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THE CONTACT WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ISSUE - 637, 20 OCT. - 26 OCT. 2015 PH: (905) 671 - 4761

LIBERALS WIN MAJORITY - CONSERVATIVES BECOME OFFICIAL OPPOSITION

Justin Trudeau’s Liberals form a majority government

Toronto Justin Trudeau’s Liberals formed a majority government after steamrolling through Atlantic Canada and Quebec and throwing Stephen Harper’s Conservatives from office almost before the polls had closed in British Columbia. The stunning victory makes Trudeau, 43, Canada’s first dynastic prime minister, following in the footsteps of his father Pierre Elliott

Trudeau who served as prime minister for almost 16 years before retiring in 1984.

The Liberal party becomes the first ever to vault directly from third party status to government. The campaign, which began on a sweltering August long weekend with the country firmly Conservative blue, ended under a threat of October frost and a Liberal red tide.

The shocking Liberal onslaught opened on the East Coast, where Liberals were on track for a remarkable sweep of all 32 Atlantic Canada seats, before rolling into Quebec and Ontario and Manitoba.

With the polls simultaneously closing from the Quebec-New Brunswick border all the way to the foothills of the

Rocky Mountains, the scale of the Liberal charge became clear as the ballot counting commenced: With more than 3.5 million ballots counted, the Liberals had garnered more than 45 per cent of the popular vote and were on track for a healthy majority in the newly expanded 338seat House of Commons.

Trudeau romped to victory in his gritty Montreal riding of Papineau as the Liberals restored their Quebec fortunes to help anchor

the surprising victory.

High-profile Tories and New Democrats went down to defeat, including Immigration Minister Chris Alexander, Fisheries Minister Gail Shea, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt and NDP deputy leader Megan Leslie. Finance Minister Joe Oliver was in trouble in the Toronto riding of EglintonLawrence, as well, while Olivia Chow - her late husband, Jack Layton, led the NDP’s so-called “orange wave” in 2011 -

succumbed to Liberal juggernaut Adam Vaughan in TrinitySpadina.

Harper called the extraordinarily long, 78day election on Aug. 2 hoping to become the first prime minister since Sir Wilfrid Laurier in 1908 to win four consecutive mandates.

However with all opposition parties vowing not to work with him after Monday’s election, it was apparent that only a very Continued on Page 2

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Justin Trudeau’s Liberals... Army’s only woman Continued from Page 1 strong Conservative minority or a Tory majority would keep Harper on as prime minister.

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair aspired to lead Canada’s first NDP federal government, but instead lost the party’s hard-won 2011 grip on official Opposition status. Mulcair was also in danger of losing his own Montreal seat, barely leading the Liberal challenger. For the 2015 election, there was no longer a blackout on transmitting voting results

while polls were still open in other parts of the country - a ban that had become impossible to enforce in the age of the Internet. Liberals held just 36 seats across the entire country when the election was called.

The Conservatives held 159 seats in the 308-seat

House of Commons and the NDP had 95 with another 18 seats either vacant, held by Independents or shared between the Green party (two seats) and the Bloc Quebecois and a splinter group. Due to population growth, 30 new seats have been added this election, including 15 in Ontario, six each for Alberta and British Columbia and three more for Quebec. The Liberals were expected to do well in Atlantic Canada but their remarkable sweep presaged a huge night for the party.

Some 3.6 million Canadians cast ballots during the four-day advance polling period on the Thanksgiving long weekend - an increase of 71 per cent over the 2011 election, when only three days of advance polls were held. That increased turnout carried

gallantry awardee to stay on in service

into the main event, with long lines at polling stations in many parts of the country. Just 61.4 per cent of eligible electors cast a ballot in 2011, up marginally from the 58.8 per cent in 2008 - the lowest ever in a federal election.

There were reports of voters with face coverings - including skeleton masks and even a pumpkin - at polling stations, an apparent reaction to the controversy over whether women should be permitted to wear a niqab at citizenship ceremonies. A face covering is permitted at the polls if the voter swears an oath attesting to their status as an elector and shows the required identification, said Babin Dufresne. Assembly of First Nations national chief Perry Bellegarde - who initially

said he wouldn’t vote in order to maintain his neutrality, then changed his mind - tweeted about his trip to the polls. The Bloc’s Gilles Duceppe cast his ballot and said he was happy with the reaction he received from voters who welcomed him back after a hiatus from the party leadership. “There’s always a phrase that stands out in a campaign and this time it was, ‘Thank you for coming back’ from beginning to end.”

Green Leader Elizabeth May, who voted in Sidney, B.C., took a polling-station selfie photo with her daughter and tweeted her prediction of a record high voter turnout. She planned to be in Victoria with fellow candidates to watch the results roll in.

- With files from Murray Brewster, Jim Bronskill, Jennifer Ditchburn, Bill Graveland and Chinta Puxley

Indian Army’s lone woman gallantary award winner Lt Colonel Mitali Madhumita, who was to be discharged from service on Friday, will continue to stay on in service. The good news for Madhumita came on Thursday when the Supreme Court restrained the ministry of defence (MoD) from discharging her from service. The court also said that she will continue to serve until it took a decision on giving her permanent commission. A bench of justices TS Thakur and Kurien Joseph also directed defence authorities to pay her allowances for the past one year – they were not released despite an order from the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT).“She is such an educated, qualified and courageous officer. The only gallantry award winner, she will be an asset to the Army. And if she wants to work and is ready to go for any posting anywhere, let her work,” the bench told ministry counsel R Balasubramanium, who forcefully opposed the order. The MoD moved the SC against the AFT order granting permanent

commission (PC) to Madhumita. The apex court had on August 3 stayed the AFT order; a week later, the ministry issued an order cutting short her service tenure from December 2015 to October 16, 2015.

Balasubramanium said Madhumita should have

applied for permanent commission before the board took up applications of her batchmates. There were no vacancies now and it was not possible to refer her case to the promotion board as it was against the rules. But he admitted that under special circumstances, a shortservice commissioned officer could opt for PC despite rejecting it once.

Madhumita had braved “fidayeen” (suicide) attacks at the Indian embassy in 2010 while serving in Afghanistan.

These two Indian engineers sued Indian-origin boy denied life-saving drug in UK Apple and won $234 million

Most of you may not have heard of Professor Gurindar Sohi and Terani Vijaykumar. The two were a part of the team that sued Apple on patent infringement. And guess what? They won. Sohi and Vijaykumar - both BITS Pilani alumni - were

part of a team of four engineers who developed a “table based data speculation circuit for parallel processing computer”.

This technology - patented by Sohi, Vijayakumar and two others - was used for a processor found in iPhone

5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2. The complaint was filed by Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), University of Wisconsin. The team - led

by Sohi - has alleged that Apple used their technology to “enhance efficiency and performance” of its iPhone and iPad processors.

WARF complained that the patented work “has been recognised as a major milestone in the field of computer microprocessor architecture/ design... It improves the power efficiency and performance in processors with the help of a “data speculation circuit.”

Lab-grown meat burger may hit stores in five years The Dutch team that crafted the world’s first lab-grown meat burger, which cost 215,000 pounds to make, says a cheaper version of the product could hit the market in five years.

Researchers are setting up a company to look at making the burger tastier and cheaper. Peter Verstrate, head of the new

firm, said the product, which was first created by Professor Mark Post at Maastricht University in The Netherlands, would help serve the growing demand for meat. The team had a prototype cooked and eaten in London two years ago that cost 215,000 pounds to make. “I feel extremely excited about the prospect

of this product being on sale. And I am confident that when it is offered as an alternative to meat that increasing numbers of people will find it hard not to buy our product for ethical reasons,” Verstrate told ‘BBC News’. “I am confident that we will have it on the market in five years,” he said.

LONDON Six children, including a 6year-old Indian-origin boy, have been denied life-saving treatment from a rare disease due to high costs by UK’s state-funded health service. Kirath Mann suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which affects one in 3,500 boys in Britain and leaves many in a wheelchair before their 10th birthday. His family, from Coventry in the West Midlands region of England, joined forces with other families to campaign to end delays to a breakthrough treatment called Translarna but failed due to high expenses involved.

“We are devastated at having to face yet more disappointment after another hurdle has been put in our way.

“All these organisations and National Health Service (NHS) bodies that have been involved in the decision do not seem to be appreciative that this is a rare disease and very progressive one as well,” Kirath’s mother Jaspal told ‘The Coventry Telegraph’.

Kirath and five other boys

with the condition even on the benefits of the drug wrote personal letters to to coincide with the cost as Translana can cost up to 4,00,000 pounds per patient a year. “It was at NICE’s discretion to give a positive decision and it was in their remit to do that. But they decided to go for a different approach,” she added.

The drug - also known as Ataluren - is the first-ever to tackle the causes of DMD and was approved in Europe in August last year and is available in France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Denmark, but not in the UK. British Prime Minister David “We are disappointed not to Cameron in June in a bid to be able to recommend get the drug that could save Ataluren in this draft their lives. “Hello Prime guidance. After considering Minister, my name is the evidence, and the Kirath. I am six years old. opinions of the clinical and My legs are poorly. Please patient experts, the help me get the medicine I Committee agreed that need,” read the letter in his Ataluren represents an childish scrawl. important development in The National Institute for the treatment of DMD. “It Health and Care could potentially prolong Excellence (NICE), which the time before children decides on commissioning have to use a wheelchair, new drugs for the NHS, has compared with best decided that drug supportive care,” said Prof manufacturers PCT Carole Longson, NICE Therapeutics need to health technology present more information evaluation centre director.

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The rot runs deep in the Indian system There were many ironies, some rather subtle, in the high-octane events related to the launch of Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri’s book in Mumbai last week. There was the stoic Sudheendra Kulkarni, his face completely doused in black, carrying on with his duties as head of the Observer Research Foundation that was hosting Kasuri. As TV channels splashed his paint-besmirched face endlessly across screens and featured at length his news conference where he vowed the book launch would go on as scheduled despite the Shiv Sena’s loutish behavior, ingenious messages were being broadcast to the nation and the world.

The most flagrant was that while the Shiv Sena was against freedom of expression, both political and cultural, the ruling BJP was determined to champion such freedoms at all costs. The Shiv Sena was once a close ally of the BJP, and its latest antics are all of a piece with its fiercely anti-Pakistan stance which it has been flaunting since 1991 when it dug up

THE CONTACT STAFF: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sunny Bains Lt. Hon. President : Dr. (Prof.) Darshan Singh Executive Editor: Kanwaljit Kaur Bains EDITOR Vinny Bains Foreign Editor: Syed Asif Shahkar (Sweden) Sr. Assistant Editor: Prempal Bajwa Marketing Executive Vinny Bains

Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium to block Imran Khan’s cricket team. Curiously, Kulkarni, although described as a former BJP member, was sporting the party colors of saffron and green in his clothing.

A speechwriter for former Vajpayee and a political strategist for BJP stalwart Advani, Kulkarni’s dignified demeanor helped to take the pressure off the BJP at a time when it is facing opprobrium from writers over its illiberal policies.

As the liberals take heart from this collective outrage of the writers, it is important to see where all this is leading.

Modi and the BJP appear unconcerned by the revolt of the literati and shrug off their charge that his regime is fascistic.

But in this tussle for the cultural soul of India there appears little understanding of how the country has come to this sorry pass. In the competitive politics of hatemongering between one-time allies, one of the more amazing ironies was the condemnation of the Shiv Sena by none other than Advani for intolerance. Advani’s swipe at the Sena got big play in the media, but there was nary a comment on the BJP leader’s pioneering role in setting the Hindutva agenda for the country and the communal polarization that ensued in the wake of his Rath Yatra in 1990 to galvanize the Hindus to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya. It was this yatra that led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid with the active participation of Sena hordes, and resulted in a widespread communal bloodletting. But it ensured the arrival of the BJP as a major force.

It is the Advani legacy that the BJP, more so Modi, has built upon assiduously in subsequent decades, polarizing the country in such a deeply communal way that it seems unlikely that the genie of religious hatred can ever be put back in the bottle. It was left to Modi to perfect communal mobilization to a fine art, first by capturing Gujarat in three consecutive elections, starting with the 2002 pogrom against Muslims, and finally storming

New Delhi in 2014.

As a seasoned RSS pracharak, Modi has SUNNY BAINS set the country on a ruinous trajectory that threatens to alter India forever. Why is the outlook so memories, tend to rely on the naive hope daunting? One reason is that RSS has that all will be well since Hindus are whole laid the groundwork firmly to achieve its committed to a pluralistic society. But vision of a 100 per cent Hindu nation. All are the Hindus any safer in the current the templates for radicalizing the Indian dispensation than the minorities? What society were fixed a long time ago through is at stake is not just religious freedom; a vast network of Hindu organizations. The it is the freedom to think rationally that’s basic foundation was laid by its Saraswati under threat. Modi can be berated harshly Shishu Mandir schools that dwell on the by the liberals, but this is unlikely to glory of a imagined Hindu past. The RSS change his ideas. His priorities lie

has also spawned hundreds of Hindu outfits to mobilize every segment of the society, from housewives to forest dwellers and to avenge insults to Hindu “sentiments”. Each day’s news brings into the limelight hitherto unheard of Hindu organizations, like the Sanatan Sanstha, which was responsible for the murder of writer-activist Govind Pansare and Sanskrit scholar M.M. Kalburgi. The rot thus runs deep.

Yet, political analysts, based on short

elsewhere. He is not interested in winning accolades as a Liberal leader and to win praise for being a Democrat. To him, the ultimate certificate of good governance comes from the RSS. Last month, Modi and his cabinet subjected themselves to a three-day scrutiny by the RSS. It was these men in khaki shorts and black caps, who still adhere to a picturesque fascist salute, which gave his government a thumbs-up. That is what matters to Modi.

Global Writers Community PEN International Urges Indian Government To Protect Artists

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Renowned writers’ body PEN International has expressed their solidarity with Indian writers who have returned their awards to the country in their protest against clamping down on freedom of expression.

Delegates from 73 countries, part of the global community of writers, have called on the Indian government to “to provide better protection for such individuals and safeguard free speech as guaranteed by the Indian constitution”. The organisation’s president, John Ralston Saul, has also written to the Indian President and Prime Minister, as well as the President of Sahitya Akademi (the country’s National Academy of Letters), representing writers from 150 countries who had assembled in Quebec, Canada, for the 81st Congress of the organisation.

“We stand in solidarity with the more than fifty novelists, scholars, poets, and public intellectuals who have returned their awards to the Akademi and admire their courage,” reads the letter. The organisation has asked for protection of writers and artists in India, as well as speedy investigations into the murders of M. M. Kalburgi, Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare. The registered charity organisation, founded in London in 1921, promotes literature and freedom of expression. It is a non-political organisation which holds Special Consultative Status at the UN and Associate Status at UNESCO. The statement released by PEN says that, despite India being the largest democracy in the world, “there is a climate

of growing intolerance in India where those who challenge orthodoxy or fundamentalism have become increasingly vulnerable. Those two government ministers who have questioned the motives of the writers returning the awards we can only say this to them: It takes courage in the current climate in India to express public dissent in a public manner.”

The organisation has responded sharply against Indian culture minister Mahesh Sharma’s comment, “If they (the writers) say they are unable to write, let them first stop writing. We will then see.” It has questioned the Akademi’s silence over the murders, and urged the Indian government to protect freedom of expression.

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Whenever people seek to control each other, they embark on a journey that can only lead to one destination: Frustration City. That is the home of despair and it is no place to be. Yet there is only one way to get out of that town. We have to turn around and start strolling down the avenue of mutual respect and trust that leads us back to the glorious State Of Freedom. That path is just too narrow for anyone who happens to be carrying cumbersome conditions and clauses. Let those go, and all will be well.

From an early age, we are taught to value ‘fairness’.

As an idea, a principle, an aspiration, it is of enormous importance.

Even those amongst us with a personality warped enough to justify the view that they may be entitled to a share of the earth’s bounty that is ‘more than fair’, must first know what fairness means in order to ascertain that they are defying the concept!

Some might say that you are being blessed by an unfair advantage.

Whether or not you can justify it, you should enjoy it.

‘The world doesn’t owe you a living.’ That’s what adults often tell youngsters when they reach a certain age. This statement is supposed to be a delicate tool to encourage effort. If it also creates fear, it becomes a blunt instrument, that can do too much damage.

The world owes you help and support. To imagine otherwise is to succumb to entirely unnecessary anxiety. The cosmos is genuinely trying to do all it can to assist. Help it to help you by acting as if you confidently expect to encounter opportunities.

They say, ‘all’s fair in love and war’. Why do they say

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

that? Love may be many things but there are few who would feel inclined to describe it as a force that is fully fair. And what, can someone please explain, is ever even so much as remotely fair about a single aspect of war?

That’s about the most unfair thing there is. It may be unfair now to expect fairness in a situation that is most unlikely to deliver it, despite some people’s poetic protestations. Yet fairness now may ultimately matter more than love and war alike.

We cannot help but indulge an idealistic view of how relationships are supposed to work, regardless of whether these are romantic, social, corporate or collegiate. We expect, somehow, that we will all do our best to make each other happy and that none of us would ever dream of acting in ways that irritate or annoy. Yet, once in a while, inadvertently (and surely, inadvertently, because nobody would do this deliberately), we drive one another to distraction. Where that seems to be happening, all is not as bad as it seems!

What if you give it your best shot and it doesn’t work? Then it isn’t your best shot! Or it is, but the target is moving or the time isn’t right and thus you must keep giving it your best shot, again and again, until eventually, you meet with the success that you deserve. That is so very apt for the current cosmic climate where the sky demands diligence, dedication and patience.

You must wait a fair while yet before you attain a big victory. But at least you will soon have the satisfaction of winning a more minor battle.

Dear Sunny, We all possess many thoughts. But we are unable to express them.

We don’t show ourselves as we are but try to project ourselves differently. In fact, we all are the same. I am sure about this fact because if it is not so than why do I like someone else’s thoughts? Sunny you can’t even imagine the worth of your words, which you have written in your book. You may term it as a normal thought of yours but it’s miraculous to compile such thoughts. After reading it for once, I got confused that whether I am unable to understand or is it just too complicated for everyone. But second reading made me realize as if it is some bare truth which is well known to everyone but acceptable to only a few.

Sunny, after reading your writings anyone can be 100% sure about your age being 55 to 58. Even one can bet upon this.

Because such maturity is needed to say ... “ … wear whatever you like ...” “… when you feel good, you look good ...” “… the reverse is not always the case ...”

Sunny, it is the beginning. It seems as if you are making us see the mirror. Anyone would like to read further to see that why you are saying so but in the very next para you have put forth many questions. It seems as if you are saying that stop reading my words rather reply to my queries!

As if you are saying that look into yourself. By doing so, you will find the solutions to all your problems. You are making us realize as if problems are also created by ourself.

Oh ... I wanna write more … a lot. Rather I wanna ask you about every paragraph of yours ... let’s see, when will I get that opportunity.

B. Jeet Shereon Punjab & Haryana High Court Lawyer

Letters To The Editor Chandigarh, India 011-91-99-88-303024 ***** The Editor, The Contact Mississauga Sir, A letter to the editor entitled ‘Donations Delay Prayers’ is sent herewith for publication in your esteemed newspaper.

Donation appeals are made in mosques every Friday. Many times the prayers are delayed and those who want to reach their work places get late.

This has become a hot topic for the discussion among individual Muslims.

However, a public debate is absent. Through my letter, I seek your cooperation to discuss this matter in public domain. This is in public interest.

Regards.

Firoz Khan 504-2825 Islington Av. Toronto. ON. M9L 2K1.

416 473 3854 Donation Delays Prayers.

One of my local friends in Toronto called me. After exchanging Eid greetings he asked me a question.

“Was there any appeal made for donations in the mosque? I offered my EidAl-Adha prayers?” I said, “Yes.” He then said that the Eid prayer in the mosque where he offered prayers was delayed by “Donation hungry Maulana and other persons associated with the mosque.

There is nothing wrong in seeking donations. But there should be some limit. Delaying Friday prayers, Ramadan special prayers (Taraavih) and then Eid prayers can’t be appreciated. Many get delayed for reaching their work places. People have many other tasks to attend to after prayers.

Why can’t these donation seekers realize this?

Donation seeking has become a never ending process. Without these appeals, I think, prayers are incomplete! Seeking donations for one or the other never ending projects is not appropriate. Maulanas in

mosque ask attendees to ‘Pledge’ donations. This is absolutely wrong. Why do they indulge in shaming others?

Very few mosques submit accounts to the donors.

When Maulanas and the persons associated with the mosques are asked to submit account of income and expenditure such questioners are asked to leave the mosques?

Sometimes even police is called to drive away such people.

Talking about local mosques in Toronto and the areas around … there are a number of mosques where the funds are mismanaged by the managements. In a very few mosques elections are held. A prominent local daily newspaper published from Toronto reported sometime back as to how the funds of a mosque in Mississauga were siphoned off by one or two persons of the management.

I think the policy of and the message of many mosque managements is ‘give donations and don’t ask any questions!.’ The people who ask for donation generally play with the religious sentiments of the faithful by saying, “If you give donation for the house of Allah, He will build a house for you in the paradise.”

Well, I am not against asking for donations. But there should be some limit. Somewhere at some given time these appeals must be stopped.

Accounts must be submitted to the donors. I asked a responsible person of the management of a mosque as to why the account of income and expenditure is not given to the donors?

And I was shocked to hear his reply. “It is NOT possible to give account to every individual.” The management of the same mosque spent a huge amount on printing the Donation Appeals and putting them in the envelopes and giving it to the individuals. Well, I understand this, but when

I asked him why the copy of the account with Balance Sheet is not kept at a prominent place in the mosque pat came the reply, “It is NOT mandatory.”

My suggestion is we should have a not for profit organization like Hilal Committee for all the mosques that declare when to celebrate Eids. There should be such another organization of volunteer CAs to provide accounting services to all the mosques.

Should we call it ‘Raining Business of Religions?’ ***** Dear Editor, “ ... perhaps one day we really will invent a machine that takes us back in time ....” Surely this sentence is meaningful to you, but it is of great worth for me.

Your examples are sufficient enough to accept this fact that it will surely happen, one day. After being back in time, I will rectify my mistakes, change my wrong decisions, will draft my future and a lot more.

When we read your words it seems as if you are directing us to do so.

It is like a medical prescription by a renowned, experienced, famous senior doctor to a patient, who has no knowledge of his disease and he can’t even explain the symptoms. Patient is feeling pain and pain and only pain. But doctor knows everything because he is Perfect.

You have given life to the dead feelings by saying that “… Trust that impulse ...”

Your words give strength to my thoughts, desires, decisions and dreams.

If we will start acting out of inspiration, not obligation ... then our expectations will come to an end. It will be the feeling of ultimate satisfaction. That is what we need.

B. Jeet Punjab & Haryana High Court Lawyer Chandigarh, India 011-91-99-88-303024

Wildfire kills seven Indonesian hikers JAKARTA they sustained Seven hikers were killed around 50 and two others suffered percent burns,” severe burns when a he said, adding wildfire broke out on a all the dead and mountain on Indonesia’s injured had been main island of Java, an brought down official said Monday. The from the group was climbing on mountain. “The Mount Lawu when the area is actually accident took place on told AFP. “Seven of them closed for hiking because Sunday, local disaster were killed and two others there had been previous agency official Agung Lewis are in critical condition as cases of wildfires due to the

dry weather, so we suspect these hikers could have used unofficial routes,” he added. He did not give any further details about those killed or injured.

The blaze was thought to have been caused by a campfire started by hikers and not properly extinguished, said disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

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‘Today is good, tomorrow will be better’: Railway Minister says investing in Indian infrastructure will lift the world economy Putting his faith in the Indian economy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives for the financial inclusion of the marginalised sections, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Monday: “Today is very good, tomorrow will be better.”

Speaking at the Mail Today Financial Inclusion Conclave, the minister said: “This effort is commendable.”

“It always eluded us that all families in India have a bank account. The PM made that happen in the time it takes to go from Red Fort to Raj Path,” he said, referring to the PM declaring the Jan Dhan Yojana on August 15 and setting the target for January 26.

The minister said it was a mission to include the masses in the banking system and bring them to the financial mainstream.

He lauded the Jan Dhan Yojana and said its success encouraged the PM to launch the second wave of this inclusive policy.

“The PM launched the second wave of financial products in the form of insurance. It was earlier

said there was tension but no pension,” he said.

Socially desirable Financial Inclusion is socially desirable, Prabhu said.

“In 1969 banks were nationalised ostensibly for this very purpose, to take banking to the masses.

But we could not achieve what we wanted to. If we can get people to participate in the financial mainstream, many a benefit will accrue to them.”

Prabhu also emphasised that financial inclusion via the banking sector has and would

further deal a death blow to the institution of black money.

“With financial inclusion, through the institution of banks, a host of possibilities will open up. The root cause of black money was the absence of banking. Once we enter the financial mainstream, the need to deal with cash disappears,” he explained.

Focus on tech He also drew attention to the centrality of technology.

“We are also trying to hike the tax to GDP ratio by introducing

‘Our government encourages citizens to respect local customs’: Australian High Commission

Following the alleged harassment of an Australian for sporting a tattoo of a Hindu goddess on his leg, the Australian High Commission on Monday said their government encourages citizens travelling abroad to research and respect local customs and laws.We

understand offence was taken at an image of a deity tattooed on a person’s leg. We are in contact with local authorities regarding the incident. The Australian Government encourages Australians travelling abroad to research and respect local customs and laws, Australian

High Commission spokesperson said in a statement.

“We are concerned about reports an Australian citizen was threatened with violence and detained by police because of a tattoo. The Australian Consulate General in Chennai is speaking with local authorities about the incident and has made contact with the couple in question,” the spokesperson added.A group of people harassed an Australian couple at a restaurant in Bengaluru today after one of them was seen with a tattoo of the Goddess Yellama on his shin.

According to reports, local police not only detained the couple, but also forced the man to apologise to the group for ‘hurting their religious sentiments.’

such measures as part of the goods and services tax (GST),” he said.

“If we are financially strong only then will we be able to initiate more welfare schemes,’’ he added.

“Once a person enters the banking system, the bank knows it's customer in so far as it generates an identity. This identity then leads to such benefits as worthiness for credit,” he pointed out.

Prabhu also suggested that banks should lend to the masses as the common people who borrow small sums have proved themselves to be more creditworthy.

“The small borrowers are very concerned about their credit worthiness. So if the banks want to lend, retail lending is far better than lending to large corporations. The risk element is less,” he said. Prabhu, who is headed for Singapore on Tuesday to hard-sell India as an investigation destination, also said that India was crucial to salvaging the world economy.

“India can lift the world economy.

Making investments in the Indian infrastructure will have global effects. The Indian infrastructure story is not confined to India alone. It will create services across several sectors that will have global push.”

‘Wal-Mart paid millions of dollars in bribes in India’ The world’s largest retailer Wal-Mart made ‘suspicious payments’ towards ‘thousands of small bribes’ totalling millions of dollars to local officials in India, according to a media report.

The Wall Street Journal said in a report that WalMart’s ‘suspected bribery’ unearthed in India involved thousands of small payments to low-level local officials to help move goods through customs or obtain real-estate permits.

“The vast majority of the suspicious payments were less than $200, and some were as low as $5, the people said, but when added together they totalled millions of dollars,” the

daily said.

According to the report, federal investigators “found evidence of bribery in India, centering on widespread but relatively small payments made to local officials there” during the course of its “high-profile federal probe” into allegations of widespread corruption at Wal-Mart Stores Inc’s operations in Mexico.

Mobile phones transforming Africa but growth to slow

Two held in gang-rape case in Punjab Two persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged abduction and rape of a minor girl, and sent in judicial custody

for two days, police said. The accused were produced before a local court today after they were arrested by the police

yesterday. According to the Assistant Commissioner of Police Mukesh Kumar, “Police arrested two persons, accused

of raping a minor and were produced in the court today from where they were sent to jail.”

The duo have been identified as Devender Singh and Manpreet, he said, adding that the accused, who are cousins, were nabbed from Paragpur area. A video footage recorded by the CCTV cameras installed near the crime scene and statement given by the girl herself, led to the arrest of the two accused, the officer said.

According to police sources, preliminary investigation to into the case indicates possibility of an affair between Devender and the girl. Meanwhile, Devender has claimed his innocence, saying that he has been involved in a love affair with the girl for a long time.

Police is interrogating the duo and investigation is on in the case.

In a unique example of communal harmony, one Muslim man has been regularly offering ‘roti’ and “go-seva” to hundreds of cows in pockets of localities of golden city of Jaisalmer for the last 15 years.

Haji Mehrudin of Jaisalmer collects roti from houses and packs in four full bags every day, and has been distributing them to go-shalas or offering directly to stray cows in the city for the last 15 years. “I go to every mohalla twice in a day for goseva and offer the cows roti collected from the women who voluntarily provide the left over

rotis to me,” 60-year-old Haji told reporters today. ”I feel very satisfied by doing this service to beloved cows that give milk to everyone regardless of caste, creed or religion.

This is totally wrong notion that Muslim brothers do not care for cows. We do care and offer roti to it,” he said.

Ranu Singh Rajpurohit, a goshala convenor here, and a resident Ramkanwar Devra confirmed that the man has been serving cows for the last 14 to 15 years without any self interest in every adverse weather conditions.

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

White House launches anti-bullying campaign in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu Washington The White House has teamed up with a Sikh and an Asia Pacific community group to launch a

public awareness campaign to address bullying in six languages including Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.The resources for the “Act To Change” campaign are also available in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese as one out of three in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community does not speak English fluently.The initiative launched, in partnership with the Sikh Coalition and the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, will also feature video testimonials of AAPI celebrity athletes, artists, and entertainers.

“Growing up, sometimes people

made me feel like an outsider; I was the perfect storm of nerdy, gay, and Indian American,” wrote Maulik Pancholy, a member of

the President’s Advisory Commission on AAPI discussing the campaign.“But now, I’ve come to find that those very things that were sometimes used as fodder against me are the things I love the most about myself,” he wrote in a White House blog post.

“I have the privilege to be connected to amazing communities of incredible people: people who know that it’s actually cool to nerd out about stuff, who celebrate the strength and joy of what it means to identify as LGBT, and who appreciate the rich cultural heritage of being Indian

American.”

“It’s okay to be weird, but it’s NOT okay to be bullied,” said Pancholy, noting: “Every day, kids of all ages suffer from being bullied in schools across the country.”

In the AAPI community, this problem is often complicated by cultural, religious, and linguistic barriers that can keep AAPI youth from getting the help they need, he said. “And we’ve seen that certain AAPI groups including South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Micronesian, and limited English proficient youth - are more likely to be the targets of bullying,” Pancholy wrote. In addition to raising awareness, the campaign encourages AAPI youth and adults to share their stories, engage in community dialogues, and take action against bullying. The campaign website, ActToChange.org, includes video and music empowerment playlists, and encourages one to “Take a Pledge” to join the #ActToChange movement and stand up against bullying. The Sikh Coalition has also launched a new anti-bullying awareness video. The short five-minute film was developed for community members to share on social media to raise awareness to the challenges that Sikh children face when confronting this problem.

Apple ordered to pay huge damages Silicon Valley A US jury has ordered technology giant Apple to pay more than $234m (£152m) in damages for patent infringement.

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the patent licensing arm of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the verdict was important to guard its inventions from unauthorised use. The jury had earlier decided that Apple

incorporated patented microchip technology into some iPhones and iPads without permission.

Apple said it would appeal. The company declined to comment further. The amount was less than the foundation had claimed. It had originally sought as much as $862m. The sum was lower in part because the judge ruled that Apple had not wilfully infringed the patent.

University of Wisconsin-Madison computer sciences professor Gurindar Sohi, one of the inventors of the microchip

technology - designed to boost the performance of computer processors was in the federal court in Madison, Wisconsin, for the decision. “For Dr Sohi, I hope you felt that your invention was vindicated,’’ US District Judge William Conley said.

Carl Gulbrandsen, managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, said: “This is a case where the hard work of our university researchers and the integrity of patenting and licensing discoveries has prevailed.

“The jury recognised the seminal computer processing work that took place on our campus.’’ The case relates to use of the technology in the iPhone 5s, 6 and 6 Plus - but an additional lawsuit making the same claim against Apple’s newest models, the 6S and 6S Plus, has also been filed. The University of Wisconsin sued Intel over the same patent in 2008. That case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

Despite recent well-publicised truces between some big tech firms, fierce patent battles are still being fought in courts globally.

A judge recently threw out claims by graphic card specialist Nvidia that Samsung and others had infringed three of its patents. Apple’s annual revenue in 2014 was $182bn.

What Americans fear the most - and it’s not terrorism

New York Corruption of government officials tops the list of things that people in the US fear the most today, according to a new survey.

Besides corruption, cyberterrorism and corporate tracking of personal information ranked higher than fear of a terrorist attack in the top-10 list of fears coming out of the second annual Chapman University Survey of American Fears (2015).

“The 2015 survey data shows us the top fears are heavily based in economic and ‘big brother’ type issues,” said Christopher Bader, who led the team effort.

“People often fear what they cannot control and technology and the future of our economy are two aspects of life that Americans find very unpredictable at the moment,” Bader noted.Interestingly, the data showed more than 40

percent of people in the US believe that places can be haunted by spirits; and more than a fourth believe that the living and the dead can communicate with each other.

Twenty percent of Americans believe both that aliens visited Earth in the ancient past, and that dreams can foretell the future.“Overall, the survey showed that half of Americans believe in something paranormal,” Bader said.The survey asked respondents about 88 fears across a broad range of categories including fears about the government, crime, the environment, the future, technology, ageing, sickness and health, natural and man-made disasters, claustrophobia, clowns and many other personal anxieties besides a host of others.The survey included more than 1,500 adult participants from across the nation and all walks of life.

Issue - 637 (8)

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Alpine glacier could vanish by 2100 due to warming Washington One of Europe’s biggest glaciers, the Great Aletsch, coils 23 km (14 miles) through the Swiss Alps - and yet this mighty river of ice could almost vanish in the lifetimes of people born today because of climate change. The

glacier, 900 metres (2,950 feet) thick at one point, has retreated about 3 km (1.9 miles) since 1870 and that pace is quickening, as with many other glaciers around the globe. That is feeding more water into the oceans and raising world sea levels. It was only after I got down onto the ice, with spikes on my boots for grip and often roped to my guide for safety, that I appreciated the full scale of the glacier, on the south side of the Jungfraujoch railway station.We could walk for an hour and not seem to advance across the vast field of ice, which snakes its way downhill striped by debris and rocks, scarred by crevasses and hemmed in by towering mountain peaks. And yet even the Great Aletsch glacier, the biggest in the Alps and visible from space, is under threat from

the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from factories, power plants and cars that are blamed for global warming.Andreas Vieli, a professor who heads the University of Zurich’s group of glaciology experts, said the

Aletsch may lose 90 percent of its ice volume by 2100, with the lower reaches melting away. “My kids are going to see very different scenery in the Alps,” he said.And on the ice, Aletsch guide Richard Bortis said, “if I stay on the glacier for several days.

I can even see the changes myself.” The glacier is a vast water reserve, important for irrigation and hydroelectric power.In mid-summer, the main sounds are of the occasional rockfall and of small planes buzzing overhead, taking tourists over the ice. The only sign of life is a few insects living in small melt water pools on the ice. For glaciers around the globe, from the Andes to Alaska, rising temperatures mean that the volume lost from the summer

Prince William opens up about painful past, gets emotional over Princess Diana

Washington Prince William recently opened up about his painful past in an emotional speech during the celebration of the 21st anniversary of the Child Bereavement Charity, an organisation that was supported by his late mother, Princess Diana.The 33-year-old Duke of Cambridge said that twenty-one years ago last month, his mother attended the launch of the Child Bereavement Charity and fifteen years later, he is honored to be

invited to become Patron of Child Bereavement UK to continue his mother’s commitment to a charity which is very dear to him, reports People magazine.

The Prince added, “what my mother recognised back then and what I understand now is that grief is the most painful experience that any child or parent can endure.”Prince William and his brother Prince Harry lost their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997 when they were 15 and 12, respectively.

melt exceeds snows that replenish the glaciers’ ice in winter. The Aletsch flows downhill at about 180 metres (590 feet) a year.

The World Glacier Monitoring Service says “the rates of early 21st-century mass loss are without precedent on a global scale” at least since measurements began around 1850. Representatives from almost 200 governments will meet in Paris from Nov. 30-Dec. 11 to try to agree ways to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

The United Nations’ panel of climate scientists says sea levels are set to rise by between 26 and 82 cm (10 and 31 inches) by the late 21st century, after a gain of about 20 cm (8 inches) since 1900, partly fed by water from melting glaciers. Rising oceans are a threat to places from San Francisco to Shanghai, to low-lying Pacific atolls and large parts of Bangladesh.

Christian Pletscher, a 60-yearold Aletsch guide, has seen many changes over the years.

Pletscher and his 19-year-old daughter recently stopped off at a refreshment hut near the Col de la Forclaz, a mountain pass close to the French border.

“When I was her age, the Trient Glacier was about 500 metres from the hut,” he said. “Now the glacier is a long, long way away.”

Pluto reveals variety of rich colours

WASHINGTON Pluto contains a rich variety of colours on its surface, according to observations out Thursday from NASA’s New Horizons probe that stunned astronomers.The probe’s first published science results revealed dark red parts at the equator of the dwarf planet to lighter and bluer regions at higher latitudes. Previously experts did not have a clear picture of Pluto’s colors. “I was astonished to see such spectacular surface color and geological diversity,” said Silvia Protopapa, an assistant research scientist in astronomy at the University of Maryland and part of the New Horizons surface composition team.

A new color image of Pluto published in the journal Science was obtained with the spacecraft’s Multi-spectral Visible Imaging Camera (MVIC).

On July 14, New Horizons became the first spacecraft to fly by Pluto, offering scientists an unprecedented view of the dwarf planet. Scientists working on the project have already released most of their observations to the public, but data will continue to pour in for the next year. “The data returned so far show a surprisingly wide variety of landforms and terrain ages on Pluto, as well as variations in color, composition and albedo (surface reflectivity),” NASA said.

Cute furball best preserved mammal from dinosaur age WASHINGTON Scurrying under the feet of dinosaurs in swampy terrain in

dermal scutes, a rounded external ear, skin pores and even soft tissues of the liver and lung.

Spain around 125 million years ago was a furry chipmunk-sized critter with tiny hedgehog-like spines, horny body armor and an unpleasant fungal hair infection.

This intrepid little guy now is providing the best look ever at the mammals that thrived during the Mesozoic Era, the age of dinosaurs. Scientists on Wednesday announced the discovery near the Spanish town of Cuenca of the stunningly wellpreserved fossil of a Cretaceous Period mammal named Spinolestes xenarthrosus.

It includes a complete skeleton, fur preserved at the cellular level, hedgehog-like spines, plate-like structures of keratin known as

“Yes, indeed, it is the bestpreserved mammal fossil from the Mesozoic,” University of Bonn paleontologist Thomas Martin said. “The discovery of Spinolestes is extremely exciting for me because it provides information on structures that we believed would never be accessible.” University of Chicago paleontologist Zhe-Xi Luo said this “cute furball” provides unprecedented insight into early mammals.

Spinolestes, about 9-1/2 inches (24 cm) long including its tail and weighing 1.8-2.5 ounces (50-70 grams), was a ground-dweller capable of occasional digging. It ate insects and worms and lived

a lifestyle similar to a hedgehog in a lush wetland shared with dinosaurs, birds, the flying reptiles called pterosaurs and crocodilians.“It would look like small rat, except it has a more pointy nose,” Luo said. Its hair, spines and the horny scutes, similar to those of armadillos, were preserved in exquisite detail down to the microscopic scales forming the hair shafts, hair bulbs in the skin and filaments making up the spines.“This extinct mammal combines all types of hairs and hair-related structures of modern mammals: long guard hairs, velvet underfur, spines and scutes,” Luo added. The fossil is 65 million years older than the next-oldest record of microscopic structures of hair in mammal fossils. Abnormally truncated hairs indicated Spinolestes had a fungal infection, dermatophytosis, common in mammals today.Spinolestes, meaning “spiny robber,” resembled an African rodent called a spiny mouse although it was not closely related to any living mammalian group. It was a member of a primitive mammalian group called eutriconodonts that arose 170 million years ago and went extinct 66 million years ago along with the dinosaurs after an asteroid impact. The research was published in the journal Nature.

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

2015 becomes worst US wildfire year

WASHINGTON Wildfires in the western United States have made 2015 the country’s most devastating fire year since at least 1960, despite the relatively small number of individual fires.More than 11 million acres (4.5 million hectares) have been burned in fires this year as of Friday, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center. That vast acreage — greater than the size of Denmark is expected to rise over the remainder of the year, but it makes 2015 already the first year in at least five and a half decades to exceed 10 million acres burned, according to NIFC data.That damage was done by 51,110 fires. By contrast, the last time US wildfires burned more than 9 million acres by October 8, in 2006, the number of fires totaled 84,578. But NIFC data revealed a more worrying longterm trend: Since at least 1960 and up until the early 1980s,

the US saw more than 100,000 individual wildfires each year, which, despite their numbers, never burned more than 5.5 million acres.Between 2000 and 2014, however, the number of fires exceeded 90,000 only twice, but in nine of those years the total acreage burned exceeded 5.5 million. That rise in more-damaging “mega-fires” has been widely attributed to fire management practices, a growing number of homes in or near major forests and, especially, a trend toward hotter, drier seasons. Those effects may be most obvious this year, as fires have torn through drought-parched California and other western states. The more than 11 million acres burned by just 51,110 wildfires so far this year means each fire burned on average 220 acres more than twice the average acreage per fire through this point in the year over the past decade, according to an AFP analysis of NIFC data.

Sea level rise will swallow Miami, New Orleans MIAMI Say goodbye to Miami and New Orleans. No matter what we do to curb global warming, these and other beloved US cities will sink below rising seas, according to a new study.But making extreme carbon cuts and moving to renewable energy could save millions of people living in iconic coastal areas of the United States, said the findings in the October 12 edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peerreviewed US journal.Scientists have already established that if we do nothing to reduce our burning of fossil fuel up to the year 2100, the planet will face sea level rise of 14-32 feet (4.39.9 meters), said lead author Ben Strauss, vice president for sea level and climate impacts at Climate Central.The big uncertainty is the issue of when.

“Some of this could happen as early as next century,” Strauss told AFP. “But it might also take many centuries,” he added. “Just think of a pile of ice in a warm room. You know it is going to melt, but it is harder to say how quickly.”To bring this issue home for people in the United States, the study pinpoints at-risk land where more than 20 million people reside.The authors projected business-as-usual carbon emissions, in addition to the complication of the melting West Antarctic ice sheet, a process some experts fear is irreversible.They also considered what might happen if the world were to make a big turnaround, reaching peak carbon emissions by 2020.This radical scenario

would have to occur far earlier than the current aim of some world powers to peak by 2050, said Strauss.An online tool at http://choices.climatecentral.org

futures that depend on our carbon choices but some appear to be already lost,” Strauss said.

“And it is hard to imagine how we could defend Miami in the

allows users to see the impacts on various US cities. A global version is expected in the next month, Strauss said.

The tool shows which US cities may face “lock-in dates beyond which the cumulative effects of carbon emissions likely commit them to long-term sea-level rise that could submerge land under more than half of the city’s population,” said the study.

“Norfolk, Virginia, for example, faces a lock-in date of 2045 under a scenario of unabated carbon emissions.”For cities like Miami and New Orleans, the limits are already exceeded. “In our analysis, a lot of cities have

long run.”Miami’s low elevation and porous limestone foundation mean that sea walls and levees will not help, he said.

The state of Florida has the most number of big cities at risk from sea level rise, holding 40 percent or more of the US population living on potentially affected land.

After Florida, the next three most affected states are California, Louisiana and New York.

One beloved American city, New Orleans, home to jazz music and some of the nation’s most beloved cuisine, is already sinking. “New Orleans is a really sad story,” Strauss said. “It is a lot worse looking than Miami.”

US sentences mentally ill Briton to 20 years

Terminally ill businessman announces death date on LinkedIn New York A 57-year-old terminally ill company director has used his LinkedIn profile to announce the dates of his death next week and funeral before he ends his own

life at a Swiss euthanasia clinic.

Simon Binner, operations director at a health and social care organisation Caremark in Sutton, was diagnosed with aggressive motor neurone disease (MND) in January following which he handed over his role to another person and became a non-executive director.

“I died in Switzerland with Eternal Spirit on Mon 19 Oct

2015 and my funeral was on Fri 13 Nov 2015,” Binner’s profile on the website, mainly used for professional networking, reads.

“As I was driven home I had already decided what I would

gladly have to do when my time was upon me.“My MND accelerated very rapidly. The sawbones initially thought I would last until 2017/2018, but they were mistaken - no worries, it’s an inexact science!

“I don’t recommend MND! Better to have one massive fatal stroke or be killed instantly by a drunk driver! There is nothing that I can say that’s positive about MND,”

the profile’s section titled ‘Patient’ reads. Binner, from Purley in Surrey, said in the post that he will travel to the Eternal Spirit clinic in Basel where he will be assisted to die due to MND, a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness that makes it difficult to walk, speak, swallow and breathe.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association, said Binner’s story highlighted the need to change the law on assisted dying.

“The tragedy at the heart of Simon s story is that if the law allowed people with incurable and terminal conditions to seek a doctor-assisted death in this country, he and others like him would have more time to spend with their loved ones before their conditions became intolerable for them.“The current law heaps unnecessary suffering and trauma on to families like the Binners. Our thoughts of course continue to be with them at this difficult time,” he was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

New York A mentally ill British man who set up a violent extremist training camp in the United States under orders from radical preacher Abu Hamza was sentenced to 20 years on two terror counts in New York today. Haroon Aswat, 41, cut a despondent figure in the US federal court, dressed in a faded navy prison shirt with his long dark hair plaited into braids over his scalp and down his back.

He has already spent 11 years in custody since his arrest -meaning, due to time served and good behavior, he could qualify for early release in six years and can apply to serve the remainder of his sentence in Britain.

He pleaded guilty in March to one count of providing material support to Al-Qaeda and one

count of conspiring to support the terror group, which carried out the 9/11 attacks on America.

In 2000, he spent six weeks on the West Coast in Seattle and Bly, Oregon at the behest of Abu Hamza, as part of a plot to set up a training camp for recruits wanting to fight in Afghanistan.

He then traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan in mid-2001 in order to attend a training camp.

After the 9/11 attacks and the start of US military action in Afghanistan, he fled to South Africa, where he had family, and embarked on a life as an itinerant salesman of pirated CDs of Islamic chants and prayer, his defense lawyer told the court.

Aswat, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, was arrested in Zambia in 2005.

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Jat Sikh family seek a suitable match for their doughter, 28 yrs. old, 5'-1" tall, Canadian born, B.D.S. from India, Master's in public health from England, Candian and British Citizen. The boy should be professionally educated, well settled in Canada or USA and from upper middle class. Please send your biodata and recent picture to: kirnsbirk@gmail.com or Call: 0011-91-98159-25258 or 647550-8836 ***637*** Kainth family looking for a suitable match for their son, born and raised in Canada, DOB June 1986, 5’-9” tall, Working in CIBC. The girl should be educated with family values, girls on student visa/work permit may also be considered. Please email your recent picture and bio-data to: rskainth@rogers.com Or Call : 416-565-7965 ***637*** Tonk Kashtriya family seeking a suktable match for their Canadian Citizen daughter 28 year old, 5’3”., CGA, B.Com, Working in Govt. job. The boy should be well educated professionally seetled.

Cast no bar. Toronto Based family will be preffered. Please send your Bio-data and recent picture to : singhjag_@hotmail.com Or Call : 1-416-722-9771 ***637*** Jat Sikh parents invite matrimonial alliance for their well settled daughter, DOB 1981, 5’6” tall, born and raised in Canada, well versed in both Cultures, family oriented, chartered professional accountant designation and professionally employed in senior management position. The boy should be well educated, professionally employed with family values.

Please Call: 647-298-9665 ***637*** Ramgarhia parents seek a suitable match for their Son, 28 yrs. old, 5'-8" tall, B.Com.,Diploma in Business Admin., New zealand PR. Two sisters & mother are well settled in Canada. The girl main consideration, should be Canadian PR or Citizen. Please send your bio-data and recent picture to: 905homes@gmail.com or call: 647-273-6445. *** 637*** Jat Sikh parents invite matrimonail alliance for their dauther, born and raised in Canada, 30 yrs. old, 5’ 6” tall, post gradute degree in Clinical Psyclology, professionally employed, well versed in both cultures, can speak punjabi as well. The boy should be well educated, professionally settled with family values between 2834 yres. of age. Lower Mainland area prefered. Please email recent picture and bio-data to: parmjit50@gmail.com or Call : 1-604-317-7576 ***637*** Jat Sikh parents seeking

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Canada/US based match for their very beautiful, slim, fair Daughter, 29 yrs. old, 5'-5" tall, Never married, convent educated, MBA (India), Post Degree (Canada), professionally employed in Canada. The Boy should be Jat Sikh, clean shaven, handsome, tall and well settled.

Please send your bio-data & recent picture to: asr.bc93@yahoo.ca *** 637*** Seeking a beautiful, tall, well educated and family oriented girl for a handsome, tall, jatt Sikh Brar boy, 30 yrs. old, 6' tall, Well Educated, Canadian PR, residing in Toronto area. The Girl on work permit and student visa can also be considerd. Please send your bio-data & recent picture to: simisidhu1980@hotmail.com or call: 1-778-869-7664 or 905-5954600 *** 637*** Jat Sikh Sidhu parents invite matrimonial alliance for their slim & beautiful daughter 28 yrs. old, 5’-7” tall, B.Sc. (Nuring), doing Job in PGI Chandigarh since 2010. The boy should be Canadian Immigrant. Please send you bio-data and recent picture to : nacbadesha@gmail.com Or Call : 647-267-3397 ***637*** Ramgarhia Sikh parents invite matrimonial alliance for their son, 27 yrs. old, 6’ tall, clean shaven, Bachelor of Science in Airline tourism and hospitality, running his own successful business in Mohali (India), having 10 yrs. multiple visa for Canada and America. The girl should be Canadian Immigrant/Citizen, educated and family oriented.

Parents are in Canada on visitor visa and sister is well settled in Canada. Please email recent picture and bio-data toi: sskalsi07@gmail.com Or Call : 647-234-4601 ***637*** Jat Sikh family seek a suitable match for their Canadian Citizen daughter, 39 yrs. old, 5’-5” tall, divorcee (One daughter). The boy should be Jat Sikh, settled preferably in California or USA. Please send you bio-data and recent picture to: sandhujs@hotmail.com Or Call:1-559-400-7142 ***637*** Jat Sikh parents seeking Canada/US based match for their very beautiful slim, fair daughter, 29 yrs., 5’-5” tall, never married, convent educated, MBA (India), Post Degree (Canada), professionally employeed in Canada. The Boy should be Jat Sikh, clean shaven, handsome, tall well settled. Contact with biodata and photo. Email : asr.bc93@yahoo.ca ***637*** Jat Sikh parents invite matrimonial alliance for their son, 25 yrs. old, 5’-7” tall, Mechanical Engineering degree, at present in Canada on student visa. Owns good urban and rural property in

India. The girl should be Canadian/American, Immigrant/ Citizen, educated and family oriented. Please email recent picture and biodata to: balbir8182@gmail.com Or Call : 647-808-2572 Or : 1-972-3468182 ***637** Amritdhari Jat sikh, USA citizen, Engineer boy, 28 yrs. old, 5’-9" tall, Working as Engineer in Government Dept. The Girl should be Amritdhari and professionally qualified. Please send your bio-data and recent picture to: khalsa9450@gmail.com ***637*** Saraswat B\rahmin family seek a suitable match for their Manglik son, Jan. 26, 1984 born, time 10.30 A.M. (Jagraoon), 5’-10” tall, Canadian Immigrant, M.Sc., B.Ed., living in Winnipeg. The Girl should be Canadian/American Immigrant or Citizen, well educated, Manglik, Preferably from Canada. The Girl on Studen/Visitor/Work Permit Visa can also be considered. Please send your bio-data & recent picture to : sharmatejpal@ yahoo.com Or Call : 1-204-9519909 ***637*** Parents of American Citizen, Jat Sikh Girl 28 yrs.old 5’4” tall, RN BSN, looking for American Citizen Sikh age 28-30, well educated, with turban and beard, family, oriented and vegetarian who does not consume alcohol and does not smoke. Contact: 724-599-0722 ***637*** Well settled Jat Sikh parents seeking a suitable match from Canada/America for their Canadian born son, 29 yrs. old, 6’ tall, educated, handsome, wears turban. The girl should be educated, attractive, having good family background. Please send you bio-data and recent picture to : skaur222@outlook.com Or Call: 1-604-728-3530 ***637*** Jat Sikh parents seeik a suitable match for their Canadian born daughter, 25 yrs. old, 5’-3” tall, well educated, working in her own field. The boy should be gursikh, professionaly qualified, settled with family values.

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resident basis, can relocate to USA if necessery. Caste no bar.

Doctor/Software engineer prefered. Photo & bio-data at first instance. Serious enquiries only Email : sukhman89@gmail.com Or Call : 905-654-0784 ***637*** Delhi based Sikh family invites matrimonial alliance for their son, 39 yrs. old, 6’ tall, Unmarried, Clean shaven, Australian Citizen. Elder brother is well settled in California (bay area) USA. The girl should be Canadian/American Immigrant/ Citizen. The boy is willing to relocate. Caste and religion no bar. Please send your bio-data & recent picture to : jitsahota@yahoo.com Or Call : 1-510-224-7191 ***637*** Jat Sikh parents invite matrimonial alliance for their beautiful daughter, 5’-9” tall, fair complextion, M.Sc. in Iridology, born and raised in Vancouver, currently residing in Surrey BC. The boy should be very handsome, atleast 6"-1'- 6"-4' tall, age 32 yrs., professionally Qualified, holistic, kind, caring with sense of humour, well settled in surrounding Surrey area. The boy should contact the girl directly at : Ph. No. : 1-604779-1903 ***637*** Jat Sikh family seeking a suitable match for their Canadian born and raised Son, 34 yrs. old, 5’-10 tall, well setlled in Job. The girl should be beautiful educated and family oriented from BC area only. Please Call: 1-604-671-0002 ***637*** Jat Sikh parents seek a suitable match for their son, 35 yrs. old, 5’-11” tall, well educated & well settled, Canadian Citizen, Govt. employee, divorcee (One daughter custody with mather).

The Girl should be educated, beautiful & family oriented.

Divorce girl on work permit/ student visa & visitor can also be considered. Please send your bio-data & recent picture to: ss100283@ gmail.comOr Call : 647-719-0077 ***637*** Ja Sikh Brar parents invite materimonial alliance for their daughter 28 yrs. old, 5’4” tall, BSc. Nursing four years degree holder, well versed in both cultures and family oriented. The boy should be professionally qualified with family values from Jat Sikh family only. Please email recent picture and biodata to : avtar.brar@hotmail.com Or Call : 416-930-3261 ***637*** Professionally qualified match for Lubana Sikh Girl, 26 yrs. old, 5’-4” tall, vegetarian, Pharmacy degree from Toronto University, Working with a reputed company of Brampton in her own field. The boy should be turbuned, vegetarian, equally qualified & employed. G.T.A

preferred. Please send your biodata & recent piture to nsm_pu@yahoo.com Or Call : 647-938-9464 ***637*** Ravidassia Sikh family seek a suitable match for their son, 28 yrs. old, 5’-8” tall, J.B.T. B.A., living, in Malasiya. The Girl should be Canadian/American Immigrant or Citizen, family oriented. Divorcee can also be considered. Please send your bio-data & recent picture to rash46@shaw.ca Or Call : 1-778-866-7755 ***637*** Jat Sikh Parents seek a suitable match for their daughter, Canadian born, DOB 1980, 5’5” tall, University graduate, working in government job, divorced after a short marriage.

The boy should be Jat Sikh, University educated in raised in Canada. Please Call : 1-604214-0911 ***637*** Jat Sikh parents invite materimonial alliance for their son 24 yrs. old, 5’-9” tall, BDS (Dentist), presently in India practising in Dentistry. The girl should be Canadian Immigrant/ Citizen, educated, beautiful and family oriented, parents are in Canada these days on visitor Visa. Younger brother is settled in Canada. Please email recent picture and bio-data to: amanpreetaujla@ymail.com Or Call : 416-953-2504 ***637*** Seeking a professionally qualified Jat Sikh match for a Jat Sikh Canadian Citizen girl, 80 born, 5'- 7" tall , Convent Educated, B.Sc. Computer Science working as a Programmer Analyst in a Software Company in Toronto, Canada. Please respond with your bio-data and recent picture to: d.sdhindsa@yahoo.com or contact 011-91921-6713431. ***637*** Jat Sikh Cheema Parents invite matrimonial alliance for their son, 26 yrs. old, 5’-6”, tall, at present in Canada on work permit, working as a manager in a reputed transport company, very handsome and belong to a good family. The girl should be Canadian Immigrant/Citizen, educated, beautiful with family values, girls on student visa or work permit may also be considered. Please email recent picture and bio-data to: kanwarpalc@gmail.com Or Call :416-803-533 ***637*** Match for Canadian PR Jat Sikh boy, 28 yrs. old, 5’-8”, tall, M.Tech. from Canadian University, working as electrical engineer in Bramton, Urban and rural property in Punjab. Looking for educated, beautiful, family oriented girl having PR/work permit/student visa in Canada.

Please email recent picture and bio-dafta to: thindmohie@yahoo.com Or Call : 905-412-0225 ***637***

Issue - 637 (11)

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Sweden may become world’s Women win UK divorce battle first cashless nation London Sweden is on track to becoming the world’s first cashless society, thanks to the country’s embrace of information techology as well as a crackdown on organised crime and terror,

sharp decline from just six years ago, when 106 billion Swedish crowns were in circulation.

“And out of that amount, only somewhere between 40 and 60 per cent is actually in regular

according to a new study.

Niklas Arvidsson, a researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, said that the widespread and growing embrace of the mobile payment system, Swish, is helping hasten the day when Sweden replaces cash altogether.

“Cash is still an important means of payment in many countries’ markets, but that no longer applies here in Sweden. Our use of cash is small, and it’s decreasing rapidly,” Arvidsson said.

In a country where bank cards are routinely used for even the smallest purchases, there are less than 80 billion Swedish crowns in circulation, a

circulation,” he said.

The rest is socked away in people’s homes and bank deposit boxes, or can be found circulating in the underground economy.

The result of collaboration between major Swedish and Danish banks, Swish is a direct payment app that is used for transactions between individuals, in real time.

The service’s direct collaboration with Bankgiro and Sweden’s national bank, Riksbanken, is a critical factor in its success, researchers said.

But if Swish starts to be used on a larger scale and grow to include retail transactions and ecommerce, Arvidsson said it is likely the country’s

entire payment system infrastructure will have to be revamped.

Arvidsson said Swish is already revolutionising the banking system.

With digital giro systems, early electronic payment services and other advances in online financial services, Swedish banks have been early adopters of advanced IT systems, he said.

Besides simplicity and lower costs, digital payments also add transparency to the nation’s payment system.

Several banks in Sweden already have 100 per cent digitalised branches that will simply not accept cash.

“At the offices which do handle banknotes and coins, the customer must explain where the cash comes from, according to the regulations aimed at money laundering and terrorist financing,” he said.

In spite of its popularity, Sweden will still have to ensure that all people are able to participate in the new payment system, Arvidsson said.

The transformation would present serious challenges for those who are unfamiliar with computers and mobile phones - mainly older people living in rural areas.

Syrians discover new use for mobile phones - finding water LONDON Struggling with frequent water cuts, residents of Syria’s battered city of Aleppo have a new way to find the water needed for their daily lives - an interactive map on mobile phones.The online map, created by the Red Cross and accessible through mobile phones with 3G technology, helps to locate the closest of over 80 water points across the divided city of 2 million and guides them to it using a Global Positioning System.

“The map is very simple and works on every phone, and everybody now has access to a mobile phone with 3G,” International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spokesman Pawel Krzysiek told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a phone interview from Damascus on Wednesday.“The important thing is that it’s not just a map - which many people may not know how to read - it’s the GPS that’s making

a difference because people can actually be guided to the water point closest to them,” he said.

Aleppo was Syria’s most

populated city and commercial hub before the civil war erupted in 2011, but many areas have been reduced to rubble and the city has been carved up between government forces and various insurgent groups. Water cuts are a regular occurrence, amounting to about two weeks each month, and the infrastructure is on the brink of collapse, Krzysiek said.The water supply was restored on Wednesday after a four-day cut caused

by damage to the main power line providing electricity to some 80 percent of households, Krzysiek said. More cuts are likely because fighting is preventing engineers from repairing the power line, and diesel, used for standby generators, may run out, he added.

In September the ICRC said that water in Syria was becoming a weapon of war and called for unconditional access to it. “But it’s not only about water being used as a weapon of war,” said Krzysiek. “Even the smallest escalation of conflict can have very serious consequences for the civilian population.

You can’t live without water.”Krzysiek said the ICRC started working on the map after a simple version created for engineers was posted on its Facebook page in the summer, sparking a wave of comments and requests.

over husbands’ wealth lies

LONDON Two women who claimed their ex-husbands tricked them into accepting smaller divorce settlements should have their cases re-examined to see if they should get more money, Britain’s top court said on Wednesday in landmark rulings.

Alison Sharland and Varsha Gohill had argued that they had been misled by their former spouses as to the true extent of their wealth when their divorce claims were settled. Their cases had both been rejected by Britain’s Court of Appeal, but on Wednesday the Supreme Court backed the women, a decision which lawyers said could lead to others seeking to have divorce settlements renegotiated.“I hope that their decision sends out a message to everyone going through a divorce that they cannot lie in the family courts and get away with it,” Sharland said in a statement through her lawyer. “My legal battle has never been about money. It has

always been a matter of principle.” She had accepted a deal in 2012 from her ex-husband Charles Sharland, the

company’s worth to be between $750 million and $1 billion.

In her judgement, Supreme Court judge

chairman and founder of IT firm AppSense, which amounted to 10 million pounds ($15.4 million) in property and cash if she agreed to accept 30 percent of proceeds from any sale of his shares in his company which he valued at between 50 to 75 million pounds.

However, she then learned that he had been in discussions with investment bankers earlier in 2012 regarding plans to float AppSense, and an article in the Wall Street Journal suggested the

Brenda Hale said Alison Sharland had been “deprived of a full and fair hearing of her claims” because of his “fraud”.

Gohill accepted 270,000 pounds in 2004 after divorcing her ex-husband but later discovered he had hidden his true worth from her after he was charged with moneylaundering offences.

“There are no winners in divorce and more than a thought has to be given to the families and the children locked in this type of litigation,” Gohill said.

Issue - 637 (12)

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Back to the Future: Truth is stranger than sci-fi PARIS When Marty McFly and “Doc” Brown burst into 2015 in a time machine, straight from the year 1985, they encounter a brave new world of garbage-fuelled flying cars, self-tying shoes and robot waiters. For audiences in 1989, when CDs were the height of hi-tech, science fiction comedy “Back to the Future II” portrayed an exciting world 30 years down the line in which people would flit around on gravity-defying hoverboards, sporting self-drying, autoadjusting clothes, and dogs are walked by drones.

Disappointingly, many of the gadgets anticipated by scriptwriters who dropped the movie’s oddball pair - and their hot-rod DeLorean time machine - into the “future” on October 21, 2015 have failed to materialise. Yet in many ways, the 2015 of reality is even more radically altered from what filmmakers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale could have imagined, say futurists who study and project trends. What we can do with smartphones now was almost inconceivable then. “Their capabilities today, including access to all information on the planet, would have absolutely astounded even most futurists of 30 years ago... who didn’t imagine a phone would be for anything other than

speaking and texting,” Sydneybased futurist Ross Dawson told AFP. “Back when the movie was made, people looking at the reality of today would find it quite mind-boggling.” Technology we

would now struggle without such as Google and Wikipedia, social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, smartphone GPS, and online shopping, would have been hard to envisage when the movie came out.

In the film, Marty, played by a young Michael J. Fox, receives a dismissal notice at home by fax - a now-clunky technology that seemed cutting-edge in the 1980s. The Internet revolution was lurking just around the corner, and the world had yet to receive email.

In 1985, only about a quarter of

US households had a microwave oven, and videocassette recorders (VCRs) were the must-have viewing technology.

Today you can buy a home 3-D printer on the Internet for a few

hundred dollars, which can produce anything from a gun that squirts water to one that shoots bullets.

We can “download” songs and “stream” films - terms that did not even exist in 1985.

We can edit the human genome to fix disease-causing DNA, we have grown hamburger “meat” from cow muscle cells, and we have placed a robot probe on a comet hundreds of millions of kilometres from Earth.

“Humans very quickly get used to innovations and take them for granted,” said Dawson, founder of the Future Exploration

Marlon James wins Man Booker Prize LONDON Jamaican author Marlon James on Tuesday won the Man Booker Prize for “A Brief History of Seven Killings”, a re-telling of the attempted assassination of musician Bob Marley. James, 44, is the first Jamaican to win the award in its 47-year history.

One of the world’s most prestigious literary awards, the Man Booker Prize carries a £50,000 (67,000 euro, $77,000) prize and winners enjoy a boost in sales and a global readership.

“Oh my god, oh wow,” James said as he took to the podium in dreadlocks and a tuxedo after being announced the winner at the ceremony in London. “This is so sort of ridiculous I think I’m going to wake up tomorrow and it didn’t happen,” he added, as he dedicated the award to his late father.Set in James’ birthplace of Kingston, the 686page crime tale traces the rise of the drug trade on the Caribbean island and contains a

chapter written in Jamaican patois. Based on real events, it recounts how Marley and his entourage were attacked just before a concert in December 1976, referring to the reggae superstar as “The Singer” throughout.

“It is a crime novel that moves beyond the world of crime and takes us deep into a recent history we know far too little about,” said chair of judges

Michael Wood after the winner was announced. “It moves at a terrific pace and will come to be seen as a classic of our times.”

Wood praised the book’s “startling” range of voices and ability to range from early crack gangs in Miami and New York to CIA intervention in Jamaica.

The New York Times had described the book as “epic in every sense of that word: sweeping, mythic, over-the-top, colossal and dizzyingly complex”. Britain’s Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and wife of Prince Charles, presented James with the prize at a glittering ceremony.Asked about how it felt to be the first Jamaican

to take the prize, James said he hoped the win would draw attention to more talented writers from the Caribbean.

“Jamaica has a really, really rich literary tradition. It is surreal being the first. I hope I’m not the last and I don’t think I will be,” James said.

The writer, who now lives in Minneapolis in the United States, called the work “a novel of exile” and said he needed the perspective and distance to be able to write “A Brief History of Seven Killings”, his third novel.

“This is the riskiest novel I’ve ever written not just in terms of subject matter but in terms of form,” he told journalists. “I’d be happy with two people liking it.”

The book beat bookmaker’s favourite, US author Hanya Yanagihara’s “A Little Life”, a disturbing tale of male friendship with graphic details of child sex abuse, which had been the 6/4 favourite to win.

Also shortlisted were Briton Sunjeev Sahota’s “The Year of the Runaways”, “The Fishermen”

by Nigeria’s Chigozie Obioma, American author Anne Tyler’s “A Spool of Blue Thread” and British writer Tom McCarthy’s “Satin Island”.The Man Booker Prize was previously open only to fiction written in English by authors from Britain, Ireland, the Commonwealth and Zimbabwe but this is the second year it has been open to all nationalities.

Last year’s winner, Australian Richard Flanagan, has sold 800,000 copies of his “The Narrow Road To The Deep North” to date.

Network, which offers scenario planning services.

Still, the film did get some things right.

We do have flat screens, live video-calling, tablet computers, and portable up-to-the-minute weather apps.

Though not yet in full swing, we also have biometric technology for paying bills or unlocking doors with a fingerprint, and offthe-shelf smart glasses similar to those worn by Marty’s offspring.

“It was actually quite visionary of them to get so many things right,” said Thomas Frey of the DaVinci Institute, a futurist thinktank.

“They depicted it in kind of a comical, goofy way actually, but I think they did quite a phenomenal job back then of anticipating things that must have seemed fairly ludicrous at the time.”

Some predictions were ahead of their time.Thirty years ago, most futurists would have given flying cars by 2015 “greater than 5050 odds,” independent futurist Jack Uldrich told AFP by telephone from Minneapolis.

“There are some companies that are working on flying cars, but what they don’t have is that takeoff (vertical) lift,” as demonstrated by Doc’s DeLorean.

Basquiat painting found after theft

PARIS A painting by famed contemporary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat worth an estimated 10 million euros ($11.3 million) was recovered Saturday, hours after it was stolen from its owner’s Parisian home, police said.The painting was removed without any trace of a break-in from a plush apartment near the Elysee presidential palace and the interior ministry. But within hours it was back with its rightful owner after being traced to a family member with whom she had had a squabble, police said. The owner had returned home late Friday after three days away to discover the painting, details of which were not made public, was missing, police said.With no sign of a break-in police had immediately suspected a family quarrel as the motive for the theft. Basquiat, a New Yorker of Haitian and Puerto Rican origin close to avant-garde legend Andy Warhol, died from an overdose in 1988 aged just 27 but is a much-coveted contemporary artist.

Most terrifying bedroom on earth

Paris For most people, this is the stuff of nightmares.A night in the ‘world’s largest grave’, a catacomb beneath Paris containing six million human skeletons, is on offer from Airbnb.For one night only, two brave people will be able to stay in the macabre mastersuite for free - but to do so they must be able to prove their bravery.

The evening will consist of a private tour of the labyrinth of bones and skulls, a daunting culinary experience to the sound of violins and a bedtime storyteller who will read some catacombs legends before the pair sleep alongside the remains of Jean de la Fontaine, Charles Perrault and François Rabelais.

According to The Guardian, Airbnb paid up to 350,000 euros to privatise the tunnels on October 31 - which are visited by more than 500,000 people a year.Located south of the former city gate, the Catacombs of Paris contain the remains of

millions of Parisians transferred there gradually between the late eighteenth and mid-nineteenth centuries as City graveyards were closed due to public health risks. The house rules section on Airbnb, which allows people to rent a room or entire home, warns guests to ‘respect the catacombs as you would your own grave’.For a chance to be the first people to wake up alive in the catacombs, hopefuls must write and submit to Airbnb’s page a story of 100 words maximum in English or in French explaining why they’re brave enough before October 20th.

Nicolas Ferrary, France Country Manager of Airbnb, said: ‘After the incredible night in a ski lift 2,700 meters above the ground last year in Courchevel, Airbnb is now sending you 65 feet under Paris.‘Our travellers are always on the lookout for original experiences and what could be more unique for Halloween than spending a night among the bones and ghosts below Paris.’

Issue - 637 (13)

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Africa’s poor grow by 100m since 1990: World Bank Okay for workers to view porn during lunch break: Italy’s supreme court

JOHANNESBURG The number of Africans trapped in poverty has surged by around 100 million over the past quarter century, the World Bank said on Friday, despite years of

economic growth and multimillion dollar aid programmes.

The report’s figures, described as “staggering” by the bank’s Africa head Makhtar Diop, showed widespread malnutrition, and rising violence against civilians, particularly in central regions and the Horn of Africa. “It is projected that the world’s extreme poor will be increasingly concentrated in Africa,” Diop added in a foreword.

A surge in population meant the proportion of Africans in poverty had actually fallen since 1990, but the actual numbers were up.

In a major study of households taking stock of African economies and societies after two decades of relatively strong growth, the Bank said 388 million - 43 percent of the sub-Saharan region’s 900 million people - lived on less than $1.90 a day. In 1990, at the start of the study period, the ratio was 56 percent, or 284 million. The findings present a mixed bag for countries

that, on average, enjoyed economic growth of 4.5 percent over the last two decades, dubbed the era of ‘Africa Rising’ in contrast to the postindependence stagnation, war

and decay that typified the 1970s and 1980s.

A child born in Africa now is likely to live more than six years longer than one born in 1995, the study found, while adult literacy rates over the same period have risen 4 percentage points.

However, the Bank defined Africa’s social achievements as “low in all domains” - for instance, tolerance of domestic violence in Africa is twice as high as other developing regions - and

multiple offences including graft, speaking against the party line and hindering investigations.

“Zhou severely violated political discipline and rules,” the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a statement today.

“Zhou, 62, made remarks on major issues that went against the spirit of the central authority, and failed to earnestly implement the building of a clean government by interfering with and hindering investigations,” it said, without elaborating.

“Zhou seriously violated the rules in promoting officials, and failed to report related personal matters,” it said.

He also flouted frugality rules

London Employees cannot be sacked for watching porn on the job provided they do so during their lunch break, Italy’s supreme court ruled, rejecting an appeal from car giant Fiat against a worker’s reinstatement. “The evidence was insufficient to prove that the employee viewed porn during his working hours,” the Court Cassation said in its ruling on Wednesday. The court threw out claims by Fiat that the man’s alleged porn habit had “breached his relationship of trust with his

employer” and was “incompatible” with his job. The worker had argued that his porn viewing was limited to merely “catching a glimpse” of a film during his lunch break. Fiat had fired the man from its Termini Imerese plant near Palermo in Sicily after a computer and three porn DVDs were found in his locker. A court in Termini Imerese ruled against the man in 2010 but the verdict was overturned by Palermo’s court of appeal, whose ruling was upheld by the Court of Cassation.

Lion’s intestines removed during public dissection at Danish zoo Copenhagen A Danish zoo has today staged a controversial dissection of a lion in front of a crowd of schoolchildren.

Crowds gathered at Odense Zoo in central Denmark to attend the display which organisers said was held for educational purposes. The dissection of the animal, which was put down nine

Top Chinese provincial leader expelled, dismissed for graft Beijing Zhou Benshun, former chief of the ruling Communist Part of China (CPC) in the northern Hebei Province, has been expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office for

noted that the rates of improvement were levelling off.

“Despite the increase in school enrolment, today more than two out of five adults are unable to read or write,” the report said.

“Nearly two in five children are malnourished and one in eight women is underweight,” it continued. “At the other end of the spectrum, obesity is emerging as a new health concern.” Perhaps most disturbingly, the study presented more evidence of the ‘resource curse’ that afflicts states endowed with plentiful reserves of hydrocarbons or minerals, often the source of internal or external conflict, or corruption and government ineptitude.

Citizens of resource-rich countries tended to be less literate, live 4.5 years less and have higher rates of malnutrition among women and children than other African states, the study found. Although the number of full-scale wars afflicting the continent is down, the report also noted that outbreaks of violence against civilians were on the rise, especially in central Africa and the Horn of Africa.

introduced at the end of 2012 by engaging in lavish receptions, holding banquets financed by public funds, frequenting private clubs, and “living an extravagant and wasteful life,” said the statement.

Thousands of officials, including top CPC leaders, have been punished in the anti-graft campaign launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping since 2013.

Zhou accepted bribes and took advantage of his post to seek profits for others, including helping his son’s business interests, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

“His family values are skewed and he indulged his wife and children,” it said.

In addition, he broke CPC internal rules by storing classified documents and leaking state secrets, the CCDI said.As a member of the CPC Central Committee, Zhou showed no signs of selfdiscipline even after the 18th CPC National Congress in late 2012, when the anti-corruption campaign was launched, the statement said. It said the decision to expel Zhou from the party will be confirmed later at the plenary meeting of the CPC Central Committee.

months ago because the herd was too big, was streamed live today. Many of the children watching held their noses and gasped as the inside of the lion was examined by experts. But Michael Wallberg Sorensen, a zookeeper at Odense Zoo, defended the decision to dissect the lion, which has been kept in a freezer since it was put down.

He said: ‘The reason we are dissecting it is that we believe there is a lot of education

involved in dissecting a lion.’ The timing coincides with Denmark’s autumn school break, and it will take place in front of a crowd that is expected to include children as well as adults. ‘Although we are in contact with a lot of other zoos and try to relocate them, we can get a surplus,’ Sorensen said, explaining the reason why it was put down.

In Sudan’s mountains, lone US doctor cares for thousands CAIRO In his years as the only qualified surgeon living in Sudan’s conflict-hit Nuba Mountains,

come on a Sunday morning and find a kid who’s dying from measles, gasping for breath, and the mother is just screaming,

American Tom Catena has treated more patients than he can remember - but some cases are etched in his memory.

As medical director, doctor and surgeon at the Mother of Mercy Catholic Hospital, Catena has treated countless patients with horrific wounds from the conflict that has ravaged the rebelcontrolled area since 2011. “The ones that are crushing blows and they really are crushing - are not just the war cases,” Catena told AFP via Skype, his voice weary after a long day’s work.

Last year, a measles epidemic swept the region and the hospital treated 1,400 cases, he said.

Some 30 people died. “You’d

crying and rolling on the ground,” Catena said. “It can be totally demoralising and you just want to chuck it in.”

But, brought to the Nuba Mountains by his Catholic faith, Catena says he is determined to carry on until a doctor from the area can take his place. A lean, shaven-headed 51-year-old in photographs, Catena carries out all major surgery, delivers babies and gives check-ups at the 345bed facility, which he says serves as many as 750,000 people living in the area.

There is just one other small hospital, run by a German NGO and staffed by a handful of expatriates and local staff, in the

region. Born in the small town of Amsterdam, New York, Catena was always interested in missionary work. But preferring practical work to preaching, he studied medicine at graduate school on a US Navy scholarship and headed for a two-year stint in Kenya after qualifying.

In 2007, he agreed to travel to work at Mother of Mercy, set up by the then-bishop of Obeid, Macram Gassis, with money from church groups and private donors, who still fund it. It aimed to treat all residents of the underdeveloped Nuba Mountains - which lies in the restless South Kordofan region near the border with South Sudan - regardless of religion and free of charge.

Arriving in 2008, Catena’s first impressions were of the searing heat and that he was among “people traumatised by years and years of neglect and civil war”. The religiously and linguistically diverse Nuba peoples suffered badly during the conflict between Khartoum’s Arab-dominated governments and southern rebels in Sudan’s 1983-2005 civil war. The Nuba Mountains plunged back into war in 2011, when the Sudan People’s Liberation MovementNorth rebelled against the Khartoum government, complaining the region was being marginalised.

Issue - 637 (14)

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

China cracks down on ‘black banks’ stashing ill-gotten wealth Beijing Chinese police have intensified efforts to crack down on underground

involve financial and securities offences, but have also become an underground route and

banks or “black banks” to prevent suspected corrupt officials from transferring their ill-gotten assets abroad through money laundering, as part of the ongoing anticorruption campaign.

Crimes related to underground banks have become increasingly severe and complex, a senior Ministry of Public Security official told state-run China Daily.Apart from some of the worst-hit places, such as Guangdong province, such crimes have spread to other areas of the country, Meng Qingfeng, vice-minister of public security said.From the end of August to the end of September, police smashed 37 underground banks and captured 75 suspects.They have also uncovered dozens of major cases involving a total of 240 billion yuan (USD 37.8 billion), the Ministry of Public Security said.

These crimes not only

method of money laundering for many suspected corrupt officials and terrorist suspects to illegally transfer their money overseas, he said.

“A large number of ill-gotten gains flowing in and out of China through underground banks have had a serious impact on foreign exchange management and seriously disturbed order in the financial capital market, posing a serious threat to financial security,” Meng said.In recent years, many suspected corrupt officials have fled overseas to escape punishment.

The US, Canada, Australia and Singapore are among the popular destinations for fugitives due to a lack of extradition treaties and legal differences between China and these countries, the Public Security Ministry said.Several of them have been repatriated back under pressure from China.A

number of suspected corrupt officials, mostly government employees or senior managers of stateowned enterprises, have illegally transferred millions of dollars overseas through money laundering at underground banks, the ministry said.The ministry has also tightened supervision of offshore companies and targeted underground banks to prevent suspects from sending proceeds abroad.“Cracking down on underground banks is an issue closely related to national economic safety, as well as overall economic and social development,” Meng said.He added that the ministry launched a three-month special campaign at the end of August to target underground banks and money laundering crimes.

Special police will also probe major underground bank crimes and clues involving other economic crimes, Meng said.They will regularly publicise these crimes and the danger they pose to the public.Zhang Xiaoming, deputy direct-orgeneral of the ministry’s Legal Assistance and Foreign Affairs Department, said financial intelligence exchanges with the US and Australia will be strengthened to trace and confiscate illegally acquired assets transferred by suspected corrupt officials.

World Bank head says poverty can end in 15 years Accra The world is capable of ending global poverty in the next 15 years if countries make tough decisions to enact reforms that will spur growth, the president of the World Bank Group said

to improve the lives of people around the world and has two goals: “end poverty by 2030 and to boost shared prosperity for the bottom 40 percent of the population in developing countries.”

today during a visit to Ghana. Nations must also invest in their people and provide insurance so citizens don’t fall back into poverty, said World Bank Group head Jim Yong Kim. He spoke in the capital, Accra, to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Kim said the World Bank wants

However, he cautioned that reducing poverty by 2030 “will be extraordinarily difficult, especially during this time of low global economic growth, low commodity prices and pending interest rate hikes.” A positive sign is that the number of people who earn less than USD 1.90 a day is likely to fall

below 10 percent this year to 9.6 percent, he said.

Poverty in sub-Saharan Africa has fallen from 56 percent in 1990 to a projected 35 percent in 2015, according to World Bank figures.

Progress in many countries is challenged by a rapid population growth, the group has said.

Kim also said global transparency was needed to fight the trend of illicit flows of money that affect poverty.

Kim is also in Ghana to participate in high-level talks and launch a report on poverty in Africa, the World Bank said. Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who is meeting with Kim, said transformational programs are needed on a continental level to develop agriculture, creating jobs and providing food for the people in Africa.

Man found alive in volcanic lake after chopper crash SAMOSIR A missing Indonesian man was found alive, naked and floating in a huge volcanic lake on Tuesday two days after the helicopter in which he was travelling crashed.

The man, named in local reports as Fransiskus Subihardayan, was rushed to hospital after being found conscious but very weak, and wearing only a black watch, in Lake Toba, into which the aircraft is believed to have plummeted, on western Sumatra island. The survivor, in his 20s, was one of five people aboard the Eurocopter EC-130 when it disappeared Sunday during a short flight from Samosir island, a popular tourist spot on the lake, to the city of Medan. “The man was found by the navy at around 1:00 pm (0600 GMT),” Hisar Turnip, a search and rescue agency spokesman, told AFP. “He was not swimming, just floating.

He was found without clothes, stark naked.” He told rescuers he was a

passenger on the helicopter and gave some details, but he was

but then they were separated,” he said.

The rescue came after a

slipping in and out of consciousness as he was taken to a local hospital, officials said. His current condition was not immediately clear.

Search and rescue agency official Heronimus Guru said that Subihardayan told rescuers that all on board - himself, two other passengers, one pilot and one engineer - managed to jump from the helicopter as it went down.

“He said the five managed to jump off, and they managed to stay afloat by holding on to water hyacinths until 11:00 pm

helicopter seat cushion was found in the lake late Monday. Search teams are still hunting for the wreckage of the missing aircraft and the other passengers and crew.

Lake Toba sits amid volcanos on vast, jungleclad Sumatra island, and is popular with both foreign and domestic tourists. It is the world’s biggest volcanic lake and was formed by a huge eruption tens of thousands of years ago.

The disappearance of the helicopter was the latest blow to Indonesia’s aviation sector following a spate of deadly crashes.

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It’s an annoying series of rants rather than an entertaining film Director: Luv Ranjan Cast: Karthik Aaryan, Nushrath Bharucha, Omkar Kapoor, Sunny Singh, Ishita Raj and Sonnalli Seygall.

Ratings: 2 Stars Four years have passed and not much has changed since Luv Ranjan made his directorial debut with Pyaar Ka Punchnama, the sleeper hit which blamed women entirely for men being miserable creatures on planet Earth. This time Ranjan has two new writers, Rahul Mody and Tarun Jain, give him new ammo to target women and their manipulative ways when it comes to matters of heart.

Once again every woman

is a pretty face behind the mask of a she devil.

There’s Kusum (Ishita Raj), an independent young woman who starts out insisting on being equals in a relationship

and then goes on to be a hypocrite who is unsupportive and just interested in moolah.

Chicku aka Ruchika (Nushrath Bharucha) is the high-pitched, annoying, demanding, daft rich kid who uses her boyfriend as a chauffeur and then wants him to be understanding once her male best friend enters the picture. That leaves us with Supriya (Sonnalli Seygall) who lives with her conservative parents and doesn’t tell them that her friend, who is always there to help with all sorts of chores, is actually her boyfriend. The three toy with the emotions of these ideal boyfriends.

Siddharth (Sunny Singh), Tarun (Omkar Kapoor) and Anshul (Karthik Aaryan) live together in a bachelor’s pad in Delhi which is big enough to have a bike as a showpiece. Their lives

are hunky-dory until they lose their hearts, and also heads, to the women.

They meet their matches on the same day at a sangeet, gym and party respectively. On their first meetings, Siddharth dances with Supriya, Tarun stares at Kusum’s butt while she works out and Anshul shares his digits with Chicku while she drinks and is certain she will call. She dos. That’s the only opportunity when Chicku gets to showcase that she has a semblance of a working brain and is not a bimbette. The first dates gradually proceed to become disastrous relationships.

Pyaar Ka Punchnama adopts the format of the original: focus on dates/ meetings supposedly amusing - in each of the relationships and then have the guys unite at home for a tirade. The most expressive/whiny of the men is Siddharth, who manages to evoke some sympathy for his futile Goody two shoes act. But the honour of the loudest and longest outburst goes to Anshul who in his monologue goes on to unleash all his issues with women. They cover everything from the

Titanic ending and women’s ability to ruin post-coital bliss with talk.

The male viewers once again will have a field day listening to it on loop, while the women are expected to sit back and take the vitriol directed at them.

Pyaar Ka Punchnama is clear cut about whose side is it on in a heterosexual relationship. In its world, it doesn’t take two to tango. So we have a scenario where there is absolutely no female perspective to the romantic comedy. The only female

character who initially seems to make reasonable statements is suddenly turned into a villain.

The formula attempted last time around is repeated but it feels dated and doesn’t deliver as many laughs. The scale is bigger as evident by the sets and locations in which the songs have been shot. This time around, the six characters go to Krabi, Thailand to let their hair down aka sing a song and then proceed to have fights.

The heroes are frustrated, bullied and unhappy fools

in love. The heroines are unsympathetic, unreasonable, temperamental, deceptive and intrusive. It takes over two hours for the men to figure out the mess they are in, which doesn’t say a lot about their own mental competency. Amidst this litany of men’s complaints against womankind, there are brief moments of genuine humour such as Anshul’s striptease act, the rare moment when the makers objectify a male character and let women audiences have some fun.

a US pilot on a reconnaissance mission, Francis Gary Powers (Stowell), has got captured in Russia while an American student has been held in East Germany, balancing out the Cold War scales. The government turns to Donovan to manage a

prisoner swap. Spielberg cringingly juxtaposes the two scenarios against each other, to make its point that both countries have spies, who are just doing their duty. That includes one scene of Donovan climbing up the Supreme Court steps to

get reprieve for Abel even as Powers is getting into the cockpit for his mission over Moscow. Powers’s young pilot who doesn’t understand much to Abel’s ageing agent, almost a kindred spirit to Donavan who has seen it all, is another expected tool.

Bridge Of Spies Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Austin Stowell, Alan Alda Directed by Steven Spielberg Ratings: 4 Stars “I am an Irish, and you are from Germany. What defines us both as American? It is the Constitution, that is the only rule book.”

That’s James B Donovan (Hanks) speaking, and once again Steven Spielberg hits the nail on the head with a film so politically astute for its times. The rest of the work is done by the Coen Brothers, who rewrote the screenplay to show up the absurdity of the Cold War and its politics, in all its

comic farce as well as tragedy. However, given that the film is a Spielberg, the politics comes with dollops of morality and sweet sentimentality, all coming together in the person of yes Tom Hanks.

But the man we meet first is Rudolph Abel (Rylace), who is painting his own self-portrait with a mirror besides him in one of the film’s most understated scenes. What does he see when he sees his image is a question uppermost on our lips, as it is soon evident that Abel is being followed by FBI agents. He is arrested soon after he has retrieved a secret message from a

coin stuck to the bottom of a bench in a park. It is then that insurance lawyer Donovan enters the picture. Abel has to be given a trial, if only to show to the world the American way of justice, and the task falls upon Donovan, who was a prosecutor in the Nuremberg trials. Everyone is convinced of Abel’s “guilt”, and the trial is intended to be no more than a show till Donovan comes in and argues that the law be followed both in letter and spirit. Even as he faces protests and attacks, Donovan manages to secure for Abel 30 years of punishment rather than instant execution. By now,

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is never pleased the first time says Deepika Padukone A perfectionist at his craft, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known to be a tough task master. Speaking to Pinkvilla, Deepika Padukone, who stars in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Bajirao Mastani, revealed that the director is quite demanding at every level. The pretty actress also said that the he is extremely clear about what he wants and is also never impressed with anything for the first time.

According to the

report, the dimpled actress further said that his demands push her to discover something new about herself. Considering the amount of hard work put in, we can only wait in anticipation for the film’s release.

Deepika Padukone, who grabbed eyeballs with her intense performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram Leela says that Bajirao Mastani is the toughest film of her career. According to a report on Bollywoodtabloid.com, Deepika has said that Bajirao Mastani has been the toughest film of her career and she doesn’t like to talk about the efforts one has put into as eventually what is portrayed on screen matters.According

to a Pinkvilla.com report, Deepika Padukone spoke about her film Tamasha with Ranbir Kapoor. When she was asked that Ranbir’s career has hit a low and whether she is trying to save his career with Tamasha.

Deepika said that everyone’s career goes through ups and downs and she is not trying to save anyone’s career. Deepika Padukone, who debuted opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om, says nothing can ever change her equation with the superstar. The actress had recently posted the first look of her upcoming film Bajirao Mastani on Instagram, which will clash with SRK-Kajol starrer Dilwale at the box office this year.

The hash tag she used with her post read, “#ChallengeAccepted”.

The Piku star later edited the picture and removed the hash tag, but it seems the damage was already done. According to a report in PTI, King Khan was apparently not happy with her Chennai Express co-star’s attitude. When asked about it, Dippy said, “I find it really amazing that some picture of my film with a certain hashtag... it’s amazing that some connection is found to some completely different film and it is blown out of proportion.

Amitabh Bachchan not approached for ‘Dhoom 4’

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has not been approached for the fourth installment of Dhoom film series. There were reports that producer Aditya Chopra and director Vijay Krishna Acharya have approached and signed Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan for Dhoom 4.

When asked about approaching Bachchan for Dhoom 4, Acharya told PTI, “No such plans yet.”

On speculations that Hrithik will play the main antagonist again in the movie, as he had done in Dhoom 2, the director said, “We’ll be announcing the film in a few weeks.

Richa Chadda sheds Lara Dutta ‘enjoying’ every her inhibitions for opportunity coming her way ‘Main Aur Charles’ Richa Chadda, who has earned acclaim for her impressive performances, is set to impress with yet another bold role in writer-director Prawaal Raman’s Main Aur Charles. Randeep Hooda plays the character of Charles, inspired by the notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj. The film is produced by Raju Chadha, Amit Kapoor and Vikram Khakhar.

Richa plays a law student who gets charmed by the enigmatic charisma of Charles and the dream he sells.

Their volatile affair unfolds against the backdrop of a court and a prison. It’s her obsessive love that makes her character naturally bold. Reportedly, the actress has a few steamy scenes in the film.

One of the scenes has the actress draped in a bedsheet, making some very sizzling moves, and is sure to bowl over the viewers with her alluring persona.

Says a source associated with the film, “Richa had to be totally prepared for her bold avatar. Being the natural actor she is, she pulled it off fabulously and without any inhibitions.”

Main Aur Charles, presented by Wave Cinemas Ponty Chadha and produced by Cynozure Networkz, releases October 30, 2015.

Actress Lara Dutta, who returned to the silver screen with Akshay Kumar starrer Singh is Bliing, says she is enjoying every opportunity that is coming her way. “I am enjoying motherhood and I think I am a person who likes to take things gently. My daughter Saira is going to school now so now I have started work again.

I am enjoying anything that comes to me,” Dutta said.

The actress spoke about babies and her personal experiences, while sharing a funny incident when her husband, tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, had to change their daughter Saira’s diapers. “It was an enjoyment to watch how Mahesh (Bhupathi) did that.

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You can love the same person you want to kill says Angelina Jolie Hollywood’s star couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt will be seen in “By the Sea”, that focuses on the thin line between love and hate, and the actress says relationships go through extreme emotions.

The 40-year-old actress-director, who has six kids with Pitt, feels one can love the person they want to kill, reported Us magazine.

“Everybody knows that there is never just the tragedy of life or the humour of life or pure joy of life. Relationships have those extremes. You can absolutely madly love the same person you want to kill,” Jolie said. “It’s the puzzle of figuring out those things that get in the way of really loving someone. A lot of it’s the past, a lot of it’s insecurities, a lot of it’s wanting something so much that you focus too much on losing it,” Pitt, 51 added.

Written and directed by Jolie, By the Sea is a romantic drama about a couple in the 1970s who are struggling to save their marriage. The film also marks the couple’s first project together after Mr and Mrs Smith, that released in 2005.

Zac Efron pays tribute to late cousin Actor Zac Efron had a bittersweet birthday as he paid tribute to his late cousin, who passed away from cancer.

The Neighbors star turned 28 on Sunday and took to Instagram to honour his cousin Emily, who lost her battle with the disease two years ago.

Posting a picture of the pair on a beach as kids, Efron wrote, “Happy birthday to my cousin and best friend, Emily, who passed away from cancer 2 years ago - she was 28 like me.

We share the same birthday and this day is forever ours.”

Efron then encouraged fans wanting to give him a birthday gift to make a donation to Stand Up To Cancer, an organisation which raises funds for cancer research.

“My birthday wish is for you to donate anything

you can to @su2c (Stand Up To Cancer),” he added. “Thank you

everyone for all the birthday wishes. Love you.”

I want to be on Broadway says Kate Winslet

She has earned many plaudits in her celebrated career and actress Kate Winslet now has a goal to venture into Broadway.

The 40-year-old British actress said she does not know how to go about her next aim but she is determined to fulfill it, reported People magazine. “I’ve prided myself

on never having a goal, but I suppose now I’ve got one, haven’t I? I would absolutely love to be on Broadway. I don’t know how the hell I’ll figure that out, but like with ‘Steve Jobs,’ where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Winslet will be next seen in Danny Boyle’s Jobs’ biopic Steve Jobs.

Renee Zellweger hires voice coach for ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby’

Actress Renee Zellweger has reportedly hired a voice coach to help her regain her English accent for “Bridget Jones’ Baby”.

The 46-year-old American actor has previously played Bridget in two previous films, reported Daily Mirror. It has been 11 years since Zellweger last starred as Bridget in the second film in the popular movie franchise, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Now, with filming for Bridget Jones’ Baby

underway in London, Zellweger is having trouble remembering how she mastered Bridget’s English accent. “Renee has been working on her accent with a voice coach and understands the importance of ensuring her accent is as good as it was in the previous two films,” a source said.

“Renee’s plummy English accent became one of Bridget’s best known characteristics in the films - and of course she came

up with it herself. But with such a long time passing between the last movie and now, she’s actually not completely certain how she did it - so has brought in an expert to make sure it’s spot on,” it added.

Zellweger is reprising her role as Bridget in Bridget Jones’ Baby, due to be released next year. She is starring opposite Colin Firth, who is returning to the franchise as Mark Darcy, and newcomer Patrick Dempsey.

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US Sikhs protest alleged illegal confinement of prisoners Hundreds of US-based Sikhs gathered at Times Square here on Sunday to highlight the allegedly illegal confinement of Sikh political prisoners in Indian prisons despite completing their sentences.

The crowd wore fake shackles during the ‘Freedom Rally’ aiming to bring international attention to the

imprisonment of 80 Sikh political prisoners in India.

It also sought to bring attention to the health of civil rights activist Surat Singh Khalsa, a California resident who has been on fast-unto-death since January 16 in protest against the continued imprisonment of Sikh political prisoners, rights group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) said.

Indian-origin man killed in US accident A 72-year-old Indian-origin San Jose resident was killed in a hit-and-run accident and was later identified by the Santa Clara County Medical ExaminerCoroner’s Office in California. Inderjeet Sharma was walking near a road in San Jose on Tuesday morning when he was hit by a pickup truck. The driver fled the spot. Sharma was pronounced dead at the scene and his identity was revealed on Friday, San Jose Mercury News reported. With the help of eyewitnesses and footage from a surveillance camera, the police identified and located the vehicle on Wednesday. On the same day, the driver of the vehicle Pedro Cortez Bernal, 29, surrendered to the police.

Briton to be tried for killing of Indian-origin woman A man accused of strangling an Indian-origin woman to death in London was charged with murder and will stand trial in February, a media report said. Miles Donnelly, 34, allegedly stabbed and strangled 44year-old Usha Patel at her home in Melrose Avenue, Cricklewood, on October 8, Evening Standard newspaper reported on Wednesday. Donnelly made his first appearance on Wednesday at the Old Bailey Court, London via video link from Wormwood Scrubs Prison and confirmed his identity. He has been remanded in custody until a plea and case management hearing on January 4 and a two-

week trial has been fixed for February 17. Patel was found dead in her flat where she used to live with her five-year-old autistic son. Police said that she had been talking online to Donnelly and had arranged to meet him.

Police were called to Patel’s flat when a neighbour reported her door slightly ajar.

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Scott Kelly becomes US astronaut US man asks Queen to ‘take back America’, she says no to spend most time in space ISS commander Scott Kelly has entered the record books by spending the most cumulative days in space for any US astronaut.

The Nasa astronaut has been in space for 383 days and counting, beating Mike Fincke, a two-time space station resident, who was the

previous record holder at 382 days. Breaking such a record for time in space is vital for Nasa’s research into finding out how a trip to Mars impacts the human mind and body.

‘Records are meant to be broken. Look fwd to one of my colleagues surpassing my end 500+ days on our #JourneyToMars,’ Kelly tweeted today.

Kelly is set to break another record October 29 on his 216th consecutive day in space, when he will beat astronaut Michael LopezAlegria’s record for the singlelongest spaceflight by an American. Lopez-Alegria spent 215 days in space as commander of the Expedition 14 crew in 2006. The 51-yearold launched on a Russian

Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 27 and is scheduled to return to Earth on March 2, 2016, for a total of 522 days in space.

Waiting for him is his girlfriend of seven years, Amiko Kauderer, who is in Texas, working as a public relations

officer at Nasa. Scott Kelly’s trip is designed to test how the human body copes with prolonged space travel.

Nasa is planning to compare Kelly’s health to that of his identical twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, who has remained on Earth. Called the ‘Nasa Twin Study’, the Kellys will be subjected to 10 experiments in four areas: human physiology, behavioural health, microbiology and molecular.

Mark who is married to former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, says he has no intentions of consuming bland space-type food or working out and running two hours a day on a treadmill, as his brother is doing in space. ‘This is a chance in a lifetime,’ said Dr

Craig Kundrot, the deputy chief scientist of Nasa’s Human Research Program.

‘In this case we’ve got two genetically identical individuals and we can monitor what kind of changes occur in Mark in an ordinary lifestyle and compare those to the changes that we see in Scott.’ By staying on the station for 12 months, the astronauts will also provide key information on how an eventual Mars mission estimated to last three years there and back - might play out. A mission to the red planet will require long periods of time in reduced-gravity environments, both in space and on the surface of the red planet. But, until now, crew members have only spent about six months on the Space Station at a time.

Kelly is not the only human breaking records for time in space. Expedition 44 commander Gennady Padalka broke the 10-year-old record for the number of cumulative days in space June 28, as he reached 804 days in space. When he returned to Earth September 11, Padalka had spent 879 days living and working in space.

As well as carrying out numerous scientific experiments on the ISS, Kelly has been a prolific photographer. Earlier this week, he captured a series of ethereal images of Australia from his lofty perch on the ISS. The photographs make the country appear to be covered in sapphire coloured rivers, red veined mountain ridges and yellow lakes.

Australian PM hails NRI for saving man’s life in 2011 Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday hailed NRI man for saving a man who suffered a cardiac arrest. Kulwinder Singh had used a defibrillator to help save the life of Michael Williams at Central Station in 2011. Turnbull, who was visiting Sydney Trains office, wrote on Facebook, “a great honour to meet Kulwinder Singh who works for Sydney Trains, at Central this morning.”

Singh saved a passenger’s life by using a defilbrillator after he had suffered a heart attack.

“Whenever I bump into people working at Sydney trains they are friendly and professional but I am so proud we have people like Kulwinder looking after passengers. Another reason

to catch a train,” the PM’s post said. Expressing his delight, Singh said, “I never

need.” Born in Punjab, Singh has completed almost 20 years in Australia. He

expected it, it was unbelievable. I did what I do in the line of duty and I am simply pleased that I could help a customer who was in

completed his post graduate studies in Agriculture and emigrated to Australia in 1995. He started working the railways in 1996 in Sydney.

Frustrated with the lot of US presidential aspirants, an American man has written to Queen Elizabeth II, asking her to take back control of America in a bizarre request that the monarch politely turned down.

A Reddit user wrote that an “Anglophile friend” resorted to writing to Buckingham Palace because he was “frustrated with the current field of presidential candidates (particularly on the GOP side)”.

The letter was addressed to both the Queen and Prime Minister David Cameron. “On behalf of the American people, I urgently implore you to take us back,” the letter read. “Clearly, the options we have to lead us aren’t up to par.

Again, please, I beg of you, make the United States of America a colony of the United Kingdom. For further reasons as to why this is such a necessary, albeit drastic, step, I refer to tonight’s Republican Party Primary debate. Thank you.

God save The Queen,” the letter was quoted as saying by The

Independent. The letter was sent on September 16, when 11 frontrunners for the Republican Presidential nomination had gone head-to-head for three hours on CNN. Sharing a photo of the reply, which appeared to be on official royal letter paper, the person wrote that they were shocked his friend was dignified with a response. The Queen’s deputy correspondence coordinator wrote, “I have been asked to write in response to your recent letter to The Queen in which you express your views about the American government.” “Whilst your views have been noted, you will appreciate, I am sure, that there can be no question of The Queen intervening in the affairs of another Sovereign state,” it said.

Buckingham Palace has become known for its correspondence, with one of the Queen’s aides replying to a six-year-old girl who invited the monarch to her birthday party earlier this year. The response said the Queen “greatly appreciated the thought and hopes you have a lovely time”.

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Woman arrested on charges of sacrilege at Ludhiana village Ludhiana A day after the incident of sacrilege took place in Gurdwara Ravidass in Ghawaddi village in Dehlon area, Ludhiana city Police claimed to have arrested a woman who had allegedly torn off the pages from the Guru Granth Sahib. Besides, the police have also held the granthi (priest) of the shrine on the charges of his alleged connivance for attempting to cause the disappearance of the strewn pages of the holy book.

The prime accused has been identified as 48-year-old Balwinder Kaur of the same village. Interestingly, the woman in question is baptized under Sikhism. Further, son of the woman in question is learnt to be the former president of the gurdwara management committee. Divulging details, the Commissioner of Police Paramraj Singh Umranangal said that the woman was a widow and she was regular to the gurdwara and used to serve the shrine by doing sweeping and dusting there.

Balwinder Kaur went to gurdwara on Sunday at about 4:20 am and tore off 20 pages from the holy book, claimed Umranangal, without mentioning anything about the provocation.

Accompanied by the DCP Narendra Bhargav, he further said that even after committing the crime, the woman did not

run away and kept on waiting for the granthi (priest) Sikander Singh. The granthi, as per his routine, reached the gurdwara at about 7:30 am and took the ‘hukumnama’ of the day from the middle of the holy book and did not check the initial pages. The woman

then asked the granthi if he checked the holy book and found it apt to which the granthi replied affirmative.

After sometime, the woman again asked the granthi if the holy book was in place to which he got suspicious and opted to check it

Setting aside their hues, they come together to pray for peace Amritsar The representative of all religions including Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Christian on Monday came together and pledged towards maintaining hard earned peace in the district and foil nefarious designs of inimical forces.

Strongly condemning the incident of

desecrations of Guru Granth Sahib, the members of different religious organisation also asserted to take the message of peace and harmony to grass root level through street meeting besides disseminating the message of peace through temples, gurdwaras, churches and mosques.

While holding a peace meet here, the District Administration urged all religions, religious-social organisations, nongovernment organisations, elected representatives and members of various political parties to join hands against the peace disruptive practices being spread by some anti-social elements. In the meeting called by Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat, the representatives of all religions said that the holy city of Amritsar and adjoining area has glorious tradition of brotherhood, communal harmony and tranquillity.

NO HISTORY OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE They said that even at the height of disturbances, Punjab did not witness a single communal clash and people showed utmost

restraint in dealing with the situation. They said that people instead of getting provoked by wild rumours through unsubstantiated, baseless and false social media messages should vow to maintain peace and tranquillity. The representatives of various organisations including Sayed Hamid

Hussain Kasmi, Imam of Badi Masjid Khairuddin, and John Kotli from All India Christian Front, Sayed, Tarundeep Singh, co-ordinator Eco-Sikh participated in the meeting.

Satpal Mahajan, president of Durgiana Mandir Committee and Deepak Babbar of Mission Aagaaz stressed the need to launch a concerted awareness drive to make

aware the masses against the baseless and wrong messages being spread through social media with a view to maintaining peace and communal harmony. They also emphasised the need to track the details of those behind these anti-social messages so that necessary and stern legal action could be initiated against them.

DC, CP SEEK TOTAL SUPPORT Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat and Commissioner of Police Jatinder Singh Aulakh accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of Police Harpreet Singh also urged the members of various religious bodies to ensure the presence of at least two to three persons at different religious places so that in future such incidents could be averted. They said that the district and police administration was constantly keeping a tab on the situation and the situation was under control. Bhagat also sought cooperation from the general public so that hard earned peace and harmony could be maintained.

Amritsar Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, Senior Deputy Mayor Avtar Singh Truckanwala, Deputy Mayor Avinash Jolly, District BJP chief Naresh Sharma, Rajinder Marwaha, office bearer of Vyopar wing, DP Gupta, former Additional Commissioner and members of various NGOs expressed their views on the occasion. They also advocated the need to hold ward level, police station level meetings to spread the message of peace and amity.

properly. While verifying the condition, he then found 20 pages torn off, as per the police claim. Divulging details, Umranangal said: “Once finding the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib, the granthi got worried.

Shaken, he then urged the woman in question not to share it with anyone and covered up the holy book with a cloth in an attempt to hush up the matter. However, within minutes he realised that the matter was serious and it was impossible to hush it up. He then discussed it with the woman and called up the gurdwara committee head and in his presence made an announcement from the public address system of the gurdwara.”

“Once the villagers learnt about it, they all rushed to the gurdwara which created tension. However, the case was registered and the agitating villagers were convinced by cops present there,” he added. During the probe, the DCP-led special investigation team (SIT) questioned the woman and the granthi and ascertained their guilt,” claimed the Commissioner of Police. Leaving all media queries unanswered, the police officials summed up, saying: “Whatever is verified that has been shared with you and for the rest we have to go by a scientific way of investigation.”

Sikh panelist disrupts BBC live show

London A Sikh panelist disrupted BBC’s ‘Sunday Morning Live’ show over lack of media coverage of violence against Sikhs in Punjab, a media report has said. “I have to say Sikhs are being killed in Punjab and nobody is reporting it. Please report it,” Jagmeet Singh, representing Britain’s educational charity Basics of Sikhi, said as he stood up in front of the camera interrupting presenter Sian Williams, the Independent reported on Monday.

Williams responded by threatening to have Singh thrown out of the show.

“Jagmeet I will have to get you taken out unless you are polite and show respect for guests here and our audience at home,” she was quoted as saying. After the altercation, Williams diverted viewers’ attention to an unrelated clip. When cameras returned towards the panel, Singh was gone. Basics of Sikhi later accused the presenter of “belittling” Singh. “So disappointed by the BBC’s treatment of Jagmeet Singh on Sunday Morning Live this morning. The presenter shut down Singh and repeatedly belittled him from bringing up the issue of violence against Sikhs in Punjab,” the charity posted on Facebook. “On live TV, unplanned things happen and this was dealt with professionally and appropriately

by Sian,” a BBC spokesperson said about the incident. Sunday Morning Live is a religious and current affairs discussion programme.

Akal Takht restrains Sikhs to hold Akhand Paath on roadside Against the backdrop of protests over alleged incidents of sacrilege, Akal Takht head Gurbachan Singh on Monday urged the Sikhs not hold ‘Akhand Paath’ (recitation of hymns) of Guru Granth Sahib on roadside, saying it was “against ethics and customs” of the religion. “They (Sikh protesters) should take care of customs. Hygiene cannot be expected on roadsides... giving proper respect to Guru Granth Sahib is utmost important,” he said in a statement here. Punjab has been hit by widespread

demonstration from Sikh protesters, after their holy book was allegedly found desecrated at Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village of Faridkot on June 1. Two persons were also killed in police action over the issue. “People must come forward against wrong and baseless messages being spread through social media by some anti-social elements. People can provide information, if any, in this regard at Control Room number 100 and 97811-30666 so that timely action is taken.”

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Sikhs continue protests, 2 held for desecration of holy boo Even as the activists of various Sikh outfits blocked roads and highways at several places to protest the sacrilege in various parts of Punjab, a granthi or a gurdwara priest and a woman were arrested in connection with cases of desecration of the holy book of the Sikhs in the state on Monday. While a granthi in a gurudwara in Nijjapura village of Amritsar district was arrested for allegedly committing an act of sacrilege, police took into custody a woman in connection with the Ghawaddi village desecration case in Ludhiana district. Amritsar Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Jasdeep Singh Saini said police received a call from the priest of a gurudwara at Nijjarpura late last night that three persons forcibly entered the shrine and tore the pages of the holy book. “The

Rajnath speaks to Badal, promises all possible help New Delhi/Chandigarh Concerned over desecration of Sikh holy books in Punjab, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday spoke to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and assured him ‘all possible help’ from the centre to meet the situation that has arisen because of these incidents. “Spoke to CM Prakash Singh Badal who apprised me of the prevailing situation in Punjab. Assured him of all possible help from the Centre,” Rajnath tweeted. During the conversation, Singh conveyed to Badal that the central government was concerned over the situation in Punjab and asked the Chief Minister to take necessary steps to maintain peace in the state, sources said.

statement of priest appeared false following which he was interrogated by police before other people working in the shrine,” he said.

The 30-year-old granthi Jagdeep Singh confessed that he had committed the crime and had tried to mislead the police, Saini said. “The perpetrator of crime, who himself is the granthi of gurdwara, has been arrested,” the SSP said. In another case, police arrested a woman, identified as Balwinder Kaur, in her late forties, in connection with the Ghawaddi desecration case, Ludhiana Commissioner of Police Paramraj Singh Umrangal said. Sikh outfits, meanwhile, continued to stage dharnas at several places in Punjab against incidents of sacrilege and to press for arrest of police officials involved in firing at Behbal Kalan village in which two persons were killed. Several highways in the state remained blocked for hours together as traffic was diverted, police said.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur visited the dharna site near Gurdaspur. In Jalandhar, dharnas were staged at Chiheru Bridge on GT road, Chowk Maqsoodan and several other places, police said, adding a minor clash between Sikh activists and shopkeepers also took place at Jalandhar. Peace marches were also taken out at various places, including Faridkot, Moga, Mansa, Tarn Taran, Sangrur and Bathinda in the state by the Sikh activists.Trucks coming from Srinagar

carrying apple to Maharashtra have been stranded near Harike Bridge, police said.

In Ludhiana, protesters have started dharna at Baba Than Singh Chowk, police said.

on Mehtan-Mehli-Phagwara bypass.

The protesting groups chanting ‘Satnam Waheguru’ barricaded the entire exit and entry points with ropes. Protesters said

Reports of dharnas by Sikh protesters also poured in from Abohar, Singriwala Chowk in Hoshiarpur, Behran near Phagwara on the Phagwara-Ropar highway and Patiala.

Groups of Sikhs also blocked traffic on National Highway 1 at Chaheru Bein overbridge on Phagwara-Jalandhar section of the highway. Another group blocked traffic and sat on a dharna at Bhullarai crossing

they were aware of the inconvenience faced by the public as well as the loss suffered by businessmen due to their protests but they had no choice but to protest as desecration incidents were taking place unabated. Protests also took place at Ajitwal, Himmatpura, Nihalsingh Wala and Samalsar in Moga district of the state, police said.

SAD asks Capt not to fan communal sentiments by playing politics Ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday asked Amritsar MP Captain Amarinder Singh not to fan communal sentiments in Punjab by “playing politics over dead bodies” even as it asked the Punjab Congress why it never demanded the dismissal of the erstwhile Congress government which “sent soldiers into the Darbar Sahib besides engineering the antiSikh genocide in Delhi.” In a joint statement here, senior SAD leaders Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Prem Singh Chandumajra said: “It is shameful that Amarinder was trying to give a boost to his flagging career by flaring emotions.” “By

doing so, you are following the agenda of anti-national forces who want to destabilise Punjab,” they said, asserting the Congress MP should have searched his conscience while paying obeisance at the Darbar Sahab

demanding Presidential Rule speaks of your frustration as you have been ditched by both the party high command and now even by your own party MLAs,” Grewal and Chandumajra stated. Telling Amarinder

to beg forgiveness for the “crimes committed against Punjabis by the Congress.”

The SAD leaders further said it was unfortunate that Amarinder had played to the gallery and used a solemn occasion like paying obeisance at the Golden Temple as a show of strength. “You tried to march into the Darbar Sahib like a conquering hero and even advertised your visit but you failed in this objective also with only a rag-tag bunch of Congress legislators coming out in your support. Your subsequent statement

to self-introspect and tell Punjabis why he was still serving the same family which had sent tanks into the Darbar Sahib, the SAD asked why neither the Congress MP nor his party leaders had visited the house of even one of the thousands of people who had been butchered in the ‘Parikrama’ of the Darbar Sahib during Operation Blue Star. The Akali leaders said the truth was that the Congress had “no love lost for holy Sikh places or even the sentiments of the Sikh community.”

AAP too cries foul The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Punjab unit on Monday demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal besides seeking immediate arrest of the people responsible for desecrating the holy Guru Granth Sahib. In a statement issued here from party office, convenor Suchha Singh Chottepur said that whole incident must be investigated by a Special Investigative Tribunal (SIT) set up under the supervision of the Supreme Court. “The way that the police opened fire on innocent people, who were protesting peacefully, is highly objectionable. The guilty policemen must be arrested and jailed immediately,” he said.

The AAP also demanded that compensation of at least one crore must be provided to the families of each Sikh, who lost life in police firing. Appealing masses to maintain peace and calm the AAP convenor said that protestors should not adopt law in own hands as any such act does not auger well for state.

Captain seeks President’s rule Former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday demanded the imposition of President’s Rule in Punjab. Commenting on the prevailing situation, he blamed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for failing to restore law and order situation in the state. He said the circumstances were fit to be declared the state under President’s Rule as there exists no government in the state. Captain accompanied by his wife Parneet Kaur and CLP leader Sunil Jakhar and 20 MLAs paid obeisance at the Golden Temple partake the ‘langar’ with the Sangat. On coming out of the religious shrine he said that the sacrilegious incidents in the state were highly condemnable and had the state government acted on time, such nefarious acts could have been stopped. Captain said he was pained to see the dishonour being brought to the holy saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib. He squarely blamed the state police and the government for not taking sufficient steps to stop the sacrilegious acts.

He also said that nobody can be allowed to fiddle with the supreme authority of the Akal Takhat and any such attempt will be strongly defeated. He however strongly disapproved of the brandishing of naked swords by some youth while blocking roads, saying, while holding the protest was a democratic right, these must be peaceful. He reiterated the immediate dismissal of his government and imposition of President’s rule to restore peace and law and order. Later Congress leaders went to Durgiana Mandir, where they performed ‘puja’ for the peace and welfare of Punjab and Punjabis.

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Amazon targets 1,114 App gives old handset latest 3D touch fake reviewers Amazon is taking legal action against more than 1,000 people it says have posted fake reviews

website Fiverr.com, with most promising five-star reviews for a seller’s products.

on its website.

The US online retail giant has filed a lawsuit in Seattle, Washington. It says its brand reputation is being damaged by “false, misleading and inauthentic” reviews paid for by sellers seeking to improve the appeal of their products.

It comes after Amazon sued a number of websites in April for selling fake reviews.

Amazon says the 1,114 defendants, termed “John Does” as the company does not yet know their real names, offer a false review service for as little as $5 (£3.24) on the

“While small in number, these reviews can significantly undermine the trust that consumers and

the vast majority of sellers and manufacturers place in Amazon, which in turn tarnishes Amazon’s brand,” the technology giant said in its complaint,

which was filed on Friday. Amazon said it had conducted an investigation, which included purchasing fake customer reviews on Fiverr from people who promised five-star ratings and offered to allow purchasers to write reviews. It said it had observed fake review sellers attempting to avoid detection by using multiple accounts from unique IP addresses.

Amazon said the lawsuit was not targeting Fiverr, which is not a defendant in the complaint. Fiverr said it was working with Amazon to resolve the issue. “Amazon is bringing this action to protect its customers from this misconduct, by stopping defendants and uprooting the ecosystem in which they participate,” the lawsuit says. Anyone, whether they are a customer or not, has the ability to review products sold on Amazon’s online store, but the rules of the site forbid paid-for or fictional reviews.

One of the stand-out features on Apple’s iPhone 6s is 3D Touch, which senses how hard a user presses on the screen to bring up action menus.

If you don’t have a spare £539, or $649 in the US, to buy the new phones though, a new app promises to add the feature to older models.

However, installing the app does require ‘jailbreaking’ the device to allow it to be downloaded, and this will void any warranty you have on your current model.

The app is called ‘Forcy’ and works on jailbroken phones running iOS 9. The latest software is only available on the iPhone 4S and older. On the iPhone 6s, users can press down on app icon to bring up a menu of ‘Quick Actions’ and feel haptic feedback thanks to the pressuresensitive screen.

While there is no way of making an older handset pressure -sensitive, because the technology is

embedded beneath the screen of the new handset, users who have added Forcy can swipe upwards on an app to imitate 3D

feedback ‘makes a big difference’on the real iPhone 6s. Forcy’s extra functionality comes at a cost, though.

Touch’s functions.

For example, swiping upwards on the Notes app brings up a mini-menu resembling that of Quick Actions, giving users an option to start a new note, new photo or new sketch.

Jeff Benjamin, who reviewed the app in a video for MyJailBreakMovies, said Forcy ‘works pretty well’ and ‘feels authentic,’ but noted that it has its limitations and haptic

Users will need to ‘jailbreak’ their handset, which is not recommended. This involves tweaking settings in the iOS software to make the operating system more open.

This step will make an iPhone’s warranty null and void, meaning users will not be able to claim on the warranty if the phone develops a fault.

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Indian-origin tycoon re-starts mothballed UK steel plant An Indian-origin tycoon has made British steel history by resuming production at his 40year-old mothballed plant here even as the UK steel industry is facing severe hardships due to a global slump.

Sanjeev Gupta, managing director of international steel and metals group Liberty House, hailed the resumption of production a t t h e L i b e r t y St e e l Newport rolling mill on the banks of the river Usk in Newport as the start of a new era. “It is the result of a lot of hard work and a strong belief in the potential of the plant here and the skills of the workforce. Steel production is right at the heart of the manufacturing ecosystem,” Gupta said.

“By investing in making

steel products we are helping to sustain a whole network of customers and suppliers across the South Wales a n d U K e c o n o m y, ” Gupta said today. UKbased Gupta founded Liberty as a metals trading company from his student flat at Cambridge University in 1992.

The firm acquired the Newport facility in 2013 and retained the 150 staff over the intervening period in order to be ready to restart when market conditions allowed.

The start of production at Liberty Steel Newport this week comes at a time of severe hardships for the UK steel industry, which has been grappling with a global slump in the value of steel. “We intend to

buck the recent trend in the UK steel industry, which has culminated in the tragic loss of jobs at both the TATA Llanwern site here in Newport and

Ex-Uber driver in US admits rape, sentenced for up to 12 years

A former Uber driver in the US who raped and kidnapped a woman here in 2014 has been sentenced to up to 12 years in jail, according to an attorney, who called for caution when using ridesharing taxi services.

Alejandro Done, 47, of Boston, was sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court on Friday to charges of aggravated rape, kidnapping, and assault and battery for a December, 6, 2014 attack, a day after when a woman executive in Delhi alleged that she was raped by a Uber driver.

Done was driving for the

popular ride-hailing service when he picked up a woman on Tremont Street, then demanded she withdraw cash from an ATM, drove her to a secluded location, and physically and sexually assaulted her, according to a statement from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office.

“The defendant preyed upon a young woman who trusted that he was who he portrayed himself to be,” Attorney Ryan said.

“I encourage the public to take precautions when using any ride-sharing service. While these apps are a modern convenience, they are not without their risks.

“Customers should make sure to verify license plates and car make and models before entering any vehicle, and remain active and aware of their surroundings,” she said.

Uber, an American international transportation network company headquartered in San Francisco, declined to comment on the case, media reports said.

In the case of the Uber driver in India, the woman, who had filed a lawsuit in a US court against Uber, “voluntarily” dismissed the case last month. There was no mention in the court papers about why the case was dismissed and under what terms.

the closure of SSI Redcar [north-east England],” Gupta said.

“The UK has the richest history in steel production in the world

and production is viable here, what is needed is a lean productive operation which is also agile and flexible, and one that is able to adapt quickly to changes in the market. We intend to continue creating jobs and investing in the skills of local people here in South Wales,” he added.

Initially the Newport steel works will produce nearly 50,000 MT of hotrolled coil (HRC) per month for the UK domestic market, with potential to increase this to 100,000 HRC per month to serve export markets as well. Steel from the plant will be used in the making of a variety of products, from fencing through to crash barriers, lorry chassis to office furniture, tooling through to general fabrication.

Representatives of the s t e e l i n d u s t r y, l o c a l community and public sector gathered at the 11 0 - a c r e site to celebrate the development at the plant, which was first set up as Alphasteel.

“Once energy prices for UK industry are brought in line with the rest of Europe, we will look to re-start the Melt Shop also to make liquid steel once again. It is inconceivable that the UK exports scrap that is melted in other countries who then supply steel made from this scrap back here,” Gupta said.

“Until we can make liquid steel again we will import slabs from the most competitive sources available, produce HRC and service our UK customer base efficiently,” he said.

Conservatism still central to Saudi soul

Saudi Arabia’s new Islamic research centre to open on the edge of the capital Riyadh, looks fitting for a branch of Islam considered inflexible, intolerant and unchanging. Imposing with its limestone blocks, their bulk lightened only by glass-enclosed bridges, the centre is part of a major development project shepherded by Saudi King Salman. The building honours Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, the 18th-century fundamentalist preacher who co-founded the Saudi state. It is a clear sign that his legacy remains central to the Saudi soul despite his strict doctrine and accusations it is fuelling deadly Sunni extremism around the world, including the murderous drive of Islamic State (IS) group militants. Featuring cafes and palm trees decorated with tiny lights, the project

is set in Addiriyah, birthplace of the ruling Saud dynasty, and includes the UNESCO World Heritage Atturaif district. “It has very high historical value for the government and for us,” said Abdullah Arrakban, the urban development manager for the High Commission for the Development of Addiriyah.

Here, King Salman, monarch of the world’s biggest oil exporter, has a turreted palace overlooking the crumbled mud brick homes of his ancestors now undergoing preservation. And it was here that Abdul Wahhab’s partnership with a contemporary local chief, Imam Mohammed bin Saud, laid the foundations for today’s kingdom and its reliance on the sheikh’s 270-year-old teachings.

Conceived in 2000, the project is targeted for

completion by the end of next year. It has begun to refurbish the district, restore its ancient Atturaif oasis community and create crucial green space in this heart of the Arabian peninsula. Five minimuseums will depict life in the first Saudi state, which lasted from 1744 to 1818 when it fell to TurkishEgyptian invaders. “We are trying to keep the atmosphere of Addiriyah the nature, the colour, the original architecture,” Arrakban said, fingering blue prayer beads while being interviewed in his book-filled office. Although the heart of the 750-millionriyal ($200-million/179million-euro) project will be Atturaif, the adjacent Abdul Wahhab Foundation is designed to honour the sheikh’s role as co-founder of the state and tell “the truth” about his intellectual heritage, Arrakban said.

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The New Moon brings an excellent opportunity to take a romantic or business relationship to the next level. And if you’re signing deals or contracts at this time, you’ll get things off to a winning start. On the whole, this is a constructive week in which you’ll be eager to overcome obstacles and forge ahead. Should anything stand in your way, you'll apply sheer willpower to overcome it.

Monday’s New Moon could be the perfect time to begin a diet or start an exercise routine.

There’s also a very powerful focus on your zone of leisure and pleasure, which could see you excited about creative opportunities, particularly if they relate to entrepreneurial ideas. If you’ve been thinking about starting your own business, this might be a good time to research your options.

Have you been thinking about inviting a special person on a date? Monday might be the day to go ahead. With Mercury in Libra, charming conversation can pave the way for future outings. However, you may be more cautious when it comes to getting involved, preferring to take things one day at a time rather than jump in at the deep end.

A change in the family dynamic or DIY projects associated with your home are best implemented on Monday. The New Moon can help get things off to the best possible start. And with just a little planning you’ll be even more successful.

When it comes to writing, communicating in general, or selling something, you can do really well now.

Monday is the day to sign deals, collaborate on projects, or start an advertising campaign. This week’s New Moon can help things get moving! For business appointments or important dates, you’ll need to pin people down to a time and place or it could be a no-show. You might have an opportunity to considerably increase your income.

Monday’s New Moon could coincide with a new beginning for your finances, with a chance to reduce stress and get everything in order. Avoid making any impulsive purchases that might set you back rather than contribute to any gains. Setting a practical budget can be a great help right now. It seems you’re on a roll with a positive lineup of planets jogging through your sign.

Monday’s New Moon in your sign may be the best of the year for you. This is the time to implement changes in key areas of your life. Make a start over the next few days and you’ll notice a difference even sooner. You might find it useful to write down your goals, as this will kick-start the process and help you achieve them.

There’s a more relaxed focus showing up that encourages you to kick back and enjoy life. Monday’s New Moon in your spiritual sector could entice you to take up a spiritual practice that might help you achieve greater peace of mind. You’ll also be eager to contribute to community events and collaborate on projects, especially any that might be a bit of a challenge.

Interesting and lucrative opportunities could show up for you this week, bringing a chance to move up the career ladder or expand your business in a new direction.

Along with this, the New Moon in your social sector is actively encouraging you to move in new circles. Doing so could lend wings to your professional aspirations.

Your willingness to learn stands you in good stead right now, not only because it offers a chance to upgrade your skill set but also because it expands your understanding of what’s possible. You may get a chance to apply your newfound abilities when this week’s New Moon entices you to consider the possibility of a new job.

Money matters look much improved, although Jupiter in your zone of shared finances could be pushing you to think big when it comes to business. If there’s an opportunity to pool your skills and resources with others, this could be a good way to make progress sooner rather than later.

Relationships seem to be a major focus and a very pleasant one at that. With Venus currently dancing through Virgo with Jupiter and Mars, there could be more passion and interest than there has been for some time. You’ll be more inclined to do things with your love interest, friends, or family and include others in your plans.

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Technology An emotional you will make Facebook richer Why do we feel like sharing everything related to our life on social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter? It is

perhaps because we feel an emotional connect.

Getting users to feel strong emotions and empathise

with one another online is the trade secret that all social networks share.

The ultimate goal is, obviously, to keep you

coming back for more meaningful human contact.

Facebook’s latest

“Reactions” an extension of the “Like” button which expands the range of emotions you can express is the new carrot that the

social network is dangling.

The new “Reaction” buttons will serve a dual purpose. They will allow

Facebook to ramp up video viewing features Facebook has said it is testing an array of features aimed at getting people to watch more videos at the leading social network. The new tools come in a growing challenge to YouTube, which would be

sidestepped as viewers flit between videos at Facebook. “Video has continued to grow on Facebook,” vice president of product management Will Cathcart said in an online post. “It has become an integral part of how people around the world

discover, watch and share videos they care about every day.” A suggested videos feature being tested in Facebook’s application for iPhones displays rows of related snippets after someone views a clip from News Feed. “We’re

pleased with initial results, which show that people who have suggested videos are discovering and watching more new videos,” Cathcart said.

“We’ve now rolled out suggested videos to most people on iPhone globally, and are starting to test ads within the experience.”

Facebook has begun testing the suggested video feature on Web browsers, and planned to do the same with its application tailored for smartphones powered by Google-backed Android software. The California-based social network said it is also testing a way for people to watch video in a floating box on screen while they multitask at Facebook, according to Cathcart. Also getting a trial run was a “save” button that would let people squirrel videos away for later viewing, and a dedicated stage at Facebook for video viewing. “We’ll be testing this with a small number of people now, so this isn’t something most people will see on Facebook right away,” Cathcart said. “We look forward to seeing how people use it to discover, watch and share videos with their friends.”

you to express yourself more freely on Facebook, and at the same time it will also enable Facebook and its advertisers to figure out how their campaigns, products and profiles really make you feel and, therefore, target you better.

While it is ostensibly a design decision, made to satisfy users who have been calling for a “Dislike” button, it is also a way to get people to engage with content more frequently, as well as naturally, according to The Telegraph analysis.

Your emotions can be used as proxies for your brand loyalty.

“We see this as an opportunity for businesses and publishers to better understand how people are responding to their content on Facebook,” Facebook’s chief product officer Chris Cox wrote in a blog post.

In other words, the more emotionally you react, the more moolah for the social networking site.

Yahoo’s new email app works without password

You would no longer need a password to access your Yahoo mail account thanks to a new update called Yahoo Account Key, the company has announced in a blog post.

Instead of the traditional password punched in at sign-in, the app will use what’s called the Yahoo Account Key feature.

Account Key uses push notifications to provide a faster way to sign into email using your mobile device.

Once a user has linked the Yahoo account with the smartphone app, they will receive a push notification upon trying to sign in on the web. The user just has to verify or deny the access on the phone.

“Passwords are usually

simple to hack and easy to forget. Account Key streamlines the sign-in process with a secure, elegant and easy-to-use interface that makes access as easy as tapping a button,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.

“It’s also more secure than a traditional password because once you activate Account Key - even if someone gets access to your account info - they can’t sign in,” it emphasized.

The app has been fully redesigned, Yahoo said, to make it “fast and responsive”.

Yahoo introduced the changes as it turned 18 this month.

Why Facebook use drains your iPhone battery Have you ever wondered as to why using Facebook drains your iPhone’s battery like no other app?

It is because social networking platform has been constantly tracking your location using your iPhone’s GPS. Security researcher Jonathan Zdziarski analysed the Facebook app’s code and found that the app is sending devices’ location information to Facebook in the back-ground, Motherboard.com reported.

“If you move around a lot, you are likely to use more battery but the combination of GPS and networking going on in the background is likely the majority cause of battery drain,” Zdziarski was quoted as saying through email.

However, this is not

surprising as Facebook’s in-app location settings clearly state that if you have location history and access set to “always”, then Facebook “will build a history of our precise location, even when you are not using the app”.

“We are not tracking background location if the location setting is off on your device or in the app,” a Facebook spokesperson said.

Still, the idea of Facebook

tracking you everywhere is bound to be an unsettling one for the more privacyconscious, and thankfully there is an easy solution: turn your location settings off for Facebook.

“We are not collecting background location on iOS unless Location Access is set to Always on your device and you have enabled Location History in the Facebook app,” the spokesperson reiterated.

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

NRI adopts 3 government schools near Ludhiana An NRI, who had relocated to California 40 years ago, is now determined to improve his village.

Charanjit Singh Bath (65), from Noorpura village, has adopted three government schools, and in a fifty-fifty partnership with the state government, will upgrade the infrastructure of these schools. The adopted schools are, Government High School, Noorpura; Government Middle School, Siloani; and Government Senior Secondary School, Talwandi Rai. Charanjit is now the owner of Raisin Farms there. Besides, he has acres of land at Noorpura and Talwandi Rai. Although Charanjit left his village long ago, he could not cut himself from his roots. He visits his village every winter, and each time, donates one something to the schools or gurdwaras at his village.

Charanjit’s relative, Darshan Singh Bath, former sarpach of Noorpura village: “Initially, his father used to work for the welfare of the village, and now his son is

following the father’s footsteps.

Be it infrastructure, school building, or financial aid, Charanjit has always helped this village in every way. Last year, when he

came here, he discussed that he wanted to upgrade the village school, and one or two schools of nearby villages. So, he visited the schools and identified their requirements, before meeting deputy commissioner Rajat Agarwal with a proposal and estimate for upgradation of the schools.”

Later, the proposal and estimate was sent to the

education department and state government, and after cross-checking everything, a fresh proposal was made for a fifty-fifty partnership of Charanjit and the state government. It may be

important to mention here that at Noorpura village, with a cost of Rs45.12 lakh, five classrooms will be constructed, and at Siloani village school and Talwandi Rai school, one hall will be constructed at a total cost of Rs7.96 lakh and 9.20 lakh respectively. Darshan shared: “Charanjit has told me several times that he wanted his village to have all facilities.

Dussehra celebrated in Egypt in its myriad traditions The vibrant Indian community in Egypt celebrated Dussehra on October 16. Over 600 persons attended the event, including several who travelled to Cairo from other cities like Alexandria, Port Said and Ismailia to join the celebrations.

The event was organized by the Indian Community Association of Egypt at the grounds of Maadi British International School in Cairo.

Indian Ambassador Sanjay Bhattacharyya conveyed Durga Puja, Navratri and Dussehra greetings to the Indian c o m m u n i t y.

He congratulated them for having retained their strong traditions and for inculcating them in the children, who were present in large numbers and attired in colourful traditional costumes. He also welcomed the many Egyptians who were present to celebrate the

beginning of the festive season in India and share the joyous mood.

The function commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamps by Ambassador Bhattacharyya and Mrs. Ranu Bhattacharyya followed by a beautiful ‘aarti’ (invocation) of Goddess Durga.

Indian families as also Egyptians, who attended the function, came in colourful saris, ghagracholi, kurtas and churidars and participated in the dandia and garba competition. Everyone was in a festive mood

and the deejay kept the audience on their toes with traditional songs from different parts of the country. The Egyptian artistes from the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC), Cairo danced to the music of folk and traditional Hindi songs, adding a fresh dimension to the shared bonds between Egyptians and Indians.

As the night wore on and the dancing continued, families headed towards Indian food stalls with everyone there getting a full experience of the tastes of India.

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Dog smartphone, dancing humanoids on show at HK fair HONG KONG From a camera-enabled collar dubbed the “smartphone” for dogs to a calorie-counting “smart cup”, health and lifestyle technology is at the forefront of what’s on show at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair this week.

The growing popularity of smartphones and tablets has created a mini-industry of appenabled products, while consumer interest in health has led to a boom in the development of “wearable technology”. The biannual event, where electronics firms bring their designs and technology to market, traditionally attracts tens of thousands of buyers. Last year, more than 60,000 attended.

“Healthcare electronics seem to have growing potential, and we see that reflected by the range of exhibitors launching healthrelated products,” says Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

“One example of this development is wearable tech.

Manufacturers have adopted a variety of health applications into such products, ranging from a wristband that can track walking

distance and sleep quality, to a swimming device that can record lap speeds and calories burned.”

Underlining the domination of smartphones in modern lives, many of the products on show require users to download an app to best utilise what’s on offer.

Another trend is the creation of automated solutions to menial chores - with everything from disc-shaped robot maids for vacuuming, to digital plant care, on display. “Technology development does seem to be enhancing living standards and the efficiency of daily life,” adds Chau. “The Electronics Fair illustrates this by featuring a wide variety of products which enhance convenience, such as vacuum that automatically cleans your house, a ‘smart home’ device that makes air conditioning more efficient by collecting environmental data including temperature, humidity and air ventilation as well as information about outdoor weather conditions.” Other highlights include an all-singing, all-dancing humanoid toy and a new drone which has a “follow me” setting - for the ultimate “selfie” photographs. Unlike other similar

Diners shocked when half-eaten fish comes back to life

Beijing Diners were left shocked when their raw fish jumped off the plate just as they began to eat their meal of fresh sashimi. In a clip, the fish can be seen lying on the plate before its fin begins to shake. The fish’s body then leaps from the plate entirely, prompting a scream from the diners.

They were enjoying sashimi - a Japanese delicacy of raw fish before the incident happened. At the end of the clip, the cameraman gets a fright as the fish jumps, and people can be heard screaming while moving away. The video then cuts out as the diners rush away. The footage has nearly 1,500 comments on it with many saying it is ‘creepy’ but ‘cruel’ to video it. This is not the first time a dead fish has been recorded moving around on a

plate as diners have started tucking into it. Earlier this month footage from China emerged of a severed fish head wriggling as a diner used a pair of chopsticks to remove some of its flesh.

The bizarre video, thought to have been filmed in a restaurant in Yuexiu District, located in the Chinese province of Guangzhou did not stir as much as a reaction from this diners however. While in July a woman got the fright of her life while descaling a decapitated bowfin when its body began moving in her hands.

In the clip the woman presents the fish to the camera to show that it has been completely gutted of all internal organs before running her blade along its back. Without warning the bowfin leaps from the counter and lands in the sink causing the confused woman to scream in terror.

electronics fairs across Asia, the Hong Kong event mainly showcases items that are ready for consumer sales rather than in their early stages of development, though it does have an invention corner for prototype ideas.According to HKTDC figures, Hong Kong is the world’s eighth largest trading economy and electronics exports increased to US$287 billion in 2014 accounting for 61 percent of the city’s total exports. The Hong Kong Electronics Fair runs from October 13-16.This device, dubbed t he “smartphone for dogs” has a camera on the collar and offers users two-way audio, GPS tracking and - if their pet moves beyond a specified range - escape notifications. Dino Lalvani, CEO and Chairman of Binatone. “Users will be able to communicate with their pet via the SCOUT5000 from anywhere in the world as well as track exactly where they are at all times. No product on the market offers all of these features in one product.”

Nixplay Seed A simple photo-frame that allows friends or family to share photos to one frame wherever they are in the world via a dedicated app.

Product designer Vincent Sin says it re-imagines the traditional photo frame using modern technology. “Photos have slowly lost their purpose over the last decade,” he says adding that while more images than ever are being taken, they are simply stored on cloud servers, and then “forgotten within hours of being taken”. The firm has just confirmed a deal with Amazon.

Aumeo Audio Billed as a chance to ‘hear music tailored to your ears’ this product works in conjunction with an app to first profile your hearing range and sensitivity, before adjusting audio content to perfectly suit an individual. The device was a success on online funding site Indiegogo, raising around $280,400 from more than 2,000 backers.

Bluetooth PlantCare Users provide information about their plant via their smartphone, and connect it to a soil moisture sensor placed in the plant pot. It will set off an alarm when the plant is too dry but also too wet. The sensor can also assess pH levels and the company is working on a new feature which will monitor the amount of sunlight received.

InnoBand-D This wristband takes your day and turns it into figures - from counting the number of steps you take to tracking the physical distance you travel. It can also calculate the calories you burn when doing various activities and there is a sleep quality monitoring function that charts your night.

Give up meat and sex for Thai vegan festival Bangkok Thailand’s annual vegetarian festival kicked off this week, a time of year when the Southeast Asian country’s meat-heavy dishes get a vegetarian makeover. Known locally as ‘Teskan Gin Jay’, or vegan festival, it takes place over ten days and began over 150 years ago on the tourist island of Phuket, some 840 km (520 miles) south of Bangkok.

Thailand is home to the largest overseas Chinese community in the world and the festival is a time when Thai-Chinese, often third or fourth generation Chinese who grew up in Thailand, observe ten days of abstinence. Eating meat, drinking alcohol and having sex are thought to be vices and pollutants of the body and mind to be cut out entirely by the truly devoted. “Eating vegetarian food during the festival purifies your mind and washes away your sins,” said Lamyu Manolai, 59, a food vendor. “It’s like going to a temple.”In Bangkok’s Chinatown, yellow flags baring the words “purified” and “merit” flutter along Yaowarat Road, the area’s main thoroughfare, a smorgasbord of vegan and vegetarian food stalls.

The food sold here is often made from meat substitutes including soy proteins made to look like the real thing, to varying degrees of success.Fish maw soup, the neighborhood’s signature dish, made with bamboo mushrooms, looks convincingly like its meatbased original.

Standing in front of her family-run food stall, Jutharatn Charoensawang, 47, chats away to customers who take pictures of her baked taro rice served in

Chinatown for over a hundred years, she believes abstaining from meat is a direct ticket to heaven.

“If you go vegetarian for ten days

clay pots.Part of a thirdgeneration Thai-Chinese family which has been selling food in

each year during the festival, you will go to heaven,” she said. “I truly believe it.”

Musharraf was responsible for Benazir assassination: US journalist Mark Siegel Former military dictator and Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf was responsible for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, reveals a a copy of US journalist Mark Siegel’s statement recorded in the murder case.According to Geo News, who on Saturday claimed to have obtained the fourpage statement recorded on October 1, Siegel said Musharraf was responsible for the murder of the former prime minister because she had informed him of death threats being faced.Siegel added that an intelligence agency of a Gulf country had traced a phone

call in which plans to murder Benazir Bhutto were discussed.

According to that phone call, three accomplishes of Musharraf were part of that plan.The US journalist also revealed that Benazir Bhutto had requested Musharraf to be allowed to bring a foreign security team to Pakistan.

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Know why this girl asked her rapist to spend the night with her The psychological consequences of rape are as grave and traumatic as the act itself. Try to comprehend the psychology

of a woman who asked her rapist to spend the night with her after he committed the crime.The then 19-years-old Aspen Matis was raped in her dorm room on the second day of her college.

She recalls the incident in her memoir Girl in the Woods and pens how she “desperately wanted to think that I wanted it”,

and feel that everything was still fine.

The guy indeed realized what he had done and refused to stay.

After a few weeks, Matis filed a complaint with her college’s sexual assault committee but nothing fruitful came out of it. It was then that she decided to walk 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada to “heal”.

Her parents objected, but accepted how necessary her departure to isolation was.

Chimp adopts orphan in ‘unheard of’ act An Australian zoo Wednesday unveiled a baby chimp adopted by a pregnant female in an

“unheard of” act after his mother died during birth. The baby, whose name Boon means blessing, was orphaned when mum Soona died shortly after he was born at Monarto Zoo, southeast of Adelaide, late last week. But in a heartwarming twist, the “strong” and “healthy” infant was immediately adopted by fellow chimp Zombi, who had remained by Soona’s side as she died. The zoo’s senior primate keeper Laura Hanley said she did not know of

anywhere else in the world where a pregnant chimpanzee had taken on the role of surrogate to another infant, so close to a birth of her own.

“I’m humbled by what we’ve seen from the chimpanzee troop over the last few days it’s unheard of to see a heavily pregnant chimpanzee adopt an orphaned newborn infant,” she said in a statement as the “miracle” baby made his public debut.

“From the minute she first cradled the newborn, she’s been amazing - grooming, supporting and nursing the little man as though he was her own. “The unique situation certainly reinforces the strong bond our chimps share and the similarities these amazing creatures have with their closest living relative, us.” Hanley said she was optimistic Zombi would continue to care for Boon once her own baby was born later this month.

“Fraud of the century”: Former Moldova PM held over $1 billion corruption scandal Moldova’s former prime minister was detained Thursday over a $1billion corruption scandal dubbed the “fraud of the century” which sparked mass protests and sent the national currency into a tailspin.Former prime minister Vlad Filat was detained in parliament by officials from Moldova’s anticorruption agency.

He can be held without charge for 72 hours.Chief Prosecutor Corneliu Gurin accused Filat, who led the former Soviet republic from 2009 to 2013, of involvement in the misappropriation of around $250 million from the country’s

banking system, out of a total $1 billion that cannot be accounted for.In April, the Central Bank of Moldova discovered that three banks had granted loans worth $1 billion, equivalent to around 10 percent of the country’s GDP, to unidentified beneficiaries.

The disappearance of the money sparked a wave of indignation in the country of 3.5 million, with thousands of protesters last month staging round-the-clock demonstrations in the capital Chisinau to demand the resignation of top officials.

The hiking journey went on for months during which she met a variety of people in the desert and mountains of Canada. It was during the time when she sought isolation that she met a guy who helped her in that healing process. She articulates about her relationship with him in an article she wrote in 2012 for The New York Times .

The writer revealed it was after she wrote the memoir, that she realized it was a common reaction to ask the rapist to stay or keep in touch. In fact, she had spoken to a few other women who did the same.

What seemed bizarre to many, made sense to Matis. ”To call a rape a rape-to name it what it is-is to acknowledge that something terrible has happened, that your life is forever changed, and that’s a really terrifying thing to do. It makes the most sense in the aftermath of a trauma to try to carry on as if it never happened, as if you could-and then you realize that you can’t,” she wrote in the article.

She wrote about how her family reacted when they got to know she was raped. When Matis spoke about raising money for Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), a nonprofit organization committed to help rape victims, her mother told her that she cannot tell her relatives about the incident.

It’s not just humans, even honeybees love coffee

If you thought only humans can get addicted to coffee, think again. New research reveals even honeybees find caffeinated beverages, err, nectar, irresistible!

A new study found that bees may select caffeinated nectar over an uncaffeinated, though otherwise equal-quality alternative.So, plants may be lacing their nectar with caffeine as a way to pass off cheaper goods, it said.“We describe a novel way in which some plants, through the action of a secondary compound like caffeine that is present in nectar, may be tricking the honey bee by securing loyal and faithful foraging and recruitment behaviours, perhaps without providing the best quality forage,” said Margaret Couvillon, one of the lead researchers, from the University of Sussex.“The effect of caffeine is akin to drugging, where the honey bees are tricked into valuing the forage as higher

quality than it really is,” explained researcher Roger Schurch.

The researchers tested bees’ responses to a sucrose solution with field-realistic doses of caffeine or without.

They found that the caffeine caused honeybees to forage more and to direct their friends to the caffeinated forage more frequently with waggle dances.Bees were more persistent about returning to sites where they had previously found caffeinated nectar, even after the feeder had run dry.After sipping caffeine, bees were also less inclined to search for other resources, a behaviour that could be useful when the well runs dry.Based on their observations of the individual bees’ behaviours, the researchers’ model suggests that caffeinated nectar could reduce honey production in colonies if indeed plants reduce the sweetness of their nectar.

Here’s the most sought after Mexican Halloween costume says Donald Trump’s head Two of the hottest Halloween costumes in Mexico this year are the country’s most wanted

Besides brutal killings and the shipment of huge quantities of narcotics to the United States

man and arguably its most hated.

Striped prison jumpers and detailed latex masks representing the mustachioed, twice-escaped drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman are selling like hotcakes ahead of the late October holiday, Diego Esponda, CEO of costume maker Caretas REV, said Thursday.

Caretas, which operates a small factory in the city of Cuernavaca, has produced more than 2,600 “El Chapo” masks this month, with many of them being exported to the United States and Canada.

by his organization, the leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel is notorious for breaking out of a maximum-security Mexican prison not once but twice. The most recent was in July when he fled from his prison cell through a sophisticated milelong (1½-kilometer) tunnel.

Designer Hector Bustos said the idea of producing a costume based on the drug lord began as a dark joke among colleagues but then they thought: Why not?

Its popularity reflects the gallows-humor japes that many Mexicans told following “El Chapo’s” second escape.

“It’s kind of funny, isn’t it: We

captured him twice and he escapes twice, right?” Esponda said with a chuckle. “So, you know, we aren’t glorifying anybody. On the contrary, I think this is a wake-up call to the government, which captures him and then he escapes.”

Another popular getup this year is Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, real estate mogul and reality TV star who angered many south of the border this year when he denigrated Mexican immigrants as criminals, drug traffickers and “rapists.”

The unflattering mask captures Trump with mouth agape and caricatures his signature blond hairdo.

“The Donald Trump one is also selling very well in the United States,” Esponda said. “I mean, he is the most hated person right now in Mexico.”

Halloween has traditionally played second-fiddle in Mexico to the Day of the Dead holiday, which takes place Nov. 1. But with each passing year more and more Mexican kids are also dressing up in costumes and going trick-or-treating the previous night.

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‘US does not want Afghanistan to be safe haven for Al-Qaeda’ Washington The US does not want Afghanistan to be a safe haven for Al-Qaeda once again and thus a launching pad for terror attacks against the country,

senior officials said on Thursday as President Barack Obama announced to keep 5,500 American troops in the country after 2016.

“This is part of the President’s goal and strategy of having sustainable partners around the world where terrorist threats could emerge,” Lisa Monaco, deputy national security advisor and assistant to the President for homeland security and counterterrorism, told reporters during a conference call.

Senior administration officials insisted that the continuing to have 9,800 US troop till the end of 2016 and 5,500 after that does not mean any change in the American mission in Afghanistan.At the same time, Monaco argued that one of the

main role of the 5,500 troop at various bases in Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar would be to go after al-Qaeda, which is gaining strength after Pakistan in their recent operation pushed

them across the Afghan border.

“They will be focused on the two missions: going after Al-Qaida and terrorist threats that emerge; and making sure that we don’t have a resurgence of al-Qaida.

Due to military efforts by the Pakistanis, there has been displacement of al-Qaida into Afghanistan,” she said.

“We’re obviously concerned and watching carefully the emergence of militants who want to affiliate with ISIL, but we have a national security interest in making sure that there can’t be a safe haven in Afghanistan. So the 5,500 troops are going to be able to support our counterterrorism operations,” Monaco said in response to a question.

“But importantly, they’re also going to work with our Afghan

Why are ISIS jihadis shaving their beards?

London The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters have left behind mounds of hair after shaving off their beards and dressing as women to flee to the West.

According to the Daily Star, a photo on Twitter posted by an Iraqi journalist showed huge mounds of shavings in the Syrian city of Aleppo.

There were discarded packets of razors among the mounts of facial hair.

The journalist tweeted that the ISIS fighters shaved off so they escape clean shaven to Turkey.

According to the anti-ISIS

resistance, some freshly-shaved jihadists are dressing up in women’s robes and veils in a bid to get away.

The terror network’s fighters all sport shaggy beards and shaving or cutting facial hair is haram (forbidden) under the strict Sharia law of ISIS. The mass departure of ISIS jihadi has been sparked by the crushing of strongholds of the group by Russian fighter jets.

Moscow security services claim thousands of terrorists have downed their weapons and fled to Turkey from where they may try to head to Europe as refugees.

partners in very targeted ways in terms of identifying places where we can provide a maximum amount of training, advice and assistance. So for instance, with the Afghans’ air operations and working with their special forces,” she said.

Laurel Miller, the acting special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said that the US expects its other allies including its NATO partners to have maintain additional troops.

“We anticipate that there will be additional NATO troops remaining in the country in that time period,” Miller said.

Responding to questions, Monaco said Obama’s latest decision in this regard was purely based on national security interest.

“It is about the long game in the sense of having a capable partner. The Afghans have invited us, want us to stay, want us to work with them to build up their forces,” she said.

“What the President talked about is having a presence there that would enable us to continue our counter-terrorism operation and continue to build up the Afghan security forces,” she said.

“I don’t think anyone ever intended that the job would be finished. We always said that we’d continue to have a presence there,” she added.

Islamic State ‘Not My Cup of Tea’, says British woman who travelled to Syria

London A British woman who fled the Islamic State group with her five children after travelling to Syria described the experience as “not my cup of tea” in an interview on Wednesday.

Shukee Begum, 33, travelled to Syria with her children to find her husband Jamal al-Harith, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee who left Britain 18 months ago to join the group, Channel 4 news reported.

A law graduate from northern England, Begum insists she only travelled to convince her husband to return and never supported the IS militants, who have carved out regions of control in Iraq and Syria.

“I was seeing on the news at this point that ISIS was going from bad to worse. So I decided that I was going to try and speak some sense into him,” she told Channel 4 news, referring to Islamic State by an alternative name.

At first, Begum lived in a overcrowded safe house in the IS-controlled city of Raqqa with

dozens of other women and children, many “crying” and “sick”.

“There was a gangster kind of mentality among single women there. Violent talk, talking about war, killing,” Begum said.

“They would sit together and huddle around their laptops and watch ISIS videos together and discuss them and everything. It was just not my cup of tea.”

After she was reunited with her husband, who refused to help her leave, IS authorities would not allow her to go, Begum added.

“This is what I want to make clear as well to other women thinking of coming into ISIS territory that you can’t just expect to come into ISIS territory and then expect that you can just leave again easily,” Begum said.

“There is no personal autonomy there at all.”She was smuggled out of the territory before being held captive in the city of Aleppo, and is now living close to the border with Turkey and hopes to move back to Britain, Channel 4 reported.

Hafiz Saeed asks govt to curb foreign bid to bolster IS in Pakistan Lahore Efforts are underway to strengthen the Islamic State in Pakistan, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed has said as he asked the Nawaz Sharif government to foil the bid by the “foreign elements”. “The foreign elements are hatching a conspiracy to strengthen Daesh in Pakistan. The government will have to be vigilant and foil any such effort to begin with,” Saeed said while addressing the Friday sermon at JuD headquarters in Chauburji and using one of the alternate names for the ISIS. Recently, the government of Sindh province has confirmed the presence of Daesh in the country and prepared a list of 53 of its activists in Pakistan, according to a senior official at the Counter Terrorism Department Sindh.

Abdullah Yousuf alias Abdul Aziz, is believed to be the chief of Daesh in Pakistan, the official said.In May, the ISIS was involved in an attack on a bus carrying Shia Ismaili Muslims on the outskirts of Karachi in which 45 people were killed. Saeed further said: “Efforts are also underway to spread this evil in Saudi Arabia.

The Muslim world will have to stay united to face this evil and nip it in the bud.” “At present, we are at war and we need to maintain

unity in our ranks,” he said. He also urged the Shia and Sunni

against seminaries at the behest of the West. “We will not accept

sects to shun their differences and live in peace. Saeed warned the government over taking action

any action against certain seminaries in the name of war on terror,” he said.

Named by ‘IS recruiter’ Afshan Jabeen, nine under scanner Jabeen named potential IS recruits in India after she was deported last month by UAE authorities for proIS activities and was arrested by Cyberabad police. Sources said the persons she named were under close watch.Thirty-eight-year-old Jabeen is from a Hyderabad Muslim family and is married to a Hindu real estate dealer. She is a mother of three young girls and was settled in Dubai. While surfing the Internet for Islamic religious literature, she came in contact with

Salman Mohiuddin, a chemical engineer who returned to Hyderabad from the US, and the two allegedly floated several online groups to indoctrinate and recruit youths to join the IS. Disclosures by alleged Islamic State (IS) online recruiter Afsha Jabeen during her questioning have led intelligence agencies to at least nine IS sympathisers in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kashmir who were “active members’’ on her Facebook group.

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Malaysia arrests hacker linked to Islamic State group Kuala Lumpur A Kosovo citizen has been arrested in Kuala Lumpur for

computer hacking and allegedly providing information about US service members to the Islamic State group, Malaysian and US authorities said.

Malaysian national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement late Thursday that the man, in his 20s, was arrested September 15.

Khalid said investigations showed the man was in contact with a senior Islamic State group leader in Syria, and is accused of providing information on US service members after hacking several servers.

Khalid said the man, who entered Malaysia in August 2014 to study computer science at a private institution, would be

extradited to the US. In a separate statement, the US Department of Justice identified

the man as Ardit Ferizi, believed to be leader of an Internet hacking group called Kosova Hacker’s Security. It said he will stand trial on charges of computer hacking and identity theft violations.

It said Ferizi, known by his hacking moniker “Th3Dir3ctorY,” allegedly hacked into the computer system of a US-based company and stole the personal information on 1,351 US military and other government personnel.

Between June and August 2015, Ferizi allegedly provided the information to Islamic State group member Junaid Hussain, also known as Abu Hussain alBritani.

On August 11, Hussain posted

ISIS Calls on Palestinians to Ratchet Up Attacks

The Islamic State group has launched an unprecedented media campaign calling on Palestinians to step up attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians, taking advantage of a wave of violence between the two sides to deliver rare incitement against Israel.”In a video posted Monday, the group urged Palestinians to carry out attacks using every means at their disposal, including knives, vehicles, poison and explosives.”In the past two days, ISIS posted six videos in which militants deliver speeches to the backdrop of scenes from recent stabbings and other attacks carried out by Palestinians against Israelis. The extremist group also published several articles written by prominent ISIS writers.”

The videos coincide with a wave

of Israeli-Palestinian violence and ratcheted-up tensions among Israelis after a series of seemingly random lone-wolf attacks by Palestinians.”In the video titled “Return Terror to the Jews,” a masked fighter praised Arabs who are attacking Israelis, describing them as “lone wolves who refused to be subdued and spread fear among the sons of Zion.” “The Islamic State group, which has established a self-declared Islamic caliphate in the third of Iraq and Syria that it controls, operates a sophisticated media machine and often releases high-tech propaganda videos. Although IS operatives often describe Jews and Christians as infidels, the group has rarely issued videos that touch on Israel.”

Pakistan’s top civilian, military brass knew about Osama’s presence says Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar

a tweet titled “NEW: U.S. Military and Government HACKED by the Islamic State

Hacking Division!” which contained a link to a 30-page document, the US statement said.

The post was intended to provide Islamic State supporters in the US and elsewhere with the information for the purpose of encouraging terrorist attacks against those individuals, it said.

“This case is a first of its kind and with these charges, we seek to hold Ferizi accountable for his theft of this information and his role in (Islamic State’s) targeting of US government employees,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P.Carlin said in the US statement.

Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership knew about Osama bin Laden’s presence in the country much before the US Navy SEALs killed him in a raid in 2011, the then defence minister of Pakistan has claimed. The Pakistani establishment, the country’s powerful army chief and the intelligence agency ISI were aware that Osama was living in Abbottabad, according to Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, who was Pakistan’s defence minister between 2008 and 2012. Former Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, then army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and joint chief of staff all knew that Osama was in Pakistan, Mukhtar told CNNIBN. The former defence minister’s admissions are contrary to what Pakistan has been claiming so far that it was unaware of Osama’s presence

in the country until the US Navy SEALs killed him in a daring raid in May 2011. Asked if President Zardari and General Kayani had information about Osama and were there people both in the civilian and military chain of command who had prior information, Mukhtar answered in the affirmative.

Asked if they had prior information in terms of suspicion of the location of the world’s most wanted man, Mukhtar said, “Some people knew, people in the Pakistan army as well as people in the other forces they also knew it and they were on the lookout for somebody of the stature of Osama bin Laden.” Mukhtar’s admissions come on the heels of investigative reporter Seymour Hersh’s claim that a Pakistani agent had leaked to the US Osama’s Abbottabad hideout address.

IS pays recruiters USD 10,000 per person: United Nations Brussels The Islamic State group is paying supporters up to USD 10,000 for each person that they recruit to wage jihad in Syria and Iraq, UN experts said on Friday after a visit to Belgium, one of the main countries of origin for so-called foreign fighters.Elzbieta Karska, who chairs a UN group studying the issue, said IS is using social media and informal networks of friends and family, with many of them in Syria, to recruit new jihadists in Belgium.The UN experts learned from Belgian contacts that 500 foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria originated in Belgium, the highest per capita of any EU country, she added.

“We have heard... About situations where recruiters were paid from two, three thousand to 10,000 dollars depending on...

Who was recruited,” Karska told a press conference in Brussels, adding the findings were preliminary.“If somebody was well educated like computer specialists or doctors, they were paid more,” the Polish human rights lawyer added.

Her colleague Patricia Arias, a Chilean lawyer, added “they are paid by Daesh,” the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

The Belgian-based extremist group Sharia4Belgium enlisted

the first wave of recruits for Syria in 2010, according to Karska’s UN body, which was set up by the Geneva-based UN Commission on Human Rights.

With Sharia4Belgium now

Karska and Arias said an increasing number of women or girls is leaving Belgium to marry jihadists or care for those who are ill or wounded, but some may actually fight.

broken up and many of its members jailed, recruiting has changed.In the last year, “the key method of recruitment is reportedly through informal networks of friends and family, and through social media,” Karska said.

“A significant degree of recruitment currently occurs through friends and family in Syria, who are also paid on the basis of the number of persons they recruit and on whether the recruits subsequently marry,” she said.

They had no figures on how many women had left Belgium, but said the number of boys and men departing for jihad had declined from about 10 per month three years ago to about four or five per month today.

Their average age is 23 years old and declining, Karska said.

The working group led a factfinding visit to Tunisia a few months ago and plans a third trip in March to Ukraine, where the Western-backed government in Kiev is fighting pro-Russian rebels in the east.

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Man bites co-passenger and dies Is it for real? Statue of ‘Buddha’ on Mars in Aer Lingus flight to Dublin London In a bizarre incident, a 24-yearold Brazilian man bit his co-passenger on a flight from Lisbon to Dublin. The man was said to have been shaking violently

when he bit a passenger sitting near him on the two hour flight.

He lost consciousness before the cabin crew members could

handcuff him, even a doctor and nurse on board failed to revive him. The man was pronounced dead on arrival in the Irish city of Cork where the flight was diverted. He was said to have suf-

fered few seizures before losing consciousness. According to the fellow passengers, the man produced troublesome noises while

he was shaking. National flag carrier of Ireland, Aer Lingus issued a statement last night saying that the forced landing of Airbus A320s was due to medical emergency on board. The passenger who was bitten is admitted to a hospital in Cork and the other 165 passengers along with six crew members were taken to Dublin by bus. Meanwhile, a 44-yearold Portuguese woman was arrested by Cork Police under the suspicion of drug trafficking.

She was found carrying 2 kg of amphetamine powder and travelled in the same flight. Presently, it is not clear if the two incidents are connected in any manner.

Queen Elizabeth II refuses to “take back America” London Fed up by American politicians, especially Republican presidential candidates, a frustrated American man wrote to Queen Elizabeth II asking her to re-take

a colony. Disturbed at the propensity of Republican presidential candidates to make controversial remarks and provoke each other with insulting comments, the Anglophile fired a let-

control of the United States of America. Surprisingly, royalty showed some humour and responded to his request but much to his disappointment refused to take back the United States as

ter to Her Majesty. The official response said: “I have been asked to write in response to your recent letter to the Queen in which you express your views about the American government.

Whilst your views have been noted, you will appreciate, I am sure, that there can be no question of the Queen intervening in the affairs of another sovereign state.” The letter was posted on Reddit by no-soy-de-escocia, who wrote that his Anglophile friend resorted to writing to the British royalty and UK Prime Minister David Cameron when 11 front-runners for the Republican presidential nomination debated for three hours on a TV show. “On behalf of the American people, I urgently implore you to take us back,” the letter read. “Clearly, the options we have to lead us aren’t up to par. Again, please, I beg of you, make the United States of America a colony of the United Kingdom. For further reasons as to why this is such a necessary, albeit drastic, step, I refer to tonight’s Republican Party Primary debate. Thank you. God save The Queen,” wrote the American.

Egypt kicks off a long-awaited parliamentary election

Egyptian voters began heading to the polls Sunday to elect a parliament, the first since the military-led ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

The vote will mark the final step

in what has been billed as a postMorsi transition to democracy.

But critics here and abroad describe it as part of a rolling retrenchment of authoritarian rule nearly five years after long-serv-

ing autocrat Hosni Mubarak was toppled by a 2011 pro-democracy uprising. Political parties - those that are eligible to run - are weak with little popular following. They are hurt even more by the law governing how the election will be run.

And there is a general societal atmosphere strongly against public criticism of the government, with many Egyptians seeking stability after years of turmoil that have devastated the economy.

The elections law designates three categories of seats in the 596-seat House of Representatives: those elected through a party list (120 seats or 20 percent), those elected individually (448 seats or 75 percent), and those appointed by the president (28 seats or 5 percent).

London There has been a spate of strange sightings on Mars of late. And going by latest reports, a huge shape similar to Buddha statue has been spotted on the Red Planet. Now, UFO Sightings Daily, involved in researching on aliens, claimed to have seen a giant statue of Gautam Buddha on Mars.UFO Sightings Daily also claim that Martians knew all about religion and believed in life after death.“This photo alone should be enough to convince the United Nations that intelligent life once existed on Mars. NASA

doesn’t want anyone to know the truth, because they will be asked to share the info and technology that they have found,” said Scott C Waring of UFO Sightings Daily.According to Waring, the statue has breasts and a plump stomach and shoulders.Earlier, alien hunters alsom claimed to have seen Obama’s head, a ghostly woman and a military bunker on Mars.Other things recently spotted on the Red Planet include - a floating spoon, a space crab and a Martian version of Stonehenge.

Most friends post Facebook pictures to make you jealous

Washinton If you believe in that stunning picture of your friend on Facebook showing an amazing scenery or attending a luxurious party, take another look. Chances are that he or she may just be trying to make you jealous of their “good life”.

According to a new British survey done by smartphone maker HTC, almost everybody lies on their Facebook and Instagram profiles to look good.

“Over two-thirds of us post images to our profiles to make it look like we’re more adventurous than we are,” the findings revealed.

Nearly 75 per cent of people admitted that they judge their friends based on what they see on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat, Mirror.co.uk reported.

The survey asked questions to 4,004 people between ages 16 and 54 across Britain, Spain, France and Italy. Of 1,000 Britons who were surveyed, 52 per

cent said they posted pictures “purely to make their friends and families jealous”.

“From snaps of people’s homes to perfectly laid out outfit shots, every image counts and smartphone photography has never been more important,” Peter Frolund, HTC general manager (UK & Ireland), was quoted as saying.

“When it comes to why we feel a desire to share our public displays of possessions, it’s all about impression management,” behavioural psychology Jo Hemmings was quoted as saying in the report.

A recent study involving 400 men and women published in the journal Social Networking found that the more people changed their profile picture, the more likely they were to report narcissistic traits.

The study also looked at the time they spent on Facebook and the words they used to rate their profile pictures.

Issue - 637 (32)

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Former US Air Force worker claims she was raped on Moon by aliens

Washington Sexual crimes against women are often reported from across the world but in a first, a woman has claimed she was raped in the outer space. Niara Terela Isley, a former US Air Force worker, claimed she was abducted by reptile aliens and raped numerous times on the Moon.Working as a radar tracking officer on the Tonopah Test range in Nevada, she said she was captured by a humanoid with a tail who took her to a secret base on the Moon.

Apparently, she was also made to lift boxes there apart from getting raped by security guards

after being exposed to a mystery drug. This revelation was done by Isley when she was under hypnosis.She also claims she was taken into space around 810 times when she was 25-yearsold. On the moon she was made to excavate the dark parts to expand the military base using electronic machinery.

While describing her abductors she said, “He was humanoid and did have a tail.” She added he had yellow eyes with vertical slit pupils.She has a vague memory of what happened to her after her abductions and that is when she decided to go under hypnosis.

Baby giraffe Baby dinosaur fossils dies during VIP found in Dragon’s Tomb event at US zoo

SACRAMENTO A baby giraffe whose birth at a central California zoo was heralded in the region died on Sunday during a special VIP opening of a new exhibit housing animals native to Africa, the Fresno Bee newspaper reported.

The young male reticulated giraffe appeared to have been in a physical accident at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, the newspaper said Monday, quoting zoo spokeswoman Alisha Anderson.

Zoo supporters on hand to witness a preview of the facility’s new African Adventure exhibit saw the baby animal lying on the ground, the newspaper said. “Guests were really upset,” Anderson told the newspaper. “Our staff is devastated.”The baby giraffe was born on Sept 9 at 188 pounds (85 kg).It was the first animal born at the new exhibit, the newspaper said. Anderson told the newspaper that officials do not yet know exactly what caused the baby’s death, and that a necropsy will be

Maggi clears lab tests, to begin manufacturing noodles soon Washington It’s official your favourite instant noodles Maggi will be back soon.

Nestle India, maker of the country’s highly popular Maggi, on Friday announced all samples of recently-banned instant noodles have cleared the tests conducted by three laboratories as mandated by the Bombay High Court.

The move will now allow Maggi to be back on the shelves after it was banned over the presence of excess lead since June this year.

“All the 90 samples, covering six variants, tested by these laboratories are clear with lead much below the permissible

limits,” Nestle India said in a statement. “In compliance with the orders of the Bombay High

Court, we will now commence manufacture and will start selling only after the newlymanufactured products are also cleared by the designated three laboratories.” The company said “it is committed to reintroduce Maggi into the retail market at the earliest”. However, analysts believe it could take up to six months to put back Maggi back on the shelves across India. “One of the challenges for Nestle is to fill up the pipeline again. From the day of production, it could take three to six months to reach out to the retailers in the far flung

areas across India,” said Arvind Singhal, chairman of retail consultancy Technopak.

Various countries, including the US, the UK, Singapore, Australia and others have found Maggi noodles safe for consumption. Nestle claims to have conducted over 3,500 tests representing over 200 million packs in both national as well as international accredited laboratories with all the reports clear. “It is never easy to build the trust again… But an excellent communication plan and a crisp ad campaign could be a way out,” said Srinivas K Reddy, director, center for marketing excellence, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University.

Retailers, however, reject the skepticism. “We missed Maggi because our customers missed it a lot,” said Darshana Shah, senior V-P, marketing, HyperCity, retail chain. “Despite the availability of many other brands, no brand was able to fill in the vacuum left by Maggi.”

MIAMI A handful of baby dinosaur fossils complete with fragments of eggshells have been uncovered in Mongolia, researchers said.They are the youngest ever discovered of a type of giant hadrosaur that lived about 70 million years ago, known as Saurolophus angustirostris, which means “lizard crest,” said the study in PLOS ONE.Their discovery adds to knowledge about how dinosaurs developed and grew, from birth to adulthood. The babies all likely came from the same nest in a site known as the “Dragon’s Tomb” in the Gobi Desert, according to lead

researcher Leonard Dewaele from Ghent University and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. The saurolophus family is already well known to paleontologists. The herbivores could measure up to 12 meters (40 feet) long and weigh more than two tons. They are distinguished by a crest that projects backward off the top of the skull. The three or four babies described in the paper did not yet have this cranial crest, and their skulls were not yet fused, suggesting they were in the early stages of development.

Scientists are not sure if they had hatched yet or if they met their demise while still in their shells.

Hand-chopping incident: Indian maid is mentally disturbed, claims Saudi police

Riyadh Riyadh police on Friday said that an Indian maid lost her arm due to a fall from a building and not because of an attack by her Saudi employer as was reported in India and elsewhere.

According to media reports earlier this month, Kasturi Munirathinam, 55, was allegedly attacked by her employer, which led to severe injuries and the amputation of her hand. The incident was quickly condemned

by India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

“Chopping of hand of Indian lady - we are very much disturbed over the brutal manner in which Indian lady has been treated in Saudi Arabia,” the minister tweeted.

In a statement confirming the cause of the incident, Riyadh police said the maid made a rope ladder out of cloth in order to escape from the window of her

employer’s apartment on the third floor of the building.

However, she lost her balance and fell down, hitting the edge of an electricity generator located in the lower part of the house.

This resulted in her arm being severed there itself, police said.

Munirathinam arrived in Saudi Arabia nearly two months ago.

She was suffering from mental disturbances and therefore tried to flee the employerÂ’s house, the statement added.

The spokesman rejected ”false and differing reports” in various media outlets about the maid, stressing that all people in Saudi Arabia are equal and enjoy all their rights guaranteed by the law.

According to the employer, Munirathinam was recruited to serve his mother who is 70 years of age and lives alone in an apartment in Riyadh.

Issue - 637 (33)

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

RSS mouthpiece defends Dadri: Vedas order killing of sinners who kill cows Slamming writers who have returned their awards in the wake

of the incident in Dadri where a man was lynched over beef rumours, RSS mouthpiece Panchjanya, in its latest edition, has carried a cover story saying the Vedas order the killing of “sinners” who slaughter cows.It alleges that madrasas and the Muslim leadership teach Indian Muslims to hate the country’s traditions. “Akhlaq (the Dadri victim) perhaps slaughtered a cow under the influence of such bad deeds,” it states. Questioning the silence of writers, it asks them why they have been quiet on this issue.“Veda ka adesh hai ki gau hatya karne wale pataki ke pran le lo. Hum mein se bahuton ke liye to yah jivan-maran ka prashn hai (Vedas order killing of the sinner who kills a cow. It is a matter of life and death for many of us),” states the article ‘Is Utpat ke Us paar’ (The other side of this disturbance)’ by Hindi writer Tufail Chaturvedi who edits the journal Lafz. Tufail is the name Vinay Krishna Chaturvedi uses.“Cow slaughter is such a big thing for us that for hundreds of years our

ancestors have staked their lives to prevent it and counter the

killers.There are hundreds of such occasions in history when Muslim invaders thrust beef into our mouths to convert Hindus into Muslims,” it reads.Speaking to The Sunday Express, Chaturvedi cited several instances of Vedas prohibiting cow slaughter. “30.18 of Yajurveda says ‘hand over capital punishment to those who kill cows’,” he said, adding that “Gau-hatya Hinduon ke liye maan bindu hai (Cow slaughter is an issue of honour for Hindus).

Muslims who commit such acts today are converted Hindus of Indian origin. It is important for social harmony that we respect faiths of each other.” In the article, Chaturvedi takes a swipe at writers who returned their awards after the lynching of Akhlaq: “Aapko Akhlaq dwara ki gayi gauhatya nahi dikhayi di (You overlooked the cow-slaughter by Akhlaq). You did not consider that in the entire reporting of Akhlaq’s death, there is no mention of Akhlaq’s enmity with anyone in the village)”. Claiming that the killing was a “natural reaction” to

MBA pass out refuses to take degree from Smriti Irani

A young MBA pass out has decided not to accept his degree at the first convocation of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) in Kashmir from Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani as a protest against “diminishing freedoms” in the country.“Though, for a student, receiving a masters degree is no less than any prestigious award.

But on October 19, (the Convocation Day) I Sameer Gojwari wont accept it,” Gojwari, who completed his MBA from the IUST in 2008, wrote on his Facebook page.

Gojwaris post came in response to unconfirmed reports that Irani will be giving out degrees to the

pass outs of the IUST at the varsity’s first ever convocation on Monday.

“When India’s writers are returning literary awards to protest diminishing freedoms and 41 writers across the country have given back most prestigious awards; unofficial reports say that Islamic University of Science & Technology on its 1st Convocation have chaired a Minister from Central Ministry #BJP, most likely Mrs Smriti Irani,” he said.

The Union HRD minister is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of Central University Kashmir complex at Ganderbal on Tuesday.

the “sin” of cow slaughter, the cover story turns to Isaac Newton to state “Newton had propagated the theory of natural reaction to any action in 1687. Aap log yah nahi dekh paye ki aisi soch ke samaj men rahne wala Akhlaq itne bhayanak parinam dene wale paap ke liye utsuk kaise ho gaya (you could not consider that how did Akhlaq, living in a society with such feelings (for the cow) become eager to commit a sin that invites such dreadful consequences).”It goes on to say that “if you do not respect the feelings of 80 per cent majority”, then how can “such reactions be prevented”.The article claims that society does not consider those “who kill the sinner who have slaughtered a cow from the perspective of advocates of appeasement”. The society “glorifies and remembers” such persons “martyred to prevent cow-slaughter”, it states.

Describing Indian Muslims as Hindus who have been “converted”, it states: “Who has taught the converted Indians to hate their origins, reject the traditions of centuries?

Ally Akali Dal warns: Dadri shameful, fringe hurting govt

The Shiromani Akali Dal, a trusted BJP ally and partner in governments at the Centre and in Punjab, warned the government Saturday that “fringe elements” were hurting its credibility with “irresponsible utterances” and would undo the “good work”. It called the Dadri lynching incident “shameful”.

SAD Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral told The Sunday Express: “What has disturbed me is that certain irresponsible utterances by people holding high positions may damage the good work being done by the NDA government, particularly in the realm of economy and foreign affairs.”

He said while the BJP has

issued warnings to several of its people, “it is time some action is taken” so that a message goes out.

“Fringe elements are hurting the credibility of the government and are taking way the focus from the good work being done by the Prime Minister and the government,” he said.

Gujral also said what happened in Dadri was shameful.

“It was a shame for the nation and it should be condemned in the strongest possible terms…

What happened after the lynching incident in UP is damaging the NDA, the BJP and damaging the Prime Minister, more than anybody else,” PTI quoted Gujral as saying.

Holy book desecration: Punjab CM Badal says will ‘expose forces bent on disrupting peace’ Amid simmering panthic unrest in Punjab over incidents of alleged desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal visited the Golden Temple on Saturday.

Badal also visited the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, and personally handed over a letter to the Takht chief, Giani Gurbachan Singh, putting on record his anguish at the incidents of the last few days, and effectively quelling rumours that the jathedar was on his way out.

The Jathedars of the five Sikh Takhts are appointed by the SGPC, which is at present controlled by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal. In the letter, the chief minister said he had lived all his life according to religious decorum. “Sometime things happens which are out of your imagination and cause deep pain to you. It shakes your soul.

It intensify the feeling of regret inside you. The recent incidents have badly disturbed me. I have come to bow my head in front of Guru and make prayer as for blessing in this hour,” he wrote.

In a release, the State government said the Chief Minister prayed for peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity. Cabinet minister Daljeet Singh Cheema was with him. In brief comments to the media, Badal said forces inimical to the progress of state were bent upon destroying the peace of the state. However, he

said that the state government was committed to thwart any such attempt, which could pose a danger to the progress and prosperity of the state. “These forces will be exposed before the people so that they are not able

divisive forces. He later visited Akal Takht Sahib and paid reverence at the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs.

SGPC employees join protest Soon after Punjab CM’s departure from Golden temple,

to succeed in their nefarious designs against the state,” he said.The Chief Minister called upon the people of the state to rise above the parochial considerations of caste, religion and creed to give a befitting reply to” fissiparous forces” active in the state. Reiterating that the people of Punjab have always upheld the ethos of peace and brotherhood in the state, he hoped that no one would be ever able to destroy the deep knitted social fabric of the state.

Badal, who was offered a siropa at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple, urged the people to extend support and cooperation to government by not falling prey to the malicious campaign unleashed by the

Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee employees also joined the protest against the desecration incidents. Though the protest was symbolic, employees carry out a protest march from SGPC secretariat to Hall gate chowk.

Employees also sit on road for some time.

Employees demanded action against the culprits. SGPC will also organise an Akahnd Path (uninterrupted reciting of Guru Granth Sahib) from October 20 to express its regret over the incidents of desecration. “Motive of this march is to ensure punishments to culprits and find out the forces behind these incidents,” Said additional secretary SGPC.

Issue - 637 (34)

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Foreign national flying drone near Parliament creates a scare

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) created a scare in one of Delhi’s most secured areas on Saturday evening. Police sources said a foreign national, believed to be associated with an embassy, was seen navigating a drone around 6:30 pm near the north fountain of Parliament house. According to sources, before the police could reach the man for questioning, he returned to the embassy along with his drone.

“As per local information, he (foreign national) was seen with a child and was flying the drone relatively low. Suspecting something devious, some tourists confronted him but he went away,” a police official said.

The official said the man then managed to reach his embassy.

“Senior police officials were in talks with the embassy to

retrieve the drone and to question the man. Attempts were being made to gather information through various CCTVs installed near India Gate,” a senior official said.

“We received information that a foreign national was flying a drone near Parliament and so other agencies were informed and are investigating the matter,” said Jatin Narwal, DCP, New Delhi.

Parliament had experienced a terror attack in December 2001 when a group of five men breached the heavy security.

Security had been tightened since the attack.

Delhi has been on a high alert after intelligence agencies issued a notice of a possible terror attack on the national capital in the ongoing festive season.

Karnataka Bajrang Dal activist’s murder gets ‘Pakistan’ twist The probe into the murder of a Bajrang Dal activist in Moodbidri town of coastal Karnataka has taken an interesting turn. A local BJP leader has claimed that witnesses in the case are receiving threat calls from international mobile numbers, asking them not to testify in the case. To make matters worse for the police, the prime witness allegedly committed suicide two days ago.

The murder has also taken a political angle with the BJP which is strong in the coastal Karnataka region - alleging that the Congress government was deliberately not according importance to the incident.

“It is evident that everyone is trying to hush up the case. The Congress politicians are not showing any interest in ensuring justice to the victim’s family. Had the police shown concern, they would have arrested the culprits by now. We are hearing that other witnesses are being threatened over the phone from international mobile numbers, including Pakistani phone numbers,” said Dakshina Kannada MP (BJP) Nalin Kumar Kateel.On October 9, Prashanth Poojary (26), an active Bajrang Dal member and a flower vendor, was hacked to death by six unidentified bike-borne miscreants in Mudbidri. He had recently actively taken part in busting illegal slaughter houses and protested against cattle

India, Pak and Bangladesh should reunite says Mark Tully Veteran journalist Mark Tully said that taking a cue from France and Germany, which united to from European Union, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh should also unite to from a South-east Asian union of countries. He said it the unification of these three

countries will also help them in fighting third-world problems like poverty, illiteracy and hunger from the region.Talking to India Today following the inauguration of a two-day meeting of SAARC country delegates in Agra, Tully said the world is moving towards the end of wars and it is a time for the setting in of new world dynamics where such rivalries like India-Pakistan would be an exception worthy of a quick end.

He said that the people of both these countries wanted to reunite and form a single large federation.Raja Hassan Akhtar, Chairman of Regional Standing Committee (FPCCI), Pakistan said that the issue of visa between the two countries

should be settled quickly so that there could be free trade across the borders and people could move around more easily. The current city-specific visas made it very difficult to conduct business in India and there should be some relaxation for Pakistani businessmen when they wanted to come to India.

Expressing similar sentiments, Pakistani author Sooriya Manzar said that there is a lot to be done

in the direction of restoring common grounds between the people of the two countries and the common culture was already the first step in this direction.

She said there should be more and better contact between the people of the two countries.

President of the Forlklore Research Academy, the organiser of the event, Ramesh Yadav said that the academy is not focusing just on the IndiaPakistan relations, but it wishes to bring the entire SAARC group of countries on a single platform where they could combine their might and make the entire world acknowledge that this region is ready to throw off the tag of ‘Third World’.On this occasion, the third “Nirmala Deshpande South East Asia Peace and Justice Award” was presented to Jatin Desai of Mumbai and BM Kutti of Karachi, Pakistan.Sq. Ldr. (Retd.) A K Singh, Chairman Dr. MPS Group said that it was an honour for the MPS group to host such an honoured delegation of dignitaries in Agra and it was his hope that such cross-border interactions will be more frequently held so that there is a greater degree of cultural exchange between the countries and an atmosphere of trust can be built up.

trafficking in the region.

On October 15, prime witness Vaman Poojary (68) allegedly committed suicide at his daughter’s home. While the police claimed that he ended his life due to personal reasons, others are linking it to Prashanth’s murder.

“Vaman Poojary had clearly seen the faces of the assailants who attacked Prashanth. He could have helped us in identifying the miscreants.

Unfortunately, he is no more and this has been a big blow to the probe. Nevertheless, we are confident of nabbing the killers,” a Dakshina Kannada district police officer said. The cops believe that all the six assailants have fled to Kerala.

Prashanth’s cousin Dhyanesh alleged: “We have shared

information about the suspects with the police. It is already a week, but we are not seeing any progress in the probe,” he said.

Kateel also alleged that police already have information about the suspects, but were delaying the probe. “After Prashanth had busted the illegal slaughter house with his friends, a protest demonstration was held by a group in Moodbidri. Addressing the protesters, their leader Haneef had vowed to take revenge against all those involved in the raid on the slaughter house. Prashanth was killed at the same spot where the speech was made, but action has not been taken against Haneef so far. The police should have arrested and questioned him,” the BJP leader said.

Muslim man worships Goddess Durga after being blessed with girl child

It’s not so long ago when some fringe elements had demanded to keep one community away from the Garba pandals during Navaratras, citing religious affiliations. Little did they know then that true devotion sees no such bars.

Breaking all man-made religious barriers, a Muslim man in Bhawani Mandi of Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur region has been worshipping Goddess Durga by keeping traditional Garba and organising bhandaras in his area, states a report in News18.

The reason behind his devotion towards Goddess Durga is the wish he had made in one of her temples which later came true.

45-year-old Altaf Khan has two sons and ten years back he wished for a baby girl to complete his family. He visited Dudhakhedi Mata temple and made the wish. Soon he was blessed with a girl child.

Since then, Khan, a practising Muslim, has been celebrating Navratras with full devotion. The local Hindus also assist him in following this tradition.

Khan has named his daughter Nagma which he believes has three meanings.

Nagma if divided into three parts means: Na for Navaratras, G for Garba and Ma for mother.

He also claims that his financial condition has improved after the birth of his daughter, as per the report.

Issue 637 (35)

20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Virender Sehwag set to announce retirement from International cricket soon

Dubai: One of India’s greatest cricketers, Virender Sehwag said on Monday that he will draw curtains on his international career soon as he confirmed his participation in next year’s Masters Champions League 2020, where only retired cricketers can play.

Sehwag’s decision comes only two days after one of his contemporaries Zaheer Khan decided to call time on his career. A day before his 37th birthday, Sehwag was today unveiled at the launch ceremony of the veterans 2020 league in Dubai. When Sehwag, who was present alongside Brian Lara, Graeme Smith and Azhar Mahmood at the launch, was asked how he could play as MCL is a retired cricketers’ league, Sehwag said “If I am not retired I will not play. I will go back to India and announce my retirement.”

MCL is supposed to be played in February next year, which means that Sehwag will complete his Ranji Trophy commitments with Haryana before

joining the veterans’ league.

In a glorious international career spanning over 12 years, Sehwag played 104 Tests scoring 8586 runs at an impressive average of 49.34, hitting 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries.

He is the only triple centurion in Tests for India having scored career-best knock of 319 against Pakistan at Multan, which also is an Indian record.

He is also one of those rare batsmen to have scored two triple ton with his next one (309) coming against South Africa.

In 251 ODIs, he accumulated 8273 runs at an average of 35.05 and scored 15 hundreds apart from hitting 38 fifties.

In 19 Twenty20 Internationals, he managed 394 runs with two half-centuries.

He has been a part of two World Cup winning teams under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s leadership 2007 World T20 in South Africa and the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Sena threat: Umpire Dar withdrawn from ODIs; Akram, Akhtar opt out Umpire Aleem Dar was withdrawn, while commentators Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar pulled out of the ongoing India-South Africa series on Monday, hours after Shiv Sena activists forced cancellation of talks between cricket officials of India and Pakistan.

Pakistani umpire Dar, a member of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, had officiated in the first three OneDay Internationals and was also scheduled to umpire in the fourth and fifth ODIs in Chennai and Mumbai on

October 22 and October 25, respectively.

The International Cricket Council said it made the decision following the incident in Mumbai where a group of Sena activists stormed the Board of Control for Cricket in India office, and “threatened to prevent the umpire from standing in the fifth ODI on Sunday”.

“Under the present circumstances, it will be unreasonable to expect from Aleem that he will be able to perform his duties to the best of his abilities.

Jadeja returns to Test squad All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Monday returned to India’s Test squad after a gap of nearly 14 months as selectors desisted from making too many changes to the 16- member squad for the first two matches against South Africa starting November 5.

The 26-year-old Jadeja was rewarded for his consistent performance in the domestic circuit and found a place alongside R Ashwin, who still remains doubtful owing to a side strain injury .

Barring Jadeja’s inclusion, there were no other changes in the Test squad announced by BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur after a meeting of the selection committee headed by Sandeep Patil here.

The selectors also made just one change in the ODI squad for the remaining two matches against Proteas, bringing in paceman Sreenath Arvind for fellow seamer Umesh Yadav.

Jadeja’s recall was not entirely unexpected as he has bagged 24 wickets in two domestic games for his Ranji team Saurashtra

apart from putting in useful contributions with the bat.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhimaan Saha, who had missed the last Test against Sri Lanka because of injury has been brought back to the squad, to be captained by Virat Kohli.

Patil said the selectors are keenly observing the team’s so far disappointing run against the South Afri-

cans in the limited overs series.

The hosts lost the Twenty20s 0-2 and are trailing 12 in the ODI series.

“We are concerned (performance). Two selectors who were travelling with the team had a word with the team management and captain. We had a detailed discussion with the captain. It is not a worrying factor.

Every time the Indian team does well we feel good, every time it loses we feel bad,” Patil said.

“I have been saying that nobody is happy that we lost a game that we should have won. But we still back the team which we have chosen. We still back the ideas and the management and the support staff. We want them to do well. The areas that we wanted to be looked into have been discussed, about which the team management and

captain will give a good thought to it,” he added.

Patil said the selectors and the captain have no differences on the composition of the team.

“I have said this earlier and it is to give the captain the team that not only he wants but the team which selectors feel that will do well. The form of a particular player, looking at the slot that he had, looking at the opposition and like I said earlier, we are still on the same page.

“Whether it’s captain, team management, coach all selectors feel that they have selected the best. Final selection of 11 players has been left to them. We were worried about few things and we hope they will be sorted out in future,” he said.

South Africa lead the fivematch ODI series 2-1.

The remaining two matches will be played in Chennai and Mumbai respectively. The Test series will begin from November 5 with Mohali, Bengaluru, Nagpur and Delhi as the venues respectively.

Shiv Sena protest stalls talks to revive cricketing ties with Pakistan Exactly a week after it attacked Sudheendra Kulkarni with black paint, the Shiv Sena on Monday torpedoed yet another attempt to revive non-political ties with Pakistan, and succeeded in forcing the BCCI to reschedule its talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board, embarrassing ally BJP. A group of Shiv Sainiks stormed the BCCI office ahead of the scheduled meeting and gheraoed BCCI chief Shashank Manohar. While the Shiv Sena maintained that the protest was in line with its nationalistic politics of not resuming normal relations with Pakistan until cross-border terrorism and border skirmishes stop, the BJP sang a different tune, with the governnment promising security for matches if they decide to play in Mumbai.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, IPL Chairman and senior Board member Rajiv Shukla said the talks will be held in New Delhi on Tuesday.

They have done it in the past and are doing it now.

BJP does not abide by the Sena’s stand,” he said.

Monday’s incident once again underlined the grow-

Reacting to the protest, an irritated Maharashtra BJP chief Raosaheb Danve made it clear that the BJP does not share its ally Shiv Sena’s actions. “They are in government and yet they have a set agenda.

ing chasm between the two allies who share power in the State as well as in the Centre. The BJP State unit chief advised the Sena that programmes such as concerts, cricket matches are held all over

the world.

“Even our players travel all over to play matches. Our government will provide security if a cricket match between India and Pakistan is planned in Mumbai,” said Mr. Danve.

“Had they [BCCI] informed the government about the meeting and asked for protection, we could have deployed security at the BCCI headquarters,” he said, refusing to accept it as a failure of police intelligence.

Earlier, embarrassing the BJP for the third time in the past three weeks, a group of 4050 Shiv Sena activists surprised a handful of policemen at the BCCI office at Cricket Centre in Mumbai, and stormed into the second floor office of BCCI chief Shashank Manohar.

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Scientists to make burger taste better Gruesome piercing at bizarre London Whether or not we should continue to eat meat is an increasingly hot topic - its alleged impact on the

climate and the ethical issues surrounding intensive farming have left many disillusioned with the carnivore’s diet.

But scientists believe that they have a viable alternative that doesn’t involve sacrificing your steak for Quorn or lentils.

A Dutch team claim that their lab-grown burger

made from bovine stem cells could be on sale within five years. They have even set up a company in a bid to make the burger

taste better and cheaper to produce.

In 2013, the team cooked and ate a burger that cost £215,000 to produce. The 142g ‘cultured beef’ patty, developed at Maastricht University, was lightly fried in a little butter and sunflower oil and took three months to grow in a laboratory, using cells from

a living cow. The burgers are created in a four-step process. First, stem cells - which have the power to turn into any other cell are stripped from cow muscle, which is taken during a harmless biopsy.

Next, the cells are incubated in a nutrient ‘broth’ until they multiply many times over, creating a sticky tissue.

This is then bulked up through the laboratory equi-valent of exercise - it is anchored to Velcro and stretched.

Finally, 20,000 strips of the meat are minced and mixed with salt, breadcrumbs, egg powder and natural red colourants to form an edible patty.

The head of the new firm, Peter Verstrate, said in an interview with the BBC: ‘I feel extremely excited about the prospect of this product being on sale. ‘I am confident that we will have it on the market in five years,’ he said.

Thai vegetarian festival

PHUKET Vegetarianism and gruesome body-piercing may seem an unlikely combination, but the two represent the peak of devotion at a bloody and spectacular annual Thai festival which runs until Wednesday.

The Vegetarian Festival in the tourist island of Phuket features a Chinese Taoist procession in which participants pierce their cheeks with metre-long swords, spears and spikes

to purify themselves.

Phuket, which has a large ethnic Chinese population, is believed to have started the festival in honour of Taoist gods back in 1825 after a plague-stricken opera troupe from China was cured by adopting a vegetarian diet. Many ethnic Chinese across Thailand observe a strict vegetarian diet during the festival. But for the mostly male participants of Phuket’s procession, the rules also include abstinence from

sex. The piercing is carried out by temple volunteers, who push the thick metal objects through participants’ cheeks.

Devotees also cradle larger swords and spears - as well as the occasional machine gun - as they follow the procession. At night some test their faith by running barefoot across beds of burning coal. The festival each year attracts thousands of extra tourists to the popular resort island.

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Health Health benefits of Racial, ethnic backgrounds affect breast cancer Five ways to get Women belonging to different racial and ethnic backgrounds may have varying risks of developing certain types of cancers with African-American

women having a greater tendency to develop an aggressive form of breast cancer, according to a new study.

It is believed that biology and genetics play a role in the development of certain types of cancers.

No matter the type or stage of breast cancer, minority women are more likely to be diagnosed later in the disease than white women, and they are also

less likely to receive recommended treatments, a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention said.

Recent studies have found that African-American women have a tendency to develop an aggressive form of breast cancer called triple negative.

They are also diagnosed at a later stage of the disease when there are few options left for treatment.

The latest study was led

by Lu Chen and her colleagues, from the division of public health sciences at Fred

Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

The researchers reported that as compared to white women, African-American women are not only more

likely to be diagnosed at later stages with the most aggressive form of the disease, but also more likely to be diagnosed at later stages for all types of breast cancer.

“There are a lot of reasons why these women have a higher incidence of particular subtypes of breast cancer that may have something to do with genetics and biological factors,” said Chen.

Know the wonders of neem!

The leaves of neem also helps in keeping your sugar level in control and triggers sugar metabolism. It can be used to treat type 2 diabetes. It also acts as insulin after being digested by the body.

Neem is a herb and is very good for health. It is easily available to us throughout the year and has been an integral part of the Ayurveda heritage. Its juice is equally good for various health reasons. Here are some health benefits of neem leaves which we all should know: Good for skin: Neem contains Vitamin C which helps in getting rid of any skin related problems like acne, blackheads, pigmentation, dullness and ageing. Neem leaves are very good for those with sensitive or oily, acne-prone skin.

Cures asthma: Neem helps in curing Asthma problem when taken regularly. It also helps in controlling phlegm, wheezing, cough, and breathing.

Neem is the only solution if you want a long-term relief from such respiratory disorders.

Heals ulcers: Neem is an amazing soother and healer for the stomach. It not only prevents ulcers by maintaining the pH level, but also cures ulcers by restoring the normal PH level.

Good for diabetes:

“But being diagnosed at a later stage and not receiving treatment-these disparities we think have more to do with social, cultural and economic factors,” Chen said.

The study included 102,064 women from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds, from 18 different cancer centers who were diagnosed with breast cancer.

The study showed that African-American, Hispanic, Asian and American Indian women showed 20 per cent to 60 per cent higher rates of cancer detection with stage 2 to stage 4 breast cancers, as compared to Caucasian women.

The African-American women had a 40 per cent to 70 per cent greater risk of being diagnosed with stage 4 of any type of breast cancer, compared to white women.

The study suggests that African-American, Hispanic and Native American women have less access to screening mammograms and are also less likely to get the recommended treatment for their disease.

Knowing that non-white women overall tend to be diagnosed at later stages for all types of breast cancer, and that they receive sub-optimal treatment, could help to change that potentially lifethreatening pattern.

mulberry!fast! pregnant

Suppose you and your partner have been trying hard for a baby for quite sometime, but still have not been able to conceive.

There are possibilities that you missed out on some rules that might help increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Here are a few tricks to boost your fertility and get pregnant fast: Frequent sex: Experts suggest that a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant are high if she has regular sex.

Figure out when you ovulate: One of the most important things to getting pregnant fast is knowing when you ovulate. You can become pregnant only when a sperm meets an egg and that egg only comes usually once a month, around day 14 in your cycle. It is said that women with very regular 28-day cycles can just

count 14 days from the first day of their period to determine their ovulation date. However, if your cycles aren’t regular, an ovulation kit can help you pinpoint your most fertile time. Since the egg only survives for a day or two, there’s only a limited window each month during which you can actually get pregnant.

Hence, it is important to know that the most fertile time is around the time of ovulation.

Know the positions: Experts are of the view that different sex positions play a key role in getting pregnant. Although there is no scientific proof on the best sexual positions for baby-making, it is believed that having sex in the ‘missionary position’ (man-on-top position) is best as it allows for deep penetration so the man’s sperm can be ejaculated as close to the cervix (the opening of the womb) as possible.

Antioxidants speed up cancer spread in mice Antioxidant supplements that are supposed to boost health and slow ageing could in fact spur the spread of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, researchers said.

The findings support recent studies showing that an over-the-counter vitamin and another drug containing antioxidants can cause a jump in the number of tumours and hike their aggressiveness.

In the new study, published in Nature, scientists in the United States demonstrated that human melanoma cells

spread in some experiments about two months earlier in mice injected with antioxidant Nacetylcysteine (NAC) than in those that were not.

Antioxidants allow the body to prevent DNA damage from chemicals known as free radicals, and are produced naturally by humans and found in leafy

greens, vegetables or fruit.

“Our results suggest that antioxidants promote disease progression, at least in melanoma, by promoting metastasis,” the study says.

Metastasis is the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another, and leads to death in most people fighting the disease. It appears antioxidants help cancer cells by fighting against a type of molecule in the human body that can attack or damage them as they metastasise, the scientists said.

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

Supplements blamed for 23,000 emergency visits each year Over the counter supplements, including vitamins, sexual enhancements and weight loss aids, are being blamed for 23,000 visits to US emergency rooms each year, according to a decade-long study this week.

The findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine are based on reports from a nationally representative sample of 63 emergency departments from 2004 through 2013. The study raised new concerns among experts over the safety of an industry that critics say is largely unregulated and yet highly popular among consumers - bringing in $14.8 billion in 2007, or one third of the out-of-pocket expenditures for prescription drugs, according to background information in the article.

More than one quarter (28 percent) of visits were by adults aged 20 to 34.

Weight loss aids were a leading culprit in this age group, causing more than

half of emergency room visits, commonly for heart related symptoms including palpitations, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat. More than one

fifth (21 percent) of emergency visits were due to children swallowing supplements. “Childresistant packaging is not required for dietary supplements other than those containing iron, and despite such packaging, iron supplements were the second most commonly implicated type of supplement in

unsupervised ingestion by children,” said the study.

When it came to people, swallowing problems caused nearly 40 percent of emergency department

visits for supplementrelated adverse events.

Just 2,000 people are hospitalized annually after taking supplements. The research did not track any deaths that might have been linked to supplement use. The study pointed out that although the US Food and Drug Administration is tasked with overseeing supplements, “neither

safety testing nor FDA approval is required before the marketing of dietary supplements.”

The researchers also said their estimates are likely lower than the actual number because patients do not always report using supplements. The Council for Responsible Nutrition, an industry group, said the findings should be viewed in context, and defended the safety of supplements.

“The results of this study reinforce that dietary supplements are safe products, particularly when put into context with the number of people - over 150 million Americans who take dietary supplements every year,” said Duffy MacKay, senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. “To put this projected number of 23,000 annual emergency room (ER) visits into context, we estimate that far less than one tenth of one percent of dietary supplement users experience an emergency room visit annually.”

Antibiotic resistance threat to patients

Spreading antibiotic resistance could have disastrous consequences for patients undergoing surgery or chemotherapy, a study said Thursday. In the United States, up to half of infections after surgery and over a quarter of infections after chemotherapy are caused by organisms resistant to standard antibiotics, researchers found. A 30-percent reduction in the efficacy of preventive antibiotics given to patients undergoing these procedures could result in 120,000 infections and 6,300 infection-related deaths each year in the United States alone, they predicted. “This is the first

study to estimate the impact of antibiotic resistance on broader medical care in the United States,” Ramanan Laxminarayan, director of

virtually impossible if antibiotic resistance is not tackled urgently.”

Antibiotics are routinely given as a precautionary measure to patients

the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy in Washington, said in a statement. “A lot of common surgical procedures and cancer chemotherapy will be

undergoing surgery and cancer treatment, to prevent infection. At the same time, however, bacterial resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics is increasing at

an alarming pace. The study, published in medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, is the first to examine the extent of rising resistance to preventive antibiotics.

A team led by Laxminarayan reviewed data from clinical trials conducted between 1968 and 2011.

They found that 39 percent of infections after caesarean sections, and 50-90 percent of infections after rectal prostate biopsies, were caused by organisms resistant to common antibiotics. Just over a quarter of infections after blood cancer chemotherapy were resistant. In a comment also carried

by The Lancet, Joshua Wolf of the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis said the study “describes a future in which patients who need surgery or chemotherapy can no longer be protected from life-threatening infections by antibiotic” treatment.

“All clinicians have a responsibility to prevent this situation from becoming our patients’ reality.”

Six amazing health benefits of eating potatoes!

Potatoes are a very popular food stuffed with phytonutrients carotenoids, flavonoids and caffeic acid, which are thought to promote health. The vitamin C in potatoes also acts as an antioxidant.

In contrary to the common belief that potatoes make people fat, studies have claimed that eating potatoes could actually help in losing weight if they are prepared in a healthy manner.

Though potatoes are a high-carbohydrate food, eating them in moderate quantities won’t make you fatter.

Much of the world’s population make potatoes as a staple dietary item owing to their immense health benefits.

Here are some amazing health benefits of this

popular food: Potatoes help maintain healthy blood pressure because they are loaded with kukoa-mines (plant chemicals that help lower blood pressure).

Aid in digestion due to their high fiber content.

Prevent heart disease as potatoes also contain carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin), which are beneficial for heart health and the functioning of other internal organs.

Potatoes contain vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorous which are all essential nutrient for a healthy skin.

Boost immunity due to their high vitamin C content.

Contain high levels of flavonoid antioxidants which are credited with protecting against many types of cancer.

Diamonds can help spot cancers at early stage

Researchers have found a way to use diamonds to act as beacons in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and identify cancerous tumours before they become life-threatening. Their findings revealed how a synthetic version of the precious gem can light up early-stage cancers in MRI scans. “We knew nano diamonds were of interest for delivering drugs during chemotherapy because they are largely non-toxic and non-reactive,” said David Reilly from University of Sydney in Australia. “We thought we could build on these nontoxic properties realising that diamonds have magnetic characteristics enabling them to act as beacons in MRIs,” Reilly noted.

The researchers turned their attention to hyperpolarising nano-diamonds, a process of aligning atoms inside a diamond so they create a signal detectable by an MRI scanner.

“By attaching hyperpolarised diamonds to molecules targeting cancers the technique can allow tracking of the molecules’ movement in the body,” the study’s lead author Ewa Rej from University of Sydney noted.

“This is a great example of how quantum physics research tackles real-world problems, in this case opening the way for us to image and target cancers long before they become life-threatening,” Reilly said. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.=

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015

CONGEE

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups flour 1 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt 3/4 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder 16 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 egg yolks (reserving whites for another use) 12 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 1 1/2 cups almond flour Instructions: Heat oven to 350°. Whisk flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a

bowl. Combine butter, both sugars, and vanilla in a large bowl; beat on mediumhigh speed with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition; add dry ingredients; beat on low speed until just combined. Add chocolate and almond flour and mix until combined. Roll dough into 1 1/2 tbsp. sized balls and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet about 2” apart. Bake for 8 minutes; using a metal spatula, gently press cookie down slightly.

Bake 7 minutes more and cool slightly before serving.

POLISH WHITE BORSCHT Ingredients: 2 lb. smoked kielbasa 2 tbsp. unsalted butter 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 leeks, trimmed, sliced 1 small yellow onion, sliced 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1? cubes 2 sprigs marjoram 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 cups sour cream 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup freshly grated horseradish, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/4 cup roughly chopped dill 2 tbsp. chopped parsley 4 boiled eggs, cut into wedges (See How to Hard Boil Eggs) Instructions: Boil kielbasa and 8 cups water in a 6-

qt. saucepan. Reduce heat to mediumlow; cook to flavor broth, about 25 minutes. Pour liquid and kielbasa into a bowl; reserve. Return saucepan to medium heat.

Add butter, garlic, leeks, and onion; cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Add reserved liquid, potatoes, marjoram, and bay leaf; boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Discard marjoram and bay leaf; purée soup in a blender. Return soup to pot; bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, whisk sour cream and flour in a bowl, add 1/2 cup soup, and whisk until smooth. Pour mixture into soup; cook, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Cut kielbasa into 1/2?-thick slices; add to soup along with horseradish, salt, and pepper. Garnish with dill, parsley, and eggs.

WILD RICE WITH DRIED CHERRIES Ingredients: 2 cups wild rice blend, rinsed until water runs clear and drained 4 tbsp. unsalted butter 5 inner stalks celery, cut into 1/4" pieces, plus 1/4 cup leaves, for garnish, 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small red onion, cut into 1/4" pieces 1/3 cup chicken stock 1/3 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped 1/2 cup roughly chopped parsley, plus 1/4 cup leaves, for garnish 2 tbsp. minced thyme Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, 1 lemon Instructions: Bring 12 cups water to a boil in a 6-qt. saucepan. Stir in rice and return to a boil; cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup long-grain white rice 1 tsp. kosher salt Chinese chile oil, for garnish Thinly sliced scallions and small red chiles, for garnish Crispy shallots, for garnish Instructions: In a sieve, rinse rice under cold water and let drain. Put rice, 8 cups water, and salt into a 4-qt. saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the rice takes on the consistency of porridge, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide porridge between 4 bowls and garnish each with a drizzle of chile oil, scallions, chiles, and crispy shallots.

ARTICHOKE AND COMTÉ PASTIES Ingredients: 12 oz. Jerusalem artichokes, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and thinly sliced 12 oz. Comté cheese, thinly sliced Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Flour, for dusting 1 (17-oz.) box frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed 1 egg, lightly beaten Instructions: Heat oven to 325°. Line the inside of a 9" x 13" baking dish with parchment paper. Arrange artichokes and cheese together in two layers in dish, seasoning with salt and pepper between layers. Bake until artichokes are tender when pierced with the tip of a paring

knife, about 30 minutes. Let filling cool.

Increase oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry sheets until 1/3" thick. Using a 6" round cutter, cut out 6 circles, reusing scraps as needed. Divide filling between centers of circles. Fold circles in half; pinch edges to seal. Transfer pasties to a parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Brush with egg; bake until golden and crisp, about 35 minutes.

WILD MUSHROOM BREAD PUDDING

Strain rice in a fine-mesh sieve; let drain for 10 seconds, and then return to pan.

Cover pan and let rice steam, off the heat, for 10 minutes. Transfer rice to a bowl and fluff with a fork; cover with plastic wrap and set aside. Wipe saucepan clean and add butter; melt over medium-high. Add chopped celery, garlic, and onion; cook until golden, 10–12 minutes. Add stock and cherries; simmer until liquid is evaporated, 2–3 minutes. Stir in reserved rice, the chopped parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper, and transfer to a serving platter.

Grate lemon zest over the top; garnish with celery and parsley leaves.

Ingredients: Unsalted butter, for greasing 12 oz. thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/4" slices, 1 1/2 lb. mixed mushrooms, such as cremini, oyster, and porcini, sliced 1/4" thick, 2 1/2 cups whole milk 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup grated parmesan 1/3 cup roughly chopped parsley 2 tsp. minced thyme 6 eggs, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 (1-lb.) loaf country bread, torn into 1" pieces (6 cups), lightly toasted 1 cup shredded Gruyère Instructions: Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 3-qt. oval baking dish with butter. Heat bacon and 1 tbsp. oil in a 12" skillet over medium-

high; cook until bacon is slightly crisp, 6– 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a bowl. Add leek to skillet and cook until soft, 3–4 minutes; add to bowl with bacon. Working in two batches, cook mushrooms in remaining oil until golden, 6–8 minutes; add to bowl with bacon. Whisk milk, cream, parmesan, 1/ 4 cup parsley, the thyme, eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir in bacon mixture and bread; let sit 15 minutes. Transfer to prepared baking dish and sprinkle with Gruyère; bake until golden brown and set, about 45 minutes. Garnish with remaining parsley.

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20 Oct. - 26 Oct. 2015