2013, ജൂലൈ 6, ശനിയാഴ്‌ച

Keralite dies after throat slit in Bangalore


PANUR (KANNUR): A Keralite youth from Chokli died on Friday morning after his throat was slit by unknown people in Bangalore. He has been identified as Shamseer (26), an employee at a super market in Bangalore. Shajeer (28), the son of the owner of super market, who was with Shamseer was hacked. He has been admitted to Bangalore Manipal Hospital. Meanwhile, some employees at the super market who come from Manipur are missing.

Keralite dies after throat slit in Bangalore


PANUR (KANNUR): A Keralite youth from Chokli died on Friday morning after his throat was slit by unknown people in Bangalore. He has been identified as Shamseer (26), an employee at a super market in Bangalore. Shajeer (28), the son of the owner of super market, who was with Shamseer was hacked. He has been admitted to Bangalore Manipal Hospital. Meanwhile, some employees at the super market who come from Manipur are missing.

Woman tries to jump before train with children, one dies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following a family dispute, a woman tried to jump before the train with her two sons and one died. The woman Soumya, wife of Vinod of Murukkumpuzha, reached the railway track with her two sons Kannan and Vaisakh.

The train fatally knocked down the youngest son when his mother ran after her eldest son after he tried to flee seeing the train.


Woman tries to jump before train with children, one dies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following a family dispute, a woman tried to jump before the train with her two sons and one died. The woman Soumya, wife of Vinod of Murukkumpuzha, reached the railway track with her two sons Kannan and Vaisakh.

The train fatally knocked down the youngest son when his mother ran after her eldest son after he tried to flee seeing the train.


Self-financing medical exam on July 21 at Ernakulam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The entrance exams for management seats in self-financing medical colleges will be held on July 21 in Ernakulam. The exams will be monitored by Justice James Committee. The exams held earlier had to be cancelled by the James Committee as widespread irregularities were detected. The Kerala High Court had also upheld the cancellation of the exams.

Meantime, the managements are planning to approach the Supreme Court against the high court verdict.

Self-financing medical exam on July 21 at Ernakulam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The entrance exams for management seats in self-financing medical colleges will be held on July 21 in Ernakulam. The exams will be monitored by Justice James Committee. The exams held earlier had to be cancelled by the James Committee as widespread irregularities were detected. The Kerala High Court had also upheld the cancellation of the exams.

Meantime, the managements are planning to approach the Supreme Court against the high court verdict.

At least 10 killed in Pak train accident

LAHORE: At least 10 people including two children were killed on Saturday after a train collided with a packed motorcycle rickshaw in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, officials said.

A high-speed train traveling from country's largest city Karachi to the capital of Punjab province Lahore crushed the rickshaw on a road crossing which had no barrier.

"The accident occurred in Khanpur town of district Sheikhupura, around 40 kilometres northwest of Lahore," Salim Niazi, a local police official said.

The rescue officials said that at least two children were also among the dead.

"Our staff is busy in evacuating the injured and dead bodies. So far, we can confirm the death of at least 10 people including two children," Jam Sajjad, a spokesman for the rescue department said.

Police said that the motorcycle rickshaw was crammed with 16 people and drove onto the train track moments before the Lahore bound train passed through, smashing into it.

"There was no gate at this crossing, (nor) a man to stop the traffic to clear way for the train," said Niazi.

Pakistan maintains a poor railway system based on British era track and old coaches. Many Pakistanis avoid traveling by train due to the low safety standards and unsatisfactory facilities.


At least 10 killed in Pak train accident

LAHORE: At least 10 people including two children were killed on Saturday after a train collided with a packed motorcycle rickshaw in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, officials said.

A high-speed train traveling from country's largest city Karachi to the capital of Punjab province Lahore crushed the rickshaw on a road crossing which had no barrier.

"The accident occurred in Khanpur town of district Sheikhupura, around 40 kilometres northwest of Lahore," Salim Niazi, a local police official said.

The rescue officials said that at least two children were also among the dead.

"Our staff is busy in evacuating the injured and dead bodies. So far, we can confirm the death of at least 10 people including two children," Jam Sajjad, a spokesman for the rescue department said.

Police said that the motorcycle rickshaw was crammed with 16 people and drove onto the train track moments before the Lahore bound train passed through, smashing into it.

"There was no gate at this crossing, (nor) a man to stop the traffic to clear way for the train," said Niazi.

Pakistan maintains a poor railway system based on British era track and old coaches. Many Pakistanis avoid traveling by train due to the low safety standards and unsatisfactory facilities.


Shalu Menon remanded to judicial custody till Monday

Thiruvananthapuram: Actor Shalu Menon who was taken under custody in connection with solar scam on Friday, has been remanded to judicial custody till Monday. The court will consider the plea of the police to give her under custody for three days, on Monday. As per court order, she was later shifted to Attakkulangara women's jail. 

Shalu was presented before Thiruvananthapuram first class judicial magistrate court under high security. Adv V Jinachandran presented for Shalu and said Shalu is a celebrity and will present before investigation officials whenever they want, while pleading for bail. 

Meanwhile earlier police sources said that Shalu Menon agreed to her crime. A team led by ADGP Hemachandran quizzed her for four hours after her arrest from her house in Changanassery on Friday. Complainant Razik Ali, who filed petition against Shalu, was also called to the ADGP office. Shalu identified Razik and when Biju accepted Rs 75 lakh from him, Shalu too was present. Shalu agreed that the financial transactions were held at 
Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Changanassery. She said she went with Biju as a representative of Team solar company. She also acted as executive director of Swiss solar. She added that but Biju cheated her. She was arrested from her home and was shifted to Chenganoor police station in her own car with sun control films and police escorted her. 

Thrissur east police on Thursday registered a case against Shalu following a private petition filed by public servant PD Joseph at the Thrissur first class judicial magistrate court. The court, which accepted the petition, asked the police to file a case. The complaints are that Shalu too is involved in the solar scam and she is the one who helped Biju Radhakrishnan to abscond after booking a room in Thrissur. 

Shalu Menon remanded to judicial custody till Monday

Thiruvananthapuram: Actor Shalu Menon who was taken under custody in connection with solar scam on Friday, has been remanded to judicial custody till Monday. The court will consider the plea of the police to give her under custody for three days, on Monday. As per court order, she was later shifted to Attakkulangara women's jail. 

Shalu was presented before Thiruvananthapuram first class judicial magistrate court under high security. Adv V Jinachandran presented for Shalu and said Shalu is a celebrity and will present before investigation officials whenever they want, while pleading for bail. 

Meanwhile earlier police sources said that Shalu Menon agreed to her crime. A team led by ADGP Hemachandran quizzed her for four hours after her arrest from her house in Changanassery on Friday. Complainant Razik Ali, who filed petition against Shalu, was also called to the ADGP office. Shalu identified Razik and when Biju accepted Rs 75 lakh from him, Shalu too was present. Shalu agreed that the financial transactions were held at 
Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Changanassery. She said she went with Biju as a representative of Team solar company. She also acted as executive director of Swiss solar. She added that but Biju cheated her. She was arrested from her home and was shifted to Chenganoor police station in her own car with sun control films and police escorted her. 

Thrissur east police on Thursday registered a case against Shalu following a private petition filed by public servant PD Joseph at the Thrissur first class judicial magistrate court. The court, which accepted the petition, asked the police to file a case. The complaints are that Shalu too is involved in the solar scam and she is the one who helped Biju Radhakrishnan to abscond after booking a room in Thrissur. 

30 killed, hundreds injured as MB vows more protests in Egypt

Cairo: At least 30 people were killed and hundreds injured across Egypt during violent clashes between supporters and opponents of deposed President Mohammed Morsi, even as an Islamist coalition-led by Muslim Brotherhood today vowed more protests in his support across the country. The clashes broke out yesterday after tens of thousandsof angry supporters of 61-year-old Morsi, chanting slogans like 'down with military rule', took to the streets after Friday prayers demanding his reinstatement. In the capital, the protesters holding images of Morsi marched towards the Republican Guards Club, where Morsi is believed to have been put 'under guard' since Wednesday night. Despite warning from soldiers, the crowd tried to storm the Guards headquarters, prompting the soldiers to open fire - first into the air, then at the demonstrators, killing four demonstrators and wounding dozens, local media reported. In running street battles in Cairo, several more people
were dead, including two at iconic Tahrir Sqaure, and scores
of others injured, reports said.
The worst hit was coastal city of Alexandria, the second
largest city in Egypt, where street fighting and clashes left
12 people dead, mostly from gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, Brotherhood-led National Alliance in Support
of Electoral Legitimacy today vowed more protests in support
of the deposed president.
'The masses will continue their civilised protests and
peaceful sit ins in Cairo until the military coup is reversed
and the legitimate president is restored,' it said.
Morsi was toppled by the powerful military on Wednesday
and since has been kept under detention along with some senior
aides of his Muslim Brotherhood party.
Yesterday's clashes raged across Egypt after Brotherhood
supreme leader Mohammed Badie told his followers not to give
up street action until the reinstatement of Morsi.
'We are his soldiers we defend him with our lives,' Badie
told supporters at a Cairo mosque in his first appearance
since the overthrow of the Morsi government.
In the North Sinai town of El Arish, five police officers
were killed. It was, however, not clear whether the attacks
were linked to pro-Morsi protests.

30 killed, hundreds injured as MB vows more protests in Egypt

Cairo: At least 30 people were killed and hundreds injured across Egypt during violent clashes between supporters and opponents of deposed President Mohammed Morsi, even as an Islamist coalition-led by Muslim Brotherhood today vowed more protests in his support across the country. The clashes broke out yesterday after tens of thousandsof angry supporters of 61-year-old Morsi, chanting slogans like 'down with military rule', took to the streets after Friday prayers demanding his reinstatement. In the capital, the protesters holding images of Morsi marched towards the Republican Guards Club, where Morsi is believed to have been put 'under guard' since Wednesday night. Despite warning from soldiers, the crowd tried to storm the Guards headquarters, prompting the soldiers to open fire - first into the air, then at the demonstrators, killing four demonstrators and wounding dozens, local media reported. In running street battles in Cairo, several more people
were dead, including two at iconic Tahrir Sqaure, and scores
of others injured, reports said.
The worst hit was coastal city of Alexandria, the second
largest city in Egypt, where street fighting and clashes left
12 people dead, mostly from gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, Brotherhood-led National Alliance in Support
of Electoral Legitimacy today vowed more protests in support
of the deposed president.
'The masses will continue their civilised protests and
peaceful sit ins in Cairo until the military coup is reversed
and the legitimate president is restored,' it said.
Morsi was toppled by the powerful military on Wednesday
and since has been kept under detention along with some senior
aides of his Muslim Brotherhood party.
Yesterday's clashes raged across Egypt after Brotherhood
supreme leader Mohammed Badie told his followers not to give
up street action until the reinstatement of Morsi.
'We are his soldiers we defend him with our lives,' Badie
told supporters at a Cairo mosque in his first appearance
since the overthrow of the Morsi government.
In the North Sinai town of El Arish, five police officers
were killed. It was, however, not clear whether the attacks
were linked to pro-Morsi protests.

Avoid dementia by keeping brain 'active'

Washington: Staying mentally active by reading books or writing letters helps protect the brain in old age, says a new American study.

The study, published in Neurology, says performing mental challenges leads to slower cognitive decline. It adds weight to the idea that dementia onset can be delayed by lifestyle factors, BBC reported.

In the study by the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, 294 people over the age of 55 were given tests that measured memory and thinking, every year for about six years until their deaths.

They also answered a questionnaire about whether they read books, wrote letters and took part in other activities linked to mental stimulation during childhood, adolescence, middle age, and in later life.

After death, their brains were examined for evidence of the physical signs of dementia, such as brain lesions and plaques.

The study found that after factoring out the impact of those signs, those who had a record of keeping the brain busy had a rate of cognitive decline estimated at 15 percent slower than those who did not.

Robert Wilson, of the Rush University Medical Center, who led the study, said the research suggested exercising the brain across a lifetime was important for brain health in old age.

'The brain that we have in old age depends in part on what we habitually ask it to do in life. What you do during your lifetime has a great impact on the likelihood these age-related diseases are going to be expressed,' Wilson told BBC.

Commenting on the study, Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said there was increasing evidence that mental activity may help protect against cognitive decline. But the underlying reasons for this remained unclear.

'By examining donated brain tissue, this study has shed more light on this complex question, and the results lend weight to the theory that mental activity may provide a level of 'cognitive reserve', helping the brain resist some of the damage from diseases such as Alzheimer's,' he told BBC.


Avoid dementia by keeping brain 'active'

Washington: Staying mentally active by reading books or writing letters helps protect the brain in old age, says a new American study.

The study, published in Neurology, says performing mental challenges leads to slower cognitive decline. It adds weight to the idea that dementia onset can be delayed by lifestyle factors, BBC reported.

In the study by the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, 294 people over the age of 55 were given tests that measured memory and thinking, every year for about six years until their deaths.

They also answered a questionnaire about whether they read books, wrote letters and took part in other activities linked to mental stimulation during childhood, adolescence, middle age, and in later life.

After death, their brains were examined for evidence of the physical signs of dementia, such as brain lesions and plaques.

The study found that after factoring out the impact of those signs, those who had a record of keeping the brain busy had a rate of cognitive decline estimated at 15 percent slower than those who did not.

Robert Wilson, of the Rush University Medical Center, who led the study, said the research suggested exercising the brain across a lifetime was important for brain health in old age.

'The brain that we have in old age depends in part on what we habitually ask it to do in life. What you do during your lifetime has a great impact on the likelihood these age-related diseases are going to be expressed,' Wilson told BBC.

Commenting on the study, Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said there was increasing evidence that mental activity may help protect against cognitive decline. But the underlying reasons for this remained unclear.

'By examining donated brain tissue, this study has shed more light on this complex question, and the results lend weight to the theory that mental activity may provide a level of 'cognitive reserve', helping the brain resist some of the damage from diseases such as Alzheimer's,' he told BBC.


2013, ജൂലൈ 4, വ്യാഴാഴ്‌ച

Stem-cell therapy wipes out HIV in two patients: report


London: Two men with HIV have been off AIDS drugs for several months after receiving stem-cell transplants for cancer that appear to have cleared the virus from their bodies, researchers reported today.

Both patients, who were treated in Boston and had been on long-term drug therapy to control their HIV, received stem-cell transplants after developing lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

Since the transplants, doctors have been unable to find any evidence of HIV infection, Timothy Henrich of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston told an International AIDS Society conference in Kuala Lumpur.

While it is too early to say for sure that the virus has disappeared from their bodies altogether, one patient has now been off antiretroviral drug treatment for 15 weeks and the other for seven weeks.

Last July Henrich first reported that the two men had undetectable levels of HIV in their blood after their stem-cell treatment, but at that time they were still taking medicines to suppress HIV.

Using stem-cell therapy is not seen as a viable option for widespread use, since it is extremely expensive, but the latest cases could open new avenues for fighting the disease, which infects about 34 million people worldwide.

The latest cases resemble that of Timothy Ray Brown, known as 'the Berlin patient', who became the first person to be cured of HIV after receiving a bone marrow transplant for leukaemia in 2007. There are, however, important differences.

While Brown's doctor used stem cells from a donor with a rare genetic mutation, known as CCR5 delta 32, which renders people virtually resistant to HIV, the two Boston patients received cells without this mutation.

'Dr. Henrich is charting new territory in HIV eradication research,' Kevin Robert Frost, chief executive officer of the Foundation for AIDS Research, which funded the study, said in a statement.

Scientific advances since HIV was first discovered more than 30 years ago mean the virus is no longer a death sentence and the latest antiretroviral AIDS drugs can control the virus for decades.

But many people still do not get therapy early enough, prompting the World Health Organisation to call for faster roll-out of medicines after patients test positive.

Indian generics companies are leading suppliers of HIV drugs to Africa and to many other poor countries. Major Western HIV drugmakers include Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson and ViiV Healthcare, which is majority-owned by GlaxoSmithKline.
Reuters

Stem-cell therapy wipes out HIV in two patients: report


London: Two men with HIV have been off AIDS drugs for several months after receiving stem-cell transplants for cancer that appear to have cleared the virus from their bodies, researchers reported today.

Both patients, who were treated in Boston and had been on long-term drug therapy to control their HIV, received stem-cell transplants after developing lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

Since the transplants, doctors have been unable to find any evidence of HIV infection, Timothy Henrich of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston told an International AIDS Society conference in Kuala Lumpur.

While it is too early to say for sure that the virus has disappeared from their bodies altogether, one patient has now been off antiretroviral drug treatment for 15 weeks and the other for seven weeks.

Last July Henrich first reported that the two men had undetectable levels of HIV in their blood after their stem-cell treatment, but at that time they were still taking medicines to suppress HIV.

Using stem-cell therapy is not seen as a viable option for widespread use, since it is extremely expensive, but the latest cases could open new avenues for fighting the disease, which infects about 34 million people worldwide.

The latest cases resemble that of Timothy Ray Brown, known as 'the Berlin patient', who became the first person to be cured of HIV after receiving a bone marrow transplant for leukaemia in 2007. There are, however, important differences.

While Brown's doctor used stem cells from a donor with a rare genetic mutation, known as CCR5 delta 32, which renders people virtually resistant to HIV, the two Boston patients received cells without this mutation.

'Dr. Henrich is charting new territory in HIV eradication research,' Kevin Robert Frost, chief executive officer of the Foundation for AIDS Research, which funded the study, said in a statement.

Scientific advances since HIV was first discovered more than 30 years ago mean the virus is no longer a death sentence and the latest antiretroviral AIDS drugs can control the virus for decades.

But many people still do not get therapy early enough, prompting the World Health Organisation to call for faster roll-out of medicines after patients test positive.

Indian generics companies are leading suppliers of HIV drugs to Africa and to many other poor countries. Major Western HIV drugmakers include Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson and ViiV Healthcare, which is majority-owned by GlaxoSmithKline.
Reuters

Received birth report of SRK and Gauri Khan's baby: BMC




he veil of secrecy over actor Shah Rukh Khan's third baby, born with the help of a surrogate mother, has been lifted with civic authority today confirming the development.'Yes, we have received the birth report of Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan's baby boy,' BMC additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar told PTI. As per details in the birth report, the baby boy was
born on May 27 to parents listed as Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Shah Rukh Khan at the Masrani Hospital for Women in uburban Andheri. The couple already has son Aryan and daughter Suhana. The child was born at 34 weeks of pregnancy and
weighed 1.5 kg at birth, BMC sources said quoting report received from Masrani Nursing Home. It is man datory for nursing homes and hospitals to register every birth in the city. The civic body issues birth certificates to parents on the basis of that report. Speculation was that Gauri's sister-in-law Namita Chibber may have been the surrogate mother, but there has been no confirmation so far. 

Earlier, following a complaint based on media reports that a pre-natal sex determination test had been conducted, the BMC had sent a team to Khan's residence last month to ascertain the facts. The team, however, was turned away. Gender testing is banned in the country under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PCPNDT) Act. Advocate Varsha Deshpande had filed a complaint with the State government and the BMC against the 47-year-old actor for allegedly selecting and revealing the sex of the foetus. The superstar has, however, chosen to keep silent on the issue. Efforts to contact Shah Rukh failed even today. PTIMeanwhile, Mhaiskar has said a team from the civic body would be sent to Khan's residence 'Mannat', in suburban Bandra, to find out from him if a sex determination test was conducted on the foetus. PTI

Pak film censor Board bans Raanjhanaa



The Pakistan Film Censor Board has banned the exhibition of Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor starrer Raanjhanaa because of its alleged 'controversial theme'. The Central Board of Film Censors in Pakistan banned the film shortly before its scheduled release, Chief Executive Officer of IMGC Global Amjad Rasheed, the importer of the film said. 

Earlier the Censor Board had also banned films like Ek Tha Tiger, GI Joe, Agent Vinod for their controversial themes and 'anti-Pakistan' sentiments. 

Chief Executive Officer of IMGC Global Entertainment Amjad Rasheed, the importer of Raanjhanaa, told The Express Tribune that he received a letter from CBFC with directives to shelve the film's release. 'The letter from CBFC states that the film portrays an inapt image of a Muslim girl (played by Sonam Kapoor) falling in love with a Hindu man and having an affair with him.'

Anand L Rai's Raanjhanaa's release in Pakistan was scheduled during the last week of June. Pakistani singer Shiraz Uppal has also lent his voice for the title track of the film, composed by AR Rehman.

The Bollywood film's plot portrays Muslim girl Zoya (Sonam) falling in love with Kundan (Dhanush) and later Jasjeet Singh (Abhey Deol). The film starts with pundit's Hindu Brahmin son Kundan falling for Zoya at first sight. He follows her to school, after school, in the market — almost everywhere.

After getting slapped 16 times by Zoya, Kundan finally gets to know her name, but his hesitation that she will reject him because of his religion leads him to introduce himself as Rizwan. She agrees to meet him behind a temple, but the meeting does not turn out well as Zoya finds out that he's Hindu.

As the story unfolds, Zoya also develops feelings for Kundan, however, her parents find out about it and send her off to Delhi in order to protect the family's honour. Later in Delhi, Zoya falls in love with Jasjeet Singh, a student leader who also leads a political party. 

Raanjhanaa has grossed Rs. 1.31 billion in its second week of release.PTI

AAA

Pak film censor Board bans Raanjhanaa



The Pakistan Film Censor Board has banned the exhibition of Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor starrer Raanjhanaa because of its alleged 'controversial theme'. The Central Board of Film Censors in Pakistan banned the film shortly before its scheduled release, Chief Executive Officer of IMGC Global Amjad Rasheed, the importer of the film said. 

Earlier the Censor Board had also banned films like Ek Tha Tiger, GI Joe, Agent Vinod for their controversial themes and 'anti-Pakistan' sentiments. 

Chief Executive Officer of IMGC Global Entertainment Amjad Rasheed, the importer of Raanjhanaa, told The Express Tribune that he received a letter from CBFC with directives to shelve the film's release. 'The letter from CBFC states that the film portrays an inapt image of a Muslim girl (played by Sonam Kapoor) falling in love with a Hindu man and having an affair with him.'

Anand L Rai's Raanjhanaa's release in Pakistan was scheduled during the last week of June. Pakistani singer Shiraz Uppal has also lent his voice for the title track of the film, composed by AR Rehman.

The Bollywood film's plot portrays Muslim girl Zoya (Sonam) falling in love with Kundan (Dhanush) and later Jasjeet Singh (Abhey Deol). The film starts with pundit's Hindu Brahmin son Kundan falling for Zoya at first sight. He follows her to school, after school, in the market — almost everywhere.

After getting slapped 16 times by Zoya, Kundan finally gets to know her name, but his hesitation that she will reject him because of his religion leads him to introduce himself as Rizwan. She agrees to meet him behind a temple, but the meeting does not turn out well as Zoya finds out that he's Hindu.

As the story unfolds, Zoya also develops feelings for Kundan, however, her parents find out about it and send her off to Delhi in order to protect the family's honour. Later in Delhi, Zoya falls in love with Jasjeet Singh, a student leader who also leads a political party. 

Raanjhanaa has grossed Rs. 1.31 billion in its second week of release.PTI

AAA

Received birth report of SRK and Gauri Khan's baby: BMC




he veil of secrecy over actor Shah Rukh Khan's third baby, born with the help of a surrogate mother, has been lifted with civic authority today confirming the development.'Yes, we have received the birth report of Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan's baby boy,' BMC additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar told PTI. As per details in the birth report, the baby boy was
born on May 27 to parents listed as Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Shah Rukh Khan at the Masrani Hospital for Women in uburban Andheri. The couple already has son Aryan and daughter Suhana. The child was born at 34 weeks of pregnancy and
weighed 1.5 kg at birth, BMC sources said quoting report received from Masrani Nursing Home. It is man datory for nursing homes and hospitals to register every birth in the city. The civic body issues birth certificates to parents on the basis of that report. Speculation was that Gauri's sister-in-law Namita Chibber may have been the surrogate mother, but there has been no confirmation so far. 

Earlier, following a complaint based on media reports that a pre-natal sex determination test had been conducted, the BMC had sent a team to Khan's residence last month to ascertain the facts. The team, however, was turned away. Gender testing is banned in the country under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PCPNDT) Act. Advocate Varsha Deshpande had filed a complaint with the State government and the BMC against the 47-year-old actor for allegedly selecting and revealing the sex of the foetus. The superstar has, however, chosen to keep silent on the issue. Efforts to contact Shah Rukh failed even today. PTIMeanwhile, Mhaiskar has said a team from the civic body would be sent to Khan's residence 'Mannat', in suburban Bandra, to find out from him if a sex determination test was conducted on the foetus. PTI

Thettayil files plea to cancel FIR


Beleaguered former minister Jose Thettayil Thursday filed a petition in the Kerala High Court here demanding the quashing of a rape case against him.

A 30-year-old woman has alleged that the former minister and his son Adarsh repeatedly exploited her sexually last year and claimed to have video proof of her claim. Visuals of the alleged acts were earlier telecast on TV channels.

Following her complaint, the police registered a case under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape) against the former minister and his son.

Thettayil is a legislator of the Janata Dal-S that is in the opposition.

In his petition, Thettayil said there was no rape involved and that a case must be made against the woman for circulating the visuals. He said he was being made a scapegoat in a political conspiracy.

Earlier this week, the legislator's wife Dasiy Thettayil came out in support of her husband, stating that the case was fabricated.

The 30-year-old complainant said Thettayil promised her that he would get his son married to her, but did not keep his word. She said she was resorting to the legal route as a way to teach the legislator a lesson.

'He says the visuals have been morphed. I have done no such thing. I have handed over the original tape. In fact, he has morphed some visuals. I had given him the laptop and a copy of it,' the woman told media people here Thursday.

Thettayil, who represents the Angamaly constituency in Ernakulam district, has stayed away from the public glare since June 23, after the visuals of the alleged sexual exploitation were telecast on TV.


Thettayil files plea to cancel FIR


Beleaguered former minister Jose Thettayil Thursday filed a petition in the Kerala High Court here demanding the quashing of a rape case against him.

A 30-year-old woman has alleged that the former minister and his son Adarsh repeatedly exploited her sexually last year and claimed to have video proof of her claim. Visuals of the alleged acts were earlier telecast on TV channels.

Following her complaint, the police registered a case under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape) against the former minister and his son.

Thettayil is a legislator of the Janata Dal-S that is in the opposition.

In his petition, Thettayil said there was no rape involved and that a case must be made against the woman for circulating the visuals. He said he was being made a scapegoat in a political conspiracy.

Earlier this week, the legislator's wife Dasiy Thettayil came out in support of her husband, stating that the case was fabricated.

The 30-year-old complainant said Thettayil promised her that he would get his son married to her, but did not keep his word. She said she was resorting to the legal route as a way to teach the legislator a lesson.

'He says the visuals have been morphed. I have done no such thing. I have handed over the original tape. In fact, he has morphed some visuals. I had given him the laptop and a copy of it,' the woman told media people here Thursday.

Thettayil, who represents the Angamaly constituency in Ernakulam district, has stayed away from the public glare since June 23, after the visuals of the alleged sexual exploitation were telecast on TV.


"Avoid plastic and Save beauty of our Nature"

                                            "Avoid plastic and Save beauty of our Nature"

"Avoid plastic and Save beauty of our Nature"

                                            "Avoid plastic and Save beauty of our Nature"

2013, ജൂലൈ 3, ബുധനാഴ്‌ച

CBI to file charge sheet in Ishrat Jahan case today

New Delhi: CBI will file a charge sheet in the 2004 Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case and is likely to name only those policemen who were at the scene of crime besides seeking more time in a bid to probe the conspiracy angle behind the incident.

While Special Director Intelligence Bureau Rajinder Kumar may not be named as accused in the charge sheet as of now, his
name may be mentioned in the final report with CBI claiming that Intelligence Bureau had interrogated Ishrat and three
other before they were killed allegedly by Gujarat Crime Branch.

In its charge sheet which will be filed before the designated CBI court in Ahmedabad, CBI is likely to seek more time under 173 CrPC to continue probe the conspiracy angle behind the fake encounter.

Besides 19-year old Ishrat, Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were killed
in the encounter near Ahmedabad allegedly by a team of Crime Branch officials on June 15, 2004.

'We have promised the Gujarat High Court that we will file a charge sheet on July 4 in this case and we will
maintain our time limit. We will file a preliminary charge sheet,' CBI Director Ranjit Sinha had told reporters on the
sidelines of an Interpol conference here.

CBI was entrusted with the investigations of the case by the Gujarat High Court and the agency managed to get one of
the accused as an approver in the case, who named Kumar, a 1979 batch IPS officer posted as Joint Director of
Intelligence Bureau in Ahmedabad at that time.

The sources declined that CBI required any sanction to prosecute Kumar and said his role was being further probed in
the case and that he may be called for questioning again. The senior Intelligence Bureau officer will retire on July 31. PTI

CBI to file charge sheet in Ishrat Jahan case today

New Delhi: CBI will file a charge sheet in the 2004 Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case and is likely to name only those policemen who were at the scene of crime besides seeking more time in a bid to probe the conspiracy angle behind the incident.

While Special Director Intelligence Bureau Rajinder Kumar may not be named as accused in the charge sheet as of now, his
name may be mentioned in the final report with CBI claiming that Intelligence Bureau had interrogated Ishrat and three
other before they were killed allegedly by Gujarat Crime Branch.

In its charge sheet which will be filed before the designated CBI court in Ahmedabad, CBI is likely to seek more time under 173 CrPC to continue probe the conspiracy angle behind the fake encounter.

Besides 19-year old Ishrat, Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were killed
in the encounter near Ahmedabad allegedly by a team of Crime Branch officials on June 15, 2004.

'We have promised the Gujarat High Court that we will file a charge sheet on July 4 in this case and we will
maintain our time limit. We will file a preliminary charge sheet,' CBI Director Ranjit Sinha had told reporters on the
sidelines of an Interpol conference here.

CBI was entrusted with the investigations of the case by the Gujarat High Court and the agency managed to get one of
the accused as an approver in the case, who named Kumar, a 1979 batch IPS officer posted as Joint Director of
Intelligence Bureau in Ahmedabad at that time.

The sources declined that CBI required any sanction to prosecute Kumar and said his role was being further probed in
the case and that he may be called for questioning again. The senior Intelligence Bureau officer will retire on July 31. PTI

Saritha made 41528 calls; four to Thiruvanchoor's phone

Thiruvananthapruam: In the last one year, Saritha S Nair, one of the accused in the solar scam, had made 41,528 calls from her phone and four were to home mminsiter's number. These calls were made from Saritha's number 8606161700 from June 2012 to June 2013. Among the calls she made, four calls were made to home minister's phone. On January 23, 2013, the first call was made, two times during June 24 and one on January 28. The calls lasted for only a few seconds and the first call was for 230 seconds and others lasted for 23, 25, 37 seconds. When she was unable to get connected to the minister, Sarita called Thiruvanchoor's private secretary and said someone was trying to harm her. She introduced herself as Lakshmi. PA asked her to give a written complaint. Apart from HM, she had called many people, even from opposition. She called Joppan 860 times.

The HM spent only two minutes at Shalu Menon's home. When he reached there, former SFI leader, CPM Pathanamthitta district secretary Sanal Kumar was there with his family. Changanassery former chairperson Krishnakumari, BJP state president Muralidharan, vice president Prathapa Chandra Varma were also there

.

Saritha made 41528 calls; four to Thiruvanchoor's phone

Thiruvananthapruam: In the last one year, Saritha S Nair, one of the accused in the solar scam, had made 41,528 calls from her phone and four were to home mminsiter's number. These calls were made from Saritha's number 8606161700 from June 2012 to June 2013. Among the calls she made, four calls were made to home minister's phone. On January 23, 2013, the first call was made, two times during June 24 and one on January 28. The calls lasted for only a few seconds and the first call was for 230 seconds and others lasted for 23, 25, 37 seconds. When she was unable to get connected to the minister, Sarita called Thiruvanchoor's private secretary and said someone was trying to harm her. She introduced herself as Lakshmi. PA asked her to give a written complaint. Apart from HM, she had called many people, even from opposition. She called Joppan 860 times.

The HM spent only two minutes at Shalu Menon's home. When he reached there, former SFI leader, CPM Pathanamthitta district secretary Sanal Kumar was there with his family. Changanassery former chairperson Krishnakumari, BJP state president Muralidharan, vice president Prathapa Chandra Varma were also there

.

. Microsoft seeking space in Kerala's Technopark: Official

Thiruvananthapuram: Global software giant Microsoft is seeking space in the Technopark campus here, a top official of the IT department said Wednesday.

'Preliminary reports suggest that they are serious (about taking space at Technopark). Things will become clearer in some days,' the official, who did not wish to be named, told IANS.

Construction work in the one million square feet campus with state-of-the-art gold rated buildings has been completed, the official said.

Some of the leading IT firms that have taken space in Technopark Phase-3 include HCL, Oracle and CapGemini.

Tecnopark Phase-3 is spread over 92 acres and consists of two buildings - Aanamudi and Ponmudi - named after famous mountain peaks in the state.

'We have given nod to 25 IT companies who will use our plug-and-play facility. Each of these firms will have 20-50 employees. We have earmarked 60,000 square feet for them and they will start operations from Sep 1,' the IT department official added.

The plug-and-play facility has been designed to attract young entrepreneurs who are not in a position to make huge investments.

Technopark Phase-3 also comprises shopping malls, a commercial complex, a hotel and a convention centre.

The IT park currently has 280 companies providing employment to more than 40,000 professionals directly and around 150,000 people indirectly

. Microsoft seeking space in Kerala's Technopark: Official

Thiruvananthapuram: Global software giant Microsoft is seeking space in the Technopark campus here, a top official of the IT department said Wednesday.

'Preliminary reports suggest that they are serious (about taking space at Technopark). Things will become clearer in some days,' the official, who did not wish to be named, told IANS.

Construction work in the one million square feet campus with state-of-the-art gold rated buildings has been completed, the official said.

Some of the leading IT firms that have taken space in Technopark Phase-3 include HCL, Oracle and CapGemini.

Tecnopark Phase-3 is spread over 92 acres and consists of two buildings - Aanamudi and Ponmudi - named after famous mountain peaks in the state.

'We have given nod to 25 IT companies who will use our plug-and-play facility. Each of these firms will have 20-50 employees. We have earmarked 60,000 square feet for them and they will start operations from Sep 1,' the IT department official added.

The plug-and-play facility has been designed to attract young entrepreneurs who are not in a position to make huge investments.

Technopark Phase-3 also comprises shopping malls, a commercial complex, a hotel and a convention centre.

The IT park currently has 280 companies providing employment to more than 40,000 professionals directly and around 150,000 people indirectly

Cancer cases rising in India, says expert

Kolkata: Cancer cases are increasing in India but with availability of state-of-the-art procedures, its treatment has touched new highs, an expert said.

'There is a rise in cancer cases in India in almost equal proportion among men and women,' Shaikat Gupta, who heads the surgical oncology department at Apollo Gleneagles Hospital here, told IANS.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate, by 2020 cancer cases will be in equal proportion among both genders.

However, due to advancements in surgical techniques, many cancerous anomalies can be cured through surgery.

'Organ-confined cancers are treated by ultra-radical surgery. Heart cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer can be surgically treated now,' Gupta said on the sidelines of a media conference that highlighted a new type of surgery conducted by Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals to treat 

Cancer cases rising in India, says expert

Kolkata: Cancer cases are increasing in India but with availability of state-of-the-art procedures, its treatment has touched new highs, an expert said.

'There is a rise in cancer cases in India in almost equal proportion among men and women,' Shaikat Gupta, who heads the surgical oncology department at Apollo Gleneagles Hospital here, told IANS.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate, by 2020 cancer cases will be in equal proportion among both genders.

However, due to advancements in surgical techniques, many cancerous anomalies can be cured through surgery.

'Organ-confined cancers are treated by ultra-radical surgery. Heart cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer can be surgically treated now,' Gupta said on the sidelines of a media conference that highlighted a new type of surgery conducted by Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals to treat 

Kerala thanks Saudi Arabia for giving migrants relief

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government Tuesday expressed its gratitude to the Saudi government for extending, till Nov 4, its deadline for all expatriate workers to get their papers regularized for legally staying in the kingdom.

The deadline was to expire Wednesday.

Diaspora Minister K.C.Joseph told IANS that this news 'made all of us so happy and we are hugely thankful to the Saudi government'.

'The Indian embassy (in Riyadh) was overloaded with the last minute work of getting all the papers ready and this extension has come as a blessing for all,' he said.

He said that even though the number of Indians who have now got ready to leave is 70,000, the number of Keralites among them is only around 7,000.

'The biggest advantage overall if one looks into what has happened in Saudi Arabia is that this was an opportunity for all people who did not have the required papers to get them re-validated and as a result, many of our people there got back their passports from their earlier Saudi employers. Many passports were deposited at the Indian embassy,' added Joseph.

Early this year, the Saudi administration decided to implement the Nitaqat or Saudisation policy that makes it mandatory for all Saudi companies to reserve 10 percent of jobs for Saudi nationals.

'We have now received queries from the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia for verification of the identities of 51 Keralites who, for several years, have been forced to stay there as they had no documents with them. We have handed over the verification to the respective collectors and once we report back to the embassy, they will get their new passports,' said Joseph.

He also thanked the numerous companies in Saudi Arabia which decided to conduct a job fair for all those whose papers have been rectified to give them a chance for a new job.

Kerala thanks Saudi Arabia for giving migrants relief

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government Tuesday expressed its gratitude to the Saudi government for extending, till Nov 4, its deadline for all expatriate workers to get their papers regularized for legally staying in the kingdom.

The deadline was to expire Wednesday.

Diaspora Minister K.C.Joseph told IANS that this news 'made all of us so happy and we are hugely thankful to the Saudi government'.

'The Indian embassy (in Riyadh) was overloaded with the last minute work of getting all the papers ready and this extension has come as a blessing for all,' he said.

He said that even though the number of Indians who have now got ready to leave is 70,000, the number of Keralites among them is only around 7,000.

'The biggest advantage overall if one looks into what has happened in Saudi Arabia is that this was an opportunity for all people who did not have the required papers to get them re-validated and as a result, many of our people there got back their passports from their earlier Saudi employers. Many passports were deposited at the Indian embassy,' added Joseph.

Early this year, the Saudi administration decided to implement the Nitaqat or Saudisation policy that makes it mandatory for all Saudi companies to reserve 10 percent of jobs for Saudi nationals.

'We have now received queries from the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia for verification of the identities of 51 Keralites who, for several years, have been forced to stay there as they had no documents with them. We have handed over the verification to the respective collectors and once we report back to the embassy, they will get their new passports,' said Joseph.

He also thanked the numerous companies in Saudi Arabia which decided to conduct a job fair for all those whose papers have been rectified to give them a chance for a new job.