Page 97 - Social Issues
Bangladesh stops 115 Rohingya seeking to reach Malaysia
Bangladesh police have prevented 115 Rohingya refugees from being smuggled to Malaysia in rickety fishing boats, officials said Saturday, but no suspected traffickers were detained. The group from the Kutupalong camp near Bangladesh's border with Myanmar -- the biggest refugee settlement in the world -- were stopped as they headed to boats in the Bay of Bengal. The operation, which took place late Friday, was the latest in a series involving Rohingya refugees seeking to leave squalid camps for Malaysia, a more prosperous Muslim-majority nation. "We stopped a convoy of 15 auto-rickshaws and rescued 50 men, 39 women and 26 children," Bangladeshi police officer Anwar Hossain told AFP. "But we could not catch any traffickers." The officer said the Rohingya, who had already paid the traffickers some money, would be taken back to the camp. About 740,000 of the Muslim minority Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh following a brutal military clampdown in the Buddhist-majority nation in ...
Trump threatens to sanction Mexico over drug trafficking
President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose an "economic penalty" on Mexico if it does not halt the flow of illegal drugs into US territory and to place 25 per cent tariffs on all Mexican-made cars that are shipped into the US if it stops deporting undocumented migrants who cross into Mexico from Guatemala.
SP releases its electoral manifesto titled 'Vote for Greater Change', promises 1 lakh jobs every year
Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday released its manifesto titled 'Vote for Mahaparivartan' for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections and termed it as a document of 'social struggle'.Releasing the party manifesto here, SP president and former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in a press conference said: "The economic divide in the country was widening and poverty cannot be reduced if we don't fight against gender and caste inequalities.""Our manifesto talks about how to improve the primary education system and employment. We have promised to provide 1 lakh new jobs every year. We will build Samjawadi hostels in all prominent educational institutions and playground in every village," he added.Targetting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not working in favour of weaker sections of the society, Akhilesh said: "Under the present government, only rich people have benefited, while the poor have become poorer. Thus, development is restricted to some people.""We are collecting data how many farmers have ..
Commissioner directs removal of pictures from walls of polling
North Chhotanagpur Division Commissioner N Vimal Friday directed the officials to remove religious pictures displayed on the walls of some schools, which will be used as polling stations. Vimal, who has been appointed as Accessible Observer by the Election Commission of India, inspected more than 30 polling booths and polling stations of Chandwara block of Koderma district and found religious pictures on the walls of the school buildings. He asked the block development officer and circle officer of Chandwara block to remove them as they violate the model code of conduct. The Commissioner also asked to cover names of various political parties inscribed on marbles fixed in the polling stations. He asked the officials to ensure drinking water, electricity, wheel chairs and ramp for disabled voters during polling date.
Will deport infiltrators in 5 years: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Friday said that though the BJP-led NDA government had started the process of identifying illegal infiltrators in Assam through the National Register of Citizens (NRC), it will send them back in the next five years.
We can't take advantage of demographic dividend if we don't create jobs: Anand Sharma
Job creation is paramount for realising the advantage of demographic dividend, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said on Friday. Addressing the valedictory session of the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) annual session, 2019, he said the government's needs to prioritise, agriculture and labour reforms through education and skilling. "We cannot take advantage of the demographic dividend if we do not create jobs. Two-third of the country's population is youth. It cannot deal with a situation of youth unrest," he said. He emphasised on the importance of the expansion of manufacturing and the need for skilling people to achieve that goal. Asserting that today's India has been built over decades, Sharma said, "Indian industry, and the confidence they showed at the moment of liberalisation, is a testament to this. We created an environment that encouraged entrepreneurship and investment." He said as a country, there are challenges, but the fundamental ..
Delhi HC declines plea against AP govt schemes ahead of polls
The Delhi High Court Friday declined the plea of an organisation alleging that the Andhra Pradesh government has attempted to influence voters by launching schemes, including giving monetary benefits, ahead of polls. Justice Yogesh Khanna said there was no need to interfere in the issue. The court was informed that in pursuance to its earlier directions, the Election Commission has taken a decision on the representations of Jana Chaitanya Vedika, which had alleged that disbursal of money under these schemes after the Lok Sabha election has been notified amounted to violation of the model code of conduct. The EC, in its speaking order, said the scheme in question was announced prior to the coming into force of the model code of conduct (MCC) and the commission has directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Andhra Pradesh through a April 2 letter to follow the instructions and that no publicity should be given on release of funds. The court had earlier asked the EC to decide by April
Rahul reiterates 'love' for Modi, berates him over Advani
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday reiterated his 'love' for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also berated him for 'humiliating' BJP veteran L K Advani. Interacting with students in Pune, Gandhi said he loves Modi but begets anger from the latter. "I love PM Modi. Genuinely, I have no hatred or anger towards the man, but he (Modi) has anger towards me," he said. "I genuinely do not have anger towards him, he added. Addressing a poll rally at Chandrapur later, Gandhi said Modi had humiliated Advani, adding disrespecting one's guru is not Hindu culture. Gandhi's swipe at Modi over the treatment meted out to Advani follows the BJP patriarch's blog published Thursday where he said his party never considered political adversaries as anti-national. "BJP talks of Hinduism. In Hinduism, guru is supreme. It talks of guru-shishya tradition. Who is Modi's guru? Advani. Modi just kicked Advani out ('Joota marke stage se utara')," Gandhi said. The remark was a veiled reference to .
Survey predicts DMK win, Loyola College denies links
A survey conducted by Panpaadu Makkal Thodarbagam floated by former students of Loyola College here predicted a victory for the DMK front in the Lok Sabha and Assembly by-elections. But the Loyola College distanced itself from the survey.
SP manifesto promises Rs 3,000/month to poor women
Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Friday released his party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections promising Rs 3,000 per month to women from poor families under the Samajwadi Pension Yojana.
Yemen schoolchildren killed by unexploded ordnance: UN
Two children were killed and eight critically wounded when an unexploded bomb went off at a school in the rebel-held Yemeni capital, the UN children's agency said on Friday. A child had found the bomb and brought it to Al-Fatah school in the Hamdan district of Sanaa on Wednesday to show friends, UNICEF said in a statement. The casualties were aged between 12 and 14. Children often fall victim to unexploded ordnance, failing to fully appreciate the dangers. "It is highly likely, as we've seen in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, that children will continue to be killed even when there's a lull in violence or the violence comes to an end," said UNICEF's regional chief of communications, Juliette Touma. The World Health Organisation estimates nearly 10,000 Yemenis have been killed since 2015, when Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened to prevent the defeat of the government in the face of a rebel offensive. Human rights groups say the real death toll is several times higher. The conflict has ..
Digital screen time has minimal impact on adolescent's mental well being: Study
The much-hyped notion that watching TV or being in front of mobile screens before bedtime impacts the well being has shown little evidence in a recent study published in the journal 'Psychological Science'."Implementing best practice statistical and methodological techniques we found little evidence for substantial negative associations between digital-screen engagement and adolescent well-being," said Amy Orben, Researcher.The researchers collected data from more than 17,000 teenagers. It came out that an adolescent's total screen time per day had a minimal impact on their mental well being, both on weekdays and weekends.Also, the study pointed out that the use of 1 hour, 2 hours or even 30 minutes before bedtime didn't have a clear association with a deteriorating overall well being."Because technologies are embedded in our social and professional lives, research concerning digital-screen use and its effects on adolescent well-being are under increasing scrutiny," said Orben.
2 US citizens among 7 arrested in Saudi crackdown
At least seven people, including two with dual US-Saudi citizenship, have been detained in the kingdom over their links with women's rights activists, the media reported on Friday.
Virgin Atlantic drops emblem for diverse new look
Virgin Atlantic airline has announced that it was dropping its iconic "Flying Lady" emblem in favour of five diverse "flying icons" that more accurately "represent its customers and workforce", the media reported on Friday.
AP: 545 liquor bottles seized in Krishna district
As many as 545 liquor bottles worth Rs 50,000 were seized from a house in Moguluru village in Krishna district, the police said on Friday.The police raided the residence of K Venkat Rao on the orders of Nandigama Deputy Superintendent of Police Subhash Chandra Bose.A case has been filed under relevant sections and the accused has been taken into custody.Further investigation in the matter is underway.
Funds for Nyay scheme won't be collected from middle class: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday assured people that funds for his ambitious minimum income support guarantee scheme Nyantam Aay Yojana (NYAY) would not be collected from middle-class.He also assured that income tax rates would not be raised to collect money for the scheme."One thing I want to assure you that the money will not from the pockets of middle class," Gandhi replied to a question during an interaction with students in Pune.He said that Congress would deliver its promise of giving Rs 72,000 per year to the poor of the country. "We will deliver this (Nyay scheme) without raising income tax," Gandhi added.He also said that some small schemes which are "really not effective" will be subsumed in order to make space for the scheme.The Congress in its manifesto has promised to give Rs 72,000 per year to the 20 per cent of India's poorest under its minimum income scheme (NYAY) if his party comes to power.Gandhi reiterated his party's poll promise of facilitating women with
Mamata Banerjee slams Citizenship Bill as 'conspiracy'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday questioned the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill which sought to provide citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.Addressing an election rally here, Mamata said, "As per Citizenship Amendment Bill, you will be a foreigner for six years and then you will be given citizenship, why? What will you do in those six years? What about your job, school and other essential things. This is nothing but a conspiracy."On Thursday too, Mamata had termed the Citizenship Bill a conspiracy while addressing a rally in Cooch Behar in West Bengal.The Citizenship Bill, which was passed in Lok Sabha on January 8, seeks to provide citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. Attempts by the Central government to pass it through the Rajya Sabha were stalled by the Opposition.Under the proposed amendments in the Bill, the minimum residency period for citizenship was ..
Quota for women in council of ministers among Mahila Morcha's suggestions for BJP poll manifesto
At least 15 per cent reservation for women in council of ministers and 33 per cent in commissions working for the protection of constitutional rights, besides tax rebates to boost female employment are among the suggestions that the BJP's women's wing has made for the party's Lok Sabha election manifesto. It has also suggested the BJP should promise that it will try to build consensus among political parties to make it compulsory to fill 33 per cent organisational posts with women. The BJP will release its manifesto in a few days and is likely to make a slew of promises for women. The party's Mahila Morcha has also asked it to reiterate commitment for the passage of woman reservation bill in Parliament and state legislatures. BJP Mahila Morcha chief Vijaya Rahatkar said these suggestions have been drawn from interactions with women from various walks of life, including professionals, those working in organised and unorganised sector, those living in urban and rural regions, those with
SP releases vision document
SP leader Akhilesh Yadav Friday said the future of the country should be better for all sections, including farmers and Muslims, as he released the party's vision document for the Lok Sabha polls. "It is our vision document for party leaders and workers and will be utilised for answering the BJP," he said at the party headquarters here. Alleging that NDA government's decisions have robbed the youth of employment opportunities, he said, "They talk of giving money but have snatched it from the people". Asked whether the document is an election manifesto, Yadav said, "If I say it is a manifesto, you will ask are you going to form a government. This is a vision document or message to party cadre with which they will reply to the BJP and understand the party's stand on various issues. Our party candidates and workers will take it to people." "We feel the future of the country should be better for all sections - be it farmers, youth or Muslims. The chasm between rich and poor has become ...
Middle class won't be burdened to fund 'Nyay', says Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said his party's manifesto was an expression of the people of India and ruled out burdening the middle class to fund the anti-poverty scheme Nyunatam Aay Yojana (Nyay). The opposition party has said that if voted to power, it will give Rs 72,000 per year as minimum income to poor families, benefiting around 25 crore people, a move Gandhi has termed a 'surgical strike' on poverty. Interacting with students here, Gandhi said he did not like making sweeping statements. "The manifesto has been prepared after consultations with all stakeholders. The middle class will not be taxed and income tax will not be increased to implement the Nyay scheme where Rs 72,000 will be deposited in bank accounts of poor people every year if the party is voted to power," he said. The Nyay minimum income guarantee scheme is estimated to cost Rs 3.26 lakh crore to the national exchequer. The BJP, which has criticised the scheme, has sought to know how it ...