Month: February 2014

Italian Marines not to be tried under anti-piracy law

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The central government Monday told the Supreme Court that it was not invoking the anti-piracy SUA Act against the two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala in 2012.

However, the centre told an apex court bench headed by Justice B.S. Chauhan that the probe would continue to be carried out by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

This was opposed by senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, saying that once the anti-piracy law goes the investigation by the NIA is also out of the question.

Senior Pakistani Taliban leader killed in firing

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A key member of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani, was reportedly killed Monday when gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region.

The incident that also killed three others from Bhittani’s group, took place near Darga Mandi area of Ghulam Khan town in the tribal region, Dawn online reported citing its sources.

The TTP has so far not confirmed Bhittani’s death.

Bhittani served as the acting TTP chief after Hakeemullah Mehsud’s death and also headed the Taliban supreme shura.

BJD protests special package to Seemandhra, cries neglect

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At least 300 Biju Janata Dal (BJD) activists and leaders courted arrest here Monday to protest the central government’s special treatment of Seemandhra while neglecting Odisha.

Accusing the central government of working on a political agenda, ruling BJD ctivists carried out a procession here, held a public meeting, and staged a demonstration near Raj Bhavan, and courted arrest.

“At least 300 BJD workers and leaders have courted arrest,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Nitinjit Singh told IANS.

‘Balika Vadhu’ is best thing to happen to me: Siddharth Shukla

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TV actor Siddharth Shukla says that a role in popular show “Balika Vadhu”, which recently clocked 1,500 episodes, is the best thing that has happened to him.

“I am really grateful to ‘Balika Vadhu’ for the recognition I have got because of it. People know me and like me because of it. ‘Balika Vadhu’ is the best thing to have happened to me,” Siddharth said here.

“Balika Vadhu” went on air 2008 with the launch of channel Colors.

Siddharth plays Shivraj Shekhar aka Shiv in the show, which stars Toral Rasputra as the female lead.

Smart phone that maps your room in 3D

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Can your smart phone create a 3D-map of a room? Wait a while and that is going to be a reality.

Google is venturing into this exciting technology. The prototype phone, a 5-inch device codenamed ‘Project Tango’, was revealed recently.

Its sensors can read a room by tracking the motion of the device itself and simultaneously mapping the environment around it with “a quarter million 3D measurements every second”, reported Washington Post.

Survival of outsiders tough in Bollywood: Neha Sharma

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Actress Neha Sharma says the going gets tougher in Bollywood when you’re an “outsider”.

“As an outsider (from a non-film background), survival in Bollywood is difficult as networking is very important…Many get work because of recommendations, but still there are auditions for actors,” Neha said here.

The actress started her Bollywood career with “Crook” in 2010, and has since starred in films like “Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum”, “Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story” and “Yamla Pagla Deewana”.

Hectic lobbying on for next government formation

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The Centre is likely to take a decision on the formation of next government in Andhra Pradesh by the end of Monday.

AICC Incharge of AP Congress Affairs Digvijay Singh held a series of discussions with the senior Congress leaders on Monday. He held deliberations with APCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana and reportedly discussed the issue of appointing successor to Kiran Kumar Reddy in the State. He also held talks with Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar and Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha.

Mixed evidence over Echinacea being useful treatment for colds

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A new study has found that for people seeking a natural treatment for the common cold, some preparations containing the plant Echinacea work better than nothing, yet “evidence is weak”.

The evidence review revealed no significant reductions in preventing illness, but didn’t rule out “small preventive effects.”

The six authors conducted reviews on this subject in 1998, 2006 and 2008 and wanted to do an update to include several new trials conducted since then.

Three ministers set to join TDP

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Three ministers in the former Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet are all set to join the Telugu Desam Party.

Ministers – TG Venkatesh, Erasu Pratap Reddy and Ganta Srinivasa Rao will be joining the TDP in the next few days. Sources say that Venkatesh is likely to announce the decision after meeting TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on February 27. However, the meeting can be pre-poned to Tuesday.

Ambivalent hearts may be at higher risk of heart diseases

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A new study has found that if a couple feel ambivalent towards their partner they are at an elevated heart disease risk.

According to the study’s lead author by Bert Uchino, a psychologist at the University of Utah, the health of both spouses “is interdependent- it isn’t what one says or does; it’s what both do within the relationship that matters” when it comes to heart health, CBS News reported.

The scientists recruited 136 long-married couples to see what effect those feelings might have on the heart itself over time, the scientists recruited 136 long-married couples.

Senior Taliban commander shot dead in northwest Pakistan

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Senior Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani was today shot dead along with three others by unknown gunmen in the restive North Waziristan tribal area.

According to security sources, unknown gunmen opened fire on their vehicle near Darga Mandi area of Ghulam Khan tehsil in the area.

A total of four militants were killed. The identity of rest of the three militants could not be confirmed yet.

The attackers fled from the scene while panic gripped the area after the incident.

The local residents shifted the bodies to the hospital.

Tips to lose weight and keep it off

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Every overweight person would agree that losing weight is an uphill battle and maintaining the weight loss is a completely different story.

But with the right tools and advice, shedding the extra kilos and keeping them off will make your life a lot easier.

According to Grandparents.com, seeking the help of a dietitian will help you stay focused on your weight loss goals and infusing small changes in your diet will give you better results than trying to make your diet healthy overnight.

Meet the human magnet

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A Bosnian man has claimed that he has the ability to stick just anything to his body.

Muhibija Buljubasic claims that he can stick anything to his body, including stick forks, spoons and all manner of kitchen utensils to his body and face, by radiating a special energy, the Mirror reported.

Buljubasic said that he discovered the special ability of his about five years ago.

He said that he is also able to stick objects like mobile phones and TV remote controls to his face too. (ANI)

Muhammad Ali`s boxing gloves fetch 520k pounds

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Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves fetched a whopping price of 520,000 pounds at a recently held auction in New York.

The boxing gloves worn by the former world heavyweight champion when he won his first world title from Sonny Liston, on February 25, 50 years ago, have been sold for 520,000 pounds, the Mirror reported.

Auction organizer Chris Ivy said that they had expected 300,000 pounds for the gloves; he said that the impressive result showed that Ali is a figure that transcends boxing. (ANI)

Brinjal Chicken

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Ingredients
• 500 g Chicken
• 200 g Brinjal
• 3 tbsp Chicken Masala
• 1 big Onion (chopped)
• 1 big Tomato (chopped)
• Few Curry Leaves
• Salt (to taste)
• 4 tbsp Oil

How to make

Mix chicken with chicken masala in a bowl and keep it for 15 mins.

Heat oil in a pan and fry the onions.

Stir in chicken and flavour with salt.cook it for 5-7 mins.

Slice the brinjal into small pieces and add to the chicken.

Cook for another 4-5 mins.

Add in tomato, curry leaves and enough water to cover the chicken.

Pakistan set to renew cricket rivalry against India in Asia Cup

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Both, India and Pakistan, are geared up to renew their intense cricket rivalry in the Asia Cup one-day tournament, which starts on Tuesday in Bangladesh.

The two teams have faced each other only five times in ODI and three times in Twenty20 cricket matches since the World Cup semi-final in 2011.

According to the Express Tribune, India and Pakistan’s most recent encounter was when India won a rain affected match in Birmingham in the Champions Trophy last June.

LPG dealers threaten indefinite strike from Tuesday

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Cooking gas distributors across the country have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from Tuesday to press for their multiple demands, which include withdrawal of the petroleum ministry’s recent marketing discipline guidelines.

The dealers are opposing the heavy financial penalties and distributorship termination clauses under the Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG), which, they say, makes the distributors unjustifiably responsible for all lapses in the system.

U.S. considering leaving 3000 troops behind in Afghanistan post 2014 withdrawal

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President Barack Obama is considering leaving behind 3000 troops in Afghanistan as an option of having U.S. military presence in the country after 2014.

US officials said military commanders have recommended 10,000 troops, with more installations across the country.

According to the Washington Post, the military has spent the past several months studying what kind of reduced counter terrorism and training operations it could conduct with the small number of troops if left behind.

Users warned against dodgy labeling on herbal medicines

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A new study has found that many herbal medicines are being sold with dodgy labeling and fail to comply with regulations.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide discovered that almost 20 percent of the herbal remedies surveyed – including vitamins, minerals and fish oils available at supermarkets and pharmacies – are not registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, despite it being a legal condition for their sale, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

And almost 60 percent had ingredients that did not match what is listed on the bottle or pack.

Workout right to flaunt any dress fearlessly

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Many women choose to shun leather skinnies or strappy maxi fearing that their jiggly arms or thighs will be exposed. Break a sweat to look good in any fashion piece.

People.com suggests easy moves targeting problematic areas of your body:

* Fashion item: Leather skinnies; Target area: Outer thighs and hips

Trainer Damien Bourbeau suggests: Lay on your side barefoot and with your shoulder blades and buttocks against a wall. With your lower leg on the floor, raise your top leg 45 degree while keeping the heel against the wall. Repeat 15 times on each leg.

Congress’s agenda should be corruption and bad governance, as it would be more believable: BJP

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Reacting to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s comment that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was playing the politics of blood, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday said the people had lost trust in whatever the Congress is saying, and that their agenda should be corruption and bad governance, as it would sound more believable.

“The Congress’s agenda should be corruption and bad governance, as they are the best at that, and it would also sound believable to the people. They should in fact start a panchayat to teach these things,” said Naqvi.

Congress raises efforts to form government in Andhra

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The Congress leadership has intensified its efforts to install a new government in Andhra Pradesh following resignation of chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy over the state’s bifurcation.

The leadership is looking for an alternative arrangement in view of its leaders from both Seemandhra and Telangana opposing the idea of the president’s rule.

Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha Monday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Delhi amid reports that the leadership is in search of a successor to Kiran Reddy.

Men healthier, happier than women: Survey

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Men are healthier and happier about their appearance than women in general, according to a new survey.

Health and Happiness, a nationwide study of 2,000 men and women found that men reported a higher rate of happiness when it came to their weight, shape, appearance, and the way they are perceived by others.

Women, on the other hand, were found to be more self-conscious and slightly less satisfied with their happiness levels at around 49 percent. Women are also much more likely to try dieting compared to men, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

TRS chief Rao meets Rahul Gandhi

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TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao today met Rahul Gandhi, a day after he held consultations with Congress President Sonia Gandhi following the passage of the Telangana bill in Parliament.

Rao’s meeting with the top Congress leaders has come amid speculation over possible merger of his party with Congress or the forging of an alliance between the two.

He also met President Pranab Mukherjee today to thank him on the Telangana issue.Rao said that he had met the Congress Vice President to convey his appreciation for the Telangana decision.

Visit 11,000-year-old colony under Baltic Sea

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In a scintillating find, an 11,000-year-old settlement has been unearthed under Baltic Sea near Sweden.

This is a collection of well preserved artifacts left by nomads some 11,000 years ago.

The site was in fact some sort of a dump in which nomadic Swedes discarded objects, according to a report in The Local.

Billed as ‘Sweden’s Atlantis’, the site is buried 52 feet below the surface at Hano, a sandy bay off the coast of Skane County in Sweden.