Page 14 - Social Issues
Haryana cop commits suicide inside Hisar mini-secretariat complex
An assistant sub-inspector of the Haryana Police allegedly committed suicide by hanging on Monday at the mini-secretariat complex here, police said. The body of Rakesh Kumar (44) was found hanging near the stairs of the building this morning, they added. A suicide note was found in ASI Kumar's pocket in which he wrote that he was mentally disturbed and hence was killing himself, police spokesperson Harish Bhardwaj said. The official said Kumar was posted at the Hansi police station and resided at a rented house in Jawahar Nagar area here. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the law and further investigation is underway, Bhardwaj added.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist released from jail
Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, an iconic 2014 Umbrella Revolution leader, walked free from a Hong Kong prison on Monday after serving a two-month sentence and urged the territory's Chief Executive Carrie Lam to step down amid days of massive protests against a controversial extradition bill that would allow suspects to be sent to China for trial.
Former first lady Torres takes lead in Guatemala presidential vote
Former first lady Sandra Torres was in the lead after partial results from Guatemala's presidential election, following a tumultuous campaign that saw two leading candidates barred and the top electoral crimes prosecutor flee the corruption-weary country. With 28 per cent of votes counted after Sunday's polls, Torres was on 24 percent while her closest rival Alejandro Giammattei was on 15 percent, the Electoral Supreme Court (TSE) said. With a crowded field of 19 candidates, counting has been slow and no one is expected to poll more than the 50 per cent required to avoid a runoff on August 11. After casting her ballot, Torres, of the center-left Unity of Hope party (UNE), said she was "optimistic, we've worked hard ... I'll be the first woman president." Her closest rival, Giammattei, a doctor from the conservative VAMOS party, denounced an "irregular" electoral process after several candidates were excluded from the race to succeed unpopular outgoing president Jimmy Morales. Morales .
Two held for transporting banned fish variety
Police said on Monday they have seized 70 quintal of the banned Mugera fish in Shamli district and arrested two people. Authorities have banned the sale, storage and transportation of the fish variety because of its public health risks. The two people were transporting the fish in a canter to Haryana when they were arrested in Bhedi Khurd village on Sunday, police said.
Papua New Guinea set to end Australia refugee contract PORT
Papua New Guinea will not renew a contract with an Australian company providing security at Pacific refugee camps, a senior minister has told AFP, in another setback for the deeply controversial policy. Singapore-registered Paladin Holdings provides security and other services at three "transition centres" for refugees being held on Papua New Guinea's remote Manus Island after trying to get to Australia. Canberra has turned back thousands of refugees arriving by sea, instead putting them in offshore camps where mental illness and suicide attempts are rife. The policy has cost Australia billions of dollars and earned it international opprobrium, but remains a vote winner at home. Yet the new government in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea's capital, plans to "terminate (the) Paladin contract by end of this month" said Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas. Thomas said his government had notified Australia's home affairs department that it will launch a "transparent tender process" that ...
Ten killed in Paraguay prison riot: interior ministry
A riot at a prison in Paraguay left 10 inmates dead and 10 wounded, the interior ministry said Sunday. Interior minister Juan Villamayor said that there was a "confrontation" between "two feared criminal organizations" at the prison in San Pedro de Ycuamandiyu, some 400 kilometers northeast of the capital. "All of the dead belong to the narco groups," Villamayor said. One of the organizations involved is originally from the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, while the other is made up of drug traffickers from both countries, according to authorities. The riot began at noon (1600 GMT) and lasted for about three hours, at a time when there were few guards. Five of those killed on Sunday were decapitated and three were burned, Villamayor said. The unrest is the latest in a series of deadly prison riots to hit Latin American countries, including one in Brazil that killed 40 people last month.
Bhagwat laments political violence in Bengal
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Sunday lamented the 'political violence' in West Bengal and said calling those protesting against such killings as "outsiders" was wrong. He said it is the responsibility of the government to act in the interest of the people and implement law and order through strict action. Referring to the political killings in West Bengal, Bhagwat said the people who were killed may belong to a certain party, but calling those who protest against such killings as "outsiders" is wrong. He was speaking at the concluding programme of the third year of 'Sangh Shiksha Varg' at Smriti Mandir in Reshimbagh here. A total of 828 trainees from across the country participated in the 25-day training which began on May 23. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has often blamed "outsiders" for causing trouble in the state. "Whatever is happening in West Bengal should not happen. It is not happening in other states. If some goons and those with aggressive tendencies are resorting .
MoS for Home Affairs Reddy lauds Lions Club hospital
Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on Sunday attended the 45th annual day function of Lions Club Hospital here.Speaking on the occasion, Reddy said: "I have known this hospital for more than 20 years. This hospital is serving so many people in the state.""Earlier I have made eye testing possible in the government schools in my Assembly constituency. It was found that 1,400 children were facing the eye problem. To help them out, the Lions Club Hospital has always come forward," he said."This is one of the biggest NGOs in the country. We should not waste our money. We should use the money to help some poor children. This hospital is serving freely. I would like to congratulate the Lions Club for this," he added.
Self-styled godmanarrested for 'raping' teenager
: A self-styled godman was taken into custody for allegedly raping a 19-year-old girl at her house here under the pretext of ridding her house of evil spirits, police said Sunday. The accused (25), claiming to have supernatural powers, had told the teenager's parents there were evil spirits in her house and that he would help in getting rid of them, and then took them to a shrine in Bidar district of Karnataka a week ago, police said based on a complaint. "On June 11, the accused, pretending to perform some rituals, went to the girl's house and allegedly sexually assaulted her," a police official said. The girl informed the matter to a family member, who lodged a complaint with the police on Friday last. Following this, a case under IPC section 376 (rape) was registered, and the godman was taken into custody, the official said.
It's defeat of honesty by dishonest: Hardik on LS poll results
Congress leader Hardik Patel Sunday described his party's drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls as the defeat of honesty by dishonest people. He also said that people would rally behind Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, as he is an "efficient leader". The Patidar community leader, who is here to attend a two-day camp of Youth Congress, was talking to reporters after visiting the Saibaba temple. Responding to a query on the Congress' performance in the Lok Sabha elections, he said, "There might have been some shortcomings...It is the defeat of honesty by the dishonest." "But don't worry about our defeat as we are much efficient," he added. On the question about Rahul Gandhi's leadership, Patel said, "He is as efficient a leader as his father late Rajiv Gandhi, grandmother late Indira Gandhi and great grandfather late Jawaharlal Nehru, all of whom worked for the country. I think people will firmly stand behind him (Rahul Gandhi)." "When the BJP won the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 people ..
Indian matrimonial sites show shift in attitude towards intercaste marriage: Study
Indians -- especially those living in the northern states of the country -- are becoming more open to having an intercaste marriage, according to scientists who analysed data from matrimonial websites. The research also showed that the Indian diaspora in the US who use the site are significantly less open to intercaste marriage than their counterparts in India, suggesting a focus on maintaining cultural identity as they live abroad in places where they have minority status. The researchers from University of Michigan in the US used data from 313,000 profiles from a major Indian matrimonial website. Among the information people fill out on the site is a direct question about whether they are willing to enter into an intercaste marriage. "Despite a lot of effort from the government and social groups, caste remains an important part of people's lives," said Ashwin Rajadesingan, from University of Michigan. "This caste question is actually on the first page on their questionnaire which ...
From Noida to Nagaur, couple wants to adopt newborn found in garbage
After being found in a garbage dump, Pihu now looks at a bright future with a journalist couple making efforts to adopt the abandoned newborn.The couple on Sunday met the Nagaur District Collector in order to inquire about the legal procedure to make the baby girl a part of their family."We are trying our best to initiate the legal procedure in order to adopt the child. In this regard me and my wife met the Nagaur Collector in order to understand the adoption procedure," Vinod Kapri, a filmmaker and journalist, told ANI.Before meeting the Collector, Kapri and his wife Sakshi Joshi, a TV news anchor went to JLN Hospital to meet the baby and enquired about her condition.On getting to know that the child's condition is improving, the couple travelled straight from Noida to Nagaur to inquire about the legal procedure.After battling for her life, the newborn is now stable. "The present condition of the child is stable, however, she is having a recurring problem in breathing," said Dr Mula .
Woman, daughter commit suicide in UP
A woman and her daughter allegedly committed suicide after consuming poison in Mahuli village here on Sunday, police said. Gyatri devi (42) and her daughter Khusboo (16) consumed a poisonous substance at their house. They were rushed to a hospital in serious condition, they said. Both of them died during treatment and their bodies have been sent for postmortem. Police are probing the matter and trying to ascertain the reason behind them taking the extreme step.
UN deputy chief invokes Indian emperor Ashoka, says he called for religious harmony
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed invoked Indian emperor Ashoka's message of harmonious relations between people of all religions as she underscored the importance of diversity and inclusion amid growing intolerance across the world. She underscored the importance of pluralism at a time of attacks on places of worship and violence targeting minorities, refugees and anyone perceived to be different or "other". "The tension between unity and pluralism, between the whole and its constituent parts, has been debated by thinkers and philosophers for thousands of years. Two millennia ago, the Indian emperor 'Ashoka the Great' called for harmonious relations between people of all religions and respect for each other's scriptures," Mohammed said in her remarks at the Global Centre for Pluralism in Lisbon on June 11. Ashoka, also known as 'Ashoka the Great', was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty which who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from 268 BC to 232 BC. There is
Living in anonymity, tribals displaced from Chhattisgarh due to violence hope for return
Displaced from Chhattisgarh due to violence and excluded from all social security benefits, a number of tribals living miserable lives in neighbouring states are hopeful of a better future, thanks to a "lesser-used" provision in the Forest Rights Act. Social activists claim thousands of tribals fled Chhattisgarh around 2004-05 due to Salwa Judum, a militia deployed as part of anti-Maoist operations in the state from 2005 to 2011. "These tribals are living in deplorable conditions in forests of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, without any access to drinking water and electricity. They get lower wages. Most of them don't have ration cards or voter IDs and cannot prove their citizenship," social activist Raju Rana says. "These states don't recognise them as tribals. They have no right over forest land and remain excluded from all social security benefits. On a number of occasions, police and forest officials have burnt their settlements to push them back to Chhattisgarh," he ...
Rohingya crisis can destabilise region if not solved: Bangla Prez
Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on Saturday said the Rohingya crisis can destabilise the entire region if left unresolved.Addressing the 5th Summit of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) at Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, Hamid stressed the importance of a peaceful resolution of the Rohingya crisis, Dhaka Tribune reported.The President also sought support and cooperation from CICA partners so that the forcibly displaced inhabitants of the Rakhine state can return to their homeland with "safety, security and dignity"."The world knows Bangladesh hosts 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. You must be aware of the evidence of genocide and gross violation of human rights, which has been termed a 'textbook example of ethnic cleansing' and humanitarian catastrophe of unmanageable magnitude," he added."Asian security is vulnerable as irregular migration, drug trafficking, territorial claims, ethnic conflicts, separatism, economic ...
Wearable devices may help disabled people move comfortably
Scientists have developed soft, wearable rehabilitative devices that can help elderly and disabled people move with comfort and safety. According to the researchers from University of Bristol in the UK the lives of thousands of people with mobility issues could be transformed with the research. The FREEHAB project will develop soft, wearable rehabilitative devices with a view to helping elderly and disabled people walk and move from sitting to a standing position in comfort and safety. Rehabilitation is vital for patients, but outcomes are hampered by a lack of easy-to-use dynamic tools to help therapists accurately analyse mobility performance and devise effective programmes. as rehabilitation increasingly takes place in patients' homes in the absence of a therapist, better ways to support in-home mobility and training are needed. The materials from which the artificial muscles are made include 3D-printable electroactive gel materials, and soft but strong pneumatic chains that ...
Task Force report on direct tax expected after Budget
The government may have quietly pushed a major income tax reform seeking to reduce tax burden and ease compliance for individual taxpayers.
Will ensure safety of daughters through 'Beti Bachao' committees: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
To ensure safety and security of a girl child in the state, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that soon 'Beti Bachao' committee will be formed in all the colonies of Bhopal and the campaign for the same will commence from Sunday.He also informed the media that members of religious and social organizations will gather on Sunday in order to take part in the campaign."Members of religious, social organisations gathered together today. To ensure the safety of daughters, it was decided to form 'Beti Bachao' committee in all colonies of Bhopal, the campaign begins tomorrow (June 16). Leaders of various organisations will visit colonies tomorrow and form committees," he said while speaking to media in Bhopal on Saturday.The former MP chief minister also had stated that the campaigners of 'Beti Bacho' will collectively take out a March on July 7 in Bhopal with an aim to provide protection to the girl child and will also demand 'hanged to the death penalty' ..
Number of IDUs on the rise in Tripura
The number of Injecting Drug Users (IDU) is on the rise in Tripura in spite of efforts by the state AIDS control society to control the menace, officials said. The Injecting Drug Users are mostly concentrated in Kanchanpur and Damchera in North Tripura district and Dhalai district, the officials said. According to latest statistic available with Tripura State Aids Control Society (TSACS), the number of drug users has gone up from 750 in 2018-19 to around 1000 till date. The figure was 610 in 2017-18. But the exact number of IDUs would more than the official figure as drug users often avoid the health workers due to social stigma, the Project Director of TSACS Dr PK Majumder said on Friday. "We have succeeded to get some die hard IDUs out of drugs through Opioid Substitute Therapy (OST) but actual number would be much more than the official inputs," he said. As many as 215 Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) have been fully cured over the past few years because of OST, he ...