Fred Willard finds late-night TV murder on ABC’s ‘Castle’ but says parody not offensive

Willard finds late-night TV murder on ‘Castle’

LOS ANGELES – Fred Willard says he enjoyed playing a fictional talk show host’s sidekick on ABC’s “Castle.” But he briefly pondered whether the episode might irk any real late-night hosts.
In Monday’s episode (10 p.m. EDT), a TV host is killed and those under suspicion include a younger man … Original source on Gaea Times at : Fred Willard finds late-night TV murder on ABC’s ‘Castle’ but says parody not offensive.

Moscow judge shot to death in apartment building; presided in trial of skinheads

Moscow judge killed in apartment building
MOSCOW – Russian officials say a judge of Moscow’s City Court has been shot to death in the stairwell of his apartment building.

The Investigative Committee, Russia’s top investigative body, identified the victim of the Monday morning attack as Eduard Chuvashov.
The state news agency RIA Novosti says Chuvashov was the judge …. Original article  : Moscow judge shot to death in apartment building; presided in trial of skinheads.

Ga. DA to announce whether he’ll file charges over sex assault claims against Roethlisberger

DA to announce decision in Roethlisberger case

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – A district attorney in central Georgia will announce if he plans to file charges in a case of sexual assault claims against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
District Attorney Fred Bright says he’s reviewed the investigation reports and will hold a news conference Monday to announce his …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ga. DA to announce whether he’ll file charges over sex assault claims against Roethlisberger.

Obama, world leaders work to stop nuclear spread, prohibit weapons from reaching terrorists

Obama, world leaders work to stop nuclear spread
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama and presidents, prime ministers and other top officials from 47 countries start work Monday on a battle plan to keep nuclear weapons out of terrorist hands.
Confronting what he calls the “single biggest threat to U.S. security,” Obama is looking …. Source  : Obama, world leaders work to stop nuclear spread, prohibit weapons from reaching terrorists.

Pope, elected for life, highly unlikely to quit over past abuse cases, no matter the criticism

Despite outrage from critics, popes rarely resign

NEW YORK – Only a few popes have resigned in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Don’t expect Pope Benedict XVI to join their ranks.
The uproar caused by reports that, as an archbishop years ago in Germany and later as a Vatican cardinal, Benedict and his aides were … Original article on : Pope, elected for life, highly unlikely to quit over past abuse cases, no matter the criticism.

Medical parole rejected for jailed China dissident after cancer feared, wife asks for release

Medical parole rejected for jailed China dissident

BEIJING – Chinese authorities have rejected a request for medical parole for a dissident who has championed AIDS victims and was imprisoned for sedition after being accused of plotting to disturb the Olympic Games, his wife said Monday.
Zeng Jinyan appealed last week to Beijing prison authorities, saying a medical …. Source  : Medical parole rejected for jailed China dissident after cancer feared, wife asks for release.

Person familiar with deal tells AP that Jets acquire Super Bowl MVP Holmes from Steelers

AP Source: Jets acquire WR Holmes from Steelers

NEW YORK – The New York Jets sure know how to make headlines.
In their latest big move of a busy offseason, the Jets acquired talented but troubled wide receiver Santonio Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night for a fifth-round pick in this month’s draft, according to …. Original source  : Person familiar with deal tells AP that Jets acquire Super Bowl MVP Holmes from Steelers.

Prosecutors arrest SKorean man for allegedly spying for NKorea, kidnapping activists

Prosecutors arrest SKorean for spying for NKorea

SEOUL, South Korea – A South Korean man has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pyongyang and working with its military to kidnap activists who helped North Koreans defect, officials said Monday.
The 55-year-old man, who was arrested last week and who denies the charges, is accused of taking up …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Prosecutors arrest SKorean man for allegedly spying for NKorea, kidnapping activists.

Bodies of gays in Senegal desecrated amid rising homophobia across Africa

Even after death, abuse against gays continues

THIES, Senegal – Even death cannot stop the violence against gays in this corner of the world any more.
Madieye Diallo’s body had only been in the ground for a few hours when the mob descended on the weedy cemetery with shovels. They yanked out the corpse, spit on its … Read more >>.

Cuban police break up traditional weekly protest march by ‘Ladies in White’ dissident group

Police bar Cuba’s ‘Ladies in White’ from marching

HAVANA – Police broke up a weekly march by wives and mothers of imprisoned Cuban opposition leaders Sunday, forcing them onto a bus and driving them home as a pro-government crowd screamed insults.
Uniformed police and plainclothes security agents blocked a sidewalk along Havana’s Fifth Avenue, stopping five members … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cuban police break up traditional weekly protest march by ‘Ladies in White’ dissident group.

Troubled real estate market blamed for increase in rental scams by bogus landlords

Real estate troubles causing jump in rental scams

SAN FRANCISCO – Troubles in the real estate market are being blamed for helping to fuel what was once a rare type of scam – swindling hopeful tenants out of money by pretending to be a landlord, according to officials.
With a dramatic increase in the number of vacant … Read : Troubled real estate market blamed for increase in rental scams by bogus landlords.

Obama: Al-Qaida would use nuke if it could; terrorist access ‘biggest threat’ to security

Obama: Al-Qaida would use nuke if it could
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says that if al-Qaida acquired a nuclear weapon it would not hesitate to use it.
The president says the threat of nuclear weapons falling into terrorist hands is the single biggest threat to U.S. security.
He says his gathering of more than 40 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama: Al-Qaida would use nuke if it could; terrorist access ‘biggest threat’ to security.

On eve of nuclear summit, Obama holds series of individual meetings with foreign leaders

Ahead of nuclear talks, Obama sees foreign leaders
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has begun a series of meetings with foreign leaders who have come to Washington for his nuclear security conference.
The first to arrive for talks at Blair House across from the White House was India’s prime minister, Manmohan Singh (MUHN’-moh-hahn sing). Obama …. Source  : On eve of nuclear summit, Obama holds series of individual meetings with foreign leaders.

Kidnapped journalist found with throat slit in central Mexico after ransom demand

Kidnapped Mexican jounalist found with throat slit

MEXICO CITY – The body of a kidnapped Mexican journalist has been found with his throat slit, federal prosecutors said Sunday.
The family of Enrique Villicana Palomares, a columnist for the daily newspaper The Voice of Michoacan in central Mexico, reported him missing last week after he didn’t make it …. Original article  : Kidnapped journalist found with throat slit in central Mexico after ransom demand.

Pope’s many years in ivory tower help explain troubled handling of sex abuse cases

Pope’s ivory tower past adds to his detachment

VATICAN CITY – Long before entering Vatican life, Pope Benedict XVI won renown as a theologian and a German university professor, penning more than 40 books and winning a devoted following of students who respected his prodigious memory and brilliant mind.
One thing absent from his resume? Significant time … Read more : Pope’s many years in ivory tower help explain troubled handling of sex abuse cases.

Obama focuses on blocking nuclear terrorism as he gathers world leaders for weapons forum

Obama takes non-nuclear pledge to world leaders
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s pledge to one day rid the world of nuclear weapons runs up against global realities this week when representatives from 47 countries try to craft an agreement on keeping nuclear weapons out of terrorist hands.
Sweeping or even bold …. Source  : Obama focuses on blocking nuclear terrorism as he gathers world leaders for weapons forum.

No body? Prosecutors say no problem most of the time, despite challenges; cases more common

No body? No problem convicting, 90 percent of time

NEWARK, N.J. – Police in New Jersey believe they have solved one of the coldest cases in the state’s history: the disappearance of five Newark teenagers in 1978.
Now, prosecutors have a difficult task: Prove the teens were murdered even though their bodies were never found.
Murder cases where … Read more : No body? Prosecutors say no problem most of the time, despite challenges; cases more common.

Greek police say 6 arrested people are members of Revolutionary Struggle terrorist group

Greek police arrest 6 domestic terrorism suspects

ATHENS, Greece – Greek police have arrested six people suspected of being members of Revolutionary Struggle, a terrorist group accused of a rocket strike against the U.S. Embassy and the shooting of a riot policeman, authorities said Sunday.
The five men and one woman, all in their 30s, were detained … Read : Greek police say 6 arrested people are members of Revolutionary Struggle terrorist group.

Angered by abuse charge against Catholic priest, Kenyans ask why church didn’t investigate

Abuse charge against Catholic priest roils Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya – After three young men and a boy told police last June an Italian priest had been sexually molesting them for years at a shelter for poor children, the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in Kenya announced the church would investigate thoroughly.
Ten months later, nothing has been …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Israeli rights groups urge army to cancel order allowing West Bank deportations

Rights groups slam new West Bank deportation rules

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Israel’s military has issued new orders that human rights groups warned Sunday could lead to the expulsion of tens of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank.
Under the new rules, anyone caught living in the West Bank without an Israeli permit could face expulsion …. Source article  : Israeli rights groups urge army to cancel order allowing West Bank deportations.