Why does Punjab want Komagata money, ask Indians in Canada

TORONTO – The Punjab government’s decision to seek $143 million from Canada for forcibly sending back 376 passengers – mostly Sikhs – of the Komagata Maru ship in 1914, has not found much favour in the Indo-Canadian community.

The Komagata Maru was a Japanese ship hired by a Malaysia-based wealthy Sikh, Gurdit Singh, to bring 376 …. Source article  : Why does Punjab want Komagata money, ask Indians in Canada.

Panamanian court frees jailed reporter

Panama City, July 16 (IANS/EFE) Veteran Panamanian journalist Carlos Nu??ez was released from jail after spending 19 days behind bars for libel based on an article he wrote 12 years ago about a polluted river in the western province of Chiriqui.

“I am here for having defended a river of the Baru volcano, for having defended …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Panamanian court frees jailed reporter.

Argentina legalises same-sex marriage

Buenos Aires, July 16 (IANS/EFE) Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalise same-sex marriage following a historic vote in the Senate that laid bare the country’s deep political and social divisions.

The bill backed by President Cristina Fernandez’s government was approved by a vote of 33-27 with three abstentions after a sometimes heated debate …. Read the original article  : Argentina legalises same-sex marriage.

US Sen. John Kerry urges Obama to grant Guatemalan immigrants temporary protected status

Kerry: Protected status for Guatemalan immigrants
BOSTON – Sen. John Kerry has urged President Barack Obama to grant temporary protected status to Guatemalan immigrants living in the United States.
The Massachusetts Democrat wrote to Obama on Thursday that the Central American nation has suffered after Tropical Storm Agatha and the eruption of the Pacaya (pah-KY’-ah) …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Appeals court in NYC: Filmmaker must give Chevron outtakes from Ecuadoreans and lawyers

NYC court limits what filmmaker must give Chevron

NEW YORK – A federal appeals court on Thursday limited the amount of raw footage that a filmmaker must release from his documentary about a legal fight between Chevron and Ecuadoreans over oil contamination.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a two-page order that filmmaker Joseph … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Appeals court in NYC: Filmmaker must give Chevron outtakes from Ecuadoreans and lawyers.

Judge in NYC finds judiciary has limited role in reviewing CIA issues of national security

NY judge rejects release of CIA materials to ACLU

NEW YORK – A federal judge in New York says he won’t force the release of CIA methods relating to Sept. 11 detainees who were interrogated harshly, saying the judiciary’s authority is limited when national security is at stake.
The ruling Thursday by Judge Alvin Hellerstein came in …. Read the original article  : here.

Report: Federal prosecution of immigrants soared over 2 months in spring

Federal prosecution of immigrants soared in spring

FRESNO, Calif. – Researchers say federal prosecution of immigrants soared to new levels last spring, as the Obama administration kept pace with an aggressive enforcement plan started under President George W. Bush.
A study released Thursday by the nonprofit Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse shows the 4,145 cases referred to federal … Read more : Report: Federal prosecution of immigrants soared over 2 months in spring.

UN to observe Nelson Mandela Day July 18

NEW YORK – The UN will mark the first “Nelson Mandela Day” July 18 in honour of the Nobel laureate regarded as the father of the new South Africa, a UN spokesman said here Thursday.

“This week, the UN will commemorate the first Nelson Mandela International Day, designated as the 18th of July,” Farhan Haq, the …. Original article  : UN to observe Nelson Mandela Day July 18.

Utah finds possible state database breach related to list of 1,300 alleged illegal immigrants

Utah finds possible breach in immigrant list probe

SALT LAKE CITY – A spokeswoman for Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday that investigators have found evidence that suggests a state database was breached to create a list of 1,300 purported illegal immigrants that has been circulating around the state.
News media, law enforcement and other government officials … Read more >>.

Judge at Blagojevich corruption trial: Defense can play about a dozen unheard wiretap tapes

Judge: Blago lawyers can play some unheard tapes
CHICAGO – The judge presiding at Rod Blagojevich’s corruption trial has narrowed to about a dozen the number of FBI wiretap tapes jurors haven’t heard yet that the ousted Illinois governor’s lawyers can play as they begin the case for the defense.
Following two days of hearings, … Read more »».