Today's other stories in brief
Lindsay Lohan starts jail term
LOS ANGELES –Lindsay Lohan was taken into custody yesterday to start a 90-day jail term for violating her probation on a 2007 drunk-driving and cocaine-possession charge.
The 24-year-old Mean Girls actor, whose career has foundered in recent years while she partied strenuously, appeared at a Beverly Hills courtroom where she was formally sent to a women’s jail by Judge Marsha Revel.
“I am going to order her to be remanded at this time,” Judge Revel said.
TV cameras and court photographers were ordered not to take photos of Lohan as she was handcuffed and taken away. Lohan, wearing a grey T-shirt, looked tired and tense in the brief hearing. She did not speak. Her time behind bars could be reduced to three weeks for good behaviour and because of jail overcrowding, officials said.
– (Reuters)
Spain rejects plan to ban Islamic veils
MADRID – A proposal for a study of a ban on full-length Islamic veils in public places was thrown out by the Spanish parliament yesterday, weeks after France and Belgium outlawed the wearing of the garments.
The conservative opposition Popular Party had submitted a resolution asking the Socialist government to study prohibiting the veils, known as burqas or niqabs, which cover the face and body and are worn by some Muslim women.
It was rejected by a margin of 21 votes in the 350-seat lower house. Even if it had been approved it would not have been binding on the Socialist government.
Opponents of a ban say it will harm democracy and violate religious rights while supporters say it is a matter of national security and of adaptation to local customs.
– (Reuters)