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.

Hurt Raina vows to come back stronger

He was confident of making the Test team and was even looking to prove himself worthy against the Aussies

Post  a Man of the Series winning- performance in the ODIs against England and a decent enough run — leading Uttar Pradesh — in the Ranji Trophy, Raina was confident of fulfilling his dream of returning to the Indian Test team.

The fact that Yuvraj Singh failed to cement the number six spot, despite a long run, convinced most observers that Raina would indeed earn a call- up to the Test team for the series against Australia.

Raina, too, would have thought that his recent success in the ODI series — especially in bowlerfriendly conditions in Dharamsala — against a quality England pace attack would have convinced the selectors about the improvement in his technique.

He further went on to register scores of 134 and 71 in the Irani Cup — considered a platform to impress the five wise men one last time ahead of the selection meeting — and would have thought that he had done enough to merit a call- up.

But that was not to be as the selectors decided he still wasn’t good enough for the longest format of the game.

Speaking to Mail Today on Monday, the otherwise jolly Raina seemed disheartened and a bit short of words as he couldn’t seem to understand the reason behind his omission.

“ I am hurt. I was hoping to make the cut this time round and don’t know what was lacking. I have even been working on my bowling and felt that it would add to my utility as being multifaceted helps. But I shall keep working on my game and come back stronger,” he said.

Raina felt that he was hitting the ball really well and his eagerness to get into the Test squad was what helped him score consistently in the ODI series against England.

“ The determination to make the cut for the Test squad was the reason why I was able to score heavily against England. Obviously I was a little disappointed that I didn’t convert one of the fifties into a three- figure knock. As a result I was more eager to score a century in the Irani Cup,” he said.

Earlier, his failure to impress with the bat in the two Tests against New Zealand cost Raina his place in the side for the England series. But the left- hander is not one to be easily disheartened, and took the decision in his stride and turned to domestic cricket to rectify the flaws in his batting.

Assam polls: Police shoot dead 8

GUWAHATI (Reuters) - Police shot at hundreds of tribesmen and women in Assam on Tuesday, killing eight people, the state's chief minister said, after violence broke out during village council elections.

Police were called to deal with protests by Rabha tribesmen and women who opposed the elections saying they infringed on tribal law, another senior government official said.

"Eight people have been killed in police firing in Rabha areas of Assam today," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters in the state capital Guwahati.

A leader of the Rabha tribe said he held the government responsible for the deaths.

Angry tribesmen armed with swords, hatchets, spears and axes marched to polling stations from villages of Goalpara district, police officials said.

At least two people were killed by the mobs in the early hours of the day, said Bhupen Bora, a senior official of the state's home department.

Hitting the sweet spot, sorbet style

Every week on Food52.com, we're digging up Genius Recipes -- the ones that make us rethink cooking myths, get us talking, and change the way we cook.

Today: The creamiest vegan chocolate sorbet you'll ever meet -- just in time for Valentine's Day.

- Kristen Miglore, Senior Editor, Food52.com
There's a reason people eat a small, easily moderated square of dark chocolate after meals. It's intense, satisfying, life-affirming. It's all you need. You're not going to accidentally scarf a whole bar of 83% single-origin fancy stuff. (Unless you're pregnant, or on deadline -- and that's okay.) Scatter it through a cookie or stir in hot cream to make a ganache, and we have a different end to the story.
>>RELATED: Rich Chocolate Cake with Coconut Filling and Ganache
But you hear "chocolate sorbet" -- no milk, no cream, no eggs -- and perhaps you imagine something severe. You wouldn't want a bowl of 83% squares, so what are you supposed to do with this?

If milk chocolate ice cream is your childhood best friend, dark chocolate sorbet is her cool, sort of mean, older sister. You want to be her friend, but what if she's bitter and aggressive and too deep? What if she makes you want to run back to the simple comforts of your old milky-sweet pal (or regress further, to shakes and fudgesicles)?
>>RELATED: Chocolate Fantasy Brownie Bites
I am happy to report that you needn't worry about any of that with this chocolate sorbet from David Lebovitz -- ice-cream whisperer and patron saint of all things sweet. No, you needn't worry at all.

Yes, the chocolate flavor is deep and true, with low notes of cocoa powder mingling with the epic aria of bittersweet chocolate. But despite having no dairy or eggs (that's right, vegans!), this chocolate sorbet is impossibly creamy. How? Why? I can only imagine there's some nature-defying emulsification going on in there, a la a certain genius chocolate mousse.
It also remains perfectly scoopable -- it doesn't go hard or icy in the slightest, even after several days in the freezer. (Lebovitz credits this remarkable consistency to the high proportion of bittersweet chocolate.) And it should be noted that when I made this recipe with standard-issue Dutch-processed cocoa and Baker's bittersweet chocolate, it was life changing -- so you can only go up from there.
Clearly, chocolate sorbet is still the cool older sister. But you just got invited to her party.


David Lebovitz's Chocolate Sorbet
From The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz (Ten Speed Press, 2007)
Makes about 1 quart (1 liter)
2 1/4 cups (555 ml) water
1 cup (200 g) sugar
3/4 cup (75 g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
6 ounces (170 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. In a large saucepan, whisk together 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) of the water with the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Bring to a boil whisking frequently. Let it boil, continuing to whisk for 45 seconds.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate until it's melted, then stir in the vanilla extract and the remaining 3/4 cup (180 ml) water. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend for 15 seconds. Chill the mixture thoroughly, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. If the mixture has become too thick to pour into your machine, whisk it vigorously to thin it out.

North Korea conducts nuclear test

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea conducted a nuclear test on Tuesday, South Korea's defence ministry said, after seismic activity measuring 4.9 magnitude was registered by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicentre of the seismic activity, which was only one km below the Earth's surface, was close to the North's known nuclear test site.

"We've been informed by the South Koreans that there's been a (North Korean) nuclear test," a U.N. Security Council diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

An international nuclear test monitoring agency said the location of the seismic event was "roughly congruent with" 2006 and 2008 tests carried out by the reclusive state and had "clear explosion-like characteristics".
North Korea, which had been threatening a third nuclear test, had informed Beijing and Washington on Monday of plans to undertake a test, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

The isolated state, which is banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions from developing nuclear and missile technology, did not make any immediate comment.

North Korea is not prone to seismic activity and it may take hours or even days to determine officially whether a nuclear test had been conducted.
South Korea's defence ministry said the North Korean seismic event could be the result of a 6-7 kiloton or stronger nuclear blast. South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak called a national security council meeting for 0400 GMT.
North Korea successfully launched a long-range rocket in December in violation of U.N. resolutions that banned it from developing missile or nuclear technology after nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.
It announced plans for a third nuclear test in response to the sanctions imposed in January after the rocket launch, although satellite imagery indicated it has been readying its test site for more than a year

Italian firm chief held for India graft

BUSTO ARSIZIO, Italy (Reuters) - Italian police arrested the head of defence group Finmeccanica SpA on Tuesday 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.

"AgustaWestland and its management seem to be used to paying bribes and we have reason to believe that such a corporate philosophy could be repeated in the future if not stopped through an arrest," Judge Luca Labianca wrote in the warrant, reviewed by Reuters.
Orsi's lawyer said his client denied distributing any money or pocketing a single euro.
Highlighting the political sensitivity of the case before the parliamentary elections on February 24 and 25, Prime Minister Mario Monti said the government would deal with management issues at Finmeccanica. The state is the largest individual shareholder in the company with more than 30 percent.
"There is a problem with the governance of Finmeccanica at the moment and we will face up to it," Monti told RAI state television.
In a statement, Italy's economy ministry said it was working to provide management continuity, the protection of shareholders' interests and transparency in decision-making at the group.
Finmeccanica convened a meeting of its board for Wednesday at 1700 GMT to consider the next steps. In a statement, it said activities would continue as usual "in order to limit the impact from today's judicial activities on, amongst other things, the disposals process under way."
The heavily indebted group is seeking to sell its AnsaldoEnergia power engineering business to focus on its core aerospace and defence activities and avoid a costly credit rating downgrade.
India, currently the world's largest weapons importer, has a history of corruption in defence deals dating back to the 1980s.

Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony has ordered an inquiry into the deal to be conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation, the country's federal police force. In a statement the ministry said Italy had not provided details of its own investigation.

An Indian defence ministry source said allegations that kickbacks worth 40 million rupees had been paid to Indian officials to grease contracts for Finmeccanica were being investigated and that Delhi was considering the deferral of the Finmeccanica helicopter deal.

Police searched Orsi's home and the offices of AgustaWestland, close to Milan. The Milan offices of Finmeccanica, Italy's second-biggest corporate employer after Fiat Spa , were also searched.
POLITICAL SHADOWS
A series of scandals has shaken Italian business in recent weeks, notably over derivatives losses at lender Banca Monte dei Paschi and an inquiry into allegations that oil services group Saipem SpA , which is 43 percent owned by oil major Eni SpA , paid bribes to win contracts in Algeria.
Orsi, a long-serving defence industry executive, has always denied any wrongdoing with regard to a corruption inquiry into AgustaWestland which first came to light in February 2011.
His lawyer Ennio Amodio told reporters on Tuesday that Orsi was stunned by the arrest. "He cannot figure out what he can be accused of. He did not pocket a single euro and did not distribute any money," Amodio said.
The corporate scandals have become an issue in Italy's parliamentary election campaign. Orsi's appointment to lead the heavily indebted defence group in May 2011 was backed by the Northern League party, an ally of then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Lawyer Amodio said the warrant made no mention of any alleged payments to the Northern League.
Centre-left politicians had called for Orsi to step down when he was first targeted in the corruption investigation.
"Some of the parties clearly have an interest in playing the justice card for political capital in view of the vote," said Stefano Zamagni, professor of economics at Bologna University.
Besides Orsi, three other people have been placed under house arrest, including AgustaWestland chief Bruno Spagnolini.
In the arrest warrant, prosecutors allege that Orsi and others paid money through intermediaries, including Indian nationals and U.S.-born Guido Ralph Haschke, who also has Italian nationality.
They alleged that those middlemen paid a former Indian Air Force chief to change the terms of the tender to allow AgustaWestland to win the contract. The warrant does not make clear how much money was supposedly paid.
RESTRUCTURING PLAN
Finmeccanica shares were down 7 percent on Tuesday, while its rail technology unit Ansaldo STS was down 3 percent.
Concern has been growing that the corruption investigations 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 problem 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.

Orsi's arrest also risks derailing Finmeccanica's plans to sell its non-core energy and transportation assets, something the company wants to do to avoid further downgrades of its credit ratings.

Cop shot dead in Kolkata violence

The filing of nomination papers for the student union election in Harimohan Ghose College gave rise to violence in Kolkata.

KOLKATA: A sub-inspector was killed in a violence that erupted in Harimohan Ghose College in Kolkata over the filing of nomination papers for the student union elections between the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (the student wing of Trinamool Congress) and Chhatra Parishad (the student wing of Congress).

The sub-inspector named Tapas Chowdhry, a part of the Special Branch of the city police, was shot at from close range during the violence.

V S Nesakumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Port Division was quoted by The Hindu as saying, “There were clashes between two groups as a result of which bullets were fired and bombs hurled. A sub- inspector was injured and now we have learnt that he has succumbed to his injuries."

The Deputy Commissioner further revealed that the fight broke out between the two parties contesting the elections.

A large police force was later summoned to the site of violence, which injured at least two, outside the Harimohan Ghose College.

The Hindu quoted the State’s Urban Development Minister and local MLA Firhad Hakim as saying that the violence broke out mainly due to the anti-social elements associated with the Congress were responsible for the firing, while denying that the clash between two student groups was responsible for the violence.

Asserting that the administration will take strong action against the culprits, he added that already two persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Hakim's allegations were, however, refuted by State Congress president Pradip Bhattacharya, adding that the law and order in West Bengal was deteriorating and sought centre's intervention in this case.

Obama urges Congress to make government work for 'the many'

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama challenged a divided Congress to back his plans to create middle-class jobs on Tuesday in a State of the Union speech that put a renewed focus on the U.S. economy and sought support for overhauling gun and immigration laws.

Looking to use momentum from his re-election victory last November, Obama vowed to turn much of his attention toward reducing the country's 7.9 percent unemployment rate.

"It is our unfinished task to make sure that this government works on behalf of the many, and not just the few," he said.

Obama spoke from the well of the House of Representatives for his address to a joint session of Congress in the midst of yet another bitter battle with Republicans over taxes and spending, and this tussle cast a heavy shadow over his appearance.

Even as Obama spoke, House Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, accused him of offering "little more than the same stimulus policies that have failed to fix our economy and put Americans back to work."

Boehner's comments came in a statement that was issued while Obama was still delivering his address and the speaker was sitting behind him, at times scowling. "The president had an opportunity to offer a solution tonight and he let it slip by," Boehner said in his statement.
Obama reserved his toughest words to urge a resolution to a festering budget battle that will result in automatic deep spending cuts at the end of the month unless a deal can be reached.
Americans, he said, do not expect government to solve every problem, "but they do expect us to put the nation's interests before party. They do expect us to forge reasonable compromises where we can."
Many of his proposals may face a difficult path getting through Congress. He proposed raising the U.S. minimum wage for workers from $7.25 to $9 an hour. Republicans typically oppose increases in the minimum wage out of worry it will prompt businesses to fire workers.
He backed a $50 billion program to fund infrastructure rebuilding projects like fixing aging bridges, but many Republicans are adamantly against such stimulative government spending after Obama's first-term $787 billion stimulus did not lead to a dramatic reversal in the unemployment rate.
"Our economy is adding jobs, but too many people still can't find full-time employment," he said. "Corporate profits have rocketed to all-time highs, but for more than a decade, wages and incomes have barely budged."
Obama said that to offset the cuts he would like to raise $800 billion in revenue by eliminating tax loopholes enjoyed mostly by the wealthiest Americans.
It is a proposal Boehner backed before he reluctantly agreed instead to higher income tax rates on the richest to avert a fiscal crisis at the end of 2012. Republicans are in no mood for more tax increases and want spending cuts instead.
"The American people have worked too hard, for too long, rebuilding from one crisis to see their elected officials cause another," Obama said.
GUN REGULATIONS
Obama urged Congress to approve his proposals for tighter gun regulations, requiring background checks for all gun purchasers, and banning assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips.
In the House chamber for the speech, seated with Obama's wife, Michelle, were the parents of a Chicago teenager, Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot to death a week after participating in the president's second-term inaugural activities.
"Hadiya's parents ... are in this chamber tonight, along with more than two dozen Americans whose lives have been torn apart by gun violence. They deserve a vote," Obama said.
Obama urged lawmakers to approve over the next few months an overhaul of immigration laws to permit a pathway to citizenship for some 11 million illegal immigrants. Republicans who saw Hispanics overwhelmingly vote for Obama over Republican challenger Mitt Romney last November, are more open to new immigration rules but want stronger border security first.
The clock is now ticking on Obama. He has about a year to get his legislative priorities enacted before Americans shift attention to the 2014 congressional elections.
In a nod to Republican worries over what they see as out-of-control government spending on entitlement programs for the elderly and poor, Obama said he would back efforts to reduce healthcare spending by the same amount over a decade as proposed by a bipartisan commission whose recommendations he had rejected.
He vowed to take action to confront climate change through presidential executive orders unless Congress enacts legislation.
While heavily focused on domestic policies, Obama's speech had some crucial foreign policy elements.
He outlined steps to unwind U.S. involvement in the unpopular 11-year-old Afghanistan war and plans to announce that 34,000 of the 66,000 U.S. troops still there will return by early 2014.
He did not give details of what sort of residual American presence might remain in Afghanistan after 2014, when the U.S. withdrawal is supposed to be complete.
Obama's speech came a day after North Korea conducted its third underground test of a nuclear device in response to what it called U.S. hostility.
"Provocations of the sort we saw last night will only isolate them further, as we stand by our allies, strengthen our own missile defense and lead the world in taking firm action in response to these threats," he said.
Obama said the United States would enter into negotiations with the European Union aimed at reaching a transatlantic free trade agreement.

Yasin Malik's passport may be revoked

The Indian government is considering taking strict action against Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chief Yasin Malik for sharing the dais with India's most wanted terrorist Hafiz Saeed during his recent visit to Pakistan, says a Zee News report.

According to the report, the Ministry of Home Affairs is unhappy with Malik's actions and that his passport may be revoked when he returns home.



The government is collecting the details of Malik's visit to the neighbouring country and also analysing if the visit was backed by state sponsors outside India.

Yasin Malik's denial

The JKLF chief, however, has denied that he shares any relationship with Saaed and that the Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist sharing the stage with him was not planned.

He was quoted by Zee News as saying, "I was on hunger strike for 24 hours near Islamabad Press Club. Thousands of people came there including Hafiz Saeed, who came there for 15 minutes…where did the meeting take place? I did not meet Hafiz Saeed."

He further added, "It is my democratic right, I can protest anywhere in the world. "

Malik, a moderate Hurriyat leader, was on a hunger strike over the weekend in Islamabad to protest against the execution of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Hafiz Saeed also joined him on the stage.

Malik sharing the stage with Saaed created a nationwide uproar, prompting the government to take measure of the case.

Nothing like Australia this Valentine’s Day!

Whether you are newlyweds, or just looking to share memorable couple-time away from home, Australia is your ideal destination for romance

• 
  Yahoo Lifestyle Entertainment/Tourism Australia - A romantic drive through Hunter Valley, Australia

Love will bind you together for a lifetime, but special romantic getaways form unforgettable highlights of your relationship. Whether you are newlyweds, or just looking to share memorable couple-time away from home, Australia is your ideal destination for romance.

Australia offers truly diverse experiences and settings for you to create your very own romantic journey. Whether your desire is to be pampered and left alone at luxurious private retreats, awed by unique natural landscapes from rainforests to deserts, intoxicated by endless pristine beaches, seduced by fine wines and cuisines, or entertained by the colourful happenings of world-class cities, you will find a wealth of choices in our great island-continent.

Drive at your own leisure and discover some of the most beautiful touring routes you’ll ever see, from the Great Ocean Road to the Great Sunshine Way. Meander through rolling hills and luscious rainforests, and see amazing coastlines. With our great roads and clear signs, it couldn’t be easier.

Capture stunning views by hitting the skies on a scenic seaplane flight, or charter a helicopter for your private aerial tour. For that age-old romantic flair, nothing beats floating on a hot-air balloon over vineyards or over a waking city.

Sea breeze caresses your hair as you lay side-by-side on the sundrenched deck… Sailing through the Whitsunday’s 74 scenic islands is one of many wonderful activities you both can enjoy here. Featuring the likes of Hayman, Hamilton and Daydream islands, the Whitsundays sit within the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, offering resorts for the perfect romantic retreat. The Whitsundays region of the Great Barrier Reef offers helicopter and scenic seaplane flights to the iconic Whitehaven Beach, composed of pure white silica and one of the world’s whitest, as well as the perfectly formed Heart Reef.

As you pull over to take in yet another beautiful sight, one of the Kangaroo Island’s friendly residents and namesakes comes peering through your car window. Driving at your own pace is a great way to see the Island, a mere 30-minute flight from Adelaide. The island is hailed as ‘one of earth’s last unspoilt refuges’, et acquainted with Kangaroos, Sea Lions and Fairy Penguins in their natural habitats here. Marvel at the Island’s turquoise beaches (Vivonne Bay), unique geological formations (Remarkable Rocks) and spectacular sand dunes (Little Sahara) within easy reach of your quaint seaside cottage, cliff-top house at the super-exclusive Lifetime Private Retreats, or luxury lodge at Southern Ocean Lodge.

No romantic experience is complete without food and wine. And you don’t even need an expensive candlelight dinner. With its rich mix of culture and world quality produce, Australia delivers gourmet and simple good food from a diverse range of cuisines to tantalize your palate. With many sensational dining locations, you’ll find your perfect setting for romance here. Be it the picturesque vineyards like Barossa Valley, Yarra Valley or Hunter Valley or gazing up at the stars whilst you enjoy a scrumptious meal and the Sounds of Silence under the Ayer’s Rock.

Sydney Harbour is the heart and soul of Sydney. Alive with ferries, yachts, launches and kayaks, it is Sydney’s playground, used by many for sailing, swimming, diving or just enjoying the foreshore. Climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to see Sydney from a different perspective.

Applauded as one of the most exciting and innovative buildings of the modern era, the dramatic Sydney Opera House is Sydney’s premier venue for the performing arts. There’s nothing like attending a performance here for a special night out.

Hunter Valley & Port Stephens, New South Wales
When it comes to food and wine tourism, the Hunter Valley is one of Australia's most popular regions. In many ways, the Hunter Valley has pioneered Australian wine destination tourism by incorporating other attractions such as spa retreats, golf courses and family resorts to its mix. In recent years, it has become a foodies’ mecca with many local shops offering local cheeses, chocolates and more. Moreover, it now boasts some of the nation’s best regional dining at cellar door and standalone restaurants.

Port Stephens, is the perfect holiday destination.  It is two and a half hour drive north of Sydney with golden sandy beaches, crystal clear water and blue skies that go on forever. It is known for its nature and abundance of aquatic marine life and land activities on its sparsely crowded sandy beaches, sheltered bays and unspoilt national parks.

Wine Glass Bay, Tasmania
Rugged pink granite mountains, dazzling white sand beaches and sapphire blue waters define the Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania’s east coast. Consistently rated among the top 10 beaches in the world, Wineglass Bay, shaped, as the name suggests, like a wineglass, is one of Tasmania’s most iconic destinations.

This sunny peninsula is also renowned for its succulent grass-fed meats and fresher than fresh seafood. Taste crayfish, scallops and salty-sweet oysters picked straight from some of the world’s cleanest waters. Overlooking the Hazards Mountains, Freycinet Peninsula and Great Oyster Bay, Saffire Freycinet is a premium luxury lodge immersed in nature. Both sophisticated and intimate, the lodge features the best in design and furnishings to capture the unique nature of the surrounding coastline.

This Valentine’s Day come discover romance in a destination which is so varied and stunning, it just takes your breath away.