Michigan coach Rodriguez named in $1M lawsuit over Alabama condo project

Rodriguez named in $1M Alabama condo-loan suit

NYC judge again sides with CIA on withholding names of harshly treated Sept. 11 detainees

NY judge: CIA can keep secrets despite ACLU demand

Accessing passport records results in probation for State Department employee

State Dept employee sentenced to probation

Supreme Court delays Texas execution of man who wants DNA testing

High court blocks Texas execution

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has blocked the execution of a Texas man who says DNA testing could clear him of the triple slaying that has sent him to death row.

Fla. jury finds for dead smoker’s widow, puts blame partly on Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds

Fla. jury awards $30 million in smoker’s death

Judge denies dismissing case against ex-Mass. speaker but is weighing hearing on newer charges

Judge: Case against ex-Mass. speaker can proceed

Colorado balloon boy father Richard Heene completing sentence at home with ankle monitor

Balloon boy dad completing sentence at home

Indian climate change campaigner set free in London

LONDON - An Indian environmental campaigner who climbed on top of the British Parliament last year in a climate change protest was set free as charges against him were dropped by a London court Wednesday.

Family of SeaWorld trainer killed by whale in Orlando asks judge to bar release of video

Trainer’s family wants SeaWorld death video sealed

‘Special powers act, human rights shield for forces’

SHILLONG - Human rights activists term the Armed Force (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) as “draconian”, but the Assam Rifles Wednesday said the legislation is one of its “human rights shields”.

Preity Zinta ‘avoids’ court summons

CHANDIGARH - A local court’s summons issued against Kings XI Punjab’s chairperson Preity Zinta and co-owner Ness Wadia over their Indian Premier League (IPL) advertisements could not be served Wednesday as they sought time through their spokesperson till Thursday afternoon.

Eminent Mumbaikars demand a check on parochial goons

MUMBAI - A group of eminent Mumbaikars Wednesday urged Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to stop tolerating ‘goondagiri’ in the name of parochialism and enforce the rule of law with utmost firmness.

Clinton lauds Indian women leaders

NEW DELHI - Pitching for women’s empowerment, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday lauded Indian women leaders for their contribution to the cause of gender equality.

‘False cases’ blocking sexual harassment bill

NEW DELHI - Despite being a pressing problem, a handful of “false cases” have made the passage of the bill on sexual harassment in workplaces difficult, experts said here Wednesday.

Official fined for delaying RTI information (Lead, correction in para 6)

NEW DELHI - The Central Information Commission (CIC) has ruled that excuses like “shortage of staff and work overload” cannot be considered as reasons for not providing information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act and fined a local official for “delay” in responding.

Government keen on banning criminals from poll fray: Moily

BANGALORE - The central government is keen on banning criminals and communal elements from contesting elections, Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily said Wednesday.

Melinda Gates visits Uttar Pradesh village

LUCKNOW - A tiny remote village of Uttar Pradesh Wednesday had a surprise guest — none other than Melinda Gates, wife of billionaire Bill Gates.

Court asks DDA for records on 2004 housing scheme

NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court, hearing a petition alleging irregularities in the process of allotment of flats, has asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for a list of flat allotees under its 2004 housing scheme.

CIC tosses out ’staff shortage’ excuse, fines official

NEW DELHI - The Central Information Commission (CIC) has ruled that excuses like shortage of staff and work overload cannot be considered as reasons for not providing information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Tripura gets tough with cyber crime

AGARTALA - The Tripura government Wednesday notified guidelines that propose stringent action, including a 10-year jail term, against those involved in cyber crime.

Fiji-Indian origin man who raped strict Hindu family girls in Auckland jailed

AUCKLAND - The rape victims, who came forward to help police arrest a Fiji-Indian-origin serial sex-offender despite their strict Hindu backgrounds, were lauded by Auckland High Court Justice John Priestley.

“Dr. Death” Jayant Patel removed patient’s colon without proper investigation, court told

BRISBANE - Former Indian-origin surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel a.k.a. “Dr. Death” was too quick to remove a patient’s colon without adequate investigation over his cancer concerns, the Brisbane Supreme Court has been told.