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Friday, July 31, 2009
NASA Tests Internet in Space
The many paths a message can take through the Internet make that network robust and efficient -- and the envy of those whose job it is to design communications schemes for the far-flung spacecraft leaving Earth each year. After more than a decade of development, NASA is in a rush to have a communications network ready by 2011 that can efficiently carry data between Earth and the multiple probes, rovers, orbiters and spacecraft exploring the solar system -- effectively binding them together to form an interplanetary Internet. Tests performed on the International Space Station last May were the second of three tryouts of the network's key technologies, called Delay Tolerant Networking, or DTN, protocols.
The DTN protocols will extend the terrestrial Internet into space by overcoming a number of obstacles, including the extraordinary length of time it takes packets to move between separate hops in a deep-space network, the intermittent nature of network connections, and bit-scrambling solar radiation.
"The communication delays are huge, and they are variable, because the planets are in orbit around the sun," says Vint Cerf, co-inventor of the Internet's TCP/IP protocol and a key member of a group of computer scientists who began working on DTN in 1998. On Earth, packets move from source to destination in milliseconds. By contrast, a one-way trip from Earth to Mars takes a minimum of 8 minutes. The constant motion of celestial bodies means that packets have to pause and wait for antennas to align as they hop from planet to probe to spacecraft.
So sending communications in space is very different from doing so on Earth, where the stable topology of the Internet is taken for granted.
"What we have to do instead is to tell all the nodes that these are the changes that are going to occur," says Scott Burleigh, a software engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in Pasadena, Calif., and one of the original developers of DTN. "You are going to be able to communicate from A to B at this data rate starting at 12:30 and ending at 3:30, and then you are not going to be able to communicate on that link anymore... until next Tuesday."
The DTN protocols will extend the terrestrial Internet into space by overcoming a number of obstacles, including the extraordinary length of time it takes packets to move between separate hops in a deep-space network, the intermittent nature of network connections, and bit-scrambling solar radiation.
"The communication delays are huge, and they are variable, because the planets are in orbit around the sun," says Vint Cerf, co-inventor of the Internet's TCP/IP protocol and a key member of a group of computer scientists who began working on DTN in 1998. On Earth, packets move from source to destination in milliseconds. By contrast, a one-way trip from Earth to Mars takes a minimum of 8 minutes. The constant motion of celestial bodies means that packets have to pause and wait for antennas to align as they hop from planet to probe to spacecraft.
So sending communications in space is very different from doing so on Earth, where the stable topology of the Internet is taken for granted.
"What we have to do instead is to tell all the nodes that these are the changes that are going to occur," says Scott Burleigh, a software engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in Pasadena, Calif., and one of the original developers of DTN. "You are going to be able to communicate from A to B at this data rate starting at 12:30 and ending at 3:30, and then you are not going to be able to communicate on that link anymore... until next Tuesday."
Tracking Alien Species With Smart Phones (Watch video)
click here to watch video:http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090730-survey-video-ap.html
Models of Earliest Vehicles Found
Some of the world's first farmers may have sped around in two-wheeled carts pulled by camels and bulls, suggests a new analysis on tiny models of these carts that date to 6,000-5,000 years ago.
The cart models, which may have been ritual objects or children's toys, were found at Altyndepe, a Chalcolithic and Bronze Age settlement in Western Central Asia near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Together with other finds, the cart models provide a history of how wheeled transportation first emerged in the area and later developed.
"Horsepower" is a common term today, but the ancients had bull-power, followed by camel-power, researcher Lyubov Kircho explained to Discovery News.
"I think that the carts pulled by bulls were mostly used in agriculture in the 4th millennium, when the climate was more humid," said Kircho, who is at the Institute for the History of Material Culture at the Russian Academy of Sciences.
His study, published in Russian, appears in the journal Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia. An English version has been accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the 19th International Conference of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists.
The cart models, which may have been ritual objects or children's toys, were found at Altyndepe, a Chalcolithic and Bronze Age settlement in Western Central Asia near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Together with other finds, the cart models provide a history of how wheeled transportation first emerged in the area and later developed.
"Horsepower" is a common term today, but the ancients had bull-power, followed by camel-power, researcher Lyubov Kircho explained to Discovery News.
"I think that the carts pulled by bulls were mostly used in agriculture in the 4th millennium, when the climate was more humid," said Kircho, who is at the Institute for the History of Material Culture at the Russian Academy of Sciences.
His study, published in Russian, appears in the journal Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia. An English version has been accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the 19th International Conference of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists.
West Indies v Bangladesh at Basseterre, 3rd ODI Live(31 july)
England v Australia at Birmingham, 3rd Test - Day 2 (The Ashes)
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Hashmi alleges he was denied a house as he's Muslim
Bollywood actor Emran Hashmi has made some serious allegations against an upscale housing society in Mumbai.
Hashmi alleges he was refused a house in Nibbana Cooperative Society allegedly because he is a Muslim.
Hashmi wanted to buy an apartment in the Pali Hill society but was allegedly told to go and look elsewhere.
He has filed a complaint with the State Minorities' Commission, demanding action against the society members.
Hashmi says the society has mostly Hindus and a couple of Catholic families.
He said he faced a similar situation earlier as well when he was looking for a house in the same area.
Residents and brokers had allegedly told him even then that he wouldn't get a house because he was a Muslim. Maharashtra Minorities Commission vice-chairman Abraham Mathai said the commission is sending a notice to the housing society.
“Emraan Hashmi has complained that the building society is refusing to give him NOC to complete the transaction of the deal to buy the flat. He has given Rs 1 lakh as token money. Building society refuses to give NOC because he is a Muslim. He has made a written complaint. We are sending a notice to the society chairman. We will ask them to explain their stand. No such complaint filed ever,” he says.
IAF trainer plane crashes in AP, two pilots killed
An Indian Air Force (IAF) plane crashed in Medak, Andhra Pradesh on Friday morning.
The plane was a HPT-32 trainer aircraft and had two IAF pilots on board.
Nitin Jain and Chaturvedi (full name not yet known) were the training instructors at the Air Force Academy.
The two pilots were on a trainee flight.
Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday that thirty-two MiG series aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in the last five years killing eight pilots.
The plane was two kilometers from landing. The plane crashed on a barren stretch of land. There were no casualties reported on the ground.
"32 MiG aircraft have met with accidents during the last five years and a total of eight pilots have lost their lives in these accidents," he said while replying to a query in Rajya SabhaIndia to have 3rd largest number of Internet users by 2013
he number of internet users worldwide is expected to touch 2.2 billion by 2013 and India is projected to have the third largest online population during the same time, says a report.
"... India will be the third largest internet user base by 2013 – with China and the US taking the first two spots, respectively," technology and market research firm Forrester Research said in a report.
Globally, there were about 1.5 billion Internet users in the year 2008.
Titled 'Global Online Population Forecast, 2008 to 2013', the report noted that emerging markets like India would see a growth of 10 to 20 per cent by 2013.
"In some of the emerging markets in Asia such as China, India and Indonesia, the average annual growth rates will be 10 to 20 percent over the next five years (2008-13)," the report said. India's number of Internet users was estimated to be 52 million in 2008.
In the next four years, about 43 percent of the Internet users globally are anticipated to reside in Asia and neighbouring China would account for about half of that population.
"... the shifting online population and growing spending power among Asian consumers means that Asian markets will represent a far greater percentage of the total in 2013 than they do today," Forrester Research Senior Analyst Zia Daniell Wigder said.
According to the report, the percentage of internet users in Asia would increase to 43 percent in 2013 from 38 percent in 2008.
"The percentage of the global online population located in North America will drop from 17 percent to 13 percent between 2008 and 2013, while Europe's share will shrink from 26 percent to 22 percent.
"The percentage of those in Asia will increase from 38 percent to 43 percent and Latin America will remain steady at about 11 percent of the global total," Forrester noted.
The report said apart from China, other Asian countries with substantial online growth rates include India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
"By contrast, growth rates in some of the more mature markets such as Japan and South Korea will rise by less than two percent each year," it added.
Amazon River estimated to be 11mn years old
n a new research, scientists at the University of Liverpool, UK, have discovered that the Amazon River is 11 million years old.
As part of the research, University of Liverpool researchers, in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam and Petrobras, the national oil company of Brazil, analyzed sedimentary material taken from two boreholes near the mouth of the river to calculate the age of the Amazon river and the Amazon deep sea fan.
Prior to this study, the exact age of the Amazon, one of the two largest rivers in the world, was not known.
Until recently, the Amazon Fan, a submarine sediment column around 10km thick, had proven difficult to penetrate.
New exploration efforts by Petrobas, however, have lea to two new boreholes being drilled near the mouth of the Amazon - one 2.5miles (4.5km) below sea level - which resulted in new sedimentological and paleontological analysis of samples from the river sediment.
“River sediment records provide a unique insight into the palaeoclimate and geography of the hinterland,” said Jorge Figueiredo from the University’s Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences.
“This new research has large implications for our understanding of South American paleogeography and the evolution of aquatic organisms in Amazonia and on the Atlantic coast,” he added.
“The origin of the Amazon River is a defining moment: a new ecosystem came into being at the same time as the uplifting Andes formed a geographic divide,” he explained.
Shruti Haasan in Ajith's next flick?
Shruthi Haasan's first film Luck has just opened to good response and her performance has been widely appreciated. Shruti has done some daredevil stunt sequences in Luck without using a dupe, and every one in the film's unit was awestruck by Shruti's can-do-anything attitude! She has now started receiving offers from various production houses, but it is believed that Shruti does not want to accept every offer that comes her way and is also careful not to star in films with similar roles. Meanwhile, insiders claim that Shruti has agreed to star in Ajith's next film but is also planning to concentrate on her career in music. Will she be able to strike a balance between acting and music? Let's wait and watch!
Hema Malini is Shriya's idol
The sexy and vivacious Shriya Saran, who captured the hearts of Tamil, Telugu and Hindi audiences with her acting prowess as well as scintillating screen presence, is a wonderful combination of simplicity and oomph. Shriya works very hard on her appearance and is very careful about her eating habits. Always prim and proper, with never a strand of hair out of place, her dedication to her health has made many young girls emulate her. But who is Shriya's role model? It is none other than Dream Girl Hema Malini. This 60-plus actress looks as amazing today as she did in her heydays. And that is one of the main reasons Shriya selected Hema Malini as her role model. Shriya will soon sizzle the screens in Kanthaswamy/ Mallanna.
Americans ready to buy Indian, Chinese cars
Americans are ready to buy cars from India and China, a survey in the US has revealed.
Results of the survey called 'Opportunity for Chinese and Indian Brands in the USA' shows that 15 percent of the new car buyers in the US say they would consider purchasing their next vehicle from China, and 11 percent would consider buying a car from India.
"As Hyundai and Kia have been on the American scene for decades now, it's surprising that consideration for Chinese and Indian brands would be about as strong as it is for the Korean brands," automotive research firm AutoPacific President and author of the study George Peterson said.
"It appears that buyers in America are willing to give Chinese and Indian vehicles a chance right out of the box. Understanding these consumers will be critically important to the success of any newcomer," he said.
"Not only are a significant number of people willing to consider Chinese and Indian brands, this group consists of highly desirable buyers who would be coveted by any manufacturer," Peterson said.
The study shows Chinese and Indian car considerers are likely to currently own Japanese and Korean brands, indicating that these brands may face a lot of competition from the new entries, rather than domestic brands- Chrysler, Ford or GM.
Ram Charan Teja's Magadheera premieres tonight
Magadheera, the second movie of Ram Charan Teja, is all set to release. Touted to be one of the most expensive films ever made in Tollywood, starring Kajal Aggarwal and directed by S.S. Rajamouli, this Geetha Arts production promises to be a visual extravaganza. The grand premiere of the movie is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad tonight. The biggest names from the Telugu film industry are expected to attend. The film formally releases tomorrow with 720 prints in 1500 theatres across 14 countries. Ram Charan Teja visited the Ameen Peer Dargah in Kadapa yesterday to seek the blessings of the Sufi saint for the success of his movie
Thursday, July 30, 2009
England v Australia at Birmingham, 3rd Test - Day 1 (The Ashes)
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009
How Wireless Power technology Works
Unless you are particularly organized and good with tie wrap, you probably have a few dusty power cord tangles around your home. You may have even had to follow one particular cord through the seemingly impossible snarl to the outlet, hoping that the plug you pull will be the right one. This is one of the downfalls of electricity. While it can make people's lives easier, it can add a lot of clutter in the process.
For these reasons, scientists have tried to develop methods of wireless power transmission that could cut the clutter or lead to clean sources of electricity. While the idea may sound futuristic, it isn't particularly new. Nicola Tesla proposed theories of wireless power transmission in the late 1800s and early 1900s. One of his more spectacular displays involved remotely powering lights in the ground at his Colorado Springs experiment station.
Tesla's work was impressive, but it didn't immediately lead to widespread, practical methods for wireless power transmission. Since then, researchers have developed several techniques for moving electricity over long distances without wires. Some exist only as theories or prototypes, but others are already in use. If you have an electric toothbrush, for example, you probably take advantage of one method every day.
For these reasons, scientists have tried to develop methods of wireless power transmission that could cut the clutter or lead to clean sources of electricity. While the idea may sound futuristic, it isn't particularly new. Nicola Tesla proposed theories of wireless power transmission in the late 1800s and early 1900s. One of his more spectacular displays involved remotely powering lights in the ground at his Colorado Springs experiment station.
Tesla's work was impressive, but it didn't immediately lead to widespread, practical methods for wireless power transmission. Since then, researchers have developed several techniques for moving electricity over long distances without wires. Some exist only as theories or prototypes, but others are already in use. If you have an electric toothbrush, for example, you probably take advantage of one method every day.
The wireless transmission of energy is common in much of the world. Radio waves are energy, and people use them to send and receive cell phone, TV, radio and WiFi signals every day. The radio waves spread in all directions until they reach antennae that are tuned to the right frequency. A similar method for transferring electrical power would be both inefficient and dangerous.
For example, a toothbrush's daily exposure to water makes a traditional plug-in charger potentially dangerous. Ordinary electrical connections could also allow water to seep into the toothbrush, damaging its components. Because of this, most toothbrushes recharge through inductive coupling. See the next page to learn more about how inductive coupling works.
For example, a toothbrush's daily exposure to water makes a traditional plug-in charger potentially dangerous. Ordinary electrical connections could also allow water to seep into the toothbrush, damaging its components. Because of this, most toothbrushes recharge through inductive coupling. See the next page to learn more about how inductive coupling works.
Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Memory
The human brain is like a library that stocks memories instead of books. In some ways, that makes the hippocampus, the part of the brain most involved in memory, the brain's librarian. The hippocampus has the most responsibility in this cranial library, juggling the new releases of short-term memory while cataloging materials for the permanent collection of long-term memory. It's not the only part at work, however, in storing these chapters of our lives. Different kinds of memory are stored in different areas of the brain. With such a large system, the brain needs a system of encoding and retrieving memories, something a bit more complex than the local library's Dewey Decimal System.
The brain has to be able to pull information at the drop of a hat, whether it's a fact on hold (such as a telephone number) or a dusty memory that's been sitting in storage for years (the memory of your first kiss). No one likes a library that loses books or shelves them in the wrong place. Yet sometimes we find ourselves with a very poor librarian on our hands, one that doesn't allow us to retrieve memories when we need them. Sometimes it's trivial, like when we tear apart our homes looking for glasses perched innocuously atop our heads, and sometimes these lapses in memories are more embarrassing, such as when we call a colleague "sport" because we simply can't remember his name.
Whether you're a college student studying for an important test or an aging baby boomer concerned about forgetting a recent doctor's appointment, there are a few things everyone can do to optimize the storage and checkouts in our private libraries of memories. Alert the librarian and head to the next page for the first tip.
The brain has to be able to pull information at the drop of a hat, whether it's a fact on hold (such as a telephone number) or a dusty memory that's been sitting in storage for years (the memory of your first kiss). No one likes a library that loses books or shelves them in the wrong place. Yet sometimes we find ourselves with a very poor librarian on our hands, one that doesn't allow us to retrieve memories when we need them. Sometimes it's trivial, like when we tear apart our homes looking for glasses perched innocuously atop our heads, and sometimes these lapses in memories are more embarrassing, such as when we call a colleague "sport" because we simply can't remember his name.
Whether you're a college student studying for an important test or an aging baby boomer concerned about forgetting a recent doctor's appointment, there are a few things everyone can do to optimize the storage and checkouts in our private libraries of memories. Alert the librarian and head to the next page for the first tip.
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New 7 Wonders of the World Anounced
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The giant Galápagos tortoise (above, a tortoise near the rim of the Alcedo Volcano) is one of the many species on the Galápagos Islands that are found nowhere else on Earth.
But these unique species "are in considerable danger from irresponsible visitation by large cruise ships and inappropriate development," Tourtellot said.
Though the islands' rating on National Geographic's Destination Scorecards has improved slightly in recent years, the area is "still very much on the cusp," he said.
"When you visit the Galápagos, make sure you're doing that with a responsible tour operator."
The volcanic archipelago, about 600 miles (965 kilometers) west of mainland Ecuador, was named one of the 28 finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature contest on July 21, 2009.
The Dead Sea (above, a boater rowing in Israel and Jordan, has received low ratings on past Destination Scorecards, Tourtellot said.
The sea is one of 28 finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature contest, announced July 21, 2009.
When the final cut is made in 2011, the new world wonders may either be overrun with damaging tourism or become better-managed destinations, Tourtellot said.
"It depends on the stewardship ethic in those places. In New Zealand the stewardship ethic is high. In Abu Dhabi it's totally clueless, and you've got everything in between
Maldives
One of the 28 New7Wonders of Nature finalists, the Maldives are made up of 1,192 small islands (including the above), but people live on only about 200 of them.
Even fewer of those islands will be inhabited if climate change continues to raise sea levels in the Indian Ocean, particularly around the low-lying capital of Maale (Male), experts say. (See pictures of Maale (Male) and other places endangered by climate change.)
If the Maldives make it to the final seven-wonders list, the resulting attention may inspire more action on climate change, Tourtellot suggested.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
The world's tallest waterfall was named one of 28 finalists in an international contest to decide the seven wonders of the natural world via popular vote. At 3,287 feet (1,002 meters) tall, Angel Falls is more than 19 times taller than North America's Niagara Falls.
The falls are also situated in a region full of tepuis—tabletop mountains unique to northern South America—which are "in danger from inappropriate or thoughtless resource development, like power lines cutting through scenic areas," National Geographic sustainable-tourism expert Jonathan Tourtellot said.
"Tepui country could do for more tourism as an economic counterforce for that kind of thoughtless development," added Tourtellot, who is also spearheading the second-annual Geotourism Challenge, where voters chose places "they consider most cutting edge in providing visitors with authentic travel experiences, whether in a big city or a remote spot."
Anavilhanas Reserve, Brazil
Researchers collect fish in Brazil's Anavilhanas Reserve in the Amazon Basin, which contains more than half of the planet's remaining rain forests.
On July 21, 2009, the species-rich region was named one of 28 finalists for the New7Wonders of Nature, a global contest that allows people to vote for the seven wonders of the natural world by Internet and phone, American Idol style.
(See all 28 of the finalists on the New7Wonders Web site.)
An expert panel helped the New7Wonders Foundation--the brainchild of Swiss filmmaker and museum curator Bernard Weber--choose the finalists based on unique beauty, ecological significance, and historical legacy, among other criteria.
"This is an extraordinary achievement and the eyes of the planet will be upon these 28 stunning locations for the next two years," Weber said in a statement.
Chosen by what the foundation hopes will be a billion voters, the winning seven wonders are to be announced in 2011.
In July 2007 the foundation announced the New Seven Wonders of the World, backed by more than a hundred million votes.
Jonathan Tourtellot, director of the National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations, warns that the new natural wonders may be inundated with harmful tourism if their countries do not have a robust stewardship ethic. (The National Geographic Society owns National Geographic News.)
"When you draw attention to a place, you are automatically raising the tourism ante on that place. So if the place is not prepared for the increasing tourism that something like this might create, then there could be problems," he said.
But the Amazon, which spans 2,702,715 square miles (7 million square kilometers) in nine countries, is "not suffering from excess tourism, it's suffering from not enough tourism as a counterpoint for other uses in the Amazon Basin," such as lumbering or large-scale farming, Tourtellot explained.
Researchers collect fish in Brazil's Anavilhanas Reserve in the Amazon Basin, which contains more than half of the planet's remaining rain forests.
On July 21, 2009, the species-rich region was named one of 28 finalists for the New7Wonders of Nature, a global contest that allows people to vote for the seven wonders of the natural world by Internet and phone, American Idol style.
(See all 28 of the finalists on the New7Wonders Web site.)
An expert panel helped the New7Wonders Foundation--the brainchild of Swiss filmmaker and museum curator Bernard Weber--choose the finalists based on unique beauty, ecological significance, and historical legacy, among other criteria.
"This is an extraordinary achievement and the eyes of the planet will be upon these 28 stunning locations for the next two years," Weber said in a statement.
Chosen by what the foundation hopes will be a billion voters, the winning seven wonders are to be announced in 2011.
In July 2007 the foundation announced the New Seven Wonders of the World, backed by more than a hundred million votes.
Jonathan Tourtellot, director of the National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations, warns that the new natural wonders may be inundated with harmful tourism if their countries do not have a robust stewardship ethic. (The National Geographic Society owns National Geographic News.)
"When you draw attention to a place, you are automatically raising the tourism ante on that place. So if the place is not prepared for the increasing tourism that something like this might create, then there could be problems," he said.
But the Amazon, which spans 2,702,715 square miles (7 million square kilometers) in nine countries, is "not suffering from excess tourism, it's suffering from not enough tourism as a counterpoint for other uses in the Amazon Basin," such as lumbering or large-scale farming, Tourtellot explained.
World's Biggest Cave Found in Vietnam
A massive cave recently uncovered in a remote Vietnamese jungle is the largest single cave passage yet found, a new survey shows.At 262-by-262 feet (80-by-80 meters) in most places, the Son Doong cave beats out the previous world-record holder, Deer Cave in the Malaysian section of the island of Borneo.
Deer Cave is no less than 300-by-300 feet (91-by-91 meters), but it's only about a mile (1.6 kilometers) long.
By contrast, explorers walked 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) into Son Doong, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, before being blocked by seasonal floodwaters—and they think that the passage is even longer.
In addition, for a couple of miles Son Doong reaches more than 460-by-460 feet (140-by-140 meters), said Adam Spillane, a member of the British Cave Research Association expedition that explored the massive cavern.
Spillane was in the first of two groups to enter the cave. His team followed the passage as far as a 46-foot-high (14-meter-high) wall.
"The second team that went in got flooded out," he said. "We're going back next year to climb that wall and explore the cave further."
(See photographs of the Son Doong cave.)
Laser Precision
A local farmer, who had found the entrance to the Son Doong cave several years ago, led the joint British-Vietnamese expedition team to the cavern in April.
The team found an underground river running through the first 1.6 miles (2.5 kilometers) of the limestone cavern, as well as giant stalagmites more than 230 feet (70 meters) high.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
West Indies v Bangladesh at Roseau, 2nd ODI Live cricket match
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Monday, July 27, 2009
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Gracy Singh, Siddharth Koirala, Raghuveer Yadav, Vijay Raaz, Asrani, Virendra Saxena, Aroon Bakshi
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Adhyayan Suman, Anjana Sukhani, Shahana Goswami, Humayun Saeed
'Chinese drugs with Indian labels affecting exports to Africa'
Chinese drugs with Indian labels are flooding West Africa, seriously impacting attempts by Indian pharmaceutical companies to enter the African market, according to the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil).
'Drugs of Chinese origin are reaching Nigeria with labels saying these are made in India,' Pharmexcil executive director P.V. Appaji told IANS.
'We have to be extremely careful in ensuring that only genuine drugs exported from India and protected drugs are made available to the African public,' Appaji said, adding: 'Worldwide, access to low cost generics is under threat from counterfeits, generic violations or local laws, but that is something that we can work out together.'
According to him, the potential for India and South Africa to cooperate to push generic drugs was 'excellent'.
'I found that the South African government is well aware of this, and is trying to take care of it by increasing the penetration of generic drugs throughout South Africa,' Appaji said.
The Indian pharmaceutical industry is well positioned in dealing with these challenges and will benefit from establishing links with South Africa, he added.
The Pharmexcil delegation will also visit countries neighbouring South Africa such as Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia later this week.
Pharmexcil's foray into Africa started with Kenya in East Africa and Tunisia in North Africa, with a delegation visiting Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa three months ago.
'We found that generic drugs are very well received in these African countries and hope to establish links with them to counter the impact of counterfeit generic drugs,' Appaji said.
'Drugs of Chinese origin are reaching Nigeria with labels saying these are made in India,' Pharmexcil executive director P.V. Appaji told IANS.
'We have to be extremely careful in ensuring that only genuine drugs exported from India and protected drugs are made available to the African public,' Appaji said, adding: 'Worldwide, access to low cost generics is under threat from counterfeits, generic violations or local laws, but that is something that we can work out together.'
According to him, the potential for India and South Africa to cooperate to push generic drugs was 'excellent'.
'I found that the South African government is well aware of this, and is trying to take care of it by increasing the penetration of generic drugs throughout South Africa,' Appaji said.
The Indian pharmaceutical industry is well positioned in dealing with these challenges and will benefit from establishing links with South Africa, he added.
The Pharmexcil delegation will also visit countries neighbouring South Africa such as Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia later this week.
Pharmexcil's foray into Africa started with Kenya in East Africa and Tunisia in North Africa, with a delegation visiting Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa three months ago.
'We found that generic drugs are very well received in these African countries and hope to establish links with them to counter the impact of counterfeit generic drugs,' Appaji said.
send e-mail greetings to loved ones from beyond the grave
A new range of internet services have made it possible for users to now send e-mail greetings to their loved ones from beyond the grave.
These online services are being used to send birthday wishes to friends, congratulations on a graduation, and to keep spouses happy.
Before they die, internet users can programme the sites to fire off posthumous e-mails on key dates each year.
People using these services can even set up their own online memorial in advance.
The messages go live when the website is alerted to a subscriber's demise.
According to reports, these websites are part of a growing trend for "digital wills".
Though not legally binding, the online wills are aimed at ensuring that next of kin can gain full access to a dead person's musings on sites like Facebook and Hotmail, as well as passwords for internet banking and other e-documents.
One Simon Gilligan, 63, from Littleport, Cambridgeshire, has made a digital will on lastmessagesclub.co.uk, which launched this month, in tandem with a paper will.
"It has things like personal messages to my wife and children and various details of my bank accounts, e-mail and my Facebook account," Times Online quoted him as saying.
"I did it because I have heard of situations where people have died and it has taken a long time to get the information. This will make it easier for my wife and children.
"I would definitely consider setting it up to send another e-mail out to my family on a birthday. That would choke everybody up," he added. (ANI)
These online services are being used to send birthday wishes to friends, congratulations on a graduation, and to keep spouses happy.
Before they die, internet users can programme the sites to fire off posthumous e-mails on key dates each year.
People using these services can even set up their own online memorial in advance.
The messages go live when the website is alerted to a subscriber's demise.
According to reports, these websites are part of a growing trend for "digital wills".
Though not legally binding, the online wills are aimed at ensuring that next of kin can gain full access to a dead person's musings on sites like Facebook and Hotmail, as well as passwords for internet banking and other e-documents.
One Simon Gilligan, 63, from Littleport, Cambridgeshire, has made a digital will on lastmessagesclub.co.uk, which launched this month, in tandem with a paper will.
"It has things like personal messages to my wife and children and various details of my bank accounts, e-mail and my Facebook account," Times Online quoted him as saying.
"I did it because I have heard of situations where people have died and it has taken a long time to get the information. This will make it easier for my wife and children.
"I would definitely consider setting it up to send another e-mail out to my family on a birthday. That would choke everybody up," he added. (ANI)
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Saturday, July 25, 2009
Katrina Kaif in a 'Desi' Avatar
The actress who is known for her super-cool and hip looks in her films has gone desi for Priyadarshan's upcoming flick 'De Dhana Dhan'. Katz has opted for an Amrapali-style costume replete with traditional jewels, classical dance steps along with her traditional Indian pose. De Dhana Dhan stars her lucky charm Akshay Kumar and is a romantic comedy shot in Singapore and Mumbai at a budget of Rs 60 crores. This film brings back the team of Akshay, Sunil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, and director Priyadarshan together after eight years. Just before Katz left for London to spend time with her family, Kat shot for a song sequence with Akshay Kumar at Mehboob Studios.
http://www.bharatmovies.com/videos/bollywood/news-gossips/katrina-kaif-in-desi-avatar.htm
http://www.bharatmovies.com/videos/bollywood/news-gossips/katrina-kaif-in-desi-avatar.htm
Shruti Hassan's exclusive hot photo-shoot!
Salman Khan fights with real lion in 'Veer'
Hiding emotions makes it difficult to build friendships
An Indian-origin researcher in the US says that people who keep too much of their emotions to themselves may find it difficult to build friendships. Sanjay Srivastava, a professor of psychology at the University of Oregon, says that even though suppressing emotions in new or difficult situations is understandable and perhaps appropriate, carrying the practice too far creates a vicious cycle where trusting others.Writing about the research work in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Srivastava revealed that the study looked at the social costs of emotional suppression among 278 college
freshman during their first term at a major West Coast university. The students — 58 percent female, 31 percent Asian, 60 percent white, 15 percent Hispanic, 7 percent black and 4 percent Native American — were contacted before they left home for college. Both before and after the transition, participants completed intensive assessments about their social and emotional experiences. They also nominated acquaintances who knew them well — virtually all new friends at college — to be surveyed about how the participants had adjusted. The study was carried out as part of a larger research project looking at how and why emotions matter for social adjustment, particularly in critical situations like the transition to college. The researchers behind it looked at expressive suppression, a strategy some people use to regulate emotions where they "basically just try to not show any emotion on the outside," Srivastava said. They took the aid of weekly diaries to obtained data on each participant's support from parents and friends, closeness with others, social satisfaction and academic satisfaction. At the end of the term, the participants again addressed their levels of support from friends, closeness, and social and academic satisfaction. The researchers also gathered corroborating information from friends who could give first-hand accounts of how the participants were faring at college. "Hiding your emotions is something that is very common but it's something that often is not the right thing to do. We're not saying never ever do this, but doing it may have negative effects in certain contexts, such as in transitioning into college. It may be hurting the formation of relationships," Srivastava said. According to him, data gathered from the participants and friends provided similar results. "People who were hiding or masking their emotions were having more difficult times forming close, meaningful, supportive and satisfying relationships," he said. He points out that studies conducted in the past have shown that people keep emotions hidden during times when they feel alienated or disconnected, or when a situation leaves them feeling out of control. For some individuals, those feelings may be more pronounced during major transitions, putting college freshmen at particular risk
Aligarh schoolgirl leaves for US for NASA student programme
Aligarh schoolgirl leaves for US for NASA student programme
Palak Agrawal, one of the two schoolgirls selected from India to visit the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) agency for training in space shuttle
designing, left for the US on Friday late night. Palak Agarwal, who belongs to Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district, has been selected under a student programme under which few students across the globe get an opportunity to get trained at NASA. Palak, studying in X standard, values American astronaut of Indian origin Kalpana Chawla as her source of inspiration, as she studies in the same school in which Chawla used to study. “I am inspired by Kalpana Chawla. She dreamt that India should foster ahead in this (astronomy) field. I want to fulfill her dream," said Palak Agrawal. Meanwhile, Palak’s family expressed its happiness and said that they were all proud of her achievement. “Parents feel proud if their kid does well. She was determined from beginning to achieve something in a scientific field. Inspired by Kalpana Chawla, she did her research on Internet. We helped her in whatever manner we can. Wherever she had to give test or seek admission, we took her and will continue to do so,” said Palak’s father, Kanhiya Lal Agrawal.
Jet's new Hyderabad-Dubai daily service from Aug 16
Jet Airways will launch a new Hyderabad-Dubai flight from August 16, the private carrier's fifth daily service to the Gulf city and the second from Southern India. The airline will deploy Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the lucrative route. At present, the Naresh Goyal-led carrier operates twice daily services to Dubai from Mumbai, and daily from Delhi and Chennai. "With the growing popularity of Dubai as a leading business and leisure destination, there has been an increasing demand for enhanced air connectivity to the Gulf emirate from Southern India," Jet Chief Executive Wolfgang Prock-Schauer said in a release here today. "We are confident that the new service from Hyderabad will be well appreciated by travellers and will complement our existing services from India," he said. With the introduction of the new service, Jet will operate 17 frequencies to seven destinations in the Gulf, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Abu Dhai, Jeddah and Dubai from several Indian cities.
Gates wants window to India's national ID project
Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Friday said it would be a "big mistake" if the US curbs the entry of skilled workers from abroad, rallying behind the "smart people" from countries like India that has a globally recognised outsourcing industry.
He also said Microsoft will like to partner the Indian government in its ambitious plan to give a unique identity number and a biometric card to each of its 1.17 billion people.
"I can't make any predictions. Immigration policy could get more difficult. Microsoft as a company is very vocal. It would be a big mistake," said Gates, here for overseeing the philanthropic activities of the foundation he has formed with his wife Melinda.
"The US Congress is very tough on immigration. But why not make an exception for smart people?" he said at an interactive session organised by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) at the Durbar Hall of Taj Palace Hotel here.
Gates even maintained that the job market in the US had not shifted anywhere, when asked to respond to US President Barack Obama's comments that he will not like jobs to be taken away from Buffalo to outsourcing companies in Bangalore.
"If we get the statistics, about 1,800 US people are working here (in India)."
Even though Gates now devotes most of his time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he has always been vocal about his support for migrant professionals that is reflected in the number of such workers at the Microsoft offices in the US.
According to Nasscom, Indian nationals accounted for 157,726 H1B visas, or 37.8 percent of the 409,619 admissions under this US programme in 2008. This is a drop of about 3,000 professionals compared to 2007.
Gates said he was also keen to partner India in its ambitious plan to issue a single identity card and number to its 1.17 billion citizens for which a new authority has been formed under Infosys Technologies co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
"Microsoft wants to be part of the Unique Identification Authority of India project," he said, adding that he hoped to meet with Nilekani to discuss the issue.
"I am very excited about the project. It is a great initiative. We need to make sure every data is accurate. From a mobile phone number to anything," Gates told the conference, also addressed by Minister for State for Communications Sachin Pilot.
During his current visit, Gates announced a major increase in his foundation's AIDS prevention commitment to India to $338 million, saying India's drive in this regard could serve as a model for the rest of the world.
Launched in 2003, his family foundation provides funding and support to targeted HIV prevention programmes in six Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, and along the national trucking routes through an initiative called "Avahan".
Prior to this, the foundation had committed a total of $258 million for the purpose.
Gates, who has always maintained a packed schedule during his visits to India, was also scheduled to meet with Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and hold a videoconference with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Another reason behind the current visit is to receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development on behalf of his foundation, being recognised for "pioneering and exemplary philanthropic work around the world and in India in health".
As of July, the foundation has committed nearly $1 billion for health and development projects in India. Globally, it has committed nearly $12 billion in grants for global health, the foundation claimed in a statement.
He also said Microsoft will like to partner the Indian government in its ambitious plan to give a unique identity number and a biometric card to each of its 1.17 billion people.
"I can't make any predictions. Immigration policy could get more difficult. Microsoft as a company is very vocal. It would be a big mistake," said Gates, here for overseeing the philanthropic activities of the foundation he has formed with his wife Melinda.
"The US Congress is very tough on immigration. But why not make an exception for smart people?" he said at an interactive session organised by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) at the Durbar Hall of Taj Palace Hotel here.
Gates even maintained that the job market in the US had not shifted anywhere, when asked to respond to US President Barack Obama's comments that he will not like jobs to be taken away from Buffalo to outsourcing companies in Bangalore.
"If we get the statistics, about 1,800 US people are working here (in India)."
Even though Gates now devotes most of his time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he has always been vocal about his support for migrant professionals that is reflected in the number of such workers at the Microsoft offices in the US.
According to Nasscom, Indian nationals accounted for 157,726 H1B visas, or 37.8 percent of the 409,619 admissions under this US programme in 2008. This is a drop of about 3,000 professionals compared to 2007.
Gates said he was also keen to partner India in its ambitious plan to issue a single identity card and number to its 1.17 billion citizens for which a new authority has been formed under Infosys Technologies co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
"Microsoft wants to be part of the Unique Identification Authority of India project," he said, adding that he hoped to meet with Nilekani to discuss the issue.
"I am very excited about the project. It is a great initiative. We need to make sure every data is accurate. From a mobile phone number to anything," Gates told the conference, also addressed by Minister for State for Communications Sachin Pilot.
During his current visit, Gates announced a major increase in his foundation's AIDS prevention commitment to India to $338 million, saying India's drive in this regard could serve as a model for the rest of the world.
Launched in 2003, his family foundation provides funding and support to targeted HIV prevention programmes in six Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, and along the national trucking routes through an initiative called "Avahan".
Prior to this, the foundation had committed a total of $258 million for the purpose.
Gates, who has always maintained a packed schedule during his visits to India, was also scheduled to meet with Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and hold a videoconference with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Another reason behind the current visit is to receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development on behalf of his foundation, being recognised for "pioneering and exemplary philanthropic work around the world and in India in health".
As of July, the foundation has committed nearly $1 billion for health and development projects in India. Globally, it has committed nearly $12 billion in grants for global health, the foundation claimed in a statement.
Ganguly to lead Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL-3
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly will be reinstated as the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the third edition of the Indian Premier League in 2010, team sources said Saturday.
Even as an official announcement is awaited, sources said that there could be a major reshuffle with former India coach Wright likely to replace John Buchanan as Knight Riders coach, while former Australian middle-order batsman Michael Bevan will be in the coaching panel.
Sources said Ganguly would be back at the helm in 2010 when his contract with the Kolkata team ends.
The iconic Bengal cricketer had a one-on-one with principal owner Shah Rukh Khan when the duo met in London to receive doctorates by the University of Central Lancashire last week.
"Sourav Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan had a discussion about this when the left-handed batsman was in London last week. They have agreed in principle that Ganguly will lead the side," the source said.
"There were also discussions about the possible coaches. Wright and Bevan are the front runners. It is up to Shah Rukh to take the final call."
Ganguly, meanwhile, said that nothing is final as yet and a proper announcement will be made in due time.
"I don't take the decision of KKR alone. There are a number of people involved in the process. But hopefully in due course of time we will get a person who will coach the team. The decision has not been made yet," Ganguly said.
The Knight Riders management was also tight lipped about the development.
When contacted, Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya told PTI: "At the moment, I don't deny this (Ganguly as captain and Wright as the chief coach). However, there has not been any official announcement as yet."
Asked whether he was aware of this development, he said, "I don't want to comment on this. When there is an official announcement, we will let you know."
In the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa, Kolkata Knight Riders were plagued with controversies especially after Ganguly was dethroned just two days before the start of the tournament.
Knight Riders coach John Buchanan, who later had to part ways with the side after their bottom place finish, had floated the idea of multiple captaincy but only to hand over the baton to New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.
IPL 3, which was pre-poned to accommodate the ICC World Twenty20, begins in March next year and will overlap with Australia's tour of New Zealand.
Even as an official announcement is awaited, sources said that there could be a major reshuffle with former India coach Wright likely to replace John Buchanan as Knight Riders coach, while former Australian middle-order batsman Michael Bevan will be in the coaching panel.
Sources said Ganguly would be back at the helm in 2010 when his contract with the Kolkata team ends.
The iconic Bengal cricketer had a one-on-one with principal owner Shah Rukh Khan when the duo met in London to receive doctorates by the University of Central Lancashire last week.
"Sourav Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan had a discussion about this when the left-handed batsman was in London last week. They have agreed in principle that Ganguly will lead the side," the source said.
"There were also discussions about the possible coaches. Wright and Bevan are the front runners. It is up to Shah Rukh to take the final call."
Ganguly, meanwhile, said that nothing is final as yet and a proper announcement will be made in due time.
"I don't take the decision of KKR alone. There are a number of people involved in the process. But hopefully in due course of time we will get a person who will coach the team. The decision has not been made yet," Ganguly said.
The Knight Riders management was also tight lipped about the development.
When contacted, Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya told PTI: "At the moment, I don't deny this (Ganguly as captain and Wright as the chief coach). However, there has not been any official announcement as yet."
Asked whether he was aware of this development, he said, "I don't want to comment on this. When there is an official announcement, we will let you know."
In the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa, Kolkata Knight Riders were plagued with controversies especially after Ganguly was dethroned just two days before the start of the tournament.
Knight Riders coach John Buchanan, who later had to part ways with the side after their bottom place finish, had floated the idea of multiple captaincy but only to hand over the baton to New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.
IPL 3, which was pre-poned to accommodate the ICC World Twenty20, begins in March next year and will overlap with Australia's tour of New Zealand.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
West Indies v Bangladesh at St George's, 2nd Test - day 5
I was a terrible actress: Priyanka Chopra
She is one of the reigning stars in Bollywood, but Priyanka Chopra says she was a very bad actress when she debuted with i>Andaaz six years ago. While the former Miss World has set high goals for herself and is experimenting with roles like never before, she is also clear about what she is looking for in her 'Mr Right'.
EXCERPTS FROM AN INTERVIEW:
Q: Having had two hits in 2008, Fashion and Dostana along with several awards... how do you look back at your past year?
Priyanka Chopra: I feel like I'm 20 years into my career because I've done so much work in such a short time. When I look back, it's been only five-six years since I've been in the film industry. I've never received any formal training in acting or cinema nor do I belong to a film family; so for me, the biggest achievement is that my hard work and my family's support have led me to the place I'm in today. I take great pride in that.
Q: How would you review your performance in Bollywood ever since you made your debut with Andaaz in 2003?
Priyanka Chopra: I think I was a terrible actress when I started off as compared to what I'm now. I still have a lot to learn, but I believe that I've grown as an actress and I evolve constantly. I always had the hunger to learn and become better at what I do - just like a sponge, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
Q: Your forthcoming movies are Kaminey and What's Your Rashee? and Pyaar Impossible. Which one are you more excited about and why?
Priyanka Chopra: I have different feelings for different films. I'm very excited about Kaminey because it's pathbreaking cinema. On the other hand, I'm equally nervous and excited about What's Your Rashee? because it was a huge challenge for me. I play 12 different characters in it, something that hasn't really been done in Indian cinema before and the fact that I'll be a part of history in the making is very scary. Pyaar Impossible is a sweet, cool story where I have a glamorous look and contemporary character. As cliched as it sounds, each one is special.
Q: In Kaminey you play a de-glamourised role opposite Shahid Kapoor. Were you sceptical about the look because you were seen in ultra-glam roles in Fashion and Dostana?
Priyanka Chopra: Let's put this into context. I chose the role not because she was de-glamourised. I chose it because of the way the character is etched out and not how she looks. That's incidental. With most of my films, especially the most recent ones, I have taken up roles that are interesting and different from what I've done before.
Q: You have always been silent about controversies related to your personal and professional life why?
Priyanka Chopra: Because I firmly believe that all aspects of my life are for public consumption. I learnt early in my career that speculation, rumours and gossip come with the job... a professional hazard. But I'd much rather approach it with dignified silence than to engage in ugly mud-slinging.
Q: What about news of your multiple link-ups and break-ups - don't they disturb you?
Priyanka Chopra:They definitely do because eventually I'm a girl and have a family - a father, a mother, a brother. It does bother me, but I don't believe in clarifying the rumours. It just gives it undue importance. As long as my family knows what the truth is, that's all that matters. The rest doesn't!
Q: Any plans of settling down in the near future? What sort of a guy would you want as a companion?
Priyanka Chopra: No plans of settling down at the moment. But when I do... Mr Right has to match a lot of my parameters. He has to be someone who knows how to make me feel special, make me feel like I'm walking on air. He has to be somebody who loves me for who I am and takes pride in being with me. He also has to be honest and be able to speak well, make me laugh - all in all, somebody who really really loves me.
Battle of Ambanis turns murky, Anil accuses Govt
Two of India's biggest corporates led by warring brothers - Mukesh and Anil Ambani - are slugging it out in the Supreme Court over the controversial KG Basin and who has the right to sell the gas produced from it, and at what price.
The plot thickened on Monday with the Government opposing the family agreement to share gas. This has led to Anil Ambani writing to the Prime Minister accusing the Petroleum Ministry of favouring elder brother Mukesh.
Anil's lawyer Ram Jethmalani went public with this allegation in the court.
“I can't argue my case against the Government here. You know what I told the Government. I am saying anything outside the court, I can only tell you the Ministry of Petroluem is under the pocket of Mr (Mukesh) Ambani,” he said.
A letter from the petroleum ministry to the central investigating section of the supreme court, asking for nothing to be done without its own approval, is one of the many letters being used by the junior Ambani camp to press this point.
Mukesh Ambani's lawyer Harish Salve was ready with his response.
‘The SC is concerned by the importance of this case where a family arrangement which was meant to put parity between brothers. Now with changed circumstances everyone is buying the case. Whether this will overwrite sovereign policy is something that the court is concerned about. Mr Jethmalini made an allegation. His allegations are never serious they are meant for the gallery not for the court,” said Salve.
For now, the apex court has postponed the hearing of the case to September 1 but has asked all parties, including the ministries and gas companies involved to present their side on the next hearing.
The plot thickened on Monday with the Government opposing the family agreement to share gas. This has led to Anil Ambani writing to the Prime Minister accusing the Petroleum Ministry of favouring elder brother Mukesh.
Anil's lawyer Ram Jethmalani went public with this allegation in the court.
“I can't argue my case against the Government here. You know what I told the Government. I am saying anything outside the court, I can only tell you the Ministry of Petroluem is under the pocket of Mr (Mukesh) Ambani,” he said.
A letter from the petroleum ministry to the central investigating section of the supreme court, asking for nothing to be done without its own approval, is one of the many letters being used by the junior Ambani camp to press this point.
Mukesh Ambani's lawyer Harish Salve was ready with his response.
‘The SC is concerned by the importance of this case where a family arrangement which was meant to put parity between brothers. Now with changed circumstances everyone is buying the case. Whether this will overwrite sovereign policy is something that the court is concerned about. Mr Jethmalini made an allegation. His allegations are never serious they are meant for the gallery not for the court,” said Salve.
For now, the apex court has postponed the hearing of the case to September 1 but has asked all parties, including the ministries and gas companies involved to present their side on the next hearing.
Sony to release film of Jackson's final days
Sony is to release a movie based on more than 80 hours of footage filmed during Michael Jackson's final days as he was rehearsing for his comeback concerts in London, trade paper Variety reported Monday.
Sony is expected to pay over $50 million for the rights to the footage, which was offered by concert promoter AEG to Hollywood film studios over the weekend.
The film will include several videos that were shot and meant to be shown during the concerts, including an alternative version of Jackson's most famous video, 'Thriller'.
'High School Musical' director Kenny Ortega, who shot the rehearsal footage, is expected to become the director of the film, which could be released before year's end.
Though Universal, Paramount and 20th Century Fox were also interested in the footage, Sony had the inside track since the studio owns the music publishing rights to Jackson's songs.
The report said that AEG is also selling TV and video rights to the tribute concert featuring Justin Timberlake and other artists, scheduled for Aug 29, on what would have been Jackson's 51st birthday.
The singers will perform the songs that the King of Pop had planned, accompanied by the band that rehearsed with him.
Sony is expected to pay over $50 million for the rights to the footage, which was offered by concert promoter AEG to Hollywood film studios over the weekend.
The film will include several videos that were shot and meant to be shown during the concerts, including an alternative version of Jackson's most famous video, 'Thriller'.
'High School Musical' director Kenny Ortega, who shot the rehearsal footage, is expected to become the director of the film, which could be released before year's end.
Though Universal, Paramount and 20th Century Fox were also interested in the footage, Sony had the inside track since the studio owns the music publishing rights to Jackson's songs.
The report said that AEG is also selling TV and video rights to the tribute concert featuring Justin Timberlake and other artists, scheduled for Aug 29, on what would have been Jackson's 51st birthday.
The singers will perform the songs that the King of Pop had planned, accompanied by the band that rehearsed with him.
A device that 'translates a dog's barks into words'
Your dog will soon start talking to you, all thanks to Japanese inventors who have come up with a device that can detect a dog's emotion from its bark and translate it into human words.
The talking gadget called Bowlingual Voice is developed by Japanese toymaker Takara Tomy.
It detects six emotions in total- including sadness, joy and frustration - with a recorded repertoire of spoken phrases such as "play with me".
The revolutionary gadget comprises of a microphone placed around the dog's neck and a hand-held unit-operating device for pet owners to carry, reports The Telegraph.
When the dog barks, the microphone records the sound and transmits the data to the owner's hand-held device, which then "translates" it into what the dog is apparently suggesting.
A speech synthesizer audibly makes the owner aware of the dog's intentions, which also appears on the screen of the wireless hand-held unit.
An answering machine function can also record the dog's expressions of desire when owners are absent.
The technologically modified version of a basic model introduced seven years ago will be available for 129 pounds in Japan from next month.
The original Bowlingual translated emotions onto a screen without sound. (ANI)
The talking gadget called Bowlingual Voice is developed by Japanese toymaker Takara Tomy.
It detects six emotions in total- including sadness, joy and frustration - with a recorded repertoire of spoken phrases such as "play with me".
The revolutionary gadget comprises of a microphone placed around the dog's neck and a hand-held unit-operating device for pet owners to carry, reports The Telegraph.
When the dog barks, the microphone records the sound and transmits the data to the owner's hand-held device, which then "translates" it into what the dog is apparently suggesting.
A speech synthesizer audibly makes the owner aware of the dog's intentions, which also appears on the screen of the wireless hand-held unit.
An answering machine function can also record the dog's expressions of desire when owners are absent.
The technologically modified version of a basic model introduced seven years ago will be available for 129 pounds in Japan from next month.
The original Bowlingual translated emotions onto a screen without sound. (ANI)
Monday, July 20, 2009
I was a terrible actress: Priyanka Chopra
She is one of the reigning stars in Bollywood, but Priyanka Chopra says she was a very bad actress when she debuted with i>Andaaz six years ago. While the former Miss World has set high goals for herself and is experimenting with roles like never before, she is also clear about what she is looking for in her 'Mr Right'.
EXCERPTS FROM AN INTERVIEW:
Q: Having had two hits in 2008, Fashion and Dostana along with several awards... how do you look back at your past year?
Priyanka Chopra: I feel like I'm 20 years into my career because I've done so much work in such a short time. When I look back, it's been only five-six years since I've been in the film industry. I've never received any formal training in acting or cinema nor do I belong to a film family; so for me, the biggest achievement is that my hard work and my family's support have led me to the place I'm in today. I take great pride in that.
Q: How would you review your performance in Bollywood ever since you made your debut with Andaaz in 2003?
Priyanka Chopra: I think I was a terrible actress when I started off as compared to what I'm now. I still have a lot to learn, but I believe that I've grown as an actress and I evolve constantly. I always had the hunger to learn and become better at what I do - just like a sponge, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
Q: Your forthcoming movies are Kaminey and What's Your Rashee? and Pyaar Impossible. Which one are you more excited about and why?
Priyanka Chopra: I have different feelings for different films. I'm very excited about Kaminey because it's pathbreaking cinema. On the other hand, I'm equally nervous and excited about What's Your Rashee? because it was a huge challenge for me. I play 12 different characters in it, something that hasn't really been done in Indian cinema before and the fact that I'll be a part of history in the making is very scary. Pyaar Impossible is a sweet, cool story where I have a glamorous look and contemporary character. As cliched as it sounds, each one is special.
Q: In Kaminey you play a de-glamourised role opposite Shahid Kapoor. Were you sceptical about the look because you were seen in ultra-glam roles in Fashion and Dostana?
Priyanka Chopra: Let's put this into context. I chose the role not because she was de-glamourised. I chose it because of the way the character is etched out and not how she looks. That's incidental. With most of my films, especially the most recent ones, I have taken up roles that are interesting and different from what I've done before.
Q: You have always been silent about controversies related to your personal and professional life why?
Priyanka Chopra: Because I firmly believe that all aspects of my life are for public consumption. I learnt early in my career that speculation, rumours and gossip come with the job... a professional hazard. But I'd much rather approach it with dignified silence than to engage in ugly mud-slinging.
Q: What about news of your multiple link-ups and break-ups - don't they disturb you?
Priyanka Chopra:They definitely do because eventually I'm a girl and have a family - a father, a mother, a brother. It does bother me, but I don't believe in clarifying the rumours. It just gives it undue importance. As long as my family knows what the truth is, that's all that matters. The rest doesn't!
Q: Any plans of settling down in the near future? What sort of a guy would you want as a companion?
Priyanka Chopra: No plans of settling down at the moment. But when I do... Mr Right has to match a lot of my parameters. He has to be someone who knows how to make me feel special, make me feel like I'm walking on air. He has to be somebody who loves me for who I am and takes pride in being with me. He also has to be honest and be able to speak well, make me laugh - all in all, somebody who really really loves me.
Battle of Ambanis turns murky, Anil accuses Govt
Two of India's biggest corporates led by warring brothers - Mukesh and Anil Ambani - are slugging it out in the Supreme Court over the controversial KG Basin and who has the right to sell the gas produced from it, and at what price.
The plot thickened on Monday with the Government opposing the family agreement to share gas. This has led to Anil Ambani writing to the Prime Minister accusing the Petroleum Ministry of favouring elder brother Mukesh.
Anil's lawyer Ram Jethmalani went public with this allegation in the court.
“I can't argue my case against the Government here. You know what I told the Government. I am saying anything outside the court, I can only tell you the Ministry of Petroluem is under the pocket of Mr (Mukesh) Ambani,” he said.
A letter from the petroleum ministry to the central investigating section of the supreme court, asking for nothing to be done without its own approval, is one of the many letters being used by the junior Ambani camp to press this point.
Mukesh Ambani's lawyer Harish Salve was ready with his response.
‘The SC is concerned by the importance of this case where a family arrangement which was meant to put parity between brothers. Now with changed circumstances everyone is buying the case. Whether this will overwrite sovereign policy is something that the court is concerned about. Mr Jethmalini made an allegation. His allegations are never serious they are meant for the gallery not for the court,” said Salve.
For now, the apex court has postponed the hearing of the case to September 1 but has asked all parties, including the ministries and gas companies involved to present their side on the next hearing.
Tiger in Sunderbans had swallowed king cobra
The 14-year-old tiger that was found dead two days ago in Sunderbans of West Bengal had swallowed two snakes, including a venomous king cobra, before it succumbed to liver infection, a senior state forest official has said.
"It was a startling revelation for us when we found the pieces of the snakes inside the tiger's stomach. One of them was a king cobra while the another was a commonly found reptile species," Atanu Kumar Raha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of West Bengal, told reporters.
It is probably for the first time that a tiger having consumed poisonous reptiles like cobra has come to the knowledge of wildlife officials, Raha said.
He said hostile ecological and riverine conditions make the Sunderban predators more hardy and agile when compared to their counterparts in other reserves. "As the predator was aged, it might be possible that it could not hunt carnivorous animals."
The official ruled out that the big cat's death was due to snake venom or poaching as there was no injury mark neither any gunshot on its body.
"It had died due to some bacterial infection in its liver that might have deteriorated after consuming the reptiles. Cobra hoods were found to be intact while there were pieces of body part of snakes in the big cat's viscera."
Besides Raha, other Sunderban Tiger Reserve officials and World Wildlife Fund (WWF)'s Anurag Banda who was appointed as nominee by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) were present during the post-mortem of the animal.
As per NTCA guidelines, the post-mortem has to be conducted in the presence of its nominee.
Anushka-Neil go charming the Garden city
Bollywood’s young stars Anushka Sharma and Neil Nitin Mukesh made this simple event a highly glamorous one recently. In Bangalore to inaugurate a ‘Jack and Jones’ store, the celebrity duo attracted a throng of fans that flooded in the simple event. They were the special guests.
When fans heard of the arrival of the actors, the venue was thronged. Though the celebrities came around half hour to an hour late, but this did not dampen the fans’ enthusiasm.
Along with these two, also came Ramesh Dembla, Manjul Gupta, Ashwini Nachappa, Mumbai models Carol Gracias and Pia Trivedi, Sudha Hiremath and Rekha Hande
US company converts onion juice to electricity
Onions make you cry, add flavor to food and are touted for their medicinal benefits. Now the vegetable has another use - powering up green energy.A new system debuts on Friday that converts onion juice into electricity at Gills Onions, the largest fresh onion processor in the United States.
The Oxnard, California-based company expects its new onion-fueled power to reduce its electric bill by $700,000 a year and cut its annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30,000 tons.
The happy ending to this green energy tale, however, started with another question: how to get rid of onion waste.
"When we peel an onion, 35 to 40 per cent of the onion comes off before we have a usable onion. That's the top, tail and skin around the onion before you get to the meat," said Steven Gill, co-owner of the 25-year-old company.
They used to haul the waste to the fields for composting, but that became a problem. Ten years ago, Gill started looking at technology for a solution, including microturbines.
"We ended up shredding the skins as they come out of the plant and extracting all the juice, which is very high in sugars, and bacteria love that stuff," Gill said.
In the new system, bacteria produce methane gas from the juice. The gas then goes to two 300 kilowatt fuel cells, creating enough power for 460 homes. The company expects to get 35 to 40 per cent of its electricity from the on-site generator.
The company invested $9.5 million in the project and will receive $2.7 million from Southern California Gas Co., a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy, as part of a state program to encourage self-contained generation by businesses. In addition to cutting its electric bill, the company will save $400,000 in hauling costs and expects pay-back in six years.
The onion grower now has new goal: to be a zero-waste facility by 2011.
"We wanted to follow it all the way through and make the full circle," Gill said.
Actor Shahid Kapoor to receive Rajiv Gandhi Award
After eminent personalities like Sachin Tendulkar, Mukesh Ambani, Sunita Williams and Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor becomes the latest recipient of the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Award.
The 28-year-old is going to be presented with the 12th Rajiv Gandhi Award in the Best Actor category. The award function will be held in the second week of August.
"I was pleasantly surprised to get the news about my being chosen for the prestigious award. I am only 28-years-old and it's really early in my career. I feel humbled and honoured to be chosen by the jury," said Shahid.
This year, Shahid will be seen in three films - Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminey opposite Priyanka Chopra, Aditya Chopra's Dil Bole Hadippa opposite Rani Mukherjee and a Ken Ghosh movie opposite Genelia D'Souza.
Saif ali khan plays a jehadi, finds meaning in his religion
Actor Saif Ali Khan was born and brought up in a liberal atmosphere. He was not religious and didn’t bother much about politics. That changed when he started working in Rensil D'Silva's tentatively titled movie Jehad.The actor gets out of his zone to play an Islamic fundamentalist in the movie. "Yes, I play an Islamic fundamentalist while Vivek Oberoi plays the more moderate Muslim," said Saif.
"The role has not only made me more politically aware, it has also made me more religious. I knew a lot of things about Islam. But I was always more spiritual than religious. Working in Rensil's film has made me know more about the religion. I did a lot of reading on Islam during this film. I always believed in the higher power," Saif told IANS.
"The one most decisive thing that I learnt had to do with Allah--we tend to presume that to be the Muslim god. But Allah is the Arab word for the same God, or the one true God. That, I thought, was a wonderful thing to learn while playing this character.
"All religions believe in the oneness of God. So what's all the fighting about? Whether it's Christianity, Islam or Judaism, many of the religions have fought a holy war at one time or another. It's been a part of religious history," said the actor.
Saif has played a bad guy before in Ek Hasina Thi and Omkara. But he admits playing a negative character in this film has changed his perception towards life and religion.
"It's the most politically relevant character I've played. Though my Langda Tyagi in Omkara was a political creature, his politics was subverted. In Rensil's film, I play the jehadi as a very real and suave gentleman, dressed in very dapper clothes like a college professor, and hence more frightening."
Tell him that Irrfan Khan says being a Muslim he'd never play a terrorist and that he turned down Vivek's role in Jehad, Saif replied: "Did he? To me, the whole point of being an actor is to become characters I can't be in real life.
Clinton for 'climate change' in India-US ties
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday enumerated a wide array of areas of cooperation between India and the US, which taken together could amounts to an initiative for a major upgradation the relations between the two countries.
Promising to take India-US ties to a third phase during her talks with Indian leaders on Monday she called for more cooperation in areas ranging from climate change and agriculture to counter-terrorism.
Reinforcing her message to Pakistan to act firmly to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks to justice, Clinton asked Islamabad to ensure that the Mumbai attackers face their "hour of reckoning" while she also noted Islamabad's "evolving commitment" to fight terrorism.
Warning of the threat posed by a global terrorist syndicate comprising Al Qaeda, the Taliban and assorted militant outfits in Pakistan, she underlined the growing coordination between democracies like India and the US to share information to combat terrorism.
"We are increasingly coordinating with our counterparts in India about sharing information in a way that each gets sufficient information," Clinton said.
Her tough message to Pakistan is sure to warm her Indian hosts when she meets Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Monday.
The talks will focus on forging "a comprehensive six-pillared strategic dialogue" that will mark what she has called 'version 3.0' of the India-US relationship.
Besides civil nuclear cooperation, the two sides are expected to discuss economic and defence ties and invigorating cooperation in fields of clean energy, agriculture, science and education.
The Mumbai attacks and their aftermath, the situation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan ('AfPak') region and India's likely role in it will also figure in the discussions.
A slew of accords, including an end-use monitoring agreement that will spur high-end arms sales between them and another one on civilian space launches, is expected to be signed Monday after talks.
India is also likely to announce two sites for US nuclear reactors in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, the first concrete step to implement the civilian nuclear deal between the two countries.
Climate change
Dressed in a turquoise-blue business suit, Clinton arrived in the Indian capital from Mumbai in her special aircraft amid tight security and headed straight to the ITC Green Centre in Gurgaon, a satellite town adjoining Delhi where she addressed a conference on climate change.
TCS targets Rs 15k crore revenue from BPO in 5 yrs
India's largest IT consulting and services company, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS.NS : 434.1 +14.3) (TCS), has drawn up an ambitious blueprint for its BPO (business process outsourcing) business. The target is to take BPO revenues to Rs 15,000 crore from the current Rs 822 crore in the next five years.
The management reckons that this would be achieved by having a broader BPO strategy, which inclueds not just being an 'all out' voice-based service provider. Instead, the company would be providing value added services drawn from its TCS IT service practices.
On one hand, it would look at bundling its IT service based advantage with domain specific operational offerings to provide customer value under the 'integrated domain focssued BPO' aegis. It would also be looking at building other expertise in the area of 'platform BPO propositions' that will focus on delivering specific outcomes rather than just pure operational support.
In addition, there would be the 'knowledge services' that would add further value to the normal offerings.
At the end of first quarter ending June 30, 2009, TCS's BPO business was worth Rs 822 crore with 26,000 associates. To meet these ambitious plans,
TCS would hire 1,500-2,000 people in India in the coming next 12 months and these would be fresh recruitments.
N Chandrasekaran, chief operating officer and executive director, TCS, said: "Currently, the BPO business contributes about 11% of the TCS overall revenues and we are targeting a global BPO market of $ 400 billion in 2013 which itself is very large."
The total offshore-able market (by 2013) is over $ 80 billion of which about $ 30 billion is expected to be in India and $ 50 billion in other low-cost countries.
The business will be largely driven by BFSI (banking financial services and insurance), which is the largest segment with over $ 100 billion market and will be more than 50% of the revenues for TCS BPO.
The rest contributing verticals would be healthcare, retail, utilities, travel and transportation and manufacturing.
Global head BPO services, TCS vice-president Abid Ali Neemuchwala, said, "We have figured out our next milestones in terms of people, process and technology and we will be leveraging our platform based and domain focused technologies to grow the BPO business."
TCS BPO has over 100 customers and the company would focus on leveraging and cross selling the domain focused BPO services to its 930 client in the existing services business. Chandrasekaran, also added, "We would focus on the non-linear business that constitutes of the horizontals like Finance and Accounting (FandA), human resources, supply chain management (SCM) and customer services as it would take longer and to leverage our growth from the linear business that is the verticals."
The company said that it had already made investments in developing platforms and would be leveraging it to develop business.
TCS BPO currently has seven platforms including advanced analytics, Aspire (reconciliation), payment and life and pension platforms. The company has cracked 14 deals in the space however only eight are active as of now and the rest are in transformational phase.
TCS said that the acquisition of Citi's captive BPO unit has helped the firm get the largest contract in the industry of about $ 2.5 billion and it signed four non-Citi deals in the first two quarters after acquisition.
The company has now forayed into new areas like capital markets and global delivery for Citi.
The management reckons that this would be achieved by having a broader BPO strategy, which inclueds not just being an 'all out' voice-based service provider. Instead, the company would be providing value added services drawn from its TCS IT service practices.
On one hand, it would look at bundling its IT service based advantage with domain specific operational offerings to provide customer value under the 'integrated domain focssued BPO' aegis. It would also be looking at building other expertise in the area of 'platform BPO propositions' that will focus on delivering specific outcomes rather than just pure operational support.
In addition, there would be the 'knowledge services' that would add further value to the normal offerings.
At the end of first quarter ending June 30, 2009, TCS's BPO business was worth Rs 822 crore with 26,000 associates. To meet these ambitious plans,
TCS would hire 1,500-2,000 people in India in the coming next 12 months and these would be fresh recruitments.
N Chandrasekaran, chief operating officer and executive director, TCS, said: "Currently, the BPO business contributes about 11% of the TCS overall revenues and we are targeting a global BPO market of $ 400 billion in 2013 which itself is very large."
The total offshore-able market (by 2013) is over $ 80 billion of which about $ 30 billion is expected to be in India and $ 50 billion in other low-cost countries.
The business will be largely driven by BFSI (banking financial services and insurance), which is the largest segment with over $ 100 billion market and will be more than 50% of the revenues for TCS BPO.
The rest contributing verticals would be healthcare, retail, utilities, travel and transportation and manufacturing.
Global head BPO services, TCS vice-president Abid Ali Neemuchwala, said, "We have figured out our next milestones in terms of people, process and technology and we will be leveraging our platform based and domain focused technologies to grow the BPO business."
TCS BPO has over 100 customers and the company would focus on leveraging and cross selling the domain focused BPO services to its 930 client in the existing services business. Chandrasekaran, also added, "We would focus on the non-linear business that constitutes of the horizontals like Finance and Accounting (FandA), human resources, supply chain management (SCM) and customer services as it would take longer and to leverage our growth from the linear business that is the verticals."
The company said that it had already made investments in developing platforms and would be leveraging it to develop business.
TCS BPO currently has seven platforms including advanced analytics, Aspire (reconciliation), payment and life and pension platforms. The company has cracked 14 deals in the space however only eight are active as of now and the rest are in transformational phase.
TCS said that the acquisition of Citi's captive BPO unit has helped the firm get the largest contract in the industry of about $ 2.5 billion and it signed four non-Citi deals in the first two quarters after acquisition.
The company has now forayed into new areas like capital markets and global delivery for Citi.
Pitt, Jolie go house hunting in New York with $25 mn
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt and his partner Angelina Jolie are considering to buy one of the most expensive properties in New York.'I heard they're ready to spend as much as $25 million,' contactmusic.com quoted a source as saying.
The couple, who have previously rented different properties at a cost of around $100,000 a month when working in the city, has been eyeing Apthorp, a 1908 property in Manhattan, which is being converted into lavish homes.
'The gated courtyard means they can get in and out of their car without being hassled by paparazzi. The building also has several other exits,' said the source.
The most expensive apartments boast up to 13 bedrooms and have 11-foot ceilings and wide hallways and will cost $15.5 million. But Pitt and Jolie want to buy two or three properties and join them together to create enough space for their six children.
'I heard they're ready to spend as much as $25 million,' added the source.
The couple already own homes in Los Angeles and New Orleans.
Italian nun sues beau over naked Facebook pics
An Italian nun had to sue her cunning ex-boyfriend after he posted her naked pictures on Facebook, and refused to remove them.
The 31-year-old nun, from Turin, Italy, said that she was devastated when she saw the pictures on the social networking site.
The photographs were taken in summer 2006, during a holiday in Sicily.
The man, who said that he wanted to stop her becoming a nun, has refused to remove the pictures despite the woman's requests.
And thus, the nun's lawyer Anna Orecchioni has taken the reins of the matter in her hand.
"My client doesn't want money, she only wants that he respects her decision to become a nun," the Daily Telegraph quoted her as saying.
Meanwhile, Italians are flocking the site in large numbers to see the pictures, leaving comments like: "If all the nuns are like that, I want to become a priest." (ANI)
The 31-year-old nun, from Turin, Italy, said that she was devastated when she saw the pictures on the social networking site.
The photographs were taken in summer 2006, during a holiday in Sicily.
The man, who said that he wanted to stop her becoming a nun, has refused to remove the pictures despite the woman's requests.
And thus, the nun's lawyer Anna Orecchioni has taken the reins of the matter in her hand.
"My client doesn't want money, she only wants that he respects her decision to become a nun," the Daily Telegraph quoted her as saying.
Meanwhile, Italians are flocking the site in large numbers to see the pictures, leaving comments like: "If all the nuns are like that, I want to become a priest." (ANI)
Friday, July 17, 2009
An Article on Indian Manpower very Interesting
The land of snake charmers has emerged as the El-dorada of techies. The dust bowl of the world has risen to dizzying heights. The world can’t help but wonder; how Indian professionals have been looked up to as above, and distinct from the rest of the masses.
India’s huge exceptionally talented work forces are working for some top companies in the world, armed with some highly valuable degrees. Headquartered in America and other developed countries of the world, these companies are known to house only the best-of-best high-brow intellectuals. But Indian’s got what it takes (read; brains) and it’s no surprise Indian professionals are making their presence felt in a big way.
The following statistics might leave any American dumbfounded
• 32 % of NASA Scientists are Indians.
• 42 % of doctors abroad are Indians.
• 14 % of XEROX employees in the United States are Indians.
• 17 % of INTEL Scientists are Indians.
• 28 % IBM employees are Indians.
• 34 % of Microsoft employees are Indians.
India’s rich intellectual wealth is not a short term, disposable wealth. Thanks to the IIMs and the IITs. The Indian Institutes of Management graduates are billed equally or higher than the graduates of reputable business schools like Yale and Harvard. Interestingly, Indian Institute of Technology takes in less than 3 percent of their applications- a rate remarkably lower than most competitive American Universities. Additionally, more than 229 universities and 458 engineering colleges have been powering not just India’s but world’s economic growth.
Indian doctors, nurses, engineers, cooks and software developers are in high demand all across the globe. Indian professionals, especially in the Information Technology domain are ruling the roost. Interestingly, India over the years has become a happy hunting ground for developed countries. For instance, Germany has introduced a ‘Green Card’ to attract Indian Professionals. Among the best opportunities on India’s plate is UK’s niche highly skilled migrant programme for young professionals.
Previously, however, Indian engineers, doctors and business managers were in high demand. Nonetheless, over the years, there has been a basic transformation in the global labour market. Now, there are a growing opportunities for teachers, nurses and chefs in Australia, New Zealand, and other developed markets.
More and more, Indians are being directly hired by companies in the telecom, advertising, hospitality, biotech and financial sector from far of places like Germany, Hungary and Malaysia.
India’s huge exceptionally talented work forces are working for some top companies in the world, armed with some highly valuable degrees. Headquartered in America and other developed countries of the world, these companies are known to house only the best-of-best high-brow intellectuals. But Indian’s got what it takes (read; brains) and it’s no surprise Indian professionals are making their presence felt in a big way.
The following statistics might leave any American dumbfounded
• 32 % of NASA Scientists are Indians.
• 42 % of doctors abroad are Indians.
• 14 % of XEROX employees in the United States are Indians.
• 17 % of INTEL Scientists are Indians.
• 28 % IBM employees are Indians.
• 34 % of Microsoft employees are Indians.
India’s rich intellectual wealth is not a short term, disposable wealth. Thanks to the IIMs and the IITs. The Indian Institutes of Management graduates are billed equally or higher than the graduates of reputable business schools like Yale and Harvard. Interestingly, Indian Institute of Technology takes in less than 3 percent of their applications- a rate remarkably lower than most competitive American Universities. Additionally, more than 229 universities and 458 engineering colleges have been powering not just India’s but world’s economic growth.
Indian doctors, nurses, engineers, cooks and software developers are in high demand all across the globe. Indian professionals, especially in the Information Technology domain are ruling the roost. Interestingly, India over the years has become a happy hunting ground for developed countries. For instance, Germany has introduced a ‘Green Card’ to attract Indian Professionals. Among the best opportunities on India’s plate is UK’s niche highly skilled migrant programme for young professionals.
Previously, however, Indian engineers, doctors and business managers were in high demand. Nonetheless, over the years, there has been a basic transformation in the global labour market. Now, there are a growing opportunities for teachers, nurses and chefs in Australia, New Zealand, and other developed markets.
More and more, Indians are being directly hired by companies in the telecom, advertising, hospitality, biotech and financial sector from far of places like Germany, Hungary and Malaysia.
Harry Potter actor in jail, admits growing marijuana
A teenage cast member of the Harry Potter movies has appeared in a London court and admitted to growing marijuana.
Jamie Waylett pleaded guilty to growing the drug during a hearing Thursday at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.
The 19-year-old Waylett plays school bully Vincent Crabbe in all six installments of the film franchise.
Police found eight bags of cannabis and a knife during a search of a car Waylett was riding in. They then searched his mother's house and found 10 marijuana plants.
Waylett pleaded guilty to producing cannabis, which carries a maximum 14-year sentence. His friend John Innis pleaded guilty to drug possession.
Judge Timothy Workman said the pair would be sentenced Tuesday.
Jamie Waylett pleaded guilty to growing the drug during a hearing Thursday at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.
The 19-year-old Waylett plays school bully Vincent Crabbe in all six installments of the film franchise.
Police found eight bags of cannabis and a knife during a search of a car Waylett was riding in. They then searched his mother's house and found 10 marijuana plants.
Waylett pleaded guilty to producing cannabis, which carries a maximum 14-year sentence. His friend John Innis pleaded guilty to drug possession.
Judge Timothy Workman said the pair would be sentenced Tuesday.
Potter's Half Blood Prince creats box office records
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince raked up 4.7 million pounds on it's opening day, the highest ever in the history of UK.
The sixth film in the super-hit fantasy franchise outdid it's predecessors with the bumper opening, reported Daily Mail online.
The film starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson which will released on Friday in India had the biggest ever opening in the history of UK.
Half-Blood Prince has Harry struggling to pry a critical memory loose from a new Hogwarts teacher who possesses key information in the coming showdown between the young hero and the evil Lord Voldemort.
The last Harry Potter film, Order Of The Phoenix, made 49.874 million pounds in the UK and USD 938.3 million worldwide.
The film could be the year's biggest money-maker, beating Megan Fox, Shia La Beouf starrer Transformers 2.
The sixth film in the super-hit fantasy franchise outdid it's predecessors with the bumper opening, reported Daily Mail online.
The film starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson which will released on Friday in India had the biggest ever opening in the history of UK.
Half-Blood Prince has Harry struggling to pry a critical memory loose from a new Hogwarts teacher who possesses key information in the coming showdown between the young hero and the evil Lord Voldemort.
The last Harry Potter film, Order Of The Phoenix, made 49.874 million pounds in the UK and USD 938.3 million worldwide.
The film could be the year's biggest money-maker, beating Megan Fox, Shia La Beouf starrer Transformers 2.
Dream car delivered: Meet the first owners of Nano
A gleaming lunar silver-coloured Nano was handed over to a proud owner here Friday to mark the commercial rollout of the jellybean-shaped small car, which has been drawing global attention since the prototype was unveiled last year.
Ratan Tata, the chairman of the $62.5-billion Tata group who had promised to deliver what he has been calling the "people's car" at just Rs 100,000 at factory gates, himself handed over the car keys to Ashok Vichare, a class I Customs officer.
Tata also gave away the keys of the second, sunshine yellow, Nano to HDFC Bank employee Ashish Balakrishnan, while the third, a lunar silver, went to a representative of Kores India, which manufactures carbon paper and typing sheets.
"I hope the Tata Nano will bring motoring pleasure to those who will be buying their first car as also those who currently own cars but want a modern, contemporary, emission-friendly city car," said a beaming Tata.
Accepting the car keys from Tata, Vichare expressed his intention to drive down straight to the famous Siddhi Vinayak Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesh, and frequented by celebrities and commoners alike.
Accompanied by his wife, two children and mother, Vichare (59) drove off to the temple, just a stone's throw from Concorde Motors, the Tata's company outlet at Prabhadevi.
For Balakrishnan, it was a dream come true.
"There are three things in life which one cherishes: to own a house, buy a car and start a family. For me, the second dream is coming through," Balakrishnan, a 29-year old bachelor, said after getting the car key.
A business manager with HDFC Bank, Balakrishnan had opted for direct full payment for his vehicle. "I now hope I can now settle down with a family soon," he said with a smile.
The function attracted hundreds of curious onlookers, housewives, students and even some office-goers going home early.
Many of them have also booked and been allotted Nano vehicles in the draw held a few weeks ago, while some said they had come to see how the car looks before deciding to book it.
As Vichare's lunar silver car zoomed out of the showroom, on to the Mumbai roads, there were cheers and applause from the crowd gathered there since early afternoon to catch a glimpse of the world's cheapest family car.
Ratan Tata, the chairman of the $62.5-billion Tata group who had promised to deliver what he has been calling the "people's car" at just Rs 100,000 at factory gates, himself handed over the car keys to Ashok Vichare, a class I Customs officer.
Tata also gave away the keys of the second, sunshine yellow, Nano to HDFC Bank employee Ashish Balakrishnan, while the third, a lunar silver, went to a representative of Kores India, which manufactures carbon paper and typing sheets.
"I hope the Tata Nano will bring motoring pleasure to those who will be buying their first car as also those who currently own cars but want a modern, contemporary, emission-friendly city car," said a beaming Tata.
Accepting the car keys from Tata, Vichare expressed his intention to drive down straight to the famous Siddhi Vinayak Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesh, and frequented by celebrities and commoners alike.
Accompanied by his wife, two children and mother, Vichare (59) drove off to the temple, just a stone's throw from Concorde Motors, the Tata's company outlet at Prabhadevi.
For Balakrishnan, it was a dream come true.
"There are three things in life which one cherishes: to own a house, buy a car and start a family. For me, the second dream is coming through," Balakrishnan, a 29-year old bachelor, said after getting the car key.
A business manager with HDFC Bank, Balakrishnan had opted for direct full payment for his vehicle. "I now hope I can now settle down with a family soon," he said with a smile.
The function attracted hundreds of curious onlookers, housewives, students and even some office-goers going home early.
Many of them have also booked and been allotted Nano vehicles in the draw held a few weeks ago, while some said they had come to see how the car looks before deciding to book it.
As Vichare's lunar silver car zoomed out of the showroom, on to the Mumbai roads, there were cheers and applause from the crowd gathered there since early afternoon to catch a glimpse of the world's cheapest family car.
West Indies v Bangladesh at St George's, 2nd Test - day 1
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Don''t greet Indian women with kiss, UK executives told
Prasun Sonwalkar London, Jul 16 (PTI) While in India, do as the Indians do and mind your manners, say ''namaste'' and don''t kiss women while greeting them - that is the message given to British companies keen to set up shop in the country. The UK India Business Council organised a crash course in etiquette this week for companies based in and around Birmingham, and told them that it was important to understand how people in India operate.
At the Insight India Day organised by UKIBC with bank major HSBC, the companies were told that many British companies and executives were making ''big mistakes'' when they travelled to India to explore business opportunities. Sharon Bamford, chief executive of UKIBC, said, "The most important thing people need to learn is the reality of what India is like.
The Western economies are going down in terms of growth and the eastern ones are going up. Today we have highlighted the opportunity in terms of economic growth".
She added, "It''s a fabulous opportunity but it''s not the easiest of markets. You are faced with so many new things but lots of companies are succeeding in spite of these challenges.
I think the biggest hurdle is just lack of knowledge." HSBC''s Dalip Puri, head of multicultural banking UK, said there was much potential because of shared cultural attitudes between India and the UK. .
At the Insight India Day organised by UKIBC with bank major HSBC, the companies were told that many British companies and executives were making ''big mistakes'' when they travelled to India to explore business opportunities. Sharon Bamford, chief executive of UKIBC, said, "The most important thing people need to learn is the reality of what India is like.
The Western economies are going down in terms of growth and the eastern ones are going up. Today we have highlighted the opportunity in terms of economic growth".
She added, "It''s a fabulous opportunity but it''s not the easiest of markets. You are faced with so many new things but lots of companies are succeeding in spite of these challenges.
I think the biggest hurdle is just lack of knowledge." HSBC''s Dalip Puri, head of multicultural banking UK, said there was much potential because of shared cultural attitudes between India and the UK. .
Deepika gets hot in an item number
If Deepika Padukone had taken this move two years ago, you would understand, but why now after having established herself in Bollywood? This pretty girl has taken film lovers by surprise, as she has plunged into Telugu movies, that too in a hot item number, while the actresses down south are making a beeline to enter Bollywood
South Indian actresses like Asin Thottumkal, Genelia D'Souza, Shreya Saran and others are still trying to find a strong foothold in Bollywood though they are big names down south. They are rejecting films from south in order to concentrate on Hindi cinema but Deepika is doing just the opposite. She is doing a hot item number in Love 4 Ever, a bilingual film in Telugu and Hindi.Yes, Deepika rose to fame with her Bollywood debut film Om Shanti Om though she had earlier acted in a Kannada film titled Aishwarya. She consolidated her position with Bachna Ae Haseeno. Her next film Chandni Chowk to China failed but she is all set to return in a big way with Love Aaj Kal opposite Saif Ali Khan. At this critical juncture, she decided to return to south.In spite of her busy schedule in Bollywood, Deepika shot for the item song “Chakde Mahiya need Duniya.. Haddu dati aadey day and night” for Love 4 Ever starring debutants Randeep and Mrudula in the lead roles. Love 4 Ever, produced and directed by Jayant C. Paranji, is basically a Telugu film though it will be simultaneously made in Hindi.Sources said that Deepika has given a sizzling performance in the item number, which is one of the major highlights of the film. People just can't stop talking about her hot and sexy attire.Looks like Deepika loves to serve hot!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
IT spending in Gulf nations expected to fall for first time
Dubai: Information technology spending in the Gulf countries is likely to fall sharply for first time this year, led by the UAE, as negative sentiments reign in consumer and enterprise segments.
IT spending in six Gulf countries is forecast at $12.18 billion (Dh44.7 billion), a decrease of 5.83 per cent compared to $12.94 billion in 2008.
Research firm IDC has slashed its growth forecast for the third time this year. In December, they revised the figures from $15.93 billion to $14.95 billion and now to $12.18 billion.
"Gulf countries had enjoyed a strong growth in IT spending for the last few years due to high oil prices, emergence of new sectors, low infrastructure investments by both public and private sectors, and over 6 per cent GDP growth," Jyoti Lalchandani, Vice-President and Regional MD, IDC MEA and Turkey, said.
He said the UAE is going to be the worst hit due to the uncertainty and witness 11.6 per cent drop this year to $4.14 billion. Last year, IT spending in the UAE was $4.68 billion.
"Qatar is the only region to register positive growth as the GDP is expected to post 6-7 per cent rise while Saudi Arabia is expected to remain flat. Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman likely to register slight decreases," Lalchandani said.
Qatar is projected to record $679.77 million in sales, an increase of 2.91 per cent over 2008.
He said the impact of slowdown would be felt more on the hardware sector. The UAE is the hardest hit as the country is a major re-export market for IT hardware. Around 20-30 per cent of hardware products are re-exported to countries like Iran, CIS countries and Africa.
The UAE is also a hub for tourists. Due to the drop in tourist inflow, there will be around 19 per cent drop in IT hardware spending in the UAE. But there is likelty to be slight growth in software and services, he said.
Anthony Peters, Associate Director and Group General Manager of Panasonic, said "talking to our partners, distributors and consumers, they remain bullish as do we. We have seen effects of the global recession in the region, but the Middle East remains one of the better performing geographies globally. Businesses are investing in IT which is a positive sign."
Chris Moore, managing director, Middle East, Africa and Mediterranean, said: "As a security vendor and speaking to our customers we have not seen a real dip in IT spending across the region."
"Our assumption is till first half of 2010, there is going to be a slowdown and only after that we expect double-digit growth in the region while focus is clearly shifting to utilisation of assets," Lalchandani said.
Hardware sector is projected to fall 12 per cent this year while software and service sector is forecast to grow 4.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent.
The Gulf spending is projected to grow more than eight per cent in 2010 to $13.19 billion.
"The crisis is impacting various sectors in varying degrees. The government is still investing in infrastructure and keeps the economy afloat due to high oil prices. The private sector has taken a back seat. Trade and distribution has taken a hit and in the UAE the most. In the UAE, trade and distribution is the heart of the economy. Trade between UAE and other counties are going to be affected severely this year.
"Transportation sector has been badly affected. Fewer people are coming in despite low oil prices. New investments planned in banking and financial services were put on hold. A lot of investments are going to the existing infrastructure just to keep the lights on. Retail sector and home sector is also affected by the crisis. The areas we see growth are utilities, telecom, healthcare, education, as these sectors are unfazed by the crisis," Jyoti said.
He said this current crisis has forced many CIOs to re-look their investments. Now CIOs are realigning their goals with business goals. Previously business had one set of goals and now business initiatives are driving IT initiatives and which is a great sign in this part of the world.
Moore said that by start of 2011 things will have taken a turn for the better..
"We expect a significant growth in the region, back to pre-crisis levels, in IT spending in early 2011. When the Gulf market rebounds, it will rebound strongly due to two to three year pent-up demand in various sectors," Jyoti said.
Prophet's Mosque second phase expansion nearing completion
King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, who is currently on an inspection tour of Madinah Province, visited the Prophet's Mosque on Sunday evening.
Soon after his arrival in Madinah, the king visited the mosque and performed the Asr prayer. He also visited the grave of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and paid his respects.
During the visit, the king issued a directive to complete the expansion works of the mosque. These include the installation of 182 sunshades to protect worshippers, more places of prayer, parking facilities and the completion of roadwork projects.
King Abdullah has allocated 4.7 billion Saudi riyals (Dh4.6 billion) for the new expansion projects. This is the second-largest expansion of the Mosque after the first in 1986 that created space for one million worshippers during peak times. King Abdullah ordered the expansion works in 2005.
More than 200,000 worshippers will benefit from the sunshade project. The 182 huge automatic umbrellas are meant to protect worshippers from sun and rain.
Expansion works of the eastern and western courtyards of the mosque are also nearing completion.
The expansion of the eastern courtyard would create an additional capacity for 70,000 worshippers with an underground parking area for 420 cars and 70 large buses.
New toilets and boarding stations will also be built. Three tunnels will also be constructed to connect the mosque with King Faisal Road. When completed, the new project would create space for 500,000.
Permanent residency plan for expatriates in Gulf countries
Riyadh: A Saudi official has suggested that foreign workers who have been living in Gulf countries for more than 25 years should be granted free iqamas (work/residence permits) or permanent resident status outside the sponsorship system.
In an interview published in the Arab News newspaper, Abdullah Sadiq Dahlan, Saudi Arabia's representative to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), said the kingdom should reform the citizenship system to open the way for long-term legal residents to acquire naturalisation.
This, he said, was necessary since the expatriates were "deeply rooted in our society" and their return back to the countries has become a problem for them.
The newspaper quoted Dahlan as saying that the new regulations to obtain Saudi nationality, which were issued about two years ago, were pioneering and in favour of foreign workers.
He also said that more has to be done for long-term foreign workers here.
Dahlan suggested that Saudi Arabia should do more to retain and benefit from the skills that workers had acquired during their stay in the country.
Dahlan likewise mentioned that there were only around 20,000 to 30,000 labour disputes reported annually in Saudi Arabia.
This, he said, was small when one takes into account that there are about six million foreign workers in the country. He said both the government and the private sector were keen to adopt international labour laws.
In an interview published in the Arab News newspaper, Abdullah Sadiq Dahlan, Saudi Arabia's representative to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), said the kingdom should reform the citizenship system to open the way for long-term legal residents to acquire naturalisation.
This, he said, was necessary since the expatriates were "deeply rooted in our society" and their return back to the countries has become a problem for them.
The newspaper quoted Dahlan as saying that the new regulations to obtain Saudi nationality, which were issued about two years ago, were pioneering and in favour of foreign workers.
He also said that more has to be done for long-term foreign workers here.
Dahlan suggested that Saudi Arabia should do more to retain and benefit from the skills that workers had acquired during their stay in the country.
Dahlan likewise mentioned that there were only around 20,000 to 30,000 labour disputes reported annually in Saudi Arabia.
This, he said, was small when one takes into account that there are about six million foreign workers in the country. He said both the government and the private sector were keen to adopt international labour laws.
9,000 men work on Dubai Metro
An estimated 9,000 men are helping to construct the Dubai Metro Project at various locations throughout the city.
The Metro's Red Line will carry 11,000 passengers per hour by 2009, according to figures released by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The line will initially run from Salahuddin Road to the American University of Dubai through BurJuman and Shaikh Zayed Road.
It will be gradually extended to Jebel Ali port in the south and the intersection of Al Nahda and Damascus roads through Al Qiyadah intersection in the north.
The Red Line will run underground from the intersection of Shaikh Rashid and Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed roads to just before the intersection of Salahuddin and Abu Bakr Al Siddique roads.
Ongoing construction is being carried out on the diaphragm walls for the underground stations.
In an earlier interview to Gulf News Abdul Majeed Khaja, Director of the Dubai Metro Department at the RTA, said the Metro system would be the most "reliable, safe and fastest mode of transport."
The tunnelling work and construction of viaducts will commence in November.
Kahja said the metro's design team comprised experts who worked on the interior of the Burj Al Arab and Dubai airport.
According to him fares will be decided after studying fares of other mode of transport like taxis, abra and buses.
The cost of the project (excluding extension) is Dh15.5 billion.
Phase one of the Red Line will be operational in September 2009. Phase two of the Green Line will be complete by March 2010.
It will be a driverless automatic system and will be controlled from the Operation Control Centre.
The maximum speed of trains is 110 km/h.
A total of 87 trains comprising five carriages each will be run along the Red and Green Lines.
The Metro's Red Line will carry 11,000 passengers per hour by 2009, according to figures released by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The line will initially run from Salahuddin Road to the American University of Dubai through BurJuman and Shaikh Zayed Road.
It will be gradually extended to Jebel Ali port in the south and the intersection of Al Nahda and Damascus roads through Al Qiyadah intersection in the north.
The Red Line will run underground from the intersection of Shaikh Rashid and Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed roads to just before the intersection of Salahuddin and Abu Bakr Al Siddique roads.
Ongoing construction is being carried out on the diaphragm walls for the underground stations.
In an earlier interview to Gulf News Abdul Majeed Khaja, Director of the Dubai Metro Department at the RTA, said the Metro system would be the most "reliable, safe and fastest mode of transport."
The tunnelling work and construction of viaducts will commence in November.
Kahja said the metro's design team comprised experts who worked on the interior of the Burj Al Arab and Dubai airport.
According to him fares will be decided after studying fares of other mode of transport like taxis, abra and buses.
The cost of the project (excluding extension) is Dh15.5 billion.
Phase one of the Red Line will be operational in September 2009. Phase two of the Green Line will be complete by March 2010.
It will be a driverless automatic system and will be controlled from the Operation Control Centre.
The maximum speed of trains is 110 km/h.
A total of 87 trains comprising five carriages each will be run along the Red and Green Lines.
Take a Glance on Dubai Metro
Completion: The Metro is scheduled to partially open by September 2009 and be fully completed by 2012.
Stations along the route:
There will be a total of 47 stations (in addition to station on the extension lines).
The Red Line will have 29 stations, including 24 elevated, four underground and one at ground-level. This line is 52.1 km long, including 4.7 km underground.
The Green Line will have 18 stations, including 12 elevated and 6 underground. The Green Line is 22.5 km long, including 7.9 km underground.
There will be two transfer stations — Union Square and the BurJuman Centre. At the transfer stations, Green and Red Lines will cross each other and passengers will be able to change between lines.
Work on metro stations will continue into 2008. All elevated stations on the Red Line will be completed by the beginning of 2008, while the underground stations will be complete by early 2009.
Car parkings for rail users
Car parking facility will be provided to metro users on the concept of "park and ride". There will be two major parking lots on Red Line — one at Rashidiya Station for 3,000 cars and at Jumeirah Islands Station for another 3,000 cars. The biggest parking lot will be built at Al Qusais Station with a capacity of 6,000 cars. It will cater to users coming from Sharjah.
There will be small parking spaces at each station while each station will be linked to other mode of transportation, including taxis, buses and at some stations water transport.
Depot for maintence
There will be three main train depot to park and do maintenance work on trains. The Red Line will have a main depot in Rashidiya and one auxiliary depot at Jebel Ali Free Zone.
On the Green Line, the main depot for train parking and maintenance will be in Al Qusais area.
Extension of lines
Extension of Dubai Metro's Red Line is currently under design. It will be extended from Jebel Ali Free Zone to Dubai-Abu Dhabi border an additional 12 km. The RTA is reviewing a plan to extend the Red Line from Jebel Ali to the under construction Jebel Ali Airport, but is still not finalised.
Extension plans on the Green Line have already been approved and it has already been extended by about 4.9 km from Healthcare City to Al Jaddaf. The Green Line was initially designed for 17.6 km, but now it is 22.5-km long.
Adjacent bus and taxi stations
All main metro stations will have adjacent bus stations as part of the integrated transport system which will include buses, taxis as well as water transport links at stations near the creek. The RTA is planning to introduce an integrated card system, the Smart Card, that will enable passengers to travel on trains, buses and water transport, as well as use the parking areas.
Construction of viaducts for elevated tracks
A viaduct is a bridge, which is placed over piers to make a track for the train. The construction of viaduct spans for the Dubai Metro has started on Shaikh Zayed Road near Interchange 5.5 near Ibn Battuta Mall.
Each of these viaduct spans is being made up with a minimum of eight pre-cast viaduct deck segments, which are manufactured and transported from Jebel Ali casting yard.
Each segment of viaduct, 10 metres wide and four metres in length, is being assembled with other similar sized segments individually to form a complete viaduct span bridging across two supporting piers.
Different spans together when assembled will form the bridge deck upon which the trains will travel. There will be 11,400 pre-cast concrete viaduct deck segments to be used for the Red Line. Each viaduct weighs about 50 tonnes.
Luxurious interior
The interior of the trains is based on a water and air theme and every train will have five compartments. Every train will have three classes – The Golden Class (VIP), the Women and Children's Class and the Silver Class (economy).
The Golden Class will have a luxurious interior with leather seating. The Women and Children's compartments will have plenty of space for strollers and bags to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.
The Silver Class has been finished in a combination of blues and greens. Seating is arranged in a variety of ways giving passengers the choice between admiring views through windows or chatting with friends.
All compartments will have reserved wheelchair spaces for special needs people. There will be a policy of priority seating for elderly, injured, special needs people and pregnant women.
The compartments will be equipped with audio visual devices. Visual and audio announcement facilities will be available to serve people, especially those with special needs.
Clear signage will show the route map of the metro and other directions for passengers. A variety of safety devices, including closed circuit television in all trains will ensure a safe and comfortable journey for all.
23 companies shut down for manufacture of fake goods in UAE
Twenty three companies involved in the manufacturing and sale of fake goods were shut down by the Ajman Municipality in the first half of this year.
These companies were caught flouting the rules by inspectors during routine checks that are carried out by the civic body. In the last six months about 2,321 companies in Ajman were issued with fines in the last six months.
Checks were carried out in 2,451 companies during the last six months. Yahya Al Reyasa, Acting Director-General of the municipality said that the companies found flouting municipality regulations were fined Dh10,000 to Dh50,000.
He said that the civic body has tightened its grip by making surprise visits on companies who put public safety at risk
These companies were caught flouting the rules by inspectors during routine checks that are carried out by the civic body. In the last six months about 2,321 companies in Ajman were issued with fines in the last six months.
Checks were carried out in 2,451 companies during the last six months. Yahya Al Reyasa, Acting Director-General of the municipality said that the companies found flouting municipality regulations were fined Dh10,000 to Dh50,000.
He said that the civic body has tightened its grip by making surprise visits on companies who put public safety at risk
Michael Jackson's 1984 Pepsi burn accident video surfaces
New York: US Weekly magazine has obtained video it says shows never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's head catching on fire during filming of his 1984 Pepsi commercial.
Michael suffered severe burns after a pyrotechnics mishap caused his hair and scalp to catch fire. Still photos of the accident have been seen before, but the new video on US Weekly's Web site shows the moment Michael's hair caught on fire and the top of his head became engulfed in flames.
Jackson didn't realize his hair was on fire. In the video, he's still dancing as the flames are on his head. When he spins, the flames go out. People on the set tackle him to extinguish the fire, and his brother Jermaine Jackson, playing the guitar in front of him and oblivious to the commotion, turns around.
When Michael Jackson emerges from the pile of people trying to help him, the top of his head is bald.
The accident, witnessed by thousands of stunned fans at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, came at the height of Michael's fame, about a year after the release of his best-selling "Thriller" album.
It marked what would be the beginning of serious, lifelong pain for Jackson, who had been treated for painkiller addiction and has been described by relatives and friends as being hooked on pain medication at the time of his death last month at age 50.
Michael, who was photographed in an ambulance with a bandage on his head and his trademark sequined white glove on his right hand, required several surgeries and needed skin grafts to treat the injury.
In his autobiography, "Moonwalk," he described the cause of the accident as "stupidity, pure and simple."
As he described the accident, he wrote: "... bombs went off on either side of my head, and the sparks set my hair on fire. I was dancing down this ramp and turning around, spinning, not knowing I was on fire. Suddenly I felt my hands reflexively go to my head in an attempt to smother the flames."
As a result of the accident, Pepsi gave Michael $1.5 million, which he donated to a burn center named after him.
A representative for US Weekly had no immediate comment on where the video came from.
Michael suffered severe burns after a pyrotechnics mishap caused his hair and scalp to catch fire. Still photos of the accident have been seen before, but the new video on US Weekly's Web site shows the moment Michael's hair caught on fire and the top of his head became engulfed in flames.
Jackson didn't realize his hair was on fire. In the video, he's still dancing as the flames are on his head. When he spins, the flames go out. People on the set tackle him to extinguish the fire, and his brother Jermaine Jackson, playing the guitar in front of him and oblivious to the commotion, turns around.
When Michael Jackson emerges from the pile of people trying to help him, the top of his head is bald.
The accident, witnessed by thousands of stunned fans at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, came at the height of Michael's fame, about a year after the release of his best-selling "Thriller" album.
It marked what would be the beginning of serious, lifelong pain for Jackson, who had been treated for painkiller addiction and has been described by relatives and friends as being hooked on pain medication at the time of his death last month at age 50.
Michael, who was photographed in an ambulance with a bandage on his head and his trademark sequined white glove on his right hand, required several surgeries and needed skin grafts to treat the injury.
In his autobiography, "Moonwalk," he described the cause of the accident as "stupidity, pure and simple."
As he described the accident, he wrote: "... bombs went off on either side of my head, and the sparks set my hair on fire. I was dancing down this ramp and turning around, spinning, not knowing I was on fire. Suddenly I felt my hands reflexively go to my head in an attempt to smother the flames."
As a result of the accident, Pepsi gave Michael $1.5 million, which he donated to a burn center named after him.
A representative for US Weekly had no immediate comment on where the video came from.
Oldest Chocolate in U.S. Found
Chocolate for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? Folks may be surprised to know how far back chocolate goes -- perhaps 1,000 years in what is now the United States.
Evidence of chocolate was been found in Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, N.M., the earliest indication of the tasty substance north of Mexico, Patricia L. Crown of the University of New Mexico and W. Jeffrey Hurst of the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition report in Tuesday's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Drinking chocolate was associated with a variety of rituals in ancient Central America, including weddings, but Crown said she is not sure of its exact uses in her area.
The discovery, dated to between A.D. 1000 and 1125, indicates trade was under way between the Chaco Canyon residents and cacao growers in Central America.
Evidence of chocolate was been found in Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, N.M., the earliest indication of the tasty substance north of Mexico, Patricia L. Crown of the University of New Mexico and W. Jeffrey Hurst of the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition report in Tuesday's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Drinking chocolate was associated with a variety of rituals in ancient Central America, including weddings, but Crown said she is not sure of its exact uses in her area.
The discovery, dated to between A.D. 1000 and 1125, indicates trade was under way between the Chaco Canyon residents and cacao growers in Central America.
Huge shark Found On a New York Island
A reportedly 20-foot-long (6-meter-long) basking shark that washed ashore on a beach on New York's Long Island on Tuesday appears to have died from some kind of illness (basking shark picture and wallpaper).
(Also see "Giant Shark Mystery Solved: Basking Shark Hideout Found.")
New York State Parks official George Gorman said researchers will examine the basking shark to determine a cause of death. After that, it will be buried in nearby sand dunes on the beach.
Basking sharks are common in the waters off Long Island. The giant washed ashore on a town beach a few miles east of Jones Beach State Park, a popular recreation area for New York City-area residents.
Basking sharks are the world's second largest fish, after whale sharks, and can grow up to 32 feet (10 meters) long. Despite their giant mouths, the sharks are not considered dangerous and feed mainly on plankton. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the giant sharks as vulnerable to extinction.
After examining the basking shark, Tracy Marcus of Cornell University's Long Island-based Sport Fishing Education Center said the shark weighs about a ton. She said it is unusual for an ailing basking shark to come ashore. Usually they die in the ocean.
The cause of the Long Island shark's beaching may remain a mystery—as is where the giant creatures come from.
"We still have no idea where they give birth," Gregory Skomal, a marine biologist from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, told National Geographic News in May.
(Also see: "World's Largest Shark Species [Including Basking Sharks] at Risk, Expert Says.")
(Also see "Giant Shark Mystery Solved: Basking Shark Hideout Found.")
New York State Parks official George Gorman said researchers will examine the basking shark to determine a cause of death. After that, it will be buried in nearby sand dunes on the beach.
Basking sharks are common in the waters off Long Island. The giant washed ashore on a town beach a few miles east of Jones Beach State Park, a popular recreation area for New York City-area residents.
Basking sharks are the world's second largest fish, after whale sharks, and can grow up to 32 feet (10 meters) long. Despite their giant mouths, the sharks are not considered dangerous and feed mainly on plankton. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the giant sharks as vulnerable to extinction.
After examining the basking shark, Tracy Marcus of Cornell University's Long Island-based Sport Fishing Education Center said the shark weighs about a ton. She said it is unusual for an ailing basking shark to come ashore. Usually they die in the ocean.
The cause of the Long Island shark's beaching may remain a mystery—as is where the giant creatures come from.
"We still have no idea where they give birth," Gregory Skomal, a marine biologist from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, told National Geographic News in May.
(Also see: "World's Largest Shark Species [Including Basking Sharks] at Risk, Expert Says.")
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The UEFA Champions League FC Kobenhavn Vs Mogren live football
The UEFA Champions League KF Tirana Vs Stabaek IF live football
Click here to watch live match:http://atdhe.net/8033/watch-tirana-vs-stabaek
International Friendly Matches Live football St Gallen Vs Liverpool FC
International Friendly Matches Live football St Gallen Vs Liverpool FC
International Friendly Matches Live football Olympiacos Piraeus Vs Sivasspor
International Friendly Matches Live football Sparta Vs Westerlo
Click here to watch live match:sop://broker1.sopcast.com:3912/74174
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http://www.justin.tv/timsalabim/popout
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Udaipur voted world's best city in travel poll
Sydney: Udaipur, known as the Venice of the East, was voted the world's best city for travellers in 2009 in an online poll by Travel + Leisure magazine, trumping last year's winner Bangkok.
The island of Bali in Indonesia topped the Galapagos to be named best island in the annual poll, in which casual and laidback destinations prevailed.
Magazine readers also voted Bushmans Kloof Cedar Mountains, in South Africa, as the world's top hotel while Singapore Airlines grabbed the best airline award again.
Editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure Nancy Novogrod said this year's poll reflected changing travel interests in a challenging economy, with Udaipur, famous for its canals and palaces, a current tourist favourite for well-heeled Westerners.
"Value, intimacy, service, and discovery are top priorities. As for that so-last-August-sounding word, luxury, it's all about enclaves that shelter stealth wealth," she said in a statement.
Novogrod said dramatically sited outposts ranging from Jade Mountain in St. Lucia to San Ysidro Ranch in California featured highly this year.
Value ratings for a number of top-ranked cities – Udaipur, Cape Town, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Chiang Mai, and Luang Prabang – were sky-high while other far-flung cities also made a strong showing.
However, favourites such as New York City, Florence, Rome, and San Francisco remained in the top 10 overall.
The results were complied from votes by magazine subscribers in an Internet poll which went live between January and March. Travel + Leisure will honour winners on July 21 in New York.
The complete World's Best Awards is available on www.travelandleisure.com. Following are some highlights:
Best city - Udaipur, India
Best hotel - Bushmans Kloof Cedar Mountains, South Africa
Best island - Bali, Indonesia
Best cruise line (large ships) - Crystal Cruises
Best cruise line (small ships) - The Yachts of Seabourn
Best international airline - Singapore Airlines
Best domestic airline - Virgin America
Best tour operator - Austin-Lehman Adventures
Best car-rental agency - Sext
Best destination spa - Mii amo, A Destination Spa at Enchantment, Sedona
The island of Bali in Indonesia topped the Galapagos to be named best island in the annual poll, in which casual and laidback destinations prevailed.
Magazine readers also voted Bushmans Kloof Cedar Mountains, in South Africa, as the world's top hotel while Singapore Airlines grabbed the best airline award again.
Editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure Nancy Novogrod said this year's poll reflected changing travel interests in a challenging economy, with Udaipur, famous for its canals and palaces, a current tourist favourite for well-heeled Westerners.
"Value, intimacy, service, and discovery are top priorities. As for that so-last-August-sounding word, luxury, it's all about enclaves that shelter stealth wealth," she said in a statement.
Novogrod said dramatically sited outposts ranging from Jade Mountain in St. Lucia to San Ysidro Ranch in California featured highly this year.
Value ratings for a number of top-ranked cities – Udaipur, Cape Town, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Chiang Mai, and Luang Prabang – were sky-high while other far-flung cities also made a strong showing.
However, favourites such as New York City, Florence, Rome, and San Francisco remained in the top 10 overall.
The results were complied from votes by magazine subscribers in an Internet poll which went live between January and March. Travel + Leisure will honour winners on July 21 in New York.
The complete World's Best Awards is available on www.travelandleisure.com. Following are some highlights:
Best city - Udaipur, India
Best hotel - Bushmans Kloof Cedar Mountains, South Africa
Best island - Bali, Indonesia
Best cruise line (large ships) - Crystal Cruises
Best cruise line (small ships) - The Yachts of Seabourn
Best international airline - Singapore Airlines
Best domestic airline - Virgin America
Best tour operator - Austin-Lehman Adventures
Best car-rental agency - Sext
Best destination spa - Mii amo, A Destination Spa at Enchantment, Sedona
Katrina Kaif joins the stars bandwagon set to perform at Zee Carnival
Katrina Kaif, the reigning beauty of filmdom, has joined the bandwagon of stars who will be participating in the grand Zee Carnival to be held on bandwagon of stars who will be participating in the grand Zee Carnival to be held on Independence day. Set to bring down the house, the lithe belle will perform alongside top-notch industry actors at the event to be held in Chicago.The majestic celebration that has been one of the most raved about events abroad will bring superstars like Shah Rukh, Bipasha, Katrina and love-birds Kareena and Saif on the same podium.
Katrina, who is currently holidaying with her family in London, is set to fly to US for attending the Independence Day celebrations.
Confirming the news, Katrina told reporters, "Yes I am going for the Zee carnival in Chicago." The stunner, who celebrates her birthday on July 16, has wisely decided to be with her family after last year her birthday bash became the venue of filmdom’s ugly face-off between Shah Rukh and Salman.
Talking about the star studded affair event, Karim Morani, who is handling the event said, “Katrina along with Shah Rukh, Bipasha, Kareena, Saif and other actors will be in Chicago for the event. It`s not a money-making exercise. This is basically an opportunity for the local Indians to meet and greet actors and interact with them."
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Last Titanic Survivor Dies at Age 97
Millvina Dean, the last remaining survivor of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, has died in England aged 97, the British Titanic Society announced.
Elizabeth Gladys Dean, known to friends as Millvina, was only nine weeks old when the liner hit an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean on the night of April 14, 1912, and sank killing 1,500 people.
She survived after being bundled up in a sack and carried to safety. Her mother Georgette Eva and brother Bertram also made it, but her father, Bertram Frank, was among those who died.
"It is with great regret that we have to inform you of the death of Miss Millvina Dean on May 31, 2009," the British Titanic Society, of which Millvina was honorary president, said in a brief statement Sunday.
Enthusiasts' Web site Encyclopedia Titanica said she had suffered a short illness. British media reports said she died in a nursing home near Ashurst in the southern English county of Hampshire, but staff there refused to comment.
Elizabeth Gladys Dean, known to friends as Millvina, was only nine weeks old when the liner hit an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean on the night of April 14, 1912, and sank killing 1,500 people.
She survived after being bundled up in a sack and carried to safety. Her mother Georgette Eva and brother Bertram also made it, but her father, Bertram Frank, was among those who died.
"It is with great regret that we have to inform you of the death of Miss Millvina Dean on May 31, 2009," the British Titanic Society, of which Millvina was honorary president, said in a brief statement Sunday.
Enthusiasts' Web site Encyclopedia Titanica said she had suffered a short illness. British media reports said she died in a nursing home near Ashurst in the southern English county of Hampshire, but staff there refused to comment.
400 Million-Year-Old Male Sex Member ID'd
cientists have confirmed the oldest penis-like structure in an ancient fish specimen.
The discovery of the 400 million-year-old reproductive organ is one of the earliest examples of internal fertilization in vertebrate animals. Understanding the anatomy of these ancient fish could reveal further details in the evolution of vertebrates -- including humans.
The research is published in today's advanced online ahead of print edition of Nature.
Earlier this year the team, led by Australian palaeontologist Dr John Long, predicted some ancient fish from the Devonian era, had an attachment to their pelvic bone, which were used by males to fertilize females.
Long, of Museum Victoria, said "when we announced we'd found some structures in the pelvic fin that suggested copulation, we hadn't found the business end of how they were doing it."
Now the team have identified a long clasper, made entirely of bone, on another fish specimen. Long said claspers were used by the ancient fish, an extinct class of armored fish called placoderms, to grip inside the female while they were mating.
"It's a pretty big find because placaderms were the dominant fish for 70 million years, but we knew nothing about their reproduction," said Long.
He said their work earlier this year suggests the reproductive structure in the dominant group of placoderms, called arthrodires, was similar to present-day sharks.
"Now we've actually found it, a specimen with an undoubted clasper with a knobbly end."
The discovery of the 400 million-year-old reproductive organ is one of the earliest examples of internal fertilization in vertebrate animals. Understanding the anatomy of these ancient fish could reveal further details in the evolution of vertebrates -- including humans.
The research is published in today's advanced online ahead of print edition of Nature.
Earlier this year the team, led by Australian palaeontologist Dr John Long, predicted some ancient fish from the Devonian era, had an attachment to their pelvic bone, which were used by males to fertilize females.
Long, of Museum Victoria, said "when we announced we'd found some structures in the pelvic fin that suggested copulation, we hadn't found the business end of how they were doing it."
Now the team have identified a long clasper, made entirely of bone, on another fish specimen. Long said claspers were used by the ancient fish, an extinct class of armored fish called placoderms, to grip inside the female while they were mating.
"It's a pretty big find because placaderms were the dominant fish for 70 million years, but we knew nothing about their reproduction," said Long.
He said their work earlier this year suggests the reproductive structure in the dominant group of placoderms, called arthrodires, was similar to present-day sharks.
"Now we've actually found it, a specimen with an undoubted clasper with a knobbly end."
MJ’s ex-wife wants $4 mn to give up parental rights
Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe is reportedly ready to give up her parental rights for a payout of $ 4 million from her former mother-in-law.
"It's one final payday," the New York Post quoted a disgusted Jackson confidant as saying.
Rowe, the biological mother of Jackson’s two elder kids Prince, 12, and Paris, 11, had earlier forfeited her parental rights once in exchange for a lump sum of $8 million, plus $900,000 annually for five years, during her divorce with the Thriller hitmaker in 1999.
Rowe resurfaced to reclaim her rights when Jackson was accused of child molestation in 2001, but gave up full custody of the kids in exchange for another $4 million dollars plus a $900,000 home.
According to a family source, Rowe is again exchanging her restored parental rights with Jackson's mom, Katherine, for another $4 million.
"This would be it. This takes away any rights she has to challenge custody at any given time," the source said.
"If something happens to Katherine, Rowe can't challenge the next guardian, whether that be Diana Ross or someone in the family," the source added.
Although the family isn't happy about the mega-payout, they consider it a necessary evil, the source said.
However, lawyers for both Rowe and Katherine Jackson were not available for comment.
"It's one final payday," the New York Post quoted a disgusted Jackson confidant as saying.
Rowe, the biological mother of Jackson’s two elder kids Prince, 12, and Paris, 11, had earlier forfeited her parental rights once in exchange for a lump sum of $8 million, plus $900,000 annually for five years, during her divorce with the Thriller hitmaker in 1999.
Rowe resurfaced to reclaim her rights when Jackson was accused of child molestation in 2001, but gave up full custody of the kids in exchange for another $4 million dollars plus a $900,000 home.
According to a family source, Rowe is again exchanging her restored parental rights with Jackson's mom, Katherine, for another $4 million.
"This would be it. This takes away any rights she has to challenge custody at any given time," the source said.
"If something happens to Katherine, Rowe can't challenge the next guardian, whether that be Diana Ross or someone in the family," the source added.
Although the family isn't happy about the mega-payout, they consider it a necessary evil, the source said.
However, lawyers for both Rowe and Katherine Jackson were not available for comment.
Mahindra had been eyeing Satyam for a long time
Business decisions are never made at the spur of the moment and the belief that Anand Mahindra decided to go after Satyam Computer Services Ltd after the scam broke out is wrong.
Anand Mahindra had long been eyeing the IT major. He disclosed this in an exclusive chat with Vir Sanghvi.
"Let me make a confession. We actually thought about it a year earlier. To be very honest it happened when there were reports of Raju (Satyam founder Ramalinga Raju) being pursued by IBM or rather preyed by IBM. At that point I had a word with him and said as Vineet Nayar put it that it is a marriage made in heaven. And at that time he was twice our size but I still saw a good fit because of how verticals complimented each other. I was always puzzled as to why he never came back to me," Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and MD, Mahindra Group said.
The Mahindra group missed the IT bus in the 90s. But it placed all IT bets on Tech Mahindra that was revamped and the company grew exponentially. So puzzled as he may have been by Ramalinga Raju's silence, Anand Mahindra did not want to give up on another opportunity of acquiring one of the stars of the IT business.
"I reached out again when the Maytas issue surfaced and again got no answer. I reached out through various intermediaries. And then the infamous confession of Raju took place," said Mahindra.
The rest is history. A dream that was cherished long before the world found out about Raju's misdeed finally came true for Anand Mahindra.
Anand Mahindra had long been eyeing the IT major. He disclosed this in an exclusive chat with Vir Sanghvi.
"Let me make a confession. We actually thought about it a year earlier. To be very honest it happened when there were reports of Raju (Satyam founder Ramalinga Raju) being pursued by IBM or rather preyed by IBM. At that point I had a word with him and said as Vineet Nayar put it that it is a marriage made in heaven. And at that time he was twice our size but I still saw a good fit because of how verticals complimented each other. I was always puzzled as to why he never came back to me," Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and MD, Mahindra Group said.
The Mahindra group missed the IT bus in the 90s. But it placed all IT bets on Tech Mahindra that was revamped and the company grew exponentially. So puzzled as he may have been by Ramalinga Raju's silence, Anand Mahindra did not want to give up on another opportunity of acquiring one of the stars of the IT business.
"I reached out again when the Maytas issue surfaced and again got no answer. I reached out through various intermediaries. And then the infamous confession of Raju took place," said Mahindra.
The rest is history. A dream that was cherished long before the world found out about Raju's misdeed finally came true for Anand Mahindra.
'Swine flu vaccination compulsory for Haj pilgrims'
Haj pilgrims from India this year will have to compulsorily get themselves vaccinated against swine flu to avoid getting quarantined in Saudi Arabia, as per the latest requirements of the government thereThis was announced Tuesday by Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor who also advised that elderly, pregnant women and children should avoid making the pilgrimage this year due to the pandemic. "The Hajis should take suitable precautions and get themselves inoculated as they will be medically screened at the point of disembarkation. This is an advise for the pilgrims to avoid getting quarantined at the point of disembarkation," he said at the Annual Haj Conference here.
Seasonal flu vaccination has been made compulsory and it is to be ensured that pilgrims from all over the world must take the vaccine at least two weeks before travel, the Saudi government has advised. It also said that health certificates would have to be signed by government doctors.
Tharoor said the Saudi government has intimated that the pilgrims should have international passports only, instead of any other travel document
Seasonal flu vaccination has been made compulsory and it is to be ensured that pilgrims from all over the world must take the vaccine at least two weeks before travel, the Saudi government has advised. It also said that health certificates would have to be signed by government doctors.
Tharoor said the Saudi government has intimated that the pilgrims should have international passports only, instead of any other travel document
World's longest golf course to open in Australia
The world's longest golf course, stretching along 1,365 kilometres (848 miles) of desert highway with holes at 18 towns and service stations, is to open in Australia this year, organisers said Tuesday.
The Nullarbor Links, which will span two time zones and measure more than the entire length of Britain, is expected to be completed next month and will host its inaugural tournament on October 22.
"We're very excited about it. It's been a long time coming and a lot of effort," project chairman Don Harrington told agency.
"This is the longest golf course in the world. It's unique terrain, there's something for everybody."
The course, conceived five years ago "over a couple of beers," is meant to attract tourists to the Eyre Highway which traverses the desolate Nullarbor Plain and hugs part of Australia's southern coastline.
Golfers will stop at one roadhouse, play a hole, then drive on to the next tee -- 100 kilometres down the road in some cases. The par-71 course will take three or four days to complete with each player awarded a certificate.
Each hole will showcase a local attraction, from whale-watching to ancient fossil beds and a working sheep station, and include sights such as the Big Kangaroo statue at Border Village straddling South and Western Australia.
"There's a lot of history and you can see all of that on a golf course," Harrington said.
"Both Australian tourists and golfing enthusiasts around the world have shown support for what we're doing."
The course was the brainchild of Bob Bongiorno, who was managing a roadhouse at remote Balladonia when he came up with the idea.
Bongiorno, now living in Kalgoorlie at the course's western end, said he tried hitting a few balls when he first moved into the Outback but got sick of encountering spiders when trying to retrieve them.
There should be no such hazards on the synthetic greens of the Nullarbor Links, although golfers who hit a stray shot into the desert will face a monster sandtrap
The Nullarbor Links, which will span two time zones and measure more than the entire length of Britain, is expected to be completed next month and will host its inaugural tournament on October 22.
"We're very excited about it. It's been a long time coming and a lot of effort," project chairman Don Harrington told agency.
"This is the longest golf course in the world. It's unique terrain, there's something for everybody."
The course, conceived five years ago "over a couple of beers," is meant to attract tourists to the Eyre Highway which traverses the desolate Nullarbor Plain and hugs part of Australia's southern coastline.
Golfers will stop at one roadhouse, play a hole, then drive on to the next tee -- 100 kilometres down the road in some cases. The par-71 course will take three or four days to complete with each player awarded a certificate.
Each hole will showcase a local attraction, from whale-watching to ancient fossil beds and a working sheep station, and include sights such as the Big Kangaroo statue at Border Village straddling South and Western Australia.
"There's a lot of history and you can see all of that on a golf course," Harrington said.
"Both Australian tourists and golfing enthusiasts around the world have shown support for what we're doing."
The course was the brainchild of Bob Bongiorno, who was managing a roadhouse at remote Balladonia when he came up with the idea.
Bongiorno, now living in Kalgoorlie at the course's western end, said he tried hitting a few balls when he first moved into the Outback but got sick of encountering spiders when trying to retrieve them.
There should be no such hazards on the synthetic greens of the Nullarbor Links, although golfers who hit a stray shot into the desert will face a monster sandtrap
ICC launches 2011 World Cup with fanfare
The 2011 World Cup, to be hosted in the sub-continent, was today launched here with all the fanfare by the International Cricket Council with a member each from most of the previous winners present along with ICC vice-president Sharad Pawar and Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat.
Clive Lloyd, the captain of the West Indies sides that won in 1975 and 1979 in England, India`s 1983 winning-team members Balwinder Sandhu and Dilip Vengsarkar, Sri Lanka`s Aravinda D`Silva who played a major role in the 1996 Cup winning squad and Michael Bevan of Australia who was part of the team that won the crown in 1999 and 2003 were those present.
The sound and laser show that showcased the key moments of all the previous World Cups was a breathtaking affair.
Lorgat sought to dispel fears of one-day format being overtaken by the huge popularity of the Twenty20 version saying that the limited overs World Cup continued to be ICC`s showpiece event.
Pawar, the chairman of the 2011 World Cup Organising Committee, announced that the Indian board has decided to keep the ticket prices at affordable rates to encourage the student community to witness the matches and reiterated that Mumbai`s Wankhede Stadium would host the final.
"The Indian board has decided to keep the rates of the tickets low to encourage the student community. We don`t want to make too much money out of gates. This has come after what we saw in the West Indies (during the 2007 World Cup)," he added.
The last World Cup was played in front of a lot of empty seats.
Pawar also said that Pakistan, which would not hold any matches, would continue to be part of the organizational set-up.
"I`m upset that a major partner Pakistan is not organising a match due to unfortunate circumstances. They will be very much part of the organising committee and would help organize the World Cup in a dignified manner," he said.
Pakistan`s representative -- PCB`s cricket operations manager -- Zakir Khan took part in the ceremony though he did not attend the meeting of the World Cup Central Organising Committee which preceded it.
"The (50-over) World Cup is the flagship event of the ICC. What we have will hold up in the future," he announced to the audience which had several former Mumbai-based Test cricketers including Ajit Wadekar, Bapu Nadkarni and Umesh Kulkarni.
Lorgat also said that the 2011 World Cup would be over in 40-plus dates and would involve 14 teams
Clive Lloyd, the captain of the West Indies sides that won in 1975 and 1979 in England, India`s 1983 winning-team members Balwinder Sandhu and Dilip Vengsarkar, Sri Lanka`s Aravinda D`Silva who played a major role in the 1996 Cup winning squad and Michael Bevan of Australia who was part of the team that won the crown in 1999 and 2003 were those present.
The sound and laser show that showcased the key moments of all the previous World Cups was a breathtaking affair.
Lorgat sought to dispel fears of one-day format being overtaken by the huge popularity of the Twenty20 version saying that the limited overs World Cup continued to be ICC`s showpiece event.
Pawar, the chairman of the 2011 World Cup Organising Committee, announced that the Indian board has decided to keep the ticket prices at affordable rates to encourage the student community to witness the matches and reiterated that Mumbai`s Wankhede Stadium would host the final.
"The Indian board has decided to keep the rates of the tickets low to encourage the student community. We don`t want to make too much money out of gates. This has come after what we saw in the West Indies (during the 2007 World Cup)," he added.
The last World Cup was played in front of a lot of empty seats.
Pawar also said that Pakistan, which would not hold any matches, would continue to be part of the organizational set-up.
"I`m upset that a major partner Pakistan is not organising a match due to unfortunate circumstances. They will be very much part of the organising committee and would help organize the World Cup in a dignified manner," he said.
Pakistan`s representative -- PCB`s cricket operations manager -- Zakir Khan took part in the ceremony though he did not attend the meeting of the World Cup Central Organising Committee which preceded it.
"The (50-over) World Cup is the flagship event of the ICC. What we have will hold up in the future," he announced to the audience which had several former Mumbai-based Test cricketers including Ajit Wadekar, Bapu Nadkarni and Umesh Kulkarni.
Lorgat also said that the 2011 World Cup would be over in 40-plus dates and would involve 14 teams
Monday, July 13, 2009
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Watch Srilanka Vs pakistan 2nd test Day 2
Watch and Download Hindi Movie Short-cut
Akshay Khanna, Arshad Warsi, Amrita Arora, Simi Garewal, Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor, Chunky Pandey, Ali Asgar, Haider Ali, Siddharth Randeria
Meet the girl whose 'rear view' captivated Obama at G-8
The girl who appeared to have caught the eye of US President Barack Obama and that of his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy at the G-8 summit in Italy has been identified as a 17-year-old social activist.
Mayora Tavares shot to fame overnight after a photograph depicting Obama seemingly looking at her bottom while Sarkozy also appeared to be taking in the view was published on news websites across the globe.
The Brazilian woman, a Rio de Janeiro resident, was reportedly selected to participate in the Junior G8 summit after working on a human rights study in two notorious Rio towns, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
In an interview with Brazilian television this month, she dubbed travelling to the G8 as an "inexplicable feeling".
The photograph evoked many smirks and comments around the world.
One comment on a website said: "This young lady must be phenomenally beautiful. After all, even Sarkozy had to hang on to his jaw." (ANI)
Mayora Tavares shot to fame overnight after a photograph depicting Obama seemingly looking at her bottom while Sarkozy also appeared to be taking in the view was published on news websites across the globe.
The Brazilian woman, a Rio de Janeiro resident, was reportedly selected to participate in the Junior G8 summit after working on a human rights study in two notorious Rio towns, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
In an interview with Brazilian television this month, she dubbed travelling to the G8 as an "inexplicable feeling".
The photograph evoked many smirks and comments around the world.
One comment on a website said: "This young lady must be phenomenally beautiful. After all, even Sarkozy had to hang on to his jaw." (ANI)
Google's new OS could hit Microsoft where it hurts
t's the ultimate showdown in the technology
world, the clash of giants that has been eagerly awaited for years. Web giant Google is taking its clearest aim yet at Microsoft with its plan to produce its own operating system that would optimise the way computers work on the Internet. The Chrome operating system is due to be out in the second half of next year and will initially be used in netbooks, company executives Sundar Pichai and Linus Upson said in a blog posting. The operating system would be released as free, open-source software, which would allow anyone to use or modify it. At the core of Google's vision is the most important trend in the networked world: the move from running applications on a desktop computer to running them through a web browser. From Gmail to Facebook and Picassa to Twitter, the most popular uses for computers are no longer the disc-churning software programmes like Microsoft Office, which have clogged up hard drives for years. The new paradigm is cloud-based computing, where all the heavy lifting and storage is done on companies' server farms, which people access over their broadband connections. According to Google, it's time that computers reflected the change. "The operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web," Google executives Sundar Pichai and Linus Upson wrote in a blog posting announcing the move. The Chrome operating system is Google's "attempt to re-think what operating systems should be", based on three key attributes: "speed, simplicity and security". "We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you on to the web in a few seconds. We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work." That vision sounds like digital heaven for computer users who have wrestled forever with bloated software and computers that progressively get slower and slower. "People want to get to their email instantly, without wasting time waiting for their computers to boot and browsers to start up. They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them," the Google blog said. "They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. Even more importantly, they don't want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware or have to worry about constant software updates." As enticing as that prospect may seem, it's not guaranteed to work, says Don Retallack, vice president of research at Directions on Microsoft - a company that tracks the software giant. "Google may or may not have the experience and capability of actually producing an operating system and getting it deployed," he said. "It may not realise how hard it is."
world, the clash of giants that has been eagerly awaited for years. Web giant Google is taking its clearest aim yet at Microsoft with its plan to produce its own operating system that would optimise the way computers work on the Internet. The Chrome operating system is due to be out in the second half of next year and will initially be used in netbooks, company executives Sundar Pichai and Linus Upson said in a blog posting. The operating system would be released as free, open-source software, which would allow anyone to use or modify it. At the core of Google's vision is the most important trend in the networked world: the move from running applications on a desktop computer to running them through a web browser. From Gmail to Facebook and Picassa to Twitter, the most popular uses for computers are no longer the disc-churning software programmes like Microsoft Office, which have clogged up hard drives for years. The new paradigm is cloud-based computing, where all the heavy lifting and storage is done on companies' server farms, which people access over their broadband connections. According to Google, it's time that computers reflected the change. "The operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web," Google executives Sundar Pichai and Linus Upson wrote in a blog posting announcing the move. The Chrome operating system is Google's "attempt to re-think what operating systems should be", based on three key attributes: "speed, simplicity and security". "We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you on to the web in a few seconds. We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work." That vision sounds like digital heaven for computer users who have wrestled forever with bloated software and computers that progressively get slower and slower. "People want to get to their email instantly, without wasting time waiting for their computers to boot and browsers to start up. They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them," the Google blog said. "They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. Even more importantly, they don't want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware or have to worry about constant software updates." As enticing as that prospect may seem, it's not guaranteed to work, says Don Retallack, vice president of research at Directions on Microsoft - a company that tracks the software giant. "Google may or may not have the experience and capability of actually producing an operating system and getting it deployed," he said. "It may not realise how hard it is."
Jacko's death second biggest Internet story of the century
Pop singer Michael Jackson's death is officially the second biggest internet news story of the 21st century, according to figures published. Only Barack Obama's election to the White House eclipsed the King of Pop's dramatic passing away. According to a news daily, in the 72 hours after his death, Jackson, 50, generated twice as much web news than in the same period after coalition troops entered Iraq. Other top stories he left standing included last year's Beijing Olympics, Hurricane Katrina, the death of Pope John Paul II and the Indonesian tsunami disaster. His death has also leapt to the ninth biggest story in global print media since the start of 2000. The Global Language Monitor, which recorded trends in word usage of the top 5,000 print and electronic media sites carried out the research worldwide. The analysis tracked news stories within the first 72 hours after the even
Jackson's daughter writes letters to him everyday
Michael Jackson's sister La Toya has revealed that the legend's eleven-year-old daughter, Paris, has been writing letters to him everyday after his death.
"She wears Michael T-shirts every day and the walls of her room are covered with posters and pictures of her daddy. She still writes him letters every day, sweet lovely letters about how much she loves him. Her letters are brilliant. When you read them you cry," Contactmusic quoted La Toya as saying.
The 53-year-old sibling of Jackson also added that Paris bought a 'mood' chain to place in her father's coffin before he was buried.
The necklace, which had a metal heart on it that changes colour when it touches someone's skin, divides into two.
And Paris kept half of it and said she will wear it "forever".
La Toya said: "The heart is in two pieces. Paris told me, 'I want one half to go to daddy and I will wear the other half forever'. She carefully wrapped it around his wrist. She said, 'Daddy, this is for you'... I put one of his sequined gloves in there. And a pair of his favourite sunglasses." (ANI)
"She wears Michael T-shirts every day and the walls of her room are covered with posters and pictures of her daddy. She still writes him letters every day, sweet lovely letters about how much she loves him. Her letters are brilliant. When you read them you cry," Contactmusic quoted La Toya as saying.
The 53-year-old sibling of Jackson also added that Paris bought a 'mood' chain to place in her father's coffin before he was buried.
The necklace, which had a metal heart on it that changes colour when it touches someone's skin, divides into two.
And Paris kept half of it and said she will wear it "forever".
La Toya said: "The heart is in two pieces. Paris told me, 'I want one half to go to daddy and I will wear the other half forever'. She carefully wrapped it around his wrist. She said, 'Daddy, this is for you'... I put one of his sequined gloves in there. And a pair of his favourite sunglasses." (ANI)
Hit by recession, Jet terminates 43 trainee technicians
Jet Airways on Saturday terminated the services of more than 40 trainee junior technicians on contract as part of its restructuring exercise in view of the challenges of the global financial downturn.
“These personnel are on fixed term contracts and the notices have been issued in accordance to the terms of their contract and law,” a Jet Airways spokesperson said.
Some of them have also been offered opportunities to work in other departments of the airline, she added.
“This trimming of the workforce has been necessitated by the ongoing rationalisation of airline operations,” the spokesperson said.
The global meltdown which has badly affected the civil aviation sector, rising jet fuel prices and low passenger traffic, have forced several global airlines including Jet Airways to undertake various cost cutting measures.
Last year, Jet Airways had announced termination of the services of 1,500 personnel but was forced to take them back after a public outcry.
Jet Airways has also reworked the delivery schedule of its fleet acquisition plan and curtailed services on several sectors, both domestic and international.
Kingfisher Airlines is also undertaking similar measures to stem rising losses.
“These personnel are on fixed term contracts and the notices have been issued in accordance to the terms of their contract and law,” a Jet Airways spokesperson said.
Some of them have also been offered opportunities to work in other departments of the airline, she added.
“This trimming of the workforce has been necessitated by the ongoing rationalisation of airline operations,” the spokesperson said.
The global meltdown which has badly affected the civil aviation sector, rising jet fuel prices and low passenger traffic, have forced several global airlines including Jet Airways to undertake various cost cutting measures.
Last year, Jet Airways had announced termination of the services of 1,500 personnel but was forced to take them back after a public outcry.
Jet Airways has also reworked the delivery schedule of its fleet acquisition plan and curtailed services on several sectors, both domestic and international.
Kingfisher Airlines is also undertaking similar measures to stem rising losses.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Short Kut - The Con is On (2009) Movie Mp3 Songs Download
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Tracklist01.Patli Galli - Shankar Mahadevan02.Mareeze Mohabbat - Nikita Nigam, Kirti Sagathia, Hrishikesh & Shankar03.Kyun Hota Hai Dil Deewana - Javed Ali & Shreya Ghosal04.Kal Nau Baje - Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik05.Patli Galli (Remix) - Shankar Mahadevan06.Mareeze Mohabbat (Remix) - Nikita Nigam, Kirti Sagathia, Hrishikesh & Shankar
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Tracklist01 - Nazrein Karam - K K & Shreya Ghosal02 - Aaya Re - K K03 - Dard -E- Tanhai - Nouman Javaid04 - Tere Bin - Shaan & Shreya Ghosal05 - Main Chala - Nouman Javaid06 - Aish Karle - Toshi Sabri & Sharib07 - Nazrein Karam (Kilogram Mix) - K K & Shreya Ghosal08 - Dard -E- Tanhai (Kilogram Mix) - Nouman Javaid09 - Main Chala (Unplugged) - Nouman Javaid
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Star Cast : Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Neetu Singh, Rishi Kapoor, Rahul Khanna, Vir Das
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05. Love Aaj Kal - Aahun Aahun - Neeraj Shridhar
06. Love Aaj Kal - Ajj Din Chadheya - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
07. Love Aaj Kal - Thoda Thoda Pyar - Sunidhi Chauhan
08. Love Aaj Kal - Twist (Remix) - Neeraj Shridhar
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Cast : Sanjay Dutt, Mithun Chakraborty, Imran Khan, Ravi Kishan, Rati Agnihotri & Neha
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Tallest Hotel in the World
The hotel features a dramatic 29-story atrium and offers spectacular views of The Bund, a stretch of historical buildings restored to their former glory, along the famous Huangpu River. In Photo: The 88-story Jin Mao Tower stands as a new symbol of Shanghai in Pudon New Developing Area. Soaring 414 meters, this skyscraper is the tallest building in China and the third in the world. The Grand Hyatt Shanghai Hotel, which fills the top third of the building, opened for business. (AP Photo)
The hotel is just 50 minutes' drive from Pudong Airport making it a perfect choice for the business traveler. In Photo: In this photo, a top view of the 53rd to 87th floors of the Jin Mao Tower's the Grand Hyatt Shanghai, the highest hotel in the world, in Shanghai, China.
This 555 room hotel occupies the top 38 floors (from the 53rd to 87th floors) of the 88-storey Jin Mao Tower. It is situated in the centre of Pudong, Shanghai's financial and business district. Pay close to Rs 25,334 (excluding taxes) for the luxurious Grand Suite King and an average Rs 16,160 (excluding taxes) for the Riverview King. In Photo: The 88-story Jin Mao Tower, right, as a new symbol of Shanghai, stand with other shorter buildings in Pudon New Developing Area. Soaring 414 meters (1,358 feet), this skyscraper is the tallest building in China and the third in the world. The Grand Hyatt Shanghai Hotel fills the top third of the building, which is also the world's tallest hotel started its business. (AP Photo)
The Grand Hyatt Shanghai in China is one of the highest hotels in the world
Burger co makes goddess Lakshmi ad, Hindus outraged
A US-based Hindu advocacy group has asked American fast food chain Burger King to immediately remove an advertisement campaign featuring goddess Lakshmi, which it says is "offensive" to the people of the faith.Washington-based Hindu American Foundation said Burger King is running a print advertisement in Spain that depicts an image of the goddess seated atop a meat sandwich and other foodstuffs with the catch phrase, "A snack that's sacred," in Spanish.
In the letter written to the company, the HAF has also sought an apology from it for demonstrating lack of cultural and religious sensitivity in this case.
"An advertisement knowingly and intentionally using sacred symbols, especially those of another religious tradition for purely commercial purposes can be offensive in and of itself," said the Managing Director and legal counsel for the Foundation, Suhag Shukla.
"Compounding this insult is the use of the sacred image for the sale of a meat product -Burger King's judgement in associating a burger with a Hindu goddess is absolutely baffling," Shukla said in a statement.
There was no immediate response from the media office of Burger King, when contacted by PTI.
Shukla told PTI, the Foundation had written a letter to corporate headquarters of Burger King last Tuesday. "There has been no response from them," he said.
The HAF was informed about the advertisement by one of its members in Spain.
"I was horrified to walk by a Burger King store in my neighbourhood to discover an image of the same deity that I worship at my home altar, displayed so disrespectfully promoting a meat sandwich," said Monica Pahilwani, a Spanish.
"A multinational corporation with a global presence should be much more aware of religious and cultural sensitivities, and how truly repelling such an advertisement could be to Hindus," she said.
Spanish Hindus demanding physical removal of all of the ads in Fuengirola, Spain have already met some success locally, HAF said.
The geographic reach of the advertisement campaign was unknown, and it is unclear if similar ads are running in other countries as well, it said.
"Burger King, in its efforts to drum up sales, seems to be have taken out of its marketing equation respect of ethno-religious sensitivities," Shukla said.
"We are determined to follow this issue to ensure that Burger King stays true to its stated commitment to diversity and inclusion as it reaches out to its global consumers," he said.
But this not the first time Burger King is courting controversy with its advertisements.
In April the company was in trouble for an ad called Little Mexican - showing a stereotypical image of Mexicans.
The television ad aired in Spain, depicted a tall Texan cowboy living with a short Mexican wrestler.
Mexico's Ambassador to Spain went on to slam the company for insulting Mexicans and their cuisine.
Quake destroys over 10,000 Chinese homes
A moderate earthquake in southwestern China has led to the collapse of more than 10,000 homes, damaged more than 30,000 buildings and injured hundreds, state media and seismologists said.The epicentre of the quake was in Guantun, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, said official news agency Xinhua, citing the China Earthquake Networks Centre.
According to the US Geological Survey, the 5.5 magnitude quake struck at 7:19 pm (1119 GMT) at a depth of 54 kilometres and was centred 98 kilometres east-northeast of Dali in Yunnan province yesterday.
Initial reports from Xinhua did not indicate any deaths as a result of the quake, but said more than 300 people were injured. Thirty people with serious injuries were being treated at the People's Hospital of Yao'an.
Around 30,000 buildings were also damaged, Xinhua said, citing local officials.
The authorities in Yunnan dispatched thousands of tents, quilts and other aid supplies to a nearby relief agency headquarters, the report said, with more than 600 police officers sent to the quake zone.
Up to eight smaller aftershocks occurred after the initial quake, Xinhua said.
Sonam Kapoor's stage performance in IIFA
Actor turned producer Anil Kapoor's daughter seemed to make her daddy proud. 'Saawariya' actress Sonam Kapoor gave her first stage performance at the IIFA awards 2009. She looked quite energetic like her usual self and rocked the evening with her lovely performance dancing away to the tunes of her recent release 'Delhi 6'
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Rajat Kapoor, Sachin Nayak, Pradeep Kabra, Pradip Sagar
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Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Cell phone towers may help predict floods
Cell phone towers could be a novel and reliable way to help predict the intensity of the next big flood, according to a new study.
A model developed by Tel Aviv University (TAU) researchers, which analyses cell phone signals, has added a critical component to weather forecasting.
"By monitoring the specific and fluctuating atmospheric moisture around cell phone towers, we can cheaply, effectively and reliably provide a more accurate 'critical moisture distribution' level for fine-tuning model predictions of big floods," said Pinhas Alpert, geophysicist, who heads TAU Porter School for Environmental Education.
Cell phone towers emit radio waves that are diminished by moisture in the air, a factor that can be used to improve model warnings on flood levels.
Furthermore, TAU researchers measured the rainfall distributions and were able to accurately estimate the size of impending floods before they struck.
This was demonstrated in post-analysis of two case-studies of floods in the Judean Desert in Israel, where cell phone towers and flash floods are abundant.
Using real data measurements collected from the towers, the researchers demonstrated how microwave links in a cellular network correlated with surface station humidity measurements. The data provided by cell phone towers is the missing link weather forecasters need to improve the accuracy of flood forecasting.
"Our method provides reliable measurement of moisture fields near the flood zone for the first time," noted Alpert.
This new tool, he says, can add to the bigger picture of understanding climate change patterns in general, according to a TAU release.
These findings were published in the April edition of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.
A model developed by Tel Aviv University (TAU) researchers, which analyses cell phone signals, has added a critical component to weather forecasting.
"By monitoring the specific and fluctuating atmospheric moisture around cell phone towers, we can cheaply, effectively and reliably provide a more accurate 'critical moisture distribution' level for fine-tuning model predictions of big floods," said Pinhas Alpert, geophysicist, who heads TAU Porter School for Environmental Education.
Cell phone towers emit radio waves that are diminished by moisture in the air, a factor that can be used to improve model warnings on flood levels.
Furthermore, TAU researchers measured the rainfall distributions and were able to accurately estimate the size of impending floods before they struck.
This was demonstrated in post-analysis of two case-studies of floods in the Judean Desert in Israel, where cell phone towers and flash floods are abundant.
Using real data measurements collected from the towers, the researchers demonstrated how microwave links in a cellular network correlated with surface station humidity measurements. The data provided by cell phone towers is the missing link weather forecasters need to improve the accuracy of flood forecasting.
"Our method provides reliable measurement of moisture fields near the flood zone for the first time," noted Alpert.
This new tool, he says, can add to the bigger picture of understanding climate change patterns in general, according to a TAU release.
These findings were published in the April edition of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.
Jackson virus and spam spreads on Internet
Security researchers warned on Thursday of the increasing levels of viruses and spam using Michael Jackson's name to snare unsuspecting users.
One e-mail carries the subject line "Remembering Michael Jackson" was circulating with a worm in tow. The e-mail has a zip file attached that infects victims if downloaded.
"The e-mail, which claims to come from sarah@michaeljackson.com, says that the attached ZIP file contains secret songs and photos of Michael Jackson," Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, wrote on a blog.
"However, the reality is that opening the attachment exposes you to infection - and if your computer is hit you will be spreading the worm onto other Internet users."
Cluley said that the malware also spreads via USB memory sticks.
Another e-mail promises an exclusive look at a YouTube video of the "last work of Michael Jackson," but instead installs a malicious program that steals passwords.
One e-mail carries the subject line "Remembering Michael Jackson" was circulating with a worm in tow. The e-mail has a zip file attached that infects victims if downloaded.
"The e-mail, which claims to come from sarah@michaeljackson.com, says that the attached ZIP file contains secret songs and photos of Michael Jackson," Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, wrote on a blog.
"However, the reality is that opening the attachment exposes you to infection - and if your computer is hit you will be spreading the worm onto other Internet users."
Cluley said that the malware also spreads via USB memory sticks.
Another e-mail promises an exclusive look at a YouTube video of the "last work of Michael Jackson," but instead installs a malicious program that steals passwords.
Sylvester tries Ayurveda on Akshay's recommendation
Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone has turned to Ayurveda in an effort to end his persisting knee pain after Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar told him to do so.
Akshay Kumar, who was working with the action star in the Hindi film Kambakkht Ishq, bonded with Stallone during a chat about on-set injuries and suggested Ayurveda when the latter started talking about his persisting knee problem, reported contactmusic.com.
Akshay Kumar even provided the name of his favourite Ayurvedic practitioner.
"Stallone appeared to be really interested in Ayurvedic treatment and asked for more details. He said he intends to spread the word about Ayurveda among his Hollywood comrades," said a source
Akshay Kumar, who was working with the action star in the Hindi film Kambakkht Ishq, bonded with Stallone during a chat about on-set injuries and suggested Ayurveda when the latter started talking about his persisting knee problem, reported contactmusic.com.
Akshay Kumar even provided the name of his favourite Ayurvedic practitioner.
"Stallone appeared to be really interested in Ayurvedic treatment and asked for more details. He said he intends to spread the word about Ayurveda among his Hollywood comrades," said a source
Monday, July 6, 2009
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Mark Ronson wants to record next Bond theme
British DJ-producer Mark Ronson wants to record the next James Bond theme.
The producer who was rumoured to be recording a track with Amy Winehouse for the spy franchise's last movie, 'Quantum of Solace' but aborted the sessions as the troubled singer wasn't up to working, insists he has never been approached to pen the song. However, he said he would love the chance to do so for the next film, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
'No one's called me, I think its just tabloid-ness. Of course I'd be interested, I'd do it any time. They know my number,' he said.
The producer who was rumoured to be recording a track with Amy Winehouse for the spy franchise's last movie, 'Quantum of Solace' but aborted the sessions as the troubled singer wasn't up to working, insists he has never been approached to pen the song. However, he said he would love the chance to do so for the next film, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
'No one's called me, I think its just tabloid-ness. Of course I'd be interested, I'd do it any time. They know my number,' he said.
Brandon Routh's 'Superman' contract expires
Hollywood actor Brandon Routh is no longer contracted to play 'Superman', but says if approached he would love to essay the popular character again.
The actor who has portrayed journalist Clark Kent and his alter ego superhero in two big screen outings - 'Superman Returns' (2006) and upcoming 'Superman: Man of Steel', admits he has no idea about the future of the franchise but would love to play the role again, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
'I do not know of anything. I'm sure that Warner Bros. is moving there, but everything is still uncertain. Really, I do not know anything... My contract has expired. But if they call me, I'd go back to the character again without having to think twice,' he said.
The actor who has portrayed journalist Clark Kent and his alter ego superhero in two big screen outings - 'Superman Returns' (2006) and upcoming 'Superman: Man of Steel', admits he has no idea about the future of the franchise but would love to play the role again, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
'I do not know of anything. I'm sure that Warner Bros. is moving there, but everything is still uncertain. Really, I do not know anything... My contract has expired. But if they call me, I'd go back to the character again without having to think twice,' he said.
Heavy security for Jackson's funeral
Michael Jackson fans who try to enter the venue of the King of Pop's funeral in Los Angeles Tuesday without a ticket will be dealt with strictly, police said Monday.
Officials have warned fans to stay away from the star's memorial service as they can face a hard response from police if found without a ticket, reports contactmusic.com.
Los Angeles Police Department Assistant chief Jim McDonnell insisted Jackson fans will get no sympathy from officers, who fear the crowds could turn violent.
'Anybody who does not hold proper credentials, tickets to get in to the event, will not be allowed inside the security zone. So for those who are thinking about coming out and maybe getting a shot to get in, that won't happen.
'You will be standing in the hot sun on a city street with a lot of other people and you probably will not even be within eyeshot of the Staples,' McDonell has been quoted as saying.
More than 1.6 million fans registered for the online ballot to attend the ceremony, to be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Only 17,500 were successful.
The police are now urging mourners to stay home and watch the event on television as there will be no screens erected outside the venue as was announced earlier. They even plan to cordon off the arena to make sure no one gets anywhere near the building without the requisite authorisation.
Jackson died of a cardiac arrest June 25. He was 50.
Officials have warned fans to stay away from the star's memorial service as they can face a hard response from police if found without a ticket, reports contactmusic.com.
Los Angeles Police Department Assistant chief Jim McDonnell insisted Jackson fans will get no sympathy from officers, who fear the crowds could turn violent.
'Anybody who does not hold proper credentials, tickets to get in to the event, will not be allowed inside the security zone. So for those who are thinking about coming out and maybe getting a shot to get in, that won't happen.
'You will be standing in the hot sun on a city street with a lot of other people and you probably will not even be within eyeshot of the Staples,' McDonell has been quoted as saying.
More than 1.6 million fans registered for the online ballot to attend the ceremony, to be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Only 17,500 were successful.
The police are now urging mourners to stay home and watch the event on television as there will be no screens erected outside the venue as was announced earlier. They even plan to cordon off the arena to make sure no one gets anywhere near the building without the requisite authorisation.
Jackson died of a cardiac arrest June 25. He was 50.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Obama says Gandhi and Mandela are his heroes
Seen as an icon by millions of people across the world, US President Barack Obama sees Mahatma Gandhi as his role model, apart from Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela.
The charismatic Obama, who won the presidency last year becoming the first Afro-American to achieve the honour, revealed his list of heroes during an interview with Itar-Tass/Rossiya TV - the first to a Russian media organisation after becoming US President.
"Internationally -- Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi. I always am interested in leaders who are able to bring about transformative change without resort to violence, but rather changing people's minds and people's hearts," Obama said when asked who were his heroes.
Obama also reiterated his love for former President Lincoln, who lead the country at the time of the Civil War.
"Lincoln is the President who I find most compelling because not only did he deal with probably the biggest crisis in American history, the Civil War, but he also did so in a way that was full of understanding of humanity," he said.
"And his willingness to... understand other people, from slaves to slave owners, and try to hold people together even when we were in the midst of war I think is extraordinary," Obama said.
In an interview to the Outlook magazine last year Obama had said that he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
"Throughout my life, I have always looked to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration, because he embodies the kind of transformational change that can be made when ordinary people come together t
The charismatic Obama, who won the presidency last year becoming the first Afro-American to achieve the honour, revealed his list of heroes during an interview with Itar-Tass/Rossiya TV - the first to a Russian media organisation after becoming US President.
"Internationally -- Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi. I always am interested in leaders who are able to bring about transformative change without resort to violence, but rather changing people's minds and people's hearts," Obama said when asked who were his heroes.
Obama also reiterated his love for former President Lincoln, who lead the country at the time of the Civil War.
"Lincoln is the President who I find most compelling because not only did he deal with probably the biggest crisis in American history, the Civil War, but he also did so in a way that was full of understanding of humanity," he said.
"And his willingness to... understand other people, from slaves to slave owners, and try to hold people together even when we were in the midst of war I think is extraordinary," Obama said.
In an interview to the Outlook magazine last year Obama had said that he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
"Throughout my life, I have always looked to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration, because he embodies the kind of transformational change that can be made when ordinary people come together t