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

5 jobs expected to boom this year

Business Operations Manager

Leaving their imprint throughout several company departments, operations managers hire people, acquire materials for customers, and attempt to predict what products are most likely to sell.

The field can be characterized as high-demand and low-supply, with plenty of opportunity for those thinking of dipping their toe in it. "If we talk to any employer, that's the [position] they're most interested in, especially around the idea of project management," Cote notes. "So being able to run an operation and [in] particular, to manage complex projects, there's an increasing demand and fewer people there to fill it."

It's also a profession welcoming of individuals who possess the rare duel qualities of business instinct and a penchant for number-crunching. "It tends to require a blending of quantitative skills and qualitative skills, and that seems to be an area where people fall on one side or the other, but that middle road is not one people pursue," he says.

Rig Veda to particle physics

New Delhi, Dec. 13: Physicist Vivek Sharma who was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and now leads an international group hunting for the Higgs boson sees the search as an attempt to seek out answers to questions posed in the Rig Veda.

Govt says 44 deemed universities must be de-recognised

New Delhi:  Two lakh students are likely to need reassurance that their interests will be looked after now that their universities are on the verge of being de-recognised.

Anti-corruption campaign in schools

A CBI workshop at St. James’ School. Picture by Sayantan Ghosh The fight against corruption has reached the school classroom. The CBSE has asked schools to organise activities to spread awareness among students against corruption and several ICSE schools have already done so.

Cracking IIT as monkey business

The answer to whether the standard of IIT students is regressing can be found if you all are prepared to travel 25,000 years in the past. This was the period when we — the Homo Sapiens lost our nearest competitor – the Neanderthals.

Kareena Kapoor's birthday to be low-key affair

Despite loads to celebrate, looks like actress Kareena Kapoor’s birthday today will be a low-key affair. The actress along with beau actor Saif Ali Khan has postponed the big celebration to a later date due to Saif’s father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s ill health.

Everything is okay, says Salman post surgery

London: Recuperating from an uncommon nerve disorder, man of the moment Salman Khan held a press conference in London. The actor was speaking to the media for the first time post the success of his latest release ‘Bodyguard’. 

Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha avoid talking about each other in public

It is unlikely that you will find actor Ranveer Singh talking about Bollywood hottie Sonakshi Sinha anymore.

Post reports of his split with actor Anushka Sharma which insinuated at Sonakshi being the reason for it, Ranveer hasbeen issued ‘strict instructions’ about not talking about his new ‘best buddy’.

Ranveer, Sonakshi avoid each other in public!

Mumbai: After singing paeans of praise for each other, Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha have brought an end to their mutual encomiums.

Buzz has it that after his split with ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ co-star Anushka Sharma, courtesy Sonakshi, Ranveer has issued strict orders not to talk about his new friend Sonakshi. 

Ritu Kumar designs for Bollywood

Ritu Kumar designs for Bollywood

Check out the designer's style statement in Love Breakup's Zindagi 

If you've loved the ethnic sensibilities of designer Ritu Kumar, her devotion to the revival of traditional Indian craft and design, then don't miss seeing her work in a new movie that releases early next month.

Saif Ali Khan's dad to be discharged within a week

Former India cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, receiving treatment for lung infection in a Delhi hospital, is recovering slowly and is likely to be discharged within a week, a doctor attending on him said.

After surgery, Salman to resume shooting in a week

Salman Khan, who recently underwent a nerve surgery in the US, would resume shooting in a week's time, family sources said.

Salman, who has been suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia, a nerve disorder that causes intense pain in the face, had left for the US on August 29 and successfully underwent the first surgery two days later.

Has Shankar planned his next?

Nanban

Shankar, in an interview to a vernacular magazine, has said that he might make a sequel to his hit film Indian. 

He was quoted as saying, "After Anna Hazare's movement, several people have been asking me to make a sequel to Indian. Even my producer, A M Rathnam, has been urging me to go ahead with the sequel. I will see how things pan out after Nanban releases."

Ranveer Singh ready to go nude on-screen

Ranveer Singh who is the current heartthrob of Bollywood said that he is an exhibitionist in real life and so he does not mind going nude on the silver screen.

“I have no problems going nude on screen. In fact given my lack of inhibitions, it will be easy for whoever is directing a nude scene with me as I am quite an exhibitionist in real life too,” said the lively star.

Saif’s father on his road to recovery

Chotey Nawab Saif Ali Khan’s father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who was not in the pink of health and hospitalized at Sir Gangaram Hospital in Delhi, is reportedly fine now and is on his road to recovery.

Saif Ali Khan

According to the doctors attending on Saif’s father, the veteran cricketer is suffering from intestinal lung disorder.

On hearing about his father’s ill health, Saif rushed to Delhi to be by his side and take care of him, reveal insiders.

Hum, Tum Shabana is an ace up my sleeves: Director Sagar Ballary

While his last outing, Bheja Fry 2proved to be a dampener at the box office, director Sagar Ballary is looking forward to his Hum Tum Shabana next month. And yes, this promises to be a first-of-its-kind from his stable — a complete masala entertainer, with songs and dances and a lot of masti.

Madhur Bhandarkar does special cameo in Hum Tum Shabana

Madhur Bhandarkar will be seen in a cameo in Sagar Ballary's upcoming comedy Hum Tum Shabana starring Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and Minissha Lamba.

What's interesting is that Madhur will be seen acting as well as walking the ramp as part of the grand finale of a beauty pageant in the film.

Shah Rukh Khan Bollywood's ultimate family man

• Image Credit: Supplied
• Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood’s ultimate family man and this Eid is no different

Dubai: Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood’s ultimate family man and this Eid is no different.

The Ra.One Star is busy planning an Eid party for his close friends and family on Tuesday night at Mannat, his palatial home in Mumbai.

Anushka: Commercials have better reach

She is one of the busiest actors of South India at present. For Anushka the going is getting better and better in the Tamil industry. After her resounding success with elder bro Suriya in 'Singam' Anushka will soon be seen pairing opposite younger bro, Karthi. The tall and lissome actress loves to juggle between modeling for ads and films.