Rights group: Hamas must end “cruel and inhuman” treatment of captive Israeli

Rights group criticizes Hamas treatment of Israeli

JERUSALEM – Human Rights Watch charged Friday that Hamas militants are violating the rules of war by prohibiting a captive Israeli soldier from having contact with his family and the Red Cross.
The treatment of the 23-year-old soldier, captured exactly four years ago, by his Hamas captors is “cruel and … Original article on : Rights group: Hamas must end “cruel and inhuman” treatment of captive Israeli.

Ex-Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick’s legal troubles could burden mother’s re-election bid to Congress

Congresswoman balances son’s troubles, campaign

DETROIT – U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick beamed as her son and rising political star, Kwame, vowed during his first ceremonial oath of office to faithfully serve the citizens of Detroit as their mayor. She called the Jan. 4, 2002 event the highlight of her life.
“In my mind he’s still my … Read : Ex-Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick’s legal troubles could burden mother’s re-election bid to Congress.

Safety groups concerned by increase in number of children who are dying in hot cars

Number of child deaths from hot cars is on rise

WASHINGTON – Deaths of infants and toddlers trapped inside hot automobiles have mounted in recent weeks, prompting warnings from the government and safety groups at the start of summer.
A researcher says 18 children have died of hyperthermia since the beginning of this year, eight of them …. Source  : Safety groups concerned by increase in number of children who are dying in hot cars.

Who will jurors believe? Decorated Chicago police officer or 5 felons who say he abused them?

Jurors weigh Chicago cop’s word against 5 felons

CHICAGO – In the end, federal jurors determining the fate of a former Chicago police officer accused of lying about the torture of suspects must decide who is telling the truth: the decorated officer or the five felons.
Jurors are resuming deliberations Friday in the case of former police …. Original source  : Who will jurors believe? Decorated Chicago police officer or 5 felons who say he abused them?.

Kansas doctor, wife who ran clinic linked to 68 deaths found guilty of conspiracy, fraud

Kan. doc convicted of fraud in painkiller case

WICHITA, Kan. – Defense attorneys plan to seek the release of a Kansas doctor and his wife while they appeal their convictions in a case highlighting the medical treatment of chronic pain sufferers and prescription drug abuse.
Jurors found Dr. Stephen Schneider and his wife, Linda, guilty Thursday of …. Read the original article  : here.

After violent standoff in Jamaica, gang leader in NY to face drug trafficking charges

Jamaican gang leader faces drug, gun charges in NY

NEW YORK – Jamaican gang leader Christopher “Dudus” Coke – known for his fiercely loyal following in his own country – also had his admirers in America, U.S. prosecutors say.
In court papers, the federal prosecutors in Manhattan say drug dealers in the U.S. regularly sent “cash and …. Original source  : After violent standoff in Jamaica, gang leader in NY to face drug trafficking charges.

Maoists abduct son of CPI-M leader

KOLKATA – Suspected Maoists have abducted the son of a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader in West Bengal and demanded the release of a jailed guerrilla in order to set him free.

Srimanta Tudu, 21, son of Matilal Tudu, was kidnapped by gunmen from a bus stop Thursday night at Binpur in West Midnapore district, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Maoists abduct son of CPI-M leader.

Swiss man pleads guilty to spraying graffiti on Singapore subway car, may be caned

Swiss pleads guilty to spraying Singapore graffiti

SINGAPORE – A Swiss man pleaded guilty Friday to spray-painting graffiti on a Singapore subway car and could be caned as punishment.
Oliver Fricker, 32, pleaded guilty to one count each of vandalism and trespassing for breaking into a train depot and drawing graffiti on a subway car on May …. Source  : Swiss man pleads guilty to spraying graffiti on Singapore subway car, may be caned.

Militant killed, soldier hurt in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – A guerrilla was killed and a soldier injured Friday in a gunfight between separatists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town, police said.

Soldiers from Rashtriya Rifles, the police Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) surrounded a house in Krankshivan area of Sopore, some 55 km from …. Original source  : Militant killed, soldier hurt in Kashmir.

China says drug cases shot up 16 percent last year with more than 56,000 people convicted

Drug cases shoot up 16 percent last year in China

BEIJING – China says drug cases shot up 16 percent last year from 2008 with courts convicting more than 56,000 people.
Chinese courts handled more than 50,000 drug trafficking cases in 2009 and about 17,000 people received severe sentences – from five years in prison to a …. Source  : China says drug cases shot up 16 percent last year with more than 56,000 people convicted.

Vatican asks judge to reject attempt in Ky. to get under-oath testimony from pope on abuse

Vatican: Ky. abuse lawsuit lacks link to Rome

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Vatican is asking a federal judge to reject an attempt to question Pope Benedict XVI under oath in a Kentucky sex abuse lawsuit on the grounds that there has been no evidence of a link to church officials in Rome.
The arguments filed Thursday in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Vatican asks judge to reject attempt in Ky. to get under-oath testimony from pope on abuse.

Vatican asks judge to reject attempt in Ky. to get under-oath testimony from Pope Benedict XVI

Vatican: Kentucky lawsuit lacks link to Rome

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Vatican is asking a federal judge to reject an attempt to question Pope Benedict XVI under oath in a Kentucky sex abuse lawsuit. Attorneys for the Roman Catholic Church say there has been no evidence of a link to church officials in Rome.
The arguments were … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Vatican asks judge to reject attempt in Ky. to get under-oath testimony from Pope Benedict XVI.

Effective Pakistani government must to destroy Al Qaeda: Obama

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says to achieve its mission in Afghanistan to dismantle and destroy Al Qaeda and its affiliates, the US must ensure a stable Afghan and an effective Pakistani government.

A day after replacing the top American general in Afghanistan, he also made it clear that the change did not indicate a change … Read more >>>.

Greek minister escapes unhurt as bomb kills aide

ATHENS – Greece’s public order minister escaped injury after a bomb went off next to his office Thursday, killing a close aide, police said.

The bomb, a booby-trapped package disguised as a gift, exploded in the seventh-floor office of civil protection minister Michalis Chrysohoidis’ chief of staff, causing extensive damage.
The minister was reportedly in his … Read : Greek minister escapes unhurt as bomb kills aide.

Woman who faked pregnancy stabs couple while trying to take newborn baby from home, police say

Cops: Ind. woman tries taking baby, stabs parents

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Stephanie Foster wanted a baby so badly that when she suffered another miscarriage last fall, she didn’t tell her husband.
Instead, police say Foster, 34, spent months stuffing a pillow inside her clothes to feign pregnancy, forging birth certificates and attending baby showers as she …. Original source  : Woman who faked pregnancy stabs couple while trying to take newborn baby from home, police say.

Former BART officer testifies in own defense in California train station shooting

Defendant testifies in Calif. train shooting trial

LOS ANGELES – A former Bay Area transit officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man told jurors Thursday during his murder trial that training he received didn’t emphasize the possibility of mistaking his stun gun with his handgun.
But that’s what his lawyer claims happened on an Oakland train …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Police say man dead, 1 wounded in shooting at Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensary

Police say man killed in LA pot dispensary

LOS ANGELES – Police in Los Angeles say a man has been killed and another wounded in a shooting at a medical marijuana dispensary.
The police department said Thursday that an unknown number of suspects burst into the Sunset Boulevard store in the Echo Park neighborhood around 4:15 p.m. … Read more : Police say man dead, 1 wounded in shooting at Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensary.

Attorneys for producer implicated in wife’s killing in Mexico say he’ll surrender to US court

Attorneys: Producer will surrender to US court

LOS ANGELES – A reality television producer accused of killing his wife in Mexico will surrender to a U.S. court if necessary, his lawyers said Thursday.
Attorneys Richard Hirsch and Vicki Podberesky statement blasted Mexican investigators and again professed that their client, Bruce Beresford-Redman, is innocent.
“He is prepared to surrender …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Moms of hikers held nearly 1 year in Iran ’shocked’ by report they were arrested in Iraq

Hiker moms ’shocked’ by story on children’s arrest

MINNEAPOLIS – The mothers of three American hikers held in Iran on suspicion of espionage said Thursday they hope a report that their children were arrested on the Iraqi side of the border will help lead to their release.
Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal were arrested July … Read : Moms of hikers held nearly 1 year in Iran ’shocked’ by report they were arrested in Iraq.

California couple arrested for trying to sell baby for $25 outside Walmart, police say

Police: Calif couple tried to sell baby at Walmart

SALINAS, Calif. – A California couple faces child endangerment charges after police say they tried to sell their 6-month-old baby for $25 outside a Walmart store.
Salinas police spokesman, Officer Lalo Villegas, said Thursday that Patrick Fousek, 38, and Samantha Tomasini, 20, were arrested early Wednesday, hours after … Original article on : California couple arrested for trying to sell baby for $25 outside Walmart, police say.