115 miners pulled out alive from flooded China mine after 8 days in ‘miracle’ rescue

‘Miracle’ in China: 115 trapped miners rescued

XIANGNING, China – More than 100 Chinese miners were pulled out alive Monday after being trapped for over a week in a flooded coal mine, where some ate sawdust and strapped themselves to the shafts’ walls with their belts to avoid drowning while they slept.
Miners wrapped in blankets, some … Read more »».

Over 200 kg charas missing from Goa police warehouse

PANAJI – More than 200 kg of charas (hashish), worth Rs.2 crore, is missing from a highly-protected warehouse at the Goa police headquarters, sources said.

Crime Branch officials stumbled upon the revelation while auditing the stock of drugs stored inside the ‘muddemal’ (material evidence) warehouse of the anti-narcotics cell (ANC) following the arrest of five …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Police say gunfire, blasts taking place close to US Consulate in northwest Pakistan

US consulate in NW Pakistan attacked: police

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Police and witnesses say three large explosions have taken place close to the U.S. consulate in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.
Police officer Aziz Khan says gunfire is also being heard close to the heavily guarded and fortified building in Peshawar.
The attack came hours after a … Original article on : Police say gunfire, blasts taking place close to US Consulate in northwest Pakistan.

Orissa police probing lapses leading to Sunday landmine blast

BHUBANESWAR – Senior Orissa police officials Monday began a probe into allegations that a security lapse led to the killing of at least 10 police personnel in a landmine blast triggered by Maoist guerrillas in a forest Sunday.

“The standard operating procedure (SOP) was not followed in this case. We are probing to know what prompted …. Read the original article  : Orissa police probing lapses leading to Sunday landmine blast.

Cops seize Shoaib’s passport after two-hour grilling

HYDERABAD – Police Monday seized the passport of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik after quizzing him for nearly two hours at his fiancee Sania Mirza’s home in connection with a complaint filed against him by Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims to be his first wife.

Shoaib was unhappy that his passport had been seized and said he would …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cops seize Shoaib’s passport after two-hour grilling.

Police face criticism after rapists let off with a caution

LONDON – Police in Britain’s Avon and Somerset have been criticised for letting off over 600 self-confessed sex offenders, including 11 rapists, with a caution in the past five years, a media report said Monday.

Daily Express reported that figures from Avon and Somerset police show the force, since 2004, had issued 611 cautions as punishment …. Original source  : Police face criticism after rapists let off with a caution.

Maoist carrying Rs.50,000 bounty held in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – A Maoist who carried a reward of Rs.50,000 for his capture has been arrested from a forest area in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district, a police official said Monday.

Ram Sajeevan alias Guruji, 50, was arrested Sunday night from the Jachikala forest after a gunfight that continued for over an hour, Superintendent of Police …. Read the original article  : Maoist carrying Rs.50,000 bounty held in Uttar Pradesh.

‘Pakistan hub of fake Indian currency network’

KATHMANDU – Two Pakistani cities are the major manufacturers of fake Indian currency and Pakistanis are the main couriers spreading the counterfeit currency notes to India through Nepal, say Nepal police.

On Saturday, Nepal police arrested yet another Pakistani, Mohammad Hamid, from a hotel in the capital, acting on a tip-off that he was a new …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

10 killed in Pune accident

PUNE – Ten people travelling in a sports utility vehicle were killed when it hurtled off a highway here after ramming into a truck’s rear, police said.

Nine people were injured, some seriously, in the accident on the Pune-Satara highway, police officer Ashish Kale told IANS. They have been taken to the Sassoon Hospital here.
The … Read more : 10 killed in Pune accident.

Mexicali Earthquake Causes Damage

MEXICALI, MEXICO (GaeaTimes.com)- Mexicali, the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California, had been struck by an earthquake of considerable intensity on Sunday, Apr 5, 2010. The Mexicali earthquake managed to cause considerable damage, although nothing in comparison to the ones that had been incurred by the other earthquakes that have been … Read more : Mexicali Earthquake Causes Damage.

Government employees on strike in Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR – Government employees across Jammu and Kashmir went on a strike Monday demanding the release of arrears as recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission even as the administration cited its inability to do so owing to paucity of funds.

The strike was called after talks between the government and the employees failed to break the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Facebook debate leads to clash in Palestine

GAZA – A debate on social networking website Facebook turned ugly when students of a university in Palestine clashed with one another, leaving dozens injured.

After quarrelling on the website, students of An Najah University in Nablus in the West Bank took out iron chains and rods and started fighting one another Sunday. Many were hospitalised, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Facebook debate leads to clash in Palestine.

114 miners rescued from flooded mine in China (Second Lead)

BEIJING – At least 114 of the 153 miners trapped in a flooded coal mine in China’s Shanxi province for over a week were rescued Monday, an official said.

Rescuers are continuing the search for the 39 trapped miners, Shanxi Governor Wang Jun was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
The flood occurred around 1.40 p.m. March …. Source  : 114 miners rescued from flooded mine in China (Second Lead).

Rathore’s bail plea hearing adjourned till July 19

CHANDIGARH – In the wake of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking more time to investigate fresh cases registered against tainted Haryana police officer S.P.S Rathore, the Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday adjourned his anticipatory bail plea hearing till July 19.

Rathore has been convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra, leading her to …. Source  : Rathore’s bail plea hearing adjourned till July 19.

Cold delays Florida strawberry harvest to coincide with California’s, results in cheap berries

Strawberry prices drop as late harvest hits market

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – It’s a good spring for strawberry lovers: Prices are unusually low in many places because cold weather delayed Florida’s harvest to coincide with California’s, and the two states are flooding the market with cheap berries.
A record number of strawberries for this time of the … Read more : Cold delays Florida strawberry harvest to coincide with California’s, results in cheap berries.

Australia rushes to contain oil spill from ship that rammed into Great Barrier Reef

Australia rushes to contain Barrier Reef oil spill

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia – Workers rushed to contain an oil spill Monday from a coal-carrying ship grounded on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, sending two tugboats to stabilize the vessel so that it would not break apart and further damage the fragile coral beneath.
Traveling at full speed of 10 mph [..] Read the original article: here.

Three arrested for massacre of 16 people in Bihar

PATNA – Three people were arrested Monday for their alleged involvement in the massacre of 16 people, including five children, in Bihar’s Khagaria district last year, police said.

A Special Task Force team along with the district police arrested Alu Alam, Mohd Zahoor and Devi Lal Sada in Khagaria for allegedly killing 16 people at Amausi … Original source on Gaea Times at : Three arrested for massacre of 16 people in Bihar.

More than 100 miners pulled alive from flooded China mine after weeklong rescue effort

100-plus trapped miners freed in China ‘miracle’

XIANGNING, China – More than 100 Chinese miners were pulled out alive Monday after being trapped for more than a week in a flooded coal mine, sparking cheers among the hundreds of rescue workers who had raced to save them and almost given up hope.
A live state television broadcast …. Source  : More than 100 miners pulled alive from flooded China mine after weeklong rescue effort.

7.2 quake kills 2 in Mexico, damages buildings in Arizona, California

Strong quake kills 2 in Mexico, rattles US states

TIJUANA, Mexico – A powerful earthquake swayed buildings from Los Angeles to Tijuana, killing two people in Mexico, blacking out cities and forcing the evacuation of hospitals and nursing homes. One California city closed off its downtown due to unstable buildings.
The 7.2-magnitude quake centered just south of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 7.2 quake kills 2 in Mexico, damages buildings in Arizona, California.

2 police killed by suicide bomber in Russia’s North Caucasus

Suicide bomber kills 2 police in Russia’s Caucasus

NAZRAN, Russia – A suicide bomber blew himself up at a police station in a restive Russian province on Monday, killing two officers and wounding two others, officials said.
The bomber’s car later also exploded, wounding an investigator.
The attack occurred a week after two suicide bombers killed 40 rush-hour …. Original source  : 2 police killed by suicide bomber in Russia’s North Caucasus.

W.Va. gov.: Situation dire but not giving up hope of finding 4 missing miners; 25 are dead

W.Va. gov. wants miracle to find missing miners

MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin says he is hoping for a miracle that four missing West Virginia coal miners will be found alive after a blast killed 25 people.
Manchin’s comments came early Tuesday morning as rescue crews prepared to begin drilling bore holes into Massey Energy’s Upper … Read : W.Va. gov.: Situation dire but not giving up hope of finding 4 missing miners; 25 are dead.

Police to present chargesheet against accused BSF troopers

SRINAGAR – The state police Tuesday will present a chargesheet in a local court against a suspended commandant of the paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) and a trooper in the alleged murder of a 16-year-old youth here Feb 5.

BSF commandant of the 68th battalion R.K. Birdi and trooper Lakhwinder Kumar were suspended by BSF authorities … Original source on Gaea Times at : Police to present chargesheet against accused BSF troopers.

Two Indians among eight killed in Nepal fires

KATHMANDU – With rapid deforestation, dwindling water resources and a feeble past monsoon turning Nepal into a combustible tinder box, two Indians became the latest victims as fires began spreading across the dry nation, killing at least eight.

Ajay Sharma, 25, from Champaran in Bihar, and Amish Kumar Sharma, a 15-year-old from Sitamarhi in the same [..] Read the original article: here.

Federal safety officials to discuss Learjet crash that killed 4, injured drummer and DJ

NTSB discussing cause of SC Learjet crash
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Federal officials will discuss why a Learjet hurtled off a South Carolina runway, causing a crash that killed four people and injured Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and celebrity disc jockey DJ AM.

The National Transportation Safety Board is scheduled to meet in Washington on Tuesday to determine … Read : Federal safety officials to discuss Learjet crash that killed 4, injured drummer and DJ.

Triple explosions strike Baghdad apartment buildings, killing at least 11

Explosions hit Baghdad apartments, 11 dead

BAGHDAD – An Iraq military official says at least 11 people have been killed and 72 injured by explosions at residential buildings across Baghdad.
The death toll was expected to rise.
Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Mousawi, a spokesman for the city’s operations command center, said the blasts crumbled apartment buildings in three neighborhoods.
At … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Triple explosions strike Baghdad apartment buildings, killing at least 11.

Panchayat orders killing of couple in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – A panchayat in Uttar Pradesh has ordered the killing of a couple after they eloped and married against their families’ wishes, police said Tuesday.

The Khedka village panchayat in UBaghpat district, about 400 km from Lucknow, passed the order against Jameel, 30, and his wife after their families complained.
After the panchayat order Sunday, … Read more »»».

Mine Explosion In West Virginia: 19 Trapped, 7 Killed

MONTCOAL (GaeaTimes.com)- A mine explosion in a West Virginia mine has reportedly led to the death of seven crew members, injured two and left 19 others missing or trapped. The explosion took place at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County at around 3 p.m on Monday. According to reports, the explosion … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mine Explosion In West Virginia: 19 Trapped, 7 Killed.

Three Orissa cops suspended for custodial death

BHUBANESWAR – Three police officials, including the head of a police station, were suspended Tuesday for the death of a man in police custody in Orissa’s Keonjhar district.

Abhiram Nayak, 45, was arrested from Chalia Nala village Monday on charges of extortion and was found hanging during a power cut.
“Nayak hanged himself inside the … Read more >>.

Calexico business owners try to get back to normal following 7.2-magnitude quake

Business owners work to repair damage from quake

CALEXICO, Calif. – Business owners in Calexico are working to repair damage to their stores and trying to resume some sense of normalcy following one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in decades.
Businesses already were suffering from the hard economic times on both sides of the …. Source  : Calexico business owners try to get back to normal following 7.2-magnitude quake.

China executes Japanese drug smuggler

BEIJING – China executed a Japanese citizen Tuesday for attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country, a media report said.

Mitsunobu Akano, 65, was executed in Liaoning province after being caught with more than 1.5 kg of the contraband methamphetamine, Xinhua quoted the Supreme People’s Court as saying.
Akano was caught at an airport in …. Source  : China executes Japanese drug smuggler.

Safety officials probe Learjet crash that killed 4 and injured Blink 182 drummer and DJ AM

NTSB probes crash that injured Blink 182 drummer

WASHINGTON – Federal safety officials are meeting to determine the cause of a Learjet crash 18 months ago that killed four people and seriously injured Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and celebrity disc jockey DJ AM.
Among the safety issues likely to be raised by the National Transportation Safety …. Read the original article  : Safety officials probe Learjet crash that killed 4 and injured Blink 182 drummer and DJ AM.

25 dead in W. Va. coal mine blast, 4 missing; worst US mine disaster since 27 killed in 1984

25 dead in W.Va. mine blast, worst since 1984

MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Rescue teams planned to search again for four workers missing in a coal mine where a massive explosion killed 25 in the worst U.S. mining disaster in more than two decades, though officials said Tuesday that the chances were slim that the miners survived.
The … Read more >>>.

Shoaib-Sania marriage may be postponed

HYDERABAD – As events around the wedding between Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and tennis ace Sania Mirza get murkier by the day, the Indian sports icon’s family was “keeping all options open”, including postponing the wedding, indicated a close family friend.

Andhra Cricket Association’s former secretary V. Chamundeswaranath, a close friend of Sania’s family, told … Read more »».

Better call the police, cop tells Briton chasing thieves

LONDON – A shopkeeper who asked a policeman for help while chasing thieves was left bemused when the cop told him: “You had better call the police.”

Graham Taylor gave chase to two thieves who stole from his store in Hessle, East Yorkshire, and made off on foot, Daily Mail reported.
While chasing the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Better call the police, cop tells Briton chasing thieves.

Massey Energy: 25 miners dead in W. Va. coal mine blast; worst US mine disaster since ‘84

Massey Energy: 25 dead in W.Va. mine explosion
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – An explosion at a remote coal mine with a history of safety problems killed 25 workers and at least four others were still missing early Tuesday more than a thousand feet underground in the worst U.S. mine disaster since 1984.
Rescuers had been making … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Massey Energy: 25 miners dead in W. Va. coal mine blast; worst US mine disaster since ‘84.

12 killed in US coalmine blast (Second Lead)

WASHINGTON – At least 12 miners have been killed and 10 missing after a blast at a coalmine in the US state of West Virginia.

The blast occurred Monday afternoon at Massey coalmine located near Charleston in West Virginia, Xinhua reported Tuesday.
Kevin Stricklin, an administrator with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, said …. Source article  : 12 killed in US coalmine blast (Second Lead).

Antenna failure hampers astronauts’ survey of space shuttle Discovery, laser images delayed

Antenna failure hampers crew’s shuttle inspection

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Discovery’s astronauts surveyed their ship Tuesday for signs of launch damage, but the job was complicated by the failure of the space shuttle’s big dish antenna.
The antenna failed to operate after Discovery blasted into orbit Monday on a space station supply run. That leaves the seven …. Original source  : Antenna failure hampers astronauts’ survey of space shuttle Discovery, laser images delayed.

Brazilian president’s daughter’s house robbed

Rio de Janeiro, April 6 (IANS/EFE) Robbers broke into the apartment of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s daughter and stole a computer and other objects, police said.

The criminals entered the apartment of Lurian Cordeiro da Silva, an adviser to the Florianopolis city government and one of the president’s daughters, through an open window …. Source  : Brazilian president’s daughter’s house robbed.

1,500 people in Colombia forced to leave land

Bogota, April 6 (IANS/EFE) A guerrilla group in Colombia has forced around 1,500 people to leave their land, officials said.

The people, mostly peasants, from the hamlet of La Vega del Ingles, left their land Saturday and sought refuge in a nearby school after being forced off their land by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of … Original source on Gaea Times at : 1,500 people in Colombia forced to leave land.

60 notices but few responses to Kandhamal riots probe

BHUBANESWAR – The 2008 communal violence in Orissa’s Kandhamal district may have attracted heated debate, but the anxiety seems to have whittled away with political parties, religious groups and the media cold-shouldering the inquiry commission set up by the government.

The one-man Justice Sarat Chandra Mohapatra inquiry panel has made virtually no headway in investigating …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 60 notices but few responses to Kandhamal riots probe.

Indonesia Earthquake Today: No Major Damage

ACEH, INDONESIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The Indonesia earthquake today struck off the coast of Aceh, the city in the north western part of the Indonesian archipelago. Measured at 7.7 in the Richter Scale, the earthquake triggered a tsunami alert, and had the residents of the coastal areas fleeing their homes in order to take refuge to …. Read the original article  : here.

Woman beats daughter to death for not reciting poem

BEIJING – A Chinese woman is suspected of beating her three-year-old daughter to death for not being able to recite a poem, a media report said Wednesday.

The woman told the police in Jiashan, Zhejiang province, March 30 that her daughter died from a fall the night before. However, a medical examination revealed injuries on the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Woman beats daughter to death for not reciting poem.

Thai protesters briefly storm Parliament; Black Hawk helicopter evacuates trapped lawmakers

Thai Parliament stormed; chopper rescues lawmakers

BANGKOK – Emboldened anti-government protesters briefly stormed Thailand’s Parliament building Wednesday as lawmakers scaled walls to flee and a Black Hawk helicopter evacuated VIPs trapped by the encircling crowd, officials said.
“Red Shirt” protesters led by one of their hardcore leaders smashed through the Parliament compound gate with a truck and …. Original source  : Thai protesters briefly storm Parliament; Black Hawk helicopter evacuates trapped lawmakers.

Indonesia shook by 7.7 Earthquake

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (GaeaTimes.com) — After Maxico, Indonesia is the poor victim of earthquake. At least 46 people died when a powerful earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck Indonesia around 5:15 AM today. There was also a brief tsunami warning, but removed later.
The tremor was felt in a widespread area, even from Jakarta, the capital 200 … Original article on : Indonesia shook by 7.7 Earthquake.

Trial of two men who ate girl postponed

LONDON/MOSCOW – The trial of two men accused of chopping up a teenager and serving her meat with potatoes to a lodger in the Russian city of St. Petersburg was postponed after a juror fell sick on seeing the images of the victim.

Maxim Golovatskikh and his friend Yury Mozhnov are accused of drowning 16-year-old Karina … Read more »».

Fires kill 17 in Bihar

PATNA – Seventeen people, including nine children, lost their lives and many were rendered homeless in a string of fires in rural Bihar over the last two days, police said Wednesday.

Seven people, including four children and a woman, died in West Champaran district, four in Sitamarhi, three in Chapra and one each in Purnia, Madhubani … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Fires kill 17 in Bihar.

Man killed over water row

BHOPAL – A man was shot dead following an altercation over water in Madhya Pradesh, which is facing a severe water crisis, police said Wednesday.

The incident took place Tuesday in Ratlam district’s Ramsingh Darbar area when Ramchandra, 33, stopped Ram Singh from drawing water from a borewell.
According to police, Ram Singh whipped out …. Original source  : Man killed over water row.

W.Va. mine where blast killed at least 25 not safe for rescuers waiting to locate 4 missing

Gases make W.Va. mine unsafe; 4 missing, 25 dead

MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Crews were drilling early Wednesday to ventilate toxic gas from a West Virginia coal mine shattered by a deadly explosion, trying to make a section of it safe enough for rescuers to search for four missing miners as hope for their survival grew dim.
Two … Read more >>>.

Thai protesters break into Parliament; Black Hawk helicopter evacuates trapped lawmakers

Thai protesters break into Parliament
BANGKOK – Emboldened anti-government protesters briefly stormed Thailand’s Parliament building Wednesday as lawmakers scaled walls to flee and a Black Hawk helicopter evacuated VIPs trapped by the encircling crowd, officials said.

“Red Shirt” protesters led by one of their hardcore leaders smashed through the Parliament compound gate with a truck and rushed …. Read the original article  : Thai protesters break into Parliament; Black Hawk helicopter evacuates trapped lawmakers.

17 killed in eastern India holocaust

At least 17 people, including nine children, were killed overnight in holocaust in eastern India, officials said today.

Officials said all the fire-related deaths were reported from northern and eastern regions of Bihar state.
According to them, four each were killed in West Champaran and Sitamarhi, three each in Saran and Lakhisarai, two in Muzaffarpur and one …. Original article  : 17 killed in eastern India holocaust.

Sinking vessel Titanic saved

LONDON – A vessel ironically called Titanic was saved from sinking near the island of St Kitts after one of three men on board dialled a friend in distant Britain — just in time.

It was the only telephone number he could remember when tragedy struck.
Mark Corbett and two other crewmen were aboard the 1,700-tonne …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sinking vessel Titanic saved.

Tipsy tourist plunges to death from Hong Kong escalator

HONG KONG – A tourist died when he toppled over the side of an escalator in Hong Kong following a drinking session, a news report said Wednesday.

The South Asian man, aged 29, fell 12 metres to his death after leaning on the handrail of the escalator in the Two IFC office and shopping complex, the …. Read the original article  : Tipsy tourist plunges to death from Hong Kong escalator.

Strong quake jolts Indonesia’s Aceh

JAKARTA – A strong earthquake jolted Indonesia’s Aceh province at the northern end of Sumatra Wednesday, damaging buildings and injuring at least a dozen people, officials said.

Indonesia’s Meteorology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning, but it was lifted more than an hour later after no big waves materialised.
The quake, measuring 7.2 on the …. Read the original article  : Strong quake jolts Indonesia’s Aceh.

13 years on, families hope for justice in Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre

PATNA – Thirteen years after the Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre in which 58 Dalits were killed by upper caste men, families of the victims are hoping that justice will finally triumph with a Bihar court Wednesday slated to pronounce its verdict on the case.

“We are at last hoping for justice,” Balram Paswan, a relative of one of …. Original source  : 13 years on, families hope for justice in Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre.

Search continues for last 31 miners trapped in China after 115 pulled out alive

Rescuers race to reach 31 trapped in China mine

XIANGNING, China – Rescuers pumped water Wednesday in a fading bid to find more survivors in a flooded mine in northern China where earlier 115 miners had been pulled to safety in dramatic rescues after being trapped for more than a week.
A seventh body was recovered Wednesday … Read more : Search continues for last 31 miners trapped in China after 115 pulled out alive.

Survivors describe ordeal after explosion sank South Korean navy ship

Survivors of sunken SKorean ship describe ordeal

SEOUL, South Korea – Survivors from a South Korean naval ship that sank after a mysterious explosion publicly recounted their ordeal for the first time Wednesday, describing how the deafening blast interrupted a routine patrol near the disputed border with North Korea.
Fifty-eight of the 104 sailors on board the … Read more : Survivors describe ordeal after explosion sank South Korean navy ship.

Hundreds gather for funerals after spate of Baghdad bombs that killed 50

Funerals held after spate of Baghdad bombs

BAGHDAD – Hundreds of mourners marched through the streets of a predominantly Shiite area of Baghdad on Wednesday in funeral processions for some of the 54 people killed the previous day in a series of bombings in the Iraqi capital.
In one procession, families and friends of one victim carried … Read more »».

Suicide attack on NATO convoy kills civilian, injures 15 others in eastern Afghanistan

Afghan suicide blast kills civilian, injures 15

KABUL – Officials say a suicide attack in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad has killed one civilian and wounded 15 others.
The Afghan Ministry of Interior says the explosion early Wednesday appeared to have targeted a NATO convoy passing through the city’s main intersection.
It says the attack was carried …. Original source  : Suicide attack on NATO convoy kills civilian, injures 15 others in eastern Afghanistan.

More rain falls in Rio as officials fear death toll could rise after heaviest deluge on record

Rain resumes in Rio and officials fear more deaths

RIO DE JANEIRO – Rains began pelting Rio again early Wednesday, hours after the heaviest deluge on record sent killer mudslides cascading down hillsides and turned streets into raging torrents in Brazil’s second-biggest city.
Authorities feared the added water could dislodge more saturated ground and raise the death …. Original source  : More rain falls in Rio as officials fear death toll could rise after heaviest deluge on record.

He is asleep, say women who tried to take dead man on flight

LONDON – Two women placed sunglasses on their 91-year-old dead relative, put him on a wheelchair and insisted he was asleep as they attempted to catch a flight to Germany from a British airport, a media report said Wednesday.

Gitta Jarant and her stepdaughter Anke Anusic managed to convince a taxi driver that Curt Willi Jarant, …. Read the original article  : He is asleep, say women who tried to take dead man on flight.

Afghan police: 5 suicide bombers arrested while entering Afghan capital

Afghan police: 5 suicide bombers arrested in Kabul

KABUL – Afghan police arrested five would-be suicide bombers in Kabul on Thursday, the largest suicide team ever apprehended in the capital, officials said.
“If this team had made it through it would have been a disaster as we’ve seen in past instances,” said Abdul Ghafar, deputy commander of … Read more : Afghan police: 5 suicide bombers arrested while entering Afghan capital.

In one quiet W.Va. hollow, neighbors anxiously wait for word on 3 missing coal miners

One W.Va. hollow awaits word on 3 of its own

DOROTHY, W.Va. – Along Clear Fork Road, tiny communities blend seamlessly, bound by geography, coal mining and the sheltering mountains all around. Anxiety cinches them closer than usual this week.
Days after an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine eight miles away killed 25, three from … Original article on : In one quiet W.Va. hollow, neighbors anxiously wait for word on 3 missing coal miners.

Rescue crews to start long trek to find possible W.Va. mine disaster survivors; hope is slim

Crews to start search for mine disaster survivors

MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Rescue crews planned to start the hourslong five-mile trek into a West Virginia coal mine Thursday to find signs of possible survivors of the worst U.S. mining disaster in a generation.
Officials and townsfolk alike admitted they didn’t expect to find any of the four still-missing …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New mudslide smashes into shantytown as overall toll from Rio’s rain disaster rises to 147

New mudslide hits slum as Rio toll rises to 147

RIO DE JANEIRO – Beleaguered rescue workers struggled early Thursday to find survivors after another mudslide surged into a rain-sodden hillside shantytown, engulfing at least 40 homes in a huge cascade of mud.
The state Civil Defense department said the latest slide unleashed by heavy rains hit …. Source article  : New mudslide smashes into shantytown as overall toll from Rio’s rain disaster rises to 147.

Rescue crews to enter W.Va. coal mine in search of 4 missing 2 days since blast killed 25

Crews to search for 4 missing in W.Va. coal mine

MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Authorities say air quality is good enough to allow crews to search for four men missing in a West Virginia coal mine for more than two days since a blast killed 25 miners.
Federal safety official Kevin Stricklin says crews plan to go into …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Rescue crews to enter W.Va. coal mine in search of 4 missing 2 days since blast killed 25.

Kyrgyzstan’s opposition forms iterim govt, dissolves parliament

Kyrgyz opposition dissolves parliament
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – An opposition coalition in Kyrgyzstan said it has formed an interim government that will rule the turbulent Central Asian nation for six months.
Opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva said Thursday she will head the government that dissolved the parliament and will take up legislative duties.
She told a news conference …. Original article  : Kyrgyzstan’s opposition forms iterim govt, dissolves parliament.

AP Exclusive: US team recovers Chile’s last weapons-grade uranium

AP Exclusive: Chile gives US weapon-type uranium
SANTIAGO, Chile – With U.S. President Barack Obama shifting his nuclear nonproliferation strategy to rogue states and terrorists, Chile has become an example of how small countries can play a big part in making the world safer.
Vast amounts of highly enriched uranium, or HEU, is …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : AP Exclusive: US team recovers Chile’s last weapons-grade uranium.

Aiming to keep Obama’s promise, US team recovers Chile’s last weapons-grade uranium

Chile gives its last weapons-grade uranium to US
SANTIAGO, Chile – With U.S. President Barack Obama shifting his nuclear nonproliferation strategy to rogue states and terrorists, Chile has become an example of how small countries can play a big part in making the world safer.
Vast amounts of highly enriched uranium, or HEU, is being … Read more »».

Kyrgyzstan’s opposition controls government headquarters, death toll rises to 68

Kyrgyz opposition controls government building
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – The opposition seized Kyrgyzstan’s government headquarters Thursday following clashes between protesters and security forces that have left 68 people dead nationwide, and appeared to control this Central Asian country that houses a key U.S. air base.
No police guarded the government headquarters, and hundreds of jubilant but …. Original source  : Kyrgyzstan’s opposition controls government headquarters, death toll rises to 68.

Brief rain shower leaves half-foot of standing water in dangerous Haiti quake camps

Rain dumps lakes of water into Haiti quake camps

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A brief rain storm flooded Haiti’s earthquake camps Wednesday, worrying residents hours after they were told to brace for a more-active-than-usual hurricane season.
A windy 20-minute downpour left a half foot of water inside makeshift tents on the sloping golf course of the Petionville Club, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Brief rain shower leaves half-foot of standing water in dangerous Haiti quake camps.

Dangerous gas levels drop at W.Va. mine where 25 killed; crews may start search for survivors

Gas levels drop at WV mine; crews may start search

MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Two days after the worst U.S. mining disaster in a generation, rescue crews were called to the Upper Big Branch coal mine late Wednesday to prepare to descend underground and search for possible survivors of the explosion that killed 25.
Chances were slim that …. Original article  : Dangerous gas levels drop at W.Va. mine where 25 killed; crews may start search for survivors.

Tale of 2 brothers: 1 W. Va. miner survives underground while his elder brother dies in blast

W.Va. miner emerges unscathed while brother dies

MOUNT HOPE, W.Va. – First, Melvin Lynch felt his ears pop. Then the power went out at the mine where he was working. But he only learned about the explosion that killed his elder brother and 24 other colleagues about an hour later when crews working the other side …. Read the original article  : Tale of 2 brothers: 1 W. Va. miner survives underground while his elder brother dies in blast.

Rescuers pump out water in fading bid to save 26 miners still trapped in China mine

Rescuers in fading bid to save 26 from China mine

BEIJING – Rescuers pumped water Thursday in a fading bid to find more survivors in a flooded mine in northern China where 115 workers were dramatically rescued this week after being trapped for eight days.
The death toll rose to 12 early Thursday, the state-run Xinhua News …. Source  : Rescuers pump out water in fading bid to save 26 miners still trapped in China mine.

Federal official says there is a possibility rescue crews could enter W.Va. mine Wed. night

Crews close to rescue attempt of 4 W.Va. miners

MONTCOAL, W.Va. – A federal official says he is confident that two safety citations issued on the day of the West Virginia mine explosion didn’t factor into the blast.
Kevin Stricklin, an administrator from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, said the citations occurred in an area … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Federal official says there is a possibility rescue crews could enter W.Va. mine Wed. night.

Masters staff works overtime so Augusta National looks like usual after unusual winter

Winter weather does a number on Augusta National

It’s hard work making Augusta National look so beautiful.
Especially when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
Augusta National chairman Billy Payne admits that, as recently as a month ago, he worried whether the golf course would be in its usual shape for the Masters because of the unusually harsh winter. All … Original article on : Masters staff works overtime so Augusta National looks like usual after unusual winter.

Sewer line trench collapses at Ohio construction site, killing 1 worker, hurting another

Ohio sewer line trench collapse kills 1 worker

HUDSON, Ohio – Crew members dug through rain-soaked muck to rescue two workers trapped after a sewer line trench at a residential construction site collapsed Wednesday. One worker was pulled alive from the trench six hours after the collapse, but the second worker died.
Hudson Fire Chief Bob Carter …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sewer line trench collapses at Ohio construction site, killing 1 worker, hurting another.

AP: Emergency air systems among slew of safety lapses at WV mine in months before deadly blast

AP: Major safety lapses at mine long before blast

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – At the sprawling coal mine where 25 perished in an explosion this week, regulators found that dirty air was being directed into an escapeway where fresh air should be. An emergency air system was flowing in the wrong direction, which could leave workers without …. Source article  : AP: Emergency air systems among slew of safety lapses at WV mine in months before deadly blast.

FAA administrator says some LAX runways are too close, need to be separated

FAA chief says some LAX runways too close
LOS ANGELES – The head of the Federal Aviation Administration said failing to further separate two runways at Los Angeles International Airport would be a serious mistake.

The warning by FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt came two months after an academic panel concluded there was no need to reconfigure the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : FAA administrator says some LAX runways are too close, need to be separated.

Mich. Muslim leader: Crime scene photos of slain Imam raise questions about FBI’s actions

Mich. Muslim leader: Pix of slain Imam troubling

DETROIT – A Muslim civil rights group released crime scene photos Wednesday of the body of a mosque leader shot 20 times during an FBI raid – images the group’s director says suggest the imam likely had to defend himself against a vicious dog attack before he was … Original article on : Mich. Muslim leader: Crime scene photos of slain Imam raise questions about FBI’s actions.

Lethal gases keep rescuers from entering W.Va. mine; governor sees only a ’sliver of hope’

Lethal gas stops rescuers from entering W.Va. mine

MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Two full days after the worst U.S. mining disaster in a generation, dangerous gases underground prevented rescuers late Wednesday from venturing into the Upper Big Branch coal mine to search for any survivors of the explosion that killed at least 25 workers.
Crews drilled holes deep [..] Read the original article: here.

Al-Qaida front group in Iraq claims it’s behind triple suicide bombing at Baghdad embassies

Iraq al-Qaida group says it’s behind embassy hits

BAGHDAD – Al-Qaida’s umbrella group in Iraq claimed responsibility Friday for a triple suicide bombing outside foreign embassies in Baghdad, which killed more than 40 people.
The group, known as the Islamic State of Iraq, posted a statement on a Web site that carries al-Qaida and other militant declarations.
The … Read more >>.

Crews cling to hope, trek underground to search for mine survivors, find answers for families

Search on again for WV coal mine blast survivors
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Rescue workers clinging to the slimmest of hope pushed deep into a shattered coal mine early Friday, trying to get far enough to finally resolve whether four miners somehow survived an explosion that killed 25.
Search teams had gotten frustratingly close a …. Original source  : Crews cling to hope, trek underground to search for mine survivors, find answers for families.

As funerals for fallen W.Va. miners begin, busy floral designers help in the healing

Florists toil in own way to honor fallen miners

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Hours after closing time, the phone is still ringing and bits of ribbon, flower stems and sheared-off thorns are dropping to the floor in a steady shower. The sweet scents of thousands of flowers – lilies, roses, snapdragons and more – mingle with the [..] Read the original article: here.

Promises not kept: Mine-safety rules probably did little to help victims of latest disaster

Promises not kept: Mine safety fixes fall short

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Coal companies spent more than $1 billion on new safety measures after a 2006 mine explosion killed a dozen workers, but the equipment did nothing to save the lives of at least 25 more men under similar circumstances this week.
The problem is that the safety … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Promises not kept: Mine-safety rules probably did little to help victims of latest disaster.

Amnesty International report: US is guilty of Katrina-related human rights abuses

Amnesty: US guilty of Katrina-related abuses

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. government and Gulf Coast states have consistently violated the human rights of hurricane victims since Hurricane Katrina killed about 1,800 people and caused widespread devastation after striking in August 2005, Amnesty International said Friday.
The report, entitled “Un-Natural Disaster,” said the treatment of hurricane victims and … Original source on Gaea Times at : Amnesty International report: US is guilty of Katrina-related human rights abuses.

Coal Miners In West Virginia Still Missing

WEST VIRGINIA (GaeaTimes.com)- It has been reported that the four coal miners who had been left trapped in the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia has not yet been rescued. The rescue party is having a hard time in carrying out the task as the mine is filled with the deadly combination of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Coal Miners In West Virginia Still Missing.

NATO says Osprey aircraft crashed in southeastern Afghanistan; 4 killed, others injured

NATO aircraft crashes in Afghanistan, killing 4

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – A U.S. Air Force tilt-rotor aircraft crashed in southeastern Afghanistan, killing three service members and one government contractor, NATO said Friday.
Other personnel aboard were injured and were taken to a military base for treatment, NATO said.
The CV-22 Osprey went down about 7 miles (11 kilometers) from … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NATO says Osprey aircraft crashed in southeastern Afghanistan; 4 killed, others injured.

Pakistan’s security forces killed 15 militants in fresh gunfight in Orakzai agency; fight displaces 46000 people from the area

BY GAEA TIMES CORRESPONDENT
ISLAMABAD: Security forces of Pakistan kave captured four and killed as many as 15 militants in a gunfight after an attack on a checkpoint situated in Orakzai Agency of pakistan—-a tribal area.

This time clashes were reported between the security forces and the militants in Bezot Khel village of Orakzai Agency. This is …. Source  : Pakistan’s security forces killed 15 militants in fresh gunfight in Orakzai agency; fight displaces 46000 people from the area.

Rescuers again search W.Va. mine for possible blast survivors; nitrogen flushes toxic gases

Rescue crews back in WV mine to look for survivors
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Searchers desperately hoping to find up to four survivors of a mine blast that killed 25 went back underground early Friday, while workers above pumped nitrogen into the earth to flush out dangerous gases that have kept rescuers at …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rescuers again search W.Va. mine for possible blast survivors; nitrogen flushes toxic gases.

Salvage crews transfer oil from ship stuck on Great Barrier Reef; operation to take days

Crews begin moving oil from ship stuck on reef

BRISBANE, Australia – Salvage crews at a damaged coal carrier stuck on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef began pumping fuel oil Friday from the stricken vessel onto another barge to carry it away and prevent it from leaking onto the delicate reef.
Patrick Quirk, general manager of Maritime Safety …. Read the original article  : Salvage crews transfer oil from ship stuck on Great Barrier Reef; operation to take days.

Gov. spokesman: Rescue crews again making way into W.Va. mine to try to find blast survivors

Rescue crews back in mine to look for survivors
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – A spokesman for West Virginia’s governor says rescue teams have headed back into a West Virginia mine to look for four miners missing since an explosion killed 25 workers.
Officials say they will also pump nitrogren in to flush dangerous gases out.
Gov. Joe … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gov. spokesman: Rescue crews again making way into W.Va. mine to try to find blast survivors.

Crews get ready to go back into WV mine in desperate rescue bid; nitrogen to stabilize air

Crews prepare desperate rescue effort at WV mine
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Crews prepared early Friday to pump nitrogen into a coal mine where an explosion killed 25 in a bid to flush dangerous gases out and allow anxious rescuers to reach up to four survivors.
Safety officials conceded that any hope of finding workers alive … Read more >>.

Nitrogen to be pumped into W.Va. coal mine to make atmosphere safe for rescue crews to search

Nitrogen to be used to make W.Va. mine air safe
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Officials say they will pump nitrogren into a coal mine where an explosion killed 25 in a bid to flush dangerous gases out and allow rescuers to reach up to four survivors.
Federal coal safety administrator Kevin Stricklin says ventilating the noxious …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

NATO forces in Afghanistan say helicopter downed in southeastern province

NATO helicopter downed in southeastern Afghanistan

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – A helicopter belonging to international forces in Afghanistan went down in the country’s southeast, NATO reported Friday. A spokesman for the Taliban said its fighters had shot it down, but an Afghan official said it appeared to have crashed due to mechanical failure, causing four deaths.
A NATO … Original source on Gaea Times at : NATO forces in Afghanistan say helicopter downed in southeastern province.

More air testing needed before rescue teams can re-enter coal mine to search for missing

Rescue crews waiting to re-enter mine; air unsafe
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Anxious search crews prepared late Thursday to pump nitrogen into a coal mine where an explosion killed 25, a last-ditch bid to flush dangerous gases out and allow rescuers to reach up to four survivors.
Safety officials conceded late Thursday that any … Original source on Gaea Times at : More air testing needed before rescue teams can re-enter coal mine to search for missing.

Toxic gas levels in W.Va. mine drop; rescuers hope to get inside soon to look for survivors

Conditions improving for W.Va. mine rescue effort
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Searchers who came within 500 feet of a rescue chamber where possible survivors of a deadly mine explosion may have taken refuge hoped for another chance Thursday night if levels of noxious gas continue to drop.
Teams spent more than …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Toxic gas levels in W.Va. mine drop; rescuers hope to get inside soon to look for survivors.

Gov. Joe Manchin: conditions improving in W.Va. mine, rescuers not yet ready to re-enter

Conditions improve for W.Va. mine rescue attempt
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin is saying that conditions are improving in a West Virginia mine, but rescue crews are not yet ready to re-enter to look for four miners because gases are still too dangerous.
Manchin said the crews may be able to enter the mine …. Original source  : Gov. Joe Manchin: conditions improving in W.Va. mine, rescuers not yet ready to re-enter.

1 survivor of West Virginia mine explosion that killed 25 released from hospital

1 survivor of W.Va. mine explosion out of hospital

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A miner who survived an explosion that killed at least 25 people at a West Virginia coal mine has been released from the hospital.
Cathy Boyd, a nursing supervisor at Raleigh General Hospital, said Thursday that the miner had been released but his family has …. Source article  : 1 survivor of West Virginia mine explosion that killed 25 released from hospital.

PROMISES, PROMISES: New rules for mine safety missed the mark

PROMISES, PROMISES: Mine safety fixes fall short

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After a 2006 West Virginia mine explosion killed a dozen miners, coal companies spent more than $1 billion on new safety measures that did nothing to save the lives of at least 25 more men under similar circumstances this week.
The problem is that the safety reforms …. Read the original article  : PROMISES, PROMISES: New rules for mine safety missed the mark.

Deadly West Virginia mining explosion figures to be drag on Massey’s profit, expansion plans

Mine explosion dampens Massey’s growth plans

Massey Energy could see where the demand for coal was coming from. So, it made a $1 billion bet that it could cash in on the burgeoning economies of Asia.
Now, the deadly explosion at one of its mines in West Virginia could hamper its expansion plans, be a drag on … Read : Deadly West Virginia mining explosion figures to be drag on Massey’s profit, expansion plans.

Militants burn vehicles, equipment in attack on Indian road construction camp in Afghanistan

Militants attacks Indian camp in Afghanistan
KABUL – Militants launched a pre-dawn attack on an Indian road construction camp in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, burning vehicles and equipment and sending the crew fleeing, authorities said.
No deaths or injuries were reported in the attack in Khost province’s Domanda district, the Interior Ministry said in a … Read more »»».

Polish President Lech Kaczynski, wife and 130 others die in Russian plane crash

Polish president among 132 dead in plane crash

MOSCOW – Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife died Saturday along with 130 others when their plane crashed while coming in for a landing in western Russia, officials said.
The governor of the Smolensk region, where the crash took place about 11 a.m. (0700 GMT), said no one …. Read the original article  : here.

Polish president, wife and 130 others die in Russian plane crash

Polish president dies in Russian plane crash

MOSCOW – Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife died Saturday along with 130 others when their plane crashed while coming in for a landing in western Russia, officials said.
The governor of the Smolensk region, where the crash took place about 11 a.m. (0700 GMT), said no one survived.
“The …. Source article  : Polish president, wife and 130 others die in Russian plane crash.

Hopes dashed: Searchers find bodies of 4 missing in WV mine; death toll 29, worst since 1970

Last hope gone: 4 W.Va. coal miners found dead
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Searchers found four bodies deep in a West Virginia coal mine shattered by an explosion, raising the death toll to 29 and ending an excruciating week for families holding onto faint hopes that their missing miners had somehow survived.
Crews are to soon …. Original article  : Hopes dashed: Searchers find bodies of 4 missing in WV mine; death toll 29, worst since 1970.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski Plane Crashes: 87 killed

SMOLENSK, RUSSIA (GaeaTimes.com) — Polish president Lech Kaczynski and his wife are feared dead in a tragic plane accident. A plane with 87 people on board including Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski crashed near a Russian airport.
The plane was heading towards Smolensk airport in western Russia, where Polish leader was going to participate on commemoration … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Polish President Lech Kaczynski Plane Crashes: 87 killed.

Russian official says no survivors in crash of Polish president’s plane; at least 87 killed

Official: no survivors in Polish plane crash

MOSCOW – The governor of a Russian region where a plane carrying Poland’s president has crashed says there are no survivors.
Smolensk governor Sergei Anufriev made the statement to state news channel Rossiya-24 about an hour after the Saturday crash.
The Tu-154 plane crashed near the Smolensk airport, about 400 kilometers … Read more >>.

Russian official says no survivors in crash of Polish president’s plane

Official: no survivors in Kaczynski plane crash

MOSCOW – The governor of a Russian region where a plane carrying Poland’s president has crashed says there are no survivors.
Smolensk governor Sergei Anufriev made the statement to state news channel Rossiya-24 about an hour after the Saturday crash.
The Tu-154 plane crashed near the Smolensk airport, about 400 kilometers [..] Read the original article: here.

Polish president’s plane crashes in Russia; reports say 87 dead

Polish president’s plane crashes in Russia; 87 die

MOSCOW – Officials say a plane carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife has crashed in western Russia and that at least 87 people have been killed.
The Polish Foreign Ministry confirmed that the president and his wife were aboard the plane that crashed Saturday near the city [..] Read the original article: here.

Obama orders official report on deadly West Virginia mine explosion

Obama: more needs to be done to ensure mine safety
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says more needs to be done to ensure mine safety.
He has asked federal officials to report to him next week on the cause of Monday’s deadly explosion in a West Virginia coal mine. Officials have suggested a … Read more >>.

Officials: 4 missing miners found dead in W.Va.; death toll at 29, worst in coal since ‘70

4 missing W.Va. miners dead; final toll at 29
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Rescue workers located four bodies deep in a West Virginia coal mine, dashing any faint hopes of finding more survivors of a deadly explosion that has claimed 29 lives, the worst U.S. … Read more >>.

5 ambulances have arrived at W.Va. coal mine where crews were looking for blast survivors

Ambulances arrive at W.Va. coal mine
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Five ambulances have arrived at a West Virginia coal mine where crews were underground looking for survivors of an explosion that killed at least 25.
Officials said on Friday they are close to determining whether four missing West Virginia miners survived Monday’s blast at Upper Big … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 5 ambulances have arrived at W.Va. coal mine where crews were looking for blast survivors.

Report: North Korea denies involvement in sinking of South Korean navy ship

NKorea denies involvement in SKorean ship sinking

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea has denied any involvement in a mysterious blast that sank a South Korean navy ship last month near their disputed sea border, a news report said Saturday.
A North Korean military delegation told Chinese military officials during its trip to Beijing on March 30 … Original article on : Report: North Korea denies involvement in sinking of South Korean navy ship.

Elephant kicks trainer at northeastern Pa. circus, killing him; police say no threat to public

Elephant kicks trainer at Pa. circus, killing him

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Police say an elephant at a northeastern Pennsylvania circus startled and kicked its animal trainer, killing him.
It happened at around 5 p.m. Friday at the Irem Shrine Circus in Wilkes-Barre (WILKS’-behr-ee). The circus wasn’t open at the time.
Police say other trainers rushed to the area …. Read the original article  : here.

Magnitude-4.7 quake hits California-Mexico border region, aftershock to Sunday’s jolt

Aftershock hits California-Mexico border region

GUADALUPE VICTORIA, Mexico – A moderate earthquake has shaken residents of the California-Mexico border region, five days after a magnitude-7.2 jolt. There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The magnitude-4.7 aftershock at 4:05 p.m. local time was centered nine miles southwest of Guadalupe Victoria, a Mexican farming town that was … Read more >>>.

Officials promise finality soon in search for W.Va. miners missing in massive blast

Search continues for W.Va. miners missing in blast
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Grieving relatives hoped to finally find the answers early Saturday to whether four miners missing for nearly a week were in airtight chambers awaiting rescue or would be added to 25 known dead.
Crews late Friday were deep … Read more : Officials promise finality soon in search for W.Va. miners missing in massive blast.

Crews within 2,000 feet of last refuge chamber at W.Va. mine, plan run to see if miners alive

Crews within 2,000 feet of last W.Va. mine chamber
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Grieving relatives began burying victims of the Upper Big Branch coal mine disaster Friday as crews ventured closer to a refuge chamber deep underground where they had faint hope that survivors might be awaiting rescue.
It was their fourth attempt to find the …. Source  : Crews within 2,000 feet of last refuge chamber at W.Va. mine, plan run to see if miners alive.

Officials say they are making progress in W.Va. mine rescue attempt of 4 missing

Officials say conclusion of W.Va. mine saga near
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Officials are saying they are close to a conclusion in the rescue attempt of four West Virginia miners.
Gov. Joe Manchin said Friday night that finality could come by midnight. Crews are within 2,000 feet of the refuge chamber and prepared to make a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Officials say they are making progress in W.Va. mine rescue attempt of 4 missing.

Rio floods, mudslides kill 205 with toll expected to rise

Rio flood death toll hits 205, expected to rise

RIO DE JANEIRO – The death toll from landslides and floods in and around Rio de Janeiro this week reached 205 on Friday and was expected to rise as searchers continued looking for bodies in an operation expected to last through the weekend, authorities said.
Morning and afternoon …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

At least 954 US military deaths in Afghan region since 2001

US military deaths in Afghan region at 954

As of Friday, April 9, 2010, at least 954 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to an Associated Press count.
The AP count is five more than the Defense Department’s …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : At least 954 US military deaths in Afghan region since 2001.

Inspector’s records show management deemed production more important than safety at W.Va. mine

Records: production over safety at W.Va. mine

MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Records show a safety inspector found that management considered production more important than safety twice at a West Virginia mine under scrutiny since an explosion killed 29 people.
In two evacuation orders in 2009, a federal inspector cited the operators of Upper Big Branch mine for skipping …. Original source  : Inspector’s records show management deemed production more important than safety at W.Va. mine.

5 Afghan deminers killed by roadside bomb; 1 Polish soldier lightly wounded in base shooting

5 Afghan deminers killed in roadside bombing

KABUL – A bus carrying Afghans working for a U.S.-supported demining group was struck by a roadside bomb in Kandahar province Sunday, killing five workers and wounding 13 others.
Also Sunday, NATO said an Afghan soldier shot and lightly wounded a Polish soldier with whom he had been arguing. The … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 5 Afghan deminers killed by roadside bomb; 1 Polish soldier lightly wounded in base shooting.

Poland Plane Crash Shocks The World

SMOLENSK, POLAND (GaeaTimes.com)- Poland has declared a week of mourning in memory of the victims of the tragic Poland plane crash that occurred in the morning of Saturday, near the Smolensk airport. According to reports provided by the eyewitnesses, the Presidential aircraft, the Tupolev Tu-154, was just about to enter the Smolensk airport when … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Poland Plane Crash Shocks The World.

8 more bodies recovered at China mine where 115 saved; death toll at 33, search continues

8 bodies recovered at China mine where 115 saved

BEIJING – Rescuers recovered five more bodies Sunday at a flooded mine in northern China, bringing the death toll to 33 and leaving little hope of finding survivors, state media reported.
Authorities continued pumping water from the pit where 115 workers were rescued last week after more than …. Original source  : 8 more bodies recovered at China mine where 115 saved; death toll at 33, search continues.

To war and back and back again: Multiple tours linked to higher risk of PTSD

Revolving door of multiple tours linked to PTSD

It wasn’t his first tour in Iraq, but his second and third when Joe Callan began wondering how long his luck would last – how many more months he could swerve around bombs buried in the dirt and duck mortars raining from the skies.
It was only natural, considering …. Source article  : To war and back and back again: Multiple tours linked to higher risk of PTSD.

6 children burnt alive in devastating fire

At least six children aged between two to five years were burnt alive in a devastating fire in Bihar, officials said today.

The shocking incident occurred at Kothia village in north Bihar’s Saran district.
Officials said the fire broke out from a hearth and spread to entire village, engulfing over 200 houses which reduced valuables and property … Read more »»».

Magnitude-4.5 earthquake part of swarm of seismic activity shaking California-Mexico border

Magnitude-4.5 quake, others shake San Diego area

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A moderate earthquake near the U.S.-Mexico border rattled parts of Imperial and San Diego counties as a swarm of seismic activity continues nearly a week after a magnitude-7.2 quake slammed the area.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-4.5 quake hit at 2:12 a.m. Saturday, about …. Original article  : Magnitude-4.5 earthquake part of swarm of seismic activity shaking California-Mexico border.

Chicago’s large Polish community mourns crash deaths of Chicago sculptor and Polish president

Chicago artist among dead in Polish plane crash

CHICAGO – One of Wojciech Seweryn’s main passions in life was reminding people of the Katyn massacre, a 1940 slaughter that killed thousands of Polish military officials, including his own father.
It was that passion that ultimately led to the 70-year-old Chicago sculptor’s death.
Seweryn, a respected artist in the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Chicago’s large Polish community mourns crash deaths of Chicago sculptor and Polish president.

First Haitian families moved to new camps as rains loom and aid groups criticize government

Haitians relocated to new camps as rains loom

CORAIL-CESSELESSE, Haiti – The first of 50,000 earthquake victims that officials fear are most threatened by Haiti’s looming rainy season were relocated Saturday as nonprofit groups scrambled to receive them.
Adults and children living at the Petionville golf course walked up a steep hill with their belongings and climbed …. Read the original article  : First Haitian families moved to new camps as rains loom and aid groups criticize government.

Bomb blast breaks windows at US consulate in northern Mexico border city, but no injuries

Bomb damages US consulate in Mexico; no injuries

MEXICO CITY – An attacker threw an explosive device over the wall around the U.S. consulate in the border city of Nuevo Laredo, breaking windows and startling employees inside but causing no injuries, the U.S. Embassy said Saturday.
The attack, which took place about 11:30 p.m. Friday, is under … Read more >>>.

Moderate earthquake strikes south San Diego County; no reports of damages or injuries

Moderate quake strikes south San Diego County

SANTA ANA – A moderate earthquake near the U.S. border rattled parts of Orange and San Diego counties and the Coachella Valley.
The U.S. Geological Survey says a 4.5 magnitude quake hit at 2:12 a.m. Saturday, about 16 miles west southwest of Calexico. The USGS reports that residents in nearly …. Original article  : Moderate earthquake strikes south San Diego County; no reports of damages or injuries.

Karate, swimming, farming among interests of West Virginia coal mine blast victims

W.Va. miners were varied in experience, interests

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – They ranged in age from 20 to 61. Some had been miners only a few months, others for 34 years.
Their passions ranged from karate, farming, swimming, hunting, basketball and the beach. Collectively they loved family and working at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Creek mine.
The 29 killed …. Original source  : Karate, swimming, farming among interests of West Virginia coal mine blast victims.

3 moderate earthquakes strike south San Diego County; no damages or injuries reported

3 moderate quakes strike south San Diego County

SANTA ANA – Three moderate earthquakes near the U.S. border have rattled parts of Orange and San Diego counties and the Coachella Valley.
The U.S. Geological Survey says a 4.5 magnitude quake hit at 2:12 a.m. Saturday, about 16 miles southwest of Calexico. A similar earthquake struck at 9:12 …. Read the original article  : here.

For 29 W.Va. mine families, grieving begins; for thousands more in coal country, life goes on

Grieving begins, but life goes on at W.Va. mines
COMFORT, W.Va. – Time stopped five days ago for the families of 29 coal miners killed in the devastating explosion at Upper Big Branch mine.
As thousands waited, hoping for any word someone might have survived Monday’s blast, life in coal country … Read more : For 29 W.Va. mine families, grieving begins; for thousands more in coal country, life goes on.

Iranian ambassador says new Iraqi government must include Sunnis

Iran: Iraq’s government must include Sunnis

BAGHDAD – The Iranian ambassador to Baghdad said Saturday that Iraq’s new government should include all political blocs – including Sunnis – in a shift for a country that has long advocated an Iraqi government dominated by fellow Shiites.
Hassan Kazemi Qomi’s comments were a sign that Iran, which has promoted … Read more : Iranian ambassador says new Iraqi government must include Sunnis.

In W.Va., crews begin grim work of removing bodies from mine where 29 died in massive blast

Crews begin removing bodies from W.Va. coal mine
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Crews on Saturday began the bleak task of carrying bodies out of a coal mine shattered by an explosion that left 29 men dead, only hours after families’ hopes were crushed when they found out none of the workers survived.
It had been an …. Source  : In W.Va., crews begin grim work of removing bodies from mine where 29 died in massive blast.

Crews begin recovering bodies of victims from nation’s worst coal mining disaster in 40 years

Crews begin recovering bodies from W.Va. mine

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Mine crews have started the solemn task of bringing the victims of this week’s underground coal mine explosion to the surface.
West Virginia Medical Examiner’s spokesman John Law says several bodies were received Saturday.
He did not know when the remaining victims will be transported from Massey Energy’s …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Crews begin recovering bodies of victims from nation’s worst coal mining disaster in 40 years.

Police: Elephant who killed worker before Pa. circus show was shocked by electrical wire

Elephant startled by shock kills Pa. circus worker

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Authorities say a circus elephant that kicked a worker and killed him before a performance in northeastern Pennsylvania was shocked by an electrical wire.
Wilkes-Barre (WILKS’-behr-ee) Sgt. Ken Lukasavage says the Irem Shrine Circus groomer was trying to get the animal away from the wire when …. Original source  : Police: Elephant who killed worker before Pa. circus show was shocked by electrical wire.

President Obama says there must be thorough probe and accountability in mine blast

Obama calls for accountability in mine blast
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama said Saturday that there must be a thorough investigation and accountability in America’s worst mining disaster in 40 years.
Obama made the statement after learning that four missing miners did not survive an explosion in the Upper Big Branch Mine in … Read more »».

LA power couple famous for promoting pomegranates, pistachios sued over water sales

LA billionaires sued over Calif. water sales
FRESNO, Calif. – They grew their fortune in the California sun, turning pedestrian fruits and nuts into a vast and varied empire that secured their place in Hollywood.
Stewart and Lynda Resnick’s flashy bottles of Fiji Water and POM Wonderful are now coveted across the globe. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : LA power couple famous for promoting pomegranates, pistachios sued over water sales.

Chile’s new president to visit New Orleans, learn lessons of Katrina for quake recovery

Chile’s new president to study lessons of Katrina
SANTIAGO, Chile – Chile’s new president is looking to New Orleans and its recovery after Hurricane Katrina for lessons to help him lead the South American nation’s own comeback from a devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Embarking on his first trip to the United States since taking office … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chile’s new president to visit New Orleans, learn lessons of Katrina for quake recovery.