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Even Communists get religious in new Islamic Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 21: In the new Iraq even the Communist party has adopted the politics of religion. Karl Marx may have denounced it as the opiate of the ....more Jackson surrenders, released on bail WASHINGTON, Nov 20: Beleaguered ‘king of pop’ Michael Jackson surrendered to police at a Santa Barbara jail to face charges of child ...more UNSC condemns Turkey attacks, calls for fight against terror UNITED NATIONS, Nov 21: Condemning the attacks on British targets in Turkey, the UN Security Council unanimously ......more 1 dead, 9 missing after ships collide in Indonesian waters JAKARTA, Nov 21: Two ships collided in rough seas in eastern Indonesia, killing at least one person and leaving ......more |
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Brain scans shed light LONDON, Nov 21: Scientists said today they have uncovered new clues about the underlying cause of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ....more NY’s
sidewalk santas NEW YORK, Nov 21: New York’s sidewalk Santas might prove to be a Perkier lot this season as the jolly bell-ringing volunteers will mainly come ....more Prince, Harrison among rock hall inductees NEW YORK, Nov 21: Charismatic rocker Prince and the late George Harrison are among seven 2004 inductees for the rock and roll hall of fame, ....more Executive
nabbed for SINGAPORE, Nov 21: A marketing executive has been arrested for selling drugs over the internet, the second ...more |
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Even Communists get religious in new Islamic Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 21: In the new Iraq even the Communist party has adopted the politics of religion. Karl Marx may have denounced it as the opiate of the masses, but Iraqi Communists are promoting religion as a central part of the national fabric. "We are a country where the absolute majority are Muslims and we cannot ignore the fact that Islam could be in many ways important for us," said minister of culture Mofeed Al-Jazaeri. Jazaeri, a member of the Communist party’s Politburo, says the priority for Iraq today is not the secular separation of religion and state, but promoting a culture of democracy that accommodates Iraq’s delicate ethnic and religious mix. "We are trying to create a new democratic Iraq," he told in an interview. "There is an organic relationship between culture and democracy. It’s impossible to develop one without the other. We can’t build a democratic system without developing culture." Iraq has changed markedly since the heyday of Communist party power in Iraq of the 1950s and 60s. Three decades of rule by the secular Baath party crushed the Communists as well as various religious groups. In post-Saddam Iraq religious politics have come to dominate with a vengeance and the country’s long-suppressed Shi’ite majority have taken pole position in the political scene. Washington gave Shi’ites half the seats on its transitional governing council, which is already replacing Arabist ideology with Islamic slogans. This month the council said the new Iraq’s nascent political system would "respect the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people". Jazaeri says secularism in Iraq is contingent upon "full respect for the different religious groups so that they have absolute freedom just like all other political and social groups". Many Iraqis say the presence on the governing council of a minister from a party seen as atheist is a sign that the US-led administration is out of touch. Communists in the cabinet are an oddity in the Arab world, where the word "secularism" is regarded with suspicion in public discourse. "They had a role in the past, but anyone will tell you they are just in it for themselves and they are not religious," said Sadek, a Sunni Muslim, in a typical comment heard on the streets of Baghdad. "I don’t know anything about the Communist party. The Baath experience has left a bad impression in people’s minds about parties in general," he said. Abdel-Latif Al-Saadi, an editor of the Communist weekly paper Tariq Al-Shaab (the path of the people), said secularists were on the run because Saddam had exploited religion. "Our society used to be more secular than other Arab societies and we didn’t have religious extremism. Then Saddam Hussein exploited religion," he said, referring to the "great faith campaign" of Mosque-building in the 1990s. Iraq, like the rest of the Arab world, has been part of a great turning away from the secular Arab national politics of the 1960s to religion, he conceded. "I used to be able to discuss the existence of God with the Islamists, now I couldn’t do that," Saadi said. Jazaeri said he didn’t fear religion, only that authoritarian and Charismatic politicians could exploit it. "Our relationship with the religious parties were and are good. We were struggling together against the dictatorship," he said. "We are not afraid of religious groups because they are religious, we are afraid of extremists." (AGENCIES) |
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Jackson surrenders, released on bail WASHINGTON, Nov 20: Beleaguered ‘king of pop’ Michael Jackson surrendered to police at a Santa Barbara jail to face charges of child molestation, which could affect his career and send him to prison for years. He was later released on bail after posting a three million dollar bond. A private jet carrying Jackson landed at the Santa Barbara airport shortly before noon yesterday and the 45-year-old pop icon was immediately taken into custody by Sheriffs. Jackson, his hands cuffed behind his back, entered the Santa Barbara county main jail, accompanied by defence attorney Mark Geragos, who earlier said he had arranged the surrender. The pop star was booked under multiple counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, an offence punishable by three to eight years in jail. Jackson’s spokesman Stuart Backerman termed the allegation the most vicious imaginable. "The big lie against Michael Jackson is anchored in the most vicious allegation imaginable, one that resonates across every culture: The spectacle of harming a child... But this spectacle is rooted in a lie." "Michael said, `lies run sprints, but the truth runs marathons. The truth will win this marathon in Court," he said. The complainant is a 12-year-old boy and the alleged assault took place at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch earlier this year, media reports said. "He’s (Jackson) come back specifically to confront these charges head on," Geragos said earlier outside the jail. "He is greatly outraged by the bringing of these charges. He considers this to be a big lie. He understands the people who are outraged, because if these charges were true, I assure you Michael would be the first to be outraged," Geragos said. "I’m here to tell you today, Michael has given me the authority to say on his behalf these charges are categorically untrue. He looks forward to getting into a courtroom as opposed to any other forum and confronting these accusations head on," he said. Jackson’s brother Jermaine defended him in a television interview. "The whole family supports Michael 100 per cent, 1,000 per cent. Michael is innocent," he said. "My brother is not eccentric. We had an incredible, wonderful childhood," he said. "And what they’re doing is bringing him down with the very thing that he loved. At the end of the day, this is nothing but a modern-day lynching." Jackson had faced a similar charge earlier but was able to settle it for a large sum. This time, if convicted of the charge of child molestation, he cannot avoid jail for up to 10 years. (PTI) |
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UNSC condemns Turkey attacks, calls for fight against terror UNITED NATIONS, Nov 21: Condemning the attacks on British targets in Turkey, the UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution urging all states to cooperate to "find and bring to justice the perpetrators". The UN resolution sponsored by Chile reaffirmed the "need to combat by all means... Threats to international peace and security". Denouncing the terrorist attacks at the British consulate and the HSBC bank and Saturday’s blast at two Synagogues in Istanbul, Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for "genuine" international cooperation to fight terrorism. "That’s the only way we will succeed," he told reporters. The terrorist bombing, it said, has reinforced the council’s determination to combat threats to international peace and security. The resolution also expressed the council’s "deepest sympathy and condolences to the people and Governments of Turkey and the United Kingdom and to the victims of the terrorist attacks and their families." In his condolences to the two Governments, Annan said "I think everyone understands that we live in a rather dangerous world and a difficult world. We have seen bombs and attacks go on all around us and we have also seen the un itself and the blue flag targeted directly". Turkey’s UN representative Umit Parmar, who was invited to sit in the meeting and address the council, said "all terrorists deserve to be treated in the same manner, so do the victims of terrorism". He also urged the 15-member council to be more sensitive while dealing with the victims of terorism. (PTI) |
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1 dead, 9 missing after ships collide in Indonesian waters JAKARTA, Nov 21: Two ships collided in rough seas in eastern Indonesia, killing at least one person and leaving nine others missing and feared drowned, officials said today. The motorized vessel Km Sinar Akapa, carrying 30 people including six crew members, collided with the ship Km Adidas, with four crew members and no passengers, late Thursday off the southeast coast of Sulawesi province, a harbour official said. Abdul Rachman, chief of Kendari harbour in Sulawesi’s provincial capital, 1,665 kilometres northeast of Jakarta, said the sinar Akapa was EN route from Kendari to Wawoni island when the collision took place late yesterday. "The Sinar Akapa Sank as a result of the collision while the km Adidas managed to arrive safely to Kendari," Rachman said. "One person was killed, 20 were rescued, while nine others were still missing and feared drowned," he said, adding that rescue workers were still searching for the missing people. Rachman said the cause of the accident was not immediately known. (DPA) |
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Brain scans shed light on attention disorder LONDON, Nov 21: Scientists said today they have uncovered new clues about the underlying cause of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which affects up to six percent of children in the United States. Using high-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imagining (MRI) scans, Elizabeth Sowell, a professor of neurology at the university of California Los Angeles, and her colleagues found differences in areas of the brain linked to attention and impulse control in children with ADHD. The disorder is characterised by impulsive behaviour, a poor attention span and inability to sit still, follow instructions and complete tasks. There is no cure but medication can decrease the symptoms, along with tutoring and behavioural therapy. "These findings may help us understand the sites of action of the medications used to treat ADHD, particularly stimulant medications," said Bradley Peterson, an associate professor of psychiatry at Columbia university, who worked on the research. Peterson said the findings, which are reported in the lancet medical journal, could help to develop new treatments. The researchers compared MRI scans of brains of 27 children and adolescents with ADHD and 46 others. The ADHD children had changes in brain structure in certain areas of the brain. "The changes are not only in brain regions controlling attention, but also in regions that subserve impulse control. Disordered impulse control is often the most clinically debilitating symptom in children with ADHD," Peterson added. (AGENCIES) |
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NY’s sidewalk santas set to hit the streets NEW YORK, Nov 21: New York’s sidewalk Santas might prove to be a Perkier lot this season as the jolly bell-ringing volunteers will mainly come from starbucks. The arrangement with the coffee-shop chain marks a departure in the 101st year of the sidewalk Santa program run by volunteers of America, who in the past used clients from its rehabilitation programs to do the fund-raising job. Organizers explained they sometimes had security issues with their rehab clients and believed their time would be better spent looking for work. So a whole new New York crew found themselves in training yesterday. "I’m not taking this hat off my head until new year’s day," said recruit Josh Jennison. "I don’t get to wear a Santa claus suit too often. I’m a little nervous about angry cab drivers, pushy new yorkers, but not about being Santa Claus." During training, the new Santas were told they were not really Santa, just Santa’s helpers, which is why they wear a white belt and not Santa’s traditional black belt. They were told how to wear a Santa suit, advised against drinking too much coffee before their shift and told to keep mints close by. A list of answers to questions children often ask was also provided. When a child asks for a toy, they should say, "I’ll put in a good word for you with the big guy at the north pole," and when asked where the reindeer are, the answer is, "they are up with Santa getting ready for Christmas." New York’s Santas were given some dos and don’ts. They were warned not to pick up any children, unless their parents say it’s ok, and advised to keep anti-bacterial hand lotion close by and tell kids to talk to their parents if they ask for a new baby brother or sister. They were also told that Santas don’t smoke. The Santas, standing next to their familiar brick chimneys, will be out in force around Rockefeller center and in front of major department stores starting the day after thanksgiving. Last year the street corner Santas raised 50,000 dollars for food programs administered by volunteers of America. (AGENCIES) |
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Prince, Harrison among rock hall inductees NEW YORK, Nov 21: Charismatic rocker Prince and the late George Harrison are among seven 2004 inductees for the rock and roll hall of fame, it was announced. Gritty-voiced bob seger, British fusion group traffic, Texas Boogy band zz top, singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and rhythm blues vocal group the dells are the others to be inducted in the "performer" category at the 19th annual ceremony in New York on March 15. Harrison, who died of cancer in November 2001 at age 58, was previously inducted in 1988 as a member of the beatles. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. The multitalented prince — a singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and dynamic dancer — blossomed as a rock star with his 1982 double album "1999". Two years later, at age 26, he rose to the highest ranks with the movie and album "purple rain," which included the hit single "when doves cry." "purple rain" reached the no. 1 spot on the billboard and box office charts. Harrison showed his solo skills with the hit triple-album "all things must pass" in 1970 and the next year issued the "concert for Bangla Desh." in his later years, Harrison joined Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty to turn out hit albums as the traveling wilburys. Voting for the rock and roll honors was done by an international panel of 700 rock experts who received ballots with a list of nominees supplied by the rock and roll hall of fame foundation’s nominating committee. A lifetime achievement award in the Nonperformer category will be announced later. The rock and roll hall of fame foundation was formed in 1983 and the first induction ceremony was held in 1986. All inductees are represented at the rock and roll hall of fame museum, in Cleveland. (AGENCIES) |
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Executive nabbed for selling drugs on the internet SINGAPORE, Nov 21: A marketing executive has been arrested for selling drugs over the internet, the second person nabbed in three days in Singapore, narcotics officials said today. A raid on the woman’s home turned up 240 ephedrine pills and two packets of a greenish vegetable substance, believed to be a controlled drug. Officials said they suspected in mid-July that the 24-year-old woman had been selling the pills via the Yahoo auction website. She allegedly placed an advertisement on the website with a picture of the drug and provided contact details for potential buyers. Ephedrine is used in the manufacture of asthma and cold medicines, but can also be used to make illegal drugs such as ice. Earlier this week a 29-year-old jobless man was arrested for selling erimin-5 tablets through an internet chatroom. (DPA) |
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India, Taiwan first to get oil from Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline JERUSALEM, Nov 21: India and Taiwan will be the first recipient of Russian oil from the Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline, joining north and south of Israel, in a development that experts say will have a major impact on the global oil market. The pipeline expected to be operational in two weeks for the Asian market will make Israel a land bridge for trans shipping Russian oil to Asia bringing it tens of millions of dollars a year. A Washington institute for near east policy working paper published recently has stated that this development will have a major impact on the global oil market. It will significantly reduce global oil prices, weaken OPEC and further strengthen Israel-Russia relations, business daily ‘globes’ reported. (UNI) Asia quickly adopting information technology says UN agency WASHINGTON, Nov 21: The increase in access to information technology in Asia during the past few years suggests that English is no longer a decisive factor in the countries quickly adopting Information and Communication Technology (ICT), according to the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ITU said in a press release that it had completed the first global ranking of economies’ access to ICTS, finding that South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong had made the greatest progress since 1998. The ranking was made using a new transparent ‘digital access index,’ the release said. Using the index, researchers had grouped countries into four categories of access — high, upper, medium and low. While limited infrastructure has been regarded as the main barrier to access, the ITU’s research "suggests that education of users and affordability of access are equally important factors," said Mr Michael Minges of ITU’s market, economics and finance unit. In China, for example, researchers found that over half of internet users have university educations, the release said. Service quality was another factor found to affect access, the release said. Widespread access to information technology "can boost economic development and improve citizens’ lives," it added. (UNI) Chandrika ready to make up with Ranil COLOMBO, Nov 21: The bitter power struggle in Sri Lanka is expected to be resolved soon with President Chandrika Kumaratunga today saying that she was ready to forget the past acrimony with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and attempt a fresh deal within three weeks to govern the country together. A day after Wickremesinghe offered Kumaratunga a broader role in the peace process with Tamil rebels, the President’s spokesman Sarath Amunugama said they were ready to forget the bitter past and start a new relationship on addresing the key national issues facing the country. "What has happened in the past has happened," Amunugama told reporters here. "If we are going to cohabit, we have to forget the past." He said a four-member committee, appointed by the two leaders earlier this week to work out modalities for a fresh cohabitation arrangement, is expected to finalise a report by December 15. The softening of stance on both sides came as European Parliament yesterday expressed concern over the power struggle, saying it feared the political row in the island could derail the peace talks. Members of the European Union assembly passed a resolution that welcomed "the bold steps taken" to end the conflict with the Tigers but expressed "its deep concern about the recent developments ... Which threaten the internationally supported peace process." "The house urges the President to work together with the democratically elected Government and its Prime Minister." (PTI) Nepal PM to focus on SAARC issues during India visit KATHMANDU, Nov 21: Nepalese Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa will only focus on SAARC-related issues during the forthcoming visit to India and other member countries of the region, a senior foreign ministry official said here today. "This is a consultative visit related to SAARC, not a bilateral visit, bilateral issues may come up during the meeting with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee but no official negotiotions will be held," Ambassador at large at the Foreign Ministry Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa said. "It is a consultative meeting with the SAARC leaders and Prime Minister Thapa will inform about the progress SAARC made during the chairmanship of Nepal in the last two years," he said. There is no agenda of bilateral issues to be discussed during the visit, but the two leaders may discuss issues of mutual interests in the course of their discussion,’’ he added. Prime Minister, Thapa will discuss with the SAARC countries, progress made in regional cooperation after the 11th SAARC summit at Kathmandu in January 2002. Among other things, he will focus on the need for moving ahead expediously in the agreed areas of cooperation, mainly in the fields of economic cooperation, trade promotion, poverty alleviation and social development,’’ the official said. During his three-day visit to India beginning from Sunday, Mr Thapa will exchange views with Prime Minister Vajpayee on matters relating to the forthcoming 12th summit to be held in Islamabad on Janaury 4 to 6 as well as bilateral relations and matters of mutual interests. He is scheduled to hold talks with other leaders of India as well. Dr Thapa said a lot of progress has been achieved during the chairmanship of Nepal despite the postponement of the summit for two years. Foreign Secretary Madhuraman Acharya said that the main focus of SAARC will be on economic cooperation, poverty alleviation and social development. "We are hopeful that the social charter which is being prepared may be signed during the summit,"he added. There is the convention on terrorism and all the member countries should faithfully implement the points mentioned in the convention,’’ Thapa hoped. "We have no intention of mediating between India-Pakistan," he said in reply to the question about the conflict between India and Pakistan and Nepal’s role to resolve it. Prime Minister Thapa will visit Sri Lanka from November 26 to 28 and hold meeting with Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickramsinghe. He will also hold talks with the Bhutanese King Jigme Singhe Wangchuk and Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley during his two-day visit to the Himalayan kingdom on November 29 and 30. Thapa will hold talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on the forthcoming SAARC summit and bilateral relations on December 1 and 2 in Islamabad. (UNI) |
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