Accidents & Disasters – Newsletter for December 29, 2010

Six injured in Uttar Pradesh building collapse

LUCKNOW – Six people were critically injured Wednesday when a commercial building under construction collapsed in a town in Uttar Pradesh, police said.

The accident took place in Kilanagar town in Meerut district when a major portion of the first floor of the commercial building collapsed.
“Rescue operations are over now. All the six people …. Original source  : Six injured in Uttar Pradesh building collapse.

Punjab Avenue: a signboard that keeps disappearing in California county

LOS ANGELES – The signboard for Punjab Avenue, a street in California’s Fresno County, has become such a favourite with thieves that officials have now mooted the idea of planting hidden tracking devices inside it.

Fresno County, which is home to the first Sikh immigrants in the late 19th century, has a 40,000-strong Punjabi community …. Original article  : Punjab Avenue: a signboard that keeps disappearing in California county.

BJD worker held for disrespect to tricolour

BHUBANESWAR – A Biju Janata Dal (BJD) worker was arrested Wednesday allegedly for disrespecting the national flag at a party function here Sunday, police said.

Acting on three complaints, the city police arrested Janakar Sahu under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, inspector Rabindranath Satpathy told IANS.
Sahu allegedly brought with him … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : BJD worker held for disrespect to tricolour.

Pro-Maoist shutdown cripples life in three Bengal districts

KOLKATA – Normal life was thrown out of gear in portions of three Maoist affected districts of West Bengal Wednesday, the second day of the 48-hour shutdown enforced by the pro-Maoist Peoples Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA). The tribal group is protesting the arrest of their leaders.

No buses moved on the roads in Junglemahal, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pro-Maoist shutdown cripples life in three Bengal districts.

Man kills father for being liquor addict

RAIPUR – A 25-year-old man has been arrested here for killing his father who was a liquor addict, police said Wednesday.

Bharatlal Sahu hit on the head of 52-year-old Premlal Sahu with a stone Tuesday night as he was upset over his father’s liquor addiction. Premlal died on the spot, a police official …. Original source  : Man kills father for being liquor addict.

Bank robbers walk away with CCTVs

ISLAMABAD – Robbers struck at a bank here and walked away with Rs.6 million cash – and CCTV cameras.

Police officer Azkar Shah told the Daily Times that the involvement of some bank officials could not be ruled out. Five armed men were involved in the crime.
…. Source  : Bank robbers walk away with CCTVs.

Man burns wife, daughter, commits suicide

JALANDHAR – A poverty-stricken drug addict burnt his wife and two-year-old daughter before setting himself on fire in Punjab’s Jalandhar city, police said Wednesday. All three died.

The ghastly deaths took place in their small house in Ashok Nagar. Police were alerted by neighbours who saw smoke emanating from the house. The man was identified …. Read the original article  : Man burns wife, daughter, commits suicide.

Dacoits thrash Pakistani cops, snatch guns

ISLAMABAD – A gang of dacoits Wednesday struck at a police post in Pakistan’s Punjab province, thrashed the policemen and snatched away their guns.

The gang also took away arms and mobile phones from the police post in Khanewal tehsil, the News International reported Wednesday.
Over ten armed dacoits turned up to the police post …. Original source  : Dacoits thrash Pakistani cops, snatch guns.

Three held with 400 tortoises in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – Three poachers, including two women, have been arrested with over 400 tortoises in Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, police said Wednesday.

The three were nabbed Tuesday night from the Howrah-Amritsar train following an operation by the Government Railway Police (GRP).
Acting on a tip-off, we held the three poachers who were on their way …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Tiger skins seized in Punjab, two Karnataka women held

AMRITSAR – Forest department officials have arrested here two Karnataka-based women for possessing tiger skins and other wildlife material, an official said Wednesday.

“We have recovered skins of two tigers, aged around four. We have also recovered tiger nails, teeth, rare rudraksh and kasturis from them. We are trying to ascertain the source from … Original article on : Tiger skins seized in Punjab, two Karnataka women held.

New book claims Indian role in Nepal palace massacre

KATHMANDU – A former senior military officer at Nepal’s royal palace, who drew flak for the massacre of King Birendra and nine others in 2001, is now rattling new skeletons with his memoir.

Gen Bibek Shah, who rose from being the aide de camp of the king to becoming military secretary in the Narayanhity royal … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New book claims Indian role in Nepal palace massacre.

12 die in Russian military plane crash

Moscow, Dec 29 (IANS/RIA Novosti) All 12 people on board a Russian Air Force An-22 transport aircraft that crashed late Tuesday night in central Russia’s Tula region were found dead, a source said Wednesday.

“All 12 pilots that were on board of the An-22 military transport aircraft are dead. Their bodies have been already discovered,” … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 12 die in Russian military plane crash.

Bangladesh’s ex-speaker booked for corruption

DHAKA – Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against the former speaker of parliament, his deputy and a senior opposition party leader for corruption, misappropriation of public funds and misuse of power.

Cases were filed Tuesday against former speaker Jamiruddin Sircar, his deputy Akhtar Hamid, secretary general of main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) …. Original source  : Bangladesh’s ex-speaker booked for corruption.

Four held for killing man and his four sons

Reggio Calabria (Italy), Dec 29 (IANS/AKI) Four people were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of killing a man and his four sons in southern Italy.

The lifeless bodies of Domecico Fontana, aged 61, and three of his sons were discovered Monday on a farm in Filandari, in Italy’s Calabria region.
All were dead dead … Read more >>.

Spain confirms mutual expulsion of diplomats with Russia

Madrid, Dec 29 (IANS/EFE) Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed Tuesday that Russia expelled two Spanish diplomats in response to Madrid’s decision last month to expel two Russians “for conducting activities incompatible with their status”.

The two Spanish diplomats expelled from Moscow last week have the rank of secretary, Foreign Ministry sources told EFE.
The Spanish daily …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Spain confirms mutual expulsion of diplomats with Russia.

Brazil prison population triples in 15 years

Sao Paulo, Dec 29 (IANS/EFE) The population of Brazil’s prison system currently stands at 494,237 inmates, or triple the number behind bars 15 years ago, according to official figures.

According to the National Penitentiary Department, or Depen, an agency of the Justice Ministry, the number of inmates was slightly more than 148,000 in 1995.
According …. Original source  : Brazil prison population triples in 15 years.

41 Mexican guards to go on trial for jailbreak

Mexico City, Dec 29 (IANS/EFE) A Mexican judge decided to bring to trial 41 guards, among them seven women, posted to a penitentiary in the northern border city of Nuevo Laredo for their alleged responsibility in the escape of 153 prisoners, authorities said.

“The accused … employed (in) … Nuevo Laredo, will face charges for …. Read the original article  : 41 Mexican guards to go on trial for jailbreak.

Reporter murdered in Honduras

Tegucigalpa, Dec 29 (IANS/EFE) Radio reporter Henry Suazo was gunned down Tuesday in La Masica, a town on Honduras’ Caribbean coast, his employer said.

Suazo was shot dead as he was leaving his home, according to his employer HRN, which cited an account from Jorge Abilio Diaz, owner of a television station in La Masica.
…. Source  : Reporter murdered in Honduras.

Over 200 US skiers stranded after chairlift derails

WASHINGTON – About 220 skiers were stranded and at least six injured after a chairlift derailed at a ski resort on Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine.

The Spillway East chairlift derailed Tuesday morning after the rope cable slipped over the edge of a pulley, and five chairs fell an estimated 9-12 metres to the ground, the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Over 200 US skiers stranded after chairlift derails.

11 dead in Russian military plane crash

MOSCOW – A military aeroplane has crashed in central Russia, killing all on board, news reports said Wednesday.

The Russian Air Force Antonov An-22 transport plane was carrying 11 people, officials were quoted as saying by news agency Itar-Tass.
The number of passengers was given as “about 12″ by news agency Ria Novosti, citing a … Read more >>>.