Breaking News – Newsletter for January 13, 2011

Five-hour-long London shop siege ends

LONDON – A man who threatened to blow himself up after barricading himself in a central London shop overnight has been arrested following a five-hour stand-off with police.
Large parts of central London remained closed to commuters this morning as police aimed to ensure there was no threat … Read : Five-hour-long London shop siege ends.

Fisherman killing: India registers formal complaint with Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI – India has formally lodged a protest with the Sri Lankan Government over its navy opening fire on Indian fishermen near the Tamil Nadu coast.

“We have received reports of the death of an Indian fisherman due to firing by Sri Lankan Navy personnel. Our High Commissioner …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Obama urges Americans to debate Tucson shooting ‘in a way that heals’

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama has urged Americans to draw a lesson from the lives of the Tucson shooting victims and the actions of the heroes and to usher in a new era of civility in their honor.

US Representative Gabrielle Giffords, and 18 others were shot on January … Original source on Gaea Times at : Obama urges Americans to debate Tucson shooting ‘in a way that heals’.

Now, parliamentarians fake attendance scam surfaces in Pak Punjab Assembly

LAHORE – Following the fake degree scam involving scores of Pakistani lawmakers, a new scandal of fake attendances by some parliamentarians has surfaced in the Punjab Assembly.

After it was disclosed that about 22 legislators, including seven women, had made fake attendances during the Assembly’s present session, PA Acting …. Read the original article  : Now, parliamentarians fake attendance scam surfaces in Pak Punjab Assembly.

‘Golden voice’ homeless man turned announcer Williams headed to rehab

WASHINGTON – Voice-over artist Ted Williams, who had been a homeless man before he turned announcer for MSNBC, is set to check himself into rehab.

Williams, 53, who quickly became a YouTube sensation after a video showcasing his golden voice went viral, admitted on ‘Dr. …. Read the original article  : here.

UK teacher fired for writing novel on students’ sexual fantasies

LONDON – A female teacher in Britain has been fired after she wrote a novel that detailed her pupils’ sexual fantasies, truancy and even a criminal drug den beneath the school.

Leonora Rustamova, 40, known as Miss … Original source on Gaea Times at : UK teacher fired for writing novel on students’ sexual fantasies.

MoD warns Brit women soldiers ‘boozing will make their Bums Look Big’

LONDON – Female soldiers in Britain have been warned through an advert by the Ministry of Defence that they will end up with large bottoms if they do not drink sensibly.

The new advert, which targets their vanity in a bid to improve health, was …. Original source  : MoD warns Brit women soldiers ‘boozing will make their Bums Look Big’.

Brit council orders staff to seek written permission prior to office romance!

LONDON – A council in Britain has told its workers that they should apply in writing if they want to conduct a relationship with a colleague from the same office.

Fenland District Council proposed a policy under which “intimate behaviour during work time” could be classed as gross …. Source  : Brit council orders staff to seek written permission prior to office romance!.

Seething Hamza forced back into jail cell in UK

LONDON – Jailed hate preacher Abu Hamza was forced back into his cell by prison officers after refusing an order to return.

Police at the Belmarsh Prison rejected fellow rabble-rouser Anjem Choudary’s charge that hook-handed Hamza had been beaten up by prison guards.

“To say he was ill-treated is complete rubbish,” … Read : Seething Hamza forced back into jail cell in UK.

Porn stars to take part in Cambridge University Union debate

LONDON – Three porn stars will be the guest speakers in an X-rated debate at the Cambridge University.

The groundbreaking debate that will discuss the question, ‘This house believes that pornography does a good public service,’ will be held on February 17 in the Cambridge Union Society’s historic …. Source article  : Porn stars to take part in Cambridge University Union debate.

Makar Sankranti Breather For Onion?

DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The residents of various states of India including the Northern ones are worried whether the price of onion would go down before the festival of Makar Sankranti. In a breather to the residents of the Indian capital the Delhi onion traders agreed to call off the strike after the CM assured … Read more »».

Asians awarded for their work on human development

BANGKOK – Journalists from Bhutan and India and researchers from Indonesia and Vietnam have been recognized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their work on women’s status in the region and climate change, themes that are central to progress on human development.

This year two journalists and two researchers have been awarded fellowships … Read : Asians awarded for their work on human development.

Samjhauta blast: Aseemanand sent to judicial custody till Jan. 27

PANCHKULA – A Panchkula court on Thursday sent Samjhauta blasts key accused Swami Aseemanand to judicial custody till January 27.

Earlier today, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) produced Aseemanand before the court here at end of the period for which they were granted his custody.

As per reports, the NIA sought further remand of Aseemanand, who … Read more »».

Abused, beaten Indian workers in Malaysia seek refuge with NGO

KUALA LUMPUR – Thirteen Indian nationals working in Malaysia have sought refuge with a non-governmental group, claiming that their employer has been abusing them.

The men, who are working in an Indian restaurant in Subang Jaya, sought help from Alternative Action Team president B. Kalaivanar, the Malaysia Nanban reports.

Worker S. Thirusool, 32, said the men, most …. Read the original article  : Abused, beaten Indian workers in Malaysia seek refuge with NGO.

83 pc of deaths from earthquakes occurred in corrupt nations: Study

LONDON – A new study has shown that 83 percent of all deaths caused by the collapse of buildings during earthquakes occurred in countries considered to be unusually corrupt.

The new assessment of global earthquake fatalities over the past three decades also found that in some relatively wealthy countries where knowledge and sound business practices would … Read more : 83 pc of deaths from earthquakes occurred in corrupt nations: Study.

Delhi traders, consumers hoping for stable onion prices

NEW DELHI – Onion traders and consumers in New Delhi are hoping for normal prices after weeks of being forced to buy vegetables in low quantities because of high prices.

Azadpur Mandi, Delhi’s main wholesale vegetable market, opened today, a day after traders went on strike in protest against income tax raids.

Consumers expressed relief over the … Read more >>.

Illinois Tax Increase Sparks Reactions

SPRINGFIELD (GaeaTimes.com)- Faced with a huge budget deficit, Illinois resorted to a significant hike in Corporate tax and Income tax. This hike comes at a time when the economy of the state is still grappling with the ripple effect of economic recession. Prodded by the democrats ruling state the state legislature gave its nod …. Original article  : Illinois Tax Increase Sparks Reactions.

Youth throng to Srinagar police recruitment rally

SRINAGAR – Thousands of youngsters turned up at a police recruitment rally here on Wednesday to fill 300 police constable vacancies.

The on-the-spot recruitment drive was specially launched for the old Srinagar and was organised in Khanyar area which often witnesses’ violent protests and stone-pelting incidents between youth and policemen.

Kuldeep Khuda, Director General of Jammu and …. Original source  : Youth throng to Srinagar police recruitment rally.

Jharkhand police nabs five Maoists in Ranchi

RANCHI – Jharkhand police have arrested five Maoists, including two women.

Acting on a tip off, police nabbed the Maoists on charges of giving shelter to People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) members.

Talking to media, Rezi Dungdung, Inspector General of Police of the Jharkhand Zone, said the arrested Maoists were accused of killing around 10 tribals … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Jharkhand police nabs five Maoists in Ranchi.

Maoist camp busted in Bijapur

BIJAPUR – In a joint operation, the state police and the paramilitary forces busted a camp of Maoists in the Kutru region of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur District on Wednesday.

B P Rajbhanu, Additional Superintendent of Police, Bijapur said that the Maoists rebel ran away after a fierce gun battle with the security personnel for nearly 30 minutes.

“Police … Read more : Maoist camp busted in Bijapur.