Page 201 - Social Issues
Thousands to protest across US on Saturday
Thousands of demonstrators will take to the streets across the US on Saturday to protest against President Donald Trump and stand up for womens rights at the Womens March.
Minorities feel safe under PM Modi, says Shahnawaz Hussain
Senior BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain Saturday claimed minorities felt safe under the Narendra Modi-led Union government as it never distinguished between people on the basis of caste or religion. Addressing a press conference here, the BJP national spokesperson also hit out at the Congress for creating a "fear psychosis" among minorities. "Minority communities were falsely told by the opposition parties that they will be finished if Modi comes to power. Congress thinks they will be able to win votes of minorities by creating a fear psychosis. But the Congress has gone absolutely wrong as minorities will now vote for Modi for the development of the country," he said. "The minorities feel safest under Modi-led government. The number of riots have decreased under the Modi government. Schemes are launched for the poor without asking them their religion or caste. People have benefited immensely under PM Modi," Hussain claimed. Speaking about fugitive businessmen Vijay ...
Bulgaria extradites Russian hacker to US: embassy
Bulgaria has extradited a Russian indicted by a US court for mounting a complex hacking scheme to the United States, the Russian embassy in Washington said Saturday. The Russian embassy, in a statement on its VK social network, said Alexander Zhukov had been extradited on January 18 and was being held in a jail in Brooklyn, New York. "Employees of the Consulate General in New York will visit him in jail soon," the embassy said. Zhukov is one of eight people, most of them Russian, indicted in November for creating fake advertising schemes through remote data centres and malware-infected computer networks. Their activity cost businesses tens of millions of dollars, says the indictment. Zhukov's group is accused of organising two schemes in 2014 and 2015. In the first, dubbed "Methbot," it rented computer servers and simulated humans viewing ads on webpages, tricking businesses into paying more than $7 million (6.16 million euros) for the fake views, according to US prosecutors. In the .
Working with Indian government on repatriation of Tamil refugees, says new Lankan envoy
New Delhi [India], Jan 19 (ANI): The Sri Lankan government is working out with the Indian government ways and time frame for the repatriation of Tamil refugees living in India.The new Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Austin Fernando, said on Friday that he will soon be travelling down to South India where according to him nearly one lakh Tamil refugees are stationed, for consultations with them.The Indian government claims these numbers to be roughly two lakh. The envoy said representatives of Indian and Lankan government are expected to be part of the discussions for repatriation."What we know is that out of near about one lakh Tamil refugees in India, nearly 20 to 30 per cent want to stay back in India and do not want to return to Lanka. For those who want to return, we have to ensure that they have food, shelter and livelihood when they go back. We have to work on that. We have to ensure that they are safe when they are back. Refugee repatriation cannot be successful till we .
Working with Indian govt on repatriation of Tamil refugees: Lankan envoy
The new Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Austin Fernando, said on Friday that he will soon be travelling down to South India where according to him nearly one lakh Tamil refugees are stationed
Trump, Pence lend support to thousands at anti-abortion demo
Thousands of anti-abortion activists rallied in Washington on Friday at the annual March for Life -- with the staunch support of President Donald Trump. Trump, who became the first sitting president to address the demonstration last year, appeared once again by videolink, and Vice President Mike Pence made a surprise appearance at what organizers call "the world's largest pro-life event." "Today, I have signed a letter to Congress to make clear that if they send any legislation to my desk that weakens the protection of human life, I will veto," Trump said. Pence, with his wife Karen at his side, assured demonstrators: "From the White House to your house, life is winning in America once again." The march is organized each year on or near an anniversary that infuriates anti-abortion activists -- the Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade, which legalized the procedure nationwide on January 22, 1973. The anniversary offers the religious right an opportunity to rally its forces and demand .
UN chief disappointed at lack of progress in Myanmar's refugee crisis
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed frustration over the lack of progress in Myanmar's refugee crisis.
#MeToo educated both women and men about responsibilities towards society: Sindhu
Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu on Friday said that the recent wake of the #MeToo has brought in a lot of change in the people's mindsets and has educated both women and men about their responsibilities towards the society.Sindhu was present here at the inauguration of SH(OUT) - Sexual Harassment Out, a first of its kind initiative by Hyderabad City Police along with Soroptimist International Organisation."I am very happy to learn that today Hyderabad Police and Soroptimist International jointly conducting an interactive symposium on prevention, prohibition of sexual harassment on women at the workplace. Sexual harassment is a type of discrimination. It is an unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. It can be physical, verbal, non-verbal or written. The current #MeToo movement has brought in a lot of awareness recently about the sexual harassment of women at work place. This movement has educated both women and men about the ..
Peshawar women's bicycle rally cancelled after protest threat by religious groups
A women's bicycle rally in Pakistan's Peshawar city has been called off after threats from religious groups to protest against the event, according to organisers. The rally, a first such event in the Khyber Pakthunkhawa province's capital city, was scheduled to take place on Saturday. On Friday, some religious outfits led by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and Jamaat-i-Islami threatened to derail the event through protests and rallies. JUI-F's Maulana Rafiullah Qasmi alleged on Friday that the women's bicycle rally would spread obscenity. He said they had planned a big demonstration, including rallies, against the event on Saturday. The rally was being organised by the Zama Jawadoon, a women's right organisation. It had announced the rally would start from Peshawar's Hayatabad neighbourhood. Event organiser, Wafa Wazir said at least 35 women had signed up for the bicycle rally and people from the transgender community had also been invited for the event. Wazir said they had ...
Citi says female employees earn 29 percent less than men
(Reuters) - Citigroup's female employees earn 29 percent less than male employees on a global median basis, the Wall Street bank revealed on Wednesday, while announcing targets for appointing more women and minorities to senior roles.
Women get lot of respect in other countries, but people don't practise what they preach in India: Sindhu
Ace shuttler P V Sindhu on Friday noted that a lot of respect was given to women in foreign countries, but, in India, people do not practise what they preach. Speaking at an event titled 'SH(OUT) - Sexual Harassment Out: We are listening', organised by the Hyderabad Police here, Sindhu said, "I feel really happy that there is lot of respect towards women in other countries, while in India, people actually tell us that we should respect women, but I think there are very rare people who actually practise it... who actually do it (respect). It's just that they only say it and they don't practise it." "I want to say and wish that everybody should respect others and especially women," she said adding "women have to be strong and we have to believe ourselves as a woman we can do anything". Women who face sexual harassment, be it physical or mental harassment, should come forward and should not be ashamed of it, and they should talk about and speak about it, Sindhu stressed. She said the ...
Sri Lanka wants to take back all Tamil refugees from India
Sri Lanka wants to take back all Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who are now in India, country's High Commissioner to India Austin Fernando said on Friday.
Need serious dialogues for repatriation of Lankan refugees in TN: SL envoy
Sri Lanka is seeking "serious dialogues" with India for repatriation of Lankan refugees living in Tamil Nadu, its envoy Friday said while asserting that his country wants them to be resettled back home with provision of housing and livelihood. A large number of Lankan refugees continue to live in Tamil Nadu over 30 years after the outbreak of civil war had caused them to flee the country. Interacting with reporters at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC) here, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Austin Fernando, said he has planned to "meet the refugees" in Tamil Nadu and other people to hold consultations. However, he did not specify any timeframe. "What we know is that about 100,000 of them (refugees) are there in south India. And, nearly 20 to 30 per cent do not want to return to Lanka and stay back," said Fernando, who took charge as the envoy last November. He said this issue will take time to resolve and has to be done in planned manner, but for the refugee .
Corrected - Citi says female employees earn 29 percent less than men
(Reuters) - (This Jan. 16 story corrects to include gender pay gap at Citi when accounting for similar positions and geographies)
Need to change society's mindset to safegaurd women's interests: Ramacharyulu
There is a need to change the mindset of society besides bringing in constitutional and legislative provisions to safeguard the interests of women at workplace, Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat P P K Ramacharyulu said Thursday. He was speaking at the conclusion of a two-day workshop on 'Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace'. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat organised the sensitisation workshop on various aspects of sexual harassment at workplace and the provisions of the act in this regard. In his concluding address, Ramacharyulu said the constitutional provisions for gender equality have been supplemented from time to time by significant women-centric legislations like the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act. "The implementation of this act has, however, not been able to address the concerns regarding women security and safety at the workplace," he said. "Besides the constitutional and legislative provisions to safeguard the ...
Pandits reach out to a Muslim family in distress in South Kashmir
Battling with hunger for few days due to utter poverty, the seven-member family of Mouzudin Bhat in remote Hapatnar hamlet of South Kashmir had a meal on Thursday after a group of displaced Kashmiri Pandits braved heavy snowfall to bring them essential supplies. Not only did the displaced Pandits from the Mattan transit camp led by Ranjan Jyotshi and Vinod Tickoo brought them rations, medicines and other essentials but also ensured financial assistance to the family by collecting funds through Facebook and other social media platforms. "After six days all of us ate food. Our 4 children have not eaten food for several days. Thanks to these Kashmiri Pandit boys, who came to our help", Raja Begum, one of the family members told reporters. Jyotshi, who works for the social welfare department, learnt of their plight during a visit to the far flung area of Hapatnar. He and Vinod Tickoo, an engineer collected rice, flour, oils, spices, sugar, tea, milk, pulses, medicines and blankets, quilts
Patkar demands liquor ban in Yavatmal district
Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar Friday demanded a total liquor ban in Yavatmal, a district in Vidarbha infamous for farmer suicides. Addressing a rally, she said the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra should immediately announce a total ban on liquor in Yavatmal district. The step should be taken before the Lok Sabha poll schedule is announced, she said at the rally here attended by women. If liquor is not banned in Yavatmal, women from the district will not vote for the party and ensure it is defeated, Patkar said. The rally was organised under the aegis of Swamini Daru Bandi Andolan Samiti, an anti-liquor outfit. Patkar said political parties should include liquor ban in their respective election manifestos.
Citizenship bill: Rajnath rings up AASU, seeks to resolve issue via talks
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has rang up the All Assam Students Union (AASU) spearheading the agitation over the Citizenship Amendment Bill expressing the Centre's desire to resolve the issue through discussions, a statement by the students' body said here Friday. Talking to Singh, AASU and North East Students Organisation (NESO) Chief Advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya insisted that the bill "which will make the indigenous people extinct and only protect the Bangladeshis has to be scrapped as desired by the people of Assam and the northeast region." NESO is the umbrella organisation of major students unions of the seven northeastern states. "Only through implementation of the historic Assam Assam Accord 1985, signed at the end of the Assam Movement, the burning issue of citizenship problem has to be solved," the statement quoted Bhattacharyya as telling the minister. A six-year long movement by the AASU demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants culminated with ..
Woman tries to immolate self outside Mantralaya
A 54-year-old woman allegedly tried to commit suicide by setting herself on fire outside the Maharashtra secretariat here on Friday, police said. According to police, she took the step due to debt burden. "The woman, Sharda Kamble, a resident of Chembur, tried to set herself ablaze. But the police personnel, who were posted on duty there, stopped her from doing so," a police official said. "She claimed that she tried to end her life due to debts," the official said adding that they were verifying her claims. Further investigation is on.
Migrants coming to US are from 'many countries', says Trump
Reiterating his demand for building a wall along United States' southern border with Mexico, President Donald Trump on Friday said that migrants coming to the US illegally not only belong to Central America but from different parts of the world.The US President took to Twitter, as saying: "Border rancher: 'We've found prayer rugs out here. It's unreal.' Washington Examiner People coming across the Southern Border from many countries, some of which would be a big surprise."The tweet by the US President comes amid reports by Washington Examiner on Thursday that ranchers and farmers have found 'prayer rugs' near the New Mexico border. The 'prayer rugs' or mats, small carpets used by Muslims while offering prayers, is scary and one may not have an idea of what is coming to the country. "It's not just Mexican nationals that are coming across", a rancher was quoted as saying.The US President has reiterated his demand for USD 5.7 billion to fund a wall on the border with Mexico, asserting ...
