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PML-N may change role in opposition after 18th Amendment Bill is approved

April 5, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr 5(ANI): Pakistan’s political scenario is likely to undergo a change in the years to come, if the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) shifts from being a ‘friendly’ opposition to a ‘responsible’ one after the 18th Amendment Bill is approved.

According to reports, the PML-N’s major concern in the bill is the removal of the restriction on a third term as a premier.

Differences also cropped up between the coalition government over many issues, such as the reinstatement of judges and the federal cabinet formula, and the PML-N withdrew from the coalition and joined the judiciary’s campaign, The Daily Times reports.

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had ruled out joining the federal cabinet, saying his party has no intentions of joining the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government.

Denying reports of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani asking him to join the cabinet and become a federal minister after the 17th amendment were abolished, Sharif had said the PML-N would continue to play the role of a ‘responsible’ opposition.

“After the 18th amendment bill is passed, the government should start concentrating on providing relief to the common man,” Sharif had said.(ANI)

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WII to host global deer conservation meet in Srinagar next month

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Sep 16 (ANI): The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is hosting a five day global meeting of the deer experts here-from October 9 to discuss conservation plans for the Hangul, which is also known as Kashmir Stag.

The meeting is also expected to chalk out a long-term effective management plan for the conservation of Hangul habitat.

Hangul is one of the endangered species of the world and has been listed in the Red Data Book of International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

According to WII Director P.R. Sharma the experts would share their knowledge in the management and conservation of endangered deer species in general and Red deer and its subspecies such as Hangul in particular in the meeting.

Conservationists from Russia, East Tibet, Middle East, Afghanistan and China will deliberate on issues threatening the existence of the species and formulate strategies, take effective relocation and recovery plan at the meet.

The conference would help the Indian conservationists to enhance and updating scientific knowledge on globally successful species recovery, conservation programmes and aspects of deer ecology, Sinha said.

That the meet is being held in Srinagar itself mirrors the government’s concern to urgently save the Hangul, one of the four easternmost subspecies of Red deer that is endemic to Kashmir mountains in Jammu and Kashmir.

The population the Hangul, which is one of the four easternmost subspecies of Red deer, has declined from an estimated 2000 individuals in 1947 to about 170-200 individuals in recent years, due to poaching, excessive grazing of livestock, forest fires.

Deer are important part of woodland ecosystems and their effects are vital to the survival of plants and animals that depend on open woodlands. Their low numbers and restricted range is of great ecological concern amongst the conservationists throughout the world. (ANI)

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Tibetans-in-exile at Leh react strongly to Chinese incursion

September 15, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Leh, Sep 15 (ANI): Members of the exiled Tibetan community at Leh reacted strongly to the recent Chinese trespass into India’s border areas in Ladakh region.

Such concern was expressed by functionaries of Tibetan fora based at Leh on Monday.

Warning India of Chinese designs, Kunzang Dechen, President of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Leh, termed China as the biggest threat to India.

“China these days is a great threat to India. I have seen through channels…that the Chinese are entering to the border but when Tibet is an independent nation, when Tibet is in between them, China has nothing to bother even. From Indian point of view, this must be settled through Tibet and not through China,” Deche added.

Sonam Gyatso, President of Tibetan Market Welfare Association, Leh, said that if the recent developments in Ladakh are ignored by the government of India, then Ladakh would also meet the same fate as Tibet.

“The one and half kilometres incursion by the Chinese troops in Ladakh…. written at the border area in Chinese ‘Republic of China’, all these will have a bad impact on Ladakh. In Pangong Lake, first they said 45 kilometres is under China and 45 kilometres is under India, which they (Chinese) have extended to 50 kilometres and if Ladakhi government and the authorities ignore this issue then whatever happened in Tibet, the same would happen in Ladakh also since Ladakh is a very isolated region,” Gyatso added.

Officials sources have said that Chinese troops entered nearly 1.5 kilometres into the Indian territory near Mount Gya, which is recognised as the international border by India and China, and painted the word ‘China’ in Cantonese on the boulders and rocks there with red spray paint. The incursions were reported from the area generally referred in the Chumar sector in east of Leh.

The 22,420 ft Mount Gya, also known as “fair princess of snow” by the Army is located at the tri-junction of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Tibet. Its boundary was marked during the British era and is regarded as International border by the two countries.

The border patrol discovered the red paint markings on various rocks and boulders along the Zulung La (pass) on July 31 and the Chinese had entered into the area and written “China” all over the place, the sources said.

Indian soldiers later erased the text, writing ‘India’ instead.

This is not the first such reported intrusion. On June 21 Chinese helicopters had violated the Indian air space along the Line of Actual Control in Chumar region. The Chinese troops also reportedly dropped expired tinned food packets in the area. (ANI)

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Your bathroom showers are hazardous to health

September 15, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, September 15 (ANI): That invigorating relief and good cleansing from daily bathroom showers may bring along a face full of potentially pathogenic bacteria, warn researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Using high-tech instruments and lab methods, the researchers analysed roughly 50 showerheads from nine cities in seven states that included New York City, Chicago and Denver.

CU-Boulder Distinguished Professor Norman Pace, lead study author, says that about 30 percent of the devices were found to harbour significant levels of Mycobacterium avium, a pathogen linked to pulmonary disease that most often infects people with compromised immune systems, but which can occasionally infect healthy people.

The study showed that some M. avium and related pathogens were clumped together in slimy “biofilms” that clung to the inside of showerheads at more than 100 times the “background” levels of municipal water.

“If you are getting a face full of water when you first turn your shower on, that means you are probably getting a particularly high load of Mycobacterium avium, which may not be too healthy,” Pace said.

He pointed out that research at National Jewish Hospital in Denver indicated that increases in pulmonary infections in the US in recent decades from so-called “non-tuberculosis” mycobacteria species, such as M. avium, could be attributed to people taking more showers and fewer baths.

He said that water spurting from showerheads could distribute pathogen-filled droplets that suspend themselves in the air, and could easily be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lungs.

“There have been some precedents for concern regarding pathogens and showerheads. But until this study we did not know just how much concern,” said Pace.

In Denver, according to the researcher, one showerhead with high loads of Mycobacterium gordonae was cleaned with a bleach solution in an attempt to eradicate it, but tests conducted several months later showed that the bleach treatment ironically caused a three-fold increase in the pathogen, indicating a general resistance of mycobacteria species to chlorine.

Ask Pace whether it is dangerous to take showers, and he says: “Probably not, if your immune system is not compromised in some way. But it’s like anything else-there is a risk associated with it.”

He stresses that plastic showerheads appear to “load up” with more pathogen-enriched biofilms, and thus metal showerheads may be a good alternative.

“There are lessons to be learned here in terms of how we handle and monitor water. Water monitoring in this country is frankly archaic. The tools now exist to monitor it far more accurately and far less expensively that what is routinely being done today,” said Pace.

A research article on his study has been published in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (ANI)

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Adopt new, transparent selection process for police forces: Chidambaram

September 15, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday asked the State Governments to adopt new, time bound and transparent selection process for the state police forces on the lines of the Central Police Force selection procedure.

Addressing the three-day long conference of the Directors Generals and Inspectors Generals of state police forces organized by Intelligence Bureau, Chidambaram said: “Revamp the recruitment procedures and make them quick, time bound and transparent. We have introduced a new recruitment procedure in the CPMFs that is based on technology, objective assessment and transparency. I would take this opportunity to urge State Governments to immediately adopt the new procedure.”

Chidambaram expressed concern over the way police officers are treated and asked states to constitute the police establishment boards as the earliest.

“Constitute a Police Establishment Board that would decide on transfers and postings. It is a matter of deep regret that many police officers have been reduced to a football, to be kicked here and there, from one post to another, without regard to the damage done to the job as well as the officer,” he said.

Expressing concern over the non providing of funds to the police forces by some of the states, Chidambaram said: “I am also concerned about the attitude of some State Governments to providing funds for the police. Let me remind you that Police and Public Order are State subjects. States are right in zealously guarding their turf. The Central Government has no desire to encroach upon the jurisdiction of the State Governments. Given the Constitutional responsibility, State Governments must provide adequate funds for the State Police. “

The Home Minister appealed to the state governments to change the practice of allotting the residue – after providing funds for other Plan and Non-Plan Schemes to the head of Police.

The Central Government increased over Rs.13, 000 crore in the budget of the current fiscal to strengthening the CPFs, and for Modernization of Police Force, CCTNS, Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Services, Scheme of ICP, etc.

Chidambaram called on the conference to mark the beginning of a process of reinventing the security system in the country.

“We must learn from our past mistakes. We must also learn from the experience of other countries. It is the neglect of tried and tested methods that has led us to a situation where we seemed unequal to the challenges that face the internal security of the country,” he said.It is not enough to walk with firm steps on the path that is known. We must also lay out a path forward that will draw heavily upon technology and innovation,” Chidambaram added.

He said once the ambitious projects of CCTN and NATGRID are fully rolled out and implemented, it would mark a quantum jump in our ability to counter the challenges that we face.

Chidambaram also stressed on the creation of a first rate National Counter Terrorism Centre.

“It is also my desire that once the Police Mission submits its report, we should implement the recommendations in a time-bound manner. There is the need to enact a “Model Police Act”. Mega-city policing is a new requirement, and there is much to learn from the experiences of other mega-cities,” Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram also asked the state police chiefs to sharply upgrade our Forensic Science Laboratories and make them among the best in the world. (ANI)

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Australia to safeguard international students

September 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Canberra (Australia), Sep. 14 (ANI): Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Julia Gillard said every effort would be made by her government to ensure the safety of international students in the country.

She was speaking on the opening day of a two-day round table meeting in Canberra on Monday to discuss major issues of concern for international students, Sinhua reports.

The overseas student industry, worth 15.5 billion Australian dollars, has been under scrutiny following an outcry earlier this year over violence against Indian students.

“When you’re talking about these grossly objectionable, violent incidents, you’re talking about a number of less than 10 and we are talking about around 100,000 Indian students in the country,” Gillard later told reporters.

“But I can understand why, having seen even one incident — mums and dads having sent their sons and daughters far from home to study would be concerned,” she added.

Gillard told the 31 assembled students, representing every continent on the globe, their voice was deeply important.

She said their views will be fed into Council of Australian Governments (COAG) deliberations on how to boost the international student experience and a parliamentary review that is currently underway. (ANI)

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Delhi CM says preparations for Commonwealth Games on schedule

September 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.14 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday rebutted criticism of her government’s efforts on preparations for the Commonwealth Games to be held in the national capitalext year.

Reacting to Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell’s concerns about the organizing committee’s ability to deliver, Dikshit said that she had not received or read Fennell’s letter to Suresh Kalmadi, but was confident that the games preparations are going as per schedule.

Dikshit’s reaction came a day after Fennell sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention to expedite preparations for the 2010 event.

In his letter to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CWOGC), a furious Fennell asked Kalmadi to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Singh next month.

“Our main concern relates to the capacity of the Organising Committee to deliver operationally. Preparations for the Games are significantly behind, so much so that the Commonwealth Games Federation is extremely worried about the Organising Committee’s ability to deliver the games to any comparable standard to that of the last two editions of the Games in Manchester and Melbourne,” Fennell wrote in his letter

Fennell claimed that the vast majority of functional areas were considerably behind schedule and that an overhaul in the management culture and operation of the organising committee was needed, else the Games “will fail from an operational perspective”.

“With only a year to run until the Games, I feel I must personally brief the Prime Minister of India on the lack of preparations and to seek his input in developing an appropriate recovery plan. I have asked the Chairman of the Organising Committee to facilitate such a meeting on my return to Delhi in early October for our General Assembly,” he said. (ANI)

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WAGs declare war on Capello following their World Cup ban

September 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Sep 12 (ANI): England’s WAGs have blasted coach Fabio Capello after he banned them from the World Cup in South Africa and laid down strict rules for them.

Capello insisted that his stars will not go to the tournament for a holiday, and warned their wives and girlfriends: “If you don’t like it, don’t come.”

He ruled that his current squad can have just one day with their partners and families after each game next summer. And that will be the only socialising allowed.

The WAGs hit back after the team boss insisted the South Africa trip will not be a “holiday” by saying that they were a vital part of the beautiful game, the Daily Star reports.

Speaking on behalf of the international players’ wives, Lizzie Cundy, 38, wife of ex-Chelsea ace Jason, 39, said: “Fabio has made the wrong decision.”

Danielle Lloyd, 25, who is dating Portsmouth loan signing Jamie O’Hara, 22, says WAGs are vital to the game.

“I understand Fabio’s concern. It isn’t a good idea for the wives and girlfriends of the footballers to be taking them away from their careers. But it is important for us to be supporting our partners, as that will also help them with their game. I always make sure Jamie eats well and rests in the run-up to a game so he’s in the right frame of mind,” she said.

Lizzie added: “I admit that at the last World Cup the WAGs did hit the headlines but they’ve learned their lesson and have all grown up a bit.”

Capello’s hardball threat came after England’s last trip to the World Cup finals turned into a circus when the WAGs took over the picturesque town of Baden Baden in Germany. There were parties every night and the players were in almost daily contact with their loved ones. (ANI)

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Lover of collapsed MG Rover director paid 1.7-mn pounds for a year’s work

September 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Sep 12 (ANI): MG Rover’s director paid his lover 1.7 million pounds for a year’s work, according to a report on the collapse of the car manufacturing giant.

In May 2000, the Phoenix consortium-John Towers, Nick Stephenson, Peter Beale and John Edwards-acquired the business for a nominal 10 pounds from BMW.

BMW ensured that MG Rover could survive for a few years. But from the outset, it was clear that it had no long-term future unless it could find a substantial business partner within the motor industry.

The report into the demise of the giant compiled by Gervase MacGregor, a partner at the accountants BDO Stoy Hayward, and the barrister Guy Newey QC condemns the consortium which made a fortune out of the collapsed car maker, The Independent reports.

They reported that the four directors supplied inaccurate and misleading information about Rover’s finances to MPs, and singled out evidence Beale gave to the Commons trade and industry select committee.

They expressed concern over the plainly excessive fee of almost 1.7 million pounds paid to Dr Qu Li for advice she gave the Phoenix management about potential business partners in China.

For some of the time Dr Li was paid by Rover, she and Stephenson were having an affair. The report protested about the poor “corporate governance” of the Phoenix team: some board members were not invited to several board meetings and inaccurate minutes were taken of discussions.

Despite the failure of MG Rover between 2000 and 2005, the Phoenix Four continued to pay themselves generously right up to the group’s demise in 2005.

Towers, who led the buyout, was paid 8.96 million pounds, Stephenson 8.98 million pounds and Edwards received 9.02 million pounds. Beale, who is accused of misleading the parliamentary inquiry into the company’s collapse, was paid 8.98 million pounds over the four years, while Howe pocketed 5.71 million pounds.

The report cleared ministers of blame for MG Rover’s demise. (ANI)

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Pak Govt says it is watching illegal madrassas closely

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep. 9 (ANI): The Pakistan Government has told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior that it is monitoring the activities of illegal madrassas in Islamabad.

While responding to concerns expressed by the legislators over unregistered madrassas, Chief Commissioner Fazeel Asghar said there were 140 seminaries in the city, out of which 122 were registered.

The Daily Times quoted him, as saying that the rest were operating illegally and the government was trying to get them registered soon.

The members had expressed fears that a Lal Masjid-like situation may arise if the government doesn’t take action soon.

The members, including former interior minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, said it was a matter of great concern that 18 seminaries were still operating ‘illegally’ despite the government’s orders making registration mandatory. (ANI)

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Government should lodge protest with China on incursion: BJP

September 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 7(ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday observed the Centre should lodge protest with China Government on reports of its troops’ incursion in international border in Ladakh region.

“Reports of Chinese incursion in Ladakh is a matter of grave concern. Immediately swinging into action the Indian government should lodge a protest with China,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javdekar told reporters in the national capital.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the Government has took up the matter at the official level.

“Foreign and Defence ministries are fully aware, the Government has initiated action at the official level. We not only condemn it, but would recommend taking strong action against any such incursion and China has been made aware of it,” Singhvi said.

The Chinese troops breached the international border in the region and painted ‘China’ on some boulders and rocks, which were later found by an patrol team in July.

It is also being stated that the Chinese troops had entered nearly 1.5 kilometres into the Indian territory near Mount Gya, which is recognised as International Border by both India and China.

A red marking was found around 1.5 to 1.7 kilometres inside the Indian territory, however, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has denied reports of any incursion.

Earlier, it was reported that two Chinese helicopters had entered Indian air space in the same region. (ANI)

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PM concerned over low conviction rate of cases under SC/ST Act

September 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.7 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday expressed concern over low conviction rate of persons involved in carrying out atrocities against schedule castes and schedule tribes.

Speaking during inauguration of a conference of state ministers of welfare and social justice at New Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Dr. Singh said: “Reports of atrocities against SCs, STs and senior citizens continue to appear with disturbing regularity. I have in fact written to the Chief Ministers of all states recently to enforce the provisions of the SCs and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It is shocking that conviction rate for cases of atrocities against SCs and STs is less than 30 percent against the average of 42 per cent for all cognisable offences under IPC.”

“The state governments need to give more attention to this issue,” the PM said.

Singh told them to conduct meetings of state and district level vigilance committees on a regular basis and said that court cases should be pursued on priority.

Focussing on the need to change the general mindset towards disadvantaged groups, the Prime Minister said such people should be made equal partners in the developmental processes.

“We propose to amend the Persons with Disabilities Act in consultation with states so as to bring it in line with the UN Convention (on Rights of Persons with Disabilities),” Dr. Singh said.

Referring to the drought like situation prevailing in many parts of the country, Singh said, “the experience has been that weaker sections tend to be the worst affected by such natural calamities.

“We, therefore, need to step up monitoring and implementation of welfare schemes like NREGA, Annapurna and Old Age Pension Scheme, which target the weaker sections.” (ANI)

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MKU displays Instavest Body Armour and Boltfree Ballistic Helmets at DSEi

September 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

ExCeL (United Kingdom), Sep 5 (ANI/Business Wire India): With their armed forces ever more heavily engaged in operations, from the full scale asymmetric combat of Afghanistan to counter-insurgency in Africa and post-war peace support in Iraq and Eastern Europe, many governments are expressing concern about the protection of their troops on the ground.

The range of threats faced in dismounted operations, from small arms to artillery to improvised explosive devices, is growing and, to be effective against such threats, the personal ballistic protection of soldiers on the ground is developing quickly to stay ahead.

The mainstays of effective personal protection are the helmet and the overvest or body armour. Some 45 per cent of battlefield injuries are to the head, of which up to 80 per cent are caused by fragments and only 20 per cent by bullets. High performance helmets with all round protection and efficient harness systems are needed to defeat the threat. Likewise, comfortable, effective body armour, which gives all-round protection while allowing unrestricted movement, is required for the torso, neck and other areas of the body.

To provide protection whilst not limiting combat-effectiveness, such helmets and body armour must be both strong and light. The use of modern materials, such as polyethylene, polyurethane and aramide in helmets and body armour, together with highly mass-efficient ceramic composites in body armour panel inserts, has greatly increased the level of personal protection that the soldier can carry around the battlefield on his head or body. Moreover, quick release systems allow the dismounted soldier to shed his helmet and body armour fast if the tactical situation dictates.

Light weight armour manufacturers and suppliers like MKU are able to offer such personal protection solutions in large numbers and at short notice. At the DSEi exhibition (Stand 1924), MKU will be displaying a range of its light weight personal armour solutions, many already in service, including its instant release “Instavest” body armour and its “Boltfree” helmet range, and briefing military procurers and end users on its range of capabilities. (ANI)

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Jharkhand farmers sow new variety of paddy

September 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ranchi, Sep 5 (ANI): Scanty rainfalls and acute shortage of water have forced the farmers to sow new varieties of paddy, which consume less water in Jharkhand.

The three varieties are called ‘Karaini’, ‘Sonpia’ and ‘Seeta saal’, which mature in just 75-90 days and require little water support.

Besides, these varieties are also known for better yield of straw, which is useful for the cattle.

“There are three varieties of paddy which need less water and can be sowed by the farmers. It is very popular among the village farmers. They also possess a lot of medicinal qualities these are known as ‘Karaini’, ‘Sonpia’ and ‘Seeta saal’. This gets ready in just 75-90 days. It gives high yield in less water,” said Yogesh Oraon, a farmer.

The farmers use alternate methods like wells and water pump to irrigate their fields. Furthermore, the scarcity of fodder at present and in the coming season ahead is a cause of concern for the farmers.

“Due to shortage of water we are forced to sow this variety of paddy. Even a five per cent food out of the yield will be enough for our animals and us. We can manage without food for some days but how will our animals cope up with this situation, so we had to resort to this solution,” said Soyab Khan, a farmer.

Some good rain in the late season has brought some hope for the farmers as they are already too late by two months.

Timely monsoon is vital to the health of India’s trillion-dollar economy as it determines farm outputs and subsequent rural demand for a range of products. (ANI)

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SC asks Indian embassy to ensure safety of students in Australia

September 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 4 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Indian High Commissioner and Consulate General in Australia ensure the safety of Indian students and to prevent them from falling prey to fake educational institutions in that country.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice K.G.Balakrishnan expressed concern over Indian students falling prey to fake Universities.

Attorney General G. E. Vahanvati informed the court that the Government has laid down guidelines to aid the student community in Australia.

Cases of Indian students being duped by fake universities in Australia came to light when a petition was filed seeking an apex court direction to the Union Government to take action.

Vahanavati said the Ministry of External Affairs has published the measures to be taken by students before they go abroad for study on its website.

The court then disposed the petition. (ANI)

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Scientists identify ‘tipping points’ at which sudden shifts to new conditions occur

September 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, September 3 (ANI): In a new research, scientists have identified ‘tipping points’ at which sudden shifts to new conditions occur in the world.

The research was done by Martin Scheffer of Wageningen University in The Netherlands and co-authors, including William Brock and Stephen Carpenter of the University of Wisconsin at Madison and George Sugihara of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California.

They found that abrupt changes in ocean circulation and Earth’s climate, shifts in wildlife populations and ecosystems, the global finance market and its system-wide crashes, and asthma attacks and epileptic seizures share generic early-warning signals that indicate a critical threshold of change dead ahead.

The team found that similar symptoms occur in many systems as they approach a critical state of transition.

“It’s increasingly clear that many complex systems have critical thresholds – ‘tipping points’ – at which these systems shift abruptly from one state to another,” according to the scientists.

Especially relevant, they discovered, is that “catastrophic bifurcations,” a diverging of the ways, propel a system toward a new state once a certain threshold is exceeded.

A system follows a trail for so long, then often comes to a switchpoint at which it will strike out in a completely new direction.

That system may be as tiny as the alveoli in human lungs or as large as global climate.

“These are compelling insights into the transitions in human and natural systems,” said Henry Gholz, program director in the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Division of Environmental Biology, which supported the research along with NSF’s Division of Ocean Sciences.

“The information comes at a critical time – a time when Earth’s and, our fragility, have been highlighted by global financial collapses, debates over health care reform, and concern about rapid change in climate and ecological systems,” he added.

It all comes down to what scientists call “squealing,” or “variance amplification near critical points,” when a system moves back and forth between two states.

“A system may shift permanently to an altered state if an underlying slow change in conditions persists, moving it to a new situation,” said Carpenter.

According to scientists, “In systems in which we can observe transitions repeatedly, such as lakes, ranges or fields, and such as human physiology, we may discover where the thresholds are.”

“If we have reason to suspect the possibility of a critical transition, early-warning signals may be a significant step forward in judging whether the probability of an event is increasing,” they added. (ANI)

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President expresses concern over missing Andhra CM

September 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Moscow, Sep. 2 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday expressed concern over the missing of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Rajshekhar Reddy.

Patil is in constant touch with the chief secretary and taking all information about his whereabouts.

Patil today arrived at Moscow International Airport for her four days visit ( from 2nd to 6th Sept). At the airport she was accorded a red carpet welcome by Minister of Energy S.I.Shmatko.

The Russian Military band played the national anthem “Jana gana Mana” at the airport in President Patil’s honour.arlier, while talking to journalist on board, Patil said that her visit will strengthen the political and strategic dimensions of bi-lateral relations between Indian and Russia.

The President would also exchange views on regional and international issues, which concern both the countries.he expressed confidence that the cooperation in Hydrocarbon area would grow between India and Russia.

Russia is one of the largest producers of hydrocarbons and many Indian companies have established their presence in this area.

President will leave for Tajikistan on September 6.

Throwing light on her Tajikistan visit, she said that concerted effort between India and Tajikistan against terrorism and extremism would contribute greatly to peace and stability in the region. By Pankaj Choudhary (ANI)

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Sonia Gandhi to visit Hyderabad on Thursday morning

September 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.2 (ANI): Congress President and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will visit Hyderabad on Thursday.

Sonia called up Reddy’s wife on Wednesday evening and is believed to have expressed concern with the family over the missing incident of Reddy.

A high-level search operation is on to trace out the missing CM.

Army’s 300 special Commandos (especially trained in jungle warfare), 5,000 Central Reserve Police Force personnel and State’s anti-Naxal Force personnel have been engaged into the seach operation.

Reddy has gone missing since 9.35 a.m. of Wednesday morning. (ANI)

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Saudi King warns Pak to call off Musharraf ‘witch hunt’

September 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep.2 (ANI): Expressing concern over the political brickbatting between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over the trial of former President General Pervez Musharraf, Saudi Arabia has asked the Pakistani leadership to abide by the agreement on Musharraf’s immunity from prosecution, and stop the infighting, saying it could further deteriorate the country’s situation.

Sources privy to the Saudi Royal family said Saudi King, Abdullah, told Interior Advisor Rehman Malik, that Musharraf’s trial and altercations between the PPP and the PML-N could further affect Pakistan’s political stability.

According to a private television, the Saudi King has assured Musharraf that no action would be taken against him by the Pakistani leadership.

The king had said if a political party or any individual demanded his (Musharraf) trial, then it could have serious implications on Pak-Saudi relations.

Sources said that former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would be visiting Saudi Arabia next week to hold meetings with Saudi officials, who may force him to abide by the agreement.

Meanwhile, Musharraf, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, met the Saudi intelligence chief to discuss the issue relating to his high treason trial, The Daily Times reports.

It may be noted that the Saudi intelligence chief was the main facilitator of Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan. (ANI)

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CCEA reviews prices of essential commodities

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 31(ANI): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Monday reviewed the prices of essential commodities and observed that the major areas of concern were prices of pulses and sugar.

The CCEA has said that several steps have been taken to increase the availability of pulses and sugar, which would help in controlling the price increase.

The need to enforce stock limits, carry out de-hoarding operations and use the powers available under the Essential Commodities Act and the Prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act have also been emphasised. (ANI)

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Scientists identify ‘tipping points’ at which sudden shifts to new conditions occur

President expresses concern over missing Andhra CM

Sonia Gandhi to visit Hyderabad on Thursday morning

Saudi King warns Pak to call off Musharraf ‘witch hunt’

CCEA reviews prices of essential commodities

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