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Showing posts from February, 2014

Boeing's self-destructing, tamper-resistant spookphone: the Black (source:boing boing)

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Boeing has sought regulatory approval from the FCC for a tamper-resistant phone intended to self-destruct if its case is opened. The phone, called "Black," runs Android, and is intended for use under the DoD Mobile Classified Capabilities guidelines. It will be sold with a nondisclosure agreement prohibiting tampering or service, and opening the case will trigger a system intended to wipe the phone's data. Interestingly, it has a removable battery (something that's become increasingly scarce in smartphones). Best operational security practice holds that you should remove your phone's battery when you want to be sure that it's off, because any malware that turned your phone into a bug could also cause it to simulate being switched off while it remained running. It's an intriguing technical problem. I'm intuitively skeptical of the security model. I can believe that this phone will be tamper- evident , but I don't know if it will

Asia Cup: India Vs Pakistan most awaited battle for fans

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Sparks are ready to fly again, the adrenaline set to drool over and broadcasters assured of TRPs going through the roof when cricket's biggest traditional rivals India and Pakistan cross their respective borders to meet on a neutral Asia Cup battlefield in Bangladesh. The most sought-after cricket contest has been victimised by political disputes ever since Cyril Radcliffe penciled the line that brought the undivided India to an end and Pakistan to life. Ironically, however, it's the 'intermittent' nature of Indo-Pak contests that keeps the fans gunning for more - though the game would have loved to see that being governed by sporting agreements than political disagreements. India and Pakistan fans come to the ground decked up to enjoy cricket's greatest rivalry. (AFP Photo) Had the Indo-Pak tours been governed by ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP), the intensity around these encounters would have fallen prey to the burnout that '

What Highway (Latest Movie) tought us

- You can actually fall in love with your kidnapper despite being thrashed, pushed around and threatened to be sold in a brothel - Despite being thrashed, a girl would live up to the 'manners' because this is what she has been taught since childhood - While in captivity, you can act all cute and coy, demand for open air treatment and get it too, despite being surrounded by hardened criminals - When outside, you can become 'that typical Imtiaz Ali heroine' who speaks gibberish to her own self (remember Deepika Padukone's post marriage 'ye galat hai' act in Love Aaj Kal ?) - You may get a golden chance to get away from the clutches of your kidnapper but would instead hide when police comes checking. Later, you wonder as 'that typical Imtiaz Ali heroine' around your confusion - When on road, you can stop over on the highway, pick up a pirated English songs MP3 and start jiving to the songs in the middle of the road. Oh yes, you do it

Shinde's U-turn over threat to 'crush' electronic media , says he meant social media (Source : Z News)

New Delhi/Sholapur: In a bid to water down the controversy over his statement on Sunday, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Tuesday said he did not mean "journalism" but “social media”. On Sunday, Shinde was heard threatening to "crush" the electronic media, alleging a section of it was unnecessarily provoking the Congress party by indulging in "false propaganda" against it. This morning, however, Shinde alleged, "I spoke about social media spreading hatred, not journalism." The outburst by Shinde, a Congress leader who hails from Maharashtra's Sholapur district, came at a Youth Congress event here on Sunday evening. Shinde, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Sholapur, alleged that since the last four months a section of the electronic media is "manipulating" news about him and his party and warned it would be "crushed" if this kind of reportage is not stopped immediate

Google offered $10bn to buy WhatsApp (Source:TOI)

Search giant Google had reportedly made an offer of 10 billion dollars to acquire WhatsApp that has now fallen into Facebook's kitty. Before WhatsApp agreed for Facebook's 19 billion dollar deal, rumours suggest that Google also tried its luck at acquiring the popular messaging service with over 450 million monthly users. A report by Fortune cites two separate sources to confirm that Google offered to purchase WhatsApp, though it's unclear exactly when the search giant attempted to arrange a deal. The report stated that the bid came without a promise of a Google board seat, unlike Facebook's agreement. Another report by The Information cites three unnamed sources to inform that Google was even willing to top Facebook's $19 billion offer. Google CEO Larry Page also assured WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum that Google will allow the messaging startup to operate independently and compete with Facebook. However, WhatsApp founders rebuffed the offer as th

Under-fire Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was out of the upcoming Asia Cup cricket tournament due to a side-strain injury

Under-fire Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Thursday ruled out of the  upcoming Asia Cup cricket tournament due to a side-strain injury that he suffered during  the second Test in New Zealand, paving the way for Virat Kohli to lead the side. "MS Dhoni has been ruled out of the forthcoming Asia Cup, to be played in Bangladesh, in  February-March 2014. He sustained a Grade I left side-strain injury during the course of  the second Test against New Zealand. He will be undergoing rehabilitation for ten days,"  BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement. Tamil Nadu's wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Kartik has been picked as Dhoni's  replacement. "The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked Dinesh Kartik as his replacement in  the Indian squad for the tournament. Virat Kohli will lead India in the competition," the  statement said. Kohli has been India's standout batsman in recent years, stam

Injury keeps Dhoni out of Asia Cup, Virat Kohli to lead - See More (Hindustan Times)

Under-fire Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Thursday ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup cricket tournament due to a side-strain injury that he suffered during the second Test in New Zealand, paving the way for Virat Kohli to lead the side. "MS Dhoni has been ruled out of the forthcoming Asia Cup, to be played in Bangladesh, in February-March 2014. He sustained a Grade I left side-strain injury during the course of the second Test against New Zealand. He will be undergoing rehabilitation for ten days," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement. Tamil Nadu's wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Kartik has been picked as Dhoni's replacement. "The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked Dinesh Kartik as his replacement in the Indian squad for the tournament. Virat Kohli will lead India in the competition," the statement said. Kohli has been India's standout batsman in recent years, stamping his mark in almost every overs

Now, super-charged broccoli with enhanced anti-cancer benefits

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Researchers have found a way to produce broccoli that has more anti-cancer benefits and won’t spoil quickly in refrigerator. Jack Juvik, a University of Illinois crop sciences researcher, explained that the combined application of two compounds, both are natural products extracted from plants, increased the presence of cancer-fighting agents in broccoli while prolonging the post-harvest storage period. The researchers used methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a non-toxic plant-signal compound (produced naturally in plants) to increase the broccoli’s anti-cancer potential, which they sprayed on the broccoli about four days before harvest. When applied, MeJA initiates a process of gene activity affiliated with the biosynthesis of glucosinolates (GS), which are compounds found in the tissue of broccoli and other brassica vegetables (such as cauliflower, cabbage, and kale). However, during this process, MeJA also

Biography of Arvind Kejriwal

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The popular socialist Arvind Kejrival was born in Hiasr which is located in the state of Haryana and on June 16, 1968. He is also good in studies and this is the reason, he received an opportunity to work with Tata Steel Company after completing his graduation from IIT Kharagpur. He worked in that organization till 1992.  He resigned fro his position in that company and switched to Civil Services examination and he cracked it to join as the Joint Commissioner in Indian Revenues services. He started working in Income Tax department of New Delhi division. While, he was working in that department, in 2000, he resigned from their as well and started a NGO in Delhi itself, Parivartan. In the year of 2006, he ultimately taken resignation fro his job and started working for social causes. The foundation of Parivartan had taken place in the Delhi itself and it was maintained by the volunteers of Kejriwal itself. It was established so that it may make the country corruption fre

श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी एक महान स्वप्नद्रष्टा हैं

श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी एक महान स्वप्नद्रष्टा हैं, जिनके पास अपने सपनों को वास्तविकता में बदलने की उत्कृष्ट क्षमता है। उनका सर्वोच्च सपना गुजरात का उत्थान और कायापालट और अंततः अपनी मातृभूमि को एक विकसित और शक्तिशाली राष्ट्र के रूप में उभारना है। भारत के लिए उनका सपना बहुत व्यापक है – जैसे कि आवश्यक रूप से कृषि अनुसंधान को बढ़ावा देना, पर्यावरण की सुरक्षा, उद्योगों की जीवन रेखा के समान बुनियादी सुविधाएँ और वैश्विक निवेश। संक्षेप में कहें तो, एक ऐसे नए और प्रसन्न समाज का उदय, जो जीवन के अनंत उत्सव को मना रहा हो! श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी सख्ती से काम लेने वाले और कड़े अनुशासक के रूप में माने जाते हैं लेकिन साथ ही, वे शक्ति और दया के एक अवतार हैं। ये एक ऐसे व्यक्ति हैं जिन्हें समाज को घिरे अंधेरे, उदासी और गरीबी से बाहर निकालने तथा संपूर्ण मानव विकास और प्रगति के माध्यम के रूप में शिक्षा पर बहुत विश्वास है। वह शिक्षा के प्रसार पर जोर देते हैं, खासकर लड़कियों की शिक्षा, जिसकी अब तक काफी हद तक उपेक्षा की गई है। शिक्षा के लिए श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी का प्रेम शिक्षकों के प्रति उनके सम्मान और

11 reasons why New Zealand is better performance (source:Times of India)

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The great escape by New Zealand in the second Test against India in Wellington highlighted how much their cricket has improved this summer. Here are 11 reasons why a new era has dawned. Brendon McCullum's leadership Even before becoming New Zealand's first triple-century-maker, the skipper had gelled the operation; a scenario scarcely imaginable a year ago when cricket in New Zealand threatened to implode following the Ross Taylor captaincy demotion. McCullum deserves credit for balancing the needs of senior players, in particular Taylor, while convincing younger players they belong at international level. The 32-year-old is generally composed and communicates clearly, something the team has responded to well under pressure, like in the first-Test win at Eden Park. Then came McCullum's 302, something no New Zealander had achieved in 84 years of Tests. It wasn't so much the figure as the circumstances of its execution. His tenacity left an indelible mark on the co

Baby hearts need rhythm to develop correctly

Study has suggested that baby hearts need rhythm to develop correctly, even before they have blood to pump. "We have discovered that mechanical forces are important when making baby hearts," Mary Kathryn Sewell-Loftin, a Vanderbilt graduate student working with a team of Vanderbilt engineers, scientists and clinicians attempting to grow replacement heart valves from a patient's own cells, said. The team reported that they have taken an important step toward this goal by determining that the mechanical forces generated by the rhythmic expansion and contraction of cardiac muscle cells play an active role in the initial stage of heart valve formation. A heart valve consists of two or three flaps, called leaflets, which open and close to control the flow of blood through the heart. It is designed well enough to cycle two to three billion times in a person's lifetime. The researchers wanted to study how heart valves develop naturally so they can figure out how to duplicat

Facebook is buying mobile messaging service WhatsApp

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Facebook is buying mobile messaging service WhatsApp for $19 billion in cash and stock, by far the company's largest acquisition and bigger than any that Google, Microsoft or Apple have ever done. The world's biggest social networking company said Wednesday that it is paying $12 billion in Facebook stock and $4 billion in cash for WhatsApp. In addition, the app's founders and employees — 55 in all — will be granted restricted stock worth $3 billion that will vest over four years after the deal closes. In a filing to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Facebook announced the acquisition. "The acquisition supports Facebook and WhatsApp's shared mission to bring more connectivity and utility to the world by delivering core internet services efficiently and affordably. The combination will help accelerate growth and user engagement across both companies," the filing stated. "WhatsApp is on a path to connect 1 billion people. The service

5 Foods to control your blood sugar levels (Reduce diabetes risk)

Here's what to eat if you want to control your blood sugar levels.   dibetics Dates:   This brown and sticky fruit not only has a sweet taste but is rich in fiber, making it a diabetes-friendly snack. According to a study, they are richer in antioxidants as compared to a serving of grapes, oranges, broccoli and peppers. Have raw dates or stuff them with walnuts.   Milk:   One of the best sources of calcium and Vitamin D,   milk   is blood sugar-friendly. You can also opt for other dairy products like cottage cheese and low-fat yogurt to quell   diabetes . Use milk in your cereal for breakfast or have cottage cheese as a snack.   Flaxseeds:   A good source of fiber and alpha-linolenic acid, which your body converts to omega-3, flaxseed is known to lower blood sugar and cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and other cardiovascular issues. Have them with oatmeal for breakfast or paneer.   Sage:   This herb boosts insulin secretion and activity, which

Good looking, slim men also have less nasal bacteria than their heavier brethren!

Having a charming   boyfriend   does not only mean you have won the world. Good looking, slim men also have less nasal bacteria than their heavier brethren!   New research reveals a link between   Body Mass Index   (BMI) and the amount of bacteria colonising noses.   The results show that heavier men harbour more potentially pathogenic species of bacteria in their nose, compared with slimmer, more traditionally handsome men .   "According to an evolutionary point of view, traits related to attractiveness are supposed to be honest signals of biological quality," said Boguslaw Pawlowski from University of Wroclaw's faculty of biological sciences, Poland.   "We analysed whether nasal and throat colonisation with potentially pathogenic bacteria is related to body height and   BMI   in both sexes," he added.   103 healthy females and 90 healthy males participated in the study.   Heights and weights were self-reported, while waist and hip circumferences were measured

Extra weight may add to elderly fall risk

Read More:WHTC NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For Australians over age 65 included in a new study, being obese raised the risk of experiencing a fall by 31 percent. "Falls are one of the most common causes of injury for older individuals and as the world population ages, the number of fall-related injuries are projected to increase rapidly," said lead author Rebecca Mitchell. "Likewise, rates of overweight and obesity among older individuals are also increasing," added Mitchell, a researcher with Neuroscience Research Australia at the University of New South Wales. Mitchell and her colleagues wanted to determine whether overweight and obesity added to the risk of falling among older adults, as well as the risk of being injured in a fall. The researchers used information from the New South Wales Prevention Baseline Survey, a large Australian population study started in 2009. A total of 5,681 people 65 years of age and older were asked about their history of

Samsung introduce new operating system Tizen (much like Android, is a flexible, open source operating system )

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Sorry, Android, but you just got some more competition in wearables. A new version of Samsung's Gear smartwatch will run the company's Tizen software instead of Google's Android operating system, people familiar with the matter said. Samsung will unveil the device at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week, the people said. Samsung also has been working on a Tizen-based smartphone to introduce at the show, as well as other Tizen devices for the first half of the year, people familiar with the products said. However, Samsung's plans still could change, and the Galaxy S5 will be the star of the show at Samsung's Unpacked event on Monday. The company also is developing other wearables, such as fitness bands, that it may show at Mobile World Congress or in the coming months, sources said. In response to an inquiry about Tizen on its new smartwatch, Samsung said it doesn't comment on rumors or speculation.    According to sources of  USA

Pakistan warns Iran not to send in troops after guards kidnapped (source:Reuters)

(Reuters) - Pakistan warned Iran on Tuesday not to send troops across the two countries' shared border to retrieve five kidnapped Iranian border guards, an incident that threatens to exacerbate regional and sectarian tensions. On Monday, Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli was quoted as saying Iran might consider sending its forces onto Pakistani soil if Pakistan did not take the steps necessary to fight against militants. "Iranian forces have no authority to cross our borders in violation of the international law. We must respect each other's borders," the Pakistani government statement said. Predominantly Shi'ite Iran says militants seized the guards about 5 km (3 miles) inside Iran on February 6 in the province of Sistan-Baluchistan and took them into Pakistan. A Sunni insurgent Iranian group calling itself Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, according to a Twitter account purporting to