Riyadh carries out seven death sentences for 'terrorism'

Today's news: Beijing strengths law on state secrets to include those related to 'work'. Mayors of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv confirmed in local elections in Israel. The fourth spill of treated Fukushima water into the ocean is expected today. Hanoi ready to ratify UN convention on trade union freedom by the end of the year.

SAUDI ARABIA
Riyadh executed seven people yesterday, the highest number since the mass execution in March 2022 in which the executioner killed 81 inmates. The Criminal Court (SCC) convicted the men of terrorism, accusing them of betraying "the homeland, threatening stability and endangering its security". Since the beginning of the year, Saudi Arabia has executed 31 people, compared to 172 last year.

CHINA
For the first time since 2010, China has expanded the law on state secrets, broadening the scope of information deemed sensitive to also include information relating to the world of "work". According to Xinhua, the rule was approved yesterday and will come into force on May 1st. For experts, it is further proof of President Xi Jinping's "attention" to national security.

ISRAEL
In the local elections held yesterday in Israel, already postponed due to the Hamas attack and the war in Gaza, the outgoing mayors of the two main cities were confirmed: Moshe Lion in Jerusalem and Ron Huldai in Tel Aviv, Moti Sasson  was defeated after a decade-long domination in Holon. The most significant figure is abstentionism: for the 241 local governments, a turnout of 49% was recorded, a sharp drop compared to 56% in 2018. Haifa will go to the run-off.

JAPAN
Today the fourth spill of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the scene of the atomic accident in March 2011, is scheduled. The last batch would in fact have met the standards established by the government and Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings. The release of wastewater began last August, despite opposition from countries such as China.

AFGHANISTAN
Taliban police in the eastern province of Khost have banned women from "contacting" local radio and television stations, while broadcasters will not be able to receive calls from "female representatives". This was reported by the Afghanistan Journalists Center (Afjc), according to which the purpose of the measure was to "block the spread of immorality".

VIETNAM
Hanoi is ready to ratify (without indicating the date of entry into force) the UN convention for the free establishment of trade unions within the year, to reduce the risks of disputes. The long-awaited measure is an important formal step for the nation led by the single communist party, to which the only trade union active so far is also linked. Vietnam is an important commercial hub, a sector that last year accounted for more than 160% of the national economy's 5 billion.

RUSSIA
The Moscow government has approved the Ministry of Justice's proposal to open "multicolonies". These are gigantic lagers in which to lock up prisoners at all levels of the regime up to the harshest, also called "hybrid lagers", the first of which will be built in the Kaluga region in central Russia for 3 thousand prisoners, and others even larger in Chita and Ulan-Ude.

CENTRAL ASIA
Four companies from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan ended up on the list of those sanctioned by the United States: Polastar Logistics based in Dubai which deals with air, sea and car transport also for the Tashkent government; the companies Da Group 22 and Elem Group of Almaty and Karaganda and Ukon of Bishkek, which import spare materials for aircraft.

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