War memorial cross on federal land prompts sharp debate at Supreme CourtWASHINGTON — As the Supreme Court weighed a dispute over a religious symbol on public land Wednesday, Justice Antonin Scalia was having difficulty understanding how some people might feel excluded by a cross that was put up as a memorial to soldiers killed in World War I. Justice Dept. finds most kids have been exposed to violence; results called ’staggering’WASHINGTON — Justice Department officials said Wednesday that most children in the United States are exposed to violence in their daily lives — but a leading criminologist warned the government-sponsored survey may be lumping serious and minor incidents together. Divorced fathers in Japan, cut off from kids, turning to courts to seek access, change systemTOKYO — On Christmas Eve two years ago, Masahiro Yoshida returned to his home to find it empty. His wife had fled with their 2-year-old daughter, seeking a divorce. Quieter than health overhaul foes, grass-roots supporters are working hard, Obama camp saysNEW YORK — Fired up? Ready to go? You might not know it from the way President Barack Obama’s grass-roots supporters have been largely drowned out in the raucous debate over his health care plan. Duncan says ambitious Chicago education plan has not contributed to surge in teen violenceCHICAGO — Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday it is ridiculous to suggest that an ambitious plan to improve education in Chicago contributed to a surge in violence among students. Some sex offenders, banned from churches, fighting state laws as they search for salvationRALEIGH, N.C. — Convicted sex offender James Nichols said he was trying to better himself by going to church. But the police who arrested him explained: The church is off-limits because it has a daycare center. Top court overturns Italian premier’s immunity, Berlusconi spokesman says he won’t resignROME — Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi vowed to stay on and “go forward” Wednesday after an Italian court struck down a law granting him immunity from prosecution and allowed trials for corruption and tax fraud to resume in Milan. There were immediate calls for his resignation. Annan says Kenya needs local tribunal to try suspected perpetrators of postelection violenceNAIROBI, Kenya — Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan, who mediated an end to Kenya’s postelection violence, said Wednesday that the country should form a local tribunal to try the suspected perpetrators. Daughter of slain Florida couple tells Oprah Winfrey about raising parents’ childrenCHICAGO — A Florida woman said she is fulfilling a promise she never thought she’d have to keep by raising nine special-needs children her parents had adopted before they were shot to death in their home in July. NYC undercover stings show gun show sellers ignoring federal background check requirementsNEW YORK — Investigators hired by New York City conducted stings at gun shows in states that have not closed the “gun show loophole” and found some vendors openly selling weapons to buyers who admitted they couldn’t pass background checks. Mother jumps from running train to save newbornKOLKATA - A mother who gave birth on a train jumped off it as the newborn slipped through the toilet pipe and fell on the tracks in West Bengal, a railway official said Wednesday. Both the mother and baby are fine. African bishops speak of Obama election in religious terms, at odds with US counterpartsVATICAN CITY — African bishops attending a Vatican meeting are speaking about the election of Barack Obama in divine terms — putting them very much at odds with many of their U.S. counterparts. Volunteers weigh in on new grocery products at Kroger centerCINCINNATI — Before they reach store shelves, food and drinks proposed to be made for Kroger Co.’s brands must pass muster with taste-testers who are paid in nibbles and sips and in-store coupons. Hundreds rally in Moscow on 3rd anniversary of Politkovskaya’s killing, call for justiceMOSCOW — Hundreds of people urged Russian authorities to find and punish the killers of journalists and human rights activists in Russia, rallying Wednesday to mark the third anniversary of the killing of Anna Politkovskaya. People donate over Rs.500 cr for flood-hit in KarnatakaBANGALORE - Funds have begun to pour in from public to help rebuild the flood-ravaged areas of Karnataka with over Rs.500 crore collected since Tuesday when the government announced opening of a special bank account for donations. IOC congratulates itself for awarding the 2008 Olympics to BeijingCOPENHAGEN — Despite criticism from human rights campaigners, the International Olympic Committee gave itself a big pat on the back Wednesday for awarding the 2008 Games to Beijing. After years of making sport of others’ personal foibles, David Letterman exposes his ownNEW YORK — Some of the politicians zinged by David Letterman over the years for their indiscretions are offering pity and advice for the scandalized talk show host. Sikh crusader against forced marriages is Pride of BritainLONDON - A Sikh woman whose campaign helped persuade the British government to move against forced marriages has won a prestigious award that celebrates extraordinary achievements by ordinary people. Karva Chauth continues to captivate Indian women
Report: Thousands of Indian women die needlessly in maternal deathsNEW DELHI — Tens of thousands of Indian women die needlessly every year during pregnancy or because of childbirth-related problems, a human rights group said Wednesday, blaming a medical system hobbled by poor planning, caste discrimination, a lack of accountability and limited access to emergency care. Top official says Palestinian leaders erred in agreeing to shelve UN war crimes report on GazaRAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian leadership made a mistake by suspending action on a U.N. report on Gaza war crimes, a member of President Mahmoud Abbas’ inner circle said Wednesday — the first such acknowledgment after days of protests in the West Bank and Gaza. Duncan, Holder in Chicago to discuss youth violence in wake of honor student’s beating deathCHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says he had a productive meeting about youth violence with Education Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Democrats seek to override Supreme Court ruling that raised bar for proving age discriminationWASHINGTON — Democrats want to counter a recent Supreme Court ruling that makes it harder for older workers to prove they are the victims of age discrimination. This Diwali, a 24-hour helpline for burn injuriesNEW DELHI - Quite often the joyous mood of Diwali is marred by accidental burns while lighting fire crackers. To reach out and help during such mishaps, a helpline number will be launched next week which will be functional until after the festival is over. Oh, what an egg!OTTAWA - A hen in Canada has laid probably the largest egg in the poultry history of this country. Three times the size of a normal egg, this one weighs 143 grams and is as heavy as a baseball. The recording-breaking egg was laid last Friday on Laurie McCannell’s farm in Vars on the outskirts of the Canadian capital Ottawa. ‘Floods, drought derailing India’s fight against poverty’NEW YORK - The massive food scarcity in India due to floods and drought is impacting hundreds of millions, derailing ongoing humanitarian work by years and adding to other serious socio-economic woes, warns the US-based non-profit World Vision. Air Arabia announces low-fare festive bonanza for IndiansMUMBAI - Flying to the Arabian Gulf during Diwali or Christmas? You can do it for as low as Rs.3,037 ($60) per head with Air Arabia, the Sharjah-based low-cost carrier. Women set for Karva Chauth celebrationsNEW DELHI - Adorned in traditional garb and with intricate henna designs on their hands, women in the national capital and several parts of north India are celebrating the Karva Chauth festival Wednesday with a day long fast and prayers for their husband’s long life. Homes washed away, despair overwhelms Karnataka’s flood victimsBANGALORE - Till a week back, Sreelakshmi had a home of her own where she lived happily with her two sons and husband. Today, with the floods washing away her home in a Karnataka village, all she has in the name of a shelter is a tarpaulin sheet over her head. Supreme Court to rule in dispute over cross that serves as war memorial on federal park landWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court appeared divided between conservatives and liberals Wednesday over whether a cross on federal park land in California violates the Constitution. |
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NEW DELHI - A day when married Hindu women fast till sundown to pray for their husbands’ long life and prosperity, Karva Chauth is a much awaited festival in North India. This year, too, there is palpable excitement in the air.
