Melbourne, Jan 17 : A radar stationed at the Marshall Islands in US, may be the reason behind failed mission of Russian aircraft, which crashed into the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, according to an unidentified Russian space official.

According to the Moscow-based Kommersant newspaper, the official said that the radar may have unintentionally jammed electronic communications with the 163 million dollars Phobos-Grunt craft as it monitored asteroid movements, the Age reported.

Canberra, Nov 17 - The US wants close ties with Asia-Pacific countries including China, US President Barack Obama Thursday said in an address to the Australian parliament here.

"As the world's fastest-growing region - and home to more than half the global economy - Asia is critical to achieving my highest priority: creating jobs and opportunity for the American people," Obama said while addressing MPs and senators.

The US seeks further cooperation with China, Xinhua quoted Obama as saying.

Washington, Oct 31 : An Australian study including an Indian-origin scientist has found that birds avoid crashing into things by sensing how quickly they pass objects along their flight path.

The finding could improve the versatility of pilotless aircraft and pave the way for bird-safe buildings and windmills, according to the group of scientists from the University of Queensland and the Australian National University.

Study co-author Professor Mandyam Srinivasan from the Queensland Brain Institute explained the birds’ ability to navigate comes down to how they perceive the objects they’re flying past.

Nevada (US), Sept 19 : Hindus are concerned at the play "Ganesh Versus the Third Reich", which is having a world premiere at Melbourne Festival in Australia on September 29.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Lord Ganesh was meant to be worshipped in temples and home shrines and not to be made a laughing stock on theater stages.

Sydney, Sep 13 Millions of tonnes of toxic e-waste - comprising discarded computers, refrigerators, mobile phones, TV sets and printers - are contaminating our air, oceans, fresh water, soil and food every year. It is becoming the fastest growing waste source in the world, new research shows.

"In 2009 alone, 53 million tonnes of e-waste was generated worldwide. It's the fastest growing waste source in the world," warns a leading environmental researcher Ming Hung Wong, from Hong Kong Baptist University.

The recycling process in many developing regions is still primitive, with few or no facilities or trained professionals to ensure safe disposal of toxic products, he says.

Nevada (US), May 10: An Australian swimwear company, whose depiction of image of Goddess Lakshmi on swimwear upset Hindus worldwide, claims to have cancelled production of swimwear with Lakshmi's picture on it.

In an "Important Press Release" posted on its website http://lisablue.com.au/, Lisa Blue Swimwear says: ".image of Goddess Lakshmi will not appear on any piece of Lisa Blue swimwear."

Nevada (US), Aug 27 : Hindus have applauded Catholic Church in Australia for recommendation of abstaining from meat on Ember Days, which are observed on first Fridays of autumn and spring.

September three is designated as Spring Ember Day for the Catholic Church in Australia. Ember Days also focus on environment and climate control.

Noted Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged other religions and denominations also to come out in support of vegetarianism, thus contributing to a healthier world and helping the environment.

Melbourne, July 10 : Scientists in the US have found a way to remotely control animal behaviour.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo were able to could control the movements of tiny worms by introducing clusters of magnetic nanoparticles into their cell membranes.

A video of the worms shows them crawling around, before researchers turn on a magnetic field which heated the nanoparticles up, forcing the worms to change direction.

"We could use this method to make them go back and forth. Now we need to find out which other behaviours can be controlled this way," News. com. au quoted assistant professor of physics Arnd Pralle as saying.

Washington, June 29 : After a decade of painstaking research and breeding, scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Australian prawn industry have successfully bred what may be called the world''s most perfect prawn.

The new, improved Black Tiger prawns have bagged five gold medals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in the past two years, including ''Champion of Show'', the highest award possible.

Melbourne, Nov 6 : Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie proved she’s still as sexy as she was before giving birth to her twins when she flaunted her post-baby bod in her new film - wearing just lingerie.

Jolie started shooting for her new film Salt just six months after giving birth to the twins Knox and Vivienne and the revealing scenes show the actress has managed to regain her flat stomach after the pregnancy.

In the new trailer, released online this week, Jolie''s character is briefly seen in her underwear.

With her head out of camera shot, the 34-year-old is seen walking towards a bed wearing an open dressing gown, which reveals her black bra and knickers, reports the Courier Mail.