Thousands of undiscovered plant species face extinction

LONDON – Faced with threats like habitat loss and climate change, many thousands of rare flowering plant species worldwide may become extinct even before discovery.

“Scientists have estimated that there could be five million to 50 million of such species, but less than two million of these have been discovered till date,” says Lucas Joppa …. Read the original article  : Thousands of undiscovered plant species face extinction.

Correct car seat use vital to child safety

WASHINGTON – Studies have shown the importance of car seat education and how it can avoid fatalities amongst children.

“Incorrect usage of car seats and child restraints has played a large role in motor vehicle accidents continuing to be the leading killer of children in our country,” said Karen Judy, associate professor department of paediatrics Loyola … Original source on Gaea Times at : Correct car seat use vital to child safety.

Ohio woman pretends to be a boy to seduce girl

MELBOURNE – An Ohio woman seduced a teenage girl she had a crush on by pretending to be a 14-year-old boy.

Patricia Dye, 31, of Franklin, used the alias Matt Abrams to get along with 16-year-old girl.

She was charged with unlawful sexual conduct and corruption of the Springboro girl.

According to the Dayton Daily News, the incident … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ohio woman pretends to be a boy to seduce girl.

Poll claims independent voters ‘disappointed’ and ‘angry’ with Obama administration

WASHINGTON – A poll has revealed that a majority of independent voters are unhappy with the Obama administration and just over half intend to use their vote in November to put a check on him and the Democratic dominant Congress.

According to Fox News, the poll has found that six percent of the independents are … Original article on : Poll claims independent voters ‘disappointed’ and ‘angry’ with Obama administration.

‘Climategate’ review clears scientists of dishonesty over data presentation

LONDON – Climate scientists, who were earlier accused of fudging their results on man-made global warming, have been cleared of any wrongdoing, and thus, have silenced their critics.

Sir Muir Russell, the senior civil servant who led a six-month inquiry into the affair, said the “rigour and honesty” of the scientists at the world-leading Climatic Research …. Read the original article  : ‘Climategate’ review clears scientists of dishonesty over data presentation.

Cloudburst causes property damage in Himachal’s Manikaran Valley

SHIMLA – A cloudburst in the Manikaran Valley of Himachal’s Kullu District has caused heavy damage to public and private property.

A couple of bridges, vehicles, machinery and other equipments at the under construction Parbati Hydro Electric Project have been washed away.

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited is building the 800 Mega Watt …. Read the original article  : Cloudburst causes property damage in Himachal’s Manikaran Valley.

News reports say UK gay priest rejected as nominee for bishopric

News reports: gay priest rejected for UK bishopric

LONDON – News reports say that a Church of England committee has decided against nominating a gay priest to become a bishop.
Church officials are not commenting, but reporter Jonathan Wynne-Jones says in Thursday’s Daily Telegraph that the Very Rev. Jeffrey John was rejected as a potential nominee to …. Source  : News reports say UK gay priest rejected as nominee for bishopric.

Now a plan to dissolve the dead and flush them

LONDON – Undertakers in Belgium have chalked out a plan to dissolve human corpses in corrosive chemical solution and then flush them into the sewage, rather than running a crematorium or using up land for graves.

The dead would end up in the sewage systems and then be recycled in water processing plants, Daily … Read more >>.

Nixon planned to hit N.Korea with nuclear strike in 1969

WASHINGTON – Former US president Richard Nixon is believed to have ordered nuclear bombers to be put on standby for an immediate strike on North Korea.

According to newly revealed government documents, obtained by the National Security Archive in Washington after a freedom of information request, describe the plan codenamed Freedom Drop, as calling for “pre-coordinated …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Nixon planned to hit N.Korea with nuclear strike in 1969.

Cabinet decides to refer Khap Panchayat issue to GoM

NEW DELHI – The Union Cabinet on Thursday decided to refer the controversial Khap Panchayat issue to a Group of Ministers (GoM).

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said: “The GoM will be set up to consider amendments to the law to deal with honour killings.

“The views of … Read more : Cabinet decides to refer Khap Panchayat issue to GoM.

STPI Investigates Bullying Incident

TANGERANG, INDONESIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The Indonesian State Aviation School (STPI) launched an interrogation session today where four senior students of the institution were questioned on their act of ragging six of their juniors. It has been alleged that four students of the senior section from the institution were involved in an act of bullying six … Read more : STPI Investigates Bullying Incident.

Egypt unveils discovery of father-and-son tombs dating back 4,300 years at ancient necropolis

Egypt unveils discovery of 4,300-year-old tombs

SAQQARA, Egypt – Egyptian archaeologists have unveiled their latest discovery – two 4,300-year-old tombs carved out of stone and unearthed in the ancient necropolis of Saqqara near Cairo.
The tombs have false doors with paintings depicting their owners – a father and a son who served as heads of the royal …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Egypt unveils discovery of father-and-son tombs dating back 4,300 years at ancient necropolis.

UK mayor’s report favors minority recruits joining Met at a higher rank

LONDON – A new report commissioned by London Mayor, Boris Johnson, has said the Metropolitan Police is not doing enough to retain and promote black, minority and ethnic officers, and recommended that police recruits from a black, minority or ethnic background should be allowed to join at a higher rank than constable.

The report’s recommendations say …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UK mayor’s report favors minority recruits joining Met at a higher rank.

Jaganmohan Reddy begins defiant yatra

HYDERABAD – Congress MP and the son of late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy, Jaganmohan Reddy began his Odarpu yatra on Thursday, to honour his father’s memory, from Srikakulam, despite the opposition of his party.

He started his tour of two districts Srikakulam and East Godavari from Icchapuram.he ostensible purpose of the yatra was to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Jaganmohan Reddy begins defiant yatra.

Marijuana use in California may double if legal: Study

WASHINGTON – Legalizing marijuana could bring down the price of the drug and encourage sales in California, says a new study.

The study by RAND Corporation reported that the prices could be cut by 80 percent, and drug use could become rampant.

Even with high taxes (50 dollars per ounce) and a moderate rate of tax evasion …. Read the original article  : Marijuana use in California may double if legal: Study.

Three HINDRAF leaders to face sedition rap

PUTRAJAYA – Three leaders of the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) will return to the Klang Sessions Court to face the sedition charge preferred against them in November 2007.

According to a New Strait Times report, a Court of Appeal yesterday unanimously struck out the appeal by P. Uthayakumar, 48, his brother Waytha Moorthy, 43, … Original article on : Three HINDRAF leaders to face sedition rap.

Popularity of Lady Gaga’s “doe-eyed” look raises safety concerns

WASHINGTON – Lady Gaga’s ‘big-eyed effect’, made popular by the singer in her Bad Romance video, is increasingly gaining popularity among teens who are using “circle lenses” to change the look of their eyes in size and colour.

While Gaga’s look in the video was largely computer generated, more and more teens are reportedly using lenses … Read more >>>.

Terrorists planning massive strike across country, warns Pak intelligence

LAHORE – Pakistan intelligence agencies have warned that militants are planning to expedite terror attacks across the country using suicide bombers and explosives-laden vehicles.

According to intelligence inputs, terrorists in the Khyber, and Orakzai Agencies and the Malakand Division, including Swat, are gathering at Darra Adam Khel, which has now become their new safe haven.

The … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Terrorists planning massive strike across country, warns Pak intelligence.

Indefinite curfew continues in Srinagar, army stages another flag march

SRINAGAR – Indefinite curfew continues in the Kashmir Valley, though stray incidents of violence were reported as the Army under took another flag march in Srinagar.

Sopore and old parts of Baramulla were also placed under curfew as a precautionary measure.

According to sources, a group of protestors attempted to gather in the Batmaloo area of Srinagar …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

China believes US would not mount pressure over Pak nuke deal: Expert

WASHINGTON – Despite initial concerns, the United States is unlikely to pressurise China over its plans to build two nuclear reactors in Pakistan, an American expert on Sino-Pakistan relationship has said.

Andrew Small of the German Marshall Fund of the United States said Beijing believes that Washington would need its support on various issues such …. Source article  : China believes US would not mount pressure over Pak nuke deal: Expert.