Thursday, July 20, 2006
Singapore blogger warned over Christ cartoons
A Singaporean blogger has received a stern warning but escaped possible imprisonment after posting cartoons mocking Jesus Christ on his online journal. "After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, in consultation with attorney-general's chamber, we have decided to issue a stern warning to the offender in lieu of prosecution," police said Thursday. They said the unidentified blogger "was warned accordingly" earlier this month. The blogger could have been jailed for up to three years or fined 5,000 Singapore (3,150 US) dollars or both if convicted under the Sedition Act. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom group had criticized police for investigating the blogger, saying the case showed Singapore had scant regard for media independence. The Straits Times has reported that the 21-year-old blogger, who described himself as a free-thinking office worker, first posted a cartoon in January depicting Jesus Christ as a zombie biting a boy's head. He ignored an online message asking for the cartoon's removal and went on to post more caricatures of Christ to spite the sender.
Vietnam to offer movies about sex on Internet
straight-laced government of communist-run Vietnam, where pornographic Web sites are banned, plans to offer dowloadable movies on an Internet site to educate married couples about healthy sex, a newspaper said on Thursday. The official English-language Vietnam News quoted Khuat Thu Hong, Deputy Director of the Institute for Social Development, as saying "an orthodox sex Web site" would help couples learn more about "healthy sexual intercourse." Hong cited cases of married couples who had not had sex for a year, a rising divorce rate and rampant prostitution as reasons to publicize more information about sex. The images offered on the Web site, yet to be named, would be only educational, Hong added. The Ministry of Culture and Information recently ordered Internet shops to install software on all computers to monitor customers and stop them from surfing pornographic sites. While prostitution and abortions are widespread, sex remains a taboo subject in schools and in the home. The Vietnam Family Planning Association estimates around 1.4 million abortions are performed annually in Vietnam, which has a population of 83 million, due to a lack of sex education among teenagers and contraceptive use.
Geneticist convicted of molesting child
World-renowned geneticist William French Anderson was once a runner-up for Time magazine's Man of the Year for his role in developing gene therapy, a promising yet controversial treatment that involves injecting healthy genes into sick patients. Now Anderson, convicted Wednesday of molesting the young daughter of a colleague, must undergo a psychiatric evaluation before his sentencing in November. Though Anderson's lawyer argued the scientist should stay free to continue his important work, Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor ordered Anderson jailed. The scientist, who faces a maximum of 22 years in prison, had been free on bond during the trial. "While Dr. Anderson is statutorily eligible for probation, he is clearly facing possible decades in prison," Pastor said. Although the judge said he was impressed with Anderson's demeanor during the trial, he said he was not comfortable allowing the scientist to remain free. Among other things, he cited an e-mail Anderson wrote to the victim suggesting he might commit suicide if the allegations became public and saying he had bought a gun and ammunition.
Chef jailed for disembowling colleague
A DRUNKEN chef who left his colleague's guts hanging out after stabbing him in the stomach has been jailed for nine years. Thiyagarajah Thirukkamaran had been drinking heavily when he plunged a 12in carving knife into 32-year-old Thavarasa Nallathamby's stomach, the Old Bailey heard. Mr Nallathamby died after suffering massive blood loss and a heart attack two days after a drunken fight between the two men. His death has left his three-year-old son and four-year-old daughter, orphaned, the court heard. The incident happened on June 17 last year at the New Chicken Shop, Catford Road, Catford. Jurors heard the chef was on his second bottle of brandy when he picked an argument with the victim, also known as Rasu. Thirukkamaran, of Glyndon Road, Plumstead, had been arguing with the victim during the course of their shift. At 2am he was seen marching from the back of the shop with the knife before his victim said: "If you want to stab, stab, let's see."
Dog Trainer 'Exorcised' Pet To Death
A dog trainer said that a dog was so ill-behaved that she needed to "exorcise" the rebellion out of the puppy. The dog's owner said the trainer's methods led to the German shepherd's death.Lisa Berstien said that she took her dog, Ringo, to trainer Jill Deringer after Petco referred her to the trainer. Deringer is employed by Petco, Miami television station WPLG reported.Berstien said that Deringer came to her home Sunday to perform a procedure on Ringo. Berstien said that Deringer muzzled the dog and sat on him. She said that Deringer had her hold her dog's paws still while the trainer poked the dog in the head and stomach for about an hour. Berstien said the dog began foaming at the mouth and lapsed into unconsciousness. She rushed the dog to an animal hospital, where it later died. The Palm Beach County Animal Control Division is investigating to see if any criminal offenses were committed. Petco said that it is investigating the incident and has contacted its lawyers. Representatives said that they are not responsible for what their employees do on their own time. Deringer said that the dog's death is a tragedy, but that Ringo tried to attack her and if he hadn't been muzzled, she would have been mauled. She also attributed the dog's condition to having been chained too much and not getting enough exercise.
Outrage at Durex for kids
CONDOMS for 13-year-olds could soon be on sale in Britain — sparking outrage. The new-style contraceptives hit the shelves in Germany yesterday and makers Durex want to launch them in the UK next year. But campaigners were furious last night over the move, claiming it will fuel an under-age sex boom. The condom is 49mm wide — compared to the 52mm standard version — and is easier to put on. Durex say it is designed for the younger, less experienced users. A spokesman said: “It is aimed at youths between 13 and 16, where a not insignificant number engage in unprotected sex.” The average British teens first have sex at 15. And we have the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe. Matthew O’Gorman, of Christian charity LIFE, blasted the launch as “sick and irresponsible”. He added: “We know that teenagers engage in risky behaviour. If it’s messing around on roads or taking drugs, we teach them not to — because it’s bad for them. “But when it comes to sex, we do the opposite — by throwing condoms at the problem.” One fear is over whether condoms provide adequate protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Thieves Steal 14-Foot Inflatable Sheep
America's Mattress co-owner Jim Sather is left puzzled after a rustler stole Serta Mattresses' inflatable 14-foot sheep from their store here. "I can't figure out what someone would do with a 14-foot sheep," Sather said. "It can't go in your basement and if it's in your back yard, your neighbor will notice. If it's target practice, it only lasts once." All the thief or thieves left was a handwritten note at the scene of the crime that read: "For the sheep, bring peace to the earth." Sather said their mascot is missed. "He's the granddaddy of all sheep and there's a whole flock that will miss him," Sather said. The sheep is labeled with a No. 1 and is worth an estimated $3,500. Serta produces "plushie" toy sheep replicas and in its commercials, a flock of unemployed white sheep roam neighborhoods seeking a home without a Serta mattress. According to the commercials, Serta Mattresses are so comfortable that the time-honored tradition of counting sheep to put oneself to sleep isn't needed.
Plastic surgeon being sued for losing nipples
Thirteen patients have active malpractice suits against the head of plastic surgery at a prestigious Bronx hospital, The Post has learned. They include a woman who claims Dr. Berish Strauch lost her nipple during breast-reduction surgery and another who says he removed her navel in a tummy tuck. "I just hope you can save some others because this man has to be stopped," said 67-year-old Elizabeth DeCarlo of Strauch, chairman of plastic and reconstructivesurgery at Montefiore. DeCarlo said he removed so much of her skin he didn't have enough to form a belly button. She added she's lucky she's alive - because she turned blue during the five-hour operation, which should have taken half as long. DeCarlo suggested that Strauch, 72, pack up his medical bag. "It's finished. It's time," she said. "Come on. You can't be maiming people." Strauch's lawyer, Frank Bastone, and a spokesman for Montefiore said they could not comment on pending litigation. But Bastone said no jury has ever found against his client and declined to comment on whether any cases against the doctor had been settled out of court.