Month: April 2021

The European Union (EU) has condemned what it called the “harassment” of foreign journalists in China after a BBC correspondent left Beijing citing increasing threats and pressure from the Chinese authorities.

In a statement on Friday, a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called upon China to abide by its obligations under national and international law and ensure the freedom of speech and press.
John Sudworth, who was based in China for nine years, had left Beijing along with his wife, Yvonne Murray, a reporter for the Irish public broadcaster RTE, and their three young children.

Both Sudworth and Murray have said they will continue to cover China from Taipei.

According to The New York Times, the correspondent Sudworth said on Wednesday that he made the decision after being subjected to intensifying propaganda campaign targeting him and the BBC.

He also cited legal threats as well as the increasing difficulty of doing independent reporting in China without obstruction or harassment.

“This is the latest case of foreign correspondents being driven out of China as a result of continuous harassment and obstruction to their work, coming on top of the expulsion of at least 18 correspondents last year,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The EU, the spokesperson said, has repeatedly expressed its concerns to the Chinese authorities about the “undue working restrictions imposed on foreign journalists and reported related harassment”.

The departures of Sudworth and Murray are part of a larger recent exodus of foreign journalists from China.

Last year, the Chinese government expelled around 15 correspondents for American news organisations, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.

According to The Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC), 2020 saw the largest expulsion of foreign journalists since the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.

At least 18 journalists were forced to leave, hurried out and their visas were cancelled over national security concerns.

A US media correspondent was reported having to “take three COVID tests over five days” as she attempted to report from Xinjiang, where Chinese state media has routinely claimed the Muslim-minority Uighurs are prospering, not being detained.

The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) of China had barred the broadcasting of BBC World News on the mainland last month, claiming that it has done a “slew of falsified” reporting on issues such as human rights violations in Xinjiang based on interviews of victims surviving “re-education camps.” (ANI)

An alliance of Pakistan opposition parties, also known as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), has suffered a major split, just six months after it was founded to fight the “selected” government of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The opposition alliance, headed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has decided to part ways with Pakistan’s Peoples Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP) and form a new alliance of five opposition parties having 27 members in the Senate, Dawn reported.
These five parties are PML-N, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), National Party (NP), and Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal). The PDM also decided to serve notices to the PPP and the ANP for not attending the alliance meeting on Friday and violating its decision.

The alliance was founded in September 2020.

On September 20 last year, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party — hosted an “all parties conference” at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel to form a grand political alliance and plan strategy for replacing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Fazal-ur-Rehman, a harsh critic of the military establishment, read out the 26-point resolution adopted by the attendees.

In the span of six months, the alliance had organised over 15 public gatherings, demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Khan.

The decision to part ways was taken at a meeting of senators of five opposition parties, minus the PPP and the ANP, according to a press release by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

In recent weeks, the war of words inside the PDM has intensified and friction was visible over a slew of the issues.

The PPP was accused of siding with the government amid the ongoing tussle between the country’s two major opposition parties on the appointment of Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani as leader of the opposition in the Senate.

The PPP declared that it would not accept Shehbaz Sharif as the opposition leader in the National Assembly if Gilani was not supported by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the upper house of Parliament.

Last month, the PDM postponed its long march planned for later this month, amid differences within the alliance on the issue of resigning from the assemblies.

Addressing a press conference after an hours-long meeting of the PDM in Islamabad, Rehman said nine PDM parties had agreed on the proposal to submit resignations along with the long march. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, who has started shooting for her upcoming movie ‘Ram Setu’ on Saturday, revealed the first look of her character from the film on social media.

The ‘Race 3’ actor took to her Instagram handle and shared a glimpse of her look for the movie, along with the caption, “First day of #ramsetu extremely honored to be part of this prestigious film! Thanks to the ace photographer @akshaykumar for capturing this moment #ramsetu.”

The picture, which was clicked by Jacqueline’s co-star Akshay Kumar, was a stunning monochromatic shot of her wearing a headscarf and looking candidly sideways from the camera.

Apart from Jacqueline and Akshay, ‘Ram Setu’ also stars Nushrratt Bharuccha, who had shared her first look from the movie a day prior. Akshay too had earlier shared his look from the film and revealed that he would be playing an archaeologist in the movie.

‘Ram Setu’, which is being helmed by Abhishek Sharma and produced by Aruna Bhatia and Vikram Malhotra was first announced on Diwali last year. It will be an action-adventure drama, that will bring to light a story that is deeply rooted in Indian cultural and historical heritage.

Following the film’s theatrical release, ‘Ram Setu’ will soon be also available for Prime members in India, along with more than 240 countries and territories. Amazon Prime will also be the worldwide exclusive streaming partner for the film. (ANI)

India reported 81,466 new COVID-19 cases and 469 deaths in the last 24 hours with active cases going past the six-lakh mark.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the country had 6,14,696 active cases on Friday. The cumulative count of cases across the country now stands at 1,23,03,131 while the death toll stands at 1,63,396.

The total recoveries have increased to 1,15,25,039 with 50,356 people discharged after recovery.

Maharashtra continues to report the highest number of daily cases in the country. The state reported 47,827 new COVID-19 cases and 202 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The cumulative cases in the state now stand at 29,04,076.

Out of 47,827 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, 8,832 cases were reported from Mumbai and Nagpur district reported 4,108 new COVID-19 cases.

The Pune administration announced that bars, hotels, restaurants will remain closed for the next seven days in the district and a 12-hour night curfew from 6 pm to 6 am will be imposed in the city from Saturday.

Delhi reported 3,594 new COVID-19 cases and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours. The total count of cases in the national capital stands at 6,68,814.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that there is no need for lockdown in the national capital as the COVID-19 situation is less serious as compared to the previous waves.

Kejriwal also informed that 71,000 vaccinations were done in Delhi yesterday.

Karnataka reported 4991 new COVID-19 cases, 1631 discharges, and 6 deaths today.

The state government ordered that classes from 6 to 9 will be suspended, gyms and swimming pools will remain closed. Rallies, dharnas have been prohibited and cinema halls can have a maximum 50 per cent seating capacity.

With 1288 new COVID-19 cases, the total count of cases in Andhra Pradesh now stands at 9,04,548. The state reported 610 recoveries and five deaths in the last 24-hours.

As many as 2506 new COVID-19 were reported in Kerala. The state has 26,407 active cases.

There are 3,098 active cases in Chandigarh.

Gujarat reported 2,640 new COVID-19 cases and the state has 13,559 active cases.

Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 doses administered has crossed the 7 crore mark. A total of 12,76,191 vaccine doses were given till 8 pm today, which mark the 77th day of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination. (ANI)

A convoy of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Rakesh Tikait was allegedly attacked at Tatarpur Chowk in Alwar on Friday.

According to police, four persons have been detained in connection with the incident. “A convoy of BKU leader Rakesh Tikait was attacked at Tatarpur Chowk today. Four persons have been detained, in connection with the incident,” Alwar’s Assistant superintendent of police Gurusharan told ANI.

Further into the matter is underway, he added.

After the incident, Tikait alleged that goons of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to attack him. He tweeted in Hindi, “Tatarpur intersection of Alwar district of Rajasthan near Bansur road — attacked by BJP goons –killing our democracy”

Following the attack, the BKU chief’s supporters blocked National Highway 9 at the Ghazipur border. The Highway was opened for traffic movement later on.

Before commencing his journey on the highway, Tikait addressed a rally in Alwar’s Harsoli Area wherein he urged people to voice against the recently enacted farm laws.

Farmers have been protesting at the different border of Delhi since November last year against the three newly enacted farm laws — Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)

The Election Commission on Friday debarred Assam Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, from campaigning for ongoing Assam elections for 48 hours for his remark against Bodoland People’s Front Chairperson Hagrama Mohilary.

“The Election Commission hereby strongly condemns the impugned statements made by Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP leader and star campaigner. The Commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, roadshows, interviews and public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) etc in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from an immediate effect on April 2, 2021 (Friday),” read the notice by the Election Commission.

Sarma, who had switched from the Congress ahead of the 2016 Assembly elections, is contesting from Jalukbari.

The second phase that took place on Thursday saw a voter turnout of 74.76 per cent. Polling for the third and final phase will be held on April 6 and the counting of votes will take place on May 2. (ANI)

Maharashtra reported 47,827 new COVID-19 cases and 202 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The total case count in the state has reached 29,04,076 including 3,89,832 active cases and 55,379 fatalities.
State Health Department said that of the total active cases, 57,687 are in Mumbai. The death toll in the metropolis stands at 11,727.

Pune has 70,851 active cases. The city has reported 8,373 deaths and 4,74,141 recoveries

After a meeting held on Friday over the deteriorating coronavirus situation in the state, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had said that if the current situation prevails, he cannot rule out imposing a lockdown in the state.

“I cannot rule out imposing a lockdown if the current COVID19 situation prevails. People have become complacent. Till now, we have administered 65 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses including 3 lakh vaccine doses yesterday. Even after vaccination, some people are getting infected because they stop wearing masks,’ Thackeray said.

He further said that the state aimed to conduct 2.5 lakh RT-PCR tests daily.

“In a couple of days, strict restrictions will be issued to curb COVID-19. If the number of cases keeps increasing, there could be a shortage of healthcare infrastructure in the next 15-20 days,” he added. (ANI)

Revealing the ongoing human rights abuses in Pakistan, yet another rights group has disclosed how the lives of minority communities in the country are perpetually under siege, and religious minorities are treated as “non-citizens”, one without a voice and any legally protected rights.

The Centre for Democracy, Pluralism and Human Rights (CDPHR), in its report released on Friday, said, “Minorities in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are forced to lead lives which are perpetually under siege. Theoretically, Pakistan’s Constitution provides equal rights to all citizens, but these are only on paper. Religious minorities – Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Ahmadis even Shias – are treated as non-citizens. They are people without a voice; people without any constitutionally or legally protected rights.”
“Minorities are stateless in the State of Pakistan. Punjab dominated military-politician complex violates human rights not only of religious minorities but also of Balochs and Hazaras,” said CDPHR in its report.

On the issue of harsh Blasphemy law in the country, the report said, “Blasphemy law works like a big instrument of exploitation and subjugation of people of other faiths. Fake rumours of desecrating the Quran or defaming Islam and the Prophet are spread. Minorities and their families are terrorised, subjugated and converted through this draconian law.”

The report further said though Pakistan is a signatory to several international human rights treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), however, the environment in which religious and ethnic minorities find themselves is marred by hate speech, violence and repeated invocation of blasphemy laws.

“These oppressions have made it increasingly difficult for people of religious and ethnic minorities to live safely and fully exercise their rights to freedom of expression and belief.”

The report further said some ethnic minorities like Balochs, Pashtuns and Sindhis are persecuted by Punjab dominated military and bureaucracy.

“Baluchistan’s independence movement is violently suppressed by Punjabi dominated military here. Forceful abductions, rape, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings of the detainees by the military are frequent in case of the ethnic minorities.”

The rights further said the Human rights movement in Pakistan is a “toothless movement” and rights organisations of Pakistan exist on paper only. (ANI)

Bollywood’s most powerful couple Ajay Devgn and Kajol are leaving no stone unturned to express their love for each other. As Ajay turns 52 on Friday, Kajol, who is known for her quick wit and humour, shared an adorable post showing what “makes her hubby the happiest”.

The duo who first began as co-stars are now nearly married for two decades.
Extending her warm birthday greetings, Kajol took to Instagram and shared a candid picture in which Ajay can be seen holding a camera on his shoulder and shooting something. He is all dressed in formals in the picture. “Tried getting a selfie but the only “selfie” I could manage was his “self” with another camera Movie camera Face with rolling eyes.. doing what makes him happiest! Happy Birthday… today and always,” Kajol wrote with a red heart emoji.

Giving an adorable reply to her wife’s post, Ajay wrote, “We will take that long-overdue selfie soon.”

On a related note, the couple has often revealed Kajol’s crazy love for selfies in their candid interviews and how she pulls her ‘serious’ husband to do the same.

Apart from Kajol, many other actors including Abhishek Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Suniel Shetty, Anil Kapoor, and more showered the ‘Singham’ actor with love and wishes.

Kajol and Ajay tied the knot in 1999 and are proud parents of Nysa and Yug. Before their wedding, the couple co-starred in films like ‘Ishq’, ‘Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha’ and ‘Dil Kya Kare’ to name a few.

The duo has also starred in films including ‘Raju Chacha’ and ‘U Me Aur Hum’. The power couple was last seen together in ‘Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior.’ Ajay recently produced ‘Helicopter Eela’, which featured Kajol in the lead role.

Earlier in the day, to commemorate his special day, the makers of his much-talked-about magnum opus ‘RRR’ unveiled a captivating motion poster featuring the first look of Ajay from the movie that is to release in multiple languages on October 13 this year.

Apart from ‘RRR’, Ajay will also be seen in ‘Gangubai Kathiwadi’. This film marks his on-screen reunion with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali after two decades. Helmed by SLB, the film also stars Alia Bhatt. (ANI)

Raising concerns about the situation of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, Tulsi Gabbard, former US Presidential candidate on Friday recalled how the Pakistani army systematically murdered, raped and drove millions of Bengali Hindus, from their homes in 1971 because of their religion and ethnicity.

Taking to Twitter, Tulsi said,” The height of this persecution began 50 years ago, when the Pakistani army systematically murdered, raped and drove from their homes, millions of Bengali Hindus because of their religion and ethnicity. March 25th, 1971 was the beginning of the systematic targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh by the Pakistani military.”

“It began in Hindu neighbourhoods and villages, first at Jagannath Hal, which was a Hindu dormitory in Dhaka University, where 5,000 to 10,000 people were killed on that first night alone. This genocidal campaign continued for 10 months, resulting in two to three million people killed.”

Tulsi further recalled how hundreds of thousands of women and girls raped and more than 10 million forced to flee their homes in 1971.

She even quoted US Senator Ted Kennedy, who went to visit the Bangladeshi refugees at that time and said,” nothing is more clear or more easily documented than the systematic campaign of terror and its genocidal consequences launched by the Pakistan army on the night of March 25th. Hardest hit have been the members of the Hindu community who have been robbed of their lands and shops, systematically slaughtered and in some place painted with yellow patches marked H.”

Talking about the current situation in Bangladesh, Tulsi said, “Now the Islamist, not to be confused with Islam, the Islamist persecution of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh didn’t end with Bangladesh’s independence.”

“That campaign continues to this day with horrific targeted attacks, murders, homes being burned down and families who continue to be forced to flee. In the early 1900s Hindus made up roughly 33 per cent of the Bangladesh population. Because of this persistent Islamist campaign targeting Hindus, just 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s population are Hindus today,” she said.

Over the recent violence witnessed in Bangladesh, Tulsi said, “Just a few days ago in Bangladesh, hundreds of hard-line Islamist extremists attacked Hindu temples, destroyed a train, set fire to government buildings, the press club and the public buses, leaving dead and injured behind.”

“Until the leaders of the United States and the world condemn and commit to defeating the Islamist exclusivist ideology, an ideology which holds that all non-Muslims and many so-called, quote-unquote heretical Muslims, need to be wiped from the face of the earth, enslaved or at the very least kept as second class citizens with the right to own land worship, openly, etc, like in Pakistan, the jihadist campaign of terror will continue throughout the world,” she said. (ANI)