Miley Cyrus celebrates Sweet 16 at Disneyland AP
AP - Miley Cyrus' 16th birthday party was more boisterous than sweet. Cyrus celebrated the hallmark birthday at an over-the-top Disneyland celebration Sunday — even though she doesn...
2008-10-06 05:35:10Peru children demand right to work, end to exploitation
INT5International/Rights/SocietyPeru children demand right to work, end to exploitationBy Alvaro MellizoLima, Oct 6 EFE Child labour may be condemned as a gross abuse of human rights, but in Peru children are demanding their right to lawful employment as an alternative to labour exploitation, arguing if poverty persists, so will child labour.The Manthoc Child and Adolescent Workers' Association uses its scarce resources to promote the rights of children and a better quality of life for labourers under the legal working age.They come together on their own initiative - with adults performing only minor roles - to demand recognition of child labour as a legal activity, in which children's development is promoted and youths are protected from harm.The members of Manthoc, aged six to 18, elect their leaders and make their own proposals, receiving assistance from adults on administrative and other matters, Manthoc's national delegate, Fabiola Segura, said.Speaking with a coherence and eloquence that belies her young age, Segura, who since the age of nine has been working as a baker, artisan and street vendor, said the rationale of child labour is apparent: children will have to work so long there is poverty."Without alternative policies and dignified work, child workers will be exploited, and as long as wealth is not well distributed, poverty will continue to exist. Young people work illegally out of necessity and it's there where authorities need to intervene," Segura said.At her office in the poor Lima neighbourhood of Ciudad de Dios, which also serves as a school-workshop for child labourers, Segura said the group's goal is to overturn legislation that - well-intentioned though - ignores a social and cultural reality in which children are part of the country's productive work force.At present, Peruvian legislation permits the employment of children at the age of 14, or 12 in some cases, although different non-government organizations estimate that the almost 2.5 million child labourers in Peru begin working at even younger ages.Manthoc said the solution lies in establishing and enforcing dignified working conditions and ensuring that children are valued, protected and respected for the labour that they perform.Although having to earn a livelihood means for children less time for rest, play and study and taking adult responsibilities, they say they are proud to be able to help their families and earn their own money.Samuel Calderon, another Manthoc national delegate, said the difference between their organization and others that fight against child labour is that the latter only see the exploitation and the abuse and do not consider the positive aspects."I've worked at the warehouse at my home when I was six, selling merchandise, and it's a way to learn, each person getting something out of their work and developing skills," Calderon said.According to Manthoc, for work to be "dignified" it must be voluntary, suitable to the child's age and allow the minor to attend school until he or she has completed basic educational requirements.The Manthoc youths also offer assistance and training to other children who are victims of exploitation.At their small workshops, the organization's 3,500 children work in dignified conditions and receive food, help with schoolwork, psychological assistance and professional training while they make sweets, wooden toys or gift cards that they later sell.All of Manthoc's activities and policies have the same overarching goal: empowering children and giving them control over their future.Segura said it was regrettable that "politicians make laws that in principle are to help children but in the end don't benefit them at all, and that's why we want to express our opinion."--EFEdkg634 Words06100747
2008-10-06 00:00:06Balancing films, homework and friends - 10-year-old shows how
ENT1Entertainment/CinemaBalancing films, homework and friends - 10-year-old shows howBy Subhash K. JhaMumbai, Oct 5 IANS This 10-year-old carries school books to film sets and studies between shots. Swini Khara, the girl who shared screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in "Cheeni Kum" and is now seen in "Hari Puttar", says she somehow manages to balance movies, homework and friends."It's not really that hard," Swini told IANS. "I agree I don't get to do the normal things girls my age do. But I enjoy what I'm doing."As for time with friends and studies, Swini makes the required adjustments."I carry my books to the sets and study between shots. It's not that difficult. I've got used to it by now. I do get time for friends. But I do miss the time alone. And I do get tired. But my work is a lot of fun. I don't mind missing out on other activities," she said."Hari Puttar" is her latest release, which has 16-year-old Zain Khan playing the lead. For Swini, it was good to work with people nearer her age for a change."'Hari Puttar' was so much fun. In 'Cheeni Kum' I was working with people far older than me Amitabh Bachchan, Zohra Sehgal and Tabu. In 'Hari Puttar', I had Zain Khan as my co-star. We had a ball, although I must say Sarika aunty and Jackie Shroff uncle were also a barrel of fun," the child actor said.According to her, Zain grew from super-brat to solemn teenager during the making of the film."Because of the animation scenes, 'Hari Puttar' took a long time to make. In fact, I went to London in between for another film, came back and then shot again for 'Hari Puttar'," said Swini."Zain was very naughty when we shot the earlier portions. But as the film progressed, he grew older and became very serious. I liked that. I don't like doing too much masti fun on the sets."Swini seems delighted by the vagaries of showbiz and is now looking forward to more work on her plate."I do my best. Recently I was shooting for a dance-based reality show and that was also fun. I'm doing one more film 'Kaalu' where I play the main role. And there's a witch chasing me throughout the film. Please see this film. It will scare the hell out of you. I get to do a lot of dangerous stunts in this film all on my own. There are rocks falling on me. But not to worry. The rocks were made of thermocol," she explained.Swini was happy to meet her former co-star Amitabh Bachchan recently."I met Amit Uncle at an awards function. He was very sweet. I enjoyed playing Sexy in 'Cheeni Kum'. But now I've moved on to 'Hari Puttar'," she quipped.--Indo-Asian News Serviceskj/mv/jg529 Words05100731
2008-10-05 00:00:00Mukherjee serves sweet compliments to Rice at lunch
NAT56National/Diaspora/DiplomacyMukherjee serves sweet compliments to Rice at lunchBy Manish ChandNew Delhi, Oct 4 IANS The much-touted signing of the India-US nuclear accord may be still some days away, but that did not prevent External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee from serving a lavish spread of compliments at a lunch he hosted here Saturday for visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.“Madam Secretary, you are a true friend of India. Under your stewardship as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, we have transformed our relationship and deepened our strategic partnership,” Mukherjee told Rice during the luncheon in her honour at the stately Hyderabad House that was attended by top officials from both sides. “No Secretary of State of the United States has done more for this relationship than you have,” Mukherjee went on, describing Rice as “a true friend of India”. “You had conceptualized it even before taking office, and have seen your ideas implemented in action. This is a rare achievement in practical politics,” the minister maintained. Among those who shared the high table with Mukherjee and Rice were US ambassador David Mulford, India's ambassador to the US Ronen Sen, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and Prime Minister's Special Envoy on the India-US nuclear deal Shyam Saran. Rice, who pioneered the concept of “transformational diplomacy”, has been a tireless advocate of achieving nuclear rapprochement between India and the US which has turned them from estranged into engaged democracies over the last three and a half years. Lauding Rice for her pivotal role in bringing the much-debated nuclear deal to fruition and for the all-encompassing transformation in India-US ties, Mukherjee said: “The civil nuclear initiative which you have personally piloted through the US Congress is the most visible sign of this.”Rice, a gifted piano player whose name is derived from the Italian musical expression which means “with sweetness”, returned the compliments.Dressed elegantly in a grey suit, Rice, often dubbed “Warrior Princess” because of her argumentative and temperamental streak, thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mukherjee for their key role in shepherding the historic nuclear deal during difficult stages in its over three-year long journey, sources said. With the nuclear deal days away from signing, Rice's journey to India, in a sense, completes a full circle as she was the one who first hinted at such a deal when she visited India in March 2005 and spoke eloquently about the US' desire to assist India in becoming a major global power. This will be perhaps her last visit to India as Secretary of State. Mukherjee assured Rice that India will be signing the 123 agreement soon to bring it into effect.In fact, Rice's romance with India goes back to her days as professor of political science and later provost at Stanford University, which has a large number of Indian-origin students she admires. The affair with India is set to continue as she returns to Stanford next year, an Indian diplomat said. Underlining strong people-to-people links, Rice generously praised the Indian American community in the US for “their tremendous energy, vitality and vibrancy” and said India-US ties go much beyond the civil nuclear agreement. --Indo-Asian News Service mc/am/vm568 Words*04102032
2008-10-04 11:05:12J. K. Rowling named world's best-paid author
London, Oct 3 ANI: 'Harry Potter' author J. K. Rowling has been named as the world's best-paid author, with an earning of three million pounds a week.Rowling earns as much as nine of the best-selling authors put together, and she has been able to make much of the profit from the 375 million Harry Potter books that have been sold.Added to the sale of the books, the 43-year-old mum of three also gets an undisclosed cut from the profit made out of the Potter films, and earns an estimated 100million pounds from toy merchandise.Besides these, she makes profit from the video games and the Potter images that appear on everything from sticking plasters to sweets.On October 2, Forbes named Rowling as one of the true "magic stories" of publishing."On the big screen, her Potter franchise has already generated 2.1billion pounds at the worldwide box office - and she still has three flicks to come," the Sun quoted Lacey Rose, a spokeswoman, as saying.Rowling, believed to be worth 560million pounds, is very humble about her status."I know I'm the luckiest woman in the world. I am immensely privileged," she said. ANI
2008-10-03 23:00:00In times of flood, love blossoms in relief camp
NAT29National/Human Interest/SocietyIn times of flood, love blossoms in relief campPatna, Oct 3 IANS It rarely happens in distress. But when love blossoms in a relief camp for the flood-hit, it brings joy and hope all-round. Raj Kumar Sada, 22, married Urmila Kumari, 20, at a relief camp Wednesday night in the Supaul town in the presence of hundreds of people from different relief camps.The knot was tied by offering prayers and rituals were performed in a simple function without any party, sweets or relatives. A local college principal played the role of guardian to solemnise the wedding.It was one of the half a dozen weddings which took place in relief camps over the last one month.Sada and Kumari, both residents of Madhepura district, were rescued and brought to relief camp over a month ago. The duo decided to get married after their love blossomed out of friendship. "It was relief camp that brought two of us closer and finally we got married," Sada said.Urmila said: "We were blessed by hundreds of flood victims like our parents and relatives".--Indo-Asian News Serviceik/pb/vt196 Words03101614
2008-10-03 07:00:00Eid celebrated with feasts, prayers in Kashmir, Kerala Roundup
NAT44National/Kashmir/Religion/Indo-pakEid celebrated with feasts, prayers in Kashmir, Kerala RoundupSrinagar/Jammu/Kozhikode, Oct 1 IANS Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr Wednesday amid festivity and prayers for peace in the backdrop of recent communal tension in the state. Muslims in Kerala, too, came out in large numbers to celebrate Eid. The festival, marking the end of Ramadan - the month of fasting, will be observed Thursday in the rest of India.In Jammu and Kashmir, where religious tensions were high due the bitter Amarnath land row till a month back, thousands of Muslims offered prayers, wishing for peace as both the regions of the state were immersed in joyous celebrations.Srinagar was witness to loud explosions - this time of a peaceful kind - as children burst firecrackers. Paramilitary troopers were seen smiling at them and even occasionally helping them to light the crackers.Children wearing new clothes and showing off Eidi money elders give to the young as a token of love on Eid flooded the Srinagar streets, adding colour and fervour to the solemnity of the occasion.The largest prayer congregation was held in Eidgah, Srinagar where over 100,000 devotees had assembled to offer Namaz-e-Eid.Police and civil administration had made special security arrangements at various places.“Eid prayers passed off peacefully throughout the valley and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere,” said a police officer.Muslims cooked special food to celebrate the festival, which marks the end of month long fasting during which Muslims refrain from dawn to dusk eating or drinking.“I bought a fat goose and some mutton for the family. I joined my parents for lunch after a month's break,” said Aijaz Hussain, a journalist in Srinagar.In Jammu, Eid was celebrated with religious fervour and prayers for "peace and communal brotherhood", in the backdrop of the land row that threatened to polarise Hindus and Muslims in the state.A large gathering, led by Mufti Sadal Hassan Kazmi, offered prayers at the Jammu Eidgah. After the prayers, the Mufti said: "The region has undergone a lot of communal, regional and social turmoil during recent protests and counter protests in the state. We must all get together and work to undo the effects of that and pray for peace and amity." Many Hindus waited outside the Eidgah to greet their Muslim friends after the prayers.Devinder Singh Rana, a businessman, said: "We joined our brothers in prayers for peace and tranquillity."The day also witnessed a token of amity between India Pakistan troopers on the Line of Control LoC, the de facto border, where guns were roaring recently. Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged sweets and greetings at the LoC in the Poonch district."Lt. Assad from Pakistan and Lt. Manish Yadav from India shook hands and exchanged sweets and greetings at 10.30 a.m. today Wednesday morning," an official said.Assad extended "Eid greetings to all the Muslims of Kashmir" and said: "We all hope and pray for peace and prosperity in the region." The festival was also celebrated with enthusiasm and gusto in Kerala. In Kozhikode and Kochi, Eidgahs were set up on beaches apart from other locations. People were even seen offering prayers on the roadside in Kozhikode as everyone could not be accommodated in the venue."I think this year more people turned out for prayers at the Kozhikode beach compared to last year," said Mohammed Sadique, who attended prayers at the venue.In the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, Eidgahs were set up at Chandrasekharan Nair stadium and Putharikkandam ground. Muslim families were also busy preparing elaborate meals to celebrate the festival. In the Muslim dominated north Kerala region, the preparations for Eid had continued till early Wednesday. --Indo-Asian News Servicefa-bj-sj/sk/jg678 Words*01101725
2008-10-01 08:05:14Muslims celebrate Eid, pray for peace in Jammu
NAT27National/Kashmir/ReligionMuslims celebrate Eid, pray for peace in JammuJammu, Oct 1 IANS Muslims celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with religious fervour in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday, praying for "peace and communal brotherhood", in the backdrop of the recent Amarnath land row that has threatened to polarise Hindus and Muslims in the state.A large gathering led by Mufti Sadal Hassan Kazmi offered prayers at the Jammu Eidgah. After the prayers, the Mufti said: "The region has undergone a lot of communal, regional and social turmoil during recent protests and counter protests in the state. We must all get together and work to undo the effects of that and pray for peace and amity." Ashraf Katoch, a member of the congregation, said: "We prayed for peace, communal harmony and brotherhood all around. The recent attempts to create regional and communal divide in the state must be forgotten as a nightmare. We must all walk hand in hand".Many Hindu waited outside the Eidgah to greet their Muslim friends after the prayers. Devinder Singh Rana, a businessman, said: "We have joined our brothers in prayers for peace and tranquility. Some elements did attempt to create fissures in the communal and regional harmony of the state for sake of petty interests but the need is to isolate these people and look ahead positively."Administrative and police officials were also present at the Eidgah to extend their greetings on the occasion. The festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm and gusto across the region amidst tight security to prevent any untoward incident. In Poonch district, the civil administration and army exchanged sweets and greetings with Pakistani counterparts at Chakan da Bagh on the Line of Control LoC. Over the past couple of months, Jammu and Kashmir has seen turmoil over the transfer of land to the Amarnath shrine board and its subsequent cancellation. The shrine is dedicated to Hindu god Shiva.--Indo-Asian News Servicebj/sh/jg340 Words01101332
2008-10-01 04:14:12India, Pakistan troops exchange sweets, greetings on Eid
NAT25National/Religion/Indo-pak/DefenceIndia, Pakistan troops exchange sweets, greetings on EidJammu, Oct 1 IANS Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged sweets and greetings at the Line of Control LoC in Poonch district on the occasion of the Eid festival that is being celebrated Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan, an official said.Officials of both armies met at Chakan-da-Bagh point at the LoC, about 245 km north-west of Jammu, army officials at Poonch said. "Lt. Assad from Pakistan and Lt. Manish Yadav from India shook hands and exchanged sweets and greetings at 10.30 a.m. today Wednesday morning," an official said.Assad extended "Eid greetings to all the Muslims of Kashmir" and said: "We all hope and pray for peace and prosperity in the region."On incidents of firing at the LoC, Assad said: "Both Indian and Pakistani armies are professionals and are taking care that there should be no violation of ceasefire agreed between us." Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony had earlier said: "Over 30 violations of ceasefire from Pakistani side have taken place at the LoC since April this year."A Pakistani officer said that people on Pakistani side of Kashmir were "happy and ecstatic over announcement of twice a week trade between two sides from Oct 21".--Indo-Asian News Servicebj/rd/jg226 Words01101327
2008-10-01 04:14:12Goa smokers take their last puffs in favourite café
NAT5National/Health/Law/SocietyGoa smokers take their last puffs in favourite caféBy Mayabhushan NagvenkarPanaji, Oct 1 IANS It's evening and a haze of bluish smoke hovers sluggishly over a few tables at Café Prakash, a watering hole near the Mandovi river that fringes this Goan capital.Café Prakash is popular with journalists, out-of-office politicians, activists and several other social mavericks. You get the day's gossip with your cups of sweet milky tea.In the evenings, most of the tables are cornered by journalists, who puff away at their cigarettes as they get ready for their shifts on the news desks. But with the smoking ban coming into effect Thursday, they are gearing up for a tectonic change in their lifestyle.Kalpesh Sakhalkar, who runs Café Parkash, hints that smokers may just have to wind up their act. "We'll lose some customers who come in for a smoke along with their cup of tea. But then, on the other hand, my father and I may live longer," he quips, indicating that passive smokers could now breathe easy.Erol Jorge, an assistant news editor with a leading national daily, is already confronting a new kind of withdrawal symptom, as he smokes his last few cigarettes at the café. "We all know smoking is bad for health, but I smoke three cigarettes a day and technically that makes me a non-smoker," Jorge told IANS.A deputy news editor at a local English daily and a regular Café Prakash patron, Ashley do Rosario claims that he would play it by the ear. "I'll still come to this place and smoke, till such time I'm caught. Then maybe I'll shift to my car for a smoke. Worse comes to worst, I may quit."There are others like social activist Anil Naik who was puffing away his woes after he was suspended from work.Septuagenarian Nagesh Karmali, president of the Goa Freedom Fighters' Association, is a café frequenter too. He can recall cigarette smoking lore over many years. "Passing Show was the cheapest but a popular cigarette brand then. It was imported from England. It was the colonial equivalent of the Charminar brand."A non-smoker now, Karmali is caught between two smokers as he speaks. He is desperate to find another seat. "Inhaling smoke makes me uneasy now," he complains.Ralin Sequeira is one of the smokers flanking Karmali. "Why don't they stop the source Once cigarette manufacturing is stopped, they'll solve the problem once and for all," he says, adding that he's even willing to shell out some money to drop by the café for a smoke.The Goa government is in no mood to listen to smokers like Ralin.It's going out of its way to ensure that the new amendments to the Smoking in Public Places Rules 2008 are implemented firmly. A special task force has been formed to ensure that the rules are enforced strictly.National Organization for Tobacco Eradication NOTE, a Goa-based anti-tobacco organisation which has been lobbying for this ban, is happy. It is gearing up for the implementation phase. "We are happy that a task force will be empowered to enforce the act and not the police. This ban will work because now the onus of keeping a place smoke-free rests not on the smokers, but on the proprietors. It will act as a firm deterrent," Shekhar Salkar, general secretary of NOTE, told IANS.NOTE, which has in the past taken celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan to court for having been shown on film posters chewing a cigar, has also begun a drive to recruit National Social Service NSS volunteers from colleges and manpower from other NGOs to help the task force enforce the ban on smoking."We already have a tobacco control cell. Now we will set up a task force for each of the two districts in Goa," Salkar said, adding that the task force teams planned to conduct inspections every week at public places, which have been listed in the new legislation."We are also pursuing a hike in the fines from Rs.200 to Rs.5,000 per violator," he said, adding that he had discussed the issue with Goa's Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane.Mayabhushan Nagvenkar can be contacted at mayabhushan@gmail.com--Indo-Asian News Servicemaya/jg/ky/tb755 Words**01100927
2008-10-01 00:18:05
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