Month: February 2015

People being mislead by the government on Land Acquisition Act, says Anna Hazare

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Social activist Anna Hazare, who is spearheading agitation against amendments in the Land Acquisition Act, today rubbished Government’s claim that these were more “effective” and “farmer-friendly”, saying it was trying to mislead the people. Hazare said the BJP government has misled people on several fronts including the black money issue and decentralisation of power, while asking for votes in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

Skin test may help diagnose Alzheimer’s early

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Scientists have developed a new skin test that may help detect elevated levels of abnormal proteins found in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

“Until now, pathological confirmation was not possible without a brain biopsy, so these diseases often go unrecognised until after the disease has progressed,” said study author Ildefonso Rodriguez-Leyva, at Central Hospital at the University of San Luis Potosi in Mexico.

Swine flu death toll reaches 234 with 9 more deaths in Rajasthan

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Death toll due to dreaded swine flu has risen to 234 with nine more deaths in Rajasthan in the last 24 hours.

Of these nine deaths, three succumbed to H1N1 in Jaipur followed by Ajmer, Churu, Dausa, Jodhpur, Barmer and Baran, an official of the state Medical and Health Directorate said today.

Out of the total 4,884 patients who were tested positive for the HINI virus, 234 have died since January 1 this year, the official said.

Kerala seeks Rs 600 crore funds from Centre to boost farm sector

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Kerala Agriculture Minister KP Mohanan on Wednesday called on Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and sought over Rs 600 crore funds to boost the farm sector in the state.

Mohanan submitted eight proposals seeking funds for improving irrigation infrastructure, development of ethnic fruit cultivation, promotion of high-yielding dwarf variety of coconut palms, farm mechanisation, rejuvenation of ponds among others.

Delhi HC asks Centre, Kejriwal government on steps taken against swine flu in Delhi

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Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Centre and city government’s response within a week on the steps it has taken to deal with swine flu outbreak. While hearing a PIL seeking directions to make tests available at an affordable cost, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also issued notices to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Health and Family Welfare Department of Delhi government, LG and the municipal corporations here seeking their replies before March 4.

New twist to Mangaluru Facebook case, girl claims picture was doctored

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One of the girls seen in the controversial photo uploaded on social media which shows a boy lying on their lap in a classroom, has claimed it was doctored by certain mischief-mongers, a day after it created a furore leading to suspension of six students from college.

In a complaint registered at the Suratkal police station near here, the girl said that the photograph was uploaded after hacking her Facebook account. She said it was clicked by one of her classmates on February 18 and uploaded later on Facebook.

Congress launches ‘Zameen Waapsi Aandolan’ in Delhi

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The Congress Party on Wednesday cornered the Centre on the Land Acquisition Ordinance and began a ‘ Zameen Waapsi Aandolan’ protest at the Jantar Mantar here highlighting that the government’s move is anti-farmers.

“Yeh ek zameen waapsi aandolan hain, ghar waapsi sarkaar ke khilaaf. (This is a protest of bringing back the land against the government which campaigns for home coming)” said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

Land Acquisition Ordinance ‘historical injustice’ towards the farmers:Kamal Nath

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Congress leader Kamal Nath on Wednesday termed the Land Acquisition Ordinance as a historical injustice towards farmers and reiterated that his party would strongly oppose it.

“The Land Acquisition Ordinance is a historical injustice towards the farmers. We will strongly oppose it. The Bharatiya Janata Party government should take back this ordinance,” said Kamal Nath.

‘Happy to be divorced’ Tea Leoni talks embracing ageing process

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Tea Leoni has admitted that she realizes chasing youth won’t help, and is embracing her ageing process.

In an interview, the 48-year-old ‘Fun With Dick and Jane’ actress, who’ll soon turn 49, said that she has come to terms with the fact that happiness is paramount when it comes to ageing, Us magazine reported.

She said though she wasn’t “thrilled” to see herself in the mirror, she now knows that happiness could be a victim of trying to stay young and desirable, and she was at peace to be relieved of that burden.

Bystanders’ indifference applies to online bullying too

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: A new study has revealed that most of the bystanders don’t try to stop online bullies.

As per the study at The Ohio State University, out of 221 college students, who participated in an online chat room in which they watched a fellow student get “bullied” right before their eyes, only 10 percent of the students directly intervened, either by confronting the bully online or helping the victim.

Why Don Draper is one of the ‘Most Powerful Men on TV’

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‘Mad Men’ is one of the most recognized shows on television and while every character is full of depth, there’s no getting past the aura of the lead character Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm.

Draper truly personifies the fast and cut-throat world of New York advertising agencies in the 1960’s and has earned a great number of fans for himself and the show since it first premiered in 2007.

Djokovic reveals why he swears, smashes rackets on court

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World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic has defended his on court antics, saying that bottling up his anger would only eat him up on the long run.

In a pre-recorded appearance on Serbian state television aired on Monday night, Djokovic also confirmed that he would lead Serbia in their March 6-8 Davis Cup first-round home clash with traditional rivals Croatia.

Former Marine sentenced to life in prison over killing of ‘American Sniper’ author Chris Kyle

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A former Marine Eddie Ray Routh has been sentenced to life in prison over 2013 shooting of former Navy SEAL and the author of ” American Sniper ” Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield.

According to Fox News, State District Judge Jason Cashon sentenced Routh to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty in the case.

Littlefield’s mother Judy said outside the courthouse that they had waited two years for God to give them justice.

Routh showed no visible emotions at the time of the hearing. (ANI)

Jailed Malaysian leader’s family seeks royal pardon

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Jailed Malaysian Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s family has sought a royal pardon in a desperate final attempt to free the politician convicted of sodomising a former male aide.

Anwar, who is one of the most potent threat to Prime Minister Najib Razak, began a five-year jail term on February 10 after Malaysia’s top court ruled there was overwhelming evidence that the 67-year-old leader sodomised the aide.

Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Nuha, said the family had submitted an appeal for a royal pardon in the belief that Anwar is innocent.

‘Pregnancy perfume’ broadcasts whether mom-to-be is carrying boy or girl

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A new study has revealed that lemur moms carrying boys smell different from those carrying girls, suggesting that pregnancy odor reveals unborn baby’s sex.

The study suggests that some female primates release a natural “pregnancy perfume” that males can probably detect and such scents appear to broadcast whether the mom-to-be is carrying a boy or a girl, the Discovery reported.

Jodhpur court defers judgement till March 3 in Salman Khan illegal arms case

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A court in Rajasthan today deferred till March 3 its verdict on whether actor Salman Khan is guilty in an arms case in connection with the Black Buck and Chinkara killing of 1998.

Khan was convicted in 2007 for hunting and killing two endangered Chinkara Deer and one Black Buck in Rajasthan in 1998. He has spent time in a Jodhpur jail twice. Both animals are protected and killing them is a punishable offence.

In 2007, he was sentenced to five years in jail and is currently out on bail in the case.

Digvijay slams ‘politics of convenience’ between BJP, PDP in J-K

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Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Wednesday slammed the coming together of former rivals Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to form a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, saying principles had been thrown in the bin for politics of convenience.

“PDP BJP alliance to form Govt in JandK ! Politics of Convenience! Principles thrown in the dust bin! Would Mohan Bhagwat ji say something?” Digvijay tweeted.

Internet access limited in developing world: Facebook

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Most people in the developing world do not use the Internet, with access limited by high costs, poor availability and a lack of relevant content, a Facebook report has said.

Facebook, which carried out the study through its Internet.Org initiative that aims to boost connectivity around the world, said the rate of growth on the Internet is slowing.

“By early 2015, three billion people will be online. This is an incredible milestone, but it also means that only 40 per cent of the world’s population has ever connected to the Internet,” the report said yesterday.

Govt trying to ‘mislead’ people on Land Act: Hazare

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Social activist Anna Hazare, who is spearheading agitation against amendments in the Land Acquisition Act, today rubbished Government’s claim that these were more “effective” and “farmer-friendly”, saying it was trying to mislead the people.

Hazare said the BJP government has misled people on several fronts including the black money issue and decentralisation of power, while asking for votes in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

The Gandhian activist threatened to go ahead with a nation-wide ‘jail bharo andolan’ if the government does not pay heed to the demands.

Netanyahu turns down invite to meet with Senate Democrats

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned down an invitation to meet privately with Senate Democrats next week during his visit to Washington, saying the session “could compound the misperception of partisanship” surrounding his trip.

Angering the White House and Democrats, Netanyahu accepted an invitation from Republican leaders to address a joint meeting of Congress on March 3 and speak about Iran.

The Republican leaders did not consult with the Obama administration, which the White House called a breach of protocol.

Clinton says she would push problem-solving if she runs

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Hillary Rodham Clinton has said that if she decides to seek the White House again she would try to encourage Republicans and Democrats to solve problems.

Clinton, the leading Democratic contender should she run, referred to her likely presidential campaign in hypothetical terms during an interview on stage at a women’s conference in Silicon Valley.

But she said yesterday anyone who mounts a campaign for president in 2016 should make economic growth and restoring rising wages top priorities, along with rebuilding trust and cooperation.

Struggling Younis denies retirement tweet

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Out of form senior Pakistan batsman Younis Khan denied on Wednesday tweeting a plan to retire from one-day internationals after the ongoing World Cup, saying he was working hard to come good for his team.

A tweet from a supposedly official Younis account on Tuesday said he was going to retire from white-ball cricket after the World Cup and continue to play Tests.

However, Younis insisted he did not have a Twitter account of his own.

“I have no Twitter account and it’s (the story about his retirement) fake,” Younis told AFP on Wednesday.

Watson confronts World Cup ‘crunch time’

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Shane Watson admitted he was facing “crunch time” with the bat as he battled to stay in Australia’s side ahead of their World Cup clash with co-hosts New Zealand.

In the midst of Australia’s thumping 111-run opening pool win over England in Melbourne, all-rounder Watson was dismissed by paceman Stuart Broad for a golden duck.

While it was generally acknowledged he had received a good delivery, his exit reignited the long-running debate about Watson’s worth to Australia, with many observers contending he is not a good enough batsman or bowler to hold down a place in the side.

Steyn v Gayle with World Cup reputations at stake

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Struggling South African fast bowler Dale Steyn must find a way to contain record-breaking West Indian batsman Chris Gayle in Friday’s crunch World Cup clash.

Steyn’s cutting edge has been blunted at the tournament so far with his two matches giving him total figures of two for 119 from a win over Zimbabwe and a crushing loss to India.

Gayle, too, struggled at the start of the competition, making 36 in the defeat by Ireland and just four in the win over Pakistan.