Islamic woman challenges South African law on marriages

Hafiza Amod fights South Africa's stance on Muslim marriages

In this story: Lebanese farmers cultivate hashish to make ends meet Ethiopian Christians celebrate Jesus' cross Cell phone warning at gas pumps in Canada Robots taking over European households, industries Switzerland's "Bike Safe" keeps out bad weather, and bad intentions Five-legged lamb born in New Zealand  More about CNN World Report RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Patricia Coughlin
CNN World Report

Freedom of religion is granted by South Africa's constitution. Section 15 (1) says "Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion." But members of certain religious groups often complain that they do not receive equal recognition under the law because of their religious preference.

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South Africa's common law system denies the status of marriage to all polygamous and potentially polygamous unions. And that applies to Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish and indigenous African marriages. Under South African law, these religions are believed to practice polygamy.

South African Broadcasting Corporation explains the case of Hafiza Amod, a Muslim woman whose husband, Umar, died in a car accident, outside of Durban, South Africa.

South African law allows its citizens financial compensation from the Road Accident Fund in such cases. But Hafiza Amod had to fight for six years to get a verdict.

That's because her marriage is not recognized as legitimate under South African common law. The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein finally ruled in favor of Amod, granting her $41,000 plus all legal costs.

Chief Justice Ishmail Mahomed said the de facto monogamous relationship deserved public recognition and protection by the law.

SABC reports that the ruling does not fully recognize Muslim marriages, but it ensures that women within Muslim relationships have some financial protection, should their husbands die.

Lebanese farmers cultivate hashish to make ends meet

Cannabis farming is a way of life in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

Since the 1930's, farmers in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley have made a decent living cultivating hashish. It was a flourishing business, with the absence of government authority. Today, the United Nations is working to help farmers earn a living from legal crops.

Eight years ago, the United Nations began its rural development program in the Bekaa. In 1994, the project was hailed as a success by the international community: Lebanon had succeeded in curbing the cultivation and processing of narcotics in commercial quantities.

But today, Future TV of Lebanon reports the cultivation of cannabis is on the rise. Gen. Samir Sobh, commander of the Judiciary Police, who supervise the destruction of the cannabis crops, told Future TV, "The U.N. and donor nations promised funds to develop the Bekaa, to promote growth of substitute crops and provide assistance to farmers in 1995. But so far only 5 percent of what was promised has been forthcoming."

Gen. Sobh adds that this will not stop the fight against drugs.

The second phase of the U.N. development program ends by the year 2000. Future TV says more resources are needed for the third phase to be launched successfully.

A splash of color in Ethiopia, celebrating a Christian holiday

Ethiopian Christians celebrate Jesus' cross

A vision of bright colors and the sound of celebratory ululating paint a colorful picture amid the arid backdrop of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Television takes us to the Demera celebration, which occurs on September 27, the eve of Meskel -- an Orthodox Christian holy day.

Meskel is observed in Ethiopia by Orthodox Christians in remembrance of the discovery of a cross on which it is believed Christ was crucified. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church says the cross was buried by those who were not believers.

A modern day cross represents the original

For 300 years, the cross lay undiscovered until Saint Helen devoutly prayed to God to show her the sites. She followed the direction of incense smoke to the place where the cross was buried.

The September celebration is marked by a great bonfire, to celebrate Saint Helen's story. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians believe they possess the right arm piece of the original cross, locally known as Gimbade Meskel.

Cell phone warning at gas pumps in Canada

Some say it's just an urban myth: Stories of people dying in a fiery explosion -- a result of talking on a mobile phone while pumping gas. But oil companies in Canada are taking the threat seriously. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reports on warning signs, now being posted at gas stations across the country, telling customers to turn their cell phones off or risk an explosion.

Using cell phones at the gas pump could be hazardous to your health

The belief is that tiny sparks from cellular phone batteries can ignite gasoline. In July, Canadian gas industry officials received an advisory outlining "reports of cell phone explosions." But the cellular phone industry denies this.

Roger Poirier of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association says there has never been an explosion caused by a cell phone at a gas station or anywhere else in the world. Poirier says these reports are nothing but urban myths.

CBC reports that gas industry officials acknowledge the chance of an explosion caused by a cell phone is remote. But the warning signs will remain, as long as there is no proof it can't happen.

Robots taking over European households, industries

Robots help in the operating room

They can vacuum the floor, cut the lawn, and, in their spare time, perform brain surgery. Sound like the perfect mate? Well, think again. Swedish-manufactured robots are taking Europe by storm.

They may not have much of a personality, but these high-tech gadgets are making life easier at home and at the workplace. United Nations Television predicts continued growth for industrial robotics.

Multitask robots are already on the European market, UNTV reports. Surgeons rely on the steady hand of a robotic arm to assist in brain surgery. This reduces the operation time and speeds the recovery rate, since doctors have less physical probing to do.

Students at Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology have developed a robotics system that helps increase the mobility of disabled people. A specially designed wheelchair can automatically detect obstacles, and stop to avoid collision.

At the gas station, "James" is a robotic tube that pumps gas directly into your car.

At a time when unemployment is still high in many European countries, the advance of industrial robotics could put more people out of work. On the positive side, Jan Karlsson of the U.N. Economic Commission of Europe points out that industrial robots will increase a company's productive output, thereby increasing job security for its workers.

Switzerland's "Bike Safe" keeps out bad weather, and bad intentions

Safekeeping for bikes in Switzerland

Spending hundreds of dollars on a bicycle is a big investment, only to leave it out on the street where rain takes its toll and thieves are likely to prey. Now Swiss Television and Swiss Radio International unveils the "Bike Safe."

For 30 cents an hour, Swiss cyclists can store their mode of transportation in this multilevel, revolving receptacle. The Bike Safe, which costs $100,000, can hold anywhere from 15 to 42 bicycles.

Swiss TV-SRI says the idea for this "garage for bicycles" originally came from an armaments factory in the Swiss city of Thun. When armaments production dropped sharply at the beginning of the 1990's, there was an urgent need for diversification.

Engineer Fernand Portenier, who came up with the Bike Safe idea, says experiments with his prototype were successful, but the production of the Safe would not be profitable for the small firm. So Portenier sold his patent to a manufacturer who is convinced the idea will be a commercial success.

A New Zealand Farmer is the proud owner of a lamb that has been born with what you may call "a leg up" on the others. New Zealand's T.V.N.Z. reports

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