Afghan protesters denounce US after American church vows to burn Islamic holy book on 9/11

Afghans protest US church’s plans to burn Quran
KABUL, Afghanistan – Hundreds of Afghans railed against the United States and called for President Barack Obama’s death at a rally in the capital Monday to denounce an American church’s plans to burn the Islamic holy book on 9/11.
The crowd in Kabul, numbering as many as …. Source article  : Afghan protesters denounce US after American church vows to burn Islamic holy book on 9/11.

It’s sweets and prayers as freed cops head home

PATNA/RANCHI – They thanked god, smeared each other with colour and burst firecrackers. The festivals of Eid, Holi and Diwali seemed to have descended all at once for the families and village folks of three policemen who made their way home Monday after an agonising week in the captivity of Maoists in Bihar.

Their joy knew …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

2 Greenpeace Japan activists convicted of stealing whale meat from controversial research hunt

2 activists convicted of whale meat theft in Japan

TOKYO – A Japanese court on Monday convicted two members of the environmental group Greenpeace of stealing whale meat they claim was intended for illegal consumption.
The Aomori District Court gave suspended sentences to the activists after finding them guilty of stealing 50 pounds (23 kilograms) of whale … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 2 Greenpeace Japan activists convicted of stealing whale meat from controversial research hunt.

Nine students among 18 more killed in Pakistan bombing (Second Lead)

ISLAMABAD – At least 18 people, including nine school students, were killed and more than 40 injured Monday in yet another suicide attack in Pakistan, this time targeting a police station in Lakki Marwat, a town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

About 130 people have died in Pakistan in bombings and other terror attacks in several cities … Read more »».

Malaysian court jails notorious wildlife trader 6 months for smuggling 95 live boas in luggage

Malaysian snake smuggler sentenced to 6 months

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A Malaysian court sentenced a notorious wildlife trader to six months in prison Monday after he was caught smuggling 95 live boa constrictors in his luggage at the country’s main airport.
Keng Liang “Anson” Wong, 52, was also fined 190,000 ringgit ($50,000) after pleading guilty at … Read more : Malaysian court jails notorious wildlife trader 6 months for smuggling 95 live boas in luggage.

Joint appeal to Maoists helped free cops: Nitish Kumar

PATNA – Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Monday said a joint appeal by political parties as well as public pressure helped secure the release of the three policemen who were abducted by Maoists over a week ago.

“I’m grateful to all political parties for making a joint appeal to the Maoists to get the three policemen … Original source on Gaea Times at : Joint appeal to Maoists helped free cops: Nitish Kumar.

No one should take credit for cop’s release: Lalu

PATNA – Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Monday said that though he was happy that the Maoists have freed three abducted Bihar policemen, “no one should take credit” for their release.

“We are happy that the three policemen were released, but no one should take credit for it,” Lalu Prasad told reporters here. …. Source  : No one should take credit for cop’s release: Lalu.

Mozambican radio says 6 who call for protests over food prices arrested

Mozambican radio: 6 who call for protests arrested

MAPUTO, Mozambique – Mozambican state radio says six people have been arrested, accused of incitement for sending cell phone messages calling for protests over high food, water and electricity prices.
Monday’s radio report says they were arrested a day earlier in Nampula for trying to spread the protests to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mozambican radio says 6 who call for protests over food prices arrested.

Bihar hostage drama ends; Maoists free three policemen (Second Lead)

PATNA – Maoist guerrillas released the three abducted Bihar policemen in Lakhisarai district Monday, ending the tense seven-day drama. They were “safe and healthy”, state police chief Neelmani said.

“The three policemen have been freed by the Maoists. They are safe and healthy. They will be sent to their homes soon,” he told reporters here. … Read more >>.

Police say suicide attack on police station in NW Pakistan kills 14 officers and civilians

Police say suicide attack in NW Pakistan kills 14

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Police say a suicide car bomb attack on a police station in northwest Pakistan has left 14 people dead and wounded about 40.
Police official Ghulam Mohammad Khan says rescue workers and police officials are digging through the rubble at the station in the town … Original article on : Police say suicide attack on police station in NW Pakistan kills 14 officers and civilians.

Fake bombs, celebrity drivers: the making of an Iraqi TV hit

BAGHDAD – On top of the usual Iraqi worries about being blown up or kidnapped for ransom, local celebrities must now fear getting caught with a fake bomb in their car, planted by the producers of a reality television show.

The programme strives to scare its guests to death. It films them as they try to … Read more »»».

Maoists kill father, son in Jharkhand

RANCHI – Maoists Monday killed a man and his son over land dispute in Jharkhand’s Gumla district, police said.

About 20 rebels of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) raided Agra village, around 130 km from Ranchi, and dragged Budhua Oraon and his son Anil Oraon out of their house. The Maoists then killed them, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Maoists kill father, son in Jharkhand.

Suicide blast kills 14 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – At least 14 people, including five policemen, were killed and more than 50 injured Monday in a suicide blast targeting a police station in Lakki Marwat, a town in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

A suicide bomber reportedly rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the rear wall of the police station Monday morning. There were more …. Original source  : Suicide blast kills 14 in Pakistan.

Abducted Japanese journalist freed in Afghanistan after 5 months

Afghan captors release Japanese reporter
TOKYO – A Japanese journalist who was abducted by militants in Afghanistan five months ago has been freed by his captors and left the country, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said.

Kosuke Tsuneoka, a freelance journalist and veteran of war zones, was kidnapped on April 1. He was released Saturday night to a Japanese … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Abducted Japanese journalist freed in Afghanistan after 5 months.

Maoists free three abducted Bihar policemen

PATNA – Maoist guerrillas released three Bihar policemen Monday, seven days after they were abducted from Lakhisarai district, said state police chief Neelmani who added that they were safe and healthy.

“The three policemen have been freed by the Maoists. They are safe and healthy. They will be sent to their respective homes soon,” he told … Read more »»».

Eight killed in Pakistan blast

ISLAMABAD – At least eight people were killed and over 50 injured Monday in a suicide blast targeting a police station in Lakki Marwat, a town in Pakistan’s northwestern province.

A suicide bomber reportedly rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the rear wall of the police station Monday morning. There were more than 45 police officials present … Read more >>>.

El Salvador president says 3rd migrant survived cartel massacre in Mexico, made it to the US

El Salvador: 3rd migrant survived Mexico massacre

COMALAPA AIR FORCE BASE, El Salvador – A third man survived last month’s massacre of 72 migrants by suspected drug traffickers in Mexico and is now in the United States, Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes said Sunday.
“We know of a Salvadoran who is in the United States and who fortunately … Read more : El Salvador president says 3rd migrant survived cartel massacre in Mexico, made it to the US.

‘Censoring’ of Craigslist’s adult services section only drives online prostitution underground

1 ‘censored’ bar won’t stop online prostitution

NEW YORK – Craiglist’s “adult services” section has been shut down in the U.S., but prostitution on the Internet is alive and well – even, quite possibly, on Craigslist.
Users of the website and its CEO grouse that the Internet is still full of sites where people can find prostitutes. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Censoring’ of Craigslist’s adult services section only drives online prostitution underground.

Attorney says JetBlue flight attendant in NYC airport flap resigned, wasn’t fired by airline

Attorney: JetBlue attendant in NYC flap resigned

NEW YORK – A flight attendant who captured America’s attention when he told off a plane full of passengers and then slid down an emergency chute resigned from his job last week and wasn’t fired, his lawyer said Sunday.
Steven Slater left the job at JetBlue Airways Corp. on Wednesday, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Attorney says JetBlue flight attendant in NYC airport flap resigned, wasn’t fired by airline.

Ecuadorean police arrest man for allegedly smuggling migrant who survived massacre in Mexico

Police nab alleged smuggler of Ecuadorean migrant

QUITO, Ecuador – Authorities have detained an alleged smuggler of an Ecuadorean man who told police he survived a massacre of 72 fellow migrants in Mexico, the justice minister confirmed Sunday.
Police arrested Miguel Angel Dutan Meneses on Saturday at his house in Biblian, a hamlet 140 miles (230 kilometers) … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ecuadorean police arrest man for allegedly smuggling migrant who survived massacre in Mexico.