Pak Govt’s failure to provide evidence results in release of terror suspects

PESHAWAR – The failure of the Pakistan Government to provide any evidence against terror suspects is resulting in the grant of bail by the Peshawar High Court to them.

The court has started releasing the suspects under Article 199 of the constitution. These suspected were …. Source  : Pak Govt’s failure to provide evidence results in release of terror suspects.

Meghalaya braces for three shutdowns

SHILLONG – Meghalaya is set to see three shutdowns in a row beginning from Tuesday to protest police firing that killed four people at the disputed Langpih village.

While the Khasi Students’ Union has called for a shutdown Tuesday, the United Democratic Party has annouced a 12-hour statewide strike Wednesday. The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Meghalaya braces for three shutdowns.

Australia shuts the door on cooks, hairdressers

SYDNEY – Passing a course in cooking or hairdressing will not deliver permanent residency in Australia after the government Monday took the scissors to its skills-shortage list.

Cooks and hairdressers accounted for 12 percent of the 41,000 issued visas in the skilled category last year and 75 percent of those visas went to those, mostly Indians, … Read more >>.

SC posts being given to general category, says Buta Singh

BHOPAL – National Commission for the Scheduled Castes (NCSC) chairman Buta Singh Sunday said that Dalits were being denied their fundamental right in Madhya Pradesh and that the government was recruiting general category candidates to fill the backlog of vacancies reserved for the SCs.

Singh, who was on the fact-finding mission to Chief …. Original source  : SC posts being given to general category, says Buta Singh.

Supreme Court to go on 49-day recess

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court will go on a 49-day summer recess starting Monday. The court re-opens July 5.

During the vacation, two benches will function to hear urgent and regular matters. The bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice C.K. Prasad would hear urgent matters, while the bench of Justice B.S. Chauhan and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Supreme Court to go on 49-day recess.

Amnesty International team meets Kashmiri separatist leader

SRINAGAR – A two-member team of human rights body Amnesty International Tuesday called on Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group.

The team, comprising Bikram J. Batra and Ramesh Gopal Krishen, arrived here Monday for a six-day visit to assess the human rights situation. They would focus their attention on preventive detentions.
Farooq welcomed … Read more »»».

Rabri Devi gets bail for abusive remarks

PATNA – A Bihar court Tuesday granted bail to former chief minister Rabri Devi for allegedly abusing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at a public rally.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate in Chapra district, about 100 km from here, granted the bail.
Earlier this month, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against Rabri Devi, wife of Rashtriya Janata …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rabri Devi gets bail for abusive remarks.

Lahore High Court issues notice to Zardari over holding two offices

LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a notice to President Asif Ali Zardari over the legality of holding two offices of interest.

Hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan Lawyers Forum (PLF) challenging the right of Zardari to hold on to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Lahore High Court issues notice to Zardari over holding two offices.

Zardari grants Malik presidential pardon to save him from 3-yr jail term

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has come to the rescue of one of his most trusted aides, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, as barely hours after the Lahore High Court (LHC) rejected Malik’s plea in a corruption case, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Indian-born in the dock for harassing ex-boyfriend

LONDON – An Indian-born barrister, who has lost a race discrimination claim, attempted to destroy her former boyfriend’s life by sending emails calling his mother a “whore” and his new girlfriend a “German prostitute”, a court was told.

Aisha Bijlani, 43, sent the mails to Atul Sehgal, describing him as a “pathetic lapdog” and …. Source  : Indian-born in the dock for harassing ex-boyfriend.

NRI body objects to rule seeking surrender of Indian passports

WASHINGTON – A leading body NRIs has asked New Delhi to withdraw new rules seeking surrender of Indian passports upon acquisition of US citizenship, saying they impose undue burdens on the Indian American community.

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) strongly objected to notices posted on the website of consul missions asking …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

National Archives reviewing Kagan-related Clinton administration documents; about 160K pages

National Archive works to review more Kagan papers

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Bill Clinton’s presidential library is reviewing 160,000 documents from the Clinton administration that mention Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. But there is no time set for when the papers can be released.
National Archives spokeswoman Susan Cooper said Tuesday that workers have begun to evaluate …. Source  : National Archives reviewing Kagan-related Clinton administration documents; about 160K pages.

Airline industry group files lawsuit challenging new rule on union organizing

Airlines challenge new rule on union organizing

WASHINGTON – A group of U.S. airlines filed a lawsuit Monday to stop the Obama administration from enforcing a new rule making it easier for unions to organize workers at airlines and railroads.
The Air Transport Association – the industry’s main trade group – claims the rule violates federal law … Original source on Gaea Times at : Airline industry group files lawsuit challenging new rule on union organizing.

Obama’s aunt can stay in US

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s Kenyan aunt has been granted asylum and can remain in the US, an immigration court ruled, according to media reports Monday.

The US Immigration Court in Boston mailed a letter to Zeituni Onyango confirming the decision on Friday.
Onyango had made her case three months ago that the political situation in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama’s aunt can stay in US.

Icahn, Beal Bank appeal ruling over 3 Trump casinos in Atlantic City in bankruptcy battle

Icahn reopens bankruptcy fight for 3 Trump casinos

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Carl Icahn and Dallas-based Beal Bank are continuing to fight for control of the three Trump Entertainment Resorts casinos in Atlantic City.
On Monday they appealed a bankruptcy court ruling that would give ownership of the casinos to Donald Trump, his daughter, Ivanka Trump, and … Read more >>.

Demjanjuk trial canceled for second day in a row after defendant hospitalized with chest pains

Demjanjuk still ill; trial postponed for 2nd day

MUNICH – John Demjanjuk’s trial has been called off for the second day in a row as the defendant remained hospitalized after complaining of chest pains.
The 90-year-old former autoworker from Ohio is being tried on charges of with 27,900 counts of accessory to murder on allegations he was …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Demjanjuk trial canceled for second day in a row after defendant hospitalized with chest pains.

Bangladesh’s Dalits seek better life

DHAKA – Bangladesh’s 1.5 million Dalits are seeking recognition for the menial work they do and also a better deal for their children.

The Dalits were brought to present-day Bangladesh by the British rulers in 1835 from India’s Kanpur and Nagpur cities.
Community leaders say that although they educate their children, they are not given … Read more »».

Himachal high court judges to make assets public

SHIMLA – Judges of the Himachal Pradesh High Court will declare their assets to the public Friday, Chief Justice Kurian Joseph said here Wednesday.

“All the 11 judges in the high court would be declaring their assets May 21. The list of the assets would be posted on the official website of the court for scrutiny. … Read more : Himachal high court judges to make assets public.

Hope is gone: 800 Mumbai families lose battle for survival (Letter from Mumbai)

MUMBAI – What was a few days ago a thriving shantytown in India’s financial capital – where 60 percent of the population lives in slums – looks like a war zone. Thousands of its residents squat in the heat in despair after having lost most of their worldly belongings and, as some say, the … Original article on : Hope is gone: 800 Mumbai families lose battle for survival (Letter from Mumbai).

Illinois girls basketball team just wants to play, not be part of Arizona immigration debate

Ill. team wants out of national immigration debate

DEERFIELD, Ill. – The heated debate over a decision not to allow an Illinois high school basketball team to play at a tournament in Arizona is cooling off with word that the girls are going to Florida instead.
One Highland Park High School player – Morgan Bartelstein – says …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Illinois girls basketball team just wants to play, not be part of Arizona immigration debate.

Conn. secretary of state loses election lawsuit against self; court says she can’t run for AG

Conn. official loses election lawsuit against self

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut’s secretary of state has lost an election lawsuit she filed against her own office in her quest to run for state attorney general.
The state Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that Democrat Susan Bysiewicz (BYE’-suh-witts) isn’t legally qualified to hold office as Connecticut’s top prosecutor.
Connecticut requires … Original source on Gaea Times at : Conn. secretary of state loses election lawsuit against self; court says she can’t run for AG.

Testimony in NJ schoolyard killing trial ends with assessment of defendant’s mental state

Testimony concludes in NJ schoolyard killing trial

NEWARK, N.J. – Testimony has concluded in the trial of one of six people charged with murdering three friends in a New Jersey schoolyard.
The final witness, a psychologist called by the state, has questioned a defense psychologist’s assessment of defendant Rodolfo Godinez (goh-DEEN’-ez) as mildly mentally disabled.
Ernesto Perdomo testified [..] Read the original article: here.

AP NEWSBREAK: More immigrants cross into Arizona as state takes on illegal immigrant fight

AP NEWSBREAK: Migrant crossings rise in Arizona

NOGALES, Mexico – U.S. Border Patrol statistics indicate that illegal crossings from Mexico into Arizona are rising as the state prepares to enact the nation’s toughest immigration law.
The Border Patrol says arrests there have increased 6 percent so far this fiscal year, while overall crossings to the U.S. are … Read more »»».

EU makes textile labelling compulsory

LONDON – “Country of origin” labels on clothes should become compulsory for selling them in Europe, so that people are not misled by labels suggesting they were made in the European Union (EU), the European Parliament said Tuesday.

The only way to ensure that people are not deceived by clothes made in a third country … Read more : EU makes textile labelling compulsory.

NYC jury to decide how much drug company Novartis must pay for discriminating against women

NY jury considers punitive price Novartis must pay

NEW YORK – A lawyer has urged a New York City jury that found Novartis discriminated against women to make the drug company pay hundreds of millions in punitive damages.
Attorney David Sanford told jurors Tuesday that 5,600 current and former Novartis employees represented in the claim should each … Original article on : NYC jury to decide how much drug company Novartis must pay for discriminating against women.

Ruchika case verdict deferred to May 25

CHANDIGARH – The judgement in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case was Thursday postponed to May 25.
[..] Read the original article: here.

Marandi appeals in vain to Supreme Court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to give urgent hearing to the petition filed by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) chief Babulal Marandi challenging Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren for holding the coveted post without being the member of the State assembly.

A vacation bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and Chandramouli Prasad said … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Marandi appeals in vain to Supreme Court.

‘Defiant’ Musharraf ready to take on Pak SC head-on if summoned

WASHINGTON – Accepting the challenge thrown at him by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chief (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif, former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has said that he is ready to appear in the Supreme Court if summoned in any case.

“I only hope that justice will be done,” Musharraf said.

Interacting with …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Immigration issue turns personal when child tells Mrs. Obama her mother doesn’t have ‘papers’

Child tells first lady her mother lacks ‘papers’
SILVER SPRING, Md. – First lady Michelle Obama faced a tough, personal immigration question from a Maryland second-grader Wednesday when she visited an elementary school with her Mexican counterpart, Margarita Zavala.
The girl told Obama that her mother said President Barack Obama was “taking everybody away that … Original article on : Immigration issue turns personal when child tells Mrs. Obama her mother doesn’t have ‘papers’.

US returns passport to dying Laotian man who filed lawsuit in effort to return home

Dying Laotian who sued US gets passport back

SAN FRANCISCO – An elderly Laotian man got his passport back Wednesday and plans to go home to die after suing the U.S. government for the return of the document, his attorney said.
The lawsuit filed by the 88-year-old man using only his last name Xiong alleged immigration officials …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Md. 2nd-grader asks first lady Michelle Obama about immigration, mentions mother

2nd-grader asks first lady about immigration, mom
SILVER SPRING, Md. – First lady Michelle Obama faced a tough, personal question about immigration from a Maryland second-grader during an elementary school visit with Mexican first lady Margarita Zavala.
The girl said Wednesday that her mother said President Barack Obama was “taking everybody away that doesn’t have …. Source article  : Md. 2nd-grader asks first lady Michelle Obama about immigration, mentions mother.

US returns passport to ailing Laotian man who filed lawsuit in effort to leave country

Laotian who sued to leave US gets passport back

SAN FRANCISCO – An ailing Laotian man who sued the U.S. government to return his passport so he could go home to die is getting the document back.
Attorney Kenneth Seeger, who represents the 88-year-old man, says he retrieved the passport Wednesday.
The man filed his lawsuit under only … Read more : US returns passport to ailing Laotian man who filed lawsuit in effort to leave country.

Correction: Official Sues Self story

Correction: Official Sues Self story
HARTFORD, Conn. – In a story May 18 about a lawsuit over the Connecticut secretary of state’s qualifications to serve as state attorney general, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the attorney general is the state’s top prosecutor. The attorney general has the authority to file civil lawsuits only; the chief … Read more : Correction: Official Sues Self story.

US appeals court tosses Jets fan’s suit over Patriots’ secret taping of signals from coaches

US court tosses fan lawsuit over Patriots’ filming

PHILADELPHIA – A New York Jets fan won’t get to pursue his lawsuit over the New England Patriots’ secret videotaping of signals from Jets coaches.
A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia is refusing to step into the fray. The court on Wednesday decided to uphold a lower court’s ruling … Original source on Gaea Times at : US appeals court tosses Jets fan’s suit over Patriots’ secret taping of signals from coaches.

Court to decide on Rathore’s appeal Thursday

CHANDIGARH – A court here will Thursday pronounce its decision on an appeal by former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore challenging his conviction for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra, who later committed suicide.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Gurbir Singh heard the arguments of both sides on day-to-day basis for eight days.
“We are expecting maximum jail … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Court to decide on Rathore’s appeal Thursday.

7-year-old girl’s query puts Michelle Obama in a spot

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama, was put in an embarrassing position when a seven-year-old girl asked whether her mother would be deported for being an illegal immigrant. Authorities later said that the girl’s mother won’t be deported.

Michelle was on a visit with Mexican First Lady Margarita Zavala to the New Hampshire … Read more >>.

Md. girl who told first lady her mom ‘doesn’t have papers’ wants to visit White House

First lady’s questioner wants White House visit
SILVER SPRING, Md. – A second-grader who sprung a question on first lady Michelle Obama about immigration said Thursday she’d like to visit the White House.
The 7-year-old put a human face on the issue Wednesday when she told the first lady during an elementary school visit that …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Md. girl who told first lady her mom ‘doesn’t have papers’ wants to visit White House.

Procter & Gamble’s Dry Max efforts include mommy bloggers, phone lines

P&G steps up Dry Max campaign
PROTECTING PAMPERS: Among other efforts to fight spreading online criticism of its newest version of Pampers, called Dry Max, Procter & Gamble Co. brought in four “mommy bloggers” Thursday. The criticism has triggered a federal safety probe and a lawsuit.

PROTECTING REVENUE: Pampers, P&G’s top-selling product, account for about 10 percent … Read : Procter & Gamble’s Dry Max efforts include mommy bloggers, phone lines.

ICE not pursuing family of Md. girl who told first lady her mom ‘doesn’t have papers’

Feds not pursuing after girl says mom lacks papers

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – A Department of Homeland Security official says federal immigration authorities are not pursuing the family of a Maryland girl who told first lady Michelle Obama that her mother “doesn’t have papers.”
DHS spokesman Matt Chandler said in an e-mailed statement Thursday that Immigration and Customs … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ICE not pursuing family of Md. girl who told first lady her mom ‘doesn’t have papers’.

LA judge orders trial to determine guardianship for children of TV producer and slain wife

Trial set over children of TV producer, slain wife

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles judge has ordered a trial to determine whether the sister or the in-laws of a “Survivor” producer’s wife who was found slain in Mexico will be named guardian of the couple’s two young children.
At a hearing Thursday, the judge in the …. Original source  : LA judge orders trial to determine guardianship for children of TV producer and slain wife.

Jose Canseco’s appearance before grand jury investigating Roger Clemens now set for June 3

Canseco to appear before Clemens grand jury June 3

WASHINGTON – Jose Canseco’s appearance before the grand jury investigating Roger Clemens is now scheduled for June 3.
Canseco will testify before the panel that will decide whether to indict Clemens for lying under oath to Congress.
Canseco was originally scheduled to testify in April, then it was pushed …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

How AP-Univision poll on immigration was conducted

How immigration poll was conducted
The Associated Press-Univision Poll on immigration was conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media from May 7-12. It is based on landline and cell phone interviews with a nationally representative random sample of 901 Hispanic adults.

It was conducted as a supplement to this month’s AP-GfK Poll, which was conducted May … Read more >>>.

Caste-based census controversy reaches apex court

NEW DELHI – The controversy over the caste-based census Thursday reached the Supreme Court after a Chennai-based advocate filed a pre-emptive caveat, praying that if the Madras High Court verdict asking the census commissioner to carry out a caste-based census is challenged, he should be afforded an opportunity of being heard.

Advocate R.Krishnamurthy filed the caveat … Original article on : Caste-based census controversy reaches apex court.

Defense lawyer: 2 Mass. men have no connection to Times Square suspect, never heard of him

Lawyer: Mass. men unconnected to Times Sq. suspect

BOSTON – Two Pakistani men arrested in Massachusetts on alleged immigration violations during the investigation into the failed Times Square bomb plot had no connection to the primary suspect and may have been arrested because all three men booked similar travel, the attorney for the two men said.
Attorney … Read more : Defense lawyer: 2 Mass. men have no connection to Times Square suspect, never heard of him.

Supreme Court blames itself for graft in judicial postings

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday said corruption in judicial appointments has assumed cancerous proportions and blamed itself for “soft-pedalling” on the issue and not dealing with it firmly two decades ago.

A vacation bench of the court headed by Justice G.S. Singhvi said: “Soft-pedalling by the apex court, not today, but 20 years ago …. Read the original article  : here.

Allowing women to be guardians: Panel examines bill

NEW DELHI – A parliamentary panel is scrutinising a bill aimed at giving Indian women equal rights as men in adopting children and becoming guardians of minors, including their own kids – something they are barred from under existing law.

The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010 seeks to entitle women to equal rights as men on … Original article on : Allowing women to be guardians: Panel examines bill.

Lahore High Court seeks reply from Pak Govt in A Q Khan case

LAHORE – The Lahore High Court has asked the federal government to submit statement of compliance on whether it is complying with its orders for allowing unrestricted movement to nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

On Friday, …. Read the original article  : here.

Government, apex court headed for confrontation on Zardari

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government and the Supreme Court seemed headed for a major confrontation on reopening a graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari and a statute amendment that has created a commission for the appointment of superior court judges.

At a strategy dinner here Friday night, the government decided to tell the court that …. Original source  : Government, apex court headed for confrontation on Zardari.

Canada should apologise to Indians, BSF: former trooper

LUDHIANA – Canada should apologise to Indians and to the Border Security Force (BSF) for using “insulting” language, says a retired trooper who was refused a visa because he had worked for a “notoriously violent force”.

“They have not said anything against me. But the Canadian officials have insulted the BSF and my country. I … Original source on Gaea Times at : Canada should apologise to Indians, BSF: former trooper.

Canada reviewing former BSF officer’s case

NEW DELHI – Canada is “reviewing” the rejection of visa to a former Border Security Force (BSF) constable after the decision sparked off a diplomatic row, a Canadian official told IANS Saturday.

The Canadian High Commission rejected in December a visa request from retired BSF constable Fateh Singh Pandher, accusing the paramilitary force of “war crimes” … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Canada reviewing former BSF officer’s case.

Archivist: Obama won’t claim privilege over Kagan’s files, to be released starting June 4

Archivist: Obama won’t block Kagan file release
WASHINGTON – The nation’s official government record-keeper says President Barack Obama won’t try to block the release of documents from Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s work in the Clinton White House.
Archivist David Ferriero told senators in a letter Friday that his staff has begun combing through tens …. Read the original article  : Archivist: Obama won’t claim privilege over Kagan’s files, to be released starting June 4.

Heat guard Dwyane Wade takes stand for 1st time in $25M restaurant trial

Heat guard Wade takes stand in restaurant trial

MIAMI – Dwyane Wade has finally taken the stand at the trial where two ex-partners are suing him for $25 million in a failed restaurant deal.
The star Miami Heat guard was called as the case’s third witness around 4:15 p.m. He’s expected to testify for about an hour …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Heat guard Dwyane Wade takes stand for 1st time in $25M restaurant trial.

Deaf workers sue Calif alleging failure to provide interpreters, proper emergency procedures

Lawsuit: Calif fails to accommodate deaf workers

SAN FRANCISCO – Deaf and hard-of-hearing state employees in California are regularly denied sign language interpreters for meetings and have been left behind during emergency evacuations because of a failure to accommodate their disability, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.
“Our investigation reveals a systemic breakdown,” said Joshua Konecky, a [..] Read the original article: here.

BSF dubbed ‘violent force’, ex-trooper denied visa

CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI – A retired Border Security Force (BSF) trooper was denied a Canadian visa after a diplomat accused the paramilitary force of “war crimes” and being a “notoriously violent force”.

In a communication to Fateh Singh Pandher, a New Delhi-based Canadian High Commission diplomat has described the BSF as a “notoriously violent paramilitary unit” which …. Read the original article  : here.

BSF dubbed ‘violent force’, ex-BSF man denied visa

CHANDIGARH – A retired Border Security Force (BSF) trooper was denied a Canadian visa after a diplomat accused the paramilitary force of “war crimes” and being a “notoriously violent force”.

In a communication to Fateh Singh Pandher, a New Delhi-based Canadian High Commission diplomat has described the BSF as a “notoriously violent paramilitary unit” which is … Read : BSF dubbed ‘violent force’, ex-BSF man denied visa.