K’taka CM’s concern for Wayanad sign of slavery, says BJP MLC C.T. Ravi

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

K’taka CM’s concern for Wayanad sign of slavery, says BJP MLC C.T. Ravi

Bengaluru: Criticising the offer of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the Kerala government to build 100 houses in landslide ravaged Wayanad, the BJP on Wednesday chided his concern as a sign of slavery. Priyanka Gandhi represents the Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency which was hit by major landslides this year in which over 200 people lost their lives as two villages were swept away. BJP MLC and former National General Secretary, C.T. Ravi stated that the Karnataka government has given assurances of building houses for the victims of the landslide. “The gesture is right in terms of humanity. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s concern in this regard does not seem to be out of concern for humanity. This is a clear sign of slavery. Wayanad was represented by the Leader of Op...

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Delhi liquor policy scam: SC relaxes Sisodia’s bail condition

INDIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a plea filed by senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia seeking relaxation of the bail condition requiring him to report to the Investigating Officer semi-weekly. A bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai decided to delete the bail condition requiring Sisodia to report to the Investigating Officer every Monday and Thursday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.“We do not find the said condition is necessary and the same is therefore deleted. However, it is directed that the applicant (Sisodia) shall regularly attend the trial court,” ordered Justice Gavai-led Bench.Earlier on Monday, the Bench, also comprising Justice K.V. Viswanathan, agreed to list on December 11 the plea moved by Sisodia af...

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

India can create over 30 mn new women-owned enterprises: Report

INDIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) India has the potential to create more than 30 million new women-owned enterprises, according to a report.The report -- on democratisation of entrepreneurship in India -- by consulting firm KPMG stated that this can translate to 150 to 170 million more jobs in the country.Investing in women-led ventures can have a multiplier effect, as they are more likely to reinvest in their communities, the report said.Further, boosting venture capital (VC) funding in women-led startups in India can enhance gender equity. It will also enable women founders to scale their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the economy on a larger scale.“More than 20 per cent of India’s MSME startups were by women-led ventures and 45 per cent of these came from tier II and III cities,” sai...

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Uruguay reports slower population growth

TOP STORIES, WORLD

Montevideo, Dec 11 (IANS) Uruguay's 2023 national census counted 3,499,451 inhabitants, 2.5 percentage points higher than the 2011 one, the National Statistics Institute (INE) reported.Despite the growth, the number of children per woman fell from 1.8 to 1.7, according to the census. And there were 31,385 births registered in the country and 34,678 deaths last year, Xinhua news agency reported."We are with a negative population growth, unless immigration compensates, or we are already losing population," INE director Diego Aboal said, adding that Uruguay reported "a drop of 18,000 births" in the last eight years.According to the census, the number of foreign residents settling in Uruguay has grown by 4 per cent since 2011.Montevideo, the capital city, is still the most populous city with a...

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

After Kerala HC speaks tough, CPI(M) and police take action for blocking road

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 11 (IANS) A day after the Kerala High Court spoke tough against how the ruling CPI(M) held a party meeting in the middle of a busy road in the heart of the state capital on December 5, both the Kerala Police and the ruling party on Wednesday started taking measures, as the petition will again come before the court on Thursday.On Wednesday, the Kerala Police registered a case against the top party leader who erected the stage in the middle of the road and 31 others, the CPI(M) Thiruvananthapuram district secretary V.Joy, who is also an MLA from the district said it was a mistake that happened and should not have happened.Incidentally, on December 5 hours before the meeting began in the evening, one side of the road was blocked leading to massive traffic snarls as it ...

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Statesman par excellence: Tributes pour in for Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary

INDIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid homage to former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, on his birth anniversary, calling him a "statesman par excellence." Mukherjee, born on December 11, 1935, served as India's 13th President from 2012 to 2017. A Bharat Ratna awardee, he passed away on August 31, 2020, in Delhi.Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Remembering Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary. Pranab Babu was a one-of-a-kind public figure - a statesman par excellence, a wonderful administrator, and a repository of wisdom.""His contributions to India's development are noteworthy. He was blessed with a unique ability to build consensus across the spectrum due to his vast experience in governance and his deep understanding of India's culture as wel...

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Camaraderie transcending political boundaries: Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter recalls PM Modi’s bond with late Prez

INDIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, has reminisced about the exceptional relationship between her father and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing it as "a rare example of camaraderie that transcended political boundaries". When Narendra Modi assumed office as Prime Minister in 2014, Pranab Mukherjee was serving as the President of India. Sharmistha recalled the moment when Modi sought her father's blessings by touching his feet and requesting his guidance.Mukherjee responded, saying, "We belong to two different ideologies, but the people have given you a mandate. I will not interfere with governance -- that is your job. But I will be there if you need help in any constitutional matter."Prime Minister Modi reportedly appreciated...

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

ADB approves 25.45 million USD grant to Solomon Islands

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Manila, Dec 11 (IANS) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said it has approved a grant of $25.45 million to help the Solomon Islands develop sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient water supply and sanitation services.The Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project is implementing high-priority components of the government's water and sanitation sector plan to increase access to piped supply and sanitation services, enhance hygiene awareness, promote water conservation, and improve fecal sludge management, Xinhua news agency reported.The ADB said the latest additional financing will help meet cost overruns incurred from the growing cost of goods and works, which have increased significantly since March 2020.The ADB, the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility, and ...

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

US Alaska Airlines announces strategic plan to offer more international flights

TOP STORIES, WORLD

San Francisco, Dec 11 (IANS) US Alaska Airlines announced a new strategic plan to offer at least 12 nonstop global destinations with long-haul widebody aircraft from Seattle by 2030.Dubbing Seattle a "new global gateway," Alaska said it will begin offering nonstop flights from Seattle to Tokyo in May and Seoul in October, Xinhua news agency reported."There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of Alaska Air Group," Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said in a statement. "Now, with the combination with Hawaiian Airlines, we will transform our business and solidify our competitive advantage for years to come."The Alaska Air Group, based in SeaTac, includes subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, McGee Air Services and the recently acquired Hawaiian Airlines.Tokyo and Seoul were ...

Dec112024 by thestatelineNo Comments

UN stands against any violation of territorial integrity of Syria: Spokesman

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United Nations, Dec 11 (IANS) The United Nations stands against any violation of the territorial integrity of Syria, a UN spokesperson said, after Israel seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad government.When asked about media reports that recently the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted 320 Syrian military targets, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said at a daily press briefing, "It is very clear that we stand against any violation of the territorial integrity of Syria. We are against these types of attacks."In the wake of the fall of al-Assad's government, Israel ramped up its military operation in Syria, launching airstrikes against military weaponry and seizing control of a demilitarised buffer zone in the Golan...