Restore Amarinder Singh’s assembly membership: Apex court (Third Lead)

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH – The Supreme Court Monday said the ouster of former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh from the state assembly on charges of corruption was unconstitutional and ordered the restoration of his membership.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan ruled that in ousting Singh for alleged corruption during his tenure as … Read more »»».

Amarinder Singh’s ouster unconstitutional: apex court (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH – The Supreme Court Monday said former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s ouster from the state assembly on charges of corruption was unconstitutional.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan ordered the restoration of Amarinder Singh’s membership to the present assembly.
The senior Congress leader was expelled from the … Read : Amarinder Singh’s ouster unconstitutional: apex court (Second Lead).

Apex court holds ouster of Amarinder Singh

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday held as unconstitutional the ouster of former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh from the state assembly on charges of corruption.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan ordered forthwith the restoration of Amarinder Singh’s membership of the present assembly.
… Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Apex court holds ouster of Amarinder Singh.

39 migrants rescued off Spanish coast

Madrid, April 26 (IANS/EFE) At least 39 migrants, including a few from Bangladesh, have been rescued off the coast of Granada province in southern Spain, officials have said.

The majority of the migrants were from Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry and included five pregnant women, all of whom were in an advanced stage of pregnancy, officials …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 39 migrants rescued off Spanish coast.

Report: Brazil mom appealing order to give son to US dad; lawyer says she won’t disobey courts

Brazil woman appealing order to give boy to US dad

SAO PAULO – A Brazilian woman ordered to relinquish her son to his American father in an international child abduction case is appealing the ruling, but her lawyer says she will not try to evade justice, local news media reported.
Hilma Aparecida Caldeira, 38, a bronze medal … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Report: Brazil mom appealing order to give son to US dad; lawyer says she won’t disobey courts.

25 years and 3 trials later, a widower recalls slain family amid boxes of fading photos

25 years later, widower recalls slain family

SPRING LAKE, N.C. – Gary Eastburn has lived with painful memories in the 25 years since his wife and two of this daughters were stabbed to death in North Carolina.
The man accused of killing them was found guilty and sentenced to death in 1986, but then was acquitted in … Read more : 25 years and 3 trials later, a widower recalls slain family amid boxes of fading photos.

Lawyers show black flags to Karunanidhi

CHENNAI – An Advocate’s group staged a black flag protest against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at the Madras High Court premises on Sunday.

Protesting lawyers held Karunanidhi responsible for failing to execute court orders to dismiss police officers responsible for the attack on lawyers.
On February 17, 2009, Police had assaulted lawyers at the Madras … Original article on : Lawyers show black flags to Karunanidhi.

Britain ordered to pay $650 mn to Iran

TEHRAN – An arbitration court in The Hague has ordered the British government to refund $650 million to Iran over an arms deal in the 1970s.

The Shah of Iran had ordered 1,500 Chieftain battle tanks and 250 military vehicles, worth $650 million, from Britain, but the deal was cancelled after the Islamic Revolution in … Read : Britain ordered to pay $650 mn to Iran.

Tamils protest Bachchan’s proposed Sri Lanka visit

MUMBAI – Hundreds of Tamils Sunday protested outside the bungalow of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, shouting slogans against his decision to visit Sri Lanka as chief guest for the India International Films Awards (IIFA) function in July.

“We urge him not to attend the function in Colombo as a symbol of solidarity for the Tamilian cause …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Tamils protest Bachchan’s proposed Sri Lanka visit.

Swiss visa processing centre in Dubai

Abu Dhabi, April 25 (IANS/WAM) Switzerland will set up a visa processing centre in the emirate of Dubai and it will be its first such facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The centre will be operational from May 1.
The Swiss Consulate General in Dubai will accept applications for short and long term visas … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Swiss visa processing centre in Dubai.

Brazil to track undertrials with electronic devices

Rio de Janeiro, April 27 (IANS/EFE) In an effort to cope with the growing space crunch in the country’s jails, Brazil is considering release of undertrial prisoners and tracking them with electronic bracelets and ankle cuffs.

“Between 75,000 and 80,000 prisoners can serve their sentences while being tracked electronically,” the director of the National Penitentiary Department, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Brazil to track undertrials with electronic devices.

Former world junior champion French awarded damages in defamation case against newspaper

Ex-world junior cycling champ wins defamation case

MELBOURNE, Australia – Former world junior cycling champion Mark French has been awarded $162,000 in damages after suing an Australian newspaper for describing him as a disgraced drug cheat.
The 25-year-old was banned for two years in 2004 for doping offenses, but was cleared on appeal the following year.
French took … Read more : Former world junior champion French awarded damages in defamation case against newspaper.

Former Panama dictator Noriega extradited to France

Miami, April 27 (IANS/EFE) Former Panama military dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega has been extradited to France after his attorneys lost a three-year-long battle in the US courts.

Noriega, who ruled Panama from 1983-1989, appeared calm and cooperative Monday as federal agents took him from a prison here to the Miami international airport and put him aboard … Original article on : Former Panama dictator Noriega extradited to France.

Rapper DMX files NYC lawsuit claiming company hired to collect royalties stole them instead

DMX files NYC lawsuit claiming stolen royalties

NEW YORK – Rapper DMX says he’s been ripped off for years by a company hired to collect his song royalties, but he’s been behind bars so much that he only recently realized the problem.
The platinum-selling hip-hop artist sued Rich Kid Entertainment 1 and related companies Monday in a …. Read the original article  : Rapper DMX files NYC lawsuit claiming company hired to collect royalties stole them instead.

China launches website for intellectual property rights

BEIJING – Chinese government has launched a new website to spread awareness about the intellectual property rights.

The website, www.court.gov.cn/zscq, which was open Mondya will be run by The Supreme People’s Court of China.
It is a platform for disseminating information relating to protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), Xinhua reported.
Information such as … Read more »»».

Apex court no to Lafarge restarting mining in Meghalaya

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday rejected the central government’s plea to allow French cement giant Lafarge restart limestone mining in Meghalaya.

A special forest bench, headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, refused to allow Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Limited collect limestone from Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hill district despite the government’s plea to suspend its … Read more : Apex court no to Lafarge restarting mining in Meghalaya.

Court go-ahead for Nirma cement plant in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat High Court Monday gave a conditional go-ahead to detergent maker Nirma for construction of its Rs.1,400 crore cement plant at Mahua near Bhavnagar which has been opposed by farmers citing environmental concerns.

A division bench of Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi directed Nirma Limited to return …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Court go-ahead for Nirma cement plant in Gujarat.

Court pulls up Maharashtra for not levying tax on IPL

MUMBAI – The Bombay High Court Monday pulled up the Maharashtra government for failing to levy entertainment duty on the Indian Premier League cricket tournament and asked whether any decision has been taken on it.

A division of Justices P.B. Majumdar and Justice R.G. Ketkar directed the state government to clarify its stand whether it has [..] Read the original article: here.

Supreme Court turns down Michigan’s plea to get involved in battle over Asian carp

Court stays out of Asian carp dispute
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court has decided not to get involved in a dispute over how to prevent Asian carp from making their way into the Great Lakes.

The justices on Monday turned down a new request from Michigan to consider ordering permanent closure of Chicago-area shipping locks to prevent … Read more »»».

No force to ensure strike: court tells Tripura government

AGARTALA – The Guwahati High Court Monday asked Tripura’s ruling Left Front, led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), not to apply force to ensure Tuesday’s strike to protest rising prices.

It also directed the state government to take adequate measures to maintain normalcy.
The ruling Left Front has called the shutdown in Tripura Tuesday …. Read the original article  : here.

I believe in what I said: Khushboo

NEW DELHI – With the apex court giving her a clean chit Wednesday, southern actress Khushboo said she stood by her comments on pre-marital sex and live-in relationships and that celebrities were pinned down for no rhyme or reason.

“When you look around, every celebrity is pinned down for no rhyme or reason and that is … Read more >>>.

Supreme Court gives more time to SIT to submit report on Godhra riots

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave more time to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit its report on the nine cases connected with the 2002 Godhra riots.

The apex court has given SIT 15 days to submit details of its probe.

The SIT had earlier …. Read the original article  : Supreme Court gives more time to SIT to submit report on Godhra riots.

Supreme Court dismisses charges against actress Khusboo

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed all cases registered against South Indian film actress and activist Khusboo for her alleged remarks on pre-marital sex.

The apex court quashed all 22 cases registered against her.

Khusboo described the judgement as a major relief for her.

“I am relieved …. Read the original article  : Supreme Court dismisses charges against actress Khusboo.

Apex court dismisses 22 cases against actress Khushboo

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed nearly two dozen criminal cases against Tamil actress Khushboo for making a controversial statement endorsing pre-marital sex and live-in relationships.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice B.S. Chauhan quashed 22 criminal cases against her saying that her statement on the issue of pre-marital sex and … Read more »».

Starting with Pakistan, India begins tuning online visa process

NEW DELHI – A Pakistani national could go to the website of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, fill the online visa form, click submit, show the relevant documents to the local mission and get the visa.

That’s the idea at least – it has been applicable since April 1 – but not a single visa has … Original source on Gaea Times at : Starting with Pakistan, India begins tuning online visa process.

Federal authorities: 69 illegal immigrants rescued from Phoenix drop house

Feds: 69 illegal immigrants found at AZ drop house

PHOENIX – Federal authorities say 69 suspected illegal immigrants, including two children and an infant, have been rescued from a drop house in Phoenix.
A neighbor called police Tuesday and said he’d seen a pickup dropping off about 30 people Monday evening. Police say responding officers found the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Federal authorities: 69 illegal immigrants rescued from Phoenix drop house.

UN Security Council adopts resolution to try Somali pirates

New York, April 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by Russia to set up a special body to try Somalian ship hijackers.

The Security Council has called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to provide “concrete” measures for the prosecution of pirates, including a special chamber at the national … Read : UN Security Council adopts resolution to try Somali pirates.

Michael Jackson’s estate wins injunction against website using name of former charity

Jackson estate wins injunction against website

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson’s estate has won a preliminary injunction against a group using the name of the superstar’s former charitable group.
U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee on Monday ordered the current Heal the World Foundation to stop using Jackson’s likeness and any trademarks that belong to his estate.
Jackson’s estate [..] Read the original article: here.

Now, khap panchayat menace surfaces in Rajasthan

NEW DELHI – The khap panchayat menace has surfaced in Rajasthan, with many people alleging victimisation at the hands of the caste councils.

The victims of khap panchayats from Rajasthan gathered here Tuesday to share their experiences.
Sanjoy Sachdeva, president of the National Journalists Front (India), described the khap panchayat as a \”panchayat which has no … Read : Now, khap panchayat menace surfaces in Rajasthan.

Terminally ill rapist granted bail in Delhi

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Tuesday granted bail to a rape convict who has been suffering from an \”incurable\” liver disease since last May.

Justice Siddharth Mridul ordered the Tihar jail authorities to release convict Satyam Singh on bail. He was sentenced to seven-year imprisonment by a lower court for raping … Original source on Gaea Times at : Terminally ill rapist granted bail in Delhi.

Sandal hurled at judge in Bangladesh over trial delay

DHAKA – Angered by delay in his trial, an accused hurled his sandal at a judge in a courtroom in northeastern Bangladesh’s Sylhet city.

Mohammed Sumon had been appearing before Additional District Judge- III, Mohammed Belayet Ullah, with little progress in the trial. He was charged with robbery in 2006.
Sumon became furious Wednesday when the … Read more >>.

Mexicans to be fined $3 mn for selling confidential data

Mexico City, April 29 (IANS/EFE) Mexican people convicted of selling confidential personal data collected by the government will be fined up to $2.9 million and face five years in prison under a new bill passed by the parliament.

The bill was passed by both houses of Mexico’s Congress Wednesday after a newspaper report said a data … Original article on : Mexicans to be fined $3 mn for selling confidential data.

Obama: Congress may ‘have no appetite’ for immigration after tough legislative year

Obama: Congress may not tackle immigration soon
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE – President Barack Obama says there may ‘not be an appetite’ in Congress for dealing with immigration after going through a tough year.
Obama told reporters traveling with him on Air Force One that Congress has been working very hard this year and may … Read : Obama: Congress may ‘have no appetite’ for immigration after tough legislative year.

ACLU of Alaska files lawsuit against Anchorage municipality over raids at homeless camps

Alaska ACLU files lawsuit over homeless camp raids

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska has filed a lawsuit challenging raids conducted on homeless camps by the Municipality of Anchorage.
ACLU Executive Director Jeffrey Mittman says the lawsuit was filed Wednesday on behalf of Dale Engle and other homeless people who have had property … Read more : ACLU of Alaska files lawsuit against Anchorage municipality over raids at homeless camps.

MCD, DDA pulled up over illegal encroachments

NEW DELHI – Two civic agencies were Wednesday pulled up by the Delhi High Court for not removing illegal encroachments in a locality in northwest Delhi and their chiefs were summoned May 12 for explanation.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Mukta Gupta directed Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) … Original article on : MCD, DDA pulled up over illegal encroachments.

Sempra Energy to pay $410 million to settle lawsuits stemming from Calif. energy crisis

Sempra Energy to pay $410m to settle energy suits

SAN DIEGO – Sempra Energy says it will pay $410 million to settle federal and state claims that it overcharged California on electricity contracts signed during the state’s 2000-2001 energy crisis.
The San Diego company announced Wednesday that it has agreed in principal to a cash settlement to … Original article on : Sempra Energy to pay $410 million to settle lawsuits stemming from Calif. energy crisis.

Court directs refund of Rs.80 lakh to Gayatri Devi’s kin

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the government to refund Rs.80 lakh fine to the heirs of Maharani Gayatri Devi of the erstwhile Jaipur royal family, which was penalised 35 years ago for possessing undeclared gold.

The income tax department had seized 800 kg of undeclared gold which was listed as the … Read more >>>.

Court opens new route for ’second wife’ to claim alimony

NAGPUR – In a ruling with far-reaching ramifications, the Bombay High Court has ruled that a man’s “second wife” can seek maintenance from her husband under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

Justice A.B. Choudhary of the high court’s Nagpur bench made the observation last week while rejecting the maintenance plea filed by a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Court opens new route for ’second wife’ to claim alimony.

Apex court laments lawyers’ spat

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday lamented an unsavoury spat between two veteran lawyers, and said that if the apex court could witness such acrimony, imagine the plight of the lower judiciary.

“If two senior advocates fight like this in the Supreme Court, I wonder what would be the plight in the lower courts,” … Read more »»».

Bombay High Court stays Shivaji Park beautification

MUMBAI – The Bombay High Court Wednesday stayed the proposed beautification of the historic Shivaji Park at Dadar in central Mumbai.

The beautification project – planned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) – includes the creation of a large mural, beautification of the ground and creation of public amenities.
A division bench Justice F.I. Rebello and …. Read the original article  : Bombay High Court stays Shivaji Park beautification.

9 of 11 accused Somali pirates due in US court in Virginia to enter pleas over Navy attacks

Somali piracy suspects set for US arraignment

NORFOLK, Va. – A group of Somali nationals accused of pirate attacks on two U.S. Navy ships off Africa are due in a Virginia courtroom to enter pleas to the charges.
Arraignments are scheduled Friday before a U.S. magistrate judge in Norfolk for nine of 11 defendants. One entered a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 9 of 11 accused Somali pirates due in US court in Virginia to enter pleas over Navy attacks.

Sarosh Homi Kapadia is India’s new chief justice

NEW DELHI – Supreme Court judge Sarosh Homi Kapadia was Friday appointed as the new chief justice of India by President Pratibha Patil. He will assume charge May 12.
…. Original source  : Sarosh Homi Kapadia is India’s new chief justice.

All for Rs.30 – jostling and toiling at labourer marts (May 1 is International Labour Day)

RAIPUR – It’s a lucky day for Rani Sahu. She may have earned a meagre Rs.30 for 10 hours of work after being hired as a daily wage worker at a labourer’s mart here, but says she is happy to take home at least some money.

The 34-year-old said she worked for 10 hours from …. Source article  : All for Rs.30 – jostling and toiling at labourer marts (May 1 is International Labour Day).

‘Dr. Death’ Patel threatened to quit when patient transfer was arranged

BRISBANE – Brisbane’s Supreme Court has been told that controversial Indian origin surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel went purple with rage when a dangerously ill patient was transferred from the Bundaberg Hospital to Brisbane.

The court was told that he told a junior doctor that he would … Read more »»».

Nine Kuwaiti claimants get $590 mn over Iraq invasion

New York, April 30 (IANS/AKI) The UN has paid $590 million to nine Kuwaiti claimants in connection with Iraq’s 1990 invasion of their country.

The latest payment brings the total amount of compensation disbursed by the UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) to individuals, corporations, governments and international organisations to nearly $29.5 billion, the UN said Thursday. …. Original article  : Nine Kuwaiti claimants get $590 mn over Iraq invasion.

Supreme Court to have a woman judge after four years

NEW DELHI – Former Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice, Gyan Sudha Mishra, will take oath as a Supreme Court Justice on Friday.

She will be the fourth woman judge in the apex court.

Mishra (61) was initially appointed as judge of the Patna High Court in …. Source  : Supreme Court to have a woman judge after four years.

Three buses carrying migrants to US go missing

Mexico City, April 30 (IANS/EFE) Three buses carrying more than 40 migrants from Mexico’s San Luis Potosi state to the US have been missing for more than a month, a top official has said.

The number of people in the two other buses that left Sierra Gorda area for the US also is not known, Fernando …. Source article  : Three buses carrying migrants to US go missing.

Attorneys general in several states sue companies that sell auto service contracts

States sue marketers of auto service contracts

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Several state attorneys general have sued two companies that sell automobile service contracts, alleging that they misled consumers by claiming the products were extended warranties.
Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray says a lawsuit filed Thursday in Ohio alleges that Missouri-based U.S. Fidelis and California-based Credexx Corp. used … Original article on : Attorneys general in several states sue companies that sell auto service contracts.

Pa. hunter found guilty of using pastries to bait 707-pound bear, biggest killed in ‘09 season

Pa. man found guilty of baiting bear with pastries

HARRISBURG, Pa. – A Pennsylvania hunter has been found guilty of using pastries to illegally bait the largest bear killed in the state during the 2009 season.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission says the 39-year-old Wilkes-Barre (WILKS’-behr-ee) resident was found guilty Thursday and was ordered to pay $6,800 in … Read more : Pa. hunter found guilty of using pastries to bait 707-pound bear, biggest killed in ‘09 season.

Independent reporters in authoritarian Belarus complain of harassment, confiscated computers

Reporters in Belarus complain of harassment

MINSK, Belarus – Four independent journalists in authoritarian Belarus said Thursday the state security service has interrogated them and seized their computers and documents as part of an investigation into a libel suit.
Since their media outlets last month published an open letter by police complaining that a former security officer …. Source  : Independent reporters in authoritarian Belarus complain of harassment, confiscated computers.

PM slams legal education in India

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday slammed the country’s legal education system, describing it as “a sea of institutionalised mediocrity”.

Inaugurating a two-day national consultation on second generation reforms in legal education, the prime minister said: “We do have a small number of dynamic and outstanding law schools but I am afraid there remains …. Source article  : PM slams legal education in India.

Taiwan executes 4 inmates, first death sentences carries out since 2005

Taiwan carries out first death sentences in years

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan has carried out a death sentence for the first time since 2005, executing four inmates as a heated debate rages on the island over whether capital punishment should be abolished.
Newly appointed Justice Minister Tseng Yung-fu signed the execution orders Friday, a departure from the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Taiwan executes 4 inmates, first death sentences carries out since 2005.

Beverly Hills company sues Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas for $70,000 in gun storage fees

Calif firm sues Gilbert Arenas for gun fees

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Gilbert Arenas has more gun problems.
In March, the Washington Wizards guard got 30 days in a halfway house for bringing guns into the team’s locker room.
Now a lawsuit claims he owes a Beverly Hills company more than $70,000 for storing guns he bought and …. Original article  : Beverly Hills company sues Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas for $70,000 in gun storage fees.

Shareholders suing Goldman Sachs over executive pay seize on SEC investigation

Shareholders revise Goldman Sachs lawsuit
DOVER, Del. – Shareholders suing Goldman Sachs over executive pay packages are seizing on investigations of the Wall Street bank by the Senate and Securities and Exchange Commission.

A shareholder pay complaint filed earlier this year in Delaware was amended this week to take into account the Senate’s findings and the SEC’s …. Original source  : Shareholders suing Goldman Sachs over executive pay seize on SEC investigation.

OJ Simpson’s acquittal suit is delivered to the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

OJ Simpson acquittal suit arrives at Newseum in DC

LOS ANGELES – The suit O.J. Simpson wore on the day he was acquitted of murder has been delivered to the Newseum in Washington, D.C., where it will be part of a display focusing on the trial that was viewed by millions.
Susan Bennett, vice president and deputy … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : OJ Simpson’s acquittal suit is delivered to the Newseum in Washington, D.C..

Grand jury subpoenas New York Times reporter seeking sources for book material on Iran

Grand jury subpoena to Times reporter over book

WASHINGTON – A New York Times reporter will fight a grand jury subpoena seeking the identities of his sources for portions of a book about the CIA.
The publisher of “State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration,” said Friday that the government should …. Source  : Grand jury subpoenas New York Times reporter seeking sources for book material on Iran.

2 men charged in NYC with supporting al-Qaida terror network, performing assignments

2 men charged in NYC with supporting terror

NEW YORK – Two U.S. citizens were charged Friday with conspiring to provide computer assistance, watches and other support to help “modernize” al-Qaida.
A vaguely worded indictment unsealed Friday in federal court in Manhattan accused Wesam El-Hanafi of traveling to Yemen to meet with unnamed al-Qaida members in February … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 2 men charged in NYC with supporting al-Qaida terror network, performing assignments.

Three-day law enforcement sweep nabs 596 immigrants convicted of crimes throughout Southeast

596 immigrants convicted of crimes nabbed in South

ATLANTA – Federal agents say they have arrested 596 immigrants with criminal records during a three-day immigration enforcement sweep across the Southeast.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Friday that the operation, dubbed Operation Cross Check, was the largest ever conducted by the agency targeting foreign nationals convicted …. Read the original article  : Three-day law enforcement sweep nabs 596 immigrants convicted of crimes throughout Southeast.

India gets new chief justice, Supreme Court a woman judge (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia was Friday named the next chief justice of India, while Chief Justice Gayan Sudha Mishra of the Jharkhand High Court was sworn in as a Supreme Court judge, ending a four year wait for a woman in the apex court.

Kapadia, who will assume charge May 12, will … Read more >>.

Judge lets lawsuit against Walmart near Va. Civil War battlefield go ahead, despite county OK

Fight against Va. battlefield Walmart lives on

RICHMOND, Va. – A judge has kept alive the battle to block a Walmart store near an endangered Civil War battlefield in Virginia.
A judge in Orange County ruled Friday that residents and a preservation group can go forward with a lawsuit to stop Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. from … Read more : Judge lets lawsuit against Walmart near Va. Civil War battlefield go ahead, despite county OK.

Two extra shifts can cut court backlog, says judge

AHMEDABAD – Supreme Court’s Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan has stressed the need for running courts in two extra shifts in addition to the normal court hours to reduce backlog of cases.

“The judiciary in Gujarat runs evening courts in various districts of the state for just this purpose,” he said Saturday night at a function here to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Two extra shifts can cut court backlog, says judge.

16 banquet halls ordered shut in Agra

AGRA – Acting on the Allahabad High Court’s direction, the Agra Development Authority has told 16 banquet halls in Vijay Nagar neighbourhood in Uttar Pradesh’s Taj city to down their shutters, forcing many party hosts to look for alternative venues.

The ADA ordered the halls to down shop Saturday (May 1).
In its fresh notice to … Read more : 16 banquet halls ordered shut in Agra.

‘Allegation against Musharraf of Benazir’s murder ridiculous’

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI – Ruling out any involvement of Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto, his spokesperson has said the allegation was “ridiculous”.

Rashid Qureshi, spokesperson of former president Pervez Musharraf, has termed as ridiculousthe allegations of the assassination of Bhutto against Musharraf, saying the government is trying to involve …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Allegation against Musharraf of Benazir’s murder ridiculous’.

Jullender, Simla were never changed to Jalandhar, Shimla

NEW DELHI – Colonial era spellings of names of cities like “Jullender” and “Simla” were never changed to Jalandhar and Shimla, the union home ministry has revealed in reply to a query put under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The ministry made the revelation in reply to a query by RTI activist Subhash Chandra Agrawal, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Justice Kapadia urges legal professionals to hone skills

NEW DELHI – Chief Justice of India-designate Justice S.H. Kapadia Sunday said that it was incumbent upon judges and lawyers to learn commercial laws to survive and compete in the existing global environment.

Delivering the valedictory address on the conclusion of a two-day national consultation for second generation reforms in legal education here, Justice Kapadia said: … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Justice Kapadia urges legal professionals to hone skills.

Polygamy banned but some immigrants in France use system to make money on their wives

Some profit from wives despite French polygamy ban

PARIS – The burqa, or face-covering veil, is getting all the attention in the debate over Muslim immigrants in France. But another controversial tradition among some immigrants is less noticed and far more widespread: Polygamy.
The issue resurfaced last week after a woman received a traffic citation in the …. Original article  : Polygamy banned but some immigrants in France use system to make money on their wives.

Anyone below 18 is a child: Dhaka

DHAKA – The Bangladesh government has pledged a policy that redefines a ‘child’ as anyone below 18 and they would be kept out of the work force.

Some outlines of a national children policy were announced on May Day.
Bangladesh has a 3.2 million child work force as per 2003 statistics. Of them, 1.29 million … Read more »».

17 suspected illegal immigrants nabbed in search for suspected smugglers who shot Ariz. deputy

17 caught in search for Ariz. deputy’s attackers

PHOENIX – Authorities searching for drug smugglers who shot and wounded an Arizona sheriff’s deputy in the desert south of Phoenix have captured 17 suspected illegal immigrants.
Authorities said Saturday that the group included three who may have been involved in the incident. The search was ended as darkness … Original source on Gaea Times at : 17 suspected illegal immigrants nabbed in search for suspected smugglers who shot Ariz. deputy.

Jury can’t reach verdict in trial of man accused in Ohio bar shootout, retrial planned

Hung jury for man accused in Ohio bar shootout

TOLEDO, Ohio – A judge has declared a mistrial after an Ohio jury failed to reach a verdict in the case of a man charged in a wild shootout that sent patrons fleeing from a bar near the University of Toledo campus.
Thirty-eight-year-old Lashon Sawyer of Toledo faced … Read more »»».

Thousands assemble for May Day rally in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – Thousands of people were assembling in downtown Los Angeles early Sunday for a May Day rally intended to press for the liberalisation of immigration laws.

Spurred by the new Arizona immigration law, which makes it a crime to stay in the country illegally, about 100,000 people were expected to take part in the [..] Read the original article: here.