Month: May 2014

Boko Haram kidnaps two traditional rulers in Nigeria

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Suspected Boko Haram gunmen have kidnapped two prominent traditional rulers in Nigeria, a security source said Friday.

Ismaila Mamza, the emir of Uba, and Idriss Timta, the emir of Gwoza, were abducted at about 9 a.m. in the sect’s stronghold, the north-eastern state of Borno, Xinhua reported.

Zhur, from where they were abducted, is located in the southern part of Borno.

The traditional rulers were said to be on their way to neighbouring Gombe to attend the burial of the late emir of Gombe.

Bihar to give Android smartphones to village heads

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Good days are ahead for thousands of “mukhiyas” (village heads) in Bihar as the state government has decided to provide them Android smartphones to ensure transparency in the implementation of welfare and development schemes at the panchayat level.

Panchayatiraj Minister Bhim Singh said Friday the government has decided to provide Android smartphones to 8,402 mukhiyas to bring more transparency, check irregularities, fast track schemes for poor beneficiaries and ensure development at the ground level.

Sensex ends flat; bank stocks fall

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A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday closed 16.81 points or 0.07 percent lower as bank and consumer durables stocks came under heavy selling pressure.

Healthy buying was observed in healthcare, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), metal, realty and information technology (IT) sectors.

However, buying pressure was seen in bank, consumer durables and oil and gas scrips.

Thai military junta releases journalists

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The military junta in Thailand released two journalists and a university lecturer Friday, while summoning more opponents of the deposed government in its operation to silence dissent.

The authorities have said that the people set free can neither talk about politics in public nor can leave their city of residence without official authorisation.

Another freed journalist, Thanapol Eiwsakul, editor of the magazine Fah Diew Gan, was kept under arrest since Friday last week.

Guj, MP drop move on Modi story in syllabi after PM disapproves

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s disapproval of living individuals becoming part of the curriculum today prompted governments in BJP-ruled Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh to drop the plan to include his life story in the school syllabi.

The education ministers of the two states had mooted the idea of incorporating the story of Modi’s life in textbooks to “inspire” the students, but the move did not find favour with the PM.

No witch-hunt against Vadra, but law will take its course: Naidu

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NDA government would not launch witch-hunt against its political opponents including Robert Vadra, but the law would take its own course, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said today.

“I don’t want to make any political comment. We don’t want to launch witch-hunt but at the same time the law would take its own course,” Naidu told reporters when asked whether government would take any action against Vadra, who is allegedly involved in controversial land deals.

Narayana may be Dy CM of Andhra Pradesh?

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Narayana Group of Educational Institutions chairman P Narayana is likely to be appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

According to sources, Narayana will be among the two Deputy CMs of Andhra Pradesh. He represents the Kapu community and is believed to be a close associate of TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu. He has played a crucial role in party’s victory in North Andhra in the recent elections. He is likely to be made a member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council within six months under the Governor’s quota, sources added.

Freshers & Exp Walk-in for Voice Process at Cognizant

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Voice Process

Any Graduates are eligible but NO B.E,B.tech,M.tech,M.Sc & MCA ,

All the marks card & documents should be in place

Should have done a regular course, correspondence with experince can be considered

Should have excellent communication skills

Flexible for night shifts

15 years of education is mandatory

MBA Fresher are also eligible

Candidates with an experience between 0 – 24 months process can be considered.

Walk-in Address

Cognizant Technology Solutions

5th Floor, Block A, Lakeview Buliding

Indian, Israeli foreign ministers agree to enhance cooperation

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Acknowledging the “great importance” of Indo-Israeli bilateral relations, the foreign ministers of the two countries have agreed to enhance mutual cooperation.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman yesterday spoke to his new Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj and “both ministers agreed that the bilateral relationship is of great importance”.

“The fruitful cooperation between the two nations contributes greatly to tremendously important spheres of collaboration, including agriculture, water, research and development and more,” a press statement said.

Gujarat not to include Modi’s life in school syllabus

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With the Prime Minister expressing displeasure over the move, Gujarat government today dropped the idea of incorporating the story of Narendra Modi’s life in school syllabus across the state.

After receiving a call from Modi at around 7 AM, State Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama dropped the idea of teaching Modi’s life to schools kids.

German found dead in Delhi hotel

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A German man who came to India on a business visit was found dead in his hotel room here Friday, police said.

Edverse, 72, who checked into Eros Hotel in south Delhi, was found dead by a hotel employee. Police said he seemed to have died a natural death.

–IANS

National Museum’s books to help children delve into history

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For better understanding of history and to increase engagement of children with artefacts, National Museum will release four activity books next week that will introduce them to the museum world in a simple and fun way, an official said Friday.

“The museum has different plans for different visitors. We realised that children would get bored. So, we thought of reinterpreting our museum collection for children to encourage active interaction,” Jayati Roy, the museum’s outreach department official, told IANS.

Muthalik’s hate speech deleted from Youtube: Congress

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The Congress Friday said Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik’s controversial hate speech video has been deleted from Youtube, a day after its complaint to the police.

The complaint accuses Muthalik of delivering the hate speech and the Goa-based Hindu Janajagruti Samiti of uploading it on video-sharing web site Youtube.

Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat in a letter to the Panaji police said the video uploaded by the Goa-based right wing organization, which – according to the Congress – exhorts Hindus to arm themselves with swords and use it when needed, was “removed from Youtube”.

Kalinga-Lanka Foundation launched

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A “Kalinga-Lanka Foundation” has been launched to celebrate the historic links between ancient Kalinga kingdom and Sri Lanka.

The foundation was launched at the Sri Lankan high commission here, a statement from the mission said Friday.

Former Indian foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh is leading this initiative, the statement said.

CII bats for GST to boost investors’ confidence

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The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the government to implement early the goods and services tax (GST) to lift investor sentiment and put the economy back on track.

In terms of stimulus, nothing can be better than a well-crafted GST, CII told the finance ministry in a pre-budget consultation meeting here Friday.

The CII also stressed that a road map for adhering to the fiscal deficit target should be drawn up and announced in the Budget.

Big Bang signal too weak to be significant: Study

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The signal of Big Bang ripples announced in March this year was too weak to be significant, two separate analyses say, suggesting the astronomers had jumped the gun.

Astronomers this spring announced that they had evidence of primordial gravitational waves – ripples in the fabric of space-time generated in the early Universe.

According to a new study, the scientists did not take into proper account a confounding effect of galactic dust.

Designer Rocky S to endorse cotton brand Eurico

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Eurico, one of the finest quality cotton brands, has roped in ace designer Rocky Star as their brand ambassador.

Feeling “honoured” to be associated with Eurico, Rocky said that he loves premium cotton and that “this association gives me great scope to display my creativity with cotton fabrics.”

“It is really an exciting feeling as the aim is to offer the customer the best in cotton emphasising on style, class and sophistication,” the designer said in a statement.

Police bust prostitution racket, arrest three in Ghaziabad

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Police on Friday busted a prostitution racket and arrested three persons, including two women, in Sahibabad area of the district.

“We got information that a sex racket was allegedly being operated from a house in Sahibabad area. Acting on tip-off, police raided the house last night and arrested three persons for involvement in flesh trade,” said Hardyal Yadav, station officer of Sahibabad police station.

One of the arrested women has been identified as Afroj, who was allegedly heading the racket.

Husband of Pak woman stoned to death by family ”for love marriage” murdered first wife

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The husband of a Pakistani woman, who was stoned to death by her family outside the Lahore High Court for marrying against their wishes, had murdered his first wife. Farzana Parveen was murdered on Tuesday outside the LHC by more than two-dozen attackers, including her brother and father. According to Dawn News, the brazen, brutal nature of the killing has triggered outrage around the world. In a twist to a story that has shocked rights activists, Parveen”s husband Mohammad Iqbal, 45, has admitted killing his first wife.

Bihar chief minister warns centre over Article 370

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Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Friday warned the Narendra Modi-led central government against repealing Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party government should not touch Article 370 as it will create more trouble,” Manjhi told reporters in Gaya district during an official visit.

He said special status was given to Jammu and Kashmir under special circumstances and no attempt should be made to revoke as it would be a “dangerous step”.

Hi-tech NASA sandals to collect data from space

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NASA has sent a pair of sandals with tiny devices into space that will help scientists monitor the effects of low gravity on astronauts’ bodies.

A crew of Russian, German and US astronauts docked with the International Space Station (ISS) brought with them some NASA-designed footwear called ForceShoes.

The shoes will help NASA collect data for studying the loads or force placed on crew member bodies during exercise on the space station’s Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED).

PM greets people of Goa on statehood day

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday greeted the people of Goa on their statehood day.

“Greetings to the people of Goa on Goa’s Statehood Day. May Goa’s development reach new heights in the years to come,” he tweeted.

Goa became a full-fleddged state on May 30, 1987. Goa, which was liberated from the Portuguese on Dec 19, 1961, was till then a union territory.

–IANS

Workplace ostracism more damaging than bullying

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If your colleagues give you the cold shoulder at work, this can not only make your urge to quit the job stronger but also do more harm to your health than bullying.

Being ignored at work is worse for physical and mental well-being than harassment or bullying, a new study noted.

“Ostracism actually leads people to feel more helpless, like they are not worthy of any attention at all,” said professor Sandra Robinson from University of British Columbia in Canada.