分类： society

A devastating explosion occurred during Friday prayers at a mosque located within a high school complex in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Indonesia. The incident resulted in injuries to dozens of worshippers, with 54 individuals rushed to hospitals for treatment. Jakarta Metropolitan Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed the casualties during a televised press briefing, noting that the injuries ranged from minor to severe, including burns. Authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion, with a bomb disposal team from the Mobile Brigade Corps deployed to conduct a detailed search of the area. The incident has raised concerns about safety and security in public spaces, particularly in places of worship. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains on edge, awaiting further updates from law enforcement officials.

The historic Xi’an City Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is undergoing a thorough health assessment following months of heavy rainfall linked to climate change. Since September, Shaanxi province has experienced three prolonged rainy periods, with 87 monitoring stations recording over 20 days of rainfall. The average precipitation reached 314 millimeters, 1.6 times higher than the normal level, marking the second-highest rainfall since 1961. This has raised concerns about the structural integrity of the ancient wall, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Gao Heng, head of the cultural heritage protection department of the Xi’an City Wall Management Committee, highlighted the risks posed by water infiltration. Increased moisture has led to surface deterioration, such as moss and lichen growth, and structural issues, including water seeping into the wall’s rammed-earth core. This can reduce the soil’s bearing capacity, potentially causing localized settlement or collapse.

To mitigate these risks, the committee has implemented a differentiated maintenance approach. Routine measures include sealing cracks and re-leveling surface bricks, while engineering solutions involve re-compacting loose soil and enhancing drainage systems. A key drainage project, approved by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, is underway to divert rainwater from the wall’s foundation.

Technology plays a crucial role in preservation efforts. Since 2018, a ‘digital cabin’ system with over 3,000 sensors has monitored settlement and crack displacement. Drones conduct aerial inspections quarterly, and a four-color warning system assesses risks based on damage severity. In 2023, a comprehensive ‘CT health scan’ using ground-penetrating radar revealed over 1,300 historical cavities and 800 areas of less compact soil within the wall.

Collaboration with local meteorological bureaus and academic institutions ensures specialized weather forecasts and technical support. The committee has also introduced a ‘wall chief’ system, assigning individuals to oversee specific sections for routine monitoring and early issue reporting.

Despite these challenges, Gao emphasized that the wall’s original structure remains intact, with only restored outer layers affected by recent damage. The ongoing efforts aim to safeguard this cultural treasure for future generations.

In the shadows of Southeast Asia, a sinister industry thrives, exploiting both victims and laborers. Scam operations, often initiated through innocuous text messages, have become a global menace, siphoning billions of dollars from unsuspecting individuals. These schemes are powered by a network of forced laborers, many of whom are lured with false promises of lucrative jobs, only to find themselves trapped in sprawling compounds across the region. The scale of this crisis is staggering, with estimates suggesting that hundreds of thousands of people are coerced into working in these fraudulent operations. The issue is further complicated by the involvement of local elites and transnational criminal syndicates, making it a formidable challenge for law enforcement agencies. Despite recent crackdowns, such as the shutdown of Myanmar’s infamous KK Park, the problem persists, with new scam centers emerging across Southeast Asia and beyond. The United Nations has highlighted the global reach of these scams, which now target victims as far afield as Africa and Latin America. Activists argue that while rescuing victims is crucial, dismantling the criminal networks behind these operations is essential to eradicating the scourge. The fight against this global fraud epidemic requires coordinated international efforts and a sustained commitment to justice.

The recent theft of crown jewels from the Louvre in Paris has not only triggered a high-profile police investigation but also reignited a contentious debate about the origins of museum artifacts and the ethics of colonial-era acquisitions. While the stolen jewels were crafted in France, their gemstones trace back to former colonies, including Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, Brazil, the Persian Gulf, and Colombia. This revelation has prompted calls for greater transparency from the Louvre and other European museums about the provenance of their collections. Experts argue that the heist presents an opportunity to confront the uncomfortable histories tied to these treasures and to push for restitution. The stolen items, including tiaras, necklaces, and brooches, once belonged to 19th-century French royalty, but their raw materials were sourced through imperial networks that exploited global labor and resources. Critics emphasize that while the theft is criminal, the colonial context of these jewels complicates the narrative of loss. The case parallels other high-profile restitution battles, such as India’s claim over the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which is currently held by the British Crown. France has taken limited steps toward restitution, returning some artifacts to Benin and Senegal, but critics argue that legal and institutional barriers hinder broader action. The Louvre, meanwhile, has been accused of narrowly defining what constitutes “looted” artifacts and demanding excessive proof for restitution claims. Scholars and activists advocate for museums to adopt a decolonized approach, providing honest accounts of how artifacts were acquired and acknowledging the exploitation involved. The Louvre heist, they say, could catalyze a broader reckoning with colonial legacies in Western museums.