Month: January 2015

Taking statins in 30s can help prevent heart disease later in life

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Scientists have claimed that adults between the ages of 35 and 55 with even slightly high cholesterol are at risk of facing heart disease later in life.

Lead author Ann Marie Navar-Boggan at the Duke Clinical Research Institute likens the cumulative effects of elevated cholesterol to the long-term impacts of smoking, with every decade of high cholesterol increasing their chances of heart disease by 39 percent.

Navar-Boggan said that what we were doing to our blood vessels in our 20s, 30s and 40s was laying the foundation for disease that would present itself later in our lives.

Rahul Gandhi joins Delhi poll battle

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Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will campaign in South Delhi’s Kalkaji Assembly constituency for Delhi Assembly Elections on Tuesday.

Rahul will hold a roadshow today in Kalkaji with Pradesh Congress committee chief Arvinder Singh Lovely accompanying him.

Congress is expected to intensify its campaign between January 25 and February 5 and the party will hold as many as 150 meetings.

Chief Ministers of Kerala, Karnataka, Assam, Uttarakhand are among those who will campaign for the party in the polls.

Obama visit: Delhi Police advise commuters to avoid August Kranti Marg

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With US President Barack Obama scheduled to address a gathering at the Siri Fort auditorium in the city, the Delhi Traffic Police on Tuesday advised commuters to steer clear of the August Kranti Marg and its adjoining areas in South Delhi.

According to reports, the stretch will have restrictions at several points and the movement of traffic is likely to be affected. However, movement of vehicles will be allowed on Ring Road.

The police have also advised citizens to avoid route from Dhaula Kuan to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the afternoon.

Kurdish troops take back ‘strategic’ Syrian town of Kobane ending 4-month-long battle with IS

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Kurdish troops have reportedly pushed back the Islamic State (IS) militants to take back the strategic Syrian city of Kobane, putting an end to the four-month-long battle for the town, officials said.

According to the BBC, fighters from the Popular Protection Units (YPG) entered the outlying areas in the east of the town after the militants withdrew from the area.

The United States said that the terror group controlled almost 90 percent of the town.

Prez Obama to conclude India trip with Siri Fort address

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US President Barack Obama, who is on a three-day visit of India, shall conclude his trip by addressing a select gathering at the Siri Fort Auditorium in the national capital on Tuesday.

President Obama shall reportedly be focussing on the relationship between India and the US and on the importance of diversity as a democratic value, followed by a question-answer round.

Democratic governance a tool for social change: Vala

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Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Monday said democratic governance and administration are the tools for social change through which eradication of poverty and equality can be achieved.

While unfurling the tricolour at the 66th Republic Day celebrations here, he said “that is why we will not allow the democratic institutions and processes to weaken and will uphold the belief of people in the democratic governance.”

“We have obtained independence, but have to put in more efforts to bring peace and happiness in the country.”

Karnataka governor hails state welfare schemes on Republic Day

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Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala Monday lauded the Congress-led state government for launching many welfare schemes and public services like Mobile One project across the state on the occasion of 66th Republic Day.

In a brief address on this special occasion, Governor Vala hoisted the national flag and said that the state government has made remarkable progress in many fields, especially in public services, welfare and development schemes.

Obama to conclude India visit today with address to youth

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US President Barack Obama will conclude his three-day-long visit to India on Tuesday.

Prior to leaving for Saudi Arabia in the afternoon, Obama will address a select gathering that will include young Indians, at south Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium.

During the address, Obama is expected to stress on the shared values of the world’s largest democracies and speak on how to tap the energy of the people of India and the US, and to turn that into positive progress on the issues that matter in people’s lives.

Another Bodo militant wanted by Assam police held in Bengaluru

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Another NDFB(S) militant, wanted in connection with the violence in Assam in December last year, was arrested here on Monday, police said.

27-year old Sanju Bordoloi, the organising secretary of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit), was arrested from his hideout in the Electronic City based on specific inputs.

He is the second NDFB(S) militant to be arrested here since last week after the detention of Birkhang Basumatary, also allegedly involved in the Assam violence, on January 23.

Singapore President to visit India soon: Minister

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Singapore President Tan Keng Yam will make a state visit to India in two weeks to mark the golden jubilee of bilateral ties, a minister has said.

“President Tan Keng Yam will visit Delhi in two weeks’ time where he will meet Indian leaders and continue to build on bilateral engagement between the two nations at the highest levels,” Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said yesterday.

India and Singapore celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this year.

Woman, her four children murdered in Meerut

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A woman and her four children were among the six people hacked to death in Meerut, police said Tuesday.

The murders took place Monday at Suhail Garden.

Police said the deceased were identified as Rukhsana, the mother, and her children – Rinsha, 20, Julie, 8, Goongie, 6, and Suhail, 12. The bodies of all her children were found in pools of blood inside a house.

An unidentified man was also killed. Police said all the six were murdered by sharp edged weapons.

`Historic` winter storm strikes US

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A massive, wind-whipped blizzard slammed into the US Northeast on Monday, creating havoc for more than 60 million people and forcing New York City to shut down on a scale not seen since Superstorm Sandy devastated the region in 2012.

The potentially historic storm which could affect 20 percent of the US population, caused at least six states up and down the East Coast to declare emergencies, forced the cancellation of thousands of flights, closed major mass transit hubs and schools.

Rajasthan woman scripts history, leads guard of honour for US President

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In a first, a woman officer from the Indian Air Force, Wing Commander Pooja Thakur led the ceremonial guard of honour for US President Barack Obama at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday.

Thakur was seen giving commands, which was followed by the national anthems of the US and India. The 21-gun salute came next.

Thakur then escorted Obama for the inspection of the tri-service guard of honour.

Thakur hails from Rajasthan and has served in the IAF for 13 and a half years and is an administrative officer posted at its publicity cell, DISHA, at the Delhi Air Headquarters in New Delhi.

India needs Beijing as ‘crucial’ partner, China asserts

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Showcasing the growing warmth in Sino-Indian ties, China today said the visit by US President Barrack Obama to India will have little impact on bilateral ties, asserting that New Delhi also needs Beijing as a “crucial” partner.

In its second commentary in as many days on Obama’s visit, the official Xinhua news agency said that while the US President probably is one of the most high-profile guests ever attending the Republic Day parade, his presence “this time is not expected to significantly impact the longstanding China-India relations.”

Lanka’s Marxist party lodges complaint against Rajapaksa’s son

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A complaint against the enlistment of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son in the country’s navy in 2006 was lodged today by a key partner of the new ruling coalition.

The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today complained to Defence Secretary B M U D Basnayake against Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha who is a Lieutenant in the Sri Lankan Navy.

They accused Yoshitha Rajapaksa of enlisting illegally and depriving qualified personnel of overseas training.

The JVP, said Yoshitha, 27, did not have the basic qualifications when he was recruited to the navy in 2006.

Modi promises predictable tax regime; Obama raises IPR issues

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wooed US investors promising a predictable tax regime, removing “remaining uncertainties” and an open business environment as President Barack Obama pledged USD 4 billion in investment for trade with India.

At the same time, Obama flagged US concerns over trade barriers, intellectual property rights and sought consistency and simplicity in regulatory and tax regime for ease of doing business with India.

Avoid August Kranti Marg in view of Obama’s movement: police

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Movement of traffic on August Kranti Marg in south Delhi is likely to remain affected tomorrow morning as the US President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend a programme at the Siri Fort auditorium.

Delhi Traffic police has advised to avoid the stretch as there would be restrictions at several points at the August Kranti Marg.

Movement of vehicles, however, would be allowed on the Ring Road.

Police has also advised citizens to avoid stretch of road from Dhaula Kuan area to the IGI Airport further in the afternoon.

PM, Vice Prez, Sonia condole Laxman’s death

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Congress President Sonia Gandhi today paid rich tributes to legendary cartoonist R K Laxman, who died in Pune.

“India will miss you RK Laxman. We are grateful to you for adding the much needed humour in our lives & always bringing smiles on our faces.

“My condolences to the family & countless well-wishers of a legend whose demise leaves a major void in our lives. RIP RK Laxman,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

CEOs from India, US discuss IPR, piracy among other issues

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Issues related with intellectual property rights, including piracy of films and software, figured prominently during the India-US CEO Forum here attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama.

Talking to reporters after the meet ended, HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh said Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger raised the issue of film piracy.

“…They (Walt Disney) have lots of investments in India but lot of films are pirated. The laws are there but implementation is difficult.

Pak air force shows off JF-17 fighter jets

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Pakistan’s Air Force today formally inducted indigenously-built JF-17 Thunder fighter jets into its combat school.

The PAF said that a special ceremony was held at the Combat Commanders’ School at PAF Base Mushaf to include the fighter in the country’s defence force.

The jets carried out a display that was met with applause by a jubilant crowd that had gathered for the ceremony.

Air Marshal Sohail Aman, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) who was the chief guest at the occasion also met the air and ground crew.

Did govt hold back on display of military might, wonders

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As India showcased its rich cultural diversity and military might with the US President Barack Obama watching today at the 66th Republic Day parade, Congress leader Manish Tewari questioned why the government did not display its strategic assets this time.

Citing a media report, the former Union minister wondered whether the usual list of display was maintained at this year’s parade vis-a-vis India’s weapon delivery systems.

Cong, AAP attack govt over Bedi at R-Day function

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Congress and AAP today raised objections over BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi being seated in the VVIP enclosure at the front row during the Republic Day function here, saying that it was gross misuse of power and Election Commission should look into the matter.

Death toll from GM ignition switches rises to at least 50

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At least 50 people have died in crashes involving General Motors cars with defective ignition switches.

Attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who was hired by GM to compensate victims, updated the totals today.

With five days before the deadline to file claims, Feinberg has received 338 death claims and 2,730 for injuries.

So far he’s deemed a total of 50 deaths and 75 injuries eligible for compensation.

GM knew about faulty ignition switches in Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars for more than a decade but didn’t recall them until February.

Putin brands Ukraine army a NATO proxy as fighting flares

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President Vladimir Putin today ridiculed the Ukrainian army as NATO’s “foreign legion”, ignoring Western pressure on the Kremlin to rein in a pro-Russian insurgency that has gone on the offensive across eastern Ukraine.

Putin’s comments came as an emergency meeting of the Western alliance’s NATO-Ukraine Commission was called to discuss a surge in fighting that has led to a spate of civilian casualties and rapidly growing pressure on Ukraine’s troubled military.

Suryakumar quits as Mumbai Ranji captain, Tare to lead side

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Suryakumar Yadav has quit as captain of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team following poor run of the side in the season and Aditya Tare has been named to lead the side in the remaining matches.

Yadav, who led the side in the absence of experienced Zaheer Khan and Rohit Sharma, had a decent show with the bat as has scored 485 runs at an average of 53.88 but Mumbai are placed sixth out of nine teams in Group A with 11 points from six games.