Truth ineffective in battling rumours about NYC mosque, study finds

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that the truth about the proposed Islamic cultural centre and mosque near Ground Zero in New York City was not effective at all in battling the rumours regarding its construction.

Researchers at Ohio State University found that fewer than one-third of people who had previously heard and believed one … Original source on Gaea Times at : Truth ineffective in battling rumours about NYC mosque, study finds.

Half of all Brit workers would pay more than ???100 to stay in bed

LONDON – Staying in bed for a day is almost a luxury for the majority of us who work several hours a day.

Now, a survey has revealed that nearly half of all workers would pay more than 100 pounds to spend the day in bed.

Forty-five per cent of full-time workers say they would fork out …. Source  : Half of all Brit workers would pay more than ???100 to stay in bed.

Obama may offer stricter nuke deal to Iran, but it could be rejected: Officials

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration and its European allies are preparing a new offer for negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program, senior administration officials say.

The new offer would require Iran to send over 4,400 pounds of low-enriched uranium out of the country, an increase of more than two-thirds from the amount required under a …. Read the original article  : Obama may offer stricter nuke deal to Iran, but it could be rejected: Officials.

‘Drinking, swearing and beer bellied’ Brits voted ‘world’s ugliest tourists’

LONDON – Drunk, swearing and beer bellied British men have been voted world’s ugliest tourists.

A Real Holiday Reports poll revealed that out of 1,353 people, 242 people branded British men top of the slobs.

“It’s their overall behaviour, which obviously leaves a lot to be desired,” The Daily Express quoted Gary Hewitt, who runs the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Vanity Fair’s McCain calendar branded ‘disgusting’

WASHINGTON – A Vanity Fair calendar has sparked a controversy after it published Republican Senator John McCain’s head digitally added to the body of a male model.

On the verge of upcoming midterm elections, Vanityfair.com released racy 2011′ beefcake’ calendar, whose ‘pinup boys’ – their heads digitally mounted on the provocatively posed bodies of male models …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Fingers stuck in bowling ball among worst excuses for not coming to work

LONDON – A survey on the worst ever sick-day excuses workers give to their employers includes one man saying that he cannot come to work as his fingers are stuck in a bowling ball.

The survey by Harris Interactive for job search website Careerbuilder asked employers to list the most unusual reasons for employees not making …. Read the original article  : Fingers stuck in bowling ball among worst excuses for not coming to work.

UN bodies urge Pak to prevent ‘victimisation’ of ‘most vulnerable people’ in flood relief

ISLAMABAD – Three UN human rights bodies have called on Pakistan to ensure that women, minorities and the disabled are spared from “further victimisation” during the recovery from the devastating floods that ravaged the country earlier this year.

“Members of minority communities, Afghan refugees, women, children and persons with disabilities, particularly those living in rural areas, … Read more : UN bodies urge Pak to prevent ‘victimisation’ of ‘most vulnerable people’ in flood relief.

IRCTC Fines Contractor

KOLKATA, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Following a complaint that was filed by passengers of Yeshwantpur-Howrah Duronto Express alleging that they were served substandard food during their journey, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have slapped a fine on the contractor who was in charge of suppling the food in the train. IRCTC officials … Original source on Gaea Times at : IRCTC Fines Contractor.

Parts of Obama coalition drifting toward GOP: Poll

NEW YORK – Critical parts of the coalition that delivered President Obama to the White House in 2008 and gave Democrats control of Congress in 2006 are switching their allegiance to the Republicans in the final phase of the mid-term Congressional elections, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

Republicans have wiped out the … Read : Parts of Obama coalition drifting toward GOP: Poll.

Robert Mugabe ‘ready for war’ over allegations his wife cheated on him

LONDON – Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is set to fight the allegations that his wife Grace cheated on him.

Sources close to the president’s camp say he is livid about the claims that his wife, who is 41 years his junior, had a five-year affair with Gideon Gono, one of his closest friends and the head … Read more >>.

Law Minister Moily says Centre not to pursue Bhopal gas tragedy case in US courts

NEW DELHI – Union Law and Justice Minister M Veerappa Moily has said that the Central Government has decided not to pursue Bhopal gas tragedy compensation case in the US courts, observing it was not in interest of the country or victims.

“The Central Government has reportedly decided to not pursue the compensation from the parent …. Source  : Law Minister Moily says Centre not to pursue Bhopal gas tragedy case in US courts.

Pak Army ‘illegally’ gave funds to Bugti’s rivals under Musharraf’s call: Audit report

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani Army had distributed illegal funds to the rivals of Nawab Akbar Bugti between 2000 and 2002, according to an audit report.

The Audit department report presented in a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly revealed that around 42 million rupees were distributed among the Kulpar Bugtis of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pak Army ‘illegally’ gave funds to Bugti’s rivals under Musharraf’s call: Audit report.

Senior citizens in village protest non-payment of pension

JHARGRAM – About 2000 old women, hailing from West Bengal’s Paschimi Medinipur District, staged a rally to protest against the non-payment of their pension dues.

“I am old and alone. I manage to get food after selling Sal leaves (used for rolling indigenous smoking tobacco reefers known as Beedis). Next year I wouldn’t be able to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Army chief confirms probe into Mumbai skyscraper scam

NEW DELHI – Chief of Army Staff, General V.K. Singh, has confirmed that the army is investigating the alleged role of senior officers in the multi-storeyed Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society scam.

Speaking on the sidelines of a function to mark the formal inauguration of a programme ‘Mission Army’ being produced by National Geographic Channel at New … Read more >>>.

Naked starlets encouraging sexting among Oz teens

SYDNEY – Experts have warned that starlets who promote their naked photos and videos are encouraging teens in Australia to take up sexting.

Child education expert and former police officer Susan McLean, said parents and teachers are at a loss to explain the prevalence of sexting in schools.

But she believes the bombardment of naked photos and …. Read the original article  : Naked starlets encouraging sexting among Oz teens.

Mohammed is most popular name for baby boys in UK

LONDON – Topping the list for the most popular name given to newborn boys in Britain is Mohammed, followed by Oliver, Jack, Harry and Alfie.

Mohammed had been placed third last year, but now has come first after overtaking the name Jack, which had topped the list for the past 14 years and is now in …. Source  : Mohammed is most popular name for baby boys in UK.

Angolan man enters records book for world’s biggest mouth

LONDON – A man from Angola has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the widest mouth.

Francisco Domingo Joaquim, 20, who can even fit a Coke can sideways in his 17cm-wide mouth, was spotted performing on YouTube, the Sun reported.

Ever since researchers tracked him down to his hometown in Angola, his videos have … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Angolan man enters records book for world’s biggest mouth.

American Sikhs say ‘Muslim origin’ Obama skipping Golden Temple visit out of fear

WASHINGTON – The American Sikh community has said that President Barack Obama is not visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar because he harbours fears of negative image fallout with him being partially Muslim by birth.

Refusing to buy the White House explanation that India is a huge country and that it would not be possible for …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : American Sikhs say ‘Muslim origin’ Obama skipping Golden Temple visit out of fear.

Raising funds for infrastructure development not a big problem: Mukherjee

NEW DELHI – Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that raising funds for infrastructure development is not a big problem, and added that progress has been made in the Central Government’s flagship ‘Bharat Nirman’ programme, which aims to upgrade rural infrastructure projects such as roads, water, electricity and telecom connectivity.

“Forty-one lakh crore … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Raising funds for infrastructure development not a big problem: Mukherjee.

CWG scam: Income Tax raids offices of contractors

NEW DELHI – Offices of several contractors, who were involved with the recently held XIXth Commonwealth Games, were raided by income tax officials on Thursday.

Raids are being conducted at the offices of Satya Prakash Constructions, which provided landscaping services for the Games, and at the offices of Shiv Naresh Sports, which provided tracksuits for the …. Source article  : CWG scam: Income Tax raids offices of contractors.