Maoists stepped into vacuum between tribals, government: Home Secretary (Interview)

NEW DELHI – “Overenthusiastic” officials tried to shift tribal people out of their homes in the forests and drove them into the extended arms of Maoists who exploited their vulnerability to win them over to their side, Home Secretary G.K. Pillai has said.

“Overenthusiastic collectors and other officers who tried to shift them (tribes) out of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bihar official sentenced to seven years in prison for murder

A local court in Bihar today sentenced a senior state government official to seven years in prison for murdering a villager 25 years ago.

The official Chandrabhushan Rai found guilty by the court for murdering a villager in a case of land dispute was posted as the Block Development Official at Jhanjharpur block in north Bihar’s …. Read the original article  : Bihar official sentenced to seven years in prison for murder.

Orissa to provide land to martyrs’ families

BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa government will provide free land for families of policemen who die fighting Maoists to build houses, Revenue and Disaster Minister S.N. Patro said Tuesday.

The martyr’s family will have the choice to select land either in urban or rural areas. The family will have to apply for it to the revenue department,” … Original article on : Orissa to provide land to martyrs’ families.

The role Cameron Douglas never wanted: Hollywood heir who crashed, burned with NYC drug rap

The demise of Hollywood heir Cameron Douglas

NEW YORK – It was the summer of 2009 and Cameron Douglas was strung out on heroin – again.
Holed up in a trendy Manhattan hotel, the wayward heir to Hollywood royalty – son of Michael, grandson of Kirk – was shooting up sometimes six times a day.
His own stabs … Original article on : The role Cameron Douglas never wanted: Hollywood heir who crashed, burned with NYC drug rap.

Terror plot ring leader in Canada goes on trial

TORONTO – The ring leader of a terror plot, which could have been Canada’s 9/11, has gone on trial here along with two accomplices.

The plot was unearthed in June 2006 with the arrest of 18 Muslim men from Toronto area.
The plotters had planned to storm and blow up Canada’s parliament in Ottawa, take leaders …. Read the original article  : Terror plot ring leader in Canada goes on trial.

Inquest to begin in 1986 Massachusetts shooting death of accused Alabama professor’s brother

Inquest into Mass. shooting by Amy Bishop to begin

BOSTON – Long before three professors at the University of Alabama-Huntsville were fatally shot during a faculty meeting, Amy Bishop, who is accused in that shooting, was cleared in her 18-year-old brother’s killing when authorities ruled his death an accident.
More than two decades later, a Massachusetts judge …. Original article  : Inquest to begin in 1986 Massachusetts shooting death of accused Alabama professor’s brother.

Early dividends for Obama nuke summit: China on Iran sanctions, Ukraine on uranium

Obama’s nuclear summit yields early dividends
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s nuclear summit has paid early dividends: China’s agreement to work with the U.S. on possible sanctions against Iran and Ukraine’s decision to rid itself of nuclear bomb-making materials.
Obama opened the global security summit Monday night after two days of meetings with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Early dividends for Obama nuke summit: China on Iran sanctions, Ukraine on uranium.

No charges, but Roethlisberger could face punishment from NFL after sexual assault claims

Roethlisberger could face punishment from NFL

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger may have avoided criminal charges after a college student accused him of sexually assaulting her in Georgia, but he must meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and could face punishment from the league.
And Roethlisberger said he knows he’ll have to work to … Read more >>.

Mother testifies that Las Vegas man laughed while attacking her and baby with ax

Nevada ax attack case hearing to continue Thursday

LAS VEGAS – Sonia Lisset Castro said she pleaded for her life and that of her baby but the stranger attacking them with a medieval-style battle ax on a residential street only mocked her and kept hacking.
“I was saying in English, ‘Please, please leave me alone!’ But he …. Source  : Mother testifies that Las Vegas man laughed while attacking her and baby with ax.

Court orders Malaysian jailed, whipped over acid attack on wife who refused to have sex

Malaysian gets flogging for acid attack on wife

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A court sentenced a Malaysian man to six years in prison and ordered him to be flogged with a rattan cane after he splashed acid on his wife for refusing to have sex with him, an official said Tuesday.
Supian Hani Ismail began serving the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Court orders Malaysian jailed, whipped over acid attack on wife who refused to have sex.

Kyrgyz interim government says deposed president must come to capital or face arrest

Kyrgyz leader must come to capital or face arrest

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan – A leader of the self-declared interim government that has claimed power in Kyrgyzstan said Tuesday the deposed president must return to the capital or face arrest by special forces.
But ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev was defiant, rallying some 5,000 supporters in his power base and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Kyrgyz interim government says deposed president must come to capital or face arrest.

Red Cross says 8 staff kidnapped by armed group in eastern Congo

Red Cross: 8 staff kidnapped in eastern Congo

GENEVA – Eight Red Cross staff have been kidnapped by an armed group in eastern Congo, the international aid group said Tuesday.
The seven Congolese and one Swiss national were seized Friday afternoon near the town of Fizi in South Kivu province by the Mai Mai Yakutumba rebels, the … Read more : Red Cross says 8 staff kidnapped by armed group in eastern Congo.

Protesters insist on immediate Parliament dissolution despite ruling to dissolve ruling party

Protesters demand immediate Parliament dissolution
BANGKOK – Anti-government protesters threatened Tuesday to unleash another street “offensive” against the prime minister and described the Election Commission’s unexpected order to disband his ruling party as just a ploy to buy time in Thailand’s political crisis.
On Monday, the commission ordered the dissolution of the Democrat Party for …. Source article  : Protesters insist on immediate Parliament dissolution despite ruling to dissolve ruling party.

California man pleads guilty to posing as Navy officer, raising money he spent on himself

Calif. man pleads guilty to posing as Navy officer

LOS ANGELES – A California man who posed as a military officer and sought donations that he claimed would help wounded veterans pleaded guilty Monday to federal fraud charges in the scam, federal prosecutors said.
James Kent Barbee, 60, of Pacific Grove pleaded guilty to a felony count …. Read the original article  : California man pleads guilty to posing as Navy officer, raising money he spent on himself.

Al Qaeda could get nukes from Pakistan: US

WASHINGTON – The US believes Al Qaeda is actively in search of a nuclear bomb and fears it could get one through criminal gangs or by infiltrating nuclear labs in Pakistan or other vulnerable nations.

“I think the Al Qaeda is looking for those vulnerabilities and facilities and stockpiles in different countries that would allow them …. Source  : Al Qaeda could get nukes from Pakistan: US.

US, India to discuss Headley access

WASHINGTON – India’s request for access to David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani American key plotter of the Mumbai attacks, is expected to gain traction after Sunday’s meeting between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“Obviously, we have kept India apprised of our ongoing investigation with respect to Headley,” State Department spokesman P J Crowley … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US, India to discuss Headley access.

Brazil: Rancher found guilty in killing of Amazon defender, US nun Dorothy Stang

Brazilian rancher guilty in US nun’s murder

RIO DE JANEIRO – A Brazilian rancher accused of ordering the murder of U.S. nun and Amazon defender Dorothy Stang was found guilty and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Jurors in the jungle city of Belem reached the decision late Monday after 15 hours of deliberations, according to a …. Source article  : Brazil: Rancher found guilty in killing of Amazon defender, US nun Dorothy Stang.

Mexico waiting for forensic tests before deciding on arrest of TV producer in wife’s death

Mexico: Producer stays free pending forensic tests

CANCUN, Mexico – Mexican investigators are waiting for the results of forensic tests before deciding whether to arrest a Hollywood television producer in the death of his wife, authorities said Monday.
Quintana Roo state Attorney General Francisco Alor gave no details during a news conference on what tests were performed …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mexico waiting for forensic tests before deciding on arrest of TV producer in wife’s death.

Mother tells judge that Las Vegas man laughed while wounding her, killing baby with battle ax

Mother testifies at hearing in Nev. ax attack case

LAS VEGAS – A woman testified through tears and a translator Monday that a Las Vegas man mocked her as she pleaded for him to stop hacking her and her 4-month-old son with a medieval-style battle ax on a residential street.
Sonia Lisset Castro peeled back a gauzy …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mother tells judge that Las Vegas man laughed while wounding her, killing baby with battle ax.

India asks Canada to curb Sikh separatists

WASHINGTON – Two months before the 25th anniversary of the bombing of Air-India flight Kanishka, India has asked Canada to monitor surging activities of Sikh separatists in that country when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.

In his 30-minute meeting with Harper on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit at … Read more »».