Google to shut down Picasa

New York: After the launch of Google Photos service, Internet search giant Google is shutting down its photo editing software Picasa, the company announced on Saturday. Picasa is a software that enables users to easily manage photos on personal computers, transform them with effects and upload and share them online. The company has said that the photos and videos, which are in the user's Picasa Web Album could be accessed, modified and shared through Google Photos. The Picasa desktop application will no longer be in service from March 15, 2016. — IANS

Don't observe Valentine's Day: Pak President 

Islamabad: Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has asked his countrymen to avoid observing Valentine's Day on February 14, saying the western tradition was not part of "our culture". Hussain said that a blind following of western traditions will lead to a degradation of "our values", and has led to several problems, including increase in attacks against women in a neighbouring country.  — pti

Ranvir Trehan is Kennedy Centre trustee

Washington: US President Barack Obama is set to appoint an Indian-American philanthropist to a key administration post at the prestigious John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts here. Ranvir Trehan, who holds a degree of Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from Birla Institute of Engineering and Science (BITS), Pilani, is set to be nominated as a general trustee at the Kennedy Centre. — ptI

Poor air quality 'kills' 1.4m Indians annually

Washington: More than 1.4 million people die prematurely every year in India due to household and outdoor air pollution, researchers have estimated. Of the 5.5 million people air pollution-related global deaths every year, India and China together account for 55 per cent of these deaths, the research showed. In India, a major contributor to poor air quality is the practice of burning wood, dung and similar sources of biomass for cooking and heating. — IANS

Indian envoy to Tajikistan passes away 

New Delhi: India's Ambassador to Tajikistan Biraja Prasad passed away on Saturday morning. "Our deepest condolences to the family of Biraja Prasad, our Ambassador to Tajikistan, who tragically passed away this morning," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted. Biraja Prasad, a 1998 batch Indian Foreign Service officer of Odisha, was the youngest IFS officer to be appointed as Ambassador. — IANS

Modi's faux pas on Twitter

New Delhi: In a faux pas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday wished Afghan President Ashraf Ghani happy birthday on Twitter. Ghani graciously accepted the wishes, but added his birthday was actually on the May 19. Modi tweeted: Happy birthday @ashrafghani. Praying for your long life & exceptional health and a joyful journey ahead. Ghani replied: @narendramodi Greetings from Munich Mr. PM. Although, my Birthday is on 19th May, but I'd still like to thank you for your gracious words. — TNS