Repeated exposure to dental X-rays ups thyroid cancer risk

London, June 4 (ANI): Repeated exposure to dental X-rays increases thyroid cancer risk, a new study has revealed.

Analysing 313 cancer patients, scientists from Brighton, Cambridge and Kuwait found the chances of developing cancer rose with increasing numbers of dental X-rays.

“The public health and clinical implications of these findings are particularly relevant in the light of increases in the incidence of thyroid cancer in many countries over the past 30 years,” the Telegraph quoted Dr Anjum Memon, of the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, as saying.

However, Dr Memon was quick to add that the increasing use of sensitive diagnostic techniques does not necessarily account for the entire increase and that other causes warrant investigation. (ANI)

‘Who Assassinated Benazir Bhutto’ book may hold answers to long standing mystery

Islamabad, Apr.1 (ANI): While both international and Pakistani agencies are yet to come out with a final report regarding the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, an ‘investigative’ book penned by one of Pakistan’s most respected journalist, Shakeel Anjum, has revealed many hidden secrets surrounding the leader’s murder.

The book, ‘Who Assassinated Benazir Bhutto’, is an investigation carried out by the crime reporter of ‘The News’ in the past two years, besides discussion with officials of intelligence agencies, who have been associated with investigations.

In his book, Anjum, has disclosed several conspiracies which were hatched before and after Benazir’s murder, but he has left it to the readers to decide as to who are the real culprits.

The 300-page book also mentions many theories presented by investigating agencies after the high profile assassination.

The ‘lever theory’ presented by the Interior Ministry and later endorsed by the Scotland Yard team is one among those negated by Anjum in the book.

He has also raised questions about those who washed-off the crime scene within minutes of the ghastly incident and why they were not quizzed. (ANI)

Pak court fixes March 6 for next hearing of Mumbai trial case

SLAMABAD: A Pakistani court conducting the trial of seven suspects, including Lashker-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, charged with planning and facilitating the Mumbai attacks on Monday scheduled the next hearing of the case for March 6.

Sources said Monday’s hearing was a mere formality as the last hearing, scheduled for February 27, was not held as it coincided with the holiday marking Prophet Muhammad’s birth.

“The judge scheduled the next hearing for March 6,” Shahbaz Rajput, a lawyer representing some of the accused, said.

Sources said the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi also issued notices asking some prosecution witnesses to be present at the next hearing.

The trial is being conducted by judge Malik Muhammad Akram Awan within the heavily guarded Adiala Jail for security reasons.

The seven accused – Lakhvi, Zarar Shah, Abu al-Qama, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jamil Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younas Anjum – are being held in the same prison.

They were last year formally charged with planning and helping execute the assault on India’s financial hub in November 2008 that killed nearly 166 people.

PML-N moves privilege motion against Zardari

Islamabad, Sep 16 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League-N has moved a privilege motion in the National Assembly (NA) against the statement of President Asif Ali Zardari on giving the safe passage to the former president Pervez Musharraf.

The motion signed by 91 MNAs has been brought by Hanif Abbasi, Dr. Tariq Fazal and Anjum Aqeel, the NA Members of the PML-N.

It may be recalled that opposition leader in NA, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had announced to move a motion against Zardari the previous day, and demanded Zardari to present all the aspects of the deal – regarding Pervez Musharraf – in front of the nation and Parliament.

Earlier in the day, contradicting media reports over indemnity being granted to Musharraf, Zardari’s spokesman has said that there have been no negotiations with the so-called international guarantors to give indemnity to the former president.

In a statement, Farhatullah Babar said the President Zardari in an informal talk on Monday with reporters had remarked that national political leaders and parties had held negotiations among themselves to chase Musharraf out of office and restore Presidency to the democratic forces.

In the talk with journalists there was no mention of negotiations with the so-called national or international guarantors to give immunity to Musharraf subsequent to his exit, he said.

Zardari’s remarks of negotiations among national political parties to strategise the sacking of Musharraf have unfortunately been distorted and misrepresented as talks with so called guarantors for indemnity to Musharraf, Dawn quoted Babar, as saying.

He said no one denied the holding of negotiations among national political parties to drive Musharraf out of office.

Babar said it was the result of these negotiations that the national parliament and all provincial assemblies adopted resolutions calling upon Musharraf to quit.

It was also the result of these negotiations that the parties joined hands in preparing a comprehensive and historic charge sheet to impeach Musharraf in case he refused to quit, he said.

There was nothing new in Zardari’s remarks about negotiations among political parties to force Musharraf out of office, except for the distortion and spin now given to it, Babar added.

Babar said the noise and din raised over the alleged remarks wrongly attributed to the President is part of the campaign to discredit Zardari for anything and everything that goes wrong. (ANI)

A docudrama plays a story of women cricketers’ struggle and triumph

Kolkata, Sep 9 (ANI): A docudrama titled ‘Indian Women’s Cricket team Poor Cousins of Million Dollar Babies’ highlights the disparity between men and women cricket players in India.

As the title suggests, the docudrama shows how while men cricketers hog all the limelight and bask in the glory of success and money, women cricketers are way behind their male counterparts though they have been able to carve a name for themselves in the international sport arena.

The 25-minute audio-visual commentary narrates a story of the triumph of women’s cricket despite the disparities and differential treatment.

Former Indian Skipper Anjum Chopra said the docudrama has been able to mirror the women cricketers’ struggle, hard work and determination to reach the milestone they have achieved despite receiving far less attention of sports authority, sponsorship and media coverage as compared with their male counterparts.

“I really liked it. I think it’s very nice. It covers a lot of angels into the lives of women cricketers on and off the field. It’s a true depiction of the lives and struggles of Indian women cricketers go through,” Anjum Chopra added.

The The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI ) spends millions of rupees on men’s cricket and its stalwart players but women’s team, which has consistently done well in the context of world tournaments, has not received the same attention and promotion.

Sunil Yash Kalra, who has directed the documentary, said it’s time to tell the story of players engaged in the most popular and fast growing game in India despite their gender.

“It’s a sport which is a nerve centre of India, the subcontinent. And, it’s also included in the Asian Games next year. So, basically if you were to look at it… A, it’s the fastest growing game. B, there is a story that needs to be told about each individual member, that’s what the idea is to showcase the best to the rest of the world,” Kalra added.

The film also reveals interesting facts about women’s cricket in India. For example, women’s cricket in India can be traced back to early 20th century when an Australian school teacher Anne Kelleve made cricket a compulsory game at the Baker Memorial School in Kottayam, Kerala, in 1913.

The Women’s World Cup was initiated in 1973, two years before the men’s World Cup. And, Indian eves played T20 international cricket in 2006 while Indian men played their first match in 2007. (ANI)

Hockey Champions Challenge II – Indian women win hockey Champions Challenge II

Hockey Champions Challenge II – Indian women win hockey Champions Challenge II

Kazan (Russia), June 28 (IANS) Rani Rampal scored four goals as Indian women crushed Belgium 6-3 to win the inaugural Champions Challenge II hockey tournament here Saturday.

Rani, who emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, struck in the 17th, 38th, 44th and 54th minutes. Besides, Saba Anjum (20th min) and Thokchom Chanchan (49th min) scored a goal each. Skipper Valerie Vermeersch (40th, 52nd) and Boon Jill (55th) scored for Belgium.

India thus qualified for next year’s Champions Challenge I proper to be held in October in South Africa. India last played in Champions Challenge I, a qualification tournament for the elite Champions Trophy, in 2001 in Johannesburg and won a bronze medal.

The Indian women put up a dominating display here wining all their five matches.

This victory will also help erase some bad memories of last year’s Beijing Olympic qualifiers here when the team finished fourth among six teams. The title could not have been more satisfying for India which lost to Belgium in the Olympic qualifiers, but in this tournament they beat them twice. They had earlier defeated Belgium 5-3 in the Pool A opener.

In the final, India never gave any chance to Belgium and attacked right from the beginning.

During the first 15 minutes, both team had their chances, but India finally opened the scoring when Rani struck the first of her four goals in the final. India extended the lead three minutes later through a field goal by Anjum.

After leading 2-0 at half time, India kept up the pressure on Belgium in the second half.

Rani scored three minutes into the second half through a penalty corner before Belgium pulled one back through skipper Vermeersch’s short corner strike.

India, however, kept looking for goals and Rani soon gave them a comfortable 4-1 cushion — and the writing was very much on the wall for Belgium.

Chanchan sounded the board for India before Rani made it 6-2 after Vermeersch converted one more penalty corner. Boon Jill scored the last goal of the match for Belgium.

Indian captain Surinder Kaur was declared the best player of the tournament.

Ireland won the bronze medal after defeating Ukraine 2-1 in the bronze medal match. Belarus claimed the fifth position after a 2-1 win over Canada. Malaysia finished seventh and host Russia settled for the eighth position.

Shoaib should lose weight if he wants to play longer: Nawaz

Lahore, May 23 (ANI): Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz has advised Shoaib Akhtar to shed some weight if he wants to prolong his cricket career.

Blaming Akhtar for creating troubles for himself, Nawaz said the controversial pacer had only a year of international cricket left in him.

“I think he has created problems for himself. I think he has another year of international cricket left in him but for that he has to shed weight and work hard,” The Daily Times quoted Nawaz, as saying.

Nawaz said that these days fast bowlers gave emphasis on gym training only, rather than an all round body witness.

“The problem is that there is too much emphasis on gym training for bowlers and as a result while the upper body of the bowlers is strong their legs are weak and they constantly face fitness problems,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PCB has named Rao Iftikhar Anjum as a replacement for Akhtar, who was dropped from the World Twenty20 championship due to a skin infection.

Coach Intikhab Alam said 28-year-old Anjum would be a good replacement for Akhtar.

“It is good that Akhtar’s fitness position was clear. At least now we know where we stand as a team and I think Iftikhar is an able replacement for Akhtar,” Alam said. (ANI)

Pak favorites to win Twenty20 World Cup: Akram

Lahore, May 22 (ANI): Former captain Wasim Akram has said that Pakistan are favorites to win the next Twenty20 World Cup beginning in England from June 5.

Akram said Pakistan has the best track record in the Twenty20 format of the game as compared to other teams in the world, which makes it the favourites to win the coveted title.

“Pakistan has the best winning ratio of all the teams in the Twenty20 cricket. If they keep that consistency then they can lift the coveted title in England,” The Daily Times quoted Akram, as saying.

Pointing towards the team’s stupendous performance against Australia in the Twenty20 match in Dubai last month, Akram said Pakistan posses a strong bowling line-up that could create trouble for even the world’s best team.

“I thought Australia would thrash them in the one-off Twenty20 match in Dubai but it was the other way round, with Umar Gul, Shoail Tanvir and Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Pakistan have the best bowling attack backed by quality spin of Shahid Afridi,” he said.

Akram added that batting was the worrying factor for the team, as the senior players were struggling with their rhythm.

“Batting can let Pakistan down, as it has always done in the past, so there will be more responsibility on Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Misbahul Haq and Shahid Afridi,” he said.

ommenting on the defending champion India’s chances of winning the trophy once again, Akram said Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s dream of winning the championship for the second time could suffer, as the Indian players would be going into the event after a hectic season.

“I think Pakistan has played less cricket and will be fresh, while Indian players could be fatigued after playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL),” Akram added. (ANI)

An NRI comes forward to help slum dog kid with her education

Mumbai, Apr 21 (ANI): After watching the ongoing trouble and tribulations in the family of Slumdog Millionaire’s child artiste Rubina Ali through media, an NRI came forward to support Rubina with her education.

According to reports, Rubina’s father Rafiq Qureshi was caught on camera agreeing to sell his daughter to an Arab Sheikh.

Abdul Rehman Vanoo, the NRI, runs a trust in Mumbai by the name of Anjum Ittiehahul Mustaqim.

“What I heard from the media is really not tolerable. She has not done any fault. So why should she suffer and why should she leave her education because of this issue? She should continue and along with her if another brother or sister of hers is ready to educate themselves, then we will support them in all manner,” said Vanoo.

Vanoo on Tuesday visited the slum area in Garib Nagar residence where Rubina stays with her family.

Rubina was quite happy with this decision, as she seemed to be very keen in completing her education.

“I am willing to study. I am very happy that uncle Vanoo has come to visit us,” said Rubina.

Meanwhile, Qureshi continued to deny the allegations against him claiming that he was trapped.

“I meet so many people everyday in our country during various occasions and programs. But these people wanted to set a trap around me and in front of a hidden camera tried to buy my child. I didn’t let go off my child during our worst phase then how can I go and sell her now when she has become so famous,” he said.

A British newspaper reported that Qureshi tried to sell his nine-year old daughter for adoption to a family from Middle East for 20 million rupees and settle at a place away from the Mumbai slums. (ANI)

MUCC prizes given away

The M U College of Pimpri recently held its prize distribution function. Dr R V Kirdak, director of higher education, was the chief guest. On the occasion, annual academic prizes were distributed to various students. Principal V Nambiar said throughout the year, the college conducted various programmes as part of its silver jubliee celebrations. Well-known figures like Ram Jethmalani, Rahul Bajaj and Supriya Sule attended a silver jubilee function of the college and diamond jubilee of Jai Hind School run by the Jai Hind Sindhu Education Trusts.

The Finolex Rolling Trophy for the best outgoing student went to Roshan. Rahul Salunkhe bagged the Vision cover page competition prize. Ranjo Sunny was awarded for outstanding performance in sport. Sneha Javrani bagged the first prize in Sindhi elocution contest.

Among the other winners include Kirti Agarwal for highest marks at TY B.Com examination in April 2007, Priya Ramchandani for highest marks in T Y accountancy and Vaidya Asha for securing the highest marks in economics at T.Y.B.Com examination held in April 2008. Tamboli Anjum, Tany Bhatacharya, Rupali Mane, Thomas Fernandes, Jyoti Sachdev, Sneha Kumbhar, Dipendra Dasgupta, Velson Bhavya, Manju Melwani, Kalpana Kumareson, Manju Lohana, Suresh Soumya, Kanchan Hundalani and Abhijeet Mudliar were the other winners.

MUCC prizes given away

The M U College of Pimpri recently held its prize distribution function. Dr R V Kirdak, director of higher education, was the chief guest. On the occasion, annual academic prizes were distributed to various students. Principal V Nambiar said throughout the year, the college conducted various programmes as part of its silver jubliee celebrations. Well-known figures like Ram Jethmalani, Rahul Bajaj and Supriya Sule attended a silver jubilee function of the college and diamond jubilee of Jai Hind School run by the Jai Hind Sindhu Education Trusts.

The Finolex Rolling Trophy for the best outgoing student went to Roshan. Rahul Salunkhe bagged the Vision cover page competition prize. Ranjo Sunny was awarded for outstanding performance in sport. Sneha Javrani bagged the first prize in Sindhi elocution contest.

Among the other winners include Kirti Agarwal for highest marks at TY B.Com examination in April 2007, Priya Ramchandani for highest marks in T Y accountancy and Vaidya Asha for securing the highest marks in economics at T.Y.B.Com examination held in April 2008. Tamboli Anjum, Tany Bhatacharya, Rupali Mane, Thomas Fernandes, Jyoti Sachdev, Sneha Kumbhar, Dipendra Dasgupta, Velson Bhavya, Manju Melwani, Kalpana Kumareson, Manju Lohana, Suresh Soumya, Kanchan Hundalani and Abhijeet Mudliar were the other winners.

India beat Australia by 16 runs in ICC Women’s World Cup

Sydney, Mar 14 (ANI): India on Saturday started its super six campaign in style and thrashed world champions Australia by 16 runs at the ICC Women’s World Cup cricket tournament here.

Australian skipper Karen Rolton won the toss and elected to field first.

Her decision seemed wrong when Indian openers Anagha Despandhe (45) and Anjum Chopra (76) scored 69 runs for the first wicket.

The Indian team accumulated 73 runs in the last seven overs and reached a total of 234 for the loss of five wickets in 50 overs.

Chasing a target of 235, Australian team could manage to score only 219 for the loss of seven wickets.

This was Australia’s second defeat in the tournament.

For India, Reena Malhotra and Sultana scalped two wickets each. (ANI)

India beat Pakistan by 10 wickets in World Cup opener

Sydney, Mar 7 (ANI): India on Saturday started its World Cup campaign in style and thrashed Pakistan by 10 wickets in the opening match of the tournament.

India won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Indian team bowled with a great length and line and shot out the Pakistani team for a paltry 57 in 29 overs.

Indian openers Anjum Chopra and Anagha Deshpande scored 17 and 26 runs respectively and guided India to victory in only 10 overs.

For Pakistan only Sana Mir (17) and opener Nain Abidi (10) put up some resistance as all other bats-women failed to touch the double-digit mark.

Three of their players could not even open their accounts.

Indian Rumeli Dhar wreaked havoc as she accounted for three Pakistani players with an incredible figures of 8-5-7-3.

Anju Sharma and Priyanka Roy took two wickets each. (ANI)

India thrashes Pakistan by 10 wickets in Women’s World Cup

Sydney, Mar. 7 (ANI): In the first match of the Women”s World Cup at Bradman, the Indian bowlers put up a brilliant performance to thrash archrivals Pakistan by ten wickets.

After winning the toss, India elected to field first and dismissed its neighbour for only 57 runs.

India then attained the target within ten overs without losing any wickets.

Following the triumphant show of their bowlers, Anagha Deshpande (26) and Anjum Chopra (17) comfortably led India towards victory.

Among the Indian bowlers, Rumeli Dhar was the leading wicket taker, with three wickets giving away only seven runs.

Amita Sharma and Priyanka Roy took two wickets respectively, while skipper Jhulan Goswami and Gouher Sultana got a wicket each.

Pakistan will play its second match against Sri Lanka on March 9.

India have been clubbed with two-time world champions England and Sri Lanka, while Pakistan is in Group B.

Both England and India have a 100 per cent win record against the other two teams in the group.

Group A features Australia, West Indies, South Africa and New Zealand. (ANI)

Students protest against Israeli offensive in Gaza

New Delhi, Jan 5 (ANI): Students Federation of India (SFI), students” wing of Communist Party of India (Marxist), staged protest here today against Israeli offensive in Gaza and to show solidarity with the Palestinians.

The SFI protestors blamed the United States for the Israeli attack and accused United Progressive Alliance government for not strongly condemning the attacks on Gaza.

“Media is not being permitted entry into Gaza, so we have no clue of exact number of causalities. We have come to know that some schools have also been bombed. The UN and the US have maintained a silence and everything is happening on the dictates of the US. Our UPA government is not condemning in the strong way as it should have been,” said Rohini an activist.

The demonstrators also threw their footwear at the roadside to express their anger.

“We threw our footwear to condemn the inhumane attack and also to make them realise about their shameful act,” said Yusuf Anjum, another activist.

About 530 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since Israel launched its offensive on December 27 to curtail Hamas rocket attacks on its territory from Gaza. (ANI)