Nokia slips from 1st to 3rd place in smartphone sales

Apple and Samsung Electronics ended struggling Nokia's 15-year reign at the top of the smartphone sales rankings in the second quarter, researchers said on Friday.
Nokia has dominated the smartphone market ever since its 1996 launch of the Communicator model, but competition from its two nearest rivals and a slump in its own sales sent it straight from first to third place in the three months to June as growth in the sector starts to slow.
Apple sold a record 20.3 million iPhones in the quarter despite the fact that its iPhone 4 model is now more than a year old. Usually success of smartphone models does not last so long.
Apple unveiled its sales last week, but on Friday analysts also estimated Samsung sold 19 million smartphones in the quarter, well ahead of Nokia's 16.7 million as it was able to benefit from booming demand with smartphones using Google's Android software.

Top Ten Longest Bridges in the World

Here’s the list of longest bridges in the world. Bridges is an important part of human life. Without any bridges, some areas in the earth will remain isolated from other areas. Bridges is also one of the achievement of human technology. With advanced technologies, people can build long bridges with strong construction. So Let’s take a look at those longest bridges in the world.
1. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Louisiana, US

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway consists of two parallel bridges that are the world’s longest bridge in total length. This bridge across Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. Total length of the two bridges is 23.87 miles (38.42 km) long. The bridges are supported by 9,500 concrete pilings. The two bridges feature bascule spans over the navigation channel 8 miles (13 km) south of the north shore. The southern terminus of the Causeway is in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The northern terminus is at Mandeville, Louisiana.
2. Donghai Bridge, China

Donghai Bridge (East Sea Grand Bridge) is the longest cross-sea bridge in the world and the longest bridge in Asia. The bridge was completed on December 10, 2005. Has a total length of 32.5 kilometers (20.2 miles) and connects Shanghai and the water offshore Yangshan port in China. Most of the bridge parts are low-level bridge. There are also cable stayed to allow travel large ships. The widest span of the bridge is 420 m.
3. King Fahd Causeway, Saudi Arabia

King Fahd Causeway is a dike-bridge combination connecting Khobar, Saudi Arabia, with Bahrain, the island state. A construction agreement signed on July 8, 1981 by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa of Bharain. Construction continued until 1986, when combination by several bridges and dams have been completed. The causeway was officially opened on November 25, 1986.
4. Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Maryland,US

Chesapeake Bay Bridge (commonly known as the Bay Bridge) is a dual-span bridge in Maryland, US. It connects the East and West Coast regions. Length is 4.3 miles (7km), the original span was the world’s longest over-water steel structure when opened in 1952. The bridge is officially called the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge after William Preston Lane, Jr. who was governor of Maryland, implemented its construction.
5. Vasco da Gama Bridge, Portugal

The Vasco da Gama Bridge (Portuguese: Ponte Vasco da Gama) is a cable bridge that spanned on the Tagus River near Lisbon, capital of Portugal. This is the longest bridge in Europe (including viaducts), with a total length of 17.2 km (10.7 miles), including 0.829 km (0.5 miles) the main bridge, 11.5 km (7.1 miles) in viaducts, and 4.8 km (3.0 miles) on a special access road. The goal is to reduce the density in the city of Lisbon.
6. Penang Bridge, Malaysia

Penang Bridge is a highway that connects Gelugor in Penang island and Seberang Prai on the mainland of Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula. The bridge is also linked to North-South Expressway in Prai and Jelutong Expressway in Penang. Officially opened to public traffic on September 14, 1995. Total length of the bridge is 13.5 km (8.4 miles).
7. Rio-Niteroi Bridge, Brazil

Rio-Niteroi Bridge is a bridge with a concrete structure that connects the cities of Rio de Janerio and Niteroi in Brazil. The symbolic construction started on August 23, 1968, in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in his first visit to Brazil. Construction jobs began in January 1969, and opened on March 4, 1974. The official name is “President Costa e Silva Bridge”, in honor of Brazilian president who ordered its construction.
8. Confederation Bridge, Canada

Confederation Bridge (French: Pont de la Confederation) is a bridge spanning the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait, linking Prince Edward Island with the mainland of New Brunkswick, Canada. This is commonly referred as the “Fixed Link” by residents of Prince Edward Island prior to its official name. Construction lasted from the fall of 1993 until the spring of 1997, with $ 1.3 billion cost. This bridge with a length of 12.9 kilometers (8 miles) was opened on May 31, 1997.
9. San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, California, US

San Mateo-Hayward Bridge (commonly called San Mateo Bridge) is a bridge crossing California’s San Francisco Bay in the United States which connects San Francisco Peninsula with the East Bay. The bridge is owned by the state of California, and managed by Caltrans.
10. Seven Mile Bridge, Florida, US

The Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys, located between the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Strait, connecting Key Vaca (Marathon, Florida) in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. Among the longest bridges have been built in the world, this is one of many major bridges in the US, where this track is called the Overseas Highway.

Jagan Mahal in Hyderabad with 60 rooms across 42000sqft

A palatial house that Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy is building in Hyderabad is under the scanner of the CBI, which has been asked by Andhra Pradesh High Court to probe the politician's assets.
Two days ago, CBI sleuths visited a 52,263sqft site (well over an acre) in Hyderabad's upscale Banjara Hills where Jagan's five-storey mansion, valued at Rs 300 crore by local real estate players, is nearing completion.
According to real estate sources, the building plan shows several escalators, lifts, a 200-seat mini-theatre, a library, a gym, and squash, tennis and volleyball courts, apart from a three-floor underground car park.
A local contractor said he had been commissioned to supply 24 train wagonloads of marble from Rajasthan so that about 60 rooms and bathrooms, each the size of a single-bedroom flat, could be floored with marble.
Lotus Mahal, which local people have begun referring to as "Jagan Mahal", will sprawl over a 10,000sqft area. The total floor area across the five storeys is estimated at 42,000 sqft.
CBI officials said the plot had been bought by Jagan's front companies. It is made up of six original plots ' numbered 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 ' at HUDA Heights in Banjara Hills' Lotus Pond locality, they added.
Jagan owns about two-thirds of the property while his sister Sharmila Reddy owns the rest, the sources said. Going by current property rates, the price of the entire plot should be over Rs 30 crore.
Real estate sources said Lotus Mahal would have nearly 30 bedrooms apart from an office complex, 20 servants' quarters and a two-storey outhouse in the backyard.
A builder said that but for the Telangana agitation, the mansion's price would have been Rs 700 crore. "Even at the downswing rates, it is roughly valued at Rs 300 crore."

Flying car dream to become a reality

For several years now, we have heard about the development of the first flying car. The future is here and that dream is now a reality. Terrafugia introduces the Transition Roadable Aircraft, a two seat vehicle that transitions from a car to a plane in about 30 seconds.

However, once this plane-car is made available, you will not be able to take off on public streets, only designated areas and you will need a pilot’s license. The vehicle will cost you about $250,000.

Hyderabad girl to represent India at Miss Universe Contest

A 26-year-old student from the South Indian city of Hyderabad will represent India at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant later this year.
Vasuki Sunkavalli, who is currently studying in Delhi, was crowned the winner of the I Am She pageant in Mumbai on Friday night, the results of which were announced on Saturday.
Along with the title, Sunkavalli received a cash prize of Rs200,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Sao Paolo in Brazil to represent India at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant on September 12.

Scottish couple won $250M(1,1OO CRORES) jackpot in Lottery

The winners of Europe's biggest ever lottery jackpot see their future as "bright and golden" after winning 161,653,000 pounds ($260.58 million) in (IN INDIAN CURRENCY 1,1OO CRORES APPROXIMATELY) the Euromillions draw, they told a news conference on Friday.

Colin Weir, 64, and his wife Chris, 55, from the seaside resort of Largs, near Glasgow, plan to spend the money on travelling, new homes and driving lessons for their children.

Top 10 things that prevent an ideal body

A brother-sister team has revealed the top ten things that keep people from attainting their ideal body shape and weight.
Dian Griesel, Ph.D. (Nutrition) and Tom Griesel spent 30 years working with scientific researchers while continuously experimenting with various diets, and found certain things that stop people from maintaining their diets.
Must read health story: Reduce belly fat
"The best of diet intentions fail in late afternoon and evening because dieters fall for certain traps that sabotage success," Dr. Griesel said.
According to the authors, those traps include:
1. Traditional diet and exercise advice that is all wrong.
2. Motivation that is misdirected. The choice needs to be: Which do I value more? A chocolate bar now or a longer and healthier life with my family?
3. Eating when we are really thirsty.
4. Burning the candle too late, is counter productive to fat burning. A good night's sleep burns fat and keeps us from eating.
5. Dieting and aerobic exercising together reduce calories, so primitive starvation-survival mechanisms kick in making the brain scream for food.
6. Boredom.
7. Hanging out with an overeating, unimaginative crowd.
8. Manufacturers make foods addictive by using sugar/fat/salt combos.
9. Manufacturers make foods addictive with chemicals and preservatives.
10. Commercials could make anyone hungry.

Three bomb blasts in Mumbai, at least people 11 dead

Mumbai was again shaken when three blast ripped the city this evening killing eight and injuring more than 70 people.

Reports say that the three blast happened simultaneously in Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar and Dadar station. Here's a real time update on the three blast that rocked Mumbai:

8:34 pm: The blasts occured at 6.30, 6.45 and 7 pm in sequence

8:33 pm: Police control room nos: 22621855, 1983, 5020

8:30 pm: Top security and home ministry officials meet to assess situation

8:29 pm: Opera House blast took place in Panchratna lane

8:28 pm: Police have cordoned off the area. People are stranded in Dader as the police are not allowing them to leave the place. It's raining and people are struck

8:28 pm: Dadar blast took place at bus stop near Kabhuthar Khaana

8:26 pm: Home Secretary RK Singh confirms that one blast took place in a Maruti Esteem

8:25 pm: Home Secretary RK Singh says all injured have been shifted to hospital

8:22 pm: Home secretary RK Singh says 2 killed and 100 people have been injured in the blast.

8:20 pm: Domestic and International airports in Mumbai reportedly sealed. CISF screening airport parking lots

8:17 pm: Home Minister Chidambaram to brief the media at 9:00 pm on the Mumbai blasts

8:14 pm: BSF forensic experts being readied to fly to Mumbai

8:12 pm: PM speaks to Maharastra CM on blasts; asks him to keep him posted

8:10 pm: Maharashtra Home Secretary claims 60 have been injured

8:07 pm: Local trains in Mumbai are still functional

8:05 pm: Police sources say improvised explosive devices used in the blasts

8:03 pm: IED used in blast: TV reports

8:02 pm: If you or your loved ones are injured in the Mumbai blasts, please call 022 6133 6133 - MeraDoctor lines are open for all

8:01 pm: Kabhuthar Khaana area in Dadar cordoned off

8:00 pm: It seems to be a terror attack: Home ministry

7:58 pm: TV reports say that 8 people have been killed and more than 70 injured

7:55 pm: Dader blast victims taken to Kem hospital; Zaveri Bazaar blast victims taken to JJ hospital

7:54 pm: Zaveri Bazaar blast took place in a meter box of an electric pole

7:53 pm: Home Ministry puts NSG team on standby

7:52 pm: Teams of Maharashtra ATS rushed to the blast site

7:50 pm: One explosion was in a car in Dadar

7:50 pm: Cellular networks jammed across Mumbai

7:47 pm: Home Ministry confirms blasts are an act of Terrorism

7:45 pm: Security alert in Delhi after Mumbai blasts

7:43 pm: Chhagan Bhujpal refuses to give confirmation on mumber of injured

7:40 pm: Home ministry confirms blasts in Mumbai

7:35 pm: Probing a tiffin box found near the blast site: ACP

7:32 pm: 7:30 pm - Early reports indicate casualties in Zaveri Bazaar blast.

7:30 pm: Fire under control in Zaveri Bazaar, says eye witness.

7:25 pm: Eyewitnesses report hearing explosion sound near Kabuthar Khaana in Dadar. It is located next to Dadar Station.

7:20 pm: Home Ministry refuses to confirm that they are bomb blasts

7:15 pm: Three blasts reported from different parts of Mumbai - Dadar, Prasad Chambers in Opera House and Zaveri Bazaar.

Train crash in Uttar Pradesh kills dozens

At least 31 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a train derailment in northern India.

Thirteen coaches of the Kalka Mail passenger train left the rails near the town of Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Rescue workers and locals arrived to try to free trapped passengers from the badly damaged carriages.

The train was travelling from Howrah near Calcutta to the capital Delhi. There are fears that the death toll could rise.

Telangana raging again

Telangana is on a short fuse. A restive Andhra Pradesh is reminding the central government that time is running out.

After agreeing to concede statehood for Telangana in 2009, Delhi is now dithering. Home Minister P Chidambaram, who announced he would initiate the process to form a new state that year, is talking about a consultative process again. That's not going to go down well with Telangana proponents. Andhra Pradesh is now ruled by the Congress, a party beseiged by dissent from within and without. It cannot pretend that all is well and carry on.

What's Telangana all about? The northern part of the state feels it is dominated by politicians from the southern and coastal regions of the Telugu country. The 10 districts of Telangana became a part of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, when states were reorganised throughout India. It seems there were many sceptics even then, with prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru openly expressing doubts about the marriage.

Thankfully, there hasn't been much violence, although Osmania University, hub of Telangana activism, has been tense since Tuesday morning. Police lobbed teargas shells and dispersed students supporting the Telangana shutdown.
Both the centre and the state government are under intense pressure as legislators are resigning in huge numbers.
As The Telegraph writes, it's a battle of nerves. At last count, 100 MLAs had resigned from the Andhra Pradesh assembly. That could trigger a constitutional crisis, forcing the imposition of president's rule.

Facebook, Skype to launch video chat

Looks like Facebook is ready with an answer to Google+ as it plans to launch video chat service.

4 arrested in fake Wipro job racket

A job racket where 37 unemployed youth paid Rs 1.8 lakh each to a HR consultancy firm after being tricked into believing that they had got lucrative jobs at an IT firm, Wipro Ltd, has been busted following the arrest of four persons.

The accused were identified as Rajiv Ranjan (30) from Bihar, Mohammed Azar (25) native of Andhra Pradesh, Sathya Priya (25) a resident of Tamil Nadu and M N Naryanana (29) hailing from Kerala, according to Bangalore Police Commissioner B G Jyothiprakash Mirji.

The investigation on the basis of a complaint referral made by the technology firm has revealed that the con artistes used a placement agency called Lotus Consultancy, headed by a woman from Coimbatore, Sathyapriya, to lure youths to fake job interviews at Wipro.

Kerala temple wealth stuns world

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India (Reuters) - A treasure trove of gold, diamonds and precious stones hidden for centuries was discovered in the underground vaults of a temple in Kerala, a temple official said on Sunday, as authorities scrambled armed police to guard the shrine.
Local media said that the search team's finds included a four-feet-tall gold statue studded with emeralds, 15-feet-long gold necklaces and jewel-encrusted crowns. The estimated value of the hoard is 750 billion rupees ($17 billion), but officials said they were yet to assess the findings.