UN chief visits Gaza, seeks end to bruising Israeli and Egyptian blockade

UN chief visits Gaza, seeks end to blockade

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has entered the blockaded Gaza Strip, where 1.5 million people have been under lockdown by Israel and Egypt for nearly three years.
Ban has repeatedly called for an end to the blockade, imposed after the Islamic militant Hamas movement seized …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UN chief visits Gaza, seeks end to bruising Israeli and Egyptian blockade.

Prince Harry’s charity for sick children raises concern

LONDON – WellChild, the charity that has Prince Harry on its side as a Royal patron, has raised concerns after it was brought to the attention of the Charity Commission.

The organisation, which cares for sick children, was said to have landed amid allegations relating to payments made by WellChild to the husband of former chief … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Prince Harry’s charity for sick children raises concern.

US teacher creates ‘Fed Up With Lunch’ blog after eating school lunches!

NEW YORK – An anonymous teacher in the US has come with up a blog, entitled “Fed Up With Lunch: The School Lunch Project,” after nibbling on the very same meatloaf and mystery greens the students eat in the school cafeteria on a daily basis.

“Mrs. Q,” as she’s called, is looking to bring about changes … Read more »»».

Crude bomb found inside Kingfisher flight

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – A low-intensity country-made bomb was found inside a Kingfisher flight IT-4731 from Bangalore to Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday morning.

The plane was later taken to the remote bay area of the Thiruvananthapuram airport, where the security personnel and the airport authorities assessed the suspicious object found on-board.
All the passengers were deplaned after the cargo cleaner …. Original article  : Crude bomb found inside Kingfisher flight.

US still ‘unsure’ over ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ impact of Pak Taliban arrests

WASHINGTON – There seems to be a great confusion among top US officials over the recent arrests of the some wanted Taliban commanders in Pakistan, as a day after President Obama’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said America is “gratified” with the arrests, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief Leon Panetta has stressed … Read : US still ‘unsure’ over ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ impact of Pak Taliban arrests.

Kiwi-Indian liquor storeowner’s widow calls for ban on imitation firearms

AUCKLAND – The widow of Indian-origin south Auckland liquor store-owner Navtej Singh has called for a ban on the sale of fake firearms following a shop assistant being held at gunpoint on Saturday.

Two men believed to be in their teens used a pistol in a daylight robbery before physically assaulting the young woman.
The pistol is …. Source  : Kiwi-Indian liquor storeowner’s widow calls for ban on imitation firearms.

Hizbul Mujahideen militant killed in Awantipora

PULWAMA – Security forces gunned down a district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit in a fierce gun battle that continued for hours between the two sides in Pulwama district’s Awantipora area.

The militant, identified as Parvez alias Musharraf, was killed after the army personnel and the local police launched a joint operation against militants …. Read the original article  : Hizbul Mujahideen militant killed in Awantipora.

Pakistan officials: Taliban kill 4 tribesmen, pin notes to bodies saying they were US spies

Taliban kill 4 they say were US spies in Pakistan

MIR ALI, Pakistan – The bullet-riddled bodies of four tribesmen killed for allegedly spying for the United States were found Sunday in a semiautonomous Pakistani region, witnesses and officials said.
Officials said the four were kidnapped by the Taliban about ten days ago.
Gul Akber Khan, who lives … Read more »»».

Women’s blood inspires rebel art in Nepal (Feature with images)

KATHMANDU – As a young girl brought up in a conservative household in the Nepal capital, Ashmina Ranjit remembers how her mother used to scold her for touching things during menstruation. “I used to hate that,” the artist says adding her anger inspired her to create and “celebrate womanhood and the feminine force”.

“In South Asian …. Source  : Women’s blood inspires rebel art in Nepal (Feature with images).

India to go maximum extent to find solution to Naga issue: Pillai

NEW DELHI – Union Home Secretary G K Pillai has said that the Central Government would go maximum extent possible to find a solution to the vexed Naga issue.

“All I can assure you from the Government of India side is that you will not find us wanting, we would be flexible, we would recognize the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India to go maximum extent to find solution to Naga issue: Pillai.

Five Indian fishermen arrested by Pak for violating sea limits

KARACHI – Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency has arrested five Indian fishermen for allegedly violating the country’s sea limits near the Sir Creek area in the Arabian Sea.

After a brief interrogation, all fishermen have been handed over to the Docks police for registration of a case and further probe, The Dawn reports.
India and Pakistan frequently arrest …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Kazakh embassy celebrates traditional goodwill festival of Nauryz

NEW DELHI – Central Asian diplomatic missions, including that of Kazakhstan, headquartered in New Delhi gathered at a venue to celebrate the festival of Nauryz with traditional fervor and gaiety over the weekend.

Nauryz is a time when people reconcile, forgive one another and unite. It is a period when people project a festive and happy …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Kazakh embassy celebrates traditional goodwill festival of Nauryz.

From Gautam Bhatia comes graphic novel, miniature style (IANS Books, With Image)

NEW DELHI – Filled with rich visual imagery in miniature art style, Bihar is a tale of rise, fall and redemption in architect-writer Gautam Bhatia’s new graphic novel, “Lie: A Traditional Tale of Modern India”.

“If good politics is about governance, how can a minister inaugurate a speedbreaker when people do not have enough food? Or …. Original source  : From Gautam Bhatia comes graphic novel, miniature style (IANS Books, With Image).

In impoverished Pakistan, millions of children forgo classrooms for hard labor

Pakistan’s poverty pushes its children to work

ISLAMABAD – Abbas Sajeet is 11 years old, but he doesn’t go to school. Instead, he earns 2,500 rupees ($30) a month as an auto mechanic in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
The money goes straight into the meager coffers of his seven-member family.
“Every day from the car garage, I see … Original source on Gaea Times at : In impoverished Pakistan, millions of children forgo classrooms for hard labor.

Lawmaker won’t press charges in after being spat on by Capitol Hill protestor

Lawmaker won’t press charges in spitting incident
WASHINGTON – A congressman who was spat on by a protestor on Capitol Hill is declining to press charges.
Missouri Democrat Emanuel Cleaver was making his way through a group of angry protestors when the incident occurred. It was one of several ugly incidents in a day of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Lawmaker won’t press charges in after being spat on by Capitol Hill protestor.

Colombian radio journalist slain; covered paramilitaries’ links to elites

Colombian journalist slain in militia stronghold

BOGOTA – The killing of a veteran radio reporter by a motorcycle gunman in a northwestern state capital reignited concerns Saturday about the safety of journalists in Colombia.
Clodomiro Castilla, a reporter and announcer at La Voz de Monteria radio, was gunned down on his front porch Friday night, said Jaime …. Source article  : Colombian radio journalist slain; covered paramilitaries’ links to elites.

Gunman kills Colombian radio journalist who covered paramilitaries’ links to elites

Colombian president laments killing of journalist

BOGOTA – The killing of a radio reporter by a motorcycle gunman reignited concerns Saturday about the safety of journalists in Colombia.
Clodomiro Castilla, a reporter and morning announcer at La Voz de Monteria radio in northeastern Colombia, was gunned down on her front porch Friday night, said Jaime Cuervo, a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gunman kills Colombian radio journalist who covered paramilitaries’ links to elites.

Vienna Philharmonic permanently appoints its first woman concertmaster

Vienna makes first woman concertmaster permanent

VIENNA – The Vienna Philharmonic has permanently appointed its first woman concertmaster.
Albena Danailova has been acting concertmaster since September 2008 – the first woman ever in that position with the orchestra. The world famous ensemble announced Saturday that she was now permanently appointed to that position after passing probation.
The Vienna …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

US envoy sees French FM before heading to Mideast

US Mideast envoy stops in France
PARIS – U.S. envoy George Mitchell sought advice from France’s foreign minister Saturday before heading off to meet Mideast leaders in a bid to start indirect talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Mitchell – who will see Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu first, then Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas – said he … Read more >>.

Aruba to review underwater picture that tourist believes might be remains of missing US teen

New tip leads Aruba to search for missing US teen

ORANJESTAD, Aruba – Authorities will search once again for a missing U.S. teen after an American couple took an underwater picture of what they believe might be Natalee Holloway’s remains, a spokeswoman for the prosecutors’ office told The Associated Press on Saturday.
A police diving team will …. Original article  : Aruba to review underwater picture that tourist believes might be remains of missing US teen.