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2014-04-01T15:45:00.001+05:30

· Check out this unique, revolutionary technology that can help you find new friends and stay connected with old friends. heylo is an absolutely awesome concept, and can change the way the world communicates. Support the heylo revolution at http://www.heylo.me

· heylo is a cool, revolutionary technology that can make a great difference in our lives. Stay connected with your friends, make great new friends, find your perfect soulmate. All this is possible with heylo. Join the revolution at http://www.heylo.me

· I just came across this cool product called heylo, which can really change the way we communicate. This is an awesome and revolutionary technology that can help you find the persons you want to connect with, near you, in real time. With heylo, you don’t have to search through internet sites to make new matches or call existing friends to see if they are nearby. Find friends using just your phone and the cool heylo device. Find out how you can join the heylo revolution at: http://www.heylo.me

· Discover a new way to interact with people! heylo is a revolutionary new technology that lets you find the person you are looking for- near you, right when you want. Whether it is an old friend nearby or a new interesting friend, or a potential soul mate, heylo will make it possible for people to discover each other and change the way they communicate. Check it out at http://www.heylo.me

· A stylish, sophisticated and revolutionary device that can change the way we communicate: heylo is the latest creation of à tout le Monde Studios (ATLM), with a whole world of possibilities. heylo is a simple, yet technologically advanced way to make new connections, and maintain existing friendships. Find out how heylo can change your world: http://www.heylo.me

Summary for blog posts:

a. heylo is a new and exciting way to change the way you communicate and interact with people in your lives. Until now, there is no such technology that can help you find the persons you want to connect with, near you, in real time. The aim of heylo is to change that, and make it easy for people to find and connect with other people.

heylo uses your personal preferences and inputs to let you find a suitable match near you. Whether you are looking to connect with an old friend for coffee, or find a new friend with common interests, heylo will make it easy for you to find and connect. heylo is the creation of à tout le Monde Studios (ATLM), who are passionate about making heylo a reality.

This unique device which works along with a sophisticated app, is currently in the midst of an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. Check out this revolutionary product and its unique features at http://www.heylo.me

https://twitter.com/sayheylo

https://www.facebook.com/sayheylo

http://www.heylo.tv

b. This is the year for making great new relationships! There is an awesome, unique product called heylo, which will be launched later this year. heylo is a cool way to make new friends, find great matches, and stay connected with existing friends.

heylo is a cute, compact and fashionable device that works with a sophisticated app. This technology will use your personal preferences and other people's inputs to connect you with persons who share your interests or match your requirements.

Using advanced matching algorithms, heylo will let you view and locate suitable matches nearby. You can decide whether the match is a good one for you and then send a message or share your details or facebook address.

heylo will also show you when anyone in your existing friends circle is within range, so that you can easily connect and catch up with them.

Learn more about heylo and all its cool features at http://www.heylo.me and http://www.heylo.tv

Also, follow the heylo revolution at:

https://twitter.com/sayheylo

https://www.facebook.com/sayheylo

Olympics: Indian contingent greeted with huge cheers

2012-07-28T14:02:00.001+05:30

Huge cheers welcomed the colourful Indian delegation into the Olympic Park Friday night during the opening ceremony of the London Games.The 81-strong Indian contingent, the biggest ever, was led by wrestler Sushil Kumar, a bronze medallist in the 2008 Beijing Games.It was a smartly dressed Indian contingent. The men wore yellow safas, navy blue blazers, cream-coloured trousers, off-white shirts and ties, and the women were dressed in elegant sarees.Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary-general Randhir Singh waved at the contingent from the VIP box.Indians will take part in 13 disciplines. Four years ago, India won three medals, gold for shooter Abhinav Bindra and bronze medals for Sushil and boxer Vijender Singh.(IANS)

Sushil Kumar of the India Olympic wrestling team carries his country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England

India's flag bearer Sushil Kumar holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Acting Indian Olympic Association President Vijay Kumar Malhotra (C), his wife Krisha Malhotra (R) and guest Gurmit Singh (L) of India try on their glasses as they sit in the VIP box before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012

Ravi Das, his wife Geeta Das and cousin Rahul Das watch the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony at Ravis Das' home in Sobroto Park on July 28, 2012 in Delhi, India.

Eminent Indians detained at US airports

2012-04-14T11:18:00.001+05:30

From actors to politicians and bureaucrats here's a list of people who have been detained at various airports in USA

The reasons vary from caste to what they wear and skin colour. The list

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was detained at a New York airport for over two hours by immigration officials after arriving from India in a private plane with Nita Ambani, to address students at Yale University here. This, is not the first time that SRK has been detained. He was grilled for more than 2 hours way back in 2009

In 2002, Aamir Khan was detained for interrogation at the Chicago Airport.

The authorities could not believe that Neil was an Indian - because he was so fair. Neil was in US for the shooting of the movie New York

Irrfan Khan has been detained too - twice. And both times, when he went to receive awards.

John Abraham was detained for having Afganistan as one of the countries he has visited in his passport.

Mammootty was stopped at the airport too - for having his real name Mohamad Kutty Ismail in his passport.

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam was detained and frisked at JFK airport in New York

Indian envoy Meera Shankar was detained and frisked at a Mississippi airport.

Aviation Minister Praful Patel was frisked down too at Chicago

Hardeep Singh Puri was detained for not agreeing to remove his turban

One year on, a look at Japan’s progress

2012-04-11T23:01:00.001+05:30

March 11, 2012 marks one year since a massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami that slammed into the island nation, killing thousands of people. More than 300,000 people are still homeless and around 3,300 others are unaccounted for. The tsunami also sparked a nuclear reactor meltdown at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant, resulting in the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. One year on, the streets have been cleared and the wreckage removed from town centres. Here’s a look at how much has changed in 12 months.

Giant whale shark washes ashore

2012-02-09T21:49:00.002+05:30

A giant whale shark washed ashore near Karachi fisheries harbor in Karachi, Pakistan on Feb. 7 and was sold for 1.7 million PKR ($18,758), local media reported.

Residents gather as a whale shark is pulled from the water by cranes after it was found dead at Karachi's fish harbor February 7, 2012. A giant whale shark washed ashore near Karachi fisheries harbor on Tuesday and was sold for 1.7 million PKR ($18,758), local media reported

A man stands on a dead whale shark before it was pulled from the water by cranes as residents gather at Karachi's fish harbor February 7, 2012. A giant whale shark washed ashore near Karachi fisheries harbor on Tuesday and was sold for 1.7 million PKR ($18,758), local media reported.

Pictures of the Week 23rd - 29th Jan

2012-02-01T00:17:00.000+05:30

Editors Pick: best photos from around the world

A competitor jumps through flames during the Tough Guy event in Perton, central England January 29, 2012. The annual event to raise cash for charity challenges thousands of international competitors in a cross country run followed by an assault course consisting of obstacles including water, fire and tunnels.

A man takes a bath outside his shanty in front of the Indian national flag in Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums, in Mumbai January 24, 2012. Female workers at Dharavi made a 151ft-long (46m) Indian flag to celebrate India's Republic day, according to organisers

A member of Aquabatix greets visitors as she performs as a mermaid at Turkuazoo in Istanbul January 27, 2012. British underwater group Aquabatix is in Istanbul for a three-day tour to perform their "Mermaid Love Story" show at Turkey's first giant aquarium, Turkuazoo

A supporter of India's ruling Congress party hold a billboard of India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after an election campaign rally ahead of state assembly elections at Moga, in the northern Indian state of Punjab January 19, 2012

wiss Riot Police spray tear gas towards Anti-WEF demonstrator during a protest against the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos January 28, 2012.

Germany's Richard Freitag soars through the air during a trial round at the FIS World Cup Ski Jumping competition in Sapporo, northern Japan January

Auctioneer Mike Odenbach (R) calls out the bids as one of the largest cut emerald's in the world is put up for sale at the Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 28, 2012. The 57,500 carat gem called Teodora was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The emerald received no bids as it opened at $500,000-CAD.

Fireworks light up the sky over the Victoria Harbour to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in Hong Kong January 24, 2012. Lunar New Year began on Monday and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac

Members of the Sing Yong troupe perform a dragon dance on the third day of the Chinese Lunar New Year at the River Hongbao festival in Singapore January 25, 2012. The Lunar New Year began on January 23 and marked the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac

India's Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers and their camels are silhouetted against the setting sun as they rehearse for the "Beating the Retreat" ceremony in New Delhi January 24, 2012. The ceremony symbolises retreat after a day on the battlefield, and marks the official end of the Indian Republic Day celebrations. It is held every year on January 29

A man from the Pakistan customs uses a bamboo stick to destroy bottles of liquor near a burning pile of narcotics in the outskirts of Karachi January 26, 2012. The Government of Pakistan Model Customs Collectorate Preventive, Karachi, held an exercise where liquor and contraband were burned and destroyed to mark International Customs Day, customs official Qamar Thalho said.

Rose petals crown the face of 62-year-old heart patient Chaudhry Mohammad Gulab as his family members prepare him for burial in Lahore on January 27, 2012. The government in Pakistan's Punjab province is scrambling to recall contaminated drugs that have killed over a 100 people in the last month, local media cited provincial health officials on Friday. Gulab's health started to deteriorate after he was prescribed a new medication by the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) on January 18, his younger brother Chaudhry Mohammad Bagh said at his funeral. "We returned to PIC on January 25 after Gulab started coughing blood and officials asked us to return his medication and then advised we should admit him to the Mayo hospital. He died two days after being admitted," Bagh said. Officials at the Mayo hospital did not comment on the cause of Gulab's death, although his death certificate states it was due to a heart attack. Government officials have said autopsies would need to be performed before the cause of the recent deaths can be confirmed

Dogs compete during the Quebec Winter Carnival dog sled race in the streets of Old Quebec in Quebec City January 28, 2012. REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger

A woman holds her Selkirk Rex cat during an international cat exhibition held in Fleurus, southern Belgium January 28, 2012. REUTERS/Yves Herman

A horse falls after being gored by a bull during a bullfight festival at Macarena bullring in Medellin January 28, 2012.

A Sikh policeman holds his turban as a helicopter carrying Rahul Gandhi, a lawmaker and son of Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi, prepares to land during a campaign rally ahead of state assembly elections at Sirhind in Punjab January 27, 2012

Instructor Sarah Tiefenthaler (front) demonstrates a pose during her Yogaqua class, which combines yoga and paddleboarding, in Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles January 28, 2012. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Pink shovels are lined up before members of the Democratic Women's Council of Horry County, S.C., start work to demolish the Republican presidential sand sculpture, outside the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach January 23, 2012. The group contracted with the Myrtle Beach area Chamber of Commerce to demolish the sculpture to raise money for the charitable organization Mothers Against Violence.

A ball boy rolls a ball to another ball boy as the roof on Rod Laver Arena is being closed due to the rain during the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 29, 2012. Picture taken with a fish-eye lens

A Niger soccer fan cheers as he arrives inside the Stade De L'Amiti Stadium before their African Cup of Nations Group C soccer against Gabon in Libreville, Gabon, January

63rd Republic Day

2012-01-26T01:03:00.000+05:30

Students hold Indian national flags as they perform during the Republic Day celebrations in Bangalore, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. India is marking its 62nd Republic Day with parades across the country

Indian Border Security Force soldiers ride camels in formation on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. India is marking its 62nd Republic Day with military parades across the country

Indian Border Security Force "Daredevils" perform a stunt on motorcycles in formation on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. India is marking its 62nd Republic Day with military parades across the country

CCL Season 2: Kerala Strikers vs Mumbai Heroes

2012-01-23T22:18:00.000+05:30

Watch Malayalam actors take on Bollywood stars at the Celebrity Cricket League Season II. Photos

Superstar Mohanlal at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians. Kerala Strikers defeated Mumbai Heroes by 10 wickets to register their first win in the Celebrity Cricket League

Superstar Mohanlal with Suneil Shetty at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians

Malayalam superstar Mamooty along with Prithviraj and other stars at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians. Kerala Strikers defeated Mumbai Heroes by 10 wickets to register their first win in the Celebrity Cricket League

Actress Lakshmi Rai with Bhavana and Lissy at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians.

Malayalam superstars Mohanlal and Mammooty at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians.

Malayalam star Prithviraj seen with Sohail Khan at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians.

South Indian star Lakshmi Rai at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians.

Mammooty, Prithviraj and Bhavana at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians

Mammooty, Prithviraj and Sohail Khan at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians

Malayalam superstar Mammooty,accompanied by actor Siddique, arrives for the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians

Mammooty snapped at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians

Director Priyadarshan arrives for the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians.

Bobby Deol hugs Mammootty during the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians

Genelia and Riteish having a quite moment together at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians

Genelia cheering for Mumbai Heroes at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians.

Actress Padmapriya snapped during the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians.

Aftab Shivdasini bats for Mumbai Heroes at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians

Sohail Khan during the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians.

Genelia and Ritesh cheering for Mumbai Heroes at the CCL II match between Kerala Strikers and Mumbai Indians

Miami to Keys 'over the sea' railroad turns 100

2012-01-22T22:49:00.000+05:30

Florida is marking the centennial of Henry Flagler's Over-Sea Railroad, which steamed through the Florida Keys Jan. 22, 1912, carrying residents and tourists from Miami through the once-isolated island chain to Key West for the first time ever

Florida is marking the centennial of Henry Flagler's Over-Sea Railroad. This photo, from the Florida Keys News Bureau shows an aerial view of Pigeon Key, a tiny island just west of Marathon, Fla., used as a base camp more than 100 years ago for workers building Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad. The railroad's original Seven Mile Bridge, at left, was transformed into a road for cars in 1938 following the railroad's demise in 1935.

This Jan. 22, 1912 photo provided by the Monroe County Library shows Henry Flagler, right, and his wife Mary Lily, left, after the Key West, Fla., arrival of the first train from the U.S. mainland that officially marked the completion of the Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad. The centennial anniversary of the first train's arrival into Key West and the completion of the Over-Sea Railroad project will be marked on Jan. 22, 2012

This Jan. 1, 2012, photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau shows a portion of the original Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys, just west of Marathon, Fla. The bridge was originally built in the early 1900s to carry Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad. Following following the railroad's demise in 1935, the bridge was converted to carry automobiles and the track was used to create guardrails. A different and wider bridge for the Florida Keys Overseas Highway was finished in 1982. The centennial anniversary of the completion of the railroad is Jan. 22, 2012

n this undated photograph courtesy of the Monroe County Library, the Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad train on the Seven Mile Bridge is shown near Marathon, Fla. The centennial anniversary of the first train's arrival into Key West and the completion of the Over-Sea Railroad project will be marked on Jan. 22, 2012

his Jan. 1, 2012, photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau shows a portion of the original Bahia Honda trestle bridge in the Florida Keys, at Bahia Honda Key, Fla. The bridge was built in the early 1900s to carry Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad on the lower deck. Following the railroad's demise in 1935, a top deck on the bridge was created to carry automobiles. A different and wider bridge for the Florida Keys Overseas Highway was constructed in 1972. The centennial anniversary of the completion of the railroad is Jan.

his undated photo provided by the Monroe County Library shows passengers riding in the club car of Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad train. The centennial anniversary of the first train's arrival into Key West and the completion of the Over-Sea Railroad project will be marked on Jan. 22, 2012.

Cricket Photos of the week 22.1.12

2012-01-22T22:25:00.000+05:30

Action from the Middle East, women's cricket and T20 events

Ellyse Perry bowls during the women's International Twenty20 match between the Australian Southern Stars and New Zealand at North Sydney Oval in Sydney, Australia

Peter Siddle picks up team-mate Michael Hussey during an Australian nets session at Adelaide Oval in Australia

Gareth Hopkins of Auckland is stuck by the ball during the HRV Cup match between the Auckland Aces and Canterbury Wizards at Colin Maiden Park in New Zealand.

Saeed Ajmal celebrates after he dismissed Eoin Morgan (unseen) during the first day of the opening Test match between Pakistan and England at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City

Aaron Finch (R) of the Renegades is handed his broken bat by Ben Laughlin of the Hurricanes during the T20 Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Melbourne Renegades at Bellerive Oval in Australia

David Hussey of the Stars dives for the ball during the T20 Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Adelaide Strikers at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.

The umpires show the players off as the rain stops play during the 3rd One Day International match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Chevrolet Park in Bloemfontein

AB de Villiers attempts to run out Tillakaratne Dilshan during the 4th ODI between South Africa and Sri Lanka at De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley, South Africa.

Chris Tremlett and Stuart Broad of England warm up during a nets session in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Alastair Cook tries to avoid a shot from Younis Khan during the first Test match between Pakistan and England at The Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Sachin Tendulkar walks to the nets in front of fans during an Indian nets session at Adelaide Oval in Australia.

Amy Satterthwaite bowls during the women's International Twenty20 match between the Australian Southern Stars and New Zealand at North Sydney Oval in Australia

Saeed Ajmal celebrates dismissing Graeme Swann and taking his 10th wicket of the match during the first Test match between Pakistan and England at The Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Umar Gul (L) speaks with Graeme Swann (R) during the first day of the opening Test match between Pakistan and England at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City.

The Australian team takes part in a fielding drill during a net session at Adelaide Oval.

Steven Finn sits on a roller during a nets session at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Rob Quiney of the Stars walks out to bat during the T20 Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Adelaide Strikers at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.

Mohammad Hafeez (C) and Taufiq Umar (L) leave the field after their team's victory in the opening Test match between Pakistan and England. Paceman Umar Gul took 4-63 to help Pakistan beat the world's best Test team by 10 wickets in the first Test inside three days in the Gulf emirate, gaining a 1-0 lead in the three-match series

Auckland Aces celebrate winning the HRV Cup match between the Auckland Aces and Canterbury Wizards at Colin Maiden Park on in Auckland, New Zealand.

Bangladesh Premier League cricket auction officials are pictured during the event at a hotel in Dhaka. Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi was bought for 700,000 USD as auction for the inaugural Bangladesh Premier League cricket. The former Pakistani captain hit the jackpot in a secret bidding after all six teams targetted the hard-hitting bastman cum leg-spinner in the 20-day inaugural Twenty20 cricket tournament to be held next month

Pictures of the week 16th - 22nd Jan

2012-01-21T22:42:00.000+05:30

From Berlin Fashion Week to R-Day preparation, here's a look at the best pictures from around the world.

A dog looks out from his cage after a race in a sled dog competition in Galyateto, 106km (66 miles) east of Budapest, January 22,

In this handhout picture taken on on January 17, 2012 Indonesian schoolchildren cross a river using a badly damaged bridge in Lebak in Indonesia's Banten province. Indonesian authorities said on January 21, 2012 that they will immediately repair a nearly collapsed bridge but downplayed risk to children who make a dangerous crossing to get to school everyday

Police walk past a barrier set on fire by residents of the Pinheirinho slum, who are resisting police arrival to evict them by court order, in Sao Jose dos Campos, 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Sao Paulo, January 22, 2012. Some 1,500 families who have been occupying a private plot of land for the past eight years were evicted after a lengthy legal process by the real owner, police sources said.

A traditional cock fight takes place during the annual Jonbeel festival in Jagiroad about 75 kilometers (46 miles) east of Gauhati, India, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. Tribal Tiwa people come down from Meghalaya hills to participate in Jonbeel festival where they exchange goods by barter system

A protesting Tibetan activist hangs from a bus as he is held by others after being detained outside Hyderabad House, as visiting Chinese delegates meet their Indian counterparts to talk on border issues, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012. The activists protested against a lack of Tibetan representation in the ongoing border talks between India and China in New Delhi.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker perches on a suet feeder during a winter storm in the village of Nyack, New York, January 21, 2012. The first major winter storm of 2012 to hit the northeast U.S. was expected to drop up to eight inches of snow on the region

United Airlines planes take off and land at San Francisco airport, California January 21, 2012.

The dead body of a gunman is seen inside a car behind a bullet-riddled windshield in Jungapeo in the state of Michoacan January 19, 2012. In a shootout between gunmen and soldiers, two gunmen were killed while other three managed to escape, according to local media. Picture taken January 19, 2012

People ride on top of a crowded commuter train in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012. Indonesia has gone to imaginative extremes to try to stop commuters from illegally riding the roofs of trains, hosing down the scofflaws with red paint, threatening them with dogs and appealing for help from religious leaders. Now the authorities have an intimidating and possibly even deadly new tactic: Suspending rows of grapefruit-sized concrete balls to rake over the top of trains as they pull out of stations, or when they go through rail crossings.

A Japanese macaque mounting Shishiro, a five-year-old Japanese wild boar, plays in their cage at Hamura Zoo in Tokyo Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012

ndian soldiers from the Border Security Forces atop camels stand at attention in front of the Presidential Palace during a ceremony in preparation for the annual Beating Retreat in New Delhi, India, Tuesday,

A military aircraft flies through the smoke of tire fires set by anti-government protester during the Bahrain International Airshow in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. Protesters set tire fires on roads nationwide, attempting to darken the skies to make their presence felt during the prestigious air show.

ndians feed birds from a boat on the River of Yamuna as it is enveloped by winter morning fog in New Delhi, India,

The shadow of Republican presidential candidate, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, is cast against the South Carolina state flag as he waits to be introduced at a campaign rally in an airplane hanger, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, in North Charleston,

A canopy of lights shines over newly fallen snow in Christopher Columbus Park in Boston, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. Boston got about 2.5 inches of snow from the winter storm that passed through the area

In this photo provided by the Association of Surfing Professionals, Ellie-Jean Coffey, of Australia, competes in the Billabong World Junior Championship Gold Coast surfing competition in Burleigh Heads, Australia, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2012

Long-stemmed roses rest on the reflecting pool wall at the crypts of civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his wife Coretta Scott King, in Atlanta on Monday Jan. 16, 2012. King would have been 83 years old on his actual birthday

Rafael Nadal of Spain sits under a shade during a break in between games during his men's singles match agianst Feliciano Lopez of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 22, 2012. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash

A spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), born in captivity four months ago, is seen with its mother at the zoo in Cali January

Aakash loses government edge

2012-01-18T23:45:00.001+05:30

DataWind, the Canadian company that is manufacturing low-costAakash tablet, may run out of favour from the Indian governmentbecause it had violated the contract condition of providing the tablets first to the government before selling it in open market.

HRD ministry official have been quoted as saying by a news daily that government may not procure more than initial quota of one lakh tablets from DataWind as they started the online booking of Aakash tablet before supplying it to the government.

The Mobile Indian had reported this discrepancy regarding the delivery of Aakash tablet to government in December whenDataWind started the online booking for the world's cheapest tablet.

Aakash tablet has been criticised for its poor battery life, poor processor that is unable to do multi-tasking and below par display quality.

Meanwhile, the Indian government is now thinking to bring a better low cost tablet which will address the drawback of the original Aakash tablet.

"In order to cater to the huge demand, we need several manufacturers to manufacture Aakash. We are enhancing the specifications on the basis of feedback we have received from the first version of Aakash. So we want to make sure that the upgraded product caters to the need of the customers... We have involved ITI in order to upgrade it... We will be able to bring in Aakash-II by April," HRD Minister Kapil Sibal was quoted as saying by a daily.

Aakash was launched with much fanfare last year but it is yet to be made available to 70,000 out of one lakh students through government (DataWind has supplied only 30,000 to the government so far) and for general masses who booked the tablet online except a select few. Notably, the tablet was to be made available in retail stores by the end of November last year itself but which is now pushed to February.

Celebrity Indian Actors

2012-01-15T19:39:00.000+05:30

A look at some of the Indian faces on international television

The 37-year-old Indian-origin star wowed audiences as the sexy Dr. Mohinder Suresh in the hit TV show Heroes.

The Canadian-Indian funny man made echoed his real life in the Hollywood movie Source Code, as an amateur comedian.

As Dr. Neela Rasgotra, the young Indian doctor on hospital drama E.R. Nagra became a household name.

Daughter of Telugu star Mohan Babu, Lakshmi made her presence felt as Sarasvati Kumar on Las Vegas

London born and Delhi bred, Nayyar is known best as the shy Dr. Raj Koothrappali on The Big Bang Theory

Archie's acting career shot straight to the top with her most recent role as Kalinda Sharma in The Good Wife

South African born Adhir's big time win came with his role as Timmy Patel, the Mr. Fixit assistant on the show, Rules of Engagement

Ayesha showcased her talent in Andrew Lloyd Weber's Bombay Dreams and as Queen Naboo in the Star Wars series

Indian-origin Aziz has kept audiences riveted with his stand up comedy onstage and in the movies

British-Indian Dev wowed the world in Danny Boyle's Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire as Jamal Mallik

Filmfare awards 2011 nominations

2012-01-15T19:30:00.000+05:30

Bollywood grace the red carpet @ 57th Idea Filmfare awards 2011 nominations bash. Photos

Bollywood stars gathered at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011, to be held Jan 29 at Film City, Goregaon. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has won scores of awards and honours and is in the race for the best actor Filmfare trophy this year for "Don 2: The King Is Back". Yet, he feels awards are important.

"Awards are very important. Insha Allah, whichever film gets the award I will be very happy," Shah Rukh told reporters here at the Filmfare Awards nomination party Friday night. Last year, Shah Rukh bagged the best actor award for his work in 2010 film "My Name Is Khan"

Madhuri Dixit and husband Shriram Nene spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011.

Chitrangda Singh spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011

Zarine Khan spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011

Zarine Khan and Shazahn Padamsee spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011

Juhi Chawla spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011.

Kalki Koechlin and Anurag Kashyap spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011

Anjana Sukhani spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011.

Ranbir Kapoor and Imtiaz Ali spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011

Diya Mirza spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011.

Mugda Godse spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011.

Neil Nithin Mukesh spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011

Farhan and Zoya Akhtar spotted at the nomination party of the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011

Australia rout India to seal series

2012-01-15T19:22:00.000+05:30

It was the second Test in a row the tourists had been beaten without Australia needing to bat twice.

MS Dhoni taking tips from Michael Clarke.

Perth, (AFP): Australia routed India by an innings and 37 runs inside three days on Sunday to seal a crushing 3-0 series victory against the hapless tourists. At Perth's WACA Ground, Rahul Dravid andM.S. Dhoni were out before lunch and Australia cleaned up the tail for 171 soon after the break to complete their third simple win.

It was the second Test in a row the tourists had been beaten without Australia needing to bat twice, having been smashed by an innings and 68 runs in the second Test in Sydney.

Despite a gritty batting performance by their most inexperienced batsman, Virat Kohli, the last man to fall for 75, it was another shoddy batting display by the tourists, whose abject display has caused consternation at home.

The world one-day champions have now lost seven straight away Tests after their 4-0 loss to England last year. "In the games in England and here we have not put enough runs on the board," Dhoni admitted.

"There is only one instance where we have scored over 350 runs, and you want to give bowlers those amount of runs so they can look to get the opposition out. One or two bad innings can happen in Test cricket, but seven Test matches is a bit long."

Australian skipper Michael Clarke said the hosts would now go for the jugular and a series whitewash with victory in the final Test, starting in Adelaide on January 24.

"No such thing as a dead rubber for me," Clarke said. "We haven't achieved much at this stage. We should be very proud, don't get me wrong, to beat the number two ranked Test team in this series, but we've got a lot of work to do before we'll be satisfied."

"In Adelaide, you'll see that, our goal has not changed from the first Test of this series, and it won't change until we achieve what we want as a team."

The Indians resumed at 88-4, needing another 120 runs to make Australia bat again, and Kohli and veteran Dravid briefly revived their hopes with a dogged 84-run stand for the fifth wicket.

However, the loss of Dravid (47) and skipper Dhoni in quick succession before lunch had Australiaclosing in on victory. The end came quickly after the resumption, with yet another insipid performance by the Indian tail.

Swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus's incredible resurgence continued when he claimed three wickets in four balls after lunch, before Peter Siddle had Kohli caught behind to seal the win. Hilfenhaus (4-54) claimed eight wickets for the match to have 23 wickets in the series at 16 apiece.

Kohli, who also top-scored in India's calamitous first innings with 44 as the tourists were dismissed for 161, before Australia made 369 on the back of David Warner's explosive 180, had been fighting his way towards his maiden Test century in his seventh Test, but received no support aside from Dravid.

Dravid's once-famed 'wall' defence was again breached by Ryan Harris, who knocked the 39-year-old's leg stump out of the ground. The delivery didn't do anything significant off the pitch, but found the gap between bat and pad, ending the veteran's vigilant innings after 177 minutes and 114 balls.

It was the fifth time in six innings in the series that Dravid had been bowled, and his average for the series of 28 is well down on his career average against Australia of 52.62. Dravid has now been bowled more times in Test cricket than any other batsman - 54 times.

Dhoni again failed, caught in the slips by a diving Ricky Ponting for two from the bowling of Peter Siddle, and the skipper has made just 102 runs in the series at 20.40, with 57 of those runs coming in the first innings in Sydney. Dhoni has not made a century in 13 Tests against Australia.

Dhoni suspended for fourth test

2012-01-15T19:18:00.000+05:30

- Mahendra Singh Dhoni's casual approach to the art of test captaincy caught up with him on Sunday when he was banned for India's fourth test against Australia.

The one-match ban for his team's failure to maintain an acceptable over rate completed a miserable day for Dhoni, who was dismissed for two runs as India crumbled to an innings and 37-run defeat at the WACA to go 3-0 down in the four-match series.

"The India team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third test against Australia in Perth," read an International Cricket Council news release.

"As this is the second offence within 12 months India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been suspended for the next test match in line with the ICC Code of Conduct."

India were two overs shy of the minimum rate required, the governing ICC said. The first offence was committed in the second test against West Indies in Barbados in July.

"Dhoni also acknowledged that he had been kept informed of the position regarding over rates on a regular basis throughout the match and therefore accepted the decision," the ICC added.

News of the ban, which came after Dhoni had already spoken to the media, is hardly likely to alleviate criticism of the 30-year-old after three humiliating defeats in Australia.

It is not only that it comes on the back of the 4-0 drubbing in England last year, which saw India relinquish the number one spot in the test world rankings, that has infuriated many in India but the sheer lack of fighting spirit displayed.

"Certainly, this is one of the worst phases where we have not done consistently well," Dhoni conceded.

"The Australian team is playing very good cricket at the moment and we are not playing to the potential we have got and that's the results why it looks so different.

"It was exactly the same in England. Most of the time the series gets interesting when both teams are in very good form, or both the sides are in very bad form. That is not the case."

'MAJOR CULPRIT'

There was fury from some of the Indian media at Dhoni's continued inability to analyse the poor results beyond stating that India needed to "score more runs and take more wickets".

The hero of India's triumph in the 50-over World Cup on home soil last year continued in similar vein, however, and even his mea culpa had an air of routine about it.

"I need to blame myself," he said. "I am the leader, the major culprit. So yes, of course, I blame myself."

It was then alleged once again that he did not take test cricket seriously.

"I know how seriously I take it, for anyone else to judge how seriously or not I take something is very difficult," he said.

He also faced criticism for not getting angrier with his players when they were not performing, deflecting the charge by saying it was a matter of culture.

"Most of our cricketers have really stepped up as the need has come and we don't really need to use extreme measures," he said.

"Of course we need to do better soon but most of us are feeling bad about it because we are professional cricketers and we are human beings and we all run on emotion."

Saurav Ganguly, Dhoni's predecessor as India captain, received a two-match ban for a similar slow-bowling offence in 2004.

Vice captain Virender Sehwag is likely to step up to replace Dhoni as skipper in Adelaide, where the fourth test takes place next week. Wriddhiman Saha is likely to stand in as wicketkeeper

iPhone sales halted after shoppers pelt Apple store with eggs

2012-01-15T18:40:00.000+05:30

BEIJING - Enraged Chinese shoppers pelted Apple Inc'sflagship Beijing store with eggs and shoving matches broke out with police on Friday when customers were told the store would not begin sales of the iPhone 4S as scheduled.

Apple said later after the fracas at its store in Beijing's trendySanlitun district that it would halt all retail sales of the latest iPhone in China for the time being, but said the phones would be available online, through its partner China Unicom <0762.HK> or at official Apple resellers.

Sales at Apple's other store in Beijing and three in Shanghai went more smoothly, with stocks quickly selling out.

An announcer with a bullhorn told the Sanlitun store crowd around 7 a.m., before sunrise, that the phones would not go on sale as planned and that they should leave. As the crowd became more unruly, scuffles broke out between security staff and shoppers, many of whom had waited overnight in freezing weather.

Police moved in and dragged some people away. Photos appeared on the Chinese blogosphere of a man who had brought raw eggs in a plastic bag, handing them out before people heaved them at the store's tall glass windows.

"We're suffering from cold and hunger," a man in his 20s shouted to Reuters Television. "They said they're not going to sell to us. Why? Why?"

"I got in line around 11 p.m., and beyond the line, the plaza was chock full with people," said Huang Xiantong, 26, from northeastern Liaoning province.

"Around 5 a.m. the crowds in the plaza broke through and the line disappeared entirely. Everyone was fighting, several people were hurt. The police just started hitting people. They were just brawling."

Police ordered the closure of the store, according to a source close to the situation.

Apple's latest iPhone, with features including responding to commands with its own voice, was introduced in China and 21 other countries on Friday. Prices ranged from 4,988 to 6,788 yuan.

Apple, in a statement, said its other stores had sold out.

"Unfortunately we were unable to open our store at Sanlitun due to the large crowd and to ensure the safety of our customers and employees, the iPhone will not be available in our retail stores in Beijing and Shanghai for the time being," it said.

The snafu lit up China's microblog community. One commentator likened the queues to this month's annual Spring (New Year) Festival rush to buy train tickets home.

"If people had to make a choice, I think iPhone fans would rather buy an iPhone 4S than go home," said the blogger, using the online name Zhang Xinchun Daqi.

LEGIONS OF FANS AND SCALPERS

Apple products are wildly popular with Chinese eager to acquire the latest technology first. Many customers in Beijing appeared to be scalpers hoping to scoop up iPhones for resale.

Scalpers are a common sight outside Apple's stores in China, selling genuine Apple products, usually iPhones, at a markup for customers unwilling to queue or faced with stores out of stock.

At the Sanlitun store, people who appeared to be working on behalf of scalpers were queueing in groups of 50, wearing the same hats or gloves, said Huang, the Liaoning shopper. "The police talked with their leaders," he said.

Scalpers who ran advertisements online hired thousands of people to stand in line at the Apple stores, offering 100 yuan per person plus dinner, the Global Times reported.

One organiser surnamed Wei, contacted by the Global Times posing as a job seeker, said he would also pay a 20 percent commission for every additional person brought along.

One scalper in his 40s outside Beijing's other store in the busy Xidan shopping district, who gave his name as Deng, said he was seeking a markup of 1,000 yuan.

"I think 1,000 is profit enough. If I ask more, people won't pay," said Deng, who had queued since 5 p.m. on Thursday. "But actually we're performing a service for people who don't want to wait in the cold. People with money don't care if it costs a little more."

The Xidan store had sold out its entire stock of 2,000 by 9 a.m., one shopper was told.

Apple executives were unavailable to comment on sales, but the company typically does not disclose such figures.

Official resellers continued to sell the new phone. One next to the Xidan store ran out by early afternoon.

Shoppers had mostly left the Sanlitun store by 10 a.m. It remained closed later, ringed by about 50 police at lunchtime.

At one of Shanghai's three Apple stores, Jin Long, 24, said he had been in line since 2 p.m. on Thursday with the aim of securing a ticket to allow him to buy a new iPhone.

"After waiting all night and getting the card, my relative didn't bring cash for the transaction and security guards and store workers tore up our tickets," he told Reuters TV.

"With this kind of attitude, who wants to buy their machines in the future?"