London, Jun 17 : Fish are more clever than you thought, for a new study has found that although worlds apart, the way they learn could be closer to humans' way of thinking.
Researchers have found a common species of fish which is found across Europe, called nine-spined stickleback, to be the first animal to exhibit an important human social learning strategy.
The sticklebacks can compare the behaviour of other sticklebacks with their own experience and make choices that lead to better food supplies, found the study published in the 'Behavioral Ecology' journal.
According to the researchers, these fish might have an unusually sophisticated social learning capability not yet found in other animals, called a 'hill-climbing' strategy.
Lead author Dr Jeremy Kendal of Durham University said: "'Hill-climbing' strategies are widely seen in human society whereby advances in technology are down to people choosing the best technique through social learning and improving on it, resulting in cumulative culture.
"Small fish may have small brains but they still have some surprising cognitive abilities. But our results suggest brain size isn't everything when it comes to the capacity for social learning." For the study, 270 fish were caught using dip nets from Melton Brook in Leicester, and housed in aquariums in a laboratory. Z
10:48 PM
Fish 'have human ability to learn'
planetInfo
10:48 PM
Melbourne, Jun 17 : An Indian editor of a community newspaper here has been appointed as the Justice of Peace for Victoria, a post the requires him to perform semi-judicial functions in the state.
Moti Visa, 65, an Indian of Gujarati-origin, settled in Melbourne since 1983, has been appointed to the post by the Department of Justice of Victoria.
Visa runs newspaper 'Beyond India' in Victoria and has been active and vocal on issues related to the Indian community, including the recent attacks on students.
Visa has earlier been awarded for meritorious services to the Indian community by the Parliament of Victoria.
A multilingual, Visa recently volunteered in providing pick and drop services to Indian students in Victoria.
"I have volunteered for picking and dropping of students from stations to their home... As these students were facing extreme difficulties as they worked on odd hours to survive here," he told Zeack.
Justices of the Peace or Honorary Justices are appointed to serve semi-judicial functions in all areas of the Victorian community.
The main official roles they are required to play include witnessing statutory declarations and affidavits. Ze
Moti Visa, 65, an Indian of Gujarati-origin, settled in Melbourne since 1983, has been appointed to the post by the Department of Justice of Victoria.
Visa runs newspaper 'Beyond India' in Victoria and has been active and vocal on issues related to the Indian community, including the recent attacks on students.
Visa has earlier been awarded for meritorious services to the Indian community by the Parliament of Victoria.
A multilingual, Visa recently volunteered in providing pick and drop services to Indian students in Victoria.
"I have volunteered for picking and dropping of students from stations to their home... As these students were facing extreme difficulties as they worked on odd hours to survive here," he told Zeack.
Justices of the Peace or Honorary Justices are appointed to serve semi-judicial functions in all areas of the Victorian community.
The main official roles they are required to play include witnessing statutory declarations and affidavits. Ze
12:45 PM
Five Jaish activists arrested in Pakistan
planetInfo
M Zulqernain
Lahore, June 16 : Five activists of the Jaish-e- Mohammed were today arrested in Pakistan's Punjab province, sparking speculation that the outlawed terror group's chief Maulana Masood Azhar has been detained.
The five JeM members were arrested from Sialkot late this evening, police said.
Soon after the arrests were made, unconfirmed reports said officials of intelligence agencies have arrested Masood Azhar, who is wanted in India for his involvement in several terror attacks.
Sialkot district police chief Waqar Chohan, however, only confirmed the arrest of five JeM members.
"We have taken five JeM men into custody for their suspicious activities. Maulana Masood Azhar was not among them," he told Zeack.
Azhar was freed along with two other terrorists in exchange for passengers of an Indian Airlines jet that was hijacked from Kathmandu in Nepal to Kandahar in Afghanistan in 1999. India had asked Pakistan to hand him over soon after the Mumbai terror attacks but the Pakistani government said it was not aware of his whereabouts. Ze
Lahore, June 16 : Five activists of the Jaish-e- Mohammed were today arrested in Pakistan's Punjab province, sparking speculation that the outlawed terror group's chief Maulana Masood Azhar has been detained.
The five JeM members were arrested from Sialkot late this evening, police said.
Soon after the arrests were made, unconfirmed reports said officials of intelligence agencies have arrested Masood Azhar, who is wanted in India for his involvement in several terror attacks.
Sialkot district police chief Waqar Chohan, however, only confirmed the arrest of five JeM members.
"We have taken five JeM men into custody for their suspicious activities. Maulana Masood Azhar was not among them," he told Zeack.
Azhar was freed along with two other terrorists in exchange for passengers of an Indian Airlines jet that was hijacked from Kathmandu in Nepal to Kandahar in Afghanistan in 1999. India had asked Pakistan to hand him over soon after the Mumbai terror attacks but the Pakistani government said it was not aware of his whereabouts. Ze
11:35 AM
Maoists kill four policemen in Jharkhand
planetInfo
Medininagar (Jharkhand), June 16 : Four policemen were killed and two others seriously injured today when Maoists ambushed them at Beherakhand in Palamau district.
The security forces were on a long-range patrolling, when the ultras attacked them near a village in Manatu area, about 200 km from Ranchi, Deputy Inspector General of Police S N Jha said here.
The Maoists were waiting inside the deep jungles and started firing indiscriminately as the policemen went past them, killing four of them on the spot.
The two seriously injured policemen have been admitted to a hospital, he said. Ze
The security forces were on a long-range patrolling, when the ultras attacked them near a village in Manatu area, about 200 km from Ranchi, Deputy Inspector General of Police S N Jha said here.
The Maoists were waiting inside the deep jungles and started firing indiscriminately as the policemen went past them, killing four of them on the spot.
The two seriously injured policemen have been admitted to a hospital, he said. Ze
11:35 AM
Mumbai, Jun 16 : CBI today accused NCP MP Padamsinh Patil of conspiring to murder Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar because of political rivalry and fear of exposure of financial irregularities committed by him.
"The motive behind Patil conspiring the murder is political rivalry and the exposure of certain financial irregularities committed by him," Balwinder Singh, Additional Director (Western and Southern region) of CBI told reporters here.
Commenting on Patil's non-cooperation in the interrogation, Singh said, "Patil is evasive but we cannot forcibly take his confession." On whether Patil would be subjected to scientific tests like narco-analysis and brain mapping, he said the CBI is yet to take a decision on it.
"Accused are subjected to scientific tests when there is very little evidence in the case. However, in this case we have vital and adequate clues to prove Patil's involvement in the murder," Singh said.
The six arrested accused in the case have been divided into three categories - conspirators, facilitators and shooters.
Patil is one of the conspirators and some more of them in the case will be arrested soon, Singh said. Ze
"The motive behind Patil conspiring the murder is political rivalry and the exposure of certain financial irregularities committed by him," Balwinder Singh, Additional Director (Western and Southern region) of CBI told reporters here.
Commenting on Patil's non-cooperation in the interrogation, Singh said, "Patil is evasive but we cannot forcibly take his confession." On whether Patil would be subjected to scientific tests like narco-analysis and brain mapping, he said the CBI is yet to take a decision on it.
"Accused are subjected to scientific tests when there is very little evidence in the case. However, in this case we have vital and adequate clues to prove Patil's involvement in the murder," Singh said.
The six arrested accused in the case have been divided into three categories - conspirators, facilitators and shooters.
Patil is one of the conspirators and some more of them in the case will be arrested soon, Singh said. Ze
11:35 AM
Pilgrims offer prayers at Amarnath shrine
planetInfo
Srinagar, Jun 16 : Over 5,000 devotees paid obeisance at the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir today even as the pilgrimage remained suspended from Jammu owing to inclement weather.
"As many as 5,457 pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine," Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner and Yatra Officer Syed Iftikhar Bari told Zeack.
Earlier, over 11,000 devotees, chanting "Bam Bam Bole" and "Har Har Mahadev", began their 16-km trek to the shrine from the Baltal base camp, some 100-km from here.
The officer said nearly 5,500 pilgrims were, however, brought back to Baltal following torrential rains and snowing on the route.
No fresh batch of pilgrims left Jammu for Baltal this morning in view of hostile weather on the mountainous route, a Shri Amarnath Shrine Board spokesman said.
The pilgrimage from Jammu would remain suspended tomorrow also, a police spokesman in the winter capital said.
The annual two-month pilgrimage commenced yesterday when the first batch of 900 devotees left Jammu amid tight security.
The pilgrimage to 3,880-ft high shrine was to commence on June seven but was put off due to heavy accumulation of snow on the Pahalgam route. Ze
"As many as 5,457 pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine," Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner and Yatra Officer Syed Iftikhar Bari told Zeack.
Earlier, over 11,000 devotees, chanting "Bam Bam Bole" and "Har Har Mahadev", began their 16-km trek to the shrine from the Baltal base camp, some 100-km from here.
The officer said nearly 5,500 pilgrims were, however, brought back to Baltal following torrential rains and snowing on the route.
No fresh batch of pilgrims left Jammu for Baltal this morning in view of hostile weather on the mountainous route, a Shri Amarnath Shrine Board spokesman said.
The pilgrimage from Jammu would remain suspended tomorrow also, a police spokesman in the winter capital said.
The annual two-month pilgrimage commenced yesterday when the first batch of 900 devotees left Jammu amid tight security.
The pilgrimage to 3,880-ft high shrine was to commence on June seven but was put off due to heavy accumulation of snow on the Pahalgam route. Ze
11:35 AM
Mumbai, June 16 : Observing that the custodial interrogation of MNS chief Raj Thackeray in a 2008 case of rioting at Kalyan will not serve any purpose, the Bombay High Court today set aside bail granted to him and asked him to surrender before a Railway court on June 29.
Hearing the state government's appeal challenging interim anticipatory bail granted to Raj, Justice Rekha Sondurbaldota observed that the custodial interrogation was not necessary at this stage.
Upholding the state government's contention that Kalyan sessions court's order granting Raj anticipatory bail had become infructuous as he had already been arrested by Railway Police, the High Court quashed the lower court order granting interim protection to the MNS leader.
Raj's lawyer Ashok Mundargi said, "The issue raised in the state's appeal before the High Court was technical and getting bail for Raj from the Railway court will only be a formality." The matter pertains to assault by MNS workers on North Indian youths who had come to Kalyan for Railway recruitment examination on October 19 last year. Ze
Hearing the state government's appeal challenging interim anticipatory bail granted to Raj, Justice Rekha Sondurbaldota observed that the custodial interrogation was not necessary at this stage.
Upholding the state government's contention that Kalyan sessions court's order granting Raj anticipatory bail had become infructuous as he had already been arrested by Railway Police, the High Court quashed the lower court order granting interim protection to the MNS leader.
Raj's lawyer Ashok Mundargi said, "The issue raised in the state's appeal before the High Court was technical and getting bail for Raj from the Railway court will only be a formality." The matter pertains to assault by MNS workers on North Indian youths who had come to Kalyan for Railway recruitment examination on October 19 last year. Ze
11:35 AM
Jalandhar, June 16 : Three students arrived here from the US were tested negative for the dreaded swine flu, a day after seven of their friends were found infected with the virus, even as five new cases were registered today.
State Nodal Officer on Swine Flue Dr Deepak Bhatia said blood reports of three of remaining seven students admitted to the local civil hospital were found negative for swine flu.
Meanwhile, total number of students under treatment at the isolation ward rose to 14 today after five new cases came in. Blood samples of four more students were sent today to the National Institute of Communicable Deceases (NICD).
He said all the students were recovering fast, but would continue in isolation ward as a precautionary measure.
A total of 296 people, who came in contact with the affected students, were examined and no symptom of flu was diagnosed.
An NICD team imparted training to doctors of civil hospital on steps to control the spread of the virus while other staff members would undergo training in coming two days. A screening camp was set up at civil hospital for the public.
On steps underway to prevent spread of the flu, Dr S S Walia of the hospital said surveillance was accelerated and people who came in contact with the affected were screened. Besides, Tamiflu tablets and surgical masks were distributed among vulnerable persons. Z
State Nodal Officer on Swine Flue Dr Deepak Bhatia said blood reports of three of remaining seven students admitted to the local civil hospital were found negative for swine flu.
Meanwhile, total number of students under treatment at the isolation ward rose to 14 today after five new cases came in. Blood samples of four more students were sent today to the National Institute of Communicable Deceases (NICD).
He said all the students were recovering fast, but would continue in isolation ward as a precautionary measure.
A total of 296 people, who came in contact with the affected students, were examined and no symptom of flu was diagnosed.
An NICD team imparted training to doctors of civil hospital on steps to control the spread of the virus while other staff members would undergo training in coming two days. A screening camp was set up at civil hospital for the public.
On steps underway to prevent spread of the flu, Dr S S Walia of the hospital said surveillance was accelerated and people who came in contact with the affected were screened. Besides, Tamiflu tablets and surgical masks were distributed among vulnerable persons. Z
8:15 AM
Guwahati, June 16 : At least 12 people, including eight children, were charred to death and two others injured in Assam's strife-torn North Cachar Hills district in continued violence between the warring Dimasa and Zemi Naga tribes.
Police said armed Dimasa tribals attacked Mechidui village, 23 km from the district headquarters Haflong, at 12.30 pm and torched 50 houses.
Police recovered 12 charred bodies which have been sent for post mortem. The victims are yet to be identified. The injured have been rushed to Haflong Civil Hospital.
Today's incident could be in retaliation to the attack by Zemi Nagas on two villages on June eight and June 10 where nearly 50 houses were set ablaze, police said.
Several persons have been killed in the ongoing ethnic clash between the rival communities in the past few months.
The hill district has been rocked by violence with militant groups Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) and NSCN factions targetting trains and public installations. Ze
Police said armed Dimasa tribals attacked Mechidui village, 23 km from the district headquarters Haflong, at 12.30 pm and torched 50 houses.
Police recovered 12 charred bodies which have been sent for post mortem. The victims are yet to be identified. The injured have been rushed to Haflong Civil Hospital.
Today's incident could be in retaliation to the attack by Zemi Nagas on two villages on June eight and June 10 where nearly 50 houses were set ablaze, police said.
Several persons have been killed in the ongoing ethnic clash between the rival communities in the past few months.
The hill district has been rocked by violence with militant groups Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) and NSCN factions targetting trains and public installations. Ze
3:24 AM
Ajay Kaul
Yekaterinburg (Russia), June 16 : "My mandate is to tell you that Pakistani territory should not not be used for terrorism against India," was the blunt message Prime Minister Manmohan Singh conveyed to President Asif Ali Zardari here today.
The message, conveyed in front of television cameras when the two leaders shook hands before their closed-door meeting on the sidelines of a multilateral-forum deliberations, was so sharp that the President was apparently embarrassed.
"Please let them go," Zardari remarked to Singh, wanting the journalists to leave before they could carry on with their conversation in the first top-level contact between the two countries after the Mumbai terror attacks in November. Ze
Yekaterinburg (Russia), June 16 : "My mandate is to tell you that Pakistani territory should not not be used for terrorism against India," was the blunt message Prime Minister Manmohan Singh conveyed to President Asif Ali Zardari here today.
The message, conveyed in front of television cameras when the two leaders shook hands before their closed-door meeting on the sidelines of a multilateral-forum deliberations, was so sharp that the President was apparently embarrassed.
"Please let them go," Zardari remarked to Singh, wanting the journalists to leave before they could carry on with their conversation in the first top-level contact between the two countries after the Mumbai terror attacks in November. Ze
3:24 AM
Lalit K Jha Washington, June 16 : Key supporters of charismatic Indian-American Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal have set up a political action committee to facilitate a possible 2012 presidential bid and aim to raise USD 60 million in funds.
"Jindal for President Draft Council Inc filed corporation papers last month with the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office," local newspaper The Advocate reported.
However, media reported that Jindal is not involved in the effort and his Press Secretary maintained that the Governor does not support it.
The 38-year-old Republican is seen as a major contender to challenge Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential elections. However, Jindal has repeatedly said that he does not wish to enter the race for the White House and would rather concentrate on Louisiana.
Among the names involved with the committee are Southern University physics professor Rama Mohanty, Dan Kyle, treasurer of Republican party in Louisiana and Ram Bhatia, who is the uncle of Jindal's wife Supriya.
The Times Picagune reported though Jindal is aware of the operations of the committee, but is not directly involved.
"The Governor does not support this effort. This is a distraction from the critical issues that we face and the governor will not be involved in any capacity," Jindal's Press Secretary Kyle Plotkin told The Advocate. Ze
"Jindal for President Draft Council Inc filed corporation papers last month with the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office," local newspaper The Advocate reported.
However, media reported that Jindal is not involved in the effort and his Press Secretary maintained that the Governor does not support it.
The 38-year-old Republican is seen as a major contender to challenge Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential elections. However, Jindal has repeatedly said that he does not wish to enter the race for the White House and would rather concentrate on Louisiana.
Among the names involved with the committee are Southern University physics professor Rama Mohanty, Dan Kyle, treasurer of Republican party in Louisiana and Ram Bhatia, who is the uncle of Jindal's wife Supriya.
The Times Picagune reported though Jindal is aware of the operations of the committee, but is not directly involved.
"The Governor does not support this effort. This is a distraction from the critical issues that we face and the governor will not be involved in any capacity," Jindal's Press Secretary Kyle Plotkin told The Advocate. Ze
3:24 AM
New Delhi, June 16 : Snapping a two-day losing streak, gold futures regained strength and trade marginally higher by 0.21 per cent on the Multi Commodity Exchange today on short-covering by speculators, influenced by higher demand in the spot market at existing lower levels.
Gold for the most active far-month October contract gained 0.21 per cent to Rs 14,437 per 10 gram on the MCX counter at 1230 hours with an open interest of 967 lots.
Similarly, the metal for delivery in August contract inched up by 0.15 per cent to Rs 14,425 per 10 gram with an open interest of 15,251 lots.
Marketmen said short-covering by speculators due to pick up in demand in the spot market at existing lower levels mainly led to rise in gold prices at futures market here. Ze
Gold for the most active far-month October contract gained 0.21 per cent to Rs 14,437 per 10 gram on the MCX counter at 1230 hours with an open interest of 967 lots.
Similarly, the metal for delivery in August contract inched up by 0.15 per cent to Rs 14,425 per 10 gram with an open interest of 15,251 lots.
Marketmen said short-covering by speculators due to pick up in demand in the spot market at existing lower levels mainly led to rise in gold prices at futures market here. Ze
3:24 AM
New Delhi, Jun 16 : The proposals of 229 institutions to be converted into deemed universities have hit a roadblock with the government keeping in abeyance the processing of their applications for the status.
These institutions had applied to the HRD Ministry for the deemed university status during the last five years. The ministry had forwarded the proposals to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for examination. These proposals are pending with the UGC.
"Now the ministry has put on hold the processing of these institutions. There are 229 proposals which remain where they are," a senior UGC official told Zeack.
As per the procedure, the UGC sets up an expert committee for examining the proposals. The committee members visit the institutions, inspect the facilities and decide whether they should get the status.
After the committee gives its report, it is discussed in full commission meeting which decides whether to recommend for award of the deemed university status to the institute. As per the recommendation of the UGC, the HRD Ministry takes the final decision on award of the deemed university status.
"These proposals are at various stages. In some cases, the UGC asked the institutes to fulfil their deficiencies while it is yet to constitute expert committees in certain cases," the official said. Z
These institutions had applied to the HRD Ministry for the deemed university status during the last five years. The ministry had forwarded the proposals to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for examination. These proposals are pending with the UGC.
"Now the ministry has put on hold the processing of these institutions. There are 229 proposals which remain where they are," a senior UGC official told Zeack.
As per the procedure, the UGC sets up an expert committee for examining the proposals. The committee members visit the institutions, inspect the facilities and decide whether they should get the status.
After the committee gives its report, it is discussed in full commission meeting which decides whether to recommend for award of the deemed university status to the institute. As per the recommendation of the UGC, the HRD Ministry takes the final decision on award of the deemed university status.
"These proposals are at various stages. In some cases, the UGC asked the institutes to fulfil their deficiencies while it is yet to constitute expert committees in certain cases," the official said. Z
3:22 AM
Feni makers on a high as spirit gets GI tag
planetInfo
New Delhi, June 16 : Goa's famed alcoholic beverage Feni has been granted geographical indication (GI) tag which gives local producers exclusive brand protection rights.
As per the information available with the geographical indication registry office, under the jurisdiction of the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trade Marks, feni has been registered under class 33, which deals with alcoholic beverages (except beers).
Geographical indication is an indication which identifies a product as originating from a particular geographical area, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is attributable to its geographical origin.
The Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association and The Department of Science, Technology & Environment of the Goa government had jointly sought the GI tag for feni, which is made from juice of the cashew apple.
"GI protection for feni will ensure that though others might try to copy the spirit but they cannot call it feni and surf on the brand equity built up by Goa," Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association President Mac Vaz told Zeack.
The association feels GI tag would benefit the feni industry in the state, though cashew fruit is amply available in neighbouring states as well as across the world.
"We are planning to file applications in some other countries, including European Union for the GI status of feni," Goa government's Department of Science, Technology & Environment Director Michael D'souza said. Z
As per the information available with the geographical indication registry office, under the jurisdiction of the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trade Marks, feni has been registered under class 33, which deals with alcoholic beverages (except beers).
Geographical indication is an indication which identifies a product as originating from a particular geographical area, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is attributable to its geographical origin.
The Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association and The Department of Science, Technology & Environment of the Goa government had jointly sought the GI tag for feni, which is made from juice of the cashew apple.
"GI protection for feni will ensure that though others might try to copy the spirit but they cannot call it feni and surf on the brand equity built up by Goa," Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association President Mac Vaz told Zeack.
The association feels GI tag would benefit the feni industry in the state, though cashew fruit is amply available in neighbouring states as well as across the world.
"We are planning to file applications in some other countries, including European Union for the GI status of feni," Goa government's Department of Science, Technology & Environment Director Michael D'souza said. Z
3:22 AM
New Delhi, Jun 16 : Keen on replacing its ageing Russian IL-76 transport aircraft fleet, the Indian Air Force has shortlisted US major Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III for its heavylift aircraft.
"The C-17s have been shortlisted after IAF carried out a thorough study on its capability to take-off and land on short runways with heavy loads," IAF sources said here today.
IAF would place an initial order for 10 of the C-17s through the US government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, and may later go in for a follow-on order, sources said.
"The Defence Ministry is at present considering the proposal. If accepted, the aircraft should be inducted in about three years after signing of the contract," sources added.
In fact, most of IAF's transport aircraft were acquired in the 1980s and the air force is keen to acquire new generation aircraft to replace and augment its fleet.
There are about 100 mediumlift AN-32 aircraft and around 20 heavylift IL-76 aircraft in the IAF fleet at present.
An IL-76 has a six-member crew and can carry a cargo of 45 tonnes. But the C-17, which is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F-117-PW-100 turbofan engines, can carry 70 tonnes and has only a three-member crew, industry sources said. Ze
"The C-17s have been shortlisted after IAF carried out a thorough study on its capability to take-off and land on short runways with heavy loads," IAF sources said here today.
IAF would place an initial order for 10 of the C-17s through the US government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, and may later go in for a follow-on order, sources said.
"The Defence Ministry is at present considering the proposal. If accepted, the aircraft should be inducted in about three years after signing of the contract," sources added.
In fact, most of IAF's transport aircraft were acquired in the 1980s and the air force is keen to acquire new generation aircraft to replace and augment its fleet.
There are about 100 mediumlift AN-32 aircraft and around 20 heavylift IL-76 aircraft in the IAF fleet at present.
An IL-76 has a six-member crew and can carry a cargo of 45 tonnes. But the C-17, which is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F-117-PW-100 turbofan engines, can carry 70 tonnes and has only a three-member crew, industry sources said. Ze
3:22 AM
Woman injured in Manipur bomb blast
planetInfo
Imphal, June 16 : A woman was injured when a powerful bomb, suspected to be planted by militants, exploded in Imphal West district of Manipur today, official sources said.
Sources said the bomb, attached to a two-wheeler, went off in front of the second Manipur Rifles battalion office at Pandon area near here at around 9.30 am injuring a woman passers-by.
The police and security personnel went to the high security area soon afterwards and began frisking passers-by.
The two wheeler might have been parked there either this morning or last night.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the explosion. Z
Sources said the bomb, attached to a two-wheeler, went off in front of the second Manipur Rifles battalion office at Pandon area near here at around 9.30 am injuring a woman passers-by.
The police and security personnel went to the high security area soon afterwards and began frisking passers-by.
The two wheeler might have been parked there either this morning or last night.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the explosion. Z
3:22 AM
London, Jun 16 : Followers of a Sikh sect took out a protest march here against the recent killing of their religious leader Sant Ramanand in a Gurdwara in Vienna, Austria.
Protesters belonging to more than 20 Guru Ravidass Sabha Gurdwaras in UK submitted a memorandum to the Indian High Commission demanding justice, equality and abolition of caste-based system.
The Ravidassi sect has followers from the lower strata of Sikhs, with followers spread across Austria, Canada, Europe and US.
An attack in a gurdwara in Vienna on May 24 had left a preacher of Dera Sacha Khand sect dead, while another leader was seriously injured.
The incident had sparked riots in parts of Punjab and Haryana in India.
They also demanded a ban on weapons carried by Sikhs as part of their religion. Ze
Protesters belonging to more than 20 Guru Ravidass Sabha Gurdwaras in UK submitted a memorandum to the Indian High Commission demanding justice, equality and abolition of caste-based system.
The Ravidassi sect has followers from the lower strata of Sikhs, with followers spread across Austria, Canada, Europe and US.
An attack in a gurdwara in Vienna on May 24 had left a preacher of Dera Sacha Khand sect dead, while another leader was seriously injured.
The incident had sparked riots in parts of Punjab and Haryana in India.
They also demanded a ban on weapons carried by Sikhs as part of their religion. Ze
3:22 AM
Lalit K Jha
Washington, June 16 : A report identifying a broad range of potential benefits of incremental pharmaceutical innovation for India would be released later this week by the US India Business Council (USIBC).
Commissioned by the USIBC and Coalition for Healthy India (CHI), and funded by the US Chamber of Commerce's Innovation, Development and Employment Alliance, the report 'The Value of Incremental Pharmaceutical Innovation: Benefits for Indian Patients and Indian Business' was produced by White & Case LLP and Dua Consulting.
The report reasons that Section 3(d) of India's Patents Act, which prevents incremental pharmaceutical innovations from receiving patent protection, inhibits development of safer, more efficacious, and more useful drugs for Indian patients.
Drawing upon studies of the impact of incremental pharmaceutical innovations on the economies of developed and developing nations, interviews with key stakeholders in the Indian pharmaceutical sector, and other methods, the report identifies a broad range of potential benefits of incremental pharmaceutical innovation for India. Z
Washington, June 16 : A report identifying a broad range of potential benefits of incremental pharmaceutical innovation for India would be released later this week by the US India Business Council (USIBC).
Commissioned by the USIBC and Coalition for Healthy India (CHI), and funded by the US Chamber of Commerce's Innovation, Development and Employment Alliance, the report 'The Value of Incremental Pharmaceutical Innovation: Benefits for Indian Patients and Indian Business' was produced by White & Case LLP and Dua Consulting.
The report reasons that Section 3(d) of India's Patents Act, which prevents incremental pharmaceutical innovations from receiving patent protection, inhibits development of safer, more efficacious, and more useful drugs for Indian patients.
Drawing upon studies of the impact of incremental pharmaceutical innovations on the economies of developed and developing nations, interviews with key stakeholders in the Indian pharmaceutical sector, and other methods, the report identifies a broad range of potential benefits of incremental pharmaceutical innovation for India. Z
3:22 AM
United Nations, June 16 : UNESCO has chosen Buenos Aires as the World Book Capital for the year 2011 as part of the agency's ongoing efforts to promote literature and reading.
The Argentinean capital was picked "for the quality and variety of its proposed programme as well as for the consolidated strategy on which it is based," the selection committee said on Friday.
Every year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates a city for the title for 12 months between World Book and Copyright Days on April 23. Buenos Aires becomes the eleventh city honoured over the years.
The selection committee is composed of the three main professional associations in the book industry the International Publishers Association, the International Booksellers Federation and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and representatives from UNESCO.
For 2009 Beirut has the honour, to be followed by Ljubljana in 2010.
Madrid was the first city to receive the tribute, and was succeeded by Alexandria, New Delhi, Antwerp, Montreal, Turin, Bogota and Amsterdam. Z
The Argentinean capital was picked "for the quality and variety of its proposed programme as well as for the consolidated strategy on which it is based," the selection committee said on Friday.
Every year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates a city for the title for 12 months between World Book and Copyright Days on April 23. Buenos Aires becomes the eleventh city honoured over the years.
The selection committee is composed of the three main professional associations in the book industry the International Publishers Association, the International Booksellers Federation and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and representatives from UNESCO.
For 2009 Beirut has the honour, to be followed by Ljubljana in 2010.
Madrid was the first city to receive the tribute, and was succeeded by Alexandria, New Delhi, Antwerp, Montreal, Turin, Bogota and Amsterdam. Z
3:22 AM
Mumbai, Jun 16 : Medical reports of the 18-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped by Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja, have confirmed that she was sexually assaulted, police said.
"We have received the medical report of the victim and it has corroborated with what the victim has alleged against the actor in the FIR," Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Niket Kaushik told Zeack.
Ahuja's house, where the alleged offence was committed, was also sealed by the police after a special forensic team visited the house to obtain more evidence from the spot.
Rubbishing reports that the police is giving special treatment to Ahuja considering his social status, police sources said that the actor is being treated like any other accused in the lock-up and interrogation is on.
Meanwhile, around 200 domestic maids are likely to gather outside suburban Oshiwara police station to protest against Ahuja and adequate security measures have been taken, police said.
Ahuja was arrested yesterday for allegedly raping his domestic maid and was produced before a metropolitan magistrate which remanded him to police custody till June 18. Ze
"We have received the medical report of the victim and it has corroborated with what the victim has alleged against the actor in the FIR," Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Niket Kaushik told Zeack.
Ahuja's house, where the alleged offence was committed, was also sealed by the police after a special forensic team visited the house to obtain more evidence from the spot.
Rubbishing reports that the police is giving special treatment to Ahuja considering his social status, police sources said that the actor is being treated like any other accused in the lock-up and interrogation is on.
Meanwhile, around 200 domestic maids are likely to gather outside suburban Oshiwara police station to protest against Ahuja and adequate security measures have been taken, police said.
Ahuja was arrested yesterday for allegedly raping his domestic maid and was produced before a metropolitan magistrate which remanded him to police custody till June 18. Ze
12:24 AM
Bhubaneswar, June 16 : Fresh from its landslide victory in Orissa, the BJD has directed its MPs to highlight the "step-motherly" attitude of the Congress-led UPA during the Budget session of Parliament beginning early July.
The BJD, which won 14 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state, alleged that the Centre was neglecting Orissa in matters like providing flood assistance, paddy procurement by the FCI and expansion of railway network.
"We have been asked to raise issues like revision of coal or mineral royalty and negligence in railway expansion," BJD leader in Lok Sabha Arjun Sethi said.
His Rajya Sabha counterpart Pyari Mohan Mohapatra said, "We will be more critical as the Centre continues to neglect Orissa".
However, countering the BJD charge, the Congress accused the state government of failing to use central funds for different welfare schemes.
"Instead of blaming the Centre for everything, Orissa government should try to work in coordination with us," Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Bhupinder Singh said.
Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik reacted to the charge saying, "During electioneering, Congress leaders had accused the state government of failing to utilise central funds. The issue was raised everywhere, but there were no takers". Ze
The BJD, which won 14 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state, alleged that the Centre was neglecting Orissa in matters like providing flood assistance, paddy procurement by the FCI and expansion of railway network.
"We have been asked to raise issues like revision of coal or mineral royalty and negligence in railway expansion," BJD leader in Lok Sabha Arjun Sethi said.
His Rajya Sabha counterpart Pyari Mohan Mohapatra said, "We will be more critical as the Centre continues to neglect Orissa".
However, countering the BJD charge, the Congress accused the state government of failing to use central funds for different welfare schemes.
"Instead of blaming the Centre for everything, Orissa government should try to work in coordination with us," Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Bhupinder Singh said.
Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik reacted to the charge saying, "During electioneering, Congress leaders had accused the state government of failing to utilise central funds. The issue was raised everywhere, but there were no takers". Ze
12:24 AM
Washington, Jun 16 : Planetary scientists have claimed that the interstellar stuff which became incorporated into the planets and life on Earth has younger cosmic roots than theories predict.
An international team, led by Chicago University, has based its findings on an analysis of 22 interstellar grains from the Murchison meteorite.
Dying sun-like stars flung the Murchison grains into space more than 4.5 billion years ago, before the birth of the solar system. Scientists know the grains formed outside the solar system because of their exotic composition.
"The concentration of neon, produced during cosmic-ray irradiation, allows us to determine the time a grain has spent in interstellar space," team leader Philipp Heck said.
In fact, the scientists determined that 17 of grains spent somewhere between three million and 200 million years in interstellar space, far less than the theoretical estimates of approximately 500 million years. However only three grains met interstellar duration expectations. Ze
An international team, led by Chicago University, has based its findings on an analysis of 22 interstellar grains from the Murchison meteorite.
Dying sun-like stars flung the Murchison grains into space more than 4.5 billion years ago, before the birth of the solar system. Scientists know the grains formed outside the solar system because of their exotic composition.
"The concentration of neon, produced during cosmic-ray irradiation, allows us to determine the time a grain has spent in interstellar space," team leader Philipp Heck said.
In fact, the scientists determined that 17 of grains spent somewhere between three million and 200 million years in interstellar space, far less than the theoretical estimates of approximately 500 million years. However only three grains met interstellar duration expectations. Ze
12:24 AM
Crime against elderly: Delhi tops list
planetInfo
New Delhi, June 16 : In some bad news for the elderly, the national capital tops a list of cities as far as crime against senior citizens is concerned.
According to a study by HelpAge India, an organisation working for the welfare of senior citizens, Delhi has left cities like Mumbai and Bangalore far behind when it comes to crime against older people.
In Delhi, home to nearly a million senior citizens, crime against elderly people is four times more than in Mumbai and double than that of Bangalore, the NGO claimed quoting data from the police of the three cities.
The organisation said of the total cases of crime against elderlies registered in Delhi last year, the highest form of crime was hurting a senior (42.2 per cent) followed by murder and robbery which accounted to 35.5 and 13.3 per cent respectively.
The woes of seniors seem to be basically sourced from their own children and relatives with as much as 52 per cent of them facing harassment for property.
Nearly 50 per cent of perpetrators of such crimes are children and children-in-law, followed by neighbours and others (27 per cent), the survey said. Ze
According to a study by HelpAge India, an organisation working for the welfare of senior citizens, Delhi has left cities like Mumbai and Bangalore far behind when it comes to crime against older people.
In Delhi, home to nearly a million senior citizens, crime against elderly people is four times more than in Mumbai and double than that of Bangalore, the NGO claimed quoting data from the police of the three cities.
The organisation said of the total cases of crime against elderlies registered in Delhi last year, the highest form of crime was hurting a senior (42.2 per cent) followed by murder and robbery which accounted to 35.5 and 13.3 per cent respectively.
The woes of seniors seem to be basically sourced from their own children and relatives with as much as 52 per cent of them facing harassment for property.
Nearly 50 per cent of perpetrators of such crimes are children and children-in-law, followed by neighbours and others (27 per cent), the survey said. Ze
12:24 AM
Chennai, June 16 : The budget session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly beginning tomorrow would be an acid test for M K Stalin, seen as heir apparent to his father and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, as he faces the legislature in his new role of Deputy Chief Minister.
55-year old Stalin, second son of Karunanidhi, was recently elevated to the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Stalin would be deputising for 85-year-old Karunanidhi, whose physical mobility has been restricted after he underwent a spinal surgery in February, in the day-to-day affairs of the assembly.
Karunanidhi, who of late has been seen in public only on a motorised wheel chair, had entrusted to Stalin the portfolios of Industry, General Administration, District Revenue Officers and Minority Welfare hitherto held by him.
The session would be a litmus test for Stalin's legislative skills as it is expected to be stormy with the opposition parties determined to raise Sri Lankan Tamils' plight in the aftermath of defeat of LTTE by the island's army.
Fresh from its success in the Lok Sabha elections, the DMK would be facing the opposition with a renewed vigour.
The AIADMK, PMK and MDMK, who along with Left parties failed to come up to their own electoral expectations, have decided to raise the Sri Lankan Tamils issue in the assembly. Ze
55-year old Stalin, second son of Karunanidhi, was recently elevated to the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Stalin would be deputising for 85-year-old Karunanidhi, whose physical mobility has been restricted after he underwent a spinal surgery in February, in the day-to-day affairs of the assembly.
Karunanidhi, who of late has been seen in public only on a motorised wheel chair, had entrusted to Stalin the portfolios of Industry, General Administration, District Revenue Officers and Minority Welfare hitherto held by him.
The session would be a litmus test for Stalin's legislative skills as it is expected to be stormy with the opposition parties determined to raise Sri Lankan Tamils' plight in the aftermath of defeat of LTTE by the island's army.
Fresh from its success in the Lok Sabha elections, the DMK would be facing the opposition with a renewed vigour.
The AIADMK, PMK and MDMK, who along with Left parties failed to come up to their own electoral expectations, have decided to raise the Sri Lankan Tamils issue in the assembly. Ze
12:24 AM
Now, an indoor GPS system!
planetInfo
London, Jun 16 : Finding your way around shopping plazas or airports may soon get easier -- thanks to scientists who have developed an indoor positioning system for cellphones similar to GPS.
Global Positioning System doesn't work in buildings as the satellite signals it uses cannot get through walls.
But, in this system, a cellphone can use nearby Wi- Fi transmitters instead of satellites -- it triangulates their signals to calculate its position, which it then displays on a map, the 'New Scientist' reported.
The system is being currently tested in Finland.
In fact, it is not the first indoor system but the others have mostly been for specialist uses, such as helping firefighters find colleagues in smoke-filled buildings. This system, developed by Nokia, will work with existing handsets and infrastructure, according to the scientists.
One thing it does need, however, is access to maps of the inside of buildings. This may not be feasible for private homes, but many public sites such as big sports centres and universities already make maps available.
And, if the ongoing test at Kamppi shopping centre in Finnish capital Helsinki is a success, then the system could be rolled out much more widely, said project leader Christian Prehofer. Z
Global Positioning System doesn't work in buildings as the satellite signals it uses cannot get through walls.
But, in this system, a cellphone can use nearby Wi- Fi transmitters instead of satellites -- it triangulates their signals to calculate its position, which it then displays on a map, the 'New Scientist' reported.
The system is being currently tested in Finland.
In fact, it is not the first indoor system but the others have mostly been for specialist uses, such as helping firefighters find colleagues in smoke-filled buildings. This system, developed by Nokia, will work with existing handsets and infrastructure, according to the scientists.
One thing it does need, however, is access to maps of the inside of buildings. This may not be feasible for private homes, but many public sites such as big sports centres and universities already make maps available.
And, if the ongoing test at Kamppi shopping centre in Finnish capital Helsinki is a success, then the system could be rolled out much more widely, said project leader Christian Prehofer. Z
12:24 AM
Washington, Jun 16 : Scientists have discovered two new genes involved in multiple sclerosis, a breakthrough they claim could pave the way for treating the debilitating disease using vitamin D.
An international team has pinpointed the two genetic variants which increase the risk of multiple sclerosis as well as reveal links to other autoimmune disease, the latest issue of the 'Nature Genetics' journal reported.
Lead scientist Prof Matthew Brown of the University of Queensland said: "One of the two genes is most likely a gene which controls metabolism of vitamin D. Previous research has already shown that levels of vitamin D influence the risk of people contracting MS.
"For example, people have a higher risk the further they live from the Equator. This instantly suggests that a possible preventative treatment for MS is vitamin D. This may lead to new types of therapeutics down the track." Their three-year study involved scanning the DNA of 1,618 people with MS and 3,413 people without MS.
The team looked at genetic landmarks in the genome called SNPs and then progressively narrowed down their search to individual genes. After comparing over 300,000 SNPs, two genetic regions on chromosome 12 and 20 showed significant differences. Ze
An international team has pinpointed the two genetic variants which increase the risk of multiple sclerosis as well as reveal links to other autoimmune disease, the latest issue of the 'Nature Genetics' journal reported.
Lead scientist Prof Matthew Brown of the University of Queensland said: "One of the two genes is most likely a gene which controls metabolism of vitamin D. Previous research has already shown that levels of vitamin D influence the risk of people contracting MS.
"For example, people have a higher risk the further they live from the Equator. This instantly suggests that a possible preventative treatment for MS is vitamin D. This may lead to new types of therapeutics down the track." Their three-year study involved scanning the DNA of 1,618 people with MS and 3,413 people without MS.
The team looked at genetic landmarks in the genome called SNPs and then progressively narrowed down their search to individual genes. After comparing over 300,000 SNPs, two genetic regions on chromosome 12 and 20 showed significant differences. Ze