In A Nutshell

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By Kayla Falgoust

WORLD

France considers ban on burqas
In June, French president Nicolas Sarkozy declared that burqas are "not welcome" in France. Sarkozy insisted that his issue with the burqa stemmed not from religion but from a belief in women's freedom and dignity. One day later, the French Assembly announced that it would look into whether or not women in France should be allowed to wear burqas, investigating if the coverings pose a threat to the nation's constitutionally mandated secularism. Furthermore, there are even proposals to place a $1,000 fine on those who wear burquas if the ban is approved. In response to these actions, al Qaeda has threatened to take revenge on France via messages posted on radical Islamic Web sites. (CNN)

NATION

Truck, bus drivers prohibited from texting while driving
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced new federal guidelines that prohibit commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving. The new guidelines are effective immediately, and violators could be fined as much as $2,750 in criminal and civil penalties. Statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration indicate that drivers who text while driving are 20 times more likely to get into an automobile accident than those who do not. So far, nineteen states (including Louisiana) have outlawed texting while driving for all motorists. (CNN)

STATE

Board of Regents cuts degree programs at LSU
The Board of Regents recently decided to cut the comparative literature degree program at LSU and to combine its bachelor's program in food science and technology with its nutritional science program. LSU will also lose its bachelor's degree in women's and gender studies. Altogether, the Board of Regents cut 20 academic programs from colleges statewide. The axed programs are considered to be "low-completer programs" that graduate less than ten students every five years. LSU plans to appeal these cuts. (The Advocate)

Area blood center offers Saints shirts for donors
From February 1 to February 7, the United Blood Center located at 8234 One Calais Avenue will give blood donors a Saints Super Bowl t-shirt (while supplies last). The shirts are short sleeve, black shirts with a black and gold fluer de lis and the words "Who Dat" and "Marchin to Miami" written across. Donors must be 16 years or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. The Baton Rouge center is open today from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 225-769-7233 or visit unitedbloodservices.org.

Originally Published: Issue 863 - February 3, 2010

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