Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Mid Day International News

Mid Day International News

Fake account of Murdoch's wife Wendi fools Twitter verification process

Posted:

A Twitter account, set up in the name of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's wife Wendi Deng, has turned out to be fake, despite being officially verified as genuine by the micro blogging site.

Deng's account appeared at a similar time to Murdoch's new Twitter account on New Year's Eve.


PIC/AFP

Both received a blue tick from the service, which is only given to high profile people to denote that the account is genuine.

However, despite carrying a tick for the last 48 hours, Twitter has now removed the blue icon from the @Wendi_Deng account, The Telegraph reports.

Twitter, however, declined to comment on how the gaffe had occurred, with a spokesman for the US based company saying that the site "does not comment on individuals' accounts".

"We don't comment on our verification process but can confirm that the @wendi_deng account was mistakenly verified for a short period of time. We apologise for the confusion this caused," the spokesman said.

The person behind the fake account is still unknown, calling herself an "anonymous blogger".

The account quickly gathered followers, attracting over 10,000 people in a short space of time

Canadian man enters US by showing iPad image of passport

Posted:

A Canadian man who forgot his passport managed to enter the United States using a copy of the document he had scanned on to his Apple iPad.

Montreal man Martin Reisch presented the US border office with his digital device after realising near the border that he did not have his passport.

He told the officer he was heading to the US to drop off Christmas gifts for his friend's kids.

Reisch, 33, said the officer seemed mildly annoyed when he handed him the iPad, but later allowed him to cross into the United States from Quebec.

"I thought I'd at least give it a try. He took the iPad into the little border hut. He was in there a good five, six minutes. It seemed like an eternity. When he came back he took a good long pause before wishing me a Merry Christmas," the Telegraph quoted Reisch, as saying.

A spokesman for the department did not immediately respond to questions on whether scanned passports are also commonly accepted at US points of entry.

Reisch said he took a scanned photo of his passport years ago in case it was lost or stolen while travelling.

He said he also successfully used the passport on his iPad to get through Canadian Customs on the way home later that day.

Angry at wife's death, husband kills doctor

Posted:

Irked by the death of his pregnant wife due to alleged negligence during an operation by a woman surgeon at the government medical college hospital here, her husband murdered her at her clinic, police said.

They said the six month pregnant woman was brought to the clinic in a serious condition on December 30 after she complained of stomach pain. She developed some complications, following which she was taken to another hospital, but died en route.

The husband, angered by her death, went to her clinic at around 10.30 PM on December 31 and hacked her to death while his three accomplices waited outside, police said. All the four were arrested soon after government and private doctors here staged a protest yesterday, they said.

The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) has announced a state-wide strike today, while the state branch of Indian Medical Association has called for it tommorrow. Both associations said emergency medical services would not be disrupted.


World will not end in 2012, says Mayan expert

Posted:

Contrary to what many believed, year 2012 will not mark the end of the world but will just be a start of a new calendar, according to Mayan timekeeper. Many consider it a joke although others are scared we might never live to see next year thanks to the Mayan calendar's 'apocalyptic' prediction, the Daily Mail reported.

But Mayan expert Leonzo Barreno, of Saskatchewan, Canada, has asserted that the 'apocalypse' concept is a false interpretation of the Long Count calendar. The University of Regina journalism professor said Mayan elders told him that December 21 this year simply marks the beginning of a new calendar.

Barreno, who immigrated to Canada from Guatemala 23 years ago, was trained by Mayan elders to read the calendars. "There are two sides to the story," he told CBC News. "The one that we know is this apocalyptic meaning that has been given to the Long Count."
"The other side of the story is the Mayan side, which you rarely see on media articles, because they never interview my own people." He revealed that Mayan people are featured for just five seconds of the film '2012', starring John Cusack, which is somewhat based on their 'predictions'.

"When I grew up during my training I never hear the word "end of the world" from the elders or spiritual leaders." Mr Barreno added. "For them it's a joyous event, not an apocalyptic event. What is coming is the end of a calendar and the beginning of a new one." Barreno said that it is 'cyclical'.

"This has happened before. According to the elders it's the fifth time it's happened," he added

Only women to sell lingerie in Saudi

Posted:

Women in Saudi Arabia will not be dealing with men anymore while buying undergarments, as the country will soon be enforcing a gender law that will allow only females to work in women's lingerie and clothing stores.

The 2006 law banning men from working in female apparel and cosmetic stores has never been put into effect, partly because of view of hard-liners in the religious establishment, who oppose the whole idea of women working where men and women congregate together, like malls, the Telegraph reported.

Saudi women have boycotted lingerie stores in a bid to pressurise them to employ women. The government's decision to impose the law requiring that goes into effect Thursday.

Due to strict application of Islamic law in the country, which prohibits unrelated men and women from mingling, females are often accompanied by uncomfortable male relatives when they have to buy their intimate apparel from men behind the counter.

But for the past several weeks, some women have already started working in the stores. Although the decision will affect thousands of men who will lose their sales jobs, the Labor Ministry said that over 28,000 women, many of them South Asian migrants, have already applied for the jobs.

The law will be enforced despite disapproval from country's top cleric, who say that it contradicts Islamic law.

"The employment of women in stores that sell female apparel and a woman standing face to face with a man selling to him without modesty or shame can lead to wrongdoing, of which the burden of this will fall on the owners of the stores," Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric, Sheik Abdul-Aziz Al Sheikh, said.


Human trials under way for new HIV vaccine

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The first human trials for the new HIV injectible vaccine are under way, containing a specific protein which will target the most virulent strain of the virus.

Researchers from the Imperial College London, the Hull York Medical School, the Medical Research Council clinical trial unit and the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) have come together to evaluate the anti-HIV shot.

The virus' most virulent strain Clade C has caused the greatest number of HIV infections globally, infecting half of the 34 million people carrying the virus. It is the most prevalent strain in sub-Saharan Africa, according to an Imperial College statement.

Clade C strain is also predominant in India, China and South America. Vaccine candidates relevant to the sub-Saharan epidemic are critically important to prevent large-scale HIV infection in the fight against the global HIV epidemic.

The anti-HIV shot contains trimeric HIV envelope protein (gp140) relevant to Clade C strain. If it does prove to be safe, and brings on immunity, it could be considered for further testing and evaluated for its effectiveness in protecting women against HIV.

The trial has enrolled 36 healthy, HIV-negative women aged 18-45 years at St George's University of London and the HYMS Experimental Medicine Unit at York Hospital.

"Our collaboration marks an important juncture for the field as we begin to assess which routes of immunisation may provide the best responses to protect women," said Robin Shattock, professor of immunology at Imperial College, and who leads the consortium which developed the trial.

Scientists succeed in growing sperm in lab dish

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For the first time in the world, researchers have grown mouse sperm from a few cells in a lab potentially paving the way for infertile men to father their own children.

Stefan Schlatt, professor at Muenster University in Germany and his team were able to grow sperm by using germ cells - cells in testicles responsible for sperm production.

They grew the sperm by surrounding the germ cells in a special compound called agar jelly to create an environment akin to that of the testicles.

Mahmoud Huleihel, professor at Ben Gurion University in Israel, who also grew the sperm, said: "I believe it will eventually be possible to routinely grow human male sperm to order by extracting tissue containing germ cells from a man's testicles and stimulating sperm production in the laboratory."

Now, the scientists who made the discovery have begun experiments that will hopefully lead to the 'Holy Grail' - human sperm grown outside a man's body.

Stephen Gordon, UK based male infertility consultant, praised the breakthrough. "This is an amazing development that could revolutionise fertility treatment and allow every man to be a natural father," he said.

The problem of male infertility has grown over the last 50 years and has been matched by huge decrease in sperm counts in men. Some of this has been attributed to environmental factors such as pollution and female hormones appearing in plastic packaging.


Briton invents chocolate that doesn't melt

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A British engineer has invented the world's first chocolate that does not melt. The recipe includes a special ingredient that allows the chocolate to be moulded into any shape but remains flexible when set.

Stephen Lennie, 43, created the chocolate -- dubbed "Magic Choc" -- in his kitchen as a surprise for his children, The Sun reported.

Lennie from Belfast made the chocolate with his 42-year-old wife Karen to keep his daughters Rebecca, Natalie and Aimee amused on rainy days.

"I created it on a paper plate at the kitchen table but the kids loved it. They wanted to play with it every day so we knew it was going to be a big success," he said.

The product has sold for over a million pounds during Christmas. And orders have been flooding in from Russia, Greece and South Africa.

13 killed in China road accident

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At least 13 people were killed and 41 injured in China's Hunan province Tuesday after a truck collided with a coach, said a government official.

The accident occurred early morning in Zhongfang county after a truck rammed into the coach coming from opposite side of the Shanghai-Kunming expressway, Xinhua quoted city government's spokesperson as saying.

Nine people died at the accident site and four others died while being rushed to the hospital, the spokesperson added. The coach was carrying passengers from Fujian province.

Rescuers had to dismantle the mangled bus to extricate trapped passengers. Besides, the icy rain and the lack of stretchers also hampered the rescuers' efforts. Total number of bus passengers could not be immediately known.


Bangladesh approves 10-years-jail sentence for making, selling pornography

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The Bangladeshi government has approved an anti-pornography law that includes a maximum ten-year jail sentence for making or selling any kind of pornographic material using children.
It is believed to be Bangladesh's first law specifically targeting the spread of pornography. Those found guilty could also be fined up to 6,000 dollars, The BBC reports.
Abul Kalam Azad, a government spokesman, said the measures aim to protect young people and women from pornography, which had spread like a disease through the internet and mobile phone technology.
In many cases, the police failed to act against the culprits, saying existing laws did not enable them to prosecute those involved in production and distribution of such videos. The move apparently comes after a string of sex tape scandals involving female celebrities. Victims alleged their videos were doctored or filmed in secret to tarnish their reputation.


Workers in Zimbabwe accuse Chinese firm of physical punishments, meagre pay

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A Chinese contractor and his managers have been accused of meting out physical punishments, miserable conditions and meagre pay to workers involved in building of Zimbabwe's national defence college.
Workers at Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's pet construction project have suffered abuse by managers of the Chinese contractor, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company (AFECC). The construction site north of Harare has also become the lightning rod for another source of simmering resentment.
"The beatings happen very often. They ill-treat you and, if you make a mistake, they beat you up," said a 28-year-old carpenter, wearing blue overalls as he made the long walk home after a 14-hour shift. ".
"I saw some men beaten up yesterday. A guy complained: 'You're not treating us like human beings,' and the Chinese replied: 'You should appreciate we've come to assist you.' They beat him up and he was fired," The Guardian quoted the carpenter, as saying. He estimated that there were about 600 Zimbabwean and 300 Chinese workers on the site. Around 50 of the Chinese were managers.
The carpenter said he typically gets up at 4am and works from 7am to 9pm every day. For this he is paid four dollars a day, but at least it is work so he can feed his wife and three children. "We don't have a choice because we need to survive. But if it was possible to chase all the Chinese away, I would," he said.
A 26-year-old builder, on his way to a nightshift, said: "We tried to go on strike but the leader of it was beaten up and sacked. The government doesn't say anything, even though it knows people are beaten up. I saw them undress some workers and beat them with helmets. Some of them were crying with the pain."

Terrorist complains about not being allowed to use Skype within jail premises

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Bangladeshi terrorist Rajib Karim has filed an official complaint for not being able to use Skype so that he can make low cost calls to contact his family within the jail premise.

He has also claimed that the prison payphone is very costly and he should be allowed to use Skype to get in touch with his family and friends. Karim, who was a computer expert with British Airways, was jailed last March for planning to launch a 9/11-style terror attack from the UK with the assistance of former Al Qaeda warlord Anwar al-Awlaki. The officials at maximum security HMP Frankland in Durham banned the move saying it would be a risky affair since.

"The international call rates cost a lot using the prison PIN system and the Skype option looked like a perfect solution. The best part was that it was legal and no breach of prison rules as the call was made to a direct number and was not being redirected," said Karim to the Inside Time, a newspaper for prisoners.

"But when I recently tried making my first call I was told by staff here at HMP Frankland that I am not allowed to make any calls through Skype," he added. Karim''s complaint has now been passed on to the National Offender Management Service.


'Hayek's knighthood would make Napoleon turn in his grave'

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Ministers horrified after actress is chosen for France's top honour

Mexican actress Salma Hayek is set to be honoured with French honour Legion d'Honneur.
According to the French President Nicholas Sarkozy's official New Year's list, Hayek will receive a formal induction.



However, it led to one former minister refusing the same award, with others suggesting the 45-year-old's new status would see Napoleon Bonaparte 'turning in his grave'.

President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that she will become a Chevalier -- or Knight -- of the Legion of Honour for her services to the French Republic.

It is not yet clear what those services are. Hayek is married to businessman Francois-Henri Pinault, who happens to be a close personal friend of Sarkozy.

Referring to Sarkozy possibly losing a presidential election, political magazine Marianne ran the headline: 'Last distribution of the gongs before leaving!'

It suggested that Sarkozy's list of recipients was 'another occasion to have fun' with people reacting to it with 'surprise and anger'.

They included Henri Torre, the 78-year-old former minister and member of Sarkozy's ruling UMP party, who turned down a Legion of Honour, saying, "Too many people were nominated who do not deserve to be honoured," adding that the awards had 'lost their value'.


'Obama's promises like Kim's wedding vows'

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Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential candidate, said the US President breaks promises like the reality star did when she ended her marriage after just 72 days

Mitt Romney is trying to keep up with the Obamas!
The Republican presidential candidate (64) compared US President Barack Obama to Kim Kardashian in a speech on Sunday.



"I've been looking at some video clips on YouTube of President Obama -- then candidate Obama -- going through Iowa (in 2008) making promises," Romney said.

"The gap between his promises and his performance is the largest I've seen, well, since the Kardashian wedding and the promise of 'till death do we part'."

Kim filed for divorce from Kris Humphries on October 31 after just 72 days of marriage.

Obama probably isn't too thrilled about comparisons to the reality star.

In October, First Lady Michelle Obama said that her hubby did not like daughters Sasha and Malia watching the Kardashians on TV.



Obama has exchanged barbs with the Romney campaign throughout the Republican primary campaign season, essentially signaling their belief that he would eventually secure the Republican nomination in 2012.

During the standoff in Congress regarding the extension of the reduced payroll tax rate, the president used his Twitter account to attack Romney, asking why he had not stated his own position regarding the payroll tax rate.


Wills-Kate 'the most desired couple for sex tape'

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Prince William and his wife Kate have been named by Vivid Entertainment as the hottest couple whose sex tape they would like to sell. The Sex tape distributor released its second annual 'Hottest Couples' list of people it would most like to add to its Vivid-Celeb series with the Royal couple on top of their wish list.
Vivid has already marketed tapes starring Pamela Anderson, Kim Kardashian, Kendra Wilkinson and Tila Tequila. "To our knowledge Prince William and Kate have never made a sex tape, but if they did it would be the best-seller of all time," founder and co-chair Steve Hirsch told RadarOnline.com.
"Meanwhile, there are plenty of other pairings we can imagine that would come pretty close to them. My wish list this year includes only one repeat couple -- Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and one repeat individual, George Clooney," he stated.
Other included in the list are Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady, Fergie and Josh Duhamel, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendez, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, and even though they've just split Katy Perry and Russell Brand.
"There is no doubt that these couples are hot. Any fan of adult movies would go crazy to see their tapes," added Hirsch.


Human remains found on UK Queen's estate

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Police have launched a murder inquiry following the discovery of a woman's body on the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry said they were examining cold case files nationally to try and identify her.

Fry said, "We are at the very early stages of the investigation and it could be a complex inquiry. The body had been there for some time. The circumstances suggest this is a murder case and we are looking at missing persons reports and cold cases both locally and nationwide."


Holiday home: The Queen stays at the 20,000-acre home during the
Christmas break. File pic

Residents expressed their shock at the discovery of human remains in woodland on the Queen's country retreat in Norfolk.

A major police inquiry was launched after a dog walker discovered the woman's remains on New Year's Day just a mile from the Royal Stud and less than two miles from the estate's main residence. Officers are carrying out a "detailed search" throughout the area.

The operation was kept secret for more than 24 hours as detectives worked to establish how the body was so close to the Royal residence. A large area of the woodland had been cordoned off.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, who are currently staying on the 20,000-acre estate for their Christmas break, were informed of the discovery on Monday night.

The body was discovered shortly after the Royals attended a church service on Sunday.

A post mortem is due to take place later.

It remains unclear how long the woman's body has been there. Residents said that the large police operation had been shrouded in secrecy.

One resident, who also did not want to be named, said locals were shocked at the discovery.

"It is quite a bit of a shock, given the proximity to the grounds itself. The area is really not that far from Sandringham House. We are all a bit stunned to be honest. It is just a really quiet area."

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman declined to comment, referring inquiries to police.


Posted by Harshad at 7:39 AM

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