Breaking News – Newsletter for December 11, 2010

Many Indian forts, palaces at risk of disappearing

NEW DELHI – Three hundred photographs and texts of more than 60 forts of medieval and colonial India have been compiled by photographer Joginder Singh and noted conservationist Amita Baig, who says there is “a very real risk” that in another generation, these heritage structures will disappear.

The new heritage compendium, “Forts and Palaces of … Read more >>.

Former beauty queen jailed for kidnapping and torturing her ex

LONDON – A 28-year-old former beauty queen accused of orchestrating the kidnapping and torturing of her ex-beau has been sentenced to two years in prison and six years’ probation.

Kumari Fulbright, who participated in Ms Arizona in 2005, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and aggravated assault as part of a plea agreement … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Former beauty queen jailed for kidnapping and torturing her ex.

Columbia University professor charged with incest

LONDON – A 46-year-old Columbia University professor has been charged with incest for ‘having a sexual relationship with his daughter’.

Political science professor David Epstein allegedly bedded his daughter, now 24, for three years between 2006-2009.

Epstein, who specializes in American politics and voting rights, is said to have also exchanged twisted text messages with the girl …. Original article  : Columbia University professor charged with incest.

Indian tycoons to buy ‘world’s most expensive suit’

LONDON – Indian tycoons are soon to be given the opportunity to buy the world’s most expensive clothes after an Anglo-French retailer announced the launch of an 80,000 pounds suit.

Dormeuil is launching the suit – at the same marking another milestone in India’s extraordinary economic growth and reflecting the rise of a new class of …. Original source  : Indian tycoons to buy ‘world’s most expensive suit’.

ATS chief Hemant Karkare disclosed his life was under threat, claims Digvijay Singh

NEW DELHI – Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh has said that Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who was gunned down by militants in the 26/11 attack, called him just hours before attack and said that his life was “blighted by constant threats” from those opposed to his probe into the Malegaon blast.

Speaking to reporters here, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ATS chief Hemant Karkare disclosed his life was under threat, claims Digvijay Singh.

Vatican helped to free British sailors held by Iran: WikiLeaks cable

LONDON – The Vatican had intervened to help gain the release of 15 British navy personnel detained by Iran in 2007, according to a classified U.S. diplomatic cable released by whistleblower website Wikileaks.

U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission to the Vatican, Julieta Noyes, made the assertion in a cable -dated June 26, 2009- intended to …. Read the original article  : Vatican helped to free British sailors held by Iran: WikiLeaks cable.

China busts transnational prostitution ring in Beijing

BEIJING – Chinese police have reportedly cracked a transnational prostitution ring by detaining 31 suspects, including eight European prostitutes.

Zi Xiangdong, from the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, said that the gang was headed by a European man in his 50s with the alias surname Gu.

He said that the gang included eight European prostitutes, 10 Chinese …. Original source  : China busts transnational prostitution ring in Beijing.

Ready to face CBI to prove innocence, says A Raja

CHENNAI – Former Telecom Minister A. Raja has said he will cooperate with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prove his innocence in the 2G scam.

” I will fully cooperate with the CBI. Whatever be the procedure, I have to comply with it,” Raja told reporters here.

“No one is above scrutiny. I am … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ready to face CBI to prove innocence, says A Raja.

Pope wanted Muslim-dominated Turkey to be out of EU: Wikileaks

VATICAN CITY – Secret US diplomatic cables released by the whistleblower website ‘Wikileaks’ have revealed that Pope Benedict XVI is responsible for the Vatican’s growing hostility towards Turkey, the Muslim state, joining the European Union (EU).

The Guardian quoted the cables as saying that in 2004, Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, was the leading … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pope wanted Muslim-dominated Turkey to be out of EU: Wikileaks.

‘Sex killer’ Russell Williams officially stripped of Canadian military rank

OTTAWA – Russell Williams, the former colonel who is serving his life sentence for sexually assaulting and murdering two women, has been officially expelled from the Canadian Forces.

According to the Globe and Mail, Williams was at the helm of Canada’s largest air force base, CFB Trenton, when he had brutally murdered two women, one of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Six US tanks, three NATO tankers destroyed in Afghanistan, claims Taliban website

ISLAMABAD – Six US tanks were destroyed by IED blasts in Karez-e-Safid and Tangyano areas of Afghanistan, and three NATO tankers were destroyed in Herat, according to reports.

Reports from Nawzad district said that six American tanks were destroyed by IED blasts in Karez-e-Safid and Tangyano areas since yesterday, and that the wreckage of the tanks … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Six US tanks, three NATO tankers destroyed in Afghanistan, claims Taliban website.

Pak has 43 terrorist camps, including 22 in occupied Kashmir: Indian Army chief

NEW DELHI – There are 43 terrorist camps in Pakistan, 22 of which are located in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the then Indian Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor, told US President Barack Obama’s the then National Security Advisor (NSA), James Jones in 2009, a diplomatic cable unveiled by whistle-blower website WikiLeaks has revealed.

According to the …. Read the original article  : Pak has 43 terrorist camps, including 22 in occupied Kashmir: Indian Army chief.

‘UK’s oldest cat’ to celebrate her 24th b’day

LONDON – Blackie the cat, believed to be Britain’s oldest moggie, is all set to celebrate her 24th birthday in January.

Quentin Shaw, 49, has owned the long-haired OA-Puss since 1987.

Incredibly she has even outlived three of her own litters along the way.

“I’ve had her since she was just a few weeks old,” the Sun quoted … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘UK’s oldest cat’ to celebrate her 24th b’day.

‘Infatuated’ female officer in UK had sex with prisoner in his cell

LONDON – A UK female prison officer has been sentenced to two years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a prisoner.

Donna Stanton, 28, began a sexual relationship with heroin addict Eric Fitzgerald while he was serving the last few months of a seven-year sentence at Bedford prison.

Luton Crown Court heard how she smuggled … Read : ‘Infatuated’ female officer in UK had sex with prisoner in his cell.

Kiwi women ’spend and stress more over Christmas gifts’

WELLINGTON – A new survey in New Zealand has shown that women tend to spend more on Christmas gifts and feel more stressed about the holiday season than men.

The latest Christmas poll by AMP Capital Shopping Centres, which owns The Palms shopping mall, found 23 per cent of respondents reported being more stressed than last … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Kiwi women ’spend and stress more over Christmas gifts’.

Varanasi blast: Death toll rises to two

VARANASI – The death toll in the Varanasi bomb blast has risen to two with another victim being declared dead this morning.

Sixty-five year old Phoolmati, who was present at the Sheetla Ghat on December 7, had sustained severe head injuries and succumbed to death.

One-and-a-half-year old girl Swastika was the first casualty of the blast … Read more >>>.

Pak to get six more F-16 aircraft from US on Dec 13

LAHORE – Six new F-16 C/D Block 52 high-tech aircraft will reportedly arrive in Pakistan from the United States on December 13, after which the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will have a total of 18 such aircraft.

In 2005-06, Pakistan had signed a contract with the US government for the acquisition of 18 F-16 C/D Block … Original article on : Pak to get six more F-16 aircraft from US on Dec 13.

Rights groups slam Iranian TV over ‘death by stoning’ woman’s fake confession at home

TEHRAN – Human rights campaigners have reportedly condemned an Iranian television channel for airing a programme projecting Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the woman sentenced to death by stoning, as apparently discussing her role in the murder of her husband.

“International standards for fair trial, to which Iran is a state party, guarantee the right not to be …. Read the original article  : here.

Islamabad accuses India of violating Pak air space 20 times in 2010

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has claimed that Indian Air Force aircraft violated its air space twenty times in the year 2010, and 182 times since November 2007.

In response to a recent statement by the Indian Defence Minister regarding airspace violations by Pakistan, the Foreign Office spokesman termed them as “baseless”, the Daily Times reports.

“We have … Original source on Gaea Times at : Islamabad accuses India of violating Pak air space 20 times in 2010.

Does ‘coded message in Bible point to Qaeda’s nuclear weapon hideout’?

WASHINGTON – Author Michael Drosnin believes that there are secret, coded messages in the Bible that indicate that Al Qaeda has nuclear weapons in a secret hiding place.

Drosnin took out a full page ad in the New York Times today that asks, “Why Won’t the White House Let the President Read This Letter?” Under …. Original source  : Does ‘coded message in Bible point to Qaeda’s nuclear weapon hideout’?.