2012, മേയ് 5, ശനിയാഴ്‌ച


Chandrasekharan's death: Police get crucial information

Kozhikode: It is learnt that the police have received crucial clues in the murder of Revolutionary Marxist Party leader T P Chandrasekharan. Reports stated that police have traced the car in which the gang of attackers traveled but denied divulging more information. Police began a probe on the last phone call received by him. 

Chandrasekharan after visiting a wedding house was on his way back home on his bike. On getting a phone call, he opted another way instead of the usual one. 

The phone message stated that there was some issues near Vallikodu League house and asked him to come soon. 
A meeting of higher police officials was held and Home minister said that Vincent M Paul would lead the probe. 
UDF hartal begins
Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF hartal which was called to condone the death of T P Chandrasekharan began here on Saturday morning. According to reports, the hartal is by and large peaceful except in some places where vehicles were blocked.
Vehicular traffic will not be disrupted, according to party sources.
CPM not involved in attack
Thiruvananthapuram: LDF convenor Vaikom Viswam said here on Saturday that the CPM is not behind the death of T P Chandrasekharan. He also demanded a fair probe into the incident.
He also made it clear that the CPM is not involved in the attack and it was a conspiracy to tarnish the party's image.



Chandrasekharan's death: Police get crucial information

Kozhikode: It is learnt that the police have received crucial clues in the murder of Revolutionary Marxist Party leader T P Chandrasekharan. Reports stated that police have traced the car in which the gang of attackers traveled but denied divulging more information. Police began a probe on the last phone call received by him. 

Chandrasekharan after visiting a wedding house was on his way back home on his bike. On getting a phone call, he opted another way instead of the usual one. 

The phone message stated that there was some issues near Vallikodu League house and asked him to come soon. 
A meeting of higher police officials was held and Home minister said that Vincent M Paul would lead the probe. 
UDF hartal begins
Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF hartal which was called to condone the death of T P Chandrasekharan began here on Saturday morning. According to reports, the hartal is by and large peaceful except in some places where vehicles were blocked.
Vehicular traffic will not be disrupted, according to party sources.
CPM not involved in attack
Thiruvananthapuram: LDF convenor Vaikom Viswam said here on Saturday that the CPM is not behind the death of T P Chandrasekharan. He also demanded a fair probe into the incident.
He also made it clear that the CPM is not involved in the attack and it was a conspiracy to tarnish the party's image.


2012, മേയ് 4, വെള്ളിയാഴ്‌ച


Drowsiness linked with learning problems at school
Washington' Children suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) may have learning, attention and behaviour problems even though clinical tests show they are sleeping long enough at night.

Penn State University researchers studied 508 children and found that those whose parents reported EDS despite little indication of short sleep, were more likely to experience learning, attention/hyperactivity and conduct problems than children without EDS.

'Impairment due to EDS in cognitive and behavioral functioning can have a serious impact on a child's development,' said Susan Calhoun, who led the study, according to a Penn State statement.

'When children are referred for neurobehavioral problems, they should be assessed for potential risk factors for EDS. Recognising and treating EDS can offer new strategies to address some of the most common neurobehavioral challenges in young school age children,' added Calhoun.

Calhoun said researchers were surprised that most of the children studied showed few signs of short sleep when tested, nor was short sleep associated with any of the learning, attention and behaviour problems. Previous research found EDS prevalent in 15 percent of children from a general population sample.


Drowsiness linked with learning problems at school
Washington' Children suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) may have learning, attention and behaviour problems even though clinical tests show they are sleeping long enough at night.

Penn State University researchers studied 508 children and found that those whose parents reported EDS despite little indication of short sleep, were more likely to experience learning, attention/hyperactivity and conduct problems than children without EDS.

'Impairment due to EDS in cognitive and behavioral functioning can have a serious impact on a child's development,' said Susan Calhoun, who led the study, according to a Penn State statement.

'When children are referred for neurobehavioral problems, they should be assessed for potential risk factors for EDS. Recognising and treating EDS can offer new strategies to address some of the most common neurobehavioral challenges in young school age children,' added Calhoun.

Calhoun said researchers were surprised that most of the children studied showed few signs of short sleep when tested, nor was short sleep associated with any of the learning, attention and behaviour problems. Previous research found EDS prevalent in 15 percent of children from a general population sample.


Hajj: Draw of lot on May 14
Karippur: The draw of lots to select hajj pilgrims would take place on May 14. The draw would be conducted by minister PK Kunhalikutty in general and reserved category.
The state Hajj committee has received 49,377 applications and 3094 are from reserved category. Reserved category is for applicants over 70 years of age along with their helper. 4986 are applying for the fourth time. Earlier, it was said that they would be given chance without draw of lot. But due to fewer quotas they too would undergo draw of lot. 6900 is the alloted quota for Kerala

Hajj: Draw of lot on May 14
Karippur: The draw of lots to select hajj pilgrims would take place on May 14. The draw would be conducted by minister PK Kunhalikutty in general and reserved category.
The state Hajj committee has received 49,377 applications and 3094 are from reserved category. Reserved category is for applicants over 70 years of age along with their helper. 4986 are applying for the fourth time. Earlier, it was said that they would be given chance without draw of lot. But due to fewer quotas they too would undergo draw of lot. 6900 is the alloted quota for Kerala

2012, മേയ് 3, വ്യാഴാഴ്‌ച


Moon to be biggest, brightest May 6
New Delhi: Get ready for the moon's most prominent and spectacular appearance of the year May 6, as it will shine at its brightest and look the biggest.this happens when the full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth. The moon is reaching what is known as its 'perigee', the closest approach to earth in its orbit.
'It will appear 14 percent brighter than the average full moon and also the year's biggest,' said C.B. Devgun, of Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE).
He said the biggest and brightest moon is definitely not to be associated with natural disasters in any way.
'All that will happen is the moon will appear brighter and exert more influence on the tides due to its increased gravitational force. There is nothing to worry about this activity,' he added.


Moon to be biggest, brightest May 6
New Delhi: Get ready for the moon's most prominent and spectacular appearance of the year May 6, as it will shine at its brightest and look the biggest.this happens when the full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth. The moon is reaching what is known as its 'perigee', the closest approach to earth in its orbit.
'It will appear 14 percent brighter than the average full moon and also the year's biggest,' said C.B. Devgun, of Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE).
He said the biggest and brightest moon is definitely not to be associated with natural disasters in any way.
'All that will happen is the moon will appear brighter and exert more influence on the tides due to its increased gravitational force. There is nothing to worry about this activity,' he added.


Tirurangadi: Two youth were killed when a mini lorry rammed against their bike after it rolled over. The deceased are Jeneesh, 30 son of Chelakkat Narayanan and Sudheesh, 20 son of Balakrishnan. 
The incident occurred on Wednesday at 3 pm. The mini lorry after losing control at Panakkad overturned and hit the bike. Though both were rushed to Kozhikode medical college hospital their life could not be saved. Sarasu is Sudheesh's mother and siblings are Satheeh, Sujith, Shalini. Narayanan is Janeesh's father and mother is Lakshmi and brother Satheeshan.

Tirurangadi: Two youth were killed when a mini lorry rammed against their bike after it rolled over. The deceased are Jeneesh, 30 son of Chelakkat Narayanan and Sudheesh, 20 son of Balakrishnan. 
The incident occurred on Wednesday at 3 pm. The mini lorry after losing control at Panakkad overturned and hit the bike. Though both were rushed to Kozhikode medical college hospital their life could not be saved. Sarasu is Sudheesh's mother and siblings are Satheeh, Sujith, Shalini. Narayanan is Janeesh's father and mother is Lakshmi and brother Satheeshan.

Suicide of nursing student : Bank branch sealed
Kottayam: Police sealed the HDFC branch in Pulinchuvadu, Kudamaloor, after a nursing student died after attempting suicide for not getting an educational loan. Sruthi (20), daughter of Srikanth and Bindu, hailing from Kottayam Kudamaloor Gopika, was the deceased. Sruthi was a second year BSc nursing student at the Chaitanya Nursing College at Tirupati. Police also booked a case against bank manger Harikrishnan who hails from Thuirupunithura. He is absconding now. Police said they will allow the bank to reopen only after examining all documents. 
When Sruthi got admission in 2010, she applied for an educational loan at a private bank at Pulinchuvadu. Relatives say that the bank officials had kept delaying the loan citing varied reasons.
Sruthi had to pay Rs 80,000 as college fees. They had paid Rs 30,000 as first instalment from their own pocket. Sruthi was very dejected as she was unable to deposit the fees for the second year and was being pulled up by the college authorities. Though she had approached the bank several times, the bank failed to sanction her loan.
With not able to pay the fees in the second year, Sruthi discontinued her studies and returned home. She consumed poison on April 17 and attempted suicide. She was under treatment at the ISU ward of the Kottayam Medical College Hospital and passed away on Monday at about 7.40 am.
The body of Sruthi will be laid to rest on Monday evening after post mortem. Police have booked a case against the bank officials. To protest against Sruthi's death, the CPM had called for a hartal at the Kudamaloor panchayat.
Though Sruthi belonged to the sixth ward of Ayamanam panchayat, they sought a loan from a private bank at Pulinchuvadu. Relatives say that bank officials had even told them to seek loan from any other branch.


Suicide of nursing student : Bank branch sealed
Kottayam: Police sealed the HDFC branch in Pulinchuvadu, Kudamaloor, after a nursing student died after attempting suicide for not getting an educational loan. Sruthi (20), daughter of Srikanth and Bindu, hailing from Kottayam Kudamaloor Gopika, was the deceased. Sruthi was a second year BSc nursing student at the Chaitanya Nursing College at Tirupati. Police also booked a case against bank manger Harikrishnan who hails from Thuirupunithura. He is absconding now. Police said they will allow the bank to reopen only after examining all documents. 
When Sruthi got admission in 2010, she applied for an educational loan at a private bank at Pulinchuvadu. Relatives say that the bank officials had kept delaying the loan citing varied reasons.
Sruthi had to pay Rs 80,000 as college fees. They had paid Rs 30,000 as first instalment from their own pocket. Sruthi was very dejected as she was unable to deposit the fees for the second year and was being pulled up by the college authorities. Though she had approached the bank several times, the bank failed to sanction her loan.
With not able to pay the fees in the second year, Sruthi discontinued her studies and returned home. She consumed poison on April 17 and attempted suicide. She was under treatment at the ISU ward of the Kottayam Medical College Hospital and passed away on Monday at about 7.40 am.
The body of Sruthi will be laid to rest on Monday evening after post mortem. Police have booked a case against the bank officials. To protest against Sruthi's death, the CPM had called for a hartal at the Kudamaloor panchayat.
Though Sruthi belonged to the sixth ward of Ayamanam panchayat, they sought a loan from a private bank at Pulinchuvadu. Relatives say that bank officials had even told them to seek loan from any other branch.


Italy says deal for kin of murdered fishermen a gesture of goodwill, not settlement of claim
Thiruvananthapuram : Italy on Tuesday said that the compromise reached between it and the families of the two fishermen killed earlier this year by two Italian marines on board an Italian ship Enrica Lexie, was 'a gesture of goodwill' and was not to be 'misread as a settlement of claim'. 

Italy told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that if it considered the settlement to be 'illegal', it should set it aside.
The Supreme Court on Monday had made critical observations on the compromise formula reached between the Italian Government and the families of the fishermen, whereby the former promised to pay a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the latter.

The fishermen's families had agreed to the deal and filed an application before the Kerala High Court stating that they wanted to withdraw the case against the Italian marines.

However, the Ministry of External Affairs made it clear that despite the deal, the case against the Italian Marines would continue. (ANI) 


Italy says deal for kin of murdered fishermen a gesture of goodwill, not settlement of claim
Thiruvananthapuram : Italy on Tuesday said that the compromise reached between it and the families of the two fishermen killed earlier this year by two Italian marines on board an Italian ship Enrica Lexie, was 'a gesture of goodwill' and was not to be 'misread as a settlement of claim'. 

Italy told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that if it considered the settlement to be 'illegal', it should set it aside.
The Supreme Court on Monday had made critical observations on the compromise formula reached between the Italian Government and the families of the fishermen, whereby the former promised to pay a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the latter.

The fishermen's families had agreed to the deal and filed an application before the Kerala High Court stating that they wanted to withdraw the case against the Italian marines.

However, the Ministry of External Affairs made it clear that despite the deal, the case against the Italian Marines would continue. (ANI) 

2012, മേയ് 2, ബുധനാഴ്‌ച


Six persons killed, over 50 others injured in thunderstorm

Kishanganj:Six persons, including two women and as many girls, were killed and over 50 others injured in a thunderstorm at Balwatoli in Bihar's Kishanganj district, an official said today. The thunderstorm accompanied by cyclonic wind and
hailstorm struck the area yesterday trapping the inhabitants under its fury killing six persons, while over 50 others sustained injuries, Disaster Management Additional Collector Shatrughan Chaudhary said. Of the dead, five of them were identified as Chameli Begum (10), Navolal Ram, his son Neeraj Kumar, Mando Devi, Samukta Khatun, he said.
The injured were admitted to hospitals, Chaudhary said. 

The thunderstorm also caused largescale devastation in the area damaging several houses, he said. An ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh will be paid to the kin of the victims and Rs 10,000 will be given those whose houses have been damaged, the Assistance Collector said. PTI

Six persons killed, over 50 others injured in thunderstorm

Kishanganj:Six persons, including two women and as many girls, were killed and over 50 others injured in a thunderstorm at Balwatoli in Bihar's Kishanganj district, an official said today. The thunderstorm accompanied by cyclonic wind and
hailstorm struck the area yesterday trapping the inhabitants under its fury killing six persons, while over 50 others sustained injuries, Disaster Management Additional Collector Shatrughan Chaudhary said. Of the dead, five of them were identified as Chameli Begum (10), Navolal Ram, his son Neeraj Kumar, Mando Devi, Samukta Khatun, he said.
The injured were admitted to hospitals, Chaudhary said. 

The thunderstorm also caused largescale devastation in the area damaging several houses, he said. An ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh will be paid to the kin of the victims and Rs 10,000 will be given those whose houses have been damaged, the Assistance Collector said. PTI

Italian government, fishermen kin pact void: Apex court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday took exception to the Kerala High Court approving an agreement between the Italian government and the kin of two Indian fishermen killed by two Italian marines Feb 15, thereby capping all legal proceedings related to the incident. The court termed the agreement void. 
'It is astonishing,' the court said while hearing a petition by the owners of Italian ship Enrica Lexie challenging the high court order detaining the vessel. The marines were on this ship when they mistook the fishermen to be pirates and shot them dead off Alappuzha in Kerala.
The court said that the agreement between the Italian government and the families of the victims was to thwart Indian courts from going into the matter.

It (the agreement) was void and 'hit by Section 33 of the Indian Contract Act (which deals with enforcement of contracts contingent on an event not happening)', the court said.
The apex court bench of Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice H.L. Gokhale asked: 'What are these people in Lok Adalat doing? Doing something that is illegal and beyond the procedure. How could they be a party to such an agreement by putting a seal of approval? If the high court has put the seal of approval then less said the better.'
The court observed that 'this is against public process'. The judges also wanted to know if the Kerala government had moved to stop it.
'Has the state of Kerala not opposed it,' the court asked senior counsel Gopal Subramaniam who appeared for the state government.
Subramaniam told the court that he had already asked the government to impeach such a course. He said that the 'only thing that we should do is to protect our courts from any kind of over-reach'.
At this, Justice Lodha said 'that state of Kerala had to do'.
The matter reached the apex court after Goramma, widow of one of the two fishermen killed by the marines, moved the high court against the lifting of curbs on the ship's departure from Indian shores. She won a favourable order from a division bench which stayed a single judge's order allowing police to permit the ship to set sail.
Enrica Lexie's owners have now challenged the division bench's order in the Supreme Court.
Pointing to senior counsel K.K. Venugopal, appearing for the ship owners, Justice Lodha said: 'This is virtually playing with Indian legal process. Taking this lady (Goramma) out of the scene through illegal means is impermissible.'
'Through payment of Rs.1 crore, her mouth had been silenced. What pains us is the manner (in which) Indian process is sought to be defeated by entering into an agreement with the (victim) lady,' said Justice Lodha.
The judges said that the ship could not be detained for long but everything ran into a hurdle on the question of whether the Italian government was inclined to stand guarantee that it would ensure the presence of its six marines on board Enrica Lexie who too would leave along with the ship.
The court said that the liberty enshrined in the constitution was not limited to Indian citizens but extended to everyone on its territory. However, the court wanted some assurance that the six marines would present themselves before the trial court as and when required.

The judges were told that the Italian government had already approached it challenging the jurisdiction of Indian court on its vessel and its crew members, including the marines.
Counsel for the Italian government told the court that Rome would make its marines submit to Indian jurisdiction only if the apex court decided against its plea.
The court wanted an assurance that the Italian government would make its marines available to appear before the court to tender evidence as and when required.
The central government filed an affidavit before the court distancing itself from the stand taken by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Harin Raval that the director general of shipping had said that the ship could be released.
Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati told the court that 'what is there on record is contrary to what the ASG had said the last time'.
'It was not an issue before the court and the ASG's views were unnecessary,' he said.
The judges told Vahanvati: 'There is nothing to show that what ASG said was incorrect.'
When the court drew the attention of the attorney general to the stand of the shipping ministry, the attorney general said it was the position of the director general of shipping.
Raval earlier told the court that the concerned police station in Kerala had no jurisdiction in the case as the Italian vessel was found at 20.5 nautical miles from the coast and the Indian territory extended to only 12 nautical miles.


Italian government, fishermen kin pact void: Apex court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday took exception to the Kerala High Court approving an agreement between the Italian government and the kin of two Indian fishermen killed by two Italian marines Feb 15, thereby capping all legal proceedings related to the incident. The court termed the agreement void. 
'It is astonishing,' the court said while hearing a petition by the owners of Italian ship Enrica Lexie challenging the high court order detaining the vessel. The marines were on this ship when they mistook the fishermen to be pirates and shot them dead off Alappuzha in Kerala.
The court said that the agreement between the Italian government and the families of the victims was to thwart Indian courts from going into the matter.

It (the agreement) was void and 'hit by Section 33 of the Indian Contract Act (which deals with enforcement of contracts contingent on an event not happening)', the court said.
The apex court bench of Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice H.L. Gokhale asked: 'What are these people in Lok Adalat doing? Doing something that is illegal and beyond the procedure. How could they be a party to such an agreement by putting a seal of approval? If the high court has put the seal of approval then less said the better.'
The court observed that 'this is against public process'. The judges also wanted to know if the Kerala government had moved to stop it.
'Has the state of Kerala not opposed it,' the court asked senior counsel Gopal Subramaniam who appeared for the state government.
Subramaniam told the court that he had already asked the government to impeach such a course. He said that the 'only thing that we should do is to protect our courts from any kind of over-reach'.
At this, Justice Lodha said 'that state of Kerala had to do'.
The matter reached the apex court after Goramma, widow of one of the two fishermen killed by the marines, moved the high court against the lifting of curbs on the ship's departure from Indian shores. She won a favourable order from a division bench which stayed a single judge's order allowing police to permit the ship to set sail.
Enrica Lexie's owners have now challenged the division bench's order in the Supreme Court.
Pointing to senior counsel K.K. Venugopal, appearing for the ship owners, Justice Lodha said: 'This is virtually playing with Indian legal process. Taking this lady (Goramma) out of the scene through illegal means is impermissible.'
'Through payment of Rs.1 crore, her mouth had been silenced. What pains us is the manner (in which) Indian process is sought to be defeated by entering into an agreement with the (victim) lady,' said Justice Lodha.
The judges said that the ship could not be detained for long but everything ran into a hurdle on the question of whether the Italian government was inclined to stand guarantee that it would ensure the presence of its six marines on board Enrica Lexie who too would leave along with the ship.
The court said that the liberty enshrined in the constitution was not limited to Indian citizens but extended to everyone on its territory. However, the court wanted some assurance that the six marines would present themselves before the trial court as and when required.

The judges were told that the Italian government had already approached it challenging the jurisdiction of Indian court on its vessel and its crew members, including the marines.
Counsel for the Italian government told the court that Rome would make its marines submit to Indian jurisdiction only if the apex court decided against its plea.
The court wanted an assurance that the Italian government would make its marines available to appear before the court to tender evidence as and when required.
The central government filed an affidavit before the court distancing itself from the stand taken by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Harin Raval that the director general of shipping had said that the ship could be released.
Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati told the court that 'what is there on record is contrary to what the ASG had said the last time'.
'It was not an issue before the court and the ASG's views were unnecessary,' he said.
The judges told Vahanvati: 'There is nothing to show that what ASG said was incorrect.'
When the court drew the attention of the attorney general to the stand of the shipping ministry, the attorney general said it was the position of the director general of shipping.
Raval earlier told the court that the concerned police station in Kerala had no jurisdiction in the case as the Italian vessel was found at 20.5 nautical miles from the coast and the Indian territory extended to only 12 nautical miles.


Asthma can be managed easilyAsthma remains most under diagnosed, under treated and less understood ailments.Paediatricians and physicians point out that only 10 to 15 per cent of parents, whose children have asthma, adhere properly to the instructions of the physicians.

“About 85 to 90 per cent of children suffer relapse because they never adhere to instructions. Correct treatment and lifestyle modifications are enough to manage and even treat asthma. But, public have stigmatised inhalers and they do not follow instructions of the physicians properly,” senior paediatrician P. Sudershan Reddy, said on the eve of World Asthma Day.The most common symptoms that occur during asthma attack among children include tightness in chest, shortness of breath recurring cough and wheezing. Because of narrow opening of the airway, children do have trouble breathing and this causes wheezing.
“Due to initial cost factors, a majority of parents discontinue inhalers and try to adopt tablets. But, we have seen that in the long run, children develop complications after using tablets. It is always advisable to use inhalers,” says senior chest physician, Government General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda, K. Subhakar.Doctors also maintain that the number of asthma cases is ever increasing. “About 30 to 34 per cent of children in Bangalore have asthma while among the general outpatients in Hyderabad, 10 per cent of children have asthma. Children who are breast fed for six months and those who are born naturally without C section have less chances of having Asthma,” says Dr. Sudershan Reddy.
Allaying fears of addiction to steroids in inhalers, Dr. Sudershan Reddy said that they are very useful because they provide targeted medication. “There are no side effects and adverse reactions from inhalers. There should be no inhibitions to use inhalers. Physicians, however, must make sure that they spend a lot of time with parents and explain them properly about the finer aspects of asthma,” Dr. Reddy added.Physicians point out that 60 per cent of asthma cases among children is treatable. “If children take medications properly, then the condition is treatable. There are children who have allergic asthma and they have to continue medication for longer time,” Dr. Subhakar said.


Asthma can be managed easilyAsthma remains most under diagnosed, under treated and less understood ailments.Paediatricians and physicians point out that only 10 to 15 per cent of parents, whose children have asthma, adhere properly to the instructions of the physicians.

“About 85 to 90 per cent of children suffer relapse because they never adhere to instructions. Correct treatment and lifestyle modifications are enough to manage and even treat asthma. But, public have stigmatised inhalers and they do not follow instructions of the physicians properly,” senior paediatrician P. Sudershan Reddy, said on the eve of World Asthma Day.The most common symptoms that occur during asthma attack among children include tightness in chest, shortness of breath recurring cough and wheezing. Because of narrow opening of the airway, children do have trouble breathing and this causes wheezing.
“Due to initial cost factors, a majority of parents discontinue inhalers and try to adopt tablets. But, we have seen that in the long run, children develop complications after using tablets. It is always advisable to use inhalers,” says senior chest physician, Government General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda, K. Subhakar.Doctors also maintain that the number of asthma cases is ever increasing. “About 30 to 34 per cent of children in Bangalore have asthma while among the general outpatients in Hyderabad, 10 per cent of children have asthma. Children who are breast fed for six months and those who are born naturally without C section have less chances of having Asthma,” says Dr. Sudershan Reddy.
Allaying fears of addiction to steroids in inhalers, Dr. Sudershan Reddy said that they are very useful because they provide targeted medication. “There are no side effects and adverse reactions from inhalers. There should be no inhibitions to use inhalers. Physicians, however, must make sure that they spend a lot of time with parents and explain them properly about the finer aspects of asthma,” Dr. Reddy added.Physicians point out that 60 per cent of asthma cases among children is treatable. “If children take medications properly, then the condition is treatable. There are children who have allergic asthma and they have to continue medication for longer time,” Dr. Subhakar said.

Taliban attack Kabul, six killed


A suicide car bomber and Taliban militants disguised in burqas attacked a compound housing hundreds of foreigners in the Afghan capital on Wednesday, officials and witnesses said. The Taliban said the attack was a response to President Barack Obama’s surprise visit just hours earlier.At least six people were killed in the early morning attacks, officials said, as blasts and gunfire continued to ring out from the privately guarded compound known as Green Village that houses hundreds of international contractors.A series of explosions and gunfire rang out near the complex in eastern Kabul at around 6 a.m. and shooting continued for hours later. Another large explosion was heard coming from inside Green Village shortly after 9 a.m. and a large plume of smoke was seen rising from the compound.An Afghan police official said two suicide attackers were still inside Green Village and were “resisting.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.One of the first blasts was a suicide car bomb that exploded near Jalalabad road one of the main thoroughfares out of the city, said Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi. A station wagon that was driving past was caught up in the explosion and four people inside were killed, Sediqi said. A passer—by and a security guard for a nearby building also were killed.A young man who saw the explosion said the dead pedestrian was one of his fellow classmates.“I was walking to school when I saw a very big explosion. A car exploded and flames went very high into the air,” said 21-year-old Mohammad Wali. “Then I saw a body of one of my classmates lying on the street. I knew it was a suicide attack and ran away. I was so afraid.”A local resident who saw the attack unfold said the attackers were disguised in burqas the head—to—toe robes worn by conservative Afghan women.“A vehicle stopped here and six people wearing burqas entered the alley carrying black bags in their hands. When they entered the alley, there was an explosion,” said Abdul Manan.The explosions happened hours after Obama left Afghanistan after a quick visit to mark the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death. He spoke to troops and signed a pact with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to govern the U.S. presence in Afghanistan through 2024.Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was planned Tuesday night as a response to Obama’s trip.“This is a reaction to Obama’s visit to Afghanistan,” Mujahid said, without elaborating. He said the target was a “foreign military base.”NATO forces spokesman Capt. Justin Brockhoff said there were no indications that any NATO bases were under attack.The Green Village complex, with its towering blast walls and heavily armed security force, is very similar in appearance to NATO bases in the city. An Associated Press reporter at the scene saw a group of Afghan soldiers enter the Green Village compound, after which heavy shooting could be heard coming from inside.Outside the complex, men could be seen carrying a wounded man covered with blood, apparently pulled out of the flames engulfing a nearby car.“These people evacuated a man from the burning car, two bodies are laying there now and three or four other victims were evacuated from the school,” said Ahmad Zia, a resident who saw the explosion.Green Village was also the target of anti-foreigner protests following the burning of Qurans at a U.S. base in February. At that time, violent protests raged outside, but the angry crowds did not breach the compound’s defenses.

Taliban attack Kabul, six killed


A suicide car bomber and Taliban militants disguised in burqas attacked a compound housing hundreds of foreigners in the Afghan capital on Wednesday, officials and witnesses said. The Taliban said the attack was a response to President Barack Obama’s surprise visit just hours earlier.At least six people were killed in the early morning attacks, officials said, as blasts and gunfire continued to ring out from the privately guarded compound known as Green Village that houses hundreds of international contractors.A series of explosions and gunfire rang out near the complex in eastern Kabul at around 6 a.m. and shooting continued for hours later. Another large explosion was heard coming from inside Green Village shortly after 9 a.m. and a large plume of smoke was seen rising from the compound.An Afghan police official said two suicide attackers were still inside Green Village and were “resisting.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.One of the first blasts was a suicide car bomb that exploded near Jalalabad road one of the main thoroughfares out of the city, said Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi. A station wagon that was driving past was caught up in the explosion and four people inside were killed, Sediqi said. A passer—by and a security guard for a nearby building also were killed.A young man who saw the explosion said the dead pedestrian was one of his fellow classmates.“I was walking to school when I saw a very big explosion. A car exploded and flames went very high into the air,” said 21-year-old Mohammad Wali. “Then I saw a body of one of my classmates lying on the street. I knew it was a suicide attack and ran away. I was so afraid.”A local resident who saw the attack unfold said the attackers were disguised in burqas the head—to—toe robes worn by conservative Afghan women.“A vehicle stopped here and six people wearing burqas entered the alley carrying black bags in their hands. When they entered the alley, there was an explosion,” said Abdul Manan.The explosions happened hours after Obama left Afghanistan after a quick visit to mark the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death. He spoke to troops and signed a pact with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to govern the U.S. presence in Afghanistan through 2024.Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was planned Tuesday night as a response to Obama’s trip.“This is a reaction to Obama’s visit to Afghanistan,” Mujahid said, without elaborating. He said the target was a “foreign military base.”NATO forces spokesman Capt. Justin Brockhoff said there were no indications that any NATO bases were under attack.The Green Village complex, with its towering blast walls and heavily armed security force, is very similar in appearance to NATO bases in the city. An Associated Press reporter at the scene saw a group of Afghan soldiers enter the Green Village compound, after which heavy shooting could be heard coming from inside.Outside the complex, men could be seen carrying a wounded man covered with blood, apparently pulled out of the flames engulfing a nearby car.“These people evacuated a man from the burning car, two bodies are laying there now and three or four other victims were evacuated from the school,” said Ahmad Zia, a resident who saw the explosion.Green Village was also the target of anti-foreigner protests following the burning of Qurans at a U.S. base in February. At that time, violent protests raged outside, but the angry crowds did not breach the compound’s defenses.


SC allows Italian ship, Marines to leave India

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Italian merchant navy ship Enrica Lexie, which was seized after two of its Marines had allegedly killed two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast in February this year.The apex court also allowed four marines and six crew members on board it to leave Indian shores after the Italian government and the ship owner assured it that they will be available when required by Indian legal authorities.A Bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha directed the ship owner to execute a bond of Rs three crore before the registrar-general of the Kerala High Court as a surety for the presence of crew members and the vessel whenever required by the Indian authorities.The Bench directed that the crew members should be made themselves available before the authorities within five weeks after receiving summons or notice.It also directed that the vessel be brought before the legal authorities within seven weeks after receiving summons or notice.The Bench, however, made it clear that its order would not affect the right of the Kerala government to conduct the investigation and the prosecution of two marines accused of killing two fishermen.The apex court had earlier sought the replies of the Centre and the Kerala government on Italian government’s plea to quash the criminal cases against its two merchant navy personnel.In its petition filed under Article 32, the Italian government had asserted that the Kerala Government has no locus standi to register any criminal case as the alleged offence ought to be treated under international law and covenants as India is a signatory to the UN charter.On another petition by Enrica’s owner Dolphin Tankers too, questioning the Kerala High Court’s order staying the release of the vessel, the apex court had sought the replies of the Centre, the Kerala government and two relatives of the slain fishermen gunned down by two marines on February 15.A division bench of the Kerala High Court had earlier, while setting aside a single judge’s order, stayed the release of the vessel detained off Kochi port since February 15.The fishermen, allegedly killed by Italian marines in firing by them at their fishing boat off off Kollam coast were identified as Valentine Jalstine and Ajesh Binki.Marines Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Gironi have been arrested and charged with murder and lodged in the central prison in Thiruvananthapuram under judicial remand.


SC allows Italian ship, Marines to leave India

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Italian merchant navy ship Enrica Lexie, which was seized after two of its Marines had allegedly killed two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast in February this year.The apex court also allowed four marines and six crew members on board it to leave Indian shores after the Italian government and the ship owner assured it that they will be available when required by Indian legal authorities.A Bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha directed the ship owner to execute a bond of Rs three crore before the registrar-general of the Kerala High Court as a surety for the presence of crew members and the vessel whenever required by the Indian authorities.The Bench directed that the crew members should be made themselves available before the authorities within five weeks after receiving summons or notice.It also directed that the vessel be brought before the legal authorities within seven weeks after receiving summons or notice.The Bench, however, made it clear that its order would not affect the right of the Kerala government to conduct the investigation and the prosecution of two marines accused of killing two fishermen.The apex court had earlier sought the replies of the Centre and the Kerala government on Italian government’s plea to quash the criminal cases against its two merchant navy personnel.In its petition filed under Article 32, the Italian government had asserted that the Kerala Government has no locus standi to register any criminal case as the alleged offence ought to be treated under international law and covenants as India is a signatory to the UN charter.On another petition by Enrica’s owner Dolphin Tankers too, questioning the Kerala High Court’s order staying the release of the vessel, the apex court had sought the replies of the Centre, the Kerala government and two relatives of the slain fishermen gunned down by two marines on February 15.A division bench of the Kerala High Court had earlier, while setting aside a single judge’s order, stayed the release of the vessel detained off Kochi port since February 15.The fishermen, allegedly killed by Italian marines in firing by them at their fishing boat off off Kollam coast were identified as Valentine Jalstine and Ajesh Binki.Marines Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Gironi have been arrested and charged with murder and lodged in the central prison in Thiruvananthapuram under judicial remand.

2012, മേയ് 1, ചൊവ്വാഴ്ച


Priest sex scandal shocks Poland

Warsaw;A priest in Poland, found guilty of having sex with a disabled 19-year-old girl who was entrusted in his care, has been sentenced to four years in prison.
This is the first time a priest has been caught and sentenced in Poland, though there have been few incidents in the past where priests were asked to resign.
Bialystok's District Court found that between July 2010 and February 2011 the priest had sexual intercourse with her as many as eight times, a media report said.
The incident came to light when the girl became pregnant last year and.reported the matter to the police. The girl gave birth to a baby a few months ago but the name of the father of the child has not been mentioned anywhere on the documents, reports said. 
Due to the extremely sensitive nature of the case,investigations have released very few details and the case was heard in camera.
The conduct of the priest has shocked the Polish clergy and the public at large. 
The Polish clergy has been at the forefront in moral guidance of the Catholic nation in Eastern Europe. During communist rule and in democratic times since 1990s under then leadership of Pope John Paul II, a Polish national, the church has set up the moral agenda for the nation.
Now like the other western countries, Polish clergy too has come under a scanner.
"Time has come that the church as a whole should change its policy of not allowing priests and nuns to have their own family...why should only Catholic priests and nuns suffer the agony of abstention. It is unnatural and disturbing for a human to pretend for moral justification when the need of his or her body demands sexual gratification," said Janusz K., a leading Polish psychiatrist.

Priest sex scandal shocks Poland

Warsaw;A priest in Poland, found guilty of having sex with a disabled 19-year-old girl who was entrusted in his care, has been sentenced to four years in prison.
This is the first time a priest has been caught and sentenced in Poland, though there have been few incidents in the past where priests were asked to resign.
Bialystok's District Court found that between July 2010 and February 2011 the priest had sexual intercourse with her as many as eight times, a media report said.
The incident came to light when the girl became pregnant last year and.reported the matter to the police. The girl gave birth to a baby a few months ago but the name of the father of the child has not been mentioned anywhere on the documents, reports said. 
Due to the extremely sensitive nature of the case,investigations have released very few details and the case was heard in camera.
The conduct of the priest has shocked the Polish clergy and the public at large. 
The Polish clergy has been at the forefront in moral guidance of the Catholic nation in Eastern Europe. During communist rule and in democratic times since 1990s under then leadership of Pope John Paul II, a Polish national, the church has set up the moral agenda for the nation.
Now like the other western countries, Polish clergy too has come under a scanner.
"Time has come that the church as a whole should change its policy of not allowing priests and nuns to have their own family...why should only Catholic priests and nuns suffer the agony of abstention. It is unnatural and disturbing for a human to pretend for moral justification when the need of his or her body demands sexual gratification," said Janusz K., a leading Polish psychiatrist.

Green signal from ISRO for rly's Internet in train proposal

New Delhi, Surfing the Internet in trains without using data card seems to be a distinct possibility now as the Railways have got the much-awaited clearance from space agency ISRO for using the satellite for the purpose.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has given the clearance for using the frequency from KU band for using the satellite for Internet, said a senior Railway Ministry official, adding it will be for the first time that Internet will be operational in moving trains through satellite.
Though Railways had proposed two years back to provide Internet in trains, the project could not take off due to the absence of ISRO clearance.
"ISRO's clearance for using frequency from satellite for Internet is mandatory. Now that we have got the clearance, work on the project will commence soon," said the official.
As per the proposal, three rakes of Howrah Rajdhani will be uplinked with satellite for facilitating Internet in coaches on a pilot basis.
Since it is a pilot project the Internet service will not be charged from the passengers, said the official.
Railways have sanctioned Rs 6.30 crore for providing Internet facility in Howrah Rajdhani. The work will be executed by a Mumbai-based company.
Now custom-made antenna will be installed on the locomotives of the train and coaches will be linked through Wi-Fi connectivity, he said.
According to the procedure to be followed, passenger will get a password in his mobile phone after dialling a number given by the TTE. The passenger can make the Internet operational with the use of the password.
If the pilot project becomes successful then other trains will also be linked with satellite for Internet purpose.


Green signal from ISRO for rly's Internet in train proposal

New Delhi, Surfing the Internet in trains without using data card seems to be a distinct possibility now as the Railways have got the much-awaited clearance from space agency ISRO for using the satellite for the purpose.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has given the clearance for using the frequency from KU band for using the satellite for Internet, said a senior Railway Ministry official, adding it will be for the first time that Internet will be operational in moving trains through satellite.
Though Railways had proposed two years back to provide Internet in trains, the project could not take off due to the absence of ISRO clearance.
"ISRO's clearance for using frequency from satellite for Internet is mandatory. Now that we have got the clearance, work on the project will commence soon," said the official.
As per the proposal, three rakes of Howrah Rajdhani will be uplinked with satellite for facilitating Internet in coaches on a pilot basis.
Since it is a pilot project the Internet service will not be charged from the passengers, said the official.
Railways have sanctioned Rs 6.30 crore for providing Internet facility in Howrah Rajdhani. The work will be executed by a Mumbai-based company.
Now custom-made antenna will be installed on the locomotives of the train and coaches will be linked through Wi-Fi connectivity, he said.
According to the procedure to be followed, passenger will get a password in his mobile phone after dialling a number given by the TTE. The passenger can make the Internet operational with the use of the password.
If the pilot project becomes successful then other trains will also be linked with satellite for Internet purpose.


14-year-old girl calls helpline, foils marriage attempt

KolkataShe is 14 years old and a school dropout, but West Bengal resident Seema still mustered up the courage to stand up to her family and foiled an attempt to get her married by calling a helpline. 
The Class 7 dropout, who was to tie the nuptial knot Wednesday, called up the helpline number urging them to intervene and stop her marriage, police said Tuesday. The incident took place in Purulia district.
“The girl, a resident of Beldi village under Arsha police station called up Childline, and informed them that she was being married off. Subsequently we intervened and rescued the girl,” district police superintendent C. Sudhakar said.
While her father was remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody by a local court, the girl was sent to a government home.
“After we started the awareness campaign regarding child marriage in late 2008, at least 64 girls have resisted early marriage in the district, which is a great achievement,” said Prosenjit Kundu, assistant labour commissioner of the district. 


14-year-old girl calls helpline, foils marriage attempt

KolkataShe is 14 years old and a school dropout, but West Bengal resident Seema still mustered up the courage to stand up to her family and foiled an attempt to get her married by calling a helpline. 
The Class 7 dropout, who was to tie the nuptial knot Wednesday, called up the helpline number urging them to intervene and stop her marriage, police said Tuesday. The incident took place in Purulia district.
“The girl, a resident of Beldi village under Arsha police station called up Childline, and informed them that she was being married off. Subsequently we intervened and rescued the girl,” district police superintendent C. Sudhakar said.
While her father was remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody by a local court, the girl was sent to a government home.
“After we started the awareness campaign regarding child marriage in late 2008, at least 64 girls have resisted early marriage in the district, which is a great achievement,” said Prosenjit Kundu, assistant labour commissioner of the district. 


Al Qaeda's Europe attack plans found hidden in porn movie Hundreds of internal Al Qaeda documents embedded inside a pornographic movie on a memory disk have revealed plots of carrying out attacks in Europe similar to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Terrorist training manuals in PDF format in German, English and Arabic were among the documents found, according to intelligence sources cited by CNN, which said it had obtained details of the documents.
The German newspaper Die Zeit was the first to report on the discovery of the documents by German cryptologists inside the memory disk found on a suspected Al Qaeda operative arrested in Berlin last year, it said.
Interrogators questioning a 22-year-old Austrian named Maqsood Lodin, who had recently returned from Pakistan via Budapest, Hungary, and then travelled overland to Germany were surprised to find a digital storage device and memory cards hidden in his underpants.
Buried inside them was a pornographic video called "Kick Ass"-and a file marked "Sexy Tanja."
Several weeks later, German investigators discovered encoded inside the actual video a treasure trove of intelligence - more than 100 Al Qaeda documents.
One document called "Future Works" appears to have been the product of discussions to find new targets and methods of attack, CNN said. German investigators believe it was written in 2009 -- and that it remains the template for Al Qaeda's plans.
A year after the document was written, European intelligence agencies were scrambling to investigate a Mumbai-style plot involving German and other European militants which sparked an unprecedented US State Department travel warning for Americans in Europe.
"I think it is plausible to think that the 'Future Works' document is part of that particular project," investigative journalist Yassin Musharbash, a reporter with the German newspaper Die Zeit, who was the first to report on the documents, was quoted as saying.
"The document delivers very clearly the notion that Al Qaeda knows it is being followed very closely," Musharbash told CNN.
While "Future Works" does not include dates or places, nor specific plans, it appears to be a brainstorming exercise to seize the initiative-and reinstate Al Qaeda on front pages around the world, it said.



Al Qaeda's Europe attack plans found hidden in porn movie Hundreds of internal Al Qaeda documents embedded inside a pornographic movie on a memory disk have revealed plots of carrying out attacks in Europe similar to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Terrorist training manuals in PDF format in German, English and Arabic were among the documents found, according to intelligence sources cited by CNN, which said it had obtained details of the documents.
The German newspaper Die Zeit was the first to report on the discovery of the documents by German cryptologists inside the memory disk found on a suspected Al Qaeda operative arrested in Berlin last year, it said.
Interrogators questioning a 22-year-old Austrian named Maqsood Lodin, who had recently returned from Pakistan via Budapest, Hungary, and then travelled overland to Germany were surprised to find a digital storage device and memory cards hidden in his underpants.
Buried inside them was a pornographic video called "Kick Ass"-and a file marked "Sexy Tanja."
Several weeks later, German investigators discovered encoded inside the actual video a treasure trove of intelligence - more than 100 Al Qaeda documents.
One document called "Future Works" appears to have been the product of discussions to find new targets and methods of attack, CNN said. German investigators believe it was written in 2009 -- and that it remains the template for Al Qaeda's plans.
A year after the document was written, European intelligence agencies were scrambling to investigate a Mumbai-style plot involving German and other European militants which sparked an unprecedented US State Department travel warning for Americans in Europe.
"I think it is plausible to think that the 'Future Works' document is part of that particular project," investigative journalist Yassin Musharbash, a reporter with the German newspaper Die Zeit, who was the first to report on the documents, was quoted as saying.
"The document delivers very clearly the notion that Al Qaeda knows it is being followed very closely," Musharbash told CNN.
While "Future Works" does not include dates or places, nor specific plans, it appears to be a brainstorming exercise to seize the initiative-and reinstate Al Qaeda on front pages around the world, it said.