Rescue crews search for 4 missing in Madeira after Portugese island’s fatal floods

4 missing after Madeira flash floods killed 42

FUNCHAL, Madeira Islands – Emergency crews used bulldozers and other heavy equipment Monday to search for at least four people still missing in Madeira after flash floods and rockslides killed 42 people on the Portuguese island.
Rescue teams in more than 400 vehicles worked all night Sunday to clear … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Rescue crews search for 4 missing in Madeira after Portugese island’s fatal floods.

DNA, hot line lead authorities to charge 2 suspects in Texas church arson attack

DNA, hot line lead to arrests in Texas church fire

TYLER, Texas – Federal authorities say DNA evidence collected at the site of one of several Texas churches destroyed by arson links one of two suspects to the blaze.
A spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says 19-year-old Jason Robert Bourque and 21-year-old … Read this article on Gaea Times at : DNA, hot line lead authorities to charge 2 suspects in Texas church arson attack.

Afghan Cabinet: Civilian death toll in NATO airstrike rises to at least 33

Afghan Cabinet: Airstrike kills at least 33
KABUL – The Afghan Cabinet says at least 33 civilians are dead as the result of NATO airstrike in southern Afghanistan – an incident that is inflaming already heightened sensitivities over noncombatant casualties in the war.
In a statement released on Monday, the Afghanistan …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Exotic birds seized in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR – Chirping sound from a parcel at Ahmedabad railway station led to the recovery of 200 exotic birds from it, Gujarat police said Monday

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police G.D. Trivedi, the parcel arrived from Kolkata by train Sunday and included exotic parrots, lovebirds, doves and pigeons, all species protected under the Wildlife Protection …. Original article  : Exotic birds seized in Gujarat.

Violence in Indore, six injured

INDORE – Six persons, including two policemen, were injured in a clash between two groups here, police said Monday.

The incident occurred in Kadawghat locality late sunday night, when a cyclist ran into two persons belonging to a different community. The accident led to arguments and a scuffle after which the cyclist left the spot, the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Violence in Indore, six injured.

Main accused in Uttar Pradesh hooch tragedy held

LUCKNOW – The main accused in a hooch tragedy that claimed at least 13 lives in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi district has been arrested along with a policeman, a police official said Monday.

“Bhonu, the main accused was nabbed along with a police constable Sunday evening from Nasedar locality,” Superintendent of Police (City) Vijay Bhushan told … Read more >>>.

Suicide note on thigh lands husband in jail (Lead, superseding earlier story)

CHANDIGARH – It was assumed that depression drove 35-year-old Aruna Srivastava to suicide here four days ago. But now her husband has been arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide after a note was found written on her thigh.

Aruna’s husband Subhash Chander was arrested late Sunday and has been booked, along with his alleged girlfriend …. Original source  : Suicide note on thigh lands husband in jail (Lead, superseding earlier story).

Centre to Assam: Let CBI probe scam in North Cachar Hills

GUWAHATI – New Delhi has asked the Assam government to let the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe the multimillion rupee scam involving the swindling of central funds by a politicians-militants-bureaucrats-contractors nexus, union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said Monday.

“The home ministry has advised the Assam government to get the whole thing investigated by the … Read more : Centre to Assam: Let CBI probe scam in North Cachar Hills.

Couple held for kidnapping boy in Gurgaon

GURGAON – A couple has been arrested for kidnapping their landlord’s child here, police said Monday. The 10-year-old boy was rescued by the police from a train.

The couple, identified as Bali and Rahul, was held Sunday night, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Gurgaon) Anil Dhawan.
According to police, the duo abducted the boy from outside …. Source article  : Couple held for kidnapping boy in Gurgaon.

Indian held for trying to rape 3-year-old in Nepal

KATHMANDU – A 14-year-old boy from India’s eastern Bihar state has been arrested in Nepal for allegedly trying to rape a three-year-old girl, police said Monday.

The adoloscent was arrested in Aapgachhi village in eastern Nepal’s Morang district Sunday after neighbours told police they found him trying to rape the child and rescued her, police said. … Original article on : Indian held for trying to rape 3-year-old in Nepal.

Sukna land scam: Army officer gets relief

NEW DELHI – The Armed Forces Tribunal Monday gave two months to Lt Gen Avdesh Prakash to cross question witnesses in the Sukna land scam case.

Prakash, the military secretary, facing charges of being involved in a land scam in Sukna, West Bengal, had approached the tribunal to complain that he had not been given an … Read more »».

Madeira rescue crews search for 4 missing after Portugese island’s fatal floods

4 still missing after Madeira flooding killed 42

FUNCHAL, Madeira Islands – Emergency crews in Madeira continued their search Monday for at least four people still missing after mud and rockslides killed 42 people on the Portuguese island.
More than 400 vehicles, including bulldozers and trucks, worked all night Sunday in an effort to clear debris, authorities … Original article on : Madeira rescue crews search for 4 missing after Portugese island’s fatal floods.

Curfew partially relaxed in Punjab town after Christ row

BATALA – Curfew was partially relaxed in this Punjab town Monday after violence broke out Saturday over the publication of a poster depicting Jesus Christ in an objectionable manner, police said.

“Curfew has been relaxed till noon so that people can come out and do some necessary shopping or other work. However, we are keeping a [..] Read the original article: here.

Gentleman NRI shopkeeper killed for cigarettes, sweets

LONDON – British police have launched a murder hunt after a gang of teenagers in northern England killed an Indian-origin shopkeeper described by locals as a gentleman, who would do anything for anyone.

Gurmail Singh, a 63-year-old father of two, suffered head injuries in the robbery by four teenagers at his shop in Huddersfield Saturday and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Afghan government: at least 21 civilians killed in NATO airstrike in south

Afghan government: Airstrike kills 21 civilians
KABUL – A NATO airstrike in southern Afganistan killed at least 21 civilians, the Afghan Interior Ministry said Monday, in an incident that could inflame already heightened sensitivities over noncombatant casualties.
NATO forces confirmed in a statement that its planes fired Sunday on what it believed was a group …. Source article  : Afghan government: at least 21 civilians killed in NATO airstrike in south.

Dhaka to reconstruct prayer houses damaged in violence

DHAKA – The Bangladesh government has said it will reconstruct four prayer houses set ablaze during two days of violence against Buddhist tribals in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Dipankar Talukdar, the minister in charge of the region that is home to the indigenous people, said this would be done “as soon as possible”.
He … Read more : Dhaka to reconstruct prayer houses damaged in violence.

Abhay Chautala gets interim bail in graft case

NEW DELHI – Haryana legislator Abhay Chautala was granted interim bail by a city court Monday after he failed to appear before it in a graft case.

Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Judge P.S. Teji granted interim bail to Chautala, an Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) legislator, and fixed the matter for further hearing March … Read : Abhay Chautala gets interim bail in graft case.

Suicide note on thigh lands husband in jail

CHANDIGARH – It was considered a case of suicide due to depression when 35-year-old Aruna Srivastava was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her house here four days back. But now her husband has been arrested after a suicide note was found written on her thigh.

Aruna’s husband Subhash Chander was arrested late [..] Read the original article: here.

Afghan officials say at least 19 civilians killed in NATO airstrike in south

Afghan officials: airstrike kills 19 civilians

KABUL – Afghan officials say at least 19 civilians have been killed by a NATO airstrike on a convoy of vehicles in southern Afghanistan.
NATO confirms that it fired Sunday on a group of vehicles that it believed contained insurgents, only to discover later that women and children were in the …. Original article  : Afghan officials say at least 19 civilians killed in NATO airstrike in south.

Bird box shaped like speed camera foxes motorists

LONDON – A bird box shaped like a speed camera has forced motorists to slow down in a British village and the villagers are delighted with the result.

Retired detective Bill Angus set up the plywood contraption, complete with metallic strips and what appear to be lenses on the side, on a pole at the edge … Read : Bird box shaped like speed camera foxes motorists.