London, Feb 23: Concerns have been raised that an increase in the use of `textisms' like `wot u doin 2nite?' and `waz up' could be damaging children''s reading and spelling ability. But, a new study has shown that frequent use of text abbreviations does not harm kids' literacy - and may even improve it.

For the study, Beverly Plester and her colleagues at Coventry University in the UK asked 88 children aged 10 to 12 to write text messages describing 10 different scenarios.

When they compared the number of textisms used to a separate study of the children''s reading ability, they found that those who used more textisms were better readers.

London, Feb 22 : A 15-year-old schoolgirl has given birth to twins, fathered by her classmate boyfriend.

The babies were conceived when Samantha Humphries was 14, and her boyfriend Daniel Sargent was 15.

The news comes amid the uproar over Alfie Patten, who became a father at the age of 13.

The couple is in Year 11 and is committed to caring for twin boys Liam and Ryan, who arrived three months prematurely last October.

Daniel admitted that both he and Sargent were shocked when she fell pregnant last April.

National Security Guard (NSG) Chief J.K. Dutt on Friday met with State Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to discuss the plan for a proposed hub of the NSG in the state.

Later speaking on this with the media persons, Dutt said, “The NSG's eastern India hub will come up in West Bengal. We are looking for land and the state government is cooperating with us.”

However, the NSG Chief declined to give any other details of the meeting.

The internal enquiry committee of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which investigated the alleged irregularities in its housing plan, has submitted its report on Friday.

For further action, the report will be sent to the Urban Development Minister, Jaipal Reddy.

Neemo Dhar, DDA spokesperson, stated, “The committee submitted the report to vice-chairman A K Nigam today. Now, we will send it to the minister who had set up the probe committee.”

Imphal, Feb 21 : Manipur capital Imphal was under indefinite curfew continues for a third day Saturday in the wake of violent protests by the locals. The protestors were against the murder of three state government employees in Ukhrul District.

On Friday night, State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh met leaders of the Joint Action Committee who held the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac-Muivah - NSCN (IM) and the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul region responsible for the killing of the employees.

The Joint Action Committee has submitted a charter of demands to the chief minister, which includes immediate prosecution of the former Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul, the arrest of culprits and the release of three government employees.

London, Feb 21: A researcher is conducting tests to find the world''s funniest flatulence noise - with the help of whoopee cushions!