Two arrested in Mumbai for plot to blow up oil tanks

MUMBAI – A Mumbai court granted police custody till March 18 to two terror suspects arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Sunday for allegedly plotting to blow up oil tanks of the state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).

The duo, Latif and Riyaz, nabbed after a tip-off, had conducted a recce of the sensitive Nhava-Sheva …. Read the original article  : here.

Taliban attacks kill 35 in Kandahar (Second Lead)

KANDAHAR – A series of five explosions and gunfire killed at least 35 people, including police forces in southern city of Kandahar, an interior ministry spokesman said Sunday.

The Taliban called the attacks a reaction to the NATO commander’s warning about an imminent military offensive in the region.
Several insurgents equipped with suicide vests and assault … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Taliban attacks kill 35 in Kandahar (Second Lead).

Two held for plotting attack on Mumbai oil tanks

MUMBAI – Two people were arrested early Sunday by Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for allegedly plotting to blow up oil tanks of the state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), an official said.

The two are suspected to have links with international terrorist outfits, an ATS official said.
The duo will be produced in a court … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Two held for plotting attack on Mumbai oil tanks.

Over 32,000 widows, 97,000 orphans in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – There are over 32,000 widows and 97,000 orphaned children in violence-battered Jammu and Kashmir, a new study has found, suggesting that the unending conflict in the border state has only made things worse for the vulnerable sections of society.

“There were 32,400 widows and 97,200 orphans in 2008 in Kashmir and the number is …. Source article  : Over 32,000 widows, 97,000 orphans in Kashmir.

Officials free US woman held in alleged artist murder plot; mom says daughter ‘lost her mind’

US mom: Daughter held in Ireland ‘lost her mind’

LEADVILLE, Colo. – Before her daughter disappeared last fall, Christine Mott recalls that the 31-year-old who had been held in connection with an alleged assassination plot announced she had converted to Islam and told her family they’d go to hell if they didn’t follow in her steps.
Jamie …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Officials free US woman held in alleged artist murder plot; mom says daughter ‘lost her mind’.

Authorities investigating Calif. man in alleged e-mail threats to DEA agents, families

Calif. man investigated over alleged DEA threats

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A Northern California man arrested after park rangers allegedly spotted him waving a handgun at a national monument near the Oregon border will likely face more charges for threatening to kill federal agents and their families, authorities said Saturday.
Micha Godfrey was arrested Thursday after park rangers …. Source  : Authorities investigating Calif. man in alleged e-mail threats to DEA agents, families.

24 killed in southwestern Mexican state, including 11 in shootout between troops and gunmen

24 killed in western Mexico; 11 in one shootout

ACAPULCO, Mexico – A series of shootings killed 24 people Saturday in a Pacific coast state plagued by drug gang violence. Nearly half died in one shootout between soldiers and armed men.
The gunbattle erupted when attackers opened fire on soldiers patrolling the small town of Ajuchitlan del …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 24 killed in southwestern Mexican state, including 11 in shootout between troops and gunmen.

Venezuela seizes 2 tons of cocaine hidden with bulldozers sitting at port for export to Europe

Venezuela seizes 2 tons of cocaine hidden at port

CARACAS – A Venezuelan police official says security forces have seized two tons of cocaine that was intended to be smuggled to the Netherlands.
Federal Police Chief Wilmer Flores Trosel says the drugs were hidden in two bulldozers at a port in the central state of Carabobo.
An Information …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Venezuela seizes 2 tons of cocaine hidden with bulldozers sitting at port for export to Europe.

Irish police free US woman, 3 others held in alleged artist murder plot; 3 being questioned

Irish police release US woman held in alleged plot

LEADVILLE, Colo. – Before her daughter disappeared last fall, Christina Mott recalls that the 31-year-old who had been held in connection with an alleged assassination plot announced she had converted to Islam and told them they’d go to hell if they didn’t follow in her steps.
Jamie Paulin-Ramirez … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Irish police free US woman, 3 others held in alleged artist murder plot; 3 being questioned.

Irish police free US woman, 3 others held in artist murder plot; 3 more still being questioned

Irish police release US woman held in murder plot

DENVER – Irish police say an American woman and three others arrested in Ireland over an alleged plot to assassinate Swedish artist Lars Vilks has been freed without charge.
Seven people – including the American woman, three Algerians, a Libyan, a Palestinian and a Croatian – were arrested … Original article on : Irish police free US woman, 3 others held in artist murder plot; 3 more still being questioned.

Thousands remember Southern Calif. teenager amid vows to change laws on child sex predators

Thousands mourn death of Southern Calif. teen

POWAY, Calif. – Thousands of teachers, classmates and neighbors filled a high school stadium Saturday to honor a 17-year-old girl whose body was discovered in a shallow, lakeside grave as her parents vowed to dedicate themselves to protecting children from sex predators.
Dozens of doves were let go at the … Read more »»».

4 people freed over alleged plot to kill Swedish artist, 3 more still being questioned

Irish police free 4 in alleged artist murder plot

DUBLIN – Four people, including an American woman, arrested over an alleged plot to assassinate Swedish artist Lars Vilks have been freed without charge, but three others remain in custody, Irish police said Saturday.
Seven people – three Algerians, a Libyan, a Palestinian and a Croatian and the …. Original article  : 4 people freed over alleged plot to kill Swedish artist, 3 more still being questioned.

Over 30 killed in serial suicide attacks in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR – Four suicide bombers attacked different parts of southern city of Kandahar Saturday, killing more than 30 people, and injured at least 40, officials said.

The main target of the coordinated attacks was Kandahar’s main jail, which houses hundreds of Taliban militants caught during the anti-insurgency operation by Afghan and NATO forces, Ahmad Wali Karzai, …. Source  : Over 30 killed in serial suicide attacks in Afghanistan.

Appeals court affirms conviction of reputed Klansman in civil rights era cold case in Miss.

Appeals court upholds conviction in Miss. killings

JACKSON, Miss. – A federal appeals court has upheld the 2007 conviction of a reputed Ku Klux Klan member in the kidnapping of two black men who were abducted and killed in rural Mississippi in 1964.
In a 2-1 ruling, the panel of judges said the evidence in the case …. Read the original article  : Appeals court affirms conviction of reputed Klansman in civil rights era cold case in Miss..

Calif. judge assailed for toddler’s death at father’s hand now face stiff election challenge

Judge faces election after unpopular decision

VICTORVILLE, Calif. – The judge didn’t believe the father was a threat and denied the mother’s plea to keep him away from their 9-month-old son. It was a seemingly routine ruling in a busy family law court called on too often to referee passionate fights between broken young families over … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Calif. judge assailed for toddler’s death at father’s hand now face stiff election challenge.

Iran says it has dismantled US-backed opposition networks, arrested 30 members

Iran says it struck US-backed opposition groups

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said Saturday it has dismantled several U.S.-backed opposition networks that were gathering information on nuclear scientists and finding ways to circumvent controls on the Internet meant to deprive the opposition of its most crucial tool.
A judiciary statement carried on the official IRNA news agency said … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Iran says it has dismantled US-backed opposition networks, arrested 30 members.

Lesbian Air Force sergeant discharged after SD police see marriage license and tell military

Lesbian sgt. discharged after police tell military

Jene Newsome played by the rules as an Air Force sergeant: She never told anyone in the military she was a lesbian.
The 28-year-old’s honorable discharge under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy came only after police officers in Rapid City, S.D., saw an Iowa marriage certificate in her home … Read more : Lesbian Air Force sergeant discharged after SD police see marriage license and tell military.

4 suicide attackers strike in southern Afghanistan city; at least 30 reported killed

4 suicide attacks hit Afghanistan; at least 30 die

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – The Afghan president’s half-brother says at least 30 people have died and dozens more hurt in four suicide attacks in the southern city of Kandahar.
Ahmed Wali Karzai, a member of the Kandahar provincial council, says a main target of the Saturday night attacks was … Read : 4 suicide attackers strike in southern Afghanistan city; at least 30 reported killed.

Pakistani government seeks Mumbai attacker Kasab’s arrest

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government, which has steadfastly refused Indian demands for action against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, who New Delhi says masterminded the 26/11 attacks, has now sought the arrest of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive during the carnage and who is being tried in a Mumbai court.

The Pakistani government’s … Original article on : Pakistani government seeks Mumbai attacker Kasab’s arrest.

Victorville judge assailed for toddler’s murder at dad’s hand now faces election challenge

Judge faces challenge after child-custody tragedy

VICTORVILLE, Calif. – Katie Tagle pleaded with the judge that her ex-boyfriend had threatened to kill their 9-month-old son and himself if the couple did not reconcile. She wanted the judge to revoke the boyfriend’s custody of the baby with a restraining order.
“I’m going to deny it ma’am,” San Bernardino … Read : Victorville judge assailed for toddler’s murder at dad’s hand now faces election challenge.