World Population Day Events In India

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- It seems that the fashion fraternity of India is waking up to the population problem of India and is trying to do its bit to address the issue. The leading Indian fashion designers and page 3 hoppers have started an initiative on the eve of the world population day to … Read more : World Population Day Events In India.

Palestinian leader says direct talks with Israel would be futile under current circumstances

Abbas: No point in direct talks with Israel now

RAMALLAH, West Bank – The Palestinian president says direct talks with Israel would be futile under current circumstances.
President Mahmoud Abbas is under pressure from the U.S. to resume negotiations that broke off in 2008, under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s predecessor.
But he has said he won’t return … Original article on : Palestinian leader says direct talks with Israel would be futile under current circumstances.

Kashmir problem is core issue between India, Pakistan: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

SRINAGAR – All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) moderate faction chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led a massive protest in Srinagar on Saturday, and reiterated that the Kashmir problem is the core issue between India and Pakistan.

The march that began from Jamia Masjid, or the big mosque witnessed the participation of thousands of people including women.

“The Kashmir … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Kashmir problem is core issue between India, Pakistan: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Vegetable prices soar amidst Maoists shutdown

JHARGRAM – Vegetable prices are on the rise in West Bengal, as supplies have dried up in the market following a 48-hour ‘all India shutdown’ called by the Maoists on July 7-8 to protest the killing of their leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad.

The locals in West Bengal’s Jhargram District are facing problems due to the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Vegetable prices soar amidst Maoists shutdown.

Retired defence personnel demand hike in pension

AMRITSAR – Scores of retired defence personnel staged a protest in Punjab’s Amritsar city on Saturday demanding an immediate hike in their pensions.

Venting their ire, the veteran soldiers, donning their military decorations, badges and medals and chanting patriotic slogans with fervour, polished shoes and pulled rickshaws to draw attention to their plight.

The fiery protest, organized [..] Read the original article: here.

Pak troops kill 38 Taliban in South Waziristan

ISLAMABAD – At least 32 Taliban militants have been killed as fierce fighting erupted between Pakistani security forces and extremists in South Waziristan breaking months long pause in violence in the region.

Officials said over 35 troops also sustained injuries in the latest ambush which took place at various Mehud tribe dominated places in the …. Read the original article  : here.

Brit MPs accused of prolonging Commons debate to claim 130 pounds

LONDON – British MPs are taking advantage of new expenses rules by extending the debate past 1am in a bid to claim up to 130pounds in overnight hotel allowances, it has been alleged.

According to David Morris, the Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, the expenses of keeping the Commons open so late – including … Read : Brit MPs accused of prolonging Commons debate to claim 130 pounds.

Devotees offer prayers at Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar

SRINAGAR – Scores of devotees converged for peace prayers at the famous Muslim shrine of Hazratbal to mark Meraj-ul-Alam festival in Srinagar on Saturday.

The shrine, however, witnessed less number of devotees in comparison to previous years due to a curfew following widespread incidents of mobs stone-pelting at security forces and the killing of more than … Read more : Devotees offer prayers at Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.

Nirupama Rao meets Dalai Lama

DHARAMSALA – Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao met Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and held high-level talks during her protocol visit.

Several top Tibetan officials-in-exile received Nirupama Rao at the Kangra Airport near Dharamsala, from where she was quickly driven to the picturesque McLeodGanj village, where the spiritual leader presently resides.

The Foreign Secretary met the Dalai … Read more : Nirupama Rao meets Dalai Lama.

PAF sending F-16 squadron for US air exercise

KARACHI – The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would be sending one of its F-16 squadrons to the US for the multinational air exercise ‘Red Flag’, which is scheduled to begin on July 15.

A statement issued by the PAF said that Pakistani F-16’s would take part in the reputed exercise which would be attended by some …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : PAF sending F-16 squadron for US air exercise.

Motives of 10 Russian spies puzzles author John le Carre

WASHINGTON – John le Carre, the pen name of David Cornwell, who is the author of Cold War espionage novel has said that says he could not comprehend what the 10 Russian spies, deported from the United States this week, thought they were doing.

According to the CBS News, in commentary published on Saturday in ‘The … Read : Motives of 10 Russian spies puzzles author John le Carre.

Moily conferred ‘Next Step Foundation 2010??? award

NEW DELHI – Union Law and Justice Minister M Veerappa Moily has been conferred the ‘Next Step Foundation 2010′ award for his outstanding contribution to International Legal Co-operation.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Nigel Evans, presented the prestigious award to Moily at a function organised at the House of Commons in London by … Read more >>>.

Pakistani spy arrested in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH – The Punjab police arrested a 24-year-old Pakistani spy from Chandigarh’s sector 44 for sending vital informations from India to Pakistan.

The police said the arrested Pakistani spy named Kashif Ali, a resident of Faisalabad in Pakistan’s Punjab province, was staying for the last two-and-a-half years in Chandigarh, under the name of Pawan Kumar.

“Working …. Read the original article  : here.

Did the Battle of Britain begin over Orkney?

LONDON – The Battle of Britain began over Orkney Islands, an archipelago in northern Scotland, and not over the white cliffs of Dover, according to a Scottish historian.

Les Taylor, the author of Luftwaffe Over Scotland, claims a three-day attack in April 1940, when the German Luftwaffe targeted UK’s Royal Navy shipping off Orkney and … Read more >>>.

Kashmir protests India’s ‘internal matter’: US

WASHINGTON – While describing the current turbulence in Jammu and Kashmir as India’s ‘internal matter, the United States reiterated that it would continue supporting the efforts of both India and Pakistan to reduce the tension amidst them and resolve the long pending issues.

Interacting with reporters here, US State Department’s deputy spokesman Mark Tone said Washington …. Read the original article  : here.

Prince William ‘to marry Kate Middleton in private’

LONDON – Prince William is apparently planning to tie the knot with Kate Middleton in a ‘private’ family wedding.

According to sources, the prince wants the Queen’s permission to wed at the royals’ own personal church, St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

He wants to restrict media access to the ‘bare minimum’ with more emphasis …. Source  : Prince William ‘to marry Kate Middleton in private’.

Nepalese minor girl rescued in Mumbai

MUMBAI – The Mumbai police rescued 15-year-old Nepalese girl Pooja Sonar and seven other Nepalese boys from the clutches of the agents, who allured to send them to foreign countries for work.

The police have arrested a male agent named Farookh Khan and a female named Ayesha Khatoon in the case.

It has been reported that the … Read more >>.

World’s most expensive cocktail costs $1300 per glass!

MELBOURNE – A Mai Tai, served in Belfast’s The Merchant Hotel, has earned the distinction of being the World’s Most Expensive Cocktail.

The concoction comprises the same ingredients as the original, first poured in 1944 at Trader Vic’s, a South Seas-style bar-and-restaurant in Oakland, US.

Trader Vic’s founder, Victor Jules Bergeron Jr, narrated the origins of his … Read more >>.

Sri Lankan minister ends hunger strike outside UN office

LONDON – The construction minister of Sri Lanka, Wimal Weerawansa, who was on a fast unto death outside the United Nations office ended his protest after President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited him.

According to the BBC, the president took a glass of water, pressed it to the lips of the prostrate Weerawansa and made him sip.

The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sri Lankan minister ends hunger strike outside UN office.

Zardari rules out handing over “non-state” 26/11 perpetrators to India

BEIJING – While Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has ruled out handing over the accused November 2008 Mumbai terror attack “non state actors” to India, he remains only “hopeful” of bringing the perpetrators, who wrecked the relationship between both countries, to justice.

In an interview to a television channel on the last day of his …. Original article  : Zardari rules out handing over “non-state” 26/11 perpetrators to India.