Author: Edwin Omar Owens

Copenhagen (26/10 – 76.9) UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea called on Tajikistan to adapt and review its laws, policies, and practices regarding religion or belief following her 10-day visit. She stated that the implementation of religious freedom and belief in the country is a cause for concern. During a press conference at the UN office in Tajikistan, she also urged Tajikistan’s authorities to “leave the past behind and protect freedom of religion and belief.” Ghanea stated, “This will contribute to development, peace, and understanding in the country. The shadow of civil war looms over…

The Indian parliament has passed a bill that guarantees a third of seats for women in the lower house of parliament and state assemblies. But the country is a long way away from seeing more women elected to its legislatures soon since it will be implemented only after India completes the next census and an exercise to redraw the boundaries of constituencies – the complicated processes are expected to take several years. On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha, or the lower house of parliament, approved the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (which loosely translates from Hindi to Saluting Women Power Act) almost…

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said his country is serious about building closer ties with India despite an ongoing diplomatic row. His latest remarks come at a time when ties between the two countries are at an all time low. Tensions flared up when Mr Trudeau on 19 September said Canada was investigating credible allegations of India’s involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader. Delhi dismissed the claim as “absurd”. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered outside a temple in Canada in June. On Thursday, the Canadian PM said it was extremely important to “constructively and seriously” engage…

Rishi Sunak has arrived in Delhi for the G20 summit – a meeting of leaders from the 19 biggest economies in the world plus the European Union. He becomes the first prime minister of Indian heritage to visit the country. No 10 say the “historic” visit will be “a powerful reminder of the living bridge between the two countries”. Mr Sunak is accompanied by his wife Akshata Murty, who was born and grew up in India and is the daughter of one of India’s richest men. The G20 is something of a diplomatic blancmange. Many of the members of it…

Police in the north Indian state of Haryana have arrested a wanted cow vigilante accused of being at the centre of the deadly religious violence that broke out there last month. Mohit Yadav, popularly known as Monu Manesar, is accused of instigating violence in Nuh district in which six people died and scores were injured. He is also a prime suspect in the murder in February of two Muslim men in Rajasthan state. He denies all the charges against him. Mr Manesar was caught in Haryana on Tuesday. The state’s Additional Director General of Police Mamta Singh confirmed his arrest…

India says it has lodged a “strong protest” with China over a new map that lays claim to its territory. Indian media have reported that the map shows the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and the disputed Aksai Chin plateau as China’s territory. It was released by China’s ministry of natural resources on Monday. “We reject these claims as they have no basis,” India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. He added that such steps by China “only complicate the resolution of the boundary question”. Beijing has not officially responded yet. India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar also called China’s claim “absurd”. “China has…

A fire on a train carriage has killed nine people in India, after a gas canister used by passengers to make drinks exploded, officials say. Nine others were injured in the fire, which occurred in the southern city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu state. The carriage was carrying more than 50 pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and was parked at the station when the cylinder blew up early on Saturday. Survivors had to break doors to flee the burning carriage, eyewitnesses say. The coach involved in Saturday’s incident had arrived from Uttar Pradesh earlier in the day. It was due to…

Policemen in riot gear, burnt cars and piles of debris. Three days after violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims killed six people, parts of the northern Indian state of Haryana remain tense. In Nuh, where the violence began on Monday afternoon, the streets are empty and shards of glass lie scattered everywhere. Remnants of burnt cars and shops – vandalised and looted by rioting mobs – are chilling reminders of the clashes. Those killed include two “home guards”, who assist the police in controlling riots and public disturbances. Several policemen were injured. Authorities imposed a curfew, suspended internet services and…

The schedule for the 2023 Asia Cup has been announced with the group stage match between Pakistan and India to be played in Kandy. The two sides have only played in World Cups and neutral venues since 2013 because of political tensions. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will co-host the tournament, that runs from 30 August until 17 September. With Colombo awarded the final, the schedule ensures India will play all of their fixtures in Sri Lanka. Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal join the two host nations and India in the six-team 50-over competition. The teams have been split into two groups…

Trump said the support should end until the Joe Biden administration cooperates in investigating the financial relationships of the incumbent’s family. Former US President Donald Trump, who plans to run in the upcoming presidential election in 2024, called on Republican congressmen to stop authorizing additional military support for Ukraine at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. According to Sky News , Trump said the support should be withheld until the Joe Biden administration cooperates in investigating his family’s business dealings. “Congress should withhold authorization of a one-time additional payment of our depleted stockpile of…arms stockpiles to Ukraine until the FBI, Justice Department, and Internal Revenue…