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Srinagar, Dec 5 : Union minister and National Conference (NC) patron Farooq Abdullah Thursday announced he would seek re-election to the Lok Sabha from Srinagar parliamentary constituency next year.

Addressing a party rally to observe the birth anniversary of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at his mausoleum in Hazratbal here, Farooq Abdullah said he would stand from the Srinagar constituency as the party candidate during the forthcoming general elections in 2014.

Bangalore, Dec 5 : The government should ensure targeted funding to promote nanoscience and nanotechnology in solving pressing societal problems and improve the quality of life, a top scientist said Thursday.

"Nano mission needs targeted funding to set up infrastructure and build capacity for research in nanoscience and developing nanotechnology to solve pressing problems and improve quality of life," C. N. R. Rao, who has been named for the Bharat Ratna, said at a summit here.

Los Angeles, Dec 5 : Socialite Kim Kardashian and her rapper fiance Kanye West reportedly

New Delhi, Dec 5 : Miss India Sobhita Dhulipala, who is representing the country at the Miss Earth Pageant, has won the Miss Eco Beauty Title sub-contest.

This is the second title won by the Indian beauty at the international pageant.

Judged online, she has garnered over 5,000 votes.

The 20-year-old, who earlier won the Miss Photogenic sub-contest, has received a gold medal for being victorious.

She is followed by Miss Macau Ashley Qian, who received a silver medal, and Ezgi Avci from Turkey, who received a bronze medal, a statement said.

Adelaide, Dec 5 : Australia were 273/5 at the close of play on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test against England at the Adelaide Oval here Thursday.

Early showers interrupted the morning session but cleared as the day went on with Chris Rogers (72) and Shane Watson (51) putting on a 121-run partnership for the second wicket to help Australia to 155/1 at a point in the second session.

However, three quick wickets saw Australia slip to be four down for 174 at tea before skipper Michael Clarke and George Bailey came together to steady the innings. The pair put on a further 83 before Bailey holed out for 53.

Panaji (Goa), Dec 5 : The Reliance Life Insurance Company will launch 25 new policies starting January next year and file more products for approval with the regulator, and close the fiscal with a total premium of around Rs. 4,000 crore, a top company official said Thursday.

He said the company would focus on increasing agents' productivity, persistency of its existing policies, launch of new products, and expansion of its new face-to-face channel, among others.