Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Search operations resume at Japan volcano site

Tokyo, Oct 1 (IANS) Search operations resumed Wednesday at the Mount Ontake volcano eruption site in Japan.


Rescue teams comprising police, firefighters and self-defence forces have been deployed at the site, Kyodo News reported.

Search operations were hit by bad weather and volcanic activity Tuesday.

A sudden volcanic eruption at Mount Ontake in central Japan Sep 27 killed 36 people and left 250 injured.

Ontake was thought to be inactive until October 1979, when it underwent a series of explosive eruptions, spewing over 200,000 tonnes of ash.

Japan is one of the world’s most seismically active countries.

In 1991, at least 43 people were killed when Mount Unzen erupted in the country’s south-west region.




Search operations resume at Japan volcano site

14 die as two trains collide in UP

Lucknow/New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) Fourteen people were killed and over a dozen were injured late Tuesday when a train didn’t stop at a red signal and collided with another train in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur city, authorities said.


The horrific accident took place after Krishak Express did not halt at the signal, bringing it on the same track as Barauni Express.

It happened around 11.30 p.m. when the Barauni Express was passing the Nandanagar crossing.

Fourteen people were killed in the collision, Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda said Wednesday.

“…my deepest condolences for the families of 14 innocent people who lost their lives,” the minister said in a tweet.

The driver of the Krishak Express was to halt at the ‘home signal’, but he apparently crossed the red signal, leading to the head on collision with the Barauni Express, officials said.

As a result of the collision, five unreserved general class coaches of the Barauni Express derailed. The Krishak Express tore through the fifth coach and badly damaged the sixth, seventh and the eight coach of the Barauni Express.

Drivers of the Krishak Express Ram Bahadur and Satyajeet Kumar escaped from the accident site, an official told IANS.

Gowda said: “It was loco pilot’s mistake who neglected the signal. The loco pilot has been suspended. Strict action will be taken for negligence.”

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the North-Eastern Railways (NER) Alok Singh admitted that the drivers of the Krishak Express overshot the red signal. A probe has been ordered by the Railway Board, he said.

Gas cutters and cranes were pressed into service and the Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel stationed nearby joined the rescue operations.




14 die as two trains collide in UP

New Delhi: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2015

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Nigeria football governing body gets new chief

Abuja, Oct 1 (IANS) Amaju Pinnick emerged as the new chief of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after a keenly contested two-round election.


Pinnick garnered highest number of votes among seven other contestants who vied for the seat of the president of NFF, reports Xinhua.

He emerged as winner of the election with 25 votes in the first round and 32 votes in the second round of the election held in Warri area of southeast Delta State.

Taiwo Ogunjobi, former secretary general of the Nigerian football governing body, also contested the election. He emerged as a distant first runner-up, with nine votes.

The immediate past vice president of the NFF Mike Umeh had no vote in the election, while the former president Aminu Maigari ruled himself out of the contest.

Tuesday’s election was held after Nigeria bowed to a rule by FIFA to hold two congresses as a way of quelling the internal crises that have recently ravaged the football governing body in the West African country.

For months now, FIFA’s axe had been dangling on NFF over the protracted leadership tussle.

–Indo-Asiam News Service

sr/rd




Nigeria football governing body gets new chief

Modi visits three symbols of peace, equality, unity

Washington, Sep 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed to his bilateral summit with President Barack Obama Tuesday after paying homage at three memorials symbolising peace, equality and unity dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln.


Modi, wearing a light orange kurta and a white Nehru jacket, paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatama Gandhi, apostle of non-violence and father of the Indian nation, in front of the Indian embassy in Washington.

A large number of Indian-Americans chanted “Modi, Modi” as he arrived at the memorial with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

Cast in bronze, the eight feet and eight inches tall statue designed by Gautam Pal shows Gandhi in stride, as a leader and man of action, evoking memories of his 1930 protest march against salt-tax, and the many other padyatras (long marches) he undertook during the freedom struggle.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then prime minister of India, dedicated the Gandhi Memorial in the presence of then President Bill Clinton Sep 16, 2000, during a state visit to the US.

Earlier, Modi also visited the memorials to American civil rights leader King, whose struggle for the blacks was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, and Lincoln, the 16th US president who issued an emancipation declaration to free slaves and led a civil war to save the American Union.

King’s memorial was dedicated Aug 28, 2011, the 48th anniversary of his groundbreaking March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and his “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered from the nearby Lincoln Memorial.

Designed by Lei Yixin, the 30-foot high white granite Stone of Hope statue detached from the Mountain of Despair reflects the victory borne from disappointment.

The 98-foot high Lincoln Memorial, designed by Henry Bacon on the National Mall, is a favourite haunt of US President Barack Obama, who is an admirer of all three icons: Gandhi, King and Lincoln.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)




Modi visits three symbols of peace, equality, unity

Jayalalithaa bail plea hearing advanced to Wednesday

Bangalore, Sep 30 (IANS) The Karnataka High Court will hear Wednesday the criminal review petition of jailed former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa for suspension of sentence and bail.


The court registrar has posted the revision petition before the special bench Wednesday on the directive of the state chief justice after the state government declared holiday Oct 6 for the Eid-ul-Azha festival, the date on which the case hearing was adjourned to by the vacation bench earlier in the day.

“The chief justice (D.H. Waghela) has considered our request to advance the hearing to Wednesday, as the court has holidays from Oct 2 up to Oct 6 and since the revision petition was admitted by vacation bench judge Justice Rathnakala earlier in the day but adjourned it to Oct 6 on technical grounds,” a defence counsel told IANS here.

Justice Rathnakala will preside over the special bench and hear the arguments of the defence counsel under section 389 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which provides a convicted person statutory right to appeal in an appellate court or a high court for seeking suspension of the sentence and release on bail on a surety bond.

Earlier, senior criminal lawyer Ram Jethmalani, who appeared before the vacation bench on behalf of 66-year-old Jayalalithaa in the case, sought interim relief to her, as the sentence (four years of jail term) was less than 10 years and hence she was entitled for immediate bail.

A special court here Saturday convicted Jayalalithaa in the Rs.66-crore disproportionate assets’ case and sentenced her to four years simple imprisonment, with a fine of Rs.100 crore under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Meanwhile, special public prosecutor G. Bhavani Singh confirmed being appointed by the Tamil Nadu government to represent its department of vigilance and anti-corruption in the case as its prosecution counsel.

“I have received intimation from the Tamil Nadu government Tuesday afternoon to be counsel for DVAC counsel in the case. I will appear before the special bench and respond if am asked to by the judge through a notice on the revision petition,” Singh told IANS here.

As the trial case was transferred to Bangalore from Madras High Court in 2003 on the directive of the Supreme Court, Singh said the Karnataka government too has to appoint him as its prosecutor as the special court and the high court fall under the state’s jurisdiction.

He also admitted that the special bench can take a suo moto action on the revision petition and grant bail on special grounds such as health of the convict and his/her age without hearing the prosecution or overruling the objections filed, if any on merits.

The special bench will also hear the revision petitions of other three convicted – Sasikala Natarajan V.K. Sudhakaran and J. Ilavarasi, who were also awarded four-year jail term and fined for Rs.10 crore each by the lower court Saturday.




Jayalalithaa bail plea hearing advanced to Wednesday

Asian Games: Indian men and women in semifinals

Incheon, Sep 30 (IANS) The Indian men and women’s kabaddi teams made it to the semifinals of the 17th Asian Games after topping their respective groups here Tuesday.


The men’s team, record six time champions, brushed aside arch-rivals Pakistan 23-11 to top Group A to make the last-four at the Songdo Global University Gymnasium. The women’s, who are the defending champions, thrashed South Korea 45-26 to top Group A also enter the semi-finals .

The Rakesh Kumar-led men’s team, which defeated Bangladesh and Thailand earlier, put in another dominating performance to trounce Pakistan. Indian men have won all the six gold medals ever since the spot was introduced in the Asian Games in 1990 in Beijing.

The men’s team with the starting line-up of Jasvir Singh, Anup Kumar, Manjeet Chhillar, Navneet Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Subramaniam Rajguru, rode on its brilliant first half when it zoomed to a 17-4 lead. The Indian team knocked out 11 Pakistan athletes and collected two ‘lona’ points.

After taking a big lead in the first 20 minutes, defending champions, India played it easy in the second half and got six points as compared to Pakistan’s seven.

But in the end, the 13 points first half deficit proved costly for the Pakistan, who also qualified for the semi-final as the second team from Group A. The semi-finals are slated for Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the women’s team, which thrashed Bangladesh Sunday, put in another dominating performance to trounce the hosts at the Songdo Global University Gymnasium.

The women’s team with the starting line-up of Kavitha Selvaraj, Kavita Devi, V. Tejeswini Bai, Abhilasha Mhatre, Priyanka, Mamatha Poojari and Kishori Shinde, rode on its brilliant first half when it zoomed to 27-10 lead. The Indian team knocked out 22 Korean athletes and collected four ‘lona’ points.

Defending champions, India rested some seniors in the second half that allowed the Koreans to score some points. The Koreans bagged 16 points as compared to India’s 18 in the second half. But the hosts failed to erase the 17 points deficit of the first half and were knocked out of the competition.

In the second half, the Indian girls got 15 points for ousting Korean players and scored four lona points. The semi-finals will take place Thursday.




Asian Games: Indian men and women in semifinals

Afghanistan, NATO sign agreement

Kabul, Sep 30 (IANS) The Afghanistan government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Tuesday signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) here.


Afghan Presidential Advisor on National Security Mohammad Hanif Atmar and NATO’s senior civilian representative to Afghanistan Maurits R. Jochems signed the agreement, Xinhua reported.

Under the agreement, a limited number of NATO forces, probably more than 2,000 service members, would remain in Afghanistan after the 2014 pullout of troops to provide training and advice to Afghan security forces.




Afghanistan, NATO sign agreement

Saradha scam: ED seals East Bengal's holding company's accounts

Kolkata, Sep 30 (IANS) Having already grilled several officials of the East Bengal Football club in connection with the multi-crore-rupee Saradha scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now sealed the accounts of the club’s holding company.


Confirming the news, club’s general secretary Kalyan Majumdar said the ED will be requested to defreeze the accounts so that it can make payments to the players and the club is able to function properly.

“As the ED has sealed accounts of our holding company (Kingfisher United East Bengal Club Private Ltd), it will not be possible for us to run the club. Therefore, we will be urging the ED to defreeze the account so that we may make payments to the players,” said Majumdar.

While its office bearer Debabrata Sarkar is already behind bars being arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which too is probing the scam, the ED earlier in the month grilled assistant general secretary Shanti Ranjan Dasgupta, and accountant Tapan Das as well as Majumdar.

The Sudipta Sen-owned Saradha Group had invested both in East Bengal as well as arch rival Mohun Bagan.

Several club officials including Sarkar’s name feature in Sen’s letter to the CBI that he had written before his eventual arrest.




Saradha scam: ED seals East Bengal's holding company's accounts

Action will be taken against firecracker imports: Minister

Chennai, Sep 30 (IANS) Stringent action will be taken against imports of firecrackers as such imports are illegal, said union Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman here Tuesday.


The central government has not given any import licence for firecrackers, she told media on the sidelines of a function organised by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation.

According to her, a delegation of firecracker industry met her in Delhi and briefed her about illegal imports from China. The firecrackers brought in containers are stored secretly and later distributed in the market.

She said the government has taken immediate action like issuing public notice.

The government will also be issuing advertisements in this regard to create public awareness, she added.

“We have sent letter to all the chief ministers, including Tamil Nadu, stating that it is the states’ responsibility to take action on illegal firecrackers.”

She stressed that the central government has not given any permission to import firecrackers under the Explosives Act.

Firecracker manufacturers in Tamil Nadu are complaining about import of Chinese products.




Action will be taken against firecracker imports: Minister

Ghaziabad trader's robbers nabbed, articles recovered

Ghaziabad, Sep 30 (IANS) Ghaziabad police arrested three robbers and recovered a licensed pistol, a gold chain, a bracelet and a mobile phone looted from a businessman Sep 24.


Talking to the media, police officer Ran Vijay Singh said on the day of the crime, Bilaal of Nahal village in Ghaziabad district was caught while three of his accomplices managed to escape.

During intensive checking, police Tuesday nabbed the remaining three robbers — Anees, Monees and Shaad Mohammad. The first two are residents of Nahal while the third lives in Masuri town of Ghaziabad district.

The police recovered all the articles looted from businessman Hari Om Giri – his licensed pistol of .32 calibre, his mobile, gold chain, gold ring and gold bracelet.

The police also recovered two country-made pistols and four live cartridges of .315 bore that the robbers used in committing the crime.

The robbers disclosed that their accomplices Faisal, Lukman and Sameeullah had collected information about Giri’s times of arrival and departure that helped them loot him of his pistol and ornaments valued Rs.5 lakh outside his Patel Nagar office.

The police official added that eight criminal cases, including some under various act related to gangster activities and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances are registered against Anees in the Masuri police station of Ghaziabad.




Ghaziabad trader's robbers nabbed, articles recovered

EC bars meetings with Haryana district officials

Chandigarh, Sep 30 (IANS) The Haryana chief secretary and other senior officials have been asked not to hold meetings or organise video conferences with district officials to review poll preparedness, progress on electoral rolls’ preparation or revision and other such activities, a senior election official said Tuesday.


Haryana chief electoral officer Shrikant Walgad said that the Election Commission has prohibited holding such meetings or video conferences by the executive machinery of the state. He said that all work related to the conduct of elections and preparation of the electoral rolls fell under the purview of the poll panel and the state executive should not interfere with it.

Elections to 90 assembly seats in Haryana are to be held Oct 15.

Walgad said that all district officials directly connected with the conduct of the election have to report only to the EC. Any such meetings can be held only with the EC’s permission, he added.




EC bars meetings with Haryana district officials

Gaudoin named Kookaburras' senior assistant coach

Melbourne, Sep 30 (IANS) Hockey Australia (HA) Tuesday announced that Paul Gaudoin will step up as the senior assistant coach of the ‘Kookaburras’ following Graham Reid’s appointment as national coach earlier this month.


Gaudoin, who has been an assistant coach to the team since 2010, will become Reid’s right hand man as the Kookaburras prepare for the 2016 Olympics. However, the move will see him relinquish his role as national junior coach with HA looking to fill the spot early next year.

“It’s quite difficult in the end when you go for a role as head coach and it doesn’t quite work out. It makes you think about what you want and where you want to be and this is a good place to be,” Gaudoin said.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the work I’ve been heavily involved with over the last few years and I’m keen to take the opportunity to further develop myself in what is the best programme in the world which will ultimately prepare me for a role as a head coach.”

A former captain of the Australian hockey team, Gaudoin made 234 appearances in an 11-year international career spanning 1994-2004. He won bronze medals at two Olympics and was selected for a third — 2004 Athens — but withdrew because of injury. A midfielder, he played in three World Cups, winning silver in 2002 and bronze in 1994.




Gaudoin named Kookaburras' senior assistant coach

Manish Uppal goes for name change, rechristened Tridev

Mumbai, Sep 30 (IANS) Actor Manish Uppal, who did a cameo in Ranbir Kapoor-starrer “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”, has changed his name to Tridev.


After failing to find a foothold in filmdom, the actor has sought refuge in numerology to boost his career.

“It’s according to the numerology principles. I have taken advice from an expert and then opted for the name. Tridev will be my screen name. I am doing a film called ‘Life Mein Twist Hai’ and there I will be known as Tridev,” he said in a statement.

The film revolves around a student who falls for the professor. And Tridev plays the lead role of the professor.

“I am passionate about my work and am confident that my hard work and patience will pay off,” said the actor who started his career with commercials.

He was also seen in “Kyaa Kool Hai Hum”.




Manish Uppal goes for name change, rechristened Tridev

Indian men in Asiad hockey final after 12 years

Incheon, Sep 30 (IANS) Two-time champions India stayed on course for their first Asian Games gold medal in 16 years as a solitary strike by Akashdeep Singh helped them beat hosts South Korea 1-0 in the semifinals of the men’s hockey tournament at the Soenhak Hockey Stadium here Tuesday.


India not only stayed on course for a possible third gold medal but are also eyeing a direct berth for the 2016 Rio Olympics if they emerge champions here. India last made the final in 2002 when they were beaten by South Korea.

In the title-clash India will be playing the winner of the other semifinal between holders and record eight-time champions Pakistan and Malaysia.

India, who had last won the gold medal in 1998, upped their game when it mattered the most and put on a fine show against the hosts, who had won the gold medal on four occasion.

Having been beaten by India in the bronze medal play-off match in 2010 Guangzhou, South Korea were determined to take revenge. And it was evident on the field that both India and South Korea would not leave any stones unturned to claim a berth in the final.

Both the teams played an exciting game that saw a powerful mix of attack and defence. None of the teams let each other to cash in on any opportunities and open the goal account as the first two quarters remained barren.


The deadlock lasted till the 43rd minute, when forward Akashdeep Singh sneaked his way into the opponent’s D and pierced in a field goal to open the account for India in the 44th minute, which proved to be the winning goal for his team.

In the last 15 minutes, India tried their best to hold on to the lead and qualify for the final. South Korea were desperate to sneak in the equaliser and also came close when they earned a penalty corner in the 58th minute. But India goalkeeper P.R.Sreejesh stood like a rock and denied South Korea any hope of getting back into the match.


Chief coach Terry Walsh said he was pleased to see the way these boys have played.

“It was an important match and they played according to the strategies planned as well as keeping themselves calm and composed and did not leave any space for error. The whole team is excited to be the first contenders in the final and to have achieved our goals in the tournament as planned till now and our next goal is to win the final and book the berth for the 2016 Rio Olympics,” he said.

India were champions in 1966 and 1998 and finished runners-up on nine occasions. They have also won two bronze medals — the last coming in the 2010 edition.




Indian men in Asiad hockey final after 12 years

Sonia Gandhi visits Jammu

Jammu, Sep 30 (IANS) Congress president Sonia Gandhi Tuesday visited the flood-affected areas in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.


Concluding her two-day visit to flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, Sonia Gandhi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday visited Jammu region.

They interacted with flood-affected families in a relief camp set up inside the Gujjar hostel.

Both of them assured the victims that the party will take up the issue of relief and rehabilitation of affected families with the central government.

They were also scheduled to visit another relief camp in Akhnoor area in Jammu.

The Congress president arrived in the state Monday with Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Ambika Soni, and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad.




Sonia Gandhi visits Jammu

Masaba designs sari range inspired by Half Girlfriend

Mumbai, Sep 30 (IANS) It’s known that Chetan Bhagat’s novels have motivated moviemakers, but now his latest literary work “Half Girlfriend” has inspired a line of saris created by none other than Masaba Gupta, known for her quirky prints, with feminine drapes and silhouettes.


The collection has been titled “Masaba Lite” and will be available at all her outlets in Delhi, Kolkatta starting, Wednesday. One can shop for it at her store here as well.

“1 day. #halfgirlfriend #masabalite Limited Edition Saris signed by @chetan_bhagat across all our stores Tommorow,” the designer tweeted Tuesday.

“I’ve got my Chetan bhagat for Masaba Lite cover! Get yours Tommorow across Mumbai. delhi. Kolkata stores,” she further tweeted.

The author too shared his excitement on micro-blogging site.

“Stunned to see @MasabaG’s Half Girlfriend clothes collection. Will ask her to post pics and will RT,” he tweeted.

The collection will be launched Wednesday, alongside Bhagat’s novel “Half Girlfriend”.

Tagged as one of the most promising designers of the new age, Masaba became the youngest fashion director at Satya Paul at the age of 24.

Masaba made her foray in the industry with GenNext fashion show at Lakme Fashion Week 2009.

Her collection made her win the most promising designer award at the event. It was followed by the launch of her flagship store in 2010.




Masaba designs sari range inspired by Half Girlfriend

Over-weight? Blame it on gut bacteria

London, Sep 30 (IANS) A species of gut bacteria called Clostridium ramosum could enhance the effects of a high-fat diet, leading to weight gain, says a study.


Growth of this organism in the digestive tract is stimulated by high-fat diets, which in turn improves nutrient uptake and enhances the effect of such diets on body weight and body fat, the findings suggested.

“Our results indicate that Clostridium ramosum improves nutrient uptake in the small intestine and thereby promotes obesity,” said co-researcher Michael Blaut from the German Institute of Human Nutrition.

The researchers observed that mice harbouring human gut bacteria including C. ramosum gained weight when fed a high-fat diet.

Mice that did not have C. ramosum were less obese even when consuming a high-fat diet, and mice that had C. ramosum but consumed a low-fat diet also stayed lean.

“Previous studies have found C. ramosum and other representatives of the Erysipelotrichi class in obese humans,” Blaut stressed.

For the study, the researchers investigated the role of C. ramosum in three groups of mice: some harboured a simplified human intestinal microbiota (bacteria) of eight bacterial species including C. ramosum; some had simplified human intestinal microbiota except for C. ramosum and some had C. ramosum only.

“We were surprised that presence or absence of one species in a defined bacterial community affected body weight and body fat development in mice,” Blaut pointed out.

The study appeared in the journal mBio.




Over-weight? Blame it on gut bacteria

Mumbai: Rani Mukerji at North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja

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Washington (USA): PM Modi's dinner with US President

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Don't join US war against ISIS: CPI-M

New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) The CPI-M Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to join any unilateral American war against the ISIS, the Sunni insurgent group that now controls a vast territory.


“The Obama administration has been putting great pressure on India of late to join a US-led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria,” the Communist Party of India-Marxist said.

“It may take advantage of Modi’s presence in New York … to make India fall in line with its plans. The (Indian) government must, under no circumstances, fall prey to these machinations.

“It must never join any unilateral US initiative of this sort, no matter how strongly such an initiative is portrayed as defending ‘humanity’ against ‘the forces of barbarism’.

“Any international response to the ISIS must have the sanction of the UN, without which it carries no legitimacy.”




Don't join US war against ISIS: CPI-M

M.V. Rajasekharan

Indian hockey team in Asiad final

Incheon, Sep 30 (IANS) The Indian men’s hockey team entered the final beating South Korea 1-0 in the semi-final of the 17th Asian Games at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium here Tuesday.


Akashdeep Singh scored the lone goal of the match in the 44th minute.

India will face the winner of the match between defending champions Pakistan and Malaysia.




Indian hockey team in Asiad final

New frontier for heart failure treatment

Toronto, Sep 30 (IANS) Opening new avenues for the treatment of heart failure, a research has found how the function of a key cardiac protein changes in the case of heart failure.


Since 1976, researchers have known that the heart regulates its calcium sensitivity by phosphorylating (adding negative phosphate groups) to a key cardiac protein called troponin I.

The troponin complex is made up of three proteins, C, I and T which trigger muscle contraction in response to calcium.

In heart failure, the phosphate groups are removed from troponin I but it was not known how this caused an increase in calcium sensitivity.

Assistant professor Peter Hwang and professor Brian Sykes from University of Alberta in Canada studied the troponin complex with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

They observed that unphosphorylated troponin I binds to troponin C to keep it in an optimal orientation for triggering contraction.

“Scientists till date believed that the dephosphorylation of troponin I seen in heart failure somehow caused the troponin complex to become less functional,” Hwang said.

“Actually, the change brings it into the optimal alignment to trigger contraction. The heart has other mechanisms of regulating calcium sensitivity that probably also act by stabilising or disrupting this arrangement,” he added.

In calcium sensitivity, calcium ions are pumped in and out of the muscle cell with each heartbeat, turning contractions on and off.

When the calcium sensitivity increases, contractility increases as well; however, the relaxation of the heart becomes slower.

“Both phases of cardiac function are important: impaired contraction leads to systolic heart failure, while impaired relaxation leads to diastolic heart failure. Both types of heart failure are similar in terms of overall prevalence, symptoms and mortality,” he said.

Hwang hypothesises that the heart continuously adjusts calcium sensitivity in order to maintain a proper balance between contraction and relaxation.

“A grant by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is now allowing our team to develop troponin-targeting drugs that modulate calcium sensitivity for the treatment of heart failure. We will see if this hypothesis is correct,” Hwang added.

The study appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.




New frontier for heart failure treatment

Cheapest solar powered eToilet for schools unveiled

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 30 (IANS) Eram Scientific, manufacturers of the country’s first eToilet, here Tuesday unveiled the world’s cheapest unmanned, self-cleaning eToilet with inbuilt solar panel and metallic platform for schools.


“This is our contribution to the nation and comes as a response to the “Clean India Campaign” announced by the central government. It perfectly matches with the “Make in India” campaign as well,” said Siddeek Ahmed, chairman of Eram Group based here.

Built of stainless steel base, mild steel super structure and occupying 25 sq.ft space, the eToilet comes with a price-tag of Rs.99,999 ex-factory, which is inclusive of insurance charges and one-year warranty.

It has got an inbuilt solar panel which eliminates the need for electricity connection while the metal platform avoids civil construction too.

It has an automatic flush which works before and after use, automatic floor wash, sensor controlled water usage and eliminates the need for manual cleaners in schools.

“The present problems in sanitations at schools are known to be not because of the dearth of toilets. The lack of maintenance and requirement for manual cleaning has made them dysfunctional. We are out to address that gap and that is why we are now launching this comprehensive solution for schools,” said K. Anvar Sadath, CEO.

Eram Scientific has deployed over 600 eToilets — each costing Rs.two lakh and upwards — in 11 states.

Sadath said the one designed for schools is cheap because the complex electronics have been avoided and customised for school use.

“We have got numerous queries from all parts of the country for the school model and we envisage a minimum sales of 6,000 units this fiscal,” he added.




Cheapest solar powered eToilet for schools unveiled

Cate Blanchett gets honorary doctorate

Sydney, Sep 30 (IANS) Actress Cate Blanchett received an honorary doctorate at Macquarie University here recently for her contribution in the field of arts, philanthropy and community.


The “Blue Jasmine” actress delivered a passionate speech when she accepted the honour at the varsity last week, reports femalefirst.co.uk

She hailed the arts as a ‘driver of innovation and exploration’.

“The arts are what we stay alive for, what we work for all week, what we dream about, what connects us and indeed, what some will say makes us human,” she said.

“Within this broad church is housed a myriad of professions — professions which some of you will participate in, help change, shape and evolve and I’d like to say today that it is the arts that have always been the driver of innovation and exploration,” she added.

The 48-year-old who has sons Dashiell, Roman, and Ignatius with husband Andrew Upton, also stressed on the value of studying the arts.




Cate Blanchett gets honorary doctorate

Fossilised tooth challenges Late Triassic assumptions

New York, Sep 30 (IANS) A 220 million years old tooth lodged in the thigh bone of the largest predator of the time has revealed two predators at the top of their respective food chains interacted – with the smaller potentially having eaten the larger animal.


The tooth belongs to a smaller semi-aquatic phytosaur and it was lodged in the thigh bone of a terrestrial rauisuchid – a creature about 25 feet long and four feet tall.

The tooth lay broken off and buried about two inches deep in the thigh bone and then healed over, indicating that the rauisuchid survived the initial attack.

“These rauisuchids were the largest predators in their environments. You might expect them to be the top predators as well, but here we have evidence of phytosaurs, who were smaller, semi-aquatic animals, potentially targeting and eating these big carnivores,” explained Stephanie Drumheller, lecturer of earth and planetary sciences at the Vigninia Institute of Technology (Virginia Tech).

To study the tooth without destroying the bone, the team partnered computed tomographic (CT) data with a 3D printer.

This, along with an examination of the bite marks, revealed a story of multiple struggles.

The team found tissue surrounding bite marks illustrating that the rauisuchid was attacked twice and yet survived.

Evidence of crushing, impact and flesh-stripping but no healing showed the team that the animal died later in another attack.

The findings also suggest previous distinctions between water- and land-based food chains of the time, the Late Triassic period, might be built upon mistaken assumptions made from fossil remains.

“This research will call for us to go back and look at some of the assumptions we’ve had in regard to the Late Triassic ecosystems,” concluded study co-author Michelle Stocker from Virginia Tech.




Fossilised tooth challenges Late Triassic assumptions

D.P. YADAV

MANI SHANKAR AIYAR

MS. MEENAKSHI NATRAJAN

Monday, September 29, 2014

AVINASH PANDEY

RBI key interest rates unchanged; Sensex trades flat

Mumbai, Sep 30 (IANS) In line with expectations, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Tuesday decided to keep key interest rates unchanged in its fourth bi-monthly policy review.


The apex bank kept the repo rate, or the interest that banks pay when they borrow money from the RBI to meet their short-term fund requirements, unchanged at 8 percent.

The reverse repo rate, or the interest that the RBI pays to commercial banks when they park their surplus short-term funds with the central bank, has been adjusted to 7 percent.

The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is left unchanged at 4 percent. The marginal standing facility rate and the Bank Rate is also kept unchanged at 9 percent.

The statutory liquidity ratio (SLR), the mandatory amount of bonds lenders must keep with the RBI, has been maintained to 22.0 percent of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL).

The central bank’s action is on the expected lines as most analysts predicted a status quo, considering the macro-economic situation and current data.

As the central bank’s decision was on expected lines, the Indian equities market did not react much. Analysyts said the markets had factored in that the RBI will maintain the policy rates.

The benchmark index was trading flat around afternoon trade session. Sector-wise information technology (IT), technology, entertainmentAand media (teck) and power declined.

However, healthy buying was observed in consumer durable, automobile, capital goods, healthcare and bank stocks.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,610.71 points, was trading at 26,689.50 points (11.50 a.m.), up 92.39 points or 0.35 percent from the previous day’s close at 26,597.11 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,737.36 points and a low of 26,547.44 points in the trade so far.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) too was trading flat. It was trading at 17.10 points or 0.21 percent up at 7,976 points.




RBI key interest rates unchanged; Sensex trades flat

Southern cinema will take time: Aravind on Rs.100 crore club

Chennai, Sep 30 (IANS) Actor-filmmaker Ramesh Aravind says films in southern cinema will take time to join the Rs.100 crore club box office business, but he believes that until then, filmmakers should concentrate on producing content which will help them “recover initial investment”.


“Cinema is art, but it’s also a business and one needs to see it that way. The Rs.100 crore club box office business is a different ballgame. It will still take southern cinema a while to get there. As a director, I strongly feel it’s very important you make a film that helps the producer recover his cost,” Ramesh told IANS.

So far only three southern films — “Enthiran”, “Thuppakki” and “Magadheera” — have managed to join the elite club.

“When a producer invests in a project, it’s quite natural to expect dividends. That’s why it’s safe to make films in accordance with the current trend,” he said.

Ramesh is currently awaiting the release of his Tamil directorial “Uttama Villain”.




Southern cinema will take time: Aravind on Rs.100 crore club

DR. G. PARMESHWAR

ASHOK GEHLOT

Sarita Devi loses controversial bout, settles for bronze

Incheon, Sep 30 (IANS) Indian boxer L. Sarita Devi lost her semi-final bout in controversial circumstances and had to be content with the bronze medal in the women’s light weight (57-60kg) event of the 17th Asian Games here Tuesday.


The 32-year-old Indian lost 0-3 in an unanimous decision to South Korea’s Jina Park at the Seonhak Gymnasium.

After losing the first round convincingly, Sarita came back strongly in the next.

Judges B and C of Italy and Poland awarded the round 10-9 to the Indian, however, Judge A of Tunisia gave it 10-9 to the South Korean.

The controversy, though, took place in the third round as the Indian battered Park and had her reeling, but, inexplicably, Judges B and C awarded the round 10-9 in favour of the host fighter while Judge A gave the round 10-9 to Sarita.

The fourth and decisive round was also a close fought affair with nothing to separate the two but all three judges awarded the round 10-9 to the South Korean that sealed her passage to the final of the weight category.

Sarita Devi was visibly distressed by the judges’ decision and waited for a while before exiting the ring.

According to reports, India are mulling an appeal against the verdict.




Sarita Devi loses controversial bout, settles for bronze

D. P. RAY

PRABHA THAKUR

Microsoft to roll out commercial cloud services

New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) Microsoft will offer commercial cloud services form local data centres in India by the end of 2015 which would accelerate public and hybrid cloud adoption significantly, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, said here Tuesday.


“With more than 250 million Indians using internet connected devices today, there is an incredible demand and opportunity for India with Microsoft cloud services,” he said.




Microsoft to roll out commercial cloud services

R. U. S. PRASAD

Wonderful meeting Obama, says Modi after 'Kem Chho' greeting

Washington, Sep 30 (IANS) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a “wonderful meeting” with US President Barack Obama at the White House and both share a vision for partnership in which both countries would work together for the benefit of the entire humankind.


In a Facebook post after his first meeting with Obama Monday night, the first time they were meeting, Modi said: “With President Barack Obama. We had a wonderful meeting and talked about a wide range of issues. Both President Obama and I share a vision for a partnership in which our nations work together for the benefit of the entire humankind.”

Earlier, Modi was greeted at the doorstep of the White House by Obama with “Kem Chho” – the Gujarati equivalent of “Hello, how are you”.

At the private dinner that Obama held for Modi, the two sides discussed opportunities of working together.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was also greeted by Obama and other officials, including US Secretary of State John Kerry. Both smiled and laughed at a witty remark by the Indian minister.

The information was tweeted by India’s external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

Knowing President Barack Obama’s admiration for Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted him a copy of Gita by the Mahatma and some memorabilia associated with the American civil rights leader.

Modi also presented Obama with a special reprint of Gandhi’s interpretation of the Gita.

The US president keeps a statue of the Indian freedom leader in his office.

Keeping Obama’s great regard for Martin Luther King Jr. in mind, Modi brought an All India Radio recording of King’s speech in India in 1958. There is also a framed photograph of King at Rajghat besides a small video clip from his 1959 visit to India.

These are Modi’s personal gifts to Obama, Akbaruddin said.

He has also brought some official gifts that would be given at the official bilateral meeting Tuesday.

The White House released a vision statement for the US-India Strategic Partnership: “Chalein saath saath: Forward together we go”.

Modi, who is on a fast for the Hindu festival of Navratri, sipped warm water at the dinner hosted in his honour by Obama ahead of their formal bilateral summit Tuesday.

First Lady Michelle Obama gave the working meal a miss as the two delegations dined on halibut, avocados and basmati rice served with Shafer Chardonnay at the Blue Room.

Here is the official menu:

Compressed Avocados

Goat cheese and Baby Bell Peppers

Micro Basil

Grapeseed Oil

Roti Crisps

Crisped Halibut with Ginger Carrot Sauce

Saffron Basmati rice

Farm Stand Succotash

Mango Creme Brulee

Ginger Juilee

Shafer Chardonnay “Red Shouldera” 2010A




Wonderful meeting Obama, says Modi after 'Kem Chho' greeting

DR. RADHAKANT NAYAK

Sensex trades flat, as RBI keeps interest rates unchanged

Mumbai, Sep 30 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat in the pre-afternoon trade session Tuesday, as the Reserve Bank decided to keep key interest rates unchanged in its fourth bi-monthly policy review.


Interest sensitive stocks like banks plummeted. Other sectors like information technology (IT), metal and technology, entertainment and media (teck) also declined. However, healthy buying was observed in healthcare, consumer durable and automobile sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,610.71 points, was trading at 26,645.71 points (11.40 a.m.), up 48.60 points or 0.18 percent from the previous day’s close at 26,597.11 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,659.12 points and a low of 26,547.44 points in the intraday.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) too was trading flat. It was trading at 25.80 points or 0.32 percent up at 7,984.70 points.

The apex bank kept the repo rate, or the interest that banks pay when they borrow money from the RBI to meet their short-term fund requirements, has been left unchanged at 8 percent.

The reverse repo rate, or the interest that the RBI pays to commercial banks when they park their surplus short-term funds with the central bank, has been adjusted to 7 percent.

The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is left unchanged at 4 percent. The marginal standing facility rate and the Bank Rate is also kept unchanged at 9 percent.

The statutory liquidity ratio (SLR), the mandatory amount of bonds lenders must keep with the RBI, has been maintained to 22.0 percent of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL).

The central bank’s action is on the expected lines as most analysts predicted a status quo, considering the macro-economic situation and current data.




Sensex trades flat, as RBI keeps interest rates unchanged

Text of the India-US vision statement

Washington, Sep 30 (IANS) As President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met for the first time over dinner, the White House issued a vision statement for the US-India Strategic Partnership: “Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go”.


Here is the text of the vision statement:

As leaders of two great democratic nations with diverse traditions and faiths, we share a vision for a partnership in which the United States and India work together, not just for the benefit of both our nations, but for the benefit of the world.

We have vastly different histories, but both our founders sought to guarantee freedoms that allow our citizens to determine their own destiny and pursue their personal aspirations.

Our strategic partnership rests on our shared mission to provide equal opportunity for our people through democracy and freedom.

The currents of kinship and commerce, scholarship and science tie our countries together. They allow us to rise above differences by maintaining the long-term perspective. Every day, in myriad ways, our cooperation fortifies a relationship that matches the innumerable ties between our peoples, who have produced works of art and music, invented cutting-edge technology, and responded to crises across the globe.

Our strategic partnership is a joint endeavour for prosperity and peace. Through intense consultations, joint exercises, and shared technology, our security cooperation will make the region and the world safe and secure. Together, we will combat terrorist threats and keep our homelands and citizens safe from attacks, while we respond expeditiously to humanitarian disasters and crises. We will prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and remain committed to reducing the salience of nuclear weapons, while promoting universal, verifiable, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament.

We will support an open and inclusive rules-based global order, in which India assumes greater multilateral responsibility, including in a reformed United Nations Security Council. At the United Nations and beyond, our close coordination will lead to a more secure and just world.

Climate change threatens both our countries, and we will join together to mitigate its impact and adapt to our changing environment. We will address the consequences of unchecked pollution through cooperation by our governments, science and academic communities. We will partner to ensure that both countries have affordable, clean, reliable, and diverse sources of energy, including through our efforts to bring American-origin nuclear power technologies to India.

We will ensure that economic growth in both countries brings better livelihoods and welfare for all of our people. Our citizens value education as a means to a better life, and our exchange of skills and knowledge will propel our countries forward. Even the poorest will share in the opportunities in both our countries.

Joint research and collaboration in every aspecta”ranging from particles of creation to outer space – will produce boundless innovation and high technology collaboration that changes our lives. Open markets, fair and transparent practices will allow trade in goods and services to flourish.

Our people will be healthier as we jointly counter infectious diseases, eliminate maternal and child deaths, and work to eradicate poverty for all. And they will be safer as we ensure the fullest empowerment of women in a secure environment.

The United States and India commit to expand and deepen our strategic partnership in order to harness the inherent potential of our two democracies and the burgeoning ties between our people, economies, and businesses. Together we seek a reliable and enduring friendship that bolsters security and stability, contributes to the global economy, and advances peace and prosperity for our citizens and throughout the world.

We have a vision that the United States and India will have a transformative relationship as trusted partners in the 21st century. Our partnership will be a model for the rest of the world.




Text of the India-US vision statement

Indian boxer Sarita Devi settles for Asiad bronze

Incheon, Sep 30 (IANS) Indian boxer L. Sarita Devi settled for silver after losing the women’s light weight (57-60kg) semi-final of the 17th Asian Games here Tuesday.


The 32-year-old Indian lost 0-3 in an unanimous decision to South Korea’s Jina Park at the Seonhak Gymnasium.




Indian boxer Sarita Devi settles for Asiad bronze

Modi gifts Gandhi's Gita to Obama

Washington, Sep 30 (IANS) Knowing President Barack Obama’s admiration for Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted him a copy of Gita by the Mahatma and some memorabilia with the American civil rights leader.


Modi diligently got a special reprint of Gandhi’s interpretation of the Gita made for Obama who keeps a statue of the Indian freedom leader in his office.

Similarly keeping Obama’s great regard for King in mind he has brought an All India Radio recording of King’s speech in India in 1958.

There is also a framed photograph of King at Rajghat besides a small video clip from his 1959 visit to India.

These are Modi’s personal gifts to Obama, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. He has also brought some official gifts that would be given at the official bilateral meeting Tuesday.




Modi gifts Gandhi's Gita to Obama

Mumbai: GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2014

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Search for MH370 resumes Wednesday

Sydney, Sep 30 (IANS) Search teams will resume the hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 off the Australian coast Wednesday, media reported.


The teams will use new three-dimensional maps and underwater devices to assist their search efforts on the floor of the southern Indian Ocean, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

One of the largest international aviation searches in history has been under way after MH370 disappeared with 239 people on board March 8 this year.

According to the Australian Safety Transport Bureau (ASTB), which is leading the search, a Malaysian ship, GO Phoenix, is expected to arrive at the newly defined search area far off the Western Australian coast Wednesday and stay for 20 days before refuelling.

On Thursday, a second ship, the Fugro Discovery, will arrive at Fremantle to join the search.

The two ships will use sonar and submersible crafts to venture 16,000 feet (4,880 metre) deep to scan the priority sections of the search arc.

A third ship, the Fugro Equator, which is currently mapping the sea floor, will join the other two vessels at the end of October.

So far, more than 106,000 square km of the search area have been surveyed, the ASTB said.

“The comprehensive plan for the underwater search will include a sequence of priority areas. The first area to be searched has already been surveyed to ensure an accurate understanding of the sea floor topography,” the ASTB said.

Authorities said the recent refinement of the analysis has given greater certainty about when the aircraft turned south into the Indian Ocean.

“Based on these refinements, the Search Strategy Working Group is finalising its latest assessment of the highest priority areas for the search, which will most likely extend south of the previous ‘orange’ priority area,” the ASTB said.

MH370 had taken off from Kuala Lumpur early March 8 headed for Beijing but disappeared from the radar soon after. Despite a large-scale international search, no trace of the flight has been found till date.




Search for MH370 resumes Wednesday

Asiad: India face formidable hosts in men's hockey semi-final (Preview)

Incheon, Sep 29 (IANS) Two-time gold medallists India will bank on confidence acquired from winning three of their four opening round matches when they take on hosts South Korea in the semi-finals of the Asian Games men’s hockey competition at the Soenhak Hockey Stadium here Tuesday.


A win will not only give India, who won the bronze in 2010, a chance to end their 16-year wait for the gold medal but also could give them a shot at 2012 Rio Games berth since the champion team gets a direct qualification for the Olympics.

India brushed aside Sri Lanka 8-0, Oman 7-0, went down fighting against Pakistan 1-2 but bounced back to beat China 2-0 in their preliminary round pool B matches.

“We have achieved our first target for the competition and are now entering the crossover matches of the tournament. Playing South Korea at their home is a serious challenge for us,” Terry Walsh, chief coach, said.

“We will need high-quality ball handling and decision making in the game. We must match their urgency and physical strength. Our team has every capacity to be very effective in this match and I am confident that with endeavour and persistence we will do well,” the Australian said.

The two teams go into the match with a history of evenly-fought contests with India enjoying a slender advantage, having won 2-1 in the 3rd/4th match to win bronze at the 2010 Guangzhou Games and drawing 1-1 at 2006 Games. They have also faced off in the final twice, 1998 and 2002, with both the teams emerging champions once each.

Indian captain Sardar Singh too stressed on achieving their primary objective of reaching the last four but said the focus now shifts on entering the final.

“The target now is to outperform the hosts. The team is fully prepared and we are looking forward at performing our best and generate favourable opportunities and results,” Sardar said.

India were champions in 1966 and 1998 and finished runners-up on nine occasions. They have also won two bronze medals — the last coming in the 2010 edition. South Korea have won four gold medals, 1986, 1994, 2002 and 2006, in addition to a silver (1998) and bronze (1958).




Asiad: India face formidable hosts in men's hockey semi-final (Preview)

Indian, Israeli PMs discuss defence, trade

New York, Sep 29 (IANS) With India-Israel ties on the upswing after Narendra Modi’s election, the prime ministers of the two countries met in New York to discuss boosting cooperation, with the Israeli prime minister saying “sky is the limit” for this cooperation.


An official statement issued by the Indian Prime Minister’s Office said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the meeting Sunday, invited Modi to Israel.

The Jerusalem Post quoted Netanyahu telling Modi “sky is the limit” for relations between the two countries.

“We are two old people, some of the oldest civilisations on earth. But also two democracies, proud of our tradition, but also eager to seize the future,” Netanyahu said.

“I believe that if we work together, it will be for the benefit of both our peoples,” he said.

A statement from the Indian prime minister’s office said: “The two leaders reviewed the robust relationship, and rapidly growing trade. They also discussed how ties could be further expanded.”

Sunday’s meeting was the first high-level meeting between India and Israel since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s 2003 visit to India. As chief minister of Gujarat, Modi had visited Israel in 2006 and Netanyahu invited Modi to visit Israel again, this time as the prime minister.

Israel also briefed the Indian prime minister on its perception of the situation in West Asia.

“Defence ties and cooperation in the field of computer software, and cyber security were also discussed,” the statement said.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that in discussing defence relations, Modi told Netanyahu about his “Make in India” programme and pointed out that 49 percent investment was possible in defence industries.

Modi made a pitch for Israeli investments and the two prime ministers discussed boosting bilateral trade that now stands at about $6 billion.

Israel has developed methods and technologies for farming in arid land and for water management. Modi wanted more cooperation in these areas, Akbaruddin said.

Modi also wanted Israel to work with India in water management and solid waste treatment in urban areas as part of his vision for smart cities.

While discussing cooperation in the fields of software and computers, Netanyahu mentioned that when he had worked in areas relating to technology, he found in California that a large number of workers were Indians or Israelis.

Modi outlined his vision of waste water management and solid waste management in 500 towns across India.

Modi told Netanyahu – and an earlier delegation of Jewish leaders from the American Jewish Congress – that India was proud of its tradition of tolerance towards Jews and and absence of discrimination against them. Netanyahu and the Jewish leaders acknowledged that anti-Semitism never exsted in India.

A sign of the ties between India and Israel coming closer is the refusal of the Modi government to condemn Israel in parliament for its actions in Gaza as demanded by the Congress and some other parties. This led to a walkout from the Lok Sabha by the Congress and two other parties.

Modi has not met with Palestinian or other West Asian leaders during his visit here.




Indian, Israeli PMs discuss defence, trade

Assam CM refutes union minister's claim on central funds

Guwahati, Sep 29 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Monday refuted union minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s comment that the state government has failed to utilise the central funds for disaster relief.


“While the state had utilised the central allocation for disaster relief last fiscal, the central government is yet to release its share this year. The state has already released its share,” Gogoi said in a statement here.

The state government also conveyed to the Lakhimpur MP, through a letter Monday, that of the total Rs.183.38 crore central fund available for State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Rs.162.65 crore has already been sanctioned for flood relief operations and restoration works.

There would be no unspent balance available with the SDRF after meeting the huge quantum of liabilities created on account of relief and rescue operations during the recent devastating flood, the letter said.

Flash floods have severely affected the Goalpara, Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup (rural) districts of Assam in the last two weeks, killing at least 36 people and rendering over a lakh people homeless.

The floods have also damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure in these districts besides destroying standing crops in several hectares of land.

The state government also brought it to the notice of the union sports, youth affairs and skill development minister that no fund has been received from the central government for SDRF for 2014-15 till date.

Menwhile, Gogoi said a Group of Ministers (GoM) will be set up soon to study the causes of devastation wrecked by the current wave of floods in Kamrup and Goalpara districts.

The GoM will suggest suitable and effective measures for mitigating the risk of flooding, he said.

Gogoi said the decision to constitute the GoM has been taken following his visit to flood-hit areas of Goalpara district Sunday.

“The GoM would make a thorough study of the flood situation in this particular belt after consultations with experts from disaster management, water resources, hydrology and other fields and submit its final report to the chief minister for necessary steps,” said the statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.




Assam CM refutes union minister's claim on central funds

Obama acknowledges that intelligence underestimated IS

Washington, Sep 29 (IANS/EFE) US President Barack Obama has in a television interview acknowledged that intelligence agencies underestimated the rise of the Islamic State (IS) Sunni radical group in Iraq and Syria.


“Our head of the intelligence community, Jim Clapper, has acknowledged that, I think, they underestimated what had been taking place in Syria,” Obama said Sunday on the CBS news programme, “60 Minutes”, referring to the director of national intelligence.

The president also added that the US overestimated the Iraqi security forces’ ability to fight the militant group.

Obama explained that the radical Sunni outfit – which declared a caliphate in June in a part of Iraq and Syria – had remained “underground” during the last decade while the US troops fought the Al Qaeda in Iraq, but that the instability caused by the civil war in Syria had given them space to thrive.

“Over the past couple of years, during the chaos of the Syrian civil war, where essentially you had huge swathes of the country that are completely ungoverned, they were able to reconstitute themselves and take advantage of that chaos,” Obama said in the interview which was recorded Friday.

The president explained that the IS was able to “attract foreign fighters who believed in their jihadi nonsense and traveled everywhere from Europe to the United States to Australia to other parts of the Muslim world, converging on Syria. And so this became ground zero for jihadists around the world”.

He added that a “very intelligent” social media campaign had aided the recruitment, also pointing a finger at some members of deposed leader Saddam Hussain’s military who were lending “traditional military capacity” to the group.

“That’s why it’s so important for us to recognise part of the solution here is gonna be military,” he said.

“We just have to push them back, and shrink their space, and go after their command and control, and their capacity, and their weapons, and their fueling, and cut off their financing, and work to eliminate the flow of foreign fighters.”

Nonetheless, he reiterated that a lasting peace could be only achieved if all efforts were accompanied by a political solution.

“What we also have to do is we have to come up with political solutions in Iraq and Syria, in particular, but in the Middle East generally,” added the leader who considered it a “generational challenge” as “they have now created an environment in which young men are more concerned whether they’re Shia or Sunni, rather than whether they are getting a good education or whether they are able to, you know, have a good job”.

In August, the US launched a campaign of airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq which have recently been extended to Syria. It has also offered to train the moderate Syrian rebels to fight the jihadi group.

During the interview, Obama emphasised that stability could not be achieved in Syria with a Bashar al-Asaad-led government because there were Sunnis in a part of the country who had suffered “terrible atrocities” under his regime.

“For Syria to remain unified, it is not possible that Assad presides over that entire process,” the president said.

With regard to US support to the moderate Syrian opposition that has been trying to overthrow Asaad for three years, Obama said that “in terms of immediate threats to the United States, ISIL (as IS was previously known), Khorasan group, those folks could kill Americans”, so “there’s a more immediate concern to be dealt with”.

He stressed the role of the US as the “indispensable nation” in the international coalition formed to tackle the IS because “when trouble comes up anywhere in the world, they don’t call Beijing”.

“They don’t call Moscow. They call us,” he said.

“We have capacity no one else has. Our military is the best in the history of the world,” said the leader, while insisting that the 1,600 US troops in Iraq were there only for the purpose of advising and assisting Iraqis who were fighting.

–IANS/EFE

ab/vt




Obama acknowledges that intelligence underestimated IS

Accor's Hotel Formule1 launches new property in Gurgaon

New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) Hospitality major Accor’s Hotel Formule1 chain Monday launched its fifth property in the country in Gurgaon.


“Hotel Formule1 seeks to reach out to aspiring young travellers throughout India. The opening of Hotel Formule1 Gurgaon marks our fifth Hotel Formule1 in India and our second property in Delhi NCR, reinforcing our strong presence and growth ambition,” said Philip Logan, vice president, Hotel Formule1 India.




Accor's Hotel Formule1 launches new property in Gurgaon

India is open-minded, wants change: Modi to US CEOs

New York, Sep 29 (IANS) India is open-minded and wants change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday during a meeting with top executives of American companies here Monday.


“India is open-minded. We want change, Change that is not 1 sided. Am discussing with citizens, industrialists * investors,” Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson of the external affairs ministry, in a tweet, quoted Modi as saying.

The breakfast meeting with 11 CEOs, including those of Google, Citigroup and Pepsico, will be followed by one-on-one meetings with six other CEOs of companies like Boeing, IBM, GE and Goldman Sachs.

The morning business engagement is among the most important Modi has scheduled in the US and he is expected to unveil his government’s new mantra of “Come, Make in India” – to seek investment and assure them of a red carpet welcome minus the red tape.




India is open-minded, wants change: Modi to US CEOs

Sole Sena minister in Modi cabinet to quit

Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) The Shiv Sena’s solitary representative in the union cabinet, Anant Geete, will quit his post soon, party chief Uddhav Thackeray indicated here Monday.


“After the return of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the US, Geete will meet him and tender his resignation,” Thackeray said here, five days after the six-party Grand Alliance in the state collapsed last Thursday.

With this, the BJP-Sena alliance will end at the state and centre levels, but would continue in several prominent civic bodies in the state, including Asia’s richest, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.

Uddhav’s announcement came a day after his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray questioned the Sena move of “clinging” to power in Delhi though the BJP had broken their 25-year old alliance in Maharashtra.

Calling upon Sena to immediately withdraw its MP from the union cabinet, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief went to the extent of saying that if he had been alive, the late Bal Thackeray would have terminated the alliance with BJP at least a month back.

The Sena had been a constituent of NDA-I headed by then prime minister A.B. Vajpayee with three cabinet ministers, and later bagging the prestigious post of Lok Sabha Speaker for Manohar Joshi.

In the NDA-II, the Sena had to remain content with just one cabinet berth with a relatively light portfolio, despite having more MPs than on the previous occasion.




Sole Sena minister in Modi cabinet to quit

Asiad: Jaisha wins bronze in women's 1,500m

Incheon, Sep 29 (IANS) India’s middle distance runner O.P. Jaisha won the bronze medal in the women’s 1,500 metres in the 17th Asian Games at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium here Monday.


The Indian finished third in four minutes 13.46 seconds. Bahrain claimed the gold and silver medals, with Maryam Yusuf Isa Jamal finishing first in 4 min 09.90 secs followed by Belete Gebregeiorges (4 min 11.03 secs).




Asiad: Jaisha wins bronze in women's 1,500m

IWPC deplores journalist's intimidation at Madison Square

New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) The Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) Monday “strongly deplored” the alleged intimidation of an Indian journalist at an event at Madison Square Garden, New York, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora Sunday.


Indian journalist Rajdeep Sardesai was allegedly “heckled, abused and pushed around” by a group of supporters claiming allegiance to the organisers of the event Sep 28.

“What is of concern is that the organisers, the Indian American Community Foundation did not denounce the heckling and the manhandling of the senior journalist,” IWPC said in a statement.

“…an individual apology was offered by a representative from India which is not the same as an organisation taking responsibility for the incident,” it added.

Terming the incident as “unfortunate”, it said that “the incident raises serious questions about the vulnerability of journalists who go to cover events where supporters of political parties are allowed to run amok and violent action justified as sentimental and emotional responses.”

It said that the Indian consulate in New York should take serious cognizance of the matter and the Indian government too should ensure that the right to report by the media, whether big or small, should be protected at all times.




IWPC deplores journalist's intimidation at Madison Square

Test Post from The Voice of Nation - India News Online | Politics | Sports | Entertainment | International | Business | Science & Technology

Test Post from The Voice of Nation - India News Online | Politics | Sports | Entertainment | International | Business | Science & Technology http://thevoiceofnation.com

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Online jobs can be the best options for Part time jobs



For those who are looking for some better way to earn few more bucks, online jobs is the best option available. People generally look for a permanent job with good salary that will help them to make a proper living. For adding some more money it is always better to go and look for some Part time jobs. With great advancement in technical field, people can now easily join any of the reputed online companies and work for them and get a handsome amount at the end of the month. Though you need to be careful in this regard, but with proper research one can end up with some positive result.

Work from home seems to be the best option for those who cannot leave their house for various family issues. This is the best option for the housewives who need to look after their family well. It is also one of the handy options for the new mothers who can take care of their new born and earn some money at the same time. The best way to enjoy the comfort of your home and also earn extra money is through online jobs. It can work as a permanent solution or people can also take it up as part time work. It is going to provide big advantages of the internet users.
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Sources:eJobsJunction

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United Nations Climate Summit 2014



Statement by the Honourable Gaston Brown,
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda
On the occasion the United Nations Climate Summit 2014
United Nations Headquarters, New York
September 23, 2014.
Mr. President;
Heads of State and Government.
Your Excellency, Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am the representative of a small island developing state that knows well the realities of Climate Change.
We have paid – and continue to pay – a high price for it.
And, we, like many other small island developing states, contribute the very least to the conditions that cause Climate Change; we are the victims of the profligacy of others.
Therefore, it should be no surprise that the people of Antigua and Barbuda, like the people of many other small island developing states, are angry and frustrated.
They are angry because despite all their efforts to develop their economies, despite their efforts to build the infrastructure that would increase their productivity; to  withstand current impacts and slow onset events; despite their efforts to build the foundations of a better life for their children and grandchildren; the devastating effects of Climate Change destroy their work and set them back year after year, putting our sustainable development pathway off track.
And, they are acutely aware that Climate Change is not their doing.
They are frustrated because in this world where big powers talk of democracy, of human rights, and of ending poverty and human misery, they know there has been reluctance in some industrialised nations even to acknowledge the real and pressing existence of Climate Change.
They are frustrated because the governments of the nations that are among the worst offenders delay in making their contributions to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) launched three years ago to mobilise 100 billion dollars by 2020.
The GCF is yet to receive any funds that can be disbursed to developing countries.
Yet, we, the small and developing countries of the world, are being pressed to undertake climate actions by the very culprits of Climate Change.
Secretary-General, demanding that small states, such as mine, take on more commitments without any financial resources or technology transfer is contrary to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Worse, as the South Centre has rightly pointed out, the demand is immoral.
Only Germany has so far indicated its willingness to contribute 1 billion dollars to the Fund.
Others have been deafeningly silent.
We thank the German government for this stellar example of international responsibility. Likewise we commend those governments who have boldly made commitments today. We urge other governments of industrialised nations not to continue to be shamed by their own lack of action.
In small island developing states, we live the reality of Climate Change.
For us, this is not an academic discussion or statistical game.
We have real economies at risk, and real lives at stake.
For us, the costs are not only to mitigate against the perils of Climate Change now; the costs are repairing the damage that has been caused in the past; that continue to plague us now; and that will define our future.
As the head of a government elected just three months ago, I have to find the resources not only to combat the harsh effects of Climate Change but I have to find the means to provide education, health and social services that my people rightly expect
On top of all this, are the resources that many of the culprits of Climate Change expect small countries, such as mine, to expend on a myriad set of requirements that satisfy their needs for regulation of financial services; for combatting drug trafficking; and for stopping refugees.
My government, and the governments of many small states, are fulfilling their international obligations even through the burden is great.
But it is unfair, unreasonable and unjust that we should struggle to meet our international responsibilities at the expense of neglecting the social welfare needs of our own people.
Secretary-General, in the spirit of international co-operation without which I am convinced our planet will not easily survive, I opted to come to this distinguished forum to plead with the leaders of the industrialised nations to let this Summit make a difference.
I call on the industrialized nations to fulfil their undertakings to provide the funding they promised to the GCF and to instruct their negotiators in Lima in December to honour their governments’ word.
Our world, I suspect, has entered a time of impending crisis from Climate Change.
I hope that in this august body, close attention might be paid to my nation’s small voice of truth.
Finally, I applaud the Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, for his sterling leadership on this critical development issue of climate change that threatens our home – planet earth.