Category Archives: Freedom

Express News Service

MADURAI: Observing that widows of freedom fighters have become the unfortunate victims of red tapism, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court said the executive arm of the country ought to recognise the sacrifices and sufferings undergone by the freedom fighters to achieve independence. The court then directed the Union government to grant pension to freedom fighter M Muthaiyas wife M Sornam of Thanjavur within three months.

Justice CV Karthikeyan observed this while hearing a petition filed by Sornam challenging the Union governments rejection of her application seeking Freedom Fighters Pension in 2006. The petitioner submitted that her late husband Muthaiya served as a sepoy in the Indian National Army and was imprisoned in Burma from May 1945 to April 1946. Though the couple was a recipient of State Freedom Fighters Pension, Sornams application seeking a similar pension from the Union government was rejected in 2006.

The reason cited by the Freedom Fighter Revenue Division of the Union Home Ministry, for rejecting Sornams application, was that the period of imprisonment May 1945 to December 1945 mentioned in the co-prisoner certificate produced by another freedom fighter S Raju, in support of Muthiaya, did not match with the period mentioned in Muthiayas wifes application.

Besides, the Union government counsel pointed out that Sornam failed to get the Non-Availability of Records Certificate (NARC) from the State government and she had approached the court after a delay of nearly 15 years. The State, through the Thanjavur Collector, also supported the Centres stand and sought dismissal of Sornams plea.

Rejecting the aforementioned reasons, Justice CV Karthikeyan pointed out that the co-prisoner Raju had vouched for Muthaiya only till December 1945 because Raju got released from jail in December. Moreover, the Union government authorities could have easily gotten a clarification from the State government regarding the NARC if they had shown a little understanding on the plight of the widows of freedom fighters, the judge added.

The authorities should realize that achieving independence required sacrifice and suffering of the freedom fighters, Justice Karthikeyan said. He expressed hope there would be an attitudinal change in the mindset of the officials. Let Swaraj be given to these unfortunate victims who now suffer at the hands of the modern day bureaucrats, the judge observed and directed the Centre to grant pension within three months.

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Freedom fighters widows victims of red tape: HC - The New Indian Express

The end of post-arrival Day 2 tests for the fully-vaccinated returning to the UK, and an easing of restrictions on the unvaccinated, is another major breakthrough both for travellers and travel companies. It will be another confidence boost and a sign that the Government has finally decided that it is committed to removing the obstacles to travel imposed during the height of the pandemic.

If you are fully vaccinated, no longer do you have to remember to order a lateral flow kit and fill the details in correctly on your Passenger Locator Form. No longer will you have to remember to do the test and go through the rigmarole of registering the result online.

Even more importantly for many of us, it is also a welcome financial reprieve. Lateral flow tests cost between 20-30 a time, so they can easily add 100 or more to the cost of a family holiday. Given the increasing pressures on travel costs, this represents a significant saving.

Some key questions and obstacles around travel rules still remain, however. While the Passenger Locator Form has been simplified, you will still have to fill one in before re-entering Britain. And, of course, no matter what Britain does, other countries will follow their own protocols. Pre-arrival testing remains for visitors to many countries.

Hopefully, the fact that Britain, which seems to be slightly ahead of the rest of Europe on the omicron wave, is setting a positive agenda for removing travel restrictions will influence other countries to follow. Switzerland, for example, removed pre-arrival tests for vaccinated visitors last week.

Then there is the question of how the rules on boosters and what constitutes full vaccination will be applied both in this country and abroad. Will we need a fourth jab, and if so how soon after the third? Probably more data is needed on the effectiveness of boosters against the omicron variant and when and whether new vaccines, designed around later variants, can be introduced.

As for those who cant, or wont, get vaccinated, the Government has made significant concessions. They must continue to take a pre-departure test in the two days before returning to the UK, and another Day 2 test on arrival, but they no longer have to self-isolate for ten days and take a Day 8 test.

While we are returning to near normal in the UK, however, in many countries the unvaccinated will continue to be affected by the rules on local health passes. These often require vaccination and a recent booster and they are commonplace, especially in Europe. In France, for example, you cant enter a bar or restaurant, or travel on a long-distance train, unless you have proof of vaccination.

And the question remains as to whether the British government will change its approach to allow proof of recovery from Covid as an alternative to vaccination.

Finally, there is no guarantee, of course, that the removal of post-arrival tests wont be reversed just as the red list and compulsory hotel quarantine was suddenly re-introduced with the emergence of omicron. But each easing of the restrictions takes us further down the road to travel freedom. There may be bumps and setbacks but we do seem finally to be headed in the right direction.

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Test-free travel is another step on the road to freedom - Telegraph.co.uk

Im not only the Hair Club president, but Im also a client, is one of the most famous lines in advertising. The Freedom Phone should probably take a page from Hair Club for Mens playbook. Because the Freedom Phones Twitter account is tweeting with an iPhone.

The Freedom Phone was announced last summer. Founder Erik Finman, who describes himself as the worlds youngest bitcoin billionaire, said he created the phone and its uncensorable app store to take on big tech.

It does everything your current phone does, except censor you and spy on you.

Finman said that it wouldnt ban apps, such as Parler, which come preloaded on the Freedom Phone. He also blasted social media platforms for banning people like former President Donald Trump. If they will censor a president, they will censor anyone.

Finman stopped short of claiming that using his device would impact a platforms ability to enforce its terms of service.

Nevertheless, conservatives were thrilled. Many rushed to preorder the phone.

The Daily Dot later reported that the $500 phone was just a rebranded Chinese phone that costs as little as $119. Security experts also expressed concern that the Chinese-made device had notoriously poor security.

This did little to tamper enthusiasm.

After many months, customers started receiving Freedom Phones this week. Its not clear anyones actually using the phone, however.

Not even Freedom Phone is using a Freedom Phone.

Astute observers on Twitter noted that the most recent tweet from Freedom Phones account says it was sent using Twitter for iPhone. The tweet from Wednesday announces the phones shipment.

Finman retweeted the tweet from his verified Twitter account.

The Freedom Phone isnt even using a Freedom Phone, tweeted one person.

Freedom Phone isnt its only (presumed) customer that isnt using a Freedom Phone. Last summer, pundit Candace Owens wrote on Instagram about how excited she was to get rid of her iPhone.

As of Tuesday, Owens was still tweeting with an iPhone.

*First Published: Jan 19, 2022, 3:29 pm CST

Claire Goforth is a staff writer at the Daily Dot covering all things politics and technology with a focus on the far right and conspiracy theories.

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The account for Freedom Phone, an anti-big tech smartphone for conservatives, is still tweeting from an iPhone - The Daily Dot

A defamation trial pitting Sarah Palin against the New York Times will open on Monday over a 2017 editorial which the former Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential pick says falsely linked her to a mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona.

The editorial was published after a shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, in which Steve Scalise, a member of House Republican leadership, was wounded.

The Times said the Tucson shooting, in which six people were killed and a Democratic congresswoman, Gabby Giffords, was severely injured, came after Palins political action committee circulated a map putting 20 Democrats including Giffords under stylised crosshairs, and that the link to political incitement was clear.

Palin objected to language that James Bennet, the Timess former editorial page editor, added to a draft prepared by a colleague. She contends that the added material fitted Bennets preconceived narrative, and that as an experienced editor he knew and understood the meaning of his words. She is seeking unspecified damages, but according to court papers has estimated $421,000 in damage to her reputation.

The Times corrected the editorial to remove any connection between political rhetoric and the Arizona shooting. Bennet has said he did not intend to blame Palin.

This weekend, a Times spokesperson told CNN: We published an editorial about an important topic that contained an inaccuracy. We set the record straight with a correction. We are deeply committed to fairness and accuracy in our journalism, and when we fall short, we correct our errors publicly, as we did in this case.

Many contend that Palin deserves criticism for employing dangerous rhetoric if not in direct relation to the Tucson shooting.

On Sunday, the gun control campaigner Shannon Watts said: In 2010, Sarah Palin created a target list with crosshairs of a gun sight over Congress members districts. While that campaign may not have been directly related to the Tucson shooting, she helped create todays culture of political threats and violence.

But on the right, many hope Palins case against The Times will lead to a revision of the high standard for proving libel of US public figures an aim cherished by Donald Trump among others.

Freedom of the press is enshrined in the first amendment to the US constitution, ratified in 1791. The supreme court adopted the actual malice standard, which makes it difficult for public figures to win libel lawsuits, in 1964, in the landmark New York Times v Sullivan decision.

Two justices on the current, conservative-dominated supreme court, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, have suggested revisiting that standard and Palin has signaled that she will challenge the Sullivan precedent on appeal if she loses at trial.

Most observers expect her to lose, particularly because the paper so swiftly acknowledged its error. But the Times faces an embarrassing few days in court.

Benjamin Zipursky, a Fordham University law professor, told Reuters Bennets immediate sort of emergency mode or panic mode upon learning what happened strongly suggested he had been unaware of any mistake.

Negligence or carelessness even gross negligence is clearly not good enough for Palin to win, Zipursky said.

But Bill Grueskin, a former senior editor at the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News who now teaches at Columbia University, told NPR: Its going to be great courtroom theatre.

Youre going to have Sarah Palin up there on the stand. Youre going to have some of the top people at the Times at least of the opinion section. I dont see how that can fail to be interesting.

Grueskin also said that when it comes to rightwing attacks on press freedom, the case could add more fuel for that fire.

Roy Gutterman, a professor of law and communications at Syracuse University, told Reuters: This is a potentially dangerous area. If we give public officials a green light to litigate on editorials they disagree with, wheres the end?

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Sarah Palin takes on New York Times in defamation trial - The Guardian

Sen. Susan Collins supports gerrymandering, dark money in politics and intimidation of election officers by her opposition to the Freedom to Vote Act.

She says states should make their own election laws. In Georgia, polling sites are sparse and voters have to stand in line for hours, and its illegal to give water to those waiting in line! Sen. Collins is fine with this.

In Texas, there is only one absentee ballot drop box per county. Forty-one counties in Texas are each larger than Rhode Island, and voters have to drive for hours to turn in those ballots. Sen. Collins approves.

In 2021, at least 19 states passed 34 laws making it difficult or impossible for some citizens to vote, and more than 440 bills with provisions that restrict voting access were introduced in 49 states. Sen. Collins sees no problem.

This is how democracies die. The dismantling of democracy is happening here and now, and Sen. Collins doesnt seem to care.

The Freedom to Vote Act is sensible legislation much needed to combat voter-suppression laws now being adopted by states. Comprehensive federal legislation is needed to prevent voter-suppression rules at the state level and to secure voting rights for every voter.

By obstructing even the discussion of the Freedom to Vote Act, as well as pledging to vote no, Sen. Collins gave her implicit approval of voter suppression.

Cathrina SkovWaldoboro

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Letter to the editor: By blocking Freedom to Vote Act, Collins furthers voter suppression - pressherald.com

A new Report warns that draft government legislation on online harms does not strike the correct balance between tackling harmful content and safeguarding freedom of expression.

Scrutiny by the DCMS committee of the governments Draft Online Safety Bill has found that in its current form, the legislation is neither clear nor robust enough to tackle certain types of illegal and harmful content on user-to-user and search services.

In the Report published today, MPs call on the government to address types of content that are technically legal including parts of child abuse sequences like breadcrumbing and types of online violence against and women and girls such as tech-enabled nudifying of women and deepfake pornography by bringing them into scope either through primary legislation or as types of harmful content covered by the duties of care.

MPs reject a recommendation made by the joint committee to include in the Bill the establishment of a permanent committee of both Houses on the grounds that such a development would duplicate the existing constitutional role of the DCMS committee.

The committee says that the Bill, as currently drafted, has not got the balance right between protecting freedom of expression and tackling harmful content.

Proposed amendments to the Draft Bill have been a missed opportunity in making the broader definitions of harm compatible with international human rights law and address harms like covid-19 disinformation.

There are concerns that an emphasis on remedial measures rather than preventative measures on content could result in excessive takedowns by service providers to avoid penalties.

The government is also urged to provide greater clarity within the Bill on plans to provide Ofcom as Regulator with powers and users with redress. MPs describe current plans as unclear and impractical.

The committee recommends that the government respond to its concerns about the risk of content and activity that falls below the threshold of outright criminal activity but nonetheless forms part of the sequence for online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

It also suggested reframing the definition of illegal content to explicitly add the need to consider context as a factor, and that activities such as breadcrumbing in which perpetrators edit images to avoid content moderation, be explicitly defined.

MPs further argue that the Bill must reframe its language around considerations for freedom of expression to incorporate a must balance test so Ofcom can interrogate and assess whether providers have duly balanced their freedom of expression obligations with their decision making.

Any plans to introduce a joint committee to oversee safety and digital regulation must also be scrapped, MPs argue.

Chair of the DCMS Committee Julian Knight MP said: In its current form what should be world-leading, landmark legislation instead represents a missed opportunity.The Online Safety Bill neither protects freedom of expression nor is it clear nor robust enough to tackle illegal and harmful online content.

Urgency is required to ensure that some of the most pernicious forms of child sexual abuse do not evade detection because of a failure in the online safety law.

These are matters of important public debate to which we will return as the Bill makes its way through Parliament.

Continue reading here:

Online Harms Bill fails to tackle harm and safeguard freedom of expression, MPs warn - Politics.co.uk

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The famous Marina promenade was built by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff, who also lent his name to the Marina. The irony that the place beloved to the British became a pivotal venue for the freedom struggle, is not lost on us. Meetings, speeches, Satyagraha, the beach has seen it all, said historian Meenakshi Devaraj, who traced the freedom struggle across the Marina in a talk hosted by the Golden Connect (a community that curates experiences and events for the holistic development of senior citizens). There were not many auditoriums or stages at that time for public speeches. Triplicane and Mylapore were happening places. Many important congressmen and freedom fighters were from there and that made Marina the best venue, she explained.

A big stage for big namesWhen the beach wasnt set up for a public gathering, it was playing the backdrop to the songs of Subramania Bharati. When it comes to the Tamil freedom fighting scenarios, one can hear the songs of Bharatiyar. He loved the Marina and would spend hours in the evening there with friends, singing songs, she mentioned. His friendship with freedom fighter VOC (Kappalottiya Tamizhan) also bloomed at the Marina, resulting in discussions, music and more, together at the beach.

Iconic speeches were not uncommon here. Take Bipin Chandra Pals, for example. Invited by Bharati to Madras, his words changed the opinions of the locals who were not initially keen on him, shares Meenakshi. When Bipin Chandra Pal got arrested and released six months later in 1908, Bharati who shared much of his ideologies wanted to celebrate it like a festival. Processions left from various areas in Chennai and all met at the road opposite Marina, followed by a huge meeting, she stated.

Celebrations for freedom fighters were juxtaposed with Satyagrahas against the British. The establishment of the Rowlatt Act took Gandhi to C Rajagopalacharis or Rajajis abode, where he stayed as a part of his tour across India speaking against the act. For this iconic speech, you could see a sea of heads. Madras took the speech well. And the day of April 6 was observed as thooka naal. Madras expressed its feelings against the act through closed stores and hunger strikes, she informed. Another satyagraha Marina witnessed was that for the removal of the Neil Statue, the structure commemorating Colonel James Neill, known for his cruelty to the locals. People from all around Tamil Nadu came for the Satyagraha as the statue was insulting and now, the statue is present in the Government Museum, Meenakshi confirmed.

One of the biggest revolts in the history of the freedom struggle was the protest against the Simon Commission for constitutional reform, which contained no Indian representation. It was a hit on Indians and the leaders took steps to speak up against it. A crowd of 14,000 people were present; intimidating enough that the British had to use guns against them. Three Britishers even lost their life at Marina during this, said Meenakshi.

The taste of freedomIn contrast to the agitation was the silent meeting of January 26, 1930, when Gandhi and other leaders had decided to claim poorna sudhanthiram, asking people to decorate their homes with kolams, thoranams and flags. Unlike other meetings, this one saw people coming together silently, gathering the declaration and leaving, she explained. Then came the protests against the Salt Act that were strangely decided to be held in Vedaranyam by Rajaji. But, that didnt stop Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu from gathering a crowd at the Marina. When Gandhi was arrested in Dandi, huge protest meetings were held in Marina. Since then they didnt have loudspeakers, they laid four stages, one for every leader, she continue, she continued.

Finally, came the night of freedom. This was a historic moment. My grandmother would tell me how the entire city was in a festive mood, adorning their places with huge kolams, tricolours, thoranams, serving sweets, and singing patriotic songs. In this mood, how could the Marina not be celebrating? Many leaders were then speaking on the day at the Thilagar Kattam in Marina and the beach that had seen so much agitation and protest finally saw independence, Meenakshi concludes.

Read the rest here:

Marks of freedom on the Marina promenade - The New Indian Express

Party-goers splashed the cash to the tune of tens of millions of euro as they rejoiced in the lifting of restrictions in what has been dubbed Freedom Weekend.

carnival atmosphere prevailed in towns and cities all over the country as people gave dry January the heave-ho and celebrated with abandon for the first time in nearly two years as the country re-emerges from the pandemic.

Large crowds throngedbars, restaurants and hotels as ecstatic fun-seekersreunited with friends and family to celebrate Taoiseach Michel Martinsreopening ofsociety from 6am on Saturday.

The hospitality industry is enjoying the considerable bounce-backfrom the weekend, with Adrian Cummins of the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) estimating tens of millions were spent.

The speed of the announcement, following on from the National Public Health Emergency Teams (Nphet) advice, took many by surprise, including some publicans who have been among the hardest-hit by the pandemic.

Ronan Lynch, a third-generation publican who runs the Swan Bar on Dublins Aungier Street, described Saturday as a really emotional day and said it was wonderful to see scenes not witnessed since pre-pandemic times.

This puts the air back into the citys lungs which has been missing for so long. Its very important for us because the city has been flat.

People are just happier in themselves today, you can just see it, he told the Irish Independent.

People were coming into the pub going, we really missed it and getting incredibly emotional. I saw people crying on Friday night watching the announcement. They were fist-pumping, jumping up and down, cheering, father and sons hugging.

It was just amazing how central the pub is to peoples lives and you dont realise it at the time. It is unique and people have really, really missed it.

It was great seeing customers at the counter again for the first time in two years. We got a huge amount of support on Saturday. We had big groups of people who hadnt met in a long time going, Lets go and have a pint with no restrictions. It was a party kind of atmosphere which was just great to see.

"It was like a weight waslifted off everyones shoulders. They had missed going out, socialising and the randomness of boy-meets-girl it was abouthaving a bit of fun and banter.

While hospitality staff have to continue to wear face coverings, its no longer mandatory for customers and social distancing is now gone in those settings.

Noel Anderson, who co-owns The Bridge and Lemon & Duke, said the city atmosphere was electric over the weekend.

I havent seen it like that in a long, long time. It was great to see people sitting back at the counter and chatting to staff again.

"There was a real buzz in town. You could see the buses going into the city centre were all full and there was a real St Patricks Day feel about it. It was hard to get a taxihome on Saturday night, he said.

Mr Anderson, chairperson of the Licensed Vintners Association,admits he was taken aback at the swift pace of the country reopening.

Nphethave spent the past two years surprising us in a bad way I'm not having a go but this time, they surprised us in a good way, he said.

They obviously felt that businesses have suffered long enough, let them off. Everyone was just in a state of shock. It was a bit surreal. Lots of publicans felt like Is this actually happening?

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'A real buzz': Party atmosphere nationwide as 'Freedom Weekend' brings huge bounce-back for bars and restaurants - Independent.ie

Amid an incredibly sensational season, Joel Embiid explains how he has had more freedom to be able to bring the ball up or push up in transition this campaign.

At this point in time, it is too difficult not to acknowledge the greatness of Joel Embiid. Without Ben Simmons suiting up for Philly, an incredible amount of load has fallen onto his shoulders. And so far, JoJo has been extremely special in doing so.

After his 38-point explosion in the Sixers recent 115-109 win over the Spurs, the Cameroonian big man has now recorded 15 30-point games in the past 17 contests. And joins the likes of James Harden, George Gervin, Tracy McGrady, and Michael Jordan as only the fifth player over the last 50 seasons, to record 12 consecutive 30-point games on the road.

Also Read:LeBron James scoffs at his increased workload following loss to Miami Heat

Tobias Harris spoke highly about Embiids performance this season after the contest. The forward said:

What hes doing is special. We rely on him night in and night out. Hes the anchor for our team. The anchor for our offensive flow out there. I thought tonight he just did a great job of picking the game apart. Really getting everyone involved out there in their spots and still being able to get the shots that he wanted.

Averaging 33.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists during the last 17 games, the 2021 MVP finalist has been simply unstoppable. While many thought without Ben Simmons, Embiid will find himself struggling on the offensive end, in reality, it has been the opposite.

After the Sixers-Spurs game, Joel stated how he has been having more freedom with the rock than in the previous seasons. The Sixers big man said:

This year I have more freedom to be able to whether bring the ball up or pushing up in transition. The previous year, we had someone that was so good in transition that you had to get the ball to him.

Also Read: The GSW MVP becomes the first-ever player to win a game despite missing 12+ 3s and making only 1

Averaging a solid 28.7/10.7/4.3 this season, Embiid has led the Sixers to a 27-19 record. However, if he wants to strengthen his MVP case, Philly needs to start winning games and rise up the standings.

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The previous year we had someone so good in transition you had to get the ball to him: Joel Embiid... - The Sportsrush

20th August 2021

FOI 21/918

Dear

Thank you for your request.

With regards to your questions please find our answers below.

We can confirm that unfortunately we do not hold this information as we do not collect complete fatality data. We suggest you contact the Office for National Statistics for death statistics.

We can confirm that unfortunately we do not hold this information as we do not collect complete fatality data. We suggest you contact the Office for National Statistics for death statistics.

We can confirm that unfortunately we do not hold this information as we do not collect complete fatality data. We suggest you contact the Office for National Statistics for death statistics.

We would be happy to assist you with your query and have provided a link below to our website page for Adverse Drug Reactions reports. This report is published and updated every Thursday providing a comprehensive summary and detailed breakdown of the latest vaccine adverse reactions. Reports received through our Yellow Card scheme include some fatality reports and these can be viewed by following the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions

It also confirms any steps the MHRA is taking to assess the benefit/risk profile against particular signals.

In regards to number of deaths statistics we do not hold this information as we do not collect complete fatality data. We suggest you contact the Office for National Statistics for death statistics.

The link above will provide you with all Adverse Drug Reactions which have been reported to the MHRA.

We can confirm that unfortunately we do not hold this information.

MHRA holds no information on the isolation of the Covid-19 virus. We suggest that you consult the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies), which includes information supporting the governments decision making on the Covid-19 pandemic, including information on the isolation of the Covid-19 virus.

Please note that information on the isolation of the Covid-19 virus is also available in the public domain through scientific papers.

The Office for National Statistics can be contacted at info@ons.gov.uk.

We hope you find this information useful. If you require any further information please let us know.

If you disagree with how we have interpreted the Freedom of Information Act 2000 with regards to your request, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed. The review will be carried out by a senior member of the Agency who was not involved with the original decision. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date you receive this response and addressed to: info@mhra.gov.uk.

If you were to remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you would have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Please bear in mind that the Information Commissioner will not normally review our handling of your request unless you have first contacted us to conduct an internal review. The Information Commissioner can be contacted online:

https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/official-information-concerns-report/official-information-concern/

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely

MHRA Customer Service Centre

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Freedom of Information request on deaths following COVID-19 (FOI 21/918) - GOV.UK