Ted Cruz blames gay-rights activists for controversy over RFRA in Indiana

On Wednesday, Texas Senator Ted Cruz in Iowa came out with strong words to support the disputed Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that was signed by Indiana's Governor Mike Pence last week.

Ever since Pence signed the law, several public figures and businesses have started criticizing it. Indiana is facing boycotts as the legislation could encourage discrimination by allowing business owners to refuse service to LGBT customers in the name of 'religious freedom'.

An open letter was sent to Pence on Monday by nearly a dozen LGBT and civil right groups which urged him and lawmakers to fix the signed bill.

Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act Needs Fixing, says Gov. Mike Pence

Indiana Governor Mike Pence yesterday proclaimed that the Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act needs to be fixed.

The Indianapolis Star reported that legislative and business leaders have worked out to place language in the state's ill-starred Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

As per the clarifications the new 'religious freedom' law does not provide authority to a provider to refuse to offer or provide its service, facilities, goods, or public accommodation to any member of the public based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The provider also cannot discriminate its service to any race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, or military service.

Noose found Hanging at Duke University

On Wednesday morning, Duke University students found a rope noose hanging from a tree in the Bryan Center Plaza. In a region, lynchings were once used to terrorize black residents. Now, the university officials have been trying to figure out who hung the rope noose.

Students, faculty and others gathered in front of the university's Gothic chapel building to express outrage about the noose. President Richard Brodhead told the crowd that their presence was a rejection of that symbol. He said that administrators and campus police have been investing who hung the rope, but it is up to students and faculty to reject racism.

Scientists trace formation of continents on Earth

It has been found by a Virginia Tech team of geologists that how continents were created on Earth over 2.5 billion years ago. The team traced that how the continents continued till 70 million years ago and impacted life, climate and landscape on Earth.

The study has been published in Nature Geoscience. It looked into geologic events like volcanic activity 10 million years ago in Panama and Costa Rica of today. It concentrated on the events to reveal the reasons behind continent-building.

According to Esteban Gazel, an assistant professor of geology with Virginia Tech’s College of Science, the complete planet would have become an ocean in absence of continental crust. According to him, the continental masses or areas of thick silicic crust are a unique characteristic of Earth.

Airbnb Expands its Business to Cuba

It has been found that the famous online home-rental service Airbnb will allow American travelers to book lodging in Cuba.

Starting on Thursday, the move will be the most significant US business expansion on the island since the declaration of détente between the two countries late last year.

For almost half-century, the US trade restrictions have blocked such businesses from entering the Cuban market.

But in January, the Obama administration loosened some restrictions on US business in an attempt to encourage the growth of the islands’ small private sector.

Bollore Spends 568 Million Euros to Increase Stake in Vivendi

Billionaire businessman Vincent Bollore's holding company Bollore spent a further 568 million euros to increase its share in French media group Vivendi. The move was adopted by the billionaire as he gears up for a fight with activist shareholders.

US hedge fund P. Schoenfeld Asset Management (PSAM) wants shareholders to back two resolutions at an annual meeting scheduled to be held on April 17.

Under it, Vivendi would require to boost returns to investors to 9 billion euros ($9.7 billion) after selling four of its six businesses.

PSAM founder Peter Schoenfeld told Les Echos newspaper in an interview published on Thursday that he was quite positive that he would win the support of a majority of shareholders, but it was still too early to comment.

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