In Indonesia, envisioning a larger role for religion at school

EDUCATION In Indonesia, Envisioning a Larger Role for Religion at School 1 more image By SARA SCHONHARDT Published: January 07, 2013 JAKARTA - Annisa Nurul Jannah, 11, was learning about how devices transmit heat, sound and electricity. "Ilike science because it teaches me a lot," the sixth grader at Petamburan 04, a school in a working-class part of Jakarta, said about her favorite subject. "I'd be sad if it was removed from school." Millions of children in Indonesian elementary schools may no longer have separate science classes starting in June, the beginning of their next school year, if the government approves a curriculum overhaul that would merge science and social studies with other classes so more time can be devoted to religious education.

Chines hints at ending its labor prison camps

China hints at ending itslabor prison camps UPDATED: Jan 7, 2013 09:30 GMT Hints emerged Monday that China may terminate its controversial system of labor prison camps this year. The proposal to stop using the system was put forth at a working conference by thecountry's most senior law enforcement official, Meng Jianzhu, according to a postby the state-run CCTV on its Sina Weibo microbloggingaccount. Meng is the secretary of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Politics and Law Commission. The proposal requires the approval of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress-- the country's legislature-- although it is largely a rubber-stamp formality. The CCTV post was later deleted, as well as a post quoting it by the state-run Xinhua news agency. A post on the topic by the People's Daily, the official Communist Party newspaper, also disappeared on Weibo. However, the news remains posted on Xinhua's English Twitter account. Under the "laodong jiaoyong" or "re-education through labor" system, petty offenders, such as thieves, prostitutes and drug abusers, are imprisoned for up to four years in labor camps withouta judicial hearing. The United Nations Human RightsCouncil estimates there are 190,000 inmates in 320 suchcenters across the country. Critics say the camps, which fall outside of the formal prison system, are often misused to persecute government dissidents, including intellectuals, humanrights activists, and followers of banned spiritualgroups like the Falun Gong. Two high-profile cases that became public last year generated a massive backlash, forcing the government to address the thorny issue. In one case, a mother was sentenced to 1.5years in a labor camp for"disrupting social order" after she repeatedly petitioned officials to execute men convicted of raping her 11-year-old daughter. In another case, ayoung village official was sent to a labor camp for twoyears for retweeting Weibo posts deemed seditious. Recent official sentiment hasindicated that reform, if not abolishment of the system, is needed. The camps date back to the 1950s when the new Communist regime sought to silence its enemies to consolidate its power. In October, a senior official in charge of judicial system reform acknowledged that reforms were necessary and underway, according to Xinhua. "The system was designed to maintain social order, prevent and reduce crimes by reforming people who committed minor offenses but were not punishable by the penal code," the Xinhua editorial went on to say. "It did play an important role in maintaining social order in specific periods, however, with the development of society and the legal system, its defects have become more and more evident."

Mandela's recovery complete, spokesman say

Mandela's recovery complete, spokesman says UPDATED: Jan 6, 2013 15:04 GMT Former South African President Nelson Mandela has completed his recovery from a lung infection and gallstone surgery and is gradually getting back to hisnormal routine, a spokesman said Sunday. Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said Mandela, who has not appeared in public since 2010, continues to receive treatment at his home in Houghton, a suburb of Johannesburg. Mandela was hospitalized for a lung infection in early December and a week later underwent surgery for removal of gallstones. He was discharged from the hospital after a two-week stay Keep Nelson Mandela in thoughts and prayers, Zumasays During the time of apartheid in South Africa, Mandela wasconvicted of sabotage and was imprisoned for 27 yearsuntil 1990. He and former President F.W. de Klerk, who dismantled apartheid, shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. A year later, Mandela became the nation'sfirst black president. In November, South Africa issued banknotes bearing Mandela's picture. Despite his rare public appearances in recent years, Mandela retains his popularity and is considereda hero of democracy in the nation. Mandela's impact has extended far beyond the borders of his own country. After he left office in 1999, he was involved in mediating conflicts from Africa to the Mideast. Mandela, 94, also was treated for an acute respiratory infection in January 2011. The next month he had surgery for an abdominal hernia.

Mandela's recovery complete, spokesman say

Mandela's recovery complete, spokesman says UPDATED: Jan 6, 2013 15:04 GMT Former South African President Nelson Mandela has completed his recovery from a lung infection and gallstone surgery and is gradually getting back to hisnormal routine, a spokesman said Sunday. Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said Mandela, who has not appeared in public since 2010, continues to receive treatment at his home in Houghton, a suburb of Johannesburg. Mandela was hospitalized for a lung infection in early December and a week later underwent surgery for removal of gallstones. He was discharged from the hospital after a two-week stay Keep Nelson Mandela in thoughts and prayers, Zumasays During the time of apartheid in South Africa, Mandela wasconvicted of sabotage and was imprisoned for 27 yearsuntil 1990. He and former President F.W. de Klerk, who dismantled apartheid, shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. A year later, Mandela became the nation'sfirst black president. In November, South Africa issued banknotes bearing Mandela's picture. Despite his rare public appearances in recent years, Mandela retains his popularity and is considereda hero of democracy in the nation. Mandela's impact has extended far beyond the borders of his own country. After he left office in 1999, he was involved in mediating conflicts from Africa to the Mideast. Mandela, 94, also was treated for an acute respiratory infection in January 2011. The next month he had surgery for an abdominal hernia.

plane carring Italian fashion icon missoni missing

Plane carrying Italian fashion icon Missoni missing Livio Valerio, AP Vittorio Missoni, right, and his wife Maurizia Castiglionipose in Milan March 30, 2005. by Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press Published: 01/05/2013 06:20pm CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Rescue crews used boats and aircraft on Saturday to search for a small plane that disappeared off Venezuelacarrying the CEO of Italy's iconic Missoni fashion house and five other people. But more than a day after the BN-2 Islander aircraft disappeared from radar screens on its short flight from the Venezuelan resort islands of Los Roques to Caracas, no sign of the plane had beenfound, officials said. "We have no other news" about the plane carrying Vittorio Missoni, the head of the company; his wife, Maurizia Castiglioni; two of their Italian friends; and two Venezuelan crew members, said Paolo Marchetti, a Missoni SpA official. He spoke briefly to reporters as he left company headquarters in the northern Italian town ofSumirago on Saturday afternoon. Missoni's younger brother,Luca, who is active in the family-run business, was reportedly traveling to Venezuela on Saturday to monitor search efforts. "We're holding onto a glimmer of hope," said Oswaldo Scalvenzi , a relative of Elda Scalvenzi, one of the Missoni friends aboard the flight. "Until we can see the wreckage" hope will remain, Scalvenzitold Italian state TV on Saturday night. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

plane carring Italian fashion icon missoni missing

Plane carrying Italian fashion icon Missoni missing Livio Valerio, AP Vittorio Missoni, right, and his wife Maurizia Castiglionipose in Milan March 30, 2005. by Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press Published: 01/05/2013 06:20pm CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Rescue crews used boats and aircraft on Saturday to search for a small plane that disappeared off Venezuelacarrying the CEO of Italy's iconic Missoni fashion house and five other people. But more than a day after the BN-2 Islander aircraft disappeared from radar screens on its short flight from the Venezuelan resort islands of Los Roques to Caracas, no sign of the plane had beenfound, officials said. "We have no other news" about the plane carrying Vittorio Missoni, the head of the company; his wife, Maurizia Castiglioni; two of their Italian friends; and two Venezuelan crew members, said Paolo Marchetti, a Missoni SpA official. He spoke briefly to reporters as he left company headquarters in the northern Italian town ofSumirago on Saturday afternoon. Missoni's younger brother,Luca, who is active in the family-run business, was reportedly traveling to Venezuela on Saturday to monitor search efforts. "We're holding onto a glimmer of hope," said Oswaldo Scalvenzi , a relative of Elda Scalvenzi, one of the Missoni friends aboard the flight. "Until we can see the wreckage" hope will remain, Scalvenzitold Italian state TV on Saturday night. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

An unoffical result Egypt on referedum vote.

Unofficial results: Egypt approves referendum With nearly all of the vote counted, the referendum on Egypt's new draft constitution appeared to be victorious early Sunday, according to unofficial tallies by the Muslim Brotherhood andthe semi-official al-Ahram newspaper. The Muslim Brotherhoodsaid its "final results" show 64% of the vote infavor of the constitution and 36% against it. Al-Ahram posted a similar outcome on its website, saying it was based on 98% of the votes counted. The official outcome of the referendum is not expected to be announced until later Sunday