Over 50 Civilians Died as Junta Jet Dropped Bomb at Pazigyi in Sagaing Region

By: Admin on 4/12/2023 04:50:00 AM / comment : 0 Human Rights Violation, International, Myanmar, Slider, Videos

Yet Another Terrifying Crime on Civilians in Myanmar

At least 50 people, probably even much more, were killed in junta air raid on Pazigyi Village in Sagaing Region.

The incident occurred around 7 am (Myanmar local time) of April 11 at Pazigyi village in Kanbalu district in Sagaing region. Junta aircraft dropped two bombs and MI35 helicopters strafed the village. Over 50 civilians died and many more injured in the incident. A source express concern that the death toll may rise.

 

Some sources said that large number of public from Pazigyi and surrounding villages were gather at Pazigyi to attend the opening ceremony of PakaPha office (/ People's Authority Office) at Pazigyi village.

Another source believed that the civilians were participating a charity event (it is still not quite clear what has been the purpose of gathering). 

"The rescue operation faces challenges in identifying the deceased, who originate from various villages. Due to the possibility of further aerial attacks, rescue work has been temporarily suspended as of 12 pm today," the source added.

Source; Eastern Mirror (CNS)

Taiwan says China’s involvement in Honduras is obvious

By: Admin on 3/22/2023 10:12:00 PM / comment : 0 International, Slider, Taiwan

Honduras denied on Wednesday, March 22, it had demanded $2.5 billion in aid from Taiwan before its announcement to seek to open relations with China, instead saying the country had repeatedly requested Taiwan to buy Honduran public debt.

Speaking to reporters at parliament, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said the situation with Honduras was “not very good.”

“The other side demanded a high price,” he added, when asked about the $2.5 billion demand, though he did not directly confirm it saying only that “the facts will out.”

China, which views Taiwan as its own territory with no right to state-to-state ties, has involved itself in the issue, Wu said, without giving details.

“The marks of Chinese involvement are very obvious,” he said.

But Taiwan will not engage in dollar diplomacy with China, Wu added.

“We’ve entered a very difficult phase,” he said. “But we’ll work hard until the last minute.”

China’s foreign ministry has not responded to a request for comment about Taiwan’s accusations on its involvement, which was reported late Wednesday by Taiwan’s official Central News Agency.

The Honduras crisis is happening ahead of a visit starting next week by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen to Guatemala and Belize, which remain allies.

Tsai is stopping in New York on the way there and Los Angeles on the way back, where she is expected to meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Wu, asked to confirm that meeting, said it was still in the process of being arranged.

Honduras Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina said last week Honduras’ decision was partly because the Central American country was “up to its neck” in financial challenges and debt – including $600 million it owes Taiwan.

He said on Wednesday his country had repeatedly requested Taiwan buy Honduran public debt and that the $2.5 billion figure was “not a donation,” but rather “a negotiated refinancing mechanism.”

Wu, answering a lawmaker question, said Honduras did not just owe Taiwan money.

“We have said to them previously the debt they owe us can be readjusted.”

Honduras has yet to formally end ties with Taiwan, but diplomatic sources in Taipei say they expect this is only a matter of time.

That would leave Taiwan with diplomatic relations with only 13 countries. –

Women on the frontline in Russia – Ukraine war

By: Admin on 10/30/2022 10:20:00 AM / comment : 1 International, Slider, Ukrain women

Elle – the global women’s lifestyle magazine – has featured Ukrainian women who are on the frontline fighting against the Russian invading forces since Russia started full-fledge invasion against Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Among 42,000 women serving in the Ukrainian army, many famous models, actresses, and public figures joined forces in the army and are protecting their country from the Russian forces.  

US Tsunami warning centre issued tsunami alert in Taiwan.

By: Victor Naorem on 9/18/2022 06:58:00 AM / comment : 0 International

The Taiwan Railway Administration informed that about 20 passengers were evacuated after a train derailed in the area. No casualties have been reported so far.

International Day of Democracy 2022 observed.

By: Shishir Chirom on 9/15/2022 02:55:00 AM / comment : 0 Democracy, International, Slider

The 2022 International Day of Democracy theme “importance of media freedom to democracy, peace, and delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals” is timely in reminding us that the press plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability of democratic institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated regression of democracy across the globe and we witnessed governments compromising fundamental freedoms and suppressing information to its people. In this process, many media actors were targeted by the state for simply doing their mandate. As we heal from the pandemic and as restrictions are gradually lifted we must demand and act towards the restoration of a free press, free expression, and widening of civic space. 

The Asia Democracy Network (ADN), on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy 2022, calls on all governments to ensure respect for freedom of press. Journalists should not be seen as a threat, rather partners  carrying a mandate to ensure transparent information and delivery of truth to the public. We reiterate that the media and press is the fourth estate and plays a vital role in ensuring a functioning democracy. The press serves as the citizens’ watchdog on every aspect of democratic governance and free flow of information.

Taking this opportunity, ADN furthermore calls upon the governments in Asia to ensure freedom of expression and widening space for all people. We strongly encourage the active development of strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation which has become an existential threat to the sustainability of democracy and human rights. Misinformation and disinformation must be addressed and it must start with education and not the criminalization of it. Educating the public must be prioritized and this must include relevant stakeholders among them civil society organizations and members of the press.

Lastly, ADN express their highest gratitude and solidarity to members of the press, civil society organizations, and all pro-democrats for their sacrifice and endless effort in keeping the powerful accountable despite all the challenges and threats they are often faced with.

Whole world mourns Queen Elizabeth's death.

By: Victor Naorem on 9/09/2022 08:13:00 AM / comment : 0 International

Her family had rushed to be by her side at her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, after doctors expressed concern about her health. She had been suffering from what Buckingham Palace has called "episodic mobility problems" since the end of last year, forcing her to withdraw from nearly all her public engagements. Queen Elizabeth II, who was also the world's oldest and longest-serving head of state, came to the throne following the death of her father King George VI on Feb. 6, 1952, when she was just 25. She was crowned in June the following year.

With the news of her dead spread across the whole world, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi mourned her dead. He shared his condolence message and said that the meetings he had with Queen Elizabeth in the past, will keep linguering in his thoughts for the rest of his life. UNESCO and various other sections of the world mourned  her dead too.

65 killed due to earthquake at Sichuan province, China.

By: Victor Naorem on 9/06/2022 08:13:00 AM / comment : 0 International

The earthquake triggered landslides and damaged buildings leaving many trapped inside the rubble, reported The Global Times. More than 5,000 residents have been rescued so far and a search for the missing ones is underway. Videos from Sichuan province show stones and sand rolling down from the mountains. The traffic movement was hampered due to the rubble. Power connection and communication lines were snapped in villages near the epicentre.

The local meteorological department has said that Luding county will get rains which could interfere with rescue efforts, reported Al Jazeera. Sichuan is already facing a drought. The water levels at hydropower reservoirs have been halved in a month, according to the Sichuan Provincial Department of Economics and Information Technology, reported the Associated Press The reduced hydropower generation in Sichuan has led to curbs on industrial power consumption, reported Reuters.

A Myanmar junta court sentenced ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to three years in jail “with hard labour”.

By: Victor Naorem on 9/04/2022 08:17:00 AM / comment : 0 International

Journalists have been barred from proceedings in the military-built capital Naypyidaw and her lawyers have been prevented from speaking to the press. Ex-president Win Myint, who was on trial for the same charge, also received a jail sentence of three years, the source said. A junta spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. The military alleged widespread voter fraud during the November 2020 election, won resoundingly by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), although international observers said the poll was largely free and fair. The military has since cancelled the result and said it uncovered more than 11 million instances of voter fraud.

Last month, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said the military was being “lenient” on Suu Kyi and could have taken “more serious actions” against her. Myanmar was plunged into crisis following the military’s power grab last year, with swathes of the country ravaged by fighting and the economy in free fall. More than 2,200 people have been killed and 15,000 arrested in the military’s crackdown on dissent since it seized power, according to a local monitoring group.