Soon, you could 'swipe' your iPhone instead of a credit card

THERE's PLENTY you can do with them – play music, send pictures and what not – but soon, you could be using your iPhones for shopping.

 

Barclaycard and the UK's biggest mobile phone network, Everything Everywhere, which includes Orange and T-mobile, have signed a partnership to bring the system to 40,000 tills.

 

“This is the beginning of a revolution in how we pay for things. It’s a cultural shift that is as important as the launch of the personal credit card or cash machines,” the Daily Mail quoted Chief development officer for Everything Everywhere, Gerry McQuade, as saying.

 

He

SMEs can do wonders in export sector: CH Nadiger

“SMALL AND medium scale enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal in export arena and there is a growing demand for their products globally. Keeping this in mind small and medium scale enterprises should think about their global market. By aiming the global souk SMEs can do wonders in export sector. Widen your network and widen your business,” said EEPC India senior assistant director CH Nadiger.

 

He was talking at the seminar on export awareness organised under the aegis of Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Kochi on Friday.

 

CH Nadiger stressed that before commencing export business the client

56th Filmfare Awards tonight

THE STAGE is set for the biggest award night of the Bollywood at Yashraj Studios in Mumbai where the 56th Filmfare Awards that will take place tonight, January 29th. This year during the Filmfare Awards function two hot stars of the industry, Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan will take the centrestage to entertain the audiences at Yashraj Studios.

The award night is ready to sizzle members of Bollywood faternity as well as millions of Hindi film industry fans with a high voltage performances. According to the report, Rahul and Pooja (Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit) will perform together on some of

CBI opposes bail plea of nine accused in 2006 Malegaon blasts

THE CENTRAL Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the bail plea of the nine accused in the 2006 Malegaon blasts in a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court here on Friday.

 

The Anti-Terror Squad and CBI both filed their replies in the Malegaon blast case in the court.

 

The accused, who have been in jail for the last four years, filed for bail on January 17 after Swami Aseemanand's confession that Hindu activists carried out blasts. The accused had told the court that there is no direct evidence of their involvement in the said offence and was only

Reddy holds meeting to discuss oil adulteration issue

UNION PETROLEUM Minister Jaipal Reddy on Thursday chaired an emergency meeting to discuss the oil adulteration issue and to chart out a course of action to root out the oil mafia.

 

The meeting was held in the wake of the killing of Nashik Additional District Collector Yashwant Sonawane, who was burnt alive by suspected members of the oil mafia on Tuesday at Manmad in Nasik. He had gone there to conduct raids.

 

Talking to reporters, Reddy said: "An honest officer has paid with his life for doing his job. We condemn attack on ADC Sonawane."

Reddy

Crime and action can get you to Bangkok!

COME DECEMBER, everyone starts thinking of a holiday and the lucky ones actually get down to choosing a destination and planning one. While those who can afford to go international have Europe and Asia pacific locales on their mind, others head to perennial favourite Goa and hill-stations.

But, this time ‘round, one can get luckier and head to Bangkok- the Sin City of the East! Reliance Digital TV with FOX has introduced a promotional offer on its Special Add-On English Action pack.

Facebook to unveil financials, raises $1.5 billion

FACEBOOK IS preparing to open its books this year or early in 2012 to give investors a glimpse into the financial workings of the world's No. 1 social network, after it sealed an oversubscribed $1.5 billion round of financing led by Goldman Sachs.

 

The financing, $1 billion of which is from Goldman Sachs' overseas clients and $500 million from Goldman itself and Russian investment firm Digital Sky Technologies, gives the company a projected value of $50 billion, setting the stage for what could be one of the largest initial public offerings next year.

 

Facebook, founded in a Harvard dorm room in 2004, said it

Facebook to unveil financials, raises $1.5 billion

FACEBOOK IS preparing to open its books this year or early in 2012 to give investors a glimpse into the financial workings of the world's No. 1 social network, after it sealed an oversubscribed $1.5 billion round of financing led by Goldman Sachs.

 

The financing, $1 billion of which is from Goldman Sachs' overseas clients and $500 million from Goldman itself and Russian investment firm Digital Sky Technologies, gives the company a projected value of $50 billion, setting the stage for what could be one of the largest initial public offerings next year.

 

Facebook, founded in a Harvard dorm room in 2004, said it

All eyes set on ICC World Cup 2011 opening ceremony

THE MUCH awaited ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Opening Ceremony will be telecasted live on February 17, 2011 from Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. The cricketing extravaganza will be held across three countries viz Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The carnival will begin with much jubiliation and fanfare and will also mark the attendance of several international figures. 

 

The 2011 edition of the world cup will be the tenth world cup and will also mark the debut of Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka as as joint hosts. Being located in the same periphery, it is pertinent that

IAF to showcase network centric operations on Republic Day

THE INDIAN Air Force (IAF) Tableau for this year's Republic Day Parade will showcase the endeavor to uphold age-old military values, while transforming into a modern, competent and capable force.

Network Centric Operations involve the networking of sensors and critical capabilities to provide the IAF leadership with complete situational awareness. This will significantly enhance command and control and lead to superior decision-making.

Scale models of a Sukhoi-30 MKI tearing through the sky in the form of an aerostat, a satellite and an AWACS will be the star attraction.

The images of the situation board of AFNET (Air Force Network) and the

Fleet tanker INS Deepak joins Navy's Western fleet

ITALIAN-BUILT fleet tanker, INS Deepak, was today commissioned into the Navy by Defence Minister A K Antony, who said the year will see more acquisitions and commissioning of vessels to strengthen maritime security. The tanker was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.

Addressing the gathering, the Defence Minister said the Navy has embarked on an ambitious shipbuilding programme to provide it with the required maritime assets to meet its mandate. “Indian defence shipyards are working to their full capacity to meet the country’s warship requirements,” he said.

AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa slams Kapil Sibal for faulting CAG report

ALL INDIA Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary J. Jayalalithaa has criticised Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal for faulting the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report that accuses former Telecom Minister A. Raja for his role in the 2G scam.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Jayalalithaa said: "Kapil Sibal has committed contempt of court by rubbishing the loss estimates of the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) in the allocation of 2G spectrum since CAG is a constitutional body."

She also termed the statement made by Sibal contempt to court and also against the constitution.

"It is totally unacceptable of a statement

Apple's bright view outshines Jobs' plight

APPLE INC landed blockbuster results and a strong outlook on dazzling sales of the iPhone andiPad, reassuring investors that visionary CEO Steve Jobs' medical leave will have no impact on growth.

 

Shares in Apple leapt almost 4 percent after hours following a brief trading suspension. It later backtracked to stand about 2 percent higher, recouping most of the losses incurred after Jobs' surprise announcement.

 

Apple, once notorious for its conservative forecasts, said it expected earnings for the March quarter of $4.90 a share on revenue of $22 billion, surpassing the forecast of $4.47 a share on revenue of $20.8 billion.

 

An across-the-board show of strength came as Wall Street displayed increasing confidence in the management team surrounding Jobs, who is seeking medical treatment for an unspecified condition for an indefinite time.

 

Jobs was hardly mentioned during an hour-long conference call with

My Name Is Khan and Dabangg dominate Filmfare Awards 2011 nominations

THE BIGGEST and oldest film award function in Bollywood, 56th Filmfare Awards will take place on Saturday, January 29th at the Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai. Two young hunks of Hindi film industry Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan will host the award night. The Filmfare Awards are considered as the Oscar Awards of Bollywood.

 

Two Khans of Bollywood, Shah Rukh and Salman once again dominated the award nomination which was based on the films released in 2010. Shah Rukh Khan starrer "My Name Is Khan" and Salman Khan starrer, Dabangg which was also the highest ever grossing film

My Name Is Khan and Dabangg dominate Filmfare Awards 2011 nominations

THE BIGGEST and oldest film award function in Bollywood, 56th Filmfare Awards will take place on Saturday, January 29th at the Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai. Two young hunks of Hindi film industry Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan will host the award night. The Filmfare Awards are considered as the Oscar Awards of Bollywood.

 

Two Khans of Bollywood, Shah Rukh and Salman once again dominated the award nomination which was based on the films released in 2010. Shah Rukh Khan starrer "My Name Is Khan" and Salman Khan starrer, Dabangg which was also the highest ever grossing film

BJP demands rollback of petrol price hike

THE BHARATIYA Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the Central Government for its decision to raise petrol prices and demanded an immediate rollback.

 

Talking to reporters here, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said: "This hike is totally unjustified. This is nothing but loot of the common man by the government."

 

"A product which costs Rs 30 is being sold at Rs 60, which is a 100 per cent taxation. We call for its rollback," he added.

 

"This is a government organised and planned loot. A robber can be caught stealing but what to do when the government itself acts as a robber,"

Army Day being celebrated today with solemnity

TODAY THE 63rd Army Day is being celebrated to salute and pay tributes to the valiant soldiers, who sacrificed their lives to protect the motherland and its citizens. It was on January 15, 1948 that Lieutenant General K. M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief.

General Cariappa shared a good bonding with countrymen and Britishers alike. He succeeded General Roy Butcher of British Army.

The list of activities held in cantonments on this day includes parades, marches, shows featuring the achievements by the army, new technologies introduced in the army, presentations of Unit credentials and Sena Medals for gallantry.

Ahead

Now, an iPhone app that can read minds

EXPERTS HAVE come up with a new application for the iPhone that has the ability to read minds.

 

The XWave enables users to control on-screen objects with their minds as well as train their brains to control attention spans and relaxation levels.

 

It works via a headset strapped around the user''s forehead, plugging into the iPhone jack.

 

A state-of-the-art sensor within the device can then read the user''s brainwaves through the skull, converting them into digital signals before displaying them in various colours on the iPhone screen.

 

And as the mind focuses on a particular task the graphics change,

Verizon Wireless ends long wait for iPhone fans

AFTER WAITING for three-and-a-half years Verizon Wireless customers will finally get their hands on Apple Inc's iPhone next month.

 

The top U.S. wireless operator ended months of speculation and anticipation from impatient consumers on Tuesday by announcing that it would begin selling a version of the iPhone on February 10 at the same prices as AT&T Inc.

 

"I'm going to switch right away. I'm going to go back to Verizon," said Raheem Noble, 24, a New York City rapper, who was on his way to buy the device before being told that pre-orders would not begin until February 3.

 

The new device puts an end to AT&T's three-year-old status as the exclusive U.S. provider for the iPhone -- but leaves questions over how much Verizon Wireless would be able to capitalize on the deal with Apple.

 

For one, Verizon did not say what it would charge for its iPhone data and service plans when the phone goes on sale. There were

Mukherjee promises steps to push up factory output

UNION FINANCE Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday promised to take corrective steps to push up factory output.

He said the decline in industrial growth to 2.7 per cent in November and rising inflation could have an adverse impact on the economy.

 

"If index of industrial production (IIP) goes down and inflation goes up, it will have an adverse impact, but I am not coming to any premature conclusion. We shall have to look into and take corrective measures so that IIP numbers revive in the remaining four months," said Mukherjee.

Elucidate strategy, success will follow: Dr Rashid

“SMALL AND medium enterprises have a vital role in society’s development as it contributes 70 per cent of the employment. The significance of SMEs in driving innovation and competition is well recognised. A clear understanding on your strategy will help you to scale new heights in SME sector,” said Sharjah Ports and Customs and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority director-general Dr Rashid Al Leem.

He was delivering the key note address on - Seminar on SME challenges, organised by the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Kochi here on Monday (January 10).
 

Dr Rashid explained that the main

Banks declare attractive schemes to lure PIOs, NRIs

THE NATIONALISED banks, which participated in the three-day Indian Diaspora Convention held here introduced new deposit schemes for the people of Indian origin (PIOs) and non-resident Indians (NRIs).

P Pal, an official of a nationalised bank, said that these schemes are introduced to make banking easy by NRIs and to help them manage their money as per the market trends.

 

"See, we have mostly deposit schemes for NRI, we keep deposits in foreign currency also as well as in Indian rupees also. So, there are a lot of schemes we have and those schemes are in good currencies also in different

DGCA asked to rationalise tariffs of private airlines

UNION CIVIL Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Sunday said the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been instructed to monitor and rationalise the tariffs of private airlines for the benefit of travellers.

 

"Through DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) and our ministry, we have asked all the airlines and we have also not hesitated to investigate those airlines (who are flouting prescribed norms vis-à-vis fares)," said Patel on the sidelines of a function here.

 

"The result was that the sky-rocketing airfares have been stabilised and we have through DGCA set up a tariff monitoring unit and we want that

Indian exports grow 36.4 per cent in December 2010

INDIA'S EXPORTS have registered a growth of 36.4 per cent during December 2010, the highest in last 33 months, at 22.5 billion dollars due to diversification of the overseas markets such as Latin America and price competitiveness.

However, India’s imports in December 2010 were 25.1 billion dollars, down by 11.1 percent, narrowing the trade deficit in December 2010 to 2.6 billion dollars, said Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar.

Khullar said that during the period April-December 2010, exports have reached a level of 164.7 billion dollars at a growth of 29.5 per cent while the imports were 247.

Army fully cooperating in Adarsh scam: General VK Singh

ARMY CHIEF General VK Singh on Thursday said the army is fully cooperating with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Adarsh Housing Society scam in Mumbai.

 

General Singh said the army was rendering all support in the investigation into the Adarsh scam.

 

"Whatever the CBI has done I am not aware of it, but whenever they want somebody we are giving them full support, whatever they want," General Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a book release function here.

 

General Singh further said the Indian Army is ready to clarify its stand on certain procedural irregularities

LinkedIn plans to go public in 2011

LINKEDIN, THE social networking site for professionals, plans to go public in 2011 and has selected its financial underwriters, three sources familiar with the process told Reuters.

Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and JP Morgan are among the book runners, these sources said. Bankers made their pitches to the privately-held company in November, one of the sources said.

"An IPO is just one of many tactics that we could consider," a spokesman for LinkedIn said on Wednesday. He declined further comment.

Internet companies such as LinkedIn and Zynga, a popular maker of online social games, are considering offerings well ahead of a potential IPO of Facebook, two sources said.

"Some of

An NGO for economics enthusiasts

"ECONOMICS IS one subject which needs to be taught and learnt beyond the four walls of the classroom,” believes G. Shashi Panikar, the president of The Economics Club, an NGO that provides a free interactive forum for Economics teachers, students and budding economists in Mumbai. With a mission "To Create Leaders in Economics", the club strives to provide opportunities to the less privileged youth by providing free career guidance mainly in Economics and Finance.

As a part of their free workshops for college and school teachers, the NGO emphasises on the use of technology in teaching and learning, budget related issues,

Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals deposit bank guarantee

AFTER THE face-off with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the two ousted IPL franchises, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals filed two separate affidavits with the Bombay High Court, which stated that they had complied with the stipulations and also furnished bank guarantees as per the legal requirements.

Previously, the High Court had stayed the termination of the two teams by the BCCI.

The court had asked the two teams to deposit bank guarantees to BCCI in order to make up for the losses that the Board and its players might possibly face if in case the arbitrator's award goes

India's future defender: Micro Aerial Vehicles

INDIAN SCIENTISTS in Bengaluru are working on a unique technology of Micro Craft, which will be mounted on Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs). This technology will be able to help civic agencies in emergencies like Carlton Tower episode. It will also help armed forces to counter the threat posed by terrorists armed with chemical weapons.

 

The MAVs are able to reach the unapproachable areas, detect the cause of the accident, capture and send images, thus helping in rescue operations. India's civic agencies lack the technology to do so in disaster management.

Antony to lay foundation stone of NIRDESH

TO ENHANCE self reliance in warship production capabilities of India, Defence Minister AK Antony will lay the foundation stone of the National Institute for Research and Development in Defence Shipbuilding (NIRDESH) on Tuesday in Calicut.

 

 

NIRDESH would concentrate on enhancing self-reliance in production capabilities relating to all kinds of warships, submarines and other related platforms required by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to safeguard our long coastline and protect maritime interests of India.

 

The Government of Kerala has agreed to provide more than 40 acres of land with requisite sea front for this prestigious institute.

Facebook most visited website in US, Lady Gaga top searched music personality

WORLD'S LARGEST social networking site, Facebook became the most visited website in the United States in 2010. According to the report from Experian Hitwise, for the first time Facebook dethroned Google as the most visited website in the country. In 2009, Facebook was in the third place behind Google and Yahoo Mail.

During the period of January to November, Facebook accounted for 8.93 percent of total U.S. visits whereas, Google accounted for 7.19 percent visits. Yahoo Mail, Yahoo, and the world's largest video platform YouTube emerged as the third, fourth and fifth most visited websites in the United States. MSN,