Breaking News – Newsletter for January 15, 2011

Achuthanandan orders judicial probe into Kerala stampede

VANDIPAERIYAR – Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on Saturday announced a judicial probe into the stampede that claimed around 104 lives and left over 60 others injured near Vandipaeriyar on Friday night.

The Chief Minister, who flew down by a helicopter to Kumali where the bodies of the victims were brought, also announced Rs five … Original article on : Achuthanandan orders judicial probe into Kerala stampede.

Imam associated with Ground Zero mosque bows out as leader of project

NEW YORK – The controversial imam, Feisal Abdul Rauf, who was the public face of an Islamic community center planned near Ground Zero, has bowed out as the religious leader of Park51.

Imam Abdullah Adhami, 44, will be taking on the role of senior adviser.

Adhami will be one of a number of Muslim clerics involved in …. Original source  : Imam associated with Ground Zero mosque bows out as leader of project.

Malaysian assemblyman apologises for using ‘racial slurs’ against Indian restaurateur

GEORGE TOWN – A Malaysian legislator Ng Wei Aik has apologised to the Indian owner of a nasi kandar restaurant over his rough conduct during an enforcement operation at the restaurant 12 days ago.

Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik, however, stopped short of apologising for the racial slur “Tutup kedai, balik India”, he is alleged …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Malaysian assemblyman apologises for using ‘racial slurs’ against Indian restaurateur.

Brit troops allegedly sent to Afghanistan to avoid reduction in size of army

LONDON – Britain’s former Special Representative to Afghanistan, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, has said that British troops were sent to Afghanistan simply to avoid a reduction in the size of the Army as operations in Iraq reduced.

Sir Sherard said General Richard Dannatt told him “that if he didn’t use in Afghanistan the battle groups starting to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Brit troops allegedly sent to Afghanistan to avoid reduction in size of army.

Zodiac Signs Changes 2011 Predictions?

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- Rumors are abuzz that the already made predictions for the New Year are going to be altered soon! It is because the manner in which astrologers till now have been deciphering the celestial changes affecting the zodiac signs, is supposedly not the right one. A recent discovery by the Minnesota Planetarium Society … Read more »»».

Vijay Mallya ‘hand-carries century old bottles of whisky to Glasgow’

WELLINGTON – Indian liquor baron Vijay Mallya jetted into Christchurch to hand-carry three bottles of whisky, left from British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1907 Antarctic expedition, to Glasgow.

The bottles of Mackinlay whisky were among three crates that remained of the expedition, and [..] Read the original article: here.

Obama to press China to dismantle suppressing free speech, political freedom’

WASHINGTON – Just days after US Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ visit to China over improving the relationship between the two nations, President Barack Obama is reportedly risking destabilizing bi-lateral ties by looking for ways of convincing Chinese … Read : Obama to press China to dismantle suppressing free speech, political freedom’.

Latif Khosa offers cooperation to PML-N through reconciliation process

LAHORE – Newly-appointed Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa has made an offer of cooperation and “cordial relations” to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as part of the reconciliation policy adopted by the Pakistan People’s Party.

Khosa said that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Latif Khosa offers cooperation to PML-N through reconciliation process.

Branson’s stint as stewardess put on hold after he injures his knee

KUALA LUMPUR – Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson has gained some time from having to dress as an AirAsia X stewardess after he injured his knee.

Branson, 60, had lost a bet to AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes and had been scheduled to serve as … Read : Branson’s stint as stewardess put on hold after he injures his knee.

Brit girl speaks out against Asian sex gang predator who was her lover

LONDON – A British girl has come forward to reveal the ordeal she went through at the hands of her ex-lover, a British-born man of Pakistani origin, who orchestrated the biggest sex-abuse ring ever in UK.

Toni-Marie Redfern thought she had …. Source  : Brit girl speaks out against Asian sex gang predator who was her lover.

Experts decipher Burmese letter to King George II after more than 250yrs

LONDON – Experts have finally deciphered a letter made from pure gold that was sent to King George II from a Burmese king in 1756.

Sent by King Alaungphaya, the letter was an effusive and gushing appeal for camaraderie and trade with Britain.

But although engraved on …. Source  : Experts decipher Burmese letter to King George II after more than 250yrs.

Army chief disfavours using force frequently for civil aid

NEW DELHI – Indian Army chief General V.K. Singh is not in favour of the armed force being frequently deployed to aid the civil society, saying it is like “palming off” the civil government’s responsibility to the army.

He, however, said the army as part of the task assigned by the nation has the role …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Army chief disfavours using force frequently for civil aid.

Separatist shutdown, heavy snowfall hit life in Srinagar

SRINAGAR – Life across summer capital Srinagar was affected by a shutdown called Saturday by senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, although most people preferred to remain indoors due to overnight heavy snowfall and biting chill.

Geelani was placed under house arrest by the authorities Friday in his uptown Hyderpora residence to prevent …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Separatist shutdown, heavy snowfall hit life in Srinagar.

Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal with sweet dish and thanksgiving

CHENNAI – The aroma of ghee and fried cashew wafted through homes in Tamil Nadu as people cooked the traditional Chakarai Pongal dish – made with rice, jaggery and milk – to celebrate the harvest festival of Pongal Saturday.

The four-day festival thanking the rain, the sun and farm animals is a mini Diwali – … Read : Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal with sweet dish and thanksgiving.

US foundation urges Indian honour for Rock Garden creator

CHANDIGARH – A US-based foundation has urged the Indian government to honour the creator of Chandigarh’s famous Rock Garden with the country’s second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan.

The Nek Chand Foundation, based in Madison, Wisconsin, recently wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek his personal intervention so that Rock Garden creator Nek …. Original source  : US foundation urges Indian honour for Rock Garden creator.

Arizona gunman posed in G-string with semi-automatic pistol before attack

TUCSON – US officials have revealed that they have photos of the suspected Arizona shooter posing with a Glock semi-automatic pistol while wearing a red G-string a night before the rampage

Six people were killed and 13 were injured, including Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, when 22-year-old Jared L. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Arizona gunman posed in G-string with semi-automatic pistol before attack.

Tunisian President Ben Ali’s departure over massive protests- a “lesson” for Arab leaders

BEIRUT – Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s act of fleeing the country amidst massive protests is seen by political observers, including media persons, as a historic day in Arab politics and triumph of the common people who have shown that such an extensive outrage can …. Read the original article  : Tunisian President Ben Ali’s departure over massive protests- a “lesson” for Arab leaders.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Catriona’ based on real woman ‘he loved’

LONDON – A new research has concluded that Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel ‘Catriona’ was based on a real woman the author fell in love with.

The work continues the story of Stevenson’s Kidnapped hero David Balfour, who falls for and eventually marries the eponymous heroine.

Author Jeremy Hodges …. Source  : Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Catriona’ based on real woman ‘he loved’.

Princess Di’s niece charged with assaulting man on crutches in burger bar

LONDON – Princess Diana’s niece Lady Amelia Spencer, 18, has been charged with assaulting a man on crutches during a row in a burger queue, it has emerged.

Spencer apparently launched a volley of abuses followed by assault in the small … Read more >>.

Nude Indian artist a hit at art exhibition in Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR – A male Indian artist who poses in the nude is a hit at an art exhibition in Singapore.

Venkanna, from Hyderabad in India, was featured as part of a “performance” at the Art Stage Singapore exhibition being held at Marina Bay Sands until Sunday, reports the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Nude Indian artist a hit at art exhibition in Singapore.