Speed Reads
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Australia drops plan to isolate burqa wearers in Parliament
Australian lawmakers have backed down from a plan to make Muslim women wearing burqas or niquabs — traditional garments that conceal the face — sit behind protective glass screens when viewing proceedings in Parliament. Senate leaders had said the measure was "prudent," but Muslim leaders, human rights activists, and opposition politicians said the restriction would needlessly alienate Muslims. The government said Monday that it would instead require women to temporarily remove head coverings during security screening. Read more at The Wall Street Journal.