Former IMF chief Strauss-Kahn settles with 'sex assault maid

NEW YORK: Disgraced former IMF chief and would-be French president Dominique Strauss-Kahn will settle out of court with a Manhattan maid who accused him of sexual assault, ending a sordid 18-month legal saga, reports say. According to the New York Times, quoting unidentified sources "with knowledge of the matter," the 63-year-old French politician and the hotel maid, Nafissatou Diallo, have "quietly reached an agreement to settle" her lawsuit. There was not yet information about any payments by Strauss-Kahn and "no settlement had yet been signed," the report said. Lawyers for the parties are due to go before a judge in the Bronx next week, the newspaper added. NBC television also reported the possible deal, confirming that it had yet to be inked in. Lawyers for Strauss-Kahn and Diallo did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports. Strauss-Kahn, who had been widely touted as a likely challenger to then president Nicolas Sarkozy, suffered a stunning fall from grace following his arrest at a New York hotel last year on the sex assault charges. He then faced a string of separate sex-related investigations in France. Diallo had sued Strauss-Kahn in New York civil court after prosecutors threw out assault charges filed against the globe-trotting politician, saying the maid's sex assault case would not stand up before a jury. Although Strauss-Kahn has since been mired in legal troubles and brought low by the repeated tarnishing of his once stellar reputation, that initial downfall at a posh Manhattan hotel in May 2011 came as a shocking surprise. At the time, Strauss-Kahn was jetting between world capitals as head of the International Monetary Fund and was expected to announce what would have been a formidable candidacy for the French presidency. Diallo, a maid at the Sofitel hotel, shattered that trajectory when she alleged the powerful politician had leapt on her in his room, naked, and forced her to perform oral sex upon him. Strauss-Kahn was arrested as he was about to take a flight back to Europe. He later conceded that there had been a sexual encounter in the hotel room with the cleaner, but insisted that this had been consensual. The subsequent court proceedings and a brief spell in New York's tough Rikers Island detention center publicly humiliated Strauss-Kahn. Then it was the turn of the Manhattan District Attorney's office to face embarrassment as they admitted that their case was falling part, with Diallo being caught lying over several points. Charges were dropped and Strauss-Kahn left hurriedly for France, where his new bout of legal problems were about to begin. His lawyers have repeatedly said they would not agree to a deal to pay off Diallo, branding her a gold-digger. Diallo's lawyers have equally often insisted that they only want their day in court to confront Strauss-Kahn. Already having left US territory, Strauss-Kahn tried to get off the hook by claiming diplomatic immunity in the civil case. However a judge rejected that in May .

Former IMF chief Strauss-Kahn settles with 'sex assault maid

NEW YORK: Disgraced former IMF chief and would-be French president Dominique Strauss-Kahn will settle out of court with a Manhattan maid who accused him of sexual assault, ending a sordid 18-month legal saga, reports say. According to the New York Times, quoting unidentified sources "with knowledge of the matter," the 63-year-old French politician and the hotel maid, Nafissatou Diallo, have "quietly reached an agreement to settle" her lawsuit. There was not yet information about any payments by Strauss-Kahn and "no settlement had yet been signed," the report said. Lawyers for the parties are due to go before a judge in the Bronx next week, the newspaper added. NBC television also reported the possible deal, confirming that it had yet to be inked in. Lawyers for Strauss-Kahn and Diallo did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports. Strauss-Kahn, who had been widely touted as a likely challenger to then president Nicolas Sarkozy, suffered a stunning fall from grace following his arrest at a New York hotel last year on the sex assault charges. He then faced a string of separate sex-related investigations in France. Diallo had sued Strauss-Kahn in New York civil court after prosecutors threw out assault charges filed against the globe-trotting politician, saying the maid's sex assault case would not stand up before a jury. Although Strauss-Kahn has since been mired in legal troubles and brought low by the repeated tarnishing of his once stellar reputation, that initial downfall at a posh Manhattan hotel in May 2011 came as a shocking surprise. At the time, Strauss-Kahn was jetting between world capitals as head of the International Monetary Fund and was expected to announce what would have been a formidable candidacy for the French presidency. Diallo, a maid at the Sofitel hotel, shattered that trajectory when she alleged the powerful politician had leapt on her in his room, naked, and forced her to perform oral sex upon him. Strauss-Kahn was arrested as he was about to take a flight back to Europe. He later conceded that there had been a sexual encounter in the hotel room with the cleaner, but insisted that this had been consensual. The subsequent court proceedings and a brief spell in New York's tough Rikers Island detention center publicly humiliated Strauss-Kahn. Then it was the turn of the Manhattan District Attorney's office to face embarrassment as they admitted that their case was falling part, with Diallo being caught lying over several points. Charges were dropped and Strauss-Kahn left hurriedly for France, where his new bout of legal problems were about to begin. His lawyers have repeatedly said they would not agree to a deal to pay off Diallo, branding her a gold-digger. Diallo's lawyers have equally often insisted that they only want their day in court to confront Strauss-Kahn. Already having left US territory, Strauss-Kahn tried to get off the hook by claiming diplomatic immunity in the civil case. However a judge rejected that in May .

FB case: SC seeks explanation from Maha govt on girls' arrest

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra government to explain the circumstances under which its police arrested two girls from Palghar in Thane district for posting comments on Facebook on the November 18 shutdown for Bal Thackeray's funeral. "The Maharashtra government is directed to explain the circumstances under which the two girls - were arrested for posting comments made by them on Facebook," a bench comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice J Chelameswar said. The bench asked the state government to file its response within four weeks on the public interest litigation filed by a Delhi student, Shreya Singhal. The bench also made as parties the governments of West Bengal and Puducherry where similar incidents had happened in the recent past. It also issued notice to the Delhi government along with them and sought their response within four weeks and posted the matter for hearing after six weeks. Attorney General G E Vahanvati, whose assistance was sought by the court, said,"Please examine section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and I will assist the court on this issue." The AG also referred to the guidelines which say that cases to be registered under the provision of the IT Act has to be decided by senior police officials of the ranks of DGP for cases pertaining to rural areas and IGP for metros. "This can't be done by the head of the police stations," the AG said, adding that this was a matter which required the court's consideration. Meanwhile, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Shreya, sought a direction from the court that no cases be registered across the country unless such complaints are seen and approved by the DGP of the state concerned.

 Former IMF chief Str

FB case: SC seeks explanation from Maha govt on girls' arrest

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra government to explain the circumstances under which its police arrested two girls from Palghar in Thane district for posting comments on Facebook on the November 18 shutdown for Bal Thackeray's funeral. "The Maharashtra government is directed to explain the circumstances under which the two girls - were arrested for posting comments made by them on Facebook," a bench comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice J Chelameswar said. The bench asked the state government to file its response within four weeks on the public interest litigation filed by a Delhi student, Shreya Singhal. The bench also made as parties the governments of West Bengal and Puducherry where similar incidents had happened in the recent past. It also issued notice to the Delhi government along with them and sought their response within four weeks and posted the matter for hearing after six weeks. Attorney General G E Vahanvati, whose assistance was sought by the court, said,"Please examine section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and I will assist the court on this issue." The AG also referred to the guidelines which say that cases to be registered under the provision of the IT Act has to be decided by senior police officials of the ranks of DGP for cases pertaining to rural areas and IGP for metros. "This can't be done by the head of the police stations," the AG said, adding that this was a matter which required the court's consideration. Meanwhile, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Shreya, sought a direction from the court that no cases be registered across the country unless such complaints are seen and approved by the DGP of the state concerned.

 Former IMF chief Str

Amritanandamayi Devi addresses UN convention

BEIJING: Coexistence of humankind is possible in this era of globalisation only when culture and modernisation are in balance, a renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader from India said. "Efforts at coexistence fail when we claim we are all one, but we disrespect each other's ancient customs and traditions," Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, popularly known as Amma, said while addressing the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations' (UNAOC) Regional Consultations for Asia-South Pacific in Shanghai. The 59-year-old spiritual leader from Kerala, known for humanitarian activities, was the only spiritual leader among more than 150 delegates from throughout Asia and the South Pacific invited to the conference, according to a press release. "Coexistence is possible only when culture and modernisation are in balance," she said while explaining how globalisation has affected the coexistence both positively and negatively, she said. Inviting everyone to contribute to the global conversation on coexistence by setting an example of respect and tolerance, she said, "An awareness of the need for coexistence amidst diversity is the only way to alleviate the suffering of others. " The UNAOC is an initiative of the United Nations launched in 2005 by former Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan. The focus of the UNAOC is to improve mutual understanding and cooperation between nations, cultures and religions.

Amritanandamayi Devi addresses UN convention

BEIJING: Coexistence of humankind is possible in this era of globalisation only when culture and modernisation are in balance, a renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader from India said. "Efforts at coexistence fail when we claim we are all one, but we disrespect each other's ancient customs and traditions," Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, popularly known as Amma, said while addressing the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations' (UNAOC) Regional Consultations for Asia-South Pacific in Shanghai. The 59-year-old spiritual leader from Kerala, known for humanitarian activities, was the only spiritual leader among more than 150 delegates from throughout Asia and the South Pacific invited to the conference, according to a press release. "Coexistence is possible only when culture and modernisation are in balance," she said while explaining how globalisation has affected the coexistence both positively and negatively, she said. Inviting everyone to contribute to the global conversation on coexistence by setting an example of respect and tolerance, she said, "An awareness of the need for coexistence amidst diversity is the only way to alleviate the suffering of others. " The UNAOC is an initiative of the United Nations launched in 2005 by former Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan. The focus of the UNAOC is to improve mutual understanding and cooperation between nations, cultures and religions.

Indian couple held in Norway, claims family

HYDERABAD: V Chandrasekhar, a software professional from Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district working in Oslo, never imagined that he and his wife would be arrested by Norwegian Police for trying to discipline his 7-year-old son. Chandrasekhar along with his wife Anupama was taken into custody by the police in Oslo for allegedly trying to discipline their son, their family here claimed. The police arrested Chandrasekhar, a TCS employee, nine months after the child complained to his school teachers that his parents were threatening to send him back to India for his acts, Chandrasekhar’s nephew V Sailender claimed. “My uncle had no idea about the case registered against him initially. He came to Hyderabad along with his wife and children in July and went back to Oslo in the last week of October. Then he was served a notice to appear before the authorities along with his wife,” he said. “My aunt also went to Oslo on November 23 and the couple appeared before the authorities concerned. On November 28, we were informed by my uncle’s neighbours in Oslo that they were arrested and remanded,” Sailender told reporters. The boy was found urinating in the school bus which was reported to his father, who in turn “threatened” the child that he would be sent back to India if he repeated that again, Sailender said, adding the boy was also found bringing toys from school. “We are yet to get complete details on Chandrasekhar’s arrest,” he said. He said the boy was under the custody of Norwegian child protection authorities for some time in February to study his behavioural pattern. Later, they found that the child was alright but ‘hyper-active’ and handed him over to parents,” he said. When contacted, a spokesperson of TCS confirmed the arrest but refused to offer comment, saying that it was a personal matter of the employee.

Indian couple held in Norway, claims family

HYDERABAD: V Chandrasekhar, a software professional from Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district working in Oslo, never imagined that he and his wife would be arrested by Norwegian Police for trying to discipline his 7-year-old son. Chandrasekhar along with his wife Anupama was taken into custody by the police in Oslo for allegedly trying to discipline their son, their family here claimed. The police arrested Chandrasekhar, a TCS employee, nine months after the child complained to his school teachers that his parents were threatening to send him back to India for his acts, Chandrasekhar’s nephew V Sailender claimed. “My uncle had no idea about the case registered against him initially. He came to Hyderabad along with his wife and children in July and went back to Oslo in the last week of October. Then he was served a notice to appear before the authorities along with his wife,” he said. “My aunt also went to Oslo on November 23 and the couple appeared before the authorities concerned. On November 28, we were informed by my uncle’s neighbours in Oslo that they were arrested and remanded,” Sailender told reporters. The boy was found urinating in the school bus which was reported to his father, who in turn “threatened” the child that he would be sent back to India if he repeated that again, Sailender said, adding the boy was also found bringing toys from school. “We are yet to get complete details on Chandrasekhar’s arrest,” he said. He said the boy was under the custody of Norwegian child protection authorities for some time in February to study his behavioural pattern. Later, they found that the child was alright but ‘hyper-active’ and handed him over to parents,” he said. When contacted, a spokesperson of TCS confirmed the arrest but refused to offer comment, saying that it was a personal matter of the employee.

CBI files closure report in lottery case

Thiruvananthapuram:  The CBI team probing the fake lottery sale case filed the closure report in 16 out of the 32 cases as it found the Sikkim and Bhutan lottery tickets being sold by the retailers were not forged. 

The CBI found that the accused were not selling fake lotteries.

The CBI will submit a recommendation in this regard before the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court.

Santiago Martin, a dealer of Bhutan Lottery is an accused in the cases.

CBI files closure report in lottery case

Thiruvananthapuram:  The CBI team probing the fake lottery sale case filed the closure report in 16 out of the 32 cases as it found the Sikkim and Bhutan lottery tickets being sold by the retailers were not forged. 

The CBI found that the accused were not selling fake lotteries.

The CBI will submit a recommendation in this regard before the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court.

Santiago Martin, a dealer of Bhutan Lottery is an accused in the cases.