BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have used marine bacteria to inhibit the corrosion of steel materials through genetic editing, according to the China Science Daily Tuesday.

Corrosion in the marine environment is an international problem that not only causes huge economic losses but also poses a threat to the safety of marine engineering.

Most of the traditional anti-corrosion methods rely on chemical or electrochemical means, however, they typically have a high cost and are not environmentally friendly.

Lucknow, Jan 7 (PTI) Ahead of a formal announcement of a pre-poll alliance, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati dialled Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav and extended her full support to him after reports emerged that he might be quizzed by the CBI in connection with the mining scam.

"Do not be shaken by such gimmicks," Mayawati told Akhilesh, while terming the reports as "political animosity" of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Guwahati, Jan 8 (PTI) An 11-hour North East bandh, called by a number of students' organisation and political parties on Tuesday, to protest against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill began amid tight security at 5am.

In Assam, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has called for a state-wide bandh after a gap of 10 years and it is being supported by the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which withdrew support to the BJP-led government in Assam on Monday, the opposition Congress, the AIUDF, and the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS).

New Delhi, Jan 7; PTI:  The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to Reliance Communication Ltd (RCom) Chairman Anil Dhirubhai Ambani and others on a plea filed by Ericsson India Pvt Ltd for allegedly not clearing its dues of Rs 550 crore after selling its assets to Reliance Jio.

A bench of Justices R F Nariman and Vineet Sharan sought a response from Ambani and others in four weeks.

Appearing for RCom, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and MukulRohatgi urged the bench to accept Rs 118 crore towards the dues to establish its bonafide.

New Delhi, Jan 7 (PTI) A 25-year-old man was arrested from Rajasthan for allegedly kidnapping a minor and forcefully marrying her, police said Monday.

The accused was identified as Manjeet Singh, a resident of Sonipat in Haryana, they said, adding that he was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000.

ANKARA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has made progress on tobacco control in recent years with bans, regulations, media campaigns and health programs, yet smoking is still a big and lingering problem in the country.

"Smoke like a Turk," the expression defining the entrenched habit of the Turkish population to smoke, is in fact no more since a draconian but popular ban was imposed a decade ago.

Kolkata, Jan 7 (PTI) The Birbhum district police Monday lodged an FIR against BJP Mahila Morcha president Locket Chatterjee and a local leader of the district for their alleged comment to beat up police personnel in the state.

A senior leader of BJP Birbhum district unit Kalosona Mondal Sunday while addressing a "Ganatantra Bachao Rally" (Save Democracy Rally) criticised the police for acting as cadres of TMC in the state and urged party cadres to "beat up" police personnel.

Muzaffarnagar (UP), Jan 8 (PTI) Three people were detained after a group of Hindu activists allegedly tried to force shut a meat shop in a village in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district, police said Tuesday.

The incident occurred in Khampur village of Chapar area on Monday evening. Police rushed to the spot and dispersed the two sides, an officer said.

Three people were taken into custody and later released, the officer added.

CANBERRA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Australia is seen as a global "free rider" on the International Energy Agency (IEA)'s oil security mechanism due to its low fuel stockpile, the Department of Energy and Environment has warned.

In a submission to the parliamentary inquiry on treaties, the department warned that Australia could be made to compensate the fuel supplies of other members of the IEA in the event of a global shortfall.

KANPUR: Changing its earlier decision on the tanneries’ operation on the roster basis, the state pollution control board has taken a strict action. The tanneries will now be opened after the Kumbh. Announcing the fresh decision, T U Khan, Board’s chief officer, said that owners of as many as 91 tanneries were made aware of the closure resolution with the state pollution control board.

Banda (UP), Jan 7 (PTI) Four cows and three calves have died apparently due to lack of fodder in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district, locals said Monday.

The incident happened in the district's Gureh village of Sadar area on Sunday.

About 150 cattle were kept in an enclosure by villagers of which seven died due to lack of fodder, Ram Kishore, husband of the village head said.

Sub Divisional Magistrate of Sadar, T Ansaria, said he has no information about cattle "deaths".

07 Jan 2019; AFP: US and Chinese negotiators on Monday held their first face-to-face talks since the world's two largest economies agreed to a truce aimed at resolving their trade dispute.

The visiting delegation, led by Deputy US Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish, left its hotel in Beijing Monday morning without speaking to reporters for a first day of talks.

The two sides plan to continue discussions on Tuesday.