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Hong Kong Protests
Bhavya Bana
The on-going protest movement began in Hong Kong in retaliation to the controversial Extradition Bill Amendment proposed by the Hong Kong government. The bill, if implemented would allow Chinese authorities to extradite criminals from Hong Kong to mainland China, a move that has been viewed with skepticism by the protestors since it was announced in February of 2019.
The protests have since then erupted into an act of mass violence between the Hong Kong security authorities and the protestors resulting in the arrests of over a thousand people. The protests also centers around four other demands from the government which include the setting up of an independent inquiry to probe into the policy brutality, withdrawal of the ‘riots’ as a term characterizing the protests, release of all those arrested during the protests and the implementation of universal suffrage, a demand which began during the Umbrella Revolution of 2014.
Earlier this month, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam announced the withdrawal of the extradition bill, which did bring down the protests in numbers but not in its intensity. The movement has also attempted to draw the attention of US President Donald Trump to ‘liberate’ Hong Kong. These demands have come majorly from the pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, who was also the face of the Umbrella Movement. Wong has been traveling to Washington DC with lawmakers to influence US policymakers to consider the Hong Kong crisis in their trade negotiations between the US and China.
Action from the Chinese government is expected later this month, regarding its celebration of the National Day of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, an event in which China would not want to be overshadowed by the pro-democracy movement.
Trump’s Public Utterances on J&K
Divya Kiran
Starting on 22nd July, US President Donald Trump has made a series of public statements on Jammu and Kashmir, a conflict that has been the bone of contention between India and Pakistan since 1947. Trump has ruffled more than a few feathers with his claim that the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, had requested him to intervene in the matter and mediate between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. This statement was made before a meeting with Pakistan’s PM, Imran Khan, was promptly refuted by both the Indian government and Washington officials, both maintaining that the Kashmir issue was a bilateral one.
These developments must be looked at in the light of the recent abrogation of Article 370, thereby removing the special status of J&K. In a subsequent White House readout, it was suggested that President Trump had backed off and "urged restraint on both sides" instead.
The issue has resurfaced with Trump reiterating that his offer to mediate still stands. Weeks after his bilateral meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the G7 in France, Trump addressed reporters in the White House saying "I am willing to help them if they want. They know that. That (offer) is out there." This statement is concerning as Trump's comments pose a risk of further straining political ties with India, which are already under pressure over trade. All eyes will be on the 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston, Texas on 22nd September, where Trump is scheduled to make an appearance.
Tropical Storm in the Bahamas
Omkar Mane
The Caribbean and the picturesque country of Bahamas witnessed the wrath of Hurricane Dorian, the strongest in the history of the country. The hurricane, a category 4 storm, left widespread destruction in its wake, leading to the deaths of 43 people and many more missing. The hurricane, which has been termed as a monster hurricane, had maximum wind speeds of about 185 km/h. The storm turned into a hurricane near the U.S Virgin Island, which led to the destruction of nearby places. It further continued on its course, towards Puerto Rico and the states of Florida, Georgia, and Carolinas, before making its way towards the Bahamas. Puerto Rico, which had already been battered by Hurricane Maria, was spared by Hurricane Dorian.
The storm which was earlier a category 1 storm, was later upgraded to a Category 4 storm, indicating its power and severity. The storm-battered the island of Abaco, and affected the areas of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina after which the degree of it seemed to be reducing. The severity of the storm can be gauged from the brazen display of destruction caused by it. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who visited the Bahamas and its capital Nassau, was greatly concerned for the people affected by the storm. The UN has released $1 million in emergency aid for the Bahamas. US President Donald Trump also sent US Agency for International Development (USAID) for the rebuilding of the Bahamas. The Government of India, showing its support for the people of Bahamas extended an immediate disaster relief of $1 million. Many humanitarian organizations, relief workers are at work. Food and other resources are also being delivered to the people of the Bahamas.
Hamza Bin Laden killed
Soham Joshi
President Donald Trump confirmed on 14th September that Hamza bin Laden, the son of Usama bin Laden, was killed in a CIA led counterterrorist operation. While there were reports earlier that had speculated the death Hamza, they were not confirmed.
It was believed that Hamza was looking to revive al-Qaida which has been blocked out by ISIS. The official statement from the office of the press secretary of the White House read “Hamza bin Laden, the high-ranking al-Qaida member, and son of Usama bin Laden was killed in a United States counterterrorism operation in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region. The loss of Hamza bin Laden not only deprives al-Qaida of important leadership skills and the symbolic connection to his father but undermines important operational activities of the group. Hamza bin Laden was responsible for planning and dealing with various terrorist groups.”
The US had kept a reward of $ 1m to anyone who helped them to track him. The Associated Press had mentioned that this operation was carried out in the past 18 months. The death of Hamza bin Laden is mostly symbolic of the US. Hamza's father Usama bin Laden had carried out the 9/11 attacks on the USA in 2001. Usama was also killed by US Special Forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan in 2011.
The confirmation of Hamza's death comes 3 days after the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. President Trump has also canceled a peace deal of Afghanistan between the Taliban and the US on 8th September. The talk of a peace deal with the Taliban just days before the 9/11 anniversary was massively criticized in the US.