Breaking News – Newsletter for December 26, 2010

No country can feed 1.15-billion people: Pranab Mukharjee

LUCKNOW – Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that there is a need for greater self-sufficiency in food production as no country is capable enough to feed 1.15-billion people, regardless of its infrastructural capacity.

“No country in the world can feed 1.15 billion people, whatever be their capacity. Therefore, self-sufficiency in food production is absolutely necessary … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : No country can feed 1.15-billion people: Pranab Mukharjee.

Mobile phones are a classroom distraction

WASHINGTON – A study conducted at the University of New Hampshire has found that college students use cell phones in class, despite knowing that it adversely affects their concentration.

In a universitywide study, student researchers at the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics found student cell phone users check their phones an average of …. Source  : Mobile phones are a classroom distraction.

Gujjars intensify agitation by refusing to meet Rajasthan Govt’s team

JAIPUR – Gujjars have intensified their agitation by refusing to meet a three-member team of IAS officers sent by the Rajasthan government to end the stalemate over the reservation row.

Soon after the arrivals of the Rajathan government’s three member team in Bayana, some 12-km from Pilukarpura in Bharatpur district, the team appealed to Gujjars to …. Source  : Gujjars intensify agitation by refusing to meet Rajasthan Govt’s team.

Sri Lanka releases 100 LTTE rebels held in military-run camps

COLOMBO – The Sri Lankan government has released 100 former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels during a ceremony held in Vavuniya district in Northern Province.

Vavuniya used to be a front line town in the war between the Tamil Tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan Army until the Army advanced northwards during the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sri Lanka releases 100 LTTE rebels held in military-run camps.

Jinnah’s vision made Pakistan nuclear power: AQ Khan

RAWALPINDI – The motivation behind making Pakistan a nuclear power after continuous hard work of seven years was the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, according to disgraced nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

“Keeping in view the example of the Father of the Nation, we were able to make Pakistan a nuclear power in just … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Jinnah’s vision made Pakistan nuclear power: AQ Khan.

Passengers facing problems due to delayed flights at Delhi airport

NEW DELHI – Heavy fog has disrupted the scheduled flights at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi today, causing huge inconveniences to the passengers.

According to reports, around 75 domestic and international flights were delayed, diverted or cancelled this morning after visibility dropped to nearly zero at the airport.

About 15 domestic flights from Delhi …. Original article  : Passengers facing problems due to delayed flights at Delhi airport.

A unique festival of rotis in Andhra

HYDERABAD – It is a unique festival where people belonging to various faiths exchange ‘rotis’ or breads to fulfill their wishes.

Thousands of devotees from different states participated in the just concluded annual ‘rottela panduga’ or festival or rotis in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district.
The unique festival is held every year at the Bara Shaheed …. Original article  : A unique festival of rotis in Andhra.

34 killed, 10 injured in road accident in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – As many as 34 people were killed, and 10 others injured in a collision between a bus and a mini-truck in Badayun district of Uttar Pradesh on late Saturday evening.

“A bus from the Uttar Pradesh roadways and a mini-truck collided near the highway. Thirty-four people have been confirmed dead in the accident. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 34 killed, 10 injured in road accident in Uttar Pradesh.

Obama condemns ‘outrageous’ suicide attack in northwestern Pak

HONOLULU – United States President Barack Obama has condemned Saturday’s deadly suicide bomb strike in northwestern Pakistan as an “outrageous terrorist attack”, in which dozens of people were killed at a World Food Programme project.

“I strongly condemn the outrageous terrorist attack in Khar, Pakistan,” the BBC quoted Obama, as saying.

“Killing innocent civilians outside a …. Source article  : Obama condemns ‘outrageous’ suicide attack in northwestern Pak.

Hurling sweets at panto ‘too risky for kids’: Cumbria officials

LONDON – The tradition of hurling sweets into the audience during a pantomime may soon become a thing of the past, as Cumbria officials have ordered amazed actors to lob marshmallows into the crowd instead.

Council officials have decided that throwing boiled sweets is too risky for children.

The stars of a new production of Aladdin have …. Original article  : Hurling sweets at panto ‘too risky for kids’: Cumbria officials.

Leopard injures three people in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – A leopard injured three villagers, including two minors in Bhawaria village of Uttar Pradesh after they saw it roaming in nearby fields, and tried to scare it away.

“The leopard has injured three people so far. It came from the west and is now hiding in the eastern direction,” Sri Ram, one of the …. Source  : Leopard injures three people in Uttar Pradesh.

Dense fog disrupts air, rail and road traffic in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A heavy blanket of fog enveloped the national capital on Sunday morning, hitting air and rail services badly.

The visibility levels at the main and the new runways of the Indira Gandhi International Airport dropped to less than 50 metres, which is much below the minimum required levels.

According to reports, the airport was … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Dense fog disrupts air, rail and road traffic in Delhi.

How to run snitches inside a terrorist group

WASHINGTON – What’s the best way to penetrate a terrorist organisation? Think as they do – pick out the outcasts and prey on their anxieties.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service created a sheet of how-to tips in 2005, which taught how to run sources inside extremist organizations.

An ideal source was the same for counter-terrorists as for …. Original article  : How to run snitches inside a terrorist group.

(aFTER 10) Displaced Georgian woman wins lottery jackpot on Christmas

TBILISI – For this displaced woman who ekes out a humble existence in a dormitory in this Georgian capital, Christmas brought her a sweet surprise — a $2.4 million lottery jackpot!

Zamira Tordinava couldn’t believe herself when the Georgian National Lottery announced she was the winner of 4.4 million Georgian laris ($2.5 million) on Christmas …. Original article  : (aFTER 10) Displaced Georgian woman wins lottery jackpot on Christmas.

People face severe water crisis in Ranchi

RANCHI – People in Ranchi are facing severe water crisis due to the bad climatic condition and drought like situation in the region.

Nitish Priyadarshi, an environmentalist, said that due to continuous drought from the past two years and … Read more »».

Senior space scientist describes GSLV failure “a tragic incident”

NEW DELHI – Senior space scientist Professor Yashpal described the failure of the GSAT-5P communication satellite launch today as a very tragic incident.

In his first reaction to the failure of the satellite launch, Prof Yashpal said, “It is …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Senior space scientist describes GSLV failure “a tragic incident”.

Sand sculpture of Santa Claus spreads ‘Go Green’ message in Puri

PURI – Renowned sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik created the world’s biggest green coloured Santa Claus at the Golden beach of Puri to spread the message of ‘Go Green’.

Patnaik on Friday made a 160-feet-long sand sculpture of Santa Claus.

“All the tourists visiting this place will take with … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sand sculpture of Santa Claus spreads ‘Go Green’ message in Puri.

Aurangabad artist writes holy book on rice grains

AURANGABAD – Gajendra Wadonkar, a unique artist from Aurangabad, has written chapters of a holy book on rice grains and is aiming to register him in the Guinness book of World records.

Wadonkar said he has planned to complete a holy book on Sai …. Original source  : Aurangabad artist writes holy book on rice grains.

Manipur hosts seventh orange festival

TAMEGLONGLONG – The seventh orange festival was celebrated with enthusiasm and amid heavy security in Manipur’s Tameglonglong District recently.

People in large numbers participated in the two-day long festival, defying the boycott call by the Naga Youth Front in the … Read more : Manipur hosts seventh orange festival.

Communal amity thrives in Karnataka district

CHIKKABALAPURA – Setting an example of communal harmony, the women professionals belonging to different religions have been working together in joss (fragrance essence) stick units for the past several decades in Chintamani town of Karnataka’s Chikkabalapura District.

Entrepreneurs of Chintamani are regarded as the pioneers of the rolling … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Communal amity thrives in Karnataka district.