The Indian Panorama

Month: July 2015

  • QUALIFIER BROWN HAMMERS NADAL OUT OF WIMBLEDON

    QUALIFIER BROWN HAMMERS NADAL OUT OF WIMBLEDON

    LONDON (TIP): Two-time champion Rafael Nadal’s appalling recent run at Wimbledon continued on July 2 as he crashed out in the second round after being out-muscled and out-thought in four sets by an inspired Dustin Brown of Germany.

    The Spaniard, who has slipped down the sport’s pecking order and was seeded 10 after a year of injury and below-par performances, fell 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 as Brown, ranked 102 in the world, unleashed a barrage of thunderous serves and ground strokes, mixed with clever drop shots to seal a shock victory.

    Brown, who had beaten Nadal in the pair’s only other meeting last year, looked to rush the Spaniard from the start, blasting winners at every opportunity and squeezing Nadal at the net to cut off his options in an unorthodox style that had the Wimbledon crowd in raptures.

    Former world number one Nadal, famed for his athleticism, could not find his rhythm among Brown’s variety of play, picking up the second set with a flash of his familiar passing shots and a helpful, albeit momentary, easing in his 30-year old opponent’s arrow like attack.

    But normal service was resumed afterwards as the dreadlocked Brown, who changed nationality from Jamaican to German in 2010, blasted onward to seal victory with his 13th ace of the match.

    “You have to play your A game against him. I am fortunate I played him twice on grass, which is my favourite surface,” Brown said.

    “My game makes him not play his game. He doesn’t get in a rhythm. The set he beat me he passed me unbelievable.”

    For 14-time Grand Slam winner Nadal, it was another tough time at the All England Club, having suffered shock early defeats to Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic, Belgium’s Steve Darcis and Australian Nick Kyrgious — ranked outside the top 100 — in the last three years.

    Since finishing runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the 2011 final, he has now failed to advance past the last 16 of the grasscourt major.

    Defeat to Brown, who heads into the third round at Wimbledon for the second time to face Serb Viktor Troikci, marked Nadal’s first loss to a qualifier in any grand slam.

    “On this court especially, you meet players that don’t want to play from the baseline sometimes,” Nadal said.

    “This opponent is one of these. You cannot have mistakes against a player like him with that big serve. You know, nothing to lose. Serving first and second almost the same speed.

    “Without having rhythm at all. I didn’t hit three balls in a row the same way. Then when you need to hit that ball, extra ball, you don’t have the confidence to do it. So that’s what happened.”

  • Vijay Mallya trying to cling on to Royal Challengers Bangalore

    Vijay Mallya trying to cling on to Royal Challengers Bangalore

    MUMBAI (TIP): The fate of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore now lies in the hands of multinational alcoholic beverages company Diageo Plc, who are the new owners of United Spirits Ltd, India’s largest liquor company which Vijay Mallya sold three years ago.

    As things stand, it is at Diageo’s discretion that RCB will remain with Mallya. It could also be sold to a new owner soon. RCB is a property JSW Steel is eyeing keenly, a development first reported by TOI in March this year. JSW chairman Sajjan Jindal went public on Wednesday saying he was interested in owning an IPL franchise.

    Sources said Mallya, who holds the RCB “very close to his heart”, is pulling all stops to keep the franchise. As part of a possible settlement deal, which would also include some marquee residential assets on the company’s books, Mallya is looking to keep RCB in an exit deal with Diageo.

    Two months back, a public stand-off erupted after United Spirits board asked Mallya to step down as chairman following a PwC investigation into the company’s accounts which found improprieties and violations. Mallya has slammed the investigation report for “twisting facts”. UK-based Diageo, which owns 54% stake and controls USL boardroom, is studying the developments and is yet to make public its views on the crisis. Mallya has had meetings with Diageo top brass in London as both parties search for an amicable end, which could see Mallya exit with a negotiated deal.

    RCB’s future assumes significance in this context. Diageo could allow Mallya to retain the team after paying a reasonable amount. Mallya also owns an expensive F1 team, Sahara Force India. In the past, he has spoken about building a company with multiple sports franchises.

    Currently in London, Mallya said he would not comment on speculation.

    Sajjan Jindal’s son Parth has acknowledged interest in RCB which boasts of some of Twenty20’s most exciting cricketers. JSW owns a Bangalore-based football team in I-League, All India Football Federation’s premier domestic tournament, and has been desperate to add a high-profile franchise to the list given its business interests in Bangalore. Its attempt to bid for a franchise in the Reliance-IMG owned Indian Super League (ISL) did not materialize last year and the Jindals now see RCB as the only option available.

  • 11th century idol from Tamil Nadu recovered in US

    11th century idol from Tamil Nadu recovered in US

    CHENNAI (TIP): A stolen Chola bronze valued at $1 million may well be the next Indian artefact to come home after a Nataraja and Ardhanari were returned by Australia.

    The idol, surrendered by a private collector to US authorities, was part of the loot smuggled out of India by art thief Subhash Kapoor, say Tamil Nadu police. The figurine of saint Manickavasagar was among the 11th century, Chola-era statues that the Kapoor gang allegedly looted from a temple in Sripuranthan in Ariyalur.

    The recovery from a private collector shows that US investigators are actively pursuing leads on those to whom Kapoor likely sold artefacts. “US officials didn’t reveal the name of the collector. But we came to know he voluntarily surrendered the idol that he bought from a dealer in the Kapoor network,” said a senior police officer in the state crime investigation department’s idol wing.

    US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department recently seized nearly 2,500 antique pieces from Kapoor’s gallery and warehouses in the US. “The theft of another country’s cultural property is a terrible crime that robs a nation of its national heritage. This is especially true when the relics are religious idols as in this case. We commend this collector for his conscious decision to return this stolen idol,” said Raymond R Parmer Jr, special agent in charge of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations
    (HIS) in New York.

    An interesting feature of the Manickavasagar is the white coat over it.

    This coat is given so that the statue, when exposed to the atmosphere, develops an artificial green patina on its surface over time. Idol thieves purport to demonstrate through the artificial patina that the idol was dug out from the ground and was not a stolen piece. An idol worshipped in a temple wouldn’t have the patina. In his confession statement to Tamil Nadu police, Subhash Kapoor had said that a curator in London helped him apply the patina to stolen idols to pass them off as antiques dug out from the ground. “What seems to have happened is that the collector kept the Manickavasagar in the closet and the idol therefore didn’t acquire the green patina,” says S Vijaykumar, heritage enthusiast who helps to track stolen idols.

    After being extradited to India in 2012, Kapoor is cooling his heels in Chennai Puzhal prison. The trial against him has commenced based on a chargesheet filed in Udayarpalayam police station in 2008. A chargesheet in another case in Vikramangalam police station is yet to be filed since it requires cooperation of German authorities.

    ICE-HSI has recovered at least six other sacred Chola bronze idols that it anticipates forfeiting and repatriating to the government of India. “I would like to convey my deep sense of appreciation to HSI for the exceptional work done in locating and recovering the Tamil saint’s statue,” said Dhyaneshwar M Mulay, ambassador consul-general of India in New York.

  • Row over derecognising madrasas in Maharashtra

    Row over derecognising madrasas in Maharashtra

    MUMBAI (TIP): A major political row erupted in Maharashtra with the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance government deciding to derecognise madrasas which are engaged in imparting religion-based education.

    The issue is all set to compound into a major political controversy ahead of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature. The Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Hyderabad-based Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) have opposed the decision.

    The issue has to be seen in the backdrop of the burning demand for reservations to the Muslim community which has got into legal tangles and the enactment of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 1995, popularly known as beef ban law.

    According to ministers in the Devendra Fadnavis government, registered madrasas not teaching primary subjects will be classified by the Maharashtra government as “non-schools” and children studying in them will be considered “out of school” students, .

    The chief minister, who is currently on an official tour of the US, has not commented on the issue.

    “We want to bring everyone into mainstream education,” said Maharashtra Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Social Justice Dilip Kamble.

    Minister for Primary Education, Higher and Technical Education and Medical Education Vinod Tawde said the issue has to be seen in perspective.

    “We want to bring subjects like science, social science and maths to  madrasas with no interference in their religious education,” said Tawde.

    “How is that anti-Muslim. We want to do this for their betterment,” he said, pointing out that under the Right to Education Act, children who are not taught under the national school curriculum are considered out of school.

    However, the move invited widespread criticism and Opposition parties came down heavily on the saffron alliance government for what they said was Hindutva and RSS agenda.

    MIM president  Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the rationale behind the decision and asked whether students being imparted vedic studies will also be considered “out of school” children.

    “There are many madrasas that are teaching maths, English and science. Many madrasa students have gone ahead and cracked the civil services exams,” he said, adding that the government is trying to “stigmatise” madrasa education.

    “The government has not accorded them recognition, so where’s the question of derecognising them? Such statements will have no impact and the good education imparted in madrasas will continue unhindered,” said Congress leader and former Minority Affairs Minister Nassem Khan, who had unveiled a plan to modernise madrasas during the Democratic Front regime.

  • UN declines comment on Amnesty report over Kashmir

    UNITED NATIONS (TIP): UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has declined comment over an Amnesty International report that blames India of not taking action against troops accused of atrocities in J&K state.

    Asked on Thursday at the daily briefing at the UN headquarters for a reaction to the report issued on Wednesday, Ban’s deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq refused to comment on it.

    The report based on 58 case studies of alleged excesses by the armed forces in the state has called for a repeal of AFSPA and wanted India to invite the UN Special Rapporteur as well as the UN Joint Working group on disappearances to visit J&K.

    The group also asked for “unimpeded access” to victims and witnesses for UN officials inquiring into disappearances and human rights violations.

  • Man who monitored 1999 Kandahar hijack admits goof-up

    Man who monitored 1999 Kandahar hijack admits goof-up

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The man who monitored the crisis arising from the 1999 hijack of IC-814, former RA&W chief A S Dulat, has admitted that the Crisis Management Group (CMG) had “goofed up” the operation.

    While he didn’t go into the details of the goof-up and what exactly transpired at the five-hour CMG meeting on December 24 while the plane was parked in Amritsar, Dulat said that “no one in Delhi or Punjab wanted to bell the cat”. In the meantime, the plane flew away, and with it the opportunity to gain an upper hand over the hijackers. Later, Dulat says “everyone shifted the blame to each other”.

    Speaking ahead of the launch of his book, ‘Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years’, Dulat said that the then Punjab police chief Sarabjit Singh, who was in charge of the situation when the plane was on the ground in Amritsar, said Delhi never told him that IC-814 was not to be allowed to take off. Singh did tell Delhi that he had at his disposal Punjab commandos trained in anti-terrorism operations who could storm the aircraft but Delhi’s response was that it did not want any casualties.

    After the plane flew off to Lahore – the next stop was Dubai and eventually Kandahar – Dulat writes that the “CMG degenerated into a blame game…with the cabinet secretary being head of the CMG as one target and NSG chief Nikhil Kumar, another.”

    He also criticized the handling of the hostage trade-off in 1989 when the daughter of the then Union home minister and current J&K CM Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was kidnapped. Dulat said, “Rubaiya’s kidnapping is a classic case on how not to handle a hostage crisis. We did everything wrong. Because it was such a high-profile kidnap, every friend of Mufti appeared on the scene and was busy scoring points. So instead of releasing one militant – Hamid Sheikh – which was all the JKLF wanted, we released five.” He pointed out that the release of the four others didn’t matter as much as the psychological impact of that trade-off. “They felt that they made Delhi bend.”

  • NASA PROBE DETECTS METHANE ON PLUTO SURFACE

    MUMBAI (TIP): The Pluto-bound New Horizons spacecraft has confirmed the presence of methane on Pluto, Nasa stated on July 1.

    “The infrared spectrometer on Nasa’s spacecraft has detected frozen methane on Pluto’s surface,” the statement said.

    Earth-based astronomers first observed the chemical compound on Pluto in 1976, “but, these are our first detections,” said Will Grundy , the New Horizons surface composition team leader with the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.

    With 13 days left for the historic Pluto encounter by New Horizons, designed and operated by the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory , at about 5.15 pm (IST) on July 14, after covering a distance of nearly three billion miles and flying for nine years, Nasa on Wednesday released images showing the view from the spacecraft. While zooming towards Pluto the spacecraft tapped its accelerator on Tuesday night and tweaked its path towards the system. It is now moving at 32,500 miles per hour and is about 10 million miles from the Pluto system.

    Henry Throop, a member of the spacecraft team, had said that he believed the mission will be successful in what is being held as humanity’s first exploration to Pluto.

  • Artificial blood transfusion may be reality by 2017

    Artificial blood transfusion may be reality by 2017

    LONDON (TIP): The world’s first human trial of artificial blood grown in a lab from stem cells is set to take place in the UK by 2017.

    The UK’s NHS (National Health Service) Blood and Transplant has announced that the manufactured blood will be used in clinical trials with human volunteers within two years.

    Research led by scientists at the University of Bristol and NHS Blood and Transplant used stem cells from adult and umbilical cord blood to create a small volume of manufactured red blood cells.

    It is hoped that when the production of this lab-produced blood is successfully scaled up, it will offer an alternative to patients with blood disorders such as sickle cell Anaemia and Thalassemia who require treatment with regular transfusions and for whom it is difficult to find compatible donors.

    The clinical trial of manufactured red blood cells is designed to compare the survival of red cells manufactured from stem cells with that of standard blood donor red blood cells. This will involve a group of 20 volunteers who will receive a small volume transfusion of between five and ten millilitre of the lab-produced blood. “Scientists across the globe have been investigating for a number of years how to manufacture red blood cells to offer an alternative to donated blood to treat patients,” said Dr Nick Watkins, NHS Blood and Transplant’s assistant director of research and development.”We are confident that by 2017 our team will be ready to carry out the first early phase clinical trials in human volunteers,” Watkins said.

    “These trials will compare manufactured cells with donated blood. The intention is not to replace blood donation but provide specialist treatment for specific patient groups,” he said.

    “Research has laid the foundation for current transfusion and transplantation practices. Continued investment in research and development is critical to our role in saving and improving lives through blood and organ donation,” said Dr Nick Watkins, NHS Blood and Transplant’s assistant director of research and development.

  • SOON, ANIMAL FAT, FARM WASTE TO POWER FLIGHTS

    Sometime this summer, a United Airlines flight will take off from Los Angeles International Airport bound for San Francisco using fuel generated from farm waste and oils derived from animal fats.

    For passengers, little will be different -the engines will still roar, the seats in economy will still be cramped -but for the airlines and the biofuels industry , the flight will represent a long-awaited milestone: the first time a domestic airline oper ates regular passenger flights using an alternative jet fuel.

    For years, biofuels have been seen as an important part of the solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And airlines, with their concentration around airports and use of the same kind of fuel, have been seen as a prom ising customer in a biofuels industry that has struggled to gain traction. Now that relationship is showing signs of taking off.

    United plans to announce a $30 million investment in one of the largest producers of aviation biofuels, Fulcrum BioEnergy , the biggest investment so far by a domestic airline in the small but growing field of alternative fuels.(Cathay Pacific, based in Hong Kong, last year announced a smaller investment in Fulcrum.) The quantities that United is plan ning to buy from Ful crum constitute a small drop in its vo luminous fuel con sumption. Last year, United’s fleet con sumed 3.9 billion gal lons of fuel, at a cost of $11.6 billion.

    But airlines are increasingly under pressure to reduce carbon emissions.

    The Obama adminis tration proposed this month that new limits on aviation emissions be developed, and the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency , is expected to complete its own negotiations on limiting carbon pollution by February 2016.

    For the first two weeks, four to five flights a day will carry a fuel mixture that is 30% biofuel and 70%traditional jet fuel; after that, the fuel will be blended into the overall supply , United said.

  • WILL TWEAKED MICROBES MAKE MARS EARTH-LIKE?

    WILL TWEAKED MICROBES MAKE MARS EARTH-LIKE?

    WASHINGTON (TIP): US defence scientists are planning to use genetically engineered algae, bacteria and plants to radically transform the climate of Mars and terraform it into an Earth-like planet.

    Scientists from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) aim to warm up and potentially thicken Mars’ atmosphere by growing green, photosynthesising plants, bacteria, and algae on the barren surface of the red planet. “For the first time, we have the technological toolkit to transform not just hostile places here on Earth, but to go into space not just to visit, but to and stay,” Alicia Jackson, deputy director of DARPA’s new Biological Technologies Office said. recently at a DARPA-hosted biotech conference.

    For Since the last year, Jackson’s lab has been working on learning how to more the process to easily genetically engineer organisms of all types, not just e-coli and yeast, which are mostly commonly used in synthetic biology projects.

    “Out of There are anywhere from 30 million to 30 billion organisms on this Earth, we use two right now for engineering biology,” she said. “I want to use any organism that has properties I want — I want to quickly map it and quickly engineer it. If you look at genome annotation software today, it’s not built to quickly find engineer able systems [and genes],” she was quoted as saying by ‘motherboard.vice.com’.

    DARPA and some of its researchers partners have created a software called DTA GView, which Jackson calls the ‘Google Maps of genomes’, in which genomes of several organisms can be pulled up on the programme, which immediately shows a list of known genes and where they are located in the genome.

    “This torrent of genomic data we’re now collecting is awesome, except they sit in databases, where they remain data, not knowledge. Very little genetic information we have is actionable,” she said. “With this, the goal is to, within a day, sequence and find where I can best engineer an organism,” she added.

    The goal is to pick and choose the best genes from whatever form of life we want and to edit them into other forms of life to create something entirely new.

    This will probably first happen in bacteria and other microorganisms, but the goal may be is to do this with more complex, multicellular organisms in the future.

    DARPA plans to use specifically engineered organisms to help repair environmental damage. Jackson said that after a natural or man-made disaster, it would be possible to engineer new types of extremophile organisms capable of surviving in a scarred wasteland. As those organisms photosynthesised and thrived would naturally bring that environment back to health, she said.With enough practice turning Earth’s damaged landscapes back into places hospitable for life, Jackson thinks we’ll have what it takes to eventually try to colonise the solar system.

  • HOW SAFE AND HYGIENIC IS YOUR FOOD

    HOW SAFE AND HYGIENIC IS YOUR FOOD

    According to the World Health Organisation estimates, around two million deaths occur globally, every year, due to food and water contamination. On World Health Day, we delve into this year’s theme, food safety

    There are over 200 diseases caused by contaminated food or drinking water that contain harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses and chemical substances. Millions fall ill and many die due to this. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diarrhoeal diseases alone kill an estimated 1.5 million children annually, and most of these illnesses are attributed to contaminated food or drinking water. Proper food preparation can prevent most food-borne diseases. We spoke to Dr Jyotsna Zope, consultant nephrologist, Dr Pradeep Gadge, consultant diabetologist and Naini Setalvad, nutritionist, for more handful tips on handling food…

    Unsafe food can cause cancer and neurological disorders. The most common symptoms of food-borne disease are stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhoea. Food contaminated with heavy metals or with naturally occurring toxins can also cause long-term health problems including cancer and neurological disorders. Adulteration of milk is another problem. Milk suppliers add salt to slow down the decomposition process of milk and often, cane sugar is added to it. Consumption of such milk lead to multiple health hazards.

    Food contamination can take place anytime, anywhere. There are many opportunities for food contamination. It can happen even in the confines of your home, if you are not wary of the temperature to store particular foods in, if you do not wash food well before consumption and also if you do not cook thoroughly. Today’s food supply is complex and involves a range of different stages including on-farm production, slaughtering or harvesting, processing, storage, transport and distribution before the food reaches the consumers, so better be safe. Food-borne diseases affect vulnerable people harder. For infants, pregnant women, the sick and elderly, the consequences of food-borne disease and infections caused by contamination, are usually more severe and may be fatal.

    Some harmful bacteria are becoming resistant to drug treatments. One of the major, growing, global health concerns is antimicrobial resistance. In human clinical use, agriculture and animal husbandry, there is a major overuse and misuse of antimicrobials. This is one of the factors that are leading to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, states WHO. Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in animals may be transmitted to humans via food and can prove harmful.

    Food safety is a shared responsibility between governments, industry, producers, academia, and consumers. Everyone has a role to play. Achieving food safety is a multi-sectoral effort requiring expertise from a range of different disciplines —toxicology, microbiology, parasitology, nutrition, health economics, and human and veterinary medicine. Local communities, women’s groups and school education also play an important role.

  • FIRM UP A FLABBY MIDDLE

    FIRM UP A FLABBY MIDDLE

    The best way to ensure that you have a firm middle is by exercising the mid-section on an every day basis. However, there are certain kinds of exercises that need to be done. Here they are—

    Yoga – The stretches and pulls done in yoga is the ideal way one can get a firm middle. Apart from the meditation that you do on an every day basis, try including yoga poses like the peaceful warrior pose, side angle stretches etc.

    Ab workout – If you don’t have enough time on you to practice yoga everyday, a 15-minute ab workout will help firm the muscles of your mid-section.

    You can do this with the help of a friend/fitness trainer or do it on your own in the comfort of your home.

    Toe touches – Another way you can firm the mid-section is by doing toe touches for at least 10 minutes throughout the day. It doesn’t have to be a rigorous one though. Try doing once in the morning and once in the evening for better results.

    Trunk rotations – When you wake up in the morning, lie down flat on your back and bend your knees. Bring your knees closer to your chest and then rotate from left to right and vice versa. Keep doing this for at least 15 minutes.

  • GET SILKY STRAIGHT HAIR AT HOME

    GET SILKY STRAIGHT HAIR AT HOME

    Use a high quality bristle brush to detangle your hair, as these type of brushes evenly distribute the sebum from the scalp to the ends of the hair and will keep your locks looking shiny and frizz-less.

    Apply a heat serum to wet or towel-dried hair. Start with one pump of product and rub it into the palm of your hands before distributing it evenly. Avoid letting the product get near the roots, as this can make your hair look lank and greasy.

    Divide your hair in sections and clip them up. Blow dry each section going from root to tip, carefully pulling the round brush away from your head as you do so. It’s best to use your hair dryer at medium temperature settings to avoid drying out your hair.

    Once your hair is dry, clamp the straightening iron around your hair and gently smoothen each strand. Choose small strands for more effective results. It’s best to use the straightener about an inch away from the roots to get a little bit of volume, advises the hair expert.

    Apply a shine-boosting serum to finish off the look.

  • BEST VEGETARIAN SOURCES OF PROTEIN

    BEST VEGETARIAN SOURCES OF PROTEIN

    Perhaps one of the most neglected meal components -Protein is the reason behind muscle regeneration, performance, and upkeep. Without it, you will find it impossible to get fitter. Animal protein helps maintain a well-balanced diet for most non-vegetarians. But what about the vegetarians? Does one really need to switch meal preferences to gain the maximum protein punch? Not at all. Today we bring you the best vegetarian sources of protein that will help you gain muscle tone and maintain good nutrition. Read on…

    Whole grains

    Although a fine line between carbs, cereal and protein – whole grains like quinoa and barley are excellent sources of protein. At approximately 18gms of protein per cup of cooked quinoa, this wonder grain is one of the best vegetarian sources of protein. Unfortunately, quinoa isn’t easily available in India, since it’s a South American crop. However, some premium stores do stock it. Failing that, barley or jowar and other whole grains are also sufficient vegetarian sources of protein.

    Soy

    A wonderfully versatile ingredient, soy in all its shapes and forms is a great protein source for vegetarians. Drink soy milk, stir in tofu with your salads, or simply munch on soy nuts. You’ll find that soy products can be roped in with just about any meal or snack – from vegetarian biryanis to light noon-time salads…Even mid-evening beverages. One cup of tofu contains approx. 18-20gms of protein. Most packaged tofu and soy milk is fortified with even more nutrients that would serve a vegetarian well.

    Nuts and seeds

    These are protein sources that even non-vegetarians can’t ignore. Nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts and seeds like flax, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin are protein and energy powerhouses. However, nuts are also high in fat, so munch on the side of caution. You can even make your own homemade nut butters by simply grinding the nuts of your choice with a dash of olive oil and some more flavourers.

    Sprouts

    Although technically, sprouts come under the beans, legumes and lentils category in vegetarian protein sources, they deserve a special mention. You can sprout already healthy ingredients like alfalfa, mung beans, chickpeas, peas, and soyabeans. These sprouts are highly nutritious and rich in protein. Eat them raw with salads, or mix them in with a spicy, hearty dish – either way, your day’s protein requirements can be sufficiently met with these wonder sprouts. Do remember that for people with acidity, sprouts aren’t the best protein sources.

    Beans and lentils

    Chalk one up for Indian cuisines, because our diets are already rich in these hearty vegetarian protein sources. Whether it’s the ever-loved Rajma Chawal or the various East coast beans and lentil curries with kokam and tamarind, beans and lentils are an intrinsic part of our food culture. And rightly so. One cup of beans (kidney, black, red) contains approximately 15gms of protein. These do not, however, perform as optimally as dairy and soy sources of protein. Therefore, vegetarians must still take care to include all the other protein sources mentioned here.

    Dairy

    Dairy has recieved some bad press recently (Re: Lactose intolerance being more common than we think). However, if you do not have any digestion problems or adverse reactions to natural whey protein and simple plain yogurt, we say give it a try. Whey protein is simply the leftover residue from the cheese-making, paneer-making process. Resort to artificial (closest to natural state) whey protein only if you aren’t getting enough protein in your daily diet.

    Yogurt is easier to digest than milk, and is a great protein source for vegetarians.

  • Child 44 MOVIE REVIEW

    Child 44 MOVIE REVIEW

    STORY: Leo Demidov (Hardy) is a reputed and respected member of the MGB, the Soviet military police. He falls from grace when he tries to protect the woman he loves, Raisa Demidova (Rapace), from being persecuted. He gets a second chance at restoring his career and reputation when he later investigates and tries to nab the person behind a series of gory killings.

    REVIEW: At the beginning of the film, we see Leo flirt with the sublimely attractive Raisa at a dinner table while in the company of friends during one post war party. He doesn’t mince words about how fine he thinks she looks. He is confident on the verge of being blustery. But she brings his feet back on the ground when she corrects him when he calls her by another woman’s name, by mistake. He has no idea about what a pivotal role Raisa will play in his life in the years to come, by which time the two are deeply in love and almost inseparable.

    But Leo isn’t just a lover boy; when his friend’s son is murdered, he takes it upon himself to uncover the identity of the criminal who goes about his grisly task with surgical precision. Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot gives Child 44 an authentically bleak and cold look, replete with shades of grey, brown and cloudy blues. The period detailing too is superb.However, Gary Oldman makes a curious choice a Soviet general and the film can drag at times due to its runtime. But that aside, what we do get is a revealing and no-holds-barred look at life behind the Iron Curtain. It busts the myth that the Russians, during the Cold war era, were emotionless propaganda machines.

    Tom Hardy has clearly carved a niche for himself as an actor with versatility as his middle name. Right from his breakthrough performance in Inception to Mad Max: Fury Road and now this, if you do decide to watch this film, it will be to check out the kind of realism that Hardy brings to his character.

  • JENNIFER, BEN AFFLECK SAY THEY’RE GETTING DIVORCED

    JENNIFER, BEN AFFLECK SAY THEY’RE GETTING DIVORCED

    As regulars at a local farmer’s market, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner and their three young children looked like the perfect Hollywood family.

    The stars took turns working so they could nurture their careers and their kids devoted parents who appeared arm-in-arm at countless industry events.

    “It’s work, but it’s the best kind of work,” Affleck famously said of his marriage to Garner when he accepted the best picture Oscar for Argo.

    Now, it seems the work is done. After weeks of public speculation about their relationship, the couple announced Tuesday they plan to end their 10-year marriage with a divorce.

    “We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children,” Garner and Affleck said in a joint statement. “This will be our only comment on this private, family matter.”

    Affleck will continue to live on the couple’s property in a separate house, and they will co-parent their children Violet, Seraphina and Samuel, according to a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

  • Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho – Movie Review

    Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho – Movie Review

    STORY: The film is set in a fictional village called Tanakpur in Haryana. Arjun (Rahul Bagga), a local electrician falls in love with Maya (Hrishita Bhatt), wife of the village pradhan (Annu Kapoor). Influential member of the Khap Panchayat, pradhan, in order to maintain his prestige, falsely accuses Arjun of raping his buffalo. Instead of rubbishing this silly claim, the cops too get involved adding to the chaos.

    REVIEW: Said to be based on ‘true events’, the film attempts to mock the superstitious, irrational and orthodox thinking of village folk and khap panchayats. The underlying message being – logic and reasoning take a backseat when it comes to meting out justice.

    Though well-intentioned, intriguing and effective in places, this satirical tragicomedy is as sluggish as the proceedings of the very judiciary it takes a dig at. The first half is wasted showing Pradhan and his sidekick (Ravi Kishan) falling for the buffoonery of a self-proclaimed godman (Sanjay Mishra). He even claims to have a cure for Pradhan’s impotency. Arjun’s clandestine affair with Maya and their not-so-secret rendezvous too eat up a lot of time. The film gets to the point only in the second half.

    As far as comedy is concerned, lines that are genuinely funny get repeated to the point that they cease to amuse you. What is hard-hitting is the tragedy of the situation (what Arjun’s family goes through) and gives some meaning to an otherwise absurd script. If that aspect was given more prominence, Tanakpur would have been a much better film.

    For a satire, subtlety is what you miss. You can’t possibly harp on potty jokes, describe women’s breast sizes and crack jokes on rape to sound smart and socially responsible. Sadly, this social satire, which could have been an eye-opener on false cases and fraud witnesses, literally has more shit (pun intended) than substance.

  • JACQUELINE TO AUCTION HER FILMI WARDROBE FOR CHARITY

    JACQUELINE TO AUCTION HER FILMI WARDROBE FOR CHARITY

    Young female fans who lust after the clothes Jacqueline Fernandez has worn in her films will get to do a little more than drool.

    This diarist has learnt that the actress will auction a part of her filmi wardrobe for charity. Costumes from Aladin, Race 2 and the blockbuster Kick will be offered on a portal. The dress she wore with a “party in mind” will be in the race for a bidder soon… As will be the one that gave everyone a Hangover.

  • SUNNY LEONE TO PLAY CAMEO IN AKSHAY’S SINGH IS BLIING

    SUNNY LEONE TO PLAY CAMEO IN AKSHAY’S SINGH IS BLIING

    Bollywood actress Sunny Leone will be seen in a cameo in superstar Akshay Kumar’s action comedy ‘Singh Is Bliing’.

    This is for the first time that the filmstar, who had made her Bollywood debut in 2012 in Jism 2, is featuring in the film of an A-lister like Akshay Kumar.

    “She will be doing a cameo in Singh Is Bliing. We cannot reveal what that cameo is about,” a source said.

    When contacted, Sunny’s husband Daniel Weber picked up the call, but neither confirmed nor denied the report.

    “No comments… they (makers) would be the right people to talk about it (cameo in the film),” he said before hanging up.

    Singh Is Bliing is an action comedy directed by Prabhu Deva and is expected to be released in October.

  • COURTENEY COX WANTS HER DAUGHTER TO SING AT HER WEDDING

    COURTENEY COX WANTS HER DAUGHTER TO SING AT HER WEDDING

    Friends star Courteney Cox said her 11-year-old daughter will perform at her wedding when she ties the knot with fiance Johnny McDaid.

    The 51-year-old actress, who announced her engagement with McDaid, 38, last June, said the couple have no real plans for their marriage but they want their daughter Coco to perform, reported People magazine.

    “Oh, for sure (I want her to sing). It’s going to be a whole musical.”

    “We don’t have any plans at the moment. We don’t have any firm decisions yet. But it’s fun thinking about it and figuring out what to do and when to do it. I’m having fun with that,” Cox said.

    The little girl is also keen on helping to organise the pair’s big day and has even offered to be their wedding planner.

  • AMARNATH YATRA

    AMARNATH YATRA

    The annual Amarnath yatra commenced from Jammu on July 2. Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder valley, Shri Amarnathji Cave Shrine stands at 3,888 m and is 45 km from Pahalgam and 141 km from Srinagar. Though the original pilgrimage subscribes that the yatra be undertaken from Srinagar, the more common practice is to begin the journey from Pahalgam, and cover the distance to Shri Amarnathji and back in four or five days. Pahalgam is 96 km from Srinagar.

    In recent times the Baltal route via Sonamarg has also become very popular because of its short distance track (although very steep) to the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji.

    The base points for the pilgrim’s trek are picturesque Pahalgam and Sonamarg, a large tented township springs up to accommodate the pilgrims at both these locations. The conduct of the yatra is a gigantic task in which the Jammu & Kashmir State Government takes the assistance of the security departments for providing security and helping to keep the route open. All intermediate halting places have the same kind of facilities as are provided at Pahalgam and Baltal. These days Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) conducts and coordinates all the pilgrimage related activities.

    The Legend

    There is famous Rigvedic Verse that says “Ekam Sat” that is “There is one Being ,the sages call Him by many names.” The God (Parmeshwar) has three deities who carry on the world .This is Known as Holy Trinity. Brahma- the creator, Vishnu – the perpetuator of life and Shiva (Mahesh) -the purifier and perpetuator of good and destroyer of evil. Rig Veda refer Shiva as Rudra as in its following verse . “We Worship Tryambaka (Rudra), Who spread Fragrance and Increases Nourishment , May He release me ,like the cucumber from its stem , From Mortal Life , But not From Immorality . “(Rig Veda Mandal VII Sukta 59 and Mantra 12)

    The Yajurveda describes Shiva as ascetic warrior Whose robe is of Deer Skin and He carries Trishul.

    According to the verse Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, the life is described as having three facets Truth (Satyam), Good (Shivam) and the Beautiful (Sundaram).

    Shiva is a living God. The most Sacred and ancient books of India, the Rig Veda narrates His presence in the hymns. Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy testifies to His existence from the dawn of time .The Mohindaro and Harapa findings confirm Shiva worship in the ancient India. According to the older scriptures, He has three places of His residence. One is  Kailash Parvat another  is Lohit Giri under which Brahamputra flows and third is Muzwan Parvat .

    Special significance 

    The Legend about the importance of Amarnath Cave is as follows :-

    This is The Cave which was chosen by Bhole Shankar for narrating the secrets of immortality and creation of Universe  to Maa Parvati ji The story goes like this.

    Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shiv ji to let her know why and when he started wearing the beads of heads ( Mund Mala)  . Bhole Shankar replied whenever you are born I add one more head in my beads. Maa Parvati said,”My Lord, my body is destroyed every time and I die again and again, but you are Immortal. Please let me know the secret of this.” Bhole Shankar replied that it is due to Amar Katha.”

    Maa Parvati insisted that she may be told that secret. For long Shiva ji continued postponing. Finally on consistent demand from Maa Parvati He made up his mind to tell the immortal secret. He started for lonely place where no living being could listen it . He choose Amarnath Cave . In preparation to that He left His Nandi ( The Bull which He used to ride ) at Pahalgam (Bail gaon) . At Chandanwari He released Moon from his hairs (Jataon). At the banks of Lake Sheshnag He released the snakes . He decided to leave his Son Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill ) . At Panjtarni, Shivji left the Five Elements behind (Earth , Water, Air , Fire and Sky) which make living being . He is the Lord of these elements. It is believed that as a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world, Shivaji and Maa Parvati had Tandav Dance . After leaving behind all these, Bhole Shankar enters the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati Maa . Lord Shiva takes his Samadhi on the Deer Skin and concentrate. To ensure that no living being is able to hear the Immortal Tale , He created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him  to spread fire to eliminate every living  thing in and around the Holy Cave . After this He started narrating the secret of immortality to Maa Parvati . But as a matter of chance one egg which was lying beneath the Deer skin remained protected. It is believed to be non living and more over it was protected by Shiva -Parvati Asan (Bed) . The pair of pigeons which were born out of this egg became immortal  having listened the secret of immortality (Amar Katha).

    Many pilgrims report seeing the pair of pigeons when they trek the arduous route to pay their obeisance before the Ice-Lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).

    Discovery of Holy Cave 

    The story narrated by people about the discovery of this Holy Cave  is of a Gujjar ( shepherd) Buta Malik . He is given the credit of discovering this Holy Cave. Story goes like this , that a saint gave Buta Malik a bag full of Coal. On reaching his home when he opened the bag, to his utter surprise the bag was full of gold coins . This made him overwelmed with joy. He ran to thank the Saint. But, what he found was that the  Saint had disappeared . Instead , he found  The Holy Cave and Shiv Lingam there in . He announced the discovery of this to the Villagers. Then onwards this has become the sacred place of Pilgrimage .

    The ancient epics narrate another story which goes like this. The valley of Kashmir was under water .It was a big lake. Kashyap Rishi drained the water through number of rivers and rivulets. In those days Bhrigu Rishi came that way on a visit to The Himalyas. He was the first to have Darshans of this Holy Cave. When people heard of the Lingam, Amarnath for them became Shiva’s abode and a Centre of pilgrimage. Since then Lacs of devotees perform the pilgrimage through tough terrain and avail eternal happiness.

    The trek to Amarnath, in the month of sharavan (July-August) has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a Lingam, is formed naturally of an Ice Stalagmite, which waxes and wanes with the Moon’s cycle. By its side are fascinating, two more Ice Lingams, that of Maa Parvati and of their son, Ganesha .

  • CHURU: THE LAND OF SHIFTING SAND DUNES

    CHURU: THE LAND OF SHIFTING SAND DUNES

    Churu is a town in the desert region of Rajasthan state of India. It lies in the Thar Desert. The city of Churu was founded in 1620 by a Jat chieftain Churru. It was part of Jangladesh prior to annexation by Rathores.

    It is famous for the shifting sand dunes of the Thar Desert and beautiful grand havelis with marvelous fresco paintings, namely Kanhaiya lal Bagla ki Haweli and Surana Haweli, with hundreds of small windows. It also has some fine Chhatris. Near the town is a religious seat of the Nath sect of Sadhus where there are life-size Marble statue of their deities and a place for prayers. There stands a Dharam Stup, a symbol of religious equality. At the centre of the town is a fort built about 400 years ago.

    Black Buck Santuary 

    Talchhapar Sanctuary, situated in Churu is famous for endangered black-buck. Other wild animals found in the sanctuary are chinkara, fox, juangle cat, rojra along with many resident and migratory birds. It lies on the way of migratory pass of many birds and therefore it is also popular with bird lovers. Talchhapar, actually a flat saline depression, has a unique ecosystem.

    Talchhapar area was a game reservoir for the erstwhile Maharaja of Bikaner State and was declared a reserved area for the protection of wild animals and birds in the year 1962. Total area of Talchhapar Sanctuary is 719 hectare. The sanctuary area is mostly covered by grasses with a very few and sparse trees of Khejri, Salvadora, Ber, Ker and Neem. Main grasses found in the area are Sewan, Doob, Dhaman Lampla, Lana and Moth etc. The area gives a lush green look during rainy season but again dries up during summer season.

    Kanhaiyalal Bagla HaveliChhatries (Cenotaph)

    Churu has some good memorial domes, mostly raised to rich merchants, north of the town. Historically the most significant is ‘Aath Kambh Chhatri’ (Eight Pillar Dome) west of the vegetable market. Built in 1776 on a Rajput’s cremation site. Its base has been virtually buried by windblown sand. The interior is covered with murals, one detail depicting an early European mercenary on foot, bearing a musket. Further north are chhatris of the Mantri , Bagla and Lohia merchant families.

    Dudhwa Khara

    Just 36 kms from Churu It is an historical village which lies on Thar desert. The village has enticing topography and have huge beautifully designed havelis. One can enjoy the rural life and camel safaris in the village.

    CHURU- THE LAND OF SHIFTING SAND DUNES IMAGEGogaji

    Gogaji also known as Gugga is a folk deity of Rajasthan state in India. He is an eminent warrior-hero of the region. Hindus and Muslims alike honor him. He is also venerated as a saint and even as ‘snake-god’. He is known as Goga among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the Muslims. Gogaji is popular as a snake-god and almost every village in Rajasthan has a Than (sacred place) dedicated to him.Rabari community in Gujarat and Rajasthan is great believer in Gogaji.

    It is believed that Gogaji went into samadhi at Gogamedi. Thousands of devotees gather to pay homage at this memorial annually in the month of Bhadrapada during the Gogaji fair, which lasts for 3 days.The fair is held from the ninth day of the dark half of Bhadrapada (Goga Navami) to the eleventh day of the dark half of the same month.

    Kanhaiyalal Bagla Haveli

    Just south of the main bazaar, this haveli built around 1880 boasts the finest frieze in all the Shekhawati region. It illustrates Dhola and Maru on a camel fleeing the wicked Umra-Sumra, Sassi and Punu side by side on horseback, two set of lovers from folk tales. To the south-west is a mosque, Jama Masjid, and a little Muslim haveli decorated with non-figurative work.

    Kothari and Surana Haveli

    A group of handsome painted havelis built by two prominent Oswal Jain merchant families, the Kothari and Surana clans. Amongst them are ‘Malji Ka Kamra’ (Malji’s Haveli), an exotic stucco extravagaza built by Malaji Kothari around 1925 and the massive Surana Double Haveli, said to boast 1111 windows and doors built in the 1870s.

    Mantri Haveli

    The Mantri Haveli is one of the most beautifully designed Havelis in India. The Mantri Haveli, Churu reflects the rich grandeur and splendor of the Rajput era. One of the major tourist attractions of Rajasthan, the Mantri Haveli, Churu attracts tourists from all over to Rajasthan. The Mantri Haveli is truly a beautiful symbol of Rajput grandeur and beauty. In the Mantri Haveli, Churu you can get to see beautiful paintings and exquisite mirror work that brings travelers from all over.

    Mantri Haveli, Churu was built in the 18th century and is completely covered with paintings. From exotic images to beautiful and unique silhouettes the paintings are simply a class apart. One of the oldest Havelis in Churu, the Mantri Haveli is an art gallery. Dedicated to one of the ministers of the royal family the Mantri Haveli in Churu attracts tourists for its beauty and uniqueness.

    From floral swirls, motifs, and excellent mirror work, to balconies and alcoves, the exquisite artistry of the Rajputs are explicitly reflected in its artwork as well as architecture. From lavish ornamentation, spacious courtyards to sprawling areas, the Mantri Haveli, Churu attracts people from all over. However the front facade is completely worn out and you can feel the medieval aura and ambience once you enter inside the Mantri Haveli.

  • ASIA MARKETS ON BACK FOOT AHEAD OF GREECE VOTE

    ASIA MARKETS ON BACK FOOT AHEAD OF GREECE VOTE

    HONG KONG (TIP): Asian markets retreated on July 3  ahead of the weekend’s Greek referendum that could decide its eurozone future, while Shanghai plunged more than seven percent, at the end of a torrid week for mainland investors.

    Wall Street ended in the red as a strong increase in US jobs was overshadowed by the Greek crisis and stagnant wage growth.

    Tokyo eased 0.36 percent as the yen edged back up against the dollar, Hong Kong eased 0.12 percent and Sydney slipped 1.27 percent, while Seoul dropped 0.16 percent.

    Shanghai tumbled 7.13 percent, with the mainland market pummelled by profit-taking and margin traders calling in their bets. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China’s second exchange, dived 6.96 percent.

    With Greeks heading to the polls Sunday, analysts said investors were in a holding pattern until they had a better idea about the country’s future.

    Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras broke off debt reform talks Saturday and called the plebiscite on creditors’ proposals — leading it to default on a loan repayment on Tuesday.

    European leaders have warned that the poll is effectively an in-out vote on Greece’s future in the eurozone.

    “There could be some hesitation from investors” ahead of the Greek vote, Chris Weston, chief market strategist at IG in Melbourne, said.

    “Markets just want to see it getting solved so the contagion effect can be mitigated and we can move on to other things.”

    The EU and IMF added to pressure Thursday, slashing Greece’s growth forecasts for this year and warning it will need tens of billions of euros over the next three years to stabilise its finances.

    US data showed the economy created a solid 223,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate fell to 5.3 percent from 5.5 percent. However, the report also said hourly earnings were flat compared with May, while the estimates for job growth in April and May were cut.

    The Dow dipped 0.18 percent, the S&P 500 eased 0.06 percent and the Nasdaq dropped 0.10 percent.

    The soft wage data led investors to ease back on their bets for a September Federal Reserve interest rate rise, with speculation now for a December lift-off.

    That pushed the dollar lower, buying 122.95 yen in Asia, against 123.07 yen in New York and well off the 123.54 yen earlier Thursday in Tokyo.

    The euro fetched $1.1089 and 136.32 yen against $1.1086 and 136.43 yen Mainland Chinese markets resumed their sharp downward spiral, with Shanghai now down almost 30 percent from its June 12 peak.

    It had risen more than 150 percent over the previous year but economists say it has been hit by fears stocks were overvalued, profit-taking and margin traders unwinding their positions.

    Interventions by authorities including a surprise interest rate cut at the weekend — the fourth since November — and relaxing rules on margin trading have failed to arrest the declines.

    “Chinese brokers may still be looking at reducing their risk exposure by closing more margin debt,” Bernard Aw, Singapore-based strategist at IG Asia, said.

    Gold fetched $1,166.37 compared with$1,161.50 late on June 2.

     

  • INDIA’S EXPOSURE TO GREECE IS LIMITED, SAYS RBI GOVERNOR

    CHENNAI (TIP): The governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan on July 2  said that the Indian economy was in a recovery phase. “There are signs of pick up in capital investments,” he said. But he added that sustainable growth would require greater reforms and putting stalled projects back on track.

    The governor was in the city for a RBI board meet. Rajan also said that India’s exposure to Greece was very, very limited. “The direct exposure is very limited for India. But there is some indirect exposure like how the Euro would react to the Greece situation.” He added after the initial burst of volatility, investors will start differentiating. “Our growth prospects are good and the buffers that we have are reasonable, including foreign exchange,” Rajan said.

    He added that exports remained an area of relative concern but they have been weak across all Asian economies, barring China. On monsoon, the governor said the news on the rain front has so far been good. “The monsoon thus far has been above normal. Of course, there are varying predictions moving forward,” he said.

    The central bank and SEBI will discuss a plan to examine the foreign investment limits in government debt. “We have broadly decided to look at limits twice a year. We are committed to a steady expansion in FII participation,” Rajan said. On asset quality in the banking system, Rajan said the RBI was working with banks to ensure that they recognize the problem early and take remedial actions. “Clearly the government has to play a role here as well by helping resolve the large stuck projects and that is being worked on,” Rajan said. He also said that the RBI was tracking implementation of schemes such as the 5/25. This scheme allows banks to extend long-term loans of 20-25 years to match project cash flows, while refinancing them every five or seven years.

    At the RBI board meet on July 2, members also discussed the setting up of a NBFC (non banking finance company) that would essentially be an account aggregator for the common man. This common account aggregation facility, will allow people to get details of all their financial assets in one place.

  • Berlin to meet US ambassador over spying reports: Source

    Berlin to meet US ambassador over spying reports: Source

    BERLIN (TIP): German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff will meet the US ambassador on July 2 to discuss allegations that US spies bugged senior government ministers, a German government source said.

    In the latest twist in an ongoing scandal over extensive US spying in Europe which has caused outrage in Germany, media reported that the US National Security Agency (NSA) had bugged the economy and finance ministers.

    “The Chancellor’s Chief of Staff has invited US Ambassador John Emerson to a meeting because of the new bugging revelations. The conversation is due to take place on Thursday afternoon,” the source told Reuters.

    Privacy is a particularly sensitive issue in Germany due to its experience of extensive surveillance by the Stasi secret police during the Cold War and the Gestapo in the Nazi era. The scandal, triggered by revelations from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, has caused a chill in relations between Berlin and Washington.

    Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily and broadcasting network ARD reported that the NSA targeted 69 telephone and fax numbers in the German government administration.

    They based their reports on documents released on the Wikileaks website.

    Among the officials targeted were the economy minister and as well as several deputy ministers, the reports said.Asked about the reports, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said he was most worried by the risks of industrial espionage, particularly given the links his ministry has to companies.

    “It is an absurd carry-on,” Gabriel told ARD television.

    Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, responsible for security issues, said Germany would look at the latest allegations.

    “We have become more distrustful,” he said.

    The role of Germany’s spies has also been in the spotlight since reports surfaced earlier this year that its BND foreign intelligence agency had cooperated with the NSA.