Breaking News – Newsletter for February 17, 2011

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan appears before DRI officials

NEW DELHI – Two days after his release, Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan appeared before the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials here on Thursday.

The DRI on Monday released Rahat, a day after he was detained at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport for possessing illegal foreign currency.

Rahat, however, cannot leave India, as his passport …. Source article  : Rahat Fateh Ali Khan appears before DRI officials.

“Jihadist nuclear-armed Pak worst nightmare for India, US, world”: Riedel

WASHINGTON – A jihadist takeover in Pakistan- which is a “real possibility today”- would have devastating consequences not only for the country but the entire world, and particularly for India, says Bruce Riedel in his new book.

“A jihadist Pakistan would emerge through some combination of violence and intimidation. The simplest way would be another military … Original source on Gaea Times at : “Jihadist nuclear-armed Pak worst nightmare for India, US, world”: Riedel.

Naveen Patnaik urges Maoists to release abducted collector

BHUBANESWAR – Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today urged Maoists to release abducted Malkangiri district collector R Vineel Krishna.

“I appeal for early release of the young and energetic officer who is known for his hard work among the poor and tribals,” Patnaik told reporters.

The government is evaluating all options and monitoring the situation … Read : Naveen Patnaik urges Maoists to release abducted collector.

Six-storey building collapses in Gurgaon

GURGAON – : A six-storey building under construction collapsed in Gurgaon, in New Delhi on Thursday.

Two people were trapped in the debris.

Police and fire brigades were rushed to the spot for rescue operations and relief work.

“We had received a call from a police station around 7.20 in the morning that a building …. Original article  : Six-storey building collapses in Gurgaon.

Wills-Kate choose the same photog for big day as Charles and Camilla

LONDON – Prince William and Kate Middleton have chosen Prince Charles and Camilla’s favourite society photographer Hugo Burnand to take the official pictures of their big day, it has emerged.

Burnand, who took the iconic 60th birthday portrait of Charles and was the official photographer at his marriage to Camilla, was selected to document the royal … Original article on : Wills-Kate choose the same photog for big day as Charles and Camilla.

Antony to visit North-East to review security situation, infrastructure development

NEW DELHI – Concerned over the rapid growth of Chinese infrastructure in the region, Defence Minister AK Antony will be on a two-day visit to the North-East to review the security situation there and the progress of infrastructure development, beginning Friday.

India and China had an accord to reduce tensions along their border to respect …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

PML-N firm that Davis case ‘must be dealt in accordance with law of the land’

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif has said that his party’s stance on the case of double murder-accused US official Raymond Davis is very clear- that the country’s independent judiciary will decide his fate.

Nawaz made these comments while addressing a news conference at the Punjab House after holding a meeting with US Senate … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : PML-N firm that Davis case ‘must be dealt in accordance with law of the land’.

US concerned for Aung San Suu Kyi’s safety after state media’s “tragic end” threat

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is concerned about the safety of Burmese opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi after what it called a “veiled threat” against her in a state-run newspaper article.

U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said that the article suggested that if Suu Kyi proceeds with plans to reconstitute her National League for … Original source on Gaea Times at : US concerned for Aung San Suu Kyi’s safety after state media’s “tragic end” threat.

On bookshelf: History, movies, and a window to India (IANS Books This Week)

NEW DELHI – The book shelf this week is a peppy combination of facts, fictions and human triumph.

1. Book: India: A Traveller’s Literary Companion; Written by Chandrahas Choudhury; Published by Harper Collins; Priced at Rs.399.
What might it be like to encounter a country and its landscape not through a travel guide, or …. Read the original article  : here.

Rajasthan NGO gets special status from UN body

JAIPUR – A Rajasthan NGO, Vaagdhara, which works for the empowerment of impoverished and vulnerable groups in the state, is among 17 from across the world to be granted special consultative status by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The Banswara-based Vaagdhara, established in 1986-87, is one of three from India to be given [..] Read the original article: here.

Abramovich symbolizes ‘rich debauchery’ which has plagued Russia, says Gorbachev

LONDON – Former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev has launched a scathing attack on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, saying that he is a symbol of Russia’s ‘rich debauchery’.

Gorbachev also accused the ruling class in Russia of showing indifference to its people.

“They (the ruling classes) are rich and debauched. Their ideal is to be something …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Abramovich symbolizes ‘rich debauchery’ which has plagued Russia, says Gorbachev.

24 more Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO – : Twenty four more Indian fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Police, taking the total number of arrested Indian fishermen to 136 in the past two days.

The fishermen were apprehended along with their boats on Wednesday by a group of local Sri Lankan fishermen and were later handed over to …. Source article  : 24 more Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka.

TRS MLAs create ruckus in Andhra Assembly

HYDERABAD – Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) MLAs created ruckus in the Assembly today as they allegedly manhandled an MLA of the Loksatta party, Jayaprakash Narayan, for not supporting statehood for Telangana.

Earlier, TRS and TDP MLAs disrupted Governor ESL Narasimhan’s speech on the opening day of the Budget Session. They tried to tear his speech copy …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : TRS MLAs create ruckus in Andhra Assembly.

School van falls into canal in Kerala, five dead

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – At least four kindergarten children and a woman attender of a private school were killed after their van fell into a canal at Chakkai area in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.

The children and the woman were taken out from the Parvathi Puthanar canal by local rescuers and rushed to a hospital, where they were …. Source  : School van falls into canal in Kerala, five dead.

Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown was sexually abused at 10

NEW YORK – Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown has revealed that he was repeatedly sexually abused at age 10 by a male camp counselor.

He said he never told anyone out of shame and fear, and even his mother and wife would be hearing about the molestation for the first time, reports the New York Daily News.

“He …. Read the original article  : here.

Pic of Heinrich Himmler moments after suicide to go under the hammer

LONDON – A previously unseen photograph of Heinrich Himmler, taken minutes after he committed suicide, is all set to go under the hammer next month.

The picture, captured by Lance Corporal Guy Adderley of British Intelligence in May 1945, shows the Nazi second-in-command lying dead after biting a cyanide pill, still wearing his trademark round glasses.

After … Read more : Pic of Heinrich Himmler moments after suicide to go under the hammer.

BA worker plotted ‘to blow up jet’ in ‘John Le Carre moment’ at Heathrow

LONDON – Rajib Karim, 30, charged with terror offences held a secret meeting with an extremist at Heathrow airport in a ‘John Le Carre moment’ to plot blowing up a jet, a court in London has heard.

Karim, who worked with British Airways and an associate carried out the secret operation via encrypted and coded e-mails,The …. Original article  : BA worker plotted ‘to blow up jet’ in ‘John Le Carre moment’ at Heathrow.

Obama calls CBS correspondent Lara Logan after sexual assault

NEW YORK – US President Barack Obama on Wednesday called CBS News correspondent Lara Logan, who was sexually assaulted in Cairo last week while covering Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation, to express his concern for her condition.

“The president called her late this morning and expressed concern for her condition,” a family friend told The New …. Source article  : Obama calls CBS correspondent Lara Logan after sexual assault.

No comments on clean chit to Karmapa Lama: Himachal Chief Minister

DHARAMSALA – : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has said that he has nothing to comment on 17th Karmapa Lama, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, obtaining a clean chit from the Central government agencies vis-???-vis the seizure of huge amount of foreign currency from his monastery.

Interacting with media persons at Dharamsala on Wednesday, he … Read more »».

‘Friends of Grameen Bank’ defend Nobel laureate Yunus from aggressive govt attacks

LONDON – A group of charities led by former Irish President Mary Robinson has come to the defence of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus after the Bangladeshi government asked the Grameen Bank chief to retire as he has reached the normal retirement age for executives at private banks.

The Friends of Grameen group alleges that he has …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Friends of Grameen Bank’ defend Nobel laureate Yunus from aggressive govt attacks.