Russian tugboat with crewmembers sinks in Laptev Sea

Vladivostok (Russia), Aug 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Rescuers found a life raft from Russia’s Alexei Kulakovsky tugboat, which sank Friday morning in the Laptev Sea, some 20 nautical miles from the shore, Russia’s Far East emergencies ministry said.

The vessel with 14 crewmembers on board sent a distress call at 4.40 a.m. and a nearby tanker rushed … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Russian tugboat with crewmembers sinks in Laptev Sea.

Woman attacked in Australia, cops look for Indian-like men

MELBOURNE – Police in this Australian city were looking for two men of “Indian or sub-continental appearance” after a woman was molested and assaulted.

The victim, 29, went Aug 21 to the Spencer Hotel in West Melbourne. There she met two men, who the police described as being of “Indian or sub-continental appearance”, the Herald Sun … Original source on Gaea Times at : Woman attacked in Australia, cops look for Indian-like men.

UAE telethon raises $11 mn for flood-hit Pakistan

Abu Dhabi, Aug 27 (IANS/WAM) A telethon organised in the UAE to raise funds for flood-affected people in Pakistan has collected 43 million dirhams (about $11 million), organisers said Friday.

The three-day telethon, a TV programme to raise funds for charity, was launched by UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) Thursday.
Donations can be made by …. Original article  : UAE telethon raises $11 mn for flood-hit Pakistan.

Two students killed in Greater Noida accident

GREATER NOIDA – Two students were killed and three others critically injured when their car turned turtle in this satellite town of the national capital, police said Friday.

Around 11.30 p.m. Thursday, five students — among them two women — of Noida’s Bajaj Institute were driving fast on the Noida-Dadri road near Kulesara police post …. Original source  : Two students killed in Greater Noida accident.

Father held for daughter’s murder in Tamil Nadu

MADURAI – A man was arrested for killing his daughter in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district, police said.

Rangasami was arrested Thursday after his wife Lakshmi filed a complaint that he murdered their daughter Mariselvi.
According to police, Rangasami was upset with the ways of his daughter who did not listen to him. Fearing societal … Original article on : Father held for daughter’s murder in Tamil Nadu.

Chetak chopper crashes, pilots safe

BANGALORE – A two-seater Chetak helicopter crashed moments after take-off during a training mission at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) airport here. The two pilots suffered minor injuries, police said.

The chopper, on a regular training mission, was only a few feet above the ground when it crashed, the police said.
A senior pilot and a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Chetak chopper crashes, pilots safe.

Poverty-stricken woman set kids, herself ablaze

RAIPUR – Unable to get money to treat her children, a poor woman in a Chhattisgarh village set herself and her two children on fire, police said Friday.

The incident took place Thursday in Bhelwa Pataibahar village in Jashpur district, some 400 km north of capital Raipur, when 27-year-old Kamla Bai killed her three-year-old daughter and …. Read the original article  : Poverty-stricken woman set kids, herself ablaze.

Yamuna still above danger mark

NEW DELHI – The fear of floods still loomed large over low lying areas in the capital with the Yamuna continuing to flow above the danger mark Friday.

“The water level in Yamuna is still at Thursday’s 205.77 metres,” an official at the Delhi flood control room told IANS.
The river crossed the danger level … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Yamuna still above danger mark.

Hurricane Danielle strengthens to Category 3 storm, reaches major hurricane status

Hurricane Danielle becomes Category 3 storm

MIAMI – Forecasts say Hurricane Danielle has reached major hurricane status.
National Hurricane Center forecasters said early Friday that Danielle had strengthened to a Category 3 storm. It has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph).
Forecasters say swells churned up by Danielle could reach parts of the U.S. East Coast …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hurricane Danielle strengthens to Category 3 storm, reaches major hurricane status.

Floods spread in Pakistan’s south, forcing as many as 1 million more to leave homes

U.N.: 1 million more displaced in Pakistan floods

KARACHI, Pakistan – Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis were fleeing a southern district Friday after the bloated Indus River crushed a levee and flooded new areas, officials said. The U.N. said as many as 1 million people have been displaced in the south since midweek.
The latest evacuations came … Read : Floods spread in Pakistan’s south, forcing as many as 1 million more to leave homes.

Market bombing in northern Afghanistan town kills 3 police, 2 civilians, wounds 15

5 killed in northern Afghanistan market bombing
KABUL, Afghanistan – A roadside bomb tore through a crowded market in Afghanistan’s increasingly volatile north, killing three policemen and two civilians, a police official said Friday.
Another 15 civilians were wounded in Thursday evening’s bombing in Kunduz province’s Archi town. The blast went off as residents were … Original source on Gaea Times at : Market bombing in northern Afghanistan town kills 3 police, 2 civilians, wounds 15.

Former NASA head Sean O’Keefe, son return home area after surviving Stevens’ plane crash

Ex-NASA head O’Keefe back in DC after plane crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Former NASA head Sean O’Keefe and his son Kevin have returned home to the Washington, D.C., area after surviving the Aug. 9 plane crash that killed former Sen. Ted Stevens.
A statement issued Thursday by Paul Pastorek on behalf of the O’Keefe family said Sean …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rathore applies for parole to look after crops

CHANDIGARH – Former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore, convicted for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra and currently lodged at the Burail jail, has applied for nearly two weeks parole for looking after crops in his farmhouses, jail officials said here Friday.

Rathore, 68, was sentenced to 18 months rigorous imprisonment by the district and sessions court … Original article on : Rathore applies for parole to look after crops.

Pilot presses wrong button causing mid-air scare

LONDON – A British Airways (BA) pilot caused a mid-air scare when he pressed a wrong button, triggering an announcement that the aircraft was about to make an emergency landing on water.

The mistake activated an automated female voice that said: “This is an emergency announcement. We may shortly need to make an emergency landing on … Read : Pilot presses wrong button causing mid-air scare.

Authorities: 1 dead, 2 hurt after car driven by US ambassador to Malta crashes in California

US ambassador to Malta crashes car; passenger dies

CALABASAS, Calif. – Authorities say a car driven by the U.S. ambassador to Malta crashed into a drainage ditch in Southern California, killing a nun and injuring a 94-year-old pastor.
The nun and pastor were passengers in the car driver by Ambassador Douglas Kmiec (kah-MEK’), 58, the California Highway …. Source article  : Authorities: 1 dead, 2 hurt after car driven by US ambassador to Malta crashes in California.

Olympic gold medallist held for beating wife

Naples (Italy), Aug 27 (IANS/AKI) A member of the Italian national water polo team that captured the gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona has been arrested in the southern city of Naples on suspicion of beating his wife, as well as other acts of abusive behaviour.

Francesco Porzio, 44, Wednesday allegedly kicked his …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Olympic gold medallist held for beating wife.

Egyptian tycoon offers reward for stolen Van Gogh painting

Cairo, Aug 27 (IANS/AKI) Egyptian telecom tycoon Naguib Sawiris has offered a 140,000 euro reward for information leading to the recovery of a stolen masterpiece by Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, according to broadcaster Europe1.

Sawiris is the first businessman to have publicly offered a reward for Van Gogh’s “Vase and Flowers”, worth $55 million, …. Source article  : Egyptian tycoon offers reward for stolen Van Gogh painting.

Swells from Hurricane Danielle may reach East Coast Friday; dangerous surf expected in Bermuda

Hurricane Danielle swells could reach US coast

MIAMI – Forecasters say swells churned up by Hurricane Danielle could reach parts of the U.S. East Coast by the weekend and that dangerous surf conditions are expected in Bermuda, though the eye will likely move well east of the island.
National Hurricane Center forecasters said late Thursday that Danielle … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Swells from Hurricane Danielle may reach East Coast Friday; dangerous surf expected in Bermuda.

New video gives fullest picture yet of conditions for 33 men trapped in Chilean mine

New video gives tour of trapped miners’ refuge

COPIAPO, Chile – A new video released late Thursday showing the 33 miners trapped a half-mile underground provides the best images yet of the conditions in the mine in northern Chile.
The men are shirtless, some sitting and others standing, and appear to be sweating. Most are skinny, sport …. Source  : New video gives fullest picture yet of conditions for 33 men trapped in Chilean mine.

Tiger cub found among toys in Bangkok airport

BANGKOK – A two-month-old tiger cub was found sedated and hidden among stuffed toys inside a woman’s luggage at the Bangkok airport, wildlife officials said.

Wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic said the Thai woman was trying to board a flight to Iran but had difficulty with a large bag at check-in. X-rays aroused suspicion among airport …. Source  : Gaea News Network.