Breaking News – Newsletter for December 24, 2010

Beijing puts limits on new vehicle registrations to stem traffic jam epidemic

BEIJING – Beijing has announced new traffic measures, including limiting registration of new vehicles, in a major effort to tackle traffic jams on roads in China’s capital city.

China Daily quoted Zhou Zhengyu, Deputy Secretary-General of the municipal government, as saying that only 240,000 vehicles … Read more : Beijing puts limits on new vehicle registrations to stem traffic jam epidemic.

U.S. governor’s Billy the Kid pardon proposal sparks fury

LONDON – A U.S. governor has sparked fury after he said that he is considering an official pardon for Billy the Kid-the man who apparently killed 21 men.

Henry McCarty, better known as Billy the Kid, could have his name cleared after 130 years after a poll set up … Original article on : U.S. governor’s Billy the Kid pardon proposal sparks fury.

Christmas In Mumbai Under Terror Alert

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Just like cities all across the globe, the financial capital of Mumbai is also gearing up to celebrate the festivities of Christmas to the fullest. However, this year, the Christmas festivities in the city would be carried out under heightened security after Mumbai Police received a tip-off that four Lashkar-e-Taiba militants … Read more »»».

Want a happy marriage? Save sex for honeymoon

LONDON – Staying away from sex until after the wedding leads to happier marriages, said a study that was reported here.

Postponing the joy of the wedding night results in better relationships and also improves sex itself, researchers in the US found in the study for which 2,035 married couples were asked how soon they …. Read the original article  : Want a happy marriage? Save sex for honeymoon.

Over 900 nabbed in China crackdown on coal mining sector corruption this year

BEIJING – The campaign against corruption in the coal-mining sector has reportedly led to the punishing of a total of 906 government officials in North China’s Shanxi province in the past 11 months.

In the 11 months to November, the province received 759 reports of corruption and seven department-level government officials were sacked.

China Daily quoted the …. Read the original article  : here.

Norwegian newspaper claims to possess all ‘uncensored’ Wikileaks cables

NEW YORK – A Norwegian newspaper has claimed that it has obtained the whole bunch of 250,000 uncensored secret US diplomatic cables that the whistleblower website ‘Wikileas’ has been distributing all this while.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Aftenposten is apparently the first media organisation outside WikiLeaks’ five partners to obtain the secret materials.

WikiLeaks …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Ground Zero mosque’ Imam to undertake ’speaking tour’ of US next month

NEW YORK – Feisal Abdul Rauf, the Imam behind the proposed community centre and mosque near Ground Zero, would reportedly undertake a nationwide tour in the United States next month to promote the project and to discuss about life of Muslims in America.

The New York Times quoted Rauf as saying that last summer’s controversy has …. Original source  : ‘Ground Zero mosque’ Imam to undertake ’speaking tour’ of US next month.

Christmas Eve luckiest day for winning lottery

LONDON – The National Lottery has claimed that Christmas Eve is the luckiest day of the year for winning the lottery.

National Lottery organisers said December 24 is the luckiest day of the year, with more jackpots of 1 million pounds or more won on the day in the past 16 years than any other time …. Original source  : Christmas Eve luckiest day for winning lottery.

Indian-origin neurosurgeon left prostitute dead in his bed for 2 days

SYDNEY – An Indian-origin neurosurgeon left a young prostitute dead in his bed for almost two days while he continued a drug and sex binge in a Sydney hotel room last year.

Suresh Surendranath Nair and another prostitute sat watching while Suellen Domingues Zaupa lay convulsing on his bed, gripped by cocaine toxicity and bleeding from …. Read the original article  : here.

Santa given security pat-down at Maningrida airport

MELBOURNE – It looks like even Santa can’t escape the law.

Waiting to greet him at Maningrida airport Tuesday were two police officers, according to The Northern Territory News.

The police searched every bag and passenger getting off the plane, including Santa, to make sure he was not carrying any contraband alcohol under his red suit.

Constable … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Santa given security pat-down at Maningrida airport.

Christmas Of President Barack Obama

HONOLULU (GaeaTimes.com)- While the world is gearing up for celebrating Christmas and the new year, Barack Obama the president of USA has plans to stay far from the madding crowd and spend some quiet days with his family members. He has reached Hawaii on Wednesday the state where he had spent his young years. …. Source  : Christmas Of President Barack Obama.

DMK to pull out all stops to save Raja

CHENNAI – The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in Tamil Nadu has reportedly decided to pull out all stops to save and defend the reputation of former Telecom Minister A. Raja in connection with his role in the controversial 2G telecom licensing scam.

According to DMK sources, the party leadership is planning to organise a … Read more : DMK to pull out all stops to save Raja.

Gujjar community continues protests over demand for jobs reservations

Mathura (Uttar Pradesh)/DAUSA – Hundreds of members of the ethnic Gujjar community continue to stage protests in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan over a demand for reservation of jobs in government and educational institutions.

The Gujjars have been demanding a separate five percent quota in government jobs and educational institutions.

Shouting anti-government slogans, hundreds of protestors carrying banners …. Source article  : Gujjar community continues protests over demand for jobs reservations.

Queen highlights the importance of sports in Christmas message

LONDON – In her Christmas message to the nation, the Queen will highlight the importance of sports as a medium that can help build communities and create harmony.

The monarch has chosen to focus her annual broadcast on how games and exercise can positively distance people from their day-to-day lives, reports the Scotsman.

During her television address, … Read more >>>.

Rail service resumes in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR – Train services resumed in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday after being suspended for about six months during unrest in the region.

The train services between Budgam and Qazigund district was restored in the first phase. Authorities said the route between Qazigund and Baramulla will be functional within next few days.

Kashmir has witnessed massive demonstrations …. Source article  : Rail service resumes in Kashmir Valley.

‘The Fantastic Four’ member to die in next issue

LONDON – One of the key characters in ‘The Fantastic Four’ will die in an upcoming issue.

The Fantastic Four, the superheroes whose creation nearly 50 years ago helped usher in the Silver Age of comics for Marvel, will soon become a trio.

Marvel Comics have said that a member of the foursome, who comprise Mr …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘The Fantastic Four’ member to die in next issue.

Critics slam likeness of Wills, Kate on new commemorative coin

NEW YORK – The images of Prince William and his bride-to-be, Kate Middleton, on a new coin look nothing like the couple, say critics.

The coin commemorating the royal couple’s engagement is being slammed by critics, who say the likeness of the future princess looks chubby and haggard.

The design on the 5 pounds coin, released by … Read more >>.

Kashmir interlocutors to submit report to government in ten days

SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI – Dileep Padgaonkar, veteran Indian journalist and one of the three Kashmir interlocutors, said on Thursday, that they will submit the report with their recommendations to the Central Government within ten days.

The two other interlocutors-academician Radha Kumar and former Information Commissioner M M Ansari were also present at the press conference in Srinagar.

“The … Read more >>>.

Pak Army should declare “jihad” against US forces’ ground raids in tribal areas: JUI-F

ISLAMABAD – Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazalur Rehman has strongly criticised US media reports on the military operation in Pakistan’s tribal region, saying the Pakistan Army should declare ‘jihad’ in response to the US forces’ ground raids in North Waziristan.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Fazl expressed dismay over the policies adopted by the Pakistan People’s …. Source  : Pak Army should declare “jihad” against US forces’ ground raids in tribal areas: JUI-F.

Man arrested for encroaching Obama’s safety zones

WASHINGTON – A man has been arrested after encroaching into the Secret Service safety zone placed around US President Barack Obama’s Kailua vacation home on Thursday.

However, the Secret Service said that Obama was never in danger and the incident had nothing to do with the President.

“Honolulu Police were going to arrest someone … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Man arrested for encroaching Obama’s safety zones.