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Strauss-Kahn freed from house arrest
China’s Communist Party is 90
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China flashfloods: 2,600 stranded
Kamal Nath claims diplomatic immunity in ‘84 riots case in US
LeT threat to Indian, western interests: US
Obama’s Prez run didn’t enthuse wife Michelle
Fans celebrate Diana’s 50th birthday
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Strauss-Kahn freed from house arrest
New York, July 1 In a brief hearing at the State Supreme Court in Manhattan, prosecutors did not oppose the release of 62-year-old Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as IMF chief in May following his arrest on the sexual assault charges. The judge then freed him. Strauss-Kahn, considered a strong contender for the French Presidency before his arrest, was bundled out of a Paris-bound flight and taken into custody on charges of sexually assault by the 32-year-old chambermaid, who went to clean his $3,000 suite in New York's Sofitel hotel in May. Prosecutors, who had earlier contended that there was enough evidence to nail Strauss-Kahn, today admitted before Justice Michael J Obus that the case was not as strong as suggested earlier. Strauss-Kahn will be allowed to travel inside the US. He will also get back his $1 million bail and $5 million bond. The Guinean maid had alleged that when she had gone to clean the room, Strauss-Kahn had chased her down a hallway, tried to pull down her dress and forced her to perform oral sex before broke free. While the defence insisted that the sex had been consensual, the prosecution appeared to be confident in the maid's story. Strauss-Kahn had pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual abuse. The maid reportedly called a man, who was in jail for possessing 400 pounds of marijuana, to discuss ways to exploit Strauss-Kahn. She also told investigators that her asylum application said that she had been previously raped but the application does not say so. While the case has not been dismissed yet, the new information damages the maid's credibility as well as the case. Prosecutors, who no longer believe her, are even considering dropping the felony charges. If the case collapses, Strauss-Kahn, could once again be in the race for the French Presidency as a potential challenger to conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2012. While prosecutors have retained the passport of Strauss-Kahn, many of the bail conditions imposed on him have been lifted. Under the strict bail conditions, Strauss-Kahn was not allowed to step outside the apartment at 71 Broadway, in the heart of New York’s financial district. The building itself was besieged by US camera crews with satellite TV trucks and a contingent of French journalists. Quoting law enforcement officials, the New York Times earlier said holes have developed in the credibility of the housekeeper's allegations against Strauss-Kahn. “Since her initial allegation on May 14, the accuser has repeatedly lied," one of the law enforcement officials was quoted as saying. Issues related to the housekeeper's asylum application and her possible links to criminal activities, including drug dealing and money laundering have raised doubts over her credibility, an official said.
— PTI IN KAHN’S FAVOUR
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China’s Communist Party is 90
Beijing, July 1 “We must adhere to the fundamental principle of the party exercising absolute leadership over the army and the fundamental purpose of the army as a people’s army and cultivate core values for contemporary revolutionary military personnel,” Hu said in a keynote speech at a grand gathering marking the 90th founding anniversary of the CPC at Great Hall of the People. Hu, who is also the party General Secretary, said CPC would “actively yet prudently” carry out political and structural reform, aiming to achieve the goal of people determining their destiny. “Corruption will cost the party the support and trust of the people,” the President said. The Party is soberly aware of the gravity and danger of corruption, he said. The whole Party must remain vigilant against corruption, be fully aware that fighting corruption will be “a protracted, complicated and arduous battle,” and give higher priority to combating corruption and upholding integrity, Hu said.
— PTI
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China flashfloods: 2,600 stranded
Beijing, July 1 Stagnant water started to surge in Beigeng, Xincheng county yesterday following persistent heavy rains. The water measured more than 30 million cubic meters, Xie Dayan, head of Xincheng County, said. The water had started to recede and the county's main road was expected to surface from floodwater by tomorrow night if it did not rain again, he said. With streets flooded, residents were travelling on home-made rafts to fetch daily necessities and people whose homes were completely destroyed or seriously damaged had been evacuated to temporary shelters.
— PTI
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Kamal Nath claims diplomatic immunity in ‘84 riots case in US
New York, July 1 Nath said he never received the court summons informing him of the complaint filed against him in connection with 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The complaint against him stated, "The defendant was seen and heard by many on the scene of Gurudwara Rakab Ganj. In this particular incident, defendant was leading and in control of a mob of about four thousand people." Nath has repeatedly denied any involvement and has been cleared by the Nanavati Inquiry Commission, which described the minister's testimony as "vague" but concluded that there was no evidence that he had incited a mob. He said that he never received the summons at the Indian Consulate, where the plaintiff say he was handed summons. — PTI
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LeT threat to Indian, western interests: US
Washington, July 1 “In South Asia Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) -- the organisation responsible for the rampage in Mumbai in 2008 that killed over 100 people, including six Americans -- constitutes a formidable terrorist threat to Indian, US, and other western interests in South Asia and potentially elsewhere,” says the National Strategy for Counter-Terrorism released by the White House. US counter-terrorism efforts against the LeT will continue to target the group's capability to conduct or support operations detrimental to US interests or regional stability, including escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, the White House said in its 19-page report. “Much of our effort against the LeT will continue to centre on coordinating with, enabling, and improving the will and capabilities of partner nations, including in South Asia, Europe, and the Arabian Gulf, to counter the group and its terrorist activities," the White House said in its report, which for the first time makes public key aspects of its policy to defeat terrorism in the world. The report is mainly focused on the Al-Qaida and its other affiliated terrorist groups.
— PTI
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Obama’s Prez run didn’t enthuse wife Michelle
Addressing a crowd of over 100 persons at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser here today, the US First Lady recalled the days of the 2008 Presidential campaign and admitted despite being proud of his work in the Senate she she was not initially enthusiastic about the idea. “And with two young daughters at home, I was worried about the toll that a presidential campaign would take on our family,” Michelle Obama said. She said it took some convincing on Barack's part “and by some - I mean a lot” but she still was a “little uneasy” about this whole "Presidents thing”. She added that her attitude changed as she toured the country on the campaign trail, meeting people whose “stories were extremely familiar to me”. Meanwhile, Barack Obama would next week host his first ever Twitter town hall, one of his global online outreach programmes that would enable people across the globe to ask questions directly to the US President.
— PTI
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Fans celebrate Diana’s 50th birthday
London, July 1 "She would've been so popular still. Everyone would have been here to help celebrate," said Kathy Martin, a 49-year-old childcare worker from Australia. "We'll never get to see her grow old," she added. Martin was one of several hardcore Diana loyalists at the gates, a testament to the hold the princess still has on many fans. They were joined by passers-by, tourists and other admirers, many of whom left cards.
— AP
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Massive protests grip Syria; 12 killed in clashes Panetta takes oath as US defence secy Eight die in Nepal floods, landslides Chavez fighting cancer after surgery 
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Boston, July 1
