Cuba moves political prisoners, part of deal to improve conditions behind bars

Cuba moving political prisoners
HAVANA – Cuba has begun transferring some of the country’s 200 political prisoners to jails closer to their homes, a human rights official and the wife of one inmate said Tuesday, the first sign the government is making good on a deal with the Roman Catholic Church to improve conditions behind bars.

Jail …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cuba moves political prisoners, part of deal to improve conditions behind bars.

Iraqi court seals secular bloc’s election margin but Shiites still likely to form government

Iraqi court seals secular bloc’s election margin

BAGHDAD – A Sunni-backed secular alliance that challenged Iraq’s top Shiite leadership in parliamentary elections won a Supreme Court ruling Tuesday sealing its narrow edge over its closest rival, but still faced daunting odds of forming a government.
The court order, which cannot be appealed, begins a 15-day countdown for …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Iraqi court seals secular bloc’s election margin but Shiites still likely to form government.

Amarnath Yatra to begin July 1, end Aug 24

SRINAGAR – This year’s annual pilgrimage to the holy Hindu shrine of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir will begin July 1 and end Aug 24, it was announced Tuesday.

The registration of the pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra will begin June 5 at 121 designated branches of the Jammu and Kashmri Bank across the country, said … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Amarnath Yatra to begin July 1, end Aug 24.

Pakistani official pledges full protection to minority Ahmadis after attack that killed 93

Pakistani official promises to protect Ahmadi sect

ISLAMABAD – A Pakistani official has promised “full protection” for the Ahmadi religious sect after Islamist militants killed 93 of the group’s members.
The Ahmadis say the government does not protect them and actively discriminates against them.
Pakistani officials blame the Pakistani Taliban for Friday’s attacks on two Ahmadi mosques in … Read more : Pakistani official pledges full protection to minority Ahmadis after attack that killed 93.