Asian News International

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It’s a promising start: ‘Darpok’ director on Cannes screening

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Rakesh Mehta, whose short movie `Darpok` is due to be screened at the Cannes International Film Festival`s short film corner, says the platform is a great beginning for the project.

“The Cannes film fest is the first festival where `Darpok` will be featured. We have pitched it to various international film festivals, and we got to know that Cannes has accepted it. It`s a promising start for us,” Mehta, who has written and directed `Darpok` said.

10 gunned down in two Assam attacks

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At least 10 people were killed and four injured when suspected militants opened indiscriminate fire in two Assam villages Thursday night, police said Friday.

The first incident took place at a village of the Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts last night.

“Armed cadres belonging to the anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) barged into two houses of the village and fired indiscriminately, killing three people, including two women,” said Assam Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) A.P. Raut.

MH370 was missing for four hours before search operation began

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The ill-fated Malaysian Airlines MH370 was missing for four hours before rescue efforts started, a new report has revealed.

The Vietnamese air traffic control questioned the whereabouts of the plane, which was to have entered their airspace, 17 minutes after the plane disappeared from radar on 8th March.

According to news.com.au, they told their counterparts in Kuala Lumpur that verbal contact had not been made with MH370.

Other air traffic controls in the region also reported no contact.

A table was released showing what happened in the four hours after MH370 went missing.

Fish oil and statin combo could lower heart disease risk

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Researchers have shown that the combination of statins and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, may potentially reduce cardiovascular risk.

R. Preston Mason, PhD, of BWH’s Department of Medicine and lead author of the study, said they know that endothelial cell dysfunction is emerging as an early and important predictor of cardiovascular disease and plays an essential role in plaque development.

EU’s ban on Indian mango imports comes into force

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Mangoes from India has been banned across the European Union, halting imports into the UK potentially until December 2015.

The ban has also been imposed on aubergines, two types of squash, and a type of leaf used in Indian cooking.

According to the BBC, shipments of mangoes were suspended into Europe after consignments were found to be infested with fruit flies.

The UK imports around 6.3 million pounds worth of Indian mangoes per year out of a UK mango market worth 68 million pounds in total.

Non- Europe an food pests were found in 207 shipments of fruit and vegetables in 2013.

Rupee raise 11 paise against dollar in early trade

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Continuing its rising streak, the rupee strengthened by another 11 paise to trade at 60.20 against the dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on sustained selling of the US currency by exporters and banks.

The rupee had gained 11 paise to close at more than one-week high of 60.31 against the dollar on Wednesday. Forex and money markets were closed yesterday on account of ”Maharashtra Day”.

Traders said dollar selling by exporters and banks and increased capital inflows helped the domestic currency to strengthen.

Sensex recovers 157 points in early trade

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Snapping four days of losses, the benchmark BSE Sensex rebounded over 157 points in early trade today on across the board buying by funds and retail investors amid a mixed trend in the Asian region.

The 30-share index recovered by 157.18 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 22,574.98 with stocks of banking, capital goods, realty and healthcare sectors leading the gains. The index had lost over 458 points in the previous four sessions.

Similarly, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 40.55 points, or 0.61 per cent, to 6,736.95.

India’s patent laws compatible with international accords: CII

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Asserting that India’s patent laws are fully compatible with international agreements, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has suggested that India and US resolve all outstanding trade issues through dialogue and engagement.

The Indian trade body said the US Trade Representative’s move to keep India on the Priority Watch List in its 2014 Special 301 Report was “a sign of better understanding between the two countries.”

Microsoft fixes IE bug including for ‘unsupported’ Windows XP

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Microsoft has reportedly fixed the infamous ‘zero-day exploit’ in Internet Explorer even for Windows XP which is no longer supported by the American company.

The bug allowed hackers to install malware on one’s computer without permission, and allowed hacker to steal user’s personal data, track online behavior, or gain control of the computer, CNET reported.

Usually, Microsoft issues security patches on every second Tuesday of the month but because of the severity of the bug, the patch was released on last Thursday, the report added.

Faintest galaxy ever detected reveals new facts about early universe

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Researchers have discovered a new galaxy that is about 75,000 light-years away from us and is the faintest galaxy ever detected.

The galaxy Segue 1 is very small, and contains only about 1,000 stars; it also has a rare chemical composition, with vanishingly small amounts of metallic elements present.

Now a team of scientists, including an MIT astronomer, has analyzed that chemical composition and come away with new insights into the evolution of galaxies in the early stages of our universe-or, in this case, into a striking lack of evolution in Segue 1.

Here’s the suit you’ll be wearing on your trip to Mars

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A new spacesuit unveiled by NASA could be the wardrobe essentials for a trip to Mars.

NASA said that elements from the prototype Z-2 spacesuit are going to be incorporated in the suit worn by the astronauts for their trips to Mars, the BBC reported.

Light-emitting patches and luminescent wire are used by the new spacesuit, which then could be customised to identify individuals.

The spacesuit will be built using 3D-printed parts, and 3D laser scans are going to ensure that each suit fits each astronaut perfectly. (ANI)

Vitamin D deficiency may lead to prostate cancer: Study

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Get under the morning sun sooner rather than later as vitamin D deficiency has now been linked to aggressive prostate cancer, an alarming study indicated.

“Vitamin D deficiency could be a biomarker of advanced prostate tumour progression in large segments of the general population,” said Adam B. Murphy, Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

More research is needed, but it would be wise for men to be screened for vitamin D deficiency and treated, Murphy added.

Snails bigger danger to humans than combo of lions, sharks and wolves

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Freshwater snails cause the death of about 10,000 people every year, in comparison, the three traditional predators kill just 120 across the globe annually.

The freshwater snails, which live in rivers and lakes, get inside the human stomach to lay their eggs, which causes deadly disease schistosomiasis, Daily Star reported.

The symptoms of the deadly disease can include paralysis of the legs and vomiting blood.

However, the biggest danger is posed by malaria-carrying mosquitoes, which are the cause of 725,000 deaths every year.

Apple remains dominant in Q1 despite ceding tablet market share to Samsung

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Samsung reportedly took over a bit of the tablet market share from Apple in Q1, but the iPad maker remained dominant overall in the said period.

According to PC World, worldwide tablet shipments recorded were 50.4 million units during Q1, increasing by 3.9 percent compared to Q1 of 2013.

Recently, Apple reported a year-over-year quarterly drop in iPad shipments of 16.1 percent compared to Q1 of 2013.

Nearly 16.4 million iPads were reportedly sold in the first quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s sales rose by 32 percent, selling nearly 11.2 million units. (ANI)

Get your beach body during lunch break

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With summer holidays around the corner, now seems like a better time than ever to do more exercise and eat right to achieve the desired beach-ready body. Few simple workouts during lunch break can help in achieving the desired results, says an expert.

Fitness expert James Haskell says that “working out during lunch break” is difficult, but few steps can help in getting fit body, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“Sometimes motivation and proof that the hard work we put in at the gym is actually paying off is all we need to stick to our exercise routines.

Defeat Rahul Gandhi to end dynastic rule, says Kejriwal in Amethi

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Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP ) chief Arvind Kejriwal has urged people of Amethi to defeat Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to end dynastic rule from the country.

Addressing a rally here yesterday, Kejriwal said dynasty politics should end in order to weed out corruption from the country.

“I congratulate the people of Amethi and people of the entire country will be thankful to Amethi if they relieve the country of this family (Nehru-Gandhi dynasty),” Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal further said BJP and Congress party were united due to which they were not attacking each other’s candidates.

Justin Bieber-Kendall Jenner dating?

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Singer Justin Bieber and model Kendall Jenner have sparked dating rumours after the two were spotted enjoying a meal together.

According to a source, they were accompanied by Kendall’s friend Hailey Baldwin in Manhattan April 28. Usmagazine.com reports that the trio sat down for Japanese fare during a dinner that lasted nearly two hours.

After the meal, Bieber cleared out first. Then Baldwin left with Jenner shortly after.

Bieber’s on-and-off girlfriend Selena Gomez was entangled in a feud recently with Kendall and her younger sister Kylie Jenner.

Putin seeks immediate dialogue within Ukraine

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for an immediate “extensive national dialogue” in Ukraine, amid rising tension in the country’s east and southeast regions.

“Putin emphasised that it was imperative today to withdraw all military units from the southeastern regions (of Ukraine) and stop the violence,” the Kremlin press service said, citing a telephone conversation between Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel Thursday.

US to enhance security cooperation with new Indian government

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Describing security cooperation with India as “a central element of the broad US-India strategic partnership”, the US says it looks forward to working closely with the next Indian government to build on it.

India’s “rise as a competent and confidant and capable power that advances regional stability, security and prosperity is something that the United States welcomes and supports,” Nisha Desai Biswal, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia told a Congressional panel.

Relax your mind, body and soul with ‘foot reflexology’

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Feet require as much attention as any other part of the body, and experts claim that a session of ‘foot reflexology’ can benefit your mind, body and soul.

It provides a person with calmness and serenity, improved circulation, increased energy and balanced emotions among many others benefits.

Rod Anker, director of Monsoon Salon and Spa, said that the technique has been exported for many years in India and is a very powerful natural way to relax and bring good health to the entire body and mind.

Jourdan Dunn shares her style secrets

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Model Jourdan Dunn may work with some of the most luxurious designers in the world, but in her own style, she likes to mix it up with high street fashion too.

Dunn achieves her covetable “street chic” look with an urban twist by pairing expensive luxury brands with cheaper, trend-oriented pieces.

“My style is about finding specific pieces that stand out but can be mixed and matched with what I already have in my wardrobe. I am a big fan of pairing higher and lower priced brands, like Topshop with Saint Laurent or H&M with some Balenciaga,” femalefirst.co.uk quoted Dunn as saying.

Now, fragrance that smells like pollution

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Fragrances with flowers and spices notes are passe. There is a new fragrance on the scene and it has notes of grass, leaves and pollution.

Created as a tribute to London’s Serpentine Gallery, the unisex fragrance by Comme des Garcons costs 56 pounds.

Its bottle and box was designed by British artist Tracey Emin.

It was designed to mark the opening of the Serpentine Gallery’s new wing, reports dailymail.co.uk.

It has notes of grass, leaves, pollen, oxygen, asphalt, and ‘a little bit of pollution,’ according to Dover Street Market’s website.

I always promote Indian elements on foreign land: Sonam Kapoor

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Flaunting international brands is actress Sonam Kapoor’s everyday style statement — but promoting ‘desi’ designers and Indian elements is the motto for the young and stylish diva whenever she makes an appearance at foreign venues.

Set to make her red carpet appearance May 18-19 at the 67th annual Cannes International Film Festival, the actress feels that if one embraces one’s body the way it is, they will look beautiful.

Rahul Gandhi hits out at Modi, says chowkidars too steal

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In a veiled attack on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi has said sometimes people should be cautious of watchman as they can end up stealing.

Modi has often being seen referring himself to be a ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) of India, who would ensure safety of the country and its people.