12 suspected insurgents, 5 civilians and 2 security officers killed in Chechnya shootout

19 dead in shootout in Russia’s Caucasus
ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia – Russian officials and media reports say a shootout between the Chechen president’s personal protection detail and suspected separatist insurgents has left 19 people dead, including five civilians.

Alvi Karimov, spokesman for President Ramzan Kadyrov, says 12 suspected insurgents, two security officers and the civilians were killed when … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 12 suspected insurgents, 5 civilians and 2 security officers killed in Chechnya shootout.

Malaysian parent finds ’sex product brochures’ among son’s books

KUALA LUMPUR – A Malaysian parent received the shock of his life when he discovered ’sex product brochures’ among his son’s books.

“I picked up my son from school and saw that he had with him several sheets of paper. I was stunned to see the brochures were on sex drugs,” the Star Online quoted businessman … Read more »».

Ultimate honeymoon destination – underwater suite in Maldives

LONDON – A new honeymoon suite in the Maldives offers a breathtaking view of marine life – be it day or night.

Conrad hotels are offering a breathtaking suite at their Maldives Rangali Islands resort, it is likely to eat up the entire average wedding budget, let alone the honeymoon accommodation costs.

Normally the hotel’s ‘Ithaa’ restaurant, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ultimate honeymoon destination – underwater suite in Maldives.

Afghanistan denies receiving payments from CIA

KABUL – Afghanistan’s presidential office has rejected and rubbished American news media reports that government officials had received payments from the C.I.A. in return for information.

A statement from the spokesman’s office called the reports part of an attempt to divert attention from the greater priorities of fighting terrorism, preventing civilian casualties, and disbanding private … Read more >>>.

Sacked Afghan prosecutor says he was removed for not blocking corruption probes

KABUL – One of Afghanistan’s most senior prosecutors has said that President Hamid Karzai fired him last week after he repeatedly refused to block corruption investigations at the highest levels of the government.

Fazel Ahmed Faqiryar, the former deputy attorney general, said investigations of more than two dozen senior Afghan officials, including cabinet ministers, ambassadors and …. Source article  : Sacked Afghan prosecutor says he was removed for not blocking corruption probes.

Surrey Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Society ‘denounces’ shooting on its premise

NEW YORK – The Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Society in Surrey has strongly denounced a shooting in its parking lot on Saturday during a wedding.

“This event or the individuals involved have no connection with this Gurdwara and the Gurdwara strongly condemns this and every act of violence,” The Globe and Mail quoted a press release … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Surrey Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Society ‘denounces’ shooting on its premise.

African-American men ‘most disadvantaged, least helped in U.S.’

WASHINGTON – A new book has suggested that among the disadvantaged people in the United States, the most needy and least helped are probably African-American men.

The new book from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration says black men suffer in a variety of ways, including being stereotyped as reckless and having little … Read more : African-American men ‘most disadvantaged, least helped in U.S.’.

Melbourne Office of Housing accused of ignoring racial threats faced by African migrants

MELBOURNE – Melbourne’s Office of Housing has been accused of ignoring an African migrant family’s alleged eight-year ordeal at the hands of a racist and abusive neighbour.

Documents presented to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court allege the neighbour threatened to shoot an African man living below his Richmond commission flat and regularly swore at his children, calling them [..] Read the original article: here.

Mudgal’s voice creates magic at cancer patients’ fundraiser

NEW DELHI – Ragas gave a healing touch at the Chinmaya Mission auditorium here when renowned classical singer Shubha Mudgal rendered verses of Kabir at a fundraiser for cancer patients.

Talented musicians Sudhir Nayak and Aneesh Pradhan accompanied Mudgal on the harmonium and tabla, leaving the audience asking for more till the end on Saturday … Read more >>.

Two heads better than one in decision making

LONDON – We seem to make better decisions when we listen to others rather than doing it alone. Pooling wisdom with a partner produces better results, but only when both parties are of similar ability, a new research states.

A team asked pairs of volunteers to pinpoint when a very faint image appeared on a screen. … Read more >>.

‘Ghost train’ hunter run down by real train

LONDON – A 29-year-old man who was waiting for a legendary North Carolina “ghost train” was killed when a real train came down the tracks, a media report said Sunday.

Christopher Kaiser of Charlotte was waiting with around a dozen friends on a railway bridge in Statesville, when the three engines and one wagon rounded the … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Ghost train’ hunter run down by real train.

Eleven women electrocuted in Haryana’s Mewat District

MEWAT – At least eleven women were killed when a high-tension wire fell on their vehicle in Kherla village of Haryana’s Mewat District.

The incident took place on Saturday, when an 11,000-watt wire fell on the vehicle while the women were returning from their farms.hree others including a boy were also injured in the same incident.

“When … Read more : Eleven women electrocuted in Haryana’s Mewat District.

Mayawati favouring only her community, claim Dalit leaders

ALLAHABAD – Dalit leaders have accused Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati of favouring only a particular backward community to which she belongs.

“We have gathered Dalits here and are creating awareness among them to fight for their rights.

For example the issue of reservation in private sector, or the Dalits who are being exploited in Uttar … Read : Mayawati favouring only her community, claim Dalit leaders.

Chile figuring out ways to keep trapped miners safe

NEW YORK – Chilean authorities are reportedly exploring ways to keep the 33 miners trapped underground safe and out of depression by providing them with different games, music system and projectors.

According to The New York Post, the authorities are figuring out ways to drop iPods or Sony music players and even tiny projectors, so that …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Is Pak seeking secret extradition of Zardari ’shoe’ attacker?

LAHORE – Pakistan is reportedly seeking the extradition of Shamim Khan, the who allegedly hurled a shoe at President Asif Ali Zardari during a party rally in Brimingham earlier this month.

According to sources, the interior ministry has provided “criminal records” of Shamim to the British authorities, and asked them to hand him over to …. Source article  : Is Pak seeking secret extradition of Zardari ’shoe’ attacker?.

Port Lincoln war vets bare all for fundraiser

MELBOURNE – Eleven war veterans from South Australia ripped off their shirts and dropped their strides for their most unconventional fundraiser yet – a nude calendar to raise money for their local RSL in Port Lincoln.

The coordinator, Jo Utting, said she was inspired by Helen Mirren film Calendar Girls.

“You really have to think outside the … Read more »»».

Obama says combat operations in Iraq coming to a close

LONDON – US President Barack Obama has said combat operations in Iraq are nearing its end and the sovereign, independent nation would be free to chart its own course thereafter.

The U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially comes to an end Tuesday, 2,722 days after American-led troops stormed into the country from Kuwait. The remaining … Read : Obama says combat operations in Iraq coming to a close.

Five jawans killed in Chhattisgarh Maoist ambush

KANKER – At least five security personnel were killed by Maoists in an ambush in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker District early on Sunday morning.

It has been reported that out of the total five killed in the gun battle that took place in Bastar region of Kanker district, three were Border Security Force (BSF) personnel.

Earlier on August … Original source on Gaea Times at : Five jawans killed in Chhattisgarh Maoist ambush.

US to send additional 18 helicopters for Pak flood relief

WASHINGTON – The United States would be sending 18 more helicopters for relief and evacuation work in flood-hit Pakistan, the Pentagon has said.

The US Department of Defence said the additional contingent of choppers would include 10 CH-47 Chinook and eight UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters by the middle of next month.

“The unit will operate in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US to send additional 18 helicopters for Pak flood relief.

Prince William ‘to wed Kate Middleton next August’

LONDON – Britain’s Prince William will marry his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton at London’s Westminster Abbey next August, according to sources.

According to sources, royal aides made ‘discreet overtures’ to senior managers at the Abbey, one of London’s most famous landmarks, to hold a wedding there on the second weekend in August next year.

Friends of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Prince William ‘to wed Kate Middleton next August’.