Monday, December 31, 2012

A quieter India, at stroke of midnight hour | ummid.com

A quieter India, at stroke of midnight hour | ummid.com
It was time to "reclaim the night", said some women who had collected in the national capital's Munirka area, from where the woman and her friend had boarded the bus the night of Dec 16 on their way back from a movie.

British girls outdrink boys but not their mums | ummid.com

British girls outdrink boys but not their mums | ummid.com
According to a study, over half of the women studying at university binge drink compared to 41 percent of the male students, Daily Express reported. But another research found older women are drinking more than teenagers for the first time.

All set in Maharashtra for launch of direct cash transfer in six districts | ummid.com

All set in Maharashtra for launch of direct cash transfer in six districts | ummid.com
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan will launch the scheme in Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban District while guardian ministers of Pune, Nandurbar, Wardha and Amravati will launch it in their respective districts.

US heads over fiscal cliff despite reported deal | ummid.com

US heads over fiscal cliff despite reported deal | ummid.com
Leaders of the Democratic controlled Senate and the White House struck a last-minute deal to avert the feared fiscal cliff that can plunge the US economy back into a recession, but the Republican House of Representatives went home long before midnight.

Five arrested in Punjab for putting up Khalistan posters | ummid.com

Five arrested in Punjab for putting up Khalistan posters | ummid.com
Mansa district police chief Narinder Bhargav said that the posters, containing seditious material spreading hatred among religious communities, were noticed in the towns of Bhikhi, and Budladha and nearby villages.

Nine killed during New Year celebrations | ummid.com

Nine killed during New Year celebrations | ummid.com
Two youngsters celebrating the New Year were killed in the upmarket Jubliee Hills here when a speeding car hit their motorcycle. Police said the accident took place around 1.30 a.m.

Why Narendra Modi cannot be a National Leader? | ummid.com

Why Narendra Modi cannot be a National Leader? | ummid.com
In electing India’s future national leaders, can the people of India outside Gujarat ignore the severe strictures of India’s Supreme Court, the Indian Human Rights commission, the mainstream Indian media, the UN Human Rights Commission and several major international human rights bodies and governments, against Mr. Modi?

Etihad Airways flies record 10.29 million passengers | ummid.com

Etihad Airways flies record 10.29 million passengers | ummid.com
Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates' national airline, has surpassed its target of carrying 10 million passengers in 2012 and it was set to achieve a 22 percent increase on the total of 8.41 million passengers for 2011.

Delhi gang-rape: Criminal case against Mail Today | ummid.com

Delhi gang-rape: Criminal case against Mail Today | ummid.com
According to Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat, the tabloid, owned by the Living Media Group that also publishes the well-known India Today weekly, carried the victim's name, photographs of her brother and her southwest Delhi house in Mahavir Enclave.

Protesters hold ground despite biting cold | ummid.com

Protesters hold ground despite biting cold | ummid.com
Demand for special parliament session grows; Shinde asks parties for suggestions on anti-rape laws
At the Jantar Mantar, hundreds of protestors continued their vigil at the 18th century masonry observatory that has become the protest site since the horrific incident.

IDB to finance projects worth $56mn in various countries including India | ummid.com

IDB to finance projects worth $56mn in various countries including India | ummid.com
The 287th session of the Board of Executive Directors of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) held here on December 23 approved $600,000 in grants for three educational projects in Muslim communities in non-member countries, namely, Austria, New Zealand and India. 

Myanmar Muslims recount terrifying tale of exodus | ummid.com

Myanmar Muslims recount terrifying tale of exodus | ummid.com
Stranded beside their decrepit flotilla of wooden boats, on a muddy beach far from home, the Muslim refugees tell story after terrifying story of their exodus from a once-peaceful town on Myanmar’s western coast, The Associated Press reported.

President to open Science Congress centenary celebrations | ummid.com

President to open Science Congress centenary celebrations | ummid.com

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be the chairperson of the 100th session of the ISC, the largest annual national science event in the country, to be held Jan 3-7 at the University of Calcutta, Kolkata.

New Delhi's clubs cancel New Year celebrations | ummid.com

New Delhi's clubs cancel New Year celebrations | ummid.com
Some called famed disc jockeys, some planned lavish buffets - but several clubs and pubs across the capital have either cancelled their New Year eve celebrations or have toned them down as a homage to the 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim, who died Saturday.

Lewd songs: Stop Honey Singh concert - online petition spreads | ummid.com

Lewd songs: Stop Honey Singh concert - online petition spreads | ummid.com
The petition, "GM of The Bristol Hotel Gurgaon India: Stop Honey Singh's performance", has been posted following the death of a 23-year-old victim of a brutal gang-rape in Delhi.

Direct cash transfer scheme rolls out in 20 districts Tuesday | ummid.com

Direct cash transfer scheme rolls out in 20 districts Tuesday | ummid.com
The Direct Benefit Transfer system will be implemented in seven schemes such as scholarships and old age pensions from Jan 1. A total of 26 schemes will be covered under it.

Make India liquor free, says VHP | ummid.com

Make India liquor free, says VHP | ummid.com
India should be a made liquor free and moral education must be made compulsory in schools to end crimes against women, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said Monday.

German magazine mistakenly announces Bush's death | ummid.com

German magazine mistakenly announces Bush's death | ummid.com
The unfinished obituary appeared on Der Spiegel's website for a few minutes before it was noticed by Internet users and removed.

24 UAE women get NASA training | ummid.com

24 UAE women get NASA training | ummid.com
The training was organised and coordinated by Space Ed-Ventures, a UAE-based educational platform and the region's only space exploration programme.

2013 will be challenging, uncertain for Indian IT industry | ummid.com

2013 will be challenging, uncertain for Indian IT industry | ummid.com
As a sector emblematic of globalisation and international trade, the Indian IT industry will also see a slowdown in growth, he noted. The Indian IT industry's estimated export growth will be approximately 11 percent, down from 16 percent a year ago.

After 25 years, Punjab teachers yet to get pension | ummid.com

After 25 years, Punjab teachers yet to get pension | ummid.com
Teachers and non-teaching staff of government-aided private colleges in Punjab and Chandigarh, who have been demanding a pension scheme since 1986-87, say that they have been "betrayed" and "greatly hurt" by the move of the Parkash Singh Badal-led government in Punjab.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Google lights candle 'in memory of Delhi braveheart' | ummid.com

Google lights candle 'in memory of Delhi braveheart' | ummid.com
It's not another fancy Google doodle, but a small image below the search bar. Once you move the cursor on the candle, it reads: "In memory of the Delhi braveheart".

Women's security: Time to establish accountability | ummid.com

Women's security: Time to establish accountability | ummid.com
              From ruling that sleep was a fundamental right to urging the government to phase out the Haj subsidy in 10 years, to nixing guidelines on media reporting, the Supreme Court continued its judicial activism during 2012.

Businessman from Andhra shot dead in US | ummid.com

Businessman from Andhra shot dead in US | ummid.com
He was allegedly attacked by the burglars, who escaped with 800 dollars. Venkat Reddy, 48, had gone to the US 12 years ago. His wife Kavitha is a software engineer in the US and they have a son.

Teenage girl molested in DTC bus, attacker arrested | ummid.com

Teenage girl molested in DTC bus, attacker arrested | ummid.com
When police officers asked her the reason, she complained that an off-duty conductor sitting in the bus first passed lewd comments on her and when she protested, beat her up.

India's woes continue, lose to Pakistan | ummid.com

India's woes continue, lose to Pakistan | ummid.com
India, put in to bat in trying conditions, managed 227 for six, largely thanks to a superlative unbeaten century from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (113 not out).

China uses Halal meat to boost exports to Muslim countries | ummid.com

China uses Halal meat to boost exports to Muslim countries | ummid.com
The praying and slaughtering begin every morning at sunrise. “Allahu Akbar” intones the imam over each cow before it is strung up by its hooves and quartered.

Measles kills over 150 kids in Pakistan | ummid.com

Measles kills over 150 kids in Pakistan | ummid.com
They said the major reasons behind such a massive spread of the disease were malnutrition and unhygienic conditions in which the affected kids were living.

34 Pakistanis die after taking toxic cough syrup | ummid.com

34 Pakistanis die after taking toxic cough syrup | ummid.com
Citing Urdu TV channel Dunya, Xinhua said that at least 40 people, showing symptoms of reactions to the toxic medicine, were taken to various hospitals in the city in Punjab province.

Five get death for Saudi diplomat's murder in Bangladesh | ummid.com

Five get death for Saudi diplomat's murder in Bangladesh | ummid.com
The 45-year-old diplomat, a second secretary at the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Dhaka, was shot dead near his Gulshan house in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave in the early hours of March 6.

Why Congress could not defeat Modi in Gujarat? | ummid.com

Why Congress could not defeat Modi in Gujarat? | ummid.com
Yet, the majority of Hindus of Gujarat being anti-minority is a fact that goes back several decades to 1947, including the lifetime of Mahatma Gandhi. Even in his lifetime, in Gujarat Gandhi was less popular among Hindus than Vallabhbai Patel. More institutions in Gujarat are named after Sardar Patel than after Gandhi.

RTI activist in Andhra given poison shot | ummid.com

RTI activist in Andhra given poison shot | ummid.com
The attack on Srinivasa Rao took place Sunday at Markapuram in Prakasam district in south coastal Andhra. He was taken to a hospital in Ongole town.

Huge haul of explosives in Hyderabad, two held | ummid.com

Huge haul of explosives in Hyderabad, two held | ummid.com
M. Madhusudhan Reddy and G. Ramesh, residents of Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar districts, respectively, were arrested for illegal sale, transportation and possession of explosives.

Gang-rape victim quietly cremated; protests continue | ummid.com

Gang-rape victim quietly cremated; protests continue | ummid.com
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were present at the airport to receive the body of the 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist who was brutally assaulted and gang-raped by six men Dec 16 night in a moving bus in the national capital.

Supreme Court continued its judicial activism | ummid.com

Supreme Court continued its judicial activism | ummid.com
From ruling that sleep was a fundamental right to urging the government to phase out the Haj subsidy in 10 years, to nixing guidelines on media reporting, the Supreme Court continued its judicial activism during 2012.

Judiciary must stand up to public scrutiny: Author Dilip D'Souza | ummid.com

Judiciary must stand up to public scrutiny: Author Dilip D'Souza | ummid.com
Sen, 62, was arrested in May 14, 2007, in Raipur and sentenced to life imprisonment by a Chhattisgarh court Dec 24, 2010, for allegedly supporting and sympathising with Maoists. In April 15, 2011, the Supreme Court released him on bail.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Delhi rape protest cannot be ignored | ummid.com

Delhi rape protest cannot be ignored | ummid.com
Their din and clatter went beyond the Raisina Hills and Malacha, the two forgotten villages of Delhi that were razed to construct the viceroy’s palace. The chivalry shown by the youth on the most high profile street in the country made the place look very ordinary where India’s might is on full display every 26 January.

'Worst Communicators of the Year' award should go to government | ummid.com

'Worst Communicators of the Year' award should go to government | ummid.com
While it's difficult to imagine the impact of the series of events on the morale of the 1.3-million-strong apolitical army, it would be naïve to assume that it didn't tarnish the country's reputation.

I pushed a Muslim, says NY woman who shoved to death an Indian | ummid.com

I pushed a Muslim, says NY woman who shoved to death an Indian | ummid.com
Reacting to the suspect woman's statement, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations repeated its call for America's political and religious leaders to speak out forcefully against growing anti-Muslim hate in American society.

Sorry, but I prefer my toilets to be unintelligent | ummid.com

Sorry, but I prefer my toilets to be unintelligent | ummid.com
For me, the only thing good about this toilet is the potential mischief that deeply evil people can get up to. For example, you could stand outside the door with a smart-phone and beam sound-files which would come from the toilet while someone is using it. Perhaps an anguished voice saying: "Why are you pooping on me? What have I done to you?"

Yes, you are being filmed, even if you are in India | ummid.com

Yes, you are being filmed, even if you are in India | ummid.com
When I finished in the toilet I had a look at YouTube and discovered that Shaky Blurred Pictures of Family Members Doing Dumb Stuff is now the single biggest category of video clips.

iberry launches tablets with inbuilt 3G SIM | ummid.com

iberry launches tablets with inbuilt 3G SIM | ummid.com
He also said Indians in general were apprehensive about private universities, and "prefer education in old and established public universities as opposed to private universities which are mostly newly built".

Unimpressive year for Indian cricket as greats retire | ummid.com

Unimpressive year for Indian cricket as greats retire | ummid.com
While bilateral cricket ties resumed with Pakistan after a gap of five years, the new year ahead looks tough for skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is under pressure following the team's poor performance in all versions of the game in 2012.

2006 Malegaon blast case: NIA makes first arrest | ummid.com

2006 Malegaon blast case: NIA makes first arrest | ummid.com
Local Muslims in Malegaon including the victims since the day one had maintained that the arrested Muslim men were innocent. They in fact carried one of the longest campaign in the history of the town demanding arrest of the actual perpetrators and release of the innocents.

World's top international sports stories in 2012 | ummid.com

World's top international sports stories in 2012 | ummid.com
Defending champion and World No.1 Novak Djokovic won his third Australian Open title after beating 10-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal of Spain 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 in a marathon final which lasted five hours and 53 minutes on Jan. 29.

India can never reach its full potential with women living in fear: NYT | ummid.com

India can never reach its full potential with women living in fear: NYT | ummid.com
In an editorial under the title "Rape in the World's Largest Democracy", the influential New York Times said: "The brutal gang rape of a young woman in New Delhi this month has cast a cold light on how badly India treats its women."

India grieves as rape victim loses battle for life | ummid.com

India grieves as rape victim loses battle for life | ummid.com
She was left, stripped and bloody, virtually for dead on that cold Dec 16 night, so grievously injured that her intestines had to be taken out. Now she is dead.

In a democracy, government needs to connect with people | ummid.com

In a democracy, government needs to connect with people | ummid.com
Instead of government leaders talking to them and assuring them about bringing the culprits to justice, it was police beating up innocent young girls and boys holding a peaceful rally with batons and water cannons.

Indian math genius Ramanujan's theory finally proved right | ummid.com

Indian math genius Ramanujan's theory finally proved right | ummid.com
Ono said Ramanujan, a self-taught mathematician born in a village in southern India, spent so much time thinking about math that he flunked out of college in India twice.

On another night in Delhi - but this rape was foiled | ummid.com

On another night in Delhi - but this rape was foiled | ummid.com
I thought briefly. I surmised - rightly or wrongly I am not sure - that I should not be the one filing a complaint. In any case, I had no one to back up the story.

Hyderabad police chief's remark draws women's ire | ummid.com

Hyderabad police chief's remark draws women's ire | ummid.com
"What does he mean by that? You know me, so you have license to rape me?" asked Annie Raja, general secretary, National Federation of Indian Women, while talking to IANS here.

Muslim quota proposal triggers political storm | ummid.com

Muslim quota proposal triggers political storm | ummid.com
While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has threatened to launch a state-wide agitation against the move, many in the SP have aired their apprehensions over "such an overt minority appeasement move".

India needs soul searching, says Hindu religious leader | ummid.com

India needs soul searching, says Hindu religious leader | ummid.com
Quoting scriptures, Zed said ancient Manusmriti said: "Where women are revered, there the gods are pleased; where they are not, no rite will yield any fruit."

At yearend, Congress has the edge | ummid.com

At yearend, Congress has the edge | ummid.com
Although it suffered the anticipated defeat at Narendra Modi's hands in Gujarat, the marginal fall in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP's) tally of seats and voting percentage suggested that the latter's influence might be tapering off.

Ban skirts as school uniform: BJP legislator | ummid.com

Ban skirts as school uniform: BJP legislator | ummid.com
Banwari Lal Singhal, in his letter to the chief secretary, demanded that girl students be made to wear salwar suits or shirts and trousers as uniform to reduce chances of their being subjected to lewd comments or harassment.

Former England captain Tony Greig dies | ummid.com

Former England captain Tony Greig dies | ummid.com
"He was rushed into St Vincent's hospital. The staff of the emergency department worked on Mr Greig to no avail," St Vincent's spokesman David Faktor was quoted as saying by The Age.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Delhi gang-rape victim dies in Singapore | ummid.com

Delhi gang-rape victim dies in Singapore | ummid.com
The victim, whose name has not been revealed, passed away "peacefully" at 4.45 a.m. with her distraught family and Indian diplomats by her side, hospital official Kelvin Loh said in a statement.

NIA to arrest Samjautha accused in 2006 Malegaon blast case | ummid.com

NIA to arrest Samjautha accused in 2006 Malegaon blast case | ummid.com
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to arrest the terrorist belonging to the Hindu terrorist organisation who is currently in Delhi Police custody for the 2007 Samjhauta Express blasts in the 2006 Malegaon blast case.

Rape victim's condition worsens, government defends shift to Singapore | ummid.com

Rape victim's condition worsens, government defends shift to Singapore | ummid.com
Loh earlier said the woman, who was taken in an air ambulance from New Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital to Singapore, "is currently struggling against the odds, and fighting for her life".

Bodoland legislator blames BPF chief for Assam violence | ummid.com

Bodoland legislator blames BPF chief for Assam violence | ummid.com
Basumatary called for the seizure of all illegal weapons in the Bodoland areas. "I'm not talking about Muslims or Bodos but one must find out from where all these illegal arms have come from? All these should be seized."

Nearly 44 percent Lakshadweep homes are headed by women | ummid.com

Nearly 44 percent Lakshadweep homes are headed by women | ummid.com
The Lakshadweep group of islands, off the western coast of India, has 43.7 percent of households headed by women. Its MP, Hamdullah Sayeed, is the youngest MP in the Lok Sabha at 30 years.

New National Water Policy approved | ummid.com

New National Water Policy approved | ummid.com
The National Water Resources Council Friday approved the new National Water Policy with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying legal structures on water were inadequate and calling for judicious use of the resource.

India beat Pakistan by 11 runs, draw Twenty20 series | ummid.com

India beat Pakistan by 11 runs, draw Twenty20 series | ummid.com
Pakistan managed 181 for seven in 20 overs after skipper Mohammed Hafeez top-scored with 55, his second consecutive half-century. Hafeez was declared Man of the Series.

At 92, she is world's oldest dart player | ummid.com

At 92, she is world's oldest dart player | ummid.com
A retired dressmaker, Candy took up the game after a woman friend started a darts team in 1960. Over the years she has won dozens of trophies that fill her home.

Man in Rajasthan sells his daughter for Rs.1 lakh | ummid.com

Man in Rajasthan sells his daughter for Rs.1 lakh | ummid.com
The man's estranged wife and daughter recently approached the senior police officers in Kota, following which a police case was registered against the man, officials said.

Ratan Tata retires, Cyrus Mistry takes over Saturday | ummid.com

Ratan Tata retires, Cyrus Mistry takes over Saturday | ummid.com
At Tata Group headquarters Bombay House, scores of journalists, photographers and TV crew waited for Ratan Tata to arrive but were told that he was not in station. Mistry - whose sister is married to Noel Tata, Ratan Tata's half-brother - made a quiet entry.

Higher education standards need improvement: President | ummid.com

Higher education standards need improvement: President | ummid.com
He also said Indians in general were apprehensive about private universities, and "prefer education in old and established public universities as opposed to private universities which are mostly newly built".

Auto industry welcomes proposal to hike diesel price | ummid.com

Auto industry welcomes proposal to hike diesel price | ummid.com
Diesel prices may be hiked by Rs.10 per litre over a 10-month period and kerosene rates by the same quantum over the next two years, says a proposal of the petroleum ministry.

Adieu, adieu to you and you and you | ummid.com

Adieu, adieu to you and you and you | ummid.com
They inspired with their brilliance, humbled with their talent. Sometimes controversial but always effective, they held us in thrall and left an indelible mark on the lives of thousands. As 2012 winds down, time to once again remember the magic of some of those we said goodbye to:

TRS calls for Telangana shutdown Saturday | ummid.com

TRS calls for Telangana shutdown Saturday | ummid.com
KCR, as the MP is popularly known, alleged that the Congress was continuing its "drama" over Telangana. "They have said this hundred times during last three years," he said on union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's statement that a decision would be taken within a month.

Decision on Telangana in one month: Shinde | ummid.com

Decision on Telangana in one month: Shinde | ummid.com
"A decision will be taken within a month... we have heard the members of various parties... we have noted their views and will brief the government about it," Shinde told reporters after an all-party meet on the issue.

Badal seeks dismissal of US human rights case | ummid.com

Badal seeks dismissal of US human rights case | ummid.comThe dismissal plea was filed after two special agents of US State Department's Diplomatic Security Service told the Wisconsin federal court that Badal was not served with summons in the human rights violation lawsuit.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Nearly nine million Russian are drug addicts | ummid.com

Nearly nine million Russian are drug addicts | ummid.com
Ivanov said his agency and the interior ministry were ready to implement a comprehensive database on drug users who have been involved in drug-related criminal activities.

Emirati poet first Arab to receive India’s Tagore Peace Prize | ummid.com

Emirati poet first Arab to receive India’s Tagore Peace Prize | ummid.com
Organized by the Indian government, the award recognized Ghanem’s countless forays into the world of literature. His translation of Indian works into both the Arabic and English language was also appreciated.

Parliamentary panel quizzes police chief over gang-rape | ummid.com

Parliamentary panel quizzes police chief over gang-rape | ummid.com
The protesters, under the banner of 'Justice for Women Now' - a forum of women activists and NGOs - staged a sit-in near India Gate. They raised slogans such as "Ignore my lipstick and listen to what I'm telling you", "Justice for all rape survivors", "Hanging is not a solution to woman assault" and "Remove Delhi Police commissioner".

Hundreds demand stricter anti-rape laws, victim critical in Singapore hospital | ummid.com

Hundreds demand stricter anti-rape laws, victim critical in Singapore hospital | ummid.com
The protesters, under the banner of 'Justice for Women Now' - a forum of women activists and NGOs - staged a sit-in near India Gate. They raised slogans such as "Ignore my lipstick and listen to what I'm telling you", "Justice for all rape survivors", "Hanging is not a solution to woman assault" and "Remove Delhi Police commissioner".

Judge criticises British PM on gay marriage | ummid.com

Judge criticises British PM on gay marriage | ummid.com
"So much energy and time has been put into this debate for 0.1 percent of the population, when we have a crisis of family breakdown," Coleridge was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

Iran hangs five rapists in public | ummid.com

Iran hangs five rapists in public | ummid.com
In Iran, criminals involved in drug trafficking, murder, adultery, rape and armed robbery are sentenced to the death penalty.

Cold in north, east India claims over 40 lives | ummid.com

Cold in north, east India claims over 40 lives | ummid.com
The mercury dropped below four degrees Celsius in many parts of Uttar Pradesh. Even though the fog receded in several parts of the state, the cold continued to bite.

Muslim cleric shot dead in Russia | ummid.com

Muslim cleric shot dead in Russia | ummid.com
Ibragim Dudarov was found on a road near the capital Vladikavkaz. The attack took place around 11 p.m. Wednesday as Dudarov was driving home, North Ossetian mufti Khadzhi-Murat Gatsalov said.

President's son terms Delhi women protestors 'dented-painted', apologises | ummid.com

President's son terms Delhi women protestors 'dented-painted', apologises | ummid.com
Speaking to a regional television channel in his earlier assembly constituency Nalhati in Birbhum district on Christmas Day, Abhijit Mukherjee said that "highly dented-painted" women visited discotheques and then appeared at India Gate to protest the Delhi bus gang-rape.

Kerala edges out Taj Mahal in Google search trends | ummid.com

Kerala edges out Taj Mahal in Google search trends | ummid.com
Kerala at number one and the Taj Mahal at number two were followed by the Wagah Border (Punjab), Vaishno Devi and Amarnath (both in Jammu and Kashmir).

Kashmir can be bridge of friendship between India, Pakistan: Abdullah | ummid.com

Kashmir can be bridge of friendship between India, Pakistan: Abdullah | ummid.com
Addressing the 57th National Development Council (NDC) meeting here, Abdullah said the economic development of the two nations can get a boost "if the scarce resources are invested in programmes of development and poverty alleviation" and added that "peace is a sine qua non for the development" of his state.

Even 8 percent growth target ambitious: PM | ummid.com

Even 8 percent growth target ambitious: PM | ummid.com
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said even the revised growth target of 8 percent for the 12th Five-Year Plan was ambitious and involvement of women and development of infrastructure remained at the core of achieving that goal.

Those who made news in 2012 | ummid.com

Those who made news in 2012 | ummid.com
Some grabbed eyeballs for the controversies they kicked up, some for their politics, and others for making people smile and applaud. A look at the top newsmakers of 2012 in different sectors: Sonia Gandhi: From deftly handling one-time ally Mamata Banerjee's tantrums and backing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision on foreig

Situation at Tinsukia tea estate tense but under control | ummid.com

Situation at Tinsukia tea estate tense but under control | ummid.com
Tinsukia Superintendent of Police P.P. Singh said the labourers continued their protest till late Wednesday night but a large number of security personnel were deployed in the tea estate to stop further escalation of violence.

Cyrus Mistry, humble head of corporate leviathan Tata Group | ummid.com

Cyrus Mistry, humble head of corporate leviathan Tata Group | ummid.com
A high-powered panel, which included influential British businessman Lord Sushanta Kumar Bhattacharyya who runs Warwick Manufacturing, lawyer Shirin Bharucha, and N.A. Soonawala, vice-chairman of Tata Sons, zeroed in on Mistry after an 18-month search.

Ratan Tata's legacy, Cyrus Mistry's challenge | ummid.com

Ratan Tata's legacy, Cyrus Mistry's challenge | ummid.com
In the more than two decades at the helm, the Cornell-educated Tata not only consolidated the group's business in domestic markets but also expanded it globally, acquiring assets, diversifying businesses and forging new linkages.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Yet another woman gang-raped in Delhi, dumped on road | ummid.com

Yet another woman gang-raped in Delhi, dumped on road | ummid.com
The victim was found lying on the roadside in the Kalkaji area of the capital around 10 p.m. Wednesday. Police said the other two accused are auto-drivers.

Miffed Jayalalithaa walks out of NDC meet | ummid.com

Miffed Jayalalithaa walks out of NDC meet | ummid.com
The National Development Council (NDC) meet here had a stipulated 10 minutes for each chief minister to speak but this did not go down well with Jayalalithaa.

Gang rape: What is going wrong with Indian society? | ummid.com

Gang rape: What is going wrong with Indian society? | ummid.com
During Gujarat carnage, hundreds of Muslim women faced sexual assaults, murders of their family members, including that of unborn children carried by pregnant ones. The surviving ones have yet to recover from that trauma.

Gangrape victim flown to Singapore for treatment | ummid.com

Gangrape victim flown to Singapore for treatment | ummid.com
The woman was shifted out of Safdarjung Hospital and flown in an air ambulance to Singapore's Mt Elizabeth hospital which is renowned for organ transplants, B.D. Athani, the medical superintendent of Safdarjang Hospital, told reporters.

Tea garden owner, wife burnt alive in Assam | ummid.com

Tea garden owner, wife burnt alive in Assam | ummid.com
The incident occurred in the evening at the M.K.B Tea Estate in Tinsukia district, about 500 km from Assam's main city Guwahati.

Constable's death: Delhi Police fail to provide evidence | ummid.com

Constable's death: Delhi Police fail to provide evidence | ummid.com
Police failed to prove their claims in a district court that the eight youth were involved in the incident due to lack of any CCTV footage or eyewitness in favour of their allegations.

Yeddyurappa decision Jan 4 on bringing down BJP ministry | ummid.com

Yeddyurappa decision Jan 4 on bringing down BJP ministry | ummid.com
The KJP, of which he became president Dec 9, held rallies in Bangalore and several places in the state to protest the "BJP government's failure to release money for pro-poor welfare measures" launched by Yeddyurappa when he was chief minister between 2008-2011.

President prorogues parliament | ummid.com

President prorogues parliament | ummid.com
According to statements from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha secretariats, the president discontinued sessions of the two houses Dec 24.

Row over dead constable, witnesses say he wasn't hit | ummid.com

Row over dead constable, witnesses say he wasn't hit | ummid.com
Contradicting police claims that the 47-year-old was viciously attacked and trampled upon, Yogendra Tomar and Pauline said in separate statements that there was no truth in the allegations.

UN voices concern over situation of Muslims in Myanmar | ummid.com

UN voices concern over situation of Muslims in Myanmar | ummid.com
The resolution adopted by the 193-member world body urges government action to improve the situation of the Rohingya Muslim minority “and to protect all their human rights, including their right to a nationality.”

Streets to Tweets: Social media topped India's tech trends | ummid.com

Streets to Tweets: Social media topped India's tech trends | ummid.com
The year ended with furious anti-rape protests in India - centered on a brutal Delhi gang-rape - that saw spontaneous mass mobilization, coordinated entirely on Twitter, Facebook and SMS. This triggered off, appropriately, on the second anniversary of the social-media-enabled Arab Spring uprising.

Government to sell 12.5 percent stake in Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers | ummid.com

Government to sell 12.5 percent stake in Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers | ummid.com
The government currently controls 92.5 percent stake in RCF, a mini-ratna central public sector enterprise under the administrative control of the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers.

Earth to contact aliens in 12 years? | ummid.com

Earth to contact aliens in 12 years? | ummid.com
Pope, who studied UFO sightings at the ministry for 21 years, said: "I will be controversial and give you an exact year of when I believe first confirmation of contact will be made - and that is 2024, the year in which if everything goes according to plan (when) the SKA will be fully operational."

Woman judge to probe Delhi gang-rape case | ummid.com

Woman judge to probe Delhi gang-rape case | ummid.com
"The steps are being taken with the serious intent to find a lasting solution to the problem (of rape) that plagues all metros and other towns of India... That it is happening in Delhi is a matter of shame," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said after a cabinet meeting.

Bahrain to host GCC united military command | ummid.com

Bahrain to host GCC united military command | ummid.com
The remarks were made during a joint press conference with GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Al Zayani after the 33rd GCC Summit held in Bahrain.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

No breakthrough likely at all-party meet on Telangana | ummid.com

No breakthrough likely at all-party meet on Telangana | ummid.com
With Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde inviting two representatives from each party, all the three are under pressure to send delegates from both Telangana and Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra regions).

8 Indians among world's best performing CEOs | ummid.com

8 Indians among world's best performing CEOs | ummid.com
ITC chairman Y C Deveshwar, ranked seventh overall (Rank 7), was first among the Indian CEOs. Under his leadership, ITC saw its value increase by $45 billion.

AK-47's inventor Kalashnikov hospitalised | ummid.com

AK-47's inventor Kalashnikov hospitalised | ummid.com
Shklyaev said the 93-year-old Kalashnikov complained to him about his health before being taken to hospital last week.

Zardari criticises Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories | ummid.com

Zardari criticises Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories | ummid.com
Speaking at a ceremony in the port city of Karachi held to celebrate the upgrading of the Palestinian status to non-member observer state in the UN, Zardari said: "We strongly oppose all illegal settlements on occupied territories. We are deeply disappointed at Israel's recent announcement of building new settlements in east Jerusalem."

Muhammad Ali Jinnah remembered on 136th birth anniversary | ummid.com

Muhammad Ali Jinnah remembered on 136th birth anniversary | ummid.com
President Asif Ali Zardari, provincial governors, chief ministers, political leaders and the commoners visited his mausoleum in the port city of Karachi to pay their tributes.

T20: Pakistan beat India by five wickets | ummid.com

T20: Pakistan beat India by five wickets | ummid.com
Pakistan achieved the target of 134 with two balls to spare after skipper Mohammed Hafeez made 61 and former captain Shoaib Malik remained unbeaten on 57.

Injured policeman dies, rape victim critical, CM battles police | ummid.com

Injured policeman dies, rape victim critical, CM battles police | ummid.com
The anti-rape protests Tuesday were a pale shadow of what was seen over the past three days when thousands took to the streets. The anger over the sexual assault triggered massive violence Sunday.

Hawaii mountains may flatten some day | ummid.com

Hawaii mountains may flatten some day | ummid.com
Oahu's Koolau and Waianae mountains will one day be reduced to nothing by groundwater drawing minerals away from within, according to the study from Utah's Brigham Young University.

Two 'tsunami girls' yearn for filial love | ummid.com

Two 'tsunami girls' yearn for filial love | ummid.com
They were brought to the home by a government official who found them as three- and four-year-olds crying alone soon after the tsunami struck the Tamil Nadu coast Dec 26, 2004.

Islamic art boosts Paris museum visitors hitting 10 million in 2012 | ummid.com

Islamic art boosts Paris museum visitors hitting 10 million in 2012 | ummid.com
Costing nearly 100 million euros ($A126 million), it is funded by the French government and supported by endowments from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Kuwait, Oman and Azerbaijan.

Al-Aqsa Mosque complex stormed by Jewish settlers | ummid.com

Al-Aqsa Mosque complex stormed by Jewish settlers | ummid.com
Sheikh Azzam Al-Khatib, the head of Islamic Waqf department in occupied Jerusalem, said that 14 settlers entered the complex through the Al-Magharebah gate and started provoking the Muslim worshipers.

Caution, quality reigned in the art market | ummid.com

Caution, quality reigned in the art market | ummid.com
Till a few years ago, an emerging group of artists was aping the West to develop a univeral global language in art with new media expressions - to address issues common to the world, art analysts said.

Accused in 5-year-old's rape in Hyderabad arrested | ummid.com

Accused in 5-year-old's rape in Hyderabad arrested | ummid.com
Both the accused and the victim are from Nepal and working here. Dhanu Shree, a cook in a restaurant, sexually assaulted the daughter of his neighbour Padam Bahadur, who was working as a security guard at Raheja IT Park.

Uttar Pradesh BJP wooing Narendra Modi? | ummid.com

Uttar Pradesh BJP wooing Narendra Modi? | ummid.com
The hoardings, outside the BJP office in front of the state assembly, refer to 'Rashtra Dharm' (national duty), a departure from the 'Raj Dharma' that Vajpayee told Modi to follow after the Gujarat riots of 2002.

Two dead in communal clashes in North Maharashtra town | ummid.com

Two dead in communal clashes in North Maharashtra town | ummid.com
Two persons belonging to different communities have been reported killed and scores including some policemen are injured in a communal violence that erupted Monday evening in Raver - a North Maharashtra town some 50 kms from here.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Palestine in 2012: Torn between moments of war and victory | ummid.com

Palestine in 2012: Torn between moments of war and victory | ummid.com
The protests revealed West Bank’s fragile aid-dependent economy--which has been facing a deepening financial crisis because of a drop in assistance from Western and wealthy Gulf backers, as well as restrictions on trade by Israel.

Faulty genes precipitate bowel cancer risk | ummid.com

Faulty genes precipitate bowel cancer risk | ummid.com
POLE and POLD1 are involved in scanning and repairing damage to DNA, removing incorrect sequences from the DNA chain. Without them, affected individuals build up damage in their DNA which can cause bowel cancer.

Pakistan recognises Kosovo | ummid.com

Pakistan recognises Kosovo | ummid.com
Kosovo declared "full independence" in September this year after the western powers overseeing Kosovo announced the end of their supervision of this Balkan nation.

White House urged to punish Russians backing US adoption ban | ummid.com

White House urged to punish Russians backing US adoption ban | ummid.com
A petition asking the White House to slap sanctions on Russian legislators who vote for the adoption ban - which was approved by Russia's lower house of parliament last week - had collected more than 52,000 signatures as of Monday morning.

Newsweek publishes its last print issue | ummid.com

Newsweek publishes its last print issue | ummid.com
Brown announced in October that Newsweek would cease production of its print version at the end of the year and reconfigure the publication as an exclusively digital product.

CRPF trooper kills four colleagues in Chhattisgarh | ummid.com

CRPF trooper kills four colleagues in Chhattisgarh | ummid.com
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Aranpur village, around 60 km from Dantewada town and 440 km from Raipur.

Bangalore warms up for India-Pakistan T20 Christmas party | ummid.com

Bangalore warms up for India-Pakistan T20 Christmas party | ummid.com
Squeezed between the four-Test and five-ODI series against England on home turf, India has its task cut out to rein in a resurgent Pakistan, which came here late Saturday with a formidable pace-cum-spin bowlers and aggressive batters.

Delhi constable injured during anti-rape protests dies | ummid.com

Delhi constable injured during anti-rape protests dies | ummid.com
Constable Subhash Tomar's condition deteriorated during the night and he passed away at 6.30 a.m., a Delhi Police spokesperson said.

Engineering through correspondence soon | ummid.com

Engineering through correspondence soon | ummid.com
The AICTE chairman said that based on recommendations of several committees, the council has decided to allow more technical courses through correspondence. However, "there will be strict conditions of eligibility".

MIM, Sena councilors clash in Nanded corporation hall over Urdu language | ummid.com

MIM, Sena councilors clash in Nanded corporation hall over Urdu language | ummid.com
The Nanded Municipal Corporation on Monday witnessed pandemonium as Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Shiv Sena coucillors exchanged blows over the demand by the MIM councilors to issue municipal general body and other meeting agendas in Urdu language.

Misuse of social media blamed for communal flare-up in Andhra | ummid.com

Misuse of social media blamed for communal flare-up in Andhra | ummid.com
He did not agree that communalism is on the rise in the state but when his attention was drawn to series of communal clashes in towns, he attributed this to "technological advancements which people are resorting to" and misuse of social networking site Facebook to instigate communal flare-ups.

Millions in Colorado basin to face water shortage: Study | ummid.com

Millions in Colorado basin to face water shortage: Study | ummid.com
Climate modellers at the Columbia university's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory predict a 10 percent drop in the Colorado river's flow over the next few decades.

Gang-rape protests shift to Jantar Mantar | ummid.com

Gang-rape protests shift to Jantar Mantar | ummid.com
Protesters who spoke to IANS said that they are not convinced by prime minister's assurance of government providing security and safety of women.

Gang-rape victim's condition worsens, say doctors | ummid.com

Gang-rape victim's condition worsens, say doctors | ummid.com
"Her conditions is bad and serious compared to yesterday (Sunday) due to internal bleeding," P.K. Verma, ICU in-charge at the Safdarjung Hospital, told reporters.

Scientists map how brain makes sense of what we see | ummid.com

Scientists map how brain makes sense of what we see | ummid.com
A clearer understanding of how the brain organises visual input can help with the medical diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders. These findings may also be used to create brain-machine interfaces, particularly for facial and other image recognition systems, according to an UCB statement.

This cellphone device could be your guardian angel | ummid.com

This cellphone device could be your guardian angel | ummid.com
The smartphone application, Sentinel, can call your friends and family in case of danger, and point them to your location. It works in multiple scenarios, and can function without being manually triggerred.

Karnataka deputy CM's residences raided | ummid.com

Karnataka deputy CM's residences raided | ummid.com
The raid by police attached to the Lokayukta (ombudsman) followed a directive by the Lokayukta court in Shimoga, 280 km north of Bangalore, to probe the charge that Eshwarappa had amassed properties through corrupt means.

Qatar based media firm plans $1 billion movie on Prophet Muhammad's life, teachings | ummid.com

Qatar based media firm plans $1 billion movie on Prophet Muhammad's life, teachings | ummid.com
Ahmed Al-Hashemi, chairman of Al Noor Holding, said that the movie is endorsed by Islamic scholars, including Sheikh Yusuf Al Qaradawi, president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars.

PM appeals for calm | ummid.com

PM appeals for calm | ummid.com
Earlier, the 23-year-old victim's father, in a statement of quiet sorrow on a TV channel which had blurred his face to protect his identity, said taking to the streets would not help, and sought prayers for his daughter.

Gang-rape protests turn violent, scores injured | ummid.com

Gang-rape protests turn violent, scores injured | ummid.com
The 23-year-old victim was Sunday put back on the ventilator and her condition remains critical, though she is conscious and communicating, doctors said. Her platelet condition has dipped further - an indication of infection, the doctors said.

Egypt's new constitution approved with overwhelming votes | ummid.com

Egypt's new constitution approved with overwhelming votes | ummid.com
Rival camps said that the constitution, drafted by an Islamist-dominated assembly, was approved by a majority of Egyptians after two rounds of voting that ended with a final ballot yesterday.

India, Pakistan try to kiss and make up | ummid.com

India, Pakistan try to kiss and make up | ummid.com
The year began with India and Pakistan inking three deals and agreeing to liberalise visa regimes and move from a "positive list" to a short "negative list" trade regime, a major step forward to ease trade norms and facilitate movements of people.

A year of China's transition | ummid.com

A year of China's transition | ummid.com
Li Keqiang will become premier. Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, and Zhang Gaoli were elected members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee.

Maharashtra MoS Fauzia Khan faces ire for posing with hunted animals | ummid.com

Maharashtra MoS Fauzia Khan faces ire for posing with hunted animals | ummid.com
Khan, a minister of state for school education and women and child development, came under intense criticism after her photographs with hunted wild animals were flashed across the internet earlier this month.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Tendulkar ends his fairytale journey in ODIs | ummid.com

Tendulkar ends his fairytale journey in ODIs | ummid.com
Tendulkar's decision following days of speculation came moments before the selectors announced Team India for the limited overs series against Pakistan starting Dec 25.

                

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Virbhadra named next Himachal chief minister | ummid.com

Virbhadra named next Himachal chief minister | ummid.com
Virbhadra Singh will be the next chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, a senior Congress leader announced here Saturday. This will be his sixth term in the post.

BJP paid Gujarat Muslims not to vote: Digvijaya Singh | ummid.com

BJP paid Gujarat Muslims not to vote: Digvijaya Singh | ummid.com
"This has been the BJP's strategy for the last 15-20 years. The BJP cadre and candidates fan out in Muslim-majority constituencies and enforce a lower voter turnout by buying them off. They blatantly distribute cash among the Muslim population and take away their voter ID cards, thus keeping them away from polling booths," Singh told news channel Headlines Today in an interview.

Delhi rape: Raisina Hill turns battle zone as India demands justice | ummid.com

Delhi rape: Raisina Hill turns battle zone as India demands justice | ummid.com
The government Saturday faced the full blast of youth power as young men and women laid siege around Raisina Hill, the seat of power, demanding justice for a 23-year-old gangrape victim, forcing police to use canes, tear gas and water cannons on the undeterred crowd of thousands.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Another woman gang-raped in Delhi | ummid.com

Another woman gang-raped in Delhi | ummid.com
Within a week of a 23-year-old woman being gang-raped by six men in a moving bus in the capital, a 40-year-old woman has alleged that she was raped in her house by three men at knife-point Wednesday, police said. Two of the accused have been arrested.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Parliament adjourned sine die | ummid.com

Parliament adjourned sine die | ummid.com
Among the important bills passed were the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012, the Companies Bill, 2012, and the Constitution (One Hundred-Eighteenth Amendment) Bill, 2012 (Insertion of new article 371J), said the speaker.

Modi's success can deepen BJP's divisive image | ummid.com

Modi's success can deepen BJP's divisive image | ummid.com
The Congress hope was that the judiciary would do its job for it by highlighting Modi's communal image. But the judicial and political processes usually run a parallel course without the one having a major impact on the other except over a considerable period of time.

Deadly vipers found in Australian kid's wardrobe | ummid.com

Deadly vipers found in Australian kid's wardrobe | ummid.com
It all happened after the boy, Kyle Cumming, had found the snake eggs in his garden in Queensland's Townsville city and was given a takeaway container to put them in.

Cry of an anguished working woman | ummid.com

Cry of an anguished working woman | ummid.com
On Nov 18, police arrested Shaheen Dadha, who posted a comment on her Facebook questioning the shutdown after Thackeray's death Nov 17 and when he was given a public cremation the next day. Her friend Renu, who had 'liked' the Facebook comment, was also arrested.

People of Gujarat can't see the truth: Shweta Bhatt | ummid.com

People of Gujarat can't see the truth: Shweta Bhatt | ummid.com
Asserting that she would continue to work for the people of Gujarat and for truth, Bhatt rebuffed allegations that she was made a scape-goat by the Congress.

Gujarat picks Modi again, Himachal goes to Congress | ummid.com

Gujarat picks Modi again, Himachal goes to Congress | ummid.com
The score was one all in the crucial battle for political stakes Thursday with the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Narendra Modi poised for a hat-trick of wins in Gujarat and the Congress wresting power in Himachal Pradesh.

Real winner in Gujarat is Congress: Chidambaram | ummid.com

Real winner in Gujarat is Congress: Chidambaram | ummid.com
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headed towards a victory in the 182-member Gujarat assembly, Chidambaram underlined that the BJP's appeal had shrunk in the state.

Real winner in Gujarat is Congress: Chidambaram | ummid.com

Real winner in Gujarat is Congress: Chidambaram | ummid.com
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headed towards a victory in the 182-member Gujarat assembly, Chidambaram underlined that the BJP's appeal had shrunk in the state.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Modi as PM? Opinions in BJP differ | ummid.com

Modi as PM? Opinions in BJP differ | ummid.com
Seshadri Chari of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) echoed that view. "This election is not to elect a PM candidate."

Modi wins from Maninagar | ummid.com

Modi wins from Maninagar | ummid.com
Chief Minister Narendra Modi was elected to the Gujarat assembly Thursday, retaining Maninagar constituency in Ahmedabad's outskirts by more than 70,000 votes.

BJP leads in Gujarat, says it will win | ummid.com

BJP leads in Gujarat, says it will win | ummid.com
As they counted the millions of votes cast in the two-phase assembly contest, Election Commission officials said the BJP had forged ahead in at least 116 constituencies -- just one short of the 117 it won in 2007.

Congress leads over BJP in Himachal | ummid.com

Congress leads over BJP in Himachal | ummid.com
BJP candidates seemed to be on the winning track in 23 constituencies compared to 37 of the Congress. Trends were available for 65 of the state's 68 constituencies.

Russian MPs introduce bill on energy drink ban | ummid.com

Russian MPs introduce bill on energy drink ban | ummid.com
According to LDPR party members who authored the bill, many Russians, especially young people, may develop health troubles because of uncontrolled sales of caffeine-rich soft drinks and low-alcoholic beverages.

A Day from Hell in a Heaven-Like Town in America: Time to Introspect | ummid.com

A Day from Hell in a Heaven-Like Town in America: Time to Introspect | ummid.com
Majority of Americans are good people and do not believe in wronging anyone let alone the poor civilians of Vietnam or Iraq or Afghanistan. But a few are becoming too arrogant and desirous of world domination by any means.

India-US ties: An affair of the heart set to get deeper | ummid.com

India-US ties: An affair of the heart set to get deeper | ummid.com
And after his re-election, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was among the world leaders Obama personally called to thank for their congratulatory messages and to express his "desire to continue close cooperation moving ahead".

Tamil Nadu CM unveils major development initiatives | ummid.com

Tamil Nadu CM unveils major development initiatives | ummid.com
The three-day conference here of district collectors and police officers also decided to phase-out 35 Ambassador cars used for VIP escorts and convoys in Chennai and to induct high-speed vehicles and SUVs for senior police officials.

Right wingers wanted to assassinate South African president: Report | ummid.com

Right wingers wanted to assassinate South African president: Report | ummid.com
"The assassination plan by the Right wingers was supposed to be two-staged," reported the Star newspaper, citing the document and the confession statement from the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court.

Price the water to encourage its conservation, says experts | ummid.com

Price the water to encourage its conservation, says experts | ummid.com
Roy said that putting a nominal price on water, in fact, would help the common man save as much as half the money which he now spends on filtering and improving the quality of water.

SP member snatches quota bill from Narayanasamy | ummid.com

SP member snatches quota bill from Narayanasamy | ummid.com
Yashvir Singh snatched the copy as Narayanasamy was about to table it in the house for its consideration and passing. However, this did not go down well with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who immediately tried to grab the document from Yashvir Singh's hand.

Gujarat set for vote count, BJP confident | ummid.com

Gujarat set for vote count, BJP confident | ummid.com
Gujarat recorded its highest voter turnout of 71.3 percent in the two-round elections to pick a new 182-seat assembly. The elections ended Monday.

Photos of lost Russian crown jewels found in US library | ummid.com

Photos of lost Russian crown jewels found in US library | ummid.com
Researchers described the discovery as "unique", noting that the photographs were not included in "Russia's Treasure of Diamonds and Precious Stones", a book widely considered to be the most complete inventory of the Russian Crown Jewels.

Nobody safe in Delhi, says anguished court | ummid.com

Nobody safe in Delhi, says anguished court | ummid.com
Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also directed the government and the police commissioner that investigations "must be of high standard" and concluded "as expeditiously as possible".

In Himachal, BJP and Congress are hopeful | ummid.com

In Himachal, BJP and Congress are hopeful | ummid.com


"Muslims and farmers have contributed 80 percent in the growth of this country... Muslims are still very backward as noted by the Sachar Committee report. They should be given reservations as per their population."    »


Need stronger law against rape: Meira Kumar | ummid.com

Need stronger law against rape: Meira Kumar | ummid.com
"A new law should be brought in and must get passed to ensure the safety of women. The laws at present are not enough, we need stricter laws," Meira Kumar told reporters outside parliament.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

UAE offices to be closed Jan 1 | ummid.com

UAE offices to be closed Jan 1 | ummid.com
Workers in the private sector will get a one-day paid holiday Jan 1, Minister of Labour Saqr Ghobash said in a circular.

Illegal Bangladeshi immigration being tackled: Government | ummid.com

Illegal Bangladeshi immigration being tackled: Government | ummid.com
The central government is taking adequate steps to curb illegal infiltration from Bangladesh into northeastern states like Assam, the Lok Sabha was told Tuesday.

Tunisian president pelted with stones | ummid.com

Tunisian president pelted with stones | ummid.com
The incident occurred when the president and parliament speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar arrived in Sidi Bouzid town, the cradle of the revolution that erupted in Tunisia two years ago, to address people on the anniversary of the uprising.

Facebook arrests: Closure report filed in court | ummid.com

Facebook arrests: Closure report filed in court | ummid.com
On Nov 18, police arrested Shaheen Dadha, who posted a comment on her Facebook questioning the shutdown after Thackeray's death Nov 17 and when he was given a public cremation the next day. Her friend Renu, who had 'liked' the Facebook comment, was also arrested.

13 killed in Pune building collapse | ummid.com

13 killed in Pune building collapse | ummid.com
The incident took place in Lonikand village, around 30 km from Pune city, where a new building of an ayurvedic medical college was being constructed.

Palestinian party launches boycott Israel campaign | ummid.com

Palestinian party launches boycott Israel campaign | ummid.com
Mustafa Al-Barghouthi, Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative Party and a member of the Palestine Legislative Council, said that the phase of the “Bader Campaign” is targeting products originating in Israel and its settlements.

Kazakhstan’s economy has to tell a great success story | ummid.com

Kazakhstan’s economy has to tell a great success story | ummid.com
Kazakhstan is a leader in the CIS in terms of the volume of foreign investment. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Kazakhstan's economy attracted $113 billion during the period from 1993 to March 31, 2010.

Malaysian PM calls on Muslim countries to understand aspirations of youths | ummid.com

Malaysian PM calls on Muslim countries to understand aspirations of youths | ummid.com
Stating that the Muslim world is experiencing a "youth bulge", Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak asked the Muslim countries to understand what young people aspire to by comprehending demographic and technological changes affecting their lives.

Failed girl students keep teachers under siege | ummid.com

Failed girl students keep teachers under siege | ummid.com
The 29 students of Rishi Aurobindo Balika Vidyalaya at Santoshpur on Kolkata's southern outskirts let the teachers go only after an assurance from the West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Examination that their answer-scripts would be looked into again.

Shiv Sena 'clears' Thackeray cremation site | ummid.com

Shiv Sena 'clears' Thackeray cremation site | ummid.com
After a month of reluctance, the Shiv Sena finally vacated the cremations site of its leader Bal Thackeray at the dead of the night on Tuesday amid high security.

Gang-rape victim still critical, India cries for justice | ummid.com

Gang-rape victim still critical, India cries for justice | ummid.com
Samajwadi Party's Jaya Bachchan broke down in the house saying she wondered what would happen to the girl's family, while Trinamool Congerss's Derek O'Brien said as the father of a teenaged girl he was scared.

Father for death sentence for his son in Bihar | ummid.com

Father for death sentence for his son in Bihar | ummid.com
"I simply want death sentence for my son. He has committed an unforgivable crime," Gopal Sharan Singh, a retired government official told newspersons here.

Maharashtra's only palace hotel to go under hammer | ummid.com

Maharashtra's only palace hotel to go under hammer | ummid.com
Princess Shaliniraje was the mother of Chhatrapati (Dilipsinh) Shahu Maharaj, the present royal resident of the town, which once served as the capital of the family's erstwhile kingdom.

Indian designers are just suppliers, exporters: Wendell Rodricks | ummid.com

Indian designers are just suppliers, exporters: Wendell Rodricks | ummid.com
A keen art patron and promoter of Goan talent, Rodricks has lent his support to local education, cultural associations, the Red Cross and the Alliance Francaise in Goa. He has put the Indian state of Goa firmly on the fashion map.

Have you smartphone-flushed your toilet? | ummid.com

Have you smartphone-flushed your toilet? | ummid.com
Every feature, including flushing, lifting the toilet seat and sprays, can be controlled. Users can record their own preferred settings, and even play back music through the toilet's speakers.

Mulayam raises Muslim quota issue in Lok Sabha | ummid.com

Mulayam raises Muslim quota issue in Lok Sabha | ummid.com
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath responded by saying the government had implemented parts of the Sachar panel report and was seriously considering the other recommendations.

Five aircraft, a chopper gutted in Hyderabad airport fire | ummid.com

Five aircraft, a chopper gutted in Hyderabad airport fire | ummid.com
There are no reports of any casualties in the fire that broke out around midnight at the maintenance shed of Andhra Pradesh Aviation Academy at the airport located in the heart of the city at Begumpet, popularly known as Begumpet airport.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Officials oppose release of Muslims accused in Varanasi blast case | ummid.com

Officials oppose release of Muslims accused in Varanasi blast case | ummid.com
After a careful study of the case, they were of the opinion that any move to free the accused like Waliullah, Shameem and others was not only likely to set a bad precedent but would not be judicious as well.

NASA mulls new lighting system on ISS | ummid.com

NASA mulls new lighting system on ISS | ummid.com
NASA plans to replace the fluorescent bulbs in the US section of the ISS with a system that switches between blue, white and red lights depending on the time of day. The new bulbs are scheduled to be installed in the space station by 2016.

Aerobic exercise best for weight and fat loss | ummid.com

Aerobic exercise best for weight and fat loss | ummid.com
Aerobic exercise, which includes walking, running, and swimming, has been proven to be an effective way to lose weight, the Journal of Applied Physiology reports.

Aerobic exercise best for weight and fat loss | ummid.com

Aerobic exercise best for weight and fat loss | ummid.com
Aerobic exercise, which includes walking, running, and swimming, has been proven to be an effective way to lose weight, the Journal of Applied Physiology reports.

Now Karnataka BJP chief under scanner over corruption | ummid.com

Now Karnataka BJP chief under scanner over corruption | ummid.com
Karnataka police attached to Lokayukta (ombudsman) Monday filed a First Information Report (FIR) here marking the formal beginning of the probe into charges that Eshwarappa had amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Ad campaign in America to reclaim ‘Jihad’ | ummid.com

Ad campaign in America to reclaim ‘Jihad’ | ummid.com
It was sparked by a series of hateful ads calling Muslims “savages” and urging people to “defeat jihad” that were plastered on buses and trains in New York, Chicago and San Francisco.

Google takes Delhi's iconic Chandni Chowk market online | ummid.com

Google takes Delhi's iconic Chandni Chowk market online | ummid.com
The project is part of Google's unique initiative to offer free websites and domains to small and medium businesses in India through the 'India Get Your Business Online' campaign launched a year ago.

Aligarh Muslim University sets up innovation council | ummid.com

Aligarh Muslim University sets up innovation council | ummid.com
An innovation council will be established in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to develop intellectual and scientific work in various departments, an official said Monday.

Gujarat polling highest at 70.2 per cent: CEC | ummid.com

Gujarat polling highest at 70.2 per cent: CEC | ummid.com
The EC officials said percentage of women voters went up in the state from 57 percent in 2007 to 68.9 percent due to special efforts by the commission for their participation.

Mumbai children dressed as trees create world record | ummid.com

Mumbai children dressed as trees create world record | ummid.com
Of these, 308 students were dressed like trees, thereby creating a Guinness World Record Sunday. The event was flagged off by actress Karisma Kapoor.

Pakistani PM assures support to Kashmiri leaders | ummid.com

Pakistani PM assures support to Kashmiri leaders | ummid.com
The Kashmiri leaders have called for free movement of Kashmiris along the Line of Control, which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region.

Woman operates robotic arm using thoughts | ummid.com

Woman operates robotic arm using thoughts | ummid.com
"The party will think over the issue (on supporting UPA) at an appropriate time," Yadav told reporters. The SP supports the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government from outside.

Mulayam hints at withdrawing support to UPA | ummid.com

Mulayam hints at withdrawing support to UPA | ummid.com
"The party will think over the issue (on supporting UPA) at an appropriate time," Yadav told reporters. The SP supports the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government from outside.

Rajya Sabha passes promotion quota bill | ummid.com

Rajya Sabha passes promotion quota bill | ummid.com
The Constitution (One Hundred Seventeenth Amendment) Bill, 2012 was passed with 206 members voting for the amendment and 10 voting against after a two-day debate.

Woman gang-raped in Delhi bus, battles for life | ummid.com

Woman gang-raped in Delhi bus, battles for life | ummid.com
While the 28-year-old boyfriend was discharged after treatment, the young woman, whose name is being withheld, was on ventilator at the Safdarjung Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

England script famous series win on Indian soil | ummid.com

England script famous series win on Indian soil | ummid.com
The stars for England were Jonathan Trott (143) and Ian Bell (116 not out), who took the game away from the hosts by forging a 208-run stand from a precarious 94 for three on day four. England had made 330 in their first innings and India responded with 326 for nine.

RTI activist sends legal notice to prime minister | ummid.com

RTI activist sends legal notice to prime minister | ummid.com
RTI activist Urvashi Sharma said that after the observations by Prime Minister Singh, an RTI was filed with the office of Central Information Commission (CIC) asking for information on all such applications that were personal in nature and were made to hog the limelight.

Andhra chief minister faces people's ire over rising prices, power cuts | ummid.com

Andhra chief minister faces people's ire over rising prices, power cuts | ummid.com
On the first day of his three-day 'Indiramma Baata' programme in this coastal city, the chief minister was confronted a group of women, who vent their ire over price rise, reduction in number of subsidized cooking gas cylinders and the electricity shortage.

Early humans subsisted on plants: Study | ummid.com

Early humans subsisted on plants: Study | ummid.com
The fossils of the three individuals, ranging between three million and 3.5 million years old, originate from two sites in the Djurab desert. Today this is a dry, hyper-arid environment near the ancient Bahr el Ghazal channel which links the southern and northern Lake Chad sub-basins.

Provide job quota to Muslims, demands Samajwadi Party | ummid.com

Provide job quota to Muslims, demands Samajwadi Party | ummid.com
The Samajwadi Party Monday urged the central government to bring a bill to provide reservation to Muslims in jobs, saying their condition was worse then that of the Dalits.

Protests for, against promotions quota across UP, Uttarakhand | ummid.com

Protests for, against promotions quota across UP, Uttarakhand | ummid.com
Reports of stiff opposition to the promotions quota bill have also come from Varanasi, Meerut, Kanpur, Allahabad, and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The protestors warned political parties that if their voice was not heard, the parties will have to face their wrath in the forthcoming general elections.

Karnataka gives nod for 13 more private varsities | ummid.com

Karnataka gives nod for 13 more private varsities | ummid.com
Two major students' organisations, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh's student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist's Students Federation of India (SFI), are also opposing universities coming up in the private sector and have threatened agitation.

SP sharpens knives, but will it strike at Congress? | ummid.com

SP sharpens knives, but will it strike at Congress? | ummid.com
On Sunday, the party's official spokesman Rajendra Chowdhary, also a close aide of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, issued a written statement, accusing the Congress of using the "CBI to browbeat its political opponents" into supporting it on FDI in multi-brand retail and the quota in promotions bill.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Parliament disrupted over quota bill, Muslim reservation | ummid.com

Parliament disrupted over quota bill, Muslim reservation | ummid.com
Ahead of the Rajya Sabha vote on the controversial quota bill, SP member Ram Gopal Yadav in the upper house called for implementation of the Sachar Committee report which recommended reservation for Muslims.

Climbing stairs serially burns more calories | ummid.com

Climbing stairs serially burns more calories | ummid.com
They found climbing five flights of stairs five times a week -- an ascent of around 15 metres -- burnt an average of 302 calories if the stairs were taken one at a time.

Rajya Sabha vote on job quota bill today, SP firmly against UPA | ummid.com

Rajya Sabha vote on job quota bill today, SP firmly against UPA | ummid.com
While the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has been pressing the government to pass the bill, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has issued veiled threats saying it could reconsider its outside support to the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) if the bill is passed.

Gujarat set for final round of polling | ummid.com

Gujarat set for final round of polling | ummid.com
An estimated 19.8 million voters are eligible to take part in the nine-hour balloting in 95 of the 182 constituencies. Voting took place in the first round Thursday in 87 constituencies.

Education legislation fall casualty to parliament chaos | ummid.com

Education legislation fall casualty to parliament chaos | ummid.com
A government source said that for the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance's main agenda during the session - that began Nov 22 and ends Dec 20 - was to push major economic bills and thus the education bills were kept on the back burner.

Saudi prince buys $485 mn 'flying palace' | ummid.com

Saudi prince buys $485 mn 'flying palace' | ummid.com
Alwaleed, estimated to be worth around $21.3 billion, has reportedly paid $485 million for the world's biggest private jet expected for delivery next year.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Over 25 percent urban Indian men have low testosterone | ummid.com

Over 25 percent urban Indian men have low testosterone | ummid.com
'Male Hypogonadism' affects 26.1 percent of the working population of Indian men and is caused by unhealthy lifestyle, including smoking, consuming alcohol and junk food, high stress levels etc. The hormone plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty.

Referendum on draft constitution begins in Egypt | ummid.com

Referendum on draft constitution begins in Egypt | ummid.com
Flag-waving Islamists gathered peacefully at one of the main mosques, some shouting "Islam, Islam" and "We've come here to say 'yes' to the constitution".

Tewari questions Modi's development record | ummid.com

Tewari questions Modi's development record | ummid.com
"Why is Gujarat in 17th place on the issue of anaemia, especially among women? Why don't the poor have houses to live in? Why is Gujarat behind other industralised states in terms of per capita income," Tewari asked.

Modi practises politics of anger: Rahul Gandhi | ummid.com

Modi practises politics of anger: Rahul Gandhi | ummid.com
He also questioned the Gujarat government's claim that the Narmada river water had reached every household of the state.

CPI-M again differs on Madani | ummid.com

CPI-M again differs on Madani | ummid.com
Madani was arrested Aug 17, 2010, in connection with the conspiracy for the 2008 Bangalore bomb blast. He is currently lodged in a Bangalore jail for the past 28 months.

Bomb planter in Samjhauta Express blast arrested | ummid.com

Bomb planter in Samjhauta Express blast arrested | ummid.com
The investigating agencies had earlier blamed the Muslim youth to be involved in the case. Later investigations however revealed the involvement of terrorists associated with Hindu terror groups in the incident.

Mohammad Amin, historian, St Stephens institution, dead | ummid.com

Mohammad Amin, historian, St Stephens institution, dead | ummid.com
Amin was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest civilian award. His last rites will be performed Sunday.

Haryana pleads for reservation to more castes | ummid.com

Haryana pleads for reservation to more castes | ummid.com
In a bid to please a major vote-bank in the state, the Haryana government has urged the union government to consider its request for inclusion of Jat, Jat Sikh, Bishnoi, Ror and Tyagi castes in the central list of the state as recommended by the Backward Classes Commission.

Sri Lankan wins first prize in Qur’an competition | ummid.com

Sri Lankan wins first prize in Qur’an competition | ummid.com

Sri Lankan teenager Riski Mohamed Riskhan won the first prize at the 34th King Abdul Aziz International Competition for Memorization of the Holy Qur’an, which concluded at the Haram Mosque in Makkah last week.

Narendra 'Dabangg' Modi is his own worst enemy | ummid.com

Narendra 'Dabangg' Modi is his own worst enemy | ummid.com
For a man who was wary of fielding a single Muslim candidate for the elections lest it annoyed his hard-core Hindu supporters, the courting of the cricketer betrayed a certain nervousness.

Lecturer tries to burn wife alive in Greater Noida | ummid.com

Lecturer tries to burn wife alive in Greater Noida | ummid.com
Senior Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar said Ashwani was arrested after his wife lodged a complaint at the Kasna police station.

Difficult steps needed to revive economy: PM | ummid.com

Difficult steps needed to revive economy: PM | ummid.com
Taking a dig at the opposition, ranging from the BJP to Left parties, the prime minister said: "Those who oppose these moves are either ignorant of global realities or constrained by out-dated ideologies."

More clarity on FDI in pharma sector soon: PM | ummid.com

More clarity on FDI in pharma sector soon: PM | ummid.com
His statement came following the cabinet decision that all brownfield FDI in pharma companies will have to be approved by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) until the Competition Commission of India (CCI) gets the power to take decisions on foreign investments in the sector.

Tearful Obama leads US mourning for 28 school terror deaths | ummid.com

Tearful Obama leads US mourning for 28 school terror deaths | ummid.com
US President Barack Obama wiped tears from his face, choked on his words and spoke of his grief as authorities scrambled to find answers to what prompted a heavily armed young man to storm a Connecticut elementary school and gun down 28 people, including 20 children, in cold blood.

Friday, December 14, 2012

School shootings in US claim over 100 lives in 20 years | ummid.com

School shootings in US claim over 100 lives in 20 years | ummid.com

According to a list of some violent incidents at US schools compiled by CNN on Feb 27, 2012 a student opened fire at Chardon High School, Chardon, Ohio killing three and wounding four others.