Incubators linked to risk of cot death: Report

LONDON, May 11: Life-saving incubators may impede the development of the nervous system among infants which can lead to cot death, a research has suggested.

Incubators, which are used to keep the babies warm and decrease the chance of infection, have motors that create electromagnetic fields in the area where they lie.

The study, which is published in the current issue of the 'Fetal and Neonatal Edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood,' shows that even the very low electrical fields given off by the incubators interfere with infants' heart rates, which in turn impedes the development of the nervous system that can lead to cot death.

The research at the General Hospital of the University of Siena, Italy, found these fields cut the variability of babies' heart rates in half. Reduction in variability is thought to be an indicator of heart disease in adults.

"What we have proved is that the effects of these machines are not neutral and they should be. The manufacturers of these incubators should take steps to shield babies from their motors and to move motors further away within the machine," said Professor Carlo Bellieni, who led the research.

The findings will deepen concerns about the danger of "electrosmog" given off by electrical equipment which is thought to interfere with the tiny currents that help to drive the human body and govern the heart, The Independent daily of Britain said.

It could also imply that placing infants near electrical devices including clocks and radios may be dangerous for their health. Many researchers have linked electromagnetic fields with asthma and other respiratory diseases, and cancer, the report said. (PTI)

Geophysicists say new methodology could forecast quakes

NEW YORK, May 11: Geophysicists from Britain and China have developed a new methodology to seismic monitoring that could help forecast the time, size and sometimes even the location of earthquakes.

The new method exploits a phenomenon called shear-wave splitting, in which seismic 'shear' waves travelling through rocks are split into two components, which vibrate parallel and perpendicular relative to microscopic cracks, according to a report published in Nature.

These two shear wave components travel through the ground at different speeds, and so reach detectors at different times.

The alignment of these microscopic cracks reflects the amount of stress in the Earth's crust. The more stress, the more the cracks are aligned, and the bigger the gap between the two waves' arrival.

So far efforts to predict the tremors have proved futile.

In the past, Nature says researchers have gauged the build-up of strain in earthquake zones indirectly, by looking at satellite maps of surface ground movement. But this gives only a rough idea of the stress changes deeper down, where earthquakes originate.

Stresses have also been monitored directly at fault lines, but such localized data doesn't show when and where slippage will occur.

The researchers' evidence, the report says, suggests that they could perhaps issue an hour's warning before a small quake and months before a big one. Their work is described in Geology. (PTI)

Satyam reports USD 28m revenues from Middle East

DUBAI, May 11: India's Satyam Computer Services has reported a growth of more than 100 per cent in revenues to USD 28 million from the Middle East in fiscal year ending March 2008.

"In the last fiscal year, we experienced about 100 per cent growth in the Middle East, with growth doubling in countries such as Kuwait and Bahrain. Qatar and the UAE also saw extensive growth," Satyam Computer Services Director and Senior Vice-President for Asia-Pacific, Middle East, India and Africa, Virender Aggarwal said.

"In terms of next year's revenues, we expect about 24 to 26 per cent growth. At this stage the only thing we can say is that the region will grow faster than the rest of the world," he told Gulf News.

The Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and India region contribute 19 per cent of global revenues. The Middle East alone contributes 1.5 per cent of global revenues, he said.

Satyam has offices in eight countries in the Middle East and serves close to 160 customers in the entire region from various verticals and emerging technology competencies.

"We have implemented a number of focused key strategies, which are aimed at increasing our business prospects in the Middle East's most promising markets. This has been reflected in the outstanding revenue figures in the second half of 2007.

The expansion in the region, which is fueled by swelling investments in local markets, has motivated the company to establish a significant presence in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain and Egypt. (PTI)

Aid reaching cyclone victims but foreigners still barred

YANGON, May 11: More food reached Myanmar's hungry cyclone victims today as roads were cleared of fallen trees and debris, but there still was no sign the Government would let foreign experts handle the aid distribution that the ruling military junta was accused of manipulating.

"Visas for international humanitarian personnel remain a critical issue, and one on which the UN and Myanmar's regional partners are engaged," an internal report from the UN humanitarian coordinating agency said.

The junta says it only wants international relief material and money, not the people to manage it.

It wants to hand out all donated supplies on its own to an estimated 2 million people who are without food or shelter and face the threat of diseases following the Cyclone Nargis, which battered the country on May 3.

Debbie Stothard, head of the Southeast Asian human rights group ALTSEAN-Burma, said the ruling generals were manipulating aid and delivering it selectively, ignoring the needy. Myanmar is also known as Burma.

"Even in Yangon area, which is reachable by the regime, people are complaining they are not getting aid. What they are getting is rotting rice," she said, she told Associated Press Television News in Bangkok, Thailand.

UN staff in Myanmar were reporting "significant progress in clearing roadways, and the piped water supply has been partially restored to some parts of Yangon city," the UN report said.

It said helicopter loads of international aid arriving in Yangon were being relayed to Pathein for distribution in the Irrawaddy delta. (AGENCIES)

Japan aims to cut emissions by 60-80 per cent by 2050

TOKYO, May 11: Japan aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by between 60 and 80 per cent by 2050, news reports said today, as part of measures setting out the country's long term environmental goals.

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is expected to announce the target as early as June, the Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun newspapers said.

For the year to March 2007, Japan's total volume of greenhouse gas emissions was estimated at 1,341 million tons, up 6.4 per cent from the 1990 level, used as the base year for the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Tokyo is still discussing details of the plan ahead of Japan hosting the Group of Eight summit in July, the Asahi said.

Japanese officials want to make the goal not legally binding, but they hope the announcement will encourage technological and business innovations in the environment field, the newspaper added.

The government is also expected to announce plans to establish a carbon credit exchange where domestic companies can trade emissions rights, the Nikkei business daily said, citing unnamed government sources.

Japan had joined the United States in saying it was too early to set numbers for future emission cuts.

However, Tokyo, under serious criticism from environmentalists, said earlier this year that it would set its own national target for reductions after 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol expires. (AGENCIES)

Poverty-stricken British soldiers need loans to eat: Report

LONDON, May 11: Poverty-stricken British army officers are being forced to leave the military because they are unable to feed themselves from their monthly salary.

A highly sensitive internal report into the state of the British Army revealed that many soldiers are living in poverty, with some being forced to rely on emergency food voucher schemes set up by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The findings outlined in the briefing team report written for Sir Richard Dannatt, the British Chief of the General Staff, include an admission that many junior officers are being forced to leave the Army because they simply cannot afford to stay on, The Independent daily revealed today.

"More and more single-income soldiers in the UK are now close to the UK government definition of poverty," said the report, which has been described by General Dannatt as "a comprehensive and accurate portrayal of the views and concerns of the Army at large".

It reveals that "a number of soldiers were not eating properly because they had run out of money by the end of the month", forcing commanders to tackle the problem through "Hungry Soldier" schemes, under which destitute soldiers are given loans to enable them to eat. The cost is deducted from their future wages, adding to the problems of soldiers on low pay, the report said.

The internal army report was based on interviews with thousands of soldiers and their families between July 2007 and January 2008.

General Dannatt has vowed to take action. "I am determined that PAYD must be made to work to both the financial and physical well-being of those who are fed," was quoted as saying in the report.

"Junior ranks in the armed forces have terrible salaries...How on earth are you supposed to recruit and retain people unless you offer a decent salary?" wondered Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey. (PTI)

Sikh group donate books to Hercules Library in California

NEW YORK, May 11: United Sikhs, a coalition of several organisations, has donated 30 books on Sikhism to the Hercules Library in California under its Sikh Awareness Through Libraries (SATL) programme.

"We greatly appreciate United Sikhs for bringing these valuable materials to our libraries," Elliot Warren, Senior Community Library Manager, said while receiving the books.

"It will help bring communities together."

SATL, as part of United Sikhs' Education and Empowerment initiative, aims to improve the availability of information on Sikh culture, history and religion via multimedia resources - books, DVDs, CDs and microfilms.

Under the SATL project, donors order books on the list of recommended books and resources. These are then donated to libraries of the donor's choice, including those in schools, universities and other educational institutions, throughout the world.

The objective, the organisation said, is to reach out to various demographics through multiple media to provide global access to reliable and complete information on Sikhs.

Donor of the books Amrik Singh said: "If everyone can join together to raise awareness on who Sikhs are and to make the Sikh appearance a more familiar sight, perhaps we can reduce bias and hate crimes on completely innocent people. Sikhism preaches love for all human beings, so it hardly seems fair that they are targeted for such attacks." (PTI)

GMR group's overseas business strategy in two months: Chairman

ISTANBUL, May 11: India's GMR Group, which has bagged an airport modernisation project in this Turkish city, will come out with a strategy in a couple of months on how to go about overseas operations, comprising airports and power.

"We are working out our strategy for international business. In a couple of months, we are coming out with a strategy, which countries we will work, which areas to work, whether to go with partnership or not," GMR Group Chairman G M Rao said here.

A strategy is needed in international business because the group wants to create value for stakeholders, Rao said, adding that it has already appointed Ranjit Murugason as CEO of International Business Division, based in London.

Rao said the strategy will scan whether the group should go for greenfield or running projects in areas of power and airports.

GMR Group has been given a 20-year licence to operate Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport through a consortium comprising two other firms.

When asked whether the group has a particular figure for investment in international operations, he said the numbers would be mentioned in operating plan, which would come after the strategic plan.

"First, we will work out a strategy, after which the operating plan will come. We will make an operating plan for three or five years, and in that investment numbers will come," he said.

The group would also come out with a strategy on urban infrastructure, Rao said, but added that it would focus only on Indian markets. "In urban infrastructure, we are not looking internationally, only in India," he said. (PTI)

Myanmar says 'massive turnout' in referendum

YANGON, May 11: Myanmar state media today said that there was "massive turnout" in the country's national referendum, which the military regime held the previous day despite widespread damage from Cyclone Nargis.

Polling hours even were extended in some places to let people cast their ballots in the referendum, which was held yesterday in most of the country, the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

"The referendum was held successfully ... With massive turnout of the citizens," the paper said in its story, which made no mention of the storm or the 60,000 people left dead or missing.

The country's secretive military leaders went ahead with the vote to ratify a new constitution, which critics say is intended to entrench the military's grip on power, despite intense international criticism.

The regime, deeply suspicious of foreigners, has refused to allow in foreign aid workers to help cope with the catastrophe, which has left an estimated 1.5 million people in need of emergency relief.

Amid complaints about the slow relief effort, the Government went ahead with the vote except in the districts hardest hit by the storm, which barrelled into the nation's southern delta on May 3.

Formerly known as Burma, the country is one of the poorest and most isolated in the world and has been ruled by the military since 1962.

Aid groups say it is essential to get foreign aid experts into the country as soon as possible, including personnel with disaster expertise, and that more people could die unless supplies reach the neediest quickly. (AGENCIES)

Kerala properties on offer at Qatar show....

DUBAI, May 11: Various township development projects and designs of residential complexes in Kerala were displayed at a property show in Qatar which aimed at attracting investments from NRIs.

Kerala Property Expo, a three-day exhibition, featuring about 50 builders, is currently on in Doha.

The show organised by the Kerala Builders Forum (KBF), is sponsored by HDFC bank and State Bank of India.

"Kerala gives good investment opportunities now. Earlier stress was given to the tourism industry. But now it has shifted more or less to the IT sector. A number of IT parks are coming up in major cities of Kerala, resulting in increase in population density here," V Raveendran, Executive Director, KBF, told the Peninsula daily.

The real estate industry in Kerala has off late witnessed an upward trend with about 70 per cent of properties being sold to buyers in the Gulf region.

KBF, an organisation of 75 builders and real estate companies based in Kerala, is affiliated to the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI). (PTI)

Ease schengen visa to Indian residents in UK:Commons Committee

LONDON, May 11: A high-powered Parliamentary Committee has asked the British Government to explore with schengen countries how visa regime for Indian residents in the UK could be eased as getting a schengen visa now is nothing short of a nightmare.

"We urge the Government to explore with schengen countries how the visa regime for Indians resident in the UK and needing to travel to other European Union countries could be eased, or periods of EU visa validity extended considerably," the House of Commons business and enterprise committee said in its fifth report of the year 2007-08.

The Committee also urged the Government "to keep under review the possible improvements in visa and other related arrangements that could be made to the mutual benefit of the British and Indian economies. The UKIBC should be well positioned to give advice on this important issue."

Headed by conservative MP Peter Luff, the 11-member Committee, also asked the Government to end anomaly in the period allowed to Indian students to remain in the UK after completing their studies.

The other members of the Committee, titled ‘waking up to India: developments in UK-India economic relations’, are mp Adrian Bailey, MP Roger Berry, MP Michael Clapham, MP Lindsay Hoyle, MP Anne Moffat, MP Anthony Wright, MP Brian Binley, MP Julie Kirkbride, MP Mark Hunter and MP Mike Weir.

Noting that Indian students are attracted more to Australia and the USA than the UK, it asked the Government to undertake a comprehensive examination of the ways of making the UK a more attractive place to study for them including overcoming visa issues and increasing the length of time the students can remain in the UK after graduation.

In its recommendation on education, research and qualifications, the Committee said: "Despite the Trade and Industry Committee’s earlier recommendations for change, it remains the case that after graduation, Indians who have studied in the UK can remain in Scotland for two years, while only being able to remain in England and wales for one year.

"We call on the Government not only to end this anomaly by extending the period in England Wales, it should also extend period students may remain in the UK for qualifications in those professions that require specific periods of work experience."

"We welcome evidence of the growing interest by UK institutions in India but believe there is no room for complacency; The USA and Australia remain more attractive locations for Indian students and the UK Government must work closely with the higher education sector to ensure opportunities to build the kind of links being developed by Cambridge University are maximised," it said.

The Committee said: "We are concerned that, although more Indian students are coming to the UK in absolute terms, the UK’s share is declining relative to its competitors, notably Australia.

"We call on the Government to undertake a comprehensive examination of the ways of making the UK a more attractive place to study for Indian students, including overcoming visa issues and increasing the length of time Undian students can remain in the UK after graduation."

The Committee regretted that the first bilateral UK-India investment summit held in 2006 has not yet been repeated and encouraged the Government to hold a follow up summit at the earliest. (PTI)

Indo-Saudi defence ties on upswing: Gen Naidu

DUBAI, May 11: Military ties between India and Saudi Arabia are on the upswing, particularly in the area of training, says Lt Gen Milan Naidu, Vice Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army.

Lt Gen Naidu who completed two days official visit to Saudi Arabia said in Riyadh that a number of Saudi officers are currently undergoing training in India.

An Indian officer will also be coming to Saudi Arabia next year, Col Yadav said, adding that Saudi officers have also attended military exercises in India as Observers.

"The visit was primarily aimed at fostering deeper understanding, developing mutual confidence and identifying fresh avenues of cooperation in the field of defence relations," Col R S Yadav, defence attache of the Indian Embassy, told Arab News.

Gen Naidu met Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, assistant minister of defence and aviation, Vice Adm. Prince Fahd ibn Abdullah, officiating chief of General Staff, Gen. Qubayel, commander of Land Forces, Prince Khaled ibn Bandar, deputy commander of Land Forces, Gen. Hameed Al-Touri, commander of Air Defence Forces, and Dr Khalil Al-Khalili, chairman of the Committee on Security Affairs in the Majlis Al-Shoura. Gen Naidu also visited the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

"The visit was well received by both sides and is likely to result in increased interaction and better cooperation in the fields of training, technical assistance and military hardware," Col Yadav said.

Gen Naidu_s visit follows similar visits to the Kingdom by Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister of India, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of Planning Commission. Likewise, Vice Adm. Prince Fahd ibn Abdullah, who is also commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal were part of Saudi delegations that visited India in February this year to attend a symposium on the Indian Ocean and a visit to a defence exhibition.

(UNI)