Sri Lanka's Parliament swiftly approved a new bill aimed at overseeing online content, drawing condemnation from both rights organisations and opposition figures who argue that the government is attempting to suppress dissent and curb freedom of expression ahead of this year's parliamentary and presidential elections. The measure was passed by a 108-62 vote, the speaker announced. According to the Online Safety Bill, individuals who produce content considered "illegal" by a five-member commission will face imprisonment. Additionally, the bill places responsibility on companies like Google, Facebook, and X to be accountable for the content shared on their platforms.
Ukrainian-born model crowned Miss Japan sparks national identity debate
With tears welling in her eyes, Ukrainian-born model Carolina Shiino gratefully embraced the title of Miss Japan 2024. At 26 years old, Shiino defied conventional expectations of a Miss Japan winner, yet graciously thanked both the judges and audience in flawless Japanese. As reported by the media, Shiino was born in Ukraine but relocated to Nagoya, a bustling city in Japan, at the age of 5. In 2022, Shiino acquired Japanese citizenship through naturalisation, making her the first citizen to clinch the Miss Japan pageant title. Additionally, at the age of 26, she holds the distinction of being the oldest woman to achieve this honour. Reactions to Shiino's victory have been varied, both domestically and internationally. Online, some social media users felt Shiino’s triumph was unfair because she is not ethnically Japanese and therefore does not adhere to the country’s typical beauty standards.
47 journalists jailed in sub-Saharan Africa
A recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) depicts a grim scenario for sub-Saharan Africa. The count of imprisoned journalists has surged from 31 in 2022 to 47 by December 1, 2023. CPJ identifies Eritrea as a leading perpetrator of press freedom violations in Africa, with 16 journalists currently detained. The country holds the seventh position globally for the longest-standing cases of imprisoned journalists without any charges. As per the report, the count of imprisoned Ethiopian journalists mirrors the difficult media landscape in the East African nation. Meanwhile, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala remains confined in a communal cell within the infamous Makala prison in Kinshasa. CPJ voices apprehension regarding the insufficient global awareness surrounding the plight of Tshiamala, a correspondent for Jeune Afrique and Reuters, along with all other journalists held in African prison.
Two government schools in California to introduce Hindi language
In a groundbreaking move for California, two public schools in the Silicon Valley will incorporate Hindi as a world language into their curriculum. The choice to offer Hindi as an elective subject has been embraced by the sizable Indian American population in Fremont, who have advocated for their children to have the opportunity to learn Hindi in educational settings. Fremont has one of the highest concentrations of Indian Americans in California. On January 17, the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) Board voted 4-1 to initiate a pilot program introducing Hindi into the curriculum at Horner Middle School and Irvington High School for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year, commencing in August. Indian Americans constitute 65 percent of the student body at Horner Middle School and Irvington High Schools. Across the district, there are a total of 29 elementary school campuses, five middle school campuses, and five high school campuses.
Kenyan cult leader and 94 others charged with manslaughter
Paul Mackenzie, a self-proclaimed Kenyan pastor, along with his wife and 93 other individuals, faced charges of manslaughter at the Mombasa law court. All defendants pleaded not guilty to the 238 counts of manslaughter reportedly occurring between January 2021 and February 2023.A total of 429 members, including children, of Mackenzie's Good News International Church died. Dozens of shallow graves containing bodies were unearthed on an 800-acre ranch situated in the secluded Shakahola Forest area within the coastal county of Kilifi. The discovery came to light after authorities rescued 15 emaciated church members who revealed to investigators that Mackenzie had ordered them to fast until death, anticipating the world's end. Autopsies conducted on several bodies recovered from the graves revealed causes of death including starvation, strangulation, and suffocation.
China warns students amid airport harassment reports
The Chinese embassy in the United States advised Chinese students against using Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), citing reports of harassment, interrogations, and denied entry despite possessing all necessary documents. China has also lodged a formal complaint with the US. The embassy noted that the individuals under investigation included those with valid documentation who were either returning to the US after vacationing in China, traveling to the US, attending a conference in the US, or beginning their first semester in the country. A release by the Chinese embassy stated that the citizens were subjected to interrogation, their electronic devices were inspected and some people were even isolated for around 10 hours and prohibited from speaking with anyone.
French farmers plan Paris tractor protest
French Interior Ministry deploys security as farmers protest near Paris as angry farmers threatened to head toward the capital, hours after climate activists hurled soup at the glass protecting the “Mona Lisa” painting at the Louvre Museum. French farmers demand higher pay, less bureaucracy, and protection from cheap imports. Speaking after an emergency meeting, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 15,000 police officers are being deployed, mostly in the Paris region. Darmanin said he ordered security forces to “prevent any blockade” of Rungis International Market — which supplies the capital and surrounding region with much of its fresh food — and the Paris airports as well as to ban any convoy of farmers from entering the capital and any other big city. He said that helicopters will monitor convoys of tractors.
Iran launches three satellites into space
Iran has announced the successful launch of three satellites into space, utilising its Simorgh rocket, as reported by the state-run IRNA news agency. This development marks the latest advancement in Iran's space program, which the West perceives as contributing to the enhancement of its ballistic missile capabilities. The satellites, named Mahda, Kayhan-2, and Hatef-1, were identified by Iran's state TV as part of the launch. The Mahda satellite is designated as a research satellite, while Kayhan and Hatef are nanosatellites with a focus on global positioning and communication, according to their descriptions. Iranian state television aired footage of the Simorgh rocket's nighttime launch. Expert analysis of the footage indicates that the launch occurred at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran's rural Semnan province. “The roar of the Simorgh (rocket) resonated in our country’s sky and infinite space," said Abbas Rasooli, a state TV reporter, in the footage.