Ex-banker fired for being ‘too hot’ may sue new boss

MELBOURNE – Former Citigroup banker, Debrahlee Lorenzana, who was fired because she was ‘too hot’, refused to be tight-lipped about the discrimination against her at the company and threatened to sue her new boss if they forced her to be quiet about it.

Lorenzana says she won’t tolerate indiscrimination, even if it means suing the ones …. Original source  : Ex-banker fired for being ‘too hot’ may sue new boss.

Lesbian partners tying the knot with gay couples to satisfy their parents

NEW DELHI – There is an increasing trend of fake marriages between lesbian couples and gay partners in order to escape family and social pressures.

Zhang Nana and her partner Shenlan (not their real names) are in a relationship. In 2006, she married 31-year-old university lecturer surnamed Wang – who was already with his partner Lian.

But …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Father gets 9-year jail term for raping, pimping disabled daughter to friends

MELBOURNE – A man who sexually abused his intellectually disabled daughter and pimped her for money to his friends has been jailed for nine years.

The sexual abuse began when the girl, known only as JBC, was 11 years old and continued for nine years.

When asked why he had prostituted her, the man, who cannot be …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Father gets 9-year jail term for raping, pimping disabled daughter to friends.

1 in 3 women drinks alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding: Oz study

MELBOURNE – If a new Australian study is to be believed, then one in three women drinks alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding, despite knowing the potential dangers to the infant.

The research from the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation revealed that although mothers-to-be are advised to cut out alcohol altogether to cut the risk of birth … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 1 in 3 women drinks alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding: Oz study.

Holbrooke’s Pak visit cancelled

ISLAMABAD – The U.S. Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has called off his June 9 visit to Pakistan.

According to reports, the decision was taken after Holbrooke was informed that neither Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari nor Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi would be in Islamabad on the day due to prior commitments. …. Read the original article  : Holbrooke’s Pak visit cancelled.

Israel says it will ban entry of Iranian ships to Gaza

JERUSALEM – Israel has reportedly banned the entry of two Iranian relief vessels saying any such move by Tehran would be seen as an act of aggression and a challenge to Tel Aviv’s authority.

“The Iranian regime has called for Israel to be wiped off the map and has a proven track record of supplying dangerous …. Original article  : Israel says it will ban entry of Iranian ships to Gaza.

China supplied nuke missiles to S. Arabia, claims ex-CIA analyst

WASHINGTON – China supplied nuclear missiles to Saudi Arabia during the Bush administration years (2000-2008), a former CIA officer who managed intelligence reports on Riyadh has claimed in an uncleared manuscript sent to congressional offices.

“I believe the People’s Republic of China delivered a turn-key nuclear ballistic missile system to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over …. Source article  : China supplied nuke missiles to S. Arabia, claims ex-CIA analyst.

Gates foundation pledges $1.5 billion for maternal health, babies

LONDON – Melinda Gates has called upon the world to put in more efforts to save the lives of women during childbirth and their babies.

She was speaking at the Women Deliver conference in Washington.

Melinda also pledged a 1.5 billion dollar grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help nations with high maternal …. Original source  : Gates foundation pledges $1.5 billion for maternal health, babies.

Everest to be child’s play? Or not any more?

KATHMANDU – From a feisty American teenager, Jordan Romero became an international celebrity overnight when he summited Mt Everest May 22, 2010 and became the youngest climber to have conquered the world’s highest peak.

Jordan was just 13 when he stood on the 8,848m peak, proving wrong critics who had feared the feat would be beyond …. Source article  : Everest to be child’s play? Or not any more?.

Oil rises above $72 a barrel in Asia as Bernanke gives vote of confidence in US recovery

Oil rises above $72 after Bernanke comments

SINGAPORE – Oil prices rose above $72 a barrel Tuesday in Asia after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said he’s hopeful the world’s No. 1 economy won’t fall back into a “double dip” recession.
Benchmark crude for July delivery was up 62 cents to $72.06 a barrel at late afternoon …. Read the original article  : Oil rises above $72 a barrel in Asia as Bernanke gives vote of confidence in US recovery.

Strike halts Hyundai production at Tamil Nadu plant

CHENNAI – The Hyundai Motor India Employees Union (HMIEU) went on a flash strike here on Monday halting production at the company’s manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur town.

They demanded the reinstatement of 67 colleagues dismissed after a strike in July.

Though only 150 employees out of 10,000 were on strike, Hyundai said it decided to …. Source  : Strike halts Hyundai production at Tamil Nadu plant.

Americans sees Gulf oil spill as a major environmental disaster

WASHINGTON – Americans overwhelmingly see the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as a major environmental disaster, and most want the federal government to pursue criminal charges against BP and its drilling partners, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

According to the poll, public complaints against BP are two-fold: Most give poor ratings …. Source  : Americans sees Gulf oil spill as a major environmental disaster.

Nepal’s Maoists submits memo to Indian Embassy

KATHMANDU – The Young Communist League (YCL), youth wing of the UCPN (Maoist) has submitted a memorandum to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu denouncing the recent killing of 19 Nepali speaking persons in Meghalaya.

According to Kantipur, the YCL has demanded that India should guarantee the Nepali speakers’ right to live a dignified life.

The statement …. Read the original article  : Nepal’s Maoists submits memo to Indian Embassy.

Afghan War surpasses Vietnam War in its duration

LONDON – The Afghan war is now the country’s longest, surpassing Vietnam in its duration.

One hundred and three months passed between passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and the withdrawal of the last American combat forces from Vietnam. As of today, the Afghanistan war is 104 months old, ABC News reports.

In many ways, …. Original source  : Afghan War surpasses Vietnam War in its duration.

1,000 Taliban could be freed from notorious prison through amnesty scheme

KABUL – The head of the Pul-e-Charki prison, Afghanistan’s most notorious detention centre, has revealed that nearly 1,000 Taliban inmates could be freed from as part of an amnesty deal offered by Hamid Karzai’s government.

General Abdulbakhi Behsudi told the Globe And Mail that in the wake of the recent peace jirga,the first move toward a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Pak, Australia sign MoU to boost defence cooperation

RAWALPINDI – Pakistan and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost defence ties between the two countries.

It was signed after Australian Defence Minister John Faulkner called on Pakistan Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar at the Ministry of Defence.

The MoU envisages promoting interaction between the armed forces of the two countries, and also …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pak, Australia sign MoU to boost defence cooperation.

Woman asks tax men for 33 pounds, gets 1.5 mn

LONDON – A British pensioner whose account was wrongly debited of 33 pounds by the tax office was stunned to get a cheque for 1.5 million pounds in reply to her complaint.

Elizabeth Jenkins, 86, had told HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that they had wrongly taken 33 pounds from her account and they promised a … Read more >>.

China issues White Paper enshrining citizens’ right to freedom of speech on Net

NEW DELHI – The Chinese Government has issued a White Paper on its Internet policy and the document specifically highlights the importance of the guarantee of citizens’ freedom of speech on the Internet and better access to these rights.

The White Paper released by the State Council also elaborated on the facts regarding development and use … Read more »»».

Tripura powering green with solar energy

AGARTALA – Growing concerns over climate change owing to environmental degradation has led to acceptance of the concept of green energy in Tripura.

The Tripura Renewable Energy Development Authority (TREDA) and urban development department in association with the Union Ministry Of New And Renewable Energy (MNRE) have been actively working to promote green energy.

Green energy … Read more >>.

Elephant kills woman in West Bengal

BANKURA – An elephant killed an elderly woman in Kusumpur village of West Bengal’s Bankura District on Monday.

The incident took place when some villagers were trying to chase away an elephant that had strayed into the village from the forest.

The 50-year-old Durga Mondal, came in the animal’s path and was crushed.lephants often stray into villages …. Source article  : Elephant kills woman in West Bengal.