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Monday, 16 January 2023 2:43 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 16 January 2023 2:43 AM ]

Saudi crackdown on dissidents

A Saudi academic is on death row for using social media as the Arab monarchy is tightening its grip on dissidents. Prominent pro-reform law professor Awad Al-Qarni was arrested in September 2017 as part of a campaign of arrests that included at least 20 people. His alleged charges include owning a Twitter account and using WhatsApp to spread messages deemed "hostile" to the kingdom. Human rights advocates warn that the regime is engaged in a new crackdown on free-thinkers. That's while the Saudi government and state-controlled investors are raising their financial stakes in US platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The use of social media has been criminalized within the country since the beginning of Mohammed bin Salman’s reign.

More western arms for Ukraine

The Western military alliance, NATO, has hinted about providing more heavy weapons to Ukraine in the near future. The NATO secretary general said the new military aid is expected following Kiev’s request to its allies for vehicles, artillery and missiles. Jens Stoltenberg was quoted as saying that ahead of a meeting this week of a group that coordinates arms supplies to Kiev. On Saturday, the UK also pledged to supply main battle tanks to Ukraine. Russia has time and again warned Western governments against their policies. Recently, a top Russian security official said the events in Ukraine are not a clash between Moscow and Kiev, but a military confrontation between Russia and the NATO. The West -- the US in particular -- has provided Kiev with billions of dollars of arms and military equipment since the start of the war.

Spain health workers protest

Thousands of health workers have marched on Madrid streets protesting privatization of the public health system. Protesters demand the conservative regional government stop dismantling public health services in favor of the private sector. The Madrid municipal administration is led by the Popular Party, which has come under fire in recent years. The ralliers in central Madrid accuse the regional authorities of poor staffing in hospitals and healthcare centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The leader of the Conservative Party has responded by blaming left-wing parties as the main organizers of the strikes to win the upcoming election.

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