Iran arrests ‘nuclear spies’

LONDON – Iran has arrested several “spies” who were involved in an attempt to sabotage the country’s nuclear programme, said Iranian intelligence minister Heydar Moslehi.

The arrest followed an attack on Iran’s industrial computer network by a software bug Stuxnet that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, including its main Bushehr power plant, British newspaper The Guardian …. Read the original article  : Iran arrests ‘nuclear spies’.

Building under construction collapses in northwestern China, killing 8

Building in northwest China collapses, killing 8

BEIJING – A state news agency says a four-story building under construction has collapsed in northwestern China, killing eight workers and injuring three others.
Xinhua News Agency says the residential building fell Saturday in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province. More than 300 firefighters, police and medical workers were sent … Original source on Gaea Times at : Building under construction collapses in northwestern China, killing 8.

Goan serial killer’s day out

PANAJI – In a state known for well toned bikini-clad bodies on the beach, Goa’s alleged serial killer Mahanand Naik, 43, used a more conservative clothing appendage to snuff out 16 lives – all of them women.

A ‘dupatta’, a longish scarf, which he slipped around the neck of most of his victims who [..] Read the original article: here.

Six killed in tourist plane crash in Peru

LIMA – A small plane carrying tourists on a sightseeing flight crashed in Peru Saturday, killing all six people on board.

The propeller plane operated by Air Nasca was carrying four British travellers and two crew members, when an engine problem cause the crash some 350 km south of Lima, radio RPP reported, citing police …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Six killed in tourist plane crash in Peru.

14 killed in Mexico shooting

MEXICO CITY – A shoot-out between two rival gangs in northern Mexico has left 14 people dead, officials said.

The shoot-out occurred Friday in the village of Jose de la Cruz in Durango state and was likely part of a power struggle among drug cartels, officials said Saturday.
The cartels have fought for years over …. Original source  : 14 killed in Mexico shooting.

Flood-hit Pakistan says it needs West’s trade, not just aid, to recover and to stop militants

Pakistanis push trade, not just aid, after floods

FAISALABAD, Pakistan – This eastern Pakistani city is known for the roar of its power looms and the buzz of its sewing machines. Now, following massive floods that devastated the cotton crop, another noise is threatening to drown those out: the pleas of a struggling textile industry begging … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Flood-hit Pakistan says it needs West’s trade, not just aid, to recover and to stop militants.

Three brothers lynched, buried alive for witchcraft

La Paz, Oct 3 (IANS/EFE) At least four men, including three brothers, were lynched and buried alive for practicing witchcraft as part of “community justice” by a group of people in Bolivia, media reports said.

On Friday, police found the body of a man who was beaten up and buried alive Aug 20 in a …. Original source  : Three brothers lynched, buried alive for witchcraft.

Indonesia probes deadly train crash that highlights poor infrastructure, lax safety standards

Indonesia investigates train crash that killed 36

PETARUKAN, Indonesia – Police were investigating a train crash Sunday that killed 36 people and injured dozens, putting a spotlight once again on Indonesia’s aging infrastructure and poor safety record.
The pre-dawn accident occurred Saturday as many passengers were sleeping.
A train from the capital, Jakarta, plowed into the rear of … Read more »»».

La. official known for criticizing BP and federal government over spill cruises to re-election

Official known for criticizing BP, feds re-elected

POINTE A LA HACHE, La. – A local official who emerged as a leading critic of efforts to clean up the oil spilled from BP’s well in the Gulf of Mexico has easily won re-election as president of his coastal Louisiana parish.
With all precincts reporting, Republican Billy Nungesser had … Original article on : La. official known for criticizing BP and federal government over spill cruises to re-election.

Attempted assassination part of unrest, claims Correa

QUITO – Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa claimed that a police mutiny earlier this week was an attempted coup with plans to assassinate him and other members of the government, media reports said Saturday.

The death toll in the unrest rose to eight with 278 injured, officials said.
Correa told foreign ministers from the South American … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Attempted assassination part of unrest, claims Correa.

USGS says minor, magnitude 3.0, earthquake is reported north of Richmond, Va.; no injuries

Minor earthquake is felt north of Richmond, Va.

RICHMOND, Va. – The U.S. Geological Survey says a minor earthquake has hit Virginia.
Dale Grant, a geophysicist with the USGS, said the magnitude 3.0 earthquake happened at 4:17 p.m. Saturday. Its epicenter was about 20 miles north of Richmond.
Grant said there were no reports of injuries or damages.
The … Read this article on Gaea Times at : USGS says minor, magnitude 3.0, earthquake is reported north of Richmond, Va.; no injuries.

IOM: Engineer supervising shelter-building killed outside Haiti relocation camp

IOM: Engineer killed outside Haiti relocation camp

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Gunmen killed an engineer supervising the building of shelters at a relocation camp for Haitian earthquake survivors, forcing construction to be suspended on part of the site, the International Organization for Migration said Saturday.
The body of 42-year-old Pierre Richard Denis was found Friday on the outskirts …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : IOM: Engineer supervising shelter-building killed outside Haiti relocation camp.

Peru police say plane carrying British tourists crashes near famed Nazca Lines, 6 dead

Peru: Tourist plane crashes near famed Nazca Lines

LIMA, Peru – A small plane carrying British tourists crashed near the famed Nazca Lines in Peru on Saturday, killing all six people on board, police said.
The victims were listed as four Britons – three men and a woman – and the pilot and co-pilot, both Peruvian.
The Cessna …. Read the original article  : Peru police say plane carrying British tourists crashes near famed Nazca Lines, 6 dead.

Searchers find body of missing NY woman swept away by floodwaters from Northeast storm

NY woman is 7th person killed in Northeast storm

BRADLEY, N.Y. – The rainstorms that caused flooding up and down the East Coast in recent days have claimed another life – this time in New York.
State police say they have recovered the body of a 55-year-old woman whose car had been swept off the road Friday … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Searchers find body of missing NY woman swept away by floodwaters from Northeast storm.

Osama bin Laden surfaces with humanitarian appeal for Pakistani floods in 2nd tape in 24-hours

Osama bin Laden softens tone, but to what end?

CAIRO – Softening his tone, al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden issued a humanitarian appeal on Saturday urging Muslim governments to do more to help Pakistan’s flood victims and expressing worry about climate change. It was his second purported audiotape in as many days.
The less aggressive approach contrasted …. Original source  : Osama bin Laden surfaces with humanitarian appeal for Pakistani floods in 2nd tape in 24-hours.

Pall cast over international balloon fiesta as search continues for missing American pilots

Missing pilots cast pall over balloon fiesta in US

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Hundreds of balloonists in New Mexico lifted off Saturday at dawn amid a somber mood, opening the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta while search crews on the other side of the globe scoured the seas for two of the sport’s most acclaimed pilots.
Richard Abruzzo of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pall cast over international balloon fiesta as search continues for missing American pilots.

Nigeria: Ex-militant leader arrested over car bombings that killed 12 in nation’s capital

Nigeria: Ex-militant leader arrested over bombings

LAGOS, Nigeria – South African authorities have arrested an ex-leader of a militant group that claimed responsibility for a dual car bombing that killed 12 people in Nigeria, a Nigerian secret police spokeswoman said Saturday.
The arrest of Henry Okah, a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the …. Original source  : Nigeria: Ex-militant leader arrested over car bombings that killed 12 in nation’s capital.

Two teenaged sisters held for cousin’s abduction

GHAZIABAD – Two teenaged sisters and two others in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district were taken in custody Saturday for kidnapping their uncle’s three-year-old boy for ransom, police said.

The two sisters, aged 17 and 18, abducted the boy from his home in Rafiqpura area, police said.
Firdaus’ boyfriend Abdul Qadir and Anisa’s husband Akram … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Two teenaged sisters held for cousin’s abduction.

UAE to create national register of sex offenders

Abu Dhabi, Oct 2 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates is considering creation of a national register of sex offenders and a centre for children protection to combat crimes against the younger generation.

A meeting for this purpose was held by a legislative body of the higher committee for protection of children under the ministry … Original source on Gaea Times at : UAE to create national register of sex offenders.

Death toll in Nigeria car bombings rises to 12 as investigators hunt for oil-region militants

Nigeria: Death toll in bombings rises to 12

ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s president on Saturday criticized the group claiming responsibility for setting off two car bombs during the oil-rich nation’s 50 anniversary of independence, calling them terrorists who used the struggles of his homeland to “camouflage criminality.”
President Goodluck Jonathan’s comments came as the death toll for …. Source  : Death toll in Nigeria car bombings rises to 12 as investigators hunt for oil-region militants.