Four policemen killed in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Four policemen were killed in an ambush by gunmen in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, media reports said Friday.

Gunmen attacked a police vehicle in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, killing four policemen, including an officer in charge of security issues, Xinhua reported quoting Express TV.
…. Source  : Four policemen killed in Pakistan.

Israeli police to question former Prime Minister Olmert on corruption charges

Israeli police to question ex-PM on bribe case

JERUSALEM – The spokesman for Ehud Olmert says police are about to question the former Israeli prime minister on corruption charges.
Amir Dan says police have asked Olmert to appear at its fraud squad on Tuesday morning for questioning related to a multimillion-dollar real estate bribery scandal that has …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Israeli police to question former Prime Minister Olmert on corruption charges.

Four NDFB bombers linked to Assam blasts held

GUWAHATI – Four members of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), directly involved in the October 2008 serial explosions in Assam, have been arrested in separate raids by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths, officials said Friday.

A CBI spokesperson said Rahul Brahma was arrested Thursday from Zero town in Arunachal … Original article on : Four NDFB bombers linked to Assam blasts held.

Voters in Suriname decide whether former dictator facing murder trial should return to power

Suriname votes on ex-dictator’s possible return

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – An opposition party led by a former dictator and convicted drug trafficker appeared likely to gain seats in Tuesday’s parliamentiary elections in the small South American country of Suriname.
The political comeback mounted by Desi Bouterse was a popular topic of debate at polling places, with some voters …. Read the original article  : Voters in Suriname decide whether former dictator facing murder trial should return to power.

1st defendant in NJ schoolyard triple slaying convicted of all counts, faces life in prison

1st defendant guilty in NJ schoolyard slaying case

NEWARK, N.J. – The first defendant to be tried for a triple schoolyard killing that jolted New Jersey’s largest city into trying to fix its crime problem was convicted on all counts Monday.
Rodolfo Godinez, a legal Nicaraguan immigrant who was one of six men and boys charged with … Read : 1st defendant in NJ schoolyard triple slaying convicted of all counts, faces life in prison.

Absolutely critical to dismantle terrorist networks in Pakistan: Obama

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says the US is working with Pakistan to make it more effective partners in dealing with the extremists within their borders as his national security strategy set “Disrupt, Dismantle, and Defeat Al Qaeda” as a key goal.

The United States went into Afghanistan “because the Taliban was harbouring Al Qaeda, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Jamaica cops, soldiers battle gangsters inside slum stronghold of reputed drug kinpin

Jamaica cops battle gangsters in don’s stronghold

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Security forces fought their way into the warren-like complex that is the slum stronghold of a Jamaican gang leader facing extradition to the United States and sporadic gunfire could be heard late into Monday night.
More than 1,000 police officers and soliders attacked heavily armed gang members … Original source on Gaea Times at : Jamaica cops, soldiers battle gangsters inside slum stronghold of reputed drug kinpin.

Insurer Lloyd’s refuses to pay jailed Texas financier’s latest legal fees; says it’s spent $6M

Insurer refuses to pay latest Stanford legal fees

HOUSTON – The insurance company paying jailed Texas financier R. Allen Stanford’s legal bills said Tuesday it is tired of supporting his revolving door of attorneys and already has spent more than $6 million on lawyers from 10 firms to defend him from allegations that he orchestrated a [..] Read the original article: here.

FBI and the late John Murtha: A ‘prosecutive’ case in Abscam; an ongoing criminal probe now

Murtha’s FBI files detail a career of scrutiny

WASHINGTON – Even after death, John Murtha remains mired in controversy.
On Tuesday, the FBI released hundreds of pages about the late congressman who came under criminal investigation three decades ago and who died in February amid an ongoing criminal probe into alleged kickbacks involving defense contractors.
Besides the FBI’s …. Original article  : FBI and the late John Murtha: A ‘prosecutive’ case in Abscam; an ongoing criminal probe now.

Cuba’s top judge: No legal case yet against jailed US contractor nearly 6 months after arrest

Cuba says no case yet against jailed American

HAVANA – Cuba has yet to open a legal case against a U.S. government contractor from Maryland nearly six months after he was arrested as a suspected spy, the head of the island’s high court said Wednesday.
Alan P. Gross was detained Dec. 3 at Havana’s Jose Marti International …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cuba’s top judge: No legal case yet against jailed US contractor nearly 6 months after arrest.

Feds say 2-year investigation of child porn ’social networking site’ nets more than 50 arrests

Feds bust child porn ’social networking site’

INDIANAPOLIS – Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that they had broken up a major online international child pornography ring that at its peak had more than 1,000 members trading millions of sexually explicit images.
More than 50 people have been arrested in several states since the 2008 start of the investigation, … Original article on : Feds say 2-year investigation of child porn ’social networking site’ nets more than 50 arrests.

25 Pakistani militants freed, to be sent back

JAMMU – The Jammu and Kashmir government has revoked the detention orders of 25 Pakistani militants lodged in different jails of India to facilitate their return to their country.

The state government acted late Thursday night on the advice of the home ministry, which asked that the militants be released.
“Their detention orders under …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Diwali demon-slaying tradition triggered Goa blast?

PANAJI – Seven months after a blast in Goa killed two people, investigators now say a Diwali tradition that has been consistently opposed by a Hindu right wing group for “glorifying a demon” lay at the heart of the conspiracy.

On Narak Chaturdashi day early in the Diwali season, nearly every town or residential hub worth …. Read the original article  : Diwali demon-slaying tradition triggered Goa blast?.

As a young lawyer at high court, Kagan was on guard against Supreme Court’s conservative shift

As Marshall clerk, Kagan was wary of conservatives

WASHINGTON – As a young lawyer working for Justice Thurgood Marshall, Elena Kagan repeatedly expressed her concern that a conservative Supreme Court was looking for ways to cut back on the rights of women, criminal defendants and prisoners.
Documents from Kagan’s year with Marshall show a law clerk who … Read more >>>.

Police: Metal band Slipknot bassist Paul Gray found dead in Iowa hotel; no foul play suspected

Police: Slipknot bassist found dead in Iowa hotel

DES MOINES, Iowa – Paul Gray, the bassist for Grammy-winning metal band Slipknot, was found dead Monday in an Iowa hotel room but there was no indication of foul play, police said.
A hotel employee found Gray, 38, dead in a room at the TownePlace Suites in Urbandale, a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Police: Metal band Slipknot bassist Paul Gray found dead in Iowa hotel; no foul play suspected.

Israeli police question Ex-PM Olmert on corruption charges

Israeli police question ex-PM Olmert on bribe case

JERUSALEM – Israeli fraud investigators grilled former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for eight hours on Tuesday, police said, questioning him about suspected bribery and money laundering in a multimillion dollar real-estate scandal that has rocked the country.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Olmert was ordered to return to the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Israeli police question Ex-PM Olmert on corruption charges.

2011 trial expected for Boston ex-student accused of killing masseuse he met on Craigslist

Mass. Craigslist killing trial delayed until 2011

BOSTON – The trial of a former Boston University medical student accused of killing a masseuse he met through Craigslist will likely be postponed until at least January.
No firm date was selected during a hearing in Suffolk Superior Court Tuesday, but prosecutors and lawyers for Philip Markoff agreed that …. Read the original article  : here.

Judge: Ohio church day care worker endangered kids by putting sleep supplement in their candy

Ohio woman guilty of giving kids sleep supplement

CINCINNATI – A former Ohio church day care worker has been found guilty of endangering children by slipping an over-the-counter dietary supplement into candy to help them sleep.
Prosecutors say a Hamilton County Municipal Court judge on Thursday found the woman guilty of three counts each of child endangering …. Read the original article  : Judge: Ohio church day care worker endangered kids by putting sleep supplement in their candy.

37 years later, NC jury finds former small-town police chief guilty in Marine’s shooting death

NC jury convicts ex-police chief in 1972 murder

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. – A North Carolina jury has convicted a former small-town police chief of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Marine sergeant 37 years ago.
Onslow County District Attorney Dewey Hudson said Wednesday that 57-year-old George Hayden was sentenced to life in prison in the 1972 …. Source article  : 37 years later, NC jury finds former small-town police chief guilty in Marine’s shooting death.

Kan. doctor tied to 68 overdose deaths takes witness stand, says he didn’t mean to cause harm

Kan. doctor takes stand in overdose death trial

WICHITA, Kan. – A Kansas physician whose clinic is linked to 68 overdose deaths testified Wednesday at his trial that he never intentionally gave anyone medication he believed would cause them harm.
Dr. Stephen Schneider and his wife, Linda, are charged in a 34-count indictment with unlawfully prescribing drugs, … Read more : Kan. doctor tied to 68 overdose deaths takes witness stand, says he didn’t mean to cause harm.

Chinese novelist’s lawsuit against Google goes to court after settlement talks fail

Chinese court hears novelist’s Google lawsuit

BEIJING – A Chinese novelist’s lawsuit against Google over its online library is going ahead in court after settlement talks failed.
Mian Mian – known for lurid tales of sex, drugs and nightlife – filed suit in October after her latest book, “Acid House,” was scanned into the library. Google says … Read more »»».

Federal prosecutors say they smashed international child porn ring; more than 50 arrested

Feds announce bust of major child porn ring

INDIANAPOLIS – Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that they had broken up a major online international child pornography ring that operated as a hierarchy and at its peak had more than 1,000 members trading millions of sexually explicit images.
More than 50 people have been arrested in several states since … Read more : Federal prosecutors say they smashed international child porn ring; more than 50 arrested.

Detroit girl, 14, facing assault with intent to murder charge after 13-year-old rival is shot

Detroit teen charged in shooting of 13-year-old

DETROIT – A 14-year-old Detroit girl accused of shooting a 13-year-old girl in the leg has been charged with assault with intent to murder.
The Wayne County prosecutor’s office says a preliminary examination is scheduled Wednesday afternoon in the Juvenile Detention Facility in Detroit. The older girl is being charged …. Read the original article  : Detroit girl, 14, facing assault with intent to murder charge after 13-year-old rival is shot.

Judge backs MLB interim financing for Texas Rangers through bankruptcy process

Judge backs MLB financing for Rangers
FORT WORTH, Texas – A judge on Wednesday approved a multimillion-dollar Major League Baseball loan to keep the Texas Rangers afloat during bankruptcy proceedings, raising hopes that the team’s stalled $575 million sale may happen this summer.

U.S. District Judge D. Michael Lynn set a mid-June hearing on the Rangers’ plan … Original source on Gaea Times at : Judge backs MLB interim financing for Texas Rangers through bankruptcy process.

NY-born man accused of trying to form mini al-Qaida cell is held without bail

New Yorker accused of aiding al-Qaida is detained

NEW YORK – A prosecutor says a native New Yorker accused of conspiring to join al-Qaida returned to the United States from Yemen after pledging allegiance to the group and tried to start his own “mini al-Qaida cell.”
Federal prosecutor John Cronan (CROH’-nin) made the accusation against Wesam El-Hanafi … Original article on : NY-born man accused of trying to form mini al-Qaida cell is held without bail.

Arrest of Cancun politician heightens fears that drug gangs infiltrating Mexican elections

Cancun mayor’s arrest fuels fears of drug politics

MEXICO CITY – The arrest of Cancun’s mayor on suspicion of protecting two violent drug gangs as he campaigned for governor has heightened fears that cartels are muscling their way into Mexican politics. There are also worries the gangs are tightening control over the country’s most important tourist …. Source article  : Arrest of Cancun politician heightens fears that drug gangs infiltrating Mexican elections.

Restraining order issued against onetime JonBenet suspect for alleged threats against woman

Woman seeks order against onetime JonBenet suspect

SAN FRANCISCO – A 19-year-old woman has requested a temporary restraining order against the man who once falsely claimed to have murdered JonBenet Ramsey in 1996.
San Francisco Court Commissioner William Gargano issued the order against John Mark Karr on April 19, on behalf of Samantha Spiegel, 19.
Spiegel claimed that …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Restraining order issued against onetime JonBenet suspect for alleged threats against woman.

NYC man’s kidney transplant gave him woman’s cancer; trial weighs transplant risks, rewards

NY man’s kidney transplant gave him woman’s cancer

NEW YORK – The scenario was unique, as far as doctors could tell: A man had gotten a transplanted kidney from a woman who had uterine cancer and didn’t know it.
Vincent Liew decided to keep the kidney after his transplant surgeon concluded there was only a slim chance …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NYC man’s kidney transplant gave him woman’s cancer; trial weighs transplant risks, rewards.

Feds alert Houston authorities to be on lookout for Somalia terror group member

Somali terror member may be heading to Texas

HOUSTON – U.S. Homeland Security officials have asked Houston authorities to watch for a member of a Somalia-based terror group who may be coming to Texas through Mexico.
The federal department issued an alert last week for a suspected member of the al-Shabaab group, which has declared allegiance to … Read more »».

Argentine police finally catch former Colombian coffee queen in ‘pretty women’ smuggling plot

Argentina: Colombian model arrested on drug charge

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – A Colombian model accused of leading a drug-trafficking gang that persuaded pretty young women to smuggle cocaine to Mexico was arrested Wednesday after evading Argentine police for five months.
Angie Sanclemente Valencia had been hiding out in Buenos Aires since December, when airport police caught a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Argentine police finally catch former Colombian coffee queen in ‘pretty women’ smuggling plot.