Dhaka moves against errant ruling party cadres

DHAKA – Authorities in Bangladesh have launched a crackdown against errant cadres of the ruling Awami League who use political patronage and muscle power to get things done.

The home ministry has asked police to act strictly to curb crimes by activists or face disciplinary measures. On the radar in particular is the Bangladesh Chhatra League …. Original source  : Dhaka moves against errant ruling party cadres.

Army Secretary: Anonymous system planned to get soldier feedback on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

Army to accept comments on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Army Secretary John McHugh said Friday the military is considering a system for soldiers to anonymously express their opinions about its “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gay troops.
The Pentagon will make a recommendation on changing the policy by the end …. Source  : Army Secretary: Anonymous system planned to get soldier feedback on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

2 Mexican schools halt University of Arizona student-exchange programs over immigration law

Mexican schools halt exchange programs over AZ law

PHOENIX – Two Mexican universities have halted student-exchange programs with the University of Arizona because of the state’s tough new immigration law.
UA officials say the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City and the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi in eastern Mexico were worried their students …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 2 Mexican schools halt University of Arizona student-exchange programs over immigration law.

Obama and first lady go out for dinner, delighting onlookers near Washington’s DuPont Circle

Obama and wife dine out in DC
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, are going out for dinner on a pleasant evening in Washington.
The first couple arrived Friday at Komi restaurant, near DuPont Circle, surprising diners and passersby who cheered and took photos. The restaurant serves mainly Greek and Mediterranean dishes.
The … Read more »»».

Assam youth beats poverty to crack civil services exam

MORIGAON – Young Narayan Konwar from Assam who cracked the civil services examination this time had failed once in his Class 12 board exams and secured a second division in Class 10.

“Failure is the pillar of success,” Konwar told IANS outside his mud-and-thatch hut in village Shyamkota in Morigaon district, about 80 km from … Original article on : Assam youth beats poverty to crack civil services exam.

University of Utah student newspaper prank prompts administration to put hold on transcripts

Utah students pull goodbye prank in campus paper

SALT LAKE CITY – A prank literally spelled out in the University of Utah student newspaper has prompted administrators to put a hold on nine students’ transcripts.
The seniors wrote goodbye columns for The Daily Utah Chronicle’s April 28 edition. The first letter of each column is in larger …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : University of Utah student newspaper prank prompts administration to put hold on transcripts.

New budget for Indiana University includes no money for pay increases for 2nd straight year

Indiana University board OKs plan for no pay hikes

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A new Indiana University budget plan that doesn’t include money toward employee pay raises for a second straight year was approved Friday by the school’s Board of Trustees.
The overall $1.7 billion budget for the university’s eight campuses around the state includes a $29 million, … Read : New budget for Indiana University includes no money for pay increases for 2nd straight year.

Pawlenty orders Minn. cash crunch plans, may defer bill payments if state budget not solved

Pawlenty orders planning for Minn. cash crunch

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Pawlenty ordered state agencies Friday to take an inventory of programs and identify discretionary payments that can be put off in case of a cash crunch after a court ruling threw budget negotiations into turmoil.
Pawlenty eased off talk of a partial government shutdown … Read more : Pawlenty orders Minn. cash crunch plans, may defer bill payments if state budget not solved.

3 critically ill in E. coli outbreak of strain; FDA investigating Ariz. lettuce farm

FDA investigating E. coli at Ariz. lettuce farm

WASHINGTON – Federal investigators are looking at a farm in Yuma, Ariz., as a possible source of a widespread E. coli outbreak in romaine lettuce, according to the distributor.
Freshway Foods of Sidney, Ohio, said Thursday it recalled lettuce sold in 23 states and the District of Columbia because … Read more »»».

Centurion group signs agreement with NSDC

BHUBANESWAR – Orissa-based Centurion Group of Institutes (CGI) has signed an agreement with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to develop employability skills among the socially and economically marginalised youths in the state, a top company official said Friday.

“This partnership intends to nurture and promote employability skills especially with special focus on southern and western …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Headscarf row: School management suspends principal

ALAPPUZHA – The principal of a Christian-run school was suspended by the school management after controversy when a Muslim girl student was issued a transfer certificate because she insisted on wearing a headscarf to school, an official said Friday.

Alappuzha District Collector P.Venugopal, who initiated talks between the school management, the girl’s parents and other …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Headscarf row: School management suspends principal.

Kashmir topper reaches home to hero’s welcome (Lead, Changing dateline)

SRINAGAR – Shah Faesal, the first Kashmiri to top the prestigious civil services examination, arrived here Friday to a hero’s welcome from family, friends and well-wishers and declared that he had decided to join the IAS when his father was killed by gunmen.

“I had decided that very moment that I will not allow my father’s … Original source on Gaea Times at : Kashmir topper reaches home to hero’s welcome (Lead, Changing dateline).

3 critically ill in E. coli outbreak of strain that may be hard to ID; Ariz. lettuce recalled

Lettuce recalled in 23 states; E. coli suspected

WASHINGTON – A food company is recalling lettuce sold in 23 states and the District of Columbia because of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 19 people, three of them with life-threatening symptoms.
The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that 12 people had been hospitalized, … Read more >>>.

Ukraine sets up office to attract Indian students

NEW DELHI – Ukraine has set up an office in New Delhi to assist Indian students in taking admission in its educational institutions.

Proactive Group, a member of International Chamber of Commerce and partner of 30 leading Ukrainian universities, has been instituted by the ministry of education and science in Ukraine, an official statement released here …. Read the original article  : Ukraine sets up office to attract Indian students.

Delhi University to advise schools on admission process

NEW DELHI – Delhi University officials will Monday interact with teachers of state government schools in order to make them more familiar with the admission process in the varsity so that they can advise their students accordingly.

According to an official of the varsity, the initiative was taken on the request of members of the Yuva …. Original article  : Delhi University to advise schools on admission process.

E. coli suspected in 19 sickened, including 3 critical; AZ lettuce recalled from 23 states

E. coli forces lettuce recall; 19 ill in 3 states

WASHINGTON – A food company is recalling lettuce sold in 23 states and the District of Columbia because of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 19 people, three of them with life-threatening symptoms.
The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that 12 people had …. Source  : E. coli suspected in 19 sickened, including 3 critical; AZ lettuce recalled from 23 states.