Violence and atrocities

Sunday, November 27, 2022

President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan quits as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after loss in election

The vote in Taiwan has drawn global attention because the loss of President Tsai Ing-wen could become a bigger geopolitical flashpoint between China and the United States. Tsai Ing-wen resigned as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after its poor performance in local elections. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) won major races including the capital Taipei. Prior to the election, President Tsai had described the election as a vote for democracy amid rising tensions with China. After the results came out, she admitted that - "the election results were not as expected... I should shoulder all the responsibility and I resign as DPP chairwoman immediately.” However, she will continue as president of the self-ruled island. These elections for local councils and city mayors theoretically have a domestic agenda and focused on local issues such as crime, housing and social welfare. Those elected will not have a direct say on Taiwan's policy regarding China. However, Ms Tsai and government officials had urged voters to use the elections to send a message about standing up for democracy, as Beijing increases pressure on the island. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen quits as party chair after local elections. The Chinese government perceives Taiwan as a breakaway province that will, in due course of time, be part of the country.

A large section of Taiwanese people considers their self-ruled island to be distinct. It has its own form of government and a democratic system. However, tensions peaked in August when Beijing staged huge military drills around Taiwan. It was in a protest against the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island. The US has long walked a tightrope over Taiwan. Officially, it does not have any formal ties with Taiwan. In spite of that, it has also pledged to supply the island with defensive weapons and stressed that any attack by China would cause "grave concern." Taiwan has two major political parties. Their views differ on China. One of these is the Kuomintang (KMT). It consists of conservative business champions and traditionally seen as pro-China "doves." They advocate economic engagement with China and appear to favor unification while denying being pro-China. Their main rival is Ms Tsai's governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). She had won a landslide victory in the 2020 national election. Her stand is Beijing needs to show respect to Taiwan. She also said Taipei would not bow to pressure.

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Kim Jong-un seen in public with his daughter, speculations are rife on her future

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is believed to have as many as three children, one of them is a girl who appeared alongside Kim and he referred to her as his "beloved daughter." Her name is Ju Ae and she appears to be aged 12 to 13, although some think she could be as young as nine. She appeared in public twice in a matter of days. Her father dropped hints that she could be a successor in the making or could be trained for a leadership position. The father-daughter duo posed for photos with soldiers, scientists and others involved in this month's Hwasong-17 missile launch. On this occasion the leader reportedly said - "It is the truth taught by history that only when we become the strongest - not the weak - in the present world where the strength in showdown just decides victory, can we defend the present and future of the country and nation." Kim Jong Un's daughter appears in public for second time - raising speculation of a successor in the making. The leader added – “scientists and technicians should "make a do-or-die struggle... and thus expand and bolster up the nuclear war deterrent of the country at an exceptionally rapid speed."

The photos released by the North Korean government did not indicate any date. Moreover, independent journalists did not have any access to the event. The KCNA described it as a "photo session." Incidentally, the Hwasong-17 is North Korea's most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, and it underwent tests earlier this month. In the opinion of some experts, the weapon had the potential to strike anywhere on the US mainland. Kim Jong-un boasted that the ICBM was a "reliable and maximum-capacity" weapon to contain US military threats. The second appearance of Kim’s daughter has raised speculation that she could be a successor in the making. Analysts believe it would be an unprecedented uphill struggle for her in the male-dominated dynasty of North Korea.

Monday, November 14, 2022

Police arrest a student of University of Virginia suspected of shooting dead three football players of the school

In another of incident of gun violence in a school, a student of University of Virginia is suspected of shooting down three of the school's football players. The authorities have identified the suspect as well as the victims. UVA President Jim Ryan announced this during a press conference. The shooting incident injured two other students and one of them is in critical condition. It happened late Sunday night near a campus-parking garage on a bus "full of students." They were returning from a play in Washington, D.C. "This is a sad, shocking and tragic day for our UVA community," Ryan told reporters. Police took the 22-year-old suspect into custody from Henrico County, Virginia and charged him with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of using a handgun in the commission of a felony. UVA shooting: 3 football players killed, 2 students wounded and suspect in custody. It seems the suspect was involved in a criminal incident involving a concealed weapon violation outside Charlottesville in February 2021.

The suspect was listed as a member of the UVA football team in 2018, when he was a freshman. He had not been on the football team for over a year. First-year head football coach Tony Elliott said the victims "were all good kids" and that he would talk more about them "when the time is right." Warnings were given to students and staff to shelter in place late Sunday night after the shooting. It was later lifted. Elected leaders of Virginia reacted to the shooting on social media. Gov. Glenn Youngkin went to Twitter and said - "This morning, Suzanne and I are praying for the UVA community." Suzanne Youngkin was his wife. Sen. Tim Kaine added in a tweet - "Heartbroken to hear of another Virginia community devastated by gun violence. Praying for the UVA community and closely monitoring the situation."

An explosion in central Istanbul killed eight people wounded 81; the authorities suspect the involvement of a woman

Istanbul police have arrested 46 people in connection with the explosion in the busy Istiklal Avenue of Turkey’s largest city. At least eight people died in the blast while 81 others suffered injuries. Interior minister Suleyman Soylu revealed that the suspects included the “person who left the bomb that caused the explosion.” The authorities suspect the involvement of a woman. She admitted being trained by Kurdish militants in Syria and had gained entry into Turkey through northwest Syria’s Afrin region. Security sources say two other Syrian nationals were involved in the attack. The police captured the woman, in her late 20s or early 30s, from the place where she was staying. Istanbul police checked the security cameras near the site of the explosion. They have also conducted raids at different addresses where the female suspect had links. Turkish police arrest 46 people over Istanbul explosion.

Kurdish separatists, ISIL (ISIS), and other groups have targeted Istanbul and other Turkish cities in the past. These included a series of attacks in 2015 and 2016. In December 2016, twin bombings outside an Istanbul football stadium killed 38 people and wounded 155. Countries like Azerbaijan, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Pakistan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States condemned the latest attack. Greece “unequivocally” denounced the blast and expressed condolences, while the US said it stood “shoulder-to-shoulder with our NATO ally in countering terrorism.” French President Emmanuel Macron said - “We share your pain. We stand with you in the fight against terrorism.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine tweeted - “The pain of the friendly Turkish people is our pain.” European Council President Charles Michel tweeted - “My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Midair collision between two WWII-era planes near Dallas kills at least two

The WW-II vintage planes were a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a P-63 Kingcobra fighter aircraft. Both were participating in a commemorative air show near Dallas. They involved in a mid-air collision during an air show in Texas. At least two lost their lives in the tragedy. Video footage shows the aircraft striking each other at a low altitude as one of the aircraft breaks in half and a fireball hit the ground. There was no confirmation on the occupants of the two aircraft. The Allied Pilots Association represents American Airlines pilots. It identified two of the victims as those who died in the collision. A media report suggests as many as six people may have lost their lives in the collision. A group of between 4,000 and 6,000 had gathered to watch the Wings Over Dallas Airshow. One of the aircraft involved in the midair collision were a B-17 bomber that played a major role in winning the air war against Germany in WW2. The second plane was a P-63 Kingcobra fighter aircraft used in the same war, but in combat only by the Soviet Air Force. Dallas air show crash: Two World War Two planes collide in mid-air. Eric Johnson, Mayor of Dallas, described it as a "terrible tragedy."

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash at the three-day event. This event is the US's premiere WW2 air show and the occasion was Veterans Day. The authorities could not confirm the number of casualties but said there is no report of injuries to anybody on the ground. The B-17 usually has a crew of about four to five people, while the P-63 has a single pilot.

Friday, November 11, 2022

During his trip to Asia, President Joe Biden will meet leaders of Japan and South Korea to discuss the nuclear program of North Korea

White House informs that US President Joe Biden will meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol during his forth coming trip to Asia. The meeting would be in Cambodia on Sunday, Nov. 13. This is when the US President will attend the ASEAN and the Group of 20 industrialized nations. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House said - "The three leaders would work to continue enhancing trilateral cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific, particularly in regard to our joint efforts to address the ongoing threat posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.” Biden to discuss North Korea nuclear threat with Japan, South Korea leaders. In October, North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile. It went soaring over Japan for the first time in five years. There was a warning for residents to take cover. It also prompted Biden to assure the Prime Minister of Japan about the "ironclad" commitment of America to the defense of Japan.

In view of these developments, warplanes of South Korean and the U.S. practiced bombing a target in the Yellow Sea. In addition, fighter jets from the United States and Japan conducted joint drills over the Sea of Japan. Recently, a U.S. official told a media outlet that China and Russia could use their influence with North Korea to ensure that it abandons its testing of nuclear bomb. Biden last visited Asia in May. At the time, administration officials said they were in the final stages of a policy review on North Korea. It was also keen to encourage greater trilateral cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo on that issue. Incidentally, there is a U.N. Security Council ban on North Korea from conducting nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches. There are also sanctions on Pyongyang with the objective of cutting off funding for such programs.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Fresh row erupts between China and Taiwan over visit of Greg Hands, British Trade Policy Minister to Taiwan

There are indications that China has plans to make use of the massive civilian maritime fleet it has in order to transport military equipment to seize Taiwan. This appears to be the result of the visit of Greg Hands, the British Trade Policy Minister, to Taiwan. Photos in the social media reveal a massive military convoy of trucks, main battle tanks (MBT), and armored fighting vehicles (AFV) at civilian ports. These are moving in between passenger ships and car carriers. Chinese defense enthusiasts claim the design of the concept has a Taiwan operation in mind. China has its own fleet of roll-on-roll-over (RoRo) ships and dedicated car carriers. These can double up as amphibious transport vessels when required. In short, China wants to assert its claims over Taiwan and use every possible means. Photos in the media do not identify the port and the date of the military exercises. China had conducted such exercises in the past. Civilian Ship Armed With Tanks — Scary Images Reveal China’s ‘Notorious Plan’ To Invade & Annex Taiwan.

It seems, the civilian fleet can be commandeered under China’s January 2017 National Defense Transportation Law, which treats basic infrastructure and transport systems as “civil-military fusion assets”. This is as informed by Ian Easton, Senior Director of the Project 2049 Institute. On August 31 this year, seven dual-use amphibious ferries landing craft came to a Chinese beach near the Taiwan Strait. This is according to a defense analyst Tom Shugart. One of the RoRo ferries was the Bo Hai Heng Tong, a 15,000-ton multipurpose cargo ship. As Tom Shugart explains – “The ferry’s internal parking ‘lane’ is 1.6 miles long and three meters wide, spread across three decks. It translates into a vehicle cargo capacity almost three times that of a San Antonio-class amphibious warship (LPD-17).” Obviously, the plans of China appear to have a single agenda – Taiwan. Whether these weapons of warfare are actually used is anybody’s guess.