Rape cases: SC wants drastic changes in law for quick disposal

New Delhi : Setting up of fast-track courts to try rape cases is not sufficient to ensure speedy justice to the victims, the Supreme Court has said, favouring 'drastic' amendment in the law for quick disposal of such matters. 'Fast-track courts no doubt are constituted for expeditious disposal of cases involving the charge of rape at the trial stage, but we are perturbed and anguished to notice that although there are fast-track courts for disposal of such cases, we do not yet have a fast-track procedure for dealing with cases of rape and gangrape with the result that such heinous offences are repeated incessantly,' a bench headed by Justice Gyan Sudha Misra said.

'We are of the considered opinion that there is pressing need to introduce drastic amendments into the CrPC,' it said. Expressing concern that the Centre was not taking any steps to amend the law to ensure fast-track procedure, the apex court sought response from the government on why statements of victims and  itnesses in rape cases be not recorded by a judicial magistrate which can be treated as an evidence instead of the police recording them which is inadmissible. The bench said that it would put an end to recording of evidence of the victim and other witnesses multiple times which is the primary reason for delay of the trial. PTI

Rape cases: SC wants drastic changes in law for quick disposal

New Delhi : Setting up of fast-track courts to try rape cases is not sufficient to ensure speedy justice to the victims, the Supreme Court has said, favouring 'drastic' amendment in the law for quick disposal of such matters. 'Fast-track courts no doubt are constituted for expeditious disposal of cases involving the charge of rape at the trial stage, but we are perturbed and anguished to notice that although there are fast-track courts for disposal of such cases, we do not yet have a fast-track procedure for dealing with cases of rape and gangrape with the result that such heinous offences are repeated incessantly,' a bench headed by Justice Gyan Sudha Misra said.

'We are of the considered opinion that there is pressing need to introduce drastic amendments into the CrPC,' it said. Expressing concern that the Centre was not taking any steps to amend the law to ensure fast-track procedure, the apex court sought response from the government on why statements of victims and  itnesses in rape cases be not recorded by a judicial magistrate which can be treated as an evidence instead of the police recording them which is inadmissible. The bench said that it would put an end to recording of evidence of the victim and other witnesses multiple times which is the primary reason for delay of the trial. PTI

Petrol, diesel prices hiked

New Delhi: Petrol and diesel will cost Rs.2.35 and Rs.0.50 more per litre, excluding state taxes, from midnight Saturday, state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) announced. The IOC said that it had to hike prices due to sharp depreciation of the rupee and hardening of crude prices in the international market due to the volatile situation in Syria. The Indian rupee has lost more than 25 percent against the dollar since the beginning of the financial year. On Aug 28, 2013, the partially-convertible rupee touched a new record low of 68.80 against the dollar. Concerns have been raised over escalation in tensions in Syria with a possible US intervention and, thereafter, the fallout on oil prices. India currently, imports almost 79 percent of its total crude oil requirements.

'Currently, the rupee-dollar exchange rate continues to be extremely volatile. Also the geopolitical situation in the Middle-East is leading to pressure on international oil prices as well,' the IOC said in a statement. 'In view of these conditions, movement of prices in international oil markets and rupee-dollar exchange rate is being closely monitored and subsequent price changes will reflect developing trends of the market.' The three state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) had last raised prices of petrol and diesel by Rs.0.70 and Rs.0.50 more per litre, respectively on Aug 1, 2013. In Delhi, the petrol price would increase to Rs.74.10 per litre while diesel would increase to Rs.51.97 per litre.

Similarly, in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, petrol would now be priced at Rs.81.57, Rs.77.48 and Rs.81.57 per litre respectively. For diesel, the upward revision would result in prices of Rs.58.86, Rs.55.37 and Rs.56.33 per litre in the three cities respectively. IOC further said that even after the current increase, under-recovery on retail diesel would be Rs.12.12 per litre. OMCs have been authorised by the government to increase the selling price of diesel within a small range every month. Currently, the government subsidies the retail selling prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas to insulate domestic users from the impact of rise in international oil prices and to contain domestic inflationary conditions.

For other sensitive products the under-recoveries for kerosene stands at Rs.36.83 per litre and Rs.470 per cylinder for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). According to the current estimates, for 2013-14, the three OMCs are slated to incur under-recovery of Rs 1,44,000 crore crore on sale of three sensitive products. The OMCs had incurred under-recovery of Rs.1,61,029 crore during 2012-13 and Rs.25,579 crore during April-June 2013. The three OMCs have reported a combined loss of Rs.4,403 crore in the first (April-June) quarter of the current fiscal.

Petrol, diesel prices hiked

New Delhi: Petrol and diesel will cost Rs.2.35 and Rs.0.50 more per litre, excluding state taxes, from midnight Saturday, state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) announced. The IOC said that it had to hike prices due to sharp depreciation of the rupee and hardening of crude prices in the international market due to the volatile situation in Syria. The Indian rupee has lost more than 25 percent against the dollar since the beginning of the financial year. On Aug 28, 2013, the partially-convertible rupee touched a new record low of 68.80 against the dollar. Concerns have been raised over escalation in tensions in Syria with a possible US intervention and, thereafter, the fallout on oil prices. India currently, imports almost 79 percent of its total crude oil requirements.

'Currently, the rupee-dollar exchange rate continues to be extremely volatile. Also the geopolitical situation in the Middle-East is leading to pressure on international oil prices as well,' the IOC said in a statement. 'In view of these conditions, movement of prices in international oil markets and rupee-dollar exchange rate is being closely monitored and subsequent price changes will reflect developing trends of the market.' The three state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) had last raised prices of petrol and diesel by Rs.0.70 and Rs.0.50 more per litre, respectively on Aug 1, 2013. In Delhi, the petrol price would increase to Rs.74.10 per litre while diesel would increase to Rs.51.97 per litre.

Similarly, in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, petrol would now be priced at Rs.81.57, Rs.77.48 and Rs.81.57 per litre respectively. For diesel, the upward revision would result in prices of Rs.58.86, Rs.55.37 and Rs.56.33 per litre in the three cities respectively. IOC further said that even after the current increase, under-recovery on retail diesel would be Rs.12.12 per litre. OMCs have been authorised by the government to increase the selling price of diesel within a small range every month. Currently, the government subsidies the retail selling prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas to insulate domestic users from the impact of rise in international oil prices and to contain domestic inflationary conditions.

For other sensitive products the under-recoveries for kerosene stands at Rs.36.83 per litre and Rs.470 per cylinder for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). According to the current estimates, for 2013-14, the three OMCs are slated to incur under-recovery of Rs 1,44,000 crore crore on sale of three sensitive products. The OMCs had incurred under-recovery of Rs.1,61,029 crore during 2012-13 and Rs.25,579 crore during April-June 2013. The three OMCs have reported a combined loss of Rs.4,403 crore in the first (April-June) quarter of the current fiscal.

Eating kiwi improves digestion

Los Angeles: Eating kiwi fruit can help in better digestion, new research says.

According to research, the green kiwi fruit has enzyme actinidin, which is not present in any other fruit. This enzyme can deliver enhanced gastric digestion, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

'Although somewhat already recognised as a natural digestive aid, this research focused on the role of kiwi fruit in the breaking down of food protein that can be particularly hard to digest in comparison to other foods,' Nele Moorthamers, European marketing manager of kiwifruit exporter Zespri, which conducted the research, said in a statement.'Kiwi fruit is rich in actinidin which breaks down protein quicker and more effectively than digestive enzymes can do alone, making kiwi fruit a perfect choice to overcome digestive issues,' added Moorthamers. 
The study promotes the use of kiwi fruit as a part of an individual's daily diet.

Eating kiwi improves digestion

Los Angeles: Eating kiwi fruit can help in better digestion, new research says.

According to research, the green kiwi fruit has enzyme actinidin, which is not present in any other fruit. This enzyme can deliver enhanced gastric digestion, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

'Although somewhat already recognised as a natural digestive aid, this research focused on the role of kiwi fruit in the breaking down of food protein that can be particularly hard to digest in comparison to other foods,' Nele Moorthamers, European marketing manager of kiwifruit exporter Zespri, which conducted the research, said in a statement.'Kiwi fruit is rich in actinidin which breaks down protein quicker and more effectively than digestive enzymes can do alone, making kiwi fruit a perfect choice to overcome digestive issues,' added Moorthamers. 
The study promotes the use of kiwi fruit as a part of an individual's daily diet.

Night sleep vital for brain to focus

Washington: Not being able to sleep at night could be costing our mind dearly, as researchers have observed difference in brain function of people saying they have insomnia and those enjoying a full night's sleep. According to researchers at the University of California, San Diego, the poor sleepers struggled in focussing part of their brain during memory tests. Other experts said the brain's wiring may actually be affecting perceptions of sleep quality, the BBC reported. The findings, published in the journal Sleep, have shown how people with insomnia not just struggle to sleep at night, but it also has consequences for them during the day in terms of delayed reaction times and memory.

The study compared 25 people who said they had insomnia with as many describing themselves as good sleepers. MRI brain scans were carried out while they performed increasingly challenging memory tests. Sean Drummond, one of the researchers, said: 'We found that insomnia subjects did not properly turn on brain regions critical to a working memory task and did not turn off 'mind-wandering' brain regions irrelevant to the task. 'This data helps us understand that people with insomnia not only have trouble sleeping at night, but their brains are not functioning as efficiently during the day.'

Night sleep vital for brain to focus

Washington: Not being able to sleep at night could be costing our mind dearly, as researchers have observed difference in brain function of people saying they have insomnia and those enjoying a full night's sleep. According to researchers at the University of California, San Diego, the poor sleepers struggled in focussing part of their brain during memory tests. Other experts said the brain's wiring may actually be affecting perceptions of sleep quality, the BBC reported. The findings, published in the journal Sleep, have shown how people with insomnia not just struggle to sleep at night, but it also has consequences for them during the day in terms of delayed reaction times and memory.

The study compared 25 people who said they had insomnia with as many describing themselves as good sleepers. MRI brain scans were carried out while they performed increasingly challenging memory tests. Sean Drummond, one of the researchers, said: 'We found that insomnia subjects did not properly turn on brain regions critical to a working memory task and did not turn off 'mind-wandering' brain regions irrelevant to the task. 'This data helps us understand that people with insomnia not only have trouble sleeping at night, but their brains are not functioning as efficiently during the day.'

Humanitarian, ecological initiatives on Amma's birthday

Thiruvananthapuram: Free surgeries, a plantation drive, book releases besides music and dance programmes will mark the 60th birthday of 'hugging saint' Mata Amritanandamayi. Acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur will film the event, named 'Amritavarsham60'. The two-day programme will conclude Sep 27, the day she turns 60. Most of the events will be held at her mutt, about 80 km from the state capital. Around half a million followers from India and abroad are expected to turn up. 'The Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi will provide Rs.50 crore of free kidney transplants, cardiac surgeries and cancer treatments to the poor throughout the country,' said a release issued by the mutt Saturday.

As a member of the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign, the mutt along with Amma's other organisations will embark on a go-green mission across continents, planting six million saplings over a year. Of this, more than 600,000 would be planted in Kerala with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy watering the first sapling Sep 2 in Thiruvananthapuram. Amrita Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine will introduce several cutting-edge technologies developed by it. These include an implantable beating-heart patch for heart-attack victims, a nano-medicine that treats drug-resistant leukaemia and a drug-delivering polymer wafer to prevent recurrence of brain tumours.

The mutt will introduce integrated nano material-developed solar cells and 500-time extra efficient battery and having larger power density. The project is being done jointly with the Amrita University School of Engineering in Amritapuri. 
A three-day-long ritualistic prayer 'Mahachandika Homam' will be conducted for world peace in the mutt with more than 50 traditionally trained priests taking part.
Musicians, singers and dancers from around the world, cutting across artistic cultures and styles, will render performances.

Humanitarian, ecological initiatives on Amma's birthday

Thiruvananthapuram: Free surgeries, a plantation drive, book releases besides music and dance programmes will mark the 60th birthday of 'hugging saint' Mata Amritanandamayi. Acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur will film the event, named 'Amritavarsham60'. The two-day programme will conclude Sep 27, the day she turns 60. Most of the events will be held at her mutt, about 80 km from the state capital. Around half a million followers from India and abroad are expected to turn up. 'The Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi will provide Rs.50 crore of free kidney transplants, cardiac surgeries and cancer treatments to the poor throughout the country,' said a release issued by the mutt Saturday.

As a member of the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign, the mutt along with Amma's other organisations will embark on a go-green mission across continents, planting six million saplings over a year. Of this, more than 600,000 would be planted in Kerala with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy watering the first sapling Sep 2 in Thiruvananthapuram. Amrita Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine will introduce several cutting-edge technologies developed by it. These include an implantable beating-heart patch for heart-attack victims, a nano-medicine that treats drug-resistant leukaemia and a drug-delivering polymer wafer to prevent recurrence of brain tumours.

The mutt will introduce integrated nano material-developed solar cells and 500-time extra efficient battery and having larger power density. The project is being done jointly with the Amrita University School of Engineering in Amritapuri. 
A three-day-long ritualistic prayer 'Mahachandika Homam' will be conducted for world peace in the mutt with more than 50 traditionally trained priests taking part.
Musicians, singers and dancers from around the world, cutting across artistic cultures and styles, will render performances.