Romney leads 2012 Republican presidential bid field

WASHINGTON – Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leads his Republican rivals for the party’s 2012 presidential nomination, according a new survey out Friday by Public Policy Polling.

According to Politico, Romney commands 28 percent of the 614 self-identified Republican primary voters polled by PPP.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is placed second with 24 percent, followed by …. Original source  : Romney leads 2012 Republican presidential bid field.

China’s elections won’t be Western-style, says lawmaker

BEIJING – China has said that it will adhere to its own mode of development instead of adopting Western-style elections.

“Different countries have different election rules and a socialist China won’t follow Western election campaigns,” the China Daily quoted Li Fei, the deputy director of the legislative affairs commission under the Standing Committee of the National …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Polytechnic College students invent Cell phone-operated tractor

MOGA – Two students of the Moga Polytechnic College have invented a tractor that can be operated with the help of a mobile phone.

The duo has worked on this unique tractor to help farmers.
Pavittar Singh Baraad, one of the inventors said that the tractor could be operated with mobile buttons from anywhere.
“With the help of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Polytechnic College students invent Cell phone-operated tractor.

Shahbaz Sharif must stop supporting ‘asset ‘ terror groups before it’s too late: Pak analyst

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Punjab province’s Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s recent statement imploring the Taliban to exempt his region from violence has shocked many, but the bigger question is as to what prompted Shahbaz to make such an irresponsible statement.

Some analysts believe that the recent series of suicide attacks in Lahore has surprised Shahbaz to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Shahbaz Sharif must stop supporting ‘asset ‘ terror groups before it’s too late: Pak analyst.

Counter-terrorism experts say Jihad Jane represents a threat from online ‘jihobbyists’

WASHINGTON – Counter terrorism experts have expressed the view that people like Colleen LaRose, who is known by her online moniker as ‘Jihad Jane’ are essentially ‘Jihobbyists’ or people drawn to the online theatre of violent jihad, and become increasingly radical as they delve deeper into Web forums.

These experts say people like LaRose are not …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Counter-terrorism experts say Jihad Jane represents a threat from online ‘jihobbyists’.

Prince Harry eyes North Pole trek to help injured service personnel

LONDON – Prince Harry is set to undertake an expedition to the North Pole to help raise funds for injured service personnel.

The 25-year-old royal will join a team of amputees who lost limbs in the line of duty and their guides for the Walking With The Wounded trek which will take place in April next …. Read the original article  : Prince Harry eyes North Pole trek to help injured service personnel.

68 percent of Americans would vote out all lawmakers: Fox poll

NEW YORK – A Fox News poll shows 68 percent of voters would oust all incumbents, while 20 percent would keep all lawmakers in office.

The poll further revealed that even 52 percent of Democrats, whose party controls both houses of Congress, would get rid of all incumbents. Thirty-two percent would keep them.
Most Republicans (79 percent) …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 68 percent of Americans would vote out all lawmakers: Fox poll.

Malaysian Indian Congress calls for more funds to Indian entrepreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) wants the Government to provide more funding for Indian entrepreneurs.

Its president, S. Samy Vellu, said that since 2008, the MIC-owned Social Strategic Foundation (YSS) and Tekun have provided loans totalling RM11mil to 1,481 Indian businessmen.
“I have directed YSS to conduct a study on the progress achieved by …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

North Korea spurns UN push to stop executions and torture

GENEVA – North Korea’s Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ri Chol, has denounced its recommendations to stop public executions, torture of prisoners, and other endemic violations of human rights in the aftermath of the reported execution of the senior official responsible for disastrous economic reforms.

Chol said that the council’s recommendations reflected … Read more »».

Over 1500 Uzbek militants in Pak’s S. Waziristan area

ISLAMABAD – Foreign fighters, or “global terrorists” remain a formidable presence in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

First-hand accounts from locals suggest that there is no shortage of Islamic foreigners willing to join the fray.
Among them are about 1500 Uzbeks affiliated to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), who are regarded as tough, rough and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Kayani leaves for US to take part in next week’s strategic dialogue

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has left for the United States to take part in the upcoming strategic dialogue between the two countries on March 24.

During his ‘official’ visit, Kayani is also likely to meet top US military and government officials in Tampa and Washington, The Dawn … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Kayani leaves for US to take part in next week’s strategic dialogue.

Kashmir to assess water loss due to treaty with Pakistan

JAMMU – The Jammu and Kashmir government will hire a private agency to assess water losses suffered by the state due to the Indus Water Treaty provisions that restrict the use of its three rivers.

Official sources said Friday the state cannot harness the waters of the Jhelum, Indus and Chenab as much as it …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

VHP leader Togadia released, denied entry to Kandhamal

BHUBANESWAR – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia, who was arrested last night for attempting to enter riot-hit Kandhamal district, was released early Saturday.

Togadia was stopped at Charichhak in Boudh district as he tried to enter Kandhamal, despite a ban imposed by the district administration on his entry.
He was booked under Section 151 of …. Source article  : VHP leader Togadia released, denied entry to Kandhamal.

Border Roads Organisation trying its best to open Srinagar-Leh Highway

ZOJILA SONAMARG – The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working against odds in rough terrain to throw open the snow-blocked Srinagar-Leh Highway in Jammu and Kashmir, so that it is open for traffic soon.

The highway remains covered under heavy snow measuring up to seven to eight feet, cutting off Ladakh region from the rest of … Read : Border Roads Organisation trying its best to open Srinagar-Leh Highway.

Himachal farmers to receive permits to kill wild animals damaging their crops

BARAGAON – Farmers of Himachal Pradesh will soon receive permits to kill wild animals that damage their crops and affect the yield.

In a few areas of the state, the farmers have also left their fields barren, as monkeys and other animals are destroying their cultivation.
Primarily the permission to kill monkeys and blue bulls will be … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Himachal farmers to receive permits to kill wild animals damaging their crops.

Consumers angry over hike in milk prices

NEW DELHI – Customers here are angry over the announcement made by Mother Dairy, the biggest supplier of milk, that fresh milk would cost Rs two more per litre from Saturday.

Mother Dairy has reportedly raised prices by Rs 1 and Rs 2 per litre.
Major milk retailers in the country like Amul and Mother Diary had …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Consumers angry over hike in milk prices.

Indian Tantric tries killing sceptic live on TV, fails

LONDON – A sceptic challenged an Indian tantric to kill him live on television, after the guru proclaimed that he could kill another man using only his mystical powers.

Sanal Edamaruku, self-appointed sceptic-in-chief of Indian Rationalists’ Association, demanded Pandit Surender Sharma to exterminate him.
Both men were invited to a talk show for the challenge.
The episode was …. Original source  : Indian Tantric tries killing sceptic live on TV, fails.

Murdered Brit teen Scarlett Keeling’s mum admits to benefit fraud

NEW DELHI – The mother of murdered British teenager Scarlett Keeling has admitted to falsely claiming 19,000 pounds in benefits.

According to The Times, 44-year-old Fiona MacKeown claimed the income support money between February 2005 and March 2008, including during the time of her daughter’s death in Goa.
MacKeown admitted to a Exeter Crown court that received …. Original article  : Murdered Brit teen Scarlett Keeling’s mum admits to benefit fraud.

Girls stage a rally for women empowerment in Assam

JORHAT – Female students of various schools and colleges took part in a rally here on Friday to spread mass awareness about women empowerment.

Organised under the aegis of the 9 Assam Rifles Battalion, the rally was organised by the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
The rally would cover almost all the interior areas of Jorhat.
“They will go … Read more >>.

West German spy agency ‘employed about 200 former Nazi criminals’

LONDON – The Federal German Intelligence Service, which is also known as BND, has admitted that it employed about 200 former Nazi criminals for at least 15 years after the Second World War.

Some of these criminals were involved in massacres in Poland and Russia, while the others were Gestapo torturers. All of them found a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.