Breaking News – Newsletter for November 22, 2010

Afghan election watchdog disqualifies 19 over poll fraud

KABUL – Afghanistan’s election watchdog has disqualified 19 candidates who contested in the September poll, seven of whom are members of the 249-seat parliament, for alleged fraud.

According to the BBC, the disqualifications were announced after the UN-backed Election Complaints Commission (EEC) found most of their … Read more : Afghan election watchdog disqualifies 19 over poll fraud.

‘Pak to lose foreign funding if it severs links with Transparency International’

ISLAMABAD – Foreign funding to Pakistan may reportedly be directly hit if the country’s government cuts its contacts with anti-corruption organization Transparency International Pakistan (TIP).

According to the News, severing contacts with the TIP would mean undoing …. Read the original article  : ‘Pak to lose foreign funding if it severs links with Transparency International’.

Blasphemy laws being misused in Pakistan: Asma Jahangir

LONDON – Pakistan’s noted human rights activist, Asma Jahangir, has said that blasphemy laws were being misused in the country and have caused negative impressions about the country abroad.

Speaking at a function organized by the UK-based Pakistan … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Blasphemy laws being misused in Pakistan: Asma Jahangir.

Children safer in Kabul than New York, Glasgow, London: NATO envoy

KABUL – Mark Sedwill, NATO’S top civilian chief in Afghanistan, has claimed that war-ravaged Kabul is a safer place for children to grow up than most Western cities like New York, London or Glasgow.

Sedwill insisted that despite the danger of unexploded bombs, children in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Children safer in Kabul than New York, Glasgow, London: NATO envoy.

How far women will go to hide their weight!

LONDON – A new survey has revealed that women resort to a host of bizarre tricks to kid themselves they weigh less than they actually do.

According to the diet website Go Lower, many admit to standing on one leg when they hop on the scales in the hope it [..] Read the original article: here.

Much of the clergy is gay, claims former Catholic theologian

BERLIN – A large share of Catholic clergy is gay and the Church should change its homophobic attitude and teaching, says former publisher of a conservative Catholic magazine.

Theologian David Berger was a correspondent professor for the Pontifical Academy of St Thomas Aquinas in the Vatican, where he said his academic work was watched and censored …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bandit nabbed in dramatic police jet-ski chase

MELBOURNE – The Australian police opened fire on an alleged bandit, sparking a chase that saw an officer commandeering a jet ski to capture the offender.

The drama began when the police officers saw a vehicle with the engine running outside a business at Ashmore on the Gold Coast, reports News.com.au.

One of the accused ran off …. Original article  : Bandit nabbed in dramatic police jet-ski chase.

Terror attack busted following woman’s arrest with 130 kgs of explosives in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani security forces busted a possible terror attack after recovering over 130 kilograms of explosive materials from a woman during an operation carried out in Islamabad.

According to the News, Umtari Bibi was transporting the ammunition from Peshawar to Rawalpindi’s Raja Bazar.

Bibi has been detained and a case has been filed against her, … Read more : Terror attack busted following woman’s arrest with 130 kgs of explosives in Islamabad.

‘Accusations of Brit-Indian honeymooner’s involvements in wife’s murder outrageous’

LONDON – After some South African detectives raised doubts about Brit-Indian business tycoon Shrien Dewani’s account of his role in the incident that led to the murder of his wife, his family members and associates have hit back at the suggestion calling it “outrageous”.

“The family are attending Anni’s funeral and are still very upset. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Accusations of Brit-Indian honeymooner’s involvements in wife’s murder outrageous’.

Brit-Indian honeymooner’s wife’s murder may be part of ‘planned attack’

LONDON – Brit-Indian business tycoon Shrien Dewani, whose wife was killed during their honeymoon trip in Cape Town, has been asked by the local police to return back to that place to identify the killers and help the investigation process, as they fear that Anni was a victim of a ‘planned attack’.

Police … Original source on Gaea Times at : Brit-Indian honeymooner’s wife’s murder may be part of ‘planned attack’.

Pope’s stance on condoms ‘not revolutionary’, says Vatican

LONDON – The Vatican has sought to clarify Pope Benedict’s remarks on the use of condoms, reported in a book to be published this week, insisting the pontiff’s comments were not ‘revolutionary’.

But the statement made clear that the Pope was prepared to consider the use of condoms in certain, limited circumstances, reports the BBC.

Vatican spokesman …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pope’s stance on condoms ‘not revolutionary’, says Vatican.

Hillary Clinton rules out ever running again for US President

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has confirmed that she is not interested in contesting for presidential elections in 2012 or ever again.

“I am very happy doing what I’m doing, and I am not in any way interested in or pursuing anything in elective office,” Politico quoted Clinton, as saying.

“I love what I’m …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New Herald/Nielsen poll predicts PM Gillard would lose poll if held now

CANBERRA – The latest Herald/Nielsen poll finds Australia’s ruling Labor Party slightly worse off now than at election time on August 21 this year, and adds that if a poll were held now it would most likely lose.

Almost all Australian dailies, including the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age say that the poll finds no …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New Herald/Nielsen poll predicts PM Gillard would lose poll if held now.

Chinese men don ‘honeybee suits’ for show!

MELBOURNE – Two staff at a China bee farm covered themselves in tens of thousands of bees during a performance in Nanning, capital of southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Yang Chuanquan, the chairman of the board at Chinese firm Nanning Quanjian Bee Farm, covered himself and his colleague head to toe in honeybees, reports the … Read more : Chinese men don ‘honeybee suits’ for show!.

‘When Love Comes’ wins best film at the Golden Horse award

LONDON – ‘When Love Comes’- a Taiwanese family drama bagged best film at the Golden Horse awards – seen as the Chinese-language Oscars – in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan.

The low-budget movie about the lives of four women beat Hong Kong martial arts epic ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’ and ‘China’s Judge’ to win the top award.

China’s Lu Liping …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa ignores Delhi, seeks divine solace at Puttaparthi

BANGALORE – Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has ignored summons to reach Delhi on Monday morning as directed by his party top brass and left for Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh to “seek the blessings” of Sri Satya Sai Baba.

“I didn’t have to go to Delhi, our leaders have gone to speak to the party … Original article on : Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa ignores Delhi, seeks divine solace at Puttaparthi.

Britons spend 53 hours a year whining!

LONDON – Researchers has revealed that average Briton spend 53 hours a year whining.

Brits groan for eight minutes and 46 seconds daily, the survey revealed.

According to the study, the average adult complains nearly four times a day and spends almost nine minutes doing it, reports the Daily Express.

This adds up to 1,300 gripe every year.

TV …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

2G scam: JPC ruckus in Parliament, adjourned till Tuesday

NEW DELHI – Both House of Parliament were adjourned till Tuesday as opposition members continued to demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

As soon the house met for the day, opposition members trooped into the Well of the House demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe in the alleged irregularities …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 2G scam: JPC ruckus in Parliament, adjourned till Tuesday.

Airport security check leaves traveller covered in urine

MELBOURNE – A security-check at Detroit Metropolitan Airport left a traveller covered in his own urine following an “invasive” pat-down.

Thomas Sayer, from Michigan, US, was selected for the enhanced search after going through a scanner. The scanner must have picked up his urostomy bag – which collects his urine from an opening in his stomach.

“I …. Original source  : Airport security check leaves traveller covered in urine.

Meet the armless man who can fire and reload a handgun with his feet!

LONDON – He has no arms, but that doesn’t stop Michael from giving up his hobby – shooting.

Michael has no arms, but is still a crack shot. He uses his feet to fire a pistol.

The bandanna-wearing marksman can be seen in a video clip sweeping the Web, lying on the bonnet of a car, …. Source  : Meet the armless man who can fire and reload a handgun with his feet!.