E - News India

Barack Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

2009-10-09T16:06:00.002+05:30

U.S. President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.

The stunning choice made Mr. Obama the third sitting U.S. President to win the Nobel Peace Prize and shocked Nobel observers because Mr. Obama took office less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline. Mr. Obama’s name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award the president.

“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,” the committee said. “His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.”

The committee said it attached special importance to Obama’s vision of, and work for, a world without nuclear weapons.

“Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play,” the committee said.

Theodore Roosevelt won the award in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson won in 1919. Former President Jimmy Carter won the award in 2002, while former Vice President Al Gore shared the 2007 prize with the U.N. panel on climate change.

Courtesy:beat.thehindu.com

Complete artical HERE

I am shy about my body, says Shakira

2009-10-09T12:31:00.003+05:30

Shakier often grabs headlines with her risque outfits and daring dance moves, but the Colombian songstress confesses that she is shy about her body.

The 32-year-old 'She Wolf' hitmaker said that she does not consider herself a sex symbol and prefers to keep her famed body under wraps when not performing, reported Contactmusic.

"When I perform I feel free. But when I'm on the beach I don't run around topless or wobble with my hips. Perhaps it's difficult to understand but I'm kind of shy when it comes to my body," said Shakira.

But the blonde beauty who likes to keep a low profile, said that she has never thought of herself as a sex symbol.

"I think the external appearance in show business is important and over the years I've discovered my assets.

Courtesy:indianexpress.com

Complete artical HERE

Freida’s body crushing dress grabs eyeballs during Paris show

2009-10-09T12:15:00.003+05:30

Freida Pinto was spotted wearing a body-crushing blue frock at the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2010 show in Paris.

The ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ actress was said to have stunned all with the tight-fitting layers.

The 24-year-old allegedly struggled with her attire as she tried to sit down, reports The Sun.

The star was seen pushing the material to its limit as she bent her body.

Courtesy:indianexpress.com

Complete artical HERE

West Bengal is 'university' of Maoist activities, says Lalu

2009-10-09T12:08:00.003+05:30

Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Thursday described West Bengal as an "university of Maoist activities" where the ultras get training and launch armed strikes in other parts of the country.

"West Bengal is a university of Maoist activities. Here the Left wing rebels get arms training," he told reporters at a brief interaction in Kolkata. The RJD supremo was in the West Bengal capital to attend a public programme.

"The Maoists get training in this state and they launch attacks in other states," he said.

The former railways minister declined to comment when asked about the performance of his successor Mamata Banerjee.

"I have no reaction to the issue. People will decide how she (Mamata Banerjee) is performing," he said.

Courtesy:ibnlive.com

Complete artical HERE

India calls for an international terror treaty

2009-10-09T12:05:00.001+05:30

Expressing concern over the terror attack on Indian embassy in Kabul, India's envoy to the United Nations Hardeep Singh Puri has asked the world leaders to negotiate an international treaty to tackle terrorism expeditiously.

"Our Embassy in Kabul was again subjected to yet another terrorist attack, which has resulted in injury of Indian security personnel as well as death of large number of Afghan civilians," Puri told the committee of the General Assembly that handles a range of social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues.

"While it is important for the international community to condemn terrorism and these attacks in an unequivocal manner, it is also critical that we strengthen the legal framework in the fight against terrorism," he noted.

Courtesy:indianexprtss.com

Complete artical HERE

Infosys declares 200 per cent interim dividend

2009-10-09T11:57:00.002+05:30

Infosys Technologies Ltd has declared an interim dividend of Rs 10 per share or 200 per cent on par value of Rs 5 per share for the first six months (April-September) of this fiscal (2009-10).

In a regulatory filing on Friday, the IT bellwether said the interim dividend to its shareholders was the same as in the corresponding period of the last fiscal (2008-09).

The company has earmarked Rs 5.73 billion (Rs 573 crore) towards the interim dividend at the end of September 30, 2009. The dividend tax outgo will be Rs 970 million (Rs 97 crore).

Courtesy:ibnlive.com

Complete artical HERE

RIL Bonus: What investors can do

2009-10-08T11:45:00.003+05:30

Reliance Industries (RIL) shares are seen rising 3% in early trade on Thursday, following the announcement of a 1:1 bonus share

But many brokers are advising their clients to cash in on big upmoves, if any, as the stock is likely to perform in line with the market in the near term. RIL shares closed at Rs 2,099 on Wednesday, down 1.6% over the previous close.

“The stock may see some resistance around Rs 2,300 and above, as investors are likely to book profits,” says Gurudatta Dhanokar technical analyst & derivatives strategist, Almondz Global Securities. “The immediate short-term support levels stand at Rs 2,050 and Rs 2,000,” he said. Mr Dhanokar advises traders to go long on the October futures in case the stock price falls below Rs 2,080 in the next few days.

Over the past one month, RIL shares have risen nearly 5%, in line with the benchmark 30-share Sensex. The stock has the highest weightage — at close to 23% — in both the Sensex and the 50-share Nifty.

“There are no positive surprises expected on the earnings front. So probably, the generous bonus issue could be a way to assuage investors,” said an official at an institutional brokerage who did not wish to be named.

Courtesy:economicstimes.com

Complete artical HERE

Shilpa's scared for Shamita!

2009-10-06T12:19:00.003+05:30

"I met Jermaine Jackson and his wife Halima after nearly three years...caught up on old times, got nostalgic over our experiences in the 'Big Brother' house. It had been so long but we picked up from where we left, one thing being constant - our friendship, so was happy on that front," Shilpa, who won "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2007, posted on her blog www.shilpashettylive.com/blog.

Jermaine landed in India Friday for 10 days to collaborate with singer Adnan Sami on an album being produced by T-Series. During his stay here, he will also shoot for a concept video for the same song.

Shilpa says their meeting Sunday night was "a strange co-incidence" as her younger sister Shamita was heading for "Bigg Boss", the Indian version of "Celebrity Big Brother".

Shilpa is apprehensive about how Shamita will fair in "Bigg Boss".

"I scurried to spend the last two days before she left, tried to dissuade her considering she'll be away for three months if she lasts. (I) can't describe how difficult our last goodbye was. Now I know what she went through when I left three years ago to be a part of 'Big Brother'. We are very close so it was heartbreaking.

Courtesy:timesofindia.com

Complete artical HERE

Cheryl Cole doesn’t trust hubby?

2009-10-06T12:06:00.003+05:30

"I''ve come to the conclusion that I don''t trust anybody in life except my mother and my dogs,” the Mirror quoted her as having told the Sunday Times magazine. "I''m scared to let people know how much they mean to me, and it''s scary that you can love a small hairy thing so much," she added. However, she said that her marriage was "happy", and described the English soccer star as a "simple person".

She added: "Nothing''s under the surface with him. Nothing''s a problem, everything''s easy and comfortable. He''s a genuine nice person." In the recent past, Cheryl described allegations of infidelity on the part of Ashley as "horrendous".

Courtesy:timesofindia.com

Complete artical HERE

Shame for Mayawati govt; SC slams it for statues

2009-10-06T11:53:00.003+05:30

The Supreme Court on Monday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of constructing memorials despite its ban and warned it cannot that the court cannot treated like a political party.

"You don't play politics as you do it with other political parties in the Assembly," a bench comprising justices B N Agrawal and Aftab Alam sternly told senior lawyer Harish Salve, who is appearing for the state.

The bench rejected the UP government’s argument that there was some "confusion" and it had not violated of the court’s order.

"We have read with deep pain your affidavit and the undertaking made by you was lacking in sincerity. It was just an eyewash," the bench said.

It said that prudence demand that if there was any such confusions, it was the duty of the state to approach the court and seek necessary clarifications.

The apex court passed the observation while dealing with the validity of the Rs 2,600 crore memorial structure being constructed for BSP founder Kanshi Ram and others Dalit leaders in the heart of Lucknow city.

Courtesy:ibnlive.com

Complete artical HERE

UPA set to bring in land acquisition Bills

2009-10-06T11:46:00.002+05:30

The Centre is learnt to be gearing up to bring the Land Acquisition Bills in Parliament during the winter session next month, which could lead to another face-off with Trinamool Congress chief and Union Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee who is known to be opposed to the proposed legislations.

Sources said the Congress leadership has already informed Mamata that it wants to introduce the Bills during the winter session, and urged her to reconsider her stand. It has argued that by blocking the Bills, Mamata was allowing the continuation of the existing land acquisition which provide overriding powers to the state to acquire land.

“We are impressing upon Mamata to understand that the existing land acquisition laws are completely against the farmers and, therefore, there is an urgent need for a new one,” said a senior Congress lead

Mamata is learnt to have held a meeting of her party’s core group after being informed that the government was keen to go ahead with the Bills. The Trinamool Congress is reported to have proposed at least two amendments: a provision allowing farmers the right to get back the acquired land if the project fails to take off and complete transparency in land purchases made by private developers.

Courtesy:indianexpress.com

Complete artical HERE

Sherlyn Chopra in Bigg Boss 3

2009-10-01T12:54:00.002+05:30

Pinup girl Sherlyn Chopra has said a definite yes to the Bigg Boss. After Rakhi Sawant and Payal Rohatgi, it is Sherlyn who will provide the oomph appeal in this season's 'Bigg Boss'.

Says a source from the channel Colors, "One reason why we were interested in getting Baba Ramdev on board is because we got Sherlyn. So we wanted to create a Vishwamitra-Menaka kind of situation between the saint and the seductress in the 'Bigg Boss' house. Unfortunately Baba opted out."

Courtesy:indianexpress.com

Complete artical HERE

Queen of Pop wants to have another child

2009-10-01T12:36:00.002+05:30

Queen of Pop Madonna says she’s open to the possibility of extending her family further.

The ''Celebration'' singer has daughter Lourdes, 12, son Rocco, nine, and adopted children, David and Mercy, both four, reports Contactmusic.

When quizzed if she will be a mother again, she replied: "Who knows? I have my hands full right now! I have no idea! That's all I'm going to say. But we never say never."

However, she won’t be extending her family any time soon as she has several charity projects and movie ventures up her sleeves.

She explained: "I have several projects going. I have another script that I've written, and I want to direct another film. Hopefully, I'll be doing that next year. I also have many projects going on in Africa right now that I want to bring to fruition, like building a girls school and working on two new documentaries."

Courtesy:indianexpress.com

Complete artical HERE

Toll mounts to 39 in Kerala boat accident

2009-10-01T12:27:00.001+05:30

Rescuers on Thursday fished out more bodies from the Thekkady Lake, taking the toll in the boat tragedy to 39 even as the Kerala government ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.

The tragedy occurred when the state-run double decker boat 'Jalakanyaka' carrying 74 tourists tilted after several tourists moved to one side on sighting elephants in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on the banks of the lake on Wednesday.

A team of rescuers which included divers extricated 39 bodies from the partly submerged boat, officials said.

The toll is likely to go up as some more people are yet to be traced, they said, adding, the search operation continued in the morning hours.

A judicial enquiry would be held into the mishap, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan announced.

The service of a Kerala High Court sitting judge would be sought for the probe, Achuthanandan told reporters here.

Courtesy:indianexpress.com

Complete artical HERE

Maharashtra polls: all fronts and no back

2009-10-01T12:09:00.003+05:30

Whatever the failings of Maharashtra’s political class, and these are many, a lack of optimism is not among them. Even after the last date for the withdrawal of nominations to the Assembly elections, there are more fronts, real and imagined, alive and still in the making. More candidates, lots more spending. And a rebel-to-candidate ratio that can only be described as entertaining. The chaos and confusion are bewildering. A senior Shiv Sena figure, discarded by his party, contests the election as a Congress candidate. His nephew leaves the Sena to join the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena of Raj Thackeray. And that’s one of the easier moves to follow.

Yet, the key question in the race to control Maharashtra’s 288-seat legislature boils down to: who will the fragmentation benefit? Will the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party gain from a multiplicity of fronts which could dissipate the anti-Congress vote? Or will the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party benefit from the Third Front’s cutting into the Congress-NCP vote? That is the million-dollar question. (And millions of dollars — or rupee equivalents — are being spent by parties to get the answer they like). Given the number of known faces in the fray for every seat, and the complexity of alliance and other factors, that answer might differ in each constituency.

The Lok Sabha elections of April-May were a lot closer in this State than many might believe. The difference between the Congress-NCP and the Sena-BJP fronts was narrower than it appears at first glance. The former may have won 25 Lok Sabha seats and the latter only 20, but in terms of Assembly segments, the Congress-NCP combine led its saffron rivals by less than a dozen. Then too, there were others in the fray — which did make a significant, even decisive, difference to the poll outcome.

The MNS, for instance, torpedoed the Sena-BJP in the Mumbai-Thane region. The MNS did not win a single Lok Sabha seat and led in very few segments, but the lakhs of votes it gathered in those was enough to hand the Congress-NCP victory in a State where they had assiduously pursued defeat. To this day, in the present round, the Congress strategy is mostly based on one assumption. That the MNS will fare even better in a State-level election where regional issues dominate. In short, a Congress-NCP win is predicated on how well the MNS does.

There is not much else the Congress-NCP can count on. Massive job losses, a crippling price rise and abysmal governance are not the best platform to reach out to the voters on. The cheery confidence of the Congress, though, springs from the May Lok Sabha polls. In those, it lost four per cent in vote share compared to 2004 but gained four seats thanks to the MNS sinking the Sena. The Congress-NCP government’s record is easily among the worst in the country. It’s hard to find a single poll promise it actually fulfilled. Popular perception doesn’t worry the parties much, though. In the Congress view, the math should do the trick this time, too. More so when the Opposition has failed to exploit major issues and discontent to put the ruling combine on the mat.

Courtesy:beat.thehindu.com

Complete artical HERE

Spectacular 507.55 carat white diamond mined in South Africa

2009-10-01T12:02:00.002+05:30

: A spectacular 507.55 carat white diamond has been found at the Cullinan mine in South Africa, where the world's largest gem was

In this photo supplied by Petra Diamonds CEO Johan Dippenaar, holds the 507.55 carat white diamond recovered at Cullinan Diamond Mine, South Africa. (AP Photo)
found decades ago.

At 507 carats (just over 100 grams) the diamond, which has yet to be named, is considered to be amongst the top 20 largest high quality rough diamonds ever found worldwide and ranks alongside other illustrious diamonds recovered at the celebrated Cullinan mine.

The latest gemstone was recovered on September 24 and is currently with experts for analysis, said international diamond mining group, Petra Diamonds Limited, in a statement released here on Tuesday.

Initial examinations indicate that it is of exceptional colour and clarity, and most likely to be a Type II diamond. Further details, including colour grading and clarity, will be released once the diamond has undergone appropriate analysis.

Johan Dippenaar, Petra's Chief Executive Officer, commented on the find: "The Cullinan mine has again given the world a spectacularly beautiful and important diamond. Initial indications are that it is of exceptional colour and clarity, which suggest extraordinary potential for its polished yield.

We now eagerly await the findings of the expert analysis." Dippenaar said the mine had previously discovered the famous Cullinan Diamond in 1905, which was part of the British crown jewels weighing 3,106 carats.

The diamond was recovered alongside three other special white stones of similar colour and clarity in the same production run: another very large stone of 168.00 carats and two other stones of 58.50 and 53.30 carats.

Courtesy:timesofindia.com

Complete artical HERE

Thousands feared dead in Indonesia quake

2009-10-01T11:54:00.002+05:30

Thousands of people were likely killed in a huge earthquake that struck Indonesia's Sumatra island, the Health

Thousands of people were likely killed in a huge earthquake that struck Indonesia's Sumatra island, the health ministry's crisis centre head said. (AFP Photo)
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Ministry's crisis centre head said Thursday.

At least 464 people are confirmed to have died in the huge earthquake, a social affairs ministry official said on Thursday. "The number of people who died in West Sumatra is 464 and they are from six districts," the ministry official in charge of handling death toll data, Tugyo Bisri, told AFP. Many more are, however, feared dead.

Rescue workers raced against time to assist victims of the quake with many still trapped in rubble

Another powerful quake struck Thursday south of the devastated area, but Indonesian authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties from that quake, which they measured at 7.0 magnitude.

Wednesday afternoon's 7.6-magnitude earthquake caused buildings to crumble and fires to rage in Padang city, home to nearly a million people on the coast of Sumatra island, which was left largely without power and communications.

"The rescue personnel in the location estimated that so far at least 200 people have died," Disaster Management Agency spokesman Priyadi Kardono said in Jakarta.

But that number was likely to soar, officials said, as the first outside rescue teams from the Indonesian army and health ministry reached the city and surrounding towns to reinforce overwhelmed police on the ground.

Their task was to hunt for those still alive, in the twisted wreckage of collapsed hospitals, schools and homes.
"We need heavy machinery to lift the rubble... we expect that to arrive at the location soon," Kardono said.

At Padang's airport, parts of the roof had collapsed, leaving metal beams hanging down, an AFP correspondent said.

Health ministry crisis centre head Rustam Pakaya told AFP that a major city hospital was among the many buildings that had buckled.

"Houses and buildings have collapsed, causing thousands of people to be trapped inside in the rubble," Pakaya said.
He said he expected the death toll to soar over 1,000, given the scale of destruction and the large numbers of people feared buried in the rubble.

Yanto, a hotel receptionist in Padang, said electricity remained cut off on Thursday morning more than 15 hours after the quake.

"Our hotel has been heavily damaged. There are many cracks and rubble from fallen concrete," he said. "Thank God all our guests survived."

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, briefing reporters in Tokyo as he returned from the G20 summit in the United States, urged officials to "flood" the city with aid and medical relief.

Three military transport planes were preparing to deliver aid including tents, blankets and medicine, Disaster Management Agency spokesman Priyadi Kardono said.

"The effects of the earthquake could be as big as the Yogyakarta quake," he said, referring to a 2006 quake that killed 6,000.

British-based charity Oxfam said it had already earmarked 200,000 pounds (320,000 dollars) for relief efforts, including the distribution of emergency shelters, hygiene kits and clothing.

"We had aid ready because this area of Indonesia is susceptible to this type of tragedy," said Jane Cocking, the organisation's humanitarian director.

Panicked residents rushed from their homes and went fleeing through the streets after the quake struck off Sumatra's west coast at 5:16 pm (1016 GMT), 47 kilometres (29 miles) northwest of Padang.

It was felt in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, 940 kilometres (585 miles) away, and sent frightened office workers streaming out of buildings in nearby Singapore and the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

Dozens of aftershocks followed, including the major one Thursday which the US Geological Survey measured at 6.8 and said hit on land 225 kilometres (140 miles) southeast of Padang.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said there was a "very small possibility" of a destructive local tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

The Indonesian earthquakes followed a massive quake measuring 8.0 in magnitude that spawned a deadly tsunami in the Samoan islands of the South Pacific.

Courtesy:timesofindia.com

Complete artical HERE

Katrina Kaif gets new nickname

2009-09-30T16:11:00.003+05:30

Her fans have often referred to her as Kat, but now actress Katrina Kaif has a new nickname — Sambo — courtesy her Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani co-star Ranbir Kapoor.

“Ranbir coined the name on the sets of the movie when both were required to shoot for an action sequence,” said a unit source.

For the scene, Katrina and Ranbir were required to climb a ladder placed at a height of 200 feet. Ranbir had to save Katrina from goons and then escape on a jet ski. While everyone was doubtful about Katrina doing the stunt, she shocked everyone with her confidence.

“Everyone on sets was quite sceptical about Katrina. But she amazed everyone as she comfortably climbed the ladder leaving Ranbir lagging behind. Ever since that day Katrina has always been addressed as Rambo’s sister Sambo by Ranbir,” said the source.

Courtesy:beat.thehindu.com

Complete artical HERE

Salman's sweet: Bebo

2009-09-30T16:05:00.002+05:30

But here is proof that the dildar Pathan is more than generous as well. And the recipient of his generosity was the beautiful Kareena Kapoor, Salman’s co-star in Main Aur Mrs. Khanna.

In Melbourne on the shoot, the two stars who are friends would always be laughing, cracking jokes and having fun. And when pack-up was announced, Kareena would often go shopping. Once, Salman accompanied her to carry the bags! At one particular store, Bebo went on a shopping spree, picking up things for friends, family and herself.

When she went to settle the bill, she was zapped to be told her that it was already paid. Seeing Salman grinning from ear-to-ear, Kareena realised who her benefactor was. Of the things that Salman apparently ‘gifted’ her was a limited edition bag worth Rs 2. 5 lakh! She uses the bag in the film too. When asked about the incident, Kareena replied, “Salman’s generosity cannot be matched. It was a very sweet gesture on his part. He is a wonderful person at heart.

Courtesy:timesofindia.com

Complete artical HERE

I don’t have body confidence, says Megan Fox

2009-09-30T12:53:00.001+05:30

She has been named the world’s sexiest woman, but Megan Fox insists she lacks body confidence.

“I don’t have body confidence,” the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

“I can wake up feeling thin and fit and then the very next day, nothing will have happened to change anything but I just feel I’ve gained 10lb overnight, nothing fits me and it’s all wrong. And those days I throw on a cardigan and disappear,” she added.

The ‘Transformers’ star, who shares a lesbian kiss with Amanda Seyfried in her new film ‘Jennifer’s Body’, has also admitted that she was an outcast at high school.

“I was never accepted – just strange and left on my own,” she told ASOS magazine.

“I had one friend whom I hinged my life on. She’s still my only friend. She’s called Crystal, has a four-year-old and lives in Florida,” she added.

Courtesy:indianexpress.com

Complete artical HERE

LeT determined to attack India again: Report

2009-09-30T12:46:00.001+05:30

Pakistan-based militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba, which masterminded the Mumbai terror attacks, is "largely intact" and "determined to strike India again", a US media report said, quoting former and current members of the group and intelligence officials.

Despite pledges from Pakistan to dismantle militant outfits operating on its soil, and the arrest of a handful of operatives, Lashkar-e-Toiba has persisted and even flourished, since ten recruits killed over 180 people in Mumbai mayhem on November 26 last year, 'The New York Times' reported.

Indian and Pakistani dossiers on the Mumbai investigations, copies of which were obtained by the US daily, offer a detailed picture of the operations of Lashkar network that spans Pakistan. It included four houses and two training camps in Karachi that were used to prepare the attacks.

In fact, Lashkar's broader network endures, and can be mobilised quickly for elaborate attacks with relatively few resources, the daily quoted Lashkar members and intelligence officials from the US, Europe and Pakistan as saying.

Courtesy:indianexpress.com

Complete artical HERE

Samoa police say 63 dead in tsunami, toll may rise

2009-09-30T12:34:00.002+05:30

A powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake spawned towering tsunami waves that swept ashore on Samoa and American Samoa, flooding and flattening villages, killing at least 63 people and leaving dozens missing.

Cars and people were swept out to sea by the fast—churning water as survivors fled to higher ground, where they remained huddled hours after the quake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale struck early on Wednesday.

Samoan police commissioner Lilo Maiava told The Associated Press that police have confirmed 63 deaths, and officials are still searching the devastated areas, so the number of deaths might rise soon.

At least 19 people also were killed in American Samoa.

Signs of devastation were everywhere, with a giant boat washed ashore lying on the edge of a highway and floodwaters swallowing up cars and homes.

The quake struck around dawn 190 kilometers from American Samoa, a US territory that is home to 65,000 people.

Four tsunami waves 15 to 20 feet high roared ashore soon afterward, reaching up to 1.6 kms inland, Mike Reynolds, superintendent of the National Park of American Samoa, was quoted as saying by a parks service spokeswoman.

Courtesy:beat.thehindu.com

Complete artical HERE

Rakhi, Elesh smooch on camera

2009-09-30T12:27:00.002+05:30

If rumours are to be believed, Rakhi and Elesh have called off their relationship, but sources from the production house say that there is a twist in the story.

Apparently, Rakhi and Elesh were caught on camera getting cosy and intimate during the shoot of NDTV Imagine’s reality show Pati Patni Aur Woh. During the shoot, Rakhi was made to wear an empathy belly to have a first-hand experience of pregnancy. She felt the effects of pregnancy like morning sickness, swelling of feet, backache, etc, but she was touched by the concern Elesh showed. He took good care of her and ensured that she was comfortable. Elesh earned brownie points from her, by doing the household chores to ease her burden. Within a few hours they let their emotions get the better of them.

The couple forgot that they were being watched and were caught on camera in a liplock. To find out more about the couple, tune in to Pati Patni Aur Woh, on NDTV Imagine.

Courtesy:timesofindia.com

Complete artical HERE

Soybean can prevent cancer, stroke

2009-09-30T12:21:00.001+05:30

These molecules can be used in the development of functional foods, which have specific health-beneficial properties.
Tocopherols exist in four forms (a, ß, ?, and d) of which ?-tocopherol is found in greatest concentration in soybeans. However, a-tocopherol has the greatest antioxidant activity, and is the form converted to vitamin E in the human body. Thus, most interest for soybean tocopherols resides in a-tocopherol; however, certain health-properties have also been attributed to other tocopherol forms and interest for these remains.
It has been suggested that all tocopherols could play a role in cardiovascular diseases and cancer prevention.
Now, in the new study, researchers at McGill University, the Centre de Recherche sur les Grains, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Quebec have investigated tocopherols concentration and stability, with an emphasis on a-tocopherol, among early-maturing genotypes grown in multiple environments, and determined the relationship between tocopherols concentration and other important seed characteristics.
Results from the study are published in the September-October issue of Agronomy Journal. The research was also presented in Beijing, China at the 8th World Soybean Research Conference in August 2009.
Philippe Seguin, who led the study, stated "The large variation observed among genotypes for a-tocopherol, the relatively high stability of genotypes performance across environments, and the lack of negative correlation with other important seed characteristics suggest that selection for high a-tocopherol will be possible. Such characteristics will also help in the development of functional foods, which requires consistency in concentrations of health-beneficial compounds."

Courtesy:timesofindia.com

Complete artical HERE

Deepika’s the perfect girlfriend

2009-09-30T12:05:00.002+05:30

Deepika Padukone proved to be the perfect girlfriend when she threw a surprise party for Ranbir. He is also the proud owner of a brand new laptop. We don’t know if money can buy love, but it sure can make a boyfriend happy! Deepika organised the party to bring in his birthday on Sunday when he came back from Bhopal. Deepika invited few, but very close friends to the surprise dinner.

Our source said, “Deepika took Ranbir to a suburban restaurant on Sunday night on the pretext of having dinner.

She had already called some of Ranbir’s very close friends, which included Rohit Dhawan and Ayan Mukherjee, the director of Wake Up Sid. Ranbir, who is normally not a party animal, was pleased to see them and a couple of his old school friends. They had dinner and brought in his birthday. Ranbir was extremely thrilled.”

Courtesy:timesofindia.com

Complete artical HERE