Pakistan
Protests have erupted in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka after a Sri Lankan man accused of blasphemy was brutally killed by a mob in Pakistan. Footage shared on social media showed Priyantha Diyawadanage being beaten to death before his body was set on fire. Several people, in a truly macabre and disgusting scene, then took selfies beside his corpse. Rumors had spread that the 48-year-old factory manager tore down posters featuring the Prophet Muhammad’s name. Colleagues, though, said he only removed the posters because the factory building was about to be cleaned. Pakistani police say they have made arrests, and Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Twitter that he is personally overseeing the investigation.
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India-Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in India for a visit that will be watched closely for the geopolitical complexities it underscores. Russia and India have had very close ties for decades. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though, has more recently focused on forging a close relationship with the US, seeing that alliance as crucial to countering New Delhi’s main regional rival China. The leaders signed a slew of deals, including an agreement that India would buy 600,000 Russian assault rifles.
More from BBC here.
Syria
In what is an all-too common occurrence, an innocent family of six have been wounded by a US drone strike in Syria. The Associated Press news agency reported the family’s car had been overtaking a man on a motorcycle who the US said was an al-Qaeda leader. Five of the six family members have been discharged from hospital but 10-year-old Mahmoud remains in intensive care, where he is being treated for serious head injuries. His father, Ahmad Qassim, says doctors have told him brain trauma may leave Mahmoud with permanent difficulties moving his left arm and leg.
More from AP here.