All to play for at Old Trafford

MADRID (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo showed he was equal to the biggest of occasions with a superb header for Real Madrid against former club Manchester United as their Champions League last-16 first-leg showdown ended 1-1 on Wednesday.

Watched by millions around the world, the hotly-anticipated clash at the Bernabeu was Portuguese Ronaldo's first game against the club where he made his name before joining Real for a world-record fee in 2009.

It also renewed the rivalry between Real coach Jose Mourinho and his United counterpart Alex Ferguson as the La Liga champions seek the 10th European title that has eluded them since 2002 and the Premier League leaders chase a fourth triumph in Europe's elite club competition.

United withstood an early Real onslaught and drew first blood against the run of play in the 20th minute when Danny Welbeck nodded past Diego Lopez from a Wayne Rooney corner.

Ronaldo levelled 10 minutes later when he towered above Patrice Evra to send an Angel Di Maria centre arrowing into the corner.
The result gave United a slight advantage for the return leg in Manchester on March 5, although both sides will regret squandering chances in the second half that could have eased their passage to the last eight.
Mourinho said he was confident his side could score more than one goal at Old Trafford next month.
"It's true they had two big chances in the second half but it was out of context because we were chasing the game and they were defending and waiting," the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager told a news conference.
"Basically, what I thought, everything's open, very open for the second leg. I think this will go to the last minute."
FRAGILE TEENAGER
Ronaldo, top scorer in this season's Champions League with seven goals in seven appearances, barely celebrated his goal and spoke of the debt he owes United, where he was transformed from an inexperienced and fragile teenager into one of the world's most formidable forwards.
"It's a place where I played for six years and I have a lot of affection for the club as everyone knows," Ronaldo told Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus.
"United are very strong in defence and they created some problems for us. But with the chances we had, we could have scored more goals," the 28-year-old added.
"Everything's open for the game at Old Trafford and I think we have the ability to score goals there and get through."
The two clubs were paired in Europe for the first time in almost a decade and as well as 2008 world player of the year Ronaldo the match showcased some of the game's top performers like United forwards Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney and Real playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Real attacked the visitors' goal from the start, United goalkeeper David De Gea tipping a Fabio Coentrao effort on to a post in the sixth minute as a ragged United struggled to retain possession.
They had yet to have an attempt on goal when Welbeck spun away from Sergio Ramos and nodded inside the post for only his second goal in 28 matches.
Ronaldo, given a rousing ovation from both sets of fans before kickoff, went close following up on his own free kick before his equaliser sent the home fans into raptures.
The Real faithful are hungry for Champions League success as the team's bid for a second straight La Liga title has floundered and they are stuck down in third 16 points behind leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona.
Real were far more threatening going forward but nearly conceded a second in the 34th minute when Welbeck came close to poking a Van Persie centre past Diego Lopez.
BACK FOOT
United started the second half brightly but were soon on the back foot again as Real surged forward in search of a second.
De Gea, who joined United from Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid, again denied Coentrao on the hour when he flung himself to hook the fullback's goal-bound shot away with his right boot.
Although they were seeing little of the ball, United managed to create a number of dangerous openings.
Lopez tipped a searing Van Persie drive on to the bar in the 72nd minute moments before the Netherlands striker squandered a golden chance for United's second.
He controlled the ball in the area but miscued his volley and Xabi Alonso raced back to clear with Lopez stranded.
In the frenetic dying minutes, the United defence scrambled the ball away from Ronaldo close to goal and Lopez palmed a Van Persie drive around the post.
"The disappointing thing for me was in the first half we sat back off them and they had a lot of play around the edge of our box and that's unlike us," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"We changed it in the second half and put Danny Welbeck on top of Xabi Alonso and it made a big difference in terms of the ebb of the game and made us better in the second half," he added.
"We didn't have the possession we would have liked but I've got to be pleased. The players have dug in and we go back to Old Trafford with a great chance."

Bhajji's academy proposal draws ire

A day after off- spinner Harbhajan Singh met officials of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC) to submit his proposal regarding a cricket academy that he wants to open at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai, a political war seems to have broken out in the city.

The BJP and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have come out in strong opposition to the idea of the Shiv Sena- run BMC giving land to the cricketer in the city.

They argue that it would be unfair to many Mumbai cricketers who have been denied land for cricket academies previously.

On Monday, Harbhajan met BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte to discuss the possibility of a cricket academy at the existing Shahaji Raje Sports Complex in Andheri, where he intends to train students from BMC municipal schools free of cost.

The BMC has said that it would make a decision after the cricketer submits a formal proposal containing all the details. However, political parties have already made clear their displeasure.

A BJP leader in the city said: “There is no dearth of cricketers who have played for the Indian team from Mumbai. We have nothing against Harbhajan Singh, but we feel that there are many local cricket heroes who have also wished to start cricket academies but have not been granted land. Mumbai city is totally choked and there is no place for another cricket academy.

Harbhajan should start one in his hometown and let the land in Mumbai remain for Mumbai cricketers who have been wishing to start their academies.” Harbhajan said he submitted a proposal to Kunte and would be happy to get land anywhere in the city.

Guide to aphrodisiacs

Giving aphrodisiacs a try

Most people will be aware of or even have tried some form of aphrodisiac in an attempt to improve their sex life — and no, we’re not talking about Viagra here, which only affects your sexual ability rather than desire. There are lots of products — both natural and artificial — that supposedly enhance sexual desire; however, if you wish to give aphrodisiacs a try, then our advice is to use one of the natural aphrodisiacs which can often be found around the house, rather than forking out on products which may cost you a packet and fail to deliver.

Some common aphrodisiacs

Common aphrodisiacs include peaches, bananas, pine nuts, mussels, eels, horseradish, asparagus, cucumbers, and onions — although we’re not too sure your partner would be in the mood for much loving after a raw onion or two! For a little self-indulgence you could also throw into this list truffles, caviar, strawberries, oysters and chocolate — but not necessarily all at the same time! Some people choose to quite literally spice things up with a little chili, curry, or any other form of sweat-inducing spice, since they produce results much like sex would, including increasing your heart rate and causing us to perspire. Other potential aphrodisiacs include ginseng — which literally means ‘man root’ — and scents such as vanilla, patchouli or musk, which are believed to awaken and provoke sexual energy.

Why did people use aphrodisiacs originally?

Aphrodisiacs have been used for many centuries and there is much debate about their effectiveness. Yet if it was all nonsense, why do people still turn to them to give them an increase in sexual desire?
Some aphrodisiacs were chosen in the first place due to their shape and resemblance to male or female genitalia. For example, rhino horn has widely thought to have been a useful aphrodisiac and in some quarters this is where the word ‘horny’ is thought to have come from! The Chinese have also traditionally used other animal-based aphrodisiacs, which gained their reputation from the apparent virility or aggressiveness of the animal source — such as tiger penis or even turtle eggs. However, many of us would be so appalled at the thought of an endangered species such as a tiger or rhino being threatened just to enhance out sexual pleasure, that it would hardly put us in the mood for love.

The evidence that aphrodisiacs work

Aphrodisiacs are based more on cultural myths than any fact, but people still continue to experiment with them to pep up their sex lives. However, there is no scientific evidence which proves that aphrodisiacs can directly stimulate sexual desire.
On the other hand, the power of suggestion can work wonders — so, if you believe something is an aphrodisiac, then it may well have the desired effect. And of course, the brain can certainly be stimulated by food, scents and drinks to such a degree that it puts the body in a state where it is more ready or prepared for sexual activity — even though they won’t necessarily create desire.

One of the most commonly-held views is that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. There is some debate as to whether a chemical called phenylethylamine present in chocolate is an aphrodisiac, but this compound is thought to be quickly degraded by enzymes so that significant concentrations do not reach the brain. Also, other substances such as alcohol only really help in that they reduce inhibition.

So, do aphrodisiacs work?

Strictly speaking, no. None of the substances that are considered to be aphrodisiacs work the way they are said to, and they don’t directly affect your sexual organs or sexual desires to make you more aroused or desiring. However, the power of suggestion can be a powerful thing, and so using ‘aphrodisiac’ food, drinks or scents as part of your seduction technique can spice up things up in your relationship.
Some substances obviously have an immediate effect on our moods. For example, a small amount of alcohol relaxes you emotionally and physically and increases your confidence, as well as opening small blood vessels, making you feel flushed and warm. Caffeine and sugar will give you a quick boost, too, making you feel energetic and ready for action.
On the whole, however, what you eat and drink long-term will have a greater effect on your general health and well-being — and thereby possibly help to increase your sexual desire. However, you might want to draw the line at suggestions in the Kama Sutra which state that a ram’s or goat’s testicle boiled in sweetened milk could be the way to stimulate your sexual desire! Instead, sticking to a healthy diet should do the trick ...

SEBI orders freezing of two Sahara firms' assets

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REUTERS - The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) ordered a freeze on the assets and bank accounts of two Sahara Group companies, saying they failed to heed a Supreme Court order to repay billions of dollars collected from investors in outlawed bonds.

The orders posted late on Wednesday by the SEBI escalated a battle between the regulator and unlisted Sahara, one of India's biggest business groups and a household name in the country through its sponsorship of the national cricket team.
SEBI also ordered a freeze on all bank accounts and properties in the name of the Sahara Group founder, Subrata Roy, and three other directors of the two firms, according to two separate orders posted on the regulator's website.
Sahara said in a statement that its total liability was unlikely to exceed the 51.2 billion rupees it had deposited with the regulator.
It also said it had appealed the Supreme Court's December order to deposit additional money with the regulator and that a hearing is likely next week.
Sahara owns the Grosvenor House hotel in London, and last year struck a deal to buy the Plaza Hotel in New York.
The group was ordered in August to repay sums raised by what the court called "dubious" means from nearly 30 million small investors, with 15 percent interest a year.
The two Sahara firms raised a total of 257.8 billion rupees in the outlawed bonds as of April 2011, according to Sahara court affidavits cited by SEBI.
In December the court ordered Sahara to pay an initial deposit of 51.2 billion rupees with SEBI, pay another 100 billion rupees in the first week of January and the remainder in the first week of February.
The companies have said that only 26.2 billion rupees remains to be refunded as they have repaid the remainder, SEBI said, an assertion the regulator disputes.
Sahara said in its statement that the SEBI order did not take into account redemptions it has made since January 2012.
Sahara India Real Estate order: http://link.reuters.com/sex85t
Sahara Housing order: http://link.reuters.com/rex85t
The SEBI statement said its order would be implemented with immediate effect and that India's central bank and the finance ministry's Enforcement Directorate would be informed about the development.
The two Sahara group companies were asked to give details of any investment other than those mentioned in the order within 21 days, according to the order on the regulator's website.

Fall in love with Khajuraho’s legends

It is not just the erotic sculptures that lend sensuality to magical Khajuraho. Interwoven within their amorous expressions are countless legends and stories

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I, for one, love legends and I instantly fell for this one. There is always something romantic about the moon and it is little wonder that the descendants of the celestial Moon God would build monuments that stand for love.

I am in Khajuraho, lost in the passions of the erotic art that graces the walls of the temples. A beautiful woman, Hemavathy, was bathing in the dark under moonlight when she unwittingly attracted the Moon God himself. Seduced, she ran into the forests for refuge and raised her son, Chandravarman, alone. The moon, however, promised her that their son would one day rule over a kingdom. True to his word, Chandravarman grew up to establish the Chandela dynasty. It is believed that he was influenced by his mother’s story and so he built temples with sculptures depicting human passions and, probably, their futility.

It is not just erotic art that lends sensuality to Khajuraho. Besides, they constitute barely a tenth of the lot of sculptures adorning the temple walls. Walking around Khajuraho, I feel as if I am entering a medieval world of apsaras and deities, mortals and devils.

Located on the banks of a tributary of the Ken river, these medieval monuments are today part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between the 10th and 12th centuries by the Chandela Rajputs, these temples hidden amidst the forests were not fully explored until the 19th century. 

The Western Group of temples is the largest. There are then the Eastern and Southern groups and a few Jain monuments as well. There were once more than 85 temples here. Today, about 22 remain. One wonders why this town, named after the khajur or date-palm, would be chosen by the Chandelas as their cultural capital.

The Kandariya Mahadeva temple towers above the rest in the Western Group with almost 900 sculptures jostling for space on its interior and exterior walls. Representing Mount Kailash, the temple gives the illusion of a mountain range. The main tower, almost 30 metres tall, is surrounded by several miniature towers resembling smaller peaks. There are sculptures depicting gods and goddesses, animals and birds, artists and soldiers, and you cannot miss some of the most passionate erotic carvings here. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple is believed to have built by King Vidhyadhara after a successful military campaign.

The Lakshmana temple dedicated to Vishnu, built by Yashovarman, is one of my personal favourites. The Vaikunta image of Vishnu is portrayed as a composite of three faces – those of a lion, boar and a man. Sculptures fill the walls and you can lose yourself in the everyday life of the medieval Chandelas. Facing this temple is a Lakshmi temple that once housed a Garuda and next to it is an intricately carved monolith of Varaha, the third incarnation of Vishnu, built of sandstone. More monuments surround the complex. Along the same platform of the Kandariya Mahadeva temple is a Mahadev temple, another shrine dedicated to Jagadhambi, a Chitragupt temple for the sun god Surya, a shrine for Parvati, and the massive Vishwanath temple.

I head to the oldest temple in this town – the Chausath Yogini Temple -- built in 900 AD. In an open sanctuary located on a mount are 67 cells silhouetted against the setting sun. The shrines, made of granite are however empty. None of the 64 Yogini along with Goddess Durga are around , but I can feel a mystical aura around the mount. My guide believes that the essence of Khajuraho lies in the tantric cult and the erotic sculptures are a manifestation of the same. The local people, however, say that the underlying thought is to leave your lust behind before entering the temple, which is probably why these sculptures do not show the gods and goddesses in intimate moments.

It is in the soft crimson light of the setting sun that I grasp the true meaning of sensuality. Lost in a world of caresses with passions running high are millions of exquisite sculptures carved on the walls. They may be cast in stone but their emotions bring them alive. Love alternates with lust as these amorous men and women are etched in a montage of erotic art. And even in those private moments made public, they seem to have eyes only for their beloveds.

 

What happens when love and food collide?

From sharing our grandmothers recipes to competitive cook-offs, food and love have always gone hand-in-hand

Many a memory or a particular moment can invariably be traced back to food.  Food and love have always gone hand-in-hand – right from sharing our grandmothers recipes to competitive cook-offs, cooking is one of those activities that brings people together, and binds us across all ages, shapes, sizes and cultures.  One of the universal ingredients in the culinary world, and any chef would attest to, is that when it comes to cooking, the key ingredient is love.  Even restaurants, hotels and spas have tapped into this, and have created special deals and theme-centric menus.  That’s not all, our big screens, too, have featured food either as its protagonist or served as a catalyst for romance.

Sometimes even the best laid plans tend to veer off course, while others have been pulled off successfully. Here are a couple of instances.

When food played cupid, and sometimes won, and on other occasions lost:
You know, he/she is the real deal when they go out of their way to make you feel special and loved, especially when you’re ill or in a tight spot. Take the case of Dilip and Rose. They had barely begun dating, when she was struck with a nasty viral bout when Dilip stepped up, and took a couple of days off work just to be with her.  That was when she knew he was a keeper. Two years later, they wed.

But, in the case of Tarun, his thoughtful idea of whipping up a quick homemade lunch for his girlfriend, didn’t pan out exactly. His girlfriend even commended him for this tasty treat. It was not until he helped himself to dinner later that evening that he realized how undercooked the spaghetti was, and that she had lied to spare his feelings.

Dating Food Deal Breakers
We all know how stressful first dates can be.  From making the first impression to hoping for something long-term, dates can sometimes turn disastrous. Leela shares her first date woe. “My date said he wasn’t hungry, so I ordered a plate of French fries. The next thing I know is that he’s polished it off, and was drunk. We left, only to be apprehended by the local cop for drunken driving. What’s worse is that he didn’t have enough money on him to pay his fine, and I had to. Suffice to say, there was no second date and yes, my money wasn’t returned.”

Or take the case of Simi, a carnivore who refuses to entertain the thought of dating a vegetarian, simply because she’d be unable to share food; something she considers sacrosanct in the dating world.  

Aphrodisiacs Gone Wild
In a bid to go all-out on Valentine’s Day, Rajeev, who prided himself as a food connoisseur had carefully planned out a special aphrodisiac-themed menu that included oysters, wine, chocolate, and essentially the works.  Things were going along swimmingly, when his date started slurring.  That should have been the first red flag, but he pegged it down to her love for wine, whilst she attributed her slurring to her last eaten meal - breakfast. Not wanting to waste time, he quickly shucked the oysters. No sooner had she had slid a few down her gullet, that a mysterious red dot appeared, and then another. Soon her spotless skin quickly resembled a mosaic floor unbeknownst to her.  It was not until the midst of their candlelit dinner that her left eyelid drooped dangerously that she complained, and he sat up and took stock.  The rest of the night was spent in the emergency room. These days, Rajeev says it with flowers and a bottle of water.

Reel-good food
Even our films celebrate this food culture, and play a dominant role in cinema.  Charming and rustic in the city of love – Paris, Ratatouille effortlessly delivered two everyday yet prominent themes: French food and love.  Similarly, Julie & Julia, showcased Julie’s love for food, and in this wonderful culinary process, rediscovered herself. In Eat, Pray and Love, Julia Roberts, took the audience on a ride with her culinary journey in Italy. Other heart-warming culinary moments captured on the big screen include Mystic Pizza and Chocolat  among others.

As Virginia Woolf once said, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

 

The great Indian helicopter scam

The Indian defence ministry ordered a CBI probe into the $748 million deal for 12 VVIP AugustaWestland helicopters following arrest of its Italian manufacturer Finmeccanica's chief on graft charges in the contract.

 

Italian police arrested the head of defence group Finmeccanica SpA on 12 February 2013 on a warrant alleging that he paid bribes to win an Indian contract, adding to a wave of corporate scandals shaking Italy before a general election.

Prosecutors accused Chief Executive and Chairman Giuseppe Orsi in the arrest warrant of paying bribes to intermediaries to secure the sale of 12 helicopters in a 560 million euro deal when he was head of the group's AgustaWestland unit.

What is the $750 million VVIP chopper deal scam all about?
The Indian defence ministry ordered a CBI probe into the $748 million (Rs 4,040 crore by today’s exchange rate) deal for 12 VVIP AugustaWestland helicopters following arrest of its Italian manufacturer Finmeccanica's chief on graft charges in the contract.

This is not the first time that the allegations have surfaced and ironically enough, three of the helicopters have already been delivered to the Indian Air Force, the first of them in December 2010.

Some 30 per cent of the contracted amount has already been paid and the remaining would have to paid as and when the remaining nine machines are delivered, as of now, no wrongdoing has been proved.

In fact, a scale model of the helicopter had formed part of the IAF tableaux during this year's Republic Day parade.

What are the moneys invovled?
The VVIP chopper deal was for $748 million (Rs 4,040 crore) and Italian prosecutors say that the company – Anglo-Italian firm AugustaWestland – paid kickbacks to the tune of Euro 51 million (Rs 370 crore).

What is the scam all about?
Finmeccanica Chief Executive and Chairman Giuseppe Orsi was arrested over bribes allegedly paid to secure the sale of 12 helicopters to India, when he was head of the group's AgustaWestland unit, a judicial source with direct knowledge of the situation told Reuters.

Police were searching Orsi's home and the offices of AgustaWestland close to Milan, a source close to Orsi's lawyer said. The Milan offices of state-owned Finmeccanica, Italy's second-biggest corporate employer after Fiat Spa, were also searched, the judicial source said.

An Indian defence ministry source said kickbacks worth Rs 40 million allegedly paid to Indian officials to grease contracts for Finmeccanica were being probed and that Delhi was considering the deferral of the Finmeccanica helicopter deal, worth 560 million euros.

Highlighting the political sensitivity of the Finmeccanica case ahead of national elections on February 24 and 25, Prime Minister Mario Monti said the Italian government would deal with management issues at the company.

"There is a problem with the governance of Finmeccanica at the moment and we will face up to it," Monti told RAI state television.

Orsi, a long-serving defence industry executive, has always denied any wrongdoing with regard to the corruption probe, which has been going on for a year.

In a brief statement, Finmeccanica expressed its support for Orsi and said it hoped his legal position could be clarified as soon as possible. Its business was operating as normal in the meantime, the company added.

Concern has been growing that the corruption probes could tarnish Finmeccanica's reputation and distract management while the company is carrying out a tough restructuring.

Being excluded from the growing Indian market could be a major headache for the group, which faces defence budget cuts in its main Italian, British and U.S. markets.

Under Indian defence procurement rules, companies found to have been involved in corruption can be punished with blacklisting and fines, an Indian defence ministry source said.

Explaining the rationale for the CBI probe, a defence ministry statement said: "Press reports have appeared from time to time on the subject of Italian prosecutors having initiated a probe into the alleged unethical dealings of M/s. Finmeccanica, Italy. The probe had been widened to include the Indian contract signed with M/s. Augusta Westland."

"In view of the media reports" the defence ministry, through the external affairs ministry, "had sought information from the governments of Italy and UK. No specific inputs were, however, received substantiating the allegations".

CBI to probe AugustaWestland VVIP chopper deal
Explaining the rationale for the CBI probe, an Indian defence ministry statement said: "Press reports have appeared from time to time on the subject of Italian prosecutors having initiated a probe into the alleged unethical dealings of M/s. Finmeccanica, Italy. The probe had been widened to include the Indian contract signed with M/s. Augusta Westland."

"In view of the media reports" the defence ministry, through the external affairs ministry, "had sought information from the governments of Italy and UK. No specific inputs were, however, received substantiating the allegations".

Since no specific input has been received so far from the two governments, MoD (ministry of defence) has decided to refer the case to CBI for inquiry," the statement added.

Tender twisted to favour AgustaWestland
Three brothers with family ties to a former head of the Indian air force helped to twist rules in a helicopter tender won by Italy's AgustaWestland, prosecutors alleged in an arrest warrant for a top Italian businessman.

Italian prosecutors said that two managers at AgustaWestland, a unit of defence group Finmeccanica, paid go-betweens to help it win the 2010 contract to supply 12 helicopters to India.

Part of these payments ended up with the three Indian brothers, Juli, Docsa and Sandeep Tyagi, whose cousin Sashi Tyagi was former Indian air force chief. None of the Tyagis has been accused of wrongdoing by officials in India.

Prosecutors in the northern Italian town of Busto Arsizio, near AgustaWestland's headquarters, said former chief executive Giuseppe Orsi hired U.S.-born Guido Ralph Haschke, who was then a consultant for the Finmeccanica group, to lead dealings in India to secure the contract.

Haschke and his partner Carlo Gerosa, prosecutors said, had close ties with the Tyagi brothers.


Action only after CBI probe: Antony
India will blacklist Finmeccanica SpA and cancel a deal to buy 12 helicopters from the Italian defence group if allegations of bribery are proven against the company, Defence Ministry A.K. Antony said on 13 February 2013.

Antony said the CBI had been ordered to investigate the purchase of the luxury choppers -- destined for use by India's political leadership. He said that if the allegations were proved true, those involved would be punished.

Antony said that so far internal enquiries by the defence ministry have found no evidence against Finmeccanica in the $754 million helicopter deal. He refused to answer specific questions about the Italian allegations and said the CBI investigation would find the truth.


Former IAF chief denies bribery allegations
SP Tyagi, who is facing charges of corruption over the 556-million-euro Chopper deal, has categorically denied any involvement in influencing the VVIP helicopters deal in favour of Italy's AgustaWestland.

Tyagi, the former Indian Air Force chief, who finds himself in the midst of the storm, added that the deal materialised three years after he retired. Tyagi, explained that the changes in specifications, as alleged by the prosecutors, to influence the deal were not made during his tenure.

Favouring a CBI probe, he said: "There should be an inquiry, only then can the facts be established."

s a Suicide Ever Someone Else's Fault? Difficult Questions in the Wake of a Tragedy

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FacebookAshley Anne Riggitano, a pretty 22-year-old fashion intern jumped to her death from the George Washington bridge into the Hudson River on Wednesday afternoon, her 22nd birthday, after participating in a rage-fueled online blowout between five of her friends, one of whom dared her to overdose on her medication, writing on Facebook, "Go try to kill yourself on Xanax again, you untable [sic] loser. Go f*** yourself and never speak to me again."

On the bridge, Riggitano had left her Louis Vuitton bag containing medication such as Adderall and Klonopin with handwritten notes pointing toward the five people who had allegedly tormented her and whom she didn't want at her funeral.

"To any funeral, these people should not be allowed based upon words and actions," Riggitano had written.
In the days leading up to her suicide, Riggitano reportedly engaged with one woman over Facebook, accusing her of bullying. But according to the woman, Riggitano was the instigator.
Are these five women to blame for Riggitano's suicide? Can anyone ever be responsible for someone else taking their own life? The New York Post reported that Riggitano may have had a history of problems and tried to commit suicide at least once before so it's possible that she was depressed and prone to such extreme measures; any incident could have been the impetus. On the other hand, there have been plenty of cases where people have been held responsible for another's person's suicide. In 2010, Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi jumped to his death from George Washington Bridge after a roommate recorded an intimate act between Clementi and another man.

It's also unclear whether Riggitano was the aggressor or the victim, nor do we know whether the exchanges constituted as bullying according to state laws. It goes without saying that cyber bullying is rampant on social media. Without seeing other people's facial cues and body language, it's easier to lash out without inhibition because there are no immediate consequences. And research has proven that people are more likely to turn against others when there is physical distance between them.
However this unfolded, one thing is clear: This case is incredibly sad. No one wants to feel responsible for such a tragedy, regardless of who is to blame. Our hearts go out to the Riggitano family.

Is Rasool the answer to India’s spin woes?

Kashmir-born Parveez Rasool made Australia dance to his off-spin with a seven-wicket haul for Board President's XI

Rasool being felicitated in Kashmir.


Chennai: October 17, 2009 is a day Parveez Rasool will never forget. Arriving in Bangalore for the under-22 CK Nayudu tournament with his Jammu and Kashmir teammates, Rassol got the shock of his life when Karnataka's anti-terrorism squad arrested him for alleged traces of explosives in his kit bag.
It was a false alarm, but Rasool spent 10 hours in police custody, facing intense interrogation. Such incidents can leave one mentally scarred, but Rasool emerged unscathed.

Like that dreadful day, February 12, 2013 is also a day Rasool would like to remember, albeit for happier reasons. In one of the biggest stages of his blossoming career, the 23-year-old off-spinner had a dream run, scalping seven wickets for the Board President's XI to leave the Australians in a spin on Tuesday.

The bowling all-rounder, as he likes to call himself, was not deterred by the big stage he found himself in at the Guru Nanak College ground. He troubled the Aussies with the bounce and natural loop he got from his high-arm action, and reaped the rewards.

This was his second international experience after he was selected to play for India 'A' against England last month and he enjoyed it.

Rasool is humble, as one would expect of someone who hails from Brijbehara, a small town in Anantnag district. "It's a great achievement to do well against a team like Australia. By God's grace if I get more chances, I'll look to do my best," he said.

Wipro, Siemens removed from Nifty

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Shares in software service exporter Wipro Ltd (NSI:WIPRO.NS - News) fell as much as 2.2 percent while power equipment maker Siemens Ltd (NSI:SIEMENS.NS - News) retreated on Thursday after India Index Services & Products Ltd said both companies would be removed from the Nifty on April 1.

India Index Services & Products announced the exclusion in a statement on Wednesday, adding private sector lender IndusInd Bank Ltd (NSI:INDUSINDBK) and iron ore producer NMDC Ltd (NSI:NMDC.NS - News) would be included in the Nifty index in their place.
Wipro shares were down 2.7 percent as of 9:37 a.m. Siemens, the Indian subsidiary of Siemens AG (GER:SIE.DE - News), was down 1.7 percent. However, NMDC shares rose 2.8 percent while IndusInd rose 0.5 percent.

Acer Iconia B1 tablet sells for Rs.7999

Acer released its 7” tablet, Acer Iconia B1-A71, in India last month. The price tag of Rs. 7999 for this device makes it a good deal for Indian buyers. It comes with the Android Jelly Bean 4.1 Operating System and weighs 320 grams.

7-inch diagonal WSVGA capacitive multitouch screen with 1024x600 resolution display. India has a big market for 7-inch tablets and there are many brands, like Micromax, Karbonn, Milagrow and HCL, that are competing in the price bracket of Rs.10,000 and below. This latest release though has better features.

Seven inches is a standard book page size, and a tablet of this size is comfortable for web browsing, reading eBooks, playing games, or watching videos. With the Acer Iconia B1, you can do all this and more.

Here are the features and specifications:
•    Display:  7-inch diagonal WSVGA capacitive multitouch screen with 1024x600 resolution display.
•    Operating System: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Operating System
•    Battery:  2,710 mAh battery
•    RAM and Storage:  512MB DDR3 memory, 8GB of internal storage, microSD expansion slot with up to 32GB support.
•    Processor: Mediatek dual-core 1.2GHz processor (MTK 8317T)
•    Camera: Front-facing 0.3-megapixel webcam
•    Connectivity: Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS
•    Dimensions: 197.4 mm x 128.5 mm x 11.3 mm

PHOTOS: Acer Iconia B1

Other tablets by Acer

Acer has also released two other tablets namely Iconia W5 and Iconia W7.

ICONIA W5
This 10.1-inch tablet comes with a key board. MS Windows 8 (32-bit) Operating System and Intel Atom processor power this device. It is priced at Rs. 43,000.00.


ICONIA W7
Iconia W7 is an 11.6-inch tablet with 1920×1080 Full-HD 10-point touch display. This device is powered by Windows 8 Operating System.

10 most affordable phablets in India

Byond Tech Electronics, an aggressively playing tech startup has launched the Phablet PII, a business-ready smartphone.  Good looks and excellent features for the price they ask. This supports two SIMs, a feature available only in Karbonn A 30, in this segment of phablets.

With a 5.7” screen (145mm), Phablet PII has the right blend for lag-free performance: Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean, Dual Core 1GHz Advanced processor and 1GB RAM. 4GB internal storage memory is expandable to 32 GB.

byond phablet PII-Dual SIM, 1GHz dual core processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage, 8MP and 3MP cameras, 2500 mAh b …
Screen:

The 5.7”, 5-point multi-touch capacitive screen gives 1280x720 HD IPS display for excellent video experience.

Cameras:

8MP Autofocus Primary camera with Auto flash comes with Panorama Mode which lets you capture bigger and longer allowing you to capture the entire picture, not just a part. The 3 MP front camera gives you amazing clarity whilst having video conversations with your family and friends around the world.   

Social media, Apps:

All major social media and instant messaging apps are integrated. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Skype… you name it and these social media platforms are there at your finger tips. And there is the vast android market of 600,000 apps for business, entertainment, sheer fun and pranks.

Connectivity:

Wi-Fi, 3G, GPS and Bluetooth make sure that you will never have to worry about connectivity, no matter where you are.

Sensors:

It has G-sensor, Proximity sensor and Light Sensor. These sensors aid in seamless user interface, prevent accidental touch and also aid in saving valuable battery power.

Long lasting battery:

The Byond Phablet PII sports a 2500 mAh battery which gives you 100 hours of stand-by time enough for all your needs.

With an MRP of Rs. 14999/- the Byond Phablet PII is available on online stores like Flipkart.com and also across India through multiple dealers and distributors, at much lower prices.

South Korea unveils missile it says can hit North‘s leaders

South Korea unveiled a cruise missile on Thursday that it said can hit the office of North Korea’s leaders, trying to address concerns that it is technologically behind its unpredictable rival which this week conducted its third nuclear test. South Korean officials declined to say the exact range of the missile but said it could hit targets anywhere in North Korea.

The Defense Ministry released video footage of the missiles being launched from destroyers and submarines striking mock targets. The weapon was previewed in April last year and officials said deployment was now complete. “The cruise missile being unveiled today is a precision-guided weapon that can identify and strike the window of the office of North Korea‘s leadership,” ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said told reporters.

North Korea has forged ahead with long-range missile development, successfully launching a rocket in December that put a satellite into orbit. The North’s ultimate aim, Washington believes, is to design an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that could hit the United States.

North Korea, which accuses the United States and its “puppet”, South Korea, of war mongering on an almost daily basis, is likely to respond angrily to South Korea flexing its muscles.

North Korea, technically still at war with the South after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, carried out its third nuclear test on Tuesday, drawing condemnation from around the world including its only major ally China. The test and the threat of more unspecified actions from Pyongyang have raised tensions on the Korean peninsula as the South prepares to inaugurate a new president on February 25.

“The situation prevailing on the Korean peninsula at present is so serious that even a slight accidental case may lead to an all-out war which can disturb the whole region,” North Korea‘s official KCNA news agency said.