Australian police say they worked with Facebook to crack online child porn syndicate

Australian police, Facebook crack child porn ring

ADELAIDE, Australia – An international child pornography ring that operated on Facebook has been brought down with the social networking site’s support, Australian police said Friday.
Eleven people have been charged in Australia, Britain and Canada in connection with the syndicate, which involved people using Facebook to distribute and view … Original source on Gaea Times at : Australian police say they worked with Facebook to crack online child porn syndicate.

Cake Boss Arrested for Sexual Assualt of Teenagers

NEW JERSEY (GaeaTimes.com) — Remigio Gonzalez, who is the brother in law of “Cake Boss” host Buddy Valastro has been arrested with the charge of sexually assaulting teenager. Gonzalez, himself is a cake decorator of city hall bake shop and was described as one of the best cake decorators on the television show “Cake …. Read the original article  : here.

New York Gov. Paterson could face charge as testimony on World Series tickets is questioned

NY gov could face charge over World Series tickets

ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. David Paterson could face a criminal charge over his testimony surrounding tickets he secured last year from the New York Yankees for the opening game of the World Series.
The state’s former chief judge, acting as a special counsel, called Paterson’s testimony “inaccurate and … Read : New York Gov. Paterson could face charge as testimony on World Series tickets is questioned.

Al Qaeda terror plot in Canada traced back to Pakistan, Iran

TORONTO – An Al Qaeda-linked plot in Canada, in which the suspects were preparing to carry out the first terror attack in the country, has been traced back to Pakistan, Iran and Dubai even as police arrested another plotter Thursday.

The suspects were just “months” away from carrying out the first terrorist attack on Canadian soil, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Al Qaeda terror plot in Canada traced back to Pakistan, Iran.

Former Ill. Gov. Blagojevich headed for solo retrial after feds drop charges against brother

Rod Blagojevich headed for retrial without brother
CHICAGO – Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s older brother dreaded his lawyer’s phone call.
Robert Blagojevich expected to learn when he’d again stand trial alongside his sibling, after a jury deadlocked last week on all four corruption charges against him and 23 of 24 charges against the former …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Japan opens up secretive world of capital punishment by giving rare media tour of gallows

Japan gives rare tour of gallows to spur debate

TOKYO – Japan opened up the secretive world of its capital punishment system to the public Friday, offering journalists a rare tour of Tokyo’s main gallows – an apparent effort to stoke debate about a practice widely supported here.
All executions in Japan are carried out by hanging, …. Source  : Japan opens up secretive world of capital punishment by giving rare media tour of gallows.

As war winds down, US can apply lessons learned in Iraq to Afghanistan

Looking at lessons that can be learned from Iraq
BAGHDAD – They are different wars in different regions, with different challenges. But as the war in Iraq winds down, there is a lot the U.S. military can learn and apply to Afghanistan, from how to deal with contractors to when to draw down … Read more »»».

Life returns to normal for a day in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR – Life once again limped back to normal in Srinagar and other towns of the Kashmir Valley Friday with the lifting of curfew restrictions and the separatists calling off their protest for a day.

“Curfew has been lifted from Srinagar and all other towns of the valley today (Friday),” a police officer said here.
The …. Original source  : Life returns to normal for a day in Kashmir Valley.

NY governor could face charge as testimony on Yanks-Phils World Series tickets is questioned

NY gov could face charge over Yankees-Phillies tix

ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. David Paterson could face a criminal charge over his testimony surrounding tickets he secured last year from the New York Yankees for the opening game of the World Series.
The state’s former chief judge, acting as a special counsel, called Paterson’s testimony “inaccurate and misleading” … Read more >>.

Authorities: Utah sheriff’s deputy shot and killed near Arizona-Utah border, suspect on loose

Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot near AZ-Utah border

FREDONIA, Ariz. – Authorities are using helicopters and tracking dogs in the search for a man who allegedly shot and killed a Utah sheriff’s deputy Thursday near the Arizona-Utah border.
A Coconino County sheriff’s spokeswoman says authorities were chasing 23-year-old Scott Curley on foot when he shot a Kane County …. Source article  : Authorities: Utah sheriff’s deputy shot and killed near Arizona-Utah border, suspect on loose.

Muslims in British jails may launch terror strikes when freed

LONDON – Some 800 Muslims lodged in British jails may have been turned by fellow inmates into fanatics ready to launch terror attacks, a media report said Friday.

An alarming report by defence experts warns that the security services face a “significant challenge” in spotting and keeping tabs on possible suicide bombers and other jihadists as … Original source on Gaea Times at : Muslims in British jails may launch terror strikes when freed.

Al-Qaeda terror plot in Canada traced to Pak-Af, Iran

TORONTO – An Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist plot in Canada unearthed Wednesday with the arrest two suspects has been traced back to Pakistan, Iran and Dubai even as police arrested another plotter Thursday.

The suspects were just “months” away from carrying out the first terrorist attack on Canadian soil, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said.
While 30-year-old … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Al-Qaeda terror plot in Canada traced to Pak-Af, Iran.

Gyaneshwari sabotage key accused killed in gun battle

KOLKATA – Pro-Maoist leader Umakanta Mahato, a prime suspect in the Gyaneshwari Express sabotage case, was killed in a gun battle with joint security forces in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district early Friday, police said.

“Umakanta Mahato was killed sometime early morning today (Friday) following an encounter in a forest area of Jhargram,” West Bengal Director …. Source article  : Gyaneshwari sabotage key accused killed in gun battle.

Under heavy security, Mexico starts to identify 72 migrants killed near US border

Mexico starts identifying 72 massacred migrants

SAN FERNANDO, Mexico – Heavily guarded mortuary workers have begun identifying 72 migrants massacred near the U.S. border, while human rights advocates are demanding Mexico do more to stop the exploitation and abuse of migrants that they say led to the heinous crime.
Marines are protecting the pink, one-story funeral home …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Under heavy security, Mexico starts to identify 72 migrants killed near US border.

Army contractor pleads guilty in NY to accepting cash to steer Afghanistan contracts

Army contractor tells NY judge he accepted cash

NEW YORK – A man who worked for a U.S. Army contractor in Afghanistan has pleaded guilty to criminal charges in New York, admitting that he accepted $200,000 in cash payments to steer contracts to subcontractors.
Daniel Freeman entered the plea to charges of receiving gratuities and money laundering … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Army contractor pleads guilty in NY to accepting cash to steer Afghanistan contracts.

Colo. man pleads guilty to sending threatening letters to Obama and Colo., Ala. congressmen

Colo. man pleads guilty in Obama anthrax hoax
DENVER – A man from the Denver area has pleaded guilty to sending letters containing white powder to President Barack Obama, members of Congress from Colorado and Alabama, and to Argentine consulates.
Jay DeVaughn pleaded guilty Thursday to 13 federal counts of mailing threatening communications. DeVaughn, also …. Source article  : Colo. man pleads guilty to sending threatening letters to Obama and Colo., Ala. congressmen.

Mexican judge finds ex-state police director not guilty of aiding drug gang in Michoacan

Mexico frees ex-state police director in drug case

MORELIA, Mexico – A Mexican judge has found the former state police director in the western state of Michoacan innocent of charges he helped a drug gang.
Mario Bautista was arrested by federal investigators in May 2009 along with 34 other local and state officials in Michoacan. Twenty-six of …. Source article  : Mexican judge finds ex-state police director not guilty of aiding drug gang in Michoacan.

Venezuelan authorities seize more than 4.4 tons of cocaine allagedly destined for Mexico

Huge cocaine stash found on ranch in Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela – Authorities seized more than 4.4 tons (4 metric tons) of cocaine at a ranch Thursday after F-16 fighter jets intercepted a plane that was flying to pick up the load, Venezuela’s top security official said.
Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami called the drug seizure a significant … Original source on Gaea Times at : Venezuelan authorities seize more than 4.4 tons of cocaine allagedly destined for Mexico.

Suriname’s new president ailing at home from undisclosed illness; transfers power to VP

Suriname president falls ill, cedes power to No. 2

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Suriname’s newly elected president, former dictator Desi Bouterse, is ailing from an undisclosed illness and has temporarily ceded power to his vice president in the South American country.
Vice President Robert Ameerali announced Thursday in Parliament that he will be in charge until Sept. 2 … Read : Suriname’s new president ailing at home from undisclosed illness; transfers power to VP.

Woman ordered to stand trial on charge of slashing Leonardo DiCaprio’s face with glass

Woman to stand trial on charge of slicing DiCaprio

LOS ANGELES – A judge ordered a woman to stand trial on a charge of slashing Leonardo DiCaprio’s face with glass during a 2005 party.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Edmund Willcox Clarke ordered Aretha Wilson to face one count of assault with a deadly weapon. The charge …. Source article  : Woman ordered to stand trial on charge of slashing Leonardo DiCaprio’s face with glass.