Durban to host Africa diaspora conference

NEW DELHI – Come October and the Indian diaspora in Africa will converge for the Mini Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Durban, marking the city’s historic links with India and aiming to “build bridges” between them and their country of origin.

The event, titled ‘PBD-Africa’, is to be held in the South African city Oct 1-2 …. Original source  : Durban to host Africa diaspora conference.

Chechen rebel leader says he is not stepping down, will continue “killing God’s enemies”

Chechen rebel leader revokes resignation
MOSCOW – The leader of Islamist militant separatists waging an insurgency in Chechnya and neighboring Russian provinces has revoked his own resignation, saying he is ready to continue killing.

Doku Umarov has claimed responsibility for a string of terror attacks including the bombing of the Moscow subway that killed 40 people.
He said … Read : Chechen rebel leader says he is not stepping down, will continue “killing God’s enemies”.

India willing to discuss all issues with Pak in a step-by-step approach : Krishna

NEW DELHI – External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Thursday said India is willing to discuss all issues with Pakistan in a step-by-step approach to sort out differences with the neighbouring country, but cross-border hostilities will have to cease first.

“We have nothing to be afraid of. Let the nation understand India is willing to … Read more : India willing to discuss all issues with Pak in a step-by-step approach : Krishna.

Why Bristol Palin went to People mag to announce break-up

WASHINGTON – Bristol Palin announced her break-up with Levi Johnston in People Magazine because she and her family believed that the publication would handle the news in a “fair and dignified” manner.

Ever since Bristol and Levi’s relationship drama has unfolded in the public spotlight, People and Us Magazine have duked it out for exclusive interviews … Original article on : Why Bristol Palin went to People mag to announce break-up.

Of Tata, Bhabha and good old dramatic tales (IANS Books This Week)

NEW DELHI – Some home truths about towering edifices and small pleasures of stories smartly told. The cache this week is a mix of serious non-fiction and fiction:

1. Book: “Tata: The Evolution of a Corporate Brand”; Written by Morgan Witzel; Published by Penguin Books India; Priced Rs.599
A series of high-profile acquisitions, together with the …. Source article  : Of Tata, Bhabha and good old dramatic tales (IANS Books This Week).

Computer programmer in Ukraine ‘eats his grandma alive’

LONDON – A computer programmer has been arrested for allegedly eating his 60-year grandmother alive.

Sergei Zhmaryov, 26, cut up the old woman with a shard of broken mirror and mutilated her face, said shocked police.

Cops said the alleged attack by Zhmaryov – known to neighbours as a religious fanatic – was a ritualistic killing. … Original article on : Computer programmer in Ukraine ‘eats his grandma alive’.

Kashmir violence: Geelani appeals for peace

SRINAGAR – Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has made an appeal for peace in the Kashmir Valley asking people not to resort to violence by burning public property.

Addressing reporters at his residence here on Wednesday, Geelani said: “I appealed to the people not to burn police stations, rail tracks and public property. Violence … Original source on Gaea Times at : Kashmir violence: Geelani appeals for peace.

White House ducks 9/11 Ground Zero mosque project bouncer

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has distanced itself from the heated dispute over whether an Islamic cultural center and mosque should be built a couple blocks away from the 9/11 Ground Zero.

“This is rightly a matter for New York City and the local community to decide,” CBS News quoted Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary, …. Source  : White House ducks 9/11 Ground Zero mosque project bouncer.

S.Korea begins Yellow Sea anti-submarine drills, cocks a snook on N.Korea

Seoul (S. Korea), – South Korea began massive anti-submarine drills in waters off the west coast of the divided Korean peninsula on Thursday despite a warning from North Korea that the exercises would heighten tensions near the western sea border.

The five-day naval exercises, aimed at deterring the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from further … Read more >>>.

34 ill in S. China village after exposure to chemical gas leak

NEW DELHI – At least 34 villagers have taken ill after being exposed to poisonous gas leak from a chemical plant in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

A Xinhua report said Titanium tetrachloride, a gas with pungent odor, leaked Tuesday night from Guinan Titanium Co., Ltd. in Daoshui Township of Wuzhou City, when the … Original source on Gaea Times at : 34 ill in S. China village after exposure to chemical gas leak.

Guangdong Governor calls for fine tuning Asian Games security drill as India’s CWG lags behind

NEW DELHI – Even as confusion reigns in India over the preparations for the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi in October this year, Chinese security forces have been asked by the Governor of Guangdong province, Huang Huahua, to fine tune their security drills for the XVIth Asian Games to be held in [..] Read the original article: here.

Vets treat latest elephant victim of land mines along Thai-Myanmar border

Vets treat elephant land mine victim in Thailand

LAMPANG, Thailand – Veterinarians were treating the latest land mine victim from the embattled Thai-Myanmar border Thursday, a 22-year-old female elephant whose foot was blown off by the explosion.
Mae Ka Pae, as she is called, is the 13th mine casualty at the innovative Friends of Asian Elephant hospital … Read more »»».

New Zealand’s highest peak may be named after Everest conqueror Edmund Hillary

WELLINGTON – A prominent ridge on Aoraki/Mount Cook, first climbed by Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary more than 60 years ago, is proposed to be renamed Hillary Ridge.

The New Zealand Geographic Board has proposed the name change for South Ridge, which is visible from the Aoraki/Mount Cook village and surrounding area, which Sir Ed climbed …. Source  : New Zealand’s highest peak may be named after Everest conqueror Edmund Hillary.

Americans are huge TV watchers, but for Asians mobile video is a lifesaver

NEW YORK – A Nielsen study, which surveyed some 27,000 online consumers in 55 countries this March, has concluded that people in Asian countries view video on cell phones more than those in the United States and Europe.

According to the survey reported by the Washington Post, the Chinese are 51 percent more likely to watch … Read more : Americans are huge TV watchers, but for Asians mobile video is a lifesaver.

Boeing delivers 200th transport aircraft to US Air Force

LOS ANGELES – Boeing has delivered the 200th C 17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft to the US Air Force (USAF).

The aircraft was flown from its Long Beach production facility here July 30 to the USAF Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, the aircraft’s new home, company sources told India Strategic defence magazine.
USAF has …. Read the original article  : Boeing delivers 200th transport aircraft to US Air Force.

Man succumbs to bullet injury, Kashmir toll 47

SRINAGAR – The violence in the Kashmir Valley claimed its 47th victim since June 11 as a civilian Thursday succumbed to a bullet injury received during protests here a day earlier.

Fifty-year-old Gulam Muhammad Badyari was injured in firing by security forces late Wednesday when a mob attacked a paramilitary picket in Gunpatyar area, police said. … Read more >>>.

White House gatecrasher’s infamous red sari to go under the hammer

NEW YORK – Michaele Salahi is set to auction her infamous red sari, which she wore when she and her husband crashed a White House state dinner last November.

According to the sources, Salahi said she plans to put the dress up for bid around the time the scandal is addressed in “The Real Housewives of … Read more : White House gatecrasher’s infamous red sari to go under the hammer.

Sohrabuddin case: Ex-ADGP Mathur appears before CBI

GANDHINAGAR – OP Mathur, former Additional Director General of Police, appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday for questioning in connection with the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

Mathur was the head of the state CID (Crime) department, which was investigating the case before the Supreme Court handed it over to the …. Original source  : Sohrabuddin case: Ex-ADGP Mathur appears before CBI.

Chopper carrying Sharad Yadav makes emergency landing

PATNA – A private chopper carrying JD (U) President Sharad Yadav and three others made an emergency landing at Jakkanpur on the outskirts of Patna city on Thursday following a technical snag.

According to a report, Yadav along with Bihar Minister for Road Construction Prem Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister, S Siddharth, and Road … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chopper carrying Sharad Yadav makes emergency landing.

Petraeus’ fresh guidelines to troops to reduce civilian casualties in Afghan war

KABUL – Amidst growing international concern over civilian casualties in the ongoing Afghan war, commander of the US and NATO forces General David Petraeus has issued fresh directives for the 150,000 international troops engaged in the ‘war on terror’.

While pointing out that civilian casualties have undermined the efforts of the allied forces in Afghanistan, General …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Petraeus’ fresh guidelines to troops to reduce civilian casualties in Afghan war.