Month: March 2015

Now, see up to 50m in darkness with these night vision eye-drops

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Scared of the dark? Fear not as scientists have now created night vision eye drops, which enables one to see up to 50m in the dark.

The team behind it, an independent Californian biohackers, Science for the Masses, theorised that Chlorin e6 (Ce6), a natural molecule that could be created from algae and other green plants, could improve eyesight in dark environments, the Independent reported.

The molecule, which is found in some deep sea fish, forms the basis of some cancer therapies and has been previously prescribed for night blindness.

Sacha Baron Cohen not playing Freddie Mercury for sure

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Sacha Baron Cohen will not be portraying Freddie Mercury in biopic.

Though the 43-year-old goofy actor, known for onscreen alter egos such as Borat, and Ali G, was attached to a biopic in 2010 about the late Queen frontman, he had left project in 2013, E! Online reported.

The news sparked again after the band’s manager, Jim Beach, while accepting the Peter Grant award at the 2015 Artist and Manager Awards, said that Baron Cohen had returned for the film project and would even do more than just star in it.

It turns out he was only joking.

Top Chef Jamie Oliver cooks song with Ed Sheeran, Sir Paul McCartney for ‘Food revolution day’

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Top chef Jamie Oliver has composed a song with the musical superstars, Ed Sheeran and Sir Paul McCartney, for ‘Food revolution day’.

The 39-year old TV Chef co-wrote the song, which also aims to educate kids about food, with Sheeran, 24, while McCartney laid down the bass for the composition on the special anthem, the Mirror reported.

The trio planned to release in a viral campaign in May.

Oliver and Sheeran recently met up to finalize the recording plans, and if everything went according to the plan, the song would be released for free of charge and race to the top of the charts.

New National Education Policy by December: Smriti Irani

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Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday said her ministry was working on a new National Education Policy (NEP) which would be formed by December this year.

“Central government is guided by ‘education for all’ policy. We are working in this direction and NEP would be formed by December this year,” Smriti said on the sidelines of a convocation ceremony at a girls college here.

She said suggestions in this regard have been invited from the education ministers of all the states.

Delhi Police working on ‘definite clues’ to solve INLD leader’s murder

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Delhi Police on Monday said that it is working on definite clues to solve the case in which Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Bharat Singh and two of his personal security officers were shot at in Delhi’s Najafgarh area.

Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi downplayed the speculation that the incident was part of a ‘gang-war’ in the area, saying that such criminal incidents are a result of disputes between individuals.

Shipbuilding potential must be used under ‘Make in India’: PM Modi

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India has great potential in the area of shipbuilding, and this must be pursued as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

He made the remarks when a delegation from the maritime sector, led by Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari, called on him on the occasion of National Maritime Day.

In the course of discussions, the Prime Minister remarked that India’s maritime heritage goes back nearly 5000 years, with the oldest known port being Lothal, a PMO statement said.

Spectrum auction: Your phone bills may go up soon: Moody’s

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Indian telecom operators are expected to gradually increase rates to recover Rs 1.1 lakh crore they bid for spectrum in the auction that concluded last week, Moody’s said.

“This high cost is credit negative for the country’s telecom operators because it will increase their debt and costs and reduce their ability to fund future expansion,” said the global credit rating agency.

3,987 Bangladeshi infiltrators in Odisha: Naveen Patnaik

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There are 3,987 infiltrators in Odisha and all of them are from Bangladesh, chief minister Naveen Patnaik informed Odisha Assembly on Monday. “According to a survey there are 3,987 infiltrators in Odisha and all of them are Bangladeshis,” Patnaik said while replying to a written question of BJP MLA Dilip Kumar Ray.

Shiv Sena slams Naseeruddin Shah for pro-Pakistan remarks

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Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamna has slammed veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah for his pro-Pakistan remarks he had made after returning from the country recently.

Shah, who was on the other side of the border for a tour, reportedly said that he was upset with the animosity between India and Pakistan. He apparently had a great reception by the Pakistanis, despite the belief that Pakistani artists are not allowed to perform in India.

Gold plunges by Rs 410; silver tumbles Rs 550 on global cues

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Gold prices plunged by Rs 410 to Rs 26,690 per 10 grams at the bullion market here today on a weak global trend amid easing demand from jewellers.

Silver also fell sharply by Rs 550 to Rs 38,000 per kg on reduced offtake by industrial users and coin makers.

Bullion merchants said apart from slackened demand from jewellers, a weak global trend after Federal Reserve signalled that interest rates may rise this year in the world’s biggest economy, led to fall in gold and silver prices at domestic markets here.

After paper leaked on WhatsApp, UPPCS exam cancelled

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The Uttar Pradesh government has cancelled the provincial civil services preliminary examination (UPPCS) after an exam paper was leaked on WhatsApp messaging service just before the start of the examination.

“The preliminary examination of UPPCS has been cancelled on the directives of the Chief Minister. He has summoned the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other senior officers to enquire into the matter,” a senior officer said in Lucknow.

Violence breaks out in front of UPPSC headquarters over paper leakage

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Violence broke out in front of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission headquarters here on Monday when youths demanding the removal of the Chairman over the issue of leakage of question papers indulged in stone pelting and damaged a state roadways bus.

More than a hundred persons had gathered in front of the UPPSC building, where they raised slogans demanding removal of Chairman Anil Yadav in view of the leakage of question papers for General Studies paper of PCS (Prelims) yesterday, barely a few hours before the tests began at 0930 hours.

Yogendra Yadav next to face axe as AAP’s chief spokesperson?

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After the sacking of Prashant Bhushan as AAP’s national disciplinary committee chief, Yogendra Yadav is likely to be next to face the axe as the party’s chief spokesperson.

Sources in AAP said the party will soon release a new list of spokespersons which will not figure Yadav’s name. “We will soon come out with a fresh list of party spokespersons. Yadav will of course not be in the list,” a senior party leader requesting anonymity said.

Will try to bring nationwide ban on cow slaughter: Rajnath

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The NDA government will try its “level best” to bring in a countrywide ban on slaughter of cows by evolving a consensus, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said.

“Cow slaughter cannot be accepted in this country. We will make all-out efforts to ban slaughter of cows and will also try hard to have a consensus for this purpose,” he told a gathering of spiritual leaders of Shwetambar Jains, a prominent sect of Jainism.

‘Business opportunity worth $250 billion in defence sector in 7-8 years’

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The private sector should explore opportunities in defence manufacturing as the sector is expected to provide business worth $250 billion in the next seven to eight years, a top government official said today.

“How quickly we can use our defence manufacturing sector as that is an early flower to be plucked by Indians. That is a huge area for growth in the future.

Rajnath calls up Mufti; promises all help to deal floods

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh today spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and conveyed to him that relief materials are being air dashed to the flood-affected valley in the shortest possible time.

During the telephonic talk, the Chief Minister briefed the Home Minister about the prevailing flood situation in Kashmir valley and the steps being taken for rescue and providing relief to the affected people.

Elderly woman raped in Uttar Pradesh

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A 75-year-old woman was allegedly raped by unidentified persons in Neemgaon area here, police said on Monday.

The woman was alone at her house when unidentified men forcefully entered her house last night and raped her, SP Arvind Sen Yadav said.

The villagers came to know about the incident this morning when they heard the woman crying for help, he said.

An FIR has been registered in the case and medical examination conducted, added Yadav.

–PTI

Simon Helberg to play Meryl Streep’s Pianist In ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’

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‘The Big Bang Theory’ star Simon Helberg has been cast in Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant starrer ‘ Florence Foster Jenkins.’

The Pathe-financed film, which will be helmed by Stephen Frears, is based on true story where Streep plays the title character, a wealthy woman in high-society NYC in the early 20th century, who used her relationships and her fortune to gain traction as a singer.

PM Modi calls for top-notch maritime museum

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On the occasion of National Maritime Day on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a top-notch maritime museum to showcase India’s age-old maritime heritage.

Meeting a delegation from the maritime sector led by Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari, the prime minister remarked: “India’s maritime heritage goes back nearly 5,000 years, with the oldest known port being Lothal.”

He urged all stakeholders to work together to establish a world-class maritime museum that would showcase the glorious aspect of India’s history, said an official statement.

Back to back ‘custodial deaths’ rocks Telangana state

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A purported thief Marnindi Chakradhar Rao (57) died in police custody under similar circumstances in Miryalguda One Town police station on Saturday, similer to the death of a youth Shaik Haider in Nizamabad One Town police station.

According to sources Marnindi was detained for interrogation on court orders. He was said to be an inter-State burglar and was involved in over 80 theft cases in and around Nalgonda district and arrested by the Miryalguda police on March 22.

Shweta Subram becomes youngest Indian vocalist at Carnegie hall

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Shweta Subram has become the youngest vocalist of Indian origin to perform at the Carnegie Hall, with The Piano Guys.

Speaking about her experience, the Indo-Canadian playback singer said, “It was a blessing to perform at The Carnegie Hall to a sold out audience with The Piano Guys. The feedback and accolades I’ve been receiving is tremendous. It feels great! I’m ecstatic and thrilled about receiving an esteemed honor of this nature at such a young age. It isn’t easy to get an opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall and it still hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Winds, rain damage more crops in Punjab, Haryana

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As if the fury of recent rains in February and earlier March was not enough, rainfall and high velocity winds have damaged more standing crops in various parts of Punjab and Haryana in the past 24 hours, officials said here on Monday.

Many parts of Punjab have been lashed by high velocity winds and sharp rain in the past over 24 hours.

J Law’s ‘naked body’ took spotlight away from me, jokes James McAvoy

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James McAvoy praised his ‘X-Men’ co-star Jennifer Lawrence’s naked body, saying that it managed to take the spotlight away from him.

While accepting the best sci-fi award for the film at the Empire Awards, the 35-year-old actor, who played Professor X in the hit franchise said, “I’d like to thank Lawrence’s wonderful blue hue and naked body for ensuring I didn’t even feature in that clip,” the Mirror reported.

ABVP shutdown disrupts normal life in Bihar

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A shutdown call given by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students’ wing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), disrupted normal life in Bihar on Monday.

The ABVP activists blocked railway tracks and took to streets carrying saffron flags and shouting slogans against the state government. They also accused the state government of sorry state of affairs in colleges and universities.