Month: July 2013

RBI maintains status quo; lowers growth forecast to 5.5%

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The RBI left interest rates unchanged on Tuesday as it supports a battered rupee but said it will roll back recent liquidity tightening measures when stability returns to the currency market, enabling it to resume supporting growth.

As expected, the Reserve Bank of India left its policy repo rate at 7.25 percent but took a dovish tone as it cut its growth forecast for Asia’s third-largest economy to 5.5 percent for the fiscal year, from 5.7 percent previously.

It held the cash reserve ratio at 4 percent.

Amazon to hire 7,000 workers

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Online shopping giant Amazon Monday announced plans to hire 7,000 workers for its operations in the US, CNN reported.

The firm said most jobs offer pay and benefits far above typical retail wages.

Amazon did not give specific pay scales for the positions, but said the 5,000 warehouse jobs will pay 30 percent more than jobs in traditional retail stores.

The jobs are full-time permanent positions. The company said many workers would also be eligible for 95 percent tuition reimbursement to those attending college, whether or not their field of study is related to their job.

How first spark of life came about on Earth

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Chemical components that are crucial to the start of life on Earth may have primed and protected each other in never-before-realized ways, a new study has suggested.

According to co-authors Sarah Keller, UW professor of chemistry, and Roy Black, UW affiliate professor of bioengineering, it could mean a simpler scenario for how that first spark of life came about on the planet.

India world’s second biggest shark catcher

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Indonesia and India were today named as the world’s biggest shark catchers, with over 20 per cent of global catches between 2002 and 2011, in an EU-backed probe to protect seven threatened species of sharks and rays.

The study examines how implementation of trade controls through CITES regulations can ensure that seven species of sharks and manta rays are only sourced sustainably and legally before entering international trade.

Exoplanet eclipsing parent star detected for 1st time

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Astronomers have for the first time, through X-ray observations, detected an exoplanet passing in front of its parent star.

An advantageous alignment of a planet and its parent star in the system HD 189733, which is 63 light-years from Earth, enabled NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the European Space Agency’s XMM Newton Observatory to observe a dip in X-ray intensity as the planet transited the star.

Amrita Rao in awe of Amitabh Bachchan after working in `Satyagraha`

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Actress Amrita Rao, who will be seen as Amitabh Bachhan`s daughter-in-law in her upcoming political drama ` Satyagraha `, is apparently in the awe of the 70-year-old actor.

Rao said that she is still in the superstar`s hangover.

“What do I say about working with Mr Bachchan? The day just flies and you don`t even realize while you are working with him,” she said.

Glamour has nothing to do with clothes: Isha Talwar

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Actress Isha Talwar, known for her versatility in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films, believes glamour is defined by one`s personality and not necessarily by the clothes one wears. She says someone can appear glamorous even when covered from head to toe.

“I believe glamour is all about one`s personality. One can be glamorous even when covered from top to bottom and not appear glamorous even in short clothes. It`s like beauty and each one of us perceives it differently,” Isha said in an interview.

Genetic mutation linked to congenital heart disease identified

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A new study led by an Indian researcher has found that a mutation in a gene crucial to normal heart development plays a role in some types of congenital heart disease.

The finding, from a team in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children`s Hospital, could help narrow the search for genes that contribute to this defect, which affects as many as 40,000 newborns a year.

Several hundred genes have been implicated in the formation of the heart, and a mutation in any of them could potentially contribute to a cardiac defect.

Urine may help regrow lost teeth

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Stem cells obtained from urine could one day allow humans to regrow lost teeth, scientists claim.

Chinese scientists used stem cells from urine to create tiny `tooth buds` that when transplanted into mice grew into tooth-like structures.
Stem cells – cells which can grow into any type of tissue – are popular among researchers looking for ways to grow new teeth to replace those lost with age and poor dental hygiene.

The group at the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health used urine as the starting point, `BBC News` reported.

Excessive cell phone use linked to cancer, genetic mutations

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Excessive use of mobile phone can lead to oxidative stress in cells that is linked to cellular and genetic mutations which cause development of tumours, says a study.

Oxidative stress is a process that damages all aspects of a human cell, including DNA, through the development of toxic peroxide and free radicals.

Prolonged breastfeeding linked to kids` intelligence

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Scientists have linked breastfeeding with better receptive language at 3 years of age and verbal and nonverbal intelligence at age 7 years.

Evidence supports the relationship between breastfeeding and health benefits in infancy, but the extent to which breastfeeding leads to better cognitive development is less certain, according to the study background.

Mandy B. Belfort, M.D., M.P.H., of Boston Children`s Hospital, and colleagues examined the relationships of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity with child cognition at ages 3 and 7 years.

Compounds that can delay Alzheimer`s identified

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Scientists have used a new approach to identify compounds with the potential to delay or treat Alzheimer`s disease, and possibly Parkinson`s, Lou Gehrig`s disease and other degenerative disorders.

All of these diseases are marked by harmful, elongated, rope-like structures known as amyloid fibrils, linked protein molecules that form in the brains of patients.

Soybean compound could help in treating HIV

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A compound found in soybeans can be effective in treating HIV without the drug resistance issues faced by current therapies, a new study suggests.

It`s in the early stages, but genistein, derived from soybeans and other plants, shows promise in inhibiting the HIV infection, Yuntao Wu, a professor with the George Mason-based National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases and the Department of Molecular and Microbiology, said.

Still, that doesn`t mean people should begin eating large amounts of soy products.

Factfile on Telangana

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Here are some of the facts about Andhra Pradesh’s Telangana region, which is all set to become a separate state.

** Telangana means “land of Telugus” and it was part of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad.

** Hyderabad State became part of India in 1948 after an operation by the Indian Army as Nizam wanted to keep the state independent. Telangana became a state of Telugu-speaking people and was known as Hyderabad State till 1956 when it was merged with Andhra State, carved out of Madras province, to form Andhra Pradesh.

Telangana: Cong MLAs from Rayalaseema to meet tomorrow

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Congress MLAs from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh would meet tomorrow to discuss their future course of action in the wake of UPA favouring the formation of separate Telangana.

“Yes, Congress MLAs from Rayalaseema (are meeting),” state Minor Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh told PTI here, before Congress announced its decision in Delhi.

Responding to a query, he said all issues, including that of whether the leaders from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra would quit their posts on Telangana issue, would be discussed tomorrow.

FB post row: Won’t take action against errant cops, govt to HC

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The Maharashtra government today informed the Bombay High Court that pending inquiry it would not initiate any criminal action against police officers responsible for the illegal arrest of two girls from Palghar in Thane district for their post on Facebook.

One of the girls had posted a comment over the bandh observed during Bal Thackeray’s funeral in November 2012, while her friend had ‘liked’ the comment. The girls had been arrested after a Shiv Sena leader filed a complaint against them.

SRK plans to break Ramzan fast with fans in Dubai

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Shah Rukh Khan, who will be visiting Dubai on Thursday to promote his upcoming flick ‘Chennai Express’, will break his fast along with fans.

Khan will be accompanied by his co-star Deepika Padukone and director Rohit Shetty, Gulf News reported.

The movie, which is the story of a man who travels from Mumbai to south India to discover himself and falls in love with the daughter of a don, is slated for August 8 release. (ANI)

Delhi Police to apply for cancelling Sreesanth’s bail

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Delhi Police will apply for cancelling the bail of cricketer Sreesanth and 20 others who are allegedly involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal.

“We are filing a chargesheet in the IPL spot-fixing case today (Tuesday) and we will apply for the cancellation of bail of all 21 accused including Sreesanth,” S.N. Srivastava, special commissioner of police (Special Cell) told IANS.

Till now, 29 people had been arrested in the IPL spot fixing case. Twenty-one of them are on bail, while eight are in judicial custody.

Dangerous to create a state based on agitation: Omar Abdullah

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Tuesday the formation of a state based on an agitation will set a “dangerous trend”.

Abdullah was speaking on the possible formation of Telangana, a decision on which is expected soon. He said a wrong message will be sent if the state is created.

“Telangana is a state being created on the basis of an agitation. It is not based on the recommendation of any panel or reorganisation commission or something else. I think that is a dangerous trend.” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

UPA panel meets on Telangana statehood

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A meeting of the UPA coordination committee began here Tuesday evening to discuss creation of a separate Telangana state amid indications that the Congress-led government was favourably inclined to it.

The meeting began at the prime minister’s official residence and is being attended by constituents of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), National Conference (NC) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).

Two arrested for molestation inside Kolkata Metro

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Two people were arrested for allegedly molesting a woman inside a train of the Kolkata Metro Railway, an official said Tuesday.

“Sheshadri Chakraborty and Rhyten Sen were arrested Monday night from Maidan station and booked for molestation after a complaint was filed by the victim,” said Metro Railway deputy general manager Protyush Ghosh.

The duo was handed to the Maidan police which booked them.

This is second such instance of molestation in a Metro train within seven days.

Telangana: UPA members unanimously agree to India’s 29th state

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The ruling UPA coalition has unanimously endorsed a separate state of Telangana, a precursor to the big announcement of India’s 29th state in a few hours. (Track live updates | 10-point cheat-sheet)

Sources say there could be a one-line declaration soon, announcing the formation of Telangana and saying that “modalities will be worked out”.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is meeting the PM and party president Sonia Gandhi along with other senior Congress leaders. He has reportedly been persuaded not to resign in protest against the Congress’s decision.

Amjad Ali Khan to get Rajiv Gandhi award

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Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan will be conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Sadbhavna award for 2013.

The award will be presented to Khan on late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s birthday Aug 20.

Khan received the Padma Shri in 1975, the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 1989 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for 2011. (IANS)

High alert in Seemandhra, Hyderabad

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Police and paramilitary forces in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Seemandhra and Hyderabad went on high alert Tuesday in view of a possible decision on separate statehood to Telangana region.

With UPA coordination panel and Congress Working Committee meeting in the evening to take a decision on the future of the state, security was tightened in Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra regions) to tackle any situation.

More paramilitary forces were rushed to towns in Seemandhra to prevent any outbreak of violence in the event of a decision to carve out separate Telangana state.