US defense chief nudges Karzai to name replacements of ‘equal caliber’ for top posts

US: Sacking of Afghan ministers an internal matter

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is avoiding criticism of Afghan President Hamid Karzai over the sacking of two top Afghan security officials.
The men had worked closely with the United States and Gates is urging Karzai to name replacements of “equal caliber.”
Speaking Monday … Read more »»».

Iranian missing for nearly 2 weeks turns up in Germany, taken to hospital

Missing Iranian turns up after nearly 2 weeks

BERLIN – German police say an exiled Iranian artist and filmmaker has turned up in Cologne after being missing for nearly two weeks.
Cologne police spokesman Andre Fassbender said Daryush Shokof was found completely drenched near the Rhine river late Saturday night.
Fassbender said Monday that the 55-year-old Berlin resident …. Read the original article  : here.

Israeli Navy to use new methods to prevent breach of Gaza blockade

JERUSALEM – The Israeli Navy has said that it will use different methods to prevent vessels from breaking through its imposed sea blockade on Gaza.

“We will do things differently in the future. There are issues that have to do with the timing of such a boarding, the way to distract the attention of the people …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Israeli Navy to use new methods to prevent breach of Gaza blockade.

Brit schools leave Christianity in the wilderness

LONDON – British schools have been accused of ignoring the views of their Christian pupils while paying careful attention to children of other faiths.

According to Ofsted, the schools inspectorate, teachers are failing to educate children in the core beliefs of Christianity, ignoring their legal obligation to do so.

The Times quoted the Ofsted report, as saying … Read more >>>.

Kim Jong Il’s aide’s death reveals internal strife in N-Korea

LONDON -The death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il’s trusted political ally in a car crash has exposed the internal stife in the ruling regime against the backdrop of Kim’s plans to name a successor in Pyongyang.

The death of 80-year-old Ri couldn’t have been more ill-timed …. Read the original article  : Kim Jong Il’s aide’s death reveals internal strife in N-Korea.

Australian Govt orders probe into Google’s ‘biggest breach in the history of privacy’

LONDON – Google has courted controversy once again with allegations of breach of privacy of Australian people while taking pictures for its Street View service.

The web giant has since apologized for the mistake while Australia has ordered a probe into the incident.

According … Read more >>.

Israel envoy to US rejects UN flotilla clash inquiry

WASHINGTON – Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Michael B. Oren said Sunday that his country would reject an international inquiry into last week’s deadly raid on a Turkish ship.

However, a formal announcement from Jerusalem is awaited, the New York Times reports.

“We are rejecting …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Israel envoy to US rejects UN flotilla clash inquiry.

Pak tells NATO, EU, premature exit from Afghanistan will be catastrophic for region

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan believes that it would be catastrophic for the NATO forces to walk out of war ravaged Afghanistan without establishing durable peace and stability in the country, as it could lead to revival of militancy in … Read more >>>.

Afghan guards suspected of colluding with insurgents

MAIDAN SHAHR – Afghan mercenaries have been bribing Taliban insurgents to let American and other NATO convoys pass through the tribal badlands, which they escort.

According to the New York Times, guards from Watan Risk Management traveled on … Read more : Afghan guards suspected of colluding with insurgents.

230 pilots at Swedish domestic airlines go on strike in conflict over employment conditions

Swedish domestic flights disrupted by pilot strike

STOCKHOLM – Union officials say around 230 pilots at four Swedish domestic airlines have gone on strike.
The Swedish Airline Pilots Association says the pilots began their job action Monday to protest the airlines’ demands to be allowed to employ freelance pilots and to bypass employment regulations in collective bargaining … Read more >>>.

Karzai orders Afghan prisoner review

KABUL – Afghan President Hamid Karzai has ordered a review of the cases of every Taliban suspect in the country’s prisons.

According to the BBC, he said that where evidence against suspects was doubtful, they must be released.

Karzai’s announcement of prisoner case reviews is the first official response to the national peace conference, which … Read : Karzai orders Afghan prisoner review.

China says Brahmaputra Canyon ready for world visitors

NEW DELHI – The Tibetan autonomous government will work with local tourist companies investing huge amounts of money to further develop the Brahmaputra Grand Canyon tourist area into a world-class top tourist spot, Xinhua News reports.

In 2010, rail and water lines opened for tourists to get into the Brahmaputra Grand Canyon.

The water line would …. Source  : China says Brahmaputra Canyon ready for world visitors.

China, US trade barbs over military ties

NEW DELHI – Chinese and US military officers have blamed each other for worsening military relations at a security meeting in Singapore that ended on Sunday.

“The barrier between China-US military relations is not set up by China,” Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said at a …. Read the original article  : China, US trade barbs over military ties.

Obama stresses importance of Azerbaijan to Afghan war effort, moves to improve relations

Obama moves to improve relations with Azerbaijan
BAKU, Azerbaijan – In a letter to the leader of strategically important Azerbaijan, President Barack Obama acknowledges the difficulties in the relationship between the two nations, but says he’s confident the issues can be resolved.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates hand delivered Obama’s letter Sunday during a meeting …. Original source  : Obama stresses importance of Azerbaijan to Afghan war effort, moves to improve relations.

Malay Indian body calls on government to allocate funds for temples, schools

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has appealed to the government to give financial grants to Indian temples and Tamil schools, and provide more job opportunities for the community in government-linked agencies to ensure that they return to support the Barisan Nasional.

The Star and the Uthaya Surian quoted MIC deputy president and Deputy … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Malay Indian body calls on government to allocate funds for temples, schools.

Indian cabbies in Brisbane protest over discrimination

BRISBANE – About 45 Indian cabbies staged a protest at Brisbane International Airport here on Monday over discrimination by the authorities.

Protests last night spread from the airport into the City and the Normanby Hotel as drivers locked their cabs and refused to take passengers.

A driver who contacted The Courier-Mail today said they were … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Indian cabbies in Brisbane protest over discrimination.

Shinde calls for Indo-Australian cooperation in power sector

PERTH – Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday said that Australia can play a major role in the energy sector of India which is growing at rapid pace with huge opportunities for investments and technology.

Speaking at the 1st Australia-India Energy and Minerals Forum here, Shinde said: “The two countries can work together in [..] Read the original article: here.

Bhopal gas tragedy: All eight accused found guilty

BHOPAL – Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Mohan P Tiwari on Monday convicted all eight accused on the grounds of death due to negligence under Section 304 (a) for the Bhopal Gas tragedy, one of India’s most horrific of industrial disasters.

The maximum punishment under this provision is two years. The quantum of sentence’s yet to be …. Source article  : Bhopal gas tragedy: All eight accused found guilty.

Iran offers escort to next aid convoy to Gaza

LONDON – A key aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hojjatoleslam Ali Shirazi, has warned that Tehran would send naval units of Revolutionary Guard to escort humanitarian aid convoys to the blockaded Gaza Strip.

“Iran’s Revolutionary Guard naval forces are prepared to escort the peace and freedom convoys that carry humanitarian assistance for the … Read more >>>.

Karzai sacks country’s Interior Minister, Security chief

KABUL – Afghan President Hamid Karazai has, on Sunday ousted his Security Minster as well as his Interior Minister in an unexpected decision.

Their expulsion of Interior Minister Hanif Atmar and National Directorate of Security chief Amrullah Saleh is likely to further drive in the wedge between Washington and Karzai and exacerbate their already contentious … Original article on : Karzai sacks country’s Interior Minister, Security chief.