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`Joseph and Mary billboard is not obscene
A billboard showing a disappointed Joseph and Mary in bed together with the caption, “Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to follow,” is controversial but not obscene, according to New Zealand Advertising Standards Authorities.
The billboard is posted outside St. Matthew-In-The-City Anglican Church in Auckland, New Zealand. It has been the subject of vandalism by locals who think the billboard is degrading to individuals and Christian groups. The billboard was put up in December, vandalized, stolen and put up again before being stolen yet again. The billboards were up for less than 12 hours before they were stolen. The church has said that while many are offended, other found it amusing and thought-provoking. The ASA has ruled that there is no ethical problem with the billboard, because there is no nudity portrayed, and children would not understand the implications.
“Black Widow” bombers
At least 38 people were killed on Monday, March 29 from a bomb attack on the Moscow subway, carried out by female Chechen suicide bombers, known as the “Black Widows.”
The suicide bomb looks to be Chechen separatists’ latest barrage in their long-running battle for independence in Russia’s northern Caucasus. The use of women or “Black Widows” is one way in which the Chechen are different from the al-Qaeda. “The war is politically motivated, it is not about a religious ideology as in the case of al-Qaeda, so everyone participates and it is ultimately irrelevant if you are a man or a woman,” Bob Ayers, a retired international security analyst said. The “Black Widows” are made up of women whose husbands, brothers, fathers or other family members have been killed in the conflict. The women often dress head-to-toe in black and wear a “martyr’s belt” filled with explosives.
Ten shot to death in Mexico
Ten youths, from eight to 21-years-old were gunned down by drug traffickers in Durango, Mexico. The incident happened Sunday on a road near the town of Pueblo. The unknown gunman shot and threw grenades at the victims. The victims were in a pickup truck, returning home after having traveled to pick up money to support their school. The gunman motioned the truck to stop, but the victims continued out of fear of being robbed. No arrests have been made in the incident.