Breaking News – Newsletter for February 20, 2011

Michelle Obama, with daughters, skiing in Colorado

WASHINGTON – US First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters, Malia and Sasha, are on a private family trip to Colorado.

They left the White House on Friday evening for the weekend ski trip to Vail, Colo.

According to White House aides, President Obama, who spent Thursday and Friday meeting with technology executives on the West Coast, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Military rulers demand apology from Suu Kyi’s party for supporting western sanctions

MYANMAR – Burma’s military rulers have demanded an apology from pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party for backing western sanctions, which it said were restricting development in the country.

They said: “The National League for Democracy party (NLD) have to mend their ways, begging public pardon for the acts they have breached in their interests, … Read more »»».

Cathay Pacific accused of racism after refusing job to Muslim worker

LONDON – Algerian born Salim Zakhrouf (38), a Muslim airport worker, has accused Cathay Pacific airline of racism, after he was denied an interview, only to be offered one two days later when he applied again, using a fake British sounding name.

Zakhrouf had applied to Cathay Pacific for a job as a passenger services officer … Read more >>.

Islamic fundamentalists burn brothels in Tunisia

TUNIS – In an attempt to show force, Islamic fundamentalists burnt down a street of brothels in Tunis.

At least three people were injured, when security forces fired in the air on Friday, to disperse a huge crowd of Islamists protesting against a brothel in the capital.

A large number of Islamists had rallied outside the … Original article on : Islamic fundamentalists burn brothels in Tunisia.

Rapists, killers challenge UK govt. over right to benefits

LONDON – The detained rapists and killers in psychiatric hospitals are challenging the British Government in a test case at the European Court of Human Right, demanding for State benefits.

The case will intensify pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron, after he pledged to review Strasbourg’s influence on British law following the row over whether …. Original article  : Rapists, killers challenge UK govt. over right to benefits.

Chinese consumer products popular in Jharkhand

RANCHI – Political issues or the trade imbalance with China notwithstanding, there is a serious ‘Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai’ bonhomie happening in Jharkhand, a region which falls under the V Schedule of the Constitution as having a large tribal (ST) community.|

Politics makes strange bedfellows but trade and commercial interests also are great levelers of intellectual, ideological, …. Original article  : Chinese consumer products popular in Jharkhand.

Gordon Brown was billed for 200 breakfasts when he left No 10

LONDON – When the Browns were packing up to leave Downing Street, they were presented with a bill for 200 breakfasts.

In what became famous as the ‘Battle of the Breakfasts’ a refusal by Sarah Brown to bring her husband Gordon Brown morning snacks when he was in his Downing Street study left the couple with …. Original source  : Gordon Brown was billed for 200 breakfasts when he left No 10.

First ever Indian comic-book convention in Delhi

NEW DELHI – India’s first comic book convention has opened in New Delhi, with organisers expecting thousands of fans to prove that the art form is still thriving in the Internet age

The convention aims to bring new talents forward in the comic industry and hopes to attract producers for animation films and television serials based … Read this article on Gaea Times at : First ever Indian comic-book convention in Delhi.

Pakistani singer Rahat Ali Khan, manager fined Rs. 15 lakh

NEW DELHI – Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and his manager Maroof have been fine Rs. 15 lakh in connection with the recovery of undeclared foreign currency from them at the airport in Delhi on February 13.

Earlier, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials questioned the singer extensively to find out where the money came … Read more »»».

“CIA spy” Davis was giving nuclear bomb material to Al-Qaeda, says report

LONDON – Double murder-accused US official Raymond Davis has been found in possession of top-secret CIA documents, which point to him or the feared American Task Force 373 (TF373) operating in the region, providing Al-Qaeda terrorists with “nuclear fissile material” and “biological agents,” according to a report.

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) is warning that the …. Source article  : “CIA spy” Davis was giving nuclear bomb material to Al-Qaeda, says report.

SA Prosecutor calls Brit-Indian honeymooner ‘guilty fugitive’ over wife’s murder

CAPE TOWN – A South African Director of public prosecutions has claimed that Shrien Dewani, the Brit-Indian millionaire accused of masterminding his wife’s murder during their honeymoon in Cape Town last year, is a “fugitive” and guilty of “committing a heinous crime”.’

The Independent quoted Menzi Simelane as saying that Dewani had “murdered his wife when …. Original article  : SA Prosecutor calls Brit-Indian honeymooner ‘guilty fugitive’ over wife’s murder.

Malaysian men getting hitched to foreign women for a price

KUALA LUMPUR – Some Malaysian men are being paid to marry women from China, Vietnam and other neighbouring countries so that these women can obtain visas to stay longer in the country.

The payment involving a larger sum is made in installments and the marriage contract usually lasts for two years, it has been found. Arrangements …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Malaysian men getting hitched to foreign women for a price.

US, Pak working on ‘out of the box’ solution to Davis detention standoff

ISLAMABAD – The United States has revived its high-level engagement with Pakistan after keeping it suspended for almost a fortnight over the diplomatic immunity issue of double murder-accused American official Raymond Davis.

Observers have interpreted the resumption of contacts as an attempt by the US to tone down the rhetoric, so that prospects for a settlement … Original article on : US, Pak working on ‘out of the box’ solution to Davis detention standoff.

Brit-Indian bride was ’sexually assaulted before being gunned down’ in Cape Town

CAPE TOWN – New evidences in the murder case of Anni Dewani, the Indian-origin bride who was killed during her honeymoon in Cape Town last year, has indicated that the victim was sexually assaulted before being gunned down by the abductors.

The Telegraph quoted a witness who had seen Dewani’s body lying on the back … Read more »».

UK to let in 20,000 skilled Indians yearly bypassing government’s new immigration caps

LONDON – Britain would reportedly allow thousands of Indians to enter the country every year under a European Union (EU) trade deal.

The multibillion-pound EU India Free Trade Agreement, which was initiated by former Trade Commissioner Lord Mandelson in 2007, and is expected to be signed by the end of June, will allow Indian workers, …. Original article  : UK to let in 20,000 skilled Indians yearly bypassing government’s new immigration caps.

Speaker to hold all party meet ahead of Budget session

NEW DELHI – Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will hold an all-party meet today, a day before the commencement of the Budget session of Parliament.

According to reports, the leaders will discuss the constitution of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

The speaker will also hold a customary luncheon meeting here with the leaders of various … Read more »»».

ISI declares war on CIA following Davis double murder incident

LAHORE – Pakistan’s premier spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has hardened its stance against US’ Central Intelligence Agency following the Raymond Davis incident in Lahore on January 27.

While the US official confessed to shooting dead two men in Lahore, allegedly in self-defence, a third Pakistani was struck and killed by another vehicle that was reportedly … Read more »»».

No shifts in J.K chief ministerships: Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR – Union Cbinet Minister and National conference leader, Farooq Abdullah, has said that there will be no change of chief ministership in Jammu and Kashmir for next three years.

“There have been lots of vibrations that have been going on at various times that there is going to be a change in the governance of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : No shifts in J.K chief ministerships: Farooq Abdullah.

Wills-Kate invite 1,900 guests to their royal wedding

LONDON – Around 1,900 guests will witness Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange wedding vows on April 29.

More than half are family and friends of the royal couple, according to St James Palace.

Their names have not been released but the Westminster Abbey service is expected to feature leading UK politicians, foreign dignitaries, charity workers … Original article on : Wills-Kate invite 1,900 guests to their royal wedding.

Qureshi’s diatribe against US policy, Pak leadership following ouster as Foreign Minister

MULTAN – Having nothing to lose after having already been ousted as Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi has lambasted the United States over a number of matters, and also revealed that he was asked to keep silent on the Raymond Davis issue.

US national Davis was arrested last month for shooting two men on … Read : Qureshi’s diatribe against US policy, Pak leadership following ouster as Foreign Minister.