January 12, 2023

*) Brazil swears in Sonia Guajajara as Indigenous Peoples Minister Influential indigenous rights activist and lawmaker Sonia Guajajara, has been sworn in to lead Brazil's Ministry of Indigenous Peoples. Guajajara was sworn in on Wednesday at the Planalto Palace in capital Brasilia in presence of President Lula da Silva, lawmakers and representatives from Brazil's Black and Indigenous movements. She also called for "effective Indigenous citizenship" that she said cannot take place without the demarcation of territories, environmental and territorial protections, continued access to free quality public education and vast coverage to comprehensive health care. *) Fate of Ukraine's Soledar uncertain as Wagner claims control Russia names a new commander for its offensive on Ukraine while mercenary Wagner Group says its capture of salt mining town Soledar in eastern Ukraine was complete, as fighting enters its 322nd day. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that fighting was still raging in a key eastern frontline city that the Russian mercenary group earlier said it controlled. And in his daily address, Zelenskyy insisted the front was "holding". *) Greece's case against migrant rescue volunteers 'farcical': rights groups A group of 24 volunteers who participated in migrant rescue operations on an eastern Greek island have gone on trial in a smuggling-related case that has been widely criticised by human rights groups. Greek police said that the volunteers had collected information about refugee flows and provided assistance to organised trafficking groups. Human Rights Watch, however, said that the charges are based on a police report, which contains “blatant factual errors”. The case was initially set to go ahead in 2021 but was postponed over procedural issues. *) Palestinian dead from injuries by Israeli army fire in occupied West Bank A Palestinian has died of injuries sustained after being wounded by Israeli army bullets in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Min