Month: February 2015

Wakf Loot in Hyderabad: 17 acres of Toli Masjid encroached

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Wakf can be described as a religious endowment made in the name of Allah for the benefit of the poor and needy in the Muslim community.

Toli Masjid, a heritage site built in 1671 AD is in the neighborhood of 2km from Golconda Fort. Built by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar during the reign of Abdullah Qutub Shah, the Masjid is encroached by land-grabbers.
As per declaration of Archaeological Survey of India, the masjid is a “protected heritage site”.

Protein linked to aggressive breast, lung cancer identified

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Breast and lung cancer patients who have low levels of a protein called TTP have more aggressive tumours and a poorer prognosis than those with high levels of the protein, research has found.

The researchers found a network of 50 different genes associated with low levels of Tristetraprolin (TTP) in breast, lung and colon tumours.

Crazy hair colours disappear from red carpet

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Last year’s red carpet events saw Hollywood stars sporting rainbow hued hair colours like slime green and shades of purple. But this year, celebrities seem to be taking a much more subtle approach.

“I noticed that hair colour is a lot more conservative this year,” eonline.com quoted celebrity colourist Jennifer J as saying.

“Now though, it is not pastel pink or blue that we are used to seeing. It is natural pastel colours.

Angelina Jolie named world’s most admired woman

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Actress-director Angelina Jolie has been named the most admired woman in the world, leaving behind Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, Hillary Clinton, Queen Elizabeth II and even India’s Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

According to a new poll of 25,000 people, the mother-of-six and United Nations special envoy was most worthy of respect internationally, reports dailymail.co.uk.

However, the internet-based market research firm YouGov study found that Britons still voted Queen Elizabeth II into the top spot nationally, pushing actress Judi Dench into second place.

CPI(M) urges for aid to Lankan refugees willing to return

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Observing that the Centre and the state governments have a responsibility to ensure a secure and dignified life for Sri Lankan refugees, CPI(M) today said financial assistance must be extended to those willing to return to the island nation.

“The Centre and state governments should extend financial assistance for their return home and guarantee a support structure for their livelihood such as house to ensure that they lead a new life,” a resolution passed at the end of the party’s three-day state committee meeting said.

HRD emphasising on modernisation of madrasas: Smriti Irani

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HRD Minister Smriti Irani today said that the government was giving special emphasis on modernisation and strengthening of madrasas in the country.

The HRD Ministry has taken all the necessary steps towards modernization and strengthening of madrasas, Irani said at a function at the Jamia Milia Islamia university here.

Irani was addressing a national symposium on “Educating and Mainstreaming of Indian Muslims”.

Kangana Ranaut feels great on winning Filmfare award

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Actress Kangna Ranaut, who bagged the Best Actor (Female) honour for “Queen” at the 60th Britannia Filmfare Awards ceremony, says the “acknowledgment” confirmed the fact that she made her mark.

Kangna was present at an event in Mumbai Sunday when she was asked to share her emotions on winning the award.

“It feels great. I think that event I’m here for also talks about making your mark and last night (at the Filmfare Awards), I think in a way the kind of respect and acknowledgment that my film got, also literally meant making your mark.”

Microsoft slashes XBox prices by 19% to Rs 12,990

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Microsoft has slashed prices of its popular gaming console ‘XBox’ by 19 percent to Rs 12,990 as the tech giant looks to expand its footprint in India’s gaming market.

The 4GB version of the standalone XBox 360 was earlier being sold for Rs 15,990.

Similarly, Microsoft has also reduced the price of 4GB Xbox 360 with Kinect to Rs 21,990 (from Rs 26,990) and 250GB Xbox 360 with Kinect to Rs 29,990 (from Rs 31,990), Microsoft said in a statement.

“Since its launch, Xbox has been instrumental in providing a gaming experience like never before to fans across the world,” it added.

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ gets 18 certificate for nudity

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Erotic thriller ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ has been given an 18 certificate by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).

The adaptation of EL James’s bestseller has been given the rating for “strong intimate scenes”, the BBFC explained.

“The film contains strong intimate scenes and nudity, along with the portrayal of erotic role play based on domination, submission and sado-masochistic practices. There are also strong verbal references to such practices and the instruments used,” its full insight read.

Mariah Carey caught lip-syncing during Jamaican concert

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Pop diva Mariah Carey was caught lip-syncing during a live concert in Jamaica.

The singer was performing her single ‘Fantasy’ at the 2015 Jazz and Blues Festival on January 30 when something went wrong, reported Ace Showbiz. According a clip, the 44-year-old mother of two had just sang the first few lines of the song when she appeared to forget the next lyrics.

A pre-recorded version of her singing could be heard clearly while she covered her lips with her microphone.

PTI

Excise hike hits car sales in January; Maruti, Hyundai post single digit growth

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Hit by price hikes following withdrawal of excise duty concessions, car sales in India began on a tepid note this year with main players Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai posting single digit growth in January, while others like GM India and Ford saw decline in sales.

Tata Motors and Honda Cars India were, however, exceptions posting healthy double-digit growth rates during the month.

Maruti Suzuki India’s domestic sales increased by 9.3 percent in January to 1,05,559 units as against 96,569 units in January 2014.

Omaxe’s gross debt rises by 5 pc to Rs 1,147 cr during Dec qtr

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Realty firm Omaxe Ltd’s gross debt increased by over 5 percent to Rs 1,147 crore as on December 31, 2014 compared Rs 1,087 crore as on September 30, 2014.

In a presentation to investors, the national capital-based developer also informed that the company has to make debt repayment of Rs 201 crore in this quarter.

On operational performance, Omaxe said that sale bookings fell by 42 percent to 1.18 million sq ft during October- December as against 2.05 million sq ft in the year-ago period.

Bookings dropped by 17 percent to Rs 473 crore from Rs 570 crore during the period under review.

Branchless banking can help expand formal banking: PwC

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Branchless banking and shift from the traditional to low-cost solutions like solar ATMs will help bring more people under the formal banking ambit, a report said.

The traditional branch-heavy approach to financial inclusion would require addition of almost 4,00,000 branches and 1,75,000 ATMs by 2034 to the existing network of 1,00,000 branches and 1,15,000 ATMs, said the PwC report `The Future of India: The Winning Leap’.

This would require investment of around USD 40 billion by 2034 through traditional means, it said.

Death toll in Mozambique floods rises to 159

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Floods that have ravaged northern and central parts of Mozambique have killed 159 people and affected nearly 160,000, a new report showed today amid fears that fresh rains could wreak more havoc in the coming days.

“There are now 158,000 victims,” National Institute of Disaster Management spokeswoman Rita Almeida told AFP.

Zambezia province in the centre of the country was worst affected with 134 killed and 125,000 affected since mid-January.

Heavy rains again pounded the southern African country this weekend, raising fears of further flooding.

Iraq’s al-Maliki denies seeking comeback

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Iraq’s former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki today denied he is seeking a political comeback, despite frequent appearances in local media and a recent visit to the country’s influential neighbor Iran.

Al-Maliki, who stepped aside last year after being widely blamed for the Islamic State group’s takeover of a third of Iraq said he has no intention of returning to the office he held for eight years unless the people desire it.

“If the Iraqi people decide to elect me…I won’t decline,” he said.

RIL, Aditya Birla, Future Group apply for payments bank licences

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Big corporates like RIL, Aditya Birla, Airtel and Future groups are among at least a dozen entities that have sought licence from RBI to set up payment or small finance banks, two niche banking models introduced to push financial inclusion and saving habits.

The deadline for submitting the applications with RBI for such licenses ended today and a final call on these would be taken by the central bank in due course.

Allegations flow thick and fast against AAP

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Five days to go for Delhi polls, allegations today flew thick and fast with BJP and a break- away group of AAP accusing the Arvind Kejriwal-led party of receiving Rs 2 crore last year through four “dubious” companies, a charge strongly rejected by the party.

AAP even dared the central government to initiate a probe and take any action it deemed fit.

Army not involved in Mustafa murder

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Brigadier Atul Devi of 47 Infantry Brigade filed an affidavit in High Court saying that Army is not involved in Shaik Mustafa Murder Case. It may be noted that Humayun Nagar Police and Special Investigation Team had also interrogated 70 soldiers.

The Army Officer expressed the doubt that a civilian might have entered Army premises in Military Uniform to commit this murder.

Hyderabadi Rubaath in Ajmer

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Govt. of Telangana has decided to request Govt. of Rajasthan for the allotment of land for the construction of a guest house for the Hyderabadi pilgrims in Ajmer. Mr. Syed Omer Jaleel, IAS, Special Secretary of Minorities Department has already started preparations for it. He has finalized the draft letter to be sent to Chief Secretary of Govt. of Rajasthan on behalf of Mr. KCR. In addition to it a Ghilaf worth Rs. 2.5 lakh is also being prepared which will be presented to Dargah Hazrath Khaja Gareeb Nawaz on behalf of Mr. KCR. Mr. Omer Jaleel talk to dewan of Ajmer Shareef on telephone.

90% Wakf land in Hyd. and R.R. Dist. Under illegal possessions

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Govt. of Telangana has decided to get the details of government, Wakf, endowment and other lands. Dr. Rajiv Sharma Chief Secretary convened a high level meeting of the officials and instructed them to give the details of the lands so that it could be displayed on Govt. portal. Some interesting points came out in the meeting. It was revealed that not even one square yard wakf land is available in Hyderabad District, whereas in R.R. District, open lands are available. In both the districts 90% of the wakf lands are under illegal possessions.

KCR meets Hafeez contractor

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CM of Telangana State met Mr. Hafeez contractor who is a famous builder for high rise buildings. He gave a power point presentation to CM in the presence of his cabinet colleagues and higher officials. He gave the details of high rise buildings and multigrade separators. It is reported that Govt. of Telangana intends to develop Hyderabad city into an exemplary city.

–Siasat News

Deposed Rajaiah meets KCR

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Deposed deputy chief minister Dr Tatikonda Rajaiah today called on Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao at Camp Office. Rajaiah had to go on a Jerusalem trip as he could not get an appointment from his KCR in recent times.

KTR to meet with Tata Chief in Mumbai today

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Seeking big investments and active partnership in transforming Telangana into a global destination, IT Minister K Taraka Ramarao is embarking on a Maharashtra trip where he would hold a crucial meeting with Tata Group of companies Chairman Cyrus Mistry on February 3.

Recruitment in Police department soon: HM

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Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy on Monday announced that the Telangana Government would soon begin the process of recruitment in the Police Department.

Speaking to media persons here, Nayani said that the government would fill all the vacant posts in the police department and would also create news posts, as and when required. With a view to improve the functioning of the police department, he said that the government has sanctioned new police stations, women’s and traffic police stations across the State.

SCCL lines up 5500 recruitments in short span

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The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) will be recruiting about 5,500 candidates in external / internal mode in various unskilled, technical and executive cadres in the company.

This new initiative has been taken by SCCL Chairman and Managing Director N Sridhar to fill up all the vacancies which have been postponed for various reasons from time to time.