Divers set to resume efforts to pull rare World War II dive bomber from California reservoir

Mud delays efforts to extract WWII plane from lake

SAN DIEGO – Salvage divers say thick mud slowed their efforts to pull out a rare WWII dive bomber from a San Diego reservoir.
Crews will resume their efforts to extract the Helldiver on Friday.
After working all day Thursday, divers couldn’t remove enough mud and debris to enable [..] Read the original article: here.

US military lowers troop figure in Iraq

BAGHDAD – The US military command in Baghdad said Friday that the number of forces still in Iraq was 52,000, lower than the figure given the day before under the final pullout of combat troops.

A figure Thursday was given of 56,000 soldiers still in Iraq. But the military command said that was based on data … Read more »».

Google defends its ‘Street View’ feature against privacy concerns in Germany

Google defends its ‘Street View’ in Germany

BERLIN – Google Inc. is defending its “Street View” feature against sharp criticism in Germany saying it has gone a long way to address people’s privacy concerns.
Google’s vice president for Northern and Central Europe, Philipp Schindler, told Thursday’s mass circulation daily Bild the company had found a unique data … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Google defends its ‘Street View’ feature against privacy concerns in Germany.

‘People’s Tribunal’ to deliberate on Kandhamal riot victims complaints

NEW DELHI – The National Solidarity Forum (NSF) has announced plans for holding a three-day “people’s tribunal” from August 22 to 24 here to address and hear grievances of victims of communal violence in Orissa’s Kandhamal District.

A jury of eminent persons will preside over the deliberations of the tribunal. Among the jury members likely to … Original article on : ‘People’s Tribunal’ to deliberate on Kandhamal riot victims complaints.

Japan Foreign Minister to visit India

NEW DELHI – The Foreign Minister of Japan, Katsuya Okada, will undertake a two day visit of India, and will meet External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna on Saturday.

The two are likely to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues during the Fourth Round of the India-Japan Strategic Dialogue.

Foreign Minister Okada will also call on …. Original source  : Japan Foreign Minister to visit India.

Maoists blow up government buildings in Dantewada District

DANTEWADA – Maoists blew up several government buildings, including an Aanganwadi centre, a primary school, a society for dispensing rations, and a village council hall on Thursday in Kirandul city in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada District.

“There were buildings of a society, one primary school, a village council hall and an Aanganwadi centre, and they were blown up … Original article on : Maoists blow up government buildings in Dantewada District.

Interim council will not dilute demand for separate State: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha

DARJEELING – A delegation of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), a forum crusading for the formation of a separate Gorkhaland state, said the interim council would not, in any way, dilute their demand for a separate State.

A delegation led by General Secretary of the GJM, Roshan Giri, visited New Delhi this week to attend a … Original article on : Interim council will not dilute demand for separate State: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

Men travel 276 miles a year lost on the roads: UK study

LONDON – A new UK poll has revealed that men are far less likely than women to admit that they have lost their way.

Men tend to travel an average 276 miles a year aimlessly driving around lost rather than asking for directions, it was found.

More than a quarter wait at least half an hour before … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Men travel 276 miles a year lost on the roads: UK study.

Parliament adjourns following uproar over MPs”poor’ salary hike

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m on Friday after lawmakers from various parties stalled house proceedings seeking more money.

Members of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and other parties protested over the “minimal” hike and demanded that the proposed increase by the Cabinet be taken …. Original source  : Parliament adjourns following uproar over MPs’ ‘poor’ salary hike.

Pak deluge, a ’slow motion tsunami’: Ban Ki-moon

LONDON – Describing Pakistan’s catastrophic floods as a “slow tsunami”, United Nations (UN) General Secretary Ban Ki-moon has appealed to the international community for more aid to provide immediate food, shelter, and clean drinking water to the millions of affected people.

Addressing a special UN general assembly, Ki-moon called Pakistan floods a global disaster which would …. Original source  : Pak deluge, a ’slow motion tsunami’: Ban Ki-moon.

‘Politically victimised’ Fonseka ‘expects jail term’ in 2nd court martial over corruption charges

LONDON – Former Sri Lankan armed forces Chief, and the defeated presidential candidate, Sarath Fonseka has alleged that he is a victim of political vendetta and expects a second court martial to impose a jail sentence on him on corruption charges.

He is under investigation for the alleged irregularities in military purchases by the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Politically victimised’ Fonseka ‘expects jail term’ in 2nd court martial over corruption charges.

Israeli, Palestinian leaders to be invited to U.S. for peace talks

WASHINGTON/VINEYARD HAVEN – World leaders are planning to invite Israeli and Palestinian officials to Washington in September to begin direct Middle East peace talks, a U.S. official confirmed Thursday.

An invitation from the United States, the European Union, Russia and the … Read more >>>.

National Disaster Response Force to have more battalions

NEW DELHI – The Union Cabinet today approved the upgradation of two additional battalions for National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

The proposal approved by the Cabinet includes upgradation/conversion of two …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Palin makes another grammatical error by misusing the word ‘cackle’ in a tweet

NEW YORK – Looks like Sarah Palin is taking English grammar to another level altogether-after likening herself to Shakespeare by coining the word ‘refudiate’, she has now made another verbal slip when she tweeted the phrase “cackle of rads” on Wednesday – the 90th anniversary of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Palin makes another grammatical error by misusing the word ‘cackle’ in a tweet.

US Holocaust Museum criticizes Romania’s central bank for minting ‘anti-Semitic’ coin

US museum slams Romania for ‘anti-Semitic’ coin

BUCHAREST, Romania – The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has criticized Romania’s central bank for refusing to withdraw from circulation a coin featuring an image of a prime minister who stripped Jews of their citizenship before World War II, calling the decision “insensitive” to the memory of hundreds of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Violence claims 11 lives in Karachi following ANP leader’s murder

KARACHI – Violence and arson once again returned to Karachi with 11 persons being killed and 16 others injured following the murder of Awami National Party (ANP) office bearer, Ubaidullah Yousufzai.

Yousufzai was gunned down along with one of his colleagues near the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport resulting in large scale violence in the financial capital which … Read more >>>.

‘Kite camera’ captures bird’s eye view of Taj Mahal

LONDON – Ever wondered how the Taj Mahal must look to a bird in the sky? An innovative photographer, who tied his camera to a kite and flew it over the majestic monument, gives you just that – a bird’s eye view.

Nicolas Chorier from Pondicherry, India, cast a new light on buildings including the Taj … Read more »».

Cabinet clears salary hike of MPs

NEW DELHI – The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a bill to hike MPs’ salary from current Rs 16,000 to Rs 50,000.

The decision comes few days after the Union Cabinet deferred its decision on the proposed three-fold increase.

The Bill will now be placed in Parliament for final approval.

The Parliament on Wednesday witnessed … Read : Cabinet clears salary hike of MPs.

Eleven Manipuri rebels arrested in Guwahati

GUWAHATI – Eleven United National Liberation Front (UNLF) militants, including two women cadres, were arrested in Guwahati on Thursday.

The arrests were made from Hengerabari, Borbari, Chachal and Mathgharia areas of the city by a security forces team.

Among those held are several top leaders of the outfit, including two self-styled lieutenant colonels, two majors and …. Original article  : Eleven Manipuri rebels arrested in Guwahati.

Environment ministry committee to discuss mining projects report

NEW DELHI – The Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee will meet today to discuss recommendations of the N C Saxena panel report that seeks a ban on the mining projects of UK-based Vedanta Resources in Orissa.

The committee will be submit its recommendations to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, after which a final decision will be … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Environment ministry committee to discuss mining projects report.