Scientists map epidemic trigger zones
Sydney, Jan 5 (IANS) Scientists have identified and mapped potential zones that can trigger deadly outbreak of plagues and epidemics, with devastating consequences.

"A study has revealed a number of global hot-spots where new and unknown diseases are most likely to erupt - and it turns out that one of the hottest is spread in an arc to Australia's north," warned Stephen Prowse.

Prowse is the chief executive officer of Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for ... Read More

Obama's stimulus plan to include $300 bn in tax cuts
Washington, Jan 5 (DPA) US president-elect Barack Obama's plan to jump-start the US economy will include $300 billion in tax cuts, the New York Times reported Monday as Obama prepared to meet congressional leaders to discuss his plans.

Obama will devote about 40 percent of his estimated $675-775 billion economic stimulus plan to tax cuts, in part to appeal to critics that say the package is too heavy on government spending, the NYT quoted advisers ... Read More

Acidification, climate change killing off corals
Sydney, Jan 5 (IANS) Ocean acidification and rising temperatures are gradually killing off the biggest and most robust corals on the Great Barrier Reef since 1990, the "tipping point" year, says a new study.

The study, authored by Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) scientists Glenn De'ath, Janice Lough and Katharina Fabricius, is the most comprehensive one to date on calcification rates of Great Barrier Reef (GBR) corals.

Calcification is how much skeleton the coral ... Read More

Marine algae most promising bet for green fuel
Washington, Jan 5 (IANS) Scientists see marine algae as the most promising bet for a green fuel that would help ease the dependence on fossil fuel and power vehicles of the future.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of Californa San Diego (UCSD), scientists along with their counterparts from its division of biological sciences are part of an emerging algal biofuel consortium that includes academic collaborators, CleanTECH, public and private partners.

Scripps biologist Greg Mitchell is quick to ... Read More

Obamas settle in to Washington luxury hotel
Washington, Jan 5 (DPA) Barack Obama may not become president until Jan 20, but starting Sunday the president-elect and his family are at home in Washington.

Obama Sunday joined his wife, Michelle, and daughters, Malia and Sasha, at the luxurious Hay-Adams Hotel just steps from the White House. Michelle Obama and the girls moved into the hotel Saturday, one day earlier than planned, to allow them to settle in before starting school Monday, the Washington ... Read More

Israeli troops divide Gaza in two as incursion continues
Tel Aviv/Gaza, Jan 5 (DPA) Israeli troops pushed further into the Gaza Strip Sunday, battling Palestinian gunmen and cutting the enclave in two as they deployed south of Gaza City and seized control of a major road.

An Israeli military spokesman said one soldier was killed and 31 wounded since the army first moved into the Gaza Strip Saturday night.

The Israeli military spokesman dismissed as a "complete lie" militants claims that they had killed ... Read More

Tehran guarantees Iranian Nobel peace laureate's safety
Tehran, Jan 5 (DPA) Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi was safe and there was no need for any international concern over her well-being, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said Monday.

The spokesman was referring to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who Saturday urged Tehran to secure Ebadi's safety after Islamists gathered outside her residence in Tehran last week, accusing her of having sympathy for Israel in the Gaza crisis.

"She is safe and sound ... Read More

Obama's pick for commerce secretary withdraws amid federal probe
Washington, Jan 5 (IANS) Amid the euphoria around his upcoming inauguration, US President-elect Barack Obama faced a setback as his choice of commerce secretary, Bill Richardson, withdrew his nomination due to a federal grand jury investigation.

Withdrawal of New Mexico Governor Richardson's nomination Sunday came amid reports that a federal grand jury has been looking into whether a California company won a state contract after contributing to Richardson's political causes.

Coming hours before Obama landed in Washington ... Read More