Trial against former Israeli premier opens in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM – Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert arrived at Jerusalem’s District Court Thursday for the opening of a corruption trial against him.

It is the first trial in Israeli history against a former premier.
“Today, the chapter of bombastic statements and plastic descriptions” has ended, Olmert told reporters at the court.
“Here, the facts will …. Original article  : Trial against former Israeli premier opens in Jerusalem.

CIC orders disciplinary action against MCD employee

NEW DELHI – The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to take disciplinary action against one of its employees for not fulfilling his duty as prescribed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The decision came on an RTI application filed by Hari Ram who …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : CIC orders disciplinary action against MCD employee.

Report: E-Verify gives OK to more than half of illegal workers it checks

E-Verify misses half of illegal workers checked

WASHINGTON – A study says an online program some employers use to weed out illegal workers misses more than half the people it’s supposed to identify.
The research company that evaluated the E-Verify system for the Homeland Security Department found 54 percent of the illegal immigrants checked through E-Verify are …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Report: E-Verify gives OK to more than half of illegal workers it checks.

Spain deplores death of Cuban political prisoner

Toledo (Spain), Feb 25 (IANS/EFE) The Spanish government has said that it “deeply deplores” the death of Cuban dissident Orlando Zapata Tamayo and regrets that the human rights situation on the communist-ruled island has led to “this very terrible outcome”.

Zapata, 42, died Tuesday at a Havana hospital after an 85-day hunger strike.
This fact “truly …. Source article  : Spain deplores death of Cuban political prisoner.

Procedures violated in ordering my court martial: Avdhesh Prakash

NEW DELHI – Lt. Gen. (retd) Avdhesh Prakash, the former military secretary at army headquarters who has won a temporary reprieve against a court martial ordered against him, alleges that the Indian Army chief violated a long-standing military practice in recommending the action.

The army chief, Gen. Deepak Kapoor, had violated a rule in place since … Read more >>>.

‘Hirakud dam is failing, farmers are killing themselves’

BHUBANESWAR – Dozens of farmers have committed suicide in Orissa in the past one year as the Hirakud dam is no longer serving its purpose, says a new study that warns of a grimmer situation in the coming days if urgent steps are not taken.

The dam, built across the Mahanadi river, about 350 km from … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Hirakud dam is failing, farmers are killing themselves’.

Mistrial declared in trial of American Samoa officials charged with public corruption offenses

American Samoa officials’ trial ends in mistrial

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – A mistrial has been declared in the Washington, D.C., federal court trial of American Samoa Lt. Gov. Aitofele Sunia and Sen. Tini Lam Yuen.
Sunia and Yuen were charged with public corruption offenses after authorities say they conspired to split a large project for school …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mistrial declared in trial of American Samoa officials charged with public corruption offenses.

Portland, Ore., woman finally gets proof of US citizenship _ on her 104th birthday

Oregon woman gets proof of citizenship _ at 104

PORTLAND, Ore. – Marion Pringle has celebrated a lot of birthdays, but perhaps none were as sweet as her 104th, when she finally received proof she’s a U.S. citizen.
The Portland woman was born in Canada in 1906 and no longer drives but needed to renew her license … Read more : Portland, Ore., woman finally gets proof of US citizenship _ on her 104th birthday.

Lawyers for Yellowstone Club founder say Credit Suisse, not timber baron, to blame in scheme

Blame game continues in Yellowstone Club hearings

MISSOULA, Mont. – A down-on-his-luck billionaire and a global banking giant are sparring in a Montana bankruptcy court.
Each side blames the other for fleecing the exclusive Yellowstone Club of nearly $300 million.
Lawyers for club founder Tim Blixseth argued Wednesday that Credit Suisse has seized control of the club’s bankruptcy … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Lawyers for Yellowstone Club founder say Credit Suisse, not timber baron, to blame in scheme.

Judge cuts $300 million Fla. smoker’s damage award against Philip Morris to $39 million

Judge cuts $300M smoker’s lawsuit award to $39M

MIAMI – A $300 million jury verdict against Philip Morris USA in a Florida smoker’s lawsuit has been cut down to about $39 million by a judge.
Broward Circuit Judge Jeffrey Streitfeld found the damage award excessive and not supported by the evidence in the case of Cindy Naugle, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Judge cuts $300 million Fla. smoker’s damage award against Philip Morris to $39 million.