Rhinos in Kaziranga to have special guards

KAZIRANGA – The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have been deployed at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam to protect endangered rhinos from poachers.

Famous for its one-horned rhinoceros, the park has become an easy target for the poachers, who navigate the Brahmaputra River surrounding the … Original article on : Rhinos in Kaziranga to have special guards.

Two NDFB militants killed in Assam

CHIRAG – Security forces killed two militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in an encounter in Assam’s Chirag District on Friday early hours.

According to Assam Police, the incident took place at Dadangiri village in Chirang District, which is about 170 kilometers from Guwahati.
The …. Original article  : Two NDFB militants killed in Assam.

Railways earn Rs 157.47 crore through commercial advertising in trains

NEW DELHI – Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday said earning through commercial advertising including advertising on trains during the year 2008-09 was Rs. 157.47 crore.

“The amount spent on administration and … Read : Railways earn Rs 157.47 crore through commercial advertising in trains.

Britain must “seriously consider” banning burkhas in public: Hollobone

LONDON – British politician Philip Hollobone has urged ministers to “seriously consider” banning burkhas in public, saying the full-face burkha was “oppressive and regressive” to advancement of women.

Addressing the Commons debate to mark this week’s …. Source article  : Britain must “seriously consider” banning burkhas in public: Hollobone.

Serial bomb blasts in Lahore kill five, injure 40 others

LAHORE – Lahore was once again rocked on Friday noon with a series of bomb blasts ripping apart a crowded market place in the Cantonment area of the city killing at least five persons and injuring over 40 others.

According to initial reports, at least three deafening … Read : Serial bomb blasts in Lahore kill five, injure 40 others.

Duke of Edinburgh asks navy cadet if she worked in a strip club!

LONDON – A female sea cadet was surprised when the Duke of Edinburgh asked her if she worked at a strip club.rince Philip threw the question before Elizabeth Rendle, 24, as he and The Queen met cadets at Wyvern barracks in Exeter, Devon.

When Rendle was asked what she did for a living … Read more »»».

Somali official tells residents to flee battle zones as fighting flares for a third day

Somali official to residents: Flee battle zones

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A Somali official is urging residents to avoid battle zones in the country’s capital as violence flares ahead of a planned offensive against Islamist insurgents.
Mogadishu Mayor Abdurisaq Mohamed Nor wants citizens at least a couple miles (kilometers) away from battle zones. Residents in Mogadishu are often … Read : Somali official tells residents to flee battle zones as fighting flares for a third day.

China fires back at criticism, says US ignores its own problems on human rights

China fires back at US human rights criticisms
BEIJING – China accused the United States of destabilizing the world economy and meddling on Friday – its standard response to Washington’s annual review of Beijing’s human rights record.
The U.S. report issued Thursday accused Beijing of abusing its citizens’ rights and maintaining currency policies that cost …. Source  : China fires back at criticism, says US ignores its own problems on human rights.

IEA lifts 2010 oil demand forecast as surging Chinese growth offsets flagging OECD demand

Global oil demand seen higher in 2010
PARIS – World oil demand will rise this year due to surging economic activity in Asian countries, especially China, the International Energy Agency said Friday as it bumped up its forecasts.

The Paris-based IEA, which advises oil-consuming countries, predicted in its monthly report that oil demand will average 86.6 million …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : IEA lifts 2010 oil demand forecast as surging Chinese growth offsets flagging OECD demand.

Pakistan Navy tests missile

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Navy tested missiles and torpedoes in the Arabian Sea, authorities said Friday.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the missiles and torpedoes were fired from F22 Frigate, P3c and Agosta 90 b submarine, Xinhua news agency reported.
…. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pakistan Navy tests missile.

‘Diana died after plan to frighten her into leaving lover went horribly wrong’

LONDON – Britain’s best-known defence lawyer has claimed that the death of Princess Diana was brought about by a failed attempt to frighten her into leaving lover Dodi Fayed.

Michael Mansfield QC, who represented Dodi’s father, Mohamed Al Fayed, at the six-month inquest in 2008 into the couple’s deaths, said he was sure Diana’s killers had … Read more >>>.

Brit hardcore porn director eyes Parliament seat

LONDON – A British female hardcore porn director has announced that she will be running for Parliament in the next election.

Anna Arrowsmith, 38, who is boss of adult film firm Easy on the Eye, said her decision to stand for the Liberal Democrats in Gravesham, Kent, was because she was disgusted with the MPs expenses [..] Read the original article: here.

Judge to hear plan to pay $657M to WTC rescuers, recovery workers who sued over 9/11 illnesses

Judge to hear plan to pay $657M to WTC responders

NEW YORK – A settlement that could pay up to $657.5 million to workers sickened by dust from the destroyed World Trade Center is going before a judge.
Lawyers for the city, construction companies and the workers are to appear before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein on …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Judge to hear plan to pay $657M to WTC rescuers, recovery workers who sued over 9/11 illnesses.

British Airways’ terror-accused employee wanted to go to Pakistan for training

LONDON – A British Airways employee, who was allegedly planning to carry out a suicide attack after being placed in airline’s strike-busting cabin crew, had offered his Al Qaeda chiefs to travel to Yemen and Pakistan to be trained, a British court was told.

Karim is believed to have asked al-Qaeda chiefs for permission and directions … Read more »»».

Victoria is Indian visitors favourite holiday visit

MELBOURNE – More Indians than ever are holidaying in Victoria despite a spate of attacks on students from the subcontinent, says state Tourism Minister Tim Holding.

The Tourism Research Australia survey released yesterday revealed the number of Indians visiting Victoria rose 26 per cent in the year ending December 2009 compared with the same period in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Victoria is Indian visitors favourite holiday visit.

Left walks out of Lok Sabha over price rise issue

NEW DELHI – The Left Parties on Friday staged a walk out of the Lok Sabha over the issue of price rise.

Left MPs, who walked out of the Lok Sabha, demanded ‘White Paper’ on the price rise situation from the Central Government.
The Left parties, meanwhile, are expected to hold a protest rally today to put …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Israel declares two-day closure of West Bank to head off unrest

Israel seals off West Bank to prevent unrest

JERUSALEM – Israel has sealed off the West Bank for 48 hours, preventing Palestinians from entering Israel because of fears of unrest.
There have been clashes after Friday prayers at mosques in Jerusalem and elsewhere in recent weeks, sparked by deadlock in peace talks and Israel’s inclusion of two …. Source article  : Israel declares two-day closure of West Bank to head off unrest.

China praises India, but tells Dalai Lama to stop separatist activities

BEIJING – While praising the Indian Government for cracking down on anti-Chinese activities on its soil, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has called on Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to stop indulging in separatist activities and create conducive conditions for talks with Beijing.

“The Dalai distorts the true situation in Tibet. He attacks and insults the … Read more »»».

UN demands war crime investigation against Burma’s military junta

GENEVA – Ahead of this year’s controversial Burmese elections, a senior UN official has called for an inquiry against the country’s military rulers into allegations of war crimes perpetrated against Burmese civilians.

UN’s Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, Tom??s Ojea Quintana, has described “a pattern of gross and systematic violation of human rights” which … Read more : UN demands war crime investigation against Burma’s military junta.

Red ants a delicacy for Jharkhand tribals

MARGUHNDA – The sight of a column of soldier ants can frighten anyone, but for the tribals of Jharkhand, these ants indicate a good meal.

The tribals catch the soldier ants, also called red ants, mainly found on trees and eat them along with their eggs, either raw or cooked.
Tribal elders believe red ants have … Original article on : Red ants a delicacy for Jharkhand tribals.