Everest claims first victim of 2010

KATHMANDU – With over 200 climbers hoping to summit Mt Everest this year, the world’s highest peak has claimed its first victim this season with the disappearance of a Hungarian mountaineer in an avalanche.

Laszlo Varkonyi is now presumed to be dead after he was swept away by an avalanche April 26. A search operation had … Read : Everest claims first victim of 2010.

Islamist insurgents seize Somali pirate base

MOGADISHU – Radical Islamist insurgents in Somalia have seized one of the country’s most notorious pirate dens, raising questions about whether rebels with connections to Al Qaeda will now have a pipeline to tens of millions of dollars.

According to a New York Times report, dozens …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Islamist insurgents seize Somali pirate base.

Jharkhand Police detains woman scribe’s parents

KODERMA – Jharkhand Police on Monday detained the parents of a woman journalist, who was found dead near here, for interrogation.

“We have taken the parents of Nirupama Pathak, who was attached with a English daily from New Delhi, for interrogation … Read more »».

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visiting China

SEOUL – A special train carrying Kim Jong-il, North Korea’s reclusive leader, crossed into China early Monday.

South Korean news agency Yonhap and other South Korean news media reported that if confirmed, this would be Kim’s first to China in four years and the first time he has left North … Read more »».

Kidnappers of Afghan Ambassador to Pak break silence after a year-and-a-half

PESHAWAR – The kidnappers of Afghan ambassador-designate to Pakistan Abdul Khaliq Farahi have broken their silence after almost a year-and-a-half to claim that the diplomat is alive and in their custody.

Farahi, who belongs to Farah province in Afghanistan, served as the Afghan …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kidnappers of Afghan Ambassador to Pak break silence after a year-and-a-half.

Kashmir’s nomadic Bakarwals get help of Indian security forces

POONCH – The Indian Army is providing family identity cards along with medical help to the Bakarwals, a community of shepherds and pastoral nomads in order to provide them assistance and safety in Poonch district.

The Indian Army has set up special check posts to … Read more »»».

Mummy of revered Tibetan monk now on Public display near Dharamsala

TASHI JONG – The mummy of a revered Tibetan monk, Tokden Amtrin, has now been put on display at a monastery near Dharamsala.

After about five years of Amtrin’s death, his mummy has been put on display at the Khampagar Monastery in Tashi Jong, about 85 kilometres … Read more »»».

A new mango variety named after Sachin Tendulkar

MALIHABAD – A cultivator in Uttar Pradesh’s Malihabad District has named a new kind of mango after ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

Haji Kalimullah, who recently won a ‘Padma Sri’ for growing more than 300 varieties of mangoes of different shapes, sizes and hues on …. Original source  : A new mango variety named after Sachin Tendulkar.

Tourists flock to Kufri in Himachal to beat the heat

SHIMLA – As the mercury rises across northern India, Kufri in Shimla is attracting lots of tourists.

The climate of Kufri is providing much-needed relief to many tourists who leave behind temperatures in mid to high 40s.

“I am from Ahmedabad, the temperature is 47 degree Celsius and … Read more »».

26/11 case: Court begins delivering verdict

MUMBAI – A Mumbai Special Court Judge M L Tahiliyani started delivering the verdict of the trial of lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 terror attacks, Ajmal Amir Kasab, here on Monday.

The verdict is expected to come out in full some time from now.

The trial was focused …. Read the original article  : here.

Mystery shrouds former Pak intelligence officer’s killing

WASHINGTON – The killing of former Squadron Leader Khalid Khawaja, who was a former intelligence official having a pro-Taliban tilt, is shrouded in mystery after a little-known insurgent group accused him of working for the CIA and its Pakistani counterpart.

Khawaja’s …. Read the original article  : here.

Kerala kite festival lures international kite-flyers

KOZHIKODE – Kerala first ever kite festival is luring international kite-flyers to Kozhikode.

The three-day event was organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council of Kozhikode and the Kappad Destination Management Council.

It started from Saturday and will continue …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Motorman Strike In Mumbai

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The motormen of the Central and Western railways in Mumbai are on a hunger strike today over demands of a higher pay scale and higher allowances, reported the Mumbai railway officials. Trains being the lifeline of the city, it is expected that the strike would cause much trouble especially because of … Read more : Motorman Strike In Mumbai.

Kerala Government Supports Infopark Phase-II

KOCHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Infopark Kochi, being a domain of Kerala Government, has invited RFP’s from international consultants for their second wing expansion of Kochi’s Info Park. Reportedly, Infopark Kochi happens to be a Kerala Government initiative which is looking forward to make the very best in terms of facilities and modern amenities. Kerala Government said …. Read the original article  : Kerala Government Supports Infopark Phase-II.

Obama’s comedy timing trumps Jay Leno

NEW YORK – President Barack Obama trumped Jay Leno with his ‘impeccable’ comic timing at the White House Correspondents’ dinner at Hilton in Washington, DC.

While the ‘Tonight Show’ host poked some fun at Obama, it was the … Read more >>.

Indian man claiming insurance fraudulently avoids jail

MELBOURNE – A magistrate’s court here has delivered a suspended jail sentence to an Indian national who sought to commit insurance fraud by declaring that he had been attacked by thugs. He also claimed that they doused his car with petrol and burned it.

Jaspreet Singh, however, … Read more : Indian man claiming insurance fraudulently avoids jail.

Spurned Indian students fight for refund of their fees from Australia

SYDNEY – Unable to return to Australia because of the collapse of several colleges, refusal to renew student visas and the violence against the Indian community there, students are fighting to have millions of dollars in fees refunded to them.

Colleges have either closed because of a federal … Read more : Spurned Indian students fight for refund of their fees from Australia.

Parti Punjabi Malaysia elects first woman president

KUALA LUMPUR – Dr Susheel Kaur has become the first woman to be elected as president of the 24 year-old Parti Punjabui Malaysia (PPM).

She was elected unopposed by more than 50 delegates at the party’s biennial general meeting.

A …. Source  : Parti Punjabi Malaysia elects first woman president.

26/11 case: Court resumes proceedings

MUMBAI – A Mumbai Special Court has commenced proceedings before delivering its verdict on lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 terror attacks, Ajmal Amir Kasab, here on Monday.

The trial was focused around Kasab, and two Indian co-accused-ahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

UN report on Benazir’s murder incomplete: Pak minister

LAHORE – The UN commission’s report on the assassination of Pakistan’s former premier Benazir Bhutto is still incomplete, according to Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar.

Talking to journalists in Gujrat, the Pakistani Defence Minister said the fact-finding commission constituted by Prime … Original source on Gaea Times at : UN report on Benazir’s murder incomplete: Pak minister.