The Iranian protester who escaped his execution - BBC Newsnight

 

Since the "Women Life Freedom" protests erupted in September last year, 500 young protesters have died, and as many as 20,000 young women and men have been injured and or detained by Iran's Security forces. The BBC believes hundreds are still in jail. 

Earlier this year, Newsnight reported that many injured prisoners have been kept in dire conditions and that prison authorities refuse to send them for medical treatment.    Ashkan Morovati, a 26-year-old boxer who was shot repeatedly during the protests in broad daylight and imprisoned, has miraculously escaped execution and fled. 

Inside the country backing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - BBC Newsnight visits Serbia

 

As the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, the majority of people in almost every European country are opposed to the war... with one notable exception. Serbia has long been an ally of Russia, with close political and economic links.

China fire was government's fault - victim's daughter

 

A woman whose mother and four siblings died in a fire in the Chinese city of Urumqi has blamed the government for their deaths.

China operates a strict zero-Covid policy, resulting in many lengthy lockdowns. Protesters say restrictions hampered people's escape from the burning building on 24 November - though the government denies this.

BBC Newsnight's Danny Vincent spoke to Serafet, a Uyghur living in exile in Turkey, who said she found out she had lost family members through social media.

She added there had been no official confirmation of their deaths.

Can Taiwan's microchips act as a 'silicon shield' against a Chinese invasion? - BBC Newsnight

 

Taiwan dominates global production of the microchips which are within almost every technological device we use. A disruption to these supply chains would cause incredible damage to China and the world, a fact which protects the island nation to some degree from a military attack.

Why does the US think Russia will invade Ukraine in the coming days?

 

Russia has positioned some 150,000 troops close to Ukraine's borders, according to US President Joe Biden and now the Ukraine defence ministry.

The Holocaust survivor sharing her story on TikTok - BBC Newsnight

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert - who was deported to Auschwitz aged 20 - shares her story alongside her great-grandson Dov Foreman

As those able to give first hand testimony of the Holocaust dwindle, their stories have become more precious. Lily Ebert, 98, was 20 years-old when she and her family were taken to Auschwitz aboard one of the last trains to enter the camp in 1944.

Gordon Brown: Not sharing Covid vaccines is an ‘intolerable waste’ - BBC Newsnight

Former UK prime minister and global ambassador for the World Health Organisation Gordon Brown tells Newsnight spare vaccines should be immediately airlifted by the military to poorer countries.