Loved-up Brits prefer cuddle to sex!

LONDON – More than half of British people in a relationship are more interested in a kiss and a cuddle on the sofa than passion between the sheets, a new research has shown.

The poll of 1,000 Britons, commissioned by healthcare giant Bayer, also showed it is men who are more than happy to smooch on …. Original article  : Loved-up Brits prefer cuddle to sex!.

India, Brazil committed to reducing impact of climate change

BRASILIA – Leaders of India and Brazil on Wednesday reaffirmed their concern for climate change and its adverse impacts, and committed themselves to work in close coordination, including in the BASIC group towards achieving a comprehensive, balanced, and effective outcome at the 16th Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India, Brazil committed to reducing impact of climate change.

India, Brazil vow to fight terrorism in all forms

BRASILIA – Brazilian President Luiz In??cio Lula da Silva and visiting Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

A joint statement issued by both sides after a bilateral meeting between the two leaders said that they were both committed by “whoever, wherever and for whatever purpose … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India, Brazil vow to fight terrorism in all forms.

India, Brazil commit to achieve bilateral trade target of 10 billion dollars by 2010

BRASILIA – India and Brazil on Wednesday said that while they were satisfied with the continued expansion of bilateral trade, they accepted need for undertaking increased efforts to achieve the bilateral trade target of 10 billion US dollars by 2010.

A joint statement issued after a bilateral meeting between visiting Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh … Read more >>.

Maharashtra Government issues notice to Gaikwad on Kochi IPL controversy

MUMBAI – The Maharashtra Government has reportedly sent a notice to Deputy Regional Transport Officer Ravi Gaikwad in connection with the Kochi Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise.

Ravi Gaikwad is the brother of Rendezvous Sports … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Maharashtra Government issues notice to Gaikwad on Kochi IPL controversy.

Key that could have saved Titanic to go on sale

LONDON – The key that could have saved the doomed ship ‘Titanic’ is expected to fetch at least 70,000 pounds at an auction.

The key to the ship’s binocular box, which belonged to second officer David Blair, was transferred from the ship just before its maiden voyage.
However, … Read more : Key that could have saved Titanic to go on sale.

Icelandic volcanic ash: Brit airspace closed until Friday1p.m.

LONDON – Britain faces another day of travel chaos, as all but emergency flights will remain grounded until 1pm on Friday due to the volcanic ash cloud caused by Iceland’s second volcanic eruption in the space of a month sweeping the country.

“The cloud of volcanic ash continues … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Icelandic volcanic ash: Brit airspace closed until Friday1p.m..

Himachal rural women observe fast in temples to bring rain

SHIMLA – Women devotees of the drought affected Braila village and its neighbouring areas in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmour District have been fasting for over a week for rain.

Over the past seven days, they have gathered at local temples, praying for the rain gods to shower the blessings with ample downpour.
It is believed by the locals …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bhopal gas victims demand rehabilitation and medical care

NEW DELHI – About 200 surviving victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy demonstrated here on Thursday to press for their long pending demands of rehabilitation and medical care.

They said they would protest until the panel promised years ago to look into their demands, is constituted.
Four Bhopal based non-governmental organisations organised the protest on behalf …. Read the original article  : Bhopal gas victims demand rehabilitation and medical care.

Five killed, several injured in Quetta hospital blast

QUETTA – At least five people were killed and a dozen other injured in a bomb blast which occurred in the emergency ward of the Civil Hospital here on Friday.

” The blast happened in the emergency ward of the hospital and several people have been wounded, but I don’t have more details,” The Dawn quoted …. Original article  : Five killed, several injured in Quetta hospital blast.

Osama tried to watch 9/11 bombings live on TV

LONDON – Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s former bodyguard has revealed that the militant leader had tried and failed to set up a satellite TV link-up from his Afghan hideout to watch the 9/11 terror attacks as they happened.

Nasser al-Bahri said his former master had requested a satellite dish to be installed in his hideout … Read more : Osama tried to watch 9/11 bombings live on TV.

Parliament adjourned till noon over Tharoor- IPL Kochi controversy

NEW DELHI – Proceedings in Parliament were adjourned till noon on Friday after Opposition members rose to demand an explanation from Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, who is alleged to have misused his official position to help his friend Sunanda Pushkar get sweat equity worth Rs.70 crore in the IPL Kochi franchise.

Protesting …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Parliament adjourned till noon over Tharoor- IPL Kochi controversy.

Barack and Michelle Obama double their income to $5.5m in 2009

LONDON – The credit crunch did not really touch the Obamas, as the US President and wife Michelle earned 5.5 million dollars in 2009, which is more than twice their income in 2008.

The White House released Barack Obama’s tax return on Thursday- the day all Americans have to file their tax returns.
And it showed that …. Source  : Barack and Michelle Obama double their income to $5.5m in 2009.

Army finds new WWI-era chemicals in 4th known stash under well-to-do DC neighborhood

Army crew finds new WWI chemical in DC yard

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has uncovered what could be a fourth major disposal area for World War I-era munitions and chemical weapons in the nation’s capital.
Project manager Dan Noble said Thursday that digging was suspended April 8 as a precaution after workers pulled …. Source  : Army finds new WWI-era chemicals in 4th known stash under well-to-do DC neighborhood.

Bengalis transcend divide to celebrate new year

DHAKA – Emotions ran high amid exchange of flowers, sweets and plenty of social chatter as friends and families from Bangladesh and India met across a barbed wire fence to celebrate Poila Baishakh, the Bengali new year.

Neighbours, living only a few meters or kilometers apart, met on the Omakhanma border in Pachagarh in … Read more »»».

Authorities close 11 German airports including Frankfurt as ash spreads from Iceland’s volcano

Germany closes 11 airports due to volcanic ash

BERLIN – German authorities have halted flights to 11 of the nation’s 16 international airports, including Frankfurt and Duesseldorf, as an ash cloud from Iceland’s erupting volcano moves over Germany.
Germany’s air traffic controllers DFS says the airspace over much of northern and western Germany is closed Friday, and …. Source  : Authorities close 11 German airports including Frankfurt as ash spreads from Iceland’s volcano.

Old pennies worth 40,000 pounds found

LONDON – Nearly 180 rare 12th century pennies have been found in Britain by a group of amateur treasure hunters.

The West Riding Detector Group found 178 coins dating back to the reign of Henry I in a farmland near Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.
The collection is considered to be worth around 40,000 pounds.
“Usually when you …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

18th century Buddha statue restored in China

BEIJING – An 18th century Buddha statue here has been restored by covering it with more than 28,000 gold leaves, a media report said Friday.

The six-metre-tall Vairochana Buddha statue in Beijing’s Coal Hill Park, near the Forbidden City, has been restored by workers, after a month of painstaking work using tweezers to apply the 9.3-cm … Read more : 18th century Buddha statue restored in China.

Artist Mrinalini Mukherjee captures life in solid textures

NEW DELHI – Veteran artist Mrinalini Mukherjee tries to interweave nature with human figures in her sculptures through a series of spirals, loops and hollows covered in heavy vegetal drapes.

An exhibition, “Lava”, featuring 30 of her sculptures was unveiled at the Gallery Espace in the capital Thursday. The artist is the daughter of the … Read more »»».

China detains parents of couples refusing sterilisation

BEIJING – China has cracked down on couples who have violated the country’s family planning policy and refused to go for sterilisation by detaining their family members, including old parents.

About 1,300 people in Puning city in Guangdong province have been detained because someone in their family was reluctant to be sterilised. The detainees were …. Original source  : China detains parents of couples refusing sterilisation.