Breaking News – Newsletter for February 13, 2011

India concerned over China’s relationship with Pak : Rao

NEW YORK – Expressing New Delhi’s concerns over Beijing’s relationship with Islamabad, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao underlined that China needs to be more sensitive in its dealings with Pakistan.

During her talk at The New School in New York, Rao said that India was not against Pakistan’s relationship with other countries, but New Delhi … Read more : India concerned over China’s relationship with Pak : Rao.

Pakistan “very satisfied with outcome” of meeting with India at Thimpu

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has expressed its satisfaction with the outcome of the Foreign Secretary-level meeting with India, which was held recently on the sidelines of SAARC meeting at Thimpu.

Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said he held a very constructive meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna at the Indo-Pak bilateral meeting.

“I was assured …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pakistan “very satisfied with outcome” of meeting with India at Thimpu.

Krishna assures all help to duped Tri-Valley University students

NEW YORK – Assuring all help to the duped students of California-based Tri-Valley University (TVU), External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has said that the government through its Embassy in Washington and consulates in America has been working closely with students, who have unfortunately got caught in the scam.

“I must tell you, at the outset …. Source  : Krishna assures all help to duped Tri-Valley University students.

Clinton pressurised me to grant diplomatic immunity to Davis: Qureshi

LAHORE – Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had pressurised him to sign a summary giving diplomatic immunity to double-murder accused American official Raymond Davis, but he refused to oblige.

Talking to officials during his farewell visit to the Foreign Ministry, Qureshi said Clinton had telephoned and … Read more : Clinton pressurised me to grant diplomatic immunity to Davis: Qureshi.

China to cut down smoking scenes in films, TV dramas

NEW DELHI – China’s film and broadcast watchdog has issued a circular ordering to cut down smoking scenes in films and TV dramas.

The decision was taken after complaints last month about the nation’s failure to honor the tobacco-control commitment of the World Health Organization (WHO), reports English.news.cn.

“Frequent smoking scenes in films and TV dramas do …. Original source  : China to cut down smoking scenes in films, TV dramas.

Specially-abled Delhi artists present dance show to promote equality

NEW DELHI – Giving a message of dignity and equality, the specially-abled artists presented colourful dance performance on wheelchairs in New Delhi.

Despite being confined to the wheel chairs, the physically disabled performers from the charitable organisation Ability Unlimited Foundation held audiences spellbound here on Saturday with their performances.

They have earlier staged shows in Italy, England …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Specially-abled Delhi artists present dance show to promote equality.

Imphal students protest against suspension of classes

IMPHAL – In a bid to re-start the suspended classes, Manipur students taged a protest here to end the ongoing tussle between teachers and the government.

The teachers under the banner of Council of Teachers’ Association (COTA) suspended classes over the demand for the implementation of Sixth Central Pay in total.

Teachers from primary to secondary levels …. Source  : Imphal students protest against suspension of classes.

WB Police seize arms and ammunitions from CPI-M leaders

BURDWAN – West Bengal Police have seized a huge cache of arms and ammunitions from Burdwan district.

The arms recovered were a U.S. made 9 mm pistol, one sten carbine gun, and around 35 rounds of cartridges from the house of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-M) leaders Najim Sekh and Atar Sekh on Saturday.

“We recovered some …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Protests in Siliguri over death of two GJM members

SILIGURI – The recent killing of two Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters triggered off a protest in West Bengal’s Siliguri District.

The enraged GJM activists later called for an indefinite shutdown in the wake of the killings, and held massive protests across the region on Saturday.

The GJM members were killed when the security personnel opened fire … Original article on : Protests in Siliguri over death of two GJM members.

Forest officials rescue 39 smuggled tortoises in Nainital

NAINITAL – Uttarakhand forest officials rescued 39 smuggled tortoises and arrested four smugglers in Nainital.

Acting on a tip off, the forest officials on Saturday carried on a raid and arrested two smugglers, who had kept 37 live tortoises hidden in water tubs and jute bags.

Officials also recovered two more tortoises from two men, who kept … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Forest officials rescue 39 smuggled tortoises in Nainital.

UK scouts’ Kate Middleton kidnapping exercise draws outrage

LONDON – A Scout troop in Britain has been slammed after it staged the mock kidnapping of Prince William’s bride-to-be Kate Middleton by terrorists.

Almost 300 children in Amersham, Bucks, watched in horror as the royal bride-to-be, played by an older scout, was dragged away from her prince by balaclava clad gang, reports the Daily Mail.

Prince … Read more : UK scouts’ Kate Middleton kidnapping exercise draws outrage.

US church’s ‘have more sex’ ads for married couples draws ire

WASHINGTON – A church in the United States has left some people upset by putting up billboards urging married couples to have more sex.

However, lead pastor Heath Mooneyham of Ignite Church, Joplin, Mo., said the message is all about love, and God’s purpose for it, which includes sex, reports ABC News.

The billboards – one of …. Source article  : US church’s ‘have more sex’ ads for married couples draws ire.

US pressure on Pak to free murder-accused Davis will be “counterproductive”: Bashir

ISLAMABAD – Any American pressure on Pakistan to release double-murder accused US diplomat Raymond Davis will be “counterproductive”, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has said.

At a Foreign Office briefing, Bashir noted that the United States and Pakistan had a long history, and said that it was “unthinkable” that a single incident should strain their relationship. …. Read the original article  : US pressure on Pak to free murder-accused Davis will be “counterproductive”: Bashir.

Wills, Kate to spend part of their honeymoon in Scotland?

LONDON – Prince William and Kate Middleton may spend part of their honeymoon at Balmoral, which is in Scotland.

Sources have claimed that the two are likely to visit the Queen’s Scottish estate for a few days before flying to another romantic destination.

“Because William is based in Wales and they are getting married in England, it … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Wills, Kate to spend part of their honeymoon in Scotland?.

Fighter procurement for dummies: Ashley Tellis does it again!

NEW DELHI – Amongst the strategic analysts on the Indo-US horizon, few are as incisive and diligent as Ashley J Tellis. In this context Tellis has the advantages of an Indian background and, consequently, a profound insight into India’s security issues. Uniquely, he is as much at home on Raisina Hill as in Foggy Bottom …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Fighter procurement for dummies: Ashley Tellis does it again!.

NY school brands Justin Bieber fans’ tribute T-shirts ‘gang related’

LONDON – A group of Justin Bieber fans were sent home from a New York City school after their tribute T-shirts to the teen idol were branded ‘gang related.’

The four teenagers had worn them to school before heading to the theatre to see Bieber’s new film, ‘Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.’

When the girls showed up … Read : NY school brands Justin Bieber fans’ tribute T-shirts ‘gang related’.

Musharraf to defy Pak court’s non-bailable arrest warrant in Benazir murder case

LONDON – Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will not comply with a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against him by an Islamabad court over the assassination of ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto, his London spokesman has said.

“No, he won’t be going back for this hearing,” the New York Post quoted Fawad Chaudhry, a spokesman for Musharraf’s All …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Musharraf to defy Pak court’s non-bailable arrest warrant in Benazir murder case.

‘We are trying to seek general autonomy for Tibet’, says Dalai Lama

JAIPUR – Denying the accusations of the Chinese Government, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said that an attempt is being made to seek general autonomy for entire Tibet.

Addressing a gathering on ‘Ethics for the new Millennium’ in Jaipur on Saturday, Dalai Lama said one of the accusations that the Chinese Government has levelled …. Original article  : ‘We are trying to seek general autonomy for Tibet’, says Dalai Lama.

US calls off Afghan-Pak trilateral meeting in retaliation to Davis detention issue

WASHINGTON – The United States has postponed a high-level trilateral meeting among the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan that was scheduled to take place later this month, in what seems to be a retaliation against the continued judicial remand of double-murder accused US diplomat Raymond Davis in Lahore.

The trilateral talks, in which top officials were to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US calls off Afghan-Pak trilateral meeting in retaliation to Davis detention issue.

Chhattisgarh Police arrest two women Maoists

KANKER – Chhattisgarh Police have taken into custody two women Maoists during a search operation in Kanker district.

The security personnel nabbed the ultras near a forest area on Saturday evening.

“During the search, near a forest a group of people was spotted. One of them, who acted as guard, began shouting after seeing the security personnel. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.