Long lines in Kenya for vote on new constitution; police on high alert after 2007-08 killings

Kenya votes on new constitution amid high security

NAIROBI, Kenya – Long lines formed in the Kenyan capital before sunrise Wednesday to vote on a new constitution that would reduce the powers of the presidency and give citizens a bill of rights.
Leaders here have called on the country to carry out a peaceful referendum, and promised … Read more : Long lines in Kenya for vote on new constitution; police on high alert after 2007-08 killings.

No foreign money coming to Maoists: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – Denying reports of Maoists getting foreign funds, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday said an integrated development plan is being made by the Planning Commission for the left-wing insurgency-affected areas.

“The Naxals get bulk of their money from extortion, but no foreign funds are coming,” Chidambaram said during Question Hour in the Rajya …. Original source  : No foreign money coming to Maoists: Chidambaram.

Lawyers set to give opening statements at Anna Nicole Smith drug conspiracy trial

Opening statements set in Anna Nicole Smith trial

LOS ANGELES – With a jury ready to hear evidence, lawyers in the Anna Nicole Smith drug conspiracy case were scheduled to launch their cases Wednesday with opening statements.
Prosecutors were expected to accuse three key figures in the Playboy model’s life of illegally giving her massive amounts of …. Read the original article  : Lawyers set to give opening statements at Anna Nicole Smith drug conspiracy trial.

‘Major’ gunfight between Maoists, cops in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR – A major gunfight between heavily armed Maoists and police personnel broke out Wednesday in a forest in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada area, sources at the police headquarters here said.

The gunfight began when Maoists attacked a search party of the state police in a thickly forested area in Dantewada district, close to Kirandul, about 420 km … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Major’ gunfight between Maoists, cops in Chhattisgarh.

Way cleared for mosque near 9/11 ‘ground zero’

WASHINGTON – Decks have been cleared for converting a property near ‘ground zero’ in New York into an Islamic community centre and mosque with a city commission denying the building landmark status.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission Tuesday voted 9-0, saying the 152-year-old building blocks from the the World Trade Centre site of the Sep 11, 2001 … Read more : Way cleared for mosque near 9/11 ‘ground zero’.

Will she or won’t she? Testimony by defendant in Pitino extortion case up in the air

Testimony by woman in Pitino case up in the air

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The defense gets its turn in the trial of a woman accused of trying to extort millions from Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino.
The question left hanging is whether the defendant, 50-year-old Karen Cunagin Sypher, will testify. Her defense begins Wednesday.
The prosecution rested Tuesday …. Original source  : Will she or won’t she? Testimony by defendant in Pitino extortion case up in the air.

Maoists blow up culvert in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – Maoist guerrillas blew up a road culvert in Orissa’s Sundergarh district Wednesday, police said.

The incident took place near Mahipani village between Bhalulata and Jaraikela village, about 30 km from the Rourkela steel city and about five km from the Jharkhand border.
No one was injured in the incident, Superintendent of Police Diptesh Patnaik [..] Read the original article: here.

Bullitt County Teen Britney Kustes Returns Home

SHEPHERDSVILLE, KENTUCKY (GaeaTimes.com) – Bullitt County teenager, Britney Kustes was rescued on 30th July after she went missing for two weeks. Police have not yet found the convicted sex offender, Roy Vernon Elwell.
!9 year old, Britney was brought to the hospital with scars on her body and she was also malnourished. According to her mother, …. Original source  : Bullitt County Teen Britney Kustes Returns Home.

NFL will not discipline Michael Vick following shooting at his 30th birthday party

NFL: No discipline on Vick after birthday shooting

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told Michael Vick he will not face disciplinary action following a shooting at the quarterback’s birthday party six weeks ago.
Goodell spoke with Vick on Tuesday while visiting the Eagles during his training camp tour. Shortly after, the NFL released a statement.
“Commissioner … Read more >>>.

Omar Thornton Commits Suicide After Killing 8 People

MANCHESTER (GaeaTimes.com)- Omar Thornton, a Connecticut truck driver, who was caught stealing beer complained about being racially harassed at work when he was asked to quit his job. At that point of time no one knew what gruesome thoughts revolved around his mind. The 34 year old man then killed his 8 co-workers and …. Read the original article  : Omar Thornton Commits Suicide After Killing 8 People.

Family claims beer driver who killed 8 people, himself snapped after enduring racial bias

Family: Racial bias caused Conn. shooter to snap

MANCHESTER, Conn. – Omar Thornton sat calmly in a meeting with union representative and his supervisors as they showed a video of him stealing beer from the distributor where he worked.
Busted, he didn’t put up a fight, company officials said. He quietly signed a letter of resignation and … Read more : Family claims beer driver who killed 8 people, himself snapped after enduring racial bias.

Five die in Jharkhand landmine blast

RANCHI – Five people, including two security guards of a private company, died in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists in Jharkhand’s Giridih district, police said Wednesday.

“Two guards of the Security and Intelligence Services (SIS), a driver and two other employees of the company were killed in the landmine blast late Tuesday,” Giridih Superintendent of …. Original source  : Five die in Jharkhand landmine blast.

Four guards die in Jharkhand landmine blast

RANCHI – Four security guards of a private company died in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists in Jharkhand’s Giridih district, police said Wednesday.

“The security guards of the Security and Intelligence Services (SIS) were killed. A vehicle in which the guards were travelling blew up late Tuesday when the guards were going to Dumri from [..] Read the original article: here.

‘Cold as ice’ Conn. driver who was caught stealing beer fatally shoots 8 co-workers, himself

‘Cold as ice’ Conn. beer driver kills 8, himself

MANCHESTER, Conn. – A driver caught stealing beer from the warehouse where he worked agreed to resign on Tuesday and then as “cold as ice,” one of his victims said, went on a shooting rampage, killing eight people and injuring two before committing suicide.
Omar Thornton pulled out … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Cold as ice’ Conn. driver who was caught stealing beer fatally shoots 8 co-workers, himself.

Pakistan has to do more in terror war: US

WASHINGTON – The United States says Pakistan started to take more direct action against terrorist safe havens in its territory after extremists tried to move on to its capital, but unquestionably Pakistan needs to do more.

“If you look at the progress that we have made with Pakistan on safe havens, on confronting terrorists, I think … Read : Pakistan has to do more in terror war: US.

‘Cold as ice’ Conn. driver who was caught stealing beer kills 8 co-workers, self

‘Cold as ice’ Conn. beer driver kills 8, self

MANCHESTER, Conn. – A driver caught stealing beer from the warehouse where he worked agreed to resign his job Tuesday and then as “cold as ice,” one of his victims said, went on a shooting rampage, killing eight people and injuring two before committing suicide.
Omar Thornton pulled … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Cold as ice’ Conn. driver who was caught stealing beer kills 8 co-workers, self.

Washington man ordered to pay $7M in restitution after pleading guilty in event ticket scheme

Wash. man ordered to repay $7M after ticket scheme

SEATTLE – A 52-year-old Washington man has been sentenced to more than four years in prison and ordered to pay more than $7.6 million in restitution after pleading guilty to running a Ponzi scheme that involved tickets for the Super Bowl and other high-demand events.
Kevin Halverson of …. Original source  : Washington man ordered to pay $7M in restitution after pleading guilty in event ticket scheme.

6 arrested for allegedly coating elderly with cream at Calif. nursing home as part of a prank

6 arrested for greasing elderly at CA nursing home

UKIAH, Calif. – Six former Northern California nursing home employees are under arrest on charges they covered several elderly patients with cream to make them slippery as part of a prank against their co-workers.
California Attorney General Jerry Brown announced the arrests Tuesday, calling the alleged abuse “despicable … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 6 arrested for allegedly coating elderly with cream at Calif. nursing home as part of a prank.

Relative says Conn. deliveryman who killed 8 co-workers, self was pushed over edge

Kin of Conn. shooter says he was pushed over edge

MANCHESTER, Conn. – A relative of a driver who shot and killed eight people and injured two others in Connecticut before committing suicide says he complained his company was prejudiced and told his mother it pushed him over the edge.
Annette Levine (luh-VEEN’) says Omar Thornton’s last …. Source  : Relative says Conn. deliveryman who killed 8 co-workers, self was pushed over edge.

Panamanian officials say they found 3 more bodies at hostel run by US man jailed in killings

Panama finds 3 more bodies at US man’s hostel

PANAMA CITY – Authorities said they recovered three more bodies Tuesday on property owned by a jailed U.S. man who prosecutors say has confessed to killing five fellow Americans to get their money and property in a Panamanian resort area.
Jose Pachard, deputy director of the Institute of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Panamanian officials say they found 3 more bodies at hostel run by US man jailed in killings.