Canadian parliament admits motion to call 1984 riots ‘genocide’

TORONTO - A motion by an Indo-Canadian MP asking the Canadian government declare the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as ‘genocide’ was tabled in the country’s parliament late Thursday.

If the Bhopal tragedy had happened in the US? (Comment)

It is rarely, if at all, remembered that the Dec 2-3, 1984, Bhopal industrial disaster had capped off five weeks of what was probably the bloodiest time in independent India’s history until then. In a macabre sort of way, the Bhopal disaster seemed to provide perfect denouement to the series of dystopian events that preceded it during the Orwellian year.

LA judge finds man guilty of stalking Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, weapons violations

Man found guilty of stalking gymnast Shawn Johnson

Kagan played role in defending Clinton in Jones sex suit, but memos to be kept secret

Appeals court: Feds in Bonds perjury trial must exclude urine samples, other key evidence

Appeals court sides with Bonds on evidence

Sri Lankan minister goes home, Indian court to hear arrest plea Monday

CHENNAI - Sri Lankan Minister Douglas Devananda, declared a proclaimed offender under the Indian law, returned to his country Friday as the Madras High Court said it will hear a petition urging his arrest Monday.

Delhi government, MCD pulled up for manhole cleaners’ deaths

NEW DELHI - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday sought the response of the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on the alleged death of three people while cleaning a manhole in the capital.

Judge sentences Wisconsin inmate to 27 months of prison for helping cellmate commit suicide

Judge sentences Wis. inmate for role in suicide

Apex court declines to stay cancellation of golf club licence

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Friday declined to stay operation of the Kerala government’s November 2008 notification informing the Trivandrum Golf Club (TGC) about the cancellation of its licence.

Delhi’s women centres to be made employment oriented

NEW DELHI - Around 100 centres in the city which train women from weaker sections of society will be linked with employment institutions to provide jobs to these women, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Friday.

Court acquits man of rape charge, says victim unreliable

NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court Friday held a rape victim as unreliable and acquitted the accused, saying that the woman failed to prove her case and did not appear to be “consistent and firm” on her stand.

Is a minor’s marriage with consent legal?

NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court Friday asked a larger bench to consider whether or not a minor’s marriage, conducted with her/his consent, is to be declared legal.

Apex court issues contempt notice to Gorkha group

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Friday issued a notice of contempt to the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) for repeatedly blocking the National Highway 31-A connecting Siliguri in West Bengal with Gangtok in Sikkim during their agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state.

Petition against Amitabh Bachchan dismissed

LUCKNOW - A court in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district Friday dismissed a petition seeking a criminal case against Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan for not honouring his commitment to build a women’s college.

Ban employment of kids in agriculture: NGO

NEW DELHI - As the nation observes World Day Against Child Labour Saturday, NGO Child Rights and You (CRY) Friday said that unless agriculture is brought under the ambit of the child labour law, eradicating child labour as a whole will be a futile attempt.

Italy’s senate passes wiretap restrictions bill

Rome, June 11 (IANS/AKI) Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi won a major victory when Italy’s Senate passed a controversial law to restrict wiretapping and impose fines on news organisations that publish leaked information on criminal probes.

Top Iran human rights official expects trial soon for 3 detained Americans

Iran official expects trial soon for 3 Americans

Pacheco aide alleges witch-hunt on to shield politician’s son

PANAJI - The police “witch-hunt” against the Goa’s former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco is a fallout of his demand to investigate the involvement of a senior politician’s son in Goa’s notorious drug nexus, Pacheco’s aide said Friday.

Finnish court sentences Rwandan Francois Bazaramba to life for 1994 genocide in home country

Finland: Rwandan sentenced to life for genocide

Dhaka daily resumes publication after court order

DHAKA - Bengali newspaper Amar Desh came out with a four-page edition Friday, a day after a high court bench stayed its closure by the government and warned the authorities against harassing the daily’s acting editor.

Indian Legal Service to be revamped to attract fresh talent

NEW DELHI - The Indian Legal Service (ILS) will be revamped to attract fresh and talented law graduates - and not just experienced officers - to various government services, officials in the law and justice ministry said Friday.

Ostracised over faulty HIV test, Kerala couple seeks justice

KOZHIKODE - A faulty HIV test has turned a young Kerala couple’s world upside down. Not only were Prajeesh and Sejina, who were expecting their first child, ostracised by the hospital staff and their village, but they also lost their jobs. They have now sought action against the hospital for the goof-up.

Colombian gets 30 years for disappearance of 1985 siege survivors

Bogota, June 11 (IANS/EFE) A retired Colombian army officer has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the disappearance of 10 civilians who survived the November 1985 battle between security forces and leftist rebels occupying the Palace of Justice in Bogota.

Dowry, sexual harassment laws among government priorities

NEW DELHI - Three laws - on dowry, indecent representation of women and juvenile justice - as well as a draft bill on sexual harassment at workplace are top priority for the government this year, says Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath.

As court moves to settle 9/11 health lawsuits, conflict seen with proposed federal bill

Conflict seen between 2 deals for 9/11 responders

Contempt notice to GJM for blocking national highway

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Friday issued a contempt notice to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for repeatedly blocking the national highway, connecting Siliguri with Gangtok, during the course of their agitation for a separate statehood.

In Rajasthan, those neglecting parents could face jail

JAIPUR - The Rajasthan government has come to the aid of the elderly neglected by their children. It has decided that the guilty will be ordered to make a monthly allowance as maintenance for their parents or face up to three months in jail.

Taiwan court cuts ex-president Chen’s life term to 20 years

TAIPEI - Taiwan’s High Court Friday reduced former president Chen Shui-bian’s life term to 20 years imprisonment as his family has given back some of the state funds he was accused of having embezzled, TV reports said.