How MI6 became one of the most respected spy agencies

LONDON – MI6 has launched a new book about its official history, ‘History Of The Secret Intelligence Service (1909-1949)’.

The Secret Intelligence Service could have gone further, but the historian delving into the archives was only allowed to search up to 1949.

Serving officers believe that details on …. Source  : How MI6 became one of the most respected spy agencies.

Ceiling of CWG weightlifting venue collapses

DELHI – Part of the ceiling of the weightlifting venue at the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium collapsed on Wednesday.

According to TV reports, no one is injured in the incident

On Tuesday an under-construction foot overbridge collapsed outside the …. Read the original article  : here.

Metro rail is an effective system of transport: President Patil

KOLKATA – President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday said in a city, the metro rail is an effective system of transport, giving people a convenient, comfortable and an affordable mode of travel.

Speaking after laying [..] Read the original article: here.

Mushrooming extremist websites emerging biggest global terror threat: Interpol Chief

LONDON – Interpol Chief Ronald Noble has warned that the rising number of extremist websites have made the recruitment process much easier for the al-Qaeda, which according to him, is difficult to manage as another site pops up as soon as one is knocked out.

“The … Read more >>>.

Chirac could face 10-yr prison term if convicted for embezzlement

PARIS – Jacques Chirac, the former French President, would reportedly stand trial over embezzlement charges in a Paris court early next year.

Chirac, who would be the first modern French leader to appear in the dock, is accused of paying salaries out of public money to 21 of his …. Source article  : Chirac could face 10-yr prison term if convicted for embezzlement.

Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, world’s second largest after Bollywood!

LONDON – The Nigerian film industry, dubbed Nollywood, has now become the second largest in the world.

According to a UNESCO report last year, Nollywood makes about 2,400 films per year, putting it ahead of the US, but behind India.

A new … Read more >>>.

Clarification: ‘America’s Got Talent’ story

Clarification: ‘America’s Got Talent’ story

LOS ANGELES – The Associated Press reported Sept. 14 that “America’s Got Talent” contestant Michael Grimm performed Michael Bolton’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Although Bolton released four different albums containing the song between 1991 and 2005, “When a Man Loves a Woman” was originally written and recorded by Percy … Read more : Clarification: ‘America’s Got Talent’ story.

103 deaths in 104 days as curfew continues in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – As curfew continued across the Kashmir Valley Wednesday, one more youth injured in clashes with security forces died in the hospital, taking the deaths in the unrest in the valley to 103 since June 11.

“Sajad Ahmad Pandit, who was injured in clashes in Sheikhpora area of Badgam district on Sep 13, succumbed … Original article on : 103 deaths in 104 days as curfew continues in Kashmir.

Woodward book details Obama battles with advisers over Afghan exit plan

WASHINGTON – A new book by well known journalist Bob Woodward has revealed that President Barack Obama repeatedly pressed his top military advisers to give him an exit plan for Afghanistan, but failed to get it.

According to secret meeting notes and documents that have found a mention in the book titled “Obama’s Wars”, Obama grew … Read more >>.

Commonwealth Games official says chief heads to Delhi for emergency visit to address problems

Commonwealth Games chief rushing to New Delhi

NEW DELHI – A top Commonwealth Games officials says the games’ chief is rushing to New Delhi on an emergency visit amid widespread anger over India’s frenzied last-minute preparations for next month’s international sports event.
Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper told The Associated Press that the federation’s president, … Read more >>.

Yeddyurappa ministry expanded in Karnataka

BANGALORE – Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday expanded his ministry by inducting six more ministers, raising the strength to 34.

A Narayanaswamy, C H Vijayashankar, C C Patil, Shobha Karandlaje, V Somanna and S A Ramdas took oath as ministers of cabinet rank at a brief function held here at Raj Bhavan.

Governor … Read more »».

Mixed-use neighbourhoods can reduce crime

WASHINGTON – A new study suggests mixed-use neighbourhoods that combine residential and business development may help reduce some types of violent crime.

According to researchers, the results were just as true in impoverished neighborhoods as they were in more affluent areas, offering one possible way of improving blighted areas.

But in a sparsely populated neighborhood, increases in …. Read the original article  : Mixed-use neighbourhoods can reduce crime.

Graham Greene, W. Somerset Maugham were MI6 wartime spies, book reveals

LONDON – Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service has admitted for the first time that famous authors like Graham Greene, W. Somerset Maugham and Arthur Ransome were staff members of MI6.

According to The Guardian, Compton Mackenzie, Malcolm Muggeridge, and philosopher AJ “Freddie” Ayer were among the many exotic characters who agreed to spy for Britain, mainly during … Read more : Graham Greene, W. Somerset Maugham were MI6 wartime spies, book reveals.

No proof of Pak moving against Haqqani group: Holbrooke

New York: US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has said that Islamabad has not yet acted against the Haqqani group- a Taliban ally- as the nation’s fight against terrorism has been constrained by the need to deploy troops in flood …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : No proof of Pak moving against Haqqani group: Holbrooke.

Soon, 155mph high speed “Superbus” with ambience of business class cabin of aircraft

BERLIN – Delft University of Technology is all set to unveil the prototype of a 155mph “Superbus” in Germany with a carrying capacity of 23 passengers.

Billed as a “future vision of sustainable public transport”, the “Superbus” is as long as a conventional bus but no taller than a four-wheel drive sports utility …. Read the original article  : Soon, 155mph high speed “Superbus” with ambience of business class cabin of aircraft.

Pushy parents and SATs leaving 11-yr-olds ’stressed and nervous’

LONDON – A new UK study has revealed that pressure from pushy parents and SATs tests are leaving a generation of 11-year-olds ’stressed and nervous’.

Queen’s University researchers questioned as many as 1000 eleven and 12-year-olds.

Youngsters said their primary school years are marred by feelings of anxiety and inadequacy due to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pushy parents and SATs leaving 11-yr-olds ’stressed and nervous’.

At least 28 people killed in three drone strikes in Waziristan

Lahore: At least 28 people were killed when three US-led drone attacks struck in remote areas of South and North Waziristan in Pakistan.

According to sources, the first attack took place in Miranshah, where the drone aircraft pounded two missiles, killing at least nine people, the Daily Times …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : At least 28 people killed in three drone strikes in Waziristan.

Meet the 8 Brit boys who have the same IQ as Einstein

LONDON – Eight boys at King’s School in Grantham, Lincs have the same IQ as genius Albert Einstein.

They equalled Einstein’s estimated IQ of 160 – also Professor Stephen Hawking’s score – in a test for brains club Mensa.

One pupil, Edward Roberts (16) doing four AS levels at the school scored …. Source article  : Meet the 8 Brit boys who have the same IQ as Einstein.

China confirms plans to build two more nuclear reactors for Pakistan

Beijing: China has confirmed its plans of helping Pakistan in expanding its Chashma nuclear energy complex by building two reactors in addition to one already operating and another nearing completion.

“This project is based on an agreement signed between the two countries in 2003 [..] Read the original article: here.

US military postpones Guam buildup decisions on live fire training range, carrier berth

US military postpones 2 Guam buildup decisions

HONOLULU – The U.S. military has postponed two key decisions related to its buildup of forces on Guam to ensure it’s complying with environmental and historic preservation laws.
But it gave final approval to the single biggest part of the buildup: a proposal to move 8,000 Marines from Okinawa, Japan … Read more : US military postpones Guam buildup decisions on live fire training range, carrier berth.