Friday, May 24th, 2013
Tajikistan decriminalizes libel, but insulting president still punishable by 5-year jail term
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — The authoritarian president of ex-Soviet Tajikistan has approved proposal to decriminalize libel in a move likely to be welcomed by media freedoms advocates.
Emomali Rakhmon’s office said Wednesday that the offence will now be downgraded to a civil violation.
Journalists have consistently come under pressure from authorities since the former Soviet country gained independence in 1991, but the libel law reform signals some effort at relaxing conditions for independent media.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe hailed plans to adopt the law earlier this year. It expressed concern, however, about persisting legal provisions to make publicly insulting the president an offence punishable by a fine or up to five years in jail.
02:20ET 04-07-12
Featured
New Delhi’s Dhobi Ghat continues tradition of washing clothes by hand (gallery)
Who needs washing machines? In New Delhi, India, located amongst the high-rises of the city’s commercial centre, Connaught Place, the Devi Prasad Sadan Dhobi Ghat is home…
Continue Reading »
U.S. President Barack Obama defends drone strikes overseas
JULIE PACE and LARA JAKES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday defended America’s controversial drone attacks as legal, effective and a…
Continue Reading »
Actor Vijay Verma recounts shooting in the rain as ‘Monsoon Shootout’ hits Cannes
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Having to work in a chilly rain would meet most people’s definition of miserable. But for actor Vijay Verma, who had to…
Continue Reading »
LOCAL NEWS
‘Bigoted’ Facebook comments about Alberta Sikh parade deleted by Wildrose party
THE CANADIAN PRESS CALGARY — Alberta Progressive Conservatives are chiding the Wildrose party over comments on the party’s Facebook page by people angry at Leader…
Continue Reading »
Coroner rules out drug, alcohol impairment in crash that killed five Surrey family members
JENNIFER SALTMAN VANCOUVER DESI Drug and alcohol impairment have been ruled out as factors in a crash that killed five people in Surrey last month,…
Continue Reading »
Indo-Canadian law student goes missing during winter hike in Australia
Sydney, May 22 (IANS) A frantic search is on for a 25-year-old Indo-Canadian man who went missing in a national park in Australia. Prabhdeep Srawn…
Continue Reading »
Bollywood Latest
Actor Vijay Verma recounts shooting in the rain as ‘Monsoon Shootout’ hits Cannes
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Having to work in a chilly rain would meet most people’s definition of miserable. But for actor Vijay Verma, who had to…
Continue Reading »
Cannes celebrates films from India on 100th anniversary of Indian cinema
JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNES, France — Indian cinema is being feted in Cannes on its 100th birthday. But amid the celebrations, the B-word…
Continue Reading »
People magazine cover girl Deepika Padukone dispels Shah Rukh rumours (with gallery)
Mumbai, May 20 (IANS) Deepika Padukone has rubbished rumours that her “Chennai Express” co-star Shah Rukh Khan has asked her not to go on the…
Continue Reading »
