Acer Launches 18.5-inch LCD

Acer has announced the launch of its 18.5" LCD monitor, X 193HQ, for the Indian market. 

The X 193HQ features a slim profile with an adaptable black color scheme and rear-cable management. The control buttons are located below the panel to enable easy cleaning and intuitive use.

Available at Rs. 8,500, X 193HQ complies with Windows Vista operatingsystems. The wide viewing angle of the monitor maintains color consistency and image clarity.

The Acer Empowering Key allows full access to the Acer eColor Management onscreen interface and enables varied advanced controls for ultimate image quality. Bundled with the unique Adaptive Contrast Management (ACM) tool, this monitor automatically detects image signals and intelligently controls the backlight brightness to make the black 'blacker' in a dark scene, and make the white 'whiter' in a bright environment.

"Acer has always been at the forefront in supporting the latesttechnologies that enhance customer experience", said S. Rajendran, Chief Marketing Officer, Acer India. "Setting a new standard for quality and value, Acer X Series monitors are an attractive and functional addition to any home. With the X 193HQ, we have once again pushed the boundaries of digital lifestyle with advanced product features and eye-catching style."

Acer X 193HQ LCD monitor is currently available in the major cities across India.

For more info click here

AI plane from Chennai to connect NY flight

Air India will be introducing a daily hub and spoke flight from Chennai to Mumbai from Sunday to connect the non-stop flight (AI 141) to New York. AI 643 will depart Chennai at 8.40 pm from the international terminal, arrive in Mumbai at 10.25 pm and connect the non-stop flight AI 141 to New York  leaving Mumbai at 1.10 am on the next day.

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The flight will arrive in New York at 7 am (local time). With this hub and spoke flight from Chennai to connect NY flight, Air India would be offering through check-in for the passengers with immigration and customs clearance in Chennai. AI 643 / 141 would offer the fastest service from Chennai to New York with the convenient arrival time of 7 am (local time) which would enable passengers to connect various destinations within the US.   This hub and spoke flight service to New York by Air India from Chennai would enable passengers to save nearly 2-3 hours compared to other direct carriers operating out of Chennai. AI 141 is being operated with the state-of-art B777-200 LR with eight first class, 35 executive class and 195 economy class seats. Air India also offers a new concept of service on board — Conveno for the first class passengers which offers meals to be served at the convenience and preferred time of the passengers. For more information click here

Finance crisis inflicts more pain

The global financial crisis inflicted more pain on a wide range of corporate sectors, prompting heavy losses in stock markets, while the IMF readied  rescue of some 200 billion dollars for debt-laden countries.

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Amid grim financial news from around the world, stocks saw another tumultuous day yesterday, starting with a horrific 9.6 per cent slump in Tokyo shares that spilled over to Europe, where London's FTSE plunged 5.0 per cent.  The best word to describe what's going on right now is panic, said Credit Suisse strategist Satoru Ogasawara. Wall Street followed other exchanges downwards as a wave of panic selling and a meltdown in share prices swept around the world.       The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 312.30 points (3.59 per cent) to close at 8,378.95, in a volatile session that saw the blue-chip index down as much as 500 points.  The market action capped a week with a drop of more than five per cent for the US blue-chip index. Iceland's government said it had asked for two billion dollars (1.58 billion euros) of support from the International Monetary Fund, the first Western country to do so since 1976, to help emerge from a collapse of its banking sector. The IMF said it had tentatively agreed to the loan and announced it had set aside more cash to rescue stricken nations.       The IMF has more than 200 billion dollars of loanable funds and can draw on additional resources through two standing borrowing arrangements with groups of IMF member countries,' the institution said on its website. French auto giants PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Renault ordered huge production cuts, while Japan's electronics giant Sony Corp. and Europe's biggest airline Air France-KLM issued profits warnings. In Britain, official figures confirmed the country was about to enter a recession while Turkey's central bank took action to strengthen bank liquidity and prop up its slumping currency.       Chrysler LLC, the number three US automaker, said it would cut up to 5,000 white-collar jobs by the end of the year as prospects in the sector grow dimmer. ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steel producer, shut smelting furnaces on a temporary basis in France, Germany and Belgium, according to union chiefs who met with management.  New figures showed industrial confidence in both France and Italy had fallen to the lowest level since 1993. There was also bleak data on the jobs front with Spain's unemployment rate jumping to 11.33 per cent -- the highest level in more than four years.       The combined impact sent shares tumbling in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Japan's Nikkei index plunged 9.60 per cent, ending below the key 8,000-point level for the first time in more than five years, and Hong Kong fell 8.3 per cent. European shares had lost up to 10 per cent by midday trade before mounting a late rally. French shares still fell 3.54 per cent to finish at five-year lows, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 lost 4.96 per cent.       Latin America's largest economy Brazil saw its Sao Paulo bourse plunge 6.9 per cent on Friday. Mexico's stock exchange closed down 4.61 per cent, while Argentina's main market in Buenos Aires sank 7.61 per cent to cap a miserable stocks week in the region.      Technology giant Sony, a bellwether of corporate Japan, saw its shares plunge more than 11 per cent after forecasting net profit of 150 billion yen (1.55 billion dollars) for the year to March, down 59 per cent on last year.   Source-http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=11721%20&%20section=8

Baxi wins the 'Asian of the Year Award' 2008

NRI entrepreneur Ranjit Singh Baxi, founder of a recycling firm that has emerged as one of the top companies in Europe, has won the  restigious 'Asian of the Year Award'.

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Baxi, Chairman of J and H Sales (International) Ltd, the company he founded, received the award at a glittering ceremony organised by 'Asian Who's Who International', a publication about leading Asians in the UK, at the Dorchester Hotel here last night.       Matthew Amroliwala and Riz Lateef, the BBC News presentation team, handed over the award to 56-year-old Baxi, who is also President of the European Division of the World Punjabi Organisation.       Lord Swraj Paul, NRI industrialist and winner of the first Asian of the Year Award in 1987-88 who was the Chief Guest at the event, lauded the achievements of the Asian community because of their family values and hard work. According to the citation, Baxi's company has grown to become one of Europe's leading fibre recycling exporters, operating across the USA, Europe and the Far East. In 2001, the company received the Queen's Award for Enterprise (International Trade).       Baxi was recently appointed President of the Paper Division of the Bureau of International Recycling in Bruxelles, a trade federation representing the recycling industry in over 70 countries.       Teji Singh, founder of international communications agency Sterling Media, bagged the Asian Leadership in Harmony Award while Kamel Hothi, Asian Marketing Director -  Corporate Markets, Lloyds TSB Group, received the Asian Leadership in Diversity Award.  Teji Singh was recently presented with the Special Award for Services to Media and Promoting Culture in Britain by Tony McNulty, Minister for Security and Counter-Terrorism who lauded her contribution to the promotion of Asian culture in Britain.       Kamel Hothi is the architect behind the Asian Strategy across Corporate markets, including sponsorship of the Lloyds TSB Awards. With 29 years of experience gained across various businesses, her knowledge and experience in the Asian sector has helped Lloyds TSB understand these communities and develop products and services to meet their needs.       Kolkata-Born Gautam Lewis, a polio victim, accounted for the Asian Leadership in Charity award while Channi Singh, who founded the hottest and most successful Bhangra band in UK, was chosen for the Asian Leadership in Music and culture award.       George Jatania, founder of Lornamead Group in 1978 which now owns over 40 brands selling across 82 countries, received the Asian Leadership in Europe Award.  Jatania's family-owned group is focussed on developing a strategy of acquiring heritage brands such as Harmonay Hairspray, Yardly and Vosene.  At the event, Lord Paul, referring to the current global conomic meltdown, said things are going to be fairly tough. 'The hole banking system has failed. Earlier industries used to fall sick and banks used to finance them. But now the doctor has fallen sick.' In this country, we are lucky to have a Prime Minister (Gordon Brown) who knows more about finances than anyone in the world. He has really taken decisive steps to save the situation not only in the UK but in the USA and Europe. Lord Paul hoped that under the leadership of Brown, Britain would emerge stronger. This country has a very bright future, he stated.       Jasbir Singh Sachar, Managing Editor of Asian Who's Who International, said he was pleased to see most of those who were in the First Edition of the publication in 1975, were present at the function and were doing extremely well now. The main purpose of the publication was to identify and recognise Asian community leaders for their success and achievements.       It was not an easy task for me but I had a vision to fulfil. Fortunately, many statutory bodies and community members came forward to help, and with the active cooperation and support of my late wife Kanwaljit Sachar and the late A F A Sayeed, the birth of the First Edition of the publication took place in 1975, Sachar said.       Prominent among those present at the ceremony included Lord Navnit Dholakia, G S Gujral, Kartar Lalvani, Lord Hameed and Raj Loomba, all winners of the Asians of the Year in the past.       Substantial amounts were also raised for two charities - The Loomba Trust for educating children of widows in India and A P S Chawla's Rocko Cancer, which sponsors mobile medical clinics for detecting  breast cancer among women in India.  Lord Paul said he would make his own contribution to match the amount raised for the Rocko Cancer. The amount was not disclosed.  SOURCE-http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=11719%20&%20section=8

Countdown for Chandrayaan-1 begins

ndian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch Chandrayaan-1, the country's first unmanned moon mission, with the beginning of 49-hour countdown early Monday. 'The countdown for the launch of Chandrayaan-1, which began this morning at 5.22 am is progressing smoothly, SDSC Associate Director Dr M Y S Prasad told PTI.

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The unmanned spacecraft using India's tried and tested rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), would be launched from Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) in Sriharikota, about 80 km from Chennai on Wednesday at 6.20 am. All operations were progressing satisfactorily for the launch of the spacecraft. 'The 49-hour countdown has number of activities including the major propellant filling of PS-2 and PS-4,' he said. Earlier the countdown was set to 52 hours. Since all the formal activities for the launch was finished three hours earlier from the original schedule, the countdown time was set at exactly 5.22 am Monday, Prasad said. 'About 43 tonnes of propellant would be filled during the countdown period. Pressurisation of actuators (mechanisms) will also be done at the same time,' he added. Prasad said it would take about 32 hours for both filling of propellants and pressurisation. Other things, including couple of launch testing will also be done during the period. He said after the rehearsals, SDSC officials had ensured that everything was in place before the countdown. 'All the preparatory works, including the checking of 11 payloads, were done successfully before the countdown,' he said. SOURCE-http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=11578%20&%20section=5

Obama unveils new economic plan

Democrat Barack Obama rolled out a new plan on Tuesday to get the stricken US economy back on its feet as he vied to drive home his growing poll advantage over Republican White House rival John McCain.          Obama said his proposals, including tax credits for new job creation and a moratorium on home foreclosures, were urgently needed to address the crisis seeping beyond Wall Street into the rest of the world's largest economy.

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'We need to pass an economic rescue plan for the middle-class and we need to do it now,' the Illinois senator said in remarks prepared for delivery at a rally, three weeks out from election day on November 4.          'We can't wait to help workers and families and communities who are struggling right now -- who don't know if their job or their retirement will be there tomorrow; who don't know if next week's paycheck will cover this month's bills,' he said.          The financial crisis has helped push Obama to a 10-point lead over McCain in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, with a barrage of negative character attacks from the Republican failing to stop the Democrat's march.  Obama was on 53 per cent to 43 per cent for McCain, with 90 per cent of registered voters saying the country is on the wrong track, according to the poll.  The Democrat's campaign said his latest proposals combined with previously announced policy measures would cost USD 175 billion over two years.  But economic adviser Jason Furman said the plan was fully costed, paid for in part by higher taxes on top earners, and said our biggest priority is to avoid a painful recession.

Source-http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=11381%20&%20section=8

Jayasuriya and Mendis lead Sri Lanka to victory

Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, with his trademark big-hitting, and newboy Ajantha Mendis, delving into his bag of bewildering spin tricks, led Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Canada Twenty20 final  at Toronto. . Chasing 133 to win, Sri Lanka registered their first win over Pakistan in the new-style, wham-bang format with six balls to spare.       He may be pushing 40 years old but Jayasuriya (40 runs) showed little sign of ageing as he and fellow opener Mahela Udawatte (25) put on 66 in 6.6 overs.       They took advantage off a wayward Pakistan attack with Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul being hit to all parts of the ground in front of 9,000 fans at King City.  Jayasuriya was particularly harsh on Akhtar, flicking the recalled quick for four in his first over and then pulling him for consecutive sixes over midwicket. Desperate Pakistan, who had won the group match between the two sides by three wickets on Saturday, turned to spin and Shahid Afridi dismissed Udawatte while Shoaib Malik accounted for Jayasuriya.       But despite losing skipper Mahela Jayawardene for just five, Kaushalya Weeraratne (12) and Chamara Kapugedera (17 not out) saw Sri Lanka home. Earlier Mendis, 16 years Jayasuriya's junior, took 3-23 for a tournament total of 11 wickets as he put the brakes on the Pakistan middle order.       Opener Salman Butt top scored with 44 before he fell to Mendis who also accounted for Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal. Zimbabwe trounced Canada by 109 runs to claim third place on Monday. Zimbabwe had needed a bowl-out to beat the hosts in the group stage on Saturday but there was no repeat of that drama this time as the African side piled up 184-5, the highest score of the tournament.       Opener Hamilton Masakadza smashed 79 with useful contributions coming from Chamu Chibhabha (40), Elton Chigumbura (25) and Keith Dabengwa (16 not out). Masakadza had made a brave 53 in his side's seven-wicket loss to Pakistan on Saturday and he was in brutal form again on Monday smashing two giant sixes off Abdool Samad. Canada were immediately in trouble slipping to 10-3 by the sixth over as captain Ashif Mulla (2), Rizwan Cheema (2) and Sandeep Jyoti (0) all failed.  Canada just managed to avoid the lowest Twenty20 score of all time - Kenya's 67 against Ireland in August - as they were skittled out for 75 with Zimbabwe's 23-year-old captain Prosper Utseya taking 3 for 26 with his off-breaks.  Source:http://newstodaynet.com/maincat.php?section=10%20&%20pg=1

Review-Kadhalil Vizhunthen

With a lesser known star cast, director Prasad has managed to weave a sequence of some interesting and catchy sequences. Though a predictable storyline, the neat performance from the star cast, racy background of Vijay Anthony and brisk cinematography by Vijay Milton keeps us glued to the seats.

Due credit should be given to the lead pair Nakul and Sunaina. It is no easy task to take such a meaty role so early in their career. Both have got under the skin of their character to give their best. After Boys, the young actor has almost waited five years for his next. A worthy weight indeed for he has got to do a movie which one actor rarely comes across in Tamil cinema these days. He fits the role like T. His transformation from an innocent lovelorn youth to an angry young man desperate to save his romance deserves applause.

Sunaina with her girl-next-door look is adequate. It is indeed happy to see a heroine getting so much footage in a contemporary Tamil cinema. She manages to combine glamour with a strong performance. Sampath Raj, who impressed everyone withy films including ‘Chennai 28’ and ‘Saroja’, continues his good run. He plays a police officer on the run for the lover couple. Livingston's cameo needs to mention. The movie has a host of stars, who have played their part well.

Sabha (Nakul), a youth born and brought up in a Chennai slum, meets with an accident due to the negligence of Meera (Sunaina), a girl from a rich family. She ensures that Sabha is nursed back to his normal health. Her caring and amiable way, leaves an impact with Sabha. From hospital, he sets out on a mission to meet Meera and open his heart out.

What starts as a friendship blossoms as love between them. However fate takes a cruel turn when Sabha returns from Ooty after playing a football match to meet his beloved. He is informed that Meera has breathed her last. A shattered Sabha rushes to hospital only to see her body taken to post-mortem. Not believing that she is dead, he urged doctors to help save her. However when everyone insists that she is dead, Sabha slips to his own world imagining that Meera is still alive. He flees from Chennai with Meera's body imagining that she is still alive and both would lead a happy life far from the madding crowd. Anbu Selvan ( Sampath Raj), a police inspector goes on Sabha's search. He runs behind Sabha only to end up in vain in every attempt of his. Meanwhile, Sabha starts to live his own world with the body of Meera. After blood, gore and score of murders, Sabha gives up his life eventually.

Prasad seems to have been inspired by movies like ‘Guna’, ‘By2’, ‘7G Rainbow Colony’ and ‘Kadhal Kondein’. He has managed to draw a link between action and romance in the film, which works out well.

The real scene stealer is however Vijay Anthony. The high octave and peppy number “Nakka Mukka” is the USP of the film. It comes twice ion the film and it is thoroughly entertaining.

Produced by Umapathy in association with Sun Pictures. ‘Kadhalil Vizhunthen’ is a movie that dwells on romance. It is a feel-good movie with strong portrayals.

Sensex climbs 379 pts in early trade

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Snapping the downward trend, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex shot up by over 379 points in early trade today on revival of buying by FIIs after SEBI eased curbs on indirect investments by foreign funds and the RBI slashed CRR.

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The 30-share index, which had plunged 724.62 points on Monday, recovered by 379.73 points to 12,181.43 points following rebound in the stocks of banking, capital goods, realty and oil and gas sectors.       Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange's index rose by 127.05 at 3,729.40. Market analysts said market regulator SEBI's move to lift some curbs on foreign institutional investors (FIIs) imposed a year ago and a 50 basis points cut in Cash Reserve Ratio by the Reserve Bank of India, buoyed the trading sentiment. They said in view of change in the market's scenario, speculators were seen covering up their short positions. Major gainers in the morning trade were Reliance Industries, which shot up by Rs 36.10 at Rs 1678, and Reliance Infra that gained Rs 19.50 at Rs 657.50.       Among banking stocks, largest lender, state-run State Bank of India surged Rs 43.05 at Rs 1,477.05, ICICI Bank gained Rs 21.80 at Rs 512.25 and HDFC Bank rose by Rs 30.10 at Rs 1,232.       IT bellwether, Infosys Technologies climbed by Rs 34.30 at Rs 1352.10, Tata Consultancy was up by Rs 17.75 at Rs 637 and Wipro rose by Rs 3.40 at Rs 323.

Tatas likely to drive Nano project to Gujarat

Tatas are understood to have decided to set up the Rs 1-lakh Nano car project in Gujarat, an announcement for which is expected to be made anytime.  A state government official in the know of the development said Tata Motors have accepted the proposal to set up the project at Sanand near Ahmedabad.

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The official said the state government has offered 1,000 acres, including 80 per cent of its own land to Tatas, who earlier this week closed shop in West Bengal. No comments could be obtained from Tata Motors immediately. Announcement for the project in the state is expected to be made jointly by the Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Tata officials.       Ever since the Tatas faced political resistance in West Bengal for their project at Singur  various state governments, including Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, have made offers for locating the small-car project in their territory.

Smoking Banned in Chennai

By Banning Tobacco smoking whom does it favour? Will smokers stop it, anyway they are gonna do it.There may be certain advantages like pollution,passive smoking.The main motto is Health.

    According to a U.N survey, In INDIA after 2010 cause of deaths due to smoking would increase.Also one in three indians smoke.The Government should bring pictorial warnings everywhere instead of letters,until then no one would stop it.Cinema halls must play small movies of diseases caused due to smoking.

        Why does a person smoke? He might have started in his teen age for fun,then it becomes a habbit.If you ask a smoker-What's the reason for smoking? Some might say its due to pressure, the remaining others would say "I Dont know".It's also due to Nicotine addiction but its registered on their subconsious mind,that's the reason they do it.They must also include a subject about "Effects Of Drug usage" for school education like they did it for sex education.

                  A very very bad idea of stopping smoking by people is to reduce the intake,tats not possible "STOP ABRUPTLY".Also some governments in our country aren't supporting like Maharastra and others,i dont know the reason why are they doing so?If we see the Long term effects of Banning smoking(Strict Action must be taken) there are a certain percentage of smokers in the age group of 18-25(may be >40%).Many of their parents dont know they are smoking. so if we ban smoking on public places, am dead sure they wont smoke in their houses.There is no other go they must get used to it and leave the habbit.And after say 20-30 years there wont be much smokers compared to now.But this ban must be strictly followed and continued to make our Coutry a Healthy and wealthy one(coz, if u ask smokers how much they spend,they would surley say a 5 digit no)

                 If you are Smoker,please stop smoking for urself,ur family and our country.Become Healthiy and Wealthy.