Bomb attack kills Muslim religious leader in southern Afghanistan’s violent Kandahar city

Bomb attack kills Afghan Muslim religious leader

KABUL, Afghanistan – A bomb attack Wednesday in Afghanistan’s volatile southern city of Kandahar killed the director of the local office for facilitating pilgrimages to Islamic holy sites, police said.
One other person was killed in the attack on Mohammad Hassan Taimuri and two people wounded, Kandahar police chief Sher … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Bomb attack kills Muslim religious leader in southern Afghanistan’s violent Kandahar city.

Bomb attack kills Muslim religous leader in southern Afghanistan’s violent Kandahar city

Bomb attack kills Afghan Muslim religous leader

KABUL, Afghanistan – A bomb attack Wednesday in Afghanistan’s volatile southern city of Kandahar killed the director of the local office for facilitating pilgrimages to Islamic holy sites, police said.
One other person was killed in the attack on Mohammad Hassan Taimuri and two people wounded, Kandahar police chief Sher …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bomb attack kills Muslim religous leader in southern Afghanistan’s violent Kandahar city.

Four Punjab prisoners injured in clash

CHANDIGARH – Four prisoners were injured, two of them seriously, when a clash broke out between them in Punjab’s Bathinda town Wednesday, police said.

The clash occurred when the prisoners were being taken by a police escort for a local court hearing from the Bathinda jail.
“Two of the prisoners are seriously injured and have … Read more >>.

3,185 dead in China floods in 2010

BEIJING – Floods triggered by torrential rains in China in 2010 have left a total of 3,185 people dead and at least 1,060 are still missing, the ministry of civil affairs said.

Heavy rains hit many provinces this year, including Gansu, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Jilin, Jiangxi and Hubei, affecting over 230 million people.
Around 15.2 million people …. Read the original article  : 3,185 dead in China floods in 2010.

Nation is with you, President assures people of Leh

JAMMU – President Pratibha Patil Wednesday told the people of Leh that the entire country was with them and no effort would be spared in providing them relief and rehabilitation after flash floods killed at least 183 people last month.

Patil said she was in Leh to assure the people that the country was behind them … Original source on Gaea Times at : Nation is with you, President assures people of Leh.

Krishna idol stolen from Ranchi temple

RANCHI – In a theft discovered just a day ahead of Janmashtami, an idol of Lord Krishna was stolen from the Sri Sri Sideshawar Mahadeo temple in the Jharkhand capital, police said Wednesday.

The criminals also stole a crown and a gold chain from the temple, police said.
“When we opened the temple door at around …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Krishna idol stolen from Ranchi temple.

Time is running out for four abducted Bihar cops

PATNA – Time is running out for the four Bihar policemen abducted by Maoists as the rebels’ deadline for releasing their eight jailed commanders expires around 4 p.m. Wednesday, failing which they would kill all the captives.

Maoists abducted the policemen during the six-hour-long gunfight in Lakhisarai district Sunday. The gun battle left seven policemen …. Source  : Time is running out for four abducted Bihar cops.

Two kidnapped Assam businessmen rescued after three days

GUWAHATI – Two businessmen kidnapped at gunpoint over the weekend from Assam’s main city Guwahati were rescued by security forces early Wednesday, officials said.

A police spokesperson said Bishnu Kedia and Sanjay Agarwal, both abducted Sunday, were rescued from Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati.
“Due to intense security operations, the kidnappers probably felt the heat … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Two kidnapped Assam businessmen rescued after three days.

President visits flood-affected Leh

JAMMU – President Pratibha Patil Wednesday arrived in the flood-ravaged Leh town of Jammu and Kashmir to review and assess the rescue and relief operations there.

Patil, who was received at the Leh airport by Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was briefed by the Indian Army and Air Force officers on the operations … Read more »»».

Hurricane Earl bears down on East Coast, bringing evacuations and canceled holiday plans

NC vacation island to be cleared as Earl nears

RALEIGH, N.C. – Tourists on a North Carolina vacation destination island were ordered to board the ferries and head for the mainland Wednesday and more evacuations could be on the way as powerful Hurricane Earl threatened to sideswipe the East Coast.
Hyde County emergency officials said the evacuation … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Hurricane Earl bears down on East Coast, bringing evacuations and canceled holiday plans.

Woman kills sons, calls it ‘act of love’

MELBOURNE – A woman in Melbourne was Wednesday jailed for 27 years for killing her two minor sons in what she termed as her “greatest act of love”.

Qualified nurse Donna Fitchett, 51, drugged, strangled and smothered her two sons — Thomas, 11, and Matthew, nine — at their home on Sep 6, 2005.
She … Read more »»».

Man mowed down by Blueline bus in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A 20-year-old, who was on his way to office, was Wednesday run over by the Blueline bus he was trying to board in north Delhi, police said.

The incident took place in the Mall Road area of north Delhi around 9 a.m. when the victim, Sandeep, was trying to step into the bus …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Two foreigners booked for duping job seeker in Punjab

AMRITSAR – Two men, allegedly based in Britain, have been booked on charges of duping a job applicant here of nearly Rs.1.5 lakh, police said Wednesday.

“A case of cheating has been registered against Mark Sandwill and Daniel Frog. We are trying to ascertain whether the two men were residents of Britain or some other country,” …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Trapped Chilean miner had premonition of disaster

LONDON – A teenaged miner — among the youngest of the 33 people trapped in a mine in Chile since Aug 5 — had a premonition that there would be a disaster, his girlfriend has said.

Jimmy Sanchez, 19, had noticed rock falls as he worked 2,300 feet below the ground at the San Jose gold … Read : Trapped Chilean miner had premonition of disaster.

Kids fall through window while jumping on bed

SYDNEY – Two minor girls – aged four and five – fell out of a first-floor window while jumping on a bed kept adjacent to it in Sydney.

The four-year-old girl is in an induced coma after she hit her head, but broke the fall of her five-year-old friend who landed on top of her and … Read : Kids fall through window while jumping on bed.

Two held with cocaine of over Rs.1 crore

LUCKNOW – Two drug peddlers have been arrested with cocaine of over Rs.1 crore in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district, police said Wednesday.

The two men, in their early 20s, were nabbed late Tuesday from Chaubeypur area, some 80 km from here.
“The two motorcycle-borne men were arrested while they were on their way to hand over …. Source article  : Two held with cocaine of over Rs.1 crore.

Ajay Devgn fined for smoking in public in Goa

PANAJI – Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn has been fined Rs.100 for smoking in the courtyard of a multiplex in Panaji, police said Wednesday.

“The notice will be issued today (Wednesday). We are acting on a complaint filed by the state health department (Directorate of Health Services, DHS),” Deputy Superintendent of Police Deu Benaulikar told IANS. … Read : Ajay Devgn fined for smoking in public in Goa.

Man kills six because of pact with ‘Saint Death’

Buenos Aires, Sep 1 (IANS/EFE) A 22-year-old Argentine man said he killed six people because he made a pact with “Saint Death” in exchange for “protection and prosperity”, police said.

Witnesses said the unidentified suspect became a serial killer to keep the promise he made to a popular pagan saint also known as “San La Muerte”, …. Original article  : Man kills six because of pact with ‘Saint Death’.

Male sex slave ring busted in Spain

Madrid, Sep 1 (IANS/EFE) Police in Spain have busted a ring engaged in sexually exploiting men recruited from Brazil and forced to work round the clock under death threats.

A total of 64 men and a few transvestites were brought to Spain from Brazil’s Maranhao state. Some of the men, aged 22 to 29, knew they …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Parish official: BP owes back rent, oil spill command center kicked out of La. building

Official: La. oil command center to shut over rent

CHALMETTE, La. – A parish official says a Louisiana oil spill command center is shutting down over a dispute with BP over rent and other expenses
St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro says the owner of the property that has been home to the operation since May is [..] Read the original article: here.

Soaring summer temperatures in Japan hit record, part of global trend

Japan endures hottest summer on record
TOKYO – Japan is sweltering through its hottest summer on record, weather officials said Thursday.

Japan joined many parts of the Northern Hemisphere in seeing an unusually hot summer. Meteorologists say 17 nations have recorded all-time-high temperatures this year, more than in any other year, and scientists have said that July … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Soaring summer temperatures in Japan hit record, part of global trend.

Canadian woman judge in inter-racial porn scandal

TORONTO – In a shocking sex scandal that has hit the Canadian judiciary, a black man is suing a white lawyer for harassing him to have sex with the lawyer’s wife who herself is now a senior judge.

In his $67-million lawsuit Wednesday, Alexander Chapman, a 44-year-old black man who is a computer specialist by profession, …. Original source  : Canadian woman judge in inter-racial porn scandal.

Maoists to call people’s court, Bihar cops’ families in despair

PATNA – As a second deadline expired Thursday, Maoists said the fate of four Bihar policemen held captive by them would now be decided by a ‘jan adalat’ or kangaroo court. The families of the cops are desperately pleading with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for help.

Maoist spokesperson Avinash called up local TV channels and said … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Maoists to call people’s court, Bihar cops’ families in despair.

2 US troops killed in insurgent attacks in eastern Afghanistan; Taliban commander killed

2 American troops killed in Afghan attacks

KABUL, Afghanistan – Two American troops died in fighting in Afghanistan on Thursday, while NATO said it had killed the leader of an insurgent cell responsible for laying roadside bombs and smuggling foreign fighters into the country.
NATO said one service member was killed in the country’s east, the other … Read more : 2 US troops killed in insurgent attacks in eastern Afghanistan; Taliban commander killed.

Hostage-taker at Discovery Channel headquarters railed against programs; shot dead by police

Discovery Channel hostage-taker hated programming

SILVER SPRING, Md. – A gunman police shot to death after he took hostages at Discovery Channel’s headquarters said he hated the company’s shows such as “Kate Plus 8″ because they promote population growth and its environmental programming because it did little to save the planet.
Three hostages – two Discovery Communications …. Source article  : Hostage-taker at Discovery Channel headquarters railed against programs; shot dead by police.

Evacuations ordered, but some just hunker down as Hurricane Earl bears down on East Coast

Some bunker down, some flee as Earl approaches US
BUXTON, N.C. – Tourists were largely gone from North Carolina’s Outer Banks, but those resolute residents who stayed behind say they were prepared Thursday to potentially face down the most powerful hurricane to threaten the coast in years.
Hurricane Earl with winds swirling at around 140 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Evacuations ordered, but some just hunker down as Hurricane Earl bears down on East Coast.

Removal of temporary cap on Gulf well not risk-free; US says potential for oil leakage is low

Risks remain with Gulf well cap coming off

NEW ORLEANS – The image of thick crude gushing from a blown-out oil well a mile beneath the Gulf of Mexico was turned off when a tightly fitting cap was secured on top a month-and-a-half ago.
Engineers weren’t expecting that sight again Thursday when they planned to delicately remove … Original source on Gaea Times at : Removal of temporary cap on Gulf well not risk-free; US says potential for oil leakage is low.

Google cleared of spying in New Zealand

AUCKLAND – Internet giant Google has been cleared of gathering personal wireless internet data during its street view operation in New Zealand.

New Zealand police Thursday said they have found no evidence that Google committed a criminal offence, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Police have, however, referred the matter back to the Privacy Commission, which in …. Source article  : Google cleared of spying in New Zealand.

Typhoon Kompasu hits South Korea

SEOUL – Typhoon Kompasu made landfall in northern South Korea early Thursday, leaving two dead and causing the worst disruption to power and transport networks in the capital for a decade, a report said.

Winds of over 100 km per hour knocked down trees and utility poles and blew out windows across Seoul, as the centre …. Original article  : Typhoon Kompasu hits South Korea.

1 American servicemember killed in insurgent attack Thursday in eastern Afghanistan

1 American servicemember killed in Afghan attack

KABUL, Afghanistan – An American servicemember died in fighting in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday, while the coalition said it had killed the leader of an insurgent cell responsible for laying roadside bombs and smuggling foreign fighters into the country.
No other details of the servicemember’s death were given in keeping …. Source  : 1 American servicemember killed in insurgent attack Thursday in eastern Afghanistan.

Southern China landslide kills 4, leaves 44 missing as death toll from floods rises to 3,185

South China landslide kills 4, leaves 44 missing

BEIJING – Rescuers were searching for 44 people missing Thursday after a landslide hit a village in southern China and killed at least four people.
Workers rescued 23 people buried under rubble in Wama village in the southwestern province of Yunnan after the rain-triggered landslide hit Wednesday night, the … Read more »».

Flight data recorders recovered from Nepal plane crash that killed all 14 on board

Black box recovered from Nepal plane crash site

KATMANDU, Nepal – Nepalese investigators have found the flight data recorders from the wreckage of a small plane that crashed last week en route to the Mount Everest area, killing 14 people including six foreigners, officials said Thursday.
Suresh Acharya, a spokesman for the government-appointed investigation team, said searchers … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Flight data recorders recovered from Nepal plane crash that killed all 14 on board.

Australian man jailed for upskirt photography

MELBOURNE – A 42-year-old man’s “moment of madness”, which made him photograph under a woman’s skirt using his mobile phone at a Melbourne store, has led him to prison.

A county court heard Thursday that Anthony Maguire had run after the woman as she boarded an escalator in the Southland Shopping Centre. He positioned his phone …. Source  : Australian man jailed for upskirt photography.

Typhoon slams into South Korea, killing 3 and delaying flights and suspending subway service

Typhoon suspends SKorean flights, subway, kills 3

SEOUL, South Korea – Typhoon Kompasu struck South Korea early Thursday, killing three people while it knocked over streetlights and scaffolding in what was called the strongest tropical storm to hit the Seoul area in 15 years.
Powerful gusts knocked over power lines, cutting off power to tens of thousands … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Typhoon slams into South Korea, killing 3 and delaying flights and suspending subway service.

Communal clash during Janmashtami function, eight injured

RANCHI – Eight people, including two policemen, were injured in a communal clash at a function organised for Janmashtami here, police said Thursday.

The clash took place at Hindpiri colony late Wednesday over loudspeakers being used on the occasion of Janmashtami – the birth of the Hindu god Krishna. Some Muslims opposed the loudspeaker being used … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Communal clash during Janmashtami function, eight injured.

US hostage taker said he had bombs strapped to body

WASHINGTON – An armed man shot and killed by police after a tense four-hour standoff at the Discovery Channel’s headquarters told a TV channel he had several bombs strapped to his body “ready to go off.”

The gunman who had taken three hostages Wednesday in the Discovery building in the Washington suburb of Silver Spring in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US hostage taker said he had bombs strapped to body.

Woman stabs father, kills self

Moscow, Sep 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A woman fatally stabbed her father and then jumped to her death from their sixth-storey apartment in Moscow after he refused to visit her grandfather’s grave.

The 31-year-old woman, who also shared the house with her younger brother, had gone out after the row and returned home drunk, the Moskovsky Komsomolets [..] Read the original article: here.

Over 2,000 killed in Mexican border city in 2010

Ciudad Juarez (Mexico), Sep 2 (IANS/EFE) Over 2,000 people were killed in gang wars

in 2010 in Mexico’s “murder capital” of Ciudad Juarez on the border with the US, reveal official figures.
A total of 2,027 murders have been committed in 2010 in Ciudad Juarez, located across the border from El Paso, Texas.
August was the … Read more »»».

Arrest reported after search for armed suspect disrupts commuter traffic in Everett, Wash.

Arrest made after manhunt shuts down Wash. freeway

EVERETT, Wash. – A sheriff’s spokeswoman in Washington state says tips from the public helped authorities make an arrest following a search for an armed suspect Wednesday that shut down a busy freeway and disrupted commuter traffic.
When traffic in Interstate 5’s northbound lanes in the Everett area began … Original article on : Arrest reported after search for armed suspect disrupts commuter traffic in Everett, Wash..

Pakistani militants back in business, killing 35 in triple bombing despite flood chaos

Pakistan militants kill 35 despite floods
LAHORE, Pakistan – The triple bombing of a religious procession in Pakistan adds to the strains on a government already struggling with devastating floods and shows that Islamist militants are back in business despite the natural disaster.

The death toll in the blasts rose to 35 on Thursday, with about 250 … Read more : Pakistani militants back in business, killing 35 in triple bombing despite flood chaos.

Abducted Assam cement firm executive escapes in Shillong

GUWAHATI – The kidnapped executive of a cement company made a dramatic appearance in Meghalaya capital Shillong eight hours after he was abducted at gunpoint from near Assam’s main city of Guwahati, police said Friday.

A police spokesperson said Narendra Nimodia, director of Star Cement, a local brand in Assam, jumped out of the car taking …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mumbai ACP’s son, daughter-in-law shoot themselves

MUMBAI – The son and daughter-in-law of a high-ranking Mumbai police officer allegedly committed suicide by shooting themselves here early Friday, police said.

“The blood-spattered bodies of Abhijit Kurane (28) and his wife Ashwini (21) were found this morning in their bedroom,” Additional Police Commissioner Ramrao Pawar told mediapersons from the site of the tragedy in … Read more >>.

Wikileaks founder admits having sex with accuser

LONDON – Julian Assange, founder of whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, has admitted he had sexual relations with one of two Swedish women who have accused him of sex crimes.

Assange said he had consensual sex more than once with a woman who has accused him of molestation, the Daily Telegraph reported Friday.
“I say the same thing … Read more : Wikileaks founder admits having sex with accuser.

Mistaken alcohol use kills baby during surgery

NEW YORK – A seven-month-old baby died after doctors at a hospital in the US flushed his system with alcohol instead of saline solution during a heart surgery.

The incident, termed as a terrible mistake, occurred while Tressel Meinardi underwent heart surgery at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio Aug 21, the Herald Sun … Original article on : Mistaken alcohol use kills baby during surgery.

Another ISI agent held in Tripura

AGARTALA – An agent of Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the India-Bangladesh border in west Tripura, police said here Friday.

BSF troopers detained ISI agent Nayeem Ahmed Mamoon, 22, from Lankamura border on the outskirts of Agartala Thursday night while he was crossing the border …. Read the original article  : Another ISI agent held in Tripura.

Tar balls, robberies mar Goa’s beach parties

PANAJI – The run-up to Goa’s tourism season, beginning next month, could not have got off to a worse start.

With slimy tar balls resulting from an oil spill leaving oily scars across beaches over the last few days, several robberies have created fear psychosis among tourists.
A Pune-based tourist couple was robbed at … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Tar balls, robberies mar Goa’s beach parties.

Suicide bomber hits Tajik police office; 25 injured

Suicide blast at Tajik police office injures 25

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – A suicide car bomb blast on Friday tore through police offices in Tajikistan’s second-largest city, injuring 25 people, local officials said.
Tajikistan’s Deputy Interior Minister Sharif Nazarov told The Associated Press the car filled with explosives hit the offices of the police organized-crime division in Khujand … Read more : Suicide bomber hits Tajik police office; 25 injured.

Earl causes NC road closing, power outages as hurricane rain and wind reaches into Virginia

Earl’s gusts, rains lash Outer Banks, reach VA

BUXTON, N.C. – Hurricane Earl’s powerful gusts and driving rains are churning over the Outer Banks of North Carolina and starting to be felt in southeastern Virginia.
National Weather Service meterologist Jeremy Schulz said early Friday morning that rain bands stretched about 140 miles inland in North Carolina and [..] Read the original article: here.

Hurricane Earl scoots past NC’s Outer Banks; Nantucket and Cape Cod could get the brunt next

Earl weakens but still powerful as it scoots by NC

BUXTON, N.C. – Hurricane Earl churned past the North Carolina Outer Banks and its powerful gusts and driving rains were starting to be felt in southeastern Virginia early Friday, the beginning of at least 24 hours of stormy, windy weather along the East Coast.
Residents and officials …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

The great grandmom who fought a mugger

LONDON – A great grandmother in Britain became so angry when she got mugged that she pinned the man against a wall and demanded that he return her purse. “I’m no spring chicken,” she declared later.

Marion Walter, 77, fought back when the mugger attempted to snatch her purse from the back seat of her …. Original source  : The great grandmom who fought a mugger.

Australian ex-cop jailed for pushing wife off cliff

SYDNEY – A former police officer in Australia who murdered his wife by pushing her off a cliff was Friday jailed for 33 years.

Des Campbell, 52, who murdered his wife Janet, 49, by pushing her off a cliff, had married her only for her money, the prosecutor told the Supreme Court, adding that Janet had …. Original source  : Australian ex-cop jailed for pushing wife off cliff.

TSA: 1 in custody after suspicious item found in luggage at Miami airport, concourses closed

1 in custody at Miami airport; 4 concourses shut

MIAMI – Federal officials say a passenger has been taken into custody after screeners detected something suspicious in a checked bag at Miami International Airport.
A statement by the Transportation Security Administration says its investigators, a Miami-Dade police bomb squad and other law enforcement agencies were on the [..] Read the original article: here.

Bomb targeting police vehicle kills 1 officer, wounds 3 in northwest Pakistan

Bomb kills 1 police officer, wounds 3 in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Police say a roadside bomb has killed a police officer and wounded three others in northwest Pakistan.
Police official Shafiullah Khan said the bomb was detonated by remote control Friday as officers patrolled in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where floods have affected …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bomb targeting police vehicle kills 1 officer, wounds 3 in northwest Pakistan.

All 13 crew members rescued from Gulf oil platform fire in chaos different from BP spill

Latest Gulf oil rig problem differs from BP spill
NEW ORLEANS – Stark differences exist between the oil platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico and the blast that led to the massive BP spill. Mostly notably, no one was killed and no crude was gushing into the water, but the distinctions don’t end …. Read the original article  : All 13 crew members rescued from Gulf oil platform fire in chaos different from BP spill.

Oil Rig Explosion Off The Louisiana Coast

NEW ORLEANS (GaeaTimes.com)- On Thursday an oil rig off the coast of Louisiana caught fire and triggered fear of a repetition of the British Petroleum’s Deep Horizon oil spill that had jeopardized the marine life and the lives of thousands of coastal area residents. Coincidentally the blast took place at about 200 miles west …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Oil Rig Explosion Off The Louisiana Coast.

4 killed in latest wave of forest fires in Russia

4 killed in Russian forest fires
MOSCOW – Russia’s emergencies ministry says forest fires in the country’s south have killed four people.

Forest fires plagued much of Russia during this summer’s unusual wave of withering heat and drought and cloaked Moscow in a pall of smoke in August have largely died down amid strong rains, but the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Three cops suspended for assaulting their woman officer

LUCKNOW – Three traffic constables have been suspended in Uttar Pradesh for assaulting a woman police officer and dragging her over a distance while fleeing in their car after she caught them extorting money, police said Friday.

The three constables, who are yet to be arrested, roughed up Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Kalpana Saxena late …. Source article  : Three cops suspended for assaulting their woman officer.

When the Indus became a river of sorrow (Floods in Pakistan – I)

That the Indus will become the ‘Yellow river of sorrow’ for Pakistan and wreak havoc and destruction more unbearable than suicide bombings was inconceivable until the angry waters came flooding in in the early hours of July 29, 2010.

In the holy month of Ramadan fasting, over 30 million Pakistanis running helter skelter for food, water …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Three contract killers arrested in Raipur

RAIPUR – Police in Raipur have arrested three contract killers, among them a 15-year-old boy, from here, police said Friday.

Three people, who were paid to kill a cable businessman Sandeep Singh, were arrested Thursday night with arms, said Ajatshatru Bahadur Singh, additional superintendent of police (crime) of Raipur.
Two of the arrested … Read more »»».

Drunk driver takes wrong turn – ends up in police car park

LONDON – A drunk motorist in Britain was nabbed by police after he took a wrong turn and went straight into the car park of the police headquarters.

Edward Gallagher lost his bearing while driving back home from a night out with friends last month. He was spotted on a private road leading to the Central … Original source on Gaea Times at : Drunk driver takes wrong turn – ends up in police car park.

11 hurt as school van catches fire in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – At least 11 students received burn injuries Saturday when a school van carrying them burst into flames following a gas leak from its LPG tank in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district, police said.

All the 11 students of a private school, who are in the age group of 8-13 years, are being treated in the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 11 hurt as school van catches fire in Uttar Pradesh.

Jayalalithaa flays police inaction over hotel attack

CHENNAI – Opposition leader and AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa Saturday launched a scathing attack on the state police for failing to take action against those involved in an attack on a star hotel here late Tuesday.

A mob of nearly a hundred people, who claimed to be supporters of a senior official of the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Jayalalithaa flays police inaction over hotel attack.

Death toll rises to 65 in attack on Shiite procession in Pakistan; schools closed in mourning

Death toll rises to 65 in attack on Pakistanis

QUETTA, Pakistan – The death toll from a Pakistani Taliban suicide attack on a Shiite Muslim procession rose from 43 to 65 overnight as critically wounded people died in hospitals, police said Saturday.
About 150 people were wounded and some remained in critical condition after the bombing Friday … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Death toll rises to 65 in attack on Shiite procession in Pakistan; schools closed in mourning.

New Zealand quake survivors feel lucky to be alive

AUCKLAND – Survivors of a massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck New Zealand Saturday said they feel lucky to be alive.

A survivor said: “I’ll have a story for the rest of my life to tell.”
A state of emergency was declared after Christchurch, the biggest city in New Zealand’s South Island, was damaged by the …. Source article  : New Zealand quake survivors feel lucky to be alive.

Trapped miners get dirty jokes to lift their spirit!

LONDON – Messages that are being sent down to the trapped miners in Chile include a “dirty joke of the day”.

The miners have been trapped since Aug 5 when a tunnel collapsed at the mine, located about 700 km north of Chilean capital Santiago. Thirtythree miners face up to four months in isolation as engineers … Read more »»».

BP carefully raises blowout preventer, key evidence in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill

BP raises blowout preventer, key evidence in probe

NEW ORLEANS – BP PLC was on Saturday slowly raising the 300-ton blowout preventer that failed to stop oil from spewing into the Gulf of Mexico, careful not to damage or drop a key piece of evidence in the spill investigation.
When the blowout preventer reaches the surface after [..] Read the original article: here.

School van catches fire, 11 injured in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – At least 11 schoolchildren received burn injuries when their van caught fire in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district Saturday, officials said.

All the students, who are in the age group of 8-13 years, are being treated in the Azamgarh district hospital. Doctors said the condition of three is critical.
According to police, the accident took … Read more : School van catches fire, 11 injured in Uttar Pradesh.

Hindu groups call bandh to protest priests’ killing

NAGPUR – Hindu groups Saturday called for a bandh in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra to protest the killings of two temple priests.

Calling for a district bandh, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal alleged that the murderers were criminals staying in the temple. The two priests and a security guard of the Mahadev … Read more »».

9 killed after skydiving plane bursts into flames, crashes on New Zealand’s South Island

9 killed in New Zealand skydiving plane crash

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A light aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in flames Saturday near a popular tourist spot in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, killing nine people including four foreign tourists, police said.
The plane caught fire after takeoff from an airstrip at Fox Glacier on the country’s South Island, …. Original source  : 9 killed after skydiving plane bursts into flames, crashes on New Zealand’s South Island.

Gandhi’s grandson pitches in for Pakistan flood aid

UNITED NATIONS – Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, has asked people for more help in flood relief efforts in Pakistan, saying humanitarian needs should transcend international rift.

“Let us praise and honour the stoic bravery of the victims of Pakistan’s floods,” Gandhi said.
The floods in Pakistan have affected over 18 million people. The UN … Read more »»».

Punjab woman held for duping men with job offers abroad

JALANDHAR – Jalandhar police have arrested a 25-year-old woman here for duping three young men of nearly Rs.32 lakh on the pretext of sending them to Portugal for employment, police said Saturday.

The woman has been identified as Nisha Gogna, whose father is settled in Portugal for the past many years. Police have also booked Nisha’s … Read : Punjab woman held for duping men with job offers abroad.

Hurricane Earl Update: Outer Bank Receives Flood

MIAMI (GaeaTimes.com)- On Friday night the much anticipated Hurricane Earl lashed at Cap Cod’s fishing villages with a force lesser than what was being anticipated. Although at the beginning of the week, Hurricane Earl gained speed and meteorologists predicted that it might escalate to the category 4 storm when it strikes the northeast coast … Read : Hurricane Earl Update: Outer Bank Receives Flood.

New Zealand Earthquake Causes Widespread Destruction

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND (GaeaTimes.com)- New Zealand was hit a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on the wee hours of Saturday morning. The earthquake which rocked the city of Christchurch which resulted in buildings across crumbling down while the water and sewage connections were disrupted. The extent of the damage was not limited to only this as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New Zealand Earthquake Causes Widespread Destruction.

11-year-old boy mauled by sea lion in front of horrified visitors at popular Australian zoo

Sea lion mauls 11-year-old boy at Australian zoo

SYDNEY – An 11-year-old boy was recovering Saturday after a sea lion mauled him at a popular Sydney zoo’s aquarium show as horrified visitors looked on.
The boy, identified by his stepmother as Jack Lister, had been invited by zookeepers to meet the 8-year-old female sea lion during the … Original article on : 11-year-old boy mauled by sea lion in front of horrified visitors at popular Australian zoo.

Terrorists rushed in where leaders feared to tread (Floods in Pakistan -II)

With the vacuum in the Pakistani leadership visible right from the onset of the flood tragedy, foot-soldiers of extremist organisations have rushed in where President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif are reluctant to tread.

The unprecedented flood calamity has handed out Jamaat-ud-Dawa’s (JuD) dipping stock a much-needed lifeline and an … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Terrorists rushed in where leaders feared to tread (Floods in Pakistan -II).

Three killed in Delhi road accidents

NEW DELHI – Three people, including a woman, were killed in separate road accidents in Delhi, police said Saturday.

The woman was killed while her husband was critically injured after their car rammed into a stationary truck loaded with iron rods around 4 a.m. Saturday in Maurya Enclave in north Delhi.
“The couple was going to …. Source article  : Three killed in Delhi road accidents.

The biggest fireball I ever saw: Dubai crash witness

DUBAI – “The biggest fireball ever seen” and a “massive 20-storey tower of smoke and flames” was how witnesses described the crash of a Boeing 747-400 cargo plane in Dubai, in which two crew members were killed.

The United Parcel Service (UPS) Flight 6 took off from Dubai International Airport Friday night for the company’s hub …. Original source  : The biggest fireball I ever saw: Dubai crash witness.

Italian found dead in Varanasi guesthouse

LUCKNOW – An Italian tourist was found dead in a guesthouse in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi district, police said Saturday.

The body of Romano Antonio, 40, was found Friday night inside the waiting room of the Tripathi Guesthouse in Bhelupur area of Varanasi, some 300 km from Lucknow.
“The reason of the death is yet to be …. Original article  : Italian found dead in Varanasi guesthouse.

Bosnian Serb leader’s trial set to resume

The Hague, Sep 4 (IANS/AKI) The landmark trial of wartime Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will resume Monday at the UN’s Yugoslav war crimes court in the Hague after a brief recess.

Karadzic has been charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity and the trial could last four years, the UN tribunal said … Read more : Bosnian Serb leader’s trial set to resume.

9 people die after skydiving plane bursts into flame, crashes on New Zealand’s South Island

New Zealand skydiving plane crashes; 9 die

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Nine people died when a light aircraft belonging to a skydiving company crashed and burst into flames Saturday near a popular tourist spot in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, police said.
The plane caught fire shortly after takeoff from an airstrip at Fox Glacier on the country’s …. Source article  : 9 people die after skydiving plane bursts into flame, crashes on New Zealand’s South Island.

Probe finds UPS cargo plane had smoke in cockpit, trouble holding altitude before Dubai crash

UAE: UPS 747 had smoke in cockpit before crash

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Emirati investigators say a UPS cargo plane that crashed in Dubai shortly after takeoff Friday had smoke in the cockpit and was struggling to maintain altitude before the accident.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said in a preliminary report Sunday the Boeing …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Probe finds UPS cargo plane had smoke in cockpit, trouble holding altitude before Dubai crash.

Telangana students ransack exam centre at Osmania

HYDERABAD – Students protesting the conduct of the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) exam ransacked an exam centre at the Osmania University campus here Sunday, leaving three injured.

Tension prevailed at the B.Ed college as protesters broke the security cordon and barged into the exam centre. Some students writing the test came out with question …. Original article  : Telangana students ransack exam centre at Osmania.

Mother who killed kids to elope arrested

JIND – A 35-year-old woman in Haryana who killed her two minor children to elope with her 20-year-old lover has been arrested, police said Sunday.

Police also arrested Kulwanti Devi alias Babli’s lover Ram Meher, also a resident of Julhera village and a cousin of the woman’s husband, Dharamvir Singh.
Police said the couple boarded a …. Original source  : Mother who killed kids to elope arrested.

Nine die in Bengal accident

KOLKATA – At least nine people were killed and six injured Sunday when a truck collided with a smaller vehicle in West Bengal’s Malda district Sunday. All the injured are in critical condition.

The victims were passengers in the smaller vehicle, known locally as trekker.
“Seven people died on the spot. One died in hospital,” Malda … Read more »»».

5 soldiers killed, 40 wounded, in suicide car-bomb attack on Russian base in Dagestan

5 killed in suicide attack on Russian base

MAKHACHKALA, Russia – A suicide car-bomber killed five soldiers and wounded 40 others in an attack on a military base in Russia’s violence-plagued republic of Dagestan on Sunday, officials said.
The attack took place about 1 a.m. (2100 GMT Saturday) at the base in the city of Buinaksk, said …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 5 soldiers killed, 40 wounded, in suicide car-bomb attack on Russian base in Dagestan.

Two Germans held for taking dead relative on plane

LONDON – Two German women were caught trying to wheel in the corpse of a relative on board an aircraft in Britain. The airport authorities got suspicious about the inert figure, face hidden behind sunglasses, on the wheelchair and decided to check the pulse, officials said.

Gitta Jarant, 66, and her daughter Anke Anusic, 41, were …. Read the original article  : Two Germans held for taking dead relative on plane.

New Zealand investigators hope to find why skydiving plane crashed, killing 9

NZ probes skydiving plane crash that killed 9

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Investigators expressed confidence Sunday that they will learn why an airplane carrying skydivers crashed in flames near a popular tourist spot in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, killing four Europeans and five New Zealanders.
Six investigators from New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission were traveling to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

5,000 evacuated in Mexico due to heavy rains

Mexico City, Sep 5 (IANS/EFE) Over 5,000 people have been evacuated in Mexico’s southern state of Tabasco as torrential rains caused two rivers to overflow their banks.

“The situation is very critical,” Tabasco state Governor Andres Granier said Saturday.
Three years ago, in 2007, the state had seen heavy flooding that displaced around one million people. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 5,000 evacuated in Mexico due to heavy rains.

Grateful for no deaths, New Zealand cleaning up after quake that ripped open new fault line

NZ cleans up after quake that tore new fault line

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – The powerful earthquake that smashed buildings, cracked roads and twisted rail lines around the New Zealand city of Christchurch also ripped a new 11-foot (3.5 meter) wide fault line in the earth’s surface, a geologist said Sunday.
At least 500 buildings, including 90 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Eight buried alive as mudslide hits bus

Guatemala City, Sep 5 (IANS/EFE) A passenger bus was buried in a mudslide triggered by torrential rains in Guatemala, killing at least eight people and injuring 25.

“It has been pretty difficult to recover the victims because of the tonnes of mud that fell on the bus,” a spokesperson for the volunteer firefighters said Saturday.
Witnesses …. Original source  : Eight buried alive as mudslide hits bus.

Failed blowout preventer, a key piece of evidence in Gulf oil spill probe, secured on boat

Key oil spill evidence secured on boat in the Gulf

ON THE GULF OF MEXICO – A key piece of evidence in the oil spill probe has been safely secured on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico, and investigators are getting their first chance to personally look at the device up close.
The blowout preventer was …. Read the original article  : here.

Brock Mealer, brother of Michigan lineman, amazingly leads Wolverines on field

Brother of Michigan player takes an amazing walk

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Doctors told Brock Mealer he would be in a wheelchair the rest of his life.
On Saturday, he led the Michigan Wolverines on the field.
“This is the start of a new chapter,” he said. “The next chapter is to getting rid of one cane, and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Skydiving plane crashes near New Zealand glacier, killing 4 European tourists, 5 NZealanders

Skydiving plane crashes near NZ glacier, killing 9

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A plane carrying skydivers crashed in flames near a popular glacier in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, killing five New Zealanders and four European tourists, police said.
The plane caught fire after takeoff Saturday from an airstrip near Fox Glacier township on South Island, said Ian … Original article on : Skydiving plane crashes near New Zealand glacier, killing 4 European tourists, 5 NZealanders.

2 babies killed, woman critical after gas tanker, vehicles collide on Phoenix freeway

2 babies killed after semi hits vehicles in Ariz.

PHOENIX – Two babies have been killed in a three-vehicle collision involving a gas tanker in Phoenix.
An Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman says a car slowed on Interstate 10 on Saturday afternoon to look at a minor collision and cut off a minivan, which braked to [..] Read the original article: here.

Powerful 7.1 earthquake smashes buildings, rips open new fault, but no deaths reported

N. Zealand quake smashes buildings, rips new fault

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – The powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that smashed buildings, cracked roads and twisted rail lines around a New Zealand city also ripped a new 11-foot- (3.5 meter-) wide fault in the earth’s surface, officials said Sunday.
At least 500 buildings, including 90 properties in downtown Christchurch, have … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Powerful 7.1 earthquake smashes buildings, rips open new fault, but no deaths reported.

Failed blowout preventer, a key piece of evidence in Gulf oil spill probe, raised to surface

Key oil spill evidence raised to Gulf’s surface

ON THE GULF OF MEXICO – Investigators looking into what went wrong in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are a step closer to answers now that a key piece evidence is secure aboard a ship.
Engineers took 29?? hours to lift the 50-foot, 300-ton blowout preventer from a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

NYC sanitation pier, trash-filled trailers catch fire, spew smoke, but no injuries reported

NYC sanitation pier, trash trailers catch fire

NEW YORK – The New York City Fire Department says a Manhattan sanitation pier that was the site of a smoky fire will need to be checked for stability.
The pier and trash-filled trailers began burning Saturday afternoon and drew more than 130 firefighters. The Fire Department says the blaze …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : NYC sanitation pier, trash-filled trailers catch fire, spew smoke, but no injuries reported.

UPS identifies men from Kentucky, Florida as 2 crew members killed in Dubai cargo plane crash

UPS identifies American crew killed in Dubai crash

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Crew members from Kentucky and Florida were identified Saturday as the two people killed when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff outside Dubai.
The crash Friday killed Captain Doug Lampe of Louisville, Ky., 48, and First Officer Matthew Bell, 38, of Sanford, Fla., the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UPS identifies men from Kentucky, Florida as 2 crew members killed in Dubai cargo plane crash.

Uruguayans who survived 72 days in snow-covered mountains tell Chilean miners’ kin: Be strong

‘Alive’ survivors to Chilean mining kin: Be strong

SAN JOSE MINE, Chile – Former rugby players from Uruguay who survived more than two months of isolation in the snow-covered Andes met on Saturday with some of the relatives of 33 trapped miners and urged them to stay strong.
“They will be out soon,” said Jose Inciarte, one …. Source article  : Uruguayans who survived 72 days in snow-covered mountains tell Chilean miners’ kin: Be strong.

Robbers set clothing store ablaze, 6 people killed in normally peaceful Barbados

Robbers burn clothing store, 6 die in Barbados

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Robbers set a clothing store ablaze, killing at least six people in the normally peaceful capital of Barbados, police said Saturday.
Two men burst into a clothing store in downtown Bridgetown and demanded money before setting the building on fire Friday evening, police spokesman David Welch … Read : Robbers set clothing store ablaze, 6 people killed in normally peaceful Barbados.

British MP’s wife found working as a sex worker

LONDON – A British MP’s wife works as a prostitute charging 70 pounds “for oral sex without a condom followed by full sex with a condom”, said a media report here. The revelation left the MP stunned as he said: “That’s a horrible shock”.

Sunday Mirror reported that Tory MP Mike Weatherley’s Brazilian wife Carla, 39, … Original article on : British MP’s wife found working as a sex worker.

Rs.10,000-cr police modernisation plan on anvil

AGARTALA – The union home ministry will soon launch an ambitious Rs.10,000-crore scheme for modernisation and welfare of police forces across the country, a top police officer said here Monday.

“The union Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to push the Modernisation of Police Forces Scheme (MoPF scheme) next year with 10 times larger resources,” Tripura …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

No deal with Maoists to free policemen: Nitish Kumar (Second Lead)

PATNA – There was no deal with Maoists to secure the release of three policemen abducted over a week ago, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Monday, and asserted that the government has been “firm on unconditional talks” with the rebels.

“There was no deal. The government was firm on unconditional talks. We did everything possible. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : No deal with Maoists to free policemen: Nitish Kumar (Second Lead).

New Zealand economy faces hit from major earthquake as it struggles out of recession

NZ economy facing hit from major earthquake impact

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – New Zealand’s prime minister warned Monday that the country’s economic recovery will be hurt by the weekend’s powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that smashed buildings and wrecked roads and rail lines in the city of Christchurch.
“There will be considerable disruption to the (regional) and national economy …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New Zealand economy faces hit from major earthquake as it struggles out of recession.

Cops sent home, no deal with Maoists: Nitish Kumar

PATNA – There was no deal with Maoists to secure the release of three policemen who were abducted over a week ago, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Monday adding that the released cops had been sent home.

“There was no deal with the Maoists…I’m grateful to all political parties for making a joint appeal to … Original article on : Cops sent home, no deal with Maoists: Nitish Kumar.

Eid already in released cop Ehsan Khan’s village

RANCHI – Smiles returned to the faces of the wife and 80-year-old father of Ehsan Khan Monday and hundreds of people gathered near their home in Jharkhand when TV footage confirmed that the cop, who had been abducted by Maoists in Bihar over a week ago, had been released.

“Allah ki meharbani hai (It’s Allah’s wish). … Read more »»».

Philippines asks court to outlaw Abu Sayyaf, blacklist more than 200 militants

Philippines asks court to outlaw Abu Sayyaf

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government has asked a court to outlaw the Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist group and blacklist more than 200 of its Islamic fighters blamed for two decades of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings, officials said Monday.
The Justice Department recently lodged its petition against the al-Qaida-linked … Original source on Gaea Times at : Philippines asks court to outlaw Abu Sayyaf, blacklist more than 200 militants.

British tourist alleges molestation in Rajasthan

BUNDI – Another incident of a foreign tourist being harassed in Rajasthan has emerged with a British woman alleging that she was molested by a schoolteacher here. Police, however, arrested the man only for “disturbing peace”, an official said.

The alleged incident took place when the foreign tourist and her boyfriend were walking around the Nahar …. Original source  : British tourist alleges molestation in Rajasthan.

Aerobridge Takes Life Of AirAsia Officer

HYDERABAD, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- In a shocking development a Kolkata based a 25 year old lady named Amrita Roy lost her life after her right hand was severed in a retracting aerobridge. The incident took place at the Hyderabad airport yesterday. The lady was standing at the aircraft door edge at that time when the incident … Read more »»».

Thieves who taunted cops on YouTube jailed

LONDON – A gang of thieves in Britain, who made rap videos taunting policemen and then posted these on YouTube, has been caught and jailed.

“Night Crawlers” gang led by Matthew Murtagh struck at 17 homes. They boasted they could never be apprehended, The Sun reported Monday.
They stole luxury cars, jewellery, TVs, and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Thieves who taunted cops on YouTube jailed.

Austrian girl talks of 8 years in captor’s dungeon

LONDON – A girl in Austria, who was locked up in a dungeon where she suffered physical and sexual abuses for eight years, has revealed she was beaten black and blue and forced to share bed with her captor.

In her autobiography, “3096 Days”, Natascha Kampusch tells how she was kept in a “hermetically sealed” dungeon, … Read more >>>.

Tropical depression off Mexico coast strengthens; warnings from Tampico to mouth of Rio Grande

Tropical depression off Mexico coast strengthens

MIAMI – Forecasters say a tropical depression off the coast of Mexico has strengthened slightly.
The National Hurricane Center says the depression has sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) and is about 205 miles (335 kilometers) east-southeast of Tampico, Mexico. It is expected to strengthen more before making land and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Dozen Punjab villages flooded as Satluj breaches bank

CHANDIGARH – Nearly a dozen villages in Punjab’s Ropar district were flooded as the overflowing Satluj river breached its banks near Laudipur village, officials said Monday.

More water was released from the Bhakra Dam reservoir Sunday as its spillways were opened to maintain the water level in the reservoir, officials of the Bhakra Beas Management …. Original source  : Dozen Punjab villages flooded as Satluj breaches bank.

Police say suicide attack on police station in NW Pakistan kills 17 officers and civilians

Police say suicide attack in NW Pakistan kills 17

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – A suicide bomber detonated a car in an alley behind a police station in a strategically vital town in northwest Pakistan on Monday, killing at least 17 police and civilians in an explosion that shattered the station and neighboring homes, police said.
About 40 people …. Read the original article  : here.

Three arrested with antique idol in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – Three men were arrested with an ‘ashtadhatu’ (eight-metal) idol worth Rs.5 crore in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district, police said Monday.

The trio, in their mid-30s, were nabbed late Sunday evening from the district’s Dhobha area, close to the Nepal order, in a joint operation carried out by police and the Special Operation Group (SOG). …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ex-Colombian spy seduced cop to implicate judges

Bogota, Sep 6 (IANS/EFE) A former Colombian detective, who received orders from her superiors to infiltrate the Supreme Court in 2007, had seduced a national police captain to be able to carry out her mission, media reports said.

Alba Luz Florez revealed in her confession to authorities, which was published Saturday, that her superiors in the … Read more »»».

Tropical depression forms off Mexico coast; storm warnings from Tampico to mouth of Rio Grande

Tropical depression forms off Mexico coast

MIAMI – Forecasters say a tropical depression has formed off the coast of Mexico and storm warnings have been issued.
The National Hurricane Center says the depression has sustained winds of 30 mph (45 kph) and is about 200 miles (325 kilometers) east-southeast of Tampico, Mexico. It is expected to strengthen …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New Zealand troops take over security as southern city begins clean-up after major earthquake

NZ troops provide security in earthquake-hit city

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – Army troops took control of the center of the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Monday, two days after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake smashed buildings and homes, wrecked roads and rail lines – but caused no loss of life.
Mayor Bob Parker extended a state of … Original source on Gaea Times at : New Zealand troops take over security as southern city begins clean-up after major earthquake.

42 dead in mudslides in Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY – At least 42 people have died in mudslides that followed heavy rains in Guatemala, local media reported Sunday.

Fifteen people were killed in one mudslide alone on the Pan-American Highway near Guatemala City. According to eyewitness reports Sunday, numerous other people had been buried.
Rescuers searching for survivors reportedly were caught and submerged …. Original source  : 42 dead in mudslides in Guatemala.

6 minor earthquakes recorded in central Oklahoma, same area had several temblors this week

6 small earthquakes shake parts of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second time in less than a week, six small earthquakes have been recorded in a single day in central Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey said the six earthquakes on Saturday ranged from preliminary magnitudes of 1.5 to 3.3.
On Wednesday in the same area about 30 … Read more »»».

Indonesian volcano spits new burst of ash high into air, 15 miles away in strongest blast yet

Indonesian volcano erupts again; strongest yet

TANAH KARO, Indonesia – An Indonesian volcano shot a towering cloud of black ash high into the air Tuesday, dusting villages 15 miles (25 kilometers) away in its most powerful eruption since awakening last week from four centuries of dormancy.
Some witnesses at the foot of Mount Sinabung reported seeing an … Read more >>>.

1,000 homes evacuated, dozens of houses destroyed by fast-moving Colorado wildfire

Colorado wildfire destroys dozens of homes

DENVER – A wind-whipped wildfire sent flames roaring through a rugged canyon in the Colorado foothills, forcing hundreds of people to flee and destroying dozens of homes – some that belonged to the firefighters themselves, authorities said early Tuesday.
Firefighters were waiting until sunrise to count the exact number of houses … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 1,000 homes evacuated, dozens of houses destroyed by fast-moving Colorado wildfire.

Bangladesh Army officer caught with banned drug

DHAKA – A Bangladesh Army officer, returning from India after medical treatment, has been caught with bottles of a banned medicinal drug.

Major Shabbir Ahmed Bipu, posted at Chittagong Cantonment, was nabbed by police Sunday in Faridpur district in central Bangladesh with three bottles of a cough syrup commonly known as Phensidyl. He was handed … Read more : Bangladesh Army officer caught with banned drug.

Trauma of watching friends die keeps children from school

RAIPUR – The students cannot get over the horror of watching three of their friends being struck by lightning and dying in front of their eyes. A day after the three boys, all under 10, were hit by a thunder bolt and died in a government school in Chhattisgarh, most students are keeping away from …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Man held after wife’s remains found encased in concrete

LONDON – A businessman was arrested after the burnt remains of his wife were found covered in concrete in their mansion in France, it was reported here Tuesday.

Joanna Hall may have died last week during a drunken argument with her husband Robert, 55.
Daily Express reported that one of their three children could have reported … Read more >>>.

Chhattisgarh may sack cops dodging Maoist area postings

RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh, one of the states worst hit by Maoist insurgency, is thinking of suspending or dismissing from service 31 policemen who are declining new postings, mostly in Maoist hotbeds, an official said here Tuesday.

“The police headquarters has taken a stern view over deliberate delay by 31 policemen … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chhattisgarh may sack cops dodging Maoist area postings.

Train kills three teenagers

BHUBANESWAR – Three teenagers were killed on the spot when they came under a train Tuesday in Orissa’s Dhenkanal district, police said.

The accident took place near Kuanripal village when the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Gariba Rath express hit them, Superintendent of Police S.K. Gajbhiye told IANS.
“We are investigating why they were on the track,” he said. The … Read more : Train kills three teenagers.

1,000 homes evacuated, unknown number destroyed by fast-moving Colorado wildfire

Hundreds flee fast-moving Colorado wildfire

DENVER – A wind-whipped wildfire sent flames roaring through a rugged canyon in the Colorado foothills, forcing hundreds of people to flee and destroying an unknown number of homes – some that belonged to the firefighters themselves.
The blaze broke out Monday morning in Four Mile Canyon northwest of Boulder and rapidly …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 1,000 homes evacuated, unknown number destroyed by fast-moving Colorado wildfire.

Student dies as ceiling falls

LUCKNOW – A student was killed and 13 others were injured Tuesday when the ceiling of their classroom collapsed in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district, police said.

The accident took place at the government-aided Salempur Junior High School in Maharjpur area. The 13-year-old Shricharan died on the spot.
“All the injured are being treated in hospital. The …. Original article  : Student dies as ceiling falls.

SKorea: NKorea requests for shipment of rice, cement and heavy equipment for flood recovery

SKorea: NKorea asks for flood aid despite tension

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea requested a shipment of rice, cement and heavy equipment days after rival South Korea offered relief aid to its communist neighbor to help it recover from recent flooding, the South’s Unification Ministry said Tuesday.
Word of the communication between the two Koreas on … Read more : SKorea: NKorea requests for shipment of rice, cement and heavy equipment for flood recovery.

Indian TV helps solve Nepali woman\’s murder

KATHMANDU – A woman gangraped for nearly three days before being strangled to death in a hotel in an Indian city has been identified as a 35-year-old Nepali housewife and her killers as a trio from a border town of Nepal, thanks to a programme aired by an Indian television channel.

Nepal police solved the disappearance …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Indian TV helps solve Nepali woman\’s murder.

Engineering student attempts suicide after ragging

LUCKNOW – A first year engineering student at a private college in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district attempted suicide after being ragged by some seniors, police said Tuesday.

Vishal Yadav, 18, a B.Tech student of the Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (PSIT), consumed a mosquito repellant late Monday in his hostel room on the campus. Singh … Read more : Engineering student attempts suicide after ragging.

Suspended jail warden commits suicide

LUDHIANA – A warden of Ludhiana’s central jail, suspended last week after a prisoner escaped from his custody, Tuesday committed suicide at his house here.

The police found a suicide note from the room of Kashmiri Lal in which he is said to have accused senior prison officers of harassing him.
Lal and two other officials …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Suspended jail warden commits suicide.

Two injured in West Bengal as clashes mar strike

KOLKATA – Two people were injured in a clash between political activists in West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas district Tuesday amid disruption of normal life across the state following a one-day nationwide strike. Air services were also affected.

The workers of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) prevented the activists of the Trinamool Congress from opening shops …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Two injured in West Bengal as clashes mar strike.

Tropical Storm Hermine crosses into Texas hours after coming ashore in Mexico

Tropical Storm Hermine crosses into Texas
McALLEN, Texas – Tropical Storm Hermine rolled into south Texas early Tuesday, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to an area battered by Hurricane Alex earlier this summer.

Hermine made landfall in northeastern Mexico late Monday and crossed into Texas within hours, bringing with it winds of up to 65 mph … Read more : Tropical Storm Hermine crosses into Texas hours after coming ashore in Mexico.

Man killed by internet girlfriend’s real live-in lover

LONDON – A Scot, who travelled to the Philippines to propose to a woman he met online, was stabbed to death by his internet girlfriend’s live-in lover, it was reported here.

Twentyseven-year-old John McDonald met Nanqueen Romero, 31, at an internet chat room and they talked online for weeks, before Romero invited him to visit her …. Read the original article  : Man killed by internet girlfriend’s real live-in lover.

Boulder Wildfire Continues To Spread

DENVER (GaeaTimes.com)- A wind-driven wildfire that started in Four Mile Canyon northwest of Boulder, Colorado, spread across several square miles on Monday engulfing several buildings and leading to widespread evacuations of homes. No injury report as of yet has been received by the authorities who could not confirm the exact reason behind the …. Original article  : Boulder Wildfire Continues To Spread.

A car thief who is just seven years old

LONDON – Britain’s youngest car thief is a seven-year-old boy who needs cushions to sit on so that he can see over the steering wheel when he takes stolen vehicles for a joyride.

Police officials, who are on the look-out for the mystery thief who has eluded them, said they had “intelligence” he is just seven … Read : A car thief who is just seven years old.

Flood-hit North Korea seeks help from South Korea

SEOUL – North Korea has asked South Korea to send rice and necessary construction equipment to help it recover from floods, the government here said Tuesday.

The request was made in a reply to an offer last week by South Korea’s Red Cross to give North Korea emergency relief aid worth $8.4 million, Xinhua reported. …. Read the original article  : Flood-hit North Korea seeks help from South Korea.

Haryana police seize 500 cartons of smuggled liquor

PANCHKULA – At least 500 cartons of smuggled Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs.375,000 have been seized from here and two people arrested here, police said Tuesday.

According to the police officials, following a tip-off, they intercepted a truck carrying smuggled liquor here. Police said the seized liquor is worth Rs.375,000.
“The accused were taking …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Haryana police seize 500 cartons of smuggled liquor.

Colorado wildfire evacuees wait, wonder if homes among toll of destroyed buildings

Colo. wildfire’s toll of destroyed homes rises

BOULDER, Colo. – Will Esposito describes an otherworldly scene after a wildfire tore through a canyon in the Colorado foothills: Some houses in his neighborhood burning while others stood intact, a propane tank shooting flames into the sky, and an eerie quiet interrupted only by firefighting helicopters and airplanes.
“There … Read more »»».

Britain’s youngest female double murderer jailed for life

LONDON – A school girl, who became Britain’s youngest female double murderer after killing her father and a woman when she was just 15, was Wednesday awarded life sentence for the crime.

She was convicted of taking part with 41-year-old Paul Clarke in the murders of Desmond Thorpe and Rosalyn Hunt, the Daily Mail reported.
Hunt, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Britain’s youngest female double murderer jailed for life.

AI team reaches Chandigarh to repair grounded plane

CHANDIGARH – A day after an Air India plane was grounded at Chandigarh airport after being hit by a bird, a special team from Mumbai Wednesday arrived here to repair the aircraft.

The plane was grounded after a bird hit its front undercarriage while it was moving towards the terminal building. The plane had 153 … Read more >>>.

Corruption cases on the rise in China

BEIJING – There has been an increase in the number of bribery cases involving government officials in China, a senior official has said.

Song Hansong, deputy-director of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) anti-dereliction and infringement department, told China Daily Tuesday that the number of bribery cases involving government officials has increased by 13 percent since 2003. … Read more »».

Six women Maoists held for Chhattisgarh ambush

RAIPUR – Seven Maoist guerrillas, including six women, were arrested with arms and ammunition in Chhattisgarh Wednesday for killing five security personnel in an ambush last month, police said.

The seven, amongst the dozens of Maoists wanted for the Aug 29 killing of five security personnel in Kanker, were arrested from a forest in the district …. Read the original article  : here.

13 children injured in China wall collapse

BEIJING – Thirteen children and a teacher were injured when a wall at a privately-run kindergarten in northwest China’s Shaanxi province collapsed, an official said Wednesday.

The accident happened Tuesday in a village in Jingyang county, when the wall of a house adjacent to the kindergarten toppled and crashed into the kindergarten’s wall, Xinhua quoted a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 13 children injured in China wall collapse.

18 Maoists named in Bihar cops’ abduction case

PATNA – A case has been registered against 18 named Maoists and 150 unknown people for killing eight policemen and abducting four in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, police said Wednesday.

“The case was registered on the basis of the statement of station house officer of Kajra police station Indradev Paswan,” Lakhisarai Superintendent of Police Ranjeet Kumar …. Read the original article  : 18 Maoists named in Bihar cops’ abduction case.

Indonesian maid jailed for mixing urine in baby’s milk

HONG KONG – An Indonesian maid who mixed her own urine with the formula milk she fed to a Hong Kong infant she was looking after has been jailed, a report said Wednesday.

The maid, 24-year-old Purwanti, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, added her own urine to the formula milk because of a … Read : Indonesian maid jailed for mixing urine in baby’s milk.

Hermine’s remnants head north after storm drenched parts of south Texas and weakened

Hermine’s remnants head north after storm weakens

RAYMONDVILLE, Texas – It’s power spent, what was left of Tropical Storm Hermine was making its way north Wednesday, having drenched parts of northeastern Mexico and south Texas before weakening.
Remnants of the storm that was downgraded to a tropical depression Tuesday night could spread as far north as Oklahoma …. Source  : Hermine’s remnants head north after storm drenched parts of south Texas and weakened.

Two missing after typhoon hit Chinese oil rig

BEIJING – Two people are missing after falling into the sea when strong wind brought by a typhoon hit an oil drilling platform in China, officials said Wednesday.

The valve on the oil rig has been closed and there is no risk of an oil spill, the platform’s operator, Shengli Oilfield, a subsidiary of Sinopec, said … Read more >>.

BP to release report on internal probe on Gulf of Mexico disaster before key evidence analyzed

All eyes on BP report on Gulf oil spill disaster

NEW ORLEANS – Oil giant BP PLC on Wednesday planned to release the conclusions of its internal investigation into the rig explosion that killed 11 workers and led to the massive Gulf of Mexico spill.
BP was striking first with a detailed report about what it believes [..] Read the original article: here.

Bail denied to six who chopped off Kerala teacher’s palm

KOCHI – The Kerala High Court Wednesday denied bail to six people, who are accused of chopping the right palm of college teacher T.J. Joseph, saying that their “action created scare in the minds of the people”.

Justice V. Ramkumar came down heavily on the six and said their case was similar to a terror-related one. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bail denied to six who chopped off Kerala teacher’s palm.

6 killed, 35 wounded in 2 bomb attacks in eastern, southern Baghdad

6 killed in 2 separate bomb attacks in Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Iraqi police and health officials say at least six people have been killed and 35 wounded in two separate attacks in Baghdad.
A police officer says three policemen and one civilian have been killed when a parked car bomb exploded Wednesday near a bus station in … Original article on : 6 killed, 35 wounded in 2 bomb attacks in eastern, southern Baghdad.

Goods train derailed in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – Rail traffic was disrupted on the busy Pilibhit-Bareilly route after a goods train derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit district Wednesday, an official said. No casualty was reported in the accident.

The goods train derailed near the Lalaulikhera station, subsequently damaging the single-line rail tracks.
“Though, mainly a wagon of the goods train derailed, rail-tracks …. Read the original article  : Goods train derailed in Uttar Pradesh.

The long and short of British law

LONDON – They are the long and short of the law. British police official Natasha Timothy is dwarfed by her crime-fighting partner, Anthony Wallyn who is two feet taller than her.

The police officials were on duty outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London Monday, Daily Express reported Tuesday.
While Timothy is 5 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : The long and short of British law.

Lover kills woman for taking another man’s name during sex

LONDON – A woman in Britain was stabbed and then throttled to death by her lover after she cried out another man’s name while they were having sex.

Gary Higgs, who was the live-in lover of Joanne Kitchen, stabbed her to death.
Higgs was enraged after Kitchen suddenly cried out: “Chris!” when they were having sex, … Read more >>.

Quake-damaged New Zealand city faces huge repair bill as fresh shakes hit

Big quake aftershocks plague New Zealand city

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – A powerful new 5.1-magnitude aftershock rattled terrified residents of New Zealand’s earthquake-stricken city of Christchurch on Wednesday, as officials doubled their estimate for repairing the damage from nearly 300 aftershocks in five days.
The latest quake, just four miles (6.4 kilometers) below the earth’s surface and … Original source on Gaea Times at : Quake-damaged New Zealand city faces huge repair bill as fresh shakes hit.

Weeks of torrential rains force tens of thousands to flee their homes in southern Mexico

Weeks of rains leave thousands homeless in Mexico

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico – Tens of thousands of people have abandoned their homes across southern Mexico to escape flooding from weeks of torrential rains, and forecasts are predicting even more rainfall.
The situation worsened for some areas Tuesday when authorities began releasing 2,000 cubic meters (71,000 cubic feet) of water …. Original article  : Weeks of torrential rains force tens of thousands to flee their homes in southern Mexico.

Burglar sent penis pictures from stolen phones

MELBOURNE – A serial burglar in Australia photographed his penis with mobile phones he stole and sent the images to some of the owners’ friends, including teenage girls, police said.

Shane Anthony Willis sent the photos via MMS to innocent and horrified victims, The Age reported Wednesday.
Willis, 33, pleaded guilty to more than 60 … Read : Burglar sent penis pictures from stolen phones.

Devgn was smoking in prohibited area, Goa officials insist

PANAJI – Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn was puffing cigarettes in close vicinity of regulation-size “No Smoking” sign boards, officials in Goa said Wednesday.

Manoj Srivastava, the chief executive officer of the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), which conducts the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), has countered Devgn’s claim to the media Tuesday that smoking …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Devgn was smoking in prohibited area, Goa officials insist.

AP Exclusive: Soldier’s father says he warned Army of plot by troops to kill Afghan civilians

Soldier’s father: Army was warned of murder plot

SEATTLE – The father of a U.S. soldier serving in Afghanistan says he tried nearly a half dozen times to pass an urgent message from his son to the Army: Troops in his unit had murdered an Afghan civilian, planned more killings and threatened him to keep quiet …. Source  : AP Exclusive: Soldier’s father says he warned Army of plot by troops to kill Afghan civilians.

Tropical Storm Igor barely moving off coast of Africa in Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands

Tropical Storm Igor barely moving in the Atlantic

MIAMI – Tropical Storm Igor is barely moving in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa near the Cape Verde Islands.
Maximum sustained winds for the storm early Thursday are near 40 mph (65 kph). The National Hurricane Center in Miami says the storm should begin strengthening some on …. Read the original article  : here.

Car explosion near market kills 5 in Russia’s volatile Caucasus

Car explodes near Russian market; 5 dead
ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia – A car exploded Thursday near the central market of a major city in Russia’s restive North Caucasus region, killing at least five people and wounding 20, officials said.

There was no immediate information on whether the car that exploded in Vladikavkaz had been rigged with explosives or … Read more : Car explosion near market kills 5 in Russia’s volatile Caucasus.

Report: Bus filled with Hindu pilgrims crashes into river in central India, killing 21

Report: Bus crashes into Indian river, killing 21

NEW DELHI – A bus crowded with Hindu pilgrims veered off the road and crashed into a river in central India, killing at least 21 people, media reported Thursday.
Rescuers worked through the night to scour the Bagdi River in Madhya Pradesh state for survivors and bodies in the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Teenage British girl on the run with her baby

LONDON – A British girl, who left school to give birth to a baby girl at the age of 13, is on the run with her ten-month-old child.

Tinishya Marshall, now 14, was last spotted Friday with her boyfriend Howard Norman, 16, who is also missing, police said. He is believed to be the infant’s father, … Read more >>>.

Crews contain 10 percent of Colorado wildfire; at least 135 homes reported lost

Crews contain 10 percent of Colorado wildfire

BOULDER, Colo. – As thousands of people waited to learn if their homes survived a raging Colorado wildfire, Dan Hackett hiked a second time behind roadblocks to make sure his house near boulder was still standing.
Hackett, who lives in the mountain community of Gold Hill, said he watched his … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Crews contain 10 percent of Colorado wildfire; at least 135 homes reported lost.

No mention of regret, apology, pollution in internal report by BP over massive Gulf spill

Regret, apology not part of BP’s oil spill report

NEW ORLEANS – BP’s long-awaited internal report on what it believes went wrong when a rig exploded and started the massive Gulf oil spill never mentions the words blame, regret, apology, mistake or pollution. The word fault shows up 20 times, but only once in the same … Read this article on Gaea Times at : No mention of regret, apology, pollution in internal report by BP over massive Gulf spill.

Remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine threaten Ark., Okla., Kan., Mo., after killing 2 in Texas

Storm that killed 2 in Texas continues north

OKLAHOMA CITY – The remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine trekked northward after forcing more than 100 high-water rescues in Texas, swamping streets, producing several tornadoes and killing at least two people.
As the front edge of the storm moved into Oklahoma on Wednesday, a tornado toppled power lines, damaged … Read : Remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine threaten Ark., Okla., Kan., Mo., after killing 2 in Texas.

Suspected US missile hits NW Pakistan, killing 5 alleged militants in 4th attack in 24 hours

4th US missile in 24 hrs in Pakistan kills 5

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan – A suspected American missile strike killed five alleged militants in northwestern Pakistan early Thursday, an intelligence official said, the fourth such attack in 24 hours.
The barrage of suspected U.S. missiles against houses and a vehicle in the mountains close to the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Suspected US missile hits NW Pakistan, killing 5 alleged militants in 4th attack in 24 hours.

Eight held for stealing vehicles in Punjab

RAJPURA – An inter-state gang of vehicle thieves was busted Thursday with the arrest of eight people in this Punjab town, police said.

The police recovered six Bolero jeeps and three motor-cycles from their possession.
“They used to steal new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) by using specially designed keys. They used to change its engine and … Read : Eight held for stealing vehicles in Punjab.

Weary Detroit gets rare assist from suburbs to battle blazes that tore through neighborhoods

Detroit gets rare assist from suburbs for fires

DETROIT – As exhausted Detroit firefighters battled wind-fed blazes burning wild in some neighborhoods and threatening to char much of the city, a half-dozen departments from surrounding communities brought in sorely needed – and gladly accepted – help.
The assistance was rare, according to city fire officials, who said … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Weary Detroit gets rare assist from suburbs to battle blazes that tore through neighborhoods.

Maoists blow up panchayat office in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – Maoist guerrills Thursday triggered a landmine blast in Orissa’s Malkangiri district, blowing up a panchayat office, the second blast in the region this week, police said. No one was injured in the explosion.

“Around 30-40 rebels trigerred the explosion at the panchayat office at Materu village under Kalimela police station area, some 40 km … Read : Maoists blow up panchayat office in Orissa.

PROMISES, PROMISES: Despite vows of swift action, pilot fatigue rules are slow in coming

PROMISES, PROMISES: FAA fatigue rules finally near

WASHINGTON – After a regional airliner crashed in western New York a year and a half ago, killing 50 people, the Obama administration promised swift action to prevent similar tragedies. High on the list: new rules governing the number of hours pilots may work, to prevent tired flight crews [..] Read the original article: here.

Laura Bush to speak at fundraiser for Flight 93 memorial in Pa., attend Sept. 11 service

Laura Bush to speak at 9/11 memorial fundraiser

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. – Former first lady Laura Bush will speak at a National Park Service fundraiser in Pittsburgh on Friday, a day before joining Michelle Obama in rural Pennsylvania to remember the victims of Flight 93, which crashed there in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Bush’s appearance is part of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Burglar drops his name and contact details

LONDON – A burglar left behind a bag containing his name and complete contact details written inside it after breaking into a house in Britain. Not surprisingly, he was an easy catch for the police.

David Hanlon left behind a police property bag that was given to him by the police after he was caught earlier … Read more »»».

Senior Punjab government official arrested for graft

CHANDIGARH – A senior Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer was arrested by the state vigilance bureau late Wednesday for accepting a bribe of Rs.50,000 for favouring a complainant.

According to the vigilance officials, 1995-batch PCS officer T.K. Goel, joint secretary in the department of welfare board (Scheduled Castes and backward class people), was caught while taking …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Senior Punjab government official arrested for graft.

Engineering student hospitalised after ragging in hostel

KOTA – A Gujarat youth studying at a private engineering college here has been hospitalised for depression after he was harassed and not allowed to sleep for two nights by seniors at a hostel, says his father who has complained to police of ragging.

A case has been registered against three students of the college, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Engineering student hospitalised after ragging in hostel.

12 killed in Pakistan bus accident

ISLAMABAD – At least 12 people were killed and many others injured Thursday morning when a passenger bus overturned in Quetta city of Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

The injured have been shifted to hospitals and rescue efforts are on, Geo News reported.
…. Read the original article  : 12 killed in Pakistan bus accident.

Road accidents claim about 130 lives in Indonesian

JAKARTA – At least 128 people have been killed in road accidents this week as millions of Indonesians home to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr, local media reports said Thursday.

“The number of traffic accidents between Sep 3 and 7 reached 643 cases, with 128 people killed, 165 people seriously injured and 325 slightly …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Road accidents claim about 130 lives in Indonesian.

Yamuna waters flood 30 Haryana villages

CHANDIGARH – Two major highways were under water and over 30 villages in Haryana’s Yamunanagar district inundated as the Yamuna river overflowed its banks, officials said Thursday.

Traffic had to be diverted from the Ambala-Saharanpur National Highway Number 73 and Chharauli-Paonta Sahib National Highway Number 73-A because of the floodwaters.
Agricultural land was inundated … Read more >>>.

China summons Japanese ambassador for 3rd time to demand release of detained boat captain

China demands Japan release detained boat captain

BEIJING – China’s foreign minister demanded Friday that Japan immediately release the captain of a Chinese fishing boat that collided with two Japanese patrol vessels near disputed islands.
Yang Jiechi made the demand to Ambassador Uichrio Niwa after the Japanese envoy was summoned for the third time over the incident.
China … Read more : China summons Japanese ambassador for 3rd time to demand release of detained boat captain.

Indian driver held in US for record cocaine haul

TORONTO – Ravinder Kumar Arora, a 29-year-old Indian-origin truck driver with permanent resident status in Canada, has been arrested for trying to smuggle a massive consignment of 109 kg of cocaine from the US into Canada. It is one the largest contraband consignment ever seized by the US authorities.

“This is the largest cocaine seizure to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Indian driver held in US for record cocaine haul.

In Boulder and backcountry, Colorado wildfire crews vigilant as mountain winds swirl

Close watch on Colorado wildfire as winds kick up

BOULDER, Colo. – Weary firefighters hoped the worst was over from a wildfire that destroyed nearly 170 homes in the Rocky Mountains foothills, but crews monitored were monitoring hot spots early Friday amid concerns that erratic winds could fan the flames and send them into Boulder.
Fearing further … Read this article on Gaea Times at : In Boulder and backcountry, Colorado wildfire crews vigilant as mountain winds swirl.

San Bruno Plane Crash Suspected for Explosion, Later Dismissed

SAN BRUNO, CALIFORNIA (GaeaTimes.com) — A massive fire blaze ignited the neighborhood of San Bruno at around 6 pm on Thursday as a result of successive explosions.
The initial cause of the fire was suspected to be a plane crash in the nearby San Francisco Airport. Later on investigation clarified that the huge explosion was caused … Original article on : San Bruno Plane Crash Suspected for Explosion, Later Dismissed.

KGO TV Updates on the San Bruno Gas Line Explosion

SAN BRUNO (GaeaTimes.com) — KGO TV has published their latest updates on the recent gas explosion in San Bruno, California. The explosion caused the death of one person while injuring more than 53 others.
According to reports, a 15 feet deep crater has been found near the intersection of Earl Lane and Glenview Drive. It …. Original source  : KGO TV Updates on the San Bruno Gas Line Explosion.

8,500 bottles of smuggled liquor seized, two held

PANCHKULA – Two people have been arrested and more than 8,500 bottles of smuggled liquor worth Rs.550,000 seized from this Haryana town, police said here Friday.

As many as 191 cases of beer were also seized from a truck, which was intercepted near the Panchkula-Yamunanagar national highway.
“We laid a trap and stopped the truck. …. Original article  : 8,500 bottles of smuggled liquor seized, two held.

San Bruno Fire Rages On

SAN BRUNO (GaeaTimes.com)- In a recent development that left more than 30 people injured in San Bruno, a raging fire engulfed homes and gutted buildings last night. The fire has apparently been caused by a gas pipe blast but the root cause is yet to be traced. The sound of explosion was very loud … Read this article on Gaea Times at : San Bruno Fire Rages On.

One killed, thousands displaced in Assam floods

GUWAHATI – At least one person was killed and 30,000 displaced in flash floods triggered by heavy rains in Assam’s Lakhimpur district. A vast stretch of the internationally-famed Kaziranga National Park has been inundated, officials said Friday.

A government spokesperson said floodwaters of Drupang and Sessa rivers, both tributaries of the Brahmaputra river, entered … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : One killed, thousands displaced in Assam floods.

Himachal police zero in on rare wood smuggler

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh police have zeroed on a man recently released from Delhi’s Tihar Jail as the mastermind behind the smuggling of banned red sanders wood to China from here.

“We have established beyond doubt that Narinder Bodh of Kaza (a village close to China border in Lahaul and Spiti district) was the kingpin in … Original article on : Himachal police zero in on rare wood smuggler.

Wyoming meets No. 5 Texas while still mourning death of freshman LB Narcisse in crash

Wyoming, mourning death of player, faces Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – The Wyoming football teams says they will play this weekend in honor of a fallen teammate.
The Cowboys play at No. 5 Texas on Saturday night. Before the game, Ruben Narcisse’s photo will grace the giant stadium scoreboard screen and 98,000 fans will honor him with a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Wyoming meets No. 5 Texas while still mourning death of freshman LB Narcisse in crash.

Woman, three children die in wall collapse

LUCKNOW – A 34-year-old woman in Uttar Pradesh and her three children were killed as a wall in their house collapsed on them Friday, police said. A fourth child received critical injuries.

The incident took place in Karaundi village of Barabanki district, some 35 km from Lucknow.
“The woman was sleeping with her four children, two …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Woman, three children die in wall collapse.

Patriots QB Brady’s day starts with car crash, ends with 4-year extension worth about $72M

Brady’s day starts with crash, ends with contract

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – A loud crash. A crumpled front end. A brief stay in an ambulance.
It was a very bad start to Tom Brady’s day.
A new contract. The highest average salary in the NFL. A deal that ties him to the New England Patriots through 2014.
It was a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Patriots QB Brady’s day starts with car crash, ends with 4-year extension worth about $72M.

NATO says 3 insurgents planning bomb attacks in Afghan capital killed in a precision airstrike

3 Afghan insurgents killed in NATO airstrike

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan insurgent commander who was allegedly planning bombings in Kabul on the eve of the Sept. 18 parliamentary elections and two of his associates have been killed in an airstrike, NATO said Friday.
The military alliance said in a statement that intelligence sources tracked Nur Mohammed …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : NATO says 3 insurgents planning bomb attacks in Afghan capital killed in a precision airstrike.

Bay Area News: 53 Houses Engulfed by Explosion in Gas-Line

SAN BRUNO (GaeaTimes.com) — At least 53 homes destroyed and 23 people were injured as a massive explosion sparked out in San Bruno last night. The explosion that supposedly formed in a gas-line forced people to run their lives leaving their residents. Those, who couldn’t manage to escape from the devastating inferno suffer minor … Read : Bay Area News: 53 Houses Engulfed by Explosion in Gas-Line.

Lawyer refuses to help so daughter learns from mistake

LONDON – A lawyer in Britain, known for defending high-profile celebrities accused of traffic offences, has refused to help his own daughter to fight a speeding ticket as he wants her to “understand the consequences of breaking the law”.

Nick Freeman, who is also called Mr Loophole, said that he wants his daughter Sophie, 19, to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

4 dead, 3 still missing after Hermine flooding in Texas, Okla.; search to resume Friday

4 dead, 3 still missing after Hermine flooding

SAN ANTONIO – At least three people were still missing early Friday after flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine swept vehicles from Texas roads and overpowered swimmers in the Guadalupe River.
With at least four people killed in the flooding, officials planned to resume their search [..] Read the original article: here.

2 killed, 1 hurt as Metrolink commuter train hits trio on tracks in Southern California

Commuter train kills 2, injures 1 in Calif.

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – A Metrolink commuter train struck and killed two people who may have been sleeping on the tracks and injured a third in Orange County on Thursday, authorities said.
Metrolink train 603 heading from Oceanside to Los Angeles struck the trio on tracks under the Alicia …. Source  : 2 killed, 1 hurt as Metrolink commuter train hits trio on tracks in Southern California.

Russian republic observes day of mourning after suicide bomber kills 17

Day of mourning for Russian car bomb victims

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia – Flags are at half-staff in the Russian Caucasus city of Vladikavkaz and stunned residents are laying flowers in a rubble-strewn square where a suicide car bombing killed 17 people and wounded more than 140.
Thursday’s bombing on the edge of the central market of the capital … Read more »»».

China calls in Japanese ambassador for 3rd time to complain about detention of boat captain

China calls in Japan envoy for 3rd time over boat

BEIJING – China summoned Japan’s ambassador for a third time Friday to protest the detention of the captain of a Chinese fishing boat that collided with Japanese patrol vessels near disputed islands, demanding he and his ship be released unconditionally.
China has said the incident could damage … Read : China calls in Japanese ambassador for 3rd time to complain about detention of boat captain.

1 dead, 53 homes destroyed after fire engulfs neighborhood near San Francisco after explosion

1 dead, 53 homes destroyed in California fire

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – A massive explosion on Thursday sent flames roaring through a neighborhood in the hills south of San Francisco, destroying more than 50 homes and leaving at least one person dead.
The utility company that serves the San Francisco Bay area said one of its gas … Original article on : 1 dead, 53 homes destroyed after fire engulfs neighborhood near San Francisco after explosion.

Crews make progress on Colorado wildfire; thousands return to evacuated areas

Crews make progress on Colorado wildfire
BOULDER, Colo. – Calmer winds on the fire lines and the all-clear for thousands of people to return to their homes had both firefighters and anxious residents feeling more optimistic about containment of a wildland blaze that has swept over ridges and through canyons in the foothills of the Rockies.

“Really, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Crews make progress on Colorado wildfire; thousands return to evacuated areas.

Moderate quake hits Tripura, Bangladesh

AGARTALA – A 4.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Tripura and adjoining Bangladesh late Friday night, but no casualties were reported, officials said Saturday.

According to meteorological department director Dilip Saha, the tremor was felt twice at around 11 p.m. Friday in most parts of Tripura and Bangladesh with its epicentre at Madaripur-Gopalganj, 71 km southeast of Dhaka. …. Original article  : Moderate quake hits Tripura, Bangladesh.

Millions of Pakistani flood victims celebrate Eid in tents and makeshift shelters

Pakistani flood victims celebrate Eid in tents
MUZAFFARGARH, Pakistan – Millions of Pakistani flood victims celebrated Islam’s most joyous festival in donated tents and makeshift shelters on Saturday as the country’s leaders – criticized for an inadequate response to the disaster – pledged more aid.
The water has receded in many places, but remains head-high … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Millions of Pakistani flood victims celebrate Eid in tents and makeshift shelters.

Railways cancel, divert 53 trains due to Delhi floods

NEW DELHI – Indian Railways Saturday cancelled or diverted 53 trains, including several short-distance services, as several low-lying areas in and around the national capital were inundated as the Yamuna kept swelling.

According to the Northern Railway, among the long-distance trains cancelled or diverted were Kalka Mail, Lal Quila Express, Satyagraha Express, Farakka Express, Howrah Janata … Read more »».

Canadian court hears tape of Punjab man killing stepsons

VANCOUVER – A chilling tape that a Punjab man made of himself murdering his two stepsons and nearly beheading his wife on Father’s Day in June last year was heard by a court here Friday.

The tape, which starts recording the violent event about 46 minutes before the actual murders took place June 21, 2009, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Canadian court hears tape of Punjab man killing stepsons.

Playboy model causes mid-air scare in US

WASHINGTON – A busty Playboy model in the US attempted to open the aircraft’s door mid-air after she suffered from anxiety.

Tiffany Livingston, 21, was on board JetBlue Flight 522 from Orlando to Newark. She suddenly got up from her seat and tried to open the aircraft’s door, a law-enforcement official said.
“She said she’s … Read more »»».

Yamuna flowing at alarming level in Haryana, two killed

CHANDIGARH – The Yamuna river continued to flow close to the danger mark in Haryana, flooding over 120 villages of Panipat and Yamunanagar districts and killing two youngsters, an official said here Saturday.

Fifteen-year-old Rohit and Sunil, 20, were killed after they were swept away in the overflowing Yamuna in Sanauli village in Panipat district Friday, … Read more >>.

Yamuna floods parts of Delhi

NEW DELHI – The Yamuna continued to rise Saturday, flooding low-lying areas in the capital as a spell of heavy rain in the morning added to the concerns of people.

According to an official of the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control, the water level in the Yamuna reached 206.66 metres Saturday morning, almost two metres …. Read the original article  : Yamuna floods parts of Delhi.

Man gets 4-year sentence for mutilating, killing girl’s rabbits at Mass. construction company

Mass. man gets 4-year sentence for killing rabbits

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – A Massachusetts man has been sentenced to four years behind bars after admitting to mutilating and killing five pet rabbits during a break-in at a construction company.
The North Adams Transcript reports that Wayne Brackett Jr. accepted a plea agreement Friday that would allow him [..] Read the original article: here.

Six hurt in Pakistan firing

ISLAMABAD – At least six people were injured in a gun firing during Eid prayer in Faisalabad, a city in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Xinhua reported Saturday.
…. Source article  : Six hurt in Pakistan firing.

Two die in Pakistan jail blast

ISLAMABAD – At least two prisoners were killed in an explosion in a jail in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, a media report said Saturday.

Sources said gun firing was reported after the blast hit the central jail in Mach town, Xinhua reported.
…. Original source  : Two die in Pakistan jail blast.

Tremors felt in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – A quake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale shook the Kashmir Valley Saturday morning as Muslims prepared to offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayers.

“The earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale occurred at 8.40 a.m.,” an official of the weather office said here.
“The epicentre of the slight intensity tremor was located 37.7 degrees north and … Read more >>.

85 prisoners escape from Mexico jail

Mexico City, Sep 11 (IANS/EFE) Eighty-five prisoners escaped from a jail in Mexico’s Tamaulipas state, authorities said.

The largest prison break in the state took place Friday in the city of Reynosa, bordering Texas in the US. The inmates fled from the prison using a ladder, apparently with the collusion of two guards, state secretary-general Hugo …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 85 prisoners escape from Mexico jail.

Officials say crews contain about half of wildfire that’s destroyed 169 homes in Colorado

Crews contain about half of Colorado wildfire

BOULDER, Colo. – A wildfire in Colorado that destroyed at least 169 homes and drove thousands of people from their homes near Boulder is roughly 50 percent contained.
Fire officials said late Friday the high winds that prompted Boulder authorities to warn residents in some parts of the city to … Read : Officials say crews contain about half of wildfire that’s destroyed 169 homes in Colorado.

10 police officers killed in Colombia

BOGOTA – At least 10 police officers died and five were injured in an attack by leftist rebels in Colombia, near the Ecuadorian border, the authorities said.

This takes the total number of police and military officers killed by leftist rebels over the past week to 40.
The latest attack by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of … Original article on : 10 police officers killed in Colombia.

Coast Guard boat driver haunted by holiday parade crash in Calif. that killed 8-year-old boy

Coast Guard driver haunted by fatal Calif. crash

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The driver of a Coast Guard boat that slammed into a smaller recreational boat during a holiday parade testified in military court Friday that he is haunted by the memory of an 8-year-old boy who died in the crash.
“Every day before I go to sleep, …. Source article  : Coast Guard boat driver haunted by holiday parade crash in Calif. that killed 8-year-old boy.

Gas line rupture sparks safety questions as Calif. crews search area where fireball killed 4

Crews search ash-covered homes after blast kills 4

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Crews searched still smoldering ruins of homes for more victims after a gas line blast fueled a raging inferno that devastated this suburban San Francisco neighborhood. City leaders called for a town hall meeting to start San Bruno’s healing process.
Officials were trying to determine …. Original source  : Gas line rupture sparks safety questions as Calif. crews search area where fireball killed 4.

EPA tells Enbridge it must plug leaking oil pipeline outside Chicago by noon on Monday

EPA orders Enbridge to stop Ill. pipeline spill

CHICAGO – The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday ordered Enbridge Energy Partners to stop the flow of oil from its leaking pipeline outside of Chicago by noon Monday.
EPA said that Enbridge crews have contained oil spilling from the pipeline and are trying to determine how the leak happened.
EPA … Read : EPA tells Enbridge it must plug leaking oil pipeline outside Chicago by noon on Monday.

APNewsBreak: Relative says woman, child feared dead in massive California explosion, fireball

Woman, child feared dead in massive Calif. blast

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – A 44-year-old woman and her young daughter are among those feared dead after a massive explosion ripped through a Northern California neighborhood.
Officials have confirmed that four people were killed Thursday night when a gas line ruptured in San Bruno and a fireball exploded through … Read more >>>.

Chile brings 3rd drill to rescue trapped miners; New US bit to fix smashed 2nd drill

3rd drill to the rescue for Chile’s trapped miners

SAN JOSE MINE, Chile – Chile is sparing no expense to rescue its 33 trapped miners, mounting three separate drilling efforts to carve escape tunnels through nearly a half-mile of solid rock and collapsed mine shafts. The latest – an oil-well drill so big it takes 40 …. Read the original article  : here.

Four killed as vehicles collide in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – Four people were charred to death while four received serious burn injuries when two vehicles caught fire after colliding with each other in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district early Sunday, police said.

The accident took place in Barua Sagar area as a mini truck and a milk tanker collided head-on.
“Three men inside the mini …. Original article  : Four killed as vehicles collide in Uttar Pradesh.

South Korea to propose flood aid to NKorea, hold talks on family reunions amid easing tensions

South Korea to propose flood aid to North Korea

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea will send a list of proposed relief aid to flood-stricken North Korea and hold talks on reuniting families separated by war six decades ago, the government said, in signs of easing tension on the divided peninsula.
An overflowing river last month swamped …. Read the original article  : South Korea to propose flood aid to NKorea, hold talks on family reunions amid easing tensions.

Chinese man attacks train passengers, one killed

BEIJING – A knife-wielding man attacked eight people aboard a train in central China’s Henan province early Sunday, killing one and injuring seven.

The incident occurred on a train travelling from Lanzhou, capital of northwest China’s Gansu province, to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, Xinhua quoted an official as saying.
A preliminary investigation revealed … Read more »»».

50 women booked for assaulting cop in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – As many as 50 women have been booked for assaulting a cop with slippers inside a police station in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, police said Sunday.

The women, who are residents of Pratap Nagar area, beat up Senior Sub-Inspector Jagdish Singh inside Jalalabad police station Friday for allegedly misbehaving with the locality’s young women …. Original article  : 50 women booked for assaulting cop in Uttar Pradesh.

10 killed, thousands displaced in northeast floods

GUWAHATI/ITANAGAR – Ten people were killed and about 300,000 displaced in flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in the northeastern states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, officials said Sunday.

Heavy rains triggered mudslides and flooding in at least three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, washing away bridges, huts and school buildings, besides devastating agriculture crops, …. Source article  : 10 killed, thousands displaced in northeast floods.

Yamuna recedes in Delhi, but still above danger mark

NEW DELHI – The water level in the Yamuna started receding Sunday, a day after nearly 2,000 people were evacuated in Delhi as the river was flowing perilously above the danger mark, a flood department official said.

The water level in the Yamuna stood at 206.49 metres Sunday morning, 1.66 metres above the danger mark, …. Read the original article  : Yamuna recedes in Delhi, but still above danger mark.

Russia to reform police system

Moscow, Sep 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has approved a plan that seeks an overhaul of the country’s police system in order to curb corruption and usurpation of power, the United Russia party leader Boris Gryzlov has said.

In December, Medvedev ordered an extensive reform of the interior ministry in an effort to deal …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Russia to reform police system.

Toll rises to seven in US gas pipeline blast

SAN FRANCISCO – Three more bodies were found in the rubble of a neighbourhood demolished by the explosion of a gas pipeline, raising the death toll to seven, authorities said late Saturday in San Bruno, California.

Dozens of people were injured and more than three dozen houses destroyed in Thursday’s massive explosion of natural gas. Dozens … Original article on : Toll rises to seven in US gas pipeline blast.

Fireworks blast kills six in China

BEIJING – Six people were killed and four injured in an explosion triggered by fireworks in north China’s Hebei province, authorities said Sunday.

The accident occurred Saturday in a village in Dongwang township of Dingzhou city, Xinhua quoted an official as saying.
Preliminary investigation shows that the explosion was caused by the fireworks being produced illegally … Original source on Gaea Times at : Fireworks blast kills six in China.

China summons Japanese ambassador again over detained boat and crew, urges ‘wise’ resolution

China summons Japanese ambassador again over boat

BEIJING – China’s top foreign policy official increased pressure on Japan on Sunday by summoning its ambassador to again demand the immediate release of Chinese fishermen and their boat detained near disputed islands.
State Councilor Dai Bingguo called in Ambassador Uichiro Niwa early Sunday, China’s Foreign Ministry said. It was …. Read the original article  : here.

Igor becomes fourth hurricane of the Atlantic season with maximum winds near 75 mph (120 kph)

Hurricane Igor forms in open Atlantic
MIAMI – Forecasters say Igor has become the fourth hurricane of the Atlantic season with maximum winds near 75 mph (120 kph).

The storm was far from land late Saturday. Forecasters say Igor could become a major hurricane by Monday.
The storm was located about 1,230 miles (1,975 kilometers) west of the … Read more >>>.

Police chief says 5 people still missing from gas pipeline blast that killed 4 in Calif.

Police: 5 people missing from gas pipeline blast

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The police chief in the San Francisco suburb where a gas pipeline ruptured and exploded, wiping out homes and killing four people, says 5 people are still missing.
San Bruno police chief Neil Telford made the comment Saturday at a public meeting.
A group of local, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Police chief says 5 people still missing from gas pipeline blast that killed 4 in Calif..

Fire breaks out at oil refinery pier in Venezuela, government says production unaffected

Fire breaks out at refinery pier in Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela – A fire broke out at a Venezuelan oil refinery loading pier Saturday, forcing the evacuation of workers and ships from the area.
The blaze began in the morning while diesel was being loaded onto a ship for export, the state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Fire breaks out at oil refinery pier in Venezuela, government says production unaffected.

Searchers find remains at Calif. blast site, officials unsure whether they belong to 2 missing

Searchers find remains at Calif. blast site

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – A city spokesman says authorities are now unsure whether remains found at the suburban San Francisco blast that destroyed nearly 40 homes belonged to the two people reported missing since the explosion and fire.
San Bruno spokesman Steve Firpo says the remains were found Saturday morning, … Original article on : Searchers find remains at Calif. blast site, officials unsure whether they belong to 2 missing.

Six dead in US shooting

WASHINGTON – A man shot dead five people Saturday in a park in the US state of Kentucky before turning the weapon on himself, Xinhua reported.

The attack took place around 11.35 a.m. in a trailer park in Mount Carmel community. The assailant was armed with a shotgun.
Police found the bodies of six people …. Read the original article  : here.

APNewsBreak: Calif., federal regulators say gas pipeline in deadly blast was ranked high risk

APNewsBreak: Calif. gas pipe ranked high risk

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The section of gas pipeline that ruptured and exploded in a suburban San Francisco neighborhood, killing four and injuring nearly 60 others, was ranked as high risk because it ran through a highly populated area, state and federal authorities said Saturday.
One of the victims killed … Original source on Gaea Times at : APNewsBreak: Calif., federal regulators say gas pipeline in deadly blast was ranked high risk.

Searchers find remains of 2 more killed in suburban San Francisco blast; death toll now at 6

Searchers find remains of 2 killed in Calif. blast

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Search teams have found the remains of 2 more people who were killed in the suburban San Francisco blast that destroyed nearly 40 homes, raising the death toll to six, authorities said Saturday.
San Bruno city spokesman Steve Firpo said the remains were found … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Searchers find remains of 2 more killed in suburban San Francisco blast; death toll now at 6.

Coast Guard: Failed blowout preventer from Gulf spill arrives at NASA facility for analysis

Oil well blowout preventer reaches NASA facility

NEW ORLEANS – A Coast Guard official says the 300-ton device that failed to stop the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill after a rig exploded has arrived at a NASA facility in Louisiana for analysis.
Lt. Suzanne Kerver told The Associated Press that the barge carrying the blowout preventer … Read more : Coast Guard: Failed blowout preventer from Gulf spill arrives at NASA facility for analysis.

EPA says flow of oil slowing from leaking pipeline outside Chicago, no estimate on spill size

EPA: Ill. oil pipeline leak slowing, size unclear

CHICAGO – The leak from an oil pipeline near Chicago appeared to be slowing Saturday, and officials were hopeful they would be able to excavate the site soon to determine the cause and exact location of the break, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official said.
But how much oil … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : EPA says flow of oil slowing from leaking pipeline outside Chicago, no estimate on spill size.

Neighborhood sits empty as crews seek 2 missing, search for cause of deadly gas line explosion

Homes empty as crews seek missing after CA blast

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The scorched shells of suburban San Francisco homes sat empty Saturday as hundreds of people waited for investigators to let them return to the scene of a deadly gas line explosion and fire.
Two people are unaccounted for, in addition to the four dead, … Read more >>.

SKorea announces flood aid for NKorea, US envoy ‘optimistic’ on nuclear talks resuming soon

SKorea to send rice other aid to flood-hit NKorea

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea announced plans Monday to send 5,000 tons of rice and other aid to flood-stricken North Korea in a sign of easing tension between the divided countries.
The aid would mark South Korea’s first major aid shipment to North Korea since March’s deadly … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : SKorea announces flood aid for NKorea, US envoy ‘optimistic’ on nuclear talks resuming soon.

AP ENTERPRISE: News monitor, anti-Palin group among those landing US Gulf spill contracts

AP ENTERPRISE: A look at who got gov’t Gulf work
WASHINGTON – The federal government hired a New Orleans man for $18,000 to appraise whether news stories about its actions in the Gulf oil spill were positive or negative for the Obama administration, which was keenly sensitive to comparisons between its response and former …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : AP ENTERPRISE: News monitor, anti-Palin group among those landing US Gulf spill contracts.

Six killed as bus rams into truck

LUCKNOW – At least six people, including a child and two women, were killed and 14 injured when the bus in which they were travelling ploughed into a stationary truck in Uttar Pradesh Monday morning.

The bus was carrying 63 people from Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur district. They were visiting religious places in the state and in …. Read the original article  : Six killed as bus rams into truck.

13 injured as classroom ceiling collapses

LUCKNOW – Twelve Class 4 children and a teacher were injured Monday when the ceiling of their classroom collapsed in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district, police said.

The accident took place at the private Child Career Public School in Nagla town, about 400 km from here.
“The ceiling of the fourth standard classroom collapsed while the …. Original source  : 13 injured as classroom ceiling collapses.

Tropical Storm Julia nearing southern Cape Verde Islands

Tropical Storm Julia nearing Cape Verde Islands

MIAMI – Forecasters say Tropical Storm Julia is nearing the southern Cape Verde Islands.
The National Hurricane Center said Julia is about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south-southwest of the southernmost islands early Monday. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph).
Officials have issued a tropical storm warning …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Tropical Storm Julia nearing southern Cape Verde Islands.

Curfew in Punjab town after rumours of Quran burning in US

CHANDIGARH – Curfew was imposed in Punjab’s Malerkotla town Monday following communal tension in which the property of a church was set on fire by a mob enraged after rumours that the Quran has been burnt in the US.

Police officials in Malerkotla, about 150 km from here, said curfew would continue till tension subsides in … Read more : Curfew in Punjab town after rumours of Quran burning in US.

$4.2 mn found in two barrels in El Salvador

San Salvador, sep 13 (IANS/EFE) Police have found more than $4.2 million inside two barrels buried in El Salvador, raising the total amount of cash found in the area during the past two weeks to $15 million, officials said.

The National Civilian Police, or PNC, and prosecutors found the two barrels buried in Lourdes Colon, a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Malaysian tycoon’s killer also killed Indian, suspect cops

KUALA LUMPUR – Police in Malaysia are investigating whether two brothers suspected to be behind the murders of a woman tycoon and three others had earlier killed an Indian national.

Police did not identify the Indian national but said he had been “missing” and that he had opened a restaurant in partnership with two lawyer brothers … Original article on : Malaysian tycoon’s killer also killed Indian, suspect cops.

Man who shot dead Kerala cop kills wife, self

MALAPPURAM – A day after shooting a policeman dead, a man in Kerala killed his wife before turning the gun on himself. Their bodies were found in a rubber estate near his home here, police said.

Mujib, who killed sub-inspector Vijayakrishnan Sunday, first shot his wife and then shot himself, Additional Director General of Police Mahesh …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Man who shot dead Kerala cop kills wife, self.

Woman hooked to online game neglects kids

LONDON – A British woman, who was hooked to an online game, neglected her three children and allowed her two dogs to starve to death. The kids had no hot food to eat and when the dogs died, their bodies were left rotting in the dining room.

The 33-year-old widow became addicted to the online game … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Woman hooked to online game neglects kids.

Oil jumps above $77 in Asia amid US pipeline leak, strong Chinese manufacturing growth

Oil jumps above $77 on US crude pipeline leak

SINGAPORE – Oil prices jumped above $77 a barrel Monday in Asia, extending gains for a second trading day after a leak forced the closure of a Chicago-area oil pipeline and disrupted supplies to U.S. Midwest refineries.
Benchmark crude for October delivery was up 70 cents to $77.15 … Read more »».

1 dead, 50 hurt in El Salvador prison fight

San Salvador, Sep 13 (IANS/EFE) One inmate died and at least 50 were wounded during a brawl at a prison in El Salvador, a media report said Sunday.

The fight broke out Saturday in the Sendero de Libertad youth rehabilitation centre in the town of Ilobasco, 55 km northeast of San Salvador.
The violence erupted over … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 1 dead, 50 hurt in El Salvador prison fight.

British troops smuggled drugs from Afghanistan?

LONDON – Britain’s military police are investigating claims that soldiers from the country stationed in Afghanistan may have trafficked heroin from there.

The ministry of defence has said there have been “unsubstantiated” reports about troops using military aircraft to ship drugs out of Afghanistan, the BBC reported.
An inquiry has been launched focusing on British and … Read : British troops smuggled drugs from Afghanistan?.

SKorea announces rice and other aid shipment plans for flood-hit NKorea, as US envoy in Seoul

SKorea announces aid plans for flood-hit NKorea
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea announced plans Monday to send 5,000 tons of rice and other aid to flood-stricken North Korea in a sign of easing tension between the divided countries.
The aid would mark South Korea’s first major aid shipment to North Korea since … Read more »».

Tropical Storm Julia forms in the Atlantic with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph).

Tropical Storm Julia forms with winds of 40 mph

MIAMI – Tropical Storm Julia has formed in the Atlantic with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph).
Meanwhile, Hurricane Igor continued to strengthen far from land.
Officials have issued a tropical storm warning for parts of the Cape Verde Islands on Sunday, including Maio, Sao Tiago, Fogo …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tropical Storm Julia forms in the Atlantic with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph)..

Japan frees 14 Chinese ship crew after collision near disputed islets, but holds captain

Japan frees 14 crew members of Chinese ship

TOKYO – Japan freed 14 crew members of a Chinese fishing ship Monday nearly a week after their vessel collided with two Japanese patrol boats near disputed southern islets, but kept the captain in custody in a case that has angered China.
The Chinese boat collided with the patrol … Original source on Gaea Times at : Japan frees 14 Chinese ship crew after collision near disputed islets, but holds captain.

30,000 prisoners in Iraq without trial: Amnesty

CAIRO – Iraqi authorities are holding some 30,000 people without trial and denying them access to lawyers, leaving them at risk of torture, the leading human rights organisation Amnesty International said Monday in a report.

Secret prisons are allegedly being used to house detainees. The report – entitled New Order, Same Abuses: Unlawful detentions and torture … Read : 30,000 prisoners in Iraq without trial: Amnesty.

Arms seized from Mexican gangs come from US: Report

San Diego, Sep 13 (IANS/EFE) A vast majority of firearms seized from criminal organisations in Mexico come from the US, a study has claimed.

The study by the University of San Diego’s Trans-Border Institute said one of the most significant trends has been the increased cross-border trafficking of military-style rifles and ammunition.
The study titled “US …. Source article  : Arms seized from Mexican gangs come from US: Report.

Mexico Navy arrests suspected drug kingpin

MEXICO CITY – Mexican marines Sunday said they had arrested Sergio Villareal Barragan, one of the country’s most-wanted drug traffickers.

Villareal Barragan, called “El Grande”, is believed to be a powerful leader of the Beltran Leyva cartel. The former policeman was arrested in the state of Puebla, southeast of Mexico City, television reports said.
His arrest … Original article on : Mexico Navy arrests suspected drug kingpin.

Evacuees return to scorched Colo. homes as investigators probe cause of devastating wildfire

Second Colo fire erupts, destroys at least 1 home

LOVELAND, Colo. – A new wildfire tore through northern Colorado Sunday, forcing hundreds of residents to flee and destroying one home just as residents 35 miles away returned to their scorched homes in Boulder after one of the most worst fires in state history.
The wildfire near Loveland … Original article on : Evacuees return to scorched Colo. homes as investigators probe cause of devastating wildfire.

Hurricane Julia forms in the Atlantic Ocean with winds near 75 mph

Hurricane Julia forms in the Atlantic Ocean

MIAMI – Hurricane Julia has formed far out over the Atlantic, becoming the fifth hurricane of the season.
Julia has maximum sustained winds Tuesday near 75 mph (120 kph) with some additional strengthening expected during the next day or so.
The hurricane is located about 330 miles (535 kilometers) west of … Original article on : Hurricane Julia forms in the Atlantic Ocean with winds near 75 mph.

Punjab town quiet, curfew relaxed for three hours

CHANDIGARH – Curfew was relaxed in Punjab’s Malerkotla town Tuesday for three hours after there were no fresh incidents of violence.

However, the administration imposed orders prohibiting the assembly of five or more people at a place as a precautionary measure. The curfew was relaxed from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m.
Curfew was imposed in Sangrur …. Read the original article  : here.

Emirati investigators send ‘black boxes’ from UPS Dubai crash to US lab for analysis

Recorders in UPS Dubai plane crash sent to US

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The Emirati aviation authority leading the investigation into this month’s crash of a UPS plane in Dubai says the Boeing 747’s “black boxes” have been sent to the U.S. for analysis.
The director-general of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority told The Associated … Read more »».

10 policemen injured in Uttar Pradesh mob attack

LUCKNOW – About 10 policemen in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district were Tuesday injured as a mob indulged in heavy brick-batting and arson attack, angered by the death of a school student who was mowed down by a speeding truck in the district, an official said.

Sushil Kumar, 17, a student of Satya Narain Inter College, was … Read more »»».

NTSB seeks cause of mid-air collision between plane and tour helicopter over Hudson River

Safety board seeks cause of mid-air collision

WASHINGTON – A yearlong probe of a mid-air collision between a small plane and a tour helicopter over the Hudson River that claimed nine lives is culminating with a federal safety panel meeting to decide the cause of the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board already has released much of … Original source on Gaea Times at : NTSB seeks cause of mid-air collision between plane and tour helicopter over Hudson River.

Opening statements to begin in trial of man accused of killing Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart

Opening statements to begin in Adenhart case

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Rookie Los Angeles Angels player Nick Adenhart died just hours after pitching the best game of his brief major league career, hurling six scoreless innings before his proud father and a cheering hometown crowd.
Adenhart was one of three people killed when the car he was … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Opening statements to begin in trial of man accused of killing Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart.

Musharraf raises Rs.240 mn for Pakistan flood relief

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s former president Pervez Musharraf raised Rs.250 million through a televised campaign seeking relief for the flood-affected people in the country, a media report said Tuesday.

Taking part from London in a three-hour live “telethon” on Pakistan’s Dunya TV Sunday night, Musharraf appealed for funds and people from across the world responded generously, pledging … Original source on Gaea Times at : Musharraf raises Rs.240 mn for Pakistan flood relief.

Curfew in Hisar, army help sought as violence intensifies

HISAR – Curfew was imposed in several parts of Haryana’s Hisar district Tuesday after Jat community members seeking reservation in government jobs and educational institutions went on the rampage, targeting government and private property.

The district administration sought the help of the army to control the situation after the violence erupted again, following Monday’s clashes when … Read more »»».

Canadian company shuts down third oil pipeline as spill cleanup continues outside Chicago

Canadian company shuts down third oil pipeline

CHICAGO – A Canadian company that is working to clean up oil spills outside Chicago and in southern Michigan has closed a third pipeline after a possible leak was found in New York.
Enbridge Inc. said a 91-mile pipeline that runs from Ontario, Canada, to New York was shut down … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Canadian company shuts down third oil pipeline as spill cleanup continues outside Chicago.

Virginity for sale: Sex gang busted in Britain

LONDON – A gang that offered to sell the virginity of girls to the wealthy has been busted in Britain by the Scotland Yard. An undercover officer was told that the girls were virgins and could be ‘broken’ by a client he was pretending to represent.

Daily Mail reported Tuesday that the sex trafficking gang was …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Indian lawyer missing after meeting friends in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – A housewife, who hails from India’s Chennai city, has alleged that her husband ‘disappeared’ after he met in Malaysia two lawyer brothers who were his friends and business partners.

M. Usharani, who was here to lodge a complaint with the police and now has returned to Chennai, told The Star newspaper …. Read the original article  : here.

Drunken youths vandalise Hindu temple in Bangladesh

CHITTAGONG – Six drunken young men vandalised a Hindu temple in Gosaildanga here, provoking protests by the minority community, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

The incident occurred Saturday when the majority Muslims were observing Eid-ul-Fitr, which coincided with the Ganesh festival celebrated by the Hindus.
Led by Mohammed Masud, resident of the neighbouring Muslim-majority area, the youths … Read more : Drunken youths vandalise Hindu temple in Bangladesh.

Hurricane Igor Threatening Caribbean Islands

MIAMI (GaeaTimes.com)- Early on Monday the Miami-based National Hurricane Center reported that a powerful Category four storm, Hurricane Igor, is gaining strength over the central Atlantic and moving west at a speed of 10 miles (17 kilometers) per hour. At around 1500 GMT, the center reported that the storm’s maximum sustained winds has …. Original article  : Hurricane Igor Threatening Caribbean Islands.

Brahmaputra crosses danger mark, Assam flood situation critical

GUWAHATI – The flood situation in Assam turned critical Tuesday with the main river Brahmaputra crossing the danger level at several places, taking the total number of displaced people to 500,000 in 10 districts, officials said.

A government spokesperson said floods have spread to 10 districts with the worst hit being Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Morigaon, Golaghat and …. Source article  : Brahmaputra crosses danger mark, Assam flood situation critical.

Sex was Russian spy Anna’s greatest weapon, say ex-lovers

NEW YORK – Russian spy Anna Chapman’s secret weapon was sex and she “was expert at using her femininity” to seduce her prey, the spy’s former lovers have revealed.

Chapman’s departure from the US back to her home country as part of a spy-swap deal apparently left a few broken hearts in Manhattan — but … Read : Sex was Russian spy Anna’s greatest weapon, say ex-lovers.

Bangladesh ill-prepared for disasters, warn experts

DHAKA – Bangladesh is ill-prepared for disasters, experts warned four days after an earthquake hit the country.

Two earthquakes hit the country last Friday as people prepared to end the holy Ramadan and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.
Most buildings essential for providing earthquake victims with support, shelter and treatment are themselves vulnerable even to moderate tremors, indicating … Read more »».

Burglar texts cops to get his phone back!

LONDON – A burglar, who dropped his mobile phone at a house, was easily nabbed by the police after he texted asking them to return his phone.

Anthony Gawthorp, 24, left his mobile phone at a house in Cambridge where he stole a laptop, Daily Mail reported Tuesday. The house was burgled Aug 28.
He later … Original source on Gaea Times at : Burglar texts cops to get his phone back!.

Why victims identify innocents as suspects?

LONDON – Witnesses may point out a suspect in an identification parade simply because of the way he looks. And may unwittingly book an innocent.

Initial research suggests that people are more likely to identify those they dislike and less likely to identify someone they like.
Jim Sauer of the University of Portsmouth in Britain … Read more : Why victims identify innocents as suspects?.

China postpones senior official’s visit to Japan amid diplomatic dispute over ship collision

China postpones visit to Japan amid ship dispute

TOKYO – Japan said Tuesday that China has postponed a senior official’s visit to Tokyo in an escalating diplomatic battle over the arrest of a Chinese fishing boat captain after a ship collision near islands claimed by both countries.
The captain was arrested after his ship collided nearly a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : China postpones senior official’s visit to Japan amid diplomatic dispute over ship collision.

Briton hid stillborn babies in wardrobe for 25 years

LONDON – A woman in Britain has admitted that she hid three stillborn babies in her wardrobe for up to 25 years. The babies were wrapped in rags and newspapers and placed in a small bin.

Bernadette Quirk, 55, also illegally buried a fourth dead baby in a cemetery.
At Liverpool Crown Court, Quirk, of St … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Briton hid stillborn babies in wardrobe for 25 years.

Family abandons abducted Mexican politician: Kidnappers

Mexico City, Sep 15 (IANS/EFE) Kidnappers of a Mexican politician said his family has abandoned the former presidential candidate who has been kept hostage since May.

Several media outlets received a letter from the kidnappers, claiming that Fernandez de Cevallos’s “own friends don’t care what his fate is”.
Fernandez de Cevallos, who also served as president … Read more : Family abandons abducted Mexican politician: Kidnappers.

NKorea: Typhoon Kompasu killed dozens, destroyed thousands of homes this month

NKorea: Typhoon Kompasu killed dozens of people

SEOUL, South Korea – A typhoon killed dozens of people and destroyed roads, railways and thousands of homes in North Korea early this month, the reclusive state’s media reported Wednesday.
It was the first confirmation from the North of the extent of the damage inflicted by Typhoon Kompasu that hit … Read more : NKorea: Typhoon Kompasu killed dozens, destroyed thousands of homes this month.

Italian Police seize ‘mafia assets’ worth $1.9 bn

Palermo (Italy), Sep 15 (IANS/AKI) Italian Police have seized assets worth 1.5 billion euros (about $1.9 billion) from a Sicilian businessman who is suspected of having ties with the mafia.

It was the country’s biggest property seizure in the war it has declared against organised crime networks like the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and the Camorra … Read : Italian Police seize ‘mafia assets’ worth $1.9 bn.

Investigators probing delay in shutting down Calif. pipe to check if PG&E followed procedures

Feds probe time it took to shut down gas pipe

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Federal investigators are examining whether Pacific Gas & Electric workers at a Northern California control center followed proper emergency procedures after a gas transmission line exploded into inferno that caused at least four deaths and destroyed nearly 40 homes in San Bruno.
National …. Source  : Investigators probing delay in shutting down Calif. pipe to check if PG&E followed procedures.

Hisar limping back to normalcy after violence

HISAR – Life started limping back to normal here Wednesday, a day after curfew was imposed in parts of Hisar district due to widespread violence by the Jat community that was demanding reservations in jobs and educational institutions, said police.

“Curfew has been lifted from the district. All the routes where traffic was either disrupted …. Source article  : Hisar limping back to normalcy after violence.

Five of a family killed in Himachal house collapse

SHIMLA – Five of a family, including two children, were killed when the house they were sleeping in was hit by rolling boulders in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, police said Wednesday.

“Three women and two children were killed on the spot last (Tuesday) night when boulders from the hill-top rolled down and hit the house in … Original article on : Five of a family killed in Himachal house collapse.

Pakistani minister blames militants for attacks on Christians

Rome, Sep 15 (IANS/AKI) The Taliban and Al Qaeda militant groups are partly to be blamed for recent violent attacks on Christians in Pakistan, visiting Pakistani Minority Rights Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, who is a Catholic, told reporters here.

“The responsibility for violence against ethnic and religious minorities is connected to independence movements and foreign terrorist groups … Read : Pakistani minister blames militants for attacks on Christians.

Tibetan market opens after flooding, but still deserted

NEW DELHI – The normally busy Tibetan market in northeast Delhi bustling with college students looking to buy things at dirt cheap prices was deserted Wednesday. After a weekend of flooding from the Yamuna river, shops have reopened, but pools of stagnant water bear testimony to the nightmare it was.

“The Yamuna water was released Friday [..] Read the original article: here.

Serial killings in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – The killings of 17 people, including four ethnic Indians, are being linked to last week’s sensational murders of four people in Malaysia for which two lawyer brothers have been detained.

The lawyer brothers have been detained over the gruesome murder of businesswoman Sosilawati Lawiya and three others.
Past cases of murdered people [..] Read the original article: here.

Trapped Chilean miner is blessed with a daughter

Santiago, Sep 15 (IANS/EFE) One of the 33 miners trapped in a Chilean mine since Aug 5 has been blessed with a daughter after his wife gave birth to their child in a hospital.

Esperanza, which means “hope”, was delivered at 12.00 p.m. Tuesday in a hospital in Copiapo city, some 800 km from Santiago. She … Original source on Gaea Times at : Trapped Chilean miner is blessed with a daughter.

Court cancels driving licence of woman, 81, for speeding

MELBOURNE – An 81-year-old woman has been disqualified from getting a driving licence for one year and fined $850 after being convicted of dangerous driving on a highway in Australia.

Judith Slade, from Heathcote in Victoria, pleaded guilty before the Bendigo Magistrate’s Court to driving at a dangerous speed and failing to obey her licence conditions. …. Source article  : Court cancels driving licence of woman, 81, for speeding.

Gangster gunned down

LUCKNOW – A gangster who carried a reward of Rs.50,000 on his head was shot dead by police in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district even as his two aides managed to escape, police said Wednesday.

Yogesh Chaudhary, 26, who faced over a dozen criminal cases including murder, was killed Tuesday night.
Four policemen were injured in the [..] Read the original article: here.

Julia becomes major hurricane; Tropical Storm Karl heads toward Mexican coast, warnings issued

Julia major hurricane; TS Karl headed to Mexico

CANCUN, Mexico – A strengthening Tropical Storm Karl neared the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday, bearing down on the resort beaches of the Mayan Riviera.
Karl had maximum sustained winds of about 45 mph (75 kph) and was located about 185 miles (295 kph) east of Chetumal, Mexico, the U.S. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Julia becomes major hurricane; Tropical Storm Karl heads toward Mexican coast, warnings issued.

Coffee machine explodes in Britain, seven hurt

LONDON – A coffee machine exploded at a supermarket cafe in Britain, injuring seven people.

The explosion was so powerful that it hurled the machine across the room and it slammed into a wall of the Sainsbury’s store, Daily Express reported Wednesday.
Six of the injured were taken to hospital and one of them had head, … Read more »»».

Battle of Britain pilots remember as 70th anniversary marked with statue of wartime commander

70 years on, Battle of Britain pilots remember

LONDON – Owen Burns remembers the cold, the howling wind, and the silk underwear he wore to protect him from the bitter cold. Ken Wilkinson recalls the solitude of combat, Nigel Rose the perverse disappointment of coming back from a mission unscathed.
They are a dwindling band, these men … Read more >>>.

Mexican drug cartel infiltrates Australia

SYDNEY – One of the world’s most powerful organised crime syndicates, the Sinaloa drug cartel of Mexico, has infiltrated Australia, importing up to half of the cocaine used on the east coast over the past two years, media reports said Wednesday.

Australian and overseas police suspect the cartel already dominated Australia’s cocaine trade when authorities … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Mexican drug cartel infiltrates Australia.

300 Chinese officials caught in sauna during working hours

BEIJING – About 300 government officials in China’s Shanxi province were caught while enjoying a sauna or a foot massage during working hours.

As many as 296 officials face punishment for visiting entertainment venues during the working day, the provincial discipline inspection authorities said, China Daily reported Tuesday.
The Shanxi provincial disciplinary body and the police … Read more >>.

Hurricane Julia stronger; Tropical Storm Karl heads toward Mexican coast, warnings issued

Hurricane Julia stronger; TS Karl headed to Mexico

MIAMI – Hurricane Julia has intensified in the open Atlantic and Tropical Storm Karl in the northwestern Caribbean is on a path toward the Yucatan Peninsula.
Forecasters late Tuesday said Karl had maximum sustained winds of about 45 mph (75 kph) and is located about 185 miles (295 kph) …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hurricane Julia stronger; Tropical Storm Karl heads toward Mexican coast, warnings issued.

Hitmen accused of 200 murders held in Spain

MADRID – Two hitmen from Colombia, accused in over 200 cases of murder, kidnapping and torture, have been arrested in Spain, the Spanish interior ministry said.

The arrested suspects – identified as Henry Norberto Valdes Marin, 36, and Mauricio Alberto Gonzalez Sepulveda, 44 – are the most dangerous Colombian nationals to be detained in Spain till … Read more »»».

Death toll from remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine reaches 8 after 2 bodies found in Texas

Hermine death toll at 8 after 2 more bodies found

AUSTIN, Texas – The death toll from flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine (hur-MEEN’) has reached eight after two more bodies were found in Texas.
One body was identified Tuesday as that of 51-year-old Jennifer Ring of Austin. The mother of two children had …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Australian child rapist jailed for 26 years

SYDNEY – A 58-year-old Australian man has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for sexually assaulting 18 children in 25 years, a media report said Thursday.

Dennis Alfred Goudge, formerly of Bendigo, had shown no remorse or insight into his offending, the Victorian County Court heard, the Age reported on its website.
The 26-year sentence … Original article on : Australian child rapist jailed for 26 years.

An 1,800-year-old murder

LONDON – In a shallow grave in Britain lay a girl with injuries to her head. An investigation is being carried out not by the police, but by archaeologists as her death took place over 1,800-years back.

The child’s remains were found in a pit in the corner of a barrack room floor at Vindolanda Roman … Read more >>.

8 killed in blast aboard minibus in southeast Turkey

8 killed in minibus blast in Turkey
ANKARA, Turkey – A roadside bomb attack killed at least eight people Thursday in the latest violence that shook Turkey’s turbulent southeast where Kurdish guerrillas fought a bitter war for autonomy for decades, authorities said.

The incident occurred near the village of Gecitli in the rugged Hakkari province, bordering Iran … Read : 8 killed in blast aboard minibus in southeast Turkey.

NTSB: 2 float planes collide near Dillingham, Alaska; both pilots survive

2 float planes collide in Alaska; pilots survive

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal investigator says two pilots in Alaska have survived the collision of two float planes that took off from a pond.
National Transportation Safety Board investigator Larry Lewis tells KTUU-TV in Anchorage that one pilot had major but non-life-threatening injuries, while the other pilot suffered … Original source on Gaea Times at : NTSB: 2 float planes collide near Dillingham, Alaska; both pilots survive.

600 booked for violence

LUCKNOW – Cases have been slapped against nearly 600 people in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district for indulging in violence after a truck ran over a student, police said Thursday.

Sushil Kumar’s death Tuesday in Chapad village triggered violence that left about 10 policemen injured. Fellow students also set fire to a dozen vehicles.
Police inspector Rakesh … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 600 booked for violence.

‘Smuggling, trafficking key issues on India-Bangladesh border’

DINAJPUR – Smuggling and human trafficking are the “key issues that sometimes create problem in the border areas of Bangladesh and India”, the country’s border guard chief has said.

“Borders of the two countries generally remain calm, but smugglers of drugs and other goods and human traffickers, who are always active across the borders, often …. Read the original article  : ‘Smuggling, trafficking key issues on India-Bangladesh border’.

Police officer’s cook arrested

CHANDIGARH – A Punjab police officer’s cook has been arrested for allegedly entering the house of a journalist here to steal, police said Thursday.

The incident took place at Sector 39 around 12.30 a.m.
“The accused worked with an inspector general. He was in an inebriated condition and entered the house to steal. The house owner … Read more : Police officer’s cook arrested.

Congress MP from Orissa attacked in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Congress MP Hemananda Biswal from Orissa was attacked at his official residence in the capital Thursday morning.

Sources at the MP’s residence at 7, Kamraj Lane near Connaught Place said that a person named Pravat Kumar Sharma alias Swamy, who had worked with the MP earlier, forcibly entered his residence and attempted …. Original source  : Congress MP from Orissa attacked in Delhi.

Report: 12 killed in blast aboard minibus in southeast Turkey

Report: 12 killed in minibus blast in Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey – CNN-Turk television says a blast has killed 12 people aboard a minibus in southeast Turkey.
There are conflicting reports about how the explosion occurred Thursday near the city of Hakkari, bordering Iran and Iraq. NTV television says the minibus hit a land mine while Dogan news … Read : Report: 12 killed in blast aboard minibus in southeast Turkey.

Fierce air, ground attack help slow advance of forest fire in southern Sierra Nevada

Fierce air, ground attack help slow fire’s advance

LAKE ISABELLA, Calif. – A fierce air and ground attack helped slow the advance of a California forest fire in the southern Sierra Nevada that has charred more than 6,100 acres and destroyed one home, authorities said.
Light winds aided the firefighting effort Wednesday as bulldozers carved firebreaks and … Read : Fierce air, ground attack help slow advance of forest fire in southern Sierra Nevada.

Chinese mom, Indian father continue search for lost child

KUALA LUMPUR – The parents of a two-year-old Indian girl, who has been missing since June, are still searching for her, and her mother who is of Chinese origin, believes she is alive and is being held captive somewhere.

Wong Lai Lan, the mother of Nisha Chandramohan, believes her daughter is alive and being …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chinese mom, Indian father continue search for lost child.

Put out too much on Facebook and risk burglary

LONDON – People who post too much personal information on social networking sites could be at risk from burglary, a media report said Thursday.

Wisbech magistrates’ court heard that Peter Trower, 22, and Joseph McLennan, 18, monitored Facebook accounts waiting for the “perfect opportunity” to rob a home in the town, Daily Telegraph reported on … Read more >>.

Malaysia to probe missing people linked to lawyer brothers

KUALA LUMPUR – The police in Malaysia are to investigate all reports of missing people who were known to two lawyer brothers arrested for the murder of a businesswoman and three others.

Sosilawati Lawiya, 47, who owned a cosmetics making firm, went missing last week and she was found murdered along with three others at a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Malaysia to probe missing people linked to lawyer brothers.

Firefighters gain ground on forest fire in southern Sierra Nevada, now 50 percent contained

Firefighters make progress against canyon wildfire

LAKE ISABELLA, Calif. – Firefighters were beginning to gain ground on a forest fire in the southern Sierra Nevada that charred more than 6,100 acres and destroyed one home, authorities said Wednesday.
The fire got “very active” Wednesday afternoon, but a fierce air and ground attack kept the flames away from …. Original source  : Firefighters gain ground on forest fire in southern Sierra Nevada, now 50 percent contained.

Firefighters begin to gain ground on forest fire in southern Sierra Nevada

Firefighters begin to gain ground on canyon fire

LAKE ISABELLA, Calif. – Firefighters are gaining ground on a California forest fire in the southern Sierra Nevada that has blackened more than 6,100 acres and destroyed one home.
U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Cindy Thill says the fire “got very active” Wednesday afternoon, but a fierce air and ground … Original article on : Firefighters begin to gain ground on forest fire in southern Sierra Nevada.

Sohrabuddin case witness faked shootout, friend questioned: police

UDAIPUR – Azam Khan, a key witness in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh killing, tried to fabricate a story about an attempt on his life by shooting himself in the shoulder, say police. He along with his friend and cousin are being questioned.

Khan, who had given evidence in the killing of Tulsiram Prajapati – a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sohrabuddin case witness faked shootout, friend questioned: police.

Hundreds evacuated after tropical storm hits Mexico

Cancun (Mexico), Sep 16 (IANS/EFE) Hundreds of people have been evacuated from Mexico’s Quintana Roo state after tropical storm Karla hit the region with wind speeds of up to 95 kmph.

The storm made landfall Wednesday morning.
Power and telephone lines were cut as heavy rains and gusts of wind lashed the region, Quintana Roo state …. Original source  : Hundreds evacuated after tropical storm hits Mexico.

War of words over France’s Gypsy expulsions threatens to overshadow EU summit

War of words with France may overshadow EU summit

BRUSSELS – A bitter rift over France’s Gypsy expulsions was set to dominate a summit of European Union leaders Thursday, after French ministers angrily hit back at comments likening the crackdown to World War II deportations.
In an emotional statement Tuesday, European Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding called France’s …. Source article  : War of words over France’s Gypsy expulsions threatens to overshadow EU summit.

Reducing software piracy can inject $142 bn into economy

WASHINGTON – Reducing software piracy by 10 percentage points in four years would inject over $142 billion into the global economy, create nearly 500,000 jobs and generate close to $32 billion in tax revenues, according to a new study.

Moreover, reducing software theft at a faster rate in two years could boost the economic benefits another … Read : Reducing software piracy can inject $142 bn into economy.

Tropical Storm Karl crosses Yucatan and moves to Gulf of Mexico; gov’t issues hurricane watch

Tropical Storm Karl heads to Gulf of Mexico

CANCUN, Mexico – Tropical Storm Karl dumped heavy rains on the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday as it moved toward the Gulf of Mexico, where it is expected to pick up steam and become a hurricane threatening Mexico’s central coast by the weekend.
In the Atlantic, forecasters say Hurricane Igor … Read more >>.

62 killed in Sri Lanka blast (Second Lead)

COLOMBO – At least 60 policemen and two Chinese nationals were killed Friday in a massive blast in containers filled with explosives at a police station in eastern Sri Lanka, the Daily News reported quoting a military official.

The toll in the blast at the Karadiyanaru police station, some 260 km from Colombo, has risen to … Read : 62 killed in Sri Lanka blast (Second Lead).

Hurricane Karl reaches Category 3 strength in the Gulf of Mexico; now a major hurricane

Hurricane Karl now a Category 3 storm in the Gulf

MIAMI – Hurricane Karl has strengthened to a Category 3 storm as it roars toward ports and oil installations on Mexico’s Gulf Coast.
Karl’s maximum sustained winds increased to near 120 mph (195 kph) early Friday with some additional strengthening possible before the hurricane makes landfall.
Karl is … Read more »»».

Government says 60 feared killed in accidental blast in eastern Sri Lanka

Government: 60 feared killed in Sri Lanka blast

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Three containers filled with explosives meant for road construction detonated Friday outside a police station in eastern Sri Lanka, killing as many as 60 people in a blast government officials called an accident.
Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Ubaya Medawala said it was unclear what triggered …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

BP’s Gulf oil well close to being plugged for good after relief well intersects it

Gulf oil well on verge of being plugged for good

NEW ORLEANS – After five months, the oil well that had spewed thousands of gallons into the Gulf of Mexico is on the verge of being plugged once and for all.
A relief well drilled nearly 2.5 miles beneath the floor of the Gulf of Mexico intersected … Read : BP’s Gulf oil well close to being plugged for good after relief well intersects it.

13th century slab of stone carving stolen from Goa

PANAJI – A historic one-metre-long stone slab with carvings of battle scene, dating back to the late 13th century, has been stolen from a remote village in north Goa. Only a museum could have stolen it, an archeology official said here Friday.

The state government has launched an investigation into the disappearance of the stone …. Original article  : 13th century slab of stone carving stolen from Goa.

Pakistan’s largest city Karachi gripped by fear, mourning after politician killed in London

Fears of violence in Pakistan after London slaying

KARACHI, Pakistan – Pakistan’s largest city came to a near-halt Friday amid fears of violence following the slaying in London of a senior politician from the local ruling party. Witnesses said a shop and two buses were set on fire, in signs of rising tension.
Gas stations, schools and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sri Lanka: Accidental blast kills more than 20 including 2 Chinese

Sri Lanka: Accidental blast kills more than 20

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – An accidental blast triggered by industrial dynamite intended for use in road construction killed more than 20 people Friday in eastern Sri Lanka, including two Chinese nationals, a government spokesman said.
The blast took place in the Batticaloa district, a former conflict area where the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sri Lanka: Accidental blast kills more than 20 including 2 Chinese.

British team in Punjab to probe murder case

PHAGWARA – A special four-member team of the British police has come to this Punjab town to probe a nearly three-year-old murder of an Indian origin British woman, allegedly for dowry.

Led by David Reid, the team reached Punjab Thursday and recorded the statements of the woman’s family members, who have alleged she was harassed … Read : British team in Punjab to probe murder case.

60 feared dead in accidental explosion in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO – At least 60 people were feared killed when a stock of dynamite exploded Friday inside a police station in eastern Sri Lanka, a military spokesman said.

Major General Udaya Medawala said the explosives detonated on a truck in the Karadiyanaru police station, 260 km east of Colombo.
The dynamite were intended for road construction … Read more »»».

Officials to assess whether tornado touched down in NYC storm that killed 1, disrupted trains

Probe into whether tornado hit NYC in deadly storm

NEW YORK – Residents, utility crews and railroad workers were cleaning up debris Friday after a brief but fierce storm barreled through the city, tearing up trees, stripping roofs from homes, disrupting train service and killing at least one person.
The National Weather Service was to dispatch investigators …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Residents return home as crews slow advance of forest fire in southern Sierra Nevada

Residents return home as crews slow fire’s advance

LAKE ISABELLA, Calif. – Hundreds of California residents have been allowed to return to their homes in mountain communities in the southern Sierra Nevada where a forest fire burned more than 8,100 acres.
Fire officials called off evacuation orders Thursday as a fierce air and ground attack helped slow … Original article on : Residents return home as crews slow advance of forest fire in southern Sierra Nevada.

BHU student threatens suicide, four arrested for ragging

LUCKNOW – Four students of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi have been arrested, one year after they assaulted and stripped a physically challenged youth and forced him to perform obscene acts that were even filmed by them, police said Friday.

The arrests came after the affected student, a native of Bihar, threatened to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : BHU student threatens suicide, four arrested for ragging.

Brooklyn Storm Creates Havoc

STATEN ISLANDS (GaeaTimes.com)- A powerful tornado struck Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan on Thursday evening. The National Weather Service issued a warning to the residents in the area at around 5:30pm. The NWS reported that the storm touched down at Staten Islands and caused extensive damage in the area. Wind speeds up to 70mph were …. Read the original article  : Brooklyn Storm Creates Havoc.

Orissa newspaper owner being framed, say media, opposition

BHUBANESWAR – A newspaper publisher was arrested here for allegedly duping a student, but media groups and opposition parties are protesting the move and allege that he has been framed for writing against the government.

Bikash Swain, the owner, publisher and printer of vernacular Oriya daily Suryaprava was arrested Thursday for allegedly duping a student of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Orissa newspaper owner being framed, say media, opposition.

NYC Tornado Disrupts City Life, Claims life of One

NEW YORK (GaeaTimes.com) — Last Thursday evening New York City faced a powerful tornado which caused several damage across the city. It even claimed the life of one person while injuring several others.
According to reports, the storm was a tornado with a funnel cloud. Although the National Weather Service had issued a Tornado warning …. Read the original article  : NYC Tornado Disrupts City Life, Claims life of One.

Remains of 20 people found in Malaysian farmhouse

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian investigators probing the murder of four people have stumbled upon bones that could belong to as many as 20 people.

The Malaysian Police have linked a fifth murder, that of an ethnic Indian woman, with those of four who were slashed and burnt last week at Banting in Selangor state.
Two … Read : Remains of 20 people found in Malaysian farmhouse.

New system to monitor seismic activity in northeast

AGARTALA – An ambitious project to modernise the seismic monitoring system in India’s northeast — said to be the sixth most quake-prone belt in the world — has been taken up by the union ministry of earth sciences (MoES), officials said here Friday.

“A VSAT-based real time seismic monitoring network (RTSMN) over the northeast consisting of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New system to monitor seismic activity in northeast.

Experts warn of earthquakes in Bangladesh

DHAKA – Scientists at the Dhaka University Earth Observatory have recorded 10 tremors in the last one week and warned that more earthquakes can hit the country anytime.

The warning comes after a moderate quake, whose epicentre was at the India-Bangladesh border, shook parts of Bangladesh last Friday.
Two of the milder ones with the epicentre … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Experts warn of earthquakes in Bangladesh.

Rescue, relief intensified after Bihar river breach

PATNA – A day after the Gandak river breached its embankments in Bihar’s Gopalganj district, the government intensified rescue and relief operations as the fear of floods led thousands to flee their homes, officials said Friday.

Floods caused by the breach could affect one million people in Gopalganj, Saran and Siwan district in the coming days …. Read the original article  : Rescue, relief intensified after Bihar river breach.

Peruvian teen admits he murdered 10 people

Lima, Sep 17 (IANS/EFE) A 15-year-old boy in Peru has confessed to killing 10 people, including a pregnant woman, in the past three years, local media reported.

The boy, nicknamed Gringacho, surrendered before the authorities and said he was recruited by a criminal network in the city of Trujillo, 570 km north of Lima, when he [..] Read the original article: here.

Indian doctor dies in Nepal highway crash

KATHMANDU – A 32-year-old eye doctor from eastern India died in Nepal after being injured in a highway crash.

Anjum Medi from Anil Nagar in Guwahati died in eastern Nepal after the ambulance he was travelling in hit a cement-laden truck on the highway, police said. Medi was working in the Ram Lal Golcha Eye Hospital … Original article on : Indian doctor dies in Nepal highway crash.

Maharashtra village pays homage to 17 killed in jeep crash

GONDIA – About 1,500 people of Navegaon village in this Maharashtra district Saturday observed a voluntary shutdown and paid homage to 17 people who died in a road accident the day before, police here said.

“The accident took place Friday evening when a milk tanker and a jeep collided. Around 20 people were travelling in the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Maharashtra village pays homage to 17 killed in jeep crash.

Kerala girl defies threats, wears jeans – not burqa

KASARGODE – An aeronautical engineer by qualification and preparing for the civil services exam, a 23-year-old Muslim girl here refuses to wear the burqa and often sports jeans despite constant threats to her life.

Rayana R. Khasi, a resident of Kasargode, 600 km from state capital Thiruvananthapuram, has handed over the threat letters she received to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rapist school cab driver attacked by angry kin

NEW DELHI – A school cab driver accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl and her two brothers for over a year and a half was assaulted by angry family members and neighbours of the children while being taken to the court Saturday.

The accused driver, Lalit Ratawal, 32, was being taken to the court by …. Source article  : Rapist school cab driver attacked by angry kin.

Fake voter cards seized during Afghan parliamentary polls

KABUL – Fake voter registration cards were seized and allegations of fraud were reported across Afghanistan Saturday after parliamentary elections began, witnesses and officials said.

A man was seized by police in Kabul with at least 15 fake voters’ cards near a polling station, Ahmad Zia Rafhat, spokesman for the UN-backed Election Complaint Commission (ECC), said. … Read more »»».

NY woman admits targeting South Asians for gold

WASHINGTON – A New York City woman has admitted that she and two men targeted homes of South Asian families in the Washington suburbs, stealing gold jewellery, coins and religious icons.

Melinda M. Soto, 34, of Queens, detailed in federal court in Alexandria Friday how the gang of three burglarised 37 homes in Fairfax and Loudoun … Read more : NY woman admits targeting South Asians for gold.

Malaysia seeks India’s help to trace missing Indian

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian police have sought help from their Indian counterparts and the Interpol to trace an Indian millionaire who has been missing since January when he arrived here to seal a business deal.

A. Muthuraja, a Chennai-based millionaire, was allegedly last seen with the two lawyer brothers who were arrested last month for …. Read the original article  : Malaysia seeks India’s help to trace missing Indian.

Chinese hold anti-Japan protests over boat incident on sensitive political anniversary

Chinese hold anti-Japan protests over boat dispute

BEIJING – Protesters in several cities across China marked a politically sensitive anniversary Saturday with anti-Japan chants and banners, as authorities tried to stop anger over a diplomatic spat between the Asian giants from getting out of control.
As some chanted “Wipe out the Japanese devils!” and stamped on Japanese … Read : Chinese hold anti-Japan protests over boat incident on sensitive political anniversary.

Quake hits Afghanistan, tremors felt in north India

NEW DELHI – An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale hit the Hindu Kush region in Afganistan early Saturday and tremors were felt in several parts of north India, including Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, officials said.

“Earthquake tremors were felt at 12.51 a.m. They lasted for 55 to 59 seconds. … Read more »».

Tremor jolts Kashmir Valley as violence continues

SRINAGAR – A moderate intensity tremor Saturday jolted the Kashmir Valley, already rocked by the massive three-month long violence which has claimed 96 lives.

No loss of life or property was reported from anywhere because of the tremor, but the toll kept on mounting with two more deaths Saturday. A total of 96 people have lost …. Original article  : Tremor jolts Kashmir Valley as violence continues.

Earthquake In Delhi: Tremors Felt

(Gaea Times.com)- On Saturday September 18, AT 12:51 am the people in Delhi felt the ground trembling, something which was not normal and there was immediately fear in the minds of the people which jumped rightly to the worst conclusion, earthquake. The panic though did not last long as luckily for them the …. Original source  : Earthquake In Delhi: Tremors Felt.

Cement flows as BP crews work to permanently seal the blown-out oil well in the Gulf of Mexico

Cement flows for permanent plug of BP’s Gulf well

NEW ORLEANS – Crews are pumping cement into BP’s blown-out oil well thousands of feet below the sea bottom, working to permanently seal the runaway well.
Engineers initially had planned to pump in mud before the cement, but a BP spokesman said that would not be necessary. There …. Original source  : Cement flows as BP crews work to permanently seal the blown-out oil well in the Gulf of Mexico.

Chileans search souls as trapped miners, hunger-striking Indians crash bicentennial party

Trapped miners force Chileans to re-examine image

SAN JOSE MINE, Chile – The survival of 33 miners trapped a half-mile underground and the government’s unblinking effort to pull them out alive are giving Chileans reason to be proud as they celebrate their nation’s bicentennial this weekend.
Chile is poised to enter the world’s club of developed nations, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chileans search souls as trapped miners, hunger-striking Indians crash bicentennial party.

Hurricane Karl kills 2 in landslide, remnants drench mountains of central Mexico

Hurricane Karl kills 2, remnants drench C Mexico

CORDOBA, Mexico – Authorities in central Mexico were on alert early Saturday for possible mudslides and flooding as the remnants of Hurricane Karl pushed inland hours after the storm swept onto the Gulf coast and killed two people.
Out in the Atlantic, meanwhile, Hurricane Igor strengthened into a Category …. Read the original article  : Hurricane Karl kills 2 in landslide, remnants drench mountains of central Mexico.

Punjab doctor held for murder attempt a year earlier

PANCHKULA – A Punjab-based doctor, wanted by the police for over year for attempted murder, has finally been arrested, police here said Saturday.

Sumit Sofat, who runs a leading infertility centre in Punjab’s industrial hub Ludhiana, was wanted since August 2009. His bail application had been rejected by the Punjab and Haryana High Court … Original article on : Punjab doctor held for murder attempt a year earlier.

US scientist, wife held for selling N-weapon detail

Washington, Sep 18 (IANS/EFE) A US scientist ans his wife have been arrested for passing on secret information to a man posing as Venezuelan spy to help that country develop a nuclear weapon, the US justice department has said.

“The indictment does not allege that the government of Venezuela or anyone acting on its behalf … Read : US scientist, wife held for selling N-weapon detail.

Voters list recovered from Bihar jail

PATNA – A voters list, a mobile phone and some cash were seized from inmates of a Bihar jail early Saturday, police said.

The four-page voters list and other objectionable items were recovered from the Siwan district jail in Siwan district.
“During a surprise raid, we recovered a voters list ahead of the upcoming assembly polls,” …. Original source  : Voters list recovered from Bihar jail.

Tremors felt in Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH – Mild tremors were felt in most parts of Punjab and Haryana in the early hours of Saturday, officials said here. However, no loss of life or damage to property was reported.

“Earthquake tremors were felt at 12.51 a.m. and they lasted for 55 to 59 seconds. They were of moderate intensity and so far … Read more »».

Afghans vote amid threats in 1st election since fraud-marred presidential ballot last year

Afghans vote amid threats and scattered attacks

KABUL, Afghanistan – Men in traditional tunics and women covered in sky-blue burqas trickled into polling centers to vote in Afghanistan’s parliamentary election Saturday, as scattered attacks and the closure of some voting sites by insurgents underscored the difficulty of trying to hold a vote in a country at …. Read the original article  : here.

Afghans vote in parliamentary election despite scattered rocket attacks, Taliban threats

Afghans vote for parliament despite some attacks

KABUL, Afghanistan – Polling stations formally opened for voting in Afghanistan’s parliamentary election Saturday, though scattered rocket attacks struck in the early morning and Taliban insurgents managed to block at least a couple of stations from opening.
The vote – the first since a fraud-marred presidential poll last year – … Original article on : Afghans vote in parliamentary election despite scattered rocket attacks, Taliban threats.

Gunmen fire at tourist bus outside New Delhi mosque, wounding 2 Taiwanese

Gunmen fire at tourist bus in Delhi, wounding 2

NEW DELHI – Two gunmen on a motorcycle shot and injured two Taiwanese tourists Sunday near one of India’s biggest mosques, police said.
The gunmen randomly opened fire near the Jama Masjid, hitting the tourists as they were about to board a bus parked near the mosque, police …. Original source  : Gunmen fire at tourist bus outside New Delhi mosque, wounding 2 Taiwanese.

Car bomb kills 12 in western Baghdad, says Iraqi army official

Car bomb kills 12 in western Baghdad
BAGHDAD – An Iraqi army official says 12 people were killed when a car bomb exploded near the offices of a mobile phone company in western Baghdad.

Army Brig. Gen. Ali Fathal, who is responsible for security in the western Baghdad area, told The Associated Press that 10 people were … Read more : Car bomb kills 12 in western Baghdad, says Iraqi army official.

Powerful typhoon knocks out power, transportation in Taiwan; 6,000 flee mountains

Typhoon knocks out power, transportation in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan – A powerful typhoon ripped into Taiwan on Sunday, crippling transportation around the island and shutting off power as thousands of residents fled mountainous areas prone to devastating landslides.
Typhoon Fanapi was the first major storm to strike the island this year and was forecast to move into … Original source on Gaea Times at : Powerful typhoon knocks out power, transportation in Taiwan; 6,000 flee mountains.

Interpol chief’s Facebook identity misused

LONDON – Interpol chief Ron Noble has said his identity was used on the online social network Facebook by criminals who tried to get details of an operation launched by the international police agency against a global crime nexus.

“Interpol’s information security incident response team discovered two Facebook profiles attempting to assume my identity as Interpol’s …. Source article  : Interpol chief’s Facebook identity misused.

Sheriff’s officials say 13 members of ‘cult-like’ group reported missing by families

Sheriff’s search for 13 members of LA-area ‘cult’

LOS ANGELES – Five adults and eight children from a “cult-like” group in Southern California were reported missing by their families Saturday, and the group left behind letters that they were awaiting “the Rapture or some other catastrophic event,” a sheriff’s official said.
Husbands of two group members, who … Read more »»».

Four killed in Jharkhand road accident

RANCHI – Four people were killed and 13 injured when a bus and a truck collided on the outskirts of the Jharkhand capital Sunday morning, police said.

The accident took place when a bus coming from Bihar, headed towards Jamshedpur, rammed into a truck coming from the opposite direction, a police officer said.
The injured were … Read more : Four killed in Jharkhand road accident.

Big waves pounding Bermuda as islanders rush to get ready before Hurricane Igor sweeps in

Big waves pound Bermuda as Hurricane Igor nears

HAMILTON, Bermuda – Big waves are pounding Bermuda’s beaches while islanders rush to board up windows, fill sandbags and stock up on water, food and other supplies before Hurricane Igor’s expected arrival late Sunday.
In Mexico, people are cleaning up from flooding and wind damage caused by the now … Read more : Big waves pounding Bermuda as islanders rush to get ready before Hurricane Igor sweeps in.

Afghan vote counting begins as credibility of election cast in doubt by turnout, fraud claims

Afghan observers question election as tally starts

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan election observers said they had serious concerns about the legitimacy of this weekend’s parliamentary balloting as officials began Sunday to tally the results – a process that could take months.
Saturday’s balloting holds a chance of redemption for a government that lost much of its credibility [..] Read the original article: here.

Super fit cop outruns teenager after brawl

LONDON – A Briton who taunted a policeman and then ran away after a brawl got more than he bargained for as the official was an endurance sportsman who easily outran the stunned teenager.

The teenager didn’t have the faintest clue that the policeman was one of the fittest men on the planet and he didn’t …. Original article  : Super fit cop outruns teenager after brawl.

Rathore applies for parole again

CHANDIGARH – Disgraced former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore, who is serving an 18-month jail term at Burail jail here for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra, has once again applied for parole of 42 days, officials said Sunday.

This is the second time Rathore has applied for parole before the inspector general of police (prisons), Chandigarh. Last …. Original article  : Rathore applies for parole again.

Pele sends autographed jersey to trapped Chile miners

Sao Paulo, Sep 19 (IANS/EFE) Brazilian soccer legend Pele has sent a message of support and an autographed jersey to 33 Chilean miners who have been trapped underground since Aug 5.

“Dear friends: I’m praying for you” was the message Pele sent to the men trapped inside the San Jose copper and gold mine in northern …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pele sends autographed jersey to trapped Chile miners.

Powerful typhoon forces evacuation of thousands and halts transportation in Taiwan

6,000 evacuated in Taiwan as typhoon hits
TAIPEI, Taiwan – A powerful typhoon ripped into Taiwan on Sunday, crippling transportation around the island and prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents from mountainous areas prone to devastating landslides.

Typhoon Fanapi, the first major storm to strike the island this year, made landfall in the eastern city of …. Source article  : Powerful typhoon forces evacuation of thousands and halts transportation in Taiwan.

Pressure test needed on blown-out BP oil well, last step before declaring it dead

Last test needed before declaring BP oil well dead

NEW ORLEANS – A pressure test on the blown-out BP well in the Gulf of Mexico was set to be finished early Sunday, the last step needed before the runaway well can finally be declared dead.
There was no word from company or government officials on whether the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

10 Bihar villages flooded as Gandak river overflows

PATNA – More than 10 villages in Bihar’s Gopalganj district were flooded early Sunday after the Gandak river overflowed its banks due to release of water from Nepal following heavy rains in the area, an official said.

The supporting embankments constructed to restrict the flow of river in case of flood threat was breached after Nepal … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 10 Bihar villages flooded as Gandak river overflows.

Fire destroys Malibu beachfront rental home of Ricki Lake; actress and sons escape safely

Fire destroys Malibu beachfront home of Ricki Lake

MALIBU, Calif. – Authorities say Ricki Lake’s beachfront rental home in Malibu has burned down.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials say deputies answering a 911 call Saturday found the 41-year-old actress and talk show host, her two sons and their dog standing safely outside.
Firefighters put out the blaze in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Fire destroys Malibu beachfront rental home of Ricki Lake; actress and sons escape safely.

BP to conduct final test on ruptured Gulf well seal

WASHINGTON – BP late Saturday was waiting for the cement to set at the bottom of the ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well before testing the strength of the seal.

If the seal passes the test, it will mark the final, formal step in closing down the well that caused the worst known ecological disaster in … Read more »»».

Eight police officers kidnapped, killed in Mexico

MEXICO CITY – Eight police officers were found dead Saturday in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, after a shoot-out with suspected members of a drug gang, officials said.

Nine police officers were kidnapped after the shoot-out in the town of Teloloapan. According to newspaper reports, some of the bodies had been dismembered.
One of the … Read more : Eight police officers kidnapped, killed in Mexico.

Six die in US road accident

NEW YORK – A church van crashed Saturday killing six people and injuring eight in the town of Woodbury, New York, police said.

The single vehicle accident occurred at about 3 p.m. on northbound side of Interstate 87, about an hour’s drive north of New York City, Xinhua quoted a police spokesman as saying. …. Read the original article  : Six die in US road accident.

30 die in Ghana bus accident

ACCRA – At least 30 people were killed and 80 injured Saturday evening when a passenger bus fell in a gutter in northern Ghana.

Eyewitnesses said that the accident occurred at Zagyuri, a town about 700 km north of here, Xinhua reported Sunday.
According to media reports, the death toll could increase further.
… Read : 30 die in Ghana bus accident.

At least 6 dead in wreck involving church van on New York State Thruway; 8 others injured

Authorities: 6 dead in church van crash in NY

NEW YORK – A blown tire caused a van carrying the leaders of a New York City church to lose control and flip over on the New York State Thruway, killing at least six people, including the bishop and his wife, authorities said. Eight others were injured.
Fourteen … Original source on Gaea Times at : At least 6 dead in wreck involving church van on New York State Thruway; 8 others injured.

Hurricane Igor Hits Bermuda

HAMILTON (GaeaTimes.com)- Late on Sunday, the fierce Hurricane Igor struck the shores of Bermuda with a maximum sustained winds nearing round 120 kilometers per hour. Although through the week, Hurricane Igor slid from category 4 storm to Category one, on Sunday with U.S. based National Hurricane Center reporting the gust of wind to be … Read : Hurricane Igor Hits Bermuda.

From tense hunt to idyllic scene; 13 members of Calif. religious sect found praying in park

13 from Calif. sect found in park after tense hunt

PALMDALE, Calif. – Families of the missing fretted. Deputies fanned out across the high desert on horses and in helicopters. Neighbors marveled at the commotion of patrol cars and satellite trucks that appeared suddenly in their quiet streets.
The only people who seemed to take the disappearance … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : From tense hunt to idyllic scene; 13 members of Calif. religious sect found praying in park.

Train driver may be to blame for accident

BHOPAL – The driver of the goods train that smashed into a stationary passenger train in Madhya Pradesh Monday killing 15 people may have ignored a signal, a railway official said.

Piyush Mathur, chief public relations officer of Western Railway, told reporters: “It looks like the driver overshot the signal. The cause (of the accident) will … Original source on Gaea Times at : Train driver may be to blame for accident.

Malaysian tycoon to make movie with Hollywood stars

KUALA LUMPUR – A Malaysian tycoon, who was caught with narcotics at a pub here, has announced an action film starring big Hollywood names like Jamie Foxx and Bruce Willis.

Low Taek Jho was partying with a group of people when police raided the pub.
Twenty-six people, including six women and 14 underage customers, rounded up …. Source article  : Malaysian tycoon to make movie with Hollywood stars.

Rs.5 lakh for families of dead in train accident

NEW DELHI – Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee announced an ex-gratia of Rs.5 lakh each to the families of those killed in a railway accident in Madhya Pradesh early Monday.

A railway ministry statement also quoted her as saying that each of the grievously injured passenger would get Rs.1 lakh while those who suffered simple injuries would …. Original source  : Rs.5 lakh for families of dead in train accident.

Landslides, monsoon flooding kill 47 in northern India over the weekend, officials say

Landslides, monsoon floods kill 47 in north India

LUCKNOW, India – Heavy monsoon rains and landslides swept the hilly areas of northern India over the weekend, killing at least 47 people, officials said Monday.
Twenty-four people died Sunday as falling boulders crushed their homes in three villages in Almorah district in Uttrakhand state, said Prashant Kumar Tamta, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Landslides, monsoon flooding kill 47 in northern India over the weekend, officials say.

Jama Masjid attackers surveyed area; Taiwanese stable

NEW DELHI – The gunmen who opened fire outside Delhi’s Jama Masjid Sunday, injuring two foreigners, surveyed the area at least four times, police said Monday after speaking to witnesses.

Doctors at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital say the two Taiwanese tourists injured in the firing were now stable.
“Investigations are on,” a Delhi … Read : Jama Masjid attackers surveyed area; Taiwanese stable.

Flood threat again looms over Haryana

CHANDIGARH – The Yamuna continued to flow alarmingly high in Haryana Monday, posing a threat of heavy flooding in villages along the river, officials said. Fresh alerts have been issued in major districts like Karnal, Panipat and Faridabad.

According to government officials, nearly 700,000 cusecs of water was discharged into the Yamuna from the Hathnikund [..] Read the original article: here.

1984 riots: Supreme Court rejects Sajjan Kumar’s plea

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday rejected Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s appeal seeking the quashing of the framing of charges against him in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The apex court bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and Anil R. Dave, however, said the trial court would remain uninfluenced by the adverse observation … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 1984 riots: Supreme Court rejects Sajjan Kumar’s plea.

Japan urges China to remain calm after Beijing cuts high-level contacts over detained captain

Japan urges calm after China severs contacts

BEIJING – Japan urged China to remain calm and not inflame their diplomatic spat further Monday after Beijing severed high-level contacts over the detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain near disputed islands.
China’s rare move late Sunday pushed already-tense relations to a new low, and showed Beijing’s willingness to … Read : Japan urges China to remain calm after Beijing cuts high-level contacts over detained captain.

Utah blaze sparked at firing range burns 300 acres, 2 homes SW of Salt Lake City

Utah blaze sparked at firing range burns 2 homes

HERRIMAN, Utah – A Utah blaze sparked at a machine gun firing range prompted some 1,260 evacuations Sunday as flames spread across hundreds of acres southwest and burned two homes, fire officials said.
With the fast-moving wildfire moving in on the town of Herriman, Mayor Josh Mills signed …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Utah blaze sparked at firing range burns 300 acres, 2 homes SW of Salt Lake City.

Freight train slams into passenger train in central India, killing 10, injuring 50

Train crash kills 10 in central India, injures 50

NEW DELHI – A freight train on the wrong track slammed into a stopped passenger locomotive at a railway station amid heavy rain early Monday in central India, killing at least 10 people and injuring 50, officials said.
The death toll could rise as the debris is cleared, …. Read the original article  : Freight train slams into passenger train in central India, killing 10, injuring 50.

Extensive searches in Agra after Delhi incident

AGRA – Extensive searches were carried out at malls, railway stations, bus stands and around historical monuments in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra district following the shooting incident in Delhi, police here said Monday.

The Agra police led by Deputy Inspector General Dev Kumar Antony carried out the searches late Sunday.
A flag march was conducted in Mantola, … Read more »».

At least four killed, 52 injured in Madhya Pradesh collision (Third Lead)

BHOPAL – At least four people were killed and more than 50 injured early Monday when a goods train rammed into a stationary passenger train near Guna in Madhya Pradesh, railway officials said. Many passengers were still trapped in the mangled coaches of the Intercity Indore-Gwalior Express, reports added.

The accident took place around 5 a.m. …. Original article  : At least four killed, 52 injured in Madhya Pradesh collision (Third Lead).

Goods train rams into passenger train in Madhya Pradesh (Second Lead)

BHOPAL – A goods train smashed into a stationary passenger train near Guna in Madhya Pradesh early Monday, railway officials said, giving out death tolls that varied from four to nearly 10.

The accident took place at the Badarbas railway station, about 50 km from Guna, where the intercity Indore-Gwalior Express was awaiting signal.
There … Original article on : Goods train rams into passenger train in Madhya Pradesh (Second Lead).

520 kg cocaine found near Panama Canal

Panama City, Sep 20 (IANS/EFE) Over 520 kg of cocaine was found inside an abandoned vehicle on the banks of the Panama Canal, officials said.

The vehicle was abandoned a short distance from the Bridge of the Americas, the National Police said Sunday.
The occupants apparently abandoned the vehicle when they spotted a police checkpoint on …. Original article  : 520 kg cocaine found near Panama Canal.

At least 23 soldiers killed in ambush in Tajikistan; officials blame Islamic militants

At least 23 soldiers killed in Tajikistan ambush

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – At least 23 soldiers were killed in Tajikistan after a convoy was ambushed by heavily armed Islamic militants – a devastating blow that will shake this impoverished nation lying on Afghanistan’s poorly secured northern border.
The military convoy was heading for eastern Rasht district, an area …. Source  : At least 23 soldiers killed in ambush in Tajikistan; officials blame Islamic militants.

Madhya Pradesh train collision: helpline numbers

BHOPAL – The helpline numbers opened by the Western Railway following the Madhya Pradesh train collision early Monday:

Badarbas: 07495245233
Shivpuri: 07492234407
Guna: 07542253799
Ujjain: 0134-233045
…. Original article  : Madhya Pradesh train collision: helpline numbers.

Typhoon Fanapi hits China

BEIJING – Typhoon Fanapi hit China’s Fujian province Monday, uprooting trees, ripping off branches and knocking down billboards, but there has been no casualties, officials said.

Officials of the Fujian provincial flood control headquarters said Fanapi hit Gulei township in Zhangpu county at 7 a.m. and lashed coastal areas with winds of speed around 35 metres …. Source article  : Typhoon Fanapi hits China.

Two brothers drown during Mexico boat race

Mexico City, Sep 20 (IANS/EFE) Two brothers drowned during a boat race held to celebrate the bicentennial of Mexico’s independence, officials said.

The accident occurred during an aquatic marathon in the Atoyac river along Atoyac de Alvarez city, 473 km south of Mexico City, officials of the public safety secretariat of Guerrero state said Sunday.
Brothers … Original source on Gaea Times at : Two brothers drown during Mexico boat race.

Five held with spying gear in Mexico

Mexico City, Sep 21 (IANS/EFE) Five people have been arrested in Mexico for possessing spying equipment, including “software for doing spy work” that contain “databases with information on people in 30 states”, officials said.

The suspects, one of whom is a policeman, were arrested after they were found following a group of federal police officers in … Read more : Five held with spying gear in Mexico.

Two 80-year-olds die after being abandoned in van

Madrid, Sep 21 (IANS/EFE) Two 80-year-old wheelchair-bound men, suffering from dementia, died after they were abandoned inside a van on way to an old age centre near here, authorities said.

The driver of the van has been arrested and is accused of homicide due to negligence.
Relatives of the dead went to the Virgen del Consuelo …. Read the original article  : Two 80-year-olds die after being abandoned in van.

Chilean president chats with trapped miners

Santiago, Sep 21 (IANS/EFE) Chilean President Sebastian Pinera visited the mine in which 33 people have been trapped since Aug 5 and sent a message of hope in a video chat, amid the euphoria of Chile’s bicentennial celebrations.

The miners were trapped when a landslide caused a tunnel to collapse several hundred feet above them. They … Original article on : Chilean president chats with trapped miners.

Japan warns of fanning nationalism in dispute with China over detained fishing captain

Japan warns of fanning nationalism in China feud

TOKYO – Japan warned Tuesday against fanning “extreme nationalism” in a diplomatic standoff with China over the detention of a Chinese fishing captain after his boat collided with Japanese vessels near disputed islands.
Relations between the countries have been on a downward spiral since the captain was detained nearly … Read : Japan warns of fanning nationalism in dispute with China over detained fishing captain.

2 dead and millions of dollars in damage as Taiwan cleans up after powerful typhoon

Taiwan cleans up after powerful typhoon; 2 dead

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Residents waded through ankle-deep mud to clean up their homes Tuesday, after massive flooding spawned by a powerful typhoon killed two people in southern Taiwan, and caused tens of millions of dollars of damage.
Typhoon Fanapi made a direct hit on the island Sunday, dumping more …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 2 dead and millions of dollars in damage as Taiwan cleans up after powerful typhoon.

NATO says 9 service members from international coalition killed in helicopter crash

NATO says 9 service members killed in crash

KABUL, Afghanistan – NATO says nine service members with the international coalition in Afghanistan have died after their helicopter crashed in the volatile south.
Two other coalition troops, an Afghan National Army soldier and a U.S. civilian were injured in Tuesday’s crash and were transported to a military medical …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hurricane Karl claimed 16 lives in Mexico

MEXICO CITY – Hurricane Karl claimed at least 16 lives last week in Mexico, according to Monday’s updated official death toll.

The state of Veracruz, worst-hit by the hurricane’s rain and flooding, suffered 12 of the country’s fatalities. Several people remain missing.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon toured storm-ravaged areas Monday in Veracruz and met with civil …. Source article  : Hurricane Karl claimed 16 lives in Mexico.

Forecasters: 14th tropical depression of the season forms in Atlantic, likely to strengthen

14th tropical depression forms in Atlantic

MIAMI – Forecasters say a tropical depression has formed in the Atlantic on the heels of two hurricanes and is likely to become the next named storm.
The National Hurricane Center said late Monday that the 14th depression of the season was more than 500 miles (805 kilometers) from the Cape … Read more »»».

Owners of Missouri group home where 11 died in 2006 fire answer federal fraud charges

Fraud trial held for owner of Mo. group home

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Prosecutors say the former owner of a Missouri group home where 11 people died in a fire was running the business from prison and after his release despite a federal ban on his involvement.
Robert DuPont and his wife LaVerne went on trial Monday on …. Original source  : Owners of Missouri group home where 11 died in 2006 fire answer federal fraud charges.

20 percent containment reported at wildfire outside Utah National Guard base near Salt Lake

20 percent containment in Utah Guard wildfire

HERRIMAN, Utah – Fire officials are reporting progress battling a wildfire that started on a Utah Army National Guard base and forced the evacuation of 1,600 nearby homes.
Fire spokeswoman Kim Osborn said Monday that firefighters have 20 percent containment of the fire that destroyed three homes and damaged a … Read more »».

Gulf fund czar: No pay earned for spill cleanup to be subtracted from lost revenue claims

BP fund czar: No deduction for spill cleanup wages

NEW ORLEANS – The administrator of the fund for victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster says he will waive a requirement that BP PLC wages earned by spill cleanup be subtracted from workers’ claims for lost revenue.
Attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who is doling out the $20 …. Source article  : Gulf fund czar: No pay earned for spill cleanup to be subtracted from lost revenue claims.

Consumer groups: Vehicles like church van that crashed in NY, killing 6, inherently unstable

Consumer groups: Type of van in NY crash unstable

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – A church van that rolled over on the New York State Thruway and killed six people is a type some consumer groups have been calling unsafe for nearly a decade.
Two groups said Monday in response to a question from The Associated Press that …. Read the original article  : Consumer groups: Vehicles like church van that crashed in NY, killing 6, inherently unstable.

Guard commander takes responsibility for wildfire that raged out of control near Salt Lake

Guard commander takes responsibility for wildfire

HERRIMAN, Utah – The commander of the Utah Army National Guard took responsibility Monday for a fast-moving wildfire that led to the evacuation of 1,600 homes, saying Guard officials erred when they allowed live-fire training despite high wind warnings.
Gen. Brian Tarbet said he was “deeply sorry” about what he called …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Small plane carrying Americans crashes in Bahamas after luggage door opens in air; no one hurt

Bahamas probes small plane crash, no injuries

NASSAU, Bahamas – An aviation official in the Bahamas says a small plane heading for Florida with six people on board, including four Americans, crashed shortly after taking off. Everyone aboard escaped without injury.
Aviation safety inspector Delvin Major says the baggage door on the twin-engine Piper PA-31 flung open …. Original article  : Small plane carrying Americans crashes in Bahamas after luggage door opens in air; no one hurt.

BP joins ExxonMobil-led well containment program, to provide underwater equipment, expertise

BP to join oil companies’ well containment program

HOUSTON – BP PLC says it will join a group of the world’s largest oil companies who are working together to improve response to spills, such as the massive one in the Gulf of Mexico.
BP’s announcement on Monday came just two days after its blown-out Gulf well was … Read more »»».

Mexico’s death toll rises to 16 in mudslides, floods from remnants of Hurricane Karl

Death toll rises to 16 in Mexico from flooding

VERACRUZ, Mexico – Mexican authorities say at least 16 people have been killed in several days of flooding and mudslides across southern Mexico.
President Felipe Calderon says the death toll in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz rose to 12 over the weekend as the remnants of Hurricane …. Original source  : Mexico’s death toll rises to 16 in mudslides, floods from remnants of Hurricane Karl.

Earthquake strongly felt in Anchorage and beyond

Earthquake jolts Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An earthquake jolted Anchorage on Monday and was felt well beyond Alaska’s largest city.

The 4.9 magnitude quake struck at 1:24 p.m. about 10 miles southwest of Anchorage, according to earthquake monitors.
There were no reports of injury or damage, but people reported that the earthquake “shook awful hard,” said Cindi Preller, …. Original article  : Earthquake strongly felt in Anchorage and beyond.

Metro-North Railroad Disrupted due to Fire on the Harlem river bridge

NEW YORK (GaeaTimes.com) — Metro-North railroad has been suspended on the Hudson, Harlem and New Heaven lines due to a fire on the 138th Street Bridge over the Harlem river.
The fire under the bridge was first reported at around 11.45 am today. Initial reports suggests that the fire has been caused by the explosion …. Original article  : Metro-North Railroad Disrupted due to Fire on the Harlem river bridge.

Weather delays Oregon wine grape harvest by 2 weeks to a month

Weather pushes back Oregon wine grape harvest

PORTLAND, Ore. – A cool spring followed by a summer with only a scattering of hot days has delayed the Oregon wine grape harvest by at least two weeks and possibly up to a month.
Growers are trying different ways to speed up ripening before fall rains arrive, including pulling … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Weather delays Oregon wine grape harvest by 2 weeks to a month.

Pipeline info kept secret for security reasons; Calif. town found that out after lethal blast

Despite accidents, pipeline info is elusive

SAN FRANCISCO – Public records can reveal a lot about a neighborhood: who’s not paying their taxes, where sex offenders live, whether a house for sale has lead paint. Yet if a 2??-foot-wide pipeline carrying highly pressurized, explosive natural gas runs beneath the neighborhood, it’s a different story.
Citing fears that …. Source  : Pipeline info kept secret for security reasons; Calif. town found that out after lethal blast.

Salt Lake-area wildfire 50 percent contained; crews hope to continue gaining ground

Crews hope to continue gaining ground on Utah fire

HERRIMAN, Utah – Firefighters looked to maintain their momentum Wednesday on a Utah wildfire ignited by Army National Guard members during weekend machine-gun training.
Nearly half the evacuation orders still in effect for the Salt Lake City suburb of Herriman were lifted Tuesday evening after fire officials reported …. Original source  : Salt Lake-area wildfire 50 percent contained; crews hope to continue gaining ground.

Man threatened to kill priest over church bells

Lucca (Italy), Sep 22 (IANS/AKI) A 63-year-old man in Italy has been booked for stalking after he repeatedly threatened to kill a priest for making “noise” with church bells.

The man reportedly became incensed by the sound of churches’ bells in the Tuscan city. He began telephoning the church to complain about the constant chimes and … Read more >>>.

Dominican kills men who stole his dog

Santo Domingo, Sep 22 (IANS/EFE) A resident of the eastern Dominican town of La Romana shot and killed two men who stole his dog and demanded money for the animal’s safe return, a media report said.

Frank Brauer, 46, was arrested for homicide after killing Francisco Reyes Nu??ez, 20, and Miguel Francisco Castilla, 31, El Nacional … Read : Dominican kills men who stole his dog.

Five dismembered bodies found in Mexico

Mexico City, Sep 22 (IANS/EFE) Five dismembered bodies were found on a highway near Tanhuato, a city in the western Mexican state of Michoacan, police said.

The trunks of the bodies were piled up on the road that leads to the Villanueva ranch and the heads and other body parts were packed in trash bags, a …. Original source  : Five dismembered bodies found in Mexico.

Finish duty early, British cops told

LONDON – Police officials on patrolling duty at a London borough were told to clock off an hour early to save money.

The Sun reported Wednesday that beat bobbies were called back to the base at 5 a.m. even though their shift finished at 6 a.m. by police inspectors.
This was done so that the …. Original source  : Finish duty early, British cops told.

Bank manager found dead at home

LUCKNOW – A 38-year-old manager of a bank was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his residence in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district, police said Wednesday.

Tej Bahadur Singh, manager of Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) branch in the Tamkuhi area in Kushinagar, was found dead late Tuesday inside his house in Sevrahi town, some 300 km from …. Source  : Bank manager found dead at home.

Prosecutors say they’ll seek death penalty for 2 in suburban Chicago fire that killed 7

Prosecutors to seek death for 2 in fatal Ill. fire

CHICAGO – Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for two men accused of killing seven people in a suburban Chicago apartment house they allegedly set on fire for the insurance money.
The Chicago Tribune reports that lawyers for 60-year-old building owner Lawrence Myers and 47-year-old building …. Original article  : Prosecutors say they’ll seek death penalty for 2 in suburban Chicago fire that killed 7.

Spanish priest suspended over abuse allegations

Valencia (Spain), Sep 22 (IANS/EFE) The Catholic hierarchy in this eastern Spanish city has suspended a priest accused of sexually abusing adolescents.

From the “very moment the facts were known”, the accused cleric had “all pastoral functions” taken away from him and “was asked to get out of the community he was serving”, the Archdiocese of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

The `secret’ blunder that sank the Titanic

LONDON – A steering blunder sank the Titanic on her maiden voyage as a helmsman panicked and turned the wrong way, says a new book that claims the error was kept secret for almost 100 years.

Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday that the new book revealed the ship’s crew spotted the iceberg well in advance but still … Original article on : The `secret’ blunder that sank the Titanic.

Some Salt Lake-area fire evacuees allowed to go home; blaze 50 percent contained

Some Salt Lake-area fire evacuees allowed home

HERRIMAN, Utah – Authorities say a Utah wildfire ignited by Army National Guard members during weekend machine-gun training is 50 percent contained, and some evacuation orders have been lifted.
Fire officials said Tuesday evening that residents of about 200 homes in the Salt Lake City suburb of Herriman are being … Read : Some Salt Lake-area fire evacuees allowed to go home; blaze 50 percent contained.

Massey chief accuses federal mine safety officials of lying in W.Va. mine blast investigation

Massey chief accuses feds of lying in W.Va. probe

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The embattled chief executive of Massey Energy accused federal regulators Tuesday of not making a genuine effort to investigate the explosion that killed 29 miners and injured two at the company’s Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia.
Instead, the Mine Safety and Health Administration … Read more »».

Wildfire evacuation enters 3rd night for more than 450 homes in parts of Salt Lake suburb

Salt Lake-area fire evacuees to be out 3rd night

HERRIMAN, Utah – Police in Utah told hundreds of families Tuesday they would be kept out their homes for a third night while firefighters and the Army National Guard battled a wildfire ignited by guard members during weekend machine-gun training.
With the 6-square-mile fire just 25 percent contained …. Original article  : Wildfire evacuation enters 3rd night for more than 450 homes in parts of Salt Lake suburb.

Flooding and landslides from typhoon kill 13 in China, dozens still missing

Typhoon flooding kills 13 in China, dozens missing

BEIJING – An official in southern China says flooding and landslides from Typhoon Fanapi have killed 13 people and left at least 33 missing.
The typhoon hit Guangdong province after making a direct hit on the island of Taiwan on Sunday and killing two there.
China’s national meteorological center says …. Source  : Flooding and landslides from typhoon kill 13 in China, dozens still missing.

Bleaching of Caribbean corals could surpass record loss of color set in 2005, experts say

Experts: Caribbean corals could face record bleach

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Caribbean corals are being exposed to water temperatures higher than those reported during a record bleaching period five years ago and could start dying in the coming weeks, scientists said Tuesday.
The warning comes after islands entered the warmest month of the year for water … Original source on Gaea Times at : Bleaching of Caribbean corals could surpass record loss of color set in 2005, experts say.

Bridge collapse, construction woes, disease fears put New Delhi’s Commonwealth Games at risk

Commonwealth Games at risk with under 2 weeks left

NEW DELHI – Less than two weeks before it begins, one of the world’s biggest sports events is in jeopardy as organizers struggle to cope with unfinished buildings, a filthy athletes’ village called “unfit for human habitation,” a bridge collapse, concerns over security and corruption, and an … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Bridge collapse, construction woes, disease fears put New Delhi’s Commonwealth Games at risk.

Conn. committee recommends banning ‘gas blows’ at plants, more training for inspectors

Conn. committee seeks to ban ‘gas blows’ at plants

HARTFORD, Conn. – A state commission on Tuesday recommended that “gas blows,” the process blamed for a deadly power plant explosion in Middletown, be banned in Connecticut until new national standards are put in place.
A panel created by Gov. M. Jodi Rell approved seven recommendations it will … Read : Conn. committee recommends banning ‘gas blows’ at plants, more training for inspectors.

Mine safety agency chief announces emergency coal dust rule in response to W.Va. explosion

Mine safety agency has new rule after W.Va. blast

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The federal government is implementing an emergency rule that will require underground mines to do more to control explosive coal dust following an explosion in West Virginia in April.
Mine Safety and Health Administration director Joe Main announced the change at an industry conference Tuesday. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Mine safety agency chief announces emergency coal dust rule in response to W.Va. explosion.

9 NATO troops die in chopper crash in southern Afghanistan; no reports of enemy fire

Afghanistan helicopter crash kills 9 NATO troops

KABUL, Afghanistan – A helicopter carrying international troops crashed in a rugged section of southern Afghanistan, killing nine service members in the deadliest such incident in four years for coalition forces.
A “large number” of Americans were among the dead, according to a senior military official in Washington, who spoke … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 9 NATO troops die in chopper crash in southern Afghanistan; no reports of enemy fire.

Corpus Christi police recover body of missing driver as rain along Texas coast finally eases

Body of Texas man recovered as rain finally eases

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Storms partly fueled by Hurricane Karl finally began weakening along the Texas coast on Tuesday after dumping more than 10 inches of rain, and authorities found the body of driver who had been swept away by floods.
Widespread flooding closed schools and forced families … Original source on Gaea Times at : Corpus Christi police recover body of missing driver as rain along Texas coast finally eases.

Optimism grows in Chile as drills advance and capsule is prepared for October miner rescue

Chileans optimistic for early October miner rescue

SANTIAGO, Chile – Chilean rescuers are growing increasingly optimistic about pulling the 33 trapped miners out far sooner than originally estimated, and with drilling quickly advancing on three narrow escape chutes, they raced Tuesday to decide on a design for the capsule that will lift the men to safety.
President …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Optimism grows in Chile as drills advance and capsule is prepared for October miner rescue.

Conn. governor’s order bans gas blow pipe cleaning procedure at power plants after fatal blast

Conn. gov bans gas blow pipe cleaning procedure

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell has signed an executive order banning state power plants from conducting the type of pipe cleaning procedure blamed for a fatal explosion in February.
Rell issued the order against gas blows Wednesday, a day after announcing it at the recommendation of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Conn. governor’s order bans gas blow pipe cleaning procedure at power plants after fatal blast.

Drill mishap delays Chilean mine rescue

Santiago, Sep 23 (IANS/EFE) A drill being used to reach 33 men trapped for almost seven weeks inside a mine in northern Chile broke off and fell to the bottom of the shaft, although no workers were injured, authorities said Wednesday.

Engineer Andre Sougarret, who is in charge of the rescue operation, told reporters that Wednesday … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Drill mishap delays Chilean mine rescue.

Yamuna recedes but still flowing above danger mark

NEW DELHI – The water of the Yamuna river here receded Thursday morning but the river is still flowing over two metres above the danger mark, a flood department official said.

According to the official of the irrigation and flood control department, the water level in the Yamuna, which touched 207.08 metres Wednesday night, receded to … Read more >>.

Pentagon IDs 9 American troops killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash

US IDs 9 Americans killed in Afghanistan crash

WASHINGTON – The Defense Department has identified the nine American troops killed in the worst coalition helicopter crash in Afghanistan in four years.
The military announced Wednesday that four sailors were killed in the crash during combat operations a day earlier, along with five soldiers. Three of the sailors …. Original article  : Pentagon IDs 9 American troops killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash.

Utah HP: Driver smoked pot heavily days before fatal crash and fell asleep at the wheel

Patrol: Tour driver smoked pot days before crash

SALT LAKE CITY – A tour bus driver smoked marijuana heavily for several days before falling asleep at the wheel and crashing in Utah, killing three Japanese tourists and injuring 11 other passengers, according to an arrest report released Wednesday.
Yasushi Mikuni, 26, was charged with 10 felony counts …. Read the original article  : Utah HP: Driver smoked pot heavily days before fatal crash and fell asleep at the wheel.

Pentagon says all 9 troops killed in helicopter crash in Afghanistan were Americans

US: Dead in Afghan chopper crash were all American

KABUL, Afghanistan – All nine troops killed in a helicopter crash earlier this week – the worst for the coalition forces in four years – were Americans, the Pentagon confirmed, although it refused to provide further information on why the aircraft went down.
NATO said there were no … Read more : Pentagon says all 9 troops killed in helicopter crash in Afghanistan were Americans.

Police: Man charged in 2007 Conn. home invasion says planned home robbery ‘got out of control’

Conn. home invasion break-in ‘got out of control’

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – A man charged in the 2007 home invasion killings of a woman and her two daughters was devoid of emotion as he told authorities how he sexually assaulted the mother after his co-defendant told him he had to – to “square things up” – … Original source on Gaea Times at : Police: Man charged in 2007 Conn. home invasion says planned home robbery ‘got out of control’.

US regulators approve ‘gradual’ restart of Mich. pipeline that spilled up to 1M gallons of oil

Regulators OK restart of Mich. oil pipeline

LANSING, Mich. – Federal regulators will allow Enbridge Inc. to gradually restart a repaired pipeline that spilled hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil into a southern Michigan waterway this summer.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said Wednesday that the gradual restart will be “tightly controlled and closely … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US regulators approve ‘gradual’ restart of Mich. pipeline that spilled up to 1M gallons of oil.

Flooding and landslides from typhoon kill 33 in China, dozens still missing

Typhoon flooding kills 33 in China, dozens missing

BEIJING – Flooding and landslides triggered by the strongest storm to hit China this year have killed 33 people and left at least 42 missing, state media said.
Typhoon Fanapi swamped south China’s Guangdong province after making a direct hit on the island of Taiwan on Sunday and killing … Original article on : Flooding and landslides from typhoon kill 33 in China, dozens still missing.

Man who thwarted Utah restaurant gunman is 1 of 19 honored with Carnegie Heroes Fund awards

Carnegie Heroes Fund honors 19 with medals, money

PITTSBURGH – A Utah man who wrestled a gun away from an escaped inmate at a fast food restaurant and three people who drowned in rescue attempts are among 19 winners of the Carnegie medals for heroism.
Eric L. Fullerton of Salt Lake City rescued an Arby’s worker who … Original article on : Man who thwarted Utah restaurant gunman is 1 of 19 honored with Carnegie Heroes Fund awards.

US regulators OK plan for ‘gradual’ restart of pipeline that spilled oil in Mich. this summer

Regulators OK restart plan for Michigan pipeline

LANSING, Mich. – Federal regulators have approved a plan that allow Enbridge Inc. to gradually restart a repaired pipeline that spilled at least 820,000 gallons of oil into a southern Michigan waterway this summer.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said Wednesday the gradual restart will be “tightly controlled …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US regulators OK plan for ‘gradual’ restart of pipeline that spilled oil in Mich. this summer.

South African provincial premier’s residence burgled

JOHANNESBURG – The official residence of premier of Gauteng province in South Africa has been burgled, authorities said Wednesday.

Several items, including a television set and clothes, were stolen when thieves gained access to the premises of Premier Nomvula Mokonyane Sep 6, Xinhua said.
A local media report said Wednesday that the premier’s residence … Read : South African provincial premier’s residence burgled.

Utah HP: Driver smoked pot ‘heavily’ days before, fell asleep at wheel in fatal tour crash

Patrol: Tour driver smoked pot heavily day before

SALT LAKE CITY – A tour bus driver smoked marijuana heavily for several days before falling asleep at the wheel and crashing in Utah, killing three Japanese tourists and injuring 11 other passengers, according to an arrest report released Wednesday.
Yasushi Mikuni, 26, was charged with 10 felony counts … Read : Utah HP: Driver smoked pot ‘heavily’ days before, fell asleep at wheel in fatal tour crash.

India’s Commonwealth Games woes raise concern about major sports events in developing nations

2 teams delay leaving for troubled games in India

NEW DELHI – The idea sounded good: Put international sports festivals like the Commonwealth Games in countries such as India to broaden the stage for international competitions and encourage economic development.
It had been done before, with the Olympics in China two years ago and with regional events …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Choosing a seat on a plane: To avoid fees or survive a crash, here’s where to sit

Choosing a seat on a plane: Not just about legroom

NEW YORK – Choosing a seat on an airplane isn’t just about legroom anymore. New “selection” fees and extra charges to sit in certain locations in the aircraft have complicated the process.
With airlines now charging for things that used to be baked into the ticket price …. Original source  : Choosing a seat on a plane: To avoid fees or survive a crash, here’s where to sit.

Neighbors hope for cease-fire at Utah base where wildfire began

Neighbors hope Camp Williams in Utah ceases firing

SALT LAKE CITY – The last evacuated residents were allowed home Wednesday, as some neighbors of Camp Williams said they want a cease-fire at the Utah National Guard base, where live ammunition sparked a wildfire that still burned four days later.
It destroyed three homes, significantly damaged a fourth … Original article on : Neighbors hope for cease-fire at Utah base where wildfire began.

Police: 2 Ohio real estate agents slain, 1 robbed within a week; other agents take precautions

2 Ohio real estate agents killed; another robbed

KENT, Ohio – Two real estate agents were killed in vacant homes for sale and another was robbed all within a week, prompting frightened agents in northeast Ohio to cancel open houses and avoid meeting prospective buyers alone.
Two brothers were arrested Tuesday in the Sept. 15 robbery of … Read more »»».

SC principal: 2nd student questioned in pipe bomb, shooting incident at high school

SC principal: 2nd student questioned in shooting

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A second student has been questioned about pipe bombs police say were found after a shooting at a South Carolina high school.
Socastee High School principal Paul Browning says police questioned a second student Wednesday about his knowledge of the event in northeastern South Carolina. Browning says …. Read the original article  : SC principal: 2nd student questioned in pipe bomb, shooting incident at high school.

Police: SC student fired gun at officer on campus, also planted pipe bombs at school

Police: SC student planted pipe bombs school

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Police say a South Carolina high school freshman shot at an on-campus officer and also planted several pipe bombs in the school.
Police in Horry County in the northeast part of the state say the student confronted school resource officer Erik Karney with a gun Tuesday. The … Read more : Police: SC student fired gun at officer on campus, also planted pipe bombs at school.

Salt Lake City-area wildfire 50 percent contained; rain, hail, lightning interrupt effort

Rain, hail, lightning interrupt Utah firefight

SALT LAKE CITY – Rain, hail and lightning have suspended the fight against a Utah wildfire ignited by Army National Guard members during weekend machine-gun training.
Fire spokesman Marshall Thompson said Wednesday’s storm isn’t expected to extinguish the 6-square-mile blaze that burned three homes and damaged a fourth in Herriman. But …. Original article  : Salt Lake City-area wildfire 50 percent contained; rain, hail, lightning interrupt effort.

Police stations strength depleted for Games

NEW DELHI – Police stations in the capital will have fewer men during the Commonwealth Games — because 40 percent of the staff will be assigned to guard the athletes and Games venues.

“With just nine days left for the Games, we need additional security. So personnel will be deployed from each police station, particularly at …. Original source  : Police stations strength depleted for Games.

Enbridge to restart oil pipeline early next week, nearly 2 months after large Mich. spill

Enbridge to restart oil pipeline after Mich. spill

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Oil is expected to resume flowing early next week through an underground pipeline that ruptured nearly two months ago and spilled at least 820,000 gallons of crude oil into a southern Michigan waterway, the pipeline owner said Thursday.
Enbridge Inc. CEO Patrick Daniel said the …. Source  : Enbridge to restart oil pipeline early next week, nearly 2 months after large Mich. spill.

Low-IQ woman executed through injection in the US

WASHINGTON – The state of Virginia in the US Thursday executed its first woman in nearly a century for the murder of her husband and step-son in a plot concocted to reap their life insurance money, state officials said.

The execution of Teresa Lewis, 41, drew protests in particular because of her low IQ of 72, [..] Read the original article: here.

Prosecutors: Japan to release Chinese captain held in boat collision that caused major dispute

Japan to release Chinese boat captain amid tension

TOKYO – Japanese prosecutors said Friday they will release the captain of a Chinese fishing vessel involved in a collision near disputed islands.
The incident had raised tensions with China, which has angrily demanded Tokyo release the captain, and cut off ministerial-level talks with Japan.
Prosecutors on Ishigaki island in [..] Read the original article: here.

Yamuna water rising, flood situation grim in Agra

AGRA – With the water level of the river Yamuna rising ominously, the flood situation Friday here was described as grim by the district authorities who were shifting people along the banks to safer areas.

The Yamuna was flowing almost two feet above the 495-foot danger mark Friday, having touched 496.2 feet Thursday.
With more water …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Iraqi police say bomb attached to family car kills 4 children in Baghdad

Iraqi police say blast kills 4 children in Baghdad

BAGHDAD – A bomb attached to the car of a government worker exploded Thursday with his family and relatives inside, killing four children, officials said.
The blast is the latest violence in the capital, which has seen isolated strikes and major car bombings in recent weeks, including attacks …. Original source  : Iraqi police say bomb attached to family car kills 4 children in Baghdad.

Federal prosecutors say 2006 Salt Lake City library blast was Illinois man’s revenge

Prosecutors call 2006 Utah library blast revenge

SALT LAKE CITY – An Illinois man on trial in the bombing of a downtown Salt Lake City library was seeking revenge for the arrest of his son on a driving under the influence charge, federal prospectors claimed Thursday.
Thomas Zajac, 57, faces a six-count indictment for the Sept. 15, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Federal prosecutors say 2006 Salt Lake City library blast was Illinois man’s revenge.

Driver facing felony charges in Utah tour bus crash released on $50,000 bail

Driver in Utah tour bus crash released on bail

SALT LAKE CITY – Authorities say a driver facing felony charges in a deadly tour bus crash in southern Utah has been freed from jail pending a court appearance.
Jail officials and court records in Cedar City say 26-year-old Yasushi Mikuni (YA’-shu-see Mick-CUE’-nee) was released on a $50,000 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Driver facing felony charges in Utah tour bus crash released on $50,000 bail.

Natural gas prices rise as traders watch for storm threat to Gulf of Mexico production

Natural gas up on storm threat to production

Natural gas prices edged higher Thursday as traders kept an eye on a potential tropical storm that could disrupt Gulf of Mexico production.
In addition, natural gas inventories rose less than expected last week and electricity demand increased from year-ago levels, which helped to push up prices. Natural gas … Read more >>>.

NTSB’s Hersman tells Congress that Metro has improved safety in year following June 2009 crash

NTSB head: Metro system safer after June ‘09 crash

WASHINGTON – The head of the National Transportation Safety Board says that Washington’s Metrorail system is significantly safer now than it was last year when a train crash killed nine people and injured dozens of others.
In July, the NTSB’s Deborah Hersman issued a scathing report criticizing an … Read : NTSB’s Hersman tells Congress that Metro has improved safety in year following June 2009 crash.

Forecasters say tropical storm warning issued for parts of Nicaragua, Honduras Caribbean coast

Tropical depression heads for Nicaragua, Honduras

MIAMI – A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch are issued for parts of Nicaragua and Honduras ahead of a tropical depression that could strengthen over the Caribbean.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said the governments of Nicaragua and Honduras issued the alerts for the stretch from Puerto Cabezas, …. Read the original article  : Forecasters say tropical storm warning issued for parts of Nicaragua, Honduras Caribbean coast.

Defense official says Army officer in charge of brain injury care reassigned amid allegations

DOD says brain injury office chief is reassigned

WASHINGTON – The Army officer in charge of overseeing treatment for troops suffering from brain injuries and psychological trauma has been reassigned until an internal investigation into his management of the office is completed, a senior Pentagon official said Thursday.
Col. Robert Saum is being replaced as acting director …. Source article  : Defense official says Army officer in charge of brain injury care reassigned amid allegations.

Tropical storm Matthew forms in Caribbean as Lisa regains tropical storm far out in Atlantic

Tropical storm Matthew forms in Caribbean
MIAMI – The National Hurricane Center says tropical storm Matthew has formed in the southwestern Caribbean.

Forecasters at the Miami center said at 5 p.m. EDT Thursday that Matthew has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving westward at 16 mph. The center says Matthew was located 435 miles … Original source on Gaea Times at : Tropical storm Matthew forms in Caribbean as Lisa regains tropical storm far out in Atlantic.

Raid in Fallujah brings messy aftermath for Iraqi and US forces

Fallujah raid highlights Iraq’s security concerns

BAGHDAD – For a few hours last week, a part of Fallujah was a flashback to the depths of the Iraq war when insurgents ruled the city and its streets were shooting galleries.
During an afternoon raid, gunmen exchanged fire with American and Iraqi commandos. Panicked civilians ran for cover or …. Read the original article  : Raid in Fallujah brings messy aftermath for Iraqi and US forces.

Pair to appear in court in Ohio real estate agent robbery; 2 other agents’ killings are probed

2 to be arraigned in Ohio realty agent robbery

CLEVELAND – Two brothers accused of robbing an Ohio real estate agent who was showing them an apartment building are scheduled to appear in court as authorities look for clues in the killings of two other agents.
Paul Brooks, who’s 27, and 25-year-old Robert Brooks are in jail … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pair to appear in court in Ohio real estate agent robbery; 2 other agents’ killings are probed.

Calif. regulators approve independent panel to probe San Bruno blast, Pacific Gas & Electric

Calif regulators approve panel to probe blast

FRESNO, Calif. – California regulators voted Thursday to establish a high-level, independent panel to investigate the San Bruno gas line explosion that killed seven people and torched dozens of homes in the hills overlooking San Francisco Bay.
The resolution adopted 4-0 by the California Public Utilities Commission also called for … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Calif. regulators approve independent panel to probe San Bruno blast, Pacific Gas & Electric.

Controller questioned cargo pilot’s turn in near-collision of 2 planes over Minneapolis

Tower questioned cargo pilot in Minn. near-miss

MINNEAPOLIS – An air traffic controller asked a cargo pilot why he didn’t make a turn as ordered in the moments before his plane’s near-collision with a US Airways jet over Minneapolis.
The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday the planes came within 50 to 100 feet of each other …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Controller questioned cargo pilot’s turn in near-collision of 2 planes over Minneapolis.

NTSB investigating near-collision of US Airways jet, cargo plane over Minneapolis

NTSB investigating near-collision over Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS – Federal regulators say they’re investigating the near-collision of a US Airways jet and a small cargo plane over Minneapolis.
The National Transportation Safety Board says the planes came within 50 to 100 feet of crashing near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport last week.
The NTSB says US Airways Flight 1848, an Airbus …. Original source  : NTSB investigating near-collision of US Airways jet, cargo plane over Minneapolis.

Colombia says No. 2 rebel commander killed in raid; major setback for insurgents

Colombia: No. 2 rebel commander killed in raid

BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombia’s military killed the No. 2 leader and top military strategist of the country’s main rebel army in blistering bombardments of a major jungle camp, officials announced Thursday, saying rebel informants helped prepare the demoralizing shock to an already weakened insurgency.
The death of Jorge Briceno, [..] Read the original article: here.

Prosecutor: Suspect in 3 DUI deaths cared only about himself while drinking on day of crash

Prosecutor: Man in DUI case drank beyond reason

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man charged with murder in a drunken-driving collision that killed rookie Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two other people didn’t care about anyone but himself when he decided to drink that day and must accept responsibility for his actions, a prosecutor …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Two-year-old crushed under school bus

HYDERABAD – A two-year-old girl playing outside her house was crushed under a school bus here Saturday, police said.

The girl was playing in front of her residence in Attapur neighbourhood when she came under the rear wheels of the mini bus that was reversing.
Eye witnesses said the bus driver failed to spot the little …. Read the original article  : Two-year-old crushed under school bus.

Fire officials declare suburban Utah fire that was sparked by National Guard base contained

Utah fire sparked by National Guard base contained

SALT LAKE CITY – Fire officials have declared the wildfire that began burning in a Salt Lake City suburb on Sunday to be 100 percent contained.
Fire spokesman Jason Curry says word of the containment came as the last crew came down off the mountains just before 6 p.m. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Fire officials declare suburban Utah fire that was sparked by National Guard base contained.

Chile mining drama, week seven: Who will come out first?

SANTIAGO – The suspense over when and how the trapped Chilean miners will exit their underground cavern grew in the seventh week of their accidental prison as dribs and drabs of the plans leaked out.

Even as three drills kept boring rescue shafts into the Atacama Desert mine, where the collapse occurred Aug 5, officials started …. Original source  : Chile mining drama, week seven: Who will come out first?.

Tropical Storm Matthew drenches Central America; thousands evacuated amid flooding fears

Tropical Storm Matthew drenches Central America

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduras and Nicaragua evacuated thousands of people from the path of Tropical Storm Matthew on Friday as it drenched disaster-prone areas along Central America’s Caribbean coast.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Matthew could bring 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) of rain to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Tropical Storm Matthew drenches Central America; thousands evacuated amid flooding fears.

Cleanup of Calif. neighborhood devastated by gas pipeline blast to take 3-4 weeks

Cleanup in Calif. blast area to take 3-4 weeks

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Officials say it will take three-to-four weeks to finish removing contaminated soil and other potentially toxic debris from the rubble-strewn lots of homes destroyed by a gas pipeline explosion in Northern California.
San Mateo County officials say they’ve received permission from the property owners …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

3 tonnes of cocaine seized in Panama

Panama City, Sep 25 (IANS/EFE) Panamanian security forces seized three tonnes of cocaine in the central province of Veraguas thanks to an intelligence tip from the Colombian military, police said Friday.

The drugs were confiscated Thursday after a chase at sea that began off the coast of Colon province and ended at the mouth of the … Original article on : 3 tonnes of cocaine seized in Panama.

Two killed after being hit by train

LUCKNOW – It was their hastiness to alight from the train before it stopped at a station that proved fatal. Two rail passengers were killed Saturday when they were hit by another train while alighting from a train in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, officials said.

The accident took place near Shahjahanpur railway station when five passengers … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Two killed after being hit by train.

Shootout in Mexican city leaves 7 dead

Chilpancingo (Mexico), Sep 25 (IANS/EFE) Seven suspected cartel gunmen were killed in a shootout between rival gangs in the Pacific resort city of Acapulco, Mexican officials said.

Spokespersons for the Attorney General’s Office in Guerrero state, where Acapulco is located, said the clash occurred Thursday on the outskirts of that tourist hub.
According to the report, … Read : Shootout in Mexican city leaves 7 dead.

UNICEF rushes relief to flood-hit Indian states

UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is helping India in rushing relief supplies to millions of people uprooted from their homes in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand by heavy floods.

The agency has supplied tarpaulin sheets, jerry cans, water purification tablets and mosquito nets, among other items, to more than 8,000 displaced families … Read more »»».

5 killed as sudden storm blasts through Haitian capital, sending panic into tent cities

5 killed as storm blasts through Haiti tent camps

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A freak storm blasted through Haiti’s capital on Friday, killing at least five earthquake survivors as it tore down trees, billboards and tent homes, authorities said.
Three adults and two children were killed in the tarp, tent and shack camps that still dominate Port-au-Prince more …. Original source  : 5 killed as sudden storm blasts through Haitian capital, sending panic into tent cities.

12 dead in Cuba bus accident

HAVANA – Twelve people died in a crash between a passenger bus and a freight truck in the town of Sagua la Grande, Cuban media reported Friday.

Another 36 people were injured in the accident.
Reports said the fully-loaded truck left its lane and crashed into the bus. Officials have begun an investigation, the news agency …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 12 dead in Cuba bus accident.

Blaze destroys 320 homes in Brazilian slum

Sao Paulo, Sep 25 (IANS/EFE) A fire that broke out early Friday in the slums of this Brazilian city destroyed 320 dwellings, authorities said.

No one was seriously injured in the blaze in the Real Parque shantytown area, the Sao Paulo municipal government said.
Several residents were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, while a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Investigator testifies intense flames drove back firefighers at deadly Conn. home invasion

Witness: Home invasion flames drove back rescuers

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – A state investigator says the fire set during a 2007 Connecticut home invasion in which a woman and her two daughters died was so intense it burst through windows and skylights and drove back firefighters.
Fire marshal’s investigator Paul Makuc (MAY’-cook) testified Friday at the New … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Investigator testifies intense flames drove back firefighers at deadly Conn. home invasion.

Defense Department paying Utah homeowners’ claims from wildfire sparked by National Guard base

Pentagon paying Utah homeowners for fire losses

SALT LAKE CITY – The U.S. Department of Defense is paying homeowners for losses from a wildfire that started at a Utah Army National Guard base and swept into a Salt Lake City suburb, a military official said Friday.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service set up shop at Herriman’s … Original source on Gaea Times at : Defense Department paying Utah homeowners’ claims from wildfire sparked by National Guard base.

Roaring fire hits Sao Paulo slum, destroying 300 shacks; 10 people hurt

Roaring fire hits Sao Paulo slum
SAO PAULO – A fire has raged through a Brazilian slum, destroying more than 300 homes.

Residents of the Real Parque neighborhood in Sao Paulo were frantically using buckets of water in an attempt to douse the flames that burned through their houses – many little more than shacks. Firefighters arrived … Read more : Roaring fire hits Sao Paulo slum, destroying 300 shacks; 10 people hurt.

Grains rally on flood concerns, strong demand as gold fails to break $1,300 threshold

Grains rally on flood concerns, strong demand

Grain prices rallied Friday on worries that heavy flooding in the central United States could damage this fall’s harvest.
Corn for December delivery rose 22.5 cents to settle at $5.2175. Soybeans for November delivery rose 32.5 cents to $11.26 a bushel and December’s wheat contracts rose 22.75 cents to $7.20 …. Source article  : Grains rally on flood concerns, strong demand as gold fails to break $1,300 threshold.

Investigator says fire accelerant found on bodies of girls killed in Connecticut home invasion

Fire accelerant found on 2 home invasion victims

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Flammable liquid was spilled on or around two girls in their bedrooms before they died with their mother in a Connecticut home invasion, a fire investigator testified Friday.
Paul Makuc of the state fire marshal’s office testified at the New Haven trial of Steven Hayes, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Investigator says fire accelerant found on bodies of girls killed in Connecticut home invasion.

FBI: Florida bank robbers abduct teller at home, strap him to bomb and get away with loot

Fla. bank robbers strap bomb to abducted teller

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Bank robbers pulled off a dramatic heist Friday, strapping a suspected bomb to a teller and ordering him to steal as much money as he could grab from the vault – all while his father was being held hostage.
It began when the three masked, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : FBI: Florida bank robbers abduct teller at home, strap him to bomb and get away with loot.

Hurricane Watch for Tropical Storm Matthew at Belize

BELIZE (GaeaTimes.com) — The officials of Belize has forced a hurricane watch for it’s coastal areas as the depression which was formed over the south-central Caribbean Sea has taken the shape of Tropical Storm Matthew. It is assumed that the storm will hit Belize this weekend.
According to National Hurricane Center (NHC) at Miami, Matthew … Read more »»».

With well killed, BP works to determine its own estimate of how much oil spilled in Gulf

BP works on own estimate for amount of oil spilled

NEW ORLEANS – BP PLC is working behind the scenes to formulate its own estimate for how much crude spewed from its well in the Gulf of Mexico, as it prepares for a potential legal fight with the U.S. government over fines.
The company knows the amount …. Original source  : With well killed, BP works to determine its own estimate of how much oil spilled in Gulf.

Canada sending dossier on fraud immigration agents to Punjab

TORONTO – Canada will soon send a dossier on “some of the worst fraudsters” operating in Punjab to the state government to curb immigration fraud, including fake NRI marriages, according to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

The Canadian government is also holding discussions with the Indo-Canadian community to bring in tougher measures to stop marriages of convenience …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Four tonnes of cocaine seized in Panama

Panama City, Sep 26 (IANS/EFE) Panamanian authorities seized about four tonnes of cocaine at a hideout along the Caribbean coast, 24 hours after confiscating three tonnes of the drug, an official spokesperson has said.

The drugs were seized by the National Aeronaval Service, or Senan, Friday near the mouth of the Belen river, almost 300 km … Read more >>.

Couple found dead in fields, honour killing suspected

SIRSA – The bodies of a young man and woman were recovered from cotton fields in this Haryana district and police Sunday said they suspected it to be a case of honour killing.

The victims were identified as Inder Pal, 22, and Maya, 18, and they were said to be in a relationship for the last …. Source  : Couple found dead in fields, honour killing suspected.

NATO says 2 service members killed

NATO: Bomb blast kills 2 troops
KABUL, Afghanistan – Two NATO service members were killed in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, the military alliance said.

NATO said the troops were killed by an improvised explosive device, but provided no further details. The nationalities of NATO deaths are not generally released until after the next …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

China repeats demand for apology, compensation from Japan over arrest of boat captain

China repeats demand for Japan apology
BEIJING – China has reiterated its demand for an apology from Japan over the detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain whose arrest plunged relations between the Asian neighbors to their lowest level in years.

The statement from the foreign ministry late Saturday was issued after Tokyo refused earlier in the … Read more »»».

Bomb explodes near Thai PM’s residence

BANGKOK – A bomb exploded outside a horse stable near the Thai prime minister’s residence here early Sunday, but no one was injured, local press reports said.

The blast, which followed two earlier explosions Friday that injured three people, raised political tension and prompted police to beef up security in the capital and surrounding areas.
The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bomb explodes near Thai PM’s residence.

Delta flight bound for suburban NYC makes emergency landing at JFK; none injured

Delta flight makes safe emergency landing in NYC

NEW YORK – A jet carrying 60 passengers from Atlanta to suburban New York having landing gear problems has made an emergency landing at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City.
Port Authority Spokesman Steve Coleman says Delta Connection Flight 4951, operated by Atlantic Southeastern Airlines, landed safely …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Delta flight bound for suburban NYC makes emergency landing at JFK; none injured.

Wreckage of small plane that reportedly left Los Angeles found in Mexico’s Baja peninsula

Wreckage of small plane found in Mexico’s Baja

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico – Mexican authorities have sighted the wreckage of a small plane believed to have taken off from Los Angeles, California with four people on board.
The wreckage has been found in the mountains of Baja California near its apparent destination, the resort of Cabo San … Read more : Wreckage of small plane that reportedly left Los Angeles found in Mexico’s Baja peninsula.

Seven dead in Haiti storm

Port-au-PRINCE/MEXICO CITY – Sudden tornado-force winds killed seven people in the Haitian capital of Port au Prince, according to media reports Saturday.

The high wind and heavy rain lasted only 20 minutes as it swept through the city Friday, according to radio reports. The wind force felled trees, lifted building roofs and flayed tents and temporary … Read more : Seven dead in Haiti storm.

Flooding eases in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin but fight continues in some communities

Flood fight continues in parts of Minn., Wis.

MINNEAPOLIS – With 240 guests expected, Luke Fischer and Rachel Smith weren’t about to let the widespread flooding in southern Minnesota get in the way of their wedding Saturday.
The 24-year-olds, who live in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park, went back to her hometown of Waseca to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Flooding eases in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin but fight continues in some communities.

First rescue capsule arrives at Chilean mine where 33 men have been trapped since early August

First rescue capsule arrives at Chilean mine

SAN JOSE MINE, Chile – The first of three rescue capsules specially built to lift out 33 miners trapped since early August arrived at the mine Saturday.
Two back-up rescue devices constructed at Chile’s naval shipyard are expected to be delivered next week.
The man-size capsule will be used to pull [..] Read the original article: here.

Matthew weakens to tropical depression over Belize; all storm warnings discontinued

Matthew weakens to tropical depression over Belize

MIAMI – Matthew has weakened to a tropical depression and is expected to dissipate in a day or two.
Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami say that the storm is still soaking Belize, however. And it’s expected to continue producing rain even after the tropical depression dissipates.
On … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Matthew weakens to tropical depression over Belize; all storm warnings discontinued.

Matthew declines to depression, causes flooding in Central America

Matthew drops to depression, soaks Central America

GUATEMALA CITY – Matthew weakened to a tropical depression Saturday along the coast of Belize, dousing the southern part of the Central American nation and neighboring Guatemala with rain that caused flooding in coastal areas.
Guatemalan authorities urged people to stay off the roads as floods hit several towns in … Read : Matthew declines to depression, causes flooding in Central America.

BP fund czar, responding to criticism from Gulf residents, promises bigger, faster claims

BP fund czar promises bigger, faster claims

NEW ORLEANS – Victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill should start getting bigger payments faster, the administrator of the fund set up to help them said Saturday.
Kenneth Feinberg said he was responding to criticism from residents and businesses.
“Over the past few weeks, I have heard from the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Jewish settlers in West Bank prepare for end of building freeze as US races to rescue talks

Israel: Settlers brace for end of building freeze

JERUSALEM – Israeli settlers have hauled construction equipment into a Jewish settlement deep inside the West Bank, officials said Saturday, preparing to break ground on a new housing project even as the U.S. raced to prevent peace talks from collapsing with the end of an Israeli moratorium on … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Jewish settlers in West Bank prepare for end of building freeze as US races to rescue talks.

Chavez woos Venezuelan voters by pitching credit cards, cheap refrigerators ahead of elections

Chavez fights to keep control in legislative vote

CARACAS, Venezuela – Going into Sunday’s legislative elections, President Hugo Chavez pitched his candidates like a salesman, promising Venezuelans he will give them low-interest credit cards and discounted appliances from washing machines to TV sets.
Chavez turned to his long successful populist appeals seeking to woo voters more concerned …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chavez woos Venezuelan voters by pitching credit cards, cheap refrigerators ahead of elections.

One killed, 10 injured in US party fight

LOS ANGELES – At least one person was killed and 10 injured in a fight at a birthday party in this US city Saturday, police said.

Knives, guns and bottles were drawn during a fight after a party, resulting in one death and 10 injuries, CNN reported.
Eight people were shot, one fatally, and … Read more : One killed, 10 injured in US party fight.

Post-storm assessments find thousands of aging tents destroyed in Haiti quake camps

Storm shreds aging tents in Haiti earthquake camps

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The sudden, powerful storm that ripped through Haiti’s battered capital destroyed thousands of tents in the homeless camps where more than 1.3 million people live eight months after the earthquake destroyed their homes, shelter officials said Saturday.
The death toll from Friday afternoon’s storm stood at … Original source on Gaea Times at : Post-storm assessments find thousands of aging tents destroyed in Haiti quake camps.

Intimidating storm with lightning, ominous clouds delays K-State’s game against UCF

Intimidating storm delays K-State game
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Dark, swirling clouds seemed to envelop Kansas State’s stadium during a delay of almost 1?? hours in Saturday’s game against Central Florida.

The game was stopped early in the first quarter because of lightning that accompanied a storm system rapidly bearing down on the area.
For the next 20 minutes …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Intimidating storm with lightning, ominous clouds delays K-State’s game against UCF.

Pakistan flood donations nearing $616 mn: UN

NEW YORK – United Nations member states have pledged just under $616 million in aid for flood-devastated Pakistan, the organisation’s new emergency aid coordinator, Valerie Amos, said Saturday in New York.

The UN has appealed for more than $2 billion to assist the estimated 14 million Pakistanis whose living conditions have been severely affected by the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pakistan flood donations nearing $616 mn: UN.

Prisoner says jail staff stole his undergarments, paste

JALGAON – A bizarre case of theft of undergarments, biscuits and toothpaste has been lodged by police in Maharashtra against the superintendent and three employees of a local district jail, an official said here Monday.

The matter came to light when a jail inmate complained that his personal belongings were missing and insisted that the police … Read : Prisoner says jail staff stole his undergarments, paste.

Dhaka to Delhi: crack down on drug factories near border

DHAKA – Bangladesh has urged India to crack down on factories that make the banned Phensedyl syrup near the border. Two million bottles of Phensedyl were seized last year.

Popular with drug addicts, the banned syrup is being smuggled by organised drug peddlers and individuals visiting India. Its consumption and smuggling have increased in the …. Read the original article  : Dhaka to Delhi: crack down on drug factories near border.

Orissa woman lynched as ‘witch’, 10 held

BHUBANESWAR – A 65-year-old woman was beaten to death in Orissa’s Jharsuguda district for allegedly practising witchcraft, police said, adding that 10 people were detained in the case Monday.

Gangi Munda was killed in Naxapali village, about 25 km from Jharsuguda district headquarters, late Saturday by some in the presence of other villagers.
“We have …. Original source  : Orissa woman lynched as ‘witch’, 10 held.

Bodies of three minor girls found in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – The mutilated bodies of three minor girls have been found lying near the railway tracks in a town in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district, police said Monday.

The bodies of girls, aged seven to eight, were recovered late Sunday from Shahbad town, about 110 km from here.
“We are yet to ascertain whether it is …. Source  : Bodies of three minor girls found in Uttar Pradesh.

Race attack: Indian assaulted in Australia

MELBOURNE – A man was brutally attacked by four teenagers in this Australian city after they asked him “Buddy, are you Indian?”.

The Indian man, 21, was walking to Sandown Park rail station at 6.40 a.m. last Wednesday when four teenagers on bikes approached him. They were armed with baseball bats, Dandenong Leader reported Monday.
One …. Source article  : Race attack: Indian assaulted in Australia.

Mexico drug wars: Mayors forced to live in US

Mexico City, Sep 27 (IANS/EFE) Several Mexican mayors have been forced to move to the US for safety in the face of threats from drug traffickers.

Mayors from the northern border states of Tamaulipas, Chihuahua and Nuevo Leon have moved to the US, with some taking up residence in that country permanently and others splitting … Read more »»».

Officials: Part of levee fails near Wis. park; access road into area closes

Officials say levee fails near Wis. park
PORTAGE, Wis. – A levee along the Wisconsin River failed Sunday, flooding the access road leading to a park area and cutting off any residents who did not heed daylong warnings to evacuate.

It wasn’t clear how many of the roughly 300 residents remained in Blackhawk Park around 4 p.m. … Read more >>>.

Officials: Part of levee near Blackhawk Park is failing; access road into area is closing

Officials say levee failing near Wis. park

PORTAGE, Wis. – A levee along the Wisconsin River was failing Sunday, flooding the access road leading to a park area and cutting off any residents who did not heed daylong warnings to evacuate.
It wasn’t clear how many of the roughly 300 residents remained in Blackhawk Park around 4 … Original article on : Officials: Part of levee near Blackhawk Park is failing; access road into area is closing.

Montana pilot gets medal from New Zealand for service following 1979 air catastrophe

Montana pilot gets medal from New Zealand
HELENA, Mont. – A former Navy pilot from Montana has been awarded a medal from New Zealand for helping recover the bodies of more than 250 people who died aboard a sightseeing plane that crashed on an Antarctic volcano in 1979.

Dan Ellison was awarded the New Zealand Special Service …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard cross into Iraq to go after bombing suspects, killing 30

Iran crosses into Iraq to hit bombing suspects

TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian forces crossed into neighboring Iraq and killed 30 fighters from a group it says was involved in last week’s bombing of a military parade, state TV reported Sunday.
Gen. Abdolrasoul Mahmoudabadi of the elite Revolutionary Guards said the “terrorists” were killed on Saturday in a … Read more : Iran’s Revolutionary Guard cross into Iraq to go after bombing suspects, killing 30.

British aid worker kidnapped in Afghanistan with 3 local colleagues

British aid worker kidnapped in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – Four aid workers including a British woman were kidnapped in Afghanistan as election officials ordered recounts in seven provinces after last week’s parliamentary vote, raising further concerns of misconduct and fraud during the polls.
Meanwhile, two NATO troops, whose nationalities were not announced, were killed in a bomb …. Original source  : British aid worker kidnapped in Afghanistan with 3 local colleagues.

Sparks flying, wing dragging on tarmac, emergency landing for Delta flight ends safely in NYC

Sparks flying, wing aground, flight lands in NYC

NEW YORK – With a flight attendant yelling “heads down, stay down,” passengers cowered and prayed on a tense descent into John F. Kennedy International Airport as malfunctioning landing gear sent sparks flying and left one of the plane’s wings dragging along the tarmac.
No one was hurt Saturday … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sparks flying, wing dragging on tarmac, emergency landing for Delta flight ends safely in NYC.

Remnants of Matthew soak parts of Mexico, Central America as it loses punch over land

Weakened Matthew soaks southern Mexico, Guatemala

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico – The remnants of Tropical Storm Matthew drenched parts of Central America and southern Mexico on Sunday, a day after it weakened to a tropical depression.
The storm’s forward movement slowed to a crawl and top wind speeds fell to about 25 mph (35 kph). Its center was near … Original source on Gaea Times at : Remnants of Matthew soak parts of Mexico, Central America as it loses punch over land.

Expert panel exposes gaps in BP’s internal investigation; company concedes study had limits

Experts question BP’s take on Gulf oil spill

WASHINGTON – Engineering experts probing the Gulf of Mexico oil spill exposed holes Sunday in BP’s internal investigation as the company was questioned for the first time in public about its findings.
BP’s lead investigator acknowledged that the company’s probe had limitations.
Mark Bly, head of safety and operations for … Read more : Expert panel exposes gaps in BP’s internal investigation; company concedes study had limits.

Earthquake hits Aleutian Islands of US

NEW YORK – An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale jolted Aleutian Islands of the US state of Alaska Sunday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The tremor occurred about 9:27 a.m. local time (1827 GMT) at a depth of 226 km, with its epicentre some 2,070 km west-southwest of Anchorage, Xinhua reported citing …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bus carrying Polish tourists crashes in eastern Germany; at least 12 killed

German police: 12 dead in crash of Polish bus

BERLIN – At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured Sunday when a bus carrying Polish tourists crashed on the highway southeast of Berlin, police said.
Arne Feuring, president of police in Frankfurt an der Oder, told the news agency DAPD that seven of the wounded were …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bus carrying Polish tourists crashes in eastern Germany; at least 12 killed.

13 dead as Polish bus crashes on German motorway

BERLIN/WARSAW – Thirteen Polish nationals were killed Sunday when a bus with holidaymakers on board crashed into a motorway bridge on the outskirts of the German capital Berlin.

The bus, run by the Polish POL-BUS travel operator, was carrying employees of the forestry office in the western Polish town of Zlocieniec who were returning from a … Read more : 13 dead as Polish bus crashes on German motorway.

American mothers of war dead find solace in embrace of Iraq’s grieving women

Iraqi women embrace American mothers of war dead

SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq – Nine American mothers whose children died fighting in Iraq were embraced Sunday by dozens of Iraqi women who lost their own children during decades of war and violence in a meeting participants said brought them a measure of peace.
The gathering in Iraq’s mostly peaceful northern … Read more : American mothers of war dead find solace in embrace of Iraq’s grieving women.

Ex-bank official held for sleazy e-mails

KOLKATA – A former bank manager who sent sleazy e-mails to his sister-in-law was arrested Sunday, police said. This is the first arrest made by the cyber police station formed last month.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Damayanti Sen said: “Adhiraj Roychowdhury – a former manager of a private bank – was arrested from his …. Source  : Ex-bank official held for sleazy e-mails.

Pakistani minister resigns after accusing country’s powerful army in killing of politicians

Pakistani minister resigns after criticizing army

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s federal minister for defense production resigned after being summoned by the prime minister to explain comments he made criticizing the army and accusing it of killing prominent politicians.
Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi accused the army of killing several high-profile Pakistani figures, including former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and … Original article on : Pakistani minister resigns after accusing country’s powerful army in killing of politicians.

Karzai calls on Afghans to decry violence after official, 5 Afghans killed by suicide bomber

Eastern Afghan official, 5 others killed by bomber

KABUL, Afghanistan – A suicide car bomber killed a deputy governor and five others Tuesday in eastern Afghanistan, police said. In an emotional speech, President Hamid Karzai urged Afghans to decry such violence and fretted that young people will choose to flee their country.
The explosion occurred when the … Read : Karzai calls on Afghans to decry violence after official, 5 Afghans killed by suicide bomber.

Another day of blistering heat on tap for Calif., but temperatures begin to head downward

Another day of searing heat on tap for California

LOS ANGELES – Another day of searing heat was on tap for California Tuesday, but temperatures were expected to begin heading downward.
A blistering fall heat wave broke records across the state Monday, including an all-time high of 113 degrees in downtown Los Angeles.
Downtown hit the record-high temperature [..] Read the original article: here.

Spurned lover sparks bomb scare on Pakistan plane

LONDON – A woman angry about her separation from her boyfriend triggered a bomb scare on a Pakistan International Airlines plane, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Sweden, a media report said.

The woman called Canadian police to tell them that a flight from Toronto to Karachi had a bomb on board. The …. Read the original article  : here.

Gallup poll: 25 percent increase in depression cases along Gulf Coast since massive BP spill

Gallup: 25 percent hike in depression along Gulf

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Before the BP oil spill, the Gulf Coast was a place of abundant shrimping, tourist-filled beaches and a happy if humble lifestyle. Now, it’s home to depression, worry and sadness for many.
A Gallup survey released Tuesday of almost 2,600 coastal residents showed that depression … Read : Gallup poll: 25 percent increase in depression cases along Gulf Coast since massive BP spill.

Gypsy gangs stole 200 kids to use as beggars, pick-pockets

LONDON – A gang of Romanian gypsies stole nearly 200 poor children, took them to Britain and forced them to work as pick-pockets and beggars. Some of the children were disfigured to improve their earning potential, it was reported here.

Daily Telegraph Tuesday reported that 181 children were beaten and abused. Some of them were even …. Source article  : Gypsy gangs stole 200 kids to use as beggars, pick-pockets.

Safety board looks for reasons, safety lessons in Oklahoma highway crash that killed 10 people

NTSB probes Okla. highway crash that killed 10

WASHINGTON – On a clear June afternoon last year, a minor collision had stopped traffic on a stretch of Interstate 44 in Oklahoma. Eastbound drivers cresting a rise could see the traffic jam ahead and began braking – all except for a single tractor truck hauling a semi …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Safety board looks for reasons, safety lessons in Oklahoma highway crash that killed 10 people.

Officials confident levee will hold after flooding made Wis. neighborhood an island

Officials to inspect breached levee in Wisconsin

PORTAGE, Wis. – Emergency workers planned early morning inspections Tuesday of a 14-mile sand levee that was partially breached by floodwaters, turning one rural Wisconsin neighborhood into a virtual island.
Greg Matthews, spokesman for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said Monday night he was “cautiously optimistic” the levee protecting …. Source article  : Officials confident levee will hold after flooding made Wis. neighborhood an island.

Gallup finds 25 percent increase in depression cases in Gulf since BP spill

Gallup finds 25 percent hike in depression in Gulf

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – People along the Gulf Coast just aren’t as happy as they were before the massive BP oil spill.
A Gallup survey released Tuesday shows that depression cases are up more than 25 percent since an April 20 oil rig exploded, triggering the gusher that …. Source article  : Gallup finds 25 percent increase in depression cases in Gulf since BP spill.

Gunmen rob police in Mexico

Mexico City, Sep 28 (IANS/EFE) Gunmen stormed a police headquarters in the northern Mexico and escaped with around 70 firearms, officials said.

The criminals took assault rifles, pistols and tactical equipment from the state police headquarters in Chihuahua early Monday, an official spokesman said.
No one was hurt in the robbery and the gunmen only threatened … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gunmen rob police in Mexico.

Three held with marijuana worth over Rs.3 crore

LUCKNOW – Three drug peddlers, who operated in various Indian states, have been arrested with marijuana worth over Rs.3 crore in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district, police said Tuesday.

The three men, who are in their mid 40s, were nabbed Monday night from the Pandarai town in Mirzapur, some 300 km from here.
“Acting on a tip-off, …. Original source  : Three held with marijuana worth over Rs.3 crore.

Three killed in Venezuela prison riot

Caracas, Sep 28 (IANS/EFE) At least three prisoners died and four people were injured in a riot at a jail in Venezuela, authorities said.

The incident took place Monday at the Tocoron prison in the northeastern Venezuelan state of Aragua, police said.
A police officer confirmed the deaths of the three inmates and added that three … Original article on : Three killed in Venezuela prison riot.

Brush fire erupts near buildings amid record Southern California heat wave

Fire erupts near buildings in hot Southern Calif.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Southern California firefighters are battling a small fire burning in brushy hills near structures in the Ventura County city of Thousand Oaks.
The county Fire Department says the blaze was reported shortly after 2 p.m. Monday and has been estimated at 50 acres and is …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Brush fire erupts near buildings amid record Southern California heat wave.

30 buried in Colombia landslide

BOGOTA – A landslide buried about 30 people on a highway in northwestern Colombia, media reports said.

The accident occurred Monday when the passengers were changing buses on the highway in Antioquia province, Xinhua reported, citing local media reports.
“Apparently between 20 and 30 people were trapped,” an official said.
The rescue work is underway, …. Read the original article  : 30 buried in Colombia landslide.

Iranian woman’s stoning sentence ’still in place’

Tehran, Sep 28 (IANS/AKI) The sentence of death by stoning against an Iranian woman accused of adultery is still officially in place and could still be carried out, her lawyer has said.

His warning came after Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week claimed it was untrue that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a mother of two, had … Read more : Iranian woman’s stoning sentence ’still in place’.

Fire Fighters Battle Thousand Oaks Fire

SOUTH CALIFORNIA, (Gaea Times.com)- A small fire broke out in the hilly areas of Ventura County city of Thousand Oaks, South California on Monday afternoon due to high temperature in the area. The fire spread rapidly across the dry vegetation but was reportedly brought under control by evening. A group of 100 fighters and … Read more >>.

Police: eastern Afghan official killed by car bomb while driving to work

Eastern Afghan official killed in bombing
KABUL, Afghanistan – The deputy governor of a volatile eastern Afghan province was killed by a suicide car bomber Tuesday, along with five others, police said.

The explosion occurred when the official was driving in Ghazni city toward his office, said Ghazni province Police Chief Zarawar Zahid. The bomber rammed into …. Original article  : Police: eastern Afghan official killed by car bomb while driving to work.

Quake hits Iran

Tehran, Sep 28 (IANS/AKI) A 6.1-magnitude earthquake has rocked southern Iran.

The Iranian Seismological Centre reported that the quake hit Konar Takhteh, a remote mountainous area in the southern province of Fars, at 11.22 GMT Monday, Mehr news agency said.
Konar Takhteh, 677 km southwest of Tehran, is a sparsely populated district located near the city …. Original source  : Quake hits Iran.

Man convicted of killing `nagging’ wife

HONG KONG – A 79-year-old Hong Kong man was convicted of killing his wife of 45 years after saying he could no longer bear her constant nagging, a news report said Tuesday.

Ng Kwok-yuen hacked So Yuen-yee, 68, more than 30 times with a meat cleaver in August 2009 and claimed decades of nagging drove him … Original article on : Man convicted of killing `nagging’ wife.

Yamuna continues to flow above danger mark in Agra

AGRA – Yamuna continued to flow over the danger mark in this Taj city Tuesday morning, but authorities are hopeful that it would soon start to recede.

The impact of the flood in Agra region was grim, with reports of extensive damage to standing crops and the spread of water-borne diseases.
The Yamuna was still flowing … Read more >>.

Obama urged to seek spill penalties to pay for Gulf coast restoration after oil spill

Obama urged to use spill fines to restore Gulf

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s point person on the Gulf coast’s restoration will recommend paying for it with some of the billions of dollars in civil penalties that could be collected from companies responsible for the oil spill.
That recommendation by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus will be in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Obama urged to seek spill penalties to pay for Gulf coast restoration after oil spill.

Four die in Himachal accident

SHIMLA – Four people were killed and 14 injured when an overcrowded vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in upper Shimla in Himachal Pradesh Wednesday, police said.

The accident took place near Chirgaon, some 120 km from here. The cause of the accident is not known.
…. Source article  : Four die in Himachal accident.

PCR vans to be one-stop help shop for Games tourists

NEW DELHI – It will take only one minute for police control room (PCR) vans to reach any Commonwealth Games venue, with more than 100 deployed to respond to any emergency calls.

Not just that. Thousands of tourists as well as athletes and officials here for the mega event from Oct 3 will find in …. Source  : PCR vans to be one-stop help shop for Games tourists.

Claims by Shiite militia brings worries about Iran’s hand in Iraq

Iraqi Shiite militia hints of Iran’s hand in south

BAGHDAD – Nearly four minutes of shaky, hand-held video clips show roadside bombs hitting U.S. convoys, a battery of Katyusha rockets and a soldier who appeared to be downed by sniper fire.
And digitally burned into the left-hand corner is the raised-rifle emblem of a Shiite militia linked [..] Read the original article: here.

Three engineering students of BHU drown in Ganga

LUCKNOW – Three engineering students of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) drowned in the Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi district, police said Wednesday.

The B.Tech (Electronics) third year students — Mihir Jha, Mayank Ahuja and Tarun Kumar — went on an outing late Tuesday after managing to get out of their hostel on the … Read more »».

Man admits raping, assaulting over 1,000 women

LONDON – A man in Germany has admitted to raping or sexually assaulting more than 1,000 women by copying a trick from the movie “The Silence of the Lambs”.

Forty six-year-old Joerg P. admitted to more than 1,000 offences against women in a crime spree that spanned 22 years. The trial has begun in …. Source article  : Man admits raping, assaulting over 1,000 women.

Indian-origin cabbie pleads not guilty to rape

MELBOURNE – An Indian-origin taxi driver, accused of raping a 40-year-old woman in Australia, Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the crime before a court here.

Rajeev Singh, 21, has been committed to stand trial at the conclusion of the three-day hearing in the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court, The Age reported.
Singh picked up the woman in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indian-origin cabbie pleads not guilty to rape.

Tropical depression blows up in Caribbean, heads for Cuba and on to southeastern Florida

Tropical depression aims at Cuba, then Florida

HAVANA – A tropical depression that quickly developed in the Caribbean headed over Cuba early Wednesday threatening to strengthen into a tropical storm as it headed toward southeastern Florida.
Cuba expected heavy rains and high winds overnight.
Early Wednesday, the storm’s center was about 55 miles (90 kilometers) south-southeast of Havana, … Read more >>.

Huge mudslide smashes into Mexican mountain town, but only 11 missing after disaster

Mexico: Mudslide proves less deadly than feared

OAXACA, Mexico – A loud noise shattered the early morning darkness as an entire hillside collapsed on a town in Mexico’s rain-soaked southern state of Oaxaca. Roads were blocked by slides and a washed-out bridge, and the only reports – via satellite phone – were grim: Hundreds could be …. Source article  : Huge mudslide smashes into Mexican mountain town, but only 11 missing after disaster.

Texting ban has not lowered US accident rate

NEW YORK – A ban on sending mobile phone text messages while driving has not led to a decrease in the number of road crashes in the US.

The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) has shown in a latest research that accident rates rose in three out of four US states after texting bans were … Read more : Texting ban has not lowered US accident rate.

31,000 on Facebook path to smooth roads in Delhi

NEW DELHI – “Dear Sir/Madam, Today I have seen lot many defence cars, with blue and red beacon lights, judges’ cars (with justice label at the back) driving in Commonwealth Games lane,” says a Facebook post received by Delhi Traffic Police, nicknamed DTP by netizens.

By Suhas Munshi
The mail writer goes on to say: “I …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

NATO says service member killed in insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan

NATO: Service member killed in south Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – A coalition service member was killed in an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan, NATO announced Wednesday, as operations to flush out insurgents moved forward in the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar.
The service member was killed in a fight with insurgents in the south on Tuesday, the coalition …. Read the original article  : here.

Rain, flooding leave 54 dead in Nicaragua

MANAGUA – Rain from tropical storm Matthew caused flooding that left 54 people dead and 5,000 homeless with infrastructure damage including roads and bridges, Nicaraguan authorities said.

Authorities said Tuesday that 8,000 homes had been flooded following days of rain. Hardest hit were the Nicaraguan provinces of Esteli and Matagalpa in the north, Chinandega in …. Source article  : Rain, flooding leave 54 dead in Nicaragua.

Mexican psychiatrists seek psychological treatment in US

Mexico City, Sep 29 (IANS/EFE) The recent wave of extortion and kidnappings in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico’s murder capital, has forced hundreds of psychiatrists to cross the border to the US to receive psychological treatment.

The situation in Ciudad Juarez has reached the point where “the doctors and psychiatrists themselves are here trying to get help,” …. Original source  : Mexican psychiatrists seek psychological treatment in US.

Calif. heat wave proves a worthy foe, sends Hollywood Blvd’s costumed heroes into the shadows

LA heat wave takes some sizzle out of Hollywood

LOS ANGELES – It was so hot in Los Angeles on Tuesday that even Spider-Man took the day off.
As temperatures soared to 99 degrees, tourists along Hollywood Boulevard were disappointed to discover that a fall heat wave has just about the same effect on Spider-Man – and …. Read the original article  : Calif. heat wave proves a worthy foe, sends Hollywood Blvd’s costumed heroes into the shadows.

Mexican authorities backtrack on landslide, say no deaths are confirmed and only 11 missing

Mexico: No confirmed landslide deaths, 11 missing

OAXACA, Mexico – A huge mudslide first thought to have buried hundreds of people has left only 11 missing and there are no confirmed dead, authorities said Tuesday night, backing off earlier predictions of a catastrophe in Mexico’s rain-soaked southern state of Oaxaca.
Federal Interior Minister Francisco Blake and Oaxaca …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mexican authorities backtrack on landslide, say no deaths are confirmed and only 11 missing.

Chile mine drilling advances rapidly, cheering families as officials hope for earlier rescue

Chile rescue speeds up, cheering miner families

SAN JOSE MINE, Chile – The families of 33 trapped miners are in high spirits after a surge in the drilling of escape tunnels raised hopes that the men’s rescue may come sooner than scheduled.
Relatives smiled, hugged and yelled “Viva Chile!” as officials reported one of the rescue drills …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Skywest plane makes emergency landing in Milwaukee due to landing gear problem

Plane makes emergency landing in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – A Skywest Airlines plane has made an emergency landing in Milwaukee due to a landing gear problem.
General Mitchell International Airport spokeswoman Pat Rowe says crew had notified the airport about 10 minutes before landing Tuesday that only two of the three sets of landing gear would lower.
She says … Original article on : Skywest plane makes emergency landing in Milwaukee due to landing gear problem.

2 boys escape Tennessee house fire that killed 5 family members, including mother

2 boys escape Tennessee fire that killed family

ATOKA, Tenn. – A fire was burning around him, but Devon Byrd said he didn’t wake up until he heard his sister screaming.
The 12-year-old boy said he jumped out of bed early Tuesday in the smoky darkness and found his 6-year-old brother Andon. He kicked out a bedroom …. Source article  : 2 boys escape Tennessee house fire that killed 5 family members, including mother.

Wis. officials consider buying out homeowners rather than making costly repairs to old levee

Wis. officials say old dike may add to flood risk

MADISON, Wis. – A century-old sand dike that held back the raging Wisconsin River helped protect a rural neighborhood, but state officials said Tuesday they’ll renew a push to buy out homeowners and let the levee deteriorate.
The river surged around one end of the levee, leaving …. Original article  : Wis. officials consider buying out homeowners rather than making costly repairs to old levee.

FEMA rejects disaster aid for Calif gas line blast that destroyed 37 homes; 8th victim dies

FEMA rejects disaster aid for Calif gas line blast

SAN FRANCISCO – Federal emergency officials have turned down the state’s request for millions in federal disaster aid for the gas pipeline explosion that consumed a Northern California neighborhood earlier this month. The death toll rose to eight Tuesday.
The San Mateo County coroner’s office confirmed James Emil [..] Read the original article: here.

Father, son blame each other in Ore. bombing that prosecutors say stemmed from Obama fears

Dad, son blame each other in Oregon bomb plot

SALEM, Ore. – Proscutors say that a father and son accused of planting a bomb that killed two police officers dreamed of get-rich-quick schemes and forming civilian militias, but fears that a new president would work to curb gun owners’ rights pushed them to action, prosecutors say.
Bruce …. Original source  : Father, son blame each other in Ore. bombing that prosecutors say stemmed from Obama fears.

Suicide attack in south Afghanistan kills 3 civilians

Car bomber in south Afghanistan kills 3 civilians

KABUL, Afghanistan – A suicide attack on a NATO convoy killed three civilians and wounded nine others Thursday near the airport in the Taliban heartland of Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan, a local official said.
The suicide attacker detonated explosives while in his vehicle, causing the casualties, said Zulmai Ayubi, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Suicide attack in south Afghanistan kills 3 civilians.

DC sightseers hurt in Md. bus crash that killed driver; dozen taken to hospital, some critical

DC sightseers hurt in bus crash, driver killed

BETHESDA, Md. – Federal investigators will try to find out what caused a bus carrying several children and their parents who spent the day sightseeing in the nation’s capital to plunge off a highway, killing the driving and injuring more than a dozen.
The Pennsylvania-based Wolf’s Bus Lines Inc. … Original article on : DC sightseers hurt in Md. bus crash that killed driver; dozen taken to hospital, some critical.

Tropical Storm Nicole Hits Jamaica

KINGSTON, JAMAICA (GaeaTimes.com)- The latest storm in this year’s hurricane season Tropical Storm Nicole has already been successful in hitting headlines. Earlier on Wednesday, the storm was able to make its presence felt in large parts of Jamaica as it is reported to have claimed as many as nine lives while it also caused …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Nepal sends chopper to search for 3 Japanese climbers, their Sherpa guide caught in avalanche

Chopper searches for 3 Japanese climbers in Nepal

KATMANDU, Nepal – A rescue helicopter is searching the slopes of a mountain in central Nepal for three Japanese climbers and their Nepalese guide who were swept away by an avalanche earlier this week.
The four were attempting to climb the 26,790-foot (8,167-meter) peak of Mount Dhaulagiri and have … Read more : Nepal sends chopper to search for 3 Japanese climbers, their Sherpa guide caught in avalanche.

Indonesian militant badly injured when bicycle bomb prematurely detonates

Indonesian militant hurt by bicycle bomb blast

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A suspected Islamic militant was critically injured when a homemade bomb strapped to the back of his bicycle detonated prematurely Thursday before he reached his apparent target – a police post outside Indonesia’s capital.
No one else was hurt.
Police spokesman Col. Boy Rafli Amar said while the … Read more »».

Vietnam arrests three over US-based porn websites

HANOI – Vietnamese police have detained three officers of a company that ran pornographic websites with servers based in the US, police said Thursday.

Police said the websites also hosted what they called “reactionary” videos produced by “hostile terrorist groups” overseas.
The suspects, Tran Ngo Quy, 25, Dang Bui Phi Hung, 33, and Pham Ba … Read more >>.

Fire in 3-story brick building kills 3 people, called deadliest of year in NJ’s biggest city

Fire in NJ 3-story brick building kills 3 people

NEWARK, N.J. – A fire in New Jersey’s largest city has killed three people.
The fire broke out Wednesday night in a three-story brick building in Newark.
Fire Chief Michael Lalor (LAW’-lor) says the victims were trapped inside the building and were pulled out alive but died later at … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Fire in 3-story brick building kills 3 people, called deadliest of year in NJ’s biggest city.

8-year-old boy killed in NYC house fire; 5 other children injured, 1-year-old critically

NYC fire kills 8-year-old boy, hurts 5 other kids

NEW YORK – New York City fire officials say a house blaze has killed an 8-year-old boy and injured five other children.
A Fire Department of New York spokesman says the fire erupted in a two-family, three-story home in Brooklyn and was brought under control around 11 p.m. … Read more >>.

12 die in Mexico landslide

Mexico City, Sep 30 (IANS/EFE) At least 12 people were killed when a rainsoaked hillside gave way in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, President Felipe Calderon has said.

“Unfortunately, there has been a new landslide in Amatan, Chiapas. We’re mobilising aid to help out. The governor informs me of 12 deaths,” Calderon wrote on …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 12 die in Mexico landslide.

Mexico resumes search for 11 missing in collapsed hillside as slide kills 16 in another town

Mexico: Landslide in another town kills 16 people

TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Mexico – The unstable hillsides of rain-soaked southern Mexico have claimed at least 16 more victims and authorities are scrambling to deal with the peril after a siege of unusually wet weather.
A landslide Wednesday surged into a community in Chiapas state, killing 16 people and injuring … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Mexico resumes search for 11 missing in collapsed hillside as slide kills 16 in another town.

Driver dead, dozen hurt when bus plunges off suburban DC highway; several children aboard

Driver dead, dozen hurt in bus plunge outside DC

BETHESDA, Md. – Kids and their parents who spent Wednesday sightseeing in the nation’s capital were headed home to Pennsylvania when their bus plunged off a highway and rolled, killing the driver and injuring at least a dozen, authorities said.
The Pennsylvania-based Wolf’s Bus Lines Inc. bus careened …. Read the original article  : Driver dead, dozen hurt when bus plunges off suburban DC highway; several children aboard.

Wisconsin River drops slowly, easing flooding conditions

River drops slowly, easing Wis. flood conditions

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin River is dropping, promising relief for the state’s flood-weary south-central section.
The river started overflowing its banks Saturday after heavy rains to the north flowed downstream. The river poured around a levee and flooded low-lying areas in the town of Caledonia, just outside Portage. Dozens …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Wisconsin River drops slowly, easing flooding conditions.

Driver of bus killed when it plunges off suburban DC highway; several children, parents aboard

Bus driver killed in plunge off DC-area highway

BETHESDA, Md. – Authorities say the driver of a commuter bus was killed when it plunged off a highway outside the nation’s capital.
At least a dozen are injured, including children.
The bus on Wednesday afternoon fell 45 feet off a skyramp of the Capital Beltway and landed below along …. Read the original article  : Driver of bus killed when it plunges off suburban DC highway; several children, parents aboard.

NC governor declares state of emergency as heavy rains expected as Nicole skirts the coast

NC governor declares emergency ahead of heavy rain

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Gov. Beverly Perdue has proclaimed a state of emergency as North Carolina’s coastal residents brace for drenching rains from a weather system interacting with approaching remnants of a recent tropical storm.
Perdue issued the precautionary declaration while Nicole was still a tropical storm Wednesday, but the … Read : NC governor declares state of emergency as heavy rains expected as Nicole skirts the coast.

Mexico resumes search for 11 missing in collapsed hillside as slide kills 12 in another town

Mexico: Landslide in another town kills 12 people

OAXACA, Mexico – Searchers recovered the bodies of two teenage sisters Wednesday during the hunt for 11 people missing after a huge hillside collapsed on a town in Mexico’s rain-soaked southern state of Oaxaca, while a landslide in a neighboring state killed a dozen people.
The government delivered blankets [..] Read the original article: here.

Court halts California execution amid lethal drug shortage

LOS ANGELES – The California Supreme Court Wednesday denied the state’s attempt to rush through its first execution in five years before the expiration date Friday of the only dose of a drug needed to perform the lethal injection.

The decision came after a federal judge on Tuesday ordered a stay on the planned execution …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Court halts California execution amid lethal drug shortage.

Jaguars WR Osgood ‘doing OK’ after altercation with cheerleader’s gun-wielding ex-boyfriend

Jaguars’ Osgood attacked in cheerleader’s home

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville receiver Kassim Osgood leapt out a second-floor window to escape a gun-wielding man who attacked him and a 19-year-old Jaguars cheerleader, according to police.
The armed intruder exchanged gunfire with his ex-girlfriend, Mackenzie Rae Putnal, after putting a gun to her head Monday night, according to the … Read more »»».

Watchdog faults 32-year failure to develop system for identifying dangerous mines

Watchdog: Mine safety woes a failure of leadership

WASHINGTON – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has never developed a reliable system for identifying mines with safety problems despite more than three decades of trying, an agency watchdog said Wednesday.
The Labor Department’s inspector general blamed the failure on a 32-year “lack of leadership and priority” over …. Source  : Watchdog faults 32-year failure to develop system for identifying dangerous mines.

1 dead, dozen hurt when bus plunges off suburban DC highway; several children, parents aboard

1 dead, dozen hurt in bus crash outside DC

BETHESDA, Md. – A commuter bus plunged off a highway Wednesday outside the nation’s capital, killing one person and injuring at least a dozen, including children, authorities said.
Parents and children were aboard the bus that fell 45 feet off a skyramp of the Capital Beltway and landed …. Original source  : 1 dead, dozen hurt when bus plunges off suburban DC highway; several children, parents aboard.