Family members reject ‘insiders’ role’ in Brit toddler’s kidnapping in Pak

LONDON – Even as Pakistani agencies have intensified their operation to locate the kidnapped five-year old British boy Sahil Saeed and looking for leads regarding the involvement of some ‘insiders’, Saeed’s family has rubbished reports pointing fingers towards family members’ role in the abduction.

“That’s totally rubbish. I don’t …. Original source  : Family members reject ‘insiders’ role’ in Brit toddler’s kidnapping in Pak.

Afghan lawmaker escapes injury during Taliban attack on her convoy

Afghan lawmaker survives attack on her convoy

KABUL – A member of the Afghan parliament says she escaped injury when her convoy was attacked by Taliban insurgents in eastern Afghanistan.
Fauzia Khofi, who represents the far northern province of Badakhshan, says insurgents fired on her seven-vehicle convoy early Saturday as it was traveling from Nangarhar province to … Original article on : Afghan lawmaker escapes injury during Taliban attack on her convoy.

Nirupama Rao to visit Sri Lanka today

NEW DELHI – Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will visit Sri Lanka today on a three-day official visit in a bid to boost bilateral ties between the two countries.

During her visit, Rao is expected to call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discuss with him matters of mutual interest …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nirupama Rao to visit Sri Lanka today.

National Horticulture Mission a boon for capsicum farmers

KRISHNAGIRI – Capsicum farmers in Krishnagiri district are earning huge profits due to the good harvest on account of the benefits obtained from the Central Government’s National Horticulture Mission.

The production cost is low and capsicum grown in the area is in …. Source article  : National Horticulture Mission a boon for capsicum farmers.

Killers of ‘high-status’ victims more likely to get death sentence

WASHINGTON – A new American research suggests that an accused is more likely to be sentenced to death if he or she murders a “high-status” victim.

Scott Phillips, associate professor of sociology and criminology at the University of Denver (DU), studied 504 cases in Harris County, Texas, [..] Read the original article: here.

Outrage over Melbourne school opting for halal sausages in welcome-back barbecue

MELBOURNE – The row over a welcome-back barbecue for students at a primary school in Melbourne has turned into a debate over the Islamic halal method of preparing meat.

The debate erupted after Coburg West Primary School’s Parents and Friends Association (PFA) ordered halal-only sausages for last month’s barbecue, which some parents thought was political correctness …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Outrage over Melbourne school opting for halal sausages in welcome-back barbecue.

World’s smallest ever baby boy weighs only 9oz

LONDON – A baby boy born in Germany has become the world’s smallest ever, weighing just nine ounces at birth.
The baby, who is said to be smaller than a can of coke, was born after just 25 weeks, and he was so little at birth that a tape measure laid next to his body was … Read this article on Gaea Times at : World’s smallest ever baby boy weighs only 9oz.

Five wanted Naxals arrested in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR – The Chhattisgarh Police on Friday late evening arrested five wanted Naxalites from Rowghat Forest area in Kanker District.

The arrested were identified as Lakhmu, Jai Singh, Santu, hannu and Kohlu.
Police were searching for Lakhmu who has been active in Naxal activities since last many years.
At least 17 warrants were issued against Lakhmu from different …. Original source  : Five wanted Naxals arrested in Chhattisgarh.

Warning against Internet ‘Viagra’ containing bird droppings

WELLINGTON – Health experts have warned online shoppers to beware of internet-order medicines some of which have been found to contain everything from arsenic to bird droppings.

Fake medicines, such as those claiming to be Viagra, intercepted by Medsafe at New Zealand’s border included major ingredient guano i.e. bat and bird droppings while others contained whole …. Original source  : Warning against Internet ‘Viagra’ containing bird droppings.

Egyptian president to have gall bladder operation, hands over power to prime minister

Egyptian president to have gall bladder operation

CAIRO – Egypt’s state-owned news agency says President Hosni Mubarak is going to have a gall bladder operation in Germany and has temporarily handed over power to the prime minister.
MENA says the 81-year-old leader will have the operation Saturday after being diagnosed as having “severe inflammation of his gall … Read : Egyptian president to have gall bladder operation, hands over power to prime minister.

Afghan picked to set up government in Marjah has criminal record in Germany

New Afghan chief in Marjah has criminal record

KABUL – The Afghan man chosen to lead the government of a town just seized from the Taliban has a violent criminal record in Germany. But Western officials say they are not pushing to have him ousted.
Court records and news reports in Germany show that Abdul Zahir served … Original article on : Afghan picked to set up government in Marjah has criminal record in Germany.

Pak agencies ‘groping in dark’ over search for kidnapped Brit toddler

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani agencies, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have intensified the search operation for kidnapped British toddler Sahil Saeed.

Five-year old Saeed was kidnapped on Thursday from his grandmother’s house in Jhelum when he was about to leave the house with his father for the airport to catch a flight back to London.
While officials …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pak agencies ‘groping in dark’ over search for kidnapped Brit toddler.

China becomes world’s second-largest producer of manufacturing output

NEW DELHI – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) report has put China ahead of Japan as the world’s second-largest producer of manufacturing output, trailing behind only the United States.

According to UNIDO report released on Wednesday, China produced 15.6 percent of the world’s total manufacturing value added (MVA) in 2009, compared with 15.4 percent … Read more »»».

India temporarily suspends medical mission in Afghanistan

NEW DELHI/ KABUL – India on Saturday temporarily suspended its medical mission in Afghanistan and asked all doctors and paramedical staff working at the Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital in Kabul to return home following a terror attack on its nationals here last week.

Indian Government has decided to be more cautious after the third major attack … Original source on Gaea Times at : India temporarily suspends medical mission in Afghanistan.

Two IAF squadrons to be decorated with “Presidential Standards”

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil will confer the prestigious military award (Presidential Standards) on the two premier units of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the 49 Squadron and 107 Helicopter, in Jodhpur.

“The Presidents Standards” is the highest and most prestigious honour for any unit of the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Two IAF squadrons to be decorated with “Presidential Standards”.

China asks Japan to urgently resolve World War II sex slaves impasse

NEW DELHI – China has asked Japan to offer an appropriate resolution to the plight of eight Chinese victims forced into serving as “comfort women” for Japanese soldiers during World War II.

Forcing women to be sex slaves or comfort …. Original article  : China asks Japan to urgently resolve World War II sex slaves impasse.

Chinese teacher on trial for pricking 63 students aged 3-6 years

NEW DELHI – A 22-year-old kindergarten teacher in China has reportedly confessed to pricking 63 students, aged between 3 and 6 years with a syringe as a method to discipline them.

Sun Qiqi, the accused, stood trial in a court in Yunnan province and was … Read more »»».

Pentagon gunman believed that US Govt. staged 9/11

WASHINGTON – The 36-year-old gunman, who shot at two Pentagon police officers while trying to enter the complex on Thursday evening, might have been suffering from a mental illness that led him into believing that the federal government orchestrated the Sept. 11 attacks.

According … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pentagon gunman believed that US Govt. staged 9/11.

Police delays killed my husband, says Kiwi-Indian liquor store owner’s widow

AUCKLAND – The widow of murdered Indian-origin south Auckland liquor store owner Navtej Singh reckons that the delay in police action led to her husband’s death, and she is demanding answers over their actions.

During the 2008 robbery, Harjinder Kaur comforted her fatally …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Police delays killed my husband, says Kiwi-Indian liquor store owner’s widow.

Pak in ‘overdrive’ to convince international community to push India for composite talks

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is trying hard to push India to resume the composite dialogue in order to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries, and is vying to garner more international support in this regard.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir held a meeting with all foreign ambassadors and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pak in ‘overdrive’ to convince international community to push India for composite talks.