EU helicopter repels pirate attack on Norwegian tanker in Gulf of Aden; 2nd attack in 2 days

EU helicopter repels pirate attack in Gulf of Aden

NAIROBI, Kenya – The European Union Naval Force says pirates attacked a chemical tanker in the Gulf of Aden early Tuesday but that an EU helicopter sent to the scene stopped the attack.
The EU force says the Norwegian chemical tanker MV Bow Saga sent a distress call …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : EU helicopter repels pirate attack on Norwegian tanker in Gulf of Aden; 2nd attack in 2 days.

Iron ore transportation hit due to Maoists: NDMC

RAIPUR – The ‘martyrs week’ called by Maoists has hit iron ore transportation by NMDC Ltd, a company official said.

The public sector miner excavates iron ore in Bacheli and Kirandul areas that form Bailadila hills in India’s worst insurgency hit Dantewada district, about 420 km from here.
“Transportation has been down up to …. Read the original article  : Iron ore transportation hit due to Maoists: NDMC.

WikiLeaks expose: Intelligence gathering to get tougher

WASHINGTON – The WikiLeaks expose of over 90,000 uncensored intelligence documents is likely to lead to more controls in intelligence gathering in war-ravaged Afghanistan, says an expert.

Bruce Riedel, senior fellow, foreign policy at Brookings Institute, wrote that intelligence sharing is absolutely critical, but “if there are doubts as to who can keep a secret, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

European jihadis flock to Pakistan for terrorist training

PESHAWAR – It was never easy for Hamza to live a double life, especially at home in Germany surrounded by loving parents and three siblings. But he managed quite well.

For months, his parents had no idea he was secretly collecting money and equipment for his journey to a militant training camp in Pakistan.
In summer …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Family of 73-year-old black man killed by white cop in La. town settles lawsuit for $125,000

Family of La. man killed by cop to get $125K

HOMER, La. – A $125,000 settlement has been approved for the family of a 73-year-old black man shot and killed by a white policeman in a small Louisiana town.
The Times of Shreveport reports that Monday night’s vote by the Homer Board of Selectmen ends a wrongful …. Source article  : Family of 73-year-old black man killed by white cop in La. town settles lawsuit for $125,000.

Pakistan beginning to take on terrorists: Obama

WASHINGTON – Claiming progress in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama says major blows have been struck against Al Qaeda and its leadership with Pakistan beginning to “take the fight to violent extremists within its borders”.

“We face huge challenges in Afghanistan,” he told the national convention of Disabled American Veterans in Atlanta, Georgia, Monday.
“But …. Read the original article  : Pakistan beginning to take on terrorists: Obama.

Man accused of assuming name of slain Ohio toddler gets judge’s approval to wed in Oregon jail

Judge says Oregon mystery man can wed in jail

PORTLAND, Ore. – A judge has given an Oregon man accused of assuming the name of a slain Ohio toddler approval to get married in jail.
Identified in May as Bulgarian-born Doitchin Krasev, the man recently sought permission to wed in a Multnomah County, Ore., jail. He was [..] Read the original article: here.

Landmines recovered in Orissa, six Maoists arrested

BHUBANESWAR – Tragedy was averted in Orissa’s Sundergarh district when two unexploded landmines were found fitted under two separate culverts during a combing operation, police said Tuesday. Six Maoist guerrillas were also arrested.

The rebels were held from Kalta area of the Maoist-infested Bonai sub-division, about 450 km from Bhubaneswar. They would be produced in a … Read more »»».

Four trains cancelled in Bihar amid Maoist shutdown

PATNA – Four trains were cancelled and some diverted in Bihar in view of a two-day Maoist shutdown that began Tuesday, officials said.

The passenger trains cancelled include the Gomo-Barkakhana, the Barwadih-Dehri-on Sone and the Dehri-Barwadih trains, an East Central Railway official told IANS.
The routes of several long distance trains, including the Bhopal-Howrah Shaktipunj Express …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Four trains cancelled in Bihar amid Maoist shutdown.

A look at the vehicles most enticing to thieves, and those least likely to catch their eye

At a Glance: Cars most likely to be stolen

The Cadillac Escalade luxury SUV is the vehicle most likely to be targeted by thieves, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute, an insurance-funded group. Here are the vehicles most and least likely to be targets, and the average loss payment per claim:
… Original article on : A look at the vehicles most enticing to thieves, and those least likely to catch their eye.

Thieves out for bling most likely to target Cadillac Escalade, says insurance group

Cadillac Escalade most likely to catch thief’s eye

ARLINGTON, Va. – The blinged-out Cadillac Escalade SUV, a favorite of A-listers like Tiger Woods, is once again the vehicle voted most likely to be stolen, according to an insurance industry group.
The F-250 crew cab pickup, Infiniti G37 two-door car, Dodge Charger with its high-power HEMI engine and … Read more >>.

Wis. investigates who sent lawmakers e-mails containing child pornography in blackmail plot

Wisconsin lawmakers sent e-mails with child porn

MADISON, Wis. – Investigators are trying to determine who sent e-mails containing images of child pornography to Wisconsin lawmakers as part of a blackmail plot.
Ed Wall, the head of the state Justice Department’s criminal investigations unit sent an e-mail Friday to the offices of all 132 state lawmakers warning … Read more >>>.

Calif. man gets 25 years in prison for traveling to Thailand to have sex with minors

Calif. man gets 25 years for sex with Thai minors

LOS ANGELES – A former English teacher has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for traveling to Thailand to have sex with minors.
The sentence was ordered after prosecutors challenged a previous 10-year sentence, calling it too lenient.
U.S. District Judge Consuelo Marshall said Friday that 61-year-old …. Source article  : Calif. man gets 25 years in prison for traveling to Thailand to have sex with minors.

Calderon warns Mexico in new stage of drug war, says cartels show no ‘limits or scruples’

Mexico prez: cartels show no ‘limits or scruples’

MEXICO CITY – President Felipe Calderon said Monday that Mexico is facing a new stage in its war with drug cartels as gangs escalate their attacks on the government and civilians, including journalists.
Speaking at a meeting with representatives of business and civic groups, Calderon said organized crime groups …. Read the original article  : Calderon warns Mexico in new stage of drug war, says cartels show no ‘limits or scruples’.

Most of first group of prospective jurors eliminated in Anna Nicole Smith case

Prospective jurors eliminated in Anna Nicole case

LOS ANGELES – The first day of jury selection in the Anna Nicole Smith drug conspiracy case has ended with most of the possible panelists eliminated.
Superior Court Judge Robert Perry finished Monday’s session by ordering another group to report Tuesday after attorney challenges excluded all but a few of …. Source  : Most of first group of prospective jurors eliminated in Anna Nicole Smith case.

Judges overturn conviction of mom accused of driving teens to Calif. park where rival killed

Murder conviction of mom reversed in California

LONG BEACH, Calif. – An appeals court panel has reversed the murder conviction of a mother accused of driving her teenage son and his friends to a Southern California park where a 13-year-old rival gang member was stabbed to death.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal panel ruled 2-1 on …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Judges overturn conviction of mom accused of driving teens to Calif. park where rival killed.

Calif. authorities arrest juvenile who says he worked on pot farm to pay immigrant smuggler

2 juveniles arrested for tending pot plantations

LOS ANGELES – A juvenile arrested for tending marijuana crops in California told investigators he had been forced to work for illegal pot growers to pay off his debt to an immigrant smuggler, authorities said Monday.
Ventura County sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Horne said he was concerned such forced labor of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Calif. authorities arrest juvenile who says he worked on pot farm to pay immigrant smuggler.

Charlie Sheen pleads guilty in Aspen domestic abuse case with wife, gets 30 days in rehab

Charlie Sheen pleads guilty in Aspen wife assault

ASPEN, Colo. – Charlie Sheen’s plea deal with prosecutors allowed him to avoid jail time for a Christmas Day assault on his wife and also won’t require him to do public service around the tony resort town of Aspen.
The “Two and a Half Men” actor pleaded guilty Monday … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Charlie Sheen pleads guilty in Aspen domestic abuse case with wife, gets 30 days in rehab.

Ex-Minn. SWAT officer gets 8 years for robbing bank; attorney cited sick daughter and finances

Ex-Minn. SWAT officer gets 8 yrs. for robbing bank

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A former Minneapolis SWAT team member has been sentenced to eight years in prison for robbing a bank at gunpoint earlier this year.
Twenty-nine-year-old Timothy Carson pleaded guilty to two counts stemming from the Jan. 6 armed robbery of the Wells Fargo bank in … Original article on : Ex-Minn. SWAT officer gets 8 years for robbing bank; attorney cited sick daughter and finances.

Masked gunmen steal huge stash of cash in pre-dawn heist at St. Louis ATM servicing business

Masked gunmen pull off ‘alarming’ heist in Mo.

ST. LOUIS – Four armed bandits clad from head to toe in black overpowered two workers at an ATM-servicing business Monday, then used an armored vehicle to haul away containers filled with cash in a well-orchestrated heist.
Neither of the employees at the ATM Solutions Inc. holdup in St. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Masked gunmen steal huge stash of cash in pre-dawn heist at St. Louis ATM servicing business.