Sangh's Hindu nationalism won't work - Daily Pioneer
With both the BJP and the JD(U) setting the ball rolling, ‘Hindu nationalists’ and ‘secular modernists’ are set to intensify the war for the soul of India.
It is worth noting that the BJP has not yet abandoned contentious issues like the abolition of the Uniform Civil Code, the withdrawal of Article 370 and the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, but only kept them in abeyance for the sake of continuance of its alliance with secular parties that form the NDA.
In a country as vast, pluralistic and disparate in its mix of race and religion as India, secularism and not sectarianism is needed for national synthesis. Secularism is the talisman that ensures ‘unity in diversity’. Known for their religious tolerance and non-violet traditions, Indians, most of whom are Hindus, are unlikely to approve of an extremist version of Hindu nationalism represented by the RSS.
The knowledge that acquiescence to the dangerous encroachment of religion into politics will risk hundreds of thousands of lives and the country’s future and the possible international repercussions of a drift to a ‘Hindu state’ will not allow Indians to retreat from the secularism that keeps India, the world's largest democracy from self-destruction. Mr Modi is quite unlikely to succeed in achieving what LK Advani failed to.
Utah wildfire forces evacuation of over 1,000 homes - Reuters
SALT LAKE CITY |
SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) - More than 1,000 homes were evacuated from two small Utah communities on Friday as high winds whipped up a brush fire triggered by target shooters and pushed the flames toward houses and a nearby explosives factory.
The so-called Dump fire erupted on Thursday in the Kiowa Valley near a landfill for Saratoga Springs, a town of 18,000 on the west shore of Utah Lake, about 35 miles south of Salt Lake City.
The blaze initially scorched about 750 acres of cheat grass, sage and pinyon juniper south and west of town, but by Friday, a combination of strong winds and rising heat shifted the fire's direction and sparked rapid growth, Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Teresa Rigby said.
"We've probably doubled the acreage by now," Rigby said. She said fire crews had cut containment lines around 20 percent of the blaze, but that number probably slipped as flames spread.
About 100 firefighters were working the blaze on Friday, with more teams expected, Rigby said. Air support was being provided by one air tanker and one helicopter. A red-flag warning for high wildfire hazards was posted across Utah, and Rigby said authorities are expecting winds of more than 20 mph by afternoon.
Sheriff's deputies with bullhorns rolled through Saratoga Springs neighborhoods ordering the first evacuations at about 10 a.m., after flames had burned to within half a mile of homes. By midday, evacuations were expanded to include a portion of nearby Eagle Mountain, just east of Saratoga Springs.
Homeowner and commercial photographer Renee Keith said she and her husband decided the fire had burned "too close for comfort" and began packing before authorities ordered them out. Keith said she packed her children's baby books, the computer hard drives, one bag of clothes and camera equipment.
"I was kind of nervous, especially when we were packing the car," Keith told Reuters. "Ash was falling on us as we were pulling away."
The Keiths said their biggest concern was for a nearby plant that makes explosives for the construction and mining industries. The fire was reportedly burning within one mile of the factory, but authorities said the flames appeared to have burned around it.
It was not clear Friday how long authorities would keep residents away, Rigby said.
In neighboring Colorado, fire managers on Friday reported making progress against a 100-square-mile (259-square-km) fire burning west of Fort Collins, near the Wyoming border, after two days of cooler temperatures, calmer winds and higher humidity.
Officials there said containment of the fire, which ranks as the most destructive on record in Colorado, had increased to 60 percent.
But a return of triple-digit temperatures and gusty winds in the forecast posed a renewed challenge to firefighters battling the lightning-caused blaze, fire commander Bill Hahnenberg said.
The fire has been blamed for one casualty so far, a 62-year-old grandmother whose remains were found last week in the cabin where she lived alone.
(Additional reporting by Keith Coffman in Denver; Editing by Steve Gorman and Stacey Joyce)
Buffon wary of setting the bar too high - Football
Published: 22 Jun 2012 - 19:49:49
Gianluigi Buffon said it would be presumptuous to claim Italy could win Euro 2012 but said Friday the Azzurri are capable of matching anyone.
The 34-year-old 2006 World Cup winning goalkeeper will lead Italy out in their quarter-final against England in Kiev on Sunday and he says the four-time world champions must improve on their group showings if they are to advance.
Italy began with two 1-1 draws against world champions Spain and Croatia before a 2-0 victory over Ireland gave them second place in the group to set up the quarter-final with England.
The Italy captain had previously said that winning the whole competition was not on his mind and he stuck to his guns in Friday's press conference here.
"I said before I wasn't thinking of winning it because had I said the opposite I'd have been admitted (to a mental institution)," joked Buffon.
"It would have been presumptuous considering we're up against Spain, who are two spans (of a hand) above everyone else, and Germany, who are one span above the others.
"However, that doesn't mean we would kick-off a beaten team against them."
Italy have not lost in this competition so far but then again, neither have England, who started with a draw against France before beating Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine to top their group.
And Buffon believes that to come out on top against Roy Hodgson's side, Italy are going to have to improve on their previous performances.
"We're in the top eight sides in Europe and we came through a difficult group unbeaten," he added.
"But what we've done so far won't be enough, we'll need more if we're to progress."
It is generally unheard of for Italians to come to a major tournament and not be considered amongst the potential winners but a dire World Cup in South Africa two years ago and a run of three defeats in a row before coming here had done much to dampen expectation.
Added to that was the distracting match-fixing scandal back home, although for many that was a positive omen following Italian victories at the World Cups in 1982 and 2006 right after similar affairs.
For Buffon it is important here to remind the world that this is a team that has a World Cup record bettered only by Brazil.
"We often go through difficult moments in our football but we wanted to make up for the poor showing in South Africa," said the Juventus stopper.
"We're not setting ourselves limits, even though we know we're not the best, we just hope to be on top of the situation."
Buffon recognises that for both teams this is an opportunity to make up for recent failings as whoever progresses will be in the final four, something Italy have not managed since winning the World Cup in 2006 and a feat that has escaped England since the Euros at home 10 years before that.
"I remember England from Italy 90 (when they lost to Italy for third place), from the (1998) World Cup qualifiers and from two friendlies," said Buffon.
"But it will be a great match against them. We have a quality-defect which is we play to the level of those who are worse and those who are better.
"In this case it's 50-50, it will be a very even game and episodes will make the difference.
"Both of us are looking to restore a bit of prestige."
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Radiohead postpone part of European tour after death - BBC News
The band are still "dealing with the grief and shock" from the accident
Radiohead have postponed part of their European tour after a stage collapse killed a crew member in Canada.
Scott Johnson died on Saturday when the stage came crashing down before the show, three other workers were also injured.
At the time, the crew were setting up for a concert in Toronto's Downsview Park.
What happened in Toronto is still being investigated
A statement on the British band's website said they are still "dealing with the grief".
The accident also destroyed some of the band's equipment and the light show, which will take weeks to replace.
"Whilst we all are dealing with the grief and shock ensuing from this terrible accident, there are also many practical considerations to deal with," the band said.
The statement said new dates for the postponed shows would be announced next Wednesday (27 June).
There are plans to begin performing again on 10 July in Nimes, France.
The cause of the stage collapse in Canada is still under investigation.
The following shows in Europe are postponed
Rome Hyppodrome Capanelle - 30 June
Florence Parco delle Cascine - 1 July
Bologna Arena Parco Nord - 3
Codroipo Villa Manin - 4
Berlin Wuhlheide - 6/7
St Triphon Carriere des Andonces - 9
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