Zoo names new lion cubs Obama, Hillary

Indo Asian News Service

Kuala Lumpur, Feb 24: Zookeepers in Malaysia`s southern Johor state have named two new African lion cubs after US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, a news report said on Tuesday.

“Obama and Hillary, along with another female cub yet to be named, were born in captivity at the Johor Zoo on January 16th”, zookeeper Mohamad Sham said.

"Obama, the president, and Obama, the lion cub, can both trace their ancestry back to Africa, so there is a definite connection there," Sham quoted.

The cubs were born to Siti and Sarip, nine-year old African lions.

"It is curious, playful and hates being caged up," Sham said of little Obama.

Obama and Hillary have been the major draw at the zoo since their birth, with tourists and visitors flocking to have their pictures taken with the namesakes of the US politicians

Maoists kill panchayat head in Bihar

Indo-Asian News Service

Patna, July 29: Suspected Maoist guerrillas on Wednesday shot dead a panchayat head in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar as he refused to pay levy to the rebels, police said.

Premchand, head of Paigampur panchayat in Muzaffarpur, was killed outside his residence by a group of armed Maoist rebels at Dera Chowk in Minapur block, a police officer said.

The village head had been demanding security from the state government fearing a threat to his life. He also sought help from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by appealing in the local dailies a few months ago.

Earlier, Premchand's brother was killed by the members of outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist who have been demanding levy from the rich people of Minapu