A new report by Tibetan activist groups and experts shows new evidence that the Chinese government is increasing digital surveillance of Tibetans through practices such as the mandatory installation of apps at police checkpoints or utilizing big data policing platforms supported by technologies from American tech firms. Some analysts say these new findings provide a glimpse into Beijing’s security apparatus in Tibet. “The Chinese government’s apparatus in Tibet remains a black box in nature, but this report provides [the outside world] with a glimpse into how these systems work,” Greg Walton, senior investigator at U.K.-based security consulting firm Secdev Group and one of the report’s authors, told VOA by phone.   The report from Tibet Watch and a Tibet-focused research network called Turquoise Roof found that authorities have been asking residents in Tibet to install an app called “National Anti-Fraud Center” on their smartphones since 2021. According to some testimonies from Tibetans, police would routinely ask residents to install the security application on their smartphones at checkpoints while local authorities have been teaching the public how to download and use the app. Some Tibetans have expressed concern that the app may be used to track their movements and potentially access data on their phones. “It looks like a surveillance app that tracks not only our movement but also has built-in automatic voice recording and photo-sharing functionalities,” an unnamed Tibetan man told Tibet Watch in 2023, according to the report. Based on their analysis of the app, the report found that permissions that the app asked for from smartphone users could allow app operators to access sensitive user data or have control over certain device functionalities.   The report said the broad scope of permissions could let authorities conduct highly invasive surveillance, which is in line with measures that Chinese authorities typically use in regions like Tibet and Xinjiang to maintain public order. “Our analysis suggests that data controlled by the Anti-Fraud app could connect into wider systems operated by the Criminal Investigation Bureau [and] the mandatory installation of the app at police checkpoints could serve as a platform for harvesting a dataset used for monitoring and controlling the population, particularly in suppressing dissent and cultural expression,” the report wrote. In addition to the forced installation of the anti-fraud app, the report also investigated a big data policing platform used by Tibetan authorities called “‘Tibet Underworld Criminal Integrated Intelligence Application Platform.” Their analysis of government procurement notices suggests the platform, which is developed on top of technology originating from American tech company Oracle, combines data from several Public Security Bureau systems in Tibet and is an instrumental part of Chinese authorities’ campaign to criminalize moderate cultural and religious expressions or language rights advocacy. “The platform is presented as being designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement in Tibet,” the report wrote, adding that the platform can only be accessed through the Public Security Bureau’s internal network and authorities urge contractors to “replace the Oracle database” with a Chinese equivalent.   Walton from Secdev Group told VOA that the evidence suggests Chinese authorities’ law enforcement measures in Tibet are “more invasive” than the measures used in other parts of China. “The big data systems use machine learning to track Tibetans’ kinship networks or analyze their social networks to surface what the Chinese party-state defines as organized crimes,” he said. Since the big data policing platform is built on top of technologies from Oracle, Walton thinks foreign companies have clear responsibilities to ensure their products are not used to assist the Chinese government’s effort to crack down on civilians or ethnic minorities. “Human rights organizations have made clear the negative impacts that [big data policing system] driven by software sold by Oracle, [so] I think these companies should do human rights impact assessments to see what impact their software will have [when it’s used for policing purposes in China,]” he said. Oracle did not respond to VOA’s requests for comment. The report says that the Chinese authorities’ aim of using big data policing platforms in both Tibet and Xinjiang is to achieve “control and suppression through intelligence-led policing. Some researchers say the Chinese government’s crackdown on ethnic minorities is part of its overall effort to build up a “totalitarian social control state.” “The Chinese government is developing these more modern social control mechanisms that are supposed to make all aspects of society controllable,” Maya Wang, Interim China Director at Human Rights Watch, told VOA by phone.   “Since the ethnic groups are at the short end of the Chinese state repression and social control when the surveillance systems are running in the background in Tibet or Xinjiang, they are also vetting people, and those who are considered politically unreliable are held in re-education camps or prisons,” she added. In response to the report’s claim that Beijing is increasing digital surveillance on Tibetans, the Chinese embassy in the U.S. described the finding as “groundless accusations.” “China is a country under the rule of law, and the privacy of Chinese citizens is fully protected by law, regardless of their ethnicity,” Liu Peng-yu, the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the United States, told VOA in a written response. As Beijing increases its control over Tibet through digital surveillance, the report said these efforts are changing the way that Tibetans communicate and are creating a society-wide chilling effect across the region. “In many cases, this trend leads to a complete breakdown of contact,” the report said.   Some Tibetan activists say the digital surveillance architecture that the Chinese government is trying to “perfect” in the region will create a deep psychological impact on local residents, forcing them to practice self-censorship. “Tibetans will be even more careful with what they say or what they write on their phones,” Tenzin Choekyi, a senior researcher at Tibet Watch, told VOA by phone, adding that communication between Tibetans in China and the diaspora community will likely become more difficult to maintain.   Source: VOA

Among young people, heart disease is on the rise. According to experts, the risk of heart disease is increasing among most of the youth due to uncontrolled lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and work stress. Various studies have shown that young people tend to eat processed foods, excess salt and sugar, which leads to diabetes, cholesterol and other compounds in the blood from an early age. Liver problems also increase with metabolic rate variation. These habits increase the risk of heart disease. What is the way to get rid of it? Quitting smoking or drinking reduces the risk of heart disease. According to doctors, not only control but also the regular health checkup should be done to avoid this problem. After 40 years, health checkup should be done on a regular basis. However, doctors are now advising to have a health check-up from the age of 30. Besides, there is no alternative to exercise. If you don't have much time, you can walk in the morning and at night.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday (local time) pitched for increasing engagements with the US that will provide new opportunities to India for combating challenges in supply chains. Addressing media at San Francisco he said, "The visit and engagements in the US will open up opportunities for us to work in partnership with each other, and ensure that during challenges supply chains remain open and businesses don't suffer and people of both the countries don't suffer." Goyal is on a six-day visit to San Francisco and Los Angeles to attend the India-US Strategic Partnership Forum conference and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meeting. Insisting on the importance of IPEF, he said, "Indo-Pacific Economic Framework brings together a group of friendly countries who collectively believe in the need to ensure that Indo-Pacific region remains secure and open for business." He also highlighted strong business relations between India and the US. "We share strong business relations and the US is our largest trading partner. There is a lot of investment flow between the countries. The visit is a follow-up on our ties with the US," said Goyal. India and US relations are strengthening by the day. The 2+2 ministerial dialogue has become very robust and vibrant. "Our engagement in several areas is expanding. The leaders, businesses and people of both the countries are closer than ever before," said the Union Minister. All the countries meeting for the IPEF ministerial have a lot to offer to each other in terms of trade, investment, technology etc and will be working together on all these fronts. Underscoring India's economic stability, he said that India is an attractive destination for investment. "India offers a huge market with 1.3 billion aspirational minds, honest governance, transparent economic policies, rule of law, media and judiciary to safeguard interests of the investor or anybody working with India, making India an attractive destination for investment," said Goyal. "We have had record Foreign Direct Investment in India for the last 8 years. Last year we had the highest ever goods and services exports. Despite all the challenges, India continues to be a preferred trading partner and investment destination," he added. He said that engagements with the US will provide Indians with increased job opportunities and will give thrust to India's economic activity. "All of this will lead to the well-being of the people of India, providing them job opportunities, thrust to economic activity and growth which is very essential for our long term development. India's increasing international engagements and trade ties are leading to more employment opportunities and greater economic activity," said Goyal. Source: ANI  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Thursday) said initiative has taken to resume various cross-border routes between Bangladesh and India that were stopped in 1965, stressing the need for enhancing connectivity between the two countries for mutual benefits "We have to increase connectivity. If the connectivity between the countries is increased, India's North Eastern provinces - Assam and Tripura - can have access to Chattagram port," she said. The premier said this when Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital this afternoon. PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed newsmen after the call on. During the meeting, they expressed happiness at the current state of the existing bilateral relations between the countries. In this connection, the Prime Minister said the high-level visits between the countries will give impetus to carry forward the relations. The Indian Minister said the bilateral issues between the countries are being reviewed and progressing well. Defense sector cooperation, water sharing of Kushiara and Feni rivers, current Covid -19 situation and impacts of Russia-Ukraine war on the global economy prominently came up in the discussion. The Prime Minister said the Covid-19 situation is well in Bangladesh while Jaishankar said the normalcy is bringing back in India. Foreign Senior Secretary Masud Bin Momen,  PMO Senior Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami were present. Source: BSS AH

Farmers in Kandahar and Helmand say that this year the yield is good considering the drought in the country. Mohammad Wali, a farmer in Kandahar, said that although he is concerned about the drought this year the cultivation of the opium is favorable as there is no other work. “There is no work, all the families are in debt and everyone’s hope is opium,” said Mohammad Wali, a farmer. Meanwhile, officials of the Islamic Emirate said they are trying to find alternatives for the poppy farmers. “The Islamic Emirate through using government facilities, and in coordination with various international organizations and in cooperation with the international community, is trying to find alternative jobs for those who are cultivating opium,” said Enamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate. “The issue of narcotics is one of the world’s biggest problems, and our neighboring countries, especially Russia, will be greatly affected by Afghanistan’s narcotics and this will affect the relations of the Islamic Emirate with the world,” said Noorullah Hazrati, a university lecturer. One of the major challenges that the previous government was facing was the massive cultivation of poppies and the production of opium in the country. Based on reports of international organizations, 90% of the world's narcotics is produced in Afghanistan. Although millions of dollars were spent on the eradication of opium it is still being cultivated in the country. Source: Tolonews

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticized the government saying that there is no coordination between the activities of the government to prevent corona pandemic, they have failed. The number of corona patients is increasing in the country due to their failure. His comment came in after offering ziarat at the grave of party founder Ziaur Rahman in the capital after performing the Eid prayers. At 11 am on Monday the BNP Secretary General went to the graveyard premises of former president Ziaur Rahman at Sher e Bangla Nagar along with party standing committee members. They offered Fateha and special munajat there maintaining social distance. Mirza Fakhrul said, to combat the corona situation the measures that the government has taken, in our view those were inconsistent and there was no coordination and still the situation is prevailing. He said, we do not think that they will able to handle the situation alone. Because that is not possible, it is a new matter. But they failed to tackle the situation along with the experts and their valuable opinion. AH

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, the number of coronavirus infected patients and deaths  have been increasing in the country as the government has no pre-preparation to contain the disease. He said these while distributing food items among poor and destitute people at Mohammadpur area in the capital on Friday morning. Rizvi said, lockdown is going on throughout the country. So there is scarcity of food among the least income people. People are rushing for food. A famine like situation is prevailing in the country. In this bad time BNP leaders and activists are distributing relief items with help of their pocket money, while the members and chairmen of the ruling party are stealing the relief rice. He said, the whole world including Bangladesh is in disarray. Coronavirus did not affect Bangladesh at the beginning when other countries were affected. The government had enough time to take preparation but it could not. Countries like Vietnam, Bhutan took appropriate steps, so that the number of infections and deaths is less there. Rizvi also said, the least income people are not getting food. They are suffering a lot and fasting in this dangerous situation. AH        

The entry level age limit for public services is not increased. The proposal placed in the parliament by independent MP Md. Rezaul Karim (Bogura-7) to turn age limit 35 years for public services was rejected on Thursday. He placed the proposal after writing- the entry level age limit for public services should be turned to 35 years. In this perspective taking floor State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said, country’s law and order situation is very good at the moment. So the youths of the country can complete their master degree within 22-23 years. So they are getting 7 years for entering in services. These seven years are enough for entry. The government thinks that considering the overall situation the entry level age and age for retirement are logical. He said, after the independence considering the situation the entry level age limit was made 27 from 25 and then it was made 30. If it is done 35 then pension related complexities will be created. The State Minister requested for withdrawing the proposal but the concerned MP did not withdraw. Placing the proposal Rezaul Karim said, in 155 countries out of 192 the entry level age limit is 55 to 59. Now there are more than 28 lakh educated jobless persons in the country. After not getting job many youths are being engaged in crimes or drugs. Considering their future the entry level age limit for public services should be made 35. Later when Deputy Speaker Advocate Md. Fazle Rabbi Mia placed the proposal for vote and it was rejected in the voice vote. AH          

The cabinet has approved in principle the drafts of Broadcast Act-2018 and Media Employee Act to keep radio, television and online news media under regulations. The two draft laws were approved in the regular cabinet meeting at the secretariat on Monday keeping provisions for formation of commission and facilities for the mass media employees. After the meeting Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam briefed the newsmen. He said, the new law named Broadcast Act-2018 is going to be formulated after discussing the matter with concerned authorities. In the proposed law it is said about formation of a seven-member broadcast commission and members of it will be appointed through a search committee. Following recommendation of that committee the President will appoint the commission members. The Cabinet Secretary said, the commission will issue license for broadcast equipments. For issuing registration for online mass media this commission will have unique authority. He said, as well as formation of the commission the draft law also gives detail explanations in different aspects such as- commissioners’ appointment, qualifications-disqualifications, tenure, resignation, removal, designation and remuneration. The Cabinet Secretary said, under the media employee act journalists will be judged as newsmen not as workers. Other facilities including annual leave were increased in the law. It is mentioned in the law that if anybody violates the law then owner of the mass media will be punished and the government will shut down the media under any specific cause. AH    

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has begun investigation over the incident of forcefully deportation of Rohingya people from Myanmar. The court has sought Bangladesh to provide necessary evidences in this regard. The parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the initiatives. In a meeting of the committee on Thursday it has recommended to increase diplomatic activities with Russia and China to solve the Rohingya crisis. The recommendation came in from the 17th meeting of the standing committee. Dr. Dipu Moni presided over the meeting. Besides, Canada has taken initiative to form a contact group with the interested countries for solving Rohingya problem. The standing committee also welcomed the measures. Committee members Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Mohammad Faruk Khan, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, Razi Mohammad Fakhrul, Selim Uddin, Begum Mahzabin Khaled and other concerned officials were present in the meeting. In the meeting it was informed that ICC has begun it legal process on April 9 for seeking permission to work on Rohingya issue. Though Bangladesh is not a member of ICC but there is no obstacle in this regard as the country is a signatory of Rome declaration. In the meeting emphasis paid on for increasing diplomatic activities as well as expressed gratitude for taking steps on behalf of ICC. The parliamentary secretariat informed that decision was taken for issuing DO letter to Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry for modernizing and expanding Cox’s Bazar airport as different heads of government and their representatives visit the district to see the Rohingya condition. AH