Trendy and colourful ‘Silly Bandz’ a rage in UK

LONDON – They are stretchy, colourful and have even caught the fancy of Sarah Jessica Parker-the new ‘Silly Bandz’.

Made of colourful bits of silicone, Silly Bandz are set to become a huge craze for both kids and fashion-conscious Brits this summer.

Costing …. Source  : Trendy and colourful ‘Silly Bandz’ a rage in UK.

Man’s prosthetic leg set on fire after losing bet!

MELBOURNE – Losing a drinking game bet turned out to be rather too painful for a New Mexico man after he agreed to have his prosthetic leg set on fire.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the 47-year-old man and his friends had been drinking together and made a bet … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Man’s prosthetic leg set on fire after losing bet!.

Sarkozy faces French public on national TV amid scandal linked to heiress, shriveling support

Sarkozy faces French amid scandal tied to heiress

PARIS – French President Nicolas Sarkozy is going on national television amid a scandal involving the L’Oreal cosmetics fortune that has rocked his government.
The affair has helped diminish Sarkozy’s already low popularity, with barely a quarter of the population approving of his governance.
The multi-faceted scandal includes accusations by …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sarkozy faces French public on national TV amid scandal linked to heiress, shriveling support.

Uttar Pradesh Minister attacked in Allahabad

LUCKNOW – Uttar Pradesh’s Cabinet Minister Nand Gopal Gupta injured in an attack outside his residence in Allahabad on Monday.

Reportedly, a motorcycle parked outside his residence exploded as he stepped outside. Two security guards have been killed and three policemen also injured in the attack.

The 36- year old Nand Gopal Gupta, has been …. Original article  : Uttar Pradesh Minister attacked in Allahabad.

Taiwan leader seeks closer ties with mainland China

NEW DELHI – Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou has called for closer ties with mainland China following the signing of a historic trade pact by the two sides last month.

In a message sent to Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the China Daily quoted Ma, as saying that this [..] Read the original article: here.

Karzai, UN square off over removing 50 ex-Taliban officials from blacklist

UNITED NATIONS – Afghan President Hamid Karzai plans to seek the removal of up to 50 former Taliban officials from a U.N. terrorism blacklist, in a gesture intended to advance political reconciliation talks with insurgents.

The Washington Post quoted a senior Afghan official as saying that Kabul has sought for years to delist former Taliban figures …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Karzai, UN square off over removing 50 ex-Taliban officials from blacklist.

Taliban militants destroy another girls’ school in FATA

ISLAMABAD – Taliban militants on Monday destroyed another girls school by detonating explosives in Sheikh Baba area of Bajaur tribal Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

No casualty was reported, as the incident took place early in the morning.

So far, 89 schools have been destroyed in Bajaur, where insurgent Taliban … Original source on Gaea Times at : Taliban militants destroy another girls’ school in FATA.

International Fashion Week ends in Chennai

CHENNAI – South Indian actress Anupriya was the showstopper on the last day of the International Fashion Week in Chennai, walking down the ramp in a Victorian era designer gown.

The event, which began on July 7, showcased apparels designed by veterans as well as young talents.

During the five-day event, collections of designers like Rahul and …. Source article  : International Fashion Week ends in Chennai.

Pak hotel cleaner returns 50,000 dollars in cash left behind by Japanese guest

ISLAMABAD – A Pakistani hotel cleaner, Essa Khan, is being hailed as a national hero after he returned 50,000 dollars in cash left behind by a Japanese NGO worker.

Khan found the money in a bag, which was kept in the safe deposit box, while carrying out a routine inspection of the room before another guest …. Source article  : Pak hotel cleaner returns 50,000 dollars in cash left behind by Japanese guest.

Archaeologists uncover ‘biggest Roman canal’

LONDON – British archaeologists have discovered a canal built by the Romans at the ancient maritime port of Portus. The 90-metre-wide canal is one of the biggest ever built by the Romans.

According to the archaeologists, from the universities of Cambridge and Southampton and the British School at Rome, the canal connected Portus, on the coast … Original source on Gaea Times at : Archaeologists uncover ‘biggest Roman canal’.

Anti-drug outfit halts anti-price rise campaign in Manipur

IMPHAL – The All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) has halted its anti-price rise campaign in Manipur after submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh.

The ‘Campaign for Survival’ was launched on July 8 with a demand for a price fixation committee to regulate prices of essential commodities and another demand to check crime on … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Anti-drug outfit halts anti-price rise campaign in Manipur.

Y.M.C.A will henceforth be reduced to just ‘Y’

NEW YORK – One of the most iconic non-profit organizations of the world is undergoing re-christening – from YMCA to just Y.

The change comes as a means of catching up with audience, to adopt them to Twitter, for instance.

“It’s a way of being warmer, more genuine, more welcoming, when you call yourself what everyone else …. Original source  : Y.M.C.A will henceforth be reduced to just ‘Y’.

40 young rare cobras killed in West Bengal village

NORTH DINAJPUR – Residents of Hemtabad village in West Bengal’s North Dinajpur District have claimed that they have killed around 40 young rare cobras.

The little cobras were found in a house. Villagers assumed that the snakes were in a hole under the house.

Out of both curiosity and panic, several people came to see the …. Read the original article  : 40 young rare cobras killed in West Bengal village.

Iran says it has produced 20kg of enriched uranium

LONDON – Iran has said it has produced around 20 kilograms of 20 per cent enriched uranium, in defiance of the world powers who want them to suspend the controversial nuclear work.

According to a report in The Telegraph, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered the refining of uranium to 20 per cent after a swap deal, … Read : Iran says it has produced 20kg of enriched uranium.

Pakistani-American airline worker sues company over ‘Paki’ jibe

NEW YORK – A Pakistani-American airline engineer from Brooklyn is suing his company for allegedly letting co-workers call him a “bomb maker” and a “Paki”.

Jamil Akhtar said that he had complained to his bosses at North American Airlines that other employees ridiculed him with derogatory names, insulted his religion and threatened him.

His suit, filed in … Read : Pakistani-American airline worker sues company over ‘Paki’ jibe.

Canadian Mountie charged for killing wife active in Sikh community

EDMONTON – An Asian origin constable of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has been charged with the murder of his wife, who was active in the Canadian Sikh community.

Constable Tarith Sehmbi, a 36-year-old Mountie with seven years of experience on the force, was charged Sunday with second-degree murder in the slaying of his wife. … Original article on : Canadian Mountie charged for killing wife active in Sikh community.

Children of deported Russian spies to rejoin parents

LONDON – Children of the 10 Russian spies deported in a swap with Moscow have also been sent to Russia.

“The children have all been repatriated. We did so consistent with what their parents’ wishes were,” The Telegraph quoted Eric Holder, US Attorney General, as saying.

Holder confirmed that some of the children were US citizens as … Read : Children of deported Russian spies to rejoin parents.

Sensex touches 18,000 points in early morning trade

MUMBAI – The Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex touched a high of 18010.07 and low of 17875.97 on Monday morning.

BSE Midcap Index was up 0.30 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index moved 0.65 per cent higher.

At the initial trading hours among the commodity stocks, metal stocks made smart gains.

Market was positive on the BSE …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sensex touches 18,000 points in early morning trade.

Family planning still taboo in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Unplanned pregnancies are on the rise in Pakistan with the number of abortions coming up to 900,000 cases every year, even as the majority of Pakistani people say they feel embarrassed to ask questions on family planning.

The Pakistan government had started a special campaign of “Two children, happy family” almost two decades …. Original article  : Family planning still taboo in Pakistan.

Muslim Australians disappointed with media for depicting them as terrorists

CANBERRA – A report of the ‘Department of Immigration and Citizenship’ has revealed that Muslim families have good relations with other Australians, and feel safe and happy in the country, but they are furious with the media for depicting Muslims as terrorists and criminals.

“The families felt strongly the media were gunning for Muslims; it was … Original article on : Muslim Australians disappointed with media for depicting them as terrorists.