Press Trust of India

Press Trust of India (PTI) is India’s premier news agency, having a reach as vast as the Indian Railways. It employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.

India, Pakistan reiterate commitment to normal trade ties

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The chief executive of Pakistan’s trade development authority Tuesday reaffirmed the Pakistani government’s resolve to establish “normal trading relations” with India.

S.M. Muneer, chief executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), here Tuesday called on Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman, the Pakistan High Commission said in a statement.

Both noted with satisfaction that there has been an enhanced interaction between the business communities of the two neighbours and several trade delegations have been exchanged.

Genes affect betting decisions too

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If you are an avid stock investor, do not just blame your destiny if you missed out on making a fortune in the share market as betting decisions and strategy are determined, in part, by your genes, a new research shows.

According to researchers from University of California, Berkeley, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), betting decisions are influenced by the specific variants of dopamine-regulating genes in a person’s brain.

Netherlands still have a long way to go: Van Persie

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Netherlands captain Robin Van Persie was happy with the impressive 5-1 win against defending champions Spain in their World Cup opener but admitted that the Dutch still have a long way to go before lifting their maiden World Cup trophy.

“This is my fifth major tournament and I know how these things work: the euphoria vanishes just as quickly as it appears. So we have to make sure that we hold on to it – not only for the people and fans, but also for ourselves,” Van Persie, who scored a brace in the demolition of Spain, was quoted as saying by FIFA.com.

Mumbai girl gets Cambridge’s Manmohan Singh scholarship

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City student Ritu Muralidharan has been awarded this year’s University of Cambridge’s “Manmohan Singh Undergraduate Scholarship”, a statement said here Tuesday.

Muralidharan, a student of Dhirubhai Ambani International School here, will study Economics at Christ’s College, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.

The scholarship, funded by Cambridge Assessment which conducts the Cambridge International Examinations (CIS), will provide full funding for her three-year long undergraduate study at the University of Cambridge.

Sensex closes 330 points up; bank stocks rally

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After two consecutive sessions of losses, a benchmark index of Indian equities markets Tuesday closed trade in the green, gaining 330 points or 1.31 percent, as bank and oil and gas stocks rallied.

Markets went up recouping early losses as capital goods, metal and automobile scrip too climbed.

The rally comes after two straight session of losses amidst weak global cues as a result of the worsening security in Iraq and the US threatening intervention with crude oil prices scaling to a nine-month high.

Slice of India at Bali Art Festival

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Balinese got a slice of Indian culture, music and dance, as an Indian contingent participated in Bali Art Festival for the first time in 36 years. This is an effort to deepen the “centuries-old” cultural relationship between the two countries, especially with Bali, that has a strong Indian connection.

The Indian contingent participated in the cultural parade on the opening day of the one-month long festival June 13, in Denpasa, capital of Bali province.

Sheila Dikshit declines comment on governor row

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Kerala Governor Sheila Dikshit Tuesday declined to comment on speculation that the union government has asked her to quit.

“I can’t react to rumours,” Dikshit told the media here on the sidelines of a function.

Dikshit, the previous chief minister of Delhi, was appointed Kerala governor in March.

According to media reports, governors appointed by the erstwhile Congress-led government have been asked to resign by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the centre.
(IANS)

App to make your fussy kid eat

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Do you find your kids’ mealtime frustrating as he/she throws tantrums, refuses to try new cuisines or eats only a little portion?

Breathe easy as researchers have come up with an app to help parents understand why children are ‘fussy’ and what they can do to improve mealtimes.

The “Child Feeding Guide” app includes an exposure monitor to enable parents monitor what their children are eating and when.

It provides tips and tools to help encourage children to eat a more varied and balanced diet.

Delhi Metro, Ghaziabad authority ink deal for route extension

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The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Tuesday signed an agreement for the extension of the metro line from Dilshad Garden till the New Bus Stand here, officials said.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by GDA vice chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav and DMRC’s director for business development S.D. Sharma in the presence of DMRC managing director Mangu Singh.

On the occasion, Mangu Singh said they would try to complete the 9.41-km project before the stipulated time of three years.

Russia keen to make memorable return after 12 years

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Russia will end their 12-year absence from the World Cup when they face South Korea in their first Group H match at the Arena Pantanal here Wednesday.

Under veteran Italian coach Fabio Capello, Russia will be looking to leave their mark in Brazil since they play host to the mega event in 2018, reports EFE.

Capello replaced Dick Advocaat in July 2012 and then scripted Russia’s qualification for the 2014 World Cup. His contract was extended in until the end of the 2018 World Cup that will be hosted by Russia.

Oracle camel’s World Cup prediction goes wrong

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Like Paul the Octopus in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Shaheen the Arabian camel has become famous for predicting the results of the ongoing 2014 edition in Brazil.

Shaheen has hit the correct spot so far by predicting the results of several games such as victories for Brazil, Netherlands, Italy and Argentina, reports EFE.

However, its prediction of Portugal defeating Germany went off target as the Germans crushed Portugal 4-0 Monday.

Fear centre’ in brain key to treat kids with anxiety

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In what could help better treat young children at risk for anxiety disorders, researchers have found that children with high levels of anxiety may have enlarged volume of amygdala, the “fear centre” in the brain.

Amygdala is an almond-shape set of neurons located deep in the brain’s medial temporal lobe that plays a key role in the processing of emotions.

Alterations in the development of amygdala during childhood may have a significant influence on the development of anxiety problems.

Bhutan PM agrees strong, prosperous India good for his country

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Bhutan’s Premier Tshering Tobgay Monday agreed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a strong and prosperous India is beneficial to his landlocked country, saying “Bhutan’s future is closely linked to India’s future”.

“Bhutan’s future is closely linked to India’s future, particularly when it comes to the economy. If india prospers, Bhutan should also prosper. As a small landlocked country, we cannot prosper on our own,” Tobgay told media persons here, after Modi’s two-day official visit to the Himalayan nation.

India hands over eight vehicles for Fiji polls

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India Monday handed over eight vehicles to the Fiji elections office in keeping with its commitment to aid the poll process in the Pacific Ocean island nation, the external affairs ministry said.

“India has committed the provision of 10 vehicles to Fiji to assist in the conduct of democratic elections to be held Sep 17. In addition, India will also provide indelible ink for the elections, besides training to election and parliamentary officials,” said a ministry statement.

Protestors mar Argentina-Bosnia clash

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The Argentina-Bosnia and Herzegovina clash here at the Maracana Stadium Sunday was marred with protestors, who pelted stones at the financial institutions in an around the stadium.

Local police had to use force to stop some 200 protestors from approaching the stadium, reports EFE.

According to officials, some of the demonstrators, who were masked, first gathered at Rio’s Tijuca neighbourhood before marching towards the Maracana Stadium shortly after the start of Argentina-Bosnia match, but the police closed the roads leading to the stadium.

Delhi power links to be restored by June 22: Goyal

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Following a review here of the capital’s power situation with top Delhi administrion officials, union Power Minister Piyush Goyal Monday said transmission links in the city will be restored by June 22.

State-run Power Grid Corp. will complete restoration of transmission links in the capital by that date, Goyal told media persons here after the meeting attended by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung as well as officials from Delhi’s distribution companies (discoms).

Centre concerned over law and order in UP, says Rajnath

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Amid a spate of cases of violence against women and political leaders in Uttar Pradesh, union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday said the central government was concerned over the situation in the state.

“The MHA (ministry of home affairs) is concerned over the prevailing ‘law and order’ situation in Uttar Pradesh,” Rajnath Singh wrote on Twitter.

“We are closely monitoring the situation in UP,” he added.

Three Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have been killed in the state in the past two weeks.

Kerala college’s magazine depicting Modi withdrawn

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A college in this Kerala district Monday decided to withdraw the institution’s magazine that had shown Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other national leaders in poor light after the issue sparked off controversy.

The decision was taken at an urgently called meeting of the students, teachers and the principal of the Sree Krishna College in Guruvayur near here.

“The magazine has been withdrawn. Those responsible for the magazine have been asked to explain their conduct,” said an informed source, who did not wish to be identified.

Delhi’s beautification plan ready

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Wide roads, greener parks, cleaner water bodies and more toilets figure in the urban development ministry’s action plan to “beautify” Delhi, an official said Monday.

The ministry has asked the civic and other government agencies to ready programmes for achieving the goals, union Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna said here.

Krishna said that cleanliness and maintenance of roads and public places would be a priority.

The ministry also plans to green pedestrian pathways and maintain heritage sites – many of which are lying in neglect.

Eight held as Spanish cops break up Islamist recruitment cell

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At least eight people were arrested in Spain Monday during a police operation against Jihadist recruitment cell’s plans to send fighters to Syria and Iraq.

The Spanish interior ministry and the national police confirmed that the arrests took place during searches at 12 locations in Madrid as part of an investigation which has been ongoing since 2008, Xinhua reported.

The interior ministry believes the fighters were being recruited by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), an outfit currently involved in a bloody uprising against the Iraqi government.

France can make it to quarters, says Henry

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Former France international striker Thierry Henry was surprised with Spain’s heavy defeat in the World Cup and hoped his team would at least make it to the quarter-finals.

The Frenchman said that Les Bleus, as the French team is known, will reach the quarter-finals in Brazil, reports EFE. The Arsenal legend feels that sans Franck Ribery, the French still have lot of attacking options.

Henry said the current generation of French players are promising and the 2014 World Cup will be the best rehearsal for the upcoming EURO 2016 which France will host.

Sulabh to provide sanitation facilities in Kedarnath

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Sulabh International Monday announced that it would provide proper sanitation facilities at Kedarnath, the Hindu temple town in Uttarakhand.

“Sulabh has already started providing sanitation facilities in parts of this town and I am committed to offer world class facility to the people here of this temple town,” Sulabh founder Bindeshwar Pathak said here.

The announcment was made on the day of first anniversary of the devastating floods which struck Kedarnath region, killing thousands of people and leaving immense destruction in their wake.

Rape victims need more respect than sympathy: Harsh Vardhan

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Rape victims need respect more than sympathy, union Health Minister Harsh vardhan said Monday.

“A woman who has been raped or subjected to sexual abuse needs more respect than sympathy. It is society’s responsibility that she is given justice and rehabilitation so that she can overcome her humiliation and move on,” Harsh Vardhan said here.

Court issues notice on wrestler’s plea for Glasgow CWG trial

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The Delhi High Court Monday sought a response from the central government and two sports authorities on the plea of Asian Championship silver medallist Amit Kumar Dhankar, who sought court’s direction on the method of choosing wrestlers for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games (CWG).

Justice Siddharth Mridul asked Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the union sports ministry to file their replies by June 23, and sought to know why trials were not conducted for shortlisting wrestlers for the CWG 2014.

DU gets over 2.7 lakh forms, breaks old record

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Over 2.7 lakh students submitted Delhi University admission forms till 6 p.m. Monday, breaking records of previous years, officials said.

According to official data, 274,381 forms were received by the university till 6 p.m. Monday, surpassing the previous record of 254,339 forms.

While the offline form submission ended at 6 p.m., the online form submission will be allowed till 12 midnight and the total number of forms received by the university will be known Tuesday.

Last year, the total number of forms submitted online was 1,30,803.