Accidents & Disasters – Newsletter for February 13, 2011

Gales leave thousands blacked out in south European Russia

Moscow, Feb 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Strong winds have damaged power transmission lines in south European Russia, leaving thousands blacked out in the Volgograd Region, a regional emergencies spokeswoman said Sunday.

“A total of 16,637 people remain without electricity in the region,” spokeswoman Ilona Yegorova said.
The strong winds caused power outages in 30 towns and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gales leave thousands blacked out in south European Russia.

Promising Canada journey, Punjab couple duped siblings of Rs.2 mn

PHAGWARA – A couple has been booked for duping two brothers of Rs.2 million (Rs.20 lakh) on the pretext of helping them settle in Canada, police said here Sunday.

The accused — Jagmohan Sharma and his wife Kulwinder Kaur — are residents of Amritsar city. Police said Simranjeet Singh and Pardeep Singh, residents of Pandwa …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Promising Canada journey, Punjab couple duped siblings of Rs.2 mn.

Somali pirates face gallows in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – Seven Somali hijackers, including three minors, face a possible death sentence under Malaysian law for attempting to hijack a Malaysian vessel in the Gulf of Aden.

They were produced before a magistrate’s court here and charged with discharging their firearms at Malaysian commandos. The offence, under Section 3 of the …. Original article  : Somali pirates face gallows in Malaysia.

Man survives shark attack in Australia

MELBOURNE – A 59-year-old man was attacked by a shark in western Australia’s Exmouth town, but lived to tell the tale.

After Saturday’s attack, the man received at least 50 stitches on his arm at a hospital.
Police said the man was snorkelling on the west side of Exmouth in Lakeside …. Original source  : Man survives shark attack in Australia.

13-year-old beggar gangraped, killed in Taj city

AGRA – A day after a missing 13-year-old beggar girl’s body was found in a drain, an autopsy has revealed that she was gangraped, subjected to unnatural sex and killed, police said here Sunday.

An autorickshaw driver found the body floating in an open drain near Kidwai Park Saturday evening.
The girl’s mother who … Original source on Gaea Times at : 13-year-old beggar gangraped, killed in Taj city.

15 killed in stampede at Nigerian political rally

NAIROBI – A stampede during a campaign rally for Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan left some 15 people dead and numerous injured at a stadium in southern Nigeria, local media said Sunday.

The stampede occured Saturday near the main entrance to a stadium where Jonathan’s party was holding an event in Port Harcourt. Security personnel … Read more : 15 killed in stampede at Nigerian political rally.

Constable dies during endurance test

LUCKNOW – A 50-year-old police constable died Saturday while running as part of an endurance test in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

Special Director General of Police Brij Lal said: Constable Mahabir Pandey was appearing for a promotion examination of which a 10-km run is an essential part. He completed two laps but collapsed during the …. Original source  : Constable dies during endurance test.

Man killed in vehicle collision

NEW DELHI – A 22-year old man was killed when the vehicle he was in was hit by a speeding bus in north Delhi Saturday, police said.

Prem Singh was on his way to Jahangirpuri in north Delhi in Mahindra pick-up carrying vegetables when the vehicle was hit by the Haryana Roadways bus at the …. Source  : Man killed in vehicle collision.

Proclaimed offender, aide held

NEW DELHI – Two people, including a man declared a proclaimed offender by courts in five cases including attempt to murder and rioting, were arrested in south Delhi, police said Saturday.

Anni Massey, 32, a proclaimed offender, and Ajay, 31, who also has a criminal record, were arrested from Lado Sarai Friday.
“Following a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Proclaimed offender, aide held.

Four held for stealing phones worth Rs.1 crore

NEW DELHI – Four members of a gang involved in kidnapping and robbery have been arrested and 2,850 stolen mobile phones worth more than Rs.1 crore recovered in north Delhi, police said Saturday.

Amit, 25, the kingpin, Dharmender, 26, Sachin, 22, and Praveen, 22, were arrested Friday from Sultanpuri. One of their associate Pradeep, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

17 Delhi Police cops rewarded for good work

NEW DELHI – To motivate beat officers, Delhi Police Commissioner B.K. Gupta Saturday rewarded 17 constables from different police stations for their exceptional work.

Gupta also said that he has decided to reward the best beat officers from each police station every month so as to encourage them. The various deputy commissioners of police will … Read : 17 Delhi Police cops rewarded for good work.

Ex-legislator’s son shot dead by relative

NAGPUR – This Maharashtra city was shaken Saturday afternoon when a former legislators son was shot dead by his brother-in-law inside a marriage marquee, police said. The assailant was arrested.

The incident took place at the wedding ceremony of a relative of former Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Indu Nakade from Gadchiroli, in Nagpur this afternoon.
…. Original article  : Ex-legislator’s son shot dead by relative.

No clean chit to Karmapa in cash row yet: Dhumal (Second Lead)

DHARAMSALA – Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Saturday said Tibetan religious leader Karmapa has not yet been given a clean chit following the recovery of unaccounted money from his monastery, and added that the government had not made any accusations against him either.

Investigations are still on into the nearly Rs.70 million worth …. Original source  : No clean chit to Karmapa in cash row yet: Dhumal (Second Lead).

Ex-Liberian president stashed $400 mn: WikiLeaks

LONDON – Former Liberian president Charles Taylor, facing trial for his involvement in war crimes in Sierra Leone, may have amassed $400 million but only a fraction of his wealth could be recovered, the leaked US embassy cables have revealed.

US officials were told that if Taylor is found guilty of war crimes, the … Read : Ex-Liberian president stashed $400 mn: WikiLeaks.

Jilted lover throws acid on girl, family

PRATAPGARH – Angered by repeated rejections from a teenaged girl, a man barged into her home here and threw acid on the girl and two of her family members, police said Saturday. The condition of the victims is serious.

Sattar, aged around 23 years, threw acid on the 16-year-old girl, her elder sister and brother-in-law …. Source article  : Jilted lover throws acid on girl, family.

Kalmadi aide sent to five-day CBI custody

NEW DELHI – Shekhar Deorukhkar, an aide of then Commonwealth Games (CWG) Organising Committee (OC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi, was Saturday brought before a special court here and sent to five days in remand of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), an official said.

“He was presented before the magistrate in the court and has been … Read more : Kalmadi aide sent to five-day CBI custody.

Egypt reduces curfew hours

Cairo, Feb 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Egypt’s interim authorities shortened the curfew hours Saturday, setting the new time from midnight to 6 a.m., state TV reported.

Friday night, tens of thousands of people defied the curfew – previously set from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. – to celebrate the end of President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule.
…. Source  : Egypt reduces curfew hours.

Rejected by dance reality shows, 9-year-old hangs self

KOLKATA – Parents of nine-year-old Sandeep Mondal used to watch in bemusement when their son used to prance in front of the TV, nursing his dream of appearing in at least one of the numerous dance reality shows. But nothing could have prepared them for the horror of Friday night – when they found … Read more : Rejected by dance reality shows, 9-year-old hangs self.

Lalgarh carnage: Police announce reward for information

KOLKATA – The criminal investigation department (CID) of West Bengal police probing the Lalgarh carnage Saturday released photographs of the accused including five Communist party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders, police said.

The photographs of the six persons accused in the incident have been released and cash reward of Rs.50,000 for person proving information leading to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Lalgarh carnage: Police announce reward for information.

Day 4 of Darjeeling shutdown: Interlocutor meets officials

KOLKATA/DARJEELING – The central government-appointed interlocutor Vijay Madan visited West Bengal’s Darjeeling hills to assess the situation Saturday, day four of an indefinite shutdown the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) has called to protest its three supporters’ death in police firing.

“Interlocutor Lieutenant General (retired) Vijay Madan held meeting with the senior police officers and … Original source on Gaea Times at : Day 4 of Darjeeling shutdown: Interlocutor meets officials.