Month: January 2015

Maruti Suzuki’s Dec sales up 20.8 percent

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India’s largest passenger car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki Thursday reported a healthy sales growth of 20.8 percent, including exports, for Dec 2014 at 109,791 units.

The company sold 90,924 units in December 2013.

The company’s domestic sales increased by 13.3 percent to 98,109 units during the month under review as compared to 86,613 units sold in the corresponding month of 2013.

Maruti Suzuki exported 11,682 units last month, which was an rise of 171 percent from 4,311 units sold overseas during the last month of 2013.

‘PK’ is not against any religion: Ramdev aide

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An aide to yoga guru Ramdev says there is nothing wrong with Aamir Khan-starrer “PK” and that it only exposes those who misuse religion.

Ved Pratap Vaidik told IANS that he was amazed at the kind of people denouncing the movie. He said Ramdev might revise his critical views if he sees the Bollywood hit.

“Whatever Ramdev was told by people, on that basis he issued a statement (critical of the movie). But now perhaps he will see the film and form his own opinion,” Vaidik said.

SCG to unveil plaque in honour of Hughes’ memory ahead of fourth India-Oz Test

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In honour of late Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, a plaque would be unveiled at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Monday, a day before the fourth and final Test between Australia and India starts.

The Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust would place a plaque featuring a small bust of the late Hughes on the wall of the Member’s Pavilion outside the home dressing round as one of a number of planned tributes.

Hughes’ death five weeks ago in November after being struck by a bouncer at the SCG shocked the cricketing world, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Woman hacked to death by jilted lover in UP

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A 30-year-old woman was hacked to death by a jilted lover and her body was found from a well in Kotwali area here, police said Thursday.

The 34-year-old accused Ghyanshyam murdered the victim Gangajali by hacking her to death in Trikolia village on Monday night, Station House Officer Raj Kumar Yadav said.

The victim’s body was recovered from a well yesterday, Yadav said.

The accused has been arrested, he said, adding that the investigation is underway.

—PTI

India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear facilities

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India and Pakistan today exchanged the list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral agreement that bars them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities.

This is the 24th consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.

Gwyneth Paltrow regrets ‘consciously uncoupling’ with Chris Martin

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Gwyneth Paltrow is reportedly pondering over her decision of “consciously uncoupling” with Chris Martin after 10 years of marriage.

The Academy Award winning actress told Harper’s Bazaar U.K. in an interview that there were times when she thought about it that it would have been better if they had stayed married, which was always what their children wanted, E! Online reported.

Ryan Seacrest should date Taylor Swift: Jenny McCarthy

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Reality TV star Jenny McCarthy wants to set Ryan Seacrest up on a date with country singer Taylor Swift.

McCarthy, 42, who married Donnie Wahlberg during a lavish ceremony near Chicago in August, is eager to set the 40-year-old ‘American Idol’ host up on a date with Swift as she thinks the ‘Blank Space’ hitmaker, 24, is the perfect woman for him, reported E! online.

“Now I have to do that, I promise you. I think Taylor Swift would be perfect,” she said.

Is Dhoni thinking of abandoning rest of Oz Test tour for holidaying at home?

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni is likely to abandon the rest of the Australian Test tour following his sudden retirement from Test career for reportedly taking a vacation in between before returning to Australia for the one-day tri-series in mid-January.

An Indian spokesman said that Dhoni, who still remains the country’s 50-over captain, might return home to India before returning in time for the launch of their one-day campaign against Australia on January 18 in Melbourne, News.com.au reported.

PM greets nation on New Year

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted the nation on New Year, wishing that it brings immense happiness, peace and prosperity to everyone.

“Wishing you & your family a wonderful 2015! May this year bring immense happiness, peace & prosperity in everyone’s lives,” Modi tweeted.

Times survey raises concern over Sangh’s grip on Modi Government

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An exclusive survey was conducted for Times of India by IPSOS in eight biggest cities in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune, polled a little more than 1,200 men and women aged 18 and above shows that Modi has clearly retains the confidence and goodwill of the metropolitan middle class even after completion of seven months and five days as 15th Prime Minister of India.

People have given high approval rating to Modi’s government but there are also strong apprehensions about Sangh Parivar stirrer disrupting the development agenda.

List of nuclear facilities exchanged between India and Pakistan

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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday in a statement said that India and Pakistan exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities.

This annual exercise carried out between the two countries is covered under a bilateral agreement that bars them from attacking each other’s nuclear facilities.

This is the twenty fourth consecutive exchange of such list taking place between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.

Pak will come to right path one day’, says Rajnath

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Reacting to reports of fresh ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the Samba Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that diplomats of both the nations are holding regular talks over the issue and added that he was sure that the country would come to the right path one day.

“Pakistan should not have done this. The diplomats of both the nations are constantly in touch and I am sure they will come on the right path one day,” said Singh.

Devotees throng Golden Temple to offer their prayers at New Year

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A large number of devotees on Thursday thronged the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine of the Sikhs, on the first day of the New Year to offer their prayers and seek divine blessings.

Devotees took holy dips in the Sarovar (sacred tanks) and offered prayers for peace, good health and drug free Punjab.

Traditionally, the Sikhs follow the Nanakshahi Calendar which begins in March. However, devotees around the world visit the Golden Temple to celebrate the New Year as per the English era.

Develop Shamsabad tank as mini Tank Bund: Shamsabad Sarpanch

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Sarpanch of Shamsabad Mandal Mr. Rajamalla Siddeshwar urged AE Water Works to develop Shamsabad Tank as a mini Tank Bund. He lamented that even 7 years after the construction of International Airport in Shamsabad there is no development in the area. He urged AE Water Works Mahinder Reddy to take all necessary steps to make Shamsabad tank a mini Tank Bund. He observed that thousands of people visit Shamsabad airport hence giving a facelift to the lake situated roadside would beautify the surroundings.

Siasat news

Shoaib Malik wants selectors to explain decisions to exclude players from WC squad

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Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has claimed that he wanted to play in the elite tournament, but needed clarity on his role and wants the selectors to tell him what they expect from him.

The veteran all-rounder played the last of his 216 ODIs in June 2013, but was included in Pakistan’s 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from February 14 to March 29.

CIA admits its spy planes behind half of all UFO sightings during 1950s-60s

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The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has recently taken responsibility for at least half of all UFO sightings between 1950s-60s, it has been reported.

A previously confidential CIA document has revealed that most of the sightings were actually U-2 spy planes, News.com.au reported.

The report, ‘The CIA and the U-2 Program, 1954-1974’, written by Gregory Pedlow and Donald Welzenbach, outlines the CIA’s involvement in the development of the U-2 spy plane. It explains how the testing of the planes led to a massive increase in UFO reports.

Soon, automatic charging system that slithers to cars like ‘solid metal snake’

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Researchers are working on an automatic car charging system that would slithers from the wall on its own and connect to a Model S like ‘solid metal snake.’

Elon Musk said that Tesla has been working on the project that would work with all existing Model S vehicles on the road; however, it’s not clear whether such a system would be designed for Supercharging stations, home use, or both, the Verge reported.

Samantha in Ram Charan’s next?

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Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who is currently vacationing in Goa, is likely to be paired with Ram Charan in his yet-untitled Telugu movie with filmmaker Srinu Vaitla.

“Samantha has been finalised for the project. The paperwork would be completed very soon. The plan is to go on floors from second week of January,” a source from the filma¿s unit told IANS.

If confirmed, Samantha will be pairing up for the first time with Ram Charan.

Meanwhile, Srinu Vaitla is also on the lookout for a second heroine.

School Teacher Held for Molesting 15 Boys in China

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A 32-year-old primary school teacher has been detained by police for allegedly molesting 15 boys in southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

Zhang, who taught Chinese language to grade four students at Lima Primary School in Guichao Township, Funing County, confessed to police that he has molested 15 boys in the past two years, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.

The school’s principal has been dismissed from his post by the county education department.

Medical checkups of the 15 boys suggest none of them suffered physical injury, the report said.

Congress pulls up NDA Government for failing to end ceasefire violations by Pakistan

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The Congress on Thursday criticized the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government for failing to stop the ceasefire violations from across the border, and added that such activities by Pakistan have increased in pace since the new government took charge over seven months ago.

“Pakistan has been continuously involved in ceasefire violations. From the time the new Government came to force and Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, since then Pakistan has been more active across the international border,” Congress leader Rashid Alvi told ANI.

Centre faces criticism for changing name of Planning Commission to ‘Neeti Aayog’

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The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government on Thursday changed the name of the Planning Commission to ‘Neeti Aayog’.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi, however, criticized the government for only changing the name of the body, instead of coming out with some new initiatives to take the nation forward economically.

“This is all that the government has done in past seven months. They have not worked for nation. They have nothing left to do. If you think you will be praised for changing a name then you are mistaken,” said Alvi.

Trailers of ‘Aambala’ and ‘Yennai Arindhaal’ released online

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Theatrical trailers of Tamil films “Aambala” and “Yennai Arindhaal”, which are scheduled for release during the festive occasion of Pongal, were unveiled online Thursday on vido-sharing site Youtube on the occasion of New Year.

Of the two trailers, Ajith Kumar-starrer “Yennai Arindhaal”, an actioner, received overwhelming response with over three lakhs views in just a few hours.

Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, the film also features Trisha Krishnan, Anushka Shetty and Arun Vijay in important roles.

Rajnath Singh launches women safety mobile app ‘Himmat’

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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday launched India’s first integrated mobile application for women safety called ‘Himmat’, in the presence of Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi and Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

“The ‘Himmat’ application will strengthen women safety. Whosoever will download this smart phone-based application can alert the police in the hour of need by either shaking the phone or pressing the power button twice,” said Bassi.

Indian-origin marathon runner gets British Empire Medal

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Indian-origin 103-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh was today nominated for British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for his services to Sport and Charity while heart specialist Nilesh Samani has been named for knighthood.

Besides, NRI actress and writer Meera Syal who is famous for comedy roles on television in Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No 42, becomes CBE, Commander of British Empire.

She is among nearly 30 NRIs figuring in the honours list. Fauja Singh is widely believed to be the oldest marathon runner in the world.

Actor Edward Herrmann dies

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US TV actor Edward Herrmann, best known for his role in ‘Gilmore Girls’, has died. He was 71.

The star, who also appeared on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘The Practice’, ‘St Elsewhere’, ‘The Good Wife’ and ‘Oz’, passed away on December 31 after a battle with brain cancer, reported TMZ online.

Herrmann began his on-screen acting career in the early 1970s with roles as baseball great Lou Gehrig and Franklin D Roosevelt in TV movies.

He also appeared in the films ‘The Great Waldo Pepper’, ‘The Great Gatsby’, ‘The Betsy’, ‘Harry’s War’, ‘Reds’, ‘The Purple Rose of Cairo’ and ‘The Aviator’.