India on Wednesday (05) retained the top World Health Organisation (WHO) position in South-East Asia region after Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh unanimously re-elected as regional director for another five-year term beginning February 2019.
The elections were held at the ongoing regional committee meeting of WHO South-East Asia.
Dr Singh is the first woman to have been elected to the position of Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region after an illustrious career in the Indian civil service, World Bank and WHO.
“Dr Khetrapal Singh’s candidature was unopposed, as the 11 member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region met at the ongoing regional committee session to elect the next regional director,” WHO said in a statement.
“...With her contributions to regional as well as global initiatives and outstanding work in placing health central to the agenda of sustainable development in the region, she will continue leading the region to greater heights and further strengthen cooperation amongst South East Asia Region Member States,” said J P Nadda, India’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare congratulating Dr.Poonam Khetrapal Singh.
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, became the first lady to work as WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia from February 1, 2014. Singh served for over 20 years as a civil servant in India as a member of the Indian Administrative Services.
She was also served as the Health Secretary of India’s Punjab state. In 1987 she joined the Health, Population and Nutrition Department of the World Bank.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)