International rights groups condemn Kyrgyz activist’s life jail sentence

Rights groups slam Kyrgyz activist’s life sentence

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – International advocacy groups condemned the life sentence handed to a leading rights activist in Kyrgyzstan, saying Thursday that his trial was marred by violence and procedural irregularities.
The Nooken District Court in southern Kyrgyzstan convicted Azimjon Askarov on Wednesday on charges including complicity in murder, participating in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : International rights groups condemn Kyrgyz activist’s life jail sentence.

Lawsuit by Michael Jackson’s mom aims to shift focus to AEG Live, promoter of aborted comeback

Suit by Jackson’s mom focuses on concert backer

LOS ANGELES – A lawsuit filed by Michael Jackson’s mother once again places the spotlight on the pop star’s final days as it focuses not just on the doctor charged in his death but also on the concert promoter that was supposed to pay the physician.
Katherine Jackson sued … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Lawsuit by Michael Jackson’s mom aims to shift focus to AEG Live, promoter of aborted comeback.

Jurors begin deliberations in attempted murder trial of Los Angeles actor

Fate of LA actor now in hands of SoCal jury

VISTA, Calif. – The fate of an actor accused of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend is now in the hands of a San Diego County jury.
Jurors began deliberations Wednesday afternoon after closing arguments concluded in the trial of Shelley Malil. The panel recessed late Wednesday without …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Jurors begin deliberations in attempted murder trial of Los Angeles actor.

Pune-Mumbai now linked by terror as well

MUMBAI/PUNE – It’s not just an expressway that connects Mumbai and Pune. Investigators say the two Maharashtra cities are now strongly linked by a terror trail, and revelations in the German Bakery bombing are the latest pointer in this direction.

Separated from India’s commercial and entertainment capital Mumbai by a mere 150-minute drive on the expressway, …. Read the original article  : Pune-Mumbai now linked by terror as well.

Wisconsin district attorney who ’sexted’ domestic abuse victim says he will stay in office

Wis. prosecutor who ’sexted’ victim won’t resign

CHILTON, Wis. – A Wisconsin prosecutor known as an advocate for crime victims says he’s embarrassed about sending sexually suggestive text messages to a strangulation victim.
But Calumet County District Attorney Kenneth Kratz said Wednesday that he won’t be leaving office.
Kratz issued that statement after The Associated Press reported on …. Read the original article  : here.

Military officer to decide if Fort Hood shooting suspect’s hearing should be closed

Attorney says Fort Hood hearing should be closed

FORT HOOD, Texas – A military officer is expected to decide Thursday whether allowing the media and others to hear testimony next month from those who survived last year’s shooting rampage at Fort Hood will jeopardize the suspect’s right to a fair trial.
Defense attorney John Galligan said he …. Source  : Military officer to decide if Fort Hood shooting suspect’s hearing should be closed.

Maoists release abducted Jharkhand official

RANCHI – The Maoists Thursday released an official they abducted from Jharkhand’s Latehar district a day earlier, police said.

According to police, the rebels abducted seven officials from Pagar village, around 145 km from Ranchi. Six were released Wednesday evening but an official of the food and supply department, M.O. Kesar Murmu, was taken to a … Original article on : Maoists release abducted Jharkhand official.

Maoists planned to replicate Jehanabad jailbreak in Jamui

PATNA – Maoist guerrillas in Bihar planned to replicate Jehanabad jailbreak in Jamui district last month to free their 51 cadres lodged in the jail, police said Thursday.

Baro Koda, a Maoist suspected of killing Lucas Tete — one of the four Bihar policemen abducted by the rebels last month — and arrested last week, [..] Read the original article: here.

Pope Benedict to begin 4-day UK visit with Scotland stop and visit with Queen Elizabeth

Pope begins 4-day UK visit with stop in Scotland

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the United Kingdom on Thursday for a four-day visit, a controversial yet historic state trip that has been overshadowed by the sex abuse scandals which have shaken confidence in the Roman Catholic Church.
Thousands of tickets to papal events remain … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pope Benedict to begin 4-day UK visit with Scotland stop and visit with Queen Elizabeth.

‘Ode to peace’ UN concert symbolized India’s mission against terror: Envoy

CHICAGO – The ‘Ode to peace’ concert performed by sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at the United Nations ahead of the 9/11 anniversary was a declaration of India’s battle against terror, says Anupam Ray, India’s acting permanent representative to the United Nations.

“India has been one of the biggest victims of terror and the event … Read : ‘Ode to peace’ UN concert symbolized India’s mission against terror: Envoy.

Pope Benedict to begin four-day UK visit with Scotland stop and visit with Queen Elizabeth

Pope to begin four-day UK visit with Scotland stop

EDINBURGH, Scotland – After months of preparation and controversy, Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the United Kingdom on Thursday for a four-day visit overshadowed by sex abuse scandals that have shaken confidence in the church.
Thousands of tickets to papal events remain unclaimed in an increasingly secular country … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pope Benedict to begin four-day UK visit with Scotland stop and visit with Queen Elizabeth.

Khmer Rouge tribunal indicts 4 senior leaders ahead of second trial

Khmer Rouge tribunal indicts 4 senior leaders

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodia’s U.N.-backed genocide tribunal Thursday indicted the four top surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime blamed for 1.7 million deaths in the 1970s, paving the way for the panel’s long-awaited second trial next year.
The defendants, now frail octogenarians, deny any guilt for their roles …. Source article  : Khmer Rouge tribunal indicts 4 senior leaders ahead of second trial.

Man convicted in deaths that terrorized Calif. rural area paroled to grounds of state prison

Convicted killer paroled to Calif. prison grounds

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California prison officials say a man convicted in a series of killings in the 1980s and ’90s will be moving to living quarters on the grounds of High Desert State Prison.
Loren Herzog had been sentenced to 78 years in prison after being convicted in 2003 in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Man convicted in deaths that terrorized Calif. rural area paroled to grounds of state prison.

Suspected Filipino mom of newborn baby abandoned in airplane trash questioned

Suspected Filipino mom of mystery plane baby found

MANILA, Philippines – Investigators Thursday questioned the suspected Philippine mother of a baby found alive in the trash of a Bahrain-to-Manila flight, after tracing the passenger assigned to a bloodstained seat on the plane.
Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said authorities planned DNA tests on the baby, who apparently …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Suspected Filipino mom of newborn baby abandoned in airplane trash questioned.

Government report finds rate of illegal drug use rising to highest level in nearly a decade

Report: Illegal drug use up sharply last year

WASHINGTON – The rate of illegal drug use rose last year to the highest level in nearly a decade, fueled by a sharp increase in marijuana use and a surge in ecstasy and methamphetamine abuse, the government reported Wednesday.
Gil Kerlikowske, the director of the Office of National Drug … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Government report finds rate of illegal drug use rising to highest level in nearly a decade.

Israeli planes strike Gaza

GAZA – Israeli F16 jets carried out early Thursday five successive airstrikes on several targets in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in response to earlier projectile attacks on southern Israel, witnesses said.

They said that the jets flew over the costal enclave and struck non-populated areas in northern Gaza Strip, causing no damages and no injuries, but … Read more »»».

Michael Jackson’s mother sues concert promoter AEG Live over provisions of care for pop star

Jackson’s mother sues concert promoter AEG Live

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson’s mother sued a concert promoter Wednesday, alleging the company failed to provide life-saving equipment and oversee a doctor who was hired to look out for the pop star’s well-being as he prepared for what were intended to be his comeback concerts.
Katherine Jackson’s lawsuit was … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Michael Jackson’s mother sues concert promoter AEG Live over provisions of care for pop star.

Ill. man who pleaded guilty to bilking friends in $77M Ponzi scheme gets 23 years in prison

Ill. man gets 23 years for $77M Ponzi scheme

CHICAGO – Tearful, angry victims of a $77 million Ponzi scheme that targeted hundreds of often working-class Italian-Americans crowded into a Chicago courtroom Thursday to tell their stories before a judge handed the convicted swindler a maximum 23-year prison term.
The federal judge rejected prosecutors’ recommendation of a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ill. man who pleaded guilty to bilking friends in $77M Ponzi scheme gets 23 years in prison.

Seattle LB Leroy Hill back from suspension, ready to do whatever needed for Seahawks

Seahawks’ Leroy Hill back from suspension
RENTON, Wash. – Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill finally has a game to look forward to.

After a rough few months filled with off-field drama, Hill returned from his one-game suspension and rejoined the Seahawks on Wednesday. He’ll play on Sunday in Denver, although no one is quite sure how Hill will …. Original article  : Seattle LB Leroy Hill back from suspension, ready to do whatever needed for Seahawks.

Police: Man whose body was found in Los Angeles airport bathroom had history of mental illness

Body found in restroom at Los Angeles airport

LOS ANGELES – A man who was found dead with his hands tied behind his back and a bag over his head in a restroom at Los Angeles International Airport apparently committed suicide, officials said Wednesday.
The man, whose identity was not immediately released pending notification of family, had … Read more >>>.