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The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom awards its Freedom Prize 2026 to the courageous people of Iran who are fighting for freedom, civil rights and democracy.

POTSDAM, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 15 September 2026 -The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom honors the Iranian people with its Freedom Prize 2026 on 7 November 2026 at St. Paul’s Church in Frankfurt. Reza Pahlavi will accept the award in a fiduciary capacity. Bijan Djir-Sarai, foreign policy spokesperson the Free Democratic Party (FDP), will deliver the laudatory address.

Since 2006, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has awarded the Freedom Prize every two years in recognition of outstanding commitment to the development of a liberal civil society, thereby contributing to strengthening values and goals of freedom around the world.

Steffen Saebisch, Chairman of the Board of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, comments: “The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is deliberately awarding the Freedom Prize to the Iranian people rather than to an individual. We seek to honor the desire for freedom of the many hundreds of thousands of people who have risked their lives to overthrow the criminal mullah regime. We are pleased that Reza Pahlavi is accepting to receive the award in trust on behalf of the Iranian people until the day the prize can be presented to the freely elected representatives of Iran.”

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has asked Reza Pahlavi to receive the award in trust on behalf of the Iranian people, as he is the best-known personality of the Iranian opposition and is committed to the return to freedom and democracy in Iran. According to his own statements, he does not advocate one form of government over another, as long as it is democratic. He repeatedly emphasizes that the future political order of Iran must be decided by the Iranian people. According to many, he is currently also the most important political figure of identification for many Iranians (probably the majority) in Iran. In addition, Reza Pahlavi is committed to an end to Iranian-fueled conflicts in the Middle East, the normalization of Iran’s relations with its neighboring countries and, in particular, reconciliation with Israel.

The award goes to all those who stand up for their rights, for their own freedom and for a free and democratic society. It is dedicated in particular to those who lost their lives in the fight against a murderous regime and to those who were or are currently persecuted and imprisoned because of their commitment to freedom and democracy.

The award honors the courage of countless people who resist in their everyday lives: women who stand up for their right to self-determination; students who demand freedom of thought and learning; journalists who, despite intimidation and threats, stand up for press freedom; workers who fight for fair conditions and dignity; families who resist paternalism and the denial of individual choices in their conduct of life. Their strength lies not in individual actions, but in the perseverance of a society that refuses to be silenced.

For decades, the theocratic regime has ruled brutally and with great contempt for basic human rights. That is why it is all the more admirable that so many people in Iran are speaking out in various ways against the regime and in support of their freedom and fundamental rights, taking to the streets to make their voices heard. These extraordinarily courageous people deserve the full support of everyone for whom freedom, self-determination and democracy are the highest ideals.

By conferring the Freedom Prize on the Iranian people, the Foundation is deliberately drawing attention to the many unnamed people whose civic courage often remains unseen, but who form the basis of any peaceful change. The Freedom Prize is an expression of respect and solidarity – and at the same time an appeal to the international community to consistently protect the rights of all Iranians and to support their demands for freedom effectively.

The Iranian people stand for the hope that an open society can also emerge where freedom is suppressed. Their commitment reminds us: freedom is indivisible – and it begins with people who have the courage to stand up.

That is why our Foundation is committed to honoring freedom-loving people in Iran. By conferring the Freedom Prize on the Iranian people, the Foundation is sending a clear message to the public: The struggle for freedom and democracy has the full support of all liberals.

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By R Suryamurthy The 2026 New Delhi Declaration arrives at a revealing moment for BRICS: two decades after the grouping emerged as a shorthand for the rising economic weight of the Global South, it is no longer merely demanding a larger seat at the table of global governance, but is beginning to construct the institutional […]

The article BRICS is not building a new order, but a hedge against the old one appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

The leaders met on Sunday as Egypt pressed for faster progress on a trade goal first set during El-Sisi’s state visit to New Delhi in January 2023. Egypt’s presidency said the discussions covered measures to strengthen the strategic partnership, increase commerce and encourage more investment from India in sectors including manufacturing, technology, clean energy and the automotive industry.

El-Sisi stressed the importance of translating the economic relationship into projects and commercial flows capable of taking trade to the $12 billion target. The two sides also reviewed opportunities for companies from India to expand their presence in Egypt, which Cairo has promoted as a production and export base serving markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Bilateral merchandise trade stood at about $6.5 billion in the 2025-26 financial year, according to figures cited by India’s embassy in Cairo. That leaves the two countries seeking almost to double the current level if they are to reach the objective discussed by their leaders.

Investment formed a central part of the meeting. Egypt highlighted manufacturing, information technology, renewable and clean energy, and vehicle production as areas where it wants to attract additional capital. Cairo has also sought greater participation by overseas companies in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and other industrial centres as it works to raise exports and secure more foreign currency.

Modi and El-Sisi reviewed the broader strategic partnership and discussed cooperation in economic and commercial fields, along with regional and international developments. Their meeting came as New Delhi hosted the September 12-13 BRICS summit under the theme of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.

Egypt joined BRICS at the start of 2024 and has since used the grouping to widen economic links with major emerging economies. The New Delhi summit brought together an expanded bloc whose agenda included trade, finance, technology, energy, climate issues and greater use of national currencies in cross-border transactions.

The trade push also builds on institutional contacts between Cairo and New Delhi. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said during BRICS ministerial meetings in May that the two countries wanted to raise bilateral trade to $12 billion over five years and strengthen cooperation in investment, technology and other economic sectors.

El-Sisi and Modi upgraded relations to a strategic partnership in 2023, creating a framework for closer coordination across trade, investment, defence, energy and political consultation. The latest talks focused more narrowly on turning the economic component of that partnership into measurable gains, particularly through private-sector investment and expanded market access.

Egypt has been courting manufacturers as it seeks to increase domestic production and exports, while companies from India already operate in industries including chemicals, textiles, food processing and manufacturing. Cairo’s investment campaign has emphasised projects that can supply the domestic market while using Egypt’s trade agreements and transport links to reach neighbouring regions.

The two leaders also discussed international and regional issues, according to Egypt’s presidency, without announcing a separate bilateral agreement during the meeting. Their talks were among a series of leader-level engagements held around the BRICS gathering as member states sought to advance economic cooperation alongside the summit’s wider diplomatic agenda.

For Egypt, the $12 billion goal provides a benchmark for a relationship that has expanded beyond traditional merchandise trade into investment-led cooperation. For India, stronger commercial ties with Egypt offer access to a major Arab and African market and to production locations close to the Suez Canal, one of the world’s principal shipping routes.

This latest season takes viewers beyond the city‘s famous landmarks and into the countryside, where international travelers get their hands in the soil, learn traditional crafts and share everyday meals with local residents. Through these experiences, they discover a different side of rural China and the people who are helping shape its future.

Mountain pulse: A year-round outdoor playground

The mountains of Chongli in Zhangjiakou are more than the backdrop for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Once best known for their snow-covered slopes, they are increasingly becoming a year-round destination for outdoor activities.

“Winter is for skiing, but summer opens up a whole new world,” said a local outdoor guide.

Since the Winter Olympics, residents have been steadily unlocking the hills’ year-round potential: from mountain biking and trail running to hiking and camping. The mountains no longer fall dormant when the snow melts.

Julian and Juan pedal along forest trails, surrounded by mountain air and the scent of damp earth. At the Chongli 168 Ultra-Trail Race, they stand at the starting line as thousands of runners surge forward – a river of energy that sweeps up everyone watching.

For Juan, the scene strikes a familiar chord. “Mountains don’t have borders,” he said. “The urge to run and challenge yourself in the wild is something we share, whether in Latin America or here.”

Field-rooted well-being: Yoga that grew from the soil

Surrounded by farmland and an open sky, Yugouliang Village sits on a high plateau in northern Zhangjiakou. The village has gained attention for a distinctive form of outdoor yoga practiced among its fields. Unlike the wellness trends often associated with urban gyms and resorts, yoga here has grown naturally out of village life.

“Our yoga comes from farm work,” one villager explained. “It is part of how we live.” Between planting and harvesting, they stretch and breathe, finding stillness in the middle of open fields.

Julian and Juan first experienced another part of village life by making youmian, a local staple made from oats. They kneaded the dough and shaped it by hand, then headed into the fields, where they spread their mats on the earth and practiced yoga alongside local residents.

“This feels familiar,” Juan reflected. “No matter where we are, people want the same things – health, peace, security and a life that feels full.”

Yugouliang offers a different picture of rural China: not a place frozen in the past, but a community that has found its own rhythm and a new sense of well-being amid the fields.

Living heritage remains part of daily life

Located in the southern part of Zhangjiakou, Yuxian is known for its historic settlements, traditional architecture and folk arts. Its ancient buildings have also reached new audiences through popular culture. Some of its architecture has inspired locations in Black Myth: Wukong, the hit Chinese action role-playing game.

Yuxian paper-cutting is one of its best-known folk traditions. “Paper-cutting came from everyday people,” said a master of the craft. “It used to decorate farmhouse windows. Now it reaches the wider world.”

With that spirit in mind, Julian and Juan tried their hand at paper-cutting, fumbling with scissors to produce something far from perfect – but they feel, briefly, what it means to make art out of ordinary life. Here, heritage isn’t sealed behind glass. It’s passed from hand to hand, cut into paper and woven into the fabric of daily existence.

Where clean energy meets modern farming

If Yuxian’s ancient villages preserve the memories of the past, Desheng Village shows how rural communities are looking toward the future. Located in the highland farming region of northern Zhangjiakou, Desheng has embraced modern agriculture and solar power as part of its rural development.

Rows of solar panels stretch across the land, capturing sunlight that once only fed crops. Beneath them, modern greenhouses hum with temperature-controlled precision. It’s agriculture reimagined – and the benefits are tangible.

“We used to depend heavily on the weather,” one villager said “Now technology and sunlight give us new hope.”

Julian and Juan stepped into the greenhouses, picking ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers, tasting the sweetness of a harvest that no longer depends on luck. They saw how clean energy revenue flows back into the community – funding schools, roads and public spaces.

As night fell, they joined a bonfire gathering in the village square. Music, laughter and conversation filled the evening air. Around the fire, the visitors saw another side of rural development: a village changing with the times while maintaining the close-knit community spirit that has long defined local life.

More than a journey: Stories shaped by the land

For a new generation of travelers, immersive experiences are offering a more complete picture of rural China. In Zhangjiakou, the countryside is not defined by a single landscape or a single way of life. Chongli’s mountains pulse with year-round energy; Yugouliang’s fields offer a slower rhythm of life; Yuxian’s ancient villages keep traditional architecture and folk crafts alive; and Desheng shows how clean energy and modern agriculture can create new opportunities for rural communities.

Here, tradition and innovation coexist in the same villages, where ancient skills can find new audiences and modern technology can take root in centuries-old communities.

Every village has its own story. From mountain trails and open farmland to historic villages and modern greenhouses, Zhangjiakou reveals a northern Chinese countryside that is more diverse, dynamic and full of possibility than any single image can capture.

Visitors may come for the scenery. But by stepping into village life, they leave with something more lasting: a closer understanding of the people who live on this land, the traditions they carry forward and the future they are building together.

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The regulator said the work will focus on creating clearer rules for datasets used by embodied AI systems, which combine artificial intelligence with physical machines such as humanoid robots. The effort is intended to support more consistent data collection, processing, evaluation and use as companies race to improve machines that must perceive, reason and act in real-world environments.

China has already moved to build a broader standards framework around the sector. National standards published on August 27 cover the quality of real-world embodied-intelligence data and technical requirements for data-generation platforms, while several additional specifications remain under development.

Among projects overseen by the National Data Administration are proposed standards covering the sources and constituent elements of high-quality embodied-intelligence datasets, simulated synthetic-data generation and processing, and specifications for data collection and model training at training bases. The projects are being developed under the National Data Standardisation Technical Committee.

One draft programme, registered in April, sets a 12-month timetable for a standard on data collection and model training at embodied-intelligence training bases. Its drafting group includes the China Electronics Standardization Institute, Beijing Institute of Technology, the Institute of Software at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and robotics companies.

A separate draft addresses synthetic data, which is becoming increasingly important because collecting enough physical-world robot interactions can be expensive, slow and difficult to reproduce. China’s policy framework encourages the use of simulation and synthetic techniques to expand supply where genuine operating data are scarce or costly to obtain.

The National Data Administration has made high-quality datasets a central part of its wider artificial-intelligence strategy. An implementation plan issued in June called for faster construction of datasets in strategic and emerging fields including embodied intelligence, intelligent driving and the low-altitude economy. It also called for data covering physical interaction, environmental perception and motion control in key scenarios.

The plan directs authorities and industry participants to improve data cleaning, enhancement, labelling, alignment and quality inspection, while developing national standards covering formats, categories, annotation and quality assessment. The regulator said such work should produce datasets that are structurally complete, diverse, accurately labelled and suitable for model development.

China’s push reflects the distinct data demands of robots operating in the physical world. Unlike text-based systems trained largely on digital information, embodied AI requires large volumes of multimodal material that can include video, images, sensor readings, point clouds, movement trajectories and feedback from physical interaction.

Data supply has therefore emerged as a competitive constraint for developers seeking to train machines to perform long sequences of actions reliably across changing environments. The National Data Development Research Institute has said embodied intelligence and world models are driving sharply higher demand for three-dimensional, video and other multimodal data, while also raising requirements for collection and annotation quality.

The government has also been expanding the underlying pool of AI-ready datasets. At a national data industry event in Guiyang in August, the National Data Administration said more than 126,000 high-quality datasets had been built across China, with a combined volume exceeding 1,815 petabytes.

Officials described a system combining a national dataset management platform, an open-source community and a data-labelling network with sector-specific pilot programmes. The framework includes 106 leading organisations and 140 pilot tasks, with regional authorities encouraged to develop projects suited to local industrial strengths.

Embodied intelligence has featured in those pilots alongside other emerging fields. The administration has promoted cooperation among robotics companies, universities, research institutes and public bodies to increase the quantity and usefulness of machine-training data while testing standards before wider application.

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