‘Insurgency main reason for Assam’s high maternal mortality’

NEW DELHI - Assam in India’s northeast has the country’s highest rate of maternal mortality, as per the latest official data. According to experts, insurgency which affects access to healthcare services, is one of the main reasons for this.

Why were Bangladeshi children handed over to BSF, police asked

AHMEDABAD - The Gujarat High Court has ordered the special operations group (SOG) of the state police to point out provisions of law or rules under which it handed over three Bangladeshi children to the Border Security Force (BSF). The court directed the police to trace the children.

Arms dealer Suresh Nanda can apply for passport release

NEW DELHI - Arms dealer Suresh Nanda can approach the passport office for the release of his passport which was impounded by the government after he was accused of receiving kickbacks in the purchase of Israeli Barak missiles in 2000, the Delhi High Court said Friday.

BJP issues whip to support Women’s Reservation Bill

NEW DELHI - Supporting “fully” the Women’s Reservation Bill, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday issued a whip to party members to be present in the Rajya Sabha on Monday when the house takes it up for discussion and passage.

Court admits plea to transfer Gulbarg massacre case

GANDHINAGAR - The Gujarat High Court Friday admitted a petition seeking transfer of the Gulbarg Society massacre case of the 2002 communal riots from the court of Judge B.U. Joshi.

Most gender atrocities against Dalit women: P. Sivakami (March 8 is International Women’s Day)

NEW DELHI - India’s leading feminist Dalit novelist-cum-politician P. Sivakami feels that most gender atrocities in the country are committed against Dalit women.

Women’s quota bill in parliament Monday; Smooth passage likely (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - With the numbers on its side, the ruling Congress was upbeat that the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill that will be presented in the Rajya Sabha on International Women’s Day Monday for discussion and passage will sail through without a hitch.

Gordon Brown defends Iraq war

LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Friday gave a staunch defence of the government’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003 but also paid his respects to the many military and civilian victims of the conflict.

Eight sentenced to prison terms for plotting to kill Fiji PM

SUVA - Eight men found guilty of plotting to murder interim Fiji Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama three years ago were given sentences ranging from three to seven years in jail Friday.

Rahul Mahajan moves court for release of passport for honeymoon

NEW DELHI - Rahul Mahajan is putting final touches to his plans to get married on a reality show. On Friday, he moved a court to get his passport back for his honeymoon getaway to Maldives and Ireland next week.

Sex, lies and the mistaken identity

TORONTO - An unusual case in which a woman had sex with her lover’s twin brother thinking he was her real lover is currently unfolding in a court here.

La. senator wants to see if deaths are linked to Chinese drywall; fed officials say no link

La. senator: Are deaths linked to Chinese drywall?

Jury awards 13 plaintiffs $825K each in lawsuit against Premium Standard Farms in Mo.

Jury awards plaintiffs $11M total in hog lawsuit

Son of photographer Ansel Adams sues to stop Calif. art museum from selling dad’s prints

Ansel Adams’ son sues Calif. museum over prints

Judge denies NFL request to move lawsuits over Minn. Vikings suspensions back to federal court

NFL loses bid to move doping case to federal court

Former Infinity Ward studio heads sue Activision over firing

Former studio heads sue Activision after firing

Appeals court overturns $5 million judgment against author Clive Cussler over ‘Sahara’ film

$5 million judgment against Clive Cussler reversed

NFL asks to move lawsuits over Minnesota Vikings suspensions back to federal court

NFL seeks to move doping case to federal court

UK to restrict war crimes prosecution for events abroad after warrants issued for Israelis

UK to restrict prosecution for war crimes abroad

Murdered Auckland Indian store owner’s family shocked over verdict

AUCKLAND - The family of Navtej Singh, the Indian-origin Manurewa liquor store owner who was murdered on June 7, 2008, has expressed shock over a high court’s not guilty verdict for three of the seven convicts involved in the case.