30 years of marriage

Exactly 30 years after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, the Gyanvapi mosque dispute offers less déjà vu and more striking contrasts in the two scenarios. Like architecture distinguishes clearly between rubble and ruin, we must look clearly at the differences between the Ayodhya matter then and the dispute over Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque in 2022 now. The differences are stark. There is an Act now The first dissimilarity is the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 which did not exist when the political movement for Ayodhya caught steam. Also, Ayodhya was out of its ambit. The Supreme Court verdict in 2019 went on to underline the importance of the 1991 Act in 10 pages (pages 116-125) and how it “protects and secures the fundamental values of the Constitution”. Agreeing with the rationale of the law, the five-judge Bench said; “The Places of Worship Act imposes a non-derogable obligation towards enforcing our commitment to secularism under the Indian … [Read more...] about A far more dangerous moment now than in 1992

Since it landed on the old Unlisted Securities Market - the precursor to Aim - 37 years ago, Cranswick has been one of those businesses that hides its light under a bushel, its management traditionally attracting epithets such as "taciturn" from City followers. That reflects its history. The business was founded in 1975 by a group of 23 farmers in East Yorkshire who clubbed together to buy a pig feed mill, over time diversifying into grain merchanting and pig wholesaling. Its services further evolved when, in 1988, it expanded into pork butchery and then, in a bid to ride out the cyclicality of the pork market, into producing gourmet sausages from prime cuts of pork. Energy price cap tipped to hit £2,800 in October - Cost of living latest It now produces sausages both under banners such as its own Simply Sausages brand for most of the main supermarket multiples, including the Tesco Finest, the Co-op Irresistible and Sainsbury's Taste The Difference ranges, as well as … [Read more...] about Cost of living: Pork specialist Cranswick demands government saves industry’s bacon

Singer Jessica on the poster for the Chinese television competition show "Sisters Who Make Waves" [ILGAN SPORTS] Former Girls' Generation member Jessica appeared on the first episode of the Chinese television competition show “Sisters Who Make Waves” (2020-) on Friday. In the episode, Jessica performed Ed Sheeran's ballad "Perfect." While the judges appeared impressed by her voice, they asked her why she didn't prepare a song that included choreography to which Jessica replied "I arrived here only a month ago and didn't have time to prepare." When asked why she thinks she was cast for the show, Jessica confidently replied, "I have a unique voice and I can dance pretty well." “Sisters Who Make Waves,” which airs through Chinese media company Mango TV, features 30 female celebrities who are over 30 years old that compete against each other to debut in a seven-member girl group. Jessica is the only Korean celebrity on this season of the program. The series received attention as … [Read more...] about Ex-Girls’ Generation member Jessica debuts on ‘Sisters Who Make Waves’

Roger Stone is not cooperating. But soon, he might not have a choice. On Monday, Justice Department prosecutors asked a federal judge to compel Stone and his wife to turn over all of their financial statements and bank account information from 2017 to the present. The request is part of a tax evasion lawsuit brought against the Stones last year. But for the MAGA world’s preeminent cocktail-clutching coxcomb, it could carry ramifications well beyond the IRS. The judge’s order would force the Stones to disclose a potential treasure trove of evidence. Prosecutors would obtain records of any financial activity of Stone tied to the Jan. 6 riot and “Stop the Steal” efforts, as well as potential payments from pardon-seekers, politicians, and private boosters—and, possibly, information about accounts that the Stones haven’t yet disclosed. So far, however, the Stones have refused to comply. Federal prosecutors filed the multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Stones last … [Read more...] about How a Tax Case Could Force Roger Stone to Cough Up Jan. 6 Records

This live blog is now closed. For the latest updates please check here . Russia has opened a long-anticipated new phase of the war in Ukraine , launching its eastern offensive in a bid to seize the country's industrial heartland. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed the move Tuesday , saying the Kremlin's goal was to achieve the “full liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics,” which together make up the Donbas region. The full-scale assault on Ukraine's east came as the last fighters in Mariupol, the besieged port city that is crucial to Moscow's goals, continued to hold out despite a new Russian deadline to surrender. It also followed Russian strikes across the country, hitting supply lines and military infrastructure and killing at least seven people in the western city of Lviv . The United States is expected to announce another package of military aid, which is expected to be similar in size to the $800 million one the administration … [Read more...] about Moscow launches a new phase of the conflict

“It is mandatory for people, especially women above 30 years of age to do regular health check-ups without excuses,” said Dean of S.R.M. Medical College, Tiruchi, Dr. Rewvathy Kailairajan, speaking at a cancer awareness programme organised by Symbol of Sacrifice Jeni - Maniyammai Mandram at Maniammai Nursery School in North Masi Street here on Sunday. “Hypertension, diabetes, and cancer are very common among Indians. Please do not wait for major complaints to occur and then go to the doctor,” said Dr Rewvathy, who was also the former Dean of Madurai Rajaji Hospital. Mammograms and pap smears must be taken at least once a year, she recommended. Breast cancer can be diagnosed even through self-examination. “While taking a bath, check the breast area for any painless static or moving lumps. Breast mouse or Fibroadenoma are not of much bother medically, but the static ones are,” she explained. Common symptoms one can easily identify are red discolouration on the breast area, nipple … [Read more...] about Early diagnosis is key to treat breast cancer

Sales of new single-family homes in the U.S. plunged in April, the fourth consecutive monthly decline, falling to the lowest level since April of 2020. New home sales decreased 16.6 percent in April compared with the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 591,000, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. That is just barely above the 582,000 level hit during the initial lockdown phase of the pandemic when the economy was brought to a near halt. Economists had forecast home sales to fall 1.7 percent to 750,000 from the preliminary March report of 763,000. The March report was revised down to 709,000. Existing homes sales have been cratering , as well. April home sales declined by 2.4 percent compared with March. At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.61 million, sales were at the slowest pace since June of 2020, according to data released last week from the National Association of Realtors. Compared with a year ago, sales were off by 5.9 percent. The … [Read more...] about New Homes Sales Cratered in April Amid Rising Rates and High Prices

Patrick Lee (AFP) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   ● Wed, May 25, 2022 2022-05-25 11:40 0 02c2f042c5018a82e8094ec752d09237 2 Science & Tech Malaysia,sensors,technology,durian,agriculture,China,export Free Drones spraying pesticide, sensors taking soil readings, sprinklers that squirt fertiliser at the touch of a button -- a Malaysian plantation is using high-tech methods to boost its crop of pungent durians. Grown across Southeast Asia, fans hail the spiky durian as the "king of fruit" due to its bittersweet flavours and creamy golden flesh, and it is particularly popular in China. But to its detractors it is the world's smelliest fruit, with an overpowering stench like rotting food that has seen it banned in hotels and on public transport across the region. In a competitive market, Malaysian grower Top Fruits Plantations has turned to high-tech methods to lift its output. "It's a much faster way to get more consistent results," managing director Tan … [Read more...] about From drones to sensors, Malaysian durian grower goes high-tech

May 18, 2022 08:28 France's newly appointed prime minister Elisabeth Borne begins work this week with major challenges on her plate, tasked to rebrand President Emmanuel Macron's second term with greener, more socially friendly policies -- and to ensure his party wins next month's legislative vote. Borne is expected to name her new Cabinet this week. Then comes putting her boss' goals for a new and different second term into practice. Since President Emmanuel Macron announced her appointment as his new prime minister Monday evening, Borne has called for faster, stronger action on climate and the environment -- and for garnering a majority as large as possible in June's parliamentary elections. Women's rights activists hail the choice of the 61-year-old Borne as about time. That includes Edith Cresson, France's last and only other female prime minister, who served more than 30 years ago. She told France's BFMTV Borne's appointment was a good choice. But Macron's main … [Read more...] about 1st Task for France’s New Head of Government: Win the Legislatives

Blackouts, fuel shortages or empty shelves are a “realistic possibility” if ministers refuse to back down over the biggest rail strike since privatisation, a union chief said today. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch spoke to the Mirror after closing a ballot of 40,000 workers at 15 companies and Network Rail - over pay, conditions and 2,500 Network Rail maintenance job cuts. A result is expected tonight or tomorrow morning - with Mr Lynch expecting members would overwhelmingly back strike action. He said walkouts could begin as soon as mid-June and refused to rule out them lasting into next year - or escalating into a general strike. He warned Tory ministers plan to “shut virtually every ticket office in Britain”, meaning the “end of passenger assistance” as the elderly and vulnerable are directed to apps and websites. Promising a “rolling campaign” of roadshows into left-behind towns and villages he added: “This is a regular industrial dispute. It’s not one with a political … [Read more...] about Rail union leader says blackouts a ‘realistic possibility’ in biggest strike in a generation