India: Two nuns in Chhattisgarh released on bail
Today's news: National security law, Historic Hong Kong environmental group dissolved. Thailand releases two wounded Cambodian soldiers captured during clashes. In Vietnam, at least 14 people die in floods in Điện Biên province. Witkoff visits a centre run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, while a UN report notes that 859 Palestinians were killed lining up for aid.
INDIA
The Bilaspur court today granted provisional release on bail to the two nuns and the young man who were arrested last week at Durg station in the state of Chhattisgarh after a group of Hindu nationalists made false accusations of ‘human trafficking’ and ‘illegal conversions’ because they were travelling with three tribal girls from Christian families. A lower court - despite the obvious groundlessness of the accusations - had in recent days rejected the request for provisional release, citing lack of jurisdiction under the section on human trafficking. Following this incident, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) protested, denouncing an increasing number of such incidents of harassment against nuns.
HONG KONG
The Society for Protection of the Harbour (SPH), a well-known Hong Kong environmental group, has announced its dissolution after decades of campaigning to protect Victoria Harbour from large-scale reclamation, citing a new law that weakens oversight of such projects. The NGO highlights the concentration of too much power in the hands of government decision-makers, violating public law principles. SPH’s demise represents yet another blow to civil society in Hong Kong following the introduction of the national security law.
THAILAND – CAMBODIA
The Thai army has repatriated two wounded Cambodian soldiers out of a group of 20 in its custody. Next week, the two countries are expected to meet in Malaysia, where ministers and military commanders are set to discuss how to maintain the ceasefire. Clashes have left at least 43 people dead and over 300,000 displaced. A truce was reached on Monday, thanks to Malaysia's intervention and Trump's threat to suspend trade negotiations with both countries until the fighting ends.
VIETNAM
At least 14 people have died or are missing due to flooding caused by heavy rains in the northern Vietnamese province of Điện Biên. Water levels rose rapidly last night after hours of heavy rain, flooding homes in low-lying areas and causing flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas. The mountain village of Xa Dung suffered the worst damage. Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà and a delegation visited people affected in Điện Biên.
INDIA
Another militant was killed in a counterterrorism operation in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This is the third armed clash in the area this week; six militants have been killed in these incidents, including three involved in the Pahalgam terrorist attack on 22 April. The last militant died in an ongoing counterterrorism operation by security forces in Kulgam district. “Intermittent and intense fire fight continued through the night. Alert troops responded with calibrated fire,” the Army’s Chinar Corps said.
GAZA – ISRAEL
For the first time, President Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited one of the controversial aid distribution points in Gaza, supported by Israel and the United States. Witkoff stated that the purpose of the trip to a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) centre was to provide Trump with "a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation”. The visit comes after numerous daily reports of deadly shootings near the centres, with the UN reporting at least 859 Palestinians killed.
GEORGIA
The ruling Georgian Dream party has decided to nominate former footballer Kakha Kaladze, a prominent figure in the Georgian regime, for the third time as mayor of Tbilisi, despite accusations of corruption levelled against him by the opposition, especially by Aleko Elisashvili, who is likely to be his rival.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan’s National Bureau of Statistics began a nationwide agricultural census today to collect farming and livestock data. This will include surveying more than 300,000 households and approximately two million producers, who own vegetable gardens, domestic animals, and agricultural machinery. This is part of a global UN programme to determine how to adequately support the agricultural sector.
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19/05/2021 10:04
19/04/2007
