Breaking News – Newsletter for March 1, 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

UK company claims it can ‘grow diesel’

NEW DELHI – A Massachusetts company, Joule Unlimited, has claimed that it can produce diesel using the same ingredients that make grass grow.

A biotechnology company, based in Cambridge, has created a genetically engineered organism capable of producing diesel fuel or ethanol, which can be used to run cars and jet engines, reports English.news.cn.

The organism that …. Original article  : UK company claims it can ‘grow diesel’.

Liberia gives clean chit to Indian Consul General

MONROVIA – The Liberian Foreign Ministry has said there is no record of Upjit Singh Sachdeva, India’s Honorary Consul General in Liberia, of seeking or being granted political asylum by its government.

It described media reports and documents being circulated in India confirming Sachdeva’s move to seek asylum as fake and forged.

It said that Liberia’s Bureau …. Read the original article  : Liberia gives clean chit to Indian Consul General.

Brit man jailed for filming couple having sex then showing it to friends

SYDNEY – A man in Britain has been jailed for one year after he filmed a couple having sex through their bedroom window and showed it to his friends at a pub.

Sean Bailey, 27, from Hampshire, was found guilty of voyeurism after a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

The court heard that Bailey had crept up …. Original article  : Brit man jailed for filming couple having sex then showing it to friends.

Solid proof of foreign elements’ involvement in Balochistan turmoil: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minster Yousaf Raza Gilani has said there was solid evidence that foreign elements and powers were involved in aggravating the situation in Balochistan.

Speaking in the National Assembly on the Balochistan situation, Gilani said that targeted killings of settlers in Balochistan could not be overlooked, as it had further aggravated the law …. Source article  : Solid proof of foreign elements’ involvement in Balochistan turmoil: Gilani.

Beer gets makeover in Oz with infusion of different flavours

MELBOURNE – For those who love to experiment with their drinks, now comes an array of beers that have been infused with different flavours.

This year’s Sydney Royal Fine Food Show saw brewers offering up everything from the Longshot coffee-infused dark ale to a chocolate porter and a ‘Christmas beer’ brewed with a mix of dried …. Source article  : Beer gets makeover in Oz with infusion of different flavours.

Mindfulness mitigates fears of dying

WASHINGTON – Being mindful, which means being open, receptive and attentive to whatever is unfolding in the present moment, can mitigate the fear of dying, new research shows.

George Mason University psychology professor Todd Kashdan wanted to find out if mindful people had different attitudes about dying, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New Zealand extends National State of Emergency over Christchurch quake

WELLINGTON – New Zealand has extended its National State of Emergency, which it had declared after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake had hit Christchurch last month.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter said that the National State of Emergency was likely to remain for several more weeks.

“This declaration ensures coordination and cooperation between central and local …. Original source  : New Zealand extends National State of Emergency over Christchurch quake.

Anwar al-Awlaki plotting attacks on UK

LONDON – The trial sessions of a Bangladeshi British Airways computer engineer who had plotted to blow up a plane have revealed that Anwar al-Awlaki, the American born leader of the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), is plotting to send operatives to Britain to launch attacks.

Woolwich Crown Court has convicted BA engineer Rajib …. Original article  : Anwar al-Awlaki plotting attacks on UK.

Indian evacuees from Libya say they were beaten up by army

NEW DELHI – The fourth batch of 331 evacuees, who returned to New Delhi from protest-hit Libya, today said that they were beaten up by army personnel who alleged that they were mercenaries.

“In the bus, they took away all our money and the children’s stuff as well. The army people were beating us up and … Read more : Indian evacuees from Libya say they were beaten up by army.

70 percent Chinese preferred imported milk powder due to safety concerns

NEW DELHI – Nearly seventy percent Chinese people preferred imported milk powder and had little confidence in domestic brands because of food safety concerns, even though the latest official test report said there is “no significant difference” between domestic dairy products and their overseas rivals.

A market survey held by the State broadcaster China Central Television …. Source  : 70 percent Chinese preferred imported milk powder due to safety concerns.

Russians confirm Iran nuke reactor damage

MOSCOW/TEHRAN – In a statement, Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, which is building the reactor in Bushehr, Iran, said it found damage to one of the reactor’s four main cooling pumps.

That breakdown, it said, necessitated removal of the fuel core and an inspection of the reactor and its fuel assemblies to make sure …. Original source  : Russians confirm Iran nuke reactor damage.

Nine killed as truck auto-rickshaw crash in Bihar

GAYA – Nine people were killed and 10 others injured in Gaya, Bihar, on Tuesday, when a truck rammed into two autorickshaws.

The incident happened near Bodh Gaya International Airport.

Superintendent of Police, Ratna Mani Sanjay said: “The mishap occurred when the speeding truck lost control and hit the autorickshaws carrying passengers.”

“The injured have been admitted to …. Source  : Nine killed as truck auto-rickshaw crash in Bihar.

UN official claims Zimbabwe activists may have been tortured

JOHANNESBURG – A United Nations torture investigator has confirmed that he had written the Government of Zimbabwe to express concern about allegations that state security agents had assaulted the 45 activists who, after watching reports of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, were recently detained and charged with treason.

The police arrested the 45 activists, … Original article on : UN official claims Zimbabwe activists may have been tortured.

Fourth batch of Indian citizens arrive in India from Libya

NEW DELHI – A fourth special Air India flight carrying 331 Indian citizens, has arrived, here from Libya.

Air India flight AI-170 landed at the Terminal-2 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 4:30 a.m.

Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi, who is also the Overseas Indian Affairs Minister, was present at the airport to receive …. Source  : Fourth batch of Indian citizens arrive in India from Libya.

Bangladeshi BA computer engineer convicted on terror charges

LONDON – Woolwich Crown Court has convicted Rajib Karim, an Asian-origin British Airways computer engineer who had plotted to blow up a plane, of four terror charges, including sharing information of use to hate groups.

Thirty-one-year-old Karim from Newcastle, who is originally from Bangladesh, had used his job to access information for radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, …. Source  : Bangladeshi BA computer engineer convicted on terror charges.

UK restaurant’s breast milk ice cream confiscated amid health concerns

LONDON – A restaurant in London, which was selling ice cream containing human breast milk, has had its supplies seized by council officials amid fears it is unsafe.

The Baby Gaga ice cream will now undergo tests to see if it is safe for adult consumption.

Viruses, including hepatitis, can be passed on through breast milk.he Icecreamists, … Read : UK restaurant’s breast milk ice cream confiscated amid health concerns.

Siddle, Nannes and Pattinson likely replacements for injured Doug Bollinger

MELBOURNE – Victoria pace bowlers Peter Siddle, Dirk Nannes and James Pattinson are firming up as favourites to replace injured Doug Bollinger in the Australian World Cup squad.

Cricket Australia is in no hurry to send in a replacement for Bollinger, who has been sent home from the World Cup with an ankle injury.

“We have … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Siddle, Nannes and Pattinson likely replacements for injured Doug Bollinger.

UK ’s Advertising Standards Authority gets power to monitor website text

LONDON – Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has been given the power to monitor claims made by companies on various websites and social networks from March 1.

Earlier, the ASA had the power to monitor only paid-for ads online, but now, with its new powers it will tackle complaints about the way companies sell themselves on …. Read the original article  : UK ’s Advertising Standards Authority gets power to monitor website text.

Women more likely to buy clothes if models look like them – curvy, short

NEW YORK – Women are more likely to buy clothes if the models are more reflective of them – curvy, short, ethnic, according to a researcher from Cambridge University.

Using fake magazine advertisements with models of different sizes, shapes and ethnicities, Barry surveyed 3,000 women in the UK, US and Canada.

“The vast majority of women significantly …. Original source  : Women more likely to buy clothes if models look like them – curvy, short.

Secret video shows Gaddafi’s rifle brandishing son urging supporters to fight ‘to the last bullet’

TRIPOLI – A secret video filmed on a mobile phone has revealed Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s son calling opponents of his father’s regime as ‘b******s’ and brandishing a semi-automatic rifle in the air while simultaneously urging supporters to fight for their homeland ‘until the last bullet’.

The chilling footage, shot in Tripoli at the weekend, makes a …. Source  : Secret video shows Gaddafi’s rifle brandishing son urging supporters to fight ‘to the last bullet’.

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