Many parents think that supervised early drinking encourages children to have a more responsible attitude to alcohol. But a new study has said that those who begin to drink during puberty, tend to drink more later in life, the Daily Mail reported.

Researchers from the University of Heidelberg in Germany reached the conclusion after analysing the drinking habits of 283 young adults.

Study author Miriam Schneider said that while most teenagers have their first alcoholic drink during puberty, previous studies focused simply on drinkers’ age when they began, and not their individual stage of development.

She said that tracking what phase of puberty people were in when they had their first drink “may represent a stronger and better indicator for subsequent alcohol-related problems than simply the age”, the daily said.

The experts determined what stage of puberty participants had reached “at first drink”, and then recorded their drinking behaviour at ages 19, 22 and 23.

The human research was supplemented by similar work on rats.

“Both studies revealed that those individuals that initiated alcohol consumption during puberty tended to drink more and also more frequently than those starting after puberty,” the daily quoted Schneider as saying.

She said changes in the developing brain could explain the connection.

“It is during puberty that substances like drugs of abuse – alcohol, cannabis, etc. – may induce the most destructive and also persistent effects on the still-developing brain, which may in some cases even result in disorders such as schizophrenia or addiction.”

Schneider’s colleague Rainer Spanagel added: “Puberty is a phase in which the brain reward system undergoes major functional changes. Therefore, during puberty the brain is in a highly vulnerable state for any kind of reward, and drug rewards in particular.”

Currently busy promoting her first production venture “Ishkq in Paris”, Preity said: “Off late, I have been thinking that I will join politics because it’s so sad what is happening to our country.”

“I really want to be somehow involved in positively changing our country… One fine day (I) am going to come out and say vote for me,” she said on “Star Speak” on UTV Stars.

She has even made an imaginary picture of Priety Zinta, the politician.

She said: “I will be a very glamorous politician. I will have nice hair, nice clothes, and I will not be corrupt. But I think it’s important we start thinking about our country also because it’s really sad what is happening to our country. How much do you genuinely need to eat? ‘Khaane ke liye aap biscuit hi khaate ho, gold biscuit to nahi khaate ho’. So, survival is limited to one point. How much more do you want?”

Having said that, she hopes that “people like me don’t have to get into a political future, because there are good people. There are lots of good politicians. Don’t get me wrong, but they are eclipsed by all the corruption. And the only way to make India shine is if all this stops. Because who is the one that suffers…it is always the man on the street and that breaks my heart.”

The 38-year-old actress is also the co-owner of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team King’s XI Punjab.

The show will be aired Monday.

While Zaibunissa Kazi, 75, suffering from multiple ailments including cancer, was brought on a wheelchair, Sharif ‘Dada’ Parkar, 80, was brought in an ambulance on a stretcher before Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) Special Judge G.A. Sanap in the afternoon.

They came three days after the special court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against them for not adhering to the Supreme Court deadline to surrender and serve their remaining sentence awarded in the blasts case.

Both Kazi and Parkar, who were slated to surrender May 17, could not come on the designated day owing to ill-health and had sought an extension from the court which was not granted.

Parkar was hospitalised last week for chest pain, while Kazi had to undergo certain medical tests.

Shortly after their surrender, Special Judge Sanap directed police to take them into custody and send them to jail to serve their remaining sentence.

Parkar’s involvement pertained to conspiracy and overseeing the landing of arms and RDX in Raigad in Maharashtra before the March 12, 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai.

Kazi was found guilty and convicted for allowing another co-accused to store some weapons at her home, which were part of a bigger consignment.

She came to the court on a wheelchair accompanied by her daughter and gave herself up to the court.

Soon after her arrival, Kazi was mobbed by media-persons and she broke down, pleading “mercy and forgiveness” from the government.

“At my age and my present health condition, it is not possible for me to undergo this punishment… I have suffered enough… I urge the government to pardon me and save me from this predicament,” Kazi said.

Kazi said she was suffering from hypertension, cholesterol and thyroid problems and had undergone a major kidney operation some time ago.

“I simply cannot sit on the floor, how will I manage in the jail? At home my daughter looks after me, I don’t know what will happen in the jail,” she cried.

Though she has claimed innocence, Kazi was convicted under the Arms Act and the TADA Act and sentenced to five years’ jail.

In March, Kazi, through her daughter (who has declined to be identified), had appealed to Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju to take up her case with the Maharashtra governor for a pardon.

Christopher Lorek, 41, and Stephen Shaw, 40, were assigned to the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group, CNN reported.

The FBI said the cause of the incident was under review.

“We mourn the loss of two brave and courageous men,” FBI Director Robert S. Mueller was quoted as saying in a statement Sunday.

Lorek joined the FBI in 1996. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Shaw joined the FBI in 2005 and is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.

The hostage rescue team is part of the tactical support branch of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group. It is based at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

“Whenever a newcomer comes, people try to relate him with somebody. Many actors have been compared with established stars, so I think it’s normal. I think it’s a positive thing that they are comparing, but when you will see the film you will realise I am a different person,” Girish, son of producer Kumar Taurani of Tips Industries, told IANS.

Girish, who is debuting with “Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya”, looks up to Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan.

“I look up to Salman and Hrithik… they both have come a long way. Tips has done many films with Salman, they both are great,” he said.

Directed by Prabhudheva, “Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya” also features Shruti Haasan in the female lead.

Adding to the madness, he will be seen donning multiple avatars, that of an actor, scriptwriter and producer in his production debut.

Known for his strong comic timing as well as his ability to find humour in any situation, he will present a distinctive take on everyday life in a fresh way.

The show is likely to hit the small screen in June on Colors.

At the same time, the 32-year-old will be seen exhibiting his dancing skills on “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6″, which is also going on air next month.

Protesting against the booing, the singer said that he is an artist who should be taken seriously, reports thesun.co.uk.

The 19-year-old competed with singers Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars to grab the Milestone Award, which recognises musical achievements. He was the only under-19 artist with five successful albums.

“We don’t want to think too much about it (spot-fixing). We are all professional cricketers and we have an important task at hand. So we don’t want to get distracted,” said Rohit before a training session at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Monday.

Rohit said things have panned out well for him since taking over as the Mumbai Indians captain from Ricky Ponting, who preferred to drop himself owing to poor form.

“When it came to me it was like a big challenge. I was ready for it and it came at the right time. The captaincy wasn’t a big surprise for me because I was the vice-captain for the last two years and was always kept in the loop. I am happy with the way things have worked out for me,” said Rohit.

The Mumbai Indian captain feels two wins in the league stage against Super Kings will stand in good stead for his side.

“I am not doubting them, but they are a very good side. We have ben playing consistently and we have beaten them twice in the league stage. If we stick to our plans we can beat them again,” he said.

Asked about Mumbai Indians poor away record this season, Rohit said: “I don’t believe in home and away advantage. Even Chennai Super Kings don’t have a good away record. It is all about playing good cricket. I think if we up the ante by at least 10 percent I think we will meet our target.”

Rohit was also all praise for spinner Harbhajan Singh and pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson.

“I think Harbhajan and Johnson are among the top-10 in IPL. Johnson has been giving us the initial breakthroughs. Bhajji has been fantastic as well. we are looking forward to Bhajji to deliver with both bat and ball,” he said.

Rohit also said that they haven’t taken any decision on Sachin Tendulkar, who is nursing an injury on his left palm. Tendulkar didn’t bat at the nets here and only bowled for a while.

“We are yet to take a call. We will decide on the morning of the match,” he said

Patnaik wrote to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde seeking his intervention for expediting the presidential assent to the Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Bill, 2011, an official of the Chief Minister’s Office here told IANS.

“In view of the urgency, I am drawing your personal attention for expediting the presidential assent to the bill so that we can firmly and effectively deal with frauds being perpetrated by unscrupulous financial establishments,” Patnaik stated in the letter.

The chief minister’s letter comes at a time when opposition parties in the state have been accusing the state government of not acting against companies which have been collecting money from small investors promising extra-ordinarily high returns.

Referring to the series of chit-fund scams that have come to light in recent months, Patnaik said in his letter that the bill contains extensive safeguards for protecting small investors from the malpractices of fraudulent financial entities.

The state assembly passed the bill Dec 17, 2011.

“Based on the information provided by the authorities, the contracts of all three players have been suspended pending enquiry. We have already filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against all three players earlier today,” Rajasthan Royals chairman Ranjit Barthakur said referring to S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan.

A case under sections 420 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code was registered in the case lodged by now-slain inspector Badrish Dutt of Delhi Police’s Special Cell, who intercepted the phone conversations between the bookies and the IPL players for spot-fixing.

Delhi Police arrested the three cricketers in Mumbai late Wednesday night on spot-fixing charges, triggering off a huge controversy in the middle of the Indian Premier League’s sixth season.

Amongst the other decisions taken by the team, there will be increased security cover for the players during the play-off against Sunrisers Hyderabad here Wednesday.

“As the Royals prepare for the playoffs this week, the team has re-grouped itself after the shocking events of last week and are preparing for the play-offs. The security deployment for the team has been expanded, again in close consultation with the BCCI,” said Barthakur a day after BCCI ordered an internal probe into the scandal.

“The franchise is in daily contact with the police authorities in Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai for providing any cooperation/information that they might require.

“We have initiated additional internal measures, all developed with the full support of the players at their weekend regroup in Jaipur,” he added.

Earlier Monday, Delhi Police recovered Rs.20 lakh from the house of a relative of Chandila in Haryana’s Palwal.

Delhi Police arrested S. Sreesanth, Chandila and Ankeet Chavan and 12 bookies in a post-midnight operation in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad May 16 for spot-fixing in IPL matches — for payments of up to Rs.60 lakh, they would give away a pre-determined number of runs in an over.

Three more people were arrested in connection with the case Sunday early morning from Maharashtra’s Aurangabad city. The three — Sunil Bhatia, 44, Kiran Dole, 43, and Manish Gudewa, 32 – all natives of Nagpur — are “fixers” who mediated between the bookies and the players.