Accidents & Disasters – Newsletter for November 30, 2010

Hostages at US school freed; gunman shoots himself (Second Lead)

WASHINGTON – A gun-toting student released 24 people he held hostage at a high school in the northern US state of Wisconsin before shooting himself, news reports said.

The 23 pupils and one female teacher were held about five hours in Marinette before being freed Monday night uninjured, police said. When officers entered the classroom … Read : Hostages at US school freed; gunman shoots himself (Second Lead).

Long trials to blame for rapists walking free

NEW DELHI – Three out of four rape accused in India go scot-free, official data reveals. Behind the dismal conviction rate is a saga of long trials and the sabotage of court proceedings by the accused, say experts even as another gangrape in the capital has left the nation shocked.

According to the National … Read more >>.

Supreme Court questions Thomas’ credibility

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday expressed reservation on the objectivity of Central Vigilance Commissioner P.J. Thomas if he were to supervise the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the 2G spectrum scam.

The court said that as secretary of the Department of Telecom, Thomas had justified certain actions that are now under …. Original article  : Supreme Court questions Thomas’ credibility.

Four of family burnt to death in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – A couple and their two young children were burnt to death early Tuesday in a fire that broke out while they were sleeping in their home in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district, police said.

The accident took place in Uttam Nagar village of Saharanpur district, about 450 km from here. Kunwar Pal, his wife, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Four of family burnt to death in Uttar Pradesh.

Hindu girl kidnapped in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – A three-and-a-half year old Hindu girl has been abducted from outside a temple in Pakistan’s Kashmore district in Sindh, a media report said.

Aanchal was kidnapped from outside a Hindu temple Thursday.
Daily Times Tuesday quoted Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti as saying that the kidnappers would be dealt with iron hands.
… Read more »».

CBI books CWG officials Bhanot and Verma, conducts raids

NEW DELHI – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday filed a case against top Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) officials Lalit Bhanot and V.K. Verma for alleged irregularities and raided their homes and offices.

While Bhanot is the OC secretary general, Verma is the OC director general. A case has been filed against them … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : CBI books CWG officials Bhanot and Verma, conducts raids.

BSF trooper found dead inside train

LUCKNOW – A Border Security Force (BSF) trooper posted in Jammu and Kashmir was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside a train in Uttar Pradesh, police said Tuesday.

The body of Mukesh Kumar, aged around 40, was found Monday evening inside the Jammu Tawi Express in Sultanpur district. He was on his way to his …. Read the original article  : BSF trooper found dead inside train.

Six-year-old Pakistani girl rescued from wedding venue

ISLAMABAD – A six-year-old Pakistani girl, whose marriage was to be solemnised with her 23-year-old cousin, was rescued from a secret wedding venue by the police. The unsuspecting girl had been assured that she would get many gifts.

The bridegroom Zahid was arrested from the marriage venue in Sheikhupura in Punjab province.
“We received a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Woman police chief slain in Mexico

Chihuahua (Mexico), Nov 30 (IANS/EFE) The woman leading the police department in the northern Mexican town of Meoqui was shot dead while driving to work, authorities said.

Hermila Garcia was named last month as chief of the 90-strong police force in Meoqui, located 70 km from Chihuahua city, the state capital.
Garcia was found fatally …. Read the original article  : Woman police chief slain in Mexico.

CBI raids premises of OC officials Bhanot, Verma

NEW DELHI – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday raided the homes and offices of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) Secretary General Lalit Bhanot and Director General V.K. Verma.

The raids against the two top aides of OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi are on at 11 places in various parts of the capital, a top …. Source  : CBI raids premises of OC officials Bhanot, Verma.

Inmate kills girlfriend, stashes body in cell at Peru prison

Lima, Nov 30 (IANS/EFE) A Dutch inmate murdered his Peruvian girlfriend on visiting day at Lima’s Lurigancho prison in August and buried her body in his cell, with the killing going undetected for three months, an official said.

Jackson Sanford Staing confessed Sunday night that he murdered Leslie Dayana Paredes Silva at the prison.
The …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Inmate kills girlfriend, stashes body in cell at Peru prison.

Over 1,000 arrests during Ecuador census day

Quito, Nov 30 (IANS/EFE) A total of 1,026 people were placed under arrest Sunday, the day a national census of population and housing was being taken in Ecuador. A law forbids people from leaving their homes even after being counted on that day.

According to national police chief Patricio Franco, 962 people were arrested for …. Source  : Over 1,000 arrests during Ecuador census day.

Gunman releases hostages at US school

WASHINGTON – Twenty-four hostages held by a gun-toting student at a high school in Wisconsin have been released Monday night, broadcaster CNN reported quoting police.

Police chief Jeffery Skorik was quoted as saying that the 23 students and one woman teacher were safe. The gunman had released five of the hostages earlier.
The young …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Armed student takes several hostages in US school

WASHINGTON – A gun-toting student held 18 fellow students and a teacher hostage at a high school in Wisconsin Monday night, after releasing five hostages, broadcaster CNN reported quoting police.

The young male took over a classroom at Marinette High School as the school day drew to a close and was communicating with police through … Read more »».

Three FIFA officials took bribes: BBC

LONDON – Three FIFA officials who later this week will vote on which countries stage the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 took bribes in the 1990s, a BBC television programme claimed Monday.

According to an investigation by Panorama, the officials – Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay, Issa Hayatou who represents African nations and Ricardo Teixeira … Read more »».

Five missing after ship collision in Black Sea

SOFIA – A freighter flying the flag of Sierra Leone sank after a collision with a Dutch tanker in the Black Sea Monday, leaving five crew members unaccounted for, the Bulgarian Interior Ministry said.

The Karim 1 went down during stormy weather 10 nautical miles off Cape Emine, a headland in Bulgaria. Five of its … Read more : Five missing after ship collision in Black Sea.

Six missing after ship collision in Black Sea

SOFIA – A Cambodian-flagged freighter sank after a collision with a Dutch tanker in the Black Sea Monday, leaving six crewmembers unaccounted for, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reported.

The Karim 1 went down during stormy weather off Cape Emine in Bulgaria. Four of its 10-member crew were rescued, all but one of them from … Read : Six missing after ship collision in Black Sea.

Merchant killed in Ghaziabad

GHAZIABAD – A Delhi-based flour merchant was hacked to death in Ghaziabad Monday night, police said. Enmity is suspected to be the motive as a large amount of cash was found on the body.

The body of Vinod Gupta, 48, was found at his rented house in Sector 10 of the Vasundhara area …. Original article  : Merchant killed in Ghaziabad.

Delhi Police file sedition case against Arundhati, Geelani

NEW DELHI – Acting on a court directive, the Delhi Police Monday registered a sedition case against writer-activist Arundhati Roy and Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani for their alleged anti-India speeches at a seminar here.

The Delhi Police have slapped Sections 124 A (sedition), 153 A (promoting enemity between two communities), 153 B (assertion …. Read the original article  : Delhi Police file sedition case against Arundhati, Geelani.

Court seeks views of NGOs, media in Gujarat riots case

GANDHINAGAR – A special court hearing a case related to the Gulberg Society massacre during the 2002 Ahmedabad riots Monday sought the views of NGOs and the media on various aspects of the criminal litigation.

Judge B.U. Joshi observed: “Since the matter in question is linked to national unity, it is necessary not to limit … Read : Court seeks views of NGOs, media in Gujarat riots case.