Series of attacks kill 78 in Iraq

Baghdad: At least 78 people were killed and 166 others wounded in a wave of violent attacks across Iraq Saturday, including a deadly suicide bombing targeting Shiite pilgrims here, police and media said. At least 51 people were killed and 107 others wounded Saturday evening when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest near Shiite pilgrims in the Adhamiya area in northern Baghdad, Xinhua reported citing a police source.

The pilgrims were on their way to the Al-Kadhimiya mosque in the Kadhimiya neighbourhood in northern Baghdad, he added. Also Saturday evening, at least 11 people were killed and 35 others wounded when a car bomb exploded near a popular cafe in Balad town, some 80 km north of Baghdad, a police source said.

One civilian was killed and 10 others wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near another cafe in the Baya area in southwestern Baghdad, the police source said. He added that a policeman was killed and two others wounded when a roadside bomb targeted police patrol in Mashahda, 30 km north of Baghdad.

In a separate attack, unidentified gunmen targeted a joint army and police checkpoint near Falluja, 50 km west of Baghdad, killing a soldier and a policeman on the spot and injuring three soldiers. In Iraq's northern city of Mosul, unidentified gunmen shot dead Mohammed Karim al-Badrani, a correspondent with al-Sharqiyah satellite channel, and his colleague Mohammed Ghanim, while they were interviewing residents in Sarj-Khana district in central Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, a police source said.

The Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, which condemned in a statement the assassination of the two journalists, said in its annual report earlier that more than 375 media workers have been killed in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003. A roadside bomb went off at a checkpoint manned by government-backed Sahawa paramilitary group fighters in Yousifiyah town, 25 km south of Baghdad, killing three group fighters and wounding four others, a police source said.

Elsewhere, gunmen in a car fired at a Sahwa leader and his bodyguards in Hawijah city's Zab area, some 220 km north of Baghdad, killing three of his bodyguards and wounding the leader, police said. The Sahwa militia, also known as the 'awakening council' or the 'sons of Iraq', consists of armed groups, including some powerful anti-US Sunni insurgent groups, who turned against the Al Qaeda network after Sahwa's leaders became dismayed by the militant group's brutality and religious zealotry in the country.

A group of gunmen bombed three houses of policemen early Saturday in Amriyat al-Fallujah area, just south of the Fallujah city, killing two people and wounding four others, including a policeman. In a separate incident, gunmen in a car shot dead a civilian near his house in the southern part of Fallujah, the source said.

In Baghdad, a government employee was killed when a sticky bomb detonated in his car in Doura district in the southern part of the capital, an interior ministry source said. Iraq is witnessing its worst eruption of violence in recent years, which raises fears that the country is sliding back to the full-blown civil conflict that peaked in 2006 and 2007 when monthly death toll sometimes exceeded 3,000. 
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq has said that almost 6,000 civilians were killed and over 14,000 others injured in Iraq from January to September this year.

Series of attacks kill 78 in Iraq

Baghdad: At least 78 people were killed and 166 others wounded in a wave of violent attacks across Iraq Saturday, including a deadly suicide bombing targeting Shiite pilgrims here, police and media said. At least 51 people were killed and 107 others wounded Saturday evening when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest near Shiite pilgrims in the Adhamiya area in northern Baghdad, Xinhua reported citing a police source.

The pilgrims were on their way to the Al-Kadhimiya mosque in the Kadhimiya neighbourhood in northern Baghdad, he added. Also Saturday evening, at least 11 people were killed and 35 others wounded when a car bomb exploded near a popular cafe in Balad town, some 80 km north of Baghdad, a police source said.

One civilian was killed and 10 others wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near another cafe in the Baya area in southwestern Baghdad, the police source said. He added that a policeman was killed and two others wounded when a roadside bomb targeted police patrol in Mashahda, 30 km north of Baghdad.

In a separate attack, unidentified gunmen targeted a joint army and police checkpoint near Falluja, 50 km west of Baghdad, killing a soldier and a policeman on the spot and injuring three soldiers. In Iraq's northern city of Mosul, unidentified gunmen shot dead Mohammed Karim al-Badrani, a correspondent with al-Sharqiyah satellite channel, and his colleague Mohammed Ghanim, while they were interviewing residents in Sarj-Khana district in central Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, a police source said.

The Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, which condemned in a statement the assassination of the two journalists, said in its annual report earlier that more than 375 media workers have been killed in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003. A roadside bomb went off at a checkpoint manned by government-backed Sahawa paramilitary group fighters in Yousifiyah town, 25 km south of Baghdad, killing three group fighters and wounding four others, a police source said.

Elsewhere, gunmen in a car fired at a Sahwa leader and his bodyguards in Hawijah city's Zab area, some 220 km north of Baghdad, killing three of his bodyguards and wounding the leader, police said. The Sahwa militia, also known as the 'awakening council' or the 'sons of Iraq', consists of armed groups, including some powerful anti-US Sunni insurgent groups, who turned against the Al Qaeda network after Sahwa's leaders became dismayed by the militant group's brutality and religious zealotry in the country.

A group of gunmen bombed three houses of policemen early Saturday in Amriyat al-Fallujah area, just south of the Fallujah city, killing two people and wounding four others, including a policeman. In a separate incident, gunmen in a car shot dead a civilian near his house in the southern part of Fallujah, the source said.

In Baghdad, a government employee was killed when a sticky bomb detonated in his car in Doura district in the southern part of the capital, an interior ministry source said. Iraq is witnessing its worst eruption of violence in recent years, which raises fears that the country is sliding back to the full-blown civil conflict that peaked in 2006 and 2007 when monthly death toll sometimes exceeded 3,000. 
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq has said that almost 6,000 civilians were killed and over 14,000 others injured in Iraq from January to September this year.

Thousands march in US for immigration reform

New York City: Thousands of people have poured into streets across the United States in a push to overhaul immigration and end the legal limbo of more than 11 million undocumented immigrants. The coast-to-coast activities saw about 3,000 demonstrators -- mostly Asian, Hispanic and Arab -- demonstrate in New York before marching over the landmark Brooklyn Bridge, as counterparts in California marched in Hollywood. In all, protesters marched in 160 US cities. "What we need is to win over peacefully those who are opposed. He have got to get a deal struck," said Danick Martinez, 30, a Honduran who has been living and working illegally in the country for almost a decade.

The March for Dignity and Respect was organised by the New York Immigration Coalition and other groups supporting legalisation of undocumented workers. Organisers said they hoped to rally up to 130,000 people to push Congress to adopt comprehensive legislation to give a path toward US citizenship to the more than 11 million US residents who are living illegally in the shadows. "Here in New York, we have a special obligation," said mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio, a Democrat. "We are the city of immigrants, and we are proud about it. We have to lead the way."

Officials estimate there are about half a million undocumented workers in New York alone. The overwhelming majority of the undocumented are Hispanic, most from neighbouring Mexico and many from Central and South America. 
President Barack Obama has sought to give a pathway to citizenship to the undocumented millions but negotiations with opposition Republicans in Congress have bogged down.  In Los Angeles, which has a massive Mexican-American population, Mexican-born Francisco Cabrera said: "we came to work; that is all we do." "We are not a burden. We are just trying to help our families," stressed Cabrera, 52. "Our problem is that we are poor. Republicans have to realise that we are going to benefit the country 

Thousands march in US for immigration reform

New York City: Thousands of people have poured into streets across the United States in a push to overhaul immigration and end the legal limbo of more than 11 million undocumented immigrants. The coast-to-coast activities saw about 3,000 demonstrators -- mostly Asian, Hispanic and Arab -- demonstrate in New York before marching over the landmark Brooklyn Bridge, as counterparts in California marched in Hollywood. In all, protesters marched in 160 US cities. "What we need is to win over peacefully those who are opposed. He have got to get a deal struck," said Danick Martinez, 30, a Honduran who has been living and working illegally in the country for almost a decade.

The March for Dignity and Respect was organised by the New York Immigration Coalition and other groups supporting legalisation of undocumented workers. Organisers said they hoped to rally up to 130,000 people to push Congress to adopt comprehensive legislation to give a path toward US citizenship to the more than 11 million US residents who are living illegally in the shadows. "Here in New York, we have a special obligation," said mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio, a Democrat. "We are the city of immigrants, and we are proud about it. We have to lead the way."

Officials estimate there are about half a million undocumented workers in New York alone. The overwhelming majority of the undocumented are Hispanic, most from neighbouring Mexico and many from Central and South America. 
President Barack Obama has sought to give a pathway to citizenship to the undocumented millions but negotiations with opposition Republicans in Congress have bogged down.  In Los Angeles, which has a massive Mexican-American population, Mexican-born Francisco Cabrera said: "we came to work; that is all we do." "We are not a burden. We are just trying to help our families," stressed Cabrera, 52. "Our problem is that we are poor. Republicans have to realise that we are going to benefit the country 

Indian women team in final of World Team snooker

New Delhi: Vidya Pillai and Arantxa Sanchis played superbly as India1 edged past England 2-1 to breeze into the final of the 2013 IBSF World Team (Women) Snooker Championship in Carlow, Ireland. Arantxa began well for India as he beat Hannah Jones comfortably 62-25 but Vidya struggled in second frame where Maria Catalano exhibited some excellent shots to pull the frame 70-50 to level the match again.

However, Vidya recovered from the loss and retaliated with magnificent shots in doubles frame. She crafted small but effective breaks to gain a 50-points lead (64-14). Catalano fought valiantly but Vidya sealed the frame 66-19. 
On the other side, team India2 lost to team HongKong1 in straight set of frames 0-2. 
Both the ladies, Chitra M. and Varsha Sanjeev did not play upto the mark. However, being in semifinals, they will share joint bronze medal alongwith team England.

Indian women team in final of World Team snooker

New Delhi: Vidya Pillai and Arantxa Sanchis played superbly as India1 edged past England 2-1 to breeze into the final of the 2013 IBSF World Team (Women) Snooker Championship in Carlow, Ireland. Arantxa began well for India as he beat Hannah Jones comfortably 62-25 but Vidya struggled in second frame where Maria Catalano exhibited some excellent shots to pull the frame 70-50 to level the match again.

However, Vidya recovered from the loss and retaliated with magnificent shots in doubles frame. She crafted small but effective breaks to gain a 50-points lead (64-14). Catalano fought valiantly but Vidya sealed the frame 66-19. 
On the other side, team India2 lost to team HongKong1 in straight set of frames 0-2. 
Both the ladies, Chitra M. and Varsha Sanjeev did not play upto the mark. However, being in semifinals, they will share joint bronze medal alongwith team England.

Green tea and papaya can prevent diabetes: Researchers

Port Louis: Green tea and fermented papaya are preventive means for diabetes, researchers at the Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research at the Mauritius University have concluded.

'The Mauritius green tea prevents an increase of sugar levels in blood while the fermented papaya helps positively reduce the level of the reactive protein C and the uric acid,' said Prof Theeshan Bahorun presenting the research findings Wednesday, Xinhua reported.

Bahorun said the results are very significant because they show a reduction of risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases without medical intervention.

The researchers asked 77 participants, who had reached a pre-diabetic stage to drink three cups of green tea before meals for 14 weeks. Apart from this, 78 participants took three cups of hot water everyday for the same period, followed by a two-week weaning period.

Later, all the participants were tested for the bio-markers such as rate of glycemia and lipid, immune system, functioning of liver and kidneys, inflammation and ferrous toxicity.

'We discovered that green tea reinforced the anti-oxidant defences of those who had reached the pre-diabetic stage. And most importantly, the tea did not have any negative impact,' Bahorun said. Another group of 127 people participated in the study on the impact of fermented papaya on diabetes.

Out of these, 50 consumed two packets of fermented papaya per day for a period of 14 weeks and 77 others took two glasses of hot water each day for the same period, followed by a two-week weaning period.

Then, they were tested for glycemia, cholesterol, urea, creatinine and uric acid. 
'Those who consumed two packets of fermented papaya showed several positive changes vis-a-vis the diabetes risk factors,' the professor said. 
The results further showed that when taken in small doses, the fermented papaya could help in the promotion of oral hygiene.

Green tea and papaya can prevent diabetes: Researchers

Port Louis: Green tea and fermented papaya are preventive means for diabetes, researchers at the Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research at the Mauritius University have concluded.

'The Mauritius green tea prevents an increase of sugar levels in blood while the fermented papaya helps positively reduce the level of the reactive protein C and the uric acid,' said Prof Theeshan Bahorun presenting the research findings Wednesday, Xinhua reported.

Bahorun said the results are very significant because they show a reduction of risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases without medical intervention.

The researchers asked 77 participants, who had reached a pre-diabetic stage to drink three cups of green tea before meals for 14 weeks. Apart from this, 78 participants took three cups of hot water everyday for the same period, followed by a two-week weaning period.

Later, all the participants were tested for the bio-markers such as rate of glycemia and lipid, immune system, functioning of liver and kidneys, inflammation and ferrous toxicity.

'We discovered that green tea reinforced the anti-oxidant defences of those who had reached the pre-diabetic stage. And most importantly, the tea did not have any negative impact,' Bahorun said. Another group of 127 people participated in the study on the impact of fermented papaya on diabetes.

Out of these, 50 consumed two packets of fermented papaya per day for a period of 14 weeks and 77 others took two glasses of hot water each day for the same period, followed by a two-week weaning period.

Then, they were tested for glycemia, cholesterol, urea, creatinine and uric acid. 
'Those who consumed two packets of fermented papaya showed several positive changes vis-a-vis the diabetes risk factors,' the professor said. 
The results further showed that when taken in small doses, the fermented papaya could help in the promotion of oral hygiene.

Harassment at workplace: know the law

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which came into force on April 23, 2013, is aimed at protecting women from sexual harassment at their workplaces.  Government offices, public and private sector organisations, educational institutions and even small scale shops will come under the purview of the Act. 

Apart from permanent and temporary staff of these institutions, women who come to these workplaces for various needs as well as domestic workers are also protected under this law.  The Centre made the provisions of the law in accordance with the verdict given by the Supreme Court in the Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan case in 1997. As per the Act, the following actions will constitute sexual harassment.

1)    Physical contact or advances with sexual intentions

2) Demand or request for sexual favours

3) Engaging in sexually tinged remarks

4) Exhibiting pornography

5) Physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature

The Act also defines the circumstances that may be considered as sexual harassment. These include implicit or explicit promise of preferential treatment in employment in return for sexual favours as well as threat of detrimental treatment in employment, threats about present or future employment status, interference in work and creation of a hostile working environment and humiliating treatment which could affect the staffers’ health.

Internal Complaints Committee 

As per the Act, employers or higher authorities in case of government-run institutions are to constitute the Internal Complaints Committees at workplaces. Every organisation has to constitute separate committees in case there are branches and units located at other places. 

The members of the committee should constitute a presiding officer who should be a senior female employee, two staff members preferably committed to women’s issues and social causes, a member from an NGO or associations committed to the cause of women or a person familiar to sexual harassment-related issues. 

The employer is also bound to pay allowances for the member nominated from NGOs for participating in the meetings of the committee. At least half of the members of the committee should be women. The maximum term of the committee members should be three years.

Local Complaints Committee

To deal with complaints from organisations that do not have an Internal Complaints Committee because they do not have at east 10 staffers or if the complaint is against the employer himself, a Local Complaints Committee has to be constituted. 

The Chairperson as well as majority of the members of Local Complaints Committee should be women. As per the Act, at least one member of the committee should be a woman from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes. 

Action on the basis of complaints

The committees can go head and try for a settlement between the aggrieved and the person against whom the complaint has been filed at the request of the aggrieved, before conducting an inquiry. But it should not be a monetary one. If the respondent is an employee, the probe should be conducted as per the service rules applicable to him.
The Local Complaints Committees should pass on complaints from domestic workers to police for further action.

Powers of a civil court

The committee responsible for inquiring and trying the respondents will have many powers of the civil court including summoning any person in connection with the complaint and examining the respondent under oath. It can also ask anyone to submit documents.  If the respondents, even after receiving the summons, fail to appear before the committee or submit the documents, the committee is empowered to issue warrants.

It can also recommend to the employer to transfer either the aggrieved or the respondent to another branch or unit when the inquiry is on. It can also recommend the employer to grant special leave to the woman for up to three months. The probe should be completed in three months. 

If it is proved that the respondent is indeed guilty, the committee can recommend adequate action. It can also recommend to the employer to deduct a particular amount from the respondent’s wages to compensate the victim. The compensation amount should be decided after taking into consideration various factors like the trauma suffered by the victim, treatment expenses incurred, other monetary losses and the respondent’s financial position. 

If the respondent fails to give the compensation recommended, it can initiate seizure of properties of the respondent. The recommendations of the committee should be carried out by the employers and the District Officer within 60 days.


Confidentiality

Any information regarding the aggrieved, respondent, witnesses or probe measures should be kept confidential. Those who violate this will be penalised. 

Malicious complaints

The committee can initiate action against the woman also if it finds that the complaint is malicious or if any forged or misleading document has been produced during the probe as per applicable service rules.

Appeal

If the respondent or aggrieved is not satisfied with the findings of the committee, they can appeal in a higher court or tribunal as per service rules. If service rules are not applicable, they can appeal in accordance with proper laws.

Duties of the employer

The employer is bound to ensure a safe working environment including safety from those coming into contact at workplace. Employers should also ensure that the order constituting the formation of Internal Complaints Committee is displayed at a prominent place in the office. The consequences of sexual harassment should also be displayed prominently. 

Workshops and awareness and orientation programmes should be held frequently at all units to sensitise employees about various aspects of sexual harassment. 

The Internal Complaints Committees and Local Complaints Committees should be provided enough facilities to receive complaints and for conducting the probe. If the aggrieved person chooses to file a police complaint, the employer should provide assistance and take initiative to file the complaint if the respondent is not an employee.

Employers are also expected to treat sexual harassment under service rules and initiate action.

Punitive action

If any employers or higher officials do not stick to any of the clauses of the Act, they can be fined  up to Rs 50,000. Licence to run the firms can also be cancelled.

Harassment at workplace: know the law

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which came into force on April 23, 2013, is aimed at protecting women from sexual harassment at their workplaces.  Government offices, public and private sector organisations, educational institutions and even small scale shops will come under the purview of the Act. 

Apart from permanent and temporary staff of these institutions, women who come to these workplaces for various needs as well as domestic workers are also protected under this law.  The Centre made the provisions of the law in accordance with the verdict given by the Supreme Court in the Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan case in 1997. As per the Act, the following actions will constitute sexual harassment.

1)    Physical contact or advances with sexual intentions

2) Demand or request for sexual favours

3) Engaging in sexually tinged remarks

4) Exhibiting pornography

5) Physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature

The Act also defines the circumstances that may be considered as sexual harassment. These include implicit or explicit promise of preferential treatment in employment in return for sexual favours as well as threat of detrimental treatment in employment, threats about present or future employment status, interference in work and creation of a hostile working environment and humiliating treatment which could affect the staffers’ health.

Internal Complaints Committee 

As per the Act, employers or higher authorities in case of government-run institutions are to constitute the Internal Complaints Committees at workplaces. Every organisation has to constitute separate committees in case there are branches and units located at other places. 

The members of the committee should constitute a presiding officer who should be a senior female employee, two staff members preferably committed to women’s issues and social causes, a member from an NGO or associations committed to the cause of women or a person familiar to sexual harassment-related issues. 

The employer is also bound to pay allowances for the member nominated from NGOs for participating in the meetings of the committee. At least half of the members of the committee should be women. The maximum term of the committee members should be three years.

Local Complaints Committee

To deal with complaints from organisations that do not have an Internal Complaints Committee because they do not have at east 10 staffers or if the complaint is against the employer himself, a Local Complaints Committee has to be constituted. 

The Chairperson as well as majority of the members of Local Complaints Committee should be women. As per the Act, at least one member of the committee should be a woman from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes. 

Action on the basis of complaints

The committees can go head and try for a settlement between the aggrieved and the person against whom the complaint has been filed at the request of the aggrieved, before conducting an inquiry. But it should not be a monetary one. If the respondent is an employee, the probe should be conducted as per the service rules applicable to him.
The Local Complaints Committees should pass on complaints from domestic workers to police for further action.

Powers of a civil court

The committee responsible for inquiring and trying the respondents will have many powers of the civil court including summoning any person in connection with the complaint and examining the respondent under oath. It can also ask anyone to submit documents.  If the respondents, even after receiving the summons, fail to appear before the committee or submit the documents, the committee is empowered to issue warrants.

It can also recommend to the employer to transfer either the aggrieved or the respondent to another branch or unit when the inquiry is on. It can also recommend the employer to grant special leave to the woman for up to three months. The probe should be completed in three months. 

If it is proved that the respondent is indeed guilty, the committee can recommend adequate action. It can also recommend to the employer to deduct a particular amount from the respondent’s wages to compensate the victim. The compensation amount should be decided after taking into consideration various factors like the trauma suffered by the victim, treatment expenses incurred, other monetary losses and the respondent’s financial position. 

If the respondent fails to give the compensation recommended, it can initiate seizure of properties of the respondent. The recommendations of the committee should be carried out by the employers and the District Officer within 60 days.


Confidentiality

Any information regarding the aggrieved, respondent, witnesses or probe measures should be kept confidential. Those who violate this will be penalised. 

Malicious complaints

The committee can initiate action against the woman also if it finds that the complaint is malicious or if any forged or misleading document has been produced during the probe as per applicable service rules.

Appeal

If the respondent or aggrieved is not satisfied with the findings of the committee, they can appeal in a higher court or tribunal as per service rules. If service rules are not applicable, they can appeal in accordance with proper laws.

Duties of the employer

The employer is bound to ensure a safe working environment including safety from those coming into contact at workplace. Employers should also ensure that the order constituting the formation of Internal Complaints Committee is displayed at a prominent place in the office. The consequences of sexual harassment should also be displayed prominently. 

Workshops and awareness and orientation programmes should be held frequently at all units to sensitise employees about various aspects of sexual harassment. 

The Internal Complaints Committees and Local Complaints Committees should be provided enough facilities to receive complaints and for conducting the probe. If the aggrieved person chooses to file a police complaint, the employer should provide assistance and take initiative to file the complaint if the respondent is not an employee.

Employers are also expected to treat sexual harassment under service rules and initiate action.

Punitive action

If any employers or higher officials do not stick to any of the clauses of the Act, they can be fined  up to Rs 50,000. Licence to run the firms can also be cancelled.