Free Republic

Mixed-sex pool halls shut down in Iran November 01 2003 at 03:55PM Tehran - Ten billiards clubs found to have been allowing mixed-sex games have been closed down in the Iranian capital, the Jam-e Jaam newspaper reported on Saturday. The paper said the clubs, shut down last week, had been caught breaking the Islamic republic's strict rules on gender segregation late at night. Snooker, billiards and pool clubs have only recently been opening in Iran, after a ban on the pastime was lifted. But the games remain banned in two of the country's 28 provinces, on the grounds that they...

RAVENNA, Ohio (Aug. 9) - A woman who belonged to an obscure religious sect was found innocent Friday of child endangerment for breast-feeding her baby while driving, but was convicted of three lesser charges. Catherine Nicole Donkers, 29, was found guilty of violating child-restraint laws, driving without a valid driver's license and fleeing police while on the Ohio Turnpike in May. Prosecutors recommended Donkers be sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine instead of the maximum one year in jail and $2,000. Judge Donald Martell said he would postpone sentencing to investigate Donkers ``because I feel I...

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. officials expect a "mixed report" Friday morning from chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix and are preparing a new U.N. resolution that makes clear Iraq has not disarmed and "that the time has come to enforce" the resolution that returned inspectors to Iraq. President Bush said the Security Council soon would have to demonstrate "whether or not it has the resolve" to enforce Resolution 1441, which promised "serious consequences." "The decision is this for the United Nations: When you say something, does it mean anything?" Bush said in a speech at a U.S. Navy station in...

TEHRAN, Aug 29 (AFP) - Iranian police arrested 17 girls and boys for an "immoral gathering" after catching them listening to music on a beach on the Caspian Sea coast, a newspaper here reported Thursday. The youths were enjoying themselves in the coastal residential area of Bandar-Anzali, but were caught by police and charged with "anti-Islamic acts" and listening to "illegal music". This charge applies to Western music or songs sung by a woman, which are illegal in Iran. The youths offered police 1.4 million rials (175 dollars) to buy their release, but instead received an additional charge of trying...