Experts urge US to improve nuke sleuthing abilities

WASHINGTON – America’s ability to track down illicit nuclear material or conduct a timely investigation of a terrorist attack involving nuclear materials is at risk of serious erosion, according to a panel of experts attending a National Research Council meeting.

“Without strong leadership, careful planning, and additional funds, these capabilities will decline,” the Christian Science Monitor …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Experts urge US to improve nuke sleuthing abilities.

UNSC removes five ‘unimportant’ Taliban names from sanctions list

NEW YORK – The United Nations Security Council has removed the names of Taliban from its sanctions list, saying they are not as much of a threat. Three of them have already made peace with Kabul, and the other two are dead.

A New York Times report said they were among a list of 20 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : UNSC removes five ‘unimportant’ Taliban names from sanctions list.

Malaysia gets its first Imam via ‘X-Factor’ inspired reality show

KUALA LUMPUR – Muhammad Asyraf Mohd Ridzuan, 26, an imam from Penang has won Imam Muda- a new reality show, on the lines of ‘X Factor’, which has gained global attention.

Asyraf beat Hizbur Rahman Omar Zuhdi in the finale held at Pusat Islam to become show’s inaugural winner.

He won a scholarship to Al-Madinah International University … Read more : Malaysia gets its first Imam via ‘X-Factor’ inspired reality show.

Women banned from wearing mini-skirts to work

LONDON – Women in Britain’s offices have been banned from wearing mini-skirts to work, and people involved in “customer-facing roles” have been told to look more professional “in a way that shows respect to children and families”.

Around 400 staff in Southampton City Council’s children’s services department received a memo telling them they should dress respectfully …. Original source  : Women banned from wearing mini-skirts to work.

UK ad with slogan ‘We sell big knockers’ banned

LONDON – A door and window company has been forced to take down an ad that says ‘we sell big knockers’.

The ad by Tricketts of Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales showed the woman’s breasts discreetly covered by a pair of doorknockers.

An Advertising Standards Agency report said that a woman had complained that the ad was … Original article on : UK ad with slogan ‘We sell big knockers’ banned.

Use ‘colourful language’ like Jesus to save Christianity, urges Vicar

LONDON – If Christianity is going to be taken seriously, it needs to ‘modernize’ and start using the ‘f word’ and other swear words more frequently, says a Vicar.

Reverend Michael Land claims that everyone should follow Jesus – who he claims did not have the politest of the languages.

“The reality is that he was poor, … Original article on : Use ‘colourful language’ like Jesus to save Christianity, urges Vicar.

Indiana cop pays $5 entry fee to make arrest at fair

MELBOURNE – An Indiana policeman was reportedly made to pay an entry fee of five dollars to enter the LaPorte County Fair so that he could make an arrest.

According to the Herald-Argus, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Mike Kellems tried to get into the fair to take an escapee into custody just after 5 in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indiana cop pays $5 entry fee to make arrest at fair.

Somali Jihadis launch online news channel to promote terrorist propaganda

NEW YORK – Somalia’s Al Qaeda-backed militant group Al-Shabab has launched an on-line “news” channel called Al Kataib, and its first propaganda newscast, in English, uses graphic footage to warn African countries to stop sending troops to Somalia.

The launch comes as U.S. and Somali officials warn of Al Shabab’s increased sophistication, and strengthening ties … Read more : Somali Jihadis launch online news channel to promote terrorist propaganda.

No plans to send combat troops to Pak to hit terror havens: US

WASHINGTON – The Unites States has brushed aside Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai’s suggestion of a NATO operation inside Pakistan to strike at Taliban safe havens in the country.

“We have no plans to send US combat forces to Pakistan,” The Daily Times quoted P.J. Crowley, U.S. State Department spokesman, as saying.

Crowley also … Read more »»».

English council bans mini-skirts in office

MELBOURNE – A council has warned its women employees not to wear short skirts to office or else they could be sent home.

An order released by bosses at Southampton City Council, in southern England, has asked the council’s 400 staff members to dress suitably for work.

Social workers, youth workers and other employees in the council’s …. Original source  : English council bans mini-skirts in office.

Obama calls on Iran to free three detained American hikers

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama has called on Iran to free three American hikers it detained one year ago.

He also said that Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal never worked for the U.S. government and were people who have demonstrated open-mindedness and a desire for social justice.

According to Politico, Iran recently … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama calls on Iran to free three detained American hikers.

Indian Mughal jewellery exhibition opens in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian King Mizan Zainal Abidin opened an exhibition showcasing Mughal era jewellery in Kuala Lumpur last weekend.

The “Treasury of the World: Jewelled Arts of India in the Age of the Mughals” exhibition displays historic jewellery from the personal collection of Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah and wife, Sheikha Hussah al-Sabah of Kuwait, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Global support pours in for Iranian ’stoning to death verdict’ woman

LONDON – Human rights activists and supporters of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the Iranian woman whose sentence of death by stoning on ‘adultery charges’ was lifted earlier this month and changed to hanging, have asked for global support to reunite her with her children on her appeal.

“Put Sakineh’s picture beside Neda Agha-Soltan’s and don’t let …. Original source  : Global support pours in for Iranian ’stoning to death verdict’ woman.

India, US sign nuclear reprocessing pact

WASHINGTON – Taking another step towards the implementation of the 2008 Indo-US civil nuclear deal, the two countries have signed an agreement on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.

Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns signed the agreement at a US State Department ceremony on … Original source on Gaea Times at : India, US sign nuclear reprocessing pact.

Heavy rains disrupt normal life in Delhi, NCR

NEW DELHI/GURGAON/NOIDA – A heavy downpour on Saturday disrupted normal life in Delhi and the National Capital region (NCR).

Though it provided relief to residents,commuters had a tough time passing through waterlogged areas.

Office goers had a harrowing time reaching their places of work due to huge traffic snarls.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted huge …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Heavy rains disrupt normal life in Delhi, NCR.

Afghan war logs: Wikileaks’ editor Assange denies ‘blood on (his) hands’

LONDON – The founder of the website Wikileaks, Julian Assange has rejected US claims that he has blood on his hands after releasing over 90,000 leaked classified documents on the Afghan war.

Julian Assange told the BBC there was no evidence that any informants had died as a result of the leaks.

He accused the Pentagon …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Afghan war logs: Wikileaks’ editor Assange denies ‘blood on (his) hands’.

Afghan women fear Taliban resurgence: NYT

NEW YORK – As Afghan and Western governments explore reconciliation with the Taliban, Afghan women fear that the peace they long for may come at the price of rights that have improved since the Taliban government was overthrown in 2001.

“Women do not want war, but none of them want the Taliban of 1996 again; …. Original article  : Afghan women fear Taliban resurgence: NYT.

Row over Royal Mail’s only for Muslim loos

LONDON – A row has erupted after the Royal Mail introduced loos for Muslims at one of its biggest centers.

According to the Daily Express, special “Nile pans” have replaced two normal loos at one of the north’s largest post processing plants.

About half the staff at the Manchester Mail Centre is Asian, but most cannot … Read more : Row over Royal Mail’s only for Muslim loos.

Violence continues in curfew-bound Kashmir, toll four

SRINAGAR – Violence escalated in the Kashmir Valley Saturday as an irate mob attacked a police camp in north Kashmir Baramulla district and the Sopore railway station, defying curfew restrictions, even as the death toll rose to four since Friday. Three protesters were injured in firing by security forces.

The four killed in firing by security …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Violence continues in curfew-bound Kashmir, toll four.

Germany to hold memorial service for victims of Love Parade

Germany: memorial service for Love Parade victims

DUISBURG, Germany – Germany is holding a memorial service for the victims of the Love Parade techno music festival, where 21 people were crushed to death and 500 injured.
The memorial service is to be held Saturday at Salvator Church and shown live on screens in a football stadium and … Read more »».