Month: March 2012

Joint action on HIV, TB ‘saved 900,000 lives worldwide’

by

Effective collaboration between health services to protect people from AIDS and tuberculosis saved nearly 910,000 lives globally over six years, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO asserted that there had been a sharp rise in the numbers of HIV positive people tested for tuberculosis (TB) and vice versa from 2005 to 2010.

This had allowed doctors to treat people more quickly and thwart the spread of TB to other patients, it added.

Chronic liver disease cure on the horizon

by

Scientists have made an important breakthrough that could eventually lead to the development of new treatments for chronic liver illnesses.

At present such illnesses can only be cured by organ transplants.

Researchers have worked out how to stimulate the production of vital liver cells known as hepatocytes that are lost when the liver is attacked by potentially fatal conditions such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, The Independent reported Monday.

Katrina bags Rs 1 crore for 10 minutes!

by

If the race is for the No. 1 Bollywood actress in the category hot and sizzling stars of the industry, Katrina Kaif wins hands down.

Following report is the testimony of that fact.

Believe it or not, but the very sensuous Kat has supposedly been offered Rs 1 crore to make her presence felt at an event in Kochi for 10 minutes!

Reports confirm that Katrina Kaif is expected to make a brief visit to Kochi to walk the ramp at an upcoming fashion do, to be held on March 25.

My boyfriend was really a girl

by

A 20-year-old girl posed as a boy and duped her ‘girlfriends’. She took the identities of three boys to get in touch with her victims on social netowrking sites such as Facebook, reports Mirror.

The girl wore loose clothing and hoodies to help hide her identity and dated the teenagers and even indulged in ‘heavy petting’, the daily said.

Politician versus Statesman

by

Of late,Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is in a sermon-delivering mode. This is unusual. He is rather a quiet person, and an introvert personality. But sometimes, he breaks his own rules. As a student of political science, there were few lessons that came out of his speeches , which were full of quote of quotes.. He reinforced the relevance of the style of writings of Charles Dickens, though I am sure that the author must have been curling in his grave, the way his surname was written in the official hand out on January 5..

Jewellery heist: 8kgs gold stolen from Sharjah Damas store

by

At least eight kgs of gold have been stolen from the Damas Jewellery store located in Lulu Hypermarket in Buteena in Sharjah.

An official from Damas confirmed the incident but said they are not allowed to divulge additional details.

When asked about the quantity of gold that had been stolen the official said. “We have not been authorised to speak about the incident.”

According to employees of the Damas store, police investigations are on in full swing at the store.

Can Congress political stunts script victory?

by

Right from the first phase of the elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress leaders have been raising contentious issues for their vested interests. First, party’s prominent Muslim face and Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid hit hornet’s nest by making proposition of providing 4.5 percent sub-quota to the Muslims. The Congress’ move irked the entire Oppositions as well as some United Progressive Alliance partners. The Opposition leaders term Salman remarks over the minority reservation as the violation of model code of conduct.

Golf course threatens iconic fort in Hyderabad

by

The Golconda fort is under attack. And it is not a marauding army that is threatening its foundation, but rather, the process of unplanned urbanisation.

The historic fort, built on a hilltop during the reign of the Qutub Shahi dynasty in the 16th century, is already under threat from illegal construction.

Now an 18- hole golf course is adding to the headache of conservationists in Hyderabad.

The course is being developed by Hyderabad Golf Association ( HGA) in coordination with the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

By-polls in AP not referendum on Cong govt: CM

by

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday said results of the ensuing Assembly bypolls in the state would neither have any bearing on his government nor could they be treated as a referendum.

“These by-elections (seven constituencies in Telangana and 17 in Andhra-Rayalaseema regions) are being held in some special circumstances. They will not have any impact on the government. And they can’t be treated as a referendum on my government,” he said in an informal chat with reporters in the Assembly.

He, however, evaded replies to other questions on the by-polls.

Get well soon, Gilani wishes Sonia Gandhi

by

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has wished speedy recovery to India’s ruling Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, who has gone to the US for a check-up nearly six months after a surgery.

Gilani enquired about Sonia Gandhi’s health when Indian High Commissioner Sharat Shabarwal Monday called on him, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

The prime minister wished for Sonia Gandhi’s early recovery.

‘Congress to sit in Opposition if no majority’

by

Congress on Monday virtually snubbed Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma making it clear that it will sit in the Opposition in Uttar Pradesh if it does not not get majority.

“Congress will form a government if it gets majority. It will sit in the Opposition if it does not. The party has not changed its position so far,” party general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi told reporters on the eve of counting of votes in UP and four other states.

Islam is spreading in South Africa

by

(Siasat News) Mr. Suleman Dariwalla, Vice President of Educational Board of Jameeathul Ulema, South Africa told women to educate their children in an Islamic environment. They should equip them with modern knowledge and also religious education. If they don’t do this, they will receive punishment in this world and the world Hereafter. Maulana Suleman was addressing the students of Azaan International school at Ravindra Bharathi. The special programme was organized for the girl students and ladies of the school. Ms. Zubaida Ismail addressed the gathering as the Chief guest. Ms.

Assembly election results live: SP leads in UP, SAD-BJP surprise in Punjab

by

Samajwadi Party was on Tuesday surging ahead in Uttar Pradesh with leads in 155 seats in the 403-member Assembly while Akali Dal-BJP combine appeared set to retain power in Punjab as it was leading in 71 of the 117-member House.

UP results

In sync with the exit polls, the Samajwadi Party appears all set to emerge as the single largest party in the political live-wire state of Uttar Pradesh. However, the biggest surprise is the spectacular lead gained by the Bhartiya Janata Party as it engaged in a close fight with the Bahujan Samaj Party for the second spot.

Anna had better take care of his health: Cong

by

Congress on Monday took a jibe at Anna Hazare and his team for asking the party to disclose expenses incurred over hiring choppers especially for Sonia Gandhi and Rahul during Assembly polls in five states and the source of their funding, saying the social activist should better take care of his health.

“Anna should better take care of himself and of his blood pressure,” party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary told reporters while replying to questions on the demands of Hazare and his close aide Arvind Kejriwal that these expenses should be made public.

No more degree colleges – High Orders

by

A.P. High Court ordered the Govt. of A.P. not to give permission to any new degree college. This order was passed on the petition filed by the management of Victory De Rose College, Kazipet, Warangal District. High Court in its order said that the processing of applicant can be carried out by the respective departments. The applicant told the court that in December, Govt. of A.P. had issued notification inviting applications for opening new colleges. The application contended that the conditions laid down by Govt. of A.P. are in contravention to the guidelines prescribed by U.G.C.

Congress leading in Manipur

by

With a lead in 19 seats, Manipur’s ruling Congress was far ahead of its rivals in trends available for 28 of the 60 assembly constituencies.

The Congress was followed by the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), which was leading in two seats. Smaller parties were ahead in the remaining seven seats.

In Manipur, the main battle is between the Congress and an alliance of 11 opposition parties.

—-IANS—-

Baloch training camps closed in Afghanistan: Malik

by

Afghanistan has closed down camps run by Baloch nationalist groups where some 5,000 people were being trained, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik has claimed.

The minister said that the camps had been shut down by the Afghan President Hamid Karzai on requests by the the Pakistan government.

“Karzai acted after Pakistan requested him to stop the activities of the Baloch nationalist groups and the Afghan President had admitted that some of the troubles in Balochistan province were originating from his country,” Mr. Malik contended.

Lobbying for RS nomination intensifies

by

With the Election Commission announcing that elections to the Rajya Sabha will be held on March 30, lobbying by sitting Rajya Sabha members for renomination and by those who want to enter the portals of the Upper House afresh is gathering momentum in the Congress as well as in the TDP. As the Congress can win four of the six seats from the state that will fall vacant, the list of the aspirants also is quite big. The Telugu Desam will be able to win two seats on its own.

SP biggest party in UP, Cong headed for shock defeat in Punjab

by

Early trends in poll counting in five states show massive losses for the Congress party while BJP seems to be making solid gains. The Akali-BJP combine in Punjab is headed for a second term in office with leads in over 60 seats in the 117-member house. In Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party is emerging as the biggest party, followed by the BSP in distant second, BJP in third and Congress finishing a poor fourth.

UP: SP Leading in 150 Seats Likely to Form Govt

by

Samajwadi Party was way ahead of others in Uttar Pradesh leading in 150 seats while BJP sprang a surprise as it was leading in 65 constituencies in the 403 member Assembly.

Ruling BSP was left way behind leading only in 62 seats while Congress-RLD combine managed to lead only in 42 constituencies.

As per the trends available for 323 seats at 10 am, SP was leading in 141 seats.

Among the key constituencies where SP was ahead were Amethi and Rae Bareli, bastion of Nehru-Gandhi family.

Iran Supreme Court overturns CIA spy verdict

by

Iran’s Judiciary spokesman says the Iranian Supreme Court has dismissed a lower court death sentence for an Iranian-American man accused of spying for the CIA.

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei told reporters on Monday that the defendant has objected to the verdict handed down by the lower court and the Supreme Court has nullified the verdict, ordering a retrial.

On December 17, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry announced the arrest of a CIA spy of Iranian descent, foiling an intricate US plot to carry out espionage activities in the Islamic Republic.

Fake babas rule the roost in old city

by

When old city residents lose their mobile phones or jewellery, they do not rely on the mobile tracking system or call the police. Instead, they approach a ‘baba’ to trace them with the help of an egg!

The egg when placed in a saucer in front of the ‘baba’ supposedly indicates the direction where the stolen property is located. But, it’s not easy to get through to the ‘baba’ as the 70-year-old Sama Masroor of Moghalpura is well-known.

Man arrested for raping step-daughter

by

A 15-year-old girl was repeatedly raped allegedly by her stepfather for past few months at her home in south east Delhi , police said today. The accused Lal Chand was arrested after the victim approached police on Sunday. The incident was reported from Jaitpur. Chand, who hails from Haryana, married a woman who had a young daughter. He allegedly raped the girl for the first time three months ago and threatened her of dire consequence. The girl informed her mother, who kept the incident under wraps fearing that her husband would leave her. Chand then started allegedly raping the girl.

Nizam family caught in tax row

by

Money can’t buy happiness, but it can surely buy the kind of misery you prefer. Who knows it better than the Nizam’s family!

The once whisperingly rich man’s progeny are now caught in deep troubles. Not for want of money but because of it. The windfall the family got after sale of the fabulous Nizam’s jewellery has landed it in a spot.

Anna had better take care of his health: Cong

by

Congress on Monday took a jibe at Anna Hazare and his team for asking the party to disclose expenses incurred over hiring choppers especially for Sonia Gandhi and Rahul during Assembly polls in five states and the source of their funding, saying the social activist should better take care of his health.

“Anna should better take care of himself and of his blood pressure,” party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary told reporters while replying to questions on the demands of Hazare and his close aide Arvind Kejriwal that these expenses should be made public.