Court annuls councils administering Chittagong Hill Tracts

DHAKA – The high court has annulled regional councils under which Bangladeshs Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) were being administered for the minority Buddhist indigenous people, delivering a major blow to the decade-long peace process.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is opposed to the peace accord, welcomed the court verdict.
The high court bench … Original source on Gaea Times at : Court annuls councils administering Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Simplify visa clearances, urges Pakistan badminton star

NEW DELHI – The frosty relations between India and Pakistan have made it increasingly difficult for sportspersons from neighbouring countries to go across the border to participate in international events. Pakistan’s top shuttler Wajid Ali Chaudhry is concerned about the uncertainty and perennial tension affecting the players.

Wajid, who is part of a six-member Pakistan team …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Simplify visa clearances, urges Pakistan badminton star.

Apologise to Sikhs for Komagata Maru tragedy: Canadian petition

TORONTO – A petition was introduced in the Canadian parliament Tuesday seeking a formal apology from the government for the Komagata Maru tragedy of 1914 in which 376 Indians were not allowed to enter the country and sent back.

The Komagata Maru was a Japanese ship hired by a Malaysia-based wealthy Sikh Gurdit Singh to bring …. Source  : Apologise to Sikhs for Komagata Maru tragedy: Canadian petition.

Boy Scouts fined $1.4 mn in sex abuse case

SAN FRANCISCO – A jury in Portland, Oregon slapped the Boy Scouts with $1.4 million in damages Tuesday after finding that the organisation was reckless when it failed to oust an assistant scoutmaster who molested one of his charges in the 1980s.

The jury also decided that the movement would be liable for up to $25 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Boy Scouts fined $1.4 mn in sex abuse case.

Appeals court to hear lawsuit filed by fan over Patriots’ secret taping of Jets coaches

Court to hear fan lawsuit over Patriots’ filming

NEWARK, N.J. – A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments in a lawsuit arising from the New England Patriots’ videotaping of New York Jets coaches.
The suit has been filed by a Jets season ticket holder who also is an attorney.
Carl Mayer and co-counsel Bruce Afran claim … Original article on : Appeals court to hear lawsuit filed by fan over Patriots’ secret taping of Jets coaches.

Summary Box: Tribune judge rejects filing of alternative plan, hints at need for examiner

Summary Box: Tribune judge nixes alternative plan

THE RULING: A federal judge overseeing Tribune Co.’s bankruptcy case refused to let a group of creditors file an alternative to the media company’s reorganization plan.
NEXT STEP: Proceedings in the case will for now center on Tribune’s own plan, which already has been criticized by two groups of creditors.
COURT …. Read the original article  : here.

Correction: Egg Price-Fixing Story

Correction: Egg Price-Fixing Story
FRESNO, Calif. – In an April 13 story about a lawsuit alleging price fixing in the egg industry, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Eggland’s Best was being sued; instead it is two of the company’s egg providers that are named.
… Read this article on Gaea Times at : Correction: Egg Price-Fixing Story.

Indiana man sues IRS, saying wife killed herself 3 days after agents raided their home

Wrongful death suit says suicide followed IRS raid

INDIANAPOLIS – An Indiana man whose wife committed suicide three days after Internal Revenue Service agents raided their home is suing the U.S. government for wrongful death.
The government denies any responsibility for the death of Denise Simon, a 50-year-old mother of six from Fort Wayne.
Federal court papers say … Read more >>.

Jack Tweed pestered rape victim for threesome

LONDON – A court heard that “Celebrity Big Brother” star Jade Goody’s widower had pestered the girl, he has been accused of raping, for a threesome just a few months after Goody’s death from cancer.

The alleged victim told a jury she was “paralysed with fear” as the “predatory” as Tweed and his friend … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Jack Tweed pestered rape victim for threesome.

Female lawyers not buying defense of ’socially inept’ judge who kept asking them for dates

Women wary of ’socially inept’ Pa. judge’s defense

PITTSBURGH – A judge in Pennsylvania could be removed from the bench if a court finds he brought disrepute on his office by contacting women for dates or friendship after they appeared in his courtroom.
But the attorney for District Judge Gerard Alonge (uh-LAWNJ’) says the judge isn’t that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Female lawyers not buying defense of ’socially inept’ judge who kept asking them for dates.