Month: February 2015

How Wudu (Ablution) can prevent Swine flu and other infections

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Swine flu is steadily becoming an alarming health threat in India. And this scaring disease has already spreads its wings in the states like Telangana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi and will continue to spread in many other states.

Swine flu is a respiratory virulent disease. It multiplies by breathing polluted air. If come in contact with virus laden droplets, the virus directly comes in contact with the inner linings of areas which are called mucosal surfaces.

AAP national executive meet to discuss expansion plans

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AAP today held its first national executive meeting following its landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly polls in which party leaders discussed its future course of action and expansion plans.

However, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is AAP national convener, and his deputy Manish Sisodia did not attend the meeting as they were busy with government work, AAP sources said.

Indian-Origin Man Faces Jail for Photographing Underage Boy

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A 41-year-old Indian-origin man in Singapore is facing 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to charges of arranging a minor’s sexual tryst with a part-time model and photographing them in a hotel room.

The IT specialist pleaded guilty in a district court yesterday and would be sentenced on March 10 this year, The Straits Times reported.

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces 10 years in jail and a fine.

Did Modi Take a Que From Nehru’s ‘Mann ki Baat’?

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Letters for a Nation: From Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers (1947-1963); Author: Edited by Madhav Khosla; Publisher: Allen Lane/Penguin Books; Pages: 334; Price: Rs.599

Narendra Modi may well have taken a cue from the country’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, when he decided to address the nation over radio in talks titled “Mann ki Baat”. During the 17 years he held office, Nehru did that too – by writing regularly to the chief ministers. But these letters were for the nation, each exposing his views on a variety of subjects as he presided over the destiny of free India.

US, India have ‘historic opportunity’ to enhance ties: experts

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The US and India have a “historic opportunity” to dramatically enhance bilateral ties and America’s effort should be to influence rather than direct in the relationship, experts have told lawmakers here.

“The US and India have a historic opportunity to dramatically enhance their bilateral relationship,” Abraham Denmark, senior vice president of the National Bureau of Asian Research, said in his testimony before the Committee on House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Christian of Dalit origin will be Dalit if he embraces Hinduism: SC

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The Supreme Court Thursday said that a Dalit whose parents or grandparents embraced Christianity will get the benefits of reservation meant for Scheduled Caste if he converts to Hinduism.

“… we are inclined to hold that the appellant (K.P. Manu) after reconversion had come within the fold of the community and thereby became a member of the Scheduled Caste,” a bench of Justice Dipak Mishra and Justice V. Gopala Gowda said.

“Had the community expelled him, the matter would have been different. The acceptance is in continuum,” the bench said.

Rupee falls 10 paise against dollar in early trade

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The rupee weakened by 10 paise to 61.85 against the United States dollar in early trade on Friday at the Interbank Foreign Exchange due to a rise in the Greenback’s value against other currencies overseas.

Forex dealers attributed the rupee’s fall to month-end demand for the American currency from importers as well as the dollar’s strength against other global currencies, but a higher opening in the domestic stock market capped the rupee’s decline.

Selena Gomez reaches out to suicidal fan

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Singer-actress Selena Gomez has reached out to her troubled fans after one Instagram follower posted messages online about committing suicide.

The ‘Heart Wants What It Wants’ hitmaker took the time to respond to the follower’s worrying posts after spotting them on the social networking site.

The 22-year-old concerned singer shared a screenshot of her comment on her own profile, and captioned it, “Every life is worth it.”

Murray stunned by 18-year-old Borna Coric in Dubai quarter-finals

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Britain number one Andy Murray suffered a crushing defeat on Thursday as he was thrashed 6-1, 6-3 by Croatian teenage opponent Borna Coric in the Dubai Championships quarter-finals.

The two-time Grand Slam champion made 55 unforced errors during his match against Coris, who will next face world number two Roger Federer in the semi-final.

In light of his performance, Coris said that it was one of the biggest wins, adding that he was just trying to maintain his level, stay in the rallies as long as he could, the BBC reported.

Mukul Roy removed as TMC parliamentary party chairman

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In a big political development, which is expected to send ripples across West Bengal politics, the Trinamool Congress on Friday removed MP Mukul Roy from the parliamentary party chairman’s post.

The drastic step was taken by the TMC amid speculation of a rift between Roy and West Bengal Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee. Roy was once considered to be second-in-command of Trinamool.

Lately, Banerjee had clipped Roy’s wings by appointing party MP Subrata Bakshi, additional all India general secretary, in an organisational reshuffle on February 14.

Mixed Fruit with Cardamom and Saffron

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Ingredients:

2 cups seedless green grapes
2 cups pineapple chunks
2 cups papaya or apple cut into 1″ cubes
3 bananas diced
4 tbsp. Ajika Almond, Cardamom, Saffron Sugar

Method:

Mix all ingredients gently in a bowl. Serve chilled.

Garnish with toasted almonds

Sensex up over 180 pts in early trade ahead of Economic Survey

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The benchmark BSE Sensex recovered over 180 points in early trade today on emergence of buying by funds and retail investors ahead of the release of Economic Survey later in the day.

Further, beginning of March series in the derivatives segment, supported the upside in stock prices.

The 30-share index, which had lost 261.34 points yesterday, recovered by 180.91 points, or 0.63 per cent, to 28,927.56, with stocks of capital goods, metal, healthcare, auto, banking, consumer durables and power sectors, leading the recovery.

FCC approves net neutrality rules

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has reportedly approved net neutrality rules that will prohibit paid prioritisation, and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services in the United States, a report said.

The changes proposed by Chairman Tom Wheeler got the commission’s nod after three commissioners voted in favour as opposed to two who voted against it, reported the BBC.

The U.S. Telecommunications Industry Association has asked broadband providers to “immediately” take legal action over the rule changes.

Study linking malaria transmission, mosquitoes` sexual biology may yield new target for control

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A new study has revealed that malaria transmission is linked to mosquitoes’ sexual biology, which can lead to new methods of disease control, particularly in regions hardest hit by it.

Researchers at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and University of Perugia, Italy found that Anopheles mosquitoes’ reproductive traits evolved along with their capacity to transmit the Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria.

Moderate intensity earthquake jolts Kashmir

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A moderate-intensity earthquake Friday jolted Kashmir although no loss of life or property has been reported so far, an official said.

“A moderate-intensity earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale occurred at 3.29 am today (Friday),” Sonam Lotus, director of the local Met Office, told IANS here.

He said the epicentre of the earthquake was in the Pakistan region.

Many residents in Srinagar city and some other places in the Kashmir Valley said panic gripped them as the tremor jolted them out of sleep.

43 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy

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At least 43 fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been reportedly arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, while fishing in Nedunchivu and Mullaithivu areas.

According to reports, Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen also clashed during the arrest on Thursday evening.

The arrested fishermen and their boats have been reportedly taken to the Karainagar naval camp, while the injured Sri Lankan fishermen were taken to Jaffna. (ANI)

Chicken Tikka Makhani – Butter Chicken

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Ingredients:

MARINADE:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
3cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and chopped
2 garlic clove, chopped
2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
1 tsp mild chilli powder (optional)
1 tbsp. Ajika Tandoori Spice Blend
juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp. ghee

CURRY:
2 tbsp. ghee
1 tsp. Ajika Tikka Masala
1 tsp. tomato paste
1 cup crushed tomato
1 onion chopped
8 oz. heavy cream

Method:

Put the chicken, ginger, garlic, chilli powder, tandoori spice blend, lime juice and 1 tbsp of oil in a bowl. Stir, and set aside. marinate for 4 hours.

Two Patna blast suspects being brought to Bengaluru for questioning

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Two suspects in the Patna blast case are being brought from that city to Bangalore for questioning in connection with the December 28, 2014 blast here, a top police official said here on Thursday.

The blast, triggered by an IED in front of a popular restaurant on a busy road here on December 28, killed a woman and injured three others.

“Two persons are being brought from Patna for questioning in the December 28 Bengaluru blast case. These persons are suspects involved in the Patna blast case and other cases,” City Police Commissioner MN Reddi said.

Leg muscle from cells grown in lab

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A team of researchers from Italy, Israel and Britain has succeeded in generating mature, functional skeletal muscles in mice using a new approach for tissue engineering.

The scientists grew a leg muscle starting from engineered cells cultured in a dish to produce a graft.

The subsequent graft was implanted close to a normal, contracting skeletal muscle where the new muscle was nurtured and grown.

Food additives cause metabolic syndrome, obesity

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Emulsifiers, which are added to most processed foods to aid texture and extend shelf life, can induce intestinal inflammation, say a new research.

The additives alter the gut microbiota composition that promotes the development of inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic syndrome. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, afflicts millions of people and is often severe and debilitating.

Turkey’s fashion brand Koton arrives in India

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Indian men can now jazz up their wardrobe with Turkish brand KotonÂ’s spring-summer collection.

Ecommerce site FashionAndYou has tied up with the Turkish brand Koton to unveil its spring-summer collection of apparel.

Designed to blend the latest trend with the classic shades of white, blue and grey, the brand has a range of shirts and t-shirts for men.

The brand, known to combine unique creations with the seasonÂ’s latest trends, is available with a discount of 60 percent off on all its offering.

H1N1 cases rise in UP; nurse infected

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With 33 new swine flu cases coming to light since Thursday, the total number of H1N1 patients here Friday climbed to 359, officials said.

A nurse at a government hospital tested positive, triggering panic in the health fraternity and forcing the health department to issue new guidelines for prevention of the disease.

The health officials are worried because patients were now coming from new areas such as Aliganj, Niralanagar, Gomtinagar and Vikasnagar.

With a drop in temperature coupled with heavy rains, officials feared a spurt in H1N1 cases in the state capital.

Cong. leader Sultan Ahmed to join TRS

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Ex-Congress MLC Sultan Ahmed and his son Mohammed Zulfeqar Ahmed Chairman Agricultural Market Committee will join TRS while meeting with Chief Minister Telangana K Chandrasekhar Rao on February 27.

Sultan Ahmed who hailed from Adilabad district is counted among senior Congress leaders. Besides representing Congress in Legislative Council, he also served on various managerial posts. He played important role in strengthening Congress party, however the party overlooked his services. Now on the request of chief minister Telangana ministers and TRS leaders he has decided to joint TRS.

Renault launches updated version of Pulse

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French auto major Renault on Thursday launched an updated version of its compact car Pulse, with prices starting at Rs 5.03 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

“Pulse is an important part of our product portfolio and we have made several product enhancements to make the 2015 Pulse even more attractive and exciting for customers,” Renault India Operations Country CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney said in a statement.