London, Nov 4: Scientists have come up with a practical solution for shielding astronauts from deadly solar storms, which may bring plans for a manned mission to Mars one step closer to reality.

Though putting a man on the Red Planet has been the dream of scientists ever since space travel was first envisaged, the greatest challenge facing them has been how to protect astronauts and their space ships from solar storms.

Solar storms are radioactive clouds of particles that shred human DNA and destroy electronic instruments.

Now, according to a report in the Telegraph, British researchers believe they have come up with a practical solution by mimicking the Earth''s own protection - a mini magnetic field that deflects the fatal particles.

New Delhi, Nov 4 : Finance Minister P Chidambaram met top executives of PSU banks today to review the liquidity situation and performance of lenders.

The meeting comes a day after the captains of Indian industry met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and demanded steps for enhancing liquidity and steps to create environment conducive for lowering of interest rates.

Johannesburg - South African Tourism gave world football body FIFA the red card over accommodation for the 2010 World Cup, accusing the FIFA-appointed booking agency of bullying small hotels and Bed and breakfasts on pricing, the Business Day newspaper reported.

SA Tourism on Monday resigned in protest from the advisory committe of Match, the FIFA-appointed agency that is organizing ticketing and accommodation for the tournament.

Vienna -

Taipei, Nov 4 : China and Taiwan reportedly signed agr

Seoul (S. Korea), Nov. 4 : South Korean Defence Minister Lee Sang-hee has claimed that North Korea is building a new missile launch site, which will be capable of firing an even longer-range missile than the country has tested in the past.

According to Fox News, Lee Sang-hee told parliament that construction on the new missile site on North Korea''s west coast, which began eight years ago, was about 80 percent complete.