Top stories from DAWNS Digest
At Least 42 Shot Dead by Army
“Egyptian soldiers opened fire on hundreds of supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi early Monday as they were praying before dawn outside the facility where he is believed to be detained, dozens of witnesses said. At least 43 civilians were killed, all or most of them shot, and more than 300 wounded, doctors and health officials said. Security officials said one police officer died as well. The attack marked a sharp escalation in the confrontation between the generals who forced out the president and his Islamist supporters in the streets. Dozens of Islamists who had gathered to hold a vigil for Mr. Morsi denied there was any provocation for the attack. Two bystanders who had supported Mr. Morsi’s ouster said that the demonstrators were unarmed and ran in terror as the attack began.” (NYT http://nyti.ms/1aSbwV8)
Blasts at Buddhist Holy Site in India
A troubling, though rare, attack on a Buddhist target suggests heightened sectarian tensions. “A series of explosions rocked one of Buddhism’s holiest sites in eastern India on Sunday morning, an attack that officials called an act of terrorism. Two people were wounded in the explosions at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, officials said. Initial reports suggested that the 12-acre temple complex had suffered minimal damage. The soaring main temple, constructed in the fifth or sixth century, is near the Bodhi Tree, where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The temple complex attracts Buddhists and other visitors from around the world and has been designated as a World Heritage site by Unesco.” (NYTimes http://nyti.ms/12ReSTv)