Russia, Anti-Cultist Scares Children with a New Bogeyman, Massimo Introvigne bitterwinter.org/russia-anti-cu… Archpriest Alexander Novopashin uses an old picture, whose meaning he does not understand, to present the editor of “Bitter Winter” as a demon-in-chief.

Hefei’s Ganquan Church: Wives Call for Release of Pastor Zhou, Elder Ding bitterwinter.org/hefeis-ganquan… The two Christian leaders falsely accused of fraud suffer of diseases that cannot be treated in jail, families say. #China

Ukraine: Italian Money for Odesa’s Cathedral Heavily Damaged by Russian Shelling Urgently Needed bitterwinter.org/ukraine-italia… Promised Western assistance for religious places of worship damaged by Russia’s war should not be delayed by bureaucracy. Ukraine needs it now.

China, a New Crackdown on Self-Media bitterwinter.org/china-a-new-cr… The authorities admit that the 2023 campaign was a failure and issue a new tougher regulation against independently produced news posted on social media.

Another Human Rights Problem in Kazakhstan: Domestic Abuse bitterwinter.org/another-human-… Domestic abuse in Kazakhstan must stop, demands a new generation of students, dismayed by entrenched attitudes in their culture.

Hohhot Christians’ Trial: Ban Yanchao Gets 5 Years for Distributing Bibles bitterwinter.org/hohhot-christi… Co-defendant evangelist Wang Honglan has not been sentenced yet but remains in custody. #China

Will Estonia Declare the Moscow Patriarchate a “Terrorist Organization”? bitterwinter.org/will-estonia-r… Earlier statements by Interior Minister Läänemets were somewhat mitigated after his meeting with President Karis. Exaggerations never help, but Patriarch Kirill poses real problems.

Brazilian Supreme Court Allows Religious Dress in Official Document Photos bitterwinter.org/brazilian-supr… A nun was refused a driver license since she insisted to use her picture in religious dress.

The CCP Uses Taiwanese Box-Office Hit to Manipulate Christians bitterwinter.org/the-ccp-uses-t… The film “Zhou Chu Eliminates Three Evils” (in Taiwan “The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon”) is used for mobilizing Christians against “cults” and “illegal religion”—misinterpreting it.

Süleymancılar: Turkish Sufi Organization Ridiculously Accused in Russia to “Work for the German Intelligence” bitterwinter.org/suleymancilar-… The trial against those arrested in June 2023 has now started in St Petersburg, with new and more bizarre charges.

Hui Muslims Mobilized to Chase “Spies” bitterwinter.org/hui-muslims-mo… Around April 15, National Security Education Day, mosques were converted into indoctrination centers where the new “Law on Guarding State Secrets” was promoted. #China

Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan: A Legacy of Tragedy and Controversy bitterwinter.org/blasphemy-laws… Pakistan must strive towards a system that upholds the fundamental rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds.

Beijing’s 65-years Old Lie on Tibet bitterwinter.org/beijings-65-ye… The People’s Republic of China’ continues spreading its daily dose of propaganda on an occupied country. Those who love freedom should respond with the truth.

Russia: Now They Came for Ak-Jaŋ. The Destruction of a New-Old Religious Movement bitterwinter.org/russia-now-the… An offshoot of Altai’s “Burkhanist” religion (although not using this name), the Karakol Initiative Group, part of the “White Faith” movement, is heavily persecuted.

Massive Chinese Cyber Espionage of Tibetan Diaspora Revealed bitterwinter.org/massive-chines… Documents leaked from private company i-Soon reveal constant attacks against emails and mobile phones of exiles from Tibet, including the Dalai Lama

Yves Klein: Rosicrucianism, Catholicism, and Models Painted in Blue bitterwinter.org/yves-klein-ros… A new exhibition in New York offers the opportunity to reflect on the artist’s relationship with esotericism and religion.

Dominican Sisters of the Holy Spirit: Vatican vs France on Religious Liberty bitterwinter.org/dominican-sist… The Holy See reminded France that when civil courts second-guess the decision of expelling a nun from her religious order, freedom of religion is “gravely violated.”

Horror Continues in the Heilongjiang Provincial Women’s Prison bitterwinter.org/horror-continu… A Falun Gong practitioner denounces brutal torture in the jail where two of her co-religionists were persecuted to death this year. #China

Russia: Sentenced to Forced Labor for Posting New Generation Church Material on Social Media bitterwinter.org/russia-sentenc… The decision against a man in Prokopyevsk confirmed that courts now treat with the same harshness “indesirable” and “extremist” organizations.

Once Popular, Deng Haipeng’s “Soul Shaping” Is Liquidated as a Xie Jiao bitterwinter.org/once-popular-d… The leader of a self-help group turned new religious movement was sentenced to seventeen years and six months in jail and his organization was banned.