Chicago: An academic at a Christian college in Chicago has been suspended for wearing a headscarf in sympathy with Muslims, in what is the most recent incident in America's fogged impression of religion and minorities. Larycia Hawkins, associate professor of political science, Wheaton Colleges, was placed on an administrative leave following a series of statements she made highlighting the relationship between Islam and Christianity. Dr Hawkins, in a Facebook status, said, “I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book.”
EU army to protect borders
Brussels: Proposals of a 2,500 strong border and coastguard corps could see armed German personnel sent to Greece or the Balkans. European Union's first paramilitary force will have the power to take control of a nation's borders without the consent of the sovereign governments. The force, wearing blue armbands and an EU and agency insignia, will be equipped with naval patrol vessels, helicopters and drones, as per plans made by European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker. Based in Warsaw, it will have 1,000 permanent officials and be able to deploy a standing 1,500 border guards at three days' notice to secure the frontier of the Schengen travel zone. “In urgent situations, the agency must be able to step in to ensure action is taken on the ground even where . . . that member state considers there is no need for additional intervention,” the proposal said.
Why eating lettuce isn’t so green
Washington: Scientists claim eating lettuce may be three times worse for the environment than eating bacon. In a study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University, scientists compared the emissions from the production of 1,000 calories of different food. “Eating lettuce is over three times worse in greenhouse gas emissions than eating bacon,” Prof Paul Fischbeck said. Lettuce is so low in calories that someone would need to eat at least two whole iceberg lettuces to get close to the calorie intake of two rashers of smoked bacon. As a result, the emissions from transporting lettuce are far higher per calorie than those from pork. Switching to a healthier diet would produce 6 per cent more greenhouse gas compared with a typical meat-rich American diet.
Indian-American trafficking victim appointed to key US post
Washington: US President Barack Obama has nominated an Indian-American, victim of human trafficking, to an administration post that deals with the issue. The White House said in a statement that Harold d'Souza, from Vadodara, Gujarat, has been named a member of the US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. “I am honoured that these talented individuals have decided to serve our country. They bring their years of experience and expertise to this Administration, and I look forward to working with them,” Obama said in a statement. Currently a Senior Supply Chain Associate for Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre, d'Souza is also a founding member of the National Survivor Network and is active with End Slavery Cincinnati. “I am a survivor of labour trafficking and debt bondage and a dedicated advocate against human trafficking,” he wrote on his LinkedIn page.
2 blasts hit a mosque inside Bangla navy base
Dhaka: The latest in a series of attacks on mosques, at least six people were injured when two Molotov cocktails exploded at a mosque inside a major naval base in Bangladesh's port city of Chittagong after the Friday prayers. “Two (Molotov) cocktails exploded at a mosque inside the BNS Issa Khan in Chittagong after the (weekly) jumma prayers... Six people received minor injuries in the blasts,” the navy said in a statement. The statement however, did not say of authorities suspected any Islamist outfit or other groups for the incident, but said “outsiders too come to the mosque to offer prayers” alongside naval personnel. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
Some Texas schools to arm teachers
Houston: A US school district has voted to allow some teachers to carry guns to make schools safer and prevent accidents like the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre. The Keene Independent School District in Johnson County, Texas, which has four campuses, has voted to approve the “Guardian Programme”. The school's board members approved the policy that would allow a few selected staff members inside its four campuses to carry a gun. The carriers would be selected by the district, who would do so only if they wanted to and would carry a gun provided by the district. The measure will take affect next year, as early as February or March. Argyle in Texas adopted a similar proposal last year, as have several other districts across the state.
Landslide devastates Chinese industrial park, 91 missing
Beijing: At least 91 people have gone missing after a huge mound of mud and construction waste collapsed at a business park in southern China, burying 33 buildings. Premier Li Keqiang has ordered an official investigation into the landslides, which come four months after huge chemical blasts at the northern port of Tianjin killed more than 160 people. The mudslide smashed into multi-storied buildings at the Hengtaiyu industrial park, toppling them in collisions. A villager said the mud came like “huge waves”, as residents ran out of the way. The mud covered an area of more than 380,000 square metres and was 10 metres deep in parts. Provincial authorities sent a team to investigate and said the accumulation of a large amount of waste meant that mud was stacked too steep, “causing instability and collapse, resulting in the collapse of buildings”.
Miss Philippines crowned Miss Universe after live TV mixup
Las Vegas: In a show ending that would but daily soaps to shame, a pageant's host and comedian, Steve Harvey misread his cue card, initially announcing Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner. As the 'winner' blew kisses at the cheering and ecstatic crowd, an awkward Harvey said, “Okay folks, I have to apologise. The first runner up is Colombia. Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines.” The Colombian contestant and, the actual winner Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, both looked stunned with Pia mouthing “What?” The awkward mistake spread like wildfire on social media, with the #MissUniverse2015 hashtag trending. Alonzo Wurtzbach told reporters after the ceremony that she wished the jilted winner well. “I'm very sorry, I did not take the crown from her and I wish her well in whatever she wants to pursue after this pageant,” she said.
US killer plotted motorway massacre
Los Angeles: Enrique Marquez has revealed the plans of the San Bernardino gunman Syed Farook and his wife who killed 14 people and injured 22 others. Marquez, an accomplice of Farooq, who was arrested by police said they planned to use pipe bombs to bring rush-hour traffic to a standstill on the Route 91 freeway heading east from Los Angeles. Farook intended to walk past the stationary cars, killing those inside with one of two AR-15 assault rifles bought by Marquez. The Walmart security guard was to use the other assault rifle to shoot at trapped vehicles from a hill while looking out for police. Marquez is said to have bought the guns they used. Pipe bombs and other devices used in the massacre and found at the killers’ home resembled those that Marquez, 24, said they had planned to use in an earlier aborted attack.
