A Hasidic Jew told he could not serve in the Coast Guard Auxiliary unless he took off his skullcap can now wear it because regulations have been changed to allow religious head coverings.The new rules allow unobtrusive coverings as long as they bear no bright colors, writing, pictures or symbols, Chief Petty Officer Daniel Tremper said Tuesday. The guard's previous rules said religious clothing could not be visible.Lawmakers called for the change after state Assemblyman Dov Hikind drew attention to the rule in March. The armed forces under the Defense Department have permitted religious garb since 1987 but the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security.... http://www.usatoday.com censor News |
Editor - 10:01:00 08-09-06 |
'We are ready to fight, we are ready to die' |
Eleven-year-old Zahra sits on a desk in a crowded corridor of a west Beirut school and explains eloquently why she believes in the need for resistance."All children now want to grow up to fight Israel. It's shameful how we are being treated. What have we as children ever done to them? Nobody cares what happens to us, nobody will do anything if we don't defend ourselves."Her friend Howra, also 11 and also a refugee from southern Lebanon now living in the school in Zarif, joins in. "Even if a thousand of our fighters are killed we will remain strong. Even with the Israeli technology, we are not afraid of them; we have the strongest fighters in the world." Estimates of the number of Hizbullah fighters active in the field range from 1,000 to 10,000, with a potential reserve force as high as 200,000. But the daily killing of civilians has created a new militancy among Lebanon's youth, suggesting that Hizbullah can now mobilise thousands more.... http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1840060,00.html
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Editor - 09:55:00 08-09-06 |
Breakthrough in Nepal arms talks |
The Nepalese government and Maoist rebels have reached agreement on the supervision of their weapons, an issue that has impeded their peace talks. The United Nations will be asked to monitor both sides' arms, a joint statement issued in the capital, Kathmandu said. Earlier this week, the rebels' deputy leader warned the talks could collapse over the future of the monarchy. The rebels called a truce after King Gyanendra ended direct rule in April. The government has agreed that its troops will be confined to their barracks, while the rebels say their arms will be kept in one set of camps, the statement said. It was issued after talks between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist leader Prachanda. "It is a significant event in the peace process. We have been able to respond to the aspirations of people for peace and prosperity," the government's main negotiator, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4775855.stm
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Editor - 09:51:00 08-09-06 |
Lightning Strike Injures 3 Soldiers Near Tree During Training at Fort Bragg, N.C. |
Three soldiers were injured by lightning that struck a nearby tree during a Special Forces training session. The soldiers were supporting training Monday for the Special Forces Qualification Course, said Kathleen Devine, a spokeswoman for the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. They are assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group. ... http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2291930
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Editor - 09:49:00 08-09-06 |
Iraq agency: U.S. not to blame for blast |
An Iraqi government agency said Wednesday that "terrorists," not a U.S. airstrike, were to blame for an explosion at a mosque in Baqouba that left four people dead. The blast also wounded 16 people late Tuesday in the city 35 miles north of Baghdad, and police originally blamed an American strike.The Shiite Endowment, an agency that cares for Shiite shrines, blamed terrorists for the blast, which caused extensive damage to the mosque. The agency demanded that the authorities protect places of worship.Also, the U.S. military said Wednesday that a U.S. Army helicopter had crashed in Iraq's western Anbar province on Tuesday, leaving two crewmembers missing and four injured. It did not appear the helicopter was shot down, the military said.... http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-08-09-iraq-blast_x.htm?csp=34
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Editor - 09:45:00 08-09-06 |
Somalia Islamists take key town |
Islamic militia have taken control of the central Somali town of Beletuein. The strategic town changed hands after fighting erupted in between the town's previous pro-government rulers and the militia of a local Islamic court. Tension is high in central Somalia as the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) that controls much of southern Somalia tries to spread its influence further north. Earlier, two were injured in Galkayo in a protest led by clerics who say the UIC's brand of Islam is too militant. The BBC's Hassan Barise in Mogadishu says no one was injured in the short battle in the strategically important town of Beletuein, some 300km north of the capital. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4775753.stm
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Editor - 09:37:00 08-09-06 |
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post The Good, The Bad and The Ugly |
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