Breaking News – Newsletter for February 22, 2011

Egypt allows Iranian warships through Suez Canal

CAIRO/JERUSALEM – Authorities in Egypt Tuesday allowed two Iranian warships to pass through the Suez Canal in the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, security sources in Cairo said.

The Iranian naval vessels, the first to enter the canal in some three decades, were reportedly bound for Syria.
Egypt granted permission days earlier for the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Malkangiri Collector abduction: Mediators hold talks with Maoist leader in jail

BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa government on Tuesday brought a top Maoist leader Ganti Prasadam to speed up the negotiation process for the safe release of a Malkangiri District Collector R. Vineel Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi.

Soon after Prasadam was brought here from Koraput jail, mediators Prof G Hargopal and Dandapani Mohanty met him at …. Original source  : Malkangiri Collector abduction: Mediators hold talks with Maoist leader in jail.

Bhopal will be renamed Bhojpal

BHOPAL – Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh may soon be renamed as ‘Bhojpal’.

The city is set to get a new name, after the famous Indian king Raja Bhoj known for his wisdom.

Local leaders told reporters that this proposal would be tabled before the State’s legislature for endorsement and enactment.

“We believe that if Bhopal is … Read more »»».

JuD comes out in open, pressurizing victims’ family in Raymond Davis case

LAHORE – The front organization of the hardcore banned terror group Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD), is organizing countrywide strikes and pressurizing families of the two people allegedly murdered by American Raymond Davis not to strike any deals that would allow for Davis’ release.

Hundreds of people led by JuD leaders marched from Chauburji to the Qurtaba …. Original source  : JuD comes out in open, pressurizing victims’ family in Raymond Davis case.

Godhra verdict: 31 convicted, 63 acquitted

AHMEDABAD – A special court in Ahmedabad on Tuesday given verdict in the 2002 Godhra train burning case, convicting 31 under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and acquitting 63 of those accused.

The quantum of judgment will be announced on February 25.

Special Public Prosecutor JM Panchal said that the court upheld the … Original article on : Godhra verdict: 31 convicted, 63 acquitted.

Aurangabad Medical College vandalized over poor facilities

AURANGBAD – Medical students in Aurangabad vandalized their college and hostel property while protesting against the lack of facilities in campus.he students of the government run institution complained that college provided no security to students and lacked basic facilities such as clean drinking water, sanitation, electricity and proper food.

“As you can see, this place is … Read more >>.

One migrant a minute landed in the UK under Labour regime

LONDON – Research has shown that when immigration was at its peak before 2009, one immigrant legally moved to the UK every minute.

According to the Daily Express, net migration quadrupled as a result and soared to 3.2 million foreigners under the previous Labour regime.

About 697,000 migrants came from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh over the last …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : One migrant a minute landed in the UK under Labour regime.

US woman, 95, sets new 60m-sprint record after training in her hallway

LONDON – A woman in the US has set a new 60m-sprint record at the age of 95.

Pensioner Ida Keeling, from New York, set a new world best for her age group with a time of 29.86 seconds on the track, and she did it while running alongside girls a quarter of her age.

“I feel …. Source  : US woman, 95, sets new 60m-sprint record after training in her hallway.

Muslim men slashed UK teacher’s face for ‘teaching other religions to our sisters’: Court hears

LONDON – Four Muslim men had brutally attacked a school teacher, slashing his face and leaving him with a fractured skull, in London for giving lessons to Muslim girls about other religions, a court here has heard.

Akmol Hussein, 26, Sheikh Rashid, 27, Azad Hussain, 25, and Simon Alam, 19, attacked Gary Smith with …. Read the original article  : here.

Pak, US differ on applicability of international laws in Davis case

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has made it clear that the case of Raymond Davis, an American national who murdered two Pakistani citizens in Lahore, will be decided by the judiciary and applicability of international and national laws will be taken into account.

Delivering a policy statement on the Davis’ issue in the National Assembly, Prime Minister …. Read the original article  : Pak, US differ on applicability of international laws in Davis case.

Guide on how to shoplift by Brit university newspaper angers retailers

LONDON – A guide on the “art of shoplifting” produced by a university newspaper in Britain has angered retailers who feel it could cost them financially.

The document encourages cash-strapped students to do away with moral concerns and use its step-by-step techniques for stealing.

The guide, which has been produced by student activists from Queen Mary College, …. Original source  : Guide on how to shoplift by Brit university newspaper angers retailers.

Proposed bill may allow students to carry guns in Texas universities

WASHINGTON – Texas lawmakers are considering passing a bill allowing students and academicians in the universities to carry guns on campus, in an attempt to ensure their safety following last month’s Arizona shootings.

If passed, the law would permit half a million students attending the city’s 38 public colleges to carry handguns, The Telegraph reports. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Proposed bill may allow students to carry guns in Texas universities.

MI5 missed opportunity to identify 7/7-terror ringleader over poorly edited picture

LONDON – British Intelligence outfit MI5 missed an opportunity to identify the ringleader of the July 7 bombers as terrorists because a surveilance photograph of him that could have been shown to an overseas al-Qaeda supergrass was poorly edited, the inquest into the 2005 attacks on London’s transport system has heard.

Mohamed Sidique Khan was secretly … Read : MI5 missed opportunity to identify 7/7-terror ringleader over poorly edited picture.

UK Commonwealth Director sacked over racist bullying allegations

LONDON – Mark Collins, the Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, has been sacked from his post over claims that he oversaw an environment of racist bullying at the organisation.

The decision was taken unanimously by the board of the 47-country group, the Daily Mail reports.

Two investigations are already being carried out against him after …. Original article  : UK Commonwealth Director sacked over racist bullying allegations.

Pakistan all set to overtake Britain as world’s fifth largest nuke power

LONDON – Pakistan is all set to overtake Britain as the world’s fifth largest nuclear power as it has increased its nuclear weapons stockpile by nearly 40 percent in last two years, having more than 100 deployed weapons.

American intelligence agencies believe that Pakistan now has more than 100 deployed nuclear weapons, an increase of nearly … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pakistan all set to overtake Britain as world’s fifth largest nuke power.

US man reunited with lost wallet 40 yrs after thief hid it behind wall

LONDON – A US man, whose leather wallet was stolen at his office, has amazingly been reunited with it 40 years later.

Rudolph Resta, now 77, was working for the New York Times as an art director when his wallet disappeared after he left his jacket in an unguarded coat closet, reports the Daily Mail.

The thief …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Father of micro finance Mohommad Yunus asked to quit Grameen Bank

DHAKA – Nobel peace laureate and micro credit pioneer Muhammad Yunus is facing calls to quit as Grameen Bank Managing Director.

His supporters believe that the attempt to remove the 70-year old is politically motivated by the Bangladesh government as they want to bring Grameen under government control, reports The Guardian

Bangladesh Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul [..] Read the original article: here.

Bangalore Christians staged rally against probe reports on church attacks

KARNATAKA – Hundreds of Christians in Bangalore gathered for a candle light vigil on Monday to protest against a probe report on church attacks.

The group criticized the findings of the Justice Somashekar Commission that gave a clean chit to the prime suspects.

The Archbishop of Bangalore, Rev. Bernard Moras said: Hindu groups such as the Bajrang … Original source on Gaea Times at : Bangalore Christians staged rally against probe reports on church attacks.

Bihar scripting growth story: Chetan Bhagat

PATNA – Best selling author Chetan Bhagat, who is on his maiden trip to Bihar, says he is impressed with the fact that the state is no more in the news for its negative stories and people are talking about its growth and changing face.

“I am impressed with stories of changing face of Bihar … Read more : Bihar scripting growth story: Chetan Bhagat.

Two Iranian warships cross Suez Canal

TEHRAN – Two Iranian battleships, headed towards Syria for a training mission, have crossed the Suez Canal – controlled by Egypt – for the first time since 1979, media reports said.

The ships are the Kharg, a 33,000-tonne refuelling and support vessel, and the Alvand, a 1,500-tonne light patrol frigate, Mehr news quoted … Read : Two Iranian warships cross Suez Canal.