Written by India Trivikraman
Edited by Annika Lilja
Top Story from Europe: UK Opposed Houthi Drone Attack
On the 27th of January, the Yemen-based Houthis targeted the Royal Navy warship HMS Diamond in the Red Sea during their latest round of strikes. The Ministry of Defense said that the Royal Navy warship “deployed its Sea Viper missile system” to destroy the bomb and reported no injuries to the crew or damage to the ship.
The MoD has called the action “intolerable and illegal” and said that Britain and its allies “reserve the right to respond appropriately.” The Houthis have previously pledged to target vessels linked to Israel in the region in response to the country’s conflict with Gaza and the lack of humanitarian aid allowed in.
The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have caused unavoidable disturbance to global trade as it is a crucial route for naval trade. Many of the largest shipping companies have been sending their vessels on a longer route around South Africa, slowing trade between Asia and Europe.
Top Story from Asia: Divisive Ayodhya Ram Temple
On Monday, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened a Hindu temple for Ram on the historic ruins of 16th century Babri mosque that was demolished by Hindu nationalist mobs in 1992, triggering nationwide riots and killing more than 2,000 people, mostly Muslims.
After a prolonged legal battle, they finally got permission to build the temple in 2019. Hindus make up the majority of India's population and hold a lot of political power with the leading Hindu nationalist party in office, but the country is also home to around 200 million Muslims and this seeming political stance from India’s political authority has caused dispute. Most opposing political leaders are boycotting the temple opening, and many critics are seeing this as a lobbying scheme by Modi to cater to the Hindu majority ahead of the General election.
Islamophobic attacks on Indian Muslims have risen since the Temple's opening. On Monday the 22nd, 21-year-old Muhammad Tariq was dragged out of his vehicle by a Hindu nationalist rally and beaten, the rally which was shared over multiple live streams turned into a mob targeting other Muslims in the area rampaging through shops and damaging vehicles chanting “Jai Shri Ram” (victory to Lord Ram). Similar rallies took place across several states in India: outside mosques and Muslim neighbourhoods.
Where we got our information from, and where you can go to for more information:
Top Story from Europe:
Top Story from Asia: