Political leadership to decide on revoking AFSPA: Army chief

CHENNAI – Indian Army Chief, General V.K. Singh, Saturday said the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which gives the army legal immunity for their actions, is only an enabling law and not an arbitrary one and the political leadership will decide on whether to revoke it in Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters here after witnessing …. Source  : Political leadership to decide on revoking AFSPA: Army chief.

Maoists set to build a new political mainstream in Nepal: Prachanda

KATHMANDU – UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias ‘Prachanda’ has said that Maoists are in process of building a new political mainstream for the country.

Nepalnews quoted Prachanda as, saying that we are in process of building a new political mainstream for the country, not to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Curfew relaxed for four hours in parts of Srinagar

SRINAGAR – Curfew was relaxed for four hours in southern and eastern parts of Srinagar on Saturday.

The curfew was relaxed in South and East zones of the city from 12 noon to 4 pm, a police spokesman said.

” Curfew will be relaxed in other parts of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Curfew relaxed for four hours in parts of Srinagar.

Afghan villagers attack Oz troops in Uruzgan province for alleged Koran burning rumor

KABUL – Relations between Australian troops and villagers in Mirwais in the Chora Valley of Afghanistan Uruzgan Province have soured after a violent protest that was sparked off by a rumour that diggers were burning copies of the Koran.

The soldiers were conducting a regular burn off of rubbish …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Afghan villagers attack Oz troops in Uruzgan province for alleged Koran burning rumor.

No ‘evidence’ that Pakistan govt is ‘drowning’: Holbrooke

ISLAMABAD – Ruling out the possibility of Pakistan government’s immediate fall, the United States has said that there is no proof to substantiate speculation that the PPP-led coalition government was on its way out.

“I don’t see evidence that the government is drowning,” the Dawn quoted …. Original article  : No ‘evidence’ that Pakistan govt is ‘drowning’: Holbrooke.

Pollution levels in Delhi will come down with hybrid buses: Dikshit

NEW DELHI – Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has expressed confidence that pollution levels in the national capital will come down further with the introduction of hybrid buses.

Speaking at a function to inaugurate the city’s largest bus transport depot …. Original article  : Pollution levels in Delhi will come down with hybrid buses: Dikshit.

Six in ten Americans still think its wrong to build mosque near Ground Zero

WASHINGTON – A majority of Americans, about six in ten (61 percent), still think that it is a bad idea to build the proposed mosque and Islamic Cultural Center near the World Trade Center site in New York City, down slightly from the 64 percent who felt that way in August, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Six in ten Americans still think its wrong to build mosque near Ground Zero.

Rudd promises Clinton a “really good time” during her Oz trip in Nov

CANBERRA – Australia’s Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, who is on a week-long visit to Washington, lightened the mood of everyone present at a news conference by promising U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, that she would have “a really good time” … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rudd promises Clinton a “really good time” during her Oz trip in Nov.

AFSPA an enabling provision, says Army Chief

CHENNAI – Army Chief General V K Singh on Saturday said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) should be seen as an “enabling provision” and not as an “arbitrary” injunction.

Talking to reporters here, General Singh said: “I … Read more >>.

Scotland Yard probing Taliban role in MQM leader’s assassination in London

LONDON – The Taliban may have ordered the brutal murder of Dr. Imran Farooq, the exiled Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), outside his home in London.

According to the Daily Mail, this theory has emerged as Scotland Yard’ s Counter Terrorism Command took charge … Read more : Scotland Yard probing Taliban role in MQM leader’s assassination in London.

Troops fire on funeral procession in Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing 1, wounding 12

Troops fire on Indian Kashmir funeral, killing 1

SRINAGAR, India – Government forces opened fire on a funeral procession in curfew-bound Indian-controlled Kashmir on Saturday, killing one civilian and wounding at least 12 others, police and local residents said.
Thousands of people in Anantnag, a town south of the main city of Srinagar, defied the curfew to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Troops fire on funeral procession in Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing 1, wounding 12.

Book author defends sources over Michelle Obama ‘hell’ comment

LONDON – The co-author of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy’s new book has safeguarded his sources over a passage that tells America’s First Lady Michelle Obama called White House life as “hell”.

Obama’s spokeswoman denied the First Lady said such a thing, and a spokesman at … Original article on : Book author defends sources over Michelle Obama ‘hell’ comment.

Tony and Cherie Blair’s sex secrets set to be revealed?

LONDON – Carole Caplin, who once turned down the offer of 1 million pounds for the story of her ten years as lifestyle guru to Tony and Cherie Blair, might rethink her decision due to the failure of her gym. …. Original article  : Tony and Cherie Blair’s sex secrets set to be revealed?.

US won’t stand “slackness” by Pak Army in “war on terror”: Holbrooke

ISLAMABAD – US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has said that his country would not accept any “slackness” on the part of the Pakistan Army in the war against the Taliban, due to their engagement in the ongoing flood relief efforts.

“Neither the security …. Original article  : US won’t stand “slackness” by Pak Army in “war on terror”: Holbrooke.

The Jammu and Kashmir situation: The Azadi debate – Part II

NEW DELHI – The Pandits of the Kashmir Valley, currently in exile, the Dogras and Muslims of Jammu, the Buddhists of Ladhakh, the Shias and Gujjars in different parts of the state have never been part of any Azadi movement, let alone … Read more »».

Nawaz says it’s right time to resolve Kashmir issue, urges other nations to chip in

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, declaring that the time to resolve the Kashmir imbroglio in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people had arrived, has urged the international community to chip in to solve the crisis.

He said the world … Original article on : Nawaz says it’s right time to resolve Kashmir issue, urges other nations to chip in.

Broke Octomom ‘ready to go on welfare’

WASHINGTON – Octomom Nyda Suleman is ready to go on welfare to raise her 14 children, as she is now almost completely broke.

“She’s going on welfare and it’s going to be very soon,” Fox News quoted an insider as telling RadarOnline.com.

“There’s just no choice. She’s running out of money and those kids … Read more >>>.

Sarah Palin to appear at ‘Dancing with the Stars’ for daughter

WASHINGTON – Rumours are abuzz that Sarah Palin will be in the audience for the season premiere of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ on Sept. 20 to show her support for her 19-year-old daughter Bristol Palin.

Security has been “beefed up” for Sarah’s appearance, reports TMZ.com.

And … Read more »»».

Victoria police launch operation to reduce crime against foreign, Indian students

MELBOURNE – Three people have been arrested in Melbourne during a state-wide operation to reduce anti-social behaviour and crimes against international students. The move may come as a bit of a relief to Indian students in Australia, especially after facing racially motivated …. Original source  : Victoria police launch operation to reduce crime against foreign, Indian students.

Hanif Kureishi awarded Pinter literary prize

LONDON – Renowned novelist Hanif Qureshi has bagged a literary prize set up in honour of playwright Harold Pinter.

The ‘Buddha of Suburbia’ author won the Pen/Pinter prize as he courageously speaks the truth about life in our multicultural world and will receive a cash reward of …. Source article  : Hanif Kureishi awarded Pinter literary prize.