Leader of Kyrgyzstan interim authorities says talks possible with ousted president

Kyrgyz opposition says it may talk with president

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – The head of the provisional authorities in Kyrgyzstan says for the first time that they could hold talks with the deposed president.
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev claims he’s still the legitimate ruler but would be willing to resign in exchange for security guarantees for him and close … Read more >>.

Zimbabwe empowerment law demanding 51 percent control of businesses for blacks delayed

Black empowerment law delayed in Zimbabwe
HARARE, Zimbabwe – A Zimbabwean minister says mostly white-owned businesses won’t immediately have to hand over 51 percent control to blacks.

Saviour Kasukuwere says implementation of the law on businesses will be delayed for more discussions.
The first deadline was set for Thursday. Opposition lawmakers say the law will scare investors and …. Source  : Zimbabwe empowerment law demanding 51 percent control of businesses for blacks delayed.

British academic philosopher Anthony Flew, prominent atheist turned deist, dies at 87

Anthony Flew, once a prominent atheist, dies at 87

LONDON – Antony Flew, an academic philosopher who expounded atheism for most of his life but made a late conversion to belief in a creator, has died at age 87, his family said in a notice published Wednesday.
Flew died on April 8 following a long illness, according … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : British academic philosopher Anthony Flew, prominent atheist turned deist, dies at 87.

Suicide helpline priest dozes off on caller

LONDON – A man, who was feeling suicidal, called up a helpline in Sweden only to hear the priest snoring even as he was talking to him. The incident left the man infuriated, rather than depressed, and he decided to live on.

The tired cleric nodded off five minutes into the depressed man’s phone call, Daily …. Source article  : Suicide helpline priest dozes off on caller.

Assam reverberating with drum beats on Bihu

GUWAHATI – Sounds of drum beats and cymbals echoed the hills and dales of Assam with the state heralding the Assamese New Year or Rongali Bihu with tremendous enthusiasm on the first day of celebrations Wednesday.

The Assamese New Year begins Thursday.
Hundreds of people thronged Bihu pandals across the state with dancers in … Original article on : Assam reverberating with drum beats on Bihu.

2 new laws in Neb. bar later-term abortions, require screenings for women seeking procedure

New laws in Neb. add restrictions on abortions

LINCOLN, Neb. – Two first-of-their-kind laws in Nebraska put new restrictions on abortion, including one that uses a new legal rationale for a ban on later-term abortions.
That law bars abortions at and after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on the assertion that fetuses feel pain at that time. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 2 new laws in Neb. bar later-term abortions, require screenings for women seeking procedure.

OBC Census In Question

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium was called upon by the Supreme Court in the wake of OBC census count which puts the Central Government’s primary duties in question. Reportedly, the general census count had commenced from Apr 1 but there isn’t any hand-held document to show whether any separate headcounts have been … Read : OBC Census In Question.

Australian pilots land plane with ‘no engines’

MELBOURNE – Two pilots saved over 300 passengers yesterday as they landed their plane after both its engines failed.

The captain and first officer battled for 20 minutes to keep the powerless Airbus 330 from plunging into the sea.
Colleagues hailed the Australian pair as heroes – saying it was a “miracle” … Read : Australian pilots land plane with ‘no engines’.

Pak Punjab madrassas terror hot beds, warns intelligence report

LAHORE – Pakistan’s Punjab province’ Home Department has directed law enforcement agencies to step up vigilance on over 170 madrassas operating in the province after receiving intelligence reports regarding their involvement in ’suspicious’ activities.

Following receiving … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pak Punjab madrassas terror hot beds, warns intelligence report.

Jallianawala Bagh, ‘a turning point’ in Indian freedom struggle: Antony

AMRITSAR – Paying tributes to martyrs of the Jallianawala Bagh massacre, Defence Minister AK Antony said he was proud as an Indian to be standing at the same place where over 20, 000 people had gathered, defying the draconian dictat of British forces.

At …. Read the original article  : Jallianawala Bagh, ‘a turning point’ in Indian freedom struggle: Antony.

Pak Army’s ‘cosmetic’ offensive on border doing little to combat terror: Afghan officials

KABUL – While reports about the Pakistani military killing scores of militants and demolishing several of their hideouts in restive tribal regions along the Afghan border keep on flashing in the media almost daily, Afghan officials are sceptical over … Original article on : Pak Army’s ‘cosmetic’ offensive on border doing little to combat terror: Afghan officials.

7 out of 10 Aussies ready for full body scans prior to flying

MELBOURNE – Seven out ten Australian travellers taking part in a survey, have said that they support full body scans at airports.

Seventy per cent of adults are in favour of the controversial devices, which scan passengers’ bodies and produce images that can … Read more »».

Meet the gay swan couple with eyes only for each other!

LONDON – Visitors at the Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset get to witness a rare sight of togetherness-a gay swan couple, who have set up a nest together.

The happy couple are the only gay swans among more than 1,000 birds at the reserve.
The pair …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Meet the gay swan couple with eyes only for each other!.

Veto-wielding China not fully onboard for crackdown on Iran nuke program: Obama

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama said Tuesday that while there is solid UN support for imposing tougher sanctions on Iran, veto-wielding China is not fully onboard for a fresh crackdown on Tehran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.

“With respect to sanctions, I think that we have a strong … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Veto-wielding China not fully onboard for crackdown on Iran nuke program: Obama.

Dubai’s Arabtec Holding and Abu Dhabi’s Aabar cancel planned $1.74 billion deal

Dubai builder, Abu Dhabi fund scrap planned deal

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A Dubai construction company that helped build the world’s tallest tower and an Abu Dhabi investment firm say they have abandoned plans for the fund to take a controlling stake in the builder.
Construction giant Arabtec Holding and Aabar Investments said in statements posted …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

And then there were none: After 135 years, last US sardine cannery shutting down in Maine

Last US sardine cans being packed in Maine

PROSPECT HARBOR, Maine – The intensely fishy smell of herring has been the smell of money for generations of workers in Maine who’ve packed the small, silvery fish into billions of cans of sardines on their way to Americans’ lunch buckets and kitchen cabinets.
For the past 135 years, … Read more »»».

Tea party movement returns to Boston roots with Palin as the headliner; Brown skipping rally

Tea Party Express returns to its roots in Boston

BOSTON – The tea party movement is returning to the city from which its revolutionary spirit was born.
Sarah Palin is scheduled to headline a final rally in Boston on Wednesday before the activists’ cross-country tour culminates in Washington on Tax Day.
A crowd of up to 10,000 was … Read more »»».

11-year-old girl found safe on dry spot in alligator-infested Fla. swamp; missing 4 days

Found safe in Fla. swamp; girl missing 4 days

TAMPA, Fla. – The little girl’s voice on the 911 call was faint, yet cheerful.
“Hi. This is Nadia and I’m the girl that got lost.”
With that one declaration, central Florida police knew Tuesday that after four days of searching and lots of prayer, they had found missing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 11-year-old girl found safe on dry spot in alligator-infested Fla. swamp; missing 4 days.

Cyber Command nominee says military can fire back in cyber attacks, must follow rules of war

Military asserts right to return cyber attacks

WASHINGTON – The head of the National Security Agency says the U.S. must fire back against cyber attacks swiftly and strongly and should act to counter or disable a threat even when the identity of the attacker is unknown.
Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander also says the U.S. should not …. Read the original article  : Cyber Command nominee says military can fire back in cyber attacks, must follow rules of war.

Kochi franchisees to challenge Modi

BANGALORE – With the controversy surrounding the identities of the stakeholders of the Kochi Indian Premier League (IPL) franchisee heating up, members of the Kochi group will meet in Bangalore on Wednesday to determine tactics to counter allegations of IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi.

The Kochi group, as reported, is expected to file legal action against Modi, …. Read the original article  : Kochi franchisees to challenge Modi.