Exercise for the perfect butt

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Her shapely bottom had caught the attention of everyone at Prince William's wedding a few years ago, and the media spent a lot of air-time and print space on it.

Pippa, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton's 31-year-old sister, recently revealed that her famed butt was the result of a half-an-hour daily exercise routine. Her regime reportedly consisted of four exercises — ladders (these are like agility drills, a great way to improve foot speed and coordination and shape your butt), plie squats (see box for more), wall pushes and the classic plank. Pippa claimed that these four exercises, each lasting for about two minutes, could easily be done at home, too.

Experts say that when an exercise regime is followed up at least three to four times a week, it is bound to show results.

Pippa has said that no matter how hectic her schedule is, she makes it a point to find a balance between work and family, and hence keep good health without getting into "my body is a temple" bore.

Plie Squat

- Stand with legs wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Your toes should be pointing outwards.
- Squat down, keeping your knees in line with your toes.
- Engage your core. Make sure your abs are tight.
- Keep your back straight while doing this.
- Push back to start and then repeat.
- Do this at least 15- 20 times.
- Perform this routine four to five times a week, and combine it with other exercises and a healthy diet, for best results.

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Daily habits of happy people

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act but a habit, according to Greek philosopher Aristotle. The world is changing faster than you can wrap your head around new ideas, but the keys to happiness and success are timeless.

Practise visualisation: Keeping your eye on the prize will keep you motivated, no matter what hurdles come your way .Set clear, action-oriented goals down on paper and visualise yourself achieving them. It's a key habit emphasised on in several classic self-help books.

Face challenges: Replace the word problem with challenge and you'll witness the wealth of opportunities that a perceived setback offers. This simple paradigm shift will have you applying your skills and talents, learn ing new things and becoming part of the solution rather than a hindrance to the people around. Truly happy people don't bury their heads in the ground like an ostrich in times of crisis; rather, they go where the action is and face the war zone with the chin up.

Know your strengths: Successful people know what they are good at and also where their weaknesses lie. Do a SWOT (strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats) on yourself so you have faith in your own abilities. Self-belief and confidence will give you the inner guidance to establish the routines and habits that will put you on the road to success.

Get quality sleep: Sitcoms, movies, books and partying keeping you up till the wee hours? Staying up late may sound fashion able, but consider the health hazards of sleep deprivation -a grumpy and foggy you the next morning. So, get an average of eight hours of sleep a night so you wake up re-energised.

Make exercise a habit: Truly successful people understand that not only is exercise good for your body and heart, it also pumps more oxygen to the brain, releases happy hormones and improves your state of mind. Irrespective of whether it's a brisk jog in the park or a serious weight-bearing exercises at the gym in the evening, daily exercise boosts overall well-being.

Read widely: Reading nourishes the mind. Pick up the newspaper in the morning, unwind with a novel before bedtime or read self-help books during your break to sharpen your mind and gain perspective.

Dress right: What you wear affects how you feel about yourself and your general conduct. Wear neat, clean, work-appropriate clothes to get in the right mindset, depending on your plans for the day .A neat and clean appearance will also create a good first impression for associates in work-related interactions.

Don't hold grudges: Instead of lifting you up and having you experience the lightness of being, grudges will weigh you down and rob you of energy and precious time. Make it a habit to forgive someone new every day. You'll be able to move forward in life and focus on the things that really matter. Don't forget to forgive yourself every day for mistakes you could've avoided, and also the things you wanted to, but didn't do.

Be kind: Simple acts of kindness will brighten your day. Be kind to people wherever possible, for instance, opening the door for someone or greeting the person in the building lift with a warm smile.

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Obama writes rare letter to Iran's supreme leader

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WASHINGTON: In a rare outreach to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah AliKhamenei, President Barack Obama has written a letter about the fight against Islamic State militants, a common enemy in Syria and Iraq, according to diplomatic sources. 

The US and Iran are each engaged in military efforts to degrade the Islamic State group, essentially putting the longtime foes on the same side in the campaign against the extremists. However, the Obama administration has repeatedly insisted that it is not coordinating and will not coordinate its military actions with Iran, though officials from both countries have discussed the matter more broadly. 

Obama's letter to Iran's powerful religious leader comes against the backdrop of the looming Nov. 24 deadline in nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, as well as five other world powers. While Obama has previously sent letters to Khamenei, any communication between the two men has been extremely rare. 

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported that Obama had sent the letter, said it described a shared interest between the US and Iran in fighting Islamic State militants and stressed that any cooperation on that would be largely contingent on Iran agreeing to the nuclear deal. However, while not confirming nor denying the existence of the letter, administration officials said there were still no plans to cooperate or coordinate with Iran against the militants. 

''The United States will not cooperate militarily with Iran in that effort,'' White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. ''We won't share intelligence with them.'' 

Diplomatic sources separately confirmed the existence of the letter to The Associated Press. They did so on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss Obama's outreach. 

Obama authorized a US-led air campaign against Islamic State fighters in Iraq in August and expanded the mission the following month to neighboring Syria. The US is taking action alongside several other nations, including a handful of regional partners. 

Iran is not part of the U.S. coalition, but it has also been fighting the Islamic State group on the ground. However, Iran's interests in pursuing the Islamic State's defeat differ from those of the Obama administration. Iran is a staunch supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who is a target of the militants and opposed by the US. 

Two chief critics of Obama's foreign policy, Republican senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, called it ''outrageous'' that Obama would seek to enlist Iran in its fight against IS given Iran's support for Assad and Shia extremists throughout the region. 

''The consequences of this ill-conceived bargain would destroy the Syrians' last, best chance to live in freedom from the brutal Assad regime,'' the two senators said in a joint statement. 

US officials have not ruled out the possibility that a nuclear accord with Iran could open the door to discussions on other issues, but they have sought to keep the delicate negotiations focused solely on Tehran's disputed nuclear program. The US and its negotiating partners say Iran is pursuing a bomb, while Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. 

The prospects for a final agreement remain uncertain, with Obama saying on Wednesday that the ability to secure a deal is an ''open question.'' 

The technical details of the talks have been closely guarded by the negotiating partners — the US, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and Iran. The broad parameters of a potential agreement include Iran cutting back on its number of centrifuges enriching uranium and redesigning a planned heavy water reactor so it doesn't produce plutonium. Both materials can be used in nuclear warheads. 

In exchange, the US in particular would have to roll back some of the financial, trade and oil sanctions that significantly cut off Iran from global markets. 

The US and Iran broke off diplomatic relations in 1979 after the Islamic revolution and the storming of the US embassy in Tehran, where 52 Americans were held hostage for more than a year. However, the relationship began to thaw after Obama took office, particularly following the election last year of a more moderate-sounding Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani. 

US and Iranian officials held a series of secret meetings last year that ultimately paved the way for the resumption of international nuclear negotiations. Obama and Rouhani also held a historic phone call last fall, the first direct communication between their nation's leaders since the Islamic revolution. 

However, the two men have not spoken since and skipped the opportunity to meet face-to-face while attending UN general assembly meetings in New York in September. 

Despite Rouhani's standing as president, US officials believe Khamenei, the powerful supreme leader, has the ultimate say in whether Iran reaches a nuclear deal with 

Married woman can get father’s job: Madras HC

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CHENNAI: Why is it that a married daughter of a deceased government employee is not eligible for appointment under compassionate grounds, whereas a married son is eligible, the Madras high court has wondered. "There cannot be any discrimination between a married son and a married daughter. Making discrimination between a son and a daughter on the ground of marriage is arbitrary and violative of fundamental right to equality," Justice D Hariparanthaman said in a ruling last week.

The matter relates to a petition filed by P R Renuka, saying that her father, an office assistant with the animal husbandry department, died while in service in February 1998. He left behind his wife and three married daughters, besides an unmarried daughter.

Since Renuka was the eldest among them, and also because she had been deserted by her husband and hence living with her father at the time of his death, she sought employment under compassionate grounds. She also furnished a copy of her divorce decree dated September 9, 1999.

The authorities rejected her plea on September 16, 2002 stating that she was not entitled for compassionate appointment because she was already married. Noting that her divorce came more than one-and-a-half years after her father's death, the government said only an unmarried daughter or one who is divorcee at the time of her father's death is eligible for appointment under compassionate grounds.


Madras high court 

Rejecting the contention, Justice Hariparanthaman pointed out that the woman had said that even before her father's death she was living with him. Also, the only reason given by authorities to reject her claim was that she was married."When she has come with a plea that she was deserted by her husband, and a decree of divorce was granted, and that she was under the care and control of her father at the time of his death, the government cannot deny compassionate appointment on the ground that the divorce was obtained after the death of her father," Justice Hariparanthaman said.

Relying on a July 2012 judgment of the high court, the judge said, "If marriage is not a bar in the case of son, the same yardstick shall be applied in the case of daughter also." He then followed the earlier verdict and said there could not be any unequal treatment among children based on gender. Quashing the rejection order, the judge then directed the authorities to provide compassionate appointment to Renuka in eight weeks.

Colon cancer could surge among young: study

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WASHINGTON: Colon cancer among people under 34 may nearly double over the next 15 years, raising new concerns about how to fight one of the most common and deadly cancers, researchers said Wednesday.

The rise in incidence in the younger population -- blamed on lifestyle choices -- goes against a long-running decline in colon cancer among people over 50.

The decline was largely due to tougher screening and regular colonoscopies. The projected rise in the young is based on unhealthy eating and other lifestyle factors, said the findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association Surgery.

By 2030, more than one in 10 colon cancers and nearly one in four rectal cancers will be diagnosed in patients younger than 50, said the study conducted by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The projected increase was based on factors including obesity, lack of physical activity and a Western diet, which could "exponentially" increase risk, it said.

"We´re observing the potential real impact of colorectal cancer among young people if no changes are made in public education and prevention efforts," said principal investigator George Chang.

Nearly 137,000 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer in the United States this year, and more than 50,000 will die of the disease, according to statistics in the article.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women, and the third leading cause of cancer death.

The study was based on a registry that included more than 393,000 patients with confirmed colon cancers between 1975 and 2010.

Researchers found that the annual incidence rate for these cancers in patients under age 34 was "increasing across all stages of disease."

The study stopped short of recommending a change to screening guidelines, but said doctors should be aware of symptoms that might otherwise be dismissed in younger people.

"Identifying these patterns is a crucial first step toward initiating important shifts in cancer prevention," Chang said.

An accompanying commentary in the journal by Kiran Turaga of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, described the report as "unsettling."

"Assuming that this increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults is a real phenomenon, it begs the question of why this is occurring and what one should do about it," Turaga wrote.

While more colonoscopies could lead to higher costs without much benefit, "this report should stimulate opportunities for development of better risk-prediction tools," Turaga said.

Six types of killers on Facebook identified

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WASHINGTON: Researchers have identified six different types of killers who turn to Facebook to lure their victim or otherwise use the social networking site in their crimes.

The researchers analysed cases of homicide in which the social networking site Facebook had been reported by the media as a significant factor.

The researchers found 48 cases of "Facebook murder" from around the world between 2008 and 2013 and identified six different types of killers.

They are reactors, informers, antagonists, fantasists, predators or imposters.
A reactor reacts to content posted on Facebook by attacking the victim face to face, researchers explained.

This may be immediately after viewing the content that makes them angry or there may be a time delay in which they revisit the content and ruminate over its meaning.

The informer uses Facebook to inform others that they intend to kill the victim, that they have killed the victim, or both. Informers use Facebook as a way of demonstrating their control over the victim and the situation.

An antagonist engages in hostile exchanges on Facebook that escalate into face to face fatal violence. Antagonists may seek to introduce a physical advantage when the conflict goes offline through arming themselves with weapons.

A fantasist uses Facebook to perform or indulge in a fantasy. For fantasists, the line between fantasy and reality has become increasingly blurred and the homicide may be a way of maintaining the fantasy or preventing others from discovering the deception.

A predator creates and maintains a fake profile to lure a victim and meet them offline. They may draw upon the information available on the victim's profile to identify and exploit vulnerabilities to establish grounds upon which to develop a relationship.

An imposter posts in the name of someone else. This could be the victim in order to create the illusion they are still alive or another person to gain access to and monitor the victim's profile.

"We had been coming across references to 'Facebook Murder' in the media over the past few years but there had been no research in this area," said lead researcher Dr Elizabeth Yardley from the Centre of Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University.

"We wanted to see whether homicides in which Facebook was reported to have been involved were any different to other homicides and found that on the whole they are not - victims knew their killers in most cases, and the crimes echoed what we already know about this type of crime," Yardley said.

Yardley urged that social networking sites should not be blamed for these crimes.
"Facebook is no more to blame for these homicides than a knife is to blame for a stabbing - it's the intentions of the people using these tools that we need to focus upon," she added.

The study was published in the international peer-reviewed Howard Journal of Criminal Justice.

Asthma could affect entire body, not just lungs

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New York: Asthma could be more dangerous than previously thought as researchers have found that it could affect the whole body, not just the lungs.

'Asthma is a very widespread disease, and we show for the first time an association between asthma and genotoxicity in peripheral blood,' said Robert Schiestl, senior author and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles in the US.

This is important because it shows not only damage to the lungs but the whole-body effect due to asthma, Schiestl added.

Researchers looked for the overexpression of a cytokine called interleukin 13 (IL-13), which is known to mediate inflammation for people with asthma.

According to Schiestl, it appears that IL-13 increases important elements of the inflammatory response, including free radicals.

Free radicals is an atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissues, free radicals can damage cells.

The team found four different markers of DNA damage and one marker of protein damage in blood cells in the body periphery.

'This could indicate that other organs in asthmatics have a higher risk of developing disease,' Schiestl concluded.

The findings were published in the journal Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis.

IANS

Diabetes, heart disease may share deep roots

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Washington: Type 2 diabetes and cardio-vascular disease often occur together and scientists have now discovered that the two diseases may be related at the level of genes, proteins and fundamental physiology.

The study could lead to the common treatment for both diseases.

The two diseases share eight molecular pathways and several 'key driver' genes appear to orchestrate the gene networks in which these pathways connect and interact, the findings showed.

'These (key driver) genes represent central network genes which, when perturbed, can potentially affect a large number of genes involved in the CVD (cardio-vascular) and T2D (Type 2 diabetes) pathways and thus exert stronger impact on diseases,' said co-senior author Xia Yang of the University of California, Los Angeles in the US.

'We were able to derive novel mechanistic insights and identify potential therapeutic targets,' the researchers added.

The researchers gathered genetic and health information from more than 15,000 women.

The scientists started by looking for individual genetic differences in women of three different ethnicities, who had either or both of the conditions compared to similar but healthy women - a technique called Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS).

But the team members did not stop there. They also analysed the women's genetic differences in the context of the complex pathways, where genes and their protein products interact to affect physiology and health.

In comparing women with cardio-vascular diseases and and Type 2 diabetes to healthy women, team found key differences in eight pathways regulating cell adhesion (how cells stick within tissues), calcium signalling (how cells communicate), axon guidance (how neurons find their paths to connect with target sites), extra-cellular matrix (structural support within tissue), and various forms of cardiomyopathy (heart muscle problems).

The study appeared in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics.

IANS

Orange triggers deadly allergy in asthmatic toddler

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New York: A toddler in Pennsylvania suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis after eating an orange - the first time such a case has been reported in someone so young.

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. The symptoms including itchy rashes, throat swelling, and low blood pressure. Common causes include insect bites, stings, foods and medications

'The two and-a-half year-old girl ate an orange and within a few minutes, she had developed severe anaphylaxis,' said Sigrid DaVeiga, allergist and member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

'Her lips and tongue swelled, she broke out in hives and could not breathe well. Her parents immediately got her to an emergency room, and she was flown by helicopter to a pediatric intensive care unit,' DaVeiga told the gathering at ACAAI's annual scientific meeting.

Following treatment and a 48-hour hospital stay, the girl recovered and was able to go home.

Upon examination of her medical history, doctors discovered that she had previously had orange juice with no reaction, but more importantly, that she had undiagnosed asthma.

Allergists found that she was allergic to both orange and peach.

According to ACAAI, it is very rare for anyone to have a severe allergic reaction to an orange.

Many people do not realise allergies and asthma go hand-in-hand and about 90 percent of kids with asthma also have allergies.

'Even more important, when asthma is undiagnosed or poorly controlled, children are at risk of suffering difficult-to-treat allergic reactions to food,' DaVeiga concluded.

IANS

Eight new species of spiders spotted in PTR

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Thrissur: Eight new species of spiders were claimed to have been spotted in the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve by researchers at the Centre for Animal Taxonomy and Ecology at the nearby Christ College.

The new species were spotted during a recent 'spider diversity exploration survey' by the Centre for Animal Taxonomy and Ecology (CATE) in association with officials from the Tiger Reseve and Forest Department.

A V Sudhirkumar, Head, CATE, who led the team of researchers said they had prepared an inventory of more than 200 species. Some species are endemic to Western Ghats, others are similar to those in the African region and others to those in the Malayan region.

The newly-spotted species in the 391 sq km Parambikulam Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Palakkad district were net casting spider of genus Deinopis family, fishing spider of the genus Dolomedes, bird dropping spider of the genus Calaenea, new species of the genus Haploclastus, another new species of the genus Stenaelurillus, green spotted Neoscona spider of the family Araneidae, Hasarious of family Salticidea, and Stenochilus of family Stenochilidea.

He said spotting of net casting spider was the most interesting one. It spreads its web in the first four legs and waits for the prey to come. When the prey came close, it threw its web into the prey's body forcing the prey to entangle in the sticky web.

The fishing spider lives in the vegetation nearby water bodies and can catch small fish from the water body. It is also capable of living under the water for few minutes.

The bird dropping spider usually holds its legs and keeps very close to its body and remains immobile so as to look perfectly like a bird dropping. When a suitable prey came close by, it suddenly catches the prey by its ambushing behaviour. Other species of this genus is so far reported from the Australian region, he said.

A new species of the genus Haploclastus is an inhabitant of the evergreen forest. It usually lives in the potholes made on the ground.

Stenaelurillus with contrasting red and blue line on the forehead region, exhibits its colours during the nuptial dance for attracting its female partner. Other species of this genus are darker. The green spotted Neoscona spider of the family Araneidae is also new to the scientific world, he said. 

An orange a day for good health

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Sweet and juicy to taste, oranges have great health benefits

Sweet and juicy to taste, oranges are easily available. Oranges have lots of health benefits. You can have them like that or you can have orange juice too. But the best way is to have the whole fruit as it is rich in fibre too. And oranges are used for making desserts. It's difficult to resist a chocolate orange cake.

Boosts your immunity
Oranges are great source to meet your daily requirement of Vitamin C. This vital nutrient helps improve your immunity, keeping you free from diseases and infections.

Good for your skin
As we grow older, our skin goes for a rapid change. Oranges are packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C which slows down the process and makes you look younger than your age! So, what are you waiting for? Just grab that orange and enjoy the happiness of having glowing skin.

Great for your eyes
Oranges are rich in nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and potassium which are great for your eyes. So, if you want your vision to be fine, eat an orange every day!

Keeps you free from stomach ulcers
Oranges are a good source of fibre which helps keep your stomach healthy. A diet rich in fibre will ensure that you are not affected with ailments like stomach ulcers and constipation. So, oranges should figure in your diet.

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Apple's next iPhone to have glasses-free 3D display: Report

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Apple may be planning to introduce a glasses-free 3D display in the next iPhone, according to a new report from Economic Daily News (via MacRumors). 

The report claims Apple is working on a "naked eye 3D screen" alongside a new 3D "hardware and software ecosystem" for next year's iPhone. 

This would be Apple's first use of 3D in any of its consumer devices, and while Economic Daily News has a decent track record when it comes to Apple, it's important to take this report with a fairly large grain of salt. 

While moving from a 2D display to a fully 3D display and iOS ecosystem may seem unlikely, MacRumors points out that Apple has explored 3D in the past, applying for a patent for a glasses-free, stereoscopic 3D display more than six years ago. 

Another patent that Apple has applied for details a 3D "hyper reality" display that would alter the perspective of the iPhone's home screen as you moved your head. 

Apple also purchased a company that deals with 3D technologies: It acquired PrimeSense last November, which created the 3D motion-sensing technology behind Microsoft's Kinect accessory for Xbox, but had also been working on 3D solutions for other industries, including retail, health care, robotics, and even interactive displays for PC and mobile. 

Earlier this year, Amazon launched its Fire phone, which featured four "stereovision" cameras for tracking a user's head, used to create a 3D effect for the phone's lock screen. 

While flashy and somewhat interesting, consumers have generally shown they're not very interested in 3D-enabled smartphones. But people didn't think of wireless NFC payments as that interesting before Apple Pay came along.

Exercise reduces risk of breast cancer: Researchers

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London: Everybody is aware of the fact that exercise is good for your health, but very few know that it can help in preventing breast cancer too, says an expert.

Middle aged women, who regularly partake in some form of exercise each day, are significantly reducing their chances of getting cancer.

And it is said that just 30 minutes of exercise a day, such as a game of squash or a spinning class reduces the risk of cancer by a fifth, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Scientists have found that obese women are 50 percent more likely to get cancer than those who have a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). Also those women who did three hours of exercise per week were 21 percent less likely to get breast cancer.

Currently 1 in 8 women get breast cancer, which equates to 50,500 a year, however this new evidence is positive in showing that a healthy lifestyle can reduce the probability of a woman being affected.

Researchers at Oxford University have spent three years monitoring 126,000 women going through menopause and noted if they got the disease or not. They filled in questionnaires about their exercise levels, weight, diet, drinking and smoking.

Scientists believe that being obese increases the risk of cancer, most likely due to the fat cells containing oestrogen which encourage the growth of tumours.

'What's really interesting about this study is that (reduction in breast cancer risk) does not appear to be solely due to the most active women being slimmer, suggesting that there may be some more direct benefits of exercise for women of all sizes,' said Tim Key, a Cancer Research UK scientist from the cancer epidemiology unit at Oxford University.

'We don't yet know exactly how physical activity reduces risk ... but some small studies suggest that it could be linked to the impact on hormone levels in the body,' he added.

Tim Key also says that more research is still required to find the link between women's hormone levels and the prevention of cancer.

IANS

Wagah suicide attack toll rises to 61

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LAHORE: The death toll in the horrific suicide attack that shook Pakistan minutes after the popular flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah climbed to 61 on Monday, even as security agencies arrested about 20 suspects from the Indo-Pak border area.

Ten women, eight children and three security personnel were among the 61 people who have died in the attack that took place on Sunday when a suicide attacker detonated a powerful bomb at Wagah.

Over 100 people were injured in the incident and are being treated in different hospitals in Lahore where emergency has been declared.

The blast took place when a large number of people were returning after attending the flag lowering ceremony at the main Indo-Pak land border crossing, which is heavily guarded by the Punjab Rangers.

A young suicide-bomber blew himself up near the main exit gate of Parade Avenue at 6.03 p.m. (local time), causing colossal devastation.

“The death toll of the devastating suicide attack at Wagah border has risen to 61. The condition of some injured is still critical and the doctors are battling to save their lives,” Punjab Emergency Services Rescue spokesman Jam Sajjad told reporters.

About 43 bodies have been handed over to the families while the remaining are yet to be recognised, Sajjad said.

“We have sought the help of the National Registration Database Authority (Nadra) for recognition of 18 bodies,” he said.

The law enforcement agencies have launched operation in the residential areas in Wagah and taken about 20 suspects into custody, Lahore police spokesman Niyab Haider Naqvi said.

“A joint investigation team of police, rangers and intelligence agencies have started its probe into the incident. The army and rangers along with police will provide security to Ashura processions in Lahore and they have been put on high alert in the wake of Sunday’s attack,” he said.

Punjab Interior Minister Col. (Retd.) Shujah Khanzada said the target of the suicide bomber was the venue of the flag hoisting ceremony.

“The suicide-bomber wanted to reach the Parade Avenue to cause maximum devastation but he blew himself up near the entrance of the main gate after failing to reach the Parade Avenue,” he said.

At least three militant factions have claimed the grizzly bombing. Al-Qaeda affiliated militant group Jandullah, a splinter group of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was first to claim responsibility of the attack.

Shortly afterwards Jamaatul Ahrar said its bomber Hafiz Hanifullah carried out the attack. Later, a lesser-known Mahar Mehsud group also claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Terminally ill American woman kills herself

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A young American woman with terminal cancer has committed suicide, following promises to do so that had triggered shock and controversy over the right to die.

Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old brain cancer sufferer, made headlines earlier this month when a video of her making her suicide threat went viral and was seen by millions of Web users.

"Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love. Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness, this terrible brain cancer that has taken so much from me... but would have taken so much more," she wrote in a message circulated widely on social media.

"The world is a beautiful place, travel has been my greatest teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers. I even have a ring of support around my bed as I type... Goodbye world. Spread good energy. Pay it forward!"

In January, Maynard was given six months to live and told her death would be painful because of the aggressive nature of her cancer.

She had been trying for a first child with her husband Dan Diaz at the time, but gave up due to her disease.

Maynard and her husband, who had just married when she began having severe headaches, moved from their home in California to Oregon, one of a handful of US states with a "right-to-die" law.

A doctor could therefore prescribe her the medication she needs to end her own life, surrounded by her family in the bedroom she shares with her husband.

On Thursday, she had released a new video in which she said she might temporarily delay her appointment with a self-administered cocktail of potentially deadly drugs.

But the delay was a short one.

Her story has made headlines around the world, and she was featured on the cover of last week's People magazine in the United States.

Maynard has in recent weeks and months been working to tick off items on a "bucket list" of what she wants to do before she dies -- including traveling to the Grand Canyon last week.

Restrictions on arishta sale in the offing

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Thiruvananthapuram: The government is making move to restrict the sale of arishta (a potable ayurvedic medicine) in state. In future, only registered doctors and those possessing special licence will be eligible for sell arishta.

The sale will be restricted by amending the KeralaSpirituousPreparations(Control)Rules, 1969.

An expert panel was constituted in 2011 to gave recommendations in this regard. Excise minister K Babu said the recommendation of the panel has been approved.

The rule has been amended or the first time. Accordingly, the illegal possession of arishta could invite a penalty ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000.

Also, the criteria for the prduction of the medicines will also be made stricter. Henceforth, medical practioners will be granted five licences only.