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London, Feb 9 - Stephen Hawkins has warned the scientists against the idea of calling the aliens and letting them know that we were here.

Scientists have been exploring ways of beaming messages from Earth to aliens in the hope of the ultimate callback are even considering Wikipedia to help them understand human life, but the renowned physicist has disapproved the move, saying that it could lead to catastrophe, the Daily Star reported.

Hawking said that "If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans."

The idea, which is the brainchild of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute in California, involves powerful radio telescopes which will send the data to nearby stars and planets.

London, Feb 09 - A report has said that Britain's biggest bank, HSBC, helped its customers evade millions of pounds in tax.

Mumbai - The benchmark BSE Sensex extended losses for the seventh straight day by plummeting over 286 points in early trade today on sustained selling by funds and retail investors amid exit polls showing that the BJP may not be able to form government in Delhi.

Besides, discouraging third quarter earnings by some bluechip companies and weakness in the rupee, dampened trading sentiments.

The 30-share index tumbled by 286.49 points, or 0.99 percent, to 28,431.42. The gauge had lost 963.86 points in the previous six sessions.

In a similar fashion, the National Stock Exchange Nifty dipped below the 8,600-mark by falling 77.85 points, or 0.90 percent, to 8,583.20.

New Delhi - The government is expected to disclose the names of close to 60 Indians and entities as it has recently initiated tax evasion prosecution proceedings against them as part of its crackdown on black money accounts as reported in the HSBC bank's Geneva branch list.

Sources said that those against whom legal action has been initiated include some corporates, business houses and other individuals as the Income Tax department has completed its probe and filed prosecution complaints against these entities, on the directions of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to tackle black money and illegal assets held by Indians abroad.

They said the total amount in these accounts is estimated to be to the tune of Rs 1,500-1,600 crore.

Mumbai - India's World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten feels it would be premature to write off the defending champions and said the holders have a good chance of retaining the title with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the helm.

"They are a quality outfit and I wouldn't write them off.

They have got one of the most successful captains ever and in terms of closing off the events, let's not discount the Dhoni factor. A lot of things have changed and shifted in his life at the moment but when it comes to these events, he steps up and he is at his best," Kirsten told reporters here.

London, Feb 9 - Sam Smith, who has been nominated for all the major awards at Grammys this year, has grabbed the award for the Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album for 'In The Lonely Hour'.