Some pet owners assume that fur of their pets is enough to keep them safe from the cold weather. BC SPCA urged pet owners to make proper arrangements to save their pets from cold weather.

Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the BC SPCA said that because we live in a milder part of the province, we often don't think about the serious risks that cold weather poses to our pets.

During the culling and moping operations, 4 culling members have come down with influenza-like symptoms in Malda last evening. One of them, Mohd Ellius (40) from satgharia was in a very serious condition. He had high fever and breathing problem, so he was admitted to the isolation ward and kept under observation. Chief medical officer of health (CMOH) Srikanta Roy said, “He does not have respiratory problem or influenza symptom so far. But we have kept him in the isolation ward for observations.”

The government is planning to ban the anti-obesity drug ‘Rimonabant’ in India as the studies show that it has serious psychiatric side effects, including the suicidal tendencies. The patented drug from global pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Aventis, was launched in Europe in 2006, and is considered a potential blockbuster by many.

To make the HIV/AIDS tests compulsory for a couple before marriage, the Himachal Pradesh government is considering a proposal. It would help to build a foundation for a healthy society, said the State Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. He has made the announcement without giving any further details of the time frame for the implementation of the proposal.

Biotechnology Company Amgen filed for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of experimental drug denosumab as a treatment for osteoporosis in post- menopausal women.

A National Research Council panel said that the Environmental Protection Agency should study the combined effect of phthalates rather than studying them individually. NRC panel said that the agency must adopt a “paradigm shift” in the way it assesses the chemicals’ toxicity to humans.

Previous studies have shown the presence of phthalates in everyone, including pregnant women and babies. A report released from the National Research Council said that phthalates and other hormone-disrupting chemicals pollute the air, water and dust and are found in hundreds of consumer products — including bug spray, perfume, pesticides, shower curtains, food containers, and plastic toys.