Breaking News – Newsletter for December 29, 2010

A photograph and a marriage

LONDON – A British woman rummaging through a box found a 23-year-old photograph in which she was standing next to a boy – and realised that it was her husband whom she had not known then.

Stephanie Faulkner and husband James didn’t know each other when the photograph was clicked at a Christmas fair.
They … Read more »».

Indiana woman under investigation for having links to international terrorists

WASHINGTON – Kathie Smith, a Muslim-convert U.S. citizen living in Indianapolis, is reportedly under investigation for her possible ties to suspected and convicted international terrorists.

According to Fox News, the 46-year-old woman married a suspected German jihadist last year, and has been flying back and forth between the U.S. and Germany as from the past two [..] Read the original article: here.

Zardari orders Sindh CM to address all reservations shown by MQM

KARACHI – In a bid to pacify the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), one of the coalition partners at the Centre as well as the Sindh government, President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to address all reservations shown by the party.

In a meeting with Zardari at Bilawal House, Sindh Governor …. Source article  : Zardari orders Sindh CM to address all reservations shown by MQM.

US worried joint-military drills with South Korea will worsen Korean peninsula situation

WASHINGTON – The US is reportedly worried that its joint-military drills with Seoul and the recent threat of war by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to the North could lead to problematic situation in the peninsula.

According to The Washington Post, although several U.S. officials defended Seoul’s plans, Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman … Original article on : US worried joint-military drills with South Korea will worsen Korean peninsula situation.

Obama’s popularity rising, Palin’s falling for 2012 Presidential elections: Poll

WASHINGTON – Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s efforts to gain publicity for the 2012 presidential election through television is not really working out that well, as her popularity with Republicans has slipped below that of three other potential candidates, while Obama’s standing with Democrats is improving, according to a new poll.

The CBS news quoted the … Original article on : Obama’s popularity rising, Palin’s falling for 2012 Presidential elections: Poll.

Thomas Hardy’s home to be opened in full to the public

LONDON – The country home where late British novelist and poet Thomas Hardy wrote some of his best known works is set to be opened in full to the public for the first time.

Hardy had designed Max Gate in Dorchester, Dorset, by himself and it is where he played host to the luminaries of his … Read more : Thomas Hardy’s home to be opened in full to the public.

Same-sex parents ‘are more egalitarian than heterosexual parents’

SYDNEY – A new survey has shown that when it comes to dividing household tasks and parenting responsibilities, same-sex partners are more egalitarian than heterosexual parents.

Where lesbian couples are concerned, the mother who carries the baby and breastfeeds it, is not assumed to be the parent who will stay at home or be the main … Read more : Same-sex parents ‘are more egalitarian than heterosexual parents’.

At least seven militants killed in Pak tribal region

ISLAMABAD – At least seven insurgents were killed when security forces attacked militant hideouts in Pakistan’s Kurram tribal region.

Several militants were also reportedly injured when forces targeted their hideouts using gunship helicopters in central Kurram, the Dawn reports.

Two militant hideouts were also destroyed in the action. (ANI)
… Read more : At least seven militants killed in Pak tribal region.

American born radical cleric al-Awlaki linked to UK terror plot

WASHINGTON – Anwar al-Awlaki, an American born radical Yemeni cleric who is reportedly the first American on CIA’s capture or kill list, is linked to nine suspects in an alleged terror plot in Great Britain.

According to Fox News, the nine suspects were taken to a British court on Tuesday under heavy guard.

According to a … Read more >>>.

Pak-US relations remain stable despite many ups and downs: Mushahid Syed

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan enjoys stable relations with the United States despite many ups and downs during the year 2010, renowned analyst-cum-journalist and chairman of the Pak-China Institute and Regional Think Tank, Mushahid Hussain Syed, has said.

Talking to VOC, Mushahid said that there remained mutuality of interests on both sides, especially with reference to Afghanistan.

He said …. Source article  : Pak-US relations remain stable despite many ups and downs: Mushahid Syed.

Unseen childhood portraits of the Queen to go on display next year

LONDON – Previously unseen childhood portraits of the Queen and the late Princess Margaret from the late Queen Elizabeth’s personal collection are to go on public display for the first time next year.

The photographs, which include some of the most informal studio portraits ever taken of the princesses with their parents, are among more than … Read : Unseen childhood portraits of the Queen to go on display next year.

Human excreta, skinny jeans, adult films ’selling like hot cakes in N.Korea’

NEW YORK – Skinny jeans, adult films and even human manure were among some of the must-have items for North Koreans, according to a South Korean professor who has interviewed recent defectors from the communist country.

Kim Young-soo, a political science professor at Seoul’s Sogang University, said at a conference on Tuesday that these items were … Read more »».

China stepping up ‘carrier killer,’ missile tests, warns US expert

BEIJING – U.S. Navy Admiral Robert F. Willard has warned that China is designing a space missile that could sink American aircraft carriers in the Pacific.

The Daily Mail quoted Willard as saying that he believes the Chinese anti-ship ballistic missile programme has achieved ‘initial operational capability.’

Stressing that China wants to become a ‘global military … Read more : China stepping up ‘carrier killer,’ missile tests, warns US expert.

German chemical tanker with 19 Indians freed by Somali pirates

MOGADISHU – Somali pirates have reportedly released a German-owned chemical tanker having 19 Indians, two Bangladeshis and a Ukrainian lonboard, after allegedly receiving a 5.5 million dollars ransom money.

According to the BBC, pirates armed with rocket-propelled grenades seized the Marida Marguerite in May.

Andrew Mwangura, head of the Kenya-based East African Seafarers’ Assistance Programme, has …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : German chemical tanker with 19 Indians freed by Somali pirates.

LeT, TTP among insurgents teaming up to counter security forces in Pak, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – Increased cooperation among insurgent factions is being reported inside both Afghanistan and Pakistan, as US and NATO officials said they had seen evidence of loose cooperation among militant organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Tehrik-i-Taliban.

Insurgent groups have increasingly been teaming up inside Pakistan, where many of the extremist organizations are based or where their leaders …. Read the original article  : here.

Security stepped up in Mumbai ahead of New Year’s Eve

MUMBAI – Following reports that a cell of militants have entered to disrupt the festive season, Mumbai Police beefed up security.

Police officials tightened security across the city through stringent checks.

Several CCTV cameras have been specially installed at busy traffic intersections and key strategic locations in Mumbai.

According to intelligence inputs, four suspected militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba … Original source on Gaea Times at : Security stepped up in Mumbai ahead of New Year’s Eve.

Flight operations in Delhi remain normal

NEW DELHI – Flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport remained normal for the second day today due to absence of dense fog.

According to Airport officials, though the airport witnessed fog at night and in the morning the runway visibility was good enough for smooth operations.

They said there were no cancellations …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Flight operations in Delhi remain normal.

PLA militant arrested in Imphal

IMPHAL – Security forces arrested a wanted militant of the People’s Liberation army (PLA) here on Tuesday.

Acting on a tip, the Manipur police along with 39 Assam Rifles apprehended the militant from a rented accommodation.

“Following that information, 39 Assam Rifles and police commandos jointly carried out an operation. From a rented house we have apprehended … Original source on Gaea Times at : PLA militant arrested in Imphal.

Vigilance increased along LoC in Kashmir to check infiltration

POONCH – Security personnel in Kashmir have intensified vigilance along the Line of Control (LoC) as they fear infiltration to pick up with the melting of snow at high altitudes.

The Indian Army has stepped up patrolling along the fence and have equipped its units with high-tech devices like powerful night-vision goggles to check any attempts … Read : Vigilance increased along LoC in Kashmir to check infiltration.

Terror alert in Karnataka, police beef up security

BANGALORE – Karnataka has been put on high alert following an intelligence input about Bangalore being under terror threat.

Following a high-level meeting between the Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa and senior police officials, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in time for New Year’s Eve.

“Based on the inputs and the instructions the Chief … Read : Terror alert in Karnataka, police beef up security.