Month: March 2015

‘Facebook Generation’ happier than teenagers a decade ago

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Today’s “Facebook Generation” is happier and healthier than teenagers a decade ago, finds a new study.

Adolescence is a crucial stage in life when you lay the foundation for adulthood.

The findings, published online by the European Journal of Public Health, claimed a growing proportion of 11 to 15-year-olds, dubbed the “Facebook Generation”, are less likely than their predecessors to do drugs, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and be bullied.

Two Pakistani smugglers killed, 12 kg heroin seized in Punjab

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The BSF has killed two Pakistani smugglers along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab and recovered 12 kg heroin, valued at Rs.50 crore in the international market, from them, an official said on Sunday.

The Border Security Force (BSF) troopers also recovered one AK-47 assault rifle, magazines and 31 rounds of ammunition from the spot in the Amritsar sector following a search operation on Sunday.

The heroin, wrapped in 12 packets, was found near the Border outpost of Rattan Khurd in the sector, 285 km from here.

Sayeed leaves for Kashmir to assess flood threat

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed rushed to Srinagar on Sunday to personally monitor the situation arising from incessant rains in the Kashmir Valley.

This is Sayeed’s first visit to the valley after he took over as the chief minister of the state on March 1, 2015.

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh informed the assembly here on Sunday that Sayeed is on way to Srinagar to monitor the flood situation arising from incessant rains in the Valley.

Multi-tasking can hamper your brain

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Multi-tasking can hamper your performance and may even damage your brain, claim researchers from Stanford University.

The team found that people who are involved with multi-tasking cannot pay attention and recall information than those who complete one task at a time.

The Stanford team compared groups of people based on their tendency to multitask and their belief that it helps their performance.

They found that heavy multi-taskers were actually worse at multitasking than those who like to do a single thing at a time.

Top IPS officers from intelligence & investigation departments knock govt’s door on salary issues

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In a unique case, some top IPS officers heading important posts of border security, intelligence and investigation have moved the government claiming “anomalies” in their salary packages, which they contend, lower their dignity and morale.

The officers have been bracketed in the second top pay scale of Rs 75,500-Rs 80,000 as compared to the highest salary of Rs 80,000 fixed pay scale, despite they being the top police officers in the country as either being Directors General (DGs) of paramilitary forces or being the senior-most in the serving ranks of the Indian Police Service (IPS).

Can daylight in schools protect eyesight of kids?

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A century-old belief that high daylight levels in schools could prevent short sight or myopia may be true even today, suggests a study.

The results, published in the journal Perspectives in Public Health, compared the history of school myopia with the bone disease rickets.

Myopia, like rickets, is a seasonal condition which seems to get worse in the winter. Recent research on myopia has revived an old theory that school children who spend more time outdoors have lower levels of myopia, the study noted.

Malaysia’s ethnic Indian men won’t marry rape victims

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A video survey conducted by a television channel has shown Malaysia’s ethnic Indian men saying that they will not marry rape victims.

In the video produced by Malaysia’s Indian entertainment and lifestyle channel, Astro Ulagam titled “Would you marry a rape victim? Watch the shocking answers from Malaysian Indian men!” that was uploaded on its Facebook page on Saturday, two of three young ethnic Indian men interviewed refused to wed sexual assault victims, saying their family honour will be tarnished, the Malay Mail reported.

Nawazuddin gives ‘full marks’ to Varun Dhawan

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The actor in front of Nawazuddin Siddiqui in “Badlapur” was a relatively inexperienced Varun Dhawan. But balancing out his own experiences with the “Main Tera Hero” actor in “Badlapur” turned out to be a smooth sailing for the National Award winner.

“I saw Varun’s energy and passion on day one. I was very inspired by his energy. If he hadn’t been receptive to his character’s demands and mine, the film would have fallen apart.”

Young male monkeys prefer hanging around with dads to prepare for itinerant lifestyle

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A new study has revealed that young male monkeys prefer to hang around with their dads, may be in order to prepare for the itinerant lifestyle they are forced to live later in life.

When male rhesus macaques reach a certain stage in life, they prefer to hang around with their dads, and their dads with them, the BBBC reported.

Scientists knew that primates often form stronger bonds between one sex over the other. Females, for example, often form closer ties with one another than males.

Moin Khan axed as Pakistan Chief selector

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Pakistan under-fire chief selector Moin Khan has reportedly been axed from his position after a meeting of top officials of the cricket board on Saturday.

Moin, whose contract is yet to expire, was severely censured for visiting a casino in New Zealand during the World Cup, and has been offered another position in the PCB, the Dawn reported.

Additionally, the meeting discussed possible candidates for the role of ODI captain after Misbah-ul-Haq decided to retire from the limited over game at the end of Pakistan’s World Cup campaign.

Scott Disick isn’t done working on himself, plans to go back to rehab

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Scott Disick who recently left a Costa Rica rehab center, has planned to return back to it, saying he is not done working on himself and would like to continue his treatment.

The 31-year old model, opened up about his battle with alcohol and drug issues at the 1OAK nightclub, where he hosted a party, saying he was working on himself and plans to return back to the center as he thinks it was an amazing place, E! Online reported.

Dermot O’Leary quits ‘X-Factor’ after being voted second best host

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Dermot O’Leary walked out as ‘X-Factor’ host after he found out that he was the second best choice to present this year’s show, it has been revealed.

The Irish TV presenter dramatically announced his departure after being sacked by boss Simon Cowell, the Daily Star reported.

An ‘X-Factor’ spokesman asserted that ‘X-Factor producers and Cowell discussed replacing Dermot with Olly and Caroline but wanted to wait until signing the pair before letting him go.

Sources said that chances were that he would have been replaced but he preferred to go on his own terms.

Here’s why ‘Game of Thrones’ actress Carice van Houten comfortable with nudity

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Carice van Houten, who plays the mysterious Red Priestess, Melisandre in ‘ Game of Thrones’ , has opened up about how she is comfortable with nudity.

The 38-year-old actress said that according to her it has to do with the fact that she was Dutch, because they were more used to nudity in films, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Talking about her role in the HBO fantasy drama, the Dutch actress continued that her nudity is her instrument and it is the way to get what she needs.

She said that people react so strongly on a nipple instead of a head being cut off.

Selena Gomez advices Jeff Ross on roasting Justin Bieber

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Jeff Ross has revealed that he got tips from Justin Bieber’s former girlfriend, Selena Gomez, on how to roast the 21-year old singer.

In a recent interview with The Huffington Post newspaper, the 49-year-old stand-up comedian admitted that he researched dirt about Bieber for ‘Comedy Cnetral’ roasting and asked Gomez as well for the tips, the Mirror reported.

Volvo’s new reflective spray-paint makes cyclists visible at night

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The Swedish car manufacturer Volvo and UK design firm Grey London have partnered with Albedo100 to come up with a reflective spray-paint to make cycling safer at night.

The LifePaint, which is technically not paint, is a washable material that lasts about 10 days after application and is completely invisible until it’s hit by the glare of a car’s headlights after which it glows, the Verge reported.

Yemeni President Hadi accuses Iran of country’s instability calling Houthi rebels ‘stooges of Iran’

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Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi has blamed Iran for destabilizing the country saying that Houthi rebels are “stooges of Iran”.

According to BBC, correspondents said that the conflict is a proxy war between Sunnu Arab nations and Shia Iran .

Hadi’s statement came at an Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, days after having to flee Yemen as rebels advanced on his stronghold of Aden.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Riad Yassin said that he planned to stay overseas until the situation settled. (ANI)

Jesse Ryder knocks out NZ blogger on eve of Kiwis’ WC final against Oz in charity bout

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New Zealand big-hitting batsman Jesse Ryder was exchanging blows with a blogger on the eve of his nation’s World Cup final against Australia and knocked him out in the opening round of a charity bout.

Ryder, who wasn’t selected for New Zealand’s World Cup squad, knocked out Cameron Slater, best known as the controversial Whale Oil blogger and for being the subject of the Dirty Politics scandal, in the opening round of their charity bout for KidsCan on the undercard of SKY Arena’s Super 8 redemption in Christchurch.

Wills-Kat to welcome their second baby on Anzac Day

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Kate Middleton and Prince William will be welcoming their second royal baby on the Anzac Day i.e. on April 25.

The sources have confirmed that the royal family will welcome their new royal member on the New Zealand’s most significant day at the London’s St Mary’s Hospital, where Duchess Kate gave birth to Price George, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Duchess of Cambridge and Duke of Cambridge previously expressed that they can’t wait to have their second baby, but have kept mum on the exact due date by just mentioning that it was somewhere in mid April. (ANI)

Becks to appear on comedian pal James Corden’s chat show

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David Beckham will appear on his comedian pal, James Corden ‘s new chat show, ‘The Late Late Show’ to support him in his push to make it big Stateside.

The former English footballer is expected to fly to Los Angeles to join his 36-year-old friend in a surprise comedy sketch to help him out in making his new show climb high on the graph, the Mirror reported.

A source informed that the 39-year-old footy ace was one of the most famous men in the world and having him with his comedian friend on one platform would be one of the best moments on the show yet. (ANI)

India, Singapore should work in tune with Lee Kuan Yew’s thinking: PM Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam here on Saturday, said both nations should work together more closely in tune with Lee Kuan Yew’s thinking.

Prime Minister Modi, who is in Singapore to attend Lee Kuan Yew’s funeral, said the latter’s drive for public housing and cleanliness are models for us.

The Singapore Deputy Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Modi towards cooperative competitive federalism.

BJP disrupts J-K Assembly, demands Kitchloo’s arrest

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs staged a protest inside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today demanding the arrest of National Conference leader and former Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo.

BJP leader Ravindra Raina told the media that Justice Gandhi Commission’s report on the Kishtwar communal riots has held Kitchloo responsible for the clashes.

AAP’s Vasegaran begins hunger strike, demands release of volunteers

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Vasegaran began a hunger strike here on Sunday demanding the release of 50 volunteers of his party who were arrested on March 21 for barging into the compound of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s official residence.

“This is very unfortunate and till the time they don’t release our volunteers, we will keep a fast and it will start from today,” Vasegaran told ANI here.

“Our AAP volunteers were at the CM’s residence to give a petition for Muthukumaraswamy,” he added.

Joy ride turns tragic for techie

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An IT trainee died in Husain Sagar Lake when her speed boat which she was riding collided with another boat on Friday night. The incident occurred at about 8.45 pm when Bakhtawar Rana, 22, died after receiving head injury as her head was crushed between the two boats. Due to the impact of boat collusion she was tossed into the air and her head was crushed between two boats. She died on the spot. Rana who was a trainee in Wipro was riding speed boat along with a few of her colleagues. The speed boat lost control and collided with another one at the alighting point.

Siasat news

2 Pak intruders shot dead by BSF; 12-kg heroin, rifle seized

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Two suspected Pakistani intruders were shot dead here by security personnel in the early hours today as they were trying to smuggle in heroin worth Rs 60 crore into India, a day after 24-kg of the contraband was seized following a similar operation near the border.

Confirming the killing of two intruders at border outpost Rattan Khurd, Border Security Force (BSF) DIG RPS Jaswal said that an AK-47 assault rifle, too, was recovered from the intruders along with 12-kg of heroin.

Govt asks previous mines allottees to clear stock by Apr 8

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Government has asked all the previous allottees of coal mines to remove by April 8 the dry fuel extracted till March 31, paving the way for smooth handover of the blocks to successful bidders.

The government order follows auction of 33 mines in two tranches through which it garnered a massive Rs 2 lakh crore, surpassing CAG’s estimates of a loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore to the exchequer on account of allocation without auction.