NHS pays for Brit Muslim virginity operations

LONDON – An increasing number of British Muslim brides are having controversial pre-marriage “virginity repair” operations at taxpayers expense.

According to the Daily Express, British taxpayers funded 116 hymen replacements on the NHS between 2005 and 2009.

Official figures revealed that there were 30 operations in 2009 – up 25 per cent from 24 in 2005.

Private … Original article on : NHS pays for Brit Muslim virginity operations.

UK Police probing migration racket behind 360 sham marriages

LONDON – Police in Britain are reportedly investigating an international multi-million-pound racket to help thousands of illegal immigrants stay in the country after a vicar was found guilty of conducting hundreds of sham marriages.

The Reverend Alex Brown, of St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, joined Ukrainian Vladymyr Buchak and Nigerian Michael Adelasoye is reported to have to …. Original article  : UK Police probing migration racket behind 360 sham marriages.

Walt Disney Co. agrees to sell Miramax Films for $660M; deal ends six-month bidding process

Disney sells Miramax to investor for $660 million

LOS ANGELES – The Walt Disney Co. says it will sell Miramax Films to an investor group for about $660 million, ending a 17-year association with the studio and a six-month bidding process.
The New York Times and Los Angeles times report that Disney signed the agreement late Thursday …. Source article  : Walt Disney Co. agrees to sell Miramax Films for $660M; deal ends six-month bidding process.

S Y Quraishi assumes charge as 17th CEC

NEW DELHI – SY Quraishi on Friday took over as the 17th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India.

He takes over from Navin Chawla, who held the post for one-and-a-half years.

He said the Commission had held a series of discussions among expenditure observers to find out the areas it could focus on to strengthen checks and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : S Y Quraishi assumes charge as 17th CEC.

Winston Churchill’s false teeth fetch ???15,200 at Norfolk auction

LONDON – The false teeth made specially to preserve Sir Winston Churchill’s lisp have been sold for 15,200 pounds at an auction in Norfolk.

The dentures, which were sold by the son of dental technician Derek Cudlipp, who had made them for Churchill, were expected to fetch a maximum of 5,000 pounds at the Keys in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Winston Churchill’s false teeth fetch ???15,200 at Norfolk auction.

Obama should never have gone on ‘The View’, says former-co-host

WASHINGTON – Rosie O’Donnell, former co-host of American talk show ‘The View’, is not too keen on President Barack Obama’s decision to appear with the ladies on the show.

Talking on her Sirius XM radio show Wednesday, the day before Obama’s episode aired, O’Donnell, 48, said that she’s not sure if Obama should go on fluffy … Read more : Obama should never have gone on ‘The View’, says former-co-host.

India, Pakistan Indus Water Commissioners hold meeting to resolve water dispute

Raja Sansi (Amritsar, Punjab),J – Indian and Pakistani officials have met in New Delhi to discuss their water-related disputes, and have said that talks between the two countries will continue.

Pakistan’s Indus Waters Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah told ANI here that a permanent solution of the water dispute would decrease tension between the two nations.

He …. Original article  : India, Pakistan Indus Water Commissioners hold meeting to resolve water dispute.

Former students fined after pleading guilty to charges in racist video case in South Africa

Ex-students fined in SAfrica racist video case

JOHANNESBURG – A South African court is ordering four white former students to pay fines for a video they made humiliating black university employees.
The case has prompted bitter protests that racism remains entrenched in South Africa more than a decade after the end of apartheid-era rule.
The Bloemfontein court on … Read : Former students fined after pleading guilty to charges in racist video case in South Africa.

Lebanese family dispute over royalties threatens to silence beloved Arab singer Fairouz

Family feud could silence beloved Lebanese singer

BEIRUT – Across four decades, Fairouz’s songs of freedom, justice and love transfixed Arab audiences, moved millions to tears and gave hope to the Lebanese during the darkest days of their 15-year civil war.
At 75, the Lebanese singer still performed, seemingly impervious to age – until now, when a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Lebanese family dispute over royalties threatens to silence beloved Arab singer Fairouz.

‘Russian beautician’ busted for arms smuggling hid scopes in Ugg boots

NEW YORK – A woman, who was arrested in Texas for trying to smuggle night-vision riflescopes into Russia, hid the contraband in a pair of Ugg boots, say prosecutors.

Anna Fermanova, the Latvian-born, America-raised, belly-button-pierced beautician, says she was just doing a favour for her husband’s friend, who wanted to sell the 15,000-dollar gear to hunters, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Russian beautician’ busted for arms smuggling hid scopes in Ugg boots.

Clashes in Srinagar, two injured

SRINAGAR – Clashes broke out in several parts of Srinagar after a youth was seriously injured in security forces firing at Chanpora area on Friday.

The condition of the injured is stated to be critical.

With the separatists giving the March call to Maisuma, authorities imposed restrictions on the movement of people in parts …. Original source  : Clashes in Srinagar, two injured.

Despite Republican’s edge ahead of mid term polls, Americans feel it wont bring ‘positive change’

WASHINGTON – Despite the Republicans leading the Democrats by an 11 percentage-point margin 100 days ahead of the midterm polls, a majority of Americans believe that a Republican takeover of Congress would not lead to positive change, according to a Fox News poll.

Thirty-eight percent of the voters think that there would be no real …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Despite Republican’s edge ahead of mid term polls, Americans feel it wont bring ‘positive change’.

Sword made to commemorate the carrying of Robert the Bruce’s heart auctioned for 10K pounds

EDINBURGH – A sword created to commemorate the carrying of Scottish King Robert the Bruce’s heart on a crusade has been auctioned for 10,000 pounds.

Commissioned by a nobleman in memory of the final battle waged by Robert the Bruce’s most trusted captain, it has passed down generations of the aristocratic Douglas family into the hands … Read more >>.

Blue Paper says China leads world in urbanization

NEW DELHI – China’s urban population has reached 46 percent of the total population, making it the largest such population in the world, according to a ‘Blue Paper’ released on Thursday.

By the end of 2009, China’s urban population reached 620 million as both the annual birth rate and the total urban population became the world’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Blue Paper says China leads world in urbanization.

China rejects West standards on human rights

BERLIN – Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying has said that his government remains opposed to attempts by the West to impose its human rights standards on China.

In a recent interview with the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit, Fu said it seems “controversial and illogical” that Western countries acknowledge China’s economic success and contributions to … Original source on Gaea Times at : China rejects West standards on human rights.

Pakistanis see India as greater threat than Taliban, Al-Qaeda: Poll

ISLAMABAD – A new poll has revealed that the people of Pakistan see India as a greater threat to their country than the Taliban or Al-Qaeda.

According to the Pew Global Attitudes Project poll, 74 percent Pakistanis view India as a serious threat, compared to 54 percent considering the Taliban and 38 percent viewing the Al …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hero’s welcome for reality show winner in Agra

AGRA – The crowd went into raptures and accorded a hero’s welcome to local boy Sparsh Srivastav as he returned to this Taj Mahal city Friday after winning the children’s dance reality show “Chak Dhoom Dhoom” on Colors channel.

As Sparsh alighted from the Shatabdi Express, he was welcomed with the beating of drums and nagadas …. Original article  : Hero’s welcome for reality show winner in Agra.

Parrot’s piercing screech scares off burglars!

LONDON – A parrot scared off a gang of burglars when it screeched loudly.

Thieves were shocked to see Kuzya, the parrot when they tried breaking-in the house in London’s Docklands.

The parrot let out a piercing screech that could be heard streets away, prompting the robbers to turn on their heels and flee.

Owner Gennadi Kurkul …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Parrot’s piercing screech scares off burglars!.

Calling obese people ‘fat’ won’t help them, say experts

MELBOURNE – Doctors telling obese people they’re ‘fat’ will only put them off from seeking help, according to experts.

According to the Herald Sun, Harry Hemley, Victorian president of the Australian Medical Association was the lone voice in the debate, saying that calling some overweight and obese people fat could be the nudge they needed to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Calling obese people ‘fat’ won’t help them, say experts.

Oz man who raped a woman he met on dating site jailed for 3yrs

SYDNEY – A man has been jailed for three years after he raped a woman he met on an Internet dating site.

Melbourne’s Roy Hronas had consensual sex with the woman before he raped her, the Victorian County Court was told at his sentencing.

According to Judge Paul Lacava, the pair met on an Internet dating site …. Read the original article  : Oz man who raped a woman he met on dating site jailed for 3yrs.