Charred body of youth found inside car

Alapuzha: A burnt body of a youth was found inside a car in Alapuzha on Friday morning. Dilip hailing from Thuravoor was the deceased. Seeing smoke and fire coming out of the car, natives informed police about the mishap. Dilip was into finance dealings in Chertala. The body has been shifted to the Alapuzha Medical College hospital.

Charred body of youth found inside car

Alapuzha: A burnt body of a youth was found inside a car in Alapuzha on Friday morning. Dilip hailing from Thuravoor was the deceased. Seeing smoke and fire coming out of the car, natives informed police about the mishap. Dilip was into finance dealings in Chertala. The body has been shifted to the Alapuzha Medical College hospital.

Mobile number portability up by 2.09 mn in November: TRAI

New Delhi: Request for mobile number portability (MNP) in November 2013 went up by 2.09 million, official data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said Thursday. MNP requests increased from 104.79 million subscribers at the end of October 2013 to 106.87 million at the end of November 2013, it said.

The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 904.56 million at the end of October 2013 to 910.14 million at the end of November 2013 -- thereby showing a monthly growth of 0.62 percent. The share of urban subscribers has declined from 60.26 percent to 60.06 percent while share of rural subscribers has increased from 39.74 percent to 39.94 percent in the month of November 2013. With this, the overall teledensity in India increased from 73.32 at the end of October 2013 to 73.69 at the end of November 2013.

Total wireless subscriber base increased from 875.48 million in October 2013 to 881.13 million at the end of November 2013 -- registering a monthly growth of 0.65 percent. The share of urban wireless subscribers has declined from 59.65 percent to 59.45 percent while the share of rural wireless subscribers has increased from 40.35 percent to 40.55 percent. The overall wireless teledensity in India has reached 71.34 from 70.96 in previous month. Wireline subscriber base declined from 29.08 million at the end of October 2013 to 29.01 million at the end of November 2013.

Mobile number portability up by 2.09 mn in November: TRAI

New Delhi: Request for mobile number portability (MNP) in November 2013 went up by 2.09 million, official data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said Thursday. MNP requests increased from 104.79 million subscribers at the end of October 2013 to 106.87 million at the end of November 2013, it said.

The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 904.56 million at the end of October 2013 to 910.14 million at the end of November 2013 -- thereby showing a monthly growth of 0.62 percent. The share of urban subscribers has declined from 60.26 percent to 60.06 percent while share of rural subscribers has increased from 39.74 percent to 39.94 percent in the month of November 2013. With this, the overall teledensity in India increased from 73.32 at the end of October 2013 to 73.69 at the end of November 2013.

Total wireless subscriber base increased from 875.48 million in October 2013 to 881.13 million at the end of November 2013 -- registering a monthly growth of 0.65 percent. The share of urban wireless subscribers has declined from 59.65 percent to 59.45 percent while the share of rural wireless subscribers has increased from 40.35 percent to 40.55 percent. The overall wireless teledensity in India has reached 71.34 from 70.96 in previous month. Wireline subscriber base declined from 29.08 million at the end of October 2013 to 29.01 million at the end of November 2013.

SC seeks details of production, sale of synthetic milk from states

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday asked all states and union territories to file affidavits on the steps taken by them on curbing the production and sale of synthetic milk and prosecution of the offenders. A bench of Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice Vikramajit Sen also inquired about the steps taken by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Delhi to make provision for life imprisonment under the Indian Penal Code's section 272 for producing and selling synthetic milk and other adulterated food.

Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha were the only states which have amended the section to provide for life imprisonment for food adulteration.
At present, under the section, punishment for the sale of adulterated food or drink items attracts maximum imprisonment of six months, or a fine which may extend to Rs.1,000, or both.

Apparently displeased with the responses of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana and highlighting the seriousness of the issue, Justice Radhakrishnan said that for the last two years, he was taking black coffee.
The court asked Uttar Pradesh to furnish the details of the prosecutions it had launched under the amended section 272 for those found involved in adulterating food articles, including manufacturing and selling synthetic milk.

The court's direction came after counsel Anurag Tomar, appearing for petitioner Swami Achyutanand Tirath of Haridwar-based Bhuma Niketan Ashram, told the court that though there were 52 and 22 cases of synthetic milk in the state during 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively, but in none was prosecution launched under the section. He said it was an admitted position in the Uttar Pradesh government's affidavit.

Tomar contended that 'apathy and inaction' of the central and the state governments in taking 'effective and necessary' measures in curbing the sale of synthetic (chemically prepared) and adulterated milk was violative of the fundamental right to life guaranteed under article 21 of the constitution.

Noting that three states have amended section 272 to increase sentence for food adulteration to life imprisonment, the court, in the last hearing on Dec 5, 2013, had said: 'Considering the seriousness of the offence, it is important that similar amendments are to be made in other states as well.'

The court impleaded all the states in the matter after Additional Solicitor General Rakesh Khanna told it that the central government has received responses from 27 states and was awaiting response from four to five others.

The court by its Dec 5 order had asked the central government as well as the Food Safety Authority to also file a detailed affidavit of the number of cases they have come across with regard to adding synthetic materials to milk and milk products and 'what action various states have taken after they have detected such adulteration'.

Giving three weeks time to the central and state government to file their replies, the court directed the listing of the matter Feb 20.

SC seeks details of production, sale of synthetic milk from states

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday asked all states and union territories to file affidavits on the steps taken by them on curbing the production and sale of synthetic milk and prosecution of the offenders. A bench of Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice Vikramajit Sen also inquired about the steps taken by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Delhi to make provision for life imprisonment under the Indian Penal Code's section 272 for producing and selling synthetic milk and other adulterated food.

Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha were the only states which have amended the section to provide for life imprisonment for food adulteration.
At present, under the section, punishment for the sale of adulterated food or drink items attracts maximum imprisonment of six months, or a fine which may extend to Rs.1,000, or both.

Apparently displeased with the responses of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana and highlighting the seriousness of the issue, Justice Radhakrishnan said that for the last two years, he was taking black coffee.
The court asked Uttar Pradesh to furnish the details of the prosecutions it had launched under the amended section 272 for those found involved in adulterating food articles, including manufacturing and selling synthetic milk.

The court's direction came after counsel Anurag Tomar, appearing for petitioner Swami Achyutanand Tirath of Haridwar-based Bhuma Niketan Ashram, told the court that though there were 52 and 22 cases of synthetic milk in the state during 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively, but in none was prosecution launched under the section. He said it was an admitted position in the Uttar Pradesh government's affidavit.

Tomar contended that 'apathy and inaction' of the central and the state governments in taking 'effective and necessary' measures in curbing the sale of synthetic (chemically prepared) and adulterated milk was violative of the fundamental right to life guaranteed under article 21 of the constitution.

Noting that three states have amended section 272 to increase sentence for food adulteration to life imprisonment, the court, in the last hearing on Dec 5, 2013, had said: 'Considering the seriousness of the offence, it is important that similar amendments are to be made in other states as well.'

The court impleaded all the states in the matter after Additional Solicitor General Rakesh Khanna told it that the central government has received responses from 27 states and was awaiting response from four to five others.

The court by its Dec 5 order had asked the central government as well as the Food Safety Authority to also file a detailed affidavit of the number of cases they have come across with regard to adding synthetic materials to milk and milk products and 'what action various states have taken after they have detected such adulteration'.

Giving three weeks time to the central and state government to file their replies, the court directed the listing of the matter Feb 20.

SC directs Ma’dani's medical tests, declines bail plea

New Delhi: Declining his bail plea for now, the Supreme Court Wednesday directed medical examination of 2008 Bangalore blasts accused Abdul Nasser Ma’dani to ascertain if he requires medical supervision till his eye surgery is done.

Ordering that Ma’dani be examined by Bangalore's Manipal Hospital in a week's time, the apex court bench of Justice H.L. Gokhale and Justice Kurian Joseph said that depending on the outcome of his medical examination, he will be shifted to the hospital. Ma’dani is diagnosed with highly fluctuating and uncontrolled diabetes which was the cause of the rapidly deteriorating condition of his eyes.

Besides he suffers from hypertension, stable coronary artery disease (heart disease) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of the prostate gland), amongst a myriad of other illnesses. The court said that authorities would ensure that he gets the required food both in jail and the hospital, adding that Ma’dani's wife and other close relatives would be allowed to visit him in the hospital.

The court said the Karnataka government would bear the expenses of Ma’dani's hospitalisation and treatment as he was in their custody. Earlier appearing for Ma’dani, counsel Prashant Bhushan told the court that his client was in custody for nearly three-and-half years. Earlier also, he was incarcerated for nine years in the Coimbatore blast case in which he was acquitted later.

Pleading that Ma’dani be granted two to three months' interim bail so that he could stay at home and get proper care, food and medical treatment, Bhushan told the court that Ma’dani has not been convicted for any offence so far. He said the only charge against him is that he attended a meeting where an alleged conspiracy was hatched.

The court was told that Ma’dani could not escape or flee as he suffers from multiple ailments -- he is confined to a wheel chair and has one leg amputated. Bhushan told the court that in the last hearing of the matter, the Kerala government had said that while in Kerala, Ma’dani would be provided with security cover. However, Bhushan's plea for an interim bail of two to three months was vehemently opposed by senior counsel Raju Ramachandran who appeared for Karnataka government.

Describing Maudany as "mastermind", Ramachandran said that conspiracy and instigation were far more serious offences. He told the court that considering t he nature of his offence, Ma’dani has been repeatedly denied bail. Having directed the treatment of Ma’dani, the court directed the listing of the matter March 26 next.

SC directs Ma’dani's medical tests, declines bail plea

New Delhi: Declining his bail plea for now, the Supreme Court Wednesday directed medical examination of 2008 Bangalore blasts accused Abdul Nasser Ma’dani to ascertain if he requires medical supervision till his eye surgery is done.

Ordering that Ma’dani be examined by Bangalore's Manipal Hospital in a week's time, the apex court bench of Justice H.L. Gokhale and Justice Kurian Joseph said that depending on the outcome of his medical examination, he will be shifted to the hospital. Ma’dani is diagnosed with highly fluctuating and uncontrolled diabetes which was the cause of the rapidly deteriorating condition of his eyes.

Besides he suffers from hypertension, stable coronary artery disease (heart disease) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of the prostate gland), amongst a myriad of other illnesses. The court said that authorities would ensure that he gets the required food both in jail and the hospital, adding that Ma’dani's wife and other close relatives would be allowed to visit him in the hospital.

The court said the Karnataka government would bear the expenses of Ma’dani's hospitalisation and treatment as he was in their custody. Earlier appearing for Ma’dani, counsel Prashant Bhushan told the court that his client was in custody for nearly three-and-half years. Earlier also, he was incarcerated for nine years in the Coimbatore blast case in which he was acquitted later.

Pleading that Ma’dani be granted two to three months' interim bail so that he could stay at home and get proper care, food and medical treatment, Bhushan told the court that Ma’dani has not been convicted for any offence so far. He said the only charge against him is that he attended a meeting where an alleged conspiracy was hatched.

The court was told that Ma’dani could not escape or flee as he suffers from multiple ailments -- he is confined to a wheel chair and has one leg amputated. Bhushan told the court that in the last hearing of the matter, the Kerala government had said that while in Kerala, Ma’dani would be provided with security cover. However, Bhushan's plea for an interim bail of two to three months was vehemently opposed by senior counsel Raju Ramachandran who appeared for Karnataka government.

Describing Maudany as "mastermind", Ramachandran said that conspiracy and instigation were far more serious offences. He told the court that considering t he nature of his offence, Ma’dani has been repeatedly denied bail. Having directed the treatment of Ma’dani, the court directed the listing of the matter March 26 next.

NASA technology to reveal ice melting impact on climate

Washington: A new laser-based technology from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) holds promise to tell how the melting of earth’s frozen regions may affect our climate.

This opens a new vista for researchers to better track the melting or growth of ice sheets, glaciers and sea ice. A high-altitude aircraft from NASA flew over the icy Arctic ocean and the snow-covered terrain of Greenland recently.  Aboard that aircraft flew the Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar, or MABEL, which is an airborne test-bed instrument for NASA's ICESat-2 satellite mission - slated to launch in 2017. Armed with a new photon-counting technique, MABEL flew over southwest Greenland's glaciers and sea ice to test a new method of measuring the height of earth from space.

The MABEL sent out pulses of green laser light and measured how long it took individual light photons to bounce off earth's surface and return. “Using the individual photons to measure surface elevation is a really new thing,” said Ron Kwok, a senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. ICESat-2 is tasked with measuring elevation across earth's entire surface but with a focus on change in the frozen areas of the planet, where scientists have observed dramatic impacts from climate change, said a NASA press release.

The two types of ice - ice sheets and sea ice - reflect light photons in different patterns. Ice sheets and glaciers are found on land, like Greenland and Antarctica, and are formed as frozen snow and rain accumulates. Sea ice, on the other hand, is frozen seawater, found floating in the Arctic ocean and offshore of Antarctica. “MABEL's Greenland campaign was designed to observe a range of interesting icy features,” said Bill Cook, MABEL's lead scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland. With the photon counts from different surfaces, other scientists could start analysing the data to determine which methods allow them to best measure the elevation of earth's surface.

The flights over the ocean near Greenland allowed researchers to demonstrate that they can measure the height difference between open water and sea ice, which is key to determining the ice thickness. MABEL can detect enough of the laser light photons that bounce off earth's surface and return to the instrument, and programmes can then make necessary elevation calculations, Cook added. “We were pretty happy with the precision. The flat areas are flat to centimetre level and the rough areas are rough,” he said. The density of photons detection could also tell researchers what type of ice the instrument was flying over. The instrument team is planning a 2014 summer campaign to fly over glaciers and ice sheets in warmer weather. 

IANS

NASA technology to reveal ice melting impact on climate

Washington: A new laser-based technology from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) holds promise to tell how the melting of earth’s frozen regions may affect our climate.

This opens a new vista for researchers to better track the melting or growth of ice sheets, glaciers and sea ice. A high-altitude aircraft from NASA flew over the icy Arctic ocean and the snow-covered terrain of Greenland recently.  Aboard that aircraft flew the Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar, or MABEL, which is an airborne test-bed instrument for NASA's ICESat-2 satellite mission - slated to launch in 2017. Armed with a new photon-counting technique, MABEL flew over southwest Greenland's glaciers and sea ice to test a new method of measuring the height of earth from space.

The MABEL sent out pulses of green laser light and measured how long it took individual light photons to bounce off earth's surface and return. “Using the individual photons to measure surface elevation is a really new thing,” said Ron Kwok, a senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. ICESat-2 is tasked with measuring elevation across earth's entire surface but with a focus on change in the frozen areas of the planet, where scientists have observed dramatic impacts from climate change, said a NASA press release.

The two types of ice - ice sheets and sea ice - reflect light photons in different patterns. Ice sheets and glaciers are found on land, like Greenland and Antarctica, and are formed as frozen snow and rain accumulates. Sea ice, on the other hand, is frozen seawater, found floating in the Arctic ocean and offshore of Antarctica. “MABEL's Greenland campaign was designed to observe a range of interesting icy features,” said Bill Cook, MABEL's lead scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland. With the photon counts from different surfaces, other scientists could start analysing the data to determine which methods allow them to best measure the elevation of earth's surface.

The flights over the ocean near Greenland allowed researchers to demonstrate that they can measure the height difference between open water and sea ice, which is key to determining the ice thickness. MABEL can detect enough of the laser light photons that bounce off earth's surface and return to the instrument, and programmes can then make necessary elevation calculations, Cook added. “We were pretty happy with the precision. The flat areas are flat to centimetre level and the rough areas are rough,” he said. The density of photons detection could also tell researchers what type of ice the instrument was flying over. The instrument team is planning a 2014 summer campaign to fly over glaciers and ice sheets in warmer weather. 

IANS