Breaking News – Newsletter for November 21, 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

48hrs after engagement announcement, Wills pulls off dramatic rescue

LONDON – Just 48 hours after announcing his engagement to Kate Middleton, Prince William was involved in a helicopter rescue mission on Mount Snowdon in North Wales.

The Prince co-piloted an RAF Sea King, which was scrambled to help Greg Watkins who was stuck 3,000ft (914m) up the mountain in stormy conditions, reports the Mirror.

The 28-year-old …. Read the original article : here.

Oz premier asks colleagues to keep their clothes on during Xmas parties

MELBOURNE – An Australian premier has issued a clear but stern warning to her Cabinet colleagues to keep their clothes on and behave themselves during office Christmas parties this year.

NSW premier Kristina Keneally told ministers to ensure that they did not act inappropriately at any of the upcoming parties, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Her admonition came … Read more »»».

US report says international interfaith initiatives growing

NEVADA – “International interfaith initiatives are growing in many parts of the world”, according to United States Department of State issued “International Religious Freedom Report 2010″, which came out on November 17.

It further says: “We are encouraged by this growing recognition by governments and religious leaders that freedom and respectful religious coexistence are critical to … Original source on Gaea Times at : US report says international interfaith initiatives growing.

Hindus upset over Newsweek cover showing Obama as Nataraja

NEVADA – Hindus are upset over the cover of November 22 edition of American newsweekly Newsweek which depicts US President Barack Obama in Nataraja pose, saying that it trivializes their venerated deity Siva.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Lord Siva was a highly revered major deity in Hinduism … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Hindus upset over Newsweek cover showing Obama as Nataraja.

Muslims welcome Hindu statesman Zed to Id al-Adha celebrations in Nevada

NEVADA – In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Muslims welcomed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed to their Id al-Adha celebrations in Sparks (Nevada, USA) on November 20.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that peace and love lied at the heart of all religions and people had more in …. Read the original article : Muslims welcome Hindu statesman Zed to Id al-Adha celebrations in Nevada.

Oz teachers celebrate Friday night ‘happy hour’ in staff rooms boozing

MELBOURNE – Drug and alcohol campaigners are fuming as NSW teachers celebrate Friday night “happy hour” in school staff rooms getting stuck into cheap booze.

Many of the state’s 200-odd Catholic schools are understood to have refrigerators stocked with alcohol in staff rooms and to publicize cheap alcohol, reports the Daily Telegraph.

According to the NSW Education … Read more >>.

Glenn McGrath’s second marriage was his late wife’s dying wish

MELBOURNE – Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath’s second wedding was his late wife Jane’s dying wish.

In the final days of her battle with cancer, Jane’s dying wish was for her husband Glenn to find a woman to love and to help raise their children.

Jane’s best friend Tracy Bevan has endorsed Glenn’s marriage to Sara Leonardi, …. Read the original article : here.

British forces hail ‘Afghan Elvis’ concert in Helmand

LONDON – A musical concert by the ‘Afghan Elvis’ has been hailed as proof of the improving security in Afghanistan by the British forces.

In one of the biggest musical events ever to take place in the country, pop star Farhad Darya performed in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province.

Around 5,000 Afghans were at the Karzai Stadium to …. Original article on Gaea Times at : British forces hail ‘Afghan Elvis’ concert in Helmand.

Anthropologists looking for Roman legion in China

NEW DELHI – Experts at the newly established Italian Studies Center at Lanzhou University in Gansu province are looking into the possibility that some European-looking Chinese in Northwest China are the descendants of a lost army from the Roman Empire.

They will conduct excavations on a section of the Silk Road, a 7,000-kilometer trade route that … Read more >>.

Chinese dissident plans empty chair protest for Nobel peace prize ceremony

LONDON – A Chinese veteran of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, Yang Jianli, has said that his decision not to attend the Nobel peace prize award ceremony in Oslo on December 10 will send out a strong international message to China to end its human rights violations.

China has prevented dissident Liu Xiaobo from receiving …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Pak govt probing Transparency International’s operations in country

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has asked all ministries, divisions and departments to sever contacts with Transparency International (TI), as the government has started investigating operations of the Pakistan chapter of the international anti-corruption organisation.

According to The News, sources have confirmed that the Interior Ministry has appointed an IG level officer in this connection, as …. Read the original article : here.

Blasphemy accused Pak-Christian woman seeks President’s mercy

LAHORE – A Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy has appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari to pardon her, saying that she had been wrongfully accused by neighbours due to a personal dispute.

“I told the police that I have not committed any blasphemy and this is a wrong accusation, but [..] Read the original article: here.

TATA-owned Jaguar to hire 1500 for production jobs, more in the offing

LONDON – British car manufacturing giant Jaguar Land Rover, which is partly owned by India’s TATA Group, appears to have come out of the red, and is on a hiring spree.

It has already announced 1500 new UK posts. But three times that number may be needed if the company’s strategy goes to plan, The Telegraph … Original article on : TATA-owned Jaguar to hire 1500 for production jobs, more in the offing.

Gordon Brown earns ???60K for 50-minute speech in India

LONDON – Former Brit PM Gordon Brown reportedly made a whopping 60,000 pounds for a 50-minute speech on Global Economic Crisis in New Delhi.

Brown, who has barely been seen in public since he stepped down as Prime Minister in May, was a keynote speaker at a summit in the Indian capital.

He gave a 50-minute speech …. Source article : Gordon Brown earns ???60K for 50-minute speech in India.

Dog ‘christened’ in lavish church ceremony

LONDON – A dog owner proved his love for his pooch when he got the puppy ‘christened’ in an exuberant church ceremony.

A Shih Tzu puppy called Sheridan wore a specially made silk shawl and was brought to church in a chauffer driven Jaguar.fter the ceremony, the puppy was taken to a hotel where 75 guests …. Original source : Dog ‘christened’ in lavish church ceremony.

Philadelphia Marathon Lifts Spirits Higher

PHILADELPHIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The Philadelphia Marathon which was started way back in 1954, has come a long way. On Saturday, the city of Philadelphia was seen buzzing with the spirit of the marathon race scheduled to begin on Sunday.
Around 20,000 runners from all across the world have come to the city to take part in this … Read more : Philadelphia Marathon Lifts Spirits Higher.

Mumbai-style attackers may target German Parliament

BERLIN – Terrorists could attack the Reichstag, Germany’s security chiefs have warned.

The New York Post quoted police sources, as saying that al Qaeda and associated terror groups could launch the ambush in February or March 2011, reports.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere warned of an imminent attack and put the country on a state … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mumbai-style attackers may target German Parliament.