Month: January 2015

Now, call auto rickshaws on demand in Ludhiana

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A new mobile app which will help you call auto rickshaws on demand, Jugnoo, is now available in Ludhiana after making a successful debut in Chandigarh.

Users can download Jugnoo, register with their email address and start using the service. Once a user has logged in, his exact location is pin-pointed on a map. When he requests for a ride, the nearest autos receive the request. They have one minute to respond before the request is sent to another set of auto drivers till the ride is accepted. The driver who accepts the ride is directed to the pick-up location.

Shhh! Your baby learning in sleep too

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While infants sleep, they are reprocessing what they have learnt during the day, a study has found.

Working with researchers from the University of Tubingen, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany discovered that babies of the age from nine to 16 months remember the names of objects better if they had a short nap.

And only after sleeping can they transfer the learnt names to similar new objects.

The infant brain thus forms general categories during sleep, converting experience into knowledge.

Sensex drops over 400 points after hitting lifetime high

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The Sensex opened higher at 29,801.60 and shot up further to lifetime high of 29,844.16 on strong initial buying.

The benchmark BSE Sensex dropped sharply by 448.81 points in late morning trade today due to fresh selling pressure in banking, consumer durable and FMCG sectors despite buying in realty and power stocks. The Sensex opened higher at 29,801.60 and shot up further to lifetime high of 29,844.16 on strong initial buying in view of strong foreign capital inflows. However, it declined to 29,232.96 on profit-booking, showing a loss of 448.81 points, or 1.51%, at around 1330 hours.

CIL stake sale begins; shares tank nearly 4% in early trade

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The government’s 10 percent stake sale in bluechip Coal India, to raise an estimated Rs 22,600 crore, began on Friday.

The total issue of 31.58 crore shares got bids for over 45.02 lakh shares by 1005 hours, as per the NSE data.

The retail category of 12.63 crore shares got bids for over 7.20 lakh shares (0.57 percent). The general category of over 50.53 crore shares were subscribed nearly 0.75 percent.

On the BSE, the company’s scrip hit a low of Rs 360.50, down 3.90 percent over its previous close, soon after the start of market hours today.

Rupee recovers 12 paise against dollar in early trade

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The rupee recovered by 12 paise to 61.74 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on fresh selling of the American currency by exporters.

Forex dealers said the dollar’s weakness against other currencies overseas and a higher opening in the domestic equity market also supported the rupee.

Negative stereotyping affects memory, cognitive performance of older people

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A new study has recently revealed that negative stereotyping affects memory and cognitive performance of older people.

A research team at the University of Kent’s School of Psychology carried out a review and meta-analysis of Aged-Based Stereotype Threat (ABST). The most comprehensive analysis to date of research on the effect of negative stereotypes on older people’s abilities has concluded that these stereotypes create a significant problem for that demographic.

At least 26 killed in IS’ attacks on Egyptian military in Sinai peninsula

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At least 26 people have been killed including many soldiers after Islamic State (IS) militants launched a series of attacks in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula.

According to BBC, military targets were hit by car bomb and mortars in the North Sinai capital El-Arish.

The nearby town of Sheik Zuwayid and the town of Rafah, bordering Gaza, were also attacked.

IS ‘ faction Ansar Beit al-Maqdis claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Tensions have been raised across Egypt amid protests marking the anniversary of 2011 uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak.

–ANI

Ceasefire violations have become a routine affair during BJP’s rule: Congress

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The Congress Party on Friday alleged that violations of the ceasefire agreement by Pakistani forces have become routine during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, stating that the Centre has failed to deal with Islamabad.

“The ceasefire violation is a continuous thing that has been happening during Prime Minister Modi’s government. Inviting the Pakistan Prime Minister for the swearing-in ceremony and opening a new chapter, as they claim, in relations with Pakistan. But what are we getting back?” Congress leader P C Chacko told ANI.

Inzamam backs Pak to play ‘fearless’ cricket at WC

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Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has backed Misbah-ul-Haq’s side to play a fearless cricket, saying the team has the potential to spring surprises despite limitations in the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Pakistan’s World Cup squad doesn’t feature seasoned off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and the team has been grappling with injuries to their fast bowlers.

Hindu outfit “reconverts” Nine LABOURERS in TN

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Amid raging controversy over “ghar wapsi”, nine persons, including three couples, were reconverted to Hindu religion after being Christians for over a decade at a brief ceremony here today.

Deivanayagi, her husband Sekar, Annakili and her spouse Rajendran and Lakshmi and her husband Jeyaraman were the
couples who were reconverted at a brief ceremony.

Besides them, Jamuna, Nagamma and Mouli Velu were the others who returned to the Hindu faith.

All of them hail from suburban Minjur here and are construction labourers.

Andhrite domination continued in MFC

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Although separate Telangana state was formed 7 months ago but some institutions are still dominated by Andhrite forces. Minority Finance Corporation is also one among them. Despite bifurcation of the state, board of governors nominated by Congress government have sway over Minority Finance Corporation. Just before the bifurcation of the state and his resignation the then chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy had appointed officers in some institutions including Minority Finance Corporation. Over the change of any government the persons appointed by the previous government resign on moral grounds.

THE STAGE OF PATIENCE – II

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Just as disobedience is the reason behind all forms of misery and wretchedness, patience with disobedience is the reason behind all forms of success and superiority. It is the patience of those who love Allah The Almighty and know His might and majesty. It is the patience of those young people beset by desires and evil objects that are beautified for them and the call, “Come!

Saudi Arabia proposed for hosting MEN-ONLY Olympics

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With a controversial plan, Saudi Arabia wants to host a male-only Olympics.

Prince Fahad bin Jalawi al-Saud – a consultant to the Saudi Olympic Committee proposed the gender-segregated games and said the country could bid jointly with Bahrain, which could host the women’s events.

“Our society can be very conservative. It has a hard time accepting that women can compete in sports,” the Prince told French website Francs Jeux.

“Wearing sports clothing in public is not really allowed. For these cultural reasons, it is difficult to bid for certain big international events.”

Crime In Hyderabad (30.1.2015)

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Suspicious death of realtor
(Siasat News): A real estate trader died in Borabanda in suspicious circumstances. According to S R Nagar police, the deceased Pasha Khan, 60 died yesterday.

A complaint has been lodged by his son Chand Pasha. Police further said that he died suddenly yesterday as he was not keeping well since his wife had expired a few days ago.

Moreover, he was under mental pressure. The actual cause of the death is yet to be ascertained that would be disclosed after the post mortem.

Israel reduces electricity to indebted Palestinians

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Israel’s state-run electricity company is to reduce energy supplies to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank because of a debt of more than USD 450 million, an official said today.

The move comes at a time of diplomatic tensions, weeks after Israel froze the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) tax revenues in retaliation for joining the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Sensex hits another peak of 29,844.16; Nifty at 8,996.60

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The BSE Sensex continued its record setting spree and hit a new peak of 29,844.16 and the NSE Nifty inched towards the 9,000-level in early trade today on robust fund inflows and sustained optimism over the upcoming Budget.

The 30-share index rose by 162.39 points, or 0.54 per cent, to hit a new peak of 29,844.16 (intra-day), breaking its previous record of 29,786.32 touched on January 28.

In previous ten sessions, the Sensex had recorded a massive rise of over 2,346 points, or more than 8 per cent.

Egypt condemns UN statement on 2011 revolution anniv violence

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Egypt today condemned a UN statement on clashes that took place on the 4th anniversary of 2011 revolution, saying the global body neglected terrorism and arson committed by the supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The statement was released by High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Tuesday.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that the statement has ignored that the Muslim Brotherhood have planted planting of bombs and explosives in public places to terrorise citizens on semi-daily basis.

India’s FDI increased by 26 per cent in 2014: UN

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Notwithstanding the decline in global foreign direct investment inflows, India’s FDI increased by 26 per cent in 2014 to an estimated USD 35 billion with maximum growth in the services sector, a UN report said today.

China toppled the US in 2014 as the world’s largest recipient of FDI — a position that the US had been holding almost consistently since the 1980’s — though with a modest increase of 3 per cent, the latest ‘Global Investment Trade Monitor’ report released by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said.

8,100 acres acquired for new AP capital city

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Andhra Pradesh Government today said about 8,100 acres of land has been acquired from farmers for construction of a new capital city.

As per the Government plan unveiled late last year, 17 villages in the existing Guntur district will be developed into a new capital city, which will be spread across 30,000 acres and located on the southern side of Krishna river.

P Narayana, Minister for Municipal Administration, said about 8,100 acres of land has been acquired till yesterday from farmers for the capital project.

Bengal Guv, CM and Gurung condole Ghishing’s death

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West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today condoled the death of Gorkha National Liberation Front founder Subhas Ghishing.

The Gorkha Janmukti President Bimal Gurung also condoled the death of Ghishing saying that his demise was a political loss to the people in the Hills.

The governor said in a message, “Mr Subhas Ghishing was a man of determination and had good support. He made a great contribution to the uplift of the hills.”

Woman burns to death alcocholic husband, ends her life

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Unable to bear the daily torture of her alcoholic husband, a 45-year old woman allegedly killed him by setting him ablaze before immolating herself at Vadakarai in neighbouring Sivaganga district, Police said today.

Panchavarnam, running a petty shop along with her husband, was enraged late last night as her husband quarrelled with her in an inebriated mood when she was very tired and asleep.

When he was fast asleep, she doused him with kerosene and set him ablaze. Later she allegedly committed self-immolation, police said adding the bodies were removed this morning.

Sri Lanka says it will return private land in civil war area

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Sri Lanka’s new government plans to return private land seized by the military in the civil war-ravaged north and release several hundred detainees, a minister said, in an apparent move toward reconciliation with ethnic minority Tamils.

Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told reporters late Wednesday that the government of new President Maithripala Sirisena will ease its military presence, and that unlike the previous administration that was defeated in the January 8 election, does not believe military action alone can prevent a resurgence of the rebels.

Civil court orders notice to Rajnikanth, Lingaa Director

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A civil court here has ordered a notice to superstar Rajnikanth, the director and producer of his latest film ‘Lingaa’ on a petition by debutant director K R Ravi Rathinam alleging plagiarism of his work by them.

Ravi Rathinam has moved the civil court after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court last month rejected his petition on the matter and directed him to approach the civil court within four weeks.

No mobile phones, midway exit permitted at MNS meet tomorrow

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In the wake of several senior leaders leaving the party in recent weeks, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has barred the party workers and leaders from carrying cell phones at tomorrow’s meeting.

According to a senior party functionary, Thackeray has even prohibited party leaders from leaving the auditorium midway during the full-day session, where he is expected to spell out a future roadmap for the party.

Hindu outfit protests at AAP office

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Activists of Hindu Raksha Dal (HRD) staged a demonstration in front of the AAP office here in Kaushambi today.

The activists burnt the effigy and posters of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and raised slogans against him.

Founder and national president of Hindu Raksha Dal Bhupender Tomar alias Pinki Chaudhary said Kejriwal is “deceiving the innocent public of Delhi. He is contesting election from New Delhi, but lives in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad”.

Chaudhary also alleged that Kejriwal and AAP are hands in glove with Naxalites.