Breaking News – Newsletter for November 28, 2010

UAE sets two Guinness records

DUBAI – A sword-throwing expert and a traditional dance troupe have powered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to two new spots in the Guinness World Records.

In a sword-throwing competition held in Fujairah, 18-year-old Hazaa Sulaiman Al Shehhi threw a sword up to a height of 21.275 metres and later caught it by its handle, …. Original source  : UAE sets two Guinness records.

Pak announces 10-million-rupee reward for spying against Taliban

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Government has announced a reward of ten million rupees to anyone providing information about the Taliban.

“The government will make arrangements to settle the informers and their families anywhere in the country, even abroad, if they fear that the Taliban might hurt them,” the Daily Times quoted Interior Minister Rehman Malik, as …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pak announces 10-million-rupee reward for spying against Taliban.

New WikiLeaks files ‘to reveal American criticism of Mandela’

WASHINGTON – Whistleblower website ‘WikiLeaks’ would soon reveal that Nelson Mandela is among the world leaders believed to have been criticised US diplomatic files that are to be leaked.

According to the Daily Mail, disclosures about the 92-year-old ex-South African President are among three million secret American diplomatic missives obtained by WikiLeaks.

Mandela, who stepped …. Read the original article  : New WikiLeaks files ‘to reveal American criticism of Mandela’.

Brit-Indian bride was upset on her honeymoon flight to Cape Town, father claims

London, Nov 28 053(ANI): The father of the Brit-Indian bride, who was murdered during her honeymoon in Cape Town this month, has claimed that Anni Dewani was crying and had refused to sit next to her husband on their honeymoon flight.

“We have heard that the air hostess noticed they were sitting separately and Anni was …. Original article  : Brit-Indian bride was upset on her honeymoon flight to Cape Town, father claims.

US embassy, ISPR deny presence of US forces in Quetta

ISLAMABAD – The United States embassy has denied reports that Pakistan has allowed the US military and its coalition partners in Afghanistan to maintain a presence in Quetta, Balochistan.

“This reporting is a misrepresentation… There is no permanent US presence in Quetta,” the Daily Times quoted the US embassy spokesman, as saying.

Instead, a US team occasionally … Read more »»».

8 dead, 7 injured in cargo plane crash in Karachi residential area

KARACHI – A Russian-made cargo plane crashed near residential apartments in Karachi, seconds after taking off from the city’s airport today, killing all eight people on board and injuring seven others.

“It was an IL-76 cargo plane. It was going to Khartoum. It had eight people on board,” Geo TV quoted Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Pervez [..] Read the original article: here.

Vladimir Nabokov’s unpublished love letters released

LONDON – Novelist Vladimir Nabokov’s love letters written to his wife, Vera, reveal a new side to one of the 20th century’s best-loved authors.

More than 300 letters have been collected by the Nabokovs’ son, Dmitry, and are to be published in English next year. A selection of the letters appeared last week, in their original …. Source  : Vladimir Nabokov’s unpublished love letters released.

Balochistan problems cannot be resolved at gunpoint: Sharif

QUETTA – Expressing concern over the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has said that the problems of the province cannot not be addressed through brute force or solved at gunpoint.

Sharif was addressing a news conference at a Quetta hotel, the Daily Times reports.

He also presided over …. Original source  : Balochistan problems cannot be resolved at gunpoint: Sharif.

Malik takes U-turn over quizzing Musharraf on Benazir murder case

ISLAMABAD – In a surprise move, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has backtracked on his stance that the government would send questionnaire to former president Pervez Musharraf in connection with December 2007 assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

The Nation quoted Malik, as saying that the government had taken no decision to include Musharraf in the … Read more : Malik takes U-turn over quizzing Musharraf on Benazir murder case.

Handful of Argentines could recapture Falklands, says UK military brass

LONDON – Senior British military sources have warned that a handful of Argentines may make an attempt to seize the Falkland Islands after a gap of almost 28 years.

Although garrisoned by 500 British soldiers and a few Typhoon aircraft, it would just take the capturing of the only airfield in the capital Port Stanley to … Read more : Handful of Argentines could recapture Falklands, says UK military brass.

Prince William has ‘no desire to become king’

LONDON – Prince William has dismissed rumours that he could become the next King in place of the Prince of Wales.

Despite his surge in popularity following his engagement to Kate Middleton, royal aides insist William has “no desire to climb the ladder of kingship”.

Two recent polls by ICM and YouGov that found that most people … Read more : Prince William has ‘no desire to become king’.

UK Islamic hate preacher Choudary to be given Channel 4 slot

LONDON – A radical Muslim, who led the banned group al-Muhajiroun, is to be handed his own program on Britain’s Channel 4 amid claims that Islamists have been allowed to monopolise the broadcaster’s coverage.

Anjem Choudary, who was also involved with the banned group Islam4UK which planned a protest march through Wootton Bassett, will have …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UK Islamic hate preacher Choudary to be given Channel 4 slot.

Another Qantas plane grounded in Australia following engine failure

LONDON – Within hours of Qantas resuming its services, QF1, which was bound for London from Sydney, was cancelled after a loud noise emerged from the engine while the aircraft was taxiing towards the runway.

The flight, which was scheduled to take off at 6.05 p.m. on Saturday, was grounded and Qantas was forced to postpone … Read more »»».

Pak Parliament, not PPP, to decide Blasphemy Law: Jehangir Badr

LAHORE – The Pakistan People’s Party is not taking any decision to amend Section 295-C of the Blasphemy Law, since it is the Parliament’s job.

The party will accept any decision that it takes in this regard, PPP Secretary General Jehangir Badr has said.

“The PPP strongly believes in supremacy of the Parliament and will allow … Read more : Pak Parliament, not PPP, to decide Blasphemy Law: Jehangir Badr.

Talks would lead to comprehensive peace for Middle East: Patil

DAMASCUS – President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has said India remains hopeful that talks would lead to a comprehensive peace process for a final resolution of the Middle East conflict.

In her speech at a banquet hosted in her honour by the President of Syria, Bashar Al-Assad, Patil said: “We remain hopeful that the talks and negotiations [..] Read the original article: here.

Couple says ‘I do’ for a record 85th time in 6 months!

LONDON – Meet honeymooners Mark and Denise Duffield-Thomas who said ‘I do’ 85 times, breaking the world record, in just six months!

As the winners of the ‘Ultimate Job in the World’ contest organised by ‘Runaway Bride and Groom’ company, the couple had been road testing the best locations for weddings and honeymoons and in the …. Source article  : Couple says ‘I do’ for a record 85th time in 6 months!.

Gordon Brown weak, unstable: US diplomats told Obama

LONDON – US diplomats had described Britain’s former prime minister Gordon Brown and his government as weak and unstable in secret briefings to US President Barack Obama, which could be revealed in Wikileaks’ latest disclosures, a media report said.

Daily Express Sunday quoted Downing Street sources as saying that the imminent release of diplomatic files …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Gordon Brown weak, unstable: US diplomats told Obama.

Indian cultural fest enthrals Dhaka

DHAKA – Noted Hindustani classical singer Rita Ganguly enthralled the audience at the launch of a week-long Indian cultural festival – called “Ananda Jagya” – in the Bangladesh capital.

The festival, to go on till Dec 3, would be held simultaneously in Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi. The festival will cover a wide range of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Transparency International won’t be allowed to work in Pak: Malik

RAWALPINDI – Transparency International (TI) is a detective agency, and the organisation will not be allowed to work in Pakistan, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said.

Talking to media persons during a visit to the FIA headquarters on Saturday, Malik said TI was a detective agency, which started its work in Geneva, The News reports.

According to …. Original article  : Transparency International won’t be allowed to work in Pak: Malik.

TSA pat-down rules ‘handing terrorists a victory,’ says privacy expert

WASHINGTON – The time spent in the overaggressive pat-downs are a waste of valuable resources and could better be used attempting to identify likely terrorists, says privacy expert.

Fred H. Cate, privacy expert in the Indiana University sent a letter, applauding leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for their close scrutiny of …. Original article  : TSA pat-down rules ‘handing terrorists a victory,’ says privacy expert.