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Pakistan: Mob attacks churches over alleged blasphemy
Deutsche Welle
17 Aug 2023, 13:40
A rampaging mob set alight several churches and scores of homes on Wednesday in a predominantly Christian area of the Pakistani city of Faisalabad.
Officials said the attack, in Jaranwala town, was triggered by a group of Muslim religious extremists who accused a local Christian family of desecrating the Quran.
What we know so far
Christian leader Akmal Bhatti said the crowd set fire to at least five churches and looted valuables from abandoned houses after clerics made announcements in mosques to incite them.
Hundreds of people armed with sticks and rocks stormed churches belonging to various denominations.
Provincial police chief Usman Anwar told the online media outlet Dawn that officers cordoned off the area as police tried to negotiate with the crowd. Police also said they were registering cases against those who desecrated the Quran.
"Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed," said Pakistani bishop Azad Marshall, in the neighboring city of Lahore.
"We cry out for justice and action from law enforcement and those who dispense justice," Marshall said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
In response, Pakistan's newly appointed caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said he was "gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala" and promised "stern action."
"All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits and bring them to justice," said the prime minister. "Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands with our citizenry on equal basis."
How is blasphemy dealt with in Pakistan?
Blasphemy — where the accused are deemed to have insulted Islam or Islamic figures — is punishable by death in Pakistan. While no one has ever been executed for it, there are cases of angry crowds lynching accused individuals.
Hundreds are in prison facing blasphemy charges, with judges often postponing trials for fear of retribution if they are deemed too lenient.
According to rights groups, accusations of blasphemy are sometimes used as a means of settling scores.
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Japan Sends Warship into Taiwan Strait for First Time
Japan dispatched a battleship to the sensitive Taiwan Strait for the first time on Wednesday to convey a message to China, Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said in a report citing multiple government officials.
The move by Japan, to assert its freedom of navigation, came on the same day China said it had successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean.
Japan's Self Defense Force's warship Sazanami began sailing from the East China Sea on Wednesday morning and spent more than 10 hours to complete the passage, the Japanese newspaper reported on Thursday. The passage was conducted jointly with naval ships from Australia and New Zealand, according to the report.
Last week, for the first time, China's Liaoning aircraft carrier sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan. It was accompanied by two destroyers.
The newspaper cited anonymous government sources saying Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered the passage of the warship into the Taiwan Strait. They reportedly said he felt that taking no action after China's intrusion into Japanese territory could encourage Beijing to be more assertive.
However, Japan's defense ministry did not immediately confirm the warship's passage.
China's growing desire for dominance in the region
China has repeatedly maintained that it will bring Taiwan under its control, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping's growing rhetoric of "unification" being "inevitable."
Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory, also claims jurisdiction over the waters that separate the island from China. However, according to the US and many other countries, such patrolling exercises in the Taiwan Strait are usual, citing freedom of navigation.
Earlier this month, when Germany sent two of its warships through the Taiwan Strait, Beijing warned Berlin and accused it of risking security in the region.
Hezbollah Confirms Hassan Nasrallah Dead in Israeli Airstrike
Hassan Nasrallah, the top leader of the pro-Iranian militia organization Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.
The Lebanese armed group confirmed this information in a statement on Saturday (September 28). Al Jazeera news.
Hezbollah said in a statement that its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed on Friday (September 27). Hassan Nasrallah was the leader of this organization for 32 years. Served as a political and spiritual leader. He led Hezbollah to a position of prominence in Lebanon.
Among his supporters, the Shiite leader was praised for standing up for Israel and defying the United States. To his enemies, he was the head of a terrorist organization and Iran's proxy in the struggle for influence in the Middle East. Hassan Nasrallah is a major figure in Middle East politics. He made Hezbollah an organized and disciplined force.
Earlier, Israel claimed to have killed Hassan Nasrallah, the top leader of the pro-Iranian militia group Hezbollah. In a statement, the Israeli military said it had killed Hezbollah's longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah in a major airstrike in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday (September 27) evening.
Myanmar Rebels Seize Large Territory: Can They Oust the Junta?
In 2021, Myanmar's military junta seized power, leading various rebel groups to establish resistance across the country. These groups have achieved significant military success, with an armed coalition ousting the junta from large parts of eastern Myanmar.
Known as the "Brotherhood Alliance," this coalition comprises three powerful rebel forces representing different ethnic groups. Their fighters have now reached close to Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city.
The Brotherhood Alliance, also referred to as the "Three Brotherhood Alliance," consists of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army. The TNLA operates in eastern Myanmar, while the Arakan Army is based in the western region.
Historically, these groups have fought against the Myanmar government forces for greater autonomy in their regions. Now, they declare their aim is to overthrow the military government.
After ousting Aung San Suu Kyi's elected civilian government, the military took control. The MNDAA primarily comprises members of the Kokang ethnic group living in northern Shan State, near the China border. The Kokang people speak Mandarin and identify as Han Chinese.
Established in 1989, the MNDAA split from the Burma Communist Party to form an anti-government, China-supported guerrilla force. The MNDAA has frequently fought against the government military to establish autonomy for the Kokang region, with U.S. authorities labeling them as a “drug insurgency.”
The TNLA, known as the armed forces of the Taang or Palaung ethnic group, has been fighting against the government forces since 2009 for greater autonomy.
"The structure of these armed groups is quite similar to that of regular armies. They are more organized than typical insurgent forces or militias," said Yelong Shian from the Peace Research Institute in Frankfurt.
The Brotherhood Alliance's Strategy
Since October 27 last year, the Brotherhood Alliance's three armed groups have conducted coordinated attacks against Myanmar’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, across Shan State. This operation is named Operation 1027.
According to the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), about 10,000 fighters participated in this campaign. The Brotherhood Alliance captured military posts and several towns, reclaiming Laukkai, a key city on the China border that the military had seized from the MNDAA in 2015.
In late August, the MNDAA advanced towards Lashio in northern Shan State and eventually took control of the city, also seizing the Tatmadaw's northeastern headquarters.
This unprecedented fall of a significant military stronghold to rebels marks a historic moment for Myanmar. Simultaneously, the TNLA has moved from Shan State into central Myanmar, positioning itself near Mandalay, which has a population of approximately 1.5 million.
"The loss of such a vital military center to rebels is unprecedented in Myanmar's history," Michael Morgan from IISS remarked, noting that Mandalay is a crucial city for the military government.
Can the Rebels Overthrow the Junta?
Morgan Michael from IISS highlighted that this poses a severe threat to the military government. The Brotherhood Alliance has paved a new path toward defeating the junta, having advanced from Shan State towards Mandalay and potentially towards the capital, Naypyidaw.
The firm "Control Risks," which advises businesses on foreign affairs, reported that the government forces now control less than half of the country's territory. However, Steve Wilford from Control Risks stated that the military is unlikely to lose in battle, as they are deploying all resources to protect Mandalay. It is most probable that the conflict will continue for several more months, causing further casualties.
According to the Organization for World Peace, approximately 330,000 civilians have been displaced during Operation 1027. In early September, the MNDAA released a statement, possibly under pressure from China, indicating they would not attack Mandalay or the Shan State capital, Toungoo. They also expressed willingness for a ceasefire and to accept Chinese mediation for peace with the military government.
However, the statement did not reflect the views of other allied groups, such as the AA, TNLA, and Mandalay PDF.
What Does the Brotherhood Alliance Want?
The National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar, consisting of politicians ousted by the junta in 2021, welcomed the Brotherhood Alliance's victories against the military. Exiled in Thailand, they see themselves as Myanmar's legitimate government, aiming to re-establish a civilian, democratic government.
The NUG has its own armed group, the People's Defense Force, fighting against the military. The Brotherhood Alliance stated their goals align with the NUG's objective to overthrow the junta, but no agreements have been made for joint military action, according to Shian.
"The groups within the Brotherhood Alliance desire more autonomy for their regions," Shian noted, stating their advance towards central Myanmar aims to exert more pressure on the government.
Their support for the NUG seems to be merely verbal, and no plans for joint military operations have emerged. Shian remarked that China's primary goal is to keep the conflict away from its border. However, many Chinese citizens sympathize with armed groups like the MNDAA and provide financial support.
He further mentioned that China appeared to have initially supported Operation 1027, as they wanted the MNDAA to drive out another armed group from the Kokang region, which had targeted Chinese citizens through cyber schemes.
In earlier conflicts in northern Shan State, China intervened for a ceasefire long before, but this time, it refrained from intervening until the MNDAA gained full control over Kokang.
However, the Brotherhood Alliance's move into central Myanmar seems to have surprised China, indicating that they have lost some control over the situation, according to Wilford. The Chinese government pressured the MNDAA to announce a ceasefire statement on September 4. Shian noted that they had previously issued similar statements to appease China.
Certainly, all three groups will continue fighting, especially the Arakan Army and TNLA, as their control over their territories remains unstable, Shian concluded.
(Based on BBC Bengali)
Severe Floods, Landslides in Nepal Kill 112 Amid Continuous Rain
At least 112 people have died in severe floods and landslides caused by continuous rain in Nepal. The ongoing downpour across the South Asian country has led to this disaster, claiming many lives. In addition, many people remain missing.
The death toll is feared to rise. A report from the Nepali media outlet Kathmandu Post on Sunday (September 29) provided this information.
The report stated that for the past three days, the country has been hit by severe floods and landslides due to incessant rain, and as of Saturday night, at least 112 people have died. In addition, 68 people are still missing.
As of 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that 99 people had died, 68 were missing, and more than 100 had been injured.
However, based on information gathered by local reporters from Kathmandu Post and confirmed by the headquarters of the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, 112 people have died nationwide. Among them, at least 20 were from Lalitpur, 15 from Dhading, 34 from Kavre, 12 from Kathmandu, 7 from Makwanpur, 5 each from Bhaktapur and Panchthar, 4 from Sindhupalchok, 3 from Dolakha, and 2 from Dhankuta.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 68 people are missing from districts including Panchthar, Jhapa, Mahottari, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kavre, Sindhuli, Dhading, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, and Rupandehi.
The Kathmandu Post reports that the floods and landslides have disrupted life in many parts of this mountainous country, with many highways and roads blocked, hundreds of homes and bridges destroyed or swept away, and hundreds of families displaced. Thousands of travelers have been stranded in various locations due to road closures.
Nepal's central and eastern districts have been the hardest hit by the floods and landslides. At least 37 people have died in the Kathmandu Valley, where significant damage has occurred. All highways and roads connecting the national capital Kathmandu to other regions of the country have been cut off.
On Saturday, Kathmandu Valley recorded its highest rainfall since 1970, when Nepal first started measuring and recording rainfall in the country.
In addition, at least 14 people died in a landslide near Dhaple Khola by the Tribhuvan Highway in Dhading, where their bodies were recovered from two buses buried in the debris. Their bodies were later taken to Maharajgunj’s TU Teaching Hospital for postmortem.
Senior Police Superintendent Basanta Rajouria said police from Kathmandu and Dhading recovered the bodies on Saturday evening.
Fans Bid Farewell to Tokyo Pandas Before Return to China
Thousands of fans on Saturday bid farewell to two pandas at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo before they are to return to China.
Over 2,000 people lined up outside of the zoo hours before the pair's final appearance.
What do we know about the two pandas?
Pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin are the parents of Xiang Xiang, who was born in Tokyo in 2017 and returned to China last year. They also gave birth to twins in 2021.
After the two-hour-long wait, visitors were only given a few minutes to see the animals inside their enclosures.
The two pandas arrived at the zoo in 2011. They are both 19 years old.
The zoo had leased the pair until 2026, but has agreed to return them to China so that they may be treated for high blood pressure.
Pandas tend to live to 15-20 years of age in the wild and can have lifespans of up to 25-35 in captivity.
Pandas vulnerable to extinction
China sends pandas to zoos abroad but maintains ownership over the animals and any cubs they produce, a practice often referred to as "panda diplomacy."
Pandas are native to parts of central China, but their range has been severely reduced in recent centuries. Only around 1,800 pandas live in the wild and another 500 are in zoos or reserves.
The animals reproduce rarely in the wild and must eat bamboo nearly constantly to maintain their body weight.
The giant panda is listed as "vulnerable" to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Pope Francis Promises 'Help' to Belgian Sex Abuse Victims
Pope Francis vowed on Saturday to help the victims of sexual abuse at the hands of clergy.
He made the comments during a visit to Belgium, which has been rocked by two decades of revelations of abuse and systemic cover-ups in the Catholic Church.
Pope meets with abuse survivors
"Abuse generates atrocious suffering and wounds, undermining even the path of faith," Pope Francis told a congregation gathered at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in the Brussels suburb of Koekelberg following the meeting.
The 87-year-old pontiff promised to "offer all the help we can" for sexual abuse victims.
The comments come after Pope Francis held a two-hour meeting with victims of abuse who were seeking compensation from the church for the trauma they suffered.
They said that they gave the pope a month to consider their requests. The Vatican said that the pope was looking over the petition.
A participant told the Belgian news agency Belga that the two-hour meeting was an "open, difficult and also emotional conversation."
Survivor Koen Van Sumere told AP news agency that he was encouraged by the "positive" meeting with Pope Francis, but was waiting to see what comes of it.
King, PM criticizes church over sex abuse scandals
Pope Francis spoke to abuse survivors after he received a bruising welcome from King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who criticized the church for its sexual abuse scandals.
King Philipe told the pope on Friday that "it has taken far too long to begin looking for ways to repair the irreparable."
Meanwhile, De Croo told the pontiff that words are not enough and that "concrete steps must also be taken."
"The victims must be heard. They should be at the center. They have a right to the truth," De Croo said in his speech to welcome the pope.
The Catholic Church has for several years now been rattled by revelations of thousands of cases of child abuse at the hands of clergy members, many of which were protected by the church.
China Holds Drills Near Disputed South China Sea Reef
Chinese ships and planes on Saturday conducted patrols around the flashpoint Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea as Beijing continues to assert its claims to almost the entire waterway against the will of several other countries in the region.
The maneuvers come after several tense maritime confrontations, particularly with the Philippines, in recent months. It also coincided with joint exercises carried out by the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines in Manila's exclusive economic zone. They also follow talks between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York on ways to reduce tensions in the region.
What has China said?
Beijing said the training activities around the shoal included "reconnaissance, early warning, and air-sea patrols."
"Certain countries outside the region are stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, creating instability in the region," the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army said. "The theater troops maintain a high degree of vigilance, resolutely defending national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests, (and) are firm in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea," it said.
"China holds indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters," it added, using the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal. That claimed sovereignty has, however, been called into question by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, which in 2016 ruled that Beijing's claims were unfounded in international law.
The tribunal did not, however, say who had sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, which China seized from Manila in 2012, despite the reef's location nearly 900 km (311 miles) from the nearest Chinese land mass and within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
The atoll is home to abundant fish life and a picturesque lagoon, making it a coveted asset.
Wang and Blinken discuss South China Sea
On Friday, Wang and Blinken discussed the problems raised by China's growing territorial assertion in the region, with the Chinese foreign minister reportedly saying that "China insists on resolving differences with countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation."
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang also told Blinken that "the US should not always stir up trouble in the South China Sea and should not undermine the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability." Blinken said he spoke of Beijing's "dangerous and destabilizing actions" in the South China Sea and discussed improving communication between the two nations' militaries.
Growing tensions
In the past months, China's claims have led to a number of confrontations with the Philippines, including in waters around the disputed Second Thomas Shoal and Sabina Shoal. In July, the two sides said they had reached a provisional deal on resupply missions to a Philippine ship, the Sierra Madre, which is grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal.
The vessel hosts a garrison on board that aims to assert Manila's claims to the reef. Beijing said on Friday that it had "supervised" a Philippine ship under the deal as it delivered supplies to the vessel.
The Philippine armed forces confirmed that Chinese vessels had been nearby during the mission, but said they posed no threat. In August, the Philippines filed a diplomatic complaint against China after Chinese aircraft dropped flares in the path of a Philippine air force patrol plane over the Scarborough Shoal.
