Breaking News – Newsletter for December 17, 2010

Chinese cotton buyers visit Rajkot to buy Shankar 6 variety

RAJKOT – Chinese cotton buyers visited Gujarat’s Rajkot city to buy the famous Shankar 6 variety of cotton.

Shankar 6 variety of cotton is famous worldwide and it is a major product of the Saurashtra region.

A Chinese buyer said there is an increased demand of the Shankar 6 variety in China.

“China textile may …. Read the original article  : Chinese cotton buyers visit Rajkot to buy Shankar 6 variety.

Media sensationalised border issue, says Wen Jiabao

NEW DELHI – The Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday said the media exaggerated the boundary issue between India and China.

Interacting with journalists and artists here, Wen stressed that the media should play a more constructive role in enhancing friendly …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chinese Premier calls on opposition leader Sushma Swaraj in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj here on Friday.

They discussed a range of issues during their brief meeting.

On Thursday, the Chinese Premier met Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari.

Later, he also called on Congress party president Sonia Gandhi.

He reiterated that India and … Read more : Chinese Premier calls on opposition leader Sushma Swaraj in Delhi.

We don’t condone torture, says Omar on Kashmir WikiLeaks

SRINAGAR – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said his government doesn’t condone torture as he refused to comment on the WikiLeaks expose on the systematic abuse of detainees in the troubled state.

“I am not getting into it…It pertains to 2005 and you know who was in power that time,” Abdullah said, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Indian-origin man jailed over sex with 14-year-old girl in Australia

MELBOURNE – An Indian-origin man living in Australia has been jailed after he had sex with a 14-year-old girl during an afternoon of drinking.

A man named Steven Handros, 19, had contacted the victim and her friend through the Internet social networking site Myspace, the Victorian County Court heard, reports News.com.au.

Last September Handros and his friend …. Read the original article  : Indian-origin man jailed over sex with 14-year-old girl in Australia.

Oz to review strict student visa program following drastic drop in Indian enrolments

SYDNEY – Australia’s Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans has announced that a review of the international student visa program will be conducted following which changes may be carried out to prop up the ailing sector.

The decision comes after it was revealed that international student commencements to September 2010 were down 9.3 per cent on last …. Source article  : Oz to review strict student visa program following drastic drop in Indian enrolments.

Stockholm suicide bomber could have had helping hands: Swedish investigators

STOCKHOLM – Swedish officials have claimed that Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly, the suicide bomber who blew himself up on a Stockholm street full of holiday shoppers, was likely to have been helped by others in preparing for the attack.

Following the incident, investigators had said that Al-Abdaly, an Iraqi-born Swede, had apparently acted alone during the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

America is ready to elect a gay president: Jimmy Carter

NEW YORK – Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says America is ready to elect a gay president.

And the 39th president predicts it will happen in ‘near future’.

“I think the entire population of America has come tremendous strides forward in dealing with the issue of gays,” the New York Daily News quoted him as telling the …. Original article  : America is ready to elect a gay president: Jimmy Carter.

Magnetic bras could spell end for tricky hooks

MELBOURNE – The battle to fasten and unfasten lingerie using those tricky bra hooks seems to have come to an end – thanks to magnets.

A British department store has unveiled a hi-tech line of lingerie that stays on.

Selfridges will soon sell a collection of French lingerie in which the fastenings are replaced with tiny, invisible … Original article on : Magnetic bras could spell end for tricky hooks.

India conveys its concern to China over terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil

NEW DELHI – The Centre has conveyed serious concern over terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil to the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao who will be reaching Islamabad today.

Wen Jiabao was told in Delhi that stability can come to this region only when forces of terrorism are defeated.

Interacting with mediapersons here on Thursday, Foreign …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Brit man breaks world’s quickest meat pie eating record in 23.91 seconds

MELBOURNE – A man in Britain has become the quickest eater of meat pies after he broke the world record in 23.91 seconds.

Neil Collier won The World Pie Eating Championships at Harry’s Bar on December 14 in Wigan, England, by eating the saucer-sized meat pie in an incredible 23.91 seconds, smashing the previous record of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Muharram Marked By Curfew In Srinagar

SRINAGAR, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- With Muharram being observed all over the world on Friday, in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the occasion would be observed amidst heightened security with curfew being imposed in parts of the city. The fact that curfew would be active in many parts of Srinagar on Muharram was announced …. Read the original article  : here.

Bangladesh to honour 226 Indians for support in 1971 ‘Liberation War’

NEW DELHI – Bangladesh will honour 226 Indians for their crucial support during the country’s 1971 ‘Liberation War’, as it marks the 40th Victory Day anniversary next year.

Bangladesh will honour some 500 foreigners, which includes 226 Indians.

“The cabinet approved the proposal to accord reception to distinguished foreign nationals and organisations for their extraordinary contribution …. Source article  : Bangladesh to honour 226 Indians for support in 1971 ‘Liberation War’.

New MIC Chief G. Palanivel to discuss ‘issues affecting Indian community’ next week

KUALA LUMPUR – The newly-appointed Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) President G. Palanivel would reportedly hold a meeting with his central working committee members next week to discuss issues affecting the Indian community.

The Star quoted Palanivel as saying that the discussions would concentrate on dealing with issues like uniting the Indians, bringing in more professionals into …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chinese Premier Jiabao heads to Pakistan to boost trade

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao left for Pakistan on Friday for a three-day visit aimed at boosting trade and investment by finalizing 20 billion dollars worth of deals.

Accompanied by a huge business delegation, Premier Wen will be the first Chinese head of government to visit the nuclear-armed country in the last five years.

According … Original article on : Chinese Premier Jiabao heads to Pakistan to boost trade.

Vaikuntha Ekadasi celebrations in Trichy

TRICHY – Devotees took part in a grand procession in Tamil Nadu’s Trichy District that marked the beginning of the festival of Vaikuntha Ekadasi on Friday.

Thousands of devotees seek blessings of Lord Vishnu who is also known as Ranganathan, at the Ranganathaswamy temple.

“Today we are all here, gathered to pray (to) the God Ranganathan. He … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Vaikuntha Ekadasi celebrations in Trichy.

UK Defence Secretary cancels Lanka trip over Colombo’s war crimes complicity

LONDON – Suggestions surfacing in US diplomatic cables leaked by the whistle blowing web site WikiLeaks that the Sri Lanka Government precipitated war crimes against the minority Tamil population at the height of the war against the LTTE, has prompted British Defence Secretary Liam Fox to abandon plans for a private visit to the island … Read more >>>.

Pak “not fast enough” in uprooting terror havens along Afghan border region:Obama

WASHINGTON – Pakistan’s progress in rooting out terrorists has “not come fast enough”, and so the United States will continue insisting it to deal with the terror havens within its borders, US President Barack Obama has said.

“We will continue to focus on our relationship with Pakistan. Increasingly, the Pakistani government recognizes that terrorist networks …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pak “not fast enough” in uprooting terror havens along Afghan border region:Obama.

Brit-Indian honeymooner was refunded wife’s return airfare following her murder

LONDON – Shrien Dewani, the Brit-Indian millionaire whose wife was killed during their honeymoon, was reportedly refunded Anni’s return air fare days after her murder in South Africa.

The Sun quoted a BA source as saying that a proportion of the cost of his wife’s business class ticket was paid back after a call …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Brit-Indian honeymooner was refunded wife’s return airfare following her murder.

Weather Conditions Lead To School Closings In Virginia

RICHMOND (GaeaTimes.com)- On Thursday many schools and colleges in Virginia were shut down due to the extreme weather conditions that the region is currently experiencing. The heavy snowfall accompanied by constant rain that is freezing, the school authorities opted for school closings. It has not been confirmed as to when will the classes will be …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Weather Conditions Lead To School Closings In Virginia.