Jordan’s king warns of sectarian ‘destruction’
Jordan’s king warned on Tuesday that ethnic and sectarian violence sweeping across several Arab countries could lead to the “destruction” of the Muslim world. Abdullah II’s remarks came at a conference in the Jordanian capital of 100 religious scholars, both Sunni and Shia, from 35 countries. Christian clergymen also attended the meeting, which discussed how Muslim nations could adopt moderate policies and preserve civil liberties and human rights.
San Francisco threatens to sue over influx of Nevada patients
San Francisco officials are considering suing Nevada for allegedly giving some 500 poor psychiatric patients one-way bus tickets to California. The city attorney planned to send a letter containing the allegations to Nevada’s attorney general on Tuesday. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that a draft of the letter threatened a class-action lawsuit against Nevada unless it reimburses Californian cities and counties for the costs of dealing with the patients, and adopts interstate transfer rules for patients. The letter said the patients since April 2008 had been discharged from a state-run psychiatric hospital in Las Vegas. Two dozen sent to San Francisco were broke, homeless and mentally ill.
New Zealand passes law allowing domestic spying
New Zealand passed legislation on Wednesday allowing its main intelligence agency to spy on residents and citizens, despite opposition from rights groups, international technology giants and the legal fraternity. The bill to expand the power of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) passed by 61 votes to 59 after impassioned debate, with Prime Minister John Key acknowledging the move had left some people “agitated and alarmed.” The push to change the law came after it emerged last year that the GCSB had illegally spied on Internet tycoon Kim Dotcom before armed police raided his Auckland mansion as part of a US-led probe into online piracy.
Woman dislocates jaw eating ‘triple patty’ burger
A British woman dislocated her jaw after trying to eat a “triple patty” burger at a Liverpool restaurant, The Guardian reported. Nicola Peate, 25, had to have her jaw put back into place by medics after it locked as she was trying to take a bite of the burger the previous night. Though Peate had initially laughed it off, the pain had worsened by the next morning, when she decided to get it checked. An x-ray confirmed her fears, and a doctor quickly manipulated her jaw back into place using his thumbs.
50-year-old South African mom arrested for placing hit on sons
South African police said Wednesday they had arrested a 50-year-old woman for ordering the assassination of her two sons as part of a suspected life insurance scam. Police said the woman from Port Shepstone, south of Durban, recruited a relative to carry out the double murder, but the man reported her to the police. The job was to be done for around $2,400, but she had requested a family discount. The woman promised the hitman three more jobs if he successfully pulled off the two murders, the statement said. Police also found her in possession of insurance documents and four other identity cards.
