Trump Acknowledges ‘Real Starvation' In Gaza And Tells Israel To Let In ‘Every Ounce Of Food'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
31 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Notional nations, real and imagined
I remember my first overseas trip, which was to Belgium. On a weekend trip, a colleague and I took a train ride from Brussels to another nation, and were back by the same evening after three-hour rides that took us past lush meadows. At Luxembourg, we leaned across a parapet to watch chateaus washed in the bright orange of autumnal trees. It was a throwback in time, coupled with an amusing feeling there could be a country as small as this—albeit with sovereign status and special tax laws that enable weekend drivers from Brussels fill up their tanks with cheaper petrol. The memories of Luxembourg, an area of about 2,600 sq km and a population less than 700,000, came flooding last week as I heard of Westarctica, a 'micro nation' in the news after a dubiously enterprising resident of Delhi's satellite town Ghaziabad was arrested on charges of posing as the envoy of that 'country' as a cover for alleged money laundering. Luxembourg is smaller than India's National Capital Region but it is properly recognised as a 'micro state', unlike Westarctica—which does exist in some way, but as a micro nation. While micro states enjoy international recognition, micro nations are often self-proclaimed territories that few acknowledge. It takes special imagination to declare a micro nation carved out of Antarctica. But it takes chutzpah to run a fake embassy for one in India. Investigations suggest that Harsh Vardhan Jain, who fashioned himself 'Baron of Westarctica', has travelled to 30 countries. He had fake diplomatic passports, diplomatic number plates and seals purported to be from the foreign ministry. Westarctica is 'owned' by Travis McHenry and claims about 1.6 million sq km on the coldest continent—about half the size of India! Statehood is in the news for other reasons, too. France has announced it will recognise Palestine, which is already recognised by as many as 147 of the UN's 193 member states. Canada, Portugal and Spain have also announced their intent of doing so at September's UN General Assembly. The UK has said it will do so if Israel fails to improve the man-made famine in Gaza.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Will take up your demands with railway minister: Om Birla to PROs
New Delhi, Aug 2 (PTI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday assured public relations officers of the Indian Railways that he would take up their demands, including cadre upgradation, with Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Birla, who attended the All India Railway Public Relations Seminar in Rajasthan's Kota, appreciated the 'significant" role of the cadre in disseminating information related to train services to the common people. 'Public Relations Officers have shared with me their demands regarding cadre upgradation among others, and I will convey them to the railway minister," Birla said. He asserted that the Public Relations Department of the Railways is a 'bridge of trust" between the government and the people. The seminar — organised by the Railway PRO cadre for the first time — deliberated upon the department's current operational practices, responsibilities, and structural challenges. Senior Public Relations Officers, Public Relations Officers and Publicity Inspectors from across the country shared their insights, experiences, and practical suggestions regarding cadre-related concerns. 'This interactive session proved to be a milestone in defining the department's future path, enhancing its efficiency, and laying a strong foundation for cadre restructuring," the Bhartiya Railway Jansampark Karmi Kalyan Samiti, a representative body of the cadre, said in a statement. 'It not only reflected the unity and collective spirit of the department but also served as a powerful platform to bring the concerns of the Public Relations Cadre to the attention of policymakers," according to the statement. PTI JP RHL view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Allahabad HC directs GDA to maintain status quo on demolition notice
Prayagraj(UP), Aug 2 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court has directed that status quo be maintained with regards to the demolition notices issued by Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) over alleged illegal properties built on public land. Hearing a writ petition, a division bench comprising Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Prashant Kumar granted time to the district administration and GDA to place on record how they intend to rehabilitate the old inhabitants of the properties. The court also restrained the petitioners from creating any third-party interests or undertaking any development on the disputed property. The court also observed, 'In the facts and circumstances of the case, we also find that it is not in dispute that the petitioners have been occupying the place for the last 40-50 years." 'At this stage, we find that some indulgence and reprieve is to be accorded to the inhabitants who belong to the weaker sections of society and we further direct the authorities to ensure the formulation and implementation of a rehabilitation scheme for such persons," it said. The bench said the rehabilitation scheme shall be provided by the district administration and the GDA in the next hearing. The next hearing is listed for August 22. The petitioners filed the present writ petition for quashing the demolition notice dated June 16, 2025, issued by the GDA under section 26-A of the UP Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973. The GDA initially issued notice to 172 illegal occupants of public land on September 6, 2024, which is earmarked in the master plan. Consequently, 89 persons filed their objections which were considered and the impugned order (order under challenge) was passed. During the course of hearing, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioners are old inhabitants and in absence of any rehabilitation scheme as per the law, the old inhabitants, who are occupying small pieces of land for their shelter and admittedly belong to the lower sections of society, will suffer irreparable loss, if uprooted. After hearing both sides, the court in its order dated July 31 passed the above directives and observed, 'It is informed that in response to the earlier court's order, till date the GDA has not taken any remedial measures to rehabilitate the persons who were in illegal occupation for the last 40 years." PTI CORR RAJ SKY SKY view comments First Published: August 03, 2025, 00:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
