Investors celebrate Diwali with Rs 30 lk cr gain in wealth

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Mumbai, October 18: It has truly turned out to be a festive year for Dalal Street with investors becoming richer by nearly Rs 30 lakh crore since last Diwali, on the back of recovery in the stock market.

The total investor wealth has more than doubled to over Rs 58 lakh crore in the Samvat year 2065, the year according to the Hindu calendar, ended Friday last week, a day before Diwali.

As curtains are down to Samvat 2065, hopes of swifter economic recovery have replaced sombre mood seen last year.

Badami Chicken

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Ingredients :
1 whole chicken,cut into small pieces
1 cup yoghurt
6 onions, chopped
1 ginger
10 cloves of garlic
6 cloves
2 cinnamon
cardamoms
10 cashewnuts
10 almonds
1 cup coconut milk
½ cup oil
Salt to taste
½ tsp turmeric
chilli powder to taste

Method :
Make a paste of the ginger, garlic, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, cashews and almonds.
Heat oil in a big vessel, add the chopped onions. Fry them till they turn golden. Then put the ground masala and fry very well.
While frying this paste, add 3-4 tbsp of water you will notice that oil floats on top.

Besan Laddu

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Ingredients :

¾ cup besan, coarsely ground
¾ cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup ghee
¼ tsp elaichi powder
2 to 3 drops saffron colour

Method :

Combine together the sugar and saffron colour. Keep aside.
Dissolve the ghee in a kadhai, put the besan and cook over a low flame and keep on stirring continuously till it becomes golden brown in colour.
Put the elaichi powder and stir well.
Take out from the fire and pour on a thali. Cool completely.
Combine together the gram flour mixture and sugar.
Divide into 7 equal parts and shape into laddus.

Indian textiles to take on China in own turf

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New Delhi, October 18: The nearly $10-billion Indian textile and apparel industry, buoyed by a growth in August after nine months of decline and by increased demand from Europe, says it’s taking on its biggest competitor by entering the Chinese market.

‘We are charting a new course by entering China, the textile behemoth,’ said Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) chairman Rakesh Vaid.

One short of 100 US bank collapses; 99 bite the dust in ’09

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New York, October 18: Inching towards the century-mark, a staggering 99 US banks have gone belly up so far this year, indicating that the banking sector continues to be shaky.

This year’s toll is about four-fold that of 25 failures in 2008, with an average of nearly 10 banks collapsing every month.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC), which insures deposits of more than 8,000 financial institutions, recently said 416 entities are at risk of failing.

Asian leaders to discuss economic ties, disasters

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Bangkok, October 18: Closer economic ties and ways of coping better with devastating natural disasters in the region will be on the agenda as Asian leaders gather in Thailand this week, analysts and diplomats have said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meets on Friday in the resort town of Hua Hin for its annual summit, followed by talks with the leaders of China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, India and New Zealand.

China to overtake Japan in next two years: Analysts

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Beijing, October 18: China will overtake Japan to become the second largest economy in the next two years, giving Beijing greater clout on the world stage and boosting the ruling Communists’ stature at home, analysts say.

Figures to be released this week in Beijing are expected to show the economy expanded 9.5 percent in the third quarter, further narrowing the gap with Japan which may only post one percent growth for the period, economists forecast.

ALBA calls US-Colombia military deal ‘threat’

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Washington, October 18: Latin American states have once again decried a military agreement between Colombia and the US as a threat to South American countries.

Leaders of the Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America and the Caribbean (ALBA) denounced the deal in a statement issued at the end of a two-day meeting on Saturday.

The ALBA leaders rejected the installation of US military bases in Latin America and the Caribbean, saying Colombia “must reconsider” the plan.

Harassed by legislator, woman official commits suicide

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Hyderabad, October 18: A woman agriculture officer in Andhra Pradesh committed suicide alleging mental harassment by a legislator, a minister said Sunday.

B. Rajeswari Sunday died of burn injuries at a corporate hospital, where she was undergoing treatment after she set herself ablaze four days ago.

Minister for Small Industries D.K. Aruna said action would be taken as per law against those responsible for the woman’s death. She said Rajeswari named a legislator and two other people’s representatives in her statement.

Ross Taylor guides RCB to victory over Daredevils

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Bangalore, October 18: Bangalore Royal Challengers and Delhi Daredevils crashed out of the Champions League Twenty20 after the formers` eight-wicket victory over their Indian Premier League opponents here on Saturday.

In a dramatic League B Super Eight match at the packed Chainnaswamy Stadium, Ross Taylor smashed a blistering 65 off just 38 balls to help Bangalore surpass the target of 139 with nearly five overs to spare.

Earlier, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Anil Kumble led from the front by grabbing three wickets to restrict Delhi Daredevils to a modest 138 for six.

Netanyahu: Turkey can’t be an honest broker

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Jerusalem, October 18: Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declared that he does not want Turkey to act as a mediator in future talks with Syria.

Ties between Israel and Turkey began to sour in January when Ankara strongly condemned Israel’s 22-day offensive on the Gaza Strip which killed at least 1400 people mostly woman and children.

Relations took another sharp downturn last week when Turkey excluded Israel from a joint air force drill over Gaza incidents.

Windows 7 to salvage Vista ‘train wreck’

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San Francisco, October 18: Microsoft releases Windows 7 to the world as the US software giant tries to regain its stride after an embarrassing stumble with the previous generation operating system Vista.

“It’s a big deal for Microsoft,” analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley said of the Windows 7 launch. “Windows Vista was a train wreck.”

While computer users may not give much thought to operating systems that serve as the brains of their machines, the programs are at the heart of Microsoft’s global software empire.

Pacific El Nino equals Atlantic hurricane calm: Experts

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Miami, October 18: The Pacific’s El Nino ocean-warming phenomenon has resulted in an especially calm Atlantic hurricane season – a welcome respite for Caribbean and southeastern US residents still smarting from a 2008 pounding.

There have only been two hurricanes in the 2009 Atlantic season, which runs from June 1 to late November 30, but normally peaks in September and October.

NASA photos show moon strike created plume

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Los Angeles, October 18: NASA’s much-hyped mission to hurl a spacecraft into the moon turned out some worthwhile data after all, scientists said.

New images show a 1.6 kilometre-high plume of lunar debris from the Cabeus crater shortly after the space agency’s Centaur rocket struck October 9.

“We were blown away by the data returned,” Anthony Colaprete, the mission’s chief scientist, said in a report Friday from the Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, which managed the launch. “The team is working hard on the analysis, and the data appear to be of very high quality.”

Blasts kill, wound dozens including IRGC commanders

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Tehran, October 18: Two separate terrorist explosions in southeastern parts of Iran have killed and injured dozens including top commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

The first attack took place at a unity gathering of Shia and Sunni tribal leaders on Sunday morning, in the Pishin area, a region situated in the borderline Province of Sistan-Balouchestan.

Reports indicate that provincial IRGC commanders Brigadier Nour-Ali Shoushtari and Brigadier Rajab-Ali Mohammadzadeh were among those who lost their lives in the attack.

New test to detect bowel cancer from outside body

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London, October 18: No need to undergo unpleasant examinations to spot an early symptom of bowel cancer – one of the deadliest. Now, scientists claim to have developed a new test which can detect the disease from outside one’s body.

Bowel cancer or colorectal cancer includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. With 655,000 deaths worldwide per year, it’s the third most common form of cancer. Currently the common test to detect the disease is colonoscopy either under a local or general anaesthetic.

200 kids with ortho problems await surgeries with hopes

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Bangalore, October 18: Fifteen-year old Abishek hopes his bones will no longer break everytime he tries to chase a puppy down the street and trips.

The boy, studying in class 10, suffers from brittle bones, a genetic disorder that causes frequent fractures, and is waiting for a surgery that promises to make his bone strong.

Like him, eight-year-old Gururaj from Belgaum is waiting to know how it means to land your feet on the ground and walk straight. Born with club feet, he is waiting to take those first steps of his life without having to bend his thighs or knees.

Naseeruddin-starrer to open New York Film Fest

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New York, October 18: Naseeruddin Shah-starrer “Today`s Special”, a comedy set in New York City, will open the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council (MIAAC) Film Festival here next month that will have 47 screenings including 44 premieres of features, documentaries and short films.
Now in its ninth year, the annual festival from November 11-15 will present veteran Shyam Benegal`s comic take on Indian politics “Well Done Abba” and Anurag Kashyap`s “Gulaal”.

The festival closes with “Antaheen – The Endless Wait” starring Sharmila Tagore and Aparna Sen, both of whom will attend the festival.

Robbers target Indian homes looking for gold

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Washington, October 18: Indian and South Asian homes have been targetted in a months-long series of daytime break-ins in Northern Virginia by burglars looking for gold that mirror a disturbing trend seen in other parts of the US as well.

“The burglars are discerning. They have taken 22-karat pieces but left behind sterling silver and well-crafted costume jewellery,” the Washington Post reported Saturday.

Salman patches up with Himesh for ‘Wanted’ sequel

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Mumbai, October 18: The multi-talented Himesh Reshammiya is apparently one of the biggest Salman Khan fans from within the industry. Though Himesh had previously made it very clear that he would only create music for himself, reports reveal he has now decided to go out of his way this time, only for Salman.
According to our source, Himesh has agreed to compose and sing for Salman, in the sequel of ‘Wanted’, titled ‘Most Wanted’. “Anything for Salmanbhai! He just has to say it and I’ll do it,” says Himesh.

Govt. forms Committee to expedite Satyam investigation

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New Delhi, October 18: The government has formed a committee with representations from market regulator SEBI, CBI and Enforcement Directorate to expedite investigation in the over Rs. 10,000-crore accounting scam in IT firm Satyam Computers.

The Coordination Committee will be headed by Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, official sources said.

“We want to finish the investigation (of the Satyam case) by the end of this year. Hence, the Coordination Committee,” an official told PTI.

Priyanka Chopra celebrates Diwali with Hurman!

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Mumbai, October 18: Although Shahid and Priyanka’s clandestine affair may be doing rounds in Bollywood, grapevine has it that Piggy Chops’ relationship with Hurman Baweja is still a million dollar question!
Buzz has it that Priyanka sizzled with none other than Hurman this Diwali. According to reports, Priyanka celebrated the festival of lights with ex-flame Hurman Baweja, rather than her current beau Shahid Kapur. Incidentally, Priyanka and Hurman were spotted together almost after a year at the latter’s Diwali bash on Thursday night.

Diwali Special: Almond Diyas

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This is a traditional dish relished during Diwali.

Ingredients:

200 gms almonds, soaked and peeled
120 gms of powdered sugar a few drops of yellow colour

Procedure:

1. Grind the almonds to a very fine paste. Mix sugar and almond paste in a heavy pan.

2. Cook on low flame, stirring continuously. Take care that the paste does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Cook till the paste begins to leave the sides. Remove from the stove and allow to cool till mixture can be handled.

Mubarak: Israeli settlements concern Muslims

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Cairo, October 18: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says the entire Muslim world is concerned about the expansion of the Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories.

Mubarak, who met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Rome on Saturday, also condemned Israel’s “attempts to assimilate” Jerusalem (Al-Quds).

Israel’s continuation of settlement construction “worries not only the Palestinians but the entire Muslim world,” AFP quoted Mubarak as saying.

The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including east Al-Quds, to be illegal.

Chavez urges US, Russia to denuclearize themselves

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Venenzuela, October 18: Venezuela has called for the elimination of all nuclear bombs asking why powers that possess such weapons of mass destruction are not under pressure to disarm.

“What we propose is for nuclear bombs to be eliminated. Venezuela will never build a nuclear bomb,” Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told reporters in the central Bolivian region of Cochabamba on Saturday.

The Venezuelan president said his government is working with Russia to develop nuclear energy, stressing Venezuela would only use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.