London, Dec 8 : A new research has revealed that frogs can learn the scent of danger before they hatch, which gives tadpoles a head start in evading predators.

According to a report in New Scientist, Maud Ferrari at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, and her team, conducted the research.

The team tested whether wood frog eggs could be primed to detect a predator’s scent.

They bathed the eggs in water that had previously contained fire-bellied newts. Half the eggs were also given a whiff of danger, in the form of an infusion of crushed-up tadpoles, whose death is marked by chemical signals.

After the eggs hatched, the researchers gave the tadpoles a second burst of newt odour.

Bangkok - The Democrat party on Monday asked for an extraordinary session of Parliament this week to vote on the nomination of a new prime minister, expected to be their leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaungsuban submitted the request to House Speaker Chai Chidchob, who will need a royal endorsement from Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is head of state, before reconvening parliament to set up a new coalition government.

Sydney  - A sex-crazed rhinoceros that smashed through the steel bars of its pen in search of female company had to be shot with a tranquilizer dart to keep him within the bounds of Adelaide's Mona

Belgaum (Karnataka), Dec 8: Indian and Chinese troops showed improved cooperation and team spirit as they took part in various activities during the ongoing first-ever Sino-India joint military combat exercises on Indian soil.

The competition was not between the Indian troops and the Chinese troops, but the teams were a mix of both Indian and Chinese army personnel.

"Sports brings friendship and team spirit amongst the troops when we play games," said Brigadier S. K. Patiyal of Indian Army on Sunday.

Senior Colonel Qin Xiang You, the Chinese contingent commander said the exercise would help enhance the cooperation between the militaries of both nations.

Washington, Dec 8 : Aretha Franklin has been named the ''Greatest Singer Of All Time'' by The Rolling Stone magazine.

The 66-year-old soul singer, best known for hits such as Respect and Think, has topped the list of 100 singers.

"Aretha is a gift from God. When it comes to expressing yourself through song, there is no one who can touch her. She is the reason why women want to sing," singer Mary J. Blige said.

London, Dec 8: The long forgotten portable compact disc players are making a comeback in British retail stores, thanks to consumers who are asking for cheap, simple gadgets as Christmas presents.

Popular in the 1980s, Discmans’ cost today has plummeted from more than 100 pounds to less than 15 pounds, according to market research firm GfK.

Many experts had written off the gadget claiming that digital MP3 players would kill it off.

But now, the Discmans simplicity and low price has won over shoppers, so much so, that John Lewis, the department store, has started refurbishing the gadget in its stock, four years after it originally phased them out.