London, Dec 11 : Researchers at Dundee University have identified a "greedy gene" which causes people to eat an extra 100 calories on average at a single meal.

Scientists found that the gene, called FTO, appears to encourage people to opt for high calorie foods containing sugar and fat, reports the Telegraph.

The research found that the gene is carried by more than half of the population and encourages children to eat an average of 100 extra calories per sitting.

FTO has previously been linked to an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese.

However, scientists have struggled to understand if it affects calorie intake or how people's bodies process fat.

Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 11 : Twelve South Indian nationals who lost their jobs two months ago are reported to have no money to return home.

One of them, R. Arokiasamy, 28, was quoted by The Star as saying that they were recruited on a three-year work permit by a company specialising in making computer parts based in Taman Desa Cemerlang in Ulu Tiram, Johor.

He said the company failed to renew their work permits, which expired in October and pay them two months' salary for terminating their employment.

Sydney, Dec. 11 : Hundreds of mourners bid farewell to Sydney resident Douglas Markell, who was shot and killed in last month's terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

The 71-year-old former Woollahra councillor was gunned down in front of his wife Allison, who was also injured in the corridor of the Taj Mahal Hotel, as they tried to flee the attackers.

Markell''s son David told mourners at the St Stephen''s Uniting Church in Macquarie Street in central Sydney that his father was a kind, patient and generous man.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, David said his father respected opposing views and did not believe in violence.

Sydney, Dec. 11 : South African fast bowler Dale Steyn may be ranked the fastest bowler in the world, but to certify that accolade, he will have to pass the ultimate test against world champions Australia, says former pace great Glenn McGrath.

Steyn has emerged as the world''s top-rated fast bowler in 2008 after a prolific year in which he became the fastest South African to 100 Test scalps and is the globe''s leading wicket-taker this year with 60 wickets.

Indian Markets opened flat on Thursday. NSE Nifty was down by 3 points at 2926. BSE Sensex was marginally up at 10.07 a.m. IST. Volatility may be higher in days to come and markets will depend largely on International cues.

Reliance Communications was trading strong. The stock was up by nearly 8.8%. At NSE Reliance Communications touched an intraday high of Rs 249.55 and a low of Rs 232 during the early trading session.

Among major gainers were ICICI Bank (up by 2.7%), Sterlite (up by 4%), Zee Entertainment (up by 3.5%) and HDFC Bank (up by 2%).

Major losers included Technology stocks, Wipro, TCS, Satyam, Siemens.

London, Dec. 11: A new survey of soccer fans around the globe reveals the beautiful game is a regular topic of conversation for more than eight out of ten of them.

Compare that to the number - just a quarter - who would bother discussing love, relationships or family matters and to the one in five who ever talk about the economy, reports The Sun.

More than half of fans also choose football as the perfect ice breaker conversation when talking to a stranger for the first time.

Barclays Premier League carried out the survey that involved interviewing 32,000 fans in 185 countries.