Reports: train derails in northern Italy, causing 6 deaths, injuries

Reports: train derails in northern Italy
ROME – News reports say a train has derailed in northern Italy and left six people dead and several injured.

Sky Italia says there were six dead after Monday’s derailment near the city of Merano, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Venice.
The cause of the accident was not immediately clear. …. Original article  : Reports: train derails in northern Italy, causing 6 deaths, injuries.

Beat police protect NYC subway tunnels from terror, including one in a Brooklyn brownstone

Beneath NYC, police protect tunnels from terror

NEW YORK – The tidy, three-story brownstone looks like any other on the cobblestoned block in Brooklyn, but it isn’t. It’s a fake, leading directly to the belly of the nation’s largest subway system.
The unmarked emergency exit behind the facade is one of many posts protected by beat cops …. Original article  : Beat police protect NYC subway tunnels from terror, including one in a Brooklyn brownstone.

Russian investigators say no technical problems with Polish presidential plane before crash

Investigators say no problems with Polish plane
WARSAW, Poland – Russian investigators say readings from flight recorders indicate that there were no technical problems with Polish President Lech Kaczynski’s Soviet-made plane that crashed, killing him and 95 other people.
In footage broadcast on Poland’s TVN24 Monday, the investigators told Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin the … Read : Russian investigators say no technical problems with Polish presidential plane before crash.

Federal investigators to arrive as officials look into what caused deadly W.Va. mine explosion

Investigators to look into cause of mine blast

PETTUS, W.Va. – A team of federal investigators is expected to arrive Monday in West Virginia as officials try to figure out what caused the blast that killed 29 men in the worst U.S. mining disaster since 1970.
While some of the dead have been laid to rest, efforts …. Read the original article  : Federal investigators to arrive as officials look into what caused deadly W.Va. mine explosion.

Bomb Blast By IRA Rebels

DUBLIN, IRELAND (GaeaTimes.com)- The British spy headquarters in Northern Ireland witnessed a car bomb blast caused by the heterodox clan of the Irish Republican Army. They detonated the blast in the wake of the election of new Justice Minister for which the Protestant and the Catholic leaders were about to hold a peace keeping meet. … Read more >>>.

7-alarm fire in New York City injures 13, 2 civilians in critical condition, 10 firemen hurt

7-alarm fire in NYC injures 13, 2 critical

NEW YORK – Officials say 13 people, including 10 firefighters, have been injured in a seven-alarm fire on Manhattan’s Lower East Side that burned for more than four hours before being declared under control.
Fire Chief Edward Kilduff said two elderly residents were hospitalized in critical condition with smoke …. Source article  : 7-alarm fire in New York City injures 13, 2 civilians in critical condition, 10 firemen hurt.

Afghan official says 4 civilians killed, 18 wounded in shooting by international troops

Afghan official: 4 civilians killed by NATO troops

KABUL – International troops opened fire on a civilian bus early Monday in a southern Afghan city, killing four people and wounding 18, the local governor’s spokesman said.
NATO was sending investigators to the scene but didn’t immediately say its troops were responsible for the shooting in Kandahar.
The governor’s …. Source  : Afghan official says 4 civilians killed, 18 wounded in shooting by international troops.

Magnitude-4.4 earthquake part of swarm of seismic activity shaking California-Mexico border

Magnitude-4.4 quake, others shake San Diego area

SAN DIEGO – A cluster of moderate earthquakes near the U.S.-Mexico border has rattled southern San Diego County as a swarm of seismic activity continues one week after a magnitude-7.2 quake slammed the area.
The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude-4.4 earthquake struck at 9:42 a.m. Sunday about 11 miles … Read : Magnitude-4.4 earthquake part of swarm of seismic activity shaking California-Mexico border.

Dissident IRA bomb rattles British spy HQ in Northern Ireland hours before power-sharing vote

Bomb rattles British spy HQ in Northern Ireland

DUBLIN – Irish Republican Army dissidents detonated a bomb outside the British spy headquarters in Northern Ireland Monday, police said, just hours before rival Catholic and Protestant leaders were to elect a new justice minister in a long-sought step in peacemaking.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said IRA …. Source article  : Dissident IRA bomb rattles British spy HQ in Northern Ireland hours before power-sharing vote.

US officials emphasize Afghan President Hamid Karzai is his nation’s ‘commander in chief’

US emphasizes Karzai is Afghan commander in chief

KABUL – After days of discord, U.S. officials went one step farther in their new gentler approach to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, expressing sympathy Sunday for the pressure he faces and promoting him as commander in chief of the warring nation.
U.S.-Afghan relations grew tense earlier this month when … Read more : US officials emphasize Afghan President Hamid Karzai is his nation’s ‘commander in chief’.

Clinton says US joins Poland in mourning; president’s legacy ‘will live forever’

Clinton says US joins Poland in mourning
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday that the Polish leaders, including President Lech Kaczynski, who were killed in a plane crash Saturday leave behind “a legacy that will live forever.”

Clinton visited the Polish embassy in Washington to sign a condolence book commemorating the deaths … Read more >>>.

Colombian pop star Shakira visits Haiti earthquake survivors living in sprawling tent camps

Shakira visits Haitians living in tent camps

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Hip-shaking Colombian pop star Shakira is meeting with Haitian earthquake survivors living in makeshift camps and she says she is searching for suitable land to build a school for needy children.
Arriving Sunday, the singer waved to onlookers and greeted infants living on a Haitian golf course …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Colombian pop star Shakira visits Haiti earthquake survivors living in sprawling tent camps.

In churches and at memorials, Polish immigrants worldwide mourn plane crash victims

Polish immigrants worldwide mourn crash victims

CHICAGO – Polish immigrants and their descendants around the world shared the anguish of their mother country on Sunday, mourning the 96 victims of a devastating plane crash as they crowded into Polish-language Masses.
Millions of Poles have emigrated over nearly two centuries, establishing large communities in the United States and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : In churches and at memorials, Polish immigrants worldwide mourn plane crash victims.

Police in Antigua say American tourist apparently drowns in waters off upscale resort

US tourist apparently drowns off Antigua coast

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Antiguan authorities say they have found the body of an American tourist who apparently drowned off an upscale beach resort.
Police Sgt. William Holder says the body of Alberto Mejia, 25, was found by a team of divers in waters near the exclusive Mill Reef Club …. Source  : Police in Antigua say American tourist apparently drowns in waters off upscale resort.

Station wagon crashes into Pa. guardrail and down embankment, killing 3 young children

Station wagon crashes in Pa., killing 3 children

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania state police say a station wagon has crashed into a highway guardrail and rolled down an embankment, killing three young children.
Police say a 57-year-old woman was driving the car Saturday night in tiny Middle Paxton Township, in Dauphin County. They say the car veered …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Poles grieve over president killed in plane crash, as government promises it remains on track

Poles grieve over president killed in plane crash
WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s government moved swiftly Sunday to show that it was staying on course after the deaths of its president and dozens of political, military and religious leaders, even as tens of thousands of Poles expressed their grief over the plane crash … Original article on : Poles grieve over president killed in plane crash, as government promises it remains on track.

Bitter irony: Some of Polish elite die on way to forest where others were killed 70 years ago

One forest, two Polish tragedies, 70 years apart

WARSAW, Poland – The leader of Poland’s government in exile while the nation was under Soviet-backed rule. The shipyard worker whose firing helped ignite the labor uprising that ultimately toppled communism here. A banking head who helped keep the country stable while the rest of the European Union … Read : Bitter irony: Some of Polish elite die on way to forest where others were killed 70 years ago.

Magnitude 4.4 earthquake part of swarm of seismic activity shaking California-Mexico border

Magnitude 4.4 quake, others shake San Diego area

SAN DIEGO – A cluster of moderate earthquakes near the U.S.-Mexico border is continuing to rattle southern California one week after a magnitude 7.2 quake slammed the area.
The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck at 9:42 a.m. Sunday, about 11 miles west of downtown Calexico.
At … Read : Magnitude 4.4 earthquake part of swarm of seismic activity shaking California-Mexico border.

AP IMPACT: In Toyota lawsuits, tests and documents vanish in tactic under scrutiny

AP IMPACT: In Toyota cases, evasion becomes tactic

MIAMI – Toyota has routinely engaged in questionable, evasive and deceptive legal tactics when sued, frequently claiming it does not have information it is required to turn over and sometimes even ignoring court orders to produce key documents, an Associated Press investigation shows.
In a review of lawsuits filed …. Read the original article  : here.

Luge officials aim to rebuild people’s trust in sport after fatal accident at Vancouver Games

Luge aims to rebuild its image after fatal crash

ST. LEONHARD, Austria – The president of the International Luge Federation president acknowledged that the sport’s image has been damaged by Nodar Kumaritashvili’s death at the Vancouver Olympics.
Josef Fendt told The Associated Press on Sunday that confidence must be rebuilt in the sport after the 21-year-old Georgian … Read more : Luge officials aim to rebuild people’s trust in sport after fatal accident at Vancouver Games.

At least 3 crew members dead after Navy plane crashes in north Georgia woods

At least 3 dead in north Ga. Navy plane crash

MORGANTON, Ga. – Navy investigators are expected to arrive Tuesday in north Georgia at the scene of a Navy plane that crashed in dense woods, killing at least three crew members.
Officials say the Florida-based plane just missed a house when it crashed Monday and authorities were …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Body of Polish First Lady being returned from Russia; Parliament holds special session

Body of Poland’s First Lady returned home
WARSAW, Poland – The body of Polish First Lady Maria Kaczynska is being flown back from Russia as members of parliament prepare to hold a special observance in memory of their president and numerous lawmakers.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria and 94 other officials were killed in a … Read more >>.

3 vehicle crash kills 5 people, 4 of them children, during heavy rain north of Los Angeles

5 people killed in crash during heavy rain near LA

LOS ANGELES – Authorities are investigating a crash on a rain-slicked freeway north of Los Angeles that left five people dead – four of them children – and injured six others, the California Highway Patrol said.
A pickup truck spun out of control on southbound Interstate 5 …. Source  : 3 vehicle crash kills 5 people, 4 of them children, during heavy rain north of Los Angeles.

Suspected Muslim rebels attack southern Philippine town; 9 killed

9 dead as suspected rebels attack Philippine town

MANILA, Philippines – Suspected Muslim rebels wearing police and military uniforms detonated bombs and opened fire Tuesday in a southern Philippine city, triggering clashes that killed at least nine people, officials said.
The attack began with a series of simultaneous bomb blasts that hit a sports center, near a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

FDNY: Body of elderly man found in fire-ravaged NYC Chinatown apartment building

FDNY: Body found in fire-ravaged NY Chinatown bldg

NEW YORK – Authorities say the body of an elderly man has been pulled from a Chinatown apartment building where a fast-moving fire injured about 30 firefighters and four others and left 200 people temporarily homeless.
Fire Department spokesman Jim Long says the man was found on the top …. Source article  : FDNY: Body of elderly man found in fire-ravaged NYC Chinatown apartment building.

27 injured in Delhi fire

NEW DELHI – A fire broke out Tuesday in a tea stall in Shalimar Bagh area here injuring 27 people, including 20 children and four women, a fire official said.

Four fire tenders brought the fire under control, the official said.
–Indo Asian News Service
… Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 27 injured in Delhi fire.

Childless couple ’sacrifice’ three-year-old to get son

LUCKNOW – A man and his wife have been arrested on charges of ’sacrificing’ a three-year-old boy in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanshiram Nagar district so that a son is born to them, police said Tuesday.

The childless couple beheaded their neighbour’s son Ompal Monday at a temple in Shahpur village in Kanshiram Nagar, 250 km from Lucknow. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Childless couple ’sacrifice’ three-year-old to get son.

4 Afghan policemen killed in roadside bombing, 3 civilians die in mortar attack

4 Afghan policemen killed in roadside bombing

KABUL – Four Afghan policemen were killed when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in the country’s northwest, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.
Two others were injured and their vehicle destroyed in the attack Monday in Faryab province’s Ghormach district, the ministry said.
Elsewhere, three women were killed and … Read more »».

Indonesian plane falls into river

JAKARTA – A commercial plane operated by Merpati Airline Tuesday skidded off the runway and plunged into a river near an airport in Indonesia’s Papua province, injuring 20 people on board, police said.

The head of the plane sank in the water and its body broke into two parts, Papua police spokesman Agus Rianto told Xinhua. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Indonesian plane falls into river.

Great Barrier Reef scientist says ship that ran aground on reef caused ’severe’ damage

Barrier Reef damage ’severe’ from ship grounding

SYDNEY – A coal carrier that ran aground and leaked about 3 tons of oil on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef completely pulverized parts of a shoal and caused damage so severe it could take marine life 20 years to recover, the reef’s chief scientist said Tuesday.
Initial assessments by the … Read : Great Barrier Reef scientist says ship that ran aground on reef caused ’severe’ damage.

Bicyclist killed by N-summit security vehicle

WASHINGTON – A female bicyclist was struck and killed here by a security vehicle deployed with the Nuclear Security Summit, authorities said.

The accident occurred around 6 p.m. Monday at the intersection of 12th Street and New York Avenue NW, a few blocks away from the summit venue and within the restricted area, Xinhua reported.
Fire … Original article on : Bicyclist killed by N-summit security vehicle.

Three die in US plane crash

WASHINGTON – Three US Navy personnel were killed when their aircraft crashed in Georgia state, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

The accident occurred Monday. The plane was on a routine mission.
…. Source  : Three die in US plane crash.

Six die on road, mob attacks hospital

KOLKATA – Hundreds overran a hospital here Tuesday causing widespread destruction alleging doctors did not take enough care of the victims of a road accident that killed six people, police said.

A speeding truck collided head on with a van at Patuli in the adjoining district of 24-Parganas earlier in the day, killing six people and … Read more : Six die on road, mob attacks hospital.

500 Malaysian Indians jailed abroad for crime

KUALA LUMPUR – About 500 ethnic Indians have been detained abroad for involvement in drugs and credit cards rackets, a Malaysian minister has said.

Tamil newspaper Malaysia Nanban quoted Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay, an ethnic Indian, as saying that there were about 1,500 Malaysians in the jails of foreign countries.
The ethnic Indians were …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 500 Malaysian Indians jailed abroad for crime.

Youth dies as shop catches fire

GHAZIABAD – A 23-year-old salesman was burnt to death after a fire broke out in a liquor shop in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district, police said Tuesday.

The incident took place Monday night in Lohia Nagar. The victim was identified as Anuj. “The cause of fire is yet to be investigated,” Ghaziabad police circle officer Kalyan …. Original source  : Youth dies as shop catches fire.

Passenger plane in Indonesia skids off runway in heavy rain, injuring some 20 people

20 injured as Indonesian airplane skids off runway

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A passenger plane with about 100 people on board skidded off the end of an airport runway while landing in heavy rain Tuesday on Indonesia’s remote Papua province, injuring some 20 people, officials said.
The Boeing 737, operated by Merpati Nusantara Airline, was landing at Manokwari … Read : Passenger plane in Indonesia skids off runway in heavy rain, injuring some 20 people.

Tragic plane crash brings ‘emotional breakthrough’ to Polish-Russian relations haunted by past

Russians’ outpouring of emotion touches Poles
MOSCOW – The plane crash in Russia that killed the Polish president and a long list of notable Poles has brought a sudden rush of warm feelings between two nations whose relations have been fraught with historical hatreds.
In Russia, the normally stoic Vladimir Putin has set the tone … Read more : Tragic plane crash brings ‘emotional breakthrough’ to Polish-Russian relations haunted by past.

40 years on, cops face heat for killing Maoist

KOCHI – Forty years after a Maoist leader was shot dead in an alleged shootout, a Kerala court is examining witnesses to ascertain the truth. At the centre of it lies the statement of a trooper that he shot the rebel – who was blindfolded and tied to a tree – at the behest of … Read : 40 years on, cops face heat for killing Maoist.

Los Angeles police say nurse who ran from car to help accident victim had her car stolen

Police: Nurse helps crash victim, gets carjacked

LOS ANGELES – A nurse who left her vehicle at a gas station to help a nearby accident victim was the victim of a carjacking and dragged about 20 yards after she tried to grab the keys, Los Angeles police said Monday.
The nurse, who police didn’t identify, was filling … Original article on : Los Angeles police say nurse who ran from car to help accident victim had her car stolen.

3 crew members dead in Navy plane crash in north Georgia; search on for 4th person aboard

3 crew dead in north Ga. Navy plane crash
MORGANTON, Ga. – A Florida-based Navy plane just missed a house and crashed in dense woods in north Georgia on Monday, killing three crew members, and authorities were looking for a fourth person believed to be aboard, officials said.

Naval Air Station Pensacola spokesman Harry White said authorities …. Source article  : 3 crew members dead in Navy plane crash in north Georgia; search on for 4th person aboard.

Strong quake kills 400 people in western China, mud and wood houses collapse, burying many

Quake in western China kills 400, buries more

BEIJING – A series of strong earthquakes struck a far western Tibetan area of China on Wednesday, killing at least 400 people and injuring thousands as houses made of mud and wood collapsed, trapping many more, officials said.
Paramilitary police were forced to use shovels to dig through the … Read more »».

Chinese state TV says death toll in Qinghai quake climbs to 400

Death toll in China earthquake climbs to 400

BEIJING – Chinese state television says that the death toll from a strong earthquake in a western province has climbed to 400.
CTTV quoted emergency official Pubucairen as saying Wednesday that the number of injured has risen to more than 10,000 as rescue workers struggle to dig trapped people … Read : Chinese state TV says death toll in Qinghai quake climbs to 400.

Storm kills 20 in Bihar, lakhs affected

A powerful storm accompanied with rain killed at least 20 people and damaged over 6,000 houses in Bihar, officials said today.

Officials said the overnight storm caused extensive damage to three eastern Bihar districts with Araria being the worst affected.
Officials said the storm killed at least 12 people in Araria, six in Purnia and two in … Read more >>>.

Amid national mourning for Poland’s dead president, lawmakers set to announce new elections

Poland in mourning, new election date to be set

WARSAW, Poland – Polish lawmakers are set to announce the date of early presidential elections after President Lech Kaczynski was killed in a plane crash last weekend along with his wife and 94 others,
Parliament Speaker Bronislaw Komorowski, who is acting president, will give the date later Wednesday. [..] Read the original article: here.

Hundreds of people in Iceland evacuated amid fears of 2nd volcanic eruption

Iceland evacuates hundreds near restless volcano

LONDON – Icelandic emergency officials evacuated hundreds of people near a restless volcano Wednesday amid fears of second eruption.
Some 800 people near the Eyjafjallajokull (AYA-feeyapla-yurkul) volcano were evacuated after seismic activity suggested it may have erupted for the second time, said Rognvaldur Olafsson, a chief inspector for the Icelandic Civil …. Original source  : Hundreds of people in Iceland evacuated amid fears of 2nd volcanic eruption.

Storm kills 16, hundreds homeless in Bihar

PATNA – A massive storm hit Bihar’s Araria, Purnea and Kishanganj districts on the border with West Bengal Wednesday, killing at least 16 people and rendering hundreds homeless.

“A storm with high wind velocity hit the entire Seemanchal region including Araria, Purnea and Kishanganj and badly disturbed normal life,” Vayasji, principal secretary in the disaster … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Storm kills 16, hundreds homeless in Bihar.

Chinese ship captain, officer arrested by Australian police for damages to Great Barrier Reef

Police arrest 2 from ship that crashed on reef

SYDNEY – A Chinese ship captain and a chief officer have been arrested and charged with causing damage to the Great Barrier Reef, more than a week after their coal carrier ran aground, leaking oil and tearing a two-mile (three-kilometer) gash in the protected area.
The Australian Federal …. Source article  : Chinese ship captain, officer arrested by Australian police for damages to Great Barrier Reef.

Hundreds of people in Iceland evacuated amid fears of second volcanic eruption

Iceland evacuates hundreds amid volcano fears

LONDON – Civil Protection Agency officials say hundreds of people in Iceland have been evacuated amid fears of second volcanic eruption.
Rognvaldur Olafsson, a chief inspector for the Icelandic agency, says some 800 people near the Eyjafjallajokull (AYA-feeyapla-yurkul) volcano were evacuated Wednesday morning after reports of seismic activity suggested it may … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Hundreds of people in Iceland evacuated amid fears of second volcanic eruption.

Cargo plane crashes in Mexico’s northeastern city of Monterrey, 5 crew members dead

Cargo plane crashes in Mexico, 5 crew dead

MEXICO CITY – A cargo plane crashed overnight in the Mexican city of Monterrey, killing five crew members, an official with the civil protection authority said Wednesday.
The plane went down in rainy and cloudy conditions near Monterrey’s international airport on Tuesday night, said the official, who spoke on …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cargo plane crashes in Mexico’s northeastern city of Monterrey, 5 crew members dead.

Philippine troops hunt down militants who attempted to seize southern city in deadly attack

Filipino troops chase militants after deadly raid

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine troops clashed Wednesday with a top Muslim militant commander and dozens of fighters suspected of trying to seize a key predominantly Christian southern city in a daring attack the previous day that killed at least 13 people.
There was no word of casualties in the latest … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Philippine troops hunt down militants who attempted to seize southern city in deadly attack.

31 dead, thousands homeless as storm lashes West Bengal

KOLKATA – At least 31 people were killed and over 50,000 houses destroyed when a massive storm swept through West Bengal’s North Dinajpur district, snapping power and communication lines and uprooting trees, officials said Wednesday.

The storm with wind speed of 120 km per hour broke out at about 10.30 p.m. Tuesday and swept four …. Read the original article  : here.

Toyota suspends sales of Lexus GX 460 after Consumer Reports issues rare ‘do not buy’ rating

Lexus GX 460 rated ‘do not buy,’ Toyota halts sale

WASHINGTON – Toyota Motor Corp. has suspended sales of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 after Consumer Reports warned car shoppers not to buy the sport utility vehicle because handling problems could lead to rollover accidents during sharp turns.
Toyota said Tuesday it had asked dealers to temporarily … Original source on Gaea Times at : Toyota suspends sales of Lexus GX 460 after Consumer Reports issues rare ‘do not buy’ rating.

Brothers arrested for releasing poisonous snakes in feud in southern China

Two men arrested in China snake attack
GUANGZHOU, China – Police say in southern China say they have arrested two brothers suspected of releasing poisonous snakes to seek revenge in a dispute with a local leader.

Guangzhou city police said Wednesday that brothers Guo Gongwei and Guo Gongtian bought the short-tail pit vipers at a market, where …. Original article  : Brothers arrested for releasing poisonous snakes in feud in southern China.

Man attempts suicide after killing younger sister

PUNE – A man stabbed his 23-year-old sister and then attempted suicide on the outskirts of Maharashtra’s Pune city Wednesday, police said.

Sabrojit Bose, 29, repeatedly stabbed his younger sister Priyadarshini around 3 a.m. at their home in Hinjewadi, Crime Branch inspector N.S. Bhosale-Patil said.
Later, Sabrojit attempted suicide but survived. He is admitted in a …. Read the original article  : here.

Official says cyclone kills 31 people in eastern India, destroys thousands of mud huts

Cyclone kills 31 people in eastern India
CALCUTTA, India – A cyclone demolished thousands of mud huts and uprooted trees in several villages in eastern India, killing at least 31 people, an official said Wednesday.

Srikumar Mukherjee, the civil defense minister, said the cyclone struck Tuesday night in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal state, snapping telephone …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Official says cyclone kills 31 people in eastern India, destroys thousands of mud huts.

Two convicts dress up as sheep to evade capture

LONDON – Two convicts who escaped from a high security prison in Argentina have managed to evade arrest by disguising themselves up as sheep by wearing full sheepskins including the sheep’s head.

Maximiliano Pereyra and Ariel Diaz stole the sheep hides from a ranch after fleeing from an Argentinian maximum security prison a week ago, The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Two convicts dress up as sheep to evade capture.

300 dead, 8,000 hurt in China earthquake (Third Lead)

BEIJING – About 300 people were killed and more than 8,000 injured Wednesday when a devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake tore through northwest China’s Qinghai province, officials said.

Xinhua quoted local official Huang Limin as saying that the quake struck the Yushu prefecture at 7.49 a.m. at a depth of about 33 km.
At least three aftershocks …. Original source  : 300 dead, 8,000 hurt in China earthquake (Third Lead).

30 hours on, part of Thane factory still in flames

MUMBAI – A fire that engulfed the edible oil manufacturing major Liberty Oil Mills’ factory in Maharashtra’s Thane district continued to rage Wednesday morning, 30 hours after it had started.

The roof of the burning building in Bamne village collapsed around 2 a.m. Wednesday, said police inspector Shivnath Shinde of Shahapur police station. There are no … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 30 hours on, part of Thane factory still in flames.

1.5 tonnes of cocaine seized in Panama

Panama City, April 14 (IANS/EFE) Three Colombians were arrested and 1.5 tonnes of cocaine was seized from Panama’s Pacific coast, a police official said.

The cocaine was found Sunday aboard a speedboat in Isla Leones, located in the Gulf of Montijo, more than 250 km southwest of Panama City, Judicial Investigations Agency, or DIJ, deputy director … Read : 1.5 tonnes of cocaine seized in Panama.

Blaze in Delhi plastic scrap market

NEW DELHI – A major fire broke out in a plastic scrap market in west Delhi’s Mundka area early Wednesday. No one was injured, an official said, adding that a fire had gutted a part of the same market three days ago.

The incident took place around 3.30 a.m.
“The blaze spread in the …. Source  : Blaze in Delhi plastic scrap market.

Rescuers fight winds, altitude as bodies pile up after quake kills more than 600 in China

Bodies pile up after quake kills 600-plus in China

MADOI, China – Rescue teams fought gusty winds and altitude sickness Thursday as supplies of food, water and almost everything ran thin after strong earthquakes left more than 600 dead in a mountainous Tibetan area of western China.
Survivors, many of whom spent the night outside in freezing … Read more »».

Man gets death penalty for rape, murder of minor

RANCHI – A Jharkhand court Thursday awarded the death sentence to a man for rape-cum-murder of a minor girl in Dhanbad, some 240 km from here, in 2005.

Dhanbad’s Additional District Judge Vijay Shanker Singh awarded death penalty to Amit Chakravarty, in his thirties, for raping and killing his eight-year-old neighbour when she went to his …. Read the original article  : here.

Red Cross says civilian bomb injuries rise 30-40 percent in southern Afghanistan over 2009

Civilian bomb injuries soar in south Afghanistan

KABUL – Civilian injuries due to roadside bombs and other explosives in southern Afghanistan have soared amid worsening Taliban violence, the International Committee for the Red Cross said in a report Thursday.
Hospitals in the provinces of Kandahar and Helmand admitted up to 40 percent more patients with such injuries …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Red Cross says civilian bomb injuries rise 30-40 percent in southern Afghanistan over 2009.

Toll in Bihar storm rises to 81

PATNA – The death toll from a violent storm that ravaged the eastern part of Bihar rose to 81 Thursday, a day after it left a trail of destruction rendering thousands homeless.

The high-velocity storm ravaged the Seemanchal region including the districts of Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj, Katihar and Supaul districts.
The number of dead has gone … Read more »».

Minor fire at Shastri Bhawan

NEW DELHI – A minor fire broke out Thursday at Shastri Bhawan that houses several central government offices here, but it was put down quickly, the fire department said.

The blaze began on the seventh floor of the building. Six fire tenders battled the fire and brought it under control, a fire officer said. The … Read : Minor fire at Shastri Bhawan.

Ash cloud from Iceland’s erupting volcano disrupts air traffic across northern Europe

Ash from Iceland volcano disrupts European flights

LONDON – British airport operator BAA says all flights in and out of Heathrow and Stansted airports are to be suspended shortly because of ash clouds drifting from Iceland’s spewing volcano.
Hundreds of flights across Britain have already been canceled, and airports in Scotland closed. Heathrow is Europe’s busiest airport, …. Read the original article  : here.

Iceland volcano ash disrupts air traffic

OSLO/LONDON – Air traffic in several northern European countries including Britain, Norway and Sweden was disrupted Thursday due to ash from an erupting volcano in Iceland.

Drifting ash from the volcano near the Eyjafjallajoekull glacier, about 120 km east of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, poses a threat to jet engines.
About half the flights from Norway’s …. Source  : Iceland volcano ash disrupts air traffic.

Bomb detected on Delhi-bound train, defused

LUCKNOW – An improvised explosive device (IED) detected in a coach of the New Delhi-bound Sampark-Kranti express at Mahoba railway station in Uttar Pradesh was defused early Thursday, averting a major tragedy.

According to state Additional Director General of Police Brij Lal: “The IED was planted in the toilet of a three-tier coach where it was … Original article on : Bomb detected on Delhi-bound train, defused.

Three charred to death in Mumbai

MUMBAI – Three people were charred to death in their sleep when a fire broke out in a tenement of Santacruz west here early Thursday, a fire brigade official said.

He said the blaze in the congested Khotwadi chawl started at 4 a.m. and was brought under control after firemen battled it for more than five … Read more >>.

Zookeepers in China eat monkey meat

BEIJING – Zookeepers at a zoo in China are eating monkey and giraffe meat believing that these have extra nutritional value, a media report said.

The bizarre report came from a soon-to-be-opened zoo in Dongguan in China’s Guangdong province, where dead animals were reportedly given away as gifts or eaten by zoo workers, Global Times reported. …. Source article  : Zookeepers in China eat monkey meat.

Drifting ash from Iceland’s volcano causes major air traffic disruptions at British airports

Ash from Iceland’s volcano disrupts UK air traffic

LONDON – Officials say ash clouds drifting from Iceland’s erupting volcano have disrupted air traffic across Britain.
Flights have been suspended at the English cities of Manchester and Birmingham, as well as in Belfast in Northern Ireland and the Scottish airports at Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The ash has also …. Original article  : Drifting ash from Iceland’s volcano causes major air traffic disruptions at British airports.

British airports close due to drifting ash from Iceland’s erupting volcano

UK airports close due to ash from Iceland volcano

LONDON – Airports in Scotland have shut down due to ash from Iceland’s spewing volcano as it erupts for the second time in less than a month.
Hundreds in Iceland have fled rising floodwaters around the volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier.
Airports in the Scottish cities of Aberdeen, Glasgow …. Original article  : British airports close due to drifting ash from Iceland’s erupting volcano.

Delhi fire service gets 30 calls in 10 hours

NEW DELHI – You could blame it on the rising mercury level – the Delhi fire service number has not stopped ringing since early Thursday with the department receiving 30 calls of fire incidents from across the city until 10.30 a.m.

“Since midnight until now we have received 30 calls of fire incidents across the [..] Read the original article: here.

16-year-old jailed for shaking his baby to death

LONDON – A 16-year-old Briton has been sentenced to a prison term for shaking his seven-week-old daughter to death, a media report said Thursday.

Joshua Bacon has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail. He lost his cool when he attempted to feed his daughter, Caitlyn Smith, and shook her so violently that he caused a …. Read the original article  : 16-year-old jailed for shaking his baby to death.

Storm victims in Bihar await relief, toll reaches 72

PATNA – Thousands of people rendered homeless in Bihar awaited relief Thursday, a day after a violent storm ravaged parts of the state’s eastern region killing at least 72 people.

The high velocity storm, which hit the Seemanchal region early Wednesday, destroyed thousands of houses and snapped power and communication lines besides uprooting hundreds of trees … Read more >>.

China quake survivors narrate tales of grief and fear

QINGHAI – Survivors in a devastating earthquake in northwest China were in a state of shock Thursday, a day after the temblor killed nearly 600 people.

People were leaving for work or school Wednesday when the magnitude 7.1 quake struck Qinghai province.
The residents in Gyegu town, close to the epicentre in the Tibetan Autonomous …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Race to reach survivors as China quake toll hits 617

BEIJING – Rescuers fought chilly weather, strong winds and frequent aftershocks Thursday to claw through rubble and reach survivors of the devastating earthquake that left 617 people dead and nearly 10,000 injured in northwest China.

The 7.1 magnitude quake, which struck Yushu prefecture in southern Qinghai province early Wednesday, also toppled 15,000 residential buildings and forced …. Original source  : Race to reach survivors as China quake toll hits 617.

Death toll from cyclone rises to 112 as relief starts arriving in eastern India

Aid arriving after cyclone kills 112 in east India

CALCUTTA, India – Aid workers distributed rice, dried fruits, water and tarpaulins Thursday to the victims of a ferocious cyclone that killed 112 people in northeastern India and demolished ten of thousands of mud huts.
Rescuers also cleared hundreds of uprooted trees blocking road access to the devastated …. Read the original article  : Death toll from cyclone rises to 112 as relief starts arriving in eastern India.

Indian-American on trial for selling bomber secrets to China

WASHINGTON – An Indian-American B-2 stealth bomber engineer Noshir Gowadia is under trial in a US court on charges of selling defence secrets to China, but his lawyer says such “meaningless” information was no secret.

Gowadia, 66, who was born in India but is a naturalized US citizen, is charged with 17 counts of espionage, conspiracy, …. Original source  : Indian-American on trial for selling bomber secrets to China.

Cargo plane crashes in northern Mexico city of Monterrey, killing 5 crew members, 1 motorist

Cargo plane crashes in Mexico, killing 6 people

MONTERREY, Mexico – A cargo plane crashed onto a road while trying to land in this northern Mexico city, killing all five crew members on board and one person on the ground, authorities said Wednesday.
Local civil defense director Jorge Camacho Rescue said the entire crew died and one … Original source on Gaea Times at : Cargo plane crashes in northern Mexico city of Monterrey, killing 5 crew members, 1 motorist.

Amid concerns about ash cloud and state funeral, Polish investigators examine black boxes

Poland closes most air space due to volcanic ash
WARSAW, Poland – Polish investigators have begun examining the one of three black boxes from the plane crash that killed the president and 95 others, after Russian officials said their study of the boxes suggested pilot error was to blame.
Poland is preparing for a state … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Amid concerns about ash cloud and state funeral, Polish investigators examine black boxes.

South Korean investigator says ‘high possibility’ that external explosion sank naval ship

SKorea: External explosion probably sank navy ship

SEOUL, South Korea – An external explosion most likely caused a South Korean navy ship to split apart and sink three weeks ago, officials said Friday, leaving open the possibility that a North Korean torpedo or mine may have caused the disaster.
The 1,200-ton Cheonan broke into two pieces after …. Source article  : South Korean investigator says ‘high possibility’ that external explosion sank naval ship.

Volcanic ash cloud drifts east, flight disruptions get even worse in Europe

Flight disruptions in Europe get even worse

LONDON – Ice chunks the size of houses tumbled down from a volcano in Iceland as hot gases melted a glacier, and the skies over Europe remained eerily quiet for a second day Friday as thousands of planes stayed on the tarmac to avoid volcanic ash.
Eurocontrol, the European air …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Volcanic ash cloud drifts east, flight disruptions get even worse in Europe.

Maoists suspected to have killed Bengal villager

KOLKATA – Maoists are suspected to have killed a former Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) worker who had later joined the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal’s Purulia district, police said Friday.

The incident took place in Dulaghati of Bandwan area where residents saw the blood-splattered body of Mansaram Singh lying in a shrub near to his [..] Read the original article: here.

IT raids at builders’ premises in Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL – Income Tax (IT) raids were conducted at the premises of over 10 builders in seven cities across Madhya Pradesh for alleged tax evasion, IT officials said Friday.

“Incriminating documents indicating tax evasion worth crores of rupees have been seized during the IT raids conducted at 19 premises in Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Rewa …. Original article  : IT raids at builders’ premises in Madhya Pradesh.

Navy to speed up probe against officer in Gorkshov project: Antony

NEW DELHI – Defence Minister A.K. Antony Friday said he has asked the Indian Navy to speed up the probe into allegations against an officer accused of “loose moral conduct” during his posting in Russia to oversee the re-fit of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

He said the navy has completed one part of the investigation against …. Original source  : Navy to speed up probe against officer in Gorkshov project: Antony.

Attacks in southern Afghanistan show need for better intelligence, official says

South Afghan attacks show need for intelligence

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – An Afghan official called Friday for better intelligence on insurgent activities to help prevent attacks like the dual bombings in the southern city of Kandahar that killed at least three people.
Thursday’s attacks on a hotel and compound housing foreign companies showed how vulnerable targets remain in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Attacks in southern Afghanistan show need for better intelligence, official says.

UK aviation authorities say no flights over English airspace through Saturday

UK flight restrictions continue through Saturday

LONDON – British civil aviation authorities say there will be no flights over England until Saturday morning at the earliest, as a huge ash cloud from Iceland’s erupting volcano disrupts air traffic around the world.
The National Air Traffic Services says some flights could start leaving and arriving at airports in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : UK aviation authorities say no flights over English airspace through Saturday.

European air navigation agency: ash cloud will disrupt air traffic for at least another day

Eurocontrol: flights disrupted at least 1 more day

BRUSSELS – The European air navigation agency says air traffic disruptions from the volcanic ash cloud will last at least another day.
Eurocontrol says the cloud’s impact “will continue for at least the next 24 hours.”
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier … Read more >>.

Passengers stuck as volcanic ash spreads across Europe

REYKJAVIK/BERLIN/LONDON – Tens of thousands of passengers remain stuck at European airports as ash from an erupting volcano in Iceland causes flight disruptions and airport closures across the continent.

Airport authorities in Germany predicted the ash from the volcano under the Eyjafjallajoekull glacier, which is spreading to the east and south-east, would affect air traffic for …. Read the original article  : Passengers stuck as volcanic ash spreads across Europe.

$25,000 award for missing Sikh woman, family suspect

TORONTO – A Sikh family here is under investigation after the disappearance of its daughter-in-law in February. Her husband has meanwhile announced an award of $25,000 for clues about her whereabouts.

Poonam Litt, who worked as a receptionist with a dentist, went missing Feb 5 on her way to work. She has never been heard of …. Read the original article  : $25,000 award for missing Sikh woman, family suspect.

Police say suicide bomber kills 8 at hospital in southwest Pakistani city of Quetta

Police: Bomber kills 8 at SW Pakistan hospital

QUETTA, Pakistan – A suicide bomber attacked a hospital emergency room where Shiite Muslims were mourning a slain bank manager on Friday, killing eight people including a journalist and two policemen in Pakistan’s main southwest city, police said.
The explosion in Quetta underscored the poor security conditions in Pakistan, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Police say suicide bomber kills 8 at hospital in southwest Pakistani city of Quetta.

Help floods into China quake zone; rescuers dig for survivors, struggle with altitude

Soldiers, monks clear rubble in quake-hit China
JIEGU, China – Rescuers probed the rubble for sounds or movement Friday in a rush to find anyone buried alive more than 48 hours after an earthquake hit western China, killing at least 791 people. Many survivors shivered through a second night outdoors as they waited …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Help floods into China quake zone; rescuers dig for survivors, struggle with altitude.

Mumbai school CEO held for cyber crime

THANE – The CEO designate of Ecole Mondiale International School has been arrested after a two-year search for allegedly hosting a defamatory blog about a school in Singapore of which he was the principal, police said Friday.

Nandakumar Venkataraman, former principal of the Global Indian International School (GIIS) in Singapore, was taken into custody by … Read more >>.

Thunderstorm lashes Assam, 300 homes destroyed

GUWAHATI – At least 300 homes were flattened in a thunderstorm that lashed parts of Assam and uprooted trees, electric and telephone poles, officials Friday said.

Heavy rains accompanied by gushing winds swept many parts of Assam, including the main city of Guwahati, late Thursday. The damage was reported to be extensive in the riverine [..] Read the original article: here.

Police say suicide bomber kills 7 at hospital in southwest Pakistani city of Quetta

Police: Bomber kills 7 at SW Pakistan hospital

QUETTA, Pakistan – A suicide bomber attacked a hospital emergency room where Shiite Muslims had gathered Friday to mourn a slain bank manager, killing at least seven people including a journalist in Pakistan’s main southwest city, police said.
The explosion in Quetta underscored the poor security conditions in Pakistan, …. Original source  : Police say suicide bomber kills 7 at hospital in southwest Pakistani city of Quetta.

Police say suicide bomber kills 4 at hospital in southwest Pakistani city of Quetta

Police: Bomb kills 4 at SW Pakistan hospital

QUETTA, Pakistan – A suicide bomber attacked a hospital emergency room where Shiite Muslims had gathered Friday to mourn a slain bank manager, killing at least four people in Pakistan’s main southwest city, police said.
The explosion in Quetta underscored the poor security conditions in Pakistan, a U.S. ally …. Read the original article  : Police say suicide bomber kills 4 at hospital in southwest Pakistani city of Quetta.

Utah Earthquake Reports Minor Damages

SALT LAKE CITY (GaeaTimes.com)- Utah earthquake which measured a magnitude of 4.9 on the Richter scale is said to be the biggest Utah earthquake in many years now. Although the magnitude of earthquake wasn’t as heavy as the recent earthquake in China, it did manage to cause disturbances in the houses back in the city. …. Source  : Utah Earthquake Reports Minor Damages.

12-year-old Dalit killed for stealing wheat

LUCKNOW – A 12-year-old Dalit boy was allegedly beaten to death by a group of villagers in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district for stealing wheat from the fields, police said Friday.

Three men have been booked for killing the Dalit boy, police said.
Kamlesh Kumar, a resident of Kashipur village in Hardoi, about 110 km from … Original source on Gaea Times at : 12-year-old Dalit killed for stealing wheat.

Now poachers go for leopards

NEW DELHI – The hunter has once again become the hunted.
But this time it’s the agile leopard that is on the radar of poachers as vigilance has tightened around the illegal trade in tiger parts across India, say wildlife experts.

The leopard’s skin and bones are equally in demand in the international market and wildlife …. Read the original article  : Now poachers go for leopards.

AP Top News at 4:49 a.m. EDT

AP Top News at 4:49 a.m. EDT
Iceland volcano activity increases
LONDON – A geologist says activity has increased at an erupting Icelandic volcano, causing an ash plume to rise some 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) into the air. Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson of the University of Iceland says winds have cleared visibility for scientists and Saturday will be … Read this article on Gaea Times at : AP Top News at 4:49 a.m. EDT.

Nat’l memorial for Polish plane crash victims; ash causes some to miss Sunday’s state funeral

Poland holds public memorial for crash victims
WARSAW, Poland – Church bells pealed and emergency sirens blared across Poland at 8:56 a.m. (0656 GMT) Saturday to mark the minute a week earlier that a plane crashed as it attempted to land in Russia, claiming the life of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and …. Source article  : Nat’l memorial for Polish plane crash victims; ash causes some to miss Sunday’s state funeral.

AP Top News at 4:42 a.m. EDT

AP Top News at 4:42 a.m. EDT
Iceland volcano activity increases
LONDON – A geologist says activity has increased at an erupting Icelandic volcano, causing an ash plume to rise some 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) into the air. Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson of the University of Iceland says winds have cleared visibility for scientists and Saturday will be …. Original source  : AP Top News at 4:42 a.m. EDT.

AP Top News at 4:35 a.m. EDT

AP Top News at 4:35 a.m. EDT
Iceland volcano activity increases
LONDON – A geologist says activity has increased at an erupting Icelandic volcano, causing an ash plume to rise some 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) into the air. Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson of the University of Iceland says winds have cleared visibility for scientists and Saturday will be …. Original article  : AP Top News at 4:35 a.m. EDT.

Scientists say Iceland volcano activity increases, more travel disruptions feared

Iceland volcano activity increases
LONDON – A geologist says activity has increased at an erupting Icelandic volcano, causing an ash plume to rise some 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) into the air.
Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson of the University of Iceland says winds have cleared visibility for scientists and Saturday will be the first day they can … Read more >>.

Japanese woman gangraped in Bihar

PATNA – A Japanese woman was allegedly gangraped in Bihar by four people, including an autorickshaw driver, police said Saturday. The four accused have been arrested.

The tourist was on her way from Bodh Gaya to the Gaya railway station when she was raped Friday night, police said.
A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Japanese woman gangraped in Bihar.

AP Top News at 4:14 a.m. EDT

AP Top News at 4:14 a.m. EDT
Flight disruptions in Europe get even worse
LONDON – Officials further extended no-fly restrictions over Europe Saturday as a vast, invisible plume of grit continued to billow out of an Icelandic volcano and drift across the continent. The flight ban seemed likely to disrupt world leaders’ plans to attend Sunday’s …. Source article  : AP Top News at 4:14 a.m. EDT.

Police say twin bombs kill 20 people at refugee camp in northwestern Pakistan

2 Bombs kill 20 at Pakistan refugee camp in NW

ISLAMABAD – Two bombs exploded Saturday in camps for people fleeing a military offensive in northwest Pakistan, killing at least 20 people and wounding around 50 others, police said.
The blasts went off when officials were distributing food in the camp in Kohat, said officer Zafar Iqbal.
Pakistan …. Read the original article  : Police say twin bombs kill 20 people at refugee camp in northwestern Pakistan.

British teacher used hidden camera to spy on female students

LONDON – A teacher in Britain has pleaded guilty to voyeurism as he had placed a camera in a bathroom air freshener to spy on female students as they took a shower, a court was told.

Paul Hwang, who has taught and studied at Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard, kept the camera in the house that he …. Source  : British teacher used hidden camera to spy on female students.

Police say twin bombs kill several people at refugee camp in NW Pakistan

Bombs kill several people at Pakistan refugee camp

ISLAMABAD – Police say several people have been killed in twin bombings at a camp for displaced people in northwest Pakistan.
Officer Zafar Iqbal said the blasts Saturday took place in Kohat district close to the Afghan border.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. …. Read the original article  : here.

Twin blats killed 25 refugees injures many in Kohat, Pakistan

Pakistan, Kohat: As many as 25 people were killed and dozens others injured in two powerful explosions at a refugee camp in Kohat’s Katcha Pakka area.

The injured and bodies are being rushed to nearby hospitals, where emergency has been declared.It should be mentioned the refugee camp is 20 kilometers from the Hungu city. According to …. Read the original article  : Twin blats killed 25 refugees injures many in Kohat, Pakistan.

AP Top News at 3:35 a.m. EDT

AP Top News at 3:35 a.m. EDT
Flight disruptions in Europe get even worse
LONDON – Officials further extended no-fly restrictions over Europe Saturday as a vast, invisible plume of grit continued to billow out of an Icelandic volcano and drift across the continent. The flight ban seemed likely to disrupt world leaders’ plans to attend Sunday’s … Read more »».

Toyota recalls 600,000 Sienna minivans to address corrosion in spare tire carrier cable

Toyota recalls 600,000 Sienna minivans
WASHINGTON – As congressional investigators dig further into potential electronic problems in runaway Toyotas, the automaker is facing other safety concerns, recalling 600,000 Sienna minivans over rusting spare tire holders.

The recall Friday came as House investigators said they would hold another hearing in May to review possible electronic problems in runaway …. Original article  : Toyota recalls 600,000 Sienna minivans to address corrosion in spare tire carrier cable.

AP Top News at 3:21 a.m. EDT

AP Top News at 3:21 a.m. EDT
Flight disruptions in Europe get even worse
LONDON – Officials further extended no-fly restrictions over Europe Saturday as a vast, invisible plume of grit continued to billow out of an Icelandic volcano and drift across the continent. The flight ban seemed likely to disrupt world leaders’ plans to attend Sunday’s …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : AP Top News at 3:21 a.m. EDT.

AP Top News at 3:12 a.m. EDT

AP Top News at 3:12 a.m. EDT
Flight disruptions in Europe get even worse
LONDON – Officials further extended no-fly restrictions over Europe Saturday as a vast, invisible plume of grit continued to billow out of an Icelandic volcano and drift across the continent. The flight ban seemed likely to disrupt world leaders’ plans to attend Sunday’s … Read more >>>.

AP Top News at 3:11 a.m. EDT

AP Top News at 3:11 a.m. EDT
Flight disruptions in Europe get even worse
LONDON – Officials further extended no-fly restrictions over Europe Saturday as a vast, invisible plume of grit continued to billow out of an Icelandic volcano and drift across the continent. The flight ban seemed likely to disrupt world leaders’ plans to attend Sunday’s …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : AP Top News at 3:11 a.m. EDT.

Church bells toll in Poland 1 week after plane crash that killed president, 95 others

Church bells toll in Poland 1 week on
WARSAW, Poland – Church bells across Poland have tolled and an emergency siren has wailed to mark the minute a week ago that a plane crashed in western Russia, killing Poland’s president, his wife, and many of the country’s civilian and military elite.

The plane crashed at 8:56 a.m. … Read more : Church bells toll in Poland 1 week after plane crash that killed president, 95 others.

NKorea accuses South of spreading rumors it was behind sinking of naval ship

NKorea accuses South of framing it in ship sinking

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea accused South Korea on Saturday of spreading false rumors that the communist North was to blame for the mysterious explosion that sank a southern warship near the tense sea border.
North Korean officials have denied involvement in the blast that broke the … Read : NKorea accuses South of spreading rumors it was behind sinking of naval ship.

Church bells toll in Poland one week after plane crash that killed president, 95 others

Church bells toll in Poland one week on
WARSAW, Poland – Church bells across Poland have tolled and an emergency siren has wailed to mark the minute a week ago that a plane crashed in western Russia, killing Poland’s president, his wife, and many of the country’s civilian and military elite.

The plane crashed at 8:56 a.m. …. Source article  : Church bells toll in Poland one week after plane crash that killed president, 95 others.

West Bengal governor’s visit to cyclone-hit area cancelled

KOLKATA – West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan’s visit to cyclone-ravaged North Dinajpur district was cancelled Saturday due to poor weather conditions, an official said.

“The governor’s helicopter was to reach the district headquarters of Raiganj but it could not land because of poor weather conditions.
“It (helicopter) finally returned to Siliguri as we came to know …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

One dead, 400 slum dwellings gutted in Delhi fires

NEW DELHI – A person was burnt to death and 400 slum dwellings gutted in two fire incidents in the slum areas of the capital early Sunday, a fire official said.

In a fire that broke out in a slum area near Patparganj in east Delhi, a person died and two were injured.
“We got … Read more : One dead, 400 slum dwellings gutted in Delhi fires.

Indian youths jailed in Bangladesh now missing

AGARTALA – Two Indian youths from Tripura, arrested for illegally entering Bangladesh in November last year, have been missing for nearly four months now, officials said here Sunday.

“The two youths from southern Tripura — Sanjoy Bhowmik, 20 and Pintu Debnath, 21 — were arrested in Bangladesh by the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) for illegal entry …. Read the original article  : Indian youths jailed in Bangladesh now missing.

KLM says no damage to plane that flew through volcanic ash, wants to resume flights

KLM pushes to resume passenger flights after tests

AMSTERDAM – KLM, the Dutch subsidiary of Air France, said Sunday it wants to resume passenger flights in Europe as soon as possible after it flew a plane through the cloud of volcanic ash covering much of the continent without suffering any damage.
KLM carried out the test flight … Read this article on Gaea Times at : KLM says no damage to plane that flew through volcanic ash, wants to resume flights.

China quake toll rises to 1,706

BEIJING – The death toll in the 7.1-magnitude quake in China’s Qinghai province has risen to 1,706, it was announced Sunday.

At least 256 people were still missing, Xinhua quoted the rescue headquarters as saying.
The devastating quake, which struck Yushu prefecture Wednesday morning, injured over 12,000 people. Of this, 1,424 were in critical condition, the …. Source  : China quake toll rises to 1,706.

Australian dies in rubbish bin prank

SYDNEY – A 22-year-old Australian died when the wheelie bin he and a friend were riding down a hill crashed into a tree at high speed, New South Wales police said Sunday.

The deceased, who was in the rubbish bin with a 19-year-old friend, sustained head injuries.
“They travelled a distance of about 300 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Australian dies in rubbish bin prank.

Inspector commits suicide inside police station

MUMBAI – A police inspector committed suicide early Sunday by shooting himself with his service revolver inside the suburban Borivli Police Station here, authorities said.

P.I. Shivaji Patil shot himself in his cabin. “Patil was on night duty. He was found dead when other policemen came to the station in the morning,” Additional Commissioner of Police …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Inspector commits suicide inside police station.

Bodies of Polish president, wife, flown to Krakow for traditional-laden burial

Polish leader, wife flown to Krakow for burial
KRAKOW, Poland – The bodies of President Lech Kaczynski and his wife were flown from Warsaw to Krakow early Sunday for burial among Polish kings and poets at a tradition-laden ceremony that will be bereft of many world leaders whose travel plans were paralyzed by a …. Original source  : Bodies of Polish president, wife, flown to Krakow for traditional-laden burial.

Woman commits suicide after kids fail in exams

AGRA – A 32-year-old woman committed suicide by jumping before a train in this Uttar Pradesh district after three of her school-going children failed in their exams, police said Sunday.

Anjana, a resident of Arjun Nagar, killed herself Saturday afternoon near Madia Katra close to Raja ki Mandi station here.
“Anjana had gone to collect the …. Read the original article  : Woman commits suicide after kids fail in exams.

Government official gang raped in Pune, four men held

PUNE – A senior government official from Pune was allegedly raped by four men while she was returning from a pilgrimage with her family. The accused have been arrested, police said Sunday.

The woman, a resident of Pune, was returning with her husband and son from the Vaidyanath temple in Parli village of Maharashtra’s Beed district …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Government official gang raped in Pune, four men held.

Suicide bomber rams truck at Pakistani police station, killing 7 passersby

Suicide bomb at police station kills 7 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – A suicide bomber rammed a truck loaded with explosives into a police station in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday, killing a child and six other civilians, police said.
The attack on the Saddar police station in the Kohat region wounded 26 people, said Abdullah Khan, the deputy …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Suicide bomber rams truck at Pakistani police station, killing 7 passersby.

6.3 magnitude quake hits Papua New Guinea

MELBOURNE – A strong earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck Papua New Guinea Sunday, US geologists said, but there was no tsunami warning.

The quake struck at 9.15 a.m. local time, with its epicentre located 28 km east of Lae town, and at a depth of 66 km, the Australian reported quoting the US …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

One more booked for illegal mining in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – Police in Orissa Sunday charged one more person under the National Security Act (NSA) in the mineral-rich Keonjhar district over crimes related to mining, taking the number of people booked under the act in the region to four, an official said.

Kashinath Behera, 38, was arrested last month from Joda area for his involvement …. Source  : One more booked for illegal mining in Orissa.

Qinghai quake: China should now directly engage Dalai Lama (Comment)

The deadly earthquake in the Qinghai Province in northwestern China, which killed 1400, mostly Tibetan people, on April 14, offers an extraordinary opportunity to Beijing to allow the Dalai Lama to make his first visit home in over 50 years.

While the Dalai Lama has been quick to request that he be allowed to visit the …. Original article  : Qinghai quake: China should now directly engage Dalai Lama (Comment).

Poisonous gas kills 18 in Bihar

At least 18 people have been killed after leakage of a poisonous gas from a house led to devastating fire and polluted the air in Bihar.

The incident occured at Jaitipur village under Islampur block of Nalanda district, home district of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
Police said Arjun Swarnkar was engaged in making duplicate petroleum by …. Read the original article  : Poisonous gas kills 18 in Bihar.

Chinese President Hu flies to devastated earthquake zone as flow of aid increases

Chinese president Hu flies to Tibetan quake zone
JIEGU, China – Chinese President Hu Jintao met with earthquake survivors Sunday in a remote, mountainous Tibetan region where rescue supplies were arriving at a faster pace.
Hu cut short an official trip to South America to deal with the disaster, which killed more than 1,700 … Original article on : Chinese President Hu flies to devastated earthquake zone as flow of aid increases.

Rescuers save 17,000 lives in China quake

BEIJING – Rescuers have saved 17,000 people from the rubble of the collapsed buildings following a devastating earthquake in northwest China, Xinhua reported Sunday.

The magnitude 7.1 quake Wednesday left more than 1,400 people dead.
The epicentre of the temblor was in the Yushu prefecture of China’s Qinghai province.
More than 15,000 rescuers, including 11,000 personnel …. Source  : Rescuers save 17,000 lives in China quake.

Ash spreads south as Europe air shutdown causes havoc

REYKJAVIK/LONDON/WARSAW – The closures of European airspace were moving southward with the rolling cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano, which continued to wreak havoc Sunday with tens of thousands of stranded airline passengers.

Flight bans were imposed in Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and northern Italy and northern Serbia, after similar action across the British Isles and … Read more >>>.

South Africa sets up team to tackle wildlife poaching

CAPE TOWN – The South African government has allocated two million rands (about $270,000) to set up a unit to tackle wildlife crimes, mainly rhino poaching in the country.

Water and Environment Minister Buyelwa Sonjica made the announcement to the media after her budget vote speech, BuaNews reported Saturday.
She said 55 rhinos had been …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : South Africa sets up team to tackle wildlife poaching.

Border agents shoot man who speeds from gate, rams pickup at San Diego County crossing

Man shot, hurt at San Diego County border crossing

SAN DIEGO – Federal officers shot and injured a man at the nation’s busiest border crossing Saturday after he sped away from a gate agent and rammed a pickup while crossing into San Diego County from Mexico, authorities said.
The shooting by two U.S. Customs and Border Protection …. Original source  : Border agents shoot man who speeds from gate, rams pickup at San Diego County crossing.

Jailed militia member says he was unaware of any specific plans to wage war against government

Militia member says he wasn’t aware of any plot

DETROIT – An Ohio man charged in what federal prosecutors say was a Christian militia’s plot to wage war against the government said Saturday that he wasn’t aware of any such specific plans and regrets not severing ties with the group.
Kristopher Sickles, 27, of Sandusky, told The … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Jailed militia member says he was unaware of any specific plans to wage war against government.