Breaking News – Newsletter for December 9, 2010

Conference on Information Age in public diplomacy to highlight impact of 24??7 media

NEW DELHI – People-to-people diplomacy is playing an important role in international relations in the contemporary global world, adding a new dimension to international relations and redefining the way a country engages with its citizens to garner support for its foreign policy and national interests.

To better understand how public diplomacy in the new millennium has …. Original source  : Conference on Information Age in public diplomacy to highlight impact of 24×7 media.

Norway gives all-clear to Bangladesh-based Grameen Bank

LONDON – Norway has reportedly said that there are “no more unanswered questions” into claims that Bangladeshi micro-credit pioneer Grameen Bank’s Muhammad Yunus had wrongly diverted millions of dollars of aid money.

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in Oslo said that the matter had been thoroughly investigated and that it considered it to be closed.

“We … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Norway gives all-clear to Bangladesh-based Grameen Bank.

WikiLeaks cables reveal secret plan to remove Mugabe from power in Zimbabwe

LONDON – A coup was planned to remove Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe with the help of pressure from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, according to classified US diplomatic cables released by whistleblower website Wikileaks.

According to the Guardian, a group of exiled Zimbabwean businessman proposed in 2007 that Mugabe could be persuaded to hand over executive …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : WikiLeaks cables reveal secret plan to remove Mugabe from power in Zimbabwe.

Americans see Al-Qaeda as greatest security threat, North Korea next: Poll

WASHINGTON – A new poll has found that nearly two-thirds of Americans consider Al-Qaeda as a greater security threat to the United States, than North Korea or Iran.

When asked in recent Christian Science Monitor/TIPP poll to rate a list of countries or entities on a 1-to-10 scale based on the threat they pose to the … Original article on : Americans see Al-Qaeda as greatest security threat, North Korea next: Poll.

US strategy working in Afghanistan: Robert Gates

KABUL – United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said that he is “convinced” that the US strategy in Afghanistan is working.

Gates gave his assessment on the second day of a visit to Afghanistan that included stops at several U.S. military bases and a meeting with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.

“I will go back convinced that …. Source  : US strategy working in Afghanistan: Robert Gates.

Insult to Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar unacceptable, says Krishna

NEW DELHI – After Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar was patted down by an American security agent at the Jackson – Evers International Airport in Mississippi, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna today said that such behaviour from the United States was not acceptable to India.

In a statement Krishna said: “I am rather surprised … Read : Insult to Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar unacceptable, says Krishna.

Brit man told by hospital he’s pregnant, maybe with twins

LONDON – A man in Britain was left “flabbergasted” after a hospital told him that he was pregnant and could be expecting twins.

Hilton Plettell, 50, from Birmingham, received a letter inviting him for a scan at the ante-natal department of Norfolk and Norwich University NHS Hospital, to find out how far pregnant he was.

Plettell, a … Read : Brit man told by hospital he’s pregnant, maybe with twins.

Britain sets new record for biggest ever pass the parcel

LONDON – Britain has set a new record for the biggest ever pass the parcel, delivering over 10,000 pounds worth of toys to over 100 families during its 1,000 mile two-week tour of the UK.

The parcel, which had been created by family superstore Woolworths.co.uk, started from Liverpool and visited 10 towns and cities in England, …. Source  : Britain sets new record for biggest ever pass the parcel.

Nigeria was in total ‘confusion’ when President was in “semi-comatose state”: Wikileaks

LONDON – Nigeria’s leadership was in total confusion over who was in charge earlier this year with then-President Umaru Yar’Adua was thought to be in a “semi-comatose state”, according to classified US diplomatic cables released by whistleblower website Wikileaks.

Yar’Adua, who was terminally ill, had left Nigeria in November 2009 for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

The … Read : Nigeria was in total ‘confusion’ when President was in “semi-comatose state”: Wikileaks.

11,051 acres of defence land occupied illegally

NEW DELHI – The Defence Ministry has admitted that approximately 11,051 acres of its 17.30 lakh acres of land across the country has been encroached or occupied illegally.

Leading the list of states where the maximum number of encroachments has taken place is Uttar Pradesh (2,949 acres), followed closely by Maharashtra (2,285 acres).

Some others states in … Read more >>>.

Bowe Bergdahl In Taliban Video

POCATELLO (GaeaTimes.com)- Talibans post new pictures of Bowe Bergdahl, the US soldier who has been held in captivity for 18 months in Afghanistan has been released on Tuesday. His captor Haji Nadeem, who is the Taliban deputy district commander in Paktika previously claimed that he has been converted to Islam and his new name …. Source article  : Bowe Bergdahl In Taliban Video.

EABS students work for education of underprivileged kids

PUNE – Students of the Pune-based Europe Asia Business School (EABS) recently took part in a three-day event called “Mandi”, during which they were asked to sell products manufactured by Navnirmiti, a NGO.

Over Rs.30, 000 was raised through this initiative, with the true winner being the cause.

The proceeds collected through the event will …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : EABS students work for education of underprivileged kids.

Married US teacher who got teen pupil pregnant jailed for 3 years

LONDON – A married US teacher, who got a teenage girl pregnant, has been jailed for three years.

Timothy King’s ‘glittering career’ was left in tatters after one of the girl’s friends spotted messages of a sexual nature being exchanged between them on the social networking site.

King, 32, a father-of-one who taught graphic design at a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Married US teacher who got teen pupil pregnant jailed for 3 years.

Royal couple to get pre-marital counselling

LONDON – Before walking up the aisle, Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton will meet some of the country’s most senior clerics to receive counselling on how to handle marital pressures.

The royal couple is expected to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London who will give them advice on preparing … Read more : Royal couple to get pre-marital counselling.

‘Loner’ teacher in UK jailed for lesbian affair with 15-year-old pupil

LONDON – A British teacher has been jailed for 20 months after having a lesbian affair with a teenage pupil.

English teacher Louise Yeoman in her first job had a 14-month affair with the student after initially contacting her through an Internet chat website, reports the Daily Mail.

Leeds Crown Court was told that the 29-year-old teacher …. Original article  : ‘Loner’ teacher in UK jailed for lesbian affair with 15-year-old pupil.

Baloch CM denies presence of US troops or Taliban leadership in Quetta

QUETTA – Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has dismissed foreign media reports about the presence of US troops and the Taliban leadership in Quetta, calling them false and baseless.

“There is no soldier of the American army in Quetta,” the Dawn quoted Raisani, as saying, while talking to newsmen after attending the inaugural ceremony of …. Source article  : Baloch CM denies presence of US troops or Taliban leadership in Quetta.

India’s ambassador Meera Shankar frisked at US airport

WASHINGTON – Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar was recently patted down by an American security agent at the Jackson – Evers International Airport in Mississippi.

The incident took place on December 4 where Shankar was about to board a flight to Baltimore after attending the Mississippi State University’s programme.

Those who witnessed the ambassador’s … Original article on : India’s ambassador Meera Shankar frisked at US airport.

Sonia Gandhi turns 65

NEW DELHI – Congress President Sonia Gandhi turned 65 on Thursday.

Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Virbhadra Singh, C P Joshi and Pradesh Congress Committee chiefs and AICC office bearers were among those who personally extended birthday greetings to her.

Among the first callers were DMK leaders including T R Baalu and Tamil Nadu Chief …. Source  : Sonia Gandhi turns 65.

Indian-origin pharmacist accused of groping teen’s breast

LONDON – An Indian-origin pharmacist in UK apparently groped a teenager’s breast while checking her heartbeat.

Married father-of-two Roshan Lal, 56, allegedly took the 18-year-old into a consultation room where he lifted up her bra and ‘cupped’ her breast as he examined her with a stethoscope.

The young woman is one of four people who claim the …. Source article  : Indian-origin pharmacist accused of groping teen’s breast.

Mining companies arming Maoists in India, says ACHR

NEW DELHI – Subhash Chakma, Director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has alleged that the mining companies operating in the Maoist infested areas are helping and arming the rebel outfit.

At a press conference held here on Wednesday, Chakma blamed central government for not doing enough to expose the nexus between the companies … Read more >>.