English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Myanmar books 2 Reuters journos for reporting on violence against Rohingya Muslims

Published

on

Prosecutors in Myanmar have formally charged two journalists from the Reuters news agency with violating the Official Secrets Act, signalling the case will go forward despite international condemnation. If convicted the journalists could face up to 14 years in prison in Myanmar.

Wa Lone (31) and Kyaw Soe Oo (27) were arrested on December 12 after police accused them of violating the British colonial-era law by acquiring “important secret papers” from two policemen. The police officers had worked in Rakhine state, where security forces are blamed for rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims that have sparked the exodus of some 650,000 people to Bangladesh.

Global leaders, including former US president Bill Clinton, and government officials from some of the world’s major nations, including the United States, Britain and Canada, as well as United Nations officials, have called for their release.

The two journalists had worked on Reuters coverage of the crisis in Rakhine.

Than Zaw Aung, the lawyer for the journalists, said the prosecutor formally indicted the pair at Wednesday’s hearing.

Than Zaw Aung said he appealed for the two to be immediately released on bail, but the judge said he would review that request and rule at the next hearing on 23 January. “We are still far from the verdict,” he said.

The ministry of information has cited the police as saying they were “arrested for possessing important and secret government documents related to Rakhine state and security forces”.

The ministry said they “illegally acquired information with the intention to share it with foreign media”.

The Official Secrets Act dates back to 1923, when Myanmar, then known as Burma, was a province of British India.

The reporters have told relatives they were arrested almost immediately after being handed some documents at a restaurant by two policemen they had not met before.

Former US president Bill Clinton has urged that the journalists be freed immediately. “A free press is critical to a free society – the detention of journalists anywhere is unacceptable,” Clinton said in a Twitter post on Monday.

Significantly, Clinton was US president for much of the 1990s when the American administration pressed Myanmar’s then military regime to release democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi from years of house arrest.

Suu Kyi, who won the 2015 general election in Myanmar and formed a government in early 2016, has not made any public comment on the detention of the two Reuters reporters as yet. Instead, her government has denied that the arrest of the journalists represent an attack on press freedom.

Human rights group Amnesty International also called for their immediate release and for freedom of speech to be respected.

“These arrests have not happened in a vacuum, but come as authorities are increasingly restricting independent media,” Amnesty International said.

“Journalists and media outlets, in particular those who report on sensitive topics, are living with the constant fear of harassment, intimidation or arrest. This clampdown on freedom of speech must end.”

With Agencies

Cricket news

IPL 2024: CSK’s Pathirana returns to Sri Lanka due to hamstring injury

The right-arm pacer played six matches in IPL 2024 picking up 13 wickets at an economy of 7.68 for CSK

Published

on

Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana of the Chennai Super Kings suffered a serious setback on Sunday before of their IPL 2024 encounter against Punjab Kings. Pathirana, who suffered hamstring injury, will have to head back home to to Sri Lanka for a proper treatment and recovery.

The right-arm bowler, who took 13 wickets at an economy of 7.68 in six IPL 2024 matches, has been a star performer for CSK during an otherwise uneven season. Whether he will return later in the season is yet unknown to the team.

This incident coincides with worries about Deepak Chahar’s health. Earlier this week, he bowled just two deliveries in the match against Punjab Kings at the Chepauk before he strained his hamstring. The CEO of the Chennai Super Kings, Kasi Viswanathan, believes it is extremely improbable that Chahar will play for the rest of the season. The status of Deepak’s injury is not favorable. He had said on Friday that he won’t say Chahar  is ruled out of the season, but it is doubtful.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s star cricketer Mustafizur Rahman left the Chennai Super Kings camp to play for his country in the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. With 14 wickets in just nine matches, the left-arm bowler was the leading wicket-taker for CSK this season.

Chennai has five wins and an equal number of losses in 10 matches in the on-going season, and they are now ranked fifth in the points table. In to compete again against Punjab Kings at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, the five-time champions hope to strengthen their case for playoff qualifying. In the match at Chepauk, PBKS had beaten the team Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team by seven games.

Continue Reading

India News

Wrestler Bajrang Punia suspended by National Anti Doping Body after failing to give urine sample

Bajrang Punia, who won the country a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, is likely to be barred from participation in the selection trials that are scheduled for later this month. No Indian has yet won an Olympic quota in the 65kg category.

Published

on

Wrestler Bajrang Punia was suspended indefinitely by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), which could have an impact on his eligibility to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Sources claim that on March 10, Punia neglected to submit a urine sample for the Sonepat selection trials, which is why NADA issued the order barring him from taking part in any events going forward.

With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, Bajrang Punia has been immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter, according to an official release from NADA dated April 23.

Punia was in the forefront of accusations of sexual harassment made against former BJP MP and president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, along with a number of other elite wrestlers, such as Olympians Sakshi Malik and Vinesh.

The star wrestler, who earned the country’s bronze medal in the Olympics in Tokyo, will probably not be allowed to take part in the selection trials later this month due to his suspension in light of the allegations. In the 65kg division, no Indian has yet to win an Olympic quota.

India’s Sujeet Kalkal will compete in the World Qualifiers, which begin on May 9 in Istanbul.

The notice of suspension was sent not to the federation recognized by United World Wrestling (UWW), but to the now-defunct ad hoc committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Punia rejected the directive of the drug control officer, alleging that NADA officials had not yet addressed his concerns. A few months before, Punia had uploaded a video purporting to have expired dope-collecting equipment.

The dope-collecting officer’s report states that he was told that his refusal would result in a warning for violating anti-doping regulations, but he still left.

Punia was asked to provide a written explanation by May 7th for his denial of providing a urine sample and supporting evidence.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Kareena Kapoor appointed UNICEF India national ambassador, says it’s an emotional day for her

Kareena Kapoor expressed her happiness after she was appointed UNICEF India National Ambassador.

Published

on

Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor, has been named the National Ambassador of Unicef India. In 2014, she became the organization’s first Celebrity Advocate. Kareena was driven to tears during her address onstage at her recent appointment ceremony. Adding yet another significant success to Kapoor’s already impressive resume is this new responsibility.

Kareena showed her appreciation and joy at being named the National Ambassador for Unicef India in an Instagram post on May 4. She underlined how committed she is to protecting children’s rights and making sure every child has an equitable future. Kareena thought back on her ten years of working with Unicef India, calling it enlightening and brightening.

Taking to Instagram, Kareena wrote, it is an emotional day for her. Being named the National Ambassador for UNICEF India is an honour for her, she added. The actor mentioned in her note that over the past ten years, working with UNICEF India has been incredibly instructive and enriching. She said she is happy of the work they’ve accomplished and she is reaffirming my commitment to speak out in favor of children’s rights and an equal future for all of them, she added.

The Crew  actor emphasized the value of defending children’s rights upon her appointment, pointing out that they are the next generation. She committed to utilizing her position to speak up for children who are at risk, concentrating on matters such as gender equality, education, and early childhood development. Kareena restated her conviction that every child is entitled to an equal opportunity and a promising future.

Regarding work front, Kareena is now enjoying the success of Crew, in which she starred alongside Tabu and Kriti Sanon.

Under the direction of Rajesh A. Krishnan, Crew centers on the journeys of three employed women against the backdrop of the aviation sector. In addition, Diljit Dosanjh, Kapil Sharma, Rajesh Sharma, Saswata Chatterjee, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda feature in the film.

She will be next seen in Hansal Mehta’s The Buckingham Murders in the upcoming months. She will be also seen in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again.

Continue Reading

Trending

-->

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com