India says expansion essential for UNSC credibility

India, an aspirant for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, has said that an expansion of the decision making organ was essential for its credibility and the international community's continued confidence.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/01.12.2011/india_on_unsc_expansion.htm

India wins election to UN panel on racial discrimination

India's nominee Dilip Lahiri has been re-elected to serve on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) for a three year term, beginning Jan 20, 2012.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/01.12.2011/c.htm

Grief can literally break your heart

The team is providing insight into why people grieving the loss of a loved one, such as a spouse or a parent, experience a heightened blood pressure (BP) variability, tied to stroke and other cardiovascular complications.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/01.12.2011/grief_can_break_heart.htm

Britain expels all Iranian diplomats

Britain has expelled all Iranian diplomats from its territory after the British embassy in Tehran was stormed by a crowd, said the British Foreign Secretary William Hague.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/01.12.2011/britain_expel_diplomats.htm

Lokpal panel still divided on inclusion of PM

The parliamentary standing committee on law and justice, examining the Lokpal bill, Wednesday remained divided over bringing the prime minister under the anti-graft ombudsman even as Anna Hazare threatened to launch a protest if the legislation is not passed in the winter session which ends Dec 21.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/lokpal_panel_on_pm.htm

Gujarat should distance itself from law abusers, apex court told

The Gujarat government should distance itself from those accused of committing abuse of law in the 2005 killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, the Supreme Court was told Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/sc_to_guj_on_killing.htm

Petrol prices lowered by 65 paise a litre

A fortnight after giving consumers relief for the first time in almost three years, India's fuel retailers again cut petrol prices Wednesday -- by 65 paise a litre, excluding state taxes and levies -- bringing further succour to vehicle owners.http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/petrol_prices_lowered.htm

Cong, opposition fight over FDI continues; traders call nationwide protests

The war over allowing foreign equity in Indian retail market intensified Wednesday with the government and the opposition refusing to budge from their stated positions on the cabinet decision.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/cong_oppo_war_on_fdi.htm

Enough is enough, says Pakistan on spilling citizens' blood

Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Wednesday said NATO forces will no longer be allowed to spill even a single drop of blood of Pakistani citizens and soldiers, adding that "we will no more stay mute over it".
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/pakistan_on_nato_attack.htm

Mayawati plays yet another Muslim card

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has shot off another letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to draw his attention to the central government withholding of funds earmarked for the welfare of minorities, particularly Muslims, and OBCs.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/mayawati_plays_muslim_card.htm

Police bias against Muslims issue of great concern: Teesta

Setelvad said that from Gujarat to Karnataka, Gopalganj and Bharatpur, all the incidents of riot proved that the police stance remains against Muslims. She observed that in all these riots, Muslims were first provoked then firing was resorted upon them and their properties were looted and put on fire.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/teesta_setalvad_at_amu.htm

India's quarterly growth retards to two-year low

In line with fears voiced by India Inc, the country's economic growth retarded to the slowest pace in two years, at 6.9 percent for the quarter ended September, with an abysmal expansion in manufacturing and a decline in mining output.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/indias_quarterly_growth_decline.htm

Italian magistrate arrested in mafia crackdown

Giuseppe Vincenzo Giglio, magistrate at the Reggio Calabria tribunal, who also headed a unit against organised crime, helped a member of the Lampada crime clan and facilitated activities of the 'Ndrangheta organised crime network, investigators said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/italian_magistrate_arrested.htm

Millions vote in by-polls in six states

Polling between 60 percent to as high as 80 percent was recorded in byelections held Wednesday to eight assembly constituencies in six states. Around 50 percent voter turnout was registered in the Kolkata South parliamentary constituency where also by-poll was held.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/by_polls_in_six_states.htm

Essay Competition: British High Commission announces results

Jamia Millia students Saleel Chembayil of MA Final in Conflict Analysis and Peace Building and Talha Rehman of MA Previous in Islamic Studies win the Essay Competition on Multiculturalism the results of which were declared November 30 jointly by Julian Evans, British Deputy High Commissioner and Najeeb Jung, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/essay_comp_by_uk_high_commission.htm

Paralysed Briton asks court to allow him to die

A 57-year-old paralysed man in Britain has asked a court to allow a doctor to "lawfully" end his life of "uncertainty, pain, and suffering".
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/paralysed_britain_wants_to_die.htm

Strike paralyses teaching in Punjab, Chandigarh colleges

With hundreds of teachers in nearly 170 private colleges across Punjab and in Chandigarh going on strike Wednesday, classes were affected in these institutions.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/strike_paralysed_teaching_in_punjab.htm

Kashmir doubles reward for tip-offs on illegal sex tests

Strengthening measures to curb the practice of illegal sex determination in various ultrasound centres across Jammu and Kashmir, the state government Tuesday doubled the reward for those providing information about such activity from Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/kashmir_reward_on_sex_test.htm

Pakistan sends notice to US to vacate airbase

Pakistan has sent a notice to the US to vacate the Shamsi airbase that is used to launch drone attacks, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said, adding that time had come to review its relations with that country.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/pak_sends_notice_to_us.htm

Six Indian Mujahideen suspects arrested

Six suspected Indian Mujahideen operatives have been arrested in the past few days and police are probing their possible involvement in several terror attacks, sources said Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/six_ind_mujahideen_suspects_arrested.htm

NRI body opposes move to tax long stay in India

The largest umbrella organization of overseas Indians has urged the Indian government to withdraw a proposal to impose tax on non-resident Indians staying over 60 days during a visit to the homeland.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/nri_on_long_stay.htm

Pakistan blocks BBC

BBC said that Pakistani cable television operators have blocked its international news TV channel, BBC World News.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/pakistan_blocks_bbc.htm

Crossing 'knowledge bridge' on an Azamgarh river

The entire construction was supervised by Shakeel Ahmed, a Class 5 pass out and resident of Towa, who took the initiative to build the concrete bridge which seems like a 'knowledge bridge' for the nearly 800 students who cross it daily for their studies.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/azamgarh_bridge_fr_school.htm

Blast in Imphal, one killed

An explosion just outside a festival venue in this Manipur capital Wednesday killed one person, suspected to be a separatist bomber, officials said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/blast-in_imphal.htm

Iran regrets protests at British embassy

Iran's foreign ministry Tuesday expressed regret over the protests by angry Iranian students outside the British embassy in Tehran.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/30.11.2011/iran_regrets_uk_emb_attack.htm

Email no longer effective tool of communication, says major IT company

Atos, one of biggest information technology companies in the world with over 80,000 workers in 42 countries, will soon ban e-mails because it says 90 percent of them are a waste of time.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/it_com_to_ban_email.htm

India's insurable population over 57 crore

"Based on the working population, as per census 2001 data, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has reported that the approximate total number of insurable persons in the country is 57,03,35,944," Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/indias_insurable_population.htm

300 years of British newspapers put online

"People will find this archive extraordinary on both a personal and historical level. For the first time people can search for their ancestors through the pages of our newspapers wherever they are in the world at any time," said Ed King, head of the library's newspaper collection.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/300_yr_old_paper_online.htm

British embassy in Tehran stormed, flag pulled down

A group of Iranian protesters Tuesday broke into the British embassy compound in Tehran and pulled down the British flag, witnesses said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/iranians_in_brit_embassy.htm

Petrol costlier in India than in neighbours, US

According to the reply by Minister of State for Petroleum R.P.N. Singh, one litre of petrol costs Rs.48.64 in Pakistan, Rs.52.42 in Bangladesh and Rs.61.38 in Sri Lanka. In India, the fuel costs Rs.66.42, despite oil marketing companies reducing prices Nov 16.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/petrol_prices_in_india.htm

Presidency University tagged innovation hub

The city's prestigious Presidency University has been declared the first Cluster Innovation Centre in eastern India by the central government, an official said here Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/presidencyuv_tagged_inno_hub.htm

Six Indians among top 100 global thinkers

Nine Indians figured in the 2010 list. The highest spot to an Indian this year went to Azim Premji, ranked at 14, who the magazine called the "Bill Gates of India".
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/indians_among_thinkers.htm

Krishna calls for fast-tracking passport delivery

Amid unending complaints about delays in issuing passports, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Tuesday urged officers to develop a "good working relationship" with police so as to issue passports promptly to citizens.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/krishna_on_passport_reforms.htm

Win people's trust, Rahul exhorts youth Congress leaders

"The only thing you will ever have as a political leader is the trust of your people. Gandhiji maintained this trust till the day he died. In fact he maintains it today as I speak. Try not to lose this trust," Gandhi told Indian Youth Congress delegates at a convention here.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/rahul_at_cong_rally.htm

Callous capital? Passersby ignored pleas from injured, bleeding men

In one more instance of callousness in the national capital, two young men, brutally beaten up, lay by the roadside, bleeding, pleading for help... For more than half-an-hour no one heeded their calls. One man succumbed due to excessive bleeding.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/callous_capital.htm

PM firm on FDI decision, says it is pro-people

"We didn't take the decision hastily. We have thought a lot and firmly believe that this decision will benefit us a lot," said Manmohan Singh, addressing a rally of elected Youth Congress leaders here.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/pm_on_fdi.htm

Its about corruption in Malegaon... Please ignore

Why? Its simply because Malegaon is a hotbed of 'Jihadi Terror' for them. It is the place where terrorists take shelter, intelligence officers write in their reports. Muslims don't know the art of co-existence. Wherever are they, they are violent and are fighting with others, in former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's words.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/corruption_in_malegaon.htm

Demonstrations, shutdown in Kerala for new dam

Demonstrations for demanding a nod from Tamil Nadu for a brand new dam to replace the leaking Mullaperiyar dam continued in Kerala as well as five districts observed a complete shutdown Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/kerala_presses_fr_new_dam.htm

Consensus on retail FDI eludes all-party meet, parliament adjourned

With consensus eluding an all-party meet on the government's move to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, both houses of parliament were again adjourned Tuesday following opposition protests on the issue.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/no_consensus_on_fdi_at_all_party_meet.htm

Jaspal Bhatti sets up factory for foundation stones!

The comedian has put up a board titled Jaspal Bhatti's National Foundation Stone Factory at a plot he owns in Mohali town of Punjab, adjoining Chandigarh. The 'factory' promises an all-weather supply of foundation stones to bigwigs for all occasions.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/jaspal_bhatti_foundation_stone_fact.htm

Wanted: Good Samaritans to adopt Agra schools!

"We do not expect any financial support, but the people and institutions that adopt the schools will have to pledge in writing their involvement with the scheme," Abhijat told IANS.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/agra_school_fr_adoption.htm

Assamese writer Indira Goswami dead

Noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami died early Tuesday at a hospital in this city after prolonged illness. She was 69.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/goswami_writer_dead.htm

Pakistan rejects UAE appeal on air base ban to US

Islamabad has rejected a request from the UAE to withdraw its call to the US to vacate a key air base after a NATO raid killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/29.11.2011/pak_rejects_uae_appeal.htm

Samira (65) told AFP, “I am sick and I wasn’t planning on coming, but what happened recently made me feel that I had to vote. For 30 years we were silent. It’s enough."

Samira (65) told AFP, “I am sick and I wasn’t planning on coming, but what happened recently made me feel that I had to vote. For 30 years we were silent. It’s enough."
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/polling_in_egypt_begins.htm

Bangladesh speaker, MPs to pay income tax

The Bangladesh cabinet decided Monday to make it mandatory for the parliament speaker, deputy speaker and MPs to pay taxes on their remuneration.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/tax_fr_bangaldesh_mps.htm

Stomach that! 421 coins, bolts found in man's belly

It took S.N. Yadav a few moments to make sense of what he saw in the operation theatre. After all, it isn't every day a doctor sees a patient carrying six kg of metal - 421 coins, dozens of nuts and bolts and three key rings -- in his stomach!
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/coins_bolts_found_in_belly.htm

15 people injured in Rajasthan communal clash

At least 15 people were seriously injured in a communal clash in Rajasthan's Alwar district Monday, sparked off after some people issued an order to cut off the nose of a youth harassing a woman from their community, said police.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/communal_clash-in_rajasthan.htm

AMU Executive Council presented 18 names for new Vice Chancellor

The Executive Council of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) held its much-awaited meeting today in New Delhi to discuss the profiles of the prospective candidates for the new Vice Chancellor.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/race_fr_new_amu_vc.htm

Stop politicising FDI in retail, look for bigger benefits: CII

According to CII, the move would increase income of producers across sectors by $35-45 billion per year, create 3-4 million jobs with the retail chains and 4-6 million jobs in the logistics sector, other than creating a demand for more contract labour in distribution and repackaging centres and functions such as housekeeping and security.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/cii_on_fdi_retail.htm

Fighting traditions and laws, tribal women seek property rights

It's 8 in the morning and a group of women is ready to trudge miles of rugged, cold and inhospitable Himalayan terrain to spearhead a campaign -- educating tribal women of Kinnaur about their rights to inherit ancestral property.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/tribal_women_property_rights.htm

Congress finds no ward to field sitting Chandigarh mayor

Ironic as it may sound, the sitting mayor of Chandigarh has not been able to find favour with the ruling Congress party to get himself a ward to contest next month's municipal corporation election in the city.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/ward_for_chandigarh_mayor.htm

Angry Pakistan rejects NATO regret, says it's not enough

An incensed Pakistan Monday refused to accept NATO's regret over the airstrike that killed its 25 soldiers, an incident China described as shocking as it called for respecting Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/pak_rejects_nato_regret.htm

Omar's troubles persist -- now over his remedy

Even as a debate rages over a controversial law, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's decision to amend the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to protect soldiers during anti-militancy operations has sparked off another row.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/problem_fr_omar.htm

All-party meeting likely to resolve parliament impasse

The government is likely to call an all-party meeting Tuesday in the wake of impasse in parliament over its decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail, Minister of State for Parliament Affairs Harish Rawat said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/all_aprty_meet_on_parliament_logjam.htm

All-party meeting likely to resolve parliament impasse

The government is likely to call an all-party meeting Tuesday in the wake of impasse in parliament over its decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail, Minister of State for Parliament Affairs Harish Rawat said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/all_aprty_meet_on_parliament_logjam.htm

Two arrested in Chennai for links with Indian Mujahideen

A special intelligence team Monday arrested Mohammed Irshad Khan, said to be associated with Indian Mujahadeen (IM) outfit and involved in some sensational terror cases in the national capital, and took him to New Delhi for questiong, police said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/two_arrested_in_chennai.htm

DMK MP Kanimozhi, four others accused in 2G case get bail

The Delhi High Court Monday granted bail to DMK MP Kanimozhi and four other accused in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case. The order on the bail plea of former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura was reserved.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/dmk_leaders_get_bail.htm

Allies too join opposition anti-FDI clamour; crisis for UPA deepens

Both houses of parliament were adjourned for the day Monday as a united opposition and some key allies of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) cornered the government on its decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail business.
http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/cong_allies_join_anti_fdi_protest.htm

Kerala seeks new dam, protests erupt against Tamil Nadu

Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been at loggerhead over the Mullaperiyar dam, built in Idukki under an 1886 accord between the then Maharaja of Travancore and the erstwhile British Raj. While the dam is located in Kerala, its waters serve Tamil Nadu. And this is the problem.
http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/protest_in_kerala.htm

NATO supply through Pakistan permanently stopped: Minister

Pakistan has permanently stopped passage of NATO supply through the country following an airstrike that left 25 soldiers dead, said Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/pakistan-on_nato_cooperation.htm

Former Pak foreign minister Qureshi joins Imran Khan's party

Former Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who had earlier relinquished membership of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Sunday formally announced his decision to join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by ex-cricketer Imran Khan.
http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/qureshi_joins_imran_khan_party.htm

15 killed, 57 hurt in Maharashtra accident

At least 15 people were killed and 57 injured early Monday when two private luxury buses collided in Maharashtra's Buldana district, police said.
http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/accident_in_maharashtra.htm

Putin warns West against interfering in Russian elections

"It would be better if they used this money to pay off their national debt and stop conducting an ineffective and costly foreign policy," he added in a clear reference to the debt-ridden US.
http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/November/28.11.2011/putin_to_west_on_rus_elect.htm

The Color of Arab Spring is Pink

As long as men and women work together, as enshrined in the Quran
أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ , the Arab spring will thrive, but, if women are forced to go back to kitchen, God forbidding, I’m afraid, it would turn into an Arab-winter.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/color_of_arab_spring.htm

Muslim students in Britain boycotting lectures on evolution

A growing number of Muslim students at a leading British university are avoiding lectures on evolution, saying it is contrary to the creationist ideas stated in the Quran.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/uk_muslim_students_on_evolution.htm

Army is not master of Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah

Union minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has critcised the Indian Army for opposing the partial withdrawal of the "draconian" Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from parts of Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was not the "master" of the state.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/c.htm

Amid China row, President, PM skip global Buddhist meet

With China upping the ante over the Dalai Lama issue, President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh skipped the four-day Global Buddhist Conference that began Sunday with the chanting of prayers to mark the 2,600th year of Buddha's enlightenment.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/pres_pm_skip_budh_summit.htm

Sarangi exponent Ustad Sultan Khan dead

A Padma Bhushan awardee, Khan gave his first performance at the All-India Conference at the age of 11, and has performed on an international scale with Ravi Shankar on George Harrison's 1974 Dark Horse World Tour.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/ustad_sultan_khan_dead.htm

Muslims welcome Islamic Calendar's New Year

To overcome the confusion, Caliph Omar finally decided to introduce the Islamic Calendar and asked the people for their opinions and suggestions on the matter. Consequently various historical events, including the year when the Prophet was born, the year of the Prophethood, the time of Migration and the time when the Prophet had died, were proposed by the people.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/islamic_calendar_new_yr_2011.htm

Crowd Management a lucrative Enterprise in India

Social activist and anti graft crusader Anna Hazare has caught the imagination of the nation and he and his team is a subject of discussion at every nook and corner of the country. The common man in India sympathizes with the cause that they are championing, but some have reservations about the method being adopted to put across the point to check corruption in the country.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/crowd_management_in_india.htm

India all set to make passport issuance smooth, fast-track

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will Tuesday open a two-day conference of passport officers from all over the country that aims at streamlining the process to enable faster processing of travel documents.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/passport_officers_meet.htm

India, China battle it out over Buddhism

China decided to drop the meeting as New Delhi reportedly turned down its demand to keep the Dalai Lama away from a four-day Global Buddhist Congregation that began in New Delhi Sunday. This glitch automatically puts off the later defence secretary level annual dialogue of Dec 8-9.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/india_china_over_buddhism.htm

Three northeast states could get own high courts soon

Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya could soon get their own high courts that would help in quicker disposal of cases, save litigants time and money, and fulfil a long-standing demand of these states.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/high_courts_in_northeast_states.htm

Scarred and scared, these Pakistani Hindus seek refuge in India

"I don't fear for my life but for my family. I decided to come here as there is no place for Hindus in Pakistan. Sexual assault, forced conversion, abduction and humiliation is all this country (Pakistan) has given us," Shobhamal told IANS.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/pak_hindus_seeking_refuge_in_india.htm

Exercise restraint: Chief Justice Kapadia to judges

Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia Saturday urged the judiciary to exercise restraint and resist the temptation of encroaching upon the domains of the government and parliament lest it jeopardises the entire system.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/cj_kapadia_to_judges.htm

US rover to scout for Mars' habitability

The rover, nicknamed Curiosity, will journey for over eight months, covering 556 million km, before touching down on Mars in August 2012.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/us_rover_on_mars_habitability.htm

Iran threatens to hit NATO's missile defence shield in Turkey if attacked

A senior commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard says the country will target NATO’s missile defense shield in Turkey if the US or Israel attacks the Islamic Republic.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/iran_on_turkey_nato_base.htm

Pakistan to ask US to vacate air base

Pakistan will ask the US to stop using one of its key air base after a NATO air raid on one of the country's border checkposts left at least 25 soldiers dead, the government said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/pakistan_on_us_air_base.htm

Egypt's ruling military council chief meets president hopefuls

Tantawi held separate meetings with Mohamed ElBaradei, former IAEA chief, and Amr Moussa, former Arab League (AL) secretary general, who were both potential presidential candidates in the presidential polls next year.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/presidential_hopefuls_in_egypt.htm

UAE Sadu weaving on Unesco's intangible heritage list

The traditional Sadu is a form of weaving done by women in the rural communities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for producing fine furniture and decorative accessories for camels and horses.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/27.11.2011/uae_sadu_heritage.htm

States can decide on foreign retail chains: Anand Sharma

Guidelines for the new policy of allowing 51 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail outlets will be out within a week, and it will be for states to decide on allowing such retail chains to operate on their soil, said Commerce Minister Anand Sharma.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/anand_sharma_on_retail_chain.htm

Seize Srinagar Haj travel operator's property: Probe team

Srinagar's Additional District Magistrate Muhammad Akbar Ganai, who was appointed to probe the alleged duping of the Haj pilgrims by Al-Hajeej, a local tour agency, has recommended confiscation of the operator's immoveable properties.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/probe_team_on_haj_agent.htm

Chhattisgarh officer owns Rs.6 crore illegal property

Searches at the houses of a Chhattisgarh government official and of his bank locker have revealed that he has illegally amassed property to the tune of over Rs.6 crore, sources in the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said Saturday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/chhattisgarh_officer_owns_crores.htm

'Interest in digital printing growing in India'

'Crossing Currents', a two-day conference, looked at how literary content was being produced, packaged, sold and consumed differently in the world of increasing digitisation as interest in the new media publishing is growing in India.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/india_in_digital_printing.htm

1.50 lakh Kerala students to get animation skills

Nearly 1.50 lakh students in Kerala are set to be equipped with animation skills in December through a state-run programme that has helped to break the barrier in IT education in schools.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/animation_skill_fr_kerala_stu.htm

Tablets, mobile phones are future of short films: Mike Pandey

Tablets and mobile phones are the future platforms of documentaries and short films, president of the Indian Documentary Producers' Association (IDPA) Mike Pandey said Saturday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/tablet_pc_short_film.htm

Millions of flood affected Pakistanis need help

A UN humanitarian arm has called for help for the over five million Pakistanis, including a large number of women and children, who have been displaced by floods.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/flood_affected-in_pakistan.htm

Vodafone, HDFC Bank launch mobile banking in Rajasthan

Leading telecom service provider Vodafone India and private lender HDFC Bank Saturday launched "m-paisa", a mobile banking service in Rajasthan to enable millions of unbanked Indians perform basic banking transactions on their mobile phone.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/mobile_banking_in_rajasthan.htm

Court asks police to book Kiran Bedi for cheating

A Delhi court Saturday directed Delhi Police to file a case against former top cop and Team Anna member Kiran Bedi for alleged cheating and misappropriation of funds in collusion with foreign companies and foundations. Bedi said the development did not surprise her.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/court_to_police_on_bedi.htm

Jamia Millia: Little known hub of pioneering scientific research

Mohammad Dilshad Manzar is a typical young man from the small town of Samastipur in Bihar but with big dreams. He led a life of deprivation due to his father's ailment, but today Manzar is studying the sleeping patterns of patients for his PhD at Jamia Millia Islamia.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/jamia_a_hub_of_research.htm

Samajwadi Party workers create ruckus at Rahul's programme

A brief clash took place between Congress party workers and Samajwadi Party activists when they tried to breach the security cordon of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi at a programme in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district Saturday, police said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/rukcus_at_rahul_rally.htm

Andhra minister, TDP MLA clash in public

A cabinet minister in Andhra Pradesh and a legislator of the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) exchanged blows in full public view in West Godavari district Saturday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/andhra_minister_tdp_mla_fight.htm

Protesting widows, kin of 26/11 victims detained

Police Saturday detained around two dozen widows and family members of the victims who lost their lives in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the third anniversary of which was observed all over the country, an official said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/protesting_widows_kins_detained.htm

25 Pakistani troops killed in NATO airstrike

At least 25 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 15 others were injured after NATO helicopters from Afghanistan attacked a border checkpost early Saturday, leading to Islamabad lodging a strong protest with Washington.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/pak_troops_killed_in_nato_attack.htm

Inside British ladies' handbags are rotten fish to sex toys!

While opening a woman's purse could be viewed as an uncivilised conduct for a man, a survey of the British women's handbags has revealed one can expect rotten fish to sex toys beside other essentials in them.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/uk_ladies_carry_fish.htm

1.3mn Chinese to compete for 18,000 government jobs

As many as 1.3 million people in China are all set to contest for 18,000 civil servant posts over Saturday and Sunday, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/1.3mn+fr+18K+jobs.htm

Contestants from 53 countries to demonstrate Quran memorization skills

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance of Saudi Arabia is organizing next month  in Makkah the 33rd King Abdul Aziz International Contest for Memorization of the Holy Qur’an with the participation of contestants from 53 countries.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/quran_contest_in_riyadh.htm

Despite yatra, Advani is no Vajpayee

Since politicians are generally suspected of hiding their self-serving interest under homilies, it is unlikely that there are many takers for L.K. Advani's claim that his recent rath yatra - his sixth trademark venture - has nothing to do with his prime ministerial ambition.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/despite_yatra_advani_is_no_vajpayee.htm

Major fire engulfs Mumbai's Crawford Market area, 350 shops reduced to ashes

According to a fire brigade official, the fire broke out around 3.30 a.m. in the Sara-Sahara Mall, barely a stone's throw away from Mumbai Police Commissionerate at Crawford Market.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/major_fire_in_south_mumbai.htm

India remembers victims, martyrs on 26/11 third anniversary

India paid homage to the victims and martyrs of the 26/11 terror attacks on its third anniversary here Saturday. Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan laid a wreath at the 26/11 memorial at the Police Gymkhana on Marine Drive in south Mumbai.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/india_remembers_victims.htm

French nuclear waste train enters Germany

A French train loaded with 150 tonnes of reprocessed nuclear waste crossed into Germany Friday, heading for a controversial radioactive waste storage facility in a small German town hundreds of kilometers away.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/french_nuclear_waste_train.htm

Is alcoholism in your genes?

Scientists have found that people may be genetically inclined to becoming alcoholics at birth. Researchers studying the brainwaves of problem drinkers have discovered a gene which may be linked to drinking.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/26.11.2011/alcoholism_n_genes.htm

The price of being kin of 'A Terrorist'

When the nation woke up to June 16 morning in 2004, they were greeted by screaming media headlines and photos of four 'Deadly Terrorists' and 'LeT operatives' lying dead on Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway. One of them was Ishrat Jahan - an undergraduate girl student of Khalsa college Mumbai. They were, according to the intelligence report, 'on a mission to assassinate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi'.
http://www.ummid.com/news/September/28.09.2009/ishrat_encounter_price_of_being_a_terrorists_kin.htm

'Pillai trying to hide behind sexist insinuations'

Over a dozen women activists, senior journalists and academicians denounced former home secretary GK Pillai for the indecent remarks on the personal life of Ishrat Jahan, the Mumbai girl who was killed in a staged shootout and sought immediate apology from him.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/women_activists_on_pillai.htm

Over 19 lakh teachers' posts created in literacy programme

Over 19 lakh posts of teachers have been created since the inception of Sarva Shiksha Abiyan (SSA) in 2001-02, the Rajya Sabha was informed Friday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/teachers_post_in_lit_pro.htm

Amid opposition, India declares retail trade open

These mega stores will only be allowed in cities with a population of over one million. Out of the 8,000 towns and cities in India only 53 cities fall under this category, the minister said, adding the guidelines of the new policy will be notified next week.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/govt_delcare_retail_open.htm

Parliament's winter session: Protests wash out first week

The first week of parliament's winter session ended Friday without transacting any business due to unending protests over inflation, corruption and a separate Telangana, to which was added the government's decision to allow foreign equity in retail.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/winter_session_a_week_lost.htm

Five Haj pilgrims injured in accident

Five Haj pilgrims, including three women, suffered minor injuries after the bus they were travelling in was hit by a speeding truck in central Delhi late Thursday night, police said Friday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/hajis_injured.htm

'New immigration law, online platform on the way'

"Mostly concentrated in the Gulf, they are often exploited in India and abroad. Their living conditions abroad are not very good. We have a great responsibility to address their needs and concerns," he said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/new_immigration_law.htm

AICTE studying plea against new institutions

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is considering a request by some states for not granting permission for new technical institutions, an official said here Friday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/aicte_on_plea_agnst_new_inst.htm

Congress seeks Hyderabad mayor's post

The ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh has sought the Greater Hyderabad mayor's post for one more year even as the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) is preparing to nominate its candidate for the coveted job.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/cong_seeks_hyderabad_mayor_post.htm

Three years after 26/11, India, Pakistan talk of new chapter

Three years after Pakistani terrorists unleashed mayhem in Mumbai, India and Pakistan are cautiously inching ahead to write "a new chapter" in their accident-prone relationship. Many, however, remain dismissive of the latest peace moves, saying largely that "Pakistan will not change its colours".
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/india_pak_three_yrs_after_26_11.htm

Occupy protesters celebrate Thanksgiving, residents donate meal

Occupy protesters across America celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday, bringing all the trimmings of a traditional meal without any let up in the over two month old movement against corporate greed.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/occupy_protesters_celebrate.htm

33 percent of teachers' posts vacant in JNU

Nearly 33 percent of the teaching posts in Delhi's premier Jawaharlal Nehru University are lying vacant, Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeshwari said Friday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/vacant_teachers_post_in_jnu.htm

Islamic hardliners not serious threat in Kerala: Chandy

"Some attempts are there, but we are not in any serious situation or anything like that," Chandy replied when asked if there had been a rise in Islamic fundamentalism in the southern state and whether hardline groups were on the rise.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/chandy_on_islamic_harliners.htm

Government considering separate community policing wing

The government would consider institutionalising community policing by setting up a separate wing in police forces and allow law-abiding citizens to participate in police processes, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Friday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/govt_on_community_policing.htm

FDI in retail will destroy livelihoods of 'crores', says CPI-M

"International experience shows that supermarkets everywhere invariably displace small retailers. Small retail has been virtually wiped out in the developed countries like the US and Europe.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/cpi_m_on_fdi.htm

Parliament adjourned again, this time on cabinet nod to FDI

The government's decision to allow foreign equity in retail drew flak from opposition parties in parliament Friday, forcing the adjournment of both houses and ending the first week of the winter session without any business being transacted.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/parlaiment_adjourned_on+4th_day.htm

Woman journalist arrested in Dey killing

A woman reporter with an English newspaper here was Friday arrested for alleged involvement in senior journalist Jyotirmoy Dey's killing, police said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/woman_journalist_arrested_in_deys_killing.htm

Do you sleep text? You could be badly stressed

People with this peculiar condition send incoherent messages while asleep to their friends and family - completely unaware of doing it, said researcher Frank Thorne, the Daily Mail reported.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/do_u_sleep_text.htm

India’s Business most foul?

All those who are taking keen interest in anti corruption campaign in India must watch out the two high profile cases relating to Maran brothers; Kalanithi Maran and Dayanidhi Maran, sons for late Murosoli Maran, leader of the DMK party and nephew of DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/indias_business.htm

Euro zone democracy: Market forces over people's power?

In the case of Greece, they added extra pressure to deny people their right to participate in a referendum. In Italy, at least, there was no reason for sudden panic. It was embattled, but a solvent country till speculation took over. Silvio Berlusconi may have erred in governance, but it was the bankers and capitalists who brought Italy to its knees. That gave the oligarchs a perfect excuse to push Berlusconi over.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/euro_zone_democracy.htm

Fat man forces passenger to stand seven hours in plane

An American businessman had to stand for an exhausting seven-hour flight from Alaska to Philadelphia because an obese fellow passenger was taking up half his seat.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/fat_man_in_plane.htm

Egypt's military council appoints new PM

Egypt's ruling military council has appointed Kamal Ganzouri as the new prime minister, a media report said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/25.11.2011/egypt_get_new_pm.htm

Top Maoist Kishanji killed in West Bengal

The Maoist movement suffered a major blow when one of its top leaders, Mallojula Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanji, was killed Thursday by security forces in West Bengal, officials said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/top_maoist_killed.htm

Fact sheet on India's retail trade industry

Fact sheet on India's retail trade industry, in which the cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Thursday approved up to 51 percent foreign equity in multi-brand stores and chains.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/fact_sheet_on_indian_retail.htm

India opens doors to global retail chains

In a major push to reforms, India Thursday allowed global chains like Wal-Mart, Carrefour and 7-Eleven to bring up to 51 percent foreign equity to open multi-brand retail stores despite opposition by some allies in the ruling coalition. Also allowed is 100-percent equity in single brand retailing.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/india_opens_door_to_global_retail.htm

Shoes thrown at others, Pawar first to be assaulted

Hitherto, prominent personalities have had footwear thrown at them but without contact being made. Union Agriculture Minister is the first dignitary to be assaulted. Pawar was slapped by a turbaned Sikh man, Harvinder Singh, who also took out his kirpan when security guards tried to overpower him and whisk him away.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/pawar_frst_to_be_assualted.htm

The pros and cons of foreign equity in retailing

The following are the main issues raised by those in favour of foreign equity in multi-brand retailing and those opposed to it:
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/prs_cons_of_di_retail.htm

Sohrabuddin case: Shah opposes apex court's CBI probe order

The Supreme Court was told Thursday that its 2010 order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh staged shootout killing in Gujarat suffered from an "apparent bias" and there was a "motivation to please the CBI".
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/amit_shah_on_cbi.htm

Farooq, Omar crumbling to Congress pressure: Mustafa Kamal

Mustafa Kamal, the ousted chief spokesman of the National Conference, says his nephew and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his elder brother and party patron Farooq Abdullah are succumbing to pressure from ruling ally Congress.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/mustafa_kamal_on_farooq_omar.htm

Pawar supporters protest across Maharashtra

Protesting the attack on party chief and union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in New Delhi Thursday, angry Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers held state-wide demonstrations against the incident.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/pawar_suppo_protest.htm

Ally Trinamool joins BJP, Left in opposing FDI in retail

Even as the union cabinet meets Thursday to decide on allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, key opposition groupings - the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Left - have opposed the move, while the Trinamool Congress, the largest constituent in the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), said it has reservations on the issue.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/trinamool_on_fdi.htm

Where Diwali comes late and brings on animal slaughter

Almost a month after the rest of India celebrated Diwali, some interior areas of Himachal Pradesh are set to usher in the festival Friday, slaughtering hundreds of animals in celebration, in keeping with the tradition.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/where_diwali_comes_late.htm

26/11 survivors live with ugly scars and deafening silence

Life moves on, but what remains are the ugly scars. Nearly three years after the gruesome attack on Mumbai, 26/11 is still fresh in the minds of survivors and victims' families, many of whom mince no words while saying that security has hardly improved and lives still come cheap.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/26_11_survivors_three_yrs_on.htm

Why should I react, Pawar asks after assault

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who was slapped by a man Thursday, said he did not think it was a breach of security and would not react.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/pawar_on_his_attacker.htm

Sharad Pawar slapped

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was Thursday slapped by a man, who had attacked former telecommunications minister Sukh Ram here four days ago. Pawar was attacked at the NDMC Centre here.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/sharad_pawar_slapped.htm

Intake of sleeping pills can be fatal

In the study American researchers focused on a brain enzyme called calcium kinase, which controls sleep in humans, said researcher Fiona Macrae, Daily Mail reported.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/intake_of_sleeping_pills.htm

Maharashtra takes step forward on Mumbai-Raigad sea bridge

The Maharashtra government Wednesday invited request for qualification (RFQ) for the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL), a bridge across the Arabian Sea which will link Mumbai island with the mainland near Raigad, an official said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/24.11.2011/mumbai_raigad_sea_bridge.htm

AFMI’s 20th Annual International Convention, Award Program in Dec

The American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) will hold its 20th International Convention on Education and Gala Award Program in Marwari College Hall, at Ranchi on December 24-25, 2011.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/afmi_award_ranchi_2011.htm

Cyrus Mistry feels 'honoured'

Newly-appointed Tata Sons deputy chairman Cyrus P. Mistry, who will succeed chairman Ratan Tata on his retirement next year, said Wednesday that he feels "deeply honoured".
http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/mistry_honoured.htm

UPA-opposition wedge widens in parliament

As an aggressive opposition forced the adjournment of both houses of parliament without transacting much business on the winter session's second day Wednesday over demands for debates on illegal money and the price rise, the wedge between the ruling and opposition parties seems to have widened, threatening a repeat of last year's washed-out winter session.
http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/upa_opposition_wedge.htm

Cyrus Mistry to succeed Ratan Tata

Cyrus Mistry will be the new chairman of the $71 billion Tata Group, succeeding incumbent Ratan Tata who retires next year, Tatas announced Wednesday.
http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/mistry_to_succeed_tata.htm

Another parliament day, Rs.4 crore lost

Pandemonium over varied issues by ruling party and opposition members in both houses of Parliament Wednesday resulted in the loss of a second day of the winter session and another Rs.2 crore going down the drain.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/cost_of_parliament_second_day.htm

Russia to target European missile shield if talks fail

Russia will deploy, if necessary, offensive weaponry in the southern and western parts of the country to target elements of the US-backed European missile shield, President Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/russia_to_target_euro_missile.htm

Electronic toll plazas can save Rs.22 bn annually: Study

There are nearly 525 toll plazas operating on the national and state highways across the country with an average of at least 20,000 vehicles passing through them daily, according to the CRISIL Research report.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/saving_by_electronic_toll_plaza.htm

Apollo Hospitals to launch 100 sugar clinics in 90 days

In a move to combat diabetes, Apollo Hospitals, India's biggest corporate hospital chain, will in the next three months launch 100 sugar clinics dedicated to treating diabetes across India.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/apollo_hosp_n_sugar_clinic.htm

Educationist Sunanda Sanyal resigns from Mamata's panels

Noted educationist Sunanda Sanyal, who had for years backed Mamata Banerjee during her fight against West Bengal's then ruling Left Front, Wednesday resigned as head of the School Syllabus Committee.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/educationalist_resign_frm_mamata.htm

NDA MPs to give 'no black money' declaration next week

"The NDA members would give the declaration to the heads of both houses next week," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader S.S. Ahluwalia told reporters Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/nda_mps_on_black_money.htm

Sensex recovers from two-year low but closes 365 points down

Spooked by a weak rupee and global economic turmoil, traders sold in droves at Indian equities markets Wednesday. A key index recovered after falling 586 points intra-day to a two-year low, and closed 365 points lower.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/sensex_recovers_frm_loss.htm

Reliance officials, two others get bail in 2G spectrum case

Seven months after they were taken into custody as co-accused in the second generation (2G) spectrum allocation case, the Supreme Court Wednesday granted bail to five corporate executives on a surety of Rs.5 lakh each.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/rliance_officials_get_bail.htm

After successful election, 35,000 Kashmiri panchayat members to be trained

The central government has drawn up plans to train over 35,000 elected panchayat representatives from Jammu and Kashmir to enhance their capacity in carrying out local development works, after successful grassroots elections this year marked a great step forward for the state.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/training_fr_kashmir_panchayat.htm

A famed art director whose heart lies in painting

He is a highly acclaimed art director in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu movies, decorated with a Padma Shri. But with more than 10,000 works to his credit, painting remains Chennai-based Thota Tharrani's first love.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/famed_art_director.htm

Jaitapur n-plant site not immune to quake: Experts

Two leading geologists have warned that a magnitude 6-plus earthquake cannot be ruled out in Jaitapur - the proposed site of India's largest 9,900 MW nuclear power plant on the west coast that has seen protests against it for safety reasons - and that it could occur within the lifetime of the power plant.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/experts_on_jaitapur_plant.htm

Fewer foreigners adopting in India, as Indians step in

Over the past few years, fewer foreign nationals have been adopting Indian children - and no, it's not a negative trend. According to the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA), the central adoption agency, the reason behind the trend is that more Indians are going for adoption.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/foreigners_on_adoption.htm

Sherry Rehman appointed Pakistan envoy to US

Former minister Sherry Rehman, known for her outspoken views, was Wednesday appointed Pakistan's ambassador to the US after Husain Haqqani quit over a secret memo that claimed President Asif Ali Zardari feared a
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/sherry_rehman_new_pak_us_en.htm

Kashmir cackles with 600,000 winged visitors

"By the middle of this month, more than 600,000 migratory birds, including greylag geese, mallards, gadwalls, garganeys, pochards, grebes, wigeons, shovellers, teals, coots and pintails, have reached this bird reserve.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/kashmir_n_birds_winged_visitors.htm

No business, parliament adjourned for second day

An aggressive and united opposition again forced both houses of parliament to adjourn without transacting any business for the second day of the winter session Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/no_business_on_second_day.htm

Kashmir Pandit group files PIL against Arundhati Roy

Activists of a Kashmiri Pandit organisation Tuesday filed a public interest litigation (PIL) case, seeking action against writer-cum-activist Arundhati Roy over her reported remarks in New York on self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/23.11.2011/pil_agnst_arundhati_roy.htm

Lok Sabha loses four hours, Rs.1 crore, on day one

The loss of four hours work in the Lok Sabha due to the bedlam over the opposition's boycott of Home Minister P. Chidambaram on the first day of parliament's winter session is estimated to have caused a Rs.1 crore loss to the nation.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/lok_sabha_loses_four_hrs.htm

Sitting, former MPs owe MTNL over Rs.9 crore

Sitting and former MPs from various parties owe a staggering Rs.9 crore to state-run telecom provider MTNL, over and above the free calls they are allowed, a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query revealed Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/mps_bill_to_mtnl.htm

Return 3G license fees if roaming pact illegal: Telecom biggies

Leading telecom service providers Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular Tuesday sought the prime minister's intervention in the 3G Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) issue and said the government should refund the 3G license fees if such pacts were not allowed.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/telecom_biggies_on_3g_license_fees.htm

Snoring dormouse becomes a YouTube sensation

A hibernating dormouse has become an internet hit after his comical snoring was caught on film, according to a media report Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/youtube_sensation.htm

Thousands protest pepper spray at California campus

As a crowd of thousands protested over police using pepper spray against Occupy protesters at University of California Davis last week, the university chancellor apologised and placed the camp police chief on leave.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/protest_agnst_pepper_spray.htm

Justice for victims demands that Modi quit office: CPI-M

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tuesday asked Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to resign over the killings of Ishrat Jahan and three others seven years ago.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/cpim_to_modi.htm

Rupee hits record low, government blames global economic turmoil

The Indian rupee hit a record low at 52.73 to the US dollar Tuesday leaving the corporate sector worried and stoking fears of inflation shooting up further as oil imports become costlier.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/rupee_hits_record_low.htm

Astonishing bionic enables blind to see

Limited trials of a bionic eye that could restore sight to the blind have produced "astonishing" results, says a new study. The tiny implantable microchip permitted patients, who had given up on seeing again, read a clock and identify daily objects.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/bionic_enables_blind_to_see.htm

Opposition has no grounds to boycott Chidambaram: Khurshid

Khurshid said: "I don't think they have objective grounds to do it or any factual basis. Even if we give them benefit of doubt that they want to interpret a particular document or any event in a manner that favours their point of view, I think it's a little bit remote and involves a lot of imagination."
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/khurshid_on_pc_bycot.htm

Yahoo India launches free online video service

Internet major Yahoo Tuesday launched a free online video service, Yahoo! Video, in association with television channels and film production houses to offer content across multiple genres including news, entertainment, lifestyle and movies.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/yahoo_india_launches_video_service.htm

9 women raped, 19 suicides daily in Madhya Pradesh: Minister

As many as 2,500 women were raped in Madhya Pradesh in the last nine months -- including 233 who were gang-raped -- which works out to an average of nine rapes a day, Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta told the state assembly Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/crime_in_madhya_pradesh.htm

India's new social entrepreneurs: making an impact where government fails

Indian professionals, many of whom led comfortable lives abroad, are increasingly giving up their well-paid jobs to become social entrepreneurs, bringing in the process modern-age management and perspective to solve basic problems like reaching power, water, education and healthcare to the millions.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/indias_new_social_enterp.htm

Deadly clashes in Tahrir Square forced Egypt cabinet to resign

Egypt’s Cabinet resigned on Monday as clashes between protesters and security forces in Cairo's Tahrir Square continued for the third day and the death toll rose to 33. Many victims were shot in the worst violence since the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/egypt_cabinet_resigned.htm

PM appeal for peace turned down; Stormy start to parliament

The Lok Sabha got off to a stormy start Tuesday with opposition protests against Home Minister P. Chidambaram forcing its adjournment for the day.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/stormy_statrt_to_parliament.htm

Mobile device sales in India to reach 231 mn

The sale of mobile devices in India is likely to increase by 8.5 percent to reach 231 million units in 2012 as against 213 million units in 2011 owing to multiple players offering low-cost options, a study said Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/mobile_sales_in_india.htm

Kerala to push Islamic banking, low-cost airline: Oomen Chandy

During a free-wheeling interaction with IANS journalists, Kerala Chief Minister Ooman Chandy said his government will soon apply its mind on the issue of promoting the concept of Islamic banking in the state, which believes in sharing profits and bans levy of interest, to fund infrastructure.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/kerala_cm_on_islamic_bank.htm

Important bills, no case to stall Parliament: PM

"As far as the boycott is concerned, I sincerely hope that the political parties will resist any such temptation. There is virtually no case for a boycott of the type that has been talked about in the newspapers," the Prime Minister said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/pm_on_winter_session.htm

'Rocket Woman' propels India's missile mission

Forget breaking the glass ceiling, Tessy Thomas has virtually blasted her way through it. The 48-year-old is the first-ever woman director of an Indian missile project and is set to place India in an elite club of nations like the US, Russia and China with the capability to produce their own long-range Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/rocket_woman_in_indias_missile_mission.htm

Living in a city makes you fat, infertile, depressed

In 1900, only 14 percent of the global population lived in cities. In 2008 that figure leaped to 50 percent. By 2050, the United Nations predicts that 70 percent of people will be urbanites.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/22.11.2011/living_in_city_makes_u_fat.htm

BSP passes resolution to split UP, triggers opposition protest

In a political sleight of hand, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Monday managed to get a resolution for division of Uttar Pradesh - the country's most populous and politically consequential state - into four smaller states passed by voice vote in the state assembly within the space of a few minutes, taking advantage of the uproar created by the opposition against the move.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/bs_passes_split_resolution.htm

15 injured in clashes ahead of Tripura colleges polls

Tension has gripped the colleges in Tripura after 15 students were injured in clashes between various groups following the announcement of students' council polls slated to be held Dec 2.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/clashes_in_tripura_college.htm

After house, corrupt Bihar official's land seized

Two days after confiscating the house of a suspended treasury clerk who is being prosecuted in a corruption case, the Bihar government also seized his plot of land Monday, an official said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/corrupt_officers_land.htm

Job quota for destitute women Tamil Nadu police

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Monday reserved 10 percent of jobs in the police for destitute women.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/job_quota_fr_women.htm

India protests US depiction of Kashmir as Pakistani territory

India Monday protested to the US after the State Department website depicted parts of Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistani territory and strongly reaffirmed that the entire border state is an integral part of India.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/india_protests_us_map_on_kashmir.htm

Goa Church, business chamber to help school dropouts

Pesident of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Manguirish Pai Raikar said the state's apex business body and the Church would be employing dropouts to operate the Microsoft promoted information and communication technology (ICT) kiosks named 'Saksham', which allow people from places cut off from urban centres to avail the benefits of technology.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/goa_church_to_help_dropouts.htm

Doctors overlook vital signs in diagnosing delirium

"With a clearer understanding of underlying mechanisms, we can do a better job at recognising and managing delirium and ultimately of developing therapies," added Khan, who led the study, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reports.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/doctors_on_diagnosing_delirium.htm

Timeline: Ishrat Jahan shootout

Ishrat Jahan, a Mumbai-based college girl, was killed in a police shootout along with three men in Ahmedabad in 2004 by police who alleged they were LeT militants, a claim rubbished Monday by court-appointed investigators.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/ishrat_jahan_timeline.htm

SIT says Ishrat shootout not genuine; kin relieved

Gopinathan Pillai, the father of Pranesh Kumar Pillai alias Javed Shaikh who was killed allegedly by police in a staged shootout in Ahmedabad in 2004, said Monday he is a much relieved man in the wake of the Special Investigation Team telling the Gujarat High Court that the shootout was not genuine.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/father_of_ishrat_encounter.htm

Rupee falls below 52 against dollar

The value of the Indian rupee Monday fell below 52 against the US dollar for the first time in over two and a half years as demand for the greenback by importers and investors rose amid a slump in the stock markets.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/rupee_falls_further.htm

Opposition plans adjournment motion on price rise Tuesday

The notice for the motion in the Lok Sabha will be given by Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurdas Dasgupta and is likely to be backed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and other opposition parties, a Left leader told IANS.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/opposition_plans_adjournment.htm

Aspiring teachers baton-charged in Lucknow

A large number of Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) degree holders demanding they be appointed as teachers in primary schools were baton-charged as they tried to march towards the state assembly here Monday, police said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/teachers_baton_charged.htm

Maharashtra Muslims lag behind in education, jobs: Report

A report submitted to the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission last week by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) states that the Muslims in Maharashtra lag considerably behind the rest in education, jobs and economic progress but are still better off compared to their counterparts in many north Indian states.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/minority_commission_report_on_maha_msulims.htm

Sliding car sales may reverse in March-April 2012: Automakers

Automobile makers are keeping their fingers crossed on the revival of India's passenger car industry after a dip in sales for the fourth consecutive month till October on the back of high fuel prices and interest rates. Some manufacturers, however, expect the market to show some signs of recovery from next March-April.http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/car_sales_may_improve.htm

Madhya Pradesh CM urged to keep off religion from Education

A meeting of intellectuals and faith-based organizations have urged the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to keep off from imparting religious education of one religion alone in government schools and government-aided schools in the state.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/mp_cm_n_religious_edu.htm

NDA allies meet to decide strategy for Parliament's winter session

A day after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani called for ouster of the Congress-led government, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders will meet Monday evening to finalise the strategy for the winter session of parliament beginning Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/nda_on_winter_session.htm

Decriminalise homosexuality to fight HIV: Caribbean expert

A leading researcher in HIV/AIDS from the Caribbean islands has called on regional governments to consider decriminalisation of homosexuality as part of the overall fight against HIV/AIDS.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/homosexuality_n_hiv_aids.htm

Quran with Bhagavad Gita in a communal harmony class

Holding the Quran in one hand and the Bhagavad Gita in the other, Mukhtar Ahmad conducts "a class of communal harmony" at a madrassa in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi district to enable students to draw similarities between Islam and Hinduism.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/quran_n_bhagavat_gita.htm

15 dead, 34 injured in Delhi fire

The first intimation of the fire at the park in Nand Nagri's E2 block, where the three-day Akhil Bharatiya Kinnara Samaj Sarvdharma Mahasammelan started Sunday, was received around 6.50 p.m., a fire brigade official said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/fire_in_delhi.htm

Sufism propounds love for entire nature: MP Governor

Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav has said that Sufism propounds love for entire nature by construing it as love for God. He said that it is also the gist of all the religions.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/mp_governor-on-sufsm.htm

California cops on leave after pepper-spraying sparks outrage

After a video of two police officers pepper-spraying non-violent protesters at point-blank range sparked nationwide outrage, the University of California at Davis has placed them on administrative leave.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/california_cops_on_leave.htm

3,000 Afghans protest against presence of US troops

Over 3,000 people, mostly students, staged a protest in Afghanistan against an agreement that would allow a long-term presence of US troops in the country.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/21.11.2011/students_protest_in_afghan.htm

Right to recall may lead to political instability: Pranab

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Sunday the proposal for recalling elected representatives will be difficult to implement in a huge country like India and may also lead to political instability.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/pranab_on_right_to_recall.htm

Police, protestors fight in Egypt for control over Tahrir Square

Egyptian security forces are battling with thousands of protesters in downtown Cairo’s Tahrir Square as demonstrations against the country's interim military leaders continue to escalate.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/fight_at_tahrir_square.htm

Advani draws big crowd, many leave during speech

The audience included a large number of women and Muslims.  Groups of Muslims, the men wearing skull caps and women dressed in traditional abayas, occupied key spots at the rally venue.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/advani_draws_crowd.htm

Ramlila ground washed in saffron, green as Advani ends 'yatra'

Bathed in saffron and green, the Ramlila ground and the roads leading to it were Sunday dotted with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) flags and Advani masks as leader L.K. Advani concluded his 40-day 'Jan Chetna Yatra'.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/advani_yatra_ends.htm

Indian Railways to launch revamped Tatkal scheme Monday

Aiming to make emergency travel easy for the passengers and check touts at ticket booking counters, Indian Railways will reduce the advance reservation period for Tatkal tickets from 48 hours to 24 hours and will not pay refunds on confirmed tickets from Monday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/revamped_tatkal_scheme.htm

Islamic banks may double assets in next five years

Quoting a report by Deutsche Bank, Arab News reported that the bank expected that mortgage financing, particularly in Saudi Arabia, could provide $100 billion in assets to the overall industry.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/islamic_banking_by_2016.htm

Teesta Setalvad main accused in exhumation case: Gujarat to SC

Narendra Modi government has justified before the Supreme Court its ongoing probe against social activist Teesta Setalvad in a case of alleged illegal exhuming of bodies of 2002 Gujarat riot victims, saying that she actually planned and executed digging of graves without permission in 2006.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/guj_govt_on_teesta_setalvad.htm

Scientists home in on seals' amazing navigation skills

Nearly four million of the sea mammals breed in huge colonies on the beaches of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic every year, the journal of Mammalian Biology and Planet Earth Online reported.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/scientist_home_fr_navigation_skills.htm

Two in three Britons cannot speak any foreign word

In a poll of 2,000 adults by travel website Hotels.com it was found that two thirds of Britons cannot say anything in a foreign language - with one fifth even unsure of what 'bonjour'; the French word for hello means.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/uk_students_n_foreign_lingo.htm

40,000 Zimbabwean circumcised to reduce risk of HIV

More than 40,000 Zimbabwean men have been circumcised so far since the programme began in 2010, in a bid to reduce the risk of HIV, the country's official news agency New Ziana reported.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/zimbabwean_cirmucised.htm

Winter session will generate heat for UPA

The Lokpal bill, uncontrolled inflation, corruption... a slew of issues will play out in the month-long winter session of parliament beginning Tuesday and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government will be hard put to put up a strong defence of its omissions and commissions.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/winter_session_will_generate_heat_on_upa.htm

ABVP leader accused of professor's murder found dead

Tomar, who was state secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's student wing, had along with a dozen others, brutally beaten up Professor H.S. Sabharwal of Madhav College, Ujjain, Aug 26, 2006 after a spat over elections to the college's student union. Sabharwal had later succumbed to his internal injuries.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/abvp_leader_found_dead.htm

Court notice to Delhi University on M.A. Music entrance test

The Delhi High Court has issued notice to Delhi University on a petition questioning the validity of the admission criteria for Masters in Music (Hindustani) course which is solely based on the performance in an entrance test.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/court_notice_to_delhi_uv.htm

Nutrition-starved bugs become resistant to antibiotics

Bugs starved of nutrition during infection become resistant to nearly every type of antibiotics, even if they are exposed to some of them for the first time.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/bugs_resistent_to_antibiotics.htm

Quit, says SMS sent to 150 Pakistani MPs

As many as 150 Pakistani parliamentarians have received anonymous SMS messages that threatens they will be killed if they don't quit, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/quit_sms-to_pak_mps.htm

Singapore honours Nehru as a 'friend'

Sixty-one years after Jawaharlal Nehru last visited this island state, Singapore commemorates in stone India's first prime minister as a "friend to our shores".
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/nehru_honored.htm

Nehru spirit prevails as Manmohan lands in Singapore

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reached here from Bali Saturday night for the final leg of his four-day 'Look East' tour to meet the leadership of this city state and also to unveil a Nehru bust along the picturesque Singapore river.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/November/20.11.2011/nehru_spirit_in_singapore.htm