Devious, daring, sometimes dull: Spy cases between Russia and West outlive Cold War

US spying case latest in long line
MOSCOW – A rock in a Moscow square allegedly concealing electronic spy equipment. A Jaguar-driving double agent contacting handlers by leaving chalk marks on a mailbox. A dazed Russian man found on a bench claiming the CIA fed him drugs.
The end of the Cold War may have … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Devious, daring, sometimes dull: Spy cases between Russia and West outlive Cold War.

Two policemen, many Maoists injured in gun battle

KOLKATA – Two security personnel and several Maoist guerrillas were injured in a gun battle in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district Wednesday, police said.

The Maoists, however, managed to flee with their injured colleagues after the shootout in Sonamukhi village in Jhargram sub-division, Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Zulfiqar Hassan said.
“The Maoists, hiding in … Read more : Two policemen, many Maoists injured in gun battle.

Top US prosecutor discusses corruption, rule of law with Afghan officials

Top US prosecutor in Kabul to discuss corruption

KABUL, Afghanistan – U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was in the Afghan capital to talk with officials about improving the justice system and fighting corruption Wednesday, a day after Afghanistan’s top prosecutor defended himself against allegations that he’s being pressured not to pursue cases against powerful figures.
Corruption and … Read more : Top US prosecutor discusses corruption, rule of law with Afghan officials.

Chhattisgarh tense after Maoist massacre

RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh met top officials here Wednesday after another cold-blooded Maoist massacre left 26 security personnel dead.

Raman Singh met at the Secretariat with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Vikram Srivastava and officials of the home and police departments to review the security situation.
Details of the discussions … Read more : Chhattisgarh tense after Maoist massacre.

90-year-old Australian charged with raping 4 young Thai sisters he lured with sweets, English

Australian, 90, accused of raping 4 Thai sisters

BANGKOK – A 90-year-old Australian was arrested and charged with raping four young sisters whom he allegedly lured to his home in Thailand with imported chocolates and English lessons, police said Wednesday.
One girl was 5 when the alleged abuse began. The sisters are now 7 to 15.
Karl Joseph …. Original source  : 90-year-old Australian charged with raping 4 young Thai sisters he lured with sweets, English.

Why CRPF keep falling victim to Maoists?

RAIPUR – The Chhattisgarh Police and experts on Maoist warfare are blaming the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for repeatedly falling victim to Maoist guerrillas.

Police sources speaking on the condition of anonymity say that the CRPF personnel are not only poorly trained to operate in jungle terrain but are also reluctant to take on the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rail, road services hit in Jharkhand

RANCHI – Rail and road services were hit in Jharkhand Wednesday on the first day of a two-day strike in five Indian states, officials said.

“As a precaution, seven trains have been cancelled and the routes of eight have been diverted,” a railway official told IANS.
The diverted trains include the Ranchi-Delhi Swarna Jayanti Express and …. Original article  : Rail, road services hit in Jharkhand.

Former Israeli spy faces deportation hearing in Calif. amid US claims he’s a terrorist threat

Former Israeli spy faces US deportation hearing

SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland of Security ruled more than a year ago that Mosab Hassan Yousef should be denied asylum because he has “engaged in terrorist activity” and is a “danger to the security of the United States.”
Now it’s up to an immigration judge to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Former Israeli spy faces deportation hearing in Calif. amid US claims he’s a terrorist threat.

NY spy suspect dubbed femme fatale, her American dream called ruse to feed intel to Moscow

NY suspect dubbed femme fatale of Russian spy case
NEW YORK – Anna Chapman has been called the femme fatale of a spy case with Cold War-style intrigue – a striking redhead and self-styled entrepreneur who dabbled in real estate and mused on her Facebook page, “if you can dream, you can become it.”
Chapman’s … Read : NY spy suspect dubbed femme fatale, her American dream called ruse to feed intel to Moscow.

Bucking the GOP establishment, Colorado hopeful challenges party-backed Senate candidate

Bucking GOP establishment in Colorado Senate race
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – In a dingy, wood-paneled restaurant with a $9 pizza buffet, Ken Buck is waging the latest fight with a Republican Party establishment that favors candidates with shinier political pedigrees.
A group of retirees has gathered to hear Buck, a prosecutor who had little name …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Infamous ‘golden’ comment by Blagojevich to feature in testimony at corruption trial

Blago’s ‘golden’ comment makes appearance at trial
CHICAGO – Rod Blagojevich’s penchant for profanity has been on display on wiretap recordings throughout his nearly monthlong corruption trial – but never more notably than in one infamous comment.
Jurors heard it just before the court adjourned Tuesday.
“I’ve got this thing and it’s (expletive) golden,” the former … Read more >>.

Police to release review of white officer’s ‘09 arrest of black Harvard scholar Gates in Mass.

Police to release review of Gates arrest in Mass.
BOSTON – Police just outside Boston are expected to release results of an independent review of last year’s arrest of black Harvard University scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. by a white sergeant.
Commissioner Robert Haas and review panel Chairman Chuck Wexler have scheduled a Wednesday news …. Original source  : Police to release review of white officer’s ‘09 arrest of black Harvard scholar Gates in Mass..

Okla. grandmother shocked by police stun gun while strapped to oxygen machine in bed sues

Granny shocked by police stun gun in bed sues

OKLAHOMA CITY – An 87-year-old grandmother subdued by police with a stun gun while she was lying in bed hooked up to an oxygen machine is suing her Oklahoma hometown.
Attorney Brian Dell said Tuesday that he filed the lawsuit June 21 on behalf of his client, Lona …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Okla. grandmother shocked by police stun gun while strapped to oxygen machine in bed sues.

Chinese democracy activist who has spent a decade in jail detained by police again

China detains democracy advocate for new activism

BEIJING – A Chinese democracy activist who has already spent a decade in prison has been detained again, a human rights group said Wednesday.
Liu Xianbin was taken into custody by police in Suining city in southwestern Sichuan on Monday and charged with “subversion of state power,” according to a …. Read the original article  : here.

DEA investigating Chargers, Padres doctors to verify controlled substance inventories, records

DEA investigating Chargers, Padres doctors

SAN DIEGO – The Drug Enforcement Administration said Tuesday it is investigating doctors affiliated with the San Diego Chargers and Padres to verify the accuracy of controlled substance inventories, records, reports and other documents required to be kept under the Controlled Substances Act.
Agency spokeswoman Amy Roderick said 10 administrative inspection warrants … Read more »».

Eight-year prison terms imposed in first sentencing of Colombia far-right militia leaders

First sentences for Colombia paramilitary leaders

BOGOTA, Colombia – A Colombian court on Tuesday handed down the first prison sentences to leaders of the illegal far-right militias that demobilized under a peace pact with President Alvaro Uribe’s government.
Edward Cobos, better known as “Diego Vecino,” and Uber Banquez, alias “Juancho Dique,” each received the maximum of eight …. Source article  : Eight-year prison terms imposed in first sentencing of Colombia far-right militia leaders.

Grandmother Tasered in bed by police while strapped to oxygen machine sues her Okla. city

Granny Tasered in bed by police sues Okla. city

OKLAHOMA CITY – An 87-year-old grandmother who was Tasered by police while hooked to an oxygen machine in her bed is suing her Oklahoma hometown.
Attorney Brian Dell said Tuesday that he filed the lawsuit June 21 on behalf of his client, Lona Varner. He did not specify … Read more »».

Convicted of stealing $36K from woman who sought Torah scrolls, Jewish-music figure gets jail

Jewish-music figure gets prison in $36K NYC theft

NEW YORK – A noted singer of Jewish music is headed for prison after being convicted of stealing $36,000 from a New York City woman who says the money was meant to buy Torah scrolls.
Michoel Streicher (MIKH’-oh-ehl STREYE-kuhr) was sentenced Tuesday to one to three years in prison. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

APNewsBreak: Lawyer for Kennedy cousin convicted in Conn. murder to plead guilty to tax charge

APNewsBreak: Skakel att’y to cop to Conn. tax plea

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – A celebrity attorney who represented Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel in his murder trial has agreed to plead guilty to failing to pay almost $400,000 in taxes.
Michael Sherman, who has frequently appeared on national television shows as a legal analyst, was scheduled to plead guilty … Read : APNewsBreak: Lawyer for Kennedy cousin convicted in Conn. murder to plead guilty to tax charge.

Judge imposes restraining order against stepmom of missing Ore. boy: no contact with her kids

Stepmom of missing Ore. boy barred from children

PORTLAND, Ore. – A judge has barred the stepmother of a missing 7-year-old Portland boy from contact with her children and from access to firearms, further isolating her from the investigation into Kyron Horman’s disappearance.
The boy’s father, Kaine Horman, filed for divorce Monday from Terri Moulton Horman, citing …. Original source  : Judge imposes restraining order against stepmom of missing Ore. boy: no contact with her kids.