HSMP Indian doctors await ruling in House of Lords today

LONDON, Apr 29: The House of Lords is scheduled to pronounce its ruling tomorrow on the employability of thousands of Indian doctors who came to the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme (HSMP).

The doctors found themselves in the lurch when the Department of Health, faced with a large pool of UK and EU-trained doctors, issued guidance in April 2006 to hospital trusts not to employ anyone from outside the EU unless there was no candidate from within the EU.

The guidance, which adversely affected thousands of non-Eu doctros, including many from India, was successfully challenged in court by the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) last year.

The Department of Health, however, appealed against quashing of its order by the court in the House of Lords.

The Indian and other non-EU doctors afffected by the April 2006 changes were allowed to compete for jobs in the National health Service after the court ruling, but await a final verdict in the House of Lords.

After several hearings from the Department of Health and BAPIO, the ruling is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.

BAPIO argued during a recent hearing that it agreed with the department’s argument about a surplus in UK and EU-trained doctors, but the guidance should not be applied retrospectively.

The BAPIO team recalled a recent ruling by the House of Lords and Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights, against retrospective application of the immigration rules.

"The Committee concludes that the changes to the HSMP are clearly not compatible with the right to respect for home and family life under Article 8 ECHR (European Convention of Human Rights)and contrary to basic notions of fairness," the committee said. (PTI)

Prisoner to marry through correspondence

JERUSALEM, Apr 29: A Hizbullah operative, serving a term of 147 years in an Israeli prison, is set to marry a former prisoner by exchanging correspondence with her, a media report here said.

Samir Kuntar, serving four consecutive life terms and an additional 47 years in jail, will tie the knot with Fadah Said Abdullah of Kfar Akeb village near Jerusalem within a few weeks, in a process to be officiated by their attorneys.

The Hizbullah operative has been convicted for infiltrating the northern Israeli city of Nahariya in 1979, taking a family hostage and killing the patriarch and his four year old daughter, Israeli daily ‘Yediot Ahronoth’ reported.

Said Abdullah, on the other hand was sentenced to three years in prison after she was convicted on charges of relaying messages between Fatah and Hizbullah and conspiracy to commit murder.

She was released from prison 18 months ago.

The Israel Prison Service (IPS) however, told the daily that neither party had filed a formal request to perform any ceremony in prison.

Kuntar was earlier married to a resident of east Jerusalem, but the couple divorced after his requests for conjugal visits were repeatedly denied by the IPS, it said. (PTI)

Thaksin’s wife appears before Supreme
Court on land charge

BANGKOK, Apr 29: The wife of Thailand’s ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today appeared in court to seek permission for her trial on corruption charges to proceed in her absence.

Pojaman Shinawatra and Thaksin are both charged with corruption in the purchase of a plot of prime Bangkok real estate.

Investigators say Pojaman used her billionaire husband’s political influence to buy the land from a Government agency at one-third of its estimated value.

Pojaman showed up at the Supreme Court today with her two children when the court ordered the presentation of evidence and witness lists.

Judge Thonglor Chomngarm said the two defendants had submitted more statements denying that the land purchase deal was a conflict of interest.

"It said the first defendant was not in control of the Financial Institution Development Fund (which organised the sale) and the land deal is not a conflict of interest," Thonglor said.

He said the court also allowed Pojaman to absent herself.

Her lawyer, Pichit Chuenban, said Pojaman cited business reasons for being unable to appear in court.

"It will help the trial proceed otherwise if she could not appear before the court, the trial will be delayed," he told reporters.

Pichit said he would prove the Asset Examination Committee set up by the military junta which ousted Thaksin in 2006 did not have the power to investigate the case. (AGENCIES)

HIV attacked: Scientists block the infection in test tube

NEW YORK, Apr 29: Scientists claim to have uncovered a new route for attacking HIV-they have blocked the viral infection in test tube by activating a human protein expressed in key immune cells.

Most of the drugs now used to fight HIV, which is the retrovirus that causes AIDS, target the virus’ own proteins. But those viral targets change quickly and lead to emergence of drug-resistant viral strains.

But the scientists found that when they interfered with a human protein called interleukin-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK), they inhibited HIV infection of key human immune cells called T cells. ITK activates T cells as part of the body’s healthy immune response.

When HIV enters the body, it infects T cells and takes over the activities of these white blood cells so that the virus can replicate. Eventually, HIV infection compromises the entire immune system and causes AIDS.

But, according to the scientists, the new work shows that without active ITK protein, HIV cannot effectively take advantage of many signalling pathways within T cells, which in turn slows or blocks the spread of the virus.

"We were pleased and excited to realise the outcome of our approach. Suppression of the ITK protein caused many of the pathways that HIV uses to be less active, inhibiting or slowing HIV replication," said lead researcher Pamela Schwartzberg.

In their lab experiment, Schwartzberg of the US-based National Human Research Genome Institute and colleagues from Boston University used a chemical inhibitor and a type of genetic inhibitor, called RNA interference, to inactivate ITK in human T cells.

Subsequently, the T cells were exposed to HIV, and the researchers studied the effects of ITK inactivation on various stages of HIV’s infection and replication cycle. Suppression of ITK reduced HIV’s ability to enter T cells and have its genetic material transcribed into new virus particles.

However, ITK suppression did not interfere significantly with T cells’ normal ability to survive, and mice deficient in ITK were able to ward off other types of viral infection, although antiviral responses were delayed.

"ITK turns out to be a great target to examine," Schwartzberg said.

Added NHGRI Scientific Director Eric D. Green: "This insight represents an important contribution to HIV research. Finding a cellular target that can actually be inhibited so as to block HIV validates a novel concept and is an exciting model for deriving new HIV therapies."

The results of the study have been published in the latest edition of the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’ journal. (PTI)

Eating five tomatoes daily ‘offers sun protection’

LONDON, Apr 29: Eating tomatoes will not make you invincible in the sun, but the juicy fruits might be a useful addition to the sun protection tool box.

A new study, carried out by researchers from Newcastle University and Manchester University, has revealed that eating five tomatoes everyday could help protect against sunburn and premature ageing.

According to the researchers, ultraviolet rays lead to excess production of harmful molecules called "reactive oxygen species" which can damage skin structures and tomatoes contain an antioxidant called lycopene which neutralises them.

"You don’t have to eat an excessive amount of tomatoes to experience the effect if you are already eating a tomato-based diet with plenty of things like spaghetti and pizza toppings.

"Eating tomatoes is going to have this benefit in the sun, but it is still important to use conventional methods of protecting yourself against the sun such as sunscreens, shade and clothing," lead researcher Professor Mar Birch-Machin was quoted by ‘The Daily Telegraph’ as saying.

In their study, the researchers analysed the skin of 20 people, half of whom were given five tablespoons of (55g) standard tomato paste, the equivalent of five cooked tomatoes, with 10g of olive oil. The other half received only olive oil.

The experiment was carried out over 12 weeks and the group was exposed to ultraviolet light at the beginning and the end of the trial. Those who had eaten the paste had 33 per cent more protection against sunburn.

Analysis of skin samples from both groups also showed that the tomatoes had boosted the skin’s procollagen levels, a molecule which gives skin its structure. Losing procollagen leads to the skin ageing and losing its elasticity.

The increased levels of lycopene reduced damage to mitochondrial DNA in the skin, which is also linked to ageing skin, found the researchers, who now hope to carry out further studies to establish whether tomatoes prevent skin cancer. (PTI)

UN condemns attack on Karzai

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 29: Strongly condemning the attempt on the life of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the UN has said that those responsible for the "reprehensive act of terrorism" should be brought to justice.

Karzai, who has already survived three assassination attempts, escaped unhurt when terrorists opened fire at an official ceremony in Kabul which was also attended by several dignitaries. Two members of parliament were killed and nine others injured including two Afghan police officers.

In a statement yesterday, the Council also urged member States to cooperate with the Afghan Government in the conduct of the inquiry.

Noting that the Taliban had claimed responsibility, the statement warned them that no terrorist act can reverse the path of peace and democracy or reconstruction of the country as the Government has the support of the people and the international community. (PTI)

New citizenship test to be reviewed: Immigration minister

MELBOURNE, Apr 29: Australian immigration minister Chris Evans today said the Government will review a new citizenship test for aspiring migrants, following reports that there was a drastic fall in the number of applicants after it was introduced.

While Evans ruled out scrapping the test, he said an independent committee would examine the impact on citizenship applications, after statistics found that the number of migrants fell drastically after the introduction of the test on October 1, according to media reports here.

Just 16,024 migrants applied to be citizens between January and March, compared with 38,850 at the same time last year.

He said a seven-member committee would examine whether the 42-page booklet - from which the citizenship test questions are drawn - was too "impenetrable" for newly arrived migrants.

"There was debate about whether the book was at the appropriate level of English. It was supposed to be basic and apparently during the course of the previous government's rewriting of it, it crept up to what is considered by many to be a native English standard," Evans said.

According to an ABC report, a liberal backbencher, Petro Georgiou, has called for scrapping the controversial citizenship test.

Georgiou, who broke party lines to oppose the test when it was introduced by the former government, said his views have not changed. "I would hope that the review recommends that we go back to the early form of the test which was about basic English, and not have funny little questions about which cricketers were the best cricketers in Australia's history," he told a radio programme here.

Georgiou said the test was deterring substantial numbers of people from applying for citizenship. (PTI)

Several Commonwealth Games projects
awaiting DUAC nod

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: The fate of eight hotel and three stadium projects meant for the Commonwealth Games hangs in balance as the approving body, the Delhi Urban Arts Commission continues to be headless.

The Chairman and three members of the DUAC had resigned from their posts on February 20 alleging that they had been wrongly accused of stalling projects related to the Commonwealth Games due to be held in Delhi in 2010. However, no fresh appointments have been made yet.

The Commission will be constituted soon as we have sought the nominations from various concerned agencies for the posts, said a senior Urban Development Ministry official, adding a three-member committee is scrutinising the nominations.

"We have received some nominations and are expecting a few more. A final decision will be taken soon for filling the post of the chairman and three members of the Commission," said the official.

Proposals for construction of hotels before the Games at Shahdara, Anand Vihar, Mandawali, Hari Nagar, Jasola, Rohini and Wazirabad are awaiting mandatory clearance from the DUAC.

DUAC also has to clear proposals for construction of hostel and media accommodation at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and construction of weight lifting stadium in JNU complex.

The UD Ministry has sought help of the offices of the Lieutenant Governor, NDMC, MCD, DDA, CPWD, SPA, ASI, JNU, Indraprastha University, Lalit Kala Akademi, Indian Council of Architecture, Indian Institute of Architecture, Institute of Town Planner and Institute of Urban Transport for finding suitable candidates for the posts.

About the crucial projects awaiting clearance, the official said the government is constantly monitoring the progress of the Games projects and there would not be any further delay in constituting the Commission."

The Commission was established by the Delhi Urban Art Commission Act, 1973 with a view to preserving, developing and maintaining the aesthetic quality of urban and environmental design in Delhi. (PTI)

'Take steps for energy efficiency'

NEW YORK, Apr 29: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked Asia-Pacific countries to take steps to ensure efficient use of energy in the backdrop of surging oil prices and the health problems caused by traditional fuels.

"The Asia-Pacific is lagging behind in providing access to energy services," Ban said in a message to the 64th session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific region.

He pointed out that 1.7 billion people in the region rely on traditional biomass fuels and as a result of which it has the largest number of victims of indoor air pollution. Besides, one billion people lack access to electricity.

"The victims are very poor people who have no access to affordable and reliable energy supply to meet their daily requirements," he observed.

With per capita energy consumption more than doubling between 1990 and 2004 in the Asia-Pacific region outpacing the rest of the world, Ban asked the countries to encourage more efficient use of energy.

A study titled Energy Security and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, which was prepared for the commission, stresses that energy deprivation in the region's developing countries impacts adversely on poverty reduction efforts and impede the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The report warned that the Asia-Pacific cannot rely on continuing increases in its energy supply to spur its economic growth. If the region's energy needs continue growing at the current rate, it will account for half of the world's energy demand by 2030, it said. (PTI)

Taiwan hopes to attract Chinese tourists

ILAN, TAIWAN, Apr 29: Nearly 60 years after splitting from China, Taiwan is laying out the red carpet for tourists from the mainland.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, meeting with a Taiwan official on April 12, gave the green light for a huge increase in mainland visitors.

Incoming Taiwanese President Ma-Ying-jeou, who takes office in May, wants Taiwan to host 1 million Chinese tourists annually, up from just 80,000 last year. He hopes Chinese tourism will provide an economic boost and also help lower tensions between Taiwan and China, which still claims the island as part of its territory.

To lure Chinese visitors, local authorities are unsealing a long secret tunnel built in the 1950s by then-leader Chiang Kai-shek, who thought renewal of war with China’s "communist bandits" was only a matter of time.

In Ilan, a 90-minute train ride from the capital of Taipei, the National Centre for Traditional Arts hopes to draw Chinese visitors to performances of folk acrobatics and colourful dramas that Taiwanese immigrants brought from southern China in the 17^{th and 18th centuries.}

^{Artists demonstrate carving and other traditional arts in a line of brick houses with tilting eaves typical of southern Chinese architecture.}

^{"The Chinese tourists will love our theme park because they cannot find these China links anywhere else in the world," said Lee Kuang-kun, a park official.}

^{Despite its spectacular mountain scenery, Taiwan has never been a hot tourist attraction for anyone except the Japanese, drawing only about 3 million overseas visitors a year. (AGENCIES)}

GOPIO honours three Indian Americans

NEW YORK, Apr 29: Three Indian Americans have been honoured by the Connecticut chapter of the Global Organization of People of India Origin (GOPIO) for their outstanding achievements in various fields.

Nayan Chanda of Yale University was honoured for his accomplishment and contributions to art and letters, Prasad Srinivasan for community service and Sameer Ahuja was given "A Young Professional of the Year" award.

Congressman Christopher Shays was given the "Friend of India" award.

Accepting the award, Shays lauded the Indian American community’s contribution to the economic growth of America and expressed confidence that the already close relations between India and the United States would grow further. (PTI)

Nepalese Govt deports Pro-Tibet Everest Climber

KATHMANDU, Apr 29: An American Mount Everest Climber was deported by the Nepalese authorities after he was found guilty of carrying pro-tibet banner in Everest Base Camp.

American climber William Brant Holland was found guilty of carrying banner painted with free Tibet slogan in his bag at the Everest base camp on April 21. A two-year ban was imposed on him, which prohibit him from climbing any mountain in Nepal, local newspaper said.

The Himalayan Times quoting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation said the Ministry had interrogated him when he arrived in Kathmandu last Thursday. Tourism police escorted Holland to the airport for deportation yesterday.

"The Government has sought clarification from the Himalayan Guides Treks and Expeditions, which acquired the permission for Holland to climb," the newspaper said.

The Government has stationed nearly 25 securitymen at the base camp to prevent any possible obstruction to the Olympic expedition. (UNI)