Strike disrupts normal life in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Normal life was disrupted Tuesday as markets, educational institutions and shops remained closed in Kerala due to a one-day nationwide shutdown called by eight major trade unions, including those of the Left and the Congress.

The nationwide strike was called to protest price rise, violation of labour laws and privatisation.
Offices reported … Read more »»».

Strike hits air, road traffic, disrupts life in Bengal

KOLKATA – Normal life was disrupted, with air and road traffic severely hit, in most parts of West Bengal Tuesday due to a one-day nationwide shutdown called by nine major trade unions, including those of the Left and the Congress.

The strike was called to protest against price rise, violation of labour laws and privatisation. … Read more »»».

400 gay marriages registered in Mexico

Mexico City, Sep 7 (IANS/EFE) About 400 same-sex couples have wed in Mexico, six months after the law permitting gay marriage came into effect, authorities said.

A total of 398 marriages have been registered, of which 53 percent were between men and 47 percent between women, the government of the Mexican capital said Monday.
In these … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 400 gay marriages registered in Mexico.

Chinese to sue Japan firm over forced labour during WWII

BEIJING – About 100 labourers in China will file a lawsuit next week against a Japanese company demanding apology and compensation for being forced to work in the firm during World War II, their lawyer said.

Workers from the eastern province of Shandong will sue Mitsubishi Materials Corp and its subsidiaries in China at the Shandong …. Original article  : Chinese to sue Japan firm over forced labour during WWII.

Private firm not allowed to use ‘Mother Dairy’ brand name

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Monday dismissed a plea of a private company to use the brand name “Mother Dairy” for its milk products.

The court passed the direction on the plea of Maa Baisnavi Enterprises, saying that the firm would not be allowed to use the brand name till Mother Dairy’s petition on …. Original article  : Private firm not allowed to use ‘Mother Dairy’ brand name.

Court doubts Gujarat scheme on bar-coded ration cards

GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat government’s plan to introduce bar-coded ration cards received a setback of sorts after the high court Monday doubted the reliability of the proposal to check pilferage.

A Gujarat High Court bench comprising Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi directed the state government to be prepared to demonstrate in the court …. Read the original article  : here.

Can’t follow tips on foodgrain storage, Supreme Court told

NEW DELHI – The central government Monday told the Supreme Court that it could not follow its suggestion to procure foodgrains in proportion to storage capacity as it had to cater to the farmers by providing them minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.

The government said that the “procurement policy of the government of India …. Original article  : Can’t follow tips on foodgrain storage, Supreme Court told.

Karnataka BJP holds protest for cow slaughter ban

BANGALORE – The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday held rallies across Karnataka demanding early presidential nod to a bill banning cow slaughter in the state.

The bill, passed by both the houses of the state legislature, has been sent by Governor H.R. Bhardwaj to President Pratibha Patil for a decision as the Congress, Janata Dal-Secular … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Karnataka BJP holds protest for cow slaughter ban.

Iranian woman who faced death by stoning gets new sentence of 99 lashes, says her son

Son: Iran woman who faced stoning to be lashed

TEHRAN, Iran – An Iranian woman who had faced death by stoning for adultery has now received a new sentence of 99 lashes after a British newspaper ran a picture of an unveiled woman mistakenly identified as her, the woman’s son said Monday.
There was no official confirmation … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Iranian woman who faced death by stoning gets new sentence of 99 lashes, says her son.

British minister jailed for 4 years after performing hundreds of sham marriages

UK minister jailed for 4 years over sham marriages

LONDON – A British judge sentenced a Church of England minister to four years in jail on Monday for his part in a sham-marriage scam which saw hundreds of African men marry European women so they could stay in Britain.
The Rev. Alex Brown was convicted in July … Original article on : British minister jailed for 4 years after performing hundreds of sham marriages.