Asian News International

Asian News International. Multi-media news agency, content for information platforms: TV, Internet, broadband, newspapers, mobiles.

Festive season fails to cheer car makers, Oct sales subdued

by

Festival season failed to bring cheer to car makers, as major players including Maruti Suzuki India, Hyundai and Mahindra failed to register significant sales growth during the month, which otherwise has been one of the best periods for vehicle sales in the country.

While Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai posted marginal rise in sales during October, others including utility vehicle major Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota Kirloskar and Ford registered decline in sales as compared to same period of previous year as sentiments remained subdued.

Gold, silver recover on scattered buying

by

After two days of losses, gold prices recovered by Rs 50 to Rs 26,550 per 10 gm in the national capital on Saturday on buying at prevailing levels by jewellers and retailers even as metal remained weak overseas.

Silver followed suit and gained Rs 100 to Rs 36,250 per kg on scattered enquiries from industrial units.

Traders said revival of buying by ornament makers and retailers at existing levels, mainly supported the upside in gold prices.

They said, however, a weakening trend overseas, capped the gains on the domestic markets here.

Sexual assault on minor girls in schools: Siddaramaiah warns managements

by

Amid public outrage over a spate of sexual assaults on minor girls, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday warned managements that permission granted to their schools would be revoked and criminal cases booked against them if they violate guidelines for safety of children.

“Sexual assaults on minor girls have made the civil society hang its head in shame. Even beasts don’t behave like this. It is inhuman and condemnable,” he said, as public anger grew over the latest sexual assault of a six-year old girl in the fourth such incident in as many months in schools here.

Branded, ready-to-eat food on trains hits pricing roadblock

by

Rail travelers will have to wait for a few more days to get branded, ready-to-eat meals on their journeys as Railways and packaged food manufacturers are busy sorting out pricing issues.

Flooded with complaints about the quality of the food served on trains, Railways had decided to provide ready-to-eat food as an additional option for its passengers by October 30.

Digvijay wanting Rahul to take charge not in Congress’ favour, says ex-party leader Gufran-e-Azam

by

Former Congress leader Gufran-e-Azam on Saturday criticized Digvijay Singh’s remark that Rahul Gandhi should take over full charge of the party, saying it will not be in the party’s favour.

“If Digvijay Singh is talking about giving charge of Congress to Rahul Gandhi, he is not speaking in favour of party. Some people just do not have the courage to speak the truth. People now say that Rahul Gandhi ruined the Congress party, but I had said even before the Lok Sabha polls that if the mother-son duo is in-charge we will lose,” said Azam.

Anne Hathaway’s hubby proposed just moments after she agreed to go bald for ‘Les Miserables’

by

Anne Hathaway has recently revealed that her husband, Adam Shulman, had proposed to her just moments after she told him she was balding her head for the role of ‘Fantine’ in ‘Les Miserables.’

The ‘One Day’ star, who looked absolutely stunning on her wedding day in September 2012, wore a headdress designed by Valentino, the Daily Express reported.

Hathaway also mentioned that cutting up all her hair was her suggestion because as it raised the stakes for the audience, however, when the cutting began she started feeling weird and nervous. (ANI)

Sri Lanka accuses UN rights body of bias in report about Tamil students’ murder

by

Sri Lanka has accused the UN’s Human Rights Committee of bias in its report on the investigation into the murders of five Tamil students in the eastern port town of Trincomalee in 2006.

Sri Lankan information minister and government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said that the UN body had singled out Sri Lanka while overlooking many atrocities committed by the LTTE during the island’s brutal three-decade civil war.

China launches erectile dysfunction drug less than half the price of Viagra

by

A Chinese brand has launched a new drug that will help erectile dysfunction, which is about 60-percent cheaper for every tablet than sildenafil-based foreign products.

Guangzhou Baiyuanshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co has officially launched China’s first sildenafil-based medicine for erectile dysfunction, named ‘Jin’ge,’ which literally translates as “golden spear,” the China Daily reported.

It was a generic drug similar to the US-based company Pfizer’s Viagra, whose patent in China expired in May.

Somali pirates free 7 Indian sailors held hostage for 4 years

by

Somali pirates have reportedly released seven Indian sailors who were held hostage for nearly four years.

According to News 24, Somali officials and a maritime monitoring group said on Friday that the sailors were freed in exchange for an undisclosed ransom

The sailors, who were taken captive after the pirates hijacked the Panama-flagged ship MT Asphalt Venture in September 2010, were freed on Thursday.

The pirates had earlier released eight of their colleagues along with the ship in April 2011 for a ransom.

‘Chicken Tikka Masala’ becomes new favorite takeaway for French

by

The French are ditching their sumptuous home dishes for Chicken tikka masala.

Marks and Spencer’s head of international food, Jill Bruce, said that the dish had become their top selling ready meal in Paris, and had given a big boost to the chain, the Daily Star reported.

She added that the brand had 10 stores in Paris, with its flagship food court in Beaugrenelle, close to the Eiffel Tower, shifting 70,000 Indian takeaway boxes each year.

India resume World Cup build-up against ‘under-cooked’ Sri Lanka

by

Their World Cup build-up halted by West Indies team’s sudden mid-series pullout, India would resume the preparations for the mega-event when they square off against under-cooked sub-continental rivals Sri Lanka in a hastily-arranged ODI series starting here tomorrow.

A series against the depleted Lankans on surfaces totally different from those on offer in Australia and New Zealand may not be the ideal launchpad but it would certainly give the reigning world champions an opportunity to test their bench strength under stand-in skipper Virat Kohli.

All colleges in India should be disabled friendly, says Bombay High Court

by

The Bombay High Court has directed Chief Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities at the Centre and in Maharashtra to instruct all educational institutions in the country to provide a barrier-free environment for disabled students by March 2015.

The direction was given yesterday by a bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah on a petition filed by Akanksha Vardhaman Kale, a handicapped student in Pune.

The judges directed the government to file a compliance report by December 15 saying that such arrangements had been provided or were being made.

More than 4,000 killed in Ukraine conflict: UN

by

More than 4,000 people have been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine between the army and pro-Russian separatists, the UN has said as the Ukrainian president took steps to “unite” the country after elections.

The United Nations said in over six months there have been 4,035 deaths, more than 300 in the last 10 days alone, showing the fragility of a ceasefire reached in September.

Congress leader Anand Sharma downplays Digvijay Singh’s views on leadership change

by

Senior Congress leader and former minister Anand Sharma on Saturday downplayed his party colleague Digvijay Singh’s views on leadership change in the party, and added that both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are the strength of the grand old party.

“Well those are his views. Congress is a democratic organization. Congress has always taken a considered and collective view in the interest of the country and in the interest of the Indian National Congress to uphold its ideals and principles,” he told ANI here.

IT capital Bangalore is now Bengaluru

by

Bangalore today became Bengaluru synchronising with the state formation day -“Karnataka Rajyotsava”. In tandem, 11 other cities across Karnataka were also rechristened by the state government, casting away the anglicised names.

The new names have come into force after the state government issued a special gazette notification to effect the changes, giving them the distinct local flavour.

67-year-old Bangladesh Railway Minister Mujibul Haque marries 29-year-old

by

Bangladesh Railway Minister Mujibul Haque, 67, has married 29-year-old Honufa Akhter Rikta in the country’s Comilla District.

The wedding took place in the district’s Meerkhola Vilage, reports the Prothom Olo daily.

According to the daily, Haque signed the Kabin Nama (marriage document) at around 3 pm on Friday after paying Taka 5,00,001 as denmohor.

The wedding was attended by over 700 people from the minister’s side.

Apart from four reception gates, most of the intersections on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway were decorated to greet the bridegroom minister.

Four more polio cases found in Pakistan; tally jumps to 235

by

At least four new polio cases have been reported in Pakistan, taking the number of those affected this year to 235 with the county’s fight against the crippling disease showing no signs of improvement.

An official of the National Institute of Health in the capital confirmed the cases, saying three cases reported from Qilla Abdullah and Quetta in Balochistan and one from South Waziristan tribal region along Afghan border.

Aloo & Avocado Burger

by

Ingredients

1. 11.2 cups boiled, peeled and mashed potatoes
2. 1.2 cup avocado pulp, mashed
3. 3.4 cup peas, boiled and mashed
4. 2 green chillies, finely chopped
5. 2tbsp chopped hara dhania (coriander)
6. 1tsp lal mirch (red chilli) powder
7. 11.2 tsp chaat masala
8. 1tsp chopped ginger
9. 1.4 cup breadcrumbs
10.1 onion, sliced
11. 3tbsp refined oil
12. 4 burger buns (For the burger)
13. 4 cheese slices
14. 4 iceberg lettuce leaves
15. 2 yellow bell pepper, sliced
16. 4tbsp mayonnaise
17. 3tbsp tomato ketchup
18. Salt to taste

Method:

Public awareness needed to check breast cancer: Experts

by

With around 1.5 lakh breast cancer cases being diagnosed every year in India, health experts Saturday called for more public awareness and community screening before the disease takes on epidemic proportions.

“Public awareness, community screening for early detection are essential interventions to save a lot of lives before the disease takes epidemic proportions,” said Prem Nair, director of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) here.

Quitting Ganderbal: Omar’s decision stumps all, angers many

by

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s decision to quit family political bastion Ganderbal has come as a bolt from the blue — both for his die-hard supporters as well as his detractors.

The regional National Conference (NC) Friday announced that Omar would not seek re-election from Ganderbal constituency but contest the Sonawar and Beerwah seats, one in Srinagar district and the other in the Badgam district of the Valley.

Chandy defends finance minister over graft allegation

by

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Saturday defended Finance Minister K.M. Mani following a graft allegation made against him by a businessman who owns hotels with bars here.

“This is a baseless allegation levelled by the businessman. He (businessman) said that he came and told me about this graft. Such a thing has never taken place and I wish to ask him to reveal when, where and with whom did he come and meet me,” Chandy told reporters.

13 killed in Libya clashes

by

At least 13 people were killed in violent clashes between Islamist militias and Libyan security forces in the struggle to control Benghazi city.

Rtd Libyan general Khalifa Haftar Friday launched a military operation against the Majlis al-Shura, Thowar Benghazi and Ansar al-Sharia militias in a bid to regain control of the city.

A security official in Benghazi told Efe that fighting continues in the al-Sabri, Gar Younis and al-Selmani districts of Benghazi.

‘Ouija’ is slow-paced and reveals nothing (IANS Movie Review)

by

Film: “Ouija”; Cast: Olivia Cook, Daren Kagasoff, Douglas Smith, Bianca Santos, Shelley Hennig, Ana Coto and Lin Shaye; Director: Stiles White; Rating: **

‘The Ouija’, also known as the “spirit board” or the “talking board”, is used in seances as a conduit to reach out to the spirits.

For the curious, it’s just a mode of entertainment, but for the serious, it means much more. There are rules for those who indulge in it. They are: follow the rules and never break it, never play alone and finally always say goodbye when signing off.

‘Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe’ – refreshingly creative

by

Film: “Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe”; Cast: Pia Bajpai, Shabeer, Shruti Hariharan, Viji Chandrasekhar, Thambi Ramaiah and Y. Gee Mahendran; Director: Lakshmy Ramakrishnan; Rating: ***1/2

There’s a thin line that divides being preachy and creative while addressing a burning issue.

When A.R. Murugadoss’s “Kaththi” attempted to win the audience’s heart by portraying mass suicide of farmers just a week ago, it only made me sympathetic, but didn’t quite move me.

Tangerines are a tonic for your heart

by

It’s often said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Now, scientists say the same is true even for tangerines which have properties that keep several diseases at bay.

Researchers from the University of Western Ontario in Canada found that eating the citrus fruit regularly could protect against heart attacks, diabetes and stroke as well as it helps stave off obesity.

According to them, tangerine’s peel has a pigment, called Nobiletin, which is ten times more potent than a similar one derived from grapefruit, the Daily Mail reported.