Limited flights resume over Europe but UK says London airports likely to remain closed Tuesday

UK: London airports likely to remain closed

LONDON – U.K. officials say London airports are likely to remain closed for another day due to the volcanic ash cloud.
Jonathan Astill, head of airspace management at Britain’s National Air Traffic Service, gave that assessment Tuesday.
The Eurocontrol air traffic agency in Brussels, meanwhile, says it expects some 55 to …. Read the original article  : Limited flights resume over Europe but UK says London airports likely to remain closed Tuesday.

BSNL Strike Begins Today Nationwide

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- More than 300,000 BSNL workers have started a nationwide strike today that may cripple the network of the company and adversely affect its 90 million subscribers all over the country. The employees of the company are up in arms against the proposals of the Sam Pitroda committee for voluntary retirement … Original article on : BSNL Strike Begins Today Nationwide.

Iraq’s oil exports dip in March by 11 percent, bad weather is blamed

Iraq’s oil exports dip in March by 11 percent

BAGHDAD – Iraq says oil exports dipped 11 percent in March from the previous month due to bad weather.
Oil Ministry spokesman Assem Jihad said Tuesday that last month’s daily exports averaged 1.84 million barrels, down from 2.068 million barrels a day exported in February.
But he says March … Read more : Iraq’s oil exports dip in March by 11 percent, bad weather is blamed.

England ‘least patriotic’ country in Europe: Survey

LONDON – A new survey has found that England is the least patriotic country in Europe.
According to This England magazine’s study, respondents were questioned on several aspects of national pride, with English people judging their overall level of patriotism to be 5.8 out of ten …. Read the original article  : England ‘least patriotic’ country in Europe: Survey.

Acute water scarcity in Jhansi region

JHANSI – Acute water scarcity in drought-prone Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi region is now forcing people to buy this basic necessity.

There is no water available, especially in the Raksa sub-division of the district. Villagers are facing severe problems as their fields are parched and they are forced …. Read the original article  : Acute water scarcity in Jhansi region.

West Bengal rehabilitates surrendered Kamtapur rebels

JALPAIGURI – West Bengal Government has launched a special scheme at Jalpaiguri to rehabilitate the surrendered rebels of Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), a banned militant outfit.

To herald this project, a function was organised here when the surrendered persons interacted with district … Original source on Gaea Times at : West Bengal rehabilitates surrendered Kamtapur rebels.

Cloudburst disrupts normal life in Guwahati

GUWAHATI – Incessant rainfall in Assam for the past couple of days has disrupted normal life.
The weather has also played spoilsport in the ongoing weeklong Rangoli Bihu festivities causing many celebrations across the city to mellow down due to the downpour.

“It is raining here since the …. Source article  : Cloudburst disrupts normal life in Guwahati.

Poaching continues in Jim Corbett National Park

RAMNAGAR – Despite preventive steps being taken by the authorities, poaching continues in Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand’s Ramnagar district.

Security guards and several Forest Rangers are deployed to keep the wild animals safe from poaching.
Ramnagar district shares about 30 kilometres boundary with the park and 90 kilometres of … Read : Poaching continues in Jim Corbett National Park.

Tourist’s rush to Himachal, as heat continues in other parts of
the country

SIRMOUR – As mercury rises in other parts of northern India, the Renuka Lake of Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmour district is attracting lots of tourists.

The Renuka Lake boasts of being the largest natural lake in Himachal Pradesh and is dedicated to … Read more >>.

Mukesh Ambani offers prayers at Lord Venkateshwara shrine

TIRUPATI – Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani offered prayers at Lord Venkateswara and donated Rs one crore on the occasion of his birthday on Monday.

Ambani, was accompanied by his family.
“Earlier he also … Original article on : Mukesh Ambani offers prayers at Lord Venkateshwara shrine.

Two Bodoland militants surrender

SHILLONG – Two militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) surrendered before paramilitary forces here on Monday.

The NDFB rebels, who were operating along the Meghalaya-Assam and Meghalaya-Bangladesh border, laid arms at a ceremony at the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters.
The surrendered cadres are trained in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Two Bodoland militants surrender.

Demonstration in Aurangabad against price rise

AURANGABAD – Scores of factory and cottage industry workers including daily wage earners and domestic helps took to the streets and staged protest demonstration against rising prices of essential commodities here on Monday.

Holding placards and banners, the protestors including women and elderly, joined the march led by veteran social activist Pannalal Surana.
They … Read : Demonstration in Aurangabad against price rise.

Yankee hospitality: Americans open homes _ and wallets, and parks _ to stranded travelers

In US, welcome mat goes out for stranded travelers

KILLINGTON, Vt. – While thousands of stranded air travelers suffer in airports, some are getting courtesies extended by sympathetic Americans.
Call in Yankee hospitality: Families, amusement parks and a Vermont inn are opening their homes – and their wallets, and their businesses – to people waiting for Europe’s …. Read the original article  : Yankee hospitality: Americans open homes _ and wallets, and parks _ to stranded travelers.

Obama administration says ‘conflict’ with Karzai resolved

Washington, Apr 20(ANI): The Obama administration has said that its issues with Afghan President Hamid Karzai are a thing of the past, and announced that Karzai will visit Washington next month.

“In terms of our relationships with the government of Afghanistan, we feel they are in good shape. There was a period where the waters got … Read more >>>.

UK would not have invaded Iraq ‘if we knew what we know now’: Miliband

London, Apr 20(ANI): British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said that the UK would not have invaded Iraq in 2003, if it had been clear that the then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

When asked if he would still have supported the invasion of Iraq if he had known then …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UK would not have invaded Iraq ‘if we knew what we know now’: Miliband.

Volcano effect: Govt. advises passengers to defer travel to Europe

New Delhi, Apr 20 (ANI): The Civil Aviation Ministry has advised passengers to defer travel to European destinations as volcanic plumes continued to disrupt flights for the sixth day on Tuesday.

The advisory by the Civil Aviation Ministry came as over 41,000 passengers have been stranded following cancellation of the flights to Europe and western countries.
Civil … Original article on : Volcano effect: Govt. advises passengers to defer travel to Europe.

BSNL staff on indefinite strike from today

NEW DELHI – Over three lakh staff of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will begin an indefinite strike on Tuesday to protest VRS and divestment proposals of the Sam Pitroda committee.

The strike call has been given by a joint forum of unions that has both executives and non-executives as members.
The employees unions are protesting …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Tharoor to clarify in Parliament today

NEW DELHI – Former Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor is likely to make a statement in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday over the IPL controversy.

The decision was taken on Monday after Tharoor briefly visited Parliament house and met party leaders including senior ministers Pranab Mukherjee, AK Antony and P Chidambaram.
Tharoor resigned on … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Tharoor to clarify in Parliament today.

Mukul Sangma to be sworn in as Meghalaya CM today

SHILLONG – Mukul Sangma, who was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Meghalaya on Monday night, will be sworn in as Chief Minister today.

Deputy Chief Minister Sangma has been elevated to the post of Chief Minister after 21 of the 28 MLAs were opposed to Dr D D Lapang’s leadership.
Sangma has also been …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mukul Sangma to be sworn in as Meghalaya CM today.

Kiwis far safer in India than Indians in New Zealand

WELLINGTON – Indians are facing a tough time in New Zealand and are more victims of crime here in comparison to Kiwis in India.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that in 2009 a total of 31 New Zealanders sought consular help from the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi.
A spokesman said of …. Read the original article  : here.