Leaders say private investment is the key to Haiti’s reconstruction

Coke, telecom lead investors to post-quake Haiti
UNITED NATIONS – As governments pledged billions in reconstruction aid for Haiti at a U.N. donor conference, leaders and businessmen said the key to improving lives in the hemisphere’s poorest country was money of another kind: private investment.
On Wednesday, nearly 50 international donors pledged $9.9 billion to …. Original article  : Leaders say private investment is the key to Haiti’s reconstruction.

DEA says Afghan opium seizures soar 924 percent in 2009, cultivation down in key province

DEA says Afghan opium seizures soar in 2009

KABUL – Opium seizures in Afghanistan soared 924 percent last year because of better cooperation between Afghan and international forces, the top U.S. drug enforcement official said Thursday.
The Taliban largely funds the insurgency by profits from the opium trade, making it a growing target of U.S. and Afghan …. Read the original article  : DEA says Afghan opium seizures soar 924 percent in 2009, cultivation down in key province.

Flooding from record-setting rains overwhelms homes and businesses throughout New England

Floods overwhelm homes, businesses in New England
WEST WARWICK, R.I. – Stacey Marcure thought she and her family had survived the worst of flooding two weeks ago, when just 5 inches of water seeped into her basement. Then she woke Tuesday to a fresh burst of heavy flooding spurred by record-setting rainfall … Original source on Gaea Times at : Flooding from record-setting rains overwhelms homes and businesses throughout New England.

Indian state framing mobile tower policy to check health hazard

A state government in eastern india is formulating a Mobile Phone Tower Policy to check possible health hazards, a senior state official said today.

Officials said Bihar government is forming this policy in view of surveys and researches which said the mushrooming growth of mobile phone towers in the region was causing severe health problems.
Researchers have …. Original source  : Indian state framing mobile tower policy to check health hazard.

Four held with heroin worth over Rs.1 crore

LUCKNOW – Four drug peddlers, who operated in several states, have been arrested with heroin worth over Rs.1 crore in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district, police said Thursday.

“The men, who operated in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and parts of Uttar Pradesh, were nabbed Wednesday evening in Pipri town. They were going to hand over a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Four held with heroin worth over Rs.1 crore.

Hyderabad calm during curfew relaxation

HYDERABAD – The situation in riot-hit parts of Hyderabad Thursday remained peaceful as police relaxed curfew in the old parts of the city.

Thousands of people, living under curfew for the last three days, came out to buy essential commodities. Long queues were seen outside grocery shops, milk booths and medical stores during the two-hour relaxation … Read : Hyderabad calm during curfew relaxation.

Billions pledged, but private investment remains key to Haiti’s post-quake future

Private investment key to Haiti’s future
UNITED NATIONS – Government officials pledged billions in reconstruction aid for Haiti at a U.N. donor conference, but leaders and businessmen stressed private investment would be the key to improving the lot of the hemisphere’s poorest nation.
On Wednesday, nearly 50 donors pledged $9.9 billion to help Haiti recover …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Donor countries pledge $10 bn in aid to Haiti: UN

New York, April 1 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Dozens of countries and organisations have pledged to give $10 billion to quake-hit Haiti in the next 10 years, the UN said.

Of that amount, some $5.3 billion will be provided within the next 18 months. The sum is well above the $3.9 billion sought initially for that period.
“Today, [..] Read the original article: here.

Two children killed in Delhi slum fire

NEW DELHI – Two children were burnt to death while two other persons were injured in a fire in the slum clusters of south Delhi Thursday, fire officials said.

The incident took place in Batla House area around 6.45 p.m. when three slums caught fire.
“Two children were burnt to death while two other persons were … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Two children killed in Delhi slum fire.

I didn’t even slap anyone: Bangladesh war crimes accused

DHAKA – A top Islamist leader of Bangladesh accused of leading a militia that killed thousands of civilians during the 1971 freedom struggle has claimed he had “not even slapped anyone”.

Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid has been listed as president of the Al Badr, an islamist force of Razakars (volunteers), who looted … Original source on Gaea Times at : I didn’t even slap anyone: Bangladesh war crimes accused.

Chinese rescuers say some trapped miners could still be alive, though still no contact

Chinese rescuers hopeful some miners still alive

BEIJING – Four days after a flood trapped 153 miners in a coal mine, rescue officials in northern China held out hope that some of those stuck underground could be alive even though no contact had been made.
The flood at the Wangjialing mine in Shanxi province started when workers … Read : Chinese rescuers say some trapped miners could still be alive, though still no contact.

Storms prevent divers’ rescue searches for 46 sailors missing after SKorea ship sinking

Weather prevents dive searches for SKorea sailors
SEOUL, South Korea – A second day of bad weather and rough seas Thursday prevented divers from resuming searches for 46 sailors missing since a mysterious blast blew apart their South Korean navy ship last week, officials said.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said more than 100 military …. Original article  : Storms prevent divers’ rescue searches for 46 sailors missing after SKorea ship sinking.

Poor visibility delays search for climber stranded near summit of Calif.’s Mount Shasta

Weather again delays search for Calif climber

MOUNT SHASTA, Calif. – Rescue teams planned to make another attempt Thursday to find a climber stranded near the top of California’s Mount Shasta after bad weather hampered search efforts Wednesday for a fourth straight day.
Poor visibility prevented a helicopter crew from completing a reconnaissance flight to the top …. Source article  : Poor visibility delays search for climber stranded near summit of Calif.’s Mount Shasta.

DHS official: Napolitano to tour flooded Rhode Island on Friday, assess weather’s damages

DHS official: Napolitano to tour flood-damaged RI
WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano plans to travel to Rhode Island on Friday to assess damage caused by the worst flooding there in 200 years, a department official told The Associated Press.
The official spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because Napolitano’s trip …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : DHS official: Napolitano to tour flooded Rhode Island on Friday, assess weather’s damages.

DHS official: Napolitano tour flooded Rhode Island on Friday, assess weather’s damages

DHS official: Napolitano tour flood-damaged RI
WASHINGTON – Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is planning to travel to Rhode Island on Friday to assess damage caused by the worst flooding there in 200 years.
A DHS official says the secretary will be touring the areas hard hit by several days of record-setting rain.
President Barack Obama … Read : DHS official: Napolitano tour flooded Rhode Island on Friday, assess weather’s damages.

Campaign against child abuse launched in Dubai

DUBAI – A campaign was launched here to highlight the issue of child abuse, WAM news agency reported.

The month-long Protect Childhood Campaign was unveiled Wednesday by the NGO Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC).
The NGO stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance to protect children from various abuses, including sexual assault.
The …. Read the original article  : Campaign against child abuse launched in Dubai.

Obama phones SKorean president to offer support, condolences after mysterious ship sinking

Obama offers support, condolences to SKorea
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is offering South Korea’s leader his support and condolences after the mysterious sinking of one of that country’s naval vessels.
The White House on Wednesday said Obama told President Lee Myung-bak that the thoughts and prayers of the U.S. are with the victims and … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Obama phones SKorean president to offer support, condolences after mysterious ship sinking.

Hundreds of residents leave as RI bridge threatens to collapse into swollen river

RI bridge threatens to collapse; hundreds leave

COVENTRY, R.I. – Authorities in Rhode Island are concerned a bridge in danger of collapsing could fall into the Pawtuxet (paw-TUKS’-it) River and damage several dams downstream, sending a torrent of water into the already swollen river.
A neighborhood below the bridge in Coventry was evacuated Wednesday afternoon, bringing the …. Source article  : Hundreds of residents leave as RI bridge threatens to collapse into swollen river.

US offshore drilling plan to tap huge resources, but don’t expect a drop in pump prices soon

Offshore drilling could tap large supplies
Opening more of America’s coastlines to oil and natural gas drilling won’t cut energy prices anytime soon. And it won’t greatly reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil.
But it could bring sizable royalties for a handful of states and soften the blow of future price spikes.
President Barack Obama …. Original article  : US offshore drilling plan to tap huge resources, but don’t expect a drop in pump prices soon.

Authorities assess search conditions for climber stranded near summit of Calif.’s Mount Shasta

Weather could again delay search for Calif climber

MOUNT SHASTA, Calif. – Weather could again delay the search for a climber stranded near the summit of California’s Mount Shasta even though authorities had hoped to take advantage of a break in the storm Wednesday.
A helicopter crew carrying a U.S. Forest Service ranger took a reconnaissance flight …. Original article  : Authorities assess search conditions for climber stranded near summit of Calif.’s Mount Shasta.