How to stay fit in flu season

Washington, Sept 20 (ANI): As cold and flu season approaches, giving up junk food for more healthy options would help maintain a strong immune system.

Dr Ara DerMarderosian, professor of pharmacognosy for University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and an expert in nutraceuticals and natural foods, have provided guidance to change how you eat and break habits that pack on the pounds and compromise immunity.

? Don’t play “food police”

Be conscious of what and how much you eat, but don’t overdo self-monitoring to the point that a healthy lifestyle shifts from being a choice to becoming overwhelming, pushing other activities away and interfering with relationships.

? Pay attention to true hunger

Listen to your hunger signals and refrain from eating when you’re not hungry. Eating when your body doesn’t need food can cause you to overindulge.

? Eat slowly

Eat like a gourmet – enjoy each bite to have, chewing methodically, and truly enjoy the taste of your food. Eating slowly gives your body time to break down the food, which can prevent post-meal indigestion and feeling bloated.

? Focus on eating

Do not watch television, read or work while you eat. When you’re not focused on eating, it’s unlikely you’ll notice how much is going in your mouth.

? Avoid eating when stressed

Stress is a well-known cause of overeating and digestive issues, such as heartburn. A relaxing atmosphere, enjoyable company and conversation, and not feeling rushed for time makes for a healthy meal.

? Everything in moderation

Eating food is pleasurable, so enjoy a few morsels of candy, but limit the quantity. (ANI)

2000-year-old Roman amphitheatre discovered in Israel

Washington, September 19 (ANI): A team of archaeologists has discovered a 2000-year-old Roman amphitheatre near Tiberias in Israel.

According to a report in the Haaretz newspaper, Archeologist, Doctor Valid Atrash, from the Israel Antiquities Authority, said that the remnants of the Roman amphitheatre peaks from 15 meters below ground.

The 1990 findings came as a surprise to the archeologists digging near Mount Berniki in the Tiberias hills as there are no references to such a place anywhere in scriptures.

Only at the beginning of 2009, 19-years after the primary discovery, did the uncovering of the theatre in its entirety begin.

The late Professor Izhar Hirshfeld and Yossi Stefanski, the archeologists heading the excavation, initially assessed the remains to belong to the 2nd or 3rd century CE, but quickly realized that they go all the way back to the beginning of the 1st century CE, closer to the founding of Tiberias.

“The most interesting thing about the amphitheatre is its Jewish context,” said Hirshfeld upon the discovery.

“Unlike Tzipori, which was a multi-cultural city, Tiberias was a Jewish city under Roman rule. The findings demonstrate the city’s pluralistic nature and cultural openness, a fact uncommon in those days,” Hirshfeld added.

According to Atrash, in light of the findings, Tiberias appears as particularly liberal for a city that was established over 2000 years ago.

He added that “the theatre was enormous, and being so it attracted a lot of attention. It seated over 7000 people, and appears to have been a prominent landmark for the entire area.”

Zohar Oved, Mayor of Tiberias, said that the discovery of the amphitheatre is undoubtedly “one of the most important findings in the history of the Jewish people” and is planned to open to the public as part of Tiberias archeological gardens in the near future. (ANI)

‘Battered’ Torres vows to beat the bullies with his sharp shooters

London, Sep 18 (ANI): Europe’s No.1 striker Fernando Torres has insisted that he will beat the bullies who have subjected him to the most vicious of attention this season.

The Liverpool striker has paid a heavy price for being ranked the number one striker in Europe, and has taken as many black eyes as he has scored goals in the Premier League so far.

He said that he has come to terms with his status as the most marked man in Europe, and now wants to learn how to overcome it by scoring even more goals.

“Yes, another week, another black eye for me. The latest one I got with the national team, not in England, but football is like this. This type of thing happens,” The Mirror quoted Torres, as saying.

“I have to learn, I have to adapt and protect myself because I think I understand now the referees don’t have to protect just three or four players, they have to protect all of them. England is a physical league and we have to learn and try to be safe.

“Of course, it gets harder for me, because I am targeted, but half-way through my first season, the defenders knew me as well. I cannot use that as an excuse. I have to be ready. I have to be aware of defenders paying more attention to me, and I have to improve and try to be stronger and better,” he added.

The Spanish star admitted that in the past it has bothered him, but after a heart to heart with manager Rafa Benitez, he has decided to let his feet do the talking.

“If you get frustrated then you cannot win the game. I know for the good of the team I have to be aware and beat the defenders. That is my job,” he said. (ANI)

Aniston flaunts sexy legs and sexier pooch at Love Happens LA premiere

Washington, Sept 18 (ANI): Jennifer Aniston is known for her super svelte body in Hollywood and world over. However, she made heads turn at Los Angeles premiere of “Love Happens” by sporting a bit of a pooch.

The 40-year-old, who was wearing a sequined mini on the Tuesday event, also drew attention because of her sexy toned legs.

“It’s a team of people! I really am physical everyday, it keeps all of the pistons firing,” Aniston recently told FOX News’ Pop Tarts.

“Being physically in shape is important, especially when you have to sometimes work 13-16 hour days,” she added.

Love Happens is a romantic drama that places Aniston opposite “The Dark Knight” hunk Aaron Eckhart. (ANI)

Mayawati slams Congress party’s austerity drive

Lucknow, Sep 18 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has ridiculed Congress party’s austerity drive, terming it as a ploy to steer attention away from the steep price rise.

Addressing a mass rally here on Thursday, Mayawati hit out at the Congress party, calling its austerity drive “a drama.”

“Because of the wrong doings by the Congress government at the centre, the prices are rising due to which poor people across the country are suffering. And now to cover up its weaknesses, they have cut down on its travelling expenses by flying economy class and travelling by train. All this is just a drama,” Mayawati said.

“With a drought looming and elections in some states approaching, the Congress-led government has embarked on a much-publicised austerity drive,” she added.

In a country where the hierarchy of politicians is determined by the size of their bungalows and their convoys, Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi has asked party leaders to give up a fifth of their salaries for drought-relief work, and she flew economy class on a commercial flight to Mumbai to launch the poll campaign.

The finance ministry has appealed for fewer overseas trips with smaller entourages, and a ban on conferences in luxury hotels.

Bharatiya Janata Party and other political parties have criticised the austerity measures in view of the economic downturn and drought-like situation prevailing in the country as a case of ‘tokenism’. (ANI)

Tibetans living-in-exile surprised over China’s opposition to Dalai Lama’s visit

Gangtok, Sep 17 (ANI): Members of the exiled Tibetan community living at Gangtok said China’s opposition to the Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh is “surprising”.

The Dalai Lama plans to visit Arunachal Pradesh soon. China has claimed part of Arunachal as its territory.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader’s aide said the Dalai Lama would be in Arunachal Pradesh state in the second week of November.

The intended visit has already sparked off controversy. China claims about 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.

The Dalai Lama’s travel plan was announced a week after the completion of his visit to Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing. China denounced the trip.

“This time round when they (Chinese Authorities) are making some kind of pressure or some kind of opposition to the upcoming visit of his holiness to Arunachal Pradesh it is really very surprising.

Why would they complain when the government of India has no problem in his holiness visiting Arunachal Pradesh? So why should people of republic of china have some problem?” said Zimba Bhutia, Tibetan youth committee member.

“Chinese authorities have always been against the trip of Dalai Lama. So I think that they should know why Dalai Lama has been there. Dalai Lama has been welcomed by the people of Arunachal Pradesh as the spiritual and a Buddhist monk,” said Dhondup Dorjee, Tibetan welfare officer of Sikkim.

A visit to Arunachal Pradesh could now draw further attention to China’s treatment of Tibetan activists and the Dalai Lama’s calls for cultural and religious freedoms and autonomy. (ANI)

Spitzer’s call girl Ashley Dupre walks runway at NY Fashion Week

Melbourne, September 17 (ANI): Ashley Dupre, the former high-class call girl at the centre of the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, walked the runway during New York Fashion Week.

The 24-year-old made the appearance at Bahar Shahpar’s fashion show, according to Jill Fehrenbacher at Ecouterre.

“It’s a rare rare thing when the tabloid world crosses into the world of eco-fashion, and one that might bring a little more attention to Bahar’s already-provocative line than would normally have been the case,” the Courier Mail quoted Fehrenbacher as saying.

Dupre was dubbed as an ‘informant’ during the scandal that saw the politician patronising a prostitution service that subsequently led to his resignation from the post of New York Governor.

Eighteen months after the storm, Dupre has been recording pop songs and wooing a record deal. (ANI)

Megan Fox tired of fame, sexiness

Washington, Sep 17 (ANI): It seem that Megan Fox is tired of her fame and sexiness, for she doesn’t want to let people know more about herself.

The 23-year-old actress is currently promoting new film ‘Jennifer’s Body’ at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Although the ‘Transformers’ star never complains about being the hottest female star in Hollywood, she does seem a little tired of all the attention she is getting.

Asked whether playing a high-schooler made her nostalgic for her own high school days, Fox dodged the question saying that she’d instead like to “go back to a time where I didn’t have any responsibility.”

In fact, she seemed wary of the exposure she has had recently.

“I feel like I cling to my privacy and I don’t need to expose myself further to people,” Fox News quoted her as saying. (ANI)

How some people maintain weight loss, others don’t

Washington, Sep 16 (ANI): Ever wondered how some people successfully maintain a significant weight loss, while others tend to regain the weight? Well, researchers at The Miriam Hospital attribute such tendencies to a difference in brain activity patterns.

The researchers showed that when individuals who had kept the weight off for several years were shown pictures of food, they were more likely to engage the areas of the brain associated with behavioural control and visual attention, as compared to obese and normal weight participants.

The findings of the study suggest that successful weight loss maintainers may learn to respond differently to food cues.

“Our findings shed some light on the biological factors that may contribute to weight loss maintenance. They also provide an intriguing complement to previous behavioral studies that suggest people who have maintained a long-term weight loss monitor their food intake closely and exhibit restraint in their food choices,” said lead author Dr. Jeanne McCaffery.

Long-term weight loss maintenance continues to be a major problem in obesity treatment.

Participants in behavioural weight loss programs lose an average of 8 to 10 percent of their weight during the first six months of treatment, and will maintain approximately two-thirds of their weight loss after one year.

However, despite intensive efforts, weight regain appears to continue for the next several years, with most patients returning to their baseline weight after five years.

The researchers used functional magnetic resource imaging (fMRI) to study the brain activity of three groups- 18 individuals of normal weight, 16 obese individuals (defined as a body mass index of at least 30), and 17 participants who have lost at least 30 lbs and have successfully maintained that weight loss for a minimum of three years.

When the participants were shown pictures of food items after a four-hour fast, it was found that those in the successful weight loss maintenance group responded differently to these pictures compared to the other groups.

Specifically, researchers observed strong signals in the left superior frontal region and right middle temporal region of the brain – a pattern consistent with greater inhibitory control in response to food images and greater visual attention to food cues.

“It is possible that these brain responses may lead to preventive or corrective behaviors – particularly greater regulation of eating – that promote long-term weight control. However, future research is needed to determine whether these responses are inherent within an individual or if they can be changed,” said McCaffery.

The study has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (ANI)

Victoria Police deny Indian bashing cover-up

Melbourne, Sep.16 (ANI): Victoria Police has denied they had a plan to limit publicity about the bashing of four Indian men outside a Melbourne pub on Saturday night.

Four men were arrested in relation to assault and affray, but they were released pending further investigations.

Police believe a fifth man may also have been involved in the bashing outside a pub at Epping in Melbourne’s east.

Details of the incident only emerged publicly today, prompting an outraged Indian media to claim Victoria Police had been involved in a cover-up.

Police said the Indian media were made aware of the incident via “other channels”.

Acting Senior Sergeant Glenn Parker said there was no cover-up, although he did admit the police media department would have known about the incident in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“Unfortunately, this type of incident occurs regularly. This is really treated no differently to any other event of this type. There has been no deliberate attempt to suppress it. It’s just part of normal procedure. It’s attracted more media attention than anticipated,” news.com.au quoted him, as saying.

According to the police, the four men were playing pool on Saturday night at a bar in High St, Epping, when a female hurled a racist remark at them.

The men left not long after but were followed into a car park by up to four males who were part of a larger group celebrating a birthday in the bar’s function room.

It has been alleged the Indian men were set upon and seriously assaulted by the group of males.

Police were called and arrested four males, who were interviewed in relation to assault and affray. ll four were released pending further investigations.

While only four men were arrested, one of the alleged victims told ABC Radio today that more than 70 people could have been involved.

He said the attackers didn’t use weapons, but racism was behind the incident.

“Definitely racism,” he said.

Police say that when the arrests were made, a group of about 15 men and women, who had been celebrating a birthday, directed racist abuse at the Indian men.

As the victims were escorted away by police, officers allege the larger group continued its “threatening behaviour and racist remarks”. (ANI)

Jolie visits ‘dire’ refugee camp in Kenya

Washington, September 14 (ANI): Angelina Jolie recently visited a refugee settlement camp in Africa.

As United Nations Goodwill Ambassador she spent a day at the Dadaab Refugee camp on the Kenyan border.

The beauty was appalled to see the conditions of 285,000 refugees living in a camp, which was initially made for just 90,000 people.

Somali people, who have fled into Kenya because of atrocities in their country, live in the camp.

The ‘Gia’ star wants to bring world’s attention to the plight of the refugees.

“If this is the better solution, then what must it be like in Somalia? The toilets are already overflowing. There is not even enough space for trash dumps so people are living amongst the garbage,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

“What is amazing is that as more and more people come into the camp, the Somali families continue to be generous with what little they have, even if that means having one eighth of the water they need and their children suffering from dehydration,” she added.

The beauty met some families in the camp too.

She said: “The Somali families I met today are full of warmth and affection. I wish more people could meet them because then they would have a stronger desire to help.” (ANI)

Viagra laced fruit juices flowing in Malaysia!

Kuala Lumpur, Sept 14 (ANI): After being detected in coffee mixtures and sweets, Viagra has now been found in fruit juices.

After raiding more than 30 retailers and distributors dealing in the fruit juice, enforcement officers from the Health Ministry in Malaysia seized several hundred thousand ringgit worth of the product.

This followed after the ministry sent samples of the product for tests which confirmed the presence of sildenafil, reports The New Straits Times Online.

Sildenafil citrate, sold as Viagra, Revatio and various other trade names, is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.

According to a Health Ministry source, this was the first time they had encountered a case where sildenafil had been mixed with fruit juices.

The mixture is potent and deadly to people suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure.

“It was brought to our attention after several people complained to the ministry about the suspicious fruit juice,” the source said.

“The producer and distributor had claimed that the fruit juice had been produced from selected natural herbs which could improve sexual performance of men and women,” the source added.

Following test results, investigations were conducted to identify retailers and distributors involved in selling the fruit juice.

“More than 30 simultaneous raids were carried out nationwide. Officers were also concerned that the retailers and distributors would hide their stocks as the product had also been sold via direct selling,” the source said.

“At the raid at the company’s headquarters in Subang Jaya, three marketing officers and the store caretaker were questioned by authorities,” the source added.

Investigations revealed that the fruit juice had been in the local market for the past six months and had received good response from consumers.

The consumer needs to mix the powder with water before drinking. (ANI)

Taliban now terrorise 80% of Afghanistan after eight years of war: Report

Kabul, Sep. 11 (ANI): Almost eight years after the war began in Afghanistan in the aftermath of the 9/11 carnage, the Taliban insurgency has spread across 80 percent of the country.

The violent incidents this week have drawn attention to the deteriorating security situation of northern Afghanistan, which had largely remained peaceful so far, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

The northern provinces are facing difficult times as heavy insurgent activity has spread to 80 percent of the country – up from 54 percent two years ago, the report says.

The militants’ focus has shifted to northern parts following continuous pressure from their Pakistani counterparts to attack NATO’s second supply route situated here, it adds.

“[Militants] have been trying to widen the ground for the insurgency in Afghanistan and now they have got momentum. The militants are eager to target this route to prevent a smooth supply chain from northern Afghanistan,” the report quoted Waliullah Rahmani, executive director of the Kabul Center for Strategic Studies, as saying.

Last week’s airstrike targeted two fuel tankers headed to supply NATO troops in Kabul that had been hijacked by the Taliban.

Although the increase in violence is only a recent phenomenon, the conditions had worsened long ago, the report says.

The violence can be linked to districts with large Pashtun populations, whose grievances the government has failed to address – making them sympathetic to the Taliban, who share their ethnicity and language, it adds.

“The districts which are turning violent are those which have had a very recent history of abuses against the Pashtuns.

The government has allowed these conditions to go unaddressed and this is now being addressed by the population by giving shelter to the Taliban and other insurgents,”the report quoted Prakhar Sharma, the head of research at the Center for Conflict and Peace Studies, as saying.(ANI)

US ‘hopes’ Pak would bring 26/11 perpetrators to justice

Washington, Sep.12 (ANI): The United States has said that it ‘hopes’ Pakistan would bring the Mumbai terror attacks perpetrators to book.

“We would hope that the Pakistani authorities will continue their investigation and bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice,” The News quoted US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley, as saying.

Commenting on the military offensive in the Swat and Malakand Divisions, Crowley said the Pakistan Government should pay more attention towards fighting the extremists and urged the people of the region to maintain patience during the operation.

“It is a serious and successful effort which boost the sense of protection among the people and they are now more determined,” he highlighted. (ANI)

Natalie Cole makes comeback after kidney transplant op

Washington, September 11 (ANI): R andB singer Natalie Cole made a comeback to the stage and performed at a concert in Hollywood after fighting severe health conditions for almost a year.

“I really do have to say … it really is a miracle time. It’s a miracle night for me. I never thought I’d be standing here healthy and whole and 100 percent,” People magazine quoted her as telling the crowd present.

The singer was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in April last year.

Apart from treating the liver disease with chemotherapy, she also battled kidney problems later that year.

However, she was back with a bang at the Hollywood Bowl belting out hits like ‘This Will Be,’ ‘Our Love,’ and ‘Unforgettable’

She said: “My heart is very full tonight, and I know a lot of you know why. It’s just good to be back. You know what I’m saying?

“You know, things don’t always go the way we want it to. Things happen unexpectedly. You got to take the good with the bad.”

Cole also brought the attention of the audience to health problems.

She said: “One in eight people has kidney failure. That’s a lot of people and I never thought it would happen to me, but here we are.”

She described the phase she was ill as “a real tough journey.” (ANI)

Israel accuses HRW of hitting a new low by hiring expert who collects Nazi memorabilia

Jerusalem, Sep.10 (ANI): Human Rights Watch’s employment of a man who trades and collects Nazi memorabilia as its “senior military expert” is a “new low” for the organization that frequently criticizes Israel, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s policy director Ron Dermer said Wednesday.

“I thought that nothing could top a human rights organization trying to raise money in Saudi Arabia, but I was apparently wrong,” said Dermer.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Dermer was referring to reports, both in the blogosphere and the press, that Marc Garlasco, HRW’s senior military expert, who has written numerous reports condemning Israel, is an avid collector of Nazi memorabilia.

Omri Ceren, on a blog called Mere Rhetoric, wrote that Garlasco was “obsessed with the color and pageantry of Nazism, has published a detailed 430-page book on Nazi war paraphernalia, and participates in forums for Nazi souvenir collectors.”

Dermer said the revelations made it “easier to understand how an organization that was initially called Helsinki Watch, and was dedicated to helping brave Soviet dissidents fight against tyranny, has turned into an organization that facilitates the assault of some of the worst regimes and terror groups against the very democratic countries that uphold human rights.

HRW issued a statement saying that Garlasco’s family experience on both sides of WWII – his grandfather was in the German army and his great-uncle was in the US air force – led him to collect military memorabilia from that period.

HRW emphatically denied that Garlasco was a Nazi sympathizer because he “collected German [as well as American] military memorabilia.”

HRW said the “accusation is demonstrably false and fits into a campaign to deflect attention from Human Rights Watch’s rigorous and detailed reporting on violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by the Israeli government.” (ANI)

1st century A.D. colossal statue of Greek God Apollo unearthed in Turkey

Washington, September 9 (ANI): Italian archaeologists have unearthed a 1st century A.D. colossal statue of Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, light, music and poetry, from white calcified cliffs in southwestern Turkey.

Colossal statues were very popular in antiquity, as evidenced by the lost giant statues of the Colossus of Rhodes and the Colossus of Nero.

Most of them vanished long ago, with their material re-used in other building projects.

“This colossal statue of Apollo is really a unique finding. Such statues are extremely rare in Asia Minor. Only a dozen still survive,” team leader Francesco D’Andria, director of the Institute of Archaeological Heritage, Monuments and Sites at Italy’s National Research Council in Lecce, told Discovery News.

Split in two huge marble fragments, divided along the bust and the lower part of the sculpture, the 1st century A.D. statue was unearthed at the World Heritage Site of Hierapolis, now called Pamukkale.

Founded around 190 B.C. by Eumenes II, King of Pergamum (197 B.C.-159 B.C.), Hierapolis was given over to Rome in 133 B.C.

The Hellenistic city grew into a flourishing Roman city, with temples, a theatre and popular sacred hot springs, believed to have healing properties.

Standing at more than four meters (13 feet) in height, the newly discovered statue, which is missing the head and the arms, might have been one of the most impressive sights in the city.

“It depicts the Greek god Apollo sitting on a throne and holding the cithara with his left arms. The god wears a wonderfully draped tunic. The cloth has a transparency effect to reveal mighty muscles,” said D’Andria.

Inspired by the great classical masterpieces, the artist did not pay the same peculiar attention to the back of the statue.

“This shows that the sculpture was placed against a wall and was supposed to be seen only frontally,” D’Andria noted.

Standing in all its massive regality, the statue was particularly important for the city, since Apollo was venerated as Hierapolis’ divine founder.

The colossal statue was probably the main sculpture at the sanctuary of Apollo, which was intentionally built over an active fault.

“Hierapolis is a unique site, and archaeologists are bringing to light incredible findings each year. As with all the other ancient buildings, the statue will be virtually reconstructed in full detail,” Francesco Gabellone, an architect at the National Research Council in Lecce, told Discovery News. (ANI)

A docudrama plays a story of women cricketers’ struggle and triumph

Kolkata, Sep 9 (ANI): A docudrama titled ‘Indian Women’s Cricket team Poor Cousins of Million Dollar Babies’ highlights the disparity between men and women cricket players in India.

As the title suggests, the docudrama shows how while men cricketers hog all the limelight and bask in the glory of success and money, women cricketers are way behind their male counterparts though they have been able to carve a name for themselves in the international sport arena.

The 25-minute audio-visual commentary narrates a story of the triumph of women’s cricket despite the disparities and differential treatment.

Former Indian Skipper Anjum Chopra said the docudrama has been able to mirror the women cricketers’ struggle, hard work and determination to reach the milestone they have achieved despite receiving far less attention of sports authority, sponsorship and media coverage as compared with their male counterparts.

“I really liked it. I think it’s very nice. It covers a lot of angels into the lives of women cricketers on and off the field. It’s a true depiction of the lives and struggles of Indian women cricketers go through,” Anjum Chopra added.

The The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI ) spends millions of rupees on men’s cricket and its stalwart players but women’s team, which has consistently done well in the context of world tournaments, has not received the same attention and promotion.

Sunil Yash Kalra, who has directed the documentary, said it’s time to tell the story of players engaged in the most popular and fast growing game in India despite their gender.

“It’s a sport which is a nerve centre of India, the subcontinent. And, it’s also included in the Asian Games next year. So, basically if you were to look at it… A, it’s the fastest growing game. B, there is a story that needs to be told about each individual member, that’s what the idea is to showcase the best to the rest of the world,” Kalra added.

The film also reveals interesting facts about women’s cricket in India. For example, women’s cricket in India can be traced back to early 20th century when an Australian school teacher Anne Kelleve made cricket a compulsory game at the Baker Memorial School in Kottayam, Kerala, in 1913.

The Women’s World Cup was initiated in 1973, two years before the men’s World Cup. And, Indian eves played T20 international cricket in 2006 while Indian men played their first match in 2007. (ANI)

PM concerned over low conviction rate of cases under SC/ST Act

New Delhi, Sep.7 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday expressed concern over low conviction rate of persons involved in carrying out atrocities against schedule castes and schedule tribes.

Speaking during inauguration of a conference of state ministers of welfare and social justice at New Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Dr. Singh said: “Reports of atrocities against SCs, STs and senior citizens continue to appear with disturbing regularity. I have in fact written to the Chief Ministers of all states recently to enforce the provisions of the SCs and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It is shocking that conviction rate for cases of atrocities against SCs and STs is less than 30 percent against the average of 42 per cent for all cognisable offences under IPC.”

“The state governments need to give more attention to this issue,” the PM said.

Singh told them to conduct meetings of state and district level vigilance committees on a regular basis and said that court cases should be pursued on priority.

Focussing on the need to change the general mindset towards disadvantaged groups, the Prime Minister said such people should be made equal partners in the developmental processes.

“We propose to amend the Persons with Disabilities Act in consultation with states so as to bring it in line with the UN Convention (on Rights of Persons with Disabilities),” Dr. Singh said.

Referring to the drought like situation prevailing in many parts of the country, Singh said, “the experience has been that weaker sections tend to be the worst affected by such natural calamities.

“We, therefore, need to step up monitoring and implementation of welfare schemes like NREGA, Annapurna and Old Age Pension Scheme, which target the weaker sections.” (ANI)

Maggie Gyllenhaal feels sorry for brother Jake’s constant media attention

Washington, Sept 7 (ANI): Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal admits that she feels sorry for her brother, actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who is constantly followed by paparazzi.

The ‘Dark Knight’ actress says that Jake’s celebrity lifestyle has changed him as a person.

“Of course, everybody does change as they grow up, but I think it’s really hard for anybody who has to figure out a way to manage it,” Contactmusic quoted her as having told Britain’s Marie Claire magazine.

“Like in Los Angeles, I don’t always know where to avoid going – sometimes you just walk right into a paparazzi nest.

“I get so angry, really upset. They chase him in their car and it’s just different for him. More than anything I feel sorry for him that he has to deal with that,” she added. (ANI)