$18.5 million sex abuse award is just first in series of abuse cases facing Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts ordered to pay $18.5M in sex abuse case

PORTLAND, Ore. – An Oregon jury’s decision to award a man $18.5 million in punitive damages in his case against the Boy Scouts of America will likely be the first of many financial hits the Scouts will take as it prepares to defend itself against a …. Source  : $18.5 million sex abuse award is just first in series of abuse cases facing Boy Scouts.

100 foreign militants infiltrate into Afghanistan

KABUL – About 100 Taliban and Al Qaeda militants from other countries have infiltrated into Afghanistan’s northern Kunduz province, a top official said Saturday.

“We have information some 100 foreign fighters from Chechnya, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, the Middle East and other countries have penetrated to Kunduz,” Xinhua quoted provincial governor Mohammad Omar as saying.
The foreigners … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 100 foreign militants infiltrate into Afghanistan.

Maoist strike hits bus services

BHUBANESWAR – Public bus services were hit in two Orissa districts following a six-day strike called by Maoists beginning Saturday to protest against a security crackdown, police said.

The affected districts were Koraput and Malkangiri, where only private buses plied, said a police officer, Awinash Kumar.
Sukant Sethi, the district transport manager of Koraput, said: …. Original article  : Maoist strike hits bus services.

Khalistanis want Indo-Canadian leader assassinated

VANCOUVER – Using Facebook, Sikh extremists have called for the assassination of top Indo-Canadian leader and former health minister Ujjal Dosanjh for his opposition to Khalistani radicals.

Postings have appeared on Facebook in a page called ‘Ujjal Dosanjh is a Sikh Traitor,’ seeking elimination of the former British Columbian premier who has been the only Indian-origin … Read more »».

Suicide attacker targets prisoners’ van in northwest Pakistan, wounds 10 policemen

10 policemen wounded in suicide attack in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – A suicide attack on a prison van in northwest Pakistan wounded at least 10 policemen on Saturday, authorities said.
A car bomber targeted the van as it arrived at a jail in Timergarah, before it picked up prisoners to take to nearby Swat Valley, senior police …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Suicide attacker targets prisoners’ van in northwest Pakistan, wounds 10 policemen.

Two Hizbul militants killed in Jammu-Kashmir gunfight

JAMMU – Two militants of the Hizbul Mujaheedin were killed in a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, police said Saturday.

“One militant was killed last (Friday) night while the other early Saturday morning,” Doda Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhat Singh told IANS.
He said the security forces comprising police and the Indian …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Two Hizbul militants killed in Jammu-Kashmir gunfight.

7 Mexican police officers killed in Ciudad Juarez ambush, passing teenager also slain

7 Mexican police officers killed in Ciudad Juarez

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – Gunmen ambushed two police vehicles at a busy intersection in Ciudad Juarez on Friday, killing seven officers and a 17-year-old boy who was passing by, authorities said.
Chihuahua state spokesman Enrique Torres Valadez said six of the police officers were federal, and one was a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 7 Mexican police officers killed in Ciudad Juarez ambush, passing teenager also slain.

New York subway bombing plot was hatched in Pakistan

NEW YORK – The failed plot to bomb three New York City subways in September 2009 was hatched by two senior Al Qaeda leaders in the tribal areas of Pakistan, prosecutors said as another accused pleaded guilty.

New details about the aborted terror mission of three would-be suicide attackers as Zarein Ahmedzay, a Queens taxi driver, … Original source on Gaea Times at : New York subway bombing plot was hatched in Pakistan.

Scouts told to pay $18.5M in sex abuse case, believed to be largest such award against group

Scouts ordered to pay $18.5M in sex abuse case

PORTLAND, Ore. – A jury on Friday ordered the Boy Scouts of America to pay $18.5 million to a man sexually abused by a former assistant Scoutmaster in what is believed to be the largest such award against the national organization.
Lawyers for Kerry Lewis had asked the …. Source article  : Scouts told to pay $18.5M in sex abuse case, believed to be largest such award against group.

Hamas militant killed in Gaza mysterious explosion

GAZA – An Islamic Hamas movement militant was killed Friday night in an explosion in southern Gaza City, medics and witnesses said.

The witnesses said that ambulances and rescue teams rushed to Zeitoon neighbourhood in southern Gaza City, where a huge blast wrecked the area, adding that they found one militant dead, Xinhua reported.
Medics said …. Original source  : Hamas militant killed in Gaza mysterious explosion.

Ex-Texas youth jail administrator gets 10 years in prison for sexually abusing teen inmate

Ex-youth jail official gets 10 years for sex abuse

ODESSA, Texas – A former Texas youth jail administrator has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage inmate.
Jurors spent more than an hour deliberating Friday before handing down the sentence for Ray Edward Brookins.
Brookins was convicted Thursday of abusing the then-18-year-old inmate …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Okla. governor vetoes 2 abortion bills including 1 mandating invasive ultrasound in many cases

Okla. governor vetoes 2 abortion bills
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry vetoed two abortion bills Friday that he said are an unconstitutional attempt by the Legislature to insert government into the private lives and decisions of citizens.

One measure would have required women to undergo an intrusive ultrasound and listen to a detailed description of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Okla. governor vetoes 2 abortion bills including 1 mandating invasive ultrasound in many cases.

DA: 2 men to be charged in Southern California flag desecration case

2 face charges of replacing US flag with Canada’s

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Authorities say two native Canadians will be charged with burying a U.S. flag flown in the California desert to honor 9/11 victims and replacing it with Canada’s flag to celebrate an Olympic hockey victory.
Riverside County district attorney’s spokesman John Hall said Friday that 25-year-old …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : DA: 2 men to be charged in Southern California flag desecration case.

Oregon jury orders Boy Scouts to pay man $18.5M in punitive damages in sex abuse case

Scouts must pay man $18.5M in punitive damages

PORTLAND, Ore. – A jury on Friday ordered the Boy Scouts of America to pay $18.5 million to a man sexually abused by a former assistant Scoutmaster in what is believed to be the largest such award against the organization.
Lawyers for Kerry Lewis had asked the jury to … Read more : Oregon jury orders Boy Scouts to pay man $18.5M in punitive damages in sex abuse case.

No bail for multimillionaire mom accused of killing autistic 8-year-old son in NY luxury hotel

No bail for mom accused of killing son in NY hotel

NEW YORK – A multimillionaire charged with killing her autistic 8-year-old son in a posh New York City hotel won’t get to await her trial at her town house.
A Manhattan judge turned down Gigi Jordan’s $5 million bail request Friday. The judge said her wealth … Read more : No bail for multimillionaire mom accused of killing autistic 8-year-old son in NY luxury hotel.

Nevada jury finds ex-convict guilty of kidnapping, robbing, beating Javon Walker in 2008

Ex-con guilty in Javon Walker robbery in Vegas

LAS VEGAS – A Nevada jury found a six-time convicted felon guilty Friday of kidnapping, robbing and beating an NFL player who was found unconscious a block off the Las Vegas Strip almost two years ago.
Deshawn Lamont Thomas, 42, showed no emotion as the verdicts were read in … Read more >>.

Detroit strip club manager arrested after police say girl, 14, worked as topless dancer

Police: Detroit strip club employed 14-year-old

DETROIT – The manager of a Detroit strip club was charged after authorities learned a 14-year-old girl was employed as a topless dancer, making several hundred dollars a night, authorities said Friday.
The 31-year-old manager of the All Star topless bar was arraigned Friday on a charge of child sexually abusive …. Source article  : Detroit strip club manager arrested after police say girl, 14, worked as topless dancer.

‘Survivor’ runner-up Russell Hantz accused of shoving woman to ground in Louisiana

‘Survivor’ contestant accused of shoving woman

LAFAYETTE, La. – Police in Louisiana say “Survivor” contestant Russell Hantz is charged with simple battery after being accused of shoving a woman to the ground.
Lafayette police say Hantz was booked into the parish jail early Friday after the incident in downtown Lafayette. The woman was not seriously hurt.
Officers on … Read : ‘Survivor’ runner-up Russell Hantz accused of shoving woman to ground in Louisiana.

Ex-cop in NYC cyclist case: I ‘never intended to lie’ about clash that became YouTube video

Ex-cop ‘never intended to lie’ in NYC cyclist case

NEW YORK – A former police officer accused of knocking down a bike-riding demonstrator and lying about it told jurors Friday he was just trying to protect himself and never meant to misrepresent what happened in a clash caught on video.
Patrick Pogan said he’d told the cyclist, …. Original source  : Ex-cop in NYC cyclist case: I ‘never intended to lie’ about clash that became YouTube video.

Nevada jury finds ex-convict guilty of kidnapping, robbing, beating NFL player in 2008

Ex-con guilty in NFL player robbery case in Vegas

LAS VEGAS – A Nevada jury has convicted a six-time convicted felon of kidnapping, robbing and beating a former NFL millionaire just off the Las Vegas Strip almost two years ago.
Deshawn Lamont Thomas showed no emotion as the verdicts were read on charges that could get him …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nevada jury finds ex-convict guilty of kidnapping, robbing, beating NFL player in 2008.