Page 2768 - Politics
Govt struggling to provide basic amenities in many tribal areas: Official
The government is facing difficulties in providing basic amenities such as water supply and electricity connection in many tribal areas as a number of Scheduled Tribe families do not live in communities, a senior official in the Tribal Affairs Ministry has said. The official also acknowledged that the government has not been able to provide water connection in many schools for tribal children. "In many cases, schools for tribal children are located in areas that lack sources of drinking water. Wherever possible, the government installed submersible pumps or dug bore wells," the official said. When schools for tribal children were built 20-25 years ago, there was no concept of constructing toilets. Girls' hostels were set up but water supply was sanctioned later. In many places, water connection could not be provided at all, he said. "You can dig bore wells, but what will you do if there is no groundwater? Many a time, the source of water is more than two kilometres away from schools,"
Now is the time to build on Swachh Bharat's success: Bill Gates
"The leadership of Narendra Modi and the Indian government has played an important role in improving sanitation. Now is the time to build on the success of Swachh Bharat," Gates tweeted.This is not the first time when Gates has praised Prime Minister Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government for the efforts made towards improving sanitation process in India.Earlier, Gates who co-chairs the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, had congratulated the Indian government for the efforts made in reducing malnutrition and sanitation-related woes in India.The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in October 2014 by Prime Minister Modi. Since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission, over eight crore toilets have been built across India and over five lakh villages have been made open defecation free.Under the mission, the Prime Minister launched the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' movement on September 15 with an aim to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a Clean India.
Modi unveils statue of Sir Chhotu Ram in Haryana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled a statue of popular farmer leader from the Jat community Sir Chhotu Ram in Haryana's Rohtak district.
US seeks thorough probe into disappearance of Saudi Journalist Khashoggi
The US has sought a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after President Donald Trump expressed concern over the scribe's whereabouts. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, went missing after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. According to some media reports, Khashoggi, 59, has been killed inside the Saudi consulate. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of Khashoggi. "As the President has conveyed, the United States is concerned by his disappearance. State Department senior officials have spoken with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about this matter," he said. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Pompeo said in a statement. Trump's own remarks to ...
Rahul Gandhi's road show in Dholpur, attacks PM on economic policies
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his economic and agricultural polices, saying not a single rupee of farmers' loan has been waived by the government and the Make-In-India campaign has "failed" with phones and T-shirts being outsourced from China. Gandhi said his party "wants phones to be made in India and have a tag of made in Dholpur". Beginning his 150-km long road show in eastern Rajasthan from Mania in Dholpur district, which shares border with Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress president attacked the government on a range of issues ranging from the Rafale deal, law and order situation to demonetisation. Rajasthan goes to polls in December. Gandhi said the prime minister during the 2014 Lok Sabha election had said he wanted to be a 'chowkidar' but never clarified for whom he wanted to become the 'chowkidar'. Youth had trusted Modi. He had said he did not wish to become a prime minister but wanted to be a chowkidar. Now ..
Territorial Army inseparable party of security set-up: CM
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh Tuesday said the Territorial Army (TA) act an inseparable part of the security set-up in the state. Speaking on the occasion of the 69th Territorial Army Day here he said the TA has become an interface between the local populace with the Army and the Assam Rifles personnel based in the state. Singh said the TA has brought the local populace "closer" to the Army and Assam Rifles units deployed in the state. He said the Territorial Army has provided "impetus to gainful employment of the states youth" and the mindset of highly educated and well trained TA personnel are genuinely concerned in dealing with the problems of the state. The chief minister also congratulated the TA for its involvement in development of ecology by planting saplings in deforested areas.
Trump likes Taylor Swift '25 per cent less' after political post
President Donald Trump now likes Taylor Swift "25 per cent less" after the pop star broke her political silence and revealed she was backing two Democratic candidates for the upcoming US mid-term elections. Trump hit back at Swift a day after the 28-year-old singer-songwriter endorsed Democratic candidate Phil Bredesen, a former governor, over Republican Marsha Blackburn in her home state of Tennessee's Senate race. "I'm sure Taylor Swift has nothing - or doesn't know anything about her (Blackurn)," Trump said when told about Swift's political leanings. "Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 per cent less now, OK?" Trump was quoted as saying by the CNN. Swift endorsed Democrats Bredesen and Jim Cooper for the November 6 midterm polls in a long Instagram post on Sunday, breaking her years-long policy of keeping her politics to herself. "In the past I've been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two .
UN official: Qatar to buy fuel for Gaza's only power plant
A top United Nations official says Qatar is buying fuel to restart the only power plant in the beleaguered Gaza Strip. Jamie McGoldrick, the UN's Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, says Tuesday this will add a few more hours of electricity to Gaza's 2 million residents who experience daily blackouts of up to 16 hours. He said discussions were underway to find the "most optimal way" to deliver the fuel through Israel. The territory's militant Hamas rulers have accused the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority of hindering the Qatari efforts. Hamas wrested control of Gaza and ousted the PA in 2007, drawing an Israeli-Egyptian blockade that makes it difficult for the Islamic group to govern. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stepped up pressure to squeeze Hamas by cutting salaries of former PA employees.
Kanye West to meet Trump
Rapper Kanye West, who is a supporter of US President Donald Trump, is expected to meet with him and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner on Thursday.
After 'Made in Chitrakoot', Rahul calls for 'Made in Dholpur' smartphones
After voicing the idea of manufacturing smartphones in Madhya Pradesh's Chitrakoot district, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said he envisions a day when smartphones would be manufactured in Dholpur in Rajasthan."You are taking a selfie, if you turn the phone you will find 'Made in China' written on it. I want 'Made in Dholpur', 'Made in Rajasthan', 'Made in Jaipur' written on it. I want that when someone takes a selfie in China, he would see the words 'Made in Dholpur' written at the back of the phone and wonder where it is. Then we bring him to Rajasthan as a tourist, put his money in your pocket and send him back by flight," he said while addressing a rally here on Tuesday.Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in her stronghold, the Congress chief said that "when the UPA government was in power, we gave MNREGA, waived-off Rs 70,000 crores debt of farmers, brought in the Tribal Bill, and gave food to students in ...
Trump likes Taylor's music 'about 25 per cent less now'
Seems like Taylor Swift's decision to break her silence on politics has triggered a storm as the United States President Donald Trump now likes the pop star's tracks "about 25 per cent less."Trump, on Tuesday, reacted to Swift's comments after she voiced her political opinions and endorsed Democratic candidate Phil Bredesen, a former governor, over Republican's Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee's Senate race.Walking back towards reporters on the White House's South Lawn after hearing the pop star's name shouted at him, Trump said, " Blackburn is doing a very good job in Tennessee. I'm sure Taylor Swift has nothing -- or doesn't know anything about her. Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25% less now, OK?", reported CNN.The 'Shake it off' singer took to Instagram and endorsed both Bredesen and Rep. Jim Cooper, a Democrat who is running for re-election to the House.Breaking from her longstanding reluctance to weigh in on politics, she wrote, " In the past I've been reluctant to ...
EC defends decision to hold 3 LS by-polls in Karnataka
Under attack over its decision to hold by-elections in three Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka with only months to go for general elections, the Election Commission on Tuesday defended itself saying vacancies in Shimoga, Mandya and Bellary (ST) seats occurred more than one year ahead of the end of the tenure of the House.
Modi hasn't waived even a single penny of farm loans: Rahul
Declaring that the Congress will form the next government in Rajasthan, party President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not waived a single penny of farmers' loans.
Taiwan holds military drill with Paraguay amid China tension
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen hosted her Paraguayan counterpart Tuesday at a military exercise in a sign of the island's determination to withstand China's diplomatic onslaught. The joint land and air training exercise simulated an attempt by Chinese forces to attack a Taiwanese air base in the north of the island. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has been whittling away at the self-governing island's pool of diplomatic allies, leaving it now with just 17, including Paraguay. Defense Ministry spokesman Chen Chong-chi said inviting Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez to view the exercise alongside Tsai would "help strengthen the friendship between the two countries" and boost future civilian and military exchanges. Taiwan and China separated amid civil war in 1949. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under its control by force if deemed necessary. Last month, the United States recalled its envoys to the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Panama after decisions by .
'Formalin in fish' row threatens to split Goa ruling coalition party
A controversy surrounding the use of formalin to preserve fish sold in Goa is threatening a split in the Goa Forward, a ruling party, even as its Vice President has accused his leadership of being mum on the issue and being a party to the victimization of a whistle-blower who exposed the formalin-in-fish scandal.
CPI(M) launches explanatory meetings on Sabarimala issue
Rattled by protests by opposition Congress, BJP and various organisations against the government's decision to implement the apex court verdict on Sabarimala, the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala Tuesday launched 'vishidhikarnam' (explanatory) meetings with participation of women. The first of the meetings, to explain the government's stand on the issue and steps taken by it to implement the Supreme Court verdict, was inaugurated at Pandalam in Pathnamthitta district by CPI(M) central committee member P K Sreemathy, MP. P Sathi Devi, leader of the Janadhipatiya Mahila Association, said the state government has the duty to implement the top court verdict permitting women of all ages to worship at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. Volunteers from Kudumbashree, a women's empowerment and poverty eradication programme, have also been roped in for the meetings being organised in different places for ensuring 'equal justice' to all women. Meanwhile, Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said
Kim invites Pope to visit North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang, the South Korean presidential office said on Tuesday.
US envoy to discuss Afghanistan with Pakistan officials
The US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation will hold talks here on Tuesday with Pakistani officials to discuss ways of bringing about peace in Afghanistan.
Post publishes possibly last image of missing Saudi reporter
The Washington Post published a surveillance image on Tuesday showing its missing Saudi contributor walking into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul a week ago, just before he disappeared. Turkish officials have said they fear the columnist was killed there. Saudi Arabia has called the allegations that it killed writer Jamal Khashoggi as "baseless," but has offered no evidence over the past seven days to show that he ever left the building. The image released by the Post bore a date and date stamp. The Post said "a person close to the investigation" shared the image with them. Khashoggi, 59, went missing while on a visit to the consulate in Istanbul for paperwork to marry his Turkish fiance. The consulate insists the writer left its premises, contradicting Turkish officials. He had been living since last year in the United States, in a self-imposed exile, in part due to the rise of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman. As a contributor to the Post, Khashoggi has written extensively ...
Myanmar 'unwilling' to probe Rohingya abuse, UN must act: rights envoy
Myanmar is "unable and unwilling" to investigate its abuses against Rohingya Muslims, a UN rights envoy has said, bolstering calls for the country's generals to be hauled before an international court. A UN fact-finding mission has called for Myanmar's top brass to be investigated for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes over a brutal crackdown against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state that forced more than 720,000 of the beleaguered minority to flee the country to Bangladesh. Myanmar has dismissed the allegations, slamming the UN body as biased, and the government has set up its own committee to investigate the crimes. But UN special rapporteur to Myanmar Yanghee Lee -- who has been barred from entering the country since December -- said the government has shown little capacity for an unbiased probe into the violence, saying it has taken "limited and insufficient steps". "(Myanmar) is unable and unwilling to discharge its obligation to conduct credible, prompt, thorough, .