Month: March 2012

Chidambaram’s role in 2G allocation: Hearing in mid-March

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The Supreme Court will hear in mid-March a plea seeking a probe into the role of P. Chidambaram, then the finance minister, in the pricing of 2G spectrum when A. Raja was the telecommunications minister.

When counsel Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) mentioned the matter, an apex court bench headed by Justice G.S. Singhvi said its plea has been listed by the registery and will come up for hearing after the Holi break. The court will resume March 12.

Janardhana Reddy all set to be shifted to Bangalore

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Former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy is all set to be shifted to Bangalore by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) but suspense remains on how he will be taken there.

Janardhana Reddy, who is at the Chanchalguda Central Jail here in connection with the illegal mining case, Wednesday filed a petition before a court demanding that he be taken to Bangalore in a helicopter or a special aircraft.

Janardhana Reddy offered to pay expenses for the air travel. He claimed that he faced a threat to his life if taken to Bangalore by road.

Seventh phase of UP polls – facts at a glance

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The seventh and the last phase of the staggered Uttar Pradesh assembly polls are to be held Saturday. Following are the facts:

Number of seats – 60

Voters – 18,227,281 (men 10,024,588, women 8,201,987 and others 706)

Total candidates – 962

Women candidates – 100

Constituency with most candidates – Bithari Chainpur 27 and Bithari Chainpur -27.

Constituency with least candidates – Bareilly Cantt. (27)

Key parties – BSP, BJP, Congress, Samajwadi Party, NCP

Number of EVMs – 48,533

Largest constituency – Moradabad Nagar

Smallest constituency – Aonla

Mamata’s nephew sent to one day judicial custody

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Akash Banerjee and three others, arrested for allegedly assaulting a traffic police officer were Thursday sent to a day’s judicial custody.

They had been booked and arrested Wednesday.

—–IANS—

Krishna holds talks with Chinese Foreign Minister

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Arunachal Pradesh, Tibet and the recent ill-treatment meted out to Indian traders by Chinese authorities were some of the crucial issues that figured in Thursday’s talks here between the Foreign Ministers of India and China, which also focused on an upcoming summit of major emerging economies here.

Falak’s condition stable, able to breathe: Docs

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Two-year-old girl child Falak has shown remarkable improvement in her medical condition with doctors at AIIMS stating that she is “stable” and able to breathe on her own.

The conclusion was arrived after they observed that Falak has been without artificial respiration for the past three days and has shown limb movement without any external stimuli.

Afghan soldier, civilian kill two US-led soldiers in Kandahar

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According to a statement released by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the incident occurred Thursday when an Afghan soldier and a civilian opened fire on the foreign troops in a military outpost in the troubled Kandahar province.

“Two individuals, one believed to be an Afghan National Army service member and the other in civilian clothing, turned their weapons indiscriminately against International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Security Force service members in southern Afghanistan today, killing two ISAF service members,” said the ISAF statement.

Iran blasts terrorist attack against Pakistani Shias

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Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has condemned a terrorist attack that killed and injured a number of Shia Muslims in northern Pakistan.

At least 18 Shia Muslims were killed on Tuesday when a bus carrying passengers from Rawalpindi to the northern town of Gilgit came under attack in the mountainous region of Kohistan. Several others were also injured in the attack.

The bus was carrying 39 people, mostly Shia pilgrims, returning to their homes after visiting holy shrines in Iran.

MV Act amended, Talking while driving could land you in jail

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If you use a mobile or iPad while driving, beware. You will have to cough up Rs.500 as penalty. And if the offence is repeated, the fine may zoom to anything between Rs.2,000 and Rs.5,000.

In a desperate bid to arrest the mounting road accidents across the country, the cabinet Thursday approved the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill of 2007 to increase penalties manifold.

Drunken driving will now invite fines ranging from Rs.2,000 to Rs.10,000 depending on the extent of alcohol traced in the blood. In worst cases, it could lead to cancellation of the driving licence.

Janardhana Reddy all set to be shifted to Bangalore

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Former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy is all set to be shifted to Bangalore by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) but suspense remains on how he will be taken there.

Janardhana Reddy, who is at the Chanchalguda Central Jail here in connection with the illegal mining case, Wednesday filed a petition before a court demanding that he be taken to Bangalore in a helicopter or a special aircraft.

Janardhana Reddy offered to pay expenses for the air travel. He claimed that he faced a threat to his life if taken to Bangalore by road.

Chocolate boy Imran turns bossy

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It’s makeover season in tinsel town. After actresses Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif shed their squeaky clean image in exchange for sexy and raunchy looks, now Imran Khan has gone for a makeover.

The youthful star, known for his chocolate boy looks and goody-twoshoes persona, has turned his style quotient up a notch for the March 2012 edition of GQ India. The actor is seen in a more grownup and mature avatar as he steps in to play guest editor for the magazine.

5 AP Maoists arrested in Kolkata

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Five Maoists believed to be from Andhra Pradesh were arrested from various parts of Kolkata in a day-long operation, police said Thursday.

Greyhounds, an elite commando force of Andhra Pradesh, assisted by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police, nabbed the five rebels from different parts of the city during a clandestine operation that started Wednesday morning and continued till the early hours of Thursday.

Sanjay Gupta booked for misusing Mumbai Police’s name

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Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has today been booked on charges of cheating and forgery by misusing the name of Mumbai Police Commissioner’s Office. A senior police officer says that Gupta and Ekta Kapoor have allegedly forged the letterhead of the city police commissioner to send invitations for the press conference of their upcoming movie Shootout At Wadala, which was held yesterday at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai.

Robben foils England fightback

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A stoppage-time winner from Arjen Robben ended Netherlands` three-match run without a win as they beat England 3-2 in a largely low-key friendly with a dramatic twist in the tail at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

The match signalled the start of the countdown to both team`s preparations for this year`s Euro 2012, but the Dutch proved they were far more advanced by bouncing back from a 3-0 defeat by Germany to inflict England`s first loss in 10 matches

Day 2: Sharjah warehouse blaze ‘not under control’ yet

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A major fire that broke out on Wednesday evening near the National Paint roundabout near Sharjah Industrial area continues to rage even on the second day. The blaze has already engulfed about five warehouses that stored furniture, garments and other goods.

Firefighters were not able to bring the blaze under control by noon on Thursday.

Thick, dark smoke continues to affect visibility and traffic in one of the most congested part of the emirate’s industrial area.

Recipe: Rajma

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Want to make the perfect Rajma? Try this simple recipe.Ingredients:

• 2 cups Rajma
• 3 cups of water
• 1/4 cup Oil
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 cup Onion (chopped)
• 1 Inch piece of Ginger (chopped)
• 1 tsp Garam Masala
• 3 Tomatoes (chopped)
• Chopped green chillies as per taste
• 1 tbsp Salt
• Coriander leaves (chopped)

Procedure:

Wash the Rajma beans and boil them in pressure cooker for half an hour.
Take oil in a frying pan and heat it. Now add chopped ginger and onions.
Fry the mixture on medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes.

Five held for raping woman

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The Kurupam police on Wednesday arrested five persons in connection with the gang rape of a 38-year-old tribal woman in Kurupam mandal in Vizianagaram district on February 25 night. Incidentally, the opposition parties raised the issue in the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday morning demanding that the State government provide ex gratia to the rape victim and initiate stringent action against the accused.

Following the report from the victim, the police picked up 11 suspects from Kairada village of Kurupam mandal in the district, where the woman was raped a few days ago.

Recipe: Dal Makhni

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Unable to make that perfect Dal Makhni? Try out this simple recipe.Ingredients:

1 cup Whole Urad Daal
1 Onion (finely chopped)
3 Green chilies (finely chopped)
2 tbsp Red Kidney Beans
A few Coriander Leaves (chopped)
4-5 flakes Garlic Paste
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 Tomato (finely chopped)
1/2 cup Stirred Curd
1/2 cup Fresh Cream
2 tbsp Butter
1 inch Ginger (chopped)
1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
Red Chili Powder to taste
Salt to taste

Procedure:

Soak kidney beans overnight in water.

Recipe: Chhole Bhature

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Try out this easy-to-make recipe.Ingredients:

• 400 gms Maida
• 2 tbsp Oil
• 100 gms Curd
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 400 gms Soaked Chana
• 4 Chopped onions
• 2 Garlic flakes
• 1 Ginger
• 1 tsp Garam masala
• 1 tsp Red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp Mango powder
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
• Oil for frying
• Salt to taste

Procedure:

• Mix maida, curd, oil and baking powder.
• Prepare smooth dough and keep it in a muslin cloth overnight.
• Grind ginger and garlic to make a paste.

Sonam more influential than Big B, SRK?

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This clearly comes as a surprise. Even though her film may not be raking in the moolah, Sonam Kapoor has managed to surpass Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan in an online poll.

The pretty actress topped the list of most influential Indians on Twitter, defeating popular actors like Hrithik Roshan, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and politician Shashi Tharoor.

The poll conducted by a private online firm indicated that Sonam was the most influential celebrity in the country with over 1 million followers and over five thousand tweets.

Amantadine Good for Treating Brain Injuries, Says Study

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A recent study has found that a medication called amantadine can help patients recovering from brain damage. The drug is actually used for the Parkinson’s patients. However, it is believed that if the drug is prescribed to brain damaged patients then they may recovery swiftly.

The study was conducted over 184 patients. The participants of the study were divided in two groups, the first group was provided with amantadine while the other group was provided with a dummy pill. The pill was prescribed for about four months after the traumatic experience of brain injury.