International monitors slam Tajikistan’s parliamentary election, say vote was marred by fraud

Monitors say Tajikistan’s vote marred by fraud

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – International election monitors say Tajikistan’s parliamentary election was marred by widespread fraud.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s election-monitoring arm says rampant ballot-box stuffing and proxy voting took place in Sunday’s election.
Preliminary results from the vote in the Central Asian republic have not been announced, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : International monitors slam Tajikistan’s parliamentary election, say vote was marred by fraud.

Wartime Bosnian Serb chief Karadzic claims self defense from Bosnian Muslim fundamentalists

Bosnian Serb leader opens defense against genocide

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Wartime Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic says his people defended themselves against Islamic fundamentalists who started the war in Bosnia to lay claim to the entire country.
Karadzic is giving his opening statement at the U.N. war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. He was arrested … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Wartime Bosnian Serb chief Karadzic claims self defense from Bosnian Muslim fundamentalists.

Search expands for missing Calif. teen, sex offender arrested

Search spreads for Calif. teen; sex offender held

SAN DIEGO – Authorities and volunteers are widening a search for a 17-year-old missing in San Diego County after a registered sex offender was arrested in connection with her disappearance.
Some 1,400 volunteer searchers and more than 100 law enforcement officers failed to find Chelsea King on Sunday, but …. Read the original article  : Search expands for missing Calif. teen, sex offender arrested.

Pakistan must act against terrorism, says PM

RIYADH – Pakistan needs to “act decisively against terrorism” if it seeks to benefit from trade and commerce with India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday.

“If there is cooperation between India and Pakistan, vast opportunities will open up for trade, travel and development that will create prosperity in both countries and in South Asia,” he …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pakistan must act against terrorism, says PM.

AP Top News at 3:21 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 3:21 a.m. EST
Chile quake death toll hits 708 as rescue ramps up
CONCEPCION, Chile – Heroism and banditry mingled on Chile’s shattered streets Sunday as rescuers braved aftershocks digging for survivors and the government sent soldiers and ordered a nighttime curfew to quell looting. The death toll climbed to 708 in one … Read more >>>.

US eyes al-Qaida network in North Africa as it gains strength, recruits

Al-Qaida growing in strength and numbers in Africa

WASHINGTON – Al-Qaida’s terror network in North Africa is growing more active and attracting new recruits, threatening to further destabilize the continent’s already vulnerable Sahara region, according to U.S. defense and counterterrorism officials.
The North African faction, which calls itself Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), is still small … Read more »»».

Organic farmers seek to bar genetically modified beets, source of about half of US sugar crop

Suit seeks to bar genetically modified sugar beets

PHILOMATH, Ore. – Organic farmers fear this year’s spring breezes will be carrying pollen from genetically altered sugar beets, which they say could render their crops worthless, and they hope to persuade a federal judge this week to halt the plantings nationwide.
Experts and industry groups say such an … Original source on Gaea Times at : Organic farmers seek to bar genetically modified beets, source of about half of US sugar crop.

Four Afghan civilians killed in suicide attack

KABUL – A suicide bomber attacked a convoy of NATO forces in southern province of Kandahar Monday, killing four civilians, officials said.

The bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of a NATO convoy in Daman district Monday morning, said Fazel Ahmad Sherzad, the deputy provincial police chief.
The attack resulted in death … Original source on Gaea Times at : Four Afghan civilians killed in suicide attack.

Cameroon man faces life imprisonment in Myanmar for forgery

Cameroon man faces life imprisonment in Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar – A Cameroon football player who sought refuge at the French Embassy in Myanmar’s main city could face life imprisonment on charges of forging currency notes, a newspaper said Monday.
The man, who was not named, fled temporarily to the embassy in Yangon last Tuesday as he was … Read more >>.

In quiet Afghan moments, American troops pick up books to take their minds off war

Afghan: When shooting stops, some soldiers read

BADULA QULP, Afghanistan – When he was a child, and it was bedtime and lights out, Gene Hicks would hide under the blankets and read with a flashlight. Now he’s Army 1st Sgt. Gene Hicks, fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, and sometimes lies in his sleeping bag reading with [..] Read the original article: here.

Suburban NYC mayor accused of assaulting wife by holding arm in doorway, closing door on hand

Wife says suburban NYC mayor shut door on her hand

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – A mayor in suburban New York City has been charged with assaulting his wife by shutting a door on her hand.
White Plains Mayor Adam Bradley turned himself in to police Sunday after his wife filed a domestic-violence complaint.
Bradley was arraigned on third-degree … Read more : Suburban NYC mayor accused of assaulting wife by holding arm in doorway, closing door on hand.

Sheriff: Registered sex offender arrested in disappearance of San Diego County teenager

Arrest made in case of missing California girl

SAN DIEGO – A registered sex offender was arrested Sunday in the disappearance of a suburban San Diego teenager as some 1,400 volunteers spent the weekend searching a park and surrounding area where she disappeared three days ago, authorities said.
The arrest came after about 120 law enforcement officers … Read : Sheriff: Registered sex offender arrested in disappearance of San Diego County teenager.

Officers, volunteers search for 17-year-old San Diego County girl missing since Thursday

Volunteers search for missing California teen

SAN DIEGO – A search has resumed for a suburban San Diego teen who failed to return from a run near a lake three days ago.
More than 1,000 volunteers gathered Sunday to help police and sheriff’s deputies look for 17-year-old Chelsea King, a high school senior from Poway.
Her BMW was … Read more »».

T-Wolves’ Al Jefferson apologizes to team, fans, accepts 2-game suspension after DWI arrest

Jefferson apologizes to T-Wolves after DWI arrest

d MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Timberwolves star center Al Jefferson apologized to the team and fans Sunday after his arrest on suspicion of DWI following a weekend loss to Portland.
The Timberwolves suspended Jefferson for the next two games without pay – a punishment Jefferson said he accepts.
“I want to apologize … Read more »».

Police identify Anchorage mall shooting victim, release man taken into custody for questioning

Man fatally shot at Anchorage mall
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Police on Sunday were looking for a suspect in a shooting at an Anchorage mall who may have been wearing a wig and fake mustache when a 29-year-old man was gunned down outside a barber shop.

Police said Edwing Matos was shot multiple times at the Dimond Center …. Original article  : Police identify Anchorage mall shooting victim, release man taken into custody for questioning.

Timberwolves suspend Al Jefferson for 2 games without pay after arrest on suspicion of DWI

Wolves suspend Jefferson for 2 games after arrest

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Timberwolves have suspended center Al Jefferson for the next two games without pay after his arrest on suspicion of DWI.
The Minnesota State Patrol says a trooper stopped the 25-year-old Jefferson on Interstate 394 early Sunday for speeding and changing lanes without signaling.
Jefferson was taken …. Source  : Timberwolves suspend Al Jefferson for 2 games without pay after arrest on suspicion of DWI.

Police identify man shot to death at busy Anchorage mall

Man shot to death at Anchorage mall
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Anchorage police say a man taken into custody following a fatal shooting at a busy mall has been released, and they’re now looking for a man who may have been wearing a wig and fake mustache.

Police just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday took a call that shots … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Police identify man shot to death at busy Anchorage mall.

Timberwolves’ Al Jefferson arrested near downtown Minneapolis on suspicion of DWI after game

Wolves’ Al Jefferson arrested on suspicion of DWI

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Timberwolves center Al Jefferson faces an April 23 court appearance after his arrest on suspicion of DWI near downtown Minneapolis.
Minnesota State Patrol spokesman Lt. Eric Roeske (RAW’-skee) says a trooper stopped the 25-year-old Jefferson on Interstate 394 early Sunday for speeding and changing lanes without …. Read the original article  : here.

Citadel quarterback among 4 people charged in armed robbery case

Citadel quarterback charged in armed robbery case

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A quarterback for The Citadel has been charged with three others in connection with an armed robbery of a man at his home, Charleston police said Sunday.
Miguel Starks, 19, and former Citadel player linebacker Reginald Anthony Rice, 22, were charged Saturday with armed robbery, first-degree burglary, …. Original source  : Citadel quarterback among 4 people charged in armed robbery case.

RFK’s grandson decides against possible campaign for US House seat from Massachusetts

RFK’s grandson decides against run for US House
BOSTON – Joseph P. Kennedy III, the son of a former congressman and the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, said Sunday he had decided against running for the U.S. House from Massachusetts this year.
Kennedy told The Associated Press that he wants to remain in his new …. Read the original article  : RFK’s grandson decides against possible campaign for US House seat from Massachusetts.