New army chief to visit Jammu and Kashmir (Lead, correcting day in opening para)

JAMMU – New Indian Army chief Gen V.K. Singh will Tuesday begin a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review the security situation and assess state of preparedness of the army.

Singh, who took over March 31, will visit the three regions of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir Valley.
He will meet Northern … Original source on Gaea Times at : New army chief to visit Jammu and Kashmir (Lead, correcting day in opening para).

Indian Air Force phasing out MiG-21s: Antony

NEW DELHI – The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gradually phasing out its older MiG-21 combat jets, many of which have been lost in crashes, parliament was informed Monday.

“The MiG-21 is a very old aircraft. It is now in the process of being phased out,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony said during question hour in the …. Source  : Indian Air Force phasing out MiG-21s: Antony.

‘Kissing disease’ takes its toll on female students at Edinburgh University

LONDON – A kiss is certainly the best way to express love, but for female students at Edinburgh University it spells trouble-they are dropping out after falling ill by contracting what has been tagged “the kissing disease”.

A study followed 57 students who …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Kissing disease’ takes its toll on female students at Edinburgh University.

Single word slip in book costs Penguin $20K

WELLINGTON – Misprinting of a single word has cost Australia’s Penguin group thousands of dollars.

The publishing company was had to pulp and reprint 7000 copies of Pasta Bible last week after a recipe called for “salt and freshly ground black people” – instead of pepper – to be added to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Single word slip in book costs Penguin $20K.

Left demands JPC probe on Tharoor-IPL issue

NEW DELHI – Left parties on Monday called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the controversy surrounding the involvement of former Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, with the Kochi IPL franchise.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo member …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Left demands JPC probe on Tharoor-IPL issue.

Pak armed forces exhibit capability in targeting drones

BAHAWALPUR – The Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have effectively targeted a drone aircraft, displaying their capability as part of the Azm-e-Nau III military exercise that is being conducted in a desert near Bahawalpur.

The massive …. Original source  : Pak armed forces exhibit capability in targeting drones.

Kashmiri youths turning to floriculture

ANANTNAG – The Department of Floriculture in Kashmir is using a Central Government sponsored-scheme to offer financial assistance to the state’s unemployed youth to attract them to flower cultivation.

The Floriculture Department under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) has started providing financial assistance to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chhattisgarh villagers live in fear of wild elephants

SAMARUMA – The residents of Chhattisgarh’s Samaruma village are worried, as wild elephants in the region have created havoc.

More than 25 elephants blocked the traffic on the Raigarh-Jashpur National Highway 200 leaving travellers stranded for more than two hours on Saturday.
Earlier, villagers had reported that [..] Read the original article: here.

New army chief to visit Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday

JAMMU – New Indian Army chief General V.K. Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday for the first time since assuming office.

Singh will visit all the three major regions of the state – Jammu, Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley. He will review the situation with Northern Command chief Lt. General B.S. Jaswal, and the corps … Read : New army chief to visit Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday.

Police say blast outside school rocks northwest Pakistani city; no word on casualties

Pakistan: Blast occurs outside school in northwest

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Police say an explosion has occurred outside a school in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.
Police official Haroon Khan says the nature of the blast was not immediately clear.
There was no immediate word on casualties.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. … Read more »»».

Two rockets fired into Punjab from Pakistan

GURDASPUR – Indian and Pakistani troopers traded gunfire after two rockets were fired into Indian Punjab from Pakistan, the Border Security Force (BSF) said Monday.

BSF Deputy Inspector General Jagir Singh told IANS that the rocket attack Sunday night in Bhamial sector of Gurdaspur district was followed by automatic gunfire.
“We (BSF) fired back. At …. Source  : Two rockets fired into Punjab from Pakistan.

India to study ‘no-entry’ rule for Malaysian visitors

KUALA LUMPUR – India has said it is studying appeals by frequent Malaysian visitors for revoking the two-month “no-entry” ruling imposed in January.

The ruling, which bars tourist visa holders from re-entering India within two months of the last visit, has drawn flak from Malaysians who have been visiting friends and relatives in India without restrictions …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Kargil may soon get country’s highest tunnel

JAMMU – Residents of the strategically important Kargil and Leh regions in Jammu and Kashmir have a reason to be happy. Their six-decade-long wait for round-the-year road connectivity with the rest of India may end soon with the construction of a 12 km-long tunnel – thanks to the personal interest of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kargil may soon get country’s highest tunnel.

Finance Ministry gives clean chit to Tharoor, guns for Modi

NEW DELHI – In a major development, a day after Shashi Tharoor was shown doors from the Union Cabinet, the Union Finance Ministry’s report has given a clean chit to him in connection with the Kochi -IPL deal.

Tharoor resigned on Sunday night as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Finance Ministry gives clean chit to Tharoor, guns for Modi.

137 Malay Indian students get awards for excellence

KUALA LUMPUR – Persatuan Kebajikan Namakkal Malaysia, an Indian non-governmental organisation, gave certificates of excellence and gifts to 137 students.

Indian achiever sin the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah, Penilaian Menengah … Original source on Gaea Times at : 137 Malay Indian students get awards for excellence.

Iran’s FM says country plans to talk nuclear fuel deal with Security Council members

Iran wants nuke fuel talks with Security Council

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s foreign minister says Tehran wants to discuss a nuclear fuel deal with U.N. Security Council members.
Manouchehr Mottaki’s remarks reflect a new push by Iran to revive talks with the international community.
The talks halted after Iran last year rejected a U.N.-backed plan that offered nuclear … Original source on Gaea Times at : Iran’s FM says country plans to talk nuclear fuel deal with Security Council members.

Honor for Michigan farmer/environmentalist highlights efforts to police large livestock farms

Farmer honored for fight vs. large livestock farms

DETROIT – A Michigan farmer who has gathered water samples and used aerial photography to help ensure factory farms follow environmental laws is being awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize.
Fifty-two-year-old Lynn Henning is being honored Monday in San Francisco with the award for grass-roots activism that includes a $150,000 …. Read the original article  : Honor for Michigan farmer/environmentalist highlights efforts to police large livestock farms.

Obama’s favourite caramel boosts export of Wales salt

LONDON – The salt from Wales, which is used to make President Barack Obama’s favourite caramel, has led to a boost in British food export figures for the fifth consecutive year.

The President’s passion for Smoked Salt Caramels, produced by the artisan confectioner Fran’s Chocolates of Seattle, led to total food and [..] Read the original article: here.

Jessica Lal Finally Gets Justice

New Delhi, INDIA, (GaeaTimes.com)- A case involving the murder of model Jessica Lal, who was shot dead at a bar in New Delhi in the year 1999, had been pending in court until yesterday. The Supreme Court announced that it will give its verdict today on, Manu Sharma, the prime accused in the …. Source  : Jessica Lal Finally Gets Justice.

Pak’s ‘Azm-e-Nau-III’ military exercise a message to India?

BAHAWALPUR – The six-week-long Azm-e-Nau-III military exercise being conducted by the Pakistani armed forces is being seen as a message to India, as the exercise is being held on in areas close to the Indian border.

The message coming out is that Pakistan is … Read : Pak’s ‘Azm-e-Nau-III’ military exercise a message to India?.