Shimla theatre artists promote peace, harmony through plays

SHIMLA – A four-day theatre festival organized here is spreading a message of peace and harmony, while also serving as a platform for artists to showcase their talent.

Organized jointly by the Language and Culture Department of the Himachal Pradesh Government and the Haryana Art Federation of Kuruksherta, the festival began on Friday.

One play is performed …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Shimla theatre artists promote peace, harmony through plays.

Prayers, flowers and feasts – Kerala celebrates Onam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Women wearing white and gold saris and men in spotless ‘mundus’ (dhotis) thronged temples across Kerala early Monday and beautiful ‘pookalams’ (floral designs) adorned homes but the 24-course ’sadhya’ feast was clearly the highlight of Kerala’s Onam celebrations.

While Onam is a weeklong festival in Kerala marked by cultural shows, shopping and get-togethers, Thiruvonam …. Source article  : Prayers, flowers and feasts – Kerala celebrates Onam.

President, Vice President greet people ahead of Raksha Bandhan

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari today, greeted the people ahead of Raksha Bandhan , which is being celebrated across the nation on Tuesday.

In here message, President Patil said: “On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens. …. Source  : President, Vice President greet people ahead of Raksha Bandhan.

NY Governor wants ‘Grounds Zero mosque’ to come up at another Manhattan site

WASHINGTON – The Governor of New York, David Paterson, has said the proposed Muslim community center and a mosque should not come up near Ground Zero, saying “terrorists are laughing” about the debate.

“The longer we have this feud, the more the terrorists are laughing. With worldwide terrorism on the increase, we need to be … Read more »».

Pakistani spy arrested in Jalandhar, in 14 days police custody

JALANDHAR – A Pakistani national, who has been accused of spying, was arrested in Jalandhar on Sunday.

Mohammad Alam, a resident of Okara district in Pakistan’s Punjab province was staying in India under the name Thakur Amardas.

Jalandhar Police said that sensitive documents were recovered from Alam, but refused to divulge details.

“He is a resident of [..] Read the original article: here.

For Americans, al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan just an afterthought

WASHINGTON – Although American officials have often said that al-Qaeda is a marginal player on the Afghan battlefield, an analysis of 76,000 classified military reports posted by WikiLeaks underscores the extent to which this terror network has become just an afterthought for the Americans in the war.

The reports, which cover the escalation of the … Read : For Americans, al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan just an afterthought.

Kiwi women believe dogs are better listeners than their partners: Survey

WELLINGTON – Kiwi women believe dogs are better listeners than their partners, while for men, dogs are a lot more loving, says a new NZ survey.

A Purina survey released today shows 31 percent of female dog owners believe their pets have better listening skills than their partners, and 14 percent of men say their dog … Read : Kiwi women believe dogs are better listeners than their partners: Survey.

Petraeus says he’ll tell Obama there should be no sudden exodus of troops from Afghanistan

Petraeus: No sudden troops exodus from Afghanistan
LONDON – Gen. David Petraeus says there shouldn’t be a sudden exodus of U.S. troops from Afghanistan when the process of withdrawing forces begins next year.
Petraeus, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, told the BBC in an interview broadcast Monday, that he would offer frank … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Petraeus says he’ll tell Obama there should be no sudden exodus of troops from Afghanistan.

HSBC in talks to buy majority stake in South Africa’s Nedbank from Old Mutual for $6.8B

HSBC eyes $6.8B majority stake in Nedbank
LONDON – British bank HSBC Holdings PLC said Monday it is in talks with financial group Old Mutual PLC to buy a controlling stake in Nedbank Group Ltd. of South Africa in a deal worth as much as $6.8 billion.

Old Mutual said the discussions center on the sale of …. Source  : HSBC in talks to buy majority stake in South Africa’s Nedbank from Old Mutual for $6.8B.

Cops in China break up sex cult run by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh’s disciple

MELBOURNE – Chinese police have revealed that they successfully broke up a sex cult in the southeastern city of Xiamen that was being run by a disciple of late Indian mystic Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.

According to the Shanghai Daily, police acted after they were tipped off that Chen Keyong, 54, was living with his women followers, … Original article on : Cops in China break up sex cult run by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh’s disciple.

Maharashtra CM Chavan happy with bumper sugarcane harvest

MUMBAI – Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has expressed joy over reports of a bumper sugarcane crop, which assures financial assistance to sugar mills.

Maharashtra is likely to produce 8.5 million tonnes of sugar in November 2010 compared to about 7.2 million tones in the same period last year.

According to Indian Sugar Mills Association figures, acreage … Read more : Maharashtra CM Chavan happy with bumper sugarcane harvest.

33 trapped Chilean miners still alive after 17 days

NEW YORK – Families of 33 trapped miners have heaved a sigh of relief on hearing news that they are still alive in a mine in Copiapo, Chile, even after 17 days.

The miners have left a note confirming that they are “all fine,” CBS News reports Chilean President Sebastian Pinera held up a plastic bag … Read more : 33 trapped Chilean miners still alive after 17 days.

Burger King to launch ‘Pizza Burger’ with 2,520-calories!

LONDON – Burger King, a fast food chain, is all set to launch a ‘Pizza Burger’, which will have 2,520-calories.

‘Pizza Burger’ will be covered in mozzarella, pepperoni and pesto and marinara sauce.

The NY Pizza Burger, due to debut next month at Burger King’s new New York flagship Whopper Bar restaurant, is four times the size … Read more »»».

Brit man refused entry into UK as weight gain changed his face

MELBOURNE – British man Derrick Agyeman was barred from re-entering his own country, UK, because he put on 31.8 kilograms (70 pounds) after returning from a vacation.

After returning from Amsterdam, authorities couldn’t recognize him from the nine-year-old photograph on his passport because of differences in the thickness of his ears and lips.

And according to reports, … Read more : Brit man refused entry into UK as weight gain changed his face.

Cabinet approves extra salary hike for Members of Parliament

NEW DELHI – The Union Cabinet on Monday approved an extra salary hike of Rs 10,000 to Members of Parliament (MPs).

This will comprise a hike of Rs.5,000 in Constituency allowance and another Rs.5,000 towards office expenses. Both the perks are non-taxable.

The issue will now be ratified by the Parliament on Thursday.

On Friday, the … Read : Cabinet approves extra salary hike for Members of Parliament.

Transgenders participate in Siliguri fashion show

SILIGURI – Transgenders took part in a fashion show in West Bengal’s Siliguri city on Sunday, wearing both Indian and Western attire.

“We want to be respected in society like a common person,” said Kajol Roy, one of the participants.

“As you know about the IPC 377, which was passed on July 2 in 2009 by the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Transgenders participate in Siliguri fashion show.

Heavy stone pelting reported in Pulwama, militants also kill three

SRINAGAR – Heavy stone pelting has been reported from Prichoo Pulwama, Muran chowk, Rajpora chowk, Tahab and at the police station in Pulwama.

A huge mob pelted stones at these places till 11 p.m. on Sunday.

According to a media release issued from the zoal police headquarters, police exercised maximum restraint.

The release said that …. Source  : Heavy stone pelting reported in Pulwama, militants also kill three.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govt. shuts down flood relief camps of terror outfits

PESHAWAR – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has launched a crackdown against banned terror outfits, including Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD), which are carrying out relief activities in the flood-hit north western province of Pakistan.

According to The Nation, the KP Government has shut down 16 camps established by the banned outfits in 22 districts of the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govt. shuts down flood relief camps of terror outfits.

Poor global community support to Pak flood victims extraordinary: UN official

NEW YORK – A United Nations official has urged the global community to step up its response to flood-hit Pakistan on an urgent basis.

Louis-George Arsenault, Director of Emergency Operations for UNICEF in New York, described the lack of support as “quite extraordinary”, and described the humanitarian crisis as the largest “in decades”.

Arsenault spoke as the … Read more >>>.

China to reduce capital punishment after law review

BEIJING – China, which executes more people each year than any other country, is considering reducing the number of death sentences in the country by reviewing the latest amendment to the law, which reportedly suggests that 13 “economy-related, non-violent offences” be dropped from the death penalty list.

According to the China Daily, among the 13 death … Read this article on Gaea Times at : China to reduce capital punishment after law review.