Month: April 2014

WEEPING FOR FEAR OF ALLAH

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Muslim ibn Bashir (ra) says that during his last illness Abu Hurayrah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) began weeping bitterly. He was asked the reason of his weeping. At this he said:

“I am weeping because I have a long journey to cover and have the least provisions with me. In the morning I have found myself at a hillock which leads to both paradise and to hell, and I know not wither I would be made to go.”

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RadiyAllahu Anhu) says that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) asked him to recite the Qur’an for him. He said to the Prophet (SAWS),

Eating choc could help you keep flab and diabetes away

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Researchers have discovered a particular type of antioxidant in cocoa prevented laboratory mice from gaining excess weight and lowered their blood sugar levels.

Andrew P. Neilson and colleagues explain that cocoa, the basic ingredient of chocolate , is one of the most flavanol-rich foods around. Cocoa has several different kinds of these compounds, so Neilson’s team decided to tease them apart and test each individually for health benefits.

Drinking coffee could cut risk of dying from liver cirrhosis

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Researchers have said that consuming two or more cups of coffee each day reduces the risk of death from liver cirrhosis by 66 per cent, specifically cirrhosis caused by non-viral hepatitis.

Lead researcher, Dr. Woon-Puay Koh with Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore and the National University of Singapore, said prior evidence suggests that coffee may reduce liver damage in patients with chronic liver disease.

He said that their study examined the effects of consuming coffee, alcohol, black tea, green tea, and soft drinks on risk of mortality from cirrhosis.

Check out why Mediterranean diet is good for your heart

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New research has provided further evidence of the heart-healthy benefits of the Mediterranean diet, tying the eating plan to lower levels of platelets and white blood cells – the two markers of inflammation.

Inflammation has an association with greater risk of heart attack and stroke.

The Mediterranean diet, characterized by generous servings of foods such as greens, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, has long been hailed as a heart-healthy eating plan.

Running and cardio when young help preserve memory, thinking skills in middle age

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Running and cardio activities in young adulthood could help preserve memory and thinking skills in middle age , according to a new study.

Middle age was defined as ages 43 to 55.

“Many studies show the benefits to the brain of good heart health,” study author David R. Jacobs, Jr, PhD, with the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis said.

“This is one more important study that should remind young adults of the brain health benefits of cardio fitness activities such as running, swimming, biking or cardio fitness classes,” he said.

Moin Khan says Windies ‘blew’ Pak away in last five overs

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Pakistan team coach Moin Khan has said that the West Indies blew them away in the last five overs, which has resulted in an early exit for Pakistan from the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

Pakistan were reportedly bowled out for a paltry 82 in 17.5 overs, missing the chance to secure a place in the semi-finals, while chasing a formidable target of 167 runs.

According to Sport24, Khan said that the West Indies took away the game in the last five overs, as they blasted 82 runs to recover from a struggling 84-5 in the 15th over to put up a total of 166/5 in the allotted 20 overs.

Pakistan rejects Afghan allegations of involvement in terror attacks

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Pakistan has rejected allegations that it is involved in terror incidents in Afghanistan.

Pakistan said it also rejected claims by Afghan officials that it was trying to impede efforts for talks between the Taliban and the high peace council.

According to a statement from the ministry of foreign affairs, the spokesperson expressed ‘deep regret and disappointment’ over statements by senior Afghan officials.

Enthusiastic Indian expatriates in UAE flying home for Lok Sabha elections

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Indian expatriates in the UAE are flying back to India to cast votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

UAE-based Kerala Muslim Culture Centre (KMCC), a political arm of the Muslim League, an ally of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, has chartered a flight on April 7 to carry voters to Kozhikode to vote.

Ebrahim Elettil, General Secretary of KMCC – UAE wing, said the flight has already been fully booked.

According to Gulf News, various expat organisations and cultural groups are also encouraging their members to exercise voting rights in India.

Sensex, Nifty at lifetime highs on fund inflows

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Continuing their record-setting spree, the benchmark BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty climbed to hit new record-highs in early trade today on sustained foreign fund inflows amid a firming trend overseas.

The 30-share Sensex shot up by 69.16 points, or 0.30 per cent, to quote at yet another record-high of 22,620.65, surpassing its previous intra-day record high of 22,592.10 touched yesterday.

Also, the 50-share NSE Nifty gained 24.20 points, or 0.35 per cent, to touch a new record-high of 6,776.75.

“A person who divides the country can’t rule”: Nitish Kumar targets Narendra Modi

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Political arch rivals Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi yesterday campaigned in the same Lok Sabha constituency of Nawada in Bihar, within 25 minutes and two hours of each other.

Nitish Kumar targeted both Mr Modi and Rahul Gandhi, who held a rally in his state at Nardiganj, 30 kms out of Nawada town, yesterday.

“It seems like (Congress leader) Jairam Ramesh is not tutoring Rahul Gandhi properly. He has been saying factually incorrect things in his rallies in Bihar,” said the Bihar Chief Minister.

People who lack gratitude tend to be less satisfied with life

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A new study suggests that people who are materialistic are more likely to be depressed and unsatisfied, as they find it harder to be grateful for what they have.

” Gratitude is a positive mood. It’s about other people,” study lead author Jo-Ann Tsang, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and neuroscience in Baylor’s College of Arts and Sciences, said.

Women need to be smart, nobody will empower them: Sonam Kapoor

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“Women need to be smart, nobody is going to empower them,” said Sonam Kapoor, a talented and outspoken actor, while expressing her views on the safety of women improving after the national elections.

“Women need to be smart about themselves. Nobody is going to empower them,” Sonam told IANS in an interview, responding to a query whether things will change for women in India in terms of safety and equality post-election.

Gold falls for fourth day on sustained selling

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Gold fell for the fourth straight day as prices shed Rs 10 to Rs 29,250 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday on sustained selling by stockists against sluggish demand amid a weakening global trend.

Silver also lost Rs 100 to Rs 43,400 per kg on lack of buying support from industrial units and coin makers.

Traders said sustained selling by stockists against sluggish demand amid a weakening global trend mainly led to decline in gold prices.

Gold in New York, which normally sets price trend on the domestic front, fell by 0.39 per cent to $1,280.80 an ounce.

Running too much could shorten your lifespan

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Despite running regularly being linked to a host of health benefits, including weight control, stress reduction, better blood pressure and cholesterol, a new study suggests that running may not be all that beneficial.

A number of studies have suggested that a “moderate” running regimen-a total of two to three hours per week, according to one expert-appears best for longevity, refuting the typical “more is better” mantra for physical activity, CBS News reported.

Breast milk lowers obesity risk later in life

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Researchers have found that breast-feeding has a protective effect on the risk of obesity at 20 years of age.

From analysis of data from the ELANCE cohort, Marie Francoise Rolland-Cachera, former researcher at Inserm and her co-workers in the Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN) have shown that nutritional intake at the age of 2 years are critical in providing this beneficial effect.

Recent studies have focused on the influence of breast-feeding on the risk of the child developing obesity: results showed beneficial but still inconclusive trends.

Lamb kebabs & Greek salad

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Ingredients

juice ½ lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
600g diced lamb leg

For the salad

4 large tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
large handful black olives, roughly chopped
200g pack feta cheese, crumbled
bunch of mint, chopped

Method

US lawmakers call for improved India-US ties

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Terming India as the most important strategic partner, top US lawmakers have called for improving the bilateral ties.

Addressing an event organised by the US India Business Council at the Capitol Hill, Congressman Joe Crowley observed that there is a tremendous amount that binds the two countries together.

Crowley described India as the most important strategic partner of the US for this century. “There is only upward. There is no going backward,” he said.

Delhi Police wins custody battle of two top IM operatives

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After a tug of war, Delhi Police today had its way when a special court granted it 13-day custody of Indian Mujahideen (IM) operatives Tehseen Akhtar, Zia-ur-Rehman alias Waqas and three others by brushing aside claims of NIA to quiz them first.

Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash passed the order after Special Cell of Delhi Police and National Investigation Agency (NIA) exchanged heated arguments to take the custody of Tehseen and Waqas, who were wanted for their alleged roles in the February last year Dilsukhnagar blasts in Hyderabad.

Steel prices may fall further: Experts

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After price reduction by some of the domestic steel firms on Tuesday, industry experts are of the opinion that further reduction may be on cards in the first quarter of the current financial year if the rupee strengthens further, without any pick up in demand.

“We may see further reduction in steel prices if there is no uptick in demand. It is also an indication that companies are not able to hold on to the price hike done in last few months due to weak demand,” said analyst (metals & mining) of Angel Broking, Bhavesh Chavan.

GHMC begins drive to remove political posters

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With the issue of notification by Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer for first phase of elections scheduled on April 30, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) enforcement staff has come into action. The drive to remove advertising material put up by the political parties at various places has been intensified.

KCR made false promises on Telangana development: Congress

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Telangana Congress President Ponnala Lakshmaiah today alleged TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao made false promises of development, the latest in the ongoing verbal duel between the two parties facing each other in the upcoming elections in Andhra Pradesh.

Referring to certain comments made by Rao, Lakshmaiah said the TRS chief talked about development of Telangana now, but had not done anything substantial for the region in the last 30 years of his political career.

Human-to-dolphin translator reports first successful interaction

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Researchers testing a real-life human-to- dolphin translator have reported the first successful use of their technology with a bottlenose dolphin.

It was able to point out a piece of nearby seaweed to a scientist in the water, the Independent reported.

Known as the Cetacean Hearing and Telemetry device (Chat), the translator uses a pair of hydrophones (underwater microphones) to capture the range of clicks and whistles made by dolphins.

Apple’s part suppliers to begin mass production of large iPhone screen displays

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The iPhone maker’s parts suppliers are reportedly preparing to begin mass production of displays for a larger iPhone next month.

The news comes amid reports of Apple planning the launch of two larger iPhones have surfaced.

According to the Verge, multiple news outlets have previously reported that Apple is planning to launch two larger iPhones this year, one with around a 4.7-inch display and one with around a 5.5-inch display .

Meanwhile, the mass production on the larger of the two iPhone screens may be delayed over production issues, the report added. (ANI)

Two killed as trains collide in Uttar Pradesh

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Two people were killed and over a dozen injured when two trains collided in Uttar Pradesh, officials said Thursday.

The accident occurred near the Obra Dam railway station in Sonebhadra, 410 km from here, late Wednesday.

Officials said the collision took place when Katni passenger train rammed into Varanasi-Shaktinagar intercity that had halted some distance away from the station as it had not been given the green signal.

Two passengers died on the spot while several others who were seriously injured were rushed to a hospital, officials told IANS.IANS

Men who started smoking before age 11 likelier to have fatter sons

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Researchers have revealed men, who started smoking regularly before the age of 11 had sons who, on average, had 5-10kg more body fat than their others by the time they were in their teens.

The researchers at the University of Bristol say this could indicate that exposure to tobacco smoke before the start of puberty may lead to metabolic changes in the next generation.