POLITICS
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Feb- 2025 -19 February
Kerala temples get offers for mechanical elephants from PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India is sending letters to the temples and mosques, offering to donate lifelike mechanical elephants on the condition that these institutions would send the distressed elephants to sanctuaries Thiruvananthapuram: After a series of elephant attacks in Kerala left five people dead, many injured, and property damaged at temple and mosque festivals in a span of 10 days, an animal rights organisation is stepping in with a unique offer. The organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, is sending letters to the affected temples and mosques, offering to donate lifelike mechanical elephants — on one condition. The institutions must agree to send the distressed elephants to sanctuaries where they can live freely, without chains or…
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19 February
CBI harassing me, says senior IAS officer
The Odisha-cadre IAS officer said: ‘The male officials searched my house while my wife was the only woman in the house’ Bhubaneswar: Senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi had a heated exchange with a CBI team that searched his official residence on Tuesday to investigate a Rs 10-lakh bribery case. “The CBI officials carried out a search at my residence, even though there is no FIR against me. They are unnecessarily harassing me,” Sethi told reporters in the presence of the agency’s officials. The senior IAS officer said, “They (CBI) came to search my house without prior notice and their eight-member team does not include a woman officer. The male officials searched my house while my wife was the only woman in…
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19 February
Amidst the Maha Kumbh fervour, high fecal coliform levels raise concerns in Prayagraj: CPCB Report
A CPCB report revealed high fecal coliform levels in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh, indicating potential sewage contamination. The NGT ordered further action from UPPCB Hyderabad: Have you ever witnessed the excitement around the Maha Kumbh, where people go to great lengths, often even risking overcrowding, to take a holy dip at the Sangam? The fervour is palpable as thousands gather to bathe in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. However, amidst this religious fervour, concerns about water quality have surfaced. The National Green Tribunal was informed on Monday, through a report from the CPCB, that various locations in Prayagraj during the ongoing Mahakumbh were not meeting the necessary water quality standards for…
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19 February
Editorial: Irrepressible Sam Pitroda
Pitroda’s goof-ups, happening with unfailing regularity, will cause considerable damage to the Congress Sam Pitroda, credited with laying the foundation for India’s telecommunication revolution, is no stranger to controversies. His ‘foot in the mouth’ proclivity has often landed the Congress in trouble. As chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, his public comments on various issues are often found at variance with the party’s official stand. His latest remark that India should stop viewing China as an enemy has ignited a firestorm in political circles, forcing the Congress to go on the back foot and swiftly dissociate itself from the controversial observation. In a media interview, Pitroda sought to give a curious spin to Asian geopolitics when he said that the threat from…
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19 February
After outcry over layoffs of freshers, Infosys defers internal assessments for trainees
The company last week laid off over 300 freshers who underwent foundational training at its Mysuru campus but could not clear internal assessments after three attempts Hyderabad: IT major Infosys has postponed internal assessments scheduled for trainees by a week. The move comes close on the heels of an outcry over recent layoffs of freshers on its Mysuru campus. it had last week laid off over 300 freshers who underwent foundational training at its Mysuru campus but could not clear internal assessments after three attempts. The Bengaluru-headquartered company has, however, asserted that the deferment is aimed at giving them additional time for preparation. IT employee union Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), claimed that the assessment meant for 800 trainees was postponed due…
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19 February
Qatar’s Amir to hold meeting with PM Modi, receive ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan today
The Emir, accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes ministers, senior officials, and a business delegation, will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday for a ceremonial reception. New Delhi: Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani is in India for a two-day state visit, marking his second visit to the country since March 2015 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Emir, accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes ministers, senior officials, and a business delegation, will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday for a ceremonial reception. The Emir will then proceed to a bilateral…
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19 February
Global warming disrupts polar vortex. But, what is it?
Parts of the United States are experiencing the 10th and coldest polar vortex event this season. Weather forces in the Arctic are combining to push the chilly air into the US and Europe Hyderabad: The term ‘polar vortex’ usually refers to the gigantic circular upper air weather pattern in the Arctic region. It is a normal pattern that is stronger in the winter and keeps some of the coldest weather bottled up near the North Pole. But at times some of the vortex can break off or move south, bringing unusually cold weather south and permitting warmer weather to creep up north. This week, parts of the United States are experiencing the 10th and coldest polar vortex event this season. Weather…
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19 February
Costa Rica to serve as bridge for repatriation of illegal immigrants deport from US
Costa Rica has agreed to assist in the repatriation of illegal immigrants from the US, including those from India and Central Asia. The first group of 200 migrants will arrive in Costa Rica on Wednesday before being sent to their home countries San Jose: Costa Rica has agreed to serve as a “bridge” to repatriate illegal immigrants in the US, including from India and Central Asia, according to an official release on Tuesday. The first group of 200 migrants will arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport on a commercial flight on Wednesday, according to a statement by Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles’ office. “The Government of Costa Rica agreed to collaborate with the United States in the repatriation of 200 illegal immigrants to…
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19 February
Opinion: It’s Advantage India in Afghanistan
Rising conflict between Taliban and Pakistan will benefit India strategically in the region New Delhi’s evolving relationship with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) marks India’s realist perspective of foreign policy approach. India and Afghanistan have historically shared a millennium-old cultural and trade relationship dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Though India’s relationship with Afghanistan suffered a temporary setback following the US withdrawal from the country and the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the recent high-level engagement with the Taliban has not only defrozen its dormant relationship but also brought a major geopolitical shift in the region. Contemporary Aspects From the geostrategic point of view, the deepening relationship between India and Afghanistan amid rising border tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan has worked…
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19 February
Trump administration halts support for legal representation in immigration court for children
The Acacia Center for Justice says it serves 26,000 migrant children under its federal contract Washington: The Trump administration on Tuesday stopped support for legal representation in immigration court for children who enter the US alone, a setback for those fighting deportation who can’t afford a lawyer. The Acacia Center for Justice says it serves 26,000 migrant children under its federal contract. The Interior Department gave no explanation for the stop-work order, telling the group only that it was done for “causes outside of your control” and should not be interpreted as a judgment of poor performance. The halt remains in effect until further notice. The Interior Department and Health and Human Services Department, which oversees unaccompanied migrant children, did not…
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