14 militants killed in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – At least 14 militants were killed and 17 injured in a clash with security forces in northwest Pakistan’s tribal area Wednesday.

Security forces backed by helicopters launched a ground-and-air assault in Orakzai tribal agency, Xinhua news agency reported. A security personnel was injured.
Security forces are searching the country’s restive northwest, believed to be [..] Read the original article: here.

California makes parole easier for some in hopes of reducing prison population, saving money

Amid budget crisis, California makes parole easier

LOS ANGELES – California’s budget crisis and overcrowded prisons have led to a new reality for thousands of convicted felons: parole is getting a lot easier – no more random drug tests, travel rules or requirements to check in with an officer.
Restrictions have been relaxed for nonviolent criminals like … Read more : California makes parole easier for some in hopes of reducing prison population, saving money.

Headley questioning: US ground rules to apply, say lawyer

CHICAGO – Predetermined ground rules will govern any questioning of Mumbai terror plotter David Coleman Headley by Indian investigators, his lawyer has said.

“The way an actual interrogation or interview will take place the government will have to determine. But we will insist on being present during it,” Headley’s attorney John Theis told IANS.
While pointing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Headley questioning: US ground rules to apply, say lawyer.

Maoists kill three cops in Orissa, injure 10

BHUBANESWAR – Maoist guerrillas attacked a police patrol party and shot dead three policemen and injured 10 in Orissa’s Gajapati district early Wednesday, police said.

The Maoists opened fire when about 30 policemen were on their way to raid a rebel camp in a forested area at Ambajhari in Gumma block near Parlakhemundi town, about …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Lawyer: Shanghai court finishes trial of 4 Rio Tinto staff on bribery, secrets theft charges

Shanghai trial of Rio Tinto staff ends, no verdict

SHANGHAI – The trial in Shanghai of four employees of mining giant Rio Tinto on charges of taking bribes and stealing commercial secrets ended Wednesday as expected, though no verdict was announced.
Defense lawyer Tao Wuping said the Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court finished hearing the case …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Drug suspect arrested in northern Mexico found dead the next day; widow identifies body

Mexico: Widow IDs slain husband as arrested man

MEXICO CITY – A drug suspect arrested in northern Mexico over the weekend turned up dead hours later with signs of torture on his corpse, prompting denials from the navy that it had anything to do with the man’s death.
The navy said in a statement late Tuesday that … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Drug suspect arrested in northern Mexico found dead the next day; widow identifies body.

Two killed as Maoists attack toll plaza in Bihar

PATNA – Suspected Maoist guerrillas killed two people, including a security guard, and injured several when they attacked a toll plaza on a highway in Bihar’s Gaya district, police said Wednesday.

The incident occurred late Tuesday when armed guerrillas attacked the toll plaza on Grand Trunk road at Mahapur village in Gaya, about 100 km …. Read the original article  : Two killed as Maoists attack toll plaza in Bihar.

Two militants killed in Kashmir gunfight

SRINAGAR – Two separatist guerrillas were killed Wednesday when the army foiled an infiltration bid in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, an official said.

Alert army troops spotted a group of intruders in Keran sector near the Line of Control (LoC), 140 km from here. The infiltrators were challenged to surrender when they started firing, … Read : Two militants killed in Kashmir gunfight.

Maoists kill three policemen in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – Maoist guerrillas launched an attack on a police patrol party and killed three policemen in Orissa’s Gajapati district early Wednesday, an official said.

The Maoists opened fired on them when about 30 policemen had gone to raid a rebel camp in a forested area near Parlakhemundi town, about 350 km from here, on the … Read : Maoists kill three policemen in Orissa.

Oregon man abused as adolescent tells jury how he initially admired Scout leader

Oregon man abused by Scout leader testifies

PORTLAND, Ore. – An Oregon man who is suing the Boy Scouts of America for $14 million told a jury Tuesday that he initially worshipped the Scout leader who eventually molested him in the early 1980s.
To the then-adolescent boy, Timur Dykes was a superhero who knew everything about the …. Original article  : Oregon man abused as adolescent tells jury how he initially admired Scout leader.

Judge: Burden is on government to disprove unlawful command influence in Marine’s Haditha case

Judge says burden is on government in Haditha case

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A military judge indicated Tuesday that the burden is on the government to show there was no unlawful command influence in a case involving the deaths of 24 Iraqi men, women and children, a defense attorney said.
The judge, Lt. Col. David Jones, said … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Judge: Burden is on government to disprove unlawful command influence in Marine’s Haditha case.

Former Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, convicted for tax evasion, returns to post

Former Samsung chairman Lee returns to post

SEOUL, South Korea – Lee Kun-hee, the former chairman of Samsung Electronics who was convicted of tax evasion and later pardoned by South Korea’s president, has returned to lead the company after a nearly two-year absence, Samsung announced Wednesday.
The 68-year-old Lee is a South Korean corporate icon and credited … Original article on : Former Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, convicted for tax evasion, returns to post.

Jose Canseco tweets he’s been subpoenaed by grand jury investigating Roger Clemens

Canseco tweets about subpoena in Clemens case

NEW YORK – Jose Canseco announced Tuesday on Twitter that he had been subpoenaed by a grand jury investigating whether Roger Clemens lied to Congress when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs.
Canseco posted on the social networking site that the FBI was about to visit his house, then said he … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Jose Canseco tweets he’s been subpoenaed by grand jury investigating Roger Clemens.

Former Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, convicted for tax evasion, to return to post

Former Samsung chairman Lee to return to post

SEOUL, South Korea – Lee Kun-hee, the former chairman of Samsung Electronics who was convicted of tax evasion and later pardoned by South Korea’s president, is returning to lead the company after a nearly two-year absence, Samsung said Wednesday.
The 68-year-old Lee is a South Korean corporate icon and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Former Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, convicted for tax evasion, to return to post.

At raucous meeting, NC school board rolls back busing policy that diversifies Raleigh schools

3 arrested as NC school board reverses busing plan

RALEIGH, N.C. – The school board in North Carolina’s capital city narrowly agreed Tuesday to roll back a policy that buses students to achieve diversity, following a tense meeting at which three people were arrested, others were forcibly removed and heated arguments echoed passions from an era … Read more »».

Georgia investigators withdraw request for Roethlisberger DNA in sexual assault accusation

Request for Roethlisberger DNA withdrawn in Ga.

ATLANTA – Georgia investigators have withdrawn their request for a DNA sample from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who is accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student at a nightclub, an attorney for the player said Tuesday.
Ed Garland told The Associated Press that officials withdrew the request a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Georgia investigators withdraw request for Roethlisberger DNA in sexual assault accusation.

Judge: Miss. school doesn’t have to hold prom but lesbian’s rights violated by cancellation

Judge: No school prom but lesbian’s right violated

JACKSON, Miss. – The prom’s still off at a Mississippi high school that canceled it instead of letting a lesbian student bring her girlfriend, but a federal judge ruled Tuesday that the district’s actions did violate the teen’s constitutional rights.
U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson refused the American …. Source article  : Judge: Miss. school doesn’t have to hold prom but lesbian’s rights violated by cancellation.

Calif correctional officer, wife face fraud charges for alleged lie about sex club shooting

CA officer charged with fraud in sex club shooting

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A California correctional officer faces fraud charges after authorities allege he filed a workers’ compensation claim falsely stating he was shot by a parolee while leaving a restaurant, when he actually was shot in a dispute at a sex club.
John Smiley, 44, filed a … Read : Calif correctional officer, wife face fraud charges for alleged lie about sex club shooting.

450 Mexican federal police arrive in Ciudad Juarez to counter drug-cartel crime surge

More police sent to crime-plagued Ciudad Juarez

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – Jet planes loaded with 450 federal police officers arrived in this city, known as Mexico’s murder capital, on Tuesday to bolster a federal force struggling to control violent drug traffickers.
The law-enforcement surge boosts the number of federal agents in Ciudad Juarez to 3,500 and comes … Read more >>>.

Chavez opponent’s arrest for TV remarks a setback for free speech in Venezuela, critics say

Arrest in Venezuela raises free speech concerns

CARACAS, Venezuela – The arrest of an outspoken government opponent for his critical remarks on a TV talk show drew condemnation on Tuesday from opposition parties and human rights activists who said the case shows freedoms are being eroded in Venezuela.
Opposition politician Oswaldo Alvarez Paz was detained by police …. Source  : Gaea News Network.