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      Deepika Padukone Gone are the times when the actresses used to be mere arm-candies, props, or the hero's squeeze. 2013 marked a watershed moment for Indian cinema and several Bollywood actresses became a name to reckon with. A special mention for Deepika Padukone here; the actress has acquired a Salman Khan-like superstar status. Read on. Bollywood is a man's world, they say. But female screen scorchers like Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha surprised the audiences and critics with their performances this year, while others like Nimrat Kaur and Huma Qureshi impressed with their finesse in non-commercial outings. IANS takes a look (in alphabetical order of name) at the women who impressed with their choice of roles in tinsel town in 2013: Deepika Padukone - In 2013, Deepika scored what's a rarity for an actress in the Hindi film industry - four back-to-back hits. The success of " Race 2 ", " Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani ", "

Statins are a group of cholesterol lowering drugs, prescribed to prevent heart disease. But, now there is an increasing awareness of the side effects of long term use of these drugs, with many looking to switch to natural alternatives. This is useful for people with high cholesterol due to dietary absorption. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that eating certain foods can lower your cholesterol levels just as well as drugs do, sometimes proving to be more effective. Cholesterol lowering food components include dietary fibres, good fats, phytosterols and some vitamins. In this particular study, researchers found that foods such as soy protein, tofu, various other soy products, nuts and cereal fiber, as well as plant sterols, can lower total cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), better than statin drugs. Other less commonly known compounds and nutrients with cholesterol lowering benefits include probiotics like l

    India is checking the tax statuses of Americans working at schools in the country, after the arrest this month of an Indian diplomat in New York. Devyani Khobragade was handcuffed and strip-searched while in custody. Her detention on charges of visa fraud and underpayment of her housekeeper sparked outrage in India. India would no longer turn a blind eye to tax violations by diplomats' spouses taking up work in the country, Reuters cited an unnamed official as saying. Delhi has also withdrawn some privileges enjoyed by American diplomats and their families in the country, added the official. "Spouses and children have no more immunity. So if there is a parking offence or... something else happening in Bangalore etcetera, they would be held liable." The US embassy declined to comment on the latest steps. While US Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed his "regret" over Ms Khobragade's arrest, t

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's cabinet of six ministers, sworn in on Saturday, comprises of two former journalists, a legal campaigner, an architect, a software engineer and a social worker -- all under 50 years age, the youngest cabinet that Delhi has had. Arvind Kejriwal, 45: Activist-turned-politician is Delhi's seventh and youngest chief minister. A graduate in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, Kejriwal left his government job as an Indian Revenue Service officer to become an activist. A Magsaysay award winner for his campaign for transparent government and people's right to information, Kejriwal shot into prominence after he joined Gandhian Anna Hazare's anti-corruption crusade. He formed the Aam Admi Party (AAP) a year back. He is from Siwani village in Haryana's Bhiwani district. He has kept the portfolios of home, finance, planning, power and vigilance with him. Manish Sisodia, 41: Former jo

Google is wishing its users happy holidays with this year's Christmas Eve doodle. Unlike most of Google's recent doodles, this one is not interactive, and has a plain image depicting two people riding a horse-driven sled in a barren winter landscape. The latest Google doodle features a message from the company when users roll their cursors over it, saying "Happy Holidays from Google!" The doodle first appeared early December 24th morning, or Christmas Eve, for regions near the international dateline, such as New Zealand. It is now visible in India as well, at the google.co.in page. On clicking the image, users are redirected to a Google search page, with results for the search term 'Happy Holidays' being shown. Unfortunately, the results page doesn't show too much cheer, with news results, followed by images and videos, and a relatively irrelevant Wikipedia entry for the song, "Happy Holiday", written by Irving Berlin in

‘Dhoom 3’ is one of the most anticipated sequels in the year 2013, and the reason is that for the first time Aamir Khan plays a negative lead. The director, Vijay Krishna Acharya makes it work in wonderful ways for the movie. It’s an Aamir fiesta all the way! Iqbal (Jackie Shroff), a magician and modern circus owner, has a huge debt from a popular American bank, Western Chicago Bank, in the 1990s. After his only dream – ‘The Great Indian Circus’- is broken, Iqbal commits suicide. Aamir Khan, who plays his son Sahir, decides to avenge his father’s death by making sure that the bank closes down due to repeated robberies. What leaves the police perplexed is how the robber manages to escape every single time pulling off fantastic bike stunts and appearing out of nowhere. The only clue he leaves is a note in Hindi on the walls of the bank he has looted. Then come, two cops (Jai and Ali) from India to solve this series of robberies in Chicago. To reveal any more would

आज म्हटल आयुष्य विणायला घेउया जमतंय का ते बघुया वाटलं अगदी सोप्पं असेल रंगसंगती जमून आली की आयुष्यही सुंदर दिसेल प्रश्न पडला धागे कोणकोणते घ्यायचे एक दोनच की सगळेच वापरायचे मग ठरवलं फक्त छान छानच धागे घेऊ एक काय दोन काय सगळेच एकमेकांत वीणू सुरुवात केली वात्सल्याच्या धाग्याने धागा होता फार उबदार आणि मुलायम म्हटलं छान आहे हा धागा धाग्याने ह्या विण राहील कायम मग घेतला मैत्रीचा धागा म्हणता म्हणता ब-याच भरल्या जागा थोड थोड आयुष्य आकार घेऊ लागलेलं पण अजुनही बरचसं विणायच बाकी राहिलेलं एक एक धागा आशेचा, सुखाचा आणि आनंदाचा घेतला प्रत्येक धाग्यात तो आपसुकच गुंफत गेला हळू हळू विण घट्ट होत होती तरीदेखील कसली तरी कमी मात्र होती मग घेतला एक नाजुक प्रेमाचा धागा धागा होता सुंदर आणि रेशमी धाग्याने त्या आयुष्याला अर्थ आला लागुनी एक एक घेतला धागा यशाचा, कीर्तीचा आणि अस्तित्वाचा आयुष्याला त्यामुळे एक नवा उद्देश्य मिळाला सगळेच धागे छान, सुंदर आणि प्रसन्न होते तरीदेखील त्यांच्यातल्या एकसारखीपणाने मन मात्र खिन्न होते थोडेे धागे पडले होते निवांत बसून असेच म्हटल बघुया

Security experts have uncovered a trove of some 2 million stolen passwords   to websites including Facebook, Google, Twitter and Yahoo from internet users across the globe. Researchers with Trustwave's SpiderLabs said they discovered the credentials while investigating a server in the Netherlands that cybercriminals use to control a massive network of compromised computers known as the "Pony botnet." The company said that it has reported its findings to the largest of more than 90,000 websites and internet service providers whose customers' credentials it had found on the server. The data includes more than 3,26,000 Facebook accounts, some 60,000 Google accounts, more than 59,000 Yahoo accounts and nearly 22,000 Twitter accounts, according to SpiderLabs. Victims' were from the United States, Germany, Singapore and Thailand, among other countries. Representatives for Facebook and Twitter said the companies have reset the passwords of aff

We're excited to share Prime Air — something the team has been working on in our next generation R&D lab. The goal of this new delivery system is to get packages into customers' hands in 30 minutes or less using unmanned aerial vehicles. Putting Prime Air into commercial use will take some number of years as we advance the technology and wait for the necessary FAA rules and regulations. Check out this footage from a recent test flight.  Is this science fiction or is this real? A: It looks like science fiction, but it's real. From a technology point of view, we'll be ready to enter commercial operations as soon as the necessary regulations are in place. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is actively working on rules for unmanned aerial vehicles. Q: When will I be able to choose Prime Air as a delivery option? A: We hope the FAA's rules will be in place as early as sometime in 2015. We will be ready at that time. Q: How are you going to ensu

For patients with diabetes, it is better to eat a single large meal than several smaller meals throughout the day, a new study has found. Researchers at Linkoping University in Sweden studied the effect on blood glucose, blood lipids and different hormones after meals were compared using three different macro nutrient compositions in patients with type 2 diabetes. The three diets were a low-fat diet, a low-carbohydrate diet and a Mediterranean diet. The scientists included 21 patients that tested all three diets in a randomised order. During each test day blood samples were collected at six time points. Getty images. Getty images. The low-fat diet had a nutrient composition that has traditionally been recommended in the Nordic countries, with about 55 per cent of the total energy from carbohydrates. The low-carbohydrate diet had a relatively low content of carbohydrate; approximately 20 per cent of the energy was from carbohydrates and about 50 per cent of the total e

Nepal joined Afghanistan and Ireland, becoming the third team to qualify for the World T20 2014 in Bangladesh with a last-ball win against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. It's the first time Nepal will be heading to a global event. Nepal entered the final over needing 13 to win and Sharad Vesawkar swung a six down the ground followed by an inside-edged four through fine leg. Vesawkar was back on strike to face the final delivery with scores level and pierced a packed ring through extra cover to send Nepal through to Bangladesh with a five-wicket win. Chasing 144, Nepal got off to a solid start, but Hong Kong kept chipping away every time it appeared Nepal was about to seize control. Tanwir Afzal bowled opener Subash Khakurel behind his legs for 16 and Sagar Pun made 22 off 19 before he was pinned on the crease by a full delivery by Haseeb Amjad. Gyanendra Malla and Paras Khadka came together and added 33 for the third wicket before Malla heaved Aizaz Khan to deep midwi

 A study published in the online December edition of the American Journal of Hematology says that there is a link between a history of airborne allergies, specifically those to grass, trees and other plants (sometimes called hay fever), and blood cancers. What is really odd about these findings is that, according to researchers,  the link was present only in women. In other words, the study did not find an increased risk of hematologic cancers in men who suffer from these types of allergies. This finding, researchers say, is an important step in revealing gender differences in immune function and how dysregulation of the immune system can lead to cancer. The study followed 66,000 men and women for approximately 8 years. Participants were aged 50-76 years and all lived in western Washington. Study participants were required to fill out an extensive 24 page questionnaire about their lifestyle and health history, specifically their history of any allergies or malignancies.

Anwar Ali celebrates the wicket of South Africa's David Miller. (AFP) Cape Town (AFP): Debutants Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali spurred Pakistan to victory after their team had been in deep trouble in the first one-day international against South Africa at Newlands on Sunday. The newcomers shared an eighth wicket stand of 74 to rescue Pakistan from a precarious 131 for seven, then shared five wickets as Pakistan won by 23 runs. Pakistan made 218 for nine in their 50 overs after winning the toss. Despite a half-century from returning veteran Jacques Kallis , South Africa were bowled out for 195. Bhatti (39) and Ali (43 not out) prospered after Pakistan's recognised batsmen struggled against a strong South African pace attack. Bhatti, 22, took three for 37 in South Africa's innings, while Ali, 25, claimed two for 24, including the crucial wicket of Kallis, bowled for 50. Bhatti and Ali shared the man of the match award and earned high praise from captain

Virat Kohali Virat Kohli and Vivian Richards played in vastly different eras. Back then, the bats were lighter, the boundaries bigger, bowling attacks menacing, protective equipment scant, and scoring runs much tougher. It was a mind-boggling feat then for Richards to average in the 50s in both formats of the game. But if there's anything that ties Sir Viv with Virat, it's the love of scoring big runs while dominating their opponents. We compared their careers at the point each crossed 5000 ODI runs. Richards did it back in 1987 when there were just four-odd years left in his career. Limited overs cricket hadn't yet proliferated and it took a full career to achieve those many runs. In fact, Richards was the first man to pass 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 ODI runs. His final tally of 6721 runs was a record later overtaken by team-mate Desmond Haynes. In Kohli's case, 5000 runs may constitute a fraction of what is turning out to be a great career.

The fight for the number one ODI batsmen between India's Virat Kohli and South Africa captain AB de Villiers could get exciting in the coming weeks with the upcoming fixtures offering them an opportunity to either retain or reclaim the top spot on the ICC Player Rankings. Only eight rating points separate the No.1 ranked Kohli from de Villiers. While India play the West Indies in a three-match series from November 21 in Kochi, South Africa play host to Pakistan in a three-match series from November 24. The series in India finishes on November 27 and the series in South Africa finishes three days later. This means both Kohli and de Villiers can potentially make the most of the home conditions in their quest. Kohli replaced Hashim Amla as the top batsman at the end of the series against Australia in November 2013, for the first-time in his career. De Villiers, on the other hand, has been a number one ranked batsman previously, with June 2013 being the

The Prime Minister’s Office today announced that the government has decided to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award on eminent scientist professor CNR Rao and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar. BCCI Sachin Tendulkar. BCCI “Prof CNR Rao is an eminent scientist and a well recognized international authority on solid state and materials chemistry. He has published over 1,400 research papers and 45 books. Prof Rao’s contributions have been recognized by most major scientific academies around the world through conferment of memberships and fellowships. He has been honoured with several national and international awards,” a realease from the PMO said. Nothing could have been more befitting as the Centre also decided to declare the Bharat Ratna for Tendulkar, hours after he called it a day from international cricket. “Shri Sachin Tendulkar is undoubtedly an outstanding cricketer – a living legend who has inspired millions across the globe. During the last 24 years, si

·   Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar: All my friends, (pause) settle down, let me talk. I would like to thank people who have played an important role in my life. For the first time, I'm carrying a list so that i don't forget them. The most important person in my life, I miss him, since 1999, my father. Without his guidance, I don't think I would be standing in front of you. He told me, "chase your dreams and don't find shortcuts." He told me to to be a very good human being. Whenever I've done something special, when I raised my bat, it was for my father. ·   Tendulkar continues: My mother, I don't know how she managed such a naughty child like me. She took care of me. She started praying for me before I started playing cricket. Her prayers are blessings and a big thank you for all her sacrifices. ·   "I can't forget my uncle and aunt who I stayed with during my school day. My aunt fed me when I was tired after playing so that I could be st

Sachin Tendulkar can unquestionably be called the 'face of modern cricket'. He follows Sir Donald Bradman and Sir Vivian Richards as his generation's most successful batsman. The only close competitors Tendulkar has faced are Brian Lara and, in more recent times, Ricky Ponting. Statistically, while Bradman scaled unreachable heights, Tendulkar, by his sheer consistency and longevity, marked his area with expansive width that shall, like the Australian great, probably never be conquered. By the turn of the century, watching Tendulkar as India's lone warrior staging single-handed fights while carrying the hopes of a billion hearts was cricket's grandest spectacle. Too often his achievements would be let down by lack of support from teammates. Yet, his ability to continue to live to fight another day, shoulder blame unfairly and always delve into positives transcends Tendulkar beyond a cricketing icon to a role model and a prized treasure for the often-

Sachin Tendulkar might have tormented bowlers the world over but the only bowler who managed to unsettle the Indian batting icon to an extent that he “didn’t know what to do with him” was the late Hansie Cronje. The ex-South African captain, who died in a plane crash after being banned for match-fixing, was the one man Tendulkar found hard to deal with, and bowling technique had nothing to do with it. “Honestly. I got out to Hansie more than anyone. When we played South Africa, he always got me out more than Allan Donald or Shaun Pollock. It wasn’t that I couldn’t pick him — it’s just that the ball seemed to go straight to a fielder,” Tendulkar told a British daily. Cronje snapped Tendulkar’s wicket five times in Tests, just two less than spin wizard Muttiah Muralidharan. Tendulkar said facing Cronje was always a tricky proposition for him. “I was going great guns in Durban one year and played some big shots against Donald and Pollock. Hansie came on an