President meets Rukhsana, promises all help

October 9th, 2009 JAMMU - President Pratibha Patil arrived in Jammu and Kashmir Friday on a day-long visit to areas along the line of control (LoC) with Pakistan in Rajouri and Poonch districts. Governor N.N.

October 2nd, 2009 JAMMU - Rukhsana, the teenager who had killed a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist last Sunday, and her family have shifted to safer environs in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri town after police confirmed that the rebel group has vowed to take revenge. The family shifted to Rajouri town, 160 km north of the state's summer capital Jammu, Friday.

October 1st, 2009 JAMMU - Leaders of the Gujjar community in Jammu and Kashmir Thursday said the act of bravery by 18-year-old Rukhsana Kausuar, who killed a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant, was praised by everyone except Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his state ministers. "The act of bravery has come in for praise from one and all, but the chief minister and his ministers have not uttered even a word on it," Anwar Choudhary, a Gujjar leader, said in a statement.

October 1st, 2009 Pope meets Pakistan president at summer retreatCASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI and the president of Pakistan discussed the need to end religious discrimination during a meeting at the papal summer retreat. Tensions have flared in recent months between Pakistan's Muslim minority and its religious minorities.

September 30th, 2009 JAMMU - An 18-year-old Muslim woman who killed a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist after snatching his gun deserves the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, Gujjar leaders in Jammu and Kashmir say. The Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, an organisation of nomadic tribes, has urged President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P.

September 30th, 2009 JAMMU - Three days after she shot dead a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist after snatching his gun, Rukhsana, an 18-year-old Muslim girl now fears for her family's safety. Rukhsana's family has been shifted to Rajouri for safety.

September 29th, 2009 SHAHDHARA SHARIEF - Her immensely brave act has turned young Rukhsana Kausar into a heroine and people now see her as a fighter against the "zulm" or atrocities of militants. She had taken on a group of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists who barged into her house late Sunday night, snatched an AK-47 from one intruder and shot him dead.

September 28th, 2009 JAMMU - In what may be the first ever such act of resistance against militants in Jammu and Kashmir, a young woman in Rajouri district killed one militant and injured and drove away two others who had barged into her house and tried to abduct her, police said Monday. Rukhsana, who gave up her studies two years ago after failing class tenth, was in her house in Shadhara village in Thana Mandi area of the district, about 190 km north-east of Jammu, when three militants barged in late Sunday night, police in Rajouri said.

September 20th, 2009 Obama embraces promise to move on immigrationWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says undocumented workers should not be included in the health care overhaul plan he's trying to push through Congress. He tells Univision's "Al Punto" show that if undocumented immigrants want to buy insurance, that's a matter to be settled with insurance companies.

July 10th, 2009 UC chief proposes furloughs to offset budget cutsOAKLAND, Calif. — The president of the University of California is proposing to furlough tens of thousands of employees to offset deep funding cuts to the 10-campus system.

July 10th, 2009 Obama meets with Pope Benedict XVIVATICAN CITY — President Barack Obama is meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Shaking hands with the pope, Obama said it was "a great honor" to meet him.

June 30th, 2009 Obama reaffirms support for gay-rights activismWASHINGTON — Countering criticism that he's done little on gay rights, President Barack Obama commemorated the 40th anniversary of the birth of the modern movement by welcoming its leaders to the White House and reaffirming his commitment to their top priorities. "I want you to know: You have our support," Obama told members of the core Democratic constituency as he and first lady Michelle Obama hosted a cocktail-and-appetizer reception in the East Room for gay pride month.

June 26th, 2009 PROMISES, PROMISES: Gays bemoan go-slow approachWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is taking heat from some gays and lesbians for not fulfilling campaign pledges. He's also taking their cash.

June 5th, 2009 Pope meets with Irish churchmen after abuse reportVATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has met with Ireland's top churchmen following the publication of a damning report detailing decades of rapes, humiliation and beatings at church-run reform schools in Ireland. The Vatican says they briefed the pope on the report.

June 4th, 2009 Eliza Dushku meets with ex-Uganda child soldiersNEW YORK — TV actors are known for traveling in the break between seasons, but "Dollhouse" star Eliza Dushku did more than just go on vacation. Dushku, 28, visited Uganda recently to meet with former child soldiers who are trying to reintegrate themselves back into society.