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Amir Khan Will Face Lamont Peterson In Las Vegas

LONDON: British boxer Amir Khan on Tuesday vowed to learn from his mistakes when he faces American Lamont Peterson in their keenly anticipated world title rematch in May. Khan cried foul after losing a split decision to Peterson in their see-saw battle for the WBA and IBF lightwelterweight titles in Washington in December, insisting he had been the victim of dubious scoring.

However Khan, 25, said he expected a different story would unfold in the May 19 rematch at the Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas. "In my eyes, the fight was the best fight of 2011. It was toe-to-toe action and exciting," Khan said at a press conference to promote the fight in London. "But for this fight, we're going to change a lot of things. I'll train hard and am not going to make

any mistakes at all. It's a huge fight, a winnable fight," said Khan, who won an Olympic silver as a 17-year-old in 2004. "I made a few mistakes in the first fight but I still felt I won it. It was tough and the next one will be even tougher because we know what to expect from each other. "I've started training early for this fight, I wanted to get back in the gym and get into shape. I'm going to meet Freddie

Lionel Messi's hat-trick set a new Barcelona scoring record of 234 goals as the La Liga champions won an action-packed home game against Granada 5-3 to close to within five points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid. The Argentine World Player of the Year, still only 24, also set a Spanish record of 54 goals in all competitions in a single season with more than two months of the campaign remaining and overhauled

Cristiano Ronaldo to top the La Liga scoring charts on 34 goals. After Xavi's fourth-minute opener at the Nou Camp, Messi made it 2-0 in the 17th minute to match Cesar Rodriguez's 60year-old mark of 232 goals.Barca seemed in complete control but Granada pulled a goal back 10 minutes into the second half when Diego Mainz nodded in from a free kick and the visitors grabbed a shock equaliser from the penalty spot

seven minutes later after Daniel Alves fouled Daniel Benitez. Guilherme Siqueira kept his nerve to beat Victor Valdes and make it 2-2 before Messi restored Barca's lead just over 20 minutes from time. He sped clear from an Alves pass and lifted the ball over Granada goalkeeper Julio Cesar to set a new all-time scoring record before substitute Cristian Tello made it 4-2 in the 82nd minute when he followed up from Messi's angled strike.

Messi Scores Hat-Trick To Break Barca Record

(Roach, trainer) next week to train at the Wildcard Gym and then go to the Philippines for high altitude training." Khan added: "I always train like a challenger and I want to bring those titles back to Britain. "We'll see a different Amir Khan for this fight. I'll be explosive, as always, and maybe this fight can be one of the fights of the year too."

Messi completed his hat-trick four minutes later, his 234th Barca goal in official matches, and in an eventful finale Alves was shown a second yellow card and dismissed for a handball in the area. Siqueira beat Valdes from the spot for a second time as Granada became the first team to put three goals past Barca at the Nou Camp this season. Real Madrid play their game in hand at struggling Villarreal on Wednesday and have 71 points from 27 matches. Barca, chasing a fourth successive title, have 66 from 28 games.

Premier League Blackburn Ease Relegation Fears With Win

Steve Kean celebrated his 50th Premier League match in charge of Blackburn Rovers by watching his side floor Sunderland with a 2-0 win that carries them six points clear of the relegation zone. Junior Hoilett (58) and Yakubu Aiyegbeni (86) scored the goals that earned Blackburn their first back-to-back wins in the Premier League since November 2010. It was little more than they deserved from an Ewood Park contest that will not live long in the memory. Kean's side are now six points clear of the bottom three clubs - QPR, Wigan and Wolves - and five ahead of Bolton Wanderers with only nine league matches to play courtesy of a comfortable win over a poor Sunderland side. Hoilett - who had scored a double in the 2-0 win at Wolves 10 days ago - whacked a volley into the vacant visiting net after Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had failed to punch clear Morten Gamst Pedersen's long throwin early in the second period. The ball broke kindly for Hoilett to despatch the

ball through a crowded box for a priceless opening goal. Sunderland did little of note from an attacking perspective with Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson enjoying a quiet night. Visiting manager Martin O'Neill seemed to cut a confused figure as sloppy patterns of play characterised a disappointing night for his team. They blew a wonderful chance to equalise when substitute Dong-Won Ji on for the struggling Frazier Campbell somehow lifted James McClean's driven cross over the home goal from four yards out on 79 minutes. They paid the price for such wastefulness when Rovers dashed to the other end to seal the three points when Steven Nzonzi fed Jason Lowe who crossed for Yakubu to nod home his 15th goal of the season. Yakukbu was unlucky not to net the opening goal on three minutes when he collected Blackburn managed to keep a first clean sheet in 16 league games at Ewood Park as they inch nearer preserving their place among England's elite

In the night's other La Liga clash sixth placed Osasuna had to settle for

disappointing 0-0 draw against 11th placed Getafe. Reuters

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Muamba Continues To Improve

Bolton manager Owen Coyle is hoping that Fabrice Muamba can make a full recovery from his cardiac arrest after the stricken midfielder was reported to be laughing with friends and family. The football world had feared the worst when Muamba, 23, collapsed on the pitch during an FA Cup match with Tottenham at the weekend. Having suffered cardiac arrest, he was treated on the pitch before being rushed to the London Chest Hospital, where two hours later his heart was restarted. After being placed in an artificial coma, Muamba has since started breathing, speaking and moving unaided, and was reported to have been in good spirits on Tuesday evening. The ex-Arsenal and Birmingham midfielder’s remarkable progress has led Coyle to revise his expectations, having been primarily concerned about his player’s

survival. "They say (a full recovery) is something that has happened before. Every case is individual and on its own merits," Coyle said. "The two things that Fabrice have that can help him in this battle are that he is such a fit young man and the life he’s had. "He’s had to fight every step of the way in his young journey, so those two things I am sure will stand him in good stead. "Football pales into insignificance at this moment, as we know,

but he’s an outstanding young individual and we pray that he gets back to that level again." Muamba’s friend Emmanuel Adebayor, the Tottenham striker who was injured for Saturday’s match, has been visiting Muamba since his collapse and spoke to journalists outside the East London hospital on Tuesday night. He said that Muamba was "acting normal", and thanked medical staff a tboth clubs for their quick

action on the pitch, credited in part for his survival."He's a strong guy and I think he has been through a lot of things in the last two days but he's back to normal and he's trying to talk normal and he's acting normal which is very important," the former Arsenal forward said."At the moment it's looking good. As a brother, as a friend, it's a big relief. "We are very happy the medics from Bolton and Tottenham did a great job - and we have to thank the almighty God as well. "Hopefully he'll recover very quickly. Now we have to see how, when they put him on his feet, he reacts as well. That's another test." Another friend of Muamba’s, Aime Esalo, revealed that he asked his father Marcel: “Did we lose? "When he was told they were drawing, Fabrice asked why they had stopped the game and his father said, ‘ Because of you’."

Woods Shows No Problem With Ankle

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods made it through two days of a golf exhibition without any trouble with his left Achilles tendon. Woods withdrew from the final round at Doral on March 11 with tightness in his left Achilles tendon, the same one that forced him to miss two majors last year. Woods later said he was being smart about his injury, and that it turned out to be a minor strain. If he makes the cut this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, it will be seven straight days of golf in his final competition before the Masters. In the Tavistock Cup, a two-day exhibition among four private golf clubs, Woods shot an even-par 72. Ian Poulter, his teammate from Albany, was the only player who had a higher score. Lake Nona won the event.

Tiger Woods unleashes a drive, Tavistock Cup, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Orlando, Florida, March 19, 2012- Photo AP

Tiger Woods showed no signs of injury as he made a blistering return to action on the first day of the Tavistock Cup. Woods' participation at next month's Masters looked in doubt when he pulled out of the WGCCadillac Championship

on account of an Achilles problem. The former world No. 1 issued a statement that the problem was not serious, but he needed to prove his well-being with the opening major of the year two and a half weeks away. He elected

tee it up at the prestigious four-club event in Florida and he looked in fine form alongside his Albany team-mate Justin Rose. Playing in the fourball format, Woods started with a flurry of birdies and he carded score of nine-under 63.

Saudi Arabian Women included in Its Olympic Team

The Summer Olympics in London could be a watershed event for international sports as every participating nation is expected to field at least one female athlete, including three Muslim countries — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei — that have previously sent only male competitors.Saudi Arabia, a monarchy whose legal system is based on Islamic law, is considered the most significant of the three, given its size, international oil influence and severe restrictions placed on women in daily life. While female athletes from Qatar and Brunei have participated in national and regional competitions, Saudi Arabia has essentially barred sports for women, according to Human Rights Watch. A pan-Arab newspaper based in London, Al-Hayat, reported Tuesday that the Saudi Crown Prince

Nayef bin Abdul Aziz has approved the participation of female athletes in London as long as their sports “meet the standards of women’s decency and don’t contradict Islamic laws.” The International Olympic Committee said in a statement that it met with Saudi Olympic officials last week and that it was “confident that Saudi Arabia is working to include women athletes and officials at the Olympic Games in London.” Qatar and Brunei have previously signaled an interest in sending female athletes to London. Human Rights Watch, women, said it could not confirm the Arab newspaper report. A Human Rights Watch official said he believed that at least one Saudi female athlete would compete in London, which he called a modest first step.

Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott both made centuries as England's top-order warmed-up for their Test series against Sri Lanka with an impressive performance against a Sri Lankan Development XI in Colombo. It was, perhaps, a particularly important innings for the England captain. Strauss has scored just one Test century in his last 46 Test innings and none at all since November 2010. While a century in a warm-up game will count for little in the grand scheme of things, this was an innings that suggested Strauss' form is returning. It will also ensure he goes into the first Test, which starts in Galle on Monday, with

renewed confidence. Strauss welcomed the arrival of slow left-armer Sajeera Weerakoon into the attack by lofting his second delivery over long-off for six. He did enjoy one moment of fortune when, on 95, he edged a delivery off Fernando that failed to carry to the wicketkeeper, but went on to register his first century for England in any format since his 158 in the World Cup tie against India in February 2011 and his first in firstclass cricket since the first Test of the 2010 Ashes. The Sri Lankan Development XI stretched their lead by 44 - to 203 - before stumps. Stuart Broad was the only successful bowler, bouncing back from being hit for boundaries.

Strauss and Trott centuries bring England cheer

Manchester International Festival 2013 Dates Announced

The fourth Manchester International Festival will take place 4 to 21 July 2013.Headline figures for MIF11 are released ahead of a full evaluation to be published at the end of October. The evaluation is based on data collected by Morris Hargreaves McIntyre for their report on the Festival: ‘Beautiful, Innovative, Creative’.The evaluation demonstrates that the Festival has made considerable strides in building on the achievements of the festivals in 2007 and 2009 – as well as learning from their shortcomings – to deliver an even more successful third edition in 2011. MIF11 presented Björk’s ambitious three week Biophilia residency; director Robert Wilson’s startling new piece for the stage, The Life and Death of Marina Abramović; uplifting evenings of devotional music in local places of worship with MIF Creative’s Sacred Sites; the electrifying live art show 11 Rooms; Victoria Wood’s glorious new musical That Day We Sang, and new work for children of all ages in participatory sonic experience Music Boxes and Doctor Who adventure The Crash of The Elysium. “We are so pleased with

the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve had from audiences, media, and artists following the 2011 Festival,’ said Festival Director Alex Poots. ‘We are very grateful to Manchester City Council, the Arts Council England and all our partners and sponsors for their continued support of the Festival. We look forward to presenting ambitious new work to audiences from Manchester and beyond for many years to come.” Notable achievements include raising £2.28 million in funds from co-commissioners. Many of these partners will go on to present the shows around the world following their premiere in Manchester, giving the Festival a growing national and international presence. The evaluation also recorded a 126% increase in overseas visitors to the Festival, with ticket bookings coming from 51 countries. Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Manchester City Council: “Whichever way you look at it, this year’s Festival was a resounding success and shows that the Festival is going from strength to strength despite the

prevailing difficult economic climate. It makes a major contribution to Manchester’s economic and cultural life, and is underlining the city’s international reputation.”

Key figures:

• 20 new commissions • 213 performances • One third of the programme free • £2.4 million raised in sponsorship, with the Co-operative Group joining existing top tier sponsors PZ Cussons, NCP, Mint Hotel, Bruntwood and Manchester Airport Group • 14 national and i n t e r n a t i o n a l co-commissioning partners • 12 local co-producing partners • £23.3 million advertising equivalent value of media coverage • 383 volunteers recruited • £2.28 million raised in co-commissioning funds • £37.6 million economic impact • 4007 participants in education sessions • 80% tickets sold

A Day Out With Thomas

Brilliant news for anybody who has ever been a fan of the little blue engine, Thomas and Friends are coming to visit the East Lancashire Railway again in 2012 Join from Saturday May 5 until Monday May 7, 2012.Thomas the Tank Engine returns this year. 2011′s events were record breaking bonanza’s for the East Lancashire Railway. meet the little blue engine and all of his friends, with face painting, magic, circus and puppet shows, Thomas film screenings and much, much more. For more information about Thomas and his friends visit www.thomasandfriends. com

Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival

Ramsbottom’s Chocolate Festival returns for another delicious day out in 2012 from 31 March 1April. Ramsbottom was the first town to hold a chocolate festival in the UK in 2009 and the event has become very popular. The town itself has become famous for it’s speciality shops and well established events programme. The main focus of the Chocolate Festival is the chocolate market with over 50 stalls full of chocolate and chocolate related products, yummy! There is also alfresco dining, chocolate workshops, children’s crafts, a Giant Easter Egg competition and much more. For more information visit www.eastlancsrailway. org.uk

New Geologic Map Reveals Solar System's Most Volcanic World Department of the Interior Geological Survey

Prepared for the

90°

0°

270°

180°

0°

N U

60°

tes

on M le Ni

° 300

k prb

60°

330

55°

0°

SCALE 1: 8 388 000 (1 mm = 8.39 km) AT ±56° LATITUDE POLAR STEREOGRAPHIC PROJECTION 500

400

300

KILOMETERS 100 50 0 50 100

200

–90°

300

400

Tens of millenia

–70°

pfu

prb

DESCRIPTION OF MAP UNITS

210

[See index map A above geologic map for locations of diffuse deposits] –55° 180°

dby

SCALE 1: 8 388 000 (1 mm = 8.39 km) AT ±56° LATITUDE POLAR STEREOGRAPHIC PROJECTION 300

KILOMETERS 100 50 0 50 100

200

300

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–90° –80° –70° –60° –55°

au M

us i Fluct

Cataquil Patera

Mbali Patera

ctu

Uta Patera

–30°

prb

pfu

Telegonus

Sethlaus Patera

REGIO

pfd fb

k k k

R E G I O

BACTRIA

Catha Patera

Mensae

Masubi

ETHIOPIA PLANUM Kane Patera fu

Siun Patera

Pan Mensa

HYBRISTES PLANUM

prb

Yellow bright diffuse material—Yellowish unit that appears to mantle underlying materials occurs mostly as circular patches around active vents or as irregular patches extending away from active vents or structural features. Generally shows decreasing opacity with increasing distance from center of deposit. Generally, individual deposits cover larger areal extents than white diffuse material. Interpretation: Pyroclastic deposits, probably colorized by sulfur-bearing particles, with significant component of SO2 (Lopes and others, 2001). Circular patches most likely come from umbrella-like plumes from active volcanoes. Long-term accumulation of yellow bright diffuse deposits may result in formation of yellow bright plains materials (unit pby) White bright diffuse material—White unit that appears to mantle underlying materials occurs mostly as circular or irregular patches around active vents or flows or as irregular patches around grooves on mountains or in the plains. Generally shows decreasing opacity with increasing distance from center of deposit. Interpretation: Fragmental volcanic deposits, perhaps dust with large component of condensed sulfur dioxide gas. Volatiles inferred to come from surficial deposits or nearsurface aquifers of SO2 remobilized by nearby volcanic heat sources (radial white streaks around the Prometheus Eruptive Center flow field: Kieffer and others, 2000; Milazzo and others, 2001) or to come from condensation of SO2 gas from various plume eruptions or seepage from fractures (McCauley and others, 1979). Long-term accumulation of white bright diffuse deposits may result in formation of white bright plains material (unit pbw) Red diffuse material—Dark-red to red-brown unit that mantles underlying materials occurs primarily as either asymmetrical deposits on one side of vents (Malik Patera) or as large circular rings around vents (Pele). Exposures are commonly ephemeral and generally have decreasing opacity with increasing distance from the vent. Interpretation: Fragmental volcanic deposits, perhaps dust rich in metastable, short-chain sulfur polymers (S3, S4: Spencer and others, 2000a) and (or) sulfur-bearing chlorides (Schmitt and Rodriguez, 2003). The sulfur allotropes or chlorides could act as colorizing contaminants within bright, transparent material such as SO2 (Geissler and others, 1999). Source of red color thought to come from primary magmatic S2 or Cl2 gas from active vents (McEwen and others, 1998a; Spencer and others, 2000a; Schmitt and Rodriguez, 2003). Long-term accumulation of red diffuse deposits may result in formation of red-brown plains material (unit prb) Dark diffuse material—Dark-brown to black unit that appears to mantle underlying materials occurs primarily as either asymmetrical deposits on one side of vent (Tsũi Goab Tholus) or as large circular ring around vent (Babbar and Camaxtli Paterae) and generally has decreasing opacity with increasing distance from vent. Interpretation: Pyroclastic deposits, rich in mafic to ultramafic silicates. Spectral analysis of all resolvable dark diffuse deposits by the Galileo SSI indicates Mg-rich silicates (Geissler and others, 1999) Green diffuse material—Rare, irregular, dark-green unit that mantles underlying materials occurs notably around the Culann Patera vent complex proximal to the red diffuse material (unit dr) but also as patches on the floor of Tohil Patera. The irregular boundaries appear to correspond with underlying dark flows. Interpretation: Alteration produced by interaction of red diffuse deposits with warm silicate lava flows (Geissler and others, 1999)

pfb

pfu

THOLUS UNIT

–

Dark flow material—Smooth (hundreds of meters at image pixel scale) to rough and platy (tens of meters at image pixel scale) lobate flows, with lengths greater than widths and low relative albedo (black in color images). Sharp contacts with surrounding terrain. Flows commonly extend toward and into apparent topographic lows (as indicated by mapping of scarps). Variation in albedo and crosscutting relations used to define local age relations and, in some cases, to separate younger from older flows, where darkest flows inferred freshest and youngest. High-temperature hot spots usually correlate with darkest flows as noted in Galileo Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) and Photopolarimeter-Radiometer (PPR) observations (Lopes and others, 2001; Williams and others, 2002). Units <20 km diameter mapped with an asterisk. Interpretation: Lava flows from mafic to ultramafic silicate eruptions (see McEwen and others, 1998b; Williams and others, 2000; Keszthelyi and others, 2001). Range of relative albedo in dark flows due to variation in lava composition, coating of flow surfaces by sulfurous pyroclastic materials or condensates, or radiation alteration B —

, , Office of Space Science, National

S A

Tohil Patera

, 2011

hil

Radegast Patera

B Figure 9. A, A portion of the global geologic map covering the Culann-Tohil region of the antijovian hemisphere (lat ~15°–33° S., long ~150°–175° W.). B, Corresponding image from the color-merged mosaic (fig. 1D). limits of diffuse deposits, whose patterns are not shown for clarity. C, Corresponding image from the monochrome mosaic (fig. 1C). Blue lines mark unit contacts. Mountain materials are the oldest features on Io, which over time degrade from lineated to mottled morphology (sharp ridges, grooves, and lineaments degrade as lineated mountain material containing these features undergo mass movement forming mottled mountain material). Over time, deposition of flows and (or) pyroclastic materials obscures the differences in appearance between the mountains and the plains. In all cases, paterae and flow materials are superposed on or adjacent to mountains and plains materials, as in this example. Diffuse deposits, the youngest features, are painted on all other units.

Culann Patera

Wabasso Patera Tohil Patera

hil

Radegast Patera

Surya Patera

Steropes Patera Sobo Fluctus Ruaumoko Patera

Camaxtli Patera

Ababinili Patera Tien Mu Patera Grannos Patera

Chaac Patera Balder Patera

Belenus Patera

B Figure 10. A, A portion of the global geologic map covering the Chaac-Camaxtli Paterae region of the antijovian hemisphere (lat ~3°–25° N., long ~132°–160° W.). B sponding image from the color-merged mosaic (fig. 1D . Purple lines mark the limits of diffuse deposits, whose patterns are not shown for clarity. C, Corresponding image from the monochrome mosaic (fig. 1C). Blue lines mark unit contacts. Plains-plains contacts are often gradational. Over time, deposition of pyroclastic materials homogenize the appearance of patera floors, making dark floors brighter and bright floors darker. Paterae often occur in layered plains (Chaac and Balder Paterae), whereas flow materials occur in low areas (based on mapping of scarps). In all cases, both are superposed on or adjacent to mountains and plains materials. Diffuse deposits, the youngest features, are painted on all other units.

Surya Patera

Steropes Patera Sobo Fluctus Ruaumoko Patera

Camaxtli Patera

Ababinili Patera Tien Mu Patera Grannos Patera

Chaac Patera Balder Patera

Yaw Patera Mentu Patera

Belenus Patera

Dingir Patera

Ra Patera Apis Tholus

Horus Patera

Apis Tholus Huo Shen Patera

Inachus Tholus

Horus Patera

Inachus Tholus

Kava Patera

Kava Patera Shoshu Patera

Masaya Patera

Vahagn Patera

EXPLANATION OF MAP SYMBOLS

Figure 11. A, A portion of the global geologic map covering the Ra Patera region of the subjovian hemisphere (lat ~0°–20° S., long ~320°–352° W.), imaged by Voyager. B sponding image from the color-merged mosaic (fig. 1D . Purple lines mark the limits of diffuse deposits, whose patterns are not shown for clarity. C Corresponding image from the m . . Blue lines mark unit contacts. D

Dingir Patera

Contact—Dashed where approximate; dotted where gradational S

Ababinili Patera T Grannos Patera

Chaac Patera Balder Patera

Yaw Patera Mentu Patera

ll patera floor or flow

—

. Units <20 km diameter mapped

Lineated mountain material—Dark-yellow to greenish-brown to yellow-white positive-relief edifices (in color images) that resemble bright plains in high-sun images. Edifice’s bounding scarp well defined around most features. Surface exhibits grooves, ridges, scarps, and lineaments. Generally relief (based on shadow measurements or stereo observations) of >1–2 km to <18 km. Many mountain-layered plains contacts gradational. Units <20 km diameter mapped with a blue triangle (index map B). Interpretation: Sections of tectonically formed mountains are disrupted by planar structural features (Schenk and Bulmer, 1998; Turtle and others, 2001, 2004). Structures likely faults resulting from uplift and (or) collapse of the edifices Mottled mountain material—Dark-yellow to greenish-brown to yellow-white positive-relief edifices (in color images) that consist of mottled lobes that lack visible structural features compared to the lineated mountain material as seen in low-resolution (hundreds of meters pixel scale), low-sun images. In high-resolution (tens of meters pixel scale), low-sun images, mottled texture consists of domical mounds of material. Individual lobes of unit contain few scarps and ill-defined lineations, and individual domical mounds occur below terminal scarps on the surrounding plains. Parts of unit may be mantled by bright diffuse material. Generally relief (based on shadow measurements or stereo observations) of >1–2 km to <6 km. Many mountain-layered plains contacts gradational. Units <20 km diameter mapped with a point feature. Interpretation: Sections of tectonically formed mountains that have undergone displacement by mass-wasting processes (Turtle and others, 2001), most likely involving flow with or without rotational sliding (debris aprons from rock and debris avalanches similar to those interpreted for Euboea Montes: Schenk and Bulmer, 1998) Undivided mountain material—Yellow-gray to yellow-white positive-relief edifices (in color images) that lack features diagnostic of either lineated or mottled mountain materials (because of lack of resolution in most cases). Often units completely or partially covered with diffuse deposits. Generally relief (based on shadow measurements or stereo observations) of >1–2 km, and many mountain-layered plains contacts gradational. Units <20 km diameter mapped with a point feature. Interpretation: An uplifted crustal block (mountain) whose detailed morphology cannot be determined

But the astronomers say they are not done yet. Later this year, they plan to complete an on-line database that will include the geologic map of Io, plus the original image mosaics, and other Galileo spacecraft observations. The researchers say the database will allow users to track the history of surface changes on Io caused by volcanic activity. The map of Io is published on the U.S. Geological Survey website. The 17th century Italian astronomer, Galileo, n discovered Io and three other moons of Jupiter in 1610. Now known as the Galilean moons, the four lunar siblings are: Io, Callisto, Ganymede, and Europa. -

. w

Radegast Patera

. Ryan

rich materials in form of lava flows buried by pyroclastic deposits and frosts from condensed volcanic gases, dominated by high proportion of coarse- to intermediate-grained sulfur dioxide (SO2) snow and frost (Douté and others, 2001, 2002). Material may also result from long-term accumulation of white bright diffuse deposits Red-brown plains material—Smooth surface at low resolution (hundreds of meters); hummocky surface at high resolution (meters to tens of meters); red to red-brown in color. Panchromatic albedo variation considerable (typically has lower albedo than yellow bright plains material, unit pby), but generally intermediate between dark and bright patera floor materials. Hummocky texture and mantling similar to unit pby. Dominantly located in middle to high latitudes (>±30˚) but also occurs in irregular patches surrounding some volcanic centers in equatorial regions (<±30˚). Interpretation: Heterogeneous mixture of silicate and sulfur-rich materials, formed by combination of lava flows buried by pyroclastic deposits, and frost deposition, without clear margins or source regions. Where found in equatorial regions (<±30˚), unit thought colored by long-term accumulations of red diffuse deposits, which have a relatively high proportion of short-chain sulfur deposits (S3, S4) recrystallized from S2 gas condensed from plumes (Spencer and others, 2000a). Where found as regional deposits in mid- to high-latitudes (>±30˚), these materials thought to result from radiation alteration of surficial sulfur compounds (Johnson, 1997; Geissler and others, 1999). May also result from longterm accumulation of red diffuse deposits Layered plains material—Portions of yellow, white, or red-brown plains materials that form locally high-standing plateaus separated from low-lying material by bounding scarps. Bounding scarps may be lobate, digitate, or linear, with alcoves or with debris downslope (Moore and others, 2001). Generally lacking the lineations and steeper slopes typical of mountain materials, unit has maximum relief (based on shadow measurements or stereo observations) of <6 km. Mountain-layered plains contacts commonly gradational. Interpretation: Heterogeneous mixture of silicate and sulfur-rich materials, typically isolated into plateaus and mesas by mass-wasting processes. Scarps result from original emplacement of landslides, tectonic activity, mass movement, SO2 sapping, and other processes. Higher topography layered plains may result from mass wasting of mountains MOUNTAIN UNITS

PLAINS UNITS

S .

Yellow bright plains material—Unit with various shades of yellow in color images (high relative albedo in monochrome images). Panchromatic albedo variation considerable, but generally intermediate between dark and bright patera floor materials. Unit appears smooth and bright at global scale, appearing increasingly hummocky at higher resolution. Plains near volcanic centers mantled by various types of diffuse materials and often superposed by lava flows (as shown on map). Plains exhibit scarps, grooves, pits, mesas, graben-like depressions, and (or) channel-like features in some regions. At higher resolution (meters to tens of meters), plains contain quite variable hummocks (kilometer-scale mounds) with ill-defined hills on the stratigraphically lowest layers to prominently defined hills on the stratigraphically highest layers, which tend to occur away from active volcanic centers. High-resolution images of plains near Chaac Patera and Ot Mons show i . -

pby

3 D

prb

Bright tholus material—Positive-relief edifices, circular to elliptical in plan form, with colors and albedo similar to bright plains materials (units pby, pbw), typically few tens of kilometers in diameter (the largest Ionian tholus, Inachus Tholus, ~152 x 178 km in size; Schenk and others, 2001). Typically contains one or more circular central pits near top and center of edifices and may contain irregular radial grooves along edges. Edifices exhibit scarps along some margins, delineating distinct boundaries with surrounding terrain. Edifices sometimes partially covered by dark diffuse material or flow materials. Based on shadow measurements or stereo observations, relief is generally <1–2 km. Interpretation: Volcanically-derived mountains, including large domes (Inachus Tholus: Schenk and others, 2001), shield volcanoes (Tsui, Goab Tholus in Williams and others, 2004) and cones (Williams and others, 2005) composed of silicate or sulfurous materials

FLOW UNITS

pfb

pbw

a Flu

T A R S U S Laki-oi Patera

Lei-z

Kanehekili Fluctus

Arusha Patera

pbw

prb

Gabija Patera

Kanehekili

Altjirra Patera

Grian Patera Ilmarinen Patera

Tung Yo Patera mu Sui Jen Patera Angpetu Patera k

fd prb

Ekhi Patera

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pfb

pbw mu

Malik Patera

Kurdalagon Patera

k kk Pyerun Patera

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Shamash Patera

EA RC LY

pfd

ml Silpium Mons pby

pfu

pbw

Shamshu Mons

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Hermes Mensa

Svarog Patera

Aten Patera

pby

ctu

S PL

mpl

Tupan Patera

mm hil Radegast Patera

Itzamna Patera

0°

k fu

pfb

k pbw

Karei Patera E Ruwa Patera Janus Patera

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Shamshu Patera

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Hi’iaka Patera

sub

pfb

Creidne Patera pfu

Culann Patera Wabasso Patera Tohil Patera

MYCENAE REGIO fu

Sigurd Patera fb

R E G I O

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pbw

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M E D I A

R E G I O

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tes

Gish Bar Patera

pfb

Emakong Patera fb

k Seth Patera

Seth Mons

Gish Bar Mons

Montes pfd

Rata Patera

pfd

pfb

Euboea

Ülgen Patera

ria

Wayland Patera

Rarog Patera pl

pby

Marduk Do

Caucasus Mons

UM AN

P ve Patera

k k

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Babbar Patera

Ah Peku Patera

B O S P H O R U S

k Estan Patera

Monan Patera

pbw

k k

Belenus Patera Tsũi Goab Tholus Prometheus Patera Cuchi Patera Prometheus Prometheus Mensa

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Aidne Tsũi Goab Patera Fluctus

k du s ar M uctu Fl

Asha Patera

k Pele PLANUM

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Kami-Nari Patera

DANUBE ml

30°

East

Podja Patera

pbw

Pillan Patera Reiden Patera

Mafuike Patera

m pl R

Ot Patera

Pillan Mons

k k kkGibil Patera k

IOPOLIS PLANUM

Maasaw Patera k Agni Patera

Euboea Fluctūs

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Lu Huo Patera

mMihr Patera k k

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Galai Patera

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pby

pbw

fd k Masaya Patera VahagnkPatera

mmTalos Patera k m

Kibero Patera

pfu

m Surya Patera

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Apis Tholus

pfb Inachus Tholus tb k Kava Patera

Yo tus

Mazda Paterae

* #

Ra Patera

Euxine Mons

fu pby

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k k

(

pfu

nte

Llew Patera

Thomagata Patera

pby

fu mm

pl ml

Mulungu Patera

pbw

k Purgine Patera

Sêd Patera

Horus Patera

Daedalus Patera

pby

k mm

Hephaestus Patera

Reshet Patera

Khalla Patera

Tol-Ava Patera pfu Carancho Patera

Donar Fluctus

Ukko Patera

hak Taw is Vall

m fu

T F

Dingir Patera

ian Ion ns Mo

pfu

Loki Patera

pfb pfu

Mama Patera

pbw

pfd

ctu

k s

Nyambe Patera

m m

Flu fd

k mu

Susanoo Patera

Shango Patera fd

pfu

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ala

Patera k Girru kk

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Loki

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pby

Patera

Arinna Fluctus

Reshef Patera

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fd mu Shakuru

Volund

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prb

Isum Patera

m Tiermes Patera

pfd

Heiseb Patera

Zal Patera

prb

Dusura Patera fd

REGIO

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prb

Thor

nte

pfu Ātar Patera

fu mu

k k

BULICAME

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Fuchi Patera

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Fo Patera

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REGIO

Savitr Patera ml

pl fd

k Le i-K Flu un ctu g s

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pfu

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pfd

0° 57°

CHALYBES

pl fu

pbw

30°

prb

pfu

60°

Manua Patera

pfb

mu fb

fu pfu

Amaterasu Patera

nte

pbw

m fu

90°

Kinich Ahau Patera

pbw

120°

Mon gibe Mon llo s

fu fd

pfu

Surt fu

150°

prb

pfd

pbw

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180°

Mon an Mon s

pfd Dazhbog Patera

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210° fd

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240° ml

PATERA FLOOR UNITS Dark patera floor material—Dark-gray to black unit with some variation in monochromatic albedo, color, and texture. Often correlates with NIMS and PPR hot spots. Unit distinct from surrounding terrain and typically found on floors of apparent topographic depressions that define Ionian paterae (where recognizable). In some regions at higher resolution (50 m/pixel), material appears smooth and dark. Usually little sulfur dioxide present, based on correlations using NIMS data (Lopes and others, 2001). At highest resolution, subunits may be broken out where darkest material inferred to be youngest. Units <20 km diameter mapped with an asterisk. Interpretation: Silicate lavas possibly intermixed with sulfurous, near-vent pyroclastic materials (as indicated by brighter colors in color images) or intermingled with various silicate and sulfur flows; black surfaces likely warm, recently emplaced, coalesced silicate lava flows, crusted lava ponds, or lava lakes (Lopes and others, 2001; Davies and others, 2001; Radebaugh and others, 2001, 2004) Bright patera floor material—Bright-pinkish-white to red-orange unit in color images (white to light gray in monochrome images), with smooth surface at tens to hundreds of meters scale. Contacts with surrounding terrain are distinct and unit typically found on floors of apparent topographic depressions that define Ionian paterae (where recognizable). Galileo NIMS data indicate enhanced signatures of sulfur dioxide in white to pinkish-white material on several patera floors (Lopes and others, 2004). At highest resolution, subunits may be broken out where brightest material inferred to be youngest. Units <20 km diameter mapped with an asterisk. Interpretation: Sulfurbearing lava flows, ponded flows, or lava lakes that may or may not contain significant amounts of SO2. Surfaces may also form as coatings on cold silicate lavas in less active paterae (Ah Peku Patera) or as melting or sublimating plains material remobilized by heat from intrusions (paterae in the Chaac-Camaxtli Paterae region, Keszthelyi and others, 2004) Undivided patera floor material—Intermediate gray to brown unit with some variation in monochromatic albedo, color, and texture. Contacts with surrounding terrain are indistinct. Unit usually underlies or is adjacent to bright or dark patera floor materials and is typically found on floors of apparent topographic depressions that define Ionian paterae (where recognizable). Highest-resolution images of material occur on floor of Chaac Patera (Williams and others, 2002) and show mixture of relatively bright and dark features, irregular hummocks, and pits. Units <20 km diameter mapped with an asterisk. Interpretation: Coalesced lava flows, crusted and ponded lava flows, or lava lakes of indeterminate composition that may or may not be coated by sulfurous materials (as indicated by brighter colors in color images). Unit typically older than bright or dark patera floor materials such that individual internal unit boundaries indistinct

pfd

DIFFUSE DEPOSITS

North 270°

eruptions. Range of relative albedo due to coating of flow surfaces by pyroclastic materials or condensates and (or) radiation alteration

[For locations of type examples of map units, see table 1. For images of type examples of map units, see figure 2. NOTE: Not all detail is visible in the printed map at the print map scale. Please refer to the electronic version of the Io map for full detail]

pfd

–60° pfd

400

hil

pfu

Initiation of volcanism on Io

prb

South Polar Region

300°

Wabasso Patera Tohil Patera

Millions of years (estimated age of the lower crust)

prb

North Polar Region

330°

Culann Patera

Wabasso Patera

pfb

150

500

Culann Patera

pfu

pfd

Hundreds of millennia

pfu

Figure 8. Galileo SSI high resolution (7–8 m/pixel) images of undivided patera floor material and white plains material in Chaac Patera, with lower resolution context. From observations I27ISCHAAC_01 and I27ISCAMAXT01. After Williams and others (2002).

Pyerun Patera

ILLYRIKON pl

REGIO

pfb

pfu

Index maps. A, Areas of diffuse deposits (see Description of Map Units). B, Hot spots and mountains (see Explanation of Map Symbols).

90° 80° 70° 60° 55°

pfd

prb

pbw

fu prb

500

90° 80° 70° 60° 55°

Millennia

Mithra Patera

pfd mu fu

Crimea Mons

ml –80°

* #

pbw

30°

* #

120

pfd

Dazhbog Patera

70°

* #

* # * #

* #

pby

pfu

* #

Centuries

prb

# * # *

* #

* #* #

pfu

prb

pfu

0°

* #* * # # * # # * * # * * # *# * # *# *# # * # * # * # * # * # * * ## *# * # * #* * # * # * # * * # * # # * * # * # # # * # # * # * # # * # * * #* * # * # * # # * # * # * * # * # * # * * # # * * # * # # * # * # # * # * # # * #* * # * *# # * * # * * # # # * # * # * # # * #* * # * # ** # * #* *# * # * # * # * # * # * # * # # * # * * # * # * #* * # #* * ## # #* # * ** # * # * # * # #* # * * # * # * # # # * # * # * #* * # * # * # * #* * # ## * # * # * # * * ** # * # *# # 0° # * # * # * * * # *# # *# # * # * # * # * # * # * # * # * # * # * # * # * # * ## * # * # * # *# * # * # * # * # * * #* * # * # * ## * * # ## # # * # * * # # *# * * * # * * #* *# * # # * # * # # * # * # * # * # * * # * # * # # * # # * # * * # # * #* * #* * # * # * # * # * # * # * * # * # # # # * #* * # * # * # * # * * # * # * * # * # # # * * # * # * # * * # * # * # * # # * # #* * # * # * #* # # # * # * * # * #* # * # * * # * #* * # * # * # # # * * # # * * # * * # * # # * # * # * # * # * #* * # #* * #* # # * # * #* * # # * # * # * # * # # * # * # * * # * # * # * # * # * # # * * # * # * # * # * # * # * # * # # * # *

pbw

90°

* # * #

80° mu

180°

pbw

270°

pby

pfb

pby fd

Vivasvant Patera

0°

Decades (Voyager flybys)

pfd

pfu

Viracocha Patera fd

fu mu

90°

pfu

90°

Years (start of the Galileo Mission)

pfb

REGIO

pby

NEM

GIO

pfd

pby

LERNA

pfu fd fb

LYBES R

fb pfu

o Men Ech –80°

prb

–90°

270°

Iynx Mensa

pfu

300

Chors Patera fd pfd

dbw

pfd

prb

pfb

pfd

ml fu

pfb

Aramazd Patera

Haemus Montes

pfb

REGIO

fd 80°

240

fu fb

pfu

dby

–70°

pfb Taranis Patera

TARSUS

kTvashtar Paterae pfu k

pfb

Mensae

fu 9

Heno Patera

Hiruko Patera

Inti Patera

fu mu

pbw

MOUNTAIN UNITS

pfu

fb fb

PLAINS UNITS

Nusku Patera

pfu

prb

0°

THOLUS UNIT

PATERA FLOOR UNITS

fb fu

FLOW UNITS

Present (end of the Galileo Mission)

pfb

pbw 70°

pfd

Tvashtar

DIFFUSE DEPOSITS

330

Bochica Patera

Hatchawa Patera

pfu

pfd

DO –60°

ml fd

120

30°

Pamphlet accompanies map

CORRELATION OF MAP UNITS

–55°

210 mu

—

Galileo SSI 756nm-GRN-VIO color mosaic (186 m/pixel) of the

. .

. Units

—

. Less sharp contacts with surround-

. . -

Galileo SSI 756nm-GRN-VIO color mosaic (200 m/pixel) of

C .

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data faster. The technology enthusiasts lined up outside stores in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, New York and elsewhere. Many said they were excited to upgrade to the newer Apple model, including David Tarasenko, first in line at an Apple store in Sydney, Australia. "I happen to be the first one to walk through the door today, it's quite amazing," he exclaimed. "I can't wait to get my hand on that new magical new iPad.'' In Paris, Yvette Amaraggi, said she was was buying a gift for

. .

hundreds of volcanoes. The extreme seismic activity continuously changes the moon's surface, which explains why Io is the only rocky object in the solar system without any impact craters.

. From observa-

. .

New iPad Draws Shoppers Worldwide

Hundreds of shoppers lined the sidewalks outside Apple stores across the world on last Friday to be among the first to buy the technology giant's latest version of its popular iPad computer tablet. Some of the shoppers slept overnight or arrived hours before the Apple stores opened to sell the U.S. company's third generation iPad models. The third version of the iPad ranges in price from $499 to more than $800, and the company says it includes a chip that will enable better graphics and a wireless network that will deliver

90°

60° fb

Scientific Investigations Map 3168

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 180° 55° fb °

150

240

60°

U.S astronomers have created the first complete geologic map of Jupiter’s highly volcanic moon, Io. With 425 volcanoes dotting its surface, Io is more than 25 times more volcanically active than the Earth, yet this innermost of Jupiter's larger satellites is only slightly bigger than our Moon. Io's varied surface features include mountains, volcanic domes, plains, and lava lakes. The Arizona State University astronomers say the new full-color map shows the location and concentration of the most active hot spots and lava fields on the surface information that will help scientists better understand the moon's interior processes. Astronomers believe Io's extreme volcanic activity is caused by the powerful tidal forces exerted by Jupiter - the solar system's most massive planet - and two of its 62 other confirmed moons, Europa and Ganymede. Their combined gravitational pull stretches and bends Io’s rocky crust, generating tremendous heat in the interior that is released through

Smartphone App to Bridge ASEAN Language Barriers

Six years in the making, the new map is a composite of four separate image mosaics comprised of observations made by NASA's twin Voyager spacecraft and the Jupiter orbiter, Galileo.

Williams, D.A., Keszthelyi, L.P., Crown, D.A., Yff, J.A., Jaeger, W.L.,

A Thai software company says it has developed a smartphone application aimed at overcoming language barriers among businesspeople in Asia. ASEAN One, an app that promotes communications and business among countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, will translate about a hundred useful phrases into the 10 regional languages and English. The Thai company developing the software, iGnite Asia, says it is aimed mainly at frequent business travelers. "The language would be the main theme, but, apart from language, you would have currencies, directories, map and everything," says CEO Jirath Pavaravadhana,

adding that, if successful, its capabilities will expand. N a t a p h o l Pavaravadhana, head of marketing, says it will also be a useful tool for students learning the language of a neighboring country. "We intend to penetrate the market by using the university connection, and another one is government support," he says, explaining that the company hopes ASEAN countries promote the application as a tool to help realize ASEAN’s goal of forming an economic community by 2015. ASEAN One is expected to be released around June and will be paid for through advertising, making it free for consumers.

Science Competition Honors Young Innovators

her children. "It's an opportunity. I want to get a present for my children. They already have the first iPad, so today I will of course get the upgraded version,'' she said. Apple, one of the world's biggest corporations, holds about 60 percent of the worldwide computer

tablet market, and is hoping that its new model will give it an even bigger share. The company says it has sold more than 55 million of its computer tablets. One financial analyst predicted Apple -- on Friday alone -- would sell more than a million of the new iPad models.

A 17 year old from Fort Gratiot, Michigan, won this year’s Intel Science Talent Search, the oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school students in the United States. “It’s a great honor and it pushes me to do the things I’ve been doing, that I love to do in my research work in science, my passion for science,” Nithin Tumma said. Tumma won the $100,000 prize for

research that could lead to more direct, targeted, effective and less debilitating breast cancer treatments. During the week-long competition in Washington, D.C., he and his peers defended their work before judges and shared it with the public. President Obama applauded their achievements during a special meeting at the White House along with Wendy Hawkins,ED Intel Foundation.

23 Electroshock therapy: treats depression, unlocks mysteries of the brain

Potential Breakthrough Pancreas Cancer Treatment

Scientists in Seattle are reporting a potential breakthrough in the treatment of pancreas cancer, a disease which stubbornly resists most therapies. Pancreas cancer tumors are resistent to chemotherapy partly because they form a biological barrier around themselves. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center believe they've found a way to break that barrier down. "Pancreas cancer actually has the highest one-year and five-year mortalities of any cancer," says Sunil Hingorani, senior author of the study published in Cancer Cell. That high fatality rate has been something of a puzzle for researchers who study pancreatic

cancer. Powerful chemotherapy drugs that kill off pancreas cancer cells in the laboratory are next to useless in living cancer patients. Scientists have observed how tumors in the pancreas, in effect, wall themselves off with a collagen material similar to scar tissue. That exerts pressure on the blood vessels that supply the tumor, collapsing many of them and restricting not just the flow of blood but also of chemotherapy drugs. "And so in this way, the tumor actually isolates itself completely from the circulation, and when we try to give drugs through the vein, they essentially bypass the tumor and instead go everywhere else," Hingorani says.

So the problem may not be that the chemotherapy medicine doesn't work, but that it simply may not be able to reach its target. To find out, Hingorani and his colleagues used mice genetically engineered to stand in for human pancreatic cancer patients. They treated them with the standard chemotherapy drug, gemcitabine, plus the enzyme PEGPH20, which is designed to open up the collapsed blood vessels that supply the tumor."We found that in essentially every animal that we tested, we saw the tumors shrink or at least stop growing," he said. "And we found that overall survival increased by about 70 percent — so not quite doubling, but just about."

he three new studies published by The Lancet add to mounting evidence of the drug's anti-cancer effects. Many people already take daily aspirin as a heart drug. But experts warn that there is still not enough proof to recommend it to prevent cancer cases and deaths and warn that the drug can cause dangerous side effects like stomach bleeds. Prof Peter Rothwell, from Oxford University, and colleagues, who carried out the latest work, had already linked aspirin with a lower risk of certain cancers, particularly

bowel cancer. But their previous work suggested people needed to take the drug for about 10 years to get any protection. Now the same experts believe the protective effect occurs much sooner - within three to five years - based on a new analysis of data from 51 trials involving more than 77,000 patients. And aspirin appears not only to reduce the risk of developing many different cancers in the first place, but may also stop cancers spreading around the body. The trials were designed to compare aspirin with

with no treatment for the prevention of heart disease. But when Prof Rothwell's team examined how many of the participants developed and died from cancer, they found this was also related to aspirin use. Taking a low (75-300mg) daily dose of the drug appeared to cut the total number of cancer cases by about a quarter after only three years - there were nine cancer cases per 1,000 each year in the aspirin-taking group, compared with 12 per 1,000 for those taking dummy pills.

Daily aspirin 'can stop cancers'

Shock therapy has been in use to treat chronic depression for over 70 years, but researchers had little idea how it actually works. Now, scientists say they may have solved the decadesold therapeutic riddle. The therapy, also known as electro convulsive therapy or ECT, was first used in 1930s. It involves placing electrodes on the forehead and passing electrical currents through the brain to induce a seizure lasting from 30 to 60 seconds. India is mulling to ban the controversial procedure. Now, a team at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland found that ECT -which provides electrical stimulation to the brain and is effective in treating chronic depression – seems to affect how brain areas communicate with each other. It relieves "overcommunication" in the brain that may make it difficult for people with depression to think and concentrate, study researcher Jennifer Perrin, a mental health researcher at the university, said. "We believe we have solved a 70-year-old therapeutic riddle," Ian

It also reduced the risk of a cancer death by 15% within five years (and sooner if the dose was higher than 300mg) And if patients stayed on aspirin for longer, their cancer death risk went down even further - by 37% after five years. Low-dose aspirin also appeared to reduce the likelihood that cancers, particularly bowel, would spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body, and by as much as half in some instances. In absolute numbers, this could mean for every five patients treated with aspirin one metastatic cancer would be prevented, the researchers estimate. Source:BBC Report

" Ian Reid, a psychiatrist and the co-author of the study, was quoted as saying by LiveScience. By understanding how the treatment works, researchers may one day be able to replace it with something that has a lower risk of side effects, but is just as effective, Perrin said. In the new study, n published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team scanned the brains of nine severely depressed patients before and after receiving ECT, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Patients typically received eight treatments and the final brain scan

was performed about one week after the last treatment, Perrin said. All patients had previously failed to respond to antidepressants, but were successfully treated with ECT. The researchers examined the brains so-called "functional connectivity" or internal communication pattern, Perrin said The therapy seemed to turn down an overactive connection between brain regions responsible for mood and emotion and those responsible for thinking and concentrating, the researchers said, linking the mechanism to dialing down a stereo that's too loud.

A cancer sufferer from Bristol has successfully recovered following an operation carried out by a robot so intricate, it can peel a grape Ken Harries, 61 has thanked surgeons at Southmead Hospital in Bristol after an operation back in October has given him a full bill of health once again, with minimal scars to show for it. Mr Harries was diagnosed with Bladder cancer last May, and despite being offered the usual invasive surgery to remove the necessary damage, his confidence

in his consultant, Dr Edward Rowe, persuaded him to opt for a previously untested procedure. “I suppose I was a little bit shocked when they said I’d be the first but that soon disappeared and after discussions with the wife it was a very simple choice,” the father of two said. “The only way I could look at the cancer was to say ‘I am going to beat this’, and I am so glad I decided to go through with the operation.”The Da Vinci robot was first used in 2008 to implement prostate removals.

Robot completes first bladder construction

Linking Conservation and Human Rights

Victorious Anti-Whaling Activists Return to Australia

After claiming victory against Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean that encircles Antarctica, members of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society have returned to the Australian port of Hobart. Last week the whaling fleet abandoned its annual hunt for a second year in a row. Sea Shepherd activists say they have won a decisive victory against the Japanese fleet, which caught less than 30 percent of its annual quota. For almost a decade the U.S.-based anti-whaling group has tracked the whalers into the Southern Ocean, in an attempt to disrupt their hunt. This season’s campaign was called Operation Divine Wind, after the Japanese Kamikaze pilots of the World War II. The Sea Shepherd ship the Bob Barker sailed into Hobart to a small crowd early Wednesday. Onboard were 28 volunteer crew members, half of them Australian. They hope that economic losses will soon force Japan to end its controversial hunt in Antarctic waters. The captain of the Bob Barker, Peter Hammarstedt, says he was surprised how quickly the Japanese abandoned their activities when they were spotted. "For us it was not an incredibly dramatic confrontation. As soon

as the Nisshin Maru, which is the factory whaling ship, saw us on the horizon that is when they decided [to] immediately change course for Japan and they have been heading home ever since," he said. "This year, the Japanese whaling fleet decided that rather than have confrontation with us they would call the whaling season short, and as a result we were able to save 768 whales from slaughter." Japan’s Fisheries Agency denies the whaling ships were bullied by activists and insisted they left the Southern Ocean “as scheduled." The fleet ended its annual hunt with a third of its intended haul.The Institute of Cetacean Research, which sponsors Japan's whaling activities, has accused Sea Shepherd activists of trying to sabotage its factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, by hurling ropes with hooks attached and throwing glass bottles of paint. Commercial whaling has been outlawed for 25 years, but Tokyo has an intention to catch about 1,000 whales annually in what it says is a scientific research program. The Australian government welcomed the early end to Japan’s whaling season. Canberra says the hunt is against international law.

An American entrepreneur says there is a link between conservation and human rights. Gregory Carr says that’s why he pledged $40 million to rebuild M o z a m b i q u e ’ s Gorongosa National Park.. About eight years ago, Mozambique’s ambassador to the United Nations invited Carr to visit his country. He knew the American was a philanthropist and hoped he could do some good in Mozambique. Carr says he was both honored and enthusiastic about the offer. “I asked myself what Mozambique can do to advance its human development. Where can it build its economy? And I thought, well, what about safari tourism? A lot of African nations have a multi-billion dollar safari tourism industry and Mozambique’s was very small,” he said. Restoring Gorongosa He says that’s when he was told about Gorongosa. “I thought what if I worked with the government and we restored this park we could create an enormous tourism industry, which would create jobs, but also we get to save and restore conservation,” said Carr. Gorongosa National Park spreads across nearly 3,800 square kilometers in central Mozambique. In 1983, the park closed because of civil war and became the site of a number of battles. Many elephants were killed for their ivory and other wildlife were slaughtered for bushmeat and for sport. Literally a handful of animals were left by the time fighting finally ended in 1994. In 2004, the Mozambique government and the Gregory C. Carr Foundation reached agreement on the Gorongosa Restoration Project. Carr later pledged $40 million over 30 years. He says conservation is vital for

the health of the planet. “We are at risk of losing a third of our species to a variety of reasons, including habitat loss, pollution, climate change and so forth. Africa has one third of the Earth’s terrestrial biodiversity. And a lot of that biodiversity is located in hundreds of wonderful national parks that Africa has. And if all those parks succeed then we can save a lot of biodiversity that might otherwise be lost,” he said. There is a big connection, said Carr, between the environment and human rights. “The most vulnerable people, the poorest people are the ones who suffer when there are environmental problems, when there are floods, when there’s deforestation and they lose their farmlands, when they don’t have land rights. Then people can’t protect their land. Every national park in Africa is located in a remote area, which means it’s located near some of the poorest people in the world,” he said. The Gorongosa Restoration Project not only aims to improve the environment, but the livelihoods of people as well.Carr said, “We insist that this national park helps the people that live around it. We help them with their farming. We help them with health care. We do provide them employment. We engage with them and we help them get their land rights. You can think of conservation and human n development as separated. You have to approach projects and combine those objectives.” Carr said many people say they want to protect Planet Earth. But he says they must then ask themselves how. “You can visit Africa as a tourist. When you do that you support ecotourism. Then you’re helping these parks pay for themselves.

ResearchersSolve Darwin'sCopycat Evolution Puzzle

It is a clever trick if you can pull it off - mimic another, more dangerous animal and so avoid being eaten. Many insects try it, but it has been a long standing puzzle why some of the worst mimics in Nature can still seem to escape becoming a meal. Now, Canadian scientists tell Nature journal they can answer that one. Larger animals, they say, make for more substantial meals, and so their mimicry needs to be

closely resemble the species they are trying to impersonate. One explanation for why some might not achieve this is the eye of the beholder theory. This states that although the mimicking species aren't convincing to humans, they do fool their predators whose senses are quite different to ours. Listen to the sound of a wasp followed by a hoverfly trying to sound like a wasp. Darwinian selection

spot on. For small prey, a great performance is not so essential. "Mimicry of harmless species pretending to be dangerous ones in order to avoid being eaten is one of the best celebrated examples of the outcome of evolution by natural selection," says Professor Tom Sherratt, of Carleton University in Ottawa, who led the research. "Good examples of mimicry are highlighted in biology text books, but many mimics are poor and their emergence remains something of a puzzle." Mimicry is common among plants and animals. Species of snakes, spiders and butterflies have all evolved to look like other species to ward off predators. But one of the great mysteries in biology is that most of this copy-cat behaviour is not very good, and bad impersonators seem just as abundant as the good ones. A simplistic interpretation of Darwin's theory of natural selection would suggest that it would be better for all mimics to

Darwinian selection would suggest that over time the hoverflies that sounded most like wasps would be preferentially selected until a species emerged that sounded very nearly, if not exactly, like the creature it was trying to impersonate. In contrast, the species that were poor mimics would all be eaten and die out. The new Canadian research suggests why this hasn't happened? Another theory is that poor mimics are an amalgamation of unappetising species and so, although they don't resemble any one of them to a predator, they do represent the worst possible combination. To probe the conundrum further, researchers at Carlton University studied 81 different species of hoverfly, which to varying degrees mimic bees and wasps. The scientists found that the larger the hoverfly species, the closer it resembled the emulated wasp or bee. They also found that the smaller species were not very good mimics at all.

Sainsbury’s steals a march on rivals £100m boost for research projects as it outperforms City forecasts across the UK SAINSBURY’s rubbed 26

salt in the wounds of embattled rival Tesco yesterday, as the UK’s third- largest supermarket group trumped City forecasts for fourthquarter growth. Chief executive Justin King said: “We continue to outperform the market and gain market share.” The group, which ranks as Scotland’s fifth biggest food retailer with nearly 50 superstores and 16 convenience outlets, rang up like-for-like sales growth of 2.6 per cent in the ten weeks to 17 March. That beat City expectations for a lift of 2.1 per cent, and came after Tesco, the market leader, posted a 2.3 per cent sales drop in January, triggering its first profit warning in two decades. Tesco has also been jolted by a raft of management changes recently, including the departure of its UK boss. However, King, pointing to 29 consecutive quarters of like-for-like sales growth at Sainsbury’s, said: “We don’t require anybody else to fail for us to DIRECTORS have called time at Game Group after admitting that the company’s shares are worthless – making it the UK retail sector’s biggest casualty since the demise of Woolworths in 2008. The board, led by chairman Christopher Bell and chief executive Ian Shepherd, said yesterday that it would appoint an administrator within ten days. Until that appointment, which is expected to fall to PwC, the videogames retailer will be protected from its creditors. It will continue to trade as normal as discussions continue with banks and potential buyers. Any last-minute deal will almost certainly result in hundreds of store closures and accompanying job

succeed.” Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers, commented: “Tesco’s current wobble is providing opportunities for others, and Sainsbury’s is one of the supermarkets which seems to be capitalising on the situation. “In particular, the company’s drive for value both in terms of price matching and own brand is paying dividends, whilst non-food and the complementary online service are also contributing to growth.”

The group’s total sales, including newly opened stores and extensions, rose 4.6 per cent, and 5.1 per cent excluding fuel. King said the economic climate remained tough for consumers, but added that events this summer, such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics, were opportunities for growth. Sainsbury’s peers have yet to report on periods that significantly overlap, but recent market share data has shown that the group has been at or near the forefront of the supermarket sector.

Shares suspended as Game board concedes defeat in survival battle

losses. About 600 of Game’s 1,300 retail outlets are in the UK, including 52 stores in Scotland employing about 500 people. Game has been locked in increasingly desperate talks in recent weeks to stave off collapse, with more than £80 million due to be paid out in rent,

wages, VAT and supplier bills in the coming days. It is thought to be about £40m in arrears to its suppliers, some of whom have refused to deliver new games such as Mass Effect 3, Street Fighter X Tekken and Mario Party 9. Game also has bank debts of more than

The chief executive said the latest quarter had completed “a good performance for the year against a challenging backdrop”. He said the firm’s Local-branded convenience store business and online offering were both growing ahead of those markets, at more than 20 per cent each. The City consensus for Sainsbury’s 2011-2012 underlying pre-tax profit, stripping out exceptional items, is about £700 million. That compares with £665m in the previous financial year. £100m, led by £45m owed to the taxpayerbacked Royal Bank of Scotland. Others, including Barclays and HSBC, are also thought to be owed tens of millions. Asking yesterday morning for trading in its shares to be suspended, the group said it had assessed the status of ongoing talks between its banks and a “potential third party provider of finance to the business”. Game added: “The board now considers itself to be unable to assess the business’s financial position and is of the opinion that there is no equity value left in the group.” Just hours later, the firm conceded that its talks had “not made sufficient progress in the

University research facilities will receive an extra £100m of public funding which the Government hopes will bring in a further £200m from the private sector and charities. Research projects that could boost the economy are being targeted in the scheme to foster co-funding between the Government, private companies and research charities, said the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The cash injection of "new" money was described as "extremely good news for students, universities and business" by professor Eric Thomas, president of Universities UK and vice-chancellor of the University of Bristol. But Sir Paul Nurse, president of the Royal Society, said the measure is merely the first step in a series of necessary initiatives. He said: "These things are very welcome but on their own they are only green shoots. The Government and industry

ime available to offer a realistic prospect for a solvent solution for the business”. The shares continue to be suspended at just below 2.4p. Negotiations are thought to centre on a possible rescue deal with private equity firm OpCapita, which recently bought electrical goods retailer Comet. Turnaround fund Hilco and US retailer GameStop are also reportedly among those interested in making an offer. Matthew McEachran, retail sector analyst at brokerage Singer Capital, said he was cynical about Game’s business proposition. “If you go into a bigger HMV store, there’s a bit of theatre in the games

still invest a smaller percentage of our GDP in research and development than our competitor economies; and while that remains the case we will not fulfil the Chancellor's goal of making the UK into Europe's technology centre." In autumn 2010, the chancellor said he was freezing the annual science budget for four years at £4.6bn per year, although when inflation was taken in to account, this amounted to a 10% cut in real terms. Later, a 40% cut to the sector's capital expenditure was announced - money spent on building, maintenance or equipment.The director general of the Russell Group of researchintensive universities, Wendy Piatt, said: "The research which takes place in our world-class universities drives long term and sustainable economic growth. But the first-rate infrastructure needed to facilitate the very best research and teaching cannot be bought on the cheap.

section,” he said. “If you go into a Game store, they’re just so soulless.” McEachran added: “Game has a bloated cost base, a weak proposition, a pinch point in the economy, increased competition – it’s death by a thousand cuts.” The group, Europe’s biggest specialist videogaming chain, is the latest and largest in a number of retail failures in recent months.The company stepped up its presence on the high street in 2007. There are about 600 Game and Gamestation stores across the UK. The company has a further 700 outlets in Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France,etc Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Discover local history through old photographs

People can find out more about local history and old photographs at two free events. Bradford Council’s libraries and West Yorkshire Archive Service have teamed up to offer talks and workshops to celebrate popular new BBC series ‘Britain’s First Photo Album’. Experts from West Yorkshire Archives will give a talk on caring for photographs, with hints and tips on dating them, which will be especially useful to people trying to trace their family history. This will be followed by a

a workshop using local photographic collections to learn about local heritage. The sessions will be held at Keighley Local Studies Library on Monday, 16 April and Wednesday, 18 April between 10am-12.30pm. Places are free but it is necessary to book in advance by calling Ilkley Library on 01943 436225 or Keighley Library on 01535 618215. Christine Dyson, Bradford Council's Principal Libraries Office (Outreach and Development), said: "Photographs provide an

evocative record of our shared history and an insight into the social landscape of our local area. These sessions aim to inspire people to delve into their own history and learn more about local history through local collections.” ‘Britain’s First Photo Album’ features the extraordinary achievement of Francis Frith, who embarked upon a colossal project to photograph as much of Great Britain as possible during the second half of the nineteenth century.

£12m Broadband Bid Success Speeds Manchester Into The Future

Manchester City Council is celebrating success in its bid for £12 million of government funding to become a ‘superconnected city.' It was announced in today's budget that the city has been awarded the funding to spread the advantages of ultrafast broadband. The plans will complement a wider Greater Manchester-wide strategy to roll out ultrafast broadband across the city region. Manchester Digital City bid aims to make ultrafast broadband available to 235,000 premises 224,000 residential and 11,000 businesses across the city by 2014/15. Additional funding will also be available to support small and m e d i u m - s i z e d businesses requiring even faster connectivity, including providing support and advice to help them maximise the benefits. And high-speed wireless connections will be installed across key public areas and along major transport corridors, making it easier than ever for people in the city to get online quickly. Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "The Manchester Digital City package will result in high speed internet access for all of our residents and businesses, promoting social inclusion and stimulating economic growth, particularly in the digital and media industries. "We've repeatedly stressed the importance of improved transport infrastructure to the city's future, but leading edge digital connectivity is every bit as essential. We

aim to be one of the world's top 20 digital cities by 2020 and this funding will help propel us

along that path."

Victoria Street traffic closure order reinstated

Manchester City Council is reinstating the experimental traffic order to close Victoria Street in the city centre to traffic from 5am on Sunday 25 March 2012. The traffic order was suspended on 5 March due to works impacting on the new traffic layout on Chapel Street in Salford not being complete. This work has now been completed which means that the Victoria Street road closure can be put back in place. Motorists wanting to get around the city centre should use the Inner Ring Road and advance notice of the changes to the traffic layout are in place

on Alan Turing Way / Queens Road in the north and Mancunian Way / Trinity Way in the south of the city. For drivers already on Deansgate, Victoria Bridge Street will be open to two way traffic allowing access both ways. Access to city centre premises and car parks will be maintained when Victoria Street closes although access routes will change. An additional temporary traffic order will be in place on Deansgate to accommodate the Sport Relief Mile which is taking place this Sunday 25 March. Deansgate will be closed from 9.30 am 3.00pm between Peter Street and Bridge Street.

A new arms length m a n a g e m e n t organisation (ALMO) agreement between Waltham Forest Council and Ascham Homes, which begins on 1 April 2012, will see even greater levels of collaborative working between the organisations. The change, which is part of the Council’s plan to develop a modernised ALMO, will see the move of homelessness functions, housing advice, allocations and sheltered housing to Ascham Homes. As part of the new arrangement, from 2 April Ascham Homes’ reception, which is currently at Willow House, 869 Forest Road, E17 4UH, will close and a new customer service centre will open at Cedar Wood House, 2d Fulbourne Road, Walthamstow E17 4GG. The new customer service centre will make life easier for residents, who will be able to access the full range of housing services under one roof, including

housing management, repairs, homelessness advice and assessments, allocations and sheltered housing. The move comes at the same time as Ascham Homes takes on Osborne Ltd as the new contractor to carry out responsive repairs, voids management and planned maintenance, and Aston Heating for all specialist mechanical and electrical services. Councillor Saima Mahmud, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development, said, “The modern ALMO will help us strengthen our relationship with Ascham and make it easier for our residents to access the services they need. “Having a single customer service centre makes a lot of sense and with it coming into place at the same time as Ascham Homes take over responsibility for more services and engage new contractors demonstrates a real step forward in the delivery of an excellent housing service for the people of Waltham Forest.”

Modern ALMO will bring about more collaborative working with Council

Message on Pakistan Day by Syed Qamar Raza, President UKPCCI

Pakistan Day is an auspicious occasion for all Pakistani whether they are living in Pakistan or abroad. On 23rd March, 1940 Muslims of the subcontinent formally committed themselves through a resolution at Lahore for achieving a separate homeland for themselves. With the blessings of Allah and through the struggle of our heroes, we achieved our objective on August 14, 1947. This day reminded us the valiant struggle, immense sacrifices and firm resolve of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslims of the subcontinent. In spite of many trials and tribulations, Pakistani nation has always emerged with renewed strength and confidence. Today we in the state of war against terrorism. Our institutions are evolving, democracy is gaining ground. Despite all odd our voice is heard and valued in the comity of nations. We hope despite the magnitude of challenges being faced on both internal and external fronts the nation

would overcome themwith the help of Almighty Allah. In UK Pakistanis Diaspora and business community/professionals are making good progress. Trade between two countries has reached at £1.5 billion and by the grace of God by 2015 it will touch the level of £2.5 billion. Pakistani community here have carved a place

in society and we have assumed the role of leading ethnic community in politics of UK. On this auspicious occasion let us pledge to make Pakistan a peaceful, prosperous and truly democratic and corruption free country where people fashion their lives according to their own belief and culture.

A Pakistani government commission tasked with ending a four month freeze in relations with the Washington has demanded an end to U.S.-sponsored drone strikes in the country. Committee chairman Mian Raza Rabbani read the conclusions of the report Tuesday to a joint session of both houses of parliament after months of reviewing relations with the United States. “It needs to be realized that drone attacks are counterproductive, cause loss of valuable lives and property, radicalize the local population, create support for terrorists and fuel anti-American sentiments,” Rabbani

said. While U.S. officials have sought for months to repair the relationship with Islamabad, Washington sees the drone strikes as a crucial to success against al-Qaida and the Taliban. Pakistani officials regularly condemn the drone strikes as a violation of the country's sovereignty. But the attacks are believed to be carried out with the help of Pakistani intelligence. Rabbani also said the United States should unconditionally apologize for a NATO cross-border airstrike in November that killed 24 Pakistani military personnel. That attack, which NATO military

leaders said was accidental, prompted Pakistan to close off NATO supply routes to Afghanistan. “The condemnable and unprovoked NATO/ISAF attack resulting in the martyrdom of 24 Pakistani soldiers represents a breach of international law and constitutes a blatant violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. Retired Pakistani General Talat Masood said it is unlikely the United States will agree either to a suspension of drone strikes or an apology for the deaths of the 24 border guards, but he expects

India offers to supply natural gas to Pakistan

Pakistan Parliament Demands End to US Drone Strikes

NEW DELHI: India’s state owned oil and gas company GAIL has offered Pakistan a deal to import natural gas from India at a time when Pakistan is going through a gas crisis, according to a report by the Times of India. GAIL proposing to extend to Lahore a natural gas pipeline it has recently installed from the west coast to Bhatinda in Indian Punjab, sources told Times of India. Bhatinda is around 25-km away from the India-Pakistan border. The company has plans to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) at one of its import terminals in Gujrat move this gas through the Dahej-Vijaipu -Dadri-Bawana-NangalBhatinda pipeline to Punjab and then into Pakistan. The company would offer a compromise will be reached. Pakistan can exert more influence in the region and perhaps obtain more military assistance if it stays engaged with the U.S. and NATO, said Masood. "So I think it is in Pakistan's national interest to sort of ensure that, you know, Pakistan remains relevant, and to stay relevant, the revival of the logistic supply line is very important." The commission said that the re-opening of the supply route must be subject to strict monitoring within Pakistan and that shipments may be subject to new taxes and charges.Lawmakers are scheduled to debate the recommendations in parliament this week.

a final proposal to Pakistan only after the approval from the Indian ministry of external affairs. According to a State Bank of Pakistan report from last year, Pakistan may experience its worst gas crisis in 2016 when the deficit is expected to hit 3.021 bcfd (billion cubic feet per day) as supply-demand gap increases. Since Pakistan has not built any LNG import terminal so far, this venture would be more sensible for Pakistan to pursue. The LNG terminal will take a minimum of four years to build while the GAIL pipeline can be expanded into Lahore within months, the Times of India quotes its sources as saying.

But American lawmakers are rejecting renewed calls by Pakistan for an end to U.S.sponsored drone strikes in the countryIndependent Senator Joe Lieberman was blunt."No. The drone strikes are critically important to America's national security. So obviously I do not believe they should stop,” he said.

Afghanistan Expects 'Swift, Transparent' Probe into Kandahar Killings

Afghan officials said the United States needs a swift, transparent investigation into the burning of Korans and the killing of civilians, in order to restore public confidence in the NATOled security force there. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Wednesday with Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul. Secretary Clinton said it has been a difficult period in U.S.-Afghan relations following the burning of Korans at a U.S. air base and the suspected killing of 16 civilians by U.S. Staff Sergeant Robert Bales near Kandahar. “This has been very personally painful to me and to the president. It does not represent who the United States is, who the American people are, and we appreciate the understanding and response of the Afghan government and the Afghan people.” Foreign Minister Rassoul said Afghans expect a credible inquiry into the violence as a way to improve relations between Kabul and Washington. “We are awaiting the swift and transparent investigation of this case and the punishment of anyone involved," Rassoul said. "That will greatly reinforce the Afghan people's confidence in the existing strong friendship.

Olympics Tube Bonus Talks Break Down

Union leaders today accused London Underground of attempting to impose new "strings" over an Olympic pay deal for Tube staff after talks collapsed. The Rail Maritime and Transport union said its executive will decide the next move over the offer of an £850 bonus for thousands of staff for working during the Games this summer. LU said its offer would see station, maintenance, service control staff and operational managers receive up to £850 subject to attendance, customer satisfaction scores and working flexibly for defined periods to help deliver a successful transport system.

But the RMT claimed there was an attempt to "sabotage" the talks, which broke down at the conciliation service Acas after five days. General secretary Bob Crow said: "We don't know if there has been political interference from behind the scenes but attempting to impose a whole raft of new strings on a Tube Olympics agreement at this stage smacks of an attempt from somewhere to sabotage these talks when we had said in good faith that we wanted to move the negotiations forward. "Management wants the unlimited ability to change working patterns,

locations and extend hours at the drop of a hat and to demand that staff take on safety-critical roles in unfamiliar workplaces which they aren't trained to work in. "We would be failing both our members and the travelling public if we agreed to working practices outside of existing agreements and procedures that we know are inherently unsafe." Howard Collins, LU's chief operating officer, said: "Over the past days we have held in-depth talks with all four Tube unions at Acas, seeking to give any clarification needed concerning our fair Olympic pay and recognition offer.

Judith Tebbutt has spoken of her relief after she was freed by Somali pirates following seven months of hell. She was freed by her captors after a ransom was paid by relatives. Mrs Tebbutt had been kidnapped from an island off the coast of Kenya by a gang of six men in September 2011. Her husband David, 58, was shot by the gunmen as he tried to protect his wife at the luxury resort in Kiwayu, north of Lamu island. Struggling to contain her emotions after being freed, Mrs Tebbutt told ITV: "I'm relieved

have been released seven months is a long time" She described the moment she found out her husband had died as "really horrible". She said: "He was a good man. but you just have to pick up the pieces and move on. I did not know he had died until about two weeks from my capture. "I just assumed he was alive but then my son told me he had died. That was difficult. And it must have been hard for my son. And he has been fantastic. I do not know how he secured my release. I cannot wait to

see him.' The 56-year-old, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, was being flown from Adado, Somalia to Nairobi, Kenya today.Spokesman John Bradshaw for the British High Commission in Kenya said Mrs Tebbutt was due to land in Kenya this afternoon.

Judith Tebbutt freed by Somali pirates after relatives pay ransom

The spokesman said: "We can confirm that British hostage Judith Tebbutt has been released. Our priority now is to get her to a place of safety. We will release a further statement later." It is reported that she will be looked after by officials from the UK embassy in Nairobi, before being flown back to the UK.

"Talks have progressed well with three unions Unite, Aslef and TSSA and we are optimistic that an agreement can be reached which will fairly reward staff over the London 2012 Games. "However the RMT's leadership demanded payments to all grades of staff regardless of whether they will be asked to work flexibly during the Games and rejected temporary changes to working arrangements which would enable us to achieve a flexible workforce. "We know our staff want to play their part in delivering a great Games for London, and we want to make sure that they are fairly rewarded for their efforts." Mr Collins said LU will return to Acas today and urged the RMT to take part in more negotiations. The row has flared just weeks from the London mayoral elections and could become one of the central issues of the fight between Boris Johnson and his Labour challenger Ken Livingstone.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to officially open our MediaCityUK facility on March 23

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will officially open the University’s MediaCityUK facility on Friday 23 March – greeted by invited dignitaries and around one hundred m specially invited University colleagues and students. Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip will be visiting Salford as part of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Duke is to unveil a specially-commissioned holographic animation at the University’s state-ofthe-art facility during a tour of the MediaCityUK development. Staff and students who wish to be involved in the visit on the ground floor of MediaCityUK between 11am and 12.20pm should register their interest using the online web form which can be accessed at the bottom of this article. Prince Philip has a long

association with our University, having become our first Chancellor when we received the Royal Charter from The Queen in 1967. He remained in post until 1991, visiting the campus many times, and will now have the opportunity to see the facilities and technology at our new MediaCityUK teaching, learning and research space at the heart of the media and creative industries. After a welcome from Chancellor Dr Irene Khan, Chairman of the University’s Council Dr Alan Mawson, ViceChancellor Professor Martin Hall and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Adrian Graves, Prince Philip will see a unique interactive art installation marking 100 years since the birth of pioneering computer scientist and mathematician Alan Turing.

SNP pressed on suspension of MSP

Labour has called for clarification of the SNP's reasons for suspending an MSP at the centre of domestic abuse allegations. The call was in response to comments by Bill Walker in a newspaper column in which he said he had b e e n "temporarily" excluded while an investigation is carried out into his selection by the party. He wrote in the Dunfermline Press: "This is due to an examination of the vetting procedures regarding my selection as an MSP candidate for the Scottish elections last year and not because of any malicious allegations made about me in respect of former private relationships." Mr Walker, MSP for Dunfermline West, was suspended after allegations printed in the

Sunday Herald newspaper on March 4 concerning his three former wives. He was suspended by the party at Holyrood and in Fife Council and resigned his membership of two Holyrood committees. At the time, an SNP spokesman said the party has a "zero tolerance" policy for violence against women. The spokesman added: "No such information was reported in Mr Walker's candidate process, as is required of all prospective candidates, and therefore we have suspended Mr Walker from both the party and the parliamentary group pending a full investigation of the facts and circumstances." Lesley Laird, a Labour candidate for the May council elections, said:

"The SNP need to clarify this situation: are they looking at these serious allegations or are they simply looking at the paper work surrounding his selection?" An SNP spokesman said: "Mr Walker is suspended from the party and a full investigation is under way. It would be inappropriate to comment further until the disciplinary process reaches its conclusion."

Relaxed Sunday trading for Olympics Only

Unions united in condemnation of regional pay in public sector

A UNION leader has warned that its members will not stand by and see their wages driven down by Chancellor George Osborne's plans to press ahead with regional pay rates in the public sector. Lynn Henderson , Scottish secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), said it was not regional pay but "postcode pay" and it would mean "inner-city Edinburgh versus suburban areas". Ms Henderson hit out after Mr Osborne said he wanted public-sector pay to be more "responsive" to local rates. He said some departments would have the option to move to local pay for civil servants whose pay freezes end this year. But Ms Henderson said PCS members had suffered a pay freeze for two

years and were facing a pay cut of 1% for the next two years. She said they would be "extremely angry" to see their wages being driven down to the lowest level paid by local businesses. The Scottish TUC were also scathing of the proposal to scrap national pay bargaining in the public sector. Assistant secretary Stephen Boyd said they were concerned it was still being considered but glad Mr Osborne had shown willingness to base action on evidence. He was doubtful that evidence would prove the case for local bargaining. He said: "The evidence simply does not stack up. The idea is extremely dangerous, not just to the workers involved but to regional economies that are reliant on the money

public spend.

sector

workers

"These arguments are being extended on the most spurious of grounds and ignoring the effects on the local private sector. It is also built on the false premise that this is how the private sector operates, when most major national employers do not set pay locally. "Finance Secretary John

Swinney said: "The Chancellor talks about fairness, yet he's fixated on reducing the top rate of income tax and driving down public-sector pay in areas outside London, which will only serve to exacerbate regional inequalities, take money out of the pockets of ordinary families and undermine recovery in the most fragile areas.where pay rates are higher, and a long-term future of pay falling behind for workers outside London and the south-east".

DESPITE speculation to the contrary, George Osborne was adaman that the relaxing of Sunday trading laws will be a temporary measure.“When millions of visitors come to Britain [this summer] we don’t want to hang up a ‘closed for business’ sign,” the chancellor said.

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But he added the legislation will be “limited... to eight Sundays only” from 22 July to 9 September. Justin King, chief executive of J Sainsbury, said he saw no reason for the Sunday trading laws to be relaxed on a more permanent basis: “The current status quo is a good British compromise – Sunday is a special day – and one we are broadly comfortable with.”Ian Geddes, UK head of retail at Deloitte, said while the extended shopping hours will boost trading during the Olympics and ease pressure on the city’s infrastructure, the relaxed trading laws would be unlikely to result in higher spending over the long term if revised permanently.

The public half of Kensington Palace reopens after two years of refurbishment. The home for Prince William and Kate was originally constructed for William III in 1700.

Left: A woman looks at a contemporary art exhibit in the State Apartments. Right:Princess Diana themed wallpaper is displayed as part of the 'Diana: Glimpses of a modern princess' exhibit.

Budget 2012: George Osborne raises UK growth forecast

The UK economy will grow more quickly this year than previously forecast, Chancellor George Osborne has said. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts growth of 0.8% in 2012, compared with its autumn estimate of 0.7%. The OBR also now estimates that the government will borrow £1bn less than previously forecast this year. Mr Osborne said his Budget signalled the g o v e r n m e n t ' s "unwavering commitment to deal with Britain's record debt". Total borrowing up to the tax year 2016-17 will be £11bn less than forecast last autumn, Mr Osborne said. The OBR confirmed that the government was on course to eliminate the structural current deficit

by 2016-17. The UK economy shrank by 0.2% in the fourth quarter of last year, but Mr Osborne said the OBR expected the UK to avoid a technical recession - defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction - and forecast positive growth for the first three months of this year.However, while slightly better economic growth is expected this year, the growth forecast for 2013 was revised down. The OBR now projects 2% growth in 2013, down from the 2.1% it estimated in November. In 2014 the economy is expected to grow by 2.7%, while growth of 3% is projected in both 2015 and 2016, in line with the previous forecast. Mr Osborne said that the crisis in the eurozone remained a major risk to the

OBR's forecast, while another risk came from a "further spike in oil prices"Earlier, figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that the government borrowed much more than expected in February. But the OBR still lowered its borrowing forecast for 2011-12 to £126bn from £127bn in the autumn. Its estimate for 2012-13 remains at £120bn, excluding the transfer of assets from the Royal Mail pension fund to the government. Its forecasts further

ahead were also lowered. It now expects borrowing of £98bn in 2013-14 (compared with £100bn forecast in November), £75bn in 2014-15 (£79bn), £52bn in 2015-16 (£53bn) and £21bn in 2016-17 (£24bn).Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global Insight, said that the new forecasts from the OBR provided a "rare recent luxury" for Mr Osborne. "This is of welcome relief to the chancellor and spares him having to tighten overall fiscal policy further," Mr Archer

said. But he added: "Having said that, projected GDP (gross domestic product) growth of 0.8% in 2012 is still worryingly weak and hardly a matter for celebration. And the very disappointing public finance data for February itself highlights that there are serious risks to the government meeting its fiscal targets." Ian Stewart, chief economist at Deloitte, said that while the Budget had a "spring-like" feel to it, people should not get too carried away. The majority of public spending cuts, which are vital to the government's strategy for reducing the deficit, lie ahead, he said. "The margin for error in reducing the UK's still huge deficit over the next five years is small and dependent on the unpredictable path of growth. There's still a long haul ahead for the UK economy." Inflation, which has been falling steadily over the past few months and currently stands at 3.4%

on the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure, is now expected to fall to 2.8% this year and 1.9% in 2013. In November, the forecasts were for 2.7% and 2.1% respectively. U n e mp l o yme n t expectations were unchanged, with a jobless rate of 8.7% forecast for this year, 8.6% in 2013, 8.0% in 2014 and 7.2% in 2015. The unemployment rate for 2016 was revised up slightly from 6.2% to 6.3%. But the OBR did forecast one million more jobs in the economy over the next five years. And it revised its estimate for the claimant count - the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance - down by about 100,000 for each of the next four years. It is now expected to peak at 1.67 million this year, rather than 1.8 million. Source:BBC Report

Budget: Osborne Under Fire Over 'Granny Tax'

George Osborne is coming under fierce attack over an unexpected "granny tax" in his Budget that will leave 4.5m pensioners worse off. In a Budget that was widely leaked or pre-announced, the tax grab on pensioners took MPs and pensioners' groups by surprise. The move will bring tax allowances for retired people - currently more generous than those for working people - into line with those who are working. The current system has been in place since 1925, when Winston Churchill introduced a "retired tax relief" to help older people. The Treasury admits Mr Osborne's move will leave pensioners £80 a year worse off on average. Labour and pensioners' organisations claim some people about to retire will be around £300 a year worse off. The backlash over pensioners' tax bills overshadowed widely predicted Budget moves to axe the 50p top rate of tax and increase tax allowances for the lower

paid.As the Budget debate resumes in the Commons, Labour MPs will launch an assault on the "granny tax", accusing the Chancellor of using it to fund a tax cut for millionaires, with the axing of the 50p rate and raising of income tax allowances for the people on low and middle incomes. The Chancellor insists changing pensioners' income tax allowances will simplify the tax system, but Treasury officials admit it will raise around £1bn a year and £3.3bn over three years. Mr Osborne says he is simplifying the allowance because many pensioners do not understand the "complicated" current system, which requires around 150,000 pensioners to fill in self-assessment forms. He is proposing that for people aged 65-74 their income tax allowances will be frozen at £10,500. For those aged 75 and over it will be frozen at £10,660. And from April 2013, those turning 65 will have a tax-free allowance of £9,205, bringing them

into line with the working population. Treasury officials admit Treasury officials admit that 4.5 million pensioners will be affected, losing about £80 a year on average, though those people about to retire will lose £197. But those figures are challenged by opponents. Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls told Sky News the Chancellor was using the cash from his "tax grab on grannies" to fund the Liberal Democrats’ demands for raising tax thresholds for working people. "You thought from the Chancellor this was going to simplify personal allowances for pensioners in a way that would make it clearer to people who are confused," said Mr Balls. "You didn't realise, in his speech, unless you know what you're talking about, he was actually announcing a tax rise." Pensioners’ groups condemned the change and warned of an angry backlash from older people. Saga director-general Ros Altmann said:

"This is an outrageous assault on decent middle-class pensioners. This Budget contains an enormous stealth tax for older people." And Geraldine Bedell, editor of Gransnet, said: "The biggest tax rise on pensioners in recent memory is already being

dubbed by some as 'the granny poll tax'. "The changes are set to cost over 350,000pensioners £285 a year. People who have worked hard all their lives are now being targeted while at the same time seeing headlines of tax cuts for millionaires. The chancellor is in

danger encouraging a new era of grey activism."Dot Gibson, general secretary of the National Pensioners’ Convention, said: "Many older people will feel they are being asked to forego their reduction in tax to help out the super rich. There’s no fairness in that.