Friends all set to hit the big screen

Television's most beloved pals, Friends, might be there for you on the 70mm screen sooner than you think.

The highly anticipated film production of the famous television series has finally been given the go-ahead, according to reports.

The cast are said to have agreed to the project after witnessing the box office success of Sex and the City, another hit television series given the movie treatment.

Rumours of a reunion for the six Friends stars -- Jennifer Aniston [Images], Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc -- have been around ever since the show ended in 2004.

The cast is now reported to have signed up for a movie version, produced by Warner Bros, with filming scheduled to start within the next 18 months. 'Jennifer, Courtney and the rest of the cast are keen to reprise their roles, under the right circumstances. The success of Sex And The City has really got their wheels spinning about how a Friends film could be just as big, if done right,' the Telegraph quoted a source, as saying.

'Timing and the script are really important, but now that Courteney and Jen both have production companies, they can potentially get very involved in those decisions,' the source added.

Cox has made no secret of her desire to get the gang back together for one last outing, but Aniston has been reluctant.

The source said: 'As the biggest star of the Friends franchise, Jennifer can't help but look at what's happened with Sarah Jessica Parker [Images] and the Sex and the City film and be a little jealous. What's held back a Friends movie so far is that people were worried that Jennifer had simply become too famous to play Rachel again.

'But the truth is that Jennifer is finally willing to do it, and she'd love to work with that whole team of actors and producers again. She says she and Courteney have already talked this summer about what they want out of a Friends movie, and if deals can be made with them, everything else can fall into place rather quickly.'

Yoga: Challenge yourself with the lotus pose

The lotus pose or padmasana is a great pose with which to continue one's learning curve in yoga. Since it's so importantly connected with mental and spiritual benefits, this pose is one worth cultivating. It may also be used as an additional prop to other poses one can already do. This column is directed at those who already practice yoga and can do the lotus pose with ease, holding it for longer.

The lotus pose which came naturally to Indians just a few generations ago, has today become a difficult asana or pose. This is largely due to lifestyle changes: the westernised toilet in place of the Indian-style one, the use of the chair rather than the floor on which to seat oneself, the reduced use of legs for various activities combined with gadgets that discourage the use of our legs. The main culprit being a largely sedentary lifestyle and the choice of rest or reclining as the most preferred way to unwind.

Read about Shilpa's Yoga. Click here.

In such a scenario, unfortunately, the lotus pose is not just difficult but also aggravates existing problems in those who attempt it late in life. Such problems include knee pain, lower backache, hip pain and arthritic problems. However, if you already have a healthy yoga practice and enjoy flexibility, this pose is worth cultivating.

It enhances mental focus by redirecting the flow of blood, that drains towards the lower limbs, by pushing it upwards to the torso and the spine. The digestive tract, often referred to as the 'second brain' because of its close link and reactions to our emotional selves, is serviced as well as the brain.

Shameem Akthar, yoga acharya trained with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Kerala, shows you how to up the ante in your yoga practice with the lotus pose and its five variations.

Point to note:
If sitting or holding the lotus for long, when you release the legs, wriggle the toes lightly, shuffle the legs up and down, to restore blood circulation back in them, before either standing or moving about.

Some of these poses are advanced poses and meant only for those who already have a thriving yoga practice.

Catch more of Shameem's yoga writings and about her upcoming workshops at jaisivananda.blogspot.com

Harmony Foundation recently published Shameem Akthar's book, Yoga for Silvers. To place an order, please write to: anita.rosario@harmonyindia.org

This article only attempts to enthuse readers towards yoga practice and complement your existing practice. Yoga is best learnt under the personal guidance of a teacher.

Check it out by clicking Next below
Next

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How reliable are lie-detectors in whodunnits?

A video of the stamp scam kingpin, Abdul Karim Telgi, undergoing a narco-analysis test shocked India a few years ago.

However, today, it's become almost standard police procedure to use basic lie-detector tests and narco-analysis when investigating high-profile criminal cases, like the ongoing probe into the Noida double murders, the Nithari case last year to the 7/11 blasts in Mumbai.

But here's what's worrying. Clinical psychiatrists across the world have raised questions about their reliability.

NIMHANS Clinical Psychologist, Dr C R Chandrashekhar says, "If a person is admant about not telling you the truth, he will give you false information even in the narco-analysis test. Then the test does not mean anything."

A NIMHANS study on some 300 criminals who underwent narco-analysis found that in nearly four out of 10 cases, people get away with lying even when in a trance-like-state induced by the "truth serum" of Sodium Pentothal. Thus, these tests are reliable only in 61 per cent of the cases

The amount of truth serum administered in each case also has a role to play. Even if 5 mg lower than the required dosage is administered, then the person undergoing the test may be in his senses and cheat.

The Indian Psychiatric Society considers narco-analysis to be a pseudo-science.

They find that one in two people can be made to believe events that never happened, and so even in the subconscious state, their brains recognise and register these lies as the truth.

Narco-analysis findings are also not admissible in court, but the police say they need these tests, to provide vital leads.

Former Chief Anti-Terrorist Squad, K P S Raghuvanshi says, "Narco-analysis is used in high profile cases because there is so much public hue and cry and public attention, and so it is critical to arrive at a conclusion correctly and quickly. When we're blank and making no headway, 61 per cent is a big percentage. During investigations of national importance like terrorism charges, it is important to be doubly sure and get a lead."

As criminals get more sophisticated, especially when it comes to white-collar crimes, police are increasingly looking to forensics to help them keep up to date. But the big question is, will forensic tests get advanced enough to prove dependable? One will have to wait and watch.

Toshiba KDDI W51T - Review

KDDI W51T – a 3-megaixel camera and a rotating display

Here comes another product by the Japanese operator produced by Toshiba. KDDI W51T is a stylish clamshell with the rotating display, which enables you to snap and view photos more comfortably. Besides there is a 3-megapixel camera.


Its internal display has a 2.6” diagonal, QVGA resolution, 262K colors. The external OLED display is a monochrome one, 96x39 pixels, 0.8” diagonal. It is designed to display service info, for example, on the network signal level and incoming SMS. There is an expansion slot for microSD cards.

Measuring 51x103x21 mm it weighs 142 g. Battery life in CDMA 1X networks makes up about 290 hours standby and 220 minutes in the talk mode. The model is available in 3 color solutions

Planning to buy Digital Camera?

Check out the latest models

Sony announces HVL-F58AM flagship flash unit

Sony has announced the new HVL-F58AM flagship flash unit. The new model replaces the former HVL-F56AM model, and features a new Quick Shift Bounce system. The flash head can pivot 90 degrees left and right on a horizontal axis in addition to the conventional up and down. It offers a higher degree of flexibility for external lighting control and is compatible will all existing models as well as Sony's upcoming flagship camera that will be unveiled later this year

E3's whiter than white following firmware fix

Olympus has issued updated firmware for its flagship DSLR, the E3. The latest firmware, V1.2, makes an update to improve the consistency of the camera's auto white balance. As usual, owners can download this latest update through Olympus's Master or Studio software



Canon launches EOS 1000D / Rebel XS



Canon has announced the EOS 1000D, a new entry-level DSLR that slots into the model lineup beneath the 450D. The 10 megapixel digital camera, known as the Digital Rebel XS in the US, takes many of the new features of its big brother and presents them in a lighter, less expensive format that Canon hopes will re-shape the market in the same way as the first Rebel (300D) did. No word yet from Canon US about their intentions.



FujiFilm firmware puts F100fd in the pink



FujiFilm has released a firmware update for its F100fd compact camera. The update is a response the 'pink banding' issue that has been the subject of heated discussion on the FujiFilm Talk forum. FujiFilm says the modification will "reduce" the pinkish colored banding reported by some users.
FujiFilm's description of the firmware states it will: "Reduce 'pinkish-colored band' which may be rarely found in the left side edge of image when the image is shot at ISO 400 or shot without flash on 'NATURAL & FLASH MODE'."
Users can download the firmware and find more information about uploading it to their cameras by clicking here.

For more review click here.

Modern Saying

Got to read some funny quotes. Enjoy reading.

Just for laugh!!! No offence please.


You love someone,
You marry someone else !
The one you marry
becomes your spouse !
And the one you loved
becomes **********
the password of your mail id !!
---------------
There's only one perfect child
in the world and every mother has it.
There's only one perfect wife
in the world and every neighbour has it.
---------------
Three dreams of a man:
To be as handsome as his mother thinks.
To be as rich as his child believes.
To have as many women as his wife suspects...
---------------
Husband and wife are like liver and kidney.
Husband is the liver and the wife is the kidney.
If the liver fails, the kidney fails.
If the kidney fails .........
the liver manages with other kidney !!
---------------
Generation Next Motto:
Neither will I marry
Nor I will allow my children to marry !!
------------------
What's the difference between
Drug and Wine ?
Drug is like a girlfriend that comes
with an expiry date.
Wine is like a wife,
The older it gets, longer the chatter !
---------------
The Japanese have produced a camera
that has such .. such a fast shutter speed that
it is capable of taking a picture of a woman
with her mouth shut!!!

check the new printers in the market

Feature: Printers That Can Rewrite on a Single Sheet, Print Pages in 2 Seconds

A printer can help preserve images or documents, but these high-tech machines aim to do the job much more efficiently. Continue reading....

Toshiba B-SX8R
Toshiba has developed a printer (B-SX8R) that can erase and reprint -- up to 500 times -- on a single sheet of paper. This process involves heat-activated pigments that turn black at 180-degrees-plus. When the pigments are heated from 130-degrees to 170-degrees, the pigements revert back to white, which essentially erases the sheet's contents.

Memjet
SilverBrook Research has developed a new type of "Memjet" printer technology. The devices use a printhead that consists of individual microchip segments, with each measuring 20mm and containing 6400 nozzles. This enables them to print at speeds of up to 2 pages per second.

Four Essential hairdos for women this season

Hair styles for this season

Haircare major Schwarzkopf recently unveiled some new styles for women this season at its Essential Looks Spring/Summer 2008 show.

Check it out below

School's Out

This style, classified as a 'School's Out' haircut capitalises on dashes of caramel colouring and layering with an overall smooth silhouette. It frames your face well and is ideal if you have straight silky hair


















Punked out

If you prefer your mane doing wilder, whackier things, Schwarzkopf has put a 'School's Out' spin on the traditional bob -- an edgy look with uneven layering and bangs that skim your eyebrows. A hint of copper or red will add to its quirky cuteness


















Ultra-feminine

Go ultra-feminine with the 'New Romance' look -- sculpted, glossy curls fall softly onto your shoulders and the focus of the colour is deep and dark. You can also opt for warm, subtle highlights.


















Flavour of the East

And last but not least we have an Asian hair-inspired do -- 'The East' is all about asymmetric bangs, funky layers and texture. Don't shy away from brunette shades and don't be afraid to experiment.



















Take a hint from these hairstyles and head to your local parlour today!

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Ivanovic off to a flyer

Ladies' Day is traditionally on the first Tuesday of the Championships, when the defending women's champion opens proceedings on Centre Court. As a prelude, the showcase court was today treated to an impressive display from the sport's current leading lady, Ana Ivanovic, who ran out a 6-1, 6-2 victor over Rosanna de los Rios.

The number one seed’s victory was achieved in a fashion that underlines why Ivanovic has taken over as world number one since the unexpected retirement of Justine Henin.

The progress of the statuesque 20-year-old Serb has been steady over the past 13 months. An easy loser to Henin in the 2007 French Open final, she went out to eventual champion Venus Williams at the Wimbledon semi-final stage last year. After a fourth-round exit at the US Open, Ivanovic began 2008 in rousing fashion, reaching the Australian Open final, before making her Grand Slam breakthrough at Roland Garros three weeks ago.

Seeking back-to-back Grand Slams at Wimbledon, she got off to an impressive start against the 32-year-old Paraguayan.

De los Rios, whose 11-year-old daughter was watching her mother from the players' box, sported a large patch on her right knee and did not possess enough power of shot to threaten Ivanovic.

The opening set was over in 24 minutes and the South American's determination to make a better fight of it in the second foundered against the clean, vigorous hitting of the number one seed.

Ivanovic broke for a 2-1 second-set lead when de los Rios looped a forehand long and her attempts to extend the match were extinguished when Ivanovic, watched by her parents, Dragana and Miroslav, broke for a 5-2 lead.

De los Rios offered up a break point to Ivanovic when she double-faulted for the only time in the match and then made the mistake of throwing up a lob that fell short, allowing the Serb to smash it away for a winner.

Serving for the match, Ivanovic appeared to have won it with her second ace, only for the Paraguayan to challenge the validity of the shot and be proved right. But the reprieve was short-lived. On the next rally, de los Rios hooked a forehand tamely wide, which was the cue for a victorious Ivanovic to throw kisses to all corners of Centre Court.

Home loans: Why age and tenure are important

Choosing right home loan tenure is as important an option as choosing an interest rate for the loan or focus on repayment and prepayment options.
In recent times, as the rate of inflation has touched double-digit figure choosing the right home loan tenure becomes even more important as interest rates show signs of going up further.
There are several factors to be considered when one decides to take a home loan for a specific period.

Is age on your side?
The first important factor is the age. The younger the age, higher is the tenure available to a home loan borrower. This means, if one decides to take a loan in her/his 30s, s/he can get a loan for 20 years -- the maximum loan tenure offered by most Indian banks currently.

Some banks offer home loans for 25 years but that is an exception rather than the rule. According to the eligibility criteria of the banks, age of retirement is 60 years in case of salaried and 65 years in case of self-employed individuals.

Interest rates: Beware of ups and downs
When taking a loan, one must take into account the fact that interest rates fluctuate during the loan tenure. You just have to consider the interest rate movement on home loans in the last eight years to understand how fluctuating these rates have been.

The fluctuation will impact the home loan EMI (the amount of money you pay every month to your lender), whether one takes a loan at a fixed interest rate or floating interest rate.

Why age is important
If the loan borrower is younger, s/he can get an extension in her/his loan tenure. Remember that some banks offer maximum loan tenure of 25 years. If the loan borrower is in her/his 40s, the only option available in such a case would be to increase the EMI. And this can cause a lot of pain especially in times of soaring inflation.

But this is easier said than done. The reason is, by the time you are in your 40s, the rate of increase in potential income is much lesser as compared to what one can expect at a younger age, say in mid 20s or early 30s.

Another benefit of a younger age is the increased loan eligibility. Even though the current income is taken into account while giving a loan, the potential of increase in salary is also taken as a factor. So, one can easily opt for a top-up loan (a loan on top of an already existing loan) to meet personal needs or take care of an increased EMI if at all a borrower faces such a situation.

There are repayment options such as step-up repayment facility where the EMI is low in the initial period and increases at a later stage. This actually coincides with an increase in salary of a salaried borrower. This could be ideal for young borrowers who are climbing rungs professionally. But this is an option available for the younger lot.

How it makes a difference!
Let's take an example. A 30-year old individual, say Amit, takes a home loan of Rs 30 lakh at an interest rate of 9 per cent for 20 years say in 2006. Amit earns about Rs 50, 000 per month then. Now let's assume that the interest rate on Amit's home loan increases to 11 per cent in 2008. Since Amit is 30 years old, he has an option of increasing the loan tenure to 25 years (even after increasing the loan tenure to 25 years Amit is still below his retirement age of 60 years as mentioned above).

Also, let's assume that by the time in 2008 interest rates increase Amit's salary has also increased to Rs 77, 140 assuming he got an annual salary increment of 7 per cent year-on-year in his net salary.

How to use credit card reward points

Jayant Bhadauria, 34, head of education solutions at Adobe India, is expecting his second child this month. He has his heart set on a Shoppers' Stop pram that costs Rs 7,800. Says Bhadauria: "I liked the pram. To dish out Rs 7,800 would hurt, but since I have credit card points to redeem I don't mind the indulgence."

Credit cards don't just substitute for cash, they can also earn you reward points. "I use cards for their convenience and other benefits which I can milk," says Bhadauria. And you, too, can tap the monetary value of the points collected on your card.

How to accumulate points?

Every time you swipe your credit card to make a purchase, you collect reward points. Typically, you get one point per Rs 100-250 spent. This, however, depends on the card and the bank. For instance, banks offer more points on co-branded cards. State Bank of India gives one point per Rs 40 spent on its Gold Card and eight points per Rs 100 on its co-branded Tata Card.
The value of each reward point also varies across credit cards and banks. Says Sachin Khandelwal, head (cards), ICICI Bank : "The value of a point can be anywhere between 30 paise to a rupee and is also a function of the merchant partner in case of co-branded cards." For example, the value of one point on the SBI Gold Card is 70 paise, while it is Re 1 on the SBI-Tata Card.

The limitation with most accelerated reward points on co-branded cards, however, is that they can be redeemed only against products and services of the partnered establishment.
One also needs to remember that points get accumulated against spends (that too, not all of them), not for cash withdrawals.

How to redeem points?
What to redeem on. Earlier, banks offered a limited catalogue of products. Plus the prices were very high and one couldn't negotiate on them. But now there is a laundry list of what you can do with the points.

For starters, there is the conventional catalogue that includes apparel, gadgets, jewellery, luggage items, and the like. You can also encash your points against gift vouchers. For instance, with HDFC Bank's Gold Card you can get gift vouchers from Domino's, Cafe Coffee Day, Pantaloons, Westside, Lee, Music World and Landmark.

Going a step further, some banks have tie-ups with certain merchants where you can redeem points instantly. You don't have to contact the bank and get vouchers; you can pay using the points.

When the card is swiped, the reward points get reflected on the machine. So, if you have accumulated points worth, say, Rs 500 and you buy goods worth Rs 1,000, the merchant will offer you the choice of using your points for payment.

Some banks now offer air tickets on reward points, a feature that was earlier limited to co-branded cards. For instance, HDFC Bank has tied up with Jet Airways , Indian and Kingfisher Airlines to allow its card users to convert their reward points into air miles. The value of one air mile is usually equal to one reward point.

"The air miles required to get complimentary tickets would depend on the airline and the travel sector," says Parag Rao, executive vice-president, head (product and portfolio management), credit cards, HDFC Bank.

Some banks, like Bank of Baroda , also let you redeem your reward points against cash. That is, cash corresponding to your reward points are credited to your account. Deutsche Bank does the same on its Gold Card, but also offers a gift catalogue.

Procedure. You can redeem your points by filling up a redemption coupon which is there on banks' website. You could also use the phone banking option. For web-enabled credit card holders redemption can happen online. The banks can take anywhere between a week to a month to redeem the points.

How to bag the best?
With so many cards, each with multiple features, how do you know which one to pick. Bhadauria wants features, flexibility and convenience from his credit cards. "Of my five cards, I use HDFC Master Titanium card the most since I can pay the bills online and it gives me higher reward points for it. The card also offers many options to redeem my points," he says.
Figure out what you want. If you are a frequent air traveler, then an airline-bank co-branded card may work for you.

Another thing to note is the value of points. Says Nirupam Sahay, chief marketing officer, SBI Cards: "Points accumulated and their value is important, in addition to the wide choice of redemption options." For example, the co-branded ABN AMRO MakeMyTrip Go Card offers three reward points per Rs 100 spent. But, on purchases made on MakeMyTrip, the points range from 10 to 30. The reward points can be redeemed as cash back into your account.

Now, more cards are offering the cash-back option on reward points. Choose the card that offers you maximum cash-back on your frequent spends and offers an array of redemption choices.
All banks display their products online and have compare tools to help you pick the best.
Use these to compare the features and find the card that suits you best.
Don't forget the expiry date. All your hard work would go waste if your points expire.
However, most banks have started doing away with the expiry period.
For the smart shopper, the credit card is worth more than just what it buys.

Cell phones 'a health risk' for kids

An international team of researchers has warned parents to limit their children's use of mobile phones, after studying the effects of the devices on health.

The team said 'the electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones should be considered a health risk'.

'What we found was astounding and much more concerning that what we had been led to believe,' the Scotsman quoted Dr David Servan-Schreiber, who led the team, as saying.

During the study, researchers found that significant levels of electromagnetic radiation from the phones did penetrate the human body, and argued that until more research was done the gadgets should be considered dangerous.

In particular, researchers found that children's brains were more susceptible to the radiation than those of adults, and suggested parents to ban younger children from using the phones regularly.

Travel industry on downward spiral, woos tourists

With inflation at a 13-year high and ATF prices continuing their upward trend, the already-struggling travel industry is facing the heat.

“The peak season is coming to an end. In the peak season we have seen a drop of 10 to 15 per cent already in number - a drop of 30 per cent in actual terms if we add the growth that we were expecting,” says Director, TRAC, Kavi Ghei.

Comparing the number of outbound tourists from India for April 2007 with April 2008, both Singapore and Hong Kong saw a fall of close to 50 per cent.
Malaysia, on the other hand, witnessed a sharp fall of close to 80 per cent after a great year in 2007.

The worst hit is again the aam-aadmi.

“Yes, there is a slowdown - the niche traveller will still travel - the effect has impacted the middle level,” says Destination Manager, Sri Lanka Tourism, Maadhuri Verma.
With the situation nowhere close to improving, tourism boards are going all out to woo the Indian traveller.

“For the lean season, we are taking measures like: joint promotions with airlines, hotels partnership and facilities like visa on arrival,” says Director, Tourism Malaysia, Manoharan.
After taking toll on long haul destinations like the US or the UK, rising fuel prices and inflationary pressure are now targetting short haul destination like Malaysia and Singapore with an evident slowdown in the travel industry.

And this is just another facet of the impending economic slowdown.

Manufacturing investment? India set to be No. 1

India is likely to see the largest growth in its share of foreign investment overall, and should become the world leader for investment in manufacturing, says a recent KPMG survey.

The results showed a move away from investments in the United States, Japan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, and a big increase in flows to Brazil, Russia, China and India (BRIC).

A global survey of corporate investment plans was carried out by KPMG International. Corporate investment strategists from over 300 of the largest multinational companies in 15 major economies were asked where they plan to invest in the next 12 months and in five years' time.

This trend-setting survey suggests a major shift of capital flows from the USA, Japan and other European countries to the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries, in the next five years.

Significantly, while 10 per cent of the companies surveyed expect to invest in India currently, that number will go up to 18 per cent in five years -- the biggest gain amongst all other BRIC countries.

Further an increasing proportion of investments will flow into industrial products and manufacturing in India. Interestingly, 64 per cent of the investment into India is expected to come from new entrants to the country.

India, according to the survey, has the potential to play an even more influential role in flow of capital and it's a great opportunity for India to further improve the economic and fiscal climate and attract and retain investments in its growing economy.

Citi set to sack 6,500

Financial giant Citigroup, led by India-born Vikram Pandit, is in for an aggressive round of layoffs, where it will start firing about 6,500 employees from its investment banking business from Monday, media reports said.

After posting a loss to the tune of $15 billion in the past two quarters and expected to see further billions of dollars of subprime crisis-related write-downs, Citigroup would dismiss this week 10 per cent of its 65,000-strong investment banking workforce across the world, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Quoting unnamed people familiar with the matter, the report said that the "pink slips are likely to be handed out on Monday."

The latest round of layoffs come top off close to 10,000 employees having shown the door earlier this year, as part of Pandit's aim to cut the company's annual expenses by $15 billion. The company has more than 350,000 employees on its payrolls across the world.

In another report, British daily The Times quoted unnamed sources as saying that even senior managing directors would not be immune from the layoffs.

"Citigroup's mergers and acquisitions bankers may bear the brunt of the cost-cutting because their ranks were not sharply reduced earlier this year. No major department of the investment bank is likely to be spared, apart from certain businesses in emerging markets and its lucrative transactions services division," The Times report said.

In April, Citigroup said that 9,000 jobs would go on top of the 21,000 eliminated in the past year.

The Wall Street Journal report said that "no major department is likely to be spared, aside from some businesses in emerging markets and Citigroup's lucrative transactions-services arm."

"Entire trading desks in New York and other cities are expected to be eliminated. And unlike Citigroup's other recent reductions, this round will feature layoffs of dozens of senior managing directors," it quoted the people close to the matter as saying.

The latest round of job cuts is the first major "move by John Havens, who took the helm of Citigroup's institutional-clients group, which includes the investment bank, in late March."

The report said that, Havens, a longtime lieutenant of Pandit, has concluded that some of the investment bank's businesses have been rendered obsolete by the credit crunch, while he sees others as operating inefficiently and generating inadequate returns.

The report in the United Kingdom daily, The Times, further said that investment banking giant Goldman Sachs is also understood to have made more jobs cuts at its investment banking division last week.

"It has been eliminating 10 per cent of the roles in the M&A and corporate fund raising divisions this year, and the latest round of redundancies began last week," the report noted.

Recently, Swiss investment banking major Credit Suisse announced 75 job cuts in its investment bank and support services division in the UK. So far in 2008, Credit Suisse has cut 1,000 investment banking jobs worldwide.

Courtesy http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/jun/23citi.htm

Spain vs Italy

Casillas' saves put Spain in semis

Spain 4:2 Italy
Spain (4-2) win on penalties

Iker Casillas was the penalty shoot-out hero as Spain held their collective nerve to throw out the record book and claim a UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-final against Russia.

Record
Before tonight Spain had lost three quarter-final penalty shoot-outs on 22 June but they stopped the rot at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, prevailing 4-2 on spot-kicks after 120 minutes had failed to produce a goal. Although Gianluigi Buffon saved from Daniel Güiza, Casillas denied Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale, allowing Cesc Fàbregas to step up and send his side through. In truth, Luis Aragonés's team had enjoyed the better of the play on a humid night in Vienna, Marcos Senna coming closest when he was denied by the post in the closing stages of normal time. They continued to press in the additional half-hour, David Silva and Santi Cazorla both firing narrowly wide before Casillas's heroics saw them through to a rematch with a Russia side they defeated 4-1 in the group stage.

Omens
The Italy squad had arrived at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion some time after their Spanish counterparts, and for much of the first half Aragonés's men were similarly first to everything. With Xavi Hernández providing the pivot in midfield, Spain bossed the play, caressing the ball one way and then the other – all one-touch passing and quick bursts of activity as they picked at Italy's high defensive line, looking for a chink in the armour. The ploy of Andrés Iniesta switching flanks to create the overlap on the left was too obvious for the wizened Azzurri rearguard, although David Villa's cute back-heel almost forced an opening soon after and it took a timely block to deny Silva.

Duo missed
Italy were struggling to gain a foothold, unable to fill the sizeable void left by suspensions to their usual suppliers of industry and finesse, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo. It was a hole that Fernando Torres, in particular, was keen to exploit as he popped up all over the pitch, drawing Aragonés from his bench to tell him to calm down. Perhaps Aragonés was aware the omens were hardly stacked in his team's favour as they sought their first win against the Azzurri in a competitive fixture, Olympic Games excluded. Midway through the half Massimo Ambrosini gave Spain more to think about but Simone Perrotta was unable to make the most of his arcing cross before another centre just evaded Luca Toni.

Silva threat
With King Juan Carlos in the crowd, it was largely Spain who were rising to the occasion. Villa tested Buffon with a free-kick but it was the waspish Silva who was displaying the most menace. Seven minutes before half-time he fired a low effort past the post after a blocked Torres shot fell his way. He then profited from another fortuitous opening soon after the restart, when the ball cannoned into his path eight metres out. After a clever turn it took a timely intervention from the excellent Giorgio Chiellini to deny Silva. The Azzurri centre-back was immense, and slowly his team-mates began to respond. Just past the hour a long ball caused mayhem in the Spain defence, dropping favourably for substitute Mauro Camoranesi who forced a smothering save from Casillas.

Buffon escape
At the other end, with time ebbing away, Senna worked Buffon with a free-kick and then a low shot that bounced awkwardly in front of the goalkeeper, the ball evading his grasp and spinning on to the post before he fell on to it at the second attempt. It was a propitious bounce but there was no luck involved when the Italy No1 dived to keep out Güiza's effort with three minutes remaining, even if play was subsequently called back for handball. Such reactions would prove invaluable in the concluding penalty shoot-out, but, unfortunately for Roberto Donadoni's world champions, they came predominantly from Casillas.

Netherlands vs Russia

Classy Russia leave Oranje crushed

Netherlands 1:3 Russia

Dmitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin struck in the last eight minutes of extra time to take Russia into the UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-finals at the expense of the Netherlands as Guus Hiddink eliminated the nation of his birth.

Russia dominance
From the off, Russia never allowed Marco van Basten's previously imperious side space and they attacked with vigour. Roman Pavlyuchenko's 56th-minute volley seemed to have won the game but with four minutes remaining Ruud van Nistelrooy headed an equaliser. However, Russia dominated the additional half-hour and the tireless Arshavin set up substitute Torbinski to restore the advantage from close range in the 112th minute. The No10 added another himself to book a semi-final against Spain or Italy in Vienna on Thursday, although Torbinski and Denis Kolodin will miss that match through suspension.

Robben ruled out
Having rested most of his first-choice lineup in Tuesday's win against Romania, Van Basten returned to the selection that started the impressive defeats of Italy and France, Arjen Robben's hopes scuppered by continuing groin problems. It was Russia, beginning as positively as Hiddink had promised, who had the first chance when Yuri Zhirkov's free-kick forced Edwin van der Sar into a diving save and Igor Semshov then crossed from the right for Pavlyuchenko to head over. Russia's outnumbered fans made most of the early noise as the Netherlands took time to get to grips with their opponents' pressing game, although Van Nistelrooy did nearly get a decisive touch on Rafael van der Vaart's free-kick.

Kolodin denied
Suddenly the Netherlands started to produce the flowing football that lit up their group games in Berne, and their supporters responded accordingly. But if many Dutch players were fresh after sitting out the Romania match, Arshavin was also relatively rested having been suspended for the first two games and from a solo run he forced Van der Sar to save. The goalkeeper then tipped over Kolodin's ferocious shot before the Netherlands attacked again at the other end as Khalid Boulahrouz, whose late baby daughter was remembered by his team-mates' black armbands, sent Van Nistelrooy through for an effort that Igor Akinfeev blocked.

Pavlyuchenko finish
Russia looked sharper as the second half got under way, Arshavin nearly scoring with a swerving free-kick, and a minute later Sergei Semak sent in a cross from the left that Pavlyuchenko gleefully turned in. Russia were allowing the Netherlands little of the ball and attacking at pace, Van der Sar using instinct and one hand to keep out an Aleksandr Anyukov strike. The goalkeeper also saved when Pavlyuchenko was put through while Torbinski was unfortunate not to turn the ball in soon after. It seemed the Oranje's campaign was over but with four minutes left Wesley Sneijder curled in a free-kick for Van Nistelrooy to head in and force an extra half-hour.

Extra-time decisive
However Russia were unbowed, Semshov forcing a diving stop from Van der Sar while Arshavin blazed over and Pavlyuchenko's dipping shot was only kept out by the crossbar. Arshavin then burst through and crossed for Torbinski, only for Van der Sar to block again. The second extra period continued in the same vein, Pavlyuchenko just failing to turn in Arshavin's cross but finally the breakthrough came when the FC Zenit St. Petersburg playmaker delivered another looping centre for Torbinski to volley in. Four minutes later Arshavin sealed a semi-final place with the goal his play deserved as his shot deflected in off John Heitinga, confirming that the Netherlands would follow fellow group winners Portugal and Croatia home.

Lords of '83: Men who won India the Cup of Joy

Twenty-five years ago, Indian cricket was redefined forever. No Indian cricket fan can forget June 25, 1983 - the day India won the World Cup at Lord's.

The show conducted by CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai saw the legends candidly recall the big moment - both on the field and off it. From the team's strategy to who got to drink the most champagne to who got the maximum adulation from female fans, the show revisited some of the unseen, unheard of times.

The panel comprised Kapil Dev, the captain of that World Cup winning team; Sunil Gavaskar, an incomparable batsman; Balwinder Singh Sandhu, the man who started it all by bowling out Gordon Grenidge; Syed Kirmani, the finest wicketkeeper India has ever seen; Yashpal Sharma, one of the most astounding heroes of the '83 triumph and the charismatic Sandeep Patil.

Below are the excerpts from the show and thanks to CNN IBN.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Will the team be comfortable with the fast-paced Twenty20 cricket played in this day and age?

Kapil Dev:: No, I would rather play golf. It is too difficult and I won't like to do all the running around. Your appearance may suggest so but your legs don't move the same way.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Do you all still remember that day; is it fresh in your mind?

Sunil Gavaskar: Absolutely, because it was an unbelievable moment, an unforgettable moment for all of us. And it was not just for the team but also for all the Indians. It was a moment that got us together. As a team we shared that moment and so it's going to stay with us throughout.

Syed Kirmani: Yes, I will definitely tell my grandson that.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Did your believe that you could beat the two-time world champions?

Balvinder Singh Sandhu: Before going to the World Cup I gave an interview to Pratap Sahi from Ananada Bazaar Patrika and I said if our batsmen can get us 230 runs, we have a good chance.

Yashpal Sharma: Well, I was part of the 1979 World Cup and there we lost all three games and we decided that we will never win the World Cup but at least we will perform better than what we did in '79. We never thought that we will win the very first game against the West Indies.

Sandeep Patil: Crossing my heart, I never thought we will win, not to insult Indian cricket or the record of the Indian cricket but I thought that this was an opportunity for me to play the World Cup.

Krish Srikkanth also joined the discussion and greeted Kapil in Hindi: “Kapil paaji ab mera Hindi achcha ho gaya. 25 saal pehle mera Hindi kharaab tha lekin dekho ab mera Hindi kaisa ho gaya" (Now my Hindi has improved. 25 years ago it was bad but now it has become good)

Kapil Dev:: Ek hi baat hai, iska Hindi achcha ho gaya aur mera English achcha ho gaya. (It's the same thing. His Hindi was got better and my English has improved)

Rajdeep Sardesai: One of the great things about the team was that all of them came from different parts of the country and different communities and played together as a team?

Sunil Gavaskar: What makes India special is that we all come from different parts of a very big country with different cultures, also different kinds of diets and different attitudes apart from the language. We come together as a team on the field and even in the dressing room, you never think of which part of the country he is from..

Rajdeep Sardesai: Kapil's English and Srikkanth's Hindi were not a problem?

Sunil Gavaskar: Not at all. On the field there is very little talk. You know what your job is and you go about it to the best of your ability. You let your job do the talking and not your language.

Rajdeep Sardesai: There were some very special moments of that World Cup win. One was, Balwinder Singh Sandhu's in-swinger that bowled Gordon Grenidge. So, does Sandhu still remember that ball?

Balwinder Singh Sandhu: I think fans will never let me forget that ball. Every year I keep talking about the ball. I bowled Grenidge in the first game and also in Trinidad, he got bowled to an in-swinger. So at the back of my mind I knew he is not picking my in-swinger when I'm bowling close to the stumps.

Kirmani, however, had an interesting take on the Grenidge dismissal.

Syed Kirmani: When I congratulated him after he bowled that in-swinger, Sandhu told me - 'I bowled an out-swinger but it came in’.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Kirmani was also on the other end when Sandhu was hit on the head my Malcolm Marshall.

Syed Kirmani: After he was hit on the head, I didn't tell him anything. Marshall was fired by Dickie Bird, using all the four-letter words for using the bouncer on a tail-ender. He didn't realise that he had a turban under his helmet. So instead of rubbing his head, he was rubbing his helmet.

Balwinder Singh Sandhu:: I just told Kirti that don't worry, my head is well padded up.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Playing the West Indians during that time and taking them on, what was it?

Sandeep Patil: When we started the tour and room partners were assigned, I was lucky but my room partner was so unlucky to have me as a room partner. Fortunately or unfortunately it was Sunil Gavaskar, who shared the room with me. That was the reason why Gavaskar did not score runs. I kept him awake, I kept him out and I don't know how and where he used to spend time. I clearly remember me bombarding him with questions. In fact, I asked him if would be able to even see the balls of West Indians. He asked me what do you mean by 'the balls of the West Indians?' I told him the cricket balls that will be bowled by Marshall. I had not faced West Indians then and Sunil told me that you have faced Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thompson; you will be able to see the balls. I saw the ball and I hit a six.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Another batsman who hit a six was Krish Srikkanth, who hooked Andy Roberts for a six.

Kris Srikkanth:: Unfortunately, Sunny got out early in the match. The wicket was a bit damp and Joel Garner was making the ball move like anything and I didn't know what was happening, I was beaten often. Jimmy (Mohinder Amarnath) was on the other end and I told him - 'I don't know what to do, why don't you play him for a while.' Jimmy told me just play your natural game, do whatever you want. That gave me the license and I knew that if I hang around I will get out anytime, so let m get after the bowling.

Rajdeep Sardesai: But Sunil Gavaskar was the oldest member of the team, so did he have problems handling the younger men?

Sunil Gavaskar: No, we had been together for quite a long time and there was nobody new. And we knew each other for a few years. You never try to control a man like Srikkanth. What he used to do was make the man on the other end feel comfortable," said Gavaskar.

Rajdeep Sardesai: So did the team expect to win after they scored 183? And what did Kapil Dev: tell his men during the innings break?

Kapil Dev:: Getting to the final itself was a victory to us, that's how we were looking at it. If I remember correctly we had got extra time because we got out early. I just said c'mon Jawaano, let's fight it out. We have already made 183, now they have to make the runs. And Sunny said 'stop calling them jawaans, they are officers now.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Does anybody have the stumps from the match at your home?

Yashpal Sharma: I have a stump. If you see the footage, Jimmy tried to grab a stump but couldn't, so he got a bail. I got a stump and Roger Binny got another one. I don't know who got them from the other end. My second daughter when she was in the fifth standard only then did she realise that her father played the World Cup. Her colleugues used to tell her your father has played the World Cup.

Mohinder Amarnath, Man-Of-the-Match of that famous final, had a special message.

Mohinder Amarnath: That day seems like yesterday when Kapil Dev: lifted the cup, that was a very special moment because I felt I was part of the team which had created history. It was probably the beginning Indian cricket and whatever we see now I think started from there.

Rajdeep Sardesai: What did the team do after they won the World Cup?

Sandeep Patil: I was sharing a room with Sunil Gavaskar and during the later half of the tournament, Ravi Shastri joined me. I remember getting back to the hotel, we left lord's and it took us nearly one hour to get to our hotel, which was just around the corner. We had a quick shower and when we came down, there was not even room for a man to stand on one leg. It was so packed.


Yashpal Sharma: We are thankful to the Indian people in England especially in South hall because wherever we played there were 400-500 people who used to travel with us. That was a big support to us throughout the tournament.

Turkey vs Croatia

Turkey triumph in Vienna shoot-out

Turkey 4:2 Croatia
Turkey (1-3) win on penalties

Turkey made it through to their first UEFA European Championship semi-final at Croatia's expense after a thrilling match in Vienna was decided on penalties after the two sides had swapped goals in the final moments of extra time.
Sensational comeback
When Ivan Klasnić headed in Luka Modrić's cross with a minute of the overtime period to play, Croatia looked to have booked their place in Wednesday's semi-final against Germany. However, for the third game running, Turkey sensationally hit back at the death to force the first shoot-out of these finals when Semih Şentürk drove in, with the aid of a deflection, from just inside the area. They went on to win 3-1 on penalties after Rüştü Reçber saved Mladen Petrić's kick following earlier misses from Modrić and Ivan Rakitić. Turkey coach Fatih Terim, though, will struggle to get a team together to play Germany with Emre Aşık, Tuncay Şanlı and Arda Turan all suspended along with Volkan Demirel after being booked here.

Nervy start
Terim, without the banned Volkan Demirel and Mehmet Aurélio and with injuries also taking their toll, made four changes from the side that defeated the Czech Republic dramatically to reach the quarter-finals. The 35-year-old Rüştü, who had played against Croatia coach Slaven Bilić at EURO '96™, started in goal, while Bilić reverted to the team that had beaten Germany en route to topping Group B. With so much at stake, both sets of players made nervy starts. On five minutes Turkey right-back Sabri Sarıoğlu's misplaced pass allowed Rakitić to dart to the byline and he pulled the ball back for Darijo Srna whose shot was blocked by Hakan Balta. It was a portent of things to come as Croatia probed with success down both flanks with Terim's reshuffled back line struggling to cope with their slick passing.

Olić denied
For Turkey, Hamit Altıntop flashed an early effort wide and Robert Kovač bravely blocked his free-kick, but Bilić's men were soon in the ascendancy and should have gone ahead on 18 minutes. Croatia fans had descended on Vienna en masse during a baking hot day and they roared as one when Modrić raced clear on the right. His low centre singled out Ivica Olić who crashed a shot off the crossbar before Niko Kranjčar headed the rebound over. Just as against Austria, however, Croatia lost their way when it looked like they were ready to take a stranglehold on proceedings. Turkey began to enjoy more of the possession and though chances were few, Mehmet Topal drew a gasp from the crowd with a 30-metre drive that whistled just wide.

Rüştü saves
The traffic was soon flowing back towards Rüştü, with Croatia almost given a goal four minutes after the restart. Gökhan Zan's weak header let Olić in and the veteran goalkeeper had to race off his line to get a finger to the striker's headed attempt. Rüştü saved from Kranjčar moments later and then, on 70 minutes, Rakitić fired over after a neat one-two with Olić had given him a clear sight of goal inside the box. Knowing their side's propensity for late goals Turkey supporters grew in confidence as extra time loomed. But as the clocked ticked down Croatia again came close, Rüştü brilliantly tipping away Srna's curling free-kick on 83 minutes, then blocking from Olić.

Incredible climax
Having taken the match to added time, Turkey started to show more adventure. Stipe Pletikosa did well to parry after Emre Aşık had skipped through the Croatia defence and the goalkeeper was then grateful to see Tuncay's drive flash wide on 102 minutes. In an incredible climax, Klasnić would head Croatia in front in the final minute – Modrić capitalising on an error by Rüştü to provide the assist – only for Semih to hit back with the last kick of the game. His deflected strike flew past Pletikosa, leaving it to a shoot-out to finally tilt the balance in Turkey's favour.

sQuba, world's first swimming car!

Three decades ago James Bond (then enacted by British star Roger Moore) wowed the world with a car that could 'fly' under water in the movie The Spy Who Loved Me.
Only, it was animation and not an actual scene.

But Frank M Rinderknecht, the 52-year-old automobile visionary and boss of Swiss automaker Rinspeed, has turned a dream into reality with his 'sQuba.'

Rinspeed sQuba is the most exciting thing at this year's Geneva Motor Show and is creating many a ripple.

sQuba is the world's first real submersible car that can 'move like a fish underwater'.
It can dive up to 32.8 feet (10 mt) below the surface of the water and can move at a sedate 1.8 miles per hour.

The sQuba has an open cockpit for 'safety reasons' (so that people can get out easily anytime in case of an emergency). The occupants of the car have to breathe compressed air through built-in scuba masks.

sQuba is an electric car that uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and 3 electric motors for propulsion. It is a zero-emission car as documented by the rotating license plate in the rear. It produces no exhaust emissions.

The 'sQuba's' filling station is the water reservoir.? It is no surprise that the vehicle features powerful yet energy-saving LED lighting technology.

The first car that could drive underwater was Quandt's Amphibicar, built in 1968. Only 3,878 were produced but many are still being driven on roads.
Then Gibbs Technologies came up with Gibbs Aquada in 2004 which Virgin boss Richard Branson used to break the speed record for crossing the English Channel.

However, the sQuba seems to be the most exciting of them all.

To drive on the roads, the sQuba 'relies on a stainless coil-over suspension from KW automotive and large Pirelli tires mounted on custom-made forged light-weight wheels from AEZ with 17- and 18-inch diameters.'

Technical data
Measurements
Length ----- 3'785 mm
Width ----- 1''940 mm
Height ----- 1'117 mm
Wheelbase ----- 2?300 mm
Track front ----- 1?470 mm
Track rear ----- 1?520 mm
Ground clearance ----- 130 mm
Empty weight ----- approx. 920kg
Performances
Top speed ----- > 120 km/h
Acceleration 0-80 km/h ----- 7.1 sec
Water speed ----- > 6 km/h
Under water speed ----- > 3 km/h
Dive depth ----- 10 m
Engines
Street ----- Electric
Power output ----- max. 54 kW at 4'500 /min
Torque ----- 160 NM at 1'500 /min
Water - Stern propellers ----- Electric
Power output ----- 2 x 800 W
Diving - bow jet drives ----- Electric
Power output ----- 2 x 3.6 kW Rotinor
Batteries ----- Lithium-Ionen
Voltage ----- 6 x 48 Volt
Propulsion
Power train ----- Rear wheel drive
Gearbox ----- R - N - F
Suspension
Chassis ----- Steel
Body panels ----- Carbon Nano Tubes
Seating capacity ----- 2
Front suspension ----- Double wishbone
Rear suspension ----- Double wishbone
Dampers/springs ----- KW automotive
Steering ----- Rack & pinion
Tyres
Front tyres ----- Pirelli P Zero 205/40 R17
Front wheels ----- AEZ 7.5 x 17"
Rear tyres ----- Pirelli P Zero 225/40 R18
Rear wheels ----- AEZ 8 x 18"
Miscellaneous
Air supply ----- 1 x 15 liter + 1 x 18 liter ScubaPro
Laser scanner ----- Ibeo
Lubricants ----- Motorex

India's most dependable cars

J D Power Asia Pacific 2008 has published its first India Vehicle Dependability Study, and named 8 of India's most dependable cars.

A car's overall dependability is based on the number of problems reported (by customers) per 100 vehicles (PP100) -- with lower scores indicating a lower rate of problem incidences and higher long-term vehicle quality. The 2008 India Vehicle
Dependability Study is based on evaluations from nearly 4,700 owners, who purchased a new vehicle between July 2004 and September 2005.
The study includes 33 vehicle models covering 12 nameplates and fielded from January to April 2008 in 20 cities across India. The study ranks vehicles within eight market segments: compact; premium compact; entry midsize; midsize; premium midsize; entry luxury; multi-utility/multi-purpose vehicles; and sport-utility vehicles.


Also read about world's first swimming car. Click here.

So find out which are India's 'most dependable cars'. . .

Maruti Suzuki Swift:
This hatchback 5-seater by Maruti Suzuki, which hit the Indian roads in 2005, is designed after the acclaimed Concept S car unveiled by Suzuki at the 2002 Paris Auto show. It is available in diesel and petrol versions.

The 1298 cc-engine petrol version has four varieties: Maruti Suzuki Swift LXi, Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi, Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi (ABS) and Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXi, whereas the 1248-cc engine diesel version of the car comes in three variants: Maruti Suzuki Swift VDi ABS, Maruti Suzuki Swift VDi and Maruti Suzuki Swift LDi.

The car is priced between Rs 4,29,280 and Rs 5,50,812 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Maruti Esteem:
Once known as the 'most dependable workhorse with a great engine' this midsize car's old chassis gradually became unpopular so that Maruti phased out the car to make space for a new sedan -- Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire.

Esteem had good quality interiors but lacked cabin space and used to come in petrol and diesel varieties. The Esteem's price varied between Rs 4,63,020 and Rs Rs 6,15,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, which has replaced Esteem, comes in petrol and diesel variants and are priced between Rs 4,88,683 and Rs 7,09,682 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Toyota Corolla:
Toyota started its operations in India by launching the Corolla which was the segment leader for a long time. A fine sedan, Toyota Corolla scaled the popularity chart across the world in no time. Toyota Corolla is also the world's largest selling car ever.

Corollas are currently manufactured in Japan, USA, UK, Canada, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, South Africa, Brazil, Turkey, Philippines, Thailand, Venezuela, Pakistan and India.

The 1794 cc-engine car comes in six varieties and are priced between Rs 9,00,090 and Rs 12,20,830 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Toyota Innova:
The Toyota Innova is a medium multipurpose vehicle, which means the car is less than 4,600 mm (181.1 inches) in length as per the European system of size classification. The car was manufactured in Indonesia under supervision by Toyota Astra Motor since 2003.

In India, the car replaced Toyota Qualis. It comes in both petrol and diesel variants. A particular diesel version of the car Toyota Innova 2.5 E has recently been discontinued.

The 2494-cc engine car is priced reasonably between Rs 7,38,480 and Rs 10,70,740 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Hyundai Santro:
The Seoul-bsed Hyundai started it's India operations in 1998 with the launch of the Santro. It went on to become one of the largest selling cars in the country.

This 1086-cc engine 5-seater with either automated or manual transmissions, runs in petrol only and comes in four variants: Hyundai Santro Xing Non-AC, Hyundai Santro Xing GL, Hyundai

Santro Xing GLS and Hyundai Santro Xing GLS AT.

The car is reasonably priced between Rs 2,73,747 and Rs 4,09,489 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Honda City ZX:
The Honda City is a subcompact car manufactured by Japanese manufacturer Honda since 1981 for the Asian market. The first Honda City was launched in 1981 as a three-door hatchback. Since then, the car has undergone several redesigns over the years.

Priced between Rs 7,13,000 and Rs 9,07,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai), this 5-seater with either automated or manual transmissions, runs in petrol only and comes in five variants: Honda City ZX EXi, Honda City ZX GXi, Honda City ZX CVT, Honda City ZX VTEC and Honda City ZX VTEC Plus.

Ford Endeavour:
The Ford Endeavour is another name for Ford Everest, a midsize sport utility vehicle sold in Asia, and the Bahamas.

This 2499-cc engine, 7 seater with manual transmission runs in diesel only and comes in three varieties -- Ford Endeavour TDCi 4x2 XLT, Ford Endeavour TDCi 4x2 XLT - Limited Edition and Ford Endeavour 3.0 Thunder+ 4x4.

The car is priced between Rs 15,54,903 and Rs 18,17,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Mercedes-Benz C-Class:
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is an executive car produced by the Mercedes Car Group division of Daimler AG. Introduced in 1993, the C-Class was the most affordable model in the Mercedes lineup until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class.

The C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen, Germany, as well as in DaimlerChrysler's factory in East London.

This 1796-cc engine 5 seater runs on petrol and comes in two variants: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 K MT (manual transmission) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 K AT (automated transmission). The car's diesel variant comes with 2148 cc engine and is of two types: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 220 CDI MT (manual transmission) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class 220 CDI AT (automated transmission).

The car is priced between Rs 26,73,877 and Rs 30,76,555 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Skipping Breakfast: Read this before you do so.

A big breakfast can help shed the kilos

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. How often have you heard that statement? It comes at you from all directions -- at home, in the papers, on the Internet, everywhere. There have been countless studies on this very topic, researching just what value a healthy breakfast can add to your body, lifestyle, overall well-being etc. However, if you are still not entirely convinced maybe the findings of the latest study on the topic might motivate you to take the first meal of the day more seriously.

According to a study by American researcher Dr Daniela Jakubowicz, a big breakfast may be just the key to losing weight and keeping it off. According to a report on bbc.co.uk, the study followed the weight loss pattern of 96 obese women --one group of whom consumed half their daily calorie intake during breakfast and a second group that followed a low-carbohydrate diet that had almost equal calories at every meal.

The results showed that while initially the latter group showed better weight loss results, after eight months, the former continued to lose weight while the low-carb dieters gained a lot of the weight lost.

According to Dr Jakubowicz, a healthy serving of breakfast helps prevent hunger pangs through the day and also allows for a larger amount of fibre and fruit to be included in the meal.

Keeping the balance
Of course, it's not just that you eat but what you eat that counts. Mayoclinic.com suggests that a well-balanced breakfast -- one with protein, carbohydrate, fat and fibre -- can keep hunger at bay for a longer time through the day and reduce the need for a big lunch or dinner.
Cereal, milk, boiled/poached eggs, a few slices of whole grain bread, fruit, peanut butter all make for a delicious breakfast without being too heavy on the calories.

Cut out the excuses
We all have them: I need my sleep, I don't have the time, there's too many things to do, I can't cook so early, I'm not hungry in the morning and on and on.

Whatever your excuse, remember, it's just one more reason you are choosing to lead a less healthy lifestyle. Get up 10 minutes earlier than you usually do and prepare yourself a bowl of cereal with a few slices of fruit mixed in. It will take you a few minutes but give you a great start to the day.

If you have been skipping meals for months or even years, chances are you don't feel hungry in the mornings, so start off small, suggests thedietchannel.com. A slice or two of toast with some butter or margarine, a small bowl of cereal, a bowl of fruit -- all healthy beginnings to a healthy habit!

India inflation to hit 13-yr high at 9.82 pct

India's annual inflation rate is expected to have jumped to 13-year highs near 10 percent in early June, powered by a fuel price rise, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday.

The wholesale price index is forecast to have risen to 9.82 percent in the 12 months to June 7, which would be the highest since June 3, 1995, when annual inflation was at 9.89 percent.

The forecasts from 12 analysts ranged widely from 9.63 percent to 10.62 percent, and compared with an annual rise of 8.75 percent in the previous week.

Click here to see how India calculates inflation

Four economists in the poll estimated the data, due around noon (0630 GMT) on Friday, to come in at above 10 percent, its first double-digit reading since May 27, 1995.

It would be the 17th consecutive week that inflation rate has been above 5.5 percent, the central bank's target by the end of the fiscal year in March 2009.

India had raised state-set fuel prices by about 10 percent on June 4, and the central bank last week raised its key lending rate for the first time in more than a year to contain inflation expectations.

India's chief statistician, Pronab Sen, told Reuters on Tuesday that headline inflation would hit double digits sometime in the coming weeks and was likely to hover around 8 to 9 percent before declining in the last quarter of 2008.

The wholesale price index is more closely watched than the consumer price index (CPI) because it includes more products and is also published weekly. The CPI is released monthly.

Portugal vs Germany

Portugal no match for German power show

Portugal 2:3 Germany

Germany progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship for the first time since 1996 as goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack secured a 3-2 victory over Portugal in Basel.

Heads, you win
The Mannschaft ended up lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy that year and the way they raised their game to meet the challenge of a Portugal side that refused to lie down – halving a two-goal deficit twice through first Nuno Gomes and then, in the dying minutes, Hélder Postiga – augurs well for Joachim Löw's team. By contrast, it was a night when the worst fears of Portugal's Chelsea FC-bound coach Luiz Felipe Scolari were realised, his pre-match nightmares about Germany's aerial superiority materialising in the form of headed goals by Klose and Ballack. Portugal were semi-finalists in 2000 and runners-up in 2004 and Scolari had hoped to take that final step at UEFA EURO 2008™ but his farewell party fell flat at St. Jakob-Park, where Portugal were overpowered by opponents who shrugged aside impressively their occasional first-stage torpor.

Debt paid
With Simão probing down the right, Scolari's men appeared to be finding their stride as they offered the first threat on goal when Bosingwa crossed and João Moutinho, free of his marker but seemingly caught in two minds, steered the ball over at the near post with his knee. Yet in the 22nd minute they fell behind. It was a wonderfully worked goal too, swift passing between Philipp Lahm, Ballack and Lukas Podolski advancing the ball down the left, with Podolski bursting clear to drive in a low cross which Schweinsteiger converted with a sliding finish. Schweinsteiger's coach Löw had told the midfielder he had a "debt" to his team-mates after his red card against Croatia and here, in his first start of the finals, he resembled a man on a mission.

Scoring feat
Scorer of two goals against Portugal at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Schweinsteiger was the architect of their second here too, drifting a free-kick into the Portugal box which Klose, ghosting clear of the red shirts, headed past Ricardo. Raul Meireles replaced the injured Moutinho and Portugal went in search of a lifeline. It came via captain Nuno Gomes five minutes before the break. Simão's crossfield ball sent Ronaldo racing clear of Per Mertesacker down the inside-left channel and though Jens Lehmann blocked his shot, Gomes was first to the rebound, striking first time into the net via the foot of Christoph Metzelder, defending desperately on the line. It was Gomes's sixth goal on the European stage over three tournaments – a scoring span only achieved by Jürgen Klinsmann, Thierry Henry and Vladimír Šmicer before him.

Tense finish
Ronaldo was a whisker away from an equaliser moments before half-time, flashing the ball past Lehmann yet just wide of the far post. Deco did find the net shortly after the interval but was in an offside position and the little midfielder then flicked on a Simão corner to set up Pepe, only for the defender to nod over. Ballack showed him how it should be done in the 61st minute when – to the displeasure of his future manager – he shrugged off Chelsea FC team-mate Paulo Ferreira and beat Ricardo to another Schweinsteiger free-kick to head home. Scolari sent on Nani and Postiga as Portugal chased the game and the pair combined to ensure a nervy finale when Postiga headed in from Nani's left-wing delivery but the glimmer of hope was soon extinguished.

10,000 mobiles sold per hour in India

Every hour as many as 10,000 mobile phones are sold in India, thanks to the ever-increasing mobile services market and availability of entry level handsets that has brought phones well within everyone's reach, an IDC India report said.

India has shipped close to 85 million mobile handsets between April 2007 and March 2008, compared to under 66 million units shipped in the previous fiscal, registering an year-on-year growth of around 29 per cent.

In the last quarter of the financial year FY 2008, country's shipment has touched 22.3 million which amounts to around 10,000 phones every hour, stated IDC which tracks the Indian telecom industry.

It is up 24.4 per cent from 17.9 million units in the corresponding period of the previous year.

IDC India Country Manager Kapil Dev Singh said: "This growth comes on the back of a burgeoning mobile services market and lower entry barriers across various customer categories, as average selling values (ASVs) of handsets continue to fall in the wake of a highly competitive landscape populated by close to 25 vendors."

The year also saw growing number of high-end phones being shipped to india as EDGE and WCDMA-enabled mobile phones contributed 15.4 per cent and 3.1 per cent of the total mobile phone shipments in FY 2008 compared to 7.4 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively, in 2006-07.

In india, overall, Finnish handset manufacturer Nokia has the largest market share, of 52.8 per cent, followed by LG at 10.2 per cent and Samsung at 8.3 per cent in terms of units shipped during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, IDC said.

Thanks to http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/jun/19mobile.htm

Russia vs Sweden

Arshavin stars as Russia oust Sweden

Guus Hiddink's gamble of taking the previously suspended Andrei Arshavin to UEFA EURO 2008™ paid off in spectacular fashion with the forward putting in a fine performance as Russia downed Sweden 2-0 to set up a Basel quarter-final against the Netherlands on Saturday.

Back in style
The FC Zenit St. Petersburg player was a constant menace to a Sweden side requiring only a draw to stay above their opponents on goal difference, scoring Russia's second goal and striking the post in the second half. If Arshavin showed what Russia had been missing in their first two games, his team-mates displayed class of their own when a fine move resulted in Roman Pavlyuchenko's breakthrough strike after 24 minutes in Innsbruck.

Guessing game over
With much of the talk in the build-up to the Group D decider centring around Arshavin and Zlatan Ibrahimović, the news that both were starting came as something of a surprise. Hiddink had hinted that Arshavin was not match-fit while the condition of Ibrahimović's knee meant the target man was a doubt until the last minute. The Russia coach was at least true to his promise that his side would chase victory from the off. Arshavin's pass into the middle of the Sweden area saw Igor Semshov and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov collide with the goal at their mercy, although Lars Lagerbäck's men threatened in return soon after. Anders Svensson's cross found Ibrahimović, only for the No10's downward header to be collected by Igor Akinfeev with Henrik Larsson lurking.

Fine opener
Arshavin and Bilyaletdinov missed chances as the quarter-hour approached before the former sent in a cross-shot that goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson tipped over. From Konstantin Zyryanov's corner, Yuri Zhirkov's thunderous shot zipped just wide. Then Russia's moment arrived. Arshavin released Zyryanov down the right and the midfielder in turn found Aleksandr Anyukov's run inside the box. The right-back rolled a pass to Pavlyuchenko and the tall striker calmly finished for his second goal of the finals. Sweden almost levelled moments later but Larsson's clever header from a Mikael Nilsson cross bounced back off the bar. At the other end, Pavlyuchenko's next effort struck an upright after another slick interchange involving Arshavin and Bilyaletdinov.

Lead doubled
Five minutes after the break and Russia had their second goal. Makeshift left-back Zhirkov found himself racing away from the Sweden defence before he crossed for the returning hero – on the run, Arshavin had no problem directing the ball past Isaksson's right hand. Sweden were visibly rocked and although their players began to react in the final third of the pitch, the best they could manage was an Olof Mellberg header that flew harmlessly over Akinfeev's crossbar. It was turning into the Andrei Arshavin show and after the little maestro was booked for upending substitute Kim Källström, he was almost through on goal again but was finally outmuscled by Fredrik Stoor.

Spurned chances
With the contest entering its closing stages, Russia should have enhanced their advantage as their enterprising attacking play produced several late chances. Zyryanov went close when his deflected attempt came back off the post before Pavlyuchenko spurned two great opportunities – first heading straight into the grateful hands of Isaksson, then mis-hitting a shot with only the goalkeeper to beat. No matter: the 2-0 scoreline was enough for them to overhaul Sweden by three points and finish second behind Spain.

Greece vs Spain

Güiza goal completes Greek misery

Greece 1:2 Spain


First international goals for Rubén de la Red and Daniel Güiza earned a second-string Spain team a 2-1 comeback victory as Greece's hopes of ending their UEFA European Championship title defence on a high were spoiled at the last.

Comeback
RCD Mallorca's Güiza rose unmarked with two minutes remaining to head in Sergio García's cross and complete an impressive second-half revival by Spain, who had fallen behind to Angelos Charisteas's header just before the break. However, after a tepid first half, Spain began the second with renewed vigour – Xabi Alonso hitting the post before Real Madrid CF's De la Red made it 1-1 on 61 minutes, rifling in after Güiza had nodded the ball into his path. The same pair almost added gloss to this third successive win for Spain, while Charisteas grazed the outside of the post at the other end.

Nikopolidis nerves
With the fate of the two sides bookending Group D already decided, and given the belated arrival of the Austrian summer, an end-of-term feel prevailed early on in Salzburg. For Greece's captain for the day, goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis, it was exactly that, with the 37-year-old having announced his international retirement in the wake of his error against Russia that sealed the holders' elimination. But while he may have been forgiven a few pre-match nerves at the Stadion Salzburg Wals-Siezenheim, these were quickly eased. The cheers of the Greece supporters behind his goal had barely died down when Nikopolidis was presented with a comfortable save, collecting Güiza's dinked cross after the forward failed to realise how much time Andrés Iniesta's expertly disguised pass had given him.

Alonso special
It was a false dawn in terms of attacking spectacle. Stung by the premature end to their campaign, Greece were circumspect at first despite the wide threat of recalled pair Giorgos Karagounis and Dimitris Salpingidis. Spain had the better of the possession, even if García and Cesc Fàbregas in particular did not make the most of it. Alonso offered a more serious threat midway through the opening period when he almost caused Nikopolidis embarrassment after spotting that he had been drawn off his goalline. The Liverpool FC midfielder nearly added another to his collection of goals from his own half, but with Nikopolidis scrambling, his attempt dropped just the wrong side of the upright.

Charisteas strike
If Spain were not exactly peppering Nikopolidis's goal, however, it was still more than Greece were mustering. Yet Otto Rehhagel's UEFA EURO 2004™ winners in Portugal were hardly renowned for their attacking play either – instead neutralising opponents and making their few chances pay, often from dead-ball situations. They found exactly that route to goal three minutes before half-time, with Karagounis's free-kick finding Charisteas all alone and the No9 burying his header into the top-left corner.

Turnaround
Goaded into action, Luis Aragonés's team were almost level soon after half-time as space opened up for Alonso to rifle an unstoppable effort that Nikopolidis was grateful to see come back off his post. It was a brief let-off for the Blue and Whites, and just after the hour De la Red restored parity with a fulsome finish. Both sides had opportunities to add to the scoring but the stage was set for Güiza, who ensured Spain would go into Sunday's quarter-final against Italy in Vienna on the back of a 100 per cent record in Group D. For Greece, it is home time.

France vs Italy

France sunk as Italy grab lifeline

France 0:2 Italy

World champions Italy qualified for the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals in impressive fashion on Tuesday as they defeated France 2-0 at the Letzigrund Stadion and Romania lost by the same scoreline to the Netherlands.

Pirlo penalty
Romania had begun the evening second in Group C and would have progressed regardless of events in Zurich had they beaten the already-qualified Dutch. But their reverse opened the door to the Azzurri who clinically grabbed the opportunity, inflicting another painful defeat on France and condemning the FIFA World Cup finalists to last place in the section. The game's turning point arrived in the 24th minute when, after fouling Luca Toni, Eric Abidal was sent off and Andrea Pirlo converted the resulting penalty. Daniele De Rossi's second-half strike added gloss to a wonderful evening for Italy, dampened only by the yellow cards for Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso which mean they will miss the quarter-final against Spain on 22 June in Vienna.

Ribéry injury
France almost handed Italy an ideal start when Toni pounced on Abidal's slip, only to shoot narrowly wide. Having started slowly in each of their first two matches, Les Bleus were keen to seize an early grip and Franck Ribéry twice fired efforts wide before, to the dismay of the France fans, the winger injured his left leg in the tenth minute and was carried off. Samir Nasri was sent on, yet France's focus appeared to waver and Claude Makelele immediately needed to clear a Christian Panucci header off the line.

Red card
Italy looked menacing every time they broke and after Simone Perrotta had narrowly failed to collect Pirlo's pass, France finally cracked. Abidal fouled Toni as he bore down on goal, prompting the referee to point to the spot and brandish a red card. Pirlo made no mistake, expertly dispatching the ball into the top left-hand corner. The double blow left France reeling and despite defender Jean-Alain Boumsong replacing the unfortunate Nasri, the two-time champions were in disarray. Toni might have scored three in as many minutes before the half-hour, but after skilfully back-heeling Antonio Cassano's cross fractionally past the post, the FC Bayern München forward twice missed the target with only Grégory Coupet to beat.

Gross free-kick
Thierry Henry had a chance to raise French spirits in the 34th minute but after racing on to Jérémy Toulalan's slick pass, the FC Barcelona forward directed a cross-shot past the post. With the strikers struggling to find their range, Fabio Grosso looked to show them the way just before half-time, curling a brilliant free-kick towards the bottom corner only for his Olympique Lyonnais team-mate Coupet to push it on to the post.

Almighty roar
Despite playing with ten men, France began the second period in the ascendancy, with Karim Benzema volleying over before Henry had two shots comfortably saved by Gianluigi Buffon. News that the Netherlands had opened the scoring against Romania prompted an almighty roar from the Azzurri faithful and the celebrating continued when De Rossi scored on 62 minutes. The AS Roma midfielder's 30-metre free-kick took a cruel deflection off Henry, wrong-footing Coupet and effectively ending the French challenge. Although Benzema subsequently saw his swerving shot brilliantly tipped wide by Buffon in the 74th minute, there was no way back for France, who finished with just one point after losing back-to-back matches for the first time in 15 years

Netherlands vs Romania

Dutch bandwagon rolls over Romania

Netherlands 2:0 Romania

Second-half goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie ended Romania's hopes of a quarter-final place in Berne as the Netherlands rounded off an impressive Group C campaign with a third successive victory.

Netherlands on top
Romania knew three points would ensure they joined their opponents in the last eight, but Victor Piţurcă's side were always on the back foot and Huntelaar, having passed up one presentable opening in the first half, clinically guided in Ibrahim Afellay's teasing right-wing cross nine minutes into the second. The win was sealed for a largely second-string Oranje team with three minutes left as Van Persie drove in his second goal in as many games.

New-look lineup
With progress already assured following victories against Italy and France, Marco van Basten named a much-changed lineup with only Khalid Boulahrouz and Orlando Engelaar retaining their places. That was little relief for Romania, however, given that the reshuffle brought Arjen Robben, Van Persie and Huntelaar into the XI, and the Netherlands started the match showing their usual command of possession, Romania having to hector and hassle for every touch. Nonetheless, the best the Dutch had to offer in the early exchanges was an Engelaar shot from distance which Cristian Chivu bravely charged down. If the key to tackling Van Basten's side was to deny them space, it seemed Romania had found it with everyone chipping in to cut the Oranje supply lines.

Near misses
The Netherlands were not held entirely in check, as Van Persie headed wide from an Engelaar cross. Romania then threatened for the first time, Adrian Mutu collecting a throw-in and twisting and turning to work space only to pull his shot across the face of goal. Next, Boulahrouz got behind the Tricolorii back line on the right, cutting the ball back for Huntelaar, but the AFC Ajax striker lifted his effort over. Robben was soon guilty of a more glaring miss, running on to a Huntelaar flick only to nudge his attempt wide of Bogdan Lobonţ's right-hand post. Paul Codrea may have been equally disappointed to have missed the target after Răzvan Raţ's teasing pass from the left wrong-footed the Dutch defence as half-time approached.

Huntelaar strike
The Group C winners took up where they had left off after the interval and might have broken through within four minutes of the restart when a long ball found Van Persie with only Gabriel Tamaş for company. But while the Arsenal FC attacker spun his marker, Lobonţ turned his low shot round the post brilliantly. The goalkeeper had no chance five minutes later, however, Afellay's ball from the right finding its way through a crowded penalty area for Huntelaar to guide in expertly.

Late clincher
With news filtering through that Italy had taken a 2-0 lead against France, Romania's situation now looked desperate. Still unable to master possession, they continually found themselves on the defensive but while flying interceptions and timely challenges kept Piţurcă's men in contention, it was goals that were needed. Mutu set up substitute Florentin Petre for an overhead kick that looped over but for all their efforts, Romania were not to conjure up a second Miracle of Berne at the stadium that hosted West Germany's 1954 FIFA World Cup triumph, Van Persie underlining the class divide with the fiercely-struck second goal. The Netherlands will play either Sweden or Russia in the last eight in Basel on Saturday, while Romania finish in third position.