Jury questioning begins in Anna Nicole Smith case; judge wants panel seated by Wednesday

Jury questioning begins in Anna Nicole Smith case

LOS ANGELES – Jury questioning is slated to begin Monday in Los Angeles in the drug conspiracy trial of Anna Nicole Smith’s doctors and her lawyer-boyfriend.
Superior Court Judge Robert Perry says questionnaires filled out by prospective jurors show most of them know something about the former Playboy model’s …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Jury questioning begins in Anna Nicole Smith case; judge wants panel seated by Wednesday.

Army to give permanent commission to women in two months

NEW DELHI – The government Monday told the Supreme Court that it would consider giving permanent commission within two months to women serving as short service commission officers in the legal and education branches of the Indian Army.

The government has sought time to implement its undertaking.
An apex court bench headed by Justice J.M. Panchal …. Original source  : Army to give permanent commission to women in two months.

Permanent commission for women being mulled: Indian Army

NEW DELHI – The government Monday told the Supreme Court that it would consider giving permanent commission to women officers serving as short service commission officers in the legal and education branches of the Indian Army.

The government has sought two months time to implement its undertaking.
An apex court bench headed by Justice J.M. Panchal …. Original source  : Permanent commission for women being mulled: Indian Army.

26/11 case: Bombay HC to take up Kasab’s hearing today

MUMBAI – The petition to confirm the capital punishment for Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 attack will be presented before the Bombay High Court today.

This comes two months after Kasab was convicted and given the death sentence by a special court in Mumbai.

Earlier, Kasab has filed an appeal in the Bombay …. Original source  : 26/11 case: Bombay HC to take up Kasab’s hearing today.

China restricts contents of online games for kids

BEIJING – China has introduced a new law to restrict contents of online computer games to prevent children from developing imitation behaviour and addiction to Internet surfing.

The new regulation, issued by the ministry of culture June 22, took effect from Sunday. It is the first regulation governing the booming market of online games which is …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : China restricts contents of online games for kids.

Fresh twist in Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial has got a new twist following reports of “romantic relations” between the man who is alleged to have been sodomised and a lady prosecutor.

Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail confirmed that Farah Azlina Latif, the deputy public prosecutor, had been dropped from the prosecution team in … Read more >>.

Israel to expel children of illegal immigrants

JERUSALEM – Some 400 children of illegal immigrant workers face deportation under a new residency criteria approved by the Israeli cabinet Sunday, Xinhua reported.

“The cabinet decided to allow most children of people working in Israel illegally, who meet the criteria established by the inter-ministerial committee on their status, to remain in Israel,” a government statement … Original article on : Israel to expel children of illegal immigrants.

Prospective jurors to tell what they know about Anna Nicole Smith’s death, doctors, boyfriend

Jury questioning next in Anna Nicole Smith case

LOS ANGELES – A judge says questionnaires filled out by prospective jurors in the trial of Anna Nicole Smith’s doctors and her lawyer-boyfriend show most of them know something about the model’s life and death.
But how much they know and what they think about the drug conspiracy charges … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Prospective jurors to tell what they know about Anna Nicole Smith’s death, doctors, boyfriend.

Blagojevich die-hards are the kind ousted governor would want on jury deciding his future

Blagojevich die-hards the kind he’d want on jury

CHICAGO – Rod Blagojevich, the ousted governor of Illinois, has been getting support during his nearly two-month corruption trial from a small but dedicated band of fans.
One, 78-year-old May Farley, stands outside with a placard reading, “Rod’s not cuckoo.”
Farley says she’s only grown fonder of Blagojevich as a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Blagojevich die-hards are the kind ousted governor would want on jury deciding his future.

Are judges kings? No judicial activism please (A Legal Reporter’s Diary)

NEW DELHI – Here’s a staunch opponent of judicial activism from within the judiciary itself. Supreme Court’s Justice Markandey Katju seldom misses an opportunity to slam courts for stepping into the domain of the executive and legislature.

Referring to a case, he asked what judges thought of themselves. Are they kings who award compensation, direct …. Read the original article  : here.

Jury selection resumes in Anna Nicole Smith case after most of first round eliminated

Jury selection resumes in Anna Nicole Smith case

LOS ANGELES – Jury selection will resume in the Anna Nicole Smith drug conspiracy case after most prospective jurors were eliminated during the first round of questioning.
Superior Court Judge Robert Perry ordered another group to report Tuesday after attorney challenges excluded all but a few of the first …. Original source  : Jury selection resumes in Anna Nicole Smith case after most of first round eliminated.

AP-Univision poll: Assimilation, cultural identity important to majorities of Hispanics

Poll: Identity, blending in important to Hispanics

SAN FRANCISCO – Tomasa Bulux speaks Spanish to her children, maintains an altar at home representing her Mayan culture’s view of the world and meets once a week with Mayan immigrants who speak her indigenous Quiche tongue.
At the same time, she’s becoming a part of the diverse, cosmopolitan city … Original source on Gaea Times at : AP-Univision poll: Assimilation, cultural identity important to majorities of Hispanics.

Bangladeshi wins Magsaysay award

DHAKA – Bangladesh’s A.H.M. Noman Khan is one of the seven people chosen for the 2010 Ramon Magsaysay Award for his work among the disabled.

“In electing Noman the board recognised his pioneering leadership in mainstreaming persons with disabilities in the development process of Bangladesh, and in working vigorously with all sectors to build a society … Original article on : Bangladeshi wins Magsaysay award.

New law on smokers flying to Hong Kong

HONG KONG – Smokers travelling to Hong Kong by air watch out! Authorities here have passed new regulations that prohibit incoming passengers carrying more than 19 cigarettes.

In the past, travellers entering Hong Kong were allowed to bring in up to three packs or 60 cigarettes duty free.
The new tobacco regulations came into force Aug … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New law on smokers flying to Hong Kong.

Countrywide Financial agrees to pay $600 million to settle shareholders’ class-action lawsuits

Countrywide agrees to pay $600M to settle lawsuits

LOS ANGELES – Countrywide Financial Corp. has agreed to pay $600 million to settle shareholder lawsuits in the largest payout so far from the mortgage meltdown.
U.S. District Judge Mariana Pfaelzer in Los Angeles on Monday gave preliminary approval to the agreement, in which the defendants admitted no wrongdoing. …. Source  : Countrywide Financial agrees to pay $600 million to settle shareholders’ class-action lawsuits.

New filings allege Toyota was informed of 6 sudden acceleration instances as early as 2003

Docs: Toyota had acceleration issues since 2003

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Toyota Motor Corp. knew of at least six sudden acceleration incidents as early as 2003, including some that were verified by its own technicians and dealers, according to court documents filed Monday as part of sprawling litigation against the Japanese automaker.
The incidents were reported to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New filings allege Toyota was informed of 6 sudden acceleration instances as early as 2003.

Rights groups halt plan to kill diseased dogs in Argentina

Buenos Aires, Aug 3 (IANS/EFE) Argentine officials have dropped their plans to kill over 1,000 diseased dogs in southern Neuquen city after animal rights groups protested the move.

City councilors had announced to kill some 1,100 dogs infected with a bacterial disease.
Beginning Monday, some 220 dogs would have been killed daily.
Dogs transmit the … Read more : Rights groups halt plan to kill diseased dogs in Argentina.

Police: Suspect in Pa. lawyer’s killing at range says he stole guns to help overthrow US gov’t

Police: Pa. suspect wanted guns to overthrow gov’t

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Court records say a member of a group bent on overthrowing the U.S. government shot and killed a lawyer at a south-central Pennsylvania gun range last month so he could take his rifle.
A police affidavit says prison guard Raymond Franklin Peake III told detectives he …. Read the original article  : here.

Five more family courts to come up in Delhi

NEW DELHI – In a bid to ensure speedy disposal of justice, the Delhi cabinet Monday gave its nod for creating 99 posts in the Saket district court and decided that five more family courts will be set up in the capital.

At a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, it was decided … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Five more family courts to come up in Delhi.

Notice to government, Delhi Police on ban on protests

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Monday sought the response of the central government and the Delhi Police on a petition challenging a ban on holding protests in the central and New Delhi districts.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Manmohan issued notice to the government and the police on a …. Source article  : Notice to government, Delhi Police on ban on protests.

After winning 32-year legal battle, a royal loses again

LUCKNOW – After winning a 32-year-long court battle following which huge properties were restored to the erstwhile royal of Mahmoodabad by the apex court in 2005, an amendment in the enemy property law – related to those who migrated to Pakistan during partition – has brought him back to square one.

Amir Mohammad Khan, the erstwhile …. Original article  : After winning 32-year legal battle, a royal loses again.

Basic rights of children violated at CWG sites: report

NEW DELHI – Construction workers’ children at the Commonwealth Games sites are deprived of sanitation, schooling and healthcare, said a report released here Wednesday.

The report from NGO Child Relief and You (CRY) is based on observations from some Games sites — Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, R.K. Khanna Stadium, Talkatora Stadium, Nizamuddin Nallah, Lodhi Road, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Basic rights of children violated at CWG sites: report.

Another Islamist leader to face ‘war crimes’ trial

DHAKA – A fifth Islamist leader in Bangladesh is set to face “war crimes” trial on charges of targetting unarmed civilians during the 1971 freedom movement.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to produce Jamaat-e-Islami vice chief Delwar Hossain Sayedee before it coming Tuesday.
The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nizanul Huq fixed …. Original article  : Another Islamist leader to face ‘war crimes’ trial.

Lawyers set to give opening statements at Anna Nicole Smith drug conspiracy trial

Opening statements set in Anna Nicole Smith trial

LOS ANGELES – Attorneys in the Anna Nicole Smith drug conspiracy trial in Los Angeles are scheduled to begin giving their opening statements.
Prosecutors are expected Wednesday morning to accuse two doctors and Smith’s lawyer-boyfriend of giving her massive amounts of opiates and sedatives in the last troubled years [..] Read the original article: here.

High court dismisses PIL on Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the court’s direction to form a panel to look into Commonwealth Games-related projects and reconstitution of the Organising Committee.

The litigation, filed by lawyer Amitava Sen, sought the court’s direction to form a panel of engineers to look into [..] Read the original article: here.

Kutch ruler’s son cannot claim father’s riches: Court

GANDHINAGAR – The Rs.1,000-crore (Rs. 10 billion) riches of erstwhile Kutch ruler, the late Maharao Madansinhji, are different from those now belonging to the government and nobody, including his son, can question the division of property as per his will, the Gujarat High Court has ruled.

The court said this while rejecting the plea of … Read more : Kutch ruler’s son cannot claim father’s riches: Court.

War crimes court shields model Naomi Campbell at trial of ex-Liberian president

Extra security for model Campbell at Taylor trial
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – War crimes judges on Tuesday ordered special security measures for fashion model Naomi Campbell when she testifies at the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, barring photographers from catching her entering or leaving the courtroom.
The judges say Campbell’s fears for her safety … Read more : War crimes court shields model Naomi Campbell at trial of ex-Liberian president.

Indian farmer sent to judicial custody in Bangladesh

SHILLONG – A court in Bangladesh Tuesday remanded to judicial custody an Indian farmer charged with entering the country illegaly, an officer of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) said, alleging that the farmer had been abducted by Bangladeshi nationals.

“A court in Bangladesh’s Sylhet district remanded Demi Dhar to judicial custody till August 16,” BSF … Read more : Indian farmer sent to judicial custody in Bangladesh.

Jurors deliberate for 5th day at corruption trial of former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, brother

Jurors in Blagojevich trial deliberate for 5th day
CHICAGO – Jurors have begun a fifth day of deliberations in the political corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his brother, Tennessee businessman Robert Blagojevich.
A federal marshal at the courthouse in Chicago told reporters on Tuesday morning that jurors were back at work … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Jurors deliberate for 5th day at corruption trial of former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, brother.

Centre tells Supreme Court: It has powers to de-recognise deemed universities

NEW DELHI – The Central Government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it was well within its power under the rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to de-recognise the 44 deemed universities for allegedly failing to maintain mandatory quality education.

Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, who appeared before a bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and … Read more »».

UN chief meets atomic-bomb victims in Nagasaki

TOKYO – United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon met victims of the atomic bombing during his first visit to Nagasaki on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu Thursday.

Nagasaki is to hold the ceremony commemorating the atomic bombing of the city by the United States August 9, 1945, which Ban is not scheduled to attend. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : UN chief meets atomic-bomb victims in Nagasaki.

Judge says NY fire department entry test unfair to blacks, stops hiring of 300 firefighters

Judge blocks FDNY hiring, says test is invalid

NEW YORK – The mostly white Fire Department of New York is temporarily barred from hiring more than 300 rookie firefighters because it used an entry exam that discriminates against blacks and Hispanics, a judge ruled Wednesday.
In a written decision in federal court in Brooklyn, U.S. District Judge … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Judge says NY fire department entry test unfair to blacks, stops hiring of 300 firefighters.

Federal court in Ohio dismisses Joe the Plumber’s lawsuit against former state employees

Ohio court dismisses Joe the Plumber’s fed lawsuit
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal court in Ohio has dismissed a lawsuit that claimed former state employees violated the constitutional rights of a man Republicans dubbed Joe the Plumber by illegally accessing his personal information.
The GOP hailed suburban Toledo resident Samuel “Joe” Wurzelbacher (WUR’-zuhl-bah-kur) in 2008 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Federal court in Ohio dismisses Joe the Plumber’s lawsuit against former state employees.

Blagojevich jurors end sixth day without verdict in former Ill. governor’s corruption trial

Blagojevich jurors end day without verdict
CHICAGO – Jurors deliberating the corruption case against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich have ended a sixth day of deliberations.
Jurors went home Wednesday without announcing a verdict. Earlier in the day, attorneys and prosecutors agreed on instructions that would be read to jurors if they convict Blagojevich of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Federal judge overturns California gay marriage ban (Lead, changing dateline)

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal judge overturned California’s ban on same sex marriage, saying that the voter-approved restriction violated the highest law of the land, the US constitution.

The ruling Wednesday by Judge Vaughn Walker overturned a 2009 ruling by the California Supreme Court that upheld a state-wide ballot proposition in 2008 that reserved marriage for … Read : Federal judge overturns California gay marriage ban (Lead, changing dateline).

California allows same sex marriage

WASHINGTON – Same sex couples in California have a right to be married, said a ruling issued Wednesday in a federal court in San Francisco that overturned a ban on gay marriage in the state.

US district chief judge Vaughn Walker said banning same sex marriage violates the US Constitution because it denies equal rights to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : California allows same sex marriage.

Congress may not give opinion on caste-based census

NEW DELHI – The Congress is considering the option of not giving its opinion on a caste-based census to a group of ministers (GoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, a senior party leader said Wednesday.

The party is likely to go by the stand of the government on the issue, the leader said, at a …. Source article  : Congress may not give opinion on caste-based census.

Canadian judge rejects US request to extradite Canadian on terrorism charges

Judge denies US extradition request
TORONTO – A Canadian indicted in the U.S. on charges he supplied al-Qaida with weapons was freed Wednesday after more than four years in jail after a judge refused to extradite him to the United States.

Abdullah Khadr, 29, has been held in Canada on a U.S. warrant since his December 2005 … Read : Canadian judge rejects US request to extradite Canadian on terrorism charges.

Judges clear the way for model Naomi Campbell to testify at Charles Taylor’s war crimes trial

Naomi Campbell to speak at Taylor war crimes trial

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone have rejected a final protest from Charles Taylor, clearing the way for model Naomi Campbell to testify at his war crimes trial on Thursday.
Taylor’s lawyer had objected to Campbell testifying, arguing that the prosecution had …. Source article  : Judges clear the way for model Naomi Campbell to testify at Charles Taylor’s war crimes trial.

Order DNA tests if unavoidable, courts told

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court has said that courts should exercise extreme caution in ordering a DNA test to determine the paternity of a child as this could end up damaging his or her reputation.

In a matter where the paternity of a child is questioned, the use of DNA test is an extremely delicate … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Order DNA tests if unavoidable, courts told.

‘80,000 rights violation cases recorded every year’

AGARTALA – On an average 80,000 cases of violation of human rights are recorded every year in India. Custodial deaths are also a matter of concern, senior officials and rights activists said here Friday.

“In India human rights violation is a serious matter. Usually 80,000 cases of human rights violation are being registered each year,” former …. Source article  : ‘80,000 rights violation cases recorded every year’.

Federal Judge Overturns The California Section 8

CALIFORNIA (GaeaTimes.com) — The California Section 8, which prohibits gay marriage in California was repealed today by a Federal judge. The gay rights activists in California got a moral boost as the judgment came out. Judge Vaughn Walker in his ruling has termed the law as a violation of the 14th amendment. The ruling …. Source article  : Federal Judge Overturns The California Section 8.

US Senate approves Elena Kagan as Supreme Court Justice

WASHINGTON – The US Senate has voted to approve Elena Kagan as Supreme Court Justice, making her the fourth woman to enter the high court, Xinhua reported.

The Senate voted 63 to 37 Thursday to confirm Kagan, the second Supreme Court nominee of President Barack Obama. She serves as Solicitor General for the administration and will …. Original article  : US Senate approves Elena Kagan as Supreme Court Justice.

New Hayworth ad uses McCain’s own voice admitting to lying during 2000 campaign

New ad quotes McCain admitting to lying in past

PHOENIX – Sen. John McCain’s Republican primary challenger has released a new ad using McCain’s own voice admitting to lying in the past.
Former congressman J.D. Hayworth’s campaign released the commercial Thursday.
It uses McCain’s voice from the recording of his 2002 book, in which McCain recalls publicly supporting … Read more >>.

Jurors in corruption trial of ousted Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich end 7th day of deliberations

Blagojevich jurors end 7th day of deliberations
CHICAGO – Jurors have ended their seventh day of deliberations at the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich without announcing a verdict.
They’ll be back Friday to start an eighth day. Court officials have said earlier the Blagojevich jurors planned to deliberate from 9 a.m. …. Read the original article  : Jurors in corruption trial of ousted Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich end 7th day of deliberations.

Michigan appeals court says 2 Toyota executives can skip interviews in acceleration case

Mich. court rules for Toyota in deposition dispute

FLINT, Mich. – The Michigan appeals court says two executives at Toyota Motor Corp. can avoid depositions in a lawsuit alleging death from sudden acceleration.
The court said Thursday the executives had only general knowledge of the problem and no unique knowledge of the design of the 2005 Camry … Original article on : Michigan appeals court says 2 Toyota executives can skip interviews in acceleration case.

Judge: reunion between Ohio convert and parents impossible, deportation not in best interest

Judge: No reunion between Ohio convert and parents

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A juvenile court judge in Columbus, Ohio, has granted a runaway Christian convert’s request to declare reunion with her Muslim parents impossible, paving the way for the girl to fight deportation.
Magistrate Mary Goodrich said Thursday that reconciliation between Rifqa Bary (RIHF’-kuh BAYR’-ee) and her parents … Original source on Gaea Times at : Judge: reunion between Ohio convert and parents impossible, deportation not in best interest.

UAE culls 500 infected sheep

Dubai, Aug 5 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates has culled 500 sheep infected with brucellosis, a disease that both humans and animals can contract.

Legal action has been taken for culling the animals as their importers violated the regulations in force in the UAE, the ministry of environment and water said.
The ministry asked … Read more : UAE culls 500 infected sheep.

Lawsuit claims attorneys cheated Tyco shareholders out of more than $200 million in settlement

Holder challenges lawyer fees in Tyco settlement

DOVER, Del. – An investor in Tyco International says attorneys who represented shareholders in a securities lawsuit cheated them out of more than $200 million.
The federal lawsuit in Delaware targets Grant & Eisenhofer, one of three law firms that won a $3.2 billion settlement for Tyco shareholders in 2007, …. Read the original article  : here.

Lower courts cannot prosecute for contempt of court

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Thursday held that the lower courts have no power to prosecute a person for contempt of court.

Setting aside a lower court order, Justice S.N. Dhingra ruled that only higher courts can take cognisance of contempt committed by a person against lower judiciary.
The court’s direction came on a …. Source  : Lower courts cannot prosecute for contempt of court.

US bans child adoption from Nepal

KATHMANDU – The Barack Obama government has halted the adoption of abandoned children from Nepal indefinitely due to growing allegations of child trafficking and falsification of documents, often in connivance with government authorities.

The ban came into effect from Friday and would continue indefinitely. However, the US Department of State said American citizens could still adopt …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : US bans child adoption from Nepal.

Sohrabuddin case: CBI reaches Sabarmati jail to question Shah

GANDHINAGAR – The investigating agencies reached the Sabarmati jail on Saturday morning to commence the interrogation of former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah, following the order of the Gujarat High Court that granted two-day custody of Shah to the CBI in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

Justice Akil Quereshi granted Shah’s custody to the CBI … Original article on : Sohrabuddin case: CBI reaches Sabarmati jail to question Shah.

Schwarzenegger backs gay marriage

SAN FRANCISCO – California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday called on a judge to immediately authorise gay marriage in California.

The Republican governor and former movie star made the call in a court filing on the fate of a court order that has delayed implementation of a ruling reversing the ban on gay marriage.
Lifting the stay …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Schwarzenegger backs gay marriage.

Schwarzenegger calls for resumption of same-sex weddings in the state

Schwarzenegger calls for same-sex weddings

SAN FRANCISCO – California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown filed motions Friday calling for resumption of same-sex weddings in the state.
The officials filed the motions after U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker previously overturned Proposition 8, California’s voter-approved gay marriage ban.
Resuming gay marriage “is consistent with California…. Source  : Gaea News Network.

California attorney general calls for resumption of same-sex weddings in the state

Calif attorney general calls for same-sex weddings

SAN FRANCISCO – California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a motion Friday calling for resumption of same-sex weddings in the state.
Brown filed the motion after U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker previously overturned Proposition 8, California’s voter-approved gay marriage ban.
Walker ruled the law violates federal equal protections and due process [..] Read the original article: here.

Examiner in Washington Mutual bankruptcy seeks subpoena power, submits work plan

WaMu examiner submits work plan
DOVER, Del. – The independent examiner appointed to review claims and assets in Washington Mutual’s bankruptcy case is seeking subpoena power.

The examiner made the request Friday in filing his proposed work plan in Delaware bankruptcy court. A hearing on his plan will be held Tuesday.
The judge appointed the examiner after shareholders … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Examiner in Washington Mutual bankruptcy seeks subpoena power, submits work plan.

Jurors in corruption trial of ousted Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich end 8th day of deliberations

Blagojevich jurors end 8th day of deliberations

CHICAGO – Jurors at the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich have ended their eighth day of deliberations early and gone home for a weekend break.
A court official sent a one-sentence statement around 1:30 Friday afternoon that jurors have left. It gave no indication about whether they …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Jurors in corruption trial of ousted Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich end 8th day of deliberations.

Ousted Cleveland critic who claimed retaliation loses lawsuit against newspaper, orchestra

Ousted critic loses lawsuit against Ohio newspaper

CLEVELAND – An ousted critic who claimed he was removed from his beat because of critical coverage lost a lawsuit Friday against his newspaper and the Cleveland Orchestra.
Donald Rosenberg, 56, claimed in the lawsuit that the orchestra lobbied The Plain Dealer to replace him as orchestra reviewer because he …. Read the original article  : Ousted Cleveland critic who claimed retaliation loses lawsuit against newspaper, orchestra.

Indian IT industry slams US move to hike visa fee

BANGALORE – The Indian IT industry Friday slammed the US government’s proposal to sharply increase visa fee to raise funds for its border security needs.

“The Border Security Bill, which was passed by the US senate late Thursday, will have a significant impact on the Indian IT sector, as it aims to raise about $600 [..] Read the original article: here.

Illegal migration leads to exploitation of women: study

NEW DELHI – Poverty, landlessness and unemployment are pushing larger number of Indian and Bangladeshi women to different countries through illegal channels and subjecting them to exploitation and sexual harassment, a new study said here Friday.

The study titled ‘Gender dimensions of international migration from India and Bangladesh: Impact on the families left behind’ found that …. Read the original article  : Illegal migration leads to exploitation of women: study.

When a don wanted to be gentleman (A Legal Reporter’s Diary)

NEW DELHI – Underworld-don-turned-politician Arun Gawli had every intention of changing his ways, but police kept pushing him “back to his past” – or so said his counsel during a hearing in the Supreme Court.

While hearing the petition by the Maharashtra government challenging the Bombay High Court verdict that granted bail to Gawli, counsel Makarand … Read : When a don wanted to be gentleman (A Legal Reporter’s Diary).

‘Awareness, support can prevent mental illness’

NEW DELHI – Awareness and community-support at an early stage can help prevent the onset of mental illness, experts suggested Saturday.

They were speaking at a panel discussion commemorating 10 years of Erawadi tragedy in Tamil Nadu, which left 28 mentally disabled people charred to death Aug 6, 2001. The victims could not escape as they … Read more >>>.

Israel names former official to UN flotilla panel

JERUSALEM – A former official of the Israeli foreign ministry has been chosen to represent his country on a UN panel investigating the deadly Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May, local media reported Saturday.

Yosef Ciechanover, 77, will be one of four people on the panel, which is tasked with fully investigating the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Disabled group demands sacking of swimming coach, official

NEW DELHI – Irked with a swimming coach and an official of a sporting body, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) has written to Sports Minister M.S. Gill to sack them ahead of the Swimming World Championship Aug 15-21.

The letter written Friday alleges that the disabled athletes are facing continuing …. Source article  : Disabled group demands sacking of swimming coach, official.

NGO backs public boycott of Mumbai taxis Aug 12

MUMBAI – Action for good Governance and Networking in India (AGNI), an NGO that works with government agencies for transparency, Saturday announced support to a public boycott of autorickshaws and taxis Aug 12 to protest against arbitrary fares and misbehaviour.

The “Meter Jam” campaign has been started by three advertising professionals who have asked people to …. Original source  : NGO backs public boycott of Mumbai taxis Aug 12.

Book five Uttar Pradesh ministers, court tells police

LUCKNOW – Five Uttar Pradesh ministers, along with five others, are likely to be booked by police after a local court in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district ordered action against them over a blasphemous article published in a journal.

Criminal case are likely to be registered against the five ministers as they figured among the list …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Court rejects IFFCO’s plea for refund from railways

GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat High Court has rejected the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative’s (IFFCO) suit seeking refund from the railways in a dispute related to alleged delay in providing rakes for transportation of its goods.

The court, in an order made available Saturday, rejected the plea on the grounds that the railways’ provision under … Read more : Court rejects IFFCO’s plea for refund from railways.

FIR cannot be encyclopaedia of incident: Apex court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court has said that a first information report (FIR) was not an “encyclopaedia” that would contain the minutest details of an incident and it was not necessary to mention therein all the evidence on which the prosecution proposes to rely during the trial.

“The FIR need not be an encyclopaedia …. Source article  : FIR cannot be encyclopaedia of incident: Apex court.

Gujarat told to hike pay of labour court judges

GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat High Court has directed the state government to hike salary of judicial officers in labour courts by Sep 9 and comply with a Supreme Court order on the issue.

The first bench of the high court while hearing an application of the Gujarat Labour Court Judicial Officers’ Association observed that the central …. Read the original article  : Gujarat told to hike pay of labour court judges.

Priyanka Chopra is new Unicef national ambassador

NEW DELHI – Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has been appointed the national ambassador of Unicef and she will support it in promoting child rights, officials said Saturday.

An agreement in this regard will be signed between the actress and Unicef representative to India, Karin Hulshof, Aug 10 here.
“Unicef ambassadors are celebrities with a demonstrated … Original article on : Priyanka Chopra is new Unicef national ambassador.