Breaking News – Newsletter for December 25, 2010

‘Judaism’ most popular religion in the US

ISRAEL – A new study has revealed that the most popular faith in the US is Judaism.

Sociologists Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell write in their new book ‘American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us’ about the study they … Read : ‘Judaism’ most popular religion in the US.

Key Ahmadinejad aide behind dismissal of senior Iranian officials

WASHINGTON – A key aide of Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, is said to be the man behind the dismissal of several senior officials.

Chief of Staff Rahim-Mashaei’s daughter is married to Ahmadinejad’s son.

Take the case of …. Read the original article  : Key Ahmadinejad aide behind dismissal of senior Iranian officials.

Hammersmith MP ordered to repay 15.95 pounds after 9-month inquiry

LONDON – After nine months of investigation, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has ordered the shadow justice minister, Andy Slaughter, to pay back 15.95 pounds in expenses.

The MP for Hammersmith had used free Commons stationery to organise a Labour … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Hammersmith MP ordered to repay 15.95 pounds after 9-month inquiry.

Manipur holds science exhibition

IMPHAL – The 31st edition of the annual science exhibition was held in Manipur recently with the aim of encouraging young scientists and innovators in the region.

Over 60 students from different districts of Manipur participated in the exhibition that was … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Manipur holds science exhibition.

President Abbas expresses hopes Palestinian state would be established by 2011

WASHINGTON – Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who travelled to Bethlehem to greet Christmas revellers in the West Bank city, has said that he hopes a Palestinian state would be established by next year.

“We are seekers of … Read : President Abbas expresses hopes Palestinian state would be established by 2011.

Armed militants rob people in Imphal

IMPHAL – Unidentified armed militants robbed people at gunpoint in here recently.

“We were scared and handed over our cell phones. They then wanted other valuables and broke open our cupboards. We are still scared,” said Promila Devi, wife of owner.olice has registered a case …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Armed militants rob people in Imphal.

Delhi Book Fair opens

NEW DELHI – The 16th edition of the annual Delhi Book Fair opened here Saturday.

The fair is usually held in September but was postponed to December due to the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games. It has been organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP).
Last year, 2.74 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

iPads gifted to British troops in Afghanistan for X-mas

LONDON – British troops in Afghanistan have been gifted iPads for Christmas.

The Sun newspaper gave away free iPads to 10 soldiers in the war zone, courtesy Best Buy UK, one of the world’s larget consumer electronics retailers.
Soldier Joseph Rogers, 20, of the Second Royal Tank Regiment, said his iPad was “cool”.
“It was …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : iPads gifted to British troops in Afghanistan for X-mas.

Not all is well with Bihar’s young rural mothers

PATNA – Now that the new government in Bihar is in place and that too with a thundering mandate, it is time to address the problems that the state which is struggling to emerge from centuries old backwardness and debilitating social divisions faces.

The programs for reconstruction of the state’s infrastructure and addressing its myriad social … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Not all is well with Bihar’s young rural mothers.

West Bengal police arrest two Maoists in West Midnapore

WEST MIDNAPORE – West Bengal Police took into its custody two Maoist leaders in West Midnapore district on Friday, and recovered a huge cache of directional landmines as well as uniforms of Central paramilitary forces from them.

The arrested have been identified as Ajit Mahato and Kalipada Bagal, and will be produced in the district court … Original article on : West Bengal police arrest two Maoists in West Midnapore.

Kissinger apologises for 1973 ‘gassing Jews in Soviet Union’ remarks

WASHINGTON – Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has apologized for his remarks he made in 1973 during a conversation with the then US President Richard Nixon, when he had said that it would not be an American concern if the Soviet Union sent its Jews to the gas chambers.

According to The Jerusalem Post, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Kissinger apologises for 1973 ‘gassing Jews in Soviet Union’ remarks.

Growing number of college girls in China wooing sugar daddies

MELBOURNE – A growing number of Chinese girl students are marketing themselves to older, richer men willing to support their studies and pay for a desirable lifestyle.

Millions of female students have registered Jiayuan, the biggest dating site in China, which was created by 24-year-old Shanghai student Gong Xiaoyuan.

Among its 25 million members are students explicitly … Read more : Growing number of college girls in China wooing sugar daddies.

Free sex advice clinic has no takers as shy Chinese youths go online

NEW DELHI – Clinics offering free sex education and advice may soon fade out, as shy Chinese youngsters are turning to the Internet for all their queries.

A free clinic, which has operated in Shanghai for five years, was closed this week because it was not attracting enough visitors, reports the China Daily.

The clinic, which operated …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Forgetting Ghalib is forgetting history, says writer-diplomat

NEW DELHI – It worries and even angers diplomat-writer Pavan K. Varma that Delhi, of all places, has almost completely forgotten Mirza Ghalib, the great poet and lyricist of the late Mughal period. The city was Ghalib’s home as well as muse.

“Without pride you can’t have a great capital,” believes Varma, who has authored …. Original source  : Forgetting Ghalib is forgetting history, says writer-diplomat.

250 marriages to be solemnised at Bhopal Muslim convention

BHOPAL – As many as 250 nikahs – Muslim marriages – will be solemnised in Madhya Pradesh Sunday at the ongoing ‘Aalami Tabligi Ijtima’ (World Preachers Congregation), an official said Saturday.

The 63rd congregation which unfolded Saturday will conclude Monday with mass “dua” (prayer).
A tented city has come up at Itkheri in Isalam … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 250 marriages to be solemnised at Bhopal Muslim convention.

Diplomatic communications are of ‘privileged’ nature: Nirupama Rao

NEW DELHI – Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has disapproved the leakage of U.S. diplomatic cables by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks, saying diplomatic communications are of a ‘privileged’ nature and should remain like that.

Speaking after the launch of the redesigned Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Public Diplomacy (PD) Division websites here on Friday, Rao said: …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Diplomatic communications are of ‘privileged’ nature: Nirupama Rao.

New Zealand threatened Fiji’s military chief with ‘loss of family access’ over coup

WELLINGTON – Secret US diplomatic cables leaked by the whistleblower website ‘Wikileaks’ have revealed that New Zealand had threatened Fiji’s military chief Voreqe Bainimarama and his wife with the loss of access to their grandchildren if he staged a coup to overthrow the government of Laisenia Qarase.

Stuff.co.nz quoted the cable as saying that Bainimarama and … Read more >>>.

‘Post riots, China’s Xinjiang region still remains unstable’

BEIJING – China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which was shaken by a deadly riot last year, still faces many factors that may affect stability, according to one of the top officials in the region.

“We should be aware that the stability of Xinjiang remains fragile. There are still many factors from home and abroad that may …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Post riots, China’s Xinjiang region still remains unstable’.

Russian archaeologists discover ancient city in Socotra Island

SANA’A – After four-year archaeological excavations, a Russian team has discovered an ancient city in Socotra Island.

The state-run 26sep.net reported that the team unearthed an ancient city called “Khajlah” located near Hidibu city, the main city in the island.

The city is dated back to the second century AD, according to the team’s expectation.

The team …. Read the original article  : here.

Satirical WikiLeaks rap featuring Assange’s cameo takes Internet by storm

LONDON – A footage of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange making a cameo appearance on a satirical rap show has become an Internet hit.

Australian internet hit ‘Rap News’ features Assange on an edition entitled ‘News World Order – the war on journalism’, and also makes fun at Donald Rumsfeld and and TV host Bill O’Reilly.

The clip, …. Source  : Satirical WikiLeaks rap featuring Assange’s cameo takes Internet by storm.