Court poised to sign death warrant for condemned Utah killer who could choose firing squad

Condemned Utah killer could face firing squad

SALT LAKE CITY – A condemned killer appears headed for a date with death in Utah that could see him sit before a firing squad – a development that would likely re-ignite protests over an antiquated, Old West-style of justice.
At a hearing Friday, 3rd District Judge Robin Reese will … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Court poised to sign death warrant for condemned Utah killer who could choose firing squad.

Lawsuit in Wisconsin sex abuse case makes tough sell: Vatican as global business empire

Lawsuit tries tough sell: Vatican as business

MILWAUKEE – A lawsuit from the U.S. aims to place blame for priest sexual abuse at the highest levels of the Roman Catholic Church by claiming the Vatican controls leadership, fundraising and doctrine down to the lowest levels.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. federal court claims top leaders at …. Original source  : Lawsuit in Wisconsin sex abuse case makes tough sell: Vatican as global business empire.

Wisconsin has special affection for sturgeon, helping them thrive despite population decline

Endangered sturgeon fish flourishing in Wisconsin

SHAWANO, Wis. – It’s been a tough fight for the whisker-snouted sturgeon.
The fish survived whatever killed the dinosaurs and have struggled against habitat destruction and overfishing. Now many of its 25 species are endangered, but a small pocket in upper Wisconsin boasts of having one of the world’s largest concentrations … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Wisconsin has special affection for sturgeon, helping them thrive despite population decline.

After latest appeal denial, focus on Roman Polanski’s status turns back to Switzerland

Focus on Polanski case turns back to Switzerland

LOS ANGELES – With his latest appeal rejected, Roman Polanski’s fate once again lies in the hands of Swiss authorities.
A California appeals court on Thursday rejected Polanski’s bid to have his case reviewed by a special counsel or to be sentenced in absentia.
The Swiss Justice Ministry had been …. Source  : After latest appeal denial, focus on Roman Polanski’s status turns back to Switzerland.

Court dismisses murder conviction of Camp Pendleton marine over improper dismissal of attorney

Marine’s murder conviction of Iraqi dismissed

SAN DIEGO – It was the only murder conviction the U.S. government had gotten in one of the highest-profile criminal cases against U.S. troops to arise out of the war in Iraq.
A military appeals court on Thursday overturned the murder conviction of Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins III. The Camp Pendleton Marine …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Separatist shutdown stalls life in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – Life in summer capital Srinagar and other major towns of the Kashmir Valley was adversely affected Friday by a separatist shutdown called to protest the death penalty awarded to two locals in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar blast case.

Shops, public transport, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed here as the authorities imposed restrictions [..] Read the original article: here.

Mom accused of killing son, 8, in posh NYC hotel seeks release to house arrest to await trial

Mom accused of killing son in NY asks for bail, US

NEW YORK – A millionaire accused of killing her autistic 8-year-old son in a posh New York City hotel is poised to find out whether she can get out of jail to await trial.
A judge is expected to decide Friday on Gigi Jordan’s $5 million …. Original source  : Mom accused of killing son, 8, in posh NYC hotel seeks release to house arrest to await trial.

Four killed in Maoist violence in Jharkhand

RANCHI – Four people, including a Maoist guerrilla, were killed and two security personnel were injured in three separate incidents of Maoist violence in Jharkhand, police said Friday.

Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were injured early Friday when Maoist guerrillas fired at a patrolling party in Porahat jungle of West Singhbhum district, around 170 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Four killed in Maoist violence in Jharkhand.

Suspected Taliban militants kill 4 men alleged to be US spies in Pakistan’s tribal belt

Suspected militants kill 4 ‘US spies’ in Pakistan

MIR ALI, Pakistan – Suspected Taliban militants in northwest Pakistan slaughtered four men on Friday after accusing them of spying for the United States, residents said.
The mutilated bodies were dumped in an open area in Mir Ali, a major town in the North Waziristan tribal region.
Dozens of men …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bangladesh’s cooperation on terror crucial to India: US

DHAKA – The issue of counter terrorism and Bangladesh’s cooperation on it were “crucial to India”, US Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg has said.

Steinberg said: “It seems a tremendous confidence has been built between Bangladesh and India.”
Stressing on deepening cooperation between Bangladesh and India, he said it will provide greater security for … Read more : Bangladesh’s cooperation on terror crucial to India: US.

Canada set to release Air India bombing inquiry report

TORONTO – Exactly 25 years after the Air India Kanishka bombing in which 329 passengers were killed, Canada will finally come out with a comprehensive report in June to pin-point the failures which led to one of the worst ever air tragedies.

The Air India Kanishka flight 182 from Montreal to Delhi was blown up mid-air …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Canada set to release Air India bombing inquiry report.

LeT poses common threat to US, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan: US

WASHINGTON – The United States says it has stepped up anti-terror cooperation with India, Pakistan and Afghanistan as Pakistan based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), blamed for 26/11 Mumbai attacks, posed a threat to all four nations.

“It’s a threat to our citizens, it’s a threat to Indian citizens, and next door it’s a threat to Pakistani …. Original source  : LeT poses common threat to US, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan: US.

Maoists blow up mobile phone tower in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – Maoists have blown up a mobile phone tower in Orissa’s Malkangiri district, police said Friday.

“Some armed Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres blew up the mobile phone tower of Airtel at Kudmuluguda late Thursday,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeeb Panda told IANS.
The district headquarters of Malkangiri, about 618 km from here, is …. Original article  : Maoists blow up mobile phone tower in Orissa.

Pakistan blocks 10.2 million unverified mobile phones

ISLAMABAD – In a massive crackdown against the use of mobile phones in terrorist activities, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 10.2 million SIM cards due to non-verification of the identity of their users.

The record of more than 78 million SIM cards have been verified while 10.2 million SIMs have been blocked due to none …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pakistan blocks 10.2 million unverified mobile phones.

Chile’s cardinal confirms church, prosecutor investigating priest accused of abusing young men

Chilean priest allegedly abused 5 young men

SANTIAGO, Chile – A Chilean prosecutor on Thursday announced a criminal investigation of a popular retired priest accused of sexually abusing five young men in his parish residence.
The allegations were lodged late last year and confirmed by the archbishop of Santiago only this week, as Chile’s Roman Catholic leadership …. Read the original article  : here.

Three injured in car bomb blast in Northern Ireland

LONDON – Three people have been injured in a car bomb explosion outside a police station in Newtownhamilton in Northern Ireland, Xinhua reported Friday.

The incident took place Thursday night Newtownhamilton town. An hour before the blast, an anonymous caller had alerted the staff at the Belfast hospital about an abandoned car near the scene of …. Original article  : Three injured in car bomb blast in Northern Ireland.

Court dismisses murder conviction of Marine serving 14 years for killing Iraqi man

Court dismisses murder conviction of Calif. marine

SAN DIEGO – A military appeals court Thursday threw out the murder conviction of a Marine serving time for the kidnapping and slaying of an Iraqi man, one of the biggest criminal cases against U.S. troops to come out of the Iraqi war.
The ruling by the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Court dismisses murder conviction of Marine serving 14 years for killing Iraqi man.

Texas executes man convicted of killing El Paso high school senior in 2000 robbery, rape

Texas executes man convicted of killing student

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – A Texas inmate convicted of fatally shooting an El Paso high school senior after robbing and sexually assaulting her was executed Thursday evening in the nation’s busiest death penalty state.
William Josef Berkley was condemned to death for the March 2000 slaying of 18-year-old Sophia Martinez, whose … Read more : Texas executes man convicted of killing El Paso high school senior in 2000 robbery, rape.

California appeals court denies appeals by Roman Polanski, victim, to end decades-old sex case

Roman Polanski’s appeal to end sex case denied

LOS ANGELES – An appeals court on Thursday denied Roman Polanski’s latest attempt to end his decades-old sex case, a move that could set the stage for the fugitive director’s return to the United States.
The California 2nd District Court of Appeal denied Polanski’s petition to appoint a special … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : California appeals court denies appeals by Roman Polanski, victim, to end decades-old sex case.

Former Ohio pediatrician in prison for sex crimes involving ex-patients pleads to child porn

Ohio ex-doctor pleads guilty to child pornography

HAMILTON, Ohio – A former pediatrician convicted in southwest Ohio of sex crimes involving ex-patients has pleaded guilty to child pornography.
Hamilton resident Mark Blankenburg pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented material or performance and one count of pandering sexually oriented …. Source  : Gaea News Network.