First lesbian couple in Nepal registers their marriage
Kathmandu, Feb 12: Anju Devi Shrestha, nicknamed Dipti, and Suprita Gurung, both 33, have scripted history by becoming the first lesbian couple in Nepal to officially register their marriage. Dipti, a resident of Bardiya district in western Nepal, and Suprita, a resident of Syangja district, on Sunday, got their marriage registered at Jamuna Rural Municipality of Bardiya district. Ward Secretary Dipak Nepal handed them the marriage certificate, said Sunil Babu Panta, a gay activist and a former member of Parliament. This is the first case of a lesbian couple officially getting registered for their marriage in South Asia, Pant claimed. Nepal was also the first country in South Asia to have formally registered same-sex marriage. Mayako Pahichan Nepal – a non-governmental organisation, meaning “Recognition of Love” – in a statement, expressed happiness over the official registration of same-sex marriage. (PTI)
Woman opens fire at Texas church
Houston, Feb 12: A 5-year-old child and a man were injured and a woman was killed after she opened fire inside a church here in the US state of Texas, police said. The violence erupted at pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston on Sunday where a 2 p.m. Spanish service was set to begin. Two off-duty law enforcement officers – a Houston police officer and an agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission – engaged and struck the woman who entered the massive church with the boy who was later hurt in the shootout. The woman, roughly 30-35 years old, was wearing a trench coat and a backpack and was armed with a long rifle, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said. Lakewood Church – a building with a 16,000-person capacity that was previously an arena for the NBA’s Houston Rockets – has grown tremendously over the past 25 years since Joel Osteen took over after his father died in 1999 and introduced an upbeat style of Christian televangelism that has captured a following of millions. “Unfortunately a 5-year-old kid was hit and is in critical condition at our local hospital,” Finner said. It was unclear what the child’s relationship to the shooter was, he said. A 57-year-old man – who authorities believe was not connected to the incident – was shot in the leg and is seeking treatment at a hospital, Finner said. “I want to commend those officers. She had a long gun and it could have been a lot worse,” Finner said. The woman’s identity has not yet been revealed. (PTI)
Indian-origin man wanted for Patricide
Toronto, Feb 12: A 56-year-old Indian-origin man was allegedly murdered by his son at their home in the Canadian province of Ontario, police said. The Hamilton Police in a statement on Sunday said 22-year-old Sukhaj Singh Cheema was wanted for the first-degree murder of his father on Saturday night. The police said officers were called to a home at around 7:40 p.m. on Saturday and found Kuldip Singh with severe injuries. Singh was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries, CTV News quoted the police as saying. Witnesses told officers that Cheema fled the residence after an altercation with the victim. Cheema was believed to be in the area for about 30 minutes before the incident and fled in a vehicle Cheema Singh is considered to be armed and dangerous, the police said. (PTI)