GE Transportation, a unit of the US-based General Electric Company, has entered into a partnership with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to bid for a 1,000 diesel locomotive tender issued by the Indian Railways. 

GE Transportation plans to supply diesel locomotives based on the company’s global Evolution Series locomotive platform. At present, the Evolution Series locomotive is considered as most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient and low emissions locomotive.

Public sector lender Dena Bank has revealed its plans to launch co-branded credit cards in coming months.

According to sources, Dena Bank's credit card would be launched in association with State Bank of India (SBI).

Besides launching credit cards, Dena Bank also plans to open 26 new branches and 12 retail assets centers during the current fiscal, besides 108 off-site ATMs.

Dena Bank’s net profit for the second quarter ended September 30 grew 11.6% at Rs 102.8 crore over the Rs 92.15 crore in the corresponding period a year ago.

Abu Dhabi - The United Arab Emirates said on Friday it would provide emergency aid to those affected by flooding in Yemen that has left at least 20 people dead, the official WAM news agency reported.

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan said he would provide "emergency aid as a relief to those hit by the flood in Yemen," without stating the amount of the aid, the agency reported.

At least 20 people died and dozens more were missing after floods from heavy rains hit two provinces in Yemen on Friday. Yemeni officials told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that nearly 400 homes were destroyed in the south-eastern province of Hadhramout, some 900 kilometres from the capital Sana'a.

Washington - Opium production in Afghanistan has fallen 31 per cent this year, White House drug czar John Walters told reporters on Friday.

Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said 5,500 tons of opium were produced in Afghanistan this year, down from 8,000 tons in 2007. In 18 of the country's 34 provinces poppy production has been stopped, thanks in part to stepped up efforts by the Afghan government and US and allied troops, he said.

The Government’s announcement making sex education and the dangers of drugs and alcohol compulsory for children as young as five, has family values campaigners up in arms, saying instead of deterring, it will only ‘encourage experimentation’. 

The new curriculum will see children aged five taught body parts and facts about animal reproduction. Two years later, they will be taught the facts of life and about puberty. Age eleven onwards, detailed information about contraception, sexually transmitted infections and abortion will be provided to them. 

European Medicines Agency reports that Acomplia, an anti-obesity drug, with Rimonabnt as its active substance, doubles the risk of psychiatric disorders. 

Licensed in Europe since 2006 and available on the NHS since June 2008, it has been prescribed to 97,000 people in the UK, but as benefits no longer outweigh the risks, doctors have been advised not to prescribe it any longer.