Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 311

Beatings and forced abortions: Life in a North Korea prison

North Korea is currently more isolated from the world than it has ever been. The country has been ruled by the Kim family for three generations, and its citizens are required to show complete devotion to the family and its current leader, Kim Jong-un. The Covid pandemic has brought even stricter controls both within the country and at the border.Tougher prison sentences have been imposed on those

Solomon Islands reassures an anxious Australia as it works on a China security deal

The Solomon Islands is seeking to expand its security relationship with China, its government confirmed on Friday, after reports that such an agreement was in the works fueled concern from Australian officials.A Solomon Islands government statement said Friday that Honiara was in the process of "diversifying the country's security partnership including with China.""The Government is working to

All 132 people on board crashed China airliner confirmed dead as second black box recovered

All 132 people on board the China Eastern Airlines jetliner that crashed in the densely forested mountains of southern China Monday are dead, China's aviation authorities confirmed Saturday night. For days, rescue teams had been combing through the crash site -- wading through heavy mud and thicket, scattered with debris and plane parts -- in southern China's Guangxi region, while desperate

Shanghai rules out full lockdown despite sharp rise in Covid cases

Shanghai has recorded a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, but officials have ruled out a full lockdown over the damage it would do to the economy. Millions of Chinese in affected areas have been subjected to city-wide lockdowns by an Omicron-led outbreak that has sent daily case counts creeping ever-higher, though they remain insignificant compared with other countries.Shanghai, however, has aimed to

Hong Kong’s Young Independent Filmmakers Break New Ground Despite Crackdown

Less than two years after China imposed a far-reaching national security law, which saw dozens of Hong Kong activists and journalists arrested, the iron curtain is finally falling on the city’s once-vibrant film industry: A new film censorship law was passed last October to deter films that “glorify” or “incite” subversion. Not only does it enable the authority to render film licenses void,

What Does Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Mean for China in the Arctic?

Russia’s energy projects in the Arctic face an uncertain future after the imposition of sanctions on the country following its invasion of Ukraine last month. Amid economic sanctions and the departure of foreign firms en masse, the Kremlin may find that it is left with China as its only viable partner for projects up north.Last week, Britain and the United States announced a wholesale ban on

‘Open the schools’: Afghan girls protest in Kabul for right to education

Women and girls staged a protest near the Taliban’s ministry of education in Kabul on Saturday, calling on the group to reopen girls’ secondary schools in Afghanistan. The protesters chanted: “Education is our right – open the doors of girls’ schools!” as armed Taliban members looked on. They held banners that said: “Education is our fundamental right, not a political plan” as they marched for a

North Korea may be preparing for nuclear test soon – report

North Korea may be making rapid preparations to carry out a nuclear weapons test for the first time in more than four years, according to a South Korean media report. The Yonhap news agency, quoting government sources, said North Korea appeared to be digging a “shortcut” to Tunnel 3 at its previously closed nuclear test site in Punggye-ri.Analysts at the Centre for Non-Proliferation Studies (CNS)

With Fresh Urgency, China Pleads With Seniors to Get Vaccinated

Chinese vaccines have been proven safe and effective. But older citizens remain reluctant despite a surge of Omicron cases. In one city, health officials are going door-to-door to reach people with limited mobility. In another, vaccination sites are being opened closer to communities with many older adults. All over the country, public announcements call on seniors to reconsider their hesitancy.“

China Has Not Given Russia Military Aid Despite Request: U.S. Official

China has not yet honored a Russian request for military aid, the Biden administration said Friday. National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that no response to the request has been observed since it was made earlier in March. Russia had asked its ally China to provide it with an unspecified amount of military aid, as well as economic assistance.China is seemingly playing both sides