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Brit church removes cross saying it scares kids and puts people off

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:50:00 -0500

The cross depicts the Christian faith all over the world, but a church in Britain has decided to remove it as it is too scary for kids and also puts people off.

Reverend Ewen Souter, of Horsham, West Sussex, decided to remove the crucifix in his church after he found it to be “a horrifying depiction of pain and suffering”.

The 10ft sculpture was removed from St John’s, and to the anger and bewilderment of some in his congregation, an ultra-modern stainless steel cross was placed.

“The crucifix is the oldest and most famous symbol of Christianity,” the Mirror quoted one long-standing member of the church as saying.

“Pulling it down and putting up something that would look more at home on the side of a shopping centre is not the way to get more bums on seats. Next they’ll be ripping out the pews and putting sofas in, or throwing out all the Bibles and replacing them with laptops. It’s just not right,” the member added.

But Rev Souter, who has been vicar at St John’s since 2001, believes the modern new cross, which was designed by artist Angela Godfrey, will present “a positive message of hope”.

“The crucifix expressed suffering, torment, pain and anguish. It was a scary image, particularly for children. Parents didn’t want to walk past it with their kids, because they found it so horrifying,” he said.

“It wasn’t a suitable image for the outside of a church wanting to welcome worshippers. In fact, it was a real put-off.

“We’re all about hope, encouragement and the joy of the Christian faith. We want to communicate good news, not bad news, so we need a more uplifting and inspiring symbol than execution on a cross,” he added. (ANI)

Racy snowboards featuring naked women’s pics spark row in US

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:50:00 -0500

Racy snowboards featuring giant pictures of naked women have sparked a row about free speech and sexism between their supporters and opponents in Vermont, US.

The city leaders in Burlington have asked the manufacturers to stop making the range, whose images are taken from 1970s Playboy magazines.

Parents, politicians, and even the state''s Girl Scouts are protesting against the racy snowboards, reports the Telegraph.

However, their supporters insist that the right of people not to be offended out on the slopes is less important than the constitutional right to free expression.

Burton, one of the America’s biggest snowboard makers, said that the criticism had been "hurtful and out-of-line".

Several resorts have also barred their staff from using the boards.

The Girl Scout Council of Vermont is considering taking the issue to state legislators next month.

Brittany Wieland, a 16-year-old Girl Scout, told the Boston Globe that resorts should only allow people with offensive boards on to the slopes when children were not around. (ANI)

England cricket in disarray as Pietersen, Moores quit

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:49:00 -0500

England’s cricket establishment was in complete disarray on Wednesday after both captain Kevin Pietersen and team coach Peter Moores declared that they were quitting their respective posts as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has failed to resolve their differences.

Sky News quoted Pietersen as saying that: "I am not in a fit state to talk."

Moores'' decision to resign came as he faced growing criticism over the row and the development of the England team during his time as coach. The team has lost four of the seven series that it has contested under his stewardship.

Pietersen quit claiming the ECB did not act quickly enough over the affair.

Former England bowler Dominic Cork told Sky News: "English cricket is in disarray at the moment."

"Every year is important in Test cricket but this is a huge year and to have such turmoil going on a couple of weeks away from going to the West Indies is far from ideal," added Middlesex spinner Shaul Udal.

Former skipper Alec Stewart said: ""It''s about working with the authorities - in this case the ECB, the coach - planning for game practice sessions, etc. It appears Pietersen had a different outlook to Peter Moores in how they wanted the team to move foward."

The ECB met for an emergency meeting on the crisis last night.

A Sky News sports presenter, Jacquie Beltrau said: "England cricket is pretty angry the whole row became public. They don''t like their washing dirty linen in public. They wanted to keep this behind closed doors. It hasn''t been kept behind closed doors - and Kevin Pietersen has been quite outspoken about the whole thing. It seems like he''s probably thought if they''re not going to back me, I''m going to go."

England are scheduled to fly out to the Caribbean in two weeks - and face Australia in the Ashes later this year.

Earlier, it was reported that both Pietersen and Moores could be sacked after Hugh Morris was handed the mandate to sort out the civil war ripping the English team apart.

On Tuesday night, the support has shifted from backing the captain to making changes at the top of the national team''s management structure, The Telegraph reported.

The ECB hierarchy is believed to be angered by the fact that the pair''s differences have been aired in public.

Senior ECB figures were thought to be behind the captain at the start of this crisis, but it appears Morris'' report has shifted the emphasis.

Morris is a long time supporter of the coach, who has struggled to make the step up from county to international cricket, and he was told on Tuesday evening by the ECB to take whatever action he sees fit.

The ECB was to hold further meetings on Wednesday morning to discuss the legal ramifications of removing either Moores, or Pietersen, or both.

Morris has canvassed opinion among the England team and backroom staff, and it seems Pietersen does not have the wholesale backing of either the players or the coaches.

It appears the coaching staff has remained loyal to Moores, while some players have been angered by Pietersen''s perceived role in undermining the coach, the paper said.

Andrew Strauss, who has captained England previously, is the favourite to succeed Pietersen in the short term. (ANI)

Cricket in Pak will benefit more from batting-friendly pitches: Miandad

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:49:00 -0500

Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Director General Javed Miandad feels that cricket in the country will benefit more from batting-friendly strips.

The former Pakistan captain told reporters here that he has instructed the country’s chief curator to prepare wickets that can enable high-scoring matches instead of green tops in domestic tournaments like the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Miandad said that sub-standard wickets were prepared for the initial rounds of the tournament, which is why most of the first-class matches ended within two or three days.

He said Pakistan should have wickets on which a team can score 500 or 600 runs, The News reported.

“We need to produce world class batsmen. We need seven good batsmen for the national team and you cannot groom them on sub-standard wickets,” he said.

Senior Pakistani cricketers like pacer Shoaib Akhtar and batsman Younis Khan have in the recent times urged for sporting wickets.

They wanted the PCB to order wickets that can support fast bowlers.

However, Miandad made it clear that the Board will not vote in the favour of bouncy and green-top wickets. “Fast wickets will not serve the purpose.”

“If you see all over the world, wickets are becoming more batting friendly because spectators come to see runs being scored. We also need our domestic matches to be high-scoring encounters,” he said. (ANI)

Fish’s memories ‘last up to five months’

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:46:00 -0500

The myth that fish''s memory span is only three seconds has been debunked by a new research, which shows that they can remember things for up to five months.

For the study, researchers at the Israeli Technion Institute of Technology in Haifa spent a month schooling young fish to associate a certain sound with feeding time.

They then released the fish into the wild and, five months later when they were adults, repeated the sound.

The researchers found that the fish returned, proving that they had remembered the association.

According to the researchers, the technique could allow trained fish to be released into the wild to mature, with farmers safe in the knowledge they can bring them back when they are ready for the table.

"The new method has many advantages. The fish grow in their natural environment, without the use of cages and without environmental pollution. Feeding is more economical and is based mainly on food found naturally," the Telegraph quoted the researchers, as saying. (ANI)

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas exhibition inaugurated

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:46:00 -0500

As a prelude to the 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai, an exhibition portraying the might of the industrial and service sectors in India was inaugurated today by Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Planning, V. Narayanasamy.

Union Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi was also present on the occasion.

Over 70 establishments including various Central and State Departments, financial institutions, health, hospitality, telecom, handicrafts, plantation, telecom and media industries are showcasing their products and services being offered by them.

State pavilions are striving to attract potential investors to their states by way of portraying various incentives and facilities they offer to them.

Banks are depicting their services to both the domestic and overseas Indians.

The health industry in the country that has emerged as one of the promising sectors in the country by way of attracting people from all over the world for quality medical treatment, are trying to promote their services through showcasing all the facilities they boast of in their hospitals.

Non-Governmental Organizations are also utilising the exhibition to promote their activities across the globe.

The exhibition is open for visitors till the end of the mega annual event on January 9 for overseas Indians and people of Indian origin.

Dr. Ramadoss tells new doctors to stay in India

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:46:00 -0500

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss today exhorted new doctors to stay in the country, as the country is in great need of quality medical human resource.

Addressing the 36th Annual Convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, here, Dr Ramadoss told graduating doctors that they have been given quality education in the premier institute of the country, and therefore, are a valuable commodity in the light of huge shortfall of specialists in the country.

"The All India Institute of Medical Sciences have not only given you the knowledge, but also a robust framework of ethics and values, like earlier, my message to you is -stay put in India," he said.

Dr R. K. Pachauri, the Chairperson of Nobel Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and chief guest at the event, also echoed similar sentiments when he said "Action is here and tremendous spiritual and professional satisfaction is to be gained by working in India."

Dr Ramadoss announced that in the light of the growing demands on the institute, a second campus for AIIMS would be established soon.

"Talks are on for 300-acre land with the governments in NCR region. This will be a great boost to the facilities and research prospects in AIIMS," he added.

Dr Ramadoss said the institute is not just providing simple care, but also contributing to high end research, quality education and policy advice to the government for various issues, including the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Dwelling on the NRHM, Ramadoss recalled the progress made in the direction of the rural health infrastructure, ASHAs and the huge rise in institutional delivery and flexibility for the local bodies.

The Minister also announced that the National Urban Health Mission covering the urban slums would be launched by the end of this month or early next month.

"National School Health Programme will be screening the children all over the country for various health related issues," he said.

Dr. Ramadoss emphasized that the coming challenges will be created by life style issues and non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental problems. In this light campaign against alcohol, tobacco, junk food and drugs will be taken up on a priority basis.

Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Naresh Dayal along with Director and other senior members of AIIMS were present on the occasion. (ANI)

India to keep all its options open to dismantle terror infrastructure: Antony

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:45:00 -0500

Defence Minister AK Antony today said that India would keep all its options open to dismantle the “terror infrastructure” in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks.

The Defence Minister’s statement reflected the Indian officials increasing frustration at what they see as Pakistan’s unwillingness to fully probe the Mumbai carnage in which militants killed more than 170 people.

“We are examining seriously what possible options are there, there is no time limit. We have got evidence and shared it with other countries. I hope the world will react seriously,” Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the Kendriya Sainik Board in New Delhi today.

“Even after 26/11 there is no serious attempt to dismantle the terror outfits working across the border, and that is the major worry. We will do everything to prevent this. For that, we are examining all possible available options,” Antony said.

Antony further added that there are more than 30 terror outfits working across the border and it is the duty of Pakistan to dismantle them on whose soil they are based.

“To prevent the repetition of… continuous repetition of this kind of infiltration and tragic incidents of what happened in Mumbai. Two things are necessary -- one those persons who gave inspirations, who gave direction, who gave support for this tragic incidence in Mumbai should be booked. Another thing, more than 30 terror outfits across the border it should be dismantled and it is the duty of the government of that country,” Antony added.

India has blamed Pakistan based militants for the coordinated strikes on November 26 by 10 gunmen that killed 179 people and revived tension between two nations. (ANI)

Centre promises naxal-hit states full support to combat menace

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:45:00 -0500

The government has offered its full support to states grappling with the Maoist problem.

In a meeting with Home Minister P. Chidambaram here today, Chief Ministers of seven states - Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, severely affected by Maoist violence put forth their problems and were assured of support, both in terms of development and security.

The meeting comes a day after a conference of all state chief ministers, where Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh called for adopting a proper strategy to deal with the Maoist problem, described as the country''s biggest internal security threat.

With 13 of India''s 29 states affected by Maoist violence, the insurgency''s intensification over the last two years is attracting both national and international attention.

Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal has said that the government will do whatever is necessary to help these states combat the menace.

"We have listened to the problems and demands of all the seven states. We will think over their problems. The government would take all necessary steps whether on security front or on development front to combat the menace. But we think, only by tackling security front, the issue cannot be solved, when security and development, both fronts are taken into account then only the problem can be solved," said Jaiswal.

The Chief Ministers said they seemed satisfied with the government''s assurances and added that using force alone cannot curb the menace. Development was required in villages to prevent the villagers from helping the Maoists.

"Force would be needed because they have large quantity of arms with them. But before that there is a need to work towards the development of the villages as well. Once the requirements of the villagers are fulfilled, they will not entertain these people," said Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren.

Over 70 districts in the country are affected by Left wing extremism, which has been described by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a "virus" and the biggest internal security threat.

In continuing naxal violence in around a dozen states, over 400 people, including over 150 security men, have been killed so far this year.

The Government recently approved formation of a 10,000-strong special anti-Naxal force ''''COBRA'''' -- Combat Battalion for Resolute Action -- to tackle the menace.

In another decision, the Union Cabinet approved creation of 48 new posts of Special Directors General, Additional Directors General and Inspectors General in various central police organisations keeping in view functional necessity.

These posts will strengthen the supervisory structure of these organisations for better command and control. (ANI)

India briefs more envoys on Mumbai attacks

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:45:00 -0500

Continuing its diplomatic offensive against Pakistan, India briefed more envoys on the recent Mumbai attacks in New Delhi on Wednesday.

A group of diplomats from various countries including the United States of America, Britain, Croatia and Switzerland met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The envoys of Sri Lanka, Turkey and the Arab States, who were briefed on Tuesday, have condemned the terror attacks, which shook the Mumbai in November 2008.

The main focus of these meetings is to discuss the fallout of Mumbai
attacks and to build up international consensus to make Pakistan hand over the perpetrators of the attacks.

According to reports, the Indian officials discussed the present situation between Pakistan and India, and also put before them the evidence handed over to Pakistan on Monday regarding the involvement of ''elements'' in Pakistan in Mumbai attacks.

The evidence handed over to Pakistan includes a confession from the man India says is the lone surviving gunman, details of communications links with "elements in Pakistan", and data retrieved from GPS and satellite phones.

India says that it was not satisfied with Pakistan''s response. New Delhi wants Islamabad to dismantle what it says are terrorist infrastructure including training camps on Pakistani territory and extradite 40 suspects.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accused Pakistan of using terrorism as an instrument of state policy against India. He further said that given the sophistication and military precision of the Mumbai attacks must have had the support of some official agencies in Pakistan. (ANI)