Priest arrested on rape charge

RANCHI – Police Tuesday arrested a priest in Dumka district of Jharkhand after a woman inmate at his ashram accused him of rape.

Mahant Babluji was arrested at Sadanand Mission after some women alleged he had misbehaved with them while a young woman hurle rape charges, a police officer told IANS from Dumka, some 400 …. Original article  : Priest arrested on rape charge.

Interlocutors visiting Shopian in south Kashmir

SRINAGAR – The Indian government’s interlocutors Tuesday visited south Kashmir’s rural areas, including Shopian where the alleged rape-murder of two women sparked massive protests across the valley.

The team will interact with youths and some prominent citizens there, informed sources here said.
The team comprises journalist Dilip Padgaonkar, academic Radha Kumar and information commissioner M.M. … Read more >>>.

Prostitutes in Spanish town to wear reflective vests

LONDON – Sex workers in a Spanish town have been told to wear reflective vests so that they are clearly visible to traffic, reducing the risk of accidents.

Prostitutes at a rural highway outside Els Alamus town in Catalonia will wear the yellow fluorescent bibs. If they don’t, they would be fined 40 euros (36) … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Prostitutes in Spanish town to wear reflective vests.

New Zealand boy kills 11-year-old friend

WELLINGTON – A 12-year-old boy in New Zealand shot dead his 11-year-old friend after an argument, a media report said Tuesday.

The boy was 12 when he shot dead his friend last year, New Zealand Herald reported.
The defendant, now 13, from East Coast, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Gisborne High Court Tuesday.
… Read this article on Gaea Times at : New Zealand boy kills 11-year-old friend.

11-month boy stolen from Hyderabad hospital

HYDERABAD – An 11-month-old boy has been stolen from a children’s hospital where such incidents have taken place in the past too, police said Tuesday.

The boy’s parents complained to police that a burqa-clad woman who had befriended them took away the child after diverting their attention late Monday evening.
Ajay of Armor town in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 11-month boy stolen from Hyderabad hospital.

Nepal orders probe into Maoist attack on Indian envoy

KATHMANDU – Fearing a diplomatic cold war with India and its fallout, Nepal’s caretaker government finally extended an olive branch to the southern neighbour, ordering an investigation into the attack on the Indian ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood, by the opposition Maoist party.

Nepal’s home ministry said Yadav Subedi, the chief district officer of Solukhumbu, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Nepal orders probe into Maoist attack on Indian envoy.

Terrorist-turned-robber nabbed in Punjab

TARN TARAN – A former Sikh terrorist who had turned robber was arrested from a village near this town, police said Tuesday.

The former Khalistan Commando Force terrorist was identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, a resident of Kalah village here, and caught Monday evening. Police have recovered one .315 bore pistol and several live … Original source on Gaea Times at : Terrorist-turned-robber nabbed in Punjab.

Miners lose football match against rescuers in Chile

SANTIAGO – The 33 miners who were trapped for more than two months in northern Chile Monday played, and lost, a football match against the rescue teams who lifted them from the depths of the earth, including Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.

The match in Santiago’s National Stadium, played with 16-man teams and with two halves … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Miners lose football match against rescuers in Chile.

Tornado wreaks havoc in Texas

NEW YORK – A tornado injured many people, damaged several homes and derailed a few trains in the US state of Texas, officials said.

Four people suffered injuries, while many vehicles turned turtle and several homes and a school complex were damaged when a tornado hit Navarro county, 45 miles south of Dallas, late Sunday … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Tornado wreaks havoc in Texas.

Miners, rescuers hold emotional celebration in Chile

SANTIAGO – A presidential medal ceremony Monday for the 33 miners who were trapped for more than two months in northern Chile provided a chance for a meeting between the freed men and the rescue teams who lifted them from the depths of the earth.

They wept together and shared embraces.
“We always felt the … Read more »».

Pirates seize German freighter, abandon vessel

BERLIN – Pirates, probably Somalis, who seized a German freighter abandoned the vessel without any ransom after the crew went into hiding, the shipping company said Monday.

The pirates had vanished by the time the British frigate Montrose arrived after steaming 15 hours over the Indian Ocean to the aid of the break-bulk carrier Beluga …. Original source  : Pirates seize German freighter, abandon vessel.

Quake hits Indonesia, tsunami warning lifted

JAKARTA – A strong quake struck off the western coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island late Monday but there were no immediate reports of damage.

The quake, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, prompted a tsunami warning, but the alert was lifted an hour later.
The quake hit the Mentawai islands, off the western coast of … Read more : Quake hits Indonesia, tsunami warning lifted.

Three killed in Chicago suburb shooting

WASHINGTON – A 28-year-old woman, her 9-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old boy were shot dead overnight in Chicago in apparent drug-related killings, police said Monday.

According to Xinhua, the woman’s another 4-year-old child was also shot, but is in stable condition in a hospital, police said, adding they were questioning the woman’s partner.
The shooting …. Source  : Three killed in Chicago suburb shooting.

Tihar Jail to lodge terrorist Hawara

DELHI/CHANDIGARH – A Delhi court Monday directed Tihar Jail authorities to lodge Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara in one of its cells.

Hawara, who masterminded the assassination of then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh at the secretariat complex in Chandigarh Aug 31, 1995, is facing a life term.
Delhi’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate … Original article on : Tihar Jail to lodge terrorist Hawara.

Delhi to host global road safety meet

NEW DELHI – With India accounting for about 10 percent of the 13 million deaths in road accidents around the world every year, around 400 road safety experts from over 20 countries will meet here next month to deliberate on measures to reduce road fatalities.

The two-day global meet “Institutional Arrangements for Reduction of …. Original source  : Delhi to host global road safety meet.

Five bus passengers injured in Noida accident

NOIDA – Five people were critically injured when an Uttarakhand Roadways bus in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary truck loaded with iron rods in Noida Monday, police said. The truck driver has been arrested.

The accident took place on National Highway-24, police said.
As the bus rammed into the truck, the iron …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Court asks CBI if it can give Nandigram report to Bengal

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) whether it was willing to share the report of its investigations into the 2007 Nandigram police firing with the West Bengal government.

The apex court bench of Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice A.K. Patnaik asked the CBI to state its position … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Court asks CBI if it can give Nandigram report to Bengal.

Cops involved in barbaric acts threat to society: apex court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday said some policemen in India still lived with a colonial mindset and perpetrated barbaric acts which were an anathema to a democratic society.

The court said this while hearing a case in which a man’s penis was cut off by policemen in Rajasthan.
“If protector becomes the predator, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cops involved in barbaric acts threat to society: apex court.

Strong quake hits Indonesia, tsunami warning issued

JAKARTA – A strong quake struck off the western coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island late Monday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning.

The quake, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, jolted the Mentawai islands at about 9.42 p.m. (1442 GMT), the Meteorology, Geophysics and Climatology Agency said.
It said the epicentre was 78 km …. Original source  : Strong quake hits Indonesia, tsunami warning issued.

27 dead in Myanmar cyclone

YANGON – Cyclone Giri killed at least 27 people when it slammed into Myanmar’s western coast last week, state television reported Monday.

Myanmar TV reported in an evening broadcast that 22 people had died in Myebon township and five others in Minbya, in the Rakhine State, as a result of Giri hitting the coast Friday …. Original article  : 27 dead in Myanmar cyclone.