Top Amnesty award for Malala Yousafzai

London: Pakistani schoolgirl and education rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai and American singer, human rights and social justice activist Harry Belafonte were Tuesday named as joint recipients of Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2013.

The Ambassador of Conscience Award is the human rights group's highest honour, recognising individuals who have promoted and enhanced the cause of human rights through their life and by example.

The award will be presented at a ceremony Tuesday evening at the Mansion House in Dublin, Ireland, according to a press statement issued by Amnesty International. 'Our two new Ambassadors of Conscience are different from each other in many ways, but they share a dedication to the fight for human rights everywhere and for all,' said Salil Shetty, secretary general of Amnesty International.

'Harry and Malala are truly ambassadors of conscience, speaking up for universal rights, justice and human dignity and inspiring others to follow their example.'
Malala Yousafzai, 16, is an advocate for equal access to education. 
After she wrote a diary for the BBC in 2009 detailing her frustrations with the Taliban's edict to shut down all girls' schools in Pakistan, she was shot at and severely wounded in an attack in 2012 claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. 
Malala will be presented with the Award by singer Bono along with Azar Nafisi, author of the book 'Reading Lolita in Tehran'.

'I am truly honoured to receive this award and would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that there are many millions of children like me across the world who fight every single day for their right to go to school,' Malala said, according to the Amnesty release. 'I hope that by working together we will one day realise our dream of education for every child, in every corner of the world.'

Co-recipient of the award Harry Belafonte has dedicated his life to humanitarian causes, spanning the civil rights movement to the plight of children caught in Syria's armed conflict. An Emmy- and Tony-Award winning musician and entertainer, Harry Belafonte has in innumerable ways acted on what he describes as the 'obligation to do more than just entertain'.

'Since its birth, I have been devoted to the principles for which Amnesty International stands,' Belafonte said after being named for the award. 'It is an honour to receive the recognition being bestowed. Amnesty International's stand on any universal abuse to human rights has been courageous and is our moral compass,' he said.

'I am especially honoured to receive the Ambassador of Conscience Award because I am having the distinction of sharing this with Malala Yousafzai, a true hero of our time,' the acclaimed musician added. Roger Waters, earlier with rock band Pink Floyd, will present the award to Belafonte accompanied by a special guest.

The Ambassador of Conscience Award was inspired by the poem 'From the Republic of Conscience', written for Amnesty International by the late poet and Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney. The Irish poet, who passed away Aug 30 this year, was due to read the poem at the asward ceremony Tuesday.

Among others who have been conferred the Ambassador of Conscience award are former president of the Czech Republic late Vaclav Havel, former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, singer and songwriter Peter Gabriel and Myanmarese pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Top Amnesty award for Malala Yousafzai

London: Pakistani schoolgirl and education rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai and American singer, human rights and social justice activist Harry Belafonte were Tuesday named as joint recipients of Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2013.

The Ambassador of Conscience Award is the human rights group's highest honour, recognising individuals who have promoted and enhanced the cause of human rights through their life and by example.

The award will be presented at a ceremony Tuesday evening at the Mansion House in Dublin, Ireland, according to a press statement issued by Amnesty International. 'Our two new Ambassadors of Conscience are different from each other in many ways, but they share a dedication to the fight for human rights everywhere and for all,' said Salil Shetty, secretary general of Amnesty International.

'Harry and Malala are truly ambassadors of conscience, speaking up for universal rights, justice and human dignity and inspiring others to follow their example.'
Malala Yousafzai, 16, is an advocate for equal access to education. 
After she wrote a diary for the BBC in 2009 detailing her frustrations with the Taliban's edict to shut down all girls' schools in Pakistan, she was shot at and severely wounded in an attack in 2012 claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. 
Malala will be presented with the Award by singer Bono along with Azar Nafisi, author of the book 'Reading Lolita in Tehran'.

'I am truly honoured to receive this award and would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that there are many millions of children like me across the world who fight every single day for their right to go to school,' Malala said, according to the Amnesty release. 'I hope that by working together we will one day realise our dream of education for every child, in every corner of the world.'

Co-recipient of the award Harry Belafonte has dedicated his life to humanitarian causes, spanning the civil rights movement to the plight of children caught in Syria's armed conflict. An Emmy- and Tony-Award winning musician and entertainer, Harry Belafonte has in innumerable ways acted on what he describes as the 'obligation to do more than just entertain'.

'Since its birth, I have been devoted to the principles for which Amnesty International stands,' Belafonte said after being named for the award. 'It is an honour to receive the recognition being bestowed. Amnesty International's stand on any universal abuse to human rights has been courageous and is our moral compass,' he said.

'I am especially honoured to receive the Ambassador of Conscience Award because I am having the distinction of sharing this with Malala Yousafzai, a true hero of our time,' the acclaimed musician added. Roger Waters, earlier with rock band Pink Floyd, will present the award to Belafonte accompanied by a special guest.

The Ambassador of Conscience Award was inspired by the poem 'From the Republic of Conscience', written for Amnesty International by the late poet and Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney. The Irish poet, who passed away Aug 30 this year, was due to read the poem at the asward ceremony Tuesday.

Among others who have been conferred the Ambassador of Conscience award are former president of the Czech Republic late Vaclav Havel, former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, singer and songwriter Peter Gabriel and Myanmarese pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Indian-American among those killed in US Navy Yard shooting

Washington: Indian-American Vishnu Pandit was among the 12 individuals killed by a gunman at a highly secure Navy Yard in the American Capital, the latest in the series of mass shootouts in the US in the last few years.

In all 12 people – mostly military contractors – were killed when the gunman, himself a defence contractor from FortWorth in Texas, went on a shooting rampage inside the Washington Navy Yard yesterday. The gunman, Aaron Alexis, also died in the shootout.

The Washington Metropolitan Police yesterday released the names of seven of those who were killed in the shootout, with one of them being an Indian-American – 61-year-old Pandit. The other six identified were Michael Arnold, 59;Sylvia Frasier, 53; Kathy Gaarde, 62; John Roger Johnson,73; Frank
Kohler, 50; and Kenneth Bernard Proctor, 46. No other details were immediately known about Pandit, except that he was a defence contractor. President Barack Obama condemned the shooting at Washington's Navy Yard as a 'cowardly act'.

Later, Obama issued a proclamation in the honour of those who died in the shooting and ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast. He also cancelled a musical evening scheduled at the White House. Obama, who personally monitored the developments, called FBI director James Comey to get an update on the status of the investigations. The FBI has sought information about Alexis, which it believes was responsible for the massacre. 'Alexis' place of birth is Queens, New York, and his last known residence was Ft. Worth, Texas,' the FBI said in a statement. The Washington DC Mayor, Vincent Gray, said the motives of the shooter were not yet known. PTI

Indian-American among those killed in US Navy Yard shooting

Washington: Indian-American Vishnu Pandit was among the 12 individuals killed by a gunman at a highly secure Navy Yard in the American Capital, the latest in the series of mass shootouts in the US in the last few years.

In all 12 people – mostly military contractors – were killed when the gunman, himself a defence contractor from FortWorth in Texas, went on a shooting rampage inside the Washington Navy Yard yesterday. The gunman, Aaron Alexis, also died in the shootout.

The Washington Metropolitan Police yesterday released the names of seven of those who were killed in the shootout, with one of them being an Indian-American – 61-year-old Pandit. The other six identified were Michael Arnold, 59;Sylvia Frasier, 53; Kathy Gaarde, 62; John Roger Johnson,73; Frank
Kohler, 50; and Kenneth Bernard Proctor, 46. No other details were immediately known about Pandit, except that he was a defence contractor. President Barack Obama condemned the shooting at Washington's Navy Yard as a 'cowardly act'.

Later, Obama issued a proclamation in the honour of those who died in the shooting and ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast. He also cancelled a musical evening scheduled at the White House. Obama, who personally monitored the developments, called FBI director James Comey to get an update on the status of the investigations. The FBI has sought information about Alexis, which it believes was responsible for the massacre. 'Alexis' place of birth is Queens, New York, and his last known residence was Ft. Worth, Texas,' the FBI said in a statement. The Washington DC Mayor, Vincent Gray, said the motives of the shooter were not yet known. PTI

. Fire on Russian nuclear submarine, no leaks: official

.Moscow, Sep 16 (AFP) A Russian nuclear-powered submarine undergoing repairs at a Far East shipyard caught fire today, but its reactor had long been shut off and posed no danger of radiation leaks, officials said. The submarine Tomsk was being repaired at a shipyard near the city of Vladivostok when the fire broke out, the

defence ministry said in a statement cited by Russian news agencies. 'Radiation in the area of the emergency incident onboard the Tomsk is normal, the reactor had been out of operation since the submarine began undergoing repairs in 2011,' a source in the Far East fleet told RIA Novosti. The fire was put out and all staff evacuated, with no injuries, said the defence ministry statement.

'According to preliminary data, the reason for the fire was violation of welding procedures,' it said. The submarine was being repaired in the Bolshoi Kamen
shipyard near the port of Vladivostok. In late 2011 a massive fire broke out on another nuclear submarine in Murmansk while it was under repairs, injuring nine people. Reports later said that the vessel was armed with long-range missiles.

. Fire on Russian nuclear submarine, no leaks: official

.Moscow, Sep 16 (AFP) A Russian nuclear-powered submarine undergoing repairs at a Far East shipyard caught fire today, but its reactor had long been shut off and posed no danger of radiation leaks, officials said. The submarine Tomsk was being repaired at a shipyard near the city of Vladivostok when the fire broke out, the

defence ministry said in a statement cited by Russian news agencies. 'Radiation in the area of the emergency incident onboard the Tomsk is normal, the reactor had been out of operation since the submarine began undergoing repairs in 2011,' a source in the Far East fleet told RIA Novosti. The fire was put out and all staff evacuated, with no injuries, said the defence ministry statement.

'According to preliminary data, the reason for the fire was violation of welding procedures,' it said. The submarine was being repaired in the Bolshoi Kamen
shipyard near the port of Vladivostok. In late 2011 a massive fire broke out on another nuclear submarine in Murmansk while it was under repairs, injuring nine people. Reports later said that the vessel was armed with long-range missiles.

French journalists kidnapped in Syria alive: Hollande

Paris, Sep 16 (IANS) Two French journalists kidnapped in Syria three months ago are alive, President Francois Hollande has said. 'We are doing everything to release them, but making contacts to release them is a very long process,' Xinhua quoted the president as telling private channel TF1. Journalist Didier Francois and freelance photographer Edouard Elias working for local broadcaster Europe1 were kidnapped in June when they were en route to Aleppo in Syria.

French journalists kidnapped in Syria alive: Hollande

Paris, Sep 16 (IANS) Two French journalists kidnapped in Syria three months ago are alive, President Francois Hollande has said. 'We are doing everything to release them, but making contacts to release them is a very long process,' Xinhua quoted the president as telling private channel TF1. Journalist Didier Francois and freelance photographer Edouard Elias working for local broadcaster Europe1 were kidnapped in June when they were en route to Aleppo in Syria.

In WB, 114 children given Hepatitis B vaccine instead of polio drops

Hooghly(WB): At least 114 children were hospitalised in Hooghly district after they were mistakenly given Hepatitis B vaccine orally instead of pulse polio drops. Six persons were suspended for the the lapse that triggered protests with angry villagers locking up health workers. Yesterday was pulse polio day so parents had taken their children to the polio booth at the Khatul village under Arambagh sub-division, official sources said. 

One of the parents noticed that the health workers at the polio booth in Khatul village was giving Hepatitis B vaccine orally instead of polio drops and immediately informed the matter to the health workers and the villagers, the sources said. By then 114 children had already been given the Hepatitis B vaccine orally. Angry villagers then locked up the health workers and the local Block Development Officer (BDO) and the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Arambagh who rushed to the spot to pacify them. 

Meanwhile, all the 114 children who were given Hepatitis B vaccine instead of pulse polio drops were admitted to the Arambagh Sub-Divisional Hospital.  The Superintendent of the Arambagh Sub-Divisional Hospital Nirmalya Ray said the Hepatitis B vaccine would not cause any harm to the children.  Hepatitis B is administered through injection while pulse polio drops are given orally. Ray also said that most of the children had been discharged from hospital as they were admitted so that they could be kept under observation.  Hooghly District Magistrate Manmeet Nanda said six persons have been suspended in this connection. Five of them are health workers and one anganwadi worker. 

- PTI

In WB, 114 children given Hepatitis B vaccine instead of polio drops

Hooghly(WB): At least 114 children were hospitalised in Hooghly district after they were mistakenly given Hepatitis B vaccine orally instead of pulse polio drops. Six persons were suspended for the the lapse that triggered protests with angry villagers locking up health workers. Yesterday was pulse polio day so parents had taken their children to the polio booth at the Khatul village under Arambagh sub-division, official sources said. 

One of the parents noticed that the health workers at the polio booth in Khatul village was giving Hepatitis B vaccine orally instead of polio drops and immediately informed the matter to the health workers and the villagers, the sources said. By then 114 children had already been given the Hepatitis B vaccine orally. Angry villagers then locked up the health workers and the local Block Development Officer (BDO) and the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Arambagh who rushed to the spot to pacify them. 

Meanwhile, all the 114 children who were given Hepatitis B vaccine instead of pulse polio drops were admitted to the Arambagh Sub-Divisional Hospital.  The Superintendent of the Arambagh Sub-Divisional Hospital Nirmalya Ray said the Hepatitis B vaccine would not cause any harm to the children.  Hepatitis B is administered through injection while pulse polio drops are given orally. Ray also said that most of the children had been discharged from hospital as they were admitted so that they could be kept under observation.  Hooghly District Magistrate Manmeet Nanda said six persons have been suspended in this connection. Five of them are health workers and one anganwadi worker. 

- PTI