Steve Connolly

An Indian-origin author in South Africa has been brutally assaulted and verbally abused after she praised controversial writer Salman Rushdie whose work has angered Muslims around the world.

US lawmakers who support steady relaxation of state laws on marijuana sparred on Tuesday with Obama administration officials who continue to label the drug in the same high-danger category as heroin.

An Indian-origin author in South Africa has been brutally assaulted and verbally abused after she praised controversial writer Salman Rushdie whose work has angered Muslims around the world.

US lawmakers who support steady relaxation of state laws on marijuana sparred on Tuesday with Obama administration officials who continue to label the drug in the same high-danger category as heroin.