Two banks firebombed in Chile

Posted on: 28 Feb 2012

Santiago:Two masked people set off fire bombs Monday at two bank branches in Santiago, causing damage but no injuries, Chilean police said.

A Banco Santander office and a Bancostado branch in Ñunoa, a Santiago suburb, were attacked.

Security cameras captured images of two masked individuals planting a bomb at the Banco Santander ATM, which was completely destroyed, Carabineros militarized police force Capt. Cristian Acevedo told reporters.

'A search of the sector was conducted and no pamphlets or situations pointing to a specific group have been found,' Acevedo said.

The Bancostado branch sustained 'great damage to the main inner door, the structure of the ceiling and the building's windows', Acevedo said.

More than two dozen bombings have been staged in Chile since 2006, targeting banks, large corporations, churches and public buildings.

In November, the trial of half a dozen suspects accused of setting off 20 bombs between 2006 and 2010 started at the Justice Center in Santiago.

Responsibility for the blasts is usually claimed by anarchists or anti-globalization groups.

Two banks firebombed in Chile

Posted on: 28 Feb 2012

Santiago:Two masked people set off fire bombs Monday at two bank branches in Santiago, causing damage but no injuries, Chilean police said.

A Banco Santander office and a Bancostado branch in Ñunoa, a Santiago suburb, were attacked.

Security cameras captured images of two masked individuals planting a bomb at the Banco Santander ATM, which was completely destroyed, Carabineros militarized police force Capt. Cristian Acevedo told reporters.

'A search of the sector was conducted and no pamphlets or situations pointing to a specific group have been found,' Acevedo said.

The Bancostado branch sustained 'great damage to the main inner door, the structure of the ceiling and the building's windows', Acevedo said.

More than two dozen bombings have been staged in Chile since 2006, targeting banks, large corporations, churches and public buildings.

In November, the trial of half a dozen suspects accused of setting off 20 bombs between 2006 and 2010 started at the Justice Center in Santiago.

Responsibility for the blasts is usually claimed by anarchists or anti-globalization groups.

Bad breath chemical converts dental pulp into liver cells

Posted on: 28 Feb 2012

Tokyo: A compound that gives the mouth its bad breadth or halitosis, can also help tweak stem cells from human dental pulp into liver cells, a study reveals.

Researchers from Nippon Dental University, Japan, showed that hydrogen sulphide (H2S) (which smells like rotten eggs) boosted the ability of adult stem cells to differentiate into hepatic (liver) cells, furthering their reputation as a reliable source for future liver-cell therapy.

This is the first time that liver cells have been produced from human dental pulp and, even more impressively, have been produced in high numbers of high purity, the Journal of Breath Research reported.

'High purity means there are less 'wrong cells' that are being differentiated to other tissues, or remaining as stem cells,' said a university statement. 

'Moreover, these facts suggest that patients undergoing transplantation with the hepatic cells may have almost no possibility of developing teratomas or cancers, as can be the case when using bone marrow stem cells,' said Ken Yaegaki, who led the study.

Yaegaki and his group used stem cells from dental pulp -- the central part of the tooth made up of connective tissue and cells -- which were obtained from the teeth of dental patients who were undergoing routine tooth extractions.

'Until now, nobody has produced the protocol to regenerate such a huge number of hepatic cells for human transplantation. Compared to the traditional method of using fetal bovine serum to produce the cells, our method is productive and, most importantly, safe' concluded Yaegaki.

Bad breath chemical converts dental pulp into liver cells

Posted on: 28 Feb 2012

Tokyo: A compound that gives the mouth its bad breadth or halitosis, can also help tweak stem cells from human dental pulp into liver cells, a study reveals.

Researchers from Nippon Dental University, Japan, showed that hydrogen sulphide (H2S) (which smells like rotten eggs) boosted the ability of adult stem cells to differentiate into hepatic (liver) cells, furthering their reputation as a reliable source for future liver-cell therapy.

This is the first time that liver cells have been produced from human dental pulp and, even more impressively, have been produced in high numbers of high purity, the Journal of Breath Research reported.

'High purity means there are less 'wrong cells' that are being differentiated to other tissues, or remaining as stem cells,' said a university statement. 

'Moreover, these facts suggest that patients undergoing transplantation with the hepatic cells may have almost no possibility of developing teratomas or cancers, as can be the case when using bone marrow stem cells,' said Ken Yaegaki, who led the study.

Yaegaki and his group used stem cells from dental pulp -- the central part of the tooth made up of connective tissue and cells -- which were obtained from the teeth of dental patients who were undergoing routine tooth extractions.

'Until now, nobody has produced the protocol to regenerate such a huge number of hepatic cells for human transplantation. Compared to the traditional method of using fetal bovine serum to produce the cells, our method is productive and, most importantly, safe' concluded Yaegaki.

Shooting row: India, Italy fail to resolve differences

Posted on: 28 Feb 2012

New Delhi: The foreign ministers of India and Italy Tuesday failed to resolve basic differences in their positions on the killing of two fishermen by two Italian marines, with Rome reiterating that the incident should be tried according to international law.

The Feb 15 killing figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Italian counterpart Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant' Agata. 

After the talks, Krishna said at a joint press briefing that strong public opinion existed in both countries over the issue and stressed that both sides have agreed to clear the air. 

'We met in the backdrop of an unfortunate incident involving death of two Indian fishermen and the subsequent detention of two Italian navy personnel. There is strong public opinion on both sides,' Krishna told reporters. 

'Minister Terzi and I agreed that we need to clear the air so that people in both countries are reassured of our will and commitment to strengthen our partnership,' he said. 

'We are of the view that our relations are mature and based on strong foundations. This gives us the ability to address challenges together,' he said while stressing enormous scope for expanding the bilateral relationship. 

The Italian foreign minister, who came here close on the heels of the visit of his deputy, regretted the deaths but admitted that differences of opinion persisted with India on the issue. 

'I have expressed the condolences of Italy and the Italian people over the unfortunate, tragic loss of lives,' said Terzi. 

He appreciated India's readiness to allow Italian observers in the judicial process which has been initiated in Kerala to investigate the chain of events leading to the killing of two Indian fishermen. There was, however, no breakthrough in the talks. 

'I have explained frankly the position of our government on the legal aspect. International law should try the Italian men. There is difference of opinion on this and it has not been resolved,' Terzi said. 

'We hope to pursue the matter in a friendly spirit, understanding and cooperation,' he added. 

Official sources, however, made it clear that there was no change in India's position and insisted that the Marines will be prosecuted according to the Indian law. 

Terzi said the incident was triggered by the widespread threat of piracy and exhorted greater cooperation with India in combating piracy. 

Two Indian fishermen, Ajesh Binki and Gelastine, were allegedly mistaken as pirates and shot dead by the security crew of cargo vessel Enrica Lexie on February 15. Two Italian Marines have been arrested for the shooting. 

Latorre Massimillano and Salvatore Girone have been remanded by a court in Kollam, 150 km from Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram, to 14 days of police custody. 

Last week, the two sides sought partial accommodation when the Kerala court hearing the shooting case allowed joint ballistic examination of the weapons used in the killing.

Shooting row: India, Italy fail to resolve differences

Posted on: 28 Feb 2012

New Delhi: The foreign ministers of India and Italy Tuesday failed to resolve basic differences in their positions on the killing of two fishermen by two Italian marines, with Rome reiterating that the incident should be tried according to international law.

The Feb 15 killing figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Italian counterpart Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant' Agata. 

After the talks, Krishna said at a joint press briefing that strong public opinion existed in both countries over the issue and stressed that both sides have agreed to clear the air. 

'We met in the backdrop of an unfortunate incident involving death of two Indian fishermen and the subsequent detention of two Italian navy personnel. There is strong public opinion on both sides,' Krishna told reporters. 

'Minister Terzi and I agreed that we need to clear the air so that people in both countries are reassured of our will and commitment to strengthen our partnership,' he said. 

'We are of the view that our relations are mature and based on strong foundations. This gives us the ability to address challenges together,' he said while stressing enormous scope for expanding the bilateral relationship. 

The Italian foreign minister, who came here close on the heels of the visit of his deputy, regretted the deaths but admitted that differences of opinion persisted with India on the issue. 

'I have expressed the condolences of Italy and the Italian people over the unfortunate, tragic loss of lives,' said Terzi. 

He appreciated India's readiness to allow Italian observers in the judicial process which has been initiated in Kerala to investigate the chain of events leading to the killing of two Indian fishermen. There was, however, no breakthrough in the talks. 

'I have explained frankly the position of our government on the legal aspect. International law should try the Italian men. There is difference of opinion on this and it has not been resolved,' Terzi said. 

'We hope to pursue the matter in a friendly spirit, understanding and cooperation,' he added. 

Official sources, however, made it clear that there was no change in India's position and insisted that the Marines will be prosecuted according to the Indian law. 

Terzi said the incident was triggered by the widespread threat of piracy and exhorted greater cooperation with India in combating piracy. 

Two Indian fishermen, Ajesh Binki and Gelastine, were allegedly mistaken as pirates and shot dead by the security crew of cargo vessel Enrica Lexie on February 15. Two Italian Marines have been arrested for the shooting. 

Latorre Massimillano and Salvatore Girone have been remanded by a court in Kollam, 150 km from Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram, to 14 days of police custody. 

Last week, the two sides sought partial accommodation when the Kerala court hearing the shooting case allowed joint ballistic examination of the weapons used in the killing.

Fishermen killing: Ready for out of court settlement? asks HC

Posted on: 28 Feb 2012

Kochi:Kerala High Court today asked the owner of Italian Merchant Vessel Enrica Lexie and the families of the two fishermen allegedly killed by the marines whether they were willing for an out of court settlement for determining the compensation.A division bench comprising justices Thothatil B Radhakrishanan and C T Ravikumar posed the question on a petition filed by the fishermen's families complaining of inadequacy of the bank guarantee amount directed by a single bench. While Doramma wife of Valentine Jalastine had sought a compensation of Rs 1 crore, the sisters of Ajeesh Binki, another fishermen had approached the High Court for Rs 2 crore relief. 

The owner of the fishing boat, Freddy has also sought Rs 75 lakh compensation for the damage caused to his boat. The single Judge had ordered the ship owner to submit a bank guarantee of Rs 25 lakhs each for the families of the two killed and Rs 10 lakh for the damage caused to the boat. The Court also wanted to know who had ordered the firing and who was incharge of the marines who were providing security to the vessel. The bench also directed that the ship, now berthed in
Kochi, shall not leave till a decision is taken on the issue of compensation. The marines Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Gironi have been arrested and charged with murder for allegedly shooting the two fishermen dead on February 15 off Kollam coast, an incident that has led to a diplomatic row between India and Italy, which is making hectic efforts for their release.

The accused have contended before the court that Kerala police has no authority to conduct an investigation in the
case and courts in India have no jurisdiction as the incident had occurred beyond the Indian territorial waters. PTI

Fishermen killing: Ready for out of court settlement? asks HC

Posted on: 28 Feb 2012

Kochi:Kerala High Court today asked the owner of Italian Merchant Vessel Enrica Lexie and the families of the two fishermen allegedly killed by the marines whether they were willing for an out of court settlement for determining the compensation.A division bench comprising justices Thothatil B Radhakrishanan and C T Ravikumar posed the question on a petition filed by the fishermen's families complaining of inadequacy of the bank guarantee amount directed by a single bench. While Doramma wife of Valentine Jalastine had sought a compensation of Rs 1 crore, the sisters of Ajeesh Binki, another fishermen had approached the High Court for Rs 2 crore relief. 

The owner of the fishing boat, Freddy has also sought Rs 75 lakh compensation for the damage caused to his boat. The single Judge had ordered the ship owner to submit a bank guarantee of Rs 25 lakhs each for the families of the two killed and Rs 10 lakh for the damage caused to the boat. The Court also wanted to know who had ordered the firing and who was incharge of the marines who were providing security to the vessel. The bench also directed that the ship, now berthed in
Kochi, shall not leave till a decision is taken on the issue of compensation. The marines Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Gironi have been arrested and charged with murder for allegedly shooting the two fishermen dead on February 15 off Kollam coast, an incident that has led to a diplomatic row between India and Italy, which is making hectic efforts for their release.

The accused have contended before the court that Kerala police has no authority to conduct an investigation in the
case and courts in India have no jurisdiction as the incident had occurred beyond the Indian territorial waters. PTI