sharia-inspired punishments (including amputations and stoning) return

Today’s News: Hong Kong Launches Investigation Into Broadcasting Of Pro-Democracy Anthem During Official Rugby Match; Pyongyang resumes practice of exploiting young “volunteers” in mines or farms; Indonesia signs a pact with Brazil and the Congo on deforestation; Netanyahu Begins Consultations To Form A New Government; in Russia, the first “denominational” military company was created.

AFGHANISTAN

Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada ordered Afghan judges to impose punishments inspired by the sharia -such as public amputations and stoning- for certain crimes, According to the spokesman, some crimes -theft, kidnapping and riots, among others- will be punished according to Islamic law in its most radical aspect, as occurred in the 1990s , when public executions were carried out.

HONG KONG – CHINA

The Hong Kong police investigate the facts linked to the dissemination of the anthem “Glory to Hong Kong” during a rugby match in Incheon, South Korea. The anthem, a symbol of the 2019 democratic protests, was played instead of the Chinese anthem during a match between the local team and the Hong Kong representative (which ended 19-12 in favor of HK). The incident sparked comments and criticism online, and anger from Beijing. Asia Rugby, based in the former colony, apologized for the “incident”.

NORTH KOREA

In the past two years, Pyongyang resumed the practice of exploitation of young people “volunteering” for forced labor in mines or farms. The children of the elites are not affected by this measure. According to the propaganda, legions of young people work for free and happily, as a way of expressing their love for the country and for Kim Jong-un. In reality, they are young orphans or very poor, victims of forced labor and exploited to sustain an economy in perpetual crisis.

INDONESIA

Indonesia, Brazil and the Congo, the three countries with the most rainforests in the world, yesterday signed a pact on deforestation, with the common goal of protecting and preserving the environment. The three nations will receive compensation from the international community for reducing deforestation, focusing on common issues such as climate finance and carbon pricing.

ISRAEL

After receiving the mandate from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the leader of the Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday began the queries with the members of the coalition to form the new government. He has four weeks – with the possibility of extending the term by two weeks – to define the future executive and the different ministries of a majority group that is increasingly inclined towards the radical right.

RUSSIA

In Russia, the first private “denominational” military company called “St. Andrew’s Cross” was officially created. It had already been operating informally since 2017 in the Orthodox Cathedral of San Nicolás de los Marinos, in Saint Petersburg. Its members will mainly deal with the “special training” of mobilized men who will be sent to the Ukrainian front.

GEORGIA

Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili stated in an interview with Radio France that more than 700,000 Russians arrived in the Caucasian country after the mobilization notice. Of these, some 100,000 have remained in the territory and the rest have gone to third countries. There are also 30,000 Ukrainian refugees in Georgia.