At least 971 US military deaths in Afghan region since 2001

US military deaths in Afghan region at 971

As of Friday, May 7, 2010, at least 971 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to an Associated Press count.
The AP count is two more than the Defense Department’s … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : At least 971 US military deaths in Afghan region since 2001.

India’s first transgender celebrates birthday

NEW DELHI – Rose Venkatesan, India’s first transgender to become a television host celebrated her first birthday as a woman.

Thirty-year-old Rose underwent a sex-change surgery in March this year in Thailand to officially become a woman.

An engineering graduate with two post graduate degrees from … Original source on Gaea Times at : India’s first transgender celebrates birthday.

Tamil Nadu girl sketches 306-meter-long drawing

COIMBATORE – In an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records, a fourteen- year-old girl, Bala Soundarya Lakshmi, hailing from Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore city claims to have made a 306-meter-long drawing.

Lakshmi chose to draw continuously to enter the ‘Longest Drawing by an Individual’ category [..] Read the original article: here.

Fire engulfs Ajmer battery factory

AJMER – A massive fire gutted a battery factory in Rajasthan’s Ajmer city.

Around eight to nine fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.

“The factory had a large stock of batteries and raw materials. We don’t know the reason how the factory caught fire, but we reached here with … Read more : Fire engulfs Ajmer battery factory.

Tourists enjoy fresh snowfall in Dharamsala

DHARAMSALA – Tourists turned up in large numbers in Dharamsala to experience fresh snowfall.

Rain across the valley and snow on the Dhauladhar mountains range brought down temperatures in the region.

Wearing warm clothes, tourists enjoyed the weather sipping tea.

“The weather is of course fantastic, and I find after …. Original source  : Tourists enjoy fresh snowfall in Dharamsala.

Qureshi assuages India’s fears over diversion of US supplied weapons

LAHORE – Allaying India’s concern over the misuse of weapons that Pakistan is receiving from the United States, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has assured New Delhi that the armaments would be put to use only against the extremists.

Referring to Defence Minister A K Antony’s statement … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Qureshi assuages India’s fears over diversion of US supplied weapons.

Gates says Pakistani army is committed to rooting out quickly extremists

Gates: Pakistan committed to fighting extremists

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Defense Secretary Robert Gates offered strong praise Friday for Pakistan’s efforts to root out extremist militants amid concern about potential links between the failed Times Square car bombing and Pakistan-based Taliban forces.
“The Pakistanis have been doing so much more than 18 months or two years ago …. Original source  : Gates says Pakistani army is committed to rooting out quickly extremists.

US grants new Tokyo routes to Delta, American, Hawaiian; United and Continental left out

DOT: New Tokyo routes to Delta, American, Hawaiian

MINNEAPOLIS – The Transportation Department says it plans to award four new routes to Tokyo to Delta Air Lines, American, and Hawaiian.
The decision looks to be a big win for Delta, which gets two routes – from Los Angeles and Detroit. Hawaiian Airlines is something of a surprise …. Source  : US grants new Tokyo routes to Delta, American, Hawaiian; United and Continental left out.

‘Embattled’ North Korea says now open to six-party talks, seeks China’s economic help

NEW DELHI – North Korea’s controversial leader, Kim Jong-il has declared that his country is willing to rekindle the suspended six-party talks, he announced on Friday.

“North Korea is willing, together with all parties, to discuss creating favourable conditions for restarting the Six-Party Talks,” … Read : ‘Embattled’ North Korea says now open to six-party talks, seeks China’s economic help.

China deploys its first women astronauts

New Delhi, May 8 (ANI): China has for the first time, included two women in its new seven-member astronaut crew. Though no names were disclosed, authorities did reveal that the new entrants were aged between 30-35 years, are married and are college graduates.

The five men are fighter pilots, …. Original source  : China deploys its first women astronauts.

FBI team swoops into Pak to probe Shahzad’s botched terror plot trail

WASHINGTON – A special Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) team has reached Pakistan to probe links between confessed New York bomb plotter Faisal Shahzad and terror groups operating from that country, and also to look into the possibility of …. Source  : FBI team swoops into Pak to probe Shahzad’s botched terror plot trail.

‘Fake’ Raphael painting turns out to be #250k treasure!

LONDON – A young woman’s portrait, trashed as a fake and lay in the basement of an Italian palace for 40 years, has been confirmed as a genuine Raphael by art experts and could be worth up to 25 million pounds.

The newly discovered 12 by 16 inch oil painting, which …. Source article  : ‘Fake’ Raphael painting turns out to be #250k treasure!.

Pak sets free most terrorists held in connection with failed Times Square bombing

KARACHI – Pakistani intelligence agencies have freed many suspected militants, including two Jaish-e-Muhammed operatives, who were arrested over alleged links with Faisal Shahzad, the American citizen of Pakistani origin who has confessed to … Read : Pak sets free most terrorists held in connection with failed Times Square bombing.

Having sex injures 18 million Brits in a year!

LONDON – Having sex can end up causing more pain than expected – researchers have found about 18 million Britons have injured themselves during or after a romp.

Pulled muscles followed by back injuries, carpet burns and bruised elbows and knees are some of the …. Read the original article  : Having sex injures 18 million Brits in a year!.

Delhi CM’s security beefed up after threat call

NEW DELHI – The security of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has been tightened following a call received by the Delhi Police late on Thursday night that Dikshit is under threat for the next 72 hours.

It has been reported that the security at …. Original article  : Delhi CM’s security beefed up after threat call.

‘Distraught’ Kiwi Indian Navtej Singh’s widow says living life of dead person

WELLINGTON – The widow of Indian-origin south Auckland liquor storeowner Navtej Singh, Harjinder Kaur, has described the impact of her husband’s killing by saying that she is living a life of a dead person.

An intoxicated Antilea Chan Kee (21) shot Singh at his … Original article on : ‘Distraught’ Kiwi Indian Navtej Singh’s widow says living life of dead person.

Dalai Lama included in 2011 census

DHARAMSALA – Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, endorsed his relevant details in the form for the 2011 census.

His inclusion in the census has paved the way for bona fide Tibetan refugees residing in India to be reckoned in the census.

“We visited Dalai Lama and … Read more : Dalai Lama included in 2011 census.

Pak to face ’severe consequences’ if terrorists hit US, warns Clinton

WASHINGTON – In what probably can be seen as the strongest message to Pakistan since the failed Times Square bombing plot, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned of ’severe consequences’ if a successful terror attack is traced back to that country. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pak to face ’severe consequences’ if terrorists hit US, warns Clinton.

Civil Service Examination topper gets a warm welcome in J-K

SRINAGAR – Dr. Faesal Shah, the topper of the 2009 Civil Service Examination, was given a warm welcome at his hometown in Jammu and Kashmir.

People from the neighbourhood as well as far-flung areas of the city gathered at his residence to welcome … Read more »»».

Oregon prison to reopen to visitors after inmate illnesses

Ore. prison visits to resume after illness

WILSONVILLE, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Corrections says visiting hours will resume Saturday at the minimum-security wing at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville.
Visits were canceled earlier this week after Oregon health officials began investigating a gastrointestinal illness that affected at least two dozen inmates in the same … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oregon prison to reopen to visitors after inmate illnesses.