New scorpion species discovered in US desert near tucson...

Washington: A new species of scorpion, Vaejovis brysoni, has been discovered in the Santa Catalina Mountains of southern Arizona in the US. 

Rob Bryson Junior, biologist from the University of Washington, unearthed this new species accidentally while looking for a completely different animal. 

Another scorpion of the same group also inhabits this mountain range, making this the first documented case of two vorhiesi group species distributed on the same mountain, the journal Zookeys reports. 

For over 50 years, only four species of mountain scorpions were known from the state of Arizona. That number has more than doubled over the past six years, with a total of 10 species now known, all belonging to the same group, according to a Washington statement. 

Arizona is known for isolated mountain habitats in the desert called Sky Islands. These Sky Islands are where the new species are being discovered. 

China to tax carbon emissions.....

Beijing: China will impose a new tax on carbon-dioxide emissions as part of policies aimed at protecting the environment and improving air quality, the finance ministry said. 

In an article on its web site, the ministry did not go into specifics nor provide a timetable but it said municipal authorities would be responsible for collecting the tax. 

Coal-fired power producers have paid pollution-discharge fees for their sulphur-dioxide emissions for the past decade, but carbon dioxide thus far has not been taxed. 

In 2010, the finance ministry proposed that a tax of 10 yuan ($1.60) per tonne of carbon dioxide be imposed starting in 2012 and increased to 50 yuan by 2020, but no such levy has yet been introduced. 

Dangerously high air pollution levels last month in China's main cities heaped pressure on authorities to adopt green policies, including requiring the country's biggest refineries to speed up the process for improving gasoline quality. 

China, the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter, has pledged to cut carbon-dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product by between 40-45 percent in 2020 relative to 2005 levels. 

Jurassic records yield clues to global warming.........

Washington: Findings from fieldwork along the North Yorkshire coast reveal strong parallels between the Early Jurassic era of 180 million years ago and current climate predictions over the next century, according to researchers at Plymouth University, UK. 

Through geology and palaeontology, they've shown how higher temperatures and lower oxygen levels caused drastic changes to marine communities, and that while the Jurassic seas eventually recovered from the effects of global warming, the marine ecosystems that returned were noticeably different from before. 

"Our study of fossil marine ecosystems shows that if global warming is severe enough and lasts long enough it may cause the extinction of marine life, which irreversibly changes the composition of marine ecosystems," said Professor Richard Twitchett, from the University's School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and a member of its Marine Institute. 

Professor Twitchett, with Plymouth colleagues Dr Silvia Danise and Dr Marie-Emilie Clemence, undertook fieldwork between Whitby and Staithes, studying the different sedimentary rocks and the marine fossils they contained. This provided information about the environmental conditions on the sea floor at the time the rocks were laid down. 

The researchers, working with Dr Crispin Little from the University of Leeds, were then able to correlate the ecological data with published data on changes in temperature, sea level and oxygen concentrations. 

The team found a 'dead zone' recorded in the rock, which showed virtually no signs of life and contained no fossils. This was followed by evidence of a return to life, but with new species recorded. 

"The results show in unprecedented detail how the fossil Jurassic communities changed dramatically in response to a rise in sea level and temperature and a decline in oxygen levels," stated Professor Twitchett. 

"Patterns of change suffered by these Jurassic ecosystems closely mirror the changes that happen when modern marine communities are exposed to declining levels of oxygen. Similar ecological stages can be recognised in the fossil and modern communities despite differences in the species present and the scale of the studies," he added. 

The results are revealed for the first time in this month's PLOS ONE scientific journal. 

Yahoo revamps website with a social networking touch........

New Delhi: Yahoo users can now manage their account with features familiar to social networking sites like Facebook, a news wire has reported. 

This is CEO Marissa Mayer's biggest product revamp since joining the company last year.

Yahoo Inc website overhaul allows users’ buttons like newsfeed and people's "likes" in line with Facebook. Users can log in with their Facebook IDs to gain access to content and information shared by friends - from articles and videos to birthdays.

Yahoo is one of the world's most-visited online properties, but revenue has declined in recent years amid competition from Google Inc and Facebook Inc.

The changes to Yahoo's Internet shop window, which include a more streamlined mobile application for smartphones and tablets, will be rolled out over coming days. The makeover follows a new version of Yahoo mail, one of its most popular applications, introduced in December

Saif Ali Khan is cool dude `Bullet Raja`.......

Mumbai: Actor Saif Ali Khan says although his character in new film ‘Bullet Raja’ wears nasty clothes, he will still try to make him look cool in them.

"I think it is one of the most fun things when you do a role, try and find the look for the character. So `Bullet Raja` is kind of like this (points to stubble) but a little, sort of wears pretty big and nasty clothes but hopefully we`ll make it look kind of cool. That`s the idea, nylon shirts and white pants and white shoes," the 42-year-old said here during a photo shoot for Image sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Saif believes that to have a certain image can harm an actor`s prospects in the industry but, nevertheless, it is still important.

"I don`t know how important is it for an actor to have an image because an image can sometimes stereotype you. I think the less you know about an actor, the better. An actor should just actually have an image of being a good actor," Saif said.

"But there are many other aspects to an actor`s income, like magazine covers, forming some kind of, you being a brand ambassador and people investing in you. But as an actor I don`t think it`s very important," he added.

Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, ‘Bullet Raja’ also stars Sonakshi Sinha.

What is interesting about Salman Khan's 'Kick'?........

Delhi: Producer turned director Sajid Nadiadwala is leaving no stone unturned in crafting his upcoming project ‘Kick’ to perfection. While the film already has the name of Salman Khan as its lead actor, Sajid is now roping in Alexander Witt, the cinematographer whose consummate work in the latest Bond flick ‘Skyfall’ left many agape.

Apart from the Daniel Craig-starrer blockbuster, Alexander Witt has also been an integral part of the crew in many big Hollywood films; some of which are ‘Pirates of The Caribbean’, ‘Casino Royale’ and the like.

An insider informed a leading daily, “Sajid wants the film to have a classy and edgy feel, especially since it’s going to be shot in London and Hong Kong. He has to complete the formalities (of the deal) today because Alexander isn’t available next week. In principle, he has already agreed.”

‘Kick’ is expected to go on floors somewhere around July/August this year. And Alexander Witt is to come down to India to meet Sajid and Salman before the shoot commences.

Sajid Nadiadwala confirmed the news to the daily, saying, “When I watched Skyfall, I was most impressed with the look of the film. It has been shot in a very sleek manner. And all of it was done without arming Bond with any modern gadgets. I’ve wanted to work with the DoP (Director of Photography) from that team since then.” 

Justin Bieber’s `chilling` murder plot recording and details released ......

Washington: A convicted murderer’s phone call to a hit man - in which he describes a plot to murder and castrate Justin Bieber and his bodyguard - has been released.

The phone call - obtained by KOAT 7 News in Albuquerque, New Mexico - was placed from a Las Cruces prison last November by Dana Martin - currently serving two life sentences for raping and killing a 15-year-old girl.

Martin, who is reportedly obsessed with Bieber, is the first voice on the tape, the person who he talks to is Tanner Ruane - accused of conspiring to carry out Bieber’s castration as Martin was behind the bars, TMZ.com reported.

Ruane is the nephew of a former Las Cruces inmate named Mark Staake, whom Martin had allegedly hired to help carry out the murder following Staake’s release last fall.

In the clips released by KOAT, Martin is heard telling Ruane that [Mark’s] going to kill the pit bulls and he is going to castrate them.

According to police, “pit bulls” was the code word given to the teen icon and his bodyguard.

In the call, Ruane also mentions the “hedge clippers” that he was planning to use to carry out the crime.

Martin also told Ruane how to perform the murders using his signature paisley tie - “Tie it really really tight. Knot it in the front once, really tight, put it in a knot. That cuts off the oxygen, and then tie it in the back again, really tight. That seals the deal.”

The murders were supposed to take place in New York City soon after the telephone call took place, while Bieber was in town performing at MSG, but Ruane and Staake were intercepted by police before anything happened. 

`James Bond` reunion cancelled.......

Los Angeles: The plans to have a reunion of all actors, who have played the lead role in `James Bond` series, have been scrapped.

It was said that the Academy Awards bosses were planning a spectacular reunion of the actors Feb 24, but co-producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have said it`s not happening, reports dailystar.co.uk.

"It`s something else, something very unique and very exciting but no, we`re not getting the Bonds together," the co-producers said in a statement.

Mumbai: Rani Mukerji has proved that a friend in need is a friend indeed. The actress who last appeared onscreen opposite Aamir Khan in ‘Talaash’ extended help to her friend and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali who was left in troubled waters recently

Home » Entertainment » And More ... Rani Mukerji steps-in in place of Aishwarya Rai for Sanjay Leela Bhansali   Last Updated: Thursday, February 21, 2013, 14:15 Tags: Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai, Sanjay Leela Bhansali  0    0 Zeenews Bureau Mumbai: Rani Mukerji has proved that a friend in need is a friend indeed. The actress who last appeared onscreen opposite Aamir Khan in ‘Talaash’ extended help to her friend and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali who was left in troubled waters recently. The ace director wanted his muse Aishwarya Rai to launch the first look of his debut TV show ‘Saraswatichandra’. But the lady couldn’t make it. And hence Bhansali had to ask Rani if she could do the honours. Talking to DNA, a source said, “Having done three films with Aishwarya and two films with Rani, Sanjay is extremely close to both of them. However, since Aishwarya and he go back a longer way to the time he shot ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, it was only befitting that Sanjay invite Aishwarya for the launch of his first serial.” “The two (Rani and SLB) got along like old times. Nothing had changed. They were soon laughing at the whole world, including themselves,” the source added. That’s like a good friend…Rani.

Australia in India: A litmus test for the new generation.......

The focus on the recently concluded Indian domestic cricket season was quite heartening. The reason behind this interest has been the mini-crisis that the senior team has been facing. To leave aside their performances in the limited-overs format, their record in the Test arena since the fateful tour of England in 2011 has been a forgettable one. A win against West Indies and New Zealand in the intervening period between the two humbling defeats to England was their only consolation.


The departure of two of their most prolific batsmen, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, means that the tag of the team with the best batting line-up is no more theirs to be proud of. The imminent departure of Sachin Tendulkar will mark the final act of the old guard making way for the new generation. The absence of the fab-four, combined with an experienced but unsettled batting line-up, gives a hint of vulnerability to this Indian team; which is the reason why everyone was glued to the domestic season to identify and search for the alternatives that will shape a future Team India. 

The failure of the openers in Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag and with the eternal search for a dependable No. 6, a lot was riding upon the performances of the players-in-waiting in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy that was won by Mumbai. Rightly so, the selectors rewarded some of them with a place in the national squad. Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, got a call for the high-profile Border-Gavaskar trophy that begins February 22. Gautam Gambhir was dropped – and rightly so – given the command of the ‘A’ team to prove himself fit enough for the national team. The list of players included in the team gives you a whiff of the BCCI’s intention of building a team for the future. Not to take anything away from the selectors for choosing a team that best suits its needs at home, the one person that they could have recalled was Mumbai’s Wasim Jaffer. He had had a successful Ranji season in which he slammed three centuries that helped him amass 835 runs. Selecting Vijay over him who has had a poor season (as far as Ranji goes) seems a bit unfair. 

Gold prices hit seven-month low of Rs 29,263 per 10 gm.............

New Delhi: Gold prices tumbled by 1.06 percent to Rs 29,263 per 10 grams in futures trade on Thursday amid heavy selling by speculators, driven by a steep fall in prices in global markets.

The most active gold contract for April delivery on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) fell Rs 316, or 1.06 percent, to Rs 29,263 per 10 grams, with a business turnover of 12,794 lots.

Similarly, the metal for delivery in June dropped Rs 315, or 1.04 percent, to Rs 29,801 per 10 grams, with a business turnover of 920 lots. 

Marketmen said gold prices dropped in futures trade on frantic selling by speculators as gold in global markets fell for the seventh day, slumping to the lowest level since July.

Gold in Singapore fell 0.60 percent to USD 1,555.55 an ounce, the lowest since July 12.

RBI 1000 RS COIN....