Page 67 - Social Issues
Jared Kushner's new plan on US immigration raises eyebrows
The proposal to reform the US immigration system by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and senior advisor to United States President Donald Trump, has garnered concerns by activists and anti-immigration groups, who claim that the proposal does not address the all-encompassing approach of border issues and worry that it will include changes to laws designed to protect migrant children.CNN quoted Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, a group that supports reduced immigration, as saying, "If we want to implement something that's going to work, it needs to be done in the proper sequence. The urgent problem needs to be taken care of first," apparently referring to the southern border, which has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people apprehended by the US Border Patrol."Our top concerns are that the proposal will try to bite off more than reasonably can be chewed," she added.Last week, during an interview at the Time 100 Summit, Kushner said
Bangladesh Minister warns of hanging British IS bride
Shamima Begum, a British teenager who ran away in 2015 to become an Islamic State (IS) jihadi bride, will be hanged for "terrorism offences" if she comes to Bangladesh, the country's Foreign Minister has said.
Dozens killed in ethnic clashes in Ethiopia: regional official
Dozens of civilians were shot dead in ethnic clashes in Ethiopia's northern Amhara state, a regional official said Friday, describing the attacks as retaliation for earlier violence. "Search and rescue missions are still ongoing to find victims and survivors from Monday's attack, but I can confirm the death toll runs into several dozen," Geleta Hailu, the director of communications in neighbouring Benishangul Gumuz state, told AFP. He did not provide an exact death toll but said more than 80 people were injured in the assault on the Gumuz ethnicity in the state, and 90 others had taken shelter in a local school. The gunmen have not been identified but Geleta said the attacks appeared to be retribution for the killing of at least 21 people in separate clashes last weekend between the Gumuz and Amhara ethnic groups in Benishangul Gumuz state. Homes were also torched in that outbreak of violence, which local officials said began as a dispute between two labourers. Communal clashes, ...
999 centenarians to cast their vote in Himachal
Some 999 centenarians will cast their votes for Himachal Pradesh's four parliamentary seats at seven special polling stations on May 19, Chief Electoral Officer Devesh Kumar said on Friday.
Telangana BJP president ends hunger strike after five days
Telangana BJP president Dr. K Laxman ended his hunger strike on Thursday.He was sitting on the hunger strike for the last five days to protest against the "injustice" caused to intermediate students in their final results.He called off his strike by taking lemon juice in the presence of Union Minister Hansraj Ahir.Speaking to ANI, Hansraj Ahir said, "Our state president Dr K Laxman was sitting on hunger strike for last 5 days against the injustice that happened to intermediate students in the final results. From the second day onwards his health started worsening but irrespective of that, Laxman continued with the hunger strike.""As party members, we were worried about his health condition and we assured him that we will fight for justice in other ways. After the assurance, he ended his hunger strike by taking lemon juice," the Union Minister added.Claiming that the result goof-up or errors that happened in Telangana has never happened in India, Ahir said, "As of now more than 20 ...
Don't understand 'unwarranted interest, negativity' about my citizenship: Akshay Kumar
Actor Akshay Kumar on Friday said he do not understand the "unwarranted interest and negativity" about his citizenship adding that he is a tax-payer in India and intends to make the country 'stronger and stronger.'"Really don't understand unwarranted interest and negativity about my citizenship. I have never hidden or denied that I hold a Canadian passport. It is also equally true that I have not visited Canada in the last seven years. I work in India, and pay all my taxes in India," Kumar wrote on his Twitter handle.He has been trolled lately due to his absence from the polling booths during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections.Mentioning that the citizenship issue concerning him is constantly dragged into needless controversy, Kumar wrote, "While all these years, I have never needed to prove my love for India to anyone, I find it disappointing that my citizenship issue is constantly dragged into needless controversy, a matter that is personal, legal, non-political, and of no ...
Cong cause of poverty, Rahul can't end it, claims Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Friday said Congress was the cause of poverty in the country and claimed there was no "serious policy" earlier to develop agriculture and villages. Addressing a poll rally in Multai here, he claimed when former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were unable to end poverty, then how would current Congress president Rahul Gandhi be able to do so. "There is poverty in our country because of the Congress. Our nation is rich, but people are poor as no serious policy was made for the development of agriculture and villages which resulted in wheat getting cheaper, but biscuit costly, fruits cheaper and juice costly," Gadkari said. He alleged that under Congress rule, the poor became poorer while sycophants of the party managed to get rid of their own poverty. "When former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi ...
Wife of jailed China rights lawyer pleads to see him
The wife of jailed Chinese rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang Friday pleaded to be allowed to see him just once nearly four years after he disappeared during a crackdown on lawyers and activists. Wang, 42, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison in January following a December trial that took place behind closed doors. A prominent lawyer who defended political activists and victims of land seizures, Wang disappeared in a sweep aimed at courtroom critics of Communist authorities known as the "709" clampdown because the arrests started on July 9, 2015. Charged in January 2016 with "subversion of state power", Wang was the last of more than 200 lawyers and activists arrested in the crackdown to be tried or released. "My concern is that from the time he was arrested, no one has seen Wang Quanzhang, not even the lawyers that we hired," his wife Li Wenzu told AFP. "All I want is to see him one time to know that he is still alive," she said. Wang was transferred on Monday from detention ..
Transgender like me contesting LS polls is a victory for society: AAP's Bhawani Nath Valmiki
In a first, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded a transgender candidate in the Allahabad Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh.AAP's Bhawani Nath Valmiki, popularly known as Bhawani Ma, is in the fray against BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Rajendra Pratap Singh of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance. The constituency is set to go to polls on May 12.The AAP leader said: "When I decided to join politics, I talked to many parties. But they thought I was not a fit for them. AAP listened to me, and my ideas, they told me I am the right candidate for them and gave me a ticket."Bhawani further said that AAP's idea of fielding a transgender candidate is a victory for society."It is for the first time that a transgender is contesting Lok Sabha elections from a party. It is a victory for society. I can do a lot for society. The transgender community is not restricted to their development but other's development as well," transgender said."Being a mahamandaleshwar (head) I cannot ...
T'gana BJP prez ends fast on Inter exam results fiasco
BJP president in Telangana K Laxman Friday called off his five-day-long indefinite fast, seeking justice for Intermediate students in view of alleged goof-up in declaration of results, following an appeal made by the party leadership. Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir, who offered fruit juice to Laxman to end the fast, alleged the state government lacked sensitivity towards the students. "More than 25 students committing suicides is biggest such mishap in the country. Unfortunately, our state president K Laxman had to undertake hunger strike after this mishap... "Five-six days have passed (since he launched the fast). As his health suffered badly, I have come to request him... All have requested him and he withdrew his fast," Ahir told reporters. The state government has not seriously pondered over why more than three lakh students failed among the more than eight lakh who appeared for the exams, he alleged. The Centre would check the technical issues of the .
Sri Lanka to deport all visa-violating foreigners
The Sri Lankan government will deport all foreigners staying in the country without a visa or with an expired one as part of the heightened security measures in the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings, according to a media report on Friday. Two Indians were on Wednesday arrested by police from Rajagiriya area here for violating Sri Lankan immigration laws during their stay in the country. Another Indian was among the 13 foreign nationals arrested by police from Mount Lavinia here last week without a valid visa. The others arrested for the crime include ten Nigerians, an Iraqi and a Thai national staying in different parts of the Lankan capital. Internal and Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardana on Thursday instructed the Controller of Emigration and Immigration to take steps to deport all foreigners remaining in the country without visas and those overstaying their visas, under the prevailing security situation. The department of immigration and emigration will conduct raids to ...
Supporters of Chinese billionaire's accuser decry censorship
Six Chinese social media accounts have been shut after advocating support for a woman who accused JD.com founder Richard Liu of rape. Chen Chun, a writer in southern China, said WeChat informed him this week that his public account was permanently closed because a petition he shared in defense of Jingyao Liu "violated regulations." Another five accounts were also disabled. University of Minnesota student Liu sued billionaire Richard Liu last month, claiming he raped her inside her Minneapolis apartment. He denies it. The lawsuit says Jingyao Liu was 21 at the time. She has come forward publicly with her identity and accusation. She and the 46-year-old Internet tycoon are not related. The case has stirred intense debate, as China's #MeToo movement grapples with the first accusation against a high-profile business person.
SL orders deportation of all visa-violating foreigners
The Sri Lankan government has ordered the deportation of all foreigners who are currently in the island nation without visas and also those who over-staying their visas, the media reported on Friday.
MP seeks poll panel's permission to release funds
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni has sought the Election Commission's permission to use his MPLAD funds for carrying out development work in Uttarakhand. In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, Baluni who is also the BJP's media in-charge, said polling to the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand was heldon April 11 but due to the model code of Conduct in force several development works are pending. "With the model code of conduct in force new decisions cannot be taken as they might influence voters. But decisions which can bring big relief to people without influencing voters in places where polling is yet to be held should be granted the permission of the commission," Baluni said in his letter to the CEC on Wednesday. Expressing his desire to soon release money from his Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds for development works, Baluni urged the poll panel to take an appropriate decision in public interest.
Jewellery stores across Andhra Pradesh raided
Legal Metrology officials on Wednesday conducted raids at different jewellery shops across the state.A metrology team led by Joint Controller Ramkumar conducted raids at various stores of Lalitha Jewellery in Vizag, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Tirupati.Another team led by Damodar IPS, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Legal Metrology conducted raids at showrooms of Kalyan Jewellers and Jos Alukkas in Kurnool and Nellore.Raids were conducted following several complaints registered against the quantity and quality of gold in these showrooms.The officials also examined monthly deposit schemes whether they comply with the Prize Money Chits Banning Act.The meteorology team also examined whether the schemes were governed by the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Scheme (BUDS) Ordinance of the central government.
MP farmer ends life
A 40-year-old farmer allegedly committed suicide on Thursday by hanging himself from a tree at his farm at Jalalpura village, around 60 kms from the district headquarters police said. The farmer was identified as Mohan Rajput, Deepalpur police station inspector Gopal Parmar said. Police are trying to know what prompted Rajput, who has two children, to take the extreme step, he added. Rajput's body has been handed over to his family, Parmar said.
500 disabled people in Egypt to get Jaipur Foot
A special camp for providing Jaipur Foot to 500 disabled people began in Egyptian city of Asyut on Thursday. The camp was organised by the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) in association with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Egyptian government. "Five hundred disabled people in Egypt will be provided Jaipur Foot," Satish Mehta, international director of the BMVSS, said. "A seven-member highly skilled technical team of the BMVSS is conducting the camp which is being supported by the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity," he said. On the 150thbirth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Ministry of External Affairs initiated a programme 'India in Humanity' under which the MEA, in association with the BMVSS, is holding the camps in different countries. Under this programme, the BMVSS has organised camps at Vietnam, Myanmar, Malawi, Iraq and Nepal and rehabilitated 2,987 disabled so far, Mehta said. The camp in Asyut will be held till June 9. The Jaipur Foot, a ...
Man, paramour jump before train in Rajasthan's Bundi
A 25-year-old married man and his paramour allegedly committed suicide by jumping before a moving train on the DelhiMumbai railway track in Rajasthan's Bundi district, police said Thursday. Preliminary investigation suggested it to be a case of suicide though no suicide note was recovered from them, police said. The two have been identified as Rakesh Meena (25) and Manisha Meena (20), both residents of Adela village, Kapren police station SHO Budhiprakesh Nama said, adding their mutilated bodies were recovered Thursday morning. The probe into the case suggested that they jumped before the train around 4.30 am, the SHO said. The man had married a year and half ago while his paramour was bachelorette. Both had been in relationship for years and their families and villagers knew about it, the SHO added. Police have handed over the bodies to their families and lodged a case, the SHO said, adding the probe was on to ascertain the reason behind taking the extreme step.
California inches toward 40M people, but growth rate slows
California had its slowest recorded growth rate in its history last year as the country's most populous state was hit by a slowdown in immigration and a sharp decline of births. Estimates released Wednesday show California had 39.9 million people as of Jan. 1, adding nearly 187,000 people for a growth rate of 0.47% the lowest since 1900, the earliest records available. And while thousands lost their homes after last year's deadly wildfire in the northern part of the state, initial estimates show most people shuffled to cities closest to the blaze. California's population has been creeping toward 40 million people, viewed as a milestone for a state that began as a frontier outpost and now boasts the world's fifth largest economy. While the state will surely reach that peak, officials on Wednesday noted the latest estimates should temper expectations for robust growth as births decline, deaths rise and immigration slows. "We see that as a process of maturity," said Ethan Sharygin, a ...
Delhi's red light area: Where the vote is valued even if parties are not
Hope battles cynicism every hour in the grimy corridors of Delhi's red light area where scores of women eke out a tenuous existence as sex workers, alternating between despair at a political system deaf to their demands and yearning to be heard in the great election bazaar of 2019. As elections pick up pace, the women of G B Road expressed their disillusionment, saying they have little or no hope from any of the parties that knock at their doors every five years. Trapped in claustrophobic cubbyholes opening into pan-stained corridors, many sex workers, robbed of chances to exercise choice in their lives, also said they know the value of their vote. Some have even travelled back home to places like West Bengal, notwithstanding the cost involved, to exercise their franchise. Most of the women said they have voter ID cards and it does not matter who they vote for. But the little card is a symbol of empowerment for them. "We don't have hopes from any political party. In the 2014 Lok Sabha