Fear and Gunfire Erupt as Rwanda-Backed Rebels Claim Control of Eastern Congo's Largest City

 

Fear and Gunfire Erupt as Rwanda-Backed Rebels Claim Control of Eastern Congo's Largest City

Residents of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, were fleeing on Monday after Rwanda-backed rebels claimed to have captured the key regional hub from Congolese forces. This comes as fighting intensified in recent days, despite calls from the UN Security Council for the insurgents to withdraw.

Gunfire echoed throughout Goma overnight, and by early Monday morning, dozens of rebels in military uniforms marched into the capital of North Kivu province, which lies on the Rwandan border. The Congolese government has not officially confirmed Goma’s fall, following its decision to cut diplomatic ties with Rwanda on Saturday.

The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, are one of around 100 armed groups fighting for control in the mineral-rich region, which has been the center of one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts. The rebels briefly took over Goma in 2012 but were forced to retreat under international pressure. They reemerged in late 2021 with increasing support from Rwanda, according to the Congolese government and UN experts, though Rwanda denies involvement.

Experts have warned that this renewed surge in violence could further destabilize the region, already grappling with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Over 6 million people have been displaced, with more than a third of North Kivu’s population among those affected, according to a UN report.

Residents of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, fled on Monday after Rwanda-backed rebels claimed to have seized control of the regional hub amid escalating violence. The surge in fighting persists despite calls from the UN Security Council for the insurgents to retreat.

Gunfire echoed through Goma overnight before dozens of rebels in military uniforms marched into the North Kivu provincial capital early Monday. Goma, located on the border with Rwanda, lies approximately 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) east of Congo's capital, Kinshasa. The Congolese government, which severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda on Saturday, has yet to confirm the city's capture.

The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda according to Congo's government and UN experts, are one of roughly 100 armed groups vying for control in the mineral-rich region. Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing the insurgents. The M23 previously seized Goma in 2012 but withdrew under international pressure. They resurfaced in late 2021, reportedly with increasing Rwandan support.

Analysts warn that the escalating violence could further destabilize the region, already grappling with one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. More than 6 million people are displaced across Congo, including over one-third of North Kivu's population, according to a UN report.

ধর্মের গল্প বা ইতিহাস

ধর্মের গল্প বা ইতিহাস একটি বিস্তৃত ও বৈচিত্র্যময় বিষয়, যা মানব সমাজের উদ্ভব থেকে শুরু করে আজ পর্যন্ত মানবজাতির চিন্তা, বিশ্বাস ও সংস্কৃতির সঙ্গে ওতপ্রোতভাবে জড়িত। এটি বিভিন্ন ধর্মের জন্ম, বিকাশ ও তাদের প্রভাব সম্পর্কে আলোচনা করে। এখানে ধর্মের মূল গল্পটি সংক্ষেপে বাংলায় তুলে ধরা হলো:

ধর্মের উদ্ভব

মানব ইতিহাসের শুরুতে, মানুষ প্রকৃতি এবং এর শক্তিগুলোর প্রতি শ্রদ্ধাশীল ছিল। বিদ্যুৎ, ঝড়, আগুন, পানি ইত্যাদিকে মানুষ ঈশ্বরীয় শক্তি বা দেবতাদের প্রতীক হিসেবে মানত। এই বিশ্বাস থেকেই পলিথেইস্টিক বা বহুদেবতাবাদী ধর্মগুলোর জন্ম।

প্রাচীন ধর্ম

প্রাচীন সভ্যতাগুলো যেমন মেসোপটেমিয়া, মিশর, হিন্দু উপমহাদেশ, চীন ও গ্রিসের ধর্মগুলো প্রধানত প্রাকৃতিক উপাদান এবং স্থানীয় দেবতাদের পূজার ওপর ভিত্তি করে গড়ে উঠেছিল। উদাহরণস্বরূপ:

• মেসোপটেমিয়ায় ছিল "আনু" (আকাশের দেবতা) এবং "এনলিল" (বায়ুর দেবতা)।
• মিশরে ফারাওরা ঈশ্বরের প্রতিনিধি বলে গণ্য হতেন।
• ভারতবর্ষে বৈদিক ধর্ম থেকে হিন্দু ধর্মের বিকাশ ঘটে।

একেশ্বরবাদী ধর্মের জন্ম

প্রায় ২০০০ খ্রিস্টপূর্বাব্দে আব্রাহামিক ধর্মের সূচনা হয়, যার প্রথম ধাপ ছিল ইহুদি ধর্ম। ইহুদি ধর্ম থেকে খ্রিস্টধর্ম এবং ইসলাম ধর্ম উদ্ভূত হয়।

• ইহুদি ধর্ম: এটি ছিল একেশ্বরবাদী ধর্মের প্রথম উদাহরণ, যা ঈশ্বরের সাথে আব্রাহামের চুক্তির উপর ভিত্তি করে গড়ে ওঠে।
• খ্রিস্টধর্ম: খ্রিস্টধর্ম যিশু খ্রিস্টের শিক্ষার উপর ভিত্তি করে গড়ে উঠেছে। এটি প্রথম শতাব্দীতে রোমান সাম্রাজ্যের বিভিন্ন অংশে ছড়িয়ে পড়ে।
• ইসলাম: সপ্তম শতাব্দীতে ইসলামের সূচনা হয়। হজরত মুহাম্মদ (সা.) এর উপর কুরআন অবতীর্ণ হওয়ার মাধ্যমে ইসলামের বিকাশ ঘটে।

পূর্ব এশীয় ধর্ম

পূর্ব এশিয়ায় কনফুসিয়ানিজম, তাওবাদ এবং বৌদ্ধধর্মের মতো ধর্ম ও দর্শন জনপ্রিয় হয়।

• বৌদ্ধধর্ম: গৌতম বুদ্ধের শিক্ষা অনুযায়ী এটি মূলত ভারতবর্ষে শুরু হলেও পরবর্তীতে চীন, জাপান এবং দক্ষিণ-পূর্ব এশিয়ায় ছড়িয়ে পড়ে।
• তাওবাদ এবং কনফুসিয়ানিজম: এগুলো চীনে বিকাশ লাভ করে এবং মানবিক নৈতিকতা ও প্রাকৃতিক ভারসাম্যের উপর গুরুত্ব দেয়।

ভারতীয় উপমহাদেশের ধর্ম

ভারতবর্ষ ছিল বহু ধর্মের জন্মভূমি। হিন্দু ধর্ম, বৌদ্ধধর্ম, জৈনধর্ম ও শিখধর্ম এখানেই উদ্ভূত হয়েছিল।

• হিন্দু ধর্ম: এটি বিশ্বের প্রাচীনতম জীবিত ধর্ম, যা বৈদিক যুগে উদ্ভূত।
• বৌদ্ধ ও জৈন ধর্ম: বেদবিরোধী ধর্ম হিসেবে বুদ্ধ এবং মহাবীরের শিক্ষার মাধ্যমে বিকশিত হয়।
• শিখধর্ম: ১৫শ শতাব্দীতে গুরু নানকের শিক্ষা থেকে উদ্ভূত হয়।

আধুনিক যুগে ধর্ম

ধর্ম এখনো মানবজীবনের একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অংশ। তবে আধুনিক যুগে বিজ্ঞান, যুক্তিবাদ এবং ধর্মনিরপেক্ষতার উত্থান ধর্মীয় বিশ্বাস ও অনুশীলনে বিভিন্ন পরিবর্তন এনেছে।

ধর্ম মানবতার ঐতিহাসিক যাত্রার একটি অবিচ্ছেদ্য অংশ। এটি মানুষের নৈতিকতা, সংস্কৃতি এবং জীবনযাত্রাকে প্রভাবিত করে চলেছে এবং ভবিষ্যতেও প্রভাবিত করবে।

Thieves deploy explosives to steal gold 'masterpieces' from a Dutch museum.

 Thieves deploy explosives to steal gold 'masterpieces' from a Dutch museum.

Drents Museum director Harry Tupan described the burglary as the most significant incident in the museum's 170-year history, leaving staff "intensely shocked.Police were alerted to the scene following reports of an explosion at 3:45 a.m. local time (4:45 a.m. GMT) on Saturday. Forensic investigators and officers reviewed CCTV footage throughout the day to gather evidence.

Authorities are also investigating a burning vehicle discovered on a nearby road, which they believe may be connected to the burglary. "A possible scenario is that the suspects switched to another vehicle in the vicinity of the fire," stated Dutch police.

No arrests have been made, but investigators suspect multiple individuals were involved. The global policing agency Interpol has been called in to assist with the investigation.

Four ancient gold artifacts were stolen during an overnight raid at the Drents Museum in Assen early Saturday morning.

The thieves used explosives to force entry into the museum, which was hosting an exhibition of priceless Romanian jewelry crafted from gold and silver. Among the stolen items were three Dacian spiral bracelets and the exhibition's centerpiece, the elaborately decorated Helmet of Cotofenesti, a nearly 2,500-year-old artifact.

Romania's Ministry of Culture has vowed to take all possible measures to recover the stolen treasures, which had been on loan to the Dutch museum from Bucharest.

Trump suggests that Egypt and Jordan should accept Palestinians fleeing from Gaza.

 

Trump suggests that Egypt and Jordan should accept Palestinians fleeing from Gaza.

Former US President Donald Trump expressed his desire for Egypt and Jordan to accommodate Palestinians from Gaza, referring to the region as a "demolition site." Speaking about Gaza's situation, Trump mentioned he had urged Jordan's King Abdullah to consider the move, saying, "I'd love you to take on more, because I'm looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now and it's a mess."

Trump estimated the population at "probably a million and a half people," suggesting the area could be "cleaned out," with the relocation being either "temporary" or "long-term." He also planned to raise a similar proposal with Egypt's president.

Hamas strongly opposed the idea, with Bassem Naim, a member of its political bureau, stating: "Our Palestinian people in Gaza endured death and destruction for 15 months without leaving their land. They will not accept any offers or solutions under the guise of reconstruction, as proposed by US President Trump."

Naim emphasized that Palestinians have historically resisted displacement and alternative homeland plans and would reject such initiatives. Gaza, home to around two million people, has faced significant destruction during 15 months of conflict with Israel, leaving much of its infrastructure in ruins.

In Beijing, there’s growing curiosity about what Trump is aiming for.

In Beijing, there’s growing curiosity about what Trump is aiming for.

Laura Bicker
China Correspondent, Reporting from Beijing

China has been given some breathing room from Donald Trump’s tariffs, leading some analysts to question if the US president is softening his stance on Beijing.

However, this strategy also keeps China guessing. Many in Beijing are asking: What does the US want in return?

Trump has described tariffs as Washington’s “one very big power” over China, signaling that he views them as a crucial bargaining tool.

In response, the Chinese foreign ministry reiterated during its daily briefing that there are no winners in a trade war and emphasized Beijing’s willingness to engage in dialogue to “properly handle differences.” Their tone remains neutral, signaling openness to negotiations.

So, what might these talks entail? And what kind of deal could emerge?

During Trump’s first term, often referred to as a "honeymoon period" with China, he visited Beijing seeking President Xi Jinping’s assistance with North Korea and Kim Jong Un.

This time, there is speculation that Trump might ask Xi for help with Vladimir Putin to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump hinted at this possibility during a video speech to business leaders in Davos, stating that China holds “a great deal of power over that situation.”

Other potential demands could include stronger efforts by China to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States or a long-discussed deal involving TikTok.

Whatever the terms, any agreement holds both opportunities and risks for Beijing. A deal could pave the way for resetting US-China relations. On the other hand, failure to reach an agreement could abruptly end this second “honeymoon” phase and lead to a more confrontational dynamic between the two leaders.

Trump states he 'prefers not to' impose tariffs on China.

 

Trump states he 'prefers not to' impose tariffs on China.

Donald Trump has stated he "would rather not" impose tariffs on China, despite previously threatening extensive measures against the world's second-largest economy.

In an interview with Fox News, the US president described tariffs as their "one very big power" over Beijing.

In other developments, a US judge has temporarily halted Trump's order to change birthright citizenship, which was set to take effect in February.

Additionally, Trump has directed the declassification of files concerning the deaths of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. as part of a series of new executive orders.

Trump Pledges to End 'American Decline' at Pre-Inauguration Rally

 

Trump Pledges to End 'American Decline' at Pre-Inauguration Rally

News Flash
BSS | 20 Jan 2025, 08:42 (Updated: 10:35)

WASHINGTON, Jan 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – On the eve of his inauguration, Donald Trump vowed to end what he described as "American decline," outlining a rapid series of actions to restore national strength during a lively rally in Washington. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, the 78-year-old Republican promised bold measures against woke ideology and illegal immigration.

"Tomorrow at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand-new era of strength and prosperity," Trump declared to a packed arena. He pledged to tackle the nation’s challenges "with historic speed" from his first day in office.

Joining him on stage was billionaire Elon Musk, who is set to lead a sweeping cost-reduction initiative in Trump's administration. Musk committed to making America "strong for centuries." The rally ended on a lighter note with Trump dancing to the Village People’s iconic hit "Y.M.C.A.", the anthem of his campaign.

Immigration and Executive Orders

Trump’s address focused heavily on immigration, reiterating his plan to halt the "invasion of our borders." He announced plans to initiate raids targeting undocumented migrants within days of taking office.

The former president also promised a slew of executive orders, including banning critical race theory and transgender athletes in women’s sports, as well as prohibiting what he termed "transgender insanity" in schools.

Additionally, Trump vowed to declassify files related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Symbolic Ceremonies and Public Response

Ahead of the rally, Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery, where he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, accompanied by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. This solemn moment contrasted with the lively rally atmosphere.

Despite snowy conditions, large crowds gathered to witness what many described as a historic event. Alan McNeely, a 21-year-old student, said, "I wanted to see history unfold before my eyes."

Inauguration Ceremony Adjustments

Due to freezing weather forecasts, Trump's inauguration, originally planned for the Capitol steps, will now take place inside the Capitol Rotunda. This marks the first indoor ceremony since Ronald Reagan's inauguration 40 years ago.

Incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted at the themes of Trump’s inaugural address, stating he would speak of "entering a Golden Age of America."

Global Affairs and Transition of Power

Outgoing President Joe Biden marked his final day in office by observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day in South Carolina. In his farewell remarks, he urged Americans to "keep the faith in a better day to come" and promised to remain active in public life.

Trump has already engaged in international matters ahead of his official swearing-in. He played a role in restoring TikTok operations in the U.S. after a temporary ban, pledging to broker a deal to transfer ownership of its U.S. subsidiary away from Chinese control.

Additionally, Trump’s team contributed to ongoing Middle East negotiations. On Sunday, three Israeli hostages were released under a Gaza truce negotiated jointly with the outgoing administration.

As Trump prepares to take the oath of office, his supporters eagerly anticipate a swift and decisive start to his presidency, aiming to reshape America’s trajectory on the global and domestic fronts.