'It needs to stop': Atlanta residents protest after eight killed in spa shootings

Once again, people across the country and in California are shocked and upset about violence against people of Asian descent — this time because of killings in Georgia.

On Tuesday night, a gunman opened fire at three spas in the Atlanta area, killing eight people. Police said Wednesday that the white man charged with murder in the attacks, Robert Aaron Long, told them he had a sexual addiction and had attacked the massage parlors to eliminate his temptation.

Authorities said they did not believe that there was a racial motive for the shootings but had not ruled it out.

However, six of the victims were women of Asian descent, raising fears among Asian Americans that they are being targeted for attacks because of their ethnic heritage. Nationwide, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were the targets of nearly 3,800 hate incidents over the past year, according to a report this week by Stop AAPI Hate, a group that has been collecting data about discrimination against Asian Americans.

In San Francisco, which has experienced a rash of recent attacks against Asians, Mayor London Breed announced Wednesday that police would step up patrols in predominantly Asian neighborhoods. Two attacks occurred just this week, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

“We have seen a rise of hate crimes against our elderly Asian community, and I want to make it clear that we won’t tolerate it,” Breed said at a news conference. “San Francisco will continue to support and uplift our Asian community.”

Across the Bay, emotions were still raw over the death last week of Pak Ho, a 75-year-old Oakland resident who was punched hard during a robbery, fell and incurred severe brain injuries. Some community members were planning a rally against anti-Asian hate for Saturday.

On Wednesday, a group of state lawmakers and local officials representing Asian and Pacific Islander communities in California called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to choose an Asian American or Pacific Islander to be the state’s next attorney general — a call that they said had taken on new urgency.

“We need leadership across our state and the nation to take action,” David Chiu, a member of California’s state Assembly, said at a virtual news conference Wednesday. “We need to stand up against these hate crimes.”

The call comes as California’s current attorney general, Xavier Becerra, is awaiting Senate confirmation as President Joe Biden’s secretary of health and human services.

Jesse Melgar, Newsom’s spokesperson, said in a statement Wednesday that the governor was waiting for Becerra to be confirmed before announcing his pick to replace him.

“He is considering a range of qualified candidates and will announce his decision when one is made,” Melgar said.

Newsom, in a statement on Twitter, said, “The attack in Georgia and the racist attacks that have been happening all across our country are abhorrent. Our hearts are with the families of all the victims of this horrific act and the entire AAPI community tonight.”

The governor recently signed a bill allocating $1.4 million to support Stop AAPI Hate’s research.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is from the Bay Area, also condemned the attacks.

The killings in Georgia are the latest in a growing list of high-profile attacks that Asian American elected leaders and activists have cited in a broad push to address anti-Asian harassment and violence.

In California, much of the recent outpouring of pain has come after attacks on elders in Asian neighborhoods. While some community leaders have demanded increased police presence in those neighborhoods, others have said that simply adding law enforcement officers — who might wrongly target Black people — is not a solution.

Chiu said Wednesday that having an Asian American “top cop” would have to be part of a broad slate of efforts, including the creation of a racial bias task force that would bring together “relevant state agencies” to better serve Asian Americans and other Californians of color who need mental health help or other aid.

But experts said that Asian Americans occupy something of a racial middle ground, making the conversation around fixes more difficult.

Kyeyoung Park, a professor of anthropology and Asian American studies at UCLA, said that Asian immigrants had long been treated as migrant laborers and less than human.

In the case of the spas in Georgia, she said, “racial capitalism” is intertwined in a damaging way with the sexual exploitation of Asian women over many decades — particularly Korean women.

“These women, in many cases, were at the bottom of the hierarchy,” she said.

Once again, people across the country and in California are shocked and upset about violence against people of Asian descent — this time because of killings in Georgia.

Once again, people across the country and in California are shocked and upset about violence against people of Asian descent — this time because of killings in Georgia. On Tuesday night, a gunman opened fire at three spas in the Atlanta area, killing eight people. Police said Wednesday that the white man charged with murder in the attacks, Robert Aaron Long, told them he had a sexual addiction and had attacked the massage parlors to eliminate his temptation. Authorities said they did not believe that there was a racial motive for the shootings but had not ruled it out. However, six of the victims were women of Asian descent, raising fears among Asian Americans that they are being targeted for attacks because of their ethnic heritage. Nationwide, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were the targets of nearly 3,800 hate incidents over the past year, according to a report this week by Stop AAPI Hate, a group that has been collecting data about discrimination against Asian Americans. In San Francisco, which has experienced a rash of recent attacks against Asians, Mayor London Breed announced Wednesday that police would step up patrols in predominantly Asian neighborhoods. Two attacks occurred just this week, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. “We have seen a rise of hate crimes against our elderly Asian community, and I want to make it clear that we won’t tolerate it,” Breed said at a news conference. “San Francisco will continue to support and uplift our Asian community.” Across the Bay, emotions were still raw over the death last week of Pak Ho, a 75-year-old Oakland resident who was punched hard during a robbery, fell and incurred severe brain injuries. Some community members were planning a rally against anti-Asian hate for Saturday. On Wednesday, a group of state lawmakers and local officials representing Asian and Pacific Islander communities in California called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to choose an Asian American or Pacific Islander to be the state’s next attorney general — a call that they said had taken on new urgency. “We need leadership across our state and the nation to take action,” David Chiu, a member of California’s state Assembly, said at a virtual news conference Wednesday. “We need to stand up against these hate crimes.” The call comes as California’s current attorney general, Xavier Becerra, is awaiting Senate confirmation as President Joe Biden’s secretary of health and human services. Jesse Melgar, Newsom’s spokesperson, said in a statement Wednesday that the governor was waiting for Becerra to be confirmed before announcing his pick to replace him. “He is considering a range of qualified candidates and will announce his decision when one is made,” Melgar said. Newsom, in a statement on Twitter, said, “The attack in Georgia and the racist attacks that have been happening all across our country are abhorrent. Our hearts are with the families of all the victims of this horrific act and the entire AAPI community tonight.” The governor recently signed a bill allocating $1.4 million to support Stop AAPI Hate’s research. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is from the Bay Area, also condemned the attacks. The killings in Georgia are the latest in a growing list of high-profile attacks that Asian American elected leaders and activists have cited in a broad push to address anti-Asian harassment and violence. In California, much of the recent outpouring of pain has come after attacks on elders in Asian neighborhoods. While some community leaders have demanded increased police presence in those neighborhoods, others have said that simply adding law enforcement officers — who might wrongly target Black people — is not a solution. Chiu said Wednesday that having an Asian American “top cop” would have to be part of a broad slate of efforts, including the creation of a racial bias task force that would bring together “relevant state agencies” to better serve Asian Americans and other Californians of color who need mental health help or other aid. But experts said that Asian Americans occupy something of a racial middle ground, making the conversation around fixes more difficult. Kyeyoung Park, a professor of anthropology and Asian American studies at UCLA, said that Asian immigrants had long been treated as migrant laborers and less than human. In the case of the spas in Georgia, she said, “racial capitalism” is intertwined in a damaging way with the sexual exploitation of Asian women over many decades — particularly Korean women. “These women, in many cases, were at the bottom of the hierarchy,” she said.

Californians fear more anti-Asian attacks after Georgia killings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the Integrated Check Post of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-thanks-imran-khan-niazi-for-respecting-sentiments-of-india-260939">Kartarpur Corridor</a> on Saturday.

Modi was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Harsimrat Kaur Badal and actor and Gurdaspur lawmaker Sunny Deol at the inauguration.

The Integrated Check Post or the passenger terminal building is where pilgrims will get clearance to travel through the newly-built corridor.

The check post will facilitate Indian pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartapur Sahib in Pakistan.

The opening of the corridor, which connects Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, comes days before the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, on November 12.

Before heading for Dera Baba Nanak, the Prime Minister paid obeisance at historic Ber Sahib Gurdwara at Sultanpur Lodhi.

At the gurdwara, PM Modi was received by former Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee chief Jagir Kaur, who is in-charge of celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism`s founder Guru Nanak Dev. The Prime Minister was presented a `siropa` (robe of honour) by Kaur on behalf of the SGPC.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the Integrated Check Post of the Kartarpur Corridor on Saturday. Modi was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Harsimrat Kaur Badal and actor and Gurdaspur lawmaker Sunny Deol at the inauguration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the Integrated Check Post of the Kartarpur Corridor on Saturday. Modi was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Harsimrat Kaur Badal and actor and Gurdaspur lawmaker Sunny Deol at the inauguration. The Integrated Check Post or the passenger terminal building is where pilgrims will get clearance to travel through the newly-built corridor. The check post will facilitate Indian pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartapur Sahib in Pakistan. The opening of the corridor, which connects Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, comes days before the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, on November 12. Before heading for Dera Baba Nanak, the Prime Minister paid obeisance at historic Ber Sahib Gurdwara at Sultanpur Lodhi. At the gurdwara, PM Modi was received by former Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee chief Jagir Kaur, who is in-charge of celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism`s founder Guru Nanak Dev. The Prime Minister was presented a `siropa` (robe of honour) by Kaur on behalf of the SGPC.

E-commerce firm Pinduoduo's founder Colin Huang departs

Scientists have generated early-stage human&nbsp;embryo&nbsp;models that could help shed light on the "black box" of initial human development stages and improve research on pregnancy loss and birth defects.

Two separate teams found different ways to produce versions of a blastocyst,&nbsp;the pre-embryonic mass of cells at the stage of development around five days after a sperm fertilises an egg, potentially opening the door for a huge expansion of research.

The scientists make clear that the models differ from human blastocysts and are not capable of developing into embryos. But their work comes as new ethical guidelines on such research are being drafted and could spark fresh debate.

The teams, whose research was published Thursday in the journal Nature, believe the models dubbed "blastoids" will aid research on everything from miscarriages to the effects of toxins and drugs on early-stage embryos.

"We're very excited," said Jun Wu of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, who led one of the teams.

"Studying human development is really difficult, especially at this stage of development, it's essentially a black box," he told a press briefing ahead of the research's publication.

At the moment, research on the earliest days of embryonic development relies on donated blastocysts from IVF treatment.

But supply is limited, subject to restrictions, and available only to certain research facilities.

So being able to generate unlimited models could be a game-changer, said Jose Polo, a professor at Australia's Monash University, who led the second research team.

"This capacity to work at scale, we think, will revolutionise our understanding of early stages of human development," he told reporters.

Generating models of blastocysts has so far only been done in animals, with researchers in 2018 successfully generating them in mice using stem cells.

The two teams approached the development of a human model in slightly different ways.

Wu's team used two different types of stem cells, some derived from human embryos, and other so-called induced pluripotent stem cells, which have the potential to become any cell and are produced from adult tissue.

Polo's team instead started with adult skin cells, but both teams ended up with effectively the same result: the cells began to organise themselves into blastoids, featuring the three key components seen in a human blastocyst.

"For us what was completely surprising was that when you put them together, they self-organise, they seem to talk to each other in some way... and they consolidate," Polo said.

But while the models are similar to human blastocysts in many ways, there are also significant differences.

Both teams' blastoids ended up containing cells of unknown types, and they lack some elements that come specifically from the interaction between a sperm and an egg.

The blastoids only worked about 20 per cent of the time on average, though the teams say that still represents a pathway to a significant research supply.

Ethical debate

The scientists are at pains to make clear that the models should not be seen as pseudo-embryos, and are not capable of developing into foetuses.

Still, they proceeded cautiously, opting to end research with the blastoids four days after cultivation, equivalent to about 10 days after fertilisation in normal egg-sperm interaction.

Research rules involving human blastocysts set that deadline at 14 days.

Peter Rugg-Gunn, group leader at the life sciences research Babraham Institute in the UK, said the processes represented "an exciting advance" but work was needed to generate the blastoids more reliably.

"To capitalise on the discovery, the process will need to be more controlled and less variable," he said.

And given the differences between the blastoids and human blastocysts, any hypotheses they help generate "will need to be validated in human embryos", said Teresa Rayon of the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research centre.

The research may also spark ethical debates, said Yi Zheng and Jianping Fu of the University of Michigan's department of mechanical engineering.

"As protocols are optimised, these blastoids will more closely mimic human blastocysts," they wrote in an opinion piece published in Nature.

Some "might view human blastoid research as a path towards engineering human embryos", they warned.

The research "calls for public conversations on the scientific significance of such research, as well as on the societal and ethical issues it raises".

Scientists have generated early-stage human embryo models that could help shed light on the "black box" of initial human development stages and improve research on pregnancy loss and birth defects.

Scientists have generated early-stage human embryo models that could help shed light on the "black box" of initial human development stages and improve research on pregnancy loss and birth defects. Two separate teams found different ways to produce versions of a blastocyst, the pre-embryonic mass of cells at the stage of development around five days after a sperm fertilises an egg, potentially opening the door for a huge expansion of research. The scientists make clear that the models differ from human blastocysts and are not capable of developing into embryos. But their work comes as new ethical guidelines on such research are being drafted and could spark fresh debate. The teams, whose research was published Thursday in the journal Nature, believe the models dubbed "blastoids" will aid research on everything from miscarriages to the effects of toxins and drugs on early-stage embryos. "We're very excited," said Jun Wu of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, who led one of the teams. "Studying human development is really difficult, especially at this stage of development, it's essentially a black box," he told a press briefing ahead of the research's publication. At the moment, research on the earliest days of embryonic development relies on donated blastocysts from IVF treatment. But supply is limited, subject to restrictions, and available only to certain research facilities. So being able to generate unlimited models could be a game-changer, said Jose Polo, a professor at Australia's Monash University, who led the second research team. "This capacity to work at scale, we think, will revolutionise our understanding of early stages of human development," he told reporters. Generating models of blastocysts has so far only been done in animals, with researchers in 2018 successfully generating them in mice using stem cells. The two teams approached the development of a human model in slightly different ways. Wu's team used two different types of stem cells, some derived from human embryos, and other so-called induced pluripotent stem cells, which have the potential to become any cell and are produced from adult tissue. Polo's team instead started with adult skin cells, but both teams ended up with effectively the same result: the cells began to organise themselves into blastoids, featuring the three key components seen in a human blastocyst. "For us what was completely surprising was that when you put them together, they self-organise, they seem to talk to each other in some way... and they consolidate," Polo said. But while the models are similar to human blastocysts in many ways, there are also significant differences. Both teams' blastoids ended up containing cells of unknown types, and they lack some elements that come specifically from the interaction between a sperm and an egg. The blastoids only worked about 20 per cent of the time on average, though the teams say that still represents a pathway to a significant research supply. Ethical debate The scientists are at pains to make clear that the models should not be seen as pseudo-embryos, and are not capable of developing into foetuses. Still, they proceeded cautiously, opting to end research with the blastoids four days after cultivation, equivalent to about 10 days after fertilisation in normal egg-sperm interaction. Research rules involving human blastocysts set that deadline at 14 days. Peter Rugg-Gunn, group leader at the life sciences research Babraham Institute in the UK, said the processes represented "an exciting advance" but work was needed to generate the blastoids more reliably. "To capitalise on the discovery, the process will need to be more controlled and less variable," he said. And given the differences between the blastoids and human blastocysts, any hypotheses they help generate "will need to be validated in human embryos", said Teresa Rayon of the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research centre. The research may also spark ethical debates, said Yi Zheng and Jianping Fu of the University of Michigan's department of mechanical engineering. "As protocols are optimised, these blastoids will more closely mimic human blastocysts," they wrote in an opinion piece published in Nature. Some "might view human blastoid research as a path towards engineering human embryos", they warned. The research "calls for public conversations on the scientific significance of such research, as well as on the societal and ethical issues it raises".

New embryo models coaxed from skin cells offer a divisive new way to study human life

The European Union (EU) threatened to invoke emergency powers to block&nbsp;European&nbsp;exports of Covid-19 vaccines to ensure "reciprocity" with other suppliers, urging Britain to send Europe more jabs.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen gave her warning as Brussels unveiled its plan for a vaccine travel certificate, part of its effort to free up travel despite an emerging third wave of the pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-to-get-astrazeneca-vaccine-as-he-dismisses-safety-fears-371185" hreflang="en">UK's Boris Johnson to get AstraZeneca vaccine as he dismisses safety fears</a>

"All options are on the table," the former German defence minister said, warning that the vaccine situation would be addressed among EU leaders at talks next week.

"We are in the crisis of the century, and I'm not ruling out any anything for now, because we have to make sure that Europeans are vaccinated as soon as possible," she said and briefly alluded to emergency powers last used during the OPEC oil shock of the 1970s.

British foreign minister Dominic Raab hit back, accusing the Commission of brinkmanship and calling for an explanation after the government had received assurances that the EU did not intend to curb exports that are under contract.

"I think it takes some explaining because the world's watching... It also cuts across the direct assurances that we had from the Commission," Raab said. "We expect those assurances and legal, contracted supply to be respected."

"Frankly, I'm surprised we're having this conversation. It is normally what the UK and EU team up with to reject, when other countries with less democratic regimes than our own engage in that kind of brinkmanship."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-chief-proposes-digital-green-certificates-and-stricter-curbs-on-vaccine-exports-371168" hreflang="en">EU Chief proposes 'digital green certificates' and stricter curbs on vaccine exports</a>

Europe's vaccination campaign has struggled to get off the ground due to delayed deliveries, as well as a bitter row with pharma giant AstraZeneca and fears over the safety of its vaccine.

The EU has already set up special oversight of vaccine exports in which manufacturers contracted to supply Europe must declare if they intend to export doses outside the bloc.

Most of the EU's worry is over Britain, home of the AstraZeneca vaccine, where the inoculation campaign has progressed at a much faster pace than in the EU.

Brussels has accused London of operating a de facto export ban to achieve its vaccine success, a claim furiously denied by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government.

Digital vaccine certificates

Von der Leyen spoke as six EU countries complained to Brussels about reduced deliveries that are hampering the bloc's already troubled inoculation campaign struggling amid reduced deliveries by AstraZeneca.

Further complicating matters, various EU nations including its largest members Germany, France and Italy this week halted AstraZeneca shots pending safety checks.

The EU's announced travel certificate, meanwhile, is intended to help restore freedom of movement within the bloc for citizens inoculated against the coronavirus.

The certificate will show "whether the person has either been vaccinated, or has a recent negative test, or has recovered from Covid, and thus has antibodies," von der Leyen said.

The idea is to allow inoculated tourists to get around restrictions on non-essential travel that have spread across Europe, as a second and third wave of Covid-19 infections brought much intra-EU travel to a standstill.

"With this digital certificate we aim to help member states reinstate the freedom of movement in a safe, responsible and trusted manner."

The plan, however, will face stiff resistance from many member states, a key concern being that those still awaiting vaccinations would be discriminated against.

In addition, some member states are worried that the legal path to create the pass, which would include approval by&nbsp;European&nbsp;Parliament, will take too long, with the summer holidays just three months away.

The commission is adamant that the process can be fast-tracked and is working to have it ready by June.

The International Air Transport Association, the airline industry group, urged member states to approve the certificate "very soon".

"We should see something similar all around the world if it can help reopening air travel everywhere," said IATA head Alexandre de Juniac.

The European Union (EU) threatened to invoke emergency powers to block European exports of Covid-19 vaccines to ensure "reciprocity" with other suppliers, urging Britain to send Europe more jabs.

The European Union (EU) threatened to invoke emergency powers to block European exports of Covid-19 vaccines to ensure "reciprocity" with other suppliers, urging Britain to send Europe more jabs. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen gave her warning as Brussels unveiled its plan for a vaccine travel certificate, part of its effort to free up travel despite an emerging third wave of the pandemic. Also read: UK's Boris Johnson to get AstraZeneca vaccine as he dismisses safety fears "All options are on the table," the former German defence minister said, warning that the vaccine situation would be addressed among EU leaders at talks next week. "We are in the crisis of the century, and I'm not ruling out any anything for now, because we have to make sure that Europeans are vaccinated as soon as possible," she said and briefly alluded to emergency powers last used during the OPEC oil shock of the 1970s. British foreign minister Dominic Raab hit back, accusing the Commission of brinkmanship and calling for an explanation after the government had received assurances that the EU did not intend to curb exports that are under contract. "I think it takes some explaining because the world's watching... It also cuts across the direct assurances that we had from the Commission," Raab said. "We expect those assurances and legal, contracted supply to be respected." "Frankly, I'm surprised we're having this conversation. It is normally what the UK and EU team up with to reject, when other countries with less democratic regimes than our own engage in that kind of brinkmanship." Also read: EU Chief proposes 'digital green certificates' and stricter curbs on vaccine exports Europe's vaccination campaign has struggled to get off the ground due to delayed deliveries, as well as a bitter row with pharma giant AstraZeneca and fears over the safety of its vaccine. The EU has already set up special oversight of vaccine exports in which manufacturers contracted to supply Europe must declare if they intend to export doses outside the bloc. Most of the EU's worry is over Britain, home of the AstraZeneca vaccine, where the inoculation campaign has progressed at a much faster pace than in the EU. Brussels has accused London of operating a de facto export ban to achieve its vaccine success, a claim furiously denied by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government. Digital vaccine certificates Von der Leyen spoke as six EU countries complained to Brussels about reduced deliveries that are hampering the bloc's already troubled inoculation campaign struggling amid reduced deliveries by AstraZeneca. Further complicating matters, various EU nations including its largest members Germany, France and Italy this week halted AstraZeneca shots pending safety checks. The EU's announced travel certificate, meanwhile, is intended to help restore freedom of movement within the bloc for citizens inoculated against the coronavirus. The certificate will show "whether the person has either been vaccinated, or has a recent negative test, or has recovered from Covid, and thus has antibodies," von der Leyen said. The idea is to allow inoculated tourists to get around restrictions on non-essential travel that have spread across Europe, as a second and third wave of Covid-19 infections brought much intra-EU travel to a standstill. "With this digital certificate we aim to help member states reinstate the freedom of movement in a safe, responsible and trusted manner." The plan, however, will face stiff resistance from many member states, a key concern being that those still awaiting vaccinations would be discriminated against. In addition, some member states are worried that the legal path to create the pass, which would include approval by European Parliament, will take too long, with the summer holidays just three months away. The commission is adamant that the process can be fast-tracked and is working to have it ready by June. The International Air Transport Association, the airline industry group, urged member states to approve the certificate "very soon". "We should see something similar all around the world if it can help reopening air travel everywhere," said IATA head Alexandre de Juniac.

'Crisis of century': EU threatens ban on coronavirus vaccine exports to UK

Myanmar&nbsp;faced growing isolation on Thursday with increasingly limited internet services and its last private newspaper ceasing publication as the military built a case against ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Nobel peace laureate Suu Kyi was overthrown and detained in a February&nbsp;1 military coup, triggering mass protests across the country that security forces have struggled to suppress with increasingly violent methods.

Also vread|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/aung-san-suu-kyi-faces-new-charges-amid-anti-military-protests-in-myanmar-371266" hreflang="en">Aung San Suu Kyi faces new charges amid anti-military protests in Myanmar</a>

The documented total of those killed in the unrest stood at 217, but the actual toll was probably much higher, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group said.

Western countries have condemned the coup and called for an end to the violence and for the release of Suu Kyi and others. Asian neighbours have offered to help find a solution, but the military has a long record of shunning outside pressure.

Large parts of an economy already reeling from the novel coronavirus have been paralysed by the protests and a parallel civil disobedience campaign of strikes against military rule, while many foreign investors are reassessing plans.

The U.N. food agency warned this week that rising prices of food and fuel could undermine the ability of poor families to feed themselves.

"Whatever happens in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;over coming months, the economy will collapse, leaving tens of millions in dire straits and needing urgent protection," historian and author Thant Myint-U said on Twitter.

While the security forces have focused on stamping out dissent in Yangon and other cities, small demonstrations have erupted elsewhere day after day.

Several thousand people marched in the town of Natmauk on Thursday, the Democratic Voice of Burma reported. The central town is the birthplace of Aung San, the leader of&nbsp;Myanmar's drive for independence from colonial power Britain, and Suu Kyi's father.

About 1,000 protesters on motorbikes drove around the central town of Taungoo and hundreds marched in the northern jade-mining town of Hpakant, the Irrawaddy news service reported.

There were no reports of violence.

Protesters also gathered in the central town of Monywa after a 24-year-old campaigner against military rule died, three days after security forces detained and beat him, the Irrawaddy and&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;Now news portal reported.

The U.N. human rights office in Geneva said this week "deeply distressing" reports of torture in custody had emerged in&nbsp;Myanmar.

A junta spokesman did not answer telephone calls seeking comment.

Opponents of the coup gathered in some Yangon neighbourhoods. In one district, security forces opened fire and torched protesters' barricades, detaining 20 people, the Irrawaddy reported. There was no word on casualties.

Yangon residents said soldiers also ordered people to dismantle barricades and remove posters on some streets.

Alleged payments 
Authorities have restricted the internet services protesters use to organise, with access to Wi-Fi in public areas largely shut off by Thursday. Residents of some towns, including Dawei in the south, reported no internet at all.

The private Tachilek News Agency in the northeast published photographs of workers cutting cables it said were the fibre links with neighbouring Thailand.

Reuters could not verify the report.

Information within&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;is becoming increasingly difficult to verify.

Some 37 journalists have been arrested, including 19 who remain in detention, the U.N. human rights office said.

While authorities have ordered some newspapers shut, others have apparently been forced to close for reasons of logistics. The last private newspaper stopped publishing on Wednesday.

State-run media have not been affected.

State television said on Wednesday that Suu Kyi was being investigated for bribery in connection with accepting four payments worth $550,000 from a prominent businessman.

Property developer Maung Weik, in comments broadcast in a state television news bulletin, said he had given Suu Kyi four payments, ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 from 2018 to 2020, when she headed the first civilian-led government in decades.

"The anti-corruption commission is investigating," it added.

A spokesman for the junta said last week authorities were investigating Suu Kyi for receiving illegal payments.

Her lawyer dismissed that accusation as a joke. He was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.

Suu Kyi, 75, is hugely popular for her campaign against military rule since 1988, over which she has spent years in detention.

The army defended its coup, saying its accusations of fraud in a Nov. 8 election swept by Suu Kyi's party were rejected by the electoral commission.

It has promised a new election but not set a date.

Suu Kyi already faces various charges including illegally importing walkie-talkie radios and infringing coronavirus protocols. If convicted, she could be barred from politics.

Myanmar faced growing isolation on Thursday with increasingly limited internet services and its last private newspaper ceasing publication as the military built a case against ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar faced growing isolation on Thursday with increasingly limited internet services and its last private newspaper ceasing publication as the military built a case against ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Nobel peace laureate Suu Kyi was overthrown and detained in a February 1 military coup, triggering mass protests across the country that security forces have struggled to suppress with increasingly violent methods. Also vread| Aung San Suu Kyi faces new charges amid anti-military protests in Myanmar The documented total of those killed in the unrest stood at 217, but the actual toll was probably much higher, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group said. Western countries have condemned the coup and called for an end to the violence and for the release of Suu Kyi and others. Asian neighbours have offered to help find a solution, but the military has a long record of shunning outside pressure. Large parts of an economy already reeling from the novel coronavirus have been paralysed by the protests and a parallel civil disobedience campaign of strikes against military rule, while many foreign investors are reassessing plans. The U.N. food agency warned this week that rising prices of food and fuel could undermine the ability of poor families to feed themselves. "Whatever happens in Myanmar over coming months, the economy will collapse, leaving tens of millions in dire straits and needing urgent protection," historian and author Thant Myint-U said on Twitter. While the security forces have focused on stamping out dissent in Yangon and other cities, small demonstrations have erupted elsewhere day after day. Several thousand people marched in the town of Natmauk on Thursday, the Democratic Voice of Burma reported. The central town is the birthplace of Aung San, the leader of Myanmar's drive for independence from colonial power Britain, and Suu Kyi's father. About 1,000 protesters on motorbikes drove around the central town of Taungoo and hundreds marched in the northern jade-mining town of Hpakant, the Irrawaddy news service reported. There were no reports of violence. Protesters also gathered in the central town of Monywa after a 24-year-old campaigner against military rule died, three days after security forces detained and beat him, the Irrawaddy and Myanmar Now news portal reported. The U.N. human rights office in Geneva said this week "deeply distressing" reports of torture in custody had emerged in Myanmar. A junta spokesman did not answer telephone calls seeking comment. Opponents of the coup gathered in some Yangon neighbourhoods. In one district, security forces opened fire and torched protesters' barricades, detaining 20 people, the Irrawaddy reported. There was no word on casualties. Yangon residents said soldiers also ordered people to dismantle barricades and remove posters on some streets. Alleged payments Authorities have restricted the internet services protesters use to organise, with access to Wi-Fi in public areas largely shut off by Thursday. Residents of some towns, including Dawei in the south, reported no internet at all. The private Tachilek News Agency in the northeast published photographs of workers cutting cables it said were the fibre links with neighbouring Thailand. Reuters could not verify the report. Information within Myanmar is becoming increasingly difficult to verify. Some 37 journalists have been arrested, including 19 who remain in detention, the U.N. human rights office said. While authorities have ordered some newspapers shut, others have apparently been forced to close for reasons of logistics. The last private newspaper stopped publishing on Wednesday. State-run media have not been affected. State television said on Wednesday that Suu Kyi was being investigated for bribery in connection with accepting four payments worth $550,000 from a prominent businessman. Property developer Maung Weik, in comments broadcast in a state television news bulletin, said he had given Suu Kyi four payments, ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 from 2018 to 2020, when she headed the first civilian-led government in decades. "The anti-corruption commission is investigating," it added. A spokesman for the junta said last week authorities were investigating Suu Kyi for receiving illegal payments. Her lawyer dismissed that accusation as a joke. He was not immediately available for comment on Thursday. Suu Kyi, 75, is hugely popular for her campaign against military rule since 1988, over which she has spent years in detention. The army defended its coup, saying its accusations of fraud in a Nov. 8 election swept by Suu Kyi's party were rejected by the electoral commission. It has promised a new election but not set a date. Suu Kyi already faces various charges including illegally importing walkie-talkie radios and infringing coronavirus protocols. If convicted, she could be barred from politics.

Myanmar faces growing isolation as military tightens grip

Identity cards have become an inseparable part of our lives. From the office to voting booths, they are required everywhere.

They follow a common template all around the globe and include details about every person's name, gender, address and&nbsp;nationality. 
 
The French government has launched&nbsp;digital identity cards equipped with QR codes and fingerprints. It also has an electronic chip that acts as an all-access key.

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La nouvelle carte d'identité est vraiment plus belle que l'ancienne et surtout elle fait la taille d'une carte bancaire <a href="https://t.co/6ANe8FLdJP">pic.twitter.com/6ANe8FLdJP</a>
— Rayou 🐿 🇪🇺 (@foushi19) <a href="https://twitter.com/foushi19/status/1371552407168122888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The new cards&nbsp;were approved by the French government on March 14 and were launched to prevent identity theft.

According to French Citizenship Minister Marlène Schiappa,&nbsp;"The identity card as you know it, as the French know it at the moment, it will gradually be replaced by a new object, the one we have been able to discover, more practical, new, which has a format more suitable for the pocket or the wallet. It is also an object that is more protective of our rights, and more secure, which will take its place in our daily lives."

The QR code at the back of the ID cards makes it much more secure as it will prevent the production of counterfeits.

The&nbsp;old cards, which are 25 years old, will be replaced by new ones that will be rolled out from March 29.

Although&nbsp;Europe is a highly digitised society, that comes with a downside.

56 per cent of&nbsp;Europeans have experienced some kind of fraud in the last two years. One-third of those cases were of identity theft. This had caused a setback of&nbsp;around 24 billion euros.

Reverse digitisation

There are&nbsp;privacy concerns over France's new ID card as critics claim its&nbsp;technology has loopholes.

They claim that storing all their personal data in a&nbsp;single chip&nbsp;is highly risky.

Previously, in a row over India's Aadhaar card, it was&nbsp;condemned as the most unsafe identity document ever.

However,&nbsp;for millions of ordinary Indians, the&nbsp;Aadhaar card was&nbsp;a ticket to&nbsp;welfare schemes, bank accounts and a better life.

Despite their&nbsp;drawbacks,&nbsp;identity documents are&nbsp;potent tools&nbsp;in rolling out welfare schemes.

In the United States,&nbsp;the social security number was called a privacy ''time bomb.''

Hackers claimed&nbsp;that by&nbsp;using algorithms, publicly available data can be pieced together to generate a person's social security number.

However, it&nbsp;helped America recover from the Great Depression.

Last year,&nbsp;there were reports that Britain was mulling a digital identity card. As a result, it received a&nbsp;barrage of criticism. It was described as government over-reach.

Identity documents are crucial for survival during the coronavirus pandemic that many health experts consider as a&nbsp;public health crisis.

US President Joe Biden had said last week,&nbsp;"The government isn't some foreign force sitting in a distant capital. It's all of us. We the people."

Identity cards have become an inseparable part of our lives. From the office to voting booths, they are required everywhere. They follow a common template all around the globe and include details about every person's name, gender, address and nationality.

Identity cards have become an inseparable part of our lives. From the office to voting booths, they are required everywhere. They follow a common template all around the globe and include details about every person's name, gender, address and nationality. The French government has launched digital identity cards equipped with QR codes and fingerprints. It also has an electronic chip that acts as an all-access key. La nouvelle carte d'identité est vraiment plus belle que l'ancienne et surtout elle fait la taille d'une carte bancaire pic.twitter.com/6ANe8FLdJP — Rayou 🐿 🇪🇺 (@foushi19) March 15, 2021 × The new cards were approved by the French government on March 14 and were launched to prevent identity theft. According to French Citizenship Minister Marlène Schiappa, "The identity card as you know it, as the French know it at the moment, it will gradually be replaced by a new object, the one we have been able to discover, more practical, new, which has a format more suitable for the pocket or the wallet. It is also an object that is more protective of our rights, and more secure, which will take its place in our daily lives." The QR code at the back of the ID cards makes it much more secure as it will prevent the production of counterfeits. The old cards, which are 25 years old, will be replaced by new ones that will be rolled out from March 29. Although Europe is a highly digitised society, that comes with a downside. 56 per cent of Europeans have experienced some kind of fraud in the last two years. One-third of those cases were of identity theft. This had caused a setback of around 24 billion euros. Reverse digitisation There are privacy concerns over France's new ID card as critics claim its technology has loopholes. They claim that storing all their personal data in a single chip is highly risky. Previously, in a row over India's Aadhaar card, it was condemned as the most unsafe identity document ever. However, for millions of ordinary Indians, the Aadhaar card was a ticket to welfare schemes, bank accounts and a better life. Despite their drawbacks, identity documents are potent tools in rolling out welfare schemes. In the United States, the social security number was called a privacy ''time bomb.'' Hackers claimed that by using algorithms, publicly available data can be pieced together to generate a person's social security number. However, it helped America recover from the Great Depression. Last year, there were reports that Britain was mulling a digital identity card. As a result, it received a barrage of criticism. It was described as government over-reach. Identity documents are crucial for survival during the coronavirus pandemic that many health experts consider as a public health crisis. US President Joe Biden had said last week, "The government isn't some foreign force sitting in a distant capital. It's all of us. We the people."

France launches new digital identity cards

Scientists have&nbsp;discovered what causes normal proteins to convert to a diseased form and how to block the process, in a recent study.

The research conducted by&nbsp;Imperial College London&nbsp;could lead to new drugs for combatting diseases like CJD and Kuru.

The research concerned prion diseases,&nbsp;a group of brain diseases caused by proteins called prions that malfunction and 'misfold', turning into a form that can accumulate and kill brain cells. These diseases can take decades to manifest but are then are aggressive and fatal.

They include Kuru, mad cow disease and its human equivalent Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), and a heritable condition called fatal familial insomnia.

While the normal, healthy version of prions and the pathogenic (disease-causing) version have been characterised, the intermediate step, when one transforms to the other, was previously unknown.

Now, in a paper published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research team have isolated this intermediate step, determining the mechanism that turns normal prions into their pathogenic form. The research was supported by Alzheimer`s Research UK.

Lead researcher Professor Alfonso De Simone, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial, said: "Prion diseases are aggressive and devastating, and currently there is no cure."

''Discovering the mechanism by which prions become pathogenic is a crucial step in one day tackling these diseases, as it allows us to search for new drugs. Now we know what we`re targeting, we know what features drugs need to have to stop prions becoming pathogenic."

To investigate the misfolding of prions, the team worked with a mutant form of the prion protein that is found in people with inherited prion diseases.

The mutant form is more aggressive, causing prions to transition faster to their pathogenic form. This allows researchers to watch what happens more easily. However, prions are difficult to isolate and purify from other proteins in sufficient quantities to study in detail.

The lead author of the paper Dr Maximo Sanz-Hernandez began investigating the problem as an undergraduate at Imperial, continuing until successful in his PostDoc with Professor De Simone.

The team then used a technique called nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with computational analysis to determine the structure of the intermediate step, identifying the molecular mechanism at work when the prion misfolds.

With this information, they also worked with the team at the University of Zurich who were able to produce antibodies that could target the mechanism. In a proof-of-concept study in the test tube, they were successfully able to block prions transitioning from the normal to the pathogenic form.

While in their current form, these antibodies would be too large to pass into the brain, the study shows it is possible to disrupt the mechanism, allowing researchers to move forward with designing new drugs.

Dr Sanz-Hernandez said: "The intermediate stage of prion pathogenesis is so transient it`s like a ghost -- almost impossible to imagine. But now we have a picture of what we`re dealing with, we can design more specific interventions that can one day potentially control these devastating diseases."

Dr Rosa Sancho, Head of Research at Alzheimer`s Research UK, said: "This is early-stage research examining the short protein fragments, which can be highly unstable, short-lived, and notoriously difficult to study."

As the UK`s leading dementia research charity, we are pleased to fund this sophisticated work using biophysical and computational approaches to better understand the role fragments like this play in the development of the disease.

To identify new ways to reduce or combat these protein fragments in human disease we need to see sustained investment in dementia research.

The researchers hope the information will allow drug researchers and pharmaceutical companies to scan their libraries of drug compounds for formulations that might be able to block the mechanism.

Any drug compounds would need extensive lab testing first to make sure they would be effective, small enough to pass into the brain, and safe, but the team hope that now the target is known, the search can be accelerated.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Scientists have discovered what causes normal proteins to convert to a diseased form and how to block the process, in a recent study. The research conducted by Imperial College London could lead to new drugs for combatting diseases like CJD and Kuru.

Scientists have discovered what causes normal proteins to convert to a diseased form and how to block the process, in a recent study. The research conducted by Imperial College London could lead to new drugs for combatting diseases like CJD and Kuru. The research concerned prion diseases, a group of brain diseases caused by proteins called prions that malfunction and 'misfold', turning into a form that can accumulate and kill brain cells. These diseases can take decades to manifest but are then are aggressive and fatal. They include Kuru, mad cow disease and its human equivalent Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), and a heritable condition called fatal familial insomnia. While the normal, healthy version of prions and the pathogenic (disease-causing) version have been characterised, the intermediate step, when one transforms to the other, was previously unknown. Now, in a paper published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research team have isolated this intermediate step, determining the mechanism that turns normal prions into their pathogenic form. The research was supported by Alzheimer`s Research UK. Lead researcher Professor Alfonso De Simone, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial, said: "Prion diseases are aggressive and devastating, and currently there is no cure." ''Discovering the mechanism by which prions become pathogenic is a crucial step in one day tackling these diseases, as it allows us to search for new drugs. Now we know what we`re targeting, we know what features drugs need to have to stop prions becoming pathogenic." To investigate the misfolding of prions, the team worked with a mutant form of the prion protein that is found in people with inherited prion diseases. The mutant form is more aggressive, causing prions to transition faster to their pathogenic form. This allows researchers to watch what happens more easily. However, prions are difficult to isolate and purify from other proteins in sufficient quantities to study in detail. The lead author of the paper Dr Maximo Sanz-Hernandez began investigating the problem as an undergraduate at Imperial, continuing until successful in his PostDoc with Professor De Simone. The team then used a technique called nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with computational analysis to determine the structure of the intermediate step, identifying the molecular mechanism at work when the prion misfolds. With this information, they also worked with the team at the University of Zurich who were able to produce antibodies that could target the mechanism. In a proof-of-concept study in the test tube, they were successfully able to block prions transitioning from the normal to the pathogenic form. While in their current form, these antibodies would be too large to pass into the brain, the study shows it is possible to disrupt the mechanism, allowing researchers to move forward with designing new drugs. Dr Sanz-Hernandez said: "The intermediate stage of prion pathogenesis is so transient it`s like a ghost -- almost impossible to imagine. But now we have a picture of what we`re dealing with, we can design more specific interventions that can one day potentially control these devastating diseases." Dr Rosa Sancho, Head of Research at Alzheimer`s Research UK, said: "This is early-stage research examining the short protein fragments, which can be highly unstable, short-lived, and notoriously difficult to study." As the UK`s leading dementia research charity, we are pleased to fund this sophisticated work using biophysical and computational approaches to better understand the role fragments like this play in the development of the disease. To identify new ways to reduce or combat these protein fragments in human disease we need to see sustained investment in dementia research. The researchers hope the information will allow drug researchers and pharmaceutical companies to scan their libraries of drug compounds for formulations that might be able to block the mechanism. Any drug compounds would need extensive lab testing first to make sure they would be effective, small enough to pass into the brain, and safe, but the team hope that now the target is known, the search can be accelerated.

Scientists discover how to halt conversion of proteins to diseases

A giant portrait of Bangladesh's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made from rice paddies is drawing hundreds of visitors as the country gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence.

The 400 metre-long portrait of the father of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was created from planting purple and green rice over 13 hectares (33 acres) of land.

Last year, Hasina unveiled plans for mass celebrations to mark the birth centenary of Mujibur Rahman, who was born on March 17, 1920, as well as the 50 years since the founding of Bangladesh.

Since then, hundreds of sculptures and murals of Sheikh Mujib have been appearing across the country.

Although the commemorations have been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, the government has embarked on a mass building of murals and memorials to honour Sheikh Mujib.

This month, visits from the leaders of India, the Maldives and Nepal will kickstart the main celebration events.

Popularly known as Bangabandhu, Mujibur Rahman remains a towering figure in the South Asian nation, in life and death.

His story, which includes legal and political battles long after his demise, is intertwined with the history and politics of Bangladesh, the nation he founded.

Mujibur led the independence struggle in former East Pakistan until March 25, 1971, when Pakistani troops whisked him away to then West Pakistan.

He was interned there for nine months while his followers led the struggle for independence in a months-long guerrilla war, aided by India. The Mukti Bahini, also known as the Bangladesh Forces, was the resistance movement consisting of members of Bangladeshi military, paramilitary and civilians during the War of Liberation that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.

Mujib came back home in January 1972 and took the reins of the war-ravaged country. But he was killed along with most members of his family by rebel army officers on August 15, 1975, setting the country on a long course of military rule.

Sheikh Hasina, one of Mujib’s two daughters who survived the family’s massacre because they were abroad at the time, returned home in 1981, took charge of his Awami League party and became prime minister in 1996.

She vowed to put her father’s killers on trial. Her government revoked the indemnity ordinance in 1996 and cleared the way for a trial of the assassins and coup leaders, beginning with a police complaint identifying 20 accused.

In 1998, a Dhaka judge handed down death sentences on 15 of the 20 accused, of whom only four were in custody. They appealed in the High Court against the verdict, the first of a series of appeals. Three convictions were eventually thrown out, but not for the four in custody.

Another of those convicted was jailed after being extradited from the United States in June 2008, subsequently joining in the appeals.

Between repeated appeals and governments less interested in the case than Hasina, who was out of power from 2001 until early 2009, those convicted remained in prison.

After lengthy hearings, the Supreme Court in November 2009 upheld the sentences on the five as well as six others still at large and believed to be outside the country. Another whose death sentence was upheld died abroad.

A giant portrait of Bangladesh's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made from rice paddies is drawing hundreds of visitors as the country gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence.

A giant portrait of Bangladesh's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made from rice paddies is drawing hundreds of visitors as the country gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence. The 400 metre-long portrait of the father of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was created from planting purple and green rice over 13 hectares (33 acres) of land. Last year, Hasina unveiled plans for mass celebrations to mark the birth centenary of Mujibur Rahman, who was born on March 17, 1920, as well as the 50 years since the founding of Bangladesh. Since then, hundreds of sculptures and murals of Sheikh Mujib have been appearing across the country. Although the commemorations have been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, the government has embarked on a mass building of murals and memorials to honour Sheikh Mujib. This month, visits from the leaders of India, the Maldives and Nepal will kickstart the main celebration events. Popularly known as Bangabandhu, Mujibur Rahman remains a towering figure in the South Asian nation, in life and death. His story, which includes legal and political battles long after his demise, is intertwined with the history and politics of Bangladesh, the nation he founded. Mujibur led the independence struggle in former East Pakistan until March 25, 1971, when Pakistani troops whisked him away to then West Pakistan. He was interned there for nine months while his followers led the struggle for independence in a months-long guerrilla war, aided by India. The Mukti Bahini, also known as the Bangladesh Forces, was the resistance movement consisting of members of Bangladeshi military, paramilitary and civilians during the War of Liberation that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. Mujib came back home in January 1972 and took the reins of the war-ravaged country. But he was killed along with most members of his family by rebel army officers on August 15, 1975, setting the country on a long course of military rule. Sheikh Hasina, one of Mujib’s two daughters who survived the family’s massacre because they were abroad at the time, returned home in 1981, took charge of his Awami League party and became prime minister in 1996. She vowed to put her father’s killers on trial. Her government revoked the indemnity ordinance in 1996 and cleared the way for a trial of the assassins and coup leaders, beginning with a police complaint identifying 20 accused. In 1998, a Dhaka judge handed down death sentences on 15 of the 20 accused, of whom only four were in custody. They appealed in the High Court against the verdict, the first of a series of appeals. Three convictions were eventually thrown out, but not for the four in custody. Another of those convicted was jailed after being extradited from the United States in June 2008, subsequently joining in the appeals. Between repeated appeals and governments less interested in the case than Hasina, who was out of power from 2001 until early 2009, those convicted remained in prison. After lengthy hearings, the Supreme Court in November 2009 upheld the sentences on the five as well as six others still at large and believed to be outside the country. Another whose death sentence was upheld died abroad.

In life and death, Mujibur Rahman continues to be a towering figure in Bangladesh

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday celebrated the 101st birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also known as Bangladesh's 'Father of the Nation'.

The day's program began with the hoisting of the national flag by Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran on chancery premises, reported Dhaka Tribune.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh-kickstarts-golden-jubilee-celebrations-of-countrys-independence-371368" hreflang="en">Bangladesh kickstarts golden jubilee celebrations of country's independence</a>

After the flag hoisting, Imran and other members of the mission placed a wreath on the portrait of Bangabandhu at the Chancery building.

It was followed by reading out of messages from President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.

Imran during the meeting said that Bangabandhu`s illustrious life was cut short by his assassination in 1975, but his legacy and ideals will inspire the Bengali nation forever, reported Dhaka Tribune.

He also commended his daughter Sheikh Hasina for working with the aim of building `Sonar Bangla`."Our children should learn more about the Father of the Nation, the greatest Bangali of all time, so they can provide future leadership in transforming our country into Sonar Bangla dreamt by him [Bangabandhu]," he said.

A special prayer was offered seeking blessings for Bangabandhu and those brutally killed on August 15, 1975, Dhaka Tribune reported. An art and essay competition and a cultural program were organised by the high commission later.

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth anniversary.

"My heartfelt homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a champion of human rights and freedom, on his birth anniversary. He is a hero for all Indians too. It will be my honour to visit Bangladesh later this month for the historic MujibBorsho celebrations," the Prime Minister tweeted.PM Modi is scheduled to visit Dhaka on March 26 to attend celebrations of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh`s independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Rahman was the first President and later the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday celebrated the 101st birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also known as Bangladesh's 'Father of the Nation'.

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday celebrated the 101st birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also known as Bangladesh's 'Father of the Nation'. The day's program began with the hoisting of the national flag by Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran on chancery premises, reported Dhaka Tribune. Also see| Bangladesh kickstarts golden jubilee celebrations of country's independence After the flag hoisting, Imran and other members of the mission placed a wreath on the portrait of Bangabandhu at the Chancery building. It was followed by reading out of messages from President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam. Imran during the meeting said that Bangabandhu`s illustrious life was cut short by his assassination in 1975, but his legacy and ideals will inspire the Bengali nation forever, reported Dhaka Tribune. He also commended his daughter Sheikh Hasina for working with the aim of building `Sonar Bangla`."Our children should learn more about the Father of the Nation, the greatest Bangali of all time, so they can provide future leadership in transforming our country into Sonar Bangla dreamt by him [Bangabandhu]," he said. A special prayer was offered seeking blessings for Bangabandhu and those brutally killed on August 15, 1975, Dhaka Tribune reported. An art and essay competition and a cultural program were organised by the high commission later. Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth anniversary. "My heartfelt homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a champion of human rights and freedom, on his birth anniversary. He is a hero for all Indians too. It will be my honour to visit Bangladesh later this month for the historic MujibBorsho celebrations," the Prime Minister tweeted.PM Modi is scheduled to visit Dhaka on March 26 to attend celebrations of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh`s independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Rahman was the first President and later the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi celebrates birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

The largest group representing exiled ethnic Uighurs has written to US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to demand that Beijing China close its internment camps in the Xinjiang region in talks on Thursday.

Activists and U.N. experts say that more than 1 million Muslim Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims are being held against their will in harsh camps in the remote western region.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-this-the-proof-of-chinas-atrocities-on-uighur-muslims-254842/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China rejects US charges that it has committed genocide against ethnic and religious minorities, and says the camps provide vocational training to help stamp out Islamist extremism and separatism.

China's foreign ministry said on Thursday it would not make concessions to the US on key issues including Xinjiang and Hong Kong, ahead of high-level meetings between the two countries' diplomats in Alaska.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lashes-out-at-us-japan-says-both-colluding-to-interfere-in-internal-affairs-371144">China lashes out at US, Japan, says both colluding 'to interfere in internal affairs'</a>

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan are set for talks with senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi later Thursday.

It is the highest-level face-to-face diplomatic meeting between the two countries since US President Joe Biden took office.

Blinken has already accused China of coercion and aggression, citing its actions towards Taiwan and Hong Kong and in the contested East and South China Seas.

China's extensive territorial claims in the East and South China Seas, contested by Japan and other Asian states, have become a priority issue in increasingly testy relations between Washington and Beijing.

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, told Blinken: "First and foremost, it is imperative that China immediately and unconditionally ends the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in East Turkestan.

"This includes that China closes all internment camps and unconditionally releases all those arbitrarily detained," he said in the letter from his group's base in Munich, Germany.

The exiles call Xinjiang "East Turkestan", and the group uses a different spelling for the word Uighur.

Isa said China must also end the use of forced labour in Xinjiang and other regions and allow U.N. monitors to investigate.

Chen Xu, China's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Monday: "Today, Xinjiang and Tibet enjoy prosperity and stability ... It can’t be more absurd to pin the 'genocide' label on China, and this attempt will not go anywhere."

U.N. experts and rights groups say more than a million people have been detained in Xinjiang in recent years.

On Wednesday, European Union countries agreed in principle to blacklist Chinese officials for human rights abuses, according to diplomats.

China has said allegations of forced labour and human rights violations in the region are groundless, and that there are no "detention camps".

It has also said all those who have attended the complexes in question have "graduated" and gone home. Access is restricted and it is not possible to verify Beijing's assertions independently. 
&nbsp;

The largest group representing exiled ethnic Uighurs has written to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to demand that Beijing China close its internment camps in the Xinjiang region in talks on Thursday.

The largest group representing exiled ethnic Uighurs has written to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to demand that Beijing China close its internment camps in the Xinjiang region in talks on Thursday. Activists and U.N. experts say that more than 1 million Muslim Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims are being held against their will in harsh camps in the remote western region. China rejects US charges that it has committed genocide against ethnic and religious minorities, and says the camps provide vocational training to help stamp out Islamist extremism and separatism. China's foreign ministry said on Thursday it would not make concessions to the US on key issues including Xinjiang and Hong Kong, ahead of high-level meetings between the two countries' diplomats in Alaska. Also read| China lashes out at US, Japan, says both colluding 'to interfere in internal affairs' Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan are set for talks with senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi later Thursday. It is the highest-level face-to-face diplomatic meeting between the two countries since US President Joe Biden took office. Blinken has already accused China of coercion and aggression, citing its actions towards Taiwan and Hong Kong and in the contested East and South China Seas. China's extensive territorial claims in the East and South China Seas, contested by Japan and other Asian states, have become a priority issue in increasingly testy relations between Washington and Beijing. Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, told Blinken: "First and foremost, it is imperative that China immediately and unconditionally ends the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in East Turkestan. "This includes that China closes all internment camps and unconditionally releases all those arbitrarily detained," he said in the letter from his group's base in Munich, Germany. The exiles call Xinjiang "East Turkestan", and the group uses a different spelling for the word Uighur. Isa said China must also end the use of forced labour in Xinjiang and other regions and allow U.N. monitors to investigate. Chen Xu, China's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Monday: "Today, Xinjiang and Tibet enjoy prosperity and stability ... It can’t be more absurd to pin the 'genocide' label on China, and this attempt will not go anywhere." U.N. experts and rights groups say more than a million people have been detained in Xinjiang in recent years. On Wednesday, European Union countries agreed in principle to blacklist Chinese officials for human rights abuses, according to diplomats. China has said allegations of forced labour and human rights violations in the region are groundless, and that there are no "detention camps". It has also said all those who have attended the complexes in question have "graduated" and gone home. Access is restricted and it is not possible to verify Beijing's assertions independently.

Largest group representing Uighur exiles urge Blinken to demand China close Xinjiang camps

North Korea on Thursday&nbsp;blasted the recent attempt made by the&nbsp;United States to&nbsp;initiate contact as&nbsp;a "cheap trick" that would never be answered until Washington dropped hostile policies.

The statement by Choe Son Hui, the first vice minister of foreign affairs for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea, is the first formal rejection of tentative approaches by the new US&nbsp;administration under President Joe Biden, who took office in January.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-says-us-weighs-pressure-diplomatic-options-on-north-korea-371295">Blinken says US weighs pressure, diplomatic options on North Korea</a>

It came as US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a first overseas trip by top-level members of Biden's administration.

The attempts at contact were made by sending e-mails and telephone messages via various routes, including by a third country, Choe said in a statement carried by state news agency KCNA.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-officials-antony-blinken-and-lloyd-austin-hold-talks-in-seoul-371293/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

She called the attempts at contact a "cheap trick" for gaining time and building up public opinion.

"What has been heard from the US&nbsp;since the emergence of the new regime is only lunatic theory of 'threat from&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea' and groundless rhetoric about 'complete denuclearisation,' Choe said.

The White House said earlier this month it had reached out to&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea, but received no response, and did not elaborate.

Speaking in Seoul on Wednesday, Blinken accused&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;of committing "systemic and widespread abuses" against its own people and said the United States and its allies were committed to the denuclearisation of&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea.

Blinken and Austin are due to continue meetings with South&nbsp;Korean leaders on Thursday, before flying to Alaska for the administration's first talks with Chinese officials, where the&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;standoff is expected to be discussed.

Talks aimed at reducing tensions with&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;and persuading it to give up its arsenal of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles have been stalled since 2019, after a series of historic summits between then-US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Choe criticized the United States for continuing military drills, and for maintaining sanctions aimed at pressuring Pyongyang.

No dialogue would be possible until the United States rolled back its hostile policy toward&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;and both parties were able to exchange words on an equal basis, she said.

North Korea on Thursday blasted the recent attempt made by the United States to initiate contact as a "cheap trick" that would never be answered until Washington dropped hostile policies.

North Korea on Thursday blasted the recent attempt made by the United States to initiate contact as a "cheap trick" that would never be answered until Washington dropped hostile policies. The statement by Choe Son Hui, the first vice minister of foreign affairs for North Korea, is the first formal rejection of tentative approaches by the new US administration under President Joe Biden, who took office in January. Also read| Blinken says US weighs pressure, diplomatic options on North Korea It came as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting South Korea alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a first overseas trip by top-level members of Biden's administration. The attempts at contact were made by sending e-mails and telephone messages via various routes, including by a third country, Choe said in a statement carried by state news agency KCNA. She called the attempts at contact a "cheap trick" for gaining time and building up public opinion. "What has been heard from the US since the emergence of the new regime is only lunatic theory of 'threat from North Korea' and groundless rhetoric about 'complete denuclearisation,' Choe said. The White House said earlier this month it had reached out to North Korea, but received no response, and did not elaborate. Speaking in Seoul on Wednesday, Blinken accused North Korea of committing "systemic and widespread abuses" against its own people and said the United States and its allies were committed to the denuclearisation of North Korea. Blinken and Austin are due to continue meetings with South Korean leaders on Thursday, before flying to Alaska for the administration's first talks with Chinese officials, where the North Korea standoff is expected to be discussed. Talks aimed at reducing tensions with North Korea and persuading it to give up its arsenal of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles have been stalled since 2019, after a series of historic summits between then-US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Choe criticized the United States for continuing military drills, and for maintaining sanctions aimed at pressuring Pyongyang. No dialogue would be possible until the United States rolled back its hostile policy toward North Korea and both parties were able to exchange words on an equal basis, she said.

North Korea blasts US attempt to initiate contact as 'cheap trick'

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