Taliban fire rockets at Kabul peace assembly (Second Lead)

KABUL – Taliban guerrillas launched two rockets at the national peace assembly or “jirga” inaugurated by President Hamid Karzai in the Afghan capital but there were no casualties, an official said.

Sporadic firing took place in Afshar area, about 1.5 km from the heavily-guarded jirga venue, following the attack.
The rockets landed near the Intercontinental Hotel [..] Read the original article: here.

US lawyer jailed in Rwanda on genocide denial charge is longtime critic of its president

US lawyer held in Rwanda critical of its president

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota law professor jailed in Rwanda and charged with genocide denial has long been a sharp critic of the central African nation’s president and even helped file a lawsuit accusing the one-time rebel leader of sparking the slaughter that erupted there in 1994.
Peter Erlinder, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : US lawyer jailed in Rwanda on genocide denial charge is longtime critic of its president.

US lacks good options for responding to successful terrorist attack linked to Pakistan

US has few options for Pakistan-linked attack
ISLAMABAD – America’s ability to respond to a successful terrorist attack linked to Pakistan is extremely limited, despite recent talk of severe consequences and even unilateral U.S. military action if one should occur.
The issue is receiving renewed attention following published reports that Washington might consider a strike … Original article on : US lacks good options for responding to successful terrorist attack linked to Pakistan.

Insurgents launch attack as Afghan peace conference starts

Militants attack as Afghan peace conference starts

KABUL, Afghanistan – Security forces battled insurgents including at least one suicide bomber who launched an assault on a national peace conference as it opened Wednesday in the Afghan capital.
A NATO spokesman said several insurgents were shot near the venue, and Afghan police said a suicide bomber detonated explosives, … Read more : Insurgents launch attack as Afghan peace conference starts.

Rockets fired near Kabul peace assembly, Karzai unhurt

KABUL – Two rockets fired by militants landed near the venue of a peace assembly or ‘jirga’ inaugurated by President Hamid Karzai in the Afghanistan capital Wednesday but there were no casualties, officials said.

The two rockets landed near the Intercontinental hotel close to the venue of the National Consultative Peace Jirga while Karzai was delivering … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rockets fired near Kabul peace assembly, Karzai unhurt.

Twin blasts rock Kabul, Karzai unhurt

KABUL – Two explosions rocked the Afghanistan capital Wednesday as President Hamid Karzai opened a “jirga” or peace assembly.

The National Consultative Peace Jirga was aimed at ending conflicts and ensuring peace in the militancy-hit country, Xinhua reported.
Around 1,600 people including tribal chieftains, parliamentarians, social and political figures as well as government officials gathered under …. Read the original article  : Twin blasts rock Kabul, Karzai unhurt.

Japan’s prime minister steps down over bungled handling of US base move, funding scandal

Japan’s prime minister steps down over US base row
TOKYO – Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama resigned Wednesday to improve his party’s chances in an election next month, after his own popularity plunged over his broken campaign promise to move a U.S. Marine base.
Hatoyama’s bungled handling of the relocation of the Marine Air …. Original source  : Japan’s prime minister steps down over bungled handling of US base move, funding scandal.

US asks Pakistan to act against LeT, other anti-India groups

WASHINGTON – Expressing its appreciation for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s willingness to take political risks in resuming a dialogue with Pakistan, the US has again asked Islamabad to take effective action against anti-India terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), blamed for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

“We don’t distinguish among terrorist or violent extremist groups …. Original source  : US asks Pakistan to act against LeT, other anti-India groups.

Japan’s prime minister steps down over bungled handling of relocation of US base

Japan’s prime minister steps down over base row
TOKYO – After just eight months in office, embattled Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Wednesday he was resigning over his broken campaign promise to move a U.S. Marine base off the southern island of Okinawa.
The prime minister faced growing pressure from within his own party …. Original article  : Japan’s prime minister steps down over bungled handling of relocation of US base.

Model for TV’s ‘Law & Order’ prosecutor bows out of role in FDNY minority hiring case

Former DA withdraws from FDNY minority hiring case

NEW YORK – Former Manhattan district attorney Robert Morgenthau withdrew on Tuesday from his role overseeing the city’s efforts to improve the hiring of black and Hispanic firefighters, citing the city’s “resentment” of him.
Morgenthau, who as a longtime prosecutor was a model for the district attorney on TV’s … Read more >>.

Iowa City police say the found drunken driver sans clothes outside neighbor’s apartment

Iowa City police say drunken driver was naked

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa City police say they were able to track down a drunken driver who struck a street sign thanks in part to his clothing. His lack of clothing, that is.
Police say witnesses told officers they saw a naked man drive away from a convenience … Read more »».

Treasury sanctions Mozambican’s 3 businesses after he is designated as a drug trafficker

Treasury sanctions 3 businesses in Mozambique
WASHINGTON – The Treasury Department on Tuesday sanctioned three businesses allegedly connected to a Mozambique man whose name was added by the Obama administration to a list of international drug kingpins.
President Barack Obama placed Mohamed Bachir Suleman on the government’s list of so-called specially designated narcotics … Read more >>>.

Wisconsin prison inmate pleads guilty to helping cellmate hang himself from bed

Wis. inmate pleads guilty in assisted suicide case

JUNEAU, Wis. – A Wisconsin prison inmate has pleaded guilty to a charge that he helped his cellmate hang himself from their bunk bed.
The move by 21-year-old Joshua Walters surprised his own defense lawyer. Walters decided Tuesday to accept a plea bargain offered by the prosecutor.
Walters has pleaded … Read : Wisconsin prison inmate pleads guilty to helping cellmate hang himself from bed.

Kansas AD Perkins declines to talk about police reports he filed that say he was blackmailed

Kansas AD declines to talk about blackmail probe

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins said Tuesday he had been urged by lawyers not to publicly discuss police reports he filed that claim he was the target of blackmail.
Perkins, 65, also said he was determined to stay on the job and help steer Kansas …. Original article  : Kansas AD Perkins declines to talk about police reports he filed that say he was blackmailed.

Prosecutor: Agreement reached in Charlie Sheen’s domestic violence case in Colorado

Prosecutor: Agreement reached in Sheen case

ASPEN, Colo. – Charlie Sheen has reached an agreement with authorities in Colorado over domestic violence allegations involving his wife, a prosecutor said Tuesday.
The agreement was confirmed by Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin, who declined to disclose details.
Brooke Mueller Sheen’s lawyer, Yale Galanter, also confirmed a plea agreement but … Read more : Prosecutor: Agreement reached in Charlie Sheen’s domestic violence case in Colorado.

Jamaica’s prime minister says government plans island-wide assault on deeply entrenched gangs

PM: Jamaica plans island-wide assault on gangs

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica will launch a sustained assault on gangs that control poor communities across the island and fuel one of the world’s highest murder rates, the prime minister said Tuesday.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding said last week’s bloody raid on the West Kingston stronghold of reputed drug lord … Original article on : Jamaica’s prime minister says government plans island-wide assault on deeply entrenched gangs.

Florida mother accused of killing daughter Caylee, 2, misses court after fall in shackles

Mother accused of killing daughter hurt in fall

ORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida mother charged with murdering her 2-year-old daughter missed a court hearing after she suffered some minor injuries in a fall at an Orlando courthouse.
Twenty-four-year-old Casey Anthony fell when her hand and leg restraints became entangled. She fell forward, and officers escorting her were …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Florida mother accused of killing daughter Caylee, 2, misses court after fall in shackles.

Ex-CSI chief sentenced to prison for planting blood evidence in Neb. double-murder case

Ex-CSI chief gets prison for evidence tampering

PLATTSMOUTH, Neb. – The former chief crime scene investigator of Nebraska’s most populous county was sentenced to up to four years in prison Tuesday for planting blood evidence in a 2006 murder investigation.
David Kofoed, 53, was sentenced to between 20 months and 4 years in prison for tampering with …. Read the original article  : Ex-CSI chief sentenced to prison for planting blood evidence in Neb. double-murder case.

US judge orders NY middle school to reinstate student suspended for wearing rosary beads

NY school sued after teen suspended over rosary

ALBANY, N.Y. – A federal judge on Tuesday ordered a school to reinstate a 13-year-old boy who was suspended for wearing rosary beads, pending a hearing into whether the suspension violated his civil rights.
Oneida Middle School officials contend Raymond Hosier violated a policy banning gang-related clothing, as rosary … Read more : US judge orders NY middle school to reinstate student suspended for wearing rosary beads.

Cuba moves 7 political prisoners nearer homes, part of deal to better conditions behind bars

Cuba moving 7 political prisoners nearer homes

HAVANA – Cuba has begun transferring some of the country’s 200 political prisoners to jails closer to home, the first sign the government is making good on a deal with the Roman Catholic Church to improve conditions behind bars.
At least seven prisoners were on the move, according to reports [..] Read the original article: here.