Wrong ringtone can get you killed in Afghanistan: Taliban routinely check cell phones to see where loyalties lie

The wrong ringtone can get you killed in the unpredictable and dangerous world of Afghanistan.

Thugs at Taliban checkpoints will often check the cells of travelers for hints of their allegiance.

If your ringtone is Lady Gaga, for instance, the militant group might view it as pro-American and react with hostility or even deadly violence.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/wrong-ringtone-killed-afghanistan-taliban-routinely-check-cell-phones-loyalties-lie-article-1.998730

Much-loved pet goat shot dead

A gunman fatally shot a beloved pet goat as her Hawkes Bay owner watched television metres away.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10776012

4 People Shot In Aurora Business; 1 Dead

AURORA, Colo. -- One person was killed and three wounded in a gunfight at a check-cashing-tobacco store in Aurora on Friday afternoon.

The gunfire erupted during an apparent robbery of the store, according to police.

"Two suspected robbers were shot as well as two employees in the store," said Aurora police spokeswoman Cassidy Carlson.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30105785/detail.html

E China province confirms 24 deaths from VHF

JINAN - Rats are blamed for spreading the virus that caused 24 confirmed deaths this year in Shandong province from viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), according to figures released by the provincial health bureau Saturday.

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-12/31/content_14365176.htm

Young girl dies after being hit by arrow

A young girl has died in hospital after being accidentally shot in the head with an arrow by a family member on a northern New South Wales property on Boxing Day.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-31/young-girl-dies-after-being-hit-by-arrow/3753474

Cyclone kills 33 in southern India

Indian officials say at least 33 people have died after Cyclone Thane hit coastal southern India near the former French colony of Pondicherry, causing thousands to evacuate.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-31/cyclone-thane-kills-33-in-india/3753918

One of the earliest drawings of the Tower of Babel found on ancient stone tablet

A carving of the Tower of Babel has been found on a stone tablet dating back over 2,500 years.

It comes from the newly published book Cuneiform Royal Inscriptions And Related Texts In The Schøyen Collection.

The collection is owned by Norwegian businessman Martin Schøyen, who has amassed over 13,000 ancient manuscripts and tablets.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2080375/One-earliest-drawings-Tower-Babel-ancient-stone-tablet.html

HIV-positive man 'infected hundreds' after setting out to pass on virus to as many as possible

-David Dean Smith 'slept with 3,000 men and women'

-51-year-old 'deliberately tried to infect others'

-Charged with two counts of AIDS-sexual penetration

-Victim labels him 'sociopath' and 'predator'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080507/David-Dean-Smith-HIV-positive-man-set-pass-virus-people-possible.html

Over Christmas, 14 people have met violent deaths in Britain. Could there be a sorrier reflection of our 'civilised' society?

Just a few decades ago, any murder was front page news. Now there are so many brutal killings that they have become almost commonplace. This Christmas — supposedly a time of peace and goodwill — seems to have been particularly violent, with no fewer than 14 murders across the country in the past week.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080600/Peace-Goodwill-Over-seven-Christmas-days-14-people-met-violent-deaths-Britain-Could-sorrier-reflection-civilised-society.html

Children are the Victims of Adult Vices

Thirteen sculptures in central Moscow graphically depicting vices of the modern world

http://atlasobscura.com/place/children-are-the-victims-of-adult-vices

Crack addict woman charged with beating her grandmother to death for her TV

A woman has been charged with killing her grandmother and stealing her TV to sell it for drug money.

Aisha Sanders, 24,admitted beating to death 86-year-old Mary Muha - blaming the murder on her addiction to crack cocaine, say police.

The pensioner was found dead by her grandson on Tuesday at her home in Washington Township, a Dayton suburb of Ohio. Police believe she was killed three days earlier.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080190/Crack-addict-woman-charged-beating-grandmother-death-TV.html

Husband and wife found dead in suspected suicide pact after neighbours called to look in on them

A husband and wife have been found dead at their home after carrying out a suspected suicide pact.

Barry and Kath Haberfield, aged 71 and 58, were discovered by neighbours who looked in on the couple.

Police say there are no signs of violence and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths, but say post-mortem tests have so far proved inconclusive.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080399/Husband-wife-dead-suspected-suicide-pact-neighbours-called-look-them.html

Four dead as ANOTHER major blast rocks Nigeria... as tensions between Christians and Muslims continue to rise

A 'major' blast has rocked an area around a mosque in the restive northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri.

Four people were reportedly killed in the explosion which happened just after Friday prayers.

Islamist sect Boko Haram - which killed 42 with a series of Christmas Day bombs outside churches - has been blamed. The city is known to be its stronghold.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080411/Tensions-Christians-Muslims-rise-major-blast-rocks-Nigeria--militant-Islamist-group-blamed.html

Girl, 11, left with SEVEN fractures after pit bull mauling

An 11-year-old girl has been left with seven fractures in her arms after she was viciously mauled by a neighbour's dog in an unprovoked attack.

Trinity Ciolfi from Titusville, Florida, suffered two broken arms and bite wounds, which will leave her scarred for the rest of her life.

Trinity left a neighbour's house to walk home when the pit bull, named Duke, broke loose from its chain in the garden and ran to the young girl.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080327/Girl-11-left-SEVEN-fractures-pit-bull-mauling.html

Virus sickens 110,000 in Vietnam, kills 166

HANOI (AP) - Vietnam says an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease has infected more than 110,000 people this year and killed 166, most of them children under five years old.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_750211.html

China executes 12 people in single day, including man who bombed tax office, killing 4

BEIJING — China has executed 12 people in a single day, including a man who bombed a local tax office.

The official Xinhua News Agency says Liu Zhuiheng was convicted and sentenced to death for detonating explosives outside a tax office in Changsha city in Hunan province in July 2010. Four people were killed and 17 others wounded. Xinhua says the 52-year-old was venting anger over business losses.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/china-executes-12-people-in-single-day-including-man-who-bombed-tax-office-killing-4/2011/12/29/gIQAHCfDOP_story.html

At least 13 killed in Venezuela tanker truck fire

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A tanker truck filled with gasoline crashed and burst into flames on Thursday in Venezuela, engulfing several cars and a bus and killing at least 13 people.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/10017060

US teen killed in Mexico heading to see girlfriend

MORELIA, Mexico (AP) — An American teenager who was found dead on Christmas Eve in Mexico had gone to see his girlfriend the day he died and didn't tell relatives, perhaps fearing they wouldn't let him go, according to Mexican prosecutors' documents obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.

http://news.yahoo.com/us-teen-killed-mexico-heading-see-girlfriend-231039688.html

Shock as dead body hits passenger

Passengers watched in horror on Thursday when the body of a man struck by a train was sent flying into the air, hitting another passenger waiting on the station platform.

http://www.thelocal.fr/2164/20111230/

Doomsday? This could be it for us, fellow humans

Among the rolling hills of Kansas -- actually, sunk deep below the so-far quiet meadows -- software engineer Larry Hall says he's on track to soon finish the first living quarters in a subterranean complex meant to shelter a few families against all manner of biblical mayhem.

The year 2012 has been a marketing bonanza for doomsayers -- from fears our sun may lash out at us, to incoming asteroids to a near crash with a mysterious "Planet X".

There's even one man with a following who claims he's Jesus and will prove it next year.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/19/doomsday-this-could-be-it-for-us-fellow-humans

Man charged in seniors' home murder of wife, 82

OTTAWA -- The husband of a elderly woman stabbed to death on Boxing Day was charged with first-degree murder Wednesday and is likely to undergo a mental health assessment.

Ian Flann, 82, appeared in court by teleconference two days after his wife, Doreen Flann, 82, was found dead at Longfields Manor, a Barrhaven retirement home in southwest Ottawa.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/28/man-charged-in-seniors-home-murder-of-wife-82

Two dead, 61 injured in 40-vehicle New Orleans pileup on busy interstate

NEW ORLEANS - Two men died and 61 other people were injured Thursday in a pre-dawn pileup involving about 40 cars, vans and other vehicles on a busy interstate that crosses New Orleans, closing the route for hours both ways, police said.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dead-61-injured-40-vehicle-orleans-pileup-busy-interstate-article-1.998686

Boy, 16, charged over 'act of evil'

A 16-year-old Turangi boy will appear in court today charged with the sexual violation of a 5-year-old girl in a holiday park - an attack described by her parents as a "random act of evil".

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/crime/news/article.cfm?c_id=30&objectid=10775733

Mentally Disabled Woman Murdered Walking Home from Church

The attack occurred in San Pedro on Pacific between 11th and 12 streets.

Neighbors heard moaning and found Tice on the sidewalk covered in blood, with her Bible next to her.

Authorities say she had been stabbed several times.

Tice died at the hospital.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-eva-tice-murdered,0,4775176.story

Four charged in kidnapping, torture over $520 debt

Authorities say the cousins went to the man's home in St. Charles and forced him at gunpoint into a vehicle, bound him with duct tape and drove him to another home. There, police say, he was thrown into the basement, bound with more tape and beaten with the butt of a gun.

The victim also said he was tortured with a multi-needle medical device that cut into his chest. The victim said he escaped when the four men left to go to a bar.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/29/3343720/four-charged-in-kidnapping-torture.html

Man robs store, sexually assaults two women

Just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, the man entered the store in the 4000 block of West Madison Street in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. Armed with a handgun, he ordered three people inside to a back room, according to a community alert from Harrison Area detectives.

The man then forced two women, ages 30 and 39, to perform a sex act. He then robbed the store and ran off.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/9711855-418/man-robs-store-sexually-assaults-two-women.html

Mum, daughters jailed for abusing and permanently disfiguring boy

For two years, a young boy was beaten and burned with heated objects by his grandaunt and her daughters, for allegedly stealing food. The abuse left the now 10-year-old permanently disfigured from multiple injuries.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_749521.html

Grandmother accidentally runs over toddler

Police say a toddler who died on a rural property at Kilcoy north-west of Brisbane yesterday was accidentally run over by her grandmother.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-30/grandmother-accidentally-runs-over-toddler/3752082

Flying bear kills two in freak accident

Two Canadians died instantly in a freak accident when a car hit a 136-kilogram black bear and sent the animal flying straight through the windshield of an oncoming vehicle.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-09/flying-bear-kills-two-in-freak-accident/2751836

W. Pa. father jailed in abuse death of 20-day-old

INDIANA, Pa. - December 30, 2011 (WPVI) -- A western Pennsylvania man is jailed without bond on charges he killed his 20-day-old daughter.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/crime&id=8484663

Elderly driver, 70, killed in car crash after severed deer head flies through her windshield

An elderly motorist was killed in a freak road accident after she was hit by the severed head of a deer that was hit by another car.

Rosemary Bower, 70, died after a deer's head plunged through her windshield, causing her car to careen off the road in rural Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania.

Police said the deer had become airborne after being hit by another car traveling in front of her.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079939/Elderly-driver-70-killed-car-crash-severed-deer-head-flies-windscreen.html

Woman sues family of teenager killed by train - after she was injured by his flying body parts

A teenager killed while crossing train tracks can be sued for injuries caused to a woman on the platform, when one of his severed body parts hit her, a court has ruled.

Hiroyuki Joho, 18, died when he ran in front of a 70mph Amtrak train at Edgebrook Metra station in Chicago in 2008. It was pouring with rain and the teen had an umbrella over his head.

His body was severed on impact, and a large part became airborne, flying about 100 feet onto the southbound platform, where it hit a commuter.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079940/Dead-man-killed-tragic-train-collision-CAN-sued-woman-injured-flying-body-parts.html

Girl, 14, sees father bleed to death after accidentally slicing his neck open with a chainsaw two days before Christmas

A teenage daughter watched in horror as her father died slicing open his neck with a chainsaw he was testing.

Just two days before Christmas, Peter Conway, 62, was checking the tool worked before he lent it to his brother's friend.

But the grandfather-of-12 slipped and the saw sliced into his neck causing fatal injuries.

His daughter Trudy Eland, 14, was watching as the tragedy unfolded.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080227/Girl-14-sees-father-bleed-death-accidentally-slicing-neck-open-chainsaw-days-Christmas.html

Stunning photographs capture eeriness of world's abandoned brothels

The doors to the world's oldest and most secretive profession are closely guarded - to all but the paying customer that is - making them the subject of much intrigue and mystery.

A series of photographs, capturing abandoned brothels around the world, gives a rare glimpse into the seedy underworld of prostitution and the patrons it caters for.

The typical, tasteless decor of red velvet and garish paint are now streaked with dust, the mirrored walls are smudged and grimy while novelty beds lie covered in debris.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080055/When-red-light-goes-Stunning-photographs-capture-eeriness-worlds-abandoned-brothels.html

Man burns his RENTED house down so girlfriend can't move in, killing his own dog

A man was so against his girlfriend moving into his home that he torched the property - leaving his pet dog to burn to death inside.

Kent Perusse, 48, was standing outside his home watching it burn on December 14, covered in soot, when police arrived.

The wooden-framed house in Tampa Bay, Florida burned quickly as it had been doused in an accelerant, fire investigators discovered.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080118/Man-burns-RENTED-house-girlfriend-killing-dog.html

Amazing pictures of a bullet lodged in a man's brain for 82 years (with no ill effects)

It has been lodged in his brain for more than eighty years- even longer than his teeth.

A bullet has remained in the head of a Russian man, who was accidentally shot in the head as a three year old, for 82 years, with apparently no ill effects.

The shooting victim went on to become an award winning engineer, even winning the Soviet State Prize for his accomplishments.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079921/Now-thats-headshot-The-amazing-pictures-bullet-lodged-mans-brain-82-years-ill-effects.html

Drug addicts die after eating Christmas meal at rehabilitation centre

Five recovering drug addicts have died and 35 others were admitted to hospital after eating soy sausage served for a Christmas meal at a rehabilitation centre in western Mexico, medical officials have said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/mexico/8978719/Drug-addicts-die-after-eating-Christmas-meal-at-rehabilitation-centre.html

Seven 'terrorists' shot dead in China

A police operation to free hostages in restive Xinjiang Province left seven "terrorists" dead in the latest violent confrontation to rock the region, China claimed on Thursday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8982939/Seven-terrorists-shot-dead-in-China.html

Train collides with car, 2 dead

MONTREAL -- Two people are dead after a car flipped over an overpass and was hit by an oncoming train Wednesday afternoon.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/28/car-flips-off-overpass-onto-train-tracks

Fire kills 16, injures 108 in Myanmar’s main city of Yangon

YANGON, Myanmar - A fire followed by several explosions engulfed many state warehouses and neighboring homes, killing at least 16 people and injuring 108 in Myanmar's main city of Yangon on Thursday.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/fire-kills-16-injures-108-myanmar-main-city-yangon-article-1.998293

Mom Shot By Ex Was Pregnant, Recently Engaged

PARKER, Colo. -- The 40-year-old mother of two shot and killed outside a McDonald’s in Parker was just about to embark on a new life with a recent engagement and a baby on the way when her jealous ex-husband violently ended it, friends say.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30090866/detail.html

Crime spree suspect says, 'Jesus made me do it'

The 36-year-old Sparks man jailed on suspicion of an arson, shooting and vandalism spree — who says he targeted strip clubs, Sparks police, a Verdi post office and Reno Fourth Street motels — wants people to call him a “gangster,” an “assassin” and a “shadow.”

Justin Michael Bennett said he also thinks the labels of “vigilante” or religious “martyr” fits, too.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20111227/NEWS01/111227040/Crime-spree-suspect-says-Jesus-made-me-do-?odyssey=mod|mostview

173 law enforcement officers killed on duty in 2011

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In-the-line-of-duty deaths of law enforcement officers jumped 13% in 2011 compared to last year, according to preliminary figures released Wednesday by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

A total of 173 federal, state and local officers have been killed in the United States, and the year is not quite over yet.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/28/us/law-enforcement-deaths/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Nightclub killer stood over bouncer and shot him, prosecutors say

Taiwan Smith was thrown out of the Victor Hotel nightclub for fighting before he came back to the Near West Side bar and opened fire, killing two people on Christmas Day, Cook County prosecutors said Wednesday.

After shooting his weapon at least 15 times near the entrance of the club, Smith, 26, stood over the wounded body of bouncer Robert Warren and shot him at point blank range, Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/9687887-418/nightclub-killer-stood-over-bouncer-and-shot-him-prosecutors-say.html

Woman found dead and man stabbed at Wolverhampton house

A 36-year-old woman has been found dead at a house in the West Midlands.

Police were called to the property on Newhampton Road West, Wolverhampton, at about 07:45 GMT on Thursday, after a report of disorder at the premises.

The woman and a man in his 30s were found with stab wounds at the house. The man was taken to hospital where he is in a critical condition.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-16355364

Turkish jets kill 35 in airstrike after mistaking smugglers for terrorists

At least 35 people died in an air strike in Turkey after government jets apparently mistook smugglers for Kurdish militants, it was claimed today.

A pro-Kurdish party and local officials said Turkish jets strike militant targets regularly near the Iraqi border.

The strikes are being made in the battle against Kurdistan Workers Party guerrillas, and have stepped up raids after a PKK attack in August, it was claimed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079799/Airstrike-Turkey-kills-35-war-jets-mistake-smugglers-terrorists.html

Man 'killed three Chihuahua puppies after row with his girlfriend'

A Florida man has been charged with killing three Chihuahua puppies following an argument with his girlfriend.

Police made the shocking discovery when they went to a north Florida home after receiving a call from someone who quickly hung up.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079853/Man-accused-killing-Chihuahua-puppies-row-girlfriend.html

South Africa: 19 killed in head-on crash

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African police say 19 people were killed when an overtaking car smashed head-on into a minibus taxi as the nation's holiday accident toll continues to grow.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/10013372

US teen, 2 others found dead in western Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The body of a U.S. teenager was found in the trunk of a burned-out car in western Mexico along with the bodies of two other youths, prosecutors said Tuesday.

http://news.yahoo.com/us-teen-2-others-found-dead-western-mexico-230427796.html

'Kill a Pakeha' murderer released

A man who bashed to death a seven-year-old boy, believing he had to "kill a Pakeha'' during a drug-induced psychotic episode, has been released on parole.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775596

Toddler killed after her cousin accidentally shoots her in the head through a wall

A two-year-old girl has died after her cousin accidentally shot her in the head inside her own home.

Kaylen Torres was playing with two other children in the living room of the house in Orange County, Florida when a gun her cousin was attempting to put away inside his bedroom discharged on Boxing Day.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079185/Toddler-dies-cousin-accidentally-shoots-head-wall.html

Girl, 14, fights for life after being injected with heroin by man, 26, 'because she didn't want to use needle herself'

A 14-year-old Alaska girl is in critical condition days after a 26-year-old man injected her with heroin at his Anchorage home, authorities said today.

Sean Warner is charged with a drug-related felony and other counts. Court documents say Warner tried to revive the girl himself and did not immediately call police.

'Her condition is dire,' Assistant District Attorney Regan Williams said today, adding the girl was on an artificial respirator. 'The real sadness is that there's not that much brain activity.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079249/Girl-14-critical-condition-injected-heroin-man-26.html

Priest accused of 55 child sex crimes in Ireland is deported from Brazil after eight years on the run

A fugitive Catholic priest accused of 55 child sex crimes has been deported from Brazil after eight years on the run, it was reported today.

Father Peter Kennedy, 72, was a the centre of a major abuse scandal in 2003 after one of his victims was awarded £271,000 - the largest known pay-out in a clerical sex abuse case in Ireland.

The man claimed the priest had raped him as a 13-year-old boy after coming to his family's County Sligo home to administer the last rites to his father, who was dying of cancer.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079306/Priest-accused-55-child-sex-crimes-deported-Brazil-years-run.html

'My little princess': Chilling Facebook photos of missing nine-year-old girl... posted by 'killer who beat her with a brick and cut up her body with hand saw'

They were his 'three little princesses.'

These are the chilling pictures of murdered nine-year-old Aliahna Lemmon that her 'killer' posted on Facebook one month before he allegedly bashed her in the head with a brick, hacked her to pieces with a handsaw and kept her head in his freezer.

Suspect Michael Plumadore posted a photo of Alaihna standing alongside her sisters - one he was able to take because he had gained the trust of the family after befriending her grandfather James Lemmon.

Lemmon and Pulmadore pair knew each because they were both sex offenders and were in jail together.

On his Facebook page, Plumadore has several chilling pictures of the disabled girl who captured national attention when she went missing from a trailer park in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday night.

Pics: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078733/Aliahna-Lemmon-9-dead-vanishing-trailer-park-known-sex-offenders.html

Woman, 75, dies six months after her neighbour's dogs left her limbs 'hanging by threads'

A 75-year-old woman who lost her leg and suffered a heart attack after she was mauled by a pair of pit bulls in her backyard died on Christmas Eve, her husband said today.

Emako Mendoza was attacked at her home in Paradise Hills, San Diego when she went to get a newspaper in June.

Mrs Mendoza, who had been in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation centres since the attack, was taken to an emergency room on Friday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079407/Woman-75-dies-months-neighbours-dogs-left-limbs-hanging-threads.html

Two U.S. citizens among dead after train plunges off bridge in China killing 43

Two U.S. citizens were among the dead after a devastating train crash in China, the American Embassy in Beijing has confirmed. One of them was believed to be a woman in her 20s.

A bullet train was travelling south from the Zhejiang provincial capital of Hangzhou when it lost power in a lightning strike on Saturday and was hit from behind by a second train, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The disaster has cast doubts about China's breakneck plans to expand high-speed rail across the country.

Railways Minister Sheng Guangzu today apologised to the victims of the crash and their families. But government officials haven't explained why the second train was apparently not warned there was a stalled train in its path.

Rescuers found more bodies on Sunday afternoon, bringing the death toll to 43.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2018002/Two-carriages-tumble-bridge-China-high-speed-bullet-train-derails.html

Image of Jesus Christ miraculously appears amid laundry

It is reminiscent of one of Christianity's most significant relics.

But unlike the Turin shroud, this image of Jesus' face was found on a sock among items of laundry in Kent.

Sarah Crane, from Orpington, was stunned when she hung her laundry out to dry and discovered the face of Jesus staring back at her from a crumpled sock.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079224/Face-Jesus-sock-Image-Jesus-Christ-miraculously-appears-amid-laundry.html

Girl, 12, dies of septicaemia after 'doctors were too busy to do simple blood tests'

A girl of 12 died after doctors failed to carry out blood tests because they were too busy, an inquest was told.

Emma Stones was admitted to Tameside General Hospital in Greater Manchester with flu-like symptoms but contracted a bacterial infection which led to septicaemia.

She died from the blood poisoning 16 hours after she was admitted to the hospital.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079362/Girl-12-dies-septicaemia-doctors-busy-simple-blood-tests.html

Escalation in Nigerian 'religious war' as Christian couple and their one-year-old baby are shot dead by Muslims

-Six children wounded after attackers throw homemade bomb into school in separate attack

-'We fear that the situation may degenerate to a religious war and Nigeria may not be able to survive one'

-90,000 people forced to flee during the violent clashes

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079347/Escalation-Nigerian-religious-war-Christian-couple-year-old-baby-shot-dead-Muslims.html

Teenage girl stabbed to death while babysitting her nephew and niece over Christmas

A teenage babysitter was stabbed to death while looking after her young nephew and niece over the Christmas holiday.

Katie Briscoe, 19, suffered knife wounds in an attack at her sister's house in Beech Drive, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Her body was discovered in a pool of blood by her mother at around 8am yesterday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079365/Kate-Briscoe-stabbed-death-babysitting-nephew-niece-Christmas.html

The eight-year-old girls called a whore by Israel's Jewish religious extremists

An eight-year-old girl who said she was terrified to walk to school after being spat on by Jewish extremists has highlighted growing anger at the treatment of women in Israel.

Blonde-haired Naama Margolese told the country's Channel Two television she was scared passers-by might hurt her during her journey to her moderate Orthodox school in Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem.

It was a realisation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fears over the actions of ultra-Orthodox groups, as the girl spoke out on a damning report broadcast on Friday.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078771/Israel-braced-protests-treatment-women-girl-8-spat-Jewish-extremists.html

Man shoots dead prostitute on Christmas Eve after finding out 'she' was a man

A man confessed to police he murdered a prostitute in a rage after finding out she was really a man.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078998/Kenyan-L-Jones-kills-prostitute-Christmas-Eve-finding-MAN.html

Woman 'had sex with girl, 7, at request of her married boyfriend so he would leave his wife'

A 26-year-old woman allegedly had sex with a seven-year-old girl to prove to her love to her married boyfriend.

Margaret Ann O'Neill told police she performed oral sex on the girl to satisfy the 'sexual appetite' of her boyfriend Christopher Smith.

She said she had carried out the illegal act in an attempt to show Smith, 32, how much she loved him after he promised to leave his wife for her.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079058/Margaret-Ann-ONeill-sex-girl-7-married-boyfriend-leave-wife.html

First pictures of tragic family shot dead on Christmas Day by their father dressed in a Santa suit

An estranged husband and father donned a Santa suit and gunned down two families as they opened their presents on Christmas morning.

The man dresed in a santa suit who gunned down two families dressed in a Santa suit who murdered seven people while they were opening their presents on Christmas morning was

Aziz Yazdanpanah, who had separated from his wife in March, is believed to have opened fire at an apartment in Grapevine, Dallas - just after the family opened their gifts - killing seven people including his children and wife and turning the gun on himself.

Just hours before the families were killed, the Yazdanpanah and Zarei family had thrown a large Christmas Eve party at their ranch. Dozens of friends and relatives celebrated late into the night, according to WFAA8.com.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079034/Christmas-Day-shootings-First-pictures-Texas-family-gunned-Aziz-Yazdanpanah-Santa-suit.html

Swedish police hunt 'Halloween mask' killer

The shooter who killed one man and injured two others at a cafe in Malmö in southern Sweden on Monday wore a mask similar to those worn by robbers in the 2010 Hollywood film "The Town", according to police, who said Tuesday they have yet to make any arrests in the case.

http://www.thelocal.se/38176/20111227/

Girl abducted from home, sexually assaulted

TORONTO - A four-year-old girl was taken from her north Toronto home early Monday and sexually assaulted.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/26/girl-4-may-be-victim-of-botched-abduction

Elderly woman dies on busy road

A doctor and nurse ran onto the road to try to save an elderly woman who was lying face down, surrounded by blood, after being hit by a passing car in Northland today.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775501

12-year-old Girl Killed Trying to Retrieve Clothes on Freeway

MIRA LOMA, Calif. (KTLA) -- The CHP is investigating a tragic accident, in which a 12-year-old girl was struck while trying to retrieve belongings from the freeway.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-girl-hit-60-freeway,0,6745808.story

Missing 9-year-old Girl Found Dead, Neighbor Charged

Allen County, Indiana -- Aliahna Lemmon, a 9-year-old Indiana girl who disappeared two days before Christmas, was found dead Monday night, officials said.

Authorities charged 39-year-old Michael L. Plumadore with murder, the Allen County sheriff's office said.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-missing-indiana-girl-dead,0,7552016.story

Woman Hears Gunshots, Finds Husband Dead Outside Home

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. -- A woman hearing gunshots ran outside her apartment to find her husband dead in his sport utility vehicle on the day after Christmas, authorities said.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30076791/detail.html

Child Found Gun In Parent's Bedroom, Shot Herself

Authorities said the girl appeared to have suffered an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head, according to the Canon City Daily Record.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30079971/detail.html

Santa Cruz woman thwarts mugger, hands him bag of dog poop

A would-be mugger made off with something more malodorous than money Thursday morning, police said.

An unknown man approached a 62-year-old woman as she was walking her dog just before 10 a.m. on the 100 block of Dakota. The man demanded the woman she give him everything she had, and he said that if she didn't, he would kick her dog.

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_19608752

Man runs over, kills, two-year-old boy in Antioch

(12-27) 07:02 PST ANTIOCH -- A man backing his car out of an Antioch driveway ran over and killed a two-year-old boy that police say was a relative.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/27/BAU71MH9KD.DTL

Man shot in the head Christmas morning

According to The Connecticut Post, 26-year-old Noel Cosme was found dead in the kitchen of his Laurel Avenue home on Sunday morning.

He had been shot in the head.

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/crime/man-shot-in-the-head-christmas-morning

SC woman sues bar for not checking her ID

BLUFFTON, S.C. A woman is suing a Bluffton bar because a bartender didn't check her age before serving her on the night of the 2009 wreck that paralyzed her.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/12/27/2879129/sc-woman-sues-bar-for-not-checking.html

Man 'tries to kill his wife because she spends too much time on Facebook'

A man has been jailed on attempted homicide and other charges that accuse him of trying to shoot his wife because he believes she spends too much time on the Facebook social networking site.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078879/Harry-Hibbs-Jr-tries-kill-wife-spends-time-Facebook.html

Two medics among three dead as helicopter crashes on donor flight

Two medics and a pilot flying to a University of Florida hospital to retrieve a heart for a transplant were killed when their helicopter crashed Monday in north Florida, officials said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078845/Two-Mayo-Clinic-workers-3-dead-helicopter-crashes-donor-flight.html

Man, 56, arrested after woman stabbed to death on Christmas Day

A 56-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was knifed to death on Christmas Day.

The community has been rocked by the discovery of the woman, 56, at an address in Bilborough, Nottingham, just after 3.45pm.

A post mortem revealed she had died from stab wounds, with police launching a murder inquiry.

The man arrested in connection with the incident had suffered non life threatening injuries.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078779/Man-56-arrested-woman-dead-house-Nottingham.html

Hunt for 'Backpage Killer' after three women with online escort ads found killed and dumped in car trunks just four blocks apart

The burned bodies of two dead women were found in the boot of a flaming car just a week after two other dead bodies were found in another vehicle.

Three of the four black victims found in Detroit, Michigan, were linked to escort services on classified adverts website Backpage, police said.

Demesha Hunt, 24, and Renisha Landers, 23, were found last Monday before two more women aged 28 and 29 were discovered on Sunday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079002/Backpage-Killer-hunted-escorts-dead-cars-week-posting-online-ads.html

Landlady collapsed and died 'as she tried to break up Christmas Eve brawl at her pub'

A landlady collapsed and died as she tried to break up a brawl in her pub on Christmas Eve.
Tributes have since poured in for Josephine Murtagh following her sudden death at the White Horse in Liskeard, Cornwall.

Officers said the landlady was not attacked but most likely suffered some form of 'medical episode' when trying to stop the fight.

Bouquets of flowers lay at the entrance to the pub as regulars customers friends came to pay tribute to the 59-year-old, who they described as 'like a mother' to them.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078967/Cornwall-pub-landlady-Josephine-Murtagh-died-trying-break-Christmas-Eve-brawl.html

Man found murdered in Uppsala apartment

A 26-year-old man was found dead in an apartment in Central Uppsala, north of Stockholm, on Monday morning. According to police, the man was murdered and the body shows signs of extensive injuries.

http://www.thelocal.se/38158/20111226/

Suicide bomb kills at least six in Baghdad

At least six people have been killed and a further 31 injured when a suicide car bomber detonated explosives in an attack on Iraq's interior ministry in Baghdad.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/8977904/Suicide-bomb-kills-at-least-six-in-Baghdad.html

Baby 'lucky to be alive' after dog mauling

A 15-month-old boy was savaged by a pitbull as he wandered into the dog's yard to play with a Christmas present he had received hours earlier.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775289

Kiwi singer bashed to death

A Kiwi musician found dead inside a property in Australia's Gold Coast died from a physical assault, a post mortem has revealed.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/crime/news/article.cfm?c_id=30&objectid=10775230

Three Young Girls, Grandparents Die in Christmas Morning Fire In Stamford

A Christmas morning house fire in Stamford killed three children and two adults and left neighbors and the firefighters who tried to save them in tears.

http://www.ktla.com/news/nationworld/hc-stamford-fire-five-died-20111225,0,4136893.story

Young father killed in gas station shooting

A young dad was robbed of his first Christmas as a father when he was fatally shot during an armed robbery at his South Side gas station Saturday afternoon.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/9648483-418/young-father-killed-in-gas-station-shooting.html

Man fatally stabbed Christmas morning

Yery Hernan Castro Ortega, 30, of Lancaster has been charged with murder after he allegedly stabbed his roommate during an argument, according to a Lancaster County Sheriff's Office press release. He is being held in Lancaster County Detention Center while awaiting a bond hearing.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/12/25/2876022/man-stabbed-to-death-christmas.html

Man fatally wounded in Salford street shooting

A man has died after being shot at close range in the street in Salford.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-16331668

Woman killed at a house in Bilborough

A woman has died after an incident at a house in the Bilborough area of Nottingham.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-16330326

Nine people shot at night club Christmas party after gunfight

Nine people were shot after a fight broke out at a nightclub Christmas party.

Chattanooga police said that an off-duty officer who had been working at Club Fathom fired shots at a suspect who pointed a gun at him.

The officer was not wounded and the gunman got away.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078486/Nine-people-shot-Christmas-party-gunfight.html

Christmas heartbreak as boy, 4, and two adults found dead in Ohio house fire

A deadly fire claimed the lives of a four-year-old boy, his mother and a third person on Christmas Eve.

Columbus, Ohio fire reported shortly before midnight yesterday, when they found Deshawn Francisco, his mother Jerrica Francisco, 22, and 33-year-old Demetrius Chappell in a room engulfed by flames.

Investigators did not know what Mr Chappell's relationship was to the mother and child.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078610/Four-year-old-adults-dead-Ohio-house-fire.html

Horror as family of seven shot dead by crazed gunman as they opened their presents at home

Seven people believed to be related had opened their Christmas gifts and started cleaning up the wrapping paper when they were shot to death in a suburban Fort Worth apartment, police said today.

Authorities said they believe the shooter is among the dead, but got a warrant before doing a full search on the small chance that it was otherwise.

Four women and three men, aged 18 to 60, were found in an adjoining kitchen and living room area when police entered the apartment around midday, said Grapevine Police Sergeant Robert Eberling.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078593/Family-seven-dead-Christmas-murder-suicide.html

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078593/Family-seven-dead-Christmas-murder-suicide.html#ixzz1hdp9We00

Suicide bomber strikes Afghan funeral, killing 10

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A suicide bomber blew himself up Sunday during a funeral in northern Afghanistan, killing 10 people, including a member of the national parliament, a government spokesman said.

http://news.yahoo.com/suicide-bomber-strikes-afghan-funeral-killing-10-111509495.html

38 Haitian migrants die when boat sinks off Cuba

Cuba says 38 Haitian migrants have died after a boat they were in sank off the island's eastern coast.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/12/25/haitian-migrants-drown-cuba.html

3 people dead in storm off Russia's east coast

MOSCOW (AP) — Rescue vessels and a helicopter are searching for five people missing in a fierce storm off Russia's east coast after a Cambodia-flagged ship sank early Sunday.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jl7mNwEvbtRTJYofoUes_sDLhKlA?docId=b103ed6d93cb4fe5889c7d3a60c7c652

Hitler's favourite singer dies aged 108

Johannes Heesters, a controversial operetta singer who became famous in Nazi Germany and who was considered one of the world's oldest performing artists, died on Saturday aged 108, his agency said.

http://www.thelocal.de/national/20111225-39723.html

Dead baby may have been slain

A dead baby found wrapped in towels on the ground in a garage might have been murdered, and could even have been thrown out of a passing train, detectives in Potsdam say.

http://www.thelocal.de/national/20111225-39725.html

North Bay Shore, L.I. mom and tot killed in house

A YOUNG mother and her 2-year-old son were found dead inside their Long Island home Friday night — and authorities believe they were murdered.

Shakeela Planter, 21, was discovered dead in a bedroom inside her North Bay Shore home by her landlord about 5 p.m.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/north-bay-shore-i-mom-tot-killed-house-article-1.996627

Missing 2-year-old found after double homicide in Virginia

(CNN) -- A 2-year-old boy who authorities say was abducted by a stranger Saturday following a home invasion robbery that ended in a double homicide has been found, police in Virginia said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/24/justice/virginia-amber-alert/index.html?eref=ib_topstories

Overloaded van kills 6 students

KUNMING - An overloaded van taking 12 students home plunged into a 60-meter deep valley in southwest China on Saturday, killing six people and injuring eight others, local officials reported.

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-12/24/content_14322549.htm

Man fatally stabbed in East Boston

When officers arrived to the area of 121 Meridian street at 5:39 p.m., they saw a man in his early 20s suffering from an apparent stab wound, police said. He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/12/man-fatally-stabbed-east-boston/UHi3tqwrqeBFKknljR9xkI/index.html

Man stabbed to death after Christmas drinks

A 32-year-old man has been stabbed to death after celebrating Christmas Eve with friends at a nightclub in Broome in Western Australia.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-25/man-stabbed-to-death-after-christmas-eve-celebrations/3746946

'I’m a cop, I can do whatever I want ' off-duty policeman shouts before 'executing guy in bar' over a game of darts

An off-duty police officer has been charged with executing a man in a sports bar - after an argument over a game of darts.

Riverside County sheriff's deputy Dayle Long, 42, allegedly shot Samuel Vanettes, 36, three times, leaving him to die on the floor of the bar in Murrieta, California.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078390/I-m-cop-I-I-want-duty-policeman-shouts-executing-guy-bar-game-darts.html

Two midwives arrested for practicing without licenses after baby dies during water birth

Two midwives were arrested for practicing without licenses after a baby died while they were assisting the mother with a water birth in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mary Stewart Barhite, 43, and Jacqueline Lynn Proffit, 45, of Indian Trail, were helping the mother deliver the baby inside her home when something went horribly wrong, authorities say.

When the infant was delivered, it was unresponsive. Emergency crews took the baby to the hospital, where it died.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078408/Two-midwives-arrested-practicing-licenses-baby-dies-water-birth.html

Two women killed and a man injured in Christmas Eve plane crash horror

Two passengers are dead and a third injured after a small plane crashed in Ohio Christmas Eve.

Authorities say the surviving passenger was flown to a hospital after their single-engine plane crashed near a small airport in rural southeastern Ohio.

The crash occurred around 1:50 p.m. Saturday near the Vinton County Airport which is about 50 miles southeast of Columbus, according to Elizabeth Isham Cory of the Federal Aviation Administration.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078432/Two-women-killed-man-injured-Christmas-Eve-plane-crash-horror.html

Explosion kills 25 as it rips though Catholic Church during Christmas Day mass in Nigeria

An explosion ripped through a Catholic church during Christmas Mass near Nigeria's capital Sunday, killing at least 25 people.

A second explosion later went off near another church in the city of Jos, raising fears that a radical Muslim sect was continuing its campaign of sectarian violence.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blasts, but the explosions come amid a wave of attacks in Nigeria by Boko Haram, which has been blamed for at least 465 killings this year alone.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078450/Nigerian-explosion-Bomb-hits-Catholic-Church-Christmas-Day-mass-Abuja.html

Punches, pepper spray and arrests as sneaker stampedes rage across U.S.

THEY BRAVED long lines, rowdy crowds and even pepper spray to nab the latest Nike Air Jordans.

Sneaker fans from coast-to-coast stampeded to grab the shoes, which went on sale at midnight Friday across the nation.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/punches-pepper-spray-arrests-sneaker-stampedes-rage-u-s-article-1.996338

3 killed, 1 critical on holiday roads

The holiday road toll stands at three after two crashes in the North Island and one in the South Island.

The official road toll period began at 4pm yesterday and ends at 6am on January 4.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775179

Man Convicted of Sex with Chihuahua Must Register on Sex Offender List

A Sacramento man convicted of having sex with a Chihuahua will have to register on the sex offender registry.

Robert Edward De Shields was sentenced to ten years in prison and lifetime sex offender registration.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktxl-man-convicted-of-sex-with-chihuahua-must-be-on-sex-offender-registry-20111223,0,7850136.story

5-Year-Old Shot By 3-Year-Old Dies

LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Lakewood police confirm a 5-year-old boy was shot and killed by a 3-year-old friend on Friday morning.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30066761/detail.html

‘This is for Hottie’; South Side man charged in apparent revenge killing

Before Christopher Hughes allegedly killed a teenager, he apparently made it clear he was getting revenge, prosecutors said.

“This is for Hottie,” Hughes, 24, said as he pointed a handgun at Devon Varner, according to Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Melissa Howlett.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/9623610-418/this-is-for-hottie-south-side-man-charged-in-apparent-revenge-killing.html

Visions of angels in Bible were 'lucid dreams' claims new sleep study after 15 studied 'see angels'

Recorded Biblical angels and religious encounters may have just been lucid dreaming suggests a new sleep study that specializes in 'out of body experiences.'

Asking 30 volunteers to try to re-create a scene out of the Bible where a prophet is aided by an angel during sleep, the researchers taken from the University of California Los Angeles say the majority reported similar encounters.

But in their successful scenarios, they say it was all merely a dream.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078293/Visions-angels-Bible-lucid-dreams-claims-new-sleep-study-15-studied-angels.html

American mom and two daughters among seven killed as gang of robbers attack buses in Mexico

Three U.S. citizens travelling to spend the holidays with their relatives in Mexico were among those killed in a spree of shooting attacks on buses in northern Mexico, authorities from both countries said Friday.

A group of five gunmen attacked three buses in Pachuca Mexico's Gulf coast state of Veracruz on Thursday, killing a total of seven passengers in what authorities said appeared to be a violent robbery spree.

The Americans killed were a mother and her two daughters who were returning to visit relatives in the region, known as the Huasteca, said an official in the neighboring state of Hidalgo, where the mother was born.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078294/Three-Americans-seven-killed-gang-robbers-attack-buses-Mexico.html

Tragedy as judge's teenage daughter is found dead in her bedroom by her parents

The teenage daughter of a judge was discovered dead in her bedroom by her own parents.

Promising student Isobel Narayan, 16, was found in the family home in Mersey Meadows, Didsbury, on Sunday, December 18.

A post mortem has proved inconclusive and further tests are set to be carried out to establish a cause of death.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078314/Tragedy-judges-teenage-daughter-dead-bedroom-parents.html

Moonchild - Teatro Manzoni - Milano, Italy

4 jailed for 'exorcism' killing of Australian

DARWIN, Australia (AP) — Four people convicted in the beating death of a woman during what they said was an exorcism ritual on a remote Australian island were sentenced Friday to several years in jail.

Sarah Bara was beaten to death with sticks last year on Groote Eylandt off the northern Australian coast. Last month, Glenys Wurrawilya, Susie Wurrawilya, Paul Wurramara and Roderick Mamarika pleaded guilty to negligent manslaughter in connection with the beating, which several children witnessed.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/jailed-exorcism-killing-australian-15219697

Fuel pipeline explodes in Colombia, killing 11

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A fuel pipeline exploded in Colombia on Friday, killing at least 11 people, injuring dozens and destroying homes.

http://news.yahoo.com/fuel-pipeline-explodes-colombia-killing-11-150100429.html

Swiss banker 'kills wife and buries her in garden'

A 49-year-old Swiss banker has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife and burying her corpse in the garden, days after he reported her missing.

http://www.thelocal.ch/2104/20111222/

Three aid workers shot dead in Somalia

A resident of a refugee camp shot and killed three aid workers in central Somalia on Friday, including two workers with the United Nation's World Food Programme.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/somalia/8975760/Three-aid-workers-shot-dead-in-Somalia.html

Wrong-way driver killed when she rams tractor-trailer on Bruckner Expressway

A 25-year-old woman driving the wrong way on the Bruckner Expressway died when she slammed head-on into a tractor-trailer in the Bronx Thursday.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/wrong-way-driver-killed-rams-tractor-trailer-bruckner-expressway-article-1.995346

Hialeah grandmother, 80, fights off gunman

HIALEAH— — Maternal instincts don't fade away, even at age 80.

Hialeah grandmother Josefa Lopez said she felt no fear earlier this week when she used the wrath of an angry mother and her aluminum cane to fight off a gunman who beat and robbed her 61-year-old daughter.

At one point, the man fired a shot but missed the enraged octogenarian, who turns 81 on Thursday. Speaking in Spanish from the porch of her home Wednesday, yards from the scene of the incident, Lopez said she blindly charged against the gunman after seeing her daughter lying on the circular driveway, bleeding from her face.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/fl-grandma-fights-back-20111221,0,4395571.story

Man sentenced to 80 years in rape case

Moreno-Hernandez was convicted in October, after a trial in which the victim testified for about two hours. She said in March 2009 she agreed to give Moreno-Hernandez a ride home from the restaurant where they worked. She said he raped and beat her in her car, then at a local park, before leaving her for dead.

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_haven_cty/man-sentenced-to-80-years-in-rape-case

Men rob Craigslist sellers, then resell items on Craigslist

Two men are accused of agreeing to buy expensive items from people advertising on Craigslist, grabbing the items from the victims once they meet up, and then going back onto Craigslist to try to resell the items — including an $8,000 watch, authorities said.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/9599569-418/men-rob-craigslist-sellers-then-resell-items-on-craigslist-police.html

Prosecutors: Man left dying friend in wrecked car, returned to party

When Kevin A. McCartney left the party early that October 2009 morning, his friend Gregory M. Hoctor was in the passenger seat of his car.

When McCartney returned to the party a little later, he was alone, saying Hoctor had stolen his car.

But Hoctor was really lying mortally wounded inside the wreckage of McCartney’s black, 1998 Volkswagen GTI, left there by McCartney after he smashed the car into a tree.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/9601343-418/prosecutors-man-left-dying-friend-in-wrecked-car-returned-to-party.html

Police investigating shooting death of 13-year-old boy

Police are investigating the death of a 13-year-old boy who died after apparently shooting himself in a West Side home late Thursday. Circumstances surrounding his death remain unknown, police said.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/9616695-418/police-investigating-shooting-death-of-13-year-old-boy.html

Delco man arrested for 08' stabbing death of father

MIDDLETOWN TWP., Pa. - December 21, 2011 (WPVI) -- Parth Ingle said nothing as Pennsylvania State Police hauled him in and out of court Tuesday.

The 26-year-old was arrested and charged with the 2008 stabbing death of his father Arunkumar Ingle.

His father was found brutally murdered by his wife inside their Middletown Township home.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/crime&id=8475654

Church janitor guilty of 'slaughtering' priest over 'sexual blackmail'

A former church janitor was convicted Thursday of murdering a New Jersey priest who was stabbed more than 30 times while brewing a cup of coffee in his kitchen, wearing his clerical robes.

Jose Feliciano, 66, of Easton, Pa., didn’t deny stabbing the Rev. Edward Hinds to death in the rectory of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Chatham in October 2009.

But his lawyer told jurors during closing arguments on Monday that Feliciano killed him in a fit of rage over sexual blackmail.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077891/Jose-Feliciano-Church-janitor-guilty-slaughtering-priest-sexual-blackmail.html

Former soldier who stabbed ex-girlfriend 28 times after she dumped him is jailed for manslaughter

A former soldier who stabbed his ex-girlfriend 28 times in a frenzied attack has been jailed for manslaughter.

Brian Woodmass, 59, used two knives to repeatedly stab Jillian Louise at the home they once shared after failing to accept the end of their relationship.

Woodmass, from Oswestry had pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court, on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077927/Brian-Woodmass-jailed-manslaughter-ex-girlfriend-Jillian-Louise.html

French Muslim jailed for punching nurse who tried to remove wife's burqa during childbirth

A Muslim man who punched a nurse for trying to remove his wife's burqa during childbirth has been jailed in France.

Nassim Mimoune, 24, had already been expelled from the delivery room for branding the midwife a 'rapist' as she carried out an intimate examination of his wife.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077529/French-Muslim-jailed-punching-nurse-tried-remove-wifes-burqa-childbirth.html

Mexico to cash in on 2012 Mayan end of the world apocalypse prophecy

Mexico is planning to capitalise on predictions of an apocalypse next year by encouraging a tourism boom in areas occupied by the ancient Mayans.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8971048/Mexico-to-cash-in-on-2012-Mayan-end-of-the-world-apocalypse-prophecy.html

At least 14 explosions rock Baghdad just days after departure of American forces from Iraq

BAGHDAD -- A wave of at least 14 bombings ripped across Baghdad Thursday morning, killing at least 60 people in the worst violence in Iraq for months. The apparently coordinated attacks struck days after the last American forces left the country and in the midst of a major government crisis between Shiite and Sunni politicians that has sent sectarian tensions soaring.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/12-explosions-rock-baghdad-days-departure-american-forces-article-1.995320

Woman bashed for not cooking dinner

A man bashed his partner for refusing to cook him dinner, telling her "don't talk back to me, just do as I'm telling you to do''.

In two separate attacks the woman was punched, had a table thrown at her, was hit with a belt and had her throat and face squeezed.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10774821

Couple guilty of animal cruelty

A well-known dog show judge and his wife have been found guilty of mistreating almost 250 animals.

David Neil Balfour and wife Daryl Kirsty Reid Balfour allegedly kept 161 cats and 87 dogs in cramped conditions at their Manawatu property with insufficient shelter, water, lighting and ventilation.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10774907

Police Stop Break-In At Home Of Murder-Suicide Victims

DENVER -- Denver police said they stopped a break-in at the home of two murder-suicide victims on Wednesday.

The bodies of 62-year-old William Ahrold and his 9-year-old son Jackson Ahrold were found in a van on Saturday in Grand County. The Ahrolds were reported missing by the Denver Police Department on Dec. 13 and were last seen on Dec. 9.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30048168/detail.html

Passengers boot wannabe Jesus off bus

While Esposito was claiming to be Jesus he began walking up and down the aisle, and targeting his comments at a young girl.

"Once he started moving towards her, and I had the bus driver at the same time saying get him off the bus, get him off the bus," said Arnold.

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_haven_cty/passengers-boot-wannabe-jesus-off-bus

Man kills himself, hours before he was to plead guilty to sex crime

The former Will County Health Department counselor and high school basketball referee admitted sending sexually explicit messages to what turned out to be an undercover Crete police officer. Prosecutors thought he’d plead guilty and learn his sentence in court Wednesday.

Instead, authorities said the 40-year-old Martynus killed himself hours before Wednesday’s hearing. The Kendall County Coroner’s office confirmed he was found at his home in Joliet, where police said he was discovered fully clothed in a bathtub.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/9578779-418/man-kills-himself-hours-before-he-was-to-plead-guilty-to-sex-crime.html

Man convicted of 7-year-old Fall River slaying

FALL RIVER, Mass.—A Fall River man has been convicted of first-degree murder for stabbing a woman to death inside her city apartment nearly seven years ago.

Jermaine Holley was convicted in Superior Court on Wednesday of killing 23-year-old Suzy Goulart in April 2005 and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/12/22/man_convicted_of_7_year_old_fall_river_slaying/

Dorchester youth, 17, charged with murdering Irish immigrant, shooting two men during October crime spree

A Dorchester teenager has been charged with murdering an Irish immigrant in October, prosecutors say.

John Graham, 17, allegedly killed Ciaran Conneely, 36, in a robbery on Nahant Avenue, a quiet side street near Adams Corner in Dorchester.

http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/12/year-old-dorchester-youth-charged-with-murdering-irish-immigrant-shooting-two-men-during-october-crime-spree/09p5zZR1W7pfinGFSZjT8L/index.html

Woman, child dead after truck collision

A woman and a child have died and two relatives are fighting for their lives after a collision between two cars and a street sweeper in Sydney's west overnight.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-22/woman-child-dead-after-collision-with-truck/3743132

Man to face court over dumped dead ponies

A man will face court after the bodies of 25 ponies were found dumped near a cliff in northern New South Wales.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-23/man-to-face-court-over-dumped-dead-ponies/3744898

Mother sends husband on errand... then 'shoots her father, 10-year-old daughter and herself in shotgun horror'

A New York woman sent her husband on an errand on Wednesday, then allegedly used a shotgun to kill her father, her ten-year-old daughter and herself.

Police say Penelope Luddy, 53, persuaded her 57-year-old husband, Michael, to go visit a sick relative around 8:30 am.

When he returned just over an hour later, he found his wife dead and his daughter, Alexandra, and father-in-law, 79-year-old Harold Bertram, gravely wounded in the finished basement of their Perinton home.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077384/Penelope-Luddy-kills-father-daughter-apparent-murder-suicide.html

Man arrested for child sex abuse after police clear home where roommate trying to kill mouse with a handgun shot man in chest... and find 13-year-old girl in the closet

A 34-year-old man has been arrested for child sex abuse after a bizarre shooting led police to discover a 13-year-old girl hiding in his home.

Police say one of four adult men living in the Taylorsville, Utah residence was attempting to shoot a mouse with a 9mm handgun when the bullet penetrated a wall and hit another roommate in the chest.

Officers responded to the scene at approximately 2:00am on Monday and arrested a third roommate, Paul Daniel Kunzler, after the teenage girl was found hiding in a closet in the basement.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077365/Paul-Daniel-Kunzler-arrested-child-sex-abuse-police-girl-13-closet.html

Jealous lover who tortured rival to death with 'sadistic pleasure' for sleeping with his girlfriend is jailed for 30 years

-Anthony Bates was stamped on until his skull fractured and his kneecaps were broken

-Prosecutors say it is one of the most chilling cases they have ever heard

-Gary Speight, 31, given minimum of 30 years in prison

-Dean Swift, 44, told he must serve at least 28 years

-Builder recorded audio of horrific attack on iPhone

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077377/Gary-Speight-tortured-love-rival-Anthony-Bates-red-hot-poker-killing-him.html

Get up or I'll kill you! Pensioner's chilling ultimatum to his wife before he beat her to death with a walking stick

Pensioner Charles Forster, 63, killed his wife Susan by beating her to death with a metal walking stick after a drunken row, a court heard yesterday.

Forster was sentenced to life imprisonment at Newcastle Crown Court after pleading guilty to murder, and must serve a minimum of 13 years and 159 days.

A neighbour who overheard the fatal assault said she heard Forster count down from ten, telling his wife of 28 years that if she didn't get up, he would 'f****** kill' her.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077440/Get-Ill-kill-Pensioners-chilling-ultimatum-wife-beat-death-walking-stick.html

Woman drowns after SLEEPWALKING down street and falling into a lake

Friends and neighbours of 55-year-old Charlene Ferrero were shocked when they heard she sleepwalked to her death.

Police believe she left her Oaklyn, New Jersey apartment sometime Saturday night and fell from a train trestle into a lake, and drowned - all while she was asleep.

Her body was pulled from Newton Lake by search crews Monday night.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077336/Sleepwalking-woman-drowns-walking-street-falling-lake.html

Brazil: 3 priests sentenced in sex abuse of minors

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A juvenile court judge in Brazil's northeastern state of Alagoas has sentenced three priests for sexually abusing minors for years.

Monsignor Luiz Marques Barbosa was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Monday, while Monsignor Raimundo Gomes and priest Edilson Duarte were given 16 years and four months in prison.

http://news.yahoo.com/brazil-3-priests-sentenced-sex-abuse-minors-143639174.html

Record sentence for Stockholm puppy torturer

A 22-year-old man from southern Stockholm was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Wednesday for ”sadistically” torturing a puppy to death.

He locked the dog in a cellar storage room and in the toilet. When it urinated and defecated on the floor he beat it, both with his hands an with its leash. He also allegedly hung it up by a hook.

The animal finally died after the man had put a plastic bag over its head and held a blanket around the body. According to the man, he was feeling upset and took his anger out on the puppy.

He now claims he misses the dog.

http://www.thelocal.se/38076/20111221/

Baby found dead in family freezer

A 35-year old woman has been arrested after the discovery of a two month old baby in a freezer.

http://www.thelocal.fr/2089/20111221/

Man Eats Cocaine From Brother's Butt, Dies

A South Carolina man's brother died after police said he was forced to eat cocaine hidden in his brother's backside.

Both brothers were taken into custody on allegations they had drugs in their car.

http://www.wlky.com/r/30037563/detail.html?taf=lou

Autopsy: Woman Stabbed In Neck Multiple Times

DENVER -- A woman found dead in east Denver was stabbed to death, the Denver Medical Examiner's Office said Tuesday.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30041400/detail.html

Suspect beaten after refusing to let go of officer’s groin

A Park Ridge police officer acted within reason when he beat a suspect who grabbed his groin and refused to let go, police commanders said.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/9559538-418/cops-suspect-beaten-after-refusing-to-let-go-of-officers-groin.html

100 killed in latest Syrian bloodshed

Syrian forces have killed more than 100 civilians ahead of the start of a mission to monitor president Bashar al-Assad's implementation of an Arab League peace plan, activists said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-21/activists-say-111-civilians-killed-in-syria/3742810

Father and two children die of carbon monoxide poisoning while wife is in hospital fighting cancer

A father and his two young children have died from carbon monoxide poisoning as they watched TV in their family home.

Trevor Wallwork’s body was found in a chair in front of the television set with his 12-year-old daughter Kim and nine-year-old son Harry lying beside him.

Although further toxicology tests have to be carried out, it appears that carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths of the Wallwork family, originally from Manchester. Their two dogs were also found dead in the house.

Mr Wallwork’s wife Susan – for whom he is said to have been a full-time carer – is seriously ill in hospital where she is receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for cancer.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076515/Father-children-die-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-Sligo.html

Toddler beaten to death by violent stepfather a month after police and social services hand him BACK to abusive parents

-Two-year-old taken to hospital by mother and grandmother with a broken arm and 'constellation of other injuries'

-A month later his mother leaves him alone with her violent boyfriend who beat him

-Convicted boyfriend jailed for six years BUT toddler's mother only given suspended sentence

-Coroner ruled child's death would 'probably have been avoided' if he had not been returned to an 'unsafe environment'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076691/Joshua-Jones-inquest-Toddlers-death-stepfather-avoided.html

God save us from the crazy religious privileges in jails that cost the taxpayer millions

As the sun rises tomorrow, 400 inmates in British prisons will be celebrating a day off — some of them with a sip of wine and a ceremony involving Tarot cards and rune stones.

For December 22 is the winter solstice, one of eight pagan festivals that prisons must now recognise. Pagan prisoners are allowed to choose two out of eight festivals on which to take a day off from the work they would normally do in jail, which might be cooking, cleaning and so on.

If this sounds pretty outrageous, the fact is that prisons are expected to provide a means of worship for dozens of religions, many of them obscure.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076865/Winter-Solstice-2011-religious-privileges-jails-cost-taxpayer-millions.html

Four children died in house fire 'when damp logs put on open fire caused sparks that set family home alight'

A house fire which killed four children may have been caused when damp logs split on hot coals on an open fire, an inquest heard today.

The four youngsters - nine-year-old Tommy Henson, six-year-old Alisha Henson-Nulty, Rocco Henson-Nulty, four, and two-year-old Appolonia Henson - died when a fire engulfed their family home in Hulland Ward, Derbyshire, on January 24.

Yesterday a hearing at Derby Coroner’s Court into the deaths heard evidence that putting wet wood on hot coals can cause the water inside to boil and the wood to split open, spraying out burning embers.

At the inquest neighbours said as firefighters were fighting to save the children their mother Rachel Henson was seen 'walking and stumbling around on the floor, slurring her words and 'smelled of wine'.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076665/Hulland-Ward-deaths-4-children-die-house-caused-damp-logs.html

Eleven-year-old boy's survival of flesh-eating bacteria declared a miracle by pope as American Indian woman credited with saving him is approved for sainthood

An 11-year-old boy's survival from a near-fatal battle with a flesh-eating bacteria has been declared a miracle by the Vatican.

Jake Finkbonner, of Ferndale, Washington, made a stunning recovery from a tissue-destroying disease that gnawed away at his young face and nearly took his life in 2006.

Pope Benedict XVI attributed the miracle attribute to The Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, clearing the way for the 17th century Mohawk-Algonquin woman to become the first American-Indian saint.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076891/Jake-Finkbonners-survival-flesh-eating-bacteria-declared-miracle-pope.html

Woman returns home to find husband slain, kids tied up and SUV missing

A woman came home last night to find her children tied up, her husband murdered and his SUV missing.

The discovery was made in Harris County around 9.45pm when the victim's wife arrived home to the shocking scene.

Two out of three of her children - who are believed to be under ten years old - were tied up but not hurt and her husband Russell Lopez, 31, had been slain.

Their baby was unharmed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077070/Woman-returns-home-husband-dead-kids-tied-SUV-missing.html

Boy, 7, dies after plummeting 60 feet from a chair lift during ski team practice

A seven-year-old boy has died after plunging sixty feet from a ski lift in a Lake Tahoe resort.

The boy died from horrific injuries yesterday, two days after he fell the equivalent of a five storey building, at Sugar Bowl resort, west of Lake Tahoe.

He was a member of the Mount Lincoln lift resort ski-team and was practicing with team members when he plummeting to the ground, the resort sales and marketing manager, John Monson said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077085/Lake-Tahoe-boy-7-dies-plummeting-60-feet-ski-lift-team-practice.html

Three 'savage and sickening' thugs who beat man into a coma and left footprints on his face are jailed

Teenage thugs who stamped on a man's head until he was left in a coma have been jailed for their 'savage and sickening violence'.

Jordan Wall, 17, Bradley Wall, 15, and Samuel Pearson, 15, meted out the senseless attack on Maximillian Ruas as he walked home from a night out in Bournemouth, Dorset.

They were caught on CCTV kicking and stamping on their victim's head in an attack so vicious it left footprint on his face.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077011/3-thugs-beat-Maximillian-Ruas-coma-left-footprints-face.html

Terrified woman 'forced to watch as human trafficker tortured, dismembered and beheaded random teenage girl'

A teenager was tortured and cut up in front of another woman so she would be frightened into cooperating with a human trafficking ring, police said.

Jimmy Lee Massey, 33, was arrested over the first-degree murder of Carina Saunders, 19, whose dismembered body was found stuffed in a duffel bag.

The young woman had been beheaded and dumped on October 13 behind a grocery store.

A 20-year-old woman came forward as a witness to say she had been kidnapped by Massey and forced to watch Miss Saunders painful death in Bethany, Oklahoma. Her identity has not been released because of concerns for her safety.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077059/Jimmy-Lee-Massey-forced-woman-watch-torture-dismember-Carina-Saunders.html

Teenage rapists aged just 16 caught on camera 'elated' after horrific sex attack on woman, 20

Two teenagers subjected a woman to a terrifying rape ordeal after stalking her and abducting her as she left a nightclub.

Jailat Khan and Shahzada Khan, both just 16, were caught after they were captured on CCTV celebrating their sickening attack in Leeds city centre.

The victim, in her early 20s, was on the phone to her boyfriend asking him to get her a taxi at around 2am when she was dragged into a doorway.

He could hear her screams for 30 seconds before the line went dead. She was then raped.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077029/Teenage-rapists-aged-just-16-caught-camera-elated-horiffic-sex-attack-woman-20.html

Young mother electrocuted as she mopped up water from leaky boiler died after catalogue of workmen's errors

-22-year-old's body was found by her devastated boyfriend next to a boiler

-Inquest hears of a series of blunders by electrical and building firm

-Grieving mum blasts company for not doing its job properly

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077015/Young-mother-electrocuted-mopped-water-leaky-boiler-died-catalogue-workmens-errors.html

Fossils of dicynodont discovered on every continent

Fossils discovered on a Tasmanian beach have confirmed the existence in Australia of the dicynodont – an odd-looking species that lived 30 million years before the dinosaur – proving it existed on all continents.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/dinosaurs/8967459/Fossils-of-dicynodont-discovered-on-every-continent.html

6 die in accidents as snowstorm wreaks havoc in Midwest; highways are shut down

A crippling snowstorm swept deeper into the Great Plains Tuesday, shutting down highways, stranding motorists and causing fatal road accidents.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/6-die-accidents-snowstorm-wreaks-havoc-midwest-highways-shut-article-1.994304

Man dies while burning debris in trash container

An east Harris County man who was burning trash in a large metal trash container, similar to the ones found on construction sites, burned to death.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Man-dies-while-burning-debris-in-trash-container-2413484.php

Epileptic crane driver gets 7 years for deaths of 6 children in Tochigi

TOCHIGI — A crane driver, who suffers from epilepsy, was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison for causing the deaths of six children in an accident in Tochigi Prefecture in April

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/epileptic-crane-driver-gets-7-years-for-deaths-of-6-children-in-tochigi

Mother cycling with 2 daughters run over at crossing; both children die

GUNMA — A mother riding a bicycle with her two young daughters was run over by a car at a crossing in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, on Monday afternoon.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/mother-cycling-with-two-daughters-run-over-at-crossing-youngest-daughter-killed

Rockport man gets 10 years on child rape charges

SALEM, Mass.—A Rockport man accused of raping a young girl multiple times inside the men's bathroom of a Gloucester store where he worked has pleaded guilty.

Ronald Terelak pleaded guilty to four counts of forcible rape of a child under the age of 16 in Salem Superior Court last month and was sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/12/20/rockport_man_gets_10_years_on_child_rape_charges/

Barry Johnston guilty of raping pensioner in Ballymena

A Ballymena man is to be sentenced in January for the rape of a 74-year-old woman who was said to have begged for mercy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-16261680

Woman raped after accepting lift in Newry

Two men have been arrested after a woman was allegedly raped in Newry at the weekend.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-16275606