Spain interior minister dismisses ETA ceasefire announcement, says sign of weakness

Spain: we do not trust ETA ceasefire
MADRID – Spain’s interior minister has dismissed a ceasefire announcement by the Basque separatist group ETA and says police will be as tough as ever against the armed militants.

Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba says ETA’s statement on Sunday falls short of what Basque society and other Spaniards demand from the militant … Read : Spain interior minister dismisses ETA ceasefire announcement, says sign of weakness.

Pak teetering on the brink of complete economic breakdown: Finance Minister

ISLAMABAD – Providing a reality check on the shaky economic situation, Pakistan Finance Minister Dr. Hafeez Sheikh has said that the country is on the verge of a ‘complete economic breakdown’.

Dr. Sheikh further sought the cooperation of the federal and provincial governments to steer the nation out of the mess.

He made these remarks in a …. Original article  : Pak teetering on the brink of complete economic breakdown: Finance Minister.

Iran paying Taliban 1,000 dollar bounty for each US soldier’s head in Afghanistan

LONDON – Iran is reportedly paying bonuses of 1,000 dollars to the Taliban for killing an American soldier in Afghanistan and 6,000 dollars for destroying a U.S. military vehicle.

According to The Times, at least five Iranian companies in Kabul are using their offices covertly to finance Taliban militants in provinces near the capital.

Afghan intelligence … Read more : Iran paying Taliban 1,000 dollar bounty for each US soldier’s head in Afghanistan.

Oz voters favour fresh polls even as Independents dither over support

CANBERRA – In the midst of uncertainty as to who would form the minority government in Australia, with the three key Independent MPs are yet to take a decision, a majority of the citizens are now fed up with the posturing and dithering of the trio and are …. Original source  : Oz voters favour fresh polls even as Independents dither over support.

Cellar girl reveals her 3,096-day abduction rape and naked slavery horrors

LONDON – Austrian television host Natascha Kampusch, who is known for her abduction at the age of 10, will be releasing her autobiography detailing the ordeal she went through at the hands of her kidnapper.

Kampusch, 22, who had been kidnapped by Wolfgang Priklopil, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cellar girl reveals her 3,096-day abduction rape and naked slavery horrors.

Pak Punjab Law Minister sheltering drug traffickers, land mafia, terrorists: PPP

LAHORE – Levelling allegations of sheltering drug traffickers, land grabbers and terrorists against Pakistan Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has urged Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to seek his resignation.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, PPP’s Punjab Information [..] Read the original article: here.

South Korean grandmother passes driving test after 960th attempt!

LONDON – The saying “you’re never too old to learn” has been proven true by a South Korean grandmother, who passed her driving test after a 960th attempt.

Cha Sa-soon, 69, whose surname means “vehicle” in Korean, has for three years since the beginning of April 2005, taken her driving test once … Original source on Gaea Times at : South Korean grandmother passes driving test after 960th attempt!.

Indian Army kicks off 15-day Trans-Himalayan motorbike expedition

LEH – The Indian Army has flagged off its 15-day Trans-Himalayan motorbike expedition from here with the aim of developing leadership qualities and fostering a spirit of adventure among the bikers of the 1st Ladakh … Read : Indian Army kicks off 15-day Trans-Himalayan motorbike expedition.

‘Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan plans to target prominent politicians on Eid’

PESHAWAR – Pakistani intelligence agencies have reportedly warned that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is planning to target prominent politicians and important personalities on Eid.

According to sources, the intelligence agencies have collected …. Original article  : ‘Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan plans to target prominent politicians on Eid’.

India’s new super luxury train flagged off from New Delhi

NEW DELHI – India’s new super luxury train ‘Royal Rajasthan on Wheels’ was flagged off from New Delhi on Sunday.

It has several new destinations added to the itinerary as compared to the previous luxury train ‘Palace on Wheels’.

The new luxury train is a joint venture …. Source article  : India’s new super luxury train flagged off from New Delhi.

Bihar CM appeals to Maoists to give up violence

PATNA – Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday expressed relief over the release of the three abducted cops, and urged the Maoists to abjure violence and come forward for talks.

“We are relieved at the release of three police officials. The Maoists must leave the … Read more >>.

Kathua District villagers complain of poor connectivity

KATHUA – Residents in several remote villages located near river Ujh in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua District have complained of poor connectivity and isolation due to lack of proper infrastructure.

Over 15,000 people live here and they say that despite …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kathua District villagers complain of poor connectivity.

North Korea to release South Korean boat, crew

SEOUL – North Korea said Monday that it would release seven South Korean crew members and their fishing boat, a month after they were taken into custody after Pyongyang said they had violated its maritime border.

State media called the violation “an intolerable infringement upon the sovereignty” of North Korea but the government decided to release … Read more : North Korea to release South Korean boat, crew.

Israeli FM says his party will block an extension of settlement slowdown, threatening talks

Israeli FM: Settlement slowdown will end
JERUSALEM – Israel’s hard-line foreign minister says his party will block any extension of Israel’s settlement slowdown, which could upend new Mideast peace talks.

Avigdor Lieberman says the Israeli government must keep its word that the 10-month slowdown will end at the end of September. He says his Yisrael Beitenu party …. Read the original article  : Israeli FM says his party will block an extension of settlement slowdown, threatening talks.

Iranian stoning-to-death woman ‘lashed 99 times’ for false picture published by Times

LONDON – The lawyer of an Iranian widow, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery, has claimed that she has been subjected to ‘99 lashes’ for “spreading corruption and indecency” in Tabriz prison after a false picture was published by the Times newspaper on 28 August this year for which …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rahul Gandhi to address Congress youth rally in Kolkata

KOLKATA – Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally here today as part of a Youth Congress membership drive launch.

The rally will take place in the Shahid Minar grounds from 1.30 p.m. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is also slated to attend.

Gandhi will meet the party’s student and youth wings at Bidhan Bhavan, …. Original article  : Rahul Gandhi to address Congress youth rally in Kolkata.

Four out of ten Brit men are domestic violence victims

LONDON – A new report has claimed that four out of ten victims of domestic violence in Britain are men and are often ignored by police who believe that a woman is the real victim.

The study comes at a time of complaints that men are treated unfairly by the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu focus

NEW DELHI – Given the turbulent situation in the Kashmir Valley, it is hardly surprising that Jammu or Ladakh for that matter (till the recent disaster there), doesn’t find any mention in the national media, especially the electronic one.

However, just because Jammu is quiet today, even though it … Read more >>.

Wheelchair bound teenager performs world’s first double back flip

LONDON – A teenager in the US, who is wheelchair bound, has become the world’s first to do a double back flip in the device.

Aaron Fotheringham, 18, who is known to pals as Wheelz, performed his stunt in Woodward, Pennsylvania, US, after months of painful failed attempts.

“I kept on landing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Wheelchair bound teenager performs world’s first double back flip.

Tory MP weeps after discovering his Brazilian wife was pounds 70-a-time prostitute

LONDON – A Tory MP has come into the spotlight after his Brazilian wife, who he was married to for seven years, was exposed as a 70 pounds-an-hour prostitute.

Mike Weatherley, 53, who came to power with Prime Minister David Cameron earlier this year, wept when he was confronted, and …. Original source  : Tory MP weeps after discovering his Brazilian wife was pounds 70-a-time prostitute.