Catholic acolyte convicted of sexually abusing minors, handed 4-year prison sentence

Catholic acolyte convicted of sexual abuse

BERLIN – A German court has convicted a former Roman Catholic acolyte and church youth director of sexually abusing children and sentenced him to four years and nine months in prison.
The state court in the central city of Darmstadt found the 31-year-old man guilty on Monday of abusing six boys, …. Source article  : Catholic acolyte convicted of sexually abusing minors, handed 4-year prison sentence.

Soaring cabbage prices catch kimchi-loving South Koreans in inflationary pickle

Soaring cabbage prices hit kimchi-loving SKoreans

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea is struggling to secure its supply of kimchi – the spicy, pickled food that serves as the national dish – after an unusually long stretch of bad weather nearly halved the latest crop of Napa cabbage, its main ingredient.
Seeking an immediate substitute, the government …. Original source  : Soaring cabbage prices catch kimchi-loving South Koreans in inflationary pickle.

Thai court drops second case against Viktor Bout, clearing way for US extradition

Thai court drops case against Viktor Bout
BANGKOK – A Thai court ruled Tuesday to dismiss a new trial against alleged Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout, removing a key legal obstacle to his long-awaited extradition to the United States.

The Bangkok Criminal Court’s decision was the latest phase in a long-running legal battle that has put Thailand …. Original source  : Thai court drops second case against Viktor Bout, clearing way for US extradition.

Decks being cleared for Assam-ULFA talks

GUWAHATI – The Assam government and the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) are treading cautiously but cleverly in paving the way for formal peace talks to end more than three decades of insurgency in the state.

Soon after the arrest of top ULFA leaders in Bangladesh last year, discussions on possible peace talks …. Read the original article  : Decks being cleared for Assam-ULFA talks.

Maoists strike again, 7 security men injured

GADCHIROLI – A day after killing at least four police personnel, Maoists again struck in the dense forests of eatern Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district Tuesday morning and injured seven security personnel, police said.

According to reports reaching the district headquarters here, a police van was ambushed and blown up with a mine near Tallewada, around 130 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Corruption-riddled Calif. city cancels council meeting after indicted members fail to show

Corruption-riddled city cancels council meeting

BELL, Calif. – It was the first regularly scheduled City Council meeting in the corruption-riddled Los Angeles suburb of Bell since eight current and former city officials were charged with looting city funds – but it didn’t happen.
The Monday night meeting was canceled when four council members facing criminal charges didn’t …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Corruption-riddled Calif. city cancels council meeting after indicted members fail to show.

Prosecutor portrays Anna Nicole Smith as coconspirator who pressured defendants for drugs

Anna Nicole Smith portrayed as coconspirator

LOS ANGELES – In a new twist at the Anna Nicole Smith drug trial, prosecutors are casting the dead celebrity model in the role of coconspirator who pressured her two doctors and her lawyer-boyfriend to provide her with excessive prescription drugs.
In closing arguments Monday, Deputy District Attorney David Barkhurst portrayed …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gainesville Shooting Rampage Shocks Citizens

GAINESVILLE (GaeaTimes.com)- A shooting in Gainesville left two people dead including the gunman and five injured, the police reported. The horrific incident happened yesterday afternoon after the gunman fatally killed himself after shooting six people at a random spree. The law enforcement officials after investigation found out that the gunman is Clifford L. Miller …. Read the original article  : here.

POLITICAL INSIDER: Michelle Obama asks supporters to open wallets for Democrats

POLITICAL INSIDER: Michelle Obama asks for cash

First lady Michelle Obama is asking her husband’s supporters to pitch in with cash to help Democrats recreate the get-out-the-vote machine that helped deliver Barack Obama the White House two years ago.
In an e-mail sent Monday from the president’s political arm, Mrs. Obama asked for donations as small as …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

With video of test blast as evidence, NY prosecutors seek life term for Times Square bomber

Times Square bomber faces sentencing in NYC

NEW YORK – The scene in a remote spot in Pennsylvania was exactly what authorities say failed bomber Faisal Shahzad had wanted on a busy evening in Times Square on May 1.
An improvised car bomb – a 1993 Pathfinder fitted with 250 pounds of ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel, …. Source article  : With video of test blast as evidence, NY prosecutors seek life term for Times Square bomber.

It’s alarming that Taliban can attack us, Pakistani daily

ISLAMABAD – It is an “alarming thought” that the Taliban is still able to stage terrorist strikes across the country despite the war against terror, an editorial in a Pakistani daily said after the group claimed responsibility for attacks on two NATO oil tankers.

The editorial in the News International said: “Ominously…a Taliban spokesman has … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : It’s alarming that Taliban can attack us, Pakistani daily.

Venezuela’s Chavez dismisses account that suspected ETA militants got training in country

Venezuela denies links to Basque militants

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dismissed a claim that Basque militants received weapons training in his country, calling it a farce aimed at discrediting his government.
Chavez reacted Monday night in a telephone call to state television after a Spanish judge said two suspected members of the armed Basque … Original source on Gaea Times at : Venezuela’s Chavez dismisses account that suspected ETA militants got training in country.

No evidence yet against Mumbai attack suspect Lakhvi: counsel

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has not been able to provide concrete evidence against Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who is accused of masterminding the Mumbai terror attack, his counsel has said.

Shahbaz Ahmed Janjua told reporters in Rawalpindi Monday that the FIA had failed to furnish concrete evidence against Lakhvi despite a lapse of … Read : No evidence yet against Mumbai attack suspect Lakhvi: counsel.

Car bomb blast outside Ireland shopping mall

LONDON – A car bomb exploded Tuesday outside a shopping centre in Northern Ireland, police said.

A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the blast site has been cordoned off, Xinhua reported.
“Initial inquiries suggest there were no injuries,” he said, adding that “substantial damage has been caused to the …. Original article  : Car bomb blast outside Ireland shopping mall.

Colorado prison escapee charged with kidnapping, other crimes

Colo. prison escapee charged with several crimes

DENVER – An inmate who broke out of a maximum security prison in northeast Colorado has been charged with escape, holding hostages and kidnapping.
The Denver Post reports that 48-year-old Douglas Alward also was charged Monday with being a habitual criminal, first-degree burglary and possession of a weapon by a …. Original article  : Colorado prison escapee charged with kidnapping, other crimes.

California man who cited HIV panic convicted of killing sex client over valuable flutes

Man convicted in Calif. ‘golden flute’ slaying

MARTINEZ, Calif. – A Northern California man has been convicted of killing a retiree as part of an elaborate plan to steal the older man’s sterling silver and solid gold flutes.
A Contra Costa County jury deliberated for about two days before finding 24-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Rivera of Vallejo guilty … Read this article on Gaea Times at : California man who cited HIV panic convicted of killing sex client over valuable flutes.

Small, scandal-plagued Calif. city cancels council meeting after indicted members fail to show

Scandal-plagued Calif city cancels council meeting

BELL, Calif. – The City Council for the corruption-riddled Los Angeles suburb of Bell had to cancel its regularly scheduled meeting Monday when four members facing criminal charges didn’t show up.
One of the four, George Mirabal, was in jail. Another, Luis Artiga, resigned earlier in the day. Mayor Oscar Hernandez …. Source article  : Small, scandal-plagued Calif. city cancels council meeting after indicted members fail to show.

Attorney for former transit officer seeks retrial in California train station shooting case

Attorney seeks retrial in CA train station death

SAN FRANCISCO – The attorney representing a white former San Francisco Bay Area rapid transit officer convicted of fatally shooting an unarmed black passenger is asking a Los Angeles judge for a new trial.
Lawyer Michael Rains said in a 134-page filing Friday that Johannes Mehserle’s (yoh-HAH’-nes MEZ’-ur-leez) involuntary …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Attorney for former transit officer seeks retrial in California train station shooting case.

Police: Gainesville, Fla., gunman kills self, 1 other in shooting spree; 5 wounded

Police: Florida gunman killed self, 1 other

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A gunman killed himself Monday afternoon after he fatally shot a person and wounded five others around Gainesville, police said.
The gunman shot himself in his red pickup truck after he drove through the neighborhood picking off victims, Gainesville police Cpl. Tscharna Senn said at a Monday …. Original source  : Police: Gainesville, Fla., gunman kills self, 1 other in shooting spree; 5 wounded.

Police say college student shot, killed in dorm at Bible college in coastal North Carolina

Police: NC Bible college student killed in dorm

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – A student at a Bible college in North Carolina was shot and killed in his dorm room, and school officials say another student is responsible.
Mid-Atlantic Christian University says on its website that sophomore Jonathan Schipper was shot and killed Sunday.
The school’s statement said the … Read more »»».