Malaysian magazine apologises to Christians over sting operation

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Al-Islam magazine has apologised for “unintentionally hurting the feelings of Christians” after it emerged that its reporters had posed as Christians and participated in a mass at the St Anthony’s Church to investigate the allegations of apostasy.

“The two reporters involved also tendered their apology for not realising that what they have … Read more >>.

Brit toddler kidnapped in Pak: abductors call father

LONDON – The father of the kidnapped British toddler, Sahil Saeed, received a phone call from his abductors on Friday, an official looking into the case has said.

According to Sky News, Sahil’s father Raja Naqash Saeed received the phone call on his Pakistani mobile phone, and the investigators are trying to trace the call.
“The boy …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Brit toddler kidnapped in Pak: abductors call father.

Neighbours of Indian toddler Gurshan Singh astonished over his death

MELBOURNE – The residents of David St in Melbourne, from where three-year-old Indian boy Gurshan Singh went missing and was later found dead on Thursday, are astonished over how the toddler vanished from a busy street in the middle of a clear day.

The street where Gurshan spent his last day is no sleepy suburban lane …. Read the original article  : here.

Iraqis head to polls in historic election as blasts kill 15 across the country

15 die as Iraqis defy violence to vote
BAGHDAD – Police and hospital officials say at least 11 people were killed in northeastern Baghdad after a mortar attack leveled a building, bringing the death toll to 15 as Iraqis go to vote in historic elections.

Officials said the dead included four children, when two mortar shells landed … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Iraqis head to polls in historic election as blasts kill 15 across the country.

Official: Fighting erupts between Taliban, rival militants in Afghanistan; at least 50 dead

Taliban, rival militants battle in Afghan province

KABUL – Officials say gunbattles between the Taliban and another Islamist faction have killed at least 50 people in northeastern Afghanistan. The militants are apparently fighting for control of several villages where the central government has almost no presence.
Local police official Zalmai Mangal says the fighting in Baghlan province …. Source article  : Official: Fighting erupts between Taliban, rival militants in Afghanistan; at least 50 dead.

5 ’supergraphics’ removed from Hollywood buildings in ongoing battle between city, businessmen

Hollywood billboards taken down amid legal battle

LOS ANGELES – Five giant billboards have been removed from buildings in Hollywood near the site of the Academy Awards after Los Angeles prosecutors charged four people and four companies with hanging the so-called supergraphics illegally.
The ads for Asics athletic gear that hung horizontally across several storefronts near the …. Read the original article  : here.

Conservatives get a lead over Labour, still short of majority: Polls

LONDON – Conservative leader David Cameron has managed to get a lead over Labour, but he still looks short of an overall majority at the General Election, according to a new opinion poll.

An ICM poll for the News of the World shows the Tories have widened their lead over Labour to nine points.
It is the …. Source article  : Conservatives get a lead over Labour, still short of majority: Polls.

Massive protests against price rise across India

GUWAHATI /IMPHAL /SHIMLA – Various political parties and other groups staged massive demonstrations the against price rise in different Indian cities on Saturday.

In Assam, the Assam Mahila Parishad, the women’s wing of regional party Assam Gana Parisahd (AGP), vent their ire against the Congress-led Central government.
Over 20,000 women moved through the streets of Guwahati to … Read more >>.

Congress’s Digvijay Singh slams Mayawati on stampede victim compensation

AHMEDABAD – Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh has slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for reportedly denying compensation to families of victims and those who were injured in the Pratapgarh Temple stampede.

Talking to reporters here, Singh said: “This is really shameful that Mayawati has refused to provide compensation to the victims. Mayawati has millions …. Original source  : Congress’s Digvijay Singh slams Mayawati on stampede victim compensation.

Arrested US ‘jihad seekers’ file another petition for release

ISLAMABAD – The five US youth arrested in Pakistan on charges of having links with Al-Qaeda have filed another plea for their release.

The plea would be heard on March 8 (Monday) in the district sessions court Sargodha, The News reports.
The five American ‘jihad seekers’, who were arrested last year from Sargodha, had earlier moved a …. Source  : Arrested US ‘jihad seekers’ file another petition for release.

Pak media blames India for engineering recent terror acts in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD – While links between the Kabul attack, in which 17 people, including six Indians were killed, and the ambush in Kandahar, in which four Pakistani labourers were killed, is yet to be established, the Pakistani media continues to blame India for creating trouble in Afghanistan.

According to The Nation, one of Pakistan’s leading English dailies, …. Read the original article  : here.

Bargaining with Maoists is not on government’s agenda, says W. Bengal Home Secretary

KOLKATA – West Bengal Home Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty has said that bargaining with Maoists is not on the state government’s agenda.

He also denied any demand being put up by the rebels for the release of an abducted schoolteacher.
“We have not received any information on the conditions laid down from their side. Administration cannot work … Read more : Bargaining with Maoists is not on government’s agenda, says W. Bengal Home Secretary.

French Army band performs in New Delhi

NEW DELHI – The French Army band performed here on Saturday, as India invited military bands and cultural troupes of armies from around the world to strengthen ties and promote peace through music.

The itinerary included performances by world-class musicians of The Royal EME (UK), The French Army, The Sri Lankan Army, The Bangladesh Army and … Original article on : French Army band performs in New Delhi.

Women will get real power in India: Farooq Abdullah

JAMMU – Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has said that women will get the much awaited 33 percent share in real power, which will gradually increase to 50 percent.

In the backdrop of Women’s Reservation Bill being presented in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Abdullah said: ” The bill will pass, Women …. Source  : Women will get real power in India: Farooq Abdullah.

Gujarat tribals demand ownership of forestland

AHMEDABAD – Tribals living in Gujarat has staged a protest here, demanding ownership of forestland, which they are cultivating.

Over 1,000 tribals took part in a rally organised by the NGO, ‘Eklavya Association’.he tribals demanded ownership title of the forestlands. The Gujarat Government is only giving Power of Attorney rights.
“In 2005 the Central Government said that … Read : Gujarat tribals demand ownership of forestland.

Mukherjee says inflation not due to food shortage

MUMBAI – Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said inflation is not due to food shortage.
Mukherjee said the price rise was mainly due to the demand pressure of edible oils, pulses and sugar.

“If you look at the basket of the wholesale prices till date you will find …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Breakthrough in three-year-old Indian boy’s death mystery in Melbourne

MELBOURNE – The mystery behind the death of three-year-old Indian boy Gurshan Singh has taken a twist, after Victoria Police revealed they are hunting for a green Holden Commodore, Australia’s largest and most fuel-efficient V6 engine car, seen near where … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Breakthrough in three-year-old Indian boy’s death mystery in Melbourne.

Prince Harry in ‘horns of dilemma over duty or charity’

LONDON – Prince Harry is reportedly struggling with horns of dilemma after having to choose between his Army career and his charity work.

The third in line to the British throne is presently undergoing training as a helicopter pilot and is expected to win his wings …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Manipur Advocate General injured in shoot-out

IMPHAL – The Advocate General of Manipur, Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, was injured in a militant attack last evening.

According to sources, militants opened fire on Singh as he was returning to Imphal along with Works Minister Ranjit Singh and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Manipur Advocate General injured in shoot-out.

Enormous stress behind Yeltsin’s drinking problem, says daughter

LONDON – Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s daughter has acknowledged that her father had a drinking problem, which was brought on by the enormous stress he was under as the leader of a country undergoing tumultuous change.

“There was an alcohol problem but, I think, that when my father did drink, … Read : Enormous stress behind Yeltsin’s drinking problem, says daughter.