Month: January 2014

US targeted drone killings claimed 253 lives in 2013: Report

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The United States Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has estimated that covert targeted killings in Yemen and Pakistan, carried out primarily by drones, claimed 253 lives in 2013.

The figures are based on reports from The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, The Long War Journal, and The New America Foundation, the Verge reports.

According to the Long War Journal, a total of 54 drone strikes led to 253 casualties, of whom 31 were civilians.

The Council estimated a total of 3,520 casualties since the drone strike programme began in 2004, including 457 civilians. (ANI)

Egypt seizes assets of 572 Muslim Brotherhood leaders

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Egyptian interim government has ordered the assets of more than 500 Muslim Brotherhood and Islamist leaders to be seized, including those of ousted President Mohammed Morsi .

A Justice Ministry spokesman said that a ministerial inventory committee has ordered the “movable and immovable properties” of Morsi’s family as well as provincial Brotherhood leaders and members of its General Guidance Bureau, which is the group’s executive body, should be seized, CBS News reports.

Pak minister denies reports of military op against Taliban

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Pakistani interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has rejected the reports of an army operation against the Taliban in North Wazristan tribal agency.

Nisar said that the government’s first priority is to engage the group in the dialogue process and significant developments would soon be visible in coming few weeks, Dawn News reports.

Nisar also made it clear that the government had not given authority to any individual for negotiations with Taliban, referring to Maulana Samiul Haq.

MEA hopes for early resolution of legal tussle between GMR Group and Maldives Govt.

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The Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) has expressed the hope that infrastructure firm, GMR and Maldivian government will resolve their dispute over the Male Airport legally at the earliest.

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is expected to discuss this issue with the Indian leadership during his visit to New Delhi from January 1 to 4. President Gayoom would be accompanied by a high level delegation.

GMR, a subsidiary of Bangalore-based GMR Infrastructure Limited has been given seven days to leave the Indian Ocean island chain.

Court acquits six accused in 2009 Goa blast case

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A special court in Margao, Goa, has acquitted all six accused in the 2009 bomb blast case.

The incident took place on the eve of Diwali eve in Margao.

All the six accused, associated with a right-wing Hindu group Sanatan Sanstha, were acquitted for lack of evidence against them in the blast that killed two people.

Sanatan Sanstha is a non-profit organisation for scientific spirituality.

Following the blast, the accused were arrested by the Crime Branch of Goa Police, but later the investigation was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

India rolls out its second fast patrol vessel

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India launched its second waterjet-propelled fast patrol vessel here on Tuesday. The vessel was inducted into the Indian Coast Guard by Defence Minister A.K. Antony.

Speaking on the launch ceremony, Antony said that it was designed at par with the international standards.

“Our ship building industry faces several challenges. It is satisfying to see that how SEDS (Smart Engineering and Design Solutions Ltd) designed the ship and executed it in an exemplary manner. The ship has been built to international standards and exhibited excellent sea keeping and…during trials,” he said.

US denies reports of implementation of Iranian nuke deal by late January

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The United States has dismissed a report that an agreement had been reached between Iran and world powers to begin implementing the Tehran nuclear programme by late January 2014.

State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said that they have made progress in discussions and the teams have taken a few outstanding points back to their countries, but they are still to reach a decision, CNN reports.

B-Town celebs wish ‘happy new year’ to fans

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Many Bollywood celebrities have come forward to wish their fans a happy new year.

While John Abraham asked everybody not to drink too much and drive, Shahrukh Khan simply wished everyone a very happy new year.

Shilpa Shetty wished a prosperous new year to everyone and asked them to enjoy it with all their loved ones.

VJ-turned-Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana thanked his fans while giving his wishes. (ANI)

Crime In Hyderabad (1.1.2014)

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Dead body of a woman found
(Siasat News): Hayathnagar police has found the dead body of an unknown woman from Batasingaram area.

The deceased is between 20 to 25 years of age and the efforts are on to trace her whereabouts. She was killed with sharp weapons as the body bore the scars of the weapons.

The dead body was found in an open land in survey No. 376 of Batasingaram. A case has been registered and further investigations are in progress.

Katy Perry unsubscribes Google alerts

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Katy Perry has cancelled Google Alerts as she doesn’t care what people think about her anymore.

The ‘Roar’ hitmaker has decided that her image is just something superficial, and said that she tries not to pay attention to other people, CNET reported.

Perry added that she used to have Google Alerts set up, which would notify her about everything that was being written about her, but she has stopped all that, as she believes there are more important things in life. (ANI)

Glimpses of 2013

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The year 2013 leaves behind many important political, social and ecological memories. Year 2013 is considered as the last year of united Andhra. Many importance incidents occurred in the year 2013. It is a year of achievement for Telangana people as the union cabinet has sanctioned separate Telangana formation.

The other worth mentioning incident of the year is Dilsukhnagar blast tragedy occurred in the month of February in which 2 people died and nearly 80 injured.

Musharraf says his term was ‘golden era’ for Pakistan

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Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has reportedly said that the country’s conditions were getting worse with each passing day and his term was a golden era for Pakistan.

Lamenting the country’s conditions, Musharraf reflected that when he was stepping down from power, a dollar amounted to 61 rupees.

According to Dawn News, the former army strongman said that all he did during his rule was aimed at ensuring the interests of the country.

Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami member charged over 1971 war crimes

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Bangladesh’s main Islamist party member has been charged over war crimes during the 1971 war of independence with Pakistan.

The special war crimes tribunal, set up in 2010 to investigate abuses committed in that war, has framed charges against Abdus Subhan, who was arrested last September, of collaborating with Pakistani forces, the BBC reports.

However, Subhan has denied all the charges against him, the report added.

Bangladesh recently executed senior Islamist leader Abdul Kader Mullah, convicted of atrocities committed during the 1971 Independence war.

Kate Middleton ‘bonding’ with Posh over fashion and motherhood

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The Duchess of Cambridge and Victoria Beckham are becoming fast friends thanks to their common interests – fashion, interior design and parenting, it has been revealed.

A source told Star magazine that the Beckhams and Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton are becoming very close and regularly discuss everything from parenting to decorating, the Daily Express reported.

The insider asserted that William and Victoria’s hubby and retired footie ace, David Beckham , enjoy discussing sport and bonding over being dads.

Assam, Nagaland CMs review law and order situation in Karbi Anglong District

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Chief Ministers of Assam and Nagaland – Tarun Gogoi and Niephu Rio – have met and reviewed the law and order situation in Karbi Anglong District.

Media reports quoted official sources, as saying in Jorhat that Gogoi told Rio that all steps are being taken to ensure safety of people, including the Rengma Naga community residing in Karbi Anglong.

Rio also expressed his satisfaction on the steps being taken by the Assam Government to ensure the safety of the common people.

V K Duggal sworn in as new governor of Manipur

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Former union home secretary V K Duggal was sworn in as the new governor of Manipur on Tuesday.

The Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, Laxmikant Mahapatra, administered the oath of office to Duggal at Raj Bhavan here.

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, his cabinet colleagues and senior civil and police officials attended the function. (ANI)

Newly elected Delhi Assembly to meet today

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The first session of the newly elected Delhi Assembly will begin from today. The session will come to end on January 7.

On the first day of the session, newly elected MLAs will take oath. The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party government will also seek a vote of confidence on the floor of the assembly during this period.

The election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker has been fixed for January 3.

Aam Aadmi Party has decided to propose its MLA MS Dhir as its candidate for the post of Speaker in Delhi Assembly.

How chemotherapy could be more effective for pancreatic cancer patients

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Researchers believe that they have found an effective strategy to make chemotherapy treatment more effective for pancreatic cancer patients.

The research found pancreatic cancer cells may have their own specialised energy supply that maintains calcium levels and keeps cancer cells alive.

Maintaining a low concentration of calcium within cells is vital to their survival and this is achieved by calcium pumps on the plasma membrane.

This calcium pump, known as PMCA, is fuelled using ATP – the key energy currency for many cellular processes.

Eva Herzigova credits vodka for her luscious hair

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Czech supermodel Eva Herzigova has credited vodka for her shiny, gorgeous hair.

The 40-year-old model told French Marie Claire magazine that she uses vodka to lighten her blonde hair and it works really well, the Huffington Post reported.

Herzigova added that her other beauty secrets included never exposing herself too much to the sun, drinking plenty of water, resting and feeling loved. (ANI)

Philander retains top spot in ICC Test bowlers’ rankings following Durban Test

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South African Test bowler Vernon Philander has retained his top position in the ICC rankings table for Test bowlers following the second and final Test against India in Durban.

Although Philander conceded three ratings points following his match figures of 3-99 at Kingsmead, he has held onto his No 1 position, which he gained after the first Test against India at Centurion last week

According to Sport24, meanwhile, fellow bowler Dale Steyn, who was named Man of the Match in Durban for his match figures of 9-147, has once again broken the 900-point mark.

Musharraf fails to appear before court; seeks exemption from appearance

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Embattled former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday failed to appear before a special court to face trial in a high treason case, with his legal team seeking exemption for his appearance and also adjournment of the hearing for five weeks.

Mr. Musharraf was supposed to appear before the court to face treason charges for suspending, subverting and abrogating the Constitution, imposing an emergency in the country in November 2007 and detaining judges of the superior courts.

‘Unaffected’ Kallis says never played cricket to make records

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Retired South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has said that he had never played cricket for the sake of making records or statistics as they have never been important to him.

Till his retirement, Kallis, whose 13, 289 runs, 292 wickets and 200 catches through an 18-year Test career ignited debate over whether he was the greatest all-rounder in the history of the game, was setting benchmarks.

Recruitments on VRO & VRA posts, time for MFD to wake up

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With the issue of notification regarding recruitments on the posts of Village Revenue Officer and Village Revenue Assistants, hectic activity began on various levels. According to revenue department nearly 7776 posts will be filled. The BC Welfare department has issued notification offering training to BC students at 22 training centres. Muslim youth included in BC (E) category can avail the training provided by the BC Welfare department. 2nd January 2014 is the last date for application. The 30-day training programme will begin from January 3.

Indian stocks among best performers; Sensex hits new high

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Indian equities emerged as the best performer among the major emerging economies with a return of nearly 10 percent for a key index on the back of the close to $20 billion foreign fund inflow into the $1.1 trillion market.

Returns on India’s major stocks have beaten equities in BRICS partner countries Brazil, Russia and China. The performance of the 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) was also among the best globally.

The two widely tracked indices of the Indian equities markets – Sensex and Nifty – scaled a new peaks in 2013.

2013 – an eventful year for women in Meghalaya

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The year 2013 was an eventful one for women in the matrilineal state of Meghalaya. Three women became ministers, one became a Rajya Sabha member, another summited Mt. Everest and one scripted history by becoming the first woman chief justice in the state.

Compared to previous elections, women bagged four seats in a house of 60 during the assembly elections held in February.

This was the best showing by women candidates in Meghalaya’s entire poll history after the state was carved out of Assam in 1972.