Aligarh Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Check key candidates, date of voting and other important details
Situated in Western Uttar Pradesh, the historic city holds significance as one of the 80 parliamentary constituencies in the state.
Satna constituency Madhya Pradesh Lok Sabha election 2024: Check polling date, candidates and past results
The Satna Lok Sabha Constituency Election 2024 will take place on 26 April (2 phases) and the results will be declared on 4 June.
‘Commonsense’ proposal would strengthen homeowners’ ability to boot squatters: ‘It’s insanity’
A Republican lawmaker in Pennsylvania has proposed legislation addressing the nationwide squatting surge because homeowners find themselves legally powerless to remove unwanted trespassers from their properties. Donna Scheuren, who represents the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ 147th district, introduced the Homeowner Protection and Squatter Eviction Act earlier this month and says she was inspired in part by legislation in Florida recently signed into law eliminating squatters’ rights. “With multiple, recent high-profile squatter incidents happening across the country, my office has received multiple calls and emails from constituents concerned about it happening in our community,” Scheuren said in a press release. Scheuren told Fox News Digital squatters can “easily take advantage” of a variety of buildings in her district ranging from homes to barns to sheds to vacation homes and cabins, and she hopes to eliminate the red tape in the process. DELAWARE MAN LOSES $125,000 PROPERTY TO SQUATTER NEIGHBOR AFTER TRYING TO REMOVE GOAT PEN SHE BUILT ON IT “I think eliminating all the red tape, having somebody having to go to court to prove they’re not a tenant, that they didn’t have a landlord relationship at some point, so much of what exists now. All of that is just gone, and the police can grab them, throw them out and reinstate the homeowner immediately, which is common sense and what needs to be done,” Scheuren told Fox News Digital. In squatting situations across the country, homeowners who call police to report a squatter are often told there is nothing law enforcement can do since they do not have the authority to determine who is telling the truth in terms of property paperwork. Scheuren’s bill aims to change that by allowing municipal and state officers to immediately remove a squatter from a building if the homeowner signs an affidavit stating he or she lawfully owns the property. HOMEOWNER ISSUES DIRE WARNING AFTER ‘SCARRING’ ORDEAL WITH SQUATTER: ‘IT COULD BE YOUR STORY TOMORROW’ Fox News Digital has previously reported that homeowners face lengthy court delays and hurdles that can rack up substantial legal fees along with damage costs. Scheuren’s bill would alleviate that by increasing the penalty of damaging property and allowing homeowners to seek treble damages and attorneys fees through the civil courts. “Incidents such as a recent one in Philadelphia, where a homeowner paid squatters $1,200 to get them to leave because police would not remove the squatters, or in New York, where a woman was murdered by squatters when they bashed her head into the wall upon returning to her home after vacationing in Spain, are unacceptable and show the law needs to provide better protections for homeowners,” Scheuren said. “This legislation does just that, protecting the rights of lawful property owners, instead of the criminals who are breaking the law.” PORTLAND FAMILY TERRORIZED BY FIRES SET BY HOMELESS SQUATTERS NEXT DOOR: ‘MY WIFE WAS SCREAMING’ Across the country, the squatting crisis has become intertwined with the illegal immigration crisis. Recently, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela bragged on TikTok about squatting and urged his followers to abuse the system to do the same. Scheuren told Fox News Digital calls from her constituents came rolling in after that viral video, and her bill addresses the issue of illegal immigrant squatting by requiring law enforcement to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if a squatter is in the United States illegally and to comply with any detainers placed by ICE. “We have to look out for homeowners before illegal or just criminal squatters. Doesn’t even have to be illegal immigrants,” Scheuren told Fox News Digital. “The fact that the criminal squatters seem to have a little bit more protection than the homeowners and the citizens of the country. It’s insanity.” Scheuren’s bill will have to make its way through the Democrat-controlled House in Pennsylvania, along with the GOP-controlled Senate, where a bill has also been introduced to eventually be signed by the commonwealth’s Democratic governor. But Scheuren told Fox News Digital she was encouraged by Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman recently blasting squatters and saying they “have no rights.” “With the pressure and hopefully the media putting more attention on it and then bringing it to the forefront that now even one of our senators wants to see Harrisburg legislate on this issue, I have renewed enthusiasm that we might be able to get something done,” Scheuren said. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office declined to say whether he would sign either bill if they reached his desk, saying, “We are reviewing this proposal as it moves through the legislative process.”
Blinken returns to China with warning over Russian military aid
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this week with a fresh threat regarding Beijing’s support for Russia, as the House greenlit a new $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. A senior State Department official previewed Blinken’s upcoming April 24-26 trip to China in a call with reporters on Friday, describing how he will meet with senior PRC officials in both Shanghai and Beijing. “I don’t have anything specific to announce to you today, but I’ll just underscore that as you’ve seen us demonstrate over the past many weeks and months, we’re committed to taking the steps necessary to defend our national interests, and we’re prepared to take steps when we believe necessary against firms that are taking steps in contravention to our interests and in ways that – as we’ve indicated here – severely undermine security in both Ukraine and Europe,” the senior State Department official said. “And I think we’ve demonstrated our willingness to do so regarding firms from a number of countries, not just China. And at any rate, again, I think this will be a key issue of discussion while we’re in Beijing.” BIDEN ADMIN SANCTIONS ISRAEL NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER ALLY, REPORTEDLY WEIGHS EXPANDING TO IDF UNIT With his G7 foreign ministerial counterparts, Blinken on Friday discussed concern “about the transfers to Russia from businesses in the PRC of a range of dual-use materials and weapons components that Russia is using to advance its military production,” the official said. “The concern there is that through Chinese support, Russia has largely reconstituted its defense industrial base, which has an impact not just on the battlefield in Ukraine but poses a larger threat, we believe, to broader European security.” Blinken and other U.S. diplomats will express those concerns to China and “our intent to have China curtail that support,” which is starting to pose “a threat to European security,” the official said. The State Department could not immediately confirm whether Blinken will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The senior State Department official did confirm to reporters that Blinken is expected to meet with his counterpart, Director and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. HOUSE PASSES $60B UKRAINE AID BILL AS GOP REBELS THREATEN TO OUST JOHNSON In Shanghai and Beijing, the secretary will focus “on implementing the leaders’ commitments in San Francisco to advance cooperation on issues such as counternarcotics, bolster mil-mil communication, and establish talks on artificial intelligence risks and safety,” the senior State Department official said. The State Department outlined three goals for Blinken’s trip: “making progress on key issues,” “clearly and directly communicating concerns on bilateral, regional, and global issues” and third, “responsibly managing competition” so “that it does not result in miscalculation or conflict.” Blinken is expected to “raise clearly and candidly our concerns on issues ranging from human rights, unfair economic and trade practices, to the global economic consequences of PRC industrial over-capacity.” The official said the secretary “will also reiterate our deep concerns regarding the PRC’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base,” “discuss the crisis in the Middle East” and “challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including PRC provocations in the South China Sea, as well as the DPRK’s threatening rhetoric and reckless actions.” Blinken will “discuss the crisis in Burma” and “will also reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the official told reporters. At the G7 summit last week, Blinken outlined the type of aid China is sending to Russia. “When it comes to Russia’s defense industrial base, the primary contributor in this moment to that is China,” Blinken told reporters in Capri, Italy. “We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base that sanctions and export controls had done so much to degrade. Now, if China purports on the one hand to want good relations with Europe and other countries, it can’t on the other hand be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.”
‘Such cruelty…’: AAP leader Atishi blames BJP for not giving insulin to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Tihar Jail Administration has denied the accusations made by the Aam Aadmi Party.
Ex-Clinton aide Huma Abedin spotted on date with George Soros’ son at Knicks game
Former Clinton staffer Huma Abedin was spotted on a date to the New York Knicks’ playoff game with George Soros’ son, Alex Soros on Saturday. The pair, who have been rumored to be dating since February, had courtside tickets, and Soros was said to be on his phone throughout the game, according to the New York Post. Abedin, 47, and Soros, 38, watched the Knicks defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 111-104. Soros took over his father’s $25 billion global empire last year, and he has been spotted spending time with top Democrats in the months since. GEORGE SOROS’ SON BECOMES KINGMAKER WITH TOP DEMS AS HE MAKES MULTIPLE WH VISITS, MEETS WITH LAWMAKERS Soros posted a picture “kicking off campaign season” on social media in March with likely Democrat Arizona Senate nominee Rep. Ruben Gallego, who has received thousands of dollars from Soros this cycle. ALEX SOROS’ ACCESS TO BIDEN’S WHITE HOUSE CONTINUES AS HE’S NOW VISITED AT LEAST 20 TIMES, RECORDS SHOW “Kicking off campaign season with my co-host [Lin Manuel] for congressman Ruben Gallego’s Senate run in Arizona,” he wrote on Instagram. “Ruben has an impressive life story and the stakes of this year’s election couldn’t be higher, they’re existential.” Days after the Open Society Foundations announced he would take over his father’s network in June 2023, he hosted a New York event featuring House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other top Empire State Democrats, including Reps. Jerry Nadler and Gregory Meeks, according to an Instagram post. Soros’ social media profiles have dozens of pictures of him and leading House and Senate Democrats since 2018. The two who appear the most are Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California. Since the 2018 elections, Alex Soros has poured more than $5 million into federal political coffers. Records show that his largest contribution was $2 million to the Senate Majority PAC, aligned with Chuck Schumer. Fox News’ Joe Schoffstall and Cameron Cawthorne contributed to this report
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2: Schools to remain closed in these states on April 26, check full list
Schools and colleges in these regions will be closed on election day to accommodate the use of their premises as polling stations and to ensure the safety of students and staff.
US lawmakers rebuked for waving Ukraine flags as aid bill is passed
NewsFeed This is the moment the US House of Representatives approved a military aid package worth $95 billion to support Ukraine, along with Israel and Taiwan. Lawmakers were told to stop waving Ukrainian flags on the floor of the US Congress. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his thanks. Published On 21 Apr 202421 Apr 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Could shipping containers be the answer to Ghana’s housing crisis?
Accra, Ghana – At a construction site on the outskirts of Accra, the spirited figure of Eric Kwaku Gyimah directs the flurry of activity. Clad in sturdy work boots caked with dust from the floor, his worn jeans bear the marks of many hours spent amid the concrete and steel and a high-visibility vest drapes over his shoulders. Amid stacks of shipping containers and the hum of heavy machinery, his voice rises above the noise, issuing directives to his employees. For him, this is more than just a construction site; here, discarded shipping containers are transformed into eco-friendly homes, offering a potential solution to the West African country’s housing crisis. “This is more than a business; it’s a movement,” he declares. Eric Kwaku Gyimah with a member of staff at one of his construction sites near Accra, Ghana [Courtesy of Eric Kwaku Gyimah] Ghana’s housing crisis has been building for some time. The Ghana Statistical Service has reported that approximately six million of Ghana’s 33 million population are in urgent need of housing. Some of these people are homeless but most are living in dangerously overcrowded slums which have grown up over time on the edge of Ghana’s larger towns. The population living in slums surged from 5.5 million in 2017 to 8.8 million by 2020, the most recent count by the United Nations. One reason for this is rapid urbanisation, driven by both rural-to-urban migration and natural population growth. As more people move to urban areas in search of economic opportunities, the demand for housing surpasses the available supply, leading to the proliferation of informal settlements and slums. Additionally, economic challenges and limited access to financing have hindered many Ghanaians from buying or building homes. Eco-homes made from shipping containers under construction [Courtesy of Eric Kwaku Gyimah] This new venture aims not only to address the immediate need for housing, but also to present a more affordable and sustainable living model. “As we confront Ghana’s staggering housing deficit, it’s imperative to offer more than mere structures; we must present a vision for sustainable living,” Gyimah says. “We are not only providing shelter but also saving the environment for the future generation. While paving the way for sustainable living models, we aspire to create a lasting impact, one home at a time.” The birth of an idea Growing up with 17 siblings in Akim Swedru – 180km (112 miles) from the capital, Accra – in eastern Ghana, Gyimah says he dreamed of becoming either a banker or an artist. But Gyimah’s interest in sustainability was deeply rooted in his upbringing in a region known for its rainforests, streams, hills and rivers. He saw the rapid deforestation and destruction of wildlife habitats caused by construction and illegal mining. So, despite having studied banking and finance, he decided to pursue his passion for carpentry. His journey into home design began with a simple idea; producing stylish accommodation for pets, especially dogs – “for them to live a better life”, he says. He quickly stepped up to designing homes for people when he was struck by the idea of reusing shipping containers. The cosy interior of one of the shipping container homes made by Gyimah’s enterprise [Courtesy of Eric Kwaku Gyimah] “I settled on repurposing shipping containers, typically discarded after their maritime service life, into chic and comfortable living spaces for people to live in,” the father of three tells Al Jazeera. Affordability is paramount if his venture is to have a hope of making any sort of impact on Ghana’s need for housing. Therefore, his homes are primarily aimed at individuals and families seeking affordable yet sustainable living solutions. The cost of these homes varies depending on the design, with the simplest options ranging from $7,000 to $10,000. “This amount is just for the structure, excluding furnishing,” he adds. More complex designs with fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms, spread over several storeys, cost as much as $35,000, but, compared with a traditional bricks-and-mortar design, these homes still cost a good deal less. According to the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association, it can cost between $50,000 to $70,000 to build a new two-bedroom, bricks-and-mortar house. According to Ghana Property Centre, a one or two-bedroom house in the capital city of Accra costs about $100,000. A shipping container home, by contrast, “is cost-effective as compared to the traditional concrete structures … We want to make it possible for a lot of people to own homes in Ghana,” Gyimah says. Shipping container homes can be arranged over several storeys [Courtesy of Eric Kwaku Gyimah] By contrast to bricks and mortar, shipping container homes can be constructed quickly. While very simple shipping container home designs can be completed in a few weeks, more complex layouts can take up to a year to build. “It’s not time-consuming,” he says. “On top of it, the materials used in building these shipping houses are eco-friendly. Ultimately, it is mobile. You’d have saved 30 percent of what you would have spent on block buildings. It saves a lot of land space, too.” “Starting small with just one refurbished shipping container for my office in 2019 was just the beginning,” Gyimah says. Since then, the business, IWoodz Creation, has grown, now employing 25 local staff. As well as the 52 individual homes it has built, the group also turns decommissioned shipping containers into stores, offices and cafes. In order to use less energy, these homes use natural ventilation through more strategic placement of windows and vents which dissipate heat more efficiently, Gyimah explains, “reducing the need for energy-intensive cooling systems like air conditioners”. Moving a shipping container home into position on a site [Courtesy of Eric Kwaku Gyimah] Too little, too late? Gyimah’s approach has been criticised by some, however. While the environmental benefits are clear, planning experts say solutions such as this will likely only have a small effect on Ghana’s housing problem. It is also unclear how long these sorts of homes will last, although Gyimah says they
Maldives votes in parliamentary elections amid India-China rivalry
President Mohamed Muizzu’s moves to increasingly shift away from New Delhi has caused tension. Maldives is holding parliamentary elections in a ballot crucial for President Mohamed Muizzu, who has turned the archipelago nation away from longtime ally India since coming to power last September. Sunday’s elections are keenly watched by India and China as they vie for influence in the island country, which is known for its pristine beaches and luxury resorts and is strategically located in the Indian Ocean, where global east-west shipping lanes pass through. The rivalry between India and China sharpened following Muizzu’s election last September, with the new leader taking a pro-China stand and acting to remove Indian troops stationed on one of the country’s islets. About 284,000 people were eligible to vote on Sunday, and tentative results are expected later the same day. Six political parties and independent groups are fielding 368 candidates for 93 seats in Parliament. Splits in all the main political parties, including Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC), are expected to make it hard for any single party to win an outright majority. Muizzu won last year’s presidential polls on promises to cut off Indian influence with his “India out” campaign. He was widely seen as a proxy candidate for former President Abdulla Yameen, who held power between 2013 and 2018 and whose 11-year jail term on bribery charges was overturned by a court last week. President Muizzu has accused his immediate predecessor, Mohammed Ibrahim Solih, of compromising national sovereignty by giving India too much influence. The current parliament, dominated by Solih’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has sought to stymie Muizzu’s efforts to realign the archipelago’s diplomacy. At least 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives and their known activities were operating two aircraft donated by India and assisting in the rescue of people stranded or faced with calamities at sea. Muizzu has now taken steps to deport the soldiers and have civilians take over those activities. Relations strained further when Indian social media activists started a boycott campaign of Maldives tourism in January. The move was in retaliation for three Maldivian deputy ministers making derogatory statements about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the idea of promoting tourism in Lakshadweep, India’s string of islands similar to the Maldives. According to recent Maldives government statistics, the number of Indian tourists has fallen, dropping that country from being the top source of foreign visitors to the sixth. Muizzu visited China earlier this year and negotiated an increase in the number of tourists and inbound flights from China. His government has also awarded high-profile infrastructure contracts to Chinese state-owned companies. In 2013, Maldives joined China’s “Belt and Road” initiative meant to build ports and highways to expand trade – and China’s influence – across Asia, Africa and Europe. The Maldives consists of about 1,200 coral islands and atolls and has a population of about 520,000. Adblock test (Why?)