Don’t fear Maoists, top cop tells security forces

RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Vishwa Ranjan’s directive to security forces is simple: “Don’t fear Maoists.”

Ranjan Friday told policemen and paramilitary personnel deployed in areas dominated by the rebels through an open letter to boost their morale following the killing of 76 security personnel this month.
“It’s not the time for police and …. Source  : Don’t fear Maoists, top cop tells security forces.

Chandigarh hotels, multiplexes to install CCTV cameras

CHANDIGARH – Hotels, restaurants, guest houses, multiplexes and cinemas here have been told to put up CCTV cameras on official advice to ensure better security.

“We have instructed owners and proprietors of all hotels, multiplexes and places frequented by a large number of people every day to install CCTV cameras,” Chandigarh administration’s official spokesman said here …. Source article  : Chandigarh hotels, multiplexes to install CCTV cameras.

Aide to Pakistan’s ex-president Musharraf calls UN report on Bhutto killing a ‘pack of lies’

Musharraf aide calls UN’s Bhutto report ‘lies’
ISLAMABAD – An aide to Pakistan’s former military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, says a U.N. report on the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is a “pack of lies.”
The U.N. said Bhutto’s slaying could have been prevented if the government under then-President Musharraf and various security forces … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Aide to Pakistan’s ex-president Musharraf calls UN report on Bhutto killing a ‘pack of lies’.

Agents carry out giant immigration raid in Arizona targeting van shuttle operators

Immigration raids Arizona van shuttle businesses

PHOENIX – Federal agents arrested nearly 50 shuttle operators and smugglers Thursday accused of using vans to transport thousands of illegal immigrants from the Mexican border to Phoenix in what was billed as one of the government’s largest-ever human smuggling busts.
Investigators said the operators of four shuttle services in Tucson …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

India mulls using UAVs against Maoists

RAIPUR – Authorities in Chhattisgarh are keen to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Maoist-dominated pockets in the wake of the massacre of 75 security personnel, official sources said.

“A report of the successful night trial of the US-made UAV in Bastar forests this week is to be sent to the central government with a request … Read this article on Gaea Times at : India mulls using UAVs against Maoists.

Roethlisberger accuser says she told Steelers star ‘no, this is not OK,’ and tried to leave

Roethlisberger’s accuser says she told him ‘no’

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The 20-year-old college student who accused Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault told police she tried to get away from the Pittsburgh Steelers star, and one of her friends said she talked to one of the quarterback’s bodyguards out of concern for the intoxicated woman.
The police interviews …. Source article  : Roethlisberger accuser says she told Steelers star ‘no, this is not OK,’ and tried to leave.

Officials take weapons from relatives of Kyrgyzstan’s ousted president

Officials take weapons from ousted leader’s family

TEYIT, Kyrgyzstan – Relatives of Kyrgyzstan’s ousted president were submitting weapons to officials Friday in their home village, a day after the president himself fled the country.
While the moves appeared to reduce the likelihood of resistance by Kurmanbek Bakiyev backers, Kyrgyzstan’s interim authorities were still searching for one of …. Original article  : Officials take weapons from relatives of Kyrgyzstan’s ousted president.

Four killed in Quetta blast

ISLAMABAD – Four people, including a TV channel cameraman, were killed and several injured Friday when a powerful explosion tore through a hospital in Pakistan’s Quetta city.

Arshad Zaidi, a bank official, was shot at near Mannan Chowk and he was brought to Civil Hospital at Jinnah Road. He succumbed to the gunshot wounds.
The …. Original source  : Four killed in Quetta blast.

Officials take weapons from relatives of ousted Kyrgyz president

Officials take weapons from Bakiyev compound

TEYIT, Kyrgyzstan – Relatives of Kyrgyzstan’s ousted president, who has fled the country, are submitting weapons to officials in their home village.
One of Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s brothers is among those in the family compound, but the whereabouts of the most avidly sought brother is unknown.
Bakiyev fled to neighboring Kazakhstan on Thursday, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Officials take weapons from relatives of ousted Kyrgyz president.

Massive blast in Pakistan hospital

ISLAMABAD – A massive explosion rocked a hospital in southern Pakistan’s Quetta city Friday.

Several people were injured. The blast took place in the Civil Hospital in the capital of the southern Pakistani province of Balochistan, Xinhua reported.
There was firing after the blast.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Massive blast in Pakistan hospital.

Pakistani official says new police probe likely following UN report on Bhutto’s assassination

Pakistan: New probe likely after UN Bhutto report
ISLAMABAD – A new U.N. report that blames Pakistan’s security establishment for failing to stop the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto paves the way for a “proper police investigation” into her killing, an aide to her widower – now the country’s president – said …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Terror plotters wanted to announce Canadian beheadings on air

TORONTO – The ring leader of an Al Qaeda-linked plot against Canada had planned to storm parliament, “cut off some heads” and then announce this by capturing the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) here, a court here heard Thursday.

The shocking details of terrorist designs were revealed in an intercept played in the court where the last … Original source on Gaea Times at : Terror plotters wanted to announce Canadian beheadings on air.

Maoists torch trucks in Bihar

PATNA – Suspected Maoists have torched several trucks and machines of two road construction companies in Bihar’s Vaishali and Aurangabad districts, police said Friday.

Armed rebels attacked the office of a construction firm in Madarna in Vaishali late Thursday and set on fire two earth moving machines, a tractor, truck and dumpers, creating panic among …. Source  : Maoists torch trucks in Bihar.

Man throws daughter into river for being girl

A two-year-old girl died from severe injuries after her father threw her into river Ganga for being a girl, police said today.

Police said Chandan Pathak along with his family was crossing the Rajendra bride on foot on Thursday night when he suddenly snatched his two-year-old daughter from the lap of his wife and threw her … Read : Man throws daughter into river for being girl.

Maoists attack construction companies, torch six trucks in Bihar

Maoists attacked two construction companies engaged in road construction works and torched over a dozen trucks and machines late Thursday night in Bihar, police said today.

Police said the Maoists attacked the companies in Vaishali and Aurangabad districts of Bihar to protest operation against them.
Both the companies are constructing roads under the Prime Minister Road Construction … Original source on Gaea Times at : Maoists attack construction companies, torch six trucks in Bihar.

UN blames Musharraf government for Bhutto murder (Second Lead)

UNITED NATIONS – A UN commission has blamed Pakistani authorities for their failure to protect Benazir Bhutto, saying security arrangements were “fatally insufficient and ineffective” and subsequent investigations into her death involved a whitewash.

In its devastating report, the three-member panel headed by Chilean Ambassador to UN Heraldo Mu??oz, reached no conclusion as to the organisers … Read : UN blames Musharraf government for Bhutto murder (Second Lead).

US targets Pakistanis for funding Al Qaeda, Taliban

WASHINGTON – The United States has targeted the financial and support networks of Al Qaeda and the Taliban by designating two Karachi-based Pakistani nationals, one of them born in India, for allegedly running charities funding their terrorist activities.

Announcing the action, the Treasury Department said Mohammed Mazhar, 58, born in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, was … Read : US targets Pakistanis for funding Al Qaeda, Taliban.

Thais Red Shirt protest leader stages dramatic escape from hotel surrounded by police

Thai protester in dramatic escape to avoid police

BANGKOK – An anti-government protest leader evaded arrest Friday by scaling down a hotel facade with a rope and ducking into a getaway car while his supporters took two police officers hostage in a theatrical twist to Thailand’s political crisis.
Arisman Pongruangrong’s escapade at a hotel in downtown Bangkok …. Original source  : Thais Red Shirt protest leader stages dramatic escape from hotel surrounded by police.

Crew of Panama-flagged ship that entered restricted Great Barrier Reef area fined $65,000

Crew fined for entering restricted reef area

SYDNEY – Australian authorities signaled their seriousness about protecting the Great Barrier Reef with a court issuing fines Friday for a ship that entered a restricted area a day after a coal carrier ran aground and tore a huge gash in the reef.
The South Korean master and two Vietnamese …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Crew of Panama-flagged ship that entered restricted Great Barrier Reef area fined $65,000.

Thais troops encircle hotel to arrest Red Shirt leaders after last week’s deadly clashes

Thai forces move in to arrest Red Shirt leaders

BANGKOK – Thailand’s deputy prime minister says security forces have surrounded a Bangkok hotel where some of the Red Shirt anti-government protest leaders are holed up.
Suthep Thaugsuban announced on national television that a unit of special forces was dispatched to the SC Park Hotel in the Thai …. Read the original article  : Thais troops encircle hotel to arrest Red Shirt leaders after last week’s deadly clashes.