Home Blog Page 201

Martyn Ware calls Tina Turner ‘powerful exemplar of Black female power’

 

Martyn Ware and Tina Turner first worked together in 1982.
Martyn Ware and Tina Turner first worked together in 1982.

Martyn Ware, the co-producer of Tina Turner’s 1983 hit cover Let’s Stay Together, recently spoke to PEOPLE and fondly remembered the late singer’s extraordinary talent, describing her as “the best performer” he has ever collaborated with.

Heaven 17 played a pivotal role in revitalizing Tina Turner’s career by proposing that she record cover songs, with Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together topping their list. This cover went on to achieve global success and cemented Turner’s status as a pop icon.

Looking back at the time he made music with Turner, Ware said, “She was very professional, very friendly and very humble . She had utmost confidence in her ability and her ability to perform,”

“She was always funny and charming and always had a twinkle in her eye. For that, I am eternally grateful.”

Ware acknowledged the struggle Turner must have gone through in Hollywood as a Black female, “She had to fight for her dues in a largely white-dominated industry. She was a very powerful exemplar of Black female power”.

“She was purely the best performer I have worked with in a recording studio. She had this unique talent to communicate with people as though she was talking directly to them,” he added.

 

He concluded by saying, “Anybody can do energy and sexuality, but it doesn’t make you one of the all-time great performers. You need to have a wide range of performative skills from delicacy to sensitivity — emotions that people can empathize with.”

Which Turner, in his opinion, did.

NIA Seeks Death Penalty for Yasin Malik

New Delhi: (Azadi Times) The Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) has moved the Delhi High Court seeking the death penalty for Yasin Malik, the chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).

Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special NIA court in May 2022 in a terror funding case.

The NIA has argued that Malik is a “threat to national security” and that his activities have “endangered the sovereignty and integrity of India.” The agency has also alleged that Yasin Malik has been involved in “waging war against the government of India.”

 

Malik’s lawyers have argued that the NIA’s case against him is “politically motivated” and that he is being punished for his political beliefs. They have also argued that the death penalty is a “disproportionate” punishment for Malik’s crimes.

The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the NIA’s plea on May 29.

Background

Yasin Malik is a Kashmiri pro-freedom leader who has been fighting for the independence of Jammu Kashmir from India and Pakistan for over three decades. He was arrested in 2019 and charged with terror funding and sedition. In May 2022, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special NIA court.

 

Malik has denied all charges against him and has said that he is being punished for his political beliefs. He has also said that he does not trust the Indian judiciary.

Also Read: JKLF Honors Yasin Malik on Anniversary of Life Sentence

Reactions

The NIA’s move to seek the death penalty for Malik has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have welcomed the move, saying that Malik is a “threat to national security” and that he deserves to be punished. Others have condemned the move, saying that it is a “political witch hunt” and that Malik is being punished for his political beliefs.

The decision of the Delhi High Court will be closely watched by people across India and Kashmir. The outcome of the case could have a significant impact on the ongoing conflict in Kashmir.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas reveals showbiz industry’s harsh realities

 

Priyanka Chopra has voiced her experience of enduring constant examination and scrutiny throughout her career
Priyanka Chopra has voiced her experience of enduring constant “examination” and “scrutiny” throughout her career

Priyanka Chopra has consistently been transparent about the challenges she has encountered throughout her extensive and successful acting career.

Recently, in an interview with The Zoe Report as the cover star, Chopra discussed her experiences and emotions during the early stages of her career.

Reflecting on her journey, she disclosed, “I was 17 years old when I started doing this. I’ve been picked apart — my actions, decisions have been scrutinized.”

Despite receiving numerous accolades for her work, the actress felt grappling with her identity as a consequence of such scrutiny.

She added, “I felt like a failure. I was hard on myself.”

Previously, during a podcast, the Bollywood diva revealed, “I was being pushed into a corner in the industry. I had people not casting me for reasons. I had beef with people… I was tired of the politics.”

Excerpts from the interview gained widespread attention, with many applauding Chopra for shedding light on the inner workings of the entertainment business, particularly concerning actors who lack connections in the industry.

The constant scrutiny and the unwelcoming treatment led the star to doubt herself and feel like a different person in private and public settings. However, over the years, Chopra developed techniques to protect herself and cope with the obstacles of the industry.

“I’m more comfortable talking about myself to you than I would have been five years ago. I was a lot more guarded,” Chopra shared.

“Maybe it’s maturity, maybe it’s coming into my own, finding a confidence in yourself and not seeking. I’m still figuring that out,” the 40-year-old mused during the interview.

Azad Kashmir Business Forum Calls for Incentives in Budget to Control Inflation

0

 

Rawalakot, May 26, 2023 Azadi Times – The Business Forum Azad Kashmir (BFAK) has called on the government to provide maximum incentives to the business class in the budget of the next financial year to control rising inflation.

The BFAK made the demand in a pre-budget seminar organized in Rawalkot on Tuesday. The seminar was attended by representatives of various political parties, trade unions, businessmen’s associations, hotel associations and private school associations.

The participants of the seminar said that the government should take advantage of new technology to meet the increasing challenges and give special attention to agriculture. They also called for more investment in online business and new marketing tools to attract tourists to the region.

The participants demanded that the government should include the IT and tourism sectors in the next fiscal year’s budget and provide maximum incentives to the investors in these sectors. They also said that the problems of the business class wishing to invest in these sectors should be solved under one window operation.

 

Addressing the seminar, BFAK President Sardar Imran Aziz said that every year before the budget, the forum organizes such seminars in various districts and universities of Azad Kashmir to make appropriate recommendations to the government.

He said that unfortunately governments present “copy-paste” budgets which never improve the conditions of the common man. He urged the government to take into confidence such forums and their recommendations should be taken into account so that a people-friendly budget can be presented.

Also Read: Inflation accelerates sharply in Azad Kashmir during Ramadan

The seminar was also addressed by Qazi Asif, District President of BFAK, Adnan Rafiq, Chairman of IT Department of Jamia Poonch, Waseem Khurshid, General Secretary of Anjuman Tajran, Sardar Abdul Razzaq Khan, Sardar Amir Khurshid, Sardar Nadeem Khan, Muhammad Imran and Fahad Iqbal.

Earlier, a similar seminar was conducted in the Department of Business Administration of University of Poonch in which teachers and students participated in large number.

JKLF Honors Yasin Malik on Anniversary of Life Sentence

0

Muzaffarabad, May 25 (Azadi Times): The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on Wednesday honored its illegally detained chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik on the anniversary of his life sentence in a false case.

A court of the notorious Indian investigation agency National Investigation Agency (NIA) sentenced Muhammad Yasin Malik to life imprisonment on 25 May 2022 in a fabricated case.

In a statement, JKLF spokesperson Muhammad Rafiq Dar described Muhammad Yasin Malik as a symbol of steadfastness. He said that Yasin Malik’s sacrifices for the cause of Kashmir are a proud asset.

He said that Indian state oppression has reached its peak in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the dark night of cruelty will surely end and India’s pride will surely be crushed. He condemned the life sentence of Yasin Malik on the orders of the government by the Indian court and said that India will not gain anything from aggressive policies.

An anti-India demonstration was held outside the Central Press Club in Muzaffarabad today to pay tribute and salute to Muhammad Yasin Malik’s resolve and determination, which was led by party vice-chairman Khawaja Saifuddin. Many JKLF leaders and workers participated in the protest.

According to the statement, a high-level delegation of JKLF had a detailed meeting with the head of the European Parliamentary Human Rights Committee Ms. Maria Irina in Brussels, Belgium. The delegation briefed them about the political and historical background of Kashmir.

The statement said that the delegation apprised Ms. Maria Irina of the Indian government’s atrocities against the people of Kashmir and urged her to play her role in resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Also Read:
The JKLF statement said that the people of Kashmir will continue their struggle for freedom till the last drop of their blood.

India: Indian Paramilitary Officer Commits Suicide in Jharkhand

 

  • An officer of the Indian paramilitary Central Industrial Security Force has committed suicide.
  • The officer was from Jharkhand, India.
  • The officer was heavily in debt.

An officer of the Indian paramilitary Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has committed suicide in the troubled state of Jharkhand, India. Azadi Times Reported..,

 

The 29-year-old officer, Jaysinghu, was found hanging from the bathroom door of his rented house in the limits of Jorapokhar Police Station in the Dhanbad district of the state. Jaysinghu was a resident of Midnipur in West Bengal and India. He was posted in Coking Coal Ltd. He was living in a rented house with his wife.

 

According to Jaysinghu’s wife Sushmita Singho, her husband was heavily in debt. She said that Jaysinghu had taken a loan of Rs. 5 lakhs from a private moneylender to meet the expenses of his wedding. He was unable to repay the loan and was under a lot of stress.

 

The police have registered a case of unnatural death and are investigating the matter.

Jaysinghu’s suicide is a reminder of the high levels of stress and anxiety that many people in India face. The country has a high suicide rate, and the problem is particularly acute among young people.

Anti-Encroachment Drive in India Leaves Thousands Homeless Ahead of G-20 Summit

0

New Delhi, India — Human rights activists and members of civil society in India have condemned a campaign of forced evictions and property demolitions that has intensified in the capital, New Delhi, and other cities hosting the G20 summit. The evictions have left thousands of people homeless.

 

The evictions have been carried out under the guise of “anti-encroachment” drives, but activists say that they are actually targeted at the poor and marginalized. In many cases, people have been given little or no warning before their homes are demolished, and they have been left with nowhere to go.

The evictions have been met with widespread condemnation from human rights groups. Amnesty International has called them a “blatant violation of human rights,” and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing has said that they are “a clear case of forced evictions.”

 

The Indian government has defended the evictions, saying that they are necessary to “clean up” the city and make it more presentable for the G20 summit. However, activists say that evictions are nothing more than a cynical attempt to displace the poor and make way for development projects that will benefit the wealthy.

The evictions are a reminder of the deep inequality that exists in India. The country has one of the world’s largest slums, and millions of people live in poverty. The G20 summit is a major event, but it is clear that the benefits of globalization are not being shared equally.

Also Read: Atif Maqbool gives special message to world ahead of G20 Summit in Kashmir

“The evictions are a blatant violation of human rights,” said Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty International India. “The Indian government is using the G20 summit as an excuse to displace the poor and marginalized, and it is unacceptable.”

“The evictions are a clear case of forced evictions,” said Leilani Farha, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing. “The Indian government must immediately stop the evictions and provide adequate compensation to those who have been displaced.”

 

The evictions are a serious human rights issue. The Indian government must stop the evictions and provide adequate compensation to those who have been displaced. The government must also address the root causes of poverty and inequality in India.

About the G20 summit

The G20 summit is a major international event that brings together the leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies. The summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, in September 2023.

The G20 summit is a forum for the leaders of the world’s largest economies to discuss global economic issues. The summit is also an opportunity for the leaders to build relationships and work together to address common challenges.

The G20 summit is a major event, but it is clear that the benefits of globalization are not being shared equally. The evictions in India are a reminder of the deep inequality that exists in the world.

AJK Accountability Bureau to Proceed Against Municipal Corporation Rawalakot After High Court Dismisses Writ

0

Muzaffarabad: (Azadi Times – News Desk ) Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court dismissed the writ petition by two former administrators of Municipal Corporation Rawalakot against providing available records to the Accountability Bureau for anti-corruption investigation.

 

Directed the Accountability Bureau to continue the investigation against this institution. This request was given to the Accountability Bureau of Azad Kashmir on behalf of the people of Rawalakot by Afnan Nawaz, Ayaz Rafiq, Sardar Saud Iftikhar, and Abid Saeed about three years ago.

In this charge sheet consisting of 08 attributes, allegations of serious corruption were made against the municipal corporation, which previously had the status of a municipality. sent a 21-point letter asking the department for records from 2005 to 2021 and expressing displeasure that the department did not respond to the earlier letter in its spirit.

 

Instead of responding to the orders of the Corporation, a writ petition was filed in the High Court on behalf of the administrators Sardar Muhammad Zafar Khan and Sardar Zakir Sher Afzal, who was appointed during the periods of two different governments, in which the Accountability Bureau made Azad Kashmir a party.

Further proceedings were sought to be restrained. The court issued an injunction and the Corporation orders an FIR against an ex-officer of its own office at the City Police Station, Rawalakot, and also an ex parte judgment from the Sessions Court, Rawalkot. It was found that the said official had stolen official records.

 

Also, he took an affidavit from some of the ad-hoc employees of the office and presented it to the accountability bureau including the court, in which serious allegations were made against the employee who had been transferred.

Also Read: AJK and GB Govt to restart natural routes between AJK & GB

When the said employee appealed to the High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court, the High Court heard all writ petitions of the same nature. The petitioner Afnan Nawaz did not withdraw.

Now the AJK High Court also suspended the judgment of the Sessions Court and rejected the stand of the Municipal Corporation while disposing of the writ petition and directed the Accountability Bureau to continue its proceedings.

NIA announces Rs 10 lakh reward for helping arrest Khalistani leader

New Delhi: May 23 (Azadi Times) India’s notorious investigative agency NIA has today (Tuesday) announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh to anyone who helps in the arrest of a Khalistani leader.

 

The NIA has announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for anyone who provides information about Khalistani leader Kashmir Singh Galuri alias Balbir Singh and helps in his arrest. A case has been registered on the charge of molestation.

 

According to the NIA, Kashmir Singh Galuri alias Balbir Singh, who is a resident of Ludhiana in the Indian state of Punjab, is wanted in connection with the case which was filed on August 20 last year under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code. And the black law for the Prevention of illegal activities was registered under UAPA.

Also Read: Atif Maqbool gives special message to world ahead of G20 Summit in Kashmir

The case relates to the Khalistan Liberation Front, Babbar Khalsa International, and the International Sikh Youth Federation, which these organizations have been accused of conspiring to wage war against India.

The NIA has announced to keep the identity of the informer confidential. Prominent Khalistani leader and head of Waris Punjab Di, Amrit Pal Singh, has been detained in Dibrugarh along with other associates after his arrest in Indian Punjab on April 23.

 

AJK Police arrested “J&K Tahafuz Movement” chief Ghazi Shahzad under 3 MPO

0

Rawalakot: (Azadi Times) The Azad Jammu Kashmir police arrested Ghazi Shehzad, the head of a military organization Tehreek-e-Tafaquz Jammu and Kashmir, under 3 MPO, and transferred him to Muzaffarabad:

 

Ghazi Shahzad contested the last AJK general election, from the Palandri city constituency on the ticket of the Kashmir United Movement.

Two weeks ago, Ghazi Shahzad, held a press conference in Pulindri and announced that his organization had decided to set up a training camp in Palandri with the aim of carrying out the movement for the freedom of Kashmir, training the youth, limiting the activities of non-state parties and those who on Friday, Ghazi Shahzad was detained near Hajira and was first taken to Rawalkot and later to Muzaffarabad.

 

According to SSP Rawalkot Waheed Gilani, Ghazi Shahzad was arrested at the request of Palindri police. Arrested, they have been arrested under 03 MPO.

Police orders did not give further details. Ghazi Shehzad’s associates have claimed in an audio message that 03 of his associates have been arrested. The audio message also said that the workers also resisted at the time of the arrest.