Page 98 - Social Issues
Income tax won't be raised to fund Nyay scheme: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said the 'Nyay' minimum income scheme for the poor will be implemented without raising income tax or burdening the middle class. 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. "Money won't be taken from the middle class and income tax won't be raised," Gandhi said when asked how funds will be raised for the Nyuntam Aay Yojna (Nyay) scheme. Interacting with students here, the Congress chief said all calculations have been done to fund the scheme. He said the Congress manifesto was prepared after taking inputs from all sections of the society, including farmers and the poor. "The Congress poll manifesto was prepared after speaking to all stakeholders," Gandhi said. Asked about employment scenario in the country, he said around 27,000 jobs are being lost per hour in ...
Saudi Arabia arrests 8 more activists, including US citizen
Saudi Arabia has detained eight people, including a dual U.S.-Saudi citizen, in new arrests targeting individuals supportive of women's rights and connected to detained activists. A person with knowledge of the arrests, who spoke anonymously for fear of retribution, told The Associated Press the individuals had been detained Thursday. The individuals are not seen as frontline activists. Rather, they are writers and advocates who quietly supported greater social reforms, like the right of women to drive before the ban was lifted. Among those detained is Salah Al-Haidar, a dual U.S.-Saudi national who has a family home in Vienna, Virginia, and lives with his wife and child in Riyadh. His mother is prominent women's rights activists Aziza al-Yousef, who is on trial and recently was temporarily released from prison.
Nearly 70% Americans okay with gay president: Poll
A new poll has revealed that nearly 70 per cent of Americans said they would be either enthusiastic about or comfortable with a candidate who is gay or lesbian.
'Facebook ad delivery inherently discriminatory'
Facebook's ad delivery algorithm have an inherent system that discriminates based on race and gender even when advertisers have no such plans, researchers have found.
US threatens automobile tariffs on Mexico
United States President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose tariffs on automobiles made in Mexico and close the southern US border if the country did not stop "massive amounts of drugs" coming into the US within one year."We're going to give them a one-year warning, and if the drugs don't stop or (are) largely stopped, we're going to put tariffs on Mexico and products, in particular, the cars ... and if that doesn't stop the drugs, we close the border," CNN quoted Trump as saying.Last week, Trump said that he would shut the southern border "or large sections of it" next week if Mexico did not stop "illegals", coming from Central America, from entering the United States.However, in recent days, he has handed over the responsibility to the Democrats to work on immigration laws or face border closures.The President also noted that Mexico, in recent days, has made progress in "capturing people and bringing them back to their countries at their southern border.""A lot of good ...
WTO chief sees difficult road for trade liberalization
The World Trade Organization sees a "challenging" and "difficult" road ahead for international trade liberalization due to the current political climate. WTO director-general Roberto Azevedo said Thursday he's confident Mexico and the United States can sort out their current trade difficulties, which include a border-crossing slowdown, U.S. threats to close the border and the still-pending ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. But the fight to expand free trade "is going to be challenging, is going to be difficult, above all because of the political conditions we have in the world today." Mexico's Economy Secretary Graciela Mrquez said a labor reform bill has been sent to Mexico's Congress this week. Some U.S. legislators said they wouldn't ratify the free trade agreement, negotiated last year to replace the old NAFTA, until Mexico passes a labor reform bill. The bill is expected to assure workers can freely vote for the union representation by secret ballot. ...
Congress keeps off Pitroda's Nyay scheme remarks
The Congress on Thursday distanced itself from the remarks of party leader Sam Pitroda that the middle class should bear part of the cost of the party's flagship Nyay scheme, and said the money will be generated by cutting down on wasteful government expenditure as also by mobilising additional resources.
Naveen Patnaik bats for women's empowerment, gives example of Jacinda Ardern, Angela Merkel
Batting for effective representation to women, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said leaders like New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have shown that women should be brought into politics. Hailing Ardern and Merkel for their constantly lending support to refugees and migrants residing in their country, Patnaik saidPatnaik said Ardern had stunned the whole world in the aftermath of the deadliest mass shootings aimed at refugees who were at their Friday Prayers by stating, "New Zealand is their home (referring to the Refugees and migrant killed). They are us." Similarly, Angela Markel, the German Chancellor, was perhaps the only leader who welcomed Refugees from other countries - transcending nationality and showing compassion to fellow humans."If politics is the exercise of power, women have a more humane touch in its expression. If politics can decide a Nation's values, is it prudent to have half our population not actively ...
Mexico must crack down on border crossings or face car tariffs: Trump
President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose car import tariffs on Mexico if it doesn't do more to stop the flow of undocumented migrants and drug smuggling at the US border. "If Mexico doesn't give the help, that's OK, we're going to tariff their cars," Trump said at the White House. "I will do it. I don't play games." Trump's tariff threat appeared to move him away from a previously threatened imminent closing of the border in order to punish Mexico. Trump did not give a deadline for when tariffs would be imposed in case of Mexico failing to satisfy his demands for stopping illegal immigrants. "If Mexico doesn't do what they can do very easily, apprehend these people coming in..., we're going to tax the cars and if that doesn't work we're going to close the borders," he said. But Trump said tariffs would also be imposed if Mexico does not do more to slow the flow of narcotics. On this he made a clear deadline of a year. "We're also going to do something having to do with
Amateur cup final abandoned due to racist abuse
An English amateur cup final was abandoned 12 minutes before the end of the match on Wednesday after alleged racist remarks from the crowd. The Saturday Vase Final between FC Wymeswold and Cosby United, watched by around 200 people, is being investigated by the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA, who said they would take the "necessary discipline action". Linford Harris, the Wymeswold player who allegedly received the racist abuse tweeted: "So sorry to witness and suffer such racism in this day and age, thanks everyone for the support. "Appreciate everyone standing behind me. WE ARE ALL EQUAL. #SayNoToRacism." Leicestershire Police said no official complaint had been made to them about the incident. A number of racist incidents of late at the top level of European football has seen rising calls for games to be halted when such abuse takes place. England players were targeted during a recent 5-1 win in Montenegro, while Juventus teenager Moise Kean took a stand against racist abuse ..
Police lodge complaint against YSRCP workers for violating Model Code of Conduct
Sirivella Town police on Thursday lodged a complaint against YSR Congress Party workers for allegedly trying to lure voters by throwing money in the air ahead of Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state.Speaking to ANI, Sirivella Sub-Inspector Timma Reddy said: "A supporter of TDP Younus Basha has lodged a complaint against YSRCP workers--Mullah Salaam, Mullah Anwar Basha, and some others. The complainant said that the YSRCP activists threw money on the voters to lure them, which is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct."Basha has also submitted a video clip of the incident that took place on April 1 at Balijapeta area. The video shows that the accused are throwing Rs 10 notes in the air while they were campaigning for Allagadda YSRCP candidate Gangula Brijendra Reddy.On being asked if the video is 20 days old as some locals have claimed so, the Sub-Inspector said: "We will verify the authenticity of the clip and its origin."Andhra Pradesh will vote to elect 175 members of ...
Women empowerment is real double engine for growth: Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday underscored the importance of women empowerment, which he described as the "real" double engine for growth. Patnaik batted for ensuring adequate representation of women in decision-making bodies like the Parliament and state assemblies. The chief minister used the expression "double engine" in an apparent reference to its frequent mention in BJP leaders' speeches, as a part of campaigning in the state. "In my view, if India has to hit the highway of growth and compete with the likes of the US and China, it has to transform its political landscape by empowering women," the CM said. Patnaik's party, the BJD, has fielded seven women candidates (33 per cent) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The state has 21 Lok Sabha seats, and will go to polls in four phases, beginning April 11. "This is the real double engine the country needs, to bring about growth with equity and justice," he said, adding, if India had adequate ...
Cong workers create ruckus in party office over denial of ticket to former MP Nikhil Kumar
Congress workers created ruckus at the party office here on Thursday in protest against the denial of ticket to former party MP Nikhil Kumar from Aurangabad parliamentary constituency.The workers also shouted slogan--'Nikhil Kumar Zinadabad.' Kumar was also present in the office when the ruckus took place.The grand alliance has fielded Upendra Prasad of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) as its candidate from Aurangabad.Kumar had successfully contested from the seat in 2004 when the Congress fought in alliance with the RJD and the LJP. However, he lost the seat in 2009.Kumar, a former Delhi Police Commissioner, unsuccessfully contested from Aurangabad in 2014 against BJP's Sushil Kumar Singh. He had resigned from the post of Governor of Kerela to contest the election.The Lok Sabha elections for 40 seats in Bihar are scheduled to be conducted in all seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The result will be announced on May 23.
EC to provide pick-up and drop facilities to transgender voters
Pick-up and drop facilities from dedicated points to polling stations will be provided to transgender voters as part of the Chief Electoral Office's efforts to encourage the community to participate in the electoral process. A special drive was launched Thursday to enrol transgender voters in the Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency. Tanvi Garg, the returning officer for the constituency, said the transgender community is very "closed" and it was difficult to make inroads. "For the last few months, we were trying to reach out to the community. We made some inroads through Ghazala, a transgender voter, who is employed in my office. There are only 72 registered transgender voters in the Chandni Chowk constituency and NGOs have told us this is only one-third of the actual number of transgender voters in this constituency," she said. NGOs are helping the administration by carrying out door-to-door survey to find the transgender voters left out, she added. An official said 'third ...
Madras HC orders central govt to ban TikTok app
The Madras High Court has directed the Centre to ban mobile application 'TikTok' as it voiced concern that "pornographic and inappropriate contents" were made available through such apps. A bench comprising Justices N Kirubakaran and S S Sundar ordered media not to telecast video clips made with TikTok. The app allows users to create short videos and then share them. The bench asked the government if it would enact a statute like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act in the US and posted the matter for further hearing on April 16. It passed the interim order Wednesday on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition which sought to ban Tik Tok app on ground that it allegedly contained contents that "degraded culture and encouraged pornography". Even after the havoc caused by Blue whale online game, which reportedly led to suicides of several people, officials had not learnt that they should be alert to these types of problems, the bench said. Only when the officials and policy ...
Delhi minority panel issues notices to DSGMC office-bearers for violation of religious code
A controversy has erupted after the Delhi Minorities Commission issued notices to the president and several members of the Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee on a complaint charging them with acts contrary to religious code of conduct. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjinder Singh Sirsa rejected the charges and alleged "political conspiracy" behind the move. The DSGMC is answerable only to the Akal Takht, and not any government or its bodies, he said. "This is a politically motivated move by a member of Delhi Minorities Commission, who earlier served as a joint secretary of DSGMC against whom there are charges of corruption. No government or its bodies can question us like this, we are answerable only to Akal Takht," Sirsa told PTI. Delhi Minorities Commission member Kartar Singh Kochhar said that notices were issued to 20 people, including DSGMC office-bearers, on March 25. "We have received replies of only four persons only. We will summon those who fail
India rejects UN human rights experts' comments on deportation of Rohingyas by India
India on Thursday rejected criticism by UN human rights experts of its decision to deport three Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, saying the action was taken in accordance with law. The Office of the High Commissioner (OCHR) of the UN Human Rights on Tuesday said UN human rights experts condemned India's decision to deport three more Rohingyas to Myanmar and urged the authorities to stop such "forced deportations" which are prohibited under international law. "The interpretation made of the facts of the case, as portrayed in the statement, are misleading and incorrect. The repatriation of illegal immigrants to their country of origin is in accordance with Indian laws," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. He was responding to a question on the issue at a weekly media briefing. "These actions are being taken in response to the instructions of India's courts, which have required government at the State and Union levels to detect, detain and deport illegal immigrants," .
Boycott call in Mizoram withdrawn, polls on schedule: EC
The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday said a call given by an umbrella organisation of civil societies and student associations in Mizoram to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha polls was "called off" and voting will take place as scheduled on April 11 for the lone parliamentary seat in the north-eastern state. "The boycott or the bandh has been called off and polls will take place in Mizoram as scheduled," Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain told reporters here. Asked if the EC had got the boycott call withdrawn on "any conditions", Jain replied in the negative. He said the Bru refugees would be "facilitated" to cast their franchise on April 11 as it was done during the state Assembly polls last year. The EC sets up special polling booths for this category of voters (Bru refugees) in Kanhmun village at the Mizoram-Tripura border and the civil organisations were protesting this move. The EC is setting up 15 polling booths in the village exclusive for the Bru refugees from Mizoram ..
UN remarks on Rohingya repatriation misleading: India
India said on Thursday that interpretation of facts made in the statement from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights pertaining to deportation of Rohingyas was misleading and incorrect.
Former foreign minister George Vella Malta's new president
Maltese former foreign minister George Vella was named the country's new president on Thursday, taking over from Marie Louise Coleiro Preca who was one of Europe's few female ceremonial heads of state. Vella, 76, said his presidency would be impartial and just. "I am convinced that whoever needs help should receive it as a right not as charity. We need to be aware that there is material poverty among our people," he said. Vella, a doctor, is a pro-life campaigner and has come out strongly against the introduction of abortion. "As a doctor, I will fight for the health of this country and the respect for life from start to finish of every individual," Vella said. Vella was nominated by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the choice was approved by parliament. His tenure will span five years.