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Human trials planned after paralysed rats walk again
Oil falls on fresh signs of global slowdown
Federer again stretched to 4 sets at French Open
Hot, dry weather prevails in most parts of country
Aisam, Rojer in French Open 3rd round
Dr Afridi conviction: US seeks clarification from Pakistan
CJ constitutes 3-member bench to hear Speaker ruling case
Altaf expresses sorrow over opposition protest in NA
IB, President, PM, Army overspent in 2012
Pakistan suffers worse defeat in T20 against Sri Lanka
HEC gets Rs 15,800m allocation
UK rejects appeal on student visa curbs
Heat claims 4 lives in Sahiwal
PAF Air War College: SL Muhammad Iftikhar gets Top Graduate trophy
Farooq Sattar suggests direct tax on feudal lords

Human trials planned after paralysed rats walk again

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Rats with spinal cord injuries and severe paralysis are walking and running again, after undergoing groundbreaking treatment by Swiss scientists that opens up the possibilities of severely disabled using their legs independently.  Published in the new issue of Science, the results show that a severed section of the spinal cord can regain its use when a rat s innate intelligence and regenerative capacity -- what lead author Grégoire Courtine (pronounced: Greg-war Cor-teen) calls the "spinal brain" -- is awakened with a treatment of chemicals, Courtine holds the International Paraplegic Foundation (IRP) Chair in Spinal Cord Repair at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Lausanne. He began working on the study five years ago alongside colleagues from the University of Zurich. Their research points to a profound change in our understanding of the central nervous system. It s already well known that the brain and spinal cord can adapt and recover from moderate injury, a quality known as neuroplasticity, but until now the spinal cord expressed so little plasticity after severe injury that this degree of recovery was impossible. Courtine s research proves that, under certain conditions, plasticity and recovery can return if the dormant spinal column is first "woken up". To do this Courtine and his team injected a chemical solution of cell binding chemicals called monoamine agonists into the rats. Courtine explained:  "To transform the circuit below the injury from dormant to highly functional state we administered a cocktail of pharmalogical agents and applied electrical stimulation on the docile aspect of the spinal cord." These chemicals trigger cell responses by binding to specific dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin receptors located on the spinal neurons. This cocktail replaces neurotransmitters released by brainstem pathways in healthy subjects and acts to excite neurons and prepare them to coordinate lower body movement Within ten minutes of the injection, the scientists electrically stimulated the spinal cord with electrodes implanted in the outermost layer of the spinal canal, called the epidural space. Courtine and his team reported that a stimulated rat spinal column, physically isolated from the brain, developed in a surprising way. It started taking over the task of modulating leg movement, allowing previously paralysed rats to walk, albeit involuntarily, over treadmills. These experiments revealed that the movement of the treadmill created sensory feedback that initiated walking. The spinal brain took over and walking occurred without any input from the rat s actual brain. This surprised the researchers and led them to believe that only a very weak signal from the brain was needed for the animals to initiate movement of their own volition. To test this theory, Courtine replaced the treadmill with a robotic device that supported the subjects and only came into play when they lost balance, giving them the impression of having a healthy and working spinal column. This encouraged the rats to will themselves toward a chocolate reward on the other end of the platform. The team are optimistic that human, phase two, trials will begin within two years at Balgrist University Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Centre in Zurich.

Oil falls on fresh signs of global slowdown

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Oil plunged nearly 4 percent Friday as a bleak report on U.S. job growth heightened worries about a slowing global economy and waning oil demand. Sobering economic news from China and Europe also contributed to the drop. West Texas Intermediate, the benchmark for oil in the U.S, fell $3.30, or 3.7 percent, to $83.23 per barrel, the lowest price since early October. The drop adds to a 17 percent decline in May. Brent crude, which is used to price international oil, lost $3.44, or 3.4 percent, to $98.43 per barrel, its lowest price since January 2011. The reports on jobs and manufacturing are the latest signals that the U.S. economy is growing more slowly. At the same time, Europe is embedded in a financial crisis and China s government is working to prevent economic growth there from slowing too quickly. That s led to rising concerns that oil demand may weaken in the months ahead. U.S. employers added 69,000 jobs in May, the government said, which is the smallest number in a year and far short of the 158,000 new jobs expected by economists. The unemployment rate rose to 8.2 percent from 8.1 percent in April. Cheaper oil means cheaper gasoline. The national average is now $3.61 per gallon (95 cents a liter), 33 cents below their April peak of $3.94, according to AAA, Wright Express and the Oil Price Information Service. Energy futures fell across the board, as did global stock markets. Heating oil fell 7.53 cents to $2.628 per gallon, gasoline futures fell 6.59 cents to $2.657 per gallon and natural gas dropped 9.6 cents to $2.326 per 1,000 cubic feet. The S&P 500 stock index and the Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 2 percent in afternoon trading. Markets in Europe fell 2 percent or more. Markets in Asia showed smaller declines.

Federer again stretched to 4 sets at French Open

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Even though he was again far from his best, Roger Federer still managed to win at the French Open. Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, the top-ranked man and woman, had much easier paths to victory. Federer, the 2009 champion at Roland Garros, was pushed to four sets Friday for the second straight match, this time beating Nicolas Mahut of France 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the third round. "I think for bigger guys it s about, if you re able to move them around enough and they have to defend time and time again, this is maybe where you can expose some of their weaknesses potentially," Federer said. "I thought he did well. (I) struggled a little bit, but overall obviously I m happy I came through." With the win, Federer improved his record number of Grand Slam match wins to 235. The 16-time Grand Slam champion is trying to become the first man over 30 years old to win a major title since Andre Agassi in 2003 at the Australian Open. For Mahut, it was the first time he has ever won a set against Federer in four matches. Djokovic also advanced to the fourth round, extending his Grand Slam win streak to 24 matches by beating Nicolas Devilder of France 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in a match that ended just as the sun was setting. Azarenka reached the fourth round in the woman s draw, while Maria Sharapova advanced to the third round. But the big surprises came early in the day when third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska and 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic were eliminated. Two days after beating seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, Radwanska was routed by 2009 French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 6-2. In the second round, Sharapova advanced with another straight-forward, straight-set victory. Three days after scoring a "double bagel" in the first round, the second-seeded Sharapova defeated Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-1, 6-1. Sharapova has won three major titles in her career, but she still needs to win at Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam. Also in the third round, the 13th-seeded Ivanovic lost to Sara Errani of Italy 1-6, 7-5, 6-3. The former top-ranked player committed 37 of her 40 unforced errors in the final two sets. Errani had only 18. No. 6 Sam Stosur, the 2010 runner-up, advanced as well. American teen Sloane Stephens also advanced to the fourth round, beating Mathilde Johansson of France 6-3, 6-2. Of the eight teenagers in this year s draw, the 19-year-old Stephens was the only one to even reach the third round.

Hot, dry weather prevails in most parts of country

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Highest temperature was recorded in Sibbi, Turbat, Dadu and Lasbella where mercury soured up to 48 degree centigrade. In Jacobabad and Larkana the temperature reached 47, Hyderabad, Multan, Nawabshah, Sukkur and Rahim Yar Khan 46, Lahore and Faisalabad 45, Islamabad and Peshawar 42, Karachi 39 and Quetta 34 degree centigrade.

Aisam, Rojer in French Open 3rd round

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In the second round match, Pakistan tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and his doubles partner Jean-Julien Rojer beat Bjorn Phau (Germany) and Adil Shamasdin (Canada) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6. Aisam and Roger will face pair of UK and Philippines players in the 3rd round.

Dr Afridi conviction: US seeks clarification from Pakistan

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During a media briefing in Washington, State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said that US in waiting for a clarification from Pakistan on Dr Shakeel Afridi’s conviction. He said that US officials are in contact with Pakistan. Toner said that Washington is discussing a broad range of issues with Islamabad. He also said that the United States wants Pakistan to be a stable and prosperous democratic country.

CJ constitutes 3-member bench to hear Speaker ruling case

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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and Judicial Activism Panel have challenged Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza’s ruling on prime minister conviction in the Supreme Court. The bench will be headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry while Justice Javad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif as other members. The bench will start hearing of the case on June 6.

Altaf expresses sorrow over opposition protest in NA

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In a statement, Mutahidda Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain said that difference of opinion and protest is opposition’s right but the stance adopted by the opposition in the National Assembly today cannot be termed as justified. He said what happened in the National Assembly today during budget session is against the norms of parliament.

IB, President, PM, Army overspent in 2012

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Bbudget documents have revealed that the heavy amount of Rs 90 million announced by president Asif Ali Zardari for mausoleum of great mystic Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri were paid by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs during their official visit to India. It has also been revealed that the PM Secretariat spent Rs 180 million more than the allocated amount. In the same way, the government paid one billion rupees for the purchase of armed vehicles to counter terror activities in Karachi. Likewise, Rs 420 million were spend in order to fetch stranded Pakistanis from Libya. So far as the Army is concerned, it spent Rs 14 billion more than the amount allocated to it. Pakistan had to face the loss of Rs 4 billion in order to purchase wheat from abroad. Prime Minsiter Yousaf Raza Gilani spent about Rs 4.5 million for renovation and embellishment of his residence. During the sugar crisis, Pakistan had to face the loss of Rs 16 billion when provision of sugar was made possible with the cooperation of neighbouring country. Foreign Ministry got supplementary grant worth Rs 200 million in the name of secret service. For election of impermanent member in the UN, government of Pakistan spent Rs 430 million.

Pakistan suffers worse defeat in T20 against Sri Lanka

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Perera, Mathews fashioned massive win in a low-scorer.Sri Lanka 132 for 7 (Perera 32, Tanvir 3-12) beat Pakistan 95 (Mathews 2-8, Malinga 2-12, Kulasekara 2-13) by 37 runs Sri Lanka threw their wickets away through reckless shots, conceded 17 runs through wides and about 10 through misfields, but thanks to the Josephian Mafia - a moniker Thisara Perera and Angelo Mathews have earned from the school they shared - still won by a whopping 37 runs.It was an unremarkable night of cricket with most of the wickets owing neither to the bowling nor the pitch, but many will argue it s a trait that can be attributed to Twenty cricket in general because of the devaluation of a wicket. Perera and Mathews, though, stood out. Perera first scored a two-a-ball 32 to give Sri Lanka a fighting chance from 89 for 7.Mathews then bowled a testing spell of outswing for eight runs and two wickets.The two came together when Perera flew at third man to catch Shoaib Malik off the bowling of Mathews. Perera and Mathews were the highlight of the night, which featured a lot of inexplicable cricket otherwise.

HEC gets Rs 15,800m allocation

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According to the budgetary document released here on Friday, out of the total allocations, an amount of Rs 66534 million has been utilized till June 2012 and the remaining Rs. 87187 million will be used in the next year. Among the projects, the government allocated Rs1494 million for Overseas Scholarship for MS/M.Phil leading to PhD in selected fields, Rs 695 million for Human Resource Development Initiative MS Leading to PhD programme of faculty of Development of Engineering Universities, Rs 625 million for PhD Fellowship for 5000 Scholars and Rs 600 million for Strengthening of University of Engineering and Technology Lahore. An amount of Rs 550 million has been allocated for establishment of new campus of Jolazai Khyber Pukhtunkhwa University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Rs 400 million for Infrastructure Development of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Rs.350 million for Indigenous PhD Fellowship for 5000 scholars and Rs.300 million for Foreign Faculty Hiring Programme and Abdul Wali Khan University each. The government allocated Rs. 250 million for Strengthening of NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, Rs 200 million for Strengthening and Development of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro and Post Doctoral Fellowship Programme each, Rs 180 million for establishing women university Multan, Rs 175 for Establishment of a University at Faisalabad and Rs 130 million for Strengthening and Upgradation of UET Taxila. An amount of Rs 125 million has been allocated for Expansion Programme of Quaid-i-Azam University and Strengthening of Faculties of Lahore College each, Rs 120 million for Development of Imminent Academics and Support facilities at COMSATS institute of Information Technology Lahore and Strengthening and Development of Department of Civil, Software and Institute of Science and Technology, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro each. The government has earmarked Rs. 135 million for strengthening of King Edward Medical University, Rs. 120 million for development of Khyber Medical University, Peshawar and establishment of National Institute of Liver and Gastro Intestinal Diseases at DOW University of Health Sciences, Karachi each.

UK rejects appeal on student visa curbs

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The British government rejected an appeal by nearly 70 top university heads to review changes to the student visa regime that is likely to put off students from India and other non-EU countries from coming to the UK. In a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, the university heads noted the economic and other contributions made by international students, and said Britain stood to lose out on the highly competitive international student market unless the recent changes were reviewed. The university heads said: "In particular we request that international university students be removed from the net migration statistics for policy purposes, bringing us into line with our major competitors". They added: "We believe that this would help government by creating a clear differentiation between temporary and permanent migration, help universities whose international character is essential to their future success, and help the UK by contributing to economic growth".  Students comprise a major component of overall annual immigration figures.  The recent curbs on student visas are intended to reduce the number of international students as well as prevent abuse, but critics of the curbs say students should not be counted as immigrants since their stay is temporary. Immigration minister Damian Green, who last week said there had been a 62 per cent fall in student visas issued in the first quarter of 2012, rejected the contention in the letter to Cameron, and said: "Public confidence in statistics will not be enhanced by revising the way the net migration numbers are presented by removing students." "Students coming to the UK for over a year are not visitors — numbers affect communities, public services and infrastructure. "The independent Office for National Statistics is responsible for producing net migration statistics according to the internationally agreed definition of a migrant which is someone entering the country for more than a year," he added.

Heat claims 4 lives in Sahiwal

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According to detail three old women including one young girl died while scores of persons felt unconscious owing to rising temperatures of up to 46 degrees centigrade gripping the district for the last 96 hours. As a result 75 year old Amanat Bibi, 81 year old Haseena Bibi, 86 year old Amanat Nazir and 13 year old Asma died in the hospital due to heat stroke. Meanwhile the ice vendors have increased their rates to Rs 15 per kg, while the District Administration is playing role as a silent spectator. The citizens have appealed to the District Administration to take measures to control hike in prices of ice.

PAF Air War College: SL Muhammad Iftikhar gets Top Graduate trophy

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A graduation ceremony was held at PAF Air War College, Faisal to award certificates to the graduates of No 59 Senior Command and Staff Course. Air Marshal Waseemuddin, Acting Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was the Chief Guest at the occasion. He awarded certificates to the graduating officers. Top Graduate trophy was awarded to Squadron Leader Muhammad Iftikhar. The chief guest in his closing address, stressed on the importance of developing knowledge base, skills and attitudes commensurate with expectations from senior military officers entrusted to assume command and staff duties in 21st century. He also congratulated the graduating officers on successful completion of this important milestone in their career. Earlier, the Chief Instructor (Staff Wing) Air Commodore Nadeem Shujaat Khan, presented the End Course Report. PAF Air War College is the premier institution of Pakistan Air Force, where mid level officers of Pakistan Armed Forces and friendly countries are prepared for assumption of higher Command and Staff appointments.

Farooq Sattar suggests direct tax on feudal lords

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He also expressed his reservations regarding some aspects of new budget 2012-13. Parliamentary leader of MQM in National Assembly and federal minister Dr Farooq Sattar has termed the budget as ‘ordinary’ and stressed to make it extraordinary.  Talking to the media after the budget session, Dr Farooq Sattar said if the shadow budget, presented by MQM, is implemented it would provide relief to masses. Dr Farooq Sattar said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had assured to take in MQM proposals in the budget. MQM leader said there is need to put direct tax on the income of feudals besides improving production of oil and electricity and reducing its tariff. He said economic condition of the country is on the verge of collapse.