April 17, 2026
World
World
MANILA, April 17 — Philippine security forces killed 10 alleged Islamist militants today after they resisted arrest in a clash in the country’s south, police said.
NEW DELHI, April 16 — Narendra Modi’s government has proposed expanding India’s parliament by nearly 40 per cent to over 800 seats, alongside reserving 33 per cent of them for women.
Modi said the move aims to empower women, while Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju noted broad support for increasing female representation, which currently stands at about 14 per cent in the Lok Sabha.
However, opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and M. K. Stalin criticised the plan, arguing that redrawing electoral boundaries based on population would favour the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and weaken southern states.
The bill, which requires a two-thirds majority, is set for debate, with proposed changes expected to take effect by the 2029 general election. — AFP
