Month: March 2021

Categories
-Top News ASEAN News Asia News

Military detains Myanmar journalist

Myanmar protesters
Myanmar is going through worst phase of its history

Kaung Myat Hlaing had live-streamed the crackdown on Monday night by the security forces from his apartment building in the southern city of Myiek….reports Asian Lite News

A journalist working for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) was arrested by the military after being roughed up over his reports of the crackdown last weekend in Myanmar, in which 19 people died.

Kaung Myat Hlaing had live-streamed the crackdown on Monday night by the security forces from his apartment building in the southern city of Myiek.

Later, the DVB management said on Twitter that Hlaing had been beaten up severely and taken into custody.

Myanmar’s military has intensified use of force using live rounds to quell the uprising against the junta, after failing to control the protest demonstration by using tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons.

Security guards are seen at the entrance of the City Hall in Yangon, Myanmar



Journalists have been increasingly targeted by police and soldiers as they try to report the swelling protests on the streets.

In recent days, several people have been arrested, including an Associated Press photographer in Yangon.

“DVB has no knowledge of where Hlaing was taken away, and which military authority has detained him,” the broadcaster said in a statement

Crackdown continues

.It said that Hlaing’s latest reports were on a weekend military crackdown in Myeik, as well as on Monday’s demonstrations.

Loud bangs could be heard during Hlaing’s live stream, which was hosted on DVB’s official Facebook page.

“If you are shooting like this, how will I come down?” he shouted at the security forces outside.

Myanmar protestors flood streets in Mandalay despite army crack down

DVB, a well-known news organisation within Myanmar, started as an exile media outlet during the previous junta, broadcasting uncensored reports on TV and radio.

The outlet demanded on Tuesday that the military release Hlaing, as well as other journalists detained since the February 1 military coup, unconditionally.

“They are all doing their professional jobs as journalists,” it added.

Also read:Myanmar protests death toll rises to 18

Categories
Asia News Nepal

Blaze breaks out in Nepal’s Dobhan Bazaar

The fire that started from a cloth shop at around 8.30 a.m. spread rapidly, engulfing over half of the town within a few hours….reports Asian Lite News

A massive fire broke out on Tuesday Dobhan Bazaar, a small town in Nepal’s Taplejung district, and has gutted around 40 houses.

The fire that started from a cloth shop at around 8.30 a.m. spread rapidly, engulfing over half of the town within a few hours.

The houses were connected to each other which made the fire spread easily, a town resident whose brother’s house was completely destroyed.

“Most of the houses were constructed of wood and stones roofed with zinc sheets.”

Also read:Dissolution was inevitable to save the country: Oli

He said different types of shops, hotels and a remittance centre turned into ashes by the fire.

The fire was brought under control after four hours.

The incident site, which borders Meringden and Aathrai Triveni rural municipalities of the district, is the second biggest market after Phungling.

“This is a huge loss to our place,” Ganesh Bahadur Limbu, chairperson of Mringden Rural Municipality, told Xinhua.

“We are holding a meeting with the chief district officer, security forces and the local leaders to ascertain the actual loss.” Limbu said, adding that although property worth millions were destroyed, there were no casualties.

Also read:‘Nepal-India border fight to be resolved through talks’

Categories
-Top News Arab News Asia News

1st UAE ambassador lands in Israel

Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, the first ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Israel, presents credentials to President Reuven Rivlin
The Latest development will be a milestone in the history of Middle East

Al Khaja said UAE and Israel share a common vision of ‘tolerance and cooperation.’..reports Asian Lite News

Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, the first ever Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Israel, has arrived to begin his term, about six months after the two countries established official ties.

Al Khaja, former chief of staff to the UAE Foreign Minister, presented his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in an official ceremony on Monday at the latter’s residence.

The Ambassador presented his letter of credence on assuming his role as ambassador to the State of Israel in an official ceremony, the President’s office said in a statement.

This will be your most important mission — to welcome the hands reaching out to you, to meet the Israeli people, and to get to know them up close, the statement quoted Rivlin as saying Al Khaja.

‘Tolerance and cooperation’

Al Khaja said his country and Israel share a common vision of ‘tolerance and cooperation.’

He also met Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and pledged to build up bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in various fields.

The location for the UAE embassy in Israel is yet to be decided.

The envoy will stay in Israel for three days before returning to the UAE until a permanent location is found.

Israel’s envoy to the UAE, Eitan Na’eh, arrived in Abu Dhabi on January 24 and has begun working as Charge d’affaires until a permanent Ambassador is appointed.

UAE was the first Arab country to normalise relations with Israel.

Morocco, Bahrain and Sudan followed suit.

Since the signing of Abraham Accord in September 15, 2020, in Washington, several delegations from the UAE and Israel have met to sign bilateral agreements on trade and investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit.

Also read:Night curfew removed in Israel

Categories
-Top News UK News

UK rolls out surge testing

UK starts surge testing
To bring life back to normal, UK is racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

Hancock said even though data showed the number of new cases is falling, but the rate of decline has slowed….reports Asian Lite News

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that surge testing was underway in parts of England after six cases of the coronavirus variant first found in Brazil were detected.

“We’re putting in place surge testing in South Gloucestershire as a precaution. And I urge everyone to remain vigilant,” Hancock said at a virtual press briefing in Downing Street late Monday.

Hancock said the six cases comprised three in Scotland and three in England.

Five of them have been identified while officials are still seeking a missing person in England who has been infected with this variant of concern but did not complete the registration form properly.

“We know that five of these people quarantined at home as they were legally required to do. We’ve been in contact with them and their families and we’re grateful to them for understanding the seriousness of the situation.

Also read:Epic Games’ case against Apple in UK rejected

“One of the six completed a test but did not successfully complete contact details,” he added.

Hancock said even though data showed the number of new cases is falling, but the rate of decline has slowed.

He urged the public to stick to the rules.

“This shows how we all need to keep sticking to the rules. Let’s not blow it now,” he said.

The UK’s overall coronavirus caseload and death toll stood at 4,194,289 and 123,187, respectively.

So far, more than 20.2 million people in Britain have been administered the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Also read:‘UK lockdowns take heavy toll on mental health’

Categories
Lite Blogs Woman

Art of thoughtful gifting

Make Easter more eco-friendly! Dig into the reusable Swedish Easter eggs that can be filled with what you like…reports Asian Lite International.
Art of thoughtful gifting
Creativity into next step

Lockdown was probably the most creative time, which people ever spent in their lifetime. Some started new home-centered businesses and others monetized their creativity.

This is also a successful story of three women entrepreneurs and their love for thoughtful, sustainable Scandinavian gifts. With nothing but facetime and Zoom to connect them to their motherland, Annica Wainwright, Jessica Dahlin, and Linda Nordlund who have lived in the UK for many began getting nostalgic. With lockdowns in place their yearning to go home only grew stronger.

Art of thoughtful gifting
Story of three women entrepreneurs

“When it became clear that we won’t be able to travel in spring, we began missing our Easter Eggs desperately. So we made a decision: If we couldn’t get to the eggs, we would bring the eggs to England. A few phone calls later, the first pallets of Easter Eggs set sail, Annica got to work on words, Jessica researched on sustainable packaging and Linda sorted artwork from her kitchen studio in Stockholm.”

The trio soon launched Brand Gåva, a design-led gift company, to showcase the Scandinavian art of thoughtful and sustainable gifting. For the three, who work in hospitality, the lockdown helped them envision their dreams.

Art of thoughtful gifting

These handmade, reusable Easter Eggs can be filled with what you like to. Just like Christmas stockings, they can be taken out and refilled every year.

The eggs are available in various sizes and designs (including a DIY egg), Swedish Easter Eggs are designed to hold any number of thoughtful surprises, from homemade treats and experience vouchers to jewelry, toys, or simply better-quality chocolate than the Easter eggs from the neighborhood supermarket.

Art of thoughtful gifting

The options to personalise these eggs with stylishly wrapping them with some homemade treats can be a perfect treat for neighbors, colleagues, and family. It can also help children to make giveaways mindfully. Whether you buy yourself an Easter egg or use them to share thoughtful gifts, you will help reduce plastic waste, not just for this Easter, but also for many to come.

Art of thoughtful gifting

Also Read-Vismaya’s amazing gift for Big B

Read More-Valentine’s Day: Changing gift trends

Categories
-Top News USA

Miguel Cardona to be US Education Secy

Miguel Cardona confirmed as US Education Secy

Cardona began his career as a fourth-grade teacher in Connecticut, New York, and soon became a principal…reports Asian Lite News

The US Senate has voted to confirm Miguel Cardona, a former public school teacher, as the country’s new Secretary of Education.

On Monday, Cardona was confirmed after a 64-33 votes.

At his confirmation hearing last month, Cardona pledged to provide clear reopening guidance based on science, suggesting plans like increased surveillance coronavirus testing for educators as well as giving them priority to receive the vaccine.

Also read:US CDC nod for J&J vaccine

After taking office, President Joe Biden pledged to reopen most schools by May, within his first 100 days in White House.

Cardona, whose family is from Puerto Rico, began his career as a fourth-grade teacher in Connecticut, New York, and soon became a principal.

He was named the state’s Education Commissioner in 2019.

Also read:US disappointed over ‘Iran response’

Categories
Bollywood Lite Blogs

‘Saina’ to release on March 26

Shraddha Kapoor was initially cast as Saina Nehwal but later replaced by Parineeti.

Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra took to Instagram to announce the release date of her new film Saina. The biopic based on the life of badminton ace Saina Nehwal is slated to release on March 26.

Parineeti shared the poster of the film and captioned it: “SAINA! In cinemas 26th March @nehwalsaina #AmoleGupte @manavkaul @eshan.naqvi #BhushanKumar #DeepaBhatia @sujay.jairaj #RaseshShah #KrishanKumar @amaal_mallik @manojmuntashir @kunaalvermaa @tseries.official @tseriesfilms #FrontFootPictures #AGCPL #Saina.”

She wrote her captions with emojis of a smiley and a badminton racket.

The film is directed by Amole Gupte and was shot in 2019. It was originally supposed to release in summer last year but got delayed due to the pandemic. Shraddha Kapoor was initially cast as Saina Nehwal but later replaced by Parineeti.

Parineeti will also be seen in the film “Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar”, which has been directed by Dibakar Banerjee. The film also stars Arjun Kapoor and is slated to release on March 19.

Also Read-Janhvi In and As Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Biopic Done Right

Read More-Dipika Chikhlia to play Sarojini Naidu in biopic

Categories
Environment UK News

Emissions standards for heavy vehicles in London

Over 90 per cent of cars in central London now meet the Ultra Low Emission Zone standards.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that buses, coaches and heavy trucks will have to pay 300 pounds a day ($418) to enter Greater London if they do not meet low emission levels.

Starting Monday, Khan introduced tighter London-wide emissions standards for heavy vehicles, reports Xinhua news agency.

Under the new rules, heavy trucks, buses and coaches must now meet EuroVI emissions standards or pay a daily charge of up to 300 pounds across most of Greater London.

The much bigger zone falls within the M25 orbital motorway around Greater London.

The tougher emission standards across Greater London will match those already in force within the central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

City Hall said the introduction of tougher standards, alongside the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone later this year, is expected to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from road transport by around 30 per cent across London, and will prevent more than one million air pollution-related hospital admissions over the next 30 years, saving the NHS around 5 billion pounds.

“Toxic air pollution causes long-lasting harm and is a national public health crisis. In London, it contributes to thousands of premature deaths every year. There is also evidence linking air pollution with an increased vulnerability to the most severe impacts of Covid-19,” Khan said.

He said new figures prove that the Low Emission Zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone are accelerating the shift to cleaner vehicles.

Over 90 per cent of cars in central London now meet the Ultra Low Emission Zone standards, according to City Hall.

Also Read-Covid cases continue downward trend across London

Read More-London Traveller Is Sweden’s First Mutant Virus Case

Categories
-Top News EU News

EU set to introduce ‘Digital Green Pass’

A common direction towards Europe’s safe opening

The European Commission’s Vice President Margaritis Schinas said that it is set to introduce a Digital Green Pass that will enable the continent’s safe opening “while preserving the sacrifices done so far”.

Addressing an online press conference following an informal meeting of European Union (EU) health ministers, Schinas said on Monday that the package will be announced on March 17 at a summit that focuses on travel and mobility and the lifting of restrictions, reports Xinhua news agency.

He said the Digital Green Pass will include information on vaccination, test results and statements of recovery and will fully respect data protection, security and privacy.

“The aim would be to set a common direction towards Europe’s safe opening.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter that the Digital Green Pass “should facilitate Europeans’ lives” and “gradually enable them to move safely in the European Union or abroad — for work or tourism”.

Apart from the issue of health passport, the Health Ministers at the informal meeting also discussed getting vaccines on time and in quantity as well as fighting the variants which are increasing across Europe.

Also Read-EU launches ‘mega plan’ against Covid-19

Read More-Russia irked over EU’s sanction decision

Categories
-Top News USA

Trump got vaccinated before leaving WH

Melania Trump and their son Barron were infected with the virus late last year

Former US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump were administered coronavirus vaccines in private before they departed the White House in January, according to a media report.

The New York Times report on Monday citing an adviser said that it was not known if the former President had received the two shots in January, or if the second one was at another time, Xinhua news agency reported.

Also Read-Fauci hails Pfizer coronavirus vaccine

The former President, Melania Trump and their son Barron were infected with the virus late last year.

Incumbent President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and former Vice President Mike Pence have also received vaccine shots in front of television cameras.

Former President Jimmy Carter has also been inoculated against the virus.

Also Read-‘US vaccine rollout falls short’

Read More-EU gives nod to coronavirus vaccine