News and Events - AUGUST 2009

[I-G]

Anglican Church set for formal split

Anglican Church set for formal split: Report


Updated on Saturday, July 18, 2009, 13:46 IST

Washington: The worldwide Anglican Church is on track for a formal split after bishops in the US gave their blessing to services for gay couples.

Amid years of increasingly tense debate, bishops in the US opened the way to finally split the 70-million strong Anglican Communion after they voted 104-30 at the Episcopal General Convention in California to "collect and develop theological resources and liturgies" for blessing same-gender relationships.

The resolution gave bishops discretion to provide a "generous pastoral response" to gay couples in local parishes as growing number of states allow gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships, The Times newspaper reported.

To be considered at the next convention in 2012, the decision at the Episcopal Church of the US in Anaheim will split the Anglican Communion due to the rift between the conservative evangelicals and liberal modernisers, it said.

Bishop William Love of Albany, New York said the Anglican Church was out to "destroy itself".

"For many, this is the final straw with members of the wider Anglican Communion," he said, adding "It’s breaking my heart to see the church destroy itself in the manner in which we seem to be doing."

Anglican Church set for formal split: Report

 

[I-G]

Cop saves four civilians before being killed by Maoists

Cop saves four civilians before being killed by Maoists

Rourkela (PTI): The 30-year-old sub-inspector Ajit Bardhan, who was shot dead by the Maoists, threw his own life in the hands of the 50-odd armed ultras to save the lives of four civilians near Jharbeda area.

"I am the only policeman and the rest four occupants of the jeep are civilians," the khaki-clad Bardhan reportedly told the the Maoists and requested them not to harm the civilians after they were kidnapped on Thursday.

These words from Bardhan saved all the four persons who were travelling with him in the Bolero jeep.

"Sir (Bardhan) saved our lives when the Maoists asked us to follow them along with him. Had Ajit Sir kept quiet, we would have been killed too," Ganesh, the jeep driver, said with tears in his eyes.

The Maoists allowed the civilians to go after a thorough check up inside the vehicle, he said in a choked voice.

Bardhan, after attending his court duty in a Bonai-based court, was returning to Koida from Rourkela along with four civilians, including the driver, when the Maoists attacked him.

Bardhan's bullet strewn body was found yesterday near Jharbeda in Chandiposh-Chirubeda forest area. His hands and legs were found tied and he was fired from a close range, police said.

A CRPF jawan Abdul Raffique also lost his life when the Maoists triggered landmine after he was out on a combing operation to rescue Bardhan on Friday.

Later, the SDPO of Bonai police station Sudarsan Sethi, however, managed to locate Bardhan's body, police said.

Meanwhile, police have seized about 20 kg of explosives from Jharbeda area during a combing operation, they said.

Maoists were suspected to have escaped into the bordering Saranda forests, known as the red corridor.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

[I-G]

ULFA planning to use students to plant bombs: Police

ULFA planning to use students to plant bombs: Police
PTI 18 July 2009, 10:32pm IST


GUWAHATI: Security in sensitive areas was stepped up on Saturday after intelligence reports indicated that ULFA was recruiting school and college
students to carry out blasts in Guwahati in the run up to the Independence Day, police said.

IGP (Law and Order) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta told reporters here that the police had received intelligence reports that the outfit was taking the help of students to plant bombs in vulnerable areas the city.

The police have stepped up security in vulnerable areas, Mahanta said. Meanwhile, a woman bomb expert of the ULFA's 709 battalion was arrested.

ULFA planning to use students to plant bombs: Police - India - NEWS - The Times of India

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Defense Contractors Target Big Jump in India's Military Spending

Defense Contractors Target Big Jump in India's Military Spending - WSJ.com


Defense Contractors Target Big Jump in India's Military Spending

MUMBAI -- Global defense giants are lining up to capture billions of dollars in new orders in India as the country's military modernizes its forces.

A trip by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to India beginning Friday is also raising expectations that the U.S. and India will announce completion of an "end-use monitoring" defense-procurement agreement that could streamline contracts between companies from the two countries.

Western companies could face hurdles in winning the Indian contracts, however. The Indian government earlier this month said it hopes to reduce imports to 30% from the current level of more than 70% in 10 years to foster a homegrown defense industry.

"We would like to see India become a vibrant manufacturing hub," said Sitanshu Kar, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.

India's capital defense expenditure is set to grow 12% in the year ending March 31 to $11.4 billion. Indian officials said they will spend an additional $565 million this year to boost border security and modernize its police force to fight terrorism.

In all, India plans to spend between $50 billion and $55 billion on military equipment over the next five years to turn its largely Soviet-era armed forces into a modern fighting machine.

Many of those planned purchases are big-ticket items, such as a $10 billion contract for 126 fighter jets being pursued by Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., BAE Systems PLC and European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co.

Under current rules, foreign companies that win import orders in excess of three billion Indian rupees, or about $62 million, must draw at least 30% of that order from domestic suppliers or make a similarly sized investment within India, in what is known as an offset.
[india defense]

For example, the fighter jet contract could result in as much as $5 billion in offsets, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. The offsets have traditionally gone to India's state-controlled defense contractors but are increasingly looked upon by a nascent private-sector industry as a source of much needed funding.

India also restricts foreign investment in the homegrown defense business to less than 26%. "This limit is strict, and it limits the development of joint ventures especially for export. But we haven't given up on convincing [the government] to relax the rule and go to a more balanced proportion," says Christian Duhain, president of EADS International, the marketing subsidiary of EADS.

Western companies are angling for better terms. EADS has been working with the Indian government on allowing Indian suppliers to its civilian business to count as part of the defense offset.

In a shift, the annual Economic Survey submitted to Parliament on July 2 recommended that the limit on foreign investment in defense industries should be increased to 49%.

The survey, which is produced by the chief economic adviser in the Ministry of Finance and represents a wish-list for corporate India, suggested foreign direct investment of up to 100% be allowed on a case-by-case basis in high technology, strategic defense goods, services and systems.

Mr. Kar, the spokesman, says the defense ministry will undertake a "serious discussion" about revising the limit.

Meanwhile, expectations are high that Mrs. Clinton will sign a monitoring deal with India in which the U.S. will track sales of defense equipment and ensure it is used for its stated intent.

"The 'end-user monitoring' agreement would make all the difference for U.S. firms competing for defense contracts," said Ratan Shrivastava, director of aerospace and defense practice at consulting firm Frost and Sullivan in New Delhi.

Currently contracts must be approved by the U.S. government on a case-by-case basis, Mr. Shrivastava said.

The agreement would "open the field" for participation by U.S. defense companies in deals involving the transfer of critical and sensitive defense equipment, he said.

India was the world's 10th-highest military spender in 2008, according to research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and foreign companies believe the market has great potential.

At home, it makes everything from small arms to land vehicles to aircraft, but it wants access to high-technology equipment.

So far, investments have been modest, and growth for both foreign firms and nascent domestic private-sector companies has been small.

Mahindra Defense Systems, a subsidiary of Indian auto maker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., announced a joint venture with BAE in January for the production of land-based weapon systems such as mine-protected vehicles. The initial size of the venture is $20 million.

Larsen & Toubro Ltd. an Indian engineering and construction conglomerate, and EADS Defense and Security announced a joint venture for defense electronics in India in May with an initial investment of $20 million spread over two to three years.

Meanwhile, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., a state-controlled defense company, is currently building the Hawk 132 Advanced Trainer Jet for the Indian Air Force under license from BAE.
—Daniel Michaels in Paris contributed to this article.

 

[I-G]

CPI(M) demands fresh probe into Singrauli explosions

Updated on Sunday, July 19, 2009, 20:10 IST Bhopal: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday demanded a fresh probe into the accident at an explosive manufacturing unit in Singrauli district on July 5 in which 18 labourers were killed and 15 are still missing.

In a letter written to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, CPI (M) state secretary Badal Saroj has demanded a fresh probe into the explosions.

Saroj has alleged that the district administration and police are "protecting" the culprits under a conspiracy and have fixed the responsibility on a 'Sales Engineer' of the company by describing his as a 'Sales Manager'.

"It is disturbing that the police have wrapped up investigations into the explosion and have bulldozed the area despite the fact that 15 persons are still missing and among them reports of six labourers was filed with their names by their family members," Saroj said.

He asked the Chief Minister to direct the officials concerned not to wind up the probe till all the missing persons are found and also urged him to appoint a specialist for conducting an inquiry.

CPI(M) demands fresh probe into Singrauli explosions

 

[I-G]

Woman burnt to death by husband and in-laws for dowry

Woman burnt to death by husband and in-laws for dowry
PTI 19 July 2009, 08:50pm IST


NEW DELHI: A 28-year-old woman manager of a car showroom was burnt to death allegedly by her husband and in-laws for dowry in east Delhi, police
said.

Deepika Bajaj, the victim was a Customer Care and Service Manager of Hans Hyundai in Jhilmil, herself called the police and informed them about the incident at around 8.30 am in Gopal Park of Krishna Nagar. She claimed that she was set ablaze by her husband Aditya Bajaj.

Deepika was found badly burnt in her room upstairs by police while her in-laws were standing outside. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead.

The victim married Aditya in 2002 two years after she fell in love with him. They have a one-year-old daughter.

Police registered a case of murder, dowry harassment besides detaining her father-in-law Ashok, mother-in-law Chand and Aditya's cousin Abhishek. Aditya is absconding.

The victim's brother Harmeet claimed that three months ago, she had filed a complaint of domestic violence by her husband and in-laws at the Crime Against Woman Cell. Police said Aditya had apologized for assault and financial demands.

Harmeet also alleged that Aditya's family was demanding Rs five lakh from them though Deepika had recently purchased a car for her husband.

"Prima facie, it seems that Deepika's in-laws may be involved in the incident. But we are still not clear about it. We are investigating the matter and collecting evidence," a senior police official said.

Woman burnt to death by husband and in-laws for dowry - Delhi - City - NEWS - The Times of India

 

[I-G]

Italy PM wants to extend Milan under-16s drink ban

Italy PM wants to extend Milan under-16s drink ban
REUTERS 19 July 2009, 05:17pm IST


MILAN: Milan will become the first Italian city to bar drinking for youths aged under 16 when a ban takes effect on Monday, and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said he favoured extending the ruling nationwide.

Faced with a growing youth drinking problem, the city council in Italy's fashion and business capital voted on Friday to crack down on underage alcohol consumption.

In an interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper on Sunday, Berlusconi said Milan was a model for the rest of Italy.

"I'm worried about the reckless way in which young people are using" alcohol, the centre-right leader said.

"So other ordinances from mayors throughout Italy would be welcome, they would have my full support."

Milan has set a fine of 500 euros ($705) for the possession and consumption of alcohol for those under 16 as well as for those selling to under age buyers. The under age drinker's parents will be notified of the penalty.

"Children are good at getting around obstacles, we've stepped in with a fully-rounded ordinance," Mayor Letizia Moratti said in a statement.

Thirty-four percent of Milan's 11-year-olds have already had problems with alcohol, and 750,000 minors drink in Italy, the statement said.

Italy PM wants to extend Milan under-16s drink ban - Europe - World - NEWS - The Times of India

 

[I-G]

Woman held for ‘proselytisation’

Woman held for ‘proselytisation’

Staff Reporter

TIRUPATI: Hymavathi, a native of Yanam (Puducherry) near East Godavari district, was arrested from the TTD-run Sri Venkateswara Ayurvedic College-cum-Hospital premises here on Sunday evening on charges of proselytisation.

Basing on a complaint from the hospital’s Resident Medical Officer that the lady had taken to religious conversion by distributing pamphlets, the TTD’s security staff handed her over to the Alipiri police.

The woman reportedly told the police that she was only following the instructions of God, who directed her three years back to take up religious propagation. BJP city unit leaders held a dharna in front of the police station demanding serious action on the issue.

Tirupati (Rural) Circle Inspector V. Subbanna told The Hindu that action would be taken in accordance with the G.O. No.747 prohibiting proselytisation in and around Hindu temples and institutions.

The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Tirupati News : Woman held for ‘proselytisation’

 

[I-G]

Seven killed, 33 injured in fireworks unit blast in Tamil Nadu

Seven killed, 33 injured in fireworks unit blast in Tamil Nadu
PTI 20 July 2009, 07:32pm IST


MADURAI: Seven persons were killed and 33 others injured, 23 of them seriously, in a fire that broke out at a fireworks unit in Tamil Nadu's
Virudhunagar district, officials said.

Over 200 people were working in the factory at Namaskarichanpatti near Sivakasi when the fire broke out in a shed where "sky display items were being made", they said.

As many as 40 sheds were damaged in the fire that soon spread to other sheds and exploded bundles of crackers there.

Fire department personnel reached the spot and extinguished the blaze, they said, adding District Collector Sijithomas Vaidhyan also rushed to the spot.

Officials said the toll could increase as most of the injured persons were in a very serious condition with more than 60% burns.

This is the second such incident in two weeks in South Tamil Nadu. On July 7, 19 persons were killed in an explosion in a fireworks factory near Vadakkampatti village in Madurai district.

Seven killed, 33 injured in fireworks unit blast in Tamil Nadu - India - NEWS - The Times of India


RIP

 

[I-G]

Villagers clash with police over same clan marriage in Haryana

JHAJJAR: Residents of a Haryana village clashed with police on Sunday as they tried to forcefully evict a man and his family for marrying a girl from the same ‘gotra’ (clan). The man on Friday had attempted suicide following harassment from the village ‘panchayat’.

The panchayat on Friday had ordered Ravinder Singh, 24, to annul his marriage or leave the village by Sunday.

Senior Superintendent of Police Saurabh Singh said: “The members of the panchayat and some others had a meeting in another village in the morning and were marching towards the house of Ravinder.

“We tried to stop them at the border of Dharana village but they suddenly attacked the police. We had to use force to control the agitating mob. So far, we have not arrested anybody but in the process some of our policemen sustained serious injuries,” Singh told IANS.

Stones pelted


The villagers pelted police with stones and bricks. The police fired tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd.

“We are still in the village and are trying to resolve this issue. Nobody is above law and we would not allow them to take law into their own hands,” said Singh.

The villagers are bitterly against the marriage of Ravinder and want him to take a divorce.

The panchayat has boycotted the family and has threatened hefty fine on any one trying to have contacts with the family.

Following the panchayat’s harassment, Ravinder tried to commit suicide by consuming poison.

Representatives from Ravinder’s village even went to the bride’s village Siwah near Panipat town Thursday to persuade her family for a mutual divorce.

However, the girl’s family declined.

Lalchand, grandfather of the bride, said: “We are totally against this divorce as it would destroy our daughter’s life. The groom’s family was well aware about our gotra before the marriage and we had not kept anybody in the dark (about it). Rather they should try and convince their panchayat.”

A relative of Ravinder said: “Police should immediately arrest the culprits. Everyone knows their identity but they are moving about freely in the village. Police is working under political pressure and it seems that they themselves are afraid of the panchayat.”

Village councils in Haryana, particularly the ‘khap’ (caste) councils, are notorious for their vicious campaign against couple getting married within the same clan. In recent years, such couples have been hounded out of villages, attacked and in some cases even killed, at the behest of these councils. - IANS

The Hindu : Other States / Haryana News : Villagers clash with police over same clan marriage in Haryana

 

[K Factor]

Hu Jintao's eldest son in Africa (Namibia) corruption net

Nuctec ‘corruption’ spreads to Namibia
JOHN GROBLER - Jul 18 2009 06:00


In a sensational case that is sending shudders through Namibia's political elite, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested two people late last week in a R42-million kickback case that is set to engulf Hu Haifeng, the eldest son of China's President Hu Jintao.

Last Wednesday ACC investigators arrested Teckla Lameck, a Namibian businesswoman, and Chinese national Yang Fan, after it emerged that a "manufacturing deposit" of R42-million had been paid to them for a R500-million Chinese scanning equipment deal.

A third suspect and Lameck's partner, Kongo Mokoxwa, was also arrested last Friday and will be held without bail until July 22, like his other two co-accused. More arrests among Namibia's high-flying businessmen can be expected as investigators follow the trail of cash through various bank accounts.

Lameck, Yang and Mokoxwa are being held on charges of fraud, bribery and corruption, with more warrants to be executed soon, according to sources close to the investigation. They have not been asked to plead yet, but the state refused bail on the grounds that they could interfere with the investigation.

The arrests were triggered by a routine inquiry instigated under Namibia's new money-laundering legislation, which requires local banks to report any suspicious movements of large sums of money.

The ACC has declined to comment on the case, but finance permanent secretary Calle Schlettwein confirmed that charges were laid after the Chinese company, Nuctec, was awarded an uncontested contract to supply R500-million of scanners to Namibia's airports and harbours.

In 2007 the Mail & Guardian revealed that Nuctec had won a R3-billion tender to supply scanners to the South African Revenue Service. Their local agent, the M&G reported, was Africa Strategic Asset Protection, a company we showed had corruptly won security contracts at Parliament.

Nuctec's president, Hu Haifeng, has become embroiled in a similar scandal in the Philippines. Although Schlettwein opposed the deal being done outside the ambit of the local tender board, he appears to have been overruled by Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

In terms of the Namibian contract, China gave Namibia a soft loan of R500-million on condition that the tender for providing scanning equipment was awarded to Nuctec. Of this, about 40%, or $12.8-million, was payable immediately as a "manufacturing deposit" to Nuctec to start manufacturing the scanners.

Schlettwein had authorised the transfer of the money to the Chinese Import Export Bank's account -- only to discover from a routine inquiry under the new Financial Intelligence Act that the entire amount was immediately paid into the account of a company owned by Lameck and Yang, Teko Trading CC.

This account was emptied in 12 weeks by Yang and Lameck, with R42-million allegedly distributed among other businessmen associated with senior Swapo members.

In an affidavit submitted to court, ACC chief investigator Nelius Becker said R16,8-million was paid into Yang's own account, whereas Lameck withdrew R9,39-million and Mokoxwa received R8-million.

A further R8-million was disbursed among other people, including large amounts paid to John Nauta, a special adviser to former president Sam Nujoma, and playboy Knowledge Katti, believed to be close to Hage Geingob, the trade and industry minister and former prime minister.

A local lecturer, Lance Hauuanga, also received R1,3-million for what he claimed was "repayment" of an outstanding debt by the Lameck couple, who serve on the boards of various state-owned enterprises, including railway operator TransNamib, the military's trading arm NamDeb, and Namcor, the state fuel company.

Lameck is also a member of the powerful Public Service Commission, but has never received permission to be involved in private business, the office of the prime minister said.

Evidence submitted by the ACC in the in camera hearing last week showed that the Lamecks, especially, went on a wild spending spree, blowing R9,39-million on luxury cars, a new farm and paying off the bond on their house.

Mokoxwa was said to have gone on a similar spree, receiving a Toyota Land Cruiser with a R250 000 sound system from Lameck's husband Festus.

Lawyers for the accused have denied any wrongdoing by their clients, but declined to discuss how a "manufacturing deposit" ended up being paid over immediately as commissions.

Lameck and Yang, who set up Teko Trading CC well in advance of the Nuctec deal, were never involved in any negotiations with the ministry of finance in this respect, Schlettwein said.

All the accused will make a second appearance in court on July 22.


Link to Original Article

 

[K Factor]

Hu Jintao's son linked to African corruption probe

The eldest son of the Chinese president Hu Jintao faces questioning in connection with a multi-million pound corruption investigation in Namibia.


By Sebastien Berger Southern Africa Correspondent And Malcolm Moore In Shanghai
Published: 5:25PM BST 17 Jul 2009


Three people have been arrested in the country on charges of fraud, corruption and bribery involving a government contract with the state-owned Chinese company Nuctech, a world leader in scanning technology.

Hu Haifeng, 38, was the president of the firm until last year, when he was promoted to being the party secretary of Tsinghua Holdings, the group which controls Nuctech and 30 other companies.

The investigation centres on a £34 million deal Namibia signed with Nuctech to provide it with scanners for its ports and airports.

Under the deal, the Namibian government was to make a £8 million down payment, with the balance coming from a loan Beijing has provided Namibia, on condition that it is spent with Chinese companies.

But according to Namibia's Anti-Corruption Commission, within weeks of the ministry of finance making its payment to Nuctech, the company signed contracts for an identical sum with a Namibian consultancy called Teko Trading.

The money was allegedly then disbursed to Teko's co-owners, Teckla Lameck and Kongo Mokaxwa, and Yang Fan, a Chinese national described in court as Nuctech's African representative.

All three are being held in custody while the investigation continues.

The director of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Paulus Noah, said the matching sums going to and from Nuctech had raised suspicions.

"It's very strange," he said. "We are suspecting that corruption might have been involved."

He said he would like to question Nuctech's management, including Mr Hu.

"Of course if he can make himself available I will be happy," he said. "I would like to know how they do business in China."

He said Mr Hu was not a suspect at this stage and he would be interviewed as a potential witness.

It is potentially a huge embarrassment for Hu Jintao, as popular discontent with Communist Party corruption has grown in recent years – with some officials executed on conviction – but publicised cases have tended to involve local and provincial figures, rather than national ones.

His son usually keeps an extremely low profile, and has been nicknamed the "Teflon princeling" for his ability to keep out of the media.

Nuctech, previously known as Nuclear Technology Company, was spun out of Tsinghua University, the elite university often referred to as China's MIT which both Hu Jintao and his son attended.

It claims to have world-leading technology for scanning the inside of containers and has 90 per cent of the Chinese market for scanners and x-ray systems. Its machines are also used in British ports and it has held talks with the airports operator BAA, although the company will not confirm whose machines it uses for security reasons.

Hu Haifeng graduated from Tsinghua with a master's in engineering physics and joined Nuctech directly as assistant to the general manager.

Contacted for comment, a man who answered the telephone at Nuctech's Hong Kong office said: "There is no need to verify anything, and we are out doing business."

In its international business division in Beijing a woman who would not give her name would not say if it had a spokesman.


Hu Jintao's son linked to African corruption probe - Telegraph

 

[I-G]

Suu Kyi awarded Mahatma Gandhi peace prize

Suu Kyi awarded Mahatma Gandhi peace prize
Tuesday 21 July 2009

The International Award for Peace and Reconciliation, known as the Mahatma Gandhi prize, has been bestowed on Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she awaits trial on charges of violating her house arrest.


AFP - The Mahatma Gandhi prize was on Monday handed over to a representative of Myanmar's imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi, an AFP correspondent said.

The Durban-based committee behind the International Award for Peace and Reconciliation handed over the prize to Aung San Suu Kyi's cousin, the head of Myanmar's self-proclaimed government-in-exile, Sein Win, as the country's rights icon awaits trial on charges of violating her house arrest.

"Everybody would have wanted to see her collect this prize in person," her representative said. "Obviously that would have been better (but) she has to attend to her trial in Burma at the moment. I'm worried they will find her guilty."

The prize is awarded by the Gandhi Development Trust in honour of the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during that country's movement for independence from the British empire.

Gandhi's early years as a lawyer were spent in South Africa, where the recipient of last year's prize, anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, fought an even longer struggle for freedom.

Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been deprived of her liberty for more than 13 of the last 19 years, and has been kept in jail since May after an American man swam uninvited to her home.

France 24 | Suu Kyi awarded Mahatma Gandhi peace prize | France 24

 

[I-G]

Non-Muslims in UK turning to Sharia courts to resolve civil disputes

Non-Muslims in UK turning to Sharia courts to resolve civil disputes



An increasing number of non-Muslims are turning to Sharia courts to resolve commercial disputes and other civil matters.

A report in 'The Times' has quoted the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal (MAT) as saying that five per cent of its cases involved non-Muslims who were using the courts because they were less cumbersome and more informal than the English legal system.

Freed Chedie, a spokesman for Sheikh Faiz-ul-Aqtab Siqqiqi, a barrister who set up the tribunal, said: “We put weight on oral agreements, whereas the British courts do not.”

He said that the tribunal had adjudicated on at least 20 cases involving non-Muslims so far this year. The rulings of the tribunal are legally binding, provided that both parties agree to that condition at the beginning of any hearing.

Anti-Sharia campaigners, who claim that the Islamic system is radical and biased against women, expressed alarm at the news.

Denis MacEoin, who wrote a recent report for the think-tank Civitas examining the spread of Sharia in Britain, said: “You really need to ask why. What advantages could that possibly have for them going to an Islamic court? Any [Sharia] court is going to be implementing aspects of a law that runs contrary to British law, because of the way it treats women for example.”

Inayat Bunglawala, a spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain, said that organisations should be free to conduct arbitration under Sharia, provided that it did not infringe British law and was a voluntary process.

Baroness Warsi, the Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action, who is Muslim, said that there were many forums for arbitration and alternative dispute resolution in Britain. “There is no problem with that, as long as it is always subject to English law,” she said.

The Times has also learnt that the MAT is planning to triple the number of its courts by setting up in ten new British cities by the end of the year. It will expand its network further by acting as an advisory body to dozens of other Islamic courts, with the intention of achieving national consensus over rulings and procedures.

Although Sharia courts have been operating in the civil jurisdiction since the early 1980s, they have been doing so only in the shadows and in an ad-hoc fashion. The Civitas report estimated that there were 85 Sharia councils in Britain

Non-Muslims in UK turning to Sharia courts to resolve civil disputes

 

[A.V.]

Russia to draft 320,000 conscripts in fall 2009

MOSCOW, July 21 (RIA Novosti) - About 320,000 young men are to be drafted into the Russian Armed Forces in the fall of 2009, a deputy chief of the General Staff said on Tuesday.

"According to our estimates, about 320,000 people will be conscripted into the Russian Armed Forces this fall," Col. Gen. Vasily Smirnov said.

Only 133,000 conscripts joined the armed forces during the spring draft, and about 219,000 people were drafted in last year's fall.

The general said the higher number of conscripts was due to the reduction of officer ranks, the scrapping the rank of warrant officers and cuts to contract personnel.

As of January 1, 2009, the Russian Armed Forces numbered 355,000 officers and 140,000 warrant officers.

"By the end of 2009, we will have 150,000 officers, all warrant officers will have been discharged or absorbed into other ranks, and we will have less contracted personnel," Smirnov said.

"Therefore, we will have to draft over 300,000 people," he said.

The current military reforms in Russia will see personnel cut to 1 million by 2012 from 1.34 million.


Russia to draft 320,000 conscripts in fall 2009 - General Staff | Top Russian news and analysis online | 'RIA Novosti' newswire

 

[I-G]

India bags five medals at International Math Olympaid

India bags five medals at International Math Olympaid

Mumbai (PTI): India bagged three silver and two Bronze medals at the 50th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) which concluded on Tuesday at Bremen, Germany.

A total of 108 countries participated in the prestigious world event for young meritorious students in mathematics.

India was represented by a six member team of which three students -- Akashnil Dutta from Kolkata, Ananth Shankar from Chennai and Samir Wagh from Pune -- received silver medals.

Subhadip Choudhury of Midnapur, West Bengal and Gaurav Patil from Pune got two bronze medals.

Another student Akshay Mittal from New Delhi had received honourable mention at the Olympiad, according to a release here.

The team was led by C R Pranechar of the Mathematical Olympiad Cell at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education.

Zafar Ahmad of BARC was the deputy leader of the team and S A Katre of the University of Pune accompanied them as an observer.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

[I-G]

Indians in Sri Lankan jails seek Indian intervention

Indians in Sri Lankan jails seek Indian intervention

Updated on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 13:31 IST

New Delhi: Some 40 Indian prisoners languishing in Sri Lanka's prisons are seeking humane treatment, alleging that Indian officials appear deaf to their pleadings and complaints.

Related Stories
Sri Lanka must focus on resettling Tamils: IndiaA spokesman for the prisoners said some had spent 16 years in jail, but Indian authorities were making no efforts to get them released, in contrast to the concern periodically shown to Indian prisoners in Pakistan.

One of the prisoners who contacted a newswire using a borrowed mobile telephone said that most of the Indians in three jails were suffering from all kinds of mental and physical ailments.

"Life sentence in Sri Lanka means spending the whole life in jail. We are all suffering from various mental and physical problems. No one is bothered, Sir," the prisoner said.

According to a statement laid on the table of the Lok Sabha July 8 by External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, a total of 6,540 Indians are jailed in 59 countries on a variety of charges.

The statement said Sri Lanka had 33 male and four female Indian prisoners. But the Indian who spoke to the news agency put the figure at 43 – 28 at the Wellikade jail, 10 in Ngombo and five in Anuradhapura.

The charges against the Indians are mostly of drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

Indians in Sri Lankan jails seek Indian intervention

 

[youngindian]

Goa police get INSAS rifles

Panaji, July 22 (PTI) Replacing a British-made vintage weapon, the Goa police are being equipped with indigenous INSAS rifles to augment security of the coastal state which is often on terror radar.

INSAS rifles, inducted into the state's armoury a couple of months back, are initially being given to five sensitive police stations including the one entrusted with security of the capital city, well-placed police sources said.

An abbreviation for Indian National Small Arms System-- INSAS-- has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the rifles are manufactured at the Ordnance Factory at Ishapore in West Bengal.

The weapon was initially inducted into the armed forces and later in para-military agencies like Border Security Force (BSF). Police of militancy-hit states like Jammu and Kashmir are also armed with these modern rifles.

Goa, which has procured a small chunk of INSAS, intends to replace .


fullstory

 

[I-G]

Killers of Laxmanananda Saraswati surrender

Killers of Laxmanananda Saraswati surrender

Updated on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 18:37 IST

Rayagada (Orissa): A young Maoist couple, allegedly involved in the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati in Kandhamal and many other attacks, surrendered before the police here on Wednesday expressing desire to return to the mainstream, police said.

The ultras, identified as Surendra Vekwara (19) and his wife Ruby (18), have admitted their involvement in several crimes including Saraswati's killing and Nayagarh mayhem last year, Superintendent of Police A K Singh told reporters.

The Maoist couple, who hail from Gudari area of Rayagada district, also told the police about their involvement in a number of other incidents including the one at R Udaygiri, the SP said adding that the two were active in rayagada.

The ultras decided to give up the path of violence and return to the mainstream as they were dienchanted with the naxalite activities, police said.

As many as seven Maoists have given up arms and surrendered before the police in the district during the last one-and-a-half months in order to lead normal life in the society, they said.

Bureau Report
Killers of Laxmanananda Saraswati surrender

 

[I-G]

Haryana youth beaten to death for marrying girl of same clan
July 23rd, 2009 - 3:13 pm ICT by ANI -

Narwana (Haryana), July 23 (ANI): A 21-year-old youth who had married against the wishes of the community has been beaten to death in Narwana in Haryana on Wednesday.

Ravinder, who had gone to bring his wife from her parent’s house, was killed by the residents of the girl’s village.

Ravinder was accompanied by a police officer when the incident took place.

“We received information that the boy was killed by the villagers. The police team has gone there for investigations and the body has already been brought here,” said B. Satish Balan, Superintendent of Police (SP).

Ravinder had married Sonia in March this year, against her family’s wishes as they opposed the marriage saying both belonged to the same clan.

In a similar incident, villagers ostracised a youth and his family members as he had married a girl of the same clan. The issue had snowballed creating tension and clashes in Dharana village of Haryana.

Caste system runs deep in the rural hinterland of some States of India where people are still bound to the old practices. (ANI)

Haryana youth beaten to death for marrying girl of same clan