Endangered vampire-like deer sighted in Afghanistan

Kabul, Nov 1 (IANS) Strange deer with vampire-like fangs have been spotted more than 60 years after the last confirmed sighting in the rugged forested slopes of northeast Afghanistan.

Known as the Kashmir musk deer – one of the seven similar species found in Asia – the last scientific sighting in Afghanistan was believed to have been made by a Danish survey team traversing the region in 1948.

However, recent surveys led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), confirmed the presence of the endangered species in the Nooristan province.

The survey team recorded five sightings, including a solitary male in the same area on three occasions, one female with a young one, and one solitary female, which may have been the same individual without her young one.

All sightings were in steep rocky outcrops interspersed with alpine meadows and scattered dense high bushes of juniper and rhododendron.

According to the team, the musk deer were difficult to spot and could not be photographed.

“Musk deer are one of Afghanistan’s living treasures,” said study co-author Peter Zahler from WCS.

“This rare species, along with better known wildlife such as snow leopards, are the natural heritage of this struggling nation,” Zahler added.

This strange deer species is now endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. Its scent glands are coveted by wildlife traffickers and are considered more valuable by weight than gold, fetching as much as $45,000 (Rs.2,766,600) per kilogram in the black market.

The male’s distinct saber-like tusks are used during the rutting season to compete with other males.

“We hope that conditions will stabilise soon to allow WCS and local partners to better evaluate conservation needs of this species,” concluded the authors of the study published in the journal Oryx.

Endangered vampire-like deer sighted in Afghanistan

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Shazahn Padamsee to play Gujarati girl in 'Meet The Patels'

Mumbai, Nov 1 (IANS) Actress Shazahn Padamsee, set to play a Gujarati girl in “Meet The Patels”, says it’s going to be a challenge for her.

“I am playing a character called Hetal Gandhi in the film, and I am romancing one of the Patels in the film. Playing a Gujarati girl is going to be a very different experience and it’s going to be very challenging,” Shazahn told IANS.

But she also believes that being able to do “different roles on screen” is the “best thing about being an actress”.

“Meet The Patels” is a “clean comedy” from “Mickey Virus” director Saurabh Varma. The film is based in Mumbai and is about two Gujarati boys Tom Patel and Jerry Patel, who know how to live life to the fullest and would do anything except hard work.

Talking about the movie, Shazahn said: “It’s a crazy film and it’s a mad, out-and-out comedy film. I am little bit familiar with comedy films now. When I read the script, I was in splits and couldn’t stop laughing throughout. I am sure the audience are going to burst out laughing watching this film.”

The movie, produced by Krian Media, also features Shiv Pandit and Kettan Singh. Its first schedule is being shot in Mumbai currently.

Shazahn, who has earlier featured in movies like “Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year” “Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji” and “Housefull 2: The Dirty Dozen”, will feature as a “quirky girl who ages from 22 to 50″ in the film, which is slated to release April 24, 2015.

She has been cast with Shiv.

Shazahn Padamsee to play Gujarati girl in 'Meet The Patels'

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An app to avoid smartphone distraction

London, Nov 1 (IANS) Getting distracted by your smartphone? An app called Offtime helps you get rid of apps and notifications at a time when you need to focus on important work.

The app also prevents people from contacting you unless in an emergency.

Offtime was developed by a Berlin-based psychologist Alexander Steinhart, who recently commissioned a study on smartphone usage at the Humboldt University’ Institute of Psychology.

The app “helps you to focus and to unplug when work is over – thanks to smart app blocking, communications filter and insights into your smartphone usage,” said the website of the app.

When you are with your near and dear ones, who need your particular attention, Offtime helps you get rid of apps or notifications, added the website.

“In addition, it appears that conscious ‘Offtime’ positively affects work, since motivation rises. Consequently, this usually leads to higher productivity,” Daily Mail quoted professor Annekatrin Hoppe of the Humbolt University as saying.

An app to avoid smartphone distraction

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Best foreign short films to be screened at Kolkata fest

Kolkata, Nov 1 (IANS) As many as 157 short films, ranging from animation to independent varieties from 30 countries, will be screened at an international short film fest beginning here Saturday.

The 12th edition of Kalpanirjhar International Short Fiction Film Festival is organised by the Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan and Kalpanirjhar Foundation.

According to R.N. Banerjee of the Foundation, there will be a special segment for films made by young filmmakers and a section dedicated to animated films.

“There will be 20 films in the ‘GenNext’ segment and 49 in the independent section. As many as 31 animated short films will be shown,” Banerjee told IANS.

It will run till Nov 6 at the Bhavan premises.

The other highlights will be a bouquet of films screened in various festivals across the world, including the Dresden International Short Film Fest, Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) and the Capalbio Short Film Festival, Italy.

“In addition, there will be nine films from Hong Kong Arts Centre and 12 from Spain,” Banerjee said.

Best foreign short films to be screened at Kolkata fest

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Odisha imposes fishing ban for turtle nesting

Bhubaneswar, Nov 1 (IANS) The Odisha government Saturday imposed a seven-month fishing ban along its coast to protect endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles which come to the state beaches for mass nesting every winter, an official said.

The ban is imposed along 120 km of the state’s 480 km coastline to protect the turtles who are set to congregate in shallow waters, senior forest officer Kedar Kumar Swain told IANS.

No fishing activities would be allowed within 20 km of the coast near the nesting sites. The ban will be in effect till May 31, he said.

Over half a million Olive Ridley turtles arrive and congregate in the shallow coastal water of the Bay of Bengal in November and climb ashore for nesting between December and March. Most hatchlings emerge by May.

The state has three nesting sites – Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapada district, Devi river mouth in Puri district and Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district.

The Gahirmatha turtle sanctuary is one of the world’s largest turtle nesting sites.

However, there was no mass nesting last year in Gahirmatha and Devi river mouth probably due to the damage caused by cyclone Phailin that ripped through the coast in October and caused extensive destruction.

There was sporadic nesting at these two sites as only a small number of turtles had turned up, he said.

In Rushikulya, however, around 30,000 turtles had nested on the beach, he said.

Olive Ridley turtles are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Trapping, killing or selling them could attract a maximum seven-year prison sentence.

The turtle mortality rate has come down over the past few years due to various conservation measures, the official said.

Swain said patrolling by nearly two hundred officials including coast guard, forest, marine police and fishery department has been intensified along the coast as also offshore.

Odisha imposes fishing ban for turtle nesting

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Style your beard the right way

New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Women can style their look in myriad ways, but men have limited options. But try experimenting with the beard — a style statement that’s emerging as a big trend.

From getting the trimming right to maintaining the perfect shape, one can get a perfect beard quite easily — but with a dash of patience, preparation and care, says celebrity hairstylist Asgar Saboo, who has styled Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan and top models including Cindy Crawford.

Here are some tips:

* Timing is key: There is a time when you first start to grow your beard where the hair are emerging rather unevenly and you are not left with the most attractive of looks. The best option would be to use an electric shaver to trim the longer patches of your beard, so that you are left with an even length across your face. This will slow down the growth of the beard; however, it will improve overall appearance throughout the first few weeks.

* Style: Throughout the year, beards have bloomed in popularity. Celebrities including George Clooney, Ben Affleck and Jake Gyllenhall have all showcased various styles of beards. Make sure your beard compliments the shape of your face before styling it as not everyone can pull off the rugged Tom Hardy bearded look!

– Square: Men with square faces should opt for styles that make their faces appear less box-like and more slender. The best style for this facial shape is a light but all-over beard; this will mean you are constantly trimming your beard with your electric shaver to ensure it stays a suitable length.

– Round: In order to add shape to the face, it is important to ensure the length of the hair on your chin is longer than the sides. Try to avoid bushy sideburns and keep the sides of the beard short.

– Triangular: Men with triangular-shaped faces tend to have very pointed chins. Having a longer, fuller beard will make these faces appear more masculine by adding weight along the jaw line and chin.

* Maintenance: For those of you that have never grown a beard, it is vital to remember to keep it clean. Use a fine-toothed comb to keep your beard smooth and free from tangles. Don’t forget to use shampoo and conditioner on your beard as its length increases. This will keep it clean and stop the beard smelling like damp hair.

* Trimming: To keep a neat look, it is important to trim your neckline, upper cheeks and moustache lip. Men will usually trim their beard too much; this will lead to mistakes being made and shaving off the whole beard. Wait at least a month before you begin trimming as you are simply trying to shape the beard, not remove it.

Style your beard the right way

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Krsna's 'Sellout' title track video released

New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) His first music video “Last Night” reached the number five position on the Vh1 International music charts, and now Indian hip-hop artist and rapper Krsna has released a new music video of the title track “Sellout” from his eponymous album.

The album was released in May this year, but a video of the title track has been released recently for his fans.

“‘Sellout’ is a song about the dichotomy every artist faces, making a choice between staying true to the art form or selling out to make a larger commercial impact. The two paths rarely intersect and remain a point of contention,” the rapper said in a statement.

“I named my album ‘Sellout; as well, as a response to people telling me that I should have never gone mainstream and that they preferred the more serious music I made earlier on in my career,” he added.

The album has been launched under Universal Music India.

Devraj Sanyal, managing director of Universal Music India, said: “The response that this project has received on the back of its ContraBands’ launch has been extremely encouraging and it’s only befitting that we follow-up the lead single/video ‘Last Night’ with ‘Sellout’, which is a brilliant clutter-breaking record by Krsna that sets standards for all hip-hop records arising out of India.”

Krsna's 'Sellout' title track video released

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