A gunman in a deadly attack at a Southern California church was a Chinese immigrant motivated by hate for Taiwanese people, US authorities said.
The shooter killed Dr. John Cheng, 52, and wounded five others during a lunch held by Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, which worships at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, authorities said at a Monday news conference.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said the motive of the shooting was a grievance between the shooter, identified as a Chinese immigrant and US citizen, and the Taiwanese community.
China claims Taiwan is a part of its national territory and has not ruled out force to bring the island under its rule.
Barnes said the suspect drove to the Orange County church, where he was not a regular attendee, secured the doors and started shooting.
The gunman had placed four Molotov cocktail-like devices inside the church, the sheriff said.
Barnes said Cheng, survived by a wife and two children, heroically charged at the shooter and attempted to disarm him, allowing others to intervene.
Cheng probably saved the lives "of upwards of dozens of people," the sheriff said.
A pastor hit the gunman on the head with a chair and parishioners hog-tied him with electrical cords.
But Cheng was hit by gunshots.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department tweeted that David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas has been booked on one count of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
The suspect lawfully purchased the two 9mm pistols in Las Vegas, said Stephen Galloway, ATF Los Angeles assistant special agent in charge.
The suspect made brief comments when he was taken into custody and then asked for an attorney, Barnes said.
Four of the five people wounded suffered critical gunshot injuries.

Chinese immigrant's 'hate' for Taiwanese behind US church attack

1 attendee lost his life trying to disarm David Chou. The suspect drove to the Orange County church secured the doors and started shooting.

A gunman in a deadly attack at a Southern California church was a Chinese immigrant motivated by hate for Taiwanese people, US authorities said.
The shooter killed Dr. John Cheng, 52, and wounded five others during a lunch held by Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, which worships at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, authorities said at a Monday news conference.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said the motive of the shooting was a grievance between the shooter, identified as a Chinese immigrant and US citizen, and the Taiwanese community.
China claims Taiwan is a part of its national territory and has not ruled out force to bring the island under its rule.
Barnes said the suspect drove to the Orange County church, where he was not a regular attendee, secured the doors and started shooting.
The gunman had placed four Molotov cocktail-like devices inside the church, the sheriff said.
Barnes said Cheng, survived by a wife and two children, heroically charged at the shooter and attempted to disarm him, allowing others to intervene.
Cheng probably saved the lives "of upwards of dozens of people," the sheriff said.
A pastor hit the gunman on the head with a chair and parishioners hog-tied him with electrical cords.
Also Watch|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/10-dead-in-racially-motivated-mass-shooting-in-new-york-supermarket-suspect-arrested-1652588593234" target="_blank">10 dead in 'racially motivated' mass shooting in New York supermarket; suspect arrested</a>
But Cheng was hit by gunshots.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department tweeted that David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas has been booked on one count of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
The suspect lawfully purchased the two 9mm pistols in Las Vegas, said Stephen Galloway, ATF Los Angeles assistant special agent in charge.
The suspect made brief comments when he was taken into custody and then asked for an attorney, Barnes said.
Four of the five people wounded suffered critical gunshot injuries.

Is India opening up its Embassy in Afghanistan? According to a source-based report in The Indian Express New Delhi is exploring the possibility of reopening its embassy in Kabul soon, but without top-level diplomatic representation.The report quoting unnamed sources said that a team of security officials flew to Kabul in February to assess the ground situation.
Stating that it would not mean a recognition of the Taliban regime, the sources told the newspaper that the embassy will likely function only with personnel for liaison purposes that may extend to consular services. The Indian security team that visited Kabul in February would have sought travel clearances from Taliban, and according to the newspaper's sources, met officials in the Taliban government. 
While the Taliban have said more than once in recent months that they would provide a secure environment for India to reopen its mission, India would be looking for solid guarantees from the regime on this front.
India shut down its embassy in Kabul on August 17, two days after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. The Pakistan, Chinese and Russian and Iranian missions did not shut down during the chaos of the Taliban takeover.

Is Modi govt planning to re-open embassy in Kabul? 

The Pakistan, Chinese and Russian and Iranian missions did not shut down during the chaos of the Taliban takeover.

The Pakistan, Chinese and Russian and Iranian missions did not shut down during the chaos of the Taliban takeover.

Is India reopening its Embassy in Afghanistan? According to a source-based report in The Indian Express New Delhi is&nbsp;exploring the possibility of reopening its embassy in Kabul soon, but without top-level diplomatic representation. The report quoting unnamed sources said&nbsp;that a team of security officials flew to Kabul in February to assess the ground situation.
Stating that it would not mean a recognition of the Taliban regime, the sources told the newspaper that the&nbsp;embassy will likely function only with personnel for liaison purposes that may extend to consular services.&nbsp; The Indian security team that visited Kabul in February would have sought travel clearances from Taliban, and according to the newspaper's sources, met officials in the Taliban government.&nbsp;
While the Taliban have said more than once in recent months that they would provide a secure environment for India to reopen its mission, India would be looking for solid guarantees from the regime on this front.
India shut down its embassy in Kabul on August 17, two days after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.&nbsp;The Pakistan, Chinese and Russian and Iranian missions did not shut down during the chaos of the Taliban takeover.
WATCH:<a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/local/taliban-style-attack-on-vaishno-devi-pilgrims-in-j-k-sticky-bomb-used-says-bjp-on-katra-bus-incident-1652727882880">&nbsp;Taliban-style attack on Vaishno Devi pilgrims in J&amp;K? Sticky bomb used, says BJP on Katra bus incident</a>

As the US celebrates Asian Heritage month, President Joe Biden has said that America is better positioned than any other country to lead the world in the 21st century.
Biden wrote in a recent letter to Boston-based Indian American Abhishek Singh that despite the tough times, he have never been more optimistic for the future of America.
“Our country faces many challenges, and the road we will travel together will be one of the most difficult in our history. Despite these tough times, I have never been more optimistic for the future of America.
“I believe we are better positioned than any country in the world to lead in the 21st century not just by the example of our power but by the power of our example,” Biden wrote in a recent letter to Boston-based Indian American Abhishek Singh.
Singh is president of Federation of Indian Association, New England, which along with FIA in New York and New Jersey last week launched the community celebration of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” at the US Capitol, attended by more than a dozen-and-a-half lawmakers.
In his letter to Singh, Biden pledged to be a President for all Americans. “I am confident that we can work together to find common ground to make America a more just, prosperous, and secure Nation,” he wrote.
The event was attended by hundreds of Indian Americans and at least 21 US lawmakers from across states.
Prominent among them were Senator Cory Booker, and several other congressmen and women, including Raja Krishnamoorthi, Frank Pallone, David Cicilline, Sheila Jackson Lee, Mijie Sherrill, Tom Malinowski, Abigail Spanberger, Vincente Gonzalez, Susie Lee, Hakeem Sekou Jeffries, Grace Meng, Debrah Ross, Adriano Espaill, Jim McGovern, Matt Cartwright, and Jim Langevin.
Many congressmen issued a citation congratulating the FIA. Senators Jack Reed and Jeanne Shaheen sent special messages felicitating India and praising contributions made by the Indian American community to the United States.
FIA chairman Ankur Vaidya said: “FIA is planning a grand finale of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ around India’s Independence Day this year with flag hoisting at Times Square in New York City.” Singh said such “historic celebration” will take the journey forward in improving the India-US relationship and will be a new beginning of pride and respect for all. He said the Indian community is standing with Ukrainians.(PTI Inputs)

Biden to Indian Americans: US better positioned to lead the world in 21st century

Biden wrote in a recent letter to Boston-based Indian American Abhishek Singh that despite the tough times, he have never been more optimistic for the future of America.


Federation of Indian Americans and other community groups launched a community celebration to commemorate 'Azadi&nbsp;ka Amrit&nbsp;Mahotsav'&nbsp;

As the US celebrates Asian Heritage month, President Joe Biden has said that America is better positioned than any other country to lead the world in the 21st century.
Biden wrote in a recent letter to Boston-based Indian American Abhishek Singh&nbsp;that despite the tough times, he have never been more optimistic for the future of America.
&ldquo;Our country faces many challenges, and the road we will travel together will be one of the most difficult in our history. Despite these tough times, I have never been more optimistic for the future of America.
&ldquo;I believe we are better positioned than any country in the world to lead in the 21st century not just by the example of our power but by the power of our example,&rdquo; Biden wrote in a recent letter to Boston-based Indian American Abhishek Singh.
Singh is president of Federation of Indian Association, New England, which along with FIA in New York and New Jersey last week launched the community celebration of &ldquo;Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav&rdquo; at the US Capitol, attended by more than a dozen-and-a-half lawmakers.
In his letter to Singh, Biden pledged to be a President for all Americans. &ldquo;I am confident that we can work together to find common ground to make America a more just, prosperous, and secure Nation,&rdquo; he wrote.
The event was attended by hundreds of Indian Americans and at least 21 US lawmakers from across states.
Also Watch|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/us-would-prefer-if-india-distances-from-non-alignment-g77-partnership-with-russia-1649502507399" target="_blank">US would prefer if India distances from non-alignment G77 partnership with Russia</a>
Prominent among them were Senator Cory Booker, and several other congressmen and women, including Raja Krishnamoorthi, Frank Pallone, David Cicilline, Sheila Jackson Lee, Mijie Sherrill, Tom Malinowski, Abigail Spanberger, Vincente Gonzalez, Susie Lee, Hakeem Sekou Jeffries, Grace Meng, Debrah Ross, Adriano Espaill, Jim McGovern, Matt Cartwright, and Jim Langevin.
Many congressmen issued a citation congratulating the FIA. Senators Jack Reed and Jeanne Shaheen sent special messages felicitating India and praising contributions made by the Indian American community to the United States.
FIA chairman Ankur Vaidya said: &ldquo;FIA is planning a grand finale of &lsquo;Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav&rsquo; around India&rsquo;s Independence Day this year with flag hoisting at Times Square in New York City.&rdquo; Singh said such &ldquo;historic celebration&rdquo; will take the journey forward in improving the India-US relationship and will be a new beginning of pride and respect for all. He said the Indian community is standing with Ukrainians. (PTI&nbsp;Inputs)

A presidential advisory commission has unanimously voted to recommend President Joe Biden to process all applications for green cards or permanent residency within six months.
To be sent to the White House now for approval, recommendations of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders( PACAANHPI) if adopted is likely to bring cheers to the hundreds and thousands of Indian Americans and those waiting, some for even for decades, for a Green Card.
A proposal in this regard was moved by eminent Indian American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria during the meeting of the PACAANHPI, during which all its 25 commissioners unanimously approved it.
The proceedings of the meeting here in the national capital was webcast live last week.
To reduce, pending green card backlog, the advisory commission recommended US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to review their processes, systems, policies and establish new internal cycle time goals by streamlining processes, removing redundant steps if any, automating any manual approvals, improving their internal dashboards and reporting system and enhancing policies.
The recommendations aim to reduce the cycle time for processing all forms related to family based green card application, DACA renewals, all other green card applications within six months and issue adjudicate decisions within six months of application received by it.
The commission recommended National Visa Center (NVC) State Department facility to hire additional officers to increase their capacity to process green card applications interviews by 100 per cent in three months from August 2022, and to increase Green card applications visa interviews and adjudicate decisions by 150 per cent – up from capacity of 32,439 in April 2022 -- by April 2023.
“Thereafter Green Card visa interviews and visa processing timeline should be a maximum of six months,” it said.
Aimed at making it easier for the immigrants to stay and work in the country, the commission recommended that USCIS should review requests for work permits, travel documents and temporary status extensions or changes within three months and adjudicate decisions.
Only 65,452 family preference green cards were issued in fiscal 2021 out of the annual 226,000 green cards available, leaving hundreds of thousands of green cards unused (with many likely to be permanently wasted in the future), and keeping many more families needlessly separated.
There were 421,358 pending interviews in April compared to 436,700 in March, said the policy paper by Bhutoria.
Noting that while the US population has grown substantially in recent decades, the immigration system has not changed to keep pace, he said.
The annual levels of immigration were established in the early 1990s and have remained largely unchanged since, he said.
To make matters worse, the method used to calculate the annual number of employment-and-family-based immigration is deeply flawed, and has led to family-based immigration levels being set at their absolute minimum every year for the past 20 years, while hundreds of thousands of green cards for family members go wasted, never used by any individuals, when they could be used to reunite families instead, Bhutoria said.
“The extraordinary wait time for a green card to be available causes significant hardship for American families forced to wait decades to reunite with their loved ones, even though those individuals are already qualified to immigrate right now.
"Family separation takes a terrible emotional toll on families, and it imposes clear logistical, economic, and emotional hardships on families, and the growing nature of the backlogs makes the process uncertain and future planning impossible,” he said.
Among other things, the commission also recommended USCIS to expand premium processing to additional employment-based green card applications, all work permit petitions, and temporary immigration status extension requests, allowing applicants to pay USD 2,500 to have their cases adjudicated within 45 days in a phased approach.

Good news for those seeking green card: US panel tells Biden to process applications within 6 months

The recommendations aim to reduce the cycle time for processing all forms related to family based green card application, all other green card applications within six months (PAL)

The recommendations aim to reduce the cycle time for processing all forms related to family based green card application, all other green card applications within six months

A presidential advisory commission has unanimously voted to recommend President Joe Biden to process all applications for green cards or permanent residency within six months.
To be sent to the White House now for approval, recommendations of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders( PACAANHPI) if adopted is likely to bring cheers to the hundreds and thousands of Indian Americans and those waiting, some for even for decades, for a Green Card.
A proposal in this regard was moved by eminent Indian American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria during the meeting of the PACAANHPI, during which all its 25 commissioners unanimously approved it.
The proceedings of the meeting here in the national capital was webcast live last week.
To reduce, pending green card backlog, the advisory commission recommended US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to review their processes, systems, policies and establish new internal cycle time goals by streamlining processes, removing redundant steps if any, automating any manual approvals, improving their internal dashboards and reporting system and enhancing policies.
Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/editorji-specials/the-india-story/decoded-getting-a-foreign-degree-what-do-the-numbers-say-1652267453223">Decoded | Getting a foreign degree: what do the numbers say?</a>
The recommendations aim to reduce the cycle time for processing all forms related to family based green card application, DACA renewals, all other green card applications within six months and issue adjudicate decisions within six months of application received by it.
The commission recommended National Visa Center (NVC) State Department facility to hire additional officers to increase their capacity to process green card applications interviews by 100 per cent in three months from August 2022, and to increase Green card applications visa interviews and adjudicate decisions by 150 per cent &ndash; up from capacity of 32,439 in April 2022 -- by April 2023.
&ldquo;Thereafter Green Card visa interviews and visa processing timeline should be a maximum of six months,&rdquo; it said.
Aimed at making it easier for the immigrants to stay and work in the country, the commission recommended that USCIS should review requests for work permits, travel documents and temporary status extensions or changes within three months and adjudicate decisions.
Only 65,452 family preference green cards were issued in fiscal 2021 out of the annual 226,000 green cards available, leaving hundreds of thousands of green cards unused (with many likely to be permanently wasted in the future), and keeping many more families needlessly separated.
There were 421,358 pending interviews in April compared to 436,700 in March, said the policy paper by Bhutoria.
Noting that while the US population has grown substantially in recent decades, the immigration system has not changed to keep pace, he said.
The annual levels of immigration were established in the early 1990s and have remained largely unchanged since, he said.
To make matters worse, the method used to calculate the annual number of employment-and-family-based immigration is deeply flawed, and has led to family-based immigration levels being set at their absolute minimum every year for the past 20 years, while hundreds of thousands of green cards for family members go wasted, never used by any individuals, when they could be used to reunite families instead, Bhutoria said.
&ldquo;The extraordinary wait time for a green card to be available causes significant hardship for American families forced to wait decades to reunite with their loved ones, even though those individuals are already qualified to immigrate right now.
"Family separation takes a terrible emotional toll on families, and it imposes clear logistical, economic, and emotional hardships on families, and the growing nature of the backlogs makes the process uncertain and future planning impossible,&rdquo; he said.
Among other things, the commission also recommended USCIS to expand premium processing to additional employment-based green card applications, all work permit petitions, and temporary immigration status extension requests, allowing applicants to pay USD 2,500 to have their cases adjudicated within 45 days in a phased approach.

No money, No fuel! Sri Lanka's new PM warned residents of th e crisis-hit island nation that they have run out of petrol and there are no dollar reserves to finance essential imports. The newly appointed PM, Ranil Wickremesinghe in an address to the nation on Monday said "We have run out of petrol... At the moment, we only have petrol stocks for a single day." Reportedly three shipments of oil are waiting outside the Colombo harbour for payments before discharging their cargoes.He also added: "We must also immediately obtain $20m to provide gas to consumers. The situation of kerosene and furnace oil is even more urgent."
Wickremesinghe warned that the bankrupt country could face more hardships in the coming months."Payments have not been made for four months to suppliers of medicine, medical equipment, and food for patients," the Sri Lankan PM apprised the nation. The island nation faces its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948 and is on the brink of bankruptcy.
 

Sri Lanka Crisis Latest News Update: Nation is out of petrol

The newly appointed PM, Ranil Wickremesinghe in an address to the nation on Monday said "We have run out of petrol... At the moment, we only have petrol stocks for a single day."

Sri Lanka is out of petrol!

Two shipments of petrol and two of diesel using an Indian credit line could provide relief in the next few days

No money, No fuel! Sri&nbsp;Lanka's&nbsp;new PM warned residents of th e crisis-hit island nation that they have run out of petrol and there are no dollar reserves to&nbsp;finance essential imports. The newly appointed PM, Ranil Wickremesinghe&nbsp;in an address to the nation on Monday said&nbsp;"We have run out of petrol... At the moment, we only have petrol stocks for a single day." Reportedly&nbsp;three shipments of oil are waiting outside the Colombo harbour for payments before discharging their cargoes.
Also read/watch| <a title="Why Elon Musk tweeted a poop emoji to CEO Parag Agrawal" href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/why-elon-musk-tweeted-a-poop-emoji-to-ceo-parag-agrawal-1652757611513">Why Elon Musk tweeted a poop emoji to CEO Parag Agrawal</a> He also added: "We must also immediately obtain $20m to provide gas to consumers. The situation of kerosene and furnace oil is even more urgent."
Wickremesinghe warned that the&nbsp;bankrupt country could face more hardships in the coming months. "Payments have not been made for four months to suppliers of medicine, medical equipment, and food for patients," the Sri&nbsp;Lankan PM apprised the nation.&nbsp; The island nation&nbsp;faces its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948 and is on the brink of bankruptcy.

In an unusual incident, a man was killed in a 'robot dumpster' in Greece. The incident occurred on May 16 in the port city of Alexandroupolis.
Authorities said that the victim was probably homeless, and looking for food in the dumpster. The 40-year-old got trapped inside the automated bin, and was crushed to death by the compactor mechanism.
'Robot dumpsters' are tall, cylindrical garbage bins installed in smaller municipalities of Greece. These automated dumpsters are fitted with compactors which help reduce frequency of garbage pick-up, and also the odour from the waste during the summer.
Paramedics and fire personnel extracted the victim's body from the robot bin. They set up a screen around the dumpster to hide the gruesome scene.

'Robot dumpster' kills man in Greece: homeless person looking for food got trapped, crushed, say officers

Greece: a 40-year-old got trapped inside an automated bin, and was crushed to death by the garbage compactor mechanism.

In an unusual incident, a man was killed in a 'robot dumpster' in Greece. The incident occurred on May 16 in the port city of Alexandroupolis.
Authorities said that the victim was probably homeless, and looking for food in the dumpster. The 40-year-old got trapped inside the automated bin, and was crushed to death by the compactor mechanism.
'Robot dumpsters' are tall, cylindrical garbage bins installed in smaller municipalities of Greece. These automated dumpsters are fitted with compactors which help reduce frequency of garbage pick-up, and also the odour from the waste during the summer.
Paramedics and fire personnel extracted the victim's body from the robot bin. They set up a screen around the dumpster to hide the gruesome scene.

Amid a raging debate on abortion in America, the governor of the state of Nebraska made a significant announcement.
Republican Governor Pete Ricketts said that if the US Supreme Court overturns the Roe v Wade judgment, then Nebraska would move towards a total abortion ban. This would include not allowing rape and incest victims to abort the babies conceived during the crime.
He made the comments while speaking to news outlet CNN on May 15. Ricketts said, "Nebraska is a pro-life state. I believe life begins at conception, and those are babies too."
The Governor said that if the Supreme Court overturns the Roe v Wade verdict, then he will work with the speaker of the legislature to call a special session to take anti-abortion steps.
In 1973, the Roe v Wade case had led to legalisation of abortion across the US. Now, there is speculation that the Supreme Court, dominated by conservative judges, will overturn the historic judgment.
Abortion rights may be diluted via a case regarding Mississippi's abortion law that bans abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy. The prospect has led to widespread protests.

USA: rape victim can't abort rapist's baby in Nebraska if Roe v Wade is overturned, says Governor

Republican Governor Pete Ricketts said that if the US Supreme Court overturns the Roe v Wade judgment, then Nebraska would move towards a total abortion ban, with no exemptions for rape and incest.

Amid a raging debate on abortion in America, the governor of the state of Nebraska made a significant announcement.
Republican Governor Pete Ricketts said that if the US Supreme Court overturns the Roe v Wade judgment, then Nebraska would move towards a total abortion ban. This would include not allowing rape and incest victims to abort the babies conceived during the crime.
He made the comments while speaking to news outlet CNN on May 15. Ricketts said, "Nebraska is a pro-life state. I believe life begins at conception, and those are babies too."
The Governor said that if the Supreme Court overturns the Roe v Wade verdict, then he will work with the speaker of the legislature to call a special session to take anti-abortion steps.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/editorji-specials/explained-why-roe-vs-wade-judgement-is-an-important-turning-point-in-us-abortion-laws-1651599650084">Explained: Why 'Roe vs Wade' judgement is an important turning point in US abortion laws</a>
In 1973, the Roe v Wade case had led to legalisation of abortion across the US. Now, there is speculation that the Supreme Court, dominated by conservative judges, will overturn the historic judgment.
Abortion rights may be diluted via a case regarding Mississippi's abortion law that bans abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy. The prospect has led to widespread protests.

Palestinians gathered on Sunday in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah to mark the anniversary of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of refugees from what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation.
Nakba, Arabic for "catastrophe," comes amid a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has been fueled by tensions at a key Jerusalem holy site, which is claimed by both Israel and the Palestinians.
On Friday, during a funeral for slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Israeli riot police pushed and beat pallbearers, causing them to briefly drop the casket.
Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 war.
Today, they and their descendants number around 5.7 million and mostly reside in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The Palestinians say they are entitled to a right of return, something Israel rejects because if it were fully implemented, then Palestinians would become a majority in the country.
The fate of the refugees has been one of the most divisive issues in the peace process, which ground to a halt more than a decade ago.

Palestinians mark Nakba anniversary in West Bank

What is Nakba 'catastrophe' Palestinians are marking amid tensions with Israel?

Nakba, Arabic for "catastrophe," comes amid a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has been fueled by tensions at a key Jerusalem holy site,&nbsp;which is claimed by both Israel and the Palestinians.

Palestinians gathered on Sunday in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah to mark the anniversary of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of refugees from what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation.
Nakba, Arabic for "catastrophe," comes amid a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has been fueled by tensions at a key Jerusalem holy site,&nbsp;which is claimed by both Israel and the Palestinians.
WATCH | <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/who-killed-al-jazeera-journalist-shireen-abu-akleh-independent-probe-has-found-this-1652674820395" target="_blank">Who killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh? Independent probe has found this</a>
Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 war.
Today, they and their descendants number around 5.7 million and mostly reside in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The Palestinians say they are entitled to a right of return, something Israel rejects because if it were fully implemented, then Palestinians would become a majority in the country.
The fate of the refugees has been one of the most divisive issues in the peace process, which ground to a halt more than a decade ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in Nepal for a brief visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and also hold comprehensive talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba to expand bilateral cooperation in multiple areas, including in hydropower, development and connectivity.
Modi, who is in the Himalayan nation at the invitation of Deuba, is paying a day-long visit to Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. It is the prime minister's fifth visit to Nepal since 2014. Modi and his entourage arrived here on a special Indian Air Force helicopter from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
Lumbini, located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, is one of the holiest places of Buddhism, as Lord Buddha was born there.
During the visit, he will visit the sacred Maya Devi temple and deliver an address at the Buddha Jayanti celebrations organised by the Lumbini Development Trust.
The visiting Prime Minister will also participate in the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of a centre for Buddhist Culture and heritage within the Lumbini Monastic Zone.
Prime Minister Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Deuba will also hold a bilateral meeting in Lumbini.
"During the meeting, they will exchange views on Nepal-India cooperation and matters of mutual interests," according to a statement issued by Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement on Sunday, Modi said he was looking forward to meeting Nepalese Prime Minister Deuba again after their "productive" discussions during his visit to India last month.
Both sides will continue to build on the shared understanding to expand cooperation in multiple areas, including in hydropower, development and connectivity, he said.
"Our ties with Nepal are unparalleled. The civilisational and people-to-people contacts between India and Nepal form the enduring edifice of our close relationship.
"My visit is intended to celebrate and further deepen these time-honoured linkages that have been fostered through centuries and recorded in our long history of intermingling," Modi said in his departure statement on Sunday.
On Friday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi's talks with his Nepalese counterpart Deuba at Lumbini in Nepal on May 16 will have a comprehensive agenda to further expand cooperation in multiple areas including hydropower and connectivity.
According to Indian Embassy sources, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Kwatra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other senior officials will be in the Prime Minister’s entourage.
Deuba was in Delhi last month in his first bilateral visit abroad after becoming prime minister for the fifth time in July 2021.
During the visit, which was aimed at injecting fresh momentum into bilateral ties, Deuba held talks with Modi on a number of key issues, including the boundary issue.
Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old "Roti-Beti" relationship.
The landlocked Himalayan nation shares a border of over 1,850 kms with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services

PM Modi in Nepal to hold talks with counterpart: hydro, development, connectivity on agenda

Prime Minister Modi's&nbsp;fifth visit to Nepal since 2014, his first after being re-elected in 2019&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in Nepal for a brief visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and also hold comprehensive talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba to expand bilateral cooperation in multiple areas, including in hydropower, development and connectivity.
Modi, who is in the Himalayan nation at the invitation of Deuba, is paying a day-long visit to Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. It is the prime minister's fifth visit to Nepal since 2014. Modi and his entourage arrived here on a special Indian Air Force helicopter from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
Lumbini, located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, is one of the holiest places of Buddhism, as Lord Buddha was born there.
During the visit, he will visit the sacred Maya Devi temple and deliver an address at the Buddha Jayanti celebrations organised by the Lumbini Development Trust.
The visiting Prime Minister will also participate in the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of a centre for Buddhist Culture and heritage within the Lumbini Monastic Zone.
Prime Minister Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Deuba will also hold a bilateral meeting in Lumbini.&nbsp;
"During the meeting, they will exchange views on Nepal-India cooperation and matters of mutual interests," according to a statement issued by Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Also Watch|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/watch-indian-boy-sings-patriotic-song-for-pm-modi-in-germany-1651484426904" target="_blank">Watch: Indian boy sings patriotic song for PM Modi in Germany</a>
In a statement on Sunday, Modi said he was looking forward to meeting Nepalese Prime Minister Deuba again after their "productive" discussions during his visit to India last month.
Both sides will continue to build on the shared understanding to expand cooperation in multiple areas, including in hydropower, development and connectivity, he said.
"Our ties with Nepal are unparalleled. The civilisational and people-to-people contacts between India and Nepal form the enduring edifice of our close relationship.
"My visit is intended to celebrate and further deepen these time-honoured linkages that have been fostered through centuries and recorded in our long history of intermingling," Modi said in his departure statement on Sunday.
On Friday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi's talks with his Nepalese counterpart Deuba at Lumbini in Nepal on May 16 will have a comprehensive agenda to further expand cooperation in multiple areas including hydropower and connectivity.
According to Indian Embassy sources, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Kwatra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other senior officials will be in the Prime Minister&rsquo;s entourage.
Deuba was in Delhi last month in his first bilateral visit abroad after becoming prime minister for the fifth time in July 2021.
During the visit, which was aimed at injecting fresh momentum into bilateral ties, Deuba held talks with Modi on a number of key issues, including the boundary issue.
Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old "Roti-Beti" relationship.
The landlocked Himalayan nation shares a border of over 1,850 kms with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services.&nbsp;
Also Watch|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/economy/nepal-next-in-facing-forex-crisis-fuel-lines-import-bans-begin-1650249212942" target="_blank">Nepal next in facing forex crisis? Fuel lines &amp; import bans begin</a>

In 2021, 72 people died while on an organ transplant waiting list in Switzerland. At the end of the year, 1,400 were waiting for an organ transplant in the country. 
Bearing the fact in mind that many deaths are sudden and the deceased person may not have expressed a wish to donate their organs, Switzerland, through a referendum, has decided for 'presumed consent'. This means that unless a person has expressed wish against being an organ donor post death, they will be treated as a potential donor. 
According to the rules, those wishing to not become organ donors must explicitly say so. Anyone who hasn't made their wish clear would be assumed to be in favour, however, relatives can refuse donation if they suspect or know the deceased would have chosen to not donate. 
The rule for donating organs will apply only to people aged 16 and above and it will be applicable only to people who die in a hospital intensive care, after death has been confirmed by two doctors. 
A legal change was approved by 60% voters. 
Switzerland is not the first country to implement the model. Many other European countries already practice it. 

'Presumed consent' for organ donation in Switzerland

'Presumed consent' for organ donation in Switzerland

In 2021, 72 people died while on an organ transplant waiting list in Switzerland. At the end of the year, 1,400 were waiting for an organ transplant in the country.&nbsp;
Bearing the fact in mind that many deaths are sudden and the deceased person may not have expressed a wish to donate their organs,&nbsp;Switzerland, through a referendum, has decided for 'presumed consent'. This means that unless a person has expressed wish against being an organ donor post death, they will be treated as a&nbsp;potential donor.&nbsp;
According to the rules, those wishing to not become organ donors must explicitly say so. Anyone who hasn't made their wish clear would be assumed to be in favour, however, relatives can refuse donation if they suspect or know the deceased would have chosen to not donate.&nbsp;
The rule for donating organs will apply only to people aged 16 and above and it will be applicable only to people who die in a hospital intensive care, and after their death has been confirmed by two doctors.&nbsp;
A legal change was approved by 60% of voters.&nbsp;
However, Switzerland is not the first country to implement the model. Many other European countries already practice it.
Also Watch|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/switzerland-votes-to-ban-homophobic-discrimination-1581326934691" target="_blank">Switzerland votes to ban homophobic discrimination</a>

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US has blasted China over it calls Beijing's hypocrisy towards Muslims. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the world cannot afford China’s shameful hypocrisy toward Muslims. On one hand, China abuses more than a million Muslims at home, but on the other it protects violent Islamic terrorist groups from sanctions at the UN, Pompeo said referring to China shielding Jaish chief Masood Azhar from UN sanction

Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, had an entertaining interaction with some followers recently. The pope was riding in his vehicle, informally called the 'popemobile', in St Peter's Square, when some priests from Mexico hailed him.
The Mexican seminarians from the Legion of Christ asked the Pope about his knee. The Pope has been suffering from strained ligaments in his right knee for many months.
In the viral video, a seminarian is heard saying, "Thank you for your smile, your happiness, for being here despite the discomfort. You are an example for us, as future priests."
To this, Francis replied, "You know what I need for my leg? A little tequila."
A seminarian said that if he ever visits Casa Santa Marta - the Pope's residence - he would get him a bottle of tequila.
The Pope has been advised to use a wheelchair, cane, and undergo physical therapy to help his knee heal.
Francis recently cancelled a 2-day trip to Lebanon due to his knee issue. But he will be visiting Congo, South Sudan, and Canada in July.

Pope Francis wants tequila to deal with knee pain: watch funny viral video from St Peter's Square

Pope Francis was asked about his knee pain by some Mexican seminarians in St Peter's Square. The Pope replied that he would like tequila to deal with the pain.

Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, had an entertaining interaction with some followers recently. The pope was riding in his vehicle, informally called the 'popemobile', in St Peter's Square, when some priests from Mexico hailed him.
The Mexican seminarians from the Legion of Christ asked the Pope about his knee. The Pope has been suffering from strained ligaments in his right knee for many months.
In the viral video, a seminarian is heard saying, "Thank you for your smile, your happiness, for being here despite the discomfort. You are an example for us, as future priests."
To this, Francis replied, "You know what I need for my leg? A little tequila."
A seminarian said that if he ever visits Casa Santa Marta - the Pope's residence - he would get him a bottle of tequila.
The Pope has been advised to use a wheelchair, cane, and undergo physical therapy to help his knee heal.
Francis recently cancelled a 2-day trip to Lebanon due to his knee issue. But he will be visiting Congo, South Sudan, and Canada in July.

An underground city, to withstand nuclear attacks. The massive underground tunnel and chamber network in Russia's neighbour Finland is in news again amid the Ukraine war, and fears of the conflict escalating and spreading.
This subterranean city is claimed to be blast-proof, gas-proof, and impervious to radiation and dangerous chemicals. Construction began in the 1980s, but the bunkers are in news again because of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Feeling threatened by Moscow's recent actions, Finland has decided to join the US-led NATO military alliance.
Meanwhile, Russia's nuclear sabre-rattling is continuing to grow. After repeated warnings of nuclear action by Russian President Vladimir Putin, other elements in the country have started dangling this threat.
Commenting on Finland and Sweden seeking NATO membership, a presenter on a Russian state-owned media outlet reportedly said that Moscow will deploy "tactical nuclear weapons" to "neutralise the imbalance" posed by the Nordic nations joining NATO.
So, what's special about Finland's underground bunkers? They are situated around 60 feet beneath the surface. The entire network can reportedly house 7 lakh to 9 lakh people, which is more than Helsinki's population.
What is interesting is the large number of facilities meant to make stay inside the shelters as comfortable as possible. These include football pitches, children's playgrounds, cafeteria, and car parks.
Some of these facilities like sports areas and car parks are also used in peace time. But these can be converted into defence shelters within 72 hours, as per officials.

Underground city to escape nuclear attack: Finland's swanky bunkers in news amid NATO move | Russia war

The subterranean city beneath Helsinki is claimed to be blast-proof, gas-proof, and impervious to radiation and dangerous chemicals.

An underground city, to withstand nuclear attacks. The massive underground tunnel and chamber network in Russia's neighbour Finland is in news again amid the Ukraine war, and fears of the conflict escalating and spreading.
This subterranean city is claimed to be blast-proof, gas-proof, and impervious to radiation and dangerous chemicals. Construction began in the 1980s, but the bunkers are in news again because of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Feeling threatened by Moscow's recent actions, Finland has decided to join the US-led NATO military alliance.
Meanwhile, Russia's nuclear sabre-rattling is continuing to grow. After repeated warnings of nuclear action by Russian President Vladimir Putin, other elements in the country have started dangling this threat.
Commenting on Finland and Sweden seeking NATO membership, a presenter on a Russian state-owned media outlet reportedly said that Moscow will deploy "tactical nuclear weapons" to "neutralise the imbalance" posed by the Nordic nations joining NATO.
So, what's special about Finland's underground bunkers? They are situated around 60 feet beneath the surface. The entire network can reportedly house 7 lakh to 9 lakh people, which is more than Helsinki's population.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/ukraine-forces-claim-to-have-reached-russia-border-see-this-video-1652677508903" target="_blank">Ukraine forces claim to have reached Russia border</a>
What is interesting is the large number of facilities meant to make stay inside the shelters as comfortable as possible. These include football pitches, children's playgrounds, cafeteria, and car parks.
Some of these facilities like sports areas and car parks are also used in peace time. But these can be converted into defence shelters within 72 hours, as per officials.

A video allegedly showing a senior Twitter engineer making startling claims about the micro-blogging site has been released by an American far-right group called Project Veritas. The group described the video as undercover footage on its website. The video comes amid reports of Twitter employees being scared for their jobs if Elon Musk takes over the company.

On cam: engineer claims Twitter doesn't believe in free speech in alleged video

A video allegedly showing a senior Twitter engineer making startling claims about the micro-blogging site has been released by an American far-right group called Project Veritas.

Far-right group Project Veritas described the video as undercover footage on its website.

A video allegedly showing a senior Twitter engineer making startling claims about the micro-blogging site has been released by an American far-right group called Project Veritas. The group described the video as undercover footage on its website.
Project Veritas&nbsp;identified the man shown in the video as senior Twitter engineer Siru&nbsp;Murugesan.&nbsp;
Murugesan&nbsp;is shown saying that Twitter does not believe in free speech and has a strong left bias. He goes on to claim that the right-wing supporters are openly&nbsp;censored in the company.&nbsp;
The Project Veritas&nbsp;video seems to have been made from footage filmed on different days in different locations.&nbsp;
The video also shows Murugesan&nbsp;speaking about Elon&nbsp;Musk's plan to take over Twitter and how no one in the company is happy about the deal.&nbsp;
The video comes amid reports of Twitter employees being scared for their jobs if Elon Musk takes over the company.
Also Watch|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/watch-elon-musk-candid-about-negativity-and-what-next-for-twitter-1652071634929" target="_blank">Watch! Elon Musk candid about negativity and what next for Twitter</a>

North Korea on Tuesday reported another large jump in illnesses believed to be COVID-19 as a mass outbreak spreads through its unvaccinated population and military medical officers were deployed to distribute medicine.
State media said the North's anti-virus headquarters reported another 269,510 people were found with fevers and six people died.
That raises North Korea's deaths to 56 after more than 1.48 million people became ill with fever since late April.
North Korea lacks testing supplies to confirm coronavirus infections in large numbers and the report didn't say how many of the fever cases were COVID-19.
The outbreak is almost certainly greater than the fever tally, considering the lack of tests and resources to monitor and treat the people who are sick.
North Korea's virus response is mostly isolating people with symptoms at shelters, and as of Tuesday, at least 663,910 people were in quarantine.
In addition to lacking vaccines for its 26 million people, North Korea also grapples with malnourishment and other conditions of poverty and lacks public health tools, including antiviral drugs or intensive care units, which suppressed hospitalisations and deaths in other countries.
Some experts suspect North Korea is underreporting deaths to soften the blow for authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, who already was navigating the toughest moment of his decade in power, with the pandemic further damaging an economy already broken by mismanagement and US-led sanctions over his nuclear ambitions.

Watch | North Korean capital Pyongyang amid surge in 'fevers'

Visuals emerge of Noth&nbsp;Korea battling the first Covid&nbsp;outbreak since the pandemic. 56 reportedly dead, while some experts say the number may be higher

North Korea on Tuesday reported another large jump in illnesses believed to be COVID-19 as a mass outbreak spreads through its unvaccinated population and military medical officers were deployed to distribute medicine.
State media said the North's anti-virus headquarters reported another 269,510 people were found with fevers and six people died.
That raises North Korea's deaths to 56 after more than 1.48 million people became ill with fever since late April.
North Korea lacks testing supplies to confirm coronavirus infections in large numbers and the report didn't say how many of the fever cases were COVID-19.
The outbreak is almost certainly greater than the fever tally, considering the lack of tests and resources to monitor and treat the people who are sick.
North Korea's virus response is mostly isolating people with symptoms at shelters, and as of Tuesday, at least 663,910 people were in quarantine.
In addition to lacking vaccines for its 26 million people, North Korea also grapples with malnourishment and other conditions of poverty and lacks public health tools, including antiviral drugs or intensive care units, which suppressed hospitalisations and deaths in other countries.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/8-covid-19-deaths-in-north-korea-kim-jong-un-blasts-officials-1652671822927" target="_blank">8 Covid-19 deaths in North Korea, Kim Jong Un blasts officials</a>
Some experts suspect North Korea is underreporting deaths to soften the blow for authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, who already was navigating the toughest moment of his decade in power, with the pandemic further damaging an economy already broken by mismanagement and US-led sanctions over his nuclear ambitions.

Nearly one in 25 people in a county in the Uyghur heartland of China has been sentenced to prison on terrorism-related charges, in what is the highest known imprisonment rate in the world, an Associated Press review of leaked data shows.
A list obtained and partially verified by the AP cites the names of more than 10,000 Uyghurs sent to prison in just Konasheher county alone, one of dozens in southern Xinjiang. In recent years, China has waged a brutal crackdown on the Uyghurs, a largely Muslim minority, which it has described as a war on terror.
The list is by far the biggest to emerge to date with the names of imprisoned Uyghurs, reflecting the sheer size of a Chinese government campaign that swept an estimated million or more people into internment camps and prisons. It also confirms what families and rights groups have said for years: China is relying on a system of long-term incarceration to keep the Uyghurs in check, wielding the law as a weapon of repression.
Under searing international criticism, Chinese officials announced the closure in 2019 of short-term, extrajudicial internment camps where Uyghurs were thrown in without charges. However, although attention focused on the camps, thousands of Uyghurs still languish for years or even decades in prison on what experts say are trumped-up charges of terrorism.
Uyghur farmer Rozikari Tohti was known as a soft-spoken, family-loving man with three children and not the slightest interest in religion. So his cousin, Mihrigul Musa, was shocked to discover Tohti had been thrown into prison for five years for “religious extremism.” “Never did I think he would be arrested,” said Musa, who now lives in exile in Norway. “If you saw him, you would feel the same way. He is so earnest.” From the list, Musa found out Tohti's younger brother Ablikim Tohti also was sentenced to seven years on charges of “gathering the public to disturb social order.” Tohti's next-door neighbor, a farmer called Nurmemet Dawut, was sentenced to 11 years on the same charges as well as “picking quarrels and provoking troubles.” Konasheher county is typical of rural southern Xinjiang, and more than 267,000 people live there. The prison sentences across the county were for two to 25 years, with an average of nine years, the list shows. While the people on the list were mostly arrested in 2017, according to Uyghurs in exile, their sentences are so long that the vast majority would still be in prison.
Those swept up came from all walks of life, and included men, women, young people and the elderly. They had only one thing in common: They were all Uyghurs.
Experts say it clearly shows people were targeted simply for being Uyghur – a conclusion vehemently denied by Chinese authorities. Xinjiang spokesman Elijan Anayat said sentences were carried out in accordance with the law.
“We will never specifically target specific regions, ethnic groups, religions, much less the Uyghurs,” Anayat said. “We will never wrong the good, nor release the bad.” The list was obtained by Xinjiang scholar Gene Bunin from an anonymous source who described themselves as a member of China's Han Chinese majority “opposed to the Chinese government's policies in Xinjiang.” It was passed to the AP by Abduweli Ayup, an exiled Uyghur linguist in Norway. The AP authenticated it through interviews with eight Uyghurs who recognized 194 people on the list, as well as legal notices, recordings of phone calls with Chinese officials and checks of address, birthdays and identity numbers.
The list does not include people with typical criminal charges such as homicide or theft. Rather, it focuses on offenses related to terrorism, religious extremism or vague charges traditionally used against political dissidents, such as “picking quarrels and provoking troubles.” This means the true number of people imprisoned is almost certainly higher.
But even at a conservative estimate, Konasheher county's imprisonment rate is more than 10 times higher than that of the United States, one of the world's leading jailers, according to Department of Justice statistics. It's also more than 30 times higher than for China as a whole, according to state statistics from 2013, the last time such figures were released.
Darren Byler, an expert on Xinjiang's mass incarceration system, said most arrests were arbitrary and outside the law, with people detained for having relatives abroad or downloading certain cell phone applications.
“It is really remarkable,” Byler said. “In no other location have we seen entire populations of people be described as terrorists or seen as terrorists." The crackdown kicked into high gear in 2017, after a string of knifings and bombings by a small handful of Uyghur militants. The Chinese government defended the mass detentions as both lawful and necessary to combat terrorism.
In December 2019, Xinjiang officials said that all of whom they described as “trainees” at the “centers” had “graduated.” Visits by Associated Press journalists to four former camp sites confirm that they were shuttered or converted into other facilities.
But the prisons remain. Xinjiang went on a prison-building spree in tandem with the crackdown, and even as the camps closed, the prisons expanded. At least a few camp sites were converted into centers for incarceration.
China is using the law “as a fig leaf of legality” in part to try and deflect international criticism about holding Uyghurs, said Jeremy Daum, a criminal law expert at Yale University's Paul Tsai China Center.
The secretive nature of the charges against those imprisoned is a red flag, experts say. Although China makes legal records easily accessible otherwise, almost 90% of criminal records in Xinjiang are not public. The handful which have leaked show that people are being charged with “terrorism” for acts such as warning colleagues against watching porn and swearing, or praying in prison.
Abduweli Ayup, the Uyghur exile who passed the list to the AP, has closely documented the ongoing repression of his community. But this list in particular floored him: On it were neighbors, a cousin, a high school teacher.
“I had collapsed,” Ayup said. “I had told other people's stories …. and now this is me telling my own story from my childhood.” The widely-admired teacher, Adil Tursun, was the only one in the high school in Toquzaq who could teach Uyghur students in Chinese. He was a Communist Party member, and every year his students had the best chemistry test scores in the town.
The names of Tursun and others on the list made no sense to Ayup because they were considered model Uyghurs.
“The names of the crimes, spreading extremist thoughts, separatism … these charges are absurd,” he said.

Uyghur county Konasheher in China has highest prison rate in the world: AP

In recent years, China has waged a brutal crackdown on the Uyghurs, a largely Muslim minority, which it has described as a war on terror.

A list obtained and partially verified by the AP cites the names of more than 10,000 Uyghurs sent to prison in just Konasheher county alone, which is one of dozens in southern Xinjiang.

Nearly one in 25 people in a county in the Uyghur heartland of China has been sentenced to prison on terrorism-related charges, in what is the highest known imprisonment rate in the world, an Associated Press review of leaked data shows.
A list obtained and partially verified by the AP cites the names of more than 10,000 Uyghurs sent to prison in just Konasheher county alone, one of dozens in southern Xinjiang. In recent years, China has waged a brutal crackdown on the Uyghurs, a largely Muslim minority, which it has described as a war on terror. Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/us-house-passes-bill-to-punish-china-over-uyghurs-muslims-oppression-1639022195486">US House passes bill to punish China over Uyghur Muslims' oppression</a>
The list is by far the biggest to emerge to date with the names of imprisoned Uyghurs, reflecting the sheer size of a Chinese government campaign that swept an estimated million or more people into internment camps and prisons. It also confirms what families and rights groups have said for years: China is relying on a system of long-term incarceration to keep the Uyghurs in check, wielding the law as a weapon of repression.
Under searing international criticism, Chinese officials announced the closure in 2019 of short-term, extrajudicial internment camps where Uyghurs were thrown in without charges. However, although attention focused on the camps, thousands of Uyghurs still languish for years or even decades in prison on what experts say are trumped-up charges of terrorism.
Uyghur farmer Rozikari Tohti was known as a soft-spoken, family-loving man with three children and not the slightest interest in religion. So his cousin, Mihrigul Musa, was shocked to discover Tohti had been thrown into prison for five years for &ldquo;religious extremism.&rdquo; &ldquo;Never did I think he would be arrested,&rdquo; said Musa, who now lives in exile in Norway. &ldquo;If you saw him, you would feel the same way. He is so earnest.&rdquo; From the list, Musa found out Tohti's younger brother Ablikim Tohti also was sentenced to seven years on charges of &ldquo;gathering the public to disturb social order.&rdquo; Tohti's next-door neighbor, a farmer called Nurmemet Dawut, was sentenced to 11 years on the same charges as well as &ldquo;picking quarrels and provoking troubles.&rdquo; Konasheher county is typical of rural southern Xinjiang, and more than 267,000 people live there. The prison sentences across the county were for two to 25 years, with an average of nine years, the list shows. While the people on the list were mostly arrested in 2017, according to Uyghurs in exile, their sentences are so long that the vast majority would still be in prison.
Those swept up came from all walks of life, and included men, women, young people and the elderly. They had only one thing in common: They were all Uyghurs.
Experts say it clearly shows people were targeted simply for being Uyghur &ndash; a conclusion vehemently denied by Chinese authorities. Xinjiang spokesman Elijan Anayat said sentences were carried out in accordance with the law.
&ldquo;We will never specifically target specific regions, ethnic groups, religions, much less the Uyghurs,&rdquo; Anayat said. &ldquo;We will never wrong the good, nor release the bad.&rdquo; The list was obtained by Xinjiang scholar Gene Bunin from an anonymous source who described themselves as a member of China's Han Chinese majority &ldquo;opposed to the Chinese government's policies in Xinjiang.&rdquo; It was passed to the AP by Abduweli Ayup, an exiled Uyghur linguist in Norway. The AP authenticated it through interviews with eight Uyghurs who recognized 194 people on the list, as well as legal notices, recordings of phone calls with Chinese officials and checks of address, birthdays and identity numbers.
The list does not include people with typical criminal charges such as homicide or theft. Rather, it focuses on offenses related to terrorism, religious extremism or vague charges traditionally used against political dissidents, such as &ldquo;picking quarrels and provoking troubles.&rdquo; This means the true number of people imprisoned is almost certainly higher.
But even at a conservative estimate, Konasheher county's imprisonment rate is more than 10 times higher than that of the United States, one of the world's leading jailers, according to Department of Justice statistics. It's also more than 30 times higher than for China as a whole, according to state statistics from 2013, the last time such figures were released.
Darren Byler, an expert on Xinjiang's mass incarceration system, said most arrests were arbitrary and outside the law, with people detained for having relatives abroad or downloading certain cell phone applications.
&ldquo;It is really remarkable,&rdquo; Byler said. &ldquo;In no other location have we seen entire populations of people be described as terrorists or seen as terrorists." The crackdown kicked into high gear in 2017, after a string of knifings and bombings by a small handful of Uyghur militants. The Chinese government defended the mass detentions as both lawful and necessary to combat terrorism.
In December 2019, Xinjiang officials said that all of whom they described as &ldquo;trainees&rdquo; at the &ldquo;centers&rdquo; had &ldquo;graduated.&rdquo; Visits by Associated Press journalists to four former camp sites confirm that they were shuttered or converted into other facilities.
But the prisons remain. Xinjiang went on a prison-building spree in tandem with the crackdown, and even as the camps closed, the prisons expanded. At least a few camp sites were converted into centers for incarceration.
China is using the law &ldquo;as a fig leaf of legality&rdquo; in part to try and deflect international criticism about holding Uyghurs, said Jeremy Daum, a criminal law expert at Yale University's Paul Tsai China Center.
The secretive nature of the charges against those imprisoned is a red flag, experts say. Although China makes legal records easily accessible otherwise, almost 90% of criminal records in Xinjiang are not public. The handful which have leaked show that people are being charged with &ldquo;terrorism&rdquo; for acts such as warning colleagues against watching porn and swearing, or praying in prison.
Abduweli Ayup, the Uyghur exile who passed the list to the AP, has closely documented the ongoing repression of his community. But this list in particular floored him: On it were neighbors, a cousin, a high school teacher.
&ldquo;I had collapsed,&rdquo; Ayup said. &ldquo;I had told other people's stories &hellip;. and now this is me telling my own story from my childhood.&rdquo; The widely-admired teacher, Adil Tursun, was the only one in the high school in Toquzaq who could teach Uyghur students in Chinese. He was a Communist Party member, and every year his students had the best chemistry test scores in the town.
The names of Tursun and others on the list made no sense to Ayup because they were considered model Uyghurs.
&ldquo;The names of the crimes, spreading extremist thoughts, separatism &hellip; these charges are absurd,&rdquo; he said.

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