Qayam Ali

Russia lowers 2015 growth forecast, amid oil price slump

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Russia revised its economic growth projection for 2015, predicting a 3 percent contraction in its GDP, in the wake of a slump in global oil prices.

According to a Xinhua report, based on a presumed global oil price of $80 a barrel, the Russian economic development ministry had earlier estimated that the country’s GDP would fall by 0.8 percent for the year. The revised projections have factored in the current oil price of around $50 per barrel.

Islamic State threatens to invade Saudi Arabia

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Islamic State militants have released a video saying that the group intends to invade Saudi Arabia while the kingdom’s throne is changing hands.

According to Fox News, Saudi militants who have joined the IS group in Iraq and Syria issued the statement.
IS militants have also called upon the sympathizers in the country to attack from within.

Experts said that the terror threat shows the organization’s desire to annex the wealthiest Middle East nation.

ANI

AU proposes 7,500 troops to fight Boko Haram

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African Union has called for a regional five-nation force of 7,500 troops to fight Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamist militants. The statement came on Friday after Boko Haram increased cross border raids in recent weeks.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday welcomed the decision of the AU and regional countries to establish an MJTF (Multinational Joint Task Force) against Boko Haram,” Boko Haram is “a clear danger to national, regional and international peace and security”. Moon told reporters during an African Union summit being held in the Ethiopian capital.

Honour Killing: Loving boy of other caste costs girl her life

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In a case of alleged honour killing, a teenage girl was hanged to death allegedly by her parents for falling in love with a boy outside their community.

The incident happened a couple of weeks ago came to light on Friday after the police took into custody Sriramulu and Parvathamma, the parents of the victim.

BM Birla Science Centre throws open its library for public on membership basis

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Birla Centre has open its Library for Public owing to its rarity books which are no longer available in the market.

The library, titled GP Birla Library, Built on the historic Naubat Pahad next to the BM Birla Science Centre, boasts of as many as 10,000 books ranging from art, archaeology, architecture to lesser known concepts such as iconography, numismatics, museology etc.

“The uniqueness of the library is that it will catch the eyes of the readers from students to research scholars and retired scholars,’’ BG Sidharth, director, BM Birla Science Centre, Hyderabad, said

KCR discarded FAST, would continue with previous system

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In a major relief for the students, particularly those from Andhra Pradesh, the Telangana government has decided to scrap the FAST (Financial Assistance to the Students of Telangana) scheme proposal. Chief Minister KCR said that the government would continue with the existing system of fee reimbursement as per the Article 371(D), a special provision under which there will be equitable opportunities and facilities for all.

UN chief asks Pakistan to step up efforts to combat terror

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Condemning the deadly bombing of a Shia mosque in Pakistan, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the country to step up efforts to protect religious minorities and combat terrorism.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ban said he is appalled by such vicious targeting of people on account of their religious affiliation.

He condemned the bombing of the Shia mosque in Pakistan s Sindh province on Friday, which killed at least 61 people gathered for prayer.

Worst Summer ahead in Hyderabad as water level touches lowest

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Alarm bells are ringing in the city not regarding the deadly virus swine flu but the dipping ground water levels. Making matters worse, people will now have to bear for a torrid summer. Recently Telangana Ground Water Department (TGWD) released annual report, indicates that the water levels in Hyderabad have plummeted by 2.52 metres last year.

France in “colective hysteria”, cops grilled 8-year-old for backing Terrorist

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French police now don’t want to take any chances after what happened at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo office. And taking this approach to next level, they are even not ready to forgive a school pupil, aged just eight, was reported to police for allegedly praising the Paris gunmen.

France Cops questioned an eight-year-old boy for half an hour, yesterday after he allegedly made comments in school in praise of terrorists. The child triggered concern when he refused to take part in a minute’s silence at his school regarding Islamist gunmen shot which left 12 dead at the Paris office.

Congress man who took DPCC website down joins AAP

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Days after he quit Congress and created a controversy by taking down the website of the party state unit, Sanjey Puri on Thursday joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) along with scores of Janakpuri block Congress workers.

Puri, who was the Computer and Research Department head of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC), was reportedly unhappy over being denied a ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections from the Janakpuri constituency.

BSL jawans open fire on teenagers

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A security guard of Bhushan Steel Limited (BSL) at Meramundali opened fire on a group of boys playing near a tank close to steel plant’s boundary wall, leaving three boys injured on Thursday afternoon.

The injured boys have been identified as Amar Nayak (15), Laxmidhar Nayak (16) and Manoj Nayak (17) of Talabahal village.

Angry villagers hit the road soon after the news spread, Protesting against the firing and demanding compensation for the victims. They demanded the action against the BSL authorities and the security guards who are responsible for this.

Naidu and Mantris tried to overcome stress

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For a change, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu played the role of yoga trainer and explained to his colleagues and top bureaucrats the benefits of dhyana and meditation to experience inner joy.

“Every one of us faces several challenges in personal as well as professional life. This training will help us in dealing with these challenges,” Naidu told the participants like a spiritual guru. The ministers and babus kept themselves busy all the day by practising yoga and relaxation Technics.

46 more tested positive for swine flu

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Around Forty six people tested positive for H1N1, pushing the number of swine flu cases to 555 in the month of January. Dr L Narendranath, state government’s official spokesperson for H1N1 confirmed the number of positive cases diagnosed on Thursday.

A 30-year-old man from Madhapur detected of the flu, reportedly died, yet official confirmation is awaited.

Suresh Chanda, principal secretary of Health, Medical & Family Welfare, said that in the year 2009 to 2014, the number of deaths out of positive cases was in the range of 7 to 10 per cent.

4 year old girl ‘tortured and beaten to death’

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Mystery shrouds the death of a four-year-old Shahista Saba at Malkapur village on Thursday.

According to locals the girl was in the custody of a policeman Syed Zakir Ahmed and his wife Razia Sultana residence of Gandhi Nagar, who posed to be her parents but local people said the couple had been looking after her for the past one month.

On hearing the child cries, the villagers informed the Child Line, an NGO, over the phone that the girl was subjected to torture three days ago.

Rupee recovers 12 paise against dollar in early trade

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The rupee recovered by 12 paise to 61.74 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on fresh selling of the American currency by exporters.

Forex dealers said the dollar’s weakness against other currencies overseas and a higher opening in the domestic equity market also supported the rupee.

Negative stereotyping affects memory, cognitive performance of older people

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A new study has recently revealed that negative stereotyping affects memory and cognitive performance of older people.

A research team at the University of Kent’s School of Psychology carried out a review and meta-analysis of Aged-Based Stereotype Threat (ABST). The most comprehensive analysis to date of research on the effect of negative stereotypes on older people’s abilities has concluded that these stereotypes create a significant problem for that demographic.

At least 26 killed in IS’ attacks on Egyptian military in Sinai peninsula

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At least 26 people have been killed including many soldiers after Islamic State (IS) militants launched a series of attacks in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula.

According to BBC, military targets were hit by car bomb and mortars in the North Sinai capital El-Arish.

The nearby town of Sheik Zuwayid and the town of Rafah, bordering Gaza, were also attacked.

IS ‘ faction Ansar Beit al-Maqdis claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Tensions have been raised across Egypt amid protests marking the anniversary of 2011 uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak.

–ANI

Ceasefire violations have become a routine affair during BJP’s rule: Congress

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The Congress Party on Friday alleged that violations of the ceasefire agreement by Pakistani forces have become routine during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, stating that the Centre has failed to deal with Islamabad.

“The ceasefire violation is a continuous thing that has been happening during Prime Minister Modi’s government. Inviting the Pakistan Prime Minister for the swearing-in ceremony and opening a new chapter, as they claim, in relations with Pakistan. But what are we getting back?” Congress leader P C Chacko told ANI.

Inzamam backs Pak to play ‘fearless’ cricket at WC

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Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has backed Misbah-ul-Haq’s side to play a fearless cricket, saying the team has the potential to spring surprises despite limitations in the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Pakistan’s World Cup squad doesn’t feature seasoned off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and the team has been grappling with injuries to their fast bowlers.

Ajmer and Allahabad would turn into Religious Tourism hubs

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India and the U.S on Sunday, had signed three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for development of Ajmer, Visakhapatnam and Allahabad.

Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said Ajmer and Allahabad were chosen because they are centres of religious significance and drew tourists in large numbers.

He said these mid-sized cities had the potential to develop into major hubs for religious tourism. “They need development on various fronts and can be models for the development of other cities

Sunanda Pushkar murder case: Amar Singh keeps mum after SIT interrogation

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Former Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Amar Singh, who was questioned on Wednesday by a special investigative team of the Delhi Police in connection with murder case of Sunanda Pushkar, chose to keep mum over the nature of the enquiries.

“I was questioned for two hours. The questions asked by the SIT and what I replied to them are not supposed to be disclosed. I respect [Congress president] Sonia Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor a lot. Whatever I knew about Sunanda, I told the police about it,” Singh told the media.

UN will stop assisting Gaza for rebuilding homes

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The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Tuesday that it cannot afford to repair Gaza homes which are damaged in last year’s Israel and Hammas war as contributors have failed to pay.

According to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the UN agency has exhausted all funding to support repairs and rental subsidies.”Some funds remain available for reconstruction of totally destroyed homes only.” said UNRWA.

Seven killed in a road mishap on Bangalore Highway

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Seven persons were killed and five injured in a ghastly road accident when the driver apparently lost control on the vehicle after hitting a road divider near Addakal and crashed into an Innova, on the Hyderabad-Bangalore national highway early Tuesday.

The five passengers in the Innova were returning home from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The victims were identified as Jadav Madhav (52), Venkat Sambaji (42), Pothedar Sankar (45), Rajeswar Sankar (43), Pothedar Balaji (35), and Kottorvar Srinivas (42) from Maharashtra and Chandi (50) from Kerala.

No place for nature’s call, Schools run after Toilets

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Even as the State government is chalking out many big plans to implement, its ambitious KG-to-PG free education programme, what remains unsettling is the lack of basic toilet facility in most of the schools across Telangana.

Government schools in Khammam district are no different from the others in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This is evidence from that there are 10 toilets at the zilla parishad girls’ high school in Bhadrachalam but only two are usable. Moreover, that two are not for students but exclusively for teachers and school staff never let the students use it.