分类： society

A British jury has commenced deliberations in the contentious trial of six Palestine Action activists accused of orchestrating a raid on an Israeli-owned arms manufacturing facility. The defendants—Leona Kamio (30), Samuel Corner (23), Fatema Rajwani (21), Zoe Rogers (22), Jordan Devlin (31), and Charlotte Head (29)—face multiple charges including aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and violent disorder for their alleged roles in the 6 August 2024 incident at Elbit Systems’ plant near Bristol.

During the proceedings at Woolwich Crown Court, Justice Johnson provided critical guidance to jurors, emphasizing that the prosecution’s case hinges on establishing ‘contingent or conditional intention’ regarding weapon use. While acknowledging the undisputed fact that defendants entered the facility armed with sledgehammers, the judge clarified that conviction requires proof of willingness to use these tools against security personnel if confronted.

The trial revealed dramatic contradictions in testimony, particularly concerning security guard Angelo Volante’s account. Defense attorneys challenged Volante’s credibility, noting discrepancies in his statements about whether protesters’ sledgehammers made physical contact. CCTV evidence emerged as a pivotal point of contention, with defense counsel Mira Hammad characterizing missing footage from multiple security cameras as ‘suspicious’ and potentially exculpatory.

Notably, PC Sarah Grant, the officer responsible for retrieving surveillance footage, testified that Elbit’s camera system operated with inconsistent frame rates as low as 17 seconds, describing the security infrastructure as ‘not fit for purpose.’ This technical deficiency has complicated the reconstruction of events, particularly regarding an alleged altercation in a factory alcove.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the UK government’s July 2025 proscription of Palestine Action and the broader context of arms trade controversies. All defendants maintain their innocence, with Rogers’ attorney Audrey Mogan dismissing injury allegations as ‘a joke’ contrary to evidence of her client’s character and physical capabilities.

The jury’s verdict, when delivered, will determine the legal consequences for the activists and potentially establish important precedents regarding protest rights, property damage, and conditional intent in British jurisprudence.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has implemented a significant prohibition against the commercial use of divine names on consumer packaging and bags. The new regulation, announced by ministry spokesman Abdulrahman Al Hussain on Monday, specifically targets the printing of ‘The Most Beautiful Names of Allah’ on items that could potentially lead to disrespect or inappropriate handling.

The policy stems from concerns that disposable or utilitarian items like shopping bags and product packaging may be subjected to improper treatment after use, thereby desecrating the sacred names. Al Hussain emphasized that the ban applies specifically to commercial establishments and aims to ensure proper reverence for divine attributes.

In an official statement released on social media platform X, the ministry clarified: ‘Out of respect for glorifying and safeguarding the Most Beautiful Names of Allah, commercial establishments are prohibited from printing these names or the Divine Name on anything that may subject them to disrespect.’ The announcement specifically identified bags and packaging materials as primary concerns due to their transient nature and potential for improper disposal or usage.

The regulatory move reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to maintain religious sanctity in commercial practices and public life. The ministry did not specify penalties for violations but indicated the policy would be enforced through existing commercial compliance mechanisms. This decision aligns with the kingdom’s broader cultural and religious policies aimed at preserving Islamic values in all aspects of society, including commercial activities.

Chinese cultural authorities have established a specialized investigative team following revelations that 29 significant cultural relics have disappeared from Guizhou Provincial Museum’s collections over a twenty-two year period. The provincial Department of Culture and Tourism confirmed the formation of this task force on Tuesday in response to mounting media reports about the missing artifacts.

The investigation centers on artifacts that were documented as either lost or stolen between 1986 and 2008, representing a substantial gap in the museum’s collection management history. In a proactive measure, the museum has officially registered these missing items with China’s Stolen (Lost) Cultural Relics Information Publishing Platform, a national database designed to assist both law enforcement and cultural authorities in recovering pilfered cultural heritage.

The cultural department’s statement emphasized that any individuals found responsible for the disappearances would face strict legal and regulatory consequences following the completion of the investigation. Additionally, the department has issued a province-wide directive urging all museums to immediately strengthen their collection management protocols and enhance security measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

This case has drawn significant attention to the ongoing challenges facing cultural preservation institutions in safeguarding historical artifacts, particularly those spanning extended periods of institutional management. The investigation represents one of the most comprehensive responses to museum collection losses in recent years within China’s cultural heritage sector.

Authorities in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have concluded a comprehensive investigation into viral school uniform concerns, confirming the safety of materials used in winter attire for primary students. The probe was initiated after a parent from Jinshan Third Primary School in Kharchin Banner posted online footage showing a thin film lining inside trousers while performing repairs.

The joint task force examination revealed the material in question to be thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film, a nationally compliant component specifically designed for breathable waterproof functionality in apparel. Officials confirmed the school’s uniform procurement process followed all regulated procedures, with documentation showing 98% parental approval prior to implementation.

The delivered uniforms, received in July 2025, underwent mandatory double inspection protocols with test results verifying full compliance with national children’s textile safety standards. Additional laboratory testing conducted by accredited Beijing facilities on retained samples confirmed the absence of formaldehyde and carcinogenic dyes, neutral pH levels, and 100% polyester fiber construction.

Educational authorities emphasized the TPU film constitutes part of a specialized polyester composite fabric engineered for weather protection in northern China’s harsh winter conditions. The local government has committed to enhancing ongoing quality assurance measures and improving school-family communication channels to maintain student safety and public confidence.

A delegation of 350 Taiwanese students spanning middle school, high school, and university levels has commenced a significant winter sports and cultural exchange program in Tianjin. This initiative, which launched recently, brings together young participants from across Taiwan and mainland China for nearly two weeks of collaborative activities.

The comprehensive program extends beyond athletic competition to include specialized science and technology site visits and deep cultural exploration opportunities. Organizers have designed the itinerary to create meaningful interaction platforms between Tianjin and Taiwanese youth through shared experiential learning. The exchange represents one of the substantial youth-focused programs between the two regions, emphasizing person-to-person connections through winter sports as a unifying medium.

This initiative occurs within the broader context of ongoing cultural and educational exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, highlighting the continuing people-to-people connections despite political complexities. The program’s design reflects a strategic approach to fostering mutual understanding and friendship through the universal language of sports and educational collaboration, potentially creating lasting impressions on the participating youth from both sides.

In a landmark ruling underscoring China’s intensified anti-corruption campaign, the Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court has delivered a severe verdict against Zheng Jianhua, the former Party secretary and chairman of state-owned Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd. The court sentenced the 63-year-old executive to death with a two-year reprieve for extensive occupational crimes committed over nearly two decades.

The comprehensive judicial investigation revealed Zheng’s systematic exploitation of his powerful position from 2003 through 2021. The convicted executive was found guilty on four major counts: bribery involving assets exceeding 156 million yuan ($22.4 million), embezzlement of 2.15 million yuan ($308,000) with accomplices, misappropriation of public funds totaling over 700 million yuan ($100 million) for personal loans, and abuse of power that severely damaged national interests for personal political gain.

The court emphasized the extraordinary scale of Zheng’s bribery activities, noting particularly damaging consequences for national and public interests. His sentence includes death with a two-year reprieve for bribery charges, permanent deprivation of political rights, and complete confiscation of personal assets. Additional sentences include five years imprisonment plus a 200,000 yuan fine for embezzlement, fifteen years for funds misappropriation, and seven years for power abuse.

Mitigating factors influenced the court’s final determination, including the recovery of most illicit assets, partial unsuccessful bribery attempts, and Zheng’s full confession following apprehension. The two-year reprieve period allows for potential sentence reduction to life imprisonment based on behavior during incarceration.

This case represents one of the most significant corporate corruption sentences in recent years, reflecting China’s continuing crackdown on graft within state-owned enterprises that dominate critical sectors of the world’s second-largest economy.