Month: February 2015

Mohammad Amir to make comeback in Pakistan domestic cricket

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Pakistan’s banned paceman, Mohammad Amir has been signed up by a leading private departmental team to play in the non-first class Patrons Trophy Grade-2 Championship next month.

According to an official of the Omer Associates team, Amir will play for them in the tournament whose winner in every season is promoted to the first class circuit.

“Amir has signed the contract and we are happy to give him a platform to make his comeback to domestic cricket,” the official said.

EVMs being tampered with to help BJP: Kejriwal

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AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were being tampered with to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party in the February 7 Assembly election.

Mr. Kejriwal claimed that it was found during an inspection of four such machines at Delhi Cantonment area on Monday. He alleged that whatever button was pressed on the machines, the light against the BJP symbol lit up.

He, however, did not explain where the inspection of the EVMs was carried out.

Barca president to face alleged tax fraud investigation connected to Neymar’s signing

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The president of Barcelona football club would face a legal probe, ordered by Spain’s public prosecutor, over allegations of tax fraud connected to the signing of Brazil football team captain Neymar.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu is accused of a 2.8 million-euro fraud, which came amid reports of separate charges relating to Neymar’s transfer.

Prosecutors have called for both Barca and its former president, Sandro Rosell, to face trial. The charges relate to accusations that Rosell misappropriated funds during the player’s 57 million euros transfer, the BBC reported.

If SC finds discrepancy in any party’s funding, it should be scrapped: AAP

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Ashutosh on Tuesday said that if the Supreme Court finds any discrepancy in his or any other party’s funding, the recognition of that particular party should be scrapped.

“We are facing serious claims and want a probe into ours and other parties’ funding. If found guilty, you can put us behind bars. If the Supreme Court finds any discrepancy, the recognition of that particular party should be scrapped,” the AAP leader said.

Akhtar claims India, Pak will have ‘cornered tigers’ spirit at WC

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Former Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar believes that arch rivals India and Pakistan would be the ‘cornered tigers’ in the forthcoming World Cup, which gets underway from February 14 in Australia and New Zealand.

Akhtar, also known as Rawalpindi Express, said that India and Pakistan were cornered tigers in the tournament, adding that the match between both teams would start from the dressing room itself, the Dawn reported.

The former pace bowler added that the last 15-20 days would be the most crucial in a World Cup competition.

CMAs can aid in better policy making: Naidu

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Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu has said that the Cost and Management Accounting professionals (CMAs) can suggest suitable strategies by resource mapping to increase efficiency and productivity towards sustainable economic growth of the nation.

“CMAs can help the government for better policy making to ensure good governance. CMAs must develop and adopt a principle-based system to regulate ethical behavior”, he said while addressing the 56th National Cost Convention organized by The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) in Hyderabad.

HIV relies on unique immune proteins to infiltrate blood-brain barrier

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A new study has recently revealed that HIV relies on unique immune proteins to enter the brain, which penetrates the brain blood-brain barrier.

Although it was known that HIV can enter the brain early during infection, causing inflammation and memory/cognitive problems, exactly how this occurs has been largely unknown. new solves this mystery by showing that HIV relies on proteins expressed by a type of immune cell, called “mature monocytes,” to enter the brain.

Ukrainian separatist leader wants to raise `100,000-strong army` to push back govt troops

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Pro- Russia separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko has reportedly said that the rebels are planning to build a 100,000-strong army as clashes with Ukrainian troops intensified in the eastern part of the country after the collapse of the “fragile” Minsk truce agreement.

Zakharchenko, the self-proclaimed head of Donetsk People’s Republic, said that the mobilisation was “urgent” and that the call-up is likely to take place in the next 10 days, reported the BBC.

Plaint against Bollywood stars for abusive language on TV show

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Police have initiated an inquiry into a complaint against filmmaker Karan Johar, actor Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, which alleged that the trio had used “filthy and abusive language” on a TV show here.

According to the written complaint by Akhilesh Tiwari, President of Brahman Ekta Seva Sanstha in Mumbai, filed at Sakinaka police station today, the trio, along with other performers allegedly passed abusive and offensive remarks against one another and even at the audience during an episode of the AIB Knockout, a comedy show, police said.

EVMs in Delhi tampered, tweets Kejriwal

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With just 3 days to go to the Delhi Assembly polls, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who is caught in a funding controversy of late, took to Twitter to tweet that Electronic Voting Machines in Delhi cantonment have been tampered.

Kejriwal alleged that yesterday during an EVM inspection in Delhi cantonment, it was found that 4 Electronic Voting Machines were tampered.

On pressing any button on the EVM, the light for the BJP party was blinking.

The AAP chief tweeted:

Asaduddin Owaisi’s Muslim reservation conference in Pune denied permission

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Police Monday refused permission to a proposed Muslim conference on reservations, scheduled here Feb 4, on technical grounds and after objections from the Pune Cantonment Board and the local Shiv Sena.

In a written communication, Vanavdi police station head Bapurao Kale informed the organizers that the CEO of Pune Cantonment Board had objected to the Golibar Maidan being allotted for the public conference, titled “Muslim Arakshan Parishad”, scheduled to be addressed by AIMIM president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi.

Rajasthan Home Minister tests positive for swine flu

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Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Monday tested positive for swine flu and is recuperating in his residence.

On Sunday evening, Gulab Chand Kataria complained of cold, cough, bad throat, fever. The next day he was tested for the H1N1 virus and by evening it was known that the test report was positive.

“There is nothing serious. Medicines have been given to him, his family members and those who came in contact with him. Kataria has also been advised to be in isolation,” Dr. Mahesh Dave said.

Junaid ruled out of Pak’s WC squad post failing fitness test

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Pakistan pace spearhead Junaid Khan has been ruled out of the forthcoming World Cup following his failure to pass a fitness test due to a hamstring injury.

Junaid picked up a hamstring injury in his right leg while practicing during the third day of the national training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium before the team travelled to New Zealand last month.

A Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said that Juniad appeared in a fitness test and was not found fit enough to play the World Cup, the Dawn reported.

Sebastian Vettel fastest again on day 2 of Jerez pre-season testing

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Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel emerged as the fastest driver for the second day in succession at the pre-season Formula One testing in Jerez on Monday.

The German, who switched to Ferrari from Red Bull over the winters, completed 88 laps to finish almost one second clear of his opponents.

While the second- fastest time of the day went to Sauber’s Felipe Nasr, reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton clocked 91 laps, the most by any driver, despite a reliability issue, the BBC reported.

Delhi polls: AAP demands SC monitored SIT probe in funding of all major parties

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded a Supreme Court monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe funding of all three major parties in Delhi polls.

“We demand that an SIT be formed under the direction of SC and that SIT should investigate funding of all three parties,” said party leader Yogendra Yadav.

“The SIT must present a report and if any of the 3 parties are guilty then that party should face the consequences. An eight month old issue has been purposely raised just five days before polls. Same tactic was used last time before polls too,” he added.

2 killed, 12 injured as tractor trolley overturns in Uttar Pradesh

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Two persons were killed and 12 others injured when a tractor trolley overturned in Bilgram area here, police said on Tuesday.

70-year-old Sarju and 40-year-old Vimla were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling overturned near Jalalpur village yesterday, they said.

12 passengers were injured in the accident and admitted to the district hospital, police said.

–PTI

Sensex recovers 130 points ahead of RBI policy

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After two sessions of losses, the benchmark BSE Sensex rose over 130 points in early trade today on fresh spell of buying by participants ahead of RBI’s monetary policy review.

The 30-share index, which had lost 559.50 points in the previous two sessions, recovered by 130.79 points, or 0.44%, to 29,253.06, with consumer durables, FMCG, oil & gas, auto and banking sector stocks leading the rise.

On similar lines, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty gained 26.00 points, or 0.30%, to 8,823.40 in early trade.

‘Today is the day of BJP’s vision document’: Kiran Bedi

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Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) chief ministerial candidate for Delhi, Kiran Bedi on Tuesday said today is the day of party’s vision document, which is set to be released later in the day.

“Today is the day of BJP’s vision document for Delhi, will release it by the afternoon,” said Bedi.

“You’ll get to know the type of government BJP will be. This will show you comprehensive approach to governance,” she added.

She had earlier last week also shared a blueprint for Delhi’s development on her social media account, beginning with a 25 point action plan for women’s safety.

Swine flu claims over 190 lives in January

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Swine flu has claimed over 190 lives in the country in January alone this year.

Telangana reported the highest number of cases of people afflicted with the H1N1 virus followed by Delhi.

Five people have already been reported to have died this year due to the disease.

Swine flu is caused by H1N1 virus. H1N1 symptoms are similar to those produced by other influenza viruses – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and respiratory problems.

AAP candidate Sarita Singh’s car attacked by unidentified persons

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Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP) candidate Sarita Singh was allegedly attacked in her car by unidentified persons Monday night.

“Over 10-12 people in shawls stopped my car and made derogatory remarks. Them they attacked us with sticks and damaged the car as well. We have lodged a complaint with the police,” said Singh.

Earlier on Monday, Bharatiya Janata Party’s chief ministerial candidate and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi ‘s office in Krishna Nagar was allegedly vandalised leaving some BJP workers injured.

(ANI)

Apple to issue bonds worth 5 bln dollars

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Tech giant Apple is expected to raise at least five billion dollars by selling bonds.

Portions of the funds raised will be used for Apple’s share buyback programme, reported the BBC.

The company intends to return more than 130 billion dollars to shareholders by the end of this year.

However, the amount being raised is less than half the 12 billion dollars generated in April 2014 when the company was last active in the U.S. bond market.

While some of the bonds will take five years to mature, others will take as long as three decades.

Spending longer hours on TV, iPad leads to sleep problems in teens

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If you are teenager and love to watch TV or use tablets for longer hours, you might want to reconsider, as a new study suggests that longer screen time throughout the day before going to bed, leads to sleep problems in teens.

The findings are based on almost 10,000 16 to 19 year olds, all of whom were part of the Norwegian youth@hordaland study in 2012. The teens were asked how much screen time they spent outside of school hours, and on what activities, for any of the following electronic devices: computer; smartphone; Mp3 player; tablet; games console; and TV.

‘Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman refused Ganguly’s request to remove shirt at Lord’s’​

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He was the manager of the Indian cricket team during its memorable Natwest Trophy triumph over England at Lord’s way back in 2002 and Rajiv Shukla today revealed that Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman refused then skipper Sourav Ganguly’s request of taking off their shirts and wave it.

Shukla, who was sitting by Ganguly’s side at the Lord’s balcony, today recollected that evening’s incident.

I’ll marry a girl my mother chooses: Gautam Gulati

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‘Bigg Boss Halla Bol’ winner Gautam Gulati had a close camaraderie with model and contestant Diandra Soares while on the reality show, but he says he will ultimately settle down with a girl chosen by his mother.

Excerpts from the interview:

How does it feel to stand with that trophy?