Breaking News – Newsletter for January 19, 2011

Zorilla Makes Viewers Curious

LOS ANGELES (GaeaTimes.com)- A rarely seen small animal made its appearance in the latest episode of Late Night with David Letterman show and its name made the viewers curious. The word Zorilla may give the impression that it is a mix of zebra and gorilla but in reality it is not so. The …. Original article  : Zorilla Makes Viewers Curious.

Pakistan considering US guards for Zardari

ISLAMABAD – Special security guards from the US are now being considered for Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari following the assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer by one of his own security men, a media report said.

The Express Tribune quoted sources as saying that though Zardari’s security has always been cause of concern …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pakistan considering US guards for Zardari.

Hu faces ‘more assertive’ America on his visit over trade-currency-HR violation concerns

WASHINGTON – Chinese President Hu Jintao might have arrived Washington with a view to improve bilateral ties between the two nations ahead of his retirement in 2012, but is likely to face a ‘more assertive’ America in the wake of serious concerns relating to currency, the trade imbalance, human rights and China’s military stance, political … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Hu faces ‘more assertive’ America on his visit over trade-currency-HR violation concerns.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee meets Chidambaram, discusses Naxal activities

NEW DELHI – West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee met Union Minister P Chidambaram here today after the two leaders exchanged a series of letters on the law and order situation in the state.

Bhattacharjee is likely to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later in the day.

Earlier, Chidambaram had sent a letter to Bhattacharjee asking him …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee meets Chidambaram, discusses Naxal activities.

India to install ‘Asia’s first commercial-scale tidal power station’ in Gujarat

NEW DELHI – India is planning to install Asia’s first commercial-scale tidal power station off the coast of Gujarat.

Atlantis Resources, a UK engineering firm specializing in underwater turbines, would install a 50MW tidal farm in the Gulf of Kutch, and begin the construction works early in 2012, the BBC reports.

The Indian project would …. Original article  : India to install ‘Asia’s first commercial-scale tidal power station’ in Gujarat.

US releases 2009 Obama gift list

LONDON – Leaders from around the world gave US President Barack Obama and his family hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts in the year 2009.

Saudi King Abdullah was one of the top givers with nearly 190,000 dollars in gifts to the Obamas, reports the BBC.

Ex-UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave Obama a pen and … Original source on Gaea Times at : US releases 2009 Obama gift list.

Krishna visit: India asks Australia for uranium to end energy shortages

MELBOURNE – Visiting External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna met Australia’s Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson, on Wednesday, and sought Canberra’s help for providing uranium to resolve India’s energy demands.

Krishna is in Melbourne to attend the third round of the India-Australia Framework Dialogue with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd on Thursday.

His visit is aimed …. Source  : Krishna visit: India asks Australia for uranium to end energy shortages.

Chhattisgarh seeks waiver on anti-Maoist forces expenditure

RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh, reeling under Maoist militancy for about three decades, has sought about Rs.800 crore waiver after the central government asked it to meet the expenditure incurred on para-military troopers deployed in the state, sources said Wednesday.

“The expenditure incurred by the central government on central para-military forces (CPMF) deployed in the state to … Read : Chhattisgarh seeks waiver on anti-Maoist forces expenditure.

Paul Cezanne Birthday Celebrated By Google

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- Google the Internet search giant is known for making changes to its well known logo on its home page from time to time. The changed logo is usually called Doodle and Google comes up with new and unique doodles on certain occasions like anniversary or birthdays of noted personalities. At times [..] Read the original article: here.

Florida community website targeted by Iranian hackers

FLORIDA – Pro-Iranian hackers have targeted the website of a beach community in Florida.

The website for Hilllsboro Beach displayed a picture of Iran, the flag of the country, and the mysterious words “MCSM Iran Hacking”.

Town officials were unclear whether the hacks were the work of a local prankster or if the Iranian government …. Original source  : Florida community website targeted by Iranian hackers.

Omar Abdullah meets Chidambaram ahead of BJP’s ekta yatra

NEW DELHI – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Home Minister P. Chidambaram today ahead of the BJP’s planned ‘ekta yatra in the state.

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) national president Anurag Thakur is leading the Rashtriya Ekta Yatra – flagged off on January 12 at Kolkata and scheduled to reach Srinagar on January …. Source article  : Omar Abdullah meets Chidambaram ahead of BJP’s ekta yatra.

Rapist school bus driver in Dubai lured Indian girl, 4, with chocolate

DUBAI – The Indian mother of a four-year-old girl, who was sexually assaulted in a school bus in Dubai, has alleged that the driver lured her daughter to the back seat of the bus by offering her chocolate.

According to the public prosecution, the driver and two conductors, who are employees of Modern High School, abused …. Source  : Rapist school bus driver in Dubai lured Indian girl, 4, with chocolate.

NY court begins trial of Pak-American TV executive accused of beheading wife

NEW YORK – A New York court has started hearing the case of a Pakistani-origin television executive charged with beheading his wife after she filed for diverse.

Opening statements in the second-degree murder trial of Muzzammil Hassan began yesterday in Erie County Court in Buffalo, New York.

The Pakistani-born couple had reportedly set up a pro-Muslim … Read more : NY court begins trial of Pak-American TV executive accused of beheading wife.

Cheney steers clear of Palin’s US President dreams

WASHINGTON – Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has steered clear of questions on former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s prospects in the 2012 Presidential run.

When asked whether he thought Palin was qualified, Cheney said that he is “not going to get into the business … of saying this one is, this one isn’t”.

The former Vice …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Average Brit couple argues 312 times a year

LONDON – A new survey has revealed that the average Brit couple argues nearly every day – 312 times a year – mostly over the cleanliness of the house.

Minor irritations such as leaving wet towels on the bed, flicking between TV channels and hoarding bits and bobs cause most of the bust-ups.

Those little annoying habits …. Read the original article  : Average Brit couple argues 312 times a year.

US focussing on “possible discriminatory applications” of Pak’s blasphemy law: Posner

WASHINGTON – In the wake of the controversy surrounding Pakistan’s blasphemy law, US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy and Human Rights Michael H. Posner has said the United States believes that people should be free to practice their religion, and is focussed on “possible discriminatory applications of the law”.

“We are reluctant to prescribe changes … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US focussing on “possible discriminatory applications” of Pak’s blasphemy law: Posner.

Kirpan carrying Sikhs barred from entering Quebec legislature

QUEBEC – Four Sikhs invited to appear before a Quebec legislative committee to debate a bill that deals with the reasonable accommodation of religious minorities, were barred from entering the National Assembly building after metal detectors discovered that they were carrying kirpans.

Security agents ruled that the kirpans, or ceremonial daggers, they carried were a potential …. Source  : Kirpan carrying Sikhs barred from entering Quebec legislature.

Haiti charges ex-dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier with corruption

Port-au-PRINCE – Authorities in Haiti have charged former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier with corruption, theft and misappropriation of funds, two days after he made an unexpected return to his homeland after 25 years in exile in France.

However, a judge must still decide whether the indictment can go forward.

The charges come after Duvalier spent over four hours … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Haiti charges ex-dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier with corruption.

Telangana state row heats up in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD – Reiterating its demand for the formation and recognition of a separate Telangana state, the Telangana Rashtriya Samithi (TRS) called for a series of hunger strikes and protests in the coming weeks to strengthen the movement.

Intensifying the simmering stir, senior TRS leaders met here to discuss the strategy and plans for the strikes.

Hundreds of …. Read the original article  : here.

Britain moves order to ban ‘Pakistani Taliban’ in UK

LONDON – Britain has moved an order to ban the Pakistani Taliban as a terrorist group, making it illegal to raise funds in the United Kingdom.

“I have laid an order which will proscribe Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan,” the Daily Mail quoted Home Secretary Theresa May, as saying.

“Proscription is a tough but necessary power to tackle terrorism … Read : Britain moves order to ban ‘Pakistani Taliban’ in UK.