Month: November 2014

No compromise on security of north-east: PM Modi

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Asserting that his government would not compromise on the security of the north-east, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre works with the mantra of development.

“We will fulfill our promises; there will be no compromise on the security of the north-east. I can say with confidence that the BJP government works with one issue, one mantra which is development,” he said.

The Prime Minister further said it was the BJP workers who ensured the party’s splendid victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

US alarmed as Islamic State expands campaign into North Africa

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The Islamic State is reportedly opening a branch in North Africa in an attempt to expand its caliphate across Syria and Iraq.

The US and its allies are apparently alarmed by the IS move aimed at expanding its so-called caliphate.

According to The Washington Times, affiliated militants are already wreaking havoc in eastern Libya and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, presenting a complex challenge for Washington and its allies in the region.

Black money: CBDT orders probe against select real estate firms

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CBDT has ordered an Income Tax department investigation against a number of real estate developers who were recently shown by an investigative portal to be willing to accept alleged black money in property transactions.

The apex authority of the I-T department has asked its investigation units across the country to furnish to it reports of any action or probe conducted against the groups named by the portal in the past and in case such an action has not been done, the Central Board of Direct Taxes has ordered the same to be initiated.

Auto industry pitches for continuation of excise duty relief

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Car makers have asked the government to extend excise duty relief, which is ending on December 31, saying removal of this incentive could push the industry into a negative territory.
The government had cut excise duty on cars, SUVs and two-wheelers in the Interim Budget in February to help the industry tide over a demand slump.

In June, the new government extended the excise duty concession for automobiles by six months to December 31.

Demi Lovato prefers singing over acting

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Demi Lovato has recently admitted that if she’ll have to choose between singing and acting, she would definitely be a singer.

The ‘Really Don’t Care’ artist said that singing was her passion and there was no better feeling than performing for a live audience, as it allows her to feel the energy when she connects with her fans, People magazine reported.

However, it’s also fun to experiment with edgy looks or play a character that is completely different from herself, which is why she loves acting because it allows her to step outside of herself for a moment, she further added.

Dubai to invest $32-bn to build world’s largest airport

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To further secure its position as the world’s aviation hub, Dubai Airports is building a whopping USD 32-billion greenfield airport at the upcoming Dubai World Central, 30 km off the present international airport which already is the second busiest in the world.

The proposed new airport will become the world’s largest aviation facility on completion and will have five runways which all will be simultaneously operational, all A380-compatible with a length of 4.5 km each.

RBI may keep policy rate unchanged on Tuesday

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The Reserve Bank of India may keep policy rate unchanged in its upcoming monetary policy review on Tuesday even as the Finance Minister and industry clamoured for the rate cut to prop the economy after GDP growth slipped to 5.3 per cent in the second quarter of current fiscal.

At the same time, inflation has hit multi-year low making a case for the rate cut.

Joni Mitchell ‘squelches’ Taylor Swift’s chance to play her in biopic

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Joni Mitchell has reportedly “squelched” plans for Taylor Swift from playing her in a new biopic based on the book ‘Girls Like Us.’

The iconic Canadian musician said that she told to the producer it’s just a lot of gossip as he doesn’t have the great scenes because all he has got is a girl with high cheekbones, the Mirror reported.

Joni later added that there’s a lot of nonsense about her in books, “assumptions, assumptions, assumptions.”

Want to inspire future actresses to take risks: Priyanka

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Fresh from the success of ‘Mary Kom’, Priyanka Chopra says it is her goal to do more meaningful films and inspire future actresses to take up challenging roles in Bollywood.

Priyanka feels actresses are afraid to take risks because of the fear of failure but according to the star success can be achieved by striking a balance between commercial cinema and substantial content.

“Actresses are scared to take risks. They think they will fail and might not get good work after that. It is possible that they may fail but they should start taking up prominent roles.

Terror plot to attack US consulate codenamed wedding hall

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The code name for the terror plot to attack the US consulate in Chennai was a “wedding hall” which was to be executed by “cooks”, a code for terrorists who were to gain entry from Maldives into India.

Details of the failed plot were contained in the 23-page court order of Designated Special NIA Judge in Poonamallee, Chennai, in connection with the case.

Govt to go ahead with land swapping agreement: PM

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Focusing on security issues in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his government will go ahead with the land swapping agreement with Bangladesh for a permanent solution to the infiltration problem.
Focusing on security issues in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his government will go ahead with the land swapping agreement with Bangladesh for a permanent solution to the infiltration problem.

My ‘spiritual animal’ is a dog, says Amy Adams

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Amy Adams has revealed that she thinks her “spiritual animal” is a dog.

The ‘American Hustle’ actress said that she goes into a frenzy of eager anticipation when she meets new people on sets just like a puppy, 24.com reported.

Adams added that when she was younger, she was just so hyper and friendly to everybody and now when she comes on set, she’s like a golden retriever at a dog park, because she’s just so happy to be around people and eager to please. (ANI)

US keen for co-production, co-development in defence with India

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With India being one of the top priorities of the Obama Administration, the US is keen to explore co-production and co-development opportunities in defence with the rising Asian power and expand maritime security cooperation to further strengthen the strategic ties.

“We think there is a strong potential (in Indo-US defense ties). We want to translate that strong potential into action and reality. And that is desired on both sides,” Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Puneet Talwar told PTI on the eve of his visit to New Delhi.

Amit Shah’s rally will sound poll bugle for 2016 elections: BJP

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Launching a frontal attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh on Sunday said that party chief Amit Shah’s rally in Kolkata will sound the poll bugle for the 2016 assembly elections where the call will be for a ‘Mamata-free Bengal’.

“The Modi wave has frightened Mamata. And due to that she tried to stop Amitji’s rally in Kolkata. But that attempt didn’t work. Our rally today will sound the poll bugle for 2016 and it will be to have a ‘Mamata-free Bengal’ in 2016,” Singh said.

Review ‘no-detention’ policy: Education panel to govt

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An education panel constituted by CABE, the highest decision-making body on education in the country, has recommended the government to review the no-detention policy till class VIII under the RTE Act which has come under a lot of criticism.

This in effect could mean that the scheme of automatic promotion in primary school could come to an end from the coming academic session, amid reports suggesting that 60 per cent of students in Class 3 were not able to read the books prescribed for Class 1.

Modi slips to second spot in TIME’s ‘Person of the Year’ poll

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slipped to the second place in the Time magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ poll with the Ferguson protesters surging ahead of him in a vote by the readers.

As per latest reports, Mr. Modi is leading second with 9.8 per cent of the total votes polled so far while the Ferguson protesters are leading with 10.8 per cent of the votes.

Joshua Wong, face of the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement, is placed third.

Nobel Peace prize winner Malala Yousafzai (5.3 per cent) and Russian President Vladimir Putin are placed fourth and fifth respectively.

‘Huge success in fight against HIV, but more needs to be done’: WHO official

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Massive success has been achieved in the fight against HIV, but still more than 50 per cent of people living with the infection in South-East Asia region are either not linked to care or not aware of their status, a senior WHO official said today.

Ahead of the World Aids Day on December 1, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Poonam Khetrapal Singh today said the success has come due to concerted efforts through civil society movements, supported by national and international commitments and scientific research.

Permission by Calcutta High Court a victory of masses, says BJP president Amit Shah

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BJP national president Amit Shah on Sunday said the permission given by Calcutta High Court for his rally here is a victory of the masses.

“After several hurdles and obstacles by the state government, I will address a public rally in Kolkata today.

The permission given by the High Court is the victory of masses,” Shah said in a Facebook post after arriving here.

Shah’s rally was given the green signal on Saturday by the city municipal corporation and the fire department.

New book claims lazy employees benefit organizations more than diligent counterparts

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A new book has claimed that lazy employees are actually valuable assets to an organization.

According to ‘ Selfish, Scared and Stupid ‘ by Kieran Flanagan and Dan Gregory, the “lazy” yet results-driven employee tend to look for an easier way, will actively seek out the shortcut or try to save time, energy and resources and even have a minimum effort, maximum result mindset, News.com.au reported.

Nadal’s uncle believes Federer deserves to be considered ‘greatest’ player of all time

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Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal’s uncle and life-long coach Toni Nadal believes that 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer and not his 14-time Grand Slam champion nephew deserves to be considered the greatest tennis player of all time.

Federer holds the record for grand slam titles with 17, adding his first Davis Cup title last weekend to his list of achievements. Toni said that Federer is the best of all time, adding that the numbers say so.

Obama’s daughters criticized for ‘classless’ outfits at thanksgiving event

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US President Barack Obama’s daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama, were recently condemned for their outfits at the annual turkey pardoning event at the White House.

A Republican official called them disrespectful and classless for their choice of attire at a Thanksgiving ceremony, the BBC reported.

Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Republican congressman Stephen Fincher, made her comments in a Facebook post. It was heavily criticized and subsequently deleted.

Lauten, however, later apologized for her “hurtful words.” (ANI)

World’s first computer more complex than previously believed

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A new study has revealed that the Greeks were able to predict eclipses and engineer a highly complex machine-sometimes called the world’s first computer-at an earlier stage than believed.

The study also supports the idea that the eclipse prediction scheme was not based on Greek trigonometry (which was nonexistent in 205 B.C.)-but on Babylonian arithmetical methods, borrowed by the Greeks.

Battle for Syrian town of Kobane reportedly intensifies

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Fighting between Islamic State militants and Kurdish forces backed by US have reportedly intensified in the Syrian border town of Kobane.

According to the BBC, IS militants launched at least four suicide attacks, with reports saying at least 25 people were killed.

Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria have vowed to continue their battle for control of the besieged town of Kobani on the Turkey border.

Peshmerga fighters have been allowed to enter the besieged northern Syrian city of Kobani from Turkey to defend the town from Islamic State militants.

Muslims can progress only through education, says AIMPLB chairman Maulana Rabe Hassani Nadvi

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Stressing on the need to carry forward revolutionary efforts made by Muslims in the past, the Chairman of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Maulana Rabe Hassani Nadvi said the community could progress only through education.

Addressing an international seminar yesterday on the 100th foundation day of Darul Musanfeen Shibli Academy here, Nadvi said education was the key to remove backwardness among the community.