Mali
Previous newsletters have mentioned Mali’s complicated “coup within a coup”. Essentially, military officer Colonel Assimi Goita led a coup that overthrew a democratically-elected president in August 2020. Then two weeks ago he overthrew a transitional president and prime minister who were supposed to stay in place until elections could be held. Today, he was sworn in as transitional president, prompting fears that, despite again promising those elections, he will not relinquish power.
More from AfricaNews here.
China
“This [research and analysis] really shows the intent behind the Chinese government's long-term plan for the Uyghur population.”
A disturbing report from a German analyst has found that China’s birth-control policies in the Xinjiang region could reduce the Uyghur Muslim population by as much as a third over the next two decades. The study, by Adrian Zenz, will reinforce the position of several Western nations, including the US, Canada and the Netherlands, that China is committing genocide against its Uyghur minority.
More from BBC here, which includes reporting from Reuters who originally broke the story (Reuters is behind a paywall).
Pakistan
Terrible tragedy in Pakistan as two passenger trains collided, killing at least 40 people and injuring about 120. Rescuers are searching through the wreckage for survivors and officials believe the death toll is likely to rise. Train accidents are common in Pakistan and government critics say little attention is paid to improving safety standards.
More from Al Jazeera here.