Pak seeks ‘concrete Indian steps’ to bolster re-engagement

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has urged Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to back up his call for re-engagement with concrete measures to address issues of concern between the two countries.

“Pakistan is ready for sustained and meaningful dialogue on all issues and it is for India …. Source  : Pak seeks ‘concrete Indian steps’ to bolster re-engagement.

Sri Lanka lawmakers give sweeping powers to President Rajapaksa

COLOMBO – Lawmakers in Sri Lanka MPs have approved proposals to let President Mahinda Rajapaksa seek an unlimited number of terms, even as critics said they could lead to the establishment of dictatorship in the island-nation.

The constitutional amendment also hugely boosts the president’s powers.

Amid …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Cuba’s Soviet-style economic model no longer workable: Castro

LONDON – Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has said that Cuba’s Soviet-style economic model “doesn’t even work for us anymore”.

In an interview to the Atlantic Monthly magazine, Castro said that the modest reforms introduced by his brother, President Raul Castro to stimulate his country’s troubled economy, appeared … Read : Cuba’s Soviet-style economic model no longer workable: Castro.

UK agency fines Goldman Sachs $27 million for failure to notify about US investigation

UK agency fines Goldman Sachs $27 million
LONDON – Britain’s financial regulator has hit Goldman Sachs & Co. with a 17.5 million pounds ($27 million) fine for failing to notify U.K. authorities about an investigation in the United States.

The British agency’s investigation began in April after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil fraud charges … Original article on : UK agency fines Goldman Sachs $27 million for failure to notify about US investigation.

British official: UK journalist held captive in NW Pakistan by militants has been released

British captive in Pakistan released
ISLAMABAD – A British journalist held captive by militants in northwestern Pakistan since March has been released, the British High Commission in Pakistan said Thursday.

Asad Qureshi was making a film on militancy for the U.K’s Channel 4 TV station when he was seized.
The Associated Press and many other news organizations did … Original source on Gaea Times at : British official: UK journalist held captive in NW Pakistan by militants has been released.

Lost Mumbai boy might celebrate Eid with family

CHENNAI – Lost Mumbai boy Mohammed Fazlu just might celebrate Eid with his family. The nine-year-old has been staying at a shelter in Tamil Nadu after making an accidental train journey, but a couple claiming to be his parents turned up Thursday to take him home.

He was separated from his parents in April apparently after …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Makeover of ‘naked’ airport scanners may address privacy concerns

MELBOURNE – Travellers will no longer feel humiliated by the controversial airport scanners, which currently see through clothing and reveal clear outlines of a person’s anatomy.

The “naked” airport scanners will soon display a generic figure instead of an image of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Makeover of ‘naked’ airport scanners may address privacy concerns.

Karzai’s brother made 500,000 dollars on Kabul Bank property deal

LONDON – Afghan President Hamid Karzai brother Mahmoud made a half-million pound profit in eight months on a luxury villa in Dubai bought with a loan from the Kabul Bank, which is at the centre of the country’s current financial …. Original article  : Karzai’s brother made 500,000 dollars on Kabul Bank property deal.

9/11 Koran burning pastor accused of using supporters as unpaid labour

LONDON – The American pastor who plans to burn 200 copies of the Koran to mark the anniversary of 9/11, has been accused by former members of his evangelical church of using his own supporters as unpaid labour in his furniture business.

Rev. Terry Jones, who heads … Read more »»».

CCS to discuss lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act

NEW DELHI – The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will meet in New Delhi on Friday to discuss the current crisis prevailing in the Kashmir Valley following Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s meeting with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh … Read : CCS to discuss lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

The Jammu and Kashmir situation: The Security Forces

NEW DELHI – Of all the pieces in the Kashmiri jigsaw, none has been more criticized than the security forces, whether it is the army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF), or the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Alleged actions by them … Original source on Gaea Times at : The Jammu and Kashmir situation: The Security Forces.

Sino-Indian ties have gone into limbo: Analysts

NEW DELHI – Analysts say the relationship between India and China has always been a rocky one with little hope of any quick-fix solution to their long simmering tensions, which have flared up, in the recent past with China’s support for India’s … Read more »»».

Chidambaram appeals for restrain over report of US pastor threatening to burn Quran

NEW DELHI – Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday appealed to media to help maintain communal harmony in the wake of reports of a pastor in the United States threatening to burn the holy Quran.

In a statement issued here, Chidambaram said: “There are reports of a pastor in the …. Read the original article  : Chidambaram appeals for restrain over report of US pastor threatening to burn Quran.

Land acquisition not at cost of fertile land : Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI – Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday reacting to the verdict of the Supreme Court that endorsed the Mayawati Government’s acquisition of 25 million square metres of land along the six-lane Yamuna …. Read the original article  : here.

Eight failures that led to Gulf oil spill

LONDON – BP’s long-awaited investigation into the Gulf of Mexico accident has revealed eight catastrophic failures, which led to the explosion.

BP accepts its role in the disaster but also points the finger at two of its contractors.

The accident occurred on 20 April as the team aboard Deepwater Horizon was …. Read the original article  : Eight failures that led to Gulf oil spill.

ANA setting up low-cost carrier, a first for Japanese airline, amid growing global competition

ANA setting up low-cost carrier, a Japan first

TOKYO – Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways said Thursday it’s setting up Japan’s first low-cost carrier, potentially making flights between Osaka and Tokyo cheaper than riding the popular bullet train.
The new company is being set up in the second half of 2010, with Hong Kong-based First Eastern Investment … Original article on : ANA setting up low-cost carrier, a first for Japanese airline, amid growing global competition.

Agra clinic delivers 1,000th test tube baby

AGRA – Agra’s well-known medical couple Narendra Malhotra and Jaideep Malhotra say they have delivered the 1,000th test tube baby at their clinic, becoming one of the few IVF centres in India to achieve the feat.

The 1,000th baby, a boy, was born to a woman called Anju, who hails from Haldwani in Uttarakhand, a week …. Read the original article  : Agra clinic delivers 1,000th test tube baby.

India, Russia finalize transport aircraft project

NEW DELHI – India and Russia have finalized arrangements to jointly develop the Multi-role Transport Aircraft (MTA) with each side pooling in $300.35 million.

According to the coming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, New Delhi cleared the contribution in August.
The Russian side has already cleared the way for giving its share to a new … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India, Russia finalize transport aircraft project.

Palin calls Koran-burning proposed protest insensitive, unnecessary

NEW YORK – Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has called a proposed 9/11 anniversary burning of the Koran by a Florida pastor as insensitive and unnecessary.

Criticizing Pastor Terry Jones in a Facebook noting, the New York Post quoted Palin as saying that his step would be “antithetical to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Palin calls Koran-burning proposed protest insensitive, unnecessary.

Shimla workshop for hospitality industry to cater to Commonwealth Games

SHIMLA – Hospitality industry has organised a-three day special safety training workshop in Shimla to offer better service to the guests visiting the State during the Commonwealth Games.

Shimla Hoteliers Association in collaboration with Tourism Industry Stakeholder welfare Society and Himachal Pradesh …. Read the original article  : Shimla workshop for hospitality industry to cater to Commonwealth Games.