ASIA TODAY Israeli tech company fuels crimes against humanity in Myanmar

Other news of the day: WHO opens investigation into contaminated cough syrup being produced in India and Indonesia, probable cause of death of more than 300 children; a Kabul principal encourages parents to send their daughters to school; In a letter to the Pope, the president of Taiwan excludes the “option” of war with Beijing; the first female pastor in the Holy Land was ordained.

MYANMAR – ISRAEL

Human rights groups denounced a agreement between the Myanmar military and an Israeli company to provide technology that, for the past two years, has fueled the military junta’s crimes against humanity. In February 2021, shortly before the coup, Cognyte Software won a tender for spyware that makes it possible to listen to phones, messages and emails, and to geolocate people.

INDIA – INDONESIA

WHO has launched an investigation into possible links between the deaths of more than 300 children in three countries (Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan) and a cough syrup Produced in India and Indonesia. Studies speak of “unacceptable levels” of toxins in the drug; It is proposed to collect more information on the raw materials used in its preparation and if they have been supplied by the same suppliers.

AFGHANISTAN

Parents should take their daughters by the hand and take them to school, even though the doors are closed, said Ismail Mashal, rector of a private university in Kabul who is challenging a ban on female education. The UN Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, met with Taliban leaders yesterday to express his “concern” about the issue of women’s work and education.

TAIWAN – VATICAN

Tsai Ing-wen wrote to Pope Francis to tell him that the war between Beijing and Taipei “It is not an option”. But only by respecting the will of the Taiwanese people on their sovereignty and freedom can healthy relations with China be built, the president warned. The Vatican is one of the 14 states with which the island maintains formal relations. The president adds that the war in Ukraine reinforces the awareness of the importance of peace.

JORDAN – HOLY LAND

The ordination of a woman pastor on January 22 is a historic first for Christians. Is about Sally Azar, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land. Born in Jerusalem, she is 26 years old and was ordained by the bishop – who is her father – Sani Ibrahim Azar. In 2017 she was elected as a member of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and she has a master’s degree in theology from the Near East School of Theology di Beirut.

RUSSIA

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that the mobilization of recent months has ended, but Vladimir Putin has not signed the decree because “other aspects necessary for the functioning of the Armed Forces” are still maintained. This assumes that there would be a “secret target” that would expand the possible call to arms to 1.2 million people.

TURKMENISTAN

In Turkmenistan, Ashgabat’s upper house of parliament has been abolished, creating a new single chamber of the Khalk Maslakhat, the “People’s Council.” It will be chaired by former president Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, with broad executive and legislative powers that come second to his son, President Serdar, who signed the constitutional reforms.