Google Invites Users to Update US Maps

Google Inc. doesn't hesitate to seek directions when it comes to trying to improve its online mapping service. That's why Google is asking its users to add more details to its U.S. maps. The suggested revisions can be made beginning Tuesday through an editing tool that already has been used to create and refine maps in 183 other countries since 2005. Google, which is based in Mountain View, didn't rush to introduce the map-making service in the U.S. because it already had good data in its home country. It decided instead to concentrate on filling in the gaps in other parts of the world where digital maps were far more primitive or completely...

Read more »

RIM launches PlayBook, fans don't play along

At an Office Depot (ODP.N) in Midtown New York, just three PlayBooks left the shelves in the 20 minutes after the store opened, while not a soul stirred outside a nearby Staples (SPLS.O). "It's going to be a tough sell to the consumer," BGC Partner analyst Colin Gillis said of the PlayBook, a sleek but flawed gadget that doesn't yet offer the secure email that is the trademark of RIM's ubiquitous BlackBerry. "It's going to be right next to an iPad at the same price point. The iPad is going to look much bigger, it has an entire ecosystem around it." The PlayBook launch was a stark contrast to the frenzy when Apple (AAPL.O) launched its iPad...

Read more »

Apple files suit against Samsung

Apple Inc. has sued Samsung Electronics Co., saying the South Korean company’s Galaxy line of smartphones and tablet computers copy Apple’s popular iPad and iPhone. In a lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court, Apple alleges the product design, user interface and packaging of the Galaxy products “slavishly copy” Apple. Cupertino, California—based Apple is seeking an order barring Samsung from infringing on a variety of its patents and trademarks, as well as unspecified damages. A Samsung spokesman says the company’s products are the result of its own research and development. He says Samsung plans to defend itself against Apple’s lawsuit....

Read more »

Simple blood test can now predict premature birth risk

Until now, there was no way to predict a woman’s chance of giving birth prematurely. A simple blood test taken during the second trimester of a pregnancy can now spot whether a baby will arrive early, 80 per cent of the time, according to researchers from Brigham Young University. “What’s been missing is a way of assessing risk,” said Steven Graves, who directs the chemistry portion of the research at Brigham Young University. “Our approach has been to look at the naturally occurring molecules that are present in women’s blood to see if we can identify the peptides and small proteins that are at quantitatively different levels in women who...

Read more »

Men Make ‘black and White’ Judgements

A recent research has found that though women are more open-minded, they turn out to be the less decisive sex when it comes to taking decisions. During a study, 100 people were asked to fit 50 objects into matching categories. Women mostly selected the ‘partial’ option whereas men were more decisive in their answers. For the question whether ‘tomato is a fruit or not’, women came up with a mixed response whereas the replies of men were categoric...

Read more »

'Biggest breakthrough ever': Scientists hail injection that 'cuts heart attack damage by more than half'

The devastating effects of a heart attack or stroke could be reduced by more than half by a simple injection, a study suggests. British scientists are developing a treatment they say could reduce scarring in the heart and brain by more than 60 per cent. The drug has been tested on mice and other mammals - but has also on human blood in a laboratory. Researchers hope to begin human trials of the drug, developed at Leicester University, within two years. Its key ingredient is an antibody, which could be administered up to 12 hours of the attack to stop damage to cells. It helps heart attack victims by preventing the body attacking its own...

Read more »

India’s exports post 37.1 p.c. rise during 2010-11

Braving the slow economic growth and declining demand from the Western markets, India’s exports posted an impressive 37.1 per cent rise at $245.9 billion for the fiscal ending 2010-11. During March 2011, the growth stood at 43.9 per cent at $29.1 billion. Releasing the figures here, Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma said India’s exports have not only posted a phenomenal growth but have also surpassed the growth target of $220 billion set for 2010-11. Exports had suffered in 2009-10 under the impact of global slowdown and the government had to intervene to help the exporters through different packages ``We have received the...

Read more »

Vedanta edges in on Cairn India

The Indian mining group has been trying to buy a controlling stake in Cairn India, which is listed in Mumbai, from London-listed Cairn Energy and smaller shareholders since last summer. However, the deal has been held up by Indian authorities. Vedanta’s move to buy 10pc of Cairn India from Petronas will cement its majority stake in the company if its delayed deal with Cairn Energy goes through. In a complex transaction, Vedanta is hoping to buy a controlling stake for up to $9.7bn, partly from Cairn Energy and partly from smaller shareholders through an open offer. Cairn Energy, which owns a 62pc stake in Cairn India, wants to sell between...

Read more »

Nifty closes flat amid volatility; Hero Honda top loser

Indian equity benchmarks saw consolidation on Tuesday after a sharp fall seen in previous two sessions. Indices could be waiting for some trigger for moving on either direction during the earnings season. After the Infosys (which disappointed the street by forecasting less-than expected EPS guidance for FY12), investors as well as traders are eyeing quarterly numbers of heavyweights like TCS and RIL, which will be on Thursday, April 21. Indices touched important psychological levels during the session - the Nifty touched the 5,700 level and Sensex hit the 19,000 mark. The 50-share NSE Nifty was completely in a tight range of 5700-5750, before...

Read more »

Ranbir Kapoor miffed with Priyanka

Seems like Ranbir Kapoor is having a tough time dealing with his Casanova image! Ranbir is very upset with his dost Priyanka Chopra who has been poking fun at Ranbir's playful nature and innumerous linkups. Buzz is that PC's comments have not gone down too well with Ranbir and it migh t hurt their on screen chemistry in Barfee. A source told Mid-Day, "Even though, Ranbir and Priyanka aren't paired opposite each other, she plays the second woman in his life. Ranbir is paired opposite debutante Ileana. Apparently, PC was cracking people up at RK and the 'new' girl's expense." Ranbir, who is on an image cleansing mission after Sonam Kapoor...

Read more »

Riya Sen dating Sreesanth?

Riya and Sreesanth came closer to each other while doing a commercial for a jewellery brand. Riya instead of supporting her team ‘Kolkata Knight Riders’, has been spotted supporting Kochi tuskers Kerala (KTK). Riya was seen cheering KTK at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai, on April 13. However, the team lost the match but Riya and Sreesanth partied hard with Kochi boys. This would be the third couple, who is on the verge of settling down after the World Cup tournament. Earlier, Harbhajan Singh had announced that he would tie the knot with Geeta Basra soon after the tournament is over. Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani too would be exchanging...

Read more »

Preeti Desai's topless picture?

Topless pictures of model-turned-actress Preeti Desai are creating buzz online, but the sexy actress claims the pictures are morphed. Preeti who's all set to make debut with Shor in the City is reportedly dating Abhay Deol. The newbie maintains the pictures are doctored. "There is a lot of rubbish on the internet. I don't think people are gullible to believe everything they read or see! I'm not going to waste time commenting on silly things like this," she told Mid Day. The actress prefers to talk about her film instead. "I play Shalmili opposite Sendhil Ramamurthy's character Abhay (Sendhil), who is going through a bad phase after moving...

Read more »

Yemeni Police Kill Three, Wound More Ahead Of Talks

Sanaa  : Three people were shot dead in Yemen today—one a passer-by—as security forces opened fire to disperse protesters calling for the ouster of embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The latest killings came as a Yemeni government delegation was in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi for talks with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers to discuss an exit plan proposed by the oil-rich bloc. In the Yemeni capital Sanaa, medics said two protesters was shot dead and hundreds more were wounded, mostly by tear gas, when security forces dispersed an anti-Saleh march. Earlier, police killed one man and wounded several other people when...

Read more »

UK Royal Wedding To Be Streamed Live On YouTube

London : Palace officials will offer live streaming of the April 29 royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton on the royal channel on YouTube. The live coverage will include the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the procession to Buckingham Palace, and the newlyweds' appearance on the palace balcony for an expected first public kiss. William's press office will also provide a live blog providing commentary and historical information as well as additional footage. The palace said Tuesday that an official souvenir program will be produced for sale to crowds lining the parade route. It will cost 2 pounds ($3.20). The program will...

Read more »

CONI Unveils Casa Italia Plans For London Olympics

Rome : The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in downtown London will host Italy's popular "Casa Italia" hospitality center during next year's London Olympics. The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) unveiled its plans on Tuesday, detailing a complex featuring six floors covering more than 6,000 square meters, with catering for 2,100 people at a time. Located near Westminster Abbey and parliament, visitors will be able to dine with views of Big Ben. CONI is paying Euro 1.2 million for use of the facility, which will also be used to promote Rome's bid for the 2020 Summer Games. CONI president Giovanni Petrucci says, "This is the best Casa...

Read more »

Bhushans Got Two Farmhouse Plots From Mayawati Govt

New Delhi : In his declaration of assets last week, Shanti Bhushan, also co-chairman of the drafting committee of the Lokpal Bill, mentioned a 10,000 sq m farmland plot in Noida. What he did not mention was the discretionary manner in which the Mayawati government, early this year, allotted this land to him and another 10,000 sq m farmhouse plot to his lawyer son Jayant Bhushan, reports Indian Express. And in what raises questions of conflict of interest, Jayant Bhushan has appeared against Mayawati in the Noida statue park case, says the report. Incidentally, discretionary land allotment by the government is a key issue on the agenda of...

Read more »

Rane Blames Sena For Instigating People At Jaitapur

Mumbai  : Maharashtra Industry Minister Narayan Rane today blamed the Shiv Sena for instigating people at Jaitapur against the proposed nuclear power plant, which led to a violent protest killing one. “This was Sena’s attempt to gain political mileage. We have records of meetings taken by local legislators in the villages and a meeting held at Sena Bhavan to call a bandh in Jaitapur after which the people protested,” Rane informed the Legislative Council here. The opposition Sena-BJP members had moved an adjournment motion to discuss the issue of Jaitapur keeping aside all the business. The House was adjourned twice as the opposition...

Read more »

Stamp Out Honour Killings Ruthlessly: Supreme Court

New Delhi : Terming 'khap' panchayat as illegal and honour killing as "barbaric and shameful", the Supreme Court today said these should be stamped out "ruthlessly" and asked states to suspend district magistrates and SPs concerned if they failed to act against the offenders. A bench of Justice Markandeya Katju and Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra said in a judgment that the new trends of kangaroo courts, honour killings, "khap" panchayaths in northern India and "katta" panchayats in Tamil Nadu were barbaric and illegal, the perpetrators of which required the harshest punishment. "We have in recent years heard of ‘khap panchayats’ (known as katta...

Read more »