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Reporters from Myanmar Now news agency escape military arrest

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YANGON, Myanmar – Their office was raided Feb. 8, but staff had already fled the scene. Instead, authorities took their computers and office equipment.

Last week, security forces arrested reporter Kay Zan Nway of Myanmar Now while she was reporting news during a protest.

Myanmar’s state-run media announced Feb. 8 at night that the military had revoked the licenses of five media outlets working in Myanmar. They are Myanmar Now, Kit Thit, Mizzima, DVB and 7 days media.

By Htay Win
Photo credit- Shine

Oklahoma banks tourism on Bigfoot, places $2.1 million bounty on capture

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The idea of legislation to capture tourists with a call to capture the mythical creature has grown in enthusiasm to pass a bill in the state’s legislature. Now there is a national tourism campaign planned around it, with the reward growing to its current number from $25k last week.

A hunting license will be required and regulated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, says the Department of Tourism and Recreation. The state will be issuing license plates, decals, a stalking permit and will be setting Bigfoot checkpoints. To receive the reward, Bigfoot has to be brought in alive and unharmed, says the bill.

In neighboring Texas, it is legal to hunt Bigfoot on your private property.

By Milan Sime Martinic

Security forces raid Mandalay Technology University

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YANGON, Myanmar – The raid took place Feb. 7 as a response to university teachers who had joined the civil disobedient movement.

Female teachers congregated in the main building of the university, while locals gathered near the building to lend support.

Recently, the military announced it would take legal action against those who participate in the civil disobedience movement, and security forces are being deployed to universities and hospitals, where much of the leadership of the movement works. The officials open warning fire at night in most areas where there is open civil disobedience, and have arrested some NLD members.

By Htay Win
Photo credit Moe Naing

Chinese government and Myanmar military to begin sharing information

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YANGON, Myanmar – The Chinese government has agreed to share with Myanmar’s military information about the Northern Alliance, a military coalition composed of ethnic insurgent groups which has been in conflict with Myanmar’s military since 2016.

The two parties held a meeting about government project safety on Feb. 23. Myanmar military, for its part, agreed to share security information with the Chinese government, according to Mr. Bai Tian, the director general of the external security department of the Chinese government.

In the meeting, they discussed the safety of the gas pipeline project that runs from the western part of Myanmar to the Yunnan province of China through central Myanmar.

The Northern Alliance Organization is an armed organization of ethnic groups fighting for their rights according to the international law. Myanmar’s government signed the 1960 declaration of the UN General Assembly, and accordingly, ethnic groups have a right to autonomy, self-determination or independence.

By Htay Win
Photo credit- Khit Thit

South Africa unveils new world-class photonics prototyping facility

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DURBAN, South Africa – South Africa’s photonics industry will benefit from a new state-of-the-art Photonics Prototyping Facility (PPF) that was launched at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Friday.

The PPF, which is funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is aimed at fast-tracking the product development of photonics technologies and devices in line with market needs to stimulate growth and competitiveness of the South African photonics industry.

The facility offers 1000 clean rooms, technical and optical equipment, ranging from electronic, mechanical and diagnostic equipment, for a variety of wave lengths.

Dr. Thulani Dlamini, the Chief Executive Officer of the CSIR said the facility has a huge role to play in developing and supporting new and existing enterprises in the field of photonics, in order to improve their competitiveness.

“This initiative is an important platform for the accelerated development of innovative products and technologies in photonics. This PPF will help to develop South Africa’s expertise in the area of photonics product innovation and development, thus stimulating the growth of the country’s photonics industry by forming small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and sustainable jobs.”

Dr. Dlamini called on South African scientists, researchers, engineers, industries, SMMEs, entrepreneurs and investors to make use of this facility to develop photonic-related products.

Photonics applications are pervasive in all branches of 21st century science and engineering and everyday life, including fibre optic information and communication networks and systems, cameras, sensors and imaging systems, illumination systems and displays, applications in the energy sector such as photovoltaic materials and systems, and applications in manufacturing where photonics plays an increasing important part as a tool that support advanced manufacturing technology such as 3D printing.

Director-General of the DSI, Dr. Phil Mjwara said the establishment of the Photonics Prototyping Facility is without doubt a significant milestone for the CSIR industry and the national system of innovation as a whole.

“These initiatives are also key components of our contribution to national development imperatives as set out in the White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation and the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. Most importantly, they are a fulfilment of our obligation as government to develop interventions in support of the creation and utilisation of knowledge and innovation for industrial and economic development,” said Mjwara.

By Zakithi Dlamini
Photo credit: CSIR

SA Human Rights Commission to investigate eNCA reporter’s mask saga

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DURBAN, South Africa – The South African Human Rights (SAHRC) Commission has opened an own accord investigation following various complaints, including from the leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), General Bantu Holomisa against eNCA reporter Lindsay Dentlinger.

SAHRC said in a statement, “The grievances allege that Dentlinger treated interviewees differently on the basis of their race, in interviews conducted outside parliament during the Budget Speech on 24 February.”

“The Commission is in the process of investigating the matter and has requested to meet with eNCA and Dentlinger on the allegations,” added SAHRC.

Earlier this week, the African National Congress (ANC) said it would lodge a formal complaint to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) and the SAHRC against Dentlinger’s behaviour.

They also picketed outside the eNCA head office in Hyde Park and handed over six demands which include apologising to all South Africans for pain and hurt caused by Dentlinger.

ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte said they wanted ICASA to investigate whether eNCA’s conduct was inconsistent with its licence conditions. She said they were not happy with eNCA’s handling of the Dentlinger debacle.

By Zakithi Dlamini

Khoi-San leadership recognized in South Africa

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DURBAN, South Africa – For the first time in South African history, Khoi-San will be recognised officially and will now be able to serve in the national and provincial houses, as the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act will come into effect April 1.

During his address at the opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders in parliament on Thursday, president Cyril Ramaphosa said, “The country’s Khoi and San leaders will, after following the prescribed processes, for the first time enjoy official recognition and will serve in the national and provincial houses. This is a significant milestone.”

While the contested act of acknowledging the independence and culture of the Khoi and San has been praised, South Africans have mixed feelings and have expressed themselves on social media.

Magesh Makasi commented, “The sons and daughters of the soil. The people of Gqerbeha are very proud of you to be finally recognised,” while Donald Tuck wrote, “Passed in time for elections.” Another Facebook user, Duane Nicholas du Mont commented, “Took so long because the ANC only needed the Khoi vote now.”

By Zakithi Dlamini

Crocs escape farm, South Africans in Danger

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DURBAN, South Africa – Police have set up a special unit to trap the crocodiles after an unknown number of the reptiles escaped from a breeding farm in the SA’s Western Cape Province.

It is believed that the crocodiles have escaped through the breeding farm’s broken fence and made their way to the Breede River.

So far, it was reported that 27 crocs have been captured. However, officials said they were not sure how many more they need to find, and now the South Africans are very afraid.

The residents have been urged to stay clear of the river and have been warned against approaching these dangerous reptiles which are believed to measure up to 1.5m (4ft 11in) in length.

The police are on standby, using bait in cages along the riverbank.

By Zakithi Dlamini

Police reform bill passes US House, Senate passage more difficult

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The US House has passed a policing overhaul and accountability bill named after George Floyd which would ban chokeholds, attempt to end racial profiling, limit no-knock warrants, require body cameras, and establish a database to track police misconduct. The bill’s fate in the Senate is uncertain.

Support and opposition falls mostly along party lines. The legislation passed the House with no Republican support with 2 Democrats voting against it. Republicans have branded the bill as a “defund the police” movement and oppose it in the Senate where party lines are divided at 50 each, and the legislation needs 60 votes to proceed.

The threat of a filibuster and getting 10 Republicans to join Senate Democrats are necessary for the bill to make it to Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

“A profession where you have the power to kill should be a profession that requires highly trained officers who are accountable to the public,” said Calif. Democrat congresswoman Karen Bass, during House debate. Bass, one of the authors of the bill, has noted that there have been over 100 officer-involved shootings since Floyd’s death last year, with “numerous examples” of the officers not being charged.

Laying the groundwork for opposition in the Senate, Fla. Republican congresswoman Kat Cammack said “You say this is a reform bill, and I say that’s BS. Your own conference members have been advocating for the defunding of our local police officers, calling them names I cannot and will not repeat here today.”

To pass both houses, the bill will have to be the result of bi-partisan reconciliation between House and Senate versions.

By Milan Sime Martinic

Refugee crisis on Brazil-Peru border expands to a third country

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Territorial incursions, bridge blockades, and now an ongoing encampment of mostly Haitian refugees that blocks passage over the Friendship Bridge that connects the two nations are growing into an unsustainable impasse, and the situation is fast-turning into a 3-country crisis, say authorities in Brazil’s far west state of Acre.

More than 400 refugees are stranded near the Brazil-Peru-Bolivia border creating a humanitarian crisis of its own, with lack of resources and even proper sanitation facilities for them, but some 60 Haitians have been demanding passage into Peru so they may make their way north, and they have set up camp on the bridge itself. Authorities in both countries have been unable to find a solution to the problem.

The crisis is made worse by “coyotes,” food shortages, health issues, and some 60 trucks on each side, loaded with food and fuel stalled along the borders, a situation that compromises the transport of goods to communities in all 3 countries, but crucial to the city of Cobija in Bolivia, a regional capital mostly unconnected to the rest of Bolivia by road. Authorities there are concerned about shortages at gas stations and food suppliers. The area also supplies the cities of Brasilea and Epitaciolandia in Brazil.

By Milan Sime Martinic

Eight male student leaders accused of threatening mostly female university students to make them attend meeting that resulted in tragic deaths in Bolivia

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University students grieving the loss of classmates after the collapse of the barrier of a 4th story balcony that killed 7 and injured 4 say they were forced to attend the overcrowded student assembly under physical threats, and demand “justice.”

The Education Science students, mostly women due to the nature of their field of study, charge that a group of 8 male current and former student leaders seeking to gain political control of the student organization called the compulsory meeting. They ignored social distancing restrictions and threatened whippings, beltings, fines, and other “sanctions,” they say, and claim to have been beaten for being late or skipping previous meetings.

Seven of the 8 men are now in custody, charged with homicide, with calling the illegal gathering, and with inciting the confrontation that broke the guard railing.

By Milan Sime Martinic