Breaking News – Newsletter for December 31, 2010

Seoul names chief of national crisis management body

SEOUL – South Korea’s president Friday named Ahn Kwang Chan, a retired Army policy specialist, to head a newly formed crisis management office, set up after perceived shortfalls in dealing with security threats from North Korea.

Ahn, 54, served as head of the defence ministry’s policy bureau and as deputy chief of military strategy …. Original source  : Seoul names chief of national crisis management body.

Malaysian Govt. to set up special counters for Indian community’s identification

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam has said that special counters would bet set up in the country to process identification problems faced by the Indian community.

The Star quoted him as saying that the government would launch a “My Daftar” campaign nationwide from February 19 to 26.

“We would be identifying individuals [..] Read the original article: here.

Afghanistan-based US troops’ families bear brunt of deployment strains

WAUTOMA – The impact of the Afghanistan war is not limited to the soldiers deployed there, but extends to their families back home, who bear the brunt of the psychological and emotional strain of deployments.

The work of war is very much a family affair, as nearly 6 in 10 of the US troops deployed today … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Afghanistan-based US troops’ families bear brunt of deployment strains.

World’s first surviving septuplets celebrate turning 13

LONDON – The world’s first surviving septuplets celebrated their 13th birthday recently.

Kenny, Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Brandon and Joel McCaughey were born to Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey, devout Christians from Carlisle, Iowa, on November 19, 1997.

Doctors had suggested that it would be impossible for the septuplets, who were conceived after their mum took a fertility …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

World’s biggest movie website run by ’self-confessed geek’ from UK house

LONDON – The world’s biggest movie website is run by a ’self-confessed technology geek’ from a house in Britain.

Colin Needham, 43, began the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) in 1990 as a hobby, and despite selling to Amazon he still works as Chief Executive, and runs the website from his former family home in Stoke Gifford, … Read : World’s biggest movie website run by ’self-confessed geek’ from UK house.

Roadside bomb kills 14 civilians in Helmand

KABUL – A minibus packed with civilians, including women and children, was blown apart by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand Province on Thursday, killing 14 passengers and wounding at least four, officials said.

“The minibus was traveling from Sangin to Kandahar City,” The New York Times quoted Dawoud Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Helmand …. Source  : Roadside bomb kills 14 civilians in Helmand.

China backs six-party talks following S. Korea’s indication to ease peninsula tensions

BEIJING – China has reportedly rendered its support yet again for holding six-party talks after South Korea signalled to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

“Talks and negotiations are the only correct and effective approach to solve issues on the Korean Peninsula and realize its long-term peace and stability,” the China Daily quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman … Read : China backs six-party talks following S. Korea’s indication to ease peninsula tensions.

Hundreds of herbal medicines to be banned in UK next year

LONDON – As new European regulations come into force, hundreds of herbal medicines, except for a small number of popular products for ‘mild’ illness, will be banned from being sold in Britain next year.

With just four months to go before the ban is put in place, thousands of patients are set to lose access to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Hundreds of herbal medicines to be banned in UK next year.

Queen becomes great-grandmother for first time

LONDON – The Queen has become a great-grandmother for the first time at the age of 84 – the wife of her grandson Peter Phillips has given birth to a baby girl.

Buckingham Palace has said that the Queen and Prince Philip were ‘delighted’ with the birth of their first great-grandchild, who is 12th in line … Original source on Gaea Times at : Queen becomes great-grandmother for first time.

Texas Christian University teaches about “god Krishna”

NEVADA – Texas Christian University (TCU) in USA, affiliated with Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), offers a course titled “Many Faces of Krishna”, which “considers the many images of the god Krishna”, according to reports.

It (RELI 30753) gives background of Hindu thought and practice and looks into Krishna’s appearance in Mahabharata, including Bhagavad-Gita, and later …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Texas Christian University teaches about “god Krishna”.

Pakistan fighting ‘war on terrorism’ for survival: Shahbaz Sharif

LONDON – No one should be sceptical about the fact that Pakistan is fighting the war on terrorism for its survival, Punjab Chief Minister Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif has said.

“War on terrorism is Pakistan’s own war which should be won at any cost for its survival,” Geo News quoted Shahbaz, as saying to a press conference … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pakistan fighting ‘war on terrorism’ for survival: Shahbaz Sharif.

Girl on iconic ‘Rose the Riveter’ WWII poster dies at 86

NEW YORK – Geraldine Hoff Doyle, who inspired the iconic ‘Rose the Riveter’ WWII poster, has passed away at the age 86 in Michigan.

The poster of a young woman in a factory uniform and red polka dot head kerchief, her arm flexed to show off her muscle with a speech balloon stating boldly, “We can … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Girl on iconic ‘Rose the Riveter’ WWII poster dies at 86.

No foreign troops allowed to conduct ground operation in Pakistan: Athar Abbas

ISLAMABAD – No foreign troops will be allowed to launch any ground offensive in Pakistan’s tribal areas, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Athar Abbas has said.

Talking to a TV channel, Abbas said foreign troops had neither been allowed to conduct ground operation in Pakistan, nor would they be allowed in future.

He also claimed …. Original source  : No foreign troops allowed to conduct ground operation in Pakistan: Athar Abbas.

Yeddyurappa meets Karnataka Governor Bhardwaj, seeks to mend relations

BANGALORE – In an attempt to bury the hatchet over differences regarding corruption issues in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa met Governor HR Bhardwaj here at Raj Bhavan today.

Talking to reporters after meeting, Yeddyurappa said he would meet Bhardwaj once in 15 days as he stressed there should not be any room … Read more >>.

Brit-Indian honeymooner Dewani ‘cleared’ of role in 2nd person’s murder in 2007

CAPE TOWN – Shrien Dewani, the Brit-Indian millionaire accused of conspiring to murder his wife Anni during their honeymoon in Cape Town, has been ‘cleared’ of allegations that he murdered a second person in South Africa by the private investigator hired to re-examine the case.

According to the Daily Mail, Christian Botha has turned down claims …. Original source  : Brit-Indian honeymooner Dewani ‘cleared’ of role in 2nd person’s murder in 2007.

Oliver and Olivia were Britain’s favourite baby names in 2010

LONDON – Oliver and Olivia became the most popular names for kids in UK this year.

Oliver was the most popular boy’s name in 2010, according to a survey of 423,000 children born this year. It knocked Jack into second place after 16 years, reports the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, Olivia remains the most popular girl’s name for …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Oliver and Olivia were Britain’s favourite baby names in 2010.

Indian firms in crisis after RBI bans use of clearing house for Iran oil shipment

NEW DELHI – Indian oil firms are facing a crisis after the Reserve Bank of India’s declaration that they can no longer use the Asian Clearing Union, a clearing house set up by the United Nations in the 1970s, for commerce between Asian countries.

India and Iran share a 11 billion dollar oil and gas trade, …. Source  : Indian firms in crisis after RBI bans use of clearing house for Iran oil shipment.

No price hike at Malaysian mamak shops, Indian restaurants

KUALA LUMPUR – Customers at mamak and Indian restaurants in Malaysia will not be asked to pay more for their teh tarik and roti canai as the two associations representing these eateries have given an assurance they will not hike up their prices despite the increased cost of sugar and cooking gas.

“We have held … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : No price hike at Malaysian mamak shops, Indian restaurants.

China shuts down 60,000 porn sites in 2010 (lead: China porn sites)

BEIJING – A Chinese government spokesman has said that his country has shut down over 60,000 pornographic websites this year, netting almost 5,000 suspects in the process, adding that the campaign against obscene material would continue.

Beijing has run a highly publicized drive against smutty and lewd content on the Internet and cell phones, threatening …. Original source  : China shuts down 60,000 porn sites in 2010 (lead: China porn sites).

Indians on death row in UAE refuse settlement proposal

DUBAI – A proposal to settle the case involving seventeen Indians, who have appealed the death penalty for killing a Pakistani in Sharjah has been refused.

According to their lawyer, the family of the Pakistani man told the court that they were ready to accept compensation, but defendants refused because justice was on their side.

The court …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Indians on death row in UAE refuse settlement proposal.