Page 101 - Social Issues
Detained Saudi women back in court but no more releases
A Saudi court hearing in the high-profile trial of detained women ended Wednesday without bail for eight of them, campaigners said, following the provisional release of three detainees last week. Eleven women, some of whom allegedly faced torture and sexual abuse during nearly a year in detention, are on trial in Riyadh's criminal court on charges that include contact with foreign media, diplomats and human rights groups. Three of them -- blogger Eman al-Nafjan, retired university lecturer Aziza al-Youssef and preacher Rokaya al-Mohareb -- were seen entering the court after they were provisionally freed last Thursday. The others were subsequently expected to be freed, but there was no decision from the three-judge panel on Wednesday. "The third trial session for the Saudi women activists has ended with NO VERDICTS against any of them, and with no temporary release to any of them," Prisoners of Conscience, a Saudi group that tracks political prisoners, said on Twitter. It added that ...
Brunei introduces stoning to death for gay sex, adultery
Brunei on Wednesday introduced harsh new sharia laws, including death by stoning for adultery and gay sex, despite a storm of global criticism from politicians, celebrities and rights groups. The tough penal code in the tiny country on tropical Borneo island -- ruled by the all-powerful Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah -- fully came into force following years of delays. The laws, which also include amputation of hands and feet for thieves, make Brunei the first place in East or Southeast Asia to have a sharia penal code at the national level, joining several mostly Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia. Rape and robbery are also punishable by death under the code and many of the new laws, such as capital punishment for insulting the Prophet Mohammed, apply to non-Muslims as well as Muslims. The decision to push ahead with the punishments has sparked alarm around the world, with the United Nations labelling them "cruel and inhumane" and celebrities, led by actor George Clooney and pop ..
Mizoram's Congress regime neglected voter concerns: ADR
Mizoram's previous Lal Thanhawla-led Congress government neglected voter priorities and performed "poorly and underwhelmingly" on almost all governance parameters, including employment, healthcare, agricultural subsidies and loans, and road infrastructure, said a survey report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Sri Lanka interviews 47 potential hangmen
Sri Lanka on Wednesday began interviewing 47 applicants for two positions as hangmen, officials said, as Amnesty International urged Colombo not to bring back capital punishment. President Maithripala Sirisena announced in February that Sri Lanka would end a 43-year moratorium on executions this month in a Philippines-inspired war on drugs. Am official said that 47 male applicants would be interviewed on Wednesday and Thursday, after the government advertised the vacancies in February. But the successful candidates may face a delay in carrying out their new role. "Since there is no living person in Sri Lanka who has carried out an execution, we need to send the new recruits abroad for training," the official, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP, adding that Colombo was also yet to identify a country to provide training. "The rope (used for hangings) has not been used at all since it was imported (in 2015), it will have to be tested and certified." Rights group Amnesty ...
NYAY funds will come from pockets of 'chor' businessmen: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that funds for the ambitious 'NYAY' scheme will come from pockets of "chor" businessmen favoured by 'Chowkidar' Narendra Modi. Addressing a rally in the Upper Assam town of Bokakhat, Gandhi said the Congress, if voted to power, guarantees to deposit Rs 72,000 annually to 20 per cent poor Indian families under the NYAY scheme. "Modi had promised to deposit money in the accounts of people, but he has done it only in the case of some rich businessmen like the Ambanis. "The money (for NYAY scheme) will come from the pockets of 'chor' (thieves) like Anil Ambani, to whom Chowkidar Narendra Modi has given money during the last four years... We will deposit it in the accounts of the poor, particularly women, irrespective of their caste, class or religion," he said. The party has promised to roll out the Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) scheme, under which Rs 72,000 would be deposited in bank accounts of the women belonging to poor families, ...
Young couple found hanging from tree in Rajasthan
In a suspected suicide pact, a 19-year-old man and a minor girl were found hanging from a tree in Rajasthan's Barmer district on Wednesday, police said. The deceased-- Rugharam Bheel (19) and the girl allegedly committed suicide over their failed relationship, assistant sub-inspector, Gomaram said. Both were neighbours residing in Ranisara village of Sanau tehsil, he added. The bodies were handed over to family members after a post-mortem examination, the officer added.
Arunachal Dy CM blames Cong for violence during PRC protests
Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief minister Chowna Mein on Wednesday alleged that the Congress was the "mastermind" behind the violent protests in the state over granting of Permanent Citizenship Certificate (PRC) to six non-tribal communities in Changlang and Namsai districts. The state capital in February had witnessed large scale violence over the issue, resulting in the loss of three lives, besides causing damage to public and private property. "The PRC is a social issue but the Congress politicised it to gain mileage which did not work. The people of the state have now realised who was the mastermind behind creating the situation," Mein said while addressing an election rally here. "When the properties of BJP leaders were damaged, why not a single property of any Congress leader was under attack during the violence?" Mein asked. The deputy chief minister also alleged that the intention of the Congress was to "dislodge" the BJP government in the state and to come back to .
80% Indian job seekers interested in politics: Report
About 80 per cent of job seekers across India are interested in politics and look to pursue careers as political analysts, social workers and political journalists, a survey by a leading job site, Indeed, said on Wednesday.
Anudip appoints new Chief Executive Officer
Anudip Foundation today announced the elevation of Monisha Banerjee, Executive Director of the Company, to the role of Chief Executive Officer.Dipak Basu, Founder and current CEO will continue as Chairman of Anudip's Board of Directors."During my twelve years with Anudip it has been my privilege to serve bright and talented young men and women from difficult backgrounds and help them to find a place in today's fast-paced digital economy," said Dipak."Our work would not have been possible without the trust and encouragement of our sponsors, our employers, and the efforts of our dedicated staff. I am delighted that the Company is in good hands going forward. Monisha has already made an impact at Anudip as Executive Director. Her decades-long multi-faceted experience, social commitment, and strategic mindset will be invaluable assets as she assumes Company leadership", he added."Anudip has a long legacy of transforming lives of young men and women deprived of opportunity. Anudip has ...
JSP promises laptop to students, pension to farmers
Laptops for all 11th and 12th standard students, pension for farmers, fishermen and artisans and Rs 10 lakh health insurance for every family were some of the key promises that actor Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena Party (JSP) listed in its manifesto.
US condemns Brunei's anti-LGBTQ laws
The United States has condemned Brunei's recent decision to clamp down on the LGBTQ community by implementing laws whose associated penalties "run counter" to international human rights.This comes in the wake of Brunei implementing laws which make homosexuality and adultery punishable by death. As per the new law, anyone found guilty of the offences will be stoned to death and the punishment will be "witnessed by a group of Muslims.""Brunei's decision to implement Phases Two and Three of the Sharia Penal Code and associated penalties runs counter to its international human rights obligations, including with respect to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said during a media briefing on April 2."The United States strongly opposes violence, criminalization and discrimination targeting vulnerable groups, including women at risk of violence, religious and ethnic minorities, and lesbian, gay, ...
Ariana Grande refuses to label her sexuality
Singer Ariana Grande has said she will not label her sexuality as her newest single "Monopoly" sparked rumours of her being bisexual.
Hyderabad: Class X student commits suicide after being scolded for playing PUBG
A 10th standard student here allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence after his parents scolded him for playing online game 'PUBG', said police.The deceased identified as Kallakuri Sambashiva lived in Vishnupuri Extension in Malkajgiri area. His body has been sent to Gandhi General Hospital for post mortem.The matter came to light after the Malkajgiri police received information in wee hours of Tuesday that a boy in the vicinity had committed suicide.The police have registered a case under section 174 of CrPC. An investigation in the matter is underway.PUBG or 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' is an online multiplayer game where about 100 players fight it out in free for all combat where the sole survivor emerges victorious.There have been calls to ban the game as it is "addictive" and has been linked to poor results of students in exams.In February, an 18-year-old boy had allegedly committed suicide in Mumbai after he had an argument with his family members over
Head of NGO for 'harassed husbands' enters LS poll fray in Guj
The head of an organisation representing 'harassed husbands' has jumped into the Lok Sabha poll fray in Gujarat with a promise that if voted to power, he will voice woes of men "victimised" by their wives. Dashrath Devda, who runs an NGO called 'Akhil Bhartiya Patni Atyachar Virodhi Sangh', on Tuesday filed his nomination papers from the Ahmedabad-East Lok Sabha constituency. "I will continue to fight for men who are victimised by their wives and in-laws in the name of dowry," Devda said. He has entered the poll fray for the third time as an independent candidate, after unsuccessfully contesting the 2014 Lok Sabha and the 2017 state Assembly polls. Devda, whose NGO claims to have nearly 69,000 registered members, got around 2,300 votes in the last Lok Sabha election and only 400 votes while contesting the Assembly poll from Naroda constituency two years ago. "Unlike other contenders, I don't spend money on campaigning. I approach voters by going door-to-door, and promise .
Black, gay woman elected Chicago mayor in historic vote
In a historic first, a gay African American woman was elected mayor of America's third largest city Tuesday, as Chicago voters entrusted a political novice with tackling difficult problems of economic inequality and gun violence. Lori Lightfoot, a 56-year-old former federal prosecutor and practicing lawyer who has never before held elected office, was elected the midwestern city's mayor in a lopsided victory. She beat out Toni Preckwinkle, who is also an African American woman, by a wide margin of 74 to 26 per cent in early voting results with most ballots counted. Lightfoot will become Chicago's first openly gay mayor and the first African American woman to hold the post. Since 1837, Chicago voters have elected only one black mayor and one female mayor. Preckwinkle is the chief executive of Cook County where Chicago is based, which analysts said worked against her during a change election as voters sought to shake up city hall. "People (are) hoping for something different to come ...
LA officials call for boycott of Brunei-owned hotels
Officials and LGBTQ leaders in California joined Tuesday a growing chorus of people calling for a boycott of Brunei-owned hotels in the Los Angeles area. The call to boycott the fabled Beverly Hills Hotel, once the playground of Hollywood celebrities, and Hotel Bel-Air came after the sultanate announced plans to implement the death penalty for gay sex and adultery. "As a citywide elected official, I represent a diverse community of Angelenos, and I call on everyone to boycott the hotels owned by Brunei's royal family," LA Controller Ron Galperin said in a statement. "I will not set foot in these establishments so long as they are owned and controlled by a regime that is willing to kill LGBTQ people. "While I feel bad for the many hard-working employees of these local hotels, no one should support or attend any events there while lives are on the line." Los Angeles Council member Paul Koretz said people should shun both hotels even "if that means marring their reputation and fabled ...
Woman commits suicide after harassment for dowry
A woman committed suicide by allegedly consuming poisonous substance after being harassed by her husband and in-laws for dowry, police said on Tuesday.
Indian-American man sentenced to 12 years for health care fraud, aggravated identity theft
An Indian-American man was sentenced to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly one million dollars in fine for health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. Babubhai Bhurabhai Rathod of Michigan had pleaded guilty to both charges in August 2018, US Attorney Andrew Birge said. US District Judge Janet Neff also ordered Rathod to pay over USD 939,000 in restitution to federal health insurance programmes Medicare and Medicaid. In 2013, Rathod was sentenced to four years in prisonand was further excluded from participating in Medicare and Medicaidafter being convicted of paying practitioners illegal kickbacks in exchange for patient referrals to his health care companies. While in prison, Rathod faked a drug and alcohol use disorder in order to qualify for admission into the Residential Drug Abuse Programme (RDAP), a programme that allows eligible inmates to lessen the amount of time that they would otherwise serve. He completed RDAP and was released early from custody. Within ...
AAP promises to explore dual citizenship for Goans
Claiming strong support from NRIs and OCIs, the Aam Adami Party (AAP) convenor of Goa Elvis Gomes here on Tuesday said a section of the populace in the former Lusophonian colony are Portuguese by birth and Indian by adoption, a fact that "nobody can take away from us".
Sri Lanka arrests novelist over gay plot line about Buddhists
A Sri Lankan novelist has been arrested for writing about homosexuality in the Buddhist clergy and charged with violating international human rights law, officials said Tuesday, outraging free speech advocates. Shakthika Sathkumara, 33, was arrested in the north-central town of Polgahawela on Monday and remanded in custody for nine days after monks complained about his writing. The short story contained indirect references to homosexuality among the clergy, who hold considerable sway in the Buddhist-majority nation of 21 million. The story was published on Sathkumara's Facebook page and in local Sinhalese language publications. "A group of monks complained that the reference to homosexual activities among the clergy insulted Buddhism," a police spokesman said. Buddhist monks are expected to be celibate. Homosexuality is also outlawed in Sri Lanka under an 1883 colonial-era law, but it is rarely enforced. The police spokesman said the monks who complained refused to settle the matter ..