Police officer arrested in shooting death of South African teen during school protest

Officer arrested in death of SAfrican teen

JOHANNESBURG – South African authorities have arrested a police officer in the shooting death of a a 17-year-old girl who was among student protesters complaining that a teachers strike had given them insufficient time to prepare for exams.
In a statement Wednesday, the Independent Complaints Directorate, an independent government watchdog, …. Read the original article  : Police officer arrested in shooting death of South African teen during school protest.

American freed after more than a year in Iranian prison now resting in Oman after bail deal

Freed American resting in Oman after bail deal
MUSCAT, Oman – American Sarah Shourd is resting in Oman’s capital Muscat on her first full day of freedom after a surprise bail deal with Iran secured her release after more than 13 months in custody.
U.S. and Omani officials say it’s unclear how long Shourd will …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : American freed after more than a year in Iranian prison now resting in Oman after bail deal.

Pope seeks to remind Britain about God amid indifference to visit and disgust over sex abuse

Pope travels to Britain amid indifference, outrage

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI takes his campaign to revive Christianity in an increasingly secular Europe to Britain on Thursday. He faces a daunting task in a nation largely at odds with his policies and where disgust over the church sex abuse scandal runs high.
Add to that centuries …. Read the original article  : here.

Erin Caffey’s Case On ‘Final Witness’

DALLAS (GaeaTimes.com)- In what seems like a scene straight out of a horror movie, Terry Caffey spoke about the horrifying killings of his family members in the latest episode of ‘Final Witness’ on ABC. Being shot 5 times, his survival was a miracle and the only family member who was alive after the brutal …. Original article  : Erin Caffey’s Case On ‘Final Witness’.

Cosmetic mogul’s slaying grips Malaysia; police say her body was burned, ashes discarded

Cosmetics millionaire’s slaying grips Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysians have been captivated this week by the slaying of a self-made cosmetics mogul whose remains were disposed of on a poultry farm owned by two lawyer brothers with an alleged history of shady land deals, according to police.
Sosilawati Lawiya and three of her aides went missing … Read : Cosmetic mogul’s slaying grips Malaysia; police say her body was burned, ashes discarded.

Bangladeshi terror group operates despite ban

DHAKA – Banned Islamist outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) receives five million takas ($72,254) from domestic and foreign sources every month to run its operations, a media report said Wednesday.

A person called Mamun, who was involved in a fake currency racket in India, had been donating 50,000 takas ($722) every month to JMB fund …. Read the original article  : Bangladeshi terror group operates despite ban.

Maoists set ablaze bus

PATNA – Maoists set ablaze a bus in Bihar’s Sheohar district Wednesday but its only occupant, the driver, escaped unhurt, police said.

According to police, the rebels attacked the bus near Basantpatti, about 250 km from here. The incident occurred just after a two-day shutdown called by Maoists ended.
… Read more >>.

US drone attacks kill 12 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Twelve militants were killed Wednesday in US drone attacks in northwest Pakistan, a media report said.

The pre-dawn attacks targeted the Haqqani terror network in Dargah Mandi village. The village is located on the outskirts of Miranshah town in the troubled North Waziristan tribal region, Geo TV reported.
“US drones fired seven missiles …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US drone attacks kill 12 in Pakistan.

DA: ‘Mountain of evidence’ against ‘40-Year-Old Virgin’ actor accused of trying to kill ex

DA: ‘Mountain of evidence’ against LA actor

VISTA, Calif. – The prosecutor in an actor’s attempted murder trial told a jury Tuesday that there is a “mountain of evidence” against the man accused of trying to kill his ex girlfriend by repeatedly stabbing her.
In his closing argument, Deputy District Attorney Keith Watanabe told San Diego County [..] Read the original article: here.

British envoy attack suspects to be put on trial

SANA’A – Four Al Qaeda suspects, including a German and an Iraqi, will be put on trial over their alleged involvement in a failed suicide attack on the convoy of the British envoy to Yemen, the country’s defence ministry has said.

“A trial for the four Al Qaeda members will start next Monday by the Sanaa-based …. Source  : British envoy attack suspects to be put on trial.

Defense lawyer claims prosecutor encouraged perjury by witness in Anna Nicole case

Lawyer: Smith case prosecutor encouraged perjury

LOS ANGELES – Howard K. Stern’s lawyer angrily accused a prosecutor Tuesday of encouraging perjury by a key witness at the Anna Nicole Smith drug conspiracy trial.
Defense attorney Steve Sadow was red-faced as he asked the judge to strike the entire testimony of Nadine Alexie, a former nanny for Smith.
“I’m …. Source  : Defense lawyer claims prosecutor encouraged perjury by witness in Anna Nicole case.

Mexico’s top immigration official resigns in wake of massacre of 72 migrants

Mexican immigration official quits after massacre

MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s top immigration official resigned Monday in the wake of a massacre of 72 migrants that exposed how brutally drug cartels have come to control human smuggling routes in the country.
Cecilia Romero stepped down as head of the National Institute of Migration, a post she had held …. Original source  : Mexico’s top immigration official resigns in wake of massacre of 72 migrants.

Texas panel ready to end disputed inquiry into deadly arson that led to man’s execution

Texas panel ready to end disputed arson inquiry

DALLAS – A Texas panel is expected to review a final report that clears fire officials of wrongdoing in their arson investigation that led to a man’s 2004 execution.
The Texas Forensic Science Commission is scheduled to meet Friday in Dallas.
A draft of the report says fire investigators did …. Read the original article  : Texas panel ready to end disputed inquiry into deadly arson that led to man’s execution.

Blast in Bahrain car park

DUBAI – An explosion in a car park damaged at least four cars in a town south of Bahraini capital Manama, but there were no reports of any casualties, a media report said.

The explosive device was placed under a park car in a residential area, home to families of security personnel and interior ministry employees, … Read more »»».

NY judge rules defendant in plot to blow up synagogues and planes is faking mental illnesses

NY judge says terror defendant is faking illness

NEW YORK – A defendant in a terrorism trial who claims he sees ghosts, dead people and even the Virgin Mary is faking mental illness, a judge concluded Tuesday as she ordered a resumption of the trial of four men accused of plotting to blow up New York … Read more >>>.

‘Deeply embarrassed’ Pa. gov. shuts down intelligence reports on peaceful protesters

‘Appalled’ Pa. gov. shuts down reports on protests

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Information about an anti-BP candlelight vigil, a gay and lesbian festival and other peaceful gatherings became the subject of anti-terrorism bulletins being distributed by Pennsylvania’s homeland security office, an apologetic Gov. Ed Rendell admitted.
Rendell, who claimed he’d just learned about the practice, said Tuesday that …. Read the original article  : ‘Deeply embarrassed’ Pa. gov. shuts down intelligence reports on peaceful protesters.

Man charged with stabbing dean at community college in Kansas City

Man charged in stabbing at Kansas City college

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Witnesses say a man who was mumbling, pacing and carrying a knife in a college building where Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon was scheduled to speak stabbed a dean in the neck before being subdued.
Albert Dimmitt, the dean of instruction at Penn Valley Community College … Read : Man charged with stabbing dean at community college in Kansas City.

Eiffel Tower evacuated after bomb scare

PARIS – Paris police evacuated the Eiffel Tower late Tuesday after an anonymous caller said a bomb had been placed on the popular tourist attraction, France Info radio reported.

Some 2,500 people were on the tower and on the Champs de Mars, the green area surrounding it, when the alert was given. They were all taken …. Read the original article  : Eiffel Tower evacuated after bomb scare.

Judge considering striking witness’ testimony from Anna Nicole trial after perjury allegation

Lawyer says witness lied at prosecutor’s urging

LOS ANGELES – The lawyer for Howard K. Stern has asked a judge to strike a key witness’ entire testimony in the Anna Nicole Smith drug case, claiming she committed perjury at the urging of the prosecutor.
Attorney Steve Sadow was red-faced with anger as he addressed the judge outside … Original article on : Judge considering striking witness’ testimony from Anna Nicole trial after perjury allegation.

Former Mass. real estate executive expected pleads guilty in campaign fund scheme

Ex-exec pleads guilty in Mass. campaign fund case

BOSTON – A former senior official with a major Boston real estate development firm pleaded guilty Tuesday to underwriting illegal campaign contributions to local, state and federal candidates and to witness tampering.
Martin Raffol, former vice president of Winn Residential Co., entered the pleas in U.S. District Court in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Former Mass. real estate executive expected pleads guilty in campaign fund scheme.