Breaking News – Newsletter for February 19, 2011

French journalist found guilty of passing racial comments

PARIS – Eric Zemmour, a well-known commentator and coloumnist for Le Figaro, a French daily newspaper, has been found guilty of inciting racial hatred after passing comments that were hurtful for certain ethnic communities.

The French journalist appeared on a chat show last year and when the question of the French police’s excessive use of stop … Original source on Gaea Times at : French journalist found guilty of passing racial comments.

Hillary Clinton warns Taliban to cut ties with Al-Qaeda

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned the Taliban to cut ties with al-Qaeda or face increased military pressure from the United States and its allies.

In a speech given in New York, Clinton said, “They cannot defeat us. And they cannot escape this choice.”

Currently the US has 78,000 troops in Afghanistan … Read : Hillary Clinton warns Taliban to cut ties with Al-Qaeda.

6???8??? model Amazon Eve hopes to win Guinness world record

NEW YORK – Amazon Eve, named the world’s tallest model by the Federation of World Records, has now set her sights on winning the Guinness world record.

At 6 feet 8 inches, the model is set to take her career to new heights, reports the New York Daily News.

Next month, she’ll go before Guinness World Records … Original source on Gaea Times at : 6′8″ model Amazon Eve hopes to win Guinness world record.

BBC’s busty weather girl told to cover up?

LONDON – A busty BBC weather girl has sparked rumours that she was told to cover up, after she appeared for a later broadcast wearing a jacket.

Rachel Mackley had appeared on the BBC News channel’s early-morning bulletin in a skin-tight top with her assets clearly outlined, but when she appeared at 8am she was wearing … Read more : BBC’s busty weather girl told to cover up?.

Uproar over village pub sign showing Queen in muscle-vest, ‘Phil’ tattoo

LONDON – A sign on the door of Queen’s Arms Hotel in Acomb, Northumberland, which shows the Queen in a black muscle-vest with a tattoo bearing the name ‘Phil’ on her huge forearms, has caused outrage amongst villagers.

Some have branded it ‘distasteful’ and ’sad’, while others have said it amounts to treason.

“I have to say …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Uproar over village pub sign showing Queen in muscle-vest, ‘Phil’ tattoo.

Why you shouldn’t trust someone who scratches his or her nose!

LONDON – Body gestures say a lot about a person – whether they look up or scratch their nose, or even tilt their head.

Now, body language expert Peter Collett, author of the ‘Book Of Tells’ talks about the different gestures people make and what they mean.

SCRATCHING NOSE: When you’re not telling the truth, you instinctively …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Why you shouldn’t trust someone who scratches his or her nose!.

Ferguson eyeing Rooney ‘burst’ ahead of important Premier League games

LONDON – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has urged striker Wayne Rooney to use his ’scissor-kick’ goal, an overhead kick he hit in the derby against Manchester City last week, as his Premier League season’s launchpad.

Rooney has been plagued by a bout of indifferent form this season, and has just six goals to his …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Each district to have a womens’ police station in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – Many aspects of normal civilian life are compromised in Kashmir, as in any area of conflict. But in Kashmir, there is an overlay of this reality with another one; of women being treated with insensitivity, and in extreme cases- violence.There is an inherited tapestry of Kashmir’s societal norms which are discriminatory, that …. Original source  : Each district to have a womens’ police station in Kashmir.

50-plus Brit women cry discrimination against potential employers

LONDON – A new study has revealed that 80 percent of 50-plus British women believe their age has prevented them finding work.

The study by isme.com has revealed that mature Brit women feel they had been overlooked in job interviews or felt they would be unlikely to win new positions.

The study found that women over 50 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 50-plus Brit women cry discrimination against potential employers.

Distrust between Pakistan, Afghanistan “major cause of regional instability”: Clinton

WASHINGTON – The historic distrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains a ‘major cause of instability’ in the region, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has pointed out.

“As we have underscored from the beginning, Pakistan plays a pivotal role. It is a nuclear-armed nation of nearly 170 million people with deep ties and strong interests in …. Source article  : Distrust between Pakistan, Afghanistan “major cause of regional instability”: Clinton.

Americans rate Ronald Reagan as best-ever US President

WASHINGTON – A new poll has found that more Americans identify Ronald Reagan as the best-ever US President than Abraham Lincoln or Franklin Roosevelt.

According to a Gallup poll, when asked to name the president they regard as the greatest in history, Reagan finished first with 19 percent votes.

Reagan had served as the 40th US …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Americans rate Ronald Reagan as best-ever US President.

Sarah Palin’s breastfeeding joke backfires

WASHINGTON – Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s joke about breastfeeding seems to have backfired, especially since it is a universally agreed-upon problem.

Palin, 47, had while speaking at the Long Island Association, a business group in New York, weighed in on the debate over President Barack Obama’s citizenship, reportedly saying it is “distracting”.

“It gets annoying. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sarah Palin’s breastfeeding joke backfires.

US Navy’s new record setting laser can down cruise missiles in seconds

WASHINGTON – The US Navy has set a new world record, by coming up with a new type of laser that can shoot cruise missiles from the sky in seconds, with greater accuracy.

In co- ordination with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the scientists injected a sustained 500 kilovolts (kV) of juice into a … Original article on : US Navy’s new record setting laser can down cruise missiles in seconds.

Two Maoists arrested by Police in West Midnapore

WEST MIDNAPORE – West Bengal Police has taken into its custody two Maoists and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition.

After the arrest of the two Maoists on Friday, the police said most of the arms and ammunitions they seized were looted from camps of the joint forces.

“The operation was mainly conducted in and …. Source article  : Two Maoists arrested by Police in West Midnapore.

Man kills daughter’s lover for family honour in Bijnor

BIJNOR – In yet another case of honour killing, the family members of an upper-caste girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor District killed a boy of a Dalit family, with whom she was in a relationship.

The body of the boy named Atul Kumar was discovered in a field in Bijnor on Thursday.

Atul’s father Mahendra Singh alleged …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Man kills daughter’s lover for family honour in Bijnor.

Malkangiri Collector kidnapping: Maoists extend deadline

BHUBANESWAR – Maoists have extended the two-day deadline indefinitely for the Orissa Government to meet their demands in return for the release of Malkangiri District Collector R V Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi.

The ultras extended the deadline on Friday night following an appeal from the state government even as they exploded a landmine on …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Hard working’ shot US Congresswoman Giffords tells husband her condition is “better”

WASHINGTON – Gabrielle Giffords, the US Democratic Representative who was shot while meeting with her constituents in Tucson, Arizona, is working hard to “speak more and improve,” with reports saying that she had even uttered the word “better” on being asked recently by her husband how she was doing.

“There’s lots of excitement as …. Source  : ‘Hard working’ shot US Congresswoman Giffords tells husband her condition is “better”.

Thousands flock to join Indian Army in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – More than 8,000 Kashmiri young men Saturday thronged a recruitment rally in Kashmir Valley’s Ganderbal district to join the Indian Army.

Braving rain and sleet, the youths reached the Manasbal Sainik School in north Kashmir early morning hoping to join the million-strong army.
The recruitment is being held to recruit soldiers from Srinagar … Read more : Thousands flock to join Indian Army in Kashmir.

Kerala’s Attukala Pongala festival sees 3.5 mn women

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Over 3.5 million women, dressed in brand new clothes and carrying cooking implements, Saturday assembled at this Kerala capital to prepare the offering as part of the famed Attukal Bhagavathi temple’s Pongala festival.

The event takes place on the penultimate day of the 10-day Attukal Pongala festival, which is often referred to as … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Kerala’s Attukala Pongala festival sees 3.5 mn women.

Ponting, Watson carry Aussie hopes of fourth consecutive World Cup win: Clark

SYDNEY – Former Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark reckons that the key to success in the World Cup will the ability of captain Ricky Ponting and all-rounder Shane Watson to stand up when the heat is on.Ponting is Australia’s most experienced player and the most adept at handling sub-continental conditions. Many wonder whether age is … Original article on : Ponting, Watson carry Aussie hopes of fourth consecutive World Cup win: Clark.