brasilia, Brazil — China\'s President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Brazil Wednesday, fresh off a warm reception at summits of the G20 and APEC groups, both held under the cloud of Donald Trump\'s White House return. Xi has said he would seek to "further enhance" ties with Brasilia when he meets counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, host of the G20 summit that closed in Rio Tuesday. The bilateral comes as China is looking with trepidation to a future after U.S. President Joe Biden, with whom Xi had led efforts to e...