Month: December 2014

Pakistan second worst country in the world for women

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Pakistan has been ranked as the world’s second worst country for women, according to a study.

Meanwhile, Yemen has been ranked the world’s worst country for women to live in.

According to 24/7 Wall St., a recent report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) revealed that not one country in the world has successfully eliminated its gender gap.

The WEF’s 2014 Global Gender Gap Report came to the conclusion after measuring economic and social disparities between men and women in around 142 countries.

ATM transactions to turn costly from today

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With several banks taking up the recommendation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to curtailed the number of ATM transastions per month, using the the Automated Teller Machine to withdraw cash from Monday (Dec 1) will be costlier.

Starting December 1, banks will reduce the number of ATM transactions to 5 per month for its saving account holders and thereafter charged Rs 20 per usage. The banks will also charge over Rs 8.5 for a non-financial transaction beyond the given limited.

Three youths dead, one injured after being mowed down by car

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Three youths were killed and one injured when a speeding car ploughed into them while they were standing by the roadside.

Vipin (20), Neeraj (18) and Deepu (19) died on the spot while Diwakar(17) was injured in the accident that occurred last night.

Locals nabbed the driver and handed him over to the police.

I used to travel in search of music: Shantanu Moitra

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Music director Shantanu Moitra says he used to travel across India in search of music.

Shantanu, who began his musical career composing jingles in advertisements, has penned his debut book in English titled- ‘On the Wings of Music.’

The composer said his first such travel was while he was still a fresher in college to Jaisalmer from Delhi, where he grew up, to listen to Ravanhatta, a little-known string instrument.

“I had heard it but once at a cultural festival in Delhi and was completely mesmerised by its sound,” he said.

LET THOSE WHO HAVE DEAD HEARTS REJOICE – I

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I can no longer feel it.
It is certainly inside me, but I have not felt it for so long now. In fact, I do not know when, where or even how it happened. What I know now is that I do not feel it. I have lost it. It was inside me. I truly felt it. Nevertheless, it has died.

I remember when it was alive and energetic. I felt then that I was alive. Whenever I came to do an act of obedience, my living heart was full of joy and happiness. However, now it is completely darkened by acts of disobedience and covered with drapes that never allow light to penetrate it.

PPP chief says Pak PM Sharif’s govt better than dictatorship

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Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said, referring to the previous marshal laws in the country, that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government is better than dictatorship.

According to the Express Tribune, Zardari said that the PPP would not become a part of the conspiracy to derail democracy while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has stepped up pressure on the government for an audit of the 2013 elections.

Zardari’s comments came at a ceremony marking the party’s 47th foundation day at Bilawal House, Lahore.

Pope Francis urges Muslim leaders to condemn ‘terrorism in name of Islam’

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Pope Francis has urged Muslim leaders around the globe to denounce terrorism being carried out in the name of Islam.

Pope Francis spoke as he was returning from a three day visit to Turkey, reported the BBC.

He said that he understood the harmful effects of the stereotype that linked Islam with terrorism.

He said that a global condemnation of the violence would help Muslims dispel the stereotype.

He also called for an end to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.

Rajnath applauds BSF for giving befitting reply to Pak for ceasefire violations

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Lauding the Border Security Force (BSF) on its 49th Raising Day, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the force gave a befitting reply to Pakistan after the country repeatedly violated ceasefires.

“We Indians are worshippers of non-violence. If anyone dishonours our country in any way, our soldiers always give a befitting reply. Pakistan was repeatedly violating ceasefire still they maintained their calm and patience. But after repeated violations of ceasefire by them, the BSF gave them a befitting reply,” said Singh.

Muhammad, Sophia are most popular UK baby names

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A new study has revealed that Britain’s current favorite baby names are Muhammad for boys and Sophia for girls.

There has been a surge in Arabic names generally, with Nur a new entry in the girls’ top 100, jumping straight to number 29, the Guardian reported.

While, Maryam has risen 59 places to number 35. Whereas, the highest new entries were Nur, Emilia and Gracie.

Omar, Ali, and Ibrahim are new to the boys’ top 100. Teddy was the biggest climber within the top 100. The highest new entries were Kian and Jonathan.

Vegetable oil component helps combat gastric ulcers

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Linolenic acid, a component of vegetable oils, is key to destroying the bacteria strongly associated with gastric ulcers and cancer, a new study says.

The findings could lead to new treatment for gastric diseases.

“Current Helicobacter pylori bacterium treatments are facing a major challenge – antibiotic resistance,” said Liangfang Zhang, professor at the University of California’ San Diego School of Medicine.

“Our goal was to develop a nanotherapeutic that can tolerate the harsh gastric environment, kill H. pylori and avoid resistance,” Zhang added.

J & K: 28 school drop-outs, 55 crorepatis contesting in 2nd phase

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Out of the 175 candidates in fray in 18 constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir which are going to polls in the second phase on Tuesday, 97 or more than 50 % are not graduates and nine have criminal cases against them.

The affidavits submitted by the candidates along with their nomination papers suggest that nine of them are illiterate while 28 are school drop-outs, according to Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR).

A total of 55 candidates or 31% are crorepatis and have declared their properties to be worth over Rs one crore. There are only eight women candidates in the fray.

India to remain in Adelaide

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The Indian cricket team has decided to remain here instead of travelling to Brisbane, further indicating that the Adelaide Test appears likely to become the first match of the India-Australia series.

The Indian team was due to travel to Brisbane today for the first Test, which has been cancelled following the tragic death of Philip Hughes, but instead have put their travel plans on hold.

“The Indian side will remain in Adelaide until details for the first Test have been confirmed,” Cricket Australia said in a tweet.

Neymar will be the world’s best, says Brazilian Ronaldo

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Brazil football great Ronaldo said that the country’s national team lacked talent, but “it is just a matter of time” before Barcelona star Neymar becomes the “world’s best player”.

“Cristiano Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi are the best right now, but Neymar has come a long way. The move to Europe has done him good,” Ronaldo said in an interview published Sunday by the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper.

Brazil “is going through a hard time in every way”, especially “in administrative and talent terms”, Ronaldo said.

Corey Sligh attacked on Thanksgiving

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Actor Corey Sligh, who played a waiter and bartender on ‘The Young and the Restless’, has been hospitalised after being beaten by two strangers on Thanksgiving night.

The 27-year-old actor was allegedly hit by car and beaten by two strangers in the parking lot when trying to deliver a Thanksgiving meal to a friend in Los Angeles, reported Ace Showbiz.

He shared a black-and-white photo of him in his hospital bed, wearing a neck brace.

Miley Cyrus, Patrick Schwarzenegger enjoy romantic dinner date

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Pop star Miley Cyrus and Patrick Schwarzenegger reunited for a romantic dinner date after spending Thanksgiving holiday with their families.

The couple was spotted enjoying a romantic, sunset stroll together, reported Ace Showbiz.

In some photos, Miley and Patrick could be seen wrapping their arms around each other as they were heading out for a dinner at Nobu in Malibu.

Sporting a black sweater over a white tee, a long black skirt and a pair of sneakers, the 22-year-old songstress was seen all smiles.

Scientists devise $1 injectable contraceptive

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A new one dollar easyto-use injectable contraceptive has been developed by researchers who plan to distribute it in 69 of the world’s poorest countries by 2020.

The special device, with a smaller needle and no traditional syringe, will be sold at just $1 a unit.

An agreement has been signed which will make contraceptive injections available to women in 69 of the world’s poorest countries, BBC News reported.

The deal has been reached between the Gates Foundation, the drug company Pfizer and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.

Sensex rises 94 pts in early trade

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Continuing its winning-streak for the fourth straight session, the BSE Sensex rose by another 94 points in early trade today amid clamour for rate cut by the Reserve Bank tomorrow after the better-than-expected second quarter GDP growth.

The 30-share barometer spurted by 94.55 points, or 0.33 per cent, to trade at 28,788.54 with consumer durables, healthcare, auto, IT and banking sector stocks leading the rise. In the previous three sessions, the gauge rallied by over 355 points.

Mickey Rourke fight was fixed?

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Actor Mickey Rourke’s big comeback boxing match in Moscow, Russia was reportedly fixed.

‘The Wrestler’ star, 62, was handed victory by his homeless opponent, Elliot Seymour, who is 33 years his junior, reported TMZ online.

The Oscar nominee made a widely publicised appearance in the boxing ring on Friday.

“It was clearly a fixed fight. The whole bouncing off the ropes, hands down, punches were not landing and they were intentionally hitting each other’s gloves,” a source close to the Seymour family said.

US air base in S Korea lifts lockdown after shooter alarm

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A major US air force base in South Korea went into full lockdown for more than an hour today after what appeared to be a false alarm about a shooter at the facility’s high school.

“The security forces sweeps are now complete. There were no reported injuries or suspicious activity found,” the 51st Fighter Wing stationed at Osan Air Base said in a post on its official Facebook page.

“Everyone is safe. The lockdown has been lifted,” it added.

UHCANZ honoured MPs for Hindi speech

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(Syed Mujeeb) Urdu Hindi Cultural Association of New Zealand (UHCANZ) organized a Mubarakbad Programme for honorable Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Dr.Paramjeet Pramar and Honu.Mahesh Bindra at 54a Roberton rd. Avondale, Auckland.

Late-night snacks may damage memory

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Late-night meals may interfere with your memory, a new study has warned.

The study in mice found that eating during times of day when one would normally be sleeping impaired the animals’ memory for objects they had seen, even when the rats got the same amount of sleep as mice on a normal eating and sleeping schedule.

Study co-author Christopher Colwell, of the University of California, Los Angeles, and a team of researchers acclimatised mice to a normal sleep schedule, sleeping during the day. Mice are nocturnal, so they are normally awake at night and asleep during the day.

Being a Muslim woman, Gouhar shouldn’t wear short dresses: Accused Akhil malik

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A man slapped the Big Boss Season 7 winner during the grand finale of Star Plus show Raw Star Gauhar Khan while she was shooting for a television show at FilmCity on Sunday night.

The accused, Mohammad Akil Malik, 24, was pinned down by security persons on the sets and handed over to the Aarey Colony police. Officials said Malik had objected to the actor’s dress sense and for dancing to racy numbers. He also tried to touch her. He is likely to be booked on charges of molestation and assault.

Australian F1 driver Mark Webber suffers horror crash in Brazil

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Veteran Australian motor racing driver Mark Webber was injured in a high-speed crash at the Six Hours of Sao Paulo event.

Webber, racing for Porsche in the World Endurance Championship after quitting Formula One last season, was stretchered off the Interlagos circuit yesterday after his car collided with the Ferrari of Matteo Cressoni.

Footage showed both cars crashing into a concrete barrier at speeds estimated at around 300km/h with Webber’s vehicle catching fire before it came to a stop with the car wrecked.

Paul Walker fans pay tribute on his first death anniversary

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Fans of tragic actor Paul Walker gathered at the fatal crash site to pay their respects to the ‘Fast & Furious star’, one year after his demise.

Walker, 40, lost his life when a Porsche he was a passenger in crashed into a pole in Valencia, California on November 30 last year.

Hundreds of fans ignored heavy rain to gather at the site and leave flowers and photos of their hero, reported TMZ online.

Hughes’ funeral to be live screened at SCG

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The Sydney Cricket Ground will be open to the public on Wednesday for a live screening of Australian batsman Philip Hughes’ funeral.

According to report in Daily Telegraph, the SCG will show the live feed of Channel Nine’s broadcast on their super screens.

Hughes’ funeral will be held in his home town of Macksville at on Wednesday.

Hughes last knock of unbeaten 63 was at the SCG before he collapsed at the pitch after being hit by a Sean Abbott bouncer around the neck last Tuesday during a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales.