Month: May 2014

India’s forex reserves rise by $500 mn

by

India’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves rose by $499.8 million to $309.91 billion for the week ended April 25, led by a sharp jump in overseas currency assets, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data showed.

According to the RBI’s weekly statistical supplement, foreign currency assets, the biggest component of the forex reserves, jumped by $493.2 million to $282.03 billion.

Foreign currency assets, expressed in US dollar terms, include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies held in reserve such as the pound sterling, euro and yen.

TDP accuses YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy of violating poll code

by

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Saturday alleged that YSR Congress Party president Jaganmohan Reddy violated the model code of conduct by stretching his road show beyond stipulated time limit at Mylavaram town in Krishna district.

“Jagan continued his road show at Mylavaram till 12 midnight on Friday, but police did not react and fail to take action against him,” TDP leader Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, who is contesting from Mylavaram Assembly seat, told reporters on Saturday.

Mahaz meets Kabeer’s family

by

Members of the Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz (KMMM), a confederation of 28 Muslim organisations visited Kabeer’s parents, who was shot dead by the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), earlier this month. They consoled the aggrieved family and assured them of financial help of Rs. 1lakh as compensation. An initiative has been taken by the Mahaz to open an account to cater to the family’s financial requirements.

Syeda Fathima Azra bags gold medal

by

Ms. Syeda Fathima Azra, daughter of Syed Raqib and Nayeema Raqib has secured 1st rank in M.A. (Economics) from University of Mysore and has been awarded Prof. G.N. Krishnamurthy Memorial Endowment Gold Medal during the 94th Annual Convocation held on March 23.Courtesy:Karnataka muslims

http://karnatakamuslims.com/portal/syeda-fathima-azra-bags-gold-medal/

Deutsche MF India launches new fixed maturity plans

by

Deutsche Asset Management India has launched two-year close-ended debt funds called DWS Fixed Maturity Plan (FMP) Series 68 and 69.

While subscription to the new fund offer of DWS FMP- Series 68 begins from May 2 till May 12, it would be May 9 till May 19 for Series-69, according to a company release issued here today.

“The objective of the above schemes is to generate income by investing in debt and money market instruments maturing on or before the date of the maturity of the scheme. The schemes will invest predominantly in non convertible debentures (NCD),” it said.

Gold, silver surge on wedding season buying, global cues

by

Gold staged a strong recovery Saturday by surging Rs 320 to Rs 30,710 per 10 grams in the national capital on emergence of buying by stockists to meet the ongoing wedding season demand amid a firming trend overseas.

Silver also snapped its three-day falling streak and spurted by Rs 1,050 to Rs 42,700 per kg on increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers. The white metal had lost Rs 1,750 in the previous three sessions.

Traders attributed the rebound in precious metals to buying by stockists for the ongoing wedding season demand.

Al Qaeda chief orders Syrian rebels to stop infighting

by

The Al Qaeda chief has reportedly urged members of the group’s Syrian branch, the al Nusra Front to put an end to the ongoing fighting against their jihadist rivals.

Ayman al Zawahiri ordered all soldiers of the front immediately cease fighting one another in an audiotape posted online.

According to Sky News, al Nusra’s leader Abu Mohammed al Jolani was told to “devote himself to combat the enemies of Islam, specifically Baathists, Shiites and their allies”.

Al Nusra has been locked in fierce fighting with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) since the start of the year.

Vine.co adds new features in ‘YouTube’ like makeover

by

Video sharing app Vine has revamped its desktop website with new look and features, making it a bit similar to YouTube.

Vine has added a featured section that includes Editors Picks, playlists, and special featured videos.

According to TechCrunch, Now users don’t have to be logged in to Vine on the web to surf through these channels or featured Vine videos.

This may be a step to get closer to be a YouTube competitor.

Most mobile companies have limited and poorly designed websites but Vine’s update to the website sets it apart from others.ANI

Snapchat adds text messages, video calls in new update

by

Photo sharing app Snapchat has reportedly added new features which allows users to chat and make video calls.

According to CNET, the new update lets users chat with others for as long as they like, but as soon as they leave the chat screen, the entire conversation is wiped.

However, there is a feature which lets users save the conversation with screenshot, or tapping on chat to save it.

Snapchat, with its new update, now stands against messaging apps like whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat and more.

Pfizer’s sweetened $106 bn offer for AstraZeneca rejected

by

US pharma major Pfizer’s third attempt to acquire AstraZeneca with a sweetened offer of USD 106 billion was rejected on Friday.

This is the third time that AstraZeneca has rejected Pfizer’s offer and the second in less than a week. Pfizer, the New York-headquartered maker of cholesterol drug Lipitor and Viagra, had made an offer of USD 100 billion earlier.

“Pfizer today announces that, having consulted with major shareholders, it has submitted a revised written proposal to AstraZeneca plc to make an offer to combine the two companies,” the company said in a statement.

India 3rd on list of ‘green buildings’ countries outside US

by

India has been ranked third on the list of top 10 countries in leadership in energy and environmental design outside America, according to the latest US Green Building Council report.

Canada followed by China occupy the top two slots in the ranking of the top 10 countries for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) outside the US.

The report said the list demonstrates the global reach of the movement that is transforming the building environment into healthy, high-performing structures that benefit the planet and its people.

Secret to longevity revealed

by

A landmark study of thousands of members of a retirement community in Southern California is revealing factors that may contribute to living longer.

Some of the findings are no surprise-smoking led to shorter lifespans, while those who exercised lived longer. Other findings were unexpected-vitamins did not prolong life, but carrying some extra weight did.

CFI condemns telecast of faux video

by

Campus Front of India (CFI) has condemned the telecast of faux video by television channels and also said that even the media houses have become prey to fascist powers.

While addressing a press meet, the General Secretary of CFI, Karnataka, Mr. Wasim Shareef refuted the allegation of raising anti-national slogans by CFI cadres during ‘Anti-Fascist’ day held three months ago. He said that people are being fooled through such fake videos.

Mass wedding ceremony held at Dharmasthala

by

One hundred and forty two couples have tied the nuptial knot at the 43rd customary annual mass marriage function organized by the Dharmasthala Shree Manjunatheshwara Temple near here.

The mass marriage was organised last evening at the auspicious moment of ‘Godhooli Lagnam’ which occurred at 6.45 pm on May 2.

Karnataka minister K Abhaychandra Jain, who was present on the occasion, extended his wishes to the newly married couples.

Former speaker of State Legislative Council, B L Shankar, Former minister, Govind Karjol, and Vasant Bangera MLA, were also present.

Smuggled gold biscuits seized

by

BSF troops have seized gold biscuits worth Rs 32 lakh which were allegedly being smuggled from across the Indo-Bangla border in West Bengal’s Nadia district.

Officials said the seizure of the nine gold biscuits was made yesterday from Banpur border post area when the consignment, wrapped in black polythene sheets, was thrown into the Indian side from across the border.

The estimated value of the seized metal is said to be Rs 32 lakh, the official said, adding the cache has been handed over to local customs authorities.PTI

Fire at city godown in Kolkata

by

A fire broke out at a godown in the city’s whole sale market Burrabazar on Saturday morning.

Three fire engines worked to douse the fire, police said.

None was injured but the extent of damage and the reason behind the blaze is yet to be ascertained, the police added.

PTI

Watching porn leave men with a complex

by

Does watching a porn film give you complex? You are not alone.

According to a recent survey in France, many young men are left with a complex over the size of their penis after watching porn.

“The sight of the over-sized male organs in porn films can increase anxiety among young men,” said the survey done by Ifop, a French institute of public opinion.

Overall, of the 90 percent of male respondents who admitted watching porn, 24 percent, felt ‘inadequate’ when watching the act.

Are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie teaming up for new movie?

by

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are teaming up for another movie project, it has been revealed.

According to Hollywood Reporter, the script has been penned by the ‘Tomb Raider’ star and the movie will be the second time the two will share the screen since 2005’s ‘Mr. and Mrs Smith’.

Insiders have also speculated that the project could be a relationship drama centered on an estranged couple who go on a holiday together in the hopes of saving their marriage. (ANI)

Rahul questions source of funds for Modi’s campaign

by

Attacking BJP and Narendra Modi over election expenditure, Rahul Gandhi today alleged that corporates were pumping money into the saffron party’s campaign and asked it come clean on the source of funds.

“They (BJP) do politics of two-three corporates as they gift them ‘mota paisa’ (hefty money). From where is the money for big cutouts and posters coming,” Gandhi, who arrived in his constituency for a two-day campaign, said at an election rally.

Rohtang Pass reopens after five months

by

The snowbound Rohtang Pass, gateway to the adventure tourism destination of Lahaul valley in Himachal Pradesh, reopened for traffic after remaining closed for five months, an official said Saturday.

The pass, located at 3,978 metres in the Pir Panjal mountain range, was closed for traffic since November due to heavy snowfall.

“State-run buses between Manali and Keylong towns started plying from today (Saturday),” Lahaul-Spiti Deputy Commissioner B.S. Thakur told IANS.

The idyllic Lahaul Valley attracts a number of backpackers, especially foreigners.IANS

MERS virus can spread from camels to humans

by

The recently emerged Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) can be transmitted from camel to man, it has been found.

Scientists at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, show that the MERS coronaviruses in man and camels from a single region are almost identical.

The MERS coronavirus was first found in June 2012 in a patient from Saudi Arabia, who suffered from severe pneumonia.

The fact that the Arabian camel is the origin of the infectious disease has been confirmed recently. The transmission pathways of the viruses, however, have not been clear until now.

Adriana Lima splits from husband of five years

by

Actress Adriana Lima has split from her husband Marko Jaric after five years of marriage.

The Victoria’s Secret model and the NBA star, who tied the knot in a civil ceremony in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 2009, plan to continue co-parenting their two daughters, Valentina, four, and 19-month-old Sienna, reports contactmusic.com.

In a joint statement to people.com Friday, the former couple said: “After long and careful consideration, we have decided to separate after five years of marriage.

Barack Obama troubled by botched US execution

by

President Barack Obama called the botched execution of an Oklahoma inmate “deeply troubling” and announced that he’s going to ask the attorney general to analyse problems surrounding the application of the death penalty in the United States.

In his first public comments on the case of convicted murderer Clayton Lockett yesterday, the president, who formerly taught constitutional law, expressed conflicting feelings about the death penalty and said Americans need to “ask ourselves some difficult and profound questions around these issues.”

Army foils infiltration bid in J&K

by

The army has foiled an infiltration bid from across the Line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, an officer said Saturday.

Defence spokesman Col Manish Mehta told IANS: “Alert troops noticed movement of militants in Saujiyan area of the LoC in Poonch district late yesterday (Friday).

“The troops fired at the militants who ran back towards the LoC. Troops are on high alert in the area. The infiltration bid has been foiled.”

–IANS

Snoopgate not timed: Khurshid

by

Congress leader Salman Khurshid Saturday dismissed allegations that the Snoopgate issue has been timed to embarrass the BJP in the middle of the Lok Sabha election.

“There is no question of timing. We have been raising the issue for a long time,” Khursid told mediapersons here.

The union minister for external affairs also questioned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s committee that is looking after the Snoopgate accusation against him.