Breaking News – Newsletter for February 11, 2011

NASA astronaut hopes to stage ‘out of this world’ concert

LONDON – A NASA astronaut is hoping to stage a concert that is literally out of this world, and plans on doing it with the help of Irish band The Chieftains and British band Jethro Tull.

Astronaut Catherine Coleman said she prefers to create music with other people, but unfortunately she is the only flautist among … Read more >>>.

Book on Sachin Tendulkar released in Bangalore

BANGALORE – A book on the life of Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was released here on Thursday.

The book “Sach” is written by Gautam Bhattacharya, who is also a sports journalist said it was tough to write a book on Sachin.

“It’s extremely difficult to write something new about Tendulkar because from the age of sixteen … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Book on Sachin Tendulkar released in Bangalore.

Market catches fire in Mathura

MATHURA – A market in Mathura caught fire on Friday , causing huge losses.

Retailer incurred huge losses as fire engulfed several shops and paddy godowns.

Bhushan Singh, a shopkeeper said: “There was a huge fire in the market. The fire engines did not have enough water to douse fire.”

Six fire engines were used … Read : Market catches fire in Mathura.

Now, super yacht that flies four metres above water at 400 km/h

MELBOURNE – Dreams of sailing and flying at the same time may soon come true, after an Australian designer revealed plans for a yacht that can fly four metres above the water at speeds of up to 400 km/h.

The Ekranoyacht has been designed to “bring the super car flavour to the water”, and it was … Read more >>.

Hundreds of children participate in Narkanda ski championship

NARKANDA – Hundreds of children participated in a skiing Championship on Thursday.

The championship was organised by the mountaineering institute in Narkanda on the occasion of it’s Golden Jubilee.

The director of the mountaineering institute, Randhir Singh Salhuria, said, “The event has been designed as Golden Jubilee Ski Cup for juniors to encourage … Original article on : Hundreds of children participate in Narkanda ski championship.

Michelle Obama wears $35 H and M dress on ‘Today’ show

NEW YORK – US First Lady Michelle Obama reportedly wore a ‘cheap’ dress from H and M on “Today” show.

She dressed in a 35-dollar navy blue dotted dress from the brand’s current collection and accessorized it with a thick orange belt and bold yellow heels, reports StyleList.

This isn’t the first time she’s opted for cheap … Read more : Michelle Obama wears $35 H and M dress on ‘Today’ show.

Clapper downplays criticism that US intel services missed warning signs of turmoil in Egypt

WASHINGTON – US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has rejected criticisms American intelligence services had failed to warn Egypt about the political unrest against President Hosni Mubarak’s rule.

Addressing the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Clapper has said that US intelligence services had done “yeoman’s work” on Egypt, the BBC reports.

He also insisted that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Clapper downplays criticism that US intel services missed warning signs of turmoil in Egypt.

Brit girl, 18, dies from rare heart condition after first kiss with boyfriend

LONDON – A British girl, who shared a first kiss with her boyfriend, is said to have collapsed and died just minutes later from a rare heart condition.

Jemma Benjamin, 18, and fellow university student Daniel Ross, 21, were at his house when they kissed.

“It was not a sexual relationship but we saw each other a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Brit girl, 18, dies from rare heart condition after first kiss with boyfriend.

Trial delayed in Indian American insider trading case

NEW YORK – A federal court judge in Manhattan on Thursday postponed the start date for the securities fraud trial of Galleon Group founder Raj Rajaratnam until March 8.

According to the New York Post, billionaire Rajaratnam has denied that he benefited from inside information passed to him by company insiders, including details about Advanced …. Source  : Trial delayed in Indian American insider trading case.

Tibetans say allegations against Karmapa Lama baseless

DHARAMSALA – Tibetans have said the allegations levelled against 17th Karmapa Lama, Ogyen Trinley Dorje , are baseless.

A Member of Parliament of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Dawa Tsering, said people have full faith in him,

“This incident had definitely defamed him too much and is more like a baseless llegation. This is really very unfortunate. … Read more : Tibetans say allegations against Karmapa Lama baseless.

David Cameron ‘misses driving his Honda CRV’

LONDON – David Cameron has revealed that the only thing he doesn’t like about his job as a Prime Minster is that he doesn’t get to drive his ‘beautiful’ Honda CRV.

Cameron is not allowed to drive his car for security reasons.

The insight came as the premier was answering questions from staff at the car manufacturer’s …. Original article  : David Cameron ‘misses driving his Honda CRV’.

Prince William appointed Colonel of Irish Guards

LONDON – The Queen has appointed her grandson Prince William as the Colonel of the Irish Guards.

It is the Prince’s first honorary appointment in the British Army, and he will be the Irish Guards’ first royal colonel, reports the Telegraph.

The Queen has given her formal approval for the honour, which will see the prince take … Original source on Gaea Times at : Prince William appointed Colonel of Irish Guards.

Rep. Christopher Lee deserved to get caught, says Craigslist woman

NEW YORK – The woman who unknowingly forced Rep. Christopher Lee to quit office says she doesn’t feel bad because she assumes he has a history of cheating on his wife.

“You never get caught the first time,” the New York Daily News quoted the 34-year-old woman as telling TheLoop21, a black issues blog in Washington.

“Chances …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Rep. Christopher Lee deserved to get caught, says Craigslist woman.

Oz man caught filming up women’s skirts at train station

MELBOURNE – A man in Australia has allegedly been caught filming up women’s skirts at Sydney’s Central Railway Station.

The 56-year-old man was spotted using a digital camera to film up the skirts of women as they walked up the stairs to the train platform, News.com.au reported.

The camera was placed on top of his suitcase, and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oz man caught filming up women’s skirts at train station.

Environmentalist Brockovich wants to be an Oz citizen

SYDNEY – Environmental campaigner Erin Brockovich says she will seek to become a dual citizen of Australia and her native US.

Brockovich is so dedicated to green issues in Australia she is planning to apply for dual citizenship.

She said she was drawn to the country by the beauty of the wide brown land and the lush …. Original source  : Environmentalist Brockovich wants to be an Oz citizen.

ULFA is still a banned organisation, says Sashadhar Choudhury

NEW DELHI – ULFA Foreign Secretary Sashadhar Choudhury has said his outfit is still outlawed according to the Indian Constitution and it was upto the Government of India whether it wanted to remove the tag or not.

Addressing a press conference after meeting the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram and Home Secretary Gopal Krishna Pillai, Choudhury … Original article on : ULFA is still a banned organisation, says Sashadhar Choudhury.

Kalaignar TV defends 2G spectrum deal

NEW DELHI – Kalaignar TV, which is owned by the DMK’s first family and is allegedly linked to the 2G scam on Friday clarifying that the channel had nothing to do with 2G money.

In a statement issued here, Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar said: “There is no connection between the spectrum allocation made in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Kalaignar TV defends 2G spectrum deal.

Not an encouraging time for India, Pak to talk: Ex-official

NEW DELHI – Neither India nor Pakistan have much leverage, and both are at ‘wobbly’ political points at home, and for both countries to come up with any landmark agreement or solution to their bilateral problems, is very distant, feels a former Indian foreign secretary.

“The time is bad. Both governments are really wobbly at the …. Original source  : Not an encouraging time for India, Pak to talk: Ex-official.

Pranab Mukherjee promises more rural banks

NEW DELHI – Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said banking services would be rolled out in 20,000 villages which have no banks with a population of over 2,000 by the end of this fiscal as part of the Government’s overall efforts to improve financial services in the country.

Addressing at the launch of a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pranab Mukherjee promises more rural banks.

Indian Air force is looking for fifth generation aircraft

BANGALORE – Air Chief Marshal PV Naik has said that increasing and mordernising the fleet is the primary focus of Indian Air Force (IAF).

Addressing a press conference at the Aero India 2011 here on Thursday, Air Chief Marshal Naik said: “We are looking for a fifth generation aircraft. We are looking for an aircraft which …. Source  : Gaea News Network.