Home Blog Page 4457

New Zealand snubs Australia to stand with China over WHO’s Covid-19 origin report

OpIndia Staff
-
0
New Zealand snubs Australia to stand with China over WHO’s Covid-19 origin report

The WHO on Tuesday released the much-awaited report into the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A team of international experts was sent to Wuhan, where the virus was first detected, on a fact-finding mission to study the origins of the virus and transmission within China before spreading globally.

The study which was conducted by international experts in collaboration with Chinese scientists left many questions unanswered such as the exact source of the virus. This prompted the 14 countries to release a joint statement on Wednesday expressing concerns over the study which was not only delayed but also lacked access to complete, original data and samples. New Zealand however was the only Five Eyes country that refused to sign the statement condemning the research and study.

China is now New Zealand’s biggest trading partner with annual two-way trade of more than NZ$32 billion ($22.3 billion), has been releasing a number of other statements with its partners on China.

Justifying its absence from the list, New Zealand’s foreign ministry told Reuters in an email response, “New Zealand acknowledges that member states have expressed a number of concerns. New Zealand wants to make sure we conduct an independent analysis to ensure we understand the science before making any comment.”

Responding to another question by Newshub about its decision to not participate in the release of the statement, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said, “New Zealand is pleased that the report has now been released. Our technical experts are currently analyzing the report. We will wait until our experts have finished analyzing the report.”

The countrys’ absence has raised suspicion considering Beijing this year upgraded a free trade agreement with New Zealand that had been in discussion for years. The decision received flak from academicians who questioned New Zealand’s quiet shift on China.

On the other hand, responding to criticism of China’s transparency with the WHO report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, “The Chinese side presented item by item raw data of particular concern. The WHO and international experts gave positive comments on the joint research, stressing a level of openness they hadn’t anticipated. The drafting of the origin-tracing report has been carried out between experts from both China and WHO, and conclusions have been reached through repeated research in a science-based way.”

What’s in the joint statement:

The Governments of Australia, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America emphasized that there is a need to conduct a transparent and independent analysis and evaluation, without any interference and undue influence.

The statement read, “We note the findings and recommendations, including the need for further studies of animals to find the means of introduction into humans and urge momentum for expert-driven phase 2 studies. Going forward, there must now be a renewed commitment by WHO and all member states to access, transparency, and timeliness.”

The statement demanded “full access to all pertinent human, animal, and environmental data, research, and personnel involved in the early stages of the outbreak relevant to determining how this pandemic emerged.”

China had withheld data

It is notable here that the WHO study has received criticism over lack of raw data. It is rather known that the WHO team was prevented from accessing raw data and that has cast global suspicions on the authenticity and reliability of the report.

WHO chief Dr Tedros had himself acknowledged that data had been withheld from the scientific fact-finding team. “In my discussions with the team they expressed the difficulties they encountered in accessing raw data. I expect future collaborative studies to include more timely and comprehensive data sharing,” Tedros had told on Wednesday.

Reports stated that Tedros’ address was censored in Chinese internet.

WHO report conclusion:

The report by WHO concluded by stating that it’s “extremely unlikely” the virus originated from a laboratory. The other likely option as per the report is a spillover from an animal reservoir host to human, followed by direct person-to-person transmission. It is interesting to note that the report having studied the supply chain of the Huanan market (and other markets in Wuhan), did not find any evidence for the presence of infected animals, but said the analysis of supply chains has provided potential information that will inform a targeted design of follow up studies. The report then states that animal products from areas “outside southeast Asia” where more distantly related SARSr-CoVs circulate should not be disregarded.

As the origins of the virus could not be traced successfully, the team called for a continued scientific and collaborative approach to be taken towards tracing the origins of COVID-19.

Aam Aadmi Party passes off pics of different locations of Chandni Chowk as ‘before and after’ pic

Nirwa Mehta
-
0
Aam Aadmi Party passes off pics of different locations of Chandni Chowk as ‘before and after’ pic

On April Fools’ eve, Aam Aadmi Party official Twitter handle took everyone for a ride after it showed two image of separate locations in Chandni Chowk in New Delhi as ‘before and after’ picture.

In a tweet, to boast how Delhi CM Kejriwal has ‘developed’ Delhi, AAP shared two images. First image is of a crowded street with narrow lanes and hardly any trees for greenery. The second picture showed a broad road, lots of greenery and a visibly clean street.

To AAP supporters, this would come across as sure shot proof how Kejriwal is the only hope. Except, on closer inspection one can see that the above two images, even though from Chandni Chowk, are of two separate locations. Delhi-based residents were quick to point it out.

Netizens have just had enough of AAP taking credit for things it has not contributed for.

Others even pointed out that despite the changes made in Chandni Chowk development, it is still short of basic amenities.

People resorted to self deprecating humour to cope with tragedy that Aam Aadmi Party is.

And some just let out the well-kept secret.

While Chandni Chowk has been redeveloped and some streets have been cleaned up, AAP using two images of separate locations as ‘before and after’ quite kills the purpose.

Ministry of Finance withdraws order reducing interest rates for Small Savings Schemes

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Ministry of Finance withdraws order reducing interest rates for Small Savings Schemes

The Ministry of Finance on Thursday withdrew the order reducing interest rates for Small Savings Scheme. The order issued on 31st March had slashed the interest rates for Public Provident Fund (PPF) and other small savings schemes for the June quarter.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says 50% of UDF Kerala candidates “between the age of 20 and 40”, hilarity ensues

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says 50% of UDF Kerala candidates “between the age of 20 and 40”, hilarity ensues

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra became a target for online mockery today, as she declared that 50% of UDF’s Kerala candidates are between the ages of 20 and 40. Unfortunately for Priyanka, according to the Constitution of India, the minimum age to contest elections in India is 25, whether it be for Lok Sabha or state legislative assemblies.

Article 84 (b) of the Constitution of India provides that the minimum age for becoming a candidate for the Lok Sabha election shall be 25 years. A similar provision exists for a candidate to the Legislative Assemblies vide Article 173 (b) of the Constitution read with Sec. 36 (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

This faux pas from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra resulted in a strong backlash against her, led by the BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. In response to Mrs. Vadra, the Ladakhi MP wrote, “If you don’t know election law, please remain silent”.

The MP from Ladakh also added in Hindi, “Dear Priyanka Gandhi ji, if you don’t know the core aspects of active politics and election rules then remaining silent is a better option.”

He was also joined by scores of Twitter users who joined in the fun. “Madam Minimum age For MLA qualifications is 25+. Aapke 20 age wale Kon Kon MLA hai,” wrote one user

“Age scam??? Pinki Minimum age for MLA is 25 …,” said another user.

Another user harshly criticized the Gandhi siblings, writing, “Minimum age for contesting elections is 25 years or more. But for dumbness, no. You siblings’ duo is not age bound from doing ‘murkhata’ anywhere.”

Voting in the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held on 6th April, with results being declared on 2nd May.

Signature of journalist Pallavi Ghosh forged to fraudulently withdraw her nomination from Press Club of India elections

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Signature of journalist Pallavi Ghosh forged to fraudulently withdraw her nomination from Press Club of India elections

In India, it is not unusual for Bahubali politicians to get their rival candidates to withdraw their nomination from elections, either threatening with dire consequences or inducing with generous payments. A similar but bizarre incident has happened at the Press Club of India, where someone forged the signature of a journalist to fraudulently withdraw the nomination of that journalist from the elections for the office-bearers of the body. In the shocking incident, the signature of journalist Pallavi Ghosh was forged on a nomination withdrawal form, which was submitted at the Press Club to remove her for the ongoing elections.

The senior editor at CNN News 18 is contesting for the post of Vice President at the Press Club of India. Pallavi Ghosh contesting from the panel of journalist Sanjay Basak, Chief of Bureau at The Asian Age, who is contesting for the post of president of Press Club of India.

The incident was confirmed by Basak who wrote to the Election Commission of the Press Club of India, requesting them to preserve the CCTV footage, the envelope containing the letter and the forged letter, as they intend to file a police complaint on the issue. He said that this evidence will help in the investigation.

Three other journalists have also filed an application with the Chief Election Officer of the Press Club of India, demanding probe into allegations that Pallavi Ghosh’s signature was forged to fraudulently withdraw her nomination from the elections. Chandra Shekhar Luthra, Vinay Kumar and Umakant Lakhera, signed the application demanding an impartial, in-depth and thorough enquiry into the matter. Among them, Vinay Kumar and Umakant Lakhera are contestants for the post of President.

It may be noted that while her candidature for the post of Vice President of Press Club of India is witnessing high drama in Delhi, Pallavi Ghosh is currently away in West Bengal covering the assembly elections in the state.

At present, it is difficult to assume who may have tried to remove Pallavi Ghosh from the contest. But it is certain that there are sections in the Press Club of India that do not want her as the vice president of the organisation.

Modi government clamps down on radicalisation among J&K government employees, mandates social media scrutiny and CID inquiry

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Modi government clamps down on radicalisation among J&K government employees, mandates social media scrutiny and CID inquiry

Earlier this month, Jammu and Kashmir’s General Administration Department (O9JK-GAD of 2021) issued a circular, asking all the administrative secretaries, divisional commissioners and heads of various departments to get security clearance of unverified government employees from the J&K Police’s criminal investigation department (CID).

The new guidelines by the government included scrutiny of social media accounts of employees. Though in 2017, the government had released a list of dos and don’ts for its employees who have a presence on social media, this is the first time that the police have been entrusted with the task of scrutinising the social media activity of employees.

Besides seeking basic details such as name, date of birth, and address, the heads of government departments have also been asked to provide details of “social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc)” of employees whose verification is yet to be carried out.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration announced that it would not clear salaries and allowances to new government employees who do not pass security clearance by the criminal investigation department (CID) of the J&K Police. The circular noted that “many individuals with dubious character antecedents and conduct have been paid salaries and other allowances, without obtaining their mandatory CID verification”.

The GAD circular further added that the verification of such cases should be “completed expeditiously and no new entrant in the Government Service (will be) paid salary/allowances till verification” is completed.

The new circular issued by the J&K administration an attempt to curb radicalisation among government employees

The circular is an attempt by the Modi government to clampdown on the Islamic radicalisation that is prevalent among the employees of the J&K government, who are drawing a salary from the central government but harbour anti-India sentiments.

For a long time now, social media platforms were used by fanatics, terrorists and radicalised youth in the valley to disseminate hatred against India. The platforms were exploited by these anti-India elements to plan violent uprisings against the Indian government. It widely documented how the social media websites were used by the Pakistan-based handlers to recruit fresh blood for their terror activities and to foment trouble in the Valley. Social media websites were also used by the separatists to mobilise youth to provoke them for stone-pelting.

With the latest circular, the government plans to identify those employees, who officially swear allegiance to the Indian Constitution, but extend their support to nefarious activities of separatists, terrorists and harbour dream of Jammu and Kashmir’s secession from India.

The latest move by the Government of India is in line with its attempts to curb rumours and misinformation that is spread by people with separatist ideology. Soon after the Centre abrogated Article 370, the government asked Twitter to take down some handles that were indulging in spreading rumours and misinformation to disturb the peace and calm in the valley.

In November 2019, three employees were suspended after a photograph of them attending a political function had gone viral on the internet. Earlier in April 2019, a power department employee was suspended for an objectionable post on new domicile rules.

A news report published in August 2020 stated that up to 500 to 1000 government employees posing threat to security and integrity of the State could be dismissed in the next two to three months.

Similarly, earlier this year, the Jammu and Kashmir Police stepped up its efforts of de-radicalisation by inviting volunteers to patrol social media and flag posts on “radicalisation” and “anti-national activities” among others issues for the government.

In 2020, the Centre had altered civil service regulations to allow it to retire government servants who served at least 22 years or reached the age of 48 years based on the performance of the employees. In February 2021, the government ordered deputy commissioners of all districts in the Kashmir Valley to forward details of all employees who would complete 22 years of service or attain the age of 48 by December 2021 and specify whether they are involved in any “political activity”.

U.S. State Department report says China is committing ‘genocide’ against Uyghur Muslims, Uyghur advocacy group welcomes the report

OpIndia Staff
-
0
U.S. State Department report says China is committing ‘genocide’ against Uyghur Muslims, Uyghur advocacy group welcomes the report

Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU), an Uyghur advocacy group based in the U.S., has welcomed the recently released U.S. State Department’s report Human Rights Practices for the year 2020. This report clearly states that China is committing “genocide and crimes against humanity” against its Muslim Uyghur minority in Western Xinjiang. The report was released yesterday.

In the section “China (Includes Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet)” of the report there are mentions of atrocities by the Chinese Communist Party on minorities in China. It reads, “Genocide and crimes against humanity occurred during the year against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.”

The report further reads, “These crimes were continuing and include: the arbitrary imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty of more than one million civilians; forced sterilization, coerced abortions, and more restrictive application of China’s birth control policies; rape; torture of a large number of those arbitrarily detained; forced labour; and the imposition of draconian restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement.”

The report mentioned several examples, including Abdulghafur Hapiz, an Uyghur man detained in a Xinjiang internment camp since 2017. The Chinese government formally confirmed Hapiz’s death to the United Nations in October. The report said that the Chinese government conducted mass arbitrary detention of Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim and ethnic minority groups in Xinjiang.

It also talked about the disappearance of four citizen journalists, Chen Qiushi, Li Zehua, Zhang Zhan, and Fang Bin, who had interviewed health-care professionals and citizens and later publicized their accounts on social media in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown in Wuhan.

Read- Chinese atrocities against Uyghur women: Harrowing tales of gang rapes, sexual abuse and torture

Senior advisor for the CFU and Honorary Chairman of Uyghur Academy, Dr. Rishat Abbas said, “Uyghurs are greatly encouraged to see this clear messaging to call out the Chinese regime’s crimes for what they are, and to stand firmly on the principles that should be upheld by the United States in particular regarding freedom and respect for the values of humanity.”

Whilst unveiling the report, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said that the report shows human rights were going in the ‘wrong direction’ in every region of the world. 

“We see it in the genocide being committed against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang,” he further said

On January 19, 2021, under the Trump administration, the then-Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo had said, “I have determined that the PRC, under the direction and control of the CCP, has committed genocide against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang. I believe this genocide is ongoing and that we are witnessing the systematic attempt to destroy Uyghurs by the Chinese party-state.”

Read- An Uyghur activist speaks out against the silence of the global community

Sophie Richardson, a China expert at Human Rights Watch said, “Using the term ‘genocide’ in the report indicates profound concern in the administration about appalling Chinese government human rights violations against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, ­Kyrgyz and other Turkic communities.”

“The next step is to map out a strategy to back an independent investigation, gather evidence and pursue accountability,” she added.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has rejected accusations that the U.S. is trying to bully China on an international stage. “We’re not trying to, for example, contain China or keep it down. What we are about is standing up for basic principles, basic rights, and a rules-based international order,” he added.

Facebook removes Donald Trump’s interview with his daughter in law Lara Trump

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Facebook removes Donald Trump’s interview with his daughter in law Lara Trump

Social media giant Facebook on Wednesday removed the video of former US President Donald Trump with his daughter in law Lara Trump. Facebook cited that the video was removed because it would remove any content in the voice of Donald Trump.

Ex US President Donald Trump was permanently banned across social media platforms after the Capitol Hill siege in January this year. As reported by Fox News, Lara Trump, a Fox News contributor took to Instagram to share image of herself with her father in law and urged her followers to join them.

However, Trump officials were informed by Facebook that any content posted on Facebook and Instagram in Donald Trump’s voice is currently not allowed on either of the platforms. These include new posts of Trump speaking. Facebook also warned that the post “will be removed if posted, resulting in additional limitations on accounts that posted it.”

The interview was posted on Lara’s Facebook page, but it was promptly removed.

“We are reaching out to let you know that we removed content from Lara Trump’s Facebook Page that featured President Trump speaking,” the Facebook employee wrote. “In line with the block we placed on Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, further content posted in the voice of Donald Trump will be removed and result in additional limitations on the accounts,” Facebook employee wrote to Lara in an email.

Earlier this month, Trump had hinted that he will launch his own social media platform after being deplatformed from all social media apps.

USA: Church attendance of Americans falls below 50% for the first time ever, finds a Gallup poll

OpIndia Staff
-
0
USA: Church attendance of Americans falls below 50% for the first time ever, finds a Gallup poll

A recent poll had found that American church membership has fallen below 50% for the first time ever. In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a house of worship, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999.

The polling agency, Gallup, has tracked the church attendance data for the past 80 years, starting in 1940. The highest ever figure on record is 76%, just after the 2nd World War. Just in the past 20 years, the figure has dropped off dramatically from 70% to 47%.

In their survey, Gallup asked an array of questions, the key question being, “Do you happen to be a member of a church, synagogue, or mosque?” Gallup says that the major reason for the church membership decline is an increase in the number of Americans who express no religious preference. This figure has climbed from 8% in 1998-2000 to 21% over the last three years.

Church membership also wildly fluctuates across age groups, with it being the strongest amongst people born before 1946 at 66%, dropping to 58% amongst the Baby Boomer generation, 50% amongst Gen X, and finally dramatically collapsing to just 36% amongst millennials. However, there is still a numerical decline in each age group.

The declining church membership trend is prevailing across all sub groups, regardless of gender, location or political affiliation.

According to Gallup, the survey was compiled from 6,117 randomly sampled adults in all 50 states of the U.S. including the capital Washington D.C. Telephonic interviews were conducted for this survey throughout 2018 to 2020. Gallup maintains a 95% confidence level in the poll, with a margin of error of minus 2 percentage points.

‘Does Mamata Banerjee have courage to admit that people detonate bombs after chanting Allahu Akbar?’ Sambit Patra slams TMC for maligning Lord Ram

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Does Mamata Banerjee have courage to admit that people detonate bombs after chanting Allahu Akbar?’ Sambit Patra slams TMC for maligning Lord Ram

BJP leader Sambit Patra today slammed the Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) daring them to admit there are people who kill people in the name of Allah and after shouting “Allahu Akbar”. Patra had made the comments after TMC party members had alleged that murders and rapes were committed in the name of Lord Ram.

Speaking at a debate on Aajtak, Patra said that the TMC party and Mamata Banerjee have the gall of maligning Lord Ram but they lack the courage to admit that bomb explosions are preceded by chants of Allahu Akbar.

“You may claim murders are committed in the name of Lord Ram. One of the TMC members even claimed that rape was committed in the name of Lord Ram. But, I would like to ask you, do you have the courage of admitting that innocent people are killed in the name of Allah? Does Mamata Banerjee have the courage to accept that bomb blasts are carried out after chanting Allahu Akbar?” Patra said.

The debate on Aaj Tak was surrounding the controversy that was triggered after Mamata Banerjee pulled out gotra card ahead of the polls in Nandigram. During the last leg of campaigning in Nandigram, the constituency from where the TMC chief is set to fight the upcoming polls, Mamata Banerjee declared that she is ’Shandilya’.

The remark was made, presumably in a bid to attract votes from the Shandilya community. Following Mamata Banerjee’s gotra declaration, BJP leader Giriraj Singh sharply asked if Rohingya and illegal immigrants from Bangladesh also belong to the Shandaliya community.

TMC Mahua Moitra demeans Brahmins, calls them “Chotiwala Rakshasa Clan”

TMC MP Mohua Moitra jumped into the controversy. But, she could not hide her disdain for Hindus. Moitra said she is proud of Mamata belonging to the Rohingya clan and remarked that it is far better than being from the “Chotiwala Rakshasa Clan”. 

Nandigram is all set to witness the most high-profile contest in the second phase where Banerjee and Adhikari are taking on each other. Adhikari, who had joined BJP in December last year, had pledged that he will quit politics if he does not defeat Mamata by 50,000 votes in Nandigram.

1...4,4564,4574,458...7,681Page 4,457 of 7,681