Month: September 2013

Microsoft set to buy Nokia for $8bln

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Two of the weakening companies in the smartphone sector are set to join hands as Microsoft is reportedly buying Finnish mobile company Nokia, which has been struggling to keep its market share in the rapidly transforming mobile market with the coming of smartphones.

The deal set at 8 billion dollars will also see Nokia’s CEO Stephen Elop joining the software giant afterwards.

Microsoft’s outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer said that it is a bold step into the future and a win-win situation for the employees, shareholders and consumers of both the companies, The Age reports.

Macho man’ Putin shakes hand with walruses!

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his visit to the country’s fast east region not just met the flood-hit victims, but also shook hand with walruses.

Putin befriended the giant sea creature when he visited an aquarium on Russky Island near Vladivostok and also fed a pair of dolphins.

According to metro.co.uk, the Russian president is no stranger to bizarre photocalls as he is previously been photographed going horse-riding with his shirt off, sedating Siberian tigers and polar bears, and guiding cranes to new migration routes in a microlight. (ANI)

Brazil demands explanation from US over snooping on president

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The Brazilian government has reportedly sought clarifications from the US who was revealed to have snooped on the president Dilma Rousseff.

The recently revealed classified documents by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden alleged that the US intercepted Rousseff’s emails and telephone calls along with those of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto who was being monitored even before he was elected as president in July, 2012.

Facebook `effective tool for increasing HIV testing` among high-risk men

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The intervention of peer-led Facebook groups leads to increased home-based HIV testing among at-risk populations, a new study has revealed.

It was found that online social networking has grown exponentially in this population, suggesting that social media platforms could be used to relay HIV prevention messages.

Researchers randomly assigned sixteen peer leaders to deliver information about HIV or general health via closed Facebook groups to Los Angeles-based MSM, more than 85 percent of whom were African American or Latino.

Woman set to have breasts reconstructed using `pig skin`

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A mother-of-two, who has an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer, has opted to have both her breasts removed and then reconstructed using pig skin.

Kelly Cruse, who has seen her great grandmother, mother and cousin all suffer the disease, will have a double mastectomy, after which surgeons will immediately reconstruct her breasts by inserting a pig skin graft, Metro.co.uk reported.

The 32-year-old has chosen the procedure, called Strattice Tissue Matrix, which means she will have just one operation in her life.

Air NZ attendant wins battle for wrongful dismissal over Facebook updates

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The Air New Zealand flight attendant who was reportedly dismissed by her employers following a dispute over sick leave she took to care for her sister.

Gina Kensington was asked by her employers to give out her Facebook and bank details to prove the truth behind her leave.

However, Kensington maintained that she did not misuse her leave and was taking care of her sister who had given birth to a baby.

According to stuff.co.nz, Kensington approached the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), who after investigation declared that her dismissal on May 10 was unjustifiable.

Male sexual development not as robust as believed

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By studying rare families in which a daughter shares the same Y chromosome as her father, scientists have determined that the pathway for male sexual development is not as consistent and robust as scientists have always assumed.

A team led by Michael Weiss, MD, PhD, and his colleagues at the university’s School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, examined the function of the SRY gene.

This gene is responsible for initiating the process that leads to male development.

Teen girls bullied more than boys over looks

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A new study suggests that almost half of all teenagers are bullied at school over their looks, with girls being targeted the most.

According to the study, a quarter of girls at secondary school are picked on for being too pretty, not pretty enough or just because their face does not fit, the Mirror reported.

Almost a fifth are taunted because of their weight and one in 10 suffer jibes because of acne or how they dress.

According to BeatBullying, boys suffer the same cruelty but in fewer numbers.

Govt may ban use of Gmail, Yahoo in official communications

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Wary of cyber snooping, the government may ban use of e-mail services like Gmail and Yahoo for official communications so as to safeguard its critical data.

Department of Electronics and Information Technology is drafting a policy on e-mail usage in government offices and departments, which will be released in two months.

Girl’s medical report rules out rape: Asaram’s counsel

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Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu today refuted the rape charge against him by a 16-year-old girl, saying her medical report does not support her allegation as the court put off till tomorrow hearing on his bail plea.

72-year-old Asaram was sent to jail yesterday after he was remanded in 14-day judicial custody by a court here. Asaram was arrested in Indore following an FIR lodged by the victim that she was sexually assaulted by him.

3 more held for forcing minor girl into flesh trade

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Three more persons, including two women, were today arrested by the Crime Branch CID of Tamil Nadu Police in connection with the case related to forcing a minor girl here into prostitution, taking the total detentions to ten.

The two women had allegedly compelled the girl to indulge in prostitution against her will, after being advised by an astrologer and the girl’s mother, who have already been arrested, an official release said.

The teenaged girl was taken to public places like bus stands, railway stations to lure men by these women.

Two-thirds Britons oppose UK involvement in Syrian strikes

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A recent poll has revealed that two-thirds (62 percent) Britons believe that the UK should keep out of any kind of military conflict in the Middle East for the foreseeable future, compared to 31 percent disagreeing to it.

According to a ComRes survey, 57 percent British people oppose President Barack Obama’s plan for military strikes against the Assad regime, while only 29 percent agreed, The Independent reports.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg have rejected all-party pressure from MPs for another Commons vote on whether British forces should join air strikes in Syria.

Alia Bhatt warns against fake ‘Highway’ pictures

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Actress Alia Bhatt has warned her fans against “random” pictures of her forthcoming film “Highway”, which are doing the rounds on internet.

Alia, who made her debut with Karan Johar’s 2012 movie “Student Of The Year”, will star opposite Randeep Hooda in the Imtiaz Ali film.

“There’s some random image doing around from ‘Highway’ that isn’t authentic at all! That is not me or Randeep in that picture,” Alia posted on Twitter.

“Stills from the film will be out closer to the release probably. So please don’t fall for these fake images,” she added.

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A police van runs over a couple at Lakdikapul, and the driver of the police van is missing!

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A police van runs over a couple at Lakdi ka Pull, and the driver of the police van is missing!

 

The women suffered major head injuries and blood spilled on the road. The incident took place at Lakdi Ka Pul at 7:30 pm yesterday.

 

“After the impact the van filled with police personal was escaping when one of the bystanders chased and stopped it” – Eye witness

 

The surprising issue that came up was, when the people asked for the driver, he was missing. An act of shame by who we rely on for our safety and security.

 

Seminar on “Journey towards your Job” held

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Today A Seminar on “Journey towards your Job” was organised by Smart Academy an initiative of Bashir & Sawar Babukhan Trust & Avenir Labs in association with SIASAT at Mirza Gardenn Function Hall, Golconda Fort, Hyderabad.

Dr. Mohammad Hasibuddin, Director – Chairman of Universal Society for Education, Mohammed Yousuf, Vice President of Renaissance Softlabs (P) Ltd. & Mohammed Abdul Subhan, Sr. Technical Lead of Wipro Technologies were among the dignitaries.

The programme was hosted by Mr. Humai Arif and started with recitation of Quran by Mr. Awais.

Yuvraj Singh keen to open cricketing facility at Himachal

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Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was today impressed by the passion and talent of local cricketers here and expressed his interest in opening up cricketing facility at various locations of the state.

“I am very excited to see the kind of interest the kids in the state have for the sport. The enormous talent and passion among the kids has struck a thought in my mind to provide a platform to them to enhance their skills,” he said.

11 Muslim Botherhood members sentenced to life

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Fifty-six members of Muslim Brotherhood were today sentenced, including 11 to life imprisonment, by an Egyptian military court on charges of acts of “aggression” against the army in Suez city last month.

In the first such sentencing since the ouster of former president Mohammed Morsi on July 3, the Suez military court sentenced 11 Islamists to 25 years in jail, while 45 others were given five years. Eight others were acquitted.

Key life ingredient more plentiful on ancient Mars than Earth

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A chemical ingredient key for life may have been more abundant on ancient Mars than on early Earth, a new study has found.

Researchers at the University of Nevada have found that phosphate found in minerals on Mars, is far more soluble than it is in natural Earth minerals.

They synthesised mineral types found on Mars and then tested how well they dissolved in water releasing phosphate as compared to samples from natural Earth minerals.

British Sikh girls at risk of ‘sexual grooming’

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Minor British Sikh girls sexually abused by gangs of Asian men who befriend them over a period of time usually do not report the crime to authorities, according to a new investigation by the BBC.

The probe found that in many cases, the men deceive the girls into believing they are Sikh to gain their trust.

“Desperate to hide their secret for fear of bringing shame to their families, girls are often forced to leave home,” the BBC’s “Inside Out” programme reported.

Spicejet plane engine catches fire, passengers safe

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Sixty-seven passengers of Chennai-Tuticorin Spicejet flight had a narrow escape Tuesday morning at the Tuticorin airport after one of the plane’s engines caught fire, said an airport official.

“We noticed smoke from one of the engines. The Bombardier aircraft had landed and was at the parking bay. Immediately, the main fire tender was pressed into service and the fire was contained with water and foam,” the official told IANS over phone from Tuticorin, around 650 km from here.

Dec 16 gangrape: Trial concludes, verdict reserved for Sept 10

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A fast track court will pronounce on September 10 its verdict in the December 16 gangrape case in which four adult accused were tried for brutal rape and murder of 23-year-old girl in a moving bus in south Delhi.

Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna today reserved his order after the prosecution and the defence counsel concluded their final arguments.

The trial proceedings came to an end, two days after the juvenile offender in the case was sentenced to a three-year probation term after being held guilty by the Juvenile Justice Board of gangrape and murder of the paramedic.

Cameron claims India support on Syria; Delhi raises issue

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British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks that India was among countries which pointed the “finger of blame” for the Syrian crisis on President Bashar al-Assad has prompted New Delhi to take up the matter with the UK government.

Taking serious note of the remarks, India raised it with the British government, both in London through its High Commission and in Delhi, official sources said in New Delhi today.

Andhra Pradesh may come under President’s rule

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With the Congress leadership in no mood to go back on its decision to carve out separate Telangana state and party leaders from Seemandhra including the chief minister are not ready to accept anything less than united Andhra Pradesh, the state appears to be heading for President’s rule.

Vanzara blames Modi, Shah for `encounter’ killings

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Jailed Gujarat police officer D.G. Vanzara has quit the police service after blaming Chief Minister Narendra Modi and former home minister Amit Shah of betraying police officers now in jail for alleged “encounter deaths”.

In an explosive 10-page letter addressed to Gujarat’s additional chief secretary and made available to the media Tuesday, Vanzara stated that “this spineless government of Gujarat … has ceased to command my allegiance, trust and loyalty”.