Breaking News – Newsletter for November 18, 2010

Yemen beach volleyballers blame sexy bikini-clad cheerleaders for Asian Games defeat!

BEIJING – The Yemeni volleyball team has blamed their defeat in the Asian Games on the bikini-clad cheerleaders performing on the sidelines.

The Telegraph quoted Yemen beach volleyballer Adeeb Mahfoudh, as saying that the dancers made it impossible for them to concentrate on the game.

“They had an effect on how we played. I think they … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Yemen beach volleyballers blame sexy bikini-clad cheerleaders for Asian Games defeat!.

Pak not making enough progress in war on terror: Gates

WASHINGTON – Pakistan is not making enough progress in the war against terrorism, even though its commitment to eradicate extremism has significantly increased in the last one year, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said.

“We don’t have combat boots on the ground in Pakistan. What we are seeing is Pakistani government, Pakistani army taking action … Read more »»».

Warships opened to public in Kolkata

KOLKATA – The Indian Navy has allowed people to visit its two war ships, INS Airavat and INS Savitri, in Kolkata to spread awareness about its functions.

The ships have been opened to the public to acquaint the people with the role and the activities the Navy.

The two days event is being held in connection [..] Read the original article: here.

Mid-term polls non-voters split over Barack Obama: Poll

WASHINGTON – As US President Barack Obama prepares to contest the 2012 presidential elections for a second term, he is getting conflicting signals from some of the voters who helped him win in 2008, according to a poll by moderate think tank Third Way.

Voters who backed Obama in 2008, but did not vote during …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mid-term polls non-voters split over Barack Obama: Poll.

NY jury acquits Tanzanian man of 284 counts of Qaeda-linked terrorism

NEW YORK – A New York jury has acquitted a Tanzanian man of 284 counts related to his alleged involvement in Al Qaeda terrorism, delivering a major setback to Obama administration plans to try terror suspects in US civilian courts.

The jury convicted Ahmed Ghailani of a single conspiracy charge for his role in the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : NY jury acquits Tanzanian man of 284 counts of Qaeda-linked terrorism.

Tamil version of award-winning Malay film ‘Papadom’ to hit the screens

KUALA LUMPUR – ‘Appalam’, a Tamil version of director Afdlin Shauki’s Malay hit movie ‘Papadom’, is all set to hit the big screen.

Shauki who has directed ‘Appalam’, has a multi-racial cast like Gana, Jaclyn Victor, Afdlin, Sharifah Amani and Raja Ilya.

Made with a budget of RM1.5mil, Appalam is the first local Tamil film shot in …. Source  : Tamil version of award-winning Malay film ‘Papadom’ to hit the screens.

Brit teacher sheds 15st by swapping takeaways for home-cooked meals

LONDON – A school teacher from Southampton has been crowned Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2010 after she shed a whopping 15 stone in 18 months and dropped from a dress size 30 to 10 through healthy eating.

Harriet Jenkins, 25, lost 8lbs in a week after turning to home-cooked meals with fresh vegetables and [..] Read the original article: here.

US to offer Afghanistan wider role in Special Operations missions: WSJ

WASHINGTON – In a bid to ease tensions with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the White House has promised to gradually give greater control to Afghans over Special Operations missions that the Afghan president has sharply criticized.

Washington hopes to smooth over differences with Karzai, and present a united front at a NATO conference this weekend in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US to offer Afghanistan wider role in Special Operations missions: WSJ.

Tom Jones will sing at the Royal Wedding – if invited

LONDON – If invited, Sir Tom Jones is ready to sing at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

He was one of a number of celebrities to wish the couple well at a charity event for The Prince’s Trust.

“People all over the world are excited about the Royal Wedding and I’m one of …. Source  : Tom Jones will sing at the Royal Wedding – if invited.

Sarah Palin slams ‘American Idol’ in soon to be released book

WASHINGTON – Sarah Palin has slammed popular talent show in her soon to be released book ‘America by Heart’.

The site, Palingates, which calls the book “one of the most stomach-turning reading experiences you will ever encounter in your life,” but admits that, if anything, it’s “not boring,” has posted several scanned pages and excerpts from … Read more : Sarah Palin slams ‘American Idol’ in soon to be released book.

Glenn McGrath ‘weds’ Sara Leonardi in secret Sydney ceremony

MELBOURNE – Former cricketer Glenn McGrath has reportedly tied the knot with Sara Leonardi in a private ceremony in Sydney.

Channel 7 reports that the event was held at their luxury waterfront Woolooware home about 3pm AEST with the date kept a closely held secret, until now.

The property was almost completely shrouded by white sheets, … Original article on : Glenn McGrath ‘weds’ Sara Leonardi in secret Sydney ceremony.

Pak’s arms purchases from China go into overdrive

GUANGDONG – Pakistan is interested in buying more defense systems and equipment from China, and hopes to deepen cooperation to upgrade its armed forces, a top Pakistan Air Force officer said on Wednesday.

Pakistan is evaluating, among other options, three or four Chinese surface-to-air missiles, including the advanced “HQ-18″, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pak’s arms purchases from China go into overdrive.

Obama to award Bush ‘Presidential Medal of Freedom’

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama has announced that he would award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honour, to George W Bush next year.

According to the New York Daily News, the decision has come a day after Bush gave a respectful nod to Obama at the groundbreaking of his library in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hekmatyar willing for cease-fire if coalition forces stay within main bases

KABUL – Hezb-e-Islami, Afghanisan’s most important rebel group after the Taliban, has said that it would agree to a ceasefire if US-led coalition forces stayed in their main bases.

The rebel group has claimed that it had already held talks with the Americans.

The BBC quoted Habib-ur-Rahman, son of Hezb-e-Islami chief Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, as saying that … Original article on : Hekmatyar willing for cease-fire if coalition forces stay within main bases.

Indian-origin bride killed in South Africa was not sexually assaulted: Police

LONDON – The Indian-origin bride, who was murdered in South Africa after the car she and her husband were in was hijacked, was not sexually assaulted, according to the police.

Shrien and Anni Dewani were two weeks into their Cape Town honeymoon when the taxi they were in was hijacked in Khayelitsha township by two … Read more : Indian-origin bride killed in South Africa was not sexually assaulted: Police.

Pope wants Pak-Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy released

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has called for the release of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman in Pakistan facing the death sentence awarded by a court in the Nankana Sahib under the Blasphemy Law.

On Wednesday, Benedict told his weekly public audience that Christians in Pakistan “are often victims of violence and discrimination,” the Dawn …. Original source  : Pope wants Pak-Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy released.

Bush’s new book ‘Decision Points’ sells like hotcakes

WASHINGTON – Former US President, George W. Bush’s new book, ‘Decision Points’, seems to have become a big hit.

According to sources, Crown Publishers, an imprint of Random House, has said it sold more than 775,000 copies in just the first week of publication, and racked up an additional 100,000 e-book sales.

With sales through the …. Original source  : Bush’s new book ‘Decision Points’ sells like hotcakes.

Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa defends himself on land scam issue

MANGALORE – Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has defended himself against the allegations on land scam issue.

Interacting with the mediapersons in Mangalore, Yeddyurappa said all the land purchased by his family is legal.

“The land was given in accordance with the existing legal provisions. Land allocation and de-notification of sites has been practiced under various …. Read the original article  : Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa defends himself on land scam issue.

Fed up US man blasts TV with shotgun over Bristol Palin’s dance

SYDNEY – A 67-year-old man from US blasted his television with a shotgun after watching Bristol Palin’s on ‘Dancing with the stars’ show.

According to US court documents, Steven Cowan, a rural Wisconsin man, said he was fed up with the politics and Bristol wasn’t a good dancer.

Authorities said that after striking the television, the man …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Fed up US man blasts TV with shotgun over Bristol Palin’s dance.

Kanki Mosehri in Bihar now boasts of a School

PATNA – The campaigning for Bihar elections by the ruling party projected the Development plank to justify the term which has just ended and seek a fresh mandate to continue with the momentum. In particular, much noise has been made about how the Education sector has been revitalized and has spread its reach to …. Source article  : Kanki Mosehri in Bihar now boasts of a School.