UN court orders retrial for former Kosovo prime minister acquitted of war crimes

UN court orders retrial for former Kosovo PM

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal on Wednesday ordered a partial retrial for former Kosovo prime minister Ramush Haradinaj, calling his acquittal two years ago on charges of murder, rape and torture a miscarriage of justice.
Tribunal President Patrick Robinson said the original trial of Haradinaj …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UN court orders retrial for former Kosovo prime minister acquitted of war crimes.

Taliban behead six Afghan policemen

KABUL – Taliban fighters overran a police checkpoint in northern Afghanistan and beheaded six police officers, NATO said Wednesday.

“During the attack, insurgents overran a police checkpoint and killed the police officers by cutting off their heads,” a statement by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said.
The Afghan police “successfully repelled” Tuesday’s attack on …. Read the original article  : Taliban behead six Afghan policemen.

Will Blagojevich backpedal on vow to testify at corruption trial? Decision to come quickly

Will Blagojevich backpedal on vow to testify?
CHICAGO – Will he or won’t he testify?
That was the question hanging in the air about former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich as his corruption trial was set to resume Wednesday.
The impeached governor’s attorneys dropped a bombshell at the end of the day Tuesday when they said they … Original source on Gaea Times at : Will Blagojevich backpedal on vow to testify at corruption trial? Decision to come quickly.

US has spent $1 trillion on wars since 9/11

WASHINGTON – The United States has spent more than $1 trillion on wars since the Sep 11, 2001, terror attacks, making it the second most expensive war in US history after World War II.

Adjusting for inflation, the outlays for conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere around the world make the “war on terrorism” second only …. Source article  : US has spent $1 trillion on wars since 9/11.

Ex-media mogul accused of defrauding investors could leave prison Wed., judge to set terms

Ex-media mogul Conrad Black may leave prison Wed.

CHICAGO – Former media mogul Conrad Black could stroll out of federal prison Wednesday just two years into the 6??-year sentence he received for defrauding investors out of millions of dollars, but whether he’ll be a free man isn’t yet clear.
U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve will set …. Source  : Ex-media mogul accused of defrauding investors could leave prison Wed., judge to set terms.

Despite short jail stint, Lindsay Lohan’s sentence doesn’t allow for quick comeback

Despite short jail stint, Lohan won’t be back soon

LOS ANGELES – Lindsay Lohan’s time in jail will be short, but her time away from the public eye will be much longer.
Sheriff’s officials say the actress will spend only about two weeks of a 90-day sentence in jail. But her brief time in an isolation cell …. Original article  : Despite short jail stint, Lindsay Lohan’s sentence doesn’t allow for quick comeback.

Autopsy scheduled on unidentified body found amid search for missing California teenager

Autopsy scheduled on unidentified Calif. body

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – An autopsy was scheduled Wednesday on an unidentified body found several miles from where a 17-year-old Southern California girl disappeared on her way home from a summer school class last week.
Riverside County sheriff’s Deputy Melissa Nieburger said investigators were proceeding cautiously and wouldn’t be able to … Original article on : Autopsy scheduled on unidentified body found amid search for missing California teenager.

Oakland City Council approves plan that would permit large-scale marijuana farms

Oakland votes to permit large pot farms
SAN FRANCISCO – The Oakland City Council has approved a plan to license four production plants where marijuana would be grown, packaged and processed, moving Oakland closer to becoming the first city in the nation to authorize wholesale pot cultivation.

The council voted 5-2 with one abstention late Tuesday in …. Source article  : Oakland City Council approves plan that would permit large-scale marijuana farms.

Amit Jethwa, RTI Activist Murdered

GUJARAT, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The murder of eminent RTI activist Amit Jethwa has created shock waves in Gujarat. Also called the Green Crusader Amit Jethwa was shot by some assailants near the High court of Gujarat on Tuesday. He was fighting to stop the illegal mining in the areas adjacent to the Gir forest and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Amit Jethwa, RTI Activist Murdered.

Afghan soldier shot and killed Americans over dispute at firing range: Afghan Defense Ministry

Afghan gov’t: Soldier shot Americans amid argument

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan soldier opened fire on U.S. civilian trainers at an army base in northern Afghanistan, killing two Americans before being shot dead, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
An argument started during a weapons-training exercise and the Afghan soldier turned his gun on the Americans on Tuesday, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Afghan soldier shot and killed Americans over dispute at firing range: Afghan Defense Ministry.

Two killed in Russia terror attack

Moscow, July 21 (IANS/RIA Novosti) At least two people were killed and one injured in two suspected terror attacks at a hydropower plant and a police building in Russia’s volatile North Caucasus region Wednesday, a law enforcement source said.

“Unknown assailants believed to be militant fighters burst into the Baksan hydropower plant in the village of …. Original article  : Two killed in Russia terror attack.

Japanese prime minister hopeful visit by ex-North Korean spy will help resolve abductee issue

Japan PM: Ex-NKorean spy visit will help abductees
TOKYO – Japan’s prime minister says he hopes a media-saturated visit by a former North Korean spy will help bring home Japanese kidnapped by the communist country decades ago – despite claims that all living abductees were repatriated.
North Korea admitted in 2002 it abducted 13 … Read : Japanese prime minister hopeful visit by ex-North Korean spy will help resolve abductee issue.

Times Square bomb: Shahzad used inferior explosives

WASHINGTON – The Times Square bomb made the right way “would have killed thousands of people” but Pakistani American bomber Faisal Shahzad used inferior explosives to avoid detection, according to media reports.

“He tried to lessen the explosive nature of the fertiliser that was used because he thought he would get a higher profile as he … Original source on Gaea Times at : Times Square bomb: Shahzad used inferior explosives.

Two terrorists, soldier killed in Kashmir gunfight

SRINAGAR – Two separatist guerrillas, including a top commander of the Harkat-ul-Mujaheedin (HuM), and a soldier were killed in a fierce gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town, police said Wednesday.

A senior police officer said security forces surrounded a house in Hygam village under Sopore police district, 48 km from here, early Tuesday on specific … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Two terrorists, soldier killed in Kashmir gunfight.

War against Maoists will be long-drawn: Raman Singh (Interview)

RAIPUR – His state is the worst to be hit by Maoist insurgency in India. But despite a series of deadly attacks in 2010, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh is confident that his government is “capable of finishing” the rebels although the war will be “long-drawn”.

“The Chhattisgarh government is not losing the war against … Read : War against Maoists will be long-drawn: Raman Singh (Interview).

Obama vows to keep up war in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has vowed to continue the war in Afghanistan to deny an even larger safe haven to Al Qaeda terrorists trained in Afghanistan and the tribal regions along the Pakistani border.

“This is not an easy fight. But it is a necessary one,” he said at the White House Tuesday after … Read more : Obama vows to keep up war in Afghanistan.

Guyanese suspect denies role in 2007 plot to blow up fuel tanks at JFK airport in NYC

Suspect denies role in JFK airport plot in NYC

NEW YORK – A former member of Parliament in Guyana has testified that he was not involved in a 2007 plot to blow up New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Former Guyanese official Abdul Kadir and co-defendant Russell Defreitas are on trial in federal court in Brooklyn.
Prosecutors … Read more »»».

Congressional report: US doesn’t effectively track funding _ or impact _ of Mexico drug aid

GAO report: Mexico drug aid needs better oversight
MEXICO CITY – The U.S. State Department has no effective way to measure the success of its billion-dollar program to help Mexico and Central America fight drug traffickers, a congressional report concludes.
Slow implementation of the program forced Mexico at least once to buy some [..] Read the original article: here.

12-year dispute over ‘Portrait of Wally’ ends with acknowledgement it was stolen by Nazi agent

NY stolen art fight ends in $19 million settlement

NEW YORK – A 12-year dispute that illustrated the difficulty of proving art was stolen by Nazis in World War II ended Tuesday with an agreement that a 1912 oil painting entitled “Portrait of Wally” will be returned to a Vienna museum and displayed with an acknowledgement … Read more »»».

After proclaiming desire to testify, ousted Ill. Gov. Blagojevich may remain silent at trial

Ex-Ill. Gov Blagojevich may remain silent at trial
CHICAGO – Since the day federal agents arrested Rod Blagojevich, the ousted Illinois governor hasn’t missed a chance to proclaim his innocence. On talk shows. On stage with the comedians of “Second City.” To reporters while jogging down a snow-covered … Original article on : After proclaiming desire to testify, ousted Ill. Gov. Blagojevich may remain silent at trial.