Page 82 - Social Issues
Harvard grad uses data for grassroots governance
A Harvard postgraduate has launched a social enterprise, on a data-driven approach, to strengthen governance in rural areas by involving policymakers and elected representatives.
SC rejects partially-sighted professional cricketer's plea on IPL participation
The Supreme Court recently dismissed a petition filed by a partially-sighted professional cricketer, seeking a direction to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to include him in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament.A bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi dismissed the petition filed by Ratendra Singh Jayara, after noting that the petition is devoid of merits."Having heard learned counsel for the petitioner (Ratendra Singh Jayara) and upon perusing the relevant material, we are not inclined to entertain the present writ petition. The same is accordingly dismissed," a bench of the top court, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Deepak Gupta said in its order and dismissed the petition.Jayara, a partially sighted cricketer from Uttar Pradesh had moved the apex court seeking a direction to the BCCI to include him in the ongoing IPL 2019.The petitioner said he participated in seven national level blind cricket ...
Retired IAS converted to Islam is Hindu again in LS nomination
A retired IAS officer, who adopted Islam three years back while serving as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) in the Rajasthan government, has again introduced himself as a Hindu while filing his nomination papers as the BSP candidate for the Jaipur Parliamentary seat.
Being bullied at school may up mental health issues
Parents, take note. If your child is being bullied in secondary school, it may dramatically increase his/her chances of mental health problems and unemployment later in life, researchers have warned.
Vatican envoy speaks to Paris police on sex assault charges: sources
The Vatican's envoy to Paris has been heard by French police "at his request" over sex assault allegations, judicial sources said Thursday. Nuncio Luigi Ventura spoke to police at the start of April, they said. Ventura is being investigated for allegedly molesting officials at the Paris mayor's office. The 74-year-old is accused of allegedly assaulting a man at the town hall in Paris on January 17 when Mayor Anne Hidalgo gave a New Year's address to diplomats, religious leaders and civil society figures. A similar complaint has been filed by a former Paris city employee for an incident that allegedly took place a year ago, according to city hall officials. His immunity has not been lifted, according to the prosecutor's office in Paris. The Italian-born Ventura is also being investigated for alleged sexual assault in Canada where he served as the Vatican envoy from 2001 to 2009.
Villagers boycott election to protest pollution
Around 500 voters in Nagaraja Kandigai village in the Tiruvallur Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu boycotted the election in protest against the functioning of a polluting sponge iron factory in their locality, said an official.
Children bullied in schools more prone to mental health issues, claims study
According to recent findings, victims of bullying in secondary school have increased chances of mental health problems and unemployment, later in life.The research suggested that victims of persistent or violent bullying suffer the worst consequences.As part of the study, the team of researchers that found being bullied in school increases the extent of mental health problems at age 25 by 40 per cent. It also increases the probability of being unemployed at age 25 by about 35 per cent; and for those in work, it reduces their income by around 2 per cent.According to the researchers, bullying is widespread in schools, and many studies document a negative relationship between bullying and educational outcomes. Bullying is also an important policy issue because of concern that in addition to educational outcomes, being bullied may lead to negative impacts on young people's lives in the long-term, such as low self-esteem, mental health conditions, and poorer job prospects."Our research ...
Rohingyas hold hunger strike at Saudi detention centre
Around 650 Rohingya refugees held in a Saudi detention centre on Wednesday went on hunger strike to protest against their indefinite detention in the Gulf country for the third time in recent months.The refugees, held inside Shumaisi detention centre in Jeddah since 2012 for not having valid documentation, initiated the hunger strike on Saturday, Ro Nay San Lwin, campaign coordinator for the Free Rohingya Coalition told Al Jazeera.As the hunger strike continued across 10 rooms at the detention camp, at least seven members were immediately rushed to the hospital on Tuesday after their health deteriorated, the activist added."The immigration police are harassing them, saying if you carry on this hunger strike, we will not even give you water," Lwin was quoted as saying.After seeing a video footage of the ongoing strike that was posted by Lwin on Twitter, Vice chairman of the NGO European Rohingya Council (ERC), Ambia Perveen, told Al Jazeera that the police have snatched away blankets, .
Two detained in Sikkim for violating MCC released
Sikkim Police has released two persons, including a professor of a Delhi-based organisation, who were detained for allegedly carrying out survey work related to the assembly and Lok Sabha polls held in the state on April 11. The district administration had deemed the survey exercise carried out by the two researchers to be violation of the model code of conduct (MCC). "We have released the two individuals on Wednesday, who were caught doing an illegal survey work for a Delhi-based organisation..." District Collector (East) Kapil Meena, who is also the Returning Officer of the East District, said. "We also warned them of serious consequences for a repeat violation of the MCC, which will remain in place in Sikkim till next month," he said. The director of the organisation had earlier written to the East District administration, seeking release of his two colleagues, as they were conducting "post-poll survey works for purely academic purposes". Meena also said notices will .
Rahul urges voters to 'vote for Nyay'
As voting for the second phase of polling started Thursday morning, Congress president Rahul Gandhi urged voters to "vote for Nyay" (justice). Gandhi also appealed to voters to vote for justice to the unemployed youth, struggling farmers, small businessmen and those who were persecuted due to their religion or caste. He used the hashtag "VoteNyayVoteCongress" with his appeal. "Nyay" is also the social welfare scheme announced by the Congress party in its election manifesto that promises to pay Rs 72,000 per annum to families living below the poverty line. The second phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections began today in 95 constituencies.
Over 2,700 refugees in Libyan capital's war zone: UN
Tripoli, April 17 (IANS/AKI) More than 2,700 refugees are still trapped in areas of southern Tripoli amid deadly warfare between forces allied to Libya's internationally recognised government and rogue eastern general Khalifa Haftar's militia, the United Nations has warned.
Three Rohingyas arrested in Hyderabad
Hyderabad police on Wednesday arrested three Myanmar refugees for impersonating as Indians to secure Aadhaar and other identity cards.
UK to roll out age checks for porn in world first
Britain in July is set to become the first country in the world to introduce age-verification to access online pornography, the government said on Wednesday. Child protection groups welcomed the move but digital rights groups warned of the possibility of data leaks and the implications for online privacy. The new law, which comes into force on July 15, will require commercial providers of internet pornography to check on users' ages to ensure that they are 18 or over. Different sites will use different verification methods ranging from online passport or credit card checks to special vouchers that can be bought in shops. "Adult content is currently far too easy for children to access online," Minister for Digital Margot James said in a statement. Websites that fail to implement the verification technology could have payment services withdrawn or be blocked for British users, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It is the latest move by British authorities ..
Modi's caste remark doesn't behove PM's position: Ajit Pawar
NCP leader Ajit Pawar Wednesday said since there was no development issue left to talk about, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was raising emotive issues like caste, which does not behove of a person holding the position of PM. Pawar made the remarks after Modi Wednesday said at a poll rally in Madha in Maharashtra that the Congress and its allies have not kept any shortcomings in abusing of my backward caste. He also accused the Modi government of creating a divide in the society on the basis of caste and community. "Today @narendramodi saheb said he was being targeted due to his caste. Since there is no development issue left, talking in this manner to make people emotional does not behove of the prime minister. Our state and the country cannot afford this government's dirty politics in which divide is being created between castes and communities," he tweeted. The former Maharashtra deputy chief minister made the remark on the micro-blogging site after addressing a poll ..
30-year-old man hangs himself
A 30-year-old man allegedly committed suicide in suburban Goregaon Wednesday, police said. Sagar Manik Shinde allegedly hanged himself at his house in Dev Krupa Enclave on Mahatma Gandhi Road around 12.15 pm. Sagar was reportedly suffering from depression and was on medication. As he did not come out of his bedroom for a long time, his father got alarmed, and after hearing the sound of a stool falling, he broke open the door to find Sagar hanging from the ceiling fan. Sagar was taken to hospital in semi-conscious state but died during treatment around 2 pm, the police said, adding that the exact cause of the suicide was not known yet.
Madras HC: Cover internal injuries in ESI Act
The Madras High Court has recommended that the Centre should amend the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948, to cover internal injuries suffered by employees.
Modi's caste remark doesn't behove PM's position: Ajit
NCP leader Ajit Pawar Wednesday said since there was no development issue left to talk about, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was raising emotive issues like caste, which does not behove of a person holding the position of PM. Pawar made the remarks after Modi Wednesday said at a poll rally in Madha in Maharashtra that the Congress and its allies have not kept any shortcomings in abusing of my backward caste. He also accused the Modi government of creating a divide in the society on the basis of caste and community. "Today @narendramodi saheb said he was being targeted due to his caste. Since there is no development issue left, talking in this manner to make people emotional does not behove of the prime minister. Our state and the country cannot afford this government's dirty politics in which divide is being created between castes and communities," he tweeted. The former Maharashtra deputy chief minister made the remark on the micro-blogging site after addressing a poll ..
ShareChat takes down over 4 lakh posts
Indic language-based social network ShareChat on Wednesday announced it has removed 487,000 posts for violating the community guidelines as well as terms of use.
US moves to deny bail to certain asylum seekers
The US administration has moved to deny certain undocumented immigrants bond hearing to argue for their release in a step that could keep thousands of them in jail indefinitely while they wait for a resolution of their asylum requests.
HC notice to Centre, TN on plea to treat all sportspersons equally
The Madras High Court has said it is "disheartening" to note that state governments are interested only in encouraging cricketers and are ignoring other games. The observation came on a plea seeking a direction to authorities to treat sportspersons, especially intellectually disabled in Asia Pacific Special Olympics Games, on par with those participating in the Olympic Games and to extend all benefits to them. When the petition came up Tuesday, a division bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and S S Sundar issued notice to the Centre and state government asking them to respond by April 24. The bench in its order said, "It is very easy for a normal person to achieve in the Olympics, whereas disabled persons, especially intellectually disabled like children of the petitioners, taking part in the Olympics and achieving something is very difficult." "Such persons cannot be compared with the normal people and even they should be given more awards... Therefore, the Central and state governments .