2 women Maoist activists surrender in Kolkata.

Nearly two weeks after the arrest of Arnab Dam, alias Bikram, the ‘commander’ of the Ayodhya squad of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), two women members of the squad surrendered before the Director General of West Bengal Police, Naparajit Mukherjee, at the State Secretariat on Monday.

According to police, Sikha Hansda and Champa Hembram were active in the State’s Purulia district, along the West Bengal-Jharkhand border for nearly four years.

Ms. Hansda, the ‘deputy area commander’, was involved in a number of incidents, including the attack on villagers at Bagbinda village of the district in December 2010. Seven persons were killed in the incident. Ms. Hembram was a squad member of the outfit.

“They [Maoists] used to commit atrocities on women, and extort money from villagers and the poor. After seeing such activities we decided to surrender,” Ms. Hansda told journalists. She said she was misguided by Maoist leaders to join the outfit.

Both Ms. Hansda and Ms. Hembram laid down firearms and a few rounds of ammunition at the time of surrender.

“After the arrest of Bikram, their organisation had become weak. The police contacted the Maoists and persuaded them to lay down arms,” said Gangeshwar Singh, Inspector General of Police (Western Zone).

He said the Maoists approached the Superintendent of Police, Purulia, on Sunday, and expressed their willingness to surrender.

So far, 33 members of the outfit have surrendered since the Trinamool Congress-led government came to power.

2 women Maoist activists surrender in Kolkata.

Nearly two weeks after the arrest of Arnab Dam, alias Bikram, the ‘commander’ of the Ayodhya squad of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), two women members of the squad surrendered before the Director General of West Bengal Police, Naparajit Mukherjee, at the State Secretariat on Monday.

According to police, Sikha Hansda and Champa Hembram were active in the State’s Purulia district, along the West Bengal-Jharkhand border for nearly four years.

Ms. Hansda, the ‘deputy area commander’, was involved in a number of incidents, including the attack on villagers at Bagbinda village of the district in December 2010. Seven persons were killed in the incident. Ms. Hembram was a squad member of the outfit.

“They [Maoists] used to commit atrocities on women, and extort money from villagers and the poor. After seeing such activities we decided to surrender,” Ms. Hansda told journalists. She said she was misguided by Maoist leaders to join the outfit.

Both Ms. Hansda and Ms. Hembram laid down firearms and a few rounds of ammunition at the time of surrender.

“After the arrest of Bikram, their organisation had become weak. The police contacted the Maoists and persuaded them to lay down arms,” said Gangeshwar Singh, Inspector General of Police (Western Zone).

He said the Maoists approached the Superintendent of Police, Purulia, on Sunday, and expressed their willingness to surrender.

So far, 33 members of the outfit have surrendered since the Trinamool Congress-led government came to power.

Trawling ban ends Tuesday.

Thiruvananthapuram: The 47-day trawling ban imposed for monsoon season will end Tuesday. Around 5000 boats will set out for fishing in outer sea by midnight Tuesday.

However, most of the fishermen have expressed their apprehension over whether the lack of monsoon rain will affect fishing.

The fishermen have completed the patch work of their nets and are ready to set sail. They have also stored food for up to a fortnight period in their boats..

Trawling ban ends Tuesday.

Thiruvananthapuram: The 47-day trawling ban imposed for monsoon season will end Tuesday. Around 5000 boats will set out for fishing in outer sea by midnight Tuesday.

However, most of the fishermen have expressed their apprehension over whether the lack of monsoon rain will affect fishing.

The fishermen have completed the patch work of their nets and are ready to set sail. They have also stored food for up to a fortnight period in their boats..

Kerala facing possibility of drought’.

Thiruvananthapuram: Weather experts have said that if the state does not get sufficient rains even in August the possibility of drought cannot be ruled out.

They said that the lack of rain in the state is because of the monsoon winds changing direction. A phenomenon in the Arabian sea made these winds deviate from their usual direction resulting in low rainfall, they said.

Kerala got just 45 per cent of its usual rain. Although the phenomenon affected the weather in Kerala, it did not affect the monsoon in northern India, which is experiencing a good rainy season.

Agriculture and hydro-electric sectors are facing severe crisis. Kerala may be staring at drought  if the state does not get a satisfactory amount of rainfall in August, experts say..

Kerala facing possibility of drought’.

Thiruvananthapuram: Weather experts have said that if the state does not get sufficient rains even in August the possibility of drought cannot be ruled out.

They said that the lack of rain in the state is because of the monsoon winds changing direction. A phenomenon in the Arabian sea made these winds deviate from their usual direction resulting in low rainfall, they said.

Kerala got just 45 per cent of its usual rain. Although the phenomenon affected the weather in Kerala, it did not affect the monsoon in northern India, which is experiencing a good rainy season.

Agriculture and hydro-electric sectors are facing severe crisis. Kerala may be staring at drought  if the state does not get a satisfactory amount of rainfall in August, experts say..

Obama confident of winning presidential poll.

Washington: US President Barack Obama has exuded confidence to win against his Republican rival Mitt Romney in upcoming presidential polls, though conceding that it be a closely contested one. 

"If the election were held today, I think it would be close but I think we'd win. And we now have 99 days left. If I can say that every single day for the next 99 days, then we will be able to embark on the next phase of this journey," Obama said at a campaign event in New York. 

Seeking his re-election, Obama said he has to complete his unfinished agenda in the second term. 
"If we can stabilize Europe, position ourselves on education, on science and technology, on energy, and a few other pieces of unfinished business like comprehensive immigration reform, then there's no reason why America should not thrive in the decades to come," he said. 
"We also have to get through a campaign, though. 

And right now, the economy is still rough enough for enough people that this is going to be a close election. 

I'm confident that we are running a good campaign and will continue to run a good campaign," he said, but acknowledged that he is being outspent by his rival. 

"We are being outspent substantially by the other side, and the super PACs are engaging in an experience we have not seen in America democracy for quite some time. They are spending like nobody's business, mostly on negative ads. 

And we're going to have to continue to compete. We don't anticipate that we're going to match them dollar for dollar -- we don't need to. But we are going to have to make sure that we can get our message out effectively," Obama added.  .

Obama confident of winning presidential poll.

Washington: US President Barack Obama has exuded confidence to win against his Republican rival Mitt Romney in upcoming presidential polls, though conceding that it be a closely contested one. 

"If the election were held today, I think it would be close but I think we'd win. And we now have 99 days left. If I can say that every single day for the next 99 days, then we will be able to embark on the next phase of this journey," Obama said at a campaign event in New York. 

Seeking his re-election, Obama said he has to complete his unfinished agenda in the second term. 
"If we can stabilize Europe, position ourselves on education, on science and technology, on energy, and a few other pieces of unfinished business like comprehensive immigration reform, then there's no reason why America should not thrive in the decades to come," he said. 
"We also have to get through a campaign, though. 

And right now, the economy is still rough enough for enough people that this is going to be a close election. 

I'm confident that we are running a good campaign and will continue to run a good campaign," he said, but acknowledged that he is being outspent by his rival. 

"We are being outspent substantially by the other side, and the super PACs are engaging in an experience we have not seen in America democracy for quite some time. They are spending like nobody's business, mostly on negative ads. 

And we're going to have to continue to compete. We don't anticipate that we're going to match them dollar for dollar -- we don't need to. But we are going to have to make sure that we can get our message out effectively," Obama added.  .

Kalam’s four-point formula for kids to create happy homes.Hyderabad: Former President APJ Abdul Kalam has asked the school children to adopt four point formula- spirituality, mother's happiness, transparency and clean and green environment in order to create "happy homes". 

He was speaking after presenting state-level 'Paryavaran Mitra' awards instituted by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE). 

It was children, who could influence parents better than anybody else and if they sense any corrupt practice by their father or mother, they should immediately oppose it and make the elders mend their ways for better, Kalam said. 

"Opposing corruption would be part of one of the four activities in the happy home concept," the former president said. 

The former President, who administered an oath with the students gathered there, said each student should plant at least 10 saplings at their home, neighbourhood or in public park and ensure their growth for a certain period. 

They should also strive for water conservation, energy conservation, biodiversity, waste management and culture and heritage, the five themes of Paryavaran Mitra programme, he added. 

Earlier, after going through the exhibits on environmental awareness set up students, Kalam said he could see the dynamic thought process of young minds on multi-dimensions of environment in the exhibits. 

As many as 33 schools from all districts in the State received Paryavaran Mitra and PM Plus awards. 
Project Director of Rajiv Vidya Mission V. Usha Rani, Chief Executive Officer of Arcelor-Mittal for India and China Vijay Bhatnagar, Director of CEE Karthikeya V. Sarabhai, programme director of CEE-AP Vanitha Kommu also spoke in the meeting. 

CEE is an organisation engaged in developing programmes and resource material to increase awareness about the environment and sustainable development.

Kalam’s four-point formula for kids to create happy homes. Hyderabad: Former President APJ Abdul Kalam has asked the school children to adopt four point formula- spirituality, mother's happiness, transparency and clean and green environment in order to create "happy homes". 

He was speaking after presenting state-level 'Paryavaran Mitra' awards instituted by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE). 

It was children, who could influence parents better than anybody else and if they sense any corrupt practice by their father or mother, they should immediately oppose it and make the elders mend their ways for better, Kalam said. 

"Opposing corruption would be part of one of the four activities in the happy home concept," the former president said. 

The former President, who administered an oath with the students gathered there, said each student should plant at least 10 saplings at their home, neighbourhood or in public park and ensure their growth for a certain period. 

They should also strive for water conservation, energy conservation, biodiversity, waste management and culture and heritage, the five themes of Paryavaran Mitra programme, he added. 

Earlier, after going through the exhibits on environmental awareness set up students, Kalam said he could see the dynamic thought process of young minds on multi-dimensions of environment in the exhibits. 

As many as 33 schools from all districts in the State received Paryavaran Mitra and PM Plus awards. 
Project Director of Rajiv Vidya Mission V. Usha Rani, Chief Executive Officer of Arcelor-Mittal for India and China Vijay Bhatnagar, Director of CEE Karthikeya V. Sarabhai, programme director of CEE-AP Vanitha Kommu also spoke in the meeting. 

CEE is an organisation engaged in developing programmes and resource material to increase awareness about the environment and sustainable development.

Panasonic posts nearly seven-fold Q1 profit gain after cost-cutting. TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Panasonic Corp posted a nearly seven-fold gain in first-quarter operating profit after cutting costs to offset losses in its TV unit hammered by competition from foreign rivals including Samsung Electronics.
Operating profit rose to 38.6 billion yen in the three months to June from a profit of 5.6 billion yen a year earlier, Panasonic said on Tuesday.
That was in line with the average 40 billion-yen profit estimated by three analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
The maker of Viera TVs stuck with a forecast for full-year operating profit to increase to 260 billion yen.
(Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Ryan Woo).

Panasonic posts nearly seven-fold Q1 profit gain after cost-cutting. TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Panasonic Corp posted a nearly seven-fold gain in first-quarter operating profit after cutting costs to offset losses in its TV unit hammered by competition from foreign rivals including Samsung Electronics.
Operating profit rose to 38.6 billion yen in the three months to June from a profit of 5.6 billion yen a year earlier, Panasonic said on Tuesday.
That was in line with the average 40 billion-yen profit estimated by three analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
The maker of Viera TVs stuck with a forecast for full-year operating profit to increase to 260 billion yen.
(Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Ryan Woo).

Kerala likely to sign MoU with Qatar energy body  

Dubai: Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) are mulling signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for exploring business prospects, according to reports. 

Recently a delegation, led by Kerala legislator Joseph Vazhakkan, held discussions on the possibilities of using KSEB's professional expertise and experience in handling different aspects of the power sector with Kahramaa Director, Network Affairs, Ali al Najjar, the Gulf Times report said. 

The Kahramaa official said the issue has already been brought to the notice of the corporation's president and other departments, while Vazhakkan said he would bring the issue to the notice of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the state electricity minister at the earliest. 

Vazhakkan also extended an invitation to Kahramaa official to participate in the 'Emerging Kerala 2012' conclave to be held in Kochi in the second week of September. 

Qatar officials have agreed to attend the event and a formal invitation to attend the conclave would be given to the Kahramaa officials by Chandy later this week, the report said. 

The Kerala delegation also consisted of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) Vice President K Girish Kumar, Entrepreneurs Manzoor Moideen and Mohamed Shahna.. 
   

Kerala likely to sign MoU with Qatar energy body  

Dubai: Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) are mulling signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for exploring business prospects, according to reports. 

Recently a delegation, led by Kerala legislator Joseph Vazhakkan, held discussions on the possibilities of using KSEB's professional expertise and experience in handling different aspects of the power sector with Kahramaa Director, Network Affairs, Ali al Najjar, the Gulf Times report said. 

The Kahramaa official said the issue has already been brought to the notice of the corporation's president and other departments, while Vazhakkan said he would bring the issue to the notice of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the state electricity minister at the earliest. 

Vazhakkan also extended an invitation to Kahramaa official to participate in the 'Emerging Kerala 2012' conclave to be held in Kochi in the second week of September. 

Qatar officials have agreed to attend the event and a formal invitation to attend the conclave would be given to the Kahramaa officials by Chandy later this week, the report said. 

The Kerala delegation also consisted of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) Vice President K Girish Kumar, Entrepreneurs Manzoor Moideen and Mohamed Shahna.. 
   

RBI leaves rates on hold as inflation, growth outlook worsens  . Mumbai: India's central bank left interest rates unchanged for the second time since June, in line with expectations, while cutting its growth forecast and lifting its inflation outlook as economic conditions deteriorate. 

The Reserve Bank of India kept its policy repo rate at 8 percent and left the cash reserve ratio for banks at 4.75 percent. CRR is the share of deposits banks must keep with the RBI. 

"In the current circumstances, lowering policy rates will only aggravate inflationary impulses without necessarily stimulating growth," RBI Gov. Duvvuri Subbarao wrote in the monetary policy review, adding the central bank's primary focus remains inflation control. 

A Reuters poll of 20 economists last week showed all but one expected the RBI to hold rates steady. 
Headline wholesale price index inflation remained above 7 percent in June, while India's consumer price index was 10 percent. Growth in Asia's third-largest economy slowed to a nine year low of 5.3 percent in the March quarter. 

On Tuesday, the central bank cut its economic growth outlook for the fiscal year that ends in March to 6.5 percent, from the 7.3 percent assumption made in April, putting its outlook closer to that of many private economists. 

It also raised its headline inflation projection for March 2013 to 7 percent, from 6.5 percent in its April review. 

"Headline inflation has persisted even as demand has moderated and the pricing power of corporates weakened," Subbarao wrote. 

"Non-food manufactured products inflation has also not declined to the extent warranted by the growth moderation. This reflects severe supply constraints and entrenchment of inflation expectations," he wrote. 

The RBI has repeatedly called on the government to take steps to revive investment and cut populist spending that bloats its fiscal deficit, and on Tuesday said an immediate cut in fuel and fertilser subsidies is needed if the government is to reach its target of cutting subsidies to under 2 percent of GDP. 

India's fiscal deficit for the fiscal year that ended in March was 5.76 percent of GDP, and many economists say its aim to trim that to 5.1 percent in the current fiscal year looks optimistic. 
The RBI sought to assure markets that it will continue to respond to tight liquidity conditions in the banking sector, including through purchases of government bonds. It reduced the minimum requirement for banks' government bond holdings to 23 percent of deposits, from 24 percent previously, in a move to free up liquidity

RBI leaves rates on hold as inflation, growth outlook worsens  . Mumbai: India's central bank left interest rates unchanged for the second time since June, in line with expectations, while cutting its growth forecast and lifting its inflation outlook as economic conditions deteriorate. 

The Reserve Bank of India kept its policy repo rate at 8 percent and left the cash reserve ratio for banks at 4.75 percent. CRR is the share of deposits banks must keep with the RBI. 

"In the current circumstances, lowering policy rates will only aggravate inflationary impulses without necessarily stimulating growth," RBI Gov. Duvvuri Subbarao wrote in the monetary policy review, adding the central bank's primary focus remains inflation control. 

A Reuters poll of 20 economists last week showed all but one expected the RBI to hold rates steady. 
Headline wholesale price index inflation remained above 7 percent in June, while India's consumer price index was 10 percent. Growth in Asia's third-largest economy slowed to a nine year low of 5.3 percent in the March quarter. 

On Tuesday, the central bank cut its economic growth outlook for the fiscal year that ends in March to 6.5 percent, from the 7.3 percent assumption made in April, putting its outlook closer to that of many private economists. 

It also raised its headline inflation projection for March 2013 to 7 percent, from 6.5 percent in its April review. 

"Headline inflation has persisted even as demand has moderated and the pricing power of corporates weakened," Subbarao wrote. 

"Non-food manufactured products inflation has also not declined to the extent warranted by the growth moderation. This reflects severe supply constraints and entrenchment of inflation expectations," he wrote. 

The RBI has repeatedly called on the government to take steps to revive investment and cut populist spending that bloats its fiscal deficit, and on Tuesday said an immediate cut in fuel and fertilser subsidies is needed if the government is to reach its target of cutting subsidies to under 2 percent of GDP. 

India's fiscal deficit for the fiscal year that ended in March was 5.76 percent of GDP, and many economists say its aim to trim that to 5.1 percent in the current fiscal year looks optimistic. 
The RBI sought to assure markets that it will continue to respond to tight liquidity conditions in the banking sector, including through purchases of government bonds. It reduced the minimum requirement for banks' government bond holdings to 23 percent of deposits, from 24 percent previously, in a move to free up liquidity

China's Li lifts Olympic gold in 58 kg, breaks record

London: China's Li Xueying won women's weightlifting gold in the 58kg category Monday, setting two Olympic records.
Li, twice former world champion, set records in the snatch of 108 kg and the total of 246 kg, two kilos past compatriot Chen Yanqing's mark posted four years ago in Beijing.
Silver went to Pimsiri Sirikaew of Thailand, who was 10 kilos behind, while Yuliya Kalina of Ukraine took the bronze with 235 kg.
With gold already secured, Li attempted but failed to break the world record in the clean and jerk of 144 kg, three more than Qui Hongmei's total set in 2007.

It is China's second weightlifting gold after Wang Mingjuan won the 53 kg category Saturday.
There was drama earlier in the competition when Colombian lifter Lina Marcela Rivas collapsed on her third attempt at 120 kg in the clean and jerk.
Rivas injured her knee in her first attempt, and couldn't recover in time to complete a lift on the second.
Her two-minute time limit elapsed after taking too long to strap up her leg.
After collecting herself for the final attempt, Rivas buckled in the jerk phase, falling to the floor and breaking down into tears while clutching both knees.

China's Li lifts Olympic gold in 58 kg, breaks record

London: China's Li Xueying won women's weightlifting gold in the 58kg category Monday, setting two Olympic records.
Li, twice former world champion, set records in the snatch of 108 kg and the total of 246 kg, two kilos past compatriot Chen Yanqing's mark posted four years ago in Beijing.
Silver went to Pimsiri Sirikaew of Thailand, who was 10 kilos behind, while Yuliya Kalina of Ukraine took the bronze with 235 kg.
With gold already secured, Li attempted but failed to break the world record in the clean and jerk of 144 kg, three more than Qui Hongmei's total set in 2007.

It is China's second weightlifting gold after Wang Mingjuan won the 53 kg category Saturday.
There was drama earlier in the competition when Colombian lifter Lina Marcela Rivas collapsed on her third attempt at 120 kg in the clean and jerk.
Rivas injured her knee in her first attempt, and couldn't recover in time to complete a lift on the second.
Her two-minute time limit elapsed after taking too long to strap up her leg.
After collecting herself for the final attempt, Rivas buckled in the jerk phase, falling to the floor and breaking down into tears while clutching both knees.

Russian freighter re-docks with ISS

Moscow: A Russian cargo spacecraft has successfully re-docked with the International Space Station (ISS) early Sunday after a failed attempt five days ago.
The unmanned Progress M-15M, which arrived at the ISS in April, undocked from the centre last Monday to conduct tests, but first re-docking attempt failed due to technical problems, Xinhua reported.
Progress freighters have been the backbone of the Russian space cargo fleet for decades.

Russian freighter re-docks with ISS

Moscow: A Russian cargo spacecraft has successfully re-docked with the International Space Station (ISS) early Sunday after a failed attempt five days ago.
The unmanned Progress M-15M, which arrived at the ISS in April, undocked from the centre last Monday to conduct tests, but first re-docking attempt failed due to technical problems, Xinhua reported.
Progress freighters have been the backbone of the Russian space cargo fleet for decades.

Actress Sreelatha in penury, looks for help

31 Jul 2012

Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam actress Sreelatha Menon, known for films like 'Perumthachan' and 'Kauthuka', is suffering from a rare bone disease but there is no one to look after her three children and they have been asked to vacate their rented house.

'We live in a rented home here and we have been asked to move out. I have no clue where to go with my three children,' said the bed-ridden former Miss Trivandrum (1985) who has acted in more than 20 films and more than 200 TV serials.

Sreelatha, whose husband passed away four years back, added: 'We have no money to buy even food. I am not a member of any of actor's bodies.'

Her illness and financial crunch have affected her three sons' studies. They have not gone to school for last few months because they do not have enough money to pay the fees.

Arjun, who is the eldest and studying in plus-2, said: 'None of us have been to school for a while now. I, being the eldest, am the only one in a position to go for work, but if I go, there will be none to look after my ailing mother.'

His two younger siblings are in class V and pre-school.

Meanwhile, Sreelatha, who is at home without any medical assistance, Monday received Rs.100,000 from the state chief minister's relief fund.

Kerala Cinema Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar's office told IANS that in the past also they have extended help to her.

'Now that her condition has worsened, we have got in touch with the film actors' body (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists). I am told that the state health minister will be doing something,' said the office of actor-turned minister Kumar..

Actress Sreelatha in penury, looks for help

31 Jul 2012

Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam actress Sreelatha Menon, known for films like 'Perumthachan' and 'Kauthuka', is suffering from a rare bone disease but there is no one to look after her three children and they have been asked to vacate their rented house.

'We live in a rented home here and we have been asked to move out. I have no clue where to go with my three children,' said the bed-ridden former Miss Trivandrum (1985) who has acted in more than 20 films and more than 200 TV serials.

Sreelatha, whose husband passed away four years back, added: 'We have no money to buy even food. I am not a member of any of actor's bodies.'

Her illness and financial crunch have affected her three sons' studies. They have not gone to school for last few months because they do not have enough money to pay the fees.

Arjun, who is the eldest and studying in plus-2, said: 'None of us have been to school for a while now. I, being the eldest, am the only one in a position to go for work, but if I go, there will be none to look after my ailing mother.'

His two younger siblings are in class V and pre-school.

Meanwhile, Sreelatha, who is at home without any medical assistance, Monday received Rs.100,000 from the state chief minister's relief fund.

Kerala Cinema Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar's office told IANS that in the past also they have extended help to her.

'Now that her condition has worsened, we have got in touch with the film actors' body (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists). I am told that the state health minister will be doing something,' said the office of actor-turned minister Kumar..

29 pilgrims killed in Haryana accident

Bhiwani : At least 29 pilgrims, including three children, on their way back from a shrine in Rajasthan were killed in a head-on collision between two trucks in Haryana's Bhiwani district Monday morning, police said.
Twenty-two people died on the spot, while seven others succumbed to their injuries in hospital, a police officer here said. The dead included 10 women and three children.

Police officials in Bhiwani and Hisar said at least 25 people were injured in the accident, which took place near Sainiwas village in Bhiwani district. They were shifted to hospitals in Hisar town, 15 km from the accident site.
Two of the seriously injured people were rushed to the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) at Rohtak for treatment.

The accident took place on the Hisar-Rajgarh road, 270 km from state capital Chandigarh.
The victims, who belonged to Kalayat and Deeg area of Kaithal district, were returning from pilgrimage at the Amarpura Dham shrine in neighbouring Rajasthan, said Bhiwani district police chief Satheesh Balan.

The canter truck in which the victims were travelling was totally wrecked following the accident. According to a police spokesman, at least 57 people were travelling in the vehicle when the accident took place.

People working in the fields took out the bodies of the dead and injured from the canter truck.
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed shock and grief over the death of 29 people in the road accident.
Hooda cancelled his programmes at Kurukshetra Monday and rushed to Hisar to meet the survivors and families of the victims.

29 pilgrims killed in Haryana accident

Bhiwani : At least 29 pilgrims, including three children, on their way back from a shrine in Rajasthan were killed in a head-on collision between two trucks in Haryana's Bhiwani district Monday morning, police said.
Twenty-two people died on the spot, while seven others succumbed to their injuries in hospital, a police officer here said. The dead included 10 women and three children.

Police officials in Bhiwani and Hisar said at least 25 people were injured in the accident, which took place near Sainiwas village in Bhiwani district. They were shifted to hospitals in Hisar town, 15 km from the accident site.
Two of the seriously injured people were rushed to the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) at Rohtak for treatment.

The accident took place on the Hisar-Rajgarh road, 270 km from state capital Chandigarh.
The victims, who belonged to Kalayat and Deeg area of Kaithal district, were returning from pilgrimage at the Amarpura Dham shrine in neighbouring Rajasthan, said Bhiwani district police chief Satheesh Balan.

The canter truck in which the victims were travelling was totally wrecked following the accident. According to a police spokesman, at least 57 people were travelling in the vehicle when the accident took place.

People working in the fields took out the bodies of the dead and injured from the canter truck.
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed shock and grief over the death of 29 people in the road accident.
Hooda cancelled his programmes at Kurukshetra Monday and rushed to Hisar to meet the survivors and families of the victims.

Sabotage not ruled out in train fire: Roy

Kolkata: Railway Minister Mukul Roy Monday fuelled speculation of sabotage behind the Chennai bound-Tamil Nadu Express fire in Andhra Pradesh that killed 32 people, saying a top railway official had heard the sound of a blast.

'We are not ruling out anything. The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM of Nellore) had called me and said that he had heard a sound of a blast. So right now, neither I am saying anything nor am I ruling out anything,' said Roy here.

The tragedy took place near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, about 450 km from Hyderabad.

The railway minister has announced a probe by the commissioner-railway safety. Railway officials have not ruled out the sabotage angle.

'We have decided to conduct an investigation to find out the fact,' said Roy while talking to reporters here in Kolkata.

The fire in the Tamil Nadu Express which killed 35 people in Andhra Pradesh early Monday was initially believed to have been caused by an electrical short-circuit but the railways would be probing it from all angles.

The fire broke out between 4.30 a.m. and 4.45 a.m. in the S-11 coach minutes after the Chennai-bound train left Nellore railway station in south coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The reported recovery of a kerosene can in the gutted compartment, the eye witness accounts and the speed with which the fire spread, all point a finger towards possible sabotage.

Some witnesses said they heard an explosion before the flames engulfed the entire S-11 coach. They also claimed that three doors of the bogie were locked, making it impossible for people to escape.

Director General of Police V. Dinesh Reddy said that it would be premature to say anything about the cause of the fire without a thorough probe by the railways.

He told reporters that a railway employee near Nellore railway station saw the fire in the running train and alerted the authorities and police..

Sabotage not ruled out in train fire: Roy

Kolkata: Railway Minister Mukul Roy Monday fuelled speculation of sabotage behind the Chennai bound-Tamil Nadu Express fire in Andhra Pradesh that killed 32 people, saying a top railway official had heard the sound of a blast.

'We are not ruling out anything. The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM of Nellore) had called me and said that he had heard a sound of a blast. So right now, neither I am saying anything nor am I ruling out anything,' said Roy here.

The tragedy took place near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, about 450 km from Hyderabad.

The railway minister has announced a probe by the commissioner-railway safety. Railway officials have not ruled out the sabotage angle.

'We have decided to conduct an investigation to find out the fact,' said Roy while talking to reporters here in Kolkata.

The fire in the Tamil Nadu Express which killed 35 people in Andhra Pradesh early Monday was initially believed to have been caused by an electrical short-circuit but the railways would be probing it from all angles.

The fire broke out between 4.30 a.m. and 4.45 a.m. in the S-11 coach minutes after the Chennai-bound train left Nellore railway station in south coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The reported recovery of a kerosene can in the gutted compartment, the eye witness accounts and the speed with which the fire spread, all point a finger towards possible sabotage.

Some witnesses said they heard an explosion before the flames engulfed the entire S-11 coach. They also claimed that three doors of the bogie were locked, making it impossible for people to escape.

Director General of Police V. Dinesh Reddy said that it would be premature to say anything about the cause of the fire without a thorough probe by the railways.

He told reporters that a railway employee near Nellore railway station saw the fire in the running train and alerted the authorities and police..

Stay on proceedings against Italian marines extended  

 Kochi: The Kerala High Court Monday extended till August 8 the stay on the proceedings before a Kollam court against two Italian marines facing murder charge for shooting to death two Indian fishermen off Kerala waters in February. 

The court had on July 24 stayed the proceedings till today. When the matter came up, Justice C T Ravikumar extended the stay and posted the case to August 8 for further hearing. 

The government opposed the extension of the stay and the request of the two petitioners Italian marines Latore Masimiliano and Salvatore Girone, challenging the Kollam Sessions Court's order declining their plea for English translation of the chargesheet and other documents in Malayalam and help of an official interpreter. 

According to the government, the prosecution has no legal obligation to provide an interpreter in a case involving foreign nationals who are not conversant with the court language of the country. 

Kollam Sessions Judge P D Rajan had on July 17 held the marines were not entitled to a translated version of the police report and other documents and posted the case to July 25 for commencement of preliminary hearing of charges. 

Challenging this order, the marines approached the high court stating that the accused have the right to know about the contents of the chargesheet and evidence against them collected by the prosecuting agency. 

The two, engaged for security of the Italian vessel Enrica Lexie, were arrested on February 19 for allegedly opening fire and killing fishermen Jalestine and Ajesh Binki off Kollam coast. They were granted bail by the high court on May 30 following which they are staying here.  .

Stay on proceedings against Italian marines extended  

 Kochi: The Kerala High Court Monday extended till August 8 the stay on the proceedings before a Kollam court against two Italian marines facing murder charge for shooting to death two Indian fishermen off Kerala waters in February. 

The court had on July 24 stayed the proceedings till today. When the matter came up, Justice C T Ravikumar extended the stay and posted the case to August 8 for further hearing. 

The government opposed the extension of the stay and the request of the two petitioners Italian marines Latore Masimiliano and Salvatore Girone, challenging the Kollam Sessions Court's order declining their plea for English translation of the chargesheet and other documents in Malayalam and help of an official interpreter. 

According to the government, the prosecution has no legal obligation to provide an interpreter in a case involving foreign nationals who are not conversant with the court language of the country. 

Kollam Sessions Judge P D Rajan had on July 17 held the marines were not entitled to a translated version of the police report and other documents and posted the case to July 25 for commencement of preliminary hearing of charges. 

Challenging this order, the marines approached the high court stating that the accused have the right to know about the contents of the chargesheet and evidence against them collected by the prosecuting agency. 

The two, engaged for security of the Italian vessel Enrica Lexie, were arrested on February 19 for allegedly opening fire and killing fishermen Jalestine and Ajesh Binki off Kollam coast. They were granted bail by the high court on May 30 following which they are staying here.  .

. . Special Ghee Rice  

Mrs. K.M. Mathew

Thinking of preparing something special for lunch on Sunday? Here’s something new to add that will add that extra bit to your meal.

Ingredients
01. Basmati rice - 3 cups 02. Cloves - 6 03. Cinnamon - 2 ”pieces 04. Cardamom - 6 05. Coconut milk - 6 cups from 1 coconut 06. Ghee - 3 tsp For the ground paste 07. Dry red chillies - 4 08. Coriander powder - 1 tsp 09. Ginger -  garlic paste - 1 tsp 10. Shallots - 10 11. Cumin seeds - ½ tsp 12. Cloves - 4 13. Cinnamon  - 1 “ piece 14. Oil - ¼ cup 15. Lemon juice - of ½ a lemon 16. Onions (sliced) - 2 17. Saffron - a pinch dissolved in 1 tsp milk 18. Salt - to taste

Preparation

01. Grind the dry red chillies, coriander powder, ginger – garlic paste, shallots, cumin seeds, loves and cinnamon, combine with the coconut milk and keep aside. 02. Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. 03. Now, add the rice and stir fry till it turns slightly brown. 04. Add the coconut milk and salt to taste and cook till done. 05. Heat a pan, fry the sliced onions in oil and keep aside. 06. Take a vessel, grease it with ghee, transfer the rice to it and sprinkle the lemon juice over it. Add the saffron. 07. Cover the rice with a wet cloth and bake in an oven at 350° F for 30 minutes. 08. Garnish with fried onions serve hot.

. . Special Ghee Rice  

Mrs. K.M. Mathew

Thinking of preparing something special for lunch on Sunday? Here’s something new to add that will add that extra bit to your meal.

Ingredients
01. Basmati rice - 3 cups 02. Cloves - 6 03. Cinnamon - 2 ”pieces 04. Cardamom - 6 05. Coconut milk - 6 cups from 1 coconut 06. Ghee - 3 tsp For the ground paste 07. Dry red chillies - 4 08. Coriander powder - 1 tsp 09. Ginger -  garlic paste - 1 tsp 10. Shallots - 10 11. Cumin seeds - ½ tsp 12. Cloves - 4 13. Cinnamon  - 1 “ piece 14. Oil - ¼ cup 15. Lemon juice - of ½ a lemon 16. Onions (sliced) - 2 17. Saffron - a pinch dissolved in 1 tsp milk 18. Salt - to taste

Preparation

01. Grind the dry red chillies, coriander powder, ginger – garlic paste, shallots, cumin seeds, loves and cinnamon, combine with the coconut milk and keep aside. 02. Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. 03. Now, add the rice and stir fry till it turns slightly brown. 04. Add the coconut milk and salt to taste and cook till done. 05. Heat a pan, fry the sliced onions in oil and keep aside. 06. Take a vessel, grease it with ghee, transfer the rice to it and sprinkle the lemon juice over it. Add the saffron. 07. Cover the rice with a wet cloth and bake in an oven at 350° F for 30 minutes. 08. Garnish with fried onions serve hot.

Elusive gene that causes a form of blindness discovered.

Washington: Scientists have discovered an elusive human gene that causes a devastating form of early-onset blindness, a step they say will help develop sight saving gene therapy for retinal degeneration. 

Researchers from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division have isolated an elusive human gene called NMNAT1 that causes a common form of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). 

LCA is an inherited retinal degenerative disease characterised by reduced vision in infancy. Within the first few months of life, parents usually notice a lack of visual responsiveness and unusual roving eye movements known as nystagmus. 

LCA typically involves only vision problems, but can be accompanied by disease in other organ systems in a minority of patients. It is a common reason children are enrolled in schools for the blind. 

"The immediate benefit of this discovery is that affected patients with mutations in this new LCA gene now know the cause of their condition," Eric Pierce, co-author and director of the Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts said in a statement. 

"Scientists now have another piece to the puzzle as to why some children are born with LCA and decreased vision. The long-term goal of our research is to develop therapies to limit or prevent vision loss from these disorders," Pierce said. 

NMNAT1 is the 18th identified LCA gene. The gene resides in a region that was known to harbor an LCA gene since 2003, but the specific disease gene has been undiscovered until now. 

These findings will be published in the journal Nature Genetics. 

To identify NMNAT1, scientists performed whole exome sequencing of the family of two siblings who initially presented for evaluation of LCA but who had no mutations in any of the known LCA genes. 

Researchers found that all but the youngest patient with NMNAT1 mutations had damage to the macula, the center of the retina that is needed for central vision.