Number of Malaysian women in high posts still way behind male counterparts

KUALA LUMPUR – The percentage of Malaysian women occupying top-positions is increasing, but they have a long way to go before they catch up with their male counterparts.

According to Good Governance and Gender Equality Society vice-president Professor Dr Cecilia Ng, only 10.8 percent of MPs were women, adding that they only comprised 12 percent of … Read more >>>.

Two poachers arrested near Corbett sanctuary with leopard skin

UDHAM SINGH NAGAR – The police arrested two persons near Corbett sanctuary in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar District for possessing leopard skin.

Police said the duo was coming from Champawat district and going to Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad district to sell it off.

“When we were checking some suspected vehicles at the intersection, our informers told us that … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Two poachers arrested near Corbett sanctuary with leopard skin.

First Muslim woman Brit Minister accused of betraying her religion

LONDON – Baroness and Tory leader Sayeeda Warsi may be the first Muslim woman to hold a full Cabinet Post, but Muslim fundamentalists see her as an apostate who is hardly representative of the Muslim community.

She has also been warned of physical harm if she visits Muslim pockets. Last year she was pelted with eggs …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sex-ban on US troops not working, 15 female soldiers get pregnant in Afghanistan

LONDON – The American Army’s ban on sex hardly seems to be working with over fifteen pregnant women soldiers being sent home from Afghanistan.

The army had launched a vigourous campaign to counter rising incidents of pregnancy among women soldiers in Afghanistan, and measures like posters urging use of contraception have been put up in the …. Read the original article  : Sex-ban on US troops not working, 15 female soldiers get pregnant in Afghanistan.

China’s urbanization rate will touch 50 percent by 2020

NEW DELHI – China’s urbanization has reached record levels, and according to a report, it will touch 50 percent in the coming future.

According to the newly published 2009 City Development Report of China, an annual report conducted by China’s Association of Mayors says that nearly 621.86 million people lived in cities in 2009.

The report estimates …. Original source  : China’s urbanization rate will touch 50 percent by 2020.

Coastal security beefed up in Kerala

KOCHI – The coastal security in Kerala has been increased with the state police inducting high-speed boats to patrol the shoreline and backwaters.

A fleet of around 47 boats along with a specially trained police team has been deployed for the purpose.

The 6.8-metre-long boats can be controlled by a remote device and seat …. Original article  : Coastal security beefed up in Kerala.

Malay-Indian MP receives death threats for highlighting corruption in sand-mining project

KUALA LUMPUR – An Indian-origin MP in Malaysia has received death threats for alleging that there is corruption in the running of government owned sand mining companies.

S. Manikavasagam found his wife’s car splashed with red-paint at his home in Meru.

Three bags containing red paint were hurled into his house, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Malay-Indian MP receives death threats for highlighting corruption in sand-mining project.

Film purportedly showing Russians shooting Polish crash survivors surfaces

LONDON – Sensational footage apparently showing Russian soldiers shooting survivors of the air crash that obliterated most of Poland’s top-brass, including President Kaczynski and the three military chiefs, has surfaced.

The blurred film clip was recorded on a mobile phone … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Film purportedly showing Russians shooting Polish crash survivors surfaces.

Jharkhand court denies bail to Nirupama Pathak’s mother

Koderma (Jharkhand)/ NEW DELHI – A local court in Jharkhand’s Koderma District has denied bail to Sudha Pathak, the mother of Delhi based journalist Nirupama Pathak, arrested on suspicion of killing her daughter.

Twenty-three-year-old Nirupama was found dead at her home in Koderma District in …. Read the original article  : Jharkhand court denies bail to Nirupama Pathak’s mother.

JI chief demands dialogue with Taliban in Pak

LAHORE – Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawwar Hasan has asked the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led Government to initiate peace talks with the Taliban, saying if dialogue can be restarted with India then there should also be no harm in deliberations with the extremist outfit.

“If …. Read the original article  : JI chief demands dialogue with Taliban in Pak.

New Brit Govt. to ask Queen to take ‘at least’ five percent pay cut

LONDON – David Cameron led coalition government is expected to ask the Queen to take a pay cut from the 7.9 million pounds-a-year Civil List payment the royal family receives from taxpayers money.

The royal family had been expecting an increase when the current 10-year agreement comes to an end this … Read more >>>.

Protest in Manipur against Naga leader’s visit

IMPHAL – Scores of protestors took to the streets in Imphal to protest the proposed visit of leader of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah, who wants unification and eventual independence of Naga-dominated areas in the north-east.

The tension intensified here on Saturday as the protestors raised … Read more >>.

Sub-caste marriage takes place amid tight security in Uttar Pradesh

NOIDA – A Hindu marriage ceremony took place amid tight security in Chithera village of Uttar Pradesh’s Noida district following a warning issued by the village council not to marry in the same sub-caste.

The matter was brought to the notice … Read more : Sub-caste marriage takes place amid tight security in Uttar Pradesh.

Afghan counterinsurgency means grueling hikes, village banter and a water pump standoff

US soldiers pay village calls in Afghanistan
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FRONTENAC, Afghanistan – The platoon’s visit to a riverside village was a slog in and out: hours of hiking in body armor under the sun over rock-strewn hills, through rustling wheat fields and sweltering pomegranate groves. U.S. soldiers waded across an irrigation …. Original source  : Afghan counterinsurgency means grueling hikes, village banter and a water pump standoff.

Akshaya Tritiya: Police Mass Marriage

NAVI MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- As the nation swings into the celebrations of Akshaya Tritiya, Navi Mumbai police is organizing a mass marriage which shall witness the marriage of fellow police officers from the department itself. The unique marriage plan was proposed by the officials of Navi Mumbai Police when they came to learn that …. Read the original article  : here.

India’s minstrels reduced to sex slavery in Nepal

KATHMANDU – Like the vicissitudes in the fortunes of the epic heroes of the Ramayana and Mahabharata that formed the theme of their musical performances, a wandering minstrel tribe of eastern India is now reduced to prostitution for generations.

Once known as badyabadaks – or musicians, the Badis were a community of gypsy-like performers who originated … Read more : India’s minstrels reduced to sex slavery in Nepal.

North Korean ships cross sea border, South fires shots

SEOUL – Two North Korean naval boats crossed into South Korean waters Saturday, but retreated after warning shots by the South Korean navy, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday.

Military officials said a North Korean boat crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea at 10:13 pm and ventured 2.2 km South … Read more >>>.

Akshaya Tritiya Sees Train Blocks

DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Akshaya Tritiya which happens to be one of the most celebrated occasions in the Hindu Calender is turning out to be a major session of disappointment for one and all. The Railway Services for three major routes namely the Central, the Western and the Harbor shall be stopped on a temporary note … Read more >>>.

Thai authorities to impose curfew in parts of Bangkok hit by protester-military clashes

Thailand to impose curfew in parts of Bangkok

BANGKOK – Thai authorities say they plan to impose curfew in parts of Bangkok that have been wracked by clashes between Red Shirt protesters and the army.
Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on national television that authorities would announce later Sunday which parts will come under curfew.
He says …. Source  : Thai authorities to impose curfew in parts of Bangkok hit by protester-military clashes.

Pak man arrested in Chile charged for illegal possession of explosives

LONDON – The Chile Government has charged Muhammad Saif-ur-Rehman Khan, a Pakistani student arrested at the US Embassy in Chile, for having traces of volatile material, with illegal possession of explosives.

Police said traces of Tetryl, a compound used as a booster to help detonate explosives, was found on documents and the mobile phone recovered from … Read more >>.