Congress's 'Padman' strategy with Rahul Gandhi's photo stirs row in Bihar
However, the decision to feature Rahul's photo on the sanitary pad boxes has invited criticism from the BJP."An insult of women of Bihar with Rahul Gandhi's picture on sanitary pad! Congress is an Anti-Women party! Women of Bihar will teach the Congress and RJD a lesson," tweeted BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari.Ahead of the elections in Bihar, the focus has steadily shifted to the promises being made by the political parties to women, who are expected to play a key role in the outcome.While the opposition Mahagathbandhan has promised a monthly cash transfer of Rs 2,500 into women's bank accounts under its 'Mai Behan Maan Yojana' if it was elected to power, the Nitish Kumar-led government has launched a 'Mahila Samvad' program - a village-to-village outreach program to connect with 2 crore women.- EndsMust Watch
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Business Standard
17 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India takes no position on matters of faith: MEA on Dalai Lama's successor
In response to queries about the recent statement by the Dalai Lama on the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution, India on Friday said it does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 'The government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so.' On Wednesday, the Dalai Lama, ahead of his 90th birthday on 6 July, stated that 'the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter'. The Chinese foreign ministry, however, insisted that any future heir must receive Beijing's seal of approval. In India, the Dalai Lama's announcement was welcomed by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju. On Friday, China objected to Rijiju's remarks that the incarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow his own wishes. It urged India to act cautiously on Tibet-related issues to avoid any adverse impact on bilateral relations. 'India should be clear of the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour its commitments on Xizang (Tibet) related issues,' Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a media briefing in Beijing. Rijiju, a Buddhist, reiterated on Friday that all devotees and followers of the Dalai Lama want the Tibetan spiritual leader himself to decide on his successor. He clarified that he was not making the remarks on behalf of the Indian government and was not responding to a Chinese statement. 'There is no need for me or the government to say anything. Who would be the next Dalai Lama will be decided by him,' Rijiju told reporters in New Delhi. Asked about China's statement, he said, 'I do not want to react to China's statement. I speak as a devotee. I have faith in the Dalai Lama. Those who follow the Dalai Lama wish that he decides his successor.'
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First Post
18 minutes ago
- First Post
7 ways Trump's Big Beautiful Bill will impact non-Americans
Framed as a bill to restore American strength, reduce inflation, and fund US priorities, Trump's new legislative proposal also carries significant consequences for the rest of the world, particularly non-Americans read more Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La, surrounded by Republican members of Congress, signs US President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington, DC, US. File Image/AP US President Donald Trump's newly passed legislative package, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, marks one of the most sweeping overhauls of America's tax, trade, and immigration systems in recent times. While the bill is pitched as a way to 'restore American strength' and redirect national spending to domestic priorities, its global consequences are wide-ranging, particularly for non-Americans across the world. Here are 7 key ways the bill is expected to shape lives and economies outside the United States: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 1. Remittance tax to hit foreign households The bill imposes a 1% tax on cash remittances sent from the US to other countries. This will affect millions of families in major remittance-dependent economies like India, Mexico, and the Philippines, potentially reducing their annual income by billions of dollars. The tax does not apply to wire or bank-based transfers. 2. Withholding uncertainty for foreign investors While the bill does not impose new withholding taxes on foreign investors, it includes broad corporate tax changes that could affect foreign-owned US assets. Global banks, pension funds, and sovereign wealth entities are bracing for potential regulatory changes that could erode returns on US-linked investments. 3. Trade tensions may escalate The repeal of the 'de minimis' exemption means that small shipments from foreign retailers into the US, previously untaxed if valued under $800, will now be subject to tariffs. This could disproportionately hit exporters in China, the EU, and Latin America, possibly sparking retaliatory trade measures. 4. Climate commitments rolled back The bill rolls back key clean energy tax credits established under the Inflation Reduction Act, including subsidies for electric vehicles, solar panels, and wind energy projects. This may stall momentum in global green supply chains, particularly among US-EU climate partnerships and Asia-based component suppliers. 5. Tighter US immigration access STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The legislation ramps up funding for ICE and Border Patrol and introduces a minimum $100 fee on asylum applications. Although lower than earlier proposals, the new cost barriers could impact international students, temporary workers, and refugees, making the path to the US more expensive and bureaucratic. 6. Ripple effects in global markets From taxes on remittances to regulatory changes in energy and trade, the bill could cause a shift in global investment strategy, increased dollar volatility, and a realignment of financial exposure away from the US by emerging economies. 7. Concerns over US global commitments While the bill does not explicitly cut foreign aid, critics warn that its massive domestic spending increases — including over $170 billion for immigration enforcement — could lead to future reductions in US contributions to global health, development, and humanitarian programs. President Trump's 'big beautiful' promise is already reshaping the US economy, and its effects will be felt far beyond American borders. From higher remittance costs and tighter visa controls to new barriers for global trade and climate cooperation, the bill signals a sharp turn inward, with real consequences for the rest of the world. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Government counters Opposition campaign that delayed emergency response caused hospital collapse death
The State government appeared to scramble to contradict the Opposition's strident campaign that the 'callous delay' in search and rescue operations had cost the life of Bindu, 52, the sole fatality in the partial collapse of a building on the Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) campus on Thursday. Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan, who called on Bindu's bereaved family at Thalayolaparambu on Friday, told reporters that the post-mortem report indicated Bindu had died instantaneously. 'She had suffered a fatal head injury from the falling debris,' he said. Mr. Vasavan termed the Congress's propaganda that the government's uncaring inference that no one was under the debris had caused Bindu to suffer a lingering death as 'a maliciously misleading lie.' He said Bindu was acting as a bystander for her daughter, Veena, who required a costly and protracted treatment, including complicated surgeries, when the tragedy struck. 'Free of cost' Mr. Vasavan said Apollo Hospital would treat Ms. Veena free of cost. The government would provide temporary employment to Bindu's son. The Cabinet on July 11 will declare the compensation amount for Bindu's family based on the report submitted by the Kottayam Collector. Quoting a timeline, Mr. Vasavan said the Ministers and officials had reached the accident site within minutes of the collapse. He told the decades-old building lacked a separate pathway for emergency responders. 'Firefighters had to cut through an iron barricade to move earth movers to the spot for the search and rescue mission. Any attempt to punch a way through the structure to reach the accident site would have caused further mishap,' he said. The administration evacuated 360 patients from six wards to a safer block. The two injured individuals were transferred to critical care units. Mr. Vasavan accused the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicising the tragedy for 'cheap media mileage.' He criticised the Congress for laying siege to the hospital and blocking the ambulance carrying Bindu's dead body to her home. Organ transplants Mr. Vasavan also criticised the Congress and the BJP for seeking to tarnish the reputation of the hospital, which was at the forefront of organ transplants and cardiothoracic surgeries in the country. 'A liver transplant at the MCH costs only ₹3 lakh compared to ₹50 lakh charged by a corporate hospital,' he added. He also criticised the Congress and the BJP for allegedly disparaging hospital superintendent T.K. Jayakumar. 'Dr. Jayakumar, a winner of Kerala Shree and the State government's best doctor award, has conducted upwards of 2,000 heart surgeries, including valve replacement. He is instrumental in executing a ₹526-crore hospital development project, including the 14 surgical theatres, eight super speciality theatres and over 500 beds,' Mr. Vasavan said.
