World's first solar plane to fly across US

The Solar Impulse plane, which requires zero fuel and relies solely on solar panels and battery power, would be the world's first plane powered purely by solar energy.

HOUSTON: A first of its kind ultra-lightweight plane powered completely by the sun is set to fly coast-to-coast this spring.

The Solar Impulse plane will stop in Dallas city in Texas during its historic cross-country journey that begins on May 1, its creators announced today.

The plane, which requires zero fuel and relies solely on solar panels and battery power, would be the world's first plane powered purely by solar energy.

The two Swiss pilots of the plane, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, want to complete a flight from Moffett Field to New York City, after spending 10 years designing it.

It is expected to arrive in the Big Apple by early July and will stop in Phoenix (Arizona), Dallas-Ft. Worth, Washington DC and either Nashville (Tennessee), Atlanta (Georgia) or St. Louis along the way.

"It carries only one pilot and no passengers, but it carries a lot of message," Piccard said.

"Today we can't imagine having a solar plane with 200 passengers. But in 1903 it was exactly the same," he said, noting the sense of impossibility that surrounded the first airplane flight that took place that year.

"We don't know what's going to happen in the future, but we have to start and see where technology takes us," he said.

The US flight is the latest step towards the ultimate goal of Solar Impulse team; that of making a flight around the world by 2015.

The plane uses creative engineering and physics to harness the sun's energy for power even after the sun sets.

It has a wingspan equivalent to a 747 jetliner, the weight of a station-wagon, and the power needs of a small scooter.

The solar panels across its wings harness power from the sun during the day and lithium-polymer batteries store that energy for overnight trips.

A carbon-fibre material formed in a honeycomb structure makes up the bulk of the plane, which allows for its feather-weight.

In 2010, the Solar Impulse plane completed a 26-hour overnight flight and in 2012 flew from Switzerland to Morocco without any fuel.

To fly around the world, the team needs to fly for five days continuously, which the current plane isn't equipped for.

They would also need to find more efficient batteries and motors, as well as improve the plane's reliability, Borschberg said.

"You have no time to do maintenance and no possibility to change parts," he said of an around-the-world trip.

Piccard is also known for his flying adventures: in 1999 he travelled around the world in a hot air balloon.

In its current form, however, the Solar Impulse is far from having any major practical application. The plane travels at a leisurely cruising speed that is lower than the highway speed limit in the United States and can hold just one passenger in a cramped cockpit.

Read More

8 Indian spices that prevent cancer

8 Indian spices that prevent cancer (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Not every battle is struck by a wave of violence and not every fight culminates in bloodshed.

When the opposition in question is an adamant disease like cancer, our armoury should be packed with a lifestyle of regular health check-ups and a diet including foods that double as anti-cancer agents.

When actress Lisa Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a relatively rare cancer of the bone marrow, all she said was, "I'll beat cancer". Carrying this spirit of defeating a disease often labelled 'incurable', we try to find out diet methods, especially in the selection of spices that can avert the multiplying of malignant cells in the body that gradually mature into insurmountable cancer cells.

Our grandmothers would in no time prepare us a glass of warm milk with saffron sprinkled on top when we went crying to her with bruise on our knee or wound on the elbow. The herbal turmeric paste soothed minor cuts and healed all skin rashes. These age-old kitchen tricks are little more than mere quick-fix tactics. Spices like turmeric and saffron are inherent with medicinal properties that, when incorporated to our diet from an early stage strengthens our bodies against invasion of toxins, bacteria and virus.

Senior consultant surgical oncologist Dr. B. Niranjan Naik and senior clinical nutritionist, Fortis La Femme, Shipra Saklani Mishra, inform us about the goodness of Indian spices with cancer-fighting properties and the necessity of their inclusion to our eating habits.

Turmeric/Curcumin: This is the king of spices when it comes to dealing with cancer diseases, besides it adding a zesty colour to our food on the platter. Turmeric contains the powerful polyphenol Curcumin that has been clinically proven to retard the growth of cancer cells causing prostrate cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, brain tumour, pancreatic cancer and leukemia amongst a host of others. Curcumin promotes 'Apoptosis'- (programmed cell death/cell suicide) that safely eliminates cancer breeding cells without posing a threat to the development of other healthy cells. In cases of conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the surrounding cells too become a target in addition to the cancer cells. Therefore, the side-effects are imminent.

Fennel: Armed with phyto-nutrients and antioxidants, cancer cells have nothing but to accept defeat when the spice is fennel. 'Anethole', a major constituent of fennel resists and restricts the adhesive and invasive activities of cancer cells. It suppresses the enzymatic regulated activities behind cancer cell multiplication. A tomato-fennel soup with garlic or fresh salads with fennel bulbs make for an ideal entree prior to an elaborate course meal. Roasted fennel with parmesan can be another star pick.

Saffron: A natural carotenoid dicarboxylic acid called 'Crocetin' is the primary cancer-fighting element that saffron contains. It not only inhibits the progression of the disease but also decreases the size of the tumour by half, guaranteeing a complete goodbye to cancer. Though it is the most expensive spice in the world for it is derived from around 250,000 flower stigmas (saffron crocus) that make just about half a kilo, a few saffron threads come loaded with benefits you won't regret paying for. Saffron threads can be used in various ways:

Cumin: Yes, it aids digestion and probably that is why we like chewing a handful of cumin seeds at the end of every meal. However, its health benefits go beyond. A portent herb with anti-oxidant characteristics, cumin seeds contain a compound called 'Thymoquinone' that checks proliferation of cells responsible for prostate cancer. So, instead of loading your usual snack options with calories and oil, add this seasoning to your bread, fried beans or sauce and make the dish rich in flavour and high on health. You can rediscover the magic of cumin in your regular bowl of tadka dal and rice too!

Cinnamon: It takes not more than a half teaspoon of cinnamon powder every day to keep cancer risk away. A natural food preservative, cinnamon is a source of iron and calcium. Useful in reducing tumour growth, it blocks the formation of new vessels in the human body. Some of the effective ways of including cinnamon in your diet are:

-Start your day with a cup of cinnamon tea (in leaf or sachet)
-Make your breakfast meal a super healthy one; just add this wonder spice to your
morning oatmeal and you are going well!
-A fruity delight comprising chopped apples, a few walnuts and your magic potion cinnamon
-Honey and cinnamon in your glass of milk before going to bed; no cancer nightmares assured!

Oregano: More than a pizza or pasta topping, oregano confirms its worth as a potential agent against prostate cancer. Consisting of anti-microbial compounds, just one teaspoon of oregano has the power of two cups of red grapes! Phyto-chemical 'Quercetin' present in oregano restricts growth of malignant cells in the body and acts like a drug against cancer-centric diseases.

Cayenne Pepper/Capsaicin (Chilli peppers): A promising spice with anti-cancer properties, an overdose of chilli peppers however should be restrained. Capsaicin induces the process of apoptosis that destroys potential cancer cells and reduces the size of leukemia tumour cells considerably. It can be concluded that apart from setting our tongues on fire, chilli peppers can scare cancer pathogens off too.

Ginger: This humble spice boasts of medicinal qualities that help lowering cholesterol, boost metabolism and kill cancer cells. Easily added to vegetable dishes, fish preparations and salads, ginger enhances the flavour in cooking. Chew on fresh parsley if the odour bothers you.

Others: Cloves, anise, basil, garlic, caraway, fenugreek, mustard, mint leaves, rosemary, Limonin (fresh lemon), virgin olive, vinegar and avocado are other cancer-fighting diet components.

Dr. K Medhi, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology informs us on other diet habits that can keep cancer risk at bay:

1. A plant-based diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and beans is the best organic way to fight cancer.
2. Add fibre: Replace white rice with brown rice in meals
3. Substitute whole-grain bread for white bread; choose a bran muffin over a pastry
4. Snack on popcorn instead of potato chips.
5. Eat fresh fruits with skin.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation.
7. Cook with olive oil instead of regular vegetable oil
8. Avoid packaged or fried foods that are high in trans-fats
9. Avoid processed salt. Celtic sea salt/Himalayan salt can be consumed sparingly.
10. Cancer patients: Do not load your diet with turmeric or Curcumin supplements without doctor's consult or prescribed dosage.

Cancer fighting salad recipe: Couscous salad with sun dried tomato

Ingredients:

Couscous Wheat- 120 gms

Turmeric - 1 gm

Salt/pepper To Taste

Sun dried tomato- 2 nos

Olives (black/Green) - 2 nos each

Mint leaves- 2 sprig

Lemon juice

Ginger dices

Bell pepper dices- 15 gm

Olive oil- 2 Tsp

Saffron

Pickle onion- 2 nos

Lettuce leaves

Method:

1. Take a pan and add salt, pepper, turmeric, couscous, olive oil and saffron. Steam the couscous for 5 minutes and chill immediately.

2. Now add lemon juice, bell pepper, olives, sun dried tomato, pickle onion (chopped) and dice ginger. Mix well and add mint. Mould it on top of lettuce leaves and serve chilled.

Read More

YouTube video showing woman using 'mobile phone' in the 1930s goes viral

A video running viral on Youtube which reportedly shows a woman speaking on a wireless device in a 1938 film could be the proof of the world's first mobile phone.

The short video clip, which is believed to have attracted over 342,000 views on YouTube, features a woman named Gertrude Jones.

In the clip, she is speaking on a prewar prototype of a mobile phone which was developed by a communications factory in Leominster, Massachusetts.

The video titled 'Time Traveler in 1938 film,' was first posted on the site a year ago and was widely reported on by various blogs on the Internet, the 'Daily Express' reported.

However, a user called 'planetcheck' has come forward, claiming to have solved the mystery. "The lady you see is my great grandmother Gertrude Jones," Planetcheck said.

"She was 17 years old. I asked her about this video and she remembers it quite clearly. She says Dupont had a telephone communications section in the factory," Planetcheck said. "They were experimenting with wireless telephones. Gertrude and five other women were given these wireless phones to test out for a week.

"Gertrude is talking to one of the scientists holding another wireless phone who is off to her right as she walks by," Planetcheck said.

Although, there has been no independent verification on the claims, but if it turns out to be true then it means the video was shot more than 40 years before the first mobile phone was available in the market.

Read More

IPL 6: Aircel introduces Rs. 164 'extra talk time with CSK' recharge

As the IPL fever grips the nation, telecom operator Aircel has decided to leverage its association with Chennai Super Kings and launch an initiative called "Extra Talk Time with CSK". Under this scheme subscribers will get a full talk time on the recharge of Rs. 164. And an extra talk time if Chennai Super Kings scores over 164 runs in a match.For instance, in a match, if Chennai Super Kings scores 180 runs, the customers will get an extra talk time of Rs. 16. This extra talk time will be valid only for 15 days. This scheme is operational from April 1, 2013 and the extra talk time will be awarded on the basis of score of the next match that Chennai Super Kings plays.
Apart from this all consumer, who recharge with Rs. 164 will also get 5 Aircel to Aircel calling minutes, which will be valid for two days. In case of Chennai Super Kings scores less than or equal to Rs. 164, in that the case too the subscriber will get full talk time and the 5 Local Aircel to Aircel minutes.
Chennai Super Kings is pitted against Mumbai Indian for their first match that will take place on April 6, 2013.
Commenting on the launch of this initiative, Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer, Aircel, said, "Aircel is delighted to launch this unique initiative for the customers. We aim to leverage the great following that cricket and IPL have in our country. Chennai Super Kings is the most successful team in IPL and this year their success will bring a cheer to Aircel customers as well. Through this exciting initiative, we will reach out to our customers and reiterate our commitment of bringing innovative and best value for money products and services in the market. This is a first of its kind initiative and our strong association with CSK will also help us strengthen the relationship with our key target audience- youth".

Read More

Windows Blue poised to become Windows 8.1

The Windows Blue operating system update is likely to be named "Windows 8.1" when it arrives this summer, according to sources.

Microsoft officials supposedly have decided on the final name for Windows Blue. The final decision, one of my sources told me, is that it will be Windows 8.1.

The client version of Blue, codenamed Windows Blue, is a refresh of Windows 8. It is expected to be released to manufacturing around August of this year. As I've blogged a few times, Microsoft is planning to position Blue as part of the Windows 8 wave, not as Windows 9.
On Twitter this morning Roman L. (a k a @AngelWZR) posted a screen shot of what appears to be a build of Windows Blue that postdates the one that leaked a week ago. The week-ago Blue build was 9364; the new one is 9375. It is labeled in AngelWZR's screen shot as "Windows 8.1 Pro."
"Well maybe that's not an April Fools' joke," AngelWZR tweeted.
My Blue source said that the top-level branding will be "Windows 8" when Microsoft releases the 8.1 update -- similar to the way that Microsoft's Windows Phone officials talked about the "Mango" (Windows Phone 7.5) release as part of the Windows Phone 7 family.

My tipster also says that Microsoft plans to refer to the Blue update for Windows RT as "Windows RT 8.1."
There's no word as to what, if anything, Microsoft plans to charge existing Windows 8 and Windows RT customers for Blue.
Microsoft executives like Windows Chief Financial Officer Tami Reller have said repeatedly that Microsoft envisions Windows 8 as something more than a one-season wonder. Reller has said the company considers Windows 8 a product "of multiple selling seasons." So it makes sense that Blue would be christened Windows 8.X, not Windows 9.
If it pans out that Microsoft has, indeed, opted for Blue to be named 8.1 -- rather than 8.5 or 8.7 -- I wouldn't be surprised to see the expected next couple of annual Windows client refreshes to also have an 8.X name when they roll out over the next few years.
Microsoft officials are not commenting about Blue, beyond acknowledging that the code name refers to the next wave of products from the company.
This story originally appeared at ZDNet under the headline "Microsoft's Windows Blue looks to be named Windows 8.1."

Read More

Dropbox drops in to help out with Yahoo Mail

The companies are teaming up to let users send, receive and manage Dropbox files within Yahoo's e-mail service.

(Credit: Yahoo)

Yahoo has integrated cloud storage service Dropbox into its e-mail system, the company announced today.
The two companies have partnered to allow users to send, receive and manage Dropbox files within Yahoo Mail.
"This integration allows you to share and store files more easily, whether they are vacation photos or important documents like tax returns and research papers," according to a Yahoo blog post. "And, because files can be stored in your Dropbox account online, it's easy to find the files you want even when you are away from your desktop."

Dropbox reminded e-mail users that its service helps sidestep the 25MB file size limit on e-mailed attachments. Users can also save files directly to Dropbox from Yahoo Mail.
The integration is available in the English, French, Spanish, German and Italian versions of Yahoo Mail. Users who don't already have Dropbox can create accounts within the e-mail service.
Dropbox has a thing for e-mail these days. Just last month, it acquired the popular new app Mailbox, which said at the time that it was delivering more than 60 million e-mails a day.

Read More

Google expands its Google+ single sign-in feature

Google+ users will find even more ways to use the same log-in credentials to access Web sites, apps, and share information.

(Credit: Google)

Google is taking a bigger page from Facebook and Twitter by expanding the way in which you can use your Google+ credentials.
The Google+ sign-in feature lets you use your Google account to access certain Web sites and Web apps without having to create a new account from scratch. The process is similar to using your Facebook or Twitter credentials to log in to different Web sites and launch different Web apps.
Now, Google has expanded the feature to allow developers to add more options, according to a blog posted today. As of now, developers can tap into the following options:

• Add trusted authentication to their apps and sites
• Allow Web users to automatically download their Android app
• Customize their app experience using Google+ profile info
• Enable users to share interactive posts with friends
• Write app activities that only appear when they're relevant

To kick off the new options, Google has already partnered with two platform providers -- Janrain and Gigya.
Courtesy of Janrain, Google+ users can sign in to the following sites: NPR, Universal Music Group (which includes sites like ladygaga.com, justinbiebermusic.com, imaginedragonsmusic.com, eminem.com, and interscope.com), and HSN. Gigya's platform offers access to American Idol and the Food Network UK.
Accessing any of the above sites will now let you log in with your Google account as well as your Facebook or Twitter account.

Read More

Microsoft's Outlook.com calendar gets a makeover

Microsoft has revamped its Hotmail calendar, turning it into a modernized Outlook.com.

Microsoft is finally applying a metro look and feel to its Web-based calendar.
On April 2, Microsoft officials revealed that the new Outlook.com calendar is rolling out now and will be available around the world this week at https://calendar.live.com/.
More from today's blog post about the calendar refresh:
"Outlook.com uses Exchange ActiveSync to sync your mail, calendar, and address book on your smartphone, tablet, in the new Outlook 2013, and with the Mail, Calendar, and People apps on your new PC or tablet running Windows 8. You can also use the Outlook connector to integrate your calendar with previous versions of the Outlook desktop software. Connecting your calendar to your mobile device is easy."
Microsoft officials hinted last summer that the calendar refresh was coming shortly after the new Outlook.com Web mail service was announced, which was July 31, 2012. But up until today, officials have declined to say when users could expect the updated Calendar.

Because I get this question often from Hotmail users who are in the midst of moving to (or being moved by Microsoft to) Outlook.com, I'd like to point out the way to see your Calendar in Outlook.com is to click on the downward arrow next to the Outlook logo (upper left). By doing so, users will find their contacts (now known as People), Calendar and Skydrive cloud-storage options.
Update: One feature some were expecting, but that seemingly didn't make it into this update is Skype integration. Supposedly that is still coming, but it's yet another one of those things for which we don't have an official date target.

Read More

IE11, Windows Blue could support Google's SPDY protocol

Bloggers have spotted evidence of Google's approach to speed up communications between browsers and Web servers -- even though Microsoft offered a rival proposal for the same idea.

Another tantalizing tidbit has emerged from last month's leaked IE11 build: the possibility that the next version of Internet Explorer could support Google's SPDY technology for faster browser-server communications.
It's not working yet, but SPDY "is being implemented," said Rafael Rivera of the Within Windows blog. Paul Thurrot of WinSuperSite also said SPDY is coming.
The SPDY support is at the operating system level, meaning that other software besides just IE11 could take advantage of it, Rivera said.
Microsoft declined to comment on the matter.
Google has rounded up several allies to standardize SPDY technology, which streamlines the HTTP technology governing how browsers request Web pages and how Web servers deliver them. But despite broadening support, including in Firefox and Amazon's Silk browser, Microsoft preferred its alternative approach called HTTP Speed+Mobility.

But change is in the air. Microsoft's IE team is, if not as fast-moving as those at Google and Mozilla, getting nimbler about its decisions. It's embraced a slew of newer Web standards with IE9 and now IE10, and seems likely to reverse its opposition to WebGL, a standard that eases hardware-acelerated graphics on the Web.
HTML expert Francois Remy detected non-working interfaces for WebGL, but Rivera went a step farther, getting some WebGL features to work on the IE11 build.
The IE11 build arrived as part of a leak of Windows Blue, the next version of Microsoft's operating system. Windows Blue will be called Windows 8.1 when it arrives, according to ZDNet blogger Mary Jo Foley.

Read More

Today`s Quotes

“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”

Read More

A look at engineering and technology graduates talent pool

The race for a seat at India’s most coveted engineering institutions is hotting up, with the JEE (Main) scheduled for April 7.

The race for a seat at India's most coveted engineering institutions is hotting up, with the JEE (Main) scheduled for April 7.

While only the very best will make it to the top few institutes, engineering as an option will remain a big draw for many. The number of engineering colleges in India has shot up by more than 10-fold over the past two decades.

Engineering and technology graduates made up 7% of India's 5,090,799-strong fresh talent pool in 2012, according to consulting and research film Knowledgefaber. This stream is expected to grow at a compounded growth rate of 6% as against 4.1% in the case of medicine.
Computer science/information technology accounts for the biggest chunk of India' fresh engineering talent pool, with more than 98% of the colleges offering this stream, adds the report. ET takes a quick look at this space in India.

Read More

TCS, Infosys, Wipro and HCL Technologies likely to report muted growth for March quarter

Aggregate revenue for TCS, Infosys, Wipro and HCL Technologies is expected to grow 2.2% for the March 2013 quarter, compared with 3.6% in the previous quarter.

Wipro Ltd.

BSE

431.35

-5.80 (-1.33%)

Vol:1595512 shares traded

NSE

431.00

-6.15 (-1.41%)

Vol:875529 shares traded

Prices|Financials|Company Info|Reports

India's top four information technology players are likely to report muted growth in sales and net profit for the March 2013 quarter due to seasonally weak demand — with clients in the process of finalizing their IT budgets — and range-bound currency movement sequentially. Given this scenario, IT vendors will find it difficult to post a better growth than what they had reported in the previous quarter.

For the four top players — TCSBSE -1.07 %, Infosys, WiproBSE -1.33 % and HCL TechnologiesBSE -0.75 % — aggregate revenue is expected to grow 2.2% for the March 2013 quarter, compared with 3.6% in the previous quarter.

Net profit growth for the quarter is expected to slow down to 1.6% from 2.8%. Among the four, HCL Technologies is expected to report relatively better performance. Its revenue and net profit are expected to sequentially grow 3.2% and 2.4%, respectively for the three months to March 31, 2013, the third quarter of its fiscal year.

TCS, the country's largest IT exporter, is expected to grow revenue sequentially by 2.4% and net profit by 1.7%. Investors will be keen to know whether InfosysBSE 1.85 % would be able to surprise the markets once again, after reporting a strong sequential revenue growth of 5.7% for the December 2012 quarter. The company is likely to report a 1.8% increase in top line and 2% increase in net profit for the March quarter.



Last week, Gartner marginally lowered its full-year forecast for IT services growth to 4.5% for 2013 from its earlier estimate of 5.2% growth. The international technology research firm reduced its forecast citing persisting hesitation among global clients to take ment against the dollar in the coming quarters will also be crucial for IT exporters. Some economists expect the rupee to top 60 against the dollar by the end of 2013. If that happens, realisations of IT players would improve even if the growth of their dollar denominated revenues tapers.

For the March quarter, the rupee remained range-bound against the dollar on a sequential basis. Thus there will not be much foreign exchange benefit for exporters.

Read More

Lied on your resume? Small deception could get you fired!

 
According to a survey conducted by a global consultancy firm, lying on your resume can have serious repercussions. 





The tough job market is forcing most employees to fudge their job applications as they hide or exaggerate facts, reveals a survey conducted by global consultancy firm Hill & Associates. However, even a small deception could get you fired.
Which are the four most common areas in which candidates exaggerate facts?

Which are the top three facts that candidates lie about?
Has your organisation come across candidates who have misrepresented facts on their resumes or job applications

What is the approximate percentage of candidates in your organisation that has been found to have misrepresented facts to get selected for a job?
In your organisation, employment is terminated if the candidate is found guilty on account of…
Does your organisation use social media information while screening employees?
At what stage does your organisation complete the background check?

Read More

Tips to cure baldness, dandruff

Tips to cure baldness, dandruff (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Recently, Lady Gaga joined the list of other celebrities to use anti-baldness cream as she feared she was losing more hair. It's not just who are possessive about their mane beauty. All of us fuss about hairstyle which is what makes one stand out.

Here are a few common hair-related problems we encounter and some tips to overcome them

Dandruff: Soak a few fenugreek (methi) seeds overnight in water and grind it to a fine paste in the morning. Apply the paste on the head for 30mins and wash off. This not just has cooling effect, but also keeps your hair dandruff-free.

Hair fall: Mix cocnut and gingelly (sesame) oil. Add an amla (gooseberry), a few leaves of white hibiscus and boil for 20mins. Let the mixture cool and apply this oil on your head and wash off after 20 mins. This will help prevent hair fall.

Grey hair: Soak henna in an iron vessel for at least 3 hours. Add sour curd and squeeze half a lemon to the paste and apply on the hair. Wash off after 2-3 hours. This will also keep the head cool.

Lack-luster hair: Take egg white and apply on the hair. Leave it for 30 mins and rinse with shampoo. Egg gives shine to the dull hair.

Brittle hair: If your hair is brittle due to over use of henna. Give your head an oil massage the day you wash the hair. This will not only enhance the hair colour, but also makes the hair smooth.

Split ends: Get an oil massage done on your head. Dip the ends of your hair in hot coconut oil and wrap a tower dipped in hot water around the head. After sometime, wash off with cold water.

After shampooing your hair, just wash your hair with cold water. This closes any open pores on the head and ensures the hair strands are sealed.

Read More

Petrol price cut by Re 1/litre

NEW DELHI: State-run fuel retailers on Monday decided to pare petrol price by 85 paise a litre, excluding local levies, to pass on to consumers the benefit of falling international rates. The second reduction in as many weeks would take effect from intervening midnight of Monday and Tuesday.

After including VAT, or local levies, the reduction in Delhi would be Rs 1 a litre and the petrol would cost Rs 67.29 per litre against Rs 68.34. In Mumbai, the fuel would cost Rs 1.07 less at Rs 74.14 per litre. In Kolkata, the price has been cut by an equal measure to Rs 74.72. It will cost Rs 70.34 a litre in Chennai against Rs 71.42 at present.

The price cut comes on back of the Rs 2 a litre reduction in rates effected on March 16. This was the steepest cut in rates in nine months, which after including VAT, resulted in a reduction of Rs 2.40 a litre.

Announcing the reduction, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the nation's largest fuel retailer, said since the last price change international prices of petrol have declined from $122.74 per barrel to $119.23 a barrel. Also, the rupee-dollar exchange rate has marginally declined from Rs 54.40 to a US dollar to Rs 54.28.

The cut in petrol price follows two rounds of hike in rates since February. Petrol price was hiked by Rs 1.50 a litre on February 16 and then by Rs 1.40 per litre from March 2. Both the increases were excluding local VAT.

Oil firms calculate the retail price on 1st and 16th of every month, based on average imported oil price on the previous fortnight. The price change was to have been announced on March 31, but was deferred because of being a Sunday.

Though petrol price had been deregulated in June 2010, they have rarely moved in tandem with cost. This resulted in Rs 500 crore loss to IOC (Rs 1,150 crore loss to state fuel retailers) during 2012-13.

However, since January, when the government decided to cut subsidizes by asking oil firms to moderate prices in step with cost, petrol prices have moved in tune with cost.

Diesel prices continue to be regulated, but the government had in January authorized oil firms to hike their rates by 40-50 paise per litre every month till such time that the entire revenue loss on the fuel is completely wiped off.

Oil firms raised diesel prices by 50-51 paise per litre on three occasions since then.

Read More

Revenge at Eden on Mike Hussey's mind

Hussey, who retired from international cricket at the end of 2012, is back to serve Chennai Super Kings, something he has done with distinction for the last five seasons.

CHENNAI: "Goal for this season? We'd love to go and win the IPL in Kolkata." Clean, crisp and sharp, the answer shows qualities that definitely define Michael Hussey's style. "They ( Kolkata Knight Riders) came and beat us to win the title on our home ground last year, so to go and win it there at the Eden Gardens would make it a sweet victory," he adds.

Hussey, who retired from international cricket at the end of 2012, is back to serve Chennai Super Kings, something he has done with distinction for the last five seasons. He has played an important role in the team's huge success but he feels it is the strong domestic presence that has really made the men in yellow the unit to beat. "In my opinion, domestic players are crucial for the success of the franchisee. The difference between the good teams and the rest is the quality of Indian players because overseas players generally cancel each other out over the course of the season," he told the TOI on Monday.

He might have retired from international cricket but his role in the CSK side hasn't changed. He's still as energetic and enthusiastic as the youngsters in practice and is open to continuing his association with CSK after he is done with his playing career. "I'd love to give coaching a go. I'd like to give everything a try and see what I like. I have a really good rapport with the guys at CSK. At this stage I would be a very inexperienced coach but I would still be able to empathize with them and help them," the Western Australian said.

Hussey's name was in the news during Australia's disastrous show in India when sections of the Australian public called for his return to the team. But Hussey clarified that he wasn't tempted to don the Baggy Green again. "No, I wasn't tempted," he said before admitting that his presence may not have altered the outcome.

Read More

Microsoft, Google swap April Fools' barbs

Rankling each other is nothing new, but the two tech rivals clearly saved some special jabs for today.

 

Microsoft and Google have both gotten in some April Fools' Day zingers against each other.
The two competitors often trade insults about each other's respective search engines, online office suites, and other products. But April Fools' Day inspired them to create a couple of full-blown Web pages to make fun of each other.
Microsoft laid its prank at its Bing search engine.
Surf to Bing and type Google in the search field. A Bing page pops up spoofing Google's pure white and stark home page. Hovering over the small boxes that populate the Bing page displays tips that take a few more swipes at Google.
One tip asks if you're having trouble seeing this picture of an arctic fox eating marshmallows in a snowstorm. A second one says that when there's nothing else to look at, you may take drastic measures. Clicking on that tip brings up a Bing video results page of watching paint dry. And a third tip says that if blank space is your thing, you could go low tech. That tip displays a Bing images results page of plain white paper.
Even the familiar "I'm feeling lucky" button has been replaced by an "I'm feeling confused" button that takes you to a Bing blog touting the benefits of Microsoft's search engine.
And what fun Google is having at Microsoft's expense? The search giant has concocted a page about a product called Gmail Blue, a dig at Microsoft's upcoming Windows Blue update and Windows 8 in general.

 

A spoof video for Gmail Blue features a straight-faced "Gmail Blue project manager" who says that "in trying to bring e-mail into the 21st century, we are faced with a challenge: how we do completely redesign and recreate something while keeping it exactly the same? The answer is Gmail Blue."
Touting the new e-mail program's reliance on blue fonts, blue colors, and blue buttons, the project manager says that "it's Gmail, only bluer." The Gmail team claim that inspiration for Blue came from nature but is "better than what nature created."
Given the testy relationship between Microsoft and Google, their April Fools' pranks could have easily been more vicious. But in keeping with the spirit of the day, I think the companies poked a few holes in each other without doing any permanent damage.

Read More

Today`s quotes

“The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.”

Read More

Lack of entry-level talent worries IT companies like Infosys and Wipro

According to a research, only students from tier 1 engineering colleges, are fit to work in software products firms like Microsoft and Google.

Wipro Ltd.

BSE

437.15

1.35 (0.31%)

Vol:91205 shares traded

NSE

437.15

-0.80 (-0.18%)

Vol:3358225 shares traded

Prices|Financials|Company Info|Reports

MUMBAI: Indian companies are increasingly complaining about the lack of quality talent at the entry level and more so in the IT/ITeS services space which recruits fresh graduates in huge numbers.

According to a research conducted by a consulting firm, the findings of which were exclusively shared with TOI, only students from tier 1 engineering colleges, like the IITs and NITs, which constitute 4.5% of the overall engineering graduates, are fit to work in software products firms like Microsoft and Google given the kind of skills these companies need.

On the other hand, 45% of students from tier 1, 2 and 3 colleges are employable by IT/ITeS services companies like Infosys and WiproBSE 0.31 %, reflecting the hiring challenges these technology firms grapple with in a fastchanging industry.

Overall in 2012, nearly 51 lakh students graduated in India, out of which 45.7% were from the arts stream, said Knowledgefaber, a Bangalore-based research & consulting firm.

Engineering and technology graduates made up 3.56 lakh of the overall talent pool at the graduate level. However, Knowlegefaber's research found that there are huge regional imbalances in the availability of engineering graduates. Four states ( Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra) together have more than 70% of these graduates. To add to this concern is the question raised on the quality of engineering schools in India and the quality of graduates coming out of these colleges, said the research.

"Customer needs are changing and technology developments are placing greater demand on the industry. Outstanding interface skills, deeper domain knowledge and awareness of the business context has become a 'must have' for today's professionals. Not all colleges that churn out students have been able to build these skills into their curriculum, thereby necessitating companies to bridge the skill gaps and bring about standardization of capability, among students hired from different parts of the country," said Hari T, chief people officer at IT services firm Mahindra SatyamBSE 1.39 %.

This is the reason why companies will have to hunt for talent beyond the IITs and NITs. "Across industries, companies are looking to hire from tier 1 engineering colleges but the competition is very high and it represents less than 5% of the overall talent pool. We feel it is best recommended to look at talent in tier 2 and 3 cities," said Amit Goel, CEO, Knowledgefaber.

Computer science and IT accounts for nearly 32.5% of the fresh engineering talent in India while electronics and mechanical stream comes in second and third with 21.8% and 17.7% of students opting for these streams, respectively.

Sangeeta Lala, senior VP & co-founder at TeamLease Services, said, "IT graduate freshers are not usually skilled with new technologies like cloud computing, making them a less preferred option for companies. These companies would then look to internal scaling or experienced candidates who are readily deployable with the knowledge of new technologies."

Many IT firms have set up huge training facilities to help these graduates scale up, which experts say is the way forward. Also, they have facilitated tailor-made courses to bring about the right talent on board.

"Through new hybrid models, corporates are sponsoring academic institutionspecific courses, selecting the students as per their needs, providing the content and course material related to their industries and business, which is actually increasing the possibilities of employment for students," said Sunil Goel, MD, GlobalHunt India, a recruitment firm.

Read More

Smoking right after waking up raises cancer risk

WASHINGTON: Smoking a cigarette immediately after waking up in the morning may increase the risk of developing lung or oral cancer, a new study has warned.

"We found that smokers who consume cigarettes immediately after waking have higher levels of NNAL — a metabolite of the tobaccospecific carcinogen NNK — in their blood than smokers who refrain from smoking a half hour or more after waking , regardless of how many cigarettes they smoke per day," said Steven Branstetter, assistant professor of biobehavioural health in Pennsylvania State University.

According to Branstetter, other research has shown that NNK induces lung tumours in several rodent species . Levels of NNAL in the blood can therefore predict lung cancer risk in rodents as well as in humans. In addition , NNAL levels are stable in smokers over time, and a single measurement can accurately reflect an individual's exposure.

Branstetter and his colleague Joshua Muscat, professor of public health sciences , examined data on 1,945 smoking adult participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who had provided urine samples for analysis of NNAL. These participants also had provided information about their smoking behaviour, including how soon they typically smoked after waking.

The researchers found that around 32% of the participants they examined smoked their first cigarette of the day within 5 minutes of waking; 31% smoked within 6 to 30 minutes of waking; 18% smoked within 31 to 60 minutes of waking; and 19% smoked more than one hour after waking.

In addition, the researchers found that the NNAL level in the participants' blood was correlated with the participants' age, the age they started smoking and their gender. "Most importantly, we found that NNAL level was highest among people who smoked the soonest upon waking, regardless of the frequency of smoking and other factors that predict NNAL concentrations," Branstetter said.

"People who smoke sooner after waking inhale more deeply and more thoroughly, which could explain the higher levels of NNAL in their blood."

Read More

5 Teas that make you slim!

Five teas that make you slim!

The brew that energises can also help you lose weight. Here's how...

It's widely known that just one cup of tea can prevent strokes, arthritis, tooth decay and even keep cancer at bay. While it's regarded as nature's tranquiliser for its soothing properties, the brew also has another great benefit - it helps shed weight. Scientists have shown that tea has high levels of compounds that battle the absorption of fat.

Here are 5 teas that can result in a slimmer you...

Star anise tea: promotes digestion
Star anise, the fruit of a small evergreen tree (Illicium verum) native to China, can be used in the treatment of digestive troubles such an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea etc. One may drink a tea made from it by steeping a whole pod in one cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain this and sweeten it if required. Sip on this slowly when an upset stomach occurs.

Peppermint tea: controls what you eat
If you like peppermint tea then try and rotate that with a green tea drink as both speed up digestion and thus help you burn more calories. The peppermint leaves can be used to make a light, refreshing tea, which can be drunk either hot or chilled. To prepare the tea, take a tablespoon of fresh or dried leaves and add them to boiling water and let it steep for four to five minutes. Strain and add honey, if needed.

Green tea: builds metabolism
Research says the chemical EGCG found in green tea that speeds up the body's metabolism, is responsible for helping people lose the kilos - it can burn a whopping 70 calories a day! Green tea also raises the level of antioxidants. It's believed the antioxidant catechins in green tea boost metabolism and helps burn fat (can burn a whopping 70 calories a day!) Steeping time for the tea: two to three minutes at 85 Degrees Celsius.

Rose tea: prevents constipation
One of the oldest flavouring teas available, rose tea - made by mixing fresh roses and the bud of the tea - has a major therapeutic effect on the human body. Apart from clearing toxins and beautifying the skin, rose tea contains vitamins A, B3, C, D and E and is known to act against infections. It also prevents constipation and helps one lose weight.

Oolong tea: guards against obesity
Research reveals that oolong, a semi-fermented tea may have a stronger effect than even green tea. It promotes fat burning is said to help reduce cholesterol and the concentration of fat in the body. About two cups per day is recommended. Steep oolong tea anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes, for a more full-bodied cup.

Read More

83 Chinese miners feared killed

• 
  

BEIJING: With rescuers finding 11 bodies more than two days after a goldmine subsided in Tibet, hopes of saving the remaining 72 miners receded with unnamed officials saying on Sunday they were feared dead. Hampering operations was the break-down of the excavator and severe damage to the narrow roads leading to the mine following the landslide.

The workers are buried 30 meters deep into the mine. Many rescuers were found digging into the debris with bare hands, state media said, adding that two of the buried workers are Tibetans, and that two are women. The administration said all the workers in the gold mine in Maizhokunggar County, 68 km from the regional capital of Lhasa, have been identified. The landslide covers an area of three sq km at the Jiama Copper Gold Polymetallic Mine.

The situation worsened at one pm on Saturday as snow began falling. The site is at a height of more than 4,600 metres, which is known to have caused altitude sickness to some of the rescuers working at minus three degree Celsius. Low temperature was also affecting the smell sense of sniffer dogs deployed for rescue work.

An army officer helping the rescue efforts said there were dangers of more landslides because the mountain surface had cracked. Until noon, more than 300,000 cubic meters of debris had been removed, he said.

In recent years, the Chinese government has been developing industries in Tibet which has large copper, chromium and bauxite reserves apart form other precious minerals and metals. But even as Tibet gets mined, the region remains one of China's poorest.

Wangchuktseten, a Tibetan scholar, was quoted by agencies as saying, "The Tibetan plateau is considered the lungs of Asia. Those short-sighted mining activities chase after quick benefits but ignore the environment for future generations."

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang ordered authorities to "spare no efforts" in their rescue work, the state-owned media reported.

Read More

Don't want to burden Yuvraj Singh with captaincy: Allan Donald

I just felt I want Yuvi to win games first. I don't want to him to be burdened with the captaincy issue," said Allan Donald.

The Pune Warriors India's newly-appointed coach, Allan Donald talks about his team and the season ahead. He also looks forward to India's forthcoming tour of SA and, of course, his wish is to see Sachin Tendulkar in action, one last time. Excerpts from the interview:

How are you prepared for the new responsibility?

It is a new role and in a way it is quite intimidating. There is no running away from it, because this is something that I haven't done before. I actually started in 2005 and then there were some specific bowling coach's role I played, but I always said that someday I wanted to do team coaching. The responsibility doesn't come any bigger than being in-charge of an IPL team. When I got the call three months ago, I was like 'wow, this responsibility is fairly big'.

Did you get enough time on hand to get your team ready?

In IPL, the turnaround is so quick and some of the overseas guys are still arriving. One thing you do know is that they haven't stopped playing cricket, these guys have just finished either with their international or domestic duty. No one is really under-cooked. The good thing about this team is the depth we have. It is going to be a serious selection headache for us. Finding the right four overseas players and mixing them with the best Indian players is going to be tough.

How big is the impact of Michael Clarke's unavailability?

It is really big. I spoke to him the other day and he was upset about it. He was hoping to go home just to have an injection and to come back, but with the Ashes series coming up, it would have been the silliest thing in the world had Cricket Australia released him. With the Australian cricket being under so much pressure, he is their best player and they did the right thing by not letting him go.

IPL is all about setting trends. The most successful has been opening the bowling with spinners. Your take.

I think there are all sorts of strategies that go in IPL. I have seen them so many times not just in IPL, but all across the world in the T20s. I think the reason they open with spinners is to strategise their powerplays and limit the damage quickly. It is seen more in Indian conditions than in other parts of the world. Here, you have to respect the powerplays very much, especially when the ball is turning. And that is the reason Chennai Super Kings are so successful, as they don't take unnecessary risks in the powerplays.

Three skippers in two seasons say a lot about the inconsistency Pune has faced in the past.

I once asked myself, should Yuvraj be the man. But I just felt I want Yuvi to win games first. I don't want to him to be burdened with the captaincy issue. He can win matches on his own, it is for him to relax and enjoy his cricket. Angelo is the right man right now and he is available for the whole season. And if everything goes well, when we train for the next three years, following this, we could then appoint someone and say, 'now you captain for the next two years' and we can grow on our consistency.

Tamim Iqbal didn't play a single match last year. Will it be different for him this year?

He was a young player last year, always learning, always asking questions. Tamim is a quality cricketer and so are the nine other overseas players.

Read More

Watch out for these rising stars in IPL 6

Having captained India Under-19 to the World Cup triumph by scoring an unbeaten hundred in the final in Australia, Chand became a national hero.

Glenn Maxwell, Mumbai Indians | He is the million-dollar man of the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. Mumbai Indians paid through their noses to get this Victorian to don the blue jersey. Maxwell made his mark in Australia's domestic circuit with a 19-ball half century against Tasmania two seasons ago. That whirlwind knock remains the fastest half-century effort in Australia's domestic history. Sure he can bat and is a flexible option for a skipper. He has the ability to adapt and bat at any position and under trying situations. If flexibility is Maxwell's USP, his off-spinners need to be more potent. A brilliant fielder, he can be an intoxicating package if he shows better shot selection.

Sachithra Senanayake, KKR | More than his tall frame, Senanayake is known for his doosra. People who have watched him operate insist he is the best exponent of this lethal delivery. While he made his first-class debut as far back as 2006, Senanayake hasn't yet broken into the national team. T20, though, is very much his domain and Senanayake has been the top wicket-taker in the last two editions of Sri Lanka's premier domestic T20 tournament. Besides being a tricky off-spinner, Senanayake has also under his kitty four domestic half centuries. That he is also an athletic fielder is a bonus. No wonder King Khan and his partners shelled out $625,000 on this Sri Lankan. Watching Senanayake operate in tandem with West Indian offie Sunil Narine will be a treat.

Kane Richardson, Pune Warriors | Another shocking buy, purely in terms of the money involved. Pune Warriors paid this South Australian a mind-boggling $700,000. Surely, his performances in the Big Bash League didn't go unnoticed. He picked up 10 wickets for Adelaide Strikers. A tall medium pacer, Richardson uses his height to great advantage. He is a bowler who relies more on line and length and is a clever mover of the ball. He can get the ball to bounce from a disconcerting length. The one area that he needs to work on is his follow through. He repeatedly trudges on the danger area and was even barred from bowling in an ODI against Sri Lanka last month. He has the great Alan Donald to sort that problem out for him though.

Chris Morris, Chennai Super Kings | When the Highveld Lions defeated three Indian Premier League teams en route to the final of the Champions League in South Africa last year, Chris Morris played a critical role. He was the highest wicket-taker for the Lions. The Chennai Super Kings must have noticed him there and promptly decided to have him on board. Morris brings with him a lot on the table. He is not only a pacer who regularly clocks around 140kmph mark, he is also more than handy with the bat and can make mincemeat of attacks in a span of a few overs. These attributes should see him playing regularly for CSK this season.

Unmukt Chand, Delhi Daredevils | For a 20-year-old, this lad from Delhi has already achieved a lot. Having captained India Under-19 to the World Cup triumph by scoring an unbeaten hundred in the final in Australia, Chand became a national hero. But he didn't stop there. He kept on scoring runs in the domestic circuit for Delhi. Chand has already scored two centuries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament and looks in great shape. There are several young Indians who will ply their trade in the IPL this season, but Chand is the most sorted and certainly the best Indian on display. Delhi will have to use him tactfully to break their last-four jinx.

Harmeet Singh, Rajasthan Royals | A lot is expected from this 20-year-old left-arm-spinner from Mumbai. After all, he has been compared to the great Bishan Singh Bedi by some of the biggest names in Indian cricket. Aussie great Ian Chappell, in fact, had once said that he should be drafted into the Indian team immediately. But Harmeet has not let these comparisons deter him. He is focused on his trade and is slowly charting his way towards the ultimate dream: playing for the country. He was one among the youngsters picked up by the Royals for this year's IPL. Harmeet is a classical slow left arm spinner, who doesn't just possess a big heart, but is also technically sound. He has got an ideal leader in captain Rahul Dravid and a motivating senior in Australian allrounder Shane Watson. If he sticks to the basics, he will be a treat to watch and a threat to negotiate.

Read More

Google declares end of YouTube in April Fool's prank

In an elaborate ruse, the world's most popular video site announces it's been nothing but a contest site this whole time and says it's going dark for the next decade.

Is the world's biggest video site about to go offline for a decade?

The best April Fool's pranks are absurd but also have a kernel of believability at their core just big enough to reel people in.
While the notion that YouTube has been a 8-year-long contest and Google is finally choosing a winner and shutting the site down tonight is pretty hard to swallow on its face, Google did shock many people by announcing the shutdown of Google Reader recently. Perhaps Larry and Sergey are beginning to go all Howard Hughes on us?
That's how the below video just put out by YouTube operates. The basic premise is that YouTube has been nothing but a contest to find the best video, and the 8-year-long submission period is finally closing tonight.
As YouTube's "competition director" Tim Liston -- a person who appears to be as fictional as his title -- tells us, YouTube will go dark for a decade to give thousands of judges 10 years to go through all the uploaded videos and declare one winner, which will be the only video on the site when YouTube relaunches in 2023.
What's even more hilarious in the video than the basic gag behind it is some great cameos by YouTube celebrities like Matt Harding, iJustine, the (now much older) kids from "Charlie Bit My Finger" and that "Evolution of Dance" guy.
"I encourage everybody to watch as many videos as possible before YouTube deletes everything tonight," Antoine Dodson warns.
Check the whole thing below, and hope along with me that this isn't the only April Fool's gag Google is pulling. Announcing the resurrection of Google Reader could be part of the joke, right? Right?

Read More