US debating legality of targetting former citizen terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki

WASHINGTON – In today’s wars against “nonstate actors” such as Al Qaeda, individuals may be targeted for what amounts to assassination, but when those targets are American citizens, the US confronts difficult legal questions.

According to a Christian Science Monitor (CSM) report, while … Read more »».

Reports: Russia’s energy minister says Austria will join South Stream this month

Russian govt: Austria joins South Stream in April

MOSCOW – Russia’s energy minister says Austria will join the Russian-backed South Stream pipeline project in April.
Russian news agencies are quoting Sergei Shmatko as saying Thursday that this would be the final deal before construction begins later this year.
South Stream is a joint venture of Russia’s Gazprom and …. Source  : Reports: Russia’s energy minister says Austria will join South Stream this month.

Indian, Chinese business groups urge to recruit non-Malays in civil services

JOHOR BARU – Local business groups in Malaysia are pressing the state government for more programmes to recruit non-Malays into the state’s civil service.

Johor Chinese Chambers of Commerce president Loh Liam Hiang said he was shocked that there were only 10 Chinese and 116 Indians in the 8,372-strong civil service.
“This is not … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indian, Chinese business groups urge to recruit non-Malays in civil services.

Soldier killed in Jammu and Kashmir encounter

HANDWARA – At least one soldier of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) killed and another was injured in an encounter in the Rajwad forests of Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday morning.

This is the 30th encounter in last 90 days in the state.
The encounter, which started at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, …. Source article  : Soldier killed in Jammu and Kashmir encounter.

China blacklists 100 journalists for involvement in bribery,
blackmailing cases

BEIJING – China’s press watchdog, the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP), has blacklisted at least one hundred media workers and convicted over 20 journalists last year for involvement in bribery and blackmailing cases.

According to Li …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : China blacklists 100 journalists for involvement in bribery,
blackmailing cases.

Left activists court arrest against price rise

NEW DELHI – Left party activists on Thursday staged a massive demonstration here as a part of their nation-wide ‘jail bharo’ agitation in protest against the government’s failure to check the rising prices of essential commodities.

Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Prakash Karat, CPI’s A B Bardhan and Forward Bloc leader …. Original source  : Left activists court arrest against price rise.

Malaysian officers delay cremation of converted Hindu man

SEREMBAN – Malaysia’s Islamic Affairs Department officials policemen turned up to claim the body of a 49-year-old Hindu man at the Jalan Templer over a reported allegation that he had converted to Hinduism 20 years ago.

Raj Kumar Kutty, who was born to Muslim parents, …. Source  : Malaysian officers delay cremation of converted Hindu man.

Surgical strikes against Naxals likely

NEW DELHI / RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Vishwa Ranjan on Thursday said security agencies are considering initiating surgical strikes against Maoists.

“There is no single-dimensional operation. The operations will be more intense against the Maoists. There will be surgical strikes based on intelligence inputs,” Ranjan said while …. Source  : Surgical strikes against Naxals likely.

Malay Indian party’s by-election campaign to focus on all races

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Indian Congress president S. Samy Vellu has said that his party’s campaign for by-election to the the Hulu Selangor constituency will focus on development of all races.

He said he had directed the 70 MIC branch chairmen in all the divisions to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Malay Indian party’s by-election campaign to focus on all races.

Disgraced ex-New York Governor Spitzer admits toying with political comeback

NEW YORK – Disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has admitted that he had once toyed with the idea of making a political comeback, and has not yet considered closing out that option.

Speaking in an interview with Fortune, Spitzer said that he is itching … Read : Disgraced ex-New York Governor Spitzer admits toying with political comeback.

Karzai’s remarks are completely unacceptable to Canada, says Harper

OTTAWA – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has rebuked Afghan President Hamid Karzai for his recent outburst against the West, and suggestions of joining the Taliban.

“We have men and women who are over there putting their lives on the line … Read more : Karzai’s remarks are completely unacceptable to Canada, says Harper.

Malaysian Indian Congress to contest by-election for Hulu Selangor seat

SHAH ALAM – Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has said that the Malaysian Indian Congress will contest the by-election for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat.

The Prime Minister said that as Barisan Nasional chairman, he retained the right to decide who the candidate should be “because I want …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Germany’s top security official defends move to consider accepting Guantanamo inmates

German minister defends Guantanamo move
BERLIN – Germany’s interior minister is defending his decision to consider taking in prisoners from Guantanamo Bay amid criticism from within his own conservative party.

Thomas de Maiziere recently reopened discussions with the U.S. about possibly taking in selected inmates – which his predecessor was unenthusiastic about.
De Maiziere noted on ZDF television …. Source article  : Germany’s top security official defends move to consider accepting Guantanamo inmates.

Harris Poll finds that Bush is still blamed for meltdown

WASHINGTON – A Harris Poll has found that former President George W. Bush continues to be blamed for the country’s economic troubles more than his successor, Barack Obama.

Thirty-one percent of the 2,344 adults surveyed said Bush deserves to be blamed the most blame [..] Read the original article: here.

India raises concern over China stapling visas for Kashmir residents

BEIJING – Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has clarified that the issue of China stapling visas for residents of Jammu and Kashmir has been raised with the Chinese Government during External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s visit.

Rao, who addressed the media after …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India raises concern over China stapling visas for Kashmir residents.

Malay Sikhs ask Malaysian Govt to declare Vaisakhi as a national holiday

PETALING JAYA – Two prominent Sikhs leaders of Malaysia have asked the government to declare Vaisakhi as a national holiday.

Malaysia National Sikhs Movement president (Gerak-sikh) Darshan Singh and DAP chairman Karpal Singh said such a move would … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Malay Sikhs ask Malaysian Govt to declare Vaisakhi as a national holiday.

Government employees continue strike despite ESMA in J-K

SRINAGAR – Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees are continuing their strike despite the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) being invoked by the state government.

The strike has completely paralysed the normal functioning in all government offices, educational institutions, …. Read the original article  : Government employees continue strike despite ESMA in J-K.

Maoists fire again at CRPF camp in Chhattisgarh

DANTEWADA – Barely 36 hours after Tuesday’s attack on a CRPF company, Maoists fired at another Central Reserve Police Force camp in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.

The CRPF troop retaliated and the firing ended late on Wednesday night.
According to Chhattisgarh … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Maoists fire again at CRPF camp in Chhattisgarh.

Security beefed up in Allahabad

ALLAHABAD – Days after the deadly Maoists attack that killed 76 CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh, security has been beefed up in Allahabad.

The trains that are coming into Uttar Pradesh from Maoist-infested states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Maoists send second e-mail to Orissa CM, threaten Dantewada model attack

BHUBANESHWAR – Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s office on Thursday received a fresh e-mail threat from suspected Maoists.

According to Orissa Police, the e-mail threatened to carry out a Dantewada-type massacre in the state.he Chief Minister’s office (CMO) said the e-mail was sent from pgla.ocac.in.
This is the …. Read the original article  : here.