Three things for March 11
1. UN condemns violence in Myanmar
On Wednesday, March 10, the U.N. Security Council unanimously called for a reversal of the military coup in Myanmar. The council strongly condemned the violence against peaceful protesters and called for “utmost restraint” by the military, reports AP News.
The statement, drafted by Britain and approved by all 15 council members, calls for the immediate release of government leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, who have been detained since the Feb. 1 military coup.
Since the coup earlier this year, protesters have been met with violence, pro-military counter-protesters and threats.
On Monday, a video posted to social media showed a nun dropping to her knees in front of police officers, pleading with them to stop shooting protesters.
“I begged them not to hurt the protesters, but to treat them kindly like family members,” Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng told Reuters in a telephone interview. “I told them that they can kill me, I am not standing up until they give their promise that they will not brutally crack down on protesters.”
At least two protesters were killed and several others injured, according to Tawng and other witnesses.
According to Reuters, over 60 people have been killed and more than 1,800 detained in the crackdown on protests against the Feb. 1 coup.
2. Two students charged with stealing $114,000 from MTSU
On Tuesday, March 9, two students were indicted and charged by a Rutherford County grand jury for stealing $114,000 from Middle Tennessee State University.
According to AP News, the charges stem from an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Comptroller of the school’s Somali Student Association and Muslim Student Association.
Investigators found evidence that the two student group leaders fraudulently obtained more than $114,000 in student activity fees from the university over a three-year period, the bureau said.
Mohamed Gure and Mohamed Osman, both 22, were charged with theft, forgery and criminal simulation, officials said. Gure’s bond was set at $60,000, and Osmon’s bond was set at $50,000.
3. Senate confirms Biden nominee Garland as U.S. Attorney General
On Wednesday, March 10, the Senate voted to confirm Merrick Garland, President Joe Biden’s nominee for attorney general, as the federal appellate judge.
According to Reuters, the tally was 70-30 to confirm Garland as the top U.S. law enforcement official. 20 of the chamber’s 50 Republicans, including McConnell and former Judiciary Committee chairmen Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley, joined Democrats in support.
During his confirmation hearing on Feb. 22, Garland pledged to restore confidence in the department and protect it from political meddling.
