Month: January 2015

Ali Zafar`s star-studded music video to pay tribute to Army Public School victims

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Ali Zafar will honor the victims of the Army Public School (APS) massacre through the video of his new single ‘Urein Ge’ (Will Fly), which brings together Pakistani musicians, actors and sports stars.

The versatile actor and singer, 34 took to Twitter and shared “Can’t explain how humbled I feel to see the entire TV, film and music industry come together for a song I did about the #PeshawarAttack,” the Dawn reported.

The video includes cricket star Shoaib Malik, actor Ali Kazmi and his actor/director mother Saira Kazmi, Mahira Khan, and Humaima Malick among others.

Ukrainian President Proshenko vows to ‘calm’ fighting that killed 30 in east

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has vowed to ” calm ” the violence between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces in the eastern part of the country that killed 30 people on Saturday.

According to BBC, Poroshenko said that a peace deal signed in Septemeber in Minsk is the only solution to the conflict.

At least 30 people were killed and scores injured in a series of rocket attacks in the city of Mariupol in east Ukraine.

Ukraine blamed pro-Russia rebels, but the separatists said Ukrainian forces were behind the attacks.

NIA exposed Delhi Police: How innocent Liaquat framed

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Another alleged terrorist proved innocent. The old story of Police atrocities and false implication of cases against Muslims continues.

In a fresh case, National Investigation Agency (NIA), filed charge sheet against a fugitive police informer, exonerating a Jammu and Kashmir resident whom the Delhi Police Special Cell had arrested about two years ago on charges of being a Hizb-ul Mujahideen member.

20-year-old British jehadi, write guide on how to be a war widow

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A 20-year-old Aqsa Mahmood who left her privileged life in Glasgow for jihad in Syria. Aqsa has written a guide on how to be a war widow, sparking rumours her Islamic State fighter husband has been killed.

According to a Dailymail report, Aqsa who recently taken to social media and hit out at Mujahideen for ‘failing to tell their wives what will happen to them after they die’.

At least 18 killed in protests marking 4th anniversary of Egypt uprising

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Nearly 18 people, who were participating in protests organised to mark the fourth anniversary of Egypt’s 2011 uprising, have been killed in Egypt amid clashes between demonstrators and police.

Three police officers were among the dead, reported the BBC.

The clashes followed the death of an activist during a march in the capital city of Cairo on Saturday.

Security was beefed up across major cities and key locations in Cairo were blocked off, ahead of the anniversary.

Several people were killed in similar protests last year.

Morphine-like protein discovered in coffee

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Scientists have recently discovered a protein in coffee that has effects like morphine, it has been reported.

State-owned Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Embrapa said its genetics and biotech division, teaming up with the state University of Brasilia (UnB) scientists, had discovered previously unknown protein fragments with morphine-like effects in that they possess analgesic and mildly tranquilizing qualities, News.com.au reported.

‘Grown up’ Dustin Johnson ready PGA Tour return post six-month leave of absence

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American golf ace Dustin Johnson would end a six-month leave of absence from the sport to seek help for personal challenges with his return to the PGA Tour at next month’s Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.

Tournament organisers announced Johnson’s commitment to the February 5-8 event and the American on Saturday revealed that it was time for him to grow up and get back to competitive golf.

Johnson, whose unexpected absence began after the Canadian Open in late July, claimed that he has since been working hard with a team of top clinicians, including a life coach, Sport24 reported.

‘Make in India’ tableau steals the show in Republic Day parade

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The Make in India tableau stole the show at the Republic Day parade on Monday.

The float, which displayed a working model of the ‘ Make in India’ lion, invited manufacturers and investors to participate in the initiative.

Among the other tableaus of note were that of the Ayush Ministry; the Department of Atomic energy, which was celebrating its diamond jubilee; the Law Ministry, which showcased a ‘walk for justice’; and the Gujarat state float, which featured Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Dy CM Rajaiah dropped from Telangana Cabinet; K Srihari inducted

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Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday dropped one of his deputies, T Rajaiah, who was looking after Health portfolio, from the Council of Ministers and inducted K Srihari in his place.

“On the advice of Chief Minister, the Governor ESL Narasimhan has consented to drop Dr T Rajaiah from the Council of Ministers for Medical and Health with immediate effect,” a state government release said here.

The dropping of Rajaiah came against the backdrop of media reports over the last few days about alleged corruption and others in his office.

11 booked for burning effigy of US President in UP

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An FIR was registered against 11 persons for allegedly torching effigy of US President Barack Obama in protest against his visit to India, police said here on Monday.

The case was registered against Inamur Rehman and 10 unidentified persons after they torched an effigy of Obama at Shanker crossing here yesterday, Station House Officer (SHO) Anil Mishra said.

Rehman is an activist of Muslim Kisan Union, he said.

PTI

Swiss gold exports to India cross Rs 1.2 lakh crore

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Switzerland’s gold exports to India crossed Rs 1.2 lakh crore in 2014 even as concerns persist over bullion being used to channel illicit funds into the Indian shores.

The value of precious metal imported from Switzerland touched 17.1 billion Swiss francs (over Rs 1.2 lakh crore) during the 11-month period from January till November end in 2014, according to Swiss government.

Veggie TV presenter wants to be eaten by sharks when she dies

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Vegetarian TV presenter Michaela Strachan has admitted that she wants to be eaten by sharks when she dies.

The 48-year-old BBC ‘Springwatch’ star asserted that she will be buried in a biodegradable box, or have her body fed to sharks adding that she also wants people to be sad, the Daily Star reported.

Strachan also pleaded with viewers to stop sending her photos of animals asking her to identify them, saying she didn’t have a clue and that they should show them to fellow wildlife presenter Chris Packham.

(ANI)

Johnson rested until ODI tri-series final

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Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson has been rested until the tri-series final in Perth despite bowling with good pace in the practice session.

Reflecting on Johnson’s fitness, skipper George Bailey said that he was going reasonably well and wouldn’t be playing in Monday’s clash against India, adding that he would be building up for Perth.

Bailey further said that Johnson would be pretty keen to have a crack in Perth, which is regarded as one of the quickest and bounciest pitch in the world, the report added.

AirAsia flight QZ8501: Search team fails to raise crashed plane’s fuselage `again`

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The Indonesian rescue team has failed to lift the fuselage of the crashed AirAsia flight for the second time as the debris sank back to the ocean bed when a rope linking the lifting balloons broke.

Navy spokesman Manahan Simorangkir said that the retrieval was impeded by strong currents. The rope had been fastened and linked to a ship but it broke again as the fuselage was being lifted, reported News.com.au.

Simorangkir said that the team hoped that the weather would change and be conducive.

Stress in soon-to-be moms not good for fetal development

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Feeling stressed during pregnancy is not good for fetal development, says a new study.

To test whether high stress levels in pregnant mice had an impact on their offspring, pregnant mice received the natural glucocorticoid corticosterone at different times during pregnancy, either from day 11 to 16 (20 females), from day 14-19 (31 females), or not at all (74 control females).

Researchers found that increased levels of glucocorticoid stress hormones in pregnant mice caused the mother to eat more but reduced the ability of the placenta to transport glucose to her foetus.

All-women contingent for the first time on Republic Day

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When Captain Divya Ajith leads the first all-women contingent of the Army this Republic Day, she will carry on her shoulders the hopes and aspirations of women officers to soon serve the nation in combat roles.

“We believe we are equal and second to none. We have already marched for the first time on the Army Day and now another first would be the Republic Day parade. So, yes, we do wish to be in the combat force.

“And I hope that this first for us will also come soon,” Ajith of the Corps of Army Air Defence told PTI.

Currently, the army does not have women in combat role.

Woman dies of swine flu in Kota, toll in Rajasthan touches 19

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A 28-year-old pregnant woman succumbed to swine flu taking the death toll to 19 this year in Rajasthan, while eight more persons with symptoms of swine flu were admitted to hospitals here.

The seven months pregnant woman died on Sunday in Maharao Bheem Singh (MBS) government hospital in the city.

“Naina, resident of Kishanpura Takiya village, died of swine flu on Sunday morning in MBS hospital,” Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr R N Yadav said.

Two bombs explode in Assam

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Two low-intensity bombs exploded at the oil town of Digboi in upper Assam’s Tinsukia district on Monday as the state celebrated the 66th Republic Day.

“No damage or casualty has been reported so far from the very low intensity blasts,” Senior Superintendent of Police A P Tiwari said.

One of the explosions took place under dumped garbage near a railway track and another in a drain under the garbage there, he said.

“It seems from the impact that the bombs were handmade with no impact,” Tiwari said.

Investigations are on, he said.

–PTI

President Obama arrives at Rajpath for Republic Day celebrations

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed Republic Day parade chief guest US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at their arrival at the saluting dais at Rajpath in the national capital. A cheer lit the air as Prime Minister Modi and President Obama shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived at the venue and shook hands with the Chief of the Army, Navy and Air Force Staff – General Dalbir Singh, Admiral RK Dhowan and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha respectively.

Murray feels physically stronger than last year post advancing to Oz Open quarters

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Britain number one Andy Murray admitted that he felt much stronger physically than last year in the fourth-round tie against Bulgarian opponent Grigor Dimitrov.

Sixth seeded Murray, who trounced Dimitrov 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 7-5 in a pulsating thriller, cruised into the quarterfinal round of Australian Open .

Murray, who is eyeing his third major, said that he felt physically better than the last year for a match that went three and a half hours, the BBC reported.

‘Anti-austerity’ Syriza party sweeps Greek general election

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Greece’s Syriza party, which opposes austerity measures imposed on the nation by the European Union (EU), has reportedly won the general election, setting the country up for a possible showdown with the EU over its massive bailout.

Syriza is projected to win 149 seats in the 300-seat parliament, just two short of an absolute majority, reported the BBC.

The left-leaning Syriza Party leader Alexis Tsipras, who wants to renegotiate the terms for repaying the 325 billion dollar bailout and has even floated the idea of “debt forgiveness,” said “the Greeks wrote history.”

Meet the world’s first `emotional robot` designed to serve people with dementia

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A new robot has recently been developed that help take care of people with dementia by recognizing their emotions.

At Nishi-Koigakubo Ninjin Home, a special elderly nursing home in western Tokyo, elderly dementia patients recently spent time with Pepper, a humanoid robot with artificial intelligence being developed by SoftBank Mobile, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Said to be the world’s first robot designed to serve people by recognizing their emotions, Pepper is set to retail for 198,000 yen on the consumer market in February.

Four bomb blasts in Imphal during Republic Day celebrations

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Four powerful bombs exploded today morning in Manipur’s capital, Imphal during the Republic Day celebrations. No casualities have been reported yet.

The first explosion was reported at around 8 am near the Deputy Commissioner’s office in East Imphal. The area is close to the chief minister’s residence. The second blast took place just 80 metres away from the first, near a public playground at 9 am.

The third blast took place at Sangakpham around 10 am and the fourth near Singjamei.

Paramilitary and police forces have been deployed in large numbers around the area.

‘Historic and destructive’ storm could hit US

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A potentially “historic and destructive” winter storm and blizzard will likely hit areas of Massachusetts beginning Monday night, dumping heavy snow and bringing strong winds, state emergency officials said Sunday.

Areas of New York, including the New York City metropolitan area, and the city of Boston are in the storm’s path. Coastal New Jersey and parts of New England will also be affected, the National Weather Service said, CNN reported.

Congress to contest Tirupati bypoll

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Congress will field its candidate in the by-election for Tirupati Assembly constituency to be held on February 13.

“The government said it would waive the loans of women self-help groups. But, the government is slowly going back on its promise. The Tirupati bypoll would help us to put pressure on the government,” Andhra Pradesh Congress president N Raghuveera Reddy told reporters.