Myanmar witnesses deadliest crackdown on anti-coup protesters

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) foreign ministers will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss Myanmar, Singapore's foreign minister said, calling for the immediate release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.&nbsp;

"A special ASEAN foreign ministers meeting will be convened via video conference tomorrow and where we will listen to the representative of the Myanmar military authorities," Vivian Balakrishnan said in parliament on Monday.&nbsp;

He also called on the Myanmar military authorities to desist from the use of lethal force, "and to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation to prevent further bloodshed, violence and deaths."&nbsp;

On Monday, protesters in Myanmar marched in defiance of a crackdown by security forces that killed at least 18 people the previous day.&nbsp;

He also urged all parties in Myanmar to engage in discussions to find long-term political solutions, including a way to return to the path of democratic transition.&nbsp;

"We believe this can only begin if President Win Myint, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, and the other political detainees are immediately released," he told parliament.&nbsp;

A Myanmar court has filed two more charges against Suu Kyi, according to a lawyer acting for her.&nbsp;

Last week, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Myanmar’s military-appointed foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, and Thai counterpart, Don Pramudwinai, for talks in Bangkok.&nbsp;

The initial efforts led by Indonesia to resolve the crisis have raised suspicion among Myanmar democracy activists, who fear dealing with the junta would confer legitimacy on it and it's bid to scrap the November election that Suu Kyi won.&nbsp;

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) foreign ministers will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss Myanmar, Singapore's foreign minister said, calling for the immediate release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) foreign ministers will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss Myanmar, Singapore's foreign minister said, calling for the immediate release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "A special ASEAN foreign ministers meeting will be convened via video conference tomorrow and where we will listen to the representative of the Myanmar military authorities," Vivian Balakrishnan said in parliament on Monday. He also called on the Myanmar military authorities to desist from the use of lethal force, "and to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation to prevent further bloodshed, violence and deaths." On Monday, protesters in Myanmar marched in defiance of a crackdown by security forces that killed at least 18 people the previous day. He also urged all parties in Myanmar to engage in discussions to find long-term political solutions, including a way to return to the path of democratic transition. "We believe this can only begin if President Win Myint, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, and the other political detainees are immediately released," he told parliament. A Myanmar court has filed two more charges against Suu Kyi, according to a lawyer acting for her. Last week, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Myanmar’s military-appointed foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, and Thai counterpart, Don Pramudwinai, for talks in Bangkok. The initial efforts led by Indonesia to resolve the crisis have raised suspicion among Myanmar democracy activists, who fear dealing with the junta would confer legitimacy on it and it's bid to scrap the November election that Suu Kyi won.

ASEAN foreign ministers to meet on Myanmar tomorrow 

China, under growing global pressure over its treatment of a Muslim minority in its far west, is mounting an unprecedented and aggressive campaign to push back, including explicit attacks on women, who have made claims of abuse.&nbsp;

As allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang mount, with a growing number of Western lawmakers accusing China of genocide, Beijing is focussing on discrediting the female Uighur witnesses behind recent reports of abuse.&nbsp;

Chinese officials have named women, disclosed what they say is private medical data and information on the women's fertility, and accused some of having affairs and one of having a sexually transmitted disease. The officials said the information was evidence of bad character, invalidating the women's accounts of abuse in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

"To rebuke some media's disgusting acts, we have taken a series of measures," Xu Guixiang, the deputy head of Xinjiang's publicity department, told a December news conference that was part of China's pushback campaign. It includes hours-long briefings, with footage of Xinjiang residents and family members reading monologues.&nbsp;

A Reuters review of dozens of hours of presentations from recent months and hundreds of pages of literature, as well as interviews with experts, shows a meticulous and wide-reaching campaign that hints at China's fears that it is losing control of the Xinjiang narrative.&nbsp;

"One reason that the Communist Party is so concerned about these testimonies from women is because it undermines their initial premise for what they're doing there, which is anti-terrorism", said James Millward, a professor of Chinese history at Georgetown University and expert in Xinjiang policy.&nbsp;

"The fact that there are so many women in the camps ... who don't have the faintest appearance of being violent people, this just shows how this has nothing to do with terrorism."&nbsp;

China, under growing global pressure over its treatment of a Muslim minority in its far west, is mounting an unprecedented and aggressive campaign to push back, including explicit attacks on women, who have made claims of abuse.

China, under growing global pressure over its treatment of a Muslim minority in its far west, is mounting an unprecedented and aggressive campaign to push back, including explicit attacks on women, who have made claims of abuse. As allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang mount, with a growing number of Western lawmakers accusing China of genocide, Beijing is focussing on discrediting the female Uighur witnesses behind recent reports of abuse. Chinese officials have named women, disclosed what they say is private medical data and information on the women's fertility, and accused some of having affairs and one of having a sexually transmitted disease. The officials said the information was evidence of bad character, invalidating the women's accounts of abuse in Xinjiang. "To rebuke some media's disgusting acts, we have taken a series of measures," Xu Guixiang, the deputy head of Xinjiang's publicity department, told a December news conference that was part of China's pushback campaign. It includes hours-long briefings, with footage of Xinjiang residents and family members reading monologues. A Reuters review of dozens of hours of presentations from recent months and hundreds of pages of literature, as well as interviews with experts, shows a meticulous and wide-reaching campaign that hints at China's fears that it is losing control of the Xinjiang narrative. "One reason that the Communist Party is so concerned about these testimonies from women is because it undermines their initial premise for what they're doing there, which is anti-terrorism", said James Millward, a professor of Chinese history at Georgetown University and expert in Xinjiang policy. "The fact that there are so many women in the camps ... who don't have the faintest appearance of being violent people, this just shows how this has nothing to do with terrorism."

Under pressure, China goes aggressive to push back Uighur women claims

The Baloch National Movement (BNM) on Sunday held a protest in Berlin, the capital of Germany, in solidarity with the protesting families of Baloch missing persons, who have forcibly disappeared in Pakistan. The protest was attended by a large number of Baloch community members living in Germany.&nbsp;

During the protest, pamphlets on missing Baloch were distributed and locals were informed about the worst human rights violation in Balochistan carried out by Pakistani security forces, where thousands of Baloch political and social activists became the victims of enforced disappearances. Asghar Ali Baloch, General Secretary of Baloch National (BNM) (Germany Zone), addressed the audience and said that Pakistan has been violating human rights in Balochistan since 1948.&nbsp;

"One of these crimes is the enforced disappearance of people. Since the occupation, Pakistan has imprisoned thousands of Baloch in dark torture cells and their whereabouts are unknown", he said.&nbsp;

He added, "Pakistan is violating its own laws as well as international laws because according to the constitution of Pakistan with respect to human rights anyone, who is arrested to be produced in court within 24 hours. However, none of the thousands of missing Baloch has been produced, like Dr Muhammad Baloch, Ramzan Baloch and thousands of other Baloch."&nbsp;

"We want to send a message to the world that Pakistan is an undemocratic country and occupier. It has been oppressing us since its occupation but the so-called civilised countries are ignorant about ground realities what has been happening in Balochistan. They are involved in economic and military trade with Pakistan. Multimillion arms deal of Germany and other European countries with Pakistan cast doubt in our mind about their so-called self-claim as defenders of human rights", he said.&nbsp;

The President of the Baloch National Movement (Germany Zone), Hammal Baloch, said that the Baloch nation had always resisted the oppressors by blocking the path of the oppressors, whether they are Nosherwan or Seljuk, but Baloch had not accepted anyone's supremacy, and bravely had resisted them."&nbsp;

The Baloch National Movement (BNM) on Sunday held a protest in Berlin, the capital of Germany, in solidarity with the protesting families of Baloch missing persons, who have forcibly disappeared in Pakistan.

The Baloch National Movement (BNM) on Sunday held a protest in Berlin, the capital of Germany, in solidarity with the protesting families of Baloch missing persons, who have forcibly disappeared in Pakistan. The protest was attended by a large number of Baloch community members living in Germany. During the protest, pamphlets on missing Baloch were distributed and locals were informed about the worst human rights violation in Balochistan carried out by Pakistani security forces, where thousands of Baloch political and social activists became the victims of enforced disappearances. Asghar Ali Baloch, General Secretary of Baloch National (BNM) (Germany Zone), addressed the audience and said that Pakistan has been violating human rights in Balochistan since 1948. "One of these crimes is the enforced disappearance of people. Since the occupation, Pakistan has imprisoned thousands of Baloch in dark torture cells and their whereabouts are unknown", he said. He added, "Pakistan is violating its own laws as well as international laws because according to the constitution of Pakistan with respect to human rights anyone, who is arrested to be produced in court within 24 hours. However, none of the thousands of missing Baloch has been produced, like Dr Muhammad Baloch, Ramzan Baloch and thousands of other Baloch." "We want to send a message to the world that Pakistan is an undemocratic country and occupier. It has been oppressing us since its occupation but the so-called civilised countries are ignorant about ground realities what has been happening in Balochistan. They are involved in economic and military trade with Pakistan. Multimillion arms deal of Germany and other European countries with Pakistan cast doubt in our mind about their so-called self-claim as defenders of human rights", he said. The President of the Baloch National Movement (Germany Zone), Hammal Baloch, said that the Baloch nation had always resisted the oppressors by blocking the path of the oppressors, whether they are Nosherwan or Seljuk, but Baloch had not accepted anyone's supremacy, and bravely had resisted them."

Baloch in Germany hold protest over forced disappearances in Pakistan 

Tokyo has requested Beijing to stop taking anal swab tests for Covid-19 on Japanese citizens as the procedure causes psychological pain, a government spokesman said on Monday.&nbsp;

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said the government has not received a response that Beijing would change the testing procedure, so Japan would continue to ask China to alter the way of testing.&nbsp;

"Some Japanese reported to our embassy in China that they received anal swab tests, which caused a great psychologial pain," Kato told a news conference.&nbsp;

It was not known how many Japanese citizens received such tests for the coronavirus, he said.&nbsp;

Some Chinese cities are using samples taken from the anus to detect potential Covid-19 infections as China steps up screening to make sure no potential carrier of the new coronavirus is missed.&nbsp;

China's foreign ministry denied last month that US diplomats in the country had been required to take anal swab tests for Covid-19, following media reports that some had complained about the procedure.&nbsp;

Tokyo has requested Beijing to stop taking anal swab tests for Covid-19 on Japanese citizens as the procedure causes psychological pain, a government spokesman said on Monday.

Tokyo has requested Beijing to stop taking anal swab tests for Covid-19 on Japanese citizens as the procedure causes psychological pain, a government spokesman said on Monday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said the government has not received a response that Beijing would change the testing procedure, so Japan would continue to ask China to alter the way of testing. "Some Japanese reported to our embassy in China that they received anal swab tests, which caused a great psychologial pain," Kato told a news conference. It was not known how many Japanese citizens received such tests for the coronavirus, he said. Some Chinese cities are using samples taken from the anus to detect potential Covid-19 infections as China steps up screening to make sure no potential carrier of the new coronavirus is missed. China's foreign ministry denied last month that US diplomats in the country had been required to take anal swab tests for Covid-19, following media reports that some had complained about the procedure.

Tokyo asks China to stop anal swab tests for Covid-19 on Japanese citizens

Nepal's Chief of Army Staff, Purna Chandra Thapa on Monday received his first dose of the Made-in-India Covid-19 vaccine.&nbsp;

Nepal last month received the second shipment of one million doses of the coronavirus vaccines. The AstraZeneca vaccine is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) under the name Covishield. &nbsp;

Nepal began its nationwide inoculation drive after receiving the first one million Covishield vaccines following the emergency use approval in January. &nbsp;

An Air India aircraft carrying the consignment of Covid-19 vaccines had landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport in the morning, according to sources at the Indian Embassy in Nepal.&nbsp;

The Nepal government has decided to procure a total of two million doses of the vaccine manufactured by the SII. Last month, India gifted one million doses of Covishield vaccine to Nepal.&nbsp;

The Nepal government has already started administering the vaccines on health workers, security personnel and journalists on priority basis.&nbsp;

The second lot of vaccines would be used to inoculate people above 60 years of age, which is 8.73 per cent of Nepal's population, in the vaccination drive that will begin on March 7. &nbsp;

India is one of the world's biggest drugmakers and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring coronavirus vaccines.&nbsp;

India, under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, has been providing coronavirus vaccines to its neighbouring countries. &nbsp;

India has sent consignments of domestically produced coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius and Seychelles.&nbsp;

It is also undertaking commercial supplies of the doses to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil and Morocco.&nbsp;

Nepal's Chief of Army Staff, Purna Chandra Thapa on Monday received his first dose of the Made-in-India Covid-19 vaccine. Nepal last month received the second shipment of one million doses of the coronavirus vaccines.

Nepal's Chief of Army Staff, Purna Chandra Thapa on Monday received his first dose of the Made-in-India Covid-19 vaccine. Nepal last month received the second shipment of one million doses of the coronavirus vaccines. The AstraZeneca vaccine is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) under the name Covishield. Nepal began its nationwide inoculation drive after receiving the first one million Covishield vaccines following the emergency use approval in January. An Air India aircraft carrying the consignment of Covid-19 vaccines had landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport in the morning, according to sources at the Indian Embassy in Nepal. The Nepal government has decided to procure a total of two million doses of the vaccine manufactured by the SII. Last month, India gifted one million doses of Covishield vaccine to Nepal. The Nepal government has already started administering the vaccines on health workers, security personnel and journalists on priority basis. The second lot of vaccines would be used to inoculate people above 60 years of age, which is 8.73 per cent of Nepal's population, in the vaccination drive that will begin on March 7. India is one of the world's biggest drugmakers and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring coronavirus vaccines. India, under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, has been providing coronavirus vaccines to its neighbouring countries. India has sent consignments of domestically produced coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius and Seychelles. It is also undertaking commercial supplies of the doses to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil and Morocco.

Nepal's Army Chief gets Made-in-India Covid-19 vaccine's first dose

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga apologised on Monday following the resignation of a key spokeswoman, who along with other senior bureaucrats were reprimanded for attending expensive dinners hosted by Suga's son.&nbsp;

Makiko Yamada, Cabinet Public Relations Secretary, tendered her resignation from hospital after being admitted for ill health, the government said.&nbsp;

Suga's administration and the 60-year-old spokeswoman faced public criticism after magazine Shukan Bunshun last month reported that Suga's eldest son, Seigo Suga, an executive at a company producing television programmes for satellite broadcaster, paid for expensive dinners for senior bureaucrats.&nbsp;

Japan's National Civil Service Ethics Law prohibits government employees from receiving gifts or entertainment from companies or individuals that could be seen to curry favour.&nbsp;

"I'm very sorry that a member of my family was involved in behaviour resulting in public servants breaching the ethics law, and I apologise deeply to citizens," Suga told parliament. "I deeply regret that it has come to a situation, where people's trust in the administration has been damaged."&nbsp;

Yamada's dinner with Suga's son and other executives at the company, one of several that prompted reprimands for 11 bureaucrats, cost 74,203 yen ($696) per person, according to local media reports.&nbsp;

Yamada admission to hospital meant she missed a Monday parliamentary committee meeting where opposition politicians were expected to question her about her dinner with the younger Suga, which was in 2019 when she was an official at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.&nbsp;

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga apologised on Monday following the resignation of a key spokeswoman, who along with other senior bureaucrats were reprimanded for attending expensive dinners hosted by Suga's son.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga apologised on Monday following the resignation of a key spokeswoman, who along with other senior bureaucrats were reprimanded for attending expensive dinners hosted by Suga's son. Makiko Yamada, Cabinet Public Relations Secretary, tendered her resignation from hospital after being admitted for ill health, the government said. Suga's administration and the 60-year-old spokeswoman faced public criticism after magazine Shukan Bunshun last month reported that Suga's eldest son, Seigo Suga, an executive at a company producing television programmes for satellite broadcaster, paid for expensive dinners for senior bureaucrats. Japan's National Civil Service Ethics Law prohibits government employees from receiving gifts or entertainment from companies or individuals that could be seen to curry favour. "I'm very sorry that a member of my family was involved in behaviour resulting in public servants breaching the ethics law, and I apologise deeply to citizens," Suga told parliament. "I deeply regret that it has come to a situation, where people's trust in the administration has been damaged." Yamada's dinner with Suga's son and other executives at the company, one of several that prompted reprimands for 11 bureaucrats, cost 74,203 yen ($696) per person, according to local media reports. Yamada admission to hospital meant she missed a Monday parliamentary committee meeting where opposition politicians were expected to question her about her dinner with the younger Suga, which was in 2019 when she was an official at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Japan PM apologises after spokeswoman resigns over expensive dinners scandal 

Who is an employee? It may seem a simple question but it's not. In 2016, two Uber drivers in the United Kingdom took the app-based cab service to court.&nbsp;

These two drivers told the court that they worked for Uber but it said, the drivers did not work for the company and that they were self-employed. Is that something to fight over? Actually, it is.&nbsp;

The moment you employ someone, you are expected to give him or her employment benefits like minimum wage, annual leaves, insurance. These vary depending on a country's labour laws.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-who-is-an-employee-366305/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In UK, there are three categories of employment status, employees, workers and self-employed contractors. Employees have the maximum protection as they enjoy the most benefits. Self-employed contractors have the least. So, when this case came up in court. Uber stuck to its claim and so did the two drivers. There was a four-year-long legal battle and then UK's top court said, uber drivers should be treated as workers and not self-employed. It meant that they are entitled to a minimum wage and a holiday pay.&nbsp;

It happened on the February 19. It was just the beginning of Uber's troubles. Four days later, the company was fined in Italy. Again, over the same employment debate.&nbsp;

Uber, and food delivery apps were told their couriers delivery personnel are employees. They should be treated as employees. Four companies were fined 733 million euros for breaching labour safety rules. The companies were told to pay the couriers delivery personnel, social security and insurance also give them adequate clothing, helmets, masks, scooters or bicycles, etc.&nbsp;

The decision of two courts in Italy and Britain to declare Uber drivers and food app couriers as employees is important for the whole world as it sets a precedent.&nbsp;

It's only a matter of time before such a case comes up in another country. It is important now as it ensures that there is no exploitation.&nbsp;

App-based cabs, and food delivery services have been around for some time now in India. They have generated employment for thousands of people. Many have migrated from rural areas to drive cabs in cities. Driving an Ola or an Uber was very lucrative a few years ago. Several people quit their desk jobs to drive cabs but the story slowly changed over the years. In 2017, some drivers approached a Delhi court as they said, the apps were exploiting them by not treating them as employees.&nbsp;

Soon, a video emerged of a Zomato delivery agent tasting food that he was tasked with delivering. While we all cringed, we overlooked the desperation in the video. &nbsp;

In India, a food delivery agent employed by a Zomato or a Swiggy barely earns a few thousand rupees a month. They work long shifts in polluted cities during extreme weather and yet they enjoy no benefits, such as sick leaves, insurance, etc. &nbsp;&nbsp;

They are called independent self-employed workers but they do not enjoy the benefit of that status. In other words, they cannot take up multiple jobs. The app-based cab drivers can, but the food couriers can't. When the pandemic struck many of these workers were fired without notice or compensation.&nbsp;

Their companies blamed the coronavirus but fingers were really pointing at the downside of gig economy. That's independent working. Today, the gig economy is worth over $3.7 trillion.&nbsp;

Freelancing, working multiple jobs and working from home have been trendy since the pandemic struck but what we don't realise is that such jobs have no cushions, no benefits.&nbsp;

The latest rulings by the courts in the UK and Italy have also put employers in a fix. Not only will they have to shell out more resources, they will also have to figure out how the resources are allocated. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Many cab drivers work for multiple service providers. How do you determine which company is supposed to give them employment benefits? Also, will the drivers be able to serve the rest of the companies once they are categorised as employees?&nbsp;

Will the end result be in favour of the drivers or will it create further troubles for them?&nbsp;

What the industry needs right now is to come up with a new model to ensure- that while companies survive those working are also not exploited.&nbsp;

Who is an employee? It may seem a simple question but it's not. In 2016, two Uber drivers in the United Kingdom took the app-based cab service to court. These two drivers told the court that they worked for Uber but it said, the drivers did not work for the company and that they were self-employed.

Who is an employee? It may seem a simple question but it's not. In 2016, two Uber drivers in the United Kingdom took the app-based cab service to court. These two drivers told the court that they worked for Uber but it said, the drivers did not work for the company and that they were self-employed. Is that something to fight over? Actually, it is. The moment you employ someone, you are expected to give him or her employment benefits like minimum wage, annual leaves, insurance. These vary depending on a country's labour laws. In UK, there are three categories of employment status, employees, workers and self-employed contractors. Employees have the maximum protection as they enjoy the most benefits. Self-employed contractors have the least. So, when this case came up in court. Uber stuck to its claim and so did the two drivers. There was a four-year-long legal battle and then UK's top court said, uber drivers should be treated as workers and not self-employed. It meant that they are entitled to a minimum wage and a holiday pay. It happened on the February 19. It was just the beginning of Uber's troubles. Four days later, the company was fined in Italy. Again, over the same employment debate. Uber, and food delivery apps were told their couriers delivery personnel are employees. They should be treated as employees. Four companies were fined 733 million euros for breaching labour safety rules. The companies were told to pay the couriers delivery personnel, social security and insurance also give them adequate clothing, helmets, masks, scooters or bicycles, etc. The decision of two courts in Italy and Britain to declare Uber drivers and food app couriers as employees is important for the whole world as it sets a precedent. It's only a matter of time before such a case comes up in another country. It is important now as it ensures that there is no exploitation. App-based cabs, and food delivery services have been around for some time now in India. They have generated employment for thousands of people. Many have migrated from rural areas to drive cabs in cities. Driving an Ola or an Uber was very lucrative a few years ago. Several people quit their desk jobs to drive cabs but the story slowly changed over the years. In 2017, some drivers approached a Delhi court as they said, the apps were exploiting them by not treating them as employees. Soon, a video emerged of a Zomato delivery agent tasting food that he was tasked with delivering. While we all cringed, we overlooked the desperation in the video. In India, a food delivery agent employed by a Zomato or a Swiggy barely earns a few thousand rupees a month. They work long shifts in polluted cities during extreme weather and yet they enjoy no benefits, such as sick leaves, insurance, etc. They are called independent self-employed workers but they do not enjoy the benefit of that status. In other words, they cannot take up multiple jobs. The app-based cab drivers can, but the food couriers can't. When the pandemic struck many of these workers were fired without notice or compensation. Their companies blamed the coronavirus but fingers were really pointing at the downside of gig economy. That's independent working. Today, the gig economy is worth over $3.7 trillion. Freelancing, working multiple jobs and working from home have been trendy since the pandemic struck but what we don't realise is that such jobs have no cushions, no benefits. The latest rulings by the courts in the UK and Italy have also put employers in a fix. Not only will they have to shell out more resources, they will also have to figure out how the resources are allocated. Many cab drivers work for multiple service providers. How do you determine which company is supposed to give them employment benefits? Also, will the drivers be able to serve the rest of the companies once they are categorised as employees? Will the end result be in favour of the drivers or will it create further troubles for them? What the industry needs right now is to come up with a new model to ensure- that while companies survive those working are also not exploited.

Courts set precedent to ensure exploitation of employees ends 

Pressure politics, if used wisely, can be a powerful tool. The best example is Sri Lanka. In April last year, the country introduced a new rule. All coronavirus victims would be cremated and no burials.&nbsp;

There was no scientific explanation for it. A few Buddhist monks claimed burying the victims would contaminate the ground and the government agreed. A classic case of appeasement politics but they probably didn't anticipate the backlash. Rights groups and community leaders were appalled.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-sri-lanka-faces-scrutiny-at-unhrc-366303/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The organisation of Islamic cooperation expressed concern that Muslims on the island were being denied dignity in death. In December, 19 bodies were forcefully cremated, including that of a baby.&nbsp;

The world community turned on Colombo. The Lankan Government had backed itself into a corner. Now, the order has been revoked and there are no more forced cremations. Muslims are free to bury their relatives. The pressure campaign worked but there's more to this story than activism.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka is facing a stern test at the UN Human Rights Council. There's a new resolution doing the rounds that slams the country for its dismal reconciliation efforts.&nbsp;

It's been 12 years since the civil war ended. The Tamils are still awaiting justice. Far from punishing the war criminals, the government is rewarding them. Several former generals accused of war crimes have been appointed to government jobs to avoid being indicted at the UN, Sri Lanka needs help. It needs to gather enough votes to kill the resolution by reversing the burial ban, Colombo is wooing Islamic nations. Many of whom have a seat at the council. So while the global outcry definitely helped political convenience too played a part. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Here's another reason why we can't call this a change of heart. The Lankan government is considering a controversial law, one that would ban burqas in public. The cabinet has been consulted and with their permission, this proposal could make its way to the Parliament.&nbsp;

It's one step forward and two steps back. Sri Lanka's justification for the burqa ban is a time-tested one.&nbsp;

This has become the norm under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Stigmatisation has been used as a state policy while the government drums up anti-minority sentiments.&nbsp;

It seems oblivious to real issues like China's expanding debt trap and Sri Lanka's finances are in a shambles. The treasury is almost drained. Sri Lanka's solution is to borrow from China. The country is seeking $ 2.2 billion dollars from Chinese banks.&nbsp;

Borrowing from China is never a good idea as it invariably ends with Beijing taking over strategic assets. Sri Lanka should know this because it's happened to them already.&nbsp;

The Hambantota fiasco where China holds a 99-year lease on the strategic port and if reports are true, there is an option to extend it by another 99 years. Colombo wants to renegotiate the deal but Beijing isn't interested. Every time, there is a new project in Sri Lanka. Chinese companies are first-off the block as they secure contracts with exorbitant bids and set up strategic Chinese presence all over the island. This is exactly what's happening in northern Sri Lanka. Three islands are being developed as clean energy hubs. The contracts have been given to Chinese firms but here's where it gets interesting.&nbsp;

These islands are just 48 kilometres from mainland India. How convenient that China's strategic and economic interests converge so seamlessly! Right now, Sri Lanka finds itself in a vulnerable spot. It needs diplomatic backing at the United Nations and financial support to keep the country running.&nbsp;

It's not an ideal situation for any sovereign nation but then again, that's where misplaced priorities get you. &nbsp;

Pressure politics, if used wisely, can be a powerful tool. The best example is Sri Lanka. In April last year, the country introduced a new rule. All coronavirus victims would be cremated and no burials.

Pressure politics, if used wisely, can be a powerful tool. The best example is Sri Lanka. In April last year, the country introduced a new rule. All coronavirus victims would be cremated and no burials. There was no scientific explanation for it. A few Buddhist monks claimed burying the victims would contaminate the ground and the government agreed. A classic case of appeasement politics but they probably didn't anticipate the backlash. Rights groups and community leaders were appalled. The organisation of Islamic cooperation expressed concern that Muslims on the island were being denied dignity in death. In December, 19 bodies were forcefully cremated, including that of a baby. The world community turned on Colombo. The Lankan Government had backed itself into a corner. Now, the order has been revoked and there are no more forced cremations. Muslims are free to bury their relatives. The pressure campaign worked but there's more to this story than activism. Sri Lanka is facing a stern test at the UN Human Rights Council. There's a new resolution doing the rounds that slams the country for its dismal reconciliation efforts. It's been 12 years since the civil war ended. The Tamils are still awaiting justice. Far from punishing the war criminals, the government is rewarding them. Several former generals accused of war crimes have been appointed to government jobs to avoid being indicted at the UN, Sri Lanka needs help. It needs to gather enough votes to kill the resolution by reversing the burial ban, Colombo is wooing Islamic nations. Many of whom have a seat at the council. So while the global outcry definitely helped political convenience too played a part. Here's another reason why we can't call this a change of heart. The Lankan government is considering a controversial law, one that would ban burqas in public. The cabinet has been consulted and with their permission, this proposal could make its way to the Parliament. It's one step forward and two steps back. Sri Lanka's justification for the burqa ban is a time-tested one. This has become the norm under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Stigmatisation has been used as a state policy while the government drums up anti-minority sentiments. It seems oblivious to real issues like China's expanding debt trap and Sri Lanka's finances are in a shambles. The treasury is almost drained. Sri Lanka's solution is to borrow from China. The country is seeking $ 2.2 billion dollars from Chinese banks. Borrowing from China is never a good idea as it invariably ends with Beijing taking over strategic assets. Sri Lanka should know this because it's happened to them already. The Hambantota fiasco where China holds a 99-year lease on the strategic port and if reports are true, there is an option to extend it by another 99 years. Colombo wants to renegotiate the deal but Beijing isn't interested. Every time, there is a new project in Sri Lanka. Chinese companies are first-off the block as they secure contracts with exorbitant bids and set up strategic Chinese presence all over the island. This is exactly what's happening in northern Sri Lanka. Three islands are being developed as clean energy hubs. The contracts have been given to Chinese firms but here's where it gets interesting. These islands are just 48 kilometres from mainland India. How convenient that China's strategic and economic interests converge so seamlessly! Right now, Sri Lanka finds itself in a vulnerable spot. It needs diplomatic backing at the United Nations and financial support to keep the country running. It's not an ideal situation for any sovereign nation but then again, that's where misplaced priorities get you.

Sri Lanka sailing in troubled waters

In 1945, Japan renounced war and became a pacifist state. 75 years later, it is shifting away from pacifism. Japan is adopting what looks like a strike-first policy. What does it mean?&nbsp;

Japan's Coast Guard can fire missiles if a foreign vessel intrudes into the Senkaku islands. That's what Tokyo has announced.

What are the Senkaku islands? A disputed turf between Japan and China in the East China Sea.&nbsp;

Now, Japan will strike first to protect this turf. Pacifism is part of the Japanese Constitution and the government hasn't changed the Constitution. &nbsp;

It has just found a way around it. Japan has changed the way one law is interpreted. And the result is that the Japanese Coast Guard can strike first. Technically, Japan doesn't have an army but it maintains a self-defence force that has vowed never to use force first.&nbsp;

It's one of the most powerful forces in the world and now, it has signalled an intent to abandon pacifism as the neighbourhood is becoming unsafe thanks to one neighbour.&nbsp;

China is aggressively staking claims in the Indo-Pacific. Last year, Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered Japanese waters twice a month. Then, China enacted a new law. It allows the Chinese Coast Guard to use weapons against foreign ships. So, Japan's measure is essentially a tit-for-tat.&nbsp;

Here is why it was necessary. China is deploying vessels with lethal firepower around Japan. Hundreds of Chinese vessels entered the waters around the Senkaku islands last year.&nbsp;

Reports say Chinese vessels were spotted there for a record 333 days. For 111 days, these Chinese vessels maintained a continuous presence. So, Japan has now told its coast guard. It is free to shoot at foreign vessels and it is also getting more firepower. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This year, the Japanese military budget is expected to be around 51 billion. It has grown for nine years straight.&nbsp;

In 2020, the Japanese military performed 25 missions in defence of US ships or planes. This shows the growing defence integration between the US and Japan. These missions were in addition to the Malabar exercise hosted by India in November 2020.&nbsp;

Here Japan participated alongside the United States and Australia. These four countries make up the Quad alliance. They are steadily expanding their partnership. The Japanese prime minister spoke with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Thursday. They discussed Chinese military aggression as well as the need for an open and free Indo Pacific.&nbsp;

Reports say Japan and Australia are now working on a mutual defence treaty. This week, France, Australia and India held a trilateral of their own. Senior officials attended this meeting. They are said to have discussed ways to expand their cooperation in the Indo Pacific.&nbsp;

It seems like doors are being opened for more allies to work with the Quad. Earlier this week, US secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke to his counterpart in Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen.&nbsp;

According to a statement from Washington, Blinken and Momen would like a closer collaboration to 'address challenges in South Asia and the greater Indo-Pacific region'.&nbsp;

China understands the language of strength. How India responded to the Chinese border aggression is the proof of that. Japan is deploying the same playbook. Its wants to take on the Chinese threat from a position of strength with military power and Tokyo can bank on its Quad allies and partners for support on this front.&nbsp;

In 1945, Japan renounced war and became a pacifist state. 75 years later, it is shifting away from pacifism. Japan is adopting what looks like a strike-first policy.

In 1945, Japan renounced war and became a pacifist state. 75 years later, it is shifting away from pacifism. Japan is adopting what looks like a strike-first policy. What does it mean? Japan's Coast Guard can fire missiles if a foreign vessel intrudes into the Senkaku islands. That's what Tokyo has announced. What are the Senkaku islands? A disputed turf between Japan and China in the East China Sea. Now, Japan will strike first to protect this turf. Pacifism is part of the Japanese Constitution and the government hasn't changed the Constitution. It has just found a way around it. Japan has changed the way one law is interpreted. And the result is that the Japanese Coast Guard can strike first. Technically, Japan doesn't have an army but it maintains a self-defence force that has vowed never to use force first. It's one of the most powerful forces in the world and now, it has signalled an intent to abandon pacifism as the neighbourhood is becoming unsafe thanks to one neighbour. China is aggressively staking claims in the Indo-Pacific. Last year, Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered Japanese waters twice a month. Then, China enacted a new law. It allows the Chinese Coast Guard to use weapons against foreign ships. So, Japan's measure is essentially a tit-for-tat. Here is why it was necessary. China is deploying vessels with lethal firepower around Japan. Hundreds of Chinese vessels entered the waters around the Senkaku islands last year. Reports say Chinese vessels were spotted there for a record 333 days. For 111 days, these Chinese vessels maintained a continuous presence. So, Japan has now told its coast guard. It is free to shoot at foreign vessels and it is also getting more firepower. This year, the Japanese military budget is expected to be around 51 billion. It has grown for nine years straight. In 2020, the Japanese military performed 25 missions in defence of US ships or planes. This shows the growing defence integration between the US and Japan. These missions were in addition to the Malabar exercise hosted by India in November 2020. Here Japan participated alongside the United States and Australia. These four countries make up the Quad alliance. They are steadily expanding their partnership. The Japanese prime minister spoke with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Thursday. They discussed Chinese military aggression as well as the need for an open and free Indo Pacific. Reports say Japan and Australia are now working on a mutual defence treaty. This week, France, Australia and India held a trilateral of their own. Senior officials attended this meeting. They are said to have discussed ways to expand their cooperation in the Indo Pacific. It seems like doors are being opened for more allies to work with the Quad. Earlier this week, US secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke to his counterpart in Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen. According to a statement from Washington, Blinken and Momen would like a closer collaboration to 'address challenges in South Asia and the greater Indo-Pacific region'. China understands the language of strength. How India responded to the Chinese border aggression is the proof of that. Japan is deploying the same playbook. Its wants to take on the Chinese threat from a position of strength with military power and Tokyo can bank on its Quad allies and partners for support on this front.

Japan adopts strike-first policy to counter Chinese aggression 

Police dispersed protesters in Myanmar's two biggest cities on Friday, firing stun grenades, rubber bullets and guns into the air in a crackdown on weeks of demonstrations that have challenged the army's bid to re-impose its rule.&nbsp;

At least one person was wounded in the protests in the main city of Yangon, a witness said, and several people were hurt in the second city of Mandalay.&nbsp;

Police were not immediately available for comment.&nbsp;

The Southeast Asian country has been in crisis since the army seized power on February 1 and detained government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership after the military complained of fraud in a November election her party won. The election commission said the vote was fair.&nbsp;

Suu Kyi had been moved this week from house arrest in the capital Naypyitaw to an undisclosed location, the Myanmar Now website said, quoting officials of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.&nbsp;

A lawyer for Suu Kyi said he had been told the same by NLD officials. He earlier complained that he had been given no access ahead of a court appearance set for March 1.&nbsp;

There have been daily protests and strikes by democracy supporters for about three weeks, often drawing hundreds of thousands of people across the ethnically diverse country.&nbsp;

In Yangon, hundreds of people congregated again in several groups, chanting slogans. Riot police rushed at them, firing stun grenades and guns into the air to send people scattering.&nbsp;

"One house let me in to hide," a journalist told Reuters from the scene. "I can`t leave yet as the police are very near and firing into the air."&nbsp;

Several people were detained, witnesses said, among them a Japanese journalist who was held briefly.&nbsp;

Police dispersed protesters in Myanmar's two biggest cities on Friday, firing stun grenades, rubber bullets and guns into the air in a crackdown on weeks of demonstrations that have challenged the army's bid to re-impose its rule.

Police dispersed protesters in Myanmar's two biggest cities on Friday, firing stun grenades, rubber bullets and guns into the air in a crackdown on weeks of demonstrations that have challenged the army's bid to re-impose its rule. At least one person was wounded in the protests in the main city of Yangon, a witness said, and several people were hurt in the second city of Mandalay. Police were not immediately available for comment. The Southeast Asian country has been in crisis since the army seized power on February 1 and detained government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership after the military complained of fraud in a November election her party won. The election commission said the vote was fair. Suu Kyi had been moved this week from house arrest in the capital Naypyitaw to an undisclosed location, the Myanmar Now website said, quoting officials of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party. A lawyer for Suu Kyi said he had been told the same by NLD officials. He earlier complained that he had been given no access ahead of a court appearance set for March 1. There have been daily protests and strikes by democracy supporters for about three weeks, often drawing hundreds of thousands of people across the ethnically diverse country. In Yangon, hundreds of people congregated again in several groups, chanting slogans. Riot police rushed at them, firing stun grenades and guns into the air to send people scattering. "One house let me in to hide," a journalist told Reuters from the scene. "I can`t leave yet as the police are very near and firing into the air." Several people were detained, witnesses said, among them a Japanese journalist who was held briefly.

Cops fire in air to disperse protesters as Suu Kyi's lawyer says access denied

Sri Lanka has put Chinese Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine on hold and will use India-manufactured Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine to inoculate 14 million people, a government spokesperson has said.&nbsp;

According to Cabinet co-spokesman, Dr Ramesh Pathirana, the Chinese vaccine Sinopharm has not yet completed phase 3 clinical trials, reported Daily Mirror. Dr Pathirana further said that the complete dossier pertaining to the registration of Chinese vaccine has also not yet been received. Dr Ramesh Pathirana said that Sri Lanka will depend mostly on the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India. &nbsp;

"For the time being, we need to go with the AstraZeneca vaccine. The moment we receive full documentation from the Chinese manufacturer, we can consider registering it," Daily Mirror quoted Pathirana as saying.&nbsp;

However, he said that registering the Sinopharm vaccine may take time as the World Health Organisation (WHO) is yet to approve it. "It is still under review," he said. &nbsp;

The official added that even the Russian vaccine Sputnik V is yet to be approved as a result of which Sri Lanka may be compelled to depend on AstraZeneca to inoculate all 14 million people, Daily Mirror reported. &nbsp;

The Sri Lankan cabinet approved the purchase of 10 million doses of 'Made in India' AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine from the SII for USD 52.5 million, local media reported.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka is not the only country that has expressed its concerns over the lack of information on Chinese-made vaccines. Earlier, it was reported that Sri Lankan authorities will begin inoculating the general public against the Covid-19 from next month.&nbsp;

In the month of January, the Sinovac vaccine was found to be far less effective than vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, according to a Brazilian government statement.&nbsp;

The efficacy of the Chinese-made vaccine was also found to be 50.38 per cent in Brazil's late-stage trials.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)&nbsp;

Sri Lanka has put Chinese Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine on hold and will use India-manufactured Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine to inoculate 14 million people, a government spokesperson has said.

Sri Lanka has put Chinese Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine on hold and will use India-manufactured Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine to inoculate 14 million people, a government spokesperson has said. According to Cabinet co-spokesman, Dr Ramesh Pathirana, the Chinese vaccine Sinopharm has not yet completed phase 3 clinical trials, reported Daily Mirror. Dr Pathirana further said that the complete dossier pertaining to the registration of Chinese vaccine has also not yet been received. Dr Ramesh Pathirana said that Sri Lanka will depend mostly on the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India. "For the time being, we need to go with the AstraZeneca vaccine. The moment we receive full documentation from the Chinese manufacturer, we can consider registering it," Daily Mirror quoted Pathirana as saying. However, he said that registering the Sinopharm vaccine may take time as the World Health Organisation (WHO) is yet to approve it. "It is still under review," he said. The official added that even the Russian vaccine Sputnik V is yet to be approved as a result of which Sri Lanka may be compelled to depend on AstraZeneca to inoculate all 14 million people, Daily Mirror reported. The Sri Lankan cabinet approved the purchase of 10 million doses of 'Made in India' AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine from the SII for USD 52.5 million, local media reported. Sri Lanka is not the only country that has expressed its concerns over the lack of information on Chinese-made vaccines. Earlier, it was reported that Sri Lankan authorities will begin inoculating the general public against the Covid-19 from next month. In the month of January, the Sinovac vaccine was found to be far less effective than vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, according to a Brazilian government statement. The efficacy of the Chinese-made vaccine was also found to be 50.38 per cent in Brazil's late-stage trials. (With agency inputs)

Sri Lanka puts Chinese Sinopharm on hold, to use India-manufactured vaccine

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Gandharv Walia

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