Category: In English

A couple of weeks ago, we brought you a story about an initiative by an Arunachal Pradesh IAS officer, Devansh Yadav, who started crowdfunding to help bright students from the North-East of India. We, at The Better India, urged our readers to support the initiative. Despite scoring more than 80 per cent marks in their class … Continue reading “We Helped Arunachal IAS Sponsor Education for 3 Kids. He Now Plans to Help More”

Everyone has a dream house, Thacholath Gopalan too had one in mind since his childhood. When The Better India (TBI) contacted Gopalan, he said that when he was a child, he wanted a house in a field which had water, like a houseboat. But when he grew up, he came to know that people can’t … Continue reading “Kerala Man Builds Low-Cost, Naturally-Cool Home in a Pond, Will Teach You as Well”

Is the coronavirus that has appeared in the Middle East a simmering threat to global public health or a viral footnote that will end up being of interest only to academics? That is the key question that researchers and public-health officials are now struggling to resolve. Two unsettling developments have fed their concerns: fresh hints … Continue reading “2012: WHO Alarm Over Newly-Disovered Coronavirus Related to One From Bats”

Since the passing of the National Security Law (NSL), the Hong Kong government has used it not only to prosecute and deter protesters and activists, but to generate a diffused sense of fear and anxiety among people uncertain whether they are next in line to be arrested. Over just the last few weeks, student activist … Continue reading “Hong Kong’s security law has chilled dissent, but there are ways to keep the spirit of opposition alive”

Beijing’s imposition of the national security law on Hong Kong four months ago has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the city – and also over its worldwide diaspora. Its sweeping provisions mean anyone anywhere in the world is at risk of committing four vaguely-defined crimes, punishable by up to life imprisonment, and the possibility … Continue reading “You can’t go home again: Hong Kong activists abroad suffer separation from families and threats even while overseas”

Expressions of shock and dismay flew through cyberspace after Lee Yee, one of Apple Daily’s favourite columnists, published an opinion piece proclaiming his preference for United States President Donald Trump, who at the time was campaigning for a second term.  Apple Daily’s owner, Jimmy Lai, also declared himself unequivocally for Trump, saying that his dealings … Continue reading “The company they keep: Why Hong Kong democrats don’t want to dump Trump”

Alleged censorship of Taiwan on the World Health Organization’s Facebook page inspired some creative trolling Thursday, with special characters and foreign scripts used to bypass filters that also censored Winnie the Pooh, a character used to poke fun at Chinese President Xi Jinping. The deluge came after Taiwan politicians and social media users shared screenshots … Continue reading “Social media trolls get creative after WHO censors Taiwan”

By Yan Zhao A Swiss photographer who closed a door on a Chinese mainlander moments before he was assaulted during last year’s Hong Kong protests was on Friday found not guilty of aiding the attack. Marc Progin was cleared of “aiding and abetting public disorder” over the incident in which JP Morgan employee Lin Nan … Continue reading “Swiss photographer cleared of aiding Hong Kong protest assault”

More than 10 days after the US presidential election, some disconsolate Hong Kong supporters of Donald Trump are still crying foul and accusing news outlets and journalists of biased coverage. In Hong Kong, many people in the pro-democracy movement supported the Trump campaign, as they believed he would take a harder line on China than … Continue reading “Fact-checkers under fire as some Hong Kong Trump supporters cry foul over US election”

Hong Kong’s number two official has banned a journalists’ protest march against the arrest of a documentary producer who had exposed alleged police misconduct. Sunday’s demonstration was initially banned by police, but overturned following appeal. At a meeting on Friday, the Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions accepted the appeal filed by the Hong … Continue reading “Journalists’ protest against producer’s arrest banned by Hong Kong chief sec.”

Hong Kong’s two bodies representing the legal profession have voiced serious concern about the government’s decision to oust four opposition lawmakers, with one of them saying the move violates the rule of law in the city. “It is a basic tenet of the Rule of Law that no person shall be deprived of their rights … Continue reading “‘Legal certainty has been greatly impaired’: Hong Kong lawyers voice serious concern at ousting of 4 democrats”

You know that the bottom of the barrel is being scrapped when the defenders of authoritarianism descend to the nether regions of logic to justify dictatorial government on the grounds of efficiency. So it comes as no surprise to see Hong Kong’s Quislings clucking around and declaring that Legco, shorn of an opposition, will at … Continue reading “The expulsion of Hong Kong democrats sends a clear message: opposition is not welcome here”

The student union at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is holding an exhibition to mark the first anniversary of a five-day campus clash between pro-democracy protesters and police, but some material has been blacked out after the university warned it could breach the national security law. Photo exhibition to mark the one year … Continue reading “In Pictures: Hong Kong protest exhibition marks anniversary of CUHK clashes despite university warning”

The days leading up to the US presidential election, and those immediately afterwards, seemed to go on forever. Election coverage was on television 24/7. You saw people scrolling through updates on their phones in elevators, looking at the latest polls as they rode the subway, and glancing at the news crawl on every television in … Continue reading “Why there’s more hope for the world’s free press as ‘fake news’ chants fade”

A Hong Kong primary school teacher who gave pupils a factually incorrect account of the Sino-British Opium War has been barred from the profession, the second educator in recent weeks to incur such a punishment. The teacher involved in the latest case taught at Ho Lap Primary School, and told Primary Two students in an … Continue reading “Second Hong Kong teacher sacked, this time for Opium War blunder as lawmaker says punishment too harsh”

[Sponsored] In the hope of remedying dashed travel and cultural plans due to the pandemic, the German Consulate General Hong Kong together with the European Union Office in Hong Kong and Macao is set to host a one-of-a-kind concert with music from all over Europe from past to present. Photo: German Consulate General Hong Kong. … Continue reading “Event: Europe x Hong Kong: United in Diversity – German Consulate General and EU Office host City Hall concert in Nov”

China congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden on Friday nearly a week after he was declared winner of the American election. US-China ties have grown increasingly strained in recent years under the administration of incumbent Donald Trump, and relations are as icy as at any time since formal ties were established four decades ago. Joe Biden. File … Continue reading “China sends ‘congratulations’ to Joe Biden almost a week after US election win”

By Joe Jackson Britain on Thursday summoned China’s top diplomat in London after accusing Beijing of breaking its international treaty obligations by ousting four pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong’s legislature on security grounds. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming had been called into the Foreign Office to hear London’s “deep concerns … Continue reading “UK summons China envoy over alleged breach of Hong Kong handover treaty”

Beijing has condemned the mass resignation of democrats from the legislature after four pro-democracy lawmakers were ousted by the government. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) said the move is a blatant challenge to the central government’s power and the authority of the Basic Law. Fifteen Hong … Continue reading “Beijing condemns mass resignation of Hong Kong democrats as a ‘blatant challenge’ to central gov’t”

Pity the pan-democrats no longer sitting in what has, as of this week, become a rubber-stamp Legislative Council (Legco). When the administration of Chief Executive Carrie Lam used Covid-19 as an excuse to postpone the September elections – in which pro-establishment lawmakers were poised to take a beating – most of Legco’s 22 pan-dems, despite … Continue reading “With Hong Kong’s democrats gone, why not get rid of the rubber-stamp legislature altogether?”

Hong Kong’s parliamentary opposition has just ground to a total halt, as a result of the government’s decision to disqualify four members of the Legislative Council from pro-democracy political parties. The four include Alvin Yeung, Kwok Ka-ki and Dennis Kwok from the pro-democracy Civic Party, as well as Kenneth Leung from the accountancy functional constituency. … Continue reading “Explainer: How – and why – Hong Kong’s legislative opposition ground to a halt”

We got there eventually. Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States. Despite a nail-biting election night, last Saturday Pennsylvania put the former-Vice President into the White House. Of course, by Friday we had figured that Biden would, in all likelihood, be the 46th President. Yet in order to avoid the ire of … Continue reading “How new US president can lead the free world in the pushback against China”

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced the immediate disqualification of four pro-democracy lawmakers-on Wednesday – Kwok Ka-ki, Alvin Yeung, Kenneth Leung and Dennis Kwok. Lam said they were in violation of their duties as legislators and oaths of loyalty to the HKSAR government under Article 104 of the Basic Law. The move followed a … Continue reading “‘Death sentence’ for Hong Kong democracy: NGOs, activists & gov’ts react as democrats unseated from legislature”

All incoming travellers entering Hong Kong from overseas are set to undergo mandatory quarantine at hotels amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but eligible arrivals from Guangdong or Macau may be exempted. From Friday onward, all travellers – except those arriving from China – will be required to present a hotel room reservation for a period of … Continue reading “Covid-19: All travellers to Hong Kong must quarantine in hotels, but some China arrivals exempt”

Hong Kong’s legislature sat empty of pro-democracy lawmakers Thursday after the bloc said they would resign en masse, turning the semi-autonomous city’s once-feisty legislature into a muted gathering of Beijing loyalists. The resignations come with the city’s beleaguered pro-democracy movement and avenues of dissent already under sustained attack since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security … Continue reading “‘Get ready for even more pressure’: Hong Kong legislature sits without democrats after mass resignation”

The United States on Wednesday warned of further sanctions against China, which it said “flagrantly violated” Hong Kong’s autonomy after the ousting of four pro-democracy lawmakers. “Beijing’s recent actions disqualifying pro-democracy legislators from Hong Kong’s Legislative Council leave no doubt that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has flagrantly violated its international commitments,” said Robert O’Brien, US … Continue reading “US warns of more sanctions after China ‘flagrantly violated’ Hong Kong’s autonomy by ousting lawmakers”

By Amber Wang Donald Trump’s departure from the White House will leave many US allies breathing easier, but his fiery anti-China rhetoric will be missed by many in Taiwan. Over the last four years, Trump’s unpredictability and often confrontational attitude towards China over trade, the coronavirus and Hong Kong have earned him fans in self-ruled … Continue reading “Donald Trump’s US election loss robs Taiwan of a powerful, belligerent friend”

All Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers are to resign from the legislature after Beijing passed a resolution allowing the Hong Kong government to unseat four democrats with immediate effect. On Wednesday, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) delivered a decision stating that legislators who promote or support independence, refuse to accept China’s sovereignty … Continue reading “All Hong Kong democrats to quit after gov’t ousts 4 lawmakers, leaving legislature with no effective opposition”

Hong Kong’s government-funded broadcaster, Radio Television Hong Kong, is under fire again. Last week, police arrested freelance TV producer Bao Choy, alleging that during her reporting she had made a false statement under the Road Traffic Ordinance to obtain information on vehicle owners. The documentary that Choy produced –“7.21: Who Owns the Truth”– for Hong … Continue reading “Explainer: How the Hong Kong authorities cracked down on public broadcaster RTHK”

Hong Kong’s chief executive has denied the Legislative Council (LegCo) will become a mere rubber-stamp if all the democrats resign in protest over the disqualification of four elected lawmakers. Following the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) resolution on lawmakers’ eligibility criteria on Wednesday morning, the government ousted four pro-democracy lawmakers. Carrie Lam. … Continue reading “Hong Kong’s democrat-free legislature will not just become a rubber stamp, says Chief Exec. Carrie Lam”

The Hong Kong government has disqualified four pro-democracy lawmakers after Beijing’s top legislative body passed a resolution to oust legislators who promote or support Hong Kong independence, appeal to foreign governments to “interfere,” refuse to accept China’s rule over the city or endanger national security. The Great Hall. File Photo: Lukas Messmer/HKFP.The lawmakers who lost … Continue reading “Hong Kong gov’t ousts four democratically-elected lawmakers from legislature”

By now it has become apparent that Covid-19 is far from the “Great Equaliser” many hyped it to be. In both the US and UK, evidence has emerged of disparities in deaths from the disease based on race, ethnicity and socio-economic status. In Hong Kong, too, The impact of the pandemic has been felt differently … Continue reading “Diversity and inclusion initiatives can be part of the cure for Hong Kong’s Covid-hit businesses”

By Ludovic Ehret His style may be less combative than the defeated Donald Trump, but experts say a Joe Biden presidency will tighten Washington’s squeeze on big power rival China over trade, human rights and security. Rancour and recrimination defined the relationship between the world’s two superpowers under four years of Trump, who slapped Chinese … Continue reading “US election: Joe Biden win heralds sharper China strategy from Washington”

London, Nov. 14, 2020 (AltAfrica)-More than 100 U.S. Secret Service agents are either infected with the COVID-19 virus or been told to quarantine because of close contact with someone who has, a person familiar with the matter said Friday. Secret service agents on duty during a Trump campaign rally at the at Wittman Airport in Oshkosh, Wis Now … Continue reading “Over 100 Secret Service agents assigned to White House, others infected with COVID-19”

Eight people were killed in several attacks, mostly against security personnel. The post Iraq Daily Roundup: Eight Killed in Various Attacks appeared first on Antiwar.com Original.

As I told you, the Democrats must impose more censorship in order to protect the tower of lies that they have constructed. Biden/Kamala means the end of free speech. The media has already abandoned free speech and serves as a propaganda ministry. The cancellation of free speech in America will spread throughout the world. “As…

he Covid Deception ( ) was used in the US to justify fraud-ridden “vote by mail” in order to steal the election from President Trump. Covid’s next use is to assault civil liberty. If the Democrats’ theft of the election stands, we are likely to get the national lockdown that Biden’s Covid adviser favors. Little…

President Igor Dodon is running for a second termIllustration by RISE Moldova. Used with permission. The Republic of Moldova goes to the polls this coming Sunday in the second round of presidential elections, pitching incumbent President Igor Dodon against Maia Sandu of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS). Dodon has served as Moldova’s president … Continue reading “Scandal over Kremlin advisers heats up Moldova’s presidential election”

London, Nov. 14, 2020 (AltAfrica)-Nigeria has commissioned the National Centre For Artificial Intelligence And Robotics. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. Dr Isa Pantami who inaugurated the centre described artificial intelligence and robotics as the driver to achieve a robust digital economy,The state-of-the-art facility is for emerging technologies in the areas of networking, research development, … Continue reading “Nigeria inaugurates first centre for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics”

London, Nov. 14, 2020 (AltAfrica)-Between March and September 2020, the UN in Rwanda has mobilised more than 200 million dollars to support the government in the fight against COVID-19.  Rwandan police officer checks the temperature of a motorist This was revealed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa during the UN One Family meeting with … Continue reading “UN mobilised over $200m to fight COVID-19 in Rwanda”

London, Nov. 14, 2020 (AltAfrica)-U.S. President-elect Joe Biden solidified his election victory on Friday when he won the state of Georgia as President Donald Trump said “time will tell” if another administration takes office soon, the closest he has come to acknowledging that Biden could succeed him. Trump hints at leaving White House as Biden cements US … Continue reading “Trump hints at leaving White House as Biden cements US election victory”