US military says 1 American soldier killed by roadside blast in northern Diyala province

US soldier killed in northern Iraq
BAGHDAD – The U.S. military says an American soldier has been killed by a roadside blast in the Diyala province in northern Iraq.

The military said in a statement on Wednesday that the death of the soldier from U.S. Division-North is under investigation.
The name of the deceased soldier was being withheld …. Source article  : US military says 1 American soldier killed by roadside blast in northern Diyala province.

Human Rights Watch says detainees were beaten, shocked, suffocated at now-closed Iraqi prison

Rights watchdog: Iraq torture routine in prison

BAGHDAD – Iraqi men held for months at a secret prison outside Baghdad were systematically tortured and forced to sign confession statements that in at least some cases they were forbidden to read, according to a new report by a leading human rights group.
Some of the detainees were beaten …. Source article  : Human Rights Watch says detainees were beaten, shocked, suffocated at now-closed Iraqi prison.

Following attacks on Indians, Victoria Premier promises to boost police numbers

MELBOURNE – In the wake of reports of attacks on members of the Indian community here and in other parts of Victoria, Premier John Brumby has promised to boost police numbers by almost 2000 officers during the next five … Read more >>>.

Four policemen killed, six injured in suicide attack on check post in NWFP

PESHAWAR – The Taliban continues to target security forces in the restive tribal areas of Pakistan, as four policemen were killed and six wounded in a suicide attack near the Pir Bala police checkpost in the North West Frontier Province’s (NWFP) Bannu District on Wednesday.

The attackers rammed their … Original article on : Four policemen killed, six injured in suicide attack on check post in NWFP.

Laura Bush defends husband, opens up about car-crash in new book

NEW YORK – Former US First Lady Laura Bush has finally gone public about a mysterious car accident she had when she was 17.

The crash took place in Midland, Texas.

In her new book, “Spoken from the Heart,” Bush describes in vivid detail the circumstances surrounding the crash, which has haunted …. Source article  : Laura Bush defends husband, opens up about car-crash in new book.

Wikipedia’s parent company distributing child porn: Co-founder

CALIFORNIA – Wikipedia’s co-founder, Larry Sanger, has said that the online encyclopedia’s parent company, Wikimedia Commons, is knowingly distributing child pornography in their products.

Sanger, who left Wikipedia in 2002, said the Wiki products, including Wikipedia, Wiktionary, Wikinews and Wikiquote, is rife with renderings …. Original article  : Wikipedia’s parent company distributing child porn: Co-founder.

Telecom Minister Raja allegedly involved in 2G-spectrum scandal

NEW DELHI – There was an uproar in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday after the MPs demanded the resignation of Union Telecom Minister A Raja after a leading newspaper claimed proof against him over his alleged role in the 2G spectrum scandal.

The MPs demanded … Read more »»».

No explosives found on trans-Atlantic jet diverted to Maine, where passengers spend the night

No explosives found aboard jet diverted to Maine

BANGOR, Maine – The father of a former Air Force intelligence specialist was left to wonder why his son went from leading a “squeaky clean” life to being accused of claiming he had explosives aboard a trans-Atlantic flight, forcing the jetliner and its passengers to spend the night …. Read the original article  : No explosives found on trans-Atlantic jet diverted to Maine, where passengers spend the night.

Kashmir employees, government to hold talks Thursday

JAMMU – The Jammu and Kashmir government will hold negotiations Thursday with representatives of 450,000 employees to find a middle ground to end a bitter scrap between the two sides over salary arrears and retirement age.

The decision was taken by a cabinet sub-committee late Tuesday and was chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The decision … Read more : Kashmir employees, government to hold talks Thursday.

Indian Railways Suffers Bandh Effect

KOLKATA, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The Bharat Bandh called by the leftist parties yesterday that brought public life to a standstill took its toll on the Indian railways too. The left leaning Bandh supporters caused trains to stop at major stations all over the country and the long distance train passengers were the worst sufferers. …. Read the original article  : Indian Railways Suffers Bandh Effect.

Shaoania urges Pak media to stop looking for ‘masala’ in their private life

LAHORE – Newly married sports couple Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik have appealed to the Pakistani media to stop intruding into their private life and respect their privacy.

Since their arrival in Pakistan, fans and media have hounded the sports couple, following them everywhere in the country.

“The media needs … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Shaoania urges Pak media to stop looking for ‘masala’ in their private life.

Cheated women take revenge by smashing partners’ cars

NEW YORK – Women are more likely than men to seek revenge if they found out their partner was cheating on them, with 10 percent of angered females targeting their man’s motor, a poll has found.

The poll of 3,000 people by the Autoglass company found …. Source article  : Cheated women take revenge by smashing partners’ cars.

India, Lanka for expeditious resettlement of Tamils with dignity

THIMPHU – Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna met his Sri Lankan counterpart G L Peiris have called for the expeditious rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with dignity.

Sources said that Peiris informed Krishna that out of the 300,000 IDPs, 240,000 had been moved out of the rehabilitation camps.

Both leaders also …. Original article  : India, Lanka for expeditious resettlement of Tamils with dignity.

Locals, environmentalists oppose dam construction in Himachal Pradesh

SIRMAUR – Locals and environmentalists have objected to the construction of proposed Renuka Dam in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur District, fearing severe ecological damage.

“The construction of Renuka Dam will result in the relocation of almost 1500 families, though government figures put the number to be somewhere around 850. …. Read the original article  : Locals, environmentalists oppose dam construction in Himachal Pradesh.

Chaos, mismanagement forces Shoania, family to flee ‘walima’ reception hall

LAHORE – Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the ‘walima’ reception of the newly married sports couple Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik, and ceremony ended early as overcrowding at the banquet hall gave way to complete mismanagement.

Several high profile guests, including Prime Minister Yosuf Raza Gilani’s son Abdul Qadir Gilani, … Original article on : Chaos, mismanagement forces Shoania, family to flee ‘walima’ reception hall.

Two BSNL engineers injured in Maoist blast in Chhattisgarh

BIJAPUR – Suspected Maoists triggered a pressure bomb blast in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur District, which caused serious injuries to two engineers of the Central Government owned telecommunications company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

It is reported … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Two BSNL engineers injured in Maoist blast in Chhattisgarh.

Dalai Lama offers prayers for Tibet earthquake victims

DHARAMSALA – The Dalai Lama and hundreds of Tibetan monks and nuns offered prayers in Dharamsala here on Tuesday for victims of the recent Tibet earthquake.

Prayers were held at Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple, and were attended by many locals and representatives of different non-profit organizations.

“The … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Dalai Lama offers prayers for Tibet earthquake victims.

Rolls-Royce says profit, revenue this year will be broadly in line with previous year

Rolls-Royce sees little profit growth this year

LONDON – Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce Group PLC said Wednesday that revenue and profit this year will be about the same as last year’s results despite a challenging market.
The company said the recent disruption of global air traffic due to the Icelandic volcano eruption will put more pressures on …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rolls-Royce says profit, revenue this year will be broadly in line with previous year.

Former PM calls for interim Iraqi government to halt efforts to change election results

Former PM urges interim government in Iraq

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s former prime minister and front-runner in recent parliamentary elections has called for the formation of an interim government because of what he says are efforts to change the vote results.
Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite whose cross-sectarian coalition narrowly won most votes in the March 7 polling, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Former PM calls for interim Iraqi government to halt efforts to change election results.

Osama Bin Laden grossly underestimated U.S. retaliation to 9/11: Ex-associate

WASHINGTON – A former Osama bin Laden associate has said that the Al-Qaeda leader did not expect the United States to strike back as hard as it has following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

“What happened after September 11 was beyond their imagination,” The New York Post quoted Noman Benotman, who was the head of the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Osama Bin Laden grossly underestimated U.S. retaliation to 9/11: Ex-associate.