Osama’s statue found inside garden gnome

LONDON – A Briton was left dumbstruck when he accidentally broke a garden gnome and out popped a statue of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Joseph Balfour, 73, who lives in the tiny village of Mossblown, Ayrshire, said: “I was watering some bedding plants and I caught the hose round a gnome. It fell over …. Original article  : Osama’s statue found inside garden gnome.

Neighbors: Man accused in Los Angeles prostitute slayings kept photos of sex workers in garage

Accused LA serial killer said to visit prostitutes

LOS ANGELES – To many of his neighbors and customers, Lonnie Franklin Jr. was just a friendly mechanic who often stopped to chat as he tinkered on cars in the front driveway of his mint-green house on 81st Street.
But after police identified him as a serial killer Wednesday, …. Source  : Neighbors: Man accused in Los Angeles prostitute slayings kept photos of sex workers in garage.

Moscow prison abuzz ahead of expected spy swap; NY court to decide fate of 10 arrested in US

Russian, US spy suspects brace for possible swap

MOSCOW – Evidence is mounting that Russia and the United States are preparing for the largest spy swap since the Cold War.
In Moscow, riot police on Thursday secured the perimeter of a prison thought to be holding convicted spies for the West as convoy of armored vehicles arrived [..] Read the original article: here.

Officials: 3 arrested in Norway al-Qaida bomb plot linked to failed NY, England attacks

Officials: 3 arrested in Norway al-Qaida bomb plot

OSLO – Three suspected al-Qaida members were arrested Thursday morning in what Norwegian and U.S. officials said was a terrorist plot linked to similar plans in New York and England.
The three men, whose names were not released, had been under surveillance for more than a year. Officials believe … Original source on Gaea Times at : Officials: 3 arrested in Norway al-Qaida bomb plot linked to failed NY, England attacks.

Norwegian security police arrest 3 people on suspicion of terrorism

Norway officials arrest 3 suspected of terrorism

OSLO, Norway – The Norwegian Police Security Service says it has arrested three people on suspicion of “preparing terror activities.”
The security police say in a statement that the three suspects were arrested Thursday, but it does not give any more details.
A news conference about the arrests will be held [..] Read the original article: here.

Drew Peterson may find out if he’ll be released from jail during appeal of hearsay evidence

Peterson’s lawyers seek his release during appeal

JOLIET, Ill. – Charged in the death of his third wife and a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth, former suburban Chicago police officer Drew Peterson could find out Thursday if he’ll be released from jail while prosecutors appeal a decision that excludes evidence considered crucial to their … Read more »».

Tapes played at trial reveal Blagojevich shaken as he learns feds have been listening in

Tapes played at trial reveal shaken Blagojevich
CHICAGO – It’s in his voice – a moment when Rod Blagojevich seems to realize he may be in big trouble.
In other wiretap recordings played at his corruption trial, the ousted governor is rarely at a loss for words – and often profane – as … Original article on : Tapes played at trial reveal Blagojevich shaken as he learns feds have been listening in.

Senior police intelligence official assassinated outside home near Afghan capital

Senior Afghan police official assassinated

KABUL, Afghanistan – A senior Afghan police intelligence chief was assassinated and his bodyguard killed near the capital, an official said Thursday, the latest government figure to be targeted as violence spirals in the country.
Elsewhere, the international security force said it had captured a suspected Taliban-linked supplier of bomb-making materials overnight …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Maoist strike hits rural Bihar

PATNA – Life in parts of rural Bihar was badly hit on the second day of a Maoist shutdown Thursday called to protest the killing of one of their top leaders, police sources said.

Police sources told IANS that fear of Maoist violence forced closure of markets in rural areas of East Champaran, Gaya, Aurangabad, Arwal …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Maoist strike hits rural Bihar.

Reports: Russian pianist-conductor Pletnev charged with raping teen may have left Thailand

Reports: Pianist leaves Thailand after rape charge

BANGKOK – Acclaimed pianist and conductor Mikhail Vasillievich Pletnev may have left Thailand days after he was charged with raping a teenage boy, his housekeeper and news reports said Thursday.
Pletnev, who was arrested at a restaurant Monday in the beach town of Pattaya, left Thailand aboard an Aeroflot flight, …. Read the original article  : Reports: Russian pianist-conductor Pletnev charged with raping teen may have left Thailand.

Thai court releases British anti-government protester after guilty plea, will be deported

British protester in Thailand will be deported

BANGKOK – A Briton involved in bloody anti-government protests was freed Thursday by a Thai court after pleading guilty to various charges and will be deported within the next few days.
The court convicted Jeff Savage, 48, of inciting violence, violating an emergency decree imposed during the two-month-long protests and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Thai court releases British anti-government protester after guilty plea, will be deported.

Bahamas burglaries blamed on ‘barefoot bandit’ as teen fugitive eludes FBI-aided manhunt

Bahamas burglaries blamed on ‘barefoot bandit’

MARSH HARBOUR, Bahamas – A teenage fugitive with a celebrated history of escapes has allegedly committed several nighttime burglaries in the Bahamas, eluding an FBI-aided manhunt on the sliver of an island where he crash-landed a stolen plane.
Investigators pursuing Colton Harris-Moore were following a trail of break-ins from the southern … Read : Bahamas burglaries blamed on ‘barefoot bandit’ as teen fugitive eludes FBI-aided manhunt.

Priest, nun in underground Chinese church found dead in pool of blood, no suspects arrested

Priest, nun in underground Chinese church killed

BEIJING – A priest and nun who belonged to an unauthorized congregation in northern China were found slain in the hospice where they worked, a local priest said Thursday. Police have made no arrests.
The pair were found dead Tuesday at the hospice in Inner Mongolia’s Wuhai city, said Zhang … Original source on Gaea Times at : Priest, nun in underground Chinese church found dead in pool of blood, no suspects arrested.

Maoists torch police station building, abduct policeman

BHUBANESWAR – Maoists set furniture and other stuff inside a police building on fire in Orissa’s Keonjhar district and abducted a police officer, officials said Thursday, the second day of the shutdown called by the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in six states.

About 30-40 armed rebels, including several women cadres, attacked the building late Wednesday … Read more : Maoists torch police station building, abduct policeman.

New York subway bomb plot hatched in Pakistan: US

WASHINGTON – Veteran Al Qaeda terrorist leaders in Pakistan directed and managed a foiled 2009 suicide bomb plot to attack New York’s subways and a related terror plot in Britain, US prosecutors have alleged.

The revelations came as a feared and elusive senior Al Qaeda leader, Adnan El Shukrijumah, and three other operatives were indicted … Read more : New York subway bomb plot hatched in Pakistan: US.

Maoists kill Chhattisgarh Congress leader’s kin, employee (Second Lead)

RAIPUR – Dozens of Maoists attacked a Congress leader’s house and a police station in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district early Thursday, killing a relative and an employee of the politician. At least four Maoists were also shot dead.

Guerrillas opened fire at Congress leader Avdhesh Singh Gautam’s house and a police station, some 450 km from Raipur, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Maoists kill Chhattisgarh Congress leader’s kin, employee (Second Lead).

Maoists kill Congress leader’s relative in Chattisgarh

RAIPUR – Dozens of Maoists attacked a Congress leader’s house and a police station in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district early Thursday, killing a relative of the politician and his employee, police said. At least four Maoists were also shot dead.

Guerrillas opened fire at Congress leader Avdhesh Singh Gautam’s house and a police station, some 450 km … Original source on Gaea Times at : Maoists kill Congress leader’s relative in Chattisgarh.

Surrendered Filipino captain accused of leading 2 coup attempts says he has no regrets

Surrendered Filipino coup suspect says no regrets

MANILA, Philippines – A rebel soldier who turned himself in to face charges stemming from two coup attempts in the Philippines against the former president said Thursday he had no regrets for his actions.
Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, who was accused of helping lead 300 soldiers in taking over the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Surrendered Filipino captain accused of leading 2 coup attempts says he has no regrets.

LA doctor described as country’s 2nd most prolific prescriber gets 5 years in prison

‘Prolific provider,’ LA doctor gets 5 years

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles physician who investigators call the second most prolific provider of prescription drugs in the country has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Sixty-eight-year-old Carlos Estiandan was sentenced Wednesday.
The Drug Enforcement Administration says Estiandan was second only to Johns Hopkins University in the total … Read : LA doctor described as country’s 2nd most prolific prescriber gets 5 years in prison.

Lawyer for arrested NY woman branded femme fatale says Russia spy case might be resolved soon

NY lawyer: Russian spy case could be resolved soon

NEW YORK – A lawyer for one of 11 people accused of spying for Russia said their case could be resolved as early as Thursday.
Ten people whose U.S. arrests were announced by federal authorities a week ago and an 11th person, who was released on bail by …. Read the original article  : Lawyer for arrested NY woman branded femme fatale says Russia spy case might be resolved soon.