Activists against Hanoi for condemning Buddhist monks and clerics

Today's news: heavy snowfall over South Korea, flights cancelled and four dead; Beijing released three US citizens who had been in the country's prisons for years; Abbas appoints Rawhi Fattouh as successor in case of impediment, paving the way for elections in Palestine; The opposition claimed victory in the vote for Jakarta governor, but in the other provinces the Prabowo-Jokowi alliance advanced.

VIETNAM

Pro-human rights groups accused Hanoi of violating religious freedom after a court in the southern province of Long An sentenced five ethnic Khmer Buddhist monks and four activists this week. The judges imposed sentences of between two and six years in prison for ‘abuse of democratic freedoms’, a formula used to repress worship and internal dissent.

SOUTH KOREA

Intense snowfall has been falling on the country for two days, causing the cancellation of dozens of flights, the blocking of ferries and the deaths of at least four people. It is the third heaviest on the capital, Seoul, since records began in 1907, with accumulations of up to 40 cm in some areas of the capital. The phenomenon is said to be linked to above-average temperatures in the seas to the west of the Korean peninsula that encounter cold air currents.

PALESTINE

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas appointed Rawhi Fattouh, chairman of the National Council, as successor in the event of a vacancy in the post of PA president amid a crisis in the movement, whose consensus is declining among Palestinians. In the event of Fattouh's interim ascension, he will remain in office for 90 days until presidential elections are held

CHINA - UNITED STATES

Beijing yesterday released three US citizens who had been held for years in the country's prisons and whose release - deemed unjust - US diplomacy had long manoeuvred with its Chinese counterpart. Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung had been convicted of various offences, including drug trafficking and espionage, despite the lack of firm evidence. They will now be allowed to return home to their families.

INDONESIA

The opposition party of former President Megawati Soekarnoputri claimed victory in the Jakarta governor's race. Indikator Politik Indonesia, Charta Politika and Lembaga Survei Indonesia give Pramono Anung about 50 per cent of the vote, ahead of former West Java governor Ridwan Kamil, candidate of Prabowo Subianto, with 40 per cent. However, the alliance between the current president and his predecessor Joko Widodo looms as the winner in all other major provinces.

BANGLADESH

There is high alert in the port city of Chittagong, with police arresting six people following the murder of a lawyer who died in clashes that followed the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The man had been detained on 25 November at Dhaka airport on multiple charges, including sedition. The detention triggered widespread protests in Dhaka and Chittagong.

RUSSIA - VATICAN

According to Novaja Gazeta, there are signs that foreshadow a meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill on the territory of Serbia, a country traditionally friendly to the Russians. In the Consistory of 7 December next, the head of Serbian Catholics, Belgrade Archbishop Ladislav Német, will be elevated to the dignity of cardinal, who would act as mediator.

TAJIKISTAN - UZBEKISTAN

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have taken a step forward on liberalising the transit of commercial cargo, which will now be able to cross borders without complications. However, requirements to obtain permits to continue transport within the territory of the two countries to a third country remain, which continue to slow down traffic.

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