The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California was desecrated with anti-Hindu messages, the second such incident in the US in the past 10 days. The BAPS Public Affairs said their temple in Sacramento was desecrated with a "Hindus go back" message. "We stand united against hate with prayers for peace," the organisation said in a post on X. The Sacramento Police said that they were investigating "vandalism being classified as a hate crime" at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather. Police further stated that the accused also cut water lines at the property. Meanwhile, members of the Hindu community gathered at the temple following the incident for a prayer ceremony to promote "harmony".
Indian origin judge in US indicted
Fort Bend County Judge KP George was booked into jail following his indictment by a grand jury for misrepresenting himself online to influence the outcome of his election. According to Fort Bend County judicial records, George was booked on a misdemeanour charge connected to a social media scheme aimed at swaying voters. His bond was set at USD 1,000. A statement from his office said George was released from jail on a personal recognizance (PR) bond, meaning he was released without paying bail by signing a written agreement to appear in court as scheduled and comply with any conditions of his release.
First Sikh candidate in Austrian parliamentary poll
Gurdial Singh Bajwa, a 51-year-old Sikh man of Indian origin, is set to contest the Austrian National Council elections. Representing the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), Bajwa will run for the Gaenserndorf and Bruck an der Leitha constituencies in the elections. Bajwa’s candidacy is a proud moment for Austria’s Indian and Sikh communities, highlighting the increasing diversity in the country’s political landscape. Originally from Mudowal village in Punjab’s Bholath, Bajwa moved to Austria with his family at the age of seven. Since 2020, he has served as a city councillor in Deutsch-Wagram and has also held the position of Deputy Chairman for Transport and Traffic at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.
Jhumpa Lahiri declines award from NY Museum
Pulitzer Prize winning author Jhumpa Lahiri declined to accept an award from New York City’s Noguchi Museum after it fired three employees for wearing keffiyeh head scarves, an emblem of Palestinian solidarity, following an updated dress code. “Jhumpa Lahiri has chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award in response to our updated dress code policy,” the museum said in a statement. “We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone’s views.” Lahiri received the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for her book “Interpreter of Maladies.”
Shigeru Ishiba to be new Japan PM
Shigeru Ishiba will be sworn in as Japan's 102nd Prime Minister by the Diet on October 1, the same day Fumio Kishida officially steps down from the role. Former defence minister Ishiba successfully secured the role of Japan’s Prime Minister on his fifth attempt, prevailing in a competitive race among nine candidates vying to succeed Fumio Kishida. The 67-year-old Ishiba triumphed over hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a run-off vote, capping one of Japan’s most unpredictable leadership elections in decades, with a record nine candidates in the race.
Pope offers refuge to jailed Suu Kyi
Pope Francis has offered to give refuge on Vatican territory to Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Italian media said. “I asked for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and I met her son in Rome. I have proposed to the Vatican to give her shelter on our territory,” the pope said according to an account of meetings with Jesuits in Asia during his trip there. The Corriere della Sera daily published an article by Italian priest Antonio Spadaro giving extracts from these private meetings, which took place in Indonesia, East Timor and Singapore between Sept 2 and 13. “We cannot stay silent about the situation in Myanmar today. We must do something,” the pope is reported as saying. Suu Kyi, 78, is serving a 27-year prison sentence on charges ranging from graft to not respecting Covid pandemic curbs.
Saudi executed 198 in 2024, most in over 30 years
Saudi Arabia has carried out its highest number of executions in more than three decades after three executions announced last week took the 2024 figure to 198, according to an AFP tally. The Gulf monarchy executed the third highest number of prisoners in the world after China and Iran in 2023, according to Amnesty International. The latest tally surpassed its previous highs of 196 in 2022 and 192 in 1995, according to the London-based human rights group. The country’s official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced the deaths of the three prisoners citing a statement from the interior ministry. The 198 executions this year compare with 170 in 2023, according to tallies compiled by AFP from official media reports.
Shooting leaves 17 dead in eastern S Africa
South African police said they were launching a manhunt after 17 people were shot dead in a town in the east of the country. “In one house, 13 people were killed. In another, four people were killed. An 18th victim is in critical condition in a hospital,” the police said. South African media said the mass shootings occurred in the town of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape province. “We do not know the motive” and “we do not know if there is one or several suspects on the run”, national police chief Fannie Masemola said on SABC public television.
China conducts test launch of ICBM
China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead that landed in the Pacific Ocean, the country’s defence ministry announced, in a sign of President Xi Jinping’s commitment to keep strengthening China’s missile force after a period of corruption scandals and command turbulence. The launch appeared to be the first time in 44 years that China has publicly announced a test of an ICBM in the Pacific region. It was fired by the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force and struck in the “high seas,” China’s ministry of national defence said, without giving any details. It said the dummy warhead “fell precisely into the assigned seas.”
