Asian News International

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DDA approves policy of buying of pvt land through negotiations

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DDA has approved the policy of purchase of private land through negotiations, in view of the New Land Acquisition Act under which the buying has become “cumbersome and time consuming”, the urban body today said.

As many infrastructure and housing related projects have been “held up” because DDA was not able to acquire land, the DDA said in a statement.

The Authority took the decision to approve the policy also keeping in view that land acquisition under the New Land Acquisition Act has become cumbersome and time consuming, the statement said.

450 pregnant women take part in ‘Valaikappu’ ceremony

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As many as 450 pregnant women from Andipatti constituency, from where former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister once contested the assembly elections, gathered at a function got up by government here today to celebrate “Valaikappu” (non religious function to bless the women).

District Collector K S Palanisamy,who presided over the function, organised under the government’s Integrated Child development programme,said the function was an occasion to meet their near and dear ones and develop relationships so the women would feel happy and content, helping growth of

Fishermen take up work on cleaning weed infested lake

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The Fishermen’s Cooperative Society has taken up work on cleaning the 320 acre weed infested Vaiyapuri Lake in Palani town with the twin objectives of using the water for drinking and irrigation and rearing fish on commercial basis.

The tank, considered a holy lake where devotees used to take bath before worshipping Lord Muruga, is now full of acquatic weeds.

Places where life satisfaction increases with age revealed

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A new study has revealed that in English-speaking countries, life satisfaction dips around middle age and rises in older age in high-income, while in Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, people grow increasingly less satisfied as they age.

The study, conducted by researchers from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Stony Brook University and University College London has highlighted how residents of different regions across the world experience varying life-satisfaction levels and emotions as they age.

Siddaramaiah calls Eshwarappa ‘uncultured’ for his comment on women safety

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Taking potshots at KS Eshwarappa for his controversial comment on women safety, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader is an uncultured man.

“He is an uncultured man,” he said.

The Chief Minister, however, refused to comment on Karnataka Home Minister K.J. George who had yesterday accused the media of only highlighting news related to sexual assaults and projecting Bangalore as a ‘rape city’ to increase the TRP ratings.

“I don’t want to react on that,” he said.

PM Modi nominates nine for ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, includes Akhilesh Yadav

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday nominated nine people for taking forward the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Bhojpuri playback singer-actor and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, Cricket players Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina.

“I have started the cleanliness drive here and the social organisations have assured me that this entire ‘ghat’ will be cleaned as soon as possible,” said Modi.

The list also included comedian Raju Srivastava, Kailash Kher, Manu Sharma, Padma Shri Devi Parsad Dwivedi and Swami Rambhadracharya.

Indoor air pollution fatal for children’s lungs

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Children who are exposed to more indoor pollution suffer more from asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), shows a study done by an Indian American on Indian children.

Such children also suffer due to second-hand smoke, kerosene and biomass fuel combustion, showed the study presented at the ongoing American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

“Increased levels of asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever) were found in children in India who were exposed to more indoor pollutants,” said Raj Kumar, an Indian-American member of ACAAI.

Scientists strip zebrafish of its stripes for first time ever

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A team of researchers, who earlier explained how zebrafish get their stripes, has now given new insights on how to strip a zebrafish of its stripes.

The findings from the University of Washington give new understanding about genes and cell behaviors that underlie pigment patterns in zebrafish that, in turn, could help unravel the workings of pigment cells in humans and other animals, skin disorders such as melanoma and cell regeneration.

Obama, Republican leaders test will for compromise

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President Barack Obama and the congressional leadership sit down for lunch at the White House on Friday to search for ways to cooperate and try to break Washington’s gridlock when Republicans take control of both chambers in the next Congress.

The midterm election earlier this week produced a stunning rebuke to Obama and his Democrats, with Republicans snatching control of the Senate and widening their dominance in the House of Representatives.

13 newborns die in Malda hospital in last 72 hrs

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Thirteen newborns have died at the state-run Malda Medical College and Hospital since Tuesday.

Medical superintendent-cum-vice-principal of the institution M A Rashid said all the infants who died were 1-4 days old.

The infants had been brought to Malda Medical College and Hospital from Bihar, Jharkhand and remote areas of the district in critical condition, he said.

Due to their condition, the chances of their survival were slim, he said.

All the infants who died were underweight and malnourished.

45 suspects taken into custody for Wagah suicide blast

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A total of 45 suspects have been taken into custody by Pakistan police in connection with the deadly suicide blast at Wagah border which killed 63 people.

“We have taken 45 suspects into custody in connection with the blast so far from different parts of the city mostly from Wagah border areas. Some of them have been released after nothing proved against them in interrogation,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Haider Ashraf said.

Man linked to security lapse at PM event in Mumbai held

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A man who posed as a public servant and gained unauthorised entry into the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis where he shared dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been arrested.

Anil Mishra managed to enter Wankhede Stadium, where the ceremony was held on October 31, without a valid pass and got onto the dais where Modi was sitting along with other dignitaries in an apparent breach of security, police said.

Kamal Haasan to adopt and clean 25 lakes in Tamil Nadu with volunteers

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Volunteers of actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan’s ‘Narpani Iyakkam’ (Welfare Club), who are cleaning Madhambakkam lake here Friday, have announced that they will adopt and clean 25 lakes in Tamil Nadu.

“Cleaning India’s fresh water bodies is critical and needs to be done on a war footing. All our water bodies are being converted into sewer drains and dumpyards. This has to change and the society needs to understand the significance of conserving these water bodies,” read a statement.

Kareena Kapoor won’t sacrifice her tresses for a role

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Will she, won’t she? Kareena Kapoor has her doubts if she’ll ever agree to go for a short haircut for a movie role as she loves her locks too much. In fact, she wants to grow them longer now.

“I don’t know if I would chop my hair for any role, no matter how fascinating it will be. I love my hair…and by cutting them, I will lose my hair brand endorsement,” Kareena told IANS.

She said she’s growing her hair.

“In my career graph, I had mid-length hair, but now I want to have long tresses,” said the actress.

–IANS

`Editing’ blood stem cells to fight HIV?

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Harvard researchers have used a new gene-editing technique to create what could prove to be a method for blocking HIV from invading and destroying patients’ immune systems.

This is the first published report of a group using CRISPRCas technology to efficiently and precisely edit clinically relevant genes out of cells collected directly from people, in this case human blood-forming stem cells and T-cells, researchers said.

Virus threatens tigers’ existence

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Adding to the existing pressures of habitat loss, poaching and depletion of prey species, a new threat to tiger populations in the wild has surfaced in the form of a deadly virus.

According to a new study from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), canine distemper virus (CDV) has the potential to be a significant driver in pushing the tigers towards extinction.

While CDV has recently been shown to lead to the deaths of individual tigers, its long-term impacts on tiger populations had never before been studied, researchers said.

Indian-origin politician named as ‘Labour MP of the Year’

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Indian-origin British politician Keith Vaz named as the Labour MP of the year 2014 for his valuable work for underrepresented, deprived and minority sections of the country.

“I am honoured to have been chosen for this award. In my constituency of Leicester East, I work with individuals and groups of all backgrounds, faiths and races. For all groups to be better represented in Parliament, and the wider political process, is a positive and necessary aim in our multicultural society,” Vaz said

Indian employees to see 10.9% salary hike in 2015: Report

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Indian employees to see 10.9% salary hike in 2015: Report Indian employees to see 10.9% salary hike in 2015: ReportEmployees in India will see their salaries increase by an average of 10.9 per cent in 2015, the third highest pay rise in Asia after Pakistan and Vietnam, says an ECA International report.

According to the latest Salary Trends survey by ECA International, the biggest pay rises in the region have been forecast in Pakistan where companies are anticipating 12 per cent rises on an average. For Indian employees the average hike has been forecast at 10.9 per cent.

13 Students sent back home for wearing Hijab in Mangaluru

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13 students from Srinivas college were asked to stay away from the institution for wearing hijab (headscarf) in the college premises.

The students were studying Pharmacy and were sent back to home for not following ban.

The girl students and the parents raised their voice against the decision as they claimed that the decision was against their religious belief.

However the mangement insisted that the students were aware of the college rules and they were well aware of the college policy of banning ‘hijab’ at the time of admission.

Sophie’s family celebrate her engagement to Cumberbatch

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Actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s future in-laws are happy about his engagement to their daughter, Sophie Hunter.

The 38-year-old actor announced his engagement to the world in the births, marriages and deaths section of The Times newspaper Wednesday.

Hunter’s mother Katharine and brother Patrick have said that the family is happy and excited about the couple’s engagement, reports mirror.co.uk.

“We are very happy for them. It’s a really fabulous day.

“It’s only just been announced so we don’t know any more but it’s lovely news,” Katharine said.

Walnut-rich diet may lower risk of Alzheimer’s

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A diet rich in walnuts has the beneficial effect of lowering the risk or preventing Alzheimer’s disease altogether, a research said Thursday.

According to the research, there was a significant improvement in learning skills, memory, reducing anxiety and motor development in mice fed a walnut-rich diet.

The research was carried out by a group of researchers led by Abha Chauhan, head of the Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory at the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR).

Sensex flat; capital goods stocks gain

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A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday was trading flat at 3.79 points or 0.01 percent up in the early session.

Good buying was observed in capital goods and IT sectors, while selling pressure was seen in healthcare and oil and gas sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,902.71 points, was trading at 27,919.67 points (at 09.16 a.m.) in the early session, up 3.79 points or 0.01 percent from the previous day’s close at 27,915.88 points.

Dating Brits dally with three lovers at once!

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A new research has revealed that single Brits date several lovers at the same time, with three being the new average.

The study shows that one in four people admit to having more than one partner on the go and a quarter of women dally with four men at once, the Daily Star reported.

Dating sites and mobile apps like Tinder are thought to have played a part in creating the new trend for multiple partners, where one in 10 single women say they manage to date three or more people on the same day.

BJP likely to shortlist three names for Parrikar’s successor

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The BJP is likely to shortlist three names as possible successor of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is speculated to be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers, a senior party leader said today.

BJP’s legislative wing, which will be meeting today in Porvorim, will recommend names of Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, state health minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar as Parrikar’s successor.

Global NCAP asks Nissan to withdraw Datsun GO from India

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In a setback to Nissan Motors, consumer safety testing body Global NCAP has asked the Japanese car maker to withdraw its compact car Datsun GO from the Indian market saying it was “sub-standard”.

Datsun GO, which was launched in the country last year, had failed crash test results recently conducted by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP). It had failed on critical safety count.

In a letter to Nissan Chairman and CEO, Global NCAP Chairman Max Mosley urged for an “urgent withdrawal of the Datsun Go from the Indian and related markets”.