Asian News International

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

World Cup 2015 organisers look for 1,500 net bowlers

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With barely four months to go for the cricket World Cup 2015, the event organisers in Australia and New Zealand are looking for 1,500 net bowlers to help the participating teams in training during the One-Day International (ODI) tournament.

Chief executive of the World Cup 2015 Local Organising Committee, John Harnden said tournament organisers are working with all of the State and Territory Cricket Associations around Australia and the Major Associations in New Zealand to identify net bowlers.

Men’s groups resent move to empower women panel

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Men’s rights groups, fighting for shared parenting in case of divorce, Thursday protested the central government move to empower the National Commission for Women (NCW) with powers to direct police to arrest the accused in crimes against women.

In a missive to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Bangalore-based NGO Child Rights Initiative for Shared Parenting (CRISP) said: “If the NCW is elevated, it will lead to a complete disintegration of the Indian judicial system.”

Venkaiah Naidu to adopt cyclone-hit village

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Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has decided to adopt a cyclone-affected village in Andhra Pradesh.

The minister Thursday announced that he and his family members will adopt Chepalupada village and undertake rebuilding work.

Venkiah Naidu said they were ready to spend any amount of money required for reconstruction of the village battered by cyclone Hudhud Oct 12.

He said he will provide Rs.25 lakh to the village from the MP Local Area Development Fund.

Kate Hudson once found Matthew McConaughey ‘howling naked’ in woods

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Kate Hudson has recently revealed that she once caught Matthew McConaughey howling naked in the woods, during weekend trip with some of their friends to her parents’ cottage in the Canadian woods.

The 35-year-old actress said that McConaughey was definitely one with nature, who’s the most passionate and dedicated actors she have ever worked with, E! Online reported.

The authentic actor attacks everything with an intensity that is palpable and demands the same intensity to be reciprocated, she further added.

How brain remains stable during learning process

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A new mathematical model has provided scientists with a deeper insight into how brain remains stable during the learning process.

Complex biochemical signals that coordinate fast and slow changes in neuronal networks keep the brain in balance during learning.

Neuronal networks form a learning machine that allows the brain to extract and store new information from its surroundings via the senses. Researchers have long puzzled over how the brain achieves sensitivity and stability to unexpected new experiences during learning, two seemingly contradictory requirements.

DNA reveals Neanderthals first mated with humans 50,000 years ago

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A new study has examined the 45,000-year-old DNA from a Siberian man that has demonstrated that Neanderthals and humans first mated 50,000 years ago.

Scientists analyzed the shaft of a thighbone found by an artist and mammoth ivory collector, Nikolai Peristov, on the left bank of the river Irtysh near the settlement of Ust’-Ishim in western Siberia in 2008. They calculated the age of the man’s bone to be about 45,000 years old.

25-year-old Vijay fan dies during ‘Kaththi’ release celebration

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Celebration of the release of Vijay-starrer ‘Kaththi’ at a theatre near here turned tragic today after a 25-year-old man died when he fell down from the top of a huge cutout of the popular Tamil film actor while performing ‘milk abhishekam’ (offering of milk).

Police said the deceased Unnikrishan, a welding worker, slipped and fell down while pouring milk on the cutout installed in front of the Jayabharat theatre at Vadakencherry. He was an active worker of the Vijay’s Fans Association, police said.

The film was released across the state today.

–PTI

I am happy in Delhi, says Gadkari after Fadnavis meets him

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Amidst calls by several BJP MLAs in Maharashtra for Union minister Nitin Gadkari to be made the state’s chief minister, the senior leader today said he was happy working at the Centre.

“I am happy in Delhi,” Gadkari told reporters here when asked whether he intends to return to state politics.

Gadkari’s comment came after Maharashtra BJP president Devendra Fadnavis, considered to be the front-runner for the post of chief minister, today visited him at his residence in the Mahal area of the city to wish him on Diwali.

Ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Siachen, Pakistan violates ceasefire twice

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In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistan on Thursday again resorted to firing on Border Out Posts (BoPs) along the International Border (IB) in the Samba and Jammu districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has taken place during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Siachen where he will meet soldiers.

“Pakistan Rangers resorted to small-arms firing at a few BoPs along IB in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors at 0100 hours and 0400 hours today,” a BSF spokesman said here.

Three smugglers killed along Egypt-Israel border

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At least three Egyptian smugglers were killed and three injured during clashes with the security forces along the Egyptian-Israeli border.

“The clashes took place at border point 33 near Al-Ouga exit, when the group attempted to smuggle a large quantity of hashish across the border,” a security official told Xinhua.

He said the ages of the smugglers varied from 21 to 31 and the injured men were taken to the Arish military hospital.

“The six men were mostly from the Sinai extremist groups,” he added.

–IANS

‘We’re all shaken by it’, says Obama on Canada shooting

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US President Barack Obama has condemned deadly shootings in Canada and offered assistance in the wake of the attacks in Ottawa that left one soldier dead. “We are all shaken by it, but we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that we’re standing side by side with Canada during this difficult time,” Obama told reporters during a brief media interaction at his Oval Office.

Every Indian stands by soldiers in Siachen: Modi

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Every Indian stands “shoulder to shoulder” with soldiers posted in Siachen Glacier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday as he began a visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Everyone is aware of the extreme conditions at Siachen. Overcoming every challenge our soldiers stand firm, protecting our motherland,” Modi said in a tweet.

“Be it the altitude or bitter cold, nothing deters our soldiers. They stand there, serving our nation. They make us truly proud.

Diwali special: Be compassionate to animals this Diwali

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One of the most common and perhaps the cruelest sights during Diwali is a frightened dog running blindly on the road, terrified of the loud noise coming from the firecracker strip tied to his tail by mischievous children.

This scene might provide entertainment to many children, who would giggle and clap at the helpless mute creature, but in reality the festival of lights is indeed a nightmare for all animals, including dogs, birds and cats.

Be cautious this Diwali, warn doctors

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With numerous cases of burns and irritation reported every year during Diwali, experts feel exercising a little caution could help in avoiding burn injuries.

But Diwali does not mean only burn injuries, doctors also warn about damage to the eyes and ears and for those with breathing problems, asthma attacks.

While preparations for the festival of lights have begun, doctors say people must keep in mind preventive measures for any hazards that may occur, especially from the careless use of crackers.

–IANS

Who convinced Matthew McConaughey to get married?

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Actor Matthew McConaughey says his long time girlfriend and model Camila Alves has a great convincing power and that she was the one who convinced him to get married.

McConaughey, who married Alves in 2012, talked about her convincing power in an interview with GQ magazine, reports people.com.

“Look, some of it had to do with her putting it on me,” the actor said.

“We talked about it spiritually. We did a lot of reading and talked to a lot of people who got divorced, a lot of people who were happily married.

Post buffaloes, Azam Khan shifts focus on RSS

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UP minister Azam Khan has put down on paper to the Union Home Ministry asserting that the RSS was promoting anti-nationalism in the country.

Khan, in a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh alleged that the Sangh leaders were trying to spark turbulence among the Muslims.

While expressing his view, Khan cited the alert issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs advising the states to make certain vigil and proper security during the festive period to take avoiding action against communal disturbances.

Eating fruit and vegetables makes you happy

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Australian researchers said Wednesday that eating large amounts of fruit and vegetables can make you happier.

The University of Queensland (UQ) study, involving more than 12,000 people, concluded that eating eight or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day improves mental well-being, Xinhua reported.

UQ health economics researcher Redzo Mujcic told local radio that current guidelines on fruit and vegetable consumption were mostly focused on physical health, and not on mental health.

Moong Dal Halwa

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Ingredients:

1 cup of yellow moong dal (split yellow gram)
1 cup of milk warmed
1 1/4 cups of sugar
1/2 tsp of cardamom (elaichi) powder
a few of saffron (kesar) strands
2 tbsp sliced almonds (badam) and pistachios
6 tbsp of ghee

Method:

Soak the moong dal in water for 3 to 4 hours.
Drain extra water and grind to a coarse paste using very little water. Too much of water will spoil it.
Dissolve the saffron in 1 tablespoon of warm milk and keep aside.
Melt the ghee in a think, broad and non-stick pan.

Gurgaon highest consumer of traditional sweets: Survey

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A survey has revealed that Gurgaon tops the list of traditional sweets’ consumers and their most favourite is moong dal halwa.

Food ordering portal Foodpanda.in recently conducted a survey across the country and the findings reveal the sweets consumption preferences during the month of October as compared to other months.

While Gurgaon takes the lead when it comes to traditional sweets, it is followed by Delhi, Pune and Bangalore.

Moong dal halwa emerges as the favourite sweet of Gurgaon customers followed by gulab jamun and kheer.

Midi-skirts – an autumn must have

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The midi-skirt has been in fashion for quite some time now and the style is here to stay.

It was prominent on the ramps this season, thanks to Burberry Prorsum, House of Holland and Tata Naka to name a few, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The midi-skirt comes in different sizes.

Balance the silhouette with a full skirt and pair it with a fitted top or blouse, then add something a little thicker, like a fluffy jumper with a fitted shape or pencil skirt.

Indian-American appointed to key counter spying job

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Indian-American Anita M. Singh has been appointed to a key post in the Justice Department’s National Security Division (NSD) as part of a restructuring to counter state-sponsored economic espionage and proliferation, including through cyberspace.

The strategic changes are designed to put additional focus on the protection of national assets from such threats and to empower US attorneys as they conduct outreach on these issues, assistant attorney general for National Security John P. Carlin announced.

Chit fund panel submits report, to refund rs 138 cr to WB

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The Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen Commission on chit funds today submitted its 404-page report to the state government.

“I have submitted the report. It is a 404-page report,” Justice Sen said while walking out of his commission office declining to divulge anything on his report.

The commission was set up by the state government in April 24 in 2013 after the Saradha group went bust failing to pay back money to its depositors.

However, the commission was also entrusted to look into the cases of other ponzi scheme companies investors.

Barack Obama greets people on Diwali

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US President Barack Obama greeted Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists across the world on the occasion of Diwali, saying it was a chance to remember that even in the midst of darkness, light will ultimately prevail.

“I want to wish a Happy Diwali to all those who are celebrating the festival of lights here in the United States and around the world,” Obama said in his Diwali message.

In 2009, Obama became the first US President to celebrate the festival, a time of rejoicing for many in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and across the world.

SIMI man among 2 on way to Afghanistan held in Secunderabad

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A suspected SIMI operative and an aide of Indian Mujahideen media in-charge were arrested from Secunderabad today, with police saying they were allegedly planning to go to Afghanistan to get training from al-Qaeda for carrying out terror activities in India.

Police also claimed to have seized literature on explosives formula, a 16 GB pen drive containing literature in terror activities among other things from the Maharashtra youths.

One of them was identified as Shah Mudassir alias Talha, who runs a general store at Umerkhed and is a member of SIMI, police claimed.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Q2 Net up 23% at Rs 718 crore

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Private sector Kotak Mahindra Bank Wednesday reported a 23 percent jump in consolidated net profit in the September quarter at Rs 718 crore, driven by a healthy rise in non-interest income.

The city-based Kotak Group that operates the bank and a host of other financial services companies, had reported a net profit of Rs 583 crore in the year-ago quarter.

On a standalone basis, the bank’s net profit rose 26 percent to Rs 445 crore in the second quarter ended September 30 from Rs 353 crore a year ago.