Washington, October 30 : University of Utah scientists say that they have created a sensitive prototype device for medical tests that is based on the same principle as a credit card-swipe machine.

The researchers say that their device could test for dozens or even hundreds of diseases simultaneously.

They say that their approach involves a card loaded with microscopic blood, saliva, or urine samples.

"Think how fast your PC reads data on a hard drive, and imagine using the same technology to monitor your health," says Marc Porter, a Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR) professor of chemistry, chemical engineering and bioengineering.

Thrissur, Oct. 30 : Believe it or not, a temple devoted to Lord Shiva in Mazhuvanchery Village near Kechery in Kerala''s Thrissur District, has a unique convention to dispense knowledge.

At the Mahadeva temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, even the offerings to the deity are educational aids. It is done as a ritual here.

Visiting devotees are distributed textbooks, writing material and informative brochures as Prasad or, holy offering here.

Patna, Oct 30: Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav today announced compensation of Rs three lakhs for the widow of Dharam Dev Rai, a resident of Uttar Pradesh''s Gorakhpur district who was beaten to death on a train in Badlapur in Maharashtra, after the miscreants identified him as a "North Indian".

The incident caught media attention as it happened in the wake of the ongoing raging controversy over harassment of North Indians, particularly those from Bihar, in Mumbai.

Berlin - German unemployment fell more than expected in October, defying the economic gloom facing the nation, data released Thursday showed.

After dropping by a revised 28,000 in September, seasonally adjusted unemployment fell by another 26,000 to 3.151 million in October, Germany's Federal Labour Office said.

This resulted in the unemployment rate edging down from 7.6 per cent in September to 7.5 per cent in October.

Religare Enterprises, the financial services arm of Ranbaxy Group, is planning to rise more than Rs 1,000 crore through rights offering to its existing shareholders.

The company's board is expected to meet on 30th October to consider raising of funds over Rs 1,000 crore at around current price level by further issue of equity shares on rights basis.

Religare Enterprise Limited, through its subsidiaries, offers a range of financial products and services to retail investors, high net worth individuals, and corporate and institutional clients in India.

Taipei - Taiwan prosecutors on Thursday requested a 14-month prison term for a city councilman after charging him with inciting a mob to attack a visiting Chinese official last week.

The indictment clouded next week's visit by China's top negotiator with Taiwan, Chen Yunlin, as pro-independence groups saw the charges as the government appeasing China and vowed to confront Chen wherever he goes.