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Washington, Jan 15 - A new study has revealed that the venom of Cone snails, which are marine mollusks, just as conch, octopi and squid, but they capture their prey using venom, provides leads for detection and possible treatment of some cancers and addictions.

Scientist Frank Mari at Florida Atlantic University said that the venom produced by these animals immobilizes prey, which can be worms, other snails and fish and the venom is an extraordinary complex mixture of compounds with medicinal properties.

Washington, Jan 15 - After Blackberry denied reports that suggested it had engaged in serious negotiations with Samsung about a possible buyout deal, its shares have dropped by 10.8 percent in post-market trading.

The company said in a statement that it had not engaged in any discussions with Samsung with respect to any possible offer to purchase BlackBerry, reported Deadline.com.

New Delhi, Jan.15 - Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and reportedly informed him that his company is ready to offer and spend 250 million dollars (over Rs 1,500 crore) on funding software and services innovations in India.

He also reportedly said that Infosys is keen to participate in the creation of a smart and digitally empowered India.

He was quoted by media, as saying that his discussions with the Prime Minister focused on smart cities and infrastructure.

Sikka further said Infosys would be involved in delivering a software solution for next year's Kumbh Mela.

Mumbai: Encouraged by softening inflation, the RBI on Thursday decided to cut the benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percent to 7.75 percent with a view to boost growth.

The decision to reduce repo rate comes a fortnight ahead of the scheduled date of monetary policy announcement on February 3.

"It has been decided to reduce the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 8.0 percent to 7.75 percent with immediate effect," Reserve Bank said in a statement today.

The RBI has been keeping the benchmark interest rate at elevated level at 8 percent since January 2014.

Singapore: Oil prices fell in Asia on Thursday after a bargain-buying rally the day before lost steam, with a pick-up in US inventories reinforcing reinforcing concerns about weak demand and a supply glut.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in February fell 37 cents to USD 48.11 in late-morning trade and Brent crude for February fell 56 cents to USD 48.13.

Both contracts rose sharply yesterday -- WTI gained USD 2.59 and Brent advanced USD 2.10 -- as bargain hunters moved in after prices tumbled close to six-year lows.

New Delhi, Jan.15 - Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director A.P.Singh has resigned from the Union Public Service Commission four years before the completion of his term.

Though the reason for his resignation from his post is unknown, the government has reportedly forwarded it to President Pranab Mukherjee for acceptance.

Singh was the director of the CBI from 2010 to 2012. He was appointed to the UPSC in 2013.

It is being speculated that Singh resigned in response to a CBI court's recent verdict on the fake encounter case against BJP president Amit Shah.

The court had accepted Mr Shah's argument that he was "involved in the case by the CBI for political reasons".