War veterans jeer Blackpool woman who urinated on memorial, performed sex act nearby

LONDON – A woman, Wendy Lewis, who urinated on a war memorial in Blackpool and performed a sex act nearby, has been barracked by war veterans who called the act “disgusting” at the town’s magistrates court, after which she left the building before the hearing began.

According …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : War veterans jeer Blackpool woman who urinated on memorial, performed sex act nearby.

Army chief wants exit of UN mission in Nepal

KATHMANDU – The Nepal Army has told the government not to extend the term of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).

Chief of Army Staff, General Chatraman Singh Gurung, is reported to have met Peace and Reconstruction Minister Rakam Chemjong late Friday to convey the army’s stand on the mission.

According to the Kathmandu …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Army chief wants exit of UN mission in Nepal.

Pak flood victims supplied drinking water containing tadpoles at relief camp

KARACHI – The dreadful condition under which flood affected people in relief camps in Pakistan’s Sindh province are being forced to live has come to light with reports of tadpoles being found in drinking water supplies at these camps.

Flood victims, who have taken shelter at the Maymarabad camp, complained that tadpoles were seen in … Original article on : Pak flood victims supplied drinking water containing tadpoles at relief camp.

Bangladesh frees 1,000 prisoners to ease overcrowding in jails

DHAKA – Bangladesh has freed nearly 1,000 prisoners to ease pressure on the country’s crammed jails.

The nation’s 67 prisons currently accommodate three times their capacity, with 77,000 prisoners in facilities designed for a maximum of 28,000 people.

The Telegraph quoted Bangladesh Home Secretary Iqbal Khan Chowdhury, as saying: “We have drawn up a list of nearly …. Read the original article  : Bangladesh frees 1,000 prisoners to ease overcrowding in jails.

Chinese police arrests six suspects, 41 others in melamine milk scandal

BEIJING – Chinese police have arrested six suspects and 41 others who allegedly participated in distributing melamine-contaminated milk after a national crackdown in 2008.

According to the food safety authorities in China, the melamine-tainted milk powder was first discovered in Gansu Province. Dongyuan Dairy Factory in Minhe County of neighboring Qinghai Province reportedly is the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chinese police arrests six suspects, 41 others in melamine milk scandal.

Muslim-born Miss USA is against Ground Zero mosque

NEW YORK – Reigning Miss USA Rima Fakih has spoken out against the Ground Zero mosque.

Fakih, 24, is the first Muslim winner of the Miss USA contest and is preparing for the Miss Universe Pageant, scheduled for August 23 in Las Vegas.

“I totally agree with President Obama with the statement on Constitutional rights of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Team Modi has four new ministers

GANDHINAGAR – Eyeing civic polls scheduled in October 2010, Gujarat Chief Minister Narender Modi on Saturday administered oath of office to four new ministers.

Vasuben Trivedi, Praful Patel, Pradeepsinh Jadeja and Kanubhai Bhallala have been inducted in his council of Ministers, taking the existing list of ministers from 17 to 21.

The four were administered oath at …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Team Modi has four new ministers.

After 600 years, world’s oldest clock ‘to be wound by hand for the last time’

LONDON – The world’s oldest mechanical clock is to be wound by hand for the last time next week.

The clock at Wells Cathedral in Somersetthat that has been wound by hand every week for 600 years will now be fitted with an electric motor.

The change comes following the retirement of the last member of a [..] Read the original article: here.

UN sends SOS for more helicopters to save millions of flood victims in Pak

LONDON – The United Nations (UN) has said that it needs more helicopters to continue the relief and rescue work in flood-hit Pakistan, as it remains the only means to reach out to millions of affected people.

UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) spokeswoman, Emilia Casella, said the agency only has 10 helicopters at its disposal and [..] Read the original article: here.

Unwanted guest: Goat takes up residence in German home

LONDON – A couple in Germany were in for a rude shock when they came to check on their home that had undergone renovation. A goat had not only moved into their third-floor apartment, it had also chewed up and ripped their curtains.

The angry goat chased the couple out of the flat in Baden-Wurttemburg, Daily … Original article on : Unwanted guest: Goat takes up residence in German home.

A passive policy towards Pakistan is counterproductive (Re issue)

NEW DELHI – Pakistan, like any other country has to deal with a dynamic environment.

Today it has to contend with an unstable political spectrum and complex economic issues like the looming debt trap. Keen to project itself internationally as a victim of terrorism, it is engaged in the flagging war against terror. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : A passive policy towards Pakistan is counterproductive (Re issue).

Blackwater to continue obtaining security contracts after deal with State Department

NEW YORK – Controversial private US security firm, Blackwater, now known as Xe Services, has reportedly reached an agreement with the State Department, which would result in the firm paying a whopping 42 million dollars in fines for hundreds of violations of country’s export control regulations, but yet continue getting contracts for its services.

Though the …. Source  : Blackwater to continue obtaining security contracts after deal with State Department.

Nearly six in ten Americans oppose Afghan war

WASHINGTON – Nearly six in 10 Americans oppose the nine-year-old war in Afghanistan, even as President Barack Obama is sending more troops to fight in that country, according to the AP-GfK poll.

With just over 10 weeks left before nationwide elections that could define the remainder of Obama’s first term, 58 percent oppose Obama’s … Read more >>>.

Afghan Government will lead reconciliation process: Gen Petraeus

WASHINGTON – Top US commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, has said the Afghan Government will lead the reconciliation process in the country.

President Barack Obama has increased the number of American troops to 93,000 in order to defeat the Taliban, but many foreign policy experts believe the only way to end the war is by …. Source article  : Afghan Government will lead reconciliation process: Gen Petraeus.

Amnesty urges Saudi authorities not to medically paralyze man in “retribution”

LONDON – Human rights group, Amnesty International, urged Saudi Arabian authorities on Friday not to medically paralyse a man in “retribution” for similar injuries he allegedly caused during a fight two years back.

According to the New York Post, Amnesty quoted reports, which revealed that a court in the northwest of the country had approached … Read more : Amnesty urges Saudi authorities not to medically paralyze man in “retribution”.

US wants Lockerbie bomber Megrahi to return to jail

LONDON – The United States has told Scottish authorities that 1988 Lockerbie bombing convict, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, should be brought back to prison to serve his term.

“”We’ve expressed our strong conviction that Megrahi should serve out the remainder – the entirety – of his sentence in a Scottish prison.” the BBC quoted President Obama’s …. Source  : US wants Lockerbie bomber Megrahi to return to jail.

China pledges more aid for flood-hit Pak after US’ appeal to “step up to the plate”

ISLAMABAD – Pledging more aid for flood-hit Pakistan, China has said it would be sending more relief material for the thousands of people affected by the worst deluge to have hit the country in the past 80 years.

China, which has already donated 8.8 million dollars towards flood relief, would be sending 1000 more tents …. Read the original article  : China pledges more aid for flood-hit Pak after US’ appeal to “step up to the plate”.

Curfew continues in tense Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR – Authorities here imposed curfew in most parts of the Kashmir Valley on Saturday, following which, all the shops closed down and streets were left deserted.

Curfew was imposed in under the jurisdiction of the police stations of Batmaloo, Bemina, Qamarwari, Kralkhud, Nowhatta, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Safakadal, Rainawari, Maisuma, Shaheedgunj, Abi-Guzar and Kothibagh.

State authorities fear … Read : Curfew continues in tense Kashmir Valley.

Kalmadi seeks Indian Army’s assistance for 2010 CWG

NEW DELHI – Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi has sought the help of Indian Army personnel for specific tasks to ensure a successful conduct of the 2010 Games.

Briefing media after a meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) here on Friday, Kalmadi said Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, who is also [..] Read the original article: here.

School principal under probe for ‘racial slur’ against Malay Indian students

PUTRAJAYA – Malaysia’s Education Ministry has set up a task force to investigate allegations that a school principal in Johor had made racial slurs against her students.

The headmistress was alleged to have made racist remarks to a multi-racial group of students during a pre-Merdeka celebration event on Aug 12, calling the non-Malays penumpang.

About 50 parents … Read this article on Gaea Times at : School principal under probe for ‘racial slur’ against Malay Indian students.