Pre-monsoon showers lash Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH – Pre-monsoon showers overnight and early Monday brought respite from the sweltering heat in Chandigarh and parts of Punjab and Haryana.

However, officials have said monsoon will hit the region in two-three days. In 2009, it reached Punjab and Haryana June 30.
“The southwest monsoon is approaching this part of northern India and we are … Read more : Pre-monsoon showers lash Punjab, Haryana.

BP oil spill cost rises to over $3 bn

LONDON – The cost of clearing up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has exceeded $3 billion, oil giant BP said in London Monday.

The company said the cost had reached $3.12 billion since the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon platform April 20.
The figure includes $147 million paid out in compensation to residents … Original article on : BP oil spill cost rises to over $3 bn.

Monsoon arrives in Delhi

NEW DELHI – The long-awaited monsoon reached the capital Monday after a six-day delay with the met office predicting that the rainfall this season “will be good”.

“The monsoon reached the city today (Monday). Even though the city missed its usual monsoon date June 29, the rainfall for this season will be good,” B.P. Yadav, director … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Monsoon arrives in Delhi.

Conservationists slam plan for coal power plant on environmentally delicate Borneo island

Conservationists protest Malaysia coal plant plan

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Conservationists criticized a plan Monday to build a coal-fired power plant in an environmentally fragile state on Borneo island, but energy officials said the project will provide a much-needed electricity supply boost.
Energy projects have often generated protests in Malaysia’s two states in Borneo, with activists alleging … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Conservationists slam plan for coal power plant on environmentally delicate Borneo island.

Soon, drug ’smart bomb’ to destroy cancer

SYDNEY – Aussie researchers along with Indian scientists are developing “smart bomb” drug delivery system which will search and destroy cancer cells within the body.

It will also have fewer side-effects than conventional chemotherapy, says Deakin University’s Associate Professor Wei Duan, who heads the project in collaboration with scientists in India.

“Cancer cells are particularly difficult to …. Original source  : Soon, drug ’smart bomb’ to destroy cancer.

Why couples ‘divorce’ after 40 years of togetherness?

WASHINGTON – As the shocking news of Former US Vice President Al Gore’s divorce with wife Tipper hit headlines, researchers wondered how can a couple part ways after 40 years of living together.

Even Robert Levenson, a psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, delved deeper into couples’ psyche to know the answer.

“It’s striking when a …. Original source  : Why couples ‘divorce’ after 40 years of togetherness?.

Blacks are 5 times more often hospitalised than whites

WASHINGTON – Blacks are more prone to get hospitalised than whites, revealed the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

In 2006, the hospitalization rate for Blacks with hypertension was 161 per 100,000 people, which was nearly 5 times that of Whites (33 admissions per 100,000), according to the study.

Hypertension, which … Read more : Blacks are 5 times more often hospitalised than whites.

Soon, brain chip that could herald the end of paralysis

LONDON – British engineers are developing new technology that would soon allow paralysed patients to operate bionic limbs with the aid of implanted brain transmitters.

The technology uses tiny microchips to sense nerve messages, decode the signals, and turn thought into movement.

Scientists believe within the next five years patients with damaged spinal cords would be using … Original source on Gaea Times at : Soon, brain chip that could herald the end of paralysis.

Rain continues in Delhi

NEW DELHI J – Delhi remained cool Monday as rain continued to lash the city, the weather office said, adding that it could not yet say whether the monsoon had arrived.

The minimum temperature was 25.5 degrees Celsius, three notches below average. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 33 degrees Celsius, said an official …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rain continues in Delhi.

Hong Kong reduces plastic bags by 90 percent

HONG KONG – Use of plastic bags in Hong Kong has come down drastically – by nearly 90 percent – in the past 12 months thanks to a “plastic-bags-fine” scheme launched by the government.

Registered retailers in Hong Kong distributed 90 percent fewer plastic bags in the past 12 months in comparison to the situation before … Read more : Hong Kong reduces plastic bags by 90 percent.

EPA’s “Energy Star” label graces churches as congregations practice stewardship they preach

“Energy Star” label graces churches for efficiency

NEEDHAM, Mass. – Old and new intersect at First Parish Church in Massachusetts, which holds 18th-century timber in its walls and displays proof of its 21st-century energy efficiency with an “Energy Star” plaque by the door.
“Energy Star” status, more commonly associated with dishwashers and refrigerators, is now available to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : EPA’s “Energy Star” label graces churches as congregations practice stewardship they preach.

Russian spaceship docks with ISS

Moscow, July 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian cargo spaceship Progress M-06M successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday, two days after missing its first attempt, the mission control said.

The space freighter docked to the port of the Russian Zvezda in automotive mode in its second attempt after Friday’s docking was aborted due to a … Read : Russian spaceship docks with ISS.

‘Twilight’ rises to $161 million but falls sharply from huge opening day

‘Twilight’ falls sharply but makes it to $161M

LOS ANGELES – “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” is waning at the box office but still has gotten off to a blockbuster start with $161 million in its first five days, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The third chapter in Summit Entertainment’s vampire romance fell off sharply after debuting last …. Read the original article  : ‘Twilight’ rises to $161 million but falls sharply from huge opening day.

Monsoon on way, showers cool Delhi (Night lead)

NEW DELHI – While the monsoon is still a couple of days away for Delhi, spells of rain Sunday brought down the temperature by three notches in the capital, bringing relief for the residents.

Delhi recorded a total of 1.4 mm of rain between 8.30 a.m and 8.30 p.m. Sunday which brought both maximum and minimum … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Monsoon on way, showers cool Delhi (Night lead).

Cargo ship docks with International Space Station 2 days after first attempt failed

Cargo ships docks with space station on 2nd try

MOSCOW – An unmanned Russian space capsule carrying tons of food, water and supplies to the International Space Station docked with the orbiting laboratory Sunday, two days after the first attempt went awry.
A video feed from Russian mission control just outside Moscow reported the docking took place …. Source article  : Cargo ship docks with International Space Station 2 days after first attempt failed.

At abandoned US cemeteries, respect for the dead at odds with financial worries of the living

Towns grapple with tidying forsaken cemeteries

MONTVILLE, Conn. – Almost 125 years ago, 15-month-old Emma Wheeler was laid to rest within sight of her family’s church near a stone wall in a New England cemetery.
The church is now long gone, and the cemetery is abandoned. Over time, the toddler’s grave and the rest of the Montville … Original article on : At abandoned US cemeteries, respect for the dead at odds with financial worries of the living.

Wyoming gambit to force swap with feds could put prime Grand Teton Park land on auction block

Wyoming threatens to sell prime Grand Teton land

MOOSE, Wyo. – For Sale: Two square miles of Grand Teton National Park.
Majestic views of the Teton Range. Prime location for luxury resort, home development. Pristine habitat for moose, elk, wolves, grizzlies.
Price: $125 million. Call: Gov. Dave Freudenthal.
Wyoming is trying to force the Interior Department to trade land, …. Original article  : Wyoming gambit to force swap with feds could put prime Grand Teton Park land on auction block.

Heavy rain predicted in Himachal

SHIMLA – The hills of Himachal Pradesh may experience heavy rainfall in the next two days, a weather official said Sunday.

“There are chances of heavy spells of rain across the state till Tuesday,” Manmohan Singh, the meteorological office director, told IANS.
He said Shimla, Solan, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, Sirmaur and Kangra districts would experience heavy …. Read the original article  : Heavy rain predicted in Himachal.

Silence isn’t golden: Carmakers add sounds to hybrids, electric cars; pedestrian safety eyed

Quiet hybrids: An end to their sounds of silence?

WASHINGTON – The age of the silent hybrid may be coming to an end.
Gas-electric hybrids, propelled by electric motors at low speeds, are well-known for their quiet ride and great mileage. But their silence isn’t always golden.
Some researchers and safety groups say that quiet operation – “hybrid …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Silence isn’t golden: Carmakers add sounds to hybrids, electric cars; pedestrian safety eyed.

Three-millennia-old bronze tablet is battle chariot linchpin

WASHINGTON – A 3,200-year-old round bronze tablet with a carved face of a woman, found at the El-ahwat excavation site near Katzir in central Israel, has been identified as a part of a linchpin that held the wheel of a battle chariot in place.

The revelation was made by Oren Cohen of the Zinman Institute of … Original article on : Three-millennia-old bronze tablet is battle chariot linchpin.