Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar, Ansari named Kashmir interlocutors

NEW DELHI – Naming eminent journalist Dilip Padgaonkar, Information Commissioner M.M. Ansari and academician Radha Kumar as the interlocutors who would re-start peace talks in troubled Jammu and Kashmir, the government Wednesday urged Kashmiris to engage with them.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters here that “we have appointed the group of interlocutors”, calling …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Missile sent to Britain through ordinary post!

LONDON – A missile was sent to Britain through ordinary post by military engineers in Afghanistan, triggering a full-scale alert.

The 70mm Flechette rocket travelled 3,500 miles from Afghanistan to an RAF base inside an ordinary package, The Sun reported Wednesday.
The package was opened at Wattisham Airfield, in Suffolk, where over 70 defence … Read more »»».

Brit man given 6 months to live sells all his belongings and then lives

LONDON – A British man sold all his belongings after being being given just six months to live – only to be told later: “It was a mistake. You won’t die.”

Malcolm McMahon, 55, flogged heirlooms and premium bonds, gave his beloved dog away and put his four-bedroomed house up for sale after being informed he … Original source on Gaea Times at : Brit man given 6 months to live sells all his belongings and then lives.

UK’s angriest motorists drive BMWs

LONDON – A poll has revealed that Britain’s angriest motorist drive BMWs.

They are more likely to tailgate, make offensive gestures and break speed limits than any other road users, the survey found.

More than half of 3,000 drivers questioned said they had suffered a bad experience at the hands of a Beamer user, reports the Sun.

White …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Mines to Market’ diamond conference begins in Mumbai

MUMBAI – ‘Mines to Market’, the bi-annual International Diamond conference begins in Mumbai.

The conference was inaugurated by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Scindia welcomed the overseas delegations and expressed the hope that the conference would further cement ties between the Indian industry and the participating companies and countries.

Outlining India’s leading …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Victory for gays as judge orders U.S. military to halt ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law

WASHINGTON – A federal judge has ordered the United States military to stop enforcing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law that prohibits homosexuality in the armed services.

According to the New York Times, Judge Virginia A. Phillips of Federal District Court for the Central District of California issued an injunction banning enforcement of the law … Original source on Gaea Times at : Victory for gays as judge orders U.S. military to halt ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law.

Pizza Express teaching staff how to flirt with customers

LONDON – Family-friendly restaurant Pizza Express is teaching its staff the art of flirting with patrons in a bid to relax them, it has emerged.

The restaurant has recruited classically trained actor Karl James to teach flirting and the art of chit-chat to staff to help them butter up the customers.

James is running a series of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘World will come to India asking to join UNSC in next 15-20 yrs’

SYDNEY – India should not push for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council as the world will come forward and ask New Delhi to join the UNSC as a permanent member in next 15-20 years, according to a top former diplomat.

India was elected a non-permanent member at the UNSC on Tuesday after a [..] Read the original article: here.

‘Indian-hate-slur’ host Henry’s departure doesn’t see drop in TVNZ viewership

WELLINGTON – Despite the departure of the controversial and popular host Paul Henry from the Television New Zealand, the ratings of the breakfast show reportedly remains high, but experts claim that the actual effect of his absence would be known only after a few months.

According to the New Zealand Herald, Henry’s departure has divided … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Indian-hate-slur’ host Henry’s departure doesn’t see drop in TVNZ viewership.

US teachers ‘fired for complaining about on-campus sex toys’

SAN ANTONIO – Three former teachers at a school in the US are suing their employer, claiming that they were fired because they complained about on-campus sex toy parties.

The three teachers, Deanna Allen, Janice Mireles and Rosalinda Padilla, had taught high school and junior high-level classes at the small Gabriel Tafolla Academy.

They are seeking damages …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US teachers ‘fired for complaining about on-campus sex toys’.

Poster girl of Taliban oppression unveils new nose

LONDON – The woman, who appeared on the cover of Time Magazine without her nose and accompanied by an article highlighting the plight of women in Afghanistan, has unveiled a new nose.

Aisha, 19, who became the poster girl of Taliban oppression in Afghanistan after being mutilated by her husband, prompted a worldwide outpouring of … Read more : Poster girl of Taliban oppression unveils new nose.

NATO choppers again violate Pak airspace days after formal apology

QUETTA – After assuring Pakistan of no more intrusions into its territory, two NATO helicopters again violated Pakistani airspace in Chaman area, a bordering town of Balochistan with Afghanistan.

“Two NATO helicopters crossed 200 yards into our territory and went back after a moment,” the Dawn quoted an officer, as saying.

The helicopters were seen over …. Source article  : NATO choppers again violate Pak airspace days after formal apology.

Six Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh encounter

MAHASAMUND – Security forces have gunned down six Maoist rebels in an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund District.

The security personnel also managed to seize huge cache of explosives during the encounter that took place on Tuesday.

It has been reported that the security personnel were deployed in the region on a month-long anti- Maoists operation.

Special Task Force … Read more : Six Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh encounter.

Now, ‘Zork’ your bubbly to keep the fizz from going flat

LONDON – Popping open a bottle of champagne is always fun, but not so much when the bubbly fizzes out – well, not any more – thanks to a clever device called ‘zork’.

Tesco is initially rolling out the plastic cap, reckoned to be a hi-tech alternative to the traditional champagne cork – with the added … Read more »».

Photog captures lightening-struck Statue of Liberty

NEW YORK – A photographer has managed to capture an amazing moment – the Statue of Liberty hit by a lightening streak.

Jay Fine, who has hoped to snap a shot of lightning hitting the statue for years, was waiting in Battery Park City on Sept. 22, reports The New York Post.

Fine spent nearly two hours … Read more >>>.

Germany has become new breeding ground for jihadi Islamic radicals: Report

BERLIN – Despite being spared of terrorist attacks like those that have hit the United States, Britain and Spain, Hamburg in Germany still remains the breeding ground for Islamic radicals, according to security officials.

Recent arrests and terrorism warnings in Europe and Afghanistan have reportedly claimed that a small number of Germans under the influence …. Read the original article  : Germany has become new breeding ground for jihadi Islamic radicals: Report.

India to help Vietnam enhance, upgrade its armed forces

HANOI – To further boost India’s Look East Policy, Defence Minister AK Antony said that New Delhi will provide support to Vietnam to enhance and upgrade the capabilities of its three services in general and its Navy in particular.

Antony announced India’s help at the bilateral meetings with the top Vietnamese leadership including President Nguyen Minh …. Original source  : India to help Vietnam enhance, upgrade its armed forces.

Miracle as first of 33 trapped Chilean miners pulled to safety

LONDON – A feeling of victory and happiness erupted across Chile as the first of 33 Chilean miners, trapped for more than two months was brought out to the surface.

According to the Daily News, strapped into a specially-made steel capsule, 31-year-old Florencio Avalos stepped out of a torpedo-shaped capsule that lifted him over 2,000 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Miracle as first of 33 trapped Chilean miners pulled to safety.

Even passengers’ phone calls are a danger to drivers

LONDON – A study on the dangers of talking on a mobile while driving has found that even a passenger’s phone call is enough to distract the driver.

Researchers say that hearing one side of a phone conversation can affect concentration more than being part of it, as a ‘halfalogue’ is up to three times as …. Original article  : Even passengers’ phone calls are a danger to drivers.

Row over inviting Lankan President Rajapaksa for CWG closing

LONDON – Activists have opposed India’s decision to invite Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the guest of honour at the closing ceremony of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Rajapaksa accepted a “joint” invitation from the Indian government and the event organisers, and would be flying to India on Wednesday

The Lankan government confirmed that Rajapaksa would … Original article on : Row over inviting Lankan President Rajapaksa for CWG closing.