Hindus allege land-grab by Bangladeshi politicians

DHAKA – Minority Hindus of Mothbaria sub-district in Bangladesh’s Pirojpur district have alleged that ruling Awami League activists backed by the party’s lawmaker were trying to grab nearly 200 acres of their land.

“They’re grabbing the land of anyone who is leaving for India,” Shamol Chandra Haldar of Dakkhin Sonakhali village told media Monday.
He …. Read the original article  : Hindus allege land-grab by Bangladeshi politicians.

Orissa empowers police to check illegal mining

BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa government has empowered police in three mineral-rich districts to check illegal mining, Mines Minister Raghunath Mohanty said Tuesday.

Earlier only senior officials of the mining department were authorized under the law to detect, seize and confiscate minerals. They were given power under the OMPTS (Orissa Mineral Prevention of Theft, Smuggling) Rules, …. Source  : Orissa empowers police to check illegal mining.

Legally married in one state, denied a divorce in Texas: Gay couples left in legal limbo

Divorce dilemma: Texas says gays can’t get divorce

DALLAS – After the joy of a wedding and the adoption of a baby came arguments that couldn’t be resolved, leading Angelique Naylor to file for divorce.
That left her fighting both the woman she married in Massachusetts and the state of Texas, which says a union granted in …. Original source  : Legally married in one state, denied a divorce in Texas: Gay couples left in legal limbo.

“Dr. Death” Jayant Patel’s patient ‘knew of operation risks’

BRISBANE – The Queensland Supreme Court has been told that a patient who died after being operated by former Indian-origin surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel a.k.a. “Dr. Death” was fully aware of the risk of death, but knew the procedure was the best …. Original source  : “Dr. Death” Jayant Patel’s patient ‘knew of operation risks’.

Embattled civil rights group struggles for survival as 2 factions meet hundreds of miles apart

Embattled civil rights group struggles to survive

ATLANTA – Two factions of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference gathered Monday for separate meetings, hundreds of miles apart, with each group claiming to be the SCLC’s board of directors as the embattled 53-year-old civil rights organization struggles to survive amid legal woes and bitter infighting.
A few dozen participants … Original article on : Embattled civil rights group struggles for survival as 2 factions meet hundreds of miles apart.

Haitian judge: No decision made yet on whether to drop charges against 10 US missionaries

Haiti judge: No decision on missionaries’ charges

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The Haitian judge investigating 10 American missionaries accused of kidnapping for trying to take a busload of children out of the country says no decision has been made on whether to drop any charges.
Judge Bernard Saint-Vil tells The Associated Press that he is still considering the …. Original source  : Haitian judge: No decision made yet on whether to drop charges against 10 US missionaries.

Families of 17 sailors killed in 2000 USS Cole attack file 2nd lawsuit against Sudan

Families of USS Cole victims sue Sudan again

NORFOLK, Va. – Relatives of the 17 sailors killed in the attack on the USS Cole are suing Sudan for emotional damages they were denied in a previous lawsuit.
Sixty-one family members filed the new lawsuit late last week in U.S. District Court in Norfolk, the Cole’s homeport and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ex-NYPD officer goes on trial over clash with cyclist; jury sees video of encounter

Ex-NYPD officer goes on trial over cyclist clash

NEW YORK – A Times Square tourist’s amateur video is in the spotlight at the trial of a former police officer accused of assaulting a bike-riding activist and lying about it.
The video that jurors saw Monday has drawn more than 2 million online views since it was shot … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ex-NYPD officer goes on trial over clash with cyclist; jury sees video of encounter.

Man pleads guilty in death of UNC student body president; feds drop death penalty pursuit

Guilty plea in death of UNC student president

GREENSBORO, N.C. – One of the men accused in the 2008 killing of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s student body president has pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case.
Demario Atwater pleaded guilty Monday to several charges, including carjacking resulting in death and kidnapping. In … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Man pleads guilty in death of UNC student body president; feds drop death penalty pursuit.

Angelina Jolie ‘deeply troubled’ by deaths in Somalia

GENEVA – US actress Angelina Jolie said Monday she was concerned by the increasingly heavy impact of conflict in Somalia on civilians.

“I am deeply troubled by the complete and utter disregard for human life in Somalia,” said Jolie, a goodwill ambassador for the Geneva-based UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
Noting that civilians – particularly in the … Original article on : Angelina Jolie ‘deeply troubled’ by deaths in Somalia.