General News – Newsletter for February 22, 2010

Monday, February 22, 2010

SGPC, Akal Takht condemns beheading of Sikh youths by Taliban in Pakistan

AMRITSAR – The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the highest decision-making body of Sikhs has severely condemned the beheading of two Sikh youths is Peshawar, Pakistan, and has asked the Pakistan government to provide full security to minorities in the country.

SGPC chief Avtar … Read more : SGPC, Akal Takht condemns beheading of Sikh youths by Taliban in Pakistan.

Marja battle just ‘initial salvo’ of offensive that could last 12 to 18 months: Petraeus

KABUL – US Central Command Chief General David Petraeus has said that the Marja offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan is just the “initial salvo” in a military campaign that could last 12 to 18 months.

General Petraeus said that international forces had spent recent months mapping strategy, gathering … Read : Marja battle just ‘initial salvo’ of offensive that could last 12 to 18 months: Petraeus.

Police raid nudist beach in Sydney over illegal behaviour

MELBOURNE – A nudist beach in Sydney, Australia, was recently raided by police following community concerns over illegal behaviour.

When police and National Parks and Wildlife officers arrived at Little Congwong Beach at La Perouse, in Sydney’s south on February 21, …. Read the original article  : Police raid nudist beach in Sydney over illegal behaviour.

Feminists’ fury over Sarkozy’s depiction of pregnant Marianne

LONDON – Nicholas Sarkozy has left the country’s feminists reeling over the depiction of Marianne, the personification of the French Republic since the 19th century, in a government advertisement.

Critics have slammed the French President’s government for using a photograph of an expectant mother, in the image of …. Original source  : Feminists’ fury over Sarkozy’s depiction of pregnant Marianne.

Gordon Brown’s ‘terrified’ staff called anti-bullying helpline

LONDON – The “terrified” staff of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has been accused of verbally attacking and manhandling employees, allegedly contacted the country’s anti-bullying helpline.

Christine Pratt, who runs the National Bullying Helpline, said she consoled members of staff …. Original article  : Gordon Brown’s ‘terrified’ staff called anti-bullying helpline.

oman survives 5-floor fall from burning building

NEW YORK – A woman has survived despite falling from the fifth floor of a building on fire in New York.

The 39-year-old woman tried clinging to the air conditioner in the window of her Bronxdale Houses apartment, but eventually lost her grip and fell.
“She was hanging on to the air conditioner and she lost her … Read more : oman survives 5-floor fall from burning building.

UK Justice Secretary says he’d love if Muslim women wouldn’t wear burkhas in Britain

LONDON – British Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said that while he would prefer if Muslim women didn’t wear burkhas in Britain, a France-like ban on wearing veils wouldn’t be feasible.

“I would prefer if people didn’t wear a burkha but you can’t ban it. It might work in France but it won’t work here,” the … Read more »».

German airline Lufthansa cancels hundreds of flights as pilots begin 4-day strike

Lufthansa nixes 100s of flights as pilots strike

BERLIN – German airline Lufthansa canceled about 800 flights Monday, almost half its daily total, after more than 4,000 of its pilots began a four-day walkout.
The airline, Europe’s biggest by sales, said that despite the strike organized by the Cockpit pilots union, it was maintaining many domestic flights … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : German airline Lufthansa cancels hundreds of flights as pilots begin 4-day strike.

Pope Benedict XVI says ’strip search’ airport scanners breach ‘human dignity’

LONDON – Pope Benedict XVI has spoken out against the use of full body scanners across airports in UK insisting that “human dignity must be preserved”.

“Every action, it is above all essential to protect and value the human person in their integrity. Respecting these principles can seem particularly complex and difficult in the present context,” …. Read the original article  : Pope Benedict XVI says ’strip search’ airport scanners breach ‘human dignity’.

Price control, fighting terror priorities for Indian government

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today assured that the government is doing its best to ensure that the prices of commodities are kept in check.

Addressing the joint sitting of the Parliament today, President Patil assert that the UPA government accords highest importance to ensuring relief to the ‘aam admi’ on food prices and … Read more »»».

Malaysian mufti says Shariah caning for women over illicit sex should not be questioned

KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor mufti Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid has asked Muslims to respect the decision by the Shariah court which meted out caning sentences to three Muslim women recently for having illicit sex.

“If Muslims themselves do not respect the decision by the Shariah court and offer contradicting views on the matter, how do we … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Malaysian mufti says Shariah caning for women over illicit sex should not be questioned.

Pakistani-origin millionaire set to join ‘racist’ BNP to ‘expose’ it

LONDON – Days after the British National Party had to ease its whites-only policy because it breached equality laws, a Pakistani-born millionaire has applied for membership in the neo-fascist party in order to “expose” it.

Mo Chaudry, 49, who starred on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire in December, will formally apply on Monday.
“I want to stand up …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pakistani-origin millionaire set to join ‘racist’ BNP to ‘expose’ it.

Hindus and Muslims offer prayers for world peace in Jammu

JAMMU – Shedding the barriers of faith, members of Hindu and Muslim communities offered prayers here on Sunday for world peace.

A group of ten priests conducted a Hindu fire ritual at the banks of Tawi river and it saw people from different faiths, including families of martyred soldiers taking part.
Priests, religious teachers and preachers …. Original source  : Hindus and Muslims offer prayers for world peace in Jammu.

Dance and music festival in Guwahati

GUWAHATI – The famous pilgrim centre of Kamakhya temple at Guwahati recently hosted a gala two-day music and dance festival.

It was a pleasant sight to see several cultural programmes being performed by versatile artistes at the renowned Kamakhya temple.
The sarod maestro, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, enchanted the audience with his recital.
“We feel it’s a great … Read more : Dance and music festival in Guwahati.

Kin of Pune blast victims hold a candlelight vigil in Mumbai

MUMBAI – Friends and family members of the victims of the Pune terror attack took out a candlelight vigil here on Sunday to pay homage to those who had lost their lives in last week’s blast.

Participants, holding placards and carrying the pictures of their loved ones, emerged in large numbers to show solidarity with the …. Read the original article  : here.

Agra city campaigns against female foeticide

AGRA – Hundreds of students participated in an awareness campaign against female foeticide here on Sunday.

Actors Jaya Bachchan and Rohini Hattangadi participated in the ‘Save the Girl Child’ rally, organized by Yuvak Biradri Mumbai.
“I hope to see some of you from this crowd as some of the biggest and some of the very good leaders … Read : Agra city campaigns against female foeticide.

Raw milk proponents take cause to Capitols, courtrooms as public health officials warn of risk

Raw milk debate spills into Capitols, courts

DES MOINES, Iowa – Debate about the health attributes and risks of raw milk is spilling into statehouses and courtrooms across the country.
Proponents of unpasteurized dairy products are pushing to make them easier for consumers to buy.
Supporters of the raw milk cause say the pasteurization process of heating milk … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Raw milk proponents take cause to Capitols, courtrooms as public health officials warn of risk.

Clashes in Srinagar between police and stone throwing youths

SRINAGAR – Tension again gripped Maisuma locality of this city as stone throwing youth engaged the police and the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in clashes, forcing the closure of shops and businesses in the area Monday.

Stone pelting miscreants engaged security forces in clashes in Maisuma locality of the city this morning. Adequate arrangements … Read more »».

No scheduled joint press conference after Feb.25 Indo-Pak talks

NEW DELHI – India and Pakistan are unlikely to host any joint press conference following the February 25 foreign secretary-level talks here.

According to sources, the itinerary of the talks does not mention any joint press conference involving both sides following the forenoon talks, which are scheduled to be held at the Hyderabad House here.
The six … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : No scheduled joint press conference after Feb.25 Indo-Pak talks.

Sikh shopkeeper killed in UK while trying to fight teenage burglar gang

LONDON – A Sikh shopkeeper has been killed in the UK while trying to fight a gang of teenage robbers who had intruded into his shop.

On Friday, Gurmail Singh, 63, fell to the ground during his clash with a gang of four robbers at his convenience store in the Cowcliffe area of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
A … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sikh shopkeeper killed in UK while trying to fight teenage burglar gang.