LONDON, Feb 2: British and Chinese scientists have found a genetic variant which explains why Chinese populations may be more vulnerable to the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu. The discovery of the variant could help doctors find those people at high risk of severe flu and prioritize them for treatment, researchers said. (agencies)
Dung beetles look to the stars
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 2: A species of South African dung beetle has been shown to use the Milky Way to navigate, making it the only known animal that turns to the galactic spray of stars across the night sky for direction. Researchers have known for several years that the inch-long insects use the sun or moon as fixed points to ensure they keep rolling dung balls in a straight line – the quickest way of getting away from other beetles at the dung heap. (agencies)
Cong owes an explanation on 2G prosecutor issue: BJP
NEW DELHI, Feb 12: BJP today demanded a thorough probe into the issue of CBI prosecutor in 2G case allegedly being caught on tape sharing prosecution strategy with an accused, claiming that it was yet another “proof” of the agency’s “misuse”.
Asserting that Congress owed an explanation on the “serious revelation”, the opposition party said the incident had vindicated its demand that the appointment of counsel on the panel of prosecution wing of CBI be cleared by the proposed Lokpal.
“The revelation in 2G case that the prosecution was sharing the judicial strategy with people involved in the scam. This is absolutely atrocious. The cat is out of the bag.
“This is a very serious revelation. There should be a probe into this whole affair. Congress owes an explanation on the revelation,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.
He said the BJP has been maintaining that “this is yet another proof of how the CBI is being used, abused and misused by the Congress government. Where they cannot impact and use the investigation wing, they use the prosecution wing.”
Javadekar said the party has been demanding that the appointment of advocates on panel of CBI’s prosecution should be cleared by the Lokpal and this demand has been put forth by the BJP before Parliament’s Select Committee on Lokpal.
“But government wants to retain that power to manipulate when needed. Congress owes an explanation on the revelations. Why they are so silent now. They must speak up,” he said.
CBI has removed public prosecutor A K Singh from the 2G spectrum case after he was allegedly caught in a taped conversation discussing prosecution strategy with one of the high-profile accused Sanjay Chandra, Managing Director of Unitech. (PTI)
Science cafes offer a sip of learning
ORLANDO, Florida, Feb 2: Americans may be turning away from the hard sciences at universities, but they are increasingly showing up at “science cafes” in local bars and restaurants to listen to scientific talks over a drink or a meal. Want a beer with that biology? Or perhaps a burger with the works to complement the theory of everything? (agencies)
Rocket blasts off with new NASA communications satellite
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida, Feb 2: An unmanned Atlas 5 rocket blasted off on Wednesday to put the first of a new generation of NASA communications satellites into orbit, where it will support the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope and other spacecraft. The 191-foot (58-metre) rocket lifted off at 8:48 pm (0718 IST Thursday), the first of 13 planned launches in 2013 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station just south of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. (agencies)
South Korea launches first civilian rocket amid tensions with North
SEOUL, Feb 2: South Korea launched its first space rocket carrying a science satellite on Wednesday amid heightened regional tensions, caused in part, by North Korea’s successful launch of its own rocket last month. It was South Korea’s third attempt to launch a civilian rocket to send a satellite in orbit in the past four years and came after two previous launches were aborted at the eleventh hour last year due to technical glitches. (agencies)
Russian rocket falls into sea in failed launch: reports
MOSCOW, Feb 2: A rocket carrying a communications satellite suffered engine trouble and plunged into the Pacific Ocean shortly after launch on Friday, Russian news agencies reported. The unsuccessful launch of the Intelsat-27 satellite was one of several setbacks for Russia’s space program in recent years, including failed satellite launches and an unsuccessful mission to study the Mars moon Phobos. (agencies)
Kashmiri artisans working on curtains in Srinagar on Saturday. (UNI)
Kashmiri artisans working on curtains in Srinagar on Saturday. (UNI)
A view of fully packed General Bus Stand on BC Road in Jammu. -Excelsior/Rakesh
A view of fully packed General Bus Stand on BC Road in Jammu.
-Excelsior/Rakesh
Governor N N Vohra addressing at International symposium at Jammu University on Saturday.
Governor N N Vohra addressing at International symposium at Jammu University on Saturday.