9/11 memorial museum to handle 5 mn visitors

NEW YORK – A cavernous subterranean museum being built here to revive the memories of the World Trade Center is expected to attract five million visitors a year, said an official who added that “it’s as if you are visiting a battleground”.

Officials of the National September 11 Memorial Museum Tuesday held a preview of … Original source on Gaea Times at : 9/11 memorial museum to handle 5 mn visitors.

UN aid for Pak flood victims to focus on survival needs of six million people

GENEVA – The United Nations has said that aid for Pakistan flood victims will focus on the survival needs of six million people.

“We are focusing for now on six million people who are in need of direct humanitarian assistance, meaning that they need it to survive,” said Elisabeth Byrs, a spokeswoman for the UN’s Office …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UN aid for Pak flood victims to focus on survival needs of six million people.

Mumbai Sessions court grants bail to MSC Chitra’s captain (update)

MUMBAI – A Mumbai Sessions court on Wednesday granted bail to the captain of the merchant vessel MSC Chitra, which collided with another cargo ship, resulting in the oil spill off the Mumbai coast.

Captain Mandeleno Ranjit Martin filed an application on Tuesday, saying the collision occurred because of a navigational error caused by radio communication …. Source article  : Mumbai Sessions court grants bail to MSC Chitra’s captain (update).

Bhopal Gas Tragedy: ‘A case of corporate manslaughter’, says BJP

NEW DELHI – Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy was the result of criminal negligence, and the authorities allowed the tragedy to happen.

“Why were the accused in Bhopal Gas Tragedy let off? This is a case of corporate man slaughter,” said Sushma Swaraj, in the debate on the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Bhopal Gas Tragedy: ‘A case of corporate manslaughter’, says BJP.

‘Bag Nazi’ airline attendant released from Bronx jail, dumped by taxi driver

NEW YORK – Police in New York’s Bronx area have released a JetBlue flight attendant, who flipped down the emergency shute of the plane after it landed at New York’s John F Kennedy Airport, after expressing his fury with a passenger’s abuse and his oversized luggage.

Thirty-eight-year-old Steven Slater, who some months ago described himself as …. Source  : ‘Bag Nazi’ airline attendant released from Bronx jail, dumped by taxi driver.

IEA raises global oil demand forecast on higher outlook in Europe, non-OECD region

Global oil demand seen rising slightly
PARIS – The International Energy Agency says global oil demand will be 2.2 percent higher this year and will continue to grow in 2011, thanks to improving economic conditions in Europe and developing countries.

In a statement Wednesday, the Paris-based agency said global oil demand this year will reach 86.6 million … Read more »»».

I glow like Sonam thanks to the Dead Sea (Re-Issue)

JERUSALEM – No seriously I do. At least, I was supposed to. On a study tour to Israel, a group of Indian journalists were taken to the Dead Sea, which has some of the most saline water on earth. It is over 1,300 feet below sea level, so there are no fish or other creepy …. Original article  : I glow like Sonam thanks to the Dead Sea (Re-Issue).

UK mission confirms arrest of 18 illegal Indian immigrants

NEW DELHI -The UK Border Agency has arrested eighteen Indian nationals for entering the country illegally and committing acts of an illegal nature.

The arrests were carried out through a series of enforcement operations between July 22 and 29.

The operations were part of a planned nation-wide action by the UK Border Agency to tackle illegal working, …. Source  : UK mission confirms arrest of 18 illegal Indian immigrants.

Brit woman exposed as benefit cheat while working as stripper

LONDON – A woman in Britain has been exposed as a benefit cheat after she claimed incapacity hand-outs while working as a stripper.

Carrie-Ann Knight, 29, is said to have claimed more than 10,000 pounds in benefits while working as an exotic dancer at Tiffany’s Bar in Exeter’s Quayside in June 2007.

She is said … Read more >>.

Zardari shoe thrower justifies his London action (Exclusive ANI Interview)

LONDON – Shameen Khan, the man who claimed to have hurled a shoe at Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari during his recent visit to London, has justified his action, by saying it was a befitting welcome to a leader who in his eyes, has failed on all fronts.

Khan, an activist of the Pakistan Peoples Party … Read more »».

Disabled athletes protest over neglect by Sports Ministry

NEW DELHI – Hundreds of disabled athletes and activists from all over the country gathered outside the residence of Sports Minister M.S Singh Gill to express their anger over the neglect of sporting events for the differently abled persons.

The protest was held under the banner of Disabled Rights Group (DRG) and led by its … Original article on : Disabled athletes protest over neglect by Sports Ministry.

Kuki tribals seek protection Manipur

SENAPATI – Over 5,000 students and activists of the Kuki tribe took out a silent rally here on Tuesday demanding protection of tribal areas.

Organised under the aegis of Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas in Manipur (COPTAM), the rally was taken out at Kangpokpi town and Sadar Hills Headquarter in Senapati district.

The activists submitted … Read more >>.

Infosys Chairman Narayana Murthy plays down U.S. Senator’s ‘chop shop’ comment

NEW DELHI – Infosys Technologies chairman and chief mentor NR Narayana Murthy has played down U.S Senator Charles Schumer’s statement that likened Infosys to a ‘chop shop.’

Refusing to be drawn into a verbal duel, Murthy, however, made it aptly clear that the remarks were uncalled for.

“Well, the culture at Infosys is to collect data, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Infosys Chairman Narayana Murthy plays down U.S. Senator’s ‘chop shop’ comment.

Bajrang Dal activists attack romancing couples in Bhopal

BHOPAL – Bajrang Dal activists took on a moral policing role on Tuesday, when they accosted and attacked young couples near some religious spots in Bhopal.

It accused couples of promoting indecent behaviour near religious spots such as the Lord Hanuman temple.

The men were beaten up, while the ladies were made to do sit-ups in public.

Couples …. Read the original article  : Bajrang Dal activists attack romancing couples in Bhopal.

Karzai to replace ‘private security firms’ with local security forces in Afghanistan

LONDON – Afghan President Hamid Karzai wants to scrap private security firms, who work mainly for Western companies and are not accountable locally, and replace them with local security forces.

“Dissolving the private security companies is a serious programme that the government of Afghanistan will execute,” the BBC quoted Waheed Omer, a spokesman for President … Read more >>>.

Pak floods, Russia wildfires and China landslides due to global warming: Experts

LONDON – Climate change experts are of the view that global warming predictions are correct and the world weather crisis that is causing floods in Pakistan, wildfires in Russia and landslides in China is evidence that.

The torrential rains have affected almost 14 million people in Pakistan, making it a more serious humanitarian disaster than … Read more »»».

Militants kill three policemen in Sopore

SOPORE – Three policemen were killed when heavily-armed militants opened fire on them in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town last night.

According to sources, the militants attacked the guards at the residence of Nationalist Political Party (NPP) leader Muhammad Abdullah Dar in Warpora area of Sopore.

The security men at the house returned the fire, triggering a … Read more : Militants kill three policemen in Sopore.

Sri Lankan internal war inquiry commission set to begin first public sitting

LONDON – An eight-member commission on ” Lessons Learned and Reconciliation” constituted by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to internally investigate the end of the country’s civil war, would begin its first public sitting on Wednesday.

Human rights groups have earlier alleged that the government forces and the defeated Tamil Tiger rebels might have committed war …. Read the original article  : Sri Lankan internal war inquiry commission set to begin first public sitting.

Curfew in parts of Kashmir as separatists call march

SRINAGAR – Curfew was imposed in parts of Srinagar and other towns of the Kashmir Valley Wednesday as separatists asked the people to march to south Kashmir’s Pampore town to observe the death anniversary of Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who was killed in firing by the security forces in 2008.

“Curfew is in place in …. Source article  : Curfew in parts of Kashmir as separatists call march.

Chhattisgarh steps up security ahead of I-Day

RAIPUR – Security has been heightened in 13 of Chhattisgarh’s 18 districts following intelligence inputs that Maoists can strike at government and civilian targets ahead of Sunday’s Independence Day celebrations, police said Wednesday.

“Securitymen redeployment has begun in vulnerable areas and an alert sounded in 13 districts of the state hit by Maoist militancy in wake … Original article on : Chhattisgarh steps up security ahead of I-Day.