A proposal to distribute medical marijuana by a private group has been approved in northern Detroit suburb. 

The opponents’ arguments that medical marijuana would increase crime and recreational use of the drug were discarded by the voters. 63% voters in Michigan favored the proposal.  

The proposal would be implemented later this month. This means, patients suffering from cancer, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma and other illnesses to grow would be allowed to possess and use marijuana.

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Center for Human Genetics at Oxford University have identified the gene responsible for speech impairment in children.

The gene is called CNTNAP2. Scientists say that the gene appears to play a role in inherited, common speech impairments. CNTNAP2 has also been associated with more autism and attention hyperactivity disorder.

IBM has launched a program which aims at sponsoring talented engineering students from various leading technical institutes of India. The program also aims at encouraging further researchers in the region. 

"The IBM Blue Scholar Program is aimed at growing that rare talent that blooms in a scientifically challenging atmosphere," said Dr. Manish Gupta, associate director, IBM India Research Laboratory.

New York - US stocks rose Friday, after two days of major declines, despite a sharp hike in unemployment and massive losses reported from major automakers.

The Wall Street rally was attributed to speculation that the Federal Reserve would lower interest rates next month to combat a surging unemployment rate. The US Labour Department reported Friday that unemployment climbed to 6.5 per cent in October, after another 240,000 jobs were lost in a worsening sign for the economy.

Amman - King Abdullah II of Jordan met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the Red Sea port of Aqaba on Friday, stressing the need for continuing peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians despite US and Israeli elections.

"The monarch underlined the need for continuing negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians to reach a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution despite the new developments relating to the US and Israeli elections," a royal court statement said.