Frescoes in the church of SS. Eusebio and Vittore in Peglio, over Gravedona, Como

Andrea da Firenze

Lucas Cranach the Elder, detail from The Beheading of St. John the Baptist

Wife told lover, 21, 'to batter husband to death with a shovel' to avoid custody battle over children

A wife went on trial today accused of goading her lover into killing her husband to avoid an expensive custody battle over their young children.

Morgan Marie Mengel, 35, convinced 21-year-old Stephen Shappell to take part in her alleged murder plot to batter Kevin Mengel, 34, to death with a shovel in Chester County, Philadelphia.

The jury will then hear how Mengel tried to persuade her lover to take the full blame for the murder by pretending she had given birth to his twins while in prison.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093978/Wife-told-lover-21-batter-husband-death-shovel-avoid-custody-battle-children.html

Father shoots his karaoke singing son because he didn't like his country music song

A 70-year-old man is alleged to have shot his son - because he didn't like his country music karaoke singing.

William Oller Sr told his son 'I'm going to shut you up' before getting a handgun from his truck car and shooting his son four times.

William Oller Jr was shot in shoulder, arm and chest and also sustained a head wound during the fight with his father outside their home in Redding California.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2094432/Father-shoots-karaoke-singing-son-didnt-like-country-music-song.html

Man arrested for double murder after body of missing teenager and man are pulled from a lake

A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the bodies of a missing teenager and a man were found in a pond in Canterbury yesterday.
The first body was found in Reed Pond, near Tennyson Avenue, at about 12pm.

The second body was recovered by police divers at about 9.40pm.

One was that of 17-year-old Hugo Wenn, who has been missing since Friday. He was a former pupil of the city's Archbishop's School.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2094358/Man-arrested-murder-bodies-teenager-man-dragged-lake.html

Estranged wife in bitter custody battle finds bodies of twin daughters, 3, and her ex-husband after he slit their throats

A father going through a custody battle with his estranged wife allegedly pumped exhaust fumes from a van into a bedroom at his home before cutting his throat and those of his three-year-old twin daughters.

Police received a call at 3.30pm on Saturday from the girls' mother, Kristina Hooper. When they arrived, she was sobbing on her knees at the end of the gravel driveway, court records revealed.

'My babies are dead, they're in the house,' she told officers in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2094359/Robert-King-kills-twin-daughters-3-murder-suicide-following-bitter-custody-battle.html

Man to be sentenced for child sex abuse

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) - A former travel company vice president from Connecticut is set to be sentenced for sexually abusing girls in the U.S. and Nicaragua.

Fifty-five-year-old Edgardo Sensi is facing 15 to 95 years in prison when he is sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Bridgeport. He pleaded guilty in July 2010 to engaging in illicit sexual conduct outside the United States and child pornography.

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/crime/man-to-be-sentenced-for-child-sex-abuse

3 Brothers, 11-Year-Old Boy Killed in Fontana Crash

FONTANA, Calif. (KTLA) -- Three brothers and a young boy were killed in a horrific crash in Fontana Sunday night.

The crash happened about 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Baseline Road and Cherry Avenue.

Fontana police say a Chevrolet Suburban carrying three brothers ran a red light and sheared off the back of a Honda sedan carrying a 40-year-old woman and her 11-year-old son.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-fontana-fatal-crash,0,2417088.story

Pilot Dies After Being Struck in the Head by Propeller

EL CAJON, Calif. (KTLA) -- A pilot trying to manually start the engine of a Piper Cherokee aircraft was struck in the head by the propeller and killed.

The accident happened at about 8:30 a.m. Monday at Gillespie Field, said El Cajon spokeswoman Monica Zech.

A single-engine Piper plane with two pilots aboard was taxiing out to the runway when the engine stalled.

One of the pilots got out of the cockpit and tried to "hot prop" the propeller by manually turning it, Zech said.

The man was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-pilot-hit-by-propeller,0,5468656.story

Lincoln Heights Residents Fear Possible Serial Killer

LINCOLN HEIGHTS, Calif. (KTLA) -- Residents in Lincoln Heights are afraid a serial killer may be targeting people from their neighborhood, after a 22-year-old mother was found dead near a freeway on-ramp in Silver Lake.

Bree'Anna Guzman, 22, disappeared Dec. 26 while walking to a nearby pharmacy. Her body was found Thursday near the 2 Freeway.

Police found the body of 17-year-old Michelle Lozano on April near the 5 Freeway.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-silver-lake-freeway-body,0,391368.story

Woman used make-up to fake injuries and accuse ex-boyfriend of rape after he dumped her

A bitter ex-girlfriend used make-up to accuse her former boyfriend of rape after he dumped her.

Kira Lee Gould, 22, from Australia, applied a layer of powder to her face before going to the police where she claimed her partner, Warren Clark had repeatedly hit her.

Those allegations led to Clark, a former Royal Navy Able Seaman, losing his job.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2094000/Warren-Clark-Woman-uses-make-accuse-ex-boyfriend-rape-dumped-her.html

Bullied gay teenager killed himself after devout Christian parents performed 'exorcism' to try to cure him

A gay teenager who committed suicide earlier this month claimed he had an exorcism performed on him by his Christian parents before they kicked him out of the house.

Eric James Borges, 19, took his own life on January 14 after suffering years of physical and verbal abuse at school and rejection from his 'extremist' family who made him leave home for being gay.

A friend read from the suicide note he left at one of several memorial services held for the young man in San Joaquin Valley, California last week. In it, he thanked friends for their love and support and mentioned Lady Gaga for being 'a fearless, relentless, proud LGBT advocate'.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093938/Eric-James-Borges-leaves-note-thanking-Lady-Gaga-committed-suicide.html

'I did it': Hitman admits killing four people to clear 'innocent' teenager who confessed to murder 'just to satisfy police'

A Detroit hitman convicted of eight murders has said he is willing to take responsibility for four more to help clear the name of a young man whom he claims was wrongly convicted.

Serial killer Vincent Smothers, who is serving a sentence of at least 52 years, says Davontae Sanford confessed to the killings at the age of 14 in order to satisfy the police.

Sanford's guilty plea earned him a prison sentence of almost 40 years, which he is fighting to overturn.

Smothers confessed to the murders, dubbed the Runyon Street slayings, when he was captured in 2008 - but prosecutors have never charged him, and never explained why.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2094241/Detroit-hit-man-Vincent-Smothers-says-killed-4-save-fellow-inmate-confessed-child.html

Devil Mask at the Artists See Satan at Grand Central Art Center

Devil Art by Unknown

"What Awaits You" by Allison Schulnik

Cricket fan, 15, killed after being hit over the head with a bat by irate umpire

A teenage cricket fan has been killed in Bangladesh after being hit on the head with a bat by an umpire.

Nazrul Islam, 15, ran on to the pitch to complain about a contentious decision during a game in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh.

The umpire reacted by grabbing one of the player's bats and hit the teenager around the head.

The teenager did not appear to be seriously injured after the incident, but suffered internal haemorrhaging that night and died the following morning.
Police are searching for the umpire, but he has apparently gone into hiding

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093892/Umpire-kills-cricket-fan-15-bat.html

Dozens freeze to death as temperatures plunge to MINUS 26C in parts of Eastern Europe

-Severe cold snap kills at least 36 people across region

-Ukraine: 18 die of hypothermia, 500 people seek medical help

-Poland: At least 10 people dead as cold reaches -26C

-Serbia: 3 dead and two missing; Romania: 4 people dead; Bulgaria: 1 dead

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093891/Dozens-freeze-death-temperatures-plunge-MINUS-26C-parts-Eastern-Europe.html

Man killed by neighbour after taking too long on the toilet

A man has been killed after getting into a fight over taking too long to use a public toilet.

Simon Lingeree, 26, was using shared facilities in his Mumbai apartment building - or chawl - on Saturday evening while another resident impatiently waited outside.

When he emerged from the toilet, he got into a heated argument with Santosh Kargutkar, 40, over the amount of time he had taken.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093915/Man-killed-neighbour-taking-long-toilet.html

Three teenagers and man, 55, killed in head-on collision 'after student nurse drives wrong way down highway'

A teenage girl died along with her two passengers after driving the wrong way down a highway and colliding with another car, killing the driver.

Three victims - Brittany Ann Walker, 19, Breanna Marie Franco, 18, and 18-year-old Zachary Tyler Rose - were all pronounced dead at the scene after their car burst into flames.

The fourth victim Terry Wayne Davis, 55, died on the way to hospital following the crash on Route 50 between Washington and Annapolis.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093881/Three-teenagers-man-55-killed-head-collision-student-nurse-drives-wrong-way-highway.html

Afghan woman 'tied up and choked to death for burdening family by having third daughter'

An Afghan woman has been arrested for 'helping strangle her daughter-in-law to death because she gave birth to an 'undesired' third daughter'.

Mother-in-law Wali Hazrata is said to have tied the feet of 22-year-old Stori, which allowed the victim's local militia member husband Sher Mohammad to strangle her.

The two-month-old baby girl was not hurt in the incident, in the village of Mahfalay, in the north eastern Kunduz province's Khanabad district, on Saturday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093923/Afghan-woman-helped-strangle-death-daughter-law-having-undesired-daughter.html

2 dead, 4 injured in 3 Oakland shootings

Six people were shot in Oakland, two of them fatally, Saturday night and early Sunday.

Gunfire erupted in three locations, police said. The most violent shooting happened in the central part of the city, in the 1700 block of 20th Avenue at 1:48 a.m., where four people were fired on. One died at the scene, and a second was in critical condition. The remaining two are in stable condition.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/30/BA9P1N07CT.DTL

Suspect in fatal San Leandro stabbing found dead

A man found hanged at the Port of Oakland Saturday was identified Sunday as the suspect in the fatal stabbing of a teenage mother in San Leandro, authorities said.

The death of Henry Leon, 19, of Oakland is being investigated as a suicide by hanging, the Alameda County coroner's office said. His body was found on the 700 block of Maritime Street at the port in West Oakland about 4:20 p.m. Saturday.

Leon was suspected of fatally stabbing 15-year-old Myrna Umanzor, the mother of their 9-month-old daughter, at her family's home on the 1900 block of Pacific Avenue in San Leandro. The stabbing occurred about 6:20 p.m. Friday, said police Lt. Jeff Tudor.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/30/BAGR1N08II.DTL

Official: South Sudan cattle raid leaves 70 dead

An official in South Sudan says more than 70 people were killed in a recent cattle raid.

Interior Minister Alison Manani Magaya said Monday that a Nuer tribe from Unity state attacked a Dinka community in neighboring Warrap state Saturday. He says 70 people were wounded and attackers took more than 4,000 cattle.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/AP/Search/World/Default.aspx?id=1525672

Christians slam 'mystic' supermarket campaign

Religious critics have taken issue with a new Migros campaign launched to attract children. The campaign, dubbed “Animanca”, encourages children to awaken strange powers by collecting 48 different magical stones.

http://www.thelocal.ch/2423/20120130/

Six charged over 'honour' beating with metal rods

Six men in Hallsberg, central Sweden, have been charged with the severe beating of a 19-year-old with metal rods at a gym in central Sweden, in an attack police believe to be honour-related.

http://www.thelocal.se/38802/20120130/

Girl strangled by scarf on fairground ride

An eight-year-old girl was still in a coma on Monday morning after a ride on a fairground carrousel in a Paris park ended in disaster.

The accident happened on Saturday afternoon in the Jardin d'Acclimatation, which sits in the western Bois de Paris' western 16th arrondissement.

At around 3.30pm the girl got on one of the rides, which features small cars and motorbikes. After a few minutes on the ride the girl's scarf got caught in the motor of the ride, strangling her.

The girl was able to receive emergency medical attention from a doctor and fireman, who happened to be visiting the park at the same time, reported BFM TV on Sunday. She was taken to the Kremlin-Bicêtre hospital south of Paris.

http://www.thelocal.fr/2415/20120130/

Suspect Arrested Naked After Triple Stabbing; 2 Dead

TORRANCE, Calif. (KTLA) -- Two women were stabbed to death and a man was wounded in Torrance, in what police say was a violent attack involving roommates.

L.A. County sheriff's deputies received a call about an assault with a deadly weapon around 8:15 p.m. Sunday at the Torrance Villa Apartments, located in the 21800 block of South Vermont Avenue.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a man outside who had been stabbed several times.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-carson-triple-stabbing,0,5314601.story

2 Dead, 1 Critical After High-Speed Crash in Fontana

FONTANA, Calif. (KTLA) -- Two people were killed and a third remains in critical condition following a high-speed crash in Fontana.

The crash happened Sunday night at the intersection of Cherry Avenue and Baseline Avenue.

Fontana police say a Chevy Suburban was speeding eastbound on Baseline when it hit a small car, then jumped a curb and hit a pole.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-fontana-fatal-crash,0,2417088.story

Woman dead, son unconscious in apparent murder-suicide

FUKUOKA — Police said Monday that a 77-year-old woman was found dead Sunday in her home in Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture, and her 49-year-old son was found unconscious in the bathroom, in what authorities believe was an apparent murder-suicide.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/woman-dead-son-unconscious-in-apparent-murder-suicide

Australind woman in court over partner's murder

A 28-year-old Australind woman accused of the stabbing death of her partner has appeared in court charged with murder.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-30/australind-woman-charged-with-murder/3801008

Nine dead in US highway pile-ups

At least nine people are dead after a series of crashes on a highway in northern Florida in the United States, after smoke from a bushfire reduced visibility, officials said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-30/nine-dead-in-highway-crashes/3800902

'Family' killed after car drives into train 'ignoring lights and crossing arm'

An SUV ignored flashing warning lights and veered around a rail crossing arm moments before it collided with a light-rail train, killing two adults and an 18-month-old boy in the vehicle, authorities said.

The only other person in the Nissan Pathfinder, a woman in her 30s, was hospitalized with serious injuries after Saturday's crash, said Niko King, assistant chief with the Sacramento Fire Department.

Six of the roughly 50 passengers on the light rail train suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital, he said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093397/Family-killed-car-drives-train-ignoring-lights-crossing-arm.html

Strangled woman student, 26, found in suitcase with plastic bag over her head by walker near Dublin park

A murder hunt is under way after the body of a woman was found in a suitcase yesterday.

The grisly discovery was made by an unwitting walker who came across the bag that had been left close to the Phoenix Park.

The victim, who was originally from Malawi, had been living here for the past two years in Rathmines, on Dublin's southside.

The 26-year-old had been studying here, garda sources said. Last night, it emerged that her fully clothed body was found with a plastic bag over the head. She had been strangled.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093723/Body-woman-student-26-suitcase-walker-near-Dublin-park.html

Three toddlers killed after fire tears through Mississippi mobile home

Three toddlers were killed and a fourth badly burned in a house fire in central Mississippi in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Three-month-old Neldavinna Tubby, Omarion Tubby, one, and Sharron Tubby, two, all died after the fire broke out in the kitchen of their mobile home in Neshoba, 95 miles from Jackson.

Their father, Josh Tubby, and grandfather Tommy Wickson were both taken to hospital after desperately trying to reach the toddlers and a fourth child, Orex Wickson, was transferred to a burns centre in Georgia.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093738/Three-toddlers-killed-tears-Mississippi-mobile-home.html

Woman, 21, falls to her death from high-rise near UN building in New York

A 21-year-old woman fell or jumped to her death from a luxury high-rise building near the United Nations, police said.

Her body was found last night on the pavement in front of 100 United Nations Plaza on the corner of E. 48th St. and First Ave.

Police and witnesses said the incident happened at around 11:40 p.m and the woman whose name has not yet been released died at the scene.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093783/Woman-21-falls-death-high-rise-near-UN-building-New-York.html

A new contraceptive for men on the horizon? Just a couple of zaps of ultrasound kills sperm, say scientists

-High frequency sound waves found to cut sperm rates in rats

-Further studies are required to determine how long the contraceptive effect lasts and if it is safe to use multiple times

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2093722/Male-contraceptive-Zap-ultrasound-kills-sperm.html

Girl, 15, killed by train after walking on to railway crossing 'while listening to her iPod'

A 15-year-old girl was knocked down and killed by a train while listening to her iPod, police believe.

Katie Littlewood did not hear the train or notice the lights and alarms at Johnson's Footpath Crossing in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.

Investigators are looking into the possibility that the teenager was listening to music as she crossed the railway line on Saturday morning, after a music player and headphones were found at the scene.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093442/Schoolgirl-15-dies-hit-train-tragic-accident-level-crossing.html

Boy, 15, 'admits to murdering his parents and hiding their bodies in their car'

A teenager was arrested on murder charges in Oakland, California, after police found the bodies of his parents, two highly-educated civil servants, stashed under a blanket inside the family car.

Police went to the house twice Friday to check on Robert Kamin, 54, and Susan Poff, 50, after their employers reported that they didn't show up for work.

After discovering the couple dead, police questioned their son, 15, who admitted to killing them.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093437/Boy-15-admits-murdering-parents-hiding-bodies-car.html

Five men found shot dead 'execution-style' in bullet-riddled house after botched robbery

Five men were murdered in execution-style shootings after a botched robbery in Birmingham, Alabama, police say.

Officers discovered the bodies in a bullet-riddled home about 3.30am Sunday after they were called to a robbery in progress.

Now detectives are hunting the suspects who massacred the residents of the house as they search for clues about what might have caused the attack.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093520/Five-men-shot-dead-execution-style-bullet-riddled-house-botched-robbery.html

Tragic girl, 17, dies in highway horror after jumping out of car into oncoming traffic while her mother was driving

Questions surround the death of a 17-year-old Colorado girl who jumped out of a moving car and was struck dead by oncoming traffic on a major highway.

Catrina Fox was sitting in the passenger seat as her mother drove on a Colorado highway when she suddenly opened the door and jumped out in the very early hours of Saturday morning.

Catrina was hit by a fellow teen who was driving his 2001 PT Cruiser and died at the scene.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093303/Why-did-17-year-old-Catrina-Fox-jump-mothers-car-moving-traffic.html

Soap actor commits suicide after strict building management 'forced him to put down dog'

A struggling New York soap opera actor was found dead in his apartment days after putting down his dog.

Nick Santino was discovered by police in his Upper West Side bedroom on his 47th birthday. Neighbours said he was devastated that he had to put down his pit bull after his building enforced harsh new laws against the breed.

He euthanized his dog Rocco on Tuesday. In a suicide note, he wrote: ‘Today I betrayed my best friend. Rocco trusted me and I failed him. He didn’t deserve this.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093082/Nick-Santino-commits-suicide-strict-building-management-forced-dog.html

Man in Taiwan stabs wife 35 times with knife - then falls asleep

(THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A man in Taiwan stabbed his wife at least 35 times with a knife and fell asleep next to the blood-stained body, exhausted after his exertions, reported Nanyang Siang Pau.

Police, who were called to the scene, said Luo kept mumbling 'cannot sleep, cannot think straight'.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/ANN/Story/STIStory_760325.html

9-year-old boy dies in Beijing escalator tragedy

BEIJING (AFP) - A nine-year-old boy died instantly after he got stuck in an escalator at a Beijing department store as horrified shoppers looked on, Chinese state media said on Sunday.

The unaccompanied child stretched his neck out and became jammed between the moving escalator and the floor, the Xinhua news agency said, citing a publicity official from the capital's Xicheng district.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_760668.html

'Flesh-eating' bug case causes concern

A patient in Palmerston North is the latest in New Zealand to be treated for a rare and potentially lethal "flesh-eating" bug.

MidCentral District Health Board this morning confirmed a patient had been admitted to Palmerston North Hospital with necrotising fasciitis, a disease which eats away at deep skin tissue, in the last three months.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10781554

Police open fire at Bangladesh protesters, 3 dead

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- Police fired guns and used batons on crowds of stone-throwing opposition activists in several Bangladesh towns Sunday, killing at least three people and injuring more than 100, a news report and doctors at two hospitals said.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/29/2614086/police-open-fire-at-bangladesh.html

Peru: 27 killed in fire at rehabilitation center

LIMA, Peru (AP) — A fire swept through a two-story private rehabilitation center for addicts in a poor part of Peru's capital Saturday, killing 27 people and critically injuring five as firefighters punched holes through walls to rescue residents locked inside.

The "Christ is Love" center for drug and alcohol addicts was unlicensed and overcrowded and its residents were apparently kept inside "like prisoners," Health Minister Alberto Tejada told The Associated Press.

http://news.yahoo.com/peru-27-killed-fire-rehabilitation-center-030227544.html

Parents held for 'forcing demons' from daughter

Exorcism was the motivation for repeated attacks against a 14 year-old girl from western Sweden who was regularly beaten and burned by her father and stepmother, who wanted to rid the girl of “evil spirits”, prosecutors allege.

http://www.thelocal.se/38780/20120128/

Woman stabbed to death by boyfriend

A woman was found dead late Saturday night, in a summer residence area in Österåker, just north-east of Stockholm. A man has been arrested, suspected of stabbing the woman to death with a knife.

http://www.thelocal.se/38786/20120129/

Police officers killed in motorway crash

Two police officers were killed in a horrific crash near Würzburg in northern Bavaria Thursday evening. Two more officers and one civilian were also injured.

http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120127-40373.html

Cheaters slain on lovers lane on Duck Island near Trenton, N.J.

Between 1938 and 1942, a phantom gunman would snuff out the lives of three amorous couples seeking privacy on the island, which was the eerie setting for the 1936 Ellery Queen thriller “Halfway House.”

On the cold, rainy night of Nov. 8, 1938, Vincenzo Tonzillo, 20, and Mary Myatovich, 15, became the first to die.

Another pair of smoochers heard a scream. When they investigated, they found Tonzillo lying dead in a bloody puddle outside the car.

Myatovich was on a seat inside, bleeding, muddy, but alive. Rushed to a hospital, she regained consciousness just long enough to tell her father and police what had happened. She said that soon after the couple had parked a “short, stocky colored man” with a 12-gauge shotgun appeared at the window and demanded money. When Tonzillo refused, the stranger shot him.

Myatovich bolted, but she was not fast enough. The attacker shot her in the buttocks and raped her.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/justice-story-cheaters-slain-lovers-lane-duck-island-trenton-n-article-1.989759

Woman Shot, Killed After Argument at Hollywood Thai Restaurant

Police say the shooting at the Pink Pepper Thai restaurant on La Brea Avenue near Hollywood Boulevard appears to have stemmed from an argument on the patio.

They say the man pulled out a gun and pointed it at a woman, who tried to grab the weapon.

During the struggle, she was shot once and later died.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-hollywood-thai-restaurant-shooting,0,160428.story

Pilsen man charged in rape of woman in Bucktown

When the woman fled an apartment after the assault — Griffin allegedly pursued her and dragged her back inside, police said.

The woman was taken to Saint Mary Medical Center in “stable” condition after suffering minor injuries, police said.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/10292246-418/pilsen-man-charged-in-rape-of-woman-in-bucktown.html

Girl, 15, killed at Bishop's Stortford railway crossing

A 15-year-old girl was killed when she was hit by a train at a foot crossing in Hertfordshire, police have said.

The girl was struck at Johnson's Footpath Crossing in Bishop's Stortford at about 11:45 GMT on Saturday.

Her death is being treated as a "tragic accident", British Transport Police (BTP) said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-16780098

Cop shot dead on duty by fellow officers 'arresting him for explicit sexual relationship with girl, 17'

An on-duty police officer who was under investigation for an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl has been shot dead by fellow officers.

The 29-year-old cop, who worked for Santa Maria police in California, was killed as officers tried to arrest him while he manned a DUI checkpoint.

The motorcycle traffic officer, a newlywed who had been with the department for four years, was declared dead after emergency surgery.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093342/Santa-Maria-cop-shot-dead-duty-fellow-officers-arresting-sexual-relationship-girl-17.html

Atheist teen still getting threats over campaign to remove prayer banner while vowing she will not leave school

An atheist student who successfully pushed to remove a religious banner from her Rhode Island high school as a separation of church and state says she does plan to graduate and not transfer despite increasing threats.

(...)

On January 11, U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Lagueux ruled that the presence of the 49-year-old banner violates the separation of church and state according to the Constitution's First Amendment while displaying a passage written by a former student titled: school prayer.

Others argued back that it's a historical piece.
One woman posted her reaction to Miss Ahlquist's efforts over Twitter writing: 'I hope there's lots of banners in Hell when you're rotting in there you atheist f***.' (How very christian...)

Another sent her a message saying: 'How does it feel to be the most hated person in RI? You're a puke and a disgrace to the human race.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093136/Atheist-teen-getting-threats-campaign-remove-prayer-banner-vowing-leave-school.html

'Man kills his ex-wife and her lover... after the men had swapped wives'

A bitter husband has been charged with killing his estranged wife and her lover after he had swapped partners with her new man.

Lloyd Hill is accused of beating Frederick Tarantino, 43, to death with a baseball bat before repeatedly stabbing 36-year-old Stefanie Hill.

The 42-year-old allegedly tracked the lovers down to their apartment in Nockamixon Township, Pennsylvania on Friday and attacked Mr Tarantino has he left for work at around 5.30am.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093185/Lloyd-Hill-kills-ex-wife-lover--men-swapped-wives.html

Tragic high school student, 18, leaps to his death in front of devastated mother and sister

A high school student killed himself by jumping off a cliff as his mother and sister helplessly looked on in horror.

Witnesses said John Albrigo, 18, 'flew off the cliff like a bird' after talking to them for hours about his depression and having ignored pleas from his desperate mother Rosemarie.

He plunged 250 feet to his death at Palos Verdes Estates, Los Angeles after thanking a police officer, who responded to a 911 call, for his help and saying he had 'something to do'.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092963/John-Albrigo-18-leaps-death-mother-sister.html

Antibiotics Prove Powerless as Super-Germs Spread

Antibiotics were once the wonder drug. Now, however, an increasing number of highly resistant -- and deadly -- bacteria are spreading around the world. The killer bugs often originate in factory farms, where animals are treated whether they are sick or not.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,811560,00.html

Chihuahua Dies after Being Hit with Golf Club

PERRIS, Calif. (KTLA) -- A 9-year-old Chihuahua named Lily has died of its injuries after being struck with a golf club in Riverside County on Thursday. Authorities say Lily died on Friday.

Lily suffered a lacerated liver, broken leg and head trauma, according to Riverside officials.

58-year-old Larry Edward Jaurequi, of Menifee, was booked for felony animal cruelty.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-chihuahua-hit-golf-club,0,2545945.story

Judge sentences woman, 29, to life for stabbing Yoga store colleague 331 times with six different weapons

A woman who savagely killed her co-worker in a Lululemon yoga clothing shop, then tried to pretend masked intruders had done it, will spend the rest of her life in jail.

Convicted killer Brittany Norwood, 29, used at least half a dozen weapons from inside the store to kill Jayna Murray, 30, in a 'prolonged and brutal attack' on March 11.

These included a hammer, wrench, knife and peg used to hold up a mannequin.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092974/Ive-seen-savage-killing-Judge-jails-yoga-store-worker-inflicted-331-wounds-different-jail-life.html

Craig Roy 'can't remember killing' Jack Frew

The teenager accused of murdering Jack Frew has told a court he did "not recall stabbing him 20 times and slitting his throat".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-16758159

Dutch plan Muslim face veil ban next year

AMSTERDAM - The Dutch minority government plans to ban Muslim face veils such as burqas and other forms of clothing that cover the face from next year.

The ban would make the Netherlands, where 1 million out of 17 million people are Muslim, the second European Union country to ban the burqa after France, and would apply to face-covering veils if they were worn in public.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/27/dutch-plan-muslim-face-veil-ban-next-year

Mom Rapes, Videotapes Daughter to Teach Her About "Sex Ed"

SUNSHINE COAST, Australia -- A 37-year old woman has been sentenced to 4 years in jail for raping her daughter under the pretense of teaching the 11-year-old about sex.

The mother of four used her cell phone to videotape herself repeatedly raping her young daughter.

And this was just one of many "lessons" the mother gave as part of a "bizarre sexual education," the presiding judge said.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-mother-rapes-daughter-to-teach-her-about-sex,0,6186029.story

Student who 'poured boiling water on his dog for peeing on the floor' charged with felony

A college athlete has been accused of throwing boiling water on his dog after the animal urinated on the floor.

Kyle Voissem, 20, a criminal justice major at the University of Illinois at Chicago, was originally charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty for the October 18 incident.

But due to the severity of the burns, charges have been upgraded to a felony, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said today, Friday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092956/Charges-upgraded-man-poured-boiling-water-puppy-peeing-floor.html

'Better to die than be humiliated,' chant mourners at funeral as Assad regime is accused of carrying out 'terrifying massacre' of women and children

A terrifying massacre carried out by Syrian President Bashar Assad's security forces killed more than 30 people.

Activists said government troops fired on homes with mortars and machine guns yesterday - murdering women and children in the besieged city of Homs.

Mourners burying an anti-government protester killed in Saqba today chanted 'better to die than be humiliated' as renewed violence today saw another 20 protesters killed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092749/Syria-Assad-regime-accused-carrying-terrifying-massacre.html

Sex predator who murdered his wife in Czech Republic allowed into UK to carry out knifepoint rape and string of attacks

-Kajus Scuka, 48, jailed for life yesterday with a minimum term of 12 years

-Rapist slipped into Britain undetected and signed on for benefits

-He stabbed wife three times in row over his infidelity and was jailed for life in 1988

-Also convicted of gross indecency, indecent assault and attacking a woman with an axe in his homeland

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092754/Sex-predator-Kajus-Scuka-allowed-UK-carry-knifepoint-rape-string-attacks.html

Man, 53, dies after getting hit by 2 vehicles

I TRULY hate people who hit & run... they should be castrated, nutered, spayed and be subject to the most horrible of tortures and/or diseases... fucking cowards.

A 53-year-old man was left to die on a Brooklyn street after two motorists plowed into him in a grisly hit-and-run Thursday night, police sources and witnesses said.

A white van first hit the man, clipping him while he was in the crosswalk at Coney Island Ave. and Avenue K in Midwood, witnesses said. As he struggled to get up, a dark-colored sedan mowed him down and kept on going, according to bystanders.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/man-53-dies-hit-2-vehicles-article-1.1012819

Utah teens planned to blow up school, top Columbine High School shooting death toll

Two Utah teens were arrested for plotting to set off a bomb during a school assembly and then fly off in a stolen plane, officials said.

Dallin Morgan, 18 and Joshua Hoggan, 16, said they were inspired by the deadly 1999 Columbine High School massacre — so much so that they visited Littleton, Colo., to interview the principal about the nation's worst school shooting, The Associated Press reported.

The disturbed students from Roy High School allegedly wanted to top that body count.

“The plan was to use an explosive device during a school assembly, which targets a lot of people," Roy police spokeswoman Anna Bond told KSL-TV.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/utah-teens-planned-blow-school-top-columbine-high-school-shooting-death-toll-article-1.1012847

Man, 24, who was scared of dogs drowned after diving through hedge and into lake as he fled from bull terrier

A man with a fear of dogs drowned after he fled in terror from a Staffordshire Bull Terrier - straight into a lake.

Mohammed Faisal, 24, died after he jumped head-first into a bush which stood next to the lake, a former brick pit, Peterborough Coroner’s Court heard yesterday.

The inquest heard that the dog's owner Ritchie Frost did his best to assist Mr Faisal, who could not swim, but that he died after the lake plunge on September 28, 2011.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092666/Man-24-scared-dogs-drowned-falling-lake-fled-bull-terrier.html

Pregnant young woman suffers horrific injuries as leopard attacks her in middle of bustling city

A pregnant woman suffered serious injuries after being badly mauled by a leopard in India - the third such attack there in as many weeks.

The big cat clamped its jaws around Akila Bibi's head and arms, leaving her with deep wounds to her scalp, after it when it strayed into the largest city the country's north-east Assam state.

The woman, who is in her early twenties, is currently recovering in hospital. Her unborn child, due in three months, was unharmed by the ordeal.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092716/Pregnant-woman-20s-suffers-horrific-injuries-leopard-attack-Indian-city.html

'I'm turning into my mum - I couldn't stand that': Suicide note of sick woman, 60, who jumped off cliff because she didn't want to be a burden

A woman jumped to her death off a cliff because of fears she was becoming too dependent on people - just like her late mother.

Judith Iles, a retired GP surgery administrator, had suffered two chest infections and was becoming increasingly dependent on people to look after her.

The 60-year-old left a note for her husband and son saying 'So sorry, I’m turning into my mum - I couldn’t stand that' - and then jumped 70 feet to her death at the famous Wintour’s Leap beauty spot in the Wye Valley.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092602/I-dont-want-turn-mother-Tragedy-woman-60-jumps-cliff-leaving-note-say-feared-dependant.html

Dad who beat daughter for soiling herself is named

On October 26 last year, the solo father had become so enraged on finding his daughter in the toilet with faeces on her hands, legs and clothing he dragged into the bathroom, held her under a cold shower and repeatedly slapped her.

Roberts slapped her about seven times on her bottom, the back of her legs, back and face while she was screaming and struggling to get free.

He also told her he did not want her. The beating left marks and bruises on the victim's face and body.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10781594

German Crow-Killing Group Faces Growing Backlash

A group of fanatic bird killers in Germany known as "the Crowbusters" has been waging a war on the birds with military-grade weapons and crusader-like zeal. But their stated reasons for massacring these "feathered vermin" are unfounded, and their bloodthirstiness has irked even some hunting groups.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,811262,00.html

13 killed in clashes in Russia's volatile Caucasus

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia—Russian officials say an Islamist warlord, seven militants, four officers and one civilian have been killed in three separate incidents in Russia's violence-plagued southern Caucasus region.

http://www.times-standard.com/ci_19834217

Women, children killed in violence-torn Syria city

(BEIRUT) — Armed forces loyal to President Bashar Assad barraged residential buildings with mortars and machine-gun fire, killing at least 30 people, including a family of women and children during a day of sectarian killings and kidnappings in the besieged Syrian city of Homs, activists said Friday.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2105571,00.html

Woman fined for crotch grab assault

A scorned Swedish woman who got back at her ex-husband by hijacking his Facebook account to indicate he was gay and then later attacked him by grabbing his testicles and biting him has been convicted for the assault by a court in southern Sweden.

http://www.thelocal.se/38762/20120127/

Bizarre skin disease causes 'great deal' of suffering

CHICAGO - After an exhaustive search, researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found no sign of an infectious agent, parasite or environmental exposure that could explain the mysterious skin condition known as Morgellons disease.

People with the condition complain of crawling, itching and stinging sensations and they often see tiny fibers or filaments that poke out of sores on their skin.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/26/bizarre-skin-disease-causes-great-deal-of-suffering

2 Men Shot to Death at Home in La Habra

LA HABRA, Calif. (KTLA) -- Two men died after being shot in the head and chest by an unknown gunman Thursday evening at a home in La Habra.

Police responded about 7:15 p.m. to several 911 calls reporting shots fired at a home in the 500 block of Clifton Street.

They arrived to find two men shot multiple times in the head and chest.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-two-men-shot-in-head-in-la-habra,0,3528926.story

5-yr-old boy may lose sight after man adds battery acid to eye drops

TOKYO — Police said Thursday that a man in Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture, has been arrested for adding battery acid to a bottle of eye drops, causing serious injury to his girlfriend’s son.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/4-yr-old-boy-may-lose-sight-after-man-replaces-eye-drops-with-battery-acid

Woman, daughter attacked by man with scissors on Aichi street

According to police, the 20-year-old mother was holding her 5-month-old daughter while walking along a street at around 12:30 p.m. when a man on a bicycle approached from behind, TV Asahi reported. The woman told police the man yelled at her to get out of the way, then stopped his bicycle and kicked her to the ground.

As she was trying to protect her child, the man produced a pair of scissors and cut her hair and clothes, before getting back on his bike and fleeing, TV Asahi reported.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/woman-daughter-cut-by-man-with-scissors-on-aichi-street

Torso washes up on Sydney beach

A weighted package containing what appears to be a man's torso has been found on a beach near Sydney Airport.

A group of people cleaning up at Cook Park in Kyeemagh Beach near Brighton Le Sands found a suspicious package wrapped in a sheet about 10.30am (AEDT).

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-27/body-found-on-sydney-beach/3797520

Dozens killed in Baghdad suicide blast

A car bomb near a funeral procession outside a hospital in east Baghdad has killed at least 28 people and wounded 50.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-27/car-bomb-kills-28-in-baghdad/3797620

Fantasist piano teacher, 41, mutilates her own hands with kitchen knife in bid to convince police she was being targeted by ‘psycho slasher’

A piano teacher’s reputation lay in ruins today after she was unmasked as a hoaxer who triggered a massive police manhunt by falsely claiming she was being stalked by a crazed 'psycho slasher'.

Tracy Frankcom, 41, mutilated her own hands with a kitchen knife and slapped herself in the face - then wrongly alleged her injuries were caused by a sinister assailant who attacked her three times in 12 weeks at her music shop and farmhouse home.

Frankcom also sent herself poison pen text messages and abusive Christmas cards reading: 'It’s your last b****' and 'You’re dead b****' and helped officers create an e-fit of the fictitious assailant.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092616/Fantasist-piano-teacher-41-mutilates-hands-kitchen-knife-bid-convince-police-targeted-psycho-slasher.html

'This stuff stings': Killer's last words as he is executed in Texas for murdering woman, 38, in cold case

A convicted killer was executed by lethal injection for the abduction, rape and strangulation of a 38-year-old woman in 1994.

Shortly before Rodrigo Hernandez, 38, lapsed into unconsciousness, he said: 'This stuff stings, man,' according to a spokesman for the Department of Criminal Justice spokesman.

It was the ultimate punishment for Hernandez who was arrested eight years after the murder of Susan Verstegen when DNA linked him to the killing.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092513/Rodrigo-Hernandez-executed-Texas-killing-Susan-Verstegen.html

Surgeon kills himself after being charged with sex crimes against 14-year-old girl - and wife finds body using GPS ankle bracelet

The body of a surgeon, who was charged with a number of sex crimes against a 14-year-old girl, was found by his wife through his GPS ankle bracelet after he committed suicide.

Dr Andrew Bourne, 46, from Mammoth Lakes, was found on Tuesday in a fish hatchery area near his home just two weeks after posting bail.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092240/Surgeon-charged-sex-crimes-girl-14-killed-posting-bail.html

More than 24 feared dead as two multi-storey buildings collapse after explosion in centre of Rio

-Buildings in city centre were 20 storeys and 10 storeys high

-Collapse at 8pm left rubble strewn over wide area

-Third building annexed to historic Municipal Theatre also damaged

-Officials say chances of finding more survivors are 'very small'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092029/Rio-Janeiro-explosion-21-feared-dead-2-multi-storey-buildings-collapse.html

Worried about zombies? Check out this Las Vegas store

If and when the world is taken over by zombies — or another type of menace, but especially zombies — one Las Vegas man wants to make sure people are prepared.

Mike Monko, owner of the Zombie Apocalypse Store at 3420 Spring Mountain Road, has turned his artificial-lawn supply store into a one-stop shop for fighting off the walking dead and surviving other predicaments.

http://www.vegasinc.com/news/2012/jan/25/worried-about-zombies-check-out-las-vegas-store/

German priest jailed for 6 years for child abuse

BERLIN (AP) — A German court has convicted a Roman Catholic priest of some 250 counts of sexually abusing children over a several-year period and sentenced him to six years in prison.

German news agency dapd reported that the state court in Braunschweig on Thursday convicted the priest, who was found guilty of abusing three boys aged 9 to 15 between 2004 and 2011.

http://news.yahoo.com/german-priest-jailed-6-years-child-abuse-122225100.html

Man dismembered and cooked after sex games

The dismembered, partially cooked corpse of a missing man has been found in a Berlin apartment, where prosecutors believe he was killed after a sex game spiralled out of control.

The BZ daily reported on Wednesday that the deceased, Carsten Srock, was found with his limbs expertly carved off with either an axe or large knife. The body pieces were then wrapped fastidiously in plastic bags and cling-wrap, and left to sit in the two-room flat for around three weeks.

His head was found, partially cooked, by the police.

http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120125-40333.html

Up to 60 feared dead as landslide hits Papua New Guinea village

As many as 60 people are feared dead after a massive landslide wiped out an entire village in a scene of "utter devastation" in Papua New Guinea, according to aid workers.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/papuanewguinea/9038300/Up-to-60-feared-dead-as-landslide-hits-Papua-New-Guinea-village.html

Menifee Man to 911: 'I Just Shot My Girlfriend'

The officers arrived and detained Starkey in the front yard before going inside the home and finding a woman dead, apparently killed by a gunshot wound, according to a news release issued by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-menifee-man-arrested-after-killing-girlfriend,0,6929984.story

Woman arrested over husband's murder in Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA — Police said Wednesday they have arrested a 44-year-old woman on suspicion of fatally stabbing her husband at their apartment in Hiroshima on Tuesday night.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/woman-arrested-over-husbands-murder-in-hiroshima

Police families killed in Iraq bombing

A bomb attack in Iraq has killed two policemen, their wives and six children.

The insurgents struck at four in the morning, placing several IEDs around the house before detonating them.

The blast destroyed the house killing everyone inside including six children aged under 10.

Six neighbouring houses were damaged and four people were injured.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-26/bombing-of-iraq-policemen27s-home-kills-103a-officials/3795314

Man fakes own death with brother's corpse

A Japanese man has faked his own death by claiming his late brother's body was his own, Japanese police and media say.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-26/japan-man-fakes-own-death-with-brother27s-corpse/3795320

Man, 22, kicks his kitten 18ft in the air through football posts... before raising his arms to signal a field goal

A pet owner has been charged with animal cruelty after he charged at his kitten and kicked it 18 feet in the air through football goal posts before raising his arms for a field goal.

Percy Love, 22, laughed as he was arrested after the assault on the black cat on Monday afternoon.

The man was picked up by police, who witnessed the attack, on the south side of Chicago and was being held on a $50,000 bond.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091910/Man-22-kicks-kitten-air-football-field--raising-arms-signal-goal.html

Man shoots dead teenager who knocked him off bicycle

A man has shot dead one teenager and wounded another as he tried to fend off a bungled robbery, according to police.

The 65-year-old was set upon as he cycled along a riverside path in Berks County, Pennsylvania, detectives say.

But after being knocked to the ground, he pulled a handgun, killing a 16-year-old at the scene and wounding a 15-year-old.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092073/Man-shoots-dead-teenager-knocked-bicycle.html

Two arrested after headless burnt body is found on grass verge

Two men are being questioned on suspicion of murder after the decapitated body of a man was discovered on a grass verge.

The victim was found after firefighters extinguished a blaze at the scene in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of today.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: 'Officers were called at 5.10am after fire crews extinguished a blaze on a verge off Wellington Street.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092097/Headless.html

Mother-of-three posts suicide note on Facebook before shooting herself

These are the gruesome party pictures a 23-year-old mother-of-three posted on Facebook just days before she shot herself dead.

Cynthia Lee, of Michigan, appears alongside a scythe-wielding joker in the Halloween promotional photos - her friend holding the weapon close to her throat, both of them splattered in blood.

The photos emerged after it was revealed she had updated her status on the networking site moments before she killed herself.

She said 'I can't handle this s*** anymore' and added that her pain was 'too strong to handle any longer'.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091989/The-macabre-party-pictures-mother-having-throat-slit-posted-Facebook-days-killed-herself.html

Man killed his ex-girlfriend's pet Chihuahua by 'shoving it in a washing machine'

A man has been jailed after killing his ex-girlfriend's pet Chihuahua by shoving it in a washing machine.

Gary Jackson of Arkansas is alleged to have forced the animal into the machine and put it on a spin cycle.

Mountain Home Police called to the apartment by his ex-girlfriend found the dead dog inside.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091714/Man-killed-ex-girlfriends-pet-Chihuahua-shoving-washing-machine.html

Axe murderer 'killed a homeless man with a hatchet and ate his brains and eye'

A Florida man has been arrested for allegedly hacking to death a Connecticut man and eating the victim's eye and part of his brain.

Police in Lynn Haven, Florida, said Wednesday that 35-year-old Tyree Lincoln Smith was arrested Tuesday night on a Connecticut warrant for murder.

According to police in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Smith was covered in blood when he told cousin Nicole Rabb on December 16 that he had killed a homeless man with a hatchet and eaten pieces of his brain and his eye.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091779/Tyree-Lincoln-Smith-Axe-murderer-killed-homeless-man-ate-brains.html

'Strict Muslim' raped four women at knifepoint to 'punish them for being on the streets at night'

A Muslim man who raped women to 'teach them a lesson' for being on the streets at night was jailed indefinitely today because of the danger he poses to women.

Sunny Islam, 23, who comes from a strict Muslim family, dragged his terrified victims - including a 15-year-old - from the street at knifepoint, bound and assaulted them during a two-month reign of terror.

Police fear that Islam may have attacked many more.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091669/Sunny-Islam-Strict-Muslim-raped-4-women-knifepoint-punish-them.html

Four dead in East Coast crash

Four people have died and at least one more is critically injured after a collision between two vehicles in Hawke's Bay tonight.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10781148

College student shot dead in Richmond

A Contra Costa Community College student was shot and killed in Richmond by a gunman who turned on him after initially targeting someone else, police said Tuesday.

Edwin Martinez, 22, of Richmond was sitting in a parked car with his sister outside their apartment on the 2100 block of Nevin Avenue at about 7 p.m. Monday when they saw a car careen around the corner, and a man running after it while shooting a gun, police said.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/25/BAA81MTMMQ.DTL

25 dead after Congo warlord returns to southeast

A Congolese rights group says at least 19 children and six pregnant women died from acute malnutrition and lack of medicine after a feared warlord returned to the southeast.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/25-dead-congo-warlord-returns-southeast-15436761

5 police shot dead in town outside Mexico City

VALLE DE BRAVO, Mexico (AP) — Five police officers were fatally shot after they stopped a vehicle in a town outside Mexico City, authorities said Tuesday.

Mexico State prosecutor Alfredo Castillo Cervantes said the municipal officers from the town of Ixtapaluca had stopped the vehicle when a taxi and a van pulled up and a group of attackers opened fire with high-powered weapons.

http://news.yahoo.com/5-police-shot-dead-town-outside-mexico-city-223320740.html

NC killer's taunt: Death row means leisure

RALEIGH, N.C. A death row inmate accused of killing three North Carolina women has written a taunting letter to his hometown newspaper, predicting he'll spend many years as a gentleman of leisure, watching color TV and enjoying frequent naps.

"Kill me if you can, suckers," Danny Robbie Hembree Jr. wrote in a letter to The Gaston Gazette (http://bit.ly/xBegPz). A story about the letter and its contents was published on the front page of Tuesday's edition.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/24/2954616/nc-killers-taunt-death-row-means.html

Man cites Christian faith for kidnapping children

A 38-year-old German man who kidnapped his four children and took them to North Africa last year told a court Tuesday that his Christian beliefs drove him to the crime. He remains unrepentant.

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120125-40319.html

Two more Tibetans 'shot dead' in clashes with Chinese forces

Two more Tibetan protesters have been shot by Chinese security forces, bringing this week's death toll to five, the Tibetan government-in-exile has said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9037570/Two-more-Tibetans-shot-dead-in-clashes-with-Chinese-forces.html

Man shot executlon-style at Malvern Town Centre

TORONTO - A shotgun-toting killer executed a barber in a Scarborough mall on Tuesday.

“My son is dead,” a man who identified himself as the victim’s father told reporters after speaking with Toronto Police investigators.

The victim, whose name was said to be Chris, worked in the hair salon, Cut Creator, for 16 years, according to his dad.

The victim apparently suffered a shotgun blast to the back of the head at the shop in the Malvern Town Centre at 31 Tapscott Rd. at around 12:45 p.m.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/24/man-shot-executlon-style-at-malvern-town-centre

Kentucky Mayor shot to death over romantic relationship with killer’s stepmother

A Kentucky mayor was shot to death early Monday morning by his girlfriend's stepson over what police believe was a personal vendetta.

The alleged killer, 30-year-old Thomas Joseph Lattus, surrendered to police in the wee hours of the night and confessed to shooting Hickman Mayor Charles Murphy, according to The Associated Press.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/kentucky-mayor-shot-death-romantic-relationship-killer-stepmother-article-1.1010975

Navy SEALs free two hostages and kill nine pirates during daring Somalia rescue

MOGADISHU, Somalia - U.S. military forces flew into Somalia in a nighttime helicopter raid Wednesday, freed an American and a Danish hostage, and killed nine pirates in a mission President Obama appeared to reference before his State of the Union speech, officials and a pirate source told The Associated Press.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/u-s-military-raid-somalia-frees-american-dane-held-hostage-article-1.1011524

Actor James Farentino Dies at 73

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KTLA) -- Film, stage and television actor James Farentino died Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a lengthy bout with an undisclosed illness, said family spokesman Bob Palmer.

Farentino was 73.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-james-farentino-dies,0,4353328.story

Man jailed for allegedly beating puppy

EL CAJON, Calif. -- A Crest man was behind bars Tuesday for allegedly beating a puppy so severely that a veterinarian decided to euthanize it.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/kswb-man-jailed-for-allegedly-beating-puppy-to-death-20120124,0,1352910.story

Boy's Ear Severed in Vicious Dog Attack

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KTLA) -- A Moreno Valley boy's ear was severed Tuesday morning after a large dog attacked him and his mother as they walked through their neighborhood.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-moreno-valley-boy-loses-ear-in-dog-attack,0,3780740.story

Pit bulls attack two people in Elmhurst

Two pit bulls attacked a 63-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman Monday evening in west suburban Elmhurst.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/10217395-418/pit-bulls-attack-two-people-in-elmhurst.html

Man fatally shot girlfriend during argument on South Side

Police are searching for a man who shot and killed his girlfriend during an argument at her South Side home early Tuesday.

The suspect shot his 39-year-old girlfriend in the head during an argument in the 5600 block of South Perry Avenue about 1 a.m., police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro said.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/10202185-418/man-fatally-shot-girlfriend-during-argument-on-south-side.html

Indiana sailor asked girlfriend to molest 3-year-old, send him photos

A sailor from northwest Indiana is accused of asking his former girlfriend to molest a 3-year-old boy and text him photos of the crime.

Ryan Schroeder, 26, of Valparaiso, was charged Monday with 23 felonies — including aiding in child molestation, aiding in child exploitation, possession of child pornography, aiding in voyeurism and aiding in theft, the Indiana State Police said.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/crime/10208625-418/cops-indiana-sailor-asked-girlfriend-to-molest-3-year-old-send-him-photos.html

RSPCA warning as antifreeze kills Blackwood cats

The RSPCA says someone may be deliberately poisoning cats with antifreeze in Blackwood in Caerphilly county.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-16710634

9 dead as bus driver goes on rampage

At least nine people were killed and dozens hurt when a bus driver in a western Indian city went on a rampage, leaving a trail of smashed cars and crushed pedestrians.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-25/9-dead-as-indian-bus-driver-goes-on-rampage/3793358

Mummified body discovered in air vent at French bank after workers complained of bad smell

A mummified body has been discovered inside the air duct of a French bank after workers had been complaining of a bad smell for several months.

Police and firefighters were last night attempting to dislodge the half-rotten corpse at a branch of Credit Foncier in Lyon, eastern France.

One theory being explored is that the body is that of a burglar. It may also be an employee or a vagrant.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091470/Mummified-body-discovered-air-vent-Credit-Foncier-bank-workers-complained-bad-smell.html

Mother watches helplessly as apartment inferno kills her two children after she was locked outside

A single mother watched helplessly as an inferno consumed her Chicago apartment with two of her children, age 1 and 3, inside after she was locked out when she fled the burning building to save her 6-year-old son Tuesday morning.

Alicia Myles, who is seven months pregnant, tried to run back inside to rescue her other children but found that the door had locked behind her.

A police sergeant and and a tow truck driver ran to her aid and tried desperately to break down the door. The officer injured his shoulder in the attempt. But when they made it inside, it was too late. A wall of flames drove back the would-be rescuers.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091213/Chicago-apartment-killed-children-mother-locked-out.html

Mother charged with first degree murder after bones of son, 3, found underneath their trailer

The mother of a three-year-old boy found dead under a trailer has been accused of killing the toddler.

Juanita Kinzie has been charged with first degree murder, after the remains of toddler Caleb Pacheco were found on Sunday under their former home.

Concerned relatives had been asking welfare officers in Logan County, Colorado to track the mother and child down because they had not seen Caleb for months.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091392/Caleb-Pacheco-Mother-charged-degree-murder-bones-son-3-trailer.html

Pushy father who wanted sons, 6 and 8, to be the next Tiger Woods beat them with golf clubs for missing shots

-33-year-old threw golf ball at elder boy, gashing his ear

-He also pinched younger child in the face

-Father given 52 weeks in jail, suspended for 2 years, with 12 months' supervision

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091496/Pushy-father-wanted-sons-6-8-Tiger-Woods-beat-golf-clubs-missing-shots.html

Businessman to have cosmetic surgery to heal horrific wounds after two years of abuse by his 5ft 1ins girlfriend

-Ian McNicholl had bleach sprayed in his eyes and had lit cigarettes placed up his nose

-His arm was also scalded with an iron and he suffered attacks involving hammers and metal bars

-Girlfriend was jailed for seven years for GBH

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091255/Ian-McNicholl-needed-cosmetic-surgery-heal-wounds-abuse-5ft-1ins-girlfriend.html

British tourist, 61, stung to death by swarm of bees on holiday in Tanzania

A British tourist holidaying in Africa has been stung to death by a swarm of bees.

Mick Bryan, 61, and his 43-year-old wife Jacqueline were attacked at a campsite in Tanzania.

The couple, from Ramsey in Cambridgeshire, were about to have lunch when the swarm descended and started to sting them.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091549/British-tourist-61-stung-death-swarm-bees-holiday-Tanzania.html

6-year-old Peachtree City girl killed by pellet gun

A 6-year-old girl died Friday afternoon after being shot in the throat by a pellet gun in her Fayette County home.

The girl, whose name was not released, was in very critical condition when emergency responders arrived at her Peachtree City home in the Planterra Ridge neighborhood shortly before 12:30 p.m., according to police.

The child was taken to Piedmont Fayette Hospital, where she died, police said.

http://www.ajc.com/news/fayette/6-year-old-peachtree-1310553.html

S.J. kidnapper sexually assaulted girl, police say

(01-23) 16:55 PST SAN JOSE -- A kidnapping suspect shot and killed by a San Jose police SWAT team sexually assaulted the 11-year-old girl he abducted and was armed with a knife and a gun that fired blanks, authorities said today.

The alleged kidnapper, 42-year-old Tri Truong Le of San Jose, was shot dead at his apartment on the 3400 block of Pistachio Drive in San Jose about 12:15 p.m. Friday.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/24/BAJE1MTCLQ.DTL

New Zealand whale stranding kills 36, threatens 40

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A mass-stranding of whales on a New Zealand beach has left 36 of the creatures dead and threatens 40 more.

Department of Conservation area manager John Mason said 99 pilot whales stranded themselves Monday on Farewell Spit on the South Island. By Tuesday, 36 whales had died and another 40 remained stranded and were still in danger.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=770884&publicationSubCategoryId=200

God's wrath may have sparked attacks: writer

Christian Democrat leader Knut Arild Hareide has described as “unacceptable” a speech made by a writer at a party event last week suggesting the July 22nd terror attacks may have been God’s punishment for Norway’s poor diplomatic relations with Israel.

http://www.thelocal.no/page/view/gods-wrath-behind-july-attacks-writer

Gunmen kill 15 fishermen in Philippines in possible attack by rival group of anglers

MANILA, Philippines - Gunmen in the restive southern Philippines opened fire on three boats and killed 15 fishermen in what officials said Tuesday was likely an attack by a rival group protecting its lucrative fishing grounds.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/gunmen-kill-15-fishermen-philippines-attack-rival-group-anglers-article-1.1010790

Gay teen in Tennessee hangs himself after leaving note in trash that read ‘please help me mom’

A gay teen in Tennessee killed himself on Friday after leaving a note in a trash can that read “please help me mom,” WSMV-TV in Nashville reports.

Phillip Parker, 14, hanged himself in his foster parents’ bathroom in Gordonsville after one year of constant bullying, family members told WSMV, an NBC affiliate.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gay-teen-tennessee-hangs-leaving-note-trash-read-mom-article-1.1010752

Car bombs kill 13, wound 75 in Iraq

Four car bombs have exploded in mainly Shiite neighbourhoods of Baghdad killing at least 13 people and wounding 75.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-24/car-bombs-kill-132c-wound-75-in-iraq/3791236

Boy, 14, dies after he accidentally shoots himself in the face with a miniature replica cannon

A 14-year-old boy has died after accidentally shooting himself with a miniature toy cannon.

Authorities said Robby Ostberg was playing with the toy at about 7.30am on Monday in his living room in Tremonton, Utah, about 75 miles north of Salt Lake City.

Tremonton Police Chief David Nance says the boy was struck in the face after the cannon somehow went off.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090974/Boy-14-dies-accidentally-shoots-face-miniature-replica-cannon.html

Woman finally found guilty of 'convincing her NFL star lover to shoot dead her sugar daddy for his cash'

A woman has been found guilty of convincing her lover, a former NFL player, to shoot dead her millionaire boyfriend for his life insurance.

Seventeen years after the crime, jurors found Nanette Ann Packard, 46, from Southern California, guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of her sugar daddy, Newport Beach millionaire William McLaughlin, who was 21 years her senior.

Kimberly McLaughlin, the victim's daughter, clasped her hands and whispered 'thank you' to jurors as they exited the courtroom in Santa Ana.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090906/Deadly-love-triangle-Woman-guilty-convincing-NFL-star-lover-shoot-dead-sugar-daddy-cash.html

Animal doctor 'had sex with horse while he was a veterinarian student'

A registered vet has been charged with a crime against nature after he was accused of having sex with a horse when he was a student at Oklahoma State University’s veterinary medicine programme.

Thomas Lyle Wilson, 28, appeared before a Tulsa County Court judge on Thursday after he was charged with one count of crimes against nature, He pled not guilty.

Dr Wilson now practices at an animal hospital in Pennsylvania.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090751/Thomas-Lyle-Wilson-Animal-doctor-sex-horse-veterinarian-student.html

Jilted lover slaughtered pensioner, 79, to prove he still loved his ex-girlfriend after discovering she was giving him sexual favours to repay debt

A jilted lover murdered a pensioner in a frenzied knife attack after learning his ex-girlfriend was giving the 79-year-old sexual favours to repay her debts.

Vengeful Andrew Monk was facing a life sentence for stabbing James Land 11 times at his home in Bromley, Kent, to prove he 'still loved' Sadie Newark.

Monk, 28, killed Mr Land after he found out that Miss Newark, 30, had agreed to be kissed, groped and photographed topless by her elderly neighbour to pay off small sums of cash she had borrowed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091025/Jilted-lover-slaughtered-pensioner-79-prove-loved-ex-girlfriend-discovering-giving-sexual-favours-repay-debt.html

Newlywed, 26, dies after she was in a car crash just one day after her wedding

A newlywed died after she was involved in a head-on collision with a car driving on the wrong side of the road just one day after her wedding.

Charges are now pending against the other driver after Shruti Phadnis, 26, from Illinois, died on Wednesday as a result of injuries suffered in the January 13 crash, which injured three other people.

Phadnis' widower Devang Vora, told police they had just been married the day before the crash.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090629/Woman-dies-car-crash-just-day-wedding.html

Three dead as storms pummel Alabama and surrounding states

At least three people have been killed as storms pounded the U.S. South and Midwest earlier this morning, prompting tornado warnings in a handful of states.

A sheriff's spokesman in Jefferson County, Alabama, said two of the dead were a 16-year-old boy and an 82-year-old man from the Birmingham area.

A storm system produced a possible tornado that moved across Jefferson County around 3.30am local time Randy Christian said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090631/3-dead-storms-pummel-Alabama-South-Midwest.html

Babysitter, 32, 'streamed video of herself sexually molesting girl, 5, to a man she met online'

A babysitter has been arrested after allegedly molesting a five-year-old girl while streaming the assault live on the internet.

Jennifer Mahoney filmed herself while taking part in a Skype chat with a man who recorded the illegal sex acts.

The 32-year-old was arrested at her suburban New Jersey home and faces up to 30 years in prison after being charged with sexual exploitation.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090639/Babysitter-32-streamed-video-sexually-molesting-girl-5-pedophile-met-online.html

Gardener found skull of woman in allotment water tank 'after she was murdered and sawn in two by ex-lover'

An elderly gardener emptying an allotment water tank discovered the skull of a woman murdered and cut in two six years earlier, a court heard today.

Julie Dorsett, 33, went missing in 2002, the Old Bailey heard. It is alleged she was beaten to death and dismembered before being dumped on the allotment by her ex-boyfriend Sinclair Lewis, 55.

As Charles Joseph was clearing the allotment he tipped over an old water tank and a human skull and two bones from the upper arms tumbled out, the court heard.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090676/Gardener-skull-woman-allotment-water-tank-murdered-sawn-ex-lover.html

Schoolgirl, 11, collapses and dies of brain haemorrhage in front of shocked classmates

An 11-year-old schoolgirl collapsed during an afternoon lesson and died shortly afterwards of a brain haemorrhage.

Megan White was laughing and joking with school friends when she suddenly collapsed shortly after lunch.

Staff at All Saints’ Academy, in Cheltenham, immediately called an ambulance on Friday, January 13, and Megan was rushed to hospital.

Doctors soon discovered the haemorrhage and Megan underwent an emergency operation.

But the schoolgirl died the next day at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090637/Megan-White-11-collapses-dies-brain-haemorrhage-school.html

"There is a light that never goes out" by Florian Bertmer

Missing Texas family 'found dead' as victim's son charged for triple murder

Authorities say three bodies discovered behind a barn in North Texas may be family members who disappeared from their rural home last week.

Fannin County sheriff's deputies found the bodies outside Sherman on Saturday while searching for 73-year-old Harold Harpst, 79-year-old Sue Harpst, and Sue's daughter, 48-year-old Regina Taunton.

Ms Harpst's son, 52-year-old Thomas Lloyd Taunton, has been charged with their murders.

The bodies were found behind the barn by a sheriff's deputy who was searching for Harold and Sue Harpst's missing van.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090346/Missing-Texas-family-dead-victims-son-Thomas-Taunton-charged-triple-murder.html

Parents' anguish over shocking video of autistic son, 11, being beaten at school bus stop

-Kaleb Kula punched across face as he stood alone in a driveway

-Middle school pupils cheered and filmed attack to put on Facebook

-Parents say he has been target of bullies at Elkton Middle School

-Police say they have charged juvenile with second degree assault



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090397/Hes-pretty-defenseless-Parents-anguish-autistic-son-11-filmed-beaten-school-bus-stop-students.html

Woman found dead on home tanning bed in Tarrant County

SANSOM PARK — Police in Sansom Park are trying to determine what caused the death of a woman found dead on a tanning bed early Sunday morning.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Woman-found-dead-on-home-tanning-bed-in-Tarrant-County-137852328.html