Uparkhandadhar (Orissa), Nov.14 : In a revolting incident of superstition some villagers in Uparkhandadhar village of Sundergarh district in Orissa allegedly forced four women accused of being witches to eat human excreta under the disguise of witches. The police have arrested eight persons, including two women for this heinous action.
These four women were locked in a room for three days by six men and two women. They were allegedly forced to pay a fine of 500 rupees each and forced to consume human excreta.
“They beat us with a bible and said we were lying and that we are practicing witchcraft. They also fined us for it and forced us to consume human excreta,” said Kapri, one of the victim.
According to police, the four women were tortured as they were accused of practicing sorcery and spreading disease in the village.
“Our police team rushed to the spot and rescued the four women. We also filed cases against the two women and eight men accused of branding four women as witches. We also filed a Court challan against them,” said Bibudhendu Ku Aich, Officer In Charge, Lahunipara.
The Government of Orissa has a law against aiding and abetting witchcraft.
In 1999, the Government also passed an act against witchcraft, “Witch Prohibition Act-1999”, according to which six months imprisonment and a fine of 2,000 rupees can be imposed on a person found guilty of torturing innocent women.
Surprisingly, in most cases the practitioners of witchcraft as well as their victims are women.
While cases of women practicing the occult is known, in most cases it is innocent women who are branded as witches and subjected to torture and even death.
Nov 16, 2005
Ashes of 'Star Trek' actor grounded by dud rocket
"In life, James Doohan was the 'Star Trek' engineer who worked miracles on the Enterprise, but a rocket meant to blast his remains into space has engine trouble.
A Falcon One rocket was to lift the ashes of Doohan, who played engineer Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott aboard the fictional Starship Enterprise, into space next month but the launch has been delayed at least until February, organizers said Tuesday.
'They had an engine test they didn't like so they will do another month of testing,' Charles Chafer of Space Services Inc. told AFP.
Unlike Scotty, who told Captain James T. Kirk in a Scottish accent, 'She'll launch on time and she'll be ready,' the US Department of Defense engineers involved with the rocket mission needed more time to sort out engine problems, Chafer said.
The 'Explorers Flight' launch in California was to follow the launch of an identical rocket this month in the Marshall Islands.
Concerns about an engine on the rocket in the Marshall Islands prompted the additional testing, throwing off the schedule for the originally planned California launch in December, Chafer said.
'We want to fly,' Chafer said. 'But, this will give us the opportunity to accept some additional participants for the ride.'
The Explorers Flight was already billed by Space Services as the largest ever memorial spaceflight, with 168 participants from eight countries aboard.
Doohan, who died in July at the age of 85, had asked that his ashes be launched into the final frontier following his death.
Canadian-born Doohan played engineer Montgomery Scott in the original 'Star Trek' television series that started in 1966 and spawned a decades-long cult following of the show.
Doohan immortalized the starship's engineer, a pragmatically blunt bear of a man who repeatedly managed miraculous repairs while crew members dealt with the adversities and adventures of "space, the final frontier".
Space Services, a Texas-based company, has rocketed the remains of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and 1960s drug guru Timothy Leary into the firmament.
A Falcon One rocket was to lift the ashes of Doohan, who played engineer Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott aboard the fictional Starship Enterprise, into space next month but the launch has been delayed at least until February, organizers said Tuesday.
'They had an engine test they didn't like so they will do another month of testing,' Charles Chafer of Space Services Inc. told AFP.
Unlike Scotty, who told Captain James T. Kirk in a Scottish accent, 'She'll launch on time and she'll be ready,' the US Department of Defense engineers involved with the rocket mission needed more time to sort out engine problems, Chafer said.
The 'Explorers Flight' launch in California was to follow the launch of an identical rocket this month in the Marshall Islands.
Concerns about an engine on the rocket in the Marshall Islands prompted the additional testing, throwing off the schedule for the originally planned California launch in December, Chafer said.
'We want to fly,' Chafer said. 'But, this will give us the opportunity to accept some additional participants for the ride.'
The Explorers Flight was already billed by Space Services as the largest ever memorial spaceflight, with 168 participants from eight countries aboard.
Doohan, who died in July at the age of 85, had asked that his ashes be launched into the final frontier following his death.
Canadian-born Doohan played engineer Montgomery Scott in the original 'Star Trek' television series that started in 1966 and spawned a decades-long cult following of the show.
Doohan immortalized the starship's engineer, a pragmatically blunt bear of a man who repeatedly managed miraculous repairs while crew members dealt with the adversities and adventures of "space, the final frontier".
Space Services, a Texas-based company, has rocketed the remains of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and 1960s drug guru Timothy Leary into the firmament.
Nov 9, 2005
Kissimmee Bans Children From Playing In Streets
Children in Kissimmee, Fla., are no longer allowed to play in the streets or on sidewalks, according to a Local 6 News report.
Tuesday night, Kissimmee City commissioners agreed to a new ordinance that makes it illegal for children to play with portable recreational equipment, like basketball hoops and hockey nets in the streets or sidewalks.
Violators will face a $100 fine.
Commissioners said the ordinance will keep kids safe and cut down of liability for the city.
Tuesday night, Kissimmee City commissioners agreed to a new ordinance that makes it illegal for children to play with portable recreational equipment, like basketball hoops and hockey nets in the streets or sidewalks.
Violators will face a $100 fine.
Commissioners said the ordinance will keep kids safe and cut down of liability for the city.
Man Breaks Into Parent's Home, Stabs Stepfather
"Sheriff's deputies in Marion County, Fla., are searching for a 27-year-old man who allegedly broke into his parent's home and attacked his stepfather with a knife Monday night, according to a police news release.
Investigators said Brent Bevil entered his parent's home located on 10909 189 Terrace in Dunnellon, Fla., and stabbed his stepfather in the abdomen, foot and shin.
Bevil then allegedly took the man's wallet and stole his car, according to the report.
Police believe Bevil may still be driving his parent's green 2003 KIA Sorrento hatchback. It has the Florida tag A985MN
( His name rhymes with Devil and he has a tatoo on his neck. Go figure! ED.)
Woman Arrested After Putting Rare Parrot In Bra
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A woman has been arrested for padding her bra -- with a stolen rare parrot.
Jill Knispel, 35, of Englewood, hid the Greenwing parrot in her bra after taking it from her employer, Baby Exotic Birds of Englewood, police said.
When Knispel went to trade the bird for a vintage car, she told the car's owner how she got the animal, according to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Its was later determined that the car's owner is friends with the man who owns the $2,000 bird.
DNA tests confirmed the bird's identity and Knispel was charged with grand theft.
"The circumstances of the case are the most bizarre I've ever encountered," said veteran wildlife investigator Lenny Barshinger.
Jill Knispel, 35, of Englewood, hid the Greenwing parrot in her bra after taking it from her employer, Baby Exotic Birds of Englewood, police said.
When Knispel went to trade the bird for a vintage car, she told the car's owner how she got the animal, according to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Its was later determined that the car's owner is friends with the man who owns the $2,000 bird.
DNA tests confirmed the bird's identity and Knispel was charged with grand theft.
"The circumstances of the case are the most bizarre I've ever encountered," said veteran wildlife investigator Lenny Barshinger.
Man 'Fighting Devil' Before Mom Killed
A Lake County, Fla., man who was heard saying he was fighting the devil Tuesday was arrested on suspicion of killing his mother, police told Local 6 News.
Police in Mascotte, Fla., said Keith Howard, 40, was found just after noon in traffic on Highway 50 screaming that he had just killed his mother.
"Witnesses stated to us that the victim said he killed his mother and was going to kill himself," Mascotte Police Chief Steve Allen said. "
After officers took Howard into custody, they found his mother's body, Carolyn, inside her home located on 27 Fiske St., just off Highway 50 at Sunset Lake.
Friends of the mother told Local 6 News that Howard is mentally ill and had recently stopped taking his medication.
Every day, sometimes for eight hours at a time, Howard would hang out at the Rainbow Restaurant, according to the report.
Employees at the restaurant said Howard was at the restaurant early Tuesday, waving his arms and saying he was fighting with the devil, Local 6 reporter Mike DeForest said.
Neighbors said Carolyn Howard worked at Disney World and a local bar
Police in Mascotte, Fla., said Keith Howard, 40, was found just after noon in traffic on Highway 50 screaming that he had just killed his mother.
"Witnesses stated to us that the victim said he killed his mother and was going to kill himself," Mascotte Police Chief Steve Allen said. "
After officers took Howard into custody, they found his mother's body, Carolyn, inside her home located on 27 Fiske St., just off Highway 50 at Sunset Lake.
Friends of the mother told Local 6 News that Howard is mentally ill and had recently stopped taking his medication.
Every day, sometimes for eight hours at a time, Howard would hang out at the Rainbow Restaurant, according to the report.
Employees at the restaurant said Howard was at the restaurant early Tuesday, waving his arms and saying he was fighting with the devil, Local 6 reporter Mike DeForest said.
Neighbors said Carolyn Howard worked at Disney World and a local bar
Sep 27, 2005
Man Killed With Fork
POSTED: 2:15 pm EDT September 26, 2005
UPDATED: 10:19 pm EDT September 26, 2005
A Green Bay, Wis., man is charged with killing his neighbor with a fork, according to police.
Investigators said Gordon Senecal was taking care of Todd Charles' 15-year-old pit bull over the weekend when an argument broke out between the two men.
The men began fighting at Charles' home and Senecal was stabbed with a large serving fork, police said.
Senecal was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Charles is expected in court Monday for his first appearance.
UPDATED: 10:19 pm EDT September 26, 2005
A Green Bay, Wis., man is charged with killing his neighbor with a fork, according to police.
Investigators said Gordon Senecal was taking care of Todd Charles' 15-year-old pit bull over the weekend when an argument broke out between the two men.
The men began fighting at Charles' home and Senecal was stabbed with a large serving fork, police said.
Senecal was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Charles is expected in court Monday for his first appearance.
Satellites to monitor panda sex
Scientists in China plan to use satellites to track pandas to learn more about their sexual behaviour.
A Chinese-US project will use Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to monitor panda movements in a reserve in remote Shaanxi province.
It is part of an attempt to understand the panda's poor breeding record.
"Tracking them with advanced technology and observing their sex activities might help us find ways to avoid their extinction," an official said.
Wei Fuwen, from the China Academy of Sciences' Institute of Zoology, said pandas living in the wild were inaccessible for long periods of time.
"Traditional observation cannot unravel the ecological mystery of the animals," he told the official Xinhua news agency.
China's scientists have come up with a series of more or less surprising ideas for improving panda reproduction, including showing them sex education videos.
Despite such efforts, the animal remains endangered.
China last year said there were an estimated 1,600 of the creatures left in the wild, 40% more than previous figures suggested.
A further 161 pandas were reported to be living in captivity.
A Chinese-US project will use Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to monitor panda movements in a reserve in remote Shaanxi province.
It is part of an attempt to understand the panda's poor breeding record.
"Tracking them with advanced technology and observing their sex activities might help us find ways to avoid their extinction," an official said.
Wei Fuwen, from the China Academy of Sciences' Institute of Zoology, said pandas living in the wild were inaccessible for long periods of time.
"Traditional observation cannot unravel the ecological mystery of the animals," he told the official Xinhua news agency.
China's scientists have come up with a series of more or less surprising ideas for improving panda reproduction, including showing them sex education videos.
Despite such efforts, the animal remains endangered.
China last year said there were an estimated 1,600 of the creatures left in the wild, 40% more than previous figures suggested.
A further 161 pandas were reported to be living in captivity.
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