US envoy says no quick progress likely in restarting North Korea nuclear disarmament talks

US envoy: No quick progress likely in NKorea talks

BEIJING – A special U.S. envoy arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for talks on restarting stalled negotiations on North Korea’s nuclear disarmament, although he said no quick breakthroughs are likely.
North Korea walked out of the six-nation talks last year to protest international criticism of its long-range rocket [..] Read the original article: here.

‘Ghost’ in UK pub ‘freaks out’ owner

LONDON – A man was left shocked when he spotted a ‘ghost’ in the CCTV footage of his UK bar.

The ‘ghost’ appeared at 18 minutes past midnight in the Wolfe Pub in Penrith, Cumbria, hovered in the air in the deserted bar for 31 seconds and then shot off.

Stunned Andrew Batemen, 38, showed the footage … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Ghost’ in UK pub ‘freaks out’ owner.

Marks and Spencer criticised for bra that can be worn only for 8 hours

LONDON – British retail store Marks and Spencer has been criticised for selling a bra that can be worn for just eight hours.

The 20 pounds stick-on strapless bra, which has been marketed as “ideal for wearing with strapless or backless dresses and tops”, has a manufacturer’s tag indicating it should not be worn for more …. Source  : Marks and Spencer criticised for bra that can be worn only for 8 hours.

Conservationists say keeping tigers alive in the wild costs 80 m dollars per year

LONDON – The cost of keeping tigers alive in the wild is about 80 million dollars per year, say conservationists, but only about 50 million dollars per year is being pledged.

According to the BBC, the figures come from a new assessment that suggests targeting efforts in 42 selected breeding sites.

Building tiger populations in these sites … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Conservationists say keeping tigers alive in the wild costs 80 m dollars per year.

Bank of England governor to face potentially unfriendly audience at union conference

Bank of England head to address union conference

LONDON – Bank of England Governor Mervyn King is to face a potentially unfriendly audience as he addresses a conference of trade union leaders.
King is to speak to the annual gathering of the country’s main union federation, the Trades Union Congress, on Wednesday. King is also expected to … Read : Bank of England governor to face potentially unfriendly audience at union conference.

Stringent visa rules, fear of attack on ethnic students affecting Oz varsity export earnings

MELBOURNE – Universities in Australia rely heavily on foreign student fees to keep themselves financially afloat, but over the past 18 months, a number of factors have led to a fall in the number of overseas students wanting to study in Australia.

According … Read more : Stringent visa rules, fear of attack on ethnic students affecting Oz varsity export earnings.

Google sacks engineer for violating privacy policies

WASHINGTON – Google has sacked one of its engineers, David Barksdale, for breaching privacy policies after it was alleged that he had harassed several underage teens and spied on their private data.

According to News.com.au, 27-year-old Barksdale, who worked as a site reliability … Read more >>>.

Former Iranian president Rafsanjani urges Govt. not to take international sanctions as a “joke”

TEHRAN – Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has criticised the government for not adhering to the Islamic Republic’s laws and urged it not to take international sanctions as “joke” as the Islamic republic is facing its worst ever assault from the global community.

“We have never been …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Former Iranian president Rafsanjani urges Govt. not to take international sanctions as a “joke”.

American Tea Party backed candidates stun Republicans in primaries

WASHINGTON – Two unknown Republican Senate primary candidates, Christine O’Donnell and Ovide Lamontagne, backed by the Tea Party have rocked their entrenched party opponents by winning nominations on Tuesday, posing a major disappointment to the political establishment on the last big day of the primaries.

Christine O’Donnell, …. Source  : American Tea Party backed candidates stun Republicans in primaries.

Eiffel Tower reopens as normal after bomb threat from anonymous caller

Eiffel Tower reopens after bomb threat, evacuation

PARIS – The Eiffel Tower has reopened a day after being evacuated because of a bomb threat from an anonymous caller.
Paris police said Wednesday that no enhanced security measures were planned at France’s most visited monument, and an investigation has been handed over to the city prosecutor’s office.
Explosives experts …. Source article  : Eiffel Tower reopens as normal after bomb threat from anonymous caller.

American freed after more than a year in Iranian prison now resting in Oman after bail deal

Freed American resting in Oman after bail deal

MUSCAT, Oman – American Sarah Shourd is resting in Oman’s capital Muscat on her first full day of freedom after a surprise bail deal with Iran secured her release after more than 13 months in custody.
U.S. and Omani officials say it’s unclear how long Shourd will stay in … Read : American freed after more than a year in Iranian prison now resting in Oman after bail deal.

Indian-American body to honour 10 for serving community

WASHINGTON – The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) will honour 10 Indian Americans for their outstanding achievements and contributions to humanity and society at its 30th anniversary convention in New York over the weekend.

The honours will be bestowed on the 10 at the 2010 NFIA Awards banquet Saturday, echoing the theme of … Read more : Indian-American body to honour 10 for serving community.

Ex-sports official lifts lid on East German doping regime

LONDON – A former sports official has acknowledged that there was widespread state-sponsored doping in Communist-dominant East Germany in the 1970s.

Thomas Koehler has revealed this fact in his book “Two Sides of the Medal,” which is being published later this week.

“The sports leadership decided to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Andhra Pradesh safe for investors and industries, says Rosaiah

HYDERABAD – Inviting industries to invest, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has assured full support to entrepreneurs and business holdings looking to set up base in the region.

Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here, Rosaiah said that …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Lesbians flock to Greece’s Lesbos Island for festival

LONDON – Lesbos Island in Greece witnessed huge numbers of lesbians from across Europe who have gathered there for the tenth annual International Women’s Festival.

Since a decade of its commencement, attendance at the two-week International Women’s Festival in the village of Eressos … Read more : Lesbians flock to Greece’s Lesbos Island for festival.

Martin Luther King’s trusted civil rights photographer was FBI informant

LONDON – Martin Luther King Jr’s confidant, who was a well-known photographer of the US civil rights era, was a FBI informant, it has emerged.

Ernest Withers, who died in 2007 at the age of 85, took some of the most famous pictures of King, including him riding one of the first … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Martin Luther King’s trusted civil rights photographer was FBI informant.

Curfew continues in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR – Curfew continued in the Kashmir Valley for the third day on Wednesday.

Curfew continues to remain in force in Srinagar, Budgam and adjoining areas including Chadoora in central Kashmir, Ganderbal and adjoining areas including Kangan in north-east of the valley.

Anantnag, Kulgam, Qoimoh, Pulwama, Shopian, [..] Read the original article: here.

New 3D Wonderbra ad ‘distraction to drivers’

LONDON – A 3D advertisement by bra company Wonderbra, which features a well-enhanced woman’s cleavage, is being considered a road safety hazard, as it can be distracting for drivers.

The poster, which has been erected near London Waterloo station to promote the …. Read the original article  : here.

Kumar Mahadevan, ex MasterChef Jimmy Seervai to host Sydney dinners

MELBOURNE – Well-known Indian chef Kumar Mahadevan and former Masterchef contestant Jimmy Seervai are set to host a series of dinner events in Sydney.

The ‘Kumar and Jimmy Nights’ will be held at chef Mahadevan’s celebrated Indian restaurant Aki’s in Wooloomoolloo on September 28 – 29, where fans will get …. Source  : Kumar Mahadevan, ex MasterChef Jimmy Seervai to host Sydney dinners.

Brit celebrity stalker gets “orgasmic” over roly-poly minister Eric Pickles

LONDON – A woman in Britain, who has been stalking celebrities, had to be escorted out of a Tory meeting after she started getting “orgasmic” over roly-poly minister Eric Pickles.

Alida O’Reilly, 28, who is said to be obsessed with Tories including David Cameron, astonished Conservative workers …. Read the original article  : here.