France mass rape trial: ex-husband gets 20 yrs in jail
Avignon, Dec 19: A court in France on Thursday sentenced the ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot to a maximum 20 years of imprisonment for drugging and raping her and allowing other men to rape her while she was knocked out, in abuse that lasted nearly a decade. The sentence against Dominique Pelicot was declared after he was found guilty of all charges against him. At age 72, it could mean that he spends the rest of his life in prison. The verdict was read by the lead judge of the court in Avignon. (AP)
Indian pleads guilty for trying to entice minor to engage in sexual act
Washington, Dec 19: Indian national Kirtan Patel (24) has pleaded guilty to attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, a US attorney said on Wednesday. Patel, who lives in Florida, faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date is yet to be set. According to the plea agreement, between May 22 and May 24, Patel communicated online with someone whom he believed was a 13-year-old girl. The person, however, was an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent. Patel engaged in a sexually-explicit conversation with the undercover agent. Ultimately, Patel was arrested when he travelled to a location in Marion County to engage in sexual activity with the child, US Attorney said. (PTI)
Indian pilgrims visit Katas Raj temples in Pak
Lahore, Dec 19: Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrived in Lahore from India on Thursday to perform religious rituals at the Katas Raj temples in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas, is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. The temple complex surrounds a pond named Katas, regarded as sacred by Hindus. The Hindu delegation led by Vijay Kumar Sharma arrived here via the Wagah border crossing. It was warmly received by Additional Secretary (Shrines) and Pakistan Hindu Temple Management Committee President. (PTI)
Many Syrian doctors work in Germany
Berlin, Dec 19: Thousands of Syrian doctors work in Germany, and the fall of Bashar Assad is raising concern over the potential consequences for the health sector if many of them were to return home. Germany became a leading destination for Syrian refugees over the past decade, and some politicians were quick to start talking about encouraging the return of at least some after rebels took Damascus earlier this month. Others noted that the exiles include many well-qualified people and said their departure would hurt Germany – particularly that of doctors and other medical staff. (AP)
Sarajevo chokes on toxic air
Sarajevo, Dec 20: Flights were grounded and people were told to stay indoors as a thick blanket of smog Thursday engulfed Bosnia’s capital of Sarajevo as residents tried to cope with toxic air. (AP)