Breaking News – Newsletter for December 23, 2010

N. Korea gets gender wrong while calling US politician ‘human scum’

TOKYO – North Korea got the gender wrong while labeling the incoming head of the United States’ House Foreign Affairs Committee as “human scum” and an “anti-communist fanatic”.

In a blistering attack on Republican politician from Florida …. Original article  : N. Korea gets gender wrong while calling US politician ‘human scum’.

Karunakaran’s condition continues to be critical

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The condition of ailing Congress leader K Karunakaran continued to be critical on Thursday.

Ventilator support was resumed for Karunakaran yesterday after he suffered acute breathing trouble following a stroke at a hospital here.

Karunakaran, 93, was hospitalised on December 10 following … Original article on : Karunakaran’s condition continues to be critical.

Pranab Mukherjee wants apology from Opposition for Parliament deadlock

NEW DELHI – Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday demanded an apology from the Opposition, accusing it of destroying Parliament after they rejected his offer of a special session to discuss the Joint Parliamentary Probe (JPC) issue on 2G scam.

“In the entire Winter Session, they (Opposition) did … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pranab Mukherjee wants apology from Opposition for Parliament deadlock.

Oz man could end up in jail for kissing wife on butt

MELBOURNE – A man in Australia has been warned that he could face a jail term after he drunkenly kissed his estranged wife on her bottom.

According to the Mercury, the unemployed 48-year-old man, who has pleaded guilty to indecent assault in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, had been drinking when he visited his …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Oz man could end up in jail for kissing wife on butt.

Christmas Greeting Threatened By Social Networking?

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- The Christmas is simply a few days ahead and the shopping season is in full swing. People are busy buying Christmas greeting and gifts for their near and dear ones. However, this year the card buying has seen a decline and the reason mostly possibly is the rise of the … Read : Christmas Greeting Threatened By Social Networking?.

At CIA, WikiLeaks task force is – OMG! – ‘WTF’

WASHINGTON – The task force set up to assess the damage caused by the disclosure of secret US diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks has become popular at the CIA headquarters more due to its acronym W.T.F than its actual reason.

The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) has launched a task force to assess the impact of … Original source on Gaea Times at : At CIA, WikiLeaks task force is – OMG! – ‘WTF’.

Gujjar Agitation Continues

BHARATPUR, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The agitation of the Gujjar’s demanding five per cent reservation in government job as well as educational institution reached its fourth day on Thursday as the Central government dispatched more paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control. The agitation of the Gujjars comes as a protest against the judgment delivered [..] Read the original article: here.

Conquering Mt Everest: romantic adventure or personal status pursuit?

WASHINGTON – Enthusiastic adventurers these days are prepared to pay any amount of money to, say, conquer the Everest but a new study asks: Is it an adventure characterizing communitarian spirit or just a selfish pursuit?

“In order to escape the rules, contraptions, and stresses of daily life in the city, many people search for new … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Conquering Mt Everest: romantic adventure or personal status pursuit?.

Inability to imagine future prevents us from saving up in the present: Study

WASHINGTON – A new study reveals that if we could imagine our future financial situation, we would be much more willing to save up money in the present.

“This willingness to forego money now and wait for future benefits is strongly affected by how connected we feel to our future self, who will ultimately benefit from … Read more >>.

Ex-president Bush, wife safe after police detain man outside Dallas home

DALLAS – Former president George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush were reported to be safe and sound after police detained a man near their home on Wednesday night.

According to local news reports, a man was caught erratically driving a muscle car in the upscale Preston Hollow neighborhood.

According to Fox News, as many …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ex-president Bush, wife safe after police detain man outside Dallas home.

Teen girls living in most deprived areas ‘more likely to be assaulted’

WASHINGTON – A new study in UK has revealed that teen girls living in the most deprived areas are five times as likely to be assaulted as their affluent male and female peers.

Young men are twice as likely to be a victim of assault as young women, but the link between deprivation and assault is … Original source on Gaea Times at : Teen girls living in most deprived areas ‘more likely to be assaulted’.

Obama boasts ‘lame duck session’ has been ’season of progress for American people’

WASHINGTON – United States President Barack Obama has hailed the lame-duck session of the 111th Congress, which came to an end on Wednesday, as the “most productive post-election period in decades”.

A ‘lame-duck’ session of Congress in the U.S. occurs whenever one Congress meets after its successor is elected, but before the successor’s term begins.

The Republicans … Read more >>.

Indian-origin doc in Oz admits to manslaughter of prostitute

MELBOURNE – An Indian-origin neurosurgeon accused of murdering two prostitutes has admitted to the manslaughter of one, who died after cocaine-fuelled sex sessions at his Sydney home.

Suresh Surendranath Nair, 42, was charged with murdering Suellen Domingues-Zaupa, but the crown accepted his guilty plea to the less serious offence, News.com.au reported.

The crown also accepted his guilty …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Indian-origin doc in Oz admits to manslaughter of prostitute.

Crossbow Cannibal wanted to be infamous like Yorkshire Ripper, says ex

LONDON – The ex-girlfriend of The Crossbow Cannibal, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of three women, has revealed that he had boasted to her about becoming more infamous than the Yorkshire Ripper.

Amanda Judson, 45, revealed that Stephen Griffiths, 40, even pulled out a dictionary to explain to her the difference between … Original article on : Crossbow Cannibal wanted to be infamous like Yorkshire Ripper, says ex.

Number of Crossbow Cannibal’s murder victims could be as high as 14

LONDON – The number of victims of The Crossbow Cannibal, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of three women, could be as high as 14, revealed police.

Stephen Griffiths, 40, who admitted to butchering the three Bradford prostitutes, had told a lover that he would not stop until he killed one more than … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Number of Crossbow Cannibal’s murder victims could be as high as 14.

UK Muslim hate group launches ‘poster campaign’ terming Christmas “evil”

LONDON – Fanatics from a banned Islamic hate group have reportedly launched a nationwide ‘poster campaign’ in Britain describing Christmas as an “evil” festival that is responsible for rape, teenage pregnancies, abortion, promiscuity, crime and paedophilia.

According to the Daily Mail, Islam4UK group launched the campaign with an intention to convert Christians to Islam in the … Original source on Gaea Times at : UK Muslim hate group launches ‘poster campaign’ terming Christmas “evil”.

China’s Amazon causes outrage for selling items made from cat, dog skin

LONDON – China’s largest retail website has sparked outrage among animal lovers after it offered thousands of products made from the skins of cats and dogs.

Upon searching the website, Taobao.com, it was found that the most popular items were trousers and hats made from dog fur, which is touted for its ability to ward off … Read more : China’s Amazon causes outrage for selling items made from cat, dog skin.

More Brits to shop online than go to church on Christmas

LONDON – Rather than attending a church service, this year’s Christmas Day will see more number of British people logging on to the Internet for some online shopping.

Online retail trade group IMRG has predicted that about 4.8 million people would find time on Christmas Day to go online, get out their credit card, and buy … Read : More Brits to shop online than go to church on Christmas.

China slams Vatican’s criticism of Chinese Catholics’ congress as ‘very imprudent’

BEIJING – China has rejected the Vatican’s criticism of a recent national congress of Chinese Catholics, blaming the Vatican for damaging relations between the two sides.

The Vatican had earlier condemned the congress, which was held from December 7 to 9 to elect the new leadership of China’s Catholic church, and accused China of violating religious … Read this article on Gaea Times at : China slams Vatican’s criticism of Chinese Catholics’ congress as ‘very imprudent’.

US’ efforts to prosecute me ‘a warning that all journalists will be next’: Assange

WASHINGTON – Julian Assange, founder of the whistleblower website ‘Wikileaks’ that recently released hundreds of secret US diplomatic cables, has said that efforts made by America to prosecute him on espionage charges should serve as a warning to journalists in that country.

News.com.au quoted Assange as saying that there has been a “quite deliberate attempt …. Source  : Gaea News Network.