Israel lets commercial shipment of shoes, clothes into blockaded Gaza for 1st time since 2007

Israel allows commercial goods into blockaded Gaza

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – A Gaza border official says Israel has allowed a commercial shipment of shoes and clothes into the Palestinian territory for the first time since 2007.
Raed Fattouh says 10 trucks ferrying shoes and clothes entered the Hamas-run strip on Sunday. He says many of the … Original article on : Israel lets commercial shipment of shoes, clothes into blockaded Gaza for 1st time since 2007.

Police say gunfire, blasts taking place close to US Consulate in northwest Pakistan

Police: 4 blasts near US Consulate in NW Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Four bombs exploded in quick succession Monday close to the U.S. Consulate in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, police and witnesses said.
Gunfire was also heard close to the heavily guarded and fortified building in Peshawar, said police officer Aziz Khan.
Two of the blasts … Read more >>>.

NKorea accuses US of ignoring return of war remains, threatening to end cooperation

NKorea threatens to stop returning US war remains

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea accused the United States on Monday of ignoring its efforts to return remains of American soldiers who were killed in the Korean War in the 1950s and threatened to stop collecting and returning the bodies.
The North’s military said it informed the U.S. … Original source on Gaea Times at : NKorea accuses US of ignoring return of war remains, threatening to end cooperation.

Online handling of British visa applications by US company sparks off security fears

LONDON – The online handling of British visa applications by an American firm has sparked off security fears here, reports The Telegraph.

British visa applicants have been asked to apply online through Computer Services Corporation websites instead of attending a British embassy and without conducting face-to-face interviews with any British diplomatic staff.
CSC won the 300 million-pound …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Online handling of British visa applications by US company sparks off security fears.

Opposition parties ask Hooda to drop Haryana Home Minister

CHANDIGARH – Opposition parties in Haryana on Monday asked Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to drop Home Minister Gopal Kanda from the cabinet for ordering firing on agitating activists.

On Sunday, Kanda allegedly ordered his security men to open fire on agitating Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) activists, who stopped his convoy at Sirsa.
Kunda was caught …. Source  : Opposition parties ask Hooda to drop Haryana Home Minister.

Stepped-up campaign of drone strikes batter Al-Qaeda, allies in Pak

PESHAWAR – A stepped-up campaign of American drone strikes over the past three months in the tribal area of North Waziristan has reportedly battered the Al-Qaeda and its Pakistani and Afghan units.

According to the New York Times, the strikes have forced the militants to abandon satellite phones and large gatherings in favour of communicating by …. Original source  : Stepped-up campaign of drone strikes batter Al-Qaeda, allies in Pak.

US admits to killing Afghan women in February

KABUL – The American-led military command in Kabul admitted late on Sunday that its forces had, in fact, killed three Afghan women during a night time raid in February this year.

The New York Times quoted a NATO official as also saying Sunday in an interview that an Afghan-led team of investigators had found signs of … Original source on Gaea Times at : US admits to killing Afghan women in February.

West believes ties with antagonistic Karzai likely to become worse

KABUL – Many in the West are of the view that President Hamid Karzai’s antagonistic statements against NATO countries fighting on behalf of his government, could worsen the relationship.

“The political situation is continuing to deteriorate; Karzai is flailing around.
At the moment, we are propping up an unstable political structure, and I haven’t seen any remotely …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : West believes ties with antagonistic Karzai likely to become worse.

Karzai criticised by Kandahar elders over security and corruption

KANDAHAR – Tribal elders in the Afghan city of Kandahar have sharply criticised President Hamid Karzai over issues of security and corruption.

According to the BBC, one tribal elder after another stood up, speaking loudly, angrily, some shouting at the president, complaining of police corruption, official bribes and insecurity.
Tribal elders took Karzai to task over issues … Read more >>>.

Pope’s Easter message ignores child sex abuse scandal

LONDON – Pope Benedict XVI failed to mention the child sex abuse scandal, which rocked the Roman Catholic Church, in his traditional Easter message in Rome.

He instead devoted his message to thousands of people in St Peter’s Square by recalling the hardships of earthquake victims … Read more »»».

Pak sacks Deputy Attorney General Khawar

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Government has sacked Deputy Attorney General Shah Khawar, but made him a Tax Tribunal member in Peshawar.

Khawar had appeared before the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and missing person’s cases before the Supreme Court.
Khawar said acting Attorney General K.K. Agha had asked him for the records … Read more »»».

Naxalism is nation’s enemy No1: Chidambaram

AVADI – Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday called the Naxal menace as the country’s “first enemy.”

Addressing a public meeting here, Chidambaram said: “Naxalism is the first enemy of the country,”
However, he, expressed confidence that the Government would overcome the challenge thrown by Naxalites over next couple of years.
On Sunday, during a visit to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Naxalism is nation’s enemy No1: Chidambaram.

Artists perform in play to create awareness against child marriage in Kashmir

POONCH – A street play against child marriage was staged in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch region on Sunday.

The skit, lasting about an hour, also gave a message of communal harmony. top official said they would try to telecast the play on television channels for public awareness.
“We will try that the play is telecast on … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Artists perform in play to create awareness against child marriage in Kashmir.

Musharraf ready to defend himself against five allegations

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who is set to launch his political party next month, has said he is ready to counter the allegations levelled against him in the media.

“The former president (Musharraf) is ready to defend five allegations against him, including the Lal Masjid operation, murder of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, promulgation …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Musharraf ready to defend himself against five allegations.

Rebel camps still exist in Bangladesh: Tripura CM

AGARTALA – Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has said more than 20 militant camps still exist in Bangladesh.

Addressing a public rally here on Sunday, Sarkar said: “Around four years back we noticed a change in the situation; they (militants) have become and have been cornered, but not uprooted. Still today around 20 to 25 camps …. Original source  : Rebel camps still exist in Bangladesh: Tripura CM.

Assam Zoo to have night safari from April 15

GUWAHATI – Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh inaugurated the long-awaited night safari at Assam State Zoo in Guwahati on Sunday.

The safari will be thrown open to public from April 15. Initially, two battery-operated vehicles will provide this service to visitors.
The ticket price and other such formalities are being finalized. The …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Assam Zoo to have night safari from April 15.

CRPF organizes health camp in Chhattisgarh

NARAYANPUR – Aiming to win the confidence of villagers in Maoist-infested areas of Chhattisgarh, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel recently organised a free health camp for villagers.

Hundreds of villagers from Narayanpur district and remote Maoist-infested villages attended the camp, which was organised at Faras village.
According to Deepak Rohella, Deputy Commandant of 39 Batallion, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : CRPF organizes health camp in Chhattisgarh.

The significance of Easter Bunny on Easter

WASHINGTON – While the Bible has no mention of Easter bunnies and eggs, Easter has been synonymous with the long-eared, cotton-tailed creature and kids painting eggs or hunting for baskets overflowing with scrumptious Easter goodies. And it’s now that scientists have revealed the origin of this tradition.

The researchers have said that bunnies, eggs, Easter gifts …. Read the original article  : The significance of Easter Bunny on Easter.

Observation deck of world’s tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa reopens

LONDON – The observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest skyscraper has reopened in Dubai, two months after it was forced to close.

It was shut in February after an elevator malfunction left visitors trapped more than 120 stories above the ground.
The elevator got stuck between floors for 45 minutes before rescuers dropped a ladder … Read more »».

UP Congress slams Mayawati over Education Act row

MORADABAD – Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi has slammed Chief Minister Mayawati for seeking funds from the Central Government to implement the Right to Education (RTE) Act in the state.

Joshi charged Mayawati with emptying the state coffers for erecting statutes and building tourist parks, but when it came to the education of children, … Read : UP Congress slams Mayawati over Education Act row.