Muslim women in India challenge 'instant divorce' law
In person, over the phone, in a letter or even on WhatsApp, Muslim men who repeat talaq — the Arabic word for divorce — three times can instantly end their marriages, according to some interpretations of Islamic law. The word is used by Indian Muslims even if they do not speak Arabic. With such divorces, which are available only to men, husbands can oust their wives from their homes, usually without any alimony or other financial support, leaving the women with few resources or prospects. Half of Muslim women in India are illiterate, and only 14 percent have ever worked outside the home. But now the Supreme Court of India is poised to rule on complaints filed by five Muslim women who argue that being divorced in this way violates their fundamental right to equality under the Indian Constitution. Three Muslim women's organizations have filed petitions in support of the divorced women. The Constitution grants citizens the right to "equality before the law" and prohibits "discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste and sex." But it also gives Indians "the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion" and allows every religious denomination the right "to manage its own affairs in matters of religion." In practice, although the Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens regardless of their religion, matters dealing with marriage, divorce, alimony and inheritance are handled differently by members of different religions. India does not have a uniform set of laws on marriage and divorce that applies to all citizens.
Duterte jokes that his soldiers can rape women under martial law in the Philippines
Three days after declaring martial law in the rebellious southern Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered his troops to crush the militants, and gave a speech to inspire them: "You can arrest any person, search any house," Duterte told the soldiers Friday. "I alone would be responsible" for anything they did under martial law, he said. "I will go to jail for you. If you happen to have raped three women, I will own up to it." This last comment — absolving his soldiers for any future rapes — was widely reported as a joke, and if it was, it wouldn't be the ruler's first attempt at the genre. Before he won the presidency last year, Duterte joked that he "should have been first" in the gang rape of a woman who was held hostage, raped and killed in the 1980s.
France announces law to eliminate prison terms for marijuana usage
HRW: Chechen police attempting to purge gay and bisexual men from society
According a Human Rights Watch report, Chehen police have rounded up, beaten and humiliated dozens of men who are suspected of being gay or bisexual in an attempt to purge them from society. The report contains several interviews with victims who have been persecuted under a campaign against homosexuality that began in early spring. Some have been forcibly disappeared while others are returned to their families, starved and barely alive. Homophobia is a prolific issue in Chechnya, a traditionally Muslim and highly conservative region. Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechnya's leader, has denied the abusive round-ups but the report issued by HRW shows that they were sanctioned by top-level authorities.
Germany vaccination: Fines plan as measles cases rise
Parents in Germany who fail to seek medical advice on vaccinating their children could face fines of up to $2,800. Health Minister Hermann Gröhe said it was necessary to tighten the law because of a measles epidemic. The government wants kindergartens to report any parents who cannot prove they have had a medical consultation. However, Germany is not yet making it an offence to refuse vaccinations - unlike Italy. Under the plan, the children of parents who fail to seek vaccination advice could be expelled from their daycare center. The law is expected to be adopted next month. The upper house of the German parliament, the Bundesrat, said forcing kindergartens to report some parents to the health authorities might breach data protection laws.
White House backs down on keeping ethics waivers secret
In a reversal, the White House said it would publicly disclose waivers allowing former lobbyists to work in the administration.
Time
The Weight Loss Trap: Why Your Diet Isn't Working
Newsweek
Donald Trump and the agony of H.R. McMaster. Trump's national security adviser is being hit hard by left, right and center for his White House performance
Business Week
When the Patient Is a Gold Mine: The Trouble With Rare-Disease Drugs
The Economist
The marine world ocean warning: Deep trouble
Der Spiegel
Erbfeinde
L'Espresso
Fratello governo, sorella lobby
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